"Honey, you look great!"  Lorelai said to Rory as she got ready in her prom costume.  (A/N:  Yes, I said costume – since that is what they did in the movie.)

"I look a bit slutty."  Rory said.

"Honey, you're just playing a character.  This is how she dresses."

Rory looked at herself in her full length mirror.  She couldn't recognize herself.  She was wearing a long straight, platinum blonde wig, black eyeliner, and red lipstick.  She had a blue choker on her neck, strappy very high heel sandals on.  But the thing that was most out of character was her dress. It was low cut (think cleavage), short (mid thigh) and made of royal blue latex.  (A/N:  for those Alias watchers out there, it's like Sydney's disguise from S1, ep2 – So it Begins)

"Well, Sydney Bristow… when will Michael Vaughn be here?"

"I can't believe that you suggested to me that Tris and I go as Sydney and Vaughn from Alias.  And you chose this of all her disguises."

"I'm evil.  I know."  They both laughed.  The buzzer sounded at the door.

"Hello?"  Lorelai asked.

"Hey Lorelai.  It's Tristan."

"Come on up."

"Mom, I'm nervous."

"Oh honey, don't be.  This won't be like last time.  You're going to have a great prom, and you look great."

"You're sure?"

Lorelai hugged her daughter.  "Positive."

Just then there was a knock on the door.  Lorelai went to answer it.

"Hey Lorelai."

"Hi Tristan.  Come on in.  You look great."

"Thanks."  He was wearing black pants and a black shirt, and a long black leather jacket. And his hair was very messy. (A/N:  For those alias fans out there, it's like the one from the S1 season finale when they're in Taipei.)  He turned and noticed Rory.  "Wow."  He exclaimed.

Rory blushed.  "You look great Tris."

"Wow.  You.  Wow.  Rory, you look.  Wow."

Lorelai laughed.  "Good to know that high school is working to expand your vocabulary."

"Okay then.  I'll see you later mom."  Rory gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Bye babe.  Bye Tristan.  Have fun guys.  Be home by 1."

They left the apartment and made their way to Tristan's car, and to the prom.

***

When they pulled into the parking lot, they could already hear the music blaring from the gym.  They made their way inside and found their friends sitting at a table waiting for them.

"Oh my god.  Rory.  If I didn't know that you were coming with Tristan, I would have no clue who you were!"  Francie exclaimed.  She was dressed as Satine to her date's Christian.  (Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge).

"Who are you guys supposed to be?"  Louise asked.  She was dressed as Sandy from Grease, and her date was dressed as Danny.

"Sydney and Vaughn from Alias."  Rory said.

"You look great."  Madeline said.  She was dressed as Eve to her date's Adam. "You're lucky you can pull off skin tight latex.  But how are you going to be able to sit down?"  They all laughed.

"I have no idea."

Rory somehow did manage to sit in her dress, and she also danced with Tristan.  They were in the middle of dancing to a slow song when Jess and Mrs. Jackson, the calculus teacher, walked onto the stage.

"Everyone give it up for Mr. Mariano and Mrs. Jackson!"  The DJ said.  The audience applauded.

"Okay okay.  Quiet down."  Jess said, looking quite uncomfortable in his tux.  "It's time to announce this year's prom court.  The princesses are…  Miss Louise Grant, Miss Francie Jarvis, and Miss Madeline Lynn."  The crowd cheered, though nobody was surprised that the three most popular girls in school were announced as members of the prom court.  Nor were they surprised when Louise, Francie, and Madeline's dates were announced as the princes.

"This year's prom king is…"  Mrs. Jackson paused for effect.  "Tristan DuGrey."  The crowd cheered as Tristan made his way to the stage, leaving Rory in the middle of the gym.

"And now for this year's prom queen.  Ladies and gentlemen."  Jess looked as though he was about to burst with happiness.  "Rory Gilmore."

Rory froze as she heard her name.

FLASHBACK

"And this year's prom queen is… Rory Gilmore!"  The crowd cheered wildly as Rory made her way to the stage where she met her king, Dean.

"Congratulations Rory."  The teacher said as he put the tiara on Rory's head.  Rory was smiling at Dean the whole time.  They made their way onto the floor for their first dance as king and queen.

While they were dancing, Rory noticed that Dean didn't seem happy.

"What's wrong Dean?"  She asked.

"Oh, nothing at all."

"Dean…"  Rory started.

"Goddamit Rory.  Just leave it alone."  He yelled as everyone stared.  Tears sprang to Rory's eyes.

"Dean, I…"

"You just have to have everything, don't you?  You have a perfect relationship with your mother. You have the best grades in the whole goddamn school.  And you're going to Yale on a full scholarship goddamit.  And now you're prom queen?  Can't you just fail at something?"

"Dean, my life's not perfect…"

"It is Rory.  You never fail."

"Yes I do.  I failed with you.  I can't be with you anymore."  She said quietly.

"Yeah?  Well the feeling's mutual."  Dean snapped back.

Rory ran out of the gym crying.

END FLASHBACK

Somehow Rory made her way up to the stage and accepted her tiara and flowers from Jess.  She couldn't hear the thundering applause and wild cheering from the crowd.  All she could see now was Jess staring at her with happiness in his eyes and a big smile on his face.

"It's time for the first dance for our king and queen."  Announced the DJ.

Rory's focus on Jess was broken as Tristan took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

"What are you thinking about?"  Tristan asked Rory.

She giggled a bit.  "My dress and my shoes."

Tristan smiled.

"What about you?"  Rory asked.

Tristan laughed.  "I'm thinking about how I hope you don't step on my toes with those heels on."

They both laughed.

"Rory.  You're the most amazing girl I've ever dated."  Tristan said, suddenly very serious.

She blushed.

"Rory, I… I think I'm in love with you."

"Tristan…"  Rory started.

"I don't expect you to say anything back, but I just had to say it."

Rory smiled.  "Thank you."

On the stage, Jess was watching this unfold and had a somewhat jealous look in his eyes.  He heard Tristan say that he loves Rory and he left the stage, the jealousy being replaced with sadness.

***

Later on in the evening, Rory was looking at the various deserts lined up when she felt someone tap her shoulder.

"Hi Mr. Mariano."  She said, smiling.

"Hey Rory.  Congratulations on winning prom queen.  Nobody deserves it more than you do."  He smiled when he saw Rory blush.

"Thank you sir."

"You look very beautiful tonight Rory."  He said, adding to himself not many girls could wear that outfit and not look slutty, but somehow she manages.

"Thank you sir."  She said, blushing even more.  "You look very nice yourself."  A tux really works on him.  Rory added to herself.

"Bah.  I hate wearing these penguin suits.  They're very uncomfortable."

"Try wearing a skintight latex dress."  Rory kidded as they both laughed.

"Did you maybe want to…?"  He gestured to the dance floor.

"Sure."  Rory said a little too eagerly.  She put down the cake she was going to eat and took his hand as they danced to At Last by Etta James.

At last

My love has come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song

"So, is Paris here?"  She asked.  Stupid.  Stupid.  She said to herself. Why did you have to bring her up?

Why did she have to bring Paris up?  Jess asked himself.  "Umm, actually, no.  we… We broke up last week.

At Last

The skies above are blue

My heart was wrapped up in clover

The night I looked at you

"I'm sorry."  Rory said, looking down.  YAY!  They broke up.  They broke up.  YAY!

"Don't be.  It was time.  We weren't right for each other."  Now you on the other hand…

I found a dream

That I could speak to

A dream that I can call my own

I found a thrill

To press my cheek to

A thrill that I have never known

"I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't be talking about this with you.  You probably don't want to be talking with your teacher about his love life, or lack thereof."  Jess kidded.

"I don't mind at all."  Rory said.

"You're an amazing person Rory Gilmore."  Jess said.

"So are you Mr. Mariano."  Rory replied.

You smile, you smile

And then the spell was cast

And here we are in heaven

For you are mine

At Last

"Thank you for the dance Rory."

"It was my pleasure Mr. Mariano."  Rory blushed.

"Rory!"  She turned around and heard Tristan calling her name.

"Thanks again Mr. Mariano, but I better be going."

"Bye Rory."  He said as he watched her walk off with Tristan.