Chapter 9 Secrets Revealed

Finn called his Nan, and she answered it after three rings.

"G'day, " she greeted the caller.

"Nan, it's me, Finn. How are you?"

"Oh my favorite Larrikin, I'm fine. Why are you tingling me? Is everything alright?"

"Yes Nan, I just have a question to ask you."

"What is it Love?"

"Were you friends with a Straub Hayden and his family from Hartford?"

"Oh yes, Finn, I am. We used to travel around Europe until he died. I hear from Francine every holiday. Something didn't happen to her did it?"

"Nan I'm not sure but did they have children?"

"Yes, a son, about 4 or 5 years younger than your Dad, your Uncle Marty's age. Why do you ask?"

"Do you happen to know his name?"

"I believe it's Christopher."

"Does he have children?"

"Yes he has two. He is divorced and his youngest lives with him and his mother."

"Is it possible he has a daughter around my age?"

"He has two daughters, come to think of it… How old are you now Finn?"

"I'm thirty-three, don't tell me you've forgotten?"

"Well I haven't seen you in a while. Now let me think your uncle is fifty, yes, I believe his daughter is around your age. He was about seventeen when he and Emily's daughter became pregnant. It was such a scandal. Elias Huntzbergers youngest son, had such a crush on her too. Emily and Richard were best friends with Straub and Francine.

When Lorelai, that's Emily's daughter, ran away with the baby everyone was beside themselves. I remember how hard it was for Francine. Straub refused to let Francine have anything to do with Emily and Richard, and he would not let her go and see the child. I remember talking to Emily back then, and she told me that Christopher, was in and out of the child's life. She had wished they would marry. Why do you ask, Love?"

"I know the granddaughter. Her name is Rory and she was a year behind me at Yale. In fact, she is a close friend of mine, and she dated Logan. But I never knew that she was a Hayden."

"You said she dated Logan? That's a like history repeating itself. Her mother dated Logan's uncle before she dated Christopher. Straub made sure that the child had a paternity test after she was born to make sure it really was Chris's child. For year's Elias, Straub and Richard never spoke, and before that, they were close friends. But Lorelai was a beautiful, intelligent, free-spirited young girl, very rebellious, but who wouldn't be with a demanding mother like Emily."

Finn talked to his grandmother a little longer promising that he would spend time with her when he visited in December. When he hung up, he was shocked that Rory Gilmore was a Hayden. He wondered if Logan knew that his Uncle had dated Rory's mother. He was equally surprised that Rory had come from a wealthy family. He remembered the sausage party that Emily had given Rory the first time he met her. Why he wondered, did Mitchum and Shira Huntzberger disapprove of her if she was a Hayden.

Tristan pulled into the parking lot behind the Pigs Eye Pub in Hartford. They walked around to the entrance and walked in. The pub was already crowded, and the piped in music was very loud. Tristan spotted Paris and waved to her. Taking Rory by the hand, he led her to the booth where Paris and Jess were sitting.

"Hi, do you mind if we join you?" Tristan asked Paris and Jess.

""No, come and sit." Paris slid over in the booth to make room for her.

Paris and Jess were sitting across from each other, so Rory slid in beside Jess and Tristan sat beside Paris.

Paris and Jess were nibbling on some appetizers, and each had a drink in front of them. Paris had an orange colored Martini, and since it was a Wednesday evening, Jess was drinking one of the draft beer specials. A cute brunette waitress, name Cara, wearing a Pig's Eye T shirt came to take their order.

"I will have a Sam Adams Wheat."

Cara turned and looked at Rory.

"Do you have Chardonnay?"

The waitress nodded.

"I will have a glass of that."

Turning to talk to Paris she asked, "Paris what are you drinking?"

"I am having a Pumpkin Martini. It's good you should have one."

"Paris, I am so exhausted I probably would never finish it and fall asleep right here."

"Maybe you shouldn't be out if you are that tired," Paris replied looking concerned.

"I'm fine really. I am going stir crazy in my dad's house," Rory replied looking around the bar. "I spent the day with my grandmother at the hospital. Dad made Tristan promise he would feed me before he brought me home." Rory said. " I am stunned to see you both here together. Is there something going on between you two?" Rory asked them giving them a smirk and poked Jess in the ribs with her elbow.

"Oh we just bumped into each other at the hospital and I mentioned I was going here to grab something to eat," Paris said not wanting Rory to know that she and Jess were sort of dating.

Tristan looked at Rory and smiled, "What do you feel like eating? Most of the food is barbeque, do you like that food?"

"Yes, the best barbeque I had was in Austin Texas," she said smiling at him

"You haven't had barbeque until you've been in Carolina, they have the best pulled pork around."

The waitress came back, " Are you ready to order?"

Looking at Rory, Tristan asked, "How hungry are you? Do you want to share something or get something on your own."

Jess and Paris laughed at that, and Rory raised her eyebrow. It was apparent Tristan had never sat and ate with Rory before.

"I will have the Flying Pig Burger with cheddar cheese, and cheese fries please."

The waitress turned and smiled at Tristan.

"I will have the Smokin burger with bacon and American cheese, fries and bring an order of the mac and cheese fritters and the smokin wings for the table to share first," Tristan said with a smile.

He reached across the table and squeezed Rory's hand. "I figured we can share the mac and cheese fritters and the wings."

She took a sip of her chardonnay and leaned back in the booth looking at Tristan.

"Ror, How's your grandmother?" Paris asked her.

"She's in ICU, Dad is with her, but they will be taking her off the ventilator tonight."

The four of them sat and talked snacking on the appetizers that were brought. Soon the food that Paris and Jess ordered came out. Paris ordered the Pulled Chicken Sliders and a house salad. Jess ordered the Pulled Pork sandwich and house salad.

The Pig's Eye Pug is crowded and full of loud voices as they compete with the music in the background. This was the first time that Paris and Tristan had been at the restaurant, but many of the nurses and doctors had been talking about it. Looking around at the busy tables Rory noticed that April was here with a few other nurses. She saw a cute blonde wearing her nurses' scrubs talking too April who looked familiar.. Another familiar face catches Rory's attention. It is Cassie, she is standing at the bar with the two nurses, Julie and Erika, that took care of her the day she was admitted at the ER. They were all talking to one of the bartenders. Most of the people here were close to their age. Many wore uniforms, EMTs, in excellent shape wearing their Navy T-shirts with the Hartford emblem on their chest. Some of the nurses were here in their scrubs. As she is talking to Paris she sees April walking over to their booth.

"Doc, I am surprised to see you here," April started as she leaned on the side of the booth that he was sitting on. Tristan looked at her and didn't respond. "Hello Dr. Gellar, I'm surprised to see you two together."

Paris looped her arm in Tristan's and leaned her chin on his shoulder, "Why? You didn't realize we were close?"

Rory looked at Jess, and they smirked at each other.

"What do you want April?" Paris asked

"I just came over to say hello."

"Hello, now you can go. We would like to finish our meal and enjoy the company of our friends." Paris said dismissing her. April glared at her and gently rubbed her fingers on Tristan's shoulder before she walked away. Tristan shrugged and moved closer to Paris glaring at April.

"Tris, I told you not to take her home the night she was drunk," Paris said to him.

Tris just shrugged his shoulders and took a drink from his glass. The waitress came over and brought their burgers. Jess immediately handed the ketchup bottle to Rory knowing how she liked her burger. She smiled at him, and their fingers touched. It was a familiar touch that felt natural. She realized that touching Tristan felt different than when she touched Jess. Rory dressed her burger, and when she went to take a bite, she suddenly became aware of the music that was playing in the background of the bar. It was the song, by Brett Young, "In Case You Didn't Know."

"Paris let's dance," Jess said to her with his crooked grin. Rory and Tristan stood up to let Jess and Paris slide out of the booth. Jess took her hand and they walked hand in hand toward the crowded dance floor. Sitting back down in the booth Rory looked at Tristan and said, "When did that start?"

"Jess and Paris? I am not sure, but I think it's been going on for a little while now."

"Huh, I never would have expected that," she said and took a bite of her burger. Paris and Jess continued to dance on the dance floor with other customers as another song by Brett Young played.

Looking at Tristan Rory asked, "Did you and April date?"

"Define date? Did I take her out to dinner, spend the evening with her and call her for another date? No, never."

"So why does she act as if you did."

"I might have taken her home after a party, but that's all I did. She was drunk, I took her home."

Rory smiled at him, "Did you kiss her?"

Tristan leaned back in his seat and squinted his eyes at her and grinned, "Why? Jealous?"

"No, umm I just wondered why she is glaring at me?"

Tristan turned around and looked at her. "Come on let's give her a reason to glare." Taking her hand he led her to the dance floor.

The song "Hallelujah" was playing, and he took her in his arms, and they swayed on the dance floor.

Dean was at the bar and noticed them dancing. He was surprised to see them there and together since he never saw them when they walked in. Dean was serving some customers near the dance floor when he saw them dance by. She had her arms around his neck, and he had his hands at her waist. They were talking and swaying. He swallowed and watched them. The next song that came on was Brett Young's song, "Like I Loved You." Dean listened to the words of the song as he watched the two of them dance. They were laughing and talking, but there was something that was different. The way they looked at each other. He wondered if he had a second chance with her now that Tristan was around.

"Are you feeling better now?" Tristan asked her as they returned to their booth and continued to pick on their food.

"Because of the dance?" she replied with a smirk on his face.

He laughed, "It was good holding you in my arms. I have wanted to dance with you since I met you at Chilton. I bet you never knew how much I wanted to take you to our formal at Chilton."

She thought back to that day, how Dean and Tristan fought at the dance. Suddenly she had a chill and had a feeling that someone was watching her. She turned and looked out at the dance floor. The crowd moved away from the bar and noticed that Dean was standing behind the bar handing drinks to a young couple. He looked up, and their eyes met. She gave him a small smile, he nodded his head and smiled back at her.

"It's a good thing our dance was successful, and no one cut in or started a fight," she said smiling at him.

"What do you mean?" he asked her.

"You didn't know that Dean Forester is here working behind the bar?"

"Dean? Like your old high school boyfriend, Dean?"

"Yeah, look over there at the bar." She pointed to the bar where Dean was talking to some of the patrons, laughing and handing out beers. Every once and a while she saw Dean look over at their booth.

He looked over at the bar and noticed that Dean was watching them. Tristan looked back at Rory and said, "Sorry, no I didn't. Do you want to leave?"

"No, he was a long time ago. So many things have changed since we were together."

"How do you feel about me?"

"At one time you annoyed me. I thought I hated you, but then we shared some time together doing that project for English."

"Romeo and Juliet," he said interrupting her.

"You got kicked out of school and left. I was so angry at you. I wanted to know why you did that? Why did you have to do something like that?"

He took a bite from his burger and chewed it slowly before he answered her question. Rory sat there watching, waiting for his response.

"I could say that I was angry at my parents, at you for not going out on a date with me, and I was bored at Chilton; but to be honest Mare, I have no idea why I did the things I did when I was in high school. But I do know now that by sending me away to Military School was the right thing to do." He then reached over and took his hand in hers.

"Mare, I never forgot you, in fact, I thought about you all the time. I wondered what you were doing and if you were still with Dean. I am glad to find out that he is no longer a part of your life."

Rory gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand back. She felt the warmth from his hand and the tingle that seem to go through her body. She looked at his lips and wanted to feel those beautiful full lips on hers.

Just then Paris and Jess came back with drinks for the table.

"Tris, why don't you go and sit next to Rory, Jess and I want to sit beside each other."

Tristan got up, and Rory slid over in the booth. Without thinking, Tristan sat back and put his right arm over her shoulder. Jess did the same thing with Paris, and the girls looked at each other and smiled. Rory felt Tristan's hand slowly caress her hair.

"Paris, Jess, spill. What's going on?" Rory asked.

Jess sat up and folded his hands in front of him on the table. "What do you mean?"

"How long?"

Paris looked at Jess and said, "A little while, why?"

"Paris, bathroom now." Rory got up, and both men slid out of the booth, so the girls could go into the bathroom.

They quickly walked to the left side of the bar where the ladies' room was and walked inside. They were in luck and it was empty. As soon as they walked in, Rory turned to Paris, "Paris, why didn't you tell me you and Jess are dating?"

"Gilmore, I don't have time to tell you everything. Plus, may I remind you that you have been MIA this last year. Even Jess had no idea where you were. Why didn't you tell me that you and Logan got back together."

"Because we didn't, it was Vegas."

"What do you mean?"

"When Logan and I bumped into each other in Europe, the chemistry was still there. But I was afraid to commit to him. So we made an agreement."

"What was the agreement?"

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and when we leave Vegas, we forget about Vegas until we're back in Vegas and then it's just us in Vegas until we're not," Rory tries to explain this to Paris.

"Was that his idea?"

"I don't remember, but it doesn't matter anymore because there is no Vegas again with Logan."

"Gilmore that is the dumbest thing I ever heard. There's never a Vegas. Someone always gets hurt."

Paris went over to the sink and applied some lipstick and combed her hair.

Looking at Rory in the mirror she said, ""Rory I can't believe you got back with him again. Your better than that. You have always been too good for him. What happened to that Paul you dated. "

"Oh, Paul? He was a business colleague of mine. Don't worry there is no more Vegas and no more Logan."

"Are you sure this is finally over? What happened between you and Logan this time that you finally ended it.? I mean I am glad you ended it, but this is Logan. He is looking for you now."

Rory looked at her and nodded her head, "I know. When we were together this spring, I realized that I was missing something by staying with him."

"You mean your self-respect?"

"Yes, and I wasn't happy with my life. I wasn't going anywhere."

"So are you ready to move on?"

"I don't know Paris, I'm afraid if I do that I will get hurt again."

"You will only get hurt if you let yourself get hurt. Be smart Gilmore. Don't rush into anything and explore your options."

"Like you are doing with Jess?"

Paris looked at Rory and bit her bottom lip and nodded. They walked out of the bathroom and returned to the guys in their booth.

The guys were sitting there talking to each other. Tristan slid over and let Rory sit beside him and Paris sat beside Jess.

"Everything okay?" Jess asked Paris.

"Yes, she is fine with us. Right, Rory?"

"Yes, fine just don't go all Gellar on him!"

Tristan laughed at the remark that Rory made.

"Mare, are you sure you are fine? You don't look fine."

"I am, I am just tired. Do you mind if we go?"

"Sure, see you tomorrow Paris, and Jess it was good talking to you."

Tristan shook Jess's hand. Paris and Jess both stood up, and Rory hugged them both.

"I will be by the hospital tomorrow to check on you and your grandmother," Jess said.

"Thanks, Jess, I will talk to you tomorrow."

Rory turned to Tristan and he helped her slip on her jacket. He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the Pig's Eye. They walked to the parking lot, and he opened the door for her. She got in and buckled herself up. Tristan pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards her father's home. It was around ten pm. They sat quietly in the car ride home. Both of them thinking about this evening, she didn't want it to end and Rory wondered if he felt the same way. Finally Tristan arrives on the street where the Hayden's live. He pulls up into the driveway and puts the car in park. He turns towards her in his seat and looks over at her. The street light is shining through the window and he can see her beautiful face looking back at him. She is biting her bottom lip and he wants to reach out and trace her lip with his finger tip. He clears his throat and says, "Mare, I would like to see you again, but not as your doctor."

She smiled at him, "I would like that but…"

"But what?"

"Tris, I just made a stupid mistake with Logan. I don't want to make another one."

Taking her hands in his, he looked into her blue eyes and said, "I'm not Logan, and I am not going to hurt you."

"But what about all the other women?"

"What other women?"

"The nurses in the hospital, other female doctors?"

"Mare, I have not been in a serious relationship in a very long time. It is hard for me because of my career choice, and I am in the Navy. I could be deployed at any time."

"I don't' know if I'm ready?" she whispered looking up at him.

He looked at her face in the dim lights casting over them from the street lights, "Mary, I feel something, and I think you feel it too. We left things undone when I was sent away to Military School. I often wondered what would have happened if I stayed. Would we have dated? Would we both have gone to Harvard together? We were young, and maybe destiny brought us together now."

Rory turned her head away and looked out the car window. She did feel something she admits it to herself. Tonight Paris reminded her that Logan is looking for her, and she will have to confront him. Will she be able do that? Will she have the strength now to say goodbye to Logan again since she also told Finn and Robert goodbye? They had always been her closest confidants and she hadn't heard from either of them since they were together in New Hampshire.

"Tris, I do feel something, but I am afraid."

"Then we will take it slow. Sometimes things are better when you wait. Like you. I think I am getting a better version of you."

Tristan leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. She took her hand and placed it against his cheek leaning forward and kissing him back. They both responded, he pulled her closer, and he put his hand behind her head. She leaned in and wrapped her hand around his neck. She weaved her fingers through his hair. He pulled away and leaned his forehead on hers.

"Then we agree?" he asked her.

"That we will do it slowly?" she responded.

He smiled at her and nodded. She kissed him again. He let her go, and she opened her door and stepped out of the car. He waited by his car door as she walked around the back of the car.

They walked to the front door, and she opened it.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked him.

"No, I think I will go home and sleep. I am on duty tomorrow and my shift will start at 1 pm. I will come looking for you when I am on my rounds." He gently put his hands on her hips and pulled her close to him.

"Get some rest, remember you are still healing. Your grandmother will be fine."

"Thanks, Tris."

He kissed her one more time then she turned and opened the front door. He walked to the car got in and slowly backed out of the driveway. She stood at the doorway and waved to him as he drove away. She quietly shut and locked the door, then went to her bedroom. She was exhausted, today felt like a full week had gone by, but in less than 24 hours, her grandmother had a heart attack, and she was now dating Tristan Dugray. She quickly changed into her favorite pajamas and crawled into her bed and fell asleep.

The next morning Rory awoke to her ring tone of her mother's voice, "Answer the phone, Rory. This is your mother.". She reached over to it and looked, it was eight am. When she saw the caller id, she realized it was her mother, and it wasn't a dream.

"Hello?"

"Loin fruit? Where are you? Luke and I got home at seven, and we have been walking all around the house looking for you. Luke wants you to meet us over at the diner for breakfast. I can't wait to see you."

"Oh, Hi mom. Umm I am at Dad's"

"Dad's? You mean Christopher's? What are you doing there?"

"Well it's a long story, but right now I can't leave. Grandma Francine is in the hospital, she had a heart attack and bypass surgery yesterday, so I am helping out with Gigi. Can you come here?"

"Yes, yes. Oh, okay. I will come over later. Which Hospital?"

"She's at Hartford General. I will be there around ten, ten thirty after I get Gigi off to school."

"Okay, I will see you then."

Christopher was sitting at his desk in the office in the house when his cell phone rang.

"Christopher Hayden," Chris answered never checking the caller ID.

"Christopher, I just spoke to Rory. Your mother, is she okay?"

"Hi Lor, she is going to be moved from ICU later today. It was a good thing Rory was here when it happened. She drove her to the hospital."

"Wait, Rory was at your house when it happened? How long has she been staying at your house?"

"Oh, she didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what? Chris. What's going on?"

"Listen, Lor, I've got to go. I will let Rory fill you in."

"Christopher, Christopher?" He hung up, and she stood there looking at her phone. Luke came behind her and kissed her on the back of her neck.

"Did you find Rory? Is she coming over to the diner?" He asked her. When she didn't answer right away he got concerned. "Lorelai, what's wrong?"

"I'm not sure. Christopher's mother is in the hospital and Rory's staying there. Christopher said if it weren't for her his mother would not have made it. I'm going over to the hospital later."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, go ahead and go over to the diner. I know you are anxious to check on it. I'll meet you at the diner for my breakfast then I'll go to the Inn before I leave for the hospital."

They kissed each other goodbye. Luke left and went to the diner and Lorelai went to get ready.

As Lorelai was leaving her home to go to the diner, Babette came out of her house.

"Welcome back doll. How was your trip? Have you spoken to Rory? How is she feeling after her operation?"

"What, operation?"

"Oh, you didn't know? I figured Lane called you. Yeah, she was rushed to the hospital a couple days after your wedding. We haven't seen her since."

Lorelai stood there in shock, she wondered what happened. The last thing Rory told her was that she was pregnant. No Rory wouldn't do that, would she?

"Listen, Babette, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later when I get back."

"Tell Rory we are thinking of her and hope she's doing better."

Lorelai quickly went into the diner. She looked around for Luke and saw Lane.

"Lorelai, welcome back."

Lane quickly gave her a hug before she picked up the dishes that were sitting on the back window and brought them to the couple sitting in the corner. Lorelai sat at the counter and Luke walked over to her with a cup of coffee and her pancakes. Lane came rushing back by the counter.

"Lane, do you have a moment?"

"Sure Lorelai, I'll be right there."

Lane came over and gave Lorelai a hug, "You look great. I can't wait to hear all about Fiji."

"It was beautiful. Have you talked to Rory?"

"Not since I went to Hartford last week to bring her things."

"Order up Lane," Luke yelled from the other side of the counter.

"Sorry Lorelai, I've got to go."

The diner was packed, and Lane rushed off to get her order. People came in, and soon all the tables were filled. Taylor walked in with Kirk and Lulu, and they sat at the counter beside Lorelai.

"Lorelai, we are glad your back. Do you know where Rory is? We haven't seen her since they took her in an ambulance two days after your wedding," Kirk asked.

Luke and Lorelai looked at each other.

"Rory is staying in Hartford with her dad. Christopher's mother was taken to the hospital," Lorelai replied.

"Then Rory is doing okay?" Miss Patty asked as she walked behind Lorelai at the counter where she was sitting.

"Oh yeah, I spoke to her this morning," Lorelai quickly replied not revealing that this was the first that she heard about an operation.

Lane walked by at that point, and Miss Patty asked her, "Lane dear, how is Rory doing?"

"She is feeling better. She can't drive for another week. Zac and I are going to see her later."

Lorelai grabbed her purse and kissed her husband goodbye. She said goodbye to the other people and walked outside. She took her phone out of her bag and dialed Rory's number, the phone went to voicemail. She left a message and got into her jeep. She drove to the Inn to check to make sure everything was going well. After quickly checking in with Michel and Sookie she left and headed for Hartford. She called Rory again and still didn't reach her. She headed towards Christopher's home and pulled in front of the house. She went to the door and rang the doorbell.

The door opened, and Christopher was standing at the door. "Lorelai, I wasn't expecting to see you until after you spoke to Rory."

"We need to talk. Where is Rory?"

"Rory left for the hospital already. I'm going over later to relieve her. My mom should be out of ICU today."

He poured her a cup of coffee, and they sat down at the kitchen table.

Lorelai looked at him and hesitated, but finally, she asked him the question that had been on her mind, "Chris why is Rory staying here? What happened while I was away?"