Notes: Okay, I'm not going to ply you with excuses as to why this has taken so long. Let's just say I suck and move on. ;p You guys, however, rock. Thanks so much for all the reviews and support this fic has received. I really appreciate it.
I'm not entirely happy with this chapter. It was written in various different bits from various points of view and I had to change it so that it was all from Lorelai. If it seems stilted or out of character in places, I apologise, but I've done my best to merge it all into a cohesive whole.
PLUS, this hasn't been betad yet, so if there are any remaining Briticisms etc, I'm sorry. Please note that, as previously stated, I will continue to spell the British way unless it affects the speech; i.e. mum, mom.
Season4.5: Thanks! Plus, I didn't know who Dave was until about a week ago! Finally seen season 3, just need season 4 to hurry up and come out on DVD and I'll finally have seen every season of Gilmore Girls! (I had only seen season one when I started writing this.)
CharmingPiper: Don't worry, Rory will not remain hyper sensitive to his teasing. I just didn't want them to be completely buddy-buddy right away; I don't think it would be true to the characters. She is going to get used to his sense of humour, though, and will likely start giving as good as she gets!
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Part Four: Why it's Greased Lightnin'
xxxxx
"Oh. Oh, no. That cannot be good."
"What?"
"Look." She pointed out the window towards the Gazebo and Luke frowned. "Tristan, Dean, and Rory, all together. I just know Greek Boy won't be able to keep that mouth of his in check."
"And you want him and Rory to be friends?"
"Yes, but he doesn't like Dean."
"Smart kid."
"I should go out there; I don't think they can even see Dean coming."
"They should be able to see the smoke coming from his ears."
Lorelai smiled. "Luke. Did you just make a joke?"
The man glared and shifted uncomfortably. "I thought you were going to save Rory and Richie Rich."
"Aw, you gave him a nickname? I think I'm having a good influence on you." Lorelai grinned, picking up her purse and heading out the door. She walked quickly, arriving just in time to hear Tristan utter the words, 'Farm Boy'.
"Stupid boy," she muttered.
"Rory, what is he doing here?" Dean ground out and she suddenly appeared at his side, a fake smile on her face.
"There you two are!" She glanced at Tristan and Rory before looking at Dean. The taller boy frowned at her in confusion; almost betrayal. "Hi, Dean. I see you've all met. Tristan is here at my request."
"Not today, he's not," Rory said softly and Lorelai sent her daughter a look that clearly said, 'What are you doing? This is your out.'
"I missed the bus, Dean, and Tristan gave me a ride."
"So that explains why you're sitting drinking coffee with him."
"I asked him to."
"You know what," Tristan said, running a hand through his hair, "I think I'll just go. Should solve your little problem."
"Yeah, why don't you do that," Dean said condescendingly and Lorelai watched Tristan's jaw twitch, half expecting the blond to start a fight, but he said nothing.
"You know what, Tristan, why don't you take Rory home; I need to have a little chat with Dean."
"No, mum." Rory shook her head. "I need to talk to Dean myself. Can you and Tristan just go and wait in Luke's?"
Lorelai could see that Dean wasn't happy with the idea of Tristan going to Luke's instead of his car, but nodded. The two of them left the gazebo and she heard Tristan sigh.
"Farm boy?" she questioned.
He shrugged. "My mouth just acted on instinct."
"You know Dean's from Chicago, right? …you know; windy city?"
"Don't really care."
"You might want to start. You don't have to like him-"
"Thank God," Tristan muttered.
"-but he's a part of Rory's life and he's not expendable."
"And I am, I get it. Like I said, my mouth just acted."
"You might want to have it seen to, then. Rory's not likely to appreciate your scorn where Dean is concerned. I'm surprised she let the remark slide."
"Me, too, actually."
They entered Luke's and she ushered Tristan into an empty table, indicating to Luke to bring them coffee. She sat down next to Tristan, noticing instantly that his gaze was on Rory.
"So, do you wanna make up the conversation?" He frowned at her. "You know, 'Rory, what were you thinking?'" she said with a low growl and Tristan laughed. When he didn't join in, she changed to falsetto. "Oh, Dean, you just don't understand. I wanted to tell y-"
"You need help," Luke said, dumping two cups on the table and filling them. "What happened?"
"Well, I gave her the perfect opportunity to blame me and she didn't take it. I just don't understand, I thought I'd taught her so well." Lorelai feigned a sigh and Tristan laughed a little. "Finally; a little humour."
"Let's wait and see if Rory wants to kill me when she gets back."
Lorelai waved a hand dismissively. "A bit of grovelling, some coffee, you'll be fine." She noticed that Luke was watching the gazebo and glanced out of the window in time to see Rory storming towards the Diner.
Tristan followed her gaze and sighed. "I should just go."
"No," she said decisively and both Tristan and Luke looked at her questioningly. "What? I want a ride in that fancy car."
"You're shameless."
"Why thank you, Luke," she said cheerfully, as he walked away. A moment later, Rory slumped into the chair next to them. "Narcolepsy Boy a little angry?"
"Now is not the time for your humour."
"Narcolepsy Boy?" Tristan questioned, getting a glare from Rory for her trouble. "Never mind." He cleared his throat. "Coffee?" He said, offering her his cup and Lorelai give him a thumbs up.
"Thank you." Rory sighed and Lorelai reached out, placing a hand on her arm.
"Oh, honey, Dean will get over it. He can't control who you're friends with."
"I know that, he's just…I mean…" she trailed off and Lorelai noticed that Tristan was a little uncomfortable.
"You know what, we'll talk later." Lorelai said and Tristan's face relaxed a little. "So, how was school? Wow, it's going to be weird not getting a reply that doesn't include the words 'Tristan' and 'evil' in it."
"Who says it won't?" Rory asked impishly.
"Gee, thanks, Mary, I can feel the love." Rory smiled cheekily and he shook his head. "Actually, we do have some news."
"Headmaster Charleston ran away with the librarian?"
"No, but close; I hear he's doing it with his secretary."
"No! Really?" Lorelai asked as Rory swatted his arm.
"What?" Tristan said defensively. "I really did hear that!"
"Well, I didn't want to." Rory said, horrified.
"You're trying to get dirty visuals out of your head aren't you?" Lorelai asked, a devilish grin on her face.
"I am now!"
Tristan looked a little ill. "Me, too."
Lorelai felt her face contorting as she thought about it. "Me three. Quick, tell me something good."
"Tristan and I are going skydiving?" Rory supplied.
"Now, what have I told you about jumping off of or out of things?"
"Avoid pointy objects?"
"And?"
"Not until I've made enough money to support you in your old age."
"Exactly!"
Tristan laughed. "I don't know if we'll manage to fit skydiving into the schedule, but our new history teacher wants to send us to the American Museum of National History in New York."
"They're hosting an exhibition of Leonardo's Codex Leicester," Rory added.
"The whole class, or just you two?"
"Just us," Rory said, smiling. "He wants to send the two best students."
"Wow, it's lucky you two chose today to be friends or that would have been really bad luck."
"I hadn't thought about that," Rory said, grinning at Tristan. "Otherwise I would have been running through your very irritating attributes at this precise moment in time. Moaning about how bad it was that you'd be ruining the experience for me."
"Thanks," Tirstan said dryly.
"Your welcome."
"So you like your new teacher?"
"Definitely," Rory nodded.
"Yes, Miles Ward, PhD, is definitely one of a kind," Tristan said with a smirk.
"Miles Ward? Who would name their kid 'Miles'?"
"Stop. He's my history teacher."
Lorelai grinned at her reaction. "Miles. Hello, I'm Miles."
"Will you please stop that?" Rory asked, hitting Tristan as he started to laugh.
"Miles is my name."
"Stop."
"So is Miles Ward going to arrange the whole trip?"
"Will you stop saying it like that?" Rory pleaded.
"Saying it like what?"
"Like that!"
"What?" Lorelai asked, raising her arms a little. Tristan was watching them with a broad smile on his face, clearly enjoying the show.
"With the accent and the smirk and the tone."
"There was no tone."
"There was a tone."
"There was no tone!" Rory gave her a look and she raised her eyebrows. "What tone?"
"The 'I'm going to mock this poor man's name for the rest of his life and send him into psychiatric care in the process' kind of tone."
"There was no tone, just a Miles."
"You did it again!" Rory turned to Tristan. "She did it again!"
"I'm staying out of this," he said, raising his hands defensively.
"You did it again."
"I did not."
"Did too! That's my teacher. I can no longer go into his classes and keep a straight face. He'll know."
"Know what?"
"That my mother mocked his name."
"I'm not mocking. I'm smiling."
"There was a tone. He'll know and I'll be forced to drop out of Chilton and made to join the circus and marry some small bendy man called Jaun, or die old and alone with a hundred cats. Leave his name alone!"
"What? It's a good name. Hours of fun. Miles."
"Stop."
"Wha-"
"Just stop."
Lorelai grinned and Rory mock glared at her. She smiled at Tristan who laughed at her.
"Wow, you two are never dull."
"It's a talent," Rory said, nodding sagely.
"I taught her well."
"It's a shame you don't unleash some of that quick wit on more people at school, it would certainly make the days more entertaining."
"I save my mockery for you."
"I feel so special, Mary."
Lorelai looked at the two of them, glad that the fight with Dean was being forgotten for the moment. "I have an idea," she said, bouncing a little.
"Uh-oh," Rory said, her eyes widening as she feigned fear. "Run while you still can," she said to Tristan.
"Funny. How about we go back to the house, order a little pizza, and watch some old reruns of The Waltons."
"Mom," Rory said warningly.
"The Waltons?" Tristan asked, cautiously. He had obviously learned well in his time with them; never expect a sane answer, you will undoubtedly be dissapointed.
"It's a mother/daughter thing," Lorelai said with a smile. "Come on, what do you say? I can go get lots of junk food and you and Tristan can go rent some movies."
"Okay."
Lorelai could tell that Tristan was surprised by both her inclusion of him and the fact that Rory didn't protest it. "Go on, crazy kids, and I'll meet you at Tristan's hot car in ten minutes."
"Okay."
Lorelai grinned as Rory perked up a little and turned to face Luke as they left the Diner. She had a new mission; to get coffee to go.
xxxxx
"Holy Mother of all that is pretty, I want one!"
"No!" Rory said, pushing her towards the house.
"Please?"
"No."
"Tristan, can I please get one?"
The boy laughed, locking the door of his car and joined them on route to the house. "Tell you what; I'll let you drive it this weekend."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Yeay!" Lorelai squealed and began to dance, ignoring Rory's groan. "Why it's Greased Lightnin'!"
"You realise that she is going to be a nightmare all week."
"I don't have to live with her," he said smugly.
"No, but you will have to put up with me complaining about her all week," she replied in the same tone.
He shrugged and winked at her, causing Rory to blush. "I'll live."
Lorelai raised her eyebrows at Rory, filing away her reaction for later talking, but said nothing. Tristan looked up at the house and smiled.
"So, this is your house?"
"Not quite what you're used to, huh?" Lorelai asked with a grin.
"I like it, it's-"
"If you say quaint," Rory interrupted. "I will beat you around the head with a large stick."
"Did I miss something?"
"Your daughter's into bondage."
"So that's where my handcuffs went."
Tristan scrunched up his face. "Suddenly wishing I'd kept my mouth shut."
"You brought that one on yourself." Rory grinned.
"The idea of me in handcuffs disturbs you, Tristan? I'm upset. Rory, your cute friend doesn't think I'm hot."
"Oh, dear God, save me," Tristan said, closing his eyes.
"Mom, what did I tell you about dating minors?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Jail would be detrimental to my health; they'd make me eat green stuff. Plus, have you seen those uniforms? They're just not pretty enough."
"If I open my eyes will all the crazy talking have stopped?"
"That depends," Lorelai said, grinning impishly at Rory, before turning back to face him. "Are you currently imagining me naked, or Rory?"
"I think I'm going to go home," Tirstan said, his face turning a darker shade of red.
"Have we punished him enough?" Lorelai asked.
"I don't know," Rory said cautiously. "Tristan, do you promise to be good?"
"If you make her stop, I'll be at your beck and call for the rest of the evening."
"Ooh, sounds kinky; go for it!" Lorelai said with a grin.
"Anything I want?"
"Anything."
Rory nodded. "Okay, Bible Boy, you can open your eyes."
"Thank you." Tristan took a deep breath, but still seemed a little reluctant to even look at Lorelai. "Your mother is evil."
"Why thank you, Tristan," Lorelai said with a grin and he laughed a little. "Not used to being beaten at your own game?"
"Not used to flirting with my friend's hot mom's."
"Ah! Rory, he does think I'm hot!" Lorelai smiled, linking her arm with Tristan's and walking up the stairs to the house. "I'm so pretty."
"You're insane," Rory said, following them. "But I'm the one he's got to please all night."
Lorelai and Tristan both looked at each other and turned to face Rory. She had her eyes closed and seemed to be cursing under her breath.
"So many things to say," Lorelai said, holding in her laughter.
"So many ways to say them," Tristan added, chuckling slightly.
"Is there any chance I'm going to live this down?" Rory asked, her cheeks getting redder by the second.
Tristan shook his head. "Not likely."
"Hah, but you have to do what I say for the rest of the night. So no mentioning it," she said smugly.
"You're right, Mary, however, there is the rest of your life."
"Not to mention the fact that I don't have to do anything of the sort."
"Oh, look, house. Pretty house. Let's take Tristan inside."
"So he can please you? Because I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. This is my house, young lady and I don't think I want any dirty business going on unless I'm involved." She frowned. "And you wouldn't be, of course."
"Yeah, we got that," Rory said.
"Oh, look," Lorelai said, turning back around to face the front door. "Pretty house."
She stepped forward, pushing the door open and stopped in the doorway, causing Rory to bump into her from behind. The two sniffed the air for a moment, smiles slowly lighting up their face. Lorelai looked behind her, grinning at Rory, and noticed Tristan frowning. She knew he must have been remembering that they survived on takeout and what they could smell was most definitely home cooked food. She glanced into the driveway and smiled, wondering if Tristan had noticed that there was another car aside from the jeep; a car that he had likely seen parked somewhere in the school parking lot.
"Max?" Lorelai called, entering the house. Rory rushed ahead as Tristan closed the door behind them and followed. Lorelai turned to glance at him, almost laughing at the look on his face. This had the potential to be incredibly awkward.
"Are you cooking again?" Rory called.
Lorelai watched as Tristan cringed when the familiar voice replied. "Despite what you and your mother may think, Rory, the kitchen is not here just to look pretty."
"But it's where we keep the coffee. If it wasn't pretty our shrine would look out of place. The pink coffee mugs and the little stale cookies shaped like coffee mugs would be living in squalor."
Lorelai ushered Tirstan in front of her, noting that he seemed more than a little uncomfortable, but knowing that the meeting would have to happen sooner or later. The idea hadn't really occurred to her and she was sure it hadn't gone through his mind when he had agreed to stay for the weekend, or when he had agreed to drive Rory home.
"Mr. Dugrey," Max said, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Mr. Medina."
"Oh." Rory looked back and forth between them. "This is a little weird, isn't it?"
"A little. I didn't realise that Mr. Dugrey was staying all week," Max continued, aiming his words at Lorelai. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"I'm not," Tristan said hurriedly. "I was just dropping Rory off."
"I missed the bus," Rory added, and Lorelai looked at her, trying not to laugh. She looked as though she had just uttered the words, 'I carried a watermelon', but was in no mood to figure out why.
"This is my fault. I didn't think to plan ahead." Lorelai smiled at them all. "So…this is a little odd." There was a consensus of nods and she cleared her throat. "Okay. Well…"
"Look, this doesn't have to be uncomfortable," Max said and Lorelai almost kissed him for his willingness to put people at ease, however, she figured the act might put Tristan off the idea of being there even more. "Rory, why don't you go get changed; you, too, Lorelai. I'm sure Mr. Dugrey and I can survive without you for a few minutes."
She looked at them a little warily, but they both nodded (Tristan still looking a little unsure). "Okay, if you're sure." She walked from the kitchen, mouthing 'be quick' to Rory before running up the stairs. She changed in record time and made her way towards the kitchen, stopping to listen when she heard Max's voice.
"As your teacher, I shouldn't say this, but I'm going to anyway. If you hurt her, Lorelai will kill you. And she will have a lot of help."
"I don't doubt it," Tristan mumbled.
"Then you're a perceptive young man, Mister Dougrey."
"I try."
Lorelai put a hand to her mouth, trying not to let her emotions get the better of her. She knew that Max cared about Rory, but it was a completely different thing to hear him acting like a father figure for her. She had thought it would be strange, but, instead, she found it very touching.
She heard Tristan sigh. Part of her wanted to go in and make her presence known, but she was curious as to what would happen next. "Look, Rory and I are only just trying to be friends," Tristan said, and Lorelai could hear the awkwardness in his voice. He no doubt felt extremely weird discussing Rory with his teacher. However Rory trusted Max, he was in her life and Lorelai knew that Tristan must have realised that. "I don't intend to mess this up."
"Call me crazy," Max said after a moment, "but I believe you."
"First time for everything, right?"
"So it would seem."
There was an uncomfortable silence before Rory opened her door, causing Lorelai to jump and bump into the cupboard door, knocking something on the other side. Rory looked at her strangely as Max and Tristan appeared. She smiled, embarrassed to have been caught, before entering the kitchen. There was a short silence.
"So," Max said, clearing his throat. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"Eh…"
"You can if you want to," Rory said with a small smile.
Tristan nodded slowly. "Sure. I'd love to."
Max frowned. "I could lend you a shirt if you want to change…too weird?"
Tristan nodded. "Too weird."
"Way too weird," Rory added, her face contorting slightly.
"Way, way too weird," Lorelai said, looking at Max as if he was crazy. He shrugged and she smiled at him. "Okay, so how do we want to do this?"
"Well," Tristan said, and Lorelai noticed that his eyes were glimmering with mischief. "What do you want to do tonight, Brain," he asked her, ignoring the look of confusion on both Rory and Max's faces.
"Same thing we do every night, Pinky," she said with a grin, "Try to take over the world…'s junk food syndicate."
"The world has a junk food syndicate?"
"Of course. If there's one type of syndicate the world needs, it's a junk food one."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you ran it," Max said with a smile and she nodded.
"I did start it, but there was a hostile takeover. I'm thinking of underhanded measures to regain my position of Queen Bee."
"Yes," Rory added, "I miss all the perks that came with being the daughter of the Queen Bee. I used to be fed on a regular basis, now I rely on Luke, Max, and Jim, the new delivery boy, to keep me going."
"Well, it's nice to know my food is appreciated," Max said, grinning at Rory. Lorelai couldn't stop smiling at him and he looked at her, a little confused.
"Rory, Tristan, why don't you two go do your homework, we'll call you when dinner's ready. You should take the phone and let your parents know where you are."
He didn't look too happy about it, but Tristan nodded. Rory grabbed the phone before ushering him into her room, shutting the door behind them. Max frowned and looked at her.
"You sure it's such a good idea to leave them alone in there with the door closed."
"And you missed the whole 'pleasing her all night' conversation," Lorelai said, surprising him with a kiss. "God, I love you."
"I love you, too," he said with a laugh. "And, not that I'm complaining, because that would be stupid, but what was that for?"
She smiled. "For being…you. I heard what you said to Tristan earlier."
"I did wonder when we saw you lurking in the hallway after."
"I guess I didn't really think it'd be like this," she said softly. "I knew I was letting you into our lives, but it didn't really sink in that I was letting you into our lives."
Max frowned. "Is that a good thing?"
She smiled and nodded. "God, yes, it's a very good thing. Strange, but good."
"Okay," he said smiling. "I'm glad." He kissed her soundly and then turned back to the stove, stirring whatever it was that was in the pot. She didn't really care; it smelled great and he was cooking for her.
"So, I'm glad your key came in handy," she said, sitting at the table and continuing to watch him.
"Yes, it did," he said, turning to face her. "I'm glad I've got one."
"So am I."
She continued to watch him. It felt strange having him in the house, but at the same time it felt right. She'd never thought that having a man in the house would ever work, but Max seemed to make it work. She wanted to make it work. She wanted to make them work. Max somehow fit into their lives and she wanted to make sure it stayed that way.
Grinning, she crossed the space between them and slipped her hands around his waste. He turned his head to look at her and she kissed him. It felt right and she pulled back with a smile on her face.
"I'll be right back," she said softly, before running to Rory's door. She knocked gently and peeked her head in. "Rory, can I talk to you for a minute."
Rory looked up from her place on the floor, where she and Tristan had spread their books. She was glad they were actually studying and not…well, doing whatever she would have done in her room when she was sixteen and alone with a gorgeous boy. Or rather what she had done. Tristan had removed his blazer and tie and unbuttoned his top two buttons, but other than that they both looked like she had expected; perfectly normal and un-kissed.
"Sure." Rory stood up. "I'll be right back," she said to Tristan, who smiled at her before turning back to his work.
Max looked at them suspiciously as Lorelai pulled them out of the kitchen and up the stairs into her room. She jumped onto her bed and Rory did the same, sitting opposite her.
"Well?" she asked expectantly. "Did you drag me up here for any particular reason?"
Lorelai grinned, feeling as if her face was about to crack. She couldn't stop smiling. Rory just looked at her, expectantly. Lorelai jumped a little on the bed, but couldn't form any words. After a moment, Rory's eyes widened and her mouth began to move as if she was trying to say something, but couldn't.
"Really?" she finally managed and Lorelai nodded. "Oh, my God!" Rory screamed in delight and Lorelai joined her, throwing her arms around her daughter. It was perfect and Rory was happy. There wasn't anything she wanted more.
"What is it? What's going on up here?" Max asked and they turned to look at the door, spotting Tristan in the hallway, looking equally confused.
"Eh…Rory had a…well…"
"You haven't-" Lorelai shook her head and Rory looked as if she wanted to strangle her. "Well, do it now!"
"But, I wanted to-"
"Now!" Rory said, giving Lorelai another hug before she jumped off the bed. Lorelai laughed as Rory threw her arms around a confused Max, before skipping out of the room and shutting the door behind her.
When Lorelai looked back at Max, the beginnings of a smile were playing on his lips. "I'm beginning to hope here." When she didn't say anything, he took a step towards her. "Why was Rory so excited?"
"Because I let her have the last poptart?"
"Try again," he said, his grin widening as he continued to approach her.
"Because I gave her my credit card and told her to go to Barnes and Noble?"
"Try again," he said, smiling widely as he placed his hands on the bed, one either side of her head.
Lorelai smiled back at him. "Because I told her I was going to marry the nicest, most amazing guy in the world?" she said softly.
"Good answer."
"I thought so."
"Are you sure?"
Lorelai nodded. "I've never been so sure of anything in my whole life."
"Good answer." He closed the gap between them and kissed her passionately. "Great answer," he said, laughing and pulling away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he stood up, picking her up with him. He spun her around and she squealed. She couldn't think of many times in her life where she'd been quite so happy. And it could only get better.
xxxxx
End of Part Four: Why it's Greased Lightnin'
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I realise that this also had a lot of Max/Lorelai, but it was from Lorelai's POV and, with the way season one ended, I had to include Max. I know the summary says possible Luke/Lorelai, but that will only arise further down the line. I'll reach a certain point (which I already have planned) and I'll put it to vote. I just want to make it clear that I LOVE Max and I LOVE Max/Lorelai, so it will also have a substantial part in the story.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to feed the author's friend, also known as the review button! ;)