Author's Note: Okay this is a story that I was inspired to write. All the
chapters are done and ready to be uploaded so review and you'll get the
rest very soon!
Prologue
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary..." Tristan sang teasingly.
Rory rolled her eyes. "I guess I was wrong in thinking that you would mature in military school." she tried to say in a scolding tone but turning to face him she smiled.
He trapped her against the lockers in his usual manner, caging her in with his arms on either side of her. His blue eyes danced in a teasing manner and she mentally prepared herself for the oncoming banter.
"I did mature in hell a.k.a. military school but these past few months with you has made me regress to a first grader tossing sand at the object of his affection."
Immediately he put on the best sad puppy face he could muster through his smile. Rory groaned good-naturedly. "Get some new material DuGrey."
Inside she knew she was lying. She hoped he'd never change. She had missed him, even his cheesy, ego filled innuendoes and trademark smirks. Junior year had been better than before, she made peace with Paris, Madeline, and Louise and had managed to get Lane and Henry back together. Even her relationship with Jess after her breakup with Dean went well, although when they found they would be cousins soon they parted as friends.or cousins. Luke and Lorelai's wedding was still a little less than a year away because Lorelai insisted on a winter wedding. Despite the definite improvement in life there was something missing. That something was the blond haired, blue eyed Adonis: Tristan DuGrey. Her heart leapt up when she heard that the prodigal son would return for his senior year at Chilton. When he graced the halls with his presence, heads turned to welcome their prince from exile. He smiled good-naturedly, acting as if he was the same suave yet indifferent man they used to know but inside he was searching for her. Military school had indeed molded him into a better man and his first act as one, was to make peace with the one girl that stole his heart, Rory Gilmore. Even being her friend was better than having her hate him. Seeing her, he was prepared to beg and grovel for forgiveness but was shocked when her smile brightened at the sight of him. He was even more taken aback when she rushed up and threw her arms around him. From that moment, the war had ended leaving them as the best set of friends that ever walked the Chilton halls.
'Why would I want to do that? Admit it, you love all the innuendoes." She blushed and tried to hide her face in her hair. "Aha! See! I knew it!"
"Shut up Baldy!" she pouted before ducking under his arms and turning back to her locker. She piled in book after book, the bag stretching at the seams.
"Hey! The hair is growing back! Slowly I admit but I think I have enough hair now that you can stop calling me that!" he growled defensively.
She gave him her best "smart ass" smile and continued to pack up. Tristan looked around at his classmates hurriedly leaving the building. The crowds rushed around the two, excited to start their long awaited vacation.
"Ror-yyyy!" he whined. "Hurry up! Why do you need so many books?! It's vacation!"
"Yes, Tristan, it's vacation but it's only spring break! We still have a few months of school left before we graduate and I'm not going to let my grades slip!" she scolded gently.
"But vacation is starting without us!" he whined again.
Rory laughed. His face was scrunched like an impatient child as he danced around her locker in restlessness.
"Starting to regret offering me a ride?" she teased. "Hold this." she commanded thrusting a leather bound book in his hands.
Sighing in resignation, Tristan leaned against the locker and opened the book to read for lack of anything better to do.
"I see you've decided to make the best use of your time Mr. DuGrey." a voice said, referring to the classic novel in his hands.
Tristan looked up and immediately straightened to face the owner of the voice.
"Yes ma'am Mrs. Charleston." he greeted politely.
"Keep it up, the student body missed you in your absence." she responded.
"I plan to, Rory here has been my inspiration."
Rory rolled her eyes behind the curtain of hair that hid her face as she continued to go through her locker. The headmaster's wife was not able to see the hidden sarcasm in Tristan's remark.
"Yes, well Miss Gilmore," Rory turned to face the woman, "is an exemplary student to model yourself after."
"Thank you Mrs. Charleston." Rory politely replied.
"That she is." Tristan said adoringly causing Rory to blush.
"Well, I must be off now but do enjoy your vacations dears."
"You too Mrs. Charleston, a charming and delightful woman as yourself deserves one." Tristan sugarcoated.
The woman laughed gently. "Tristan, you flatter me."
Turning to leave another student accidentally collided with her. The kind and gentle woman Tristan coaxed out of her was immediately replaced by a stern scowl. Everyone in the hall froze to watch as Mrs. Charleston glared at the student menacingly.
"Young man watch where you're going!"
"I...I'm sorry Mrs. Charleston...I didn't see you." he stuttered.
"How could you not see me? I'm standing right in front of you!" she screeched.
"I...I...it's just..." he stuttered.
"Enough, you're coming with me, we'll see what the headmaster has to say about this!"
Once they were out of sight the hall came alive again.
"How do you do that?" Rory asked in disbelief.
"What?" Tristan shrugged innocently.
"How do you turn a mean old woman into the grandmother that everyone loves back to the mean old woman again in less than three seconds?" she questioned zipping up her backpack and hefting it onto her shoulders. Tristan leaned over and closed her locker.
"It's the DuGrey family charm."
Throwing his arm around her shoulders he guided Rory down the hall.
"You think you're quite the charmer don't you?" she asked.
"It's a gift..." he turned to her and smirked, "...although, there is one girl who has yet to fall for my charms."
"And she never will." Rory returned. They looked at each other as they walked and smiled.
Suddenly they were nearly blinded by a sudden flash. Immediately the smiles disappeared and they stopped walking to see what had interrupted such a moment.
"For the yearbook guys, it was a true Kodak moment." Henry apologized, camera in hand.
~~~~~~~~
Chapter 1-Sparkling
Rory bit her lip as she smiled, looking down at the yearbook on her lap. She sighed contently, closing her eyes and reliving the moment in her mind.
"Rory Gilmore and Tristan DuGrey share a friendly moment as they leave for Spring Break." a voice read the caption over Rory's shoulder.
Rory looked up startled but quickly relaxed.
"Jeez Kate, don't scare me like that." Rory mumbled.
Her roommate smiled and crossed the floor of the dorm to sit on her bed.
"That's Tristan DuGrey?" she asked.
Rory rolled her eyes. ~Typical Kate~ she thought. Katherine Jucas always had one thing on her mind: boys. How she ever got into Harvard baffled Rory, but all the same, when she and Lorelai lugged the first group of boxes into the tiny dorm that would be "home" for the next chapter of the younger Gilmore's life there was Katie. How do you describe a person like Kate? She was a socialite, thus explaining her presence at Harvard, but was not at all interested in social status, a thing that came naturally to her. While she received decent grades most of her time was spent out and about soaking up the "party" atmosphere of college given off by the other "wild" spirits looking for the same thing (though there were very few at Harvard who shared these sentiments). It was Kate who made valiant efforts to befriend Rory and show her the life outside of the campus libraries, with a nudge from Lorelai and threats of coffee suspension of course. Now, in their last year of college, they, along with Lane who was at Northwestern with Henry, became pretty good friends. Despite this Rory had closed off a part of her life from Kate: Tristan. She sighed, she hadn't seen Tristan in so long, nearly a year, since last Fourth of July in fact. Rory knew that the already minimal emails and phone calls that had dropped to Jess calling and saying "Tristan says hi," were her fault. But she didn't want to think about that. However it was a call from Tristan that sparked Rory's interest to travel back down memory lane by pulling out the old Chilton annual. He wanted to see her. Spring break came early for Yale this year so instead of partying with his classmates he called to ask if he and Jess could visit. She couldn't say no.
"Hello? Earth to Rory!" Kate said trying to get her attention.
"What?" Rory snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, sorry, was kind of lost in my thoughts there."
"Apparently." Katie mused. "So I repeat, that's Tristan?"
"Tristan is Tristan." Rory replied vaguely.
"Yes, Tristan DuGrey, I gathered that from the caption under a picture of you two walking down a hallway with his arm around you. Now would you care to elaborate more on the very hot looking boy whom you locked eyes with? The one that you visit all the time and yet have never introduced me to."
"He is not hot, he's Tristan DuGrey, one of my very best friends. Nothing more than that. And I don't visit him ALL the time, at least not recently. Besides, I also go to see Jess." Rory explained.
"Ah yes, the cousin whom I have also never met. Are you that ashamed of me? I only found out about Lane and Henry by snooping! You barely talk about them and even when you do you're totally vague. I know that in the past they've come down here to see you yet for some reason you always hid them from me, why?" Kate asked with a smile.
She fortunately was far from mad at her friend. Instead she was amused that the ever-innocent Rory was so quiet and protective of her loved ones.
"I hid them because I know you Kate." she said coyly.
"You know me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you'd have your claws in either Tristan or Jess or the both of them before a hello is exchanged. I'm protecting them."
Katie rolled her eyes. Rory cleared her throat nervously.
"Hey, um.I was wondering.Tristan and Jess have their spring break a week earlier than we do and they want to come over for a visit..." Rory started.
"And they need a place to stay?" Kate asked, knowing where Rory was going with this.
"Yeah, they don't want to stay at a hotel so..."
"When are they coming?"
"Day after tomorrow." Rory answered. "They'll be here a week."
"And I'll finally be able to meet them?"
Rory sighed. "Yes, you'll finally meet them."
"I'll ask John and Drew if your boys can stay with them in their dorm."
"Will it be big enough for four guys?"
"Yeah, no prob. Drew's dad shelled out big money for his son to have a private room. John's dorm was next door so they just knocked out the wall. It's plenty big enough." Kate said dismissively.
Rory opened her mouth in shock. While John and Drew were both good friends she had never been to their dorm.
"How did they pull that off without anyone finding out?" she asked skeptically.
"Rory, Rory, sweet innocent small town Rory," Katie stood up and pinched her cheek, "ever hear the phrase 'money talks?' Money also silences."
Katie swept through and walked into the open closet and began to rustle through the contents on her side.
"Rory, I know I've asked you this before but now that I've seen the gorgeous cutie you've been hiding from me I have to ask again...are there any feelings there suggesting you're more than 'best friends'?"
"No, of course not." Rory objected defensively.
"Somehow that just doesn't seem like a very convincing 'no'. Don't make me bribe Lorelai with coffee to find out the scoop."
"With Luke at the house she won't need your coffee." Rory said smugly.
"Fine, then at least tell me what's up with the smiles in the photo."
Rory bit her lip smiling. "Tristan had totally charmed the headmaster's wife and I made a comment about how he thought he was this total charmer. He said that there was one girl who had yet to fall for him and I told him that she, meaning I, never would. We were smiling and didn't even see Henry take the shot. Those lines have been our mantra ever since, like this little inside joke, just for us."
"You like him." Katie said sticking her head out of the closet with a grin on her face. Rory opened her mouth but Kate cut her off. "And don't say you don't. You do."
~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, New Haven, CT...
"Are you sure you want to go through with this man? After what happened last year at Aunt Lorelai's Fourth of July bash?"
Tristan looked up from his packing and turned around to face his roommate. Jess sat on the bed opposite of Tristan's, a half full duffel bag and a small pile of remaining clothes lying next to him.
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked innocently.
"Look, Tris, I know how naïve my cousin is but in no way has that rubbed off on you." Jess said.
Tristan let out a small laugh. "She's rubbed off on me plenty, trust me."
Jess shook his head. "Listen, I know you like her..."
"Love her." Tristan cut him off looking at him pointedly.
"Okay, I know you love her but you have to stop doing this to yourself."
Tristan shifted his jaw and looked back down at his bag. Picking up a shirt and folding it in his hands he asked, "Doing what?"
Jess slumped his shoulders tiredly. "Tristan, from what Rory has told me you were the official bad boy of Chilton back in the day. You would have dated anything female that had a pulse."
"Hey, I had more taste than that!" Tristan interjected with a laugh.
"I'm serious Tris. You've dated how many times since you came back from military school? The number is depressingly pathetic."
"They weren't Rory." Tristan mumbled.
"Of course they weren't, she's one of a kind but...I think you have to face it, maybe you two were meant to be nothing more than friends."
"I don't believe that." the blond replied stubbornly.
"Look, everyone was rooting for you two. Lane, Henry, Aunt Lorelai, Uncle Luke...heck the ENTIRE population of Stars Hollow, well with the possible half hearted exception of Miss Patty who wants you for herself but...that's not the point."
Tristan zipped up his suitcase and turned to him. "Is there a part in here where you get to a point?" he asked harshly.
"Yes. The point is that it doesn't matter how much we want you two to get together it's not up to us. Ever since we all split for college we've seen you desperately try to win her over during every vacation we get. After last year I doubt that anything will happen and deep down I think you know I'm right."
Tristan inhaled and exhaled deeply. He looked down at his bag while playing with the strap. He looked back up and stared at Jess in the eyes.
"One last time. All I ask is one last time to show Rory how much I love her and if she doesn't feel the same way then..." he gulped, "I'll move on. I'll take that as a sign that we weren't meant to be."
"Last chance? Are you truly serious?" Jess asked standing up and putting his hands on Tristan's shoulders.
"Last chance." he nodded sadly.
Jess, satisfied with the answer walked back to his bed and began packing the remaining clothes.
"I'm going to get some snacks for the road tomorrow." Tristan said quietly.
As he was about to slip out the door Jess stopped him.
"Hey Tristan," he said turning to face him, "just for the record, I hope I'm wrong about this."
"Me too." he said simply before closing the door behind him.
~
"Tristan!"
Tristan smiled and slowly turned to the voice calling him. Rory returned the smile and ran up to him, four unlit sparklers in hand.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" she asked.
Together they stood by the tool shed off the woods behind Independence Inn. The sun had already set and the lights from the party reflected softly off the small pond. The gentle murmur of their friends and family at the party mixed with the hum of crickets and fireflies left the two in otherwise silence. Finally Tristan met her eyes.
"I'm just thinking." he said wistfully lost in her beauty. God, how he loved her.
She giggled slightly. "Alert the presses, Tristan DuGrey was thinking! I'm sure the Hartford grapevine would love to hear their beloved prince has good looks AND brains."
"So, you think I have good looks?" he said coyly.
"Oh no, I've released the ego freak within." she groaned.
"I knew you wanted me." he said pulling her close.
"No, I'll never want you Tristan." she replied.
Tristan masked his hurt at her words. He knew that she didn't mean them in the way he took it but it hurt all the same.
"We'll see about that Mary, we'll see."
He snaked his arm around her shoulders and led her back to the crowd. Immediately a slow song came up and as couples paired up on the dance floor he turned to see her playing with the sparklers.
"Care to dance?" he asked.
"I don't dance well." she said in a small voice.
"No, I think you do." he said a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
It was good to know that with all the changes in their lives that she was still his innocent Mary.
"Dean's out there." she said in the same tone.
He looked out and saw Dean with his arms wrapped around some redhead that he didn't recognize. His jaw involuntarily clenched at the sight. Tristan did not like Dean before but it was after the third and final breakup that took place over a month ago, leaving Rory crushed, that Tristan felt murderous around the floppy haired brunette. It pained him when Rory and Dean got back together over Thanksgiving break but it nearly killed him when she called over the phone and in a heartbroken voice asked him to come home. Without a moment's hesitation he jumped in his car and drove, only focusing on getting to her. He looked back at Rory and felt his heart soften.
"Listen, how about this, we go out there and dance and show Bagboy what he's missing? Get him all jealous."
Rory let out a small laugh.
"Sounds good." she said with a small nod.
Smiling, Tristan led her to the center of the dance floor, giving Dean a glare as they passed. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she drew her hands up around his neck. He smiled as the ends of the sparklers tickled the back of his neck.
"What? What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing Rory, nothing at all."
They locked eyes as they swayed gently back and forth to the sweet melody flowing out of the surrounding speakers. Henry held Lane close nearby, both stared at the couple dancing to their left. They exchanged a mixture of hopeful and knowing glances as they too danced along to the music.
Rory closed her eyes and closed the little space between them by leaning her head against his chest. Sighing happily she inhaled the sweet scent of his cologne. Above her head Tristan held back a groan and held her even tighter. The song came to an end all to soon and he felt himself wishing he didn't have to let her go as she drew back slowly.
"Okay everyone! Stop groping each other and pay attention!" Lorelai yelled from the Inn's back porch, bullhorn in hand. Luke stood next to her shaking his head in amusement. "Everyone having a good Fourth of July?"
Cheers of approval sounded through the townspeople.
"Who wants to see the sky light up tonight?"
More cheers.
"Then light those sparklers that I know ya'll have, sit back, and the fireworks should start any minute. If anyone has any extra sparklers you can just pass them my way."
Luke's eyes widened and he grabbed the bullhorn out of her grasp. "Do not, I repeat do not let Lorelai anywhere near those sparklers! We do not want a repeat of New Years."
"Meanie! I'm a grown woman I can play with sparklers if I want to."
"A grown woman does not 'play' with sparklers, especially when last time this woman had sparklers in her possession she burnt down the town gazebo." Luke said pointedly.
Lorelai grinned like a small child. "Well, you have to admit, it was fun watching those fire fighters search blindly for the hydrant."
"Which you hid under the buffet table."
"Not on purpose! I didn't know we'd need it. It's not like we use the thing on a regular basis. Besides, it's the hydrant's fault for being put where I wanted the tables to go." she objected.
"Yes but while the rest of the town was helping them look you were using the flames to roast marshmallows!"
"Hey, Rory was right there with me pal."
"But she didn't get scared by a burning marshmallow and throw it into a bush thus causing that too to go up in flames."
"Hey that little sucker was out of control!" Lorelai said defensively.
Luke gave her a stern look.
"We made up a new game in the whole experience though. Flaming Marshmallows definitely beats Bagel Hockey." Lorelai said sheepishly.
"Hey you two, the fireworks have started." Sookie called from below.
Luke and Lorelai turned, the banter ceased as they watched the show.
Rory handed Tristan two of the sparklers she was holding.
"Thanks." he said.
"You're welcome."
They stared at each other until Miss Patty came up to them.
"Do you want me to light those for you dears?" she offered sweetly.
"We would love that Miss Patty." Tristan answered in his usual charm.
Rory rolled her eyes as Patty flirted with Tristan while lighting his then Rory's sparkler.
"Save me a dance Tristan?" Miss Patty asked.
"Of course, did you think I would let the night end without stepping on the dance floor with you?"
"You are too scrumptious!" she exclaimed pinching his cheek. "You've got good taste in men Rory."
With that she sauntered off.
"Uh, gag! Something about that was just wrong!" Rory said in disgust.
Tristan flashed her his winning smile. "What can I say, when you've got, you've got it."
"You think you're quite the charmer don't you?" she asked.
Tristan smiled and recited his line. "It's a gift, although, there is one girl who has yet to fall for my charms."
"And she never will." Rory finished.
Without another word Rory followed Tristan to the grass, swinging her sparklers as she went, and came to a stop behind the crowd watching the show. Tristan tore his eyes away from the sky to look at her. At every explosion the light lit up her smiling face and he had to fight the urge to kiss her.
Feeling his gaze on her, Rory turned to face Tristan. She looked up at his eyes. They stared at each other, not caring about the fireworks anymore. She bit her lip nervously, like she always did when he gazed at her with such intensity. It was this act that drove him over the edge. Slowly but surely he dipped down closer to her. She breathed deeply, heart racing as she drew her arms up around him, careful to hold the sparklers away from his body. As he arms went around her waist, also minding the half burnt sparklers, their lips connected. Gentle at first but then with a fiery passion they kissed as if they were alone in the world.
Tristan was lost in ecstasy. There he was, kissing the girl he loved with all his heart. The finale of the firework show exploded around them like the in the movies. Then, suddenly fearful, Rory drew back. She bit her lip again, tears brimming her eyes as she took one step back, then another. He had seen that look before so many years ago at Madeline's party.
"Rory, I..." he began.
She shook her head and dropped the now finished sparklers to the ground before running. For the second time in his life she ran away. He looked down at the ground numb from the shock and the pain of her rejecting him. He dropped his two dead sparklers to the ground and fought the urge to break down and cry. He looked up again and with a determined face ran in the direction that she left.
"Oh, this cannot end well." Henry stated as he watched him run by.
"Agreed." Jess stated.
He looked over at Lorelai and she smiled sadly hoping for the best.
Tristan felt his breath catch in his throat as she stood by the pond looking down at her reflection sadly. She looked up and stared straight ahead, still not looking at Tristan.
"Don't just stand there." she said finally turning towards him. "Say something."
He swallowed and took a few steps towards her. "How'd you know I was here?"
"Tris, I've known you for how long now? Six years? More? I can always tell when you're near." she said softly.
"I'm sorry." he said, thinking that's what she wanted to hear.
"For what?" she asked fearful.
"The kiss." he said while hiding his pain. He was far from sorry about the kiss.
"Oh." she said in a strange tone. What was that in her voice? Disappointment?
"I guess, I got caught up in the moment." he explained.
"Oh." she said again. "So it meant nothing?"
"What do you want it to mean?" he asked.
"Don't pull that with me Tristan." she said tiredly.
"Rory, we're friends. What do think it meant?" he forced out.
She tilted her head in thought. "I think it means we both got caught up in the moment." she said sadly.
"Yeah." he said hiding the truth.
"We're friends." she whispered.
He hated seeing her so sad. Against everything that logic was telling him he pulled her into a hug. They stood together in embrace unmoving.
"Friends." he mumbled miserably, hoping she didn't notice.
~
"Hey Tris?" Jess said as he pulled their navy SUV up to one of the pumps at a gas station. It was around eight in the morning and Tristan had insisted on getting an early start. The blond sat slumped in his seat, staring out the window deep in thought.
Tristan pulled out of his thoughts and looked at the dark haired boy.
"Yeah?"
"What are you thinking about?" Jess asked curiously.
"Just thinking back to the Fourth of July party." he said quietly.
Jess sighed, he hated seeing his friend in such a saddened state.
"Tris man, I'm going to get a pack of cigs, can you fill up the tank with gas?" he asked.
"Sure."
Both men got out of the car. Tristan went to the pump, inserted his debit card, and leaned against the car as he filled up the tank. Jess walked into the mini-mart and grabbed a pack of Marlboro. As he waited in line behind two other customers he stared out the windows at Tristan.
"Rory is too stubborn. It will take a miracle for her to admit she loves Tristan." Then a thought struck Jess. "Or maybe..." he paid for the cigarettes as a plot formed in his head. He walked out of the store and ducked around the corner, hidden from Tristan's view.
"This is their last chance." he mumbled to himself as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed familiar numbers. Putting the phone to his hear he couldn't help but smile. "Hello? Aunt Lorelai..."
~
AN: So, this is why the chapters on all my other stories have been few and far between. I've been working on this story for the past five and a half months! Show some appreciation and review, will ya?
PS: In case you didn't know, Katie's last name Jucas is pronounced, "yoo- cuss." As if the "J" was a "Y" the "u" as in the "oo" in "boo" and the "a" as if it was a short "u." Got it? Not 'juh-cass' or 'ju-cahs' but "yoo- cuss."
Prologue
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary..." Tristan sang teasingly.
Rory rolled her eyes. "I guess I was wrong in thinking that you would mature in military school." she tried to say in a scolding tone but turning to face him she smiled.
He trapped her against the lockers in his usual manner, caging her in with his arms on either side of her. His blue eyes danced in a teasing manner and she mentally prepared herself for the oncoming banter.
"I did mature in hell a.k.a. military school but these past few months with you has made me regress to a first grader tossing sand at the object of his affection."
Immediately he put on the best sad puppy face he could muster through his smile. Rory groaned good-naturedly. "Get some new material DuGrey."
Inside she knew she was lying. She hoped he'd never change. She had missed him, even his cheesy, ego filled innuendoes and trademark smirks. Junior year had been better than before, she made peace with Paris, Madeline, and Louise and had managed to get Lane and Henry back together. Even her relationship with Jess after her breakup with Dean went well, although when they found they would be cousins soon they parted as friends.or cousins. Luke and Lorelai's wedding was still a little less than a year away because Lorelai insisted on a winter wedding. Despite the definite improvement in life there was something missing. That something was the blond haired, blue eyed Adonis: Tristan DuGrey. Her heart leapt up when she heard that the prodigal son would return for his senior year at Chilton. When he graced the halls with his presence, heads turned to welcome their prince from exile. He smiled good-naturedly, acting as if he was the same suave yet indifferent man they used to know but inside he was searching for her. Military school had indeed molded him into a better man and his first act as one, was to make peace with the one girl that stole his heart, Rory Gilmore. Even being her friend was better than having her hate him. Seeing her, he was prepared to beg and grovel for forgiveness but was shocked when her smile brightened at the sight of him. He was even more taken aback when she rushed up and threw her arms around him. From that moment, the war had ended leaving them as the best set of friends that ever walked the Chilton halls.
'Why would I want to do that? Admit it, you love all the innuendoes." She blushed and tried to hide her face in her hair. "Aha! See! I knew it!"
"Shut up Baldy!" she pouted before ducking under his arms and turning back to her locker. She piled in book after book, the bag stretching at the seams.
"Hey! The hair is growing back! Slowly I admit but I think I have enough hair now that you can stop calling me that!" he growled defensively.
She gave him her best "smart ass" smile and continued to pack up. Tristan looked around at his classmates hurriedly leaving the building. The crowds rushed around the two, excited to start their long awaited vacation.
"Ror-yyyy!" he whined. "Hurry up! Why do you need so many books?! It's vacation!"
"Yes, Tristan, it's vacation but it's only spring break! We still have a few months of school left before we graduate and I'm not going to let my grades slip!" she scolded gently.
"But vacation is starting without us!" he whined again.
Rory laughed. His face was scrunched like an impatient child as he danced around her locker in restlessness.
"Starting to regret offering me a ride?" she teased. "Hold this." she commanded thrusting a leather bound book in his hands.
Sighing in resignation, Tristan leaned against the locker and opened the book to read for lack of anything better to do.
"I see you've decided to make the best use of your time Mr. DuGrey." a voice said, referring to the classic novel in his hands.
Tristan looked up and immediately straightened to face the owner of the voice.
"Yes ma'am Mrs. Charleston." he greeted politely.
"Keep it up, the student body missed you in your absence." she responded.
"I plan to, Rory here has been my inspiration."
Rory rolled her eyes behind the curtain of hair that hid her face as she continued to go through her locker. The headmaster's wife was not able to see the hidden sarcasm in Tristan's remark.
"Yes, well Miss Gilmore," Rory turned to face the woman, "is an exemplary student to model yourself after."
"Thank you Mrs. Charleston." Rory politely replied.
"That she is." Tristan said adoringly causing Rory to blush.
"Well, I must be off now but do enjoy your vacations dears."
"You too Mrs. Charleston, a charming and delightful woman as yourself deserves one." Tristan sugarcoated.
The woman laughed gently. "Tristan, you flatter me."
Turning to leave another student accidentally collided with her. The kind and gentle woman Tristan coaxed out of her was immediately replaced by a stern scowl. Everyone in the hall froze to watch as Mrs. Charleston glared at the student menacingly.
"Young man watch where you're going!"
"I...I'm sorry Mrs. Charleston...I didn't see you." he stuttered.
"How could you not see me? I'm standing right in front of you!" she screeched.
"I...I...it's just..." he stuttered.
"Enough, you're coming with me, we'll see what the headmaster has to say about this!"
Once they were out of sight the hall came alive again.
"How do you do that?" Rory asked in disbelief.
"What?" Tristan shrugged innocently.
"How do you turn a mean old woman into the grandmother that everyone loves back to the mean old woman again in less than three seconds?" she questioned zipping up her backpack and hefting it onto her shoulders. Tristan leaned over and closed her locker.
"It's the DuGrey family charm."
Throwing his arm around her shoulders he guided Rory down the hall.
"You think you're quite the charmer don't you?" she asked.
"It's a gift..." he turned to her and smirked, "...although, there is one girl who has yet to fall for my charms."
"And she never will." Rory returned. They looked at each other as they walked and smiled.
Suddenly they were nearly blinded by a sudden flash. Immediately the smiles disappeared and they stopped walking to see what had interrupted such a moment.
"For the yearbook guys, it was a true Kodak moment." Henry apologized, camera in hand.
~~~~~~~~
Chapter 1-Sparkling
Rory bit her lip as she smiled, looking down at the yearbook on her lap. She sighed contently, closing her eyes and reliving the moment in her mind.
"Rory Gilmore and Tristan DuGrey share a friendly moment as they leave for Spring Break." a voice read the caption over Rory's shoulder.
Rory looked up startled but quickly relaxed.
"Jeez Kate, don't scare me like that." Rory mumbled.
Her roommate smiled and crossed the floor of the dorm to sit on her bed.
"That's Tristan DuGrey?" she asked.
Rory rolled her eyes. ~Typical Kate~ she thought. Katherine Jucas always had one thing on her mind: boys. How she ever got into Harvard baffled Rory, but all the same, when she and Lorelai lugged the first group of boxes into the tiny dorm that would be "home" for the next chapter of the younger Gilmore's life there was Katie. How do you describe a person like Kate? She was a socialite, thus explaining her presence at Harvard, but was not at all interested in social status, a thing that came naturally to her. While she received decent grades most of her time was spent out and about soaking up the "party" atmosphere of college given off by the other "wild" spirits looking for the same thing (though there were very few at Harvard who shared these sentiments). It was Kate who made valiant efforts to befriend Rory and show her the life outside of the campus libraries, with a nudge from Lorelai and threats of coffee suspension of course. Now, in their last year of college, they, along with Lane who was at Northwestern with Henry, became pretty good friends. Despite this Rory had closed off a part of her life from Kate: Tristan. She sighed, she hadn't seen Tristan in so long, nearly a year, since last Fourth of July in fact. Rory knew that the already minimal emails and phone calls that had dropped to Jess calling and saying "Tristan says hi," were her fault. But she didn't want to think about that. However it was a call from Tristan that sparked Rory's interest to travel back down memory lane by pulling out the old Chilton annual. He wanted to see her. Spring break came early for Yale this year so instead of partying with his classmates he called to ask if he and Jess could visit. She couldn't say no.
"Hello? Earth to Rory!" Kate said trying to get her attention.
"What?" Rory snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, sorry, was kind of lost in my thoughts there."
"Apparently." Katie mused. "So I repeat, that's Tristan?"
"Tristan is Tristan." Rory replied vaguely.
"Yes, Tristan DuGrey, I gathered that from the caption under a picture of you two walking down a hallway with his arm around you. Now would you care to elaborate more on the very hot looking boy whom you locked eyes with? The one that you visit all the time and yet have never introduced me to."
"He is not hot, he's Tristan DuGrey, one of my very best friends. Nothing more than that. And I don't visit him ALL the time, at least not recently. Besides, I also go to see Jess." Rory explained.
"Ah yes, the cousin whom I have also never met. Are you that ashamed of me? I only found out about Lane and Henry by snooping! You barely talk about them and even when you do you're totally vague. I know that in the past they've come down here to see you yet for some reason you always hid them from me, why?" Kate asked with a smile.
She fortunately was far from mad at her friend. Instead she was amused that the ever-innocent Rory was so quiet and protective of her loved ones.
"I hid them because I know you Kate." she said coyly.
"You know me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you'd have your claws in either Tristan or Jess or the both of them before a hello is exchanged. I'm protecting them."
Katie rolled her eyes. Rory cleared her throat nervously.
"Hey, um.I was wondering.Tristan and Jess have their spring break a week earlier than we do and they want to come over for a visit..." Rory started.
"And they need a place to stay?" Kate asked, knowing where Rory was going with this.
"Yeah, they don't want to stay at a hotel so..."
"When are they coming?"
"Day after tomorrow." Rory answered. "They'll be here a week."
"And I'll finally be able to meet them?"
Rory sighed. "Yes, you'll finally meet them."
"I'll ask John and Drew if your boys can stay with them in their dorm."
"Will it be big enough for four guys?"
"Yeah, no prob. Drew's dad shelled out big money for his son to have a private room. John's dorm was next door so they just knocked out the wall. It's plenty big enough." Kate said dismissively.
Rory opened her mouth in shock. While John and Drew were both good friends she had never been to their dorm.
"How did they pull that off without anyone finding out?" she asked skeptically.
"Rory, Rory, sweet innocent small town Rory," Katie stood up and pinched her cheek, "ever hear the phrase 'money talks?' Money also silences."
Katie swept through and walked into the open closet and began to rustle through the contents on her side.
"Rory, I know I've asked you this before but now that I've seen the gorgeous cutie you've been hiding from me I have to ask again...are there any feelings there suggesting you're more than 'best friends'?"
"No, of course not." Rory objected defensively.
"Somehow that just doesn't seem like a very convincing 'no'. Don't make me bribe Lorelai with coffee to find out the scoop."
"With Luke at the house she won't need your coffee." Rory said smugly.
"Fine, then at least tell me what's up with the smiles in the photo."
Rory bit her lip smiling. "Tristan had totally charmed the headmaster's wife and I made a comment about how he thought he was this total charmer. He said that there was one girl who had yet to fall for him and I told him that she, meaning I, never would. We were smiling and didn't even see Henry take the shot. Those lines have been our mantra ever since, like this little inside joke, just for us."
"You like him." Katie said sticking her head out of the closet with a grin on her face. Rory opened her mouth but Kate cut her off. "And don't say you don't. You do."
~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, New Haven, CT...
"Are you sure you want to go through with this man? After what happened last year at Aunt Lorelai's Fourth of July bash?"
Tristan looked up from his packing and turned around to face his roommate. Jess sat on the bed opposite of Tristan's, a half full duffel bag and a small pile of remaining clothes lying next to him.
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked innocently.
"Look, Tris, I know how naïve my cousin is but in no way has that rubbed off on you." Jess said.
Tristan let out a small laugh. "She's rubbed off on me plenty, trust me."
Jess shook his head. "Listen, I know you like her..."
"Love her." Tristan cut him off looking at him pointedly.
"Okay, I know you love her but you have to stop doing this to yourself."
Tristan shifted his jaw and looked back down at his bag. Picking up a shirt and folding it in his hands he asked, "Doing what?"
Jess slumped his shoulders tiredly. "Tristan, from what Rory has told me you were the official bad boy of Chilton back in the day. You would have dated anything female that had a pulse."
"Hey, I had more taste than that!" Tristan interjected with a laugh.
"I'm serious Tris. You've dated how many times since you came back from military school? The number is depressingly pathetic."
"They weren't Rory." Tristan mumbled.
"Of course they weren't, she's one of a kind but...I think you have to face it, maybe you two were meant to be nothing more than friends."
"I don't believe that." the blond replied stubbornly.
"Look, everyone was rooting for you two. Lane, Henry, Aunt Lorelai, Uncle Luke...heck the ENTIRE population of Stars Hollow, well with the possible half hearted exception of Miss Patty who wants you for herself but...that's not the point."
Tristan zipped up his suitcase and turned to him. "Is there a part in here where you get to a point?" he asked harshly.
"Yes. The point is that it doesn't matter how much we want you two to get together it's not up to us. Ever since we all split for college we've seen you desperately try to win her over during every vacation we get. After last year I doubt that anything will happen and deep down I think you know I'm right."
Tristan inhaled and exhaled deeply. He looked down at his bag while playing with the strap. He looked back up and stared at Jess in the eyes.
"One last time. All I ask is one last time to show Rory how much I love her and if she doesn't feel the same way then..." he gulped, "I'll move on. I'll take that as a sign that we weren't meant to be."
"Last chance? Are you truly serious?" Jess asked standing up and putting his hands on Tristan's shoulders.
"Last chance." he nodded sadly.
Jess, satisfied with the answer walked back to his bed and began packing the remaining clothes.
"I'm going to get some snacks for the road tomorrow." Tristan said quietly.
As he was about to slip out the door Jess stopped him.
"Hey Tristan," he said turning to face him, "just for the record, I hope I'm wrong about this."
"Me too." he said simply before closing the door behind him.
~
"Tristan!"
Tristan smiled and slowly turned to the voice calling him. Rory returned the smile and ran up to him, four unlit sparklers in hand.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" she asked.
Together they stood by the tool shed off the woods behind Independence Inn. The sun had already set and the lights from the party reflected softly off the small pond. The gentle murmur of their friends and family at the party mixed with the hum of crickets and fireflies left the two in otherwise silence. Finally Tristan met her eyes.
"I'm just thinking." he said wistfully lost in her beauty. God, how he loved her.
She giggled slightly. "Alert the presses, Tristan DuGrey was thinking! I'm sure the Hartford grapevine would love to hear their beloved prince has good looks AND brains."
"So, you think I have good looks?" he said coyly.
"Oh no, I've released the ego freak within." she groaned.
"I knew you wanted me." he said pulling her close.
"No, I'll never want you Tristan." she replied.
Tristan masked his hurt at her words. He knew that she didn't mean them in the way he took it but it hurt all the same.
"We'll see about that Mary, we'll see."
He snaked his arm around her shoulders and led her back to the crowd. Immediately a slow song came up and as couples paired up on the dance floor he turned to see her playing with the sparklers.
"Care to dance?" he asked.
"I don't dance well." she said in a small voice.
"No, I think you do." he said a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
It was good to know that with all the changes in their lives that she was still his innocent Mary.
"Dean's out there." she said in the same tone.
He looked out and saw Dean with his arms wrapped around some redhead that he didn't recognize. His jaw involuntarily clenched at the sight. Tristan did not like Dean before but it was after the third and final breakup that took place over a month ago, leaving Rory crushed, that Tristan felt murderous around the floppy haired brunette. It pained him when Rory and Dean got back together over Thanksgiving break but it nearly killed him when she called over the phone and in a heartbroken voice asked him to come home. Without a moment's hesitation he jumped in his car and drove, only focusing on getting to her. He looked back at Rory and felt his heart soften.
"Listen, how about this, we go out there and dance and show Bagboy what he's missing? Get him all jealous."
Rory let out a small laugh.
"Sounds good." she said with a small nod.
Smiling, Tristan led her to the center of the dance floor, giving Dean a glare as they passed. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she drew her hands up around his neck. He smiled as the ends of the sparklers tickled the back of his neck.
"What? What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing Rory, nothing at all."
They locked eyes as they swayed gently back and forth to the sweet melody flowing out of the surrounding speakers. Henry held Lane close nearby, both stared at the couple dancing to their left. They exchanged a mixture of hopeful and knowing glances as they too danced along to the music.
Rory closed her eyes and closed the little space between them by leaning her head against his chest. Sighing happily she inhaled the sweet scent of his cologne. Above her head Tristan held back a groan and held her even tighter. The song came to an end all to soon and he felt himself wishing he didn't have to let her go as she drew back slowly.
"Okay everyone! Stop groping each other and pay attention!" Lorelai yelled from the Inn's back porch, bullhorn in hand. Luke stood next to her shaking his head in amusement. "Everyone having a good Fourth of July?"
Cheers of approval sounded through the townspeople.
"Who wants to see the sky light up tonight?"
More cheers.
"Then light those sparklers that I know ya'll have, sit back, and the fireworks should start any minute. If anyone has any extra sparklers you can just pass them my way."
Luke's eyes widened and he grabbed the bullhorn out of her grasp. "Do not, I repeat do not let Lorelai anywhere near those sparklers! We do not want a repeat of New Years."
"Meanie! I'm a grown woman I can play with sparklers if I want to."
"A grown woman does not 'play' with sparklers, especially when last time this woman had sparklers in her possession she burnt down the town gazebo." Luke said pointedly.
Lorelai grinned like a small child. "Well, you have to admit, it was fun watching those fire fighters search blindly for the hydrant."
"Which you hid under the buffet table."
"Not on purpose! I didn't know we'd need it. It's not like we use the thing on a regular basis. Besides, it's the hydrant's fault for being put where I wanted the tables to go." she objected.
"Yes but while the rest of the town was helping them look you were using the flames to roast marshmallows!"
"Hey, Rory was right there with me pal."
"But she didn't get scared by a burning marshmallow and throw it into a bush thus causing that too to go up in flames."
"Hey that little sucker was out of control!" Lorelai said defensively.
Luke gave her a stern look.
"We made up a new game in the whole experience though. Flaming Marshmallows definitely beats Bagel Hockey." Lorelai said sheepishly.
"Hey you two, the fireworks have started." Sookie called from below.
Luke and Lorelai turned, the banter ceased as they watched the show.
Rory handed Tristan two of the sparklers she was holding.
"Thanks." he said.
"You're welcome."
They stared at each other until Miss Patty came up to them.
"Do you want me to light those for you dears?" she offered sweetly.
"We would love that Miss Patty." Tristan answered in his usual charm.
Rory rolled her eyes as Patty flirted with Tristan while lighting his then Rory's sparkler.
"Save me a dance Tristan?" Miss Patty asked.
"Of course, did you think I would let the night end without stepping on the dance floor with you?"
"You are too scrumptious!" she exclaimed pinching his cheek. "You've got good taste in men Rory."
With that she sauntered off.
"Uh, gag! Something about that was just wrong!" Rory said in disgust.
Tristan flashed her his winning smile. "What can I say, when you've got, you've got it."
"You think you're quite the charmer don't you?" she asked.
Tristan smiled and recited his line. "It's a gift, although, there is one girl who has yet to fall for my charms."
"And she never will." Rory finished.
Without another word Rory followed Tristan to the grass, swinging her sparklers as she went, and came to a stop behind the crowd watching the show. Tristan tore his eyes away from the sky to look at her. At every explosion the light lit up her smiling face and he had to fight the urge to kiss her.
Feeling his gaze on her, Rory turned to face Tristan. She looked up at his eyes. They stared at each other, not caring about the fireworks anymore. She bit her lip nervously, like she always did when he gazed at her with such intensity. It was this act that drove him over the edge. Slowly but surely he dipped down closer to her. She breathed deeply, heart racing as she drew her arms up around him, careful to hold the sparklers away from his body. As he arms went around her waist, also minding the half burnt sparklers, their lips connected. Gentle at first but then with a fiery passion they kissed as if they were alone in the world.
Tristan was lost in ecstasy. There he was, kissing the girl he loved with all his heart. The finale of the firework show exploded around them like the in the movies. Then, suddenly fearful, Rory drew back. She bit her lip again, tears brimming her eyes as she took one step back, then another. He had seen that look before so many years ago at Madeline's party.
"Rory, I..." he began.
She shook her head and dropped the now finished sparklers to the ground before running. For the second time in his life she ran away. He looked down at the ground numb from the shock and the pain of her rejecting him. He dropped his two dead sparklers to the ground and fought the urge to break down and cry. He looked up again and with a determined face ran in the direction that she left.
"Oh, this cannot end well." Henry stated as he watched him run by.
"Agreed." Jess stated.
He looked over at Lorelai and she smiled sadly hoping for the best.
Tristan felt his breath catch in his throat as she stood by the pond looking down at her reflection sadly. She looked up and stared straight ahead, still not looking at Tristan.
"Don't just stand there." she said finally turning towards him. "Say something."
He swallowed and took a few steps towards her. "How'd you know I was here?"
"Tris, I've known you for how long now? Six years? More? I can always tell when you're near." she said softly.
"I'm sorry." he said, thinking that's what she wanted to hear.
"For what?" she asked fearful.
"The kiss." he said while hiding his pain. He was far from sorry about the kiss.
"Oh." she said in a strange tone. What was that in her voice? Disappointment?
"I guess, I got caught up in the moment." he explained.
"Oh." she said again. "So it meant nothing?"
"What do you want it to mean?" he asked.
"Don't pull that with me Tristan." she said tiredly.
"Rory, we're friends. What do think it meant?" he forced out.
She tilted her head in thought. "I think it means we both got caught up in the moment." she said sadly.
"Yeah." he said hiding the truth.
"We're friends." she whispered.
He hated seeing her so sad. Against everything that logic was telling him he pulled her into a hug. They stood together in embrace unmoving.
"Friends." he mumbled miserably, hoping she didn't notice.
~
"Hey Tris?" Jess said as he pulled their navy SUV up to one of the pumps at a gas station. It was around eight in the morning and Tristan had insisted on getting an early start. The blond sat slumped in his seat, staring out the window deep in thought.
Tristan pulled out of his thoughts and looked at the dark haired boy.
"Yeah?"
"What are you thinking about?" Jess asked curiously.
"Just thinking back to the Fourth of July party." he said quietly.
Jess sighed, he hated seeing his friend in such a saddened state.
"Tris man, I'm going to get a pack of cigs, can you fill up the tank with gas?" he asked.
"Sure."
Both men got out of the car. Tristan went to the pump, inserted his debit card, and leaned against the car as he filled up the tank. Jess walked into the mini-mart and grabbed a pack of Marlboro. As he waited in line behind two other customers he stared out the windows at Tristan.
"Rory is too stubborn. It will take a miracle for her to admit she loves Tristan." Then a thought struck Jess. "Or maybe..." he paid for the cigarettes as a plot formed in his head. He walked out of the store and ducked around the corner, hidden from Tristan's view.
"This is their last chance." he mumbled to himself as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed familiar numbers. Putting the phone to his hear he couldn't help but smile. "Hello? Aunt Lorelai..."
~
AN: So, this is why the chapters on all my other stories have been few and far between. I've been working on this story for the past five and a half months! Show some appreciation and review, will ya?
PS: In case you didn't know, Katie's last name Jucas is pronounced, "yoo- cuss." As if the "J" was a "Y" the "u" as in the "oo" in "boo" and the "a" as if it was a short "u." Got it? Not 'juh-cass' or 'ju-cahs' but "yoo- cuss."
