AN: Wow. So a few of you think the pregnancy thing is foreshadowing. Just wanted to alleviate fears—won't be making Rory pregnant here. Lorelai is, and that's enough. But I love that you're all paying good attention, and thank you all for the faithful reviewing! Oh, and this chapter is light on Trory interaction, but the next one will be heavy on it. Cross my heart and hope to die.
A few weeks had passed since Dan's night of trauma-induced drinking and all the fun after-effects. He'd been pale and quiet for a few days following the night spent sleeping on his bathroom floor, but kept the destructive behavior capped. He avoided Elisa as a whole—the mention of, references to, and actual sight of her were maneuvered around at all costs. Tristan had passed on her apologetic message to Dan, but he'd just turned his music up and ignored him.
"Can I ask you something?" Tristan stopped by Dan's room after class one October evening, knowing Rory wouldn't be around for another couple of hours. Her hours had only gotten longer at the BBC, as the powers that be had started to recognize her raw talent and were now heaping more and more responsibilities on her a little at a time.
Dan looked up from his computer. "Hey, anything."
"Were you serious about owing us one?"
Dan nodded. "Of course. If it hadn't been for you guys," he trailed off, not really wanting to think what would have happened if he'd been caught incapacitated like that while on duty.
Tristan smiled. "Not that we weren't happy to help you out, but I do have something I want," he raised an eyebrow.
"Anything."
"I would like the use of your private bathroom."
"Right now?"
"Tomorrow night."
"For how long?"
Tristan shrugged. "Dunno. Four, five hours, tops."
Dan gaped. "What the hell are you going to do in my bathroom for five hours?"
Tristan smirked. "You should probably go somewhere—you could hang in my room if you want."
"Am I going to have to disinfect it after your time in there?"
"That's between you and your imagination."
"I'm going to regret this, but I guess I do owe you."
"Yes, you do."
Dan looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, sure."
"Excellent," he nodded before moving to leave the room.
"Hey, what's tomorrow?"
"What?"
"Why do you want it tomorrow, is it a special day?"
"It's her birthday," he nodded.
"And you're going to spend it in my bathroom?"
Tristan laughed. "Just part of the time."
"Alright. Good luck with that plan," Dan scoffed.
"Thanks," Tristan said without a worry in the world, moving out into the hallway to start on the evening of study he needed to get done before the weekend hit.
XXXX
Rory was frantically trying to locate her cell phone in her book bag as she hurried to catch the closing main door into the dorm. It was late, almost ten o'clock, and she needed to get some studying done before she finally got to sleep. She had a test the next day, and she was grateful to know that Tristan would still be up for a couple of hours, so she'd at least get the opportunity to give him proof that she hadn't taken up residence at the news office or been eaten alive by the growing mound of paperwork that scattered her desk—or rather the desk she shared with three other interns.
"I have no time to hear about how many times you've dreamed of Luke decorated with ice cream sundae toppings or to discuss the fact that it is the dirtiest dream you've ever had, though I would care to mention that the fact you feel comfortable sharing the details of such dreams shows we have in fact grown too close and maybe this time apart is doing us some good," she chattered into the phone, trying to pull her book bag back up properly onto her shoulder as she answered.
"Well," Logan's voice shocked her into a standstill. "I can't say I've ever dreamed of another man covered in ice cream toppings. Though I did once have a dream that you," he started, but she cut him off.
"Why are you calling me?"
"I wanted to see how you were doing."
"Oh. I'm fine."
"Am I not allowed to call you?"
"I just thought we'd kind of said all we needed to say."
"We can't be friends?"
"Uh, well," she stammered, feeling awkward and really glad this conversation was taking place on the phone, if it had to happen at all. "I hadn't really thought about it, I guess."
"Well, I have. I would like to be able to talk to you sometimes. Maybe meet you for coffee every now and then. I know you've obviously moved on," he admitted.
"Yes, I have."
"I don't want to get in the way of that. I just wanted to say happy birthday, and extend the olive branch. I'm sorry for coming out there like that—I shouldn't have."
"Agreed," she stopped chewing the inside of her cheek to respond. "And thank you," she added.
"You're welcome."
"I should go, Tristan's waiting for me," she said, feeling the need to get off the phone.
"Right. You're happy, with him?"
"I am."
"Okay. Bye, Rory."
"Bye," she shut her phone and stared at it for a moment before getting herself back in gear and hurrying up to her room.
XXXX
"So, you want the good news or the bad news first?" he asked as she fell into his chair next to his bed. She groaned loudly and threw her legs over the arm of the chair to pull them off the ground. Her shoes hung off the heels of her feet, and she rolled her head over to look at him.
"No bad news. Too tired for bad news," she protested.
He stood up and moved to kneel next to her. "It's not real bad news. Just in contrast to the very good news, it won't be as exciting to you."
She nodded in consent. "Good news first."
"I have your birthday all planned out," he smiled. She gave a wide smile too, sitting up in interest.
"Really?"
He nodded. "But you get to know nothing in advance," he admitted.
"That is bad news," she pouted.
"Told you."
"Not even a little hint?"
"Nope."
"But it's my 21st birthday."
"I know."
"So, a big night of getting me drunk and trying to take advantage of my altered state?"
"This is what you think of me?"
She shrugged. "It is some sort of sick tradition in our culture."
"Lucky for you, we aren't amidst 'our culture.' And might I add, I've never needed you to get drunk to have my way with you."
She blushed and sank down further into the chair cushions. "How is it that you know my birthday and I don't know yours?"
"I have an excellent memory, and a family that doesn't feel compelled to send out engraved invitations to embarrass me in front of my entire school."
"Right. Must be nice."
"You look exhausted," he commented, running a hand through her hair that was falling down out of the ponytail she'd pulled it into hours ago.
"I could go for a nap. Unfortunately, I have a test to study for."
He kissed her forehead. "I've resigned myself to the fact you'll always pick studying over me."
She smiled, and put her hand over his. "I'm all yours to pamper tomorrow evening."
"You're so good to me."
"Time?"
"I'll pick you up at 5:30 sharp."
"Night," she said, standing up and giving him one last kiss before heading back to her room to settle down to cram for a few more hours before allowing herself rest.
XXXX
"No hints at all?"
"No."
"He likes the living dangerously, doesn't he?"
"I can only suppose so."
"I can't believe you won't be here for your 21st birthday! I had such great plans—taking you out, buying you shots, getting you a lap dance," she babbled.
"You can't drink," she reminded.
"No, but I could have lived vicariously."
"Well, if Tristan gives me a lap dance, I'll be sure to tell you all about it," she laughed, pulling stares from those around her in the hallway waiting to get into the still occupied classroom. She turned to face the other direction as she listened to her mother's overly dramatic gagging noises.
"Is he at least taking you out?"
"What part of he won't tell me anything did you not understand?"
"Fine. So, the insanity continues here at home."
"You don't say."
"Do you even want details?"
"Always. The specific instances of oddity are what build the credibility of our mass generalizations."
"They're trying to plan the wedding."
"Who is, exactly?"
"The whole town."
"Why aren't you planning your wedding?"
"When we hadn't set a date after it was announced at the town meeting," she began.
"You announced you were getting married at the town meeting?"
"Uh, no. Patty did."
"Patty announced your engagement?"
"Yep. They all started barraging us with questions, when, where, etc. We had no answers, and I thought Luke was going to pass out from the rapid fire format. It was worse than Crossfire. The next day, it started."
"What started?"
"Kirk came by the inn to have me approve invitations, and ask which number style and font I preferred."
"Very important considerations."
"Then Babette caught me after work, to tell me she needed to have a trial session with me as soon as possible."
"Trial session?"
"Yeah, you know, to do my hair and makeup."
"Babette's doing your hair and makeup?"
"Oh no. Luke took care of it all."
"By doing what?"
"By threatening to double his prices if people didn't back off and butt out."
"Nice tactical maneuver."
"I will pass the compliment on. Besides, I didn't want to get married until you could get back, and by then I'll be showing, so I was sort of thinking of putting it off until I can be back to my svelte self."
"Aw, you love me enough to have your second child out of wedlock?"
"That I do. Besides, I figure you turned out okay, so it can't do too much damage. It's not like Luke won't be there grunting at the kid—it'll know who its father is."
"Right. So, can I bring a date?"
"Hmm. That depends. Just who are you planning on bringing?" she teased.
"I'm sure I'll find someone to bring by the time you set a date."
"Have fun tonight, and happy birthday!"
"I will. And thanks for not calling at three in the morning."
"Thank your sibling. I was too tired."
"I will."
Rory hung up and turned off her phone, as people began to spill out of the classroom, leaving it open for her to make her way into.
XXXX
"Out!" Tristan announced as he put his bag down on Dan's bed. Dan looked up from his computer, but continued typing.
"I am in the middle of something."
"I only have a half an hour to get this ready."
"And my typing will hinder you somehow?"
"Good point. But I'm getting Rory at 5:30."
"Fine. I'll be done in twenty minutes, max."
"Going out tonight?" Tristan asked as he opened his bag and pulled out some candles.
"Yep."
"Alone?"
"No."
"Hot date?" he pulled out what looked like bath salts and more candles, and moved back into the bathroom. "When was the last time you cleaned the bathroom?"
"No and last night."
"I'm touched. Why are you going out with someone who you think isn't hot?"
Dan sighed and paused his typing. "I didn't say she wasn't hot, I said the date wouldn't be hot. It's not even a date."
Tristan nodded and pulled out two champagne glasses. "So, who's the hot girl you aren't dating?"
"Elisa."
"What?" Tristan came back in, gaping at his friend. "You've been avoiding her for weeks."
"She wants to talk," he shrugged. "She said she wanted to explain the situation."
"You've been making us check the dining hall before you'll go in, rather than be in the same room with her."
"I'm just going to get an apology."
"You're nuts."
"Says the man who's making my bathroom all frilly."
"I'll take it all away when I'm done."
"Does she know she's spending her birthday in my bathroom?"
"It's just to relax first—she's had a stressful couple of weeks."
"You aren't proposing in my bathroom, are you?" he asked as Tristan pulled out a bottle of champagne and a lighter.
"What? No."
"Good. 'Cause you'd never live that down."
"Thanks for the advice, but I know what I'm doing."
Dan shrugged and went back to his typing. Tristan continued his set up in relative silence for a few moments, until he heard Dan's fingers stop moving and he cleared his throat.
"Do you think I shouldn't go?"
"To see Elisa?"
"Yeah. I mean, she has a boyfriend, there's no point, right?"
Tristan shrugged. "How much do you like her?"
Dan looked from his keyboard back up to Tristan. "I like her a lot, but if she has a boyfriend, then what's the point?"
"Go and listen to what she has to say. You can always leave if you don't like what she says. Her having a boyfriend isn't necessarily a problem for you."
Dan nodded, and stood up. "I'm all done here. Tell Rory happy birthday for me."
Tristan nodded back at his friend. "Will do. And good luck, man."
Dan left his room, leaving Tristan to double check his set up and make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. He wanted this night to go well, and he was more than excited to pick her up and get this evening started. With their hectic schedules, they didn't have as much time together as they would like, but they managed to keep their weekends sacred. And he wanted to start this one off perfectly. Once everything was in order in Dan's bathroom, he stowed the bag under the bed and went out in search of the birthday girl.
