Chapter Five: Cruel Irony
**She stood, her eyes closed, yet still twitching with excitement and anticipation. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and a light burst of laughter escaped her. Her happiness and laughter was contagious, and he soon found himself smiling in turn.
When given the signal, her eyes flew open, widening at the sight before her. The softly lit candles, the gently scented roses, the romantic light from the stars shining above . . . She turned to him, tears in her eyes. Nobody could make her feel the way he did.**
*****
Rory climbed out of the cab and took in the great townhouse that stood before her. She had been expecting Tristan's home to be impressive, and she wasn't disappointed. Located on a prestigious street in downtown London, Tristan's was but one of many grand and dignified homes. Rory was curious about what it would look like on the inside and quickly hurried up to the front door. However, just when she was about to knock, she paused, suddenly nervous. She had, after all, never met Tristan's wife before. What if the woman didn't want a stranger living in her home? Rory didn't want to impose on anyone. She stood there on the doorstep, shivering, until finally the cold got the better of her. She decided she was being silly, because she was going to have to knock eventually anyway. She didn't have any other options.
She quickly rapt on the door and let her hands fall to her sides. Her heart began to hammer as she waited for the door to open. She wondered what Tristan's wife would be like. The picture she had seen earlier had indicated that the woman was blonde and attractive, but had given no hints as to her personality. Rory's thoughts were interrupted when the door suddenly swung open. One look at the woman in front of her and Rory's worries immediately vanished. The woman was young with pale, clear skin, bright gray eyes, and pale blonde hair that curled about her slender shoulders. It was obvious that she was a petite woman, although her stomach was currently swollen, due to her pregnancy. However, it wasn't the lady's appearance that set Rory at ease. It was the aura of warmth and kindness that seemed to radiate from her.
"Are you Rory?" she asked in a melodic voice, with a slight British accent.
"Yes, I am," Rory answered, suddenly smiling.
" Hi, I'm Jacqueline, Tristan's wife. Please, come in," she said, stepping back, and motioning for Rory to come inside.
Rory walked into the spacious entrance and turned to Jacqueline with a slight awed expression. "You're home is beautiful," she whispered.
Jacqueline laughed, "Thank you. It's was actually built in the 19th century. It's been in Tristan's family for quite some time. We had it restored several years ago, right before we were married."
"Really?" Rory asked, her eyes sparkling, "This house must be full of so much history . . ."
"You'd be surprised," Jacqueline said, "When I first moved in I was completely mystified by it. I actually did a lot of research on it's history. I could show it to you sometime, if you like."
"I'd love that!" Rory said, thrilled that she and Jacqueline obviously shared some common interests. Rory hated to admit it, but deep down she had almost been expecting Tristan's wife to be stuck up, or snobbish. Jacqueline was anything but. Rory could easily see herself getting to be very good friends with the woman.
"You're on, then. Well, Rory, why don't you take off your coat and we can put your things in your room. Then we can get too know each other some more. I must say, I'm thrilled to finally meet you," Jacqueline said, her eyes suddenly sparkling. She took Rory's coat and hung it in a closet by the door and then led her up an impressive staircase.
Rory raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Jacqueline laughed, "Actually when I first met Tristan, he had sworn that he had already given his love to another woman."
Rory groaned, knowing exactly where this was headed.
"I soon believed there was very little that the great Rory Gilmore couldn't do. However, I quickly won Tristan over with my own fabulous charm and wit," she said with a mischievous smile. "Even after though, it sort of became a joke between us. Like say, I would burn the toast in the mornings, he would make a comment like, 'I bet Rory wouldn't have burned the toast,' or something like that."
Jacqueline glanced over at Rory and suddenly burst into laughter at her horrified expression. "We were only teasing each other, though," she said between giggles.
"I don't know what Tristan told you, but I am far from perfect, believe me. And as far as the toast goes, you're right, I probably wouldn't have burnt it . . . I would have disintegrated it and burnt the entire house down."
Jacqueline giggled, "You don't cook much, I take it?"
"Cook? What does that mean?" Rory returned with a grin.
Jacqueline laughed and opened the door to a room at the end of the upstairs hallway. "Here's where you'll be staying," she said, motioned around the room, "The bathroom is just down the hall."
Rory looked around in room in wonder. It was so beautiful, just like she would have imagined an old English bedroom to look like. There was a grand canopy bed in the center of the room, with a night stand beside it. On the far side of the room there was a dresser, mirror, and makeup table. Across from the bed was a grand fireplace, and to the right of that was a door leading out onto a balcony. The room was decorated in deep burgundies and golds. Rory sat her things down at the foot of the bed and turned to Jacqueline with a smile, "This is perfect, thank you so much. You have no idea what it means to me, you letting me stay here."
"It's a pleasure to have you here. I've been dying for some company lately. With the baby so close to being due, I really haven't been able to get out much. Although," she said pausing, "I really don't know why you're here. Tristan just mentioned that you would be staying with us for a while."
"I'd be happy to explain, but it might take a while," Rory said.
"I've got all afternoon. Why don't we go down the salon, where we can talk."
Rory nodded and followed Jacqueline back downstairs into the cozy little salon. Jacqueline took a seat in a large armchair and motioned for Rory to sit wherever she liked. Rory sat down on a plushy emerald green colored sofa, letting her tired muscles relax.
"Would you like some tea?" Jacqueline asked.
Rory smiled, "Actually, do you have any coffee?"
Jacqueline smiled and nodded, quickly standing and walking out of the room. She returned several minutes later, and handed Rory a steaming cup of coffee.
Rory gratefully accepted the warm liquid, took a deep swallow, and felt instantly comforted. She then took a deep breath and looked back up at her new friend, "I honestly don't know where to start."
"Start at the very beginning," Jacqueline suggested softly.
Rory nodded, "Almost ten years ago, a new boy showed up at the little town that I used to live in, Stars Hollow. He changed everything. He challenged all the ideas and feelings that I had always believed to be true, and basically turned my world upside down. Almost everyone in the town disliked him instantly, except for, well, me. It took me a while to realize it then, but looking back on it now, I honestly think I fell in love with him the very first time we met . . ."
" . . . . And after I told Hayden that I couldn't marry him, I realized what a lie I had been living. I'll never be able to get over Jess as long as I know that he's still out there . . . somewhere. I decided that maybe I should broaden my searches, and that's how I ended up here. I just can't give up . . . I have to find him," Rory concluded softly, about an hour later. Rory was crying softly, but Jacqueline was out right sobbing.
Jacqueline DuGrey's heart was breaking for Rory. She had never heard a story so sad, and unfair. She tried to imagine herself in Rory's position, and just couldn't. She didn't know how Rory had managed to stay as strong as she had. "Rory," she said quietly, reaching over and taking Rory's hands into her own, " I want you to know that Tristan and I will do anything we can to help you. We'll find Jess."
Rory looked into Jacqueline's gray eyes and knew that in that instant the two women had formed an unbreakable bond of friendship. Rory knew without a doubt that Jacqueline somehow understood exactly what she was going through. She smiled, grateful to have someone on her side.
*****
Later that evening Rory lay awake in the large guest bed. Her eyes drifted over to the fireplace across the room where the last glowing embers were beginning to die out. The room soon faded into complete darkness leaving Rory with an unexplainable knot in her stomach. She wasn't afraid of the dark, but for some reason the inky blackness seemed to wash over her that evening, leaving her feeling strangely sad and alone. She was exhausted, yet sleep did not come.
She and Jacqueline had stayed talking for several more hours after Rory had recounted her entire story, although the discussion had been quite tiring for Rory. Although she hated to admit it, telling Jacqueline all about Jess had left her feeling quite drained and depressed. While she had been telling the story, the hopelessness of the situation had seemed to increase tenfold. When she had first arrived in London she had been so optimistic and hopeful, but now, alone in the darkness of night, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to find Jess again.
Rory tried to fight the burning sensation in her eyes, but the tears were soon rolling silently down her cheeks. She suddenly felt like a scared little child and had the incredible urge to just run to her Mom and curl up by her side. Unfortunately, her Mother was an ocean away. She glanced over at the telephone on the bed side table, and briefly considered phoning Lorelai. She nibbled her lip uncertainly, but eventually decided against calling. As tempting as it was, Rory really wasn't in the mood to talk. She just wanted to be held and comforted.
Rory's eyes suddenly fell on the door leading out to the balcony. As if pulled by some hypnotic force, Rory felt herself climb out of bed and walk silently across the room to the door. She reached out and grasped the doorknob, turning it slowly, half expecting it to be locked. To her surprise the door swung open with ease and she was immediately met with a gust of harsh, cold air. She glanced down at her raggedy oversized t-shirt and knew she should go back inside and find a robe. Instead, however, she simply walked out onto the empty terrace, embracing the biting cold. She walked over the balcony railing and grasped the cold metal with her numb fingers. A light snow began to fall and the air was painful to breathe, and yet Rory welcomed it. The fierce physical pain took the edge off her emotional suffering.
Shivering silently, she peered over the balcony edge into the dark and desolate alley below. The alley was seemingly deserted, but Rory's overactive imagination led her to easily imagine gangs of wicked night crawlers, up to no good. The gloomy street below her was strikingly similar to the scenes she had created in her head while reading numerous books. Still staring over the edge, she noticed the rusty old fire escape stairs leading down into the alley she had determined to be dangerous and scary. She frowned, not liking the idea of anyone being able to climb up and gain access to her little balcony. The very idea set her heart to hammering. A sudden darkness shadowed Rory, and she looked up to see a dark cloud moving to block out the bright and friendly moon. The seemingly ominous event suddenly made a block of dread appear in the pit of her stomach. She was slowly sending herself into a senseless mode of panic and paranoia. She knew she was overacting, yet still couldn't wait to return to the safe confines of her bedroom.
Merely seconds after Rory had had this thought, as if by some cruel and sick twist of irony, she heard the distinct rustle of footsteps behind her. Her heart leapt into her throat and fear like she had never known enveloped her. Rory resisted the urge to turn around and confront the intruder, and instead stayed where she was, pretending that she hadn't heard anything. She quickly glanced back at the doors leading inside, judging the distance. She quickly discarded the notion of running back inside however, not wanting to lead the villain into Tristan's home, where they could potentially harm Jacqueline or little Madison. Her back was to the fire escape and she therefore had no means of escape. She glanced back over the balcony and judged the distance to the fire escape landing that was just below where she was standing.
Rory gripped the railing and took a deep breath. She heard a low, sinister cackle directly behind her. Without hesitation she flung herself over the railing, fear and adrenaline giving her extra strength, and let go. A split second later she felt herself land on a hard, unyielding surface. The force of the landing knocked the wind out of her, and a sharp pain shot up her arm. She looked back up at where she had jumped from and had to fight back a scream when she saw a sick face staring back at her. Quickly forgetting about her arm, she jumped up and ran down the rest of the stairs into the alley. Not caring about her bare feet, she began running as fast as she could.
She came to the end of the alley and began fleeing down the dark and empty London street. She glanced behind her, and was encouraged when she saw that she wasn't be chased. Still, she ran until her legs gave out on her. She finally stopped, breathing hard, and looked around. A thick silence hung in the icy air and not a soul was to be seen. Her whole body was shaking, although with fear, not cold. After several minutes of nothing, she concluded that she had lost whoever had been after her.
She wasn't sure if she should try and go back to Tristan's house or not. Turning slightly, she noticed that she had ended up right in front of a cozy little bed and breakfast - type Inn. Making her decision she began walking towards the front door. She figured she could just call someone from inside there.
However, she had barely taken two steps when she felt a strong hand wrap around her mouth, and another yank her up by the waist. She let out a muffled scream and writhed frantically in her captor's arms. The man removed his hand from her mouth, although before she could scream, she felt a sharp blow to her head. She was able to hold onto consciousness for a split second, but it was useless. She quickly slipped into a cold darkness, where no one could help her. . .
*****
The next morning . . .
"Honey, can you get that?" Jacqueline called to Tristan when she heard the knock on the door. It was around 10:30 in the morning, but it was a Saturday, so Tristan hadn't gone into work yet.
"Yeah, I got it," He called back, jogging to the front door. He swung it open, half wondering who on earth it could be. They usually didn't get company on Saturday mornings. He found himself face to face with a young man, probably about his age. The man seemed strangely familiar, but for the life of him, Tristan didn't know who it was.
"Can I help you?" he asked, a little uncertainly.
"I, uh, hope so. My name's Jess Mariano, are you Tristan DuGrey?" the man asked, holding his hand out.
Just out of instinct Tristan reached out and shook Jess's hand, but his face held an expression of shock and surprise.
Jess smiled, "I'm guessing Rory is with you then?"
"I, uh . . . yeah she is," Tristan stuttered. He shook his head, pulling himself out of his stupor and smiling. "She certainly is, come on in."
Jess could barely keep the smile off his face as he followed Tristan DuGrey into the entrance of his huge ass house. Rory was here. . . . really here. After four years, he was finally going to be reunited with the woman he loved.
"Who's there, Tristan?" a woman said, rounding the corner. Jess glanced back between the pretty woman and Tristan with a curious expression on his face.
"Jess, this is my wife, Jacqueline," Tristan introduced.
"It's nice to meet you," he said with a genuine smile, strangely pleased to learn that Tristan was married.
"Jess?" she asked, clearly shocked.
He smirked and nodded.
"Rory's Jess?" she asked again, still not believing.
He nodded again, loving the sound of him being called 'Rory's Jess'.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, clearly excited. Jacqueline then turned to Tristan, "How did you find him so quick?"
Tristan smiled, "I didn't find him. He found us."
Jacqueline shook her head, obviously confused. "Oh well, you can explain later. God, I can't wait to go wake Rory up! Tristan, you take Jess into the salon. I'll be right back down," Jacqueline said, a wide smile on her lips. She then turned and disappeared up the staircase.
Tristan nodded and motioned for Jess to follow him into the salon. The two men had just taken a seat when Tristan suddenly smirked.
"I know where I've seen you before," he said grinning wickedly. He laughed when he heard Jess groan. "You were the guy who punched me at Rory's graduation! I had a black eye for weeks!"
Jess laughed, "Sorry man, but you wouldn't leave my girl alone. I was a little hotheaded back then."
"Yeah and I was a little -" Tristan was cut off by Jacqueline's scream.
"Tristan! Get up here now!" The obvious alarm in Jacqueline's voice set both men running.
Seconds later Tristan and Jess rushed into the guest room and were greeted by a white faced Jacqueline.
"What's wrong?" Tristan demanded.
"Rory's not here."
"Well, honey, that's okay. Don't panic. She's probably in the bathroom or the kitchen or something. Hell, knowing her she probably got up early and went to go get some coffee of something like that."
Jess was nodding agreement but Jacqueline was violently shaking her head in denial.
"No you don't understand. When I came up, the room was freezing. I immediately noticed that the balcony door was open and when I went out there, well you come look." she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Tristan and Jess followed Jacqueline out onto the terrace.
"Shit," Tristan muttered when he saw it. A chair was knocked over and a potted tree had been tipped, spilling dirt all over the floor.
"That's not all," Jacqueline said, pointing to something on the railing.
Tristan walked over and immediately noticed what his wife was talking about. Snagged on a broken piece of metal was a piece of cloth.
"Rory was wearing a red night shirt when I checked in with her last night before I went to bed," Jacqueline said softly. The piece of cloth was red.
No one said a word for a few minutes, letting the reality of the situation sink in.
"Do you think she jumped?" Jacqueline asked when the silence became unbearable.
"She must have, but she wouldn't have taken a flying leap for the hell of it. Someone must have been on the balcony with her at the time, and was probably blocking her exit."
Jacqueline turned with fear filled eyes to Jess, who had up until then remained silent.
"Who would do something like this?" he said finally, his voice deceptively low and emotionless.
"I don't know!" Jacqueline cried, quickly becoming distraught.
"I know who did it," Tristan said suddenly, his voice bold and clearly filled with violent anger.
"Who?" Jacqueline asked.
"Nicholas."
"Tristan," Jacqueline warned, "I know you don't like him, but how can you possibly think . . ."
"No, you don't understand. You know how I got home extra late last night?" he said, pausing for his wife to nod agreement, "Well, the reason was because a lot of shit went down at the office yesterday evening, right before I was going to head out. You know I've been suspecting that Nick has been filtering money out of the company forever. Well, yesterday I got a little bit of information that really helped my case. I really wasn't planning on approaching Dad about it yet, but I did go and talk to Nicholas. He pissed me off so bad though, that I did threaten to go to my father. That's when he told me that if I did, he would do something to make me regret it. Well, that really confirmed my suspicions, so right afterwards, I went to talk to Dad."
"So you think he took Rory to get back at you?" Jacqueline asked.
Tristan nodded.
"I don't understand. I mean, if he's really that sick and he really wanted to make you suffer, why didn't he attack me, or Maddie? Why Rory? Come to think of it, how did he even know about Rory?"
Tristan shook his head, "I don't know. I mean, he did interrupt yesterday when Rory was in my office, and I did mention that she was an old friend, but you would think he would go after my wife or my daughter. It doesn't matter. He still has to be behind all of this. It's too coincidental. We've lived here almost 5 years and we haven't seen or heard of one robbery or break-in in that whole period of time," Tristan shook his head, and turned to Jess with a grave expression, "Well, man, it's kind of ironic. Just yesterday I was searching to you. Now, I'm looking for Rory . . . "
A/N: Well, there ya go. Sorry it took so long to get out, but I am unfortunately back in school now, with all that fun work : ( Oh well, please review and let me know what you think. Feedback at this point would really be helpful. I've never attempted to write anything that could even possibly be considered "action" or "mystery" or anything like that, so I need to know if this really stinks! Haha Thanks : )
