Hello! Tell me what you're thinking thus far! I know I'm
enjoying myself. I'm over the sadness of sending Dean away. That is
mainly because Tristan is back! Yeah! So, on to the story! (I still own
none of the characters)
~
It was snowing. Stars Hallow looked beautiful. However neither Lorelei nor Rory Gilmore took notice. Bother were lost in their separate miseries. It was Monday. More specifically, Monday the 24th of December. Christmas Eve. A holiday. This caused dread in poor Lorelei, because holidays meant holiday dinners with her parents. She had already suffered the hell that was her parents once this week, she wasn't sure she could handle it again.
The cause of Rory's misery was very much different. Her mother's misery was caused by having to do something she detested. Rory's was caused by having to live without something she loved. Namely, Dean. Who was now in Chicago, looking for a house, to live in, away from Rory.
Rory had called him Sunday morning, before he left, as she had promised. Their conversation had been rather short with many extended pauses. More or less the underlying message Rory had given him was that they would be "friends." This way they could kind of ease out of their relationship. Rory, being a rather intelligent girl, was aware that this would only cause pain. But, then again, her relationship was ending; there was no way around it. There would be pain. Rory had simply taken the mental path labeled "Try not to think about it." And that was precisely what she was doing, but with little success. She had spent much of last night on the phone with Lane. And when Lane's mother had demanded she get off the phone, Rory had been rocked in her mother's arms. Or been introduced to "Coffee Pops." Popsicles made from coffee, no hot water required, but still containing all the necessary caffeine. Rory had to admit they were rather good, for a food product invented at home anyway.
Rory put her popsicle stick in the trash. "Come on Mom, we have to go or Grandma will yell at us for being late."
Rory heard a moan of response originating from upstairs. "Stop being a baby."
Rory's insult was answered by Lorelei coming downstairs; while half heartedly trying to put her shoes on as she went.
"You know, someday you're going to break your neck while doing that."
Lorelei considered this. "If this tragic incident you speak of were to occur before while I was attempting to leave for my parents' house, do you think they'd feel bad?"
"Possibly, let's go." Rory attempted to drag her mom towards the door.
Lorelei stalled, "Why are you so anxious to see your grandparents again?"
"I'm not, actually I though you'd be more enthusiastic about this annual adventure."
Lorelei gave a shocked look. "Where did you ever get that idea?"
"Well, if I recall Grandma and Grandpa still have warm water."
Lorelei suddenly found motivation to leave home. "Ohhh, good point, let's go. Race ya to the car!"
Rory followed her mom out to the jeep that would carry them back to her grandmother's house.
~
"How is the turkey?"
"I don't know Mom, how is it?" Emily's face darkened at Lorelei's comment, "I mean, I do believe you are eating the same turkey as us." Lorelei added, "There went that joke" under her breath.
Emily didn't seem happy at Lorelei's comment, so she instead directed her attention at Rory. "How are you enjoying the turkey?"
Rory gave a half-hearted "It's good."
Emily was not deterred by Rory's sullenness. "You seem rather sad this evening Rory, is there any reason for this?"
Rory took in a deep breath. "Dean and I broke up."
"Really?" Emily's eyes went to her daughter, who seemed to have grown very interested in her plate. "I'm sorry, Dear."
"It's not your fault, Grandma, his family is moving back to Chicago."
"Oh." Emily looked to her daughter again. This time Lorelei met her mother's gaze. The message "So, you can't blame me" was clearly written in Lorelei's challenging eyes.
The table was silent for several minutes. Lorelei attempted to lighten the mood. "Why did you ask how the turkey was, when you were eating it as well?"
Lorelei's attempt had failed. Emily looked annoyed. "I was simply trying to make conversation."
"Oh," was Lorelei's only response. Then she, as Richard and Rory had already done, began to stare at her plate. And once again silence reigned supreme throughout the dining room.
~
"Well, that was just fun." Came Lorelei's sarcastic remark as she and her daughter trudged toward the jeep.
"Oh be happy, you were in the presence of warm water for several hours, plus we got clothes, and we won't have to see them next Friday."
"Yeah, but will we ever wear the clothes? Wait, why won't we see them next Friday?"
Rory got in the jeep, placing the box containing her new sweater set in the back. "Grandpa is going to surprise Grandma with a week trip to Guam over New Year's."
"Really?" Lorelei questioned slamming her car door shut."
"Why would I lie?"
"Well, maybe if you wanted to play a sick joke of "Let's get Lorelei's hopes up then crush them with this muddy boot" to somehow ease your suffering over Dean."
Rory did a slight eye roll. "I assure you, I am not getting your hopes up to crush them with a boot for any reason. Grandpa is going to give Grandma the tickets tomorrow, you know, for Christmas, and they'll be gone by Wednesday morning."
"Yes! Yes!" Lorelei did a happy dance from the safety of the driver's seat.
Rory watched her. "Are you done yet?"
"Yes, I am." Lorelei reached for the ignition and they were off.
"Yeah!"
Rory looked at her mother with question, "What?"
"I just had a realization."
"A realization?" Rory's eyebrows were raised.
"Santa comes tonight."
"Yes Mom, very good-"
BAM!!!
Both Rory and Lorelei were flung forward, only saved by their seat belts.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!"
"Mom, stop that! We're okay, it was just a small accident."
"Small?!"
Rory got out of the car to assess the damage. The driver of the silver sports car who had rear-ended them was already out assessing the damage and cussing.
Rory realized with a twinge in her chest that it was Tristan.
"Tristan!" the name came out as though it was almost a curse, as Rory had intended it to.
Tristan's eyes sparkled "Mary."
Rory shook her head, trying not to get angry. "What are you doing?"
Tristan gave her a "you're an idiot look," "Assessing the damage."
"Well duh! I mean, what are you doing out here?" Rory raised her arms emphasizing that she meant the deserted highway and woods.
"Going home."
"Why?" Rory was getting irritated with Tristan's refusal to give her the answer she wanted.
"Awww, Mary, I never knew you cared." Rory rolled her eyes. "But if you must know it's Christmas Eve." Tristan explained as if that justified everything.
Rory gave her best "what are you talking about you-stupid-idiot" look that she reserved just for Tristan. He gave no immediate response to the look, so Rory decided words would be necessary. "Any idiot knows its Christmas Eve! I'm asking why are you out driving and hitting my mom's jeep?"
Tristan shrugged, "Christmas shopping."
"Christmas shopping?! On Christmas Eve?! Ohh, it figures you'd wait until the last minute."
"Oh, and let me guess, you finished your shopping in July. So, what did you get your precious boyfriend? Or can't you remember that far back?"
All of the fight suddenly left Rory, it didn't escape Tristan's notice. "Something wrong Rory?" If Rory hadn't been consumed by the sudden mention of Dean she might have noticed the sound of actual concern in Tristan's voice. Might have.
Lorelei had finally gotten out of the jeep, her string of "Oh my Gods" obviously complete. If she had heard the concern in Tristan's voice would always be a mystery. "Is something wrong?! Is something Wrong?! You just hit my Jeep!"
Rory had regained her composure, "Excuse my mom, she gets repetitive when she's upset."
Lorelei didn't seem to hear her daughter's comment. "Look at this! Just look at this!"
"See?" Rory looked at Tristan, who couldn't help but smile. Together they turned their attentions to Lorelei who was violently motioning to the cars. Tristan's bumper was fine. There was no sign of a recent accident on the silver exterior. Rory, along with her mother and Tristan turned to the Jeep; which was a different story than the silver sports car.
"It's not too bad." Tristan said optimistically.
"Oh yeah! So says the boy with no damage to his car! Well guess what! You're in trouble. I know this is mean, but now, as an adult, I understand that it must be done. What's your name and phone number, I need to call your parents."
Tristan gave a pained intake of breath, as though he had just been hurt very badly. In that moment Rory realized what this accident could mean for him. His parents could use it as an excuse to keep him at military school for the rest of the year. Rory quickly pulled her mother aside and out of Tristan's hearing range.
"Mom, do you remember how we discussed Tristan and his desire to return to Chilton?"
"Yes, but I don't see what Evil Tristan has to do with any of this."
"Mom! That is Tristan!"
Lorelei's eyes did a strange bugging out thing. Then they turned to Tristan. "That is Tristan! That is EVIL Tristan!"
"Oh God, you're back to being repetitive."
Lorelei looked back at Tristan who was now leaning against his car. "Evil Tristan is cute!" Lorelei exclaimed with surprise. "Why didn't you tell me evil Tristan was cute?"
Rory didn't know how to answer that. "Mom, you're losing focus. The point is, Tristan's parents will use this accident as a reason to keep him at military school for the rest of the year."
Lorelei gave her daughter a questioning look, "And that would be a bad thing?"
Once again, Rory was at a loss as to how to answer, as she often was when Tristan was the subject. "Yes." Lorelei's expression clearly said she wanted more of an explanation. "Well, he can make my Chilton life hell, but in an interesting way." Lorelei was giving Rory a strange look. "I mean, I used to think it would be the best thing in the world to get rid of Evil Tristan. But, then he was gone, and I missed his stupid comments and being able to insult him. But, I just didn't realize until, well, now that I missed him" Lorelei now had an expression on her face that was even unreadable to Rory. "Either way, military school is not the place for him, he'd actually prefer to go back to Chilton, a hell in it's own right."
"So, what's the deal?"
Both Gilmore girls jumped, unaware that Tristan had come towards them. Rory's first though was to wonder how much of her little tirade had he heard.
"The deal.is being debated." Lorelei was obviously trying to make the right decision.
Rory had an idea. "Think water heater." Rory could tell she had her mother's attention. "Instead of involving his parents, or making him pay, we could make him help Luke."
"Ohh, I like that idea." A twisted smile had crossed Lorelei's face. Tristan suddenly seemed nervous. "Okay, here's the deal kid, there will be no need for parental involvement, if you help a friend of mine fix our water heater."
Tristan looked intrigued, but cautious. That's it? Fix a water heater?"
"Well, it could take a whole day. Luke actually still has to figure out the problem." Rory bit her lip.
"And pay for half the cost to get the bumper pounded out." Lorelei quickly added.
"Mom!"
"What? It's fair."
Tristan seemed to be thinking. "My parents don't find out at all?"
"Right." Lorelei nodded.
"It's a deal." Tristan gave a worried smile.
Rory gave an amused one. "Worried about having to do some actual work for once in your life, Tristan?"
Tristan looked defensive. "No! Just worried about having to be in your presence for a whole day. Will you be able to control yourself?"
Rory was about to respond, but Lorelei spoke first. "Okay you guys. Rory, it's cold, wait in the Jeep." Rory would have argued, but her mom was having one of those moments where Rory could tell she didn't want to be questioned.
After a minute or two of sitting in the re-warmed Jeep, Lorelei jumped in and joined Rory. "Ahhh! We will have warm water again Wednesday! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Lorelei did a miniature version of the happy dance.
After Lorelei had calmed down and returned to driving them back to Stars Hallow; Rory questioned her. "So, what did you say to Tristan after you banished me to the car?"
Lorelei was still excited by the prospect of warm water. "You know, how to get to our house, etc."
"Etc.?"
"Etc."
"Etc.?"
"Now who's having the repetition problems?"
Rory turned and concentrated on looking out her window. All thoughts of Dean were currently pushed aside by thoughts of Tristan and the fuzzy feeling that was in her chest that came with the knowledge that he now knew where she lived.
~
It was snowing. Stars Hallow looked beautiful. However neither Lorelei nor Rory Gilmore took notice. Bother were lost in their separate miseries. It was Monday. More specifically, Monday the 24th of December. Christmas Eve. A holiday. This caused dread in poor Lorelei, because holidays meant holiday dinners with her parents. She had already suffered the hell that was her parents once this week, she wasn't sure she could handle it again.
The cause of Rory's misery was very much different. Her mother's misery was caused by having to do something she detested. Rory's was caused by having to live without something she loved. Namely, Dean. Who was now in Chicago, looking for a house, to live in, away from Rory.
Rory had called him Sunday morning, before he left, as she had promised. Their conversation had been rather short with many extended pauses. More or less the underlying message Rory had given him was that they would be "friends." This way they could kind of ease out of their relationship. Rory, being a rather intelligent girl, was aware that this would only cause pain. But, then again, her relationship was ending; there was no way around it. There would be pain. Rory had simply taken the mental path labeled "Try not to think about it." And that was precisely what she was doing, but with little success. She had spent much of last night on the phone with Lane. And when Lane's mother had demanded she get off the phone, Rory had been rocked in her mother's arms. Or been introduced to "Coffee Pops." Popsicles made from coffee, no hot water required, but still containing all the necessary caffeine. Rory had to admit they were rather good, for a food product invented at home anyway.
Rory put her popsicle stick in the trash. "Come on Mom, we have to go or Grandma will yell at us for being late."
Rory heard a moan of response originating from upstairs. "Stop being a baby."
Rory's insult was answered by Lorelei coming downstairs; while half heartedly trying to put her shoes on as she went.
"You know, someday you're going to break your neck while doing that."
Lorelei considered this. "If this tragic incident you speak of were to occur before while I was attempting to leave for my parents' house, do you think they'd feel bad?"
"Possibly, let's go." Rory attempted to drag her mom towards the door.
Lorelei stalled, "Why are you so anxious to see your grandparents again?"
"I'm not, actually I though you'd be more enthusiastic about this annual adventure."
Lorelei gave a shocked look. "Where did you ever get that idea?"
"Well, if I recall Grandma and Grandpa still have warm water."
Lorelei suddenly found motivation to leave home. "Ohhh, good point, let's go. Race ya to the car!"
Rory followed her mom out to the jeep that would carry them back to her grandmother's house.
~
"How is the turkey?"
"I don't know Mom, how is it?" Emily's face darkened at Lorelei's comment, "I mean, I do believe you are eating the same turkey as us." Lorelei added, "There went that joke" under her breath.
Emily didn't seem happy at Lorelei's comment, so she instead directed her attention at Rory. "How are you enjoying the turkey?"
Rory gave a half-hearted "It's good."
Emily was not deterred by Rory's sullenness. "You seem rather sad this evening Rory, is there any reason for this?"
Rory took in a deep breath. "Dean and I broke up."
"Really?" Emily's eyes went to her daughter, who seemed to have grown very interested in her plate. "I'm sorry, Dear."
"It's not your fault, Grandma, his family is moving back to Chicago."
"Oh." Emily looked to her daughter again. This time Lorelei met her mother's gaze. The message "So, you can't blame me" was clearly written in Lorelei's challenging eyes.
The table was silent for several minutes. Lorelei attempted to lighten the mood. "Why did you ask how the turkey was, when you were eating it as well?"
Lorelei's attempt had failed. Emily looked annoyed. "I was simply trying to make conversation."
"Oh," was Lorelei's only response. Then she, as Richard and Rory had already done, began to stare at her plate. And once again silence reigned supreme throughout the dining room.
~
"Well, that was just fun." Came Lorelei's sarcastic remark as she and her daughter trudged toward the jeep.
"Oh be happy, you were in the presence of warm water for several hours, plus we got clothes, and we won't have to see them next Friday."
"Yeah, but will we ever wear the clothes? Wait, why won't we see them next Friday?"
Rory got in the jeep, placing the box containing her new sweater set in the back. "Grandpa is going to surprise Grandma with a week trip to Guam over New Year's."
"Really?" Lorelei questioned slamming her car door shut."
"Why would I lie?"
"Well, maybe if you wanted to play a sick joke of "Let's get Lorelei's hopes up then crush them with this muddy boot" to somehow ease your suffering over Dean."
Rory did a slight eye roll. "I assure you, I am not getting your hopes up to crush them with a boot for any reason. Grandpa is going to give Grandma the tickets tomorrow, you know, for Christmas, and they'll be gone by Wednesday morning."
"Yes! Yes!" Lorelei did a happy dance from the safety of the driver's seat.
Rory watched her. "Are you done yet?"
"Yes, I am." Lorelei reached for the ignition and they were off.
"Yeah!"
Rory looked at her mother with question, "What?"
"I just had a realization."
"A realization?" Rory's eyebrows were raised.
"Santa comes tonight."
"Yes Mom, very good-"
BAM!!!
Both Rory and Lorelei were flung forward, only saved by their seat belts.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!"
"Mom, stop that! We're okay, it was just a small accident."
"Small?!"
Rory got out of the car to assess the damage. The driver of the silver sports car who had rear-ended them was already out assessing the damage and cussing.
Rory realized with a twinge in her chest that it was Tristan.
"Tristan!" the name came out as though it was almost a curse, as Rory had intended it to.
Tristan's eyes sparkled "Mary."
Rory shook her head, trying not to get angry. "What are you doing?"
Tristan gave her a "you're an idiot look," "Assessing the damage."
"Well duh! I mean, what are you doing out here?" Rory raised her arms emphasizing that she meant the deserted highway and woods.
"Going home."
"Why?" Rory was getting irritated with Tristan's refusal to give her the answer she wanted.
"Awww, Mary, I never knew you cared." Rory rolled her eyes. "But if you must know it's Christmas Eve." Tristan explained as if that justified everything.
Rory gave her best "what are you talking about you-stupid-idiot" look that she reserved just for Tristan. He gave no immediate response to the look, so Rory decided words would be necessary. "Any idiot knows its Christmas Eve! I'm asking why are you out driving and hitting my mom's jeep?"
Tristan shrugged, "Christmas shopping."
"Christmas shopping?! On Christmas Eve?! Ohh, it figures you'd wait until the last minute."
"Oh, and let me guess, you finished your shopping in July. So, what did you get your precious boyfriend? Or can't you remember that far back?"
All of the fight suddenly left Rory, it didn't escape Tristan's notice. "Something wrong Rory?" If Rory hadn't been consumed by the sudden mention of Dean she might have noticed the sound of actual concern in Tristan's voice. Might have.
Lorelei had finally gotten out of the jeep, her string of "Oh my Gods" obviously complete. If she had heard the concern in Tristan's voice would always be a mystery. "Is something wrong?! Is something Wrong?! You just hit my Jeep!"
Rory had regained her composure, "Excuse my mom, she gets repetitive when she's upset."
Lorelei didn't seem to hear her daughter's comment. "Look at this! Just look at this!"
"See?" Rory looked at Tristan, who couldn't help but smile. Together they turned their attentions to Lorelei who was violently motioning to the cars. Tristan's bumper was fine. There was no sign of a recent accident on the silver exterior. Rory, along with her mother and Tristan turned to the Jeep; which was a different story than the silver sports car.
"It's not too bad." Tristan said optimistically.
"Oh yeah! So says the boy with no damage to his car! Well guess what! You're in trouble. I know this is mean, but now, as an adult, I understand that it must be done. What's your name and phone number, I need to call your parents."
Tristan gave a pained intake of breath, as though he had just been hurt very badly. In that moment Rory realized what this accident could mean for him. His parents could use it as an excuse to keep him at military school for the rest of the year. Rory quickly pulled her mother aside and out of Tristan's hearing range.
"Mom, do you remember how we discussed Tristan and his desire to return to Chilton?"
"Yes, but I don't see what Evil Tristan has to do with any of this."
"Mom! That is Tristan!"
Lorelei's eyes did a strange bugging out thing. Then they turned to Tristan. "That is Tristan! That is EVIL Tristan!"
"Oh God, you're back to being repetitive."
Lorelei looked back at Tristan who was now leaning against his car. "Evil Tristan is cute!" Lorelei exclaimed with surprise. "Why didn't you tell me evil Tristan was cute?"
Rory didn't know how to answer that. "Mom, you're losing focus. The point is, Tristan's parents will use this accident as a reason to keep him at military school for the rest of the year."
Lorelei gave her daughter a questioning look, "And that would be a bad thing?"
Once again, Rory was at a loss as to how to answer, as she often was when Tristan was the subject. "Yes." Lorelei's expression clearly said she wanted more of an explanation. "Well, he can make my Chilton life hell, but in an interesting way." Lorelei was giving Rory a strange look. "I mean, I used to think it would be the best thing in the world to get rid of Evil Tristan. But, then he was gone, and I missed his stupid comments and being able to insult him. But, I just didn't realize until, well, now that I missed him" Lorelei now had an expression on her face that was even unreadable to Rory. "Either way, military school is not the place for him, he'd actually prefer to go back to Chilton, a hell in it's own right."
"So, what's the deal?"
Both Gilmore girls jumped, unaware that Tristan had come towards them. Rory's first though was to wonder how much of her little tirade had he heard.
"The deal.is being debated." Lorelei was obviously trying to make the right decision.
Rory had an idea. "Think water heater." Rory could tell she had her mother's attention. "Instead of involving his parents, or making him pay, we could make him help Luke."
"Ohh, I like that idea." A twisted smile had crossed Lorelei's face. Tristan suddenly seemed nervous. "Okay, here's the deal kid, there will be no need for parental involvement, if you help a friend of mine fix our water heater."
Tristan looked intrigued, but cautious. That's it? Fix a water heater?"
"Well, it could take a whole day. Luke actually still has to figure out the problem." Rory bit her lip.
"And pay for half the cost to get the bumper pounded out." Lorelei quickly added.
"Mom!"
"What? It's fair."
Tristan seemed to be thinking. "My parents don't find out at all?"
"Right." Lorelei nodded.
"It's a deal." Tristan gave a worried smile.
Rory gave an amused one. "Worried about having to do some actual work for once in your life, Tristan?"
Tristan looked defensive. "No! Just worried about having to be in your presence for a whole day. Will you be able to control yourself?"
Rory was about to respond, but Lorelei spoke first. "Okay you guys. Rory, it's cold, wait in the Jeep." Rory would have argued, but her mom was having one of those moments where Rory could tell she didn't want to be questioned.
After a minute or two of sitting in the re-warmed Jeep, Lorelei jumped in and joined Rory. "Ahhh! We will have warm water again Wednesday! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Lorelei did a miniature version of the happy dance.
After Lorelei had calmed down and returned to driving them back to Stars Hallow; Rory questioned her. "So, what did you say to Tristan after you banished me to the car?"
Lorelei was still excited by the prospect of warm water. "You know, how to get to our house, etc."
"Etc.?"
"Etc."
"Etc.?"
"Now who's having the repetition problems?"
Rory turned and concentrated on looking out her window. All thoughts of Dean were currently pushed aside by thoughts of Tristan and the fuzzy feeling that was in her chest that came with the knowledge that he now knew where she lived.
