Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. The characters belong to the WB and its affiliates.

 

Story Summary: Rory finally confides in Lorelai what has been going on with Tristan which prompts her to make a decision between the two boys…a decision that may come too late.

 

INT: LORELAI’S JEEP-NIGHT

 

Lorelai and Rory are driving home from the grandparent’s house.

 

LORELAI: You know forgive me for being cynical here…but you don’t look sick. So what’s the real reason you wanted to come home…I know…was it was Emily?

 

Rory doesn’t say anything.

 

LORELAI: (cont.) I’m right aren’t I? Aren’t I?

 

RORY: Stop mom…It wasn’t grandma or grandpa…I just think maybe I’m coming down with something.

 

LORELAI: You know I really should have taught you to be a better liar.

 

RORY: I’m not lying.

 

LORELAI: Rory hon…this is mom you’re talking to. I mastered in the art of lying…sort of a necessity living with Emily and Richard.

 

RORY: Fine…ok…I’m lying.

 

LORELAI: So then spill…what’s really going on here my little kumquat?

 

RORY: You wouldn’t understand.

 

LORELAI: Oh…that hurts. I am Ms. Understanding….well actually Ms. Gilmore…but that is so not the point here…come on Rory…you can trust me with whatever it is that is bugging you.

 

RORY: It’s Tristan.

 

LORELAI: Uh huh…I should have known. Why didn’t I see this coming? All the signs are there.

 

RORY: What signs?

 

LORELAI: You have fallen for this one…head over heels.

 

RORY: No…it’s not like that. He just confuses me.

 

LORELAI: Confusion is sign number one. First they confuse you…make you start feeling things you can’t quite put a name to…then they play with those conflicting emotions…saying things…doing things…taking liberties we would never have imagined letting them…and then they move in for the kill.

 

RORY: How do you know all this?

 

LORELAI: Because Rory…it happened to me.

 

RORY: Really? And what did you do? How did you make him go away?

 

LORELAI: I told him I was pregnant…which by the way I am in no way recommending as a solution.

 

RORY: Dad? Dad made you feel this way?

 

Lorelai and Rory drive up to their house and Lorelai stops the engine.

 

LORELAI: Maybe we should continue this discussion inside. There are some things I think its time you and I talked about.

 

RORY: We already had the sex talk mom.

 

LORELAI: Yes but you were two Rory…and ten…and then twelve…but those were the precautionary ones. I think it’s time we talk about the boy who has the ability to change all our good intentions.

 

Rory starts to get out of the car and notices that her mother isn’t.

 

RORY: Aren’t you going to exit the vehicle too?

 

LORELAI: I’ll be right there.

 

RORY: You’re going to call Sookie for advice…aren’t you?

 

LORELAI: Right you are…now scoot…I’ll be right in.

 

Rory gets out of the car and heads for the house. Lorelai takes out her cell phone and starts dialing.

 

LORELAI: Hi…it’s me.

 

LORELAI/CHRISTOPHER: INTERCUT

 

CHRISTOPHER: Hey Lor…it’s kind of late. Is everything okay?

 

LORELAI: Actually…no. I need some man advice.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You want me to give you advice about a man? Since when?

 

LORELAI: Not about a man Chris…I want a man’s advice.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Gotcha. So what’s up?

 

LORELAI: It’s Rory. She’s in love Chris. (very weepy)

 

CHRISTOPHER: Why is this a bad thing Lorelai?

 

LORELAI: She’s in love with you Chris.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Uh huh…you’re really not making any sense Lor.

 

LORELAI: I don’t mean you now…I mean you when you were in high school…Christopher Hayden bad ass spoiled rich boy.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Lorelai hon…I’ve been on the road all week and this is like the first night I’ve been able to just relax and sleep…so maybe I’m missing something here…but I can’t quite get what the problem is…so why don’t you slow down and start from the beginning.

 

LORELAI: Okay (takes a deep breath) Rory has met a boy…not Dean…another boy. And when I look at him…I see you. And it scares me.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You mean she met a boy who is like I was in high school?

 

LORELAI: Yes! Now do you understand?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Not really…no.

 

LORELAI: Were you always this dense and I just over looked it because I was a smitten kitten?

 

CHRISTOPHER: You a smitten kitten…please…I had to chase you for months. You wanted nothing to do with me.

 

LORELAI: Exactly! It’s like history repeating itself…Rory didn’t want him either…until he changed that. Just like you did.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Wait a minute are you telling me that this boy and Rory are…doing stuff?

 

LORELAI: Not…that stuff…but other stuff …maybe. I don’t know. I do know that the paths are eerily similar.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You have to talk to her. You have to tell her what a bad idea this is…tell her she can’t see this guy.

 

LORELAI: Oh my god…did I miss-dial and get my dad?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Wow…that did sound very Richard like didn’t it?

 

LORELAI: I don’t want to tell her what to do Chris…I want her to do the right thing on her own. But I’m afraid if I don’t go all *Emily* on her…well I’m afraid she’ll end up like me. What should I do?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Trust your instincts Lorelai. You’re her mom…and she respects you. She’ll listen to what you say.

 

LORELAI: That’s it? That’s what I get for 40 cents a minute?

 

CHRISTOPHER: It’s all I got sweetheart…sorry.

 

LORELAI: Well just don’t expect a thank-you card anytime soon.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Good luck Lorelai…you’ll do great. Rory’s lucky to have you for a mom.

 

LORELAI: You are so forgiven.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Go get her tiger.

 

LORELAI: Bye.

 

Lorelai hangs up the phone and gets out of the jeep. With a big sigh she heads towards the house.

 

INT: GILMORE GIRLS HOME-NIGHT

 

Rory is sitting on the couch in her PJ’s with a blanket covering her legs. Lorelai comes in and sits down next to her. They just kind of stare at each other for a few minutes.

 

LORELAI: I’ll start.

 

RORY: Okay…good idea since this is your talk.

 

LORELAI: Born a smart ass…yes you were. (pauses) Rory…hon…I know what you’re going through right now is really confusing.

 

RORY: That would an understatement.

 

LORELAI: Right…Anyway…I think we need to talk about Tristan and his *affect* on you.

 

RORY: I don’t even know where to start. I mean one day he was just this annoying snob…and now I’ve cheated on Dean with him. I mean I never thought I would be someone to cheat…you know?

 

LORELAI: All too well unfortunately. It’s like looking into a mirror.

 

RORY: Can you tell me about you and dad…maybe that will help.

 

LORELAI: Sure…your dad was the first boy I ever met who I couldn’t stand.

 

RORY: Really?

 

LORELAI: Yes…he was this totally rich boy…who was used to always getting what he wanted. He moved here when he was in tenth grade….every girl in school wanted to be a part of his inner circle…except for me. I despised him and thought he treated girls way too casually. Like we were just there to serve him.

 

FLASHBACK/ LORELAI IN HIGHSCHOOL

 

A young Lorelai is standing at her locker with a group of her girlfriends…Christopher walks up to them.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Hello Girls.

 

All the girls giggle…except Lorelai.

 

CHRISTOPHER: (to Lorelai) Hi…I’m Chris Hayden. (winks at her)

 

LORELAI: Do you have something in your eye? Or do you just assume a girl would think you winking at them is like this flattering thing…when in reality it really just makes you look like a sleazy used car salesman.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Most girls think it’s charming.

 

Lorelai’s girlfriends begin to disburse…leaving Lorelai and Chris alone.

 

LORELAI: Well…I’m not most girls. You would be looking for the Muffy and Bitsy’s. They usually hang around the jocks. So nice to meet you Christopher Hayman.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Hayden.

 

LORELAI: Yeah…whatever. So I guess we both can assume I won’t be you’re next conquest and you can move along...

 

CHRISTOPHER: You wound me.

 

LORELAI: Yeah uh huh sure…so are we done here?

 

Christopher walks right up to next to Lorelai. He leans over and whispers into her ear.

 

CHRISTOPHER: We’ve just begun Lorelai Gilmore.

 

Lorelai and Chris look at each other and he smiles a devilishly handsome smile at her and then walks away.

 

FLASHFORWARD:

 

Rory is sitting on the couch with her mom just listening.

 

LORELAI: So that was pretty much the beginning of it and I tried to fight it. I had a boyfriend too…just like you. His name was Justin. He was sweet and he treated me so good. But after Chris entered my life…it was never the same. Justin found out about Chris…and the rest is history.

 

RORY: So are you trying to tell me that Dean and I don’t stand a chance of working because of this thing with Tristan?

 

LORELAI: No…of course not honey. I would like to see you and Dean work out. But as attracted to Tristan as you appear to be….well how bout I cross my fingers for you?

 

RORY: It doesn’t really matter anymore. Tristan has decided he’s tired of waiting for me.

 

LORELAI: Yeah… Uh huh…sure he has. Believe me Rory this is far from over. Unless of course you can convince yourself that your life is better off without him…it’s his game you’re playing.

 

RORY: I don’t know what I want. I mean part of me is saying “good riddance” he did nothing but turn my life and relationship with Dean upside down. But then there’s this other part…telling me to give him a chance.

 

LORELAI: So what is it 50/40?

 

RORY: More like 20/80. I can’t get him off my mind mom. I try and study and …wham…this image of Tristan comes into my mind…and studying becomes this lost cause.

 

LORELAI: It’s worse than I thought…we must seek medical attention immediately…before it starts to spread to the heart region.

 

RORY: I’m serious mom.

 

LORELAI: So am I…we must administer the antidote before it’s too late.

 

RORY: Well you’ve been a big help…thanks.

 

Rory starts to get up off the couch and starts to walk away.

 

LORELAI: I’m sorry come back. The thing is Rory…I don’t know what to tell you except…be careful. Amazing men like Christopher and Tristan…well they have a way of changing our lives.

 

RORY: Are you sorry about the way things turned out with you and Dad?

 

LORELAI: Yes and no. I mean without your dad…well there would be no you. And that I wouldn’t change that for the world. You Lorelai Gilmore the second…are my life. Do I wish things could have worked out for me and Chris…sometimes? He was as corny as it’s going to sound…my better half. He opened up so many doors in my closed off existence…he made me feel alive and when you meet a guy who can do that… or if you’ve met the guy who can do that…you’ve been given a gift. But again I stress…BE CAREFUL. Don’t give your heart or any other part of your anatomy too freely. Especially not now at sixteen. If Tristan really cares about you he can wait.

 

Rory leans over and hugs her mom.

 

RORY: Thanks mom.

 

LORELAI: For what?

 

RORY: For not telling me what to do…for giving me advice but also the opportunity to figure it out on my own. But most of all for believing I’ll do the right thing.

 

LORELAI: I did all that? Huh…I must be better at this parenting thing than I thought. Maybe I’ll write a book…what do you think? I can call it Lorelai’s Love Answers.

 

RORY: Goodnight mom.

 

LORELAI: Goodnight my little girl. You are still my little girl right…not my little woman?

 

RORY: Mom!

 

LORELAI: I was just checking.

 

Rory walks into her room and as she is beginning to shut the door Lorelai gets in one last word.

 

LORELAI: You didn’t really answer my question…Rory?

 

RORY: (OC) Good night Mom.

 

INT: HALLWAY OF STARS HOLLOW HIGH-DAY

 

Lane is at her locker getting some books out when she closes the locker door Rory is standing there…causing Lane to jump a little.

 

LANE: Rory! You scared me…what are you doing here? Don’t you have school today and aren’t you suppose to be staying at your grandparents until your detention is up?

 

RORY: I told my mom I wasn’t feeling well so she came and picked me up last night.

 

LANE: You don’t look sick…well maybe a little pale…but you’re always pale.

 

RORY: I’m not sick Lane…I just needed to come home.

 

LANE: Oh…grandparents getting to you?

 

RORY: No…it’s not the grandparents. Can we go somewhere and talk?

 

LANE: I have study hall next period…so you could come there with me.

 

RORY: Ok.

 

INT: CHILTON-DAY

 

Tristan is standing by Rory’s locker waiting for her. Paris sees him and walks over.

 

TRISTAN: What do you want Paris?

 

PARIS: I just wanted to tell you it’s going to be a long wait.

 

TRISTAN: What is?

 

PARIS: You’re waiting for Rory aren’t you?

 

TRISTAN: Maybe I just wanted to lean up against the wall.

 

PARIS: Well just in case that wasn’t your original plan…Rory isn’t in school today.

 

TRISTAN: She isn’t?

 

PARIS: No…I assumed she was ditching with you…but if that’s not the case she must really be sick.

 

TRISTAN: Very funny.

 

PARIS: You know you really are a glutton for punishment.

 

TRISTAN: Care to explain that?

 

PARIS: What is about this one Tristan…why is she so special…because she doesn’t want you?

 

TRISTAN: You wouldn’t understand.

 

PARIS: You could have almost any girl in this school…why Rory?

 

TRISTAN: It doesn’t really matter…it’s all a mute point. I’m through trying to change her mind. It’s time to move on.

 

As Tristan and Paris are talking a new girl comes walking down the hall…she is a tall, thin, brunette with big brown eyes. Tristan watches her walking by with a group of girls.

 

TRISTAN: Starting right now.

 

Tristan takes off after the new girl leaving Paris standing there.

 

INT: STARS HOLLOW HIGH-DAY

 

Rory and Lane are sitting down at a table in study hall…Rory is filling Lane in on all that has been happening in her life.

 

LANE: I can’t believe you didn’t tell me…me your best friend.

 

RORY: I’m sorry Lane. It’s just been a really confusing time for me.

 

LANE: Does Dean know?

 

RORY: Not yet.

 

LANE: I can’t believe you’ve been lying to Dean and cheating on him.

 

RORY: Me either.

 

LANE: He must be one fabulous kisser.

 

RORY: He is. Among other things.

 

LANE: Other things? Are you saying…?

 

RORY: No…no! Nothing like that.

 

LANE: So what are you going to do?

 

RORY: I don’t know. What would you do?

 

LANE: Me? I’d go for the rich boy so he could take me away from my very strict parents…but your mom is the coolest…so yes…I see your dilemma.

 

RORY: I mean…I thought I was in love with Dean…But if that was the case…how could Tristan make me feel this way?

 

LANE: I’ve never been where you are Rory…I only wish I had your problems.

 

RORY: And I wish I had yours.

 

INT: LUKE’S DINNER-NIGHT

 

Lorelai walks into the dinner and sits at a table. Jess walks over.

 

JESS: Solo tonight?

 

LORELAI: Who’s asking? I know…it’s that cute guy at the end of the counter. The one with the cute little chin dimple.

 

JESS: Actually it’s the old guy in the corner with the coffee.

 

LORELAI: Ooh…coffee. Go on.

 

JESS: Never a dull conversationalist…I’ll give you that. What can I get you…besides coffee of course.

 

LORELAI: Meat…big chunks of sizzling meat. And a side order of fries with gooey cheese topping and bacon bits sprinkled on top.

 

JESS: And the clogged arteries that will be accompanying that…will they be to go or will you just clog them here.

 

LORELAI: You can just *doggy bag* them.

 

Rory comes walking in to the dinner and spots her mom she goes over and takes a seat.

 

JESS: I thought you were on double detention.

 

RORY: Double detention?

 

JESS: Forced to stay after school, forced to stay with the old folks.

 

RORY: I’ve had a slight reprieve.

 

JESS: So what’ll it be?

 

RORY: Whatever she’s having.

 

JESS: She’s having the heart attack special.

 

RORY: Make mine junior portion.

 

JESS: Got it one heart attack special and one mild stroke.

 

Jess leaves to get their order and Lorelai turns expectantly to Rory.

 

LORELAI: Well?

 

RORY: I thought about it a lot today…and I’ve decided to tell Dean everything.

 

LORELAI: So then you’re choosing Tristan?

 

RORY: If he manages to make it out of this alive…yes.

 

LORELAI: So when are you going to tell Dean?

 

RORY: I have a date with him tomorrow night.

 

LORELAI: And you’re sure this is the right decision?

 

RORY: Mom…I thought you trusted me.

 

LORELAI: I do…its Tristan I have my reservations about.

 

As Rory and Lorelai are talking Dean goes walking by talking to Lane. Rory drops out of her chair and down to the floor so that Dean doesn’t see her. Dean turns and sees Lorelai and waves. Lorelai manages to plaster a fake smile on her face…as Dean and Lane continue walking.

 

LORELAI : You can get up now Colombo.

 

Rory gets up from under the table and sits back down in her chair.

 

RORY: I’m sorry. I’m just not ready to face Dean yet.

 

LORELAI: He’s lives in town sweetie…you’re going to have to see a lot of him. And I need you to stay seated when that happens.

 

RORY: I don’t want to hurt him mom.

 

LORELAI: Can you think of any other way.

 

RORY: I just wish things could go back to being normal. When Dean and I were happy and Tristan was still just Tristan. Is that too much to ask?

 

LORELAI: Yes sweetie…it is.