Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters… not even the hot Chad Michael Murray. They all unfortunately belong to the WB

Author's Note: heeeeeelllooo my prettties… lolz.. just kidding I havent gone mad jusssst yet. Anyways… after reading your beautiful reviews… I now know what to do with the two of them… so basically you'll just have to read and find out won't you… remember to review!! R/R!

Chapter 10: I swear it on Coffee

OUTSIDE DUGREY MANSION

"Rory…." Tristan took a deep breath. "Umm… do you wanna come in?"

Rory looked like she was almost in tears, "I should go... this was a bad idea…", she was about to turn around when Tristan caught her by the shoulders.

"Stay…. We need to talk…"

"About what Tristan… tell me."

"Us"

Rorywalked through the doorway. Tristan closed his eyes for a moment before closing the door and followed after Rory.

"Up the stairs… we'll talk in my room I guess…" Tristan pointed her up the spiralling flight of stairs.

The walk seemed to take an eternity. Both of them not wanting to say anything until they got to his room. All you could hear were their feet tapping gently on the floor. Tristan got to his room first, he opened the door and let Rory in knowing that what happened in here was going to affect their relationship for better or worse. Worse.. that was what he dreaded.

"this is gonna be great... just great " Tristan thought.

And then he shut the door.

RORY POV

Rory was nervous. Her palms were sweaty and she was shaking slightly. She didn't know what possessed her to come here but she was here and there was no turning back now.

"So…" she heard Tristan break the awakward silence

"Yea… so…. You've got a nice house…" she tried to make small talk

"Thanks.."

Both of them just stood their silent for a moment, looking at their feet

"I…."

"…. Ran away," Tristan finished for her.

Rory shut her eyes. She was dreading this.

"I know…"

"Why?", Tristan asked. "Actually, don't answer that... I already know the answer"

"But I…"

"Look.. don't worry about it. I know you don't like me in that way. You just wanted to be friends yea? Just friends…" Tristan trailed off…

"Tristan…"

"Buddies…"

"Tristan…."

"Mates yea?"

"Tristan!!" Rory almost shouted. "You don't get it OK? I'm sorry I ran off. I'm sorry that I'm confused about what I feel for you. And I'm sorry if you just want to be friends."

"I don't…" Tristan said quietly

"Then why say it?"

"Because I'd rather be your friend then not have you in my life at all."

"But what if I don't want to be your friend. What if I want more than that?"

Tristan stared at her.

"Look.. I know I ran off... but the thing is… it's only once you've got something… that you've got something to lose. I've been hurt too many times already and I was scared… I don't wanna lose you too."

"You're not the only one you know. I've been bottling this up inside for ages. I've been so scared that you'd run away if I told you. And guess what. You did. Not in so many words from me… but you did run away."

"But I…"

"Rory… look… we'll start over OK? Just forget everything that happened… I don't want to lose you."

"Either do I…. But.."

"Then we'll forget everything that happened? OK?

"Sure…" What other choice was there. Either not be friends with Tristan and live with the awkwardness or this.

"You swear it on an Irish Cream Coffee?"

Rory smiled weakly "Yup.."

"You gotta say I swear it…."

"I swear it on Irish Cream Coffee"

"Good…"

"Now that that's done… You wanna see my new coffee machine?"

Rory grabbed Tristan by the collar and dragged him downstairs.

"Point. Direction. Now."

Tristan laughed weakly.

"Hey Tristan?"

"Mmm..?"

"I'm glad we worked things out"

Tristan hesitated. "Yea… me too".

GILMORE HOUSEHOLD

Rory returned home after an hour or so of talking to Tristan.

"MooooooM! I'm home!"

"Kitchen!"

Rory strolled into the kitchen and sat down next to her mother and grabbed a cup of coffee.

"Hey…. Where were you?"

"Tristan's place"

"Bible Boy's house? What were you doing there?! Nothing naughty I hope. Wink Wink." Lorelai teased

Rory sighed. "We have a lot to talk about."

After 30 minutes of explaining Rory was met with a wide-eyed Lorelai.

"So, let me get this straight. Bible boy kisses you on the side of his jag. Mary ie. You run off crying. You call Paris. Paris goes all Dr Phil on you. You go to Tristan's place. Then you to make up?! As friends?! All in less then a day?!"

"With the exception of the Mary comment. Yes."

"So you guys made up… just friends?"

"Yea…"

"Are you sure?"

"Course… he said so."

"Rory… I may not know much about Tristan, but you don't just stop loving a person just like that."

And with that, Lorelai walked out of the kitchen.

A/N: So… whatd you guys think? Review! I loooooove reviews. smile I promise ill try to update more often. "