A/N: This idea came to me today and in an hour, I have the whole story planned out! I'm quite excited about it since it involves all the guys we love (or not) from the show and their relationship with Rory. I hope you guys will be too. It is AU considering that the characters don't know each other beforehand unless revealed in the story. Why that is, you will find out as they interact with each other. Also, the guys' ages and background might be different from the show to provide a variety. Embark on this journey with Rory and find out who she chooses at the end! Enjoy!
The Proposal Card
Welcome to The Proposal Card, a reality dating show that leads to love, romance and, potentially, a proposal at the end of it all. Our bachelorette this time is a twenty-seven year old journalist living in New York City. She's looking for someone special, someone who will be her best friend, who can bring her security and comfort, but also adventure and passion. Someone who she can share her life with.
Rory Gilmore, the star of this season, was signed up by her childhood best friend, Lane Kim, to participate in this intense, fun and rewarding experience. Career-wise, she has many impressive accomplishments. Her prestige started early, being the top of her class in the preparatory school Chilton after transferring there in senior year. Then, she went on to purse a major in journalism at Harvard. Being an Ivy League graduate, she went on to travel around the country for two years as a reporter for the Barack Obama campaign. After the campaign, her luck continued, landing her a job at the New York Post. As it seems, she's got it all. However, she's missing that special someone in the love department.
When it came to dating, it hasn't been smooth-sailing for Rory. Because she's spent most of her time furthering her studies and career, she has only dated two men in her life, both of which didn't end well. Her first boyfriend was the valedictorian for her class at Harvard. Alike in their ambitious ways, he accepted a job offer in Chicago after they graduated and moved away, ending their relationship at the same time via a phone call. During her days on the road for the campaign, she found herself in her second relationship with a fellow reporter. Although she was attracted by his humor and charm, after a year, she found out that he was also seeing another employee on the tour behind her back. Having given up on love, Rory had been focusing on her career ever since.
Now, she's ready to get back in the game and, possibly, find the love of her life. Thanks to her friend Lane, she is given the chance to meet amazing guys around the country and develop mature relationships that could lead to a fulfilling marriage. Here, on The Proposal Card, Rory Gilmore will meet suitors, go on intimate dates where she gets to spend a whole day with a guy one-on-one, host mini-parties where she will interact with numerous guys in a group setting, and chat up the contestants at cocktail parties at the end of each week right before elimination. The rules are simple and will be further explained as the show goes on.
On the first day, Rory arrived at the mansion in L.A. where she will be staying during this process. She met 15 suitors ranging from the age of 25 to 32. During the first night's cocktail party, she chatted with each men and tested their chemistry (whether or not there was an instant connection). At the end of the night, she had to give out a love at first sight card to the man who she felt she had the best feeling about right off the bat. After some thought, Rory walked up to the twenty-seven year old man in a black suit, with dark hair and eyes and coyly asked him if he would accept the card. He immediately said yes and gave her a hug.
Fast forward 3 weeks, several intimate dates, mini and cocktail parties later, Rory has 8 suitors remaining. The suitors are all put into the same house just down the street from Rory's mansion. Hopefully, they can stand their differences, notice their similarities and get along. Let's briefly take a look at their backgrounds:
Doyle McMaster (29): At 5 feet 1, he comes in a small package but with a big heart. He has a well established career as the editor of The Washington Post and holds a bachelor's degree from Yale. From just a look, you wouldn't have guessed that he believes in love at first sight. He believes his unique personality and sense of humor can attract his soul mate and is ready to find out if Rory is the one to swell his 5 feet 1 love to 6 feet 4.
Dean Forester (30): Speaking of 6 feet 4, this next contestant is exactly it. Being the tallest (and most muscular) of the bunch, he is a real eye candy and any women's fantasy. Coming from a modest background, he entered the work force fresh out of high school where he moved out of the small town he grew up in (which just happens to be Rory's hometown) and moved to the Big Apple to find a job. Now, he works in construction and is considering furthering his studies to obtain an associate degree in management, thus pursuing a manager position in construction in the future. Having both come from the small town of Stars Hollows but never really talked to each other, will Dean and Rory spark fireworks now that they are given the opportunity to get to know each other?
Logan Huntzberger (29): His father is the most powerful figure in American journalism. His family is well-known for their status and surname. Having grown up in a strict, proper and, sometimes, suffocating family, Logan spent his early twenties rebelling against his father's wishes, which meant going on numerous dating sprees and refusing to participate in any activities that had anything to do with journalism at Yale. Now having experienced the free-spirited, womanizing life, he finds himself looking for something more. Almost 30, his friends are all settling down and having children while he is still alone. He realizes the importance and his hope for love. He is looking for someone who he can build a family of his own with. He wants someone who can bring out the responsible side of him while still having fun together.
Marty Wilcox (28): As a graduate of Columbia University with a full scholarship, he is an intellectual and geeky guy with handsome good looks with his dark wavy curls and puppy dog brown eyes. He has enjoyed movies and books that are beyond his age since he was young. He has been entirely focused on his studies up until now and surprisingly never had a girlfriend beyond the first date. Since, like Rory, he values academics and good movies and books, will their similarities bring them closer together?
Finn Sade (29): This Australian hunk is not your average guy. He is quirky, eccentric and always a gentleman when it comes to the ladies. Having been good friends with Logan since they met at Yale, they signed up for the show together to see the potentials of finding someone special. Before coming on the show, they vowed to not let anything come between their brotherhood. As both guys start to develop feelings for Rory, will their friendship be put to the test?
Jess Mariano (27): With his solemn good looks and dark charm, Jess' chiseled features can catch any girl's eye at first sight. However, he can be considered a tad shy and very reserved when it comes to meeting new people. Slow to warm up to others, he is a mysterious puzzle that has to be worked on to get to the full picture. As a novelist, Jess expresses himself in writing rather than spoken words. When it comes to conversations, he often uses humour as a defense mechanism. There are not many people who truly know him because of his enigmatic personality. Jess' mother, being a hopeless romantic and love enthusiast with her many ex husbands, signed him up to be on this show. She hopes that he will find a good girl who he can settle down with. Although Jess is here unwillingly, will he connect with Rory and finally open up?
Colin McCrae (29): Parties, drinks, and girls are always on his mind. To an outsider, Colin seems like your average party boy who only cares about the drinks in his hands, woman in his arms and what suit he's wearing. But, one thing you would be surprised to find out is that he's actually a hopeless romantic at heart, who is just too afraid to truly put himself out there. He even goes as far as writing poetry for the woman he pines after. Being friends with Logan and Finn, he was convinced to join them on this adventure. Determined to put away his insecurities, Colin is ready to show Rory his true, cheesy self, poetry and all. Will he be able to win Rory's heart with hearts and flowers?
Tristan DuGray (27): Obnoxious, privileged, and ridiculously good-looking would be words that describe Tristan right away. But, if you got to know him more, you would find he has insecurities and problems of his own. Coming from an emotionally abusive family, Tristan did not grow up in a warm environment. After his freshman year at Chilton, he was sent off to military school by his father because of several misconducts and, therefore, Rory and him never met. When he turned 18, he made the courageous choice to cut ties with his family and trust fund, and went to make a life for himself. Now, almost a decade later, he uses the skills he learnt in military school to teach kids self-defence. Also, he has established a small online company that helps kids around the country living in abusive conditions. Being a young entrepreneur and CEO, Tristan has since grown out of his trouble-making days, although he still carries an arrogant air on him when it comes to the people he meet. How will the relationship between Rory and Tristan develop? Will she find out more about his many amazing qualities and look beyond his snobby persona?
Now that we know a bit about our leading men and lady, let's get to the action.
Week 4
Rory woke up to the digital sound of birds chirping coming from the doorbell. Getting out of the king-sized bed donned in pink silk covers, she wrapped herself in a silk robe. After 3 weeks in this mansion, she was still in awe of the luxurious setting. Pulling her messy brown hair to one side, she made her way sleepily to the hallway. There, she was met with a grand oak wood railing over looking the downstairs atrium and kitchen. Turning to her left, she followed the railing and arrived at the dark wood spiral stairs leading to the first floor. Putting her hand on the wood, she traveled down the steps carefully in bare foot, feeling the coolness of the wooden floor on her toes. The downstairs atrium was decorated in magnificent yellow and gold wallpapers and cold marble tiles. All the furniture around her were of dark oak. Walking through the elaborate kitchen with its counters and bar, she made her way to the front doors. Pulling on the metal handle shaped like roses, the warm California air greeted her face.
Peaking out the door, she saw that there wasn't any one in sight. Looking down at the doorsteps, she saw an envelope wrapped in a bright red silk ribbon laying on the gray stone tiles. Bending down, she retrieved it curiously with her heart thumping faster in her chest. After many weeks, she knew what the envelope contained. It was the event card that will tell her what will be happening this week with the guys. It will tell her who she was going on intimate dates and mini-parties with, and what they will be doing.
With the card in her hand and a smile on her face, she closed the door shut and skipped to the kitchen. Hopping onto one of the steel and leather bar stool, she tore the envelope open. Examining the beautiful pale pink card she pulled out from the envelope, she flipped it open and read the content.
Rory,
This week, be prepared for an outdoors, action-packed mini-party at the stadium. Six guys will be split into two teams of three for a game of Rugby. In this contact sport, the team that scores the most touch downs will be invited to a poolside dinner in the evening to spend more time with you. During this time, you will be choosing one of the men to hand out a safe card to. As usual, the person who receives a safe card will be safe from elimination this week.
As for intimate dates, you will be going on two. As for who they will be with and what you will be doing, please wait for further clues. As before, during these dates, you can choose to give out a safe card to the contestant. If he does not receive a safe card by the end of the date, he will be leaving the show immediately.
Hope this week goes smoothly for everyone.
The Proposal Card team
Reading the card over twice, Rory's mind was filled with excitement and anticipation. She couldn't wait to find out who she will be going on the intimate dates with. So far, she has had four dates. Two of them didn't work out so well, with one of them confessing he moonlighted as a gigolo. Therefore, she didn't give out safe cards to the two and they left the show. The other two dates she's had went fabulously. The first date she went on was with Dean. He was really sweet, caring and seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. She gave him a safe card at dinner, wanting to get to know him more. She couldn't believe they never got to know each other at Stars Hollows.
The date she went on last week and was still fresh on her mind was with Logan. From the first night she met all the guys, Logan stood out. He was confident, charming and, somehow, made her giddy and nervous around him. She felt like a teenager who was talking to her crush whenever she saw Logan. Although she considered giving him the love at first sight card that night, she also felt drawn to another man and ended up giving it to someone else. After her date with Logan, she was even more sure of her attraction towards him, but she is waiting to find out more about him.
There were definitely some guys on her mind that she wanted to go on intimate dates with this week. She crossed her fingers that she will get to know them better and, more importantly, they won't turn out to be less than what she had made them up to be.
Jess got out of the shower and was towel drying his hair when he heard someone call his name from behind the bathroom door.
"Jess! The event card's here. Come hear about it!" The voice sounded like it belonged to Doyle. It was fitting that it was him since he was the most controlling guy in the house.
Jess grunted a reply. "Coming."
He didn't understand why they all had to be there for the card to be opened and read. The forced group activities were killing him. Being in a house full of snobby rich guys was giving him headaches the size of Antarctica. Inwardly, he cursed again at his mother for signing him up for this. But, although he was complaining, the thought of Rory made his heart skip. There was something about this girl that attracted him. With their minimal time together, he was drawn to her like never before. She must have also felt the same way, since she gave him the love at first sight card that first night. The thought of Rory was what kept him on the show. If it wasn't because of Rory, he would have been out of here weeks ago.
Slowly, he continued to dry his hair and take his sweet time. When water was no longer dripping from the tips, he put down the towel and started pulling on the shirt and shorts he placed on the counter. When he was dressed, he made his way downstairs to the lounge where the seven guys were all waiting.
"Dude, took you long enough." Logan smirked.
Jess resisted the urge to shoot something back. Out of all the guys, he was irritated the most by Logan. Not just because he was the epitome of rich and snobby, but also because, for some reason, Rory seemed to be attracted to Logan. Although I did get the love at first sight card, he reminded himself.
Ignoring Logan, Jess went to sit at the end of the long L-shaped couch away from everyone else.
Doyle was standing before the couch, holding the card. When he saw everyone was seated, he cleared his throat and said. "Okay, everyone. I'll be opening the card now."
"Get on it, Doyle." Tristan called out.
"I'm on it." Doyle shot him a glare. He opened the envelope with extreme care and, finally, flipped open the card. From it, he read. "And the first person to get an intimate date this week is..." He licked his lips. "Tristan." He looked up at the blonde man sitting in front of him, wearing a baseball cap backwards.
"Yes, sir." Tristan gave a salute in an almost condescending manner. He grinned and high-fived Colin who was sitting beside him.
Doyle narrowed his eyes, but continued reading. "Enjoy the end like it's the beginning."
"What?" Tristan furrowed his brows, looking genuinely confused.
Doyle shrugged. "That's all it says for your date."
"Maybe it means you'll be eliminated before your date starts." Finn chimed in. Logan and him exchanged a snicker.
"Whatever, dude." Tristan twisted his hat until it was facing the front and turned to Logan. "You're just afraid that after my date with Rory, she'll have forgotten all about her date with you."
"You wish." Logan chortled.
"Order!" Doyle clapped his hands. "There's another intimate date this week."
All the guys turned their attention to him, all wishing their name would be called out.
"And the next lucky bastard is..." Doyle licked his lips again. "Marty."
The quiet guy with wavy, light brown hair, standing behind the couch smiled while everyone turned to him. He bowed his head and nodded shyly.
"Congratulations, man." Dean, who was sitting in front of Marty, reached out and patted him on the shoulder. Marty, Doyle and Dean have formed a friendship in the house, mostly because Dean sees them as the smallest threat.
"Thanks." Marty muttered with a smile.
"That's great, Marty. Go get her." Doyle pumped his fist in the air, earning a smirk from Tristan. Then, he cleared his throat and continued reading. "Now the rest of us are invited to a mini-party today. It's a competitive game of Rugby. Oh lord." He wiped his forehead.
Howls of laughter came from the guys who were slapping each other on their backs. Except for Marty and Doyle, the rest of the guys were all athletic to some degree.
Doyle frowned and called out. "There's more." He put his stubby finger on the card and read. "The losing team will be going back to the house, while the winning team will spend the evening with Rory. One of them will be getting a safe card."
"I've got this." Dean spoke up, looking confident.
"Not so fast, bro." Finn turned to him, pumping his chest. "I've got the exotic agility like a gazelle."
"Okay, okay." Logan, who was sitting between the two, waved his hands. "Let's go get ready. You two can fight it out later."
With that, all the guys got up and headed off to their rooms. Marty, Dean and Doyle walked down one hallway together, while Logan and his two friends crowded together. Tristan and Jess were the last two left in the lounge. Without even a glance at each other, they went in the opposite directions.
Coming up next: With Colin, Logan and Jess on one team and Doyle, Dean and Finn on another, the Rugby game begins. Having to work together, things heat up between Jess and Logan. With Rory watching them, can they put aside their differences and pull off a good performance? As the game continues, the guys start to get rough with each other. An unexpected accident occurs and somebody gets hurt. Will the date be cut short? And who will get the safe card?
Find out in the next chapter
A/N: Please let me know how this chapter was. It's very different writing a reality show format. Hopefully, it was interesting! Let me know if you're intrigued!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or the ideas for the reality show since it's based on existing ones on TV like The Bachelor franchise
