Chapter Five

Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

She entered her grandparent's house in a daze… not quite sure what to think or even do. Almost as if she were hypnotized, she headed to her bedroom and snuggled deep within her cozy comforter. She closed her eyes and let out a pleasurable sigh. Biting her lip, it was then that she started thoroughly analyzing the day's events. Part of her was hurt, part of her was incredibly angry and perhaps the largest part of her was deeply confused. Maybe it was just a coincidence… yes, that's it… it was a coincidence. Tristan was not at Doose's… Tristan did not fight with Dean. It is all one big coincidence. Rory smiled, she was pleased with her final thought.

"Rory dear."

"Yeah grandma?" Rory sat up.

"Did you bring an outfit to change into like I requested?" Emily inquired.

Rory nodded "It's in my mom's jeep."

"Wonderful. I'll have Maria go and get it," her grandmother smiled "Dinner needs to be perfect tonight."

"Are you having guests?"

Emily nodded enthusiastically, "We're having Janlan and his grandson to dinner tonight. I believe you know of them?"

Rory nodded, biting the inside of her lip to keep from groaning in aggravation. "Yes grandma."

"And what did you think of the youngest DuGrey? Tristan?" Emily questioned.

"I'm sure he's a very charming individual," she murmured.

"You two don't talk?"

"He doesn't go to Chilton anymore."

"I mean, when he did attend."

Rory's eyebrows rose, "Um, we didn't really talk. Just the occasional hello and bye," she lied.

"Oh well dear, I suggest you two interact tonight," Emily looked around, worried that someone might be eavesdropping "Between you and I dear, I almost feel sorry for Tristan. He's had such a hard life."

Rory almost let out a snort. A hard life? Please… she scoffed. "How so?"

"He's had to fight so many battles between him and his father," Emily looked around once more "And he never did get over the death of his brother ten years ago," she whispered the last few words.

The guilt was slowly consuming the youngest Gilmore. She didn't know what to do… what to say… or even how to act. He sat in front of her at the dinner table. The blonde would occasionally look up from his meal to glance at her… and each time; Rory would turn to talk to her mother. She was avoiding his gaze, she knew it, he knew it… hell the whole room knew it.

"Oh, I have a funny story," Lorelai's voice broke the tense atmosphere that filled the dining room.

"Let's hear it," Rory smiled at her mother.

"It's quite funny… but it's the you-had-to-be-there funny… but I'll tell it anyway…"

"So Rory, Tristan… tell us how you two first met," Richard smiled, taking a sip of his white wine.

Rory looked up from her plate and inwardly glared at her grandfather. "Well… uhh…"

"There's not much to tell really," Tristan spoke for both of them, he cast Rory one final look "We were just in the same classes."

"Interesting," Lorelai grinned, "Anyway, back to my story… so I go to Michel," Lorelai pauses "Michel's this grouchy French man… anyway so I tell him to go to the kitchen to check on how Sookie's soufflé was doing… so Michel goes to the kitchen… and he opens the oven… and you know souffl's, they can't be disturbed… or else they go cur plunk."

"Cur plunk?" the word was sounded unusual coming from Emily Gilmore's mouth.

Lorelai nodded, "You know…"

"No, I don't know."

"Mom, you of all people should know."

Emily sighed, she didn't even bother to respond to her daughter's antics. Tristan watched in amusement, while Rory, being used to their behavior continued to eat her dinner silently.

"Rory, after dinner why don't you give Tristan a tour of the garden? George finished planting my white roses on Saturday… it's quite a lovely sight."

Rory sighed; she couldn't really say no. "Sure grandma."

"So…" Tristan started.

"So… umm… here are the roses my grandma spoke so highly of," Rory pointed to the bed of flowers a few feet from the teenagers.

Tristan nodded, "What a pretty sight," he faked enthusiasm.

"Yeah…"

"How have you been?"

"Me? I've been fine."

"Good," Tristan coughed apprehensively.

"And you?"

"Great."

"Good."

The two uncomfortable teenagers continued to walk throughout the Gilmore estate. Rory nervously played with a tiny strand of her dark hair, while Tristan walked with his head down and his hands in his pockets. Rory observed him through the corner of her eyes… he looked so bewildered and pleased… all at the same time. Is that even possible? Rory asked herself.

"Rory? Rory!"

Rory snapped back to reality and turned toward Tristan, "What?"

"I asked if you wanted to take a seat," Tristan pointed to the bench nearby.

Rory nodded quickly.

"Rory, you know… I won't bite you," Tristan remarked, chuckling.

Rory blushed three different shades of red, "I know that," Rory scooted a little closer to where Tristan comfortably sat.

"Let's play a game," Tristan finally broke the awkward silence between the two.

"A game?"

"Yeah, a game."

"I don't think…"

"Just one game."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you want to play a game with me?"

Tristan shrugged, "For many reasons, one because I'm terribly bored and two it's going to take a while before they finish that bottle of whiskey," he replied, referring to the adults who were having a few drinks in the living room.

Rory chewed her bottom lip, contemplating his suggestion. He did have a point… and it was better then sitting together in complete and utter silence. "Alright, what game do you have in mind?"

Tristan grinned, pleased that she had agreed. "How about… twenty questions?"

"I don't think I'm familiar with that game."

"We take turns asking each other questions, twenty each. And we have to answer honestly," Tristan emphasized the last word.

"I don't know… twenty's a little too many. How about just eight?"

"Eight's not enough for me."

"Why not? I think eight is enough," Rory argued back.

"How about ten?"

"Alright, ten's fine," she grudgingly agreed.

"Okay, you start."

"Umm… what's your… full name?" Rory asked, embarrassed of her question.

"Tristan Janlan DuGrey. My turn… ever watch porn?"

"Tristan!"

"Relax, I'm kidding… what's your favorite color?" Tristan wanted to start with simple questions.

"Blue. My turn… uhh… most memorable moment."

"When I got my first car."

"First car? Just how many cars have you had?"

"Three," Tristan answered the question with no ounce of enthusiasm.

"But you're only seventeen."

"Your point? Anyway… one thing you can't live without."

"Coffee."

Tristan groaned… he should have expected that.

"How many more questions left?"

"Eight… my turn."

"Wait! That's not fair," Rory argued.

"How is it not fair?"

"That wasn't my question."

"So? You asked a question… I answered it. My turn… your most cherished item."

"My copy of Pride and Prejudice. What's your favorite book?"

"Catcher in the Rye."

Six more questions to answer, Rory thought, anxious to finish their little game.

Tristan thought carefully about what his next question would be. He grinned at her innocently. "How many boyfriends have you had?"

"Three," Rory easily answered, "How many girlfriends have you had?"

Five more questions to go…

"Three. Did you love any of them?"

"Yes, yes I did…" Rory answered softly. "You expect me to believe that you, Tristan DuGrey have only had three girlfriends?"

Four..

"Serious ones, yes."

Rory nodded.

"How far have you gone?"

"What?" Rory almost choked on her saliva.

"You know what I mean. How far?"

"I don't want to answer that."

"But we're playing ten questions. The rule is to answer honestly."

"Can I skip that one?" Rory questioned, her heart beating at an irregular pace.

"Fine, but you have to answer this next question truthfully. No fucking excuses."

Rory nodded appreciatively.

"You promise?" Tristan licked his lips.

"Promise"

"Are you a virgin?"

Rory's eyes grew wide with fear. She should have seen it coming. Damn it! Why the hell do you have to be so damn naïve Gilmore, she scolded herself. Inhaling a shaky breath, she met his anxious blue eyes. She couldn't answer his question… she wouldn't. Even her mother didn't know… she couldn't tell him.

"I'm waiting."

"Can I… can I skip it?"

Tristan laughed, "Come on, you promised!"

"I know… but I… I…" Rory stammered.

"Are you scared? Because if you are, I totally understand."

"I'm not scared," Rory blushed, cursing her stubborn nature.

"Just answer the question then."

"Alright fine… I'm not a virgin. Are you happy?" Rory whispered so low that she wasn't sure if he had heard.

But Tristan did hear her answer. Loud and clear actually. He had no words to say… before he had asked; deep inside himself he already knew the answer. Just that another part of him refused to believe the truth. Reality had come crashing down around him as she uttered her answer to his question. His hands formed tight fists… he cursed his father. He hated him for shipping him off to North Carolina… if he had stayed in Chilton, nothing would have changed. Tristan would have remained king and Rory would still be his Mary. But he had to face the facts… Tristan was no longer king; the title was now Jason's. And Rory was no longer a Mary.

"It's your turn," Rory replied, attempting to hide her humiliation.

Tristan attempted to smirk, but failed miserably. The smirk had ended looking like a lopsided thin smile. "How about we postpone our little game for another time? It's getting late."

Rory nodded, relieved. "Sure. I'm going to go inside."

"Yeah sure."

Rory stood and began walking toward the house. "Are you coming?" she asked over her shoulder.

"I think I'll stay outside for a little bit."

Rory nodded and entered the vast estate.

Tristan ran a hand through his already tousled hair. He didn't know what to think anymore. He thought Jason was only playing… he thought he was only trying to push his buttons. He wanted to scream, to curse, to punch a wall… anything to release his undeniable anger and frustration. He opted to kick the dirt on the ground and a few moments later, he buried his face within his hands.

The rightful king had just been defeated.

Ah sorry for the wait. I've just had some MAJOR writer's block… but I'm back.

Thank you guys SO friggin much for all your support so far! Now be the wonderful nice people you are and review. =)

And yay for all the Canucks. Go Canada Go! (In case some of you are confused, World Cup of Hockey baby!)