What happens when a handsome man rescues you then you meet your nemesis after dessert? This is a story of Finn and Rory then Rory and Tristan, it was a pleasure to write and I hope you enjoy!
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I make no profits I just have a very fertile mind and these characters lend themselves so well to it.
Wind Blown
Chapter 2 – The Calm
Rory soaked in the tub, her mind recalling all that had occurred over the past few hours, she had been rescued and reunited with Finn, of all people. She remembered him with great fondness, he had always been so sweet and good company despite of his love of drink and passion for redheads. He was probably the best of the merry men to run into. She did miss them, even when she saw them at events from time to time, she wanted to say hello, but it just never seemed the right time. As she toweled off she considered what to wear, what does one wear to dinner with your ex-boyfriend's best man? She couldn't imagine Emily Post or Gilmore would have considered such an occasion. Her eyes fell on one of the dresses Olivia had designed for her, it was perfect a lovely turquoise number that left one shoulder bare and boasted an asymmetrical hemline slightly above and below her knees, she would pair that with her kitten heeled sandals it would be flirty but definitely elegant. As she stepped into the lobby she quickly scanned the area for her erstwhile hero.
Finn saw her as she stepped out of the hall, had she always been so stunning? He recalled the goofy girl with an odd obsession for coffee and a quirky style. He was truly stunned by the woman who stood gazing the crowd in search of him. He took several purposeful strides towards her, she noticed and walked towards him, they succeeded in meeting halfway. He reached out and hugged her, bringing her body close and taking a small inhale of her scent, coffee and roses, definitely grown and not goofy.
He pulled away, but kept hold of her hands and eyed her keenly "You look stunning, if it weren't for the bluster outside I would take you to every hot spot in town being sure paparazzi spread your loveliness from sea to sea!"
"Oh Finn, you charmer, I bet you say that to all the girls you rescue!" She giggled a small blush crept up her neck at his appraisal.
He winked, "Of course not, only the ones I saw in college that have become enchantresses."
Rory leaned in and kissed him softly, he pulled her into himself and kissed her deeply. It was as if time stood still in that moment, hearts beating arms holding tight, they only separated when someone coughed to gain their attention. "Excuse me sir, would you like the cart delivered to your villa or the ladies?" The butler looked scandalized. Rory looked at Finn inquisitively. Finn turned from her to him.
"Rodney, please deliver it to my suite and set up in the dining room." He turned to Rory, "Due to the storm the restaurant is a bit of a madhouse, I thought you might enjoy a quieter meal in my villa?"
She nodded in agreement and followed the butler to Finns villa, their hands clasped in comfortable embrace. They entered the well-appointed villa; it looked more like an apartment that a hotel, She could see it had at least 3 bedrooms, a full kitchen, dining and Living room. The couches were definitely not standard and the whole room looked like a page from the Tommy Bahama furniture catalog. Finn noticed her appraisal.
"This is the family suite, we maintain it for ourselves and special guests, it assures we are never without a room in our own property. We have made it a habit in all of our more prestigious hotels. Do you approve?"
"Finn, as lovely as the resort is, I am stunned by the simple elegance here, it feels homey, I most assuredly approve." She beamed at him and he wrapped an arm around her waist.
They waited a few moments while Rodney finished setting up then moved the cart to the side. "Would you like me to pour the wine sir, or will that be all?" Rodney looked at Finn.
"That will be all, I will call you when we are ready to have the things retrieved to the kitchen." Finn replied. Rodney slipped quietly out the door with a quick nod of his head. "Shall we?"
He indicated the chair he held out for her and she took a seat, and placed the napkin in her lap as he poured the white wine, she noted it was a pinot, one of her favorites. Finn always was excellent at remembering peoples preferred drinks. Dinner looked lovely he had even remembered she like to eat, the plate held sand dabs and filet medallions, with a roasted potato and grilled tomato. It was a lovely picture, Sookie would be pleased. There was a basket of bread and butter as well. Finn took the seat to her left choosing to be close rather than the end of the table where they would be forced to speak louder than either desired. It was a very cozy and intimate setting.
They began eating and Finn placed a hand on her knee, "So luv, tell me what happened that took the former editor of the YDN, darling of the Obama trail out of the newspaper biz?"
"Well she began", after carefully swallowing the lump that had begun to form as he reminded her of her youthful destination. "You see it appears that news of my dumping the heir of the news world is not too well taken by fellow pressmen. It started pretty quickly after I began the trail, my familiarity with Hugo at first garnered a rumor that I was his mistress, that quickly died. Then someone from Hartford joined up and recognized me from some DAR event I arranged. They also knew of the ill fated proposal and my trouble with Mitchum. That pretty much made me a pariah to anyone who worked for HPG and that was most of the bus. I felt like I was back in my first year at Chilton with Paris as my enemy and Dugray as my nemesis. Although instead of staring me down and calling me Mary, they whispered things like rookie and hack. It became too much and after my year was up I returned to Yale to reinvent myself." She sighed, took a calming sip of her wine and a bite of the sand dab. "This is so good, we should finish before it gets too cold and the butter isn't buttery anymore."
Finn's hand gave her knee a gentle squeeze and he smiled. "Yes, chef would be most annoyed if we let that happen."
They settled into the meal with intermittent pleasantries and held off further deep conversation for coffee and after dinner drinks. They retired to the living room and Finn called for Rodney to clear the table and remove the cart. The butler performed his task wordlessly and exited quickly.
Now guaranteed to be alone Finn began, "I am so sorry luv, you deserved better. When you say Dugray, you don't mean Tristan by chance do you?"
She nodded in the affirmative, "The one and only, last I heard of him he was leading up his father's law firm in New York. I do my level best to avoid him when I attend events and Paris is wonderful at keeping him at bay. "I am sure he has matured but I really have no interest in his attentions. Why do you ask?"
"Well he is here, he is helping plan this shindig, he is Logan's cousin. I can't believe I didn't know you were the infamous Mary, or maybe I did and I just drank that knowledge away. You broke his heart you know, he had such a crush and you wouldn't give him the time of day. Did you know he even went to Harvard in hope of finding you again? You should at least say hello to the poor boy, he really has changed, I think a smile from you might even heal some of the damage military school did." He placed his arm over her shoulder and kissed her temple.
Rory slipped her shoes off tucking her legs up under herself then snuggled into his side. "Maybe, if I see him I won't run away. I promise I will give him a chance. Do you think the rain will last much longer, I am only here until the day after tomorrow then I head back."
Fin absorbed this information, she would be gone a day before Huntz got there, but he had to let her know Tristan could be back at any moment.
"There is another reason I mentioned Tristan, he is actually staying here, he is also why I have restrained myself from tearing that lovely dress to bits and having my way with you right here." He leered only half joking.
Rory laughed and righted herself just as the door opened revealing one very tired looking Tristan. The years had been kind, he was taller, more fit and yet somehow defeated. He just stared at her like she was an apparition, he stepped out of the room, closed and opened the door and shook his head.
"Rory; Is that really you?" He said as he strode towards the sofa.
She rose to meet him and he stilled at the sight of her petite form, luminous eyes and coffee locks. She was glorious, resplendent, all he remembered and more. Sure he had caught glimpses of her from time to time at some event or the other, but she was always in a crowd and always with Paris. He never dared approach for fear of reproach.
"Tristan", she stepped towards him and gave him a soft friendly embrace, he stood frozen then remembered he should return it. She pulled away, "How have you been? Come sit, Finn says you have loads to share."
"Rory, how do you come to be here and in Finn's villa?" He sat on a chair and looked at her baffled.
She resumed her seat by Finn, though not as cozy as before, "Finn here rescued me from the storm; I was sleeping under a cabana and would have washed away without his quick thinking. Then he promised to feed me, which no Gilmore refuses a meal, so here I am. How have you been?"
Tristan was taken aback, she was being civil, he had never expected that. "How could you sleep in that storm, it was a rager from the start, I don't even think it started with a sprinkle. People were running and making such a commotion and you were sleeping?"
Finn laughed, "I couldn't believe it either, I was out checking to see if anyone needed help with their little ones and saw this Sheila just sleeping, not a whimper or an inkling of motion, just sleeping while the wind whipped her hair and the rain splashed against her. The hammock was swaying I was afraid something was terribly wrong. I scooped her up and dashed back to the building, laid her on one of the lobby sofas, covered her with a blanket, then almost fell over when I moved her hair from her face. I sat by her for at least an hour before she stirred and those unmistakable blue eyes tried to focus and her sleepy voice was heard. By the way luv how is it you were so soundly sleeping in the maelstrom?"
At that thought she visibly colored, "Iwasdrunk" she said in a rushed breath, both men looked at her expectantly, "I was drunk OK, I had 3 hurricanes to put me to sleep and I passed out." She held her face in her hands.
"3 hurricanes, I'm impressed, no wonder it took you so long to come back to us. But I must say you didn't look drunk just deeply asleep." Finn laughed.
Tristan piped in, "Wow, I can't express how surprised I am I never pictured you as a drinker."
Rory glanced at Finn and they burst out laughing. "Tristan, you know this is the infamous Ace, right, Logan's college love, the one that broke his heart? She was an LDB member, jumped off a scaffold and had successfully commandeered many a bottle for many a sub-party. She was also a champion of many a 20 questions/ truth or dare challenge. What surprises me is only 3 hurricanes?"
Rory slapped his arm playfully, "Actually I haven't drunk as much as I used too and graduate school leaves no room for the LDB, although they still reach out to me for event funding which I gladly supply. No the 3 hurricane technique is something I perfected over the days I have been here. I was so tired but my brain wouldn't shut up, then I remembered you saying that a hurricane is the perfect drink for after finals and it would put you into the deepest sleep. It would seem - Finn, that you are the reason I almost got washed away so it is only fitting that you were the one to rescue me."
The men were in awe, she had this way of putting them at ease the tension Tristan had had when he entered slipped away and he shook his head at her.
"So, what put you in grad school, and Yale, I remember it was always Harvard for both you and Paris at Chilton?" Tristan sat on the edge of his seat leaning into her expectantly.
"Well, I got into Harvard, and Princeton as well as Yale and the pro/con list sent me to Yale, funny thing is Paris was my roommate and we have been best friends ever since. Grad school is kind of a jumpstart to taking over Gilmore Insurance and I really had no interest in Law so my dad took over at the Hayden firm." She quickly explained. "Granted my mom was slow to come around to me being the new face of the firm but Grandpa helped her see the wisdom of it. Enough about me, Tristan catch me up and make it clever so poor Finny isn't bored"
Finn gave her a playful scowl at the nickname and looked expectantly at Tristan.
"I went to Military school, it sucked beyond pale, started at 5am with runs and calisthenics, then showers, communal – all male. Then classes, they were so dry and mundane. Food was as tasty as paper sludge and finally I graduated, top of my brigade and off to Harvard where I hoped I would find a friendly face." He looked at her purposefully, "I got in to Princeton and Yale too, but really thought Harvard would be a better fit. Passed the bar on the first try and now work with the Dugray firm in New York, I was looking at the Hayden firm for a merger, maybe I'll take a closer look." He gave her a meaningful stare.
"OK, now you Finn, what have you been up to in the time we have been apart?" She gave him an expectant tilt of her head.
"After you said no and Huntz split for California, Collin left for New York and I went home to Sydney. I spent a year there learning the ropes of the family hotel and wine businesses and then returned to the states to overlook several of them. This lovely resort is my latest home as of the last 10 days and I can't believe I didn't see your name on the register or I would have sought you out long before the storm and showed you a better way to fall asleep than the hurricanes." He playfully leered.
Tristan glared at him and he just shrugged. She laughed and stretched reaching with her toes for her shoes. She slipped them on then stood up and rolled her shoulders.
"Well boys, I can honestly say this is a day I won't soon forget, but I am beat so I think I will return to my villa. Thanks for dinner Finn, she said leaning in and giving him a friendly kiss. Tristan", she approached him and he stood again, "It really was nice seeing you again." She gave him a sweet kiss and then waved to the boys from the door. Finn was up and on her in a few strides.
"Now, Gilmore, what kind of savior would I be if I didn't see you safely to your door?" He turned his head, "Tristan don't wait up." With that he swept them both out the door and into the hall, taking her hand he walked towards her villa.
"This really isn't necessary, I have walked to my room on many nights unescorted. You keep a very safe resort." She demurred leaning into him so he would wrap his arm on her shoulder and she wrapped hers around his waist.
"Thank you, but just the same I have some unfinished business with you I would like to discuss, we were after all cut short of our time when Dugray joined us. You were very sweet to him, thank you for that by the way. I have heard what a jerk he was when you were younger and I know that sweet kiss meant a lot to him." He held her close feeling how tired she was.
"It was no trouble, I needed to let it go a long time ago, he was a kid, I was a kid, it wasn't as if he hurt me, he just flirted aggressively. The sad thing is, in hindsight I should have given him a chance after my first breakup with Dean, things may have gone differently for both of us." Her voice was sweet and held sad reflection.
They reached her villa and she opened the door, "Care to come in for a coffee?"
"No, we both know I don't want coffee and you are tired so I will be a gentleman and bid you goodnight. Call me in the morning we can finish our talk, maybe clarify a few things? We can definitely get breakfast." He said holding the door while she leaned into the frame. She glanced up at him.
"OK, we can call it a night; I will call your room tomorrow. Goodnight Finn." She moved forward and kissed him deeply. They separated and she slipped in letting the door close behind her. She decided to shower then slipped into her nightshirt climbed into the oversized bed to dream of possibilities.
Finn was whistling a jaunty tune as he returned to his room, his heart light and his mind filled with possibilities. He found Tristan still sitting in the chair only now holding a glass of scotch, he looked pensive. Finn slipped into his room and changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt then went to the bar, poured a drink and sat across from him. Tristan took in his relaxed attire and went to his room returning similarly dressed.
"You rescued Rory Gilmore", Tristan started, "What a lucky break, your best friend, her old flame will be here in just a few days to celebrate his upcoming marriage and you are starting up with her, the love of his life? How do you think he is going to take this? She will be in Hartford Society royal circles, they can't help running into each other, although she has done well to avoid all of us up until now. I wonder if she realized when she took the gig that she would be handling all the insurance needs for HPG, your family and mine as well as a select group of others."
Finn responded, "Like running Hayden Law would be a bargain, her lineage is her burden, always has been. You know Shira hates her and even more so now that the DAR has put her on such a pedestal for stepping into the family business. Did you see the write up; it was I believe 2 days ago? Now I know, they purposefully put it out while she would be on vacation. It extolls her acumen, virtue and finesse along with the youthful enthusiasm she will bring to the firm. It was practically an ad for a husband interested in the Insurance industry. My father sent it asking if I knew her or if I was interested? Bah, you would think our parents would stop this matchmaking by now, but nope."
Tristan placed his glass on the side table and leaned toward Finn, "You didn't answer me, what are your intentions with her, what about Huntz? How do we let her know the true depth of her commitment? It's not just a business she is taking over it is a full on role. I am sure Emily and Richard will ease her in but this is huge news."
Finn scrubbed his hand over his face, he had been so optimistic a few moments ago, now Tristan's words fell over him like a bucket of ice water on sunburnt skin. What indeed, what indeed?