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

 

Story summary: Lorelai and Chris are off to a great start. Tristan and Rory are forced into an uncomfortable alliance with Tristan’s overbearing father.

 

INT: LUKES DINER-DAY

 

Rory and Lane are sitting at a table. Rory looks completely distraught and Lane is trying to help comfort her.

 

LANE: So do you believe him?

 

RORY: I don’t see why after all this he would make up some crazy story like this…it must be true.

 

LANE: But you’re not sure?

 

RORY: I’m pretty sure. He still wants to see me…that’s a good sign right?

 

Jess who has been eavesdropping on their conversation the whole time chooses this moment to butt in.

 

JESS: Sounds to me like he wants to butter his bread on both sides.

 

RORY: Excuse me?

 

Jess pulls up a chair…like he was invited into the conversation…even though he wasn’t.

 

JESS: He’s playing you Rory. The boy doesn’t want to lose a good thing...most likely sex…with this other chick…but he still wants to make sure to keep stringing you and hopefully get you to *surrender* (Jess winks when he says this)

 

RORY: You’re wrong. Tristan is not like that. Tell him Lane.

 

LANE: He does have a point Rory. You did tell me that Tristan use to call you “Mary.” What if that is all he’s after?

 

RORY: Stop it both of you. Tristan is not like that anymore.

 

JESS: And you know this because…?

 

RORY: Because I know him. And besides there is no way he and Cassidy have…well you know.

 

JESS: And if they have…will you admit I’m right?

 

RORY: You are unbelievable.

 

Rory quickly grabs her jacket and leaves Lukes.

 

JESS: So what’s your take?

 

LANE: Definitely…most probably….he’s going to break her heart.

 

JESS: Couldn’t have said it better myself.

 

Jess gives Lane the bill and leaves the table.

 

LANE: Once again…Lane gets stuck with the bill. I have to get some less tightly wound friends.

 

Lane pays the bill and leaves.

 

INT: GILMORE GIRLS HOUSE-DAY

 

Lorelai and Chris are in the kitchen. Chris is making some coffee when there is a knock at the kitchen door. Lorelai goes to answer it.

 

LORELAI: Morning Babette.

 

BABETTE: Morning sweetie. Here you go.

 

Babette hands Lorelai a grocery bag. Chris comes over and takes it from her.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Thanks Babette.

 

BABETTE: Oh…okay…starting to make a little more sense. Morey and I were a little worried when Ms. Pop Tart here wanted actual breakfast food not already pre-made for her.

 

LORELAI: Okay Babette…thanks for the vote of confidence and you can go ahead and let Morey know that sanity still reigns in the house of Gilmore. I haven’t gone off the breakfast deep end.

 

BABETTE: By sweetie.

 

Lorelai closes the door as Chris is laughing at her neighborhood rep.

 

LORELAI: You burn one piece of toast and you are forever labeled as a non cook.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Actually I think it’s the daily breakfast, lunch and dinners at Luke’s that awarded you that moniker.

 

LORELAI: Hey…hey…hey…occasional dinners.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Right…I forgot about pizza night.

 

LORELAI: Not always…sometimes we mix it up with Chinese.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I stand corrected.

 

Chris opens up the grocery bag and pulls out some eggs, bacon, milk and orange juice.

 

CHRISTOPHER: (cont.) So how would you like your eggs?

 

LORELAI: Made by a really hot looking guy.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I meant scrambled or fried.

 

LORELAI: Oh…well in that case scrambled…with bacon and toast please.

 

Chris takes the eggs and breaks them into a bowl adds a little milk and starts scrambling. He pulls open what use to be the pan cabinet and looks over at Lorelai.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Did you decide you didn’t need pans?

 

LORELAI: Cabinet on top of the refrigerator.

 

Chris walks over and tries to open the cabinet but can’t quite reach it. He scoots a chair over and gets on top of it. He opens the cabinet pulls out a frying pan and steps back down.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Because why?

 

LORELAI: Sookie rearranged.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Nuff said.

 

As Chris begins scrambling Lorelai’s eggs she walks up behind him and put her arms around his waist and starts kissing his neck.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You’re going to make me burn your eggs.

 

LORELAI: I wasn’t that hungry anyway.

 

Chris turns around and he and Lorelai start kissing. As things grow more passionate Lorelai and Chris sink down to the kitchen floor. As they begin to smoke…so do the eggs.

 

EXT: GILMORE GIRLS HOUSE-DAY

 

Rory is walking up her driveway towards the house, as she reaches a patch of bushes someone reaches out and pulls her into them. It’s Tristan.

 

RORY: What are you doing here?

 

TRISTAN: I had to see you. I mean you sounded okay on the phone…but I started to wonder. If you had thrown something like this at me…what would I think.

 

RORY: Well you have to admit…it is a bit…odd.

 

TRISTAN: If you had ever met my father…you wouldn’t think so. It’s right up his alley. So can we go somewhere and talk?

 

RORY: We can go in my room.

 

TRISTAN: Okay.

 

RORY: My mom is still here though…so we’ll have to use the window.

 

TRISTAN: Because…?

 

RORY: She wouldn’t exactly welcome you with open arms into my bedroom.

 

TRISTAN: Makes sense. Where’s the window?

 

Rory and Tristan head to her bedroom window and Rory crawls through first…Tristan immediately follows. Once inside her bedroom he takes her into his arms and gives her a kiss. Rory kisses him back. He runs his hand through her hair and smiles at her.

 

RORY: So what did you want to talk about? 

 

TRISTAN: I wanted to make sure you understood that this is not the way I wanted things to go.

 

RORY: It’s only for a couple of weeks…right?

 

TRISTAN: Three at the most…but as much as I don’t want it to…it changes things. I need to know that you are truly okay with this.

 

RORY: I’m more okay with this than I would be you leaving Connecticut…no contest.

 

TRISTAN: And you fully understand what this entails?

 

RORY: What do you mean?

 

TRISTAN: Rory…I would still have to act like Cassidy’s boyfriend…hand holding…kissing…etc.

 

RORY: And what exactly does etc. include?

 

TRISTAN: Not that…no…no.

 

RORY: So pretty much just what I’ve had to witness lately.

 

TRISTAN: Exactly.

 

RORY: This is really weird.

 

TRISTAN: I know.

 

RORY: My friends think you’re just stringing me along…are you?

 

TRISTAN: Do you really believe that?

 

RORY: No…but if you were…why would you tell me you were?

 

TRISTAN: I guess…I wouldn’t. But Rory this is not the case. I promise you.

 

RORY: What about the dance?

 

TRISTAN: I’ll have to take her.

 

RORY: I have to go too…Lane would kill me if I didn’t. Not to mention if I break up with Dean now there’s a good possibility he wouldn’t just let things go. He could very possibly confront you at Chilton, since it’s the only way he knows for sure how to find you.

 

TRISTAN: You’re going to stay with Dean?

 

RORY: It makes sense. If you don’t want Cassidy to know…then Dean can’t either.

 

TRISTAN: I don’t want you to stay with Dean.

 

RORY: That goes double with you and Cassidy…but for now…we have no choice.

 

TRISTAN: I hate my father.

 

RORY: He’s not exactly in my top ten either.

 

Tristan takes Rory into his arms and they begin kissing. It starts out sweet and slow…with the both of them just enjoying the closeness…but as is inevitable the closeness soon ignites their passionate chemistry. As Tristan is reveling in the excitement of Rory’s mouth on his he maneuvers her over to the bed and lays her down. As Rory’s head hits the pillow the weight of Tristan on top of her increases the pressure of his mouth on hers and sends her senses spinning. Unlike when she and Dean were in the same position…Rory anticipates Tristan’s next move. And he doesn’t disappoint her. With one hand underneath her head bringing her mouth closer he moves his other hand to her shirt and inches it up just enough to expose her stomach. As his hand touches her exposed skin it is like she is on fire. He gently moves his hand upward letting his fingers just lightly touch her breasts. Afraid he might scare her Tristan doesn’t cross any other boundaries…for the moment.

 

TRISTAN: You’re skin is so soft…I knew it would be.

 

INT: GILMORE GIRLS KITCHEN-DAY

 

Lorelai and Chris are both standing up right again and Chris is pulling his t-shirt over his head. Lorelai is buttoning the last two buttons of her flannel pajamas.

 

LORELAI: Sex…the breakfast of champions.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Better than Special K or Wheaties anytime.

 

Lorelai walks over to the stove and surveys the pan which is now one with the eggs. Chris walks behind her and put his arms around her waist.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Eggs aren’t looking so good.

 

LORELAI: Lukes?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Last one dressed has to pay.

 

Chris sprints out of the kitchen and Lorelai immediately follows.

 

LORELAI: No fair…the girl is supposed to get the head start.

 

As Lorelai hits the living room she sees Chris pulling on his khaki pants from the night before…she knocks him over on to the couch and heads back for the stairs.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Cheater!

 

Rory walks out of her room and into the living room.

 

RORY: What’s going on?

 

Chris is standing there with his pants down around his ankles and his shirt on backwards.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Hi honey…just getting dressed.

 

RORY: We do have rooms for that. Ones with mirrors.

 

Chris continues dressing.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I was racing your mother. Long story.

 

RORY: Whatever you say. Do I smell burnt eggs?

 

CHRISTOPHER: You’re mother was trying to cook.

 

LORELAI: (OC) I heard that.

 

RORY: You both seem to have settled your differences…that’s good. How did you manage that?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Baseball bat…works every time.

 

RORY: Well I’m glad to see you happy. I hate it when you and mom fight.

 

CHRISTOPHER Me too.

 

Lorelai comes bouncing down the stairs and grabs the car keys as Chris manages to get his last shoe tied.

 

LORELAI: Looks like you’re paying…Hey Rory. Did you want to grab a bite at Luke’s with us?

 

RORY: Thanks. I already had breakfast with Lane.

 

LORELAI: Okay. (to Chris) Come on slow poke…I’m famished.

 

Lorelai grabs Chris’s hand and leads him out the door. Rory heads back to her room and grabs a book off the bookshelf. As she sits there reading Jess comes through her window.

 

RORY: We have a front door.

 

JESS: I’m sorry I thought this was the preferred method of room entry.

 

RORY: What can I do for you Jess?

 

JESS: You’ve been pretty decent to me since I hit town. So I just wanted to tell you I was sorry about this morning at Uncle Luke’s.

 

RORY: You admit you’re wrong then?

 

JESS: No…I stand by my observation….I wanted to apologize for pissing you off.

 

RORY: I’m fine.

 

JESS: Yeah…I saw him leaving. Does Lorelai know about this window problem?

 

RORY: What are you stalking me?

 

JESS: I came to apologize…bad timing.

 

RORY: What did you see?

 

JESS: Me thinks thou are a little concerned…so my question is what did I miss?

 

RORY: That’s none of your business.

 

JESS: Right…be careful Rory…okay so enough said. I’m gonna go.

 

Jess crawls back out the window and runs smack into Dean.

 

DEAN: What the hell are you doing?!

 

JESS: Cool it Cochise. I was just talking to Rory.

 

DEAN: In her room?

 

Rory looks out the window to see what the commotion is.

 

RORY: Dean? I thought you were in Bridgeport.

 

DEAN: I drove home last night. Rory what is this moron doing in your bedroom?

 

RORY: We were talking.

 

JESS: Told ya.

 

DEAN: Try the phone next time. Rory’s bedroom…we’re gonna call that off-limits…got it?

 

JESS: I make my own rules…got it?

 

DEAN: I should pound you into the ground.

 

RORY: Dean! Stop it!

 

DEAN: He’s a troublemaker Rory.

 

JESS: I am the least of your worries pal.

 

DEAN: What’s that suppose to mean?

 

RORY: Nothing…he’s a moron remember? I think it’s past time for you to go Jess.

 

JESS: As always it’s been a pleasure Rory.

 

DEAN: I suggest you leave now while you still have the limbs to do so.

 

JESS: Not you’re best comeback Dean…you should work on your material.

 

RORY: Jess!

 

JESS: Fine…I’m going.

 

Jess walks away and Dean turns to Rory.

 

DEAN: Why do you continue to hang with him? He’s an ass.

 

RORY: He’s my friend.

 

DEAN: Well I don’t want him in your room anymore.

 

RORY: The front doors open…why don’t you come in?

 

DEAN: Okay.

 

Dean walks around and enters the front door. Rory is sitting on the couch waiting for him. He walks over to the couch and leans over and gives her a kiss on the lips.

 

RORY: Sit.

 

Dean sits down on the couch next to Rory.

 

RORY: So…you’re back early.

 

DEAN: Yeah…many major speed laws were broken to make that happen. But it was worth it. I missed you.

 

RORY: That’s sweet.

 

DEAN: So what do you say we catch a movie and something to eat tonight?

 

RORY: Um…I can’t.

 

DEAN: Why not?

 

RORY: I made other plans. I’m sorry.

 

DEAN: With who?

 

RORY: Some people from school.

 

DEAN: You hate the Chilton crowd…what’s going on?

 

RORY: I uh…got put on the dance committee. We’re finalizing everything tonight.

 

DEAN: Is it going to take all night?

 

RORY: It’s hard to say. We can do something tomorrow though. I have no plans then.

 

DEAN: I didn’t realize you had such a full schedule…fine pencil me in.

 

Dean puts his arm around Rory and leans over to kiss her…Rory turns her head at the last minute and he gets her cheek.

 

DEAN: I came home early for you…and that’s the best you can do?

 

RORY: Right…sorry.

 

Dean leans in again and this time Rory lets him kiss her…hoping he’ll stop with just the one perfunctory kiss…but knowing that isn’t going to be the case. As Dean continues kissing her he gently urges her down on the sofa and lies on top of her. Rory knows this isn’t what she wants…and as his hand starts to wander underneath her shirt…she stops him.

 

RORY: (cont) Dean.

 

DEAN: Come on Rory…it’s not like I’m asking you to have sex…just to loosen the boundaries a little.

 

RORY: No.

 

DEAN: That sounds pretty final.

 

RORY: It is. I’m sorry.

 

DEAN: Not as sorry as me. Have I done something wrong that I’m not aware of?

 

RORY: No.

 

DEAN: Then what happened? A month ago you were encouraging me to progress things…now it’s like you can’t stand to have me touch you.

 

Rory is stumped as to how to answer this when she is saved by the doorbell.

 

RORY: I should get that.

 

Rory answers the door and sees a flower delivery man.

 

DELIVERY GUY: Flowers for Miss Rory Gilmore.

 

Rory looks at the beautiful bouquet and knows immediately that they are from Tristan.

 

RORY: Uh…she’s not here. Could you maybe leave them next door with the neighbor lady…Her name is Babette.

 

DELIVERY: Why can’t you take them?

 

RORY: I’m allergic to roses.

 

DELIVERY: Oh…sorry. I’ll just leave them next door.

 

RORY: Thanks.

 

Rory closes the door to find Dean standing there.

 

DEAN: What was that about?

 

RORY: He had some flowers for Babette. Obviously this is the wrong house.

 

DEAN: Who would buy Babette flowers…I know it isn’t Morey.

 

RORY: Yeah…I don’t know.

 

DEAN: Something is going on here Rory.

 

RORY: Everything is fine Dean.

 

DEAN: Right…anyway…I should probably go.

 

RORY: Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.

 

Dean kisses Rory goodbye and leaves…determined to find out what’s going on he heads up to the delivery man who is getting back into his truck.

 

DEAN: Hey bud…got a minute?

 

DELIVERY GUY: Sure.

 

DEAN: Who were the flowers to?

 

Delivery guy consults his list.

 

DELIVERY GUY: A Rory Gilmore.

 

DEAN: Thanks.

 

DELIVERY GUY: No problem.

 

The delivery guy takes off and Dean turns back towards the house but instead changes his mind and gets into his truck. Dean heads into town…to Lukes.

 

INT: LUKE’S DINER-DAY

 

Lorelai and Chris are sitting at a table eating pancakes and drinking coffee all the time making eyes at each other.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Luke makes a mean pancake.

 

LORELAI: Yeah…don’t even request the nice ones…he’ll turn you down flat.

 

Ms Patty walks into the diner and walks straight to Lorelai’s table.

 

MS. PATTY: Goodness…it’s the Boston Boy.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Morning Ms. Patty. Nice to see you.

 

MS. PATTY: You two are positively the cutest couple ever. You should snag this one right out from under that Boston chippy Lorelai dear.

 

LORELAI: You just want me to do your dirty work Ms. Patty…I’m on to you.

 

MS. PATTY: A single Chris would make Ms Patty very happy…very happy indeed.  

 

CHRISTOPHER: Don’t fight over me girls…plenty of this charm to go around.

 

MS. PATTY: It ain’t your charm that intrigues me honey…it’s the chiseled abs…all the way.

 

LORELAI: I just want you for your brain…honest.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Where has the respect gone…? Weigh me and saran wrap me because I am nothing but a side of beef to you meat market hussies.

 

MS. PATTY: Hot body and a quick wit…dial up heaven cause that’s where I’ve landed.

 

Luke walks over to Ms. Patty.

 

LUKE: Can I get you a chair or are you just gonna stand here all day?

 

MS. PATTY: I’ll take a box of bagels to go. Oh and throw in that special cream cheese…its to die for.

 

Ms Patty walks over to the counter and sits down to wait for her order and chat up the cute guy who just walked into the diner.

 

LORELAI: Special cream cheese?

 

LUKE: Philadelphia cream cheese. I accidentally spilled some strawberry juice in it one day…and voila…Luke’s special cream cheese was born.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You know they make strawberry cream cheese in the store…right?

 

LUKE: So I’ve heard…Can I get you anything else?

 

LORELAI: More coffee please.

 

LUKE: Did you do you do something different?

 

LORELAI: What do you mean?

 

LUKE: You look a little different this morning. Sort of healthy.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You know  he’s right Lorelai…you’re positively glowing…whatever you did…you should keep it up.

 

LORELAI: I’ll see what I can do. It’s a pretty exhausting routine.

 

Dean comes storming into Lukes. He heads over to Jess who is serving a customer. He taps him on the shoulder and when Jess turns around he clocks him sending him hurtling to the floor. The coffee pot that Jess is holding goes crashing to the floor sending glass particles over the floor. In his attempt to get up Jess cuts his hand on one of the shards.

 

DEAN: Stay away from Rory!

 

JESS: Man…you are psycho.

 

Jess is holding his hand when Luke walks over and hands Jess a towel.

 

LUKE: Take it outside Dean.

 

DEAN: Not unless he comes  with me.

 

JESS: Gladly.

 

LUKE: Jess…stay put. What the hell is going on here Dean? Why are you coming in here disrupting my diner? Not to mention decking my nephew.

 

JESS: It was a lucky sucker punch.

 

Dean starts back towards Jess but Luke stops him.

 

LUKE: Cool it. There isn’t going to be any brawling in here.

 

Dean leans across Luke and points a finger at Jess.

 

DEAN: I know you sent Rory those flowers. She’s mine! Got it?!

 

JESS: Again…barking up the wrong tree my friend.

 

DEAN: I’m not your friend.

 

JESS: Then there must be a God.

 

Lorelai and Chris have walked over to the commotion.

 

LORELAI: Dean? What’s going on?

 

DEAN: I caught this creep crawling out Rory’s bedroom window and now he’s sending her flowers.

 

JESS: Only semi-guilty your honor. I was in Rory’s room…but the flowers…not me.

 

Chris realizes what must have happened and steps in.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I sent the flowers.

 

DEAN: You did?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Yea…guilty.

 

DEAN: Then why did Rory tell the delivery man to give them to Babette.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Uh…

 

LORELAI: They were for me…weren’t they? Oh Chris you are the sweetest.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Right…they were for Lorelai. As an apology.

 

DEAN: They were addressed to Rory.

 

LORELAI: I am the original Rory…I only let Chris call me that though. It’s a pet name.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Right again. So sorry about the confusion Dean…Jess.

 

DEAN: (to Jess) Sorry man…I thought…never mind…I’m sorry.

 

JESS: I’ll send you the bill.

 

Luke realizes Jess’s hand has soaked through the dish towel.

 

LUKE: We need to get you to the doctor. Lorelai…can you keep an eye on the place…just till I get back?

 

LORELAI: Sure…can I use the toaster.

 

LUKE: No…don’t touch anything.

 

LORELAI: Party pooper.

 

Luke and Jess exits the diner and head to the doctors to get Jess’s hand looked at. Ms. Patty exits after them with her latest piece of juicy gossip.

 

DEAN: That was really embarrassing.

 

LORELAI: And the headline for the Sunday edition. What were you thinking?

 

DEAN: I wasn’t. I was just so mad. Please don’t tell Rory about this.

 

LORELAI: I won’t…but someone will. You can count on it.

 

DEAN: She’s not going to take this well.

 

LORELAI: Probably not.

 

Dean exits the diner and Lorelai begins setting up the counter for bagel hockey.

 

CHRISTOPHER: I thought Luke told you not to touch anything.

 

LORELAI: You told me you didn’t want sex…I didn’t listen to you…why would Luke be any different?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Fine…I get to pick the bagel.

 

LORELAI: I’ll go get the wooden spoons.

 

Lorelai heads into the kitchen and comes back with two wooden spoons.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Should we clean up the broken coffee pot and spilled coffee?

 

LORELAI: Were you not here when Luke told us not to touch anything?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Excellent point. Who goes first?

 

LORELAI: The cuter one always goes first.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Cuteness is pretty subjective…for instance…I’ll bet I’d get Ms Patty’s vote.

 

LORELAI: Let’s take a poll. (Lorelai turns to a customer) Who do you think is cuter? Me or Frankenstein here?

 

CHRISTOPHER: No fair…leading the patron.

 

Lorelai takes her wooden spoon and flings the bagel down the counter with it. Christopher reacts quickly and uses his spoon to counter sending it flying back to Lorelai who knocks it into the patron she just polled.

 

GUY CUSTOMER: Definitely Frankenstein.

 

LORELAI: One bagel Frisbee to the head and all subjectivity is lost.

 

Chris laughs as he takes Lorelai into his arms.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You are a lousy shot.

 

LORELAI: It runs in the family.

 

Chris and Lorelai are kissing each other as Luke heads back in to the diner with Jess in tow. Jess’s hand is bandaged and his eye is beginning to swell. But seeing Lorelai with Chris…Luke is the one with the less obvious injury…a broken heart.