Story summary: Passion is the key player and Rory and Lorelai are its latest victims.

 

Disclaimer: The characters in my story are the sole property of the WB show “Gilmore Girls”, its writers and affiliates.

 

INT: GILMORE’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

As Lorelai and Chris enter through the front door Lorelai turns to Rory.

 

LORELAI: So how much do you hate me for not telling you about the party?

 

RORY: On a scale of a daughters love for her mother…you’re safe. But don’t ever do that to me again. You know I hate surprises.

 

LORELAI: Yes…you prefer your spontaneous behavior…well thought out and planned.

 

RORY: Exactly.

 

CHRIS: Rory…hon, it was great seeing you tonight, but I should probably get to my accommodations for the night.

 

LORELAI: You’re not staying here?

 

CHRIS: It was short notice; I didn’t want to put you out.

 

LORELAI: Since when?

 

Rory can see that her mother and father are about to have a disagreement…maybe of major proportions, so she tries to quietly excuse herself.

 

RORY: I’m pretty sure it’s past my bedtime.

 

CHRIS: It’s not the end of the world Lorelai. It’s a room at the inn.

 

LORELAI: You’re staying at the Independence?

 

RORY: So…I’ll see you two in the morning.

 

CHRIS: You’ve always spoken so highly of it. I thought it would be a great time to try it.

 

LORELAI: You’re paying to stay at the Independence when you could stay here for free…with me?

 

RORY: Okay…goodnight.

 

CHRIS: You’re blowing this out of proportion Lorelai.

 

Rory walks out the room virtually unnoticed by Lorelai and Chris who are definitely about to have a wall shaking blow up if things continue along the same lines.

 

INT: RORY’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Rory opens the door and walks into her bedroom. She reaches to flip the switch and nothing happens. She walks a little further into her room towards the lamp and as the door closes she is grabbed from behind and a hand immediately goes over her mouth to cover it. Rory panics at first but then a familiar voice surrounds her.

 

TRISTAN: Don’t scream. I didn’t mean to scare you.

 

Tristan takes his arms from around Rory and she immediately turns around to face him in the dark. The shadows playing around the room hide Rory’s face but her voice instantly betrays her anger.

 

RORY: Then you shouldn’t be lurking around in my bedroom in the middle of the night.

 

TRISTAN: I wasn’t lurking.

 

RORY: Have you completely lost your mind? Grabbing me like that? I could have judo chopped you or something.

 

TRISTAN: It was a risk I was willing to take.

 

RORY: Well you’ve had your fun. I suggest you leave before I do scream and my mother comes running with Luther.

 

TRISTAN: Luther?

 

RORY: It’s a baseball bat she keeps by the side of her bed. And that’s really all you need to know.

 

TRISTAN: Good.

 

Tristan is standing across the room from Rory and he starts to take a step towards her.

 

RORY: I was serious about screaming.

 

TRISTAN: You’re not even the slightest bit curious why I’m here?

 

RORY: For round two?

 

TRISTAN: I didn’t come here to fight with you. I came here to fight for you…for us.

 

RORY: Tristan…

 

TRISTAN: Just hear me out Rory, and then I promise you…I will go.

 

Tristan walks over and sits on Rory’s bed, motioning for her to sit down beside him. Rory reluctantly walks over and takes a seat.

 

RORY: I listen…and you’ll go?

 

TRISTAN: Scouts honor.

 

INT: FRONT DOOR HALLWAY-NIGHT

 

Chris is standing in front of Lorelai. It is obvious she is very upset with him.

 

CHRIS: I’m sorry I upset you Lor.

 

LORELAI: Then tell me what’s going on? Don’t lie to me or play ignorant. There is a reason you chose not to stay here. Inform me.

 

CHRIS: It’s complicated.

 

LORELAI: Let’s simplify it then…does it have anything to do with Sherry?

 

CHRIS: I don’t want to do this right now Lorelai. It’s late…I’m tired…you’re obviously in the mood for a fight. Let’s just sleep on it.

 

LORELAI: In separate beds?

 

CHRIS: In separate beds.

 

As Lorelai and Chris stand looking at each other his cell phone rings. He ignores it and it continues to ring. Lorelai reaches into his coat pocket and pulls it out. She looks at the caller ID.

 

A printed message has come up on the phone, Lorelai reads it.

 

LORELAI: XXOO…Shelly.

 

CHRIS: Lor…

 

LORELAI: And suddenly…the picture becomes clear.

 

CHRIS: It’s not what you think?

 

LORELAI: Oh…you don’t want to know what I’m thinking right now. Believe me.

 

CHRIS: I know this looks bad.

 

LORELAI: Bad? No…not at all.

 

CHRIS: Really?

 

LORELAI: No…not really! I would ask you if you’re insane…but I realize now that I’m the one who has lost my mind. Believing you again…God…is there no cure for my stupidity?  

 

CHRIS: I’m still leaving her.

 

LORELAI: Why should I believe you?

 

CHRIS: There really is no reason you should. I realize this looks really bad…but I love you Lorelai…that hasn’t changed.

 

Chris reaches for Lorelai to pull her towards him…she hesitates at first but as his lips meet hers she is once again…Lost in his touch, the feel of him, his scent…their undeniable passion.

 

INT: RORY’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Tristan takes Rory’s hand in his and turns slightly towards her. The room is lit solely by moonlight and Tristan thinks to himself that Rory has never looked more beautiful than in this moment.

 

TRISTAN: Do you love me?

 

Rory is totally unprepared for Tristan’s words and they sink deep into her heart. She looks at him and gives him a small, timid smile.

 

RORY: 2 months ago…I would have laughed at the thought.

 

TRISTAN: And now?

 

RORY: Now…you’re a part of me. I can’t remember what it felt like *not* being in love with you.

 

Tristan can’t contain the grin that begins to light up his face…outshining the moonlight.

 

TRISTAN: Do you know how much I wanted to hear you say that?

 

RORY: I have a pretty good idea.

 

TRISTAN: So how do we make this work?   

 

RORY:  Honestly…I don’t know. There are still obstacles to overcome…and after tonight at my grandparents…well obviously we still have unresolved issues between us.

 

TRISTAN: My only issue is that you still appear willing to throw this all away.

 

RORY: Whatever this is with us Tristan…I like it. And throwing it away is definitely not the option I’m leaning towards…but we have to be realistic in our expectations of each other.

 

TRISTAN: I don’t think it’s unrealistic to want you all to myself. I’m tired of sharing you with Dean.

 

RORY: How many times do I have to tell you…Dean is not an issue?

 

TRISTAN: He’s in your life. You still call him your boyfriend. He’s an issue.

 

RORY: You see…this is what I mean. These moments are why I *don’t* see us working out. You have no faith in me.

 

TRISTAN: Actually I think it’s the other way around. You have no faith in me.

 

RORY: How can you say that?

 

TRISTAN: Because…if you believed in me…Dean would be nothing but a distant memory. But you don’t. You still think being with me is a mistake, and that I’m bound to hurt you.

 

RORY: It is your track record.

 

TRISTAN: This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here. It’s obvious that you plan to keep denying these feelings, to keep pretending you and I are better apart.

 

RORY: You should thank me. I’m just saving us both a lot of unnecessary heartache.

 

TRISTAN: No you’re not Rory…I see exactly what you’re doing now.

 

RORY: You do?

 

TRISTAN: Yes. You’re running scared. This isn’t about getting hurt, or hurting someone…this is about venturing into something risky…something out of your control.

 

RORY: I’m not scared.

 

TRISTAN: Yes you are. You talk a good game…but bottom line…you’re afraid to have a relationship with anyone that might put you in the same position as your mother.

 

RORY: You’d better get to a point.

 

TRISTAN: Sex.

 

RORY: Excuse me?

 

TRISTAN: That’s it…that’s the missing part of the equation. It’s so clear now…if you let me in…you open the door to a physical relationship. You’re sixteen and in love…the only thing missing is being pregnant. You don’t want to become your mother.

 

RORY: Get out!

 

TRISTAN: I’m right. Aren’t I?

 

RORY: What you are is ego maniacal. I reject you so you invent some trumped up excuse in your mind to assuage your wounded ego. I’m not scared of you. I’m just smart enough to stay away.

 

TRISTAN: Say what you will…but both you and I know that when we *connect* it’s not some simple thing…it’s electrical…and it’s powerful…and it scares you to death to realize you aren’t the one pulling the strings on this one. I don’t know who wants you to find someone safe more…your mother…or you.

 

RORY: And that’s why you think I’m still with Dean? Because he’s safe?

 

TRISTAN: I would bet good money on it.

 

RORY: I’m not looking for safe.

 

TRISTAN: Prove it.

 

Rory looks at Tristan with utter disdain. Her pride is riled and she is out to prove a point. He may *get* to her…but she is the one in control.

 

Rory leans in and presses her lips somewhat possessively onto Tristan’s. As much as this is what Tristan wants…he is determined to make Rory work for it. He inches away from her…his breathing labored.

 

TRISTAN: Is that all you’ve got?

 

Rory knows Tristan is playing with her…but determined she moves in again…this time she moves to stand in front of him…leaning her head down to kiss his. Rory stands in between his legs and lightly pushes him back down onto the bed. Her body is now directly on top of his and as they really start kissing he begins to roll her over until he is the one directly above her…with the roles reversed he looks into her eyes and gives her a devilish wink.

 

TRISTAN: Now let me show you what I’ve got.

 

Tristan leans down and as his and Rory’s lips connect he swears he can feel the spark. Rory follows his movements…leaning closer…pulling away…running her hands down his back and up his chest…letting the passion pull the strings. Two bodies alive and involved…it’s intense…it’s passionate…it’s anything but safe.