Story summary: With Tristan at the house Lorelai makes sure he knows the rules…but in Tristan’s mind…”Rules are made to be broken.’

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story they are the property of the WB show “Gilmore Girls.”

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-DAY

Rory and Tristan are sitting on the couch, Rory’s has her legs draped over Tristan and they are wrapped up in a blanket to keep warm.

RORY: How did you sleep?

TRISTAN: Horrible. This couch is like a rock. But it beats the cot in the jail cell anytime.

Tristan begins to play with a strand of Rory’s hair. He loves the feel of it slipping through his fingers.

RORY: So…what happened last night?

TRISTAN: I went to the diner to see Jess…to talk about Paris.  

RORY: You did?

TRISTAN: I just thought maybe a guy perspective would help.

RORY: Other than ending up in jail…how did it go?

TRISTAN: Not too great. The guy kind of likes being a loner.

RORY: Are you going to tell Paris you talked to him?

TRISTAN: And admit that I probably made things worse? Yeah…I’m thinking…no.

RORY: Good point.

Tristan  begins to lightly run his fingers down the nape of Rory’s neck…it sends a warm rush of tingles through her body…and even though the moment before it was just the two of them…this moment seems even more private…more personal.

Rory tries hard to concentrate as the feel of Tristan’s hand penetrates right through to the very core of her…suddenly she’s very aware of every inch of his body.

Tristan is also in an equal battle of wills…fighting how right it feels having her so close to him…willing and wishing that he didn’t have to hold back his desire and passion for her.

RORY: (in an intimate whisper) Are you hungry?

His eyes fixated on Rory’s lips…

TRISTAN: Extremely…come here.

In a deft motion Tristan has Rory willingly pinned under his upper body weight as he hungrily begins kissing her…devouring the moment of stolen passion.

In a panicked motion Lorelai comes bolting down the stairs.

LORELAI: Okay…NO…NO…and again NO!

Guilt written all over their faces Rory and Tristan immediately bolt up.

LORELAI: See this…this is why…this is a very…very…stupid idea. I just…I can’t have you staying here. You have zilch going for you in the willpower department.

RORY: Can I say something?

LORELAI: Not unless it starts with “You’re right mom.”

RORY: Okay…”You’re right mom.” Now for what I really wanted to say…

LORELAI: No fair.

RORY: Hey…I’m playing by your rules.

LORELAI: You get one freebie…go.

RORY: We were just kissing.

LORELAI: Not feeling any better.

TRISTAN: Can I say something?

LORELAI: Do you really think that’s wise?

TRISTAN: Probably not…but…what the hell…can I make my situation any worse?

LORELAI: That has a very high probability of being a “Yes.”

TRISTAN: Okay…that’s good to know. But…here’s the thing, I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. I will find somewhere else to go.

RORY: Tristan…no!  

LORELAI: Let’s hold off on judgment here Rory…I’m liking where this is going.

RORY: You’re hopeless.

LORELAI: Actually…I’m quite *hopeful* at the moment. So…how about we call the grandparents?

TRISTAN: My mom’s parents live in Toronto…and my dad’s are on a trip around the world.

LORELAI: Seriously?

TRISTAN: Yeah…6 months out of the year they travel.

LORELAI: Every year? You’d think they would have seen everywhere by now. Fine…relatives of any kind?

TRISTAN: No one here.

LORELAI: Friends of the family?

TRISTAN: My parents don’t really have friends…more like…acquaintances.

LORELAI: Great…we are stuck with you.

TRISTAN: Like I said. I’ll find somewhere.

LORELAI: As much as I would wish for that. It’s my name on your “get out of jail” card. So…you’ll stay.

TRISTAN: Thanks.

LORELAI: But…we are going to set some ground rules.

TRISTAN: Okay.

LORELAI: Unfortunately I can’t always be here…which means in the next two weeks you and Rory will probably be alone together… So here it is…affection within limits…I will tolerate…you cross into any un-chartered territory…say sayonara to the *boys* cause they will be mine. Got it?

TRISTAN: Yeah…I got it.

LORELAI: Rory?

RORY: Got it. Picture painted.

LORELAI: Okay…good.

Lorelai walks out of the living room leaving Rory and Tristan alone.

RORY: You okay?

TRISTAN: Yeah…so something tells me your mom isn’t exactly up to date on how little *territory* remains un-chartered.

RORY: I don’t tell her everything.

TRISTAN: The *boys* and I thank you for that.

RORY: On that note…we should probably get it together for school.

INT: LUKE AND JESS’ APARTMENT-DAY

INTERCUT: JESS/KELLY

Jess has the phone to his ear and is waiting for someone at Paris’ house to pick up.

KELLY: Hello?

JESS: Uh…hi. Is Paris there?

KELLY: Who wants to know? Hey is this Tristan?

Jess is momentarily stunned by Kelly’s mention of Tristan’s name. Not quite sure why…but knowing none the less…it somehow bothers him.

JESS: No…it’s Jess.

KELLY: Jess? Never heard your name before.

Jess is equally perturbed that apparently his name is foreign to this irritating girl on the phone.

JESS: That’s fascinating. Can I speak to Paris or not?

KELLY: What’s with the attitude? Geez…

Kelly takes the phone away from her ear and yells up the stairs.

KELLY: Paris! Phone!

Without another word to Jess, Kelly sits the phone down and walks away from it. Paris comes down the stairs.

PARIS: Who is it?

KELLY: Some guy with an attitude.

PARIS: Well…did you get a name?

KELLY: Let’s just say it isn’t the smoking specimen you had here the other day.

PARIS: You really need to get a life.

KELLY: Oh you mean like you…the girl who sits home every weekend night?

Disgusted Paris walks over and picks up the phone. Kelly comes to stand beside her.

INTERCUT: JESS/PARIS

PARIS: This is Paris. (mouths to Kelly) Go away!

Giving Paris the birdie with her middle finger Kelly walks away.

JESS: Hey. It’s me.

Paris tries very hard to play it cool.

PARIS: Okay.

JESS: So…I know you’re probably mad at me.

PARIS: Actually…yes. I am. If you didn’t want to talk to me…all you had to say was “no.”

JESS: I know. I’m admitting I was a jerk…throwing myself at your mercy.

PARIS: It’s a start.

JESS: It’s all I’ve got.

PARIS: Knowing that was probably hard for you…I accept your apology.

JESS: So…are we good?

PARIS: Yes.

JESS: Then…how about going out with me tonight?

Paris is beaming from ear to ear, but still trying to play it cool.

PARIS: I don’t know.

JESS: I’m actually not allowed to drive anywhere…for a while. But…I was thinking maybe you could come here…we could just…hang out.  

PARIS: That seems harmless enough. What time?

JESS: My shift at the dinner is over at nine…so…be here by then?

PARIS: I’ll be there. Can I ask one thing though?

JESS: Sure.

PARIS: Why the change of heart?

JESS: Someone told me this side of the fence was worth checking out.

PARIS: I don’t understand.

JESS: Me either…it’s a long story.

PARIS: Maybe we can talk about it tonight.

JESS: Yeah…maybe we can.

Paris hangs up the phone a permanent smile on her face…picks up her book bag and heads out the door. As soon as Paris leaves, Kelly steps out of the corridor she was hiding in and starts to head up the stairs.

KELLY: Time to sneak a peak…see what’s up with this Jess guy.

INT: TRISTAN’S BEDROOM-DAY

Having borrowed the jeep to get to school, Rory and Tristan have made a little side trip to his house so he can change into his uniform for school. Rory is sitting on his bed while he is in his bathroom taking a quick shower.

After a few minutes he comes out wearing just a towel wrapped around his waist…water gleaming on his torso. Rory looks up as she hears him enter the room, expecting him to be dressed she sucks in her breath at the sight of him.

RORY: Wow!

TRISTAN: See something you like?

RORY: Seriously…are you trying to get the both of us killed?

TRISTAN: Prude.

RORY: Exhibitionist.

Tristan walks over to Rory still clad in just the towel.

RORY: One step closer and you lose the towel.

TRISTAN: That’s the idea.

RORY: My mom was right…you have no willpower.

TRISTAN: Not when it comes to you.

Tristan lays Rory gingerly down on the bed and suspends himself above her with his arms resting on either side of her. Instantly their lips meet…feasting on the sexual heat their closeness always brings. Knowing he is the one in the more precarious position having only a towel as cover Tristan reluctantly pulls away. His eyes smoldering with passion he looks down at Rory.

TRISTAN: Damn Gilmore…what I could do to you if we had more time.

Reluctantly Tristan gets up from the bed and holds out his hand to Rory. Rory takes it and he pulls her up until they are standing in each other’s arms.

RORY: Rain check?

TRISTAN: In a heartbeat. Now you should probably head downstairs or the rain check might not be necessary.

RORY: I’m going.

As Rory starts to walk away Tristan pulls her back and sweeps her into her arms…wanting only to reward her with a bold, parting kiss.