Story Summary: With everything between Rory and Tristan so great all their trivial issues are minor speed bumps, but could Tristan’s guilt be the catalyst that shatters the perfect romance?

 

Disclaimer: The characters in my story are the sole property of the WB show “Gilmore Girls.”

 

INT: CHILTON-DAY

 

Tristan is leaning up against the locker next to Rory’s, as Rory rifles through her locker looking for a specific text book.

 

RORY: I don’t believe this…I left my American Lit book at home. You know… I blame you.

 

TRISTAN: Me? Care to clarify?

 

RORY: My mind use to be used solely for the purpose of keeping things organized. Now it’s all cluttered with you.

 

Tristan tries to look wounded.

 

TRISTAN: I’ve been called a lot of things…but *clutter?* You wound me.

 

Rory smiles grabbing onto the front of his shirt to pull him closer.

 

RORY: Bad choice of words. Can you ever forgive me?

 

Tristan looks at Rory…liking the how the new confident vibe only heightens her sexuality.

 

TRISTAN: Maybe if you *sweeten* the deal some? Say…a little lip action?

 

Pressing up against him Rory can feel the power she holds and it emboldens her. Bringing her hand up to caress the side of his face she goes up on tiptoe and gingerly brings his lips closer to hers…wanting to entice she lightly nibbles his bottom lip before applying a soft but insistence pressure on his mouth. Tristan sucks in his breath slightly at the very erotic feeling the kiss arouses in him.

 

Finishing the kiss Rory steps away from him.

 

TRISTAN: Gilmore, you are driving me crazy.

 

Rory smiles…very pleased, stepping back towards him she is about to reward him with another kiss when Paris, in a very uncharacteristic show of emotion walks between the two to give Rory an enthusiastic hug.

 

As the quick, impulsive hug ends Rory and Tristan both stand there dumbfounded.

 

RORY: What just happened?

 

PARIS: Sorry…I was just experiencing a rush of understandable but foreign emotions…A hug seemed, at the time, appropriate.

 

RORY: Anyone else here scared?

 

Tristan raises his hand.

 

PARIS: I should probably explain.

 

RORY: Yes…please…make some sense of this.  

 

PARIS: I wanted to thank you.

 

RORY: Thank me for what?

 

PARIS: For talking to Jess…he called me this morning to apologize and he asked me out again.

 

RORY: Oh…then you hugged the wrong person.

 

PARIS: Excuse me?

 

RORY: I did talk to him…but he was completely unimpressed by what I had to say.

 

PARIS: Then who?

 

Rory points to Tristan who has been standing behind her all this time. Paris turns around until she is facing him.

 

PARIS: You talked to Jess?

 

TRISTAN: Guilty. But honestly…I didn’t think I had any effect. I’m seriously surprised he took anything to heart.

 

Tristan opens his arms to invite a hug of gratitude…but Paris in a much more characteristic show of rudeness shuts him down.

 

PARIS: I have to go to class.

 

Walking abruptly away, Rory turns to look at Tristan.

 

RORY: What was that all about?

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…I don’t know.

 

Overhead the bell rings signaling time to head for class. Tristan brings Rory into his arms and gives her a heady kiss.

 

INT: INDEPENDENCE INN-DAY

 

Lorelai is sitting at the front counter, snoring very loudly, with her head resting on her hand. Sookie walks over to her and gently shakes her.

 

SOOKIE: Sleeping Beauty…time to wake up.

 

LORELAI: (groggy) Just a few more minutes mom…please.

 

Sookie looks over at Michele who is going through some invoices.

 

SOOKIE: How long has she been like this?

 

MICHELE: An hour…or so.

 

SOOKIE: And you didn’t try to wake her?

 

MICHELE: Whatever for?

 

Sookie reaches over and shakes Lorelai again.

 

SOOKIE: Lor honey…wake up!

 

Finally a groggy Lorelai looks up, removing her hand from her face.

 

LORELAI: Oh gosh…did I fall asleep.

 

MICHELE: Yes.

 

LORELAI: Was I snoring?

 

MICHELE: The wolves were answering you back.

 

LORELAI: You’re bluffing.

 

MICHELE: I don’t think so.

 

Michele pulls a mini-tape recorder out of his pocket and holds it up pressing play. The sound of Lorelai snoring, unmistakable.

 

LORELAI: Give me that!

 

Michele waves it around in front of her.

 

MICHELE: Give me a raise…and I silence it.

 

LORELAI: I’ll give you twenty bucks.

 

MICHELE:  Fifty.

 

LORELAI: Fifteen.

 

MICHELE: Twenty?

 

LORELAI: Deal.

 

Lorelai reaches in her pocket and pulls out a wadded twenty.

 

LORELAI: Extortionist.

 

Michele takes the twenty, hands the small cassette tape to Lorelai and walks away from the counter.

 

Sookie gives Lorelai a half hug.

 

SOOKIE: You look awful honey. What’s going on?

 

LORELAI: I was up all night. I kept imagining that I heard Tristan sneaking into Rory’s room.

 

SOOKIE: I’m sorry sweetie. But maybe you should lighten up. The kid owes you now. Do you really think he’s going to do anything that bold?

 

LORELAI: Absolutely. He’s too close to victory to give up now.

 

SOOKIE: How do you know that?

 

LORELAI: I just do. When I look at Rory, I don’t see the little girl any more or the book hungry teenager. He’s changed her.

 

SOOKIE: She’s growing up Lor…that’s all.

 

LORELAI: She growing away from me Sookie. I’m losing her…to him.

 

SOOKIE: He’s her first love Lorelai. You have to let her have that. 

 

LORELAI: I know. But does it have to be so “in my face?”  I mean every time I turn around they are attached somewhere. It’s icky.

 

SOOKIE: Icky?

 

LORELAI: She’s my baby girl and he is thinking adult thoughts about her…so yes…ICKY.

 

SOOKIE: I thought you were going to give him a chance, try and get to know him.

 

LORELAI: I feel like I’m struggling to get air every time he’s around her. I want to get to know him, but I can’t separate that from what he wants. My daughter.

 

EXT: CHILTON-DAY

Paris is standing out in the front lawn with Madeline and Louise when Tristan comes walking up to her.

 

TRISTAN: Do you have a minute?

 

PARIS: Can’t you see we’re talking?

 

TRISTAN: Right…I’ll be over by the tree when your meeting of the minds comes to a close.

 

Tristan walks over to the big tree in front of the school and leans casually up against it.

 

LOUISE: What was that about? You practically snapped the poor guys head off.

 

PARIS: I did no such thing.

 

MADELINE: You were kinda…mean.

 

PARIS: He interrupted us. It’s rude.

 

LOUISE: We were talking about boys and you were off somewhere in the clouds. Come on…what gives Paris. Why are you pissed at Tristan?

 

PARIS: I have to go.

 

Realizing neither Madeline or Louise are really trusted friends Paris reluctantly makes her way over to Tristan.

 

PARIS: You have five minutes.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll only take two. What was this morning about?

 

PARIS: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

 

TRISTAN: Yes you do and I’m not going to eat up my precious minutes re-living, so spill.

 

PARIS: I don’t have anything to…spill…as you so eloquently put it.

 

TRISTAN: I hate games Paris.

 

PARIS: I’m not playing a game. I genuinely have nothing to say to you.

 

TRISTAN: Why are you upset with me?

 

PARIS: Aren’t your two minutes up?

 

TRISTAN: I did you a favor and this is my thanks?

 

Without realizing it Tristan has finally pushed the right button.

 

PARIS: Who asked you to?

 

TRISTAN: You did.

 

PARIS: I asked for your advice. Not your pity.

 

TRISTAN: My pity?

 

PARIS: Yes. I know that’s why you went to Jess. You felt sorry for me…or worse…like you owed me.

 

TRISTAN: I wanted to help.

 

PARIS: I understand you still have somewhat of a guilty conscience concerning me…but don’t. I don’t need it!

 

TRISTAN: I don’t pity you and as far as my conscience is concerned…what happened is ancient history.

 

PARIS: Then let it go. Or you and I will never be friends.

 

TRISTAN: I have let it go.

 

PARIS: No…you’ve filed it away, that’s different. The reality is you can never say anything to the one person who could make you feel better about this …Rory. So find a way to deal with it. But stop trying to “help.” Okay?

 

TRISTAN: Okay.

 

PARIS: Believe me…I’m okay with what happened.

 

TRISTAN: So are we good?

 

PARIS: I’m reserving judgment on that.

 

Paris turns and walks quickly away leaving Tristan standing alone by the tree. Rory who had been standing across the way watching the somewhat heated exchange walks up behind him and puts her arms affectionately around his waist.

 

RORY: Hey.

 

Turning Tristan locks his arms around her too and brings his finger up to caress her nose.

 

TRISTAN: Hey to you too.

 

RORY: So what was that all about?

 

TRISTAN: All what?

 

RORY: You and Paris. It looked like you two were arguing.

 

TRISTAN: Paris lives to argue. It’s her nature.

 

RORY: That’s true.

 

Tristan see’s Rory’s mind in action, trying to reconcile what she witnessed with Paris’ human nature and he quickly tilts her chin up and begins kissing her, wanting to…but also wanting to take her mind off the subject of him and Paris.

 

INT: INDEPENDENCE INN-DAY

 

Lorelai walks out of a room still in conversation with the occupant.

 

LORELAI: I’m on top of it Mr. Phillips. Do not concern yourself with that at all. Consider it a problem already solved.

 

Lorelai shuts the door and leans heavily against it as a bemused Ben comes walking up to her.

 

BEN: Problems?

 

LORELAI: Not unless you consider a rather skinny, balding man wearing a moo-moo a problem.

 

BEN: Not even going to touch that one.

 

LORELAI: It seems Mr. Phillips got his wife’s luggage and she has his. The easy solution would be to switch them.

 

BEN: But?

 

LORELAI: She’s in Boise visiting her sick mother. So he’s stuck wearing moo-moos.

 

BEN: It could be worse.

 

LORELAI: And how exactly is that?

 

BEN: His wife could have been into minis and stilettos instead of moo-moos and house slippers.

 

LORELAI: That thought is truly frightening.  

 

BEN: So how about having lunch with me? You look like you could use a break.

 

LORELAI: That sounds…perfect.

 

INT: LUKE’S DINER-NIGHT

 

Rory and Jess are working together the end of their shift fast approaching when Tristan walks in.

 

Rory sees him and immediately goes over to him, giving him a kiss.

 

RORY: I didn’t expect to see you.

 

TRISTAN: Your mom’s out on a date and I was going stir-crazy.

 

RORY: You need some company?

 

TRISTAN: Yes. Have anyone in mind?

 

RORY: I think Luke’s free.

 

TRISTAN: Anyone less…plaid?

 

RORY: Don’t knock plaid till you’ve tried it.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll reserve that experiment for the next time you wear plaid.

 

RORY: That’s every day, except Saturday and Sunday.

 

TRISTAN: Exactly.

 

RORY: On a less dangerous subject. I invited Jess and Paris to come over after work.

 

TRISTAN: Why would you do that?

 

RORY: Because I thought it might be fun to hang out?

 

TRISTAN: I thought we were going to be alone.

 

RORY: I want to…but…I promised my mom that everything would be fine if she went out tonight.

 

TRISTAN: Fair enough.

 

Rory leans in and rewards Tristan with a kiss.

 

RORY: Thanks for understanding.

 

TRISTAN: Anytime.

 

Tristan leans over and begins kissing Rory until they hear a gruff, clearing of the throat and look up to see Luke.

 

LUKE: Jess needs help with the dishes in the back and then you can leave for the night. I’ll close up.

 

RORY: Thanks Luke.

 

Rory gets up from the table and heads towards the back. Luke continues to stand staring down at Tristan.

 

LUKE: Can I get you something?

 

TRISTAN: No…I’m good. Thanks.

 

LUKE: Okay.

 

Luke starts to walk away but turns back around.

 

LUKE: You’re not planning on getting into any more trouble tonight are you?

 

TRISTAN: No.

 

LUKE: Good. That’s good.

 

Luke turns back around and heads towards the back room. Rory comes walking out.

 

TRISTAN: Ready?

 

RORY: Just about. I was hoping you could go over to “Doose’s Market” and get some snacks and drinks.

 

TRISTAN: I can do that.

 

Rory starts to hand him money but he stops her.

 

TRISTAN: I got it.

 

RORY: Finally…some perks to dating a rich guy.

 

TRISTAN: If that’s all you’re getting out of this…I’m doing something wrong.

 

Rory and Tristan are standing facing each other…instinctively they move closer until they are in each other’s arms.

 

RORY: Actually…you are doing everything right.

 

Smiling down at her Tristan tilts chin up to see her face and runs one finger ever so gently over her soft, supple lip…sending shivers of pleasure throughout her body.

 

TRISTAN: So are you.

 

Rory smiles up at him and moves her hands slowly and surely behind his neck to bring his strong lips down to hers. Following him motion for motion the two are becoming masters at the art of enticement and sensuality. Every touch of his hand on her face and neck sends her spiraling to a peak…and every connection of her body with his takes his self control one step farther into oblivion. Nothing is as important to these two as the feelings of undeniable emotion that they awaken in each other. It’s a perfect meeting of their minds, hearts and souls.