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'm back! Yay! Hope you all had a very lovely holiday season. For all you Rogan fans out there, I believe Logan will finally make to Australian television this Saturday, so watch out, so there maybe more accurate Logans and maybe a Rogan from me in the future. But as always, my first GG love with be Tristan and Trory, so on with the show…
Photoboothromance: Thank you for reading. Logan will find out in due time, I've decided Rory's too scared/embarrassed to admit the one-night-stand to certain people, so it might take a little while
Bethany Inc: I'm sure Logan's a really nice guy, but I'm yet to meet him so he can be mean until I'm otherwise notified. Can't say I've ever seen anyone throw a hissy fit and still look pretty while doing that, it's like a law of physics or something. As to the identity of Rory's baby, I haven't decided the logistics of that yet, sorry.
Rish: Thanks! Hmm, there might be a turnaround in who exactly is Mr Nice Guy… scroll down for more! Hope you had a happy holiday too.
LoVe23: Thank you for your lovely reviews and messages! It's the new year, actually we're well into a new year, I can't believe it's '06 already, '05 went by really quickly for me. Anyway I hope you had a joyous and safe Christmas and New Year. Best Wishes for '06!
Finnlover: Hope you had a safe and very happy holiday too. I can't reveal the father yet, but it will be happening very, very soon.
Fallen Heart: Truth be told, I only wrote Logan into this story because I needed a sometimes-jerk-sometimes-nice boyfriend for Rory and Logan was easy since everyone already knew about him, so I'm sorry if he's not what he really is. But then again, this is fiction, so I could just as easily write that Logan is a giant, human worm with tattered wings and keeps repeating that he's from Transylvannia and only speaks with a fake French accent… I'm weird and proud of it…
Emily: Thanks for reading and pushing the blue button! I love that you wrote Logan reacted like a meaniehead! I love it (I sound like a broken record!) Anyway, I haven't heard meaniehead in so long, brought back memories… good times!
FairyGirl07: I'm glad I did not offend you, now to keep the unoffending of you going… hmm, I might struggle, but I'll give it a good shot. Okay, I'm a very weird mood, I think I'll just move on. Hope you had a very happy holiday season, it's still kind of going for me, I've got a few months holiday before I have to be coherent and functional again, yay! Thanks for reviewing.
Yourlastkiss: I like your username! Thank you for reading my lil ole story! I'm glad you like it. The father is still undecided, I've got to decide who was where when the deed was done.
GGluvr1987: That's okay, don't worry about the late review… sorry about the late updating! Christmas is a very crazy time, people's heads start spinning weird directions after a while, or that could just be the egg-nog and tia maria kicking in. (Drink responsibly and not at all if your under-age!) Thank you for reading and reviewing.
JavaJunkieAddict: I'm updating! Sorry for taking so long, I took a little break for the holiday season. I was going to at least write up chapters while I was away, but I didn't even have time to do that! Hope the new chapter is worth the wait…
Soulmates-exist: Don't apologise for reading and reviewing my story, I love that, so you needn't be sorry at all, ever, instead I thank you muchly for taking the time. Do you have a hotmail account? Sometimes those accounts automatically put emails into the junk mail box if it doesn't recognise the sender. Ohh another Aussie! Hello my friend (Australians are automatically my friends, sometimes I'm a blind patriot, but I love Australia!). Are you from VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, NT, SA, TAS or ACT? I love Vic's the most, cos I'm a Vic too, but it's okay if your not… this is really random and I'm starting to scare myself, so I'm going move along now… Thanks for taking the time to read my story and reviewing
The chapter is for everyone... Thank you for sticking around and still reading my story even though it's been a few weeks since my last update, I hope you enjoy it…
Chapter 11She had been burning with the need to tell someone, but she had promised to wait until Rory was ready to tell people. Even so, she was desperate just to be able to talk to someone, someone she could depend upon, someone like Luke. He had been a source of comfort since the rift between her and Rory had stated. With his gruff manner, dependability and supply of coffee, becoming the most stable, important person in Lorelai's life. She needed him now more than ever. Lorelai's wallow in self-pity was jarred to a halt by the sound of the telephone ringing.
"Is it true?" demanded the person on the other end before Lorelai could even start one of her trademark greetings.
"Is what true, Mom?" Lorelai asked warily, recognising the voice.
"Please tell me this is just a horrid rumour? Rory can't be pregnant," Emily begged.
"No, mom, it's true," Lorelai replied with a heavy sigh.
"Well it would have been nice if you or Rory had had the decency to call and give me some kind of warning instead of hearing it from Rachel Huntzberger, Logan's mother. She also told me that Logan and Rory are no longer together."
"Mom – ," Lorelai tried to interrupt, but she was cut off.
"It seems I'm out of town for just one week and the world collapses in on itself."
"Heaven forbid you are out of town for two whole weeks," Lorelai muttered sarcastically, "Then the world would stop revolving, the sun would burn out and time would run backwards."
"Lorelai!"
"Look, mom, you called, you complained, you conquered, it can be your motto, what else do you want?"
"Damage control," Emily answered simply.
"Damage control of what?"
"Rachel Huntzberger and I have concerns about what will happen to Rory and Logan if this news gets out into the public."
"You mean you and Rachel are worried about how this will effect your precious reputations," Lorelai shot back angrily.
"Rory is your daughter, you could at least try to considered all the consequences of her actions, you of all people should know what it's like to be on the receiving end of nasty gossip."
"That's brilliant mother, attacking me. Are you really that desperate to stay part of the DAR and the country club?"
"Lorelai, I honestly don't care what your opinion is, I just called to inform you of my soiree that is being held this Saturday evening, to which you are as of this moment, invited to. Rory and Logan will be seen in public together. They are officially still together and will be until we announce the pregnancy after which Logan, being a true gentleman, will propose to Rory."
"And do the happy couple know of this?"
"That does not matter. What needs to be done, must be done."
"How about the truth? Rory and Logan break up and then she finds out she is pregnant?"
"Too many questions will be asked."
"Such as?"
"Such as, why did Rory and Logan break up?"
"He's an ass."
"He's a Huntzberger."
"And that makes it alright?"
"That makes it whatever the Huntzbergers want it to be," Emily explained with a sigh.
She didn't want to admit it, but the Huntzbergers were too powerful for the Gilmores. She had always hoped for a merger between the two families, especially since she had rumblings that some members of the DAR were being asked to step down. If she was associated with Rachel Huntzberger, her position would be assured.
"I've had enough of you trying to manipulate Rory into improving your own social standing," Lorelai said, seeing right through her mother.
"And I've had enough of you trying to sabotage any relationship I could ever have with my granddaughter."
"I've got better things to do than argue with you, I was just about to paint my nails when you called. What do you think, burnt sienna or puce?" Lorelai asked sarcastically
"Loralie, how can you joke? This is all your fault!" exclaimed Emily Gilmore angrily.
"Let's not sugar coat anything now, shall we?"
"This is not time for your brand of humour," scolded her mother.
"Right, but it's the time for yelling at me, who, no thanks to you, wasn't able to be a mother to Rory and she was in your good graces when she went out and got pregnant. First your daughter, now your granddaughter, hmm… Is it just me or is there a pattern forming. Mom, have you ever considered that you might have something to do with it?"
And with that Loralie hung up, she stood trembling for a full ten minutes unable to believe she had just said that to Emily. Of course she would have to see her mother this weekend, but if only to save her daughter from Emily's clutches.
--
The dress was absolutely beautiful. Cornflower blue silk. Strapless bodice. A-line skirt to her knees. She stared at her reflection, at her still-flat stomach. It wouldn't be too long before she started to show. A sharp knock at the door, brought her back to the present.
"Come in," she called, moving quickly to her dressing table, she picked up a simple silver necklace she had chosen earlier.
"Wow, you look beautiful."
Rory turned sharply, shocked to see Logan standing in front of her, looking at her with open admiration and not the slightest hint of anger.
"Logan," she started, unsure of what to do or say.
"It's okay," he smiled reassuringly.
Crossing the room, he took the necklace from her hands and quickly clasped it around her neck. His fingers brushed lightly against the nape of her neck and she shivered involuntarily. There were sparks, sparks that she had thought were long dead between Logan and herself.
"I was completely out of line about the pregnancy and I am completely and truly sorry," Logan apologised, "And I hope you will be able to forgive me."
"Logan, I –," Rory began, her expression clearly surprised and confused.
"No, Rory," Logan silenced her, placing a finger to her lips, "I want you to think about it. Tell me what you feel when you're ready. The night is young, let's enjoy it."
Logan offered her his arm, which she accepted, completely amazed by the change in his behaviour. Here was the man she had first been attracted to. She wondered what had made him change.
--
He couldn't see the point of being here. Yes, it was a Gilmore event, so maybe Rory might be around, but was it really necessary for him to be here too, given his entire family already was. He couldn't remember the last time his half-siblings, parents and grandfather were in the same place at the same time. It was Arabelle's fault, he decided. She had a certain knack for getting him into these situations, situations he had no escape from.
"Stop blaming Arabelle," an older man said, seeing the young man scowling, the amusement obvious in his tone.
"Can you honestly say you want to be in the same place as William and Cecilia Du Gray? You can barely cope with being in the same zip codes, Gramps."
To this Janlen Du Gray, grandfather to Tristan and Arabelle Du Gray, laughed heartily.
"If it means I can watch you squirm, it's worth it, my boy," Janlen replied, grinning at his grandson.
"Gee, I feel so loved," Tristan muttered to himself, his grandfather heard him, but chose to ignore the comment.
"It can only get better," Janlen said, sagely, "Now go mingle. Wouldn't want the ladies to think that you've become anti-social, imagine the gossip."
Janlen gave his grandson a friendly push in the general direction of the other people at the party. Tristan was starting to worry him, he sensed his grandson was keeping secrets and he doubted that these were the petty kind.
Tristan made a steady circuit of the party. He walked slowly enough to be noticed and his presence acknowledged, but fast enough to not get engaged in conversations he wouldn't be able to get out of. Rounding another corner, he came across a sight he hadn't seen in years. Tucked away in an empty corner of a quieter room, a girl was curled up in an armchair, a thick book open on her lap.
"What are you reading?" Tristan asked.
"Pride and Prejudice," the girl answered without looking up.
"Haven't you read that a thousand times already?"
"And it's yet to loose it's magic," she said, finally looking up, "Anyway you're one to talk, you read Romeo and Juliet every week."
"I do not read Romeo and Juliet every week," Tristan replied crossly, "In fact I haven't read it in years."
"The first step is admitting you have a problem," the girl said, smirking.
She slid off the chair and made her way towards him. Reaching out a hand, she fixed the collar of his shirt.
"Thanks, mom," Tristan remarked sarcastically.
"Whatever, Tristan," she answered flippantly.
"So, Krissy the Snob is here, is that why you're hiding?"
"I'm not hiding," she replied adamantly as she looped her arm through Tristan's, "And I didn't know that Miss Bitch was here."
"Mhmm," Tristan answered vaguely, leading her towards the main ballroom.
"I need a drink," she sighed dramatically.
"Nothing with alcohol," Tristan warned.
"Yes, dad," she returned sarcastically.
"I'm serious," Tristan replied, indeed looking very serious, "I don't want you involved in that stuff, at least not until you're legal."
"You drank when you were my age, in fact you started when you were still in elementary school."
"I had a fucked up childhood, something I don't want you to have."
"But, you turned out okay."
"Just don't look too closely," Tristan murmured.
"Tris –," worry coloured her tone.
"No, leave it," he answered with a half-smile, but she could see the strain in his eyes.
--
She longed for escape, for just one moment alone. From the moment Logan had escorted her down the stairs, she hadn't even had one moment by herself. Either one of her grandparents or Logan was always at her side. People were constantly trying to engage her in small talk. She caught glimpses of her mother, but somehow she couldn't get to her.
"Rory, what do you think?"
She started, hearing her name, she blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the three women standing in front on her. Each was dressed in a different shade of lavender, their hair perfectly curled, their eyes staring expectantly at her.
"Pardon?" she asked weakly, ashamed at being caught unawares.
"The country club spring ball? The colour scheme?" one of the women prompted, seemingly unperturbed by her lapse in concentration.
"Uh, lavender?" Rory half-asked, half-stated.
The three women began chatting quickly, almost as if they had never needed her input. Holding in a sigh, Rory turned to Logan.
"I'm going to the bathroom," she lied, whispering in his ear.
She excused herself from the group before he could respond, hoping to make a quick exit. Weaving quickly past various other groups, her eyes darted about, on the lookout for Lorelai and Emily. The first, out of comfort and the latter for survival. Unfortunately, her mother seemed to be in a serious conversation with her grandfather.
Feeling deflated, she moved to the drinks table. Her hand hovered by the champagne glasses, but as if on cue, she felt her stomach clench and she resigned herself to a glass of non-alcoholic punch. Taking a sip of the too sweet liquid she lent against the table and gazed about the room. She couldn't see Logan and she was quietly thankful for that. The unexpected turn-around in his attitude had caught her off-guard and she needed time to think about what that meant.
She wasn't so naïve to think that Logan had changed all by himself, no doubt her grandmother had had hand in it. She and Logan's family had probably hatched some sort plan for Logan and herself. And it was nice that there was a plan. Plans made her feel secure, impulsiveness did not sit well with her.
A flash of blonde caught her eye and she turned to see a sight that left her speechless and floundering once more. Tristan Du Gray was walking towards her, a blonde woman on his arm. He smiled down at her, a gentle, affectionate smile. She said something that made him laugh, flashing his perfect teeth. His response made her giggle and place a kiss on his cheek.
Rory gasped involuntarily, just a few days earlier, Tristan had sat on her mother's couch. They had talked and she had thought him to be a genuine, open person, a friend even, someone she could trust. But somehow he had managed to leave out a very crucial detail. He had a girl friend, a pretty blonde girl friend.
"Rory," Tristan smiled at her winningly, as he and his girlfriend reached the drinks table.
"Tristan," she returned, keeping her tone as cool as possible.
"I want you to meet someone very special to me," Tristan replied, his smile faltering at her tone, "Rory this is my sister, Arabelle. Arabelle, Rory Gilmore."
And now she felt like a right royal cow. She should have known, Paris had her about Arabelle. Not to mention, Arabelle did look fifteen and Rory had no doubt that Tristan was smart enough not to date a minor, much less his own sister.
"Hi," Rory greeted the younger woman, forcing a smile to hide her embarrassment.
"Hello," Arabelle replied with a polite smile.
"So how are you doing?" Tristan asked, handing a glass of punch to his sister.
"I'm fine, I guess," Rory answered.
"Good," he nodded.
A hush fell over the three. Rory stared at her feet, Arabelle sipped her punch, polite as ever, and Tristan looked confusedly from one girl to the other.
"So, Arabelle loves to read," Tristan stated, after what seemed like an eternity.
Rory looked at him strangely, unsure of what he was implying while Tristan's sister glared at him as if he had revealed her deepest secrets.
"If I remember correctly, Rory, you were particularly fond of books too," Tristan continued the stilted, one-sided conversation.
"I still do," Rory answered, "Love books, that is."
"Good… are you reading anything at the moment?"
"Vanity Fair… again."
"Well, Arabelle's reading Pride and Prejudice… again," Tristan contributed, smiling affectionately at his sister, who pointedly ignored him.
"Tristan's reading Romeo and Juliet… again," Arabelle remarked, causing Tristan to blush furiously.
"Really?" Rory asked, genuinely interested, especially if it made Tristan blush.
"I like Shakespeare," he shrugged awkwardly, "And I'm not reading Romeo and Juliet, I'm reading Twelfth Night."
"Whatever," Arabelle replied dismissively, "Oh look, William and Cecilia have finally pulled their heads out of each others asses and have noticed that Gramps is here."
"Shit," Tristan muttered under his breath, before reddening, "Sorry, Rory."
"Don't go play Superman, Tris," Arabelle begged, a hand on her brother's arm, "You shouldn't have to save the world everytime."
"If I don't, whole will? You?" he asked his sister, there was an edge in his tone that made Rory feel uncomfortable.
"No," Arabelle shook her head, before continuing flippantly, "It would add colour to my life."
"I'll buy you some paint," Tristan replied shortly.
He smiled apologetically at Rory before walking off to prevent more Du Gray family drama.
"So how do you know my brother?" Arabelle asked after a moment, at last showing some interest in Rory.
Rory looked at Tristan's half-sister in surprise. She didn't think she had been a significant part of Tristan's life, but she had thought, considering his close relationship with Arabelle, Tristan would have at least mentioned her to his sister.
"I went to Chilton," she replied a little warily.
"But you don't hate Tristan?" Arabelle asked surprised.
"No, why would I hate Tristan?"
"Everyone I meet who knew Tristan from Chilton hate him, except Paris, but they have a weird love-to-hate-each-other thing going on."
"I didn't think anyone hated Tristan."
"Oh, not publicly. Everyone pretends to love him, but it's not his fault he has all the connections," Arabelle replied matter-of-fact.
"Wow," Rory breathed.
"Someone threw a glass of water at me once, when they found out I was his sister. Most girls he dated at Chilton hate him because he broke their hearts. I guess you were a lucky one. But Tristan won't go breaking any more hearts now."
"Why not?"
"He's got Ivory."
"Ivory Lancaster. His girlfriend."
"Tristan has a girlfriend?"
"It's only been a month, but it's serious. I think they'll get married. I mean, I really hope they will. They make such a cute couple," gushed Arabelle.
"I had no idea," Rory murmured, she felt a twinge of jealousy once more.
"They met in a coffee shop at Stanford," Arabelle continued, seemingly unaware the effect of her words were having on Rory, "A modern day romance. She was coming out of the cafe, he was going in, she spilt her coffee all over them both, he took her back to his dorm to clean up and they fell in love."
"It does sound serious."
"It is. And she's saving herself for marriage and he's waiting. You know what that means."
"What?"
"If Tristan doesn't sleep with a girl he's dating, he loves her," Arabelle concluded.
"What are you two yakking about?" Tristan interrupted them, his smile and warm greeting suggested he had been successful in heading off the next world war.
"Oh, just about you," Arabelle replied grinning.
"Oh, yeah?" Tristan replied with an easy smirk.
"And Ivory," Arabelle added, the smirk on Tristan's face slipped and he glanced hurriedly at Rory.
"Apparently you two make such a cute couple," Rory remarked, the smile that graced her lips was clearly forced.
"Arabelle, would you excuse us?" Tristan stated more than asked.
He didn't wait for a response before snatching up Rory's hand and pulling her outside into an empty courtyard.
"Rory, I –," began Tristan, but she cut him off.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend?" she demanded.
"I wanted to, but…"
"But what? Hmm? Did you think I wasn't going to find out? I mean you come here and I see you with some girl on your arm and I think 'That bastard, not telling me he is with someone'."
"You thought Arabelle was my girlfriend?" Tristan asked, confused.
"But she turns out to be your sister," Rory continued her rant, "Which is perfectly okay, and in fact, I did know you have a sister."
"Paris," Tristan murmured to himself.
"And then your sister tells that you do actually have a girlfriend and that it's serious. By the way, the way Arabelle was going about her, I'd be worried that she is more in love with your girlfriend than you are."
"Rory, I can explain –,"
"You didn't think to explain when you came into my house and sat on my sofa and acted all mature and grown up? Just when I really needed a friend and I was beginning to think that could be you."
"Do you really think that that would have been the right time to tell you? Hmm? You told me that you had just broken up with your boyfriend. I didn't really think you wanted to hear about my relationship at that time."
"Ohh, it's a 'relationship' now…" Rory mocked.
"Oh, grow up, Rory!" Tristan exclaimed, disgusted at her sudden lack of maturity, "What was I meant to say? 'Oh, Rory, I'm sorry hear about you breaking up with what's-his-face and finding out you're pregnant, thought you might like to hear about Ivory, my girlfriend. She's a great girl, smart, funny and did I mention she's a model?' Is that what you wanted to know?"
"I don't know what I expecting from you, but it's not what I got," Rory replied, trying not to be intimidated by Tristan's rage.
Sensing her fear, Tristan turned away abruptly, trying to regain control of his emotions that were running riot through him. An uneasy silence descended, neither wanting to surrender or attack.
"What did you say about me being your friend?" Tristan asked curiously, remembering her earlier comment.
"I just thought I could trust you. Even at Chilton, I thought we could've been friends."
Rory shrugged uncomfortably, wishing she hadn't said anything and that he hadn't brought it up. She couldn't stand the way he would ask her a simple question and she would ramble in response. It was like she couldn't stop talking when he was around. She hated that she revealed so much to him each time, leaving her more and more exposed. She didn't want to be exposed to Tristan Du Gray, she didn't want him to know her weaknesses. Tristan Du Gray had too much power over her and she had given him that power.
"You said you hated me," he reminded her.
"You called me Mary," Rory replied.
"I think there is a difference between being described innocent and being told you're the bane of somebody's existence," the edge returned to his tone.
"I'm sorry for saying I hated you, I was naïve and impulsive," Rory replied, genuinely apologetic.
"Yeah and obviously some things don't change," Tristan murmured softly, but Rory caught it and she was about to respond when someone else entered the courtyard.
"Rory? What's going on out here?" Lorelai asked worried, approaching them, she had seen them talking and possibly yelling at each other.
"Nothing, mom, it's nothing," Rory shot Tristan a look, daring him to contradict her.
"Tristan?" Lorelai asked, catching the look, but not knowing the meaning behind it.
"We were just discussing some thing," Tristan responded quickly, "Whether voting should be compulsory. Like they say, never discuss politics or religion. Anyway, I should be going now. Bye Rory, Lorelai."
"Well, okay, bye," Lorelai replied as Tristan left them in the courtyard.
Lorelai waited for Rory explain what was going on, but her daughter said nothing, fiddling with a silver bracelet around her wrist. Rory concentrated on counting the links, trying to ignore her mother's searching gaze.
"And the plot thickens," Lorelai gave a half-hearted attempt at humour to diffuse the palpable tension in the air.
Still Rory said nothing.
"Rory, I know you're keeping secrets from me, and as much as I want to pretend nothing's going on, it's becoming harder and harder to ignore it. I'm your mother and I know we've had our difficulties, but I love you and you know you can talk to me about anything."
"I know," Rory responded with a sigh, "I've just got a lot on my mind and I really need to get back to Yale."
"Okay, I guess," Lorelai answered, hiding her disappointment, she had really hoped that Rory would open up to her.
"I'm going to go see if Logan's ready to leave yet, he said he'd drive me back."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah, I've got a lot of stuff to do."
"Right, I guess you have to go then. Bye Rory."
"Bye mom."
And with that Rory ducked back into the house, leaving her mother alone outside. Lorelai watched her daughter leave and with each step she felt her heart grow heavier. There had been a time when she had known everything about Rory. She knew she couldn't keep Rory close forever, but she didn't expect there to be so much pain in the void between them.
--
AN: Boy that was a looong chapter, my hands hurt! Not only that, it was pretty hard to get back into the swing of things after a couple of weeks off, but I hope you enjoyed it anyway.
AN: This week is the week of the flame, so I want you to press the little blue button and flame me as hard as you can! Biggest flame will win a prize… drum roll A flame-thrower, woohoo! I'm just kidding, you can have an empty packet of Tim Tams, you'll have to pay for postage. Alternatively you can be really boring and just leave a regular review and you can have an unopened packet of Tim Tams, postage not inclusive. Reviews are kind of like Tim Tams, they come in all shapes and sizes, filled with yummy goodness and are perfect with hot chocolate…