Story summary: While some relationships progress other’s hit stumbling blocks in a huge way.

 

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

 

 

EXT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

 

As Rory and Tristan come walking up the pathway Rory spots her dad sitting on the far side of the porch on small wicker couch.

 

RORY: Dad?

 

Chris looks up as his name is called.

 

CHRIS: Hey Pumpkin.

 

Leaning in toward Tristan, Rory whispers in his ear.

 

RORY: Maybe you should head inside.

 

TRISTAN: Sure.

 

As Tristan heads towards the door, Rory heads towards her father and sits down next to him on the couch.

 

With one glance Rory can tell her father is upset, but trying valiantly to hide it.

 

RORY: Are you okay?

 

Christopher looks at what will always be his little girl and smiles.

 

CHRIS: I’m glad to see you.

 

RORY: Me too…does mom know that you’re here?

 

CHRIS: Yes…and no. She thinks I left. And I did for a while.

 

RORY: Did you want to come inside?

 

CHRIS: I don’t think that such a good idea.

 

Christopher leans over and picks up the big bouquet of flowers that are beside him and hands them to Rory.

 

CHRIS: (cont.) These are for you.

 

RORY: Me? Why?

 

CHRIS: It’s our anniversary today.

 

RORY: Our anniversary?

 

CHRIS: Yes. One year ago today…we entered back into each other’s lives. I don’t expect you to remember…but it was one of the happiest days of my life.

 

RORY: Really?

 

CHRIS: Absolutely. You’ll always be my little girl Rory…no matter what.

 

Completely touched by her father’s words Rory reaches out to hug him and he lovingly hugs her back… as she feels him silently sobbing.

 

Rory just continues to hold him…her heart aching for him. Knowing that whatever happened earlier that night was tearing him apart.

 

INT: GILMORE LIVING ROOM-NIGHT

 

Walking into the darkened living room Tristan almost runs head first into Lorelai as she gets up to greet whoever is coming through the front door.

 

TRISTAN: Whoa…sorry.

 

LORELAI: Tristan…no…I…sorry. My fault. I was hoping you were Rory. And generally she would be attached to your side…where is she?

 

TRISTAN: Outside…talking to her dad.

 

LORELAI: Chris is outside?  

 

Lorelai sits down heavily on the couch as Tristan reaches over to turn on the light.

 

TRISTAN: You don’t look so good. Can I get you a glass of water or something?

 

LORELAI: Why is he doing this?

 

Tristan looks at Lorelai a little confused?

 

TRISTAN: Rory’s dad?

 

LORELAI: Yes…I mean…finally…I was moving on…and now he’s here…3D version. And it just hurts all over again.

 

Tristan stands there…a little awkward. Not sure what to say or do.

 

LORELAI: (cont.) Did she say how long she was going to stay out there?

 

TRISTAN: Sorry…no.

 

Lorelai gets up and starts pacing the floor.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Should I go get her?

 

Before Lorelai can answer Rory comes walking through the front door and Lorelai runs up to her and engulfs her in a smothering hug before abruptly casting her away to look at her.

 

LORELAI: What are you doing with those?!

 

Lorelai very obviously points to the flowers.

 

RORY: They’re for me.

 

LORELAI: They are?

 

RORY: Yes.

 

LORELAI: Are you sure?

 

RORY: You seem disappointed.

 

LORELAI: No…of course not.

 

RORY: Right. Okay…I’m just going to spare you the agony of twenty questions, because it’s late and I’m tired. Dad is in town for two reasons…me and business.  The flowers are for our anniversary…a year ago today was when he came back into my life.

 

LORELAI: Oh my God…that’s right. And he remembered?

 

RORY: Yes.

 

LORELAI: Well…that’s great. I’m happy for you.

 

RORY: Thanks.

 

LORELAI: So did he happen to mention…anything else?

 

RORY: There was some mention of an incident earlier this evening. Yes.

 

LORELAI: And?

 

RORY: And…yes. He’s hurting…a lot. Even though you are not why he came here…he doesn’t want to leave things they way they are right now. He knows your upset with the way he handled things.

 

LORELAI: Amen to that.

 

RORY: So care to fill me in on what happened?

 

LORELAI: He didn’t tell you?

 

RORY: No…just gave me the message to give to you. Which…I’ve now done.

 

LORELAI: I could use some advice…why don’t we go upstairs?

 

Rory turns to Tristan who quickly acknowledges her.

 

TRISTAN: I’m good. I’ll see you in the morning.

 

RORY:  You can sleep in my room. I’ll stay with my mom tonight.

 

TRISTAN: Thanks.

 

Rory hugs Tristan and gives him a quick goodnight kiss before taking her mothers hand to head upstairs with her.

 

INT: BEN’S HOTEL ROOM-NIGHT

 

Ben comes stumbling into the darkened room…a little tipsy. After leaving the mess at Lorelai’s house a few beers and whiskey shots had seemed like a good idea.

 

BEN: Ethan? You here?

 

Met by silence Ben stumbles towards the bed and plops himself down instantly eliciting a response from the two bodies he landed on.

 

ETHAN: Crap dad!

 

A little startled Ben jumps up and hits the light filling the room with brightness…only to find his son lying on the bed with a now fully awake Lane.

 

LANE: Oh no…what time is it?

 

Ethan looks at his watch and tries not to show concern as he answers her.

 

ETHAN: Okay…don’t panic. But we fell asleep…it’s like 2 am.

 

LANE: Like? Or is?

 

ETHAN: Actually it’s 2:16 am.

 

LANE: So closer to 2:30 am…I am so not going to be okay.

 

BEN: What were you two doing?

 

ETHAN: Relax dad…we were watching a movie and fell asleep.

 

BEN: With the TV. off?

 

ETHAN: Yeah…I should get Lane home. We can talk later.

 

BEN: Don’t think we won’t.

 

ETHAN: Okay…ready Lane?

 

LANE: Sure. It was nice to see you again Mr. Carter.

 

Ethan and Lane silently exit the hotel room and start walking down the corridor.

 

LANE: He’s never going to let me come over again. Is he.

 

ETHAN: Relax…he won’t even remember come tomorrow…I know whiskey when I smell it…and he’s been throwing a few back.

 

LANE: He was drunk?

 

ETHAN: Not sloppy…just not sober. Which means something is bothering him. He only drinks when he’s bummed about something.

 

INT: LORELAI’S ROOM-NIGHT

 

Lorelai comes over and joins Rory who is sitting under the covers on her side of the bed.

 

LORELAI: So you’re dad was pretty bummed?

 

RORY: I think I’ve answered that one already. Your turn. What happened here tonight?

 

LORELAI: Have you ever had that dream where you’re at school and suddenly you realized you’re naked?

 

RORY: Okay…yeah.

 

LORELAI: Well how about the one where your ex walks in on you and another guy having just done the deed?

 

RORY: Okay…no. Dad walked in on you and Ben…doing…that?

 

LORELAI: Okay…technically…we weren’t in the actual act…but it was obvious we weren’t playing Parcheesi in here.

 

RORY: Poor dad.

 

LORELAI: Excuse me? Poor daddy? What about poor mommy, or poor Ben? How about we get to be the victims?

 

RORY: I’m sure it was awkward.

 

LORELAI: Awkward does not begin to describe.

 

FLASHBACK-EARLY EVENING- LIVING ROOM

 

Having changed into sweats Lorelai meets Chris in the living room.

 

LORELAI: Okay…hate to state the obvious but “you should have called.”

 

CHRIS: I wish I had.

 

LORELAI: What are you doing here Chris?

 

Rather than answering Lorelai’s question Chris decides to ask the one that’s really eating away at him.

 

CHRIS: Who is he Lor?

 

LORELAI: That’s none of your business Chris. He’s a friend.

 

CHRIS: A friend?

 

LORELAI: Yes.

 

CHRIS: You sleep with all your friends?

 

LORELAI: Oh no…you don’t get to do that. You are not going to judge me. I’m a grown woman and we are not together.

 

CHRIS: Thanks for the vivid reminder.

 

As Lorelai prepares to answer Ben comes walking down the stairs fully dressed and ready to leave.

 

BEN: I’m going to go.

 

Lorealai walks up to Ben.

 

LORELAI: Are you sure?

 

BEN: Yeah…I’ll call you later.

 

LORELAI: Really? Cause that sounds kind of like the “I’ll call you later” but you really won’t tone.

 

BEN: Maybe you should walk me out.

 

LORELAI: Okay.

 

Lorelai walks Ben out to the front porch leaving Chris standing in the living room.

 

EXT: PORCH-NIGHT

 

LORELAI: (cont.) I’m really sorry about tonight.

 

BEN: Don’t be. Most of it was great.

 

LORELAI: I agree. I’m sorry about the Chris part of the evening though.

 

BEN: Chris? That’s his name?

 

LORELAI: Yes…he’s Rory’s father.

 

BEN: Aah…one of the “thousand secrets” you alluded to.

 

LORELAI: Right. So that only leaves 999. Are you up for the challenge?

 

BEN: Even if I was…I’m not sure you are.

 

LORELAI: Why would you say that?

 

BEN: Because…I saw the look he gave you and the one you gave back. Still being in love with your ex…that’s a pretty huge secret.

 

LORELAI: I’m not…

 

BEN: The only thing you’re not Lor is over him.

 

LORELAI: He’s practically married and he’s got a baby on the way.

 

BEN: And yet that doesn’t make you in love with him any less…go figure.

 

LORELAI: I don’t want you to give up on me Ben.

 

BEN: I can’t make you any promises Lorelai…Chris is a pretty big obstacle. I think we both just need some time to think things through.

 

Ben leans in and awkwardly kisses Lorealai good night.

 

BEN: I’ll call you later.

 

LORELAI: Okay.

 

As soon as Ben leaves Lorelai storms back into the house clearly upset.

 

LORELAI: I hope you’re happy now!

 

Looking around she finally notices that Chris is no longer there. In her absence he used the back to door to leave…leaving her alone.

 

FLASHFORWARD-NIGHT

 

RORY: Wow…so dad just took off?

 

LORELAI: What is this sympathy for your dad?

 

RORY: I just know that Ben’s right…Dad still loves you. It had to really hurt seeing you with someone else.

 

LORELAI: I just want it to be over with him? Is that too much to ask?

 

RORY: I don’t think you both want the same thing.

 

LORELAI: I hate it when you’re right. What do you suggest o wise one?

 

RORY: Talking would be good. I think no matter what…Dad’s right about one thing…you guys can’t leave it like this…with the hurt feelings.

 

LORELAI: Fine…I’ll talk to him. What could it hurt?

 

INT: RORY’S ROOM-DAY

 

Tristan is asleep in Rory’s bed with the covers pulled over his head when Lane comes crawling through the window and heads over and sits down on the bed.

 

LANE: Rory?

 

Tristan shifts a little his sleep beginning to wear off.

 

LANE: You are my best friend…so I need to tell you something. Are you listening?

 

Tristan shifts again…almost fully awake now.

 

LANE: Okay…I think I finally know what you’re talking about now…when you tell me about how things are so intense between you and Tristan. And how you can’t not give in when he touches you.

 

Tristan is fully awake now and not sure what to do. He wants to stop Lane before she tells him any more…but in the same vein he likes hearing what Rory has to say about him.

 

LANE: Last night…I let things go pretty far with Ethan…and…it was like soooo intense…and….

 

Tristan sits up immediately…and Lane jumps off the bed at the sight of a shirtless Tristan in Rory’s bed.

 

LANE: Oh my God…where’s Rory?

 

TRISTAN: Upstairs with her mom.

 

LANE: Then I just told you…please…kill me now.

 

TRISTAN: I’ll take it my grave.

 

LANE: I’m just gonna go now.

 

Lane hurries over to the window and quickly exits. Tristan is still laughing as Rory enters the room.

 

RORY: What’s so funny?

 

TRISTAN: Nothing.

 

Tristan looks at Rory standing by the door in her PJ’s …and smiles at her.

 

RORY: What?

 

TRISTAN: I think…you should probably close the door…and come here.

 

RORY: Is that an order?

 

TRISTAN: No…just the power of suggestion.

 

Instantly Rory can feel the temperature in her body rising as she takes in the site of a shirtless Tristan looking at her with unmistakable passion in his eyes.

 

RORY: You’re going to get me into trouble.

 

TRISTAN: But it’s going to feel good enough to be worth it.

 

RORY: Promises. Promises.

 

TRISTAN: Only one way to find out if I can deliver. So are you going to take me up on my offer or just stand there mentally ravaging me all day?

 

Rory closes the door and slowly walks over to the bed to sit down. Within seconds Tristan has her lying down underneath him on the bed…ready to fulfill his promise.