Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls, actors, characters, plots, etc, that would be the wonderful people at WB. Although if I did, I'm pretty sure there'd be some big changes coughChadcough. Anyway if you do feel inclined to sue me, some people have strange urges and we must accept them for who they are, I'm currently flat broke so all you will get is a used textbook, probably on organic chemistry.

Photoboothromance: I actually don't know why I wrote the last chapter like that, it just happened, I guess that's the mood I was in… more action in this chapter.

Rish: Thanks for reading and hopefully you won't feel so bad for Tristan in this chapter.

FairyGirl07: Damn, you've worked out my ulterior motive! Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Finnlover: I think I might like you, you ask me questions! I like questions, makes me feel less like I'm talking to myself. And in response to your new question, I've traveled quite a bit and have met guys from around the world and Australian guys are amongst the best (if not the best ;D). Most Aussie guys I know are funny and fairly laid back, although they're pretty sports mad and they're very respectful toward women. Chivalry is definitely not dead, at least not amongst my male friends, they still hold doors open, won't let you pay for anything (no matter what you say or do) and they offer you their seat. Most love a good beer, but none that I know of are quite as constantly drunk as Finn, although there are several clubs and societies at my university dedicated to beer and drinking beer. Yeah Australian guys are pretty good, but that's not to say guys overseas aren't either.

LoVe23: Thanks for reading and see, I'm updating.

Ali: Thanks, darling. Tristan's not precisely sad, maybe this chapter will clear it up a bit, but I doubt he'd refuse a hug from a lovely person such as yourself.

GGluvr1987: I'm trying to make most of this story from Tristan's POV to add a little perspective and cos I'm too lazy to write the stuff he's not present for in the show.

Charlotte: actually fifteen people told me what a triscuit is, but it doesn't hurt to have one more explanation. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 8

"You better not be expecting that your little party will bump everything else off everyone's social calenders," Paris accosted Rory as she walked to her locker, Louise and Madeline flanked her immediatly.

"Huh?" Rory blinked, looking at each of the three girls blankly.

"Oh and don't expect everyone to bring well-thought out presents, carefully chosen with your personality in mind," Paris continued her rant, "Personal shoppers don't care too much about that. Expensive, yes, wanted, no."

"Paris, I have no idea what you're talking about," Rory replied.

"Oh that's funny. You would think that the birthday girl would know about her own party," Louise commented pointedly.

"Not if it's a surprise party," Madeline added.

"There are invites," Paris answered, "Printed on handmade cream paper, embossed with gold, this isn't a ten year old's surprise party with clown."

"I still don't have any idea what you're talking about," Rory broke in.

"Here," Paris shoved her own invite into Rory's hand, "See, birthday party, for you, apparently."

"Oh no," Rory muttered, knowing exactly who was behind it all.

--

"Mom, you won't believe what grandma is doing now!" Rory exclaimed barrelling into their home.

"She's going skinny dipping?" Lorelai asked, looking up from her coffee and magazine.

"No! Eew, that's wrong on too many levels. Seriously though, she's throwing me a birthday party."

"And that's a bad thing because?"

"She's invited everyone from Chilton."

"Oh no," Lorelai breathed.

"You have to stop her."

"How? The last time someone tried to stop Emily Gilmore from throwing a party found themselves exiled a being the clown at kids parties."

"Mom, please," Rory begged.

"Okay," Lorelai sighed, "But you owe me big, like millennium fireworks big."

"I'm forever in debt to you," Rory smiled relieved, walking off to her room.

"You always were, from the moment you were born," Lorelai called after her.

--

"So how'd she take it?" Rory asked her mother the following day.

"Good, considering," Lorelai replied with an odd expression.

"Well that's great! No more Chiltonites than absolutely necessary."

Lorelai odd look turned into something more pained.

"Mom?"

"Promise not to get mad," she cringed.

"Mom?" Rory warned.

"It'll be so big so you won't even notice any of those snotty Chilton types. We can even get Kirk harrass them into leaving, he's a pretty convincing stalker."

"What did you do?"

"Mom kind of thinks that she won't be hosting a birthday party for you because Stars Hollow is throwing one for you on the same right."

"What happened? You used to be so strong."

"It'll be okay."

"I should hope so."

--

Despite the last minute change of location, Rory's birthday party was huge. Luke, Taylor and Sookie provided the food, but they were starting to worry that they might run out. All of Stars Hollow had turned out and, Rory noticed, that most Chiltonites from her grade were also there too.

--

He had arrived, fashionably late, but it wasn't like she had noticed him anyway, flitting around groups of people he didn't recognise. She was relaxed and happy, laughing and dancing around with her mother. The only people who noted his arrival were all Chiltonites. He scowled slightly, if this had been a regular Hartford party, only a passable number of his fellow students would have been present, but it seemed that their entire grade was here. Probably more curious about the little town than any genuine interest in Rory, he thought.

"Why don't you cut your losses and walk away now?" Louise asked him noticing him following Rory around, "No one would think less of you."

"It's not that simple," Tristan replied with a sigh, "And I would think less of myself."

"Only if you're emotionally involved," Louise answered with a knowing look.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tristan frowned.

"Are you in love with Rory Gilmore?" she asked bluntly.

"No!" he exclaimed.

"Are you sure? Because you can't deny that she's no longer a conquest."

"I know that," he replied softly.

"So you admit you are in love with her?" she smirked, triumphant.

"No, I'm… intrigued, confused by her," he couldn't really articulate what it was exactly about Rory that made him continue pursuing her.

"How so?" Louise asked, confused by him.

"I don't understand why she refuses me."

"She has a boyfriend," she pointed out.

"Even before he came along."

"Tristan, you can have any girl, why get worked up over her?" Louise asked the question that so many of their fellow students wanted to know.

"That's exactly it!" he exclaimed, "Why can I have any girl, but her? What is it that she sees about me that she doesn't like?"

"Well, you've dated more girls than an all-female production of Cats," stated Louise, "You've got more ways for saying you want sleep with her than Eskimos have words for 'snow'. You've possible the biggest flirt ever."

"That doesn't stop any other girl wanting me, it doesn't stop you," he eyed her pointedly, reminding her that she did hit on him at least once a day."

"Tristan," Louise sighed, not knowing exactly how it explain the curious phenomen to him, "Most girls you date are from our world and they know the stories of how great you can be. Or if they're from the outside they are so overwhelmed by you that they can't say no."

"And Rory?" he asked, in a rare instance where he was actually using her proper name.

"She's from the outside and also clearly unimpressed by anything you have to offer."

"That'll change."

"Give it up already. And you shouldn't have to change for just one girl."

"Have I ever given up at anything?" he asked.

"No… but then you've never had to fight for anything either."

"You have so little faith in me."

"No, I have more faith in Rory," Louise replied with a half-smile.

"Oh, look there's Eric," Tristan pointed out to another Chiltonite, "Didn't you say you were interested in him?"

"Isn't he with Krista?" Louise asked, her interest peaked.

"They broke up," Tristan replied, actually he had no idea what Eric's status was, he just wanted to distract Louise.

"Well I better go say hello," she smiled to herself, fixing her hair, she stalked off without a backward glance.

Tristan sighed in relief when he was alone, he could go back to studying Rory.

--

"So do I get a kiss?" Tristan asked, finally working up the courage to approach Rory, it helped that she was alone.

"No, the birthday girl isn't supposed to give the kisses out, she's supposed to receive them," Rory replied lightly, she was in too good a mood to let Tristan's attitude get to her.

"Well, then would the birthday girl like a kiss?" his eyes twinkled, filled with mischief.

"No, I – " she started to protest, frowning.

He kissed her chastely on the cheek and she gaped at him stunned.

"I wasn't expecting that," Rory replied, quietly impressed that he hadn't kissed on her lips.

"I can tell," he smirked, "You were thinking more along the lines of this…"

He kissed her again, but the second kiss was longer, on her lips and left her actually wanting more. She immediately banished the thought, she had Dean. Dean was good and kind and sweet. She stared at Tristan in shock, unable to comprehend what he'd done, she saw he start to smirk, she wanted to wipe the smirk, she wanted to wipe the smirk of his face, but she was beaten by blur that almost knocked Tristan over.

"What the hell are you doing?" Dean demanded, shoving Tristan, "That's my girlfriend."

"And I'm sure Rory appreciates your sense of ownership," Tristan retorted, not backing down

"Tristan," Rory warned.

"No, Rory, you shouldn't have to be with a guy who thinks you belong to him," Tristan shook his head.

"Shut up!" Dean yelled, getting aggravated.

"You want something, Bean?" Tristan taunted, "Where's your apron?"

Dean lunged at Tristan, but he dodged easily.

"Stop it!" Rory screamed at the two boys.

Reluctantly they calmed down, glaring at each other.

"Tristan, I want you to leave now," Rory ordered.

"But – " Tristan began.

"No, I'm serious," Rory replied, "Wait, actually go to my house, wait there, I want to talk to you."

"Rory," Dean warned, scowling as Tristan walked to Rory's house.

"Dean, I just need to talk to Tristan, I'll be fine."

"You sure?" he asked, doubt apparent in his face.

"Yes," Rory nodded firmly, "I'll be back in a few a minutes."

She didn't wait for her boyfriend's response before hurrying off after Tristan.

--

"Why'd you do that?" Rory demanded, approaching Tristan who was standing on the porch.

How could he explain to her, his need to know what she tasted like, to know whether her lips were as soft as they looked like?

"I know it was wrong… I'm sorry," Tristan sighed.

"You should be!" Rory exclaimed.

"Rory, I – "

"I think you should leave now."

He wanted to say so many things, but he knew it would be pointless. With a sigh, he nodded his acknowledgment and left her standing by herself on the porch.

--

By Monday, Tristan was feeling beyond remorseful. He arrived at school early for once, staking out a spot beside Rory's locker. He bit his lip, seeing her disappointment when she noticed him there.

"Rory, what do I have to do to make you realise I am sorry?" Tristan asked before she could speak, "I'll do anything you want."

"Anything?" Rory asked, the possibilities were endless.

"Name your price," he smiled as confidently as he could, inside his was afraid of what she might say.

"Go on a date with Paris," she replied almost immediately.

"What? Why?" Tristan frowned in confusion.

"You said anything," she threw back at him, smiling a little on the inside, "Anyway, Paris likes you, a lot."

"Okay," Tristan replied softly.

--