Chapter 5

A/N: Thank you everyone for you're lovely reviews! Here's chapter five, enjoy!

"Oooooh this is going to be so fun! I'm so glad Tristan invited us!" Lane cried happily, as the three girls got out of their car.

"Me too," Paris agreed, "So, Rory, is Tristan still the same as he was at Chilton."

"Do you mean does he still have a massive ego the size of Texas?" Rory asked.

"So, the same then?"

"Not quite," Rory said, "He's still very cocky, but he has changed. He's more bearable now."

Paris nodded and then asked with a playful grin, "Does he still call you Mary?"

Rory groaned and gave her a shove.




"Arg!" Paris screamed, "Why is this taking so long?"

"Well," Lane began, "Take notice that most of this crowd is female, and Tristan's band just happens to be playing tonight. Coincidence? I think not, right Rory?"

Paris eyed Rory suspiciously.

"Rory thinks Tristan's hot," Lane said, filling in the blanks.

"I do not!" Rory said, "I said he was not bad - and that's because you practically forced it out of me!"

"I.D.?" the security guard in front of the club said.

The girls dug in their purse, and Paris and Lane pulled theirs out and flashed them to the security guard. Rory, on the other hand, wasn't as lucky. She dug through her purse, but it didn't give any results.

"It was right in here…" She muttered.

"I'm sorry. No I.D., no entrance," he said sternly.

"But I'm with my friends! I'm a junior in college, well over 18!"

"You could fool me," He replied.

Rory grumbled and continued to look.

"Hey, Sam," A male voice said, "It's cool, she's with me."

Rory looked up at Tristan with grateful eyes.

"And she's 18?" he asked skeptically.

"20," Rory said defensively.

With a sigh of defeat, he waved them all in. Upon entering, Rory noticed how crowded the club was. It wasn't the usual club scene, but a full out concert. There was a mass of bodies up close to the stage that were packed tightly together. The club was noisy; the music and the crowd's cheering.

"Sorry for all the hassle, Mary," Tristan said, leading them through a maze of dancing people to the bar.

"Do I really look like that young?" Rory asked as they all sat down. She looked around at her friends, and they all gave her knowing looks. "Shut up."

Tristan laughed and turned his attention to Paris, "Well, well, well. If it isn't Paris Geller."

"Tristan DuGrey. Nice to see you again," she said, smiling.

"Indeed it is. You look great."

"Thanks," Paris said, blushing.

"And Lane," Tristan turned to the Korean women, kissing her on the cheek, "Looking beautiful, as always."

"You've only seen her once," Rory pointed out.

"Why Mary," Tristan gasped, "Is it possible you're jealous?"

"Hardly."

"Because, you are looking just ravishing tonight, if I don't say so myself," he said, taking in her full appearance of low rise jeans and a baby blue tank top that enhanced the color of her eyes. Her hair was slightly wavier than usual, but still looked great, nonetheless.

Rory blushed and Tristan smirked.

"So, Tristan, when are you up?" Rory asked, taking the attention away from herself.

"There's one more band after this one, and then it's our turn," Tristan answered.

"Wow, this band is awesome!" Lane exclaimed, "Let's go up closer!"

She grabbed a protesting Paris by the hand and dragged her closer to stage, leaving Rory and Tristan by the bar.

"Wanna follow them?"

Rory looked over at the crowd. Body surfing and moshing, no thanks.

"As temping as it sounds, I think I'll pass," she said.

"I know how it is, you want some alone time with yours truly," Tristan teased, nudging his bare arm against hers.

"Of course, Tristan. I wanted to be alone so I could have my way with you," Rory said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"I always knew you would cave," Tristan said, winking, "So, while we're here, want anything to drink?"

Rory debated for a while; she wasn't much of a drinker. She had been drunk once in her life and didn't care to repeat it. After giving it another thought, she said, "Sure."

Tristan gave her a look. He was only teasing when he asked her. To him, it didn't seem like Rory was the drinking type. But then again, he hadn't seen her for years. "Well, Mary, you're just in luck," Tristan said, "I just turned 21 last month, so I am legal to buy drinks."

"Well, happy belated birthday, then," Rory said.

"How about a birthday kiss?"

"How about not," Rory retorted.

"Please," Tristan pouted, sticking out his lower lip and moving closer.

Rory was about to tell him off, but was interrupted when someone crashed into her, causing her to fall into Tristan's arms. They were sharing a stool; Rory all wrapped up in Tristan's strong arms, her head still buried in his warm chest.

Rory looked up at Tristan, still in his arms. She never realized just how blue Tristan's eyes were. Azure. His eyes went from concern to playful and mischievous. Then, he opened his mouth, "Mary, I only asked for a kiss, not for you to jump me! Not that I mind, though."

Rory felt her cheeks grow a bright shade of red. One, because this happened in the first place, and two, because she was still in Tristan's arms. She huffed and stood up, trying to gather her composure. "Shut up," she said.

Tristan gave her a smile and asked, "So, what would you like to drink?"

Rory pondered his question for a moment, "Umm I'll just have a beer, thanks."

Tristan told her order to the bartender, and ordered one for himself also.

"Tristan, dude," a voice called, "Where have you been? We made a few last minute adjustments, come backstage, we need to show you."

"Oh, alright," Tristan said, "Chris, I would like you to meet my friend, Rory. Rory, this is Chris, our drum player."

"Oh, so you're Rory. Tristan hasn't been able to stop talking about you," Chris said, shaking her hand.

"Is that so," Rory said with a raised eyebrow, turning to an embarrassed Tristan.

"No," Tristan said quickly.

Chris laughed, "Whatever, dude. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I guess," Tristan said, "Rory, will you be okay?"

Rory looked at Tristan, amused, "Yes, dad. I'll be fine. Go."

"All right. I'll meet you back here after the show, okay?"

"Sure. Have fun, and break a leg. I mean that literally of course," Rory said sweetly.

"Mary, Mary. If I did, could we play doctor afterwards?" Tristan asked innocently.

"Argh!" Rory cried, "Goodbye!"

Chris waved and Tristan winked as they walked away.



Rory smiled to herself as Tristan walked away; he was such a dork. She took a sip of her beer and tapped her finger on the bar. Maybe she should look for Lane and Paris? No, they would be almost impossible to find. Someone sat down next to Rory and ordered a drink. He sounded strangely familiar, so Rory turned around to look at him.

"Jack, hey! What are you doing here?"

Jack looked over at Rory, surprised, "Hey Rory. Wow, wouldn't expect to see you here."

"Neither would I. I'm here to watch a friend play."

"Anyone I know?" Jack asked.

"Yes, actually. Remember Tristan DuGrey… he played at Coffee Corners a few days ago?"

"Yes," Jack said, "This isn't exactly a coffee house, though."

"He's playing here with his band," Rory explained, taking the last sip of her beer.

"Oh, that'll be good then."

"Yep," Rory agreed, then ordered another beer.

"Rory Gilmore, a drunk. Who would have thought?" Jack asked playfully.

Rory gave him a glare, "It's only my second one."

"Are you sure you haven't lost count yet?" Rory elbowed Jack in the side. "Ow," he pouted, "That hurt."

"Good," Rory said. Just then, Lane and Paris walked up.

"Where's Tristan?" Paris asked.

"He and his band had to do some last minute touch ups." Rory said.

Both girls nodded.




The four talked at the bar for about a half an hour, until Carpe Diem came on stage. Tristan announced the group and they started to jam.

"Come on!" Lane yelled over the screaming crowd, "Let's get closer."

They all left their drinks and made their way through the crowd. Lane seemed to get by the jumping bodies effortlessly, but Rory, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. She was bumped and knocked into left and right, and finally, they made it to the front.

Tristan looked like he was having the time of his life. He was the front center, playing electric guitar and singing to "The Boys of Summer", by the Ataris. Lane started dancing around and cheering and Paris, who was on Rory's right, was standing in awe at Tristan. Tristan's band, by far, was the best. The whole crowd was getting really into the music.

"Come on, Rory, dance," Jack said from behind her, as he himself started to move with the music.

Rory looked over at Tristan, and met his eyes. They held a gaze for a few moments and then he smiled and continued playing. Rory began to jump up and down and dance.

She couldn't believe how much fun she was having! The only other concert she went to was the Bangles, and this was completely different.

Tristan was jumping around on stage, gasping for breath while he sung out the words to one of the band's original songs. He looked so carefree and wild. His hair was a messy blonde blob on his head, and he had on baggy jeans, exposing his red boxers, and a gray wife beater over his muscled chest.

The band played a handful of other songs, and Rory was exhausted by the time they were done. She cheered loudly, along with everyone else, as the band walked off stage.

"Wow! They were great," Rory said to her friends as they walked over to the bar.

"Why thank you, Mary," Tristan said, coming from behind and putting his arm around her shoulder.

Rory blushed; she didn't know Tristan had heard her.

"Gross, Tristan," Rory said, "You're all sweaty."

He pulled her closer and nuzzled up to her, "You know you like it."

"You guys were by far the best band up there," Lane said.

"Why thanks, Lane," Tristan said.

Paris looked over at Rory and Tristan. Things sure have changed since high school. Tristan still had his arm around Rory, and she didn't seem to mind at all. As much as she hated to admit it, a part of her still liked Tristan in more than a platonic way.

"Well, as fun as this has been, I think I'm going to take off," Jack said, "Tristan, you gotta come play at Coffee Corners before you get too famous."

"I will, man," Tristan said, chuckling.

"I think we should go, too," Paris said. She didn't know why, but all the sudden, she wasn't having fun anymore.

"Paris," Tristan said, "The night is still young."

"Well, some of us have to study," she retorted, "Right, Rory?"

"Yeah," Rory answered, "She's right. Midterms are coming up."

Tristan pouted and pulled Rory even closer to him. "Don't leave me, Mary," he said dramatically.

Rory laughed, "I think you'll be okay. You made it 4 years without me."

"Fine. Go. Leave me here, all alone."

"Goodbye, Tristan," Rory said.

"Lane, will you stay with me?" Tristan asked, giving her his most charming smile.

"I.. umm.." she stuttered.

"Lane, pick your mouth up from the floor and let's go," Rory said.

Lane looked at Tristan helplessly, "She's mean."

"Yes she is," he answered, which got them both a smack from Rory.

"I'm not mean! It was Paris' idea to go!"

"Which we still haven't done," Paris said impatiently, "Now, let's move it!"

"Bye!" Lane chirped.

"Bye, Tristan. Good job tonight!" Rory called.

"Thanks, Mary. I'll call you later."

He wasn't sure if she heard him; she was already half way across the club, with Paris pulling her farther and farther away from him.

A/N: Well, there ya go!! Please make me happy by dropping a review!! .