Disclaimer: Amy and Daniel Palladino, along with the rest of the WB, own Gilmore Girls. "Holiday" is owned by The Kinks.

A/N: I know it's taken me a while, but I've been busy, sorry. Anywho, this is longer than a lot of my recent updates have been, not to mention pretty fun to write. As always, this is a bit AU because I firmly believe that TV!Rory is on crack, so in my story she stayed as she usually is, without the character assassination that seems to be going on. If anyone can find the House of Wax shout-out, they get 10 brownie points. Thank yous are at the bottom.

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Colin's family had always been the stereotypical rich Hartford family-when he was young, his mother and father has gotten divorced. His mother got a huge settlement, more than enough to keep her comfortable for the next one hundred years, plus child support. His father bounced from wife to wife, and his mother had her own handful of various rich boyfriends. Though no the only child, he was the most spoiled because his mother thought of him as the only man who was constantly in her life(despite that she was constantly traveling the world) and his father expected him to take over the business.

However, despite all of their love for him, neither was at home very often leaving him and his friends alone, as they were on the Fourth of July. So Colin decided that he wanted a real Fourth of July with barbequing, fireworks, all of it. Granted, it was a catered event, but the thought was still there.

"Great party," Tristan commented, sitting down next to Colin and Stephanie onto the lawn chairs set up strategically around the lawn.

"Sarcasm isn't appreciated," Colin replied.

"He wasn't being sarcastic," Stephanie defended.

Colin sighed. "He might as well have been. It's a disaster- food is being burnt, people are drinking cheap beer."

Tristan glanced at the bottle in his hand and moved it slightly behind him out of Colin's eyesight. "Actual people don't care how expensive it is or what year it was distilled in."

"People also compulsively eat fatty foods without silverware as a contest, but you don't see us partaking in that particular ritual, do you?"

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "You planned this, hon. Technically, you're not allowed to complain about how horribly it turned out and how much you're going to have to pay to have it cleaned for at least another two and a half hours."

"Or until Logan and Finn begin their pyrotechnics display," Tristan added.

"Did you know Finn had to talk his way out of court while in Boarder Control Jail for trying to smuggle fireworks over the boarder?" Stephanie asked Tristan conversationally.

"Again," Colin added.

"How'd he do that?" Tristan questioned.

"Apparently they take you seriously when you get drunk and announce that you have illegal fireworks."

"I meant about the talking out of court, but information like that is always helpful."

Stephanie shook her head. "I'd prefer not to know the specifics of the favors he called in."

Tristan laughed. "Thanks for the visual."

"We're here just in case you need your psyche damaged anymore," Stephanie assured him sweetly.

Tristan shuddered and changed the subject. "Has Logan shown up yet? I haven't seen him at all."

"You've been here forty-five minutes," Colin pointed out.

"And yet I haven't seen him. He's upstairs with Mary, isn't he?" He didn't notice the look Colin and Stephanie exchanged, instead bringing his beer up to his lips as he caught Juliet's eye. She beckoned him over, and he stood up. "I'll talk to you crazy kids later, there is a beautiful lady craving my attention."

"Who?" Stephanie inquired.

Tristan smirked right at Colin. "Juliet." Colin glared at his retreating form.

"Are they going out?" Juliet asked Tristan when he got to her.

He sat down next to her and he leaned her head against his shoulder. "Probably not. Steph wouldn't be able to put up with his ego."

"So what? They're just best buddies?" she asked sarcastically.

"Feisty."

She slapped his arm. "Shut up!"

"If it helps, Colin was incredibly jealous when I told him where I was going."

"Thank you, it does."

He laughed. "It's been a while since I've seen you."

"I know! Almost two months. How've you been?"

"I've been good. We missed you on Memorial. Where were you? Mourning?"

She made a face. "Fine, make fun of my jealousy. No, I had a family thing that I was forced into."

"I'm sorry."

She waved it off. "It's okay. Did anything interesting happen?"

"Finn did a face plant and Logan and Colin's roommate almost crashed the jet skis playing chicken," Tristan answered.

She rolled her eyes. "They never were bright."

"You also missed our re-enactment of The Poseidon Adventures."

"A real travesty, I'm sure."

"What, you don't like it when you're hit with wave after ten gallon wave of water?"

"Finn was driving the boat, wasn't he?"

Tristan smirked. "He was aiming for the big waves, I'm sure of it."

"See why Logan should drive?"

"So he could sink the boat after drenching us?"

"That was a fluke."

"A fluke we're not repeating."

"Have it your way. Did anything else of relative significance happen?"

"I talked to Mary without her yelling at me," he admitted with a small smile.

"Congratulations."

"Speaking of which, where is she?"

Juliet's face fell. "You didn't hear?"

He narrowed his eyebrows. "Hear what? They got married, didn't they?"

She laughed. "No, nothing that drastic. They did, however, break up."

"When?" he insisted.

"Desperation, party of one," she patronized.

"But aren't you joining me?"

"We've sunken to new lows."

"I agree."

"Admitting your own faults, nice."

"What can I say? I'm one of a kind. Now I believe that you were getting ready to tell me what happened between Rory and Logan."

"You almost had me," Juliet confessed, laughing. "Do really want to know what happened?"

He nodded. "I just want to know if I have a shot."

She giggled and made a whipping noise. He rolled his eyes and shoved her slightly. "The Tristan DuGrey I heard about wouldn't be obsessing like this," she managed to inform him between peels of laughter.

He frowned. "I'm not obsessing. And I never though of you as one to follow someone around like a lovesick teenager," he shot back.

"Okay, so you want the story," Juliet began, recovering from her earlier fit.

"Nah, I'm bored," he replied casually, stretching his legs out.

She glared at him. "Too bad, I'm telling you: apparently the two had it out last week. I'm talking a fight of dramatically bad '80s movie proportions. I heard this from Rosemary who heard it from Stephanie who heard it from Colin who was there. That's the only reason we know anything- you know Logan, he won't talk about it for a while."

"Do you know what caused the fight?"

She shook her head. "Colin wasn't talking."

"And he didn't tell Stephanie anything else?"

"No, he didn't tell Saint Stephanie anything else," Juliet replied sardonically.

"Hey, I'm the only one allowed to call her names," he teased.

She sighed. "He's not telling anybody. Logan probably told him not to."

"Was anyone else there?"

"Besides Rory? Finn, probably. But have you seen him?" she pointed out.

"So he's off getting drunk with Logan," Tristan realized.

"Most likely. Why do you care?"

"I just want to know if he hurt her."

"That's so cute!" she squealed.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know, I'm very cute. Or at least those are the rumors. Among other ones."

She laughed. "Still not sleeping with you."

"Sleep is for pansies. We'd be doing better things."

"Yeah, yeah, charmer. Why don't you go do something productive while I go flirt with the guy over there?" she suggested.

"Fine, I'll be back later."

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Lorelai bounded down the stairs and into the living room where Rory was reading and eating ice cream. Lorelai was holding two shirts of the same design in different colors.

"Which of these do you think is better for the festival tonight?"

"The red one."

Lorelai frowned. "Why not the white one?"

"Because you look better in red."

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do."

"I do?"

"That's what the survey says."

Lorelai put the shirt on as there was a knock on the door. "That must be Uncle Sam coming to take my taxes and sign us up for the army."

"Or Luke."

"Or Luke dressed up like Uncle Sam."

"I think you should get the door," Rory advised.

Lorelai walked into the foray. There was a hushed discussion after she opened the door, then she reappeared with someone in tow. "Rory, did you know that Logan was getting an Extreme Makeover?"

Rory whipped her head around quickly. "Mom, that's not Logan."

Lorelai eyed him warily. He held his hands up. "It's true."

"Than who are you, his good twin?"

Rory shook her head. "Trust me, he's the evil one. This is Tristan."

Tristan's face fell for a millisecond, but he regained his composure and held his hand out for Lorelai to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gilmore."

She shook his hand suspiciously. "That's to be debated, but please call me Lorelai."

"Mar, have you been talking about me?" he teased.

"If you heard what she'd been saying you wouldn't be so excited," Lorelai replied.

"Ouch."

"Mom, it's okay." Rory turned to Tristan. "How did you know where I lived?"

"I've been here before," he reminded her. "I just asked around for directions."

"You asked around for directions?" Lorelai repeated. "You didn't want to get so do badly to tell us about the upcoming apocalypse, did you?"

Tristan shook his head. "No, I-"

"Do you know what this means?" Rory interrupted. "They know you're here."

"They're going to come knocking down our door with pitchforks and fire, demanding answers," Lorelai continued.

"And if we don't comply, they'll lynch us!"

"Are you two the town entertainment?" Tristan questioned.

Lorelai grinned. "Our house has been turned into Mann's Chinese Theatre."

"So why are you here?" Rory asked Tristan. She had long abandoned her book and her ice cream onto the coffee table.

"I heard about what happened between you and Logan. I'm sorry," he offered.

Lorelai, sensing that her presence was unneeded, said, "I'm going to go finish getting ready."

"Why? You look great right now," Tristan honestly replied.

"Flattery will get you every where but here." She smiled at Rory and went back upstairs.

"Does everyone know?" Rory asked.

"No. Hell, I barely know. Colin, Finn, Stephanie, Rosemary, Juliet and I are the only ones who do."

"You mean Logan hasn't been telling everyone?"

"Nobody's heard from him since last week. He and Finn are off somewhere; only Colin knows and he won't tell anyone."

"Why should he be upset? He's the one that dumped me."

Tristan was silent a moment, then asked, "Are you okay?"

"What do you think?"

"Why did he break up with you?"

"He wanted to."

"Thanks, Mar, but can you vague it up a bit for me? I felt as though I understood what you were talking about," he teased.

She laughed. "I honestly don't know why. We were in a huge fight- I've forgotten why now, something stupid- and then he just out of the blue, in front of Finn and Colin, said that he didn't want to go out anymore and left."

Tristan swore under his breath. "No explanation?"

"Don't you think I would have given it to you?"

"I don't know, we're not exactly best friends here."

"That reminds me, why are you here?"

"I told you, I wanted to-"

She raised an eyebrow. "The Tristan I used to know wouldn't care one way or the other."

He swore again and ran a hand through his hair. Did she really think that lowly of him? He'd just have to change her mind, then. "That's not true."

"It's not?"

"It's not," he confirmed. "I actually did like you, I just had trouble expressing it."

"What changed?"

"Would you believe that I grew up mentally?" he offered. "Or is that too harlequin novel for you?"

She smiled at him. "No, I think I believe you. You haven't really given me any reason not to, you've always had your warped sense of chivalry."

"I could be a knight!"

"So much for growing up mentally," she teased. "Do you want to sit down?"

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"What are these town festivals like?" Tristan asked worriedly.

"Well, first we bet on which pig is going to win, then we all get together and bet as to which cousins are going to kiss first," Lorelai replied sarcastically.

"So maybe I'm not used to this small town thing," he admitted.

"They're not bad, just different. Most of us are quite normal," Rory replied.

"Except Kirk," Lorelai pointed out.

"And Taylor."

"Those are the two that I shouldn't come into contact with?" Tristan clarified.

"Not that it'll help, if you asked for directions- they already know everything about you and more," Lorelai warned him.

"Very small town."

"They don't get to come to our theatre very often."

"Thank you again for inviting me to this festival," Tristan said politely after a few minutes of silence.

"Courteous. Miss Manners would love him," Lorelai commented teasingly-and loudly- to Rory.

"But not Emily Post."

"Emily Gilmore is on the fence in this debate, however."

"So I'm in between on the Emily verdict?" Tristan piped in.

"Dirty!" Lorelai scoffed.

Tristan started to cough. "That wasn't even meant to be perverted."

"The best jokes aren't."

"Can we change the topic, please?" Rory asked.

"I agree!" Lorelai cried. "Not enough talk about me."

Rory rolled her eyes. "Where are we meeting Luke again?"

"He'll be the one beating Taylor to a pulp with the popcorn maker."

"Because Luke has superhuman powers and can lift a giant popcorn maker all by himself?"

"You didn't know?" Lorelai replied. "Every night he takes off his baseball cap and rips open his flannel shirt to reveal a huge 'L' on his chest, and he flies off to save Stars Hollow from yet another dastardly plan to take over our small town."

"That sounds like the premise of a really bad movie," Tristan said.

"It's a better premise than The Hulk," Lorelai defended.

As the town square became visible, Tristan suddenly turned toward his two companions. "How many people are congregated here?"

"The whole town."

"It doesn't seem like a lot of people until they're all in one place at the same time."

"Hear that, Rory? We're ants compared to those rich Hartford snobs," Lorelai teased.

Rory nodded her head. "That's exactly what they think: I've overheard them talking about just that. You see one, and then you see a billion."

"They're very mean," Lorelai pouted.

"They take us for granted," Rory agreed.

Tristan shook his head. "I can't believe you dragged me to this."

"I can't believe you tracked us down," Rory replied.

"He probably has his fancy GPS marked on us."

"Or contacts at the CIA!" Rory gasped.

Lorelai eyed Tristan critically. "Tell me something, Agent Smart, are they all as hot as SpyDaddy?"

"Do they really use their shoes as phones?"

Lorelai jumped up and down in front of Rory. "I got one, I got one!" She turned to Tristan. "Do they really pair you up boy/girl in hopes that you do have a love connection despite the fact that it's against the rules, but they secretly don't care?"

Tristan shook his head. "Any of these questions answered could result in your untimely deaths."

"Ooh, mysterious," Lorelai cooed. "I've always wanted my own agent. Can we keep him, Rory, please?"

Rory pretended to consider this. "Okay, but you have to feed him and clean up after him."

Lorelai nodded solemnly. "I'll do all of it, I promise."

"Which one is Luke?" Tristan asked.

Lorelai pointed into the crowd. "The one skulking around in the background like a Bond villain."

"And you say he's a superhero?"

"He keeps his identity well hidden," Rory informed him.

Tristan chuckled and watched as Lorelai gleefully skipped over to her boyfriend. "So, Mar, guess it's just you and I. Anything in particular you want to do?"

She regarded this a moment, then asked, "How good are you at basketball when the hoop is smaller than the ball itself?"

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"Where've you been, man?" Colin asked Tristan irritably when he unexpectedly showed up at the party again much later that night. "Logan's looking for you."

"Wouldn't you like to know," Tristan drawled with a smirk, scanning the crowd. "Where's Finn?"

Colin looked around and lowered his voice. "He went to see Rory 'bout half an hour ago. Don't tell Logan."

Tristan nodded. "No reason to." Of course Finn went to see her, why wouldn't he? He liked Rory. Tristan took some pleasure in knowing that he saw her first.

"What do you think that asshole's story is? Who invited him?" Colin gestured to the guy sitting with Juliet. He brushed a piece of hair behind her ear to whisper something to her.

Tristan shrugged. "He seems nice to me."

"Then your senses need to be checked," Colin snapped.

"Do I detect jealousy?"

"Bite me."

"I'd prefer not to. Speaking of which, where's Stephanie?"

"Talking to Logan. We tried calling you."

"My cell was off."

"Ah, getting some."

Tristan shook his head. "Not exactly."

"Fine, don't tell me how it was."

"I enjoy being mysterious, I think it adds to my personality," he dead-panned.

Colin looked at him oddly; he reminded him of somebody with that comment, but he just couldn't put his finger on whom. "Whatever, man. Where ever you went gallivanting off to, I doubt you could have had more fun than here."

Tristan smirked. "If you'd like to think that."

"The cryptic shit is getting old. Logan's over there." He pointed near the pool. "Go pull your 'mysterious personality' crap with them."

"Off to stalk Juliet in the shadows?" Tristan asked innocently.

"I hate you."

"But how can that be when you love me so much?"

"Where ever you went- frankly, I don't care at this point- they did something happy to you. It's annoying as fuck. Go piss off Logan and Stephanie. Please."

"Would you like me to bring you anything back? Aspirin? Scotch? Cyanide caplet?"

"Just go!" Colin yelled as Tristan smirked yet again and sauntered off.

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LandonLover- I personally like Finn/Colin, and wouldn't mind any Logan/Finn… haha. I've never read any Jess/Dean, but I have(embarrassment) read Dean/Lorelai… I think it's fascinating, and I'm not quite sure why. Man, I forgot about midsummer, but I'm not really sure what it's about… I never read A Midsummer's Night's Dream, unfortunately. I heard it's really good. Anywho, sorry about the lack of TMW update, but I hope this one has sufficed! Thank you for reviewing!

Glow- Yes, you do detect PDLD undertones, mostly because I don't think I can write a story without at least some PDLD. Thank you so much for reviewing, I happen to think that you're a fantastic writer, so it's a real honor. Thank you again.

me- Speechless? Really? Thank you!

Tooki- I hate when characters are written as physically abusive also, so no worries about that here. Thank you for reviewing!

smartypants5- Sorry, I don't write Rogans. This is going to be a Trory.

tickle528- I don't like Rory being with Logan either.

ReeseAnn- You always know how to make me blush, don't you?

Bookworms- Of course you get a shout-out! Why wouldn't you? We share the same lazy muse, for goodness sake! Hee.

smile1- Thank you so much! I do try with the banter and the natural conversation. It takes up a lot of my time watching Gilmore Girl DVDs, but I think I can manage it.

jmarit17- Thank you so much! Jealous characters are always fun to write. They're hilarious. I love Finn acting gay, mostly because I think he's very open, but loves women. Hee.

Alicia Jo- I heart Tristan. He makes me giggle and all that good stuff. Thank you for reviewing! And Logan's neck should seriously have it's own place in the opening credits, just like Peter Gallagher's eyebrows(The OC. I heart his eyebrows!).

KeitaWolf- Thank you for reviewing! I love Finn, and I love writing him!

TSOHoneybaby- Of course I remembered you! Thank you so much for reviewing and reading my chapters. My Tristan/Rory left you smiling? Really? Thank you! I love Finn also, but I think that's pretty obvious, haha. Thank you again!

More thank yous to Nina, Allie-Allie, LoVe23, KarahBella, Gilmoregirl, emmy and mar0506. Thank you again!