A/N: Once again, thanks to all those who reviewed! Keep it up! To those who have been asking, this is a Tristan, Rory, and Logan story. And I know it may seem slow, but I promise I'll start kicking it up a notch soon.
Once again, I do not claim any rights to the characters in my story. They are the sole creations of the WB, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Co. But I do express my utmost gratitude to them for providing us with such amazing characters to relate and believe in.
Chapter 3: A change of plans"GILMORE!" Charlie Kaplan roared once again as Rory entered his fishbowl style office. The Venetian blinds were open so that everyone in the newsroom could see the large man pacing back and forth in the small space.
"I'm right here, there's really no need to yell, sir," Rory replied attempting to find a place to sit in the chaos that was her boss's office.
"I need an update on your progress with the Senator Delaney story," Charlie stated not making a single apology for his earlier outburst.
"Well, Paris has an afternoon meeting with his assistant, Tristan DuGrey; it turns out he's an old family friend of hers…" she began to say but was cut off by the beginning of a snarl coming from the man that was no longer paying any attention to her. Charlie's attention had been caught by the arrival of the last man he had expected to see ever again.
"Go to that meeting in her place," Charlie finally said tearing his gaze away from the man who had stolen his last job from him. Stealing a quick glance, all Rory could see was a smartly dressed younger man with dark hair and wire-rimmed glasses. He appeared to be walking towards the office, but decided mid-stride to stop and take seat at one of the empty desks. The man relaxed in the chair and just appeared to be waiting for something, or perhaps someone.
"What! There's no way Paris is going to give up this opportunity, sir, I'm honored that you think-" she started saying but was quickly interrupted.
"I need you to cover this story because I'm pulling Paris to handle something else," Charlie answered nodding his head. A brilliant idea was forming in his mind. He would have Rory use her charm and perceived innocence to get to the bottom of the rumors circulating around Senator Delaney. And he'd put into play the brash take-no-prisoner attitude of Paris's to deal with the problem that was currently sitting in his newsroom.
"Ok, but…" Rory began to say when Charlie waved his hand dismissing her. Rory left the room confused and slightly frustrated. She knew that Charlie respected her as a reporter, but there were moments when she felt that all he saw her as was a pretty face to be ordered around.
"How'd your meeting go? And who's that guy sitting over there?" Paris piped in as soon as she saw her friend sitting back down.
"Um… well the meeting was more of just Charlie yelling, and me sitting there like some nitwit. I need to be more assertive and stand up to him like you do," Rory started to say, but Paris snorted in response.
"Oh and apparently I'm taking over the interview today with Senator Delaney's…. assistant… who is Tristan DuGrey…" Rory slowly said, more to herself, she had forgotten all about Tristan up until this point. Suddenly she felt nervous and unsure of her ability to get the job done professionally. She had tuned out Paris completely, but looked up in time to see Paris storming towards Charlie's office.
"What is this! Rory just told me you gave away my lead on Senator Delaney. I'm the one who waded through the PR red tape to figure out what was going on. I'm the one who scored the interview with the guy that is going to take over the seat of the most controversial senator in the nation, and you just give my story away to little Miss Innocence," Paris screeched not giving a crap if people were staring. She was livid. Suddenly she felt a presence standing behind her and she turned her dagger eyes on the man currently lounging in the doorframe.
"WHAT! Can't you see we're busy, or is that microscopic pea inside your head that you call a brain too overtaxed from getting this morning's coffee order to realize that?" Paris snarled only to be met with a quick smirk. There was something familiar about the man standing before her.
"Charlie, I'm glad to see that you have passionate employees here," the man said stepping into the small office. He flashed a quick grin at Paris, who eyed the stranger suspiciously before turning her attention back to Charlie.
"Fine. I don't care who you are, stay, but if you get caught in the crossfire don't say I didn't warn you," she bit out, waiting for her editor to answer her previous rant.
"Paris, I'd like you to meet Dylan Brash; you are going to be working with him for the next two weeks. I've handed off your assignments to Gilmore, and expect you to assist Dylan in any way possible," Charlie ground out his dislike for the man in front of him quite apparent. It would be quite the sight to see Paris take the young Brash down a few pegs.
"Brash… you wouldn't happen to have a brother named Jamie?" Paris asked suddenly quiet as a mouse.
"Actually, I do. Why do you know him?" Dylan asked perplexed by the lack of vinegar in the question. He had been amused by her vivacity and ability to get a rise out of Charlie. It had been two yars since Dylan had seen Charlie and it was as if nothing had really changed. The man still had an intense air about him, but what was once a look of respect and humor, now a look of disdain and hatred filled the eyes of the older man.
"Um… well… no, not anymore, Charlie, what's going on here?" Paris stuttered shaking herself back into reality. There would be plenty of time to dwell on the fact that Jamie Brash's older brother, the older brother of her high school sweetheart, was going to be her co-worker for the next two weeks. There were a million questions going through her head, and it was time for some answers.
"Paris Gellar, I'd like you to meet Dylan Brash- he's CNN's station manager. Apparently our parent company, Lexicon, feels that it would be an excellent idea for the Tribune and CNN to come up with an hour long program focusing in on D.C.'s latest doom and gloom taking place. I'm putting you in charge on our end, and apparently CNN has decided to send the big guns to work with us," Charlie explained finally taking a seat behind the massive mahogany desk that seemed to overwhelm the small office.
"Hi. Listen Charlie, it wasn't my idea…" Dylan started to say but saw the look in his old mentor's eyes and quickly refocused his attention on the young woman beside him.
"No continue, I'd like to know what minefield I'm stepping into," Paris barked not breaking eye contact with Dylan. The two felt as if they were looking into a mirror for both adults had the same piercing blue eyes and fair skin.
"I want a daily report on how things are going," was all the response he gave Paris. Dismissing both of them Charlie steepled his hands and swiveled his chair giving both of them nothing more than his silence and his back.
A/N 2: I hadn't originally planned to write so much about Paris, but the story line is taking me where it will.. I hope you enjoy and stay tuned for the next chapter will have the first meeting between Tristand and Rory! Logan and Rory's storyline will begin in a couple chapters. Keep reviewing!