Story summary: The truth is out there…with the dance looming…Dean will look for some easy answers to some very hard to ask questions.

 

Author’s note: Better late than never. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Witchygal87 J

 

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- LATE DAY

 

Rory comes bounding into the house calling out her mother’s name. The look of sheer joy on her face is a dead give away that all is well in the life of Rory Gilmore.

 

RORY: MOM!!!

 

Christopher, dressed for the dance, comes out of the kitchen area and into the living room practically colliding with Rory who is running about the house continually shouting for her mother.

 

RORY: (cont.) Mom!!...mo…whoa. Dad…sorry. Is mom here?

 

CHRIS: She should be back soon…Is everything okay?

 

RORY: Perfect…better than perfect. (gushing) I love my mother.

 

CHRIS: Okay…would that be the same mother you despised only this morning…or is there another one I don’t know about?

 

RORY: One and the same. Accept no substitutions.

 

As Rory and Chris are talking Lorelai comes in the front door. Rory runs headlong into her arms almost knocking her over.

 

LORELAI: A hug with gusto? Is all forgiven?

 

RORY: You know it is. Tristan told me about *the talk* and I have to admit my first reaction was “Crazy boy walking”…but then he told me the good news.

 

CHRIS: The good news?

 

Rory turns towards her father…nothing can fade the happiness…not even the possibility that dad might not approve.

 

RORY: You don’t know?

 

CHRIS: Apparently not.

 

RORY: Mom told Tristan that she is okay with us going out.

 

CHRIS: You did?!

 

LORELAI: Calm down Chris…I’ll explain everything later…right now lets just bask in the glory of being me…and being once again…beloved.

 

CHRIS: Can I talk to you in private Lorelai?

 

RORY: Oooh…he used the full name…and the *tone*…that can’t be good.

 

LORELAI: It never is.

 

Lorelai follows Chris as he heads up the stairs.

 

INT: LORELAI’S ROOM-DAY

 

As soon as Lorelai enters the room Chris closes the door and turns to her.

 

CHRIS: What the hell are you doing Lor?

 

LORELAI: Gonna need some clarification here.

 

CHRIS: With Rory…why are you backing down?

 

LORELAI: Oh…that.

 

CHRIS: Yeah…*that.* You were clearly bordering on obsessive in your quest to keep Tristan away…and now this…what happened?

 

LORELAI: I’ve just decided to give him a chance.

 

CHRIS: To do what?

 

LORELAI: To prove me wrong.

 

CHRIS: I thought you were never wrong.

 

LORELAI: It’s rare mind you…but it could happen.

 

CHRIS: So why didn’t you talk to me about this?

 

LORELAI: Because I thought I could make this decision on my own.

 

CHRIS: I’m Rory’s father Lorelai…don’t you think I should have had a say in this?

 

LORELAI: You don’t even live in the same city Chris…if I had to call you every time I needed to make a decision regarding Rory…AT& T would bronze a gold plaque with our names on it.

 

CHRIS: That’s not fair.

 

LORELAI: Maybe not…but its fact. After tonight Chris…things will go back to being the way they were…you with Sherry…me a single mom…who has got to make her own decisions…sink or swim.

 

CHRIS: What are you talking about? I never said I was going back to Sherry.

 

LORELAI: But we both know…you should. Sherry is going to be the mother of your child.

 

CHRIS: You’re the mother of my child.

 

LORELAI: Sherry needs you.

 

CHRIS: And you don’t?

 

LORELAI: In case you haven’t noticed Chris…I’m a pretty determined woman.

 

CHRIS: Yeah…well…In case *you* haven’t noticed…I don’t give up easily.

 

LORELAI: Chris…I can forgive you for many…many…many things…but willingly abandoning your child?...That’s not one of them.

 

CHRIS: Since when is this your decision to make?

 

LORELAI: It’s not. And I won’t presume to tell you what to do. But after tonight…I’m officially withdrawing myself from your option department.

 

CHRIS: Lor…

 

LORELAI: Come on Chris…don’t make this any harder than it already is. Let’s just enjoy tonight and forget about the future for the moment.

 

Chris begins to say something…but the look on Lorelai’s face stills him. He walks silently into Lorelai’s arms and embraces her. His posture is that of a defeated man. He softly kisses her cheek and slowly, deliberately, moves his mouth to just before her ear and softly whispers…

 

CHRIS: Nothing will ever make me stop loving you Lorelai.

 

Lorelai turns her face to Chris’s ear and whispers her own sentiment.

 

LORELAI: The feeling…is mutual

 

As the two continue to embrace each other and the moment, Lorelai is the first to let go. One look at her says it all…breakdown eminent.

 

LORELAI: Okay…enough sappy stuff….I have to get dressed and you need to get out of here.

 

CHRIS: Right…I’ll just head downstairs and wait for you.

 

LORELAI: Excellent idea.  

 

As Chris exits the room, Lorelai closes the door and leans against it…the tears starting to fall.

 

INT: LIMO-NIGHT

 

Paris, Vicky and Tristan are in the Limo headed towards Star’s Hollow. On Rory’s urging Paris has chosen a dress that is very flattering, but very not Paris.

 

TRISTAN: Have to say…great dress Paris.

 

VICKY: You haven’t said anything about how I look Tris.

 

Tristan turns to glance at Vicky. A girl who in the past would have been right up his alley…but now just comes across to him as cheap looking. Her dress is skin tight and leaves very little to the imagination…Paris on the other hand is dressed in a stunning white dress and looks beautiful and elegant.

 

TRISTAN: Please do me a favor tonight Vicky.

 

VICKY: Sure. I thought you’d never ask.

 

TRISTAN: Try and remember my name is Tristan…not Tris.

 

VICKY: You don’t like it? I thought it was kind of cute.

 

PARIS: And so dignified…Tris.

 

TRISTAN: Please…Paris. Don’t egg her on.

 

Vicky reaches across the seat from her and picks up a box with a boutonnière in it.

 

VICKY: Do you want your flower now?

 

Vicky opens the box and shows Tristan the single red rose boutonnière which is surrounded by baby’s breath.

 

PARIS: Oh no…I don’t believe this…

 

TRISTAN: What?

 

PARIS: I completely forget to get Jess a boutonnière.

 

TRISTAN: You’ve got to be kidding me.

 

PARIS: We have to stop somewhere before we pick them up.

 

TRISTAN: Don’t panic Paris…I’m sure even the small town of Star’s Hollow has a flower shop.

 

PARIS: Right…you’re right…oh God…I can’t breathe.

 

TRISTAN: Relax Paris…everything is going to be fine.

 

PARIS: No it’s not. I’m going to completely screw this up. I can feel it. What was I thinking…me on a real date…please.

 

VICKY: You’ve never been on a date?

 

At Vicky’s words Paris looks like she is clearly about to hyperventilate and Tristan gives Vicky a condescending look.

 

VICKY: What?

 

TRISTAN: This is not the time Vicky…Please. Come on Paris…just calm down.

 

Tristan leans to the front window and knocks on it. The chauffer opens it enough to hear.

 

CHAUFFER: Yes?

 

TRISTAN: We will need to stop at a flower shop before we pick the other’s up.

 

CHAUFFER: Certainly.

 

TRISTAN: See Paris…it’s all fine.

 

Paris starts to relax a little.   

 

INT: GILMORE GIRLS-NIGHT

 

Rory is putting the finishing touches on her makeup when there is a knock at her bedroom door. She walks over and opens it.

 

Lane is standing there in all her dance finery.

 

LANE: Oh my…Rory you look amazing.

 

Lane’s compliment really doesn’t do Rory justice. The dress Rory bought hugs her in all the right places without giving too much away and her make-up and hair have been done to give her a hint of sexy, smoldering beauty. Lane is a beauty in her own right but it is obvious that Rory will be the one turning the majority of the male heads tonight.

 

RORY: Thanks. I hope Tristan likes it.

 

LANE: He will…Okay…not to burst any bubbles here…but Dean should be here any minute, so maybe you should focus on that…and leave the Tristan thoughts for a better suited time.

 

RORY: You’re right. I just…I can’t stop thinking about him…like every second.

 

LANE: You girlfriend…have got it bad.

 

Lorelai comes towards Rory’s door.

 

LORELAI: Holy heck! Who are you and what have you done with my little girl?

 

RORY: Very funny mom.

 

LORELAI: Rory? Is that you? Nooooo…it can’t be. You are far too vampy to be my daughter…besides my daughter is eternally twelve.

 

RORY: You go on believing that. In the meantime I’ve got some heavy pot smoking and pre-marital sex to engage in.

 

LORELAI: Speaking of which…we need to have a talk.

 

RORY: I already know about the birds, the bees and the butterflies.

 

LANE: Butterflies?  

 

RORY: Mom wanted to “Lorealize” the sex talk.

 

LANE: Oddly enough…that explanation makes total sense.

 

RORY: Clearly you’ve been hanging around here too long.

 

LANE: Clearly.

 

LORELAI: Which is why this would be the perfect time for you to *shoo, skedaddle…git.*

 

LANE: And with that not so subtle hint…I make my way to the living room.

 

LORELAI: Good idea…Henry is starting to feel the heat of being left alone with two quirky but inquisitive people.

 

LANE: Oh my God…Henry.

 

Lane turns and heads towards the living room as Lorelai steps into Rory’s room and shuts the door.

 

INT: FLOWER SHOP-NIGHT

 

Tristan, Paris and Vicky are in the flower shop and Paris is trying to pick out a boutonnière…but none of them seem quite right, possibly because Paris is being really picky.

 

TRISTAN: Come on Paris…just pick one. Jess will only wear it one night…not the rest of his life.

 

PARIS: I don’t even know what color my corsage is…the boutonnière should match the corsage. If I buy him a rose, but he bought me a carnation…we’ll be mismatched the whole night.

 

TRISTAN: Paris…no one is going to be checking to see who has matching floral accessories. Please…for the love of God…just pick one.

 

VICKY: I like the white rose.

 

Paris picks up the box with the white rose and hands it to the clerk behind the counter.

 

PARIS: Clearly this one is out.

 

VICKY: I was just trying to help.

 

Paris turns to Tristan.

 

PARIS: This isn’t working. This is too important to make a uniformed decision…especially with the queen of idiocy breathing down my back .

 

VICKY: The queen of what? Are you insulting me?

 

TRISTAN: Relax Vicky…Paris is under some stress right now. She doesn’t mean it.

 

PARIS: Yes I do.

 

VICKY: Listen here…you…

 

Tristan steps in front of Vicky who looks like she is about to let Paris have it across the face.

 

TRISTAN: Vicky…why don’t you go wait in the car?

 

VICKY: You want me to go back to the car?

 

TRISTAN: Please…I think it would help speed Paris up if you did.

 

VICKY: (huffy) Fine. I’m telling you right now I’m not having a good time…and if I don’t have a good time…neither will you.

 

PARIS: And yet somehow he will find the will to go on.

 

Vicky turns on her heel and heads out the door.

 

TRISTAN: Was that really necessary?

 

PARIS: No…but it was fun. Now come one help me figure this out.

 

As Paris starts picking up the flowers one by one again something occurs to Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: Hold on a second I think I have an idea.

 

Tristan walks up to the man at the cash register and starts a conversation.

 

TRISTAN: Hi.

 

CASHIER: Hi.

 

TRISTAN: So I was wondering…do all the high school kids get their corsages here for the dances at Star’s Hollow or is there another place possibly.

 

CASHIER: You’re looking at it.

 

TRISTAN: Great. Maybe you can help me out.

 

CASHIER: With what?

 

TRISTAN: I need to know what type of corsage someone bought here so that I can get a boutonnière to match. Can you help me.

 

CASHIER: I guess so. What’s the name?

TRISTAN: His name is Jess.

 

CASHIER: Last name?

 

TRISTAN: I have no idea. Is that bad?

 

CASHIER: It could be.

 

TRISTAN: Hold on a second.

 

Tristan pulls his cell phone out of pocket and quickly dials Rory’s number.

 

TRISTAN/RORY: INTERCUT

 

RORY: Hello?

 

TRISTAN: Hey…it’s me.

 

RORY: Tristan…hi. I’m surprised you’re calling me right now. Shouldn’t you be picking up your date right about now?

 

TRISTAN: Cute. Actually we hit kind of a snag...

 

RORY: What kind of a snag?

 

TRISTAN: One you can fix…merely by telling me what Jess’s last name is.

 

RORY: Mariano…why?

 

TRISTAN: I’ll explain later. First tell me what you’re wearing.

 

RORY: Hmm…should I feed your fantasies or tell you the bitter truth?

 

TRISTAN: I opt for the fantasy…but that’s just me.

 

RORY: Truly shocking.

 

While Tristan and Rory are phone flirting Paris continues trying to select a boutonnière for Jess. All are oblivious to the customer who enters the store.

 

TRISTAN: You are a handful…Ro…

 

CASHIER: Hey Dean.

 

At the sound of Dean’s name Tristan stops mid sentence and turns around coming face to face with him.

 

DEAN: Don’t let me stop your conversation.

 

TRISTAN: (into phone) I have to go. I’ll call you later.

 

Tristan hangs up the phone and slips it back into his pocket.

 

CASHIER: Did you get the last name mister?

 

Tristan turns back around, very aware of Dean’s presence right behind him.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…it’s Mariano.

 

CASHIER: Okay. Let me see.

 

The cashier grabs a receipt box out from underneath the counter and starts flipping through them.

 

CASHIER: (cont.) Here we go.

 

He lays the receipt out in front of Tristan.

 

CASHIER: (cont.) Two red roses with mini pink ones and baby’s breath. Does that help?

 

Tristan is growing increasingly uncomfortable and just wants to get out of there.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…great. Thanks.

 

Tristan steps quickly away from the counter and away from Dean. He goes to stand next to Paris. He looks at the boutonnière’s and picks one out.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Here this one…let’s get it and go.

 

PARIS: How can you be so sure?

 

TRISTAN: They clerk told me what Jess bought. Now can we go please?

 

PARIS: That’s brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that?

 

TRISTAN: Doesn’t matter…let’s just get this and go.

 

Paris takes the boutonnière from Tristan and heads to the counter. Dean is still there paying for Rory’s corsage.

 

PARIS: (to Tristan) Dean’s here?

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…just my luck.

 

PARIS: You can wait here. I’ll go pay for this and be right back. Try and stay out of his way.

 

TRISTAN: Not a problem.

 

Paris walks up to the counter as Dean is walking away. Dean purposefully strides over to Tristan.

 

DEAN: I’m surprised to see you here.

 

TRISTAN: Paris needed a boutonnière.

 

DEAN: And you thought you’d be the gentleman and help her.

 

TRISTAN: Something like that.

 

DEAN: So I hear we are going in the limo together.

 

TRISTAN: Looks like it.

 

DEAN: Where’s your date?

 

TRISTAN: In the car. Why the twenty questions?

 

DEAN: Just wanted to make sure you had someone to keep you busy tonight…other than Rory.

 

TRISTAN: Care to explain that?

 

DEAN: I think you know exactly what I’m saying.

 

TRISTAN: No…actually…I don’t.

 

DEAN: I don’t think I have to tell you exactly how much I don’t like you.

 

TRISTAN: You don’t exactly light up my life.  

 

DEAN: But apparently…some things I do need to remind you of.

 

TRISTAN: For instance?

 

DEAN: Rory is *my* girlfriend.

 

TRISTAN: Goodie for you.

 

DEAN: Sometimes I think you forget that.

 

TRISTAN: How could I with you taking every opportunity to remind me?

 

DEAN: Something tells me you’re the dense type…don’t always see the obvious.

 

TRISTAN: Well…as pleasant as this conversation isn’t…I have to go.

 

DEAN: Just stay away from Rory…and we won’t have to continue this conversation.

 

Tristan walks past Dean and out the door. Paris is standing by the limo door waiting for him.

 

PARIS: What was that all about?

 

TRISTAN: I think...he might know.

 

PARIS: About you and Rory?

 

TRISTAN: Yeah.

 

PARIS: And you’re still standing?

 

TRISTAN: Something is definitely…not right. He acted like he wanted to deck me in there…but instead he just warned me to stay away from Rory.

 

PARIS: Did you ever think maybe he just doesn’t like you? Maybe he doesn’t see you as a threat but more of a nuisance?

 

TRISTAN: Maybe you should just get back in the limo…were extremely late now.

 

Tristan opens the door for Paris and turns back towards the flower shop. Dean is standing at the window…staring. Uneasy Tristan gets into the limo and closes the door. Dean continues standing there as the limo drives away.

 

DEAN: (to himself) That’s right…watch your back tonight Tristan…cause all bets are off.