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-1AN- Wow. 52 reviews. Thanks everyone. I hope you like the end… I know Rory may have seemed a little OOC in part 2 and this part, but its been almost a whole year, so its character growth. Thanks again. Enjoy.

Le Masquerades

Part III: And Yet Prince Charming Always Gets His Princess.

Despite her realization that Tristan was in fact human, Rory continued to keep her distance from him. He never pushed the issue, knowing it'd only push her further away. Yet, he had a plan. So far the Balls had allowed him to get closer to her. Because of this, he was determined to finally win her heart once and for all at the Spring Ball.

As the last day of school before break, also the night of the ball, came to its end, Rory opened her locker to find a note hanging there. Angel: Dance with the Dashing Devil tonight? Rory smiled as she recalled mentioning his nickname of Spawn of Satan to him. He was mildly offended at first, but then shrugged it off, teasing her and calling her Angel in reply.

Tonight, as Rory sat preparing for the ball, the feelings of anticipation and nervousness coursed through her. She was afraid of what Tristan had planned, but was certain she'd be pleasantly surprised. So as she stared out through her powder-white eye-lids, smoothing out her short, flowing white gown with detailed corseting up the back and intricate lace patterns splayed across its fabric, she couldn't fit the urge to redo her flowing curls as if they weren't already perfect. Rory's original intent was to wear the simple white dress and accent with deep reds. However, after Tristan's note, she felt that the white dress would be better suited with white accessories, and went out and bought a new mask and shoes.

Rory met Lorelai in the guest room this time, rather than Lorelai coming to her. Rory almost laughed at her mother's worried expression.

"Don't worry, Mom, you're dragging Luke this time, remember?" Lorelai refused to go dateless once again. "Speaking of, you've left him with Grandpa long enough. Tie on my mask, and we're good to go."

"True…and by the way, you look beautiful." Lorelai conceded.

Taking in her mother's appearance as Lorelai tied her mask on, Rory was once again floored at how beautiful her mother often looked. The simple deep blue dress fell just past her knees and hugged her snuggly from her hips to her neck, accentuating everything perfectly. The blue mask matched, of course.

"As do you, Mom. As always." Rory said sincerely.

"You nervous about tonight?" Lorelai asked with mild concern.

Smiling brightly at her, Rory replied, "No. I'm actually looking forward to it. I've a date with the Devil." Rory smirked.

"Isn't it 'A Date With Destiny', babe?" Her mother asked in an amused tone.

She shook her head. "Nope. Not in this case."

Flowers danced around the Country Club, giving a true sense of Spring in the air. Fairies were the hostesses this evening, with glittery make-up and tiny wings. Rory left Lorelai and Luke almost instantly and headed for their balcony. The reference caused her to pause for a moment, but she continued on her way, nonetheless. There she found a note taped to the banister, waiting just for her.

Well, Mary, I suggest you shiver or I can't come to your rescue. I'll have to stay hidden and simply watch you.

As if she could literally feel his eyes on her, she did shiver. Not because she was cold, though.

"Cold?" Someone whispered in her ear from behind. Turning, she observed a man in black and red, with a devil's mask on his face.

"Not really…" She said softly.

Laughing softly, he asked, "Then why'd you shiver?"

"Because you told me to." She watched as many emotions danced through his eyes at her words. "I believe…the Devil owes his Angel a dance."

"I thought his Angel couldn't dance?" He asked, playing along.

Smirking at him softly, she replied, "You can do anything when the Devil's involved."

As the two danced in silence for a while, Tristan felt it safe to inquire his burning question. "So, Cinderella…" He paused, making sure he had her attention. "I've followed the breadcrumbs. I've returned your shoe. I've patiently waited and now I'm dying to know. When do I get my Princess?"

Evading his question, she asked her own. "How many nicknames do I have now?"

"Well," he paused to think. "Mary, Danielle, Angel, Cinderella, Princess… there may be more." He said dismissively.

Nodding, she responded, "I see."

"So, Princess… what will it be? Are you mine now? Or do I need to slay a dragon, too?" He asked in what could only be described as playful annoyance.

"Prince Charming has never slain a dragon for Cinderella." She stated, eluding his questions once again.

Sighing in frustration and dropping his forehead to hers, he stared intently into her eyes. "Rory."

"I don't know. I want to be, but I'm worried about the Baker's wife." She replied in a serious tone.

Quirking an eyebrow, he asked smiling crookedly, "Did you just make reference to Into The Woods?" She blushed in reply, looking away. He brought her eyes back to his. "There won't be a Baker's wife. Haven't I explained that, numerous times?"

"I'm still worried about it. I mean…" Tristan smirked as he kissed her mid sentence. Seems like he finally figured out how to shut her up.

As he pulled away, her eyes fluttered open. "Please." He was pleading. She had no doubt he'd drop to his knees and beg at this point. While that would be funny, she wouldn't make him do that.

"We take it slow?" She asked cautiously.

"We'll take it slow." He assured her, trying not to sound too eager.

"Then I guess they lived happily ever after." She said unable to keep the small smile from her face. He kissed her again as the two continued to dance.

As midnight neared, he held her closer, tighter, afraid she'd run off again. But as the masks began to fly upward, Rory allowed Tristan to pull her mask away from her eyes. His caught in his throat as he fought to believe this was real. When he removed his own mask, she smiled at him. Around them they could hear shocked whispers and gasps from their peers, who'd all been curious as to who the mystery girl Tristan had spent the last two Balls with was. But the couple remained oblivious to their surroundings.

Rory endured her mother's constant questioning about how in the heck was she now dating Tristan, but Rory didn't answer. Instead Luke spared Rory, offering Lorelai free coffee the next day if she let Rory be for now. Rory was grateful and smiled, thinking of how wonderful Luke was to them. There was a lot to be said about men who wore Old Spice.

After break, when Rory and Tristan walked into school, holding hands, no one was too surprised anymore. Tristan was the King, after all. And the Prince always gets his Princess.

Fin

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