DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Not the show, the characters, nada. The plot line is my own however.
RATING: PG [just to be safe]
PAIRING: Trory
SETTING: This is set after both Tristan and Rory have graduated college. Dean and Rory broke up a month after Tristan left.
Rory never kissed Jess.
SUMMARY: Tristan's parents and Rory's grandparents went to set up a marriage between Tristan and Rory for a successful
business merger.
A/N: *...* means characters are thinking.
Okay, thanks again for all the great reviews. Feel free to make suggestions. I'll try to make the chapters longer although
I can't promise anything! If Tristan and Rory seem out of character remember it's been six years since they last saw one
another. Also, I'm taking a little dramatic license here. Okay, enough of my babbling. Let's get on with it!
Chapter 3
Did He Just Say... Love?
"I'm game if you are."
Tristan tried to stop the smile that was spreading across his face, but he couldn't help it. *I guess I didn't actually
think she'd agree to this.* He stopped thinking long enough to hear the end of what Rory was saying.
"...don't think we really have a choice."
"I'm sorry, I zoned out there for a little while. What were you saying?" Tristan questioned.
Rory gave him a curious look, but repeated what she had just said. "I said, 'After all, I don't think we really have a
choice.' I know your mom was pretty understanding about all this but my grandma and your dad aren't going to accept 'no' for
an answer."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Well, we should probably go in. We've kept them waiting long enough," Rory said as she led the way inside. *Tristan looks
a little out of it. He didn't really think I was going to be jumping for joy at the prospect of dating him, did he? Well,
I guess now I'll have the chance to find out all the things I wanted to ask him about in high school.*
Tristan was lost in his own thoughts. *I don't know why I even bother caring about Rory Gilmore. Just as soon as I get my
hopes up, she crushes them. The sad thing is, she doesn't even try. I don't think she's ever understood the power she has
over me. For a second, I actually believed she was going to date me because she WANTED to-- not because of all the pressure
that my parents and her grandparents are putting on us. Oh, well. I'll survive. I always do somehow.*
***Inside the Gilmore Mansion***
"Well, have you come to a conclusion?" Emily Gilmore sat in anxious expectation.
"Yes, we have," Rory said confidently. "We have agreed to a trial period of dating."
"Wonderful!" Emily enthused.
"Rory, you won't regret this," Richard said to her.
"Tristan, I'm very proud of you. You made the right decision," Robert praised him.
Melanie simply smiled complacently while Lorelai struggled to remain silent. Finally, she couldn't contain herself. "Okay,
what is WRONG with you people?!?"
"Lorelai, what are you talking about?" Emily stared at her daughter in confusion.
"I'm talking about how you people are standing there gushing as though they just told you they're getting married!"
"Ah, yes, but this is the first step in getting them to the altar," Robert explained patiently.
"Now, you listen to me, and you listen good," Lorelai said to him. "My daughter will not be prodded or goaded into anything.
If she wants to get out, she'll get out. Don't get the impression that she'll jump just because you say so."
"No one's asking her to jump, Lorelai," Richard answered.
"It's an analogy Dad!" Lorelai said exasperated.
"Do you have a problem with Tristan?" Emily asked in disbelief.
"No, Mom, that's not the point. If Rory wants to marry him in the future I'll support her, you know that. But I want her
to marry someone because she loves them and can't imagine life without them. I don't want it to be some loveless marriage
just so she can fulfill your business expectations." Lorelai sat down exhausted from her speech.
"I can assure you, Lorelai, if a marriage did occur between your daughter and I, it would not be loveless. At least on my
part," Tristan stated seriously.
Six sets of eyes stared at Tristan in shock.
Rory couldn't even begin to comprehend what he had just said. *Did he just say... What did it mean? How could he love me?
I just, I'm not sure if I'm ready for this.*
Lorelai was so amazed she couldn't speak. *Whoa, this kid has it bad for my daughter. Maybe more went on at Chilton that I
wasn't aware of... I need details!* "Listen, this was great and all, but Rory and I really need to get home. Unfortunately,
I have to work tomorrow. We had a lovely evening. It was nice meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Dugrey" Lorelai said as she and
Rory quickly exited the room.
"I'll call you, Rory," Tristan promised.
Rory just nodded mutely, still in shock from Tristan's declaration.
A/N: What will happen now? How will Rory react once the shock wears off?
I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. If not, let me know. Keep reviewing! :o)
RATING: PG [just to be safe]
PAIRING: Trory
SETTING: This is set after both Tristan and Rory have graduated college. Dean and Rory broke up a month after Tristan left.
Rory never kissed Jess.
SUMMARY: Tristan's parents and Rory's grandparents went to set up a marriage between Tristan and Rory for a successful
business merger.
A/N: *...* means characters are thinking.
Okay, thanks again for all the great reviews. Feel free to make suggestions. I'll try to make the chapters longer although
I can't promise anything! If Tristan and Rory seem out of character remember it's been six years since they last saw one
another. Also, I'm taking a little dramatic license here. Okay, enough of my babbling. Let's get on with it!
Chapter 3
Did He Just Say... Love?
"I'm game if you are."
Tristan tried to stop the smile that was spreading across his face, but he couldn't help it. *I guess I didn't actually
think she'd agree to this.* He stopped thinking long enough to hear the end of what Rory was saying.
"...don't think we really have a choice."
"I'm sorry, I zoned out there for a little while. What were you saying?" Tristan questioned.
Rory gave him a curious look, but repeated what she had just said. "I said, 'After all, I don't think we really have a
choice.' I know your mom was pretty understanding about all this but my grandma and your dad aren't going to accept 'no' for
an answer."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Well, we should probably go in. We've kept them waiting long enough," Rory said as she led the way inside. *Tristan looks
a little out of it. He didn't really think I was going to be jumping for joy at the prospect of dating him, did he? Well,
I guess now I'll have the chance to find out all the things I wanted to ask him about in high school.*
Tristan was lost in his own thoughts. *I don't know why I even bother caring about Rory Gilmore. Just as soon as I get my
hopes up, she crushes them. The sad thing is, she doesn't even try. I don't think she's ever understood the power she has
over me. For a second, I actually believed she was going to date me because she WANTED to-- not because of all the pressure
that my parents and her grandparents are putting on us. Oh, well. I'll survive. I always do somehow.*
***Inside the Gilmore Mansion***
"Well, have you come to a conclusion?" Emily Gilmore sat in anxious expectation.
"Yes, we have," Rory said confidently. "We have agreed to a trial period of dating."
"Wonderful!" Emily enthused.
"Rory, you won't regret this," Richard said to her.
"Tristan, I'm very proud of you. You made the right decision," Robert praised him.
Melanie simply smiled complacently while Lorelai struggled to remain silent. Finally, she couldn't contain herself. "Okay,
what is WRONG with you people?!?"
"Lorelai, what are you talking about?" Emily stared at her daughter in confusion.
"I'm talking about how you people are standing there gushing as though they just told you they're getting married!"
"Ah, yes, but this is the first step in getting them to the altar," Robert explained patiently.
"Now, you listen to me, and you listen good," Lorelai said to him. "My daughter will not be prodded or goaded into anything.
If she wants to get out, she'll get out. Don't get the impression that she'll jump just because you say so."
"No one's asking her to jump, Lorelai," Richard answered.
"It's an analogy Dad!" Lorelai said exasperated.
"Do you have a problem with Tristan?" Emily asked in disbelief.
"No, Mom, that's not the point. If Rory wants to marry him in the future I'll support her, you know that. But I want her
to marry someone because she loves them and can't imagine life without them. I don't want it to be some loveless marriage
just so she can fulfill your business expectations." Lorelai sat down exhausted from her speech.
"I can assure you, Lorelai, if a marriage did occur between your daughter and I, it would not be loveless. At least on my
part," Tristan stated seriously.
Six sets of eyes stared at Tristan in shock.
Rory couldn't even begin to comprehend what he had just said. *Did he just say... What did it mean? How could he love me?
I just, I'm not sure if I'm ready for this.*
Lorelai was so amazed she couldn't speak. *Whoa, this kid has it bad for my daughter. Maybe more went on at Chilton that I
wasn't aware of... I need details!* "Listen, this was great and all, but Rory and I really need to get home. Unfortunately,
I have to work tomorrow. We had a lovely evening. It was nice meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Dugrey" Lorelai said as she and
Rory quickly exited the room.
"I'll call you, Rory," Tristan promised.
Rory just nodded mutely, still in shock from Tristan's declaration.
A/N: What will happen now? How will Rory react once the shock wears off?
I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. If not, let me know. Keep reviewing! :o)