DISCLAIMER: Gilmore Girls isn't mine. All characters belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino and the WB.
AN: M, you're the sweetest, ever! Thanks so much for leeting me bother you to beta for me.
Whoa! AN update in a week! That has got to be a record. To all my reviewers, thanks so much! Read and review please. Let me know what you think.
When You Least Expect It
05: Not What She Wants
Smoke wafted in the air as Tristan puffed his cigar. In his right hand he held his cards that would make him win this round. There were two players left; the others had folded.
"Action to James," Harold called.
It was poker night with the boys. It didn't happen often since he only joined them once a month since he really wasn't into gambling.
James looked at his cards, then at Tristan who gave him a blank look. He knocked on the table twice. "Check."
The dealer turned to Tristan. "Action to you, Dugrey."
Tristan pushed two stacks of chips to the center. "Raise to 500."
James narrowed his eyes at Tristan, trying to decipher whether he's bluffing or not. He couldn't. "Damn you, Dugrey!" he swore and threw his cards in the middle.
Tristan grinned, threw his cards to Harold, and gathered his chips.
"So how's that friend of yours, the Gilmore chick?" one of his friends, Caleb, asked.
--
On the other side of town, four pretty girls were at a table talking. In the background the sound of a piano playing resonated.
"So do you still feel giddy and excited when you see each other?" Rory asked Eleanor.
Rory missed her girl friends. Lane. Paris. Even Louise and Madeline. But she was glad she had made friends with Lydia, Eleanor, and Emma. The first two were her colleagues and Emma was Lydia's friend from college. They were having a girls' night out.
"Sometimes. I mean, we've been going out for two years now so there isn't much excitement as there was before," Eleanor answered.
"Well, that's good," Lydia piped in. "I always thought that the relationship would be boring after two years."
Eleanor toyed with her fork. "Well, it's really up to you to make it interesting and exciting. And it's nice to have someone in your life who really knows you."
"Yeah, that makes sense," Emma said. She turned to Rory. "Oh! How is that hottie friend of yours doing?"
--
Tristan looked up from his cards and gave his friend a glare. "Her name's Rory, not the Gilmore chick."
They all met Rory when he invited her to one of their poker nights. She wanted to learn so he decided to bring her along. At the beginning she was reluctant to go, but he coaxed her into going, telling her that she'll learn faster if she actually played a game and not just watch it on TV.
Caleb's eyebrow rose. "Ok, fine. How's Rory?"
"She's fine," Tristan answered.
"So is there anything going on between you two?" Harold asked bluntly.
Tristan took another puff and shook his head. "Nothing's going on between me and Rory," he said.
"Ooh…Someone's in denial," James commented.
"I'm not denying anything. It's the truth." He placed his bet on the table, wondering where his friends' questions came from.
"Don't tell me you haven't even considered going out with her." It was Caleb this time who spoke.
He looked at his friends. "Why the hell are you all interested to know?"
Harold shrugged his shoulders. "We're just wondering how come you haven't hooked up with her yet. We know you're a ladies' man and could get any girl, so why not this one?"
"Because she drives me nuts." He thought for a moment."And besides we want different things in a relationship."
"And yet you're friends with her."
"Yes, that's right. I'm just friends with her, " he said, emphasizing the word 'friend'.
James laughed. "That's bullshit. You don't have female friends."
--
"Who?" Rory asked, her blue eyes wide.
"Tristan. Duh!" Emma exclaimed. "Please don't tell me you never noticed how hot he is.
Rory lifted a shoulder. "He's ok, I guess."
They first saw him during a movie night. She and Tristan were watching Pirates of the Caribbean when Lydia broke up with her boyfriend. She showed up in Rory's apartment, sniffling. Soon the others came, trying to comfort the distraught Lydia, and Tristan watched them. The girls of course noticed him, and after introductions were made, Tristan gave a few words of comfort then left. Rory had apologized the following day, but Tristan waved it off.
Lydia gave her a look. "He's ok? Just ok? Come on! He's cute and he's got a nice body!"
Another shrug. "Well, yes, he is hot. Very attractive."
Lydia licked the ice cream from her spoon. "So is there something going on between you?"
Rory was about to take a sip of her coffee but almost spilled it before it reached her mouth. "Uh, no."
"Why not? I think you look cute together," Eleanor stated in a matter of fact tone.
"Well lots of reasons," she answered, finally taking a sip of the warm ambrosia.
"Which are?"
"I don't know, we're just not..." she said, trying to explain but couldn't. "We're just friends."
Eleanor snorted. "Right."
--
Tristan glared at his friends. "Why are we talking about this?"
"Ooh…touchy!"
Caleb regarded Tristan. "So, would it be all right if I ask her out on a date?"
And there was silence. Everyone waited for Tristan's response.
Tristan wasn't sure what he felt at that moment. But he knew that it should be fine that his friend wanted to ask Rory out. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because I won't let you treat her like how you treat other women."
"I won't do that to her."
Tristan raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Tell me; are you ready to be in a serious relationship? Are you ready for a long term commitment? Are you looking for someone who would want to stick around forever?" he asked thinly.
Caleb was speechless, his mouth opening and closing, grasping for something to say. "I…Well…"
"Then no. You're not the one she wants."
--
"It's true."
"Ok. Ok. So what if you're friends? Can't friends turn into something more?" Emma asked.
Rory started to fidget with her napkin. "Yes, it's possible, but Tristan...he's not what I'm looking for. We don't have the sames wants in a relationship."
Lydia face broke into a smile. "So would it be all right if I date him?"
Rory could feel the tension as Lydia waited for her response. Not only Lydia but also everyone else on the table. It should be fine, shouldn't it? They were both her friends and she wants them to be happy. Who knows? They might hit it off. "Well, I guess it depends on what kind of guy you're looking for and what you want in a relationship," she answered carefully.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that Tristan right now isn't into commitment. He's not yet ready and I know for a fact that you want someone who's serious, who's going to stick around," she explained, trying to be convincing.
"I know, but it won't hurt to try."
Rory was usually supportive of her friend's decisions, but this time she just couldn't because she knows that Emma will end up getting hurt. "Let's say you've been going out for months, and suddenly he tells you that he's not yet ready and he's not into commitment, what then?"
When Lydia didn't say anything, she continued. "I just don't think his type is what you want."
--
Best thing about being single? Doing anything you want anytime, anywhere.
The light from the TV flickered on Tristan's face as he focused his gaze on the screen. The door to his balcony was open, letting the cool night air come in.
He took a swig of his beer and sat on his favorite couch and propped his feet on the coffee table. The Jazz and Rockets battled for the semifinals spot, and his money was on the Rockets.
He settled into his seat and watched the game start when there was a knock on the door. Frowning, he turned and looked at the door, wondering on who would be calling on a Sunday night. There was another set of raps and he unfolded himself from his comfortable position and peeked on peephole. He was surprised to see Rory on his doorstep since she usually didn't visit him unannounced.
Rory heard footsteps from inside the apartment then found herself looking up at Tristan. His hair was tousled as if he ran his hand through them and he had a five o' clock shadow, a clue that told her he hadn't shaved that morning. For a moment she wondered what it would feel like against her skin, on her cheeks, on her fingertips. Suddenly, she was blushing. "What's wrong? What did you do?" she suddenly heard him ask.
She shook her head, both to clear her thoughts and denying whatever he was accusing her of. "Nothing, I didn't do anything." Whatever crossed her mind a few minutes ago, she pleaded temporary insanity and extreme boredom. He moved so she could enter and showed herself to the living room.
His place was a typical male's flat with a couch in black leather, flat TV screen, stereo, and DVD player. There were books on the side table, The Economist and Reader's Digest magazines on the coffee table, and a soccer ball on the floor under the dining chair. At least he didn't have underwear lying around, a tendency she should soon learn how to break. Surprisingly, his black marbled kitchen was pretty clean considering that he liked to cook.
"What are you doing here?" Tristan asked. "Is everything all right?"
Rory took a seat on the couch. "Yup, everything's fine."
"So…what brings you here?"
She suddenly felt as though she was interrupting something, and she was pretty sure she was. She looked at the TV screen and almost cringed. "Sorry. Do you want me to leave?"
"No, no. I was just wondering why you're here."
Rory grinned triumphantly. "Hah! I knew you couldn't resist me."
Tristan leaned towards her, close enough that he could see every freckle dusting her nose and cheeks. "You got me right there. What do you suggest we do about it?"
She felt her face heat up as she inhaled. He smelled like soap and musk. She had always liked it when guys smelled nice. It made her think of snuggling and hugging on a cold day. "Nothing."
"Then you shouldn't have come, Mary. 'Coz I just can't help but want you, kiss you, touch you. You're playing with fire," he whispered.
She couldn't look at him, so she averted her gaze. "You're kidding, right?"
Noticing that she was already feeling uncomfortable, he moved away and gave her a mysterious smile. "That, my dear, you'll never know." He stood up and sat on the other seat. "So what brings you on this fine day to my humble abode?"
"I'm bored," she complained, whining like Lorelai.
Tristan looked at her. "What do you want me to do?"
"Entertain me. Let's watch DVDs!" she said, holding up a bag of DVDs.
"All right."
She almost jumped in elation. "Yah--"
"After the game."
And just as quickly, all traces of excitement fell from her face. "After the game? Can we please do it now?" she pouted prettily, smiling at him.
He chuckled. She was being a brat, but she sure did know how to use her charms. He will not give in. He would not give in. Chanting it to himself seemed to help. "Sorry, Rory. I really want to watch this game. Look, after the game we can watch whatever movie you pick."
She nodded. "Ok. Deal!"
Bargain and diplomacy. Such powerful tools. It gets you want you want.
"Do you want anything to eat? Drink?" he asked, playing the good host.
She leaned back against her seat, preparing to be bored out of her mind watching basketball. "Later during halftime."
They watched the game and slowly, Rory found herself fascinated with the game. There were fancy moves. Dunk, three points, pass, and free throw were the only terms she understood. A player in dark jersey was aiming for three points when the referee blew his whistle. "What's happening?" she asked.
"There was a foul. The other guy hit him when he was trying to block the ball."
"Oh." Three free throws later, she had another question. "How come this time it's three free throws? Earlier it was two?"
"Because it was supposed to be a three-point shot, and since he missed it and there was a foul, he gets three free throws."
"Each free throw is one point, right?"
Tristan's mouth lifted, amusement and amazement dancing in his eyes. "Yes, young Padawan." In the next minutes, she continued to ask questions and he willingly tried to explain everything. He should find it annoying, but surprisingly, he didn't. He knew she hated sports and he was glad that he could help her somehow understand it even just a little.
Halftime came and Rory was getting accustomed to the game called basketball. There still was no way she'd play the game or watch it willingly every day, but she realized that it could be…exciting. She was starting to understand what the craze was all about.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"What are you having?" She stood and went to the kitchen, Tristan following behind her.
"It's Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwich tonight." He went to the fridge and took out the ingredients he needed.
Rory scrunched her nose. "That sounds healthy."
Tristan gave her a grin. "Because it is healthy. It's grilled and it has vegetables." He turned on the griller and waited for it to heat up.
"Vegetables? That's green and I don't eat anything green."
"You eat green M&Ms."
Rory crossed her arms over her chest. "But that's different. It's candy and it covers the yummy chocolate inside."
Tristan turned and leaned both hands on the counter. "Come on, Rory. You need to eat healthy once in a while. You can't live on junk food forever."
"Yes, I can. My mom did and she's fine right now."
"Just try it. You might like it," he coaxed. "If you don't want the vegetables, you can remove them."
"Oh all right!" she conceded."She watched him move around in his kitchen. He looked comfortable in whatever he was doing, unlike her, who only knew how to boil water. Effortless. "Is there anything I can do?"
He knew she didn't know how to cook, but he didn't want her to feel useless. "Sure. Why don't you slice some tomatoes and chop some lettuce?" He took out the chopping board and the knife.
Rory went to stand beside him. She didn't know why she volunteered to help him. She was a disaster in the kitchen.
Tristan knew Rory was tense, he could feel her uncertainty. "Here. I'll show you." He held the tomato in his left hand and the knife in his right. "Make sure that the knife is angled away from you and your fingers are tucked under your knuckles," he explained as he sliced until there were pieces of sliced tomato. "Your turn."
She nervously positioned her hands and fingers, and then slowly, started moving the knife, slicing the tomato. But her hands shook and it was driving him crazy and started to make him nervous. "Here." He took her hands in his and guided her movements.
When her hands finally steadied, Tristan released her hands and let her continue with the task on her own. "Yes, that's it," he encouraged, watching her. He couldn't help but find her delightful as she bit her lip and crinkled her nose in concentration. She gave a triumphant smile as soon as there was enough for two sandwiches.
"There!" she said with a giddy grin on her face, as if she accomplished a difficult feat.
Tristan grinned back. "Nice work, Mary," he said and went to check on the chicken.
She couldn't stop smiling, especially when he had called her Mary. She noticed that he only called her that when he teased her and moments like this, when there were only the two of them.
"Why don't you put the tomatoes and the lettuce on the bread? The chicken will be ready in a few minutes." He glazed the chicken then turned them.
She moved did her task happily. "Where did you learn all of these?"
"Iron Chef."
Ten minutes later they were once again sitting in front of the TV, watching the game, with their food. "This better be good." Rory said, preparing to have a bite of her sandwich.
"It will, I promise."
And he was right. She liked the combination of sweet and tangy taste of the glazed chicken and tomato. "Mmm…this is good!" she said, surprised. She took another bite.
He smiled smugly. "Told you."
When the game was over, Rory stood and got some more coffee. From position in the kitchen, she saw stretched his arms above his head. His shirt had ridden up and she could see his hard stomach ripple as he moved. Her knees almost buckled. She suddenly remembered what she and her friends talked about last night. Did Tristan wear boxers of briefs? They dared her to find out, but she couldn't. Now she was curious.
He didn't seem to be a fan of super low waist jeans that showed his underwear. His jeans were pretty low now, but she didn't see even a hint of his boxers…or briefs. A thought crossed her mind, and unconsciously her eyebrows rose and a smile tugged at her lips. What about commando? She shook her head, smiling at that thought.
"Are you just going to stand there and stare?" Tristan called out, smirking at her. "I know I have a nice body and all, but no need to ogle. I know you want to jump me."
Narrowing her eyes. "In your dreams, Tristan."
Tristan's smirk intensified. "Day and night, Mary," he said then turned to the TV.
Rory just shook head and went over to him so they could start the movie.
--