Chapter 11: When all else fails, Lie like you're life depends on it

Geller residence 3:15pm

Colin unlocked the front door while laughing at the irritated look on Paris's face. She glared at him, pushed herself away from the wall and walked by him ignoring his attempt at helping her. He laughed again and swung the keys back and forth while following her inside.

'I'm sorry.'

'Shut up.'

'Paris, come on.'

'I'm fine now; you can leave, thanks for the ride.'

He shut the door and dropped her keys on the table beside the staircase as they made they're way into the family room.

'Why are you so upset with me? I'm not the one who told you take some time off.'

'No but you're the one who laughed when the idiotic doctor suggested it. And you've been laughing since.'

'The look on you're face was priceless!'

'Leave!'

She sat slowly, taking a brief glance at the TV which was still on. Colin stuffed his hand deep into his pocket, then proceeded to pull a white bottle out and shook it at her teasingly.

'I'd be being pretty damn nice to me right now if I were you.'

'Give me the damn pills Colin.'

'Ask nicely.'

'You're an ass.'

'Not exactly what I was thinking, but it'll have to do.'

Opening the bottle he dropped a capsule into his palm and handed it to her.

'What is this again? And why the hell does it have to be pink?'

Colin picked up a bottle of water from the coffee table and handed it to her.

'It's called Dex-tro-pro'

He sounded out the word slowly then giving up he shook his head.

'It's supposed to help so just take it.'

'Nice, so some idiotic, supposed, doctor tells me that this won't kill me and I'm just supposed to take his word for it?'

'Paris.'

'Seriously, how do we even know he's a real doctor?'

'He graduated from Harvard.'

'How do we know that?'

'He showed you his diploma when you so rudely asked him just that.'

'But'

'Take the pill Paris.'

She glared at him and shoved the pill in her mouth and took a drink of water.

'Good girl.'

'Shut up.'

Laughing he set the bottle on the table.

'Take one every six hours as needed.'

She sat forward instantly.

'You're leaving?'

'Well I have that party to get to.'

'Oh. Right.'

Surprised by what he could only define as disappointment, in her voice, his eyebrows rose.

'Unless you want me to stay.'

She sat back and rolled her eyes.

'Spare me.'

'Right, then I've got to get going. Do you need anything before I leave?'

'No, I'm fine. Thanks for everything though.'

Nodding, Colin paused unsure of what to do next, taking a deep breath he leaned over and kissed her quickly on the forehead.

'Be careful, call if you need anything.'

'Ok. Well uh, I guess I'll see you when I see you.'

Already at the door he turned around and smirked.

'What are you talking about? We've got a whole week together.'

He winked and then walked out of the room. Paris stared at the spot he had been previously standing in, for a long time. The sudden shrill of the house phone startled her out of her thoughts.

'Hello?'

'God, Paris! Where the hell have you been?'

'Sean?'

'Yea, I've been calling you for the last half hour; I thought something had happened to you. Where were you?'

She paused, unsure of what to say. She cradled the phone between her ear and her shoulder, and then touched the spot on her forehead where Colin had kissed her.

'Paris?'

'Yea. Sorry, I was taking a nap, the new pills the doctor gave me, knocked me out; I guess I just didn't hear the phone.'

'Oh I'm sorry did I wake you?'

'No. My, uh, stomach did. I'm starving.'

'Is there somebody there that can make you something?'

'No, but I can handle it.'

'You sure? I can come over.'

'No it's fine. I'll just order something; you have a party to get to.'

'I could hardly describe it as a party. So they gave you a new pill?'

'Yea, I can't pronounce it, but it's supposed to help.'

'Is you're Mom taking care of you?'

'My parent's left this morning, I told you that, didn't I?'

'No. What do you mean they left?'

'Well apparently there was some business in Grease that needed to be taken care of immediately.'

'So how'd you get to the doctor?'

She paused again. Lie? Or tell the truth? Remembering his jealousy over Tristan the day before, she knew that would be nothing compared to his reaction over her being alone with Colin most of the day.

'My Dad arranged for his driver to take me.'

'Oh well that's good.'

'Yea.'

'Are you ok? You sound kind of sad.'

'Yea I'm fine, just a little sleepy still.'

'OK well I'll let you rest. I'll come by after this thing.'

'OK.'

'I love you.'

'Love you to.'

'Bye.'

She clicked the phone off and stared at it sadly.

Evergreen Spa

Rory fastened the last button on her top and stared at herself in the mirror in front of her, a blank expression on her face. She pulled her fingers through her hair and twisted the ends around her fingers thoughtfully. Daniel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

'So can I get you're number?'

Rory looked at him through the mirror, confused.

'For what?'

His arms fell from her waist and he laughed.

'You really aren't innocent, Miss Gilmore.'

'Why? Because I don't think this is love? Forgive me.'

'OK. Well, I'll see you when I see you.'

'Right.'

Shaking his head he walked out of the room, leaving Rory in silence. With one longer look in the mirror, she opened her purse and swallowed two more pills. She waited a few seconds then exhaled a long breath and walked out of the room.

'Miss Gilmore, how was you're massage?'

Rory smiled at the petite blonde behind the counter.

'It was just what I needed.'

The women smiled and took the credit card Rory held out to her.

'You know Melissa, I forgot to tip'

She trailed off and laughed embarrassedly.

'I'm sorry I'm not remembering his name.'

'Daniel.'

'Right, could you add a hundred for him.'

Smiling the girl wrote a quick note and began typing away on the computer.

'Not a problem. OK all done.'

She handed her back the black card, with a bright smile.

'Is there anything else I could help you with?'

'No that's all for today. I'll see you soon.'

'Always a pleasure Miss Gilmore.'

Rory turned away then paused and turned back to the counter.

'Actually, I could use you're help with one more thing.'

She twirled her long locks around her finger and bit her bottom lip.

Hayden residence 5:30pm

Tristan walked through the back door and looked around the silent house.

'Ror?'

He walked into the living room and practically knocked over the housekeeper, Carmen.

'Oh my! Tristan, you scared the living daylights out of me.'

'Carmen, nobody says living daylights anymore.'

'Quiet, boy. Are you looking for Rory?'

Tristan stuffed his hands in his pockets and rolled his eyes.

'Aren't I always?'

'Touché. She's not home yet. Her parent's were hoping she would join them for dinner this evening, but seeing as she is running late, they had to go on without her.'

The older women sighed and sat down, Tristan did the same. Carmen had been the Hayden's housekeeper for as long as he had lived next door; she was like apart of the family and was treated as such.

'Hey Carmen, has Rory been acting different recently?'

'Not that I can tell.'

She tugged nervously at her blouse.

'Really?'

'What's wrong Tristan?'

'She's just been acting strange lately. You know like ditching classes to get a spur of the moment massage.'

'What?'

'I don't know. Maybe it's in my head.'

Carmen remained quiet which unintentionally brought Tristan to alert.

'It is in my head right?'

Sighing, she tapped his knee and stood up.

'It's a difficult time for all of us right now; most of all for Rory. Just give her time.'

'Carmen, is there something I don't know?'

The women inhaled a deep breath and as she opened her mouth the door bell rang. With a sad smile she left the room. A minute later, Louise in a long silk red dress, Madeline in a white ankle length and Finn and Sean in they're tux's entered the room, no Carmen in sight.

'Carmen said she's not here yet.'

'Nope.'

'Oh my god, she's the one that made a big deal about going to this thing and she isn't even here?'

They all sat down, Louise crossing her arms with a huff. Madeline rolled her eye's and sat on the other side of Tristan.

'She's been complaining since you told her Rory ditched us.'

'I'm just irritated.'

'I know you are, but just try and give her a break ok?'

Louise glared at Tristan for a second then sighed and gave a short nod. The room became silent, and Finn shifted uncomfortably.

'Do you realize this is the first time we've ever been in this house without at least one Hayden in it?'

'Uh that's not true, I've been here while they were gone numerous times.'

'Yes mate but I'm not talking about you, I mean those of us who aren't in love with the lovely Lorelai jr.'

Everyone but Tristan laughed.

'I'm not in love with her Finn.'

Louise clucked her tongue sympathetically.

'Oh honey you so are. She's the Dawson to you're Joey.'

'What?'

'What she means Tris, is that you and Rory have that boy/girl next door thing going on. You're in denial about you're inevitable feeling's for you're best friend, while she just remains completely oblivious; i.e. She's the Dawson to you're Joey.'

'Thanks Maddy that makes me feel better.'

'Dude don't get defensive, it's not a bad thing.'

'You're agreeing with this nonsense?'

'Well, you two have known each other forever, know everything there is to know about each other and you already act like an old married couple. It's meant to be, as corny as that sounds.'

'Wait a minute I've seen the last show, Lorelai and Rory made Colin and I watch it. Doesn't that chick end up with the dude's friend?'

Madeline and Louise looked to each other defeatedly, knowing thewy were stuck. But before anyone was able to make another argument, Colin jogged into the room.

'Sorry I'm late.'

'You Hayden's have no concept of time what so ever.'

Colin looked to Sean confused and tilted his head in Louise's direction.

'What's wrong with her?'

'Rory. She's not here, and she ditched them at school today.'

'What?'

'Apparently getting a massage and flirting with Greek Gods was more important then her friends.'

He looked around the room confused and pulled his ringing cell phone from his pocket.

'That's her. Hello?'

'We're going to be late! I'm waiting outside in the car.'

The line clicked.

'She's waiting for us in the limo.'

'Oh well how nice of her.'

'Louise. You promised.'

'Fine.'

They all stood and one by one walked out the front door. Outside sat a pearl colored twenty two passenger Cadillac Escalade. The driver opened the door allowing them entrance; Madeline entered first followed by Louise and Sean. The three sat silently staring at the girl in front of them. Finn stepped inside automatically opening the compartment which held the liquor. Seeing the looks on the other three's face's Colin and Tristan looked at each other then Tristan stepped inside. He looked over at Rory, tripped over Finns legs and fell into his seat.

'Holy crap Mare.'

She bit her lip trying to suppress a smile, then seeing her cousin enter the car she instantly held her breath, bracing herself for the worst.

Colin paused while taking the seat beside her, he stared at her for a second then with a nod sat down.

'You look nice.'

She smiled and exhaled happily. Patting the now short dark Red curls, she bit her lip nervously.

'Really? It's not to much? I know it's drastic but I just felt like I needed to change things up ya know?'

'Yea Ror, you look beautiful.'

Without another word he scooted toward Finn and took the glass from his friend's hand. Rory smiled unfazed and looked at everyone else.

'Well?'

With simultaneous nods, they all replied the same. She looked great. Tristan's worry clouded his eyes. She did look beautiful, it was impossible for her not to in her black floor length, modestly cut halter dress, but he didn't know what to say or do; he didn't know what to think. He looked over at Colin who sat quietly with his drink, the same worry in his own eyes; the only difference was that he obviously knew what was happening to his cousin.