Story Summary: With one day left until his parents return Tristan pulls out all the stops to make it a night Rory will remember.

 

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the properties of the WB show Gilmore Girls writers and creators.

 

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-DAY

 

Rory is sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and reading the paper when a still sleepy Tristan walks in. As memories of the previous night come flooding back she can’t help but look down a little shyly.

 

Tristan walks over and kisses the top of her head.

 

TRISTAN: Morning beautiful.

 

RORY: Morning sleepy-head.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah well...someone wore me out last night...if you know what I mean.

 

Lorelai walks in from the porch where she was standing.

 

LORELAI: Okay...seriously...scan the room before you speak.

 

Rory tries to muffle a laugh.

 

TRISTAN: Sorry.

 

LORELAI: Just wait till you’re a mother...or father...oh hell just wait till you have a teenage daughter who has a boyfriend with raging hormones.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah...I get the picture.

 

LORELAI: Good. So...who’s up for Lukes?

 

RORY: Me.

 

TRISTAN: Sounds good.

 

LORELAI: Good...cause you’re buying. I don’t know why...but for some reason I feel you owe me.

 

TRISTAN: Sure. No problem.

 

LORELAI: I’ll be back in a jiff. I just need to get something for my tootsies.

 

As soon as Lorelai leaves the room Tristan sits down heavily on the chair next to Rory.

 

TRISTAN: That was...uncomfortable.

 

RORY: She’s testing you. Stay strong.

 

TRISTAN: I’m telling you...she knows.

 

RORY: She doesn’t know.

 

TRISTAN: Then she suspects.

 

In the next room Lorelai stands on the bottom stair landing with her back against the wall...a look of disappointment crossing her face.

 

LORELAI: (to herself) Oh...she knows.

 

INT: LUKE’S-DAY

 

Ethan is sitting at the front counter next to Kirk.

 

KIRK: I don’t think we’ve met.

 

Ethan looks up from his plate of eggs at Kirk dressed in a full Abraham Lincoln costume.

 

ETHAN: Abe right?

 

KIRK: Oh...no. I don’t normally look like this.

 

ETHAN: Really? You don’t say.

 

KIRK: This is my costume for the Cherry festival.

 

ETHAN: Not seeing the connection between Mr. Lincoln and the cherries.

 

KIRK: One year they were all out of cherry suits, which was good because frankly you can’t imagine the places a cherry pit can chaff...so Ramie told me this would do since he’s famous for chopping down the cherry tree and all.

 

ETHAN: I’m guessing history is not your best subject Abe.

 

KIRK: Actually it’s Kirk.

 

ETHAN: Actually it’s Washington.

 

KIRK: No...I’m Kirk.

 

ETHAN: Yeah...whatever...it’s George Washington who allegedly chopped down the cherry tree.

 

KIRK: Seriously?

 

ETHAN: Google it bud. Save yourself the deposit on the Abe costume. Trust me.

 

Lorelai, Tristan and Rory enter Lukes running into Kirk as he’s leaving.

 

LORELAI: Hey Kirk. Getting ready for the Cherry Festival?

 

KIRK: You knew too? And Rory? I suppose she knew too?

 

LORELAI: Not following.

 

KIRK: Great just perfect...butt...joke...me.

 

LORELAI: Ramie’s not going to be happy about this. I’ll be back I’ve got to do damage control.

 

Lorelai quickly exits the diner.

 

TRISTAN: Who’s Ramie?

 

RORY: He owns the bookstore/costume shop. He’s dressed Kirk up as Abe Lincoln for the cherry festival every year for the past five years by convincing him that Abe Lincoln is the cherry tree chopping president.

 

TRISTAN: That’s pretty funny.

 

RORY: Having fun with Kirk is like a town tradition.

 

Rory and Tristan choose a table and sit down. Luke comes walking over.

 

LUKE: Hey Rory...Tristan. What can I get you two?

 

RORY: Actually I think we’re going to wait for my mom.

 

LUKE: Sure. Where did she go exactly?

 

RORY: To convince Kirk that although George did chop down the cherry tree his best friend Abe was the one who talked him into doing it.

 

Lorelai enters the diner out of breath and takes a seat next to Tristan.

 

LUKE: Success?

 

LORELAI: Yes with my wit and charm I convinced him another year of Abe was needed.

 

LUKE: You paid him didn’t you?

 

LORELAI: Twenty bucks...I have six years in the pool and that puppy is up to $300 bucks.

 

LUKE: That’s cheating.

 

LORELAI: Taylor had five years.

 

LUKE: You have my support. Coffee?

 

LORELAI: Yes please.

 

Luke goes to retrieve the coffee pot as Lorelai turns her cup right side up.

 

INT: PARIS’ ROOM-DAY

 

Paris is pacing in her room when there is a knock at her door.

 

PARIS: Come in.

 

The door opens and Kelly enters the room.

 

PARIS: What are you doing?

 

KELLY: You told me to come in.

 

PARIS: That’s because I thought you were someone else. Now go away.

 

KELLY: So I guess you forgot your promise.

 

PARIS: My promise?

 

KELLY: Okay...it was more like a bribe. You told me if I would go away and leave you alone last night that you would take me into town to meet Lindsey today.

 

PARIS: I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m expecting someone.

 

KELLY: So you lied then?

 

PARIS: Get the chauffer to do it. It’s what he’s paid for.

 

KELLY: He’s on his way to pick up our parents. You’re the only one who can do it.

 

PARIS: And sadly...I can’t. So I guess you’ll just have to stay home.

 

KELLY: I’m not staying home. I’ll just hitch.

 

PARIS: Sounds good. See you later.

 

As Paris is ushering Kelly out the door the doorbell rings downstairs.

 

KELLY: You know someday you will regret not being nicer to me.

 

PARIS: I think I’ll somehow manage to go on.

 

Paris walks past Kelly and heads downstairs to get the door.

 

INT: INDEPENDENCE INN-DAY

 

Lorelai is pacing the kitchen waiting for Sookie to get back from her break. Unable to take the tension of the wait she heads out of the kitchen and across the lobby almost running over Ben.

 

LORELAI: I should have been watching where I was going. I’m sorry.

 

BEN: It’s fine. Pretty sure nothing is broken. Well...unless you count my now demolished sandwich.

 

LORELAI: Really you didn’t order flatbread? ...Seriously...I’m so sorry. I can replace that.

 

BEN: That won’t be necessary.

 

LORELAI: Well...okay.

 

BEN: Just promise me you’ll use your hand signals next time. It might save lives.

 

Lorelai can’t help but smile at Ben’s humor.

 

LORELAI: I will take that warning and run with it. Cross my heart.

 

BEN: That’s good enough for me.

 

LORELAI: Okay...well. I guess I’ll see you later.

 

BEN: One last thing...

 

LORELAI: What?

 

BEN: Are you okay?

 

LORELAI: Am I okay? Talk about your loaded questions.

 

BEN: Well?

 

LORELAI: I’m going to have to go with “I’ve had better days.”

 

BEN: That’s what I thought...so...for what’s it worth...I’m a great listener.

 

LORELAI: Actually you’re an amazing listener...but this is my problem. I don’t want to burden you.

 

BEN: Tell you what. You come up to my room, we’ll sit down and talk...I start to feel burdened...I’ll let you know.

 

LORELAI: You don’t have to do this Ben.

 

BEN: I know...I want to.

 

LORELAI: You are...a sweetheart.

 

INT: PARIS’ HOUSE-DAY

 

Paris arrives downstairs to see Jess standing there.

 

PARIS: Good. You’re here.

 

JESS: Your message made it sound urgent. So...what’s up?

 

PARIS: I think I need to tell you something.

 

JESS: You think? Paris...what’s going on?

 

PARIS: It’s about something in my past.

 

JESS: Whoa...wait a minute. I thought we agreed...our pasts are our pasts.

 

PARIS: Yes. We did. But...

 

JESS: No...no buts. Whatever is weighing you down...deal. This confessional is closed.

 

PARIS: But...if this comes out...

 

JESS: Look did you murder someone?

 

PARIS: No. Of course not.

 

JESS: Rob a bank?

 

PARIS: That’s ridiculous.

 

JESS: Sleep with your mom’s boy-toy?

 

PARIS: Revolting.

 

JESS: Then I’m not interested.

 

PARIS: I think this is important enough for you to know.

 

Jess puts his hands over his ears.

 

JESS: This is me...not listening.

 

PARIS: Fine. If that’s your final decision. Then I guess I’m done.

 

JESS: Perfect. Cause my stomach is telling me it’s lunch time.

 

PARIS: I guess I could eat too.

 

JESS: Then let’s go...My treat...I’m feeling generous.

 

INT: BEN’S ROOM-LATE DAY

 

BEN: You know you could be reading into what you heard.

 

LORELAI: I was a sixteen year old having sex...I know what a sixteen year old having sex acts like. They’re doing it...believe me.

 

BEN: Maybe you should try talking to her about it.

 

LORELAI: And say what? I can’t condone it...so I’d have to veto it and she’s not big on that veto thing. Let’s face it...he’s taken control and I am his puppet.

 

BEN: You make him sound sinister.

 

LORELAI: He’s sleeping with my daughter. That my friend is evil to a mother...pure evil. You’ll understand when Ethan takes that step.

 

BEN: He already has.

 

LORELAI: What?

 

BEN: I mean...I don’t have solid proof or anything...but it’s like looking in a mirror sometimes and lord knows I wasn’t holding back at his age.

 

LORELAI: How come sex didn’t seem so complicated when we were teenagers?

 

BEN: Because we were teenagers and it was our parents’ job to worry about what we might or might not be doing.

 

LORELAI: My how the tables have turned. Emily would be laughing her ass off at my situation. Thank God she doesn’t know.

 

EXT: TRISTAN’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Walking up to the front door Rory takes a note off of it opens it and reads the message...”Come upstairs.”

 

RORY: What are you up to Tristan?

 

Rory walks cautiously into the house where she sees a trail of roses...on the banister is a note that says...follow the trail. One by one Rory picks up the roses as she heads up the stairs. As she reaches the last rose she sees a note on a door that tells her to “come inside for her present”...entering she looks around  and sees a box with a letter folded on  top that says “Make yourself more comfortable” ...opening the box Rory sees a beautiful pale yellow lingerie set. Intrigued she does as she’s been instructed and don’s the beautiful lingerie, tying the silk robe around her she reaches for the envelope addressed to her that is sitting on the sink, and with trembling anticipation opens it...it states simply...”Meet me in my room”

 

With every nerve in her body tingling Rory walks towards Tristan’s room and slowly opens the door.

 

As she peeks inside she is floored....the entire room is covered in rose petals and candles...the aromatic sent filling the air.

 

Cautious she walks inside...a hint of apprehension filling her wondering what comes next. Behind her the door slowly closes causing her to turn around.

 

Standing inches away from her is Tristan...who has also taken the “make yourself comfortable” to heart and is wearing only boxer briefs. Rory can’t help but catch her breath at how being in his presence makes her feel...all her senses alive and on edge.

 

TRISTAN: I thought you’d never get here.

 

Rory walks quietly and purposefully into Tristan’s arms...bringing his lips to meet hers in a slow, sensuous kiss. More than willing Tristan reciprocates the kiss...but his mission is far from over and he reluctantly pulls away from her.

 

Tristan slowly pulls back the robe so he can see Rory in the lingerie he picked out.

 

TRISTAN: You look pretty amazing in this.

 

RORY: Thanks. My boyfriend bought it for me.

 

TRISTAN: Remind me to thank him later. And to tell him he has excellent taste.

 

Tristan takes Rory’s hand in his.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Follow me.

 

RORY: Anywhere.

 

Slowly Tristan covers Rory’s eyes and escorts her to the destination. As he slowly unveils her eyes she can’t believe what she’s witnessing...they are in the bathroom of his room and it is even more done up and romantic than the bedroom. The steaming Jacuzzi tub filled and petals of flowers floating on top.

 

RORY: You did all this for me?

 

TRISTAN: I did.

 

RORY: This is amazing.

 

TRISTAN: Believe me...we haven’t even gotten to the amazing part yet. My less than honorable intentions are to divest you of the small amount of clothing you are wearing so that I can take you on this soft and very comfortable rug beneath your feet...after which I plan to carry you satisfied and spent into the already prepared Jacuzzi tub, where I’m pretty sure I will still be unable to keep my hands off of you.

 

Rory can feel her skin turning bright red at Tristan’s boldness but loving it all the same.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) Any objections?

 

RORY: None come to mind.

 

TRISTAN: I didn’t think so.

 

Pulling Rory into his arms Tristan begins kissing her....feeling her body sink into his as he gingerly slips first one strap then the other off her shoulders, his objective for the evening to bring her nothing but pleasure.