Story summary: Rory and Tristan can’t escape each other and Lorelai sees a different side of Luke.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. All characters are the property of the WB show “Gilmore Girls” and all its affiliates.

 

 

INT: ENGLISH CLASS: DAY

 

Rory is sitting in her normal seat, as is Tristan. All around them people are having conversations with each other and laughing and chatting animatedly. Tristan stares at the back of Rory’s head…willing her to turn around and acknowledge him, even if it’s only in a small way. But Rory remains turned around reading her book. As Mr. Medina enters the room all the discussions stop and everyone hurries to take their seat.

 

MR. MEDINA: Good morning class.

 

Rory reluctantly puts down the book that she was pretending to read and looks at Mr. Medina.

 

MR. MEDINA: (cont.) I hope everyone has prepared themselves for the traditional Medina English project. Some of you have been at Chilton long enough to know what I’m talking about, but for those of you who haven’t…allow me to explain.

 

Paris raises her hand.

 

MR. MEDINA: (cont.) Yes Paris?

 

PARIS: Mr. Medina, I was hoping that I could plead the case for this year to be less traditional.

 

MR. MEDINA: How so?

 

PARIS: Well in prior years severe damage has been done to a person’s grade point average by being paired with a person of…less educational endeavors. So my proposal is to allow us to choose our own partners.

 

MR. MEDINA: While that idea…is intriguing Ms. Gellar. It’s fairly predictable. The smart kids inevitably gravitate towards each other and the middle of the pack ultimately learns nothing. So we’ll stick with my system if you don’t mind.

 

PARIS: With all due respect Mr. Medina.  I am bound for Harvard and I don’t need a mental meltdown from trying to resuscitate a brain dead, D- student.

 

MR. MEDINA: Point well taken Ms Geller. But alas…nothing changes. But you will be happy to hear that your partner is neither brain dead or a D- student. Class everyone has a card taped under their desk with a topic your mission is to find the other student in class who shares that topic with you. You may turn your card over.

 

Rory reaches under and gets her card turning it over she reads her topic “Romeo and Juliet” Were they literature’s greatest lovers or most misguided?

 

Rory takes her card and starts walking around the room comparing it with other people, but to no avail. As everyone starts pairing off Rory sees that only a few people haven’t found their partners, Paris, Brad, Tristan and herself. Rory approaches Brad hoping beyond hope that he holds the right card, but some how already knowing that fate has dealt her right back into Tristan’s hands.

 

RORY: Hey Brad, are you the lucky holder of Romeo and Juliet?

 

BRAD: No such luck. I’m the bearer of Midsummer Nights Dream.

 

Paris who was approaching Rory looks disbelieving at him.

 

PARIS: Tell me you did not just say Midsummer Nights Dream.

 

BRAD: Oh God. I think I’m going to be sick.

 

Paris pulls the card out of Brad’s hand and looks at it.

 

PARIS: Is this some kind of cruel joke.

 

BRAD: Definitely going to be sick.

 

Brad runs out of the room leaving Paris holding his card.

 

PARIS: I’ve been paired with the pasty geek. Could this day get any worse?

 

Rory realizes at this moment that Tristan is the only one left standing.

 

RORY: I would say so…yes.

 

Tristan sees that Rory isn’t paired off yet and watches as she reluctantly approaches. His heart aches to see her *not want* to be his partner, but he sucks it up and grins at her. Rory’s heartbeat accelerates as she approaches Tristan and he gives her that grin that has melted her heart far too many times in the past.

 

RORY: (cont.) Romeo and Juliet?

 

TRISTAN: Once again the teenage lovers bring us together.

 

Tristan hands Rory his card and she reads it, confirming Tristan is indeed to be her partner on this project.

 

Rory hands him back the card and their hands touch. They both linger a little long on the unexpected contact and Rory automatically looks up at Tristan. At that moment Rory feels as if Tristan is looking into her soul, she can’t tear her gaze away from his…mesmerized by his eyes and all they tell her.

 

MR. MEDINA: Okay class. With the remaining time we have left go ahead and sit with your partner and start strategizing. Oh and one more thing. Under no circumstances will I allow partners to switch.

 

Rory reluctantly sits down next to Tristan. His nearness is unnerving her.

 

RORY: He has to let us switch.

 

TRISTAN: (hurt) Right. We’ll ask him right after class.

 

RORY: It’s the best thing…for both of us.

 

TRISTAN: Uh huh.

 

The bell rings and the class start to file out leaving only Paris, Tristan and Rory. Paris approaches Mr. Medina’s desk.

 

PARIS: Mr. Medina.

 

MR. MEDINA: No Paris.

 

PARIS: But Brad is not the right partner for me.

 

MR. MEDINA: He’s an “A” student Paris. You couldn’t ask for better.

 

PARIS: How am I supposed to partner with someone who is in the rest room throwing up every two seconds?

 

MR. MEDINA: Keep a trashcan within reach?

 

PARIS: Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?

 

MR. MEDINA: Not that comes to mind. It’s a two-week assignment…Go easy on Brad and you might just be surprised.

 

PARIS: I highly doubt that.

 

Paris walks out of the classroom in a huff and Rory and Tristan reluctantly approach the desk.

 

RORY: Mr. Medina?

 

MR. MEDINA: Yes Rory?

 

RORY: I know that you vetoed Paris and Brad changing partners, but I was hoping I could persuade you to see mine and Tristan’s case as a “need to change partners” situation…not a *want.*

 

MR. MEDINA: I appreciate the necessity…but I can’t bend the rules Rory…not even for you. I’m sorry.

 

TRISTAN: Please Mr. Medina…you don’t understand Rory and I…we…dated a little and it would be really awkward for us.

 

MR. MEDINA: Frankly Mr. DuGrey pairing you with someone you haven’t *dated a little* poses way too big of a challenge. Partners stand as is. I’m very sorry Rory. But if he gets out of line…just sic your mom on him.

 

RORY: Right. Thanks Mr. Medina.

 

Rory turns and walks out of the classroom followed by Tristan. Tristan wants to let her go but he can’t help himself and he reaches out touching her shoulder.

 

TRISTAN: Rory?

 

Rory hesitantly turns around. As she and Tristan meet eyes her skin heats up and she begins to feel the same old familiar tingles his presence always brings her.

 

RORY: Let’s not analyze this Tristan…lets just do this assignment and get it over with.

 

TRISTAN: Do you really hate me that much?

 

Rory looks deep into Tristan’s eyes…wanting so much to touch him, but knowing that that would just start the whole merry-go-round all over again she doesn’t.

 

RORY: (heartfelt) I could never hate you.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…it would be so much easier if you could.

 

RORY: Exactly.

 

Tristan takes a step closer to Rory and she knows she should step back but somehow her body won’t obey her mind. Rory revels in the space she shares with Tristan at that moment. So close…but not touching. In some ways it’s worse this way…so close physically…but so far away in every other way. Tristan brings his hand up to the side of Rory’s face and softly caresses it, his long fingers gently working their magic.

 

TRISTAN: I miss you.

 

Finally Rory takes a step back, unwilling to be swept up again.

 

RORY: I have to go.

 

TRISTAN: And so…the perfect moment ends.

 

Rory turns and has to keep herself from literally running away from Tristan. Tristan watches her go as he leans back against the wall.  

 

INT: LUKE’S DINER-DAY:

 

Jess is working behind the counter when Lorelai walks in.

 

LORELAI: Shouldn’t you be in school?

 

JESS: You a truant officer?

 

LORELAI: No just a lady in need of a cup of coffee…and a Danish.

 

JESS: Sorry all out of Danish.

 

LORELAI: But it’s Danish day!

 

JESS: Ran out about a half hour ago.

 

LORELAI: Luke would never run out of Danish.

 

JESS: Uncle Luke isn’t here. I’m in charge…and I ran out of Danish about a…

 

LORELAI: Half hour ago…I know.

 

Jess pours Lorelai’s coffee and starts to walks away.

 

LORELAI: You’re messing with tradition…you should never mess with tradition.

 

JESS: It’s a Danish…not a family heirloom.

 

LORELAI: Your point being?

 

JESS: No point…just an observation.

 

LORELAI: So…where is Luke today?

 

JESS: Upstairs…I think he ate a bad Danish.

 

LORELAI: Very funny.

 

JESS: Not one of my best…but hey…it was short notice.

 

Lorelai gets up off her barstool and heads back towards the entrance to upstairs.

 

LORELAI: Mind if I go upstairs?

 

JESS: Could I stop you?

 

LORELAI: With a Danish.

 

JESS: Funny lady…doors unlocked…leave the place like you found it.

 

LORELAI: More like your uncle everyday…frightening.

 

Lorelai heads upstairs and approaches Luke’s door. She taps lightly on it and gets no answer so she opens the door and lets herself in. Luke is asleep on his bed with the covers curled up around him. Lorelai has to suppress a giggle as she sees that he is holding onto a ratty old teddy bear.

 

LORELAI: Souped up Ferrari….$60,000…Week at Misty Mountain Spa…$30,000…Luke holding his teddy…priceless.

 

Luke starts to rouse as Lorelai is talking. He opens one eye and sees her standing there. Instinctively he rams the teddy bear underneath the covers.

 

LUKE: Lorelai…hi.

 

LORELAI: Too late…I saw your bed buddy…so let the poor guy up for some air.

 

Luke reluctantly pulls the ratty old teddy bear up from underneath the covers.

 

LUKE: It’s not what it looks like.

 

Luke sits up in bed and the covers fall down exposing his shirtless chest. Realizing his semi-nakedness he pulls the covers up.

 

LUKE: (cont) How’d you get in here?

 

LORELAI: Door was unlocked. Jess told me it was okay to come up.

 

LUKE: Remind me to thank him later.

 

LORELAI: Okay. So…what’s the story behind teddy?

 

LUKE: It’s nothing.

 

LORELAI: Make something up quick or I will and that will be the version that goes to Miss Patty.

 

LUKE: You wouldn’t?

 

LORELAI: Oh…but I would.

 

Luke hands the teddy bear to Lorelai.

 

LUKE: Fine. My mother gave it to me. I named it Boo and it hasn’t left my bed since I was two. Happy now?

 

LORELAI: Surprisingly so.  

 

LUKE: So is that all you came up here for, to torture me?

 

LORELAI: No…that was just the perk. I came up here to see how you were feeling.

 

LUKE: I’m fine. Just a little under the weather. Jess only had a half day today so he offered to watch the place while I got some rest. Why am I telling you my life story?

 

LORELAI: Half naked.

 

LUKE: What?

 

LORELAI: Why are you telling me your life story…half naked?

 

LUKE: Exactly. Don’t you have something you need to be doing or some trouble you need to be getting in?

 

LORELAI: Who knew a Jess speech could be so multi-functional? Fine…I’m going.

 

Lorelai gets up and starts walking out.

 

LUKE: Lorelai.

 

Lorelai turns back around.

 

LUKE: (cont.) The bear.

 

LORELAI: Oh…do you miss your Boo?

 

LUKE: Very funny…ha-ha…this is me laughing hysterically. Now can you please just hand over the bear?

 

LORELAI: Being without Boo makes Luke very cranky.

 

Lorelai places the teddy bear on the bed.

 

LUKE: I’d appreciate it if you kept this between you and me.

 

LORELAI: And Rory. I tell Rory everything.

 

LUKE: Fine…you, me and Rory.

 

LORELAI: Oh…and Chris…and Sookie.

 

LUKE: Should I just dial Miss Patty now to save you the trouble of spreading this all over town?

 

LORELAI: If you think that’s best. But please remember…Boo has feelings too.

 

Lorelai leaves as Luke hurls a pillow at her…narrowly missing her.