Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. The characters in this story are the sole property of the WB and its affiliates.

 

Story summary: As Rory and Tristan continue to keep their secret,  chance meetings become more difficult to handle…and emotions start to surface threatening to expose them.

 

EXT: HOLLING’S ESTATE-DAY

 

Tristan has stepped outside the front door with a cell phone and is quickly dialing it.

 

TRISTAN: Come on…pick up…pick up.

 

INT: DEAN’S CAR-DAY

 

Rory and Dean are driving to Hartford when her cell phone rings. Rory takes it out of her pocket and sees that the caller’s identity is unavailable.

 

RORY: It’s probably Lane calling from a pay phone somewhere. Do you mind?

 

DEAN: No…go ahead. Tell Lane I said hi.  

 

RORY/ TRISTAN: INTERCUT

 

RORY: Hello?

 

TRISTAN: Thank God…I was afraid you weren’t going to answer.

 

RORY: (completely uncomfortable) Hi Lane.

 

TRISTAN: Lane? Rory…its Tristan.

 

RORY: (stilted) Good to hear from you Lane.

 

TRISTAN: Can you not talk now?

 

RORY: Dean told me to tell you hi Lane.

 

TRISTAN: You’re with Dean? Rory I really need to talk to you…can you ask him to give you a minute of privacy. Or is that too much to ask?

 

RORY: That’s actually not possible Lane. How about if I just call you back when I get home and we can work out your little problem.

 

TRISTAN: My little problem? Actually it’s a huge problem…but since you don’t seem to have the time to discuss this right now, I’ll just sum it up for you…Cassidy wants me bad…any advice or I don’t know…comments?

 

RORY: I’m hanging up now.

 

Through the phone Rory hears Cassidy’s voice.

 

CASSIDY: (OC) There you are…I have been looking all over for you…come here sexy.

 

And then silence as Tristan’s phone is quickly hung up. Rory closes her phone and sticks it back in her pocket…stewing over what she just heard.

 

INT: HOLLINGS ESTATE-DAY

 

Tristan and Cassidy are now inside her house sitting on her couch. He is clearly uncomfortable with Cassidy’s aggressiveness. Cassidy cannot keep her hands or lips off of him. Although Tristan wants things to go no further…he can’t deny that she is extremely appealing and he literally jumps off the couch to get away from her.

 

TRISTAN: I…uh…need to use your bathroom.

 

CASSIDY: Right now?

 

TRISTAN: Now would be good…yes.

 

CASSIDY: But the committee will be here any minute.

 

TRISTAN: Call of nature…sorry.

 

Tristan heads up the stairs in search of the bathroom and a sanctuary from Cassidy’s overtures. As he reaches the bathroom he hears the doorbell down stairs.

 

TRISTAN: (to himself) Thank the lord.

 

Downstairs Cassidy answers the door to Paris, Louise and Madeline.

 

CASSIDY: Welcome…come in.

 

PARIS: Thanks.

 

The trio walks into the living room. Madeline and Louise start checking out the house while Paris takes a seat on the couch.

 

PARIS: It’s very nice of you to offer your home for our meeting.

 

CASSIDY: No problem. I’m so excited about this dance. It’s going to be an absolutely perfect night. I already have my dress.

 

PARIS: Yes it should be fun. Is Rory here yet?

 

CASSIDY: No you three are the first ones here. Madeline…Louise…can I get you anything?

 

LOUISE:  How about...out of this?

 

Madeline giggles at this remark

 

PARIS: Very funny Louise.

 

LOUISE: Honestly Paris why did you drag us in to this? I could be spending my weekend with some hot guy…but you signed me up for the paper mache brigade.

 

PARIS: Committees look good on your transcripts.

 

LOUISE: And I care about this less and less every time you say that.

 

The front doorbell rings and Cassidy goes to get it. It’s Rory and Dean.

 

CASSIDY: Rory…glad you could make it…and who might this be?

 

RORY: Cassidy…this is my boyfriend Dean. Dean this is Cassidy.

 

DEAN: Hi.

 

RORY: I’m sorry if I’m late.

 

CASSIDY: No…no. You’re right on time. Come in.

 

RORY: Oh…Dean’s not staying. But he would like to use your restroom before he heads back to Star’s Hollow if that’s okay.

 

CASSIDY: Sure…but he’s more than welcome to stay if he’d like.

 

Dean and Rory enter into Cassidy’s house just as Tristan comes back down the stairs. Dean doesn’t miss the look that passes between Rory and Tristan although he almost wishes that he had.

 

DEAN: You know if it’s not too much trouble for me to stay…that would be great. It will make things much more convenient. Right Rory?

 

RORY: It’s going to be a boring meeting Dean.

 

CASSIDY: Oh…don’t be silly, Dean can hang out with Tristan in the game room.

 

TRISTAN: Cassidy…maybe Dean doesn’t want to hang out with Tristan.

 

RORY: Right.

 

DEAN: No…I don’t mind. Really…show me the way.

 

CASSIDY: Yeah…go on honey you know where it is.

 

Rory pulls Dean aside. This in her mind is a catastrophe in the making and she wants to let him know it.

 

Dean leans down and kisses a very uncomfortable Rory.

 

DEAN: I’ll see you after your meeting.

 

RORY: (just to Dean) Dean…this is a bad idea.

 

DEAN: It’ll be fine. If he’s smart enough to not provoke me.

 

RORY: See that’s what I’m talking about…you hate him. Why hang out and court disaster?

 

DEAN: Is there some reason you don’t want me to stay here Rory?

 

RORY: No…of course not.

 

DEAN: Then it’s settled you go to your meeting and I’ll get to know bozo the clown.

 

Dean kisses Rory again as a jealous Tristan looks on. Tristan knew this moment would come but he is alarmed by how much watching Rory and Dean together is getting to him. Annoyed he walks over to the kissing couple.

 

TRISTAN: Keep that up and you’ll miss your meeting.

 

RORY: I was just going.

 

DEAN: Do you mind dude…she is *my* girlfriend you know.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…well aware of that *dude.*

 

Tristan walks away getting just a little more upset with each step. By the time he reaches Cassidy’s side he is hell bent on showing Rory just how much it sucks to watch her with Dean.

 

RORY: Please don’t start anything Dean. Just play nice.

 

DEAN: As long as he does.

 

Rory turns around to go with everyone into the meeting and is met with the sight of Tristan and Cassidy kissing each other. She knows in her heart he’s hurt and just striking out at her but it still stings as she tries to bravely walk by him and Cassidy without showing how it is affecting her. Tristan waits until Rory passes before he abruptly stops the kiss.

 

TRISTAN: You should probably get in there.

 

CASSIDY: Damn I swear you are like a water faucet how fast you can turn it on and off.

 

Tristan motions towards Dean standing over by the couch.

 

TRISTAN: It’s not my fault…you made me the entertainment director for the day…remember?

 

CASSIDY: I wish I did not find you so completely irresistible. I swear you will be my undoing Tristan.

 

Cassidy walks out of the room leaving just Tristan and Dean to make nice. Tristan makes the first overture towards Dean.

 

TRISTAN: Follow me…I’ll show you where the game room is.  

 

INT: GILMORE GIRLS HOUSE-DAY

 

Lorelai is sitting on her couch painting her toenails when her phone rings. She puts down the nail polish bottle and picks it up.

 

LORELAI/ SHERRY: INTERCUT

 

LORELAI: Hello?

 

SHERRY: Lorelai?

 

LORELAI: The one and only…well actually the two and only…the senior one…but wow…that makes me sound so old…so lets just go back to the one and only and we’ll get her name legally changed tomorrow.

 

SHERRY: Lorelai...

 

LORELAI: Yes…we have established that.

 

SHERRY: It’s Sherry.

 

LORELAI: Sherry who?

 

As soon as Lorelai says the words it dawns on her just exactly who is on the other end of the phone.

 

SHERRY: Christopher’s girlfriend…well actually his fiancé.

 

LORELAI: Got it. (totally sarcastic) What can I do for you Sher…your pal Rory isn’t here right now.

 

SHERRY: I called to talk to Chris…is he there?

 

LORELAI: Actually no, you just missed him. But the next time I see him I’ll be sure to let him know that you called.

 

SHERRY: So how is Rory doing?

 

LORELAI: Rory’s just fine.

 

SHERRY: You know Chris would never tell you this…

 

LORELAI: (interrupting her) Then maybe you shouldn’t either.

 

SHERRY: Oh no…it’s not secret.

 

LORELAI: Let’s just pretend it is and then you and I don’t have to keep up this little sharing charade. So if we’re done now I’ll be going.

 

SHERRY: Lorelai…I love Christopher.

 

LORELAI: Gold star for you then…I’ve really got to go now.

 

SHERRY: I just wanted you to know that…for you to understand how important he is to me.

 

LORELAI: Duly noted.  

 

SHERRY: You are an amazing woman Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: Okay…this is getting really weird.

 

SHERRY: You know how highly Chris values your opinion.

 

LORELAI: Is there a point in here somewhere Sherry…because I am a busy…busy woman.

 

SHERRY: I want you to stop expecting Christopher to drop everything to be by your side whenever you have a crisis in your life.

 

LORELAI: Excuse me?

 

SHERRY: You could have handled this issue with Rory…you didn’t need to drag Chris into it.

 

LORELAI: He’s her father Sherry. He deserves to be kept in the loop.

 

SHERRY: A word of advice Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: This should be golden…go ahead…hit me with your best shot.

 

SHERRY: Find a man of your own. And leave Christopher alone.

 

LORELAI: Well you certainly don’t pull any punches…I’ll give you that. So are we through now?

 

SHERRY: I think we both understand each other…yes.

 

LORELAI: Great…hey thanks for calling Sherry…it was a joy.

 

Lorelai slams down the phone.

 

LORELAI: (cont.) Unfriggin believable. The nerve of  her.

 

Christopher comes walking down the steps with his bag.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Who was that? Let me guess…Emily on the warpath again?

 

LORELAI: Sales call.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Little annoyed for a sales call. What were they selling?

 

LORELAI: A load of crap.

 

CHRISTOPHER: So what’s the going rate for the load of crap?

 

LORELAI: You ready to go? We should probably get you to the airport soon or you’ll miss your plane.

 

Lorelai gets up off the couch doing the wet nail polish walk. Trying very hard to keep her wet toes from touching anything she grabs her coat off the back of the couch.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You going to wear shoes?

 

LORELAI: Do I have to?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Pretty sure it a shoe required zone.

 

LORELAI: I was thinking you could just give me a piggy back ride through the terminal.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You spend way too much time thinking. Not going to happen princess. Grab some shoes and lets go…the piggies will just have to get a touch up later.

 

LORELAI: You are a cruel man.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Two days ago I was a doll…now I’m cruel. Anyone ever told you you’re fickle?

 

LORELAI: No one as cute as you.

 

Lorelai reluctantly puts her feet into her tennis shoes and grabs Christopher’s arm. As they head out the door he turns towards her.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Wait.

 

LORELAI: Did you forget something?

 

CHRISTOPHER: I just want you to know that I am going to miss you. These past two days have been phenomenal. You are the woman for me Lorelai Gilmore.

 

LORELAI: Accept no substitutions.

 

CHRISTOPHER: That’s my new motto.

 

Chris leans in and gives Lorelai a kiss that takes her breath away. As Chris gazes into Lorelai’s eyes she finally sees her future. And it’s bright and shiny and she can’t help wondering…where is this perfect daydream going to shatter?