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.

Wow, this story has 150 reviews! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your support has been truly amazing! I decided that I need to finish this story before I leave for college in four days. I know I said the ball was next, but I started writing this and it just kept coming. So, instead of making one really long chapter I will post this now and the ball chapter later on tonight. (I hope) Sorry!

Lorelai and Rory pulled up to the Hartford Ballroom, surprised at the already large amount of cars in the parking lot. Carrying their garment bags, they walked towards the entrance. "Wow, this place brings back memories." Lorelai frowned and looked at Rory skeptically. "You sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, now come on before grandma hunts us down." Rory took hold of Lorelai's arm, forcing her to walk.

Lorelai shouted "No, they'll never take me alive!" Rory smiled, but continued towards the lobby. There they met an obviously annoyed Emily Gilmore.

"Honestly you two, is it really that difficult to be somewhere at a specific time?"

"Why yes mother it is. Especially when that specific time is before 9:00 on a Saturday morning."

Rory noticed the look on her grandmother's face and decided to stop Lorelai before she began ranting. "Don't worry grandma, everything will be just fine."

The elder Gilmore smiled at Rory gratefully. "Yes, of course. Now, come, come we have much to do." Emily led the way to the dressing room, pointing out things along the way.

Ignoring her mother's descriptions of the flowers and linens, Lorelai whispered to Rory "I know why you're acting so nice. Someone's excited to see Brad Pitt."

"Mom, stop calling him Brad Pitt. And I am not excited to see him, I just want to make this as painless as possible for grandma." Rory said, unconsciously looking around the room for a certain someone.

Knowingly, Lorelai said "Uh huh. You know he won't be here for another couple hours, right?"

Acting confused, Rory asked "Who?"

"Brad."

Rory rolled her eyes, frustrated with her mother. "I was looking for dad. Dad, not Tristan. Which is his name by the way. Remember that!"

They had stopped in front of a large oak door, Emily watching them curiously. Lorelai and Rory stopped talking and looked at Emily innocently. "So, this is some door, uh?" Lorelai asked .

Emily looked to Rory, who simply shrugged. Too busy to try to understand, Emily gave up and opened the door with a flourish. There was a visible haze of hairspray in the air and about ten teenage girls in various states of dress. Most were already having their hair and makeup done, while others were running frantically around the room talking on cell phones.

Rory looked at Lorelai and raised her eyebrows in a confused look. Fighting back her laughter, Lorelai asked Emily "Isn't the ball at 6:00?" No response. "Tonight?"

"Yes, you know that Lorelai. I must have told you fifteen times." Emily gently took hold of Rory's arm, leading her to an empty chair in front of a mirror. "Here is where you will get ready Rory. I do hope you can manage by yourself, I have some things I need to take care of."

"Yeah, Ror, you only have" Lorelai stopped to look at her watch. "Nine hours." She put an arm around her daughter and said "Good luck with that."

Rory started laughing, but stopped when she saw her grandmother's scowl reflected in the mirror. Needing a reason to both change the subject and leave the smelly room, Rory asked "Where is the nearest place to find coffee?"

"Oh, great idea. Let's go find some!" Lorelai said, excitedly.

"I'm sorry Lorelai, but I need to take you to the mother's meeting."

A horrified look washed over Lorelai's face and she whispered "Help me." Rory gave her a sympathetic smile and bid them goodbye, watching as her grandmother dragged a protesting Lorelai away.

Rory placed her dress bag on a hanger and left in search of coffee. We should have brought some more of the Tristan coffee with us. The thought made her smile, and she happily continued wandering around the huge building. Finally finding a kitchen, she quietly snuck in and grabbed a mug. As she was exiting, she nearly smacked into someone. Looking down at the small amount of spilled coffee she said "I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

"My fault for getting in the way of a Gilmore and her coffee."

At the sound of the familiar husky voice, Rory looked up to find herself staring into the blue eyes of Tristan. Surprised she stuttered "Uh, Tristan, wha, what are you doing here?"

Tristan laughed and said "Forgot about me already Mary? I'm hurt."

"No, I just didn't expect to see you here so early." Rory was shifting on her feet, uncomfortable at being in such close proximity to him. She took a small step back and studied his face.

Smiling at her, Tristan said "I just thought you could use the company. I didn't take you as the type to need all day to get ready."

Blushing, Rory said "Oh. Yeah."

Tristan noticed that she seemed uneasy and nervously ran his hand through his hair. "I didn't want to bug you. I can just come back tonight." He gave a small wave of his hand and turned to leave.

Rory quickly walked after him and put her hand on his shoulder, turning him around. "No, I'm sorry! I just didn't know what to say. Stay."

Tristan let out a relieved breath and said "You're sure?"

Rory smiled sweetly at him. She wasn't used to seeing Tristan nervous and unsure. She enjoyed seeing that she had that effect on him. "Please."

With a huge smile he said "Okay." They stood in silence for a moment and he finally said "How about I take you to get some real coffee?"

"That would be great. Whatever bit I didn't spill on your shoe was pretty awful."

Tristan glanced at his shoe, not caring one bit about the small brown stain. "Trust me, I know. Let's go." He placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her to the main entrance.

Rory noticed how happy she felt at his touch, and her nerves began to settle. She smiled as they reached Tristan's car, remembering the first time she had ridden in it. Teasingly, she said "Here I thought you'd have a car for every day of the week. You know, like the underwear?"

Tristan laughed as he opened the door for her. He whispered in her ear "Never did care much for underwear."

Shocked, Rory shouted "Tristan!"

He smirked and said "Just kidding Mare." He closed her door and walked around to the driver's side. Getting in, he smiled at her embarrassed expression.

"Right, I knew that." Tristan started the car and headed out of the parking lot. Rory played with her hands nervously and then remembered Lorelai. "I just have to call my mom really quick. Tell her I left."

"Oh, yeah." Tristan turned down the radio and quietly waited.

Lorelai answered after the first ring. "Help, help help."

"Hey mom, how's the meeting?"

"Oh, peachy. We are currently discussing Bunny's high heel conundrum. What do you think, 3 inch or 5 inch heels?"

"It depends on how tall Bunny is." Tristan gave her an odd look.

"Oh, that would be 5'1". Quite the Bunny if you ask me."

"Definitely the 5 inch then."

"They will be so relieved."

"I'm glad. I just called to tell you I went to get coffee with Tristan."

"Oh, really. Man that boy knows the way to a Gilmore's heart. I'll handle mom for you. Have fun."

"Okay, thanks."

"Not too much fun!"

"Goodbye crazy." Rory hung up and answered Tristan's questioning face. "Bunny couldn't decide the proper height for her heels."

Tristan laughed and said "Oh, I see. Quite the little problem."

"I think it is under control now." Rory smiled at him and turned the radio up. They continued the ride in comfortable silence, each stealing glances at each other.

"Here we are. It's no Luke's, but I think you'll find it satisfactory."

They headed inside and Rory said "I'm sure it's fine. By the way, thank you for the coffee and donuts. Hey, I meant to ask you, how did you know about Luke's?"

Tristan handed the cashier the money and slyly said "I have my ways."

"Ohh, so mysterious. I'll get it out of you eventually."

They sat down at a booth with Rory's two coffees and Tristan's one. "There are ways that I can be persuaded."

Rory blushed yet again and Tristan reached across the table to stroke her cheek. "I love that I can make you blush. Most girls have to fake it."

Rory smiled and Tristan's hand moved under her chin, gently lifting her head. They stared into each other's eyes and he slowly moved his face closer to hers. Rory closed her eyes and their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss. After pulling apart, Tristan smiled at her adoringly. "Was that okay?"

Rory quietly said "Yes." She leaned into the back of the booth and Tristan did the same.

Rory took a sip of coffee and her face lit up. "Do I get to know now?"

"Nope. Sorry." Tristan was reeling from the feeling of relief over the kiss. He had kissed Rory Gilmore and she hadn't ran, cried, or been interrupted.

"It's still true then."

Curious, Tristan asked "What is?"

"You really are evil." They both had goofy smiles on their faces.

Tristan slowly shook his head and said "No, not evil. Adorable."

"If you say so Bible Boy." Rory couldn't hide the smile on her face. He really is adorable. Even if it is adorably cocky.

After spending another half-hour talking and drinking coffee, the two were back in the car, heading back to the ballroom. Rory surprised him by reaching over and lacing her fingers with his right hand. He simply smiled and kissed her knuckles. The rest of the ride was spent singing off-tune to the radio. When they reached their destination, they walked hand in hand to the entrance, separating upon coming through the door. Rory walked towards the dressing room, leaving Tristan staring back at her. With a smirk, he called "Say hi to Bunny for me." Rory turned around and made a gagging face before disappearing behind the door. After standing there smiling for several minutes, Tristan turned and headed back towards his car. No one had noticed Lorelai Gilmore watching from the corner of the room, a huge smile on her face.

Once again, sorry no ball yet. I know, I know, I'm awful. I hope this chapter wasn't too bad of a filler. I had realized that I got them there so early that it would be weird to jump right into the ball. Please, please review. I will try to post the next chapter later tonight. I still have to write it!