TITLE: Presenting... Mary

SUMMARY: A twist in the episode "Presenting Lorelai Gilmore." Who will be Rory's escort?

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Gilmore Girls or anything related to it. I am just an obsessive fan!

A/N: This is my first fanfic ever! I have been reading and enjoying them for a long time and never got the courage to write one myself! Please be kind and review. I accept constructive criticism! Thanks for giving me a chance!

Also, italics mean a character's thoughts!

The kiss at the piano in season one DID happen!

To all the reviewers: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You are all so supportive and sweet! Just the fact that anyone is reading this at all makes me sooooo happy:)

Rory spent the rest of the school day concentrating on her work. She didn't even want to think about Tristan. She had been successful in avoiding him since this morning. If only she could say she the same for Paris.

Paris entered her English Literature class to see Rory with her head shoved in a book. "So Gilmore, you really do like Tristan. I knew you were lying to me."

Rory looked up to see Paris about two inches from her face. "No, I hate him. The ball wasn't my idea. I can't control my grandmother anymore than you can control Tristan." Rory had to admit, she loved seeing Paris get angry over her little crush on Tristan.

"I'm sure. You probably got your grandmother to arrange this for you, just like your little birthday party. It's sad really."

"Do you know what is sad Paris? The fact that you are taking it out on me because Tristan doesn't like you." Rory said, smirking as Paris started to turn purple.

"I'm over Tristan. So you two can go be the perfect little couple for all I care. I'm much too busy thinking about Harvard to attend debutante balls." Paris replied condescendingly, but with a waver in her voice. She walked away from Rory's desk and over to Madeline and Louise, who were whispering in the corner.

Across the hall, Tristan sat dazed in his thoughts. Me and Mary together. Man that sounds good. I'll be the perfect gentleman and she won't even remember Bagboy. Of course, in order to be the perfect gentleman I have to stop acting like an ass around her. I don't know what it is, but whenever she is near me I revert back to the sixth grade. Usually all the ditzy girls at Chilton fall at my feet with no effort. But not her, she's special.

Tristan continued his daydreaming for the rest of the class period. When the final bell rang, he quickly went to find Rory. He laughed when he saw her walking towards her locker. She was reading, completely oblivious to the people around her. He ran overand hid behind her open locker door.

Rory shut her locker and jumped at the sight of Tristan casually leaning against the lockers, smirk in place. "Geez Bible Boy, what are you stalking me now?" Rory asked flustered.

"As much as I know you'd like that, I just had a little question to ask you." Tristan replied, lifting her chin with his thumb. She always tries to hide behind her hair, it's adorable.

Rory jerked her head away and took a step back. "What do you want?"

"I was wondering if we needed to practice our dancing. You know, dancing is a big part of this whole thing, right?"

"Dancing with you is not going to happen. You are only there to walk me around the room, nothing else."

"Eye candy, huh? I guess I should be used to it by now." Tristan took two steps forward and whispered, "I do taste sweet" into Rory's ear, making sure to let her feel his breath on her face.

Rory blushed furiously and walked away. Tristan stared after her, pleased that he had that affect on her. His friends Carter and Ryan came up to him, slapping his back.

"Hey Tris, finally gonna nail that Gilmore girl, huh? It's about time!" Carter gave Tristan an approving smile.

"Hey man, I'm just her escort, that's all." Tristan replied, trying to hide his anger at his friend's insinuation.

"Sure, DuGrey, we all believe you. Just let us know how it was." Ryan said, smirking as they walked away.

God, no wonder Rory doesn't trust me. Just look at my moron friends. There has to be a way to prove to her that she isn't just some conquest.

Rory was standing in front of her grandparent's house, preparing for whatever would be in store for her. Finally, she brought herself toknock and the door was answered by Emily herself.

"Rory dear, come in, come in!" Emily said, taking her coat and handing it to the maid.

"Hi grandma. What was so important that you called me at school to come here?" Rory asked very suspiciously.

"Come in the living room and see. I'm very excited about this."

Rory followed her grandmother and stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw. Standing on the same pedestal as she had earlier, was Tristan. He was wearing a black tuxedo with tails and white gloves. Oh my god! Tristan looks so good. Not everyone can pull off the penguin look, but he sure does. Okay Rory, say something. Anything.

Trying to recover from staring at him with her mouth open, Rory joked, "Hey Jeeves, nice tux."

"Rory! What a thing to say. Do forgive her odd sense of humor Tristan, she gets it from her mother."

Tristan laughed at this and said, "No worries Mrs. Gilmore, I'm used to the tuxedo cracks by now."

Emily smiled and turned to Rory. "Tristan has attended many of these events. You are in good hands with him."

Tristan raised an eyebrow suggestively at Rory and said, "of course she's in good hands with me Mrs. Gilmore. No worries."

Emily, seeming more than pleased, smiled brightly. "Rory, you could learn a thing or two from Tristan."

Rory scoffed and said "I'm not so sure about that Grandma. I learned all the sarcasm I need from mom."

Emily frowned and led her into the foyer. "Rory, please try to be polite to Tristan. You could at least pretend to like him. Now go and try on your dress. Miss Celine has finished the adjustments."

"Grandma, couldn't I just try on the dress after Tristan leaves?" Rory asked, hoping she wouldn't have to model in front of him.

"Nonsense! That is why you are here. I need to see what the two of you look like together." With that she shooed Rory upstairs.

Rory went into her room and saw the gown hanging on the door. She put it on and examined herself in front of the mirror. It had thin spaghetti straps and was tight around the bodice, belling out at the hips into a fluffy mass on the floor. She then put on the elbow length gloves and stiletto heels, completing the humiliation. This is so embarrassing. I can't believe I have to go model this ridiculous monstrosity in front of Tristan. The last thing I want is an excuse for Tristan to stare at me.

After a few deep breaths, Rory made her way down the stairs. Emily, Tristan and Miss Celine were all standing at the bottom, waiting for her entrance. Rory walked slowly, trying not to fall in her heels.

"Look, it's Audrey Hepburn!" Miss Celine said excitedly.

"Rory, you look absolutely fabulous! Katie Kethington doesn't hold a candle to you." Emily said, proudly staring at her granddaughter.

"Katie who?" Rory asked

"Oh, no one dear. Just a girl who was supposed to be the prettiest at the ball." Emily informed her disbelievingly.

"I don't think it's possible for anyone to look more beautiful than you." Tristan said with a far away look on his face. Oh man, did I just say that out loud? He started to look around nervously.

Emily was beaming at Tristan. "Yes, you are right. With the two of you together, you will be unstoppable."

Rory was staring into Tristan's eyes. He seemed so genuine when he said she was beautiful. Does he really think that? No, he's probably just putting on the DuGrey charm for grandma.

Emily interrupted the lock between the teenagers' eyes by dragging Rory next to Tristan. "Rory put your arm through Tristan's."

Rory shyly placed her arm on Tristan's, trying her best to make the least amount of contact possible.

"Rory, put your hand on top of his. Come on now, at least act like you like each other." Emily moved to rearrange their position.

Tristan felt the warmth of her body next to his and was trying desperately to ignore how good it felt. Rory was doing the same, shocked at how right it felt to be in his arms. Rory's cell phone rang, breaking them from their contact induced trances. Tristan reluctantly dropped Rory's hand and freed her to get the phone.

Thankful for the disruption, Rory answered quickly. "Hello? Oh, hey mom. I'm at grandma's house. I should be done any minute." Whispering: "No, I will not let you say hi to Brad! I'll talk to you later, bye." Rory hung up the phone embarrassed.

Tristan smirked at Rory, enjoying the Brad reference. "Who's Brad Mar-, uh Rory?" He covered the nickname, not wanting her grandmother to hear.

"Oh, no one that concerns you." Rory quickly covered. "Grandma, I'm sorry but I have to be getting home, my bus leaves in ten minutes."

"Rory, you should really let our driver take you home. I hate you taking the bus." Emily said disgustedly.

Rory didn't want to stay there another minute and quickly said, "No, grandma it's fine. I don't mind taking the bus. I will just go get changed and leave." She went up the stairs as quickly as the heels would allow and changed out of the gown, replacing it on its hanger. She returned downstairs, Chilton uniform back in place.

"Goodbye grandma, I will see you soon." She said, giving Emily a hug. As politely as she could, she muttered "Bye Tristan."

Tristan laughed at the hidden distaste in her voice. "See you tomorrow at school Rory. In fact, I'm looking forward to it."

Hey, this chapter was a little bit longer! I was just going to stop before she came down in the dress, but I thought I should keep going. Please, please review! They make me want to update quickly. As I said before, most of this story is already written, so I am trying to post frequently! Much thanks, love ya:)

P.S. Both the Audrey Hepburn comment and Katie Kethington (not exactly sure on that last name) are references from the actual show.