The following weekend, Rory finally ran into the guy she needed to talk to
about Paris. She was finishing up lunch in the cafeteria and walked over to
where he was sitting.
"Hey! Can I join you for a sec?"
"Rory, nice to see you. Have a seat."
"Thanks. So, I have been wanting to ask you something."
Marty eyed her curiously, "Go ahead."
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to be set up on a blind date."
"A blind date? Aw, geez, those are always so painful."
"I know, but I'm the matchmaker, you trust me, don't you?"
Marty looked at her warily. After a beat, he sighed.
"Well, I sort of have to, don't I? I mean, you were so cool about the finding me naked and loaning me your robe."
"That's right. So you'll go?"
"Yeah, I'll go. What the hell? Just one evening. And who knows right?"
"Right. I'm not trying to set up an arranged marriage here, Marty. I have a friend who needs to get out and have a nice date. You were the first guy that popped into my head that would be a contender for not scaring the hell out of her."
"Um, thanks. I think that was a compliment."
"Trust me, it's high praise. Thanks! I'll work out details and get back to you."
"See you later, Rory."
Rory went out to the courtyard outside the cafeteria and took out her cell phone. She called her favorite restaurant in town, one she thought both Paris and Marty would like and made reservations. Then she went back to the dorm to find Paris.
"Okay, it's all set. You will have a date next Friday night."
"Wait, don't you leave for North Carolina next Friday afternoon?"
"Yep."
"You aren't going to be here?"
"Nope."
"But--,"
"Paris, you don't need me here. You've been on a date before. I'll help you pick something to wear if you like, but just trust me, okay. The guy is a normal guy, you'll have fun."
Paris looked unsure, but then remembered she had consented to do this.
"Yeah, okay."
The next week flew by. Marty had specific instructions on when to pick up Paris and where, exactly how to get to the restaurant, and what movie would be the best to see. It was out of her hands now. Besides, she had enough problems on her own. She had to pack the perfect clothes for a weekend full of the unexpected outings. She had no idea what Tristan had in mind, other than showing her around UNC.
She dialed a familiar set of numbers and waited.
"Sookie?"
"No, Rory."
"Oh, hey, honey. Sorry, I'm just wondering where Sookie is. She was supposed to be here a while ago."
"Nope, it's me and I'm having a packing crisis."
"That's my job. You're good at packing."
"No, I'm good at packing for you. I suck at packing for me. I have no idea what we're going to be doing."
"Well, you obviously need a long flannel night gown. One with a really high neck."
"Funny. Seriously here."
"I was being serious. Oh, and that chastity belt, the one grandma got you. Put that on, well, right now."
"Mom,"
"Don't worry, I'll get it off you when you get home, I have the keys."
"Never mind. I'll just pack couple of thongs and a miniskirt. I'll be good."
"Wait, wait. So, it'll be warmer there than here, so I'd guess a light jacket would be good. Some long sleeved shirts, some jeans, one nice outfit just in case, and you should be golden."
"You make that all sound easy and make sense. At least, when you stop being crazy."
"Yeah, well, I've gone away for the weekend before with guys. Please don't do anything I would do."
"Mom, stop."
"I know. I trust you. I wish I knew more about him than he used to be the playboy of Chilton."
"He's different now, Mom. I've noticed it, and even Paris told me. She's known him since they were little."
"Okay."
"So what are you up to this weekend?"
"Well, there's not much I can do with the Dragonfly until Tom finishes up with what he has left with the construction crew. So Sookie and I were thinking of relaxing. Luke and Jackson decided we're both too stressed out, so we might all go out to dinner somewhere in Hartford."
"Double date?"
"Not a date, just a group outing. Four friends. Someone has to take my mind off of what you'll be doing this weekend."
Rory rolled her eyes, forgetting her mother couldn't see her expressions.
"Although I found out last night that Luke is getting a divorce."
"What?"
"Yeah, evidently Nicole is having an affair."
"Poor Luke!"
"I know, I can't imagine anyone being so bad to him, he's such a great guy."
"Well, I'm sure you could make him feel better," Rory's voice had a lilt to it.
"Rory! We're friends. We're all going out to relax. That's all."
"Okay, okay. Look, I gotta go finish packing and get to the airport."
"How are you getting there?"
"Oh, I found a ride share at the student union."
"Well, have fun. Call me if you need anything."
"You too."
Rory sat on the plane, attempting to read the book she had put in her backpack. She had only brought two carry on items, so she and Tristan wouldn't have any weird standing around time waiting for her bags. This way she just had to find Tristan and get on with enjoying the weekend. She was nervous, her stomach had been fluttering as if filled with butterflies for the last three days in anticipation of seeing Tristan. They had still been emailing, little details about their days, how they were looking forward to seeing each other. But no mention had been made of what exactly was going on with them. Yes, they had kissed, yes, she got the strong impression he liked her like she liked him (why else do you fly someone to see you for a weekend?). But there was no talk. No mutual understanding. Rory wasn't one to do well with things being up in the air. She was hoping after this weekend she'd know what the deal between them was.
At long last, the plane began its final taxi towards the gate. It'd been a short flight, but it seemed to take forever. After the pilot turned off the seatbelt sign, she grabbed her carry ons and stepped off the plane. Tristan had booked her first class, which was a foreign concept to her. She forgot that it was old hat to him and he probably never considered she'd never flown first class before.
She made her way down to baggage claim and saw him standing there by terminal five, where her fellow passengers bags were to start arriving any moment. He was looking around, hands shoved in his pockets. He looked in her direction as she got closer, and a smile covered his face. She reached him and dropped her bags beside her as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He pulled her up off the ground a little and she giggled. When he put her back down, he grabbed the bigger of her two bags and pointed the direction they needed to go.
"We're out this way. So, how was your flight?"
"Oh, fine. Thanks for booking me first class."
"Nothing but the best."
"Well, I've never flown in anything but coach."
"Really?"
"Really. Some of us aren't independently wealthy."
"I just used some frequent flier miles. Don't worry, I didn't break the bank."
"Well, good. So where are we off to?"
"All will be revealed in good time. Just relax and let me play tour guide. I will tell you we're going back to my place first, to drop your stuff off."
"Right, relax. I can do that."
"Trust me."
"I do."
He looked over at her and smiled. It was a smile she'd never seen on his face. He looked a little surprised, but mostly he just looked happier than she'd ever seen him. They had just gotten into the car when she said that, and he leaned over and kissed her cheek. She truly thought she would melt into the interior of his car at the simple gesture. This weekend was going to be one for the books.
AN: No, it wasn't Jess! I have nothing against the Paris/Jess fics out there, but I don't buy it. I think he'd murder her in his sleep, personally. And for my purposes, Rory isn't in contact with Jess, so yeah. Hope you all enjoyed this chap!
"Hey! Can I join you for a sec?"
"Rory, nice to see you. Have a seat."
"Thanks. So, I have been wanting to ask you something."
Marty eyed her curiously, "Go ahead."
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to be set up on a blind date."
"A blind date? Aw, geez, those are always so painful."
"I know, but I'm the matchmaker, you trust me, don't you?"
Marty looked at her warily. After a beat, he sighed.
"Well, I sort of have to, don't I? I mean, you were so cool about the finding me naked and loaning me your robe."
"That's right. So you'll go?"
"Yeah, I'll go. What the hell? Just one evening. And who knows right?"
"Right. I'm not trying to set up an arranged marriage here, Marty. I have a friend who needs to get out and have a nice date. You were the first guy that popped into my head that would be a contender for not scaring the hell out of her."
"Um, thanks. I think that was a compliment."
"Trust me, it's high praise. Thanks! I'll work out details and get back to you."
"See you later, Rory."
Rory went out to the courtyard outside the cafeteria and took out her cell phone. She called her favorite restaurant in town, one she thought both Paris and Marty would like and made reservations. Then she went back to the dorm to find Paris.
"Okay, it's all set. You will have a date next Friday night."
"Wait, don't you leave for North Carolina next Friday afternoon?"
"Yep."
"You aren't going to be here?"
"Nope."
"But--,"
"Paris, you don't need me here. You've been on a date before. I'll help you pick something to wear if you like, but just trust me, okay. The guy is a normal guy, you'll have fun."
Paris looked unsure, but then remembered she had consented to do this.
"Yeah, okay."
The next week flew by. Marty had specific instructions on when to pick up Paris and where, exactly how to get to the restaurant, and what movie would be the best to see. It was out of her hands now. Besides, she had enough problems on her own. She had to pack the perfect clothes for a weekend full of the unexpected outings. She had no idea what Tristan had in mind, other than showing her around UNC.
She dialed a familiar set of numbers and waited.
"Sookie?"
"No, Rory."
"Oh, hey, honey. Sorry, I'm just wondering where Sookie is. She was supposed to be here a while ago."
"Nope, it's me and I'm having a packing crisis."
"That's my job. You're good at packing."
"No, I'm good at packing for you. I suck at packing for me. I have no idea what we're going to be doing."
"Well, you obviously need a long flannel night gown. One with a really high neck."
"Funny. Seriously here."
"I was being serious. Oh, and that chastity belt, the one grandma got you. Put that on, well, right now."
"Mom,"
"Don't worry, I'll get it off you when you get home, I have the keys."
"Never mind. I'll just pack couple of thongs and a miniskirt. I'll be good."
"Wait, wait. So, it'll be warmer there than here, so I'd guess a light jacket would be good. Some long sleeved shirts, some jeans, one nice outfit just in case, and you should be golden."
"You make that all sound easy and make sense. At least, when you stop being crazy."
"Yeah, well, I've gone away for the weekend before with guys. Please don't do anything I would do."
"Mom, stop."
"I know. I trust you. I wish I knew more about him than he used to be the playboy of Chilton."
"He's different now, Mom. I've noticed it, and even Paris told me. She's known him since they were little."
"Okay."
"So what are you up to this weekend?"
"Well, there's not much I can do with the Dragonfly until Tom finishes up with what he has left with the construction crew. So Sookie and I were thinking of relaxing. Luke and Jackson decided we're both too stressed out, so we might all go out to dinner somewhere in Hartford."
"Double date?"
"Not a date, just a group outing. Four friends. Someone has to take my mind off of what you'll be doing this weekend."
Rory rolled her eyes, forgetting her mother couldn't see her expressions.
"Although I found out last night that Luke is getting a divorce."
"What?"
"Yeah, evidently Nicole is having an affair."
"Poor Luke!"
"I know, I can't imagine anyone being so bad to him, he's such a great guy."
"Well, I'm sure you could make him feel better," Rory's voice had a lilt to it.
"Rory! We're friends. We're all going out to relax. That's all."
"Okay, okay. Look, I gotta go finish packing and get to the airport."
"How are you getting there?"
"Oh, I found a ride share at the student union."
"Well, have fun. Call me if you need anything."
"You too."
Rory sat on the plane, attempting to read the book she had put in her backpack. She had only brought two carry on items, so she and Tristan wouldn't have any weird standing around time waiting for her bags. This way she just had to find Tristan and get on with enjoying the weekend. She was nervous, her stomach had been fluttering as if filled with butterflies for the last three days in anticipation of seeing Tristan. They had still been emailing, little details about their days, how they were looking forward to seeing each other. But no mention had been made of what exactly was going on with them. Yes, they had kissed, yes, she got the strong impression he liked her like she liked him (why else do you fly someone to see you for a weekend?). But there was no talk. No mutual understanding. Rory wasn't one to do well with things being up in the air. She was hoping after this weekend she'd know what the deal between them was.
At long last, the plane began its final taxi towards the gate. It'd been a short flight, but it seemed to take forever. After the pilot turned off the seatbelt sign, she grabbed her carry ons and stepped off the plane. Tristan had booked her first class, which was a foreign concept to her. She forgot that it was old hat to him and he probably never considered she'd never flown first class before.
She made her way down to baggage claim and saw him standing there by terminal five, where her fellow passengers bags were to start arriving any moment. He was looking around, hands shoved in his pockets. He looked in her direction as she got closer, and a smile covered his face. She reached him and dropped her bags beside her as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He pulled her up off the ground a little and she giggled. When he put her back down, he grabbed the bigger of her two bags and pointed the direction they needed to go.
"We're out this way. So, how was your flight?"
"Oh, fine. Thanks for booking me first class."
"Nothing but the best."
"Well, I've never flown in anything but coach."
"Really?"
"Really. Some of us aren't independently wealthy."
"I just used some frequent flier miles. Don't worry, I didn't break the bank."
"Well, good. So where are we off to?"
"All will be revealed in good time. Just relax and let me play tour guide. I will tell you we're going back to my place first, to drop your stuff off."
"Right, relax. I can do that."
"Trust me."
"I do."
He looked over at her and smiled. It was a smile she'd never seen on his face. He looked a little surprised, but mostly he just looked happier than she'd ever seen him. They had just gotten into the car when she said that, and he leaned over and kissed her cheek. She truly thought she would melt into the interior of his car at the simple gesture. This weekend was going to be one for the books.
AN: No, it wasn't Jess! I have nothing against the Paris/Jess fics out there, but I don't buy it. I think he'd murder her in his sleep, personally. And for my purposes, Rory isn't in contact with Jess, so yeah. Hope you all enjoyed this chap!