She was packing books into her locker, relieved that another day had gone by.

Each day at school reminded her that time was passing, wasting and each day she felt like she was avoiding a problem. Not facing it. It felt like there was a thing bothering her, that she couldn't quite grip, something she was sure she could face if only she knew what the hell it was.

Her pondering was interrupted when she felt his hand spin her around and his lips brushing against hers.

She forgot all that she had been thinking about. When he was around, those things didn't seem to exist.

She closed her eyes kissing him, forgetting for a moment where they were and only broke away when she heard people whispering.

She saw a couple of her classmates staring at the two of them.

"You ready to go?" he asked her, ignoring the people around them.

She nodded as she closed her locker and followed him willingly as he took her hand walking slightly ahead of her confidently down the hall.

Rory couldn't help but watch him absentminded as they walked down the hall, his steps long, his demeanour determined. She liked his confidence, his stoic presence. And she loved the way he walked. There was something about it. It wasn't even walking, it was strolling, gliding, his steps smooth, long. She quickened her pace trying to keep up and couldn't help but smile lightly as she saw people looking at them in shock.

She wondered what they were thinking. Well, she had an idea. They were probably shocked.

Rory Gilmore, reserved bookworm and Tristan DuGrey, registered bad ass hand in hand.

Tristan wasn't one to be walking down the halls holding some girl's hand. Yes, he had been known to hook up with quite a lot of them and he was often seen chatting them up or pushing them up against a locker, angering the teachers as he did so. But holding someones hand... this was too exclusive, too intimate, too full of emotions for him.

He seemed to be oblivious to the shocked stares and whispering and walked on unaffected out through the front door and towards his car parked in the parking lot.

He let Rory's hand go to open the car door and motioned her to get in. She obeyed and got comfortable in the passenger seat letting out a long sigh as he started the car.

"Never got so many stares in my life" she mumbled.

"What's that?" he said facing her not understanding.

She smiled a tired smile.

"I said they seemed to be quite shocked in there"

"Oh" he simply said turning back and maneuvering the car out onto the road "were they looking?"

Rory's eye widened.

"Are you serious?" she chuckled "they were practically stalling"

He shrugged his shoulders, his face indifferent.

"Didn't notice"

"Didn't notice? The looking? The whispering? I am pretty sure I saw this one kid alerting the press" she rambled.

"What does it matter, Rory?" he asked slightly annoyed, breaking her off.

"It doesn't" she said uncertain, surprised by his reaction.

He sighed.

"They're stupid high school students, Rory, they have nothing better to do than gossip and stare" his voice was cold, even as he tried to explain himself "I've learned to not notice" he went on, his voice slightly warmer.

She sat in her seat immersed in thought.

He glanced her way, seeing her brows furrowed, her face concentrating.

"What?" he asked lightly, trying to get her to talk to him.

"Nothing" she replied automatically.

"Rory" he pleaded trying to find out what she was thinking about.

"You never told me how many girls" she said simply, her voice calm.

He sighed again cursing under his breath, but smiling at the same time.

"Why are you asking this?" he asked, his tone playful.

"I want to know" she turned to him in her seat, pulling her legs up under herself.

"Why is this important?" he squirmed.

"It's not. I just want to know" she said determined, not backing down.

"I don't know" he said, his voice serious.

"You don't know?" she repeated.

He sighed again.

"I don't know the exact number"

Rory looked on slightly amused, but not saying anything. He clearly was uncomfortable.

"A lot. Too many. And it's not important" he said, like it took him a lot of effort to get the words out.

"Why do you say too many?" she went on, not wanting to drop the subject.

He groaned and gripped the wheel stronger frustrated by her unwillingness.

"Because" he shot back then sighed again starting over "I've been with too many. Most of them didn't mean a thing. Most of them I can't even remember and don't even want to and it doesn't matter"

"Why were you with them then?" she asked.

He shrugged not being able to answer.

"I don't know. Kill time?"

She arched an eyebrow.

"So you just sleep with them to kill time?" she asked.

He sighed again.

"I slept with them to kill the emptiness" his voice was low, serious, his face suddenly stern.

She looked on uneasy, the realisation suddenly hitting her.

"Only, it didn't. Almost nothing does" he said slowly glancing at the rear view mirror.

She looked at him in silence.

"Do I kill it?" she asked, her voice small.

He glanced at her again, his face serious, then a hint of a smile flashing on it.

"You torture it to death with your questions" he replied.

She smiled a small smile looking on.

"Yeah, you kill it" he whispered looking back on the road.

She let her head drop back, easing herself into her seat, a bittersweet smile on her face. She knew what he was talking about. She knew it all too well.

"What do you want to do?" he asked her and the question pulled her back from her thoughts.

She shrugged.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Always" she replied with a wide smile.

xxxxxxxxxxx

"You weren't kidding, were you?" Tristan asked astonished as Rory finished off her plate sitting across from him in a booth at the diner they found.

She smiled a defiant smile taking a sip from her soda. He looked on, leaning back, his arm hung up on the back of his seat.

"My mom and me, we can eat a six course meal any time of day"

"Really?" he chuckled lightly.

"There is really nothing better than eating, if you think about it" she said, completely serious.

"Well, I don't know. I can think of a couple of things that are better" he said smirking.

"Oh come on!" she exclaimed "there is nothing, nothing better"

"So you're saying if you had to give up food or sex..." he started, but was cut off.

"Sex. I'd give up sex in a heartbeat" she said and put another fry in her mouth.

"Okay now, take your time deciding" he joked.

She just smiled at him and went back to concentrating on the remains of her food.

"I can't believe you. I don't know whether to think you crazy or to feel uncertain about my ability to please you sexually" he said with mock hurt.

"You don't have to be uncertain" she said automatically, then blushed when she saw his grin.

"I mean, I am crazy, it's a Gilmore girl thing. We are obsessed with food" she rambled nervously.

"Your mom and you" he said, watching her amused.

"Yeah, we used to have movie nights when we would sit down and watch a movie and mock it. But the main thing was that we would order from three different take-out places, at least, and would eat until we imploded" she said, her eyes sparkling.

"Sounds like fun. How come you don't do it anymore?" he asked quietly, coming to bring his arm to rest on the table.

She looked at him, her face becoming grave. She shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess mom's busy with Matt, my little brother. There's just never enough time, or I don't know"

He studied her face intently, not saying anything.

"It's good to see them happy, you know? I mean, they had me when they were really young and that was great, growing up with such young parents, they're really cool. But I think they just sort of had to juggle having me and growing up themselves. And now their life seems set, my mom has her inn that she started and dad likes his job and they decided to have another kid and it's great, really great, but it's just different"
"Yeah, I bet" he said watching her still.

"Sometimes I feel like I never gave them much trouble so they find it hard to believe I have any problems" she mumbled, her voice getting more quiet.

"You think they don't see that you have problems?" he asked.

"Well I guess they do. They just don't know what to do with it"

"Because you were never any trouble?" he asked.

"Yeah" she mouthed.

"I don't know, Rory. I don't think that's an excuse" he said, his eyes reflecting hurt as she looked up to see them.

"So what did they say about me being in your room?" he suddenly asked.

Rory stopped mid motion and her face hardened.

She didn't answer but concentrated on finding the last pieces of fries on her plate instead. Tristan looked on patiently.
She sighed.

"Well, dad freaked out. But he never really even said anything to me" she started, her gaze fixed on her plate "and mom... she's... she's just worried"

"Worried?" he asked.

"Yeah" she replied, not wanting to elaborate.

He nodded slightly.

"It doesn't really matter, does it?" she looked up finally looking at him.

"What?" he asked.

"What they think" she explained.

"I don't know. Doesn't it matter to you?" he asked furrowing his brows.

She shrugged.

"I am sick of trying to explain myself. When I can't. They want me to explain myself and I just want them to accept" she blurted out.
"Accept what?" he asked carefully.

"Me. And everything. And that I like you" she said simply, shrugging again.

He shifted in his seat and let out a quiet chuckle.

"What?" she asked.

He leaned forward and cleared his throat, his gaze dropping, his hands playing with hers absent minded.

"Nothing. You like me. That seems to be a step back" he said suggestively, looking away and smiling faintly, his voice low as if he were afraid someone might hear.

She blushed and dropped her gaze, catching the hint. She took a deep breath remembering her revelation in bed. It was definitely a heat of the moment thing, even though at the time she felt like she meant it, feeling overwhelmed and safe and calm in his arms. It did seem true, even though she still felt like she knew nothing about him. The more she learnt, the bigger mystery he seemed to be.

"Hey Tristan, what's up man? Long time no see" she heard someone say and looked up to find a guy slide into the seat next to Tristan who shifted uncomfortably, suddenly pulling his hands back.

Noticing her, the guy added "Who's the girl?"

Tristan sighed and glanced at Rory for a second, then back at the guy.

"Hey Dave, how you doing?" he said.

"Good man, we've been missing you. Prep school keep you busy?" he asked but didn't look at him, eying Rory instead. She recognized him as one of the guys she saw with Tristan after her fight with Dean.

"Yeah, you know, I've had some stuff to do"

"Stuff, huh?" the guy said smirking, still looking at Rory.

She felt herself blush under his piercing gaze.

"Hey, I know you..." he said narrowing his eyes "aren't you that girl..."

Tristan's voice cut him off.

"This is Rory" he said, his voice cool and calm "my girlfriend. Rory, this is Dave"

Rory's head shot up and her breath caught in her chest as she looked at Tristan. He was sitting there, his face calm, his eyes crystal clear.
The guy gave a knowing smirk and got up slowly.

"Good for you" he said patting him on the back as he walked towards the exit "don't forget all about us though"

Rory just sat there, unable to tear her eyes away from his face. He stood her gaze calmly, watching her.

"What's the matter? I am missing the annoying questions suddenly" he smirked as he dug in his pockets, tossing some money on the table and slowly getting up.

Rory blushed and gathered her stuff as well, rising silently, not knowing what to say. She started walking towards the exit and smiled as she felt his arm go around her pulling her close as they walked outside.

"Girlfriend?" she asked quietly, watching his expression.

"And the questions are back, ladies and gentlemen, everybody relax" he said cynically.

Rory stopped and looked at him questioning and he stopped after a couple of steps, turning back but avoiding her gaze.

"Dave will jump on anyone with an XX chromosome constellation, okay? Just wanted to let him know"

Rory looked on, amused by his anxiety.

"Let him know...?" she asked arching an eyebrow.

Tristan groaned, then took a couple of steps taking her in his arms, pulling her close.

"Let him know you're mine, so he better stay the hell away" he said, his voice dropping low, and his eyes becoming dark with want.

"Now, is that any way to act with your good friends?" she went on teasing.

He buried his face in her hair, then found her neck with his lips.

"I don't like sharing" he mumbled between kisses and she laughed.

"So you haven't been hanging out with Dave and his friends lately?" she asked him coyly.

He smirked and walked to his car, opening the door.

"I've been busy climbing through your window" he answered.

She blushed again, looking around to see who heard and got in the car.

"How do you know them?" she asked him.

"The guys? I don't know. From here and there. They are more down to earth than the snobs at Chilton, so I hang out with them"

"Won't they be mad you neglect them?" she asked worried.

"I am not neglecting them" he said turning to her "don't worry about it. Besides, now that Dave saw you, I have a good excuse, trust me" he smirked again and she couldn't help but blush.

"Come here" he whispered, his voice low, husky.

She turned even more red but drew closer to him.

"Who are you neglecting to be here right now?" he asked playfully as he started kissing her neck again.

"No one" she said closing her eyes, enjoying his touch.

"No one?" he asked, his words vibrating on her skin.

"No" she said, her voice low.

"No pals from Chilton? No best friend in Stars Hollow?" he went on, his voice teasing as he licked at her skin.

She let out a soft moan.

"I am sure they are pissed at you making out with me in a car instead of spending time with them" he said chuckling as he pulled away to look at her face.

She sighed at the loss of touch and let him brush a strand of hair from her face.

"I haven't been spending much time with them anyways" she said simply as she laid back in her seat.

"How come?" he asked looking at her.

She shrugged.

"I haven't felt like it" she replied "You know what that is like"

"Yeah. I know" he said.

Rory looked at him smiling faintly. He did know. He seemed to know and understand everything about her. She felt like she could explain herself without even speaking. He seemed to get the words that others didn't. It was reassuring. She smiled as she watched him start the car.

"So where to?" he asked glancing at her.

"I haven't seen your room yet" she replied.

Suddenly he tensed. Rory noticed and wondered what the reason was.

He checked his watch and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Okay" he said pulling out of the parking lot.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

She walked through the room looking around. It was very much like Tristan. Mysterious, dark, but reassuring somehow.

She felt comfortable straight away. It was different from the rest of the house which was neatly kept and a bit tacky, screaming of money and 'taste'. It surprised her how empty it was, although she was glad she didn't have to go through any introductions.

She watched as Tristan took his jacket off, throwing it in his closet then walked to the door casually to shut the door and lock it. She blushed and looked away.

He leaned his back against the door watching her move and examine his things. His books laid on his desk and she found herself smiling at the fact that Tristan DuGrey would actually study for something. She moved on and her eyes came to rest on a piece of paper. It was a drawing of a futuristic building, rambling and crooked.

"Did you do this?" she said looking back up at him.

He nodded, not moving from his spot.

"This is amazing" she looked back at the drawing, then up at him again.

"A little less shock please" he chuckled lightly.

"Tristan, this is incredible. You thinking about doing architecture?" she asked still not able to tear her eyes away from the drawing.

He sighed, leaving his spot at the door and walking up to her taking the drawing out of her hand and throwing it back to his desk.

"I might. I don't know" he said dragging her towards his bed and sitting down, pulling her close and lifting her shirt slightly to place small kissed on her stomach.

"You are really talented" she said, her voice ecstatic.

"Hold on, I haven't even even gotten to the good part yet" he said suggestively, his voice husky.

"I mean your drawing" she pushed him away slightly and he fell back on his bed dramatically, sighing annoyed.

"Rory" he groaned.

"This is so great, this is what you are gonna end up doing, right?" she enthused not taking notice of his frustration.

"I might. Or I might become a gigolo and entertain ladies who are actually attracted to me"

She laughed slumping down on the bed laying next to him. He turned to face her and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"You should definitely do this. Which colleges are good for architecture?" she went on, her eyes sparkling.

"I don't know" he mumbled as he pulled her closer.

"Tristan" she said trying to get his attention.

"I don't know, Rory. I haven't even thought about this. I don't think I am going to go straight to college when I finish high school"

She looked at him puzzled.

He sighed.

"I think I'm gonna travel. See things. Experience things. I don't want to be in a rush to do something when I'm not even sure it's what I want" he said playing with a lock of hair, his voice serious.

She looked at him silenced.

"You want to travel?"

He smiled.

"Yeah. I want to see South America. Europe. Asia. I don't know. There is so much to see, so much to do while you're still young. Why should I be in such a hurry to start wasting away in college? I'll have time when I figure out if it's really what I want. There's no rush"

She looked at him hypnotized. It made so much sense when he said it.

"Aren't you afraid you fall behind?"

He chuckled.

"It's not a race, Rory, life. So you'll be a fucking journalist by age 25, you'll still be lost and wondering what else you could have done"

Her face became serious.

He sighed as if regretting what he just said.

"Hey" he said, lifting her chin with his hand "we still have a year to figure all this crap out"

"Yeah" she mumbled agreeing.

He moved closer nuzzling her neck.

"And I still have a couple of hours till this house becomes the cuckoo's nest, so how about you let me show you some of my other talents?"

he murmured into her ears rolling on top of her and she sighed, a smile slowly creeping across her face.

"I thought you got scared away from having sex with me where people can walk in" she teased as he kissed her neck hungrily.

"See now, I don't forget to lock doors" he said and plunged in for a kiss taking her breath away. He lifted her arms above her head and kissed her passionately.

"Yes, you seem to have quite the experience" she smiled, her words coming out ragged.

He suddenly stopped and looked up concentrating. Rory frowned not understanding then realized she heard someone coming up the stairs making a lot of noise.

"Crap" he cursed "I thought today was dance lesson" he mumbled under his breath and Rory just looked on not understanding.

"Tris? You home?" she heard a girl's voice call out and she shifted beneath him uncomfortably.

"No" he mumbled into her hair dropping his head, then repeated louder as he heard his name being called again.

"Oh stop it, I saw your car" the voice came from just outside the door and Rory saw the doorknob twist as someone was trying to open it.

"Why is your door locked, Tris?" she heard the voice becoming more annoyed "come on, open it, we need to talk"

Tristan propped himself up on his arms and Rory got up nervously, evening out her clothes.

"Mandy, I'm busy in here" he said annoyed.

"Busy doing what?" the voice replied.

He sighed and cursed under his breath as he got up and walked over to the door. Rory just looked on puzzled, coming to sit on the bed facing the door.

Tristan opened the door to reveal a young girl, maybe 14 standing there in a school uniform. She had long, curly, blond hair and blue eyes, just like Tristan's.

"I thought you had dance lessons today" Tristan said annoyed.

"Got cancelled. I need to talk to you about dad. He was really pissed last night when you went out aga..." she said pushing past him to walk inside and stopping surprised as she noticed Rory sitting on the bed shifting uncomfortably.

"Hi" the blond said, obviously surprised. Tristan caught up with her and he sighed.

"Mandy, this is Rory. Rory, this is my sister, Amanda"

Rory smiled faintly and watched as a wide smile appeared on Amanda's face.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever seen you bring a girl home" she said amused.

"Relax Mandy, we're working on a project for school" he said.

"Project. Right" she smiled at Rory and she couldn't help but smile back seeing the mischievous spark in her eyes. She reminded her so much of Tristan, but she seemed so lighthearted, carefree, something he must have been once too.

She turned to face Tristan.

"Hey listen, you might wanna stay home tonight, dad was really pissed" she said.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time" Tristan said annoyed "so what else is new?"

"He mentioned military school again" she said, her voice turning from accusing to worried.

"Alright Mandy, don't worry about it" he said groaning, running his fingers through his hair.

"Tris-" she said again, but he cut her off.

"Don't worry about it" his voice was low, calm, a sort of tone Rory came to know. It was the tone he used to calm her down as well.

It seemed to work. Amanda sighed, then turned back to Rory.

"So you go to school with him?" she asked smiling.

Rory nodded in return.

"So tell me, is he really the bad ass of Chilton?" she asked slumping down next to Rory and looking at her brother teasing. Tristan rolled his eyes and walked to his closet disappearing.

"He is quite the persona, yes" Rory answered looking after him a bit uneasy.

"I bet. Dad gets a call from the principal every other day. You his girlfriend?" Amanda asked and smiled as she saw Rory blush, the question taking her by surprise.

"He really never did bring any girls home, that's why I'm asking" she added.

"Stop interrogating, Mandy" Tristan warned as he walked out of his closet, clad in jeans and a sweatshirt.

"Come on Rory, let's go" he said quietly and walked out of the room not even glancing at his sister.

Rory looked at Amanda smiling faintly and got up to follow him.

"When are you coming home, Tris?" she heard her ask him worried.

"Don't worry about it, Mandy" he repeated and pulled Rory down the stairs holding her hand.

"Military school?" she asked, her voice small as they walked out to the car.

He sighed opening the door.

"Gotta love the questions" he said annoyed as he sat in.

Rory followed, her face worried.

"Tristan" she called his name and he sighed again having to acknowledge the question.

"It's something my dad brings up if he's pissed at me. He thinks I need structure in my life, discipline"

"He wants to send you to military school?" she asked.

"He's been saying it for years, Rory, don't worry about it" he said, touching her hand lightly with his, then he started the car.

Rory stared at him trying to accept what he said, but she couldn't help the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Don't wory about it" he said again, and she looked away, trying to hide her worry.

He sighed, closing his eyes and gripping the wheel tight.

"Let me take you home" he said, starting the car.

"Oh. Sure" she managed, not being able to hide her disappointment. She felt like there was suddenly a huge wall between the two of them, that he was annoyed by the turn of events, the conversation with his sister, then her questioning him.

He looked at her as if sensing her feelings.

"Let's not risk pissing your parents off again, Rory" he said and somehow the statement angered Rory. It was as though he was trying to find an excuse not to be with her and making it seem like it was all for her own good.

She shrugged lightly, shooing the thought away. She hated herself for being affected by him, even though she knew she was. For some reason she already felt like she could question him about everything and anything, when it was clear that she couldn't. And she laughed at herself for even thinking that for a second. After all, it was not like they were joined body and soul, she couldn't expect anything from him.

Yet it still left a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wondered how he could go from making her feel ecstatic and wanted to isolated within hours or minutes.

She sat in the passenger seat staring out the window and he seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts. The ride was silent once again, but this time it didn't feel so comfortable.