Changed

A/N: Here's my version of what happens after Tristan comes back from military school. This will take place in their senior year at Chilton. I'm going to try to keep the characters in character as much as I can, but no guarantees…but keep in mind that this is a FanFic, so I can write what I want. All the other questions that might pop into your head will most likely be answered in upcoming chapters. I also have to apologize…I do realize that this chapter is a little…boring, if not another word that better describes it, but please keep in mind that this is the first chapter…I just had to set a few things in place. The other chapters should be filled with romance qualities, or humor, or whatever else I might want to add to it. I think that's it… Oh! The italics represent what a person is thinking…which thoughts belong to which person are made clear, so you shouldn't have any problems reading it (I hope).

Disclaimer: You know the drill: I don't own anything.

Chapter 1: Not Again

And here I am again…the infamous Chilton. There's something different about the ambience here. The air seemed more thick and harder to breathe in. An eerie feeling seemed to settle onto the grounds and it was not a good feeling to have. But I know that things have changed…I have changed…at least I hope.

* * *

"What do you want now, Paris?" Rory couldn't help sounding rude, but Paris had been nagging her the whole day on making the changes she had suggested for her article for the paper.

"I just want you to consider changing some of the things in your article. Come on, Rory, I'm just trying to help you to become a better writer." Paris used that tone - that tone that said that if you didn't do what she told you to do, then you would soon find your head severed from your body.

"Paris, my article is perfect the way that it is. Now, if you don't mind, I have a bus to catch." Rory turned in the direction of the main exit, rolling her eyes at Paris while doing so.

"Fine, but I'm just trying to help you out, Rory, but apparently you don't want my help…" Paris' voice started to fade away as Rory saw her only hope of getting away from this distinct version of hell driving away.

"Crap." Rory swore quietly to herself.

"Wow, Rory. I never knew you were so capable of such foul language."

That voice…no, it couldn't be. That sarcastic tone in his voice…the low, husky voice…

"Oh, God…please…please don't let it be who I think it is…" Rory couldn't help but pray to the Gods above.

"Well, you know, I've been called many things, but God? I could actually get used to you calling me that." He missed this - being able to playfully mock Rory again. She looks so beautiful…

She turned around slowly, hoping that if she took enough time, he wouldn't be there…but to no avail…he was there. "Tristan." she said plainly.

"The one and only. Well, actually, I'm pretty sure that there are other 'Tristans' out there, but…" he reasonably replied.

She was stunned. There he was, standing right in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, you know, schools are for inputting knowledge in today's youth…"

Rory quickly cut him off. "Tristan," she said sternly.

"I guess my parents decided to bring me back. I'm not exactly sure why, but, I'm here."

She just stood there…staring…

"Rory…? Are you okay?"

"Um," suddenly snapping out of her daze, "yeah, I'm fine. It's just kind of shocking to see you here. That and you haven't called me 'Mary' yet…you actually called me by my real name twice…" She was unsure of what was going on, but she could get used to hearing him say her name.

He chuckled. "Well, I could always go back to calling you 'Mary'…"

"No!" She lunged forward, placing her hand over his mouth as some sort of sad attempt to stop all his thoughts of ever doing that.

"I knew you always wanted to touch these lips of mine." There's his smirk - that trade-mark smirk that brought a certain something out of his eyes… He chuckled once more and said, "So, what was all of that 'crap' business about?"

"Oh, I just missed my bus because Paris wouldn't stop yelling at me about my article, and now, I have to wait another two hours before the next bus comes."

"Well, I could always give you a ride," he said while pointing to his car, so conveniently located a few feet away.

"I don't know… I don't want you to go out of your way…"

"Rory, it's fine. Besides, I have nothing better to do anyway, so…"

"Thank you."

They walked over to his car and got in.

"So, what's been going on with you?"

"Nothing, really. Stars Hollow life is kind of low-key, so you can't really expect anything huge to happen."

He smiled. He couldn't help but to. There was something about the way she talked that soothed him…and he loved it. He felt more at ease.

"What?" She looked at him inquisitively as she witnessed the smile upon his face.

"Nothing," he paused. "It's just good to see you again."

Soon she had that same smile on her face. "Same here."

* * *

"Thanks, Tristan." Rory stepped out of the car.

"No problem. So I guess that I'll see you in school tomorrow?" He knew that they would, but he just had to hear her voice again.

"Yep. Thanks again. Bye."

"Bye."

* * *

A rush of emotions suddenly took his whole body over as he watched Rory walk up the porch steps and into her home.

Keep it together, DuGrey. It's just a girl… of course she wasn't just a girl… This was a very special girl, one that made him yearn for things that he never knew he wanted and yet, he couldn't even put into words what he felt for her.

Damn. He couldn't afford to start with these 'feelings' again - not after what happened. Not after she made up with Dean in front of him. Not again.