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: The long overdue next chapter is finally here. I apologize for the delay, but as stated in a previously posted author's note, we had a death in the family. I hope to update with more regularity from now on.
This chapter's title quote is from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Really. It is.
Unholy Alliance
by Grace
Part Twelve: How's that for being born under a bad sign?
"Wow, Henry, it's been a long time."
"I can't believe I just hit your car," he mumbled.
"Well, it's not how I would have planned an impromptu reunion, but then, I guess you don't really plan impromptu reunions, huh?"
"No, not really. So, uh, how have you been?"
She grinned. "Not bad. You know, the last nine years have been pretty busy, what with college and med school."
"You're a doctor?" he inquired, mild surprise in his tone.
"Mm-hmm. First-year resident at Massachusetts General, actually."
"I'm impressed. I never knew you were interested in medicine."
"When I knew you, I wasn't. People change, right? So, what brings you to Boston?"
"Business. I decided to stray somewhat from becoming a doctor, and now I'm a malpractice lawyer."
"Good to know, just in case!" she chuckled. "How long are you in town?"
"Just tonight."
Lane's face fell. "Oh. I guess going out for coffee isn't an option, then…"
"Oh, I would love to, but I really have to keep this trip short. My, um, wife could go into labor any day now. I didn't even want to come, but the partners insisted."
"You're married? Congratulations," she said softly.
"Yeah, two years in November. Her name is Leah."
"Where did you guys meet?"
"College. We were lab partners in o-chem."
"How romantic," Lane laughed.
"Yeah, it was love at first ester."
"Some things are just meant to be, I suppose."
Henry raised an eyebrow. "Do you think this meeting is one of them?"
Lane sat down on the trunk of her car. "Let's just say that this isn't my first encounter with Chilton students this weekend."
"Are you still in touch with Rory?"
"Of course! I was talking about Tristan, though."
"DuGrey? Wow, I haven't thought about him in years. How is he doing?"
"Pretty well. He owns his own business."
"That's not surprising. How did you meet up with him, anyway?"
"Believe it or not, Rory is dating Tristan's business partner. The four of us spent the weekend in New York."
"How does Tristan feel about that turn of events?"
"What do you mean?"
"Come on, back in high school, everybody knew that Tristan was hung up on Rory. She was the first girl he ever took seriously."
Lane cocked her head thoughtfully. "Henry, that was all the way back in high school. Why should he care now who she dates?"
"I don't know, maybe because he never got to date her himself? Tristan never did like to lose."
"Huh. I never considered that. He probably would think it an affront to his manhood."
"So why the sudden interest in DuGrey's thought processes?"
"Would it shock you to discover that Tristan has his boxers in a bunch over Rory and Ryan's dating status?"
"Rory and Ryan? Isn't there some kind of law against alliterative relationships?"
"Not really the point, Cho."
"Right, right. Are you sure Tristan's reaction isn't just wounded pride?"
An air of determination transforming her features, Lane replied, "That's what I intend to find out."
"Well, good luck with that." Henry glanced at his watch. "I'm sorry, as much as I'd like to relive high school travails, I really do need to get going.
"Oh, right." They quickly exchanged insurance information, hugged goodbye, and went their separate ways. Sliding into her now imperfect vehicle, Lane leaned back in her seat and mumbled, "Definitely cosmic chess. Too bad I'm nothing but a pawn."
* * *
When Rory got to work on Monday, she immediately headed for Paris' office, wanting to congratulate her friend in person. Poking her head in the door, Rory couldn't help grinning when she saw the other woman huddled intently over her computer. Apparently not even pregnancy was going to slow down Paris.
"Morning," she said quietly.
Paris finally looked up. "Hi, Rory. Did you have a nice weekend?"
"Yeah, it was great, but not as great as yours. Are you excited?"
She couldn't contain the radiant smile that blossomed across her face. "Ecstatic, actually. It's funny, really—I used to have a hard time imagining myself even getting married, let alone having children. If I ever did decide I wanted kids, I figured it would be in my mid-to-late thirties, after I was well-established in my career."
"Life has a funny way of working out sometimes."
"Yes it does. Now that I am pregnant, I can't imagine it being any other way."
"I'm so happy for you, Paris."
"Thanks. But enough of this sentimental nonsense. We have work to do."
"Good to know some things haven't changed," Rory smirked.
"We do still have a magazine to publish, you know."
"How could I possibly forget, with you here to remind me?"
"Just doing my job."
"Speaking of our jobs, there are some things we need to figure out before we talk to Ryan and Tristan."
"Are you still willing to head up the online edition?"
"I said I would. I won't go back on that. I just can't do it alone."
"You won't have to—I'll do as much as I can, and you'll have support from the guys as well."
"That is, of course, if we decide to hire them," Rory commented with a grin.
"I don't think that will be a problem," Paris remarked. "I've had them in mind for a while, but I thought you might be opposed to working with Tristan."
"Not to worry. I'm sure we'll get along famously. Anyway, I might end up working primarily with Ryan."
"Rory, we're not going to hire them just so that you can play footsie with your boyfriend," Paris admonished.
"I know that. Still, can I help it if that turns out to be an added perk?"
"You're hopeless, Gilmore."
"Why, thank you! My mother would be thrilled to hear you say so."
"How not surprising."
"Anyway… What else do we need to do before the teleconference?"
For the next thirty minutes, Paris and Rory worked out the details of what they wanted to discuss with Ryan and Tristan. After a brief respite for coffee—at Rory's insistence—they sat down in the conference room at ten a.m. Dialing up ILRG on the video phone, their virtual meeting was quickly underway.
"Good morning, ladies!" Ryan said cheerfully.
At his tone, Rory joked, "Someone is awfully chipper for a Monday morning."
"Why shouldn't I be? I spent the weekend with the most amazing woman…"
Paris quickly cleared her throat, wanting to halt the flirtatious banter before it triggered her morning sickness. "Can we get down to business, please?"
Rory blushed and ducked her head. "Of course. Sorry."
"What exactly did you have in mind for this online edition?" Tristan inquired.
Leaning back in her chair, Rory allowed Paris to take control of the meeting.
"Primarily, we want to keep the same tone that our readers have come to expect from the print edition, but customize it for the Internet-savvy consumer."
Tristan chuckled. "Paris, everyone is an Internet-savvy consumer these days!"
Paris leaned forward eagerly. "That's exactly my point! As much as my partner and I cling to the archaic format of the printed word, the reality of it is that probably 90% of our target audience would rather get online than pick up a newspaper or magazine."
"And you're willing to cater to that?" Ryan asked. "What if an Internet edition comes at the expense of the actual magazine?"
"The way I see it, this new venture should serve as a supplement to the magazine, not a replacement. Give the online readers a taste of what we're all about. Make the online articles related to what's in the magazine; maybe even include the first paragraphs of the print articles. Bottom line is, leave the reader wanting more. Compel them to go out and buy the magazine, maybe even get a subscription."
"Kind of like bait," Tristan smirked. "Paris, have I mentioned recently that I love the way you think?"
"Not today, but that's okay. Now, why don't the two of you show us why we should hire you?"
For the next twenty minutes, Rory and Paris sat back and watched ILRG's very impressive presentation. The web sites they had designed for their various clients were both visually interesting and easy to navigate. It was abundantly clear how that had managed to win so many contracts away from their larger, older competitors.
When they finished, the decision was clear. Rory and Paris exchanged a quick glance, and when Rory nodded, Paris announced, "Congratulations. You've got the job."
"That's great!" replied Tristan. "It will be just like old times at Chilton, Paris—you and I working together. I'll be collaborating with you on the actual concept and design of the site. Once that's finalized, RJ will handle the actual coding."
Paris shot a wary glance at her partner. "Actually, as of this Sunday, it was decided that Rory would be spearheading the project."
Tristan managed to limit his visible shock reaction to a rising of his eyebrows. "What prompted the change? I didn't think Rory was even in favor of this venture."
"Since this is a long-term project, I knew I wouldn't be capable of seeing it through to completion. So, I'm passing the reins to Rory."
"Paris, you're the queen of long-term…"
"I'm pregnant, Tristan."
This time, he couldn't mask his astonishment. "Wow. Paris, that's great. Congratulations."
Ryan echoed his sentiments, and then Tristan focused his attention on Rory. "Looks like it's you and me, Mary. Think you can handle that?"
Rory feigned disinterest, and then said, "I'm sorry, were you talking to me?"
Tristan grinned. "I guess you can handle it…Rory."
"Getting back to business…" Paris said sharply. "When can you come to Hartford to hammer out the contractual details?"
They quickly set up the details of the upcoming meeting, and then ended the videoconference.
Leaning back in her chair, Rory commented, "Well, this should be interesting."
* * *
In New York, RJ and Tristan were having a similar conversation.
"So, you and Lorelai are going to be working together," RJ said, trying not to let his unease show.
Tristan shrugged casually. "Yeah, when we're not acting like ten-year-olds, I think we can make a pretty good team."
"Are you sure it won't be a problem for you? I mean, I could probably handle the design. You know I've wanted to get more involved with that aspect of the business."
"RJ, these are my friends. I want the best for them. I can't give them the best with a rookie designer. I'll be fine—don't worry about it."
"If you're positive…"
"I am. I'm a professional, remember? Or at least, that's what I tell myself when I'm ordering business cards."
"Alright. How are you planning to work the logistics?"
"Once we get the financials set and start working in earnest, I plan to take an apartment in Hartford, for the sake of convenience."
Before RJ had the chance to continue their discussion, Tristan's cell phone rang.
"DuGrey speaking."
"Do you honestly still have feelings for Rory, or do you just have something to prove because she never went out with you?"
"I'm fine, Lane, and how are you?" he responded dryly.
Hearing Lane's name, RJ smirked and left the conference room. Following him, Tristan shut the door as Lane began to rant.
"Don't start with me, DuGrey. I've had just about enough of you stupid Chilton boys and your stupid women!"
"Hold up a sec. When exactly did I become more than one person?"
"As terrifying as the thought of you having a clone it, I'm talking about Henry Cho. He rear-ended my car last night."
"You're kidding! What a weird coincidence. How is Henry? Did you two date way back when?"
"Yeah, for like a minute and a half," she replied sarcastically. "And he's married now, thanks so much for asking."
"Aw, Lane, I'm sorry."
"Yeah. Hey! You're avoiding my question!"
"Damn. Fine, I'll answer your question. Yes, I really do have genuine feelings for Rory, but I gave RJ my word that I wouldn't interfere with their relationship. Happy?"
"As long as it's not just an ego trip," she grumbled.
"What difference does it make to you, anyway?"
"Hey, if I'm going to meddle in my friend's love life, it better be for a good reason. Maybe Henry and I weren't fated to be together, but I like you, Tristan, and I think you deserve a chance with Rory. Besides, I have to live vicariously through someone."
He chuckled. "Dr. Kim, I'm glad you're on my side."
To be continued…