Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

First of all, let me apologize for the lack of updates. I'd take this moment to provide you with an explanation, but it's a bunch of personal stuff, and I sense you would all like to go with the story. In that case, I will refrain from boring you. This chapter isn't as action-packed as previous ones, serving as more of a filler than anything.

So, onward!

Chapter 10

Oh God, Don't Make Me Face Up to This

Tristan sighed deeply as his long strides carried him away from Rory Gilmore, each step feeling like an inch in an endless abyss he was yet to travel, his footsteps echoing with the name of Rory's boyfriend, the guy who had dashed his baby sister's confidence with a few choice words and one simple flick of the wrist. Inside, his head was spinning with their last encounter. Logan Huntzberger. Rory was dating Logan Huntzberger. Of all people in the world, the one that would attract her fancy was the one he detested with every fiber of his reformed being. That idea caused an ample amount of confusion for Tristan, and the disappointment sparking within his body was not effortless to ignore as well…

Trudging up the stairwell in search of his best friend and his baby sister, Tristan contemplated heavily on the situation at hand. Patching up his friendship with Rory no doubt meant that he would be seeing Logan Huntzberger on a regular basis, a fact that didn't sit too well with his nerves. There was too much history between the two of them, nothing that could be easily disregarded, nor was Tristan willing to try. He paused for a moment, unbuttoning his shirt even further down his chest, dispelling the tie. Rory Gilmore had chosen his friendship over a relationship many times before, but this time, knowing Logan Huntzberger and the fact that the other blonde, rich boy was very similar to the Tristan Dugrey of the past and possessing the knowledge of Logan's outer façade of charm and allure, Tristan's confidence wavered more than slightly. This time, Rory just might not choose him. That was the kicker: – pardon the cliché – but this was a battle, he just might lose.

As he inched closer to Alex's bedroom, a thought materialized in his mind. Alex had been spending an extensive amount of time with Beau. Normally, Tristan wouldn't think anything of it, but the circumstances were hardly normal, and Alex always seemed to harbor a slight crush of attraction towards his best friend. Tristan contemplated the situation. If his baby sister ever dated his best friend…Tristan had no idea what he would do; that was a doozy to his comprehension. Sure, he agreed that no one would treat Alex better than Riley did, but he just wasn't certain he would approve them dating. His mind wandered back to the age-old saying: "bros before hoes." But what if the aforementioned "hoe" was your sister?

Approaching Alex's door, Tristan's brow furrowed as he heard the squeaking of the bed, and Alex's giggle permeated his hearing followed by a guttural grunt from Riley. Tristan frowned even further as a noticeable squeal cut through the atmosphere, and Alex's breathy voice.

"Riley! Not so hard!"

The situation played out in Tristan's fragile mind, and enraged, he barged through the door, his face twisted in ire, his hands clenched at his sides, ready to clock his best friend. As the entryway flew open, ricocheting off of the frame with a resounding bang, two sets of eyes flew to the opening. Alex regarded her older brother with an amused expression on her beautiful face, one eyebrow cocked in appraisal.

"You break my door, Tris, and you're the one fixing it…"

Tristan stood dumbly at the entrance, his gaze fixated on the scene – or rather, lack of it – before his eyes. Riley and Alex sat cross-legged on her bed, hands outstretched with Alex's palms atop of Riley's. As the younger Dugrey's attention diverted to her brother, Riley snuck his hand from under Alex's, quickly slapping the top of her hovering palm.

At the contact, Alex yelped, her head whipping to glower at Riley as she lashed out, cuffing him on the shoulder, "You cheater! You're supposed wait until I'm paying attention!"

Riley leaned back, raising his arms to ward off the sock to his arm, grinning teasingly, "Ow! And you're supposed to be hitting my hand! Rules never said I had to wait!"

"So we had rules?" Alex challenged, a smirk working its way onto her face.

Riley grinned cheekily, "Universal rules that are collective in comprehension."

Alex rolled her eyes, "But are subject to interpretation, right?"

Tristan interrupted, throwing his hands up in exasperation, "Guys!" As the attention shifted to him, Tristan glared, "This is what you've been doing this whole time?"

Riley cocked an eyebrow, shooting his best friend a dumbfounded look, "Uh…yes? Surprisingly, TJ, hobnobbing with a hoard of half-drunk dimwits you call the elite of Hartford fails to send my Fun-O-Meter crashing off its axis…"

Tristan sighed at the characteristic response flowing from Riley's mouth, "Yeah, but I just passed Mom on the way in, and she's looking for all three of us. Although this situation isn't causing your Fun-O-Meter off the Richter scale, it's ranking rather high on the societal sense of things. We have to make an appearance for the sake of the Dugrey image."

Alex groaned, absently fixing her dress, and she sidled out the door of the room, "'Image's sake,' Tristan? Please, the Cleaver era is so passé. Nowadays, family dysfunction is the latest thing among the rich and famous…" With a blithe wave to her male companions, Alex shook her head.

"I'll catch you two down there. Excuse me while I put my makeup on…" Alex smirked, "In more ways than one.

Tristan forced out a chuckle as she sashayed out of the room. Inwardly, a smile bloomed as his younger sister's latest actions struck a chord of familiarity in his mind; a chord that he thought had long since failed to ring with its melodic tones.

Riley turned to his best friend, "So…"

Tristan's eyes narrowed as Riley's inquiring gaze swept over him, "So what?"

Riley rolled his eyes at Tristan's feigned ignorance, "So did you talk to her?"

Tristan paused, buttoning his collar as he rearranged his discarded tie, "Yeah. I did…"

Riley adjusted his own appearance, unrolling his sleeves, "Dude, this act of prolonging the explanation you're obviously gonna end up giving me is really wearing thin on my already piqued nerves…"

Tristan chuckled as he slipped on his suit jacket, "This is so payback for sending my letters to Rory in the first place, Beau."

Riley snorted, "Are you kidding me, Dugrey? If it wasn't for my nimble fingers, Rory Gilmore would still perceive you as an arrogant, insufferable jackwad not worth her time, save a fleeting glance." Riley smirked.

"Just like I kick-started your reformation – as you claim – look at it like I also kick-started your relationship."

Tristan sighed, "Or lack thereof…"

Riley nodded in comprehension, "I gather it didn't go as expected….?"

Tristan scoffed, "A year's worth of accumulated tensions and animosity let out, of course not."

Riley snorted softly, "So what's the state of your friendship?"

Immediately, Tristan softened, a remorseful shine glazing over his blue eyes, "It's in the reconstruction stages," He admitted.

"I don't think I'm ready to be close to her again, Beau, but…"

"You just can't cut her out of your life…" Riley finished. At Tristan's silence, he sighed heavily, "Look, dude, I'm your best guy friend, and Rory's a really close friend, too. So, as your best friend, it is my obligation to steer you in the right path with only your preeminent welfare in mind…"

"Or an interest that proves to be directly advantageous to you." Tristan gently chided, nudging Riley.

The tall brunette's mouth flopped open in mock astonishment, "Gosh, TJ, I'm absolutely astounded in your lofty regard for me."

In the middle of fixing his tie, Tristan shot a reproachful look at his best friend, and Riley shrugged, shame noticeably absent in his expression, "Dude, you know as well as I do that I'm no saint…but, frivolity aside, let me offer you a piece of advice." Riley paused to gather his thoughts.

"You and Rory share this bond, if you will. The way I see it, you two will never fully sever this connection you have. You've gotten too deep within each other to be able to function without one another." Riley glanced sideways at Tristan, his face contorted into a pensive expression.

"Even with this spat that I, for one, have no idea how the hell it blew so out of proportion, not to mention why it's been prolonged for an extensive amount of time – that is completely unnecessary, by the way – you two have still found a way to stay connected whether it's through me or Paris." Riley settled his gaze directly into Tristan's eyes.

"TJ, don't let all this time, all this effort, you've put into changing yourself be marred by one slight obstacle. You know Rory, and you know yourself. I know you're aware what's going on between you two in terms of affections."

Tristan sighed heavily, "Yeah, I get it, Beau. It's just that…" Tristan trailed off as the epiphany struck his conscious mind. He met his best friend's eyes directly, an intangible clarity shining through the indigo orbs, "Right now, I have to combat her fear, and it's a fear that's been in my way this whole time." Tristan shook his head.

"I denno, Beau. Before, I was up against Dean and Jess, neither of whom really effectively charmed her the way you see that I do. This time, it's different…" Tristan met Riley's inquiring stare.

"This time, I'm up against myself…"

- - -

Rory ventured back into the Dugrey household. Immediately, the legions of eyes snapped in her direction, and the whispers ignited, crashing through the gathered socialites. Everyone wanted to know the reason why the immaculate Tristan Dugrey, charmer to all, would be liable to knocking out Logan Huntzberger, son to one of the most prominent media companies in the United States. Rory closed her eyes, attempting to bat away the gossip and hearsay gushing uncontrolled through the party. Eager to escape the flutter of conversation, she failed to see the young woman in her path until she collided with her.

"Oh, excuse me…" Rory trailed off as she glanced into the deep cerulean eyes identical to another Dugrey's. An overwhelming tension and unease radiated between the pair, and Rory shifted uncomfortably, her stare drifting downward to avoid the gaze of the slightly taller Alexandra Dugrey.

"Hi, Alex. It's nice seeing you again…"

A small smile flitted across the younger Dugrey's face, and Alex's crystal eyes twinkled warmly down at Rory, "Yeah, you too, Rory. Can't say you've come around like you used to."

Rory shrugged awkwardly, "Uh, yeah…well, it's kinda pointless with Tristan on the other side of the country." Rory fiddled with the fabric of her dress.

"Or when you're not speaking to him." Alex added, challenging the elder girl with a slight tilt of her head.

Rory tucked a strand of hair behind her head, struggling to maintain her composure as the discomfiture and shame began to worm its way through her body. Shaking her head, she let out an embarrassed chuckle, "Yeah. You got something there. But it's kinda complicated between us…" Fidgeting slightly, Rory let out an uncomfortable cough.

"Look, Alex, I didn't mean to…"

A minute flicker of distress danced across her eyes, and Alex stiffened, this time her stare diverting to the intricate patterns gracing the floor, "I know you didn't, Rory. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised."

Rory pleadingly met the younger Dugrey's gaze, "Alex, if I had known…"

Alex cut her off with a shake of her head, "No, Rory. It's okay, really." The younger Dugrey let out a cheerless scoff, "There's no way you could have possibly known." Sinking down into a chair bordering the ballroom, Alex fiddled with her hands.

"I remember when I first met him. He was so charming, so sweet, so engaging." Alex bit her lip, her brow furrowing with the intangible emotions amassing with each second that passed.

"It didn't take long until I fell for him." Alex's head shifted back and forth morosely as Rory settled down beside her, the elder girl listening with rapt attention,

"Man, did I fall hard," Alex mused, sighing heavily. Her gaze clouding over as they sparkled with a faraway glint of nostalgia, Alex bit her lip, the memories flooding back.

"It was so…easy to fall for him. It seemed so effortless, so unrushed even though we'd only known each other for a few weeks. I didn't even think twice about giving him my virginity; it just seemed right." Alex shook her head.

"Everything just seemed right with Logan. Maybe it was the intoxication of such a passionate relationship, maybe it was my own naivety, but there was just something about him that drew me in, and I guess I just took the leap." Alex huffed out a mirthless chuckle.

"Turns out in taking the leap, I forgot the parachute."

Rory felt her heart clench from the dual admission spewing from Alex's mouth and the agony spreading through her own heart, "So he really did…" She couldn't bear to finish her sentence.

"Cheat on me, get me pregnant, and then leave me hanging?" Alex stated, her voice tingeing with blunt detachment and the sullen frankness she had long appeased herself with. On the outside, she may have seemed nonchalant, but with Logan's sudden reappearance, each word delved deeper into the world of hurt that had long lain dormant. Burying her emotions behind an acrimonious jeer, Alex responded with a toss of her head.

"Yep."

Unwillingly, the tears began to pool in her dulled eyes, the carefully constructed façade crumbling under the onslaught of emotions she had labored to smother, "I'd be lying through my teeth if I said Logan didn't break my heart when I caught him with that girl." Alex brushed away her tears, "It hurt, you know? Like I wasn't good enough to keep. Like he'd take a nameless one-night stand over a long term relationship. That broke my heart." Alex shrugged helplessly.

"But when I found out I was pregnant, he looked at me with such revulsion that I felt so violated. Like he used me for sex then threw me away like some sort of whore. I denno…after that, nothing mattered anymore. I felt like I'd lost my worth or something…" Alex drew in a deep, sobbing breath, "He grabbed a checkbook and a pen, scribbled for a minute, then threw a blank check at me…" Alex trailed off as the memories proved to be too much for her.

"And he told me to 'take care of it.'"

Rory studied the younger girl as she struggled to maintain her composure while the thoughts ran rampant through her mind. Rory labored to appease herself with this image Alex was painting of her boyfriend. This was not the Logan she knew. He would never be so heartless…would he? As the thought skated across her stream of consciousness, the doubt sizzled, bubbling to the surface. But then again, Rory couldn't say that she really knew Logan. Their relationship had gone from dislike, to no strings, to dating. The rushed time span left little instance for particulars. As Rory continued to ponder, Alex's small and timid voice, a drastic change from the shamelessly audacious seventeen year-old Rory remembered, broke through her haze of contemplation.

"When I told him it was his, Logan scoffed and he said, 'No bastard child will ever have the name Huntzberger.'" Alex swallowed hard, "He asked me if I really thought we were in love. I guess the truth was I loved him but he loved getting laid."

At her words, Rory glanced down, the reality ringing heavily in her mind. She did admit that Logan's conquests spread as rapidly around Yale as Tristan's had done around Chilton, but Logan had changed, just as Tristan had; Rory was sure of it.

Alex dipped her head down, shielding her eyes from view as she wiped away the tears, "He thanked me for the great times we had, that they were fun, and that I had a true talent, then he had the maid show me out."

Rory stayed silent as Alex echoed Logan's horrid words, the pain evident in the younger girl's face. Alex's eyes strayed back to the ground, the endless amounts of pain veiled beneath the tears threatening to flow their path. Rory studied Alex as she drew her arms tight around her body as though the gesture would shield her from the assault of memoirs haunting her psyche. As her eyes swept over the younger girl's hunched form, Rory recognized the lack of "spark" Tristan had alluded to. When Rory had first met Tristan's sister, Alex was vibrant and vivacious, exuding an aura that seemed so full of life and exuberance. But the girl in front of her was a ghost of that girl, the vivacity that seemed to permeate to all who came into acquaintance with her dulled to a lackluster sheen, just like her eyes. Alex shook her head.

"I didn't know what to do after that…I probably stood out there for a good hour before I went to the first person I could think of. Minutes later, I ended outside Riley's apartment."

The frown adorning Rory's face deepened, "I'm sorry, Alex, but this is all so…"

Alex shook her head, "No, don't apologize. I get it. This doesn't seem like the Logan Huntzberger you know." Alex heaved a sigh, "In all fairness, I didn't think he would be capable of something so malicious either."

"Look, Rory, I'm not trying to mess up anything between you and Logan. I may not be past all that yet, but I have accepted it. Just know that if he didn't change then, what makes you think he's changed now?"

"Tristan changed." Rory argued, quick in her defense of her boyfriend.

A patient smile worked its way across Alex's features, "Well, Tristan's unusual. He had a reason for his change: you, Rory. Logan's been working his game for a long time, and I don't think he's willing to amend something that's giving him such pleasure." Alex affirmed wryly, "Pardon the pun…"

The younger girl sighed heavily, struggling to illustrate the thoughts she had long worked out herself, "The difference between Tristan and Logan is that Tristan changed for you. Logan's never had a reason to amend a routine and structure that he's pretty satisfied with. I mean, he has you, but he's treating you no differently than any other of his conquests; it's just for a longer amount of time than usual."

Alex rotated to face Rory, her eyes that had lost their sheen of innocence peering directly into Rory's, "I mean think about it, Logan's life is already planned out for him, and he really doesn't have the courage to break out of his predestined mold. He's not gonna be tied down with a girlfriend for that long since, in the end, love won't be an issue. His marriage is going to be of a business arrangement that is beneficial to both companies involved. He's gotta cram as much partying and frivolity into college. Tristan found a reason to escape his fated future, and he's actually working towards a life away from the Hartford elite. He's never gonna be satisfied with a corporate job at either Dad's or Granddad's companies, and he sure as hell will never condone an arranged marriage. If my brother is in a relationship, it's for love." At Rory's dubious look, Alex hefted another sigh.

"Look, I know his conquests ran through Chilton as part of that daily gossip, but the majority weren't true." Alex held Rory's stare, "Tristan was pretty promiscuous through high school, but he only had sex with two girls, and he was in long-term relationships…well, okay, as long as they lasted for him. The rest was just fooling around." Alex shrugged, "I know that doesn't justify anything, Rory, but my brother has never cheated on another girl."

"Rory, my brother rarely holds grudges towards people, and believe it or not, he's never quick to judge or dislike. You know just as well as I do, it's hard for Tristan to truly despise a person. People normally like him." Rory cocked an eyebrow at the younger girl, and Alex chuckled.

"I did mention normally…"

Sobering, Alex met the elder girl's inquisitive blue eyes directly before turning to

Depart, "So if he hates someone, it's for a damn good reason."

As Rory stared after Alexandra Dugrey, the younger girl's words echoed in her mind. Alex was correct: in the short span of knowing Logan before dating him, Rory had seen a pattern with the many girls latched onto his arm. He would sweet talk them, take them to dinner, bed them, and forget about them in the morning. The list would go on and on how many times Finn had approached them with messages for Logan over the latest one-night stand.

Thinking even more headily, Rory perused over her latest changes as a result of dating Logan Huntzberger. In this case Tristan was right: she had been changing for Logan, daring to do things she wouldn't have in normal circumstances. At first, she thought her newfound boldness was a pleasant variation from a normally passive disposition, but in hearing Alex's words, and the consequences she had to bear with, Rory began to doubt if the exhilaration her escapades with Logan and his fellow stooges induced were worth the risk. Was she really changing for the better? Rory was left to ponder that idea as Tristan's little sister floated through the crowd.

Rory grumbled low in her throat as the conflicting thoughts pounded against the walls of her brain, alerting her mind to their presence. Mentally, she cursed Tristan Dugrey for knowing her so well, and her mind floated back to one year prior, after the event that had changed it all and to the words that had left his lips.

"You what I think? I think you're scared. You felt something that night, and it scared the hell out of you. Well, I felt it, too. This wasn't a one-night stand, Rory. This wasn't a fling. You know there's something here. You felt it the first time we kissed, and you feel it now. You're scared because this isn't something you've ever experienced before, and you're feeling it with me."

Denial battled relentlessly against her logic, but to a rational mind, Rory could not disregard the facts: Tristan was – again – right: she was scared. She had chosen Logan because of his striking resemblance to the old Tristan, the Tristan that was familiar to her; the Tristan she could depend on for his persistent torture, crass innuendos, and repulsive smirk. But then he had to be shipped off to military school and return completely reformed. This new Tristan Dugrey had turned her formerly structured and tidy world upside down, worming his way into her heart with a charming smile devoid of a lewd insinuation and an engaging sparkle in his deep blue eyes. Rory was scared because in a simple kiss, she had felt something not present in any previous relationship, and that something scared the shit out of her. To be honest, it still did. Rory sighed. The proverbial wrench had been thrown into the works of her notoriously complicated love life, and in all truthfulness, she had no idea what to do…

- - -

Tristan hefted a heavy sigh as he plopped down on the front steps of the Dugrey mansion. The socialites had long exited the premises in various states of inebriated stupors. Exhaling deeply, the breath ruffling the strands of his unkempt hair, Tristan rubbed his face as though the burden encumbering his chest would disappear the harder he rubbed. What a night. Tristan looked up as the familiar forms of his best friend and younger sister slid in beside him. Riley huffed a deep breath, loosening the tie around his neck. His sleeves folded to his elbows, he dazedly pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Wellup…that was exciting."

Tristan snorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Not most rousing of get-togethers, that's for sure."

Riley smirked, "How's the hand?"

Tristan glanced down at the fist of his right hand. The skin was slightly red, marked with the force his punches exerted on Logan's face. Flexing, Tristan shrugged.

"Nothing to cry over."

Alex gazed down at her brother's swollen knuckles, "How many times did you hit him?"

Riley quirked a grin, a chuckle bursting from his lungs, "He was going on three swings before I got to him."

Tristan shot his best friend a disgruntled look, "I don't know why you stopped me, Beau. The bastard deserved more than I was gonna dish out…"

Riley shook his head, one eyebrow shooting skyward, "Sorry to hinder your caveman tendencies, dude, but I have the opinion from the highest authority that blood is mighty difficult to clean off the floor, not to mention murder is slightly illegal…"

Tristan's handsome features darkened heavily, his jaw clenching with controlled rage, "He deserves a world of pain for what he's done…"

Surprisingly, Alex lay a firm hand on her brother's tensed shoulders, "Tris, let it go. It's done."

The angry expression softened as Tristan surveyed his younger sister, "That's unexpected coming from you, Lex…"

Dipping her head down, Alex shrugged, "I'm always gonna hate him, Tristan, and it's always gonna hurt…." Alex finished her mental contemplation with a resolute nod of her head.

"But I can't keep dwelling on it…" Biting her lip, Alex glanced out into the distance, the vast expanse of the dark night sky staring back down at her, "I guess…seeing him with Rory, as much as I felt like dying at that moment, I realized he's moved on – several times over, probably." Alex shrugged again.

"Maybe it's time I do too…" Discreetly, Alex looked over her brother's bowed head, meeting the pale gray spheres of Riley Beaumont's eyes. Inconspicuously, Riley shot her a small grin, winking cheekily at the girl across from him.

Tristan rotated to face his little sister directly, unaware of the connection established between her and his best friend. Defeatedly, he chuckled, "Yeah, well, it would still make me feel better if I decked him a couple of good ones."

Alex rolled her eyes, "Must you always resort to violence? Do you really think socking him a few times is really gonna make him rethink what happened?"

"If it's an effective method of persuasion," Tristan insisted, "I'd approach anyone the same way…"

Alex grinned, "Even Riley?"

Riley let out a scoff, "Please. I can take TJ…"

Tristan responded with a toss of his head, "Spare me, Beau. I'd totally school-boy you."

An incredulous look streaked across Riley's face, "Are you kidding, Dugrey? Or have you conveniently forgotten combat class junior year? How many rounds did it take for me to knock you out?"

Tristan rolled his eyes, waving away Riley's argument, "Oh, come on! That wasn't a fair fight. Keating was totally favoring you on points!"

A sly expression lit up Riley's face, "Oooh! Do I sense a bit of contradiction in your voice, buddy?" Throwing out his arms, he rotated to regard the imaginary audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the most prevalent emotion in Tristan Dugrey's repertoire: DENIAL!" Smirking, he returned his attention to his best friend, "Did I hit a nerve in your manly pride, TJ?"

Tristan growled, flailing out to sock his best friend on his arm, "Bite me, Beau. You and I have a rematch right now, and I'd hand your ass to you on a silver platter…"

"Personally, it looks better on gold," Riley countered, "You know, with my complexion and all…"

"What are you two, three?" Alex asked in exasperation as the two men rose to their feet, shaking off outer clothing, the playful spirit of the challenge alive in each boy's eyes.

"Five." Tristan responded, still staring heatedly into his best friend's eyes.

"Seven." Riley taunted, daring Tristan by one-upping him.

Alex reached out, tugging both men back down to either side of her. Riley smirked, cocking an eyebrow at his best friend.

"You're lucky Ali saved you from a beat down, TJ. You get mighty moody when you're sulking."

Tristan snorted, "Please, Beau. You woulda gone crying back to New York for some "Mommy and Me" time after I finished with you."

Alex shook her head, "You two are stupid…at least with all that's happened, you would have done the courtesy of sparing me from this pissing contest…"

Tristan frowned, placing a hand on his breast, "I'm hurt you think that way, baby sis."

Riley nodded his agreement, his bottom lip stuck out pitifully, "You know, TJ, I think she doesn't love us anymore…"

Alex sighed, "Is it just me or does everyone else find it amazing that you two go from arguing to complacency in zero to sixty?"

Riley grinned, slinging an arm around her shoulders, "It's a gift, Ali. Really useful for annoying the masses, too."

Tristan chuckled, lying back on his elbows, "What a night, eh, guys?"

Riley nodded, leaning back as well to stare up at the night sky, "I'll say."

Alex joined her brother and his best friend, laying her head down on Riley's shoulder, reaching out to catch Tristan's hand. Staring up into the millions of stars dotting the evening abyss, Alex sighed.

"Something tells me this drama is not privy to only this night…"

- - -

Rory fidgeted nervously in her seat, playing with the silver ring that hung from a chain around her neck. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she gazed down into the deep recesses of the cup before her, filled to the brim with her darling beverage. Anxiety seized her ability to sit still, and Rory once again shifted. It had been three days since that fateful party at the Dugrey mansion, and she was still yet to hear Logan's perspective on the scandal that had rocked the Dugreys, one of the most prominent families on the East Coast. Taking a sip from the cup before her, Rory felt the scalding liquid warm her body, providing her with some encouragement for the ostensibly difficult conversation that was sure to come. In those three days, she had dutifully avoided Logan, the weight of her knowledge too much to approach him with. She needed time to process all that Riley, Alexandra, and Tristan had all divulged. The information was simply too much. Rory was perfectly aware that her boyfriend was far from perfect, but to commit such an odious act of such a callous magnitude…it was too much to handle.

"Hey, Ace."

For the first time, Rory stiffened as Logan's lips descended down, gently brushing hers. The action was not lost on the blonde as he straightened, a frown gracing his visage. Rory raised her eyes to meet his, absorbing the intense gash embedded in his lower lip as well as the deep purple bruise marring a good half of his face. Through the harlequin decorations adorning his face, Logan tilted his head, his eyes searching Rory's face.

"Hey…Ace? Is everything alight?"

On instinct, Rory began to nod, but realizing her action, she caught herself, instead reverting to a shake of her head. Sighing heavily, Rory straightened in her chair as Logan slid into the seat across from her, and she fiddled with the coffee cup before she dragged her eyes upward to meet his.

"After you left, I talked with Tristan and Alexandra Dugrey…"

Logan exhaled deeply, hiding his fear behind an arrogant toss of his head as he diverted his gaze skyward. A disdainful scoff worked its way through his throat, and Logan sent a pointed look towards his girlfriend.

"And?" He demanded, shifting to face Rory directly. In response, she cocked an eyebrow.

"What do you mean 'and?'" Rory frowned, "Although I do find myself utterly astonished by this tale both of them and Riley all keep alluding to, but I find it completely staggering that I have yet to hear it from you."

Logan anxiously ran a hand through his meticulously tousled hair, kept into place by copious amounts of hair products, "I don't believe this, Rory! You honestly believe that crackpot story?"

"'Crackpot story?'" Rory echoed disbelief heavy in her accusatory tone, "Logan, do you honestly think that I would even consider the fact that Alex made up that story? Tristan is my best friend who has never lied to me."

"Well, there's a first time for everything…" Logan spat bitterly, "You're willing to take his word for it?"

Rory glared at him, "I don't know, Logan. I haven't heard otherwise."

"Look, Ace, yeah, I had a fling with Alex Dugrey. It was fun. But that's it. That 'kid' that supposedly mine is probably some redneck's she bumped into on the street."

Rory could only stare at the boy situated in the seat across from her. She surveyed Logan closely, unable to appease the immaturity of the blonde in her view with the knowledge of her boyfriend. Logan shook his head, dismissively.

"What I don't believe is that you're making such a big deal about this." Logan retorted, shifting to the front of his chair, his arms braced tensely on the arms of his chair, "It's a simple idea, Rory. I have a fling with this girl who's infatuated with me and just as promiscuous as her brother, she gets knocked up by some random sap, and puts the blame on me saying it's my kid."

"Is that your version or the version you've forced yourself to believe?" Rory challenged as she gaped at her boyfriend, disbelief prominent in her features, "You took her virginity." Sensing Logan's firm stance of denial, despite the glimmer of doubt flashing in his eyes, in his silence, Rory shook her head in incredulity.

"I don't believe this, Logan. Is it so hard to own up to your actions?"

"It's not my problem," Logan bit out through clenched teeth.

"Well, barring the immaculate conception, I'm pretty certain that it takes two to conceive a child." Rory snapped, her face twisted with sarcasm.

Logan threw up his hands in exasperation, breaking his façade of ignorance, "What is your deal, Rory? I didn't completely leave her hanging. I gave her the check."

"My deal," Rory responded, "Is that twenty years ago, my mother was Alex and I was that unborn child!" Rory stared hard at the boy across from her, a disgusted flicker shining through the pale blue eyes darkened with annoyance.

"Do you realize how close to home this hits, Logan? What if my mother had consented to the abortion my grandmother forced on her? What if I actually had a father constant in my life who owned up to his actions? In short: I wouldn't be here if my mother didn't accept her situation!" Rory met Logan's eyes directly. The blonde shied away under her intense scrutiny, possessing enough grace to look at least partially ashamed beneath an abrasive exterior.

"Don't you get it, Logan? In this world, money can't buy everything. You can't pay everyone off every time you screw up. Every action has consequences. This is one of them…"

Logan gaped at his girlfriend, "Ace…"

Rory pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head, "No, Logan. I have a feeling you can't talk your way out of this one."

Logan swallowed hard, "Are you breaking up with me?"

Rory searched his eyes, and seeing the genuine fear shining through the dark spheres, she sighed, "No, Logan, I'm not breaking up with you…" She trailed off, gathering her thoughts.

"But I do think we need to take a break."

Midway through a sigh of relief, Logan blanched, straightening in his chair, "Wh-what?"

"I need time to process this…" Rory admitted, refusing to meet his eyes, "This…this is all so much to take in at once. I'm hurt that it happened. I'm appalled at your 'solution,' I can't believe that you didn't trust me enough to tell me… I…I just need time."

"Ace…" Logan started weakly, his tinny voice pleading for clemency.

Rory shook her head resolutely, determined to remain stanch in her standpoint, "Don't, Logan. This isn't something I can just forgive and forget. This is serious. It's not just about the fact you fathered a child with another woman or you tried to pay her off to get rid of her or even that you refuse to own up to your actions; this is more than that. This is that you've never bothered to even tell me about it. I may be wrong, but there's an implicit amount of trust in a relationship, and if you don't trust me with such a significant factor, I don't know what kind of relationship this is."

Logan slumped down, a defeated expression crossing his face, "Okay, Ace. Take all the time you need. You…you know where to find me…"

Rory sighed as Logan stood from his seat, a downcast look marring his attractive features. Despondently, he dipped his head down, hesitating before brushing a soft kiss to her forehead. As his back disappeared down the avenue, his posture slumped and dejected, Rory hung her head, cradling it on her palms. Leaning back in her chair, she allowed her head to loll back against the support of the seat. This was all so much, the burden weighing heavy on her chest.

Rory thought back to her boyfriend. She had known he was flawed, but she felt something with him; something she believed she could change. But there was another facet to the Logan Huntzberger who had existed in her life for the past year, and it was a facet that annoyed her to no end: his stubborn refusal to grow up. The life of Logan Huntzberger revolved around girls, parties, and extravagance – in that order. In his profligate existence, there left little room for reality and the world outside the structure and predictability of Yale, and Rory feared he wouldn't be able to provide the lack of stability that she so desperately needed. Beneath the cool and confident façade of Logan Huntzberger lay a juvenile boy fighting tooth and nail to avoid responsibility and his given future. Buried under the parties and reckless behavior was a boy not quite prepared for the real world and the soon-to-be absence of the cushy and comfortable lifestyle his wealth assured for his future. Simply put: Logan Huntzberger wasn't ready to grow up, and Rory wasn't sure that was what she wanted…

- - -

Alex Dugrey mulled over the thoughts swirling deep in her head before a steaming mug of coffee slid into her line of vision. Craning her head upward, she smiled, receiving a kiss from Riley as he slid into the seat beside her. His pale eyes shielding the sun with a pair of dark glasses, Riley's brows drew together with concern.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Shaken from her reverie, Alex shot a small smile over to the man across from her – her boyfriend. Inwardly, she beamed. Never would she have thought that she would willingly give her heart away again. Never would she have thought that Riley would make her feel the way she did. But in retrospect, it all seemed right. He just seemed right. It was a different kind of "right" than with Logan; this relationship had been painstakingly forged through the years they had known each other. She glanced up at his boyishly tousled hair falling onto the dark lenses that shielded his light eyes

"What makes you think something's wrong?"

Riley's mouth curved in his lopsided half-smile as he cocked an eyebrow, and Alex braced himself for one of his sharp responses, "Because you've got this look on your face that's seriously making me consider turning tail and bolting…"

Alex wrinkled her nose, reaching out to sock Riley on the arm. Grinning, he intercepted her wrist, gently dragging her chair forward towards him. Leaning in, a cheeky grin splayed across his face, Riley tenderly brushed her nose with his.

"Good thing I've got a rather resilient nature."

Alex grinned as he lowered his head downward, capturing her lips in his. Sifting her hands through his hair, she pulled him even closer, reveling in the softness of the strands between her fingers and the intoxicating taste of his lips.

Pulling away, Alex skimmed her fingers down from his brown locks to the sunglasses veiling his eyes, removing the shadowy squares to bare the pewter orbs. Quirking a small smile, Alex brushed a quick kiss against his upturned lips.

"For your misinformed mind, nothing is wrong. I was simply thinking about you."

Riley leaned back, placing a hand over his breast, "Ah, the things you do to swell my ego."

"Among other parts of your anatomy." Alex responded, a sly smirk flitting across her face. Riley started at her words, his eyes snapping in her direction. It was something the old Alex would be so quick to say, and he allowed a delighted grin to bloom. In that minute moment, the old spark flared, igniting for that one second, and Riley shrugged.

"Well, you're welcome to swell any part of my anatomy…"

Alex giggled as he ghosted a kiss against her forehead, "I'm really starting to like the perks of being your girlfriend."

Riley laughed, "Oh, babe, the perks are just starting. Just wait until Valentine's Day."

Alex's nose squinched up, "I denno, Beaumont. That's pretty lofty ambitions to believe we'd last that long."

"Hey, I'm very dependable with habitual showerings of roses and chocolates." Catching the look on her face, Riley amended his statement, "Not a roses girl? Don't worry. I can do lilies…"

As his mind registered Alex's expression as serious, and Riley cocked an eyebrow, "You really think I'd do a Huntzberger and be stupid enough to let you go? Please, Ali. That's just an insult to my intelligence…"

Alex smiled, turning into his touch as his hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her soft skin, "Well, I'd never even think about doing that…"

Riley grinned, "So, really, is anything wrong?"

Alex shook her head, "Nope. I'm just happy."

"Understood…" Riley leaned back, "So how about I make you even happier?"

Alex turned an interested expression to her boyfriend, "Really? How would you suppose you would do that?"

Riley chuckled, "Well…I was thinking you and me go on our first date. You know, dinner and a movie? Preferably some lip-to-lip contact…?"

Alex giggled, "You don't need a movie as an excuse for that…"

Riley nodded his agreement, "Yeah, but then I wouldn't get the chance to try the whole yawn-and-casually-rest-my-arm-across-the-back-of-your-chair deal." Grinning, he tilted his head expectantly at the blonde beside him, "So, what do you think?"

Alex smiled, peeking up at him through lowered lashes, "I think…"

"Riley?"

The couple whirled at the intrusion of a third voice, and Riley sprung to his feet, whipping to face their new companion, "Paris?"

Paris Gellar tentatively approached the brunette, hesitant to advance, "I thought that was you."

Riley shook his head, breaking himself from a jaunt to the past, "Yeah. It's me. There's not that many people who bear such a resemblance." Motioning to the empty chair, Riley allowed his eyes to drift down to Paris'.

"Uh, would you like to join us?"

Paris turned her attention to his companion, still seated, and her dark eyes warmed, "Alex. It's nice to see you. I'm assuming Riley accompanied you to a brotherly lunch?"

As Riley lit up, ready to reveal the real status behind their relationship, Alex cut him off before he could speak, "Um, yeah. Since Tristan's busy with some things back at Granddad's, Riley decided to be a gentleman and entertain me for a while." Regarding her boyfriend with a coy smile, Alex sent a reassuring glance in his direction in response to the utterly befuddled look adorning his face. Gathering her things she turned to face Riley.

"I should actually get going. Granddad's expecting me."

Still baffled at her reaction, Riley reached out to catch her arm, "But…"

Alex rose up on her toes, ghosting a kiss across his cheek in an effort to pacify his potent confusion as she sent him an encouraging smile, "I'll call you later."

With a wave to Paris, Alex departed, and Riley sank down into his seat, his brow furrowed in puzzlement. Returning his attention to Paris, Riley forced out a friendly smile.

"So how's it been going with you?"

Paris shrugged, "It's been going well. The paper's really flourishing, and I'm very pleased with my position."

Riley grinned, nodding his head, "Yeah, it wasn't a surprise seeing your name accompanied with the title of editor…you always were ambitious like that."

Paris beamed, "A little hard work never killed me."

"Yet…" Riley teased, cocking an eyebrow.

Paris laughed, "Trust me, Beaumont. Considering the life I lead, I'm under the high authority that the cause of my death will be completely natural."

Riley chuckled, "I'm actually leaning towards self-inflicted." The moment of mirth erasing the years of thick tension between the two as a result of a relationship undefined, Riley felt strangely at ease for the first time around Paris.

"So, uh, how's your boyfriend…? What's his name?" Riley snapped his fingers in an effort to remember, "Uh, Boyle?"

"Doyle." Paris corrected. Her eyes drifting downward, she refused to meet his inquisitive gaze fixated on her lowered head.

"We're…exploring options."

Riley leaned back in his chair, hiding an amused smile behind the hand cradling his chin on an upraised arm, "'Exploring options,' huh?" Shifting, he made himself comfortable in the chair that barely contained his tall frame as he shot her an interested look.

"Does that involve a third party or is he not into that?"

Paris rolled her eyes, "Simply put, that's a really delicate way of saying we're taking a break."

Riley chuckled, propping his ankle on his knee, "Seems to be a common theme among the masses."

Paris stared down at the ground, nodding, "Yeah, well, sometimes you have to search to find the right one."

"And sometimes that search means exploring your options…?" Riley ventured, dipping his head down to meet Paris' eyes.

Paris huffed a rueful chuckle, "Yeah. It does." Peering into the silver spheres peeking out through the tousled strands falling onto his forehead, Paris cocked her head inquisitively at the tall brunette man.

"What about you, Riley? So far, I've heard nothing relationship-wise about the star of Yale's soccer team."

Riley ran a hand through the brown locks atop his head, a flash of uncertainty appearing before an indulgent smile worked its way to his lips, "Uh, well, this soccer star is spoken for…"

Paris shielded the regret well, hiding the flare of remorse behind a stoic mask, "Well, I'd say a collective groan is to be heard from the female population."

Riley's cheeks reddened as he diverted his gaze, and Paris looked on amused. Even with all his burgeoning fame and devastating good-looks, Riley Beaumont still remained the same unassuming, unpretentious man he always was.

"I'd think of it more as a hoard of cheers from the male side…"

Paris stared at Riley, witnessing his slight fidgeting, "Well, I'd say that whoever you're dating is one lucky girl."

Riley hefted out a chuckle, "I'd think it wouldn't be presumptuous if I said I was the lucky one." Raising his brilliant gray gaze to a sharp brown pair of eyes beside him, Riley met Paris Gellar's eyes directly.

"We never did have great timing."

Paris smiled ruefully, "No. We didn't." Hesitantly, her stare locked onto Riley's, "But I do have to know…is there a shot for us?"

Riley's brow furrowed, taken aback by the question. Pausing, he gathered his thoughts before shaking his head, "No. Not now." Sighing heavily, he raised a serious gaze to Paris' inquiring eyes, an intense resolution shining behind the pewter orbs.

"I made a promise to her, and I'm not gonna break that promise. She's been through too much for me to even think about tampering with her trust. Not when she's taking such a step in offering it to me in the first place."

As realization dawned on Paris, she nodded in comprehension. Her logical mind registered his insinuation, and she couldn't help but succumb to the situation. She had made the mistake of letting him go, and now, that mistake was beginning to show its repercussions. Forcing out a smile, she inclined her head to Riley.

"Well, I hope you make her happy, Riley."

Riley gave a short nod of his head in gratitude. Sure, before he had such intense feelings for Paris Gellar; feelings he knew were not quite resolved, nor had he received any closure, but there was such a protective nature to him when it came to Alex. There was something about her that made him want to shield her behind him and bat away all the atrocities reality was prone to offer. Riley opened his mouth to express his thanks when Paris' next line caught him unsuspecting.

"Lord knows Alex needs some joy in her life, and you're the perfect man for the job."

Riley started, whirling to stare open-mouthed at Paris as she stood, gathering her bag. Smirking in entertainment at the bewildered expression splayed on his features, Paris shook her head.

"I've known the Dugreys since diapers, Beaumont. Do you really think I'd be oblivious so such developments?"

Leaning down to press a friendly kiss to his cheek, Paris cocked an eyebrow, "Now, I wonder what Tristan will think of said development…"

Riley blanched slightly, his eyes widening at her words. His gaze fixated on her swaying blonde hair as she disappeared around the corner, Riley gulped, his primary fear worming its way back into his consciousness. TJ was going to kill him…

- - -

Logan Huntzberger stumbled through the Yale courtyard, dazedly unaware of his surroundings. Slumping down against a tree, he raised the half-empty bottle to his lips, throwing down the clear liquid. Bitterly, he cursed the Dugreys. If he hadn't met that damn Alexandra, none of this would have happened, and he would be contently with Rory.

Rearing back, he chucked the bottle across the courtyard, reveling in the resonant crash of glass against pavement, and he thought back to the source of his troubles. When he first met Alexandra Dugrey, she seemed like every other hot blonde on the market. Then he got to know her, and she had dazzled him with a quick wit and sardonic dislike of all things socialite, and he felt an intangible pull from his waistline in her direction. The only problem was the hulking brunette-haired, gray-eyed guard dog that had six months' worth of Yale weight training beneath his chiseled and muscular frame. Oh yeah, she was hot. That was for sure. And she exuded such an innocence that the player in him was immediately drawn to her. He had wooed her, courted her, and lavished her with gifts and words of sweet nothings until she had consented to a date. A roll in the hay had commenced after, and he had the immense pride of being her first: the guy who popped the proverbial cherry. His friends had gotten quite a kick out of that situation.

Logan allowed his head to loll back, his thoughts drifting in their drunken haze to the past. He relished his time with Alex Dugrey. Her visits came frequently, giving him enough time for a few trysts with his latest blonde before she would come up for the only weekend. She was good; he would give her that, but he was only appeasing her image of the perfect boyfriend. In reality, Logan Huntzberger wasn't one to get tied down. So as Alex Dugrey returned to Hartford with blissful dreams of her flawless beau, he was busy coercing his latest conquest for a quickie in the closest dark corner.

He couldn't understand the source of Rory's frustration. She had witnessed this type of thing with him for a long time. So what made this time different? So what if he knocked up Alexandra Dugrey? Did she really think that he wanted the baby? The last thing he needed was a bouncing mini Huntzberger pattering around his house. As if enough responsibility had already forced its way into his existence...Logan resolutely shook his head, almost reeling as the movement wracked his already rickety balance. No, he had done the best thing for himself, and there was no way he was going to regret it.

Through his alcohol-induced stupor, Logan cocked his head as a pair of designer sneakers parked themselves in his line of vision. Tracing the sneakers up to the face owning the body, Logan grinned stupidly, sending a wave in the general direction of the three faces of Finns wavering in his eyesight.

"Aussie! How lovely to see you on this fine day!"

Finn cocked an eyebrow at the heavily slurred salutation. As the sharp aroma of vodka drifted through his nostrils, the Aussie shook his head, reaching out to heft a staggering Logan to his feet.

"Alright, mate, let's tow you home before you take your habitual pilgrimage to the porcelain gods."

Logan giggled at the word, "But Finny, I'm feeling bumbly!" At his err, Logan began to crack up again, waving his hands, "I mean, stumbly! I'm feeling stumbly!" His face contorting at his drunken logic, Logan swayed. Finn shook his head, steadying his friend.

"Don't hurt yourself trying to sort that one out, mate." Confused at what could possibly provoke the unflappable Huntzberger into such an inebriated state, Finn began to drag his best friend away from the general public that could possibly provoke Logan's intoxicated rage. As he stumbled along, Logan growled slightly, a slurred sentence burst from his mouth.

"Damn Dugreys…"

- - -

Rory trumped into her grandparents pool house, utterly exhausted with the day's events. Throwing her purse and keys on the coffee table, she plumped down on the couch. Catching her answering machine blinking with messages that were yet to be heard, Rory sighed heavily, throwing one arm across her face. Groping for the play button, Rory allowed her head to loll back as the each message played.

"Hey, luv, it's Finn. Um, would you care to explain to me why I've found my good mate, Logan, huddled against a tree, fisting a bottle of vodka, and looking like his puppy's just been punted the length of a football field? I'd ask him myself, but apparently after a few bottles of Smirnoff, you're hardly intelligible…Call me."

"Uh, hi, Rory. Colin here. Could you tell me why Finn's carrying a stumbling Logan through my dorm? Because, you know, it's normally the other way around…Confused is just about the pinnacle right about now. See you."

"Hey, Rory. It's Steph. You would think by now that I'd be used to the antics of our good buds the Three Stooges, but Colin's just come by to dump a moderately buzzed Finn and a shit-faced Logan on my dorm floor. Apparently, this has something to do with you…How? Still trying to coax a coherent sentence out of either of them…Get back to me when you can."

Skipping over the rest of her messages, Rory leaned back against her couch, letting out a scream of annoyance. As a knock sounded on her door, Rory looked up as Emily Gilmore's elegant face poked through the doorway.

"Rory, dear, your grandfather and I will be going out tonight, and we were wondering if you would care to join us. I'm sure the ladies from the DAR would be delighted to see you."

Forcing out a regretful shake of her head, Rory inwardly grimaced, "I'm sorry, Grandma, but I'm not really up for a night out. I think I'll just stay in."

Emily nodded, "That's fine, Rory. If you want, you could invite some of your friends over. I'm sure Mariana can whip up a pizza for you."

Rory shook her head, "I'm fine, Grandma. If I need anything, I'll be fine…"

As Emily turned to depart, she whirled back to her granddaughter, "Oh, and Rory? I'm sure you know Tristan Dugrey is back in town. Perhaps he is up for some catching up? I know how close the two of you are."

Rory forced out a chuckle, "Somehow, Grandma, I don't think Tristan and I have that much catching up to do…"

Again, Emily nodded her head in comprehension, "Yes, well, if you do need anything, don't hesitate to call."

Rory nodded, sending a reassuring smile to her grandmother, "Of course, Grandma."

With a final backward glance, Emily Gilmore disappeared through the doorway, and watching her grandmother retreat back into the house, Rory burrowed back into the cushions of the couch. With her tiff with Logan, Rory was left with limited options to entertain herself. Leaning back, Rory frowned, weighing those options in her mind, and coming with absolutely nothing aside from a rousing round of one-man charades, she hefted a sigh, allowing her head to flop down on the back of the couch. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar navy and gray garment draped over the back of her chair, and she contemplated her alternatives. Well, now was as good a time as ever.

- - -

Tristan slumped down against the cushy pillows of the central couch of his grandfather's movie theater, idly flipping through the channels. Simply put, he was bored. Riley was off meeting with his agent to square away a deal with his latest book, Alex was with their grandfather for some bonding time, and Paris…wasn't too reliable for frivolous entertainment…

The resounding chime of the doorbell alerted his senses, and Tristan groaned, hefting himself off the couch to totter towards the door. Wrenching open the entryway, Tristan blinked at the figure behind, cocking his head in bafflement.

"Rory?"

Snap! End scene. And I leave you hanging again, especially after the long wait. Yes, rather cruel of me, but there is a reason for that. It's mainly because putting the next scene in this chapter would be so anti-climactic. The next chapter will serve as a catch-up to both Tristan and Rory to reacquaint themselves with the present, if you will. This little encounter – which will not be devoid of a bit of drama – will serve as the starting point for the reconstruction of their friendship that will ultimately lead to a Lorelai reunion and a patch-up of Rory's confidence. How they get there…well, that's my little secret. You may be asking about the Logan/Rory situation. No, they haven't broken up quite yet. Rory still feels strongly towards him, and will be torn between him and Tristan. You didn't think that factor would play out that simply, did you? That just wouldn't be fun…

On another side of the dating spectrum, the Alex/Beau relationship will start to heat up, but not without some complications…that's for sure. With Paris now on the market, how will Beau handle the prospectives? More importantly, will Alex trust him not to do anything? Remember, Alex is still reeling from the reappearance of Logan in her life, and she is still slow to trust, even if it is Riley, and that may prove to have some complications. As for their actual relationship, so far they have been keeping it a secret from Tristan, and how will he react? Well, that is still to be seen…Stay tuned and pay attention to details!

Roxy