A Second First Meeting (Alternate Universe One-shot)
A/N: I do not own anything. Copyrights remain with their respective owners.
Thank You GilmoreGirls1197 for reviewing. This is the last one-shot for this series. It's Alternate Universe. It's a first meeting between Rory and Tristin in this twisted universe where Tristin never went to Chilton (as his immediate family wasn't the uber rich owners of Dugray Global Industries). It's set post season seven so Rory has broken up with Logan and rejected his proposal already.
Anyway, before I present this last one-shot I just wanted to share a few thoughts. Originally, this was intended to be a long-fic, but given my horrible track record with finishing long-fic, I decided to change it into a series of one-shots. As for the pairing, Tristin and Rory are so much like other classic and modern pop culture couples...like Elizabeth/Darcy, Jane/Rochester, Han and Leia, Bastila and Revan, James and Lily, just to mention a few. This type of couple is always fun to read, and fun to play with.
I am taking requests to write more GG one shots, so if you want one, I'll write one for you. Just give me some prompts.
And without further, adieu, this is the last.
Rory Gilmore sat with her colleague, Liz Parker in the middle of Madison Square Garden. Somehow, Liz had managed to drag Rory out to watch a game of basketball. Given that Rory didn't like sports of any kind, it was a surprise to find that she actually enjoyed it. Liz had been Rory's colleague for about six months after she had started at the International News Tribune and over that time they had formed a good friendship over the daily coffee they had together in the morning. Usually Liz only had one cup of coffee whilst Rory had two or three in the morning.
Liz had managed to score two free tickets from the sports writer at the International News Tribune, and had dragged Rory to go along with her. They were seated amongst the home crowd, with many loud hometown fans around them cheering at the top of their lungs. Rory knew that this was the final game of the championship series, and the two teams were tied at 3 games a piece. Rory had not been concentrating on the scoreboard, but rather looking at the players down on the court, and the people around her but from the reactions of the people around her, she knew that it was a close game.
Currently, she could see a blonde-haired man, the name Dugray emblazoned on the back of his basketball jersey with the basketball in hand, jumping up, with ball in hand, as he went to shoot the ball. Rory had been told by Liz that this man was Lucas 'Dead-eye' Dugray, the shooting guard for the local New York team. The ball came out of the hand and sailed in a long arc towards the hoop.
Rory watched the ball come down, and through the hoop with a swish just as the buzzer went, signalling the end of the game. The crowd around her roared as the final score, 80-79 to the home team blazed up on the screen all around the arena. Next to her, she could hear Liz cheering at the top of her lungs as the home team had just taken out the Championship in game seven.
Confetti rained down onto the court as everyone stood up to cheer. She looked at the jumbo-tron, seeing the camera focus in on the hero of the game, Lucas Dugray, who had sunk the last second three point basket to give New York the championship for the first time in many years.
"Dugray has sunk the winning three-point basket to give New York the victory, and with it the last piece of silverware missing, a championship ring," she heard the commentator announce through the arena. "He's been Olympic gold medallist, MVP but the championship ring has eluded Dugray until tonight."
The camera followed Lucas as he made his way up into the crowd. On the jumbo-tron she saw him make his way up to two other men. "Look," the commentator said, "Dugray's made his way up to his two younger brothers, Charlie and Tristin."
Lucas Dugray was on a high after hitting the championship winning three point shot right on the buzzer. He scrambled up into the crowd to find his two younger brothers, that had always supported him in his basketball career. There were two important people who were missing though, his parents, Jason and Emma Dugray.
The three Dugray brothers had lost their parents not long ago, so it was a very emotional night for them. Their loving parents, Jason and Emma had passed away when they had been broadsided by a truck on their way home. Their funeral had just been held in between the semi-finals where New York had defeated Boston, and this final series. His father's older brother, Jonathan Dugray, the CEO of Dugray Global Industries, had delivered the moving eulogy about Jason Dugray, the US's representative on UNESCO and his work with the less fortunate in Africa, South America and even at home. They had lived in a simple, loving home and his parents had been deeply in love even until death. Lucas knew that both Charlie and Tristin also missed their parents.
Lucas's younger brother, Charlie was following in his father's footsteps, working at the UN to further human rights and the environment. Tristin was a rising star in Hollywood, having been on a successful TV series, and then having a few box office successes. Once he reached his two younger brothers, Lucas gave both Tristin and Charlie a big hug, as the three brothers embraced, tears of joy, and sadness rolled down their faces.
Rory heard the announcer state, as the jumbo-tron zoomed in on the three brothers, "Dugray's made his way to his supporters. Look at the tears flowing down their faces, of joy for the championship won."
The other commentator cut in, "Dugray's parents passed in a tragic accident not long ago. I'm sure there are tears of sadness there too. The work of Jason and Emma Dugray in promoting human rights in developing countries will be sorely missed."
Back in the arena, Lucas was called back down to the floor as the presentation was about to begin. Rory and Liz watched, as the championship rings were handed out for each and every player, coach and support staff in the New York team.
The captain of the New York team, David Carter, came and made a speech, thanking the team, the opponents, the coach and the staff, the sponsors, and lastly the crowd and the people of New York who supported the team throughout the years.
"And now," the announcer said, "we're going to hear from the player of this final series, Lucas Dugray." The stadium erupted into a mass of cheers as the MVP and the hero of the team made his way down to the podium to speak.
This is a great honour to be able to address the faithful supporters of New York. I'd like to thank my team mates, the coaching staff and our support staff, thanks for making this a successful year. It's been a dream year for the team and I hope we can continue our success next season. I'd like to thank our opponents, for a great series, nothing separated our teams over seven games. I'd like to thank the sponsors of the NBA, and our team sponsors, without your financial support, there would be no game for everyone to watch, and for us all to compete in.
The mass of cheers continued through Madison Square Garden, as Lucas continued to speak. On the jumbo-tron the crowd could see that Lucas was struggling to hold back tears.
I'd like to thank Serena, my wife, who has supported me since I played college basketball. You are the light of my life. I'd like to thank my uncle Jonathan, my aunt Evelyn, and my cousins, Joshua and Daniel.
I dedicate this win to the four people that have supported me in my basketball career, ever since I was little. To Charlie and Tristin, my two younger brothers, you've been here to support me through every match from when I played, from when I was in primary school, all the way until today.
The crowd's cheers silenced as they knew what was coming next. The audience all waited in anticipation. The whole arena became silent.
I dedicate this win to my parents, Jason and Emma Dugray, who unfortunately, are no longer with us here. Mum and Dad have always been there with me, they encouraged me to pick up the basketball when I was only five and I've been playing ever since. I miss my parents every day, but I know that they would want me to continue living life to the fullest.
Rory, sitting in the crowd watched her body taut, as Lucas Dugray poured his heart out to the country. She had to dab at a stray tear falling down her face, such was the emotion moving behind those words.
I'd like to thank everyone for attending today and for supporting me, and supporting the team. Thank You. Let's celebrate our win, New York.
The cheers and applause reverberated around the arena as Lucas and David hoisted the championship trophy up high. The roar of the sound echoed throughout the arena and out into the night. Rory and Liz cheered as loud as they could.
As they celebrations at the arena ended, Liz and Rory made their way out of the packed arena. Liz and Rory peeled off from the crowd to join the queue for the ladies toilets, which was packed with patrons who were leaving.
Rory waited for Liz outside the toilets, as she had finished first and there were still many ladies in the queue for the toilets. Finally, Liz came out of the toilet and Rory and Liz started to make their way out of the arena.
"Didn't you have a great time today," Liz asked as they walked.
"Yeah, I did," Rory replied, "never knew that sports could be so interesting to watch." They continued to walk towards the exit, with the rest of the crowd around them. Rounding a corner while still conversing with Liz, suddenly, Rory found herself off balance and falling as she bumped into something solid.
Two strong arms held her up as she felt herself lose her balance. She looked up at her rescuer, as their eyes met, blue on blue. She felt herself blush slightly as she looked at the man who had held her up. His short tousled blonde hair and features marked him to be a good looking man.
"Thank you," she said, as she righted herself, "thanks for saving me from falling."
"Anything for a beautiful lady," she heard the man reply, a small smile playing across his features. "And may I know your name?"
Beside her, she heard Liz gasp for a reason unknown to Rory. Rory considered the question before answering, "I'm Rory Gilmore."
"Nice to meet you, Rory Gilmore," the man replied, "I'm Tristin Dugray..."
A/N: Please read and reviews are very much appreciated. I'm new to this fandom so any help on characterization and facts and tidbits is very much appreciated.
The End.