Title: More Than This

Part: 1/?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to the creators of Gilmore Girls/Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: I don't know, I'll guess PG-13.

Category: R/T (friendship)

Backstory: Everything in season 1 happened (Dean and Rory reconciled). Tristan and Rory became friends at the beginning of junior year (season 2). Rory wanted to apologize Tristan for the 'I hate him'-comment, but he kept brushing her off. Eventually after probably a confrontation of some sorts they had it all out and they have been friends ever since. Some stuff of season 2 might still be there (Lorelai and Max have broken up). Jess did come to Stars Hollow.

Author's Notes: Sorry for my (potentially upcoming) mistakes. English is not my first language. This originally started out as a friendship fic, but I have some other ideas, so it really can go both ways. I'd like to do a poll (always a good way to get feedback ;-) lol) Because I don't know if it really has a 'just friends' vibe or if the readers are left wanting more. But, doing a friendship fic doesn't seem so cliché. So if you leave a review, please tell me what you think…

Also (Rory's) thoughts are in Italics, the story is mainly her POV.

Chapter 1:

Day: Wednesday Location: Chilton hallway

Rory sighed as she stared into her locker. What books do I need again?

She frowned and rested her head on the cool framing of her locker. Her head was all fuzzy inside, not the ideal condition to be in, to do schoolwork. She knew what the cause was. Oh boy, do I!

She had not had her coffee yet today and that had happened for different reasons altogether. But the not-getting-the-coffee was what causing her not to function. She just had to last one more class before lunch. History. She vaguely remembered they we're going to watch a video. Okay, manageable. You can do this, Gilmore!

Rory softly closed her locker. She put herself together for a bit, before she started rounding the corner. Strolling down the halls she suddenly stopped in her tracks. My history books! I still forgot them!

"I'm so stupid", she yelled to herself. A freckled boy whom she knew was a freshman was gawking at her. Oh whatever, you geek!

Rory sighed as the familiar sight of her locker once again greeted her. Okay books, where are you??

She was so busy looking that she hadn't heard Tristan coming up to her, until he himself was also rummaging through his own locker, which was placed right next to hers. Isn't he avoiding me?

She didn't know what to do and hid her face behind her locker door. Maybe if I'll be quiet, he'll go away.

"Hey Gilmore", he said. Huh?

She grabbed her book and closed her locker slowly. Curious, she turned to him. "Hey??"

"-Hey" He greeted her again.

"Oh, you look pale. Are you alright, Mare?"

"Yeah, I'm alright", she frowned.

"Good, cause Duncan has been out with that bug for over a week", he told her.

"Thank you for the info, but I can't say that I've missed him, no", Rory in return informed him.

"No, I'm sure Jess provides you with plenty of wannabe-rebel antics and entertainment", he joked.

Is he joking? He is! I've never known him to have any problems with Jess, or vice versa for that matter.

"Okay-, what's going on?!" Rory put her foot down. Literally.

"Hmm, what do you mean?" He gave her a funny look.

"You're acting that way again. All "not-knowing" and being the "better man"." She air-quoted for him.

"That passive-aggressive routine that you know drives me crazy and what got me to be friends with you in the first place." She sighed and continued, "-some stupid guy form of playing hard to get…"

He nodded and rolled his eyes. "Oh, that", he said sarcastically.

Rory hit him on the arm.

"Ow, Rory!" He yelped. "I have no idea what idea what you're talking about", Tristan said innocently.

"Oh, you sooo do", she said accusingly.

He raised is eyebrows in puzzlement.

"Tristan! The fight!" She puffed exhausted, "we had this huge fight yesterday!"
"Uhm, I don't think so. I'd rather say that we're fighting now. And finally getting physical at that." He rubbed his arm, "I knew you had it in ya, Ror".

Rory glared at him "Oh, after the boy finally learned my name, he now suffers from selective memory. Did you fall on your head on the way to school this morning?"

He smirked at her. She's so feisty!

"Okaaay", he gave up. "I remember, but I figured it didn't mean anything. We fight like that all the time, right?" He said pointedly and moved his hands in the space between them.

"Wasn't that like 'Rory versus Tristan; round 247'?"

Rory bit her lip, "oh, so you're not mad at me?"

"Nooo", he wrapped his arm around her and smiled at her.
"Of course I'm not mad, Mary". He then started frowning and quickly released her, "are you?".

"Me? Mad? No."

Tristan sighed with relief, but she continued.

"But, your "you're such a neurotic freak"- comment, got me to think it was a good idea to skip coffee this morning!" Rory said exasperated.

"Aww, you poor thing", he smiled. "I like you just the way you are, Ror", he said and patted her on the head.

They fell in step together.

"What did we fight about, by the way?" He asked.

"I don't know, something about nail polish. The 'classy versus trashy'- debate, I think", Rory said offhandedly before continuing.

"I don't believe this I spent all day worrying about this and about you, and you didn't even give it a second thought!" She sighed in amazement and frowned to herself.

"Well maybe instead of reading your so-called 'classic literature', you should try reading "Men are from Mars, women are from Venus" again", he suggested with a light tone.

"Bye, Tristan!" Rory said and pushed him in the general direction of his next class.

"Byyeeee!", he said and hurried away. "See you at lunch!", he yelled over the crowd, before disappearing.

"Yeah", she whispered.

He is so confusing.

He used all of his names for me in a span of (the past) five minutes. 'Mare' or 'Mary' for when he's being concerned. 'Gilmore' for when he's acting friendish. 'Rory' for when he's tired with me. And 'Ror' for when he's either teasing or sometimes for when he's being affectionate.

Rory sighed for the umpteenth time that day and headed for her class.

AN2: I know I'm being inconsistent with those quote and comma –thingies. Does anybody know a site where all is explained (in an easy manner)?