Ever After

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls

Reviews:

Thanks to: MountaineerTookieClothespin, Callista Wolfwood, frackandbonechick, princetongirl, X3 EViL WHORE X3, CoCaCoLa29, stargirl112593, Addicted2LancelotAndTristan, I die without you for reviewing.

Sugarplumfairy05: Yes. You did get a mention. And now you are getting one again XD "Yay" is a cool word. You should use it more often. And yes, sugar is great.

Lackinglime123: Thanks. I just write my stories as I go along, but… thanks.

Gilmore-Supernatural-Fan13: I always spell "Lorelai" wrong. There would be something wrong with the universe if I didn't. Plus my computer says it's spelt L-O-R-E-L-E-I, so you can blame my computer too. Just kidding.

O: Bite me.

Kat: It wasn't me, I swear! It was my evil other half!

LoVe23: You're my Beta. You have to take some of the credit.

Tristan looked at Rory unable to hide his surprise. William glanced over at Rory and vaguely registered that she was clenching and unclenching her fists. It wasn't a good sign, but it wasn't a bad sign, either.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you it was rude to stare?" Rory finally managed to choke out, getting sick of Tristan gawking at her.

"Y-yes..." Tristan he stuttered. He shook his head, and quickly gathered his wits before continuing. "…but then again, she never told me I'd be staring at a peasant who was disguising herself as a noble. You do realise you could get three days in the stocks for this?" He said, looking at her like she was crazy.

Rory rolled her eyes and stood up. She was sick of being stuck in this room…with the present company. "So people have told me. But I'm doing it for a good cause. Not that you'd know what that means. You only do things for yourself." She said narrowing her eyes at him.

"Well, aren't I a good enough cause?" Tristan joked. Rory narrowed her eyes at him. "Fine!" he said reluctantly. "Let me help you." He said sincerely.

"I do not need your help." Rory snapped. Well, I do need help, but I'm certainly not taking any from him.

"Too bad. You're getting it!" William said, pushing them both out the door. "Have fun!"

"You want to do what? Am I able to ask why, or will I just be told to be quiet and mind my own business?" Tristan asked as they made their way through the markets. Rory paused for a moment, considering what answer to give him. She shrugged and waved her hand aimlessly around in the air.

"I suppose you can ask why…" she replied, her voice trailing off. "But…" She said, leaving a dramatic pause.

"You won't believe me if I told you!" Rory said with an almost Tristan-like smirk, before heading off in the direction of his castle.

Could this palace have anymore security? Rory wondered as she marched through the gates with Tristan. As she entered, every single person in the courtyard turned and stared at her. Oh, crap! Were Rory's first thoughts upon realising that everyone was staring at her.

"You couldn't have warned me about this, could you?" she muttered in his ear.

"Well, I could. But then that would've been too easy!" he replied, looking around at the whispering crowds.

"So now what am I supposed to do? Pretend that you're… you're…" Rory knew she'd have to spit the words out some time soon.

"Yes?" Tristan asked, raising an eyebrow. He knew it was twisted, but he found a form of entertainment in this.

"Courting me?" She said, unable to hide her disgust at the thought.

"Oh… that…" he said nonchalantly. "Well, seeing as they've already formed their own conclusions, I suppose so… on the other hand, you'll make my mother very happy." He said looking at her seriously.

"And what, exactly, am I supposed to tell my step-mother? Or your parents, once she tells them that I'm her servant?" She hissed. Tristan gazed at her for a while.

"I don't know." he said seriously. "We'll figure something out." He said with a shrug.

Rory glared at him, and began to clench her fists again. This plan is not going to work one little bit. Hello, stocks. We're going to get very well acquainted, I believe.

Tristan smirked at her. "You're so cute when you're angry!"

Rory's mouth was open in a slight O. She knew it was rude, but she just couldn't help it. She looked at Tristan, glanced at the floor again, and then looked back at Tristan, before shaking her head. "Is it just my imagination, or did your mother just pass out?"

Tristan glanced down at his mother. "It's not your imagination. She's passed out. Probably from the shock of me saying I was courting someone. I'm supposed to be having an arranged marriage soon, so…" He trailed off, glancing one more time at his mother.

"Oh!" was all Rory was able to manage. She felt Tristan tugging on her arm, and leading her away from the throne room.

"Come…" he said, trying to ignore the sparks once again. "…tell me a little about this plan of yours…"