Disclaimer: I don't own a thing

This is my first fic…So be brutally honest, if you love it, tell me and if you hate it, tell me!

Everything was just perfect. Tristan DuGray was on his way to Hartford. Everything about that statement made him sick to his stomach. He hated it there. He was happy in North Carolina, he had friends and he was as far away from his family as possible. Spring break should be spent somewhere warm. Somehow he had gotten roped into spending it with his cousin in Hartford. The Huntzbergers had a very good way of manipulating words to their own advantage.

Rory Gilmore was sitting in her apartment staring at Logan like he was crazy.

"Let me get this right. You want me to spend spring break with you and your family?"

"I know it sounds like a drag, but I think it would be fun to spend some alone time with you. We'll invite Finn and Colin over for a party. It'll be great."

"There's something seriously up with this plan." She said staring at him.

"Ok, honestly? My mom invited my cousin to Hartford and I kind of have to stick around and hang out with him. Which isn't a bad thing. He's a great guy and all, but it kind of puts a damper on the break." She sighed. Well if someone else is going to be there, it might not be so bad.

"Fine." She said defeatedly. Her mom was going to be pretty pissed. Logan had a very good way of manipulating words to his own advantages.

"Tristan! Nice to have you back in Hartford!"

"Thanks Aunt Shira" He said with a polite smile on his face. He wanted nothing more than to take a hot shower and sleep for a week.

"How was your flight?" she asked as the doorman took his bags upstairs.

"Terrible, actually. If you don't mind, I'd like to freshen up before dinner."

"Of course, your guest room is all ready. You remember where it is dear?"

"Yeah, Thanks Aunt Shira." He walked begrudgingly up the stairs.

"Oh Tristan!" He stopped and painfully turned around. He knew that something was up. "Logan and his girlfriend are running late it seems. They should be here any minute."

"Ok." He went upstairs to take his shower. He finally felt better when he was walking down the stairs. A good stiff drink is exactly what he needed. So Logan was bringing home a girl. It must be pretty serious, he thought.

"DuGray, get your ass down here!" He heard Logan say from the bottom of the stairs.

"Huntzberger." He acknowledged with a smile. He hugged him and Tristan laughed.

"Come here. There's someone I want you to meet."

"The Mystery Girl?" He raised his eyebrow as he watched Logan walk into the sitting room.

"Yeah," He turned "Ace, Come here, I want you to meet someone." She turned around and saw a very good looking Tristan DuGray standing next to Logan.

"Tristan?" She smiled to ease the tension in her body

"Mary," he whispered to himself. She saw her former nickname on his lips. "Rory Gilmore." She walked up to him and hugged him.

"You learned my name?" She whispered

"Not in front of my cousin, he'd kill me. Besides I think Ace is a more fitting title now." He laughed as she blushed. Somethings never change, her outstanding innocence was gone, but she still was shy. Logan saw them whispering and immediately broke the moment between the two.

"How do you two know each other?"

"We went to Chilton together," Rory said as she found her way into the arms of Logan. It's safer here, she thought. I can't get into trouble with Logan around my arm.

"We used to make each other miserable." Tristan said.

"Hey! I never made your life miserable! You were the one who did the tormenting." She said.

"You have no idea what you are talking about," Tristan said with a wink. "She refused to go out with me." He told his cousin.

"Well, it's good to know she has a good judge of character." He laughed. They ate supper and caught up. Tristan was at UNC. He graduated from military school and loved North Carolina so much he stayed. He was going to be an architect. Rory was shocked at the man standing in front of her. It seemed like just yesterday when he was driving her crazy. The kiss by the piano, the Romeo and Juliet fiasco. 'So I'd kiss you goodbye but your boyfriend's watching.' She had wished that he would have just done it anyway. If she remembered correctly, he was a phenomenal kisser.

"What are you thinking about so intently?" Logan asked as he glanced her way.

"Nothing. Just trying to remember the last time I saw Tristan." She glanced his way and saw how he well he looked. He was happy, that much was true.

"Well, I'm beat. I had a long flight, so I'm just going to excuse myself a little early," Tristan said as he got up. A chorus of goodnights came his way as he made his way to the staircase.

"Tristan!" He heard her voice and immediately obeyed against his will.

"Coming to tuck me in, Mary?" He smirked.

"Can I ask you something?" She looked hesitant.

"Anything." She bit her lip and he inwardly groaned. This was going to be harder than he thought.

"Will you meet me later? After Logan goes to bed, maybe out on the patio? It's been so good to talk with you again, but it's been pretty limited. I just want to do it in a more private environment and get to the real you, and not the politically correct version." She was babbling, and she knew it.

"Of course, out on the patio. And I know exactly what you mean." He kissed her cheek and walked up the stairs. She turned around and saw Logan standing in the doorway.

"What was that all about?" He asked in a jealous tone.

"I was just telling him how good it was to see him again. It's amazing, you don't realize you miss people until they come back around." She said as she walked over to him. She kissed him and yawned. "I'm exhausted. You coming to bed?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute."

"I'll be waiting." She said with a definite look in her eye.