Story Summary: Rory and Tristan are a couple with much to learn about each other and Lorelai is headed out of the wallow and into the dating life.

 

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.

 

 

EXT: TRISTAN’S CAR-DAY

 

Rory is sitting in the passenger side of Tristan’s SUV, feet dangling like she’s about to exit and Tristan is standing in front of her holding both her hands in his.

 

TRISTAN: Come on…it’s just one small step. 

 

RORY: No it’s not…it’s huge. And do you know how I know that…because I’m freaking out. If it were a small step…I would not be freaking out.

 

TRISTAN: Okay…where did rational Rory go? Cause…I kind of need to speak to her…like now.

 

RORY: You think I’m being irrational?

 

TRISTAN: Got to say the thought has crossed my mind.

 

RORY: Well this is me…this is who I am. I like to think things through…I’m not a whimsical spontaneous person…I’m a planner.

 

TRISTAN: Okay…so then tell me. What’s the plan?

 

RORY: (hesitating) I…don’t have one.

 

TRISTAN: Then I think it’s safe to say…We do it my way.

 

Tristan uses this moment of decision to gently pull Rory from her seat until she is standing directly in front of him. Tristan uses his fingers to gently tuck a wayward strand of Rory’s long hair behind her ear and then lightly plants a kiss on her cheek.

 

TRISTAN: You ready?

 

RORY: Do I have a choice?

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…no…not really.

 

RORY: Then I guess I’m ready.

 

TRISTAN: It’s going to be okay.

 

RORY: People are going to be talking about us and staring at us all day.

 

TRISTAN: Yes they are.

 

RORY: And you may be used to that…but I’m not.

 

TRISTAN: Before you try and pin this one on me…Remember who kissed who first at the dance little Miss Planner.

 

RORY: That wasn’t planned. Okay…so maybe I do spontaneous sometimes…but very rarely and this…this is why…the by product of my spontaneity is going to bring me nothing but torture.

 

TRISTAN: As a by product of that spontaneity I think I am officially offended.

 

RORY: I didn’t mean you…I am being a complete goof about this…aren’t I?

 

TRISTAN: I think I’ll go with a “no comment” on that.

 

RORY: Just a few days into being your girlfriend and you already think I’m a nut…has to be a Gilmore record.

 

TRISTAN: There’s a record for that?

 

RORY: Of which my mother is currently the holder…but if I keep this up I’m sure the crown will be mine.

 

TRISTAN: And a crown? Yeah…you’re going to have to explain that one later. Right now…we should get inside and let the masses have their gossip fest at our expense.

 

Tristan puts his arm around Rory’s shoulder and the two head into the hallowed halls of Chilton for the first time as a couple.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-DAY

 

Lorelai is still lying on her kitchen floor when the kitchen door is opened and Luke walks in.

 

From her prone position Lorelai slowly opens her eyes and manages a weak smile.

 

LORELAI: Hey Luke. 

 

LUKE: Lorelai.

 

Lorelai manages to sit up in to a semi prone position.

 

LORELAI: So…what brings you here?

 

Luke takes the bag and the huge bouquet of flowers he is holding and sets them down on the kitchen table.

 

LUKE: Rory called me. Told me you had an emergency and to bring my breakfast special with a pot of my finest coffee. She also told me to use the kitchen door and to watch out for anything that might be on the floor. I remember thinking at the time it was an odd thing to say…but really it makes a whole lot of sense now.

 

Lorelai is fully sitting up now.

 

LORELAI: You brought me your breakfast special?! A million mini pancakes with a gallon of yummy fruit butter…thirty slices of bacon…twenty winking eggs and a loaf of toast?

 

LUKE: That’s your breakfast special. Mine is a short stack of regular people pancakes, an ounce of the artery clogging yummy butter, two slices of the hog fat, two sunny-side up eggs and a slice of toast.

 

LORELAI: At least tell me you got the coffee right.

 

LUKE: Black and a thermos full.

 

LORELAI: That’s my man.

 

Lorelai gets up and sits down at the table as Luke starts setting up the breakfast as soon as he’s done he clears his trash from the counter and prepares to leave.

 

LORELAI: Wait. Where are you going?

 

LUKE: Back to the diner.

 

LORELAI: Can’t you stay…just a little longer?

 

LUKE: What for?

 

LORELAI: Company for one. Nobody likes to eat alone.

 

LUKE: I do.

 

LORELAI: Please Luke…just humor me. Sit.

 

LUKE: Alright. But I’ve only got a few minutes and then I’ve got to head back to the diner so Jess can get to school.

 

LORELAI: Okay…hyper eating it is.

 

As Lorelai plans to dig in she notice the flowers Luke brought for the first time.

 

LORELAI: You know Luke the breakfast really would have been plenty…you didn’t have to bring flowers too.

 

LUKE: Yeah…I didn’t.

 

LORELAI: You didn’t?

 

LUKE: No…they were on the back porch by the kitchen door. I figured that was why Rory told me to use the kitchen door.

 

Lorelai reaches to get the card out of the flowers

 

LORELAI: Do I have the sweetest kid or what?

 

Lorelai pulls the card out of its envelope and begins reading

 

LUKE: That would appear to be the case.

 

The smile on her face slowly fading…tears start slipping unbridled down her face.

 

LUKE: Whoa! Are you…I’m mean…can I…do you want to tell me what’s going on here?

 

Silently Lorelai hands Luke the card and he reads it.

 

CHRIS: (VO) Lor…you may have been forced from my life…But you’ll never be out of my heart. You’re in my thoughts always. Love Chris.

 

LUKE: Oh…If I’d have known.

 

LORELAI: How could you have?

 

Awkwardly Luke gets up from his chair and begins putting his jacket back on.

 

LUKE: I should go.

 

LORELAI: You’re more than welcome to stay.

 

LUKE: I know but…I’m gonna go.

 

Lorelai gets up and goes over to Luke to give him a hug. Reluctantly Luke wraps his arms around her and without warning the sobbing begins anew. Not knowing what to do Luke just stands there with her in his arms letting her cry.

 

LUKE: (cont.) It’s gonna be okay.

 

Looking up through tear streaked eyes Lorelai manages a smile.

 

LORELAI: Thanks Luke.

 

INT: CHILTON-DAY

 

Rory and Tristan are standing at her locker and the whispers and stares are being exchanged all around them.

 

RORY: God. Have these people nothing better to do?

 

Tristan runs his hand down Rory’s back.

 

TRISTAN: Just open your locker, get your books and let’s go. Ignore the lookie-loos.

 

RORY: Easier said than done.

 

As Rory is finishing her sentence her locker finally comes open to reveal her first of many Valentine surprises. Rory extracts a beautiful red rose attached to a card.

 

RORY: How did you get into my locker? Forget it. I don’t care. This is beautiful! Thank you!

 

Rory reaches up and brings Tristan’s mouth down to meet hers…as the two begin to meld into the kiss a flash goes off breaking the moment. Rory turns to see a young guy with a Polaroid walking up to Tristan.

 

GAV: That will be twenty bucks.

 

TRISTAN: Let’s see the finished product.

 

Tristan and Gavin watch as the Polaroid develops. Satisfied Tristan hands over a twenty.

 

TRISTAN: Thanks man.

 

GAV: Pleasure doing business with you DuGrey.

 

As Gav walks away Tristan turns back around to a slightly miffed Rory.

 

RORY: You paid that guy twenty bucks to take our picture?

 

TRISTAN: For you.

 

RORY: For me?

 

TRISTAN: Yes. For your locker.

 

RORY: You want me to hang a picture of you and me kissing up in my locker that’s so…

 

TRISTAN: High school?

 

RORY: I guess I get your point. Let me see the picture.

 

Tristan hands over the picture to Rory.

 

RORY: (cont) It did turn out kind of good.

 

TRISTAN: With you and I as the subjects…how could it not?

 

RORY: Fine. But it’s up here on a trial basis. It or you get on my nerves out it goes.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll make a romantic out of you yet.

 

RORY: Don’t count on it. You’re working against 15+ years of being raised by a single mom with more than her share of man issues.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll take my changes. I like it when the odds are stacked against me.

 

Tristan leans back against the lockers. As Rory is closing hers the first warning bell sounds.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) I could walk you to class.

 

RORY: You’re class is right there and that would make you late.

 

TRISTAN: True.

 

As Rory leans in to give Tristan a goodbye kiss he shifts her feet to bring her closer to him and before she knows it she is leaning right up against him inches from his face.

 

RORY: Someday you have got to show me how you do that.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…someday.

 

Preparing to say something Rory is stopped short by the intense look of passion filling Tristan’s gaze. As the two examine each others features both rest at the same time on the lips of the other. Melting into the kiss that rattles their very being. As the second warning Bell sounds it doesn’t even penetrate the world they have created this moment in. All sense of reason and caring wrapped up in each others embrace imagining themselves hidden from the outside world…But what the bell can’t do Vicky accomplishes with one shrill of disgust.

 

VICKY: God! Why don’t you two just get a freakin room already?

 

Immediately Rory and Tristan part startled by the voice of one of their betrayed only to see a crowd has gathered.

 

BOY: Yeah DuGrey…at least get this one a room!

 

The gathering crowd erupts into laughter as a heavily embarrassed Rory grabs her books and prepares to go.

 

RORY: I’ll see you in English.

 

TRISTAN: Rory.

 

RORY: Don’t worry Tristan…I just need to go now.

 

As Rory bolts to break away from the crowd Paris follows after her.

 

PARIS: Rory wait!

 

RORY: I have to get to class Paris.

 

PARIS: We have the same class Rory…I just thought you might like to walk there with someone.

 

RORY: What I would like is to dig a hole and crawl into it.

 

PARIS: And give them the satisfaction of being right? Please! You’re better than that…than them. And if you ever tell anyone I said that I will deny it.

 

RORY: Why does every semi-nice thing you say to me have to have that disclaimer attached.

 

PARIS: Habit I guess.

 

RORY: So I guess you saw the whole thing?

 

PARIS: Yes. You shouldn’t be surprised though…you had to know that Vicky would want to somehow even the score with you.

 

RORY: Why? It’s not like she was Tristan’s girlfriend.

 

PARIS: No. But she was among the masses of the willing. And him asking her to the dance was her big opportunity to seal the deal. Then “POW” along comes Rory…the deal breaker. As far as she’s concerned you stole Tristan away from her.

 

RORY: She’s delusional.

 

PARIS: And not even mildly. She’s really the least of your worries though.

 

RORY: She is?

 

PARIS: Well…there’s still Cassidy. Who did have the prestigious honor of holding the girlfriend title for a while. She surely won’t take this sitting down and then there’s the willing masses.

 

RORY: Again with the masses. What have I ever done to them.

 

PARIS: You aren’t rich…you’re a small town girl…you’re the Cinderella story and you’re pissing off all your wicked step sisters…or chiltonites as the case may be.

 

RORY: Since when did Tristan become Prince Charming?

 

PARIS: Are you kidding me?

 

RORY: Am I missing something?

 

PARIS: Only the most obvious thing out there.

 

RORY: Which is?

 

PARIS: Prestige. 99.8% of these girls are here because their parents sent them here to get noticed. Now for you and me that would mean Academically. But for the Louise’s and Madeline’s of this school its like a year long social gathering. Every girl wants the upper hand on the upper crust boys with the sparkling futures and bulging bankbooks.

 

RORY: And that’s what Tristan is to them…a sparkling future and a bulging bank book?

 

PARIS: On the contrary. Tristan is the rarity…he’s the total package. Tristan is a third generation rich boy…no limit to the prestigious jobs he could have at the snap of his fingers. The amount of money he is worth even without the thought of working is already mind boggling. And beyond that…he’s smart, good looking and apparently has other attributes I don’t really feel the need to further delve into.

 

RORY: So what are you telling me? Everyone hates me?

 

PARIS: No…just the girls, not including me of course. The boys on the other hand now all think you have to be the most fascinating woman to walk the earth if Tristan wants to be with you. I mean look it how Summer’s popularity points skyrocketed after she dumped Tristan in public at that party.

 

RORY: But Cassidy is like a social leper now. So your theory is flawed.

 

PARIS: Hardly…Tristan dumped her. So do you see where I’m going with this?

 

RORY: Not exactly.

 

PARIS: Let me sum it up for you. Dating Tristan is not going to be like dating the farm boy. Tristan is popular…so now you are too. Tristan has money…and you will reap the benefits of it. Girls who would not normally give you the time of day will now want to be your best friend and every single one of Tristan’s male friends will bag you to his face and hit on you behind his back. Your world as you know it…is gone. Welcome to Tristan’s world.

 

RORY: That’s ridiculous.

 

PARIS: And yet…it’s a train you can’t stop. So either you get on board and enjoy the ride or pull the cord and jump off at the nearest way station and rethink your options.

 

RORY: I’m not dumping Tristan.

 

PARIS: Good…because I wouldn’t expect you to.

 

Paris motions for Rory to go through the door before her and as Rory does all eyes turn to her…unable to stand the tension Rory takes her seat and buries her head in her hands.

 

INT: INDEPENDENCE INN-DAY

 

Sookie is busy in the kitchen when Lorelai walks in.

 

SOOKIE: Lor…hon. I thought you weren’t coming in today?

 

LORELAI: I wasn’t. I’m not. I hate this day…you know that. But I needed to see you Sook.

 

SOOKIE: Is everything okay?

 

LORELAI: No. Chris…my Chris…who is now no longer my Chris but Sherry’s Chris…he sent me flowers…with a  card.

 

Lorelai hands over the card to Sookie who promptly reads it.

 

SOOKIE: Oh Lor…I’m sorry. He really isn’t making that letting go thing easy.

 

LORELAI: No…but I can’t fault him Sook…he loves me…and I love him. We’re not apart by choice…but by circumstance. If things were different…

 

SOOKIE: But they’re not honey. The bitter truth is that Chris is having a baby and he is going to be getting married. If he isn’t strong enough to let go then you need to be.

 

LORELAI: I know you’re right. Thanks Sook. Now I’m going to get out of here before all these hearts and flowers make me gag.

 

SOOKIE: See ya sweetie.

 

LORELAI: So you’ll fill me in on Ben later?

 

SOOKIE: How about lunch tomorrow…you and me?

 

LORELAI: Sounds perfect.

 

Lorelai heads out of the kitchen and runs smack into Michel.

 

MICHEL: Oh good…you are here. I need to go.

 

LORELAI: Oh…but actually I’m not here.

 

MICHEL: I see you standing here plain as the nose on my face.

 

LORELAI: No…I’m here here…just not here. Do you understand?

 

MICHEL: No. I just need someone to watch the front counter while I run some towels up to a room…it seems Esmeralda has once again disappeared…POOH…one minute she’s here the next she is vapor.

 

LORELAI: I’m not exactly dressed for the front desk Michel. How about this I’ll go look for Esmeralda…

 

MICHEL: No.

 

LORELAI: I’ll go find someone else to cover for you…

 

MICHEL: No.

 

LORELAI: I’ll be Esmeralda and take the towels to the room. Thus keeping you from getting any true work done on the premises.

 

MICHEL: Now that…I like. Room number is one the top of the towels. And don’t expect a tip…he’s been waiting for over 25 minutes.

 

LORELAI: Terrific…remind me again why I hired Esmeralda?

 

MICHEL: You liked her name and her funky sense of fashion.

 

LORELAI: Right. Definitely need to step up the screening process.

 

INT: CHILTON LUNCH ROOM-DAY

 

Rory is sitting at a table by herself reading a book and listening to music. Tristan approaches her and removes the head phones she is wearing.

 

TRISTAN: Hello.

 

RORY: Hi.

 

TRISTAN: So were you planning on eating over here all alone or coming over to join me and the gang at the table?

 

RORY: You and the gang?

 

TRISTAN: My friends.

 

RORY: You’re friends?

 

TRISTAN: Is there an echo in here?

 

RORY: No. I just thought maybe you’d rather eat over here with me.

 

TRISTAN: Is there some reason you don’t want to eat over there with my friends?

 

RORY: They’re your friends Tristan. I don’t even know them.

 

TRISTAN: Right. But now you will. Rory these are guys I’ve known practically my whole life. I can’t believe you won’t even meet them.

 

RORY: It means that much to you?

 

TRISTAN: Yes.

 

RORY: Then lets go.

 

Rory packs up her books and follows Tristan over to the popular table where an extra seat has been added for her.

 

On the other side of the lunch room Madeline and Louise sitting at a table with Paris look on with envy.

 

PARIS: And so it begins.

 

LOUISE: I’ve been trying my entire life to sit with the popular kids and Rory Gilmore does it in two semesters. Life is not fair.

 

PARIS: If it’s that important to you maybe you should try harder.

 

LOUISE: I dated Jeremy…how much lower could I possibly sink?

 

PARIS: Being with Jeremy Braithwaite in the back of his daddy’s Porsche for fifteen minutes doesn’t exactly constitute dating.

 

MADELINE: I wouldn’t worry about Rory anyway.

 

PARIS: What do you mean?

 

MADELINE: Word has it Tristan hooked up with a girl at some pool party…a girl who is not Rory.

 

Paris practically chokes on her food as Louise leans in closer to get the dish.

 

LOUISE: Ooooh…who is it…who who?

 

PARIS: That’s insane. A complete and fabricated lie.

 

MADELINE: Actually…I don’t think her name ever came up. But you know it just proves Paris’s theory that Tristan is not a one woman guy.

 

LOUISE: You have to find out who she is Madeline. I need to know.

 

PARIS: No she doesn’t!

 

LOUISE: Chill out Paris. This has zero to do with you. This is about a girl who’s actually getting some.

 

PARIS: Actually Louise you’re right. This has nothing to do with me…and everything to do with you. You say you want to be popular…tearing Tristan down is the fastest way to make sure that doesn’t happen. He’ll lose Rory…and that’s bad…but you…you’ll lose any hope of ever being part of that popular clique…Trust me.

 

MADELINE: For once I have to agree with Paris. Besides…I don’t have any idea would it was…and it was just I rumor as far as I know.

 

PARIS: Exactly.

 

LOUISE: Fine.

 

INT: INDEPENDENCE INN-DAY

 

Lorelai walks up to the door of a room and knocks holding the towels in her other hand.

 

(OC) Who is it?

 

LORELAI: Room service. I have your fresh…

 

With a swift motion the door opens and Lorelai finds herself face to face with a semi-clad, shirtless Ben.

 

LORELAI: (stunned) towels.

 

BEN: Lorelai? Sookie’s friend?

 

LORELAI: (still staring at his chest) I’m sorry I must have the wrong room. Because obviously you have towels (gaze wanders to the towel wrapped tightly around his waist.) Although you could probably use a bigger one…not exactly one size fits all are they.

 

BEN: Actually…I did call for towels. It just took so long I scrounged from next door. Sorry.

 

LORELAI: No…no. I’m sorry. Please accept my apologies…and hey have a free diner on the house.

 

BEN: You can do that?

 

LORELAI: Sure why not?

 

BEN: Shouldn’t you check with your boss first. I don’t really want to get you in any kind of trouble for your generosity.

 

LORELAI: My boss?  Oh my gosh…you think I’m the maid…no…no…no. I manage the Inn. Actually it’s my day off and I was just doing Michel a favor because it was so busy. But no…once again not the maid. So the offer still stands and I promise not to get myself in trouble.

 

BEN: Well I’ll take it then…on one condition. You make it a dinner for two.

 

LORELAI: Right…so your son can eat too…seems fair enough.

 

BEN: Actually…I was hoping I could persuade you to join me.

 

LORELAI: Me?

 

BEN: Yes. I find you fascinating.

 

LORELAI: Me?

 

BEN: So what do you say?

 

LORELAI: I really shouldn’t. I’m a mess.

 

BEN: Plenty of time to shower and change.

 

LORELAI: Appreciate the tip…but I meant a mess relationship wise. I just lost someone recently, well actually I didn’t lose him…I know exactly where he is…it just happens to be with another woman. So you can see where I probably wouldn’t be the best company.

 

BEN: You’d be perfect company. I just ended a relationship too.

 

LORELAI: You wanted different things?

 

BEN: We didn’t see eye to eye on Ethan. She wanted to send him to a private boarding school and travel the world…I wanted to travel the world with him there too.

 

LORELAI: You really love your kid.

 

BEN: More than anything. So Dinner tonight or not?

 

LORELAI: You know what…dinner sounds great. I’ll meet you here at 8pm.

 

BEN: Sounds great.

 

LORELAI: You will be wearing more than the towel though.

 

BEN: If that’s what you want.

 

LORELAI: What I want is irrelevant. The dining room has a dress code.

 

BEN: I’ll see you at eight Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: Yes…you will. 

 

EXT: CHILTON-DAY

 

Exiting the lunchroom Rory and Tristan walk outside and head towards a bench to have a seat. Rory starts to say something causing Tristan to turn towards her when Paris comes charging up to Tristan.

 

PARIS: I need to talk to you.

 

TRISTAN: Right now?

 

PARIS: Yes…right now. It won’t take but a minute of your time.

 

TRISTAN: Whatever it is I’m sure you can say it in front of Rory.

 

PARIS: Really?...Don’t be so sure.

 

Finally it dawns on Tristan what Paris is eluding to.

 

TRISTAN: Oh…(turning to Rory) I’ll be right back.

 

RORY: What’s going on?

 

TRISTAN: It’s Valentines…don’t want to spoil any surprises do we?

 

RORY: Really? More surprises? I just may grow to like this holiday yet.

 

Tristan kisses Rory on the lips and goes over to where Paris is standing.

 

TRISTAN: This better be good.

 

PARIS: How could you do this?

 

TRISTAN: Do what?

 

PARIS: You told someone about us. About…what happened.

 

TRISTAN: No I didn’t.

 

PARIS: Then how does Madeline know?

 

TRISTAN: (panicking) Madeline knows?!

 

PARIS: Maybe knows is a strong word…but she suspects. She knows you hooked up with a girl at a pool party.

 

TRISTAN: No I didn’t.

 

PARIS: I know and you know that it wasn’t a pool party…but whoever gave her this information…thinks it was a pool party and not just a pool at my house.

 

TRISTAN: Okay…calm down. This sounds like next to nothing to me Paris. I didn’t tell anyone. I swear. And neither did you…so really there is no way anyone could know about something that was very private between just you and me…Right?

 

PARIS: Right. (hesitating) Except…

 

TRISTAN: Except? There’s an except? Paris…please God…tell me you didn’t tell anyone.

 

PARIS: Not exactly.

 

TRISTAN: Not exactly? What is that suppose to mean? Paris?!

 

PARIS: I…I wrote about it…In my journal.

 

TRISTAN: You did what?!

 

PARIS: It’s not like I had anyone to talk to about it. I needed to vent…I write when I vent. It’s my release.

 

TRISTAN: Please tell me your kidding.

 

PARIS: I’m sorry.

 

TRISTAN: What were you thinking?

 

PARIS: It’s my personal journal. No one has access to it…no one. That’s not how Madeline found out. I promise you.

 

TRISTAN: I believe you Paris…but really do you think it’s a good idea to keep something like that written down anywhere…regardless of how personal or private you assume it is?

 

PARIS: I’ll take care of it.

 

TRISTAN: Thank you. You know you could have come and talked to me.

 

PARIS: You were the last person I wanted to talk to.

 

TRISTAN: Right. Point taken.

 

Tristan walks slowly back to Rory letting the strange turn of events sink in. Part of him contemplating telling Rory the full truth before it blows up in his face and the other part fighting that feeling with everything he’s got…knowing that he would not come out the only loser if this private information were to be made public.