Story Summary: Tristan knows that to keep Rory he has to trust that she will understand his past mistakes.

 

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

 

EXT: LAKE-LATE DAY

 

Tristan has parked his SUV so that the back of it is facing the lake, and he and Rory are sitting in the opened backspace looking out over the lake.

 

RORY: I love this place.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…me too.

 

Tristan sits a little apart from Rory clearly contemplating exactly how to start what he views as a difficult conversation.

 

As Rory watches Tristan really struggling with some inner demons she considers just letting it go. Letting him keep whatever past secrets are eating him up inside.

 

RORY:  Did you need some more courage?

 

Tristan can’t help but laugh at Rory’s attempt to lighten the tense mood.

 

TRISTAN: Desperately.

 

Rory smiles as she sidles up next to him and takes his face in her hands. Leaning in she applies a soft pressure to his lips with hers and lets Tristan decide just exactly how much “courage” he needs. Tristan meets Rory’s soft willingness with an instant pressure, sinking into the kiss and letting it strengthen his belief in Rory and their relationship. As the kiss ends Tristan sits back and gazes at Rory.

 

TRISTAN: You’re amazing Gilmore.

 

RORY: Thanks. I think you’re pretty special too.

 

Taking a deep breath Tristan forges ahead.

 

TRISTAN: Knowing the Chilton gossip mill…you’ve probably already heard some of what I’m about to tell you…but here goes. I’ve kind of not cared one way or the other in the past couple of years and as a result…I’ve been kind of a bastard to some people.

 

RORY: Like Anders?

 

TRISTAN: No…well yes…but not directly. More…indirectly.

 

RORY: Indirectly?  

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…Amy.

 

RORY: Do I even want to know what happened?

 

TRISTAN: Probably not…but it’s what Anders knows…and probably plans on telling you when he thinks it will do the most damage.

 

RORY: In that case…go on.

 

TRISTAN: I completely regret what I did. If I could have a do-over I’d take it.

 

RORY: Yep…you’re scaring me.

 

TRISTAN: It’s just…I don’t want this to change us.

 

RORY: So maybe we should leave it alone.

 

TRISTAN: I can’t. Not now.

 

RORY: If it helps…I know about you and Presley…and what Anders did to you.

 

TRISTAN: You know about Presley?

 

For the first time Rory experiences a twinge of jealousy as she sees the obvious pain quickly pass through Tristan’s eyes at the mention of his first girlfriend.

 

RORY: Paris mentioned she might be the reason you changed.

 

TRISTAN: I don’t want to talk about Presley.

 

RORY: That’s fine…we don’t have to.

 

TRISTAN: I’m not trying to keep anything from you…it’s just…you know I was only fourteen…but it felt really real to me at the time. I realize now that it wasn’t…but back then…it felt like the end of my world when she cheated on me.

 

RORY: So then you do want to talk about it?

 

TRISTAN: He was my best friend…or at least I thought he was. We were always trying to best each other…Presley was the first time I ever got something he wanted.

 

Even though Rory is right there beside him she can sense that Tristan is miles away…remembering and reconciling some long buried feelings.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) So when he took her away…I decided to take the one thing that mattered to him.

 

RORY: Amanda?  

 

TRISTAN: Anders and Amy are actually twins…and they were very close growing up. I knew that if I messed with Amy it would piss Anders off.

 

RORY: Messed with how?

 

TRISTAN: She was sweet and innocent and I made it my mission to corrupt her.

 

RORY: How?

 

TRISTAN: Do you really want to know this?

 

Rory doesn’t say anything so Tristan continues.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) I had sex with her and made sure he knew about it. I used her until she needed me and then I dumped her.

 

RORY: No wonder they hate you.

 

TRISTAN: I’m not proud of it Rory.

 

RORY: I should hope not. I mean…that’s pretty cold…no matter what he did to you.

 

TRISTAN: I know. But…I can’t take it back. It’s done.

 

RORY: I can’t believe you have the capacity to be that callous.

 

TRISTAN: Had. That is not something I would ever do again. I was stupid and I thought…I thought revenge was the answer.

 

RORY: At fourteen? I mean…Lane and I were listening to music and having slumber parties. Do you see the difference?

 

TRISTAN: We’re from different worlds Rory. You were raised by a loving mom, while the majority of the Hartford kids raised themselves. Adult supervision was an afterthought. Too little…too late.

 

RORY: What about your mom?

 

TRISTAN: She was too concerned with keeping my dad happy and he was too busy having affairs. No one was there to tell me not to have sex…so I did. 

 

RORY: No wonder my mom didn’t want me raised in Hartford.

 

TRISTAN: So…there you have it…Tristan…the bastard years.

 

Tristan takes Rory’s hand in his.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Are you okay?

 

RORY: I don’t know. That’s kind of a lot to digest.

 

TRISTAN: Maybe I shouldn’t have told you.

 

RORY: It’s okay…I just have to realize that Paris was right…that’s not who you are now. Oddly enough…you are this really great guy now.

 

TRISTAN: So then you’re ready for whatever happens?

 

RORY: Fully prepared.

 

TRISTAN: So are we okay?

 

RORY: Yes…we’re definitely okay.

 

Rory leans into Tristan and he automatically puts his arm around her nuzzling and kissing the top of her head.

 

TRISTAN: We should probably get you home.

 

RORY: Just a few more minutes.

 

Tristan pulls Rory closer and hugs her firmly to his chest.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Ben is at the stove in the kitchen trying to light the pilot light on the stove.

 

BEN: Seriously…has this oven ever been on?

 

LORELAI: Uh…not much…well when Sookie comes over and cooks. I think she uses it.

 

BEN: To cook? Go figure.

 

LORELAI: I am not a cook…and proud of it. I spend my time being beautiful and charming. It’s exhausting.

 

BEN: But you do it well…be proud.

 

LORELAI: Why thank you. So what are we having?

 

BEN: Shrimp scampi.

 

LORELAI: Ooh…fancy. It will be like dinner at the folks.

 

BEN: Without all the fancy china though…I couldn’t find anything other than chipped corning ware and paper plates. I opted for the paper.

 

LORELAI: That’s okay…mom doesn’t let me use the good china either.

 

BEN: I’m sure there’s a great story behind that.

 

LORELAI: You would be correct. But I think I’ll save it for another time. Just show me the way to the paper plates.  

 

INT: TRISTAN’S SUV-NIGHT

 

Rory is picking up messages on her cell phone.

 

LORELAI: (VO) Hi Rory…it’s me…clearly the voice of your mother and best friend should any confusion be ensuing at this point. I’ve been trying to reach you all day to tell you actually to beg you to make some plans for tonight. I know I grounded you…but this is me revoking it for the night. I told you I was no good at this punishing the kid thing.  I’ll fill you in later. Go…have fun.

 

Rory hangs up the phone and turns to Tristan.

 

RORY: We are not wanted at home.

 

TRISTAN: Really?

 

RORY: Yeah…she ungrounded me for the night. Told me to “go have fun.”

 

TRISTAN: I love your mom.

 

RORY: So where to?

 

TRISTAN: My house is very close…

 

RORY: I have a lot of studying to do.

 

TRISTAN: Well that’s a waste of a big empty house…but okay.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Ben and Lorelai are standing by the stove kissing.

 

BEN: You’re going to make me ruin dinner.

 

Lorelai continues to rain kisses on Ben’s face and neck.

 

LORELAI: Are you really that hungry?

 

BEN: This is my specialty. I wanted to impress you.

 

LORELAI: I’ll tell you what…let me take you upstairs for my specialty. And I promise you we’ll both have much bigger appetites for your specialty.

 

BEN: An offer I would be a moron to refuse. Lead the way.

 

Lorelai takes Ben’s hand and leads him out of the kitchen.

 

INT: DUGREY HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Rory is sitting at the dining room table with Tristan and both are giving it their best effort to study. But as they continue stealing glances at one another the tension starts to mount.

 

RORY: Okay…you really need to stop with the looks.

 

TRISTAN: What looks?

 

RORY: I know what you’re trying to do…but I am here to study.

 

TRISTAN: We could take a break.

 

RORY: Not happening. Hit the books buddy.

 

TRISTAN: Fine.

 

Tristan finally opens his notebook and begins writing with a pencil, suddenly the pencil snaps in two.

 

TRISTAN: Okay…my pencil broke. Looks like I’m done.

 

RORY: Nice try. I have some pencils in my backpack.

 

Rory picks up her backpack and zips it open. Tristan takes a hold too and teasingly tries to pull it away from her.

 

TRISTAN: I promise you…I’ll just break them all.

 

RORY: I don’t believe you.

 

TRISTAN: Try me. We both know you don’t really want to study.

 

RORY: I’d let go of the back pack if I were you.

 

Instead of listening Tristan uses his grip and her unwillingness to let go of the back-pack to pull her into his arms where he begins kissing her. As the two lock in a passionate clinch Rory loses her grip on the back-pack and the contents spill out on to the floor. As Rory realizes what has happened she immediately breaks Tristan’s hold on her and starts trying to shuffle the contents back into the bag.

 

Tristan reacts and bends down to help her start picking things up, when Rory realizes the one thing she didn’t want Tristan to see is the item he now holds in his hand.

 

TRISTAN: Is this what I think it is?

 

Rory is now blushing three shades of red…very clearly uncomfortable.

 

RORY: Can I have them back please?  

 

Rory sticks out her hand for the item and Tristan willingly hands the packet of birth control pills back to her.

 

TRISTAN: So…why didn’t you tell me?

 

RORY: I don’t know. I wanted to…I guess I was afraid if I told you…it would seem like the decision has already been made.

 

TRISTAN: Hasn’t it?

 

RORY: I want to be with you Tristan. I do. The problem is reconciling the want with the actual readiness.

 

TRISTAN: Rory…there is zero pressure to do anything you are not ready for.

 

RORY: I went and got the pills because I am ready… I love you…but I’m also a little scared.

 

TRISTAN: It’s a big step. I’d be surprised if you weren’t a little freaked out by it.

 

RORY: I keep hearing my mother telling me sex changes the dynamics of a relationship. I like our relationship…it’s really great.

 

TRISTAN: I can’t believe you’ve been keeping this all in.

 

Tristan takes Rory’s hand in his.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Follow me.

 

RORY: Where are we going?

 

TRISTAN: Up to my room. I have something I need to show you too. And then…we should probably talk.

 

INT: LORELAI’S BEDROOM-NIGHT

 

Basking in the after glow of their lovemaking session Lorelai moves into the crook of Ben’s arm and lays her head on his chest.

 

LORELAI: So how’s the appetite now?

 

BEN: It doesn’t matter…I have no strength left to cook.

 

LORELAI: Probably shouldn’t have gone for that third helping.

 

BEN: Couldn’t help it…your specialty is irresistible.

 

LORELAI: And your stamina…well they will be writing books about it.

 

BEN: You bring out the best in me.

 

Lorelai leans over and kisses Ben.

 

LORELAI: So you’re really not hungry?

 

BEN: Starved actually.

 

LORELAI: We could order in a pizza?

 

BEN: Sounds good. My treat.

 

LORELAI: You’re going to spoil me.

 

Lorelai picks up the cell phone by her bed and hits the speed dial number for the pizza place.

 

BEN: You have the pizza place on speed dial?

 

LORELAI: Have you been ignoring my no cooking mantra?

 

BEN: Right.

 

Ben sits up and grabs his discarded pants pulling them on as he gets up.

 

LORELAI: (cont.) Boo to the clothes…boo…boo.

 

BEN: If I answer the door naked the pizza guy might not like it.

 

LORELAI: He’s never had a problem with me.

 

BEN: Funny. Where’s your bathroom?

 

Lorelai sits up in bed with the sheet pulled up.

 

LORELAI: Through that door. Hurry back though or Johnny will be viewing the girls as his tip. I have no money.

 

BEN: And clearly no mercy. I’ll be quick.

 

LORELAI: Hi hello…yes…I’d like a large pepperoni?  

 

Ben nod his okay as Lorelai looks to him for agreement.

 

LORELAI: Extra cheese?

 

Ben nods yes again before heading into the bathroom and shutting the door.

 

LORELAI: Yes I’m sure…large pepperoni extra cheese.

 

INT: TRISTAN’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Tristan walks Rory over and sits her on the bed before moving over to his nightstand to retrieve a piece of paper out of the top drawer. A paper which he walks over and hands to Rory.

 

Rory scans the paper at first until she realizes what she’s reading and then she reads it from top to bottom.

 

RORY: You got tested?

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…I did.

 

RORY: Where you afraid you had something?

 

TRISTAN: I’ve never been tested before it never even crossed my mind…until I started seeing you. Suddenly I needed to know that I was okay'#8230;and that when the time came you would be too.

 

RORY: You did this for me?

 

Tears start welling up in Rory’s eyes at the thought of Tristan caring enough about her to want to put her mind at ease.

 

TRISTAN: It’s a clean slate for me…and for you.

 

Rory really can’t stop the free flow of tears gathering in her eyes now. Her heart is just so full of love for Tristan at this moment.

 

RORY: I need a tissue.

 

TRISTAN: I think there’s some in the bathroom.

 

Tristan points towards a door and Rory goes over and opens it, stepping inside she feels around for the light switch.

 

INT: TRISTAN’S BATHROOM-NIGHT

 

RORY: Oh my God!

 

Tristan gets hurriedly up off the bed and heads over to the bathroom thinking something must be wrong.

 

TRISTAN: What?

 

RORY: This is your bathroom?

 

Rory is mesmerized by the extravagance of the room it’s centerpiece most definitely being the huge sunken Jacuzzi tub in the middle of the room.

 

TRISTAN: Damn. You scared me. I thought something was wrong.

 

RORY: It is…your bathroom is the size of a small condo.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…it’s a bit much. Mom had all the bathrooms redone this past year because according to the tea club…it’s the year of the bathroom.

 

RORY: I love this room. Look at the huge furry rug. I could just curl up on it and go to sleep. This is the best bathroom I have ever seen. I want to live in this bathroom.

 

Tristan walks over to the Kleenex box and grabs a tissue out of it handing it to Rory an idea already forming in his mind…a plan to make Rory’s first time a memory she will cherish.

 

INT: LORELAI’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Lorelai is tying her robe as the door to her bedroom opens. Turning she is surprised to see Christopher.

 

Christopher has a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands and a smile to match, a smile which quickly dies as a half naked Ben comes out of the bathroom.

 

The trio all exchange awkward looks with each other, not sure what to say…when the doorbell rings. Lorelai breaks the silence.

 

LORELAI: Pizza’s here.

 

INT: TRISTAN’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Lying in each others arms on his bed each turned on their side facing each other. Tristan runs his hands slowly up and down the curve of Rory’s waist and hips…occasionally letting it wander to her backside.

 

TRISTAN: You okay?

 

RORY: Yeah…today was definitely rough…but I’m right where I want to be.

 

TRISTAN: I feel pretty lucky right now.

 

RORY: You do?

 

TRISTAN: You took everything about my past and didn’t let it affect us. How could I not?

 

RORY: I know who you are now. That’s all that matters.

 

TRISTAN: That just makes me more determined to do whatever it takes to hang on to you.

 

RORY: I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.

 

Looking into Rory’s eyes Tristan feels their connection…the immenseness of her trust and love shining in them penetrates deep in his heart. A feeling he thought would never truly be his to have is now one he is deathly afraid of losing. Tristan realizes that being in love is one of the most frightening things he has ever done…giving himself over completely to a passion no longer guided by his hand.

 

Rory senses the same connection…believing her heart could never heal if he broke it…but trusting all the same that he won’t. That whatever comes their way…he will have enough faith in them to keep trusting her.

 

Knowing this is a definite kiss moment Tristan doesn’t disappoint. Moistening his lips he drinks in the sweet taste of her lips on his…knowing that it will always be this way between them…sensual and satisfying.