A/N:  Hmmm.  Who will Rory be paired with?  Lol in the movie, she ends up with the hunky teacher, but in my story?  You'll just have to wait and see. 

But, I know it sounds perverse for R/T, since she's 25 and he's 18, but she does have to act like she's in high school, she does think he's hot.  But then there's the whole attraction to Jess…  Hmmm. Will this story be a Trory or a Lit?  I guess you'll have to keep reading to find out… And for those who loved the Michael Vartan reference… lol.  I am absolutely in love with the man.  NBK and Alias?  Add the guys from Gilmore Girls into the mix?  Anyone got a bucket for my drool?

***

Fitting In

The next few weeks at school went really well for Rory.  She had become good friends with the 'popular group' at school, and was getting great grades.  And luckily, Tristan hadn't attempted to ask her out again, so she hadn't had to think about what to do if the situation arose again.

Rory was arriving to school when she was approached by Francie, Louise, and Madeline.

"Hey Ror?"  Asked Francie.

"Yeah Fran?"

"I was thinking over the weekend, and I was wondering how come we always hang out at our houses and never at yours."

Dammit!  Thought Rory.  "Oh, ummm, well…"

"Oh, do you have really strict parents?"  Louise asked.

"Ummm, no.  It's just that…"  It's just that I live on my own, and I think you'd find it strange for a 17 year old to have her own apartment in New York.  I have a problem.  Rory thought to herself.  But luckily, the bell rang, signaling the start of class, giving Rory an escape from her answer.

The girls made their way to English Lit, which was easily Rory's favourite class, and sat down in their regular seats in the front of the room.

"Morning class."  Jess said as he entered the room.  He set everything down on his desk and began his lecture.

"Okay, so we're going to pick up where we left off, with Ernest Hemmingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'."  There were groans throughout the class.  "Hey come on guys.  Hemmingway is one of the greatest authors ever!"

Rory smiled.  She had never been a fan of Hemmingway – she found his books boring and could never seem to get through one, but since she had been in Mr. Mariano's class, and hearing the passion with which he discussed Hemmingway, Rory found that she actually enjoyed the stories. 

"No offense sir, but he's kinda boring!"  Exclaimed a student in the back.

Jess's face showed a complete look of shock.  "Boring?  Hemingway was a genius!  His books are classics!"

God he's gorgeous. Rory thought to herself.  Oh my god!  I have a crush on my teacher! Rory thought to herself.  She snapped back to reality when Jess called her name.

"Rory."

"Huh?"

"Welcome back to earth."  He joked.  Rory blushed as everyone laughed.

"Sorry."  She mumbled.

"It's okay.  It's expected for people to daydream in class.  It's a requirement in high school."  Again everyone laughed.  "I was asking everyone their opinion on Hemmingway."

"Oh."

"Would you like to give your opinion?"  He smirked.

"Oh.  Okay.  Ummm.  Well, I've never been a fan.  I love to read, but Hemmingway never really did anything for me.  I've never really been able to make it through one of his books before.  I found them boring.  But his books are classic, don't get me wrong.  This class though, I mean, I'm kinda starting to enjoy them now."

Rory blushed through her entire answer and was looking down.  When she looked up her eyes met Jess's and they both smiled.

"Thank you for your perspective Rory."  He turned back to the class.  "Well, luckily for you all though, we're almost done with Hemmingway."  There were cheers.  "But today, we're still discussing it, so if you'd please take out your books..."

***

At lunch, Rory was sitting with her friends.

"You blushed so much!"  Madeline was saying, teasing Rory.

Rory threw a French fry at her friend.  "Shut up."  She smiled.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Rory here has a crush on Mr. Mariano."  Louise teased.

"I do not!"  Rory insisted, blushing.  Just then Tristan sat down at the table.

"Hey girls."

"Hey Tris."  They replied.

"Great answer in Lit class Rory."  He said.  "When Mr. Mariano asked you about Hemmingway I mean."

Rory blushed deeper.  "Thanks."  She said, looking down.

Tristan took her hand in his.  "So, I was thinking, maybe if you're not doing anything on Saturday, maybe would you like to go to a movie or something?"

Rory looked up.  "What?"

"He's asking you on a date hun."  Francie said.

Tristan looked into her blue eyes.  "So, what do you say?"

"Ummm, sure.  Movie on Saturday sounds great."  Oh my god!  I'm going on a date with a 18 year old!  This is wrong on so many levels.  But it's not completely wrong…

Tristan smiled.  "Great."  And he left the table.

Rory looked at her friends who were eyeing her enviously.  "Oh my god."  Louise said.  "Tristan DuGrey just asked you on a date.  You are going to be the envy of every girl in this school."

Rory blushed again.

***

After school, Rory made her way to the Times office where she had some work to do.  She grabbed some coffee on her way.  While she was sitting in her office, a knock came on her door and she looked up to see Luke standing there.

"Coffee isn't good for you, you know."  He said.

"Yeah yeah yeah."  She said, smiling as she took a sip.

"Well don't come crying to me when you die at the age of 30."

"How can I come crying to you if I'm dead, huh?"  Rory said.

"Shut up."  Luke teased.

"So what's up?"  Rory asked.

"I need to talk to you about your article."

"Okay."

"Well, all the stuff you've written so far is really good, but it's nothing new.  Everyone knows about the stereotypes in high schools, and that's pretty much what's being reinforced here.  That as well as crappy cafeteria food.  That doesn't sell.  Sex scandals sell.  Bribery. People jumping off buildings. So unless a kid just killed himself because he was being paid to have sex with the school mascot in a big vat of coleslaw, there's nothing new there.  We need a new angle."  (A/N:  sorry if suicide is a touchy subject for anyone, it's just that there was a line similar to that in the movie Never Been Kissed, and I just had to add it.)

Rory laughed "Okay.  Disturbing mental image there.  So what's your plan?"

"Here."  He handed her a pin in the shape of angel wings.

"What's this?"

"It's a video camera."

"And why do I need a microscopic video camera?"

"I want you to wear it at school.  That way we can see what's going on and maybe we can see if there's another story there that we can dig out."

"You're sure about this?"

"Yeah."

"Okay then."

"So.  Ummm Rory.  How's ummm.  How's your mother?"  Luke asked, blushing.

***

That night, Rory called her mom when she got home.

(R=Rory, L=Lorelai)

Rrrring.

L:  "This is the Star's Hollow Psychiatric Institution.  If you are obsessive compulsive, press 1 repeatedly, if…"

R:  "Mom, it's me."

L:  "Then you've called the right place little one."

R:  "Yeah yeah."

L:  "So, what's up?  How's high school?"

R:  "Great.  I've got a date on Saturday."

L:  "Oooh, really?  Is it with the hot 18 year old or the hot teacher?"

R:  "The hot 18 year old.  And his name is Tristan.  Tristan DuGrey"

L:  "Oooh, with that name he sounds really rich."

They both laugh

R:  "Mom, I have a problem."

L:  "Wear the blue dress with the pink flowery things, your pink sandals, those silver earrings with the matching necklace, and wear your hair down."

R:  "Well that's one problem solved, but I have another one."

L:  "Okay, what is it?"

R: "People are starting to get suspicious."

L:  "About what?  It can't be about your age, cause you are very young looking, and…"

R (cutting her off):  "Not about my age, but today Francie asked me why we have never hung out at my place."

L:  "And…"

R:  "And we've hung out everywhere else.  So I think they're curious as to why they've never hung out here."

L:  "So have them all over."

R:  "Yeah, but there's the whole thing with me supposedly being 17.  Why would I be living on my own when I'm 17?"

L:  "Ah.  I see your predicament."

R:  "So what do I do?"

L:  "Can Luke pose as your dad?"

R:  "Seriously mom, do you really think that Luke would…"

L (cutting her off):  "Oh yeah.  Never mind."

R:  "Any suggestions?"

L:  "Sorry babe.  Hey!  Actually, just hang on a sec." (She goes away for a second.)

L (about 2 minutes later):  "I'm back!"

R:  "Whoop-dee-doo"

L:  "Child of Satan you are."

R:  "Then that makes you the devil."

L:  "Well.  I. Dammit."

They both laugh

R:  "So, what did you have to do?"

L:  "Hmmm?  Oh!  I just talked to Sookie.  She said it'd be okay if I take a leave."

R:  "Huh?"

L:  "I'm leaving Star's Hollow for a while to come to New York so you can appear to have a normal life."

R:  "Mom.  You don't have to…"

L:  "Pshh.  The Inn will be fine.  And I haven't been to New York for a while."

R:  "Mom, you were here 2 months ago."

L:  "Like I said, a while.  Plus, then I can see that boss of yours…"

R:  "Mom.  That's Luke you're talking about."

L:  "I never said…"

R:  "Okay, then its Taylor…"

L:  "AURGH!"

They both laugh again

R:  "Thanks mom."

L:  "No problemo."

R:  "So, when are you coming?"

L:  "I can be there on Thursday."

***

A/N:  Hope you liked it.  The next bit will be up soon!