Okay, so, technically, this is my third story… but seeing as I deleted my first one because it was nothing short of complete crap… we'll only count this as my second story. Anyway, here it is. It's a slightly (okay, a lot more than slightly) AU Trory. It takes place when Rory is 22, a few months after her graduation from Yale. There is no Logan (no matter how hot he truly is) and she is friends with Marty. Tristan, on the other hand, hasn't been seen in Hartford since his parents sent him to military school. So, what happens when they meet up again? Oh, and I really don't care how "Tristan" is spelled. I know technically it's supposed to be 'Tristin', but you see, one of my best friends is 'Tristan' so I'm much more used to writing 'Tristan' so that's probably how it will be spelled on most occasions. Oh, and the medical jargon with Tristan? Yeah… I haven't watch ER in a while… so it's going to be very basic… wrong, even. So… enjoy!
Washington D.C., November 2007
"Gilmore!"
An older man with gray hair yelled, trying to get the young woman's attention.
"Yes Mr. Thompson?"
"I need you to do a cover story."
The girl stared at her boss with disbelief. She had only been working at the magazine for a little over 6 months and was already being assigned a cover story.
"A cover story, sir?"
"Yes, it's a story on wounded soldiers returning to the United States and getting their lives back on track. We'll be publishing it in 6 months. We've already arranged for you to meet with 8 men and women, you're going to follow them and see how they adjust to life after a war."
"So a human interest piece?"
"Yes, come to my office tomorrow and I'll have more information for you."
"Yes sir."
The young woman sighed; it wasn't what she was hoping for… especially considering that she had graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science and Journalism. But, it was a step up from her normal sound bite column that she edited. Actually, it was an entire ladder up.
That night, the brunette prepared herself for what might come tomorrow. She remembered reading that soldiers who were injured in war often developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Logging onto webMD, she searched the disorder, hoping to find information that might help her article. Finding a few articles that might help her, she got ready for bed and quickly fell asleep.
US Military Base in Germany, same time
A doctor was making his round when he noticed that his newest patient had woken up. Walking up to the young man, who, in the doctor's opinion couldn't be more than 23, he noticed the confusion written across the man's face.
Nearing the side of the bed, he asked, "Captain DuGrey?"
The young man looked up. He managed a weak smile. "Good afternoon Doctor"
The doctor returned the smile. Grabbing the young man's chart, he pulled a chair next to the bed. He cleared his throat.
"I assume you'd like to know what all happened, right?"
Capt. DuGrey nodded slightly.
The doctor looked down at the chart.
"Well, when you came in you were in pretty bad shape. To be honest with you, you are pretty damn lucky to even be alive right now. Anyway, when you cam in we had to repair massive internal bleeding. We transfused almost 6 units of blood. They lost you once, but managed to get you back. Other than that, we had to remove your spleen, and repair the cartilage in both knees. As for broken bones, your left wrist and right leg both have multiple fractures. However, the good news is that in 3 days we'll be transferring you to a hospital in Washington D.C. That way, your family can visit you."
The doctor never noticed the wince that crossed the young man's handsome face when he mentioned 'family'.
Office of Frederick Thompson, editor in chief of Time Magazine
Frederick Thompson was a man who was not to be messed with. No nonsense, he ran the magazine with military precision. Often intimidating to new interns and employees, most found that he was more like the big brother they never had. Hearing the knock at his door, he answered.
"Come on in, Lorelai."
She laughed, no matter how many times she had told him to call her Rory, he insisted on using her given name. It wasn't to annoy her. He just didn't believe in giving people nicknames. People were given a name for a reason, what sense did it make to give them two?
"Hello, Mr. Thompson."
He gave her the look he always did.
"Lorelai, its Frederick to you"
It was a game they played. They could go back and forth for hours with one another. He really was like a father to her, taking her under his wing when she interned for him her sophomore and junior years in college. Once she had graduated, he had made sure that he made her the best offer.
Reaching into a drawer in his desk, he pulled out a manila folder that was at least 3 inches thick.
"Now, Lorelai, we wanted this to be a broad spectrum report. So much so that we picked the eight men and women from various branches of the military and from all social settings… we want people to relate. All are currently at the military hospital right outside of the city. You'll find their names in the folder. They are also all in different stages of recovery. The last name on the list, Tristan DuGrey from Hartford, CT. is still in Germany at this moment recovering. He'll be the last one you meet. However, this will be your only assignment for a while and we want it perfect. Now, originally I told you that it was going to be published in six months… but after talking with the other editors, we have decided to make it a 6 part story. It will be published once a month and the first article is due December 6th. Is that okay with you Lorelai?"
She nodded a yes. However she hadn't heard anything Frederick had said after 'Tristan DuGrey'.
It was going to be an interesting article.
Okay, so that was the beginning. It's really just an intro. The rest of the story will come later. Unfortunately, with it being so close to the beginning of school (And two AP classes), updates might be few and far between. Oh, and to the readers of Our Time... yeah, keep the same philosophy for that story... few and far between. That way, you won't be disappointed.