AN: I want to send a shout-out and big thank you to CabbieLoverSAC22. This chapter was way too short for my liking and had no idea what else to write when I first wrote it, but after reading your review for chapter 10 I added to it. I hope you like it.
Chapter 12: "You two were made for each other, you know that,"
"What's this?" Rory asked Finn as he handed her a piece of paper a couple of weeks after spring break.
"That, love is an invitation to my birthday party," Finn said.
"Birthday huh, that should be fun," Rory said.
"It's themed, too so pick a good costume," he told her.
"Quentin Tarantino?" Rory questioned.
"I'm a fan of Pulp Fiction," Finn said.
"This could be fun. I'm looking forward to it," Rory said.
"Wonderful. I'll see you around love. I've got more invites to give," Finn said.
"So who are you going to go as?" Tristan asked, reading the invitation over her shoulder as he leaned against the back of the couch Rory was sitting on in the dining hall.
"Well the easiest option is Gogo. I've already got the skirt," Rory said.
"And you look damn sexy in it, too," Tristan said, kissing her cheek before joining her on the couch.
"Yeah, that, too," she said as he threw an arm around so she could lean into him, "Who are you going to be?"
"I'm not sure yet," he said, "though we could wear costumes that go together if you want."
"Like what?" Rory asked.
"Well, we just saw Sin City and Tarantino did some directing in that. You could easily pass for Becky," Tristan said.
"And what you'll be Josh Hartnett," Rory said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Yeah, why not. I like it. Let's do it," Rory said.
"What's going on guys?" Riley asked as he and Stephanie joined them in the dining hall.
"We were just discussing our costumes for Finn's party," Rory said.
"Oh, yeah, you going as Gogo?" Stephanie asked.
"Yeah, you have the skirt for it, right? Your old Chilton uniform," Riley said.
"I thought about it since it would be easiest, but Tristan and I just went and saw Sin City the other day," Rory said.
"Ooh, you're going as Becky, genius," Stephanie said, "You guys could be twins."
"I know right," Tristan said, "And I will put on a doctor's uniform and be The Salesman."
"Perfect. Now we have to figure out what we're going as Riley," Stephanie said.
"I was thinking True Romance," he said, "Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette. I think you'd look pretty hot in pink leopard pants."
"And Luke has a closet full of Hawaiian shirts. I'm sure he would let you borrow one," Rory said.
"I like it," Stephanie said, "Any excuse to shop for a new outfit, though I probably have a top that will work already so I'll just need the pants."
After classes a few days before Finn's party, Rory and Stephanie paid another visit to Anna's store so Stephanie could find some pink leopard pants and Rory could find a few things for her outfit. She had seen a nice leather jacket that would look great one time when she was there before and Anna also had some cool, funky jewelry that looked like something Becky would wear.
"Hey Rory, Stephanie. What brings you out here in the middle of the week?" Anna asked.
"We're going to a birthday party for a friend on Saturday and it's Quentin Tarantino themed so we're shopping for things for our costumes," Rory said.
"I'm going as Alabama Whitman from True Romance," Stephanie said, "I've already got the blond hair and a top that will work, but I am in need of pink leopard print pants."
"Check the last rack in the corner," Anna said, pointing to a spot for Stephanie to check, "What about you, Rory? What are you looking for?"
"Well, I'm going as Becky from Sin City. I'm good with jeans and shoes," Rory said,
"Plus you look like her already," Anna said.
"True, but I could use a top and some funky jewelry, big earrings. And I remember seeing a leather jacket before that would be perfect," Rory.
"I know just the one you're talking about. I've got it in back, I'll go get it," Anna said.
"Hey, Rory," April said as she came into the store.
"April, how are you?" Rory asked, "School's good?"
"I'm good. School's fine. I aced my biology test today," April told her.
"That's great and how are things with Luke?"
"Really good. I never felt like I needed a dad, but I'm glad I found him because he's the best. I'm not calling him 'dad' just yet, but maybe someday."
"Great, so no diner today?"
"No, I've got a lot of homework and sometimes it's hard to get it done there with Kirk hovering plus Jay is coming over in a little while to work on a project."
"Really? I haven't heard that name in awhile. What's going on with that?"
"Nothing major. We're friends. A couple of weeks after I told you about him he started having trouble in our biology class and came to me for help," April said, "I said I'd help as long as he didn't hit on me or call me 'Mary.'"
"And did he?" Rory asked.
"Once, but then I threatened to have my father, cousin, brother, and my sister's boyfriend kick his ass if he called me 'Mary' again," April told her.
"Aww April, that's really sweet," Rory said.
"Also, incredibly effective. He only calls me by my name and is a complete gentleman whenever we hang out," she told her.
"Which is quite often I imagine since he's coming out here," Rory said.
"We eat lunch at school and talk on the phone all the time," April said, "He's been out here a few times to study."
"Has Luke met him yet?" Rory asked.
"No, we're not dating so I saw no reason to subject him to an overprotective father just yet," April said.
"That's probably a good idea," Rory said as she began to look at some jewelry, "So, any chance this thing with Jay will move to being more than friends?"
"I don't know. I do like him, but I've never had a boyfriend so I'm not really sure how to put myself out there and he hasn't made any moves since I shut him down," April said.
"Well, how about after you study you watch a movie. Put in something you both like, pop some popcorn. It will give you a chance to sit close to him and maybe "accidentally" lean against him or brush your hand against his while reaching into the popcorn bowl," Rory said.
"Really? It's that simple?" April asked.
"Yeah, sort of. Believe I was terrified when I first started dating, but you've just gotta dive in and hope for the best," Rory told her, "You're a great kid. You're beautiful. You're incredibly smart. Any guy would be lucky to have you."
"What if he doesn't like me anymore or just wants me for sex?" April asked.
"Okay, one, he wouldn't be hanging out with you if he didn't like you and two, if sex is all he wants then it's his loss if that's not what you want," Rory told her, "That's not what you want, is it?"
"No, at least definitely not right now. I haven't decided to wait until I'm married or anything, more that I want to do it when it's right, you know," April said.
"Yeah, I get that. I'm glad I waited for Tristan," Rory said.
"How long were you together before…" April asked.
"I think about six months or so," Rory told her.
"Was it worth the wait?" April asked.
"Absolutely."
A couple hours of looking later, Stephanie had her pants and a few other things she just had to have. Rory had her leather jacket, a top that looked like the one Becky wore while leaving the hospital, and a ton of oversized, funky jewelry. They were ready and really excited for the party.
At Friday Night Dinner the night before the party everyone was excitedly talking about the photo shoot that Lorelai was having at the inn for for American Travel Magazine.
"It's amazing, Mom," Riley said, "You haven't even been open a year and The Dragonfly is one of the top ten inns in the state."
"I know. I can't believe it," Lorelai said, "Are you two coming tomorrow? I'd love it if you could be there while they shoot."
"Can't Mom, sorry. Tomorrow is Finn's birthday and he's throwing himself a party," Rory said.
"And since it's Finn I'm guessing it's going to be pretty wild," Lorelai said.
"Probably, but I'm excited by the theme," Rory said.
"Yeah, Tarantino," Riley said, "Everyone's supposed to dress up as characters from movies he's worked on."
"You're going as Gogo I presume," Lorelai said.
"Nope. I was at first just to get the costume out of the way, but Sin City just came out," Rory said.
"Oh, I like it," Lorelai said, understanding who she was going as, "What about you Riley?"
"Stephanie and I are doing True Romance," he said.
"Very nice. Take lots of pictures for me," Lorelai said.
"We will," Rory said, "So, Grandpa, how's work going?"
"Love the costume, Ace," Logan said as he came up to her at the party while Tristan was getting them drinks.
"Thanks Logan," Rory said, "I take it you had this robe just laying around already?"
"That's possible. So where's my cousin?" he asked.
"Getting drinks," Rory told him.
"Here you go, Mar," Tristan said as he handed her a drink, "Nice costume Huntz. You already own that?"
"You two were made for each other, you know that," Logan said, "Have fun. I'll see you later."
"What was that about?" Tristan asked.
"I suggested the same thing about his robe," Rory told him with a laugh.
"And I'm sure he did in fact already own that," Tristan said, "That and probably several others."
"Hey, Baby Girl," Riley said as he and Steph approached them when they arrived, "Tris."
"Hey, Ry. Steph you look incredible," Rory said, giving her friend a hug.
"Thanks you do, too. I told you, you and Becky could be twins," Stephanie said, "It's like she stepped right out of the movie and into the party."
"Thank you," Rory said.
"So, you ladies want to dance?" Tristan asked.
"Absolutely," Rory said, "Come on Steph."
"Right behind you," Stephanie said as she took Rory's offered hand and went out on to the dancefloor.
"What just happened here?" Tristan asked.
"Apparently they would rather dance with each other than with us," Riley said.
"Everyone having fun?" Finn asked when he and Colin came up to Riley and Tristan.
"I am, that's for sure," Colin said as he looked out onto the dance floor, "Damn! Look at Steph and Reporter Girl."
"I'd rather not. Tristan will you go cut in while I try to remove the image of my sister grinding with my girlfriend from my brain," Riley said.
"Oh, do you have to make them stop," Finn wined, "You could just keep your eyes closed while the rest of us watch."
"Not going to happen, Finn," Riley said, "Tristan?"
"I'm on it," he said as he walked towards Rory and Stephanie, "Can I cut it?"
"I don't mind, but I think Riley would have problem with you dancing with his girlfriend," Rory said.
"Funny, now how about you and I have a dance so Colin and Finn's heart rates don't go any higher and Riley stops contemplating stabbing out his eyes," Tristan said.
"I told you they would enjoy the show," Rory told Stephanie as she placed her arms around Tristan's neck, "Why don't you go save Riley from the guys active imaginations."
After a few more hours and several dances Tristan joined Rory in her dorm while Stephanie went with Riley to his. They didn't stay too late at the party as they had to be up early for Sunday brunch with the Hayden's the next morning.
"So how is school going?" Straub asked as they sat at the dining room table for their weekly brunch.
"It's good. It's crazy busy, but it's good," Riley told his grandfather.
"And Rory, how is school going for you?" Straub asked, "Rory?"
"I'm sorry, what did you ask?" Rory questioned as she tried to put away her phone before her grandmother noticed she had it out.
"You know you're not supposed to have your phone out at the table, Rory," Francine said, "Now turn it off."
"I'm sorry I saw I missed a call and he left a message. It just through me. I can check it later," Rory said, turning off her phone and placing it in her purse.
"Who would call you on a Sunday?" Riley asked, "Everyone knows we come here."
"Mitchum Huntzberger," she said.
"Why is Mitchum calling you," Straub asked.
"I can only guess, but I imagine he wants to offer me an internship again," Rory said.
"Again? He's offered you an internship before?" Francine asked.
"Not officially. When we met a couple of months ago he mentioned that he may be acquiring the Stamford Eagle Gazette and that if that went through he would be glad to have me at his side," Rory said.
"Well, that's wonderful. Mitchum is the best in business and if he wants you to intern for him you should go for it," Straub said.
"Really? I've thought about it and even Logan said it was a good idea. He said I could learn a lot from him," Rory said.
"Oh, you'll definitely learn a lot," Straub said, "Why don't you take a minute and call him back."
"No, it can wait until we're done. This is our time together as a family. A fact Mitchum Huntzberger will have to learn if he offers me this position," Rory said.
After they finished eating, Rory excused herself to Straub's study so she could listen to the message Mitchum left her and call him back. She apologized for not answering when he called, but explained that Sunday mornings were always spent with the Hayden's and they didn't like cell phones at the table. After a while Riley joined her to see if she was off the phone and to ask what Mitchum had to say.
"Well?"
"Well, he didn't acquire the Gazette."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Baby Girl. I guess that means no internship."
"Not exactly. He did acquire a new paper and offered me an internship."
"Okay, so what paper? Where is it?"
"The New Haven Register."
"Really? Are you going to take it?"
"Yep, it's an excellent opportunity and with a paper that I can practically walk to I'd be crazy not to and so would you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, he didn't have your number, but Mitchum wants to extend an internship to you as well."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously, Ry. You're a great journalist. You deserve the chance to work at a paper and learn from the best just as much as I do."
"So we'd be working together at the Daily News and now The Register, too."
"What, you think you'll get sick of me?"
"Of course not, I just know I have a tendency to hover and butt into your life from time to time. I don't want you to get sick of me and demand time apart."
"Never. You may annoy me when you pull your overprotective crap."
"It's not crap."
"But, I love you anyway and would never want you to treat me any differently. I love you just the way are, Big Brother."
"I love you, too, Baby Girl."
The next day before they went to their afternoon classes Rory and Riley met Mitchum at his Hartford office to set everything up for their internships. They went over their class schedules and told him about the weekly dinner with the Gilmore's since he already knew about their brunches with the Hayden's so they could plan when and how often they could be at the paper. After their meeting with information on the paper and id's in hand, Rory and Riley went back to school ready to begin their internships at the New Haven Register the following week.
AN: I know I could have left it as the Gazette, but decided a different paper closer to campus would allow for visits from Tristan and Stephanie that wouldn't have been as easy to give reason to for a newspaper forty miles from campus.