Pairing: Tristan & Rory.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own any of them. The characters belong to Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Hofflund/Polone in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Feedback: Please!!

Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay. It's been a very, very bad case of writers block. I had to break out the Trory tape this weekend in order to get over it.

Chapter Four - Expect the Unexpected

Still three weeks ago...

Rory plastered a fake smile onto her face, as she entered the main foyer of the Pennington mansion. She had arrived in Hartford a few hours ago from her father's, earlier than expected, and at her grandmother's prodding, Rory decided to attend yet another one of the obligatory Chilton birthday parties. She barely knew Vanessa, but Rory wasn't in the mood to argue against her grandmother.

The main foyer was filled with many familiar faces whom Rory recognized from the hallways in Chilton. Rory waved to a few friends, as she made her way towards the punch bowl. She was already beginning to feel stuffy, after a mere ten minutes at the party.

Rory's ears began to perk as she poured herself a drink. The general buzz among the crowd was that something exciting had already happened.

"Isn't he just so hot?" one girl excitedly asked her friend.

"Yeah, totally!" the other girl exclaimed.

"So what's the deal? How come he's here?" the first girl asked her friend. The second girl shrugged.

Rory rolled her eyes and smiled. The gossip mill was really working overtime, all over one guy. However, Rory began to scan the room, as her curiosity got the best of her. Even though she was still with Dean, what's the harm in looking?

"Who knows?" the girl responded. "All I know is that Tristan DuGrey is back, and that he's definitely here to stay."

Rory's eyes widened as she froze, and almost dropped her glass of punch. Tristan's back? Since when? How? Questions began to plague Rory's mind, as her eyes continued to roam around the room, looking for her former tormentor. Although they had parted on seemingly good terms, Rory couldn't help but wonder if he'd re-ignite the mind games and sexual innuendoes once school began.

"I take it you heard Tristan's back," asked a voice behind Rory.

Rory turned around to find Paris take a tentative step towards Rory. Rory slowly nodded.

"Did things really change that much when I was at my dad's?" she asked Paris. Paris shook her head.

"He just got back today. And I happen to know that he's standing alone on the terrace..." Paris replied, her voice trailing off. Rory's mind began to wander as Paris spoke. "If you wanted to talk to him. I know you two probably have your issues to work out," Paris finished hastily. Rory found herself nodding, even though she hadn't been paying attention to what Paris was saying.

Her mind had begun to flash back to their sophomore year. She was remembering it all now, as the initial shock began to wear off. Her first day at Chilton. Her first Chilton formal. Tristan staring at her ear. The innocent kiss they shared at Madeline's party. PJ Harvey. Romeo and Juliet. Tristan saying goodbye. His last lingering look, full of both regret and sadness... It was getting too much for Rory to bear.

She snapped back to reality, where the room seemed to be getting hotter and hotter by the second. Rory looked at Paris, who in turn was giving her a quizzical look.

"Did you even hear what I just said?" Paris asked, her voice full of concern.

"I have to get some air," Rory blurted out, before dashing off.

"Rory!" she heard Paris call out. Rory ignored her, and continued on her way. She needed to get some fresh air before she passed out.

* * *

Tristan let out a sigh as she leaned against the railing of the balcony. This wasn't exactly what he called a good time. After Paris left him standing alone in the middle of the dance floor, he needed someplace to think. But after dodging girl after girl who wanted to "welcome him back", he finally found some solace on the terrace that adjoined the solarium. There was a time when Tristan would've loved all the attention, all the girls throwing themselves at him. But all that changed the moment Rory Gilmore stepped into his life.

"Why can't I get over you?" Tristan let out another sigh, this one full of frustration, as he stared at the moonlit sky. He was weak. The moment Paris mentioned Rory's name, the resolve he thought he made was gone. The willingness to see her to prove to himself once and for all that he was over her left his body as easily as it came. He knew it was a charade all along. He just desperately wanted to believe it himself.

He heard a set of footsteps behind him, and braced himself. He would have to dodge another girl before finding another place of solace. Tristan whipped around, and found himself staring across the spacious terrace into the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen.

"Mary," Tristan said simply.

* * *

She was shocked to see him. But then it all came back to her. Paris had mentioned something about how Tristan was all alone on the terrace.

"I see you still haven't remembered my name," Rory said dryly. She took a step closer to him, still not quite believing that he was back. Tristan let out a soft laugh.

"Of course I remember... Rory," he said softly. Rory took another step, ignoring the butterflies that formed in the pit of her stomach. An awkward silence formed between them, as Tristan leaned back against the railing, taking the sight of her in.

"So you're back from military school, huh?" Rory asked. She knew it was a lame question, but she needed something to break the silence between them. She walked to the railing beside Tristan, and looked at the view of the swimming pool it provided.

"Obviously," Tristan replied, with his trademark smirk. Rory groaned.

"And yet you haven't changed a bit," she responded, rolling her eyes. "So what? Did they get tired of you and your sarcastic comments in North Carolina?"

"Not quite," Tristan said, as he turned to face Rory. "It's tradition that a DuGrey graduates from Chilton," he explained. "So I'm back."

"Yes you are," Rory murmured to herself. Another awkward silence plagued them.

"Paris said you were visiting your dad," Tristan said, breaking the momentary silence.

"I just got back a few hours ago," Rory explained. They fell into another lapse of silence. Rory eyed Tristan curiously, as she studied his profile. His appearance hadn't changed one bit. He still had the same tousled blonde hair, the same smirk. But something was off about him. Rory could sense it.

"If you're worried that I'm going to make Chilton hell for you again, don't worry, I won't," Tristan suddenly said.

"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England," Rory replied sarcastically. She had almost missed this. Their banter. It was much more comforting than those awkward silences.

"Well your Highness, I mean it," Tristan said. The tone of his voice sounded serious.

"Okay, what happened to the real Tristan DuGrey? Who is this imposter?" Rory asked, mockingly pointing an accusatory finger at Tristan. Tristan shrugged.

"I've changed... And from what I've heard, so have you," Tristan replied. Rory shot him a quizzical look. "Paris filled me in," he said, answering the questioning look in her eyes. "And Rory..." Tristan's voice trailed off. "I just want you to be happy."

"Are you sure there wasn't anything in the water in North Carolina? Have you been having any hallucinations?" Rory asked, skeptically. Tristan shook his head.

"I just think we should start over again. Forget everything that happened before," he suggested. Rory bit her lip, as she contemplated the idea. Considering their history, a fresh start would be nice. A small smile began to form on her lips, as Tristan extended a hand.

"I don't believe we've met before. I'm Tristan DuGrey," Tristan said. Rory offered her hand, but instead of shaking it, Tristan brought it to his lips.

"Rory Gilmore," Rory replied, as she felt a blush creep up her cheeks when Tristan's soft lips brushed against her fingers.

"Rory, huh?" Tristan asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that you look more like a Mary?" he asked, the trademark smirk beginning to form on his lips. Rory giggled, and slapped a hand against Tristan's chest.

Maybe a new beginning was just what they needed.

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Just hoping that the next chapter doesn't take as long as this one did...