Story summary: It’s all about the truth. For some it’s enlightening, for others heartbreaking.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the characters in my story. The characters belong to the WB show “Gilmore Girls”, its writers and creators.

 

 

INT: SOOKIE’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Sookie and Jackson are lying in bed asleep when the phone rings. Jackson grunts and swipes the alarm clock to the floor, the ringing of the phone, of course, continues.

 

SOOKIE: (sleepy) I think it’s the phone sweetie.

 

Jackson reaches over and picks up the ringing phone.

 

JACKSON: (very drowsy) Hello?

 

INTERCUT: LORELAI/ JACKSON

 

LORELAI: Hey Jackson…its Lorelai.

 

JACKSON: Lorelai? Do you have any idea what time it is?

 

LORELAI: Um…actually no…no idea. What time is it?

 

Jackson turns to look at the clock and realizes he knocked it on the floor. Frantically he reaches down trying to turn it around so that he can see the time.

 

JACKSON: Its…it’s…three am!

 

LORELAI: Really?

 

JACKSON: Yes really.

 

Sookie taps Jackson on the shoulder.

 

SOOKIE: Hand over the phone honey.

 

JACKSON: It’s three am.

 

SOOKIE: I know hon…go back to sleep. I’ll take it from here.

 

Sookie takes the phone over from Jackson and gets out of bed with it. Grumbling Jackson nestles back under the covers as Sookie exits the bedroom and goes into her kitchen.

 

INTERCUT: SOOKIE/LORELAI

 

SOOKIE: Lor? Honey are you there?

 

LORELAI: Oh…Sookie. Thank God. I’m such a mess; I need my friend right now.

 

SOOKIE: Slow down hon…what’s going on?

 

LORELAI: I need to talk to you Sookie. Can I please come in?

 

SOOKIE: Come in? Lorelai where are you?

 

LORELAI: I’m sitting on your front porch.

 

SOOKIE: Sweetie it’s freezing out there.

 

LORELAI: I know. I contemplated not waking you…but I’m pretty sure I’ve lost all feeling in my toes.

 

Sookie is approaching her front door. She opens it and sees a pathetic looking Lorelai sitting bundled in her coat, holding her cell phone to her ear.

 

SOOKIE: Oh hon…of course you can come in.

 

Lorelai and Sookie simultaneously hang up their cell phones and walk into each other arms. Sookie gives Lorelai a big, warm hug.

 

The two friends walk back into Sookie’s house and Lorelai sits down on the kitchen chair.

 

SOOKIE: Do you want some coffee?

 

LORELAI: That sounds really great.

 

Sookie moves quickly around the kitchen preparing the coffee and as an afterthought she pulls some croissants out of the refrigerator and starts warming up the oven.

 

SOOKIE: Can’t really have a good talk with out croissants.

 

LORELAI: Well said.

 

As the coffee is percolating and the croissants are warming, Sookie comes over and places a coffee cup in front of Lorelai.

 

SOOKIE: So is this about Christopher?

 

LORELAI: Partly.

 

SOOKIE: Rory?

 

LORELAI: Also partly.

 

The buzzer dings and Sookie goes over and pulls the warm croissants out of the oven. Picking up a pot holder and the coffee pot she walks over to the table and places everything down.

 

Sookie picks up the coffee and pours Lorelai a cup.

 

SOOKIE: Oh I forgot the butter. You do like butter on your croissant…right?

 

LORELAI: Sure. Butter would be good.

 

Sookie hurries over to the refrigerator and gets the butter out. She stops at a drawer to grab a butter knife and scurries back over to the table. Sookie surveys the spread before her and gives a pleased smile.

 

Sookie: Okay…talk.

 

LORELAI: Are you sure? Cause I don’t see any napkins on the table. A girl eating a buttery croissant can be a messy thing.

 

SOOKIE: Oh…right…napkins.

 

Sookie starts to get up and Lorelai pulls her back down.

 

LORELAI: I was kidding. Everything is fine…except for I think I forgot why I came here in all the preparation.

 

SOOKIE: Oh Lor…I’m sorry. You know how I get about the right ambiance.

 

LORELAI: Frankly Sook…I don’t think there is a right ambiance for my problems.

 

SOOKIE: Is it really that bad?

 

LORELAI: Sherry…Chris’s sort of ex is pregnant and Rory and Tristan are on the verge of …well…stuff they shouldn’t be on the verge of.

 

SOOKIE: I should have used the really caffeinated coffee. 

 

LORELAI: Yeah…probably. Because I’m about to fall apart here Sookie and I haven’t done that since the day the stick turned blue. I’ve spent the last sixteen years being the strong one and I’m just not sure I have it in me anymore.

 

SOOKIE: Maybe you should start from the beginning.

 

INT: RORY’S ROOM:-NIGHT

 

Rory is pacing around her room, going over to her bedside table she picks up her cell phone and dials. A very sleepy Tristan picks up the line.

 

INTERCUT: RORY/ TRISTAN

 

TRISTAN: Hello?

 

RORY: Tristan?

 

TRISTAN: Rory? Do you know what time it is?

 

RORY: Yes…it’s 3:20 am. I need to see you.

 

TRISTAN: It can’t wait?

 

RORY: It’s important.

 

TRISTAN: Okay. But I have no way of getting there right now. My dad took my car keys from me because he didn’t trust me not to drive to your party tonight.

 

RORY: What?

 

TRISTAN: It’s a long…boring story.

 

RORY: I can’t get there either…my mom took the car and Dean has mine over at his house working on it.

 

TRISTAN: Can’t you just tell me what’s going on?

 

RORY: I just need to get out of here. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but I really don’t like my mother very much right now.

 

TRISTAN: Don’t say that Rory.

 

RORY: Are you defending her?

 

TRISTAN: No. I’m just saying that you should count yourself lucky that you have a mother who cares so much about you.

 

RORY: She was out of line tonight. She had no right to talk to you like that.

 

TRISTAN: She had every right Rory. You’re her daughter and lets face it…the situation tonight gave her even more reason to hate me.

 

RORY: I can’t believe you’re taking her side.

 

TRISTAN: I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m just stating the obvious. She cares about you with everything she’s got and she wants only the best for you. I get that she thinks that isn’t me.

 

RORY: She’s being overbearing and judgmental.

 

TRISTAN: She’s your mother Rory so you know her better than me.

 

RORY: That’s right. I do.

 

TRISTAN: But…

 

RORY: Does there always have to be a but?

 

TRISTAN: In this case…yes. Because from an observers point of view…she’s scared.

 

RORY: Of what?

 

TRISTAN: Of letting you grow up, of losing you. I mean it’s pretty obvious you are her life.

 

RORY: Well it’s too much pressure. I just want to be allowed to make my own choices.

 

TRISTAN: You will. But not this way…this way you’re just going to alienate her. She wants to be in control…let her.

 

RORY: And let her tell me not to see you? Is that what you want?

 

TRISTAN: Hell no. But this parents liking me thing is a whole new ball game for me. I’ve never cared before what someone’s mom or dad thought of me. But Rory…I want your mom to like me.

 

RORY: You do?

 

TRISTAN: Yes…I know that shatters the bad boy image I’ve got going…but if she doesn’t like me…then we’ll have a real battle on our hands. Are you prepared for that?

 

RORY: All I know is that I want to be with you.

 

TRISTAN: Wow…I was beginning to think I was never going to hear those words from you. So don’t get me wrong on what I’m about to say… but I can’t be with you the way things are right now.

 

RORY: This is unbelievable.

 

TRISTAN: Wait…don’t get all bent…she *is* going to like me Rory. I promise you that.

 

RORY: You don’t know my mom Tristan. She is not easily swayed into changing her mind.

 

TRISTAN: I’m not going to change her mind Rory. I’m going to help her to realize the truth. I am not a bad guy.

 

RORY: Good luck.

 

TRISTAN: Could you say that with a little more enthusiasm?

 

RORY: And give you false hope? Not a chance.

 

TRISTAN: This is just the beginning Rory…not the ending. You’ll see.

 

INT: SOOKIE’S HOUSE-EARLY MORNING

 

SOOKIE: Standing in his boxers? Really?

 

LORELAI: Nothing but. I swear I wanted to strangle him right then and there.

 

SOOKIE: I remember the first time I saw Jackson in his boxers.

 

LORELAI: Okay…are you going somewhere with that?

 

SOOKIE: No that’s pretty much it. Which I now realize has no correlation whatsoever to your dilemma…so this is me…shutting up. Go on.

 

LORELAI: There’s not much else to tell. I’ve lost Chris and now I’m going to lose Rory too.

 

SOOKIE: You’re not going to lose Rory hon. You just need to let her grow up.

 

LORELAI: Are you taking her side?

 

SOOKIE: No…I don’t know. I guess.

 

LORELAI: I can’t believe your taking her side. She’s sixteen years old Sookie. She’s too young to be in a serious relationship.

 

SOOKIE: You were in a serious relationship at sixteen.

 

LORELAI: For the love of God people…this is not about me!

 

SOOKIE: I know you don’t want to hear this Lorelai…but as your friend I’m going to say it anyway…you have to trust Rory.

 

LORELAI: With all the excellent choices she’s been making lately. No thank you.

 

SOOKIE: Then you may as well pack her bags now. Because this is about you Lorelai…you’re too close to see what’s really going on here.

 

LORELAI: Enlighten me.

 

SOOKIE: Rory is growing up.

 

LORELAI: I don’t want her to.

 

SOOKIE: You don’t get to make that choice.

 

LORELAI: Why not? I’m the one who was up with her for 2 and 3 and 4am feedings. The girl ate like a horse. And I’m the one who bandaged her knees when the little kindergarten boy with the crush on her threw her in the rose bushes…apparently at five that’s a sign of affection.  It was me…Me…not Tristan…or my mother or anyone else…me.

 

SOOKIE: And you’ll still be there for her Lor…just in a different way. You can’t shield her from life… but you can be there to help her if it lets her down.

 

LORELAI: Sookie…is Rory destined to be like me? Have I cursed my only child to repeat my pattern? Fall in love…get pregnant…have a baby and kiss Harvard goodbye?

 

SOOKIE: You have the power to change things Lorelai. I’m not saying give Tristan an all access pass…that would be crazy…but if you try and keep them apart you could end up bringing them closer.

 

LORELAI: I don’t know if I can do this Sookie.

 

SOOKIE: Sure you can. Just trust your baby girl like you always have. She’ll do the right thing.

 

LORELAI: And what is the right thing?

 

SOOKIE: Only Rory knows that hon.

 

LORELAI: I hate to admit this…but Tristan may be right. Rory’s always done things in her own time frame…she could never be rushed. And she’s always been a level headed kid…albeit trying at times.

 

SOOKIE: See…now you’re getting it.

 

LORELAI: What I’m getting…is sick to my stomach. I can’t be her friend anymore and I’m a damn lousy mother…I never really practiced for it.

 

SOOKIE: You’re a great mother Lor. And Rory knows it.

 

LORELAI: Ah…Sookie. You say the sweetest things.

 

From the bedroom Lorelai and Sookie hear the alarm clock going off.

 

LORELAI: (cont.) Oh my God. What time is it?

 

SOOKIE: Jackson gets up at 6am.

 

LORELAI: (hugs Sookie) Sook…thanks for everything. I love you.

 

SOOKIE: I love you too honey.

 

Lorelai gets up from her chair grabs her coat and heads for the door.

 

INT: LUKE’S DINER-DAY

 

Lorelai is driving past the diner and sees Luke wiping down tables. She parks her car and gets out going over to the diner window she sticks her face up against it and makes a sad face. Luke comes over and opens the door.

 

LUKE: I just washed those windows.

 

LORELAI: Sorry.

 

LUKE: What do you want?

 

LORELAI: Coffee?

 

LUKE: You okay?

 

LORELAI: Could be better.

 

LUKE: Okay…come in. But hurry. I don’t want the rest of the town thinking I’ve changed my hours.

 

Lorelai looks around at the deserted street.

 

LORELAI: I think we were able to fool them Columbo.

 

LUKE: Cute…I give you coffee, you give me sarcasm.

 

Lorelai walks up to the counter and sits down. Luke pours her a cup of coffee.

 

LUKE: (cont.) So why the long face?

 

LORELAI: Because I left the short one at home?

 

LUKE: More wit…how did I get so lucky? Oh…right…I lost my mind and opened the door. Drink up…I’ve got work to do.

 

Lorelai begins drinking her coffee as Luke continues putting chairs on the floor and wiping down tables. The silence is deafening and Lorelai can’t stand it.

 

LORELAI: Sherry’s pregnant.

 

LUKE: Who’s Sherry?

 

LORELAI: Christopher’s girlfriend.

 

LUKE: Lorelai…I’m sorry.

 

LORELAI: Yeah…me too.

 

Luke goes back to wiping down tables…a little uncomfortable with this conversation.  

 

LORELAI: So…What would you do?

 

LUKE: What do you mean?

 

LORELAI: If it was Rachel? What if when you were dating Rachel you had found out Rachel was going to have someone else’s child? What would you have done?

 

LUKE: It’s not the same.

 

LORELAI: Sure it is. You’re in love with Rachel she tells you she’s going to have another man’s baby…quick…what do you do?

 

LUKE: I guess…I’d leave.

 

LORELAI: Really? Just like that? You would walk out on the love of your life?

 

LUKE: Yeah…just like that.

 

LORELAI: Why?

 

LUKE: Because I would have a hard time believing she loved only me.

 

LORELAI: But what if she was pregnant before you got together. I mean the mistake was obviously pre-relationship with you?

 

LUKE: What do you want me to say Lorelai? Stay with Christopher?

 

LORELAI: I want you to tell me why you wouldn’t.

 

LUKE: Because he’s not my type. I prefer em loyal…and brunette.

 

LORELAI: Christopher is loyal.

 

LUKE: If you say so.

 

LORELAI: And what is that supposed to mean?

 

LUKE: Well…last I checked it takes two people to make a kid.

 

LORELAI: If you’re implying Christopher cheated on me…

 

LUKE: Look this is none of my business. You like Christopher…he likes you. I don’t really see the problem. Go be with him and stop asking me questions, cause you sure as hell aren’t ready for the answers.

 

LORELAI: I can’t believe your attacking me like this.

 

LUKE: I’m giving you honest answers Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: Look…I know you don’t like Chris…but that’s no reason…

 

LUKE: To what…tell the truth?

 

LORELAI: Which is?

 

Luke is about to answer Lorelai when he looks over at the front of the diner.

 

LUKE: He’s at the door.

 

LORELAI: I don’t understand.

 

LUKE: Turn around…he’s at the door.

 

Lorelai turns around and sees Christopher standing at the front of the diner. She gets up and follows Luke as he unlocks the front door to let her out.

 

LUKE: Look Lorelai…about what I said…

 

LORELAI: It’s okay Luke. We’re good.

 

LUKE: I may have been a little…out of line.

 

LORELAI: You were being a friend.

 

LUKE: So…be careful.

 

Lorelai walks out the front of the diner and straight into Christopher’s arms. With a small sigh Luke locks the diner door and turns back to his opening duties. Lorelai hugs Christopher and steps away to look at him.

 

CHRIS: Lor…I’m so sorry.

 

LORELAI: I don’t want to fight about this Chris. I just don’t have it in me right now. We’ve got bigger problems.

 

CHRIS: We do?

 

LORELAI: Yes…this thing between Tristan and Rory is getting way out of hand.

 

CHRIS: Lor…

 

LORELAI: And I’m afraid Dean is going to find out what’s going on and…

 

Christopher tries to cut Lorelai off.

 

CHRIS: Lorelai…behind you.

 

Without turning around Lorelai knows exactly who it is that has been made privy to her rant.

 

LORELAI: Oh God…Dean’s behind me…isn’t he?

 

CHRIS: Bingo.

 

Lorelai turns around to see a shell-shocked Dean standing there.

 

DEAN: Rory and Tristan?

 

LORELAI: Dean...It’s not like it seems.

 

DEAN: God…I knew it. Every time they were together…I just knew it. But Rory told me no…repeatedly.

 

Dean turns and starts walking away.

 

LORELAI: Where is he going? Dean…wait!

 

Dean continues walking his anger growing by the minute.

 

LORELAI: Christopher for God sakes…do something.

 

CHRIS:  Like what?

 

LORELAI: Go after him…tackle him if you have to.

 

CHRIS: You’re kidding right.

 

LORELAI: Only semi…if Rory finds out Dean knows because of me…Christopher she’ll never forgive me. She’ll think I did this on purpose to cause trouble for her and Tristan.

 

CHRIS: I see your point. But short of kidnapping…I don’t really see any way out of this. You’re just going to have to fess up to Rory before Dean gets to her.

 

LORELAI: God…could this day get any worse?

 

CHRIS: You have to chaperone a teenage dance tonight…which given the current turn of events could be *eventful.*

 

LORELAI: Oh God…it could.

 

Christopher puts his arm around Lorelai and the two walk to her jeep, he opens the door for her and then goes around and gets into the drivers side.

 

Lorelai looks over at him and the tears start coming.

 

LORELAI: I can’t believe I’m going to lose you and my daughter in the same week. The fates are definitely cruel.

 

CHRISTOPHER: You’re not going to lose us Lor…we’re a family and families stick together.

 

LORELAI: We are a dysfunctional unit at best. You with your divided interests, Rory with hers and me with my big mouth.

 

CHRISTOPHER: Okay so we’re not Ward and June Cleaver.

 

LORELAI: Who?

 

CHRISTOPHER: From the “Leave it Beaver” show…Ward and June are the parents.

 

LORELAI: You watch that show?

 

CHRISTOPHER: Just once or twice…to mock. My point is…we may not be the perfect family…but you and Rory…mean everything to me and nothing is going to change that.

 

LORELAI: I think you’re wrong Chris…but…whoa….stop the car!

 

Chris immediately breaks thinking he is about to hit something.

 

CHRIS: What? Where?

 

Lorelai points over to the gazebo and curious Chris turns to see where she is pointing.

 

LORELAI: It’s Dean.

 

Lorelai starts to get out of the jeep and Chris grabs her arm.

 

CHRIS: What are you doing?

 

LORELAI: I’m going to go talk to him.

 

CHRIS: I’m not sure that’s such a great idea.

 

LORELAI: It’s a horrible idea. But look at him…he *needs* someone.

 

Chris lets go of Lorelai’s arm and she walks hurriedly over to the gazebo. Dean is sitting with his head down when he hears someone coming up the gazebo steps. Not knowing what to expect Lorelai is surprised to see the mask devoid of emotion on Dean’s face, which on the sight of Lorelai quickly turns to anger.

 

DEAN: If you’re here to defend Rory. Don’t.

 

LORELAI: I’m not. I’m here to try and help you.

 

DEAN: Short of helping me erase that jerk from the face of the earth I don’t really see how you can.

 

LORELAI: Homicide…not the answer here. So what are you going to do?

 

DEAN: I don’t know. I need time to think.

 

LORELAI: For what it’s worth….Rory never wanted to hurt you.

 

DEAN: You’re kidding right? What ever Rory wanted…it had nothing to do with me or my feelings. This is all about her.

 

LORELAI: I can’t really give you answers here Dean. This is between you and Rory.

 

DEAN: Just tell me Lorelai…Does she love him?

 

LORELAI: Dean…I…I can’t answer that.

 

DEAN: She does. I know it. I *feel* it. Even when she was telling me how much she hated him…something wasn’t right.

 

LORELAI: You should talk to Rory.

 

DEAN: It’s my fault you know.

 

LORELAI: I’m not sure I’m following that line of logic.

 

DEAN: I let her keep lying to me. I knew she was hiding something. And if I’m honest with myself…I knew it was another guy. But I played dumb.

 

LORELAI: Can I ask why?

 

DEAN: Because…being dumb was easier and less painful than the truth.

 

LORELAI: Amen to that. Whoever said the truth shall set you free…was obviously lying.

 

DEAN: I should go. I was on my way to work. Now…I think I’m just going to call in sick.

 

LORELAI: I think Rory is still at home if you want me and Chris to make ourselves scarce we can.

 

DEAN: That’s okay. I’ll see her tonight.

 

LORELAI: Tonight?

 

DEAN: Yeah…I’m taking her to that dance at Chilton…remember.

 

LORELAI: Yes…I remember. But I thought after today…that might have changed.

 

DEAN: Well you thought wrong. For the moment Rory is still my girlfriend and we have plans to attend a dance *together.*

 

LORELAI: What are you planning Dean?

 

DEAN: I just…I need to see it for myself. Okay? But this time…without the blinders on.

 

LORELAI: Do you think that’s wise?

 

DEAN: I think it’s necessary.

 

Lorelai watches as Dean gets up and heads down the steps of the gazebo, his walk a little less confident, his heart cracked but not yet fully broken…with the gap between the deceit and lies growing ever closer to the truth. One dance, one night…so many possibilities.

 

LORELAI: Dean…

 

Dean turns around and stands with his hands in his pocket.

 

DEAN: What?

 

LORELAI: You know I have to tell Rory the truth.

 

DEAN: I’m hoping…you won’t. But that’s your choice to make not mine. I’m not going to ask you to lie to Rory. So…if it comes up…it comes up.

 

Dean turns again and starts walking again. Lorelai gets up to follow him again and Chris steps in front of her to stop her.

 

CHRIS: Let him go. You can’t fix this Lor. It’s between him and Rory now.

 

Lorelai goes into Chris’s arms and brings his head down to hers. The kiss of a thousand thoughts and feelings. How can she love someone so passionately…so selfishly…but yet enough to let him go? With the kiss deepening…the salty tears start streaming down Lorelai’s face. It’s a day filled with truths…she can no longer lie to herself that Christopher belongs to her alone. But she can savor this moment…this one last day of pretense that everything is going to be all right before the warmth of Christopher’s arms, the comfort of his touch and the excitement of his love become nothing but a distant memory.