Story Summary: Tristan’s past is back with a vengeance.

 

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

 

INT: CHILTON-DAY

 

Rory has her head in her locker looking for a book, while Tristan leans up against the wall talking to her as he waits for her to finish.

 

TRISTAN: That was your first impression of me?

 

RORY: You were cocky…I can’t believe you’re going to try and deny it.

 

TRISTAN: Still…that’s pretty harsh. Just because I didn’t know who P.K Harvey was.

 

RORY: “J.”

 

TRISTAN: What?

 

RORY: PJ Harvey.

 

TRISTAN: Whatever. The important thing was…never having heard of this person…I was willing to sit through a concert of unfamiliar songs just to be with you. That had to have earned me some points.

 

Rory closes her locker and sticks her hand out for Tristan to take.

 

RORY: You would think that. But…sorry…it didn’t. It just added to the annoyance factor.

 

TRISTAN: Ouch.

 

RORY: I’ll make it up to you.

 

TRISTAN: (intrigued) How?

 

Rory goes closer as if to kiss Tristan, but instead in a lightened tone answers him.

 

RORY: I’ll let you walk me to class.

 

TRISTAN: Oh goody.

 

Leaning in Rory does kiss him this time before taking his hand again.

 

RORY: Come on…or I’ll be late and I have a pretty major unstudied for test.

 

TRISTAN: I left you completely alone on Sunday to study. What happened?

 

RORY: It’s embarrassing.

 

TRISTAN: Go on.

 

RORY: You have to promise not to mock.

 

TRISTAN: That might be tough.

 

RORY: Forget it then.

 

TRISTAN: Fine…no mocking.

 

RORY: Cross your heart.

 

TRISTAN: Rory…

 

RORY: Okay…I can’t believe I’m telling you this…I spent the better half of the day thinking about you. Happy?

 

TRISTAN: Wow…pretty much…yeah. So not even a little mockery?

 

RORY: Not a peep. Consider yourself warned.

 

Tristan looks at Rory with a smug grin…one Rory is sure will never leave his face…but two second later with one glance in another direction…it does.

 

TRISTAN: Oh…crap.

 

RORY: What?

 

TRISTAN: Nothing…just…shit…here he comes.

 

RORY: Here who comes?

 

Before Tristan can answer a tall dark-haired boy comes over and stands directly in front of Tristan. Rory tries not to stare, but as good looking and sexy as Tristan is…this boy surpasses it and then some…he verges on perfect…perfect body, perfect smile, perfect skin, perfect hair and the list just goes on.

 

ANDERS: Well…DuGrey…It has been a while.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…it has.

 

Anders turns his attention to Rory.

 

ANDERS: And who might this be?

 

TRISTAN: Sorry…this is Rory…my girlfriend.

 

Rory realizes that Tristan has put very heavy emphasis on the last part as does Anders

 

ANDERS: Girlfriend…really? I didn’t thing you had it in you.

 

Not quite sure how to take that…Rory doesn’t know what to say.

 

Finally to Tristan’s relief the bell rings overhead.

 

TRISTAN: We should go.

 

RORY: Okay.

 

ANDERS: It was nice almost meeting you Rory.

 

RORY: Sure. You too.

 

Anders and his posse of followers take off leaving Rory and Tristan alone.

 

RORY: Okay…you paled like three shades. What’s going on?

 

TRISTAN: We can talk about it later. Right now we should probably get you to class.

 

Silently and almost subconsciously Tristan takes Rory’s hand and starts walking her towards her class. He is clearly deep in thought.

 

Anders walks into History class and takes a seat next to Paris who cannot contain her surprise.

 

PARIS: Anders?

 

Anders turns to look at a familiar face.

 

ANDERS: Paris…you did a nice job growing up.

 

Paris openly blushes at Ander’s compliment. Anders fully confident in his charm and sex appeal just sits back…smiling thinking how good it feels to be back when Rory walks into the class and takes a seat behind Paris, who is still somewhat speechless.

 

ANDERS: Well...we meet again.

 

Rory half smiles at Anders before opening up her back-pack to fish for a book.

 

INT: INN DINING ROOM-DAY

 

Lorelai is in the dining area counting place settings when suddenly a beautiful bouquet of flowers is thrust under her nose.

 

Turning Lorelai smiles at Ben.

 

LORELAI: You really shouldn’t have.

 

BEN: Really?

 

LORELAI: No…so much a lie. This is such a great unexpected yet hoped for thing that a girl likes to happen.

 

BEN: Good…I was hoping for that reaction.

 

LORELAI: They are really beautiful.

 

BEN: I so want to say something cheesy here…would that kill the moment?

 

LORELAI: I guess there’s only one way to find out.

 

BEN: Okay…now the spontaneity is gone. You’ll have to settle for a joke.

 

LORELAI: Okay.

 

BEN: Knock knock.

 

LORELAI: Seriously?

 

BEN: Ooh…tough crowd.

 

LORELAI: I heckle too…it’s not a pretty sight.

 

BEN: So…do you have plans for tonight?

 

LORELAI: Tons…but nothing I couldn’t adjust…I’ll just move my couch potatoing to the weekend, switch my avoidance of chores to next month and bingo…I’m free.

 

BEN: I could come over and make you dinner.

 

LORELAI: You cook?

 

BEN: Pretty much anything you want.

 

LORELAI: I must be dreaming.

 

BEN: Should I pinch you?

 

LORELAI: Dirty…let’s save that for dessert.

 

INT: CHILTON LIBRARY-DAY

 

Rory is sitting at a table in study hall with Paris, Madeline and Louise. Paris is clearly involved with her assignment, while Madeline and Louise are trying on different shades of lipstick and asking each other’s opinion.

 

Rory tries to read her book, but the meeting with Anders and Tristan keeps playing through her mind she can’t stand it. She needs some information.

 

RORY: So what can you tell me about this Anders guy?

 

Paris looks up from her paper.

 

PARIS: Anders? Why do you want to know about Anders?

 

MADELINE: He’s good looking.

 

LOUISE: He’s beyond rich…family money.

 

PARIS: I believe she was talking to me.

 

MADELINE: Oh…and he’s super popular.

 

PARIS: Seriously…still me.

 

LOUISE: So then talk. No one’s stopping you.

 

Paris turns to Rory.

 

PARIS: His given name is Anderson. His family is like Hartford royalty. Everyone either knows them or wants to know them.

 

LOUISE: And every girl has either been with Anders…or wants to be.

 

PARIS: Joining the conversation again.

 

LOUISE: I was just trying to help.

 

PARIS: Well don’t.

 

RORY: It may just be me. But I get the impression that Tristan doesn’t exactly like him.  

 

PARIS: He’s probably the last person Tristan wants dropping back into his life.

 

RORY: Why exactly is that?  

 

PARIS: When they were kids they were actually friends. When they became teenagers it became all about competing. Anderson always came out on top, which of course rubbed Tristan the wrong way. DuGrey’s don’t like to lose.

 

RORY: So I’ve heard.

 

PARIS: The real end to what was left of their friendship was Presley though.

 

RORY: Presley?

 

PARIS: Tristan’s girlfriend when he was fourteen. Anderson liked her too and what Anderson wanted…he got.

 

LOUISE: Didn’t matter to him that it broke poor Tristan’s heart.

 

MADELINE: They say you never forget your first.

 

RORY: Oh…oh. You mean Presley was…

 

LOUISE: Tristan’s first sexual experience.

 

RORY: I was going to say love…but...okay.

 

PARIS: A little discretion would be great here Louise. Don’t you have some glossing to do?

 

LOUISE: What? It’s not like its some big secret. Rory could stop any random in the hall and they could give her the same information.

 

RORY: Okay…I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear that.

 

PARIS: Ignorance is bliss.

 

The overhead bell rings signaling the end of study hall. Everyone at the table starts getting their things together to leave.

 

LOUISE: Later…I’m off to meet Jeremy.

 

Louise and Madeline head out together leaving Rory and Paris alone at the table.

 

PARIS: You okay?

 

RORY: Um…no…not really.

 

PARIS: If it helps...he’s not the same.

 

RORY: What do you mean?

 

PARIS: Tristan…no matter who he used to be…he’s a better person now. And I hate to admit it…but it’s clearly because of you.

 

RORY: You don’t have to say that.

 

PARIS: I know. But it may help to know that in the future.

 

RORY: I’m a little afraid to ask…but…why?

 

PARIS: Because Anders and his sister coming back here to Chilton is going to open up a lot of old hurts.

 

RORY: Can you be a little more specific?

 

PARIS: Not and feel good about it. I have to get to the paper and get some articles together. When can I expect the piece your writing?

 

RORY: I will have it there by deadline tomorrow.

 

PARIS: Excellent. I’ll see you later.

 

EXT: CHILTON-DAY

 

Tristan is waiting outside on the bench for Rory when a sultry looking brunette comes and stands directly in front of him.

 

AMANDA: Miss me?

 

Tristan surveys the girl in front of him. She has her Chilton skirt hiked up higher than regulation and the uniform top she wears is obviously a size too small to accentuate her other best feature.

 

TRISTAN: Amy…you uh…you grew up.

 

AMY: Two years and three bra sizes…eat your heart out.

 

TRISTAN: That’s uh…good for you.

 

AMY: So Anders tells me you have a girlfriend. I couldn’t stop laughing.

 

TRISTAN: I’m glad I could amuse you.

 

AMY: So it’s true?

 

TRISTAN: Yes.

 

Rory is heading towards the bench when she sees Tristan talking to a leggy brunette it stops her in her tracks. Observing the girl flirting with Tristan Rory takes a tiny step back almost bumping into Anders who is right behind her.

 

Rory quickly turns around to see who is there.

 

RORY: I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.

 

ANDERS: You don’t need to worry about her.

 

RORY: Who?

 

ANDERS: Amy…the girl with Tristan. Repeat performances aren’t his things.

 

RORY: Okay…I’m going to go now.

 

A little annoyed Rory turns around to head over to Tristan when Anders lightly grabs on to her arm.

 

ANDERS: I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to make you angry.

 

RORY: I actually have no idea what you were trying to make me…angry…jealous. Who knows? The thing is…I trust him. Implicitly.

 

ANDERS: That’s good. A little naïve…but good.

 

RORY: Are we done?

 

ANDERS: Sure…I’ve said my piece.

 

Looking over Tristan finally sees Rory talking to Anders and fully realizes what Amy and Anders are up to. They were trying to make him look bad to Rory. Tristan turns back to Amanda and gives her a glare.

 

AMY: Oops…did your little girlfriend decide to hook up with my brother?

 

TRISTAN: Nice try Amy…maybe you haven’t grown up much after all. You’re still a brat.

 

AMY: I am what you made me. Remember that.

 

Amy turns around in a huff and sails past Rory who is headed towards Tristan. Tristan meets her half-way.

 

TRISTAN: So…you’re probably curious what just happened here.

 

RORY: Yes…explanations would be good here.

 

Looking into Rory’s eyes Tristan is glad to see that she’s not angry, a little curious maybe but still believing in him and it elevates his love for her to see her standing there so trusting. Sweeping her into his arms he begins kissing her with a passionate

pressure that instantly takes her breath away.

 

Across the way Anders and Amy watch the display of affection both clearly not happy with it.

 

AMY: What a slut!

 

ANDERS: Relax Amy…so he wins round one. It’s just the beginning. Wholesome girl will be seeing through him in no time. We can’t overplay our hand.

 

As the passionate kiss ends Tristan brings his hand up to lightly graze the side of Rory’s face.

 

RORY: What was that for?

 

Tristan’s gaze penetrates to Rory’s very soul.

 

TRISTAN: Courage.

 

Tristan takes Rory’s hand in his and the two head towards his car.