Story Summary: Tristan sets his sites on setting things right as Lorelai fights to remember the right thing to do given the present situation.

 

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: GILMORE HOUSE-DAY

 

Lorelai and Chris enter in the front door and head into the living room.

 

LORELAI: I should probably go talk to Rory.

 

CHRIS: So you decided to tell her about Dean?

 

LORELAI: I think…no I’m sure…well almost certain…it’s the right thing to do.

 

CHRIS: Not that I disagree…but bare in mind she is going to be pretty angry with you.

 

LORELAI: She couldn’t possibly hate me anymore than she already does right now…but hey thanks for the warning.

 

CHRIS: Don’t mention it. 

 

Lorelai walks into the kitchen and knocks on Rory’s bedroom door. After a minute or so with no answer Lorelai knocks again.

 

LORELAI: Rory? Hon…its mom. Please open up. I really need to talk to you.

 

Without warning the door opens up and a still angry Rory stands there.

 

RORY: I can’t talk to you right now. I’m late picking up Lane for our hair appointments.

 

LORELAI: You can’t possibly hold this over my head much longer can you?

 

RORY: I guess you’ll have to wait and see.

 

LORELAI: Is that you talking or him?

 

RORY: Don’t do that. Don’t make every action or word you don’t like something to blame on Tristan. This is *me* talking to you…*me.*

 

LORELAI: This is not you Rory…you have never disrespected me the way you are right now.

 

RORY: I’m not disrespecting you mom. I’m upset with you. And I’m seriously late picking up Lane.

 

LORELAI: Fine. But we have to talk before the dance? Okay?

 

RORY: Fine. Okay. By the way Michel called from the Inn and said he needs you to come in for an emergency.

 

LORELAI: Today?

 

RORY: That was the message.

 

LORELAI: Did he say why?

 

RORY: Does he ever? He just said it was important.

 

Rory heads out of the kitchen as Chris comes walking in.

 

CHRIS: So how did it go?

 

LORELAI: Good really…good…oh…except for the fact that…I didn’t tell her.

 

CHRIS: Why not?

 

LORELAI: Mostly because she started an argument…or maybe I did. I’m not really sure.

 

CHRIS: Are you okay?

 

LORELAI: I have definitely had better days. And to top it off…I have to go to the Inn for a while.

 

CHRIS: Do you want me to come with you?

 

LORELAI: No...that’s okay. But…thank you.

 

CHRIS: What for?

 

LORELAI: For being here for me…and for Rory.

 

CHRIS: I wouldn’t have it any other way…you have to know that.

 

 LORELAI: Yeah…I’m beginning to see that.

 

Lorelai picks her keys up off the side table.

 

CHRIS: So…I’ll see you tonight…right?

 

LORELAI: You couldn’t keep me away.

 

CHRIS: It will be just like old times, you and me at a high school dance.

 

LORELAI: And no curfew…not that we ever actually paid attention to ones we did have.

 

CHRIS: Yeah…things might have been a lot different if we had.

 

LORELAI: I shudder to think. Carpool mom…lawyer husband…Rory taking riding lessons…God we really did her a favor…didn’t we?

 

CHRIS: Huge.

 

Chris reaches over and kisses Lorelai on the cheek. Lorelai smiles and starts taking small steps backwards.

 

LORELAI: Okay…well the Inn is calling.

 

CHRIS: Don’t want to keep the inn waiting.

 

Lorelai looks at Chris standing there and rushes back into his arms.

 

LORELAI: What the hell…a few more minutes couldn’t hurt.

 

Lorelai catches Chris by surprise as she begins kissing him, his immediate reaction is tentative but soon turns to pleasure as he begins returning her unexpected passion. 

 

INT: HARTFORD BEAUTY SHOP-DAY

 

Rory and Lane are sitting in side by side chairs waiting for their respective hairstylists to appear.

 

LANE: This was really cool of your grandmother to do. So how do you think I should have my hair…up or down?

 

RORY: I think…up. Yes…definitely up. Bring out those cheekbones girlfriend.

 

LANE: I don’t really have cheekbones.

 

RORY: Only because you always wear your hair down…cheekbones get hidden by the hair.

 

LANE: Really?

 

RORY: Trust me.

 

Rory’s cell phone rings and she pulls it out of her pocket to answer it.

 

INTERCUT: RORY/ TRISTAN

 

RORY: Hello?

 

TRISTAN: Hey beautiful.

 

Rory blushes slightly at the endearment.

 

RORY: I’m sorry…you must have the wrong number.

 

TRISTAN: Oh…I’m terribly sorry. My mistake.

 

RORY: Don’t worry…it happens.

 

TRISTAN: So then you’re not the amazingly beautiful Rory Gilmore?

 

RORY: That’s better…remember always lay it on thick. Girls really like that.

 

TRISTAN: Ok…babe…you are a nut. How am I ever going to keep up with you?

 

RORY: Lots of rest and plenty of vitamins. Write that down.

 

TRISTAN: Whatever you say.

 

RORY: Oooh…this is good. Obedience at such an early stage.  I could really get used to this.

 

TRISTAN: Just remember to be equally as subservient and we will get along fine.

 

RORY: Too easy…so are we still meeting for lunch?

 

TRISTAN: Actually…that’s why I called. I have something really important to take care of this afternoon…so I can’t meet you. I’m really sorry.

 

A look of disappointment crosses Rory’s face.

 

RORY: Yeah…me too.

 

TRISTAN: I promise you if this wasn’t a big deal…I would be there in a heartbeat. 

 

RORY: If you say so.

 

TRISTAN: Rory…please don’t be mad. I’ll explain it all to you later.

 

RORY: I’m not mad…just disappointed.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll make it up to you.

 

RORY: When?

 

TRISTAN: We’ll…soon I hope. There is still the mom hurdle to clear.

 

RORY: I told you not to worry about my mom.

 

TRISTAN: Yes…you did…So I  should probably get going, but I’ll look for you tonight at the dance.

 

RORY: Are you still bringing Vickie?

 

TRISTAN: Are you still bringing Dean?

 

RORY: Yes.

 

TRISTAN: Then I’m still escorting Vickie.

 

RORY: That truly sucks.

 

TRISTAN: Yes it does.

 

RORY: It’s not like….a date though…right?

 

TRISTAN: Someone sounds a *little bit* paranoid.

 

RORY: It was just a curious question. Forget I asked.

 

TRISTAN: Totally forgotten.

 

EXT: INDEPENDENCE INN-DAY

 

As Tristan is ending his conversation with Rory, he pulls into the parking lot of the Independence inn.

 

TRISTAN: (cont) I really have to go now. I’ll talk to you later.

 

Tristan hangs up his cell and puts it in the middle dash console of his car. He looks up at the inn, pulls down the rear-view mirror to check his appearance and satisfied gets out of the car and heads towards the Inn.

 

INT: INDEPENCE INN-DAY

 

LORELAI: Okay Michel…I’m going to ask you one more time…What is the big emergency that you called me out here for on my day off? A very busy…action packed day off I might add.

 

Tristan walks through the door behind Lorelai.

 

MICHEL: Aah…finally…Lorelai…your emergency.

 

Lorelai turns around to see what Michel is pointing at and can’t contain her surprise at seeing Tristan.

 

LORELAI: Tristan? You brought me out here? I don’t understand.

 

TRISTAN: I was hoping to get to talk to you alone.

 

Lorelai turns back around to Michel.

 

LORELAI: Whatever he gave you I will double it to make him go away.

 

MICHEL: The gentleman *gifted* me a crisp $100 dollar bill.

 

LORELAI: Fine…I’ll talk to him. But you officially…stink.

 

Michel walks away from the desk leaving Lorelai and Tristan alone. Lorelai turns back around a little indignant.

 

LORELAI: I don’t really think this is such a good idea.

 

TRISTAN: Just 20 minutes of your time…that’s all I’m asking.

 

LORELAI: That’s $5 a minute…I would have done it for $3.

 

TRISTAN: I would have given him $10.

 

LORELAI: Aah…a “Pretty Woman” fan. All right you win. Let’s go in the dining room and take a seat.

 

Lorelai walks into the main dining room and takes a table in the back corner. Tristan takes a seat across from her.

 

TRISTAN: I wanted to start by telling you that…”I’m sorry.”

 

LORELAI: Good opener…continue.

 

TRISTAN: I came here today for a lot of reasons…but my main one is of course…Rory.

 

LORELAI: She’s my main concern too.

 

TRISTAN: I know. I do. Rory’s lucky to have a mom like you.

 

LORELAI: Little tip here Tristan…I don’t like to be *schmoozed.* Flattery while appreciated, will be seen right through.

 

TRISTAN: Not my intention believe me.

 

LORELAI: Tell me…what do you hope to accomplish here?

 

TRISTAN: I’d settle for an impasse at this point. I’ve fallen in love with your daughter and it’s this brand new thing for me. So I may not always do or say the smartest things.

 

LORELAI: Not exactly instilling confidence here.

 

TRISTAN: I know you think I’m this irresponsible guy who has every intention of taking Rory down paths you don’t want to see her go down.

 

LORELAI: I couldn’t have said it better myself.

 

TRISTAN: I’m not going to try and pretend that I’ve lived the life of a saint. That would be a blatant lie. But just because I’ve done a few questionable things in my past…doesn’t mean that’s my intention with Rory.

 

 LORELAI: If I gave you chance…it would be at Rory’s expense. She is the most treasured thing I have.

 

TRISTAN: I feel the same way. Rory is the best thing to happen to me…I need you to help me hold on to that. Please.

 

LORELAI: You are everything I’ve tried to keep her away from. You are moneyed, experienced and too damned attractive. I feel like I would be handing her over to the dark side.

 

TRISTAN: You do have a flair for the dramatic.

 

LORELAI: Years of drama club. What do you want me to say here Tristan?

 

TRISTAN: That you’ll give me a chance.

 

Lorelai looks at Tristan and is touched by his sincerity. She knows he loves her daughter, and that part she likes…it’s the part about actually showing that *love* to her daughter that scares her.

 

LORELAI: Fine…you can date Rory. But if you so much as…aah crap forget it. Date her…treat her fine and you and I will figure it out as we go along. Deal?

 

A big grin spreads over Tristan’s face as he realizes he has won this round in the quest to share Rory’s life.

 

TRISTAN: You won’t regret this. Thank you so much.

 

LORELAI: You’re welcome…just do me one favor?

 

TRISTAN: Anything.

 

LORELAI: No climbing through the bedroom window anymore…Another closet incident could very well be the death of me.

 

TRISTAN: My window climbing days are over…cross my heart.

 

Lorelai and Tristan exchange one last glance before he gets up from the table.

 

TRISTAN: I guess I’ll be seeing you around.

 

LORELAI: Looks like it.

 

Tristan gives Lorelai another smile and heads towards the exit. Lorelai remains sitting at the table and Sookie wanders over.

 

SOOKIE: Michel told me…how did it go?

 

LORELAI: Well…I didn’t give him the “All access pass.”

 

SOOKIE: Cause that would be crazy.

 

LORELAI: Right…but he has been accepted into the front row.

 

SOOKIE: You gave him the okay to date Rory?

 

LORELAI: I did.

 

SOOKIE: Oh…Lor. I’m so proud of you.

 

LORELAI: Yeah…I’m pretty proud of myself. Not to mention I think Rory might erect a statue in my name.  

 

SOOKIE: You did a good thing here.

 

LORELAI: Only time will tell. Ooh…speaking of time…I’ve got a zillion things to do before tonight. I have to go.

 

SOOKIE: Oh right…the dance. Chaperones Christopher and Lorelai to the rescue. Have fun sweetie.

 

LORELAI: It’s a high school dance Sookie…all it will evoke are bad prep school memories.

 

SOOKIE: Oh and really lousy food…dances always have really lousy food.

 

LORELAI: You’re making some of the food.

 

SOOKIE: That’s right I am. Well at least the food will be good.

 

LORELAI: The best.

 

SOOKIE: Really…the best?

 

LORELAI: Absolutely.

 

Sookie hugs Lorelai who is trying to get her stuff together to get out of there.

 

LORELAI: I really have to go Sook…

 

Sookie lets go and giggles.

 

SOOKIE: Sorry…you just make me want to hug you.

 

LORELAI: Note to self…stop wearing men’s cologne.

 

SOOKIE: Oh you.

 

Lorelai smiles as she walks out of the dining room and exits the Inn.

 

EXT: HAIRDRESSER’S-DAY

 

Rory and Lane are leaving their hair appointments and walking towards her car when a very excited Tristan comes walking up to Rory and hugs her. Caught off guard Rory ends the hug first.

 

RORY: Hello to you too.

 

TRISTAN: (big grin) Hi.

 

RORY: You look like a Cheshire cat…care to tell me what’s going on?

 

TRISTAN: Only good things. I went to talk to your mom today.

 

RORY: Why would you do that?

 

TRISTAN: I wanted to clear the air.

 

RORY: Well you’re not dead…so how bad was it?

 

TRISTAN: It was great

 

RORY: Great? Really?

 

TRISTAN: Rory…she is okay with us dating.

 

LANE: Now if only Dean were all your problems would be solved.

 

RORY: Lane!

 

LANE: Sorry…I’ll just make myself scarce.

 

Lane walks away from Rory and Tristan and Rory turns immediately back to Tristan.

 

RORY: I don’t understand…are you kidding?

 

TRISTAN: No…completely serious. We sat down and talked and she is okay with us going out now.

 

RORY: What did you say to her?

 

TRISTAN: A lot of things I won’t get into right now.

 

RORY: Okay…I don’t know how you did what you did…but congratulations.

 

TRISTAN: Now the only obstacle…Dean. And short of me telling him everything…this one is up to you.

 

RORY: Yeah…I guess it is.

 

Rory looks into Tristan’s eyes and marvels at the sparkle and life they are showing. Tristan is truly happy. Rory knows the only thing that could ruin this moment would be if she was to share her reluctance over hurting Dean…so she keeps it to herself and instead sinks into the moment of happiness with Tristan as he brings his lips softly to touch hers.  As Rory and Tristan kiss the reluctance begins to ebb and is replaced by a solid will to finish the dance and the chapter of her life that belongs to Dean. As one chapter ends…so begins another…Tristan and Rory.