A.N: It's been a long while, I know. Being away put me in a non-writing funk and I finally managed to get this chapter sounding the way I wanted it to. Well.. almost. A thank you to Roxy for her help. Now that this is done, I'm hoping that the next chapters will come a little easier. :) Keep the feedback coming; I love to hear from you guys.
* * * * *
It Had To Be You
by inmyeyes
06 : You Move Me
"Something about you
It's just the way you move
The way you move me…"
- "Back To You" by John Mayer
"So you're Tristan." Lorelai was the first to speak; her words tearing his gaze away from the lovely woman he had been staring at.
"And you must be Rory's mom," he said, his smile sincere.
"Lorelai Gilmore." She shook his hand. "Nice to put a face to a name I've heard about ever since Rory was 16."
Rory looked at her mother and easily read the expression she was sending her way- 'And what a handsome face it is.' Discreetly, she nudged Lorelai's side.
"Wow, two Lorelai Gilmores," he remarked, not able to stop his grin.
Lorelai shrugged. "I had a momentary narcissistic moment. Exhaustion over too many hours of labour and the lack of drugs can do that to you."
"Besides there are actually three Lorelai Gilmores," Rory corrected. Lorelai gave a mock shudder at the thought of Trix, her grandmother.
"You had Rory when you were 16?" Natalie was still in disbelief.
"It was quite the scandal," Rory chipped in.
"Which is why we shouldn't talk about this now," Lorelai said pointedly as the elder DuGreys and Gilmores came further into the living room.
* * * * *
"Tristan, your father tells me that you're an architect," Richard said, smiling at the young man.
He snuck a quick look at his father and resisted the urge to make a smart-ass comment. "Yes, sir. I'm the head architect at Chase & Heyer."
Richard looked suitably impressed. "That's a good company."
Tristan swallowed the gulp of coffee he had taken and smiled. "One of the best in New York."
"Rory lives in New York as well," Emily offered, smiling conspiratorially.
Lauren DuGrey set down her cup and returned the smile. "Oh really?"
"So, Rory, where do you work?"
Rory looked up from her cup of coffee and met the clear blue eyes of Stephen DuGrey. Dimly, she realized that he shared the same colour eyes as Tristan. On her own accord, her eyes flickered to the man sitting to her left who shot her an apologetic smile. She turned her attention back to the elder DuGrey and mentally noted how much Tristan's eyes held more… warmth than his father.
"I'm a reporter for the New York Times," she answered, smiling politely. "I write mainly human interest stories and sometimes, articles on the arts as well."
"And she does photography on the side lines too," Emily supplied, full of pride for her accomplished grand-daughter. She gestured to the framed photograph that lay above the fire place. "Rory gave that to us."
Intrigued by this new information, Tristan got up, wanting to take a closer look at the photograph.
"I took it at Tahoe," came the voice from behind him. He turned and saw Rory's shy smile. She moved to stand beside him as her eyes scanned the photograph. "I went with a few friends the winter after I graduated from Columbia."
Tristan's eyes rested on her for a second before going back to the photograph. "It's beautiful."
"It was," she agreed. "I told myself that I'd go back there during summer and take more." Then a wistful note crept into her voice, "But I haven't had the time nor the opportunity."
"Well-"
"Rory," Emily chimed in, her smile bright. "Why don't you show Tristan your other photographs in the library?"
"Grandma, I don't think-"
Tristan cut in. "I'd love to see them."
Rory gave him a disbelieving look but gave in after a moment. "All right, sure."
* * * * *
As Tristan and Rory left the room, Lorelai noticed the shared smiles between her mother and Lauren. She nudged the young girl sitting beside her. "Is there something going on here that I don't know about, Natalie?"
Natalie looked back and forth at her parents and shrugged. "Nothing that I know about."
"Rory's such a beautiful young woman," Lauren commented as she took a small sip from her glass. "And intelligent too. She'd be perfect for Tristan."
"They do make a fine match," Emily agreed.
Lorelai's eyes widened. "Mother," she said pointedly, "can I speak to you for a moment?"
When they were safely in the kitchen, Lorelai didn't waste any time. "What do you think you're doing, Mom? You're setting her up with Tristan?!?" She shook her head vehemently. "I can't believe you're doing this!"
"Lorelai," Emily replied calmly. "I'm not doing anything."
Lorelai snorted in derision. "They do make a fine match," she repeated Emily's earlier words in a haughty voice.
Emily shrugged. "I was merely stating my opinion. They do make a fine match."
"You don't know anything about Tristan! How can you say that?"
"It's just my opinion, Lorelai. There's no need to get upset over it."
There was a short, tense silence as Lorelai glared at her mother. "All right, fine. Then promise me you won't do anything to push Rory onto him," she demanded.
Emily was affronted. "I will do no such thing."
"Mom," Lorelai said warningly.
"Rory hasn't been seeing anyone in a long time," Emily sighed. "There's no harm in her getting to know Tristan."
Lorelai was still wary. "Mom, just back off. Just don't push her, okay?"
"Okay," Emily answered, stressing the word. "No pushing."
* * * * *
"When did you take up photography?" Tristan asked as they stood before another one of Rory's photographs that was hanging in the library.
"College. I was working for the paper and they were short of photographers. I learnt the ropes, and found that I really enjoyed it."
"So you became a photographer for the paper?"
Rory shook her head. "Only for about a semester; I found out that I still loved writing more than taking pictures."
"You've got a talent for it," he commented, staring at a photo of a smiling child sitting in the sand.
"It's just a hobby."
Tristan turned to her, his eyes serious. "No, you seem to be able to catch things that people usually don't see."
"What?"
He laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Never mind."
When he turned his back to her and began to examine the books lining the wall, Rory took a deep breath and gathered her courage to do what she had been wanting to do- apologize to him.
"Tristan," she began, moving closer to him. Surprising her, he spun around and Rory was disconcerted to realize that his proximity made her nerves singe. She looked up, catching his gaze and that same flicker in his eyes that she had noticed earlier was back and this time, he wasn't hiding it. Smiling uncertainly, she took a small step back.
"Um…" she licked her lips, "I just want to apologize."
He gave her a confused look. "What for?"
"For yesterday. For making assumptions that I have no business making. For being rude."
"Yesterday?" His furrowed brows conveyed his bafflement.
"Yesterday," Rory confirmed. "When we talked and I-" She looked up and caught the smile that he failed to hide. When he realized that she caught onto his charade, he laughed and Rory could only roll her eyes in exasperation.
"You take pleasure in vexing me, don't you?" she remarked, closing the distance between them and playfully hitting his shoulder.
His grin turned into a leer. "No, actually," he ran his eyes deliberately over her, causing the heat in the room to rise, "I take pleasure not only from just vexing you."
The look in his eyes made his meaning unmistakeable and Rory took in a sharp breath as a jolt of current ran through her. Of course, at that moment, her traitorous mind used that opportunity to take in the visual of him leaning against the book shelves, an inviting smile curling his lips and interest shining in his eyes. When he noticed her scrutiny, he slowly ran his tongue over his bottom lip and she had to tear her eyes away before she did something stupid.
She smiled shakily at him before heading for the door. "We better get back. I'm sure dinner will be served soon," she said over her shoulder.
She was so far ahead of him that she missed his rueful sigh.
* * * * *
He was seated across from her (a feat that she suspected was engineered by her eager grandmother) and every time she looked up from her salmon, her eyes would slam into his and this weird, tingly sensation would travel through her spine. She'd try to smile and then, realizing what she was doing, she'd move her gaze back to her peas and push them around her plate.
And as her peas would move around the expensive china, she'd realize that he was staring at her and that same weird, tingly sensation would run through her again. Then she'd remember the tantalizing way he had licked his lips…
'Get a hold of yourself, Rory!' she silently chided herself. She snuck another glance at him and told herself that yes, he was attractive. 'Very attractive,' she conceded and that maybe, she might feel a little lust. 'Okay, maybe more than a little lust.' But, she told herself firmly, that didn't have to mean anything. Just because she was attracted to him didn't mean that anything had to happen.
Having somewhat managed to convince herself that nothing but a case of lust was going on, she looked up from her plate again and this time, cerulean eyes caught hers. The way he looked at her made her grasp her fork a little tighter. He smiled; Rory grabbed her glass and took a quick sip of water. As she set down the glass, she saw her grandmother smiling encouragingly at her.
She almost wanted to groan- from frustration and from knowing exactly what it was that her grandma was encouraging her to do. Just by looking at Mrs DuGrey and seeing that same smile confirmed her suspicions. Add to that all the questions both Tristan and her were asked and the looks that passed between his parents and her grandparents and Rory was quite sure that some matchmaking was going on.
* * * * *
If it had been any other girl that his parents were trying to set him up with, he would have just given them a piece of his mind and told them to mind their own business. But, this was Rory Gilmore- and he didn't know if he should put an end to this, knowing that Rory wouldn't ever be interested in him, or if he should just go with it and enjoy it for all it was worth.
He knew that Rory realized what was going on; his parents and Mrs Gilmore weren't the most subtle people. He also knew that while she was slightly uncomfortable with the idea, she wasn't completely repulsed; he didn't miss the quick glances that she threw his way when he wasn't looking.
As he sat across from her, watching her take small bites of her ice-cream and warding off intrusive questions from his mother, he had the most insane urge to run his fingers through the chocolate strands of hair, tug her close to him and kiss her senseless. Times like this, he wished that he didn't find her so beautiful. And so intriguing. And so damn appealing.
Once she was done answering yet another one of his mother's inane questions, his eyes met hers and he silently apologized. She gave him a smile in return and Tristan had to remind himself that he should stay away from her.
Stay away from her- that was the conclusion he had come to the previous night when he had lain awake, mulling over her reappearance in his life. She had wrecked him once; when he didn't know any better, when he didn't expect it, when he hadn't been able to deal with it and he'd be damned before he would allow her to do it again. Rory Gilmore was dangerous to his peace of mind. And for his heart.
He had managed to avoid her for ten years, he reasoned, and so, it shouldn't be very difficult to avoid her for another ten years and another ten after that, and after that… until he completely erased any trace of her from his impeccable memory.
But seeing her again tonight, and then being alone with her in that room… he found it too easy to slip back into the role he once filled- her sparring partner, and the boy who was hopelessly infatuated with her. Except that the stakes were slightly higher now that he had glimpsed he sliver of lust that had sparkled in her eyes and disappeared just as quickly.
He'd be fine, he reassured himself. In a few days, he'd leave for New York, bury himself in his work and push the memories of Rory into the recesses of his mind. Rory was dangerous but he'd be fine as long as he kept his wits about him. He'd be fine as long as he ignored the heated gaze that she sometimes directed his way.
He'd be fine, he told himself. But somehow, he didn't believe it.
* * * * *
As Richard and Emily said their goodbyes to the elder DuGreys, Rory breathed a sigh of relief. The night had finally come to an end with a not-so-subtle invitation by Lauren to "drop by and have dinner some time", saying that she was "a lovely young woman whom they'd love to see more of". Rory just smiled, gave the mandatory "it was nice meeting you too" and tried not to make any promises. She also tried to ignore her grandmother's overly bright smile and excused herself before Emily could coerce her into making any commitments.
Between the DuGreys' interest in her and the weird tension between Tristan and her, she was worn out. Finally, she could go home, find sanctuary in her room and think over the events of the night with a large mug of coffee in her hands.
Studiously looking away from Tristan, her eyes landed on his sister and she saw the weary expression on the girl's face. "Are you feeling all right, Nat?" she asked, laying a hand on her shoulder.
The usually bubbly girl gave a small smile. "Just feeling a little under the weather, that's all."
"A little under the weather?" asked Tristan, coming up from behind Rory and giving his sister a concerned look.
Natalie's tone was firm. "It's nothing, Tristan."
He brushed back her hair and lightly kissed her temple. "You sure?"
She gave him a quick hug. "I am."
Rory had to smile as she watched the two siblings interact. She would never have thought that Tristan would be such a caring and protective brother but he kept on surprising her.
"It was really good to see you again, Rory," Natalie said, reaching out to give her a hug.
"Thanks, hope you feel better soon," Rory smiled.
As Natalie pulled away, she saw the way Tristan was looking at Rory and resisted the urge to grin. "I'm gonna say bye to Lorelai," she made a lame excuse, leaving the two together.
Rory was the one to break the awkward silence. "I really am sorry about yesterday."
"There's nothing to be sorry about."
"Tristan-"
"Fine," he rolled his eyes playfully. "I accept your apology. And I offer my own apology… for tonight."
Rory shook her head. "It's not your fault."
"Yeah, someone planted that insane idea in their heads."
"Insane idea, huh?" Rory asked casually, arching her brow and hoping to appear nonchalant.
Tristan chuckled and tried to smile cheekily. "Insane," he repeated, shaking his head for emphasis. "We're like oil and water."
"Let me guess," she said dryly, "I'm the water."
"No, you're the oil."
"What?"
He laughed it off. "Never mind." He turned and saw the rest of his family watching him. "Well, the troops are waiting. It was nice seeing you again, Rory." But his smile told her that it was more than just nice… or at least, that was what she thought his smile was saying.
"It was nice," she agreed, copying his neutral tone. She cast her eyes to the floor for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal to him. She couldn't help it though; she looked up at his from beneath her lashes and shot him a shy smile.
A second or two passed before Tristan took a step closer and leaned forward to kiss her cheek, lingering a little longer than he should have. When he pulled away slightly, Rory gave him a questioning look. He merely chuckled and whispered in her ear, "Just giving them something to talk about… Mary."
And as she watched him walk away, she was smiling widely.
* * * * *
Rory leaned back against the soft cushions, sighing in relief.
"I'm sorry, I tried to stop her."
She didn't move but merely uttered a "What?" A moment later, the sofa sagged under her mother's weight and a sigh similar to the one she had let out sounded.
"I tried to put a halt to the wedding plans but my mother had already sent out the invitations."
Rory closed her eyes, willing her brain to just stop analysing everything that had happened that night and give her a break. "Oh… that."
Lorelai sat up, looking incredulous. "That's all you have to say?"
"What else should I say?" Rory mumbled, blindly reaching for a cushion.
There was another sigh as Lorelai handed a cushion to her. "Rory, they were practically discussing what to name your children!"
Rory hugged the cushion to her chest. "Oh, they're that far ahead? I thought that they were only deciding how many people to invite."
"I think it'd be easier for them to decide who not to invite," Lorelai scoffed, settling back against the back of the couch. "It's a DuGrey-Gilmore wedding after all." She crossed her arms. "I can't believe Mom practically betrothed you to him… especially after I told her not to push. But nooo, Emily Gilmore does not get the meaning of backing off. She just-"
"You know what?" Rory cut in, too exhausted to deal with Lorelai. "I don't wanna talk about it."
"She went too far. She should know better than to try and set you up with-"
"Mom," Rory said firmly. "Grandma meant no harm."
Lorelai balked at that statement. "She's probably already planning the guest list, deciding which caterers to use, where to hold the reception. She meant no harm? You won't be saying that when you suddenly find yourself dressed in a Vera Wang wedding gown with a 6 feet train, a mountain of lace and the family jewels around your neck. You won't be saying that when-"
"Mom, it's not fair for you to-"
"You'll wake up one morning and realize that you're nothing but Tristan DuGrey's trophy wife and your life's purpose is to-"
Rory rolled her eyes, getting ticked off that her mother would blow everything out of proportion. "Grandma meant no harm. I don't wanna talk about weddings and marriages, okay Mom?"
At that, Lorelai's tirade lost its steam. But Rory was just getting started.
Something in her had just snapped and the words were tumbling out; she just wanted to get rid of all the frustration building up in her. "Besides, it's no wonder that she'd be excited about planning my future wedding," Rory commented, her tone even. "Y'know… since she missed out on yours." She ended the sentence with a wry smile. "The greater pity is that I don't think I'll ever get married." Abruptly, she stood up and walked away, stopping only when she reached the hallway. She didn't bother turning around when she remarked softly, "I don't think I want to."
Still, Lorelai heard her loud and clear.
* * * * *
"This was some night, huh?" Tristan sardonically remarked to the figure lying on his bed. When there was no snappy comeback, he walked over and lightly shook Natalie's shoulder. "Nat, are you all right?"
Drowsily, the young girl opened her eyes and smiled, trying to reassure him. "Just a little tired."
"You sure?" Tristan asked, laying a hand on her forehead. "You were really quiet during dinner."
"I had nothing to say," she quipped. "Mom and Dad were too busy interrogating Rory."
He gave a chuckle and lay down beside her. "You noticed, huh?" He closed his eyes and an image of Rory popped in; instantly, his eyes snapped open. He could feel a headache coming on.
"It was a little too obvious for even me to ignore." She turned slightly to face him, wanting to watch his reaction. "And even if I didn't notice, their little hints during the ride back were enough to tip me off."
"Little hints?" he scoffed. "They might as well rent out a billboard, ordering me to date her!" He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing. "They acted as though they're picking out a horse- finding one of good breeding, one-"
"I'd say that they mean well… but I'd be lying," Natalie said with a smile.
"They didn't get to dictate which job I'd have… so instead, they're choosing a wife for me," was his bitter response. "Typical."
"Hey, don't get so worked up." She reached over and hugged him. "It's not worth it."
"Yeah," he agreed, but his frown remained. The smile on her face dropped away, suddenly replaced by a wince, something which Tristan immediately noticed. "Nat?"
"I'm fine," she said, waving her hand dismissively as she got off the bed. "I'm gonna head to bed now. Tomorrow, I'll be the same happy Natalie you've come to love. I just need some rest."
He peered at her suspiciously but nodded anyway. "Okay."
When she reached his door way, she turned back and a hint of her mischievous grin was back. "And tomorrow, I get to hound you about Rory."
Tristan let out a loud groan and threw a pillow in her direction.
Natalie just laughed and blew a kiss before closing his bedroom door behind her.
* * * * *
