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!

I'm so excited that people are actually reading this story! All of your reviews encourage me and I REALLY appreciate them! Thanks so much for making me smile!

Of course this would happen! I must have angered the gods, because this week is just getting worse by the day. And to top it off, I really have to pee! Note to self: drink less coffee. Rory was trudging back towards her grandparent's house, freezing in the October wind. She had made it to the bus stop just in time to see the bus pulling away. The usual five minute walk seemed to be taking hours and the elements were really taking a toll on her usually straight hair. The wind had flung it in every direction, making it somewhat poofy. Tristan better be gone when I get there, because there is no way I'm letting him see me like this. Wait, why should I care what he thinks?

Tristan was climbing into the driver's seat of his new Porsche, compliments of his parents. What they lacked in love, they made up for in gifts. Just another perk of being a Hartford rich kid. As he was preparing to back out of the driveway, he noticed Rory in his rearview mirror. He got out of the car and headed towards her.

"Hey Mare, miss your bus or something?"

Rory didn't even slow down as she said over her shoulder "No, I just missed you so much I had to come back and see if you were still here."

Taken back by her sarcastic and bitter tone, Tristan was having a hard time thinking of a comeback. He had to run up the long driveway to catch up to her. "Don't worry Mary, it happens all the time. You know there's room for one more in the Porsche."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll just get a ride from my grandmother."

Rory reached the door and quickly smoothed her hair down. She was about to ring the bell, but Tristan grabbed her hand. The two stood still for about a minute with Tristan's hand still holding hers. Rory had lost herself in his eyes and didn't even think to move away. The door suddenly swung open and Tristan reluctantly dropped Rory's hand. If it hadn't been for Emily opening the door, Tristan was sure he could have stayed like that forever. Great timing Mrs. Gilmore. Just when I start to think how useful you've been, you ruin a perfect moment.

"Rory, Tristan. I thought I heard something out here. Why are you still here?" Emily asked, smiling at the position she had caught them in.

Rory looked at her feet in embarrassment and said "I missed my bus and Tristan saw me as he was leaving."

"I offered her a ride Mrs. Gilmore, but she refused." Tristan said to Emily, knowing she would love the idea of him driving her granddaughter home.

"Rory, you should be grateful for the kind offer. I think it is an excellent idea. It will give you two a chance to talk some more. Privately." Emily said, putting an emphasis on the world 'privately.' This caused Rory to blush, making her already wind blown cheeks pinker.

"Stars Hollow is really out of his way grandma. I wouldn't want to put Tristan out." Rory tried to reason.

Tristan was standing stuck in thought. Nothing involving you could ever be an inconvenience. Realizing that both women were waiting for Tristan to say something, he quickly said "I don't mind, really. I would love to see your town."

"Perfect. Now you two run along, it's getting late. I will talk to you both soon." Emily said, giving them both a gentle push towards the car.

Five minutes later, Rory was seated uncomfortably next to Tristan, constantly switching the radio station in nervousness. Tristan noticed her uneasiness and took a deep breath to overcome his own. For once in my life, I have nothing to say. How is it that she can actually make me, the King of Chilton, nervous?

Rory finally broke the tension filled silence by asking "so, don't you have any decent c.d.s we can listen to?"

Tristan smiled and nodded to the glove box. "Check in there. There should be something good." He watched as she searched through his choices, amused at the smile on her face.

"Coldplay?" Rory asked surprised. "I seriously wouldn't take you for a Coldplay kind of guy."

"Well what can I say Mare, I'm just full of surprises." Tristan said huskily, giving Rory a warm feeling in her stomach. How does he manage to make everything he says into an innuendo? Now that's a skill that comes from being a player.

"Yeah, well I'll just have to see about that." Rory said, giving him a sweet smile as she put the c.d. in and turned to her favorite track. Tristan's jaw dropped at her comment. Is Mary flirting with me? That little smile of hers didn't seem so innocent. No, she's just messing with me, playing the game.

Rory was sitting with her eyes closed, enjoying the music. Tristan took this opportunity to stare at her, stopping only to look at the road. God she's beautiful. I've never seen someone so naturally beautiful.

And you say nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

And I know you feel the same
You've been searching for the words,
Now you know what to say

Just say nothing
Don't say a word
Silence is gold
Don't say a word

The words continued to float through the car, having a greater effect then either knew. Rory was peacefully mouthing the words and Tristan was using all his will power, which wasn't much, to keep from leaning over to kiss her soft moving lips. The song came to an end and Rory opened her eyes to find Tristan staring at her out of the corner of his eyes. She quickly moved to find another c.d., uncomfortable with the way she was feeling.

"I'm not in the mood for this anymore. Let's see what else you have." Rory said, avoiding looking in Tristan's direction. "Hmm, interesting." Tristan looked to see what she had, but Rory had already inserted it into the c.d. player.

I'm a slave for you. I cannot hold it; I cannot control it.
I'm a slave for you. I won't deny it; I'm not trying to hide it.

Baby, don't you wanna, dance upon me,
(I just wanna dance next to you)
To another time and place.
Baby, don't you wanna, dance upon me,
(Are you ready)

"So, anything you want to tell me there Bible Boy?" Rory asked between her laughs.

"I swear that is not mine! It's my younger sister Caitlyn's." Tristan said completely embarrassed. She's never gonna let me forget this.

"It's okay if you like Britney Spears, we all have our guilty pleasures." Rory was trying so hard not to laugh that she actually snorted. Oh my god! I did not just do that. She covered her nose and turned a bright shade of red.

"Wow, I can't remember the last time I heard someone snort. You know for most people that would be a turnoff, but you doing it is cute." Tristan said honestly, looking her in the eyes.

Rory became even more embarrassed and started to laugh. "Gee, thanks. I'll be sure to remember that if I ever need to get a guy's attention."

Tristan smiled at her and said "Don't worry Mary, you will never have a hard time getting a guy's attention. Unless of course he's blind."

Rory smiled and said "Not so fast! You can't just compliment me to make me forget about the Britney Spears c.d."

Tristan's face fell, but then brightened when he got an idea. "Okay, fine you got me. I'm a slave for you Mary, always have been."

Rory chose to ignore Tristan's intended sexual insinuation and said "Oh really? This could be quite useful. Do you clean, or do you just have a maid do it?"

Tristan raised an eyebrow suggestively and said "Quite useful indeed. As for the cleaning, I'd prefer to do other more fun things for you."

"Oh Tristan, you really have to stop dreaming. Never going to happen." Rory told him teasingly. She had found herself enjoying their playful bantering.

Tristan gave her a toothy grin as he came to the Stars Hollow exit. "We'll see Mary, we'll see."

Rory helped Tristan navigate to her house, laughing when they got to Monty the rooster sitting at the corner of the road.

"Nice little town you got here Mary. I guess street signs are too boring for the likes of you?"

"Of course. And I'd advise you to never, ever mock Monty. My mother would kill you." Rory said as she opened the car door. She grabbed her backpack and was moving to close the door, but was stopped by Tristan's hand. He's getting into a habit of stopping me from leaving. I better watch that.

Tristan leaned over the passenger seat and slightly pulled Rory towards him. Without giving her a chance to protest, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek. He had a firm grasp on her arm and neither made an effort to move away. Rory saw a flicker of something in his eyes that intrigued her. She was searching them for meaning, any clue as to what he was feeling. Without thinking, she moved to whisper in his ear "Good night Tristan, I'll see you tomorrow." Her words were slow and breathy, causing a chill to run down his back.

"Looking forward to it." And after a slight pause he added "Rory."

Rory moved from his arms and closed the door, walking in a daze to her house. He called me Rory. My name sounds so different coming from his mouth. Man, I'm in trouble. I just need very large amounts of coffee and I will be able to think clearly again.

"Hey hun, what's up? You look all spacey." Lorelai asked, looking at her daughter strangely as she came through the door.

"Oh nothing. Everything's fine. I just had a weird afternoon. No big deal." Yeah right, no big deal. I've never felt that way with Dean, and it was only a kiss on the cheek. Oh, no! What about Dean?

Hey everybody! I re-wrote this chapter at midnight, so I hope it's not bad. I had fun with this one though! Please please review! Thanks for reading, I love you all.

P.S. I do not own "Couldn't Have Said it Better" by Coldplay or "I'm a Slave 4 U" (That's really how it's spelled LOL) by Britney Spears.