A/N: I don't own Gilmore Girls or 'Over the Head, Below The Knees' by New Found Glory.
You must not have a heart
Have nothing in your chest
To let it go for so long
And let this go so far
That it goes over your head
Rory looked at Paris across the table, frowning. This was impossible. There was no way in hell that Tristan Dugrey was sitting at the same table as her. It was unbelievable. There was no way. She hadn't seen him since graduation. He couldn't be here now. She closed her eyes, turning to Brandon, "What?" she asked, seeing that he'd just asked a question, but had missed it.
"Do you want to dance?" he repeated his question.
She shook her head, "I don't dance."
He grinned, "That can be fixed."
Rory opened her mouth to refuse again, but found herself accepting. She followed him to the floor and danced slowly, looking over to the table, she expected Paris to be making out with Jamie, but was surprised to see her talking to Brooke in a low voice. Their room mate looked shocked, but grinned and nodded.
"What's wrong?" she looked up at Brandon and shook her head.
"Nothing."
"You sure?"
She nodded, "Yeah. I'm fine."
When the song ended, they walked back to the table where Brooke was looking Brandon up and down. "Hey, Rory?"
She turned to Paris, "Yeah?"
"Will you come with me to get a drink?"
"Sure." she said uncertainly, but stood up and followed her friend anyway. "So, what are we doing?" she asked after they'd made their way to the bar.
"What?" Paris faked innocence.
"Why'd you ask me to come with you? You're perfectly capable of getting your own drink."
"Yes I am, but I thought you might want a drink too, you know, all that dancing."
Rory rolled her eyes, "You're a horrible liar, you know that?"
"I'm a wonderful liar, I'm just having an off day."
"I'm sure."
"You should be."
"I am."
"Good. Let's sit."
Rory's eyes narrowed, but she took the drink Paris offered and followed her back to the table.
You could fool anyone
With your pensive smile
And you could live in your lie
For only a while
TABLE
Brooke moved from the silent side of Tristan to sit beside Brandon, "Hey." she greeted, smiling slyly.
He nodded, "Hey."
"So, how long have you known Jamie?"
"About three years. You?"
"Since I met Paris."
"And that's..."
"Beginning of Freshman year."
"About two years then?" he asked.
She nodded, "About."
"How long have you known Rory?"
"Same. What about you and Tristan?"
"We met the summer before Freshman year. Our uncles are partners out in Atlanta."
"Really?"
"Really really."
"Is he usually this..." she trailed off, trying to think of a word.
"Quiet? Annoyed? Pissed off? Withdrawn?"
"All of the above."
"Rarely."
"What's wrong with him?"
"If I knew I'd try to cheer him up. Usually he's a hell of a lot more fun than this."
"Too bad."
"Yeah."
"So, you want to dance? I'd ask Tristan, but he's too depressed." she said pointedly, looking over at the blonde. He just wrinkled his nose jokingly and she laughed, turning back to Brandon, "What do you say?"
"What about Rory?"
"She's a big girl. Trust me, she won't care."
"Oh, that makes me feel good." he laughed, "But sure, let's go."
He took her offered hand and she turned, looking back to find Paris walking back to the table. Their eyes met and Brooke grinned, mirroring Paris's look as she turned back to Brandon.
Rory sat beside Paris, across from Tristan who was beside Jamie. She looked over at the dance floor to see her friend dancing with her date. Not even wanting to guess what those two girls had planned, she just sighed and turned around, sipping her drink. Paris looked between her two friends, who were avoiding looking at eachother.
And I can only take so much
And I admit this could be love
But it goes over your head
"We should dance." Paris said, standing up. Jamie followed her lead, mimicking her movement.
"Have fun." Tristan said, not looking at her.
"And you two should dance."
"Oh, give it up!" Rory looked away from her.
Paris sighed, "Just do something! Talk, dance, fight to the death, I don't really care, just do SOMETHING!" and with that, she turned on her heel and grabbed Jamie's hand, leaving.
Rory looked around the room while Tristan stared at the table in silence. After five minutes she sighed, "Let's just get this over with."
Tristan looked up, What?" he asked, obviously having been lost in thought.
"Come on, let's just get it over with."
"And what do you propose we do?"
"I don't know. Talk."
He rolled his eyes, "About what?"
"I don't know. Anything."
"How much have you dated in the past two years?" he asked, smirking.
Rory looked away, "Don't be a smart ass, Tristan."
"I'm not. It's an honest question."
"Well guess what, I'm not answering it."
"Aw, come on Mary-"
Her head snapped around, "Don't call me that."
He stopped, obviously surprised, "What's wrong with you?"
Her jaw dropped and she turned to face him, "Excuse me? What kind of question is that? Tristan, you were my first love, you were like, the freaking love of my life."
"Funny. If I was the love of your life then why did you just walk away?"
"Um, hello? Where have you been for the past two and a half years? You cheated on me!"
"That was back in high school, Rory!"
"It doesn't matter when it was. What matters is that you lost my trust."
He shook his head, "Okay, yes, I made one mistake-"
"One hell of a mistake."
He ignored her, "But did I not prove to you until we graduated that I was still in love with you and that I would have done anything to win back your trust?"
"Yeah. You proved it." she said quietly, "But that doesn't mean you won it back." she stood up to walk away, but Tristan grabbed her wrist. She turned around, "What?"
"Dance with me." he said as a slow song came on over the speakers.
"No."
"Just one dance."
"Tristan, no."
"Rory, you're over me, so just one dance won't hurt, will it?"
She sighed, looking around. "Fine." Tristan stood up and took her hand, leading her to the floor. He rested his hands on her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They were in a tense silence for a few minutes, Tristan staring at Rory while she looked anywhere but him.
"Aren't you even curious about anything?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, looking up at him.
"You aren't wondering what happened at the party or after the party or even in the last two years of my life?"
She looked down, "I don't want to know. I can't know."
"What?"
"I don't need to get involved with you again, even if it's just as friends."
"Why not?"
"Because I got hurt too much last time."
"Why can't you just forget about that?"
"Maybe because the guy I lost my virginity to cheated on me." she said harshly, looking away from him.
Tristan swallowed the lump in his throat. He looked as if she'd slapped him in the face, "Rory, I-"
"Just forget about it." she whispered.
"No, I-"
"Tristan, you're sorry, I know. But that doesn't change it. Just drop it." the song ended and he let Rory go reluctantly. She tried to smile, but failed, "Thanks."
What does she have
Can you let go
Can you tell me
What I am aching to know
ONE HOUR LATER
Rory leaned against the wall, watching Paris and Jamie dance, as well as Brandon and Brooke. She sighed, grabbing her drink. She felt someone watching her, and she looked up to see a tall man looking at her none too innocently. She looked down, praying that he hadn't seen her look, but she realized that he had when she felt someone walk over and stop beside her. She looked back up, and he smiled, "Hi. I'm Travis."
She nodded, "Rory."
"So, you go to school around here?"
"Yale."
He grinned, "Ivy league girl?"
"Yeah. You go to school around here too?"
he shook his head, "Nah. I'm not the college type."
"Oh." then he definitely wasn't her type.
"So, do you want to dance?"
"No. I'm okay."
"Aw, come on. You're not with anyone, what will one dance hurt?"
"No, really, I can't-"
"You can't? Come on. I'm not that bad." he touched her arm gently.
She pulled away, "No thanks. I-" she stopped upon feeling someone's hand rest on her waist.
"Hey, I've been looking for you." Tristan said, leaning down. It was obvious he was going to kiss her. She gasped silently as his lips met hers gently, but he didn't push, pulling away after a few seconds. He smiled at her, silently saying to play along. He looked up, "Oh, hi. I'm Tristan." he held his hand out and the other man took it.
"Travis."
Tristan nodded, "I see you've met my girlfriend."
"Yeah."
He turned back to Rory, "Paris was wondering where you were."
"Where is she?"
"Dancing with Jamie right now."
"Okay, come on." she held his hand, "Bye, Travis. It was nice meeting you."
"You too." he said as she and Tristan disappeared in the crowd.
Rory dropped his hand once they were out of view of Travis. "Thanks." she kissed his on the cheek lightly, "That was really sweet."
He shrugged, "I didn't think you looked very interested in him."
She smiled, "I wasn't."
He kissed her gently, "Have to keep up appearances." he whispered into her ear, nodding sideways. She turned to see Travis watching them.
She smiled slightly, "Of course." and returned his kiss with one of her own.
You could ruin any mood
Just by saying what's on your mind
You could only tame his body
Never tame his mind
And I can only take so much
And I admit this could be love
But it goes over your head
LATER
Rory stood beside Paris while Jamie and Tristan had gone to get drinks and Brandon and Brooke were dancing. "Why do I still love him?" she whispered.
Paris shrugged, grinning, "I told you. Fate. It's impossible to beat."
"Why did he cheat on me?"
"That I honestly can't answer, and neither can he."
"I mean, I thought he loved me."
"He does."
"I thought that in his mind he knew that he'd loose me if he cheated."
"He did."
"I thought he'd never cheat on me."
"So did we all."
What does she have
Can you let go
Can you tell me
What I am aching to know
TRISTAN AND JAMIE
"I mean, I don't know what it is about her, but I've always loved her."
"I know." Jamie answered his friend.
"Please tell me what it is about her that I'm drawn to."
"I don't know."
"Why can't I let her go?"
"You loved her."
"Yeah, but she doesn't love me anymore."
"Didn't I see you two making out?"
"We weren't making out. There was this guy that wouldn't leave her alone and I was just a decoy."
"For half an hour? You two were sitting at that table and talking for half an hour."
"Well even if she does still love me, she's definitely not letting it show."
"Maybe she's just scared."
Tristan groaned, looking at her from across the room, "What does she have that no one else does?"
Jamie followed his gaze, "Your heart."
Tristan looked over at him, surprised, but he was right. That was the one thing that kept him from other women. Rory Gilmore still had his heart.
If I'm reaching you
You're not letting it show
Used up your space now
There's no room to grow
Too deep, can't breath
And you can't find the end
It's right in front of you
But it goes over your head
You must not have a heart
Have nothing in your chest
To let it go for so long
And let this go so far
That it goes over your head
Rory looked at Paris across the table, frowning. This was impossible. There was no way in hell that Tristan Dugrey was sitting at the same table as her. It was unbelievable. There was no way. She hadn't seen him since graduation. He couldn't be here now. She closed her eyes, turning to Brandon, "What?" she asked, seeing that he'd just asked a question, but had missed it.
"Do you want to dance?" he repeated his question.
She shook her head, "I don't dance."
He grinned, "That can be fixed."
Rory opened her mouth to refuse again, but found herself accepting. She followed him to the floor and danced slowly, looking over to the table, she expected Paris to be making out with Jamie, but was surprised to see her talking to Brooke in a low voice. Their room mate looked shocked, but grinned and nodded.
"What's wrong?" she looked up at Brandon and shook her head.
"Nothing."
"You sure?"
She nodded, "Yeah. I'm fine."
When the song ended, they walked back to the table where Brooke was looking Brandon up and down. "Hey, Rory?"
She turned to Paris, "Yeah?"
"Will you come with me to get a drink?"
"Sure." she said uncertainly, but stood up and followed her friend anyway. "So, what are we doing?" she asked after they'd made their way to the bar.
"What?" Paris faked innocence.
"Why'd you ask me to come with you? You're perfectly capable of getting your own drink."
"Yes I am, but I thought you might want a drink too, you know, all that dancing."
Rory rolled her eyes, "You're a horrible liar, you know that?"
"I'm a wonderful liar, I'm just having an off day."
"I'm sure."
"You should be."
"I am."
"Good. Let's sit."
Rory's eyes narrowed, but she took the drink Paris offered and followed her back to the table.
You could fool anyone
With your pensive smile
And you could live in your lie
For only a while
TABLE
Brooke moved from the silent side of Tristan to sit beside Brandon, "Hey." she greeted, smiling slyly.
He nodded, "Hey."
"So, how long have you known Jamie?"
"About three years. You?"
"Since I met Paris."
"And that's..."
"Beginning of Freshman year."
"About two years then?" he asked.
She nodded, "About."
"How long have you known Rory?"
"Same. What about you and Tristan?"
"We met the summer before Freshman year. Our uncles are partners out in Atlanta."
"Really?"
"Really really."
"Is he usually this..." she trailed off, trying to think of a word.
"Quiet? Annoyed? Pissed off? Withdrawn?"
"All of the above."
"Rarely."
"What's wrong with him?"
"If I knew I'd try to cheer him up. Usually he's a hell of a lot more fun than this."
"Too bad."
"Yeah."
"So, you want to dance? I'd ask Tristan, but he's too depressed." she said pointedly, looking over at the blonde. He just wrinkled his nose jokingly and she laughed, turning back to Brandon, "What do you say?"
"What about Rory?"
"She's a big girl. Trust me, she won't care."
"Oh, that makes me feel good." he laughed, "But sure, let's go."
He took her offered hand and she turned, looking back to find Paris walking back to the table. Their eyes met and Brooke grinned, mirroring Paris's look as she turned back to Brandon.
Rory sat beside Paris, across from Tristan who was beside Jamie. She looked over at the dance floor to see her friend dancing with her date. Not even wanting to guess what those two girls had planned, she just sighed and turned around, sipping her drink. Paris looked between her two friends, who were avoiding looking at eachother.
And I can only take so much
And I admit this could be love
But it goes over your head
"We should dance." Paris said, standing up. Jamie followed her lead, mimicking her movement.
"Have fun." Tristan said, not looking at her.
"And you two should dance."
"Oh, give it up!" Rory looked away from her.
Paris sighed, "Just do something! Talk, dance, fight to the death, I don't really care, just do SOMETHING!" and with that, she turned on her heel and grabbed Jamie's hand, leaving.
Rory looked around the room while Tristan stared at the table in silence. After five minutes she sighed, "Let's just get this over with."
Tristan looked up, What?" he asked, obviously having been lost in thought.
"Come on, let's just get it over with."
"And what do you propose we do?"
"I don't know. Talk."
He rolled his eyes, "About what?"
"I don't know. Anything."
"How much have you dated in the past two years?" he asked, smirking.
Rory looked away, "Don't be a smart ass, Tristan."
"I'm not. It's an honest question."
"Well guess what, I'm not answering it."
"Aw, come on Mary-"
Her head snapped around, "Don't call me that."
He stopped, obviously surprised, "What's wrong with you?"
Her jaw dropped and she turned to face him, "Excuse me? What kind of question is that? Tristan, you were my first love, you were like, the freaking love of my life."
"Funny. If I was the love of your life then why did you just walk away?"
"Um, hello? Where have you been for the past two and a half years? You cheated on me!"
"That was back in high school, Rory!"
"It doesn't matter when it was. What matters is that you lost my trust."
He shook his head, "Okay, yes, I made one mistake-"
"One hell of a mistake."
He ignored her, "But did I not prove to you until we graduated that I was still in love with you and that I would have done anything to win back your trust?"
"Yeah. You proved it." she said quietly, "But that doesn't mean you won it back." she stood up to walk away, but Tristan grabbed her wrist. She turned around, "What?"
"Dance with me." he said as a slow song came on over the speakers.
"No."
"Just one dance."
"Tristan, no."
"Rory, you're over me, so just one dance won't hurt, will it?"
She sighed, looking around. "Fine." Tristan stood up and took her hand, leading her to the floor. He rested his hands on her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They were in a tense silence for a few minutes, Tristan staring at Rory while she looked anywhere but him.
"Aren't you even curious about anything?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, looking up at him.
"You aren't wondering what happened at the party or after the party or even in the last two years of my life?"
She looked down, "I don't want to know. I can't know."
"What?"
"I don't need to get involved with you again, even if it's just as friends."
"Why not?"
"Because I got hurt too much last time."
"Why can't you just forget about that?"
"Maybe because the guy I lost my virginity to cheated on me." she said harshly, looking away from him.
Tristan swallowed the lump in his throat. He looked as if she'd slapped him in the face, "Rory, I-"
"Just forget about it." she whispered.
"No, I-"
"Tristan, you're sorry, I know. But that doesn't change it. Just drop it." the song ended and he let Rory go reluctantly. She tried to smile, but failed, "Thanks."
What does she have
Can you let go
Can you tell me
What I am aching to know
ONE HOUR LATER
Rory leaned against the wall, watching Paris and Jamie dance, as well as Brandon and Brooke. She sighed, grabbing her drink. She felt someone watching her, and she looked up to see a tall man looking at her none too innocently. She looked down, praying that he hadn't seen her look, but she realized that he had when she felt someone walk over and stop beside her. She looked back up, and he smiled, "Hi. I'm Travis."
She nodded, "Rory."
"So, you go to school around here?"
"Yale."
He grinned, "Ivy league girl?"
"Yeah. You go to school around here too?"
he shook his head, "Nah. I'm not the college type."
"Oh." then he definitely wasn't her type.
"So, do you want to dance?"
"No. I'm okay."
"Aw, come on. You're not with anyone, what will one dance hurt?"
"No, really, I can't-"
"You can't? Come on. I'm not that bad." he touched her arm gently.
She pulled away, "No thanks. I-" she stopped upon feeling someone's hand rest on her waist.
"Hey, I've been looking for you." Tristan said, leaning down. It was obvious he was going to kiss her. She gasped silently as his lips met hers gently, but he didn't push, pulling away after a few seconds. He smiled at her, silently saying to play along. He looked up, "Oh, hi. I'm Tristan." he held his hand out and the other man took it.
"Travis."
Tristan nodded, "I see you've met my girlfriend."
"Yeah."
He turned back to Rory, "Paris was wondering where you were."
"Where is she?"
"Dancing with Jamie right now."
"Okay, come on." she held his hand, "Bye, Travis. It was nice meeting you."
"You too." he said as she and Tristan disappeared in the crowd.
Rory dropped his hand once they were out of view of Travis. "Thanks." she kissed his on the cheek lightly, "That was really sweet."
He shrugged, "I didn't think you looked very interested in him."
She smiled, "I wasn't."
He kissed her gently, "Have to keep up appearances." he whispered into her ear, nodding sideways. She turned to see Travis watching them.
She smiled slightly, "Of course." and returned his kiss with one of her own.
You could ruin any mood
Just by saying what's on your mind
You could only tame his body
Never tame his mind
And I can only take so much
And I admit this could be love
But it goes over your head
LATER
Rory stood beside Paris while Jamie and Tristan had gone to get drinks and Brandon and Brooke were dancing. "Why do I still love him?" she whispered.
Paris shrugged, grinning, "I told you. Fate. It's impossible to beat."
"Why did he cheat on me?"
"That I honestly can't answer, and neither can he."
"I mean, I thought he loved me."
"He does."
"I thought that in his mind he knew that he'd loose me if he cheated."
"He did."
"I thought he'd never cheat on me."
"So did we all."
What does she have
Can you let go
Can you tell me
What I am aching to know
TRISTAN AND JAMIE
"I mean, I don't know what it is about her, but I've always loved her."
"I know." Jamie answered his friend.
"Please tell me what it is about her that I'm drawn to."
"I don't know."
"Why can't I let her go?"
"You loved her."
"Yeah, but she doesn't love me anymore."
"Didn't I see you two making out?"
"We weren't making out. There was this guy that wouldn't leave her alone and I was just a decoy."
"For half an hour? You two were sitting at that table and talking for half an hour."
"Well even if she does still love me, she's definitely not letting it show."
"Maybe she's just scared."
Tristan groaned, looking at her from across the room, "What does she have that no one else does?"
Jamie followed his gaze, "Your heart."
Tristan looked over at him, surprised, but he was right. That was the one thing that kept him from other women. Rory Gilmore still had his heart.
If I'm reaching you
You're not letting it show
Used up your space now
There's no room to grow
Too deep, can't breath
And you can't find the end
It's right in front of you
But it goes over your head