Author's Note: Okay, so I hope you are enjoying this so far! Please,
please, please review!!! I adore reviews!!! And I adore the people who
write them!!! Hint, hint.
PS: Remember in the show, I believe both Tristan and Jess smoke, although I do not encourage it in any way!!!
Chapter 2-Brightening
"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..."
~
Tristan climbed back into the car and leaned back into the leather interior. He looked at his watch. Seeing Jess striding towards the car he opened his door and stood up.
"Hey! I want to get there by lunch Jess!" Tristan shouted.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. We'll get there with plenty of time to spare." Jess said.
"What took so long?" Tristan asked as both get back into the car.
"Um...nothing, just couldn't find the brand I wanted. Made the guy go get them out of the back." Jess lied, holding up the pack for emphasis.
Tristan laughed. "Nothing but the best, huh?"
"For us? No." Jess smirked. "Want one?"
"Rory will find out." Tristan said hesitantly but took one all the same, his cravings kicking in.
"So, when we get close we'll open the windows to air ourselves out." Jess said taking a long drag.
"Ready?" Tristan asked as he puffed out a cloud of smoke.
"Now I am." Jess answered and pulled out of the gas station.
Tristan flipped on the radio just as they passed a sign saying 'You are now leaving New Haven.'
~~~~~~~~
Cambridge, MA.
"Where are they?" Rory complained impatiently.
"Hey, annoyed one, they're only five minutes late, I think you have too much caffeine in your system." Katie said.
"Ssshh! Don't say that in this place, they might hear you." Rory hissed pointing at the people behind the counter dressed in green aprons.
As a meeting place Rory picked what else but the Starbucks closest to the campus. Rory and Katie, who insisted on coming, had arrived at the coffee shop early much to Kate's annoyance.
"Oh, please. No one but you and Lorelai take coffee THAT seriously."
Rory was about to object but was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. Immediately she picked it up.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Bookworm." Jess greeted.
Rory smiled and relaxed her shoulders. "Burger boy."
Rory ignored Katie's confused look.
"So where are you?" she asked.
"Um...hold on, talk to T while I make this turn."
There was background noise from the phone exchanging hands. "Mary." Tristan greeted.
Already being in the same city with her, his spirits lifted.
"Hi baldy, where are you guys?" Rory grinned devilishly, knowing how much Tristan hated the name.
"Hey, how many times do I have to tell you, the hair is back!" he objected.
"Hmm, that has yet to be seen." she teased.
"Then look behind you and see for yourself." his voice louder now.
Rory looked up and turned around to see Jess and Tristan standing just inside the door grinning widely. Rory let out a squeal of excitement and dashed over to them, jumping into Tristan's waiting arms. Her smile brightened as she clung to his jacket. Content to be in his presence she inhaled his scent but wrinkled her nose is distaste. She frowned and withdrew.
"You've been smoking." she said narrowing her eyes accusingly, clutching the collar of his shirt.
Tristan groaned good-naturedly and turned to his partner in crime. "See Jess, I told you she'd find out."
She pulled Jess into a hug and wrinkled her nose again. "You've been smoking too."
"Hello to you to baby girl." he smiled pulling her back in an embrace.
Katie cleared her throat behind them.
"Oh, sorry." Rory said sheepishly. "Guys, this is my roommate Katie Jucas. Katie, the blond is Tristan DuGrey and the one who I'm sure talked him into lighting up even though he is trying to quit," she poked Jess in the stomach sternly, "is my cousin Jess Danes."
"Nice to meet you." Jess and Tristan chorused.
"Wow, you look so much better in person." Katie said to Tristan.
Tristan gave Rory a questioning glance.
"She saw you in my yearbook." she explained.
"Ah, got it. Thanks for the compliment." he said politely.
She smiled and turned to Jess. "And wow, Jess, now I know why Rory has been keeping you from me."
"Gee, now you're making me blush." Jess joked.
"Weird." Katie mumbled under her breath.
"What is?" Tristan asked.
"Well, the fact that I can pick up on Rory's every mannerism and yet there is so much she has hidden from me. So much for being best friends." she teased as they made their way back to the table.
Rory laughed. "Don't worry, I have no more secrets to hide." Turning to the guys she went on.
"So how was the drive?"
"Wait, drive?" Katie asked in shock. "How could you stand to drive for so long!? You must be exhausted!"
Jess looked at her confused. "How far away do you think Yale is?"
"Far?" Katie answered. She could be a real ditz sometimes.okay MOST of the time.
Jess laughed and shook his head. "It's only a three hour drive from New Haven to Cambridge."
"Oh. Okay, never mind then." she said dismissively.
Tristan raised an eyebrow in Rory's direction.
"Don't ask." she mumbled.
"Hey, so where are Tristan and I going to stay?" Jess interrupted.
"Well, we have a couple of friends who have agreed to let you crash in their dorm a few minutes away from ours." Rory answered.
"Yeah, which by the way we should go and meet them. Besides, we have lunch reservations at this cute little café downtown, you'll absolutely love it! It's got the best..." Kate rambled, leading Jess out of the Starbucks, clinging to his arm.
Jess through a pitiful glance back at Tristan and Rory.
'Help me!' he mouthed.
Rory shook her head as the two followed him out, laughing quietly as Kate still talked.
~~~~~~~~~
"So, care to explain something to me?" Kate asked annoyed.
She and Rory had dropped Tristan and Jess off at their friends' dorm to get settled with the promise that they meet the girls at their dorm in twenty minutes.
"What?" Rory asked.
"Okay, the way you talked about not seeing Jess or Tristan in so long suggested that they lived across the country, not in the next state over! All this time I thought you must be racking up some major frequent flier miles for your weekend visits to see them...now I know that I'm a huge idiot!"
"You're not an idiot Kate. A ditz at times yes, but an idiot? No." Rory broke in.
"You visit your parents and grandparents all the time and they live the same distance away!" she exclaimed.
"Well, that's different, they're family."
"Uh hello, Jess is your cousin. Now I may not know exactly where Yale is but I think I'm smart enough to know that cousins are considered related."
"Kate, it's complicated." Rory said in a tone of finality.
"How complicated is it? It is not complicated to pick up a phone and talk to them! It's not complicated to just get in your car and drive a few hours for a visit!"
"Kate..." Rory began but was interrupted by a knock on the door. "That's probably them, enough discussion."
Rory put on a smile and went to answer the door.
"Hi babe!" Lorelai smiled.
"Mom! Luke!" Rory exclaimed.
Lorelai was leaning casually against the doorframe, grinning widely. Luke stood next to her holding a take-out tray of coffee. Rory jumped in excitement and hugged Lorelai.
"What are you doing here?!" she asked as she hugged Luke, careful to not knock the coffee.
"It was easy, we just decided to hop in the car and drive down." Lorelai said cheerfully.
"Um, hey Lorelai, so are you saying that it wasn't oh, complicated to drop by to see us?" Kate asked, putting emphasis on the word 'complicated.'
"Drop it Kate." Rory warned in mock pleasantry.
"Am I sensing we interrupted a potential fight?" Luke asked hesitantly.
"No, don't worry, Rory is just being her usual blind self." Katie assured him.
"Isn't she always." Lorelai smirked.
"Jeez what's with all the jabs?" she cried.
"Jabs? That's a word I haven't heard in a while." Jess said from the door. "Hey Uncle Luke, Aunt Lorelai."
"Hey Jess, Tristan." she smiled pulling them into hugs.
"Thanks for coming." Jess whispered in her ear so only she could hear.
"It's a worthy cause." she whispered back.
"So are you two staying?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, Sookie is running the inn for the week, she'll call if something major happens, and I have a guy running the diner for me, we just checked into a hotel a few minutes off campus." Luke answered, passing out the coffee.
"What's the occasion?" Tristan asked.
"Uh, oh, no reason, just wanted to visit." Lorelai stammered.
Rory eyed her suspiciously. Jess saw this and hurriedly said, "Hey, don't we have lunch reservations?"
"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot." Katie exclaimed. "We can call on the way to tell them to change the reservations for a party of six if you want?"
"That'd be great, if you don't mind us tagging along?" Luke checked.
"No prob. Meals are always fun when you and Lorelai are involved." she assured him.
"Well, then, let's go...now." Lorelai said hastily, trying to dodge Rory's narrowed eyes.
~~~~~~~
"I still can't believe you hit the waiter! I don't think Kate or I will ever be able to show our faces there again!" Rory laughed as the group walked back to the girls' dorm.
"Hey! It's not my fault that Tristan ducked the flying ice cube at the last second!" Lorelai exclaimed defensively.
"Yes, but it was your fault that after you missed you tried again." Luke smirked.
"And again." Jess added.
"And oh yes, again." Katie laughed.
"Wait, wait, let's not point the blame at me! Remember, I got hit by an ice cube first!" Lorelai pointed an accusing finger at Tristan.
"Now hold on, I already explained it. I had the ice cube in my mouth," Tristan began, "Rory, who knows I'm ticklish, poked me in the side thus causing me to spit it out on accident. It's not like I aimed to hit you. If you ask me, it's Rory's fault."
Lorelai looked thoughtful for a second. "Nah, still you."
"Of course, because you always take her side." he said with a roll of his eyes.
"Although mom, you have to admit, for missing Tristan so many times you sure did pelt the waiter efficiently."
"I loved it when he turned to yell and landed on his butt from slipping on the ice." Jess laughed replaying the image in his mind.
"I have never heard so many cuss words used in a single sentence before." Rory shook her head as they reached the door. "Well, good night all, Kate and I have class tomorrow."
"But, we'll meet at our hotel after?" Lorelai asked hopeful.
"Sure, why not." Rory gave up, knowing it didn't matter how much Monday homework she would have, her mother would not give up till she was entertained.
Their goodnights where exchanged and the four remaining began their exit out of the building.
"Hey, Tris, Luke, you two go on ahead I have to talk to Jess for a second." Lorelai suggested.
Luke knowing what she was up to did not protest, guiding Tristan with him.
"Okay, nephew, what's the plan for the hook up?" she said sneakily.
"Well, step one was to get you here, now step two is to...there is no step two yet." he winced.
"What?! Are you telling me I had to sit through three hours of Luke lecturing me on the negative effects of coffee, which by the way, you'd think he'd have given up on that by now, and you don't even have a definite plan!?"
"Ssh!" he hissed. "At the moment, no I don't have a plan. But I figure that the two of us can figure something out, besides, you have a lot of influence over Rory, talk to her, find out what's the deal...you know, that mother daughter stuff you always do."
"Fine, but this better work, whatever we do, it better work." Lorelai grumbled.
"It will, it has to." he said in efforts to convince himself.
Lorelai smiled. "But seriously, Luke is like the energizer bunny when it comes to the coffee speech..." she began a spiel of her own as they walked to catch up to the other two.
~~~~~~~~~
"Mom, I need coffee. I don't care what we do today but it better involve coffee." Rory grumbled as she walked into the hotel room without a hello and plopped onto the bed.
Lorelai threw a questioning look at Kate who still stood in the doorway.
"Big project assigned today. Fifty percent of her grade." she explained.
"Ah, okay, that would do it." Lorelai said ushering the girl in.
Luke emerged from the bathroom and spied Rory on the bed. "Coffee kiddo?"
"Please." she mumbled pathetically, her face buried in the comforter.
"I'll go get some from down the hall because crazy lady over here drank ours already." he said grabbing his room key and wallet.
"Thanks Luke." came Rory's muffled response.
He bent down and ruffled her hair, gave Lorelai a small peck on the cheek, and exited the room.
"So..." Lorelai clapped her hands together.
"The guys will be here soon." Katie put in. "John and Drew seem to be detaining them."
"They won't let them leave until they spill horrible secrets that they can use to blackmail me into helping them with their homework." Rory pouted rising into a sitting position.
"Well, as long as it doesn't involve me." Lorelai joked sitting down next to her.
"Mom!"
"Room service!" a muffled voice yelled from outside the door.
Kate answered the door with a roll of her eyes.
"You guys are too cheesy." she sighed tiredly as she let Jess and Tristan in.
"Hello to you too Katie." Jess mocked.
"Out of my way, my girls need their coffee." Luke warned as he pushed past the boys.
Lorelai took a cup out of his hands in shock and gaped as he handed Rory hers.
"Whoa, since when are you so giving when it comes to coffee? Even when I offer to have..."
"Mom! Ew, don't finish that sentence!" Rory interrupted.
"Okay, fine. My point is, what gives?"
"I figure that if I just give it to you without complaint you'll easier on me when I tell you you're drinking decaf." he answered.
Both girls immediately spit out their beverages.
"Ugh, I knew it tasted funny!" Rory said with distaste.
"Decaf? Explain oh husband of mine-soon-to-be-ex depending on the reason."
"The coffee machine was all out." he stated.
"Well, then, I'm assuming that wherever we go will involve a trip to get coffee." Tristan remarked.
"Yes, many!" Rory agreed.
"Um...where are we going?" Jess asked.
Everyone pondered this silently.
"Anyone up for a carnival?" Katie suggested.
~~~~~~
"Ahhh! Get away! Get away! Get away!" Rory screamed.
She repeatedly slapped the offending clown who dared to approach her. Tristan laughed and threw the poor clown an apologetic look before leading her away. The group had decided to split up and explore the grounds on their own. Lorelai and Jess, with all their scheming, claimed Luke and Katie as their respective carnival partners, thus leaving Tristan and Rory to themselves.
"He's just doing his job Mare."
"I hate clowns!" she exclaimed, ignoring his comment. "Haven't you ever seen that freaky movie with the clown in the plumbing? You know, with all the blood spewing up out of the drains and stuff?"
"Here we go again." Tristan groaned at the oncoming 'why clowns are evil' speech that he had come to memorize through their years of friendship.
"Well, it's true! Don't you remember that old episode of Glory Days with the killer clown that beheaded all those people? In fact, there were TWO killer clowns in that one!"
"Don't forget Bozo." he pointed out the next clown on her list.
"Yes! Bozo the clown! That guy was just not right! Especially after the episode where he told us his version of where hot dogs came from. I couldn't eat a hot dog for a year! And I cried every time I saw a dog!"
"I get it, clowns are evil." Tristan silenced her.
"And don't you forget it!" Rory said sternly.
He smiled and threw his arm around her shoulders in the casual manner that did not fulfill his cravings for more but was all he could have. They continued on in silence until they came to the game booths.
"Oh look at the froggy!" she exclaimed energetically. "Tristan? Can you win me a frog?"
He looked hesitant but caved at her puppy face. "Okay, okay. So let's see what I have to do to claim this frog."
She grinned eagerly like a child as he laid down a crisp dollar bill on the counter of the booth. The object of the game was to toss three rings onto old-fashioned coke bottles for a prize.
"One frog coming up." Tristan said smugly as the man handed him the three rings.
Each time he tossed, the ring bounced carelessly between the rows of bottles. Rory looked at him expectantly and clearing his throat he put down another dollar bill.
"Maybe the little lady would blow on the ring for good luck?" he asked flirtatiously.
"Well, if it wins me a frog." she smiled and leaned forward to gently blow on the ring that he held out.
He stifled the groan in his throat and focused back on the game. Within seconds the three rings were tossed, none of them landing on a bottle.
"Not having very much luck are ya son?" the old man asked teasingly.
Tristan exhaled clearly annoyed. "Okay, now this is personal." he muttered before rolling up his sleeves and putting down another dollar.
Thirty dollars and ninety ring tosses later Rory Gilmore was a proud owner of a large stuffed frog that she dubbed "Prince" after claiming that he was a prince charming in frog form waiting to be returned to human status.
"If you think that he's waiting why don't you kiss him and return him to his charming self?" Tristan mocked.
"Because," she began in a know it all tone, "then I wouldn't have a frog anymore now would I? That would defeat the whole purpose!"
He shook his head and laughed, leading her once again around the grounds.
"Tris?"
"Yeah?" he looked at her.
"Thanks for Prince. You went through a lot of trouble to get him for me."
"Hey, you wanted a frog, I got you a frog. Simple as that." he said.
"So...if I had wanted a car...?" she began.
"I would have asked, 'what color?'" he finished. "I'd do anything for you." he said lowering his voice into a husky whisper.
She bit her lip and looked at the sincerity in his eyes. She slowly felt herself getting lost in his eyes but shook her head to stop herself.
"Want to go on the Ferris wheel?" she asked.
Tristan swallowed back the lump that had formed when they had locked eyes. "Think you and Prince will be afraid of heights?"
"I think with you there to protect us, we'll be fine." she answered in a quiet voice.
"Well, then...lead the way."
Rory smiled and took his hand, pulling him through the crowds. Soon he found himself standing next to Rory in line, with her grinning widely, following the rides' movement with her eyes. The line moved forward but Rory was zoned out. Tristan cleared his throat causing her to jump.
"We're up." he said nudging her forward.
"Sorry, was just thinking." she blushed.
"Care to share?" he asked, helping her onto the ride.
"Nope."
Tristan sat down and the attendant pushed down the safety bar. He sighed contently, threw an arm around her shoulders and leaned back with her as the wheel began its trip around.
"Hey Ror?" he asked after a few minutes had passed.
"Yes." she responded quietly, playing with Prince in her lap.
"Can you look at me when I say this?"
She looked up slowly and met his fiery gaze.
"You look amazing tonight."
She blushed. "Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself."
"I knew you couldn't resist me!" he smirked.
"Ugh...you think you're quite the charmer don't you?" she asked.
Tristan laughed a little. It had been too long since they had last spoken their mantra...yet Tristan knew it was something he would never forget.
"It's a gift," he recited, "although, there is one girl who has yet to fall for my charms."
"And she never will." Rory finished.
Tristan hesitated. "Yeah, about that..." he trailed off.
Rory raised a brow in confusion.
"Is it really so hard to believe that maybe, just maybe, there might be a chance that this girl will fall?" he asked quietly.
Rory opened and closed her mouth several times not knowing what to say. The Ferris wheel began its descent. Tristan leaned closer to her.
"Maybe, we could let something else be the judge?" he breathed as he brought her closer for a kiss.
To his surprise Rory made no move to stop him, in fact, she herself was slowly closing the gap.
"Tristan!"
Both Tristan and Rory turned in surprise to find the owner of the voice.
"Pairs?!" he exclaimed in shock.
Rory's eyes went wide as a dark-haired boy came up behind the blond and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Dean." she said numbly.
AN: Yeah, I know, evil right? Thought that would be the happy ending but no...it's never that simple with me...you should know that by now! Remember that I have all the parts done so if you want more, review!
PS: Remember in the show, I believe both Tristan and Jess smoke, although I do not encourage it in any way!!!
Chapter 2-Brightening
"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..."
~
Tristan climbed back into the car and leaned back into the leather interior. He looked at his watch. Seeing Jess striding towards the car he opened his door and stood up.
"Hey! I want to get there by lunch Jess!" Tristan shouted.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. We'll get there with plenty of time to spare." Jess said.
"What took so long?" Tristan asked as both get back into the car.
"Um...nothing, just couldn't find the brand I wanted. Made the guy go get them out of the back." Jess lied, holding up the pack for emphasis.
Tristan laughed. "Nothing but the best, huh?"
"For us? No." Jess smirked. "Want one?"
"Rory will find out." Tristan said hesitantly but took one all the same, his cravings kicking in.
"So, when we get close we'll open the windows to air ourselves out." Jess said taking a long drag.
"Ready?" Tristan asked as he puffed out a cloud of smoke.
"Now I am." Jess answered and pulled out of the gas station.
Tristan flipped on the radio just as they passed a sign saying 'You are now leaving New Haven.'
~~~~~~~~
Cambridge, MA.
"Where are they?" Rory complained impatiently.
"Hey, annoyed one, they're only five minutes late, I think you have too much caffeine in your system." Katie said.
"Ssshh! Don't say that in this place, they might hear you." Rory hissed pointing at the people behind the counter dressed in green aprons.
As a meeting place Rory picked what else but the Starbucks closest to the campus. Rory and Katie, who insisted on coming, had arrived at the coffee shop early much to Kate's annoyance.
"Oh, please. No one but you and Lorelai take coffee THAT seriously."
Rory was about to object but was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. Immediately she picked it up.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Bookworm." Jess greeted.
Rory smiled and relaxed her shoulders. "Burger boy."
Rory ignored Katie's confused look.
"So where are you?" she asked.
"Um...hold on, talk to T while I make this turn."
There was background noise from the phone exchanging hands. "Mary." Tristan greeted.
Already being in the same city with her, his spirits lifted.
"Hi baldy, where are you guys?" Rory grinned devilishly, knowing how much Tristan hated the name.
"Hey, how many times do I have to tell you, the hair is back!" he objected.
"Hmm, that has yet to be seen." she teased.
"Then look behind you and see for yourself." his voice louder now.
Rory looked up and turned around to see Jess and Tristan standing just inside the door grinning widely. Rory let out a squeal of excitement and dashed over to them, jumping into Tristan's waiting arms. Her smile brightened as she clung to his jacket. Content to be in his presence she inhaled his scent but wrinkled her nose is distaste. She frowned and withdrew.
"You've been smoking." she said narrowing her eyes accusingly, clutching the collar of his shirt.
Tristan groaned good-naturedly and turned to his partner in crime. "See Jess, I told you she'd find out."
She pulled Jess into a hug and wrinkled her nose again. "You've been smoking too."
"Hello to you to baby girl." he smiled pulling her back in an embrace.
Katie cleared her throat behind them.
"Oh, sorry." Rory said sheepishly. "Guys, this is my roommate Katie Jucas. Katie, the blond is Tristan DuGrey and the one who I'm sure talked him into lighting up even though he is trying to quit," she poked Jess in the stomach sternly, "is my cousin Jess Danes."
"Nice to meet you." Jess and Tristan chorused.
"Wow, you look so much better in person." Katie said to Tristan.
Tristan gave Rory a questioning glance.
"She saw you in my yearbook." she explained.
"Ah, got it. Thanks for the compliment." he said politely.
She smiled and turned to Jess. "And wow, Jess, now I know why Rory has been keeping you from me."
"Gee, now you're making me blush." Jess joked.
"Weird." Katie mumbled under her breath.
"What is?" Tristan asked.
"Well, the fact that I can pick up on Rory's every mannerism and yet there is so much she has hidden from me. So much for being best friends." she teased as they made their way back to the table.
Rory laughed. "Don't worry, I have no more secrets to hide." Turning to the guys she went on.
"So how was the drive?"
"Wait, drive?" Katie asked in shock. "How could you stand to drive for so long!? You must be exhausted!"
Jess looked at her confused. "How far away do you think Yale is?"
"Far?" Katie answered. She could be a real ditz sometimes.okay MOST of the time.
Jess laughed and shook his head. "It's only a three hour drive from New Haven to Cambridge."
"Oh. Okay, never mind then." she said dismissively.
Tristan raised an eyebrow in Rory's direction.
"Don't ask." she mumbled.
"Hey, so where are Tristan and I going to stay?" Jess interrupted.
"Well, we have a couple of friends who have agreed to let you crash in their dorm a few minutes away from ours." Rory answered.
"Yeah, which by the way we should go and meet them. Besides, we have lunch reservations at this cute little café downtown, you'll absolutely love it! It's got the best..." Kate rambled, leading Jess out of the Starbucks, clinging to his arm.
Jess through a pitiful glance back at Tristan and Rory.
'Help me!' he mouthed.
Rory shook her head as the two followed him out, laughing quietly as Kate still talked.
~~~~~~~~~
"So, care to explain something to me?" Kate asked annoyed.
She and Rory had dropped Tristan and Jess off at their friends' dorm to get settled with the promise that they meet the girls at their dorm in twenty minutes.
"What?" Rory asked.
"Okay, the way you talked about not seeing Jess or Tristan in so long suggested that they lived across the country, not in the next state over! All this time I thought you must be racking up some major frequent flier miles for your weekend visits to see them...now I know that I'm a huge idiot!"
"You're not an idiot Kate. A ditz at times yes, but an idiot? No." Rory broke in.
"You visit your parents and grandparents all the time and they live the same distance away!" she exclaimed.
"Well, that's different, they're family."
"Uh hello, Jess is your cousin. Now I may not know exactly where Yale is but I think I'm smart enough to know that cousins are considered related."
"Kate, it's complicated." Rory said in a tone of finality.
"How complicated is it? It is not complicated to pick up a phone and talk to them! It's not complicated to just get in your car and drive a few hours for a visit!"
"Kate..." Rory began but was interrupted by a knock on the door. "That's probably them, enough discussion."
Rory put on a smile and went to answer the door.
"Hi babe!" Lorelai smiled.
"Mom! Luke!" Rory exclaimed.
Lorelai was leaning casually against the doorframe, grinning widely. Luke stood next to her holding a take-out tray of coffee. Rory jumped in excitement and hugged Lorelai.
"What are you doing here?!" she asked as she hugged Luke, careful to not knock the coffee.
"It was easy, we just decided to hop in the car and drive down." Lorelai said cheerfully.
"Um, hey Lorelai, so are you saying that it wasn't oh, complicated to drop by to see us?" Kate asked, putting emphasis on the word 'complicated.'
"Drop it Kate." Rory warned in mock pleasantry.
"Am I sensing we interrupted a potential fight?" Luke asked hesitantly.
"No, don't worry, Rory is just being her usual blind self." Katie assured him.
"Isn't she always." Lorelai smirked.
"Jeez what's with all the jabs?" she cried.
"Jabs? That's a word I haven't heard in a while." Jess said from the door. "Hey Uncle Luke, Aunt Lorelai."
"Hey Jess, Tristan." she smiled pulling them into hugs.
"Thanks for coming." Jess whispered in her ear so only she could hear.
"It's a worthy cause." she whispered back.
"So are you two staying?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, Sookie is running the inn for the week, she'll call if something major happens, and I have a guy running the diner for me, we just checked into a hotel a few minutes off campus." Luke answered, passing out the coffee.
"What's the occasion?" Tristan asked.
"Uh, oh, no reason, just wanted to visit." Lorelai stammered.
Rory eyed her suspiciously. Jess saw this and hurriedly said, "Hey, don't we have lunch reservations?"
"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot." Katie exclaimed. "We can call on the way to tell them to change the reservations for a party of six if you want?"
"That'd be great, if you don't mind us tagging along?" Luke checked.
"No prob. Meals are always fun when you and Lorelai are involved." she assured him.
"Well, then, let's go...now." Lorelai said hastily, trying to dodge Rory's narrowed eyes.
~~~~~~~
"I still can't believe you hit the waiter! I don't think Kate or I will ever be able to show our faces there again!" Rory laughed as the group walked back to the girls' dorm.
"Hey! It's not my fault that Tristan ducked the flying ice cube at the last second!" Lorelai exclaimed defensively.
"Yes, but it was your fault that after you missed you tried again." Luke smirked.
"And again." Jess added.
"And oh yes, again." Katie laughed.
"Wait, wait, let's not point the blame at me! Remember, I got hit by an ice cube first!" Lorelai pointed an accusing finger at Tristan.
"Now hold on, I already explained it. I had the ice cube in my mouth," Tristan began, "Rory, who knows I'm ticklish, poked me in the side thus causing me to spit it out on accident. It's not like I aimed to hit you. If you ask me, it's Rory's fault."
Lorelai looked thoughtful for a second. "Nah, still you."
"Of course, because you always take her side." he said with a roll of his eyes.
"Although mom, you have to admit, for missing Tristan so many times you sure did pelt the waiter efficiently."
"I loved it when he turned to yell and landed on his butt from slipping on the ice." Jess laughed replaying the image in his mind.
"I have never heard so many cuss words used in a single sentence before." Rory shook her head as they reached the door. "Well, good night all, Kate and I have class tomorrow."
"But, we'll meet at our hotel after?" Lorelai asked hopeful.
"Sure, why not." Rory gave up, knowing it didn't matter how much Monday homework she would have, her mother would not give up till she was entertained.
Their goodnights where exchanged and the four remaining began their exit out of the building.
"Hey, Tris, Luke, you two go on ahead I have to talk to Jess for a second." Lorelai suggested.
Luke knowing what she was up to did not protest, guiding Tristan with him.
"Okay, nephew, what's the plan for the hook up?" she said sneakily.
"Well, step one was to get you here, now step two is to...there is no step two yet." he winced.
"What?! Are you telling me I had to sit through three hours of Luke lecturing me on the negative effects of coffee, which by the way, you'd think he'd have given up on that by now, and you don't even have a definite plan!?"
"Ssh!" he hissed. "At the moment, no I don't have a plan. But I figure that the two of us can figure something out, besides, you have a lot of influence over Rory, talk to her, find out what's the deal...you know, that mother daughter stuff you always do."
"Fine, but this better work, whatever we do, it better work." Lorelai grumbled.
"It will, it has to." he said in efforts to convince himself.
Lorelai smiled. "But seriously, Luke is like the energizer bunny when it comes to the coffee speech..." she began a spiel of her own as they walked to catch up to the other two.
~~~~~~~~~
"Mom, I need coffee. I don't care what we do today but it better involve coffee." Rory grumbled as she walked into the hotel room without a hello and plopped onto the bed.
Lorelai threw a questioning look at Kate who still stood in the doorway.
"Big project assigned today. Fifty percent of her grade." she explained.
"Ah, okay, that would do it." Lorelai said ushering the girl in.
Luke emerged from the bathroom and spied Rory on the bed. "Coffee kiddo?"
"Please." she mumbled pathetically, her face buried in the comforter.
"I'll go get some from down the hall because crazy lady over here drank ours already." he said grabbing his room key and wallet.
"Thanks Luke." came Rory's muffled response.
He bent down and ruffled her hair, gave Lorelai a small peck on the cheek, and exited the room.
"So..." Lorelai clapped her hands together.
"The guys will be here soon." Katie put in. "John and Drew seem to be detaining them."
"They won't let them leave until they spill horrible secrets that they can use to blackmail me into helping them with their homework." Rory pouted rising into a sitting position.
"Well, as long as it doesn't involve me." Lorelai joked sitting down next to her.
"Mom!"
"Room service!" a muffled voice yelled from outside the door.
Kate answered the door with a roll of her eyes.
"You guys are too cheesy." she sighed tiredly as she let Jess and Tristan in.
"Hello to you too Katie." Jess mocked.
"Out of my way, my girls need their coffee." Luke warned as he pushed past the boys.
Lorelai took a cup out of his hands in shock and gaped as he handed Rory hers.
"Whoa, since when are you so giving when it comes to coffee? Even when I offer to have..."
"Mom! Ew, don't finish that sentence!" Rory interrupted.
"Okay, fine. My point is, what gives?"
"I figure that if I just give it to you without complaint you'll easier on me when I tell you you're drinking decaf." he answered.
Both girls immediately spit out their beverages.
"Ugh, I knew it tasted funny!" Rory said with distaste.
"Decaf? Explain oh husband of mine-soon-to-be-ex depending on the reason."
"The coffee machine was all out." he stated.
"Well, then, I'm assuming that wherever we go will involve a trip to get coffee." Tristan remarked.
"Yes, many!" Rory agreed.
"Um...where are we going?" Jess asked.
Everyone pondered this silently.
"Anyone up for a carnival?" Katie suggested.
~~~~~~
"Ahhh! Get away! Get away! Get away!" Rory screamed.
She repeatedly slapped the offending clown who dared to approach her. Tristan laughed and threw the poor clown an apologetic look before leading her away. The group had decided to split up and explore the grounds on their own. Lorelai and Jess, with all their scheming, claimed Luke and Katie as their respective carnival partners, thus leaving Tristan and Rory to themselves.
"He's just doing his job Mare."
"I hate clowns!" she exclaimed, ignoring his comment. "Haven't you ever seen that freaky movie with the clown in the plumbing? You know, with all the blood spewing up out of the drains and stuff?"
"Here we go again." Tristan groaned at the oncoming 'why clowns are evil' speech that he had come to memorize through their years of friendship.
"Well, it's true! Don't you remember that old episode of Glory Days with the killer clown that beheaded all those people? In fact, there were TWO killer clowns in that one!"
"Don't forget Bozo." he pointed out the next clown on her list.
"Yes! Bozo the clown! That guy was just not right! Especially after the episode where he told us his version of where hot dogs came from. I couldn't eat a hot dog for a year! And I cried every time I saw a dog!"
"I get it, clowns are evil." Tristan silenced her.
"And don't you forget it!" Rory said sternly.
He smiled and threw his arm around her shoulders in the casual manner that did not fulfill his cravings for more but was all he could have. They continued on in silence until they came to the game booths.
"Oh look at the froggy!" she exclaimed energetically. "Tristan? Can you win me a frog?"
He looked hesitant but caved at her puppy face. "Okay, okay. So let's see what I have to do to claim this frog."
She grinned eagerly like a child as he laid down a crisp dollar bill on the counter of the booth. The object of the game was to toss three rings onto old-fashioned coke bottles for a prize.
"One frog coming up." Tristan said smugly as the man handed him the three rings.
Each time he tossed, the ring bounced carelessly between the rows of bottles. Rory looked at him expectantly and clearing his throat he put down another dollar bill.
"Maybe the little lady would blow on the ring for good luck?" he asked flirtatiously.
"Well, if it wins me a frog." she smiled and leaned forward to gently blow on the ring that he held out.
He stifled the groan in his throat and focused back on the game. Within seconds the three rings were tossed, none of them landing on a bottle.
"Not having very much luck are ya son?" the old man asked teasingly.
Tristan exhaled clearly annoyed. "Okay, now this is personal." he muttered before rolling up his sleeves and putting down another dollar.
Thirty dollars and ninety ring tosses later Rory Gilmore was a proud owner of a large stuffed frog that she dubbed "Prince" after claiming that he was a prince charming in frog form waiting to be returned to human status.
"If you think that he's waiting why don't you kiss him and return him to his charming self?" Tristan mocked.
"Because," she began in a know it all tone, "then I wouldn't have a frog anymore now would I? That would defeat the whole purpose!"
He shook his head and laughed, leading her once again around the grounds.
"Tris?"
"Yeah?" he looked at her.
"Thanks for Prince. You went through a lot of trouble to get him for me."
"Hey, you wanted a frog, I got you a frog. Simple as that." he said.
"So...if I had wanted a car...?" she began.
"I would have asked, 'what color?'" he finished. "I'd do anything for you." he said lowering his voice into a husky whisper.
She bit her lip and looked at the sincerity in his eyes. She slowly felt herself getting lost in his eyes but shook her head to stop herself.
"Want to go on the Ferris wheel?" she asked.
Tristan swallowed back the lump that had formed when they had locked eyes. "Think you and Prince will be afraid of heights?"
"I think with you there to protect us, we'll be fine." she answered in a quiet voice.
"Well, then...lead the way."
Rory smiled and took his hand, pulling him through the crowds. Soon he found himself standing next to Rory in line, with her grinning widely, following the rides' movement with her eyes. The line moved forward but Rory was zoned out. Tristan cleared his throat causing her to jump.
"We're up." he said nudging her forward.
"Sorry, was just thinking." she blushed.
"Care to share?" he asked, helping her onto the ride.
"Nope."
Tristan sat down and the attendant pushed down the safety bar. He sighed contently, threw an arm around her shoulders and leaned back with her as the wheel began its trip around.
"Hey Ror?" he asked after a few minutes had passed.
"Yes." she responded quietly, playing with Prince in her lap.
"Can you look at me when I say this?"
She looked up slowly and met his fiery gaze.
"You look amazing tonight."
She blushed. "Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself."
"I knew you couldn't resist me!" he smirked.
"Ugh...you think you're quite the charmer don't you?" she asked.
Tristan laughed a little. It had been too long since they had last spoken their mantra...yet Tristan knew it was something he would never forget.
"It's a gift," he recited, "although, there is one girl who has yet to fall for my charms."
"And she never will." Rory finished.
Tristan hesitated. "Yeah, about that..." he trailed off.
Rory raised a brow in confusion.
"Is it really so hard to believe that maybe, just maybe, there might be a chance that this girl will fall?" he asked quietly.
Rory opened and closed her mouth several times not knowing what to say. The Ferris wheel began its descent. Tristan leaned closer to her.
"Maybe, we could let something else be the judge?" he breathed as he brought her closer for a kiss.
To his surprise Rory made no move to stop him, in fact, she herself was slowly closing the gap.
"Tristan!"
Both Tristan and Rory turned in surprise to find the owner of the voice.
"Pairs?!" he exclaimed in shock.
Rory's eyes went wide as a dark-haired boy came up behind the blond and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Dean." she said numbly.
AN: Yeah, I know, evil right? Thought that would be the happy ending but no...it's never that simple with me...you should know that by now! Remember that I have all the parts done so if you want more, review!
