Tristan watched from his stool in the diner as Dean crossed the street toward Rory. His first instinct was to go barreling over to play hero but he declined deciding Rory needed to deal with this on her own and that his presence would only make matters worse. It wasn't until he saw Rory's eye that he made his move. When her face suddenly turned in the direction of the diner there was no denying the look of trepidation that was etched over her feature. He quickly rose and headed across the street. Lorelai once again placed a hand on Luke's arm signaling him to stay.

Rory blinked back the tears as she turned to face Dean. She desperately attempted to keep her calm. She bit her lip as Dean began to speak.

"About the fight," Dean started, "I know you didn't mean what you said."

Rory bit the words that threatened come. And let him continue.

"I was just upset but I understand that you didn't want to be around Tristan. It's not like you are hanging out with him or anything. So as long as you promise to keep your distance from him. I'll take you back," Dean smiled.

"You have a lot of nerve to talk to me like that," Rory shouted suddenly after a few moments of silence. Dean looked baffled.

"I'm giving you a second chance," Dean explained.

"Giving me? What the hell is your problem?" Rory mused.

"My problem," Dean paused as her saw Tristan approaching, "Asshole?" He shouted.

"Incompetent?" Tristan countered with an urbane manner.

"So? I could trust you huh? What the hell do you call this?" Dean motioned between Tristan and Rory.

"Friends," Rory replied vehemently.

"Right, and I should believe this because?" Dean smirked.

"Because I said so," Rory stated vociferously.

"And your word is always good enough?" Dean laughed.

"They used to be," Rory whispered. Dean features suddenly softened into a frown.

"I'm so sorry," He uttered sincerely. He reached forward to grab her hand but she flinched at his touch.

"You hurt me," Rory continued in a whisper. Tristan slowly retreated to the diner. Rory hadn't needed him after all.

"You hurt me," She repeated before continuing, "and you weren't supposed to. Not after everything we'd been through. I mean come on. We survived one break up already. I don't know if I can do that again. Try to rebuild again. We've come so far and the fall hurts."

"Rory," Dean started.

"Shh, I need to finish," Rory stopped him and continued, "I think we are just on a different page, I used to think we were on the same page. God. Dean things used to be so great. Then after you told me you loved me things changed. I guess when you didn't understand why I couldn't say it back is something I could never truly get over."

"You know, I'm sick and tired of everyone blaming that on me. I mean, you and the whole stupid town look at me like I'm a criminal. I say 'I love you' and you just sit there. And I'm the jerk? I'm the bad guy?" Dean screamed.

"Dean. Calm down. I don't wanna fight. I hate this and the fact that I've given up fighting because I've been fighting for so long. I hate this feeling. I hate that you hurt me, and you don't seem to care. I hate the fact that you blame me. I hate that it's true but you have no right to blame me. I did nothing to you." Rory shouted.

"That's right, you're perfect. The perfect girl with the perfect GPA. The perfect life in the perfect little town. Then everything that's bad, you have to blame on anyone else but yourself. Because Rory is perfect." Dean spat out angrily.

"Yeah you got my figured out. That how I get my kicks," Rory laughed bitterly.

"Don't' blame me for this," Dean yelled.

"Fine." Rory shouted as she crossed the street.

"So you admit I'm right," Dean yelled to her across the street.

"No, I admit you're wrong." Rory screamed before disappearing into the diner.

"Rory," Lorelai gasped as she watched her crying daughter collapse against the counter of the diner.

"Mom, It was horrible," Rory whispered into her mother embrace.

"I'm gonna go. Tell her to call me if she need anything. Anytime," Tristan told Luke as he stood to leave. Luke almost protested. Tristan looked over to Luke for a response. The look that Tristan wore as her glanced sadly over to Rory was one of pure concern and love. Luke nodded silently.

Next Day

2:57 am

"Hello," The voice grumbled into the phone.

"Umm, Tristan?" Rory voice came out low and groggy.

"Rory?" Tristan shot up in bed stumbling to turn on the light.

"I'm sorry it's so late. Or early rather. But you did say anytime so I figured you wouldn't have said unless you truly meant anytime because people don't just say oh, call anytime and-"

"It's fine," Tristan cut her off.

"Thanks," Rory answered as silent washed over the two teens.

"So what can I do for ya?" Tristan asked breaking the silence.

"Well, what are you doing this weekend?" Rory asked nervously.

"I have nothing planned why?" Tristan answered as he stifled a yawn.

"I was wondering if maybe we could hang out, outside of Stars Hollow. I can probably make it through the week ok but by the weekend I'm gonna be going nuts and I would ask lane but she is barely even out of the house let alone out of Stars Hollow. And well I don't wanna go by myself. Although, a day in a bookstore would be nice; Dean used to take me to bookstores," Rory suddenly stopped. A tear landed in a splash on the phone.

"Rory, I'd love to hang out," Tristan answered quickly hoping to switch the subject, "So you ready for the French test?"

"Yeah," Rory laughed as she sniffled a little.

"Rory," Tristan whispered.

"Yeah,"

"I was way out of line the other night," he breathed deeply and continued, "I shouldn't have done it." Rory noted the way he hadn't apologized for doing it and smiled slightly.

"It's okay. It was a nice kiss just bad timing," Rory laughed quietly. Lorelai smiled before placing her coffee mug in the sink and going to bed

It seemed to take forever to get to Friday but I was finally here. Rory thought as she stepped off the bus smiling.

"Somebody's giddy," Paris remarked.

"I see the sociopath is at it again," Rory laughed.

"Epigrammatic observation," Tristan smirked as he fell into step next to Rory.

"Your wit astounds me, truly." Paris quipped before disappearing down a hallway.

"So you got an English exam today?" Rory asked Tristan as she got her morning books.

"Why do you ask that?" Tristan exclaimed.

"Epigrammatic? Five dollar word," Rory laughed, "Tristan DuGrey, although smart in his own right, does not use such prestigious words."

"Funny. Girl." Tristan grunted.

"Ah, there it is your, forever present, caveman language. Much better," Rory smirked before heading off down the hall.

Friday dinner kept it usual pace. At the end of the night Richard stood with Timothy at the head of the table.

"I have an announcement," Richard smiled grandly. The whole table turned toward the two men, "We will be closing the account in France next week."

"How wonderful, darling." Cecile smiled before planting a sweet kiss on her husband's cheek. The well-rehearsed movement was almost believable. Tristan and Rory looked down at the tablecloth in defeat while everyone else rejoiced.

"I guess this means no more dinners," Rory whispered.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean no more hanging out. I hope, no demand we continue you to hang out," Tristan smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Only if you insist," Rory replied.

The rest of the room's occupants celebrated, while the two teens sat content just to hold each other's hand. Lorelai glanced over and smiled at the pair.