Counting Stars
By: Gnome
Chapter 3: Goodnight, Princess
Rory sighed, laying across Paris's desk dramatically. Her friend looked up, eyebrows raised, "Can I help you with something?"
"No, no, I'm fine." Rory said, making herself comfortable.
"You do you realize that it will be impossible for me to finish this article on the govenor's affair if you don't get off, right?"
"Man, Paris, digging into people's lives, spreading their secrets, ruining them, what do you get out of that?" Rory asked, closing her eyes and balling up her jacket as a pillow.
"A job as one of Wallstreet's best reporters, according to People Magazine. Protecting liars, influencing people's better judgement, sending innocent men to prison, what do you call that?" she shot back.
"Being one half of the best attorney partnership in New England, to quote GQ. Alex was in it last month." she opened her eyes and turned on her side. Paris' eyebrow raised, smirking, and Rory considered what she's just said. She grinned at her friend, "Touché."
Paris nodded, "Thank you. Now, would you care to explain why you showed up in my office at seven in the morning on a Sunday? Aren't you supposed to be comatose until lunch?"
"Because I needed to talk to you in person without interruptions and I knew that we wouldn't be disturbed because only a lunatic like you would come on a Sunday this early, or actually, at all. Because normal people sleep on Sunday, some wake up and go to church, but none wake up at seven to come to work, except for you, of course." she grumbled, turning over.
Paris rolled her eyes, "And while you are just so charming first thing in the morning, I'm still waiting to hear why you had to talk to me in person, at seven in the morning, without any interruptions."
Rory sat up, suddenly remembering herslef. "Oh, yes, I did come for a reason, didn't I?"
"I sure as hell hope so."
"Yes, well, I need to ask a few questions and tell you some stuff."
"Like..."
"Like, who the hell is Tristan Dugrey?"
She shrugged, casually pushing Rory off her desk, causing the brunnette to fall off the edge ungracefully. She landed with a small yelp and a grumbled, "Fuck."
Paris smiled, looking at her computer and beginning to type, "He went to school with us until Junior year."
She stood up, holding a pen she'd grabbed off the floor and threw it at Paris, hitting her in the head, "Why did he go to Military School?"
Paris stopped typing at looked up, "Don't you remember? You were the only person from Chilton that he told himself up until last night."
Rory sat back on the desk, this time out of Paris' way, and she resumed typing, "Was I?"
"Yes. You were the last person he talked to."
"What happened?"
"You really don't remember, do you?"
"Vaguely."
Paris rolled her eyes, "He broke into a safe and got caught."
"Oh yes, that right, he started getting caught with everything he did when he hung out with those two guys-"
"Duncan and Bowman?"
"Is that what their names were?"
"As I recall."
"What were we doing when he left?"
"A project."
"Elaborate, please."
"Shakespear, he was Romeo to your Juliet, remember?" she looked up from the monitor and saw Rory's face change, "Is it all comeing back to you now?"
"Yeah. Oh my God, Dean."
Paris looked taken aback, "That asshole? What about him?"
"Didn't they hate eachother? That's why Tristan was mad at me, oh my God, 'I'd kiss you goodbye but your boyfriend's watching...' oh man, I remember it all now." she babbled, not really caring if Paris caught what she was saying or not.
Paris looked at her strangely, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Rory shook her head, "Tristan," she began laughing, "Tristan, he-he was going to kiss me if Dean wasn't there. I mean, it's kind of ironic, right? There was always a third person when we were teenagers. First, when we were sixteen, there was Tristan, then Jess when we were seventeen. We broke up then and we were apart at eighteen. And then he went and go married. Fucking married, and I had sex with him. The third party being his fucking wife. And it all comes back to what? Tristan." she finished, giving in to uncontrollable laughter. "I was with Jess, and Dean even still calls me to tell me he wants to see me." she shook her head, unable to stop laughing.
Paris stared at Rory, not even close to laughing. "What are you babbling about?"
"There's always a third person."
"Right. We'll get back to that. Now, what's happening with Tristan Dugrey?" Paris asked.
Rory shrugged, sliding off the desk, "I went to his little party thing last night."
"I didn't see you."
"Yeah, you'd left by the time I got there. How's Madi doing?"
"Good. She had a boy. Named his Logan."
"How cute."
"Yes, anyway, tell me about Tristan."
"Ah yes, I just you know, went to the party and his brother switched the placecards-"
"Wait, hang on, how do you know his brothers?"
Rory nodded, "Yes, I may want to start at the beginning, huh?"
"Yes, that would be nice."
"Right. You know how my mom broke her ankle, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Bradin was her doctor. I recognized him because he and Tristan looked so much alike, and he invited me to Tristan coming home party. So I went and was talking to him and Cassidy when Airin showed up and told me to act busy because some old couple was coming over-"
"McGee?" Paris asked.
Rorry nodded, pointing a finger at her, "Yes. That was it! Anyway, the McGees came over and they though I was dating Airin at first, but of course that wasn't true, but we talked to them and I swear they thought I was insane of something-"
"Imagine that." Paris said, rolling her eyes.
"Shut up. Eventually they walked away and Tristan came up. We started dancing and everything happened and Bradin and Cassidy switched my place card so that I was at a table with them." she finished, inhaling deeply.
Paris nodded, "Wow. I missed a lot, huh?"
"Yeah." Rory nodded breathlessly.
"So what's the problem?"
"I don't know. I mean, he's the first guy that's made me forget about Jess in months."
Paris grinned, "And how exactly is that a problem?"
"Because, I just met him."
"You've known his since you were fifteen."
"No. I met him when I was fifteen, but I never knew him."
Paris was still smiling, "Still, I don't see why this is worrying you. Have you talked to him?"
"In the past six hours? No." she said sarcastically.
"You stayed until one?" Paris asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Why?"
She shook her head, "Nothing."
"Anyway, I don't know what to do. Jess is back in Stars Hollow, and I can't get involved with him."
"So use Tristan to keep you busy."
"I wouldn't use him like that."
"Then don't use him. Really want to be with him."
"I like his company, that's all."
She nodded, smiling lightly, "Oh, I'm sure it is."
"It is!"
"That's what I just said!"
Rory shook her head, "I'm leaving. I'm only running on five and a half hours of sleep. I'm going to go catch up."
Paris turned back to her work, "Have fun."
"Oh, I will."
RORY'S APARTMENT, 2:30 PM
Her phone started ringing, damn technology. She tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't stop. Reaching over for it, she clicked it on, "State your purpose and die."
"Good morning Sunshine."
She narrowed her eyes, "How did you get my number?"
Tristan laughed, "You gave it too me last night."
Rory looked at the window to see light poking in from under the shade, "Did I really have that much to drink?"
"Do you work on being this charming, or does it just come naturally?" she could tell he was grinning.
"It's natural."
"I thought so. Now, explain your greeting to me."
She closed her eyes, "Tristan you realize that was like, a minute ago. Do you really think that I remember what I said?"
"I'm guessing no."
"And he's a genius."
"You said, 'state your purpose and die'."
"Oh yes, it's all coming back to me now. The memories are flooding. What's your point?" she asked, deadpan.
"Well, most people would have said, 'state your perpose or die'."
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "Still not seeing the point."
"You're saying that if I tell you whay I called, then I'll die."
"Yes, I know what I said, thank you."
"Yeah, so how am I supposed to ask you out if I can't tell you why I called?" he asked, grinning because it was obvious he'd woken her up and she wasn't all there.
Rory squeezed her eyes together slowly, "Care to repeat?"
"But I'd die."
"Only a little."
He laughed, "Do you have a day off next week?"
"Yeah, whatever day I want."
"Good. What do you think about Tuesday?"
"Tuesday. It's the third day of the week. It's actually grounded right now. It didn't do all of it's chores, so it can't play with Saturday and Monday until it makes it's bed and cleans the kitchen. It's a trouble maker and I think it should be punished. Now, if you asked me about Thursday, well, he's very well behaved, but that's a whole different story."
Tristan shook his head, laughing, "What?"
"You asked me what I thought about Tuesday. That's what I think about Tuesday."
"Well, do you have to stay home and make sure Tuesday stays in it's room, because if you don't then I would love to take you out."
"Hmm, hang on, let me check my schedule." she pulled the phone away from her ear, and sighed, closing her eyes. She blindly opened a drawer beside her bed, still on her back, and moved some stuff around to act like she was looking for something. She pulled the phone back, "I don't know, I'll have to consult with my turtle."
"Your pet turtle?"
"Yes."
"What's it's name?"
"Speedy. Very nice name for a turtle if you ever want one, very encouraging for them."
"Well, I have heard that turtles have low self esteem."
"Oh yeah."
"What kind of turtle is it?"
"I don't know. The green kind that are fun to play chicken with, of course when they don't move it's not so fun."
"Mm-hm," he rolled his eyes, smirking, "And how old is it?"
"Old. Like those cartoon turtles that are all creaky and have glasses."
"Uh huh, and do the glasses help?"
"Oh yeah, great eyesight now."
"Yeah, and is it a male or female?"
"Hasn't decided yet, but I think it's leaning towards female."
Tristan rolled his eyes, "You don't really have a turtle, do you?"
"No. But if I did then I'd name it speedy and consult with it on the matters of the universe."
"Yeah, I know, my dates are cosmic experiences."
"Not quite, but the ego's a different story."
"My ego is one of my best qualities."
"So that's why I can't stand you. Thanks, I was starting to wonder."
"No problem. So, what's the turtle say?"
"I don't have a turtle, silly."
Tristan smiled, "Mary...." he said playfully.
"Augh, I'd forgotten about that." she said, stretching her legs.
"Yeah, so had I until this morning. So, Tuesday night, yay or nay?"
"Sure why not? I'll probably be drunk through most of it anyway." she said, making sure to be light so he knew she was kidding.
"No, if you're drunk it won't be so much of a challenge."
Rory smiled, "Bye Tristan." she said sweetly.
"Sweet dreams, Mary."
She hung up the phone and dropped it, it landed somewhere next to the bed, and she rolled over and fell back to sleep.
MONDAY
Rory walked out of the elevator and onto the third floor, smiling at her secretary. She made her way into her office, cutting Alex off as he opened his mouth to make a smart ass comment about how she was late, "Don't even start." she said, throwing her purse behind the desk, which he happened to be sitting on, "And why are you in my office anyway? We have a whole floor just to the two of us. Leave me alone." she said, pushing him off of her desk.
He just laughed from his position on the floor, "Very unprofesional, Gilmore."
"Yeah, well, you know me, I like to look at the different aspects of what is professional and what isn't." she said distractedly, looking around for something.
Alex watched her, amused, "What are you doing?"
"Looking for the coffee maker, dumbass, what's it look like?" she said, banging around and looking in all the cabinets in her large office.
He laughed, "Rory, Rory, Rory, you threw the coffee maker out, remember?"
She just shook her head, not looking away from the cabinet her head was currently buried in, "Don't be ridiculous. I would never throw away a coofee manker. It would be a disgrace to my heritage. A Gilmore never throws away the maker of the elixir. It's unheard of. I'd be forced to kill you if I did, and that would just be terrible, so I in no possible way threw out a coffee maker."
He nodded, "Oh, so last week when it broke and you kicked it yelling, 'evil machine you must die' and threw it out the window into the fountain, you weren't really throwing it away, you were just letting it go for a swim, eh?"
Rory froze for a few seconds before coming out of the cabinet and looking at Alex, "I have no idea what you're talking about." she said, standing up casually and brushing herself off.
"Uh-huh. I knew this would happen, and since I'm such a good friend, I brought you," he stood up, revealing two coffees from behind him, "These."
Rory smiled widely, "You're the best person in the whole wide world, of course I don't know why you'd bring them, because I have a coffee maker around here somewhere." she said, looking around, anywhere but her desk.
He nodded, "Uh-huh, you're welcome Rory. And don't think I don't know that as soon as I leave you'll drink these."
"I will not. I have self control."
"Yeah, right." he said, exiting her office.
She shook her head, "That man is crazy." she said, walking to her desk and picking up the first coffee, taking a long drink of it as she started playing her messages.
"Aha!" Alex said from her door. She jumped, looking from him to the coffee in her hand guiltily. He just laughed and walked away.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Rory looked at herself in the mirror, twirling around as Madeline walked in, smiling, "Very nice, very nice."
Rory grinned, "Thank you."
"New shirt?"
"Your shirt. I think you got it last month."
"Did I?" her room mate asked, looking it over, "Nice. I have good taste."
"Yeah you do." Rory said, looking down at the tight orange shirt with only one strap. She tucked her straightened hair behind her ear, tying her orange low top converse that her mother had insisted on getting, even though Rory had practically no orange clothes.
"Who you going out with?" Madeline asked, sitting on Rory's bed.
She glanced up at her, "You remember Tristan Dugrey?"
"Of course. Unlike you, I went to school with him for ten years."
"You did, didn't you?"
She nodded, "Yup. You're going out with him?"
"Just to dinner or something, I think."
"Uh huh. Everything starts with 'just dinner'."
Rory shook her head, "I'm sure it does." the doorbell rang.
Madeline stood up, "I got it. Come out in five minutes." she left the room and Rory just shook her head, turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup.
A few minutes later, she came out of her room to see Tristan and Madeline sitting on the couch, laughing like old friends, which they were, she realized. "Hey."
Her voice caught their attention, and Tristan looked up, smiling at her, "Hey." he looked her over, taking in everything from the jean miniskirt to the orange bangles on her left wrist. He stood up, giving Rory a chance to see that he was simply wearing jeans and a navy blue shirt that said 'A & F Rugby Since 1973' in yellow. "You ready?" he asked, holding his hand out. She nodded, smiling as she took it and followed him out of the Hartford apartment.
He opened the door to his Mercedes-Benz for her, and she smiled, climbing in, "Flashy much, are we?"
He smirked, "Never." the door closed and he walked around to his own side and got in. Smiling at her before starting it up.
They rode in a comfortable silence, apart from the radio for a little while until she turned to him, "So, where are we going?"
Tristan grinned, "How do you feel about laser tag, Mary?"
Her eyes widened, "You're taking me to laser tag?" she squealed.
He laughed, "Yes, I'm taking you to laser tag."
"Oh my God, that is so much cooler and way more impressive than one of those fancy resturaunts."
He glanced over at her, "Laser tag is more impressive than a nice dinner?"
"Well yeah. See, the way I see it, taking someone there doesn't really give you a chance to get to know someone because you're both too preoccupied with what the other person will think and how the people around you see you. But with laser tag, you can actually have fun and not just observe a person's eating habits."
"And you expected me to take you to someplace like that?" he asked.
She shrugged, "Well yeah, until of course you called me and said to dress casual."
TWO HOURS LATER
Rory laughed, walking out of the arcade, "I so kicked your ass."
"We were on the same team."
"Yeah, but I won."
Tristan shook his head, "Rory, Rory, Rory, someone has an ego issue."
She nodded, "You're right. I think we should get you help."
"I wasn't talking about-"
"Ice cream!" she said loudly, cutting him off.
He laughed, "You want some ice cream?" he asked, glancing at the parlor across the street.
"Aww, how sweet of you to ask. I'd love some."
They made their way into the brightly lit shop and ordered before sitting down. "Okay," Tristan said, "So, tell me something."
"Like what?"
"Like when you could have possibly had a reason to buy orange shoes, because while they are definitley you, I can't see a girl just buying orange shoes."
She laughed, glancing down at her feet, "A couple months ago I was shoping with my mom and she insisted that we buy them because apparently you never know when orange shoes will come in handy. Even though the only time I've ever worn them before this was when I went to a concert with Jess because......" she trailed off thinking about what she'd just said. She looked down, every date she'd gone on after the whole Jess relationship, she'd compared the guys to him, and none had ever matched up. But with Tristan, she didn't even think about him.
"Who's Jess?"
She shrugged, looking up, "Ex-boyfriend. We broke up a couple months ago."
"I'm sorry." he wasn't used to letting a girl talk about an ex on the first date.
She shook her head, "We just never would have worked out. We've decided that we're friends." she said, seemingly mocking herself. "Yeah right. Like being friends with an ex ever works out."
He shook his head, "Not really."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be talking about this now-"
"No, it's fine."
She smiled lightly, "Thanks Tristan."
"For what?"
She shook her head, looking for what to say, "For being yourself."
"What?" he asked, obviously not understanding her.
"I mean, you know, most guys raised in society would have taken me somewhere where I wasn't comfortable, just to show off their money, which I mean, a nice resturaunt is fine, just not on the first date. They would have been really cold if I mentioned another guy's name.....I mean, even if that's not how they really felt. Just......thanks." she said quietly.
He smiled, "No problem."
"So, anyway, enough with the heavy mood, I want coffee." she said, pulling him up and out the door.
They pulled up in front of Rory's apartment complex and she was about to get out, but was surpeised when Tristan got out and opened her door for her. She grinned, "Thanks."
"So," he said as they made their way inside and into the elevator, "How long have you and Madeline been living together?"
"About a year. We moved in here right after we graduated. Paris and Louise live together, too, but then Louise got engaged and she'll be moving out soon, so Paris is going to come live with us because we have three bedrooms."
Tristan smiled, "I still think it would have been great to see the four of you sharing a suite all through college."
Rory nodded, "It was a lot of fun." she said as the elevator beeped and the doors slid open.
"So," Tristan said as they came to the door.
Rory smiled, turning to him, "I had a lot of fun."
He nodded, "Me too. Even though I don't think they appreciated you throwing the gun on the floor and yelling 'stupid machine, I am forced to terminate you now' after it ran out of shots."
She grinned sheepishly, "I couldn't find the station to refill it. They should tell you where those are."
"Should they?" he asked, leaning in.
Rory nodded, "They should." she said quietly as their lips met in a slow kiss. She pulled away after only a moment, smiling, "Goodnight." she opened the door.
Tristan smiled, "Goodnight, princess." he said quietly. Rory bit her lip, still smiling as she closed the door.
Tristan grinned, walking back to the elevator.
A/N: 'Good night, Princess' is from Aladdin, I'm not just saying it to be cliche or anything.
By: Gnome
Chapter 3: Goodnight, Princess
Rory sighed, laying across Paris's desk dramatically. Her friend looked up, eyebrows raised, "Can I help you with something?"
"No, no, I'm fine." Rory said, making herself comfortable.
"You do you realize that it will be impossible for me to finish this article on the govenor's affair if you don't get off, right?"
"Man, Paris, digging into people's lives, spreading their secrets, ruining them, what do you get out of that?" Rory asked, closing her eyes and balling up her jacket as a pillow.
"A job as one of Wallstreet's best reporters, according to People Magazine. Protecting liars, influencing people's better judgement, sending innocent men to prison, what do you call that?" she shot back.
"Being one half of the best attorney partnership in New England, to quote GQ. Alex was in it last month." she opened her eyes and turned on her side. Paris' eyebrow raised, smirking, and Rory considered what she's just said. She grinned at her friend, "Touché."
Paris nodded, "Thank you. Now, would you care to explain why you showed up in my office at seven in the morning on a Sunday? Aren't you supposed to be comatose until lunch?"
"Because I needed to talk to you in person without interruptions and I knew that we wouldn't be disturbed because only a lunatic like you would come on a Sunday this early, or actually, at all. Because normal people sleep on Sunday, some wake up and go to church, but none wake up at seven to come to work, except for you, of course." she grumbled, turning over.
Paris rolled her eyes, "And while you are just so charming first thing in the morning, I'm still waiting to hear why you had to talk to me in person, at seven in the morning, without any interruptions."
Rory sat up, suddenly remembering herslef. "Oh, yes, I did come for a reason, didn't I?"
"I sure as hell hope so."
"Yes, well, I need to ask a few questions and tell you some stuff."
"Like..."
"Like, who the hell is Tristan Dugrey?"
She shrugged, casually pushing Rory off her desk, causing the brunnette to fall off the edge ungracefully. She landed with a small yelp and a grumbled, "Fuck."
Paris smiled, looking at her computer and beginning to type, "He went to school with us until Junior year."
She stood up, holding a pen she'd grabbed off the floor and threw it at Paris, hitting her in the head, "Why did he go to Military School?"
Paris stopped typing at looked up, "Don't you remember? You were the only person from Chilton that he told himself up until last night."
Rory sat back on the desk, this time out of Paris' way, and she resumed typing, "Was I?"
"Yes. You were the last person he talked to."
"What happened?"
"You really don't remember, do you?"
"Vaguely."
Paris rolled her eyes, "He broke into a safe and got caught."
"Oh yes, that right, he started getting caught with everything he did when he hung out with those two guys-"
"Duncan and Bowman?"
"Is that what their names were?"
"As I recall."
"What were we doing when he left?"
"A project."
"Elaborate, please."
"Shakespear, he was Romeo to your Juliet, remember?" she looked up from the monitor and saw Rory's face change, "Is it all comeing back to you now?"
"Yeah. Oh my God, Dean."
Paris looked taken aback, "That asshole? What about him?"
"Didn't they hate eachother? That's why Tristan was mad at me, oh my God, 'I'd kiss you goodbye but your boyfriend's watching...' oh man, I remember it all now." she babbled, not really caring if Paris caught what she was saying or not.
Paris looked at her strangely, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Rory shook her head, "Tristan," she began laughing, "Tristan, he-he was going to kiss me if Dean wasn't there. I mean, it's kind of ironic, right? There was always a third person when we were teenagers. First, when we were sixteen, there was Tristan, then Jess when we were seventeen. We broke up then and we were apart at eighteen. And then he went and go married. Fucking married, and I had sex with him. The third party being his fucking wife. And it all comes back to what? Tristan." she finished, giving in to uncontrollable laughter. "I was with Jess, and Dean even still calls me to tell me he wants to see me." she shook her head, unable to stop laughing.
Paris stared at Rory, not even close to laughing. "What are you babbling about?"
"There's always a third person."
"Right. We'll get back to that. Now, what's happening with Tristan Dugrey?" Paris asked.
Rory shrugged, sliding off the desk, "I went to his little party thing last night."
"I didn't see you."
"Yeah, you'd left by the time I got there. How's Madi doing?"
"Good. She had a boy. Named his Logan."
"How cute."
"Yes, anyway, tell me about Tristan."
"Ah yes, I just you know, went to the party and his brother switched the placecards-"
"Wait, hang on, how do you know his brothers?"
Rory nodded, "Yes, I may want to start at the beginning, huh?"
"Yes, that would be nice."
"Right. You know how my mom broke her ankle, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Bradin was her doctor. I recognized him because he and Tristan looked so much alike, and he invited me to Tristan coming home party. So I went and was talking to him and Cassidy when Airin showed up and told me to act busy because some old couple was coming over-"
"McGee?" Paris asked.
Rorry nodded, pointing a finger at her, "Yes. That was it! Anyway, the McGees came over and they though I was dating Airin at first, but of course that wasn't true, but we talked to them and I swear they thought I was insane of something-"
"Imagine that." Paris said, rolling her eyes.
"Shut up. Eventually they walked away and Tristan came up. We started dancing and everything happened and Bradin and Cassidy switched my place card so that I was at a table with them." she finished, inhaling deeply.
Paris nodded, "Wow. I missed a lot, huh?"
"Yeah." Rory nodded breathlessly.
"So what's the problem?"
"I don't know. I mean, he's the first guy that's made me forget about Jess in months."
Paris grinned, "And how exactly is that a problem?"
"Because, I just met him."
"You've known his since you were fifteen."
"No. I met him when I was fifteen, but I never knew him."
Paris was still smiling, "Still, I don't see why this is worrying you. Have you talked to him?"
"In the past six hours? No." she said sarcastically.
"You stayed until one?" Paris asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Why?"
She shook her head, "Nothing."
"Anyway, I don't know what to do. Jess is back in Stars Hollow, and I can't get involved with him."
"So use Tristan to keep you busy."
"I wouldn't use him like that."
"Then don't use him. Really want to be with him."
"I like his company, that's all."
She nodded, smiling lightly, "Oh, I'm sure it is."
"It is!"
"That's what I just said!"
Rory shook her head, "I'm leaving. I'm only running on five and a half hours of sleep. I'm going to go catch up."
Paris turned back to her work, "Have fun."
"Oh, I will."
RORY'S APARTMENT, 2:30 PM
Her phone started ringing, damn technology. She tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't stop. Reaching over for it, she clicked it on, "State your purpose and die."
"Good morning Sunshine."
She narrowed her eyes, "How did you get my number?"
Tristan laughed, "You gave it too me last night."
Rory looked at the window to see light poking in from under the shade, "Did I really have that much to drink?"
"Do you work on being this charming, or does it just come naturally?" she could tell he was grinning.
"It's natural."
"I thought so. Now, explain your greeting to me."
She closed her eyes, "Tristan you realize that was like, a minute ago. Do you really think that I remember what I said?"
"I'm guessing no."
"And he's a genius."
"You said, 'state your purpose and die'."
"Oh yes, it's all coming back to me now. The memories are flooding. What's your point?" she asked, deadpan.
"Well, most people would have said, 'state your perpose or die'."
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "Still not seeing the point."
"You're saying that if I tell you whay I called, then I'll die."
"Yes, I know what I said, thank you."
"Yeah, so how am I supposed to ask you out if I can't tell you why I called?" he asked, grinning because it was obvious he'd woken her up and she wasn't all there.
Rory squeezed her eyes together slowly, "Care to repeat?"
"But I'd die."
"Only a little."
He laughed, "Do you have a day off next week?"
"Yeah, whatever day I want."
"Good. What do you think about Tuesday?"
"Tuesday. It's the third day of the week. It's actually grounded right now. It didn't do all of it's chores, so it can't play with Saturday and Monday until it makes it's bed and cleans the kitchen. It's a trouble maker and I think it should be punished. Now, if you asked me about Thursday, well, he's very well behaved, but that's a whole different story."
Tristan shook his head, laughing, "What?"
"You asked me what I thought about Tuesday. That's what I think about Tuesday."
"Well, do you have to stay home and make sure Tuesday stays in it's room, because if you don't then I would love to take you out."
"Hmm, hang on, let me check my schedule." she pulled the phone away from her ear, and sighed, closing her eyes. She blindly opened a drawer beside her bed, still on her back, and moved some stuff around to act like she was looking for something. She pulled the phone back, "I don't know, I'll have to consult with my turtle."
"Your pet turtle?"
"Yes."
"What's it's name?"
"Speedy. Very nice name for a turtle if you ever want one, very encouraging for them."
"Well, I have heard that turtles have low self esteem."
"Oh yeah."
"What kind of turtle is it?"
"I don't know. The green kind that are fun to play chicken with, of course when they don't move it's not so fun."
"Mm-hm," he rolled his eyes, smirking, "And how old is it?"
"Old. Like those cartoon turtles that are all creaky and have glasses."
"Uh huh, and do the glasses help?"
"Oh yeah, great eyesight now."
"Yeah, and is it a male or female?"
"Hasn't decided yet, but I think it's leaning towards female."
Tristan rolled his eyes, "You don't really have a turtle, do you?"
"No. But if I did then I'd name it speedy and consult with it on the matters of the universe."
"Yeah, I know, my dates are cosmic experiences."
"Not quite, but the ego's a different story."
"My ego is one of my best qualities."
"So that's why I can't stand you. Thanks, I was starting to wonder."
"No problem. So, what's the turtle say?"
"I don't have a turtle, silly."
Tristan smiled, "Mary...." he said playfully.
"Augh, I'd forgotten about that." she said, stretching her legs.
"Yeah, so had I until this morning. So, Tuesday night, yay or nay?"
"Sure why not? I'll probably be drunk through most of it anyway." she said, making sure to be light so he knew she was kidding.
"No, if you're drunk it won't be so much of a challenge."
Rory smiled, "Bye Tristan." she said sweetly.
"Sweet dreams, Mary."
She hung up the phone and dropped it, it landed somewhere next to the bed, and she rolled over and fell back to sleep.
MONDAY
Rory walked out of the elevator and onto the third floor, smiling at her secretary. She made her way into her office, cutting Alex off as he opened his mouth to make a smart ass comment about how she was late, "Don't even start." she said, throwing her purse behind the desk, which he happened to be sitting on, "And why are you in my office anyway? We have a whole floor just to the two of us. Leave me alone." she said, pushing him off of her desk.
He just laughed from his position on the floor, "Very unprofesional, Gilmore."
"Yeah, well, you know me, I like to look at the different aspects of what is professional and what isn't." she said distractedly, looking around for something.
Alex watched her, amused, "What are you doing?"
"Looking for the coffee maker, dumbass, what's it look like?" she said, banging around and looking in all the cabinets in her large office.
He laughed, "Rory, Rory, Rory, you threw the coffee maker out, remember?"
She just shook her head, not looking away from the cabinet her head was currently buried in, "Don't be ridiculous. I would never throw away a coofee manker. It would be a disgrace to my heritage. A Gilmore never throws away the maker of the elixir. It's unheard of. I'd be forced to kill you if I did, and that would just be terrible, so I in no possible way threw out a coffee maker."
He nodded, "Oh, so last week when it broke and you kicked it yelling, 'evil machine you must die' and threw it out the window into the fountain, you weren't really throwing it away, you were just letting it go for a swim, eh?"
Rory froze for a few seconds before coming out of the cabinet and looking at Alex, "I have no idea what you're talking about." she said, standing up casually and brushing herself off.
"Uh-huh. I knew this would happen, and since I'm such a good friend, I brought you," he stood up, revealing two coffees from behind him, "These."
Rory smiled widely, "You're the best person in the whole wide world, of course I don't know why you'd bring them, because I have a coffee maker around here somewhere." she said, looking around, anywhere but her desk.
He nodded, "Uh-huh, you're welcome Rory. And don't think I don't know that as soon as I leave you'll drink these."
"I will not. I have self control."
"Yeah, right." he said, exiting her office.
She shook her head, "That man is crazy." she said, walking to her desk and picking up the first coffee, taking a long drink of it as she started playing her messages.
"Aha!" Alex said from her door. She jumped, looking from him to the coffee in her hand guiltily. He just laughed and walked away.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Rory looked at herself in the mirror, twirling around as Madeline walked in, smiling, "Very nice, very nice."
Rory grinned, "Thank you."
"New shirt?"
"Your shirt. I think you got it last month."
"Did I?" her room mate asked, looking it over, "Nice. I have good taste."
"Yeah you do." Rory said, looking down at the tight orange shirt with only one strap. She tucked her straightened hair behind her ear, tying her orange low top converse that her mother had insisted on getting, even though Rory had practically no orange clothes.
"Who you going out with?" Madeline asked, sitting on Rory's bed.
She glanced up at her, "You remember Tristan Dugrey?"
"Of course. Unlike you, I went to school with him for ten years."
"You did, didn't you?"
She nodded, "Yup. You're going out with him?"
"Just to dinner or something, I think."
"Uh huh. Everything starts with 'just dinner'."
Rory shook her head, "I'm sure it does." the doorbell rang.
Madeline stood up, "I got it. Come out in five minutes." she left the room and Rory just shook her head, turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup.
A few minutes later, she came out of her room to see Tristan and Madeline sitting on the couch, laughing like old friends, which they were, she realized. "Hey."
Her voice caught their attention, and Tristan looked up, smiling at her, "Hey." he looked her over, taking in everything from the jean miniskirt to the orange bangles on her left wrist. He stood up, giving Rory a chance to see that he was simply wearing jeans and a navy blue shirt that said 'A & F Rugby Since 1973' in yellow. "You ready?" he asked, holding his hand out. She nodded, smiling as she took it and followed him out of the Hartford apartment.
He opened the door to his Mercedes-Benz for her, and she smiled, climbing in, "Flashy much, are we?"
He smirked, "Never." the door closed and he walked around to his own side and got in. Smiling at her before starting it up.
They rode in a comfortable silence, apart from the radio for a little while until she turned to him, "So, where are we going?"
Tristan grinned, "How do you feel about laser tag, Mary?"
Her eyes widened, "You're taking me to laser tag?" she squealed.
He laughed, "Yes, I'm taking you to laser tag."
"Oh my God, that is so much cooler and way more impressive than one of those fancy resturaunts."
He glanced over at her, "Laser tag is more impressive than a nice dinner?"
"Well yeah. See, the way I see it, taking someone there doesn't really give you a chance to get to know someone because you're both too preoccupied with what the other person will think and how the people around you see you. But with laser tag, you can actually have fun and not just observe a person's eating habits."
"And you expected me to take you to someplace like that?" he asked.
She shrugged, "Well yeah, until of course you called me and said to dress casual."
TWO HOURS LATER
Rory laughed, walking out of the arcade, "I so kicked your ass."
"We were on the same team."
"Yeah, but I won."
Tristan shook his head, "Rory, Rory, Rory, someone has an ego issue."
She nodded, "You're right. I think we should get you help."
"I wasn't talking about-"
"Ice cream!" she said loudly, cutting him off.
He laughed, "You want some ice cream?" he asked, glancing at the parlor across the street.
"Aww, how sweet of you to ask. I'd love some."
They made their way into the brightly lit shop and ordered before sitting down. "Okay," Tristan said, "So, tell me something."
"Like what?"
"Like when you could have possibly had a reason to buy orange shoes, because while they are definitley you, I can't see a girl just buying orange shoes."
She laughed, glancing down at her feet, "A couple months ago I was shoping with my mom and she insisted that we buy them because apparently you never know when orange shoes will come in handy. Even though the only time I've ever worn them before this was when I went to a concert with Jess because......" she trailed off thinking about what she'd just said. She looked down, every date she'd gone on after the whole Jess relationship, she'd compared the guys to him, and none had ever matched up. But with Tristan, she didn't even think about him.
"Who's Jess?"
She shrugged, looking up, "Ex-boyfriend. We broke up a couple months ago."
"I'm sorry." he wasn't used to letting a girl talk about an ex on the first date.
She shook her head, "We just never would have worked out. We've decided that we're friends." she said, seemingly mocking herself. "Yeah right. Like being friends with an ex ever works out."
He shook his head, "Not really."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be talking about this now-"
"No, it's fine."
She smiled lightly, "Thanks Tristan."
"For what?"
She shook her head, looking for what to say, "For being yourself."
"What?" he asked, obviously not understanding her.
"I mean, you know, most guys raised in society would have taken me somewhere where I wasn't comfortable, just to show off their money, which I mean, a nice resturaunt is fine, just not on the first date. They would have been really cold if I mentioned another guy's name.....I mean, even if that's not how they really felt. Just......thanks." she said quietly.
He smiled, "No problem."
"So, anyway, enough with the heavy mood, I want coffee." she said, pulling him up and out the door.
They pulled up in front of Rory's apartment complex and she was about to get out, but was surpeised when Tristan got out and opened her door for her. She grinned, "Thanks."
"So," he said as they made their way inside and into the elevator, "How long have you and Madeline been living together?"
"About a year. We moved in here right after we graduated. Paris and Louise live together, too, but then Louise got engaged and she'll be moving out soon, so Paris is going to come live with us because we have three bedrooms."
Tristan smiled, "I still think it would have been great to see the four of you sharing a suite all through college."
Rory nodded, "It was a lot of fun." she said as the elevator beeped and the doors slid open.
"So," Tristan said as they came to the door.
Rory smiled, turning to him, "I had a lot of fun."
He nodded, "Me too. Even though I don't think they appreciated you throwing the gun on the floor and yelling 'stupid machine, I am forced to terminate you now' after it ran out of shots."
She grinned sheepishly, "I couldn't find the station to refill it. They should tell you where those are."
"Should they?" he asked, leaning in.
Rory nodded, "They should." she said quietly as their lips met in a slow kiss. She pulled away after only a moment, smiling, "Goodnight." she opened the door.
Tristan smiled, "Goodnight, princess." he said quietly. Rory bit her lip, still smiling as she closed the door.
Tristan grinned, walking back to the elevator.
A/N: 'Good night, Princess' is from Aladdin, I'm not just saying it to be cliche or anything.