Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls, actors, characters, plots, etc, that would be the wonderful people at WB. Although if I did, I'm pretty sure they'd be some big changes coughChadcough. Anyway if you do feel inclined to sue me, some people have strange urges and we must accept them for who they are, I'm currently flat broke so all you will get is a used textbook, on organic chemistry.
AN: I won't change the rating just yet, don't know about future chapters though. Sorry about the erratic updating and short review responses, my personal life's just a bit crazier than usual.
Rockrose: Thanks for your opinion and taking the time to review.
Finnlover: I know there's a fine line between T and M ratings, so hopefully I'll manage to pass for T!
LoVe23: Thank you for reviewing.
Emily: Unfortunately it does go T then M. Thanks for your review.
FairyGirl07: The mystery continues…! Thanks for reviewing.
Fallen Heart: All I can confirm is that yes, they will recognise each other this time…
Rish: Thanks, Tristan will be here before you know it.
Photoboothromance: You can read about Tristan very, very soon.
GGluvr1987: I'm glad you didn't see it coming, but it's hard to come up with new ways to trick you! Thanks for reviewing.
TristenLover: Thanks.
This chapter is for anyone who is or knows anyone who is unwell… Chapter 7The setting sun reflected off the mirrored windows of the sky-scrapers, lighting everything in hues of orange and pink. A huge white marquee on the pristine sandy beach was starting to draw party-goers, most of them were turned away at the red-carpeted entrance. This was an invite-only event of the most exclusive kind. A limousine drew up to the entrance, a man in a tuxedo opened the door and a stiletto-clad foot appeared, followed by a long, tanned leg. Curious on-lookers leading forward to catch a glimpse of the singer-cum-actress exiting the sleek black car.
She flicked her long blonde hair expertly over her shoulder, casting her haughty gaze over the audience before flashing a brilliant smile at the paparazzi, who were climbing over one another for the perfect photo. The actress's date was the next out of the limousine, dressed in a handmade Italian designer suit, charcoal grey, turquoise blue shirt set off his eyes. The pair posed accommodatingly for the international media before ducking through white-silk entrance of the marquee. Women swooned, cameras clicked away rapidly, people jostled each other, all asking the same question. Who was the blonde accompanying the actress?
"I thought this was an LDB only event?" Colin muttered, glaring at the arrivals.
"If it was, do you think the media would know?" Stephanie asked him.
"Anyway, his father is LDB," Logan added, "I need a drink."
The group each gave their drink orders to Logan, who left for the bar.
"Who is he?" Rory asked, frowning to herself, the actress' date looked familiar.
"Who cares who he is," Finn replied, flippantly, "I want her, I mean, look at those legs. Miss Sexy."
"She's not a redhead," Steph responded.
"I'm sure she'd look good as a redhead," Finn said, "She'd look good in anything or nothing."
"You have a girlfriend," Rory reprimanded him.
"Doesn't mean I can't look," Finn answered, pouting.
"Having a girlfriend means exactly that," Steph replied.
Suddenly the air became icy. Finn glared at Steph, who had the decency to look embarrassed, while Colin took a sudden interest in his shoes.
"So what's this party for?" Rory asked, putting her friends out of their misery.
"Logan didn't tell you?" Colin asked surprised.
"No," Rory replied, holding in a sigh, "That would be why I'm asking you."
"130th anniversary of the LDB," Finn replied.
"And we're in Miami, because…?"
"The anniversary is held in a different place every year," Steph explained, "And's it's a nice change from Yale in midwinter."
"True," Rory agreed.
And once more, silence fell on the group. Finally Logan returned with their drinks, but left again soon after without any explanation. Finn unexpectedly bumped into an old drinking buddy and departed to do shots, to confirm once and for all, who was the better drinker. Steph coerced Colin into asking her dance. And eventually Rory was left standing by herself. Fiddling with champagne glass she thought back to the last time she was in this situation. That was one place she didn't want to return to. Finishing her drink, Rory headed off to find her part-time boyfriend, only to catch sight of Logan and some girl hurrying out of a back entrance, clearly she was the last thing on Logan's mind tonight.
Angry with herself for once more finding herself in the exact same state-of-mind as she had been in the New York incident, Rory stalked to the bar for another drink.
"Vodka," she almost barked at the attendant.
"Tough night?" someone asked her.
"Yes," Rory replied automatically, without looking up, "No. Oh, I don't know."
"Right."
Finally Rory looked up and wished she hadn't. What was worse than seeing your boyfriend walk out of a party with some other girl on his arm? Finding yourself sitting next to one of the world's most beautiful women, that's one way to kill all your self-esteem.
"Kate Henderson," the actress introduced herself, with an out-stretched hand that Rory weakly shook, "But I suppose you already know that."
"Yes," Rory responded, successfully forcing herself not to babble.
"And you are?" Kate smiled gently.
"Rory, uh, I mean Lorelai Gilmore," Rory stuttered, "But most people call me Rory."
"So, guy-trouble?" Kate asked, tilting her head towards the vodka that the bar-keeper had placed in front of Rory.
"Yeah," Rory replied, staring into the glass, "No offence, but I really don't want to talk about it."
"That's okay," answered Kate, smiling understandingly, "I had lots of problems for a couple of years until I met my boyfriend. He's my brother's best friend and I hardly took any notice of him. We butted heads, he rubbed me up the wrong way. I thought he was a spineless jerk, he thought I was a stuck-up brat."
"What happened?"
"I had a party to go to and I didn't have a date. I was so desperate, I mean really desperate, so I asked him. All he had to do was escort me past the media and then we'd go our own way, but when we got there my ex-boyfriend said some stuff to me. Long story short, I cried, he tried to beat up my ex, got his face smashed instead and I realised I was in love with him."
"Wow."
"I know," Kate nodded, "My perfect guy had been standing there right in front of me all the time."
"Talking about me?" a voice asked from behind them.
They turned in surprise, to find the Kate's boyfriend smiling down at them.
"Hey," Kate greeted him, with a kiss on his cheek, "Honey, I want to you meet my new friend –"
"Rory?" the boyfriend interrupted.
"Wait, you know her?" Kate asked, without a trace of jealousy.
"Rory Gilmore, Chilton?"
"I – " Rory began, her eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm Brad."
"Oh, my gosh, I, wow," Rory began, half-laughing at the surprise, "I'm so sorry, I didn't even recognise you."
"That is okay, it's been awhile," Brad smiled understandingly, before turning to Kate, "Rory and I went to the same high school for a little while."
"Seriously? That's incredible!" Kate laughed.
"Do you remember that debate? And Paris?" Brad continued, "I was so scared of Paris."
"We all were," Rory smiled remembering, "She's calmed down a bit now."
"You still keep in touch?"
"Actually, we're suitemates."
"No way!"
"Yeah, we're at Yale, we're both doing Journalism."
"Of course," Brad nodded, "LDB and all. I was meant to go to Yale, I ended up at Harvard Medical School."
"That's so cool."
"I'm so proud of him," Kate added, beaming up at her boyfriend.
"Yeah well this little med student, better go now, or he'll be slaughtered tomorrow at his Medical History practical," Brad replied grimacing at his watch, "Rory, it's been really great seeing you again."
"And if you ever want to talk, here's my number," Kate added, writing her number on a napkin, she pressed it into Rory's hand, "I don't meet many people who aren't overwhelmed by my reputation so it would be cool if we could keep in touch."
And with that, the party's IT couple left in a flurry of camera flashes. Alone again Rory decided to head back to the hotel.
--
Slipping the room-card through the slot, Rory unlocked the door and stepped inside, her shoes in one hand, her purse in the other. All she wanted right now was to crawl into bed and sleep. She almost expected to hear Logan and some girl he'd picked up at the party going at it, but to her surprise the suite was completely silent and completely empty. Changing quickly into her pyjamas, she slipped between the starchy sheets of the king-sized bed. Sleep crept up on her and just as she started to drift off, she head the door open and someone stumble into the suite. There was a drunken laugh followed by giggling. Rory clenched her fist in frustration and willed Logan and the girl to go away.
"Oh, what are you doing back?" Logan demanded, sobering quickly, seeing her in the bed.
"What am I doing back?" Rory asked mockingly, sitting up, "You mean, why am I here to fuck with your little party for two?"
"That's like so funny," the girl interjected, giggling drunkenly she stumbled into the bathroom.
"Rory –" Logan began, sounding almost sorry.
"Logan, I don't want to hear it," Rory interrupted, sliding off the bed, she tilted her head towards the bathroom, "You might want to check on her. Wouldn't want her to drown in the toilet, that would really put spanner in the works."
Logan left sighing loudly, whilst Rory opened her suitcase. She changed into a pair of jeans and sweater. As she stuffed her possessions back into the suitcase, Logan came back out, the girl leaning heavily on him.
"You can't leave," he said, noticing her beside her hurriedly repacked suitcase.
He dropped the girl into an armchair where she promptly went to sleep, snoring loudly. Any other time, Rory would have felt sorry for her, her dress was skewed, her hair a mess, mascara starting to run, but this was the last straw, she couldn't, no, wouldn't take it any more.
"You can't stop me," Rory responded, dragging her suitcase across the floor.
"How are you going get to Yale?" Logan asked, grabbing the bag from her.
"You're not the only one with contacts, Logan," she answered, trying to shake him off, "Even the us less-privileged people can travel, even if it isn't first class."
"I didn't mean that."
"No? Well what the hell did you mean?"
"You don't have to leave," Logan said, his tone softening to the point Rory almost forgot why she was angry with him, but then she saw the girl again.
"Yes, because I want to be around while you have sex with another woman," Rory replied, sarcastically.
"You were the one who wanted the open relationship. You said it yourself, I can sleep with whoever I want."
"Logan, why are we together? What do you want from me? I know it's not the sex, you can get that anywhere and you don't want to commit to anything. Just tell me one reason why I should stay and I will."
"I…," Logan began, but the silence that stretched between them was too far for Rory.
"Good bye, Logan," Rory said firmly, and with that she left the suite, dragging her suitcase along.
--
AN: I know I said Tristan would start his comeback in this chapter, and I'm really sorry, but I couldn't fit him in. Don't worry, he will be in the next one though, I promise.