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

 

Story summary: It’s Friday night at the Grandparents house…and Tristan and his grandparents are the guests of honor.

 

INT: RORY’S BEDROOM-NIGHT

 

Rory is in her bedroom getting ready for dinner at the grandparents. But this isn’t the usual Friday night…this is the night that Tristan will be there too. Rory is checking her outfit and hair as her mother comes to the door of her room.

 

LORELAI: Wow!

 

RORY: It’s just a dress mom.

 

LORELAI: It’s a dress that says…inside contents contain one hot mama. Been shopping at Sophisticated Lady again?

 

RORY: It’s one of your dresses.

 

LORELAI: Get out…Really? So reassure me now…you’re not dressing…shall we say beyond your years, for Tristan are you?

 

RORY: I’m not.

 

LORELAI: Rory?

 

RORY: I just want to look nice…okay?

 

LORELAI: Fine…well go with that for now…but this sudden urge to look more sophisticated…it scares Mama…you are truly taking years off my life right now…hurrying the graying process…summoning the wrinkles…

 

RORY: Ok…I got it. Do you want me to change?

 

LORELAI: Would you please? I think your girl scout outfit is still somewhere in the back of the closet.

 

RORY: That would reveal more skin than this dress.

 

LORELAI: Excellent point.

 

RORY: We should probably go.

 

LORELAI: Just waiting for your dad.

 

RORY: Dad’s coming too? You guys aren’t planning on humiliating me are you?

 

LORELAI: If at all possible no. But you know me and your dad…when we get together…all bets are off.

 

Doorbell Rings. Lorelai goes to answer it. Rory takes one more look in the mirror, gathers her coat and heads out to the front living room.

 

RORY: Hi Dad.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Hey sweetie. You look very…

 

LORELAI: The word you are searching for here…vampy…sophisticated…sexy.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Not like a little girl jumps to my mind. When did you become so grown up?

 

RORY: Ok…embarrassing me now. Can we please just go?

 

CHRISTOPHER: You’re wearing that to the grandparents? Lorelai?

 

LORELAI: What? I tried to get her to wear the leopard print bikini…but she just wasn’t going for it. This was the next best thing.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Right.

 

RORY: I’m not a little girl anymore dad.

 

CHRISTOPHER: What do you have to say to that Lorelai?

 

LORELAI: She’s not a little girl anymore Chris.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Big help Lor…thanks.

 

LORELAI: Don’t mention it.

 

RORY: We should go.

 

LORELAI: Brightest in her class she is.

 

EXT: GRANDPARENT’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Rory, Chris and Lorelai are standing at the front door…Chris is about to ring the doorbell when he turns to Rory.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You sure you don’t want to change your mind about the dress?

 

LORELAI: And what would she wear at this point Chris…the bushes?

 

RORY: Ring the bell dad.

 

Chris reluctantly rings the bell and after a few minutes the door is answered by the maid.

 

MAID: Good evening Ms. Gilmore. Your parents ask me to direct you towards the living room. The guests have already arrived.

 

Lorelai, Chris and Rory walk into the house and head towards the living room.

 

LORELAI: The guests beat us here…we are so in trouble.

 

RORY: We are?

 

LORELAI: Yes…proper Emily Gilmore etiquette…you really should read the “Gilmore Guidelines” grandma gave you.

 

RORY: She was serious about that?  

 

LORELAI: She had it bound in leather and engraved the title…what do you think?

 

The trio walks into the living room where Tristan and his grandparents already are. As they walk into the room all eyes turn to them.

 

Tristan takes one look at Rory and can’t believe his eyes. He’s always thought her a beautiful girl…but tonight she has truly out done herself and he can’t take his eyes off of. He smiles at Rory and Rory smiles back causing Lorelai to cringe.

 

LORELAI: (to Rory) Subtlety is not that man’s strong suit.

 

RORY: It was a smile mom.

 

LORELAI: Please Rory he is so undressing you in his mind right now…cues girl…pick up on the cues.

 

RORY: Mom!

 

Emily summons the trio further into the room. Rory goes over and stands by Tristan, but Lorelai quickly makes her switch places with her so that now Lorelai is standing next to Tristan.

 

EMILY: Sharon…Patrick this is our daughter Lorelai, our granddaughter Rory and her father Christopher Hayden.

 

PATRICK: Richard…you must be kidding this lovely vision is your daughter. Didn’t know you had it in you old man.

 

LORELAI: A man with taste…that is refreshing.

 

Patrick laughs and moves on to Rory.

 

PATRICK: And who is this beautiful young woman…you can’t possibly be the Rory my grandson keeps going on about.

 

TRISTAN: Kill me now.

 

Lorelai leans over towards Tristan.

 

LORELAI: Now I see where you get it from.

 

The maid enters the room as the introductions are being finished.

 

MAID: Dinner is ready Mrs. Gilmore.

 

EMILY: Thank you Rosalyn. (to everyone else) Shall we?

 

PATRICK: An excellent idea Emily. Sharon? Can I escort you in?

 

SHARON: Thank you.

 

Emily and Richard head the procession into the dining room followed by Judge DuGrey and his wife. Lorelai and Chris start walking in with Rory until they realize Tristan is waiting to escort her to the table.

 

LORELAI: (whispers to Rory) Apparently he read grandma’s handbook. Very impressive.

 

Lorelai and Chris walk past Tristan as he is walking up to Rory. For the moment Rory and Tristan are alone in the living room.

 

TRISTAN: Can I just say that you look…amazing…tonight?

 

RORY: You may.

 

TRISTAN: You do…believe me. I really wish that I could kiss you right now. But that’s probably not such a good idea.

 

RORY: Probably not.

 

Tristan takes Rory’s arm to escort her in to the dining room…until.

 

TRISTAN: What the hell.

 

Tristan pulls Rory into his arms and rewards her with a soft lingering kiss. When the kiss is done he wraps her in his arms and gives her a hug.

 

TRISTAN: Ok…I’m good. Let’s go.

 

Rory is slightly dazed because that’s the way Tristan’s kisses affect her. She looks over at him and he smiles.

 

RORY: You’ve uh…got some lipstick…right there. (Rory reaches up and wipes the remnants of her lipstick off of his face.)

 

TRISTAN: Thanks.

 

RORY: You’re welcome.

 

Tristan and Rory walk into the dining room and Lorelai eyes them suspiciously. Tristan pulls out the chair by Lorelai and motions for Rory to sit after which he goes and sits across from her on the other side of the table.

 

LORELAI: (whispering to Rory) Maybe this won’t be so bad after all…and I love his grandfather…what a hoot!

 

As dinner is being passed around the table Rory and Tristan continue to glance at each other.

 

RICHARD: So Tristan…what are your plans for the future?

 

TRISTAN: I’d like to attend Princeton…it’s where my grandfather went.

 

RICHARD: Excellent! And what do you plan on studying?

 

TRISTAN: Right now I’m leaning towards law…but that’s not set in stone.

 

PATRICK: Tristan’s father wants him to go into business…become a shark like him…but I think he should be a lawyer…and who knows maybe some day he can be a judge like his old grand pop. Right Tristan?

 

TRISTAN: Sure grandpa…sounds great.

 

Rory looks at Tristan as he is answering and realizes that he is just saying what the grown-ups want to hear…playing the game so to speak.

 

EMILY: Tristan we have a lovely rose garden maybe after dinner Rory can show it to you.

 

LORELAI: Mom…maybe Tristan doesn’t want to see the moon lit rose garden with my sixteen year old daughter.

 

TRISTAN: Actually that sounds great. That’s if Rory doesn’t mind showing me.

 

LORELAI: Rory’s allergic to roses.

 

EMILY: Since when?

 

LORELAI: Since…since…well a long time.

 

EMILY: Nonsense Lorelai…Rory goes out in the garden to read all the time and never once have I heard so much as a sneeze.

 

RORY: I must have recovered…right mom?

 

LORELAI: Right. Um…mom…can I please see you in the kitchen for a moment?

 

EMILY: Whatever for dear?

 

LORELAI: For a really good reason…Please?

 

EMILY: Fine. If everyone will excuse us…we won’t be but a moment.

 

PATRICK: Take your time Emily…well get to know Rory better.

 

A steamed Lorelai walks into the kitchen in front of her mother.

 

EMILY: All right young lady…just exactly was that all about? Because you were very rude in there.

 

LORELAI: You have to stop this mom…right now.

 

EMILY: Stop what dear?

 

LORELAI: Pushing Rory and Tristan together. Rory has a boyfriend.

 

EMILY: Rory’s too young to have a boyfriend. She should be dating all different types of boys…not settling down.

 

LORELAI: That’s not for you to decide mom.

 

Chris comes walking into the kitchen.

 

CHRIS: Is everything okay in here?

 

LORELAI: Were fine.

 

CHRIS: Okay…if you need my help Lor.

 

LORELAI: I’m fine Chris…just go back to the table.

 

CHRIS: Okay.

 

EMILY: What are you so mad about Lorelai? I only have Rory’s best interest at heart. Besides she really seems to enjoy this Tristan fellow. And he’s such a gentleman.

 

LORELAI: Just because he knows the rules of etiquette mother…does not make him a gentleman. Trust me on this one.

 

EMILY: He’s better for Rory than that Dean.

 

LORELAI: You mean richer don’t you?

 

EMILY: That’s insulting Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: Well I’m sorry mom…but you’ve given Tristan this seal approval and you don’t even know him. What else am I suppose to think?

 

EMILY: He comes from good family Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: So does Dean. Mom if you and Dad actually took the time to know Dean…you would like him. And you would love how he treats Rory.

 

EMILY: Maybe you should follow your own advice.

 

LORELAI: If you an insinuating that I haven’t given Tristan a chance…you’re wrong. Mom you are shoving Rory into a huge mistake. Can’t you just take my word on this?

 

EMILY: No Lorelai…as usual you are over dramatizing.

 

LORELAI: You are impossible.

 

EMILY: Well so are you.

 

Emily leaves the kitchen and Lorelai sits down on a stool. As she is starting to get up Tristan comes in to the kitchen.

 

TRISTAN: Good…your still here.

 

LORELAI: I was just leaving.

 

TRISTAN: Please…can I just have a minute of your time?

 

LORELAI: (looking down at her watch) Fine…go.

 

TRISTAN: Okay this might actually take longer than sixty seconds.

 

LORELAI: You have five minutes.

 

TRISTAN: What is it about me that you don’t like?

 

LORELAI: I think you’re a great guy Tristan…but that doesn’t mean I necessarily think you’re a great guy for Rory.

 

TRISTAN: But Dean? He is?

 

LORELAI: Yes…he is very respectful of her. He doesn’t get her into trouble. Never once has he caused her to get detention.

 

TRISTAN: They don’t go to the same school.

 

LORELAI: Minor technicality. Four minutes and thirty seconds to go.

 

TRISTAN: I came in here to ask you to just at least give me a chance. Let me prove to you that I have Rory’s best interest at heart.

 

LORELAI: I’ve told you before…it’s not up to me…I won’t tell Rory what to do.

 

TRISTAN: I know…but she respects what you say. If you tell her I’m no good for her…she’ll believe it. She may hate it…but she’ll believe it.

 

LORELAI: I’m sorry Tristan…but I think you’re a little too *educated* for Rory. You’ve got her so confused she doesn’t even know which way is up.

 

TRISTAN: So really…it’s not that Dean is such a good guy…it’s because he’s a *safe* guy. You really think that there isn’t going to come a time where Dean is going to want more from Rory. Because if you do than you don’t know sixteen year old guys.

 

LORELAI: You are stepping way over the line here.

 

TRISTAN: I’m sorry…but you keep comparing me to Rory’s father and insisting I’m going to make the same mistakes. But you don’t know that.

 

LORELAI: Neither do you.

 

TRISTAN: Do you really think I would make Rory doing anything she didn’t want to do?

 

LORELAI: Yes…ok no. Maybe you’re right…maybe Dean is *safe.* …the problem with you Tristan is that you aren’t.

 

TRISTAN: So I’m being penalized because Rory is physically attracted to me? Because we have the chemistry she and Dean lack? Is that how you plan on keeping her chaste…by approving only of the guys you know will never make her want more than just a few simple kisses?

 

LORELAI: Oh! You’re time is so up!

 

Lorelai storms out the door almost running into Rory who is headed into the kitchen.

 

RORY: What was that about?

 

TRISTAN: I think I just made a huge enemy of your mother.

 

RORY: What did you say to her?

 

Lorelai comes storming back into the kitchen.

 

LORELAI: Tristan leave! Rory we need to talk.

 

RORY: Mom!

 

TRISTAN: It’s okay Rory.

 

Tristan leaves and a now very steamed Rory turns to her mother.

 

RORY: You had no right to do that!

 

LORELAI: He’s a pompous ass Rory!

 

RORY: No he isn’t. Why do you hate him so much?

 

LORELAI: Why do you like him so much?

 

RORY: I asked you first.

 

LORELAI: Fine…It’s not that I hate him Rory…I just don’t trust him.

 

RORY: Trust him with what?

 

LORELAI: With you.

 

RORY: You are making no sense mom.

 

LORELAI: Rory…he doesn’t want to just catch a movie and share some dinner with you. He has very serious plans concerning you.

 

RORY: Are you talking about sex?

 

LORELAI: Yes. And you are too young.

 

RORY: You were sixteen.

 

LORELAI: This is not about me.

 

RORY: I know…but mom…I can’t promise you that I’m going to wait as long as you want me to, to take that step.

 

LORELAI: You didn’t talk this way before him.

 

RORY: I didn’t feel this way before Tristan. But just because I’m now entertaining the idea…doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.

 

LORELAI: It will if you are with him.

 

RORY: Then it does. Does it have to be the end of the world for you?

 

LORELAI: I’m your mother Rory. I don’t want to see you throw your plans away on a boy…no matter how cute he is.

 

RORY: I’m not mom…I’m just growing up.

 

Christopher walks into kitchen as Lorelai and Rory are yelling at each other.  

 

LORELAI: You’re just like I was at sixteen…you think you can handle an adult relationship…but there are consequences of a relationship like that Rory…just look in the mirror. I’m sorry Rory…but I don’t want you to see Tristan any more…end of story.

 

RORY: No…not end of story. I like him mom…I’m sorry…but I do.

 

LORELAI: This isn’t open for discussion Rory. If you refuse to see what’s best than I have no other alternative than to step in and show you. And it isn’t Tristan.

 

RORY: I can’t believe you’re saying this.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Neither can I. Rory leave your mother and me alone.

 

LORELAI: Stay out of this Chris.

 

Rory leaves the kitchen.

 

CHRISTOPHER: What are you trying to do Lorelai? Make history repeat itself?

 

LORELAI: I’m trying to keep it from repeating itself…and you are not helping.

 

CHRISTOPHER: They say the memory is the first to go.

 

LORELAI: What are you babbling about?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Where did you use to go the minute your mom pissed you off?

 

LORELAI: To you.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Right.

 

LORELAI: But my parents loved you.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Not after I got you pregnant.

 

LORELAI: No…not then.

 

CHRISTOPHER: But even if they hadn’t Lor…I wouldn’t have been able to stay away from you.

 

LORELAI: What are you trying to say Chris?

 

CHRISTOPHER: I’m saying…don’t alienate Rory. Or she will become you and you will become your mother. If we try and keep her away from this guy…were no better than Emily and Richard were to us when we needed them the most.

 

LORELAI: I hate it when you get all rational on me.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I’ll try and keep it in check.

 

Chris gives a distraught Lorelai a hug.

 

INT: BALCONY OF LORELAI’S OLD ROOM-NIGHT

 

Tristan is standing out on the balcony when Rory pops her head out the window.

 

RORY: There you are.

 

TRISTAN: Yep…here I am.

 

RORY: This was my mom’s room.

 

Rory comes out the window on to the balcony.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…I figured as much.

 

RORY: So are you okay?

 

TRISTAN: Great.

 

RORY: Ok…so then why are you out here on the balcony?

 

TRISTAN: Collecting my thoughts.

 

RORY: Are you upset with me?

 

TRISTAN: Upset with you? No…not at all. Mostly myself I think.

 

RORY: Do you want to talk about it?

 

TRISTAN: I really wanted to make a good impression on your mom tonight. I know it’s stupid…but I just thought if she liked me…you would be more inclined to lean that way too.

 

RORY: My mom liking you or not has nothing to do with how I feel about you.

 

TRISTAN: Really?

 

RORY: (trying to lighten the mood) No…I hate you all on my own.

 

TRISTAN: (breaking into a grin) Thanks. I feel so much better now.

 

Tristan who is leaning up against the side of the balcony reaches for Rory’s hand…she gives it to him and he pulls her toward him and into his arms. They gaze in to each others eyes and begin kissing.

 

Lorelai and Christopher are outside leaning on the hood of her car when she notices Rory and Tristan and points them out to Chris.

 

LORELAI: Look at them Chris. Tell me that doesn’t scare you just a little.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Oh hell no…it scares me to death. It’s what being a parent is all about Lorelai…worrying about your kids. It’s a full-time job.

 

LORELAI: I just love her so much Chris…I want her to do the right things…to have a great life.

 

CHRISTOPHER: She will Lor…she will.

 

LORELAI: I want her to end up with the man she loves with everything she’s got.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Are we still talking about Rory?

 

LORELAI: Would it matter if we weren’t?

 

CHRISTOPHER: You are going to end up with that man Lorelai…you just have to let go of me first.

 

LORELAI: No…I won’t and neither will Rory…because he’s just going to break her heart…just like you have broken mine so many times.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Don’t do this Lor…don’t make me feel guilty for moving on with my life. I waited for you for a really long time. It just wasn’t meant to be. And if you think about it when you’re not feeling so lonely…you’ll realize its true.

 

Chris tries to comfort Lorelai by taking her into his arms but she steps away.

 

LORELAI: I think now is as good a time as any to start letting go.

 

Lorelai walks back into the house leaving Chris outside. Chris grabs his jacket off the hood of the car and heads back into the house too.

 

EXT: BALCONY-NIGHT

 

Rory and Tristan have stopped kissing and he is standing behind her…holding her in his arms.

 

TRISTAN: So…have things…changed for us Rory?

 

Rory turns around to look at Tristan.

 

RORY: Yeah…I would say they have.

 

TRISTAN: What about Dean?

 

RORY: I’ll handle it.

 

TRISTAN: So then…this is really going to happen?

 

RORY: I don’t think anything or anyone could stop it.

 

TRISTAN: I promise you Rory…you won’t regret picking me.

 

Rory smiles at Tristan and turns back around he pulls his arms tight around her and kisses the top of her head.

 

Chris pops his head out of the balcony window.

 

CHRIS: Rory hon…it’s time to go.

 

RORY: Okay dad…can you give us a minute.

 

CHRIS: Sure.

 

Chris pops his head back inside and leaves Rory and Tristan to say goodbye.

 

TRISTAN: Can I see you this weekend?

 

RORY: I have to tell Dean this weekend…I’ll call you afterwards and we can go somewhere.

 

TRISTAN: Sounds good.

 

Tristan and Rory kiss goodbye but say hello to the start of their brand new relationship.