Story summary: Planning on staying in for the night Tristan is a little surprised at Rory’s choice for company.

 

Disclaimer: All the characters in this story belong to the writers and creators of the WB show “Gilmore Girls.”

 

 

INT: DOOSE’S MARKET-NIGHT

 

Tristan walks into Doose’s Market to pick up the snacks for the evening, as he walks around the aisle he comes face to face with Dean who is coming out of the back room.

 

DEAN: Don’t you ever go away?

 

TRISTAN: Look…I’m just here to pick up some things. So maybe you should back off.

 

DEAN: You really think I care about making you comfortable?

 

TRISTAN: No…I totally get that you plan to try and make these little run-in’s irritating as hell. And that’s fine. But if you could maybe point me in the direction of the chips while you’re doing it…that would be great.

 

DEAN: Yeah…keep that sense of humor…because it’s all Rory’s going to leave you with.

 

TRISTAN: Are you seriously going there again? It’s getting really old. I get it…she broke your heart…your bitter…move on dude.

 

DEAN: You’re an ass.

 

TRISTAN: Ahh…there it is the intelligent comeback I knew you had in you. So…I guess were done here.

 

Tristan grabs a bag of chips off the shelf and is heading towards the sodas. Dean follows behind him…still trying to make his point.

 

DEAN: The only mistake I made with Rory was trusting her.

 

Tristan turns around clearly irritated at this point. He and Dean are giving each other the evil eye when Rory walks in. Seeing her ex and her present in a stand off Rory walks quickly over to intervene.  

 

RORY: Hey…is everything okay?

 

DEAN: Just educating your boy-toy.

 

TRISTAN: You’re walking a fine line. So don’t push it.

 

RORY: Maybe we should go.

 

TRISTAN: Couldn’t have said it better myself.

 

DEAN: Uh…can I talk to you for a second Rory?

 

Rory looks quickly at Tristan who is shaking his head no.

 

DEAN: (cont.) Do you seriously need his permission to have a conversation with me?

 

RORY: No…of course not.

 

DEAN: Good. We can talk in the back room.

 

Dean starts to head back and Rory just stands there.

 

DEAN: (cont.) You coming or not?

 

RORY: Uh…

 

Rory looks again at Tristan.

 

RORY: (cont.) Are you okay with this?

 

TRISTAN: I’m definitely not okay with this. I don’t trust the guy.

 

RORY: He’s harmless Tristan. And he’s my friend.

 

TRISTAN: Your friend?! You are being so naïve Rory. How can you not get it? Dean will never be your friend. Not as long as he still has feelings for you.

 

RORY:  We have to start somewhere.

 

TRISTAN: This is a totally pointless discussion. You are going to do whatever you want to do…so just do it. Go talk to the oaf. I’ll be outside.

 

RORY: I don’t want you to mad about this.

 

TRISTAN: Too late.

 

Tristan takes the purchases that have been rung up and exits the market. Leaving Rory standing there. Reluctantly she heads to the back room where Dean is waiting.

 

EXT: DOOSE’S MARKET-NIGHT

 

Tristan walks outside the market but as he starts back towards the diner he is intercepted by none other than Vicky who was waiting outside for Dean.

 

VICKY: What a great surprise. I knew this little berg of a town had to have something charming about it…and here you are.

 

TRISTAN: And here you are. Have to say I’m kind of surprised. I didn’t know you frequented Star’s Hollow. You’re not following me are you?

 

VICKY: Dream on. I’m here for a real man.

 

TRISTAN: This should be interesting. Who?

 

VICKY: Dean…didn’t you know he and I were…together?

 

TRISTAN: No…but…whatever makes you happy.

 

VICKY: You really have gone soft. There was a time when it wouldn’t have mattered to you that I had a boyfriend. You’d have flirted and charmed your way into my pants anyway.

 

TRISTAN: I wasn’t that bad.

 

VICKY: Bad…honey you were the consummate bad boy. It was very….erotic.

 

TRISTAN: If I didn’t know better…I’d say you were trying to be a very bad girl right now.

 

VICKY: If I thought you’d take me up on it…

 

Tristan looks at Vicky as she does her best seductive maneuvers…this is clearly a woman who knows how to intrigue a man. He knows his heart just isn’t into this…but he does his best to keep the part of him that is angry with Rory in check…knowing that is the side that Vicky could tempt.

 

TRISTAN: I won’t.

 

VICKY: Call me when you get your balls back.

 

Vicky walks away in a huff just as Rory comes walking out of Doose’s alone. Seeing Tristan she walks over to him.

 

RORY: See…I’m still in one piece. No battle scars.

 

Tristan shoves his hands in his pockets…a clear sign to Rory that this little altercation with her and him is far from over.

 

TRISTAN: Aren’t we supposed to meet Jess and Paris at your house?

 

RORY: Yea.

 

TRISTAN: Then we should probably go.

 

INT: BEN’S ROOM AT THE INDEPENDENCE INN-NIGHT

 

Lorelai and Ben have rented a movie and are curled up on his bed with a huge bowl of popcorn and a box of jujubes.

 

BEN: I can’t believe you picked the “Poseidon Adventure.”

 

LORELAI: It’s great…its excitement and horrible acting…mixed in with people in peril. Ernest Borgnine and Shelly Winters…you can’t beat that combination.

 

Ben looks at Lorelai as she snuggles in next to him. He brushes the hair away from her face.

 

Lorelai looks at him intrigued by his interest.

 

LORELAI: Do I have something on my face?

 

BEN: No…I was just thinking that…

 

LORELAI: What?

 

BEN: You’re an amazing woman Lorelai.

 

Stunned Lorelai doesn’t know what to say…so instead she leans in and begins kissing him. Ben quickly returns the gesture and the two new date mates are soon making out like teenagers at a matinee show.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Paris, Jess, Rory and Tristan are all gathered in the kitchen of her house when the front door bell rings.

 

TRISTAN: Are we expecting more company?

 

RORY: I was going to tell you…but we didn’t really talk too much on the way home.

 

The doorbell rings again.

 

TRISTAN: What did you do Rory?

 

RORY: It’s not that big of a deal.

 

JESS: Did you want me to get that?

 

TRISTAN: It is if it’s Dean at that door.

 

JESS: Yea…I’ll get it.

 

Jess gets up and walks to the front door. Opening it he finds Vicky and Dean.

 

JESS: Dean…what a surprise.

 

DEAN: Rory invited us.

 

JESS:  Let me give you a clue here…you should have said no.

 

DEAN: Funny. I don’t remember asking for your opinion.

 

JESS: This is going to be fun. Come on in…who the hell cares anyway.

 

Jess walks away leaving the door open and Vicky and Dean standing there.

 

VICKY: Nice friends you’ve got there.

 

DEAN: This is anything but a house of friends.

 

VICKY: Then why are we here?

 

DEAN: Because…It will be fun.

 

Dean and Vicky walk into the kitchen were Rory and Tristan are still fuming at each other.

 

Without a word to anyone Tristan walks in to Rory’s room and shuts the door.

 

A little embarrassed Rory turns to her guests.

 

RORY: Um…there’s chips and sodas…I’ll be right back. Just help yourselves.

 

INT: RORY’S BEDROOM-NIGHT

 

Tristan has his bag on the bed and he is throwing his clothes haphazardly in to it when Rory opens the bedroom door.

 

Not wanting everyone to hear she closes it behind her.

 

RORY: What are you doing?

 

TRISTAN: I’m leaving.

 

RORY: You’re being ridiculous.

 

TRISTAN: No…actually you are!

 

RORY: Will you please let me explain?

 

TRISTAN: This should be good.

 

Rory sits down on the bed and motions for Tristan to come sit down too.

 

TRISTAN: No…I’ll stand.

 

RORY: I didn’t want to make you upset.

 

Tristan stops his packing and comes to stand in front of Rory.

 

TRISTAN: You invited your ex to come hang out for the night. I have every right to be mad.

 

RORY: I thought I could mend some bridges.

 

TRISTAN: Not that I care…But he hates me. Does that really sound like a fun night to you?

 

RORY: He told me he really wants to be friends with the both of us.

 

TRISTAN: And you bought that?

 

RORY: He’s trying Tristan. This is a lot harder for him than it is for us.

 

TRISTAN: No he’s not Rory! He’s manipulating you.

 

RORY: So you won’t even try and have fun tonight?

 

TRISTAN: Fine. But only because I already know this night is going to blow up in your face. And maybe that’s the only way you’ll ever see that Dean is lying through his teeth.

 

Rory takes Tristan’s hands as he stands in front of her and stands up till she is right in front of him…their chests touching.

 

RORY: You don’t have anything to worry about with Dean. I made my choice. And I’m perfectly happy with it.

 

Rory puts her arms seductively around Tristan’s neck and brings his mouth down to meet her moist, willing lips. Slowly bringing him into the kiss and melting his anger with her seductive mouth.

 

INT: KITCHEN-NIGHT

 

PARIS: It’s awfully quiet in there. Maybe we should go.

 

JESS: Yea…they might just be in for the night.

 

DEAN: Yea…I think I’ll stay.

 

JESS: Seriously Dean…grab a clue.

 

VICKY: Yea…coming from a guy desperate enough to date Paris…that’s a real insult.

 

JESS: Careful…Santa might have to add you to the nasty girl list.

 

PARIS: Actually that’s naughty…naughty girls list.

 

JESS: Making a point here Paris.

 

PARIS: Oh…right. Sorry.

 

Rory and Tristan finally emerge from her bedroom…slightly disheveled and much happier with each other.

 

PARIS: Thank God.

 

TRISTAN: Missed us did you?

 

Tristan puts his arm around Rory and the two walk over to the kitchen table and take a seat. The silence among the group is almost unbearable.

 

JESS: So…who wants to play a game of “Firsts?”

 

PARIS: I’ve never heard of it.

 

JESS: It’s easy…someone comes up with a first experience and one by one everyone answers…it’s a good way to get to know someone. I’ll start. How about First real kiss. Mine was in the seventh grade a girl named Jessica. Paris?

 

PARIS: Um…camp…sixth grade a guy by the name of Dirk.

 

JESS: Dirk?

 

PARIS: Yes…Dirk.

 

JESS: Okay…Dirk it is. Dean?  

 

DEAN: Sixth grade…Cindy Sloster.

 

Everyone turns to Vicky who is sitting next to Dean.

 

VICKY: God…uh…fifth grade…Mr. Denton.

 

Everyone gives Vicky a weird look.

 

VICKY: What? He was my fifth grade teacher and he was hot.

 

RORY: You were ten.

 

VICKY: Eleven actually…and I matured early.

 

PARIS: That’s truly disgusting.

 

JESS: And on to Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: Peggy Guzman…seventh grade.

 

PARIS: You kissed Peggy?

 

TRISTAN: I wouldn’t talk Dirk lover.

 

JESS: Rory? What’s your contribution?

 

RORY: I don’t want to play.

 

JESS: Come on. You can’t wimp out now …everyone else has already fessed up.

 

RORY: This is dumb. Fine…last year. Dean. Happy?

 

Tristan is clearly a little shocked.

 

TRISTAN: Dean was your first kiss?

 

DEAN: Imagine you not knowing that. Little more time talking Tristan…you’ll learn lots.

 

RORY: Can we move on? Please?

 

JESS: Sure…uh…Vicky was the earliest and by far the grossest kiss…so she gets to pick the next category.

 

VICKY: Okay…first time at…second base.

 

Rory outwardly groans.

 

TRISTAN: Do not tell me that was Dean too!

 

Tristan is clearly getting miffed by what he is learning about Rory and Dean.

 

VICKY: Do I get to answer or what?

 

JESS: I guess we’re still playing.

 

VICKY: Okay then…I was in fifth grade.

 

PARIS: Please…not the teacher again.

 

VICKY: No…my best friend Megan.

 

PARIS: Right…cause that so much more moral.

 

JESS: Not sure that can be topped. Tristan?

 

TRISTAN: Fourth grade…Taffy Miller. So I guess that makes it Rory’s turn.

 

RORY: I don’t want to do this.

 

DEAN: Tristan’s a big boy. He can handle it.

 

Tristan looks at Dean like he wants to kill him.

 

TRISTAN: Rory doesn’t have to answer if she doesn’t want to.

 

JESS: Actually the rules are…

 

Tristan turns and gives Jess an evil glare.

 

JESS: But hey…rules are made to be broken. So we skip Rory and on to me.

 

RORY: I can answer.

 

JESS: You sure?

 

RORY: Yes. Last year…Dean.

 

Tristan closes his eyes in an attempt to shut out how hearing that makes him feel.

 

JESS: Um…okay. Mine was Sheila and it was in eighth grade.

 

Everyone goes along quickly trying to ease the awkward tension.  

 

PARIS: Dougie Benson…sixth grade.

 

JESS: You were a busy girl in sixth grade.

 

PARIS: It was on a dare.

 

DEAN: Carrie…fourteen.

 

JESS: Okay…looks like Tristan wins that one with his fourth grade romp.

 

TRISTAN: I say we cut to the chase…clear the air. First time having sex. Rory?

 

RORY: You know I haven’t.

 

TRISTAN: Right.

 

RORY: What’s that suppose to mean?

 

TRISTAN: What do you think?

 

RORY: I think you’re being stupid.

 

TRISTAN: Whatever. Jess?

 

JESS: Fifteen…Gia. Paris?

 

As Paris turns comes up she begins to look very uncomfortable and for the first time Tristan realizes that in his anger he neglected to think about how Paris would answer that question. Instantly he is sorry.

 

TRISTAN: You know what. This is a stupid game. We should stop.

 

VICKY: No way…I want to hear Paris have to admit that no man will touch her.

 

All eyes turn to Paris except Tristan’s. Paris doesn’t know what to do. She knows she can’t tell the truth, but she doesn’t want to lie about having had sex knowing that if her and Jess ever got that close he would know.

 

Paris decides on a half truth…right age…wrong guy.

 

PARIS: Sixteen...some guy I met on a summer trip with my parents.

 

Now it’s Rory’s turn to be shocked.

 

VICKY: Looks like Gilmore is the only virgin at this table.

 

JESS: You know what? It’s getting pretty late we should probably head out Paris.

 

PARIS: Yes…that’s a good idea.

 

Rory is still looking at Paris bewildered by her answer and Paris is really beginning to feel the guilt.

 

PARIS: So…I’ll see you in school Rory?

 

RORY:  Okay. Sure.

 

Dean and Vicky get up to leave as well. Tristan walks everyone to the door and then comes back to sit down next to Rory.

 

TRISTAN: Are you okay?

 

RORY: Paris had sex.

 

TRISTAN: Okay.

 

RORY: I mean…Paris…had sex…before me.

 

TRISTAN: Why don’t we go sit down on the couch and pop in a movie?

 

RORY: You don’t think it’s odd?

 

TRISTAN: No. Should I?

 

RORY: Do you think she was just saying yes to save face with Vicky?

 

TRISTAN: I don’t know.

 

RORY: I’ll bet that’s what it was…she didn’t want Vicky to tease her.

 

TRISTAN: Can we stop obsessing about Paris’ sex life? Please?

 

RORY:  You’re right. I’m sorry.

 

INT: BEN’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Lorelai and Ben are at his door kissing goodnight. Their mussed up appearances a telling sign that they had sex.

 

BEN: I wish you could stay all night.

 

LORELAI: I’d like to. But…Rory is home with Tristan. I think I need to be there.

 

BEN: I had a great time tonight.

 

Lorelai kisses Ben again.

 

LORELAI: Me too.

 

BEN: And not just because of the sex.

 

LORELAI: Oh well…thank you. I think.

 

BEN: I really like spending time with you Lorelai.

 

LORELAI: I know this is really weird…me taking on the man role and leaving without the cuddling and stuff…but…I hope you’ll call me again.

 

BEN: Most definitely.

 

Ben kisses Lorelai one last time before letting her go.

 

LORELAI: Goodnight.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Rory and Tristan are on the floor with pillows and a blanket. Rory is wrapped in Tristan’s arms and both are fast asleep. Lorelai comes in the door and hearing the TV on goes over to turn it off.

 

After she silences the TV Lorelai heads over to wake Rory and Tristan up, but as she gets closer Rory snuggles up closer into Tristan’s strong embrace. Lorelai stands and just watches them her heart beginning to understand a little more how much they need to be close to each other. Sighing Lorelai reaches down and pulls the blanket farther up to keep them warm for the night.

 

LORELAI: Take care of my baby.

 

As if to answer her plea Tristan pulls Rory even closer into his embrace as if to shield her. And Rory willing slides her hand over his torso in response.