A/N: Guys, I am so sorry for the insanely long period without an update – you'd think I would have more time to update now that school's out, but I don't. Weird. And I was going to update earlier this week, but the Alias season finale had me totally stressed – but it's okay now because I no longer have the urge to throw things at the TV. I had taped it so I've watched the ending like 10 times, and I have a million theories running through my head. Vaughn can't be married. He just can't! Unless it's to me. Then it's okay. Anyhoo, this is a Gilmore Girls fic, so I'll shut up about Alias now. But I will add just one more thing, damn that Michael Vartan is sexy. 'I'm the point guy.' That's my new saying.
***
Rory and Tristan made their way to the cinema that was playing their movie. They made themselves comfortable in their seats – near the middle-back of the theatre.
"That was weird, eh?" Tristan asked. "Seeing Mr. Mariano here?" He laughed.
"Yeah it was." Rory replied, adding to herself 'and what's even weirder is that I felt jealous of that woman.'
"And with a date nonetheless." Tristan continued. "I mean I guess it's expected, but it's just weird to see your teacher on a date.
"Yeah, it was." Rory said again, offering a smile. 'I wonder how long they've been together…'
The theatre was filling up quite rapidly; it was opening weekend for the most talked about movie of the year. Just then, Rory heard someone talking to them.
"Hey guys."
"Oh, hey Mr. Mariano." Tristan said.
"It's pretty full in here, so can Paris and I sit with you, or is that too weird."
"Sure." Rory replied. Jess took the seat next to her, Paris the one next to him. Paris was looking at Rory curiously.
Throughout the entire movie, Rory and Jess were very aware of each other's presence next to them. Rory was even aware of Jess when Tristan casually put his arm around her shoulders.
***
MEANWHILE, AT THE APARTMENT…
"Man I'm bored." Lorelai said to herself, putting the remote control on the couch. "Why is it that when there's absolutely nothing to do and you're home alone, there's absolutely nothing on TV? I have to get out of here."
And so she got changed and went to her car, no destination in mind, but she somehow ended up in exactly the right place.
***
"That was a great movie." Tristan said as they stood up, getting ready to leave.
"Yeah it was, but not nearly as good as the book." Jess replied.
"I agree. Movies are rarely ever as good as the books. They are just to 'Hollywood'." Rory replied.
"Yeah, well, I'm tired. Jess, let's go." Paris said.
"See you guys in class on Monday." Jess said as Paris led him out of the theatre.
"Bye Mr. Mariano." Rory and Tristan both replied.
When they were out of sight, Tristan leaned close to Rory. "She doesn't seem like the nicest person."
Rory laughed. "That seems like quite an understatement."
***
Lorelai knocked on the door.
"Come on in." Said the gruff voice.
"Hey there."
Luke looked up from behind his desk. "Hey!" He smiled.
"Wow! A smile from Luke Danes. We don't see too many of those."
Luke looked down. "Yeah, well with a busy life like mine, you don't have too much time to smile."
"Need any help?"
Luke looked up, surprised. "You serious?"
"Yeah! I mean, nobody should be alone on a Saturday night. So I can keep you company and help out a bit. Plus, I could probably give you some inside info on Rory's project."
"Sure. I could use all the help I can get. Come sit down!" He gestured to a chair.
"Coffee first." She looked around the office. "Ummm, where is it?"
"I don't have a coffee maker. That stuff's not good for you."
Lorelai gasped. "What?" I need coffee to operate properly!"
He laughed. "Relax. There's some in either the hallway or definitely in Rory's office."
"I'll be right back." And she took off toward her daughter's office, leaving a laughing Luke behind.
***
The ride back to Rory's apartment was comfortable for the most part, well comfortable at least until they made their way to her street. Rory had a million thoughts, all related to one subject running through her head. 'Is he going to try to kiss me? Do I want to kiss him? If I kiss him, it's morally wrong, but then again, I did go on a date with him. But if I don't kiss him, he'll either think I'm an old fashioned girl, a prude, or that I don't like him. I do like him, but I don't know if I want a relationship with him or anything. Now Mr. Mariano… No! I'm on a date with Tristan. The most popular guy in school. Gorgeous Tristan DuGrey. OMIGOD! What if he doesn't want to kiss me? What if he didn't have a good time? Maybe he's an old fashioned guy. But what if he doesn't like me? AURGH!!' Tristan stopped the car. They were at her building. 'Shit. We're here. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do…?' Rory's thoughts were cut off by Tristan.
"So, ummm, I had a great time tonight."
'Yay! He had fun.' "Yeah. Me too." Rory said, shyly.
"So, ummm, did you maybe want to go out again sometime?" He asked hopefully.
"Yeah. Sure. I'd like that." Rory replied, truthfully, smiling.
Tristan smiled widely. "Great. So, ummm, I guess I'll walk you up to your apartment."
"Thanks."
They made their way up to the apartment.
"Well thanks again for tonight Tristan." Rory said, nervously.
"It was my pleasure Rory."
They both smiled nervously.
Then it happened. Tristan leaned in and they kissed. Just basically a soft peck, but a kiss nonetheless.
"Okay then." Tristan smiled. "I guess I'll see you on Monday."
Rory smiled back. "Yeah. See you then." And she went inside.
***
Just as Rory suspected, Lorelai was sitting on the couch, waiting for her to arrive back home. "Hey mom."
"Hey mini-me. How was the big night?"
"It was great. The movie was good, great conversation, but there was one problem."
"What?"
"Mr. Mariano was there."
"Oh."
"Oh, it gets worse."
"Oh?"
"He had a date."
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh. And to make it even worse, I felt jealous!"
"So you're now thinking of him in more than an 'extremely gorgeous teacher' type of way."
"Yeah. So what do I do?"
"Hmmm, I really don't know what to tell you babe. I think this is something you need to figure out for yourself."
Rory sighed. "I figured you'd say that. And I have more news, though I don't know if it's good or bad."
"Ouch, sounds juicy."
"We kissed."
"WHAT? You kissed your teacher?"
"What? No! I meant that Tristan and I kissed."
"And that would be bad news because…."
"Because I think that he likes me."
"I repeat the former statement."
"Because I can't be in a relationship with an 18 year old. And when the truth comes out it will hurt him."
"Oh. Yeah. That's not good."
"I know. And more bad news."
"What?"
"We're going on another date."
Lorelai laughed.
"What's so funny mom?"
"Only you would consider kissing the most popular and gorgeous guy in school, having him like you, and going on a second date with him, making you the envy of every girl in school, bad news."
"AURGH! My life is so frustrating! Why couldn't I be 18 right now? Or better yet, why couldn't he be 25? Or even better, why couldn't I be 25, Mr. Mariano be single, and us be together?"
"Ummm, cause your name isn't Marty McFly and you can't go 'Back to the Future'…"
"Okay, I need a change of topic now. So what did you do tonight mom?"
"Oh, you know. I wanted to watch TV, but there was nothing on, then I wanted to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but your tape was too worn out, then I tried TV again, still nothing on, so I got in the car and ended up at the Times office."
"What? Why did you go there?"
"I didn't plan on it, but I ended up there and helped Luke with some work."
"Let me get this straight, you went to my workplace and helped my boss with work? Man, you've got it bad." Rory laughed.
"Okay then Ms. I like my teacher but I'm dating the perfect high school specimen."
"AURGH! I said change of subject!"
"Okay then. Oh, I guess I should warn you then. You have no coffee left in your office."
***
Not my best work, but I wanted to show the increasing attraction between Rory and Jess, as well as Luke and Lorelai. Hope you didn't hate it. Again, sorry for the long wait. Please show me some lovin…
xoxox Blondie
