Author: *~ Princess Ruby ~* (the original)

Title: U Got it Bad

Pairing: Rory and Tristan (you always want what you can't have especially now that Chad's gone =(… )

Rating: PG – for now….

Summary: A TRORY, Rory and Tristan are forced to be partners for very unique field trip. Expect many twists and turns … and a lot of chapters….

Spoilers: Anything up to the season finale.

Disclaimer: I am but a lowly, canadian student, I have no money for you….. I, in no way, shape or form, own any characters etc. affiliated with the show Gilmore Girls (although sometimes I wish I owned Tristan hehe) ; I simply enjoy writing about them….

Note: I do not religiously watch Gilmore Girls, I haven't seen all the episodes and frankly I always thought that Dean and Rory made a good couple but after reading all the Trorys, I was driven over to the dark side and was inspired to write this piece. All Tristan's inner turmoil is really appealing and I'd like to think that he really is a good person inside. I love a good angst story but this time I think I'm headed to more of a sappy romance…… hope u like it and feedback is appreciated…. the_princess_ruby@hotmail.com

Chapter One

*Rory*

Rory sat in Luke's diner, deep in thought, while sipping an extra-large cup of coffee. It had taken a lot of pleading on her part to get it and she planned to make it last as long as she could. It was the last week of summer, and Rory was dreading having to go back to Chilton. Just when things started to look up and she had actually started to make semi-friends, everything had been ruined. Tristan had told Paris that Rory was going on a date with him, which she never ever would, and then Paris took it upon herself to dash all Rory's hopes of being the music writer of the Chilton newspaper.

She remembered that last day at Chilton so clearly -- how Tristan had taken her books, refusing to give them back until she went to the concert with him. But when she saw Dean standing outside, waiting for her, all thoughts flew out of her head. She remembered telling Dean that she hated Tristan and that she loved him. That was a moment of pure ecstasy but it had faded fast. After just three weeks of being back together, she and Dean had mutually decided to break up on and remain friends. The rest of her summer had been pretty uneventful, but she'd rather spend an eternity in a rut than having to face the Chilton crowd again.

~*~ The next day ~*~

Rory warily approached the front doors of Chilton, wanting so much to just run away. She found her locker and proceeded to place her new binders in. Her schedule said that her first class was with none other than Mr. Medina. After her mother had turned down his proposal, every time he saw Rory he was really mean, bitchy even, taking out his frustration on her.

She entered the class to find that both Paris and Tristan had already taken seats. Neither made any move to even acknowledge her presence. Letting out a small sigh, Rory choose a seat in the second row, in front of both of them and got out her books.

*Tristan*

When you feel it in your body

You found somebody

Who makes you change your ways

Like hanging with your crew

Without even looking up, Tristan knew she had entered the room. After witnessing Dean and her consuming each other in front of Chilton on the last day of school, he had fallen into a trance-like state. The coldness had overwhelmed him and plunged him into nothingness. And that's just what he had done the whole summer – nothing. He turned down all invitations to go out with his friends, all not-so-subtle invitations from girls looking for a good time.

Said you act like you're ready

But you don't really know

And everything in your past - you wanna let it go

It had taken a while for Tristan to realize that he had fallen in love with Rory. The constant pestering and teasing had only begun because he didn't know how to act around her. She was different from all the girls he had dated, she had fire and was not fazed by the fact that he was rich and handsome. Every time he had tried to change, to be nice to her, one look would sent him spiralling and the only way he knew how to deal with the feeling was to tease her, push her away. But it had gone too far. Agitated, he ran his fingers through his tousled blond hair. * I just wish we could start over *

It was too late for that though. The last day before summer vacation was still etched in his mind. The day Rory had said that she hated him, the day his heart had broken, falling in pieces onto the rough cement of Chilton. Surprisingly, just the memory of that day could still cause his eyes to water over and his throat to constrict. Having to see her in school everyday was going to be hell.

"Ok, class. Welcome back to another wonderful year at Chilton."

The class groaned.

"Come on, its not that bad. Lucky for you all, you get to start the year with a great experience. As part of the course, we are going to take a week-long field trip to Death Valley, California. I will assign you each a partner then put you into groups of four, two guys, two girls. You will be required to find your way from point A to point B during the course of the week, surviving only with the essentials you are given. It is a great opportunity for you to build your trust and teamwork skills."

"There is no way I am spending a week in the desert" Louise whispered to Madeline.

Upon hearing this comment Mr. Medina added, "This trip is a mandatory part of the course and you will not be able to pass the course without participating."

* Just great * thought Rory. * A whole week away from home and my mom, with the Chilton kids. They'll probably just leave me in the desert *

* Well at least it's a week away from home * mused Tristan. * Plus being alone in the desert with some girl, will take my mind of Rory *

"Alright, now that you've had enough time to digest this news, I'll tell you your partners and groups. Louise and Paul, Madeline and Prescott, Paris and Tim, Rory and Tristan, Lily and Chris, Rachel and Joey, Ruby and Damien and Dawn and Phillip."

Rory's face went pale. A whole week with Tristan, alone, in the middle of nowhere.

Tristan sat shocked. A whole week alone with her – there was no way he could handle it.

"Louise, Paul, Madeline and Prescott – you will be group A. Paris, Tim, Rory and Tristan – you will be group B. Lily, Chris, Rachel and Joey – you will be group C. Finally, Ruby, Damien, Dawn and Phillip – you will be group D. There will be no switching of partners, or groups, unless any of you would like to receive a zero. Permission forms will be sent out, as well as booklets outlining the trip and…"

As Mr. Medina droned on, Rory sat and contemplated what she could do. It wasn't enough that he was in her group, he was her partner! Plus it seemed that he was angry at her so that could not make her experience pleasant…. Man, she needed coffee.

Tristan sat behind her, a conflict of emotions running through his head. Somewhere a small part of him still held hope that he could make Rory see that he was not a bad person – maybe they could even become friends. It would be hard for him to suppress his feelings but at least she would be talking to him. * Wow, she's so beautiful *

"I can't stress enough that partners have to take care of each other so try and get to know each other before we go on the trip, its difficult for people to trust others if they are strangers. And under no circumstances will I change my arrangement, there will be no switching etc. I have chosen these groups myself based on my views of you as a class."

At the end of class Rory decided that she would be the one to make the first move. She had to speak to Tristan sometime and the sooner the better right?

END of part 1

The song is Usher – U got it Bad (such a beautiful song) and will be used in future chapters

Ok feedback time. This is my first attempt at a fanfic writing and as I said before, I don't really even watch the show that much (I got a lot of my information from other fanfics) so please don't be too harsh if you feel I didn't capture the characters well. I have many plans for this story but I don't think I'll continue until I get at least a few encouraging/critiquing reviews…