Pairing: Established relationships for L/L and P/J; R/T eventually
Spoilers: May reference any and all episodes from seasons 1 & 2, up to and including Lost and Found.
Rating: R
Summary: Future fic. Seven years after graduating from Chilton, Rory and Paris are business partners. What happens when they strike up a joint venture with Tristan DuGrey?
Disclaimer: All characters from the television show Gilmore Girls were created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, and are the property of Dororthy Parker Drank Here Production and Hofflund-Pollone. They are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made from their use.
A/N: First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for all the wonderful reviews I have received. I feel very privileged that so many people feel compelled to voice their thoughts on my story. That said, I want to plug my fellow authors, and remind people that if they read a story they really like, to please review it!
Thanks especially to Archangel, Bess, Christine, Coral, Liza, Miya, Nate, NeitJess, Roxy, Tay, and Trixie from FF—you are all awesome!
To anyone who mentioned it in their reviews, yes, Serendipity3 is a real restaurant in NYC. You can learn more about it at www.serendipity3.com. I try to use as many real places as I can when writing.
Finally, this chapter's title quote is from The Princess Bride.
Unholy Alliance
by Grace
Part Ten: Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something…
Jess' hand went still against Paris' stomach. "What did you say?" he asked softly.
She rolled over to face him, and he could see the tears in her eyes. "I'm pregnant. Please don't be upset—I know we didn't plan…"
He silenced her babbling with a gentle kiss. "Paris, why on earth would I be upset? We're going to have a baby! I can't imagine anything more wonderful than a brand new little person that's a part of both of us."
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you feel that way! I was so worried…"
Jess rested his forehead against hers. "Don't you know by now that whatever happens, we're in this together? So the timing isn't exactly what we planned—big deal."
Paris bit her lip nervously. "You might have to put off getting your masters for a few more years."
"It's just a piece of paper, Frenchie. You and this baby are all that matter to me."
Her tears were flowing freely by then. "I'm such a wreck! I can't believe the damn hormones are already kicking in!"
Sliding his hand carefully between their bodies, Jess caressed her flat stomach, imagining how it would feel as their baby grew. "How far along are you?"
"About six weeks. I'm due in late March or early April."
He began tracing slow circles around her bellybutton with his fingertip. "I can't believe I'm going to be a father."
"I know." She grinned mischievously. "I'm actually a little surprised it didn't happen sooner, given your insatiable appetites."
His eyebrows shot up. "My insatiable appetites? You were the one who tried to jump me in the hallway."
"Details, details. Now shut up and kiss me."
* * *
Struggling to catch his breath, Tristan turned back towards Lane, only to see her waving energetically at Rory and RJ.
"What are you doing?" he hissed.
"I'm waving to my best friend," Lane shot back through clenched teeth. "They already know we saw them, and I have a feeling they'd start to wonder if we just ignored them."
Tristan bit back his response as the other couple approached the table. "Hi guys!" Rory exclaimed brightly. "This is too funny, running into you here."
"It's positively serendipitous," Tristan said snidely. He instantly regretted his tone when Rory, RJ, and Lane all stared at him like he had grown a second head. Lamely, he added, "Uh, would you guys like to join us?"
RJ looked like he wanted to refuse, but Rory chirped "Sure!" and immediately sat down in the chair between Lane and Tristan. Her date had no choice but to walk around to the other side of the table and claim the only remaining seat, directly opposite her.
"So what have you two been up to this evening?" Rory inquired.
"Well, after you left, Tristan and I went to FAO Schwarz for a while. Did you know he can play 'Heart and Soul' with his feet?"
Rory and RJ both smiled, and RJ added, "Funny, that's not one of the skills listed on his résumé."
"Anyway, Tristan took me to dinner at Tavern on the Green, so it seemed only fair to treat him to dessert. We've just been sitting around discussing life and stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Rory asked, somewhat unnerved that Lane and Tristan had apparently bonded without her.
"Oh, nothing much," Lane responded airily. "Although, he was just telling me how he's thinking of investing in neon."
At her remark, Tristan kicked her none-too-gently under the table. "Ow!"
"Yes, and Lane here was just saying that she expects stock in Ace bandages to skyrocket," Tristan said smoothly.
Rory looked back and forth between her two friends. Something was obviously going on between the two of them, and she wasn't quite sure how she felt about that. Standing abruptly, she announced, "Excuse me, I'm going to the ladies' room. Lane?"
The Korean girl gave her a blank look, and then comprehension seemed to dawn. "Oh, right, okay. I think I'll go too."
When they had disappeared from sight, Tristan turned to RJ and asked, "You ever wonder why women never go to the bathroom alone? I mean, what do they do in there?"
"Talk about us, probably. So…you and Lane seem pretty cozy. You like her?"
"Sure, Lane's great."
"No, I mean, do you think you'll see her again?"
Tristan gave his partner a funny look. "You mean in a dating capacity? I don't think so. We both know we're better off as friends."
"Too bad, man. You seem like a good match."
"Okay, you're starting to scare me, RJ. One, since when do you ask so many questions about my personal life? Two, you've seen me interact with Lane for what? A grand total of three hours? And three, she's a first-year resident who lives in Boston. I'm not even sure she's allowed to have a social life for the next couple years."
RJ shrugged and averted his gaze. "I don't know, I guess I'd like to see you settle down, commit to a nice girl. You haven't dated anyone seriously for so long…"
"Neither have you," Tristan pointed out.
"I know, but… Look, have you ever gotten the feeling that a girl was 'the one'? The end of the line, the person you can imagine spending the rest of your life with?"
Tristan's face blanched, and he swallowed hard. "Are you talking about Rory?" he queried softly.
RJ nodded. "Lorelai's just…so incredible. I know I haven't known her very long, and maybe I'm jumping the gun, but I really have high hopes for this relationship."
"Wow, I'm really happy for you, man," Tristan managed to choke out.
RJ looked at him skeptically. "Is that so? Because from where I'm sitting, you don't look happy. You look ready to puke. I need you to be honest with me, T—are you going to have a problem with Lorelai dating me?"
Tristan gazed steadily at the man he considered to be one of his best friends. "What would you do if I said that I did have a problem with it?"
"I'd say that I'm very sorry you feel that way, but Lorelai is too special to me to just walk away."
Taking a deep breath, Tristan replied, "Then I don't have a problem with it. You're both great people. I hope you make each other really happy."
RJ broke into a wide grin, and clapped Tristan on the shoulder. "Thanks, T! You're the best."
* * *
The ladies' room was deserted except for Rory and Lane. As Lane ran a brush through her glossy dark hair, Rory fiddled with a small tube of lip gloss.
Tentatively, Rory said, "It seems like you and Tristan got to be pretty good friends today."
The brush stilled in mid-stroke. "Yes, we did. He's really a great guy. I'm glad I got the chance to get to know him."
"He seems so…different than I remember him."
"It has been nearly ten years, you know."
"I know, it's just… Do you, um, like him?"
"What if I do?"
"That would be great! I mean, you'd probably need to be careful—he was always kind of a player…"
Lane set her brush down rather loudly on the counter. "Good grief, Rory that was in high school! His entire life is his work now! He hardly dates at all! What, exactly, do I need to be careful of?"
"I don't know, I just don't want to see you get hurt, I guess."
Heaving an exasperated sigh, Lane took a deep breath before speaking again. "Rory, I love you, but sometimes you are emotionally stunted to a frightening degree. For whatever reason, it is obviously bothering you that Tristan and I are getting along so well. Yes, I like him. That doesn't mean I want to date him. Maybe instead of worrying about my emotional well-being, you should think about why exactly you don't like him paying attention to me."
"Lane, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant…" Rory's voice was trembling. "I guess I'm still not used to being around him. It was stupid. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, really. I think once you give him a chance, you'll be surprised by what you find." Without waiting for Rory to respond, Lane exited the bathroom.
* * *
When she got back to the table, Lane noticed that Tristan was looking unusually pale. "Sorry that took so long," she commented. "You know women in the bathroom."
Ryan chuckled. "Yeah, I was trying to explain to Tristan here why it is you guys go in groups. Speaking of which, where's Lorelai?"
"She should be out in just a minute. There was, um, a little too much potpourri in there, and the smell was starting to get to me." Noting that Tristan hadn't spoken a word since her return, Lane asked him, "Are you feeling okay? Did we finally manage to wear you out?"
He flashed a weak smile, a mere shadow of his usual dazzling grin. "I think the frozen hot chocolate was a little more than my stomach can handle. Would you mind if I called it a night?"
"Not at all! I'm actually feeling pretty tired myself."
"I'll take you back to the Plaza then, and head home myself. Besides, I'm sure Rory and RJ would like some time alone."
RJ beamed. "Thanks, I'd appreciate that."
Rising from his chair, Tristan said, "Tell Rory I said good-bye, and to have a safe trip home."
"Will do. It was really nice meeting you this weekend, Lane," he added, holding out his hand.
"Likewise."
"I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other in the future. I look forward to it."
"Yes, of course. Tell Rory I'll see her later."
"No problem. I know she'll be sorry you guys had to leave."
Lane and Tristan finally managed to make their exit from the restaurant, stopping only to pay their bill. As soon as they were outside, Lane asked, "Okay, what really happened in there? You look like hell."
He stared down at his feet. "Let's just say that I don't think you should invest in that neon sign anytime soon. RJ and I talked while you guys were in the bathroom. He really cares about her, Lane, and I know he's better for her than I could ever be."
"Tristan, what exactly did you say?"
"I gave him my blessing."
"Oh, Tristan, no…"
* * *
When Rory finally emerged from the bathroom, she was startled to discover Ryan alone at the table. "Where'd everybody go?" she asked, sitting down beside him.
"Tristan didn't feel well, and Lane was tired, so they went home."
"Oh. They seemed fine a few minutes ago."
"I think they were just trying to be polite, sweetheart. Tristan and I had a nice little talk, and I'm sure he wanted to give us some time alone."
She tensed slightly. "What did you talk about?"
"You, of course! I wanted to make sure that whatever history he had with you wasn't going to cause any problems."
"Ryan, I already told you, we didn't really have a history…"
"I know. I guess I just needed to know that he believed that, too."
"Why wouldn't he?"
"Just a gut feeling I had. Turns out I was wrong."
"Well, good." Yet, even as she smiled at Ryan, Rory couldn't explain the wave of disappointment that washed over her. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear the feeling. She and Tristan were just barely becoming friends. That's all they would ever be. That's all they ever could be.
She was fine with that.
Really.
To be continued…