WHAT IT IS: A sequel, to my other Trory, What Happens When. Now, I had no
intentions at all to do a sequel. However, you're getting one, because of
all the Jess/Dean/Rory angst currently on the show—it's stressing me out.
So, since I had decided that fluff was probably all I'd get out of a sequel
and fluff is what I need right now (it's either fluff or unbearable angst
coming out of me right now)—here's a sequel.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
"So, you and Jess just talked?"
"Yeah," Rory shrugged. She sat in the kitchen of her mother's house, cradling a cup of coffee, sipping it every so often while talking to her mom.
"You just asked him questions and he answered you, and that was it?"
"What are you expecting me to suddenly tell you? There's nothing I'm leaving out."
"I just, I don't know. I mean, it was all so angsty once upon a time. I guess I expected screaming, tears, something."
"Mom, I just thought that since we're obviously going to be thrown together a lot more, we should clear the air. I couldn't go on not trusting him all our lives. I had to know what his deal was. Now I know."
"And you're fine with what he had to say?"
"Yes."
Lorelai took another sip of coffee and looked at her daughter. She was glad that Rory and Jess could finally talk to each other. As much as she had hated it years before, she knew that Rory and Jess had always had a good friendship before they dated. It would be nice to see that again.
"Can I ask you one more question, I swear, it's the last one."
"Fine," Rory sighed.
"What does Tristan say about all this newfound friendship with Jess?"
"He likes Jess."
"He knows you and Jess had this little chat?"
"Yes. He doesn't know exactly what we said, I didn't take a tape recorder in there or anything, but he knows we reached a truce."
"Okay. Good."
"Mom, I love Tristan. He's the love of my life. I wouldn't do anything stupid to jeopardize that."
"Good."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Are we going to talk about Dad and the other night?"
"What about him?" Lorelai sighed, not wanting to discuss Chris. At all.
"He wanted to talk to you. I told him it wasn't the best idea."
"You should get some sort of Nobel peace prize for that."
"Mom, he doesn't like this anymore than we do."
"You are not defending him to me."
"No, I'm not. I just, I think we should give him a tiny break. You know, you don't have to be all chummy with him, but you could stop wishing painful death on him. Throw away that voodoo doll."
"I don't have a voodoo doll!"
"No, but you are putting some really negative thoughts out there about him."
"Hey, he deserves some negativity."
"You don't think he feels it? God, Mom, look at his life. He's not happy! We have it all now, you have Luke and Will, I'm with Tristan—he's not going to have what we have. You know that."
"I know," Lorelai admitted softly.
"I just think we could be less hostile to him. I know it's hard, but we love him, right?"
"Yeah, hun, we do."
"Good. So I can tell him next time that I talk to him that the hostility is lessened?"
"Fine."
"Good."
They sat there, turning their attention to their coffee cups. Rory was on her fourth cup, after staying up all night she needed all the extra help she could get. Lorelai looked at her as she poured her fifth cup.
"Going for a record, there?"
"What? It's coffee, we like coffee."
"That's a lot of coffee. Even for you."
"We stayed up kind of late last night," Rory said plaintively.
"What were you doing up all night?" Lorelai raised her eyebrows at her daughter knowingly.
"Mom, please. We were talking. Geez, not everyone lives in the gutter like you do."
"You're no fun. You're my best friend, we can talk about sex. Do you want to hear about me and Luke?"
"Gross! No, mom, we are best friends, but you're still my mom. I beg you, please don't talk about Luke naked to me."
"Fine," Lorelai consented. "When is lover boy showing up here anyway?"
"I told him to be here around four."
"Perfect. Luke is closing at four. Will's with him. That just leaves Jess, I guess I should call him."
"He's with Tristan. They'll both be here on time."
"You let them hang out today?"
"Mom, I don't let either of them do anything. They're grown men. Now, come on, we should go find all the stockings and stuff for later."
Rory downed the last of her coffee, and wandered into the front room where Luke had placed all the boxes with Christmas stuff in them. Rory began digging through the boxes, pulling out stockings and other trinkets.
Tristan woke up late that day. He'd roused earlier when Rory left, just conscious long enough to give her a kiss goodbye as she left to meet her mother. He proceeded to roll over and get a few more hours of sleep. When he did finally drag himself out of bed, it was because someone was knocking on the door. He called out that he didn't need maid service, but the person knocking had just knocked louder. Groaning, he didn't even bother with a robe. Standing there in boxers and messy hair, he opened to door to a very bemused Jess.
"My, Tristan, I didn't know you cared," Jess laughed.
"Shut up, what time is it?"
"It's one. I'm starved."
"Sorry, let me pull on some clothes. I'll meet you downstairs in five."
"Uh-huh," Jess uttered, laughing, and turned to head downstairs. Five minutes later, Tristan bounded down the stairs, and the two headed out into town.
"Luke's okay?"
"Yeah, man, that's fine."
"So, late night?"
"You could say that."
"When'd you get to bed?"
"Dawn."
"Jesus."
"What can I say? Women never can resist my charm."
"You're sickening."
"What do you two want?" Luke asked, as they walked in and sat at the counter.
"Just your love and acceptance, Luke," Jess said with a straight face.
"Riiiight. I just want food, " Tristan commented, looking at Jess strangely.
"I'm seriously going to disown you and your smart ass," Luke mumbled, walking away from the two guys.
"You guys are strange," Tristan commented.
"Luke loves it. If I'm too nice to him, he gets suspicious."
"That should tell you something."
"So, when are you guys heading back to New York?" Jess asked, ignoring the last statement.
"New Years. We're staying for the party, and for a little vacation. You?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"You're going to leave me with all the crazies?"
"You're married into them. Not much I can do to help you with that."
"Nice. I thought you two were getting along now."
"What makes you think we weren't getting along before?"
"She said she went to 'talk' to you last night. I'm assuming."
"Yeah, she had some stuff on her mind."
"I know. She doesn't tell me much about it, but I know there's unresolved stuff there."
"You're okay with us hanging out, right? I mean, I like you and I'd never do anything to, you know," Jess explained, looking a little pained to be talking about this.
"I know you don't want your ass kicked."
"Okay, now that's just a joke," Jess commented.
"If it makes Rory's life easier, you two need to be friends. You are related now. I should hope nothing else is going on, that's just be, illegal."
"It actually wouldn't be illegal, we're not blood related."
"I'm sorry, I meant lethal."
"Gotcha."
Will came downstairs at the moment, and his face brightened when he saw the two men at the counter. He walked around to greet them. Jess pulled him up in his lap.
"Why are you guys here?"
"Eating lunch. Have you eaten, Will?"
Will shook his head sleepily. He had obviously just woken up from a nap. Luke noticed his son on Jess' lap and wondered back over.
"Hey, kiddo. Hungry?"
Will nodded. Luke walked behind the counter and handed him a cracker.
"This'll tide you over. You want some mac and cheese?"
"Hey! We've been here ten minutes and you haven't taken our orders!"
"Fine, boys, what would you like?"
"Burgers, fries, soda."
"Me too."
"Fine. Watch the kid."
Luke walked back into the kitchen, and Jess shook his head at his uncle. Will was looking at Tristan.
"What?"
"Where's Rory?"
"With your mom."
"Oh."
"Do you need something from her?"
"No, I wanted to give her her present."
"You should wait until tomorrow. We're all getting our presents then."
"Oh. Do we have to wait?"
"Yeah, it's tradition."
"What's a tradition?"
"Something you do the same year after year."
"Why?"
Tristan shrugged, "That's just how people do things."
"Man, you suck at this," Jess commented.
"What?"
"Will, why do you want to give Rory her present now?"
"I want her to have it for tonight. Mommy helped me pick it out."
"I see. Maybe we can break tradition a little. I'll help you."
"Really?"
"Really."
Tristan shook his head, but said nothing as Luke brought their food and took Will so Jess could eat his food. After they got done, Jess walked around to the phone on the wall behind the counter, despite Luke's grunts to get out from behind the counter if he wasn't going to help, and dialed Rory's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Can you come to the diner real quick?"
"Why? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just come, okay?"
"Sure. I'll be there soon."
Rory hung up her phone, wondering why she needed to go. She told her mom she'd be right back, and left. She got to the diner to see Will, Tristan and Jess at the counter, talking. She cleared her throat, and Tristan turned and smiled at her.
"What's up?" she said, walking up to him, and wrapping her arms around him.
"Will has something for you," Tristan informed her.
"Really?"
"I have a present for you," he informed her.
"Well, I love presents! Where is it?"
"Upstairs."
Will took Rory's hand and led her upstairs, leaving the two guys behind at the counter.
"What's he giving her?"
"I have no idea. But Lorelai helped him with it, so it can't be too alarming."
"True."
Rory got upstairs, and saw a box on the table. Will pointed to it, and Rory picked it up.
"Will, why isn't this under the tree with the rest of the presents?"
"You need it now."
"Why?"
"For tonight. When we see Santa."
"Oh, well, thank you. Can I open it?"
Will nodded. Rory tore off the paper quickly and opened the box. She lifted the top off and pulled out a beautiful blue knitted scarf. She looked up at Will and smiled.
"It's beautiful, Will! Thank you!" She reached out and pulled her little brother into a hug.
"Mommy said you'd like it."
"Mommy was right. You could have waited until tomorrow to give it to me, though."
"Daddy keeps telling mommy how cold it's going to be tonight. I wanted you to be warm."
Rory smiled, she could almost hear Luke complaining about freezing his ass off while they all waited for Taylor to get everything in working order as the entire town gathered to see the tree lighting. Luke complained every year about most all of the traditional town events, but he was always there. Usually because of Lorelai, but now especially because she insisted on sharing all the experiences as a family. He wouldn't be Luke if he didn't at least pretend to put up a fight.
"Thanks, Will. I'll wear it tonight. You'll get your present from me tomorrow, though, okay? It's already under the tree."
Will nodded excitedly. Like any little kid, he loved presents. She put the scarf around her neck and picked him up, carrying him back down the stairs. Tristan whistled at her as she reappeared, the blue in the scarf making her eyes vivid. She did a little fashion walk across the diner, and spun, which made Will give a little gleeful noise as she turned with him in her arms.
"Good luck to the two of you—after this present, well, it's all downhill," she informed them.
Tristan rolled his eyes at his wife, standing up in front of her.
"You going back home?"
"Yep, why, wanna join me?"
"It's almost three-thirty anyways. Luke's got everything ready to close."
"You just can't stay away from me any longer, can you?"
"Just wait until tonight, you," Tristan growled into her ear so no one else could hear.
Jess had taken Will from Rory and walked over to Luke.
"We're out of here. You ready?"
"Yeah, I'm coming. Flip the sign, would you?"
Jess obliged, as Luke turned off the lights to the diner. It was almost dark, especially with the dark clouds overhead. It was forecasted to snow, much to Lorelai and Will's delight. They all headed back to the house, to get ready for the evening's celebration.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
"So, you and Jess just talked?"
"Yeah," Rory shrugged. She sat in the kitchen of her mother's house, cradling a cup of coffee, sipping it every so often while talking to her mom.
"You just asked him questions and he answered you, and that was it?"
"What are you expecting me to suddenly tell you? There's nothing I'm leaving out."
"I just, I don't know. I mean, it was all so angsty once upon a time. I guess I expected screaming, tears, something."
"Mom, I just thought that since we're obviously going to be thrown together a lot more, we should clear the air. I couldn't go on not trusting him all our lives. I had to know what his deal was. Now I know."
"And you're fine with what he had to say?"
"Yes."
Lorelai took another sip of coffee and looked at her daughter. She was glad that Rory and Jess could finally talk to each other. As much as she had hated it years before, she knew that Rory and Jess had always had a good friendship before they dated. It would be nice to see that again.
"Can I ask you one more question, I swear, it's the last one."
"Fine," Rory sighed.
"What does Tristan say about all this newfound friendship with Jess?"
"He likes Jess."
"He knows you and Jess had this little chat?"
"Yes. He doesn't know exactly what we said, I didn't take a tape recorder in there or anything, but he knows we reached a truce."
"Okay. Good."
"Mom, I love Tristan. He's the love of my life. I wouldn't do anything stupid to jeopardize that."
"Good."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Are we going to talk about Dad and the other night?"
"What about him?" Lorelai sighed, not wanting to discuss Chris. At all.
"He wanted to talk to you. I told him it wasn't the best idea."
"You should get some sort of Nobel peace prize for that."
"Mom, he doesn't like this anymore than we do."
"You are not defending him to me."
"No, I'm not. I just, I think we should give him a tiny break. You know, you don't have to be all chummy with him, but you could stop wishing painful death on him. Throw away that voodoo doll."
"I don't have a voodoo doll!"
"No, but you are putting some really negative thoughts out there about him."
"Hey, he deserves some negativity."
"You don't think he feels it? God, Mom, look at his life. He's not happy! We have it all now, you have Luke and Will, I'm with Tristan—he's not going to have what we have. You know that."
"I know," Lorelai admitted softly.
"I just think we could be less hostile to him. I know it's hard, but we love him, right?"
"Yeah, hun, we do."
"Good. So I can tell him next time that I talk to him that the hostility is lessened?"
"Fine."
"Good."
They sat there, turning their attention to their coffee cups. Rory was on her fourth cup, after staying up all night she needed all the extra help she could get. Lorelai looked at her as she poured her fifth cup.
"Going for a record, there?"
"What? It's coffee, we like coffee."
"That's a lot of coffee. Even for you."
"We stayed up kind of late last night," Rory said plaintively.
"What were you doing up all night?" Lorelai raised her eyebrows at her daughter knowingly.
"Mom, please. We were talking. Geez, not everyone lives in the gutter like you do."
"You're no fun. You're my best friend, we can talk about sex. Do you want to hear about me and Luke?"
"Gross! No, mom, we are best friends, but you're still my mom. I beg you, please don't talk about Luke naked to me."
"Fine," Lorelai consented. "When is lover boy showing up here anyway?"
"I told him to be here around four."
"Perfect. Luke is closing at four. Will's with him. That just leaves Jess, I guess I should call him."
"He's with Tristan. They'll both be here on time."
"You let them hang out today?"
"Mom, I don't let either of them do anything. They're grown men. Now, come on, we should go find all the stockings and stuff for later."
Rory downed the last of her coffee, and wandered into the front room where Luke had placed all the boxes with Christmas stuff in them. Rory began digging through the boxes, pulling out stockings and other trinkets.
Tristan woke up late that day. He'd roused earlier when Rory left, just conscious long enough to give her a kiss goodbye as she left to meet her mother. He proceeded to roll over and get a few more hours of sleep. When he did finally drag himself out of bed, it was because someone was knocking on the door. He called out that he didn't need maid service, but the person knocking had just knocked louder. Groaning, he didn't even bother with a robe. Standing there in boxers and messy hair, he opened to door to a very bemused Jess.
"My, Tristan, I didn't know you cared," Jess laughed.
"Shut up, what time is it?"
"It's one. I'm starved."
"Sorry, let me pull on some clothes. I'll meet you downstairs in five."
"Uh-huh," Jess uttered, laughing, and turned to head downstairs. Five minutes later, Tristan bounded down the stairs, and the two headed out into town.
"Luke's okay?"
"Yeah, man, that's fine."
"So, late night?"
"You could say that."
"When'd you get to bed?"
"Dawn."
"Jesus."
"What can I say? Women never can resist my charm."
"You're sickening."
"What do you two want?" Luke asked, as they walked in and sat at the counter.
"Just your love and acceptance, Luke," Jess said with a straight face.
"Riiiight. I just want food, " Tristan commented, looking at Jess strangely.
"I'm seriously going to disown you and your smart ass," Luke mumbled, walking away from the two guys.
"You guys are strange," Tristan commented.
"Luke loves it. If I'm too nice to him, he gets suspicious."
"That should tell you something."
"So, when are you guys heading back to New York?" Jess asked, ignoring the last statement.
"New Years. We're staying for the party, and for a little vacation. You?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"You're going to leave me with all the crazies?"
"You're married into them. Not much I can do to help you with that."
"Nice. I thought you two were getting along now."
"What makes you think we weren't getting along before?"
"She said she went to 'talk' to you last night. I'm assuming."
"Yeah, she had some stuff on her mind."
"I know. She doesn't tell me much about it, but I know there's unresolved stuff there."
"You're okay with us hanging out, right? I mean, I like you and I'd never do anything to, you know," Jess explained, looking a little pained to be talking about this.
"I know you don't want your ass kicked."
"Okay, now that's just a joke," Jess commented.
"If it makes Rory's life easier, you two need to be friends. You are related now. I should hope nothing else is going on, that's just be, illegal."
"It actually wouldn't be illegal, we're not blood related."
"I'm sorry, I meant lethal."
"Gotcha."
Will came downstairs at the moment, and his face brightened when he saw the two men at the counter. He walked around to greet them. Jess pulled him up in his lap.
"Why are you guys here?"
"Eating lunch. Have you eaten, Will?"
Will shook his head sleepily. He had obviously just woken up from a nap. Luke noticed his son on Jess' lap and wondered back over.
"Hey, kiddo. Hungry?"
Will nodded. Luke walked behind the counter and handed him a cracker.
"This'll tide you over. You want some mac and cheese?"
"Hey! We've been here ten minutes and you haven't taken our orders!"
"Fine, boys, what would you like?"
"Burgers, fries, soda."
"Me too."
"Fine. Watch the kid."
Luke walked back into the kitchen, and Jess shook his head at his uncle. Will was looking at Tristan.
"What?"
"Where's Rory?"
"With your mom."
"Oh."
"Do you need something from her?"
"No, I wanted to give her her present."
"You should wait until tomorrow. We're all getting our presents then."
"Oh. Do we have to wait?"
"Yeah, it's tradition."
"What's a tradition?"
"Something you do the same year after year."
"Why?"
Tristan shrugged, "That's just how people do things."
"Man, you suck at this," Jess commented.
"What?"
"Will, why do you want to give Rory her present now?"
"I want her to have it for tonight. Mommy helped me pick it out."
"I see. Maybe we can break tradition a little. I'll help you."
"Really?"
"Really."
Tristan shook his head, but said nothing as Luke brought their food and took Will so Jess could eat his food. After they got done, Jess walked around to the phone on the wall behind the counter, despite Luke's grunts to get out from behind the counter if he wasn't going to help, and dialed Rory's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Can you come to the diner real quick?"
"Why? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just come, okay?"
"Sure. I'll be there soon."
Rory hung up her phone, wondering why she needed to go. She told her mom she'd be right back, and left. She got to the diner to see Will, Tristan and Jess at the counter, talking. She cleared her throat, and Tristan turned and smiled at her.
"What's up?" she said, walking up to him, and wrapping her arms around him.
"Will has something for you," Tristan informed her.
"Really?"
"I have a present for you," he informed her.
"Well, I love presents! Where is it?"
"Upstairs."
Will took Rory's hand and led her upstairs, leaving the two guys behind at the counter.
"What's he giving her?"
"I have no idea. But Lorelai helped him with it, so it can't be too alarming."
"True."
Rory got upstairs, and saw a box on the table. Will pointed to it, and Rory picked it up.
"Will, why isn't this under the tree with the rest of the presents?"
"You need it now."
"Why?"
"For tonight. When we see Santa."
"Oh, well, thank you. Can I open it?"
Will nodded. Rory tore off the paper quickly and opened the box. She lifted the top off and pulled out a beautiful blue knitted scarf. She looked up at Will and smiled.
"It's beautiful, Will! Thank you!" She reached out and pulled her little brother into a hug.
"Mommy said you'd like it."
"Mommy was right. You could have waited until tomorrow to give it to me, though."
"Daddy keeps telling mommy how cold it's going to be tonight. I wanted you to be warm."
Rory smiled, she could almost hear Luke complaining about freezing his ass off while they all waited for Taylor to get everything in working order as the entire town gathered to see the tree lighting. Luke complained every year about most all of the traditional town events, but he was always there. Usually because of Lorelai, but now especially because she insisted on sharing all the experiences as a family. He wouldn't be Luke if he didn't at least pretend to put up a fight.
"Thanks, Will. I'll wear it tonight. You'll get your present from me tomorrow, though, okay? It's already under the tree."
Will nodded excitedly. Like any little kid, he loved presents. She put the scarf around her neck and picked him up, carrying him back down the stairs. Tristan whistled at her as she reappeared, the blue in the scarf making her eyes vivid. She did a little fashion walk across the diner, and spun, which made Will give a little gleeful noise as she turned with him in her arms.
"Good luck to the two of you—after this present, well, it's all downhill," she informed them.
Tristan rolled his eyes at his wife, standing up in front of her.
"You going back home?"
"Yep, why, wanna join me?"
"It's almost three-thirty anyways. Luke's got everything ready to close."
"You just can't stay away from me any longer, can you?"
"Just wait until tonight, you," Tristan growled into her ear so no one else could hear.
Jess had taken Will from Rory and walked over to Luke.
"We're out of here. You ready?"
"Yeah, I'm coming. Flip the sign, would you?"
Jess obliged, as Luke turned off the lights to the diner. It was almost dark, especially with the dark clouds overhead. It was forecasted to snow, much to Lorelai and Will's delight. They all headed back to the house, to get ready for the evening's celebration.