Story summary: As the night winds down…new relationships have started and old ones are being tested.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. The characters belong to the writers and creators of the WB show “Gilmore Girls”

 

EXT: GRANDPARENT’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Rory is sitting in the gazebo in her grandparent’s rear yard. She has her head down and is deep in thought when a familiar voice breaks into her melancholy.

 

TRISTAN: Rory?

 

Rory recognizes the voice immediately and looks up to see Tristan.

 

RORY: Hi.

 

TRISTAN: Are you okay?

 

RORY: Considering the present state of my life…I’m guess I’m doing okay.

 

TRISTAN: Where’s Dean?

 

RORY: He had to leave. But I think he really just didn’t want to be here. Not unlike you.

 

Without thinking Tristan sits down next to Rory and his hand automatically goes to the hair that has fallen in her face…gingerly he brushes it back.

 

TRISTAN: Who said I didn’t want to be here?

 

RORY: I guess I just assumed you didn’t. I mean things between us aren’t exactly great.

 

TRISTAN: There not bad…they’re just…unsettled.

 

RORY: So…is that what’s been bothering you tonight?

 

TRISTAN: What makes you think something is bothering me?

 

RORY: I’m not trying to say I know you…or your moods…but you seemed...different tonight.

 

TRISTAN: I’ve just got some things going on in my life right now.

 

RORY: Do you want to talk about it?

 

The truth is that Tristan really needs someone to talk to about it and God bless Rory’s heart for wanting to be the one…but this is one problem in his life that he will do everything in his power to make sure Rory never finds out about.

 

TRISTAN: No…I’m good. 

 

Rory instantly picks up on Tristan’s quick shut down on the subject of what’s bothering him and she is surprised to realize that she doesn’t like doors being closed to her where Tristan is concerned.

 

TRISTAN: (cont.) So…hey. Congratulations on the award. Next stop New York Times.

 

RORY: I wouldn’t pack my bags just yet…But thanks.

 

TRISTAN: It must be nice to have figured out so early on what you’re good at.

 

RORY: Sometimes. But other times it’s more of a burden. Like when I realize how many people are counting on me to really *be something.* Having people live vicariously through you can be exhausting at times.

 

TRISTAN: It has to be better than being expected to be something I will never have the drive or ambition to be.

 

RORY: What do you mean?

 

TRISTAN: Well for starters being rich guarantees I will be accepted to an Ivy League school that I will have to bust my ass off to just get by in.

 

RORY: Every grade I’ve seen you get in school has been good…the problem is your inability to actually make class really screws with the grade point average.

 

TRISTAN: My point is…it will never be my choice where I go to college or even if I do. It’s already been decided for me.

 

RORY: You make it sound like a bad thing. College is what’s going to guarantee you a lucrative future Tristan. You should be thankful that your way is free and clear for you. Me...I’ll be the girl working in the cafeteria just to squeak out my college tuition each semester.

 

TRISTAN: So I guess I should stop this “poor me” routine then?

 

RORY: Please.

 

TRISTAN: I should probably be going anyway.

 

Tristan starts to get up from beside Rory and without thinking Rory reaches out her hand to stop him.

 

RORY: Tristan…

 

TRISTAN: What?

 

RORY: About the other night…

 

TRISTAN: Its okay Rory…I know what you’re going to say and it’s not necessary. I’ve decided to respect your decision to stay with Dean.

 

RORY: You have?

 

TRISTAN: Yeah. I mean why keep beating my head against an immovable object. I just want to say though…Dean is truly a lucky guy.

 

RORY: Actually…I wanted to say that when you left…I wanted to go after you.

 

TRISTAN: Then why didn’t you?

 

RORY: Because going after you would have sent the wrong message. And as much as I wanted to tell you what you needed to hear that night…I just couldn’t.

 

TRISTAN: Why?

 

RORY: Tristan…when I say those words to you…I’m going to mean them. And I’m going to be able to say them with a clear conscious…not looking over my shoulder to see who might possibly overhear.

 

TRISTAN: Are you saying you still want to be with me?

 

RORY: When the time is right…yes.

 

What should have been a beautiful moment in Rory’s eyes becomes completely twisted in Tristan’s mind. Instead of seeing this as a proclamation of Rory’s desire to overcome the obstacles in their path…he sees it in a much different light.

 

TRISTAN: My interpretation may be a little jaded here but it sounds to me like you expect me to be happy that you might *someday* deem to enter my life again.

 

RORY: That’s not what I said.

 

TRISTAN: Newsflash for you Rory…this is not all about you. I’m not your lap dog. I don’t need your little morsels of affection to keep me in my place. I’m tired of you calling all the shots.

 

RORY: Calling all the shots? What are you talking about?

 

TRISTAN: From day one it’s been me following you…chasing you…persuading you. I’m done. Every time you walk away from me...I make errors in my life that are not always forgivable or fixable. I wanted a relationship with you Rory. I wasn’t playing a game. But this back and forth crap…It has to stop. It’s like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. You told me once we don’t fit…maybe you were right.

 

Rory cannot believe Tristan’s sudden change and she is more than a little frightened that he might just be telling her the truth…he’s done. As Tristan continues to look into Rory’s eyes Rory brings his head down to hers and plants one on him. Tristan expecting Rory to walk away is completely thrown by this and lets down his defenses. As Rory continues to deepen the kiss the warmth from her body and lips begin to penetrate first his body and then his soul. He hates how Rory gets to him…but he loves how being with her makes everything seem better.

 

EXT: GRANDPARENT’S HOUSE-NIGHT

 

Jess and Paris are in the front of the house.  Jess is leaning up against Luke’s truck and Paris is directly in front of him.

 

JESS: So I guess this is the part where I say I had a good time.

 

PARIS: Right. And then you ask for my number, say you’ll call me soon, a sure guarantee I’ll never hear from you again.

 

JESS: So young…and jaded. Some guy must have really done a number on you.

 

PARIS: Something like that.

 

JESS: Well how’s this for a compromise...I won’t call you soon…I’ll see you soon. And after the dance if you decide you want to trust me with your number we can go from there.

 

PARIS: Deal.

 

JESS: It’s settled then. Thank you Paris, for an interesting evening.

 

Still uncertain how to react Paris puts her hand out to shake and Jess takes it. He gives her a firm handshake than uses his other hand to pull her close in a searing kiss. Paris starts to become heady with passion. Jess has obviously mastered the art of making a woman swoon. As the kissing grows deeper and more passionate Paris could swear that her knees are going to give out. Slowly Jess lightens the pressure and finishes the kiss with the softest of butterfly touches. At this point Paris is nearly speechless.

 

JESS: (cont.) Any last parting words for me?

 

Paris remains silent…afraid anything she might utter would come out unintelligible and for all his open candor Paris can sense that Jess is going to be a tough sell and a girl who falls too willingly he might just find too boring.

 

JESS: (cont.) Well then I’m off.

 

Jess gets into the drivers side of the truck and starts the car. Paris is still standing there immobile.

 

Paris smiles slightly as Jess waves goodbye puts the truck into gear and drives away.

 

Meanwhile in the back yard gazebo Rory and Tristan are still in the midst of a very heated kiss. Suddenly, without warning, Tristan extracts himself from Rory and the kiss. Rory looks at him her eyes still brimming with passion and her well kissed lips still yearning to touch his.

 

TRISTAN: What are we doing?

 

RORY: I thought that was fairly obvious.

 

TRISTAN: But why? Has anything changed for you?

 

RORY: Tristan…

 

TRISTAN: No Rory…answer me. Have you left Dean?

 

RORY: No…but…

 

TRISTAN: Then don’t…don’t do this. Don’t ask me to pretend things are better when they’re not. It just leads to disappointment and it’s beginning to make me bitter. I don’t want to be coddled and cajoled into waiting for you until you finally make room in your life for me.

 

RORY: If you truly loved me Tristan, you would try and understand how difficult things are for me right now.

 

TRISTAN: You did not just say that. God…when did you become such a selfish witch.

 

RORY: Me…selfish?! Selfish is expecting someone to sacrifice everyone in their life for your happiness. You don’t give a damn that I have ties to these people, or that I struggle everyday with how the truth about you and me would affect them.

 

TRISTAN: The only one suffering here is me. Dean is blissfully unaware. And you…you just go on with you life like usual. I wake up everyday and remember what I’ve lost.

 

RORY: And you think I don’t? You have no way of knowing how my day really progresses. You’re not there.

 

TRISTAN: And whose fault is that?

 

RORY: Is that what you want?  You want me to take the blame our problems? Will that make you feel better?

 

TRISTAN: No. I just want you to feel even half the pain I do. Heartache is a bitch Rory. It eats you up…consumes your life…until you break free and let go.

 

RORY: This is insane. I’m not asking you to let go Tristan. Just to have a little patience. Can’t you give me a chance to end things with Dean my way?

 

TRISTAN: That speech is old and worn Rory. The truth is…for whatever reason you *can’t* let go of Dean. I don’t know…maybe you do love him and that’s what’s holding you back.

 

RORY: You can’t honestly believe that. I can assure you…I don’t love Dean. But Tristan…he’s my friend. And that means something to me.

 

TRISTAN: Do you honestly believe that when he finds out about you and me he is still going to want to be your friend?

 

RORY: I’m not going to tell him about us. I don’t think he needs to know why I’m leaving him…just that I am.

 

TRISTAN: What?! Rory the guy is not stupid…unless…Jesus…you’re planning on keeping our relationship a secret after you dump him. That’s it…isn’t it?

 

RORY: It’s the best way I can think of limiting the fall out of hurt feelings.

 

TRISTAN: Well cross it off the list…that is not even an option. I want to be with you Rory…but not under those circumstances.

 

RORY: I did it for you.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…and it was a disaster. Rory what kind of relationship do you imagine you and I having if we have to keep sneaking around?

 

RORY: It would just be a temporary arrangement.

 

TRISTAN: Forget it! I won’t do it! I have spent way too much time chasing the wrong girls because I didn’t want a commitment. I finally find a girl who makes me want to change and do the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing and you ask me to go back to my old deceptive behavior. I should have just played you and moved on.

 

Rory is appalled by Tristan attitude.

 

RORY: Yeah…maybe you should have. Because right now…I’m remembering exactly why I avoided you in the first place.

 

TRISTAN: Oh really…why is that?

 

RORY: Because it’s all about what makes you happy! Everyone else be damned.

 

TRISTAN: That’s rich. I’ve done nothing but curb my player ways for you. I don’t have to be alone you know. There are plenty of girls who would love to be right where you are now.

 

RORY: Then be my guest. Go find them. Don’t let me stop you. If you can have any girl you want there’s no reason to wait around for pathetic little me…screw them all. Get an orgy together and make up for lost time.

 

TRISTAN: You’re impossible.

 

RORY: Just another reason to run away then.

 

TRISTAN: I can’t deal with you when you’re being like this.

 

Tristan turns to walk away and only turns back when Rory starts lashing out again.

 

RORY: Then don’t. Leave…there’s not many options left at the party…but hey I think Paris is around here somewhere. She’s probably the only other person with enough common sense not to have slept with you yet. Go see if you can conquer her.

 

In that moment Tristan realizes just how spot on Rory is about him. The trail of broken hearts he has left in his wake come back to haunt him as he walks away from his one true love…sensing he has been nothing but a disappointment to her. He knows now that if Rory ever learns about his slip up with Paris that his fate will be sealed…he will lose her forever and for better or worse…he belongs with her.  

 

As Tristan enters back into the house he sees Paris sitting at the kitchen table with Emily.

 

TRISTAN: Are you ready to go Paris?

 

EMILY: We were just having a lovely conversation Tristan. Why don’t you sit down and have a beverage with us?

 

TRISTAN: I really need to go. My father said his driver would pick me up at 9:30 pm and it’s almost 10:00 pm. But thank you.

 

EMILY: Please be sure to tell your Grandfather that Richard and I said hello.

 

TRISTAN: I will definitely do that. Thank you for the invitation Mrs. Gilmore. Paris I think we should get going.

 

Paris gets up from the table.

 

PARIS: It was a lovely party Emily. Thank you.

 

EMILY: It was a pleasure seeing you again Paris.

 

Tristan takes Paris arm and gentle starts to guide her away from the table…obviously in a hurry to leave.

 

PARIS: What’s the hurry?

 

TRISTAN: I just really need to get out of here.

 

Paris and Tristan walk outside to where the driver is waiting for Tristan. Tristan opens Paris’ door and then goes around to the other side and gets in.

 

Fernando starts the car before turning around.

 

FERNANDO: Where to Master Tristan?

 

TRISTAN: We’ll be taking Ms. Gellar home first. Do you need an address?

 

FERNANDO: No need. Your father and mother have dined with the Gellar’s quite frequently.

 

TRISTAN: Fine. Please put up the privacy glass before leaving.

 

FERNANDO: Yes sir.

 

As the privacy glass goes up, Tristan leans back against the seat.

 

TRISTAN: That was a hell of a night.

 

PARIS: Yeah…I saw you and Rory out by the gazebo. From the looks of things they weren’t going too well.

 

TRISTAN: Not one of my top ten moments. She really can try a guy’s patience.

 

PARIS: I’m sure it’s part of her charm.

 

TRISTAN: Sometimes I wish I could figure out what exactly it is that she has…so I could figure a way to *not* need it in my life.  

 

PARIS: Passion is an important part of life Tristan…and you and Rory have it in spades.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…maybe…so who’s the new guy?

 

PARIS: He’s Rory’s friend…his name is Jess.

 

TRISTAN: The two of you looked like you were hitting it off.

 

PARIS: Looks can be deceiving.

 

TRISTAN: So no sparks?

 

PARIS: I didn’t say that. I just don’t want to read something into it and then later find out it was a big, fat nothing to him.

 

TRISTAN: That’s wise…look before you leap.

 

PARIS: Tristan…while I appreciate the small talk, I don’t think it’s really why I’m here right now.

 

TRISTAN: Right. This is kind of awkward.

 

PARIS: And rightfully so…so whatever you have to say…just say it.

 

TRISTAN: Ok…here goes. I did a really crappy thing today…you are my friend and I completely took advantage of you.

 

PARIS: I didn’t stop you.

 

TRISTAN: Paris…you should have, especially considering the circumstances. I never would have let things progress so far if I had known…well if I had known that you were a virgin. I wish you would have told me.

 

PARIS: I assumed it was public knowledge…I mean Madeline and Louise are not exactly the most discreet people and I assume they know.

 

TRISTAN: Actually after last summer camp everyone assumed things had changed.

 

PARIS: You lost me. Why?

 

TRISTAN: Mainly because Sammy told us it had.

 

PARIS: Samuel Feinstein?

 

TRISTAN: Right. Next to last night of camp you and he took that long walk in the woods.

 

PARIS: And?

 

TRISTAN: And when he came back…he told everyone the two of you did it.

 

PARIS: What?! And you all believed him?

 

TRISTAN: There wasn’t really any reason not to. We all knew you were crazy about him.

 

PARIS: But you knew me Tristan. How could you believe it?

 

TRISTAN: This is going to sound stupid…but it was the summer of the three “M’s.

 

PARIS: The three “M’s?

 

TRISTAN: Macy, Melissa and Molly. I figured if I could have three girls in one summer, why couldn’t he have gotten at least one.

 

PARIS: That’s truly disgusting.

 

TRISTAN: But now you see why this revelation came as a big shock to me.

 

PARIS: Let’s face it Tristan the whole thing…big shock. I still don’t really understand how it all happened.

 

TRISTAN: Its lame I know…but this whole thing with Rory has just put me in this really strange place. So when I kissed you…okay I fully expected a slap in the face...so when you didn’t…well you know the story…you were there.

 

PARIS: I understand that we are both going to have a lot of guilt and regret to deal with over this Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: Yeah…I feel guilty…for a lot of reasons…But the biggest regret I have Paris is that I shouldn’t have been your first. You deserved a lot better than someone like me. And I hate myself for that.

 

PARIS: Well that’s not necessary…because truth be known…I‘ve had a crush on you for a really long time…and unrequited you were this great guy who kept breaking my heart. Now…I realize you have flaws just like everyone else. And it’s not that you’re a bad guy…but you’re definitely not the guy for me. I want a guy who loves me as much as you love Rory.

 

TRISTAN: Be careful what you wish for. Love may sound great…but I’m beginning to see that it takes a lot of work. So…friends?

 

PARIS: I’d like that. But you know we have another issue we need to address.

 

TRISTAN: What?

 

PARIS: We have to promise each other that no one will ever find out about what happened.

 

TRISTAN: I agree.

 

PARIS: Rory would never forgive us.

 

TRISTAN: Then it’s settled. It’s our secret.

 

The driver pulls up in front of Paris’ house and stops.

 

PARIS: Thanks for the ride home.

 

TRISTAN: Don’t mention it.

 

PARIS: You know…you just need to hang in there. Rory won’t be unreachable forever.

 

TRISTAN: Thanks…I’m trying my best…but the loneliness can be pretty depressing at times.

 

PARIS: Just try not to do anything stupid…well anything else.

 

TRISTAN: Bye Paris.

 

Paris gets out of the car and heads towards her front door. The driver brings down the privacy window.

 

FERNANDO: Shall we head home now?

 

TRISTAN: Actually…do you know where Star’s Hollow is?

 

Fernando nods his acknowledgement and turns the car around to head towards Stars Hollow. Tristan sits back with his hands behind his head. Not really sure what he’s going to say when he gets there, he just knows he needs to see Rory and to fix things with her. He wants her back in his arms and in his life. He’s tired of waiting for her to come to him, so he’s going to her, to show her the only way things will be right is if they are together.