AN: This is an AU story, with inspiration coming from several different places. Firstly, the title is from a John Mayer song, which I think fits this story. Secondly, the concept is borrowed and twisted from a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book. Thirdly, the whole desire to write a Trory came from Musical Redhead... who is an amazing Trory writer. If you haven't read her stuff, you really, really should.

Flash bulbs went off everywhere when Rory Gilmore stepped out of Christophe's in Beverly Hills. At almost 30 she was used to it, she'd been in the spotlight since she was a teenager. She smiled as she tried to politely push her way through the crowd.

"New hairstyle Rory?" one of the bolder paparazzi asked her.

"What do you think?" she replied in a good-natured yet sarcastic tone as she shook out her new haircut. She'd just had her long dark locks chopped so much that they barely reached the tops of her shoulders.

"Is this because of Logan?" another asked.

"Nope just time for a change," she lied with a big smile. Hollywood rule number one, don't let the press see you upset.

Logan Huntzberger was her most recent ex. They'd worked on a romantic comedy together several years ago, and like the old Hollywood cliché they hit it off and fell in love. Move over Brad and Angelina, Rory and Logan were the new 'IT' couple. They dated for four years, before breaking up just two short months ago when Rory brought up marriage and Logan told her that he had no intention of ever getting married.

Logan had liked her hair long, and now whenever she saw herself in the mirror she didn't see Rory Gilmore, she saw Logan Huntzberger's Girlfriend. That needed to change, hence the trip to Christophe's.

"So how do you feel about Logan's engagement to Fallon MacIntyre?"

"Excuse me?" she said. One of the paps held out a paper for her. And there in all his glory was Logan Huntzberger holding hands with Fallon MacIntyre, America's favorite slutty friend, smiling widely while she showed off a huge engagement ring. Rory willed herself not to react, but she couldn't help it, her bag full of salon products fell from her hand, and her knees buckled. She backed up trying to find the wall to lean against, but was met with more members of the press instead.

HOMH-HOMH-HOMH

Tristan DuGrey lit a cigarette and watched events unfold from his outdoor balcony table at his favorite bistro across from Christophe's. Goody-Goody Gilmore was finally getting what she deserved.

Tristan DuGrey first met Rory Gilmore on the set of their sitcom. Molly's World. She played the title character Molly Taylor. She was the 90's version of Alex P. Keaton, preppy and perfect, if slightly naïve. Her character was overly smart, and had skipped a few grades, leaving her shy and awkward around the opposite sex. He played Chad Michaels, Molly's dream man. He was two years older, but due to her skipped grades, in all of her classes. He was Mr. Popular, varsity sports with the cheerleader girlfriend, and an all around good guy. Except Chad didn't even notice Molly was alive. While Rory and Molly were virtually the same person, Tristan and Chad were complete opposites. The producers loved Rory, and she could do no wrong, whereas Tristan was forever showing up late and getting into scrapes with both the law and the press. After four seasons Tristan's bad boy image completely overshadowed Chad's obliviously adorable good guy, and the show was cancelled.

Even though Molly's World was cancelled, much like Saved By The Bell, it lived on in syndication. Rory went on to become America's favorite girl next door, while Tristan went on to do bit parts in straight to video movies. Logically he knew it wasn't her fault, but he still couldn't help but blame Rory for his failures.

He watched as Rory remained on the ground. Content as a bystander until her eyes locked with his. Then he snuffed his cigarette, and headed into the restaurant proper.

HOMH-HOMH-HOMH

Rory's mind raced a million miles a minute as she sat on the ground. How could he? She bit her lip trying to pull herself together. She could not show emotion. The cameras got closer and she felt surrounded. She glanced around for help, and that's when her eyes met Tristan's sitting at a table across the way. Of course that ass did nothing to help her. But her anger at Logan morphed into anger at Tristan, and helped her return to herself.

"Excuse me guys," she started politely. "Do you think you could back up so I can stand up?" She smiled up at them from her spot on the ground.

"Hey everybody! Take one step back!" One of the bigger photographers called, and everyone stepped back.

"Thanks," she said as she stood up and brushed herself off. "Sorry about that, I must have caught my heel on something."

"So about Logan's engagement?" one of the girls in the back hollered.

"I'm very happy for Logan. I hope he and Fallon are very happy together," she replied through her pasted on smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a lunch date to get to."

She made her way through the masses and across the street into the bistro that Tristan was in moments before.

"Ms. Gilmore, Mr. Harrison has already arrived and is seated at your table."

"Thanks," she said politely as she followed the hostess towards the back of the restaurant.

"Looking good Gilmore, like the new haircut," Marty, her best friend, said as he stood from the table and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"Thanks," she replied, kissing his cheek in return. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Had a bit of a mob outside."

"Oh?" he looked at her quizzically.

"Logan's getting married," she said quietly. Her fake smile was plastered on her face, but Marty knew her well enough to see past that.

Marty Harrison had played Chip Douglas, Chad's best friend, and the only boy to ever notice Molly in Molly's World. Even now, years after the show was cancelled, there was a dedicated following of 'shippers who wanted Molly and Chip together, even though Molly only ever had eyes for Chad. In real life, Rory had a crush on Tristan, but unlike his alter ego who remained adorably oblivious to Molly's desires, Tristan was aware of Rory's feelings, but made it completely obvious that he found them laughable. And while Marty may have once had feelings for Rory, he let them go, and settled in as the best friend. And now, a decade later, he was perfectly content in that role. While Marty went on to some successful ventures after Molly's World, he pretty much stayed out of the spot light. He preferred writing and directing over acting these days, and stuck to smaller oddball indie flicks. Rory brought too much attention to everything she did, and as much as he loved her, he didn't want that kind of attention anymore.

Marty smiled back at her, he too was well trained in the 'never let them see you sweat' school of thought. "I'm sorry Rory."

"That's not the worst part. The worst part is they totally caught me off guard, and I fell, and when I looked up, I saw Tristan DuGrey watching the whole thing from the balcony here."

Marty held his smile in place but rolled his eyes to indicate his annoyance. "You don't still have a thing for him do you?" he asked under his breath.

"Of course not!" she hissed back. "I hate him. I'm pissed that he witnessed my weakness!"

"You're not weak Rory."

"No. I just look weak. Ever since Logan and I broke up every time I turn around I'm in the tabloids. I was out to dinner with Paris and Lane, had one martini, and there are pictures of me with the caption 'Gilmore drowns her sorrows' and quotes saying that my friends are worried about me because of my drinking and how it's increased since Logan and I split up. There are pictures of me in a swimsuit saying I've got an eating disorder now because of my depression. The pictures are from 3 years ago when Logan and I were still together! Even if I have lost a few pounds, so what! Everyone does that when they break up! Now I'm sure tomorrow the pics of me on the ground will be headlined with 'Gilmore so grief stricken she collapses at the news of Huntzberger's engagement'."

"It sucks," Marty agreed. "But isn't that why you fell?"

"Okay, so I'm surprised that he's getting married. I'm not grief stricken over it," she professed. Maybe a little grief stricken, but there was no way it was apparent in the pictures. "I'm just so sick of everything being such a big deal."

"I'm sure once you start dating someone new, the tabs will move on."

"True. And as far as I'm concerned that can't happen soon enough." The wheels in Rory's head started turning.

Rory and Marty ordered lunch, and made small talk about their work while they waited for the food to arrive.

"Hey Marty?"

"Yeah?"

"We're friends right?"

"You're my best friend and you know it," he replied, not sure where she was going.

"So as the best friend, you're willing to do what you can to help me out, right?"

"With in reason," he replied hesitantly.

Rory glanced around the room to see if anyone was nearby before she leaned in to ask her favor. "Be my boyfriend," she whispered with a smile.

"Rory!" he replied, with a little more force than he expected.

"Just for show. Be seen out with me, hold my hand, wrap an arm around my shoulder when we're together. Give the press something else to talk about besides how devastated I am over Logan. Please?" she pleaded.

"Rory, you know I love you, but I can't jump into the fray with you."

"Isn't this rich?" A familiar voice came from behind her. "Little Mary Gilmore begging for a boyfriend." Tristan stepped out from behind her and slid into one of the two empty chairs at the table. "I bet the press would be all over this."

"Tristan, you wouldn't dare!" Rory hissed.

Marty gave him a disapproving look. "Hello DuGrey."

"Harrison," Tristan returned. "How've you been?"

"Gainfully employed," Marty retorted back with a sneer.

"Oh ouch. You wound me," Tristan drawled in return, sarcastically.

"What do you want Tristan?" Rory asked, hoping to stop Tristan and Marty from drawing attention to the table.

"Just thought I'd stop and say hi," he said innocently.

"Yeah right," Marty snorted. "Just thought he'd try to get a little publicity by being seen with you he means."

Tristan ignored Marty and focused on Rory. "So Mary, what's got you begging for a boyfriend this time? Last I heard you were hot and heavy with that douche bag Huntzberger."

"Lower your voice! And Logan is not a douche bag!" she automatically defended her ex. "And I wasn't begging for a boyfriend," she hissed.

"That's sure what it sounded like to me. And I have a hunch the press would be inclined to agree."

"Who do you think they'll believe? You can hardly get arrested in this town, and they all love me," Rory reminded him with a smirk.

Before Tristan could respond, the waitress arrived. "Does anybody need anything?" she asked, looking at Marty and Rory.

"We're fine," Marty answered.

"Can I get a Jack and Coke?" Tristan asked.

The waitress looked at him, then realized who he was. "Sure, Mr. DuGrey." She disappeared to get his drink, and the three of them sat in silence.

"So what are you doing here?" Marty finally asked.

"Just saw you two sitting over here and thought I'd come say hi to my old cast mates," Tristan lied.

The waitress chose this moment to return with his drink, and he turned and smiled his million-watt smile at her, the one that melted hearts all over the country when he was Chad Michaels. "Do you think you could take a picture of the three of us together?" he asked. "I think it's been 10 years since all of us were in the same place at the same time."

Rory tried not to grimace at the thought, but he was right. It was the wrap party for Molly's World. She'd seen him a couple times since then, mainly across a crowded room at large events. As much as she hated Tristan, especially in the last year of filming, she never let it show to anyone but her closest friends. It was one of her greatest triumphs that the press had no clue how much she hated him.

"Of course!" the waitress said excitedly as Tristan handed her his phone. "I loved Molly's World when I was a kid! Hey, do you think there's any chance of a reunion show?"

Tristan stood up, and walked around to the other side of the table to crouch down between Marty and Rory, amiably throwing an arm around each of them.

"Smile big," Rory said through her teeth to Marty. "You know we'll be seeing this in the tabs tomorrow."

Marty sighed through his smile in response.

The waitress snapped a couple of pictures with Tristan's phone, then used her own phone to take a couple as well. "You don't mind if I keep one for myself, do you?" she asked as she snapped away.

"Of course not," Tristan said with a grin. Rory and Marty sat silently by with their photo op smiles pasted on tightly.

HOMH-HOMH-HOMH

As expected, the photo of Rory, Marty, and Tristan showed up within hours on online gossip sites, and two of the three major tabloids included in their issues as well. It wasn't nearly as large as pictures of Rory on the ground outside of Christophe's (which were captioned as she'd anticipated), but it was there.

AN 2: So what do you think? As usual, I don't own any of it... but should I continue?

Reviews would be lovely... and encouraging... I'm almost done with Chapter Two :)

Thanks for reading! S