Story summary: With no room for error in his life…Tristan struggles with some heavy decisions, while Lorelai struggles with too many men in hers.

 

Disclaimer: For the most part the characters in my story belong to the writers and creators of the WB show “Gilmore Girls.”

 

INT:  ANDERS AND AMY’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Anders walks into Amy’s room to find her sitting in a big overstuffed chair with her legs draped over the side; she is completely engrossed in a smutty romance novel.

 

ANDERS: Do you ever answer your cell?

 

Amy doesn’t even look up from her book as she acknowledges him.

 

AMY: I can’t find it.

 

ANDERS: Isn’t that like the fifth one you’ve lost this month?

 

AMY: Fourth.

 

Venturing into the room Anders closes the door and walks over to sit down on the plush couch at the foot of Amy’s bed.

 

Amy finally closes her book when she realizes Anders isn’t leaving.

 

AMY: (cont.) I don’t recall inviting you in.

 

ANDERS: We need to talk.

 

AMY:  And what did I do wrong now?

 

ANDERS: I heard about your little run-in with Tristan this afternoon.

 

AMY: So?

 

ANDERS: You have to stop throwing yourself at him Ames...that isn’t going to work.

 

AMY: How do you know? Were you there?

 

ANDERS: I didn’t have to be Amy…I’ve seen your act a thousand times…and I’m telling you…sex isn’t going to be the deal breaker here.

 

AMY: I am very good at what I do.

 

ANDERS: So I’ve heard…but here’s the thing…Tristan’s already been around that block, he’s not panting after you for a reason…he doesn’t need to.

 

AMY: I beg to differ…that is a boy who is not getting any…guaranteed.

 

ANDERS: Listen and learn Amy…he’s not the same Tristan.

 

AMY: How so?

 

ANDERS: Because he’s vunerable…he actually really cares about Rory.

 

AMY: His mousy girlfriend? Please…she is so not his type.

 

ANDERS: Maybe in the past…but I’ve been asking around…and everyone agrees…Rory has really gotten to him.

 

AMY: What are you saying? He loves her?

 

ANDERS: Yeah. I think so.

 

AMY: You couldn’t be more wrong.

 

Amy has gotten up from her chair and is practically in Ander’s face.

 

AMY: (cont.) Tristan’s heart will always belong to me! End of story…I just need to remind him of how good we used to be together.

 

Anders gets up pushing Amy out of his face.

 

ANDERS: Give it up Amy! He used you to get back at me!

 

AMY: Could you be a bigger bastard?

 

Anders takes Amy into his arms as she starts to cry.

 

ANDERS: I’m sorry Ames…I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wish you would stop conveniently forgetting…that love was never a part of what he did to you…never.

 

AMY: You’re wrong…I did fall in love with him.

 

Suddenly all the rage that had been subsiding concerning Tristan’s past deeds is being rekindled as Anders watches his twin…once again become a vunerable, hurt little girl…a flashback to the day Tristan left her springs to Anders mind.

 

FLASHBACK: TWO YEARS-DAY

 

Anders watches from behind a tree, which is just within earshot, as Tristan and Amy are fighting.

 

AMY: Please don’t do this!

 

TRISTAN: It’s just not working for me anymore. Sorry.

 

AMY: But…I…we…we slept together…I let you do things…

 

TRISTAN: And you enjoyed every minute of it. And the next boy in line will thank me for all that I taught you.

 

AMY: Why are you being so cruel? I…love you.

 

Tristan is a little surprised at Amy’s words…but his mind is made up. His mission complete.

 

TRISTAN: Too bad…I only wanted to sleep with you.

 

AMY: So it was all a lie?

 

TRISTAN: Basically.

 

AMY: I don’t understand…why?

 

TRISTAN: Doesn’t matter. I had my reasons.

 

As tears start to slip down Amy’s face Tristan instinctively starts to reach for her but then stops him self.

 

TRISTAN: I have to go.

 

Amy reaches out and grabs hold of Tristan’s arm.

 

AMY: Please don’t go.

 

TRISTAN: It’s over Amy…O.V.E.R…there…since you seemed to need it spelled out for you.

 

Overcome with heartache at losing her first love Amy takes off running. Tristan stands there unsure what to do until he hears a noise and looks over to see Anders behind the tree…forgetting about Amy he turns and walks over to Anders.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Enjoy the show?

 

ANDERS: It was educational…although…I already knew you were a self serving asshole.

 

TRISTAN: Takes one to know one.

 

ANDERS: So…this is for my benefit then?

 

TRISTAN: I’d say were even…wouldn’t you?

 

ANDERS:  Even? Hardly…Amy never did anything to you.

 

TRISTAN: She did plenty…believe me.

 

Anders takes a swing at Tristan but misses as Tristan reacts quickly and sidesteps it, sending Anders to the ground.

 

ANDERS: Get out!

 

TRISTAN: I’m gone.

 

 As Tristan starts to walk away Anders has to get in just one last barb.

 

ANDERS: Don’t worry about Presley…I’m taking real good care of her.

 

Before Tristan can stop himself he is back at Anders side and picking him up by the front of his shirt…their faces inches apart.

 

TRISTAN: If you know what’s good for you…you’ll leave Presley alone.

 

ANDERS: Like you left my sister alone? Besides…only Presley gets to decide who she wants to be with…and it isn’t you. Sorry.

 

Tristan lets go of Anders shirt and pushes him back.

 

TRISTAN: We’re done. I don’t give a damn what any of you do anymore. Screw Presley for all I care.

 

ANDERS: Been there.

 

Tristan fights the urge to punch Anders in the face and instead storms off leaving an angry Anders who immediately goes to find his distraught sister.

 

FLASHFORWARD: PRESENT

 

ANDERS: It’s not over Amy…Tristan will regret the things he did.

 

AMY: Promise?

 

ANDERS: I guarantee it. And Rory is the key.

 

AMY: Do not fall for her Anders.

 

ANDERS: I won’t.

 

AMY: Cause Tristan’s girls have a way of breaking your heart. Remember that.

 

ANDERS: Presley did not break my heart.

 

AMY: Now who’s being delusional? You may have been the cause of her and Tristan ending…but you know she never stopped loving him.

 

ANDERS: Right. Then why was she with me?

 

AMY: Duh? Because Tristan wouldn’t have anything to do with her anymore.

 

ANDERS: What?

 

AMY: Don’t tell me you didn’t know about the night she came over to his house and begged him to take her back?

 

ANDERS: Did he tell you that?

 

AMY: He didn’t have to…I was there.

 

ANDERS: And you’re just now telling me this?

 

AMY: I thought you knew…I thought that was what this was all about…you hating the fact that he won. That Presley still wanted to be with him.

 

ANDERS: It doesn’t add up…he would have taken her back in a heartbeat.

 

AMY: Nope…he called her a whore…told her he didn’t need your sloppy seconds. It was great…she started crying and he told her to leave and then he and I had the most intense sex ever…amazing.

 

ANDERS: Amy…

 

AMY: Right…sorry. Too much information. So what is the point of this vendetta then?

 

ANDERS: You. It was about what he did to you.

 

AMY: Really? I didn’t know you cared.

 

ANDERS: You’re my sister…now however…I find there is a lot more to hate his guts over. He’s going down.

 

AMY: Just be careful…If Rory can turn someone like Tristan soft…well…just keep your emotions out of it.

 

ANDERS: Done.

 

INT: PARIS’S BEDROOM-NIGHT

 

Paris is just putting her journal away when there is a knock at her bedroom door.

 

PARIS: Go away!

 

KELLY: (OC) There’s someone here to see you witch!

 

Paris gets up off the bed and flings open the door to yell at Kelly only to find her standing there next to Tristan.

 

KELLY: Why the hell anyone this hot would want to spend time with such an unpleasant person as you I will never understand.

 

Kelly turns and walks back down the hall as Paris stands glaring at Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: I don’t think she likes you.

 

PARIS: Have you any common sense left? Any?

 

TRISTAN: I needed to talk to you.

 

PARIS: I have a phone.

 

TRISTAN: This is one of those in person type of conversations.

 

PARIS: You could have run into Jess.

 

TRISTAN: I didn’t think about that.

 

PARIS: That’s just it…you aren’t thinking. How would you explain being here at my house at this time of night to Rory? And exactly where does Rory think you are right now?

 

TRISTAN: We got in a sort of argument. And I left.

 

PARIS: So she could be out looking for you right now. And you came here? What is going on with you?

 

TRISTAN: Can I come in?

 

PARIS: No.

 

Tristan continues to stand there…waiting.

 

PARIS: Fine…whatever…just make this quick.

 

Tristan steps into the room and Paris quickly shuts the door.

 

Paris looks over at Tristan and can see that something is troubling him, but she’s not sure she’s up for another sparing match after the one earlier in the evening with Jess.

 

PARIS: I haven’t got all night.

 

TRISTAN: Okay…I’ll just cut right to it…

 

PARIS: Please do.

 

TRISTAN: I want to tell Rory.

 

Paris knows what she heard…but can’t process it…surely he means something else…something less…damaging.

 

PARIS: Tell her what?

 

TRISTAN: About us…about what happened.

 

PARIS: You can’t be serious.

 

TRISTAN: Paris…just hear me out…Please?

 

PARIS: No…forget it…I don’t know what’s going on with you or why you suddenly have this urge to commit relationship suicide…but you are not taking me down with you.

 

TRISTAN: It’s the only answer.

 

PARIS: To what question? The one about how to save your relationship or the one about what it would take to destroy mine?

 

TRISTAN:  I think Jess would get over it.

 

PARIS: I’m not talking about Jess…because he probably would…I’m talking about Rory…I don’t know how it happened…but somewhere along the line…we became friends…I can’t lose that. I won’t.

 

TRISTAN: If we explain to her what happened…tell her it was just a mistake…

 

PARIS: Yes…every girl loves to hear that. “I’m sorry honey it was just a mistake.” It’s shallow and pointless. You will kill any trust she has in you. Guaranteed.

 

TRISTAN: I can’t keep lying to her.

 

PARIS: Well you can’t tell her the truth.

 

TRISTAN: And what if she finds out on her own? Won’t that be worse?

 

PARIS: She isn’t going to find out…as long as you can keep it together.

 

TRISTAN: I know you think I’m being selfish…but I will lose Rory if she finds out from anyone but me. At least this way…I’ve been honest with her.

 

PARIS: About something you’ve been hiding for months…face it Tristan…you’ll lose her either way.

 

TRISTAN: I think she would forgive me.

 

PARIS: Maybe…in time. But in the interim she would be single. And if you think Anders wouldn’t use that opportunity…

 

TRISTAN: I get your point.

 

PARIS: Then I think you have a decision to make. So what’s the verdict?

 

Tristan gets up from the chair and pulls his car keys out of his pocket.

 

TRISTAN: I still need to figure that out. I’ll let you know.

 

PARIS: Fine. But remember…everyone gets hurt if you tell…not just you.

 

TRISTAN: I know…okay. Just back off…I get it.

 

PARIS: I hope so.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Lorelai and Christopher are still sitting at the kitchen table deep in conversation.

 

LORELAI: Okay…wow! Your life has become like an episode of Jerry Springer.

 

CHRIS: I know.

 

LORELAI: And you’re certain about this?

 

CHRIS: She’s already had a lawyer draw up the papers.

 

LORELAI: Get out…just like that she’s going to hand over her child to you?

 

CHRIS: Well…she’s mine too…but yeah just a little over two months from now…I will be Tessa’s only parent.

 

LORELAI: Tessa?

 

CHRIS: I was just trying it on for size…I haven’t actually named her yet.

 

LORELAI: Well just so you know…Lorelai is a great name.

 

CHRIS: I don’t think I could handle another Lorelai in my life.

 

LORELAI: Wimp.

 

CHRIS: Completely.

 

LORELAI: I still can’t wrap my head around it…you a single dad.

 

CHRIS: It’s actually for the best. It never would have worked with me and Sherry…we’re very…different. The thought of not being a part of another daughters life was the catalyst keeping me there.

 

LORELAI: But...okay not trying to judge here…but why doesn’t Sherry want to be a mom anymore?

 

CHRIS: She never really did…pregnancy was never part of her ten year plan.

 

LORELAI: She had a ten year plan? I don’t even have a ten minute plan.

 

CHRIS: And you’re a better person for it…believe me.

 

LORELAI: So what happens now?

 

CHRIS: Sherry has the baby…I take the DNA test and she’s mine.

 

LORELAI: DNA test?

 

CHRIS: Yes…in order for Sherry to legally give up her rights to the baby …I have to have medical proof that I am the father.

 

LORELAI: Is there reason to believe you’re not?

 

CHRIS: No…it’s a technicality. I’m definitely this baby’s father. Grant didn’t enter the picture until after her ten year reunion.

 

LORELAI: Ten year reunion’s the hot bed of infidelity…lost loves rekindled…film at eleven.

 

CHRIS: You’ve reduced my misery to a footnote on the eleven o’clock news…perfect.

 

LORELAI: Hey it could be worse…at least you get the best part of this mess…you get the bunchkin.

 

CHRIS: Couldn’t be more terrified.

 

LORELAI: You will be an amazing father Chris…I know it.

 

CHRIS: Right…cause I did such a terrific job with Rory…no wait…that was you…I was the absentee father.

 

LORELAI: I’m as much to blame for you not being in Rory’s life as you are…so let’s put the cap back on that bottle of self-pity and move on. You have no idea how much your life is going to change.

 

CHRIS: I’m ready though…I really am.

 

LORELAI: It’s too bad you’ll be so far away…I would love to see your Mr. Mom antics in action.

 

CHRIS: Actually… That’s the other thing I wanted to tell you. I’m moving out here…so your wish is granted.

 

LORELAI: Here?! You’re moving here?

 

CHRIS: Relax…not here…here. I’m moving back to Hartford…I’m going to start work at my dad’s office a few months after the baby is born.

 

LORELAI: Wow…so you’ll be living in Hartford…that’s great.

 

CHRIS: You could be a little more convincing.

 

LORELAI: No…I…Rory will love having you and her new little sister so close.

 

CHRIS: And you?

 

Lorelai looks into Chris’ eyes…not wanting to hurt him, but in the same vein not wanting to allow herself to be sucked in again.

 

LORELAI: Not so much.

 

CHRIS: Ouch.

 

LORELAI: I’m sorry.

 

CHRIS: Definitely not what I expected…but I get that I have no right to expect you to still want to be in my life.

 

LORELAI: You will always be someone I want in my life Christopher. You’re more to me than Rory’s father…you are this itch I just can’t ever seem to scratch…I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see you…but you also have this annoying way of breaking my heart into a thousand tiny tiny pieces every time I let you in. I can’t let you in any more Chris. I’m sorry.

 

CHRIS: Brutal honesty…nice touch. So…I should probably be going.

 

LORELAI: Chris…

 

CHRIS: Please don’t say anything else Lor…it just hurts too much to know I’ve really blown my last chance with you. That there are no more do-overs.

 

LORELAI: Okay.

 

As Chris turns to leave Lorelai steps forward and latches on to his arm, bringing him closer to her for one last hug…instantly realizing her fatal mistake as the warmth of his arms and the touch of his hands bring memories and feelings flooding back into her body…she knows she should just back away…but as his eyes connect with hers the old familiarity begins to take over and their lips, which seem to have a mind of their own find their way back to each other. As the wave of emotions begin overtaking them Chris backs away a little…needing to see the consent in Lorelai’s eyes…needing to know she is 100% in the moment with him…drowning in the same sea of need and want.