DISCLAIMER: I own Chad Michael Murray and every square inch of his sexy,
rock-hard swimmer body. There I said it. And I borrowed two things -- the
scene where Rory & Lorelai are discussing Lorelai's obsession with seeing
Emily uncomfortable in "The Third Lorelai" except I switched the roles, and
then the pork-discussion scene in "8 O'clock At the Oasis" 'cuz it was
priceless and I wanted it, hence the title of this chapter -- Thanks Ames!
RATING: I'm gonna up it to R, just for this chapter though, and maybe others too , for safety reasons -- and also because I'm dirty and I like it that way.
A/N: Well, I'm not dead, that's for sure. I was -- just -- being lazy and not writing, but we're not gonna focus on the bad, right? K, don't answer that.
Anyway, hope you guys like the chappie-poo, and R&R, that is very important to me.
BRIEF SHOUT-OUTS:
Surya - my Beta, home girl, Muse of all muses, Marshmallow, partner-in- crime-and-misdemeanor-and-thievery-and-manslaughter-and-evils-of-all-kinds, and sharer of the Mantra...the love is there, it goes without saying, so receive it and SHUT UP!!! Hehe, kisses! This chapter is for you. And always bear in mind The Harem...
All the chat room crew: James (Bumble-bee! Buzz buzz buzzz! Always remember "Black Afghan" and hate it with the fiery passion of a thousand suns -- and August 24th is the wedding date, for special reasons, so you get to wear the dress first!! MONEY!!); Naters (Sorry, no Paris this chapter, Love, but I'm sure you'll survive, I know you will. TTYS babe!); Sus (back off HO, he's MINE!!!), Melissa, Priya, Iris, the whole gang...I LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!! Stay out of trouble now, 'cuz I know that I won't.
Alright, read on.
* * * * * *
PART VI: Pass The Flavorless Pork
Driving to school the next morning, Rory reasoned with herself yet again as she often did in quiet moments. It was just a little lie -- maybe in some alternate universe she was actually considering getting back with Dean, but Rory knew not to set herself up again for rejection. As much as she wanted to believe Dean was the one for her, it just wasn't going to happen. Perhaps the feelings were still there, perhaps she could learn to love Dean and all the problems they would ever have would be worked out because she almost loved him ... okay, wait, that just sounded too stupid for words.
In all honesty, what kind of relationship is built on the foundation of potential love? .... Give up? .... THE KIND THAT IS DOOMED TO FAIL!!!! Yeah, I know, that was a hard one, gets 'em every time. The point is that she only told Tristan that she was getting back with Dean to stir things up. As far as she was concerned, two can play at the game he was playing, cliché or not. Besides, it was fun toying with a guy who thought with his crotch instead of his brain .... although, Rory was not entirely convinced that Tristan was as bigoted as he portrayed himself to be. In brief spurts, he let his true personality show, and she was almost positive that he was quite vulnerable. She should really concentrate on the road though-- it was, after all, 7:45 in the morning, and she'd only had three cups of coffee.
After praising herself on her brilliant parking job, she waltzed into a new day with a hidden agenda -- conceivably even hidden from her.
* * * * * *
What was he doing in the library? It wasn't exactly the "coolest" place to hang out, and yet Tristan had found himself in the library quite often over the past few days as a pathetic attempt at maybe catching a glimpse of Rory, or maybe even a casual sparring of words. Hey, with his luck lately, he might even get a kiss -- or two -- or five. Speaking of which, he had no idea what he had gotten himself into when he'd assumed the position of Rory's follower. How could he have known she would have been so bold as to try and counter his every move? He was beginning to understand that her cunning must have been a ripe old piece of fruit straight from the Gilmore family tree, and he resolved to get a closer look at her life outside of Chilton, to see what made Rory the type of person that he found completely intoxicating.
It was then that the subject of his current fantasies stepped into view and made her way to the table he was sitting at. She seemed to be quite overjoyed about something, and he suspected he wasn't going to like it.
Glancing up, he saw her rocking back and forth on her heels with a Cheshire cat grin on her face. He quirked an eyebrow curiously then went back to his reading.
*Ah, so he wants to play hard to get does he?* Rory mused.
Still grinning, she slithered her way to the chair in front of his and sat down grandiosely so as to derive as much attention to herself as possible.
Tristan looked up again when she began drumming her fingers against the table and staring at him unwaveringly with the same disgustingly-saccharine smile on her lovely face.
" Hello," she greeted in all pleasantness, drawing out the 'o' for affect.
" Hi," he returned, unsure of what was happening.
After a brief pause, he noticed she wasn't making her purpose known, so he asked the question.
" Why are you smiling like that?"
" Like what, this is a perfectly normal smile."
" Yeah, but -- okay, no...it's not leaving."
" Why should it? Life is good."
*I feel a big 'huh?' coming on* he cogitated inwardly.
" Right," he said, unconvinced, and dropped his gaze down to his book once more.
At this time, Rory decided being obnoxious was the only way to crack this nut. So, her drumming became incessant, and she began to whistle and tap her feet on the floor to a certain happy, up-beat and highly-annoying rhythm.
Immediately, he slammed the textbook shut and dropped it on the table.
" Okay Rory, please! First of all, are you feeling okay? Second, what in God's name are you doing?"
" Why Mr. DuGrey -- whatever do you mean? Such an outburst in a school library, you should be ashamed."
This made him chuckle, because now she was just being absurd.
" This is fun ... really, but I would like to know what's going on, seeing as how lately I don't seem to have a clue."
" You're acting like I have some grand scheme against you prefabricated in my head."
" It wouldn't be the first time."
" Now then ..."
" Rory, I find it hard to believe you entered this facility for the sole purpose of talking to me, so why don't you tell me exactly why you're here," he somewhat demanded.
" Just making pleasant conversation."
" Yeah, well, why don't you go make 'pleasant conversation' with your boyfriend..."
Though he had muttered that last comment to himself, she'd heard it, and now it was all beginning to make sense -- why he was on edge and desperately trying to ignore her -- he was jealous. An even-more-satisfied and Grinch-like grin came to her face at her new discovery.
" My boyfriend? What boyfriend," she questioned innocently.
" That's cute, Rory."
" What?! I don't have a boyfriend."
Tristan glanced up from his current activity of picking at the table to look her straight in the eye.
" Okay, now you're just lying to me, so..."
" Why would I lie? I said I don't have a boyfriend, and I don't," Rory insisted.
Now he was just plain bemused.
" But you said..."
She rose from her seat abruptly, cutting him off.
" Tristan, really -- you need to stop having these mental conversations with me in your head, it makes you look like a crazy person, and honestly, who wants to look like a crazy person, right?"
His face cringed ... *Well, you obviously* he answered.
" W--sorry?"
" It's okay, I forgive you -- what are you doing tonight?"
" Uh ... I dunno ...."
" Come over for dinner."
" What?"
" To my grandparents' house, you remember my grandparents don't you?"
" Rory, what is wrong with you -- really?"
She laughed a sickening, psychotic laugh and flipped her hair over her shoulder with her fingertips. Tristan cringed yet again, which yielded a genuine, mocking laugh from Rory.
" Tristan, why does something have to be wrong with me?" she asked between chuckles.
He joined in the revelry, adding a couple guffaws of his own and shaking his head.
" Okay, okay I get it -- you're making fun of me," he deducted, leaning back in his chair with his confident smirk.
" Yes well, I do what I can, the opportunities are few and far between -- and it is kinda fun so, why stop?"
" I couldn't agree more."
They then shared a comical moment.
" But seriously, I don't have a boyfriend, and I want you to come for dinner at my grandparents' house tonight."
" You know, Rory, you're quite a conundrum, it's astonishing really, the things that pop out of your mouth..."
" I couldn't be more humorless, Tristan, I assure you. Besides, you shouldn't use words you can't spell, you know what I told you about that."
Since Rory's eyes were no longer radiating with crazed lunacy, he was inclined to actually believe her. But he had to ask the question.
" Why?"
" Why?! It's not every day a girl gets to show off her very own personal stalker for her family -- besides they'll love you."
" Yeah, how drunk is your grandfather gonna have to be this time, really?"
" Pretty drunk, but I'm rootin' for ya. And my mom's curious."
" You've talked to your mom about me?"
Oops. Slipped.
" No," she recovered lamely, trying to furrow her brow and make it look like she was appalled.
" Yes you have, you've been talking to your mom about me!"
Rory then slapped her poorly-furrowed forehead and regretted her stupidity.
" I knew you couldn't resist, Gilmore -- it was just a matter of time before you gave in to your more ... carnal instincts."
" I'm a vegetarian."
" Oh if only."
" *Uh*, someone must have hit you with some pretty serious False Assurance at the mall, you should demand a refund."
" And they told me it was the best male fragrance around -- bastards ...."
" Hm, not everyone's a smart shopper -- so are you coming or not?"
" Well that depends? How long can you go before you feel the need to talk about me again?"
She rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.
" Invitation withdrawn, I can see you and your ego have an entire evening planned already."
Of course she didn't get very far before she felt Tristan's hands on her shoulders, almost themselves begging her to stop.
" Rory Rory Rory, wait -- a gosh-darn second, you teased me so I get to tease you, it's only fair, there's a rule book or something, you know that."
Her face entailed she wasn't going to put up with his taunting for very much longer.
" I would love to have dinner with your family."
Seeing her countenance relax, he began to feel her forehead as if to check for a temperature.
" You're freakin' me out, Mary, I think you should go back on your medication, stat."
Little did he know that his touch was doing nothing for the cure of her supposed fever. Wit was needed to help her recover, and fast.
" Yes well, you know how that blasted pharmacy can be about giving out illegal narcotics -- damn Congress and their laws...."
Tristan chuckled and followed Rory out of the library.
* * * * * *
" So this is your house?"
Rory eyed Tristan's 'Master-of-the-obvious' statement and moved on.
" Yep."
Brief gaping silence ensues...
" What was that," he asked.
" What was what?"
" That weird, awkward silence thing, where did it come from?"
" I dunno, you started it."
" No I didn't."
" I don't think it was weird -- it's perfectly normal for there to be 'lapses' in conversation, it makes things more interesting," she reasoned, though once she turned things over in her head, she wasn't so sure it made sense.
The look on Tristan's face confirmed it..
" I see ... so not talking makes a conversation more -- interesting?"
" Couldn't have said it better myself," she agreed, slapping her knee for emphasis.
He grinned -- a surprisingly-sexy grin that she hadn't seen all day, and it made her uneasy -- in the most delicious way possible. Rory's uneasiness multiplied when he found cause to look at her with one of his smoldering gazes that made her knees go weak (thank the Lord she was sitting), and then he had the audacity to lick his lips and grin some more, this was intolerable.
From his stand point, her bottom lip being drawn inside her mouth between her teeth made it very evident that he was going to do something to her if she didn't stop. A man's resolve is only so strong, and Tristan's resolve was 10 times that flimsy, so he didn't really have a choice. But -- he figured he'd ask.
" So what happens now?"
" Well...I go inside, and you go home, and then you come back again in a few hours to meet my loving family and eat food."
" That's it?"
" Hold back on the gratitude, please, it's too much."
Enter Tristan's sexy chuckle.
" I just meant is that all that's happening right now."
" I don't have to guess that you had other things in mind."
" What, don't I get -- something for taking you home?"
" Something?"
" Yeah."
" Well sure, if you want us to have a horribly-misguided master/dog relationship where I give the commands and you obey without question, and then, when I'm satisfied, you get some sort of condolence."
Tristan raised his eyebrows, and Rory could've sworn he got more attractive.
" That sounded nebulously dissident, Ror -- there something about you I should know?"
" What's with the big words Tristan? You're gonna hurt yourself. And yes -- there is something you should now ... I work the street corners of Hartford on the weekends with FiFi and Lola and Bambi, and the men just come calling -- my pimp, Angus, very possessive, but sweet in a burly drunk sort of way ... good money."
" Conundrum."
" Oh the makers of the SAT's would be so proud."
" I'm gonna kiss you now."
Rory choked on her laugh, but disguised it as a clearing of her throat and swallowed. Then her eyes got rounder...
" Okay."
He started leaning even before she was able to process what was going on, so by now, he was inches from her face. Seeing as how the armrest wasn't making his position any more comfortable, Rory decided to oblige and move closer, accidentally brushing his lips with hers. She immediately drew her bottom lip back into captivity at the shock she felt from the featherlike touch. Tristan leaned closer still, flicking his tongue along her mouth and seemingly begging for the lower region's release; it was never really released though, since he immediately dragged it between his own teeth ever so lightly.
Her whimper, intended to be sexy, came out as a quiet but hoarse and raspy squeak, since her throat had gone dry seconds ago. Tristan loved how it became muffled when his tongue passionately filled her mouth, and loved it even more when she reciprocated, snaking her hand around his neck and clinging to his hair. This gave him proxy to slide his free arm around her waist as resourcefully as possible, then move his hand down over her skirt and inside the welcoming little slit that her current posture provided.
Even as his lips traced down her jaw line and into the crook of her neck and his fingertips caressed the soft flesh of her inner thigh, she didn't slap him or knee him where it counts (though that would've proven difficult). He could almost call her -- asking to go further. He felt her hips jolt slightly when his digits grazed that certain part of her panties, sending a very visible chill through her body; he pressed harder just to see her do it again, and this time she hummed in response. He dared to do it a third time, her forehead, furrowed with intensity, leaning against his...
Rory was on fire, it was as simple as that. Every spot that his mouth left behind became a scorching inferno, and she feared him being a human incinerator was more hazardous than she'd guessed. It soon became apparent that she wasn't giving him license to stop either -- she hadn't said a damn word, just moaned like an invalid and drew closer, to get as much of him and what he was administering as possible. But she couldn't help but wonder if this was all wrong.
And then it stopped .....
To say she yelped would be an understatement, and she opened her eyes to see what had went awry.
" Rory -- Rory we can't do this."
Silence. Rory gave a blue doe-eyed look, chewing on her top and bottom lips alternately, further displaying her innocence. He couldn't help but smile.
" I mean, not here, like this. This -- is...desperate, and one-night- stand-ish, and uncomfortable, and you are so much better than that."
As upset as she was for the pleasantries to be ending, she had to admit she definitely wasn't about losing it in the back seat of someone's car RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE. Hell, she couldn't believe she had considered -- oh gosh, his eyes are so beautiful, and his blessed hand is touching my face -- was considering losing her virginity to Tristan DuGrey. There needed to be some serious thought on this matter. Now it was just registering that he had said one of the sweetest things to her she had ever heard in her life. He did care about her. Smile and look shy, Gilmore.
Tristan reasoned one more kiss couldn't harm the situation, and so he acted. Rory responded. The kiss ended, and he mustered all the strength within him to draw back, not too much though, still leaning on the armrest and somewhat invading personal space.
" What time should I be here?"
Staring, staring, staring -- OH! He's asking a question.
" Tonight?"
" Yes tonight."
Stop grinning like that, Tristan, just stop it right now.
" Seven."
" Okay."
" 'Cuz we have to be there by eight."
" Okay."
" Okay."
Pause.
" I mean, it only takes a half-hour to get there, but she's very particular about timeliness, and we really shouldn't be late, so that's why I said be there an hour early -- I mean, here, an hour early. Yeah. Seven."
" Okay," he said, grinning wider.
" So I'll see you then?"
" Yeah."
" Good."
" Good."
" Okay ... bye Tristan."
" Bye Rory."
With that, she grabbed her stuff, gave one last look his way, and opened the car door to step out. She didn't anticipate, however, toppling to the ground because her knees gave out.
OOF!
Guess she hadn't recovered after all.
Tristan winced at the loud sound her falling body made and tried not to laugh. So he figured he'd help her up.
" Geez Ror, are you okay?"
His attempts to not laugh were failing. In a tangle of legs, arms, a blazer and a backpack, Tristan managed to find her angelic face, looking quite flustered and embarrassed. Hurriedly, she sought out his hand and was promptly pulled from her piteous and awkward -- um -- arrangement.
" *Woo* H-ha, a little tipsy...thanks."
One glance up from her shameful downcast stare and she was puddy again.
" Don't look at me like that," she ordered, fixing her skirt and gathering her belongings.
Tristan began helping her so he could be distracted from the image of her toppling out of his car and he would, therefore, not laugh so hard.
" Like what?"
" Like I just made a complete idiot out of myself."
" You had a clumsy moment -- we all have our clumsy moments, no harm done."
" Yeah except to my ass," she mumbled, rubbing said body part.
" Excuse me, did Ms. Gilmore just use a word of profanity," he clarified, wearing that grin.
" She did, and now she's leaving," she snipped, attempted to truck- off without letting him respond.
" Wait, wait a second -- you left this."
He handed her the object in question, which happened to be her jacket, then he shoved his hands in his pockets and waited.
" Thanks."
" You're welcome."
Then, in a surge of throwing-caution-to-the-wind, she grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him -- she kissed him good. But there was no long period of time to reciprocate really, because again she was off. Tristan figured he'd better be satisfied and headed back to his car.
After the kiss and her ever-so-graceful stepping out of Tristan's silver Lexus SC430, Rory managed to trudge up the walkway and up the stairs of her porch, and into her house, which awaited her with the smell of fresh- brewing coffee.... wait... fresh-brewing coffee?! But she turned off Mr. Coffee this morning, or at least she thought she did, had she overlooked it for the first time in her life, was her house in the process of burning down, what was she gonna do, should she call the police, w--
All her frantic mind-talking and panicking came to a screeching halt when she saw her mom, sitting at the kitchen table, with a large mug of steaming hot coffee in her hand, looking as idle as someone who just robbed a bank.
" Hi mom," Rory greeted cautiously, putting her keys down and stepping more into the space.
Lorelai pasted on a less-than-not-guilty smile on her face.
" Daughter -- how was your day?"
" Oh God, what did I do, you called me daughter."
" *Uh* That's preposterous! Don't be ridiculous, dear, you haven't done anything, why would you think that? Who was that boy, and why was he here, and what was he doing kissing you? Hahaha..."
" I knew you had a motive," Rory accused, settling in and pouring herself a cup of coffee.
" Oh come on, you knew I was gonna ask, why would you act like you had some to hide, eh? Now come one, who is he?"
" *Sigh* Tristan..."
" Tristan? Stalker Tristan!!! Mr. 'I will kiss you and not let you wallow' Tristan. Ah yes, it's all coming back to me now, I remember, and good Lord is he hot! You never told me he was hot!"
" I told you he was boy band material," she claimed.
" Yes, well, Chris Kirkpatrick is also considered such, and he --is, um...so Tristan's hot, huh?"
Rory laughed a little and nursed her coffee mug.
" I have no idea what's wrong with me."
" Why is something wrong with you? So you kissed him, that doesn't make you his love slave, although that does sound promising."
" But it does, and that's why I kissed him -- kiss him."
" Because you're his love slave," Lorelai inquired, quirking an eyebrow and putting on her demon face.
" Yes! ..... no, NO! I'm not his love slave, I'm his -- occasional make-out partner."
" Ah, life is nothing without one of those, you know your father was mine, and let me tell you, he w...."
" Gross. Okay, gross Mom. Plethora of bad mental images --"
" Sorry. So do you like him?"
" I don't know -- I like certain things about him."
" For instance...."
" His lips -- and his eyes -- and his smile -- and his laugh -- and his body, oh my God his body, and his hair, and his walk, and his -- Adam's apple!"
Immediately she buried her face in her hands to hide her shame.
" Man oh man, do you have it bad," Lorelai diagnosed, wide-eyed.
" I know," came Rory's muffled response.
" W-well, sweetie, if you don't like what he's doing to you, maybe -- maybe I can meet with him, and y'know, skin him alive or roast him slowly over an open fire."
" But I do like it! That's the thing. Oh, and you're gonna meet him tonight at dinner....tonight at dinner! Oh crap, oh geez, I have to take a shower, I have get dressed, we're going to be late, we can't be late, Grandma hates it when we're late, Mom why aren't you getting ready?!!"
" Rory, darling, it's barely five."
Rory paused from her rant and tried to level herself.
" Oh."
" Yes, oh."
As Rory slumped back in the chair, her brown hair in a static-y mess, Lorelai observed her and was prepared to offer her wise counsel for the day.
" My dear, sweet, precious offspring, I think you need to have some cool-out time, y'know? Take a nap, relax, read a book, get your mind off of highly-attractive Prep school boys who want to make-out with you -- you're burnt, hon."
" I am, aren't I," she asked absent-mindedly, a glazed look in her eye.
" Yes you are, go lay down."
Rory began to obey, getting up and shuffling toward her room.
" He really is coming to dinner Mom, I invited him," she said over her shoulder as Lorelai ushered her into bed.
" Oh I believe you, honey, I do -- in ya' go."
* * * * * *
Rory evaluated herself in front of the mirror -- her hair was down and slightly curled on the ends, accentuating her layers; her make-up was smoky, a touch of mascara and eye shadow bordering her crystal-blue eyes, a little blush, and Hint-of-Crimson lip gloss. She was wearing a deep-red, somewhat-lacy, cap-sleeve blouse with a low boat-neck line, fitting in all the right places, complimented by a black, layered knee-length skirt (the kind that twirls with you when you spin in circles) and strappy heels. Now just some black, dangly earrings and a necklace to match... Maybe she was overdressed -- no, no she wasn't overdressed, she was underdressed, she needed to change immediately! Okay, no, this is the 20th outfit she'd tried on, and she'd be damned if she was going to try on anything else. She was fine. Time to bug Lorelai.
" Mom, come on, let's go!"
" Relax I'm almost ready," Lorelai called from upstairs, then shortly after, came tromping down at her daughter's request.
" Mom, we're gonna be late!!!"
" No we're not."
" Well it's Friday night, and traffic's always bad on Friday night," Rory reminded.
" Since when?"
" Since the beginning of time."
" Or since the beginning of your Tristan obsession, 'Swimfan'," Lorelai teased.
" Better movie analogy, please."
" You look hot."
" What?"
" Why do you look hot?"
" I don't look hot, Mom."
" Honey, you're gorgeous, and you get it from me, and I know when I look hot, so you definitely look hot."
" Can we move in the general direction of the door, please?"
" I don't know why you're so eager to leave, he isn't even here yet."
Lorelai spoke too soon, as the doorbell rang. Rory froze on the spot, then quick as lightning went through a hasty primping ritual that couldn't have been healthy and lunged for the door, only to be stopped by her parental unit and cast aside.
" Not so fast, Missy, it's my turn with him."
Haughtily throwing a teasing glare at Rory, she opened the front door and halted.
It was Tristan alright, in all his GQ Model glory -- his black blazer, slacks, and shoes were illuminated by the light blue button-up dress shirt underneath. Momma taught this boy how to wear some clothes.
" Hello there," Lorelai greeted, smiling lazily.
Tristan stared back at the dark-haired beauty before him -- Rory's mother, no doubt, and it was clear where her stunning good looks came from. *Charm don't fail me now.*
" Hi -- I'm Tristan - DuGrey, you must be Ms. Gilmore," he extended his hand.
" Ahaha, call me Ms. Gilmore and I'll shoot you and make it look like an accident, hahaha...."
Tristan's smile faltered briefly as he continued to shake her hand. Around the corner, Rory smacked her forehead at her mother's antics and cursed under her breath.
" Kidding...call me Lorelai."
" Lorelai it is."
It was then that Rory composed herself and appeared onto the scene, stepping up beside Lorelai (or Miss Pedophile 2003 as she was calling her at the moment). Tristan's smile left and his expression grew awe-filled. His staring was shameless, and as many time as he gave her the once-over, he couldn't stop looking at her eyes. His heart ached and it almost hurt to look at her, but he couldn't tear his gaze away. Lorelai, being the adroit woman she was, decided to leave the scene.
" Well, kids, I'll be in the car."
She grabbed the keys at that time and exited the premises, but not before throwing Rory a naughty eyebrow face and winking. Rory rolled her eyes and laughed to herself.
" Hi."
Tristan cracked a grin at her salutation, shoving his hands in his pockets out of habit.
" Hey."
Staring and silence, staring and silence, staring and silence...
" You look -- amazing," he said finally.
She ducked her head diffidently and smiled.
" Thanks....so do you."
Grin growing wider, resolve growing thinner.
" I mean, you look -- you're -- good, you look good," she stumbled over her words, then shook her head at herself and got her purse of the table by the door.
When she went back to her original spot, Tristan had already cradled her face with his hands and begun kissing her. It started off slow, stayed slow, and ended slow, a gradual tangle of lips and tongue -- and Hint-of- Crimson gloss, as Rory noticed when they drew back enough from each other.
" Sorry," he apologized, though he didn't know why.
" Yeah well, next time I'll have to use my pepper spray."
They both laughed, though Rory more than Tristan, for obvious reasons.
" My mom's waiting," she reminded.
" Yeah -- yeah, we should go."
Rory started laughing again before she could even open the door.
" What," he asked, smiling.
" N-nothing, it's just your *laughing* -- you've got -- lip gloss on your *laughing*...."
Tristan nodded and took the hint, missing the spot completely.
" Here...let me -- get it..."
Rory held one side of his face so he wouldn't move, and wiped off his mouth with the thumb from her other hand. All Tristan could do was stare. There was going to be lots of staring.
* * * * * *
" Tristan, how's your grandfather, is he in good health?"
Tristan looked away from Rory and tried to make it look like he was looking up from his plate at Emily's inquiry.
" He's great actually, he's - uh - taking a break from the firm and vacationing in the Mediterranean with my grandmother."
" And your parents are well?"
" Oh, they're -- they're something," he answered with a hint of disdain.
" Ah the firm -- it's been ages since I last talked with old Janlen, I can't believe he's not dead yet," Richard said fondly.
" Oh he's too stubborn to die," Tristan informed, wrenching a hearty laugh in return.
Lorelai rolled her eyes at Rory -- Emily had been interrogating Tristan about everything under the sun for the past fifteen minutes, she was astonished the poor boy had lasted this long. But then she figured he was used to imposing gossips by now and he had trained responses to questions (somewhat similar to Jehovah's Witnesses) like a good rich kid would.
" Hey Mom, let's talk about something else," Lorelai cut in.
" What do you mean, Lorelai?"
" I mean, let's talk about something else."
" Well, Lorelai, what would you like to talk about?"
" I dunno -- sports, the weather, latest news from Washington, plastic surgery horror stories, anything."
" This pork is fresh from overseas, but I think it's too tough, maybe it was cooked for too long, it tastes over-cooked, what do you think of the pork, Rory," Emily solicited, ignoring Lorelai's suggestions.
" It's good," she managed, caught in Tristan Land.
" I'm not sure, Richard?"
" It's fine."
" I'm not sure."
" It's really good, Mom."
" Yes, well, I'm not sure."
" Pork is bred leaner these days. It has a different taste. Less fat equals less flavor. Yet another example of the great advances man has made -- flavorless pork. Hurrah for the opposable thumbs."
"What do you think about the pork, Tristan?"
Rory noticed how her voice suddenly got sweeter when referring to him, and she hid a smile behind her current bite of undecided pork.
" It's delectable, Mrs. Gilmore."
Lorelai mouthed Tristan's response across the table to her daughter and sent a side-long glance next to her in Tristan's direction, trying to get a rise.
" Oh, well -- if you say so."
The entire table, save Tristan, looked at Emily at her strange behavior.
" What? I'm glad my guest is enjoying his food, is that so wrong? Can't my guest enjoy his food?"
" Of course he can, dear," Richard pacified.
" Actually, Mom, he's RORY'S guest, RORY invited him -- remember RORY?"
" All the same, Lorelai, this is my home..."
" Our home..." interjected Richard.
" And if he is in this house, then he is considered a guest of this house, and he is therefore, my guest."
" Mother, I find it hard to believe you're being this possessive over someone you just met," Lorelai retorted.
" Who's being possessive? If I were being possessive, which I am not, I would be possessive over the fact that I want people to like coming into my home..."
" Our home, Emily..."
" Yes Richard, and I want them to enjoy our company, and enjoy our conversation, and enjoy our food, is that so wrong, Lorelai, to want guests to enjoy things?"
" Of course not, Mom, what was I thinking?"
" Well you were thinking that you could try and single-handedly sabotage my lovely plans for this evening by starting some juvenile grade- school argument about a guest of mine enjoying his food!"
" Mom, *really*, I'm sorry I brought it up, can we please drop it," Lorelai begged, already weary from barely a minute of fighting.
" No we cannot 'drop it', Lorelai; once the conversation turns to addressing one of your faults, you want to change the subject and talk about something else -- do you enjoy running from things? Does that give you some sort of pleasure?"
Lorelai shut her eyes, hoping it was all a dream.
" How are we even talking about this right now," she asked, not expecting a reply.
" You wanted to change the topic of discussion, so let's change it -- let's talk about why Lorelai cowers from confrontation and intentionally overlooks her faults just to spite others, namely her family members, and makes them feel bad for perfectly legitimate aspirations, why don't we talk about that Lorelai?!"
" Rory, why don't you give Tristan a tour of the grounds," Richard interpolated, even as he was unheard by other constituents of the table.
Rory stopped rubbing her temples and rolling her eyes and gladly accepted an escape from her current situation. Tristan, who had been looking on in awe, followed in bewilderment. Safely around the corner, she let out a sigh of relief.
" God Tristan -- I am *so* sorry you had to be here for this, with the stupid arguing and the...they're normally really good -- really."
Tristan gave her a gracious, understanding smile.
" It's okay, *really* -- my life is full of dinner fiascos and public grapples and unveilings of humiliating and sordid pasts in all varieties -- you do *not* need to apologize to me."
" Oh I forgot, Tristan DuGrey is the Playboy Extraordinaire of the Year, how could I have been so foolish," Rory teased.
He chuckled, knowing she meant it in jest.
" It's a trying profession but hey -- the little people need me, right?"
" What would they do without you," she mock-swooned, clinging to his arm to cop-a-feel of his biceps. He had, after all, shed his jacket earlier before dinner and had taken the liberty to unbutton another button and roll up his sleeves. Thank God he wasn't wearing an undershirt.
" Perish and fade to nothing, of course."
She then let her hand trail down his arm and hooked her fingers between his. He looked down then back up at her. She was grinning, so it couldn't have been an accident.
" Come on, I have to give you the tour," she prodded, dragging him along.
" Y'know, Gilmore, skip the bedrooms -- really, I know you want to get me all alone, tear my clothes off and do ungodly things to me, but you're just going to have to wait a *little* longer.."
Her eyes rolled his way, and her face feigned disinterest.
" Make the torture stop, I can't take it," Rory replied blandly, hearing his chuckle in return. All the while, she was looking up and down the halls for an appropriate place to show him and have him bedazzled.
" Hey....."
His tugging on her hand made her stop in the hasty pursuit. Turning to see what he wanted, she found out in an expedient manner -- everyone? (Fake chorus of voices in my head) HE WANTED TO KISS HER!!!! -- That's right boys and girls. And he did.
She somewhat predicted his action and was one step ahead of him, running her free hand over his chest and curling it around the back of his neck (her favorite spot, she was discovering). His hand brought hers around the other side of his neck then detached from it so his could splay her lower back. Nipping, tonguing, enveloping, more tonguing, and a little more nipping --
Seeing as how they were moving backward, Rory blindly fumbled for the doorknob behind her while trying to get more of Tristan's kisses, all thoughts of flavorless pork far from both their minds.
* * * * * *
Oh Lordy -- that was the longest chapter I think I've ever done. Hope you all appreciate my blood, sweat and tears, not to mention the hours, the COUNTLESS hours that I've put into this, I've slaved away over a hot stove cooking all your meals, and doing all your dishes -- for God's sakes I even do your laundry!!!!
I mean.....
R&R? Heh, yeah......
THANKS TO THE REVIEWERS:
samantha, Roxy, girl devil, coincidence casualty, piper-h-99, Amber, LizDarcy, Trory4ever, LittleAngelInLove, Nikki, Leah, Julianne, LandonLover, BTVSGoddess, Mandie, Chelle, Jayta, Alece, rach, eli, Little Miss Lena, Surya (kiss kiss u slut -- luv ya!), paige, Iannah, Emily, csk8- 20, and trulyrockbands
You guys are great!!! And I'm TIRED OF TYPING!!!
(Sickening laugh follows....)
Okay bye guys, R&R, and I love all the Harem Residents immeasurably, hehe *wink wink*
RATING: I'm gonna up it to R, just for this chapter though, and maybe others too , for safety reasons -- and also because I'm dirty and I like it that way.
A/N: Well, I'm not dead, that's for sure. I was -- just -- being lazy and not writing, but we're not gonna focus on the bad, right? K, don't answer that.
Anyway, hope you guys like the chappie-poo, and R&R, that is very important to me.
BRIEF SHOUT-OUTS:
Surya - my Beta, home girl, Muse of all muses, Marshmallow, partner-in- crime-and-misdemeanor-and-thievery-and-manslaughter-and-evils-of-all-kinds, and sharer of the Mantra...the love is there, it goes without saying, so receive it and SHUT UP!!! Hehe, kisses! This chapter is for you. And always bear in mind The Harem...
All the chat room crew: James (Bumble-bee! Buzz buzz buzzz! Always remember "Black Afghan" and hate it with the fiery passion of a thousand suns -- and August 24th is the wedding date, for special reasons, so you get to wear the dress first!! MONEY!!); Naters (Sorry, no Paris this chapter, Love, but I'm sure you'll survive, I know you will. TTYS babe!); Sus (back off HO, he's MINE!!!), Melissa, Priya, Iris, the whole gang...I LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!! Stay out of trouble now, 'cuz I know that I won't.
Alright, read on.
* * * * * *
PART VI: Pass The Flavorless Pork
Driving to school the next morning, Rory reasoned with herself yet again as she often did in quiet moments. It was just a little lie -- maybe in some alternate universe she was actually considering getting back with Dean, but Rory knew not to set herself up again for rejection. As much as she wanted to believe Dean was the one for her, it just wasn't going to happen. Perhaps the feelings were still there, perhaps she could learn to love Dean and all the problems they would ever have would be worked out because she almost loved him ... okay, wait, that just sounded too stupid for words.
In all honesty, what kind of relationship is built on the foundation of potential love? .... Give up? .... THE KIND THAT IS DOOMED TO FAIL!!!! Yeah, I know, that was a hard one, gets 'em every time. The point is that she only told Tristan that she was getting back with Dean to stir things up. As far as she was concerned, two can play at the game he was playing, cliché or not. Besides, it was fun toying with a guy who thought with his crotch instead of his brain .... although, Rory was not entirely convinced that Tristan was as bigoted as he portrayed himself to be. In brief spurts, he let his true personality show, and she was almost positive that he was quite vulnerable. She should really concentrate on the road though-- it was, after all, 7:45 in the morning, and she'd only had three cups of coffee.
After praising herself on her brilliant parking job, she waltzed into a new day with a hidden agenda -- conceivably even hidden from her.
* * * * * *
What was he doing in the library? It wasn't exactly the "coolest" place to hang out, and yet Tristan had found himself in the library quite often over the past few days as a pathetic attempt at maybe catching a glimpse of Rory, or maybe even a casual sparring of words. Hey, with his luck lately, he might even get a kiss -- or two -- or five. Speaking of which, he had no idea what he had gotten himself into when he'd assumed the position of Rory's follower. How could he have known she would have been so bold as to try and counter his every move? He was beginning to understand that her cunning must have been a ripe old piece of fruit straight from the Gilmore family tree, and he resolved to get a closer look at her life outside of Chilton, to see what made Rory the type of person that he found completely intoxicating.
It was then that the subject of his current fantasies stepped into view and made her way to the table he was sitting at. She seemed to be quite overjoyed about something, and he suspected he wasn't going to like it.
Glancing up, he saw her rocking back and forth on her heels with a Cheshire cat grin on her face. He quirked an eyebrow curiously then went back to his reading.
*Ah, so he wants to play hard to get does he?* Rory mused.
Still grinning, she slithered her way to the chair in front of his and sat down grandiosely so as to derive as much attention to herself as possible.
Tristan looked up again when she began drumming her fingers against the table and staring at him unwaveringly with the same disgustingly-saccharine smile on her lovely face.
" Hello," she greeted in all pleasantness, drawing out the 'o' for affect.
" Hi," he returned, unsure of what was happening.
After a brief pause, he noticed she wasn't making her purpose known, so he asked the question.
" Why are you smiling like that?"
" Like what, this is a perfectly normal smile."
" Yeah, but -- okay, no...it's not leaving."
" Why should it? Life is good."
*I feel a big 'huh?' coming on* he cogitated inwardly.
" Right," he said, unconvinced, and dropped his gaze down to his book once more.
At this time, Rory decided being obnoxious was the only way to crack this nut. So, her drumming became incessant, and she began to whistle and tap her feet on the floor to a certain happy, up-beat and highly-annoying rhythm.
Immediately, he slammed the textbook shut and dropped it on the table.
" Okay Rory, please! First of all, are you feeling okay? Second, what in God's name are you doing?"
" Why Mr. DuGrey -- whatever do you mean? Such an outburst in a school library, you should be ashamed."
This made him chuckle, because now she was just being absurd.
" This is fun ... really, but I would like to know what's going on, seeing as how lately I don't seem to have a clue."
" You're acting like I have some grand scheme against you prefabricated in my head."
" It wouldn't be the first time."
" Now then ..."
" Rory, I find it hard to believe you entered this facility for the sole purpose of talking to me, so why don't you tell me exactly why you're here," he somewhat demanded.
" Just making pleasant conversation."
" Yeah, well, why don't you go make 'pleasant conversation' with your boyfriend..."
Though he had muttered that last comment to himself, she'd heard it, and now it was all beginning to make sense -- why he was on edge and desperately trying to ignore her -- he was jealous. An even-more-satisfied and Grinch-like grin came to her face at her new discovery.
" My boyfriend? What boyfriend," she questioned innocently.
" That's cute, Rory."
" What?! I don't have a boyfriend."
Tristan glanced up from his current activity of picking at the table to look her straight in the eye.
" Okay, now you're just lying to me, so..."
" Why would I lie? I said I don't have a boyfriend, and I don't," Rory insisted.
Now he was just plain bemused.
" But you said..."
She rose from her seat abruptly, cutting him off.
" Tristan, really -- you need to stop having these mental conversations with me in your head, it makes you look like a crazy person, and honestly, who wants to look like a crazy person, right?"
His face cringed ... *Well, you obviously* he answered.
" W--sorry?"
" It's okay, I forgive you -- what are you doing tonight?"
" Uh ... I dunno ...."
" Come over for dinner."
" What?"
" To my grandparents' house, you remember my grandparents don't you?"
" Rory, what is wrong with you -- really?"
She laughed a sickening, psychotic laugh and flipped her hair over her shoulder with her fingertips. Tristan cringed yet again, which yielded a genuine, mocking laugh from Rory.
" Tristan, why does something have to be wrong with me?" she asked between chuckles.
He joined in the revelry, adding a couple guffaws of his own and shaking his head.
" Okay, okay I get it -- you're making fun of me," he deducted, leaning back in his chair with his confident smirk.
" Yes well, I do what I can, the opportunities are few and far between -- and it is kinda fun so, why stop?"
" I couldn't agree more."
They then shared a comical moment.
" But seriously, I don't have a boyfriend, and I want you to come for dinner at my grandparents' house tonight."
" You know, Rory, you're quite a conundrum, it's astonishing really, the things that pop out of your mouth..."
" I couldn't be more humorless, Tristan, I assure you. Besides, you shouldn't use words you can't spell, you know what I told you about that."
Since Rory's eyes were no longer radiating with crazed lunacy, he was inclined to actually believe her. But he had to ask the question.
" Why?"
" Why?! It's not every day a girl gets to show off her very own personal stalker for her family -- besides they'll love you."
" Yeah, how drunk is your grandfather gonna have to be this time, really?"
" Pretty drunk, but I'm rootin' for ya. And my mom's curious."
" You've talked to your mom about me?"
Oops. Slipped.
" No," she recovered lamely, trying to furrow her brow and make it look like she was appalled.
" Yes you have, you've been talking to your mom about me!"
Rory then slapped her poorly-furrowed forehead and regretted her stupidity.
" I knew you couldn't resist, Gilmore -- it was just a matter of time before you gave in to your more ... carnal instincts."
" I'm a vegetarian."
" Oh if only."
" *Uh*, someone must have hit you with some pretty serious False Assurance at the mall, you should demand a refund."
" And they told me it was the best male fragrance around -- bastards ...."
" Hm, not everyone's a smart shopper -- so are you coming or not?"
" Well that depends? How long can you go before you feel the need to talk about me again?"
She rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.
" Invitation withdrawn, I can see you and your ego have an entire evening planned already."
Of course she didn't get very far before she felt Tristan's hands on her shoulders, almost themselves begging her to stop.
" Rory Rory Rory, wait -- a gosh-darn second, you teased me so I get to tease you, it's only fair, there's a rule book or something, you know that."
Her face entailed she wasn't going to put up with his taunting for very much longer.
" I would love to have dinner with your family."
Seeing her countenance relax, he began to feel her forehead as if to check for a temperature.
" You're freakin' me out, Mary, I think you should go back on your medication, stat."
Little did he know that his touch was doing nothing for the cure of her supposed fever. Wit was needed to help her recover, and fast.
" Yes well, you know how that blasted pharmacy can be about giving out illegal narcotics -- damn Congress and their laws...."
Tristan chuckled and followed Rory out of the library.
* * * * * *
" So this is your house?"
Rory eyed Tristan's 'Master-of-the-obvious' statement and moved on.
" Yep."
Brief gaping silence ensues...
" What was that," he asked.
" What was what?"
" That weird, awkward silence thing, where did it come from?"
" I dunno, you started it."
" No I didn't."
" I don't think it was weird -- it's perfectly normal for there to be 'lapses' in conversation, it makes things more interesting," she reasoned, though once she turned things over in her head, she wasn't so sure it made sense.
The look on Tristan's face confirmed it..
" I see ... so not talking makes a conversation more -- interesting?"
" Couldn't have said it better myself," she agreed, slapping her knee for emphasis.
He grinned -- a surprisingly-sexy grin that she hadn't seen all day, and it made her uneasy -- in the most delicious way possible. Rory's uneasiness multiplied when he found cause to look at her with one of his smoldering gazes that made her knees go weak (thank the Lord she was sitting), and then he had the audacity to lick his lips and grin some more, this was intolerable.
From his stand point, her bottom lip being drawn inside her mouth between her teeth made it very evident that he was going to do something to her if she didn't stop. A man's resolve is only so strong, and Tristan's resolve was 10 times that flimsy, so he didn't really have a choice. But -- he figured he'd ask.
" So what happens now?"
" Well...I go inside, and you go home, and then you come back again in a few hours to meet my loving family and eat food."
" That's it?"
" Hold back on the gratitude, please, it's too much."
Enter Tristan's sexy chuckle.
" I just meant is that all that's happening right now."
" I don't have to guess that you had other things in mind."
" What, don't I get -- something for taking you home?"
" Something?"
" Yeah."
" Well sure, if you want us to have a horribly-misguided master/dog relationship where I give the commands and you obey without question, and then, when I'm satisfied, you get some sort of condolence."
Tristan raised his eyebrows, and Rory could've sworn he got more attractive.
" That sounded nebulously dissident, Ror -- there something about you I should know?"
" What's with the big words Tristan? You're gonna hurt yourself. And yes -- there is something you should now ... I work the street corners of Hartford on the weekends with FiFi and Lola and Bambi, and the men just come calling -- my pimp, Angus, very possessive, but sweet in a burly drunk sort of way ... good money."
" Conundrum."
" Oh the makers of the SAT's would be so proud."
" I'm gonna kiss you now."
Rory choked on her laugh, but disguised it as a clearing of her throat and swallowed. Then her eyes got rounder...
" Okay."
He started leaning even before she was able to process what was going on, so by now, he was inches from her face. Seeing as how the armrest wasn't making his position any more comfortable, Rory decided to oblige and move closer, accidentally brushing his lips with hers. She immediately drew her bottom lip back into captivity at the shock she felt from the featherlike touch. Tristan leaned closer still, flicking his tongue along her mouth and seemingly begging for the lower region's release; it was never really released though, since he immediately dragged it between his own teeth ever so lightly.
Her whimper, intended to be sexy, came out as a quiet but hoarse and raspy squeak, since her throat had gone dry seconds ago. Tristan loved how it became muffled when his tongue passionately filled her mouth, and loved it even more when she reciprocated, snaking her hand around his neck and clinging to his hair. This gave him proxy to slide his free arm around her waist as resourcefully as possible, then move his hand down over her skirt and inside the welcoming little slit that her current posture provided.
Even as his lips traced down her jaw line and into the crook of her neck and his fingertips caressed the soft flesh of her inner thigh, she didn't slap him or knee him where it counts (though that would've proven difficult). He could almost call her -- asking to go further. He felt her hips jolt slightly when his digits grazed that certain part of her panties, sending a very visible chill through her body; he pressed harder just to see her do it again, and this time she hummed in response. He dared to do it a third time, her forehead, furrowed with intensity, leaning against his...
Rory was on fire, it was as simple as that. Every spot that his mouth left behind became a scorching inferno, and she feared him being a human incinerator was more hazardous than she'd guessed. It soon became apparent that she wasn't giving him license to stop either -- she hadn't said a damn word, just moaned like an invalid and drew closer, to get as much of him and what he was administering as possible. But she couldn't help but wonder if this was all wrong.
And then it stopped .....
To say she yelped would be an understatement, and she opened her eyes to see what had went awry.
" Rory -- Rory we can't do this."
Silence. Rory gave a blue doe-eyed look, chewing on her top and bottom lips alternately, further displaying her innocence. He couldn't help but smile.
" I mean, not here, like this. This -- is...desperate, and one-night- stand-ish, and uncomfortable, and you are so much better than that."
As upset as she was for the pleasantries to be ending, she had to admit she definitely wasn't about losing it in the back seat of someone's car RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE. Hell, she couldn't believe she had considered -- oh gosh, his eyes are so beautiful, and his blessed hand is touching my face -- was considering losing her virginity to Tristan DuGrey. There needed to be some serious thought on this matter. Now it was just registering that he had said one of the sweetest things to her she had ever heard in her life. He did care about her. Smile and look shy, Gilmore.
Tristan reasoned one more kiss couldn't harm the situation, and so he acted. Rory responded. The kiss ended, and he mustered all the strength within him to draw back, not too much though, still leaning on the armrest and somewhat invading personal space.
" What time should I be here?"
Staring, staring, staring -- OH! He's asking a question.
" Tonight?"
" Yes tonight."
Stop grinning like that, Tristan, just stop it right now.
" Seven."
" Okay."
" 'Cuz we have to be there by eight."
" Okay."
" Okay."
Pause.
" I mean, it only takes a half-hour to get there, but she's very particular about timeliness, and we really shouldn't be late, so that's why I said be there an hour early -- I mean, here, an hour early. Yeah. Seven."
" Okay," he said, grinning wider.
" So I'll see you then?"
" Yeah."
" Good."
" Good."
" Okay ... bye Tristan."
" Bye Rory."
With that, she grabbed her stuff, gave one last look his way, and opened the car door to step out. She didn't anticipate, however, toppling to the ground because her knees gave out.
OOF!
Guess she hadn't recovered after all.
Tristan winced at the loud sound her falling body made and tried not to laugh. So he figured he'd help her up.
" Geez Ror, are you okay?"
His attempts to not laugh were failing. In a tangle of legs, arms, a blazer and a backpack, Tristan managed to find her angelic face, looking quite flustered and embarrassed. Hurriedly, she sought out his hand and was promptly pulled from her piteous and awkward -- um -- arrangement.
" *Woo* H-ha, a little tipsy...thanks."
One glance up from her shameful downcast stare and she was puddy again.
" Don't look at me like that," she ordered, fixing her skirt and gathering her belongings.
Tristan began helping her so he could be distracted from the image of her toppling out of his car and he would, therefore, not laugh so hard.
" Like what?"
" Like I just made a complete idiot out of myself."
" You had a clumsy moment -- we all have our clumsy moments, no harm done."
" Yeah except to my ass," she mumbled, rubbing said body part.
" Excuse me, did Ms. Gilmore just use a word of profanity," he clarified, wearing that grin.
" She did, and now she's leaving," she snipped, attempted to truck- off without letting him respond.
" Wait, wait a second -- you left this."
He handed her the object in question, which happened to be her jacket, then he shoved his hands in his pockets and waited.
" Thanks."
" You're welcome."
Then, in a surge of throwing-caution-to-the-wind, she grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him -- she kissed him good. But there was no long period of time to reciprocate really, because again she was off. Tristan figured he'd better be satisfied and headed back to his car.
After the kiss and her ever-so-graceful stepping out of Tristan's silver Lexus SC430, Rory managed to trudge up the walkway and up the stairs of her porch, and into her house, which awaited her with the smell of fresh- brewing coffee.... wait... fresh-brewing coffee?! But she turned off Mr. Coffee this morning, or at least she thought she did, had she overlooked it for the first time in her life, was her house in the process of burning down, what was she gonna do, should she call the police, w--
All her frantic mind-talking and panicking came to a screeching halt when she saw her mom, sitting at the kitchen table, with a large mug of steaming hot coffee in her hand, looking as idle as someone who just robbed a bank.
" Hi mom," Rory greeted cautiously, putting her keys down and stepping more into the space.
Lorelai pasted on a less-than-not-guilty smile on her face.
" Daughter -- how was your day?"
" Oh God, what did I do, you called me daughter."
" *Uh* That's preposterous! Don't be ridiculous, dear, you haven't done anything, why would you think that? Who was that boy, and why was he here, and what was he doing kissing you? Hahaha..."
" I knew you had a motive," Rory accused, settling in and pouring herself a cup of coffee.
" Oh come on, you knew I was gonna ask, why would you act like you had some to hide, eh? Now come one, who is he?"
" *Sigh* Tristan..."
" Tristan? Stalker Tristan!!! Mr. 'I will kiss you and not let you wallow' Tristan. Ah yes, it's all coming back to me now, I remember, and good Lord is he hot! You never told me he was hot!"
" I told you he was boy band material," she claimed.
" Yes, well, Chris Kirkpatrick is also considered such, and he --is, um...so Tristan's hot, huh?"
Rory laughed a little and nursed her coffee mug.
" I have no idea what's wrong with me."
" Why is something wrong with you? So you kissed him, that doesn't make you his love slave, although that does sound promising."
" But it does, and that's why I kissed him -- kiss him."
" Because you're his love slave," Lorelai inquired, quirking an eyebrow and putting on her demon face.
" Yes! ..... no, NO! I'm not his love slave, I'm his -- occasional make-out partner."
" Ah, life is nothing without one of those, you know your father was mine, and let me tell you, he w...."
" Gross. Okay, gross Mom. Plethora of bad mental images --"
" Sorry. So do you like him?"
" I don't know -- I like certain things about him."
" For instance...."
" His lips -- and his eyes -- and his smile -- and his laugh -- and his body, oh my God his body, and his hair, and his walk, and his -- Adam's apple!"
Immediately she buried her face in her hands to hide her shame.
" Man oh man, do you have it bad," Lorelai diagnosed, wide-eyed.
" I know," came Rory's muffled response.
" W-well, sweetie, if you don't like what he's doing to you, maybe -- maybe I can meet with him, and y'know, skin him alive or roast him slowly over an open fire."
" But I do like it! That's the thing. Oh, and you're gonna meet him tonight at dinner....tonight at dinner! Oh crap, oh geez, I have to take a shower, I have get dressed, we're going to be late, we can't be late, Grandma hates it when we're late, Mom why aren't you getting ready?!!"
" Rory, darling, it's barely five."
Rory paused from her rant and tried to level herself.
" Oh."
" Yes, oh."
As Rory slumped back in the chair, her brown hair in a static-y mess, Lorelai observed her and was prepared to offer her wise counsel for the day.
" My dear, sweet, precious offspring, I think you need to have some cool-out time, y'know? Take a nap, relax, read a book, get your mind off of highly-attractive Prep school boys who want to make-out with you -- you're burnt, hon."
" I am, aren't I," she asked absent-mindedly, a glazed look in her eye.
" Yes you are, go lay down."
Rory began to obey, getting up and shuffling toward her room.
" He really is coming to dinner Mom, I invited him," she said over her shoulder as Lorelai ushered her into bed.
" Oh I believe you, honey, I do -- in ya' go."
* * * * * *
Rory evaluated herself in front of the mirror -- her hair was down and slightly curled on the ends, accentuating her layers; her make-up was smoky, a touch of mascara and eye shadow bordering her crystal-blue eyes, a little blush, and Hint-of-Crimson lip gloss. She was wearing a deep-red, somewhat-lacy, cap-sleeve blouse with a low boat-neck line, fitting in all the right places, complimented by a black, layered knee-length skirt (the kind that twirls with you when you spin in circles) and strappy heels. Now just some black, dangly earrings and a necklace to match... Maybe she was overdressed -- no, no she wasn't overdressed, she was underdressed, she needed to change immediately! Okay, no, this is the 20th outfit she'd tried on, and she'd be damned if she was going to try on anything else. She was fine. Time to bug Lorelai.
" Mom, come on, let's go!"
" Relax I'm almost ready," Lorelai called from upstairs, then shortly after, came tromping down at her daughter's request.
" Mom, we're gonna be late!!!"
" No we're not."
" Well it's Friday night, and traffic's always bad on Friday night," Rory reminded.
" Since when?"
" Since the beginning of time."
" Or since the beginning of your Tristan obsession, 'Swimfan'," Lorelai teased.
" Better movie analogy, please."
" You look hot."
" What?"
" Why do you look hot?"
" I don't look hot, Mom."
" Honey, you're gorgeous, and you get it from me, and I know when I look hot, so you definitely look hot."
" Can we move in the general direction of the door, please?"
" I don't know why you're so eager to leave, he isn't even here yet."
Lorelai spoke too soon, as the doorbell rang. Rory froze on the spot, then quick as lightning went through a hasty primping ritual that couldn't have been healthy and lunged for the door, only to be stopped by her parental unit and cast aside.
" Not so fast, Missy, it's my turn with him."
Haughtily throwing a teasing glare at Rory, she opened the front door and halted.
It was Tristan alright, in all his GQ Model glory -- his black blazer, slacks, and shoes were illuminated by the light blue button-up dress shirt underneath. Momma taught this boy how to wear some clothes.
" Hello there," Lorelai greeted, smiling lazily.
Tristan stared back at the dark-haired beauty before him -- Rory's mother, no doubt, and it was clear where her stunning good looks came from. *Charm don't fail me now.*
" Hi -- I'm Tristan - DuGrey, you must be Ms. Gilmore," he extended his hand.
" Ahaha, call me Ms. Gilmore and I'll shoot you and make it look like an accident, hahaha...."
Tristan's smile faltered briefly as he continued to shake her hand. Around the corner, Rory smacked her forehead at her mother's antics and cursed under her breath.
" Kidding...call me Lorelai."
" Lorelai it is."
It was then that Rory composed herself and appeared onto the scene, stepping up beside Lorelai (or Miss Pedophile 2003 as she was calling her at the moment). Tristan's smile left and his expression grew awe-filled. His staring was shameless, and as many time as he gave her the once-over, he couldn't stop looking at her eyes. His heart ached and it almost hurt to look at her, but he couldn't tear his gaze away. Lorelai, being the adroit woman she was, decided to leave the scene.
" Well, kids, I'll be in the car."
She grabbed the keys at that time and exited the premises, but not before throwing Rory a naughty eyebrow face and winking. Rory rolled her eyes and laughed to herself.
" Hi."
Tristan cracked a grin at her salutation, shoving his hands in his pockets out of habit.
" Hey."
Staring and silence, staring and silence, staring and silence...
" You look -- amazing," he said finally.
She ducked her head diffidently and smiled.
" Thanks....so do you."
Grin growing wider, resolve growing thinner.
" I mean, you look -- you're -- good, you look good," she stumbled over her words, then shook her head at herself and got her purse of the table by the door.
When she went back to her original spot, Tristan had already cradled her face with his hands and begun kissing her. It started off slow, stayed slow, and ended slow, a gradual tangle of lips and tongue -- and Hint-of- Crimson gloss, as Rory noticed when they drew back enough from each other.
" Sorry," he apologized, though he didn't know why.
" Yeah well, next time I'll have to use my pepper spray."
They both laughed, though Rory more than Tristan, for obvious reasons.
" My mom's waiting," she reminded.
" Yeah -- yeah, we should go."
Rory started laughing again before she could even open the door.
" What," he asked, smiling.
" N-nothing, it's just your *laughing* -- you've got -- lip gloss on your *laughing*...."
Tristan nodded and took the hint, missing the spot completely.
" Here...let me -- get it..."
Rory held one side of his face so he wouldn't move, and wiped off his mouth with the thumb from her other hand. All Tristan could do was stare. There was going to be lots of staring.
* * * * * *
" Tristan, how's your grandfather, is he in good health?"
Tristan looked away from Rory and tried to make it look like he was looking up from his plate at Emily's inquiry.
" He's great actually, he's - uh - taking a break from the firm and vacationing in the Mediterranean with my grandmother."
" And your parents are well?"
" Oh, they're -- they're something," he answered with a hint of disdain.
" Ah the firm -- it's been ages since I last talked with old Janlen, I can't believe he's not dead yet," Richard said fondly.
" Oh he's too stubborn to die," Tristan informed, wrenching a hearty laugh in return.
Lorelai rolled her eyes at Rory -- Emily had been interrogating Tristan about everything under the sun for the past fifteen minutes, she was astonished the poor boy had lasted this long. But then she figured he was used to imposing gossips by now and he had trained responses to questions (somewhat similar to Jehovah's Witnesses) like a good rich kid would.
" Hey Mom, let's talk about something else," Lorelai cut in.
" What do you mean, Lorelai?"
" I mean, let's talk about something else."
" Well, Lorelai, what would you like to talk about?"
" I dunno -- sports, the weather, latest news from Washington, plastic surgery horror stories, anything."
" This pork is fresh from overseas, but I think it's too tough, maybe it was cooked for too long, it tastes over-cooked, what do you think of the pork, Rory," Emily solicited, ignoring Lorelai's suggestions.
" It's good," she managed, caught in Tristan Land.
" I'm not sure, Richard?"
" It's fine."
" I'm not sure."
" It's really good, Mom."
" Yes, well, I'm not sure."
" Pork is bred leaner these days. It has a different taste. Less fat equals less flavor. Yet another example of the great advances man has made -- flavorless pork. Hurrah for the opposable thumbs."
"What do you think about the pork, Tristan?"
Rory noticed how her voice suddenly got sweeter when referring to him, and she hid a smile behind her current bite of undecided pork.
" It's delectable, Mrs. Gilmore."
Lorelai mouthed Tristan's response across the table to her daughter and sent a side-long glance next to her in Tristan's direction, trying to get a rise.
" Oh, well -- if you say so."
The entire table, save Tristan, looked at Emily at her strange behavior.
" What? I'm glad my guest is enjoying his food, is that so wrong? Can't my guest enjoy his food?"
" Of course he can, dear," Richard pacified.
" Actually, Mom, he's RORY'S guest, RORY invited him -- remember RORY?"
" All the same, Lorelai, this is my home..."
" Our home..." interjected Richard.
" And if he is in this house, then he is considered a guest of this house, and he is therefore, my guest."
" Mother, I find it hard to believe you're being this possessive over someone you just met," Lorelai retorted.
" Who's being possessive? If I were being possessive, which I am not, I would be possessive over the fact that I want people to like coming into my home..."
" Our home, Emily..."
" Yes Richard, and I want them to enjoy our company, and enjoy our conversation, and enjoy our food, is that so wrong, Lorelai, to want guests to enjoy things?"
" Of course not, Mom, what was I thinking?"
" Well you were thinking that you could try and single-handedly sabotage my lovely plans for this evening by starting some juvenile grade- school argument about a guest of mine enjoying his food!"
" Mom, *really*, I'm sorry I brought it up, can we please drop it," Lorelai begged, already weary from barely a minute of fighting.
" No we cannot 'drop it', Lorelai; once the conversation turns to addressing one of your faults, you want to change the subject and talk about something else -- do you enjoy running from things? Does that give you some sort of pleasure?"
Lorelai shut her eyes, hoping it was all a dream.
" How are we even talking about this right now," she asked, not expecting a reply.
" You wanted to change the topic of discussion, so let's change it -- let's talk about why Lorelai cowers from confrontation and intentionally overlooks her faults just to spite others, namely her family members, and makes them feel bad for perfectly legitimate aspirations, why don't we talk about that Lorelai?!"
" Rory, why don't you give Tristan a tour of the grounds," Richard interpolated, even as he was unheard by other constituents of the table.
Rory stopped rubbing her temples and rolling her eyes and gladly accepted an escape from her current situation. Tristan, who had been looking on in awe, followed in bewilderment. Safely around the corner, she let out a sigh of relief.
" God Tristan -- I am *so* sorry you had to be here for this, with the stupid arguing and the...they're normally really good -- really."
Tristan gave her a gracious, understanding smile.
" It's okay, *really* -- my life is full of dinner fiascos and public grapples and unveilings of humiliating and sordid pasts in all varieties -- you do *not* need to apologize to me."
" Oh I forgot, Tristan DuGrey is the Playboy Extraordinaire of the Year, how could I have been so foolish," Rory teased.
He chuckled, knowing she meant it in jest.
" It's a trying profession but hey -- the little people need me, right?"
" What would they do without you," she mock-swooned, clinging to his arm to cop-a-feel of his biceps. He had, after all, shed his jacket earlier before dinner and had taken the liberty to unbutton another button and roll up his sleeves. Thank God he wasn't wearing an undershirt.
" Perish and fade to nothing, of course."
She then let her hand trail down his arm and hooked her fingers between his. He looked down then back up at her. She was grinning, so it couldn't have been an accident.
" Come on, I have to give you the tour," she prodded, dragging him along.
" Y'know, Gilmore, skip the bedrooms -- really, I know you want to get me all alone, tear my clothes off and do ungodly things to me, but you're just going to have to wait a *little* longer.."
Her eyes rolled his way, and her face feigned disinterest.
" Make the torture stop, I can't take it," Rory replied blandly, hearing his chuckle in return. All the while, she was looking up and down the halls for an appropriate place to show him and have him bedazzled.
" Hey....."
His tugging on her hand made her stop in the hasty pursuit. Turning to see what he wanted, she found out in an expedient manner -- everyone? (Fake chorus of voices in my head) HE WANTED TO KISS HER!!!! -- That's right boys and girls. And he did.
She somewhat predicted his action and was one step ahead of him, running her free hand over his chest and curling it around the back of his neck (her favorite spot, she was discovering). His hand brought hers around the other side of his neck then detached from it so his could splay her lower back. Nipping, tonguing, enveloping, more tonguing, and a little more nipping --
Seeing as how they were moving backward, Rory blindly fumbled for the doorknob behind her while trying to get more of Tristan's kisses, all thoughts of flavorless pork far from both their minds.
* * * * * *
Oh Lordy -- that was the longest chapter I think I've ever done. Hope you all appreciate my blood, sweat and tears, not to mention the hours, the COUNTLESS hours that I've put into this, I've slaved away over a hot stove cooking all your meals, and doing all your dishes -- for God's sakes I even do your laundry!!!!
I mean.....
R&R? Heh, yeah......
THANKS TO THE REVIEWERS:
samantha, Roxy, girl devil, coincidence casualty, piper-h-99, Amber, LizDarcy, Trory4ever, LittleAngelInLove, Nikki, Leah, Julianne, LandonLover, BTVSGoddess, Mandie, Chelle, Jayta, Alece, rach, eli, Little Miss Lena, Surya (kiss kiss u slut -- luv ya!), paige, Iannah, Emily, csk8- 20, and trulyrockbands
You guys are great!!! And I'm TIRED OF TYPING!!!
(Sickening laugh follows....)
Okay bye guys, R&R, and I love all the Harem Residents immeasurably, hehe *wink wink*