Title: The ultimate curve ball

Author: Joy

A/N: I am so proud. Some of you have guessed at least one or two upcoming plot points...good job.

This chapter is mainly how the new improved Tristan became the new improved Tristan... how he got out from under daddy's thumb. I will go ahead and warn you that in an upcoming chapter there will be an OC from North Carolina. No waves from this person, just helps further define Tristan's missing history.

9 . Breaking the grid

"So what you're saying is I should give Logan a break?" she teased.

"Hell no...I want you all to myself," he grumbled wrapping his arm around her shoulder and giving her a squeeze. She laughed out right. "I am just saying I feel for the guy... You are one of the most oblivious girls I have ever met when it comes to guys. You drove me to distraction in high school. I can only imagine how bad it has been for him as the 'king' of Yale."

"I drove you to distraction?" Rory asked unbelieving.

Tristan looked at her like she was nuts, "I believe I got called out by a teacher, in front of the class no less, for staring at you...memorizing your ear I believe was the exact accusation."

She giggled, "It's hard to believe I had this much affect on you."

He shook his head, "Well, you did."

"It didn't stop you from dating other girls."

"Just like it doesn't stop Logan from dating other girls."

Rory eyed Tristan, "Well if you think Logan is so attached to me why isn't he up for being with me only."

Tristan folded his arms, "And that statement is why you are still a Mary."

"And when you say things like that I don't like being called Mary," Rory pouted.

"Oh stop," he sighed. "You want me to explain Logan's behavior...its easy. Logan has a prearranged life. He has no choice of occupation, education, or even marriage...so Logan has to fit a lifetime's worth of experiences, fun, and women into a few years before he gets logged into the grid they have laid out for him. At the same time dating is fun so why not have fun with as many people as possible...Logan isn't ready for the grid and in his mind if he were to go for you completely he would be forking over more of his limited control in his life... Now in my case I out grew that behavior so I recognize a good thing when it comes along."

"So you grew out of that behavior, huh? What about the grid? You off the grid?" she asked curious.

Tristan smirked, "I followed in the foot-steps of the biggest socialite rebel in Hartford's history...Lorelai V. Gilmore."

"Is that right? How have you followed my mom?" Rory asked.

He looked more like his sixteen year old self at the moment. "I took advantage of the 'disgrace' I brought to the DuGrey name."

"Once again, how?"

"I got graduated top of my class." She gave him a skeptical look. "Remember, there were no girls to distract."

"Ah...continue," she murmured.

"Thank you," Tristan stated. "I did get great marks and worked during the summers to establish my self separate from my family. At my school they didn't give a damn who my dad was, which was good, because I had to make it on my own. Once I graduated my father demanded I go to Yale as every other DuGrey male...be a legacy, join the frickin LDB, basically take Logan's place at Yale while he was gone."

He paused, "I however saw my opportunity. My father had given me a car...in my name. I had a house in North Carolina that dad had bought...but it was in my name. I had several bank accounts that were mine that my father couldn't touch because it was technically mine plus the trusts set up for me by my uncle who died and my grandfather. I knew from experience over the summers I could work and pay my bills...I had no mortgage or car loans to worry about so I could survive on my own. Now I was far more established than Lorelai but I also hadn't lived the Hartford high-life in nearly two years. I sold my expensive sports car and got a nice functional one, so I had money for maintenance plus my own insurance. In the end I knew I could handle my life with my father cutting the purse strings... So when my father threatened to cut me off for not going to Yale, I told him all these things and much to his frustration he realized I had neutralized his upper hand. I pointed out that my absence could easily be explained to inquiring minds as an exercise in responsibility. I also stated that military service was highly regarded amongst the upper crust in particular because I was honoring my father's dead brother...none of them would have to know I was living as a commoner. I also showed my father that if he cut me off, he would have to justify it to his buddies who have been hearing all about how well his son is doing with the proper discipline."

"Bet daddy hated that."

"Completely...He had provided me with perfect method to strip my 'need' for the finer things in life... I was no longer hooked on all the stuff I was raised to believe was important. So this year with schooling, maneuvering things was simple by comparison to the initial 'I'm not going to Yale' speech."

Rory smiled at him, "So you did work in high school that would give you college credit so you wouldn't be so far behind when you started school. Plus that whole pesky freshman year thing."

"And after owning the house for one year, I was considered a resident so I get in state tuition and preference to get into Duke, Carolina or Wake Forest."

"Quite brilliant," she admitted. "You broke the grid."

"I broke the grid," he agreed.

Rory reached a hand over to touch his, "So are you attracted enough to Yale to give it a try...say summer school...see if you like it."

He smiled at her and interlaced their fingers, "Or you could apply for the internship in North Carolina at a paper I know and you could see what I find so attractive."

"An internship at a paper? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmm," she smirked. "I'll think about that."

The group behind them was arguing about something and eventual got up and left. They caused such a disturbance it attracted Tristan's attention backward. He thought for a moment it was the Stooges again but he decided that was ridiculous and looked back to the sweet girl beside him.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Logan sat listening to the conversation as soon as they got their seats. Colin and Finn sighed at the pathetic state their friend was reduced to and got him a beer.

It was driving Logan crazy listening to Tristan comment on his life. The most annoying part was he was right. Tristan nailed the reason why Logan hadn't been ready to commit to Rory. He also seemed to understand the practical joke he had played. The worst part for Logan was Tristan wasn't bashing him. Tristan was explaining things and joking with Rory but not at Logan's expense. Normally the gibes were at his own expense. That was even more frustrating because Tristan was being the bigger man even when he didn't have to be.

Early in the conversation Logan felt like he had at least something he could do to make things better with Rory. Finn could go into Luke's and get a bunch of food for take out. They would camp out in Rory's room and wait for her as an apology for their behavior at the pub. Hopefully that would help some...hopefully Rory wouldn't be bringing Tristan home with her.

Logan knew he had to do something when Rory asked Tristan about doing summer school and Tristan threw back the internship. Logan was now kicking himself big time. He knew Rory needed an internship. He also knew there were plenty of places his dad had ties to that could give Rory one. Why he hadn't done it before was beyond him, but Logan was not about to let Tristan walk away with Rory for the whole summer. He got himself and his buddies up and out of the restaurant to set out for Star's Hollow and the infamous Luke's.

TBC...

Next Chapter: Tristan's views on LDB behavior. It also marks the beginning of a turning point. You will need to regard the upcoming chapter with a sense that Tristan is an 'old friend' of Rory's as well as Rory's ventures into the spontaneous.

I have gotten a few emails about how serious I am making Tristan too serious. I will only say that I know people that went to military school in the state of North Carolina and are part of the military now. One fact these guys never lose sight of is that time is finite, if you want something you go for it. My grown up Tristan sees Rory as something he wants and she is responded more to him now...why not play up those qualities?

Also the chapters are short because I update daily and have been having migraines.

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