*2 weeks later. Friday afternoon.

"You're not serious about this." Jess says sternly.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Rory replies as she rushes room to room, packing her bags.

"I just don't think good for you to be going away, right now."

"Jess, it's for 3 days, and I'll be like an hour and a half away." Rory says blankly, "It's not a crisis."

*There's a knock at the door.

"That's Lane."

"Rory..."

"Jess, I'll be fine…I need this." Rory sighs before approaching Jess hugging him tightly. "If you get lonely, you can call Ryan"

"You're right I'm sorry." Jess says dejectedly "Have a safe trip, call me as soon as you get there."

"Will do." Rory whispers into Jess' ear. "I love you."

With that, Rory opens the door and greets Lane. Together they leave, giggling as the walk downstairs.

Jess watches them leave; once they're gone he closes the door and heads to the phone.

"Hello? Ryan?"

"Lane get there yet?" Ryan's unruffled voice asks

"Came and went."

"Aw, poor baby lonely already?"

"Something like that."

"Dinner?" Ryan asks flatly.

"Pizza?"

"Cool, Monty Python?"

"Defiantly. See you in 10."

*15 minutes later—Jess' living room

Ryan is slicing the pizza as Jess sets up the tape.

"You know, this is kind of sad." Ryan states

"What is?"

"They're gone for an hour, and we're already having trouble functioning with out them."

"I'm just a sensitive guy, I miss my wife…now you my friend, you're whipped."

"So that'll be no pizza for you then." Ryan says seriously.

"Come on, that's just cruel, this could be my only decent meal for the next 3 days."

"True, very true."

"So what we watching?"

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

"Classic."

"Indeed."

*Same time—On the Road—Stopped at Starbucks.

Lane and Rory enter the coffee shop; Rory sniffs the air and sighs.

"I'll get us coffee, you get a table." Lane says to Rory.

"Ok, Just remember d—

"Decaf, I know." Lane replies walking towards the counter.

Rory spots an empty table in the corner and sits down. Silently, she takes in her surroundings. She watches as 3 young women enter the store, making a beeline for the couch behind her. In fits of uncontrollable giggles they manage to seat themselves next to two men; one, a tall brunette with glasses, pats his knee causing one of the girls to park themselves on his leg. The other sits there motionless, his face buried in a magazine.

"Rory?" Lane says persistently "Earth to Ror—

"Huh, oh sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Rory replies turning her attention back to Lane as the mystery man looks up from his reading.

"Obviously, here I got you a croissant to go with your decaf."

"Thanks…hey, I'll be right back I'm just going to go—

"R-Rory?" A familiar voice stumbles.

Rory's eyes grow at the sound of his voice; without turning around she replies, "Tristan."

"Oh wow. Tristan." Lane trails off."

"Hi, Lane." Tristan says standing up and hugging her. At the sight of this the 3 girls on the couch begin to whisper feverishly back and forth.

Tristan looks back at them for a moment before sitting himself down at Rory and Lane's table. "It's been forever." Tristan says breathlessly.

"I know, I haven't seen you since last…July. Right?" Rory replies sheepishly.

"Yeah. Sean's first and last barbeque." Lane takes a sip of her coffee at which Tristan notices the ring on her finger, "Married?"

"Engaged."

"Ryan?"

"Yea. You remembered."

"Cool guy. Congratulations." Tristan responds happily his eyes wondering towards Rory.

"Thanks."

"So how have you been?" He asks Rory.

"Good, busy but good." Rory replies with a look of uneasiness on her face."

"You ok, Mary?"

"Yea…I just have to… go." She says hastily, standing up; revealing her protruding stomach. Tristan's face goes pink as Rory stands; heading to the bathroom.

Turning his attention back to Lane, "So I guess that's a yes on the still married thing."

"Yea…" Lane trails off. "Um what time is it?"

"5"

"Will you excuse me, I just have to make a call."

"Sure." Tristan replies watching Lane walk outside.

A moment later Rory returns with a slightly embarrassed look upon her face.

Tristan stands as she approaches the table. "So."

"So…"

"You and James Dean, still together."

"Yep." Rory says nodding her head awkwardly.

"He's a lucky man."

"Tristan…"

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just you know. You're one of a kind, you're special."

"Thank you." Rory whispers.

"…That's probably the reason I haven't had a serious relationship in years." He says shaking his head.

Rory overlooks the comment, "So where have you been? I called your old number a few months ago and whoever answered said you'd moved."

"Yea, well I moved to be closer to work."

"Work?"

"Lawyer."

"You're kidding."

"Fraid not." Tristan says casually.

"Wow." Rory replies, a smile crossing her face. "So are you telephoneless, or can I have your number?"

"What for?"

"Um, to keep in touch with you, my friend, Tristan."

"Right. Here." Tristan pulls a business card out of his wallet.

"I'm impressed." Rory says approvingly; waving the card around.

"Tris. I'm lonely." Moans one of the girls on the couch.

He turns looking regretfully towards her. "Ok, I better go." He leans in hugging Rory, "Another Friday night of endless fun." He whispers sarcastically.

Rory looks over Tristan's shoulder at the girls who now seem plainer to her then before. "You don't have to go back there, you know."

"Yes I do, Mary. This is what my life amounts to."

Suddenly grabbing his hand, Rory heads for the door, " You're better than this."

*Outside Starbucks.

Rory looks left then right in search of Lane. She spots her standing near their car.

"Rory, what are you doing?" Tristan's voice breaks her train of thought.

"I don't know, I just know that I can't let you waste your life in a coffee shop."

"It's ok, really. I accept my fate." He says flatly.

"Well, I don't." Rory says sternly.

"Rory…"

"Get in the car."

"What?"

"In. Now."

"Where?" Tristan asks breathlessly.

"Boston."

"This is crazy. What is your husband going to say?" Tristan blurts, slight smirk crossing his lips.

An image of Jess enters Rory's mind; she smiles, "He'll understand." Rory looks at Tristan and then Lane. "Lane, let's go."

"Huh? Oh ok. Hold on." Lane says flustered. "I miss you. Yeah we should be there in another 40 minute. Yep. I'll have her call him later. Ok, love you babe. Bye." Lane hangs up the phone, "What's going on?" Lane asks noticing Tristan's presence.

"We're on rescue mission." Rory replies mysteriously.

"Who are we rescuing?" Lane asks; intrigued.

"Just a lost boy."

Lane looks uncertainly at Rory who smiles brightly at her. "Alright, but I have to be back for work on Tuesday."

"Deal."

"Alright, you. Get in back." Lane orders Tristan.

Tristan obeys, quietly getting into the car. Rory remains standing examining Lane's face. "Thank you."

"Hey, I trust you." Lane whispers

"Well, let's get this show on the road." Rory replies suddenly cheerful. Rory gets into the car, "Ready?" she asks Tristan.

"I think so, I'm a little afraid though."

"Don't be this will be good for you." Rory replies; popping in the compilation cd Jess had made for her.

"Alright Mary." Tristan says under his breath as the car pulls away. They head towards the highway as 'Jane' begins to play. Rory closes her eyes, the immensity of the evening weighing her down. The words of the song overpower her; thoughts of Jess filling her mind as she slips into a deep sleep.

Watching her vigilantly, Tristan smiles, for once he is unsure of what lies ahead, finding comfort in this, he lies back and closes his eyes as well.