A/N: I know, I know, you must hate me! I've been gone forever! I'm so sorry; please don't take it out on this story by not reading though! So this was definitely a fun chapter to write, and hopefully you'll enjoy it as well. Tristan, Dean, and Marty (though his is only a walk on/no liner) are all in a scene together! No Logan, but he'll be back soon. I know the Rory/Dean confrontation is way too over done, but mine's different, I swear! There will not be any sexual harassment/(attempted) rape or screaming in front of the entire campus that Rory slept with him when he was married (and it won't be Logan coming to her rescue). Anyway, read on and please review!
REVIEW RESPONSES: To Iamlorelai: thank you! I'm so sorry that the chapter made you so upset. To Astragail: thanks, yeah, it is pretty great! To Americansweetie: thanks. Yeah, I was pretty sorry that I was sore too! Glad to know that you're no longer confused! To MrsPatrickStump: thanks. Sucks that you couldn't see it (of course I had to watch it on mute – long story). Yeah, it is really hard on her, but she's strong. To Ali-Chan1: I actually had a hard time writing it; I can only guess what it must be like for her. To Cinemagal77: Rory's back in this chapter! To Brown-eyed-beauty87: I take it you're an ice cream lover as well. Sorry about the lack of Rogan-ness, but they will be back together in two chapters AFTER this one. To Hopes2High: thank you! To CoCaCoLa29: thanks. This chapter is Tristan-centric, but Rory is definitely a central character. And anyway, this story was meant to be mostly about Logan and why he is the way that he is (well, that was the original intent anway). To ShotswithMrsKim: thanks. To Coffeeaddict1515: sorry that I can't answer any of those questions, but I'm glad that you're enjoying it! To Ggloverrl: thanks; yeah, he's a sweet one. To RunnerNDA: yes, Alex is finally at the hospital, but difficult times lie ahead, Har- oops, sorry wrong fandom. Anyway, it's gonna be a bumpy ride- damnit, HP3 (movie version) claimed that one to! Well, you get what I'm saying. Not everyone knows (Rory is completely clueless) but you'll get more insight on that in this chapter. Yeah, I can definitely see Mitchum having a PI tail Logan or something because that is something that he would do. I love how you said that Alex getting a pink pony and Aims killing Logan is wonderful! Well, after Tuesday and months of scouring every spoiler place known to mankind, I don't think we have to worry too much. After all, Rory can't resist Logan for too long. Hehe… To Kylie1403: thanks. To Ladyro7: You're back! Hey, if you're still reading it, then I must be doing something right, huh? I loved all of your suggestions and am taking them into account. Actually, the only way to treat Alex at this point is to get her a bone marrow transplant. Rory won't be the one doing it, but your suggestion did give me a wonderful solution to the problem of getting it all out in the open, and I will tell you this: a donation of some-sort will be involved. Rory's back in this chapter and the two love birds will be back together (though not back to normal) in chapter 37. You'll find out a whole lot more on Mitchum's relationship with his first wife and how that's translated into his relationship with Amy and with Shira, Logan and Honor. Most of Amy's background has already at least been hinted at, but there will be more detail later (and some of it will come from an unlikely source). Marcus will be back soon (not sure how soon, but he'll be back starting in the chapters from the late 30's to the early 40's. Just a little strong? No, my friend, THAT is the understatement of the year! But thanks for it anyway; your constructive criticism/friendly advice is always welcome. To Rogan-Trory-Sethsummer-love: they'll most certainly be seeing each other soon. To HPHGKCroar: thank you! To Sparxx27: wow, I didn't expect someone to be so upset! I'm sorry that your mother thinks you need professional help. To Lackinglime123: thanks… I think. Tell your sister that if she rides more she won't be saddle sore and her horse won't be green anymore (just a little sage advice from someone who has gone through that). Oh Buddha! I had not realized that about Logan's initials! I might have to use it! That's so funny! Thanks, usually I don't like my flash backs when I write them, but then when I go back and read them they seem much better. To RavenWritingsProphecy: Sorry, but I had to. Yes, Logan's thinking about Rory, but to him, nothing and no one are more important than Aims and Alex. To Precious 421: um…oops… To Nicole Thompson: thank you so much! To Chrmdchelly: hey Chelly! So, yeah, I just saw you Wednesday, and I'll see you tomorrow, but whatever. Hi! To Aznangel4eva: yes, "aw, Logan".
Chapter 35: Thank god For Military School
"Anyone heard from Logan yet?" An affirmative "no" rang through the group of guys at Colin's question.
"Can you blame him?" Finn asked rhetorically. "I mean, he's spending all his time with Amy and Alexandria. It's what he should be doing. If Allison hadn't said Amy didn't want anyone else there, I would be." It was a rarity for Finn to be serious, according to everyone who knew him only at Yale, but it wasn't surprising to the group walking through the quad. No one joked around when Amy – the consistent Wendy to their "lost boys", the one who kept their secrets and told them stories, the one who raised the current unofficial leader of the LDB and married a former, the one who cleaned their cuts and kissed their bruises, the who was the eternal optimist and always listened – was hurt. Of course, they'd never say anything; hell, not even Logan talked about his relationship with Amy. It was just understood that each had their own special relationship with her, and they left it at that.
Still, Tristan refused to agree with Finn's statement like the others had. He'd gotten Rory to calm down Saturday morning, which was difficult as he didn't actually know what happened with Logan being incommunicado, but with every day that Logan didn't call her, Tristan knew, Mary was getting more upset.
"You're quiet this morning," Robert commented.
"Just thinking." Whether or not they were skeptical of his answer or curious about what he was thinking, they didn't say or make any indication.
"Rory, c'mon," Tristan heard a very familiar voice say. He stopped and looked around for the owner of the voice, someone he'd thought he'd never see again.
"What are you looking for?" Lanny asked when the group realized Tristan had stopped. Then he spotted him; Bag Boy was standing with his back to Tristan and, Tristan guessed, in front of Rory. He made his way over to the pair who stood in a more secluded area of the quad, his friends following curiously.
"Dean, please, just leave."
"Ror-"
"Dean, I have a boyfriend; I'm happy."
"I cheated on my wife with you," he said with his jaw clentched. It wasn't loud, more like a harsh stage whisper, but Tristan heard it clearly, and he was sure the other's had as well.
Rory was just about to reply when she caught Tristan's eye over Dean's shoulder. A look of horror crossed her features, and Tristan knew she was going to run.
She turned and fled towards her dorm, but Tristan had already started after her. She was sobbing when he caught her around the waist.
"Shh, it's okay, it's okay," he whispered in her ear.
"Rory," Dean was making his way towards them.
"Get her to her dorm," Tristan told Finn and Colin who, along with the others, had suddenly appeared by his side. "I'll take care of Farmer John." The guys surrounded he and led her away from the crowd the scene had gathered. Tristan turned to see that Dean was almost to him.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Tristan?" He tried to brush past him, but Tristan caught him in the chest.
"Don't even try."
Tristan stood in front of Dean with his arms crossed. Dean took a swing at him, but Tristan ducked. They each got in a couple of punches before Tristan swept Dean's feet out from under him, caught his arm in a half-Nelson, and threw him to the ground.
"Thank God for military school," he said as he touched his nose checking for blood. Dean got back up, and though still shaky from his take-down, he started towards Tristan again. He was intercepted, however, by a football player Tristan knew from the LDB and a guy Tristan recognized as Rory's friend Marty. "Will you gentlemen escort Mr. Forrester off campus while I make sure dear Miss Gilmore is okay?"
The two forced Dean away, and Tristan ran to Rory's dorm.
"It's okay," Colin was saying when Tristan entered the room. "No one heard what that jackass said."
"You did," she cried.
"Well, yeah, but we don't count." Rory only sobbed harder.
"Not helping, Colin," Tristan said and knelt down in front of where she sat on the couch. "He's gone, Mary, okay? He's not going to come back." She nodded and her tears subsided a little. "Do you want Logan here?" She looked up at him, startled and scared.
"You can't tell him, please don't tell him!" she begged.
"We're not going to tell him," he assured her. "But do you want him here?"
She nodded and whispered "please".
"Finn, call Logan and tell him to get his ass over here." Finn got up and walked to the corner getting his cell out in the process.
"Rory," Paris walked in to the room, "Lorelai's on her way."
"But she-"
"Don't argue, Gilmore. DuGrey, I want to talk to you." Tristan reluctantly got up and went over to Rory's roommate and friend. "What happened?" she demanded. "One second I was meditating, and the next, all the sons of high society are practically carrying my hysterical best friend into our room."
"C'mon, Geller, that's hardly all the sons of high society."
"You're avoiding the question very poorly, DuGrey."
"You remember Bag Boy? Well, he and Rory had a fight in the quad, and he said something that I don't think she wanted anyone to hear. No one but us did, but we are friends with her boyfriend-"
"Tristan," Finn interrupted, "Logan ignored my first two calls and then turned off his cell, and Al is in court today." Tristan rubbed his temples trying to think. He looked over at Rory and sighed when he saw that the almost calm girl he had left was now reduced to tears again with a very flustered Colin trying – emphasis on trying – to calm her.
"All right, everyone out," he ordered. The guys shuffled to the door, and Tristan took Colin's vacated spot next to Rory.
"Hey, why do you get to stay?" Finn protested.
"Out!" The guys finally left, and Paris went into her bedroom. Tristan held Rory while she calmed down.
"I need my mom and Logan," she mumbled into his chest.
"Your mom's coming, Mary."
"What about Logan?" She looked up at him.
"I'm going to make sure he gets back soon." She laid her head back down, and Tristan silently cursed Logan. If Amy hadn't needed Logan so much and if Tristan didn't fear the wrath of his cousin so badly, Tristan would drive straight to the clinic in Hartford and drag Logan back to his girlfriend, but, alas, Amy needed Logan, and Tristan feared Cassy. But, Tristan swore, he would strangle Logan the second Alex was out of the hospital for leaving Tristan to take care of Logan's girlfriend.
Tristan didn't let go of Rory until Lorelai threw open the door to the dormroom.