*Rory/Jess's Apartment—The doorway.

Rory stands frozen, as Tristan speaks.

"Rory?" Tristan says shaken by Rory's response of silence. "Can I talk to you?"

"Go ahead." Rory replies, not moving out of the doorway.

"I didn't mean to yell like that…I was just upset.

"Sure you were." Rory replies dryly retreating to the kitchen.

For a moment, Tristan remains in the doorway before reluctantly following Rory inside.

"I was. Rory, I'm sorry that I didn't let you know that I was ok, but the truth is that I didn't call because I wasn't ok, and to be honest for once, talking to you would have made it worse."

Rory sits down at the table, "Why?"

"Let's just say, being around the four of you, made me realize how much I'm missing out on."

"Oh…" Rory's eyes turn to her feet in guilt."

Tristan sits in the chair beside her. "Rory, please don't get upset, you did nothing wrong…its me that has the problem."

"Yea, but you're my friend, and I want to see you happy."

"Well, don't worry. I have a feeling I'm going to be a lot happier from now on."

"Why?" Rory says faintly smiling.

"I don't want to jinx anything…." Tristan stands up. "…But her name is Laura." Tristan smirks.

"When did you meet her?" Rory asks.

"About two hours ago…Ror—she's amazing, gorgeous, smart—she's a teacher, and she's a smart ass."

"Sounds perfect."

"She is."

"So are you going to ask her out?"

"Well, we just had lunch, and with any luck we'll be having later." Tristan replies, brushing his finders on his sleeves.

*The phone rings. Rory goes to answer it.

Tristan paces impatiently across the floor as Jess enters the kitchen.

"Hey." Jess nods to Tristan.

"Oh, hi."

"So you're the one making girls cry, huh?" Jess smiles at Tristan.

"Surprised?"

"No. Is she ok?"

"I think so…look I didn't mean to—

"…I know." Jess replies putting his bag down. "So…"

"Yea?"

"You ok?"

Tristan breaks into a smile, "More than."

"Good." Jess replies, his eyes fixated on Rory who is talking happily on the phone.

"9 weeks left." Tristan says, following Jess' gaze.

"8"

"Right…so, does she know why you picked Jacob."

"I don't see why she has to know."

"She doesn't, I guess…but if it was my wife I know I'd want her to understand…"

"It's not that easy…there's a lot to it, besides it might just upset her."

"It might, but then again…how are you going to feel keeping something from her." Tristan asks. Jess' eyes drift to the window. Tristan doesn't wait for a response, "Tell Rory I said goodbye, and I'll be in touch, I have to go get ready…it's going be a great night." Tristan smirks at Jess before leaving.

*5 minutes later.

*Tristan is in his apartment. He picks up his cell phone and dials it.

"You've reached Laura Alister, I'm either at work or just screening my calls. Leave a message and if you're lucky, I'll call you back later."

"Like your message, too bad you're not there, the man of your dreams was about to ask you out toni—

"The man of my dreams…get off the line, so he can get through." Laura answers the phone; unimpressed

"I knew you couldn't resist my sexy voice."

"Yes that is it." Laura replies. "So about going out…"

"Don't tell me you've changed your mind." Tristan says concerned.

"No, it's just my first night off in a while and I really don't feel like going out."

"Oh…yea. Sure, I understand…"

"That's not to say, that I want to cancel our date…you should come here."

"Hey, you only just met me a few hours ago, don't you think it's a little precarious to invite a complete stranger into your house?"

"Nah, I trust you…. besides, how much damage is an emotionally unstable blonde rich boy going to do?"

"Harsh."

"So see you in about an hour—3012 Creggan Lane." It's a brick apartment building—I'm #84."

"Alright, see you in an hour…that'll give me just enough time to primp for you."

"That's what I like to hear, see you soon, stud."

*Hr later

*Laura has buzzed Tristan in.

*As he approaches her door, he notices Laura standing in the hall.

"Didn't want you to get lost."

"Thanks…here." Tristan hands Laura a bottle of wine.

"Thanks, so do you like Italian food?"

"Yea, I love—. Tristan cuts himself off upon entering the apartment, where a three course meal ha been placed on the table. "Wow."

"What?"

"You cooked."

"Too much?"

"No…it's just no one's ever cooked for me before, well no one that wasn't getting paid to."

"Well…I do expect a tip." Laura smirks. "Actually as a child I always wanted to be a chef, and while I was in college I took some classes…it's kind of a hobby I guess."

"Wow." Tristan answers.

*10 minutes later.

"So you're a talented chef is there anything else I should know about you?"

"I bartend."

"I thought you're a teacher."

"Yea, September to May. But for the summer, I work 3 nights a week at Ace's downtown."

"What else…"

"What do you want to know?"

"Parents?"

"Happily married 30 years."

"Amazing…siblings?"

"3, an older sister; Rachel, who I haven't seen in 2 years, there's Kyle, he's 21, going to be an actor, and then there's James, he's 16 months older than me, and we've been best friends since we were 3."

"Interesting."

"Yeah…so how about you?"

"Parents, divorced 6 years ago, siblings none."

"That's sad, on both fronts."

"I don't know; it never really bothered me." Tristan replies honestly.

*20 minutes later.

*Tristan is washing the dishes while Laura picks out a movie.

"Find something, good?" Tristan asks, walking towards Laura.

"No…you know; I really don't feel like watching a movie."

"Oh, ok."

"How about a walk?"

*Same Time Rory/Jess's apartment

*Jess is in the bedroom, watching TV. Rory enters carrying a glass of water.

Jess turns his attention to Rory, "How you feeling?"

"Alright tired." She smiles faintly back at him.

"Promise me, that after this week; you'll take it easy. I mean no volunteering to help out the summer school or anything."

"Fine…I promise." Rory answers with defeat.

"Good." Jess replies turning back to the TV.

"How about you?"

"What about me?" Jess asks, turning off the television.

"I don't know, you've been pretty quiet lately, that's all, I know something's bothering you…. are you worried about the baby, because—

Jess sighs, "No, it's nothing important, I'm just tired."

"Ok, then lets get some sleep." Rory answers with disappointment.

"Ok. Goodnight." Jess kisses Rory softly on the lips.

Rory shuts off the light and goes to sleep. Jess turns his back to her and sighs.

12am

*Both Rory and Jess are asleep. Jess has become engrossed in a dream and has begun talking out loud, causing Rory to wake up.

"…I thought you were done with that…you're pretty messed up as is…don't go, t won't do anything for you."

"Jess…" Rory whispers in his ear.

"No!!! Don't go! Jake!!" Jess screams sitting up, drenched in sweat.

"Jess?!" Rory grabs his arm, but he pulls away.

Shaking, Jess stands up, and walks mechanically into the living room. Rory following close behind him, as she reaches the hallway, she hears him reaching for his keys.

""W-where are you going? Jess, are you ok?"

"I-I have to go out."

"Jess, calm down, I don't think you should leave, look at yourself…you're sweating."

Jess approaches the mirror, staring at himself he wipes his face with his hand, "I can't stay here." He whispers to himself. "I'm sorry, Rory." Jess says; walking out the door.

Rory runs after him; down the hall and outside. She watches as he slams the car door shut and pulls away. "Jess!"