Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls? Nope, don't own 'em – I just wish I did! (Especially the yummy Chad Michael Murray…)

A/N: Sorry this chapter's so brief – I can't make it any longer, without giving away the rest of the story! And I don't want that to happen now, do I?  

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Cheers

Chapter 9: Comparing Notes

"So what's he like?"

Lifting his eyes, Tristan smiled glumly before downing the rest of his drink. "Tall."

Jess frowned, somewhat annoyed. "Wow, and that tells me a lot."

Tristan stared into space, oblivious of the other man's sarcasm. "What's there to say? He's tall, he's rich, he's stuck up – and he has Rory Gilmore. Is that descriptive enough for you?"

"Okay, okay, I know you're a little bummed out," Dean spoke up, ever the voice of reason. "But there's no reason to be–"

"An ass?" Jess insolently suggested.

Dean rolled his eyes. "I was going to say argumentative."

Tristan smirked. "Very diplomatic of you."

"I try my best." Dean grinned. He glanced at Tristan. "So?"

Tristan blinked uncomprehendingly. "What?"

Jess sighed impatiently. "Are you going to tell us about your encounter with the great Robert Matheson or not?"

"Oh. Right." Tristan straightened up. "He's a business graduate from Harvard, and he met Rory through a mutual friend. Oh, and did I mention the fact that he's a snob?"

"Snobbier than you?" Jess teased.

Tristan nodded faintly. "Much."

"Someone snobbier than Tristan DuGrey?" Dean shook his head, mystified. "Now that I can't imagine."

"Oh, there is," Tristan grimly assured him. "Believe me. I had the misfortune of meeting him."

"What I don't get," Jess said, "is why on earth Rory would go for someone like that."

"Hey, she was attracted to DuGrey at one point," Dean pointed out, ignoring the scowl on Tristan's face. "If something like that could've happened, then hope springs eternal for the rest of mankind."

"Oh, stuff it, Bag Boy," Tristan said, but his voice held no actual spite in it.

"Okay," Jess interrupted. "So what happened?"

"The usual," Tristan waved a hand dismissively. "He and I sat down, talked business, traded success stories, and he spent the rest of the night subtly rubbing it in my face that he has Rory, and I don't."

"Now you're just exaggerating," Dean said, but his tone was dubious. "Aren't you?"

"Think what you want to think," Tristan replied wearily. "I know what I heard." He shrugged. "I don't know what's wrong with him, but after our little tête-à-tête, I'm inclined to think that Mr. Matheson had a stick firmly shoved up his–"

"Okay, we get the message," Jess said, trading glances with Dean. "The engagement party's tomorrow. You're still going, right?"

"Of course." Tristan smiled, his expression scornful. Then he sighed heavily. "As of tomorrow night, you will both have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Mr. Robert Matheson, jerk extraordinaire. Knock yourselves out."

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To Be Continued…