Disclaimer: I own squat.

Summary: Takes place at the end of Love, Daisies, and Troubadors.The first part is taken directly from the episode, but everything after that is purely my own. What if Tristan hadn't let Rory walk away when Dean showed up?

-Chapter One-

Rory exited at the end of a long day. Out of the corner of eye she saw Tristan leaning against a wall and irritation grew inside of her. What had he been thinking telling Paris they were going to that concert together? Was he trying to make her life at Chilton hell?

"So I'm a little tired of this game." Tristan started as he fell into step beside her.

"What game?" Came her reply.

"Are we meeting there or what?"

Rory didn't even try to figure out what he meant. "What are you talking about?"

"The concert's tonight."

"Well I hope you and the empty seat next to you have a lot of fun." The thought of him asking her on a date flooded her mind again. It had shocked her. She couldn't fathom why Tristan had asked her and not one of his usual girls who would enjoy the concert with him and then some.

For a split second her comment stung. He really thought she would relent and go with him. After all, she was single now and he knew that kiss was more than a mistake. "I'm starting to get a little irritated here."

"So am I."

"What are you mad about?"

"You've been telling everyone that I'm going to this thing with you."

"Just a couple." He tried and failed to defend himself.

"You told Paris. Paris and I had just started getting along and now she hates me again."

He'd had a hunch that telling Paris, Madeline, and Louise had been a mistake, but it was out now and he didn't regret that people knew about the concert or that he wanted to go with Rory. "Well, the damage is done. You might as well go to PJ Harvey with me."

"Never never. I am never going anywhere with you ever." She eyed him for a brief second. Tristan was one person she'd never been able to figure out. At first he'd lived to torture her, but after his break-up with Summer, he'd seemed softer somehow. The insults and innuendos had decreased and they'd seemed to be on their way to a friendship. Had he asked her differently and handled the situation another way she might have considered his proposal. After all, it was PJ Harvey.

"You know, these tickets cost me a fortune." He resorted to an attempt at a guilt trick.

"They cost your daddy a fortune."

Apparently his attempt wasn't going to work. "I don't even know anybody else who's even into this stupid guy."

That comment made Rory inwardly pause. He thought PJ Harvey was a man. Did that mean he had bought the tickets simply because he knew she liked her. "PJ Harvey's a woman."

In a last ditched attempt to change her mind Tristan reached out and grabbed Rory's books. "What are you doing?"

"You'll get them back when you agree to go with me." The realization that he was practically begging hit him hard and he almost wanted to take the offer back, but the sight of her stopped him. She was worth the humiliation of begging.

"You're pathetic Tristin. Keep the books. I'm leaving." She spots Dean across the parking lot and excitement is mixed with fear. What would Dean think about seeing her with Tristan. "Dean?" She called before beginning to walk in his his direction.

Tristan hand reached out quickly and grabbed her gently but firmly by the wrist. "I know how upset you were about breaking up with him because I was there, I saw it. So, I'm assuming you love him or at least really care about him."

"Point? You said you still liked Summer." She reminded of him of their conversation after his date with Paris.

Tristan shook his head in disbelief. "I said I liked someone else, I never said it was Summer."

"Oh, I just assumed..."

"I don't take girls to concerts, it would imply that they could hold my interest for more than five minutes. I take girls back to my room. Didn't you wonder why I asked you? We're not friends, not really. We talk, argue, have classes together, but we're not friends. So tell me why then, Mary, would you be my first choice to go out with?"

She hesitated for a moment as she allowed herself to study his stormy blue eyes briefly. "I...I don't know." She finally admitted quietly, breaking away from his gaze.

"You're a smart girl. Think about it." He finally let go of her wrist and she noticed the lack of contact immediatly, her eyes travelling to the spot his hand had lingered on. Taking a step back he turned his gaze towards Dean who was begininning to doubt what he was doing at Chilton and was slowly retreating to his truck.

"Dean, wait!" Rory also took a step back and he could read the confusion in her eyes. It lasted a whole two seconds before she turned and made her way quickly over to the tall, floppy haired boy. "Please don't leave it's not what you think."

"I think you're boyfriend is waiting."

"He's not my boyfriend. He's...Tristan. He's nothing." She lied for the first time in her life. "I'm glad you're here. I've missed you." She threw her arms around his neck.

With a sigh Tristan put Rory's books down on the ground and walked away, the PJ Harvey tickets burning a hole in his bookbag as he knew without a doubt that they would be going to waste.

----

After over an hour spent talking and eating with her mother and a phone conversation with Dean, Rory signed on to the internet and typed in the web address for Ticket Master. PJ Harvery came on at 9:45, glancing at her watch she saw the time was twelve minutes until nine, giving her almost an hour until the show started. "Hey mom!" She called "Do you mind if I go out tonight?" She poked her head into the living room and plastered a look that screamed 'Pretty Please!' onto her face.

"Sure," Lorelei took a large bite of celebration ice-cream. "You and Dean need to spend some time together."

Without denying her mother's comment, Rory thanked her and again retreated into her room. Ten minutes later she exited, wearing a pair of jeans and Lorelei's black Rock Star t-shirt. Her hair was down and she was wearing slightly more make-up than usual. "Dean's one lucky guy." Her mom informed her.

"I'm the lucky one." Rory argued, guilt tugging at her insides. Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth she mentally reviewed her pro/con list. "Oh, can I borrow the car again?"

"Why? Dean has a car."

Rory was startled, she wasn't prepared for the questioning. "I know, but I have to pick something up first. Kind of an apology...thing." She finished lamely.

Lorelei eyed her skeptically, but relented and handed over the key.

Finally, she kissed her mom goodbye and promised to call when she was on her way home. Once she slammed the door of the jeep shut, she flipped on the overhead light and pulled the MapQuest directions out of her purse.

----

The DuGrey house loomed in front of her, larger than even her grandparents'. This is a mistake she argued and turned to leave, but stopped just shy of the porch steps. She had never lied before and now she had done it twice in one day. Once to her boyfriend and once to her mom. What was she doing here? 9:26, her watch read. She had made excellent time getting to Hartford. If they were going to make it, they'd have to hurry. She'd have to knock or ring the bell or something, anything. With a firm nod of her head she turned and her finger reached out to connect with doorbell before she could stop herself. The door was opened by an elderly looking servant, who's expression seemed bored and disinterested. "Yes?" He prodded when she failed to speak.

"Oh right, um, is Tristan home?"

"For once." He stepped inside and motioned her in. Leaving her standing there, he walked through a door to the left of the entryway she stood in. "Master DuGrey, you're girl of the week is here." After that she could only hear voices, but could not make out the actual words. Finally Tristan appeared, clad in slightly baggy jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and white socks.

"We've got fifteen minutes. If we're going to make it to the concert, we have to hurry." She informed him without meeting his eyes.

Rendered speechless for the first time in his life, Tristan merely nodded before opening the hall closet and pulling out a pair of shoes. He snatched his keys of the table and rummaged through the discarded backpack for the tickets. Still without speaking he opened the door and allowed Rory to exit first, avoiding another potential Marx Brother's moment.

----

"What are you doing?" He finally asked as his car sped in the direction of the Ampitheater.

"I like PJ Harvey."

He hesitated for a moment, weighing his next words carefully. "Nothing more, nothing less?" She simply shrugged. "Just so I know, is this a secret?"

"Dean and I got back together."

"I'll take that as a yes." His grip tightened on the wheel and his knuckles turned white. "So then why are you here with me?"

"Honestly?" She asked, her gaze never leaving the scenery that was flying by.

"Honestly."

She gave him the simplest explanation she could think of. "Because I want to be here...with you."

----

"That was amazing." Rory breathed, glancing over her shoulder at the building they had just departed. She clutched her souvenir t-shirt to her chest, a large grin encompassing her face. She noticed him staring intently at her and blushed. "Thank-you so much for bringing me. It was...amazing." Cursing the repetition she vowed to look up synonyms for that word in her theasauras when she got home.

Finally turning to watch where he was going, he put his hand on the small of her back to guide her though the crowd. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." When they reached his car, he opened the door for her and allowed her to slid into the passanger seat, leaning in towards her a rare smile crept onto his face. It was rare due to the fact that it was genuine. "Rory," He began, using her real name for once. "I'm glad you decided to come." Before she could utter a response he shut the door and walked around to his own side and got in. "How about some coffee?"

"It's like you read my mind," She laughed.

----

"What changed your mind about coming?" Tristan asked once they settled into a booth in a small coffee shop, each holding a mug in their hand.

Rory took a sip of the scalding liquid before answering. "I made a list, the pros outweighed the cons."

"Can I have an example of each?"

"Well, the main pro was obviously getting to see PJ Harvey."

"And a con?"

"Spending the evening with you!" She flashed him his trademark smirk and leaned back into the softness of the booth. "What made you ask me?"

"Still haven't figured it out?"

Looking down at her coffee, she could come up with a few guesses. "You're home is beautiful."

He let the change of subject slid by. "It's a house, not a home. And yes, it is beautiful."

"Were you there alone tonight?"

"As always."

"Sounds rough...lonely." She offered, sympathetically.

With a shrug he placed a mask over his emotions, knowing that she was on the verge of getting too close. "I like the privacy. It makes certain things easier. If you want, we could head back there and I could show you what I mean."

"I doubt my boyfriend would approve of that."

"I doubt he would approve of anything involving tonight."

Another pause, another drink of coffee. He was right and she hated it. Hated him for it, hated herself for it. "I should go." With one last swallow, she stood up and began pulling her jacket on. "Can you take me back to your house now, so I can get my car and go home, please." She was already heading towards the door.

"Rory wait," He threw some money on the table and followed her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

"No, I shouldn't have. This was a mistake. I'm really sorry Tristan." Those were the last words that either uttered that night.

----

Feeling horribly, Rory quietly opened the front door and slipped inside. Just as the door clicked shut, her mother appeared from the kitchen. "Dean called, leaving just one question burning in my mind. Where were you tonight?"