Rory and Tristan broke apart quickly, at the sound of Lorelai's voice.

"Mom! You're home!"

"That I am. And so is Tristan. Still," said Lorelai eyeing a certain guilty-looking blonde.

"I can explain . . ." Rory started.

"Chill, Ror! It's cool. I mean, I'm with it. I'm happening. I can dig. I'll leave you two alone to say goodnight, shall I?" She gave Tristan a wink before ascending the stairs.

"So . . ." Tristan said.

"So . . ." Rory echoed.

"Chilton tomorrow, huh?"

"Yeah. Chilton."
"Ror, I wanted to give you something." He fished around in his pocket and produced a small box. "And I want you to know that I would have given you this, even if you said no." He opened the box to reveal a thin white gold band with a sapphire engraved into it. "It's a friendship ring," he explained, as he took it from its box and slipped it on Rory's protesting finger. He knew what she was protesting about. "It's sterling silver," he lied. Rory stopped protesting and slipped her arms around his neck, in a tight hug.

"Thank you. This . . .it means a lot that you would have given it regardless."

"Well, whatever the future holds, I want you to always know that this ring will symbolise our endearing friendship."

*I sound like a Hallmark*

She looked up at him and smiled. "Sweet!"

He reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She felt a pleasant tingle running down the length of her spine as he ran his finger along the curve of her ear and along her jaw.

He gave her one last kiss before saying goodnight and returning to Hartford, counting down the hours until he would see her again.

AN: All you Trorys are saying, "Is that it? That's what I reviewed 95 times for?" All I have to say in my defence is I like things short and sweet. And it's my story. So there! [pokes out her tongue]

Hint: It's very hard to type when my arms are crossed in insolence. So don't be mad, and then I'll be able to type faster, ok?

I should make those half-a-sentence-reviews count as 0.1 of a review. Once there are ten of those they will accumulate and count as one review. But that'll take ages and I'll never finish posting my story.

Okay 102 reviews = chapter 13 (is that what I'm up to? I've lost count)

2nd AN: Okay, just checked my reviews. LOL you guys are great. As your reward (and since u've already achieved the 102 goal that I set when I wrote the 1st AN) I'm giving u the next chap too. Aren't I nice?