Author's Note: This is my first Gilmore Girls fan fic, so please be kind.
Couples: Rory/Tristan a bit of Rory/Dean…
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, they all belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Moonlit Window
Chapter 5: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
After she had changed into a simple long black dress with little flowers on it, Rory walked into the living room while putting on her bracelet. As she stepped into the living room she was surprised to see Tristan, dressed in khakis and a black dress shirt.
"Where'd you get that?" she asked, looking at him strangely.
"I bought it," he said, annoyed.
"You mean you packed that when you were running away?" asked Rory, trying to hide a smile. Tristan turned away from her.
"Shut up! I just wanted to be prepared for any occasion," he said, cockily. Rory was now in a fit of giggles. Tristan shot her a look.
"Well, well, someone was prepared!" cried Lorelai as she walked down the stairs with a smirk on her face. Tristan looked very irritated now.
"Sure cleans up well," whispered Lorelai to Rory, with a wink. Tristan looked exasperated as he walked to the door.
"Could we just go?" he said, rolling his eyes.
"So, what else did you bring in that bag of yours? A tux, just in case we attend a grand ball?" asked Lorelai, teasingly as she and Rory walked to the door.
Tristan just shot them daggers as he walked out of the house and went towards the car.
***
For most of the ride to Hartford Rory and Lorelai had teased Tristan on his attire. Tristan was close to throwing himself out of the car. They were driving him insane. There was something very different about Rory when she was with her mother, perhaps a more confidence and childish behavior. The Rory he saw now was more playful and definitely different from the one who was used to.
When they had arrived in Hartford, Tristan looked out the window and saw all the places that were so familiar to him. He was home, not the home that he was extremely proud of, but it was home. The luscious lawns that lay before him, the lavish houses that were prettily aligned; everything that he had grown accustomed to. He sighed and sat back, memories flooding into his mind.
Finally Lorelai pulled up to a driveway of one of the grand mansions that were habitual in Hartford and they all exited the car and walked up to the steps.
"Ok buster, you better be good or else I'll personally ship you off to boot camp," said Lorelai, warningly. Tristan nodded, uneasy. Rory looked at him and gave a teasing smile.
DING DONG! Swiftly, a maid opened the door.
"Hi, I'm Lorelai, you must be new." Said Lorelai cheerfully; the maid gave a weak smile.
"Sophie! Let them in already," cried Emily annoyed as the maid quickly stepped aside and then scampered to the kitchen.
"Another maid, mom?" asked Lorelai, sarcastically.
"That one is rather difficult," said Emily snootily as the three guests walked passed her and she shut the door.
"What number is she? 258?" joked Lorelai. Emily ignored her.
"Where's grandpa?" asked Rory, standing beside her grandmother.
"Oh, he's in the study. Dinner's not ready yet so let's move on into the parlor." Suggested Emily as they walked to the parlor. Suddenly Emily was aware of the third guest.
"So, who is this?" asked Emily, looking at Tristan, her face now friendly. She looked him up and down and was pleased at his attire and manner.
"Tristan. Tristan Dugrey, m'am." Replied Tristan, putting out his hand. Emily smiled broadly and she took his hand for a friendly handshake.
"Dugrey? Are you from Hartford?" asked Emily, interested in the young boy.
"Yes," he answered politely.
"Well then you must know Helen and Janlen Dugrey," she said, her complete attention on Tristan as they sat down in the parlour.
"Yes, they are my grandparents." He replied, flashing her a charming smile.
Emily looked pleased.
"I have tea with Helen frequently at the country club. I've heard her mention you quite a few times. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tristan," she said warmly.
Rory and Lorelai looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Emily was too impressed by upper class society. If only she knew the real Tristan, thought Rory, dryly.
"So, Rory, Tristan must be a classmate of yours?" asked Emily,
turning to Rory and Lorelai who were sitting on the couch across from them.
"Yes, but he's more of an ex-class…" she began but was
interrupted by Tristan.
"Yes, Rory and I attend Chilton together," said Tristan, smiling at Emily.
He then turned to Rory and gave her a pleading look. He didn't want to have to explain about military school.
"Well, this is a first I've heard about you from Rory. Why haven't I heard about Tristan before?" asked Emily, as a maid came into the parlour and set out some tea and biscuits.
"Umm…" Rory began, looking around nervously. What could she say? Because I really hate Tristan? Because he makes my life a living hell at Chilton? She thought. Luckily Rory didn't have to answer because at that moment Richard walked into the parlour.
"Oh Richard, meet Rory's classmate, Tristan Dugrey," said Emily, excitedly motioning to Tristan who sat beside her. Richard smiled.
"Ah, we've met before, at Rory's birthday party," said Richard, leaning in and shaking Tristan's hand.
"Yes, sir, it's a pleasure to see you again," said Tristan politely. Lorelai stifled a laugh as she watched the three talking so politely. Emily shot her a look and Lorelai calmed down.
"How's Janlen doing?" asked Richard, smiling at Tristan.
"He's fine, sir," replied Tristan.
"Hmm… shall we head into the dinning room?" asked Richard, looking around the room. Everyone nodded and headed for the dinning room. Emily had caught up to Lorelai and whispered into her ear.
"So, Rory's no longer with Dean?" asked Emily. Lorelai looked at her mother.
"Of course Rory's still with Dean, Tristan's just a friend." Replied Lorelai, annoyed.
"Well, he's a fine friend," said Emily, casually. Lorelai stared at her in disbelief.
"Or more like the kind of guy you'd like to see Rory with," said Lorelai, in a mock snooty voice. Emily looked at her appalled.
"I never said that," she said, a slight angry tone.
"You didn't have to," replied Lorelai, brushing passed her.
***
Trailing behind them were Rory and Tristan who were also commenting on the recent conversation.
"What was that?" asked Rory, staring at Tristan.
"What was what?" asked Tristan, playing dumb.
"All of a sudden your Mr. Nice and Polite?" asked Rory.
"I'm just being my usual charming self," replied Tristan, cockily.
"You're such a phony," muttered Rory, looking away from him.
"Well, your grandparents sure don't think anything's wrong with that. They like me," he said, with an amused look.
"Oh brother, this is going to be a long night," said Rory as she walked into the dinning room, Tristan following close behind.
***
"That was certainly as delicious meal," said Tristan, smiling broadly. Emily and Richard exchanged approving looks.
"Why thank you," replied Emily, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"Yeah, mom has a way with the kitchen staff. She hollers and they make the perfect meal," said Lorelai, jokingly. Emily shot her daggers and Lorelai quieted down.
"So, Tristan, what are your plans for the future?" asked Richard as the servants came and removed the plates and were now serving dessert.
"Well, I wasn't sure yet at what I'd like to pursue but perhaps I'd like to follow in my grandfather's footsteps." Replied Tristan, looking at him. Richard smiled.
"Oh, that would be a very good future for you. It's very good that you have some ideas and goals," said Richard, delighted at Tristan's response. Rory watched Tristan, bewildered yet again. He was really laying it on thick with this perfect upperclassmen act. She was getting tired of all this snooty talk. Lorelai noticed the look on Rory's face.
"Gosh, look at the time. Mom, dad it was great to see you but we've got to jet," said Lorelai quickly getting up from her chair. Emily and Richard looked at her startled.
"Already? What are you in such a hurry for?" asked Emily, sternly.
"Traffic. We need to hurry if we want to beat the traffic." Said Lorelai, plainly.
"What traffic? At this hour?" asked Emily, confused.
"Yes," replied Lorelai, feeling weak.
"Umm… grandma, I think what mom means is that it would be best if we left now so that we can take Tristan home," said Rory, offering her mom some help. Lorelai looked at her gratefully.
"Oh, I guess it is getting a bit late," replied Emily as everyone stood up from the table. They all walked to the front door.
"It was wonderful to have met you," said Emily as they opened the front door.
"Yes, same to you. I was pleased to have met you," replied Tristan, smiling.
"Rory, do invite Tristan over more often," said Emily to Rory, as Rory hugged her.
"Umm… sure," said Rory, knowing that she wasn't going to keep that promise.
"Goodbye Tristan," said Richard. Tristan waved.
"Goodnight Lorelai," said Emily as they closed the door.
***
"Well, Tristan, you certainly got them wrapped around your finger tonight," said Lorelai as they drove back to Stars Hollow.
"I told you, it's all in my charm," said Tristan cockily. Rory rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, really, I thought grandpa was going to call you 'grandson'," said Rory, disgusted.
"Hey, they're nice people," said Tristan, looking at her.
"They only like you because you acted exactly the way they wanted you to act," said Rory, inching away from him.
"So, what's wrong with that? I can't help it if they like me," said Tristan, leaning over to put his arm around her. Rory pushed his arm away and moved closer to the car door.
"It just shows how fake you are. They don't know the real you. If they knew you went to military school and that you broke into Bowman's dad's safe, I don't think they'd be so welcoming to you," said Rory, sarcastically.
"It's nice to know what you really think of me," he replied in equal sarcasm.
"You know what? There's no point in talking to you," said Rory, crossing her arms over her chest. Tristan turned away from her and looked out the window and they drove in silence. Lorelai looked into the rear view mirror and looked at the both of them. She sighed, there was enough tension between them to create a 10 metre thick wall.