Author: Summer

Title: Drain the Glass

Rating: PG-13, for now

Chapter Title: Strike Me Blind

Summary: When Rory Gilmore's broke, she's desperate enough to do anything- even be the nanny to the family of her roommate. But it's the blonde boy she runs into there that makes the story interesting…

Chapter Summary: Amelie and Rory go shopping… Tristan and Rory discuss literature

Disclaimer: Don't own Gilmore Girls, obviously. Um, own Jordan and the rest of the Danvers, as well as Sinclair, Amelie, Corina, and Julianna. Also don't own Procol Harum's One Eye on the Future, One Eye on the Past. Basically, I own nothing except my mind's eye. Yes, scary thought. ;)

Author's Note: To Joan, for a belated birthday.

Feedback is always appreciated. You guys know me well enough to know I'd never hold back a chapter over it… err, with the exception of Loz and Joan, lol, but it does make an author more enthused. Plus, I'm the kind of person who will comment on good feedback in an author's note, maybe pimp a fic.

SPECIAL NOTE: I'd like to thank all the readers who have followed this story through it's slow development. I'm very sorry for the delay between chapters. By mid-June, however, I can promise chapters will be much more speedy- maybe even 2 or 3 a week sometimes.

The next day was cold for November. Rory entered the sitting room dressed in an off-white sweater and loose fitting jeans, her Lit book tucked under her arm. She didn't have any classes until 1, so she wanted to get a little studying in.

Amelie was sitting in one of the arm chairs, similarly dressed and curled up reading a paperback. She glanced up when she saw Rory and smiled. "Hey."

"Hey." Rory plopped down in another chair. "What are you reading?"

Amelie turned the cover to face Rory. "House of Straw," Amelie blushed. "It's no classic, but I find it interesting."

Rory smiled. "What's it about?"

"A girl with the seemingly charmed life just trying to fit in. I'm a sucker for that kind of thing." Amelie eyed the hardcover on Rory's lap. "So, light reading?"

"No, no, not quite." Rory laughed. "My Lit book. I have an exam in a couple weeks."

Amelie raised an eyebrow. "And you finally have free time and you're going to study?"

"Yeah. Pathetic, huh?"

"No, not at all. Just…" Amelie trailed off. "I had plans with Tristan to go shopping today. But he got called into the office and… Well, what do you think? Want to hit the bookstore and a few others with me? I'd love to get to know you better."

Rory shrugged. "Yeah. Give me a couple minutes, okay?"

Amelie nodded.

"You've never had ice cream at Aunt Edna's? God, what did you grow up on? Ben & Jerry's? It just doesn't compare."

Rory shook her head. "I've never even heard of Aunt Edna's. Which in itself, is surprising since my mom prides herself on knowing where all the best eats in Connecticut are."

"That's how my sister is." Amelie gestured across the mall parking lot to a small building. "It's right over there. You have to try it."

Rory laughed. "Yeah, sure. What's the best kind?" she asked as she fell into step next to Amelie.

"Oh, God, I don't know. They're all really good. I love the chocolate but Tristan says the vanilla's better."

"Then chocolate it is." They walked in silence for a moment. "How was your trip?" Rory asked.

Amelie smiled. "It was nice. I like spending time with my sisters. Although I worry about Allison sometimes."

"Why?" Rory asked as they reached the door.

"She's impulsive. For example, she's now dating the guy who she crashed into," Amelie explained, swinging the door open. "Welcome to heaven on earth."

"What time is it?"

Amelie glanced at her watch. "Um, almost 4:30. Why?"

"Oh, no. I missed my class. Review started today."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept you so long. It's totally my fault."

"No it's not. Don't worry about it." Rory sighed. "We should probably go back now though."

Amelie shook her head. "Not an option. Mrs. Ashford's probably in high drive right now and it wouldn't be pretty."

"High drive? For what?"

"Christmas. She always plans parties right after another ends. And now, since she doesn't have to worry about Normandy's birthday party, she can start worrying about Christmas. The Ashford Christmas party is the biggest of the year."

"Oh. That must be fun."

Amelie laughed. "No, not really. It's just stressful. I think it ruins Christmas for Normandy and Emilie."

"You know a lot about the Ashfords. How long have you been with Tristan?"

"A while. But our families were friends when we were children."

Rory nodded. "My grandfather does business with his family."

"Oh, really?" Amelie leaned forward. "Tristan told me you went to Chilton together, but he didn't mention any family connections."

"Tristan and I… didn't exactly get along in high school."

"And it gets interesting!" Amelie smiled. "I know Tristan was a… how should I put it? A royal pain in the ass."

Rory laughed. "Well, he certainly considered himself royalty."

"I'm afraid that still is the case… But he's worth it, I swear." Amelie smiled. "Under all the bravado, he's really sweet."

"I know." Rory froze, surprised she'd said that.

"And he's a good kisser." Amelie's smile turned to a devilish grin.

I know. "I wouldn't know."

Later that day, everyone was gathered in the dining room when Tristan came home.

"All my favorite women in one room. What did I do to get so lucky?"

"Came home during dinner," Normandy said dryly.

"Quite the standup routine, Normandy," Tristan laughed. Turning to Amelie, he added, "I tried to call you earlier but your cell was off. Where were you?"

"Rory and I went shopping."

"Oh." Tristan's gaze flickered over Rory's. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah. Can you believe she's never had ice cream at Aunt Edna's."

"No, not really." Tristan yawned. "I already ate so I'm going to go upstairs."

"Okay."

Rory entered the sitting room later that night to grab her Lit book she'd left there earlier, only to find Tristan stretched out on a couch, reading from the text.

"What are you doing?"

Tristan looked up. "Oh, hey Rory," he said calmly, as if he hadn't heard her question.

"Hey… Why do you have my book?"

"I was reading from it. It's weird to think I could have this book right now if… other things hadn't delayed my college plans."

That was vague enough. Rory sat down at the end of the couch. "Yeah, theoretically. Would you have gone to Yale?"

"I got in," Tristan responded. It wasn't really an answer.

"Oh." Rory snatched the book back and Tristan winced.

"Quick response," he commented. "My reflexes couldn't have controlled that."

Rory grinned, glancing down at the page he'd been reading. The smile fell from her face. "Romeo and Juliet?"

"Would you believe I never even read it during high school?"

"Yes."

Tristan laughed. "Fair enough… It's quite interesting, actually. At least the beginning. Did you know that Romeo was quite the player, the handsome guy who could have any girl he wanted?"

"Yes."

Tristan paused, his eyes meeting Rory's. "Except Juliet."

His gaze was too intense and she averted her eyes. "He could have Juliet."

"There wasn't time, really. The end came too soon."

Rory raised her eyes to find his hadn't moved. "That's relative. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. They had to die to be together, Tristan."

"It was crossed communication."

Before Rory could reply, Emilie entered the room. "Could someone help me with my math homework?"

Rory stood up. "Yeah. I'll be right in."

"No, Rory. I can take care of her. You go and study." Tristan got up and followed Emilie from the room. Rory sat back down and started to read her text.

"He that is strucken blind cannot forget
The precious treasure of his eyesight lost."