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.

So, I'm back yet again. Excited? Thanks to those of you that reviewed, I know there wasn't a large gap between the two chapters. The reviews did encourage this lazy writer to sit down and write! This is a little long, so sorry for that!

Rory was leaning against the door of the dressing room in a happy daze. The trip to the coffeehouse was replaying over and over in her head. She was suddenly ripped from her daydreaming by shouts of "Get out of the way!" Rory quickly moved from the door at the sight of a young debutante with puffed cheeks running and covering her mouth. The girl flung open the door and ran for the nearest bathroom. Grimacing, Rory moved to where she had placed her things earlier that morning.

"Yet another girl who can't hold her booze. Can you believe it?" Rory looked incredulously at the person sitting next to her. She didn't answer her, just gave her a confused look.

"I'm Libby by the way. Who are you? I don't remember seeing you the last few times."

"I'm Rory Gilmore and this is the first and only time I am going to do this." I can't believe someone would do this more than once. Well, maybe if Tristan was my escort…

Libby nodded with a look of distaste and continued her long process of getting ready. Rory glanced at her watch and saw that she still had quite a while until the ball began. Pulling a book out of her bag, she settled into her chair and began to read. She hadn't even made it through a page when she jumped in surprise at the voice of her grandmother.

"Rory, what are you doing?"

Rory glanced from her book to Emily and said "Reading."

Emily rolled her eyes and said "I can see that. What I want to know is why."

Rory tried her best to remain polite when saying "I still have plenty of time before the ball begins and I was bored."

"Plenty of time? You still have to go to the luncheon. It starts in ten minutes and you are not nearly ready."

Rory closed her book and asked "What luncheon? You never told me about that."

Emily looked at her like she was crazy. "It is common sense dear. Now, quickly change into this outfit and meet me outside." Rory suspiciously eyed the item she was handed. Not at all thrilled about the idea, she began to get dressed. Five minutes later, she left the room to find Lorelai standing with Emily.

Excitedly, Lorelai hugged Rory and said "You have no idea how much I missed you!"

Glancing at Emily from the corner of her eye, Rory said "Oh, I think I can imagine." Pulling away from the embrace, she asked "Did you know about this luncheon thing?"

With a sympathetic smile, Lorelai said "No, sorry. Although, I do have it on pretty good authority that this lunch includes the escorts." Lorelai wiggled her eyebrows up and down, causing Rory to laugh.

Rory turned to Emily and said "Tristan didn't say anything about this."

"Perhaps he forgot. Now, shall we?" Emily gestured towards the banquet room and began walking, followed by Rory and Lorelai. Just as they reached the door, Lorelai pulled Rory aside, talking to her quietly.

"I'm dying here. How was coffee with Brad, er, Tristan?"

Rory smiled happily and said "Great. Really great."

"You two looked pretty happy when you came back."

Rory smiled in affirmation and linked her arm with Lorelai's. Together they walked into the banquet hall, where the lunch had already began. Tristan, who had been talking to some guy named Michael, stopped mid-sentence when he caught sight of Rory. She was wearing a simple blue spaghetti strap dress that stopped just above her knees. It modestly hugged her curves and contrasted her pale skin perfectly.

Letting out a deep breath, Tristan said "Excuse me" and made his way to Rory. Lorelai saw him coming, and went to her seat next to Emily.

Tristan placed a soft kiss on Rory's cheek and said "My, my, Mary. You look amazing."

Blushing, Rory said "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." She took his hand and followed him to their seats. Once they were situated next to each other, she asked "Did you know about this lunch?"

Tristan smiled sheepishly and said "Actually, I did, but after our little coffee adventure I completely forgot about it."

"Now who's forgetting who?" Rory said with mock hurt in her voice.

Tristan smirked and softly whispered "I could never forget you. I forgot because I was thinking about you so much."

Rory turned her face towards him and saw a genuine look in his eyes. She never wanted to kiss someone so much in her life, but she couldn't in front of everyone. Instead, she grabbed his hand under the table and whispered back "Good excuse." Tristan smiled brightly and held her hand while he ate with the other.

Several seats down the long table, Emily watched the couple and said to Lorelai "Well, look at that. It seems as though Rory has finally found someone suitable." Lorelai rolled her eyes and continued eating, occasionally glancing at Rory and Tristan. She smiled at the sight of her happy daughter.

"So, what did I miss?"

Lorelai looked up and said "Chris, where have you been?"

"Sorry, work called the other day and I have been swamped." Lorelai nodded, not really interested in more excuses. Chris sensed that she was not happy with him, but knew better then to bring it up now. They ate their lunch quietly until it was over.

After lunch, Tristan walked Rory back towards the dreaded dressing room. "Wow, those debutantes sure can eat, huh?"

"Oh, well, I was really hungry." Rory said defensively, slightly ashamed of her eating habits.

Tristan laughed and said "Rory, I was kidding. I was talking about how little the rest of them ate."

"Oh, I knew that."

"Good." He smirked and began slowly looking around, pretending to be sneaky. "All alone."

Rory smiled and playfully said "Really?"

"Yup"

Rory took the opportunity to finally give him the long awaited kiss from lunch. Wrapping her hand around his neck, she pulled his face to hers. Tristan smiled against her lips and then responded. The passionate kiss soon became heated and Rory pulled back breathlessly. To his pouting face, she said "I have to go."

"Always leaving. A boy could start to take this personally you know."

Rory laughed and said "Not always. Besides, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Tristan leaned towards her and seductively said "Good to know. I'll see you later Mary." He walked away from her backwards, keeping his eyes locked on hers. Rory laughed as he ran into a waiter. He apologized and continued his backward trek until he rounded the corner. Rory opened the dressing room door, unable to stop smiling.

It was finally time to get ready for the actual ball, and Rory surprised herself at being nervous. She slipped on her white gown, remembering how much she had disliked it before. Looking in the mirror, she couldn't help but smile at her reflection. Something about Tristan boosted her self-confidence, and she liked it.

Lorelai came in and said "Oh, hun, you look like a princess."

Rory looked around at the other girls and said "Thanks. Do you think you could do my hair for me? I left the personal stylist at home."

Laughing, Lorelai said "I am your personal stylist. Let's go."

Twenty minutes later, Lorelai had put Rory's hair in a simple twist, leaving curly strands to frame her face. She had also done her make-up in a light and simple way, not needing much to accent Rory's eyes and cheekbones.

Looking at her daughter in a very motherly way, Lorelai said "You look beautiful. Tristan is going to drool when he sees you." Rory pulled her into a tight hug.

"Are we ready?" Emily asked. She paused when she caught sight of Rory. "Rory, you look just perfect. I knew you would be the hit of the ball."

Lorelai actually agreed with her mother. "Was there ever a doubt?"

A snooty looking woman entered the room and announced that it was time for the girls to line up with their fathers. Lorelai's face fell at the word father. Noticing the questioning look on Rory's face, she asked "Ready to be a lady of society? You can still make a run for the window. I'll distract them by setting fire to the place."

Rory was being herded out the room and said over her shoulder "No, I'll be fine. If I can handle Paris, I'm sure I can handle a little curtsying." Lorelai shot her a thumbs up and went to find her seat.

"It is my distinct pleasure to announce the daughters of the Daughters of the American Revolution." The elderly woman continued her speech, nearly boring Lorelai to death.

Rory and Chris were waiting in line, Rory slightly bouncing from her nerves. "You okay, kiddo?"

Smiling at her dad, she answered "Oh, yeah. Just a little nervous. Whatever you do, don't let me fall on my face."

"I promise. There will be no falling on my watch." Chris patted Rory's hand that was placed on his. "Let's do this." Rory heard the woman announce a girl named Veronica Gateman and knew she was next. Taking a deep breath she plastered on a smile and waited for her name.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore. Daughter of Christopher Hayden and Lorelai Gilmore."

Rory and Chris began their descent down the stairs. As soon as she came into view, Tristan stood stunned. She looked even better then she had when he first saw her in the dress. She appeared to be floating on air. His breath got caught in his throat as she got closer, noticing her smiling brightly at him. He didn't move his eyes from hers. She performed her curtsy and Chris kissed her hand. Tristan walked towards her and took her arm, beaming proudly that he was with this beautiful girl. All of the other escorts had told him he was lucky, but they had no idea just how lucky he really was.

He walked her towards her spot in the ridiculous fan dance and waited patiently, laughing at her look of disgust as she moved in a circle, fan waving up and down. The dance finished to roaring applause, and Rory was grateful to be whisked away to the dance floor by Tristan.

Tristan wrapped his arm around Rory's waist and took her hand with his. They began to move to the slow song and Rory asked "Enjoy the show?"

In a completely serious voice, Tristan said "I loved it. I have never seen anyone look so beautiful."

Rory smiled shyly and buried her face in Tristan's neck, inhaling his comforting scent. They continued their slow movement, seeming to fit perfectly with each other's bodies.

"Hey Mare?" Tristan whispered.

"Yes?"

"I need to ask you something." Tristan continued to whisper, his voice sending shivers down Rory's spine.

Moving her head, Rory looked into his eyes. "Anything."

Tristan hesitated and Rory felt his shoulders tense. She gave him a smile, silently urging him to continue. "Would you be my girlfriend?" Their eyes were locked in an intense stare, and neither noticed Emily coming behind them.

"Rory, Tristan, you both did beautifully." Emily gently pulled Rory from Tristan, clearly not noticing the moment she was interrupting.

Looking at Tristan longingly, Rory was pulled into a hug by her grandma. From behind Emily's shoulder, Rory gave Tristan a look that clearly said 'I'm sorry.' Tristan smiled back at her, almost grateful to Mrs. Gilmore. He was afraid to hear Rory's answer, and this gave him a chance to prepare.

Pulling away, Emily said to Rory "Your mother is looking for you." She began to lead Rory away, stopping to say "Tristan, please excuse us for a moment." Before he had a chance to answer, they were lost in the crowd of opulently dressed dancers.

Lorelai sighted Rory and quickly ran towards her, shouting happily over the music. "Rory, my little Debbie. That was beautiful. And you didn't look so bad yourself."

Laughing, Rory said "Yeah, Tristan did look great, huh? Thanks for adding me in there too."

"Well, you've always known that I have a weakness for Brad. Seriously though, you look so beautiful. I'm proud of you." She pulled Rory into another hug, and whispered so only she could hear. "You should have seen Tristan's face. Complete and total awe."

"Really?" Rory whispered back.

"Absolutely." Lorelai pulled away and her smile grew at the sight of the cake. "Yum, I have been waiting for this all day." She went off towards the refreshment table, leaving Rory to search for Tristan. She found him outside, sitting on a bench. His head was in his hands, and he looked up at the sound of Rory's clicking heels on the concrete.

"Hey." Tristan said, his voice different than usual.

Rory sat next to him and repeated "Hey."

Looking uneasy, Tristan said "Look, about before. If you just want to forget that-"

Rory stopped him, placing her index finger on his lips. "Yes."

Pain flashed over Tristan's face, but he did his best to hide it as he said "Okay, so no big deal. We'll just be friends. As long as I still get to see you."

Rory realized what he thought, and bent her head to look into his downcast eyes. "Tristan, look at me."

Tristan lifted his head slowly, staring into her eyes. Rory smiled, and he braced himself for what she would say. How can I be her friend now? I love her.

"I said yes. Yes, I will be your girlfriend." She looked at him expectantly.

Shocked, Tristan asked "I'm sorry, did you just say that you will be my girlfriend?"

Smiling happily, Rory shook her head. She pulled him towards her in a hug, whispering "Yes, I will be your girlfriend."

Still hugging each other, Tristan said "Thank god."

Rory pulled back, holding both his hands in hers. "So…"

Smirk finally returning to his face, Tristan said "So, how about another dance Rory?"

Rory stood and offered Tristan her hand. "It's Mary."

Smiling brighter then ever before, Tristan said "Whatever you want girlfriend." The couple walked back to the ballroom, holding each other's hands tightly. As they entered, Lorelai began to clap. The others in the room gave her strange looks.

Coming up to the couple, Lorelai said "Gee, that always works in the movies."

Laughing, Tristan said "Don't worry. The Hartford society types are just snobby."

"Ah, a boy on my side. I think I like you. Now, we just need to discuss coffee." Lorelai began leading Tristan away, only to be stopped by Rory.

"Hey, he's mine. Get your own."

"Fine, fine. We'll talk later. You two have fun." Lorelai smiled as they returned to the dance floor.

Rory laughed and said "You'll get used to her."

"Looking forward to it." Tristan pulled her into a long kiss. It was the perfect combination between sweet and passionate and Rory felt her knees go weak. Rory was certain she would have fallen if it wasn't for Tristan's strong grip.

Finally pulling back, Rory rested her forehead on his. "So Bible Boy, what are your cronies going to think of this?"

Reassuringly, Tristan answered "Whatever they want to. I could care less."

Rory pulled him into another kiss and said "Great answer."

Yeah, I finally finished this chapter. I really hope this wasn't a let down! I think this is the end, but if you guys think an epilogue would be good, I think I will write one more. Ideas would be much appreciated for that. Please, please, please, please review! I really would like your feedback on this. Thanks so much, I love you all!