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Chapter 8:

The day had come. The trial. Luke, Lorelai and Rory had arrived at the court. They had to sit in this room until they had given their evidence. Luke and Lorelai agreed to go first so that they could sit in there when Rory gave hers.

Rory was sat in the corner of the room reading a book. "Do you think she's ok? Lorelai said to Luke.

"I hope so. I hate that I have to put her through this." Luke said.

"Hey, it's not your fault and you heard her. She wanted to do this." Lorelai reassured him.

The prosecution came in and briefed them all on what would happen and then it started. Luke was up first. It took quite a while until someone came in to tell Lorelai she was up. Lorelai took a deep breath and hugged Rory.

"Good luck." Rory said quietly to her mom. It was then just her left in the room. She had to admit she was nervous. She would have to face her dad.

After what seemed like hours, Rory was finally called in. Rory followed the person escorting her to the court and then found herself walking in and onto the stand. Rory glanced over at her dad, who was looking calm and right at her. She then looked over at the family box where Luke and her mom gave her reassuring smiles.

Rory placed her hand on a book and repeated. "I, Rory Gilmore, do solemnly swear that I will give the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." She said quietly.

Lorelai reached and held Luke's hand which he squeezed.

The prosecution stood up first and smiled kindly at Rory. "Miss Gilmore, what would you say your relationship is like with the defendant?"

"Um...not great. He's not great at staying in touch." She said quietly avoiding her dad's gaze.

"And with Mr Danes?"

"Luke's been there for me all my life. I can't imagine my life without him." Rory said glancing over at Luke quickly.

"So what was the defendant's reaction when your mom married Mr Danes?"

"He was angry. He came round to the house saying that she should have told him and how dare he bring a strange man into the house where I live and expect Luke to replace him."

"What did you think about this?"

"It was crazy. Luke was hardly a stranger. I'd known him pretty much my whole life and we eat at his diner pretty much every day." She said.

"So you would say your dad was feeling jealous and angry as he left your house on the day after your mom and Mr Danes' wedding?"

"Yeh..." Rory said quietly.

"Thank you." He smiled kindly at Rory and sat down.

The defence then stood up and Rory took a deep breath.

"So, Miss Gilmore, you would say you were very close to Mr Danes?"

"Yes..."

"You spend a lot of time with him?"

"Yeh..."

"Why do you think the defendant took so strongly against him?"

"Because he's jealous."

"But there must be more than that?"

"No. He just hates Luke for being in my life when he's not."

"Your dad must be protective over you though? Any dad would be."

"I guess..." Rory said not really knowing where this was going.

"So there must have been a reason he didn't like Mr Danes? Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Has Mr Danes ever hurt you and you've been too scared to tell anyone?"

Rory was shocked. "What?! No! He's not like that!"

"Many people would say that though. I'll tell you what I think really happened. Your dad found out that Mr Danes was hurting you..."

"No!" Rory said getting upset now.

"Mr Danes then found out that he knew and knew that he had to get rid of him somehow so he got someone to steal the defendant's car and make it look like attempted murder."

"No why are you saying this? Luke would never hurt me! My dad was the one driving the car!" Rory said, feeling tears fall now.

"Oh my god..." Lorelai said quietly. "Why are they doing this to her?"

"But you didn't actually witness the accident did you, Miss Gilmore?"

"No but I know..."

"You don't know anything." The defence said.

"I'm s..sorry. I can't do this..." Rory said and then rushed out of the court. The defence gave a smug smile towards the jury.

Lorelai went to stand up to go after Rory. "I'll go.." Luke said.

Luke went outside and saw Rory down the corridor sat on a bench crying. "Rory...?"

Rory looked up and ran to him nearly knocking him over with a hug. "I'm so sorry. I've let you down. I've ruined everything!" She cried.

"Hey..." Luke said softly gently rubbing her back. "You could never let me down. What happened in there wasn't your fault? They shouldn't have said those things.."

"They think you're this kind of monster! It's wrong! And he's going to get away with it!" Rory said.

"The two people I love most don't believe it so I don't care what anyone else thinks." Luke said softly.

Rory just held onto Luke. "I don't believe what they were saying by the way. I know it was dad and I hate him for it."

Luke just hugged her. Lorelai then appeared. "Guys, Chris is about to take the stand. They want everyone back in." She said softly.

Rory let go of Luke and hugged her mom.

"You up to going back in?" Lorelai asked gently. Rory nodded.

Back in the court room, Rory sat in between Luke and Lorelai watching.

The defence stood up. "So, tell the court what you said in your statement."

"Rory, my daughter, came to me and told me that she hated Luke and that he was hurting her." He said calmly.

Rory was so shocked. "I never said that!" She shouted.

"ORDER! Or you shall be removed." The judge said.

"Continue." The defence said.

"She was too scared to tell anyone else." Chris said. "But I made sure I knew Luke knew that I knew."

"So Mr Danes would want to get rid of you as to not ruin his marriage?"

"Exactly. This whole things is a set up." Chris said.

Rory just shook her head. She looked up at Luke. "You don't believe him, do you? I would never say those things..." She said quietly, close to tears.

Luke looked down at her and smiled reassuringly. "Of course not." He said softly and squeezed her hand.

The court continued until the jury went and decided on a verdict.

After about an hour, everyone was called back in.

"Have you come to a decision that everyone agrees with?" The judge asked.

"We have."

"Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?"

"Not guilty."

"No..." Rory said quietly, feeling sick.

A couple of hours later, the three of them arrived home, all very quiet. Rory felt like it was all her fault for bailing. She went straight to her room.

Lorelai sighed. "I can't believe it..."

"I know." Luke said.

Lorelai went to check on Rory. "Hon?"

"Mom I just want to go back to normal. Like we were before this all happened. We were happy. But now he's out there..." Rory said sadly.

"I know kid, but we have to carry on."

"But what if he comes back?"

"Then we will have to deal with it. Now, how about we go and beg Luke to make us food at the diner?" She smiled.

Rory laughed. "He won't agree to us."

"Oh I'm sure we can persuade him!" Lorelai grinned.

Rory laughed and hugged her. "Thanks mom."

They both went into the living room and smiled at Luke. Luke looked at them suspiciously. "Ok what do you want?"

They both laughed.

Found it hard to word this one right! Please let me know what you think! I'm going to try and make the next few chapters a bit happier! :)