AN: I still don't own Gilmore Girls

Here's chapter four, it's Straub and Francine. This takes place before chapter three chronologically, but like I said before, I wanted to show Shira twisting in the wind for a bit.

The morning after that dreadful dinner Francine Hayden woke up knowing exactly what she needed to do. As soon as it was socially acceptable (after 9 am) she went into her parlor and dialed a number she hadn't called in years. She waited nervously as the phone rang on the other end.

"Gilmore residence," the maid answered.

"Yes, Emily please," Francine told her.

"I'm sorry?" the maid said with a confused voice. Francine smiled, same old Emily, couldn't keep a maid to save her life.

"Mrs. Gilmore please," she amended.

"Right away Ma'am. May I tell her who's calling?"

"Yes, please tell her it's Francine Hayden."

"Hold on a moment please."

Francine waited patiently hoping Emily would take the call. Finally, a full minute later she heard the sound of an extension being picked up.

"This is Emily," she said curtly.

"It's Francine."

"What can I do for you Francine?" she asked in a sarcastic voice that Francine knew well.

"Something's happened Emily, and I need to discuss it with you," Francine told her quickly.

"I really don't think we have anything to discuss," Emily snapped back.

"It's about Rory, please?" Francine pleaded.

"Rory?" This softened Emily's hard exterior quickly. "Well, go on then, tell me."

"I'd rather discuss it in person, can you meet me in today?" she asked hopefully.

"I'd have to cancel my tennis lesson."

"It's urgent," Francine informed her.

Emily sighed on the other end of the phone and Francine felt a surge of hope. "Alright. How about that tea house on Main Street?" Emily asked.

"What time?" Francine asked quickly.

"11:30," Emily suggested.

"That's perfect I'll see you then." Before she could even get a confirmation from Emily she heard the sound of a dial tone.

Two hours later Francine found herself anxiously pacing in the entryway of the tea house, hoping that Emily would show up. She hadn't been to this place in years, but found that it hadn't changed at all. She glanced up as she heard a car pull into the parking lot, a compact, definitely not Emily, so she resumed pacing. She wouldn't put it past Emily to call right at 11:30 and cancel on her. Emily Gilmore would never all out stand someone up, but she could show her displeasure by canceling at the last moment or being purposefully late. Francine really hoped she didn't have to put up with any of that today. This was far too important.

The door opened behind her and she saw Emily step into the building.

"Oh good, you made it," Francine said.

"Of course I made it Francine, I picked the place and the time," Emily told her sharply as they approached the hostess.

"A table for two?" the woman asked.

"Yes please," Francine replied. The hostess grabbed a pair of menus and led the ladies to a table in the center of the room.

"Is this all right?" she asked.

"Actually, do you think we could have something a little quieter," Francine asked, hinting at her need for privacy.

"Yes Ma'am, right this way." The second table was in a private corner, which was much better suited for the news Francine had to share. The two women were seated, and left to peruse their menus. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Francine decided to speak.

"So how have you been Emily?" She didn't want to be interrupted once she started her tale, so she decided to wait until they had ordered to tell Emily what was going on.

"I've been well Francine, how about yourself?"

"I'm well also, how's Richard?" she asked prolonging the conversation.

"Richard is fine," Emily said annoyed.

Before either woman could speak again the waitress showed up. "Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, Earl Grey tea and a plate of scones," Emily told her.

"I'll have the same," Francine said quietly.

Once the waitress walked away Emily looked up at Francine. "All right Francine, what's so important that I had to cancel my tennis lesson on two hours notice? I'm probably going to be billed for that lesson you know," Emily ranted.

"If it's a big deal Emily just send me the bill, I'll be happy to pay it," Francine shot back.

"Well of course not!" Emily said in a shocked voice. "I just want to know what's going on."

"Straub and I had dinner with the Huntzbergers last night," Francine started.

"Well congratulations," Emily said sarcastically. "What does this have to do with Rory?"

"She was at the dinner."

"What? Why?" Emily asked immediately curious.

"Apparently she's dating the Huntzberger's son," Francine said. She watched a look of hurt cross Emily's face, likely because she hadn't been aware of the match and was annoyed that Francine knew first. "They just started dating," Francine added to soothe her.

"Well I agree that that information is important, but I don't see why you wanted to meet with me in person to share it, or why it had to be in a corner table. Honestly, I feel like we're spies trading in international secrets," Emily said tartly.

"It's not that she was at the dinner Emily, it's what happened at the dinner," Francine replied equally tartly, then she began to relive the events of the night before for Emily.

After the whole story was out, Francine sipped her tea as Emily sputtered in shock. "Who does that woman think she is? Where does she get off thinking she can insulting Rory? Considering her own past and the fact that her precious son has practically slept with the entire eastern seaboard, I don't think she's in a place to say anything all!"

"It really was atrocious," Francine said.

"Poor Rory!" Emily moaned.

"I know. But Emily you would have been so proud of the girl, she kept her composure the entire time. Of course it probably helped that she had Logan there yelling on her behalf."

"He was?" Emily asked.

"I know he has a terrible reputation as a playboy, but he seems to really care for her."

"She kept her cool?" Emily backtracked a moment.

"I do wonder where she got the ability to do that," Francine said. She knew all three of the elder Gilmores had quick tempers as well as Straub, and she herself was prone to crying.

"She got the best traits of all of us. I think she got that one from Christopher," Emily told her.

"Really?"

"You don't see it, because he's your son, but Christopher always managed to keep his anger in check in public."

Francine smiled at the compliment to her son. "She really is an amazing girl, Emily."

"Yes she is," Emily said proudly. "So what are we going to do to help our granddaughter?" Tears filled Francine's eyes. "What's wrong Francine?"

She sniffed a little before she spoke, "That's the first time you've ever referred to her as our granddaughter."

"Oh, well." Emily shrugged.

"I'm so sorry Emily. All those horrible things that were said. I'm so sorry I've missed that amazing girl growing up. I miss our friendship so much," Francine confessed in a rush.

Emily reached out and patted her hand. "Well, for what it's worth, I've missed you too. And it's not entirely too late, you can still get to know her."

"Thank you," Francine said with a watery smile.

Emily nodded dismissively. "So, we know that no one insults our granddaughter and gets away with it, so what are we going to do?"

"Well," Francine started secretively, "I have an idea."

The two women bent their heads together and began to plot the demise of Shira Huntzberger.

Straub Hayden started his morning in a manner similar to that of his wife's. He reached his office a little before 9, then spent a few moments going over his docket before calling out to his law clerk, "Jeffrey, would you get me the phone number for Richard Gilmore's Office?"

"Right away Your Honor. Would you like me to get him on the phone for you as well?" Jeffrey asked.

"I can make the call myself," the judge said gruffly.

A few minutes later Jeffrey returned with the phone number. "Can I get you anything else?"

"A cup of coffee and some privacy!" the judge scowled. Jeffrey quickly backed out of the office shutting the door firmly behind him.

Straub picked up the phone and roughly punched in the numbers for Richard's office, briefly recalling their last meeting and hoping that the man would at least hear him out.

"Good morning, Richard Gilmore's office," a familiar yet chipper voice answered the phone.

"May I speak to Richard please?" he asked.

"One moment sir, may I let him know who's calling?" she asked.

"Straub Hayden."

"Of course, please hold a moment." When she put him on hold he remembered where he'd heard the voice before, Margie, she'd been Richard's assistant for ages. He chuckled at the thought of Richard's steadfast loyalty with his help, and Emily's rotating door policy with hers.

"This is Richard," he finally answered. Straub could tell he deliberated before taking the call.

"Hello Richard, it's been a long time," Straub started.

"Straub," he said shortly. "Why are you calling?'

"Something's come up on a deal and I need your advice," Straub told him honestly.

"I'm sure someone as learned as yourself can make your own business deals," Richard told him curtly.

"Possibly, but this has to do with Rory."

"Rory? My granddaughter Rory?" Richard asked shocked.

"Is there any other?" Straub asked with a laugh.

"Fine. What do you need?"

"I'd rather discuss it in person. Can you meet me at the club today at 2:00?" He heard pages flipping on Richard's end of the phone while he waited for an answer.

"It's important?" Richard asked double checking.

"Very."

"I'll see you there at 2:00 then," he said with a sigh.

"Thank you Richard," Straub said before hanging up the phone. "Jeffrey," he called loudly.

"Yes Your Honor?" the clerk asked.

"I have to leave early today due to a family matter," he told him. "I'll only be here until 1:00, is there anything critical that I get done before I leave?" He felt bad by yelling at the man earlier, and was trying assuage his guilt by reminding him of his importance.

"If you could get through the stack of Petitions for Certiorari on your desk that'd be great," he said with a smile.

"Very well. Thank you Jeffrey." When the door closed the judge smiled and set to work reviewing petitions.

At 2:00 sharp Straub entered the Hartford Country Club to find Richard pacing in the lobby.

"Sorry, I'm late," Straub said knowing full well that he was not in fact late. Richard waved a dismissive hand at him letting him know he wasn't bothered.

"Shall we head to the dining room and discuss what ever this is over a bite of lunch?" Richard asked.

"I was hoping for somewhere more private," Straub told him. "Maybe the cigar lounge?"

"That should pretty much be deserted at this time of day, I suppose that would be fine," Richard agreed, and the two gentlemen set off to the third floor.

When they arrived in the lounge they found that Richard was correct, the lounge was empty except for the slight smoky fog that never completely dissipated.

"So how are you Richard? How's business?" Straub asked when they sat down.

"I'm well, and business is booming. How are you? And Francine?" he asked in return. No matter how little they liked each other at the moment the niceties of society could not be completely forgone.

"We're both well, thank you."

"Great. Now, what's so urgent?" Richard asked impatiently.

"We had dinner with the Huntzbergers last night," Straub started.

"That's nice. What does that have to do with Rory?" Richard asked.

"Rory was there. Apparently she's dating their son," Straub told him.

"And why is this urgent?" Richard asked.

And with that Straub began to tell Richard of the events that occurred the night before. When he finally came to the end he looked over to see Richard with a thunderstruck look on his face.

"How dare they!" he yelled loudly. "They have no right! My granddaughter is an angel!"

"I could hardly believe it myself," Straub told him.

"Well I'm glad you were there to defend her Straub."

"I think she would have been fine without me, but thank you. Logan was doing a pretty good job at yelling at his family on her behalf."

"Rory, didn't-" Richard started with concern.

"Rory did an amazing job keeping her composure. She's definitely a Gilmore, I could see Lorelai's fire in her eyes, but she managed to hold her tongue and even managed a 'thank you' as we left," Straub said rather proudly.

"Good for her! I can't believe she thanked that odious woman, Emily will never believe it," Richard said with a laugh.

"She's a remarkable girl Richard, Lorelai did a wonderful job with her. You and Emily should be very proud," Straub said quietly, feeling the remorse of not knowing his eldest granddaughter.

"Thank you Straub, we are."

"Look Richard," Straub started.

"It's water under the bridge Straub, let's just let it go," Richard said.

"No, I have to get this one thing off my chest. I'm sorry. For years I blamed Lorelai, and subconsciously, Rory, for Christopher's failures in life. I thought they held him back somehow. But now, as he's finally found a career he loves, I realize that Francine and I were the ones holding him back by trying to force him into the family footsteps. I owe you an apology Richard."

"Apology accepted. Now what are we going to do about these Huntzbergers? No one insults a Gilmore-"

"Or a Hayden," Straub added.

"and gets away with it," Richard finished. "Tell me about this business deal you have going with Mitchum again?" Straub relayed the details of the deal to Richard and his face lit up in a smile, "We'll crush him like a bug!"

"Now Richard, we must give Mitchum a little leeway. He arrived at the same time that Francine and I did. He had no clue who Rory was when we arrived. The insults were all Shira and Elias. He couldn't very well tell Shira to shut up in front of company after all. It wouldn't be fair to completely crush him," Straub told him.

"I knew there was a reason you were a judge Straub, always about the fairness. How about we just dent him a little then?" Richard asked.

"What do you have in mind?" Straub asked. "And what about Shira?"

"I'm sure Emily and Francine will take care of Shira if they haven't already," Richard reassured him, then leaned forward to unfold his plan for denting Mitchum Huntzberger.

AN: Had to get a little Gilmore in there too! I couldn't leave Richard and Emily completely out of the fun!

Someone mentioned that they wanted more Rory and Logan – Don't worry they'll be back in the next chapter.

Thanks for reading! S