Story summary: Confrontation and disappointment take center stage at the dance…hearts are breaking and lives are starting to change.

 

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

 

 

INT: DANCE-NIGHT

 

Lorelai is sitting at a table with her head in her hands when Sookie, Jackson and Ethan come walking up to her.

 

SOOKIE: Sweetie? Is everything okay?

 

At the sound of Sookie’s voice Lorelai immediately jumps up and hugs her.

 

LORELAI: Oh Sook…thank God. You’re like this breath of sane air.

 

SOOKIE: Ooo…kay. Did I miss something? Do you need to talk?

 

For the first time Lorelai notices Jackson and Ethan.

 

LORELAI: This is a bad time…you have Jackson here with you and…Jackson’s nephew?

 

JACKSON: Guess again.

 

LORELAI: Cousin?

 

JACKSON: Not even close…is she Sookie.

 

SOOKIE: Okay…hon…not helping. Why don’t you and Ethan take a small walk and I’ll be right there.

 

Jackson leans over towards Sookie and mutters under his breath.

 

JACKSON: I don’t want to.

 

SOOKIE: Jackson…please.

 

JACKSON: He’s not my illegitimate son.

 

LORELAI: Come again?

 

Sookie and Jackson are literally ignoring both Lorelai and Ethan.

 

SOOKIE: I’m just asking for a tiny, tiny favor. Now walk.

 

Jackson still annoyed turns around to Ethan.

 

JACKSON: Are you coming or not?

 

ETHAN: I don’t really feel like a walk.

 

JACKSON: It’s best not to fight this…believe me.

 

Ethan and Jackson walk off as Sookie and Lorelai take a seat at the table.

 

LORELAI: Care to tell me what’s going on?

 

SOOKIE: You’d never believe it.

 

LORELAI: No argument there…but still...can’t fight the interest.

 

SOOKIE: And when I get it figured out…you’ll be the first…I promise.

 

LORELAI: Before Jackson?

 

SOOKIE: Okay the second…So anyway…back to you…why the head in the hands maneuver?

 

LORELAI: In a short pharaphrased version…Dean now knows about Tristan… And Rory still doesn’t know that Dean knows.

 

SOOKIE: Oh…Lor…you should have told her.

 

LORELAI: Yeah…well aware that would have been the better route to take…but lets get back to the reality of where I didn’t tell her.

 

SOOKIE: Sorry…what happened?

 

LORELAI: Nothing yet…but it’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop. Rory went to meet Tristan somewhere and I tried to run interference…but I couldn’t.

 

SOOKIE: What do you mean?

 

LORELAI: Sook…he looked at me with those big, pathetic looking, puppy dog eyes…what was I suppose to do?

 

SOOKIE: What did you do Lorelai?

 

FLASHBACK: Dean and Lorelai are sitting at the table…as Rory heads towards the bathroom.

 

LORELAI: So how are you doing Dean?

 

DEAN: I *was* doing fine.

 

LORELAI: You don’t think your slightly overcompensating tonight?

 

DEAN: Look Lorelai…I appreciate the concern…I do. But this may very well be the last chance I have to show Rory what she means to me…what would you do?

 

Lorelai hesitates as Dean’s words sink in.

 

LORELAI: I don’t know.

 

DEAN: Yes you do…be honest.

 

LORELAI: Dean…

 

DEAN: You’d fight for someone you loved…you know it and I know it. That’s all I want to do.

 

LORELAI: Dean…sometimes…we have to concede…know when *not* to fight.

 

DEAN: What are you saying?

 

LORELAI: Nothing…just that…

 

Dean cuts Lorelai off mid sentence

 

DEAN: You’re trying to tell me it’s too late…that he’s already won.

 

LORELAI: Dean this isn’t for me to say…I’m not Rory.

 

DEAN: Right…you’re not. Which is why I need to find Rory. So if you’ll excuse me.

 

Dean starts to get up and Lorelai stops him by placing her hand on his arm.

 

LORELAI: I don’t think that’s such a good idea Dean.

 

DEAN: Why not?

 

LORELAI: She’ll be back in a minute…lets just wait for her here.

 

Instantly if dawns on Dean what is going on.

 

DEAN: She’s with him right now.

 

LORELAI: I’m not sure.

 

DEAN: Jesus…and you sent her there. I thought you were on my side…not his. 

 

LORELAI: I’m not on anybody’s side Dean. That’s not what this is about.

 

DEAN: Then tell me the truth Lorelai…where did she go?

 

Lorelai remains silent…afraid to open her mouth anymore.

 

DEAN: Doesn’t matter…I’ll find them.

 

Dean storms away from the table and towards the restroom.

 

FLASHFORWARD: Sookie and Lorelai are sitting at the table.

 

SOOKIE: Did you try and stop him?

 

LORELAI: No…and please don’t tell me I should have. I’ve been fighting this thing for Rory for far too long. It’s time for her to face some of the music.

 

SOOKIE: You sent Christopher.

 

LORELAI: Yes. God…I’m a horrible person Sookie. For all I know Dean has beaten Tristan to a pulp.

 

SOOKIE: Dean’s not a bad guy Lorelai…he would never really hurt anyone.

 

LORELAI: He almost broke Jess’s nose.

 

SOOKIE: Oh right…there is that.

 

Dean comes walking back into the hall and walks over to Lorelai and Sookie.

 

LORELAI: Are you okay?

 

DEAN: I’ve had better days.

 

LORELAI: Did you get a chance to talk to Rory?

 

DEAN: She was uh…she was busy.

 

LORELAI: Dean…for what it’s worth…I’m really sorry.

 

DEAN: Yeah…me too.

 

As Dean is talking to Lorelai, Rory comes walking back up to the table and sits down.

 

The entire table is silent…not sure what to say.

 

RORY: Did I miss something?

 

LORELAI: No…Sookie and I were just leaving. Come on Sook.

 

Lorelai and Sookie hurridedly leave the table, leaving Dean and Rory alone.

 

RORY: Is it just me…or…was that a mighty quick exit?

 

A slow song comes on and Dean looks over at Rory.

 

DEAN: I think we should dance.

 

RORY: You do?

 

DEAN: Yeah…I do.

 

Rory looks towards the dance floor and sees Tristan and Vicky dancing.

 

RORY: Okay.

 

Dean stands up and puts his hand out for Rory to take. Rory does and he pulls her close to him as they walk out to the dance floor. As the music continues Dean pulls Rory into the dance and they start swaying to the music.

 

It’s a silent dance…almost unbearable until Dean finally speaks. Or rather whispers faintly into Rory’s ear.

 

DEAN: Have I been a bad boyfriend?

 

Rory is taken aback by Dean’s comment, but answers immediately.

 

RORY: No…of course not.

 

DEAN: So then…in general you would say I’ve been a good boyfriend?

 

RORY: Yes…absolutely. Dean what’s going on?

 

Dean pulls away from Rory so he can look into her eyes just as the music stops.

 

Paris has gone up on stage to announce the winners of the King and Queen of Hearts for the Valentines dance.

 

Jess does a low wolf whistle

 

JESS: Wooo…!

 

Paris blushes at Jess’s outburst and then smiles. Happier then she’s been in a long time.

 

PARIS: Okay…I think it’s time we got down to the real business at hand here. Tonight’s announcement of King and Queen of Hearts.

 

Brad comes onto stage and hands Paris the envelope, his hands are shaking like a leaf.

 

Paris takes the envelope and proceeds to open it.

 

PARIS: Without further ado…

 

Rory is becoming increasingly aware that something is really wrong with Dean and she ignores the stage hoopla to talk to him.

 

RORY: Did you want to go somewhere and talk?

 

Dean just stands silently with his arm around Rory…afraid to speak…for fear his heart will break right there.

 

PARIS: King of Hearts for Chilton’s 2002 Valentines Dance is…Tristan DuGrey.

 

Vicky jumps up and down excitedly…

 

VICKY: (kissing him full on the lips) You’re the king!

 

Tristan’s gaze immediately seeks out Rory, but she has missed the whole exchange because she is focused on Dean and his strange behavior.

 

Tristan walks up on stage and Paris puts the king’s crown on his head.

 

PARIS: Congratulations Tristan.

 

TRISTAN: Thank you Paris.

 

The crowd goes wild clapping for Tristan and Rory finally realizes what has happened. She looks towards Tristan and smiles…which doesn’t go unnoticed by Dean.

 

PARIS: And now…no King would be complete without his queen…Brad the envelope.

 

Brad reluctantly walks out again, hands still shaking and hands Paris the envelope.

 

Paris opens the envelope and steps closer to the mic.

 

PARIS: The Queen of Hearts for Chilton’s 2002 Valentines Dance is…Rory Gilmore!

 

Rory is completely stunned as the spotlight flashes by looking for her…Dean reaches down and pulls her close in a congratulatory hug.

 

PARIS: Come on up here Rory…and be with your King.

 

As Rory looks at Dean, he leans down kisses her cheek and whispers ever so slightly in her ear.

 

DEAN: I know…

 

Confused Rory pulls back a little to look at Dean.

 

RORY:  Know what?

 

DEAN: I know you’ve been with Tristan behind my back.

 

Completely floored by Dean’s confession Rory doesn’t get the chance to react as people begin moving her towards the stage…towards Tristan.