Title: Fixed Determinence

Chapter 11: Shotgun Blues

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Shotgun Blues

The back door of the Journal Inquirer swung shut after Rory Gilmore walked in. She was just getting in from city hall. She had been interviewing the mayor and some council members about recent issues in the city. She actually enjoyed the assignment a great deal. The story was a big one and would affect a lot of people. Thanks to a recent blow out between the two Huntzburger men, she had been getting some excellent assignments. She was about to go to her office to write up her story when one of the other reporters told her she had a delivery at the reception desk. She took a detour and headed for the main entrance. When she got there she greeted the receptionist with a smile.

"Hi, Joyce, I hear there's a delivery for me?"

"There sure is, just give me a minute to grab it," Joyce answered and got up to retrieve the item.

"Ace, you're back, good. I missed you at the meeting this morning."

"You know where I was," Rory answered civilly.

"City hall, I remember. I just wanted to let you know what your next assignment is."

"Great, what is it?"

"I'm sending out reporters to the states with primary elections on August third and I assigned you Missouri. You fly out to St. Louis Monday morning."

"Oh my God, really? I get to cover their election?"
"Yup. I want my best people out in the field on this one."

"Well, thank you. I'll start researching as soon as Joyce brings me my delivery," Rory said eagerly. On cue, the receptionist returned with a bouquet of brightly colored flowers. Rory read the short message and grinned in response. She took the flowers and hurried to her office.

"Flowers, huh? That's nice," Logan commented, watching Rory retreat.

"Yeah, I'd image her office is looking like the Botanical Gardens by now."

"Why's that?"

"Rory has been getting flowers a couple days of the week for past two or three weeks. She either has a new admirer or that guy she's seeing is enjoying her company," Joyce answered.

"Oh really," Logan stated flatly. "Maybe he's in the dog house and just trying to get back in her good graces. I've been there."

"I doubt it, considering that she's wearing the same outfit she had on yesterday," Joyce confidently answered her employer, who was looking pensively in the direction of Rory's office.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

"Hello?" Tristan said as he answered his office phone.

"Tristan, hi, it's me. I just got the flowers you sent; they're beautiful, thank you."

"No no, thank you for last night," Tristan said smoothly.

"I do what I can. But you're going to go broke soon if you keep sending me flowers."

"Are you propositioning me, Rory?" he asked and she could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Maybe. I have good news."

"Oh yeah?"

"I get to cover the primary election in Missouri in four days on location! I fly out Monday."

"That's great; you're finally getting to write about politics like you want."

"I know! If I do well, maybe I'll get to write about the midterm election in November. Plus Missouri is a bell weather state, so it gets a decent amount of national attention during elections. I'm so excited!"

"You're going to do a great job. I'd say I'm about seventy-five percent happy for you."

"Only seventy-five?" Rory said with a frown.

"Yes. Three fourths happy that you're fulfilling your dream, one fourth sad that you have to be so far away for a few days. I'm not sure I'll survive the separation."

"I'll be back before you know it. I actually have a favor to ask you."

"You need to borrow my raft so you and Huck can float down the Mississippi?"

"Yes, and can you make sure it's clean, I don't want to come across any cobwebs from when it was in storage."

"Sure thing, anything else?"

"Yes, would you be able to drive me to the airport Monday morning? My flight is pretty early, so it shouldn't interfere with your schedule too much."

"I can. I'll even do you one better. Come over to my place Sunday night and I'll tell you about the Missouri state motto."

"I already know it's the Show-Me State."

"Well in that case I'll show you mine if you show me yours," Tristan said and Rory could hear that the smirk had returned.

"I'll see you Sunday," she said with a grin and eye roll as she sat the phone back down on the receiver.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Paris sat in the living room reading Newsweek and tried to ignore her roommate, who was running all around the apartment. It was getting difficult to focus on the magazine.

"Do you know where I put those articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Kansas City Star?" Rory asked, looking frazzled.

"They're right here on the lamp table where you left them," Paris answered, handing over the documents.

"Thanks."

"You're in rare form this afternoon."

"I just want to make sure I have everything for tomorrow."

"I know, but it's only 3:30, you have plenty of time."

"I don't, I'm going over to Tristan's tonight."

"Oh really?" Paris said dryly. "What for? I'd have thought you'd want a good night's sleep before you leave."

"He's driving me to the airport tomorrow morning."

"And I'm supposed to believe that's the only reason you're going to his place?"

"What other reason would I have?" Rory asked. Paris only looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"If you don't know I'm not going to be the one to tell you. What about last Thursday? I didn't see you again until you got home from work Friday."

"We were watching reruns of The Office and 30 Rock."

"All night? That should have lasted an hour."

"Well . . . we found something else to do and fell asleep." Paris snorted.

"What?"

"A likely story. More likely you found someone to do."

"Don't be dirty!"

"Then come home once in a while."

"I'm home all the time."

"Sure, on the nights Tristan gives lessons."

"Paris, does it bother you that I've been spending some nights at Tristan's?"

"No, not really. You're an adult and can do what you want. I'm just busting your balls for my own entertainment. Mostly because I find it inconceivable that you're sleeping with Tristan."

"You're telling me."

"Now get packing, you're wasting valuable time that could be spent wearing down Tristan's mattress."

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Rory woke up to a darkened room early in the morning. She turned her head and saw that she was alone. The bedside clock glowed 4:37am. She rolled back over to try to get a couple more hours of sleep before she had to get up, but she could hear piano music coming from down the hall. She sat up and looked around. She picked up Tristan's white shirt from the floor and put it on. She buttoned the shirt and headed out of the bedroom.

Tristan was sitting at his grand piano in his boxers and a wife beater shirt. Since it was so early he opted for his glasses rather than putting in his contacts. He was in his own world, focusing on the piece he was practicing. He was preparing for his upcoming concert, so he was testing his memory. His hands fluttered quickly over the keys while the phrase gained intensity as he ascended up the keys. Before the chord progression resolved to a perfect authentic cadence he caught a glimpse of Rory out of the corner of his eye. She was at the doorway watching and she had on his shirt . . . and nothing else. His focus shattered and he forgot what he was doing. He stopped and tried starting at the recapitulation again. He once again ascended the keyboard when he lost his concentration when Rory entered his peripheral vision. The unresolved phrase was starting to grate on his nerves like fingers on a chalkboard. He attempted the phrase two more times before banging his hands on the keys and looking up.

"I can't concentrate with you standing there like that," he said with a sexy morning voice. To Rory's chagrin he sounded annoyed with her.

"I'm sorry. I just heard you playing and my feet brought me here. I'll go back to bed," she said as she started to turn around.

"Mary, wait. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to lash out like that. Did I wake you?"

"No, I woke up on my own."

"You should probably try to get some more sleep before you have to get up for real."

"Yeah, alright," she answered and started to turn again. Tristan looked back down at the piano and sighed heavily.

"Rory," he said thickly and got up from the piano bench. She turned in time for him to trap her against the door frame. His lips captured hers and Rory wrapped her hands around his neck. His tongue slipped inside her mouth and he ran his hand down one of her bare legs and pulled her thigh up to his hip. He nibbled at her earlobe and lifted her other leg as well. With his hands under her bottom he waked to his bedroom. He laid her on the bed and covered her breasts with his hands. When his thumbs teased the aroused tips Rory let out a cry that was muffled against his lips and she arched into him. Tristan continued for a moment, but her reaction was all the invitation he needed. He removed his boxers and plunged into her. They started to move together fervently until they both went over the edge at the same time. He held her in his arms until their breathing subsided and their hearts slowed down. When he saw that Rory had fallen back asleep he untangled himself from her and walked back down the hall to continue practicing.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Rory woke up to her alarm two hours later and saw that she was once again alone in the king sized bed. Except this time she didn't hear a piano. However, a delicious scent wafted through the air. She sat up in bed as Tristan walked in carrying a tray with a plate of food and a mug of coffee. He smiled when he saw that she was awake.

"Oh good, you're up," he said as he sat down on the bed with the tray.

"You made me breakfast in bed?" Rory said with a broad grin.

"No, this is for me. You can help yourself to some in the kitchen," he said, sitting next to her and taking a bite from one of the pancakes. Rory gave him a murderous look.

"I'm joking, it's for you. Please don't look at me like that," he said, sliding the tray over to her.

"Don't joke about pancakes then," Rory said sternly. "These are good, you should have some."

"Good idea," he said sarcastically and went to bring another tray in for himself.

While they ate their breakfast, Rory went over her itinerary for her trip and Tristan listened carefully, making note of the small windows of time when she would be available for him to call her. Of course, he'd have to consider the hour time difference.

"Do you have everything packed and ready?"

"Everything except my toiletries, which I'll get after I shower."

"Sounds good. You know, I don't think you asked to borrow my shirt," Tristan said with a frown and unbuttoned the shirt Rory still had on. When it was off she looked down at herself, which was now completely naked. Tristan took a good look as well.

"Well, I'm going to go take a shower," Tristan announced as he got up and took off his own shirt. Rory stared at him, jaw dropped. Tristan looked back at her.

"Yeah, I take full responsibility this time," he said. He scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom with him.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Tristan and Rory walked quickly through the busy Hartford airport, Tristan carrying her suitcase. Rory looked professional in her grey pinstriped skirt suit with a crisp white shirt. They got to the terminal and Tristan spoke up.

"I must have put my contacts in the wrong eyes."

"Why do you say that?" Rory asked, fumbling with her ID.

"That looks like Logan Huntzburger," he said, nodding to a figure up ahead.

"Oh my God, what is he doing here? Wait, how do you know what he looks like?" she asked, turning to Tristan.

"Google," Tristan admitted guiltily. "What? His Facebook picture is a landscape. It was unhelpful."

"I wonder why he's here."

When Logan saw the couple he made his way over to them.

"Ace, there you are, I thought you'd have been here sooner."

"We got caught up with something and lost track of time," she answered, looking him dead in the eye, daring him to comment further.

"You must be Tristan DuGrey; it's nice to finally meet you. I'm Rory's boss, Logan Huntzburger," Logan said, extending his hand. Tristan shook it without a word.

"I hope you don't mind, but I bumped up our seats to first class."

"Our seats? Logan, what are you doing here?" Rory asked.

"I decided to tag along. I miss being out in the field." Rory was nonplussed by the lie. "Plus, we work pretty well together if I remember correctly."

"Have you even done any research for this?"

"I thought I'd borrow yours, just like the old days. You don't mind, do you?"

"Whatever."

"Can I talk to you for a minute," Tristan asked Rory, speaking for the first time and steering her away.

"I can't say that I care for the situation," he told her when they were out of Logan's earshot. "I'm definitely only one half happy about your trip now."

"The ratio has shifted for me as well. I swear I'm finding out about this for the first time right now. But don't be worried about Logan and me dating in the past. It's ancient history."

"Yeah I know," he stated. "Wait, do you think I'm the jealous one in this?"

"Well, sure. And I can understand, he is my ex. But you have nothing to worry about, remember this morning?"

"Vividly," Tristan said with a wolfish smile. "Can I say good bye to you here, I'd rather not go back over there."

"Yes," Rory answered and Tristan grabbed her fairly possessively and kissed her fiercely. Rory was a bit weak in the knees when he finally ended the kiss.

"You know, there's a bathroom over there, we might have time if we're fast."

Tristan smirked. "Just wait until you get back, we'll need more time, and you won't want me to go fast."

"I can't wait," Rory smiled.

"Hey, if you get some time to do a little sight seeing; you should go up in the arch."

"Are you kidding? After a couple of days with him, I'll want to jump off the arch. Or push him off of it."

"In that case, maybe you should stick with the zoo."

"Will do. I guess I should get back, we'll need to board before too long," she said with a sigh.

"Ok," he said, kissing her again. "Take care of yourself, Mary."

"I will. I'll see you Wednesday. Don't forget you're picking me up."

"Oh, I definitely won't," he answered, finally letting her free from his arms.

Rory watched with a smile as he walked away from her. She pulled herself together and headed back over to Logan. They went through the security check and found their gate. They only had to wait twenty minutes before their flight was announced. They boarded and got comfortable in their first class seats. Rory gazed out the window to see the luggage being thrown into the bottom of the plane and she pulled out her iPod. Before Logan could engage her in conversation she plugged in her ear buds and chose a playlist. To make it perfectly clear that she wasn't planning on pondering the meaning of life with him, she also pulled out her tattered copy of Anna Karenina and opened up to her marked page.

Maybe the flight wouldn't be so bad.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Two days later Rory sat at a table in the hotel restaurant. Logan had upgraded the hotel as well as the plane tickets. Her room in the Hyatt had an excellent view of the Gateway arch overlooking the Mississippi River. She was exhausted from being on her feet for so long the previous day. She was nursing her second cup of coffee and waiting for her order of French toast when Logan walked over to the table and sat down across from her.

"There you are, Gilmore. I thought maybe you were still asleep when you didn't answer your door."

"I've been here."

"I can see that. It's pretty early, isn't it?"

"Is it? I guess I'm just eager to get back."

"Home sick?"

"Something like that."

"You know, you did a great job yesterday. I read everyone's election reports before I went to bed last night, yours was very thorough."

"Thanks. I used some of the information from the interviews you did, it helped a lot."

"Glad I could be of service. It's just like old times, you and I helping each other to meet a deadline. We still work pretty well together don't we?"

"Some might say we're the Lewis and Clark of our generation," Rory said, digging into the French toast that had been placed in front of her.

"I didn't get to hear about the other state's election results last night. I went straight to bed when I got back to my room. What were the results?"

"Seven tea party candidates won around the country."

"Hmm, while here in Missouri the insiders won. Both winning candidates for the Senate race are relatives of former governors. I've also found Missourians to be socialists."

"How so?"

"They voted against Prop C about health care. But without universal health care the tax payers will foot the bill if anyone without health insurance has to go to the emergency room and can't pay. See? Socialists."

"Good point. Of course that proposition is unconstitutional."

"Yeah. But they're sending a message to Washington."

"True enough. Hey, I need to return some calls before we leave for the airport."

"I'm good to go. Just meet me back here when you're ready."

"Alright, I'll see you in a little while," Logan said and headed back up to his room.

Rory was finished eating her breakfast when she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. She took it out and answered.

"My favorite daughter has time to talk to me, what an honor," Lorelai said on the other end.

"It happens every now and then, what's up?"

"I was thinking of coming out to St. Louis before you come back."

"Why?" Rory asked slowly.

"Because then you could 'meet me in St. Louis, Louis, meet me at the fair'," Lorelai sang.

"How long have you wanted to sing that?"

"Ever since you told me you were going there. How has the trip been going?"

"Pretty well, considering."

"Considering what?"

"I'm not here alone. Logan came along for the ride."

"No! Why did he do that?"

"Apparently we've always made a great team and he misses being out in the field. Personally, I think he's just gone crazy."

"Does Tristan know he's there with you?"

"Of course; Logan was there when Tristan brought me to the airport."

"How'd he take it?"

"Better than I would have expected. I guess he doesn't feel threatened by Logan."

"That's a relief. I'm barely even disappointed that they didn't fight over you in the middle of the airport."

"Because that would have been mature."

"It would have been a good story."

"Too bad I'll miss out on that."

"It is too bad. So when to do you get back?"

"Our flight leaves Lambert airport at 12:30. So we should be back late this afternoon."

"You should come to Stars Hollow Friday night for dinner and a movie marathon. I'll even let you bring Tristan if you can't stand to be away from him."

"I'll definitely be there; but Tristan has to baby-sit his nieces this Friday."

"Well then I'll put you down as Gilmore, party of one."

"Ok, I'll see you then. I should probably go, I see Logan coming back."

"Glare at him for me."

"Sure thing, bye Mom."

"Bye Rory."

A/N: Patience, grasshoppers.