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

 

Story summary: Rory’s finally ready to go forward with Tristan…so what could possibly stop them? Christopher has told Lorelai to let go…so why is he still holding on?

 

 

INT: GILMORE GIRLS HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Rory, Lorelai and Chris walk into the house after their night at the grandparents. Lorelai noticing the answering machine has a message on it walks over to it and hits play as both Rory and Christopher plop down on the couch.

 

DEAN: (on answering machine) Hey Rory…I was hoping to catch you before you went to the grandparents…but I guess I missed you. About tomorrow night…I can’t make it. Taylor asked me to deliver some things to his aunt in Bridgeport and of course I told him no…until he offered to pay me a $100 bucks. So of course I had to take it. Don’t worry I’ll buy you something pretty. So anyway…I’ll give you a call on Monday…or maybe Sunday…depends on when I actually make it back in to town. Bye.

 

LORELAI: So I guess that means Dean gets another weekend reprieve.

 

RORY: It’s not like I was looking forward to dumping him.

 

Christopher gets up off the couch with his jacket.

 

CHRISTOPHER: So…I think I’m just going to head out.

 

RORY: It’s late dad…stay the night. You can leave in the morning.

 

LORELAI: If your dad needs to go Rory…he needs to go.

 

RORY: Did I miss something here?

 

LORELAI: What do you mean?

 

RORY: Normally you would be begging dad to stay…or at the very least making him feel welcome. Now you’re sending him out in the night to become part of a four car pile up because he and some other really tired dad were on the road at the same time.

 

LORELAI: You are the drama queen.

 

CHRISTOPHER: It’s okay Rory…it’s probably best if I go.

 

RORY: No. You’re staying on the couch tonight end of story. Mom…whatever dilemma you have with Dad…let it go for tonight. For me?

 

LORELAI: Fine…whatever. I’m going to bed.

 

RORY: Then it’s settled. Dad…couch…couch…Dad.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Thanks…we’ve met before.

 

Christopher sits down on the couch and Rory gives him a goodnight hug. As Rory enters her bedroom the phone by her bed starts ringing…she walks over and picks it up.

 

RORY: Hello?

 

TRISTAN/RORY: INTERCUT

 

TRISTAN: Hey beautiful.

 

At the sound of Tristan’s voice Rory starts to smile.

 

RORY: Hi…what’s going on?

 

TRISTAN: I just wanted my voice to be the last thing you heard before you went to bed.

 

RORY: Who are you? And what have you done with Tristan?

 

TRISTAN: I am Tristan’s alter ego…happy Tristan.

 

RORY: Well HT…it’s nice meeting you.

 

TRISTAN: So this is the part where you tell me that you’re happy too.

 

RORY: Oh…I thought this was the part where I put on the party hat and made balloon animals.

 

TRISTAN: That’s good too. So are you worried about telling Dean tomorrow?

 

RORY: About that…I can’t tell Dean tomorrow.

 

TRISTAN: Why not?

 

RORY: He left a message on my machine…he’s out of town till Sunday night or Monday morning.

 

TRISTAN: But I want to see you tomorrow.

 

RORY: You still can…I just think until I tell him though…it’s probably better if I come there. I wouldn’t want it getting back to Dean that you were here in Stars Hollow.

 

TRISTAN: I do eventually get to come there…right?

 

RORY: I would hope so.

 

TRISTAN: My parents are going out of town tomorrow. Did you maybe want to come to the house tomorrow night? We could either watch a movie…take a drive….or go in the indoor Jacuzzi.

 

RORY: That sounds good.

 

TRISTAN: I would invite you up during the day…but I think I’m going to meet Cassidy tomorrow and put an end to things…otherwise Monday would be my next chance.

 

RORY: What about Sunday?

 

TRISTAN: She’s supposed to come here with her parents for brunch.

 

RORY: I see the dilemma.

 

TRISTAN: I should probably let you go…for tonight. But I’ll see you tomorrow. Night Rory.

 

RORY: Night HT.

 

Rory hangs up the phone with Tristan and lays back on her bed…completely content.  

 

In the living room Christopher is curled up on the couch with a blanket covering him…he keeps twisting and turning unable to sleep. Finally he makes a decision and gets up off the couch and heads up the stairs to Lorelai’s room. He lightly knocks on the door. When he gets no response he turns the knob and walks in. He walks over to Lorelai’s bed and softly whispers her name.

 

CHRISTOPHER: (whispering) Lor?

 

Lorelai who is turned with her back to him turns over…drowsy…at the mention of her name.

 

LORELAI: Chris? Is something wrong? Is it Rory?

 

CHRISTOPHER: No…Rory’s fine. I…I need to talk to you.

 

Lorelai sits up in bed rubs her eyes and looks at the clock…running a hand through her hair she looks at Chris.

 

LORELAI: What is it about you and late night talks? (pat the bed next to her) Sit.

 

Chris sits on the bed next to her.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I don’t want you to be mad at me.

 

LORELAI: If I tell you I’m not mad…can I go back to sleep?

 

CHRISTOPHER: I’m serious Lorelai…I need you not to be mad at me.

 

LORELAI: I’m not mad…I’m…hurt. But this is not your fault. I have to keep remembering…I pushed you away. Not the other way around. So we’re good…go back to sleep with a clear conscience…I bid you good will.

 

CHRISTOPHER:  I need to tell you something else.

 

LORELAI: I should be charging you by the hour. Spill it spike…and make it snappy…this gal needs her beauty sleep.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I can’t marry Sherry.

 

LORELAI: Huh? Actually what I mean is…huh?

 

CHRISTOPHER: I was trying to go to sleep on the couch downstairs…not very comfortable by the way.

 

LORELAI: Yes…this I know…but back to the Sherry thing.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Well…so I’m down there tossing…

 

LORELAI: Same sentence…move on.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Well in my complete discomfort it hit me…I can’t marry Sherry.

 

LORELAI: (hopeful) Because you don’t love her?

 

CHRISTOPHER: No…I love her.

 

LORELAI: Then what’s going on?

 

CHRISTOPHER: I realized…I love her for loving me…not because she’s the one person I can’t live without. I spent so much time and energy being rejected by you…that when Sherry actually *wanted* me to be with her…it was this whole different feeling. But tonight I realized…it’s not enough.

 

LORELAI: What are you saying Chris?

 

CHRISTOPHER: I’m saying that…I don’t know exactly what *you* want from me Lor…but knowing that there’s even a tiny possibility that you might want to love me again…I don’t want to lose that.

 

LORELAI: I don’t know what to say…me speechless…imagine that.

 

CHRISTOPHER: All I want you to say is that you don’t want me to marry Sherry…that’s good enough for me right now.

 

Lorelai looks at Chris who is looking at her with hope and love in his eyes and she smiles as she leans over and brings his ear closer to her mouth.

 

LORELAI: (whispering) I don’t want you to marry Sherry.

 

Chris leans back and looks at Lorelai.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Then I guess that’s settled…I’ll see you in the morning.

 

Chris starts to get up off the bed but Lorelai grabs his arm and pulls him back down. She brings his mouth down to hers and gives him a long, passionate kiss filled with promise.

 

LORELAI: Stay.

 

CHRISTOPHER: In here…with you? What will Rory think?

 

LORELAI: Miss head in the clouds…please. If you’re really worried we can set the alarm and you can sneak back down to the couch…it will be just like my sixteenth birthday party when you snuck in my bedroom window…only this time…don’t get your pants caught on the trellis making your escape…my dads a much better shot now.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I’ve missed you…so much.

 

LORELAI: I have to warn you…I’m not as easy as I use to be…you may have to use some sweet talk and large bills this time around.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I’m not looking for sex Lorelai…I hope you don’t think that’s what this is about.

 

LORELAI: I was teasing you Chris…I’m not looking for sex either…not opposed to it…rather like the idea, but honestly I’ll be satisfied if this even works out.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You sound a little skeptical.

 

LORELAI: You still live in Boston Chris. I have to be.

 

CHRISTOPHER: How about we cross that bridge much later?

 

LORELAI: Deal…now come to bed…I need a snuggle bunny.

 

CHRISTOPHER: God…you haven’t called me that in years.

 

Lorelai lifts the covers and Chris gets in next to her. He takes her into his arm and they spoon together. He buries his head in her hair and nuzzles into her neck. Lorelai closes her eyes and just enjoys being back in Chris’ arms again.

 

INT: TRISTAN’S HOUSE-DAY

 

Tristan walks into the dining room where both his parents are seated having breakfast. As soon as Tristan takes a seat the maid is right there.

 

ROSITA: Morning master Tristan…what can I get you for breakfast this morning?

 

TRISTAN: Just some eggs and toast Rosie.

 

ROSITA: Would you like some juice while your eggs are cooking?

 

TRISTAN: That would be great…thanks.

 

Rosita reaches over on the side board and picks up the orange juice pitcher and pours Tristan a glass.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Thank you Rosie.

 

ROSITA: You very welcome master Tristan.

 

Rosita leaves the room and Tristan’s father who was previously buried in his paper…lowers it.

 

MR. DUGREY: How many times do I have to tell you young man…we do not address the servants with such familiarity.

 

TRISTAN: Rosie hasn’t missed a birthday party since I was six…I think she qualifies as family.

 

MR. DUGREY: Watch the tone Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: Whatever you say sir.

 

Tristan’s mother picks this moment to try and ease some of the obvious tension between Tristan and his father.

 

MRS. DUGREY: So how was dinner with the grandparents last night dear?

 

TRISTAN: It was great. In fact I have some news mom.

 

MRS. DUGREY: What dear?

 

TRISTAN: Rory and I have decided to start dating.

 

MRS. DUGREY: That’s wonderful dear. (to her husband) Isn’t that wonderful dear?

 

MR. DUGREY: It’s unacceptable.

 

TRISTAN: Why?

 

MR. DUGREY: I believe you are already dating Kevin Hollings daughter. What’s her name Casey?

 

TRISTAN: It’s Cassidy…but that isn’t going to work out.

 

MR. DUGREY: Well I suggest you rethink that Tristan. I am in the middle of a huge business deal with Mr. Hollings and I won’t have you derailing it because of a thing you’ve developed for some small town girl.

 

TRISTAN: Rory is the granddaughter of Richard Gilmore. She’s not some small town girl…and this isn’t just some thing. I really like her dad.

 

MR. DUGREY: And I’m sure you also like what my money provides you with. It takes business deals to keep you in prep schools, fancy cars and presentable designer clothes…so you make it work with Mr. Hollings daughter…or else.

 

TRISTAN: Or else? What’s that suppose to mean?

 

MR. DUGREY: You lack discipline young man. You have no respect for your elders…military school can teach you that discipline.

 

TRISTAN: You’re joking right? Military school?

 

MR. DUGREY: Just test me and see…I can have you on the next plane out of here. It’s your call.

 

TRISTAN: So how long do you expect me to put on this farce?

 

MR. DUGREY: Just until the deal is signed and irrevocable. Three weeks at the most…possibly two if all goes well.

 

TRISTAN: So I’m not supposed to see Rory for three weeks? I can’t do it.

 

MR. DUGREY: As long as Casey’s happy I don’t care who you see.

 

TRISTAN: Again…it’s Cassidy. You really are a hell of a father…you know that.

 

MR. DUGREY: Someday you will appreciate all I have to teach you.

 

TRISTAN: Well until that day…rot in hell.

 

Tristan is beyond angry as he gets up from the table and exits the room. His mother follows him.

 

MRS. DUGREY: Honey wait.

 

Tristan keeps walking.

 

MRS. DUGREY: (cont) Tristan baby…please stop.

 

Tristan stops and turns around his temper on boiling.

 

TRISTAN: How can you stand him?

 

MRS. DUGREY: He’s your father dear…and you need to show him some respect.

 

TRISTAN: Like he’s showing me? Asking me to risk losing Rory so he won’t lose out on an account. What kind of a father asks something like that of his son? I’ll tell you what kind…the kind that doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

 

MRS. DUGREY: He’s just looking out for his business Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: Well when does he start looking out for me? I’m his son.

 

MRS. DUGREY: He loves you sweetie…he just has a hard time showing it sometimes.

 

TRISTAN: Do you really think I care anymore? I gave up trying to win his love ages ago. All I want to know now is would he really send me to military school if I screwed up his business deal?

 

MRS. DUGREY: I do believe so…yes.

 

TRISTAN: And you would let him?

 

MRS. DUGREY: I would fight him on it…but you know how that goes Tristan…you’re father always has the last word.

 

TRISTAN: So what am I suppose to do? How am I supposed to not see Rory? She’s changed me mom…I think I could really fall in love with her. She’s already more important to me than any girl I’ve ever dated.

 

MRS. DUGREY: I suggest you tell her the truth…play your father’s game…let him get his deal…he never said you couldn’t see her…only that you couldn’t not see Cassidy.

 

TRISTAN: And you have no problem with me toying with some girls affections like that?

 

MRS. DUGREY: I happen to hate your father’s idea of fair play…but I also hate the thought of you going away. So please…for me…just do this one thing for your father.

 

TRISTAN: Fine…but if I lose Rory because of this…

 

MRS. DUGREY: Please don’t finish that sentence Tristan…and please don’t be so angry.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll do what dad wants. But only if Rory understands. If she doesn’t you may as well pack my bags for military school. Because I’m not going to lose her…and that’s my final decision. So you can go back in there and tell him that.  

 

Tristan leaves his mother standing in the hallway as he goes back up the winding staircase to the only haven he really has in the house…his room. He sits down on the bed, picks up the phone and starts dialing. As the phone is picked up he starts talking…intent on letting Rory know that he doesn’t want to let this change anything.