Disclaimer: Same as always
Paring: trory (and no, guys, you HAVE NOT converted me. Literati is still my favorite...sorry :-D)
Rating: PG-13
Author's Notes: Thanks for all the feedback I got on the first chapter! I really appreciate it. Anyway, next chapter is here, obviously. I hope you all enjoy it.
If I Fall || Chapter 2
...you save me...
*
Rory was captivated by the snow the entire ride to Hartford, as was the elder Gilmore. It was magic, as far as they were concerned. Like iridescent pixie dust. Unfortunately, this fascination resulted in the occasional swerve or sudden jolt from the driver.
"MOM! Watch where you're going! You almost hit a squirrel!"
"No loss there. Everyone knows chipmunks are better anyway."
"How can you hit anything furry without shame? They're so cute, and fluffy...and...furry."
Their banter was deadened when they reached the Gilmore household. The soft yellow light spilled out the window and onto the snow, casting a halo of light around the house. Smoke was rising in a grey haze from the chimney top, and there was a generally warm appearance to the house.
"Doesn't it look pretty?" Rory asked.
"Well, we all know that looks can be deceiving."
"But the snow just makes it look better."
"Hey there kid, why the sudden cheerfulness? You have just returned from Hell #1, and now we're at Hell #2. A cocktail party at Emily Gilmore's house? What could be worse? C'mon, show me the frowns."
"The snow cheered me up."
"But now I can't have a grumpy partner."
"But I can have my perma-grin ready."
"Point taken." Lorelai sighed, and the two stepped up the door. It was immediately opened by Emily herself, wearing a wide, almost smug smile. The two just stood on the step, peering inside the house. The place was packed with people, all the men wearing suits or shirts and ties, and most of the women in dresses. Some were laughing and chatting, others were gliding along the marble floors, dancing to live music. Food was spread on a long table, and some were also gathered there. By the volume of noise, anyone could tell there was at least 100 people. The light in the room for dancing was dim, casting soft shadows over everything. Candles flickered and danced inside crystal on the tables. The room looked beautiful. But there were too many people in it for either Gilmore's liking. Lorelai resisted the urge to flinch, and Rory just stood, her smile faded just a little.
"Well, come in! We don't want to let the cold in." Emily scolded, still smiling, the smugness now definitely etched on her face.
Lorelai sighed and tried to hold back any comments. She couldn't, however, help but ask the obvious.
"Mom? What IS this?"
"Well, Richard and I have been planning this party for our friends for quite some time now. We knew that it would be a good opportunity for both you and Rory to meet some nice young men, and-"
"MOM! But...you didn't tell us this! Some notice would have been nice. And I don't need a nice young man. Rory, on the other hand..." Lorelai babbled. The last comment earned her a hard glare from Rory, and she immediately wished to suck the entire last statement back into her mouth.
"What happened to Dean?" the eldest Gilmore asked, sounded very surprised. Rory suppressed a sigh.
"We broke up Grandma. But don't worry, it's no big deal, really," Rory said with a reassuring smile, which felt fake and oddly stretched across her face. But only her mother noticed.
"Mom, I don't think this is a good idea."
"Don't be ridiculous Lorelai, this will be great for you and Rory. Go on, have a drink. Mingle."
And with that, Emily Gilmore walked away, leaving the two Gilmores just inside the foyer. Absently, both took off their coats and handed them to the waiting maid. They looked at each other for a minute with helpless expressions.
*
"Sorry, hon."
"Mom, it's fine. There's not much we can do about it anyway."
"I'll make it up to you. How about we go to Luke's, get some pie, and raid Doose's for junk food when we get back? Then we have movie night?"
"That's not making it up to me. That's satisfying your junk food need."
"As long as you get some too?"
"Deal...as long as I pick the movies."
"Ugh. Momento AGAIN?"
"You never know. I might be nice to you this time."
"Doubtful."
"C'mon mom, let's go...mingle."
The two grinned in unison and walked off.
"Hey mom, I'm going to go get some food."
"Of course. Where's there's food, there's Rory. Wait...wait...you can't! Don't leave me here."
"This is revenge for the Dean comment."
"C'mon, I thought we were even! Besides, you're hardly the revengeful type," Lorelai cried, panicking.
"Sorry. I'm starving." Rory laughed a little as she walked away.
Rory headed over to the food table. Though she wore skirts all the time, she felt oddly out of place in the dress she was wearing. She was probably one of the only people here her age, so maybe it wasn't just the dress. Her eyes skimmed hungrily over the options. She elected to have somewhat of a large portion of cheese and crackers. She looked back at the place where her mother had been standing, but there were so many people milling around, her mother had gotten lost in the crowd.
Rory ate a piece of brie on a wheat cracker and watched a couple in their late teens or early twenties embrace, dancing close together as they glided across the marble floor. Her eyes held a certain wistfulness, and a longing for someone to dance wtith. Actually, she noted, the majority of the people at this party were dancing. She suddenly wished Dean was there, but shook the thought from her head. Then her mind wandered for a second, and she remembered Tristan. Quickly, that thought was erased also. Little did she know, Tristan was only a few feet away.
*
Tristan stood, leaning lazily against a pillar. He straightened and re-straightened his tie, looking bored. His charm used on all adults had faded, and he looked as if someone should hand him a pillow because he was about to fall asleep standing up. His eyes flicked over the crowd. He noticed the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the dancing couples, the food table. Suddenly, someone clapped him on the shoulder.
"Tristan!"
"Hey Scott." He grinned. Scott's parents were friends of his, and Scott and Tristan saw each other from time to time at the occasional party. "Haven't seen you in a while. Some party, huh?" he asked sarcastically, donning his smirk.
"Well, yeah, it was looking pretty dull. Until I saw this chick. Actually, it was that one." Scott told him, pointing to a girl in a maroon-black dress and long dark hair. Her back was turned. Tristan gasped, but then shook his head. It wasn't. Was it? He tried to look unfazed. He looked her over, and decided. No. She wouldn't wear a dress that short. Would she? He looked at her from head to toe, but couldn't decide if it was or wasn't. But he had glanced at the back of her head enough times to know, and then he realized that is was. He gasped inwardly. Trying to maintain a smirk, he checked her out again for effect.
"Not bad. Pretty nice."
"Damn," Scott commented, staring. Tristan just looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, Rory turned. Tristan had to constantly remind himself not to let his jaw drop. She was wearing some scoopneck, short dress, her hair down and shiny, with a halo of light surrounding her from the candles on the table and the dimmed chandelier overhead. 'She looks gorgeous,' he thought to himself. With a dull ache in his heart, one that can only come from loneliness, he turned back towards his friend, trying to appear neutral. Then he sighed softly, wishing for a brief second. He shook his head. Scott didn't notice.
"I think I'm gonna go talk to her," Scott told Tristan. "Nothing else to do around here." Tristan suddenly felt the urge to grab him and hold him away from her, but he obviously refrained.
"Good luck, man. Just don't do anything stupid."
Scott just echo-smirked as he walked away, disregarding Tristan's warning to him. "Like I need it?"
"You know, I think you might."
Scott shook his head and walked towards Rory. Tristan turned and disappeared until the crowd. He couldn't watch.
*
Rory looked up when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She had been momentarily mesmerized by the dancers once more. She spun, expecting to see her mom. Instead, she saw a cute guy she didn't recognize. He had dirty blonde hair, brown eyes, and a full build. 'Not as cute as Tristan,' she thought. Seconds later, she questioned herself for thinking about Tristan. AGAIN. She didn't know what was going on with her. She ignored her thoughts.
"Hi."
"Hey," Scott replied, looking her up and down. "I'm Scott."
"Nice to meet you. Rory," she said, trying to ignore the stare. She held out her hand. Brad grabbed her around the waist instead and pressed himself directly onto her. Rory tried to wiggle away, but he tightened his grip.
"Wanna dance?"
"Not...really..." she choked out as she dragged her onto the dance floor. He ignored her. Pressing himself closer, he placed his hand as low as it could be without being indecent. She tried to wiggle away, but once again, his hold proved stronger than she realized. She was caught. A sick feeling settled like lead in her stomach.
*
Tristan knew he shouldn't, but he glanced towards the dance floor. Atop the marble floors stood Scott and Rory. He felt hurt that she would dance with him, but when he looked closer, he realized Rory was struggling to get away, but couldn't. He watched as Scott took her off the dance floor, gripping her waist tighter with each step. He knew it wasn't his business, but Scott was a total asshole who didn't know anything about her. He didn't know why he didn't stop him in the first place.
He followed them through another room and watched them walk onto the balcony. Scott shut the door, but Tristan rushed over. As he was turning the knob he glanced at the shimmering stars in the sky, and listened to a scuffling noise. Finally, he clicked the knob and the door swung open...Rory wouldn't get hurt. Not while he was here. Only he had the right to look her up and down. Only he had the right to leer. Only he had the right to call her Mary. Only he could treat her like that, because between them, it was a joke. But Scott? He wasn't joking.
He walked out onto the balcony. The crickets were chirping in the distance, a comforting hum in the background. There was silence, otherwise. He turned, and was stunned by what he saw.
*
TBC
A/N: Sorry to leave you hanging! But the next chapter is coming. Now press the purple button. I'll be forever grateful. I'll smile for ya. Seeà :-) ...Come on, I KNOW you wanna.