Story summary: It has been over three weeks since Presley and her family returned to Hartford and up to this point Tristan has been successful in his attempts to  for the most part avoid her , but as he sits on the bed, phone in hand dialing a number he realizes that his luck may have just run out.

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

Rory and Lane are sitting on the floor in her room, the music playing at a slightly louder than normal level when Rory’s cell phone starts ringing, still laughing at something Lane said she picks it up and looks at the number on it and immediately answers it.

RORY/ TRISTAN: INTERCUT

RORY: It’s about time you called. I was beginning to think you forgot about me.

TRISTAN: Nope just got in a huge fight with my sad excuse for a father.

RORY: Are you okay?

TRISTAN: Ok? Yeah...I guess. I just have no life that he isn’t engineering for me.

RORY: I don’t understand.

TRISTAN: Short version...I can’t go out with you tonight.

RORY: Why not?

TRISTAN: Family obligation.

RORY: Please tell me that you’re kidding.  

TRISTAN: You know my dad Rory...he gets what he wants, were golden....I cross him and he messes with me.

RORY: Since when do you care if you and your dad are on good terms?

TRISTAN: That would be your fault...before you I didn’t care what my dad took away from me. Now I have something to lose and he knows it.

RORY: That’s both sweet and bittersweet at the same time.

TRISTAN: Fraid so.

RORY: So then I guess we’ll just have to reschedule.

TRISTAN: If you’ll have me.

RORY: I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.

TRISTAN: I promise I’ll make it worth your time.

RORY: Well would you look at that I’m completely available whenever you need me.

TRISTAN: What do you say to an entire day tomorrow, just you and me? I’ll pick you up at 9am and we can go to that diner you love.

RORY: It’s a date.

TRISTAN: One I can promise you I will keep.

RORY: You better. It’s not pretty standing up a Gilmore girl.

TRISTAN: Not my idea, believe me. Night babe.

RORY: Night.

Rory hangs up the phone a smile on her face.

LANE: Okay...could the two of you be any cuter?

RORY: Sorry.

LANE: Don’t be...I envy you and the perfect boyfriend that you’ve manage to snag.

INT: DUGREY’S HOUSE-NIGHT

As Tristan hangs up the phone his friend Gib comes over and stands in front of him.

GIB: Okay are you nuts? You just lied to Rory.

TRISTAN: It wasn’t an outright lie, a sin of omission maybe. My dad wants me to mend fences with Presley; this party seemed like a safe opportunity to do just that.

GIB: And yet the word party or Presley never crossed your lips...family obligation was it?

TRISTAN: I just didn’t want to fight with Rory okay? I’ll more than make it up to her tomorrow.

GIB : I’m telling you man if Dani found out I went to a party at an ex’s house without her knowing, she’d skin me alive...do yourself a favor call Rory back and come clean while you can.

TRISTAN: I don’t’ think that’s such a great idea we haven’t been able to have a normal conversation regarding Presley since she and her family returned to Hartford.  

GIB: Common sense should tell you then that this party is going to blow up in your face Einstein. Rory will find out.

TRISTAN: I’ll cross that bridge when I get there right now I have to do what my dad wants or I can kiss having any time with Rory goodbye.

GIB: Rock and hard place my friend, rock and hard place. I don’t envy you.

TRISTAN: Good so you’ve said your piece and we can go?

GIB: One last thing...

TRISTAN: Here it comes.

GIB: Rory would understand, so why aren’t you giving her the opportunity to prove me right?

TRISTAN: I told you, she doesn’t like Presley.

GIB: And what about you?

TRISTAN: Me?

GIB: Yeah, just between you and me...how do you feel about Presley?

TRISTAN: You’re way off base man this isn’t about Presley. It’s about me and Rory and preserving a really great thing.

GIB: If you say so.

TRISTAN: Cool it dude. I don’t like where you’re headed with this.

GIB : Okay...I’m out of it.

TRISTAN: I don’t have any feelings for Presley....we’re just friends.

GIB: So then why not invite Rory to come along tonight?

TRISTAN: I get where you’re heading with this...you think I didn’t invite Rory so I’d be able to talk to Presley?

GIB: The thought did cross my mind.

TRISTAN: I didn’t invite Rory because she and Presley don’t get along, end of speculation.

GIB: We’ll go with that for now, besides we need to get going... I still have to pick up Dani.

TRISTAN: Yeah...lets’ go.

INT: GILMORE HOUSE-NIGHT

LANE: Friday night and were dateless, it’s almost like old times. Pre Dean that is. You’ve pretty much been on a boy roller coaster since then.

RORY: We may be dateless but were not plan less.

LANE: Do tell.

RORY: Feel like a party?

LANE: I’m not familiar with the term, sheltered existence and all. Could you clarify for me?

RORY: Very funny, do you want to go or not? Paris called me this afternoon begging me to go with her. It’s an option.

LANE: Can you loan me something a little less dumpy to wear?

RORY: I absolutely can.

LANE: Then I’m in.

RORY: I’ll just give Paris a quick call and let her know.

LANE: Sounds good.  

INT: PRESLEY’S HOUSE- NIGHT

The majority of the Chilton gang that Tristan hangs with is huddled around the kitchen table having obviously been at a game of quarters for quite a while.

Tristan enters the kitchen beer in hand and is quickly pulled into the game by an inebriated Louise.

LOUISE: Hot guy in the room, shove over and give him a chair.

No one at the table moves an inch.

LOUISE: Looks like we might have to share.

JEREMY: You’re sharing with me and threes a crowd.

Jeremy pulls Louise down onto the chair sitting her in between his legs. A quick glance around the table and Tristan quickly acknowledges that all but one person is already sharing a chair...Presley.

TRISTAN: It’s cool. I can come back later.

Presley quickly downs the tequila shot that was set before her a quarter having been successfully landed in it.

PRESLEY: I won’t bite if that’s what you’re worried about.

Tristan looks directly at her reading the challenge in her eyes, confidentially he strides over and straddles the chair to sit behind her.

TRISTAN: I’m in.

Louise lets out a giggle of pleasure.

LOUISE: Let’s get this party started!

Sitting so closely behind Presley, Tristan begins to instantly regret his decision to meet her challenge, the sweet smell of her scented soap wafting into his senses, she smelled so damn good and he was fighting an unbelievable urge to mold her closer to him. He never hated himself more than in that minute. This was old school Tristan and he was headed for trouble he could feel it.

JEREMY: You’re turn dude, drink up.

Jeremy hands Tristan the shot glass and he downs it in one gulp.

Taking another shot Jeremy again successfully landed the quarter and handed it over to Tristan.

TRISTAN: You trying to get me drunk?

JEREMY: Just trying to catch you up pussy. What’s the matter been away from the party circuit so long you forget how to hold your liquor?

TRISTAN:  Just shoot the damn quarter.

Jeremy smirks as he plunks quarter after quarter in the glass each and every time handing it over to Tristan.

JEREMY: Had enough?

TRISTAN: Bring it on dude.

Finally Jeremy misses the mark and has to hand the quarter over to Louise.

EXT: PRESLEY’S HOUSE-NIGHT

Rory, Paris and Lane are sitting in Rory’s car outside.

PARIS: Okay, before we go in there, there is something you should probably, no there is definitely something you should know.

RORY: Finally an explanation as to why you dumped Jess to date Anders.

PARIS: Hey Jess is the one who wanted no strings, I’m simply complying...but no that’s not it. It’s about the party.

RORY: Okay.

PARIS: I didn’t completely tell you the whole truth about it.

RORY: You didn’t?

PARIS: Only because I was pretty sure you wouldn’t come if I did.

RORY: Why am I suddenly scared?

PARIS: The house we’re about to enter is Presley’s.

RORY: I’m sorry what?!

LANE: Presley, Tristan’s ex girlfriend Presley? That one?

PARIS: No the king of rock and roll...of course that one.

RORY: Why would you do this to me?

PARIS: I needed you here to help me out if I go off the deep end and start boring Anders to death. You’re the experienced one. Guys love you.

RORY: You used me and you lied to me and you still expect me to help you?

PARIS: Yes.

RORY: I can’t do it Paris...I can’t go in there.

PARIS: Okay the way I see it you have two options, you can run away and keep avoiding her like a scared little girl or you can go in there face her, have a good time and show her that she doesn’t bother you, thus regaining some of the power.

RORY: I do like the way that sounds. What do you think Lane?

LANE: I hate to say it but Paris makes a lot of sense, you’ve built this girl up so much in your mind that she’s causing fights between you and Tristan. Maybe this is your opportunity to deal with it without having to worry about Tristan.

RORY: Another excellent point. Okay girls...were going in.

INT: PRESLEY’S KITCHEN-NIGHT

Both Tristan and Presley are pleasantly inebriated and laughing and having a good time his hands resting comfortably on her waist, his thumbs tucked into her waistband slowly moving back and forth taking in the warm feel and texture of her skin.

Sitting in front of him Presley is in heaven, never in a million years did she imagine her night turning out like this. At best she had hoped for an unstilted conversation, but now here she was nestled comfortably between Tristan’s legs with his hands lightly caressing her waist and even occasionally traveling a little to the hollow of her stomach. She was afraid to move, afraid to break whatever spell he was under that was causing him to behave so recklessly tonight. He did still have a girlfriend...didn’t he?

Seconds later Presley had her answer as Rory walked into the kitchen and shattered her perfect night.