Title: Just That Good
Author: Krysteena
Summary: A rather odd fic...but not really. Read it and find out....I dare you :)
Pairing: R/T eventually... ::evil smirk::
Rating: Hmm...I dunno, PG13 ish?
Disclaimer: What do you think?
Authors Note: The reason I think this fic is a little weird is because it has Charlie, CMM's character on Dawson's Creek in it. Anyway, this fic is set in the future, and Rory is about 21...I think it could be considered slightly AU
Chapter One: A little paint, to cover what's deep inside
"A little paint to cover what's deep inside
A little truth you know we all want to hide
Well I'm trying now to get to you
But you're telling me like you always do, you say
Don't hate me, cause I'm just that good"
-The Calling, 'Just that Good'
Lorelai Leigh Gilmore was dying of boredom. Literally. If she had to sit here in her plush velvet seat and listen to Amber Linden gab on about her summer in Paris, she would go straight to that nearby second story window and jump. Rory sighed, and focused her attention back to Amber, politely smiling and nodding, over whatever shallow, depthless thing she was saying. She spotted Summer and leapt for her chance at escape.
"Amber, darling? I've absolutely adored hearing about your vacay to Paris, but I must go and play the hostess, you understand, right? I want to hear more about it later though, okay?" Rory lied through her teeth as she got up and leaned over to give Amber an air kiss.
"Oh, okay, sweetie, we'll talk more later, and I even brought pictures! Isn't that fab?" Amber giggled, and Rory tried very hard not to look miserable. She faked a laugh and was off.
"Summer! It's absolutely delightful to see you! I'm so glad you could come, it's been ages!" Rory mocked. Summer grinned mischievously.
"Oh, yes, darling, just delightful! It's been too long. But you look so fab since I last saw you, twenty minutes ago downstairs!" The two girls burst out into phony laughter, and Rory latched onto Summer's arm.
"What the hell took you so long? God, I was stuck near that awful whiny cow Amber all by myself, do you have any idea what kind of thoughts were running though my head?" Rory said, grimacing.
"Ah, Amber Linden. I can imagine. Let me guess, that pillow was looking pretty good for suffocating yourself?" Summer asked, pointing to the pillow on the couch Amber was sitting on.
"No, I was thinking of using the window to jump out of. But the pillow...hey good idea! I'll keep it in mind the next time I have to talk to her."
Summer reached into her handbag. "Well, when you see what I got, you'll forgive me for abandoning you to Amber."
Rory widened her eyes in excitement. "Really? What'd you get me? Huh, huh?" She clapped her hands together giddily.
Summer rolled her transparent blue eyes at her friends excitement. "I got you...." she paused dramatically, " tickets to next week's Coldplay concert! Charlie, you know that guy I'm seeing, is opening for them, so he gave me tickets! Isn't that the coolest?!"
Rory squealed excitedly. "Oh! I am so loving the fact that you are dating a 'guy in a band'! Coldplay! That is so rockin! Even if they are a little bit on the old side." Rory wrinkled her nose.
Summer laughed. "Only you would use the word rockin....that is so five years ago! And Coldplay is NOT old!"
"Yeah, well, five years ago I was a total bookworm and refused to stoop to the level of saying the word 'rockin' so excuse me for trying to make up for not using it back then! And Coldplay is too old...they've been around a lo-ong time." Rory retorted. She led Summer over to the refreshment table, where there was alcoholic beverages, sodas, and juices. The coffee was conspicuously not there, because Rory kept it hidden, only drinking it when nobody was there.
"So does that mean that I finally get to meet this infamous Charlie?" Rory asked as she handed Summer a vodka.
Summer glanced away uncomfortably and shrugged. "I guess, I mean, you're going to see him perform, but you'll laugh at me when you see him."
"Why?"
"You'll see why, when you finally do get to meet him." Summer said mysteriously, still refusing to look at her friend. The two had become friends one day late in Rory's junior year at Chilton, when they had been paired up for a project, and had stayed good friends throughout college, when Rory went to Harvard and Summer went to Worthington.
"Ugh. What, does he have facial deformities? A beard? Ew, guys with facial hair are so disgusting." Rory shuddered.
"Ew, of course not! You know I would never date a guy with a beard, unless it were Brad Pitt in that movie, what's it called? And even then, I would still make him shave it off." Summer frowned for a minute, then brightened up. "I hear Jennifer is pregnant...again. God, haven't they ever heard of overpopulation?"
Rory giggled. "Do you know what overpopulation even is Summer? Or have you just been reading my old 'Time' magazines again?"
Summer sulked. "Of course I know what overpopulation is. God, I'm not a dumb blonde Rory, you know that!"
"I know, I was just kidding....mostly. Ohmigod, look who just came in!" Rory changed the subject and pointed over near the door. Summer turned around, looking interested. Then she sighed.
"It's just Tristan and his slut of the month. What's so interesting about that? Don't you dare say anything Rory! That was ages ago, and you know I was just going through a phase! Besides, you dated him too!" Summer warned.
"I wasn't going to say anything. But look closer at who he's with. Not some slut of the month, that's for sure."
"Oh my... He brought Paris?! Now that is interesting....but I'm over it. God, she never did get those bangs that I recommended, did she? Some people go out of their way to be boring, I guess." Summer picked at her nails and turned back to Rory. But her friend was already off, going to go get the scoop. Summer shook her head ruefully, wondering what her friend was up to now.
"Tristan! It's so nice for you to have come! God, it's been at least a year since I've seen you! You look fantastic as usual!" Rory smiled, and watched him check her out, his eyes seeming to stare straight through her incandescent golden sheath dress that looked see through, but really wasn't.
"Always a pleasure, Rory. Or is it Lorelai Leigh now?" Tristan said charmingly, a smirk at the corner of his lips. Paris frowned in displeasure and jabbed Tristan in the arm.
"Oh yes, you remember Paris, right? She's my fiancée."
Rory gaped, shocked. Paris? Had she stepped into an alternate reality?
As if to answer Rory's thoughts, Paris grinned triumphantly. Rory leveled her eyes on the girl and tried to be polite.
"Paris. It's so... nice... to see you again." Rory forced a smile. Paris glared at her.
"Gilmore. It isn't very nice to see you again, but I am being forced on the account that we don't get out often enough. If you'll excuse us..." She then tugged on Tristan's hand, which she had been clutching very tightly, and started for the refreshments.
"Ah well, seems the lady wants a drink, we'll catch up on old times later, okay...Mary?" Tristan said over his shoulder.
"You know, you'd think after all these years you'd finally get my name right, but apparently some people just don't get it!" Rory called after him, and he waved and smiled innocently.
She then marched right back to Summer, who was now standing near Amber, and was mouthing 'help me' frantically, as Amber pulled out her pictures.
"Summer! You will never believe this! Tristan's getting married to Paris! Can you believe that?! I couldn't, I just stood there like a moron as Paris shot me one of her 'I won!' looks...Grr....did you hear anything about this?"
Amber butted right into the conversation. "Oh, I've known that for ages. Paris told me when we were up skiing in Vermont. I heard at the country club back in Hartford that the only reason that Tristan is getting married to her is because of his father. Yeah, apparently daddy dearest lost his fortune in a poker game, and the only way that Tristan and Senior Tristan can keep up their lavish life is if Tristan marries into the Gellar fortune, which, as we all know, is huge."
Rory and Summer digested this information. "That sounds believable, but you never can tell with the Hartford rumor mill, can you?" Rory said to Summer. Summer looked contemplative and thought about it for a second.
"Well, now that you mention, I do remember hearing about Tristan's dad losing his fortune. But I heard that he lost it through an elaborate drug dealing plot that went awry. Amber's explanation sounds a little more plausible, I guess."
Rory's eyes gleamed with an intensity, and she smiled slyly. "Well, why don't I go play hostess some more and get the dirt from the horse herself."
Summer gave Rory a warning look. "Rory, let it go. It doesn't matter how they got together and why, they're still getting married. Stop acting like a jealous ex-girlfriend."
"I'm just saying, we should find out the truth! We shouldn't be misled like that. Besides, I don't think they should get married if they don't love each other."
Summer sighed. "Lorelai Leigh, you know as well as I do that people in our society often don't marry for love. They marry for money, which is the equivalent of love in their twisted little minds. And I know that you grew up believing in love at first sight and that if you're not married for love then why the hell are you married and all that crap, but I thought you have since grown out of that mentality. And just because you still harbor feelings for Tristan doesn't mean you can go play the bitch to Paris."
"Come on Summer! You know it's not like that, I've been over Tristan for years! I just..." Rory lingered off, and Summer sighed again and gave in, resignedly.
"Fine, lets go talk to Paris." Summer's mouth curved into an impish smile. "And you can hold her down while I give her bangs, okay?" The two girls laughed, and set off in search of Paris.
They finally found Paris in the library that Rory had installed in her apartment, arguing with Tristan, in hushed tones. They stood by the door listening, interested expressions placed on their faces.
"Why did we even come Tristan? So I could face all your ex-girlfriends and have to prove that I am actually worthy of being married to you?! God, you know the reaction we get when we announce that we're getting married. People politely congratulate us, then send you pitying looks as they drift away. Well, I for one, am sick of it! Sick of having to prove myself to all your stuck up, shallow, friends! I am so much better than them on so many levels, they wouldn't be able to comprehend it in their small little minds!" Paris looked furious, and Tristan cringed.
"Dear, they're just surprised that I am actually getting married, that's all. You know what a womanizer I was, they all know it too. You need to calm down Paris...let's just try and have a good time tonight, that's why we came, right?" Tristan looked at Paris calmly, hoping that she wouldn't blow up at him.
"Spare me with all your crap! I don't want to hear it! I hate being here, and I hate all of them! I'm going to the refreshment table and drink all the alcoholic beverages now, how about that for a good time?" Paris snapped. She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room. Tristan sighed and rubbed his neck tiredly. He didn't know why the hell he had even agreed to ask Paris to marry him. Oh wait, yes he did. Dear old dad practically forced him to do it, threatening to disown him if he didn't.
Rory and Summer looked at Tristan from the doorway, admiring him, and angry at Paris for saying all those terrible things about them. Then Summer nudged Rory and whispered, "I'm going to go 'console' Paris, you work on Tristan, okay?" Rory nodded silently and stepped into the room as Summer flitted away.
"Now what's a handsome guy like you doing in the library when he could be outside having a grand time with a bunch of old pals, huh Tristan?" Rory said, mock dismayed, as she walked over near Tristan. Tristan's head snapped up and he smiled feebly at Rory, trying to put some charm into his smile.
"Well, what's a pretty girl like you doing in the library, talking to me, an almost married bore?" Tristan replied.
Rory gazed at him, subdued. "Now don't say that. You're not a bore, you're just getting married to one...oops, that was meant to be left inside my head." Rory words had a lilting, teasing tone and Tristan couldn't help but smile. He was always regretting that they hadn't stayed together, but it was in the past now.
"It's not only in your head, it's in everybody's head, well, everybody that's ever had the delight to talk to her."
"If you think she's boring, then why are you marrying her? Is she good in bed or something?"
Tristan looked up, smirking. "Well well Mary, seems you're no longer donning your innocent image that you tried to uphold while in high school."
"Oh come off it Tristan, you know better than anyone that I stopped being angelic after I started dating you. You have that effect on everyone. You corrupted me! Bastard." Rory said playfully, hitting his shoulder.
"I did no such thing Lorelai Leigh! I was a perfect gentleman, and if I remember correctly, you were usually the one who came up with all of the devious little plans, like stealing the Headmasters car!"
"Ah, yes, I remember now." Rory said, smiling at the memories. "But you have to admit, it was pretty fun, and the expression on his face when he realized his beloved pride and joy was gone, stolen right from underneath his nose!."
"Maybe." Tristan looked at his watch and sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot these days. "Well, it's been fun reminiscing with you, but I have to go catch up with the old ball and chain or else I'm in big trouble."
Rory pouted. "If you must. But tell me one thing Tristan, why are you marrying HER? There are plenty of other rich girls out there who you could marry and then leave instantly, taking their money with you. But Paris, well, I'm sure you'll be with her forever, she seems like the type that never lets anything go." Rory worded this carefully, she didn't want to offend Tristan.
"That is a very good question Rory. And I wish I had a better answer. I guess it just seemed right. We were friends, I know, unbelievable, and then one day my dad called me up and told me to 'go propose to that Gellar girl' so we won't be living out on the streets. I told him, no way, no how, but he was pretty persistent about it, so here I am." Tristan seemed guarded about the whole thing, and Rory knew he wasn't telling her the whole story.
"Oh, okay. Well, go find Paris. Call me sometime, and we can go out for coffee, alright?" Rory smiled up at him and reached up and brushed her lips lightly across his cheek. Tristan savored the moment, then nodded blissfully.
"Will do, Rory Mary Lorelai Leigh Gilmore." He said quietly as he walked out of the room.
Rory stood rooted to the spot for a minute, then reluctantly went to go find Summer.
She found Summer and Paris by the alcoholic beverages. She saw the angry glares and came closer to hear what they were saying.
"Oh yeah?! Well, at least Tristan's not marrying me just because he has to! If I ever get married, at least they guy will like me a little!" Summer shouted like a five year old. Paris laughed, a cold, harsh laugh.
"You don't know anything about me and Tristan and our relationship, so why don't you just stay out of it and leave your vicious lies in Hartford's country club!" Paris said, her face flushing from anger.
"Vicious lies? Is that what you think they are? Somebody's living in Denial land. Have you been a resident long?"
Rory saw Tristan's worried face, and she decided to step in.
"Ladies," she said smoothly, " What's going on?"
"None of your goddamned business Gilmore." Paris said rudely. Rory looked at her, anger very visible on her face and replied,
"It is so my goddamned business, this is my apartment, I have a right to know what's going on!"
"Not true. This is strictly between me and Slut Barbie over here. But you know what, I don't have the time or the patience for this kind of pettiness, Tristan, let's go." Paris said, grabbing him by the jacket. He followed behind helplessly, waving forlornly to Rory as they left
Once they left, Rory looked at Summer. "What the hell was that all about Summer?"
"We were talking, well, I was playing a reporter, you know, like that really pretty one on the news, but Paris apparently didn't want to play with me, she was huffing and giving me rude, one word answers, and then the conversation just happened to come upon Tristan, and well, I said one tiny thing and she got all angry and called a whore that was jealous of something that I can't have." Summer said, all innocence.
"So what did you and Tristan talk about? I noticed he looked a little, flushed, when he came out of the library. What'd you do to him? Maul him right on the spot? It would be a switch from that awful bitch I bet. Hey that rhymed! Sort of...bitch and switch. Well, I guess that's why they call me Dr. Suess..."
"Summer..." Rory warned. She didn't like Paris at all either, but she didn't want to say anything and have it get back to Tristan.
"What? I was simply stating that he wouldn't mind having someone come onto him, after being with that," Summer wrinkled her nose in distaste, "thing."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, anyway, we have better things to worry about. Like, what are we going to wear to the concert!?"
"But Rory!" Summer protested, " The concert isn't for like another four days! And I am so not finished talking about this!"
"Yes you are." Rory said firmly. "One can never prepare too early in advance for a concert, Summer, you know that." Rory looked at her admonishingly, "And come on, it'll get your mind off tonight's disaster."
Summer grudgingly followed after Rory, grumbling how she should have bitch slapped Paris.
Rory would have shut Summer up, but she was too busy thinking about how hot Tristan had looked tonight.
***
Author's Note: I know, crappy place to end it, but the next chapter is going to introduce Charlie, and I was sick of writing! And expect some flashbacks to explain the characters some more. So what did you think? I just wanted to try something different, so review please! And for those of you who are reading, The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn, I'm still writing that. This is just a way of getting rid of my writer's block. Okay, and I really want to know if I should even continue this, or if it just sucks too much. So Hit me with your reviews! Well not really, but, you know what I mean. Okay, babbling again, it's a really bad habit of mine.
Author: Krysteena
Summary: A rather odd fic...but not really. Read it and find out....I dare you :)
Pairing: R/T eventually... ::evil smirk::
Rating: Hmm...I dunno, PG13 ish?
Disclaimer: What do you think?
Authors Note: The reason I think this fic is a little weird is because it has Charlie, CMM's character on Dawson's Creek in it. Anyway, this fic is set in the future, and Rory is about 21...I think it could be considered slightly AU
Chapter One: A little paint, to cover what's deep inside
"A little paint to cover what's deep inside
A little truth you know we all want to hide
Well I'm trying now to get to you
But you're telling me like you always do, you say
Don't hate me, cause I'm just that good"
-The Calling, 'Just that Good'
Lorelai Leigh Gilmore was dying of boredom. Literally. If she had to sit here in her plush velvet seat and listen to Amber Linden gab on about her summer in Paris, she would go straight to that nearby second story window and jump. Rory sighed, and focused her attention back to Amber, politely smiling and nodding, over whatever shallow, depthless thing she was saying. She spotted Summer and leapt for her chance at escape.
"Amber, darling? I've absolutely adored hearing about your vacay to Paris, but I must go and play the hostess, you understand, right? I want to hear more about it later though, okay?" Rory lied through her teeth as she got up and leaned over to give Amber an air kiss.
"Oh, okay, sweetie, we'll talk more later, and I even brought pictures! Isn't that fab?" Amber giggled, and Rory tried very hard not to look miserable. She faked a laugh and was off.
"Summer! It's absolutely delightful to see you! I'm so glad you could come, it's been ages!" Rory mocked. Summer grinned mischievously.
"Oh, yes, darling, just delightful! It's been too long. But you look so fab since I last saw you, twenty minutes ago downstairs!" The two girls burst out into phony laughter, and Rory latched onto Summer's arm.
"What the hell took you so long? God, I was stuck near that awful whiny cow Amber all by myself, do you have any idea what kind of thoughts were running though my head?" Rory said, grimacing.
"Ah, Amber Linden. I can imagine. Let me guess, that pillow was looking pretty good for suffocating yourself?" Summer asked, pointing to the pillow on the couch Amber was sitting on.
"No, I was thinking of using the window to jump out of. But the pillow...hey good idea! I'll keep it in mind the next time I have to talk to her."
Summer reached into her handbag. "Well, when you see what I got, you'll forgive me for abandoning you to Amber."
Rory widened her eyes in excitement. "Really? What'd you get me? Huh, huh?" She clapped her hands together giddily.
Summer rolled her transparent blue eyes at her friends excitement. "I got you...." she paused dramatically, " tickets to next week's Coldplay concert! Charlie, you know that guy I'm seeing, is opening for them, so he gave me tickets! Isn't that the coolest?!"
Rory squealed excitedly. "Oh! I am so loving the fact that you are dating a 'guy in a band'! Coldplay! That is so rockin! Even if they are a little bit on the old side." Rory wrinkled her nose.
Summer laughed. "Only you would use the word rockin....that is so five years ago! And Coldplay is NOT old!"
"Yeah, well, five years ago I was a total bookworm and refused to stoop to the level of saying the word 'rockin' so excuse me for trying to make up for not using it back then! And Coldplay is too old...they've been around a lo-ong time." Rory retorted. She led Summer over to the refreshment table, where there was alcoholic beverages, sodas, and juices. The coffee was conspicuously not there, because Rory kept it hidden, only drinking it when nobody was there.
"So does that mean that I finally get to meet this infamous Charlie?" Rory asked as she handed Summer a vodka.
Summer glanced away uncomfortably and shrugged. "I guess, I mean, you're going to see him perform, but you'll laugh at me when you see him."
"Why?"
"You'll see why, when you finally do get to meet him." Summer said mysteriously, still refusing to look at her friend. The two had become friends one day late in Rory's junior year at Chilton, when they had been paired up for a project, and had stayed good friends throughout college, when Rory went to Harvard and Summer went to Worthington.
"Ugh. What, does he have facial deformities? A beard? Ew, guys with facial hair are so disgusting." Rory shuddered.
"Ew, of course not! You know I would never date a guy with a beard, unless it were Brad Pitt in that movie, what's it called? And even then, I would still make him shave it off." Summer frowned for a minute, then brightened up. "I hear Jennifer is pregnant...again. God, haven't they ever heard of overpopulation?"
Rory giggled. "Do you know what overpopulation even is Summer? Or have you just been reading my old 'Time' magazines again?"
Summer sulked. "Of course I know what overpopulation is. God, I'm not a dumb blonde Rory, you know that!"
"I know, I was just kidding....mostly. Ohmigod, look who just came in!" Rory changed the subject and pointed over near the door. Summer turned around, looking interested. Then she sighed.
"It's just Tristan and his slut of the month. What's so interesting about that? Don't you dare say anything Rory! That was ages ago, and you know I was just going through a phase! Besides, you dated him too!" Summer warned.
"I wasn't going to say anything. But look closer at who he's with. Not some slut of the month, that's for sure."
"Oh my... He brought Paris?! Now that is interesting....but I'm over it. God, she never did get those bangs that I recommended, did she? Some people go out of their way to be boring, I guess." Summer picked at her nails and turned back to Rory. But her friend was already off, going to go get the scoop. Summer shook her head ruefully, wondering what her friend was up to now.
"Tristan! It's so nice for you to have come! God, it's been at least a year since I've seen you! You look fantastic as usual!" Rory smiled, and watched him check her out, his eyes seeming to stare straight through her incandescent golden sheath dress that looked see through, but really wasn't.
"Always a pleasure, Rory. Or is it Lorelai Leigh now?" Tristan said charmingly, a smirk at the corner of his lips. Paris frowned in displeasure and jabbed Tristan in the arm.
"Oh yes, you remember Paris, right? She's my fiancée."
Rory gaped, shocked. Paris? Had she stepped into an alternate reality?
As if to answer Rory's thoughts, Paris grinned triumphantly. Rory leveled her eyes on the girl and tried to be polite.
"Paris. It's so... nice... to see you again." Rory forced a smile. Paris glared at her.
"Gilmore. It isn't very nice to see you again, but I am being forced on the account that we don't get out often enough. If you'll excuse us..." She then tugged on Tristan's hand, which she had been clutching very tightly, and started for the refreshments.
"Ah well, seems the lady wants a drink, we'll catch up on old times later, okay...Mary?" Tristan said over his shoulder.
"You know, you'd think after all these years you'd finally get my name right, but apparently some people just don't get it!" Rory called after him, and he waved and smiled innocently.
She then marched right back to Summer, who was now standing near Amber, and was mouthing 'help me' frantically, as Amber pulled out her pictures.
"Summer! You will never believe this! Tristan's getting married to Paris! Can you believe that?! I couldn't, I just stood there like a moron as Paris shot me one of her 'I won!' looks...Grr....did you hear anything about this?"
Amber butted right into the conversation. "Oh, I've known that for ages. Paris told me when we were up skiing in Vermont. I heard at the country club back in Hartford that the only reason that Tristan is getting married to her is because of his father. Yeah, apparently daddy dearest lost his fortune in a poker game, and the only way that Tristan and Senior Tristan can keep up their lavish life is if Tristan marries into the Gellar fortune, which, as we all know, is huge."
Rory and Summer digested this information. "That sounds believable, but you never can tell with the Hartford rumor mill, can you?" Rory said to Summer. Summer looked contemplative and thought about it for a second.
"Well, now that you mention, I do remember hearing about Tristan's dad losing his fortune. But I heard that he lost it through an elaborate drug dealing plot that went awry. Amber's explanation sounds a little more plausible, I guess."
Rory's eyes gleamed with an intensity, and she smiled slyly. "Well, why don't I go play hostess some more and get the dirt from the horse herself."
Summer gave Rory a warning look. "Rory, let it go. It doesn't matter how they got together and why, they're still getting married. Stop acting like a jealous ex-girlfriend."
"I'm just saying, we should find out the truth! We shouldn't be misled like that. Besides, I don't think they should get married if they don't love each other."
Summer sighed. "Lorelai Leigh, you know as well as I do that people in our society often don't marry for love. They marry for money, which is the equivalent of love in their twisted little minds. And I know that you grew up believing in love at first sight and that if you're not married for love then why the hell are you married and all that crap, but I thought you have since grown out of that mentality. And just because you still harbor feelings for Tristan doesn't mean you can go play the bitch to Paris."
"Come on Summer! You know it's not like that, I've been over Tristan for years! I just..." Rory lingered off, and Summer sighed again and gave in, resignedly.
"Fine, lets go talk to Paris." Summer's mouth curved into an impish smile. "And you can hold her down while I give her bangs, okay?" The two girls laughed, and set off in search of Paris.
They finally found Paris in the library that Rory had installed in her apartment, arguing with Tristan, in hushed tones. They stood by the door listening, interested expressions placed on their faces.
"Why did we even come Tristan? So I could face all your ex-girlfriends and have to prove that I am actually worthy of being married to you?! God, you know the reaction we get when we announce that we're getting married. People politely congratulate us, then send you pitying looks as they drift away. Well, I for one, am sick of it! Sick of having to prove myself to all your stuck up, shallow, friends! I am so much better than them on so many levels, they wouldn't be able to comprehend it in their small little minds!" Paris looked furious, and Tristan cringed.
"Dear, they're just surprised that I am actually getting married, that's all. You know what a womanizer I was, they all know it too. You need to calm down Paris...let's just try and have a good time tonight, that's why we came, right?" Tristan looked at Paris calmly, hoping that she wouldn't blow up at him.
"Spare me with all your crap! I don't want to hear it! I hate being here, and I hate all of them! I'm going to the refreshment table and drink all the alcoholic beverages now, how about that for a good time?" Paris snapped. She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room. Tristan sighed and rubbed his neck tiredly. He didn't know why the hell he had even agreed to ask Paris to marry him. Oh wait, yes he did. Dear old dad practically forced him to do it, threatening to disown him if he didn't.
Rory and Summer looked at Tristan from the doorway, admiring him, and angry at Paris for saying all those terrible things about them. Then Summer nudged Rory and whispered, "I'm going to go 'console' Paris, you work on Tristan, okay?" Rory nodded silently and stepped into the room as Summer flitted away.
"Now what's a handsome guy like you doing in the library when he could be outside having a grand time with a bunch of old pals, huh Tristan?" Rory said, mock dismayed, as she walked over near Tristan. Tristan's head snapped up and he smiled feebly at Rory, trying to put some charm into his smile.
"Well, what's a pretty girl like you doing in the library, talking to me, an almost married bore?" Tristan replied.
Rory gazed at him, subdued. "Now don't say that. You're not a bore, you're just getting married to one...oops, that was meant to be left inside my head." Rory words had a lilting, teasing tone and Tristan couldn't help but smile. He was always regretting that they hadn't stayed together, but it was in the past now.
"It's not only in your head, it's in everybody's head, well, everybody that's ever had the delight to talk to her."
"If you think she's boring, then why are you marrying her? Is she good in bed or something?"
Tristan looked up, smirking. "Well well Mary, seems you're no longer donning your innocent image that you tried to uphold while in high school."
"Oh come off it Tristan, you know better than anyone that I stopped being angelic after I started dating you. You have that effect on everyone. You corrupted me! Bastard." Rory said playfully, hitting his shoulder.
"I did no such thing Lorelai Leigh! I was a perfect gentleman, and if I remember correctly, you were usually the one who came up with all of the devious little plans, like stealing the Headmasters car!"
"Ah, yes, I remember now." Rory said, smiling at the memories. "But you have to admit, it was pretty fun, and the expression on his face when he realized his beloved pride and joy was gone, stolen right from underneath his nose!."
"Maybe." Tristan looked at his watch and sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot these days. "Well, it's been fun reminiscing with you, but I have to go catch up with the old ball and chain or else I'm in big trouble."
Rory pouted. "If you must. But tell me one thing Tristan, why are you marrying HER? There are plenty of other rich girls out there who you could marry and then leave instantly, taking their money with you. But Paris, well, I'm sure you'll be with her forever, she seems like the type that never lets anything go." Rory worded this carefully, she didn't want to offend Tristan.
"That is a very good question Rory. And I wish I had a better answer. I guess it just seemed right. We were friends, I know, unbelievable, and then one day my dad called me up and told me to 'go propose to that Gellar girl' so we won't be living out on the streets. I told him, no way, no how, but he was pretty persistent about it, so here I am." Tristan seemed guarded about the whole thing, and Rory knew he wasn't telling her the whole story.
"Oh, okay. Well, go find Paris. Call me sometime, and we can go out for coffee, alright?" Rory smiled up at him and reached up and brushed her lips lightly across his cheek. Tristan savored the moment, then nodded blissfully.
"Will do, Rory Mary Lorelai Leigh Gilmore." He said quietly as he walked out of the room.
Rory stood rooted to the spot for a minute, then reluctantly went to go find Summer.
She found Summer and Paris by the alcoholic beverages. She saw the angry glares and came closer to hear what they were saying.
"Oh yeah?! Well, at least Tristan's not marrying me just because he has to! If I ever get married, at least they guy will like me a little!" Summer shouted like a five year old. Paris laughed, a cold, harsh laugh.
"You don't know anything about me and Tristan and our relationship, so why don't you just stay out of it and leave your vicious lies in Hartford's country club!" Paris said, her face flushing from anger.
"Vicious lies? Is that what you think they are? Somebody's living in Denial land. Have you been a resident long?"
Rory saw Tristan's worried face, and she decided to step in.
"Ladies," she said smoothly, " What's going on?"
"None of your goddamned business Gilmore." Paris said rudely. Rory looked at her, anger very visible on her face and replied,
"It is so my goddamned business, this is my apartment, I have a right to know what's going on!"
"Not true. This is strictly between me and Slut Barbie over here. But you know what, I don't have the time or the patience for this kind of pettiness, Tristan, let's go." Paris said, grabbing him by the jacket. He followed behind helplessly, waving forlornly to Rory as they left
Once they left, Rory looked at Summer. "What the hell was that all about Summer?"
"We were talking, well, I was playing a reporter, you know, like that really pretty one on the news, but Paris apparently didn't want to play with me, she was huffing and giving me rude, one word answers, and then the conversation just happened to come upon Tristan, and well, I said one tiny thing and she got all angry and called a whore that was jealous of something that I can't have." Summer said, all innocence.
"So what did you and Tristan talk about? I noticed he looked a little, flushed, when he came out of the library. What'd you do to him? Maul him right on the spot? It would be a switch from that awful bitch I bet. Hey that rhymed! Sort of...bitch and switch. Well, I guess that's why they call me Dr. Suess..."
"Summer..." Rory warned. She didn't like Paris at all either, but she didn't want to say anything and have it get back to Tristan.
"What? I was simply stating that he wouldn't mind having someone come onto him, after being with that," Summer wrinkled her nose in distaste, "thing."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, anyway, we have better things to worry about. Like, what are we going to wear to the concert!?"
"But Rory!" Summer protested, " The concert isn't for like another four days! And I am so not finished talking about this!"
"Yes you are." Rory said firmly. "One can never prepare too early in advance for a concert, Summer, you know that." Rory looked at her admonishingly, "And come on, it'll get your mind off tonight's disaster."
Summer grudgingly followed after Rory, grumbling how she should have bitch slapped Paris.
Rory would have shut Summer up, but she was too busy thinking about how hot Tristan had looked tonight.
***
Author's Note: I know, crappy place to end it, but the next chapter is going to introduce Charlie, and I was sick of writing! And expect some flashbacks to explain the characters some more. So what did you think? I just wanted to try something different, so review please! And for those of you who are reading, The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn, I'm still writing that. This is just a way of getting rid of my writer's block. Okay, and I really want to know if I should even continue this, or if it just sucks too much. So Hit me with your reviews! Well not really, but, you know what I mean. Okay, babbling again, it's a really bad habit of mine.