-1AN - OMG! Wow, 25 reviews in 2 days. That's a new record for me. I hope this keep up with the hype. Now I'm nervous. Thanks everyone whose reviewed and everyone whose added the story/me to their favorites or alerts.

Well, here's part two. Winter Time.

Le Masquerades

Part II: And Cinderella Will Always Run Away

He was fine with keeping his feelings for both girls at bay until the Christmas Ball came around. He'd thought about Danielle again, but only in reminiscent thought, and a silent hope he'd find her again. Rory, however, brought herself into his thoughts by asking a simple question.

"Are you going to the ball, Tristan?" She'd said so offhandedly, he didn't catch the underlying question.

"Yea. Have to. Everyone does." He answered, absent-mindedly.

"Oh, right." She felt silly asking.

"Hey, Mare?" He asked, equally as offhanded as her question had been.

"Hmm?" She answered, still mulling over her thoughts.

"Do you know anyone who likes the movies Ever After and Phantom of the Opera?" He asked, trying to be nonchalant.

"Why?" She evaded the answer.

"Huh? Oh, just wondering. S'all. Never mind." He said, making his way to class.

Rory found herself once again in her mother's old bedroom. The same eyes staring back at her, with soft gold tones around them rather than smoky ones. The same waves cascading down the same shoulders, only with a gold bow tied in an 80's fashion keeping the hair from her face. Her dress this time was dark green velvet, with a gold sash around the middle with a bow on the back. The gold elbow length gloves and strappy gold heels completed the look. The green and gold velvet mask matched perfectly.

This time, when Lorelai came to get her, Rory was ready. The feeling of foreboding had returned, but this time she knew why. She was afraid of the outcome. Danielle had fallen for the Phantom, yet ran from Tristan. Rory broke up with Dean, and ended up kissing Tristan. She didn't know what would happen when Danielle and Tristan met again. She didn't know if he'd figure it out.

When Lorelai had entered the room, Rory's mouth almost hit the floor. The long, red, satin dress look amazing on her mother, with the matching silver gloves and mask. Lorelai had sworn to stay with either her parents or Rory all night this time. Rory smiled inwardly, as she didn't see this happening.

When Rory entered, she took in the amazing work she and her classmates had done. Snowflakes and fake snow littered the Country Club. It looked like a perfect winter wonderland. This time, men were dressed in White or Black tuxes, with winter or Christmas colored masks, and women in gowns and masks of the same colors. Almost immediately, Paris grabbed her and pulled her out onto the balcony she'd spent hours with Tristan on. As Rory regained her composure, she turned to Paris rather confused.

"Paris? What the hell?" She demanded.

"He's here." Paris stated, though her usual confident, clipped tone sounded a bit unsure.

"Who's here?" She was confused. Had she missed something.

"Jake." Jake was one of the seniors helping them, and had inadvertently paid Paris a lot of attention, resulting in her crushing on him.

"Ah, well, go say hello. I mean, of course he'd be here." Rory replied simply.

"That's it, say hello?" Now, Paris was confused. Rory gave her an amused smile.

"Yes. Speak to him. Have a conversation. Start with how well everything turned out, okay?" Paris nodded, took in a deep breath, and left Rory on the balcony.

She popped her head back out quickly though, and replied, "Thanks, Rory."

Rory smiled in reply as the girl disappeared again. She took a deep breath, trying to somehow, steel herself for facing Tristan tonight. Part of her really want to, the other part wanted to run and hide. She and Dean never got back together, and since then she'd been running from her feelings for Tristan.

As she shivered, a jacket was placed around her shoulders. "How is it, Danielle, that I keep coming to your rescue when you're shivering?" His soft voice echoed in her ears.

"Tristan." She sighed in recognition.

"Ah, as happy as I assumed you be." He sounded defeated.

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I was just… I don't know. I'm kinda torn as to how to act around you. I mean, that night, I saw one side of you, but the entire time I've been at Chilton, I've seen someone completely different. That someone seems to be the predominant side, and let me just say that it's not too flattering." She said wryly.

"I know that." He said with frustration. "But didn't I already explain it that night? The groupies? I'm not the womanizing whore you seem to think I am." He looked her straight in the eyes. "I do have girlfriends that last more than a week, and I don't cheat on them. Summer cheated on and dumped me." The last part he said with ill concealed bitterness.

"Takes a lot to admit that." She said sincerely. "That had to hurt your ego a bit."

"Again, the ego is a show. Okay, well, most of it is. But still." He said with a shrug.

"Well, the only friend I've found so far ditched me out here for a guy, so I could use the company." She said, changing the subject. He smiled deeply at her invitation, and decided to prove to her that he was more of 'Prince Charming' than 'King of Chilton'.

After a few minutes had passed, they returned to the ballroom, as it had been determined that it was just too cold to stay outside.

"Dance with me?" He inquired hopefully.

"Oh, no…" she began, as his face fell. "I mean, I'm a really bad dancer. I can't dance." She said amending her statement.

"All you need is a strong lead. I promise you won't hurt me if you step on my toes or something." He smirked at her in a light hearted way, and pulled her on to the dance floor. His jacket had been abandoned at a nearby table in the process. "Did I mention you look absolutely breathtaking tonight?" He whispered in her ear as he held her close.

"No. You didn't." She whispered back, her heart beating erratically at his closeness and his compliment.

"Well, Angel, you look amazing." He whispered again, pulling her even closer.

"Angel?" She inquired softly.

"You were dressed as an angel at Halloween, no? If I keep calling you Danielle, I'll never stop when I find out your real name." She laughed, knowing it was most likely true, and smiled now knowing why he usually called her Mary rather than Rory. "What is your name?" He almost pleaded. "You know mine…" He pouted slightly. He had a very kissable pout, she decided. "Do I now?" He smirked.

"Ugh. I need to stop doing that around you!" She groaned, dropping her head on top his shoulder, realizing she'd been caught saying her thoughts out loud once more.

"Why? I enjoy you doing that." He laughed as she glared up at him. He noted it was almost midnight, and strove to keep her in his arms until then to remove her mask. He slid one hand off of her hip, up to her hair, anchoring it there, successfully trapping her. But as the time grew closer, so did their lips. He couldn't fight the urge to kiss her. While he had the opportunity, he tilted her head back slightly, stared her straight in the eyes, and kissed her soundly. Around them, midnight was counted down, but they were so lost. As masks began being thrown in the air, they pulled apart. Both startled.

Rory did what Rory does best, and ran in search of her mother, ready to flee. But it was too late. Even with her mask still firmly in place, Tristan had figured it out. Danielle was Rory, his Mary. He laughed at the pure irony. The two girls he wanted desperately, and reacted in similar ways, were one in the same. His Angel and his Mary. He shook his head as he slowly exited the ballroom himself.

Rory was again being regaled with tales of her mother's most 'unfortunate' night. She ended up dancing with Rory's English teacher all night. Rory sighed and pretended to listen. Instead her mind was on the amazing kiss she shared with Tristan, and how it only made her want him more. Still, she knew she couldn't have him. No matter what.

They were simply too different on the outside.

Returning from Winter break, Rory had opened her locker to find a note dangling. Dear Danielle, Angel, Mary…Rory: I knew I knew your eyes from somewhere, and that night at Madeline's, your eyes captivated me so much. While it still took me a while to piece it together, I could never forget that kiss. I've never kissed anyone like that other than you. And at the Ball, I knew, I just knew it was you. The eyes, the kiss, the knee-jerk reaction to run. You can keep hiding all you want. I know the truth. I just wish you'd admit it. All my love, Tristan.

Rory clutched the note to her chest, and looked over her shoulder down the hall to where he stood. He watched her openly with a small smile. He nodded in greeting, and turned away. Rory smiled to herself. Perhaps, there was chance for them after all.