When Rory boarded the bus on Monday morning she had so many things still on her mind. The past weekend had proved to be delightfully stressful. Her mind was still very focused on the gentle kiss she had shared with Tristan. Another part of her was smiling, happy at the thought her mother was with Luke now. She was a bit upset at the way the town went about making a display of the fresh relationship. She was also feeling a bit smug, she knew all along and she was right about her mother and Luke's deep-rooted feelings toward one another. And finally in the deep recesses of her thoughts still lingered Dean. She couldn't shake the fight they had over two weeks before. It still boiled her blood that Dean felt he couldn't trust her. Sure, Tristan was the playboy who got what he wanted when he wanted it, but he was so different from that. If only Dean could see that.

Rory sighed sadly as she watched the bus stop and more people get on while few got off. She grazed her fingers over her lips. The same lips that brushed up against Tristan's only three days prior. She smiled but it soon faded when she thought of the way she left things. What would happen at school? Would he confront her? Or would it be put on the backburner along with all her other undesired problem? She pulled her fingers away from her lips as if she were burned. She knew Tristan never meant to cause her such turmoil. She hadn't given any reason to believe she didn't want the kiss to happen. In fact, at the time she had want it to happen until an image of Dean floated above her chanting those words 'He will only hurt you,' and 'I don't trust him.' Rory's mind ceased to slow down as she stepped off the bus and onto Chilton's campus. She stared up at the large building. It seemed more intimidating than usual. Maybe it was because things were different now. What would people do if something happened between her and Tristan? Rory sighed as she saw Paris a few feet ahead of her. God knows what she'd do.

"Hey," Tristan smiled as he fell into step besides Rory. Rory smiled back thankful he didn't mention the kiss.

"Hey back," Rory nudge his shoulder as they enter the tall metal gates.

"Ready for the French quiz?" Tristan asked.

"Oui," Rory replied as she spun her combination into her locker. I wasn't working. She swiftly kicked and grunted as she grabbed her toes rubbing them, as well as she could through her shoe, before turning to Tristan with puppy dog eyes. Tristan thumped his hand against the locker once and it flung open along with a few papers, "How will I ever repay you?"

"I can think of a few ways. One involves you, me and a hot tub. You up for it?" Tristan moved in a little closer leaning close to her ear.

"Sounds exciting. Are you insisting I drown you?" Rory smirked as she slammed her locker shut missing Tristan fingers by only a few inches as he yanked them from the door's path.

"Funny Mary. You're a real comedian, but you knew that," Tristan followed her down the hall.

"Lorelai," Michel called as he entered the kitchen of the Inn.

"Yes," Lorelai spun around coffee mug in hand.

"Telephone," Michel skittered out of the room.

"Who is it?" Lorelai requested walking after him.

"What do I look like 'The Lorelai answering service', " Michel grumbled handing Lorelai the phone, "line 2."

"Hello, this is Lorelai,"

"Lorelai,"

"Hey Mom," Lorelai said unenthusiastically.

"I was wondering if you were free for lunch today?" Emily asked.

"Lunch today? Why?" Lorelai replied.

"Just come and find out."

"Fine. Where? When?" Lorelai grabbed the guest list and began entering names into the computer.

"Noon. At the Country Club's Grand Café," Emily replied, "Don't be late."

"Fine," Lorelai said to a dial tone, "Well good-bye to you too."

"I got an A" Paris told Louise and Madeline making sure she was loud enough for Rory to hear. Rory looked down at her own paper and smiled. A+. Tristan looked over shoulder and snickered. Rory quickly turned around.

"Gotta problem?" Rory asked pretending to be annoyed.

"No, it just figures you got an A+" Tristan said loud enough for Paris, Louise and Madeline to hear. Paris abruptly shut her mouth and pulled out her textbook.

"You didn't have to do that," Rory said before facing forward again.

"Yes I did, and not just because she needs a brain check but because you're smart and people need to know just how talented you are," Tristan could tell by the way her ear perked up she was smiling.

"Thanks," Rory whispered.

"Hey, I'll drive you home today. Ok?" Tristan said as the bell rang.

"You really don't have to but we do have the big Physics exam next Wednesday," Rory said as she bit the end of her pencil.

"Ok it's set. Coffee, Studying and maybe we can hang out afterwards?"

"Of course, chauffeur boy, hanging out with me will more than compensate," Rory smirked.

"Whatever you say, m'lady" Tristan joking bowed down before sliding an arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze. He dropped his arm and they headed separate ways.

"C-ya" Rory shouted after him.

"So what was so important. That you had to call this secret rendezvous at the Country Club" Lorelai asked as she slid into the chair across from her mother.

"Oh, here he comes now," Emily ushered over a tall blond that looked about 35. "Lorelai meet Brad Crawford."

"Hello," Lorelai extended a hand, which Brad place a tiny kiss atop, "Umm, Mom can I talk to you for a moment."

"What is it Lorelai," Emily asked rather annoyed at being dragged away from the table in such a rude way.

"Well, Mom you know how I said there was nothing between me and Luke and that we were just friends?" Lorelai smiled meekly as her mother's features grew cross.

"See the thing is what you said hit a nerve or something. I dunno, I made me think about Luke and me and how much he means to me. Anyway Mom he makes me really happy and Friday after dinner, it all kinda came out and now we are," Lorelai looked at her mother whose features grew soft, "We are together and happy. Truthfully, I have you to thank. Mom you made me realize something. I had this amazing man in my life that I never even noticed. I never noticed but that I was deeply in love with."

Emily lifted a tissue to her eye as Lorelai hugged her, "I'll explain to Brad that they needed you back at the Inn," Emily told her daughter as she tucked a strand of dark brown hair back behind her ear and kissed her forehead. "I think you need to make a visit to someone."

"Thanks," Lorelai waved as she turned to leave.

"No, thank you," Emily whispered after her daughter as she smiled proudly, "First time in all her years."

"I want coffee," Rory whined as she dug through her locker.

"I'll get you coffee, just find your physics book and we can go," Tristan pulled her backpack off the floor and held it open for her.

"Eureka," Rory shouted as she pulled the essential book from the dark lockers depths.

"To coffee," Tristan said as they headed for the door.

"So the game plan for today is, Go to Luke's to get coffee. Take coffee and collected snacks back to my house. Study till I wanna burn down Chilton and then hang out till I wanna kill you," Rory read her mental checklist aloud.

"What a game plan that is," Tristan laughed as they pulled out of the schoolyard.

When they got to Luke's Lorelai was already perched on her usual stool only instead of her and Luke arguing over coffee they were staring into each other eyes and whispering softly to each other. Rory almost hated to break them up. Almost, this was coffee she was in search of. At first she tried clearing her throat and when that didn't work she tried simply asking for the coffee finally she yelled. Luke and Lorelai turned their attention to Rory who was seated with Tristan only two stools away.

"What can I get you two?" Luke asked.

"Four Coffees, Two burgers and a fry" Rory answered.

"And you?" Luke turned to Tristan.

"I thought I was included," Tristan replied a bit bewildered.

"Calm down, I was only kidding, Rory may drink all the coffee but she won't down all the food," Luke laughed.

"Hey I'll be right back," Rory got up, "I'm gonna go get a newspaper."

Rory walked from Luke's diner the short distance to Bootsy's stand on the corner. She grabbed the newspaper and waited to pay.

"Rory," he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Dean," Rory turned to the voice, almost terrified she was right.