Summary: Rory and Jess go to a reunion and meet Tristan, who brings up some
strange feelings. It is a Literati though.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of this, just writing a story and borrowing them for a while
A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. This chapter is probably a bit boring, but it is necessary to set up the next one.
3. Let's go somewhere
When Rory woke up late the next day her first thoughts were about what had happened the night before. She knew she needed to talk to Jess and that was exactly what she was going to do. It took all of her concentration to make Lorelai not realize there was something wrong.She thought she had managed, but Lorelai wasn't fooled that easily. She knew her daughter too well. She decided not to act on it though. If Rory was trying so hard no to let her notice she was having a problem, it obviously meant she wasn't ready to talk about it.
After brunch Rory decided to go look for Jess. She went to the diner, but Luke told her Jess had left about an hour earlier. So Rory decided she was going to go to the bridge, if Jess was anywhere in Stars Hollow, it had to be there. Before she could get there though someone called out her name. She knew immediately who it was. Tristan.She had no idea what he was doing there, but something inside her told her she couldn't ignore him.
Rory: 'Tristan.'
Tristan: 'Hi. Glad to see me?'
Rory: 'Ehm.What are you doing here?'
Tristan: 'I wanted to see you before leaving for college again. So I thought I'd come here and persuade you to go somewhere with me so we can talk a bit.'
Rory: 'How did you even know I was staying here?'
Tristan: 'Well, I figured you'd take every chance you got to visit your mom.So, are you taking my invitation?'
Rory: 'I can't.Besides, why would you want to talk to me anyway? We never really got along.'
Tristan: 'The mysteries of live.Sometimes your feelings can make a 90 degree turn without a reason.And that makes you want to correct the wrongs you've done in the past, but also to reacquaint all those you didn't get along with all that well in your bad days.'
Rory: 'Hmmm.I don't know how much of that is true, but I guess everyone deserves a second chance.'
She had no idea why she had said that. The last thing she needed right now is to be stuck with Tristan all day. Not now that she and Jess where having such a difficult time. But then again, nothing she did around Tristan was typically her. She just lost her identity when she was around him. It was like the guy spread some sort of gas that made people lose their minds and want to do everything they could to please him. But she couldn't, she really couldn't.She needed to talk to Jess.
Rory: 'But I'm afraid I can't give you that second chance right now. I need to be going. I have some stuff to take care of.'
Tristan: 'What could be more important than giving me my last chance to chance your vision of me?'
Rory: 'Tristan, it's not like you're going to die.We're going to see each other again.'
Tristan: 'Every day could be your last. But you haven't answered my question.What is so important it can't wait till tomorrow or even this evening?'
Rory: 'That's personal.'
Tristan: 'Oh, troubles in paradise? Jess cheating on you?'
Rory: 'Huh? What? What would you say that? No.Jess would never cheat on me. Besides, who said it's him I have a problem with?'
Tristan: 'Nobody did.But what else could get you this upset? I know that problems with your mom wouldn't have you walking around here like that.You two would just be at home talking it out. And unless you went somewhere after the reunion yesterday Jess is the only person you have seen.So he must be the one causing you to be looking this desperate.'
Rory: 'No, no.It's not Jess.It's nothing serious.'
Rory didn't feel like sharing her problems with Jess with anyone at the moment, much less with Tristan. So she tried to lie her way out of it. It wasn't working all too well though.
Tristan wasn't really interested in what kind of problems she had though. He just wanted to get her to come with him and he would take any excuse to make her come. And if Jess and Rory had fought, that would only make it easier.
Tristan: 'If it's not, then why can't you just come with me? You're going to have to give me a better explanation than this one.'
Rory felt kind of defeated and if she was completely honest with herself she didn't really mind to have an excuse to delay her conversation with Jess a little bit longer.
Rory: 'Ok, fine, I'll go with you. But there had better be coffee where you're taking me.'
Tristan smiled and opened the car door to let her get in. After she was seated he walked to his side of the car, his smile turning wicked.Oh yes, Gabriela's plan was going to be perfect. Before returning to college, he was going to have what he wanted.
Jess had been sitting at the bridge for a while. He had thought everything over and again had come to the conclusion that Rory was worth the wait. He decided it was time to go talk to her, so he went looking for her at her house. Lorelai frowned a bit before telling him Rory had left about half an hour earlier to find him. This surprised Jess, because he was sure that if Rory had been looking for him and hadn't found him at Luke's, she would have come to the bridge. He decided to go to the diner to see if for some reason she was still there. Before he could get there though, someone grabbed his arm. He turned around and saw it was Gabriela.
Gabriela: 'Hey Jess.So this is where you guys live.I've always wanted to see what live was like in such a small town. And honestly, I've been here for 15 minutes and I'm bored already.'
Jess: 'How did you know Rory and I lived here?'
Gabriela: 'Tristan told me.'
Jess: 'So you came all the way here, just to see what live was like in a small town?'
Gabriela: 'That..And of course I don't mind seeing you again.'
Jess: 'I'll bet.'
Jess' answer sounded really sarcastic, but Gabriela decided to ignore it. She knew it wasn't going to be easy to get Jess in her bed, but she loved a challenge. And she had to admit that from the moment she saw him, she had felt a tremendous sexual attraction towards him. And like Tristan, she also got what she wanted, when she wanted something.
Gabriela: 'Of course.So, what do you say we get out of here and go somewhere interesting.'
Jess: 'I can't. I've got more pressing matters.'
Gabriela: 'Typical answer of someone who has lived in a town like this all his live.'
Jess: 'I've actually lived in New York most of my live. I didn't move here until I was seventeen.'
Gabriela: 'Wow.Should have known such a charming guy couldn't have grown up in Stars Nowhere. So why did you move here anyway?'
Jess: 'My mom made me.'
Jess didn't know why he was telling her all those things. Maybe it was because it would be the easiest way to get rid of her.No, he knew he wasn't going to get rid of her that easily. It was probably to get his mind off of Rory.And of course he couldn't ignore the sexual tension there was between them. Gabriela had moved closer to him and was now holding both of his hands. She was smiling at him and pushing her body against his. He was overdue, he needed something.
Gabriela: 'Why don't you let me take you to somewhere we can have a drink and a snack so you can tell me all about it.'
Jess just nodded and followed her to her car.
Tristan let Rory out of his car and motioned towards the entrance of the mall.
Tristan: 'So, you up for some food?'
Rory: 'Yeah, I'd love some.'
Tristan: 'What would you like? A real meal or a burger deal?'
Rory had to smile at Tristan's failed attempt to make a joke.
Rory: 'I'd rather have a burger. And some coffee of course.'
Tristan: 'Then let's go. I know the perfect place.'
For some reason Tristan made her feel calm. He looked so reassuring she got the feeling she could trust him with all her problems. It was the way he tried to joke, but failed miserably.The way he held the doors open for her, being a perfect gentleman.The fact that he hadn't made one single sexually tainted comment.Maybe he could even help her figure out what her problem was.Why she was so afraid of being with Jess.
Tristan: 'So, you're dating this Jess guy now.'
Rory: 'Yeah.'
Tristan: 'How did you guys meet?'
Rory: 'I live in Stars Hollow.It's difficult not to meet someone who lives in that town. Besides, he's Luke's nephew.'
Tristan: 'That's the guy that owns the diner, right?'
Rory: 'Yes...He's the guy that saves my mom's and my live everyday by feeding us and giving us coffee.'
Tristan had to smile at that. He also had to smile at the situation he was in right now. Everything was going according to plan. He just had to get her to trust him some more.
Tristan: 'So how did you guys get together? Last time I saw you you were still with that other guy. He didn't seem like someone who was going to let you go very easily.'
Rory: 'Well, it's a long story. So I'll try to make it short.Jess and I actually have a lot in common. So we became friends. And I guess somewhere between us being friends and Dean being to possessive I kind of fell for Jess.So I kissed him after a wedding. And then I went to Washington without saying anything to him. And when I got back he was seeing this other girl. This made me totally jealous, although I didn't want to accept it at the moment. Anyway, at a dance Dean noticed there was something going on, so he broke up with me.'
Tristan: 'And that is when you got together with Jess.'
Rory: 'Yes, we've been together ever since.'
Tristan: 'And things are going well between you guys?'
Rory didn't know how to answer that question. She didn't know whether or not to tell him about the problems she was having with Jess. Tristan seemed like a different person, but he was still the guy who tormented her at Chilton. But on the other hand, Tristan was living on the other side of the country now. So she probably wouldn't run into him for a long time.And he probably didn't know any of her new friends, so he wasn't going to share her personal problems with anyone who could make it come back to haunt her. And she desperately needed to talk to someone about it. She couldn't talk to her mom about it. Although her mom and she were best friends she didn't feel comfortable discussing sex with her. But would she feel comfortable discussing is with Tristan? He was a guy.A guy towards whom she had always felt at least a physical attraction.
Tristan: 'Rory.What's going on?'
Rory: 'Ehm.Sorry, what were you saying?'
Tristan: 'I asked you if things between Jess and you were going well. This long pause and the troubled look on your face make me believe they're not.So tell me, what's going on? You can trust me.'
Rory: 'I don't know.'
Tristan: 'You don't know what's going on or you don't if you should trust me? 'Cause if it's the latter reason I can assure you my lips are sealed.'
Rory hesitated for a moment, but decided she might as well tell him. Maybe he could give her some tips, so she could save her relationship.
Rory: 'Well, this is kind of embarrassing actually.But I'm afraid of going the whole way with Jess.'
Tristan had expected a lot, but not this. Rory talking to him about sex.This could be good. He had to make sure he didn't move too fast. He didn't want to scare her away.
Tristan: 'Hmmm.sounds very personal. Why don't we get out of here and go somewhere where it's a bit more quiet? That way we can talk more comfortably.'
Rory: 'Ehm, ok.Sure.Let me just get a coffee to go.'
Meanwhile Jess and Gabriela were on there way to the mall as well. Gabriela would glance over at Jess every once in a while. Jess however was thinking about his problems so much he didn't notice at all. Gabriela decided she had to do something to try and get his mind off of whatever problems he was having.
Gabriela: 'So your mom sent you to Stars Nowhere huh?'
Jess: 'Sorry, what did you ask?'
Gabriela: 'Why did your mom sent you to Stars Nowhere?'
Jess: 'She thought it would help me get my life on the right track.'
Gabriela: 'So you were a bad boy in New York.I like that.You probably broke a lot of hearts when you left..'
Jess: 'Not as much as you think.'
Gabriela: 'Do you want to go back there?'
Jess: 'Not really.If I had wanted to I could have gone to college there. But I decided I'd rather stay here.'
Gabriela: 'Any reason in particular? Rory for instance?'
Jess just smiled when she mentioned that. Of course Rory had everything to do with his decision not to move back to New York after high school. He had wanted to be close to her.
Gabriela: 'So Rory and you are happy together?'
Jess: 'As happy as you can be lacking the physical part.'
He had said it before he knew it. It had been such a big part of his thinking for the past couple of weeks he didn't even notice he was voicing his thoughts until he had said it. He quickly looked outside of the window, hoping Gabriela hadn't noticed how much it was bothering him. Gabriela turned her face to the road and a wicked smile creped on her face.This was going to be even easier than she had thought.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of this, just writing a story and borrowing them for a while
A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. This chapter is probably a bit boring, but it is necessary to set up the next one.
3. Let's go somewhere
When Rory woke up late the next day her first thoughts were about what had happened the night before. She knew she needed to talk to Jess and that was exactly what she was going to do. It took all of her concentration to make Lorelai not realize there was something wrong.She thought she had managed, but Lorelai wasn't fooled that easily. She knew her daughter too well. She decided not to act on it though. If Rory was trying so hard no to let her notice she was having a problem, it obviously meant she wasn't ready to talk about it.
After brunch Rory decided to go look for Jess. She went to the diner, but Luke told her Jess had left about an hour earlier. So Rory decided she was going to go to the bridge, if Jess was anywhere in Stars Hollow, it had to be there. Before she could get there though someone called out her name. She knew immediately who it was. Tristan.She had no idea what he was doing there, but something inside her told her she couldn't ignore him.
Rory: 'Tristan.'
Tristan: 'Hi. Glad to see me?'
Rory: 'Ehm.What are you doing here?'
Tristan: 'I wanted to see you before leaving for college again. So I thought I'd come here and persuade you to go somewhere with me so we can talk a bit.'
Rory: 'How did you even know I was staying here?'
Tristan: 'Well, I figured you'd take every chance you got to visit your mom.So, are you taking my invitation?'
Rory: 'I can't.Besides, why would you want to talk to me anyway? We never really got along.'
Tristan: 'The mysteries of live.Sometimes your feelings can make a 90 degree turn without a reason.And that makes you want to correct the wrongs you've done in the past, but also to reacquaint all those you didn't get along with all that well in your bad days.'
Rory: 'Hmmm.I don't know how much of that is true, but I guess everyone deserves a second chance.'
She had no idea why she had said that. The last thing she needed right now is to be stuck with Tristan all day. Not now that she and Jess where having such a difficult time. But then again, nothing she did around Tristan was typically her. She just lost her identity when she was around him. It was like the guy spread some sort of gas that made people lose their minds and want to do everything they could to please him. But she couldn't, she really couldn't.She needed to talk to Jess.
Rory: 'But I'm afraid I can't give you that second chance right now. I need to be going. I have some stuff to take care of.'
Tristan: 'What could be more important than giving me my last chance to chance your vision of me?'
Rory: 'Tristan, it's not like you're going to die.We're going to see each other again.'
Tristan: 'Every day could be your last. But you haven't answered my question.What is so important it can't wait till tomorrow or even this evening?'
Rory: 'That's personal.'
Tristan: 'Oh, troubles in paradise? Jess cheating on you?'
Rory: 'Huh? What? What would you say that? No.Jess would never cheat on me. Besides, who said it's him I have a problem with?'
Tristan: 'Nobody did.But what else could get you this upset? I know that problems with your mom wouldn't have you walking around here like that.You two would just be at home talking it out. And unless you went somewhere after the reunion yesterday Jess is the only person you have seen.So he must be the one causing you to be looking this desperate.'
Rory: 'No, no.It's not Jess.It's nothing serious.'
Rory didn't feel like sharing her problems with Jess with anyone at the moment, much less with Tristan. So she tried to lie her way out of it. It wasn't working all too well though.
Tristan wasn't really interested in what kind of problems she had though. He just wanted to get her to come with him and he would take any excuse to make her come. And if Jess and Rory had fought, that would only make it easier.
Tristan: 'If it's not, then why can't you just come with me? You're going to have to give me a better explanation than this one.'
Rory felt kind of defeated and if she was completely honest with herself she didn't really mind to have an excuse to delay her conversation with Jess a little bit longer.
Rory: 'Ok, fine, I'll go with you. But there had better be coffee where you're taking me.'
Tristan smiled and opened the car door to let her get in. After she was seated he walked to his side of the car, his smile turning wicked.Oh yes, Gabriela's plan was going to be perfect. Before returning to college, he was going to have what he wanted.
Jess had been sitting at the bridge for a while. He had thought everything over and again had come to the conclusion that Rory was worth the wait. He decided it was time to go talk to her, so he went looking for her at her house. Lorelai frowned a bit before telling him Rory had left about half an hour earlier to find him. This surprised Jess, because he was sure that if Rory had been looking for him and hadn't found him at Luke's, she would have come to the bridge. He decided to go to the diner to see if for some reason she was still there. Before he could get there though, someone grabbed his arm. He turned around and saw it was Gabriela.
Gabriela: 'Hey Jess.So this is where you guys live.I've always wanted to see what live was like in such a small town. And honestly, I've been here for 15 minutes and I'm bored already.'
Jess: 'How did you know Rory and I lived here?'
Gabriela: 'Tristan told me.'
Jess: 'So you came all the way here, just to see what live was like in a small town?'
Gabriela: 'That..And of course I don't mind seeing you again.'
Jess: 'I'll bet.'
Jess' answer sounded really sarcastic, but Gabriela decided to ignore it. She knew it wasn't going to be easy to get Jess in her bed, but she loved a challenge. And she had to admit that from the moment she saw him, she had felt a tremendous sexual attraction towards him. And like Tristan, she also got what she wanted, when she wanted something.
Gabriela: 'Of course.So, what do you say we get out of here and go somewhere interesting.'
Jess: 'I can't. I've got more pressing matters.'
Gabriela: 'Typical answer of someone who has lived in a town like this all his live.'
Jess: 'I've actually lived in New York most of my live. I didn't move here until I was seventeen.'
Gabriela: 'Wow.Should have known such a charming guy couldn't have grown up in Stars Nowhere. So why did you move here anyway?'
Jess: 'My mom made me.'
Jess didn't know why he was telling her all those things. Maybe it was because it would be the easiest way to get rid of her.No, he knew he wasn't going to get rid of her that easily. It was probably to get his mind off of Rory.And of course he couldn't ignore the sexual tension there was between them. Gabriela had moved closer to him and was now holding both of his hands. She was smiling at him and pushing her body against his. He was overdue, he needed something.
Gabriela: 'Why don't you let me take you to somewhere we can have a drink and a snack so you can tell me all about it.'
Jess just nodded and followed her to her car.
Tristan let Rory out of his car and motioned towards the entrance of the mall.
Tristan: 'So, you up for some food?'
Rory: 'Yeah, I'd love some.'
Tristan: 'What would you like? A real meal or a burger deal?'
Rory had to smile at Tristan's failed attempt to make a joke.
Rory: 'I'd rather have a burger. And some coffee of course.'
Tristan: 'Then let's go. I know the perfect place.'
For some reason Tristan made her feel calm. He looked so reassuring she got the feeling she could trust him with all her problems. It was the way he tried to joke, but failed miserably.The way he held the doors open for her, being a perfect gentleman.The fact that he hadn't made one single sexually tainted comment.Maybe he could even help her figure out what her problem was.Why she was so afraid of being with Jess.
Tristan: 'So, you're dating this Jess guy now.'
Rory: 'Yeah.'
Tristan: 'How did you guys meet?'
Rory: 'I live in Stars Hollow.It's difficult not to meet someone who lives in that town. Besides, he's Luke's nephew.'
Tristan: 'That's the guy that owns the diner, right?'
Rory: 'Yes...He's the guy that saves my mom's and my live everyday by feeding us and giving us coffee.'
Tristan had to smile at that. He also had to smile at the situation he was in right now. Everything was going according to plan. He just had to get her to trust him some more.
Tristan: 'So how did you guys get together? Last time I saw you you were still with that other guy. He didn't seem like someone who was going to let you go very easily.'
Rory: 'Well, it's a long story. So I'll try to make it short.Jess and I actually have a lot in common. So we became friends. And I guess somewhere between us being friends and Dean being to possessive I kind of fell for Jess.So I kissed him after a wedding. And then I went to Washington without saying anything to him. And when I got back he was seeing this other girl. This made me totally jealous, although I didn't want to accept it at the moment. Anyway, at a dance Dean noticed there was something going on, so he broke up with me.'
Tristan: 'And that is when you got together with Jess.'
Rory: 'Yes, we've been together ever since.'
Tristan: 'And things are going well between you guys?'
Rory didn't know how to answer that question. She didn't know whether or not to tell him about the problems she was having with Jess. Tristan seemed like a different person, but he was still the guy who tormented her at Chilton. But on the other hand, Tristan was living on the other side of the country now. So she probably wouldn't run into him for a long time.And he probably didn't know any of her new friends, so he wasn't going to share her personal problems with anyone who could make it come back to haunt her. And she desperately needed to talk to someone about it. She couldn't talk to her mom about it. Although her mom and she were best friends she didn't feel comfortable discussing sex with her. But would she feel comfortable discussing is with Tristan? He was a guy.A guy towards whom she had always felt at least a physical attraction.
Tristan: 'Rory.What's going on?'
Rory: 'Ehm.Sorry, what were you saying?'
Tristan: 'I asked you if things between Jess and you were going well. This long pause and the troubled look on your face make me believe they're not.So tell me, what's going on? You can trust me.'
Rory: 'I don't know.'
Tristan: 'You don't know what's going on or you don't if you should trust me? 'Cause if it's the latter reason I can assure you my lips are sealed.'
Rory hesitated for a moment, but decided she might as well tell him. Maybe he could give her some tips, so she could save her relationship.
Rory: 'Well, this is kind of embarrassing actually.But I'm afraid of going the whole way with Jess.'
Tristan had expected a lot, but not this. Rory talking to him about sex.This could be good. He had to make sure he didn't move too fast. He didn't want to scare her away.
Tristan: 'Hmmm.sounds very personal. Why don't we get out of here and go somewhere where it's a bit more quiet? That way we can talk more comfortably.'
Rory: 'Ehm, ok.Sure.Let me just get a coffee to go.'
Meanwhile Jess and Gabriela were on there way to the mall as well. Gabriela would glance over at Jess every once in a while. Jess however was thinking about his problems so much he didn't notice at all. Gabriela decided she had to do something to try and get his mind off of whatever problems he was having.
Gabriela: 'So your mom sent you to Stars Nowhere huh?'
Jess: 'Sorry, what did you ask?'
Gabriela: 'Why did your mom sent you to Stars Nowhere?'
Jess: 'She thought it would help me get my life on the right track.'
Gabriela: 'So you were a bad boy in New York.I like that.You probably broke a lot of hearts when you left..'
Jess: 'Not as much as you think.'
Gabriela: 'Do you want to go back there?'
Jess: 'Not really.If I had wanted to I could have gone to college there. But I decided I'd rather stay here.'
Gabriela: 'Any reason in particular? Rory for instance?'
Jess just smiled when she mentioned that. Of course Rory had everything to do with his decision not to move back to New York after high school. He had wanted to be close to her.
Gabriela: 'So Rory and you are happy together?'
Jess: 'As happy as you can be lacking the physical part.'
He had said it before he knew it. It had been such a big part of his thinking for the past couple of weeks he didn't even notice he was voicing his thoughts until he had said it. He quickly looked outside of the window, hoping Gabriela hadn't noticed how much it was bothering him. Gabriela turned her face to the road and a wicked smile creped on her face.This was going to be even easier than she had thought.