Rory walked into the building, heading for the elevator. She pressed the call button and waited. The door slid open and she stepped inside. The operator looked at her.

"What floor miss?"

"Twenty."

The man pushed the button and the doors slid shut. Rory leaned against the wall, twisting her engagement ring nervously. Carefully she lifted her hand and looked at it.

How could something so beautiful cause so much pain?

The elevator came to a stop and the door slid open

"Twentieth floor." The operator announced

Rory stepped off the elevator. She walked down the hall towards the large glass doors with Johnson, Albert and Sims etched in glass. Taking a deep breath, she pulled open the large doors. The receptionist looked at her as she approached the desk.

"Can I help you?"

"I need to speak with Tristen DuGray."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, I don't."

"I'm sorry. I don't think it will be possible to see him today."

"I'm his fiancee, Ro…Lorelai Gilmore."

The woman studied Rory for a few minutes, then picked up the phone and pressed a button.

"Yes sir, I have Lorelai Gilmore to see you. Yes sir."

She hung up the phone.

"It will be just a moment. Please take a seat."

Rory walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle out of her skirt.

"Miss Gilmore?"

Rory looked up to see a woman in front of her. She stood slowly.

"Yes?"

"I'm Ellen Masters, Mr. DuGray's personal assistant. Please follow me."

Rory followed the woman down the hall. She opened a large door and said

"Wait in here. It will be a few minutes."

Rory stepped inside the room, looking around. The door clicked shut behind her. She walked around, running her hands over the smooth surface of the table. Slowly she made her way to the window, staring out at the city below.

"Rory?"

Rory spun around to see Tristen standing in the doorway. He approached her.

"Is Lori all right? Are your mom and Luke okay?"

"Everyone is fine Tristen."

"Then what's wrong. You've never come here before?"

"Can we sit down. We need to talk."

"Sure."

Tristen led her to the large table. He pulled out her chair and she sat down. Slowly he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. Neither of them spoke at first. Finally Rory said

"Tristen, I love you."

"I love you too."

"And I would never do anything to hurt you." She said, tears welling in her eyes

Tristen stood up and knelt next to her, taking her hand in his. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at her tear stained cheeks.

"Rory I know something is wrong. Please tell me."

"I…I can't marry you Tristen." She whispered

"What?"

"I can't marry you." She said, "It will never work and I don't want to end up hating you or you hating me."

She pulled her hand out of his. He watched as she slipped her engagement ring off her finger and set it on the table. He didn't notice Rory stand up and move past him. All time stopped for him at the moment.

Tristen snapped out of his daze. Looking around the room, he saw that he was alone. Rory's ring was still sitting on the table in front of him.

"Rory?" he whispered hoarsely

He stood up, grabbing the ring from the table. Opening the door, he raced down the hall, past the receptionist's desk. He was out the door and in the elevator in a flash. Racing through the library, he hoped to catch sight of her. He ran out the front door and onto the busy street. The doorman was immediately beside him.

"Can I get you a taxi Mr. DuGray?"

"Richard, did a young woman with long brown hair come through here."

"Yes sit, looked real upset."

"Where did she go."

"I called her a cab and she left."

Tristen lowered his head.

"Rory." He whispered,