Robert And Rory.

1. First Impressions.

Robert was man enough to admit he was hiding, first his best mates leave him at Yale while they go sailing around Fiji, then his other friends leave him alone at the Hayden gala.

He did admit that the couple talking on the other side of the column he was hiding behind was making him laugh, he ducked closer to them so he could hear them better.

"I'd rather be running than be here." The female said.

"I'd rather read the dictionary than be here." Said the man.

"Eat vegetables."

"Be responsible."

"Ooo I have the winner, I would rather not drink coffee than be here." The female finished sounding proud.

"Damn it Rory, no one can beat that. How long do you think we have left before she finds us?" He asked.

"No idea but I bet you first round of drinks after this that Adolf and Ava find us first." She replied.

"Calling Richard Adolf is a bit harsh, don't you think?" He asked.

"Grandma's Adolf, no way could Grandpa ever stoop that low." She said then groaned.

Robert heard the couple humming the jaws theme song before the familiar voice of Emily Gilmore reached his ears.

"Honestly Rory, why are you hiding, you're meant to be out there mingling with people, you're just like your mother." She ranted.

"I was just having a coffee grandma, out of sight so no one could see, just like you told me to." Rory said and Robert could hear the smile in her voice.

"What's your excuse Christopher? You drinking coffee as well?" Emily asked.

"Nope I'm hiding from the party guests, counting down the minutes until I can leave." Chris said laughing.

Robert heard Emily huff before walking away with loud clacks of her heels.

"Two hours and counting, then we drink, eat and forget this night ever happened." Chris said.

"Yep, then tomorrow I get to move into my new apartment and get ready for Yale, and get yelled at by mom when she finds out I was here." Rory answered.

"Enemy incoming, let's go kiddo, two hours and we'll have some daddy daughter drinks and laugh about our crappy evasive manouvers." Chris answered back.

Robert managed to catch sight of a petite brunette walking away with a tall man with the same color hair, he knew the Gilmore's had a granddaughter, and that seemed to be her, about to start Yale, and with a love of mischief, he knew he had to meet her.

The best part of the night for Robert, was when his parents dragged him over to the Haydens, and there she was, standing with the man from earlier.

"Elizabeth, Michael, this is our son Christopher and our granddaughter Lorelai." The Hayden's introduced his parents to his dream girl.

"Francine, Straub, this is Robert our son. Perhaps he and Lorelai could take a walk while we discuss some business." His parents suggested.

Robert noticed Christopher open his mouth as if to say something, before he could he was stopped.

"No Christopher, you can stay here, you are an adult, and after your disappearing act earlier we would like your opinion." Francine said, and Robert didn't miss the look the father and daughter exchanged.

As he led Lorelai away towards the gardens for their walk Robert started talking.

"I have to admit something. I overheard you and your father playing I would rather. I almost choked from holding in laughter." He said with a quiet snicker.

"Oh god, this thing sucks, I can't believe my dad got us both roped into this, and all because he couldn't be bothered finding a date." She said, with a pout.

"So do you prefer Lorelai or Rory? And vegetables and running?" Robert asked, finding himself almost desperate for information on her.

"Rory, but at these things, it's Lorelai, unless it's the Gilmores or my dad and then Rory is fine. Oh I never eat vegetables or exercise." She answered with a smile that took his breath away.

"I also heard you are moving into your apartment tomorrow, getting ready for Yale, I go there, want an extra set of hands to help?" He offered.

Rory looked at him properly for the first time, and smiled.

"That would be great, normally my mom would help, but she's gonna be super mad when she finds out that I was here tonight, and that I let Nan and Pop buy me an apartment." Rory said with another smile.

"I think meeting you, made this entire gala worth coming to." Robert said honestly.

"What about your friends, most of these things have more than one heir in attendance." Rory asked, interested in getting to know him more.

"They ditched me, to sail around Fiji for a year, my dad said if I stayed at school I could have a year off when I graduate, and my choice of office to work from for the next five years." Robert explained to Rory.

The two chatted for a bit longer before heading back inside to their families, they organised for Robert to meet them at her apartment in the morning, which worked well as he lived there as well.