OK everyone, here it is. My new fanfic. This takes place between the first and second seasons. It is kind of an AU. Luke and Lorelei have been married for about eight years. They bought the Crap Shack when they married. Two years ago, Lorelei gave birth to twins; Emma and Leigh (get it?). Therefore, everything concerning Dean, Tristan, and Rory happened (Except, he never got the PJ Harvey tickets, he just asked her out on a date, because I forgot about that part and I don't feel like incorporating it into the story now.) Everything concerning Max and Lorelei, however, didn't happen. I took a break from my Oscar Wilde project to write this part, but I really shouldn't have done that. Just to warn you all, it may be a few days before I get the next chapter out, but it shouldn't be TOO long. Enjoy the fic!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or any of the characters you may recognize from the show. That all belongs to the WB and I don't know who else. I also don't own any of the songs that may be used in the fic. Ok then, legal duty's taken care of… on with the show!

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'I hate him.' Tristan reflected on those words as he sat in his car. He had hastily packed a bag and now he was headed…. somewhere. Anywhere. All he knew was: he had to get away. Away from his parents. Away from his house, the large, ostentatious mansion that was a poor excuse for a home. He thought for a moment, decided he would go to his parent's summer home on Mackinac Island, in Michigan. His parents hardly ever went there anymore. They had recently purchased a villa in France, and preferred to vacation there now. As he drove, he thought of her. Rory Gilmore. The bane of his existence, and his love. 'She hates me.' Tristan sighed, and turned on the radio. It was currently tuned to some top 40 station, his sister or latest date must have fiddled with the radio. Then, he started paying attention to the song that was playing on the radio.

Who could know the emptiness inside

Every time I see your face

Too many feelings left behind

Do you wonder why

I turn away when you look at me

Never wanting your eyes to see

This desperate heart that knows

How perfect we could be

Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel

Livin' my life without you

Baby, and you don't know what it's like

Lovin' you all this time

I'll give you all my love, heart and soul

Riskin' it all on a chance

Now when I need you the most

You don't know

All I ever wanted in this world

Baby, I found in you

I never felt this way before

But I can't break through

And now I lie awake, alone at night

So afraid now to close my eyes

Just one more dream of you

I'll carry here inside

Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel

Livin' my life without you

Baby, and you don't know what it's like

Lovin' you all this time

I'll give you all my love, heart and soul

Riskin' it all on a chance

Now when I need you the most

You don't know

And I would hold you all through the night

I would stay right by your side

And I'd give you the world if your love was mine

But, baby, could it be I'm only dreamin'

Don't let it pass me by

Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel

Livin' my life without you

Baby, and you don't know what it's like

Lovin' you all this time

I'll give you all my love, heart and soul

Riskin' it all on a chance

Now when I need you the most

You don't know

Oh, baby, you don't know



"And that was 98 Degrees, with their new hit, "You Don't Know". The group-"

Tristan reached over put a CD in. Linkin Park; it was one of his favorites. He turned the CD to "Papercut" and sighed. He reflected on the song he had just heard on the radio. It described his relationship with Rory perfectly. He sighed, and thumped his fist on the dashboard of his Mercedes SUV in frustration. Just then, the car began to sputter, and stopped altogether. Tristan groaned. Dammit. He was out of gas! How could he have been so stupid? Tristan sighed. He grabbed the keys and got out of the car. He locked it, and began walking. The windows were tinted, so he figured the stuff inside the car was safe.

As luck would have it, he came upon an inn about half-mile down the road. He decided to stop and ask for directions to the nearest gas station. He looked at the building. The Independence Inn. 'How quaint' he thought to himself. He sighed, and went inside.

Inside, a grouchy, black, Frenchman was speaking to someone on the phone. "I'm sorry, we are booked…" Just then, a pretty brunette came up to him. "Michele, give me the phone." She snatched the phone from him. "I apologize for that. Now, when did you need a room?" she flipped through a book. "Yes, we have a room available for that date. Ok. Thank you." She hung up the phone. Suddenly, she seemed to notice Tristan. "I'm sorry, do you need any help?"

"Um, I was just wondering if I could get directions to the nearest service station. My car ran out of gas-"The woman interrupted him.

"I'm afraid you're out of luck. The gas station is closed for now, because Gypsy's on vacation. She'll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, you can stay here." The woman flipped through the book.

"Oh, shoot, I'm afraid we're booked for tonight. Tell you what, though, you can stay in our guest room. Now, normally I'm not in the habit of bringing perfect strangers home, but you seem like a nice boy, and besides, you're wearing a Chilton uniform. My daughter goes to Chilton, she might know you. Now, I get off work in about 10 minutes, so if you'll just take a seat on that couch…"

Tristan complied. He was a bit confused about this turn of events. About 10 minutes later, the woman bustled out of the kitchen, carrying a large cup of coffee in her hands, and yelling goodbye to someone named… Suzie? Sookie? He didn't quite catch it.

"My car's right here," said the woman, leading him to a green Ford Explorer, with 3rd row seating. Two children's seats were buckled into the middle row. "Now, I don't know what you are going to do for sleepwear. I suppose I could lend you something of Luke's-"Tristan interrupted. "I have a bag in my car. I was going on vacation."

"Great! Lead the way! Well, maybe not, since I'm driving, but at least point the way." Tristan pointed in the direction of Hartford. When they got to his car, he grabbed his bag. Then he sat, deep in thought, for the remainder of the car ride, while the woman sat next to him, prattling away. Finally, Tristan spoke.

"I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm Lorelei Danes. What's your name?"

"Tristan Dugray, ma'am.

"Ok, first thing's first. Don't EVER call me ma'am, Madame, Mrs. Danes, or anything stupid like that. Call me Lorelei.

"Ok," answered Tristan, following Lorelei inside the house. He looked around. The house was small and cozy, the kind of home he wished he lived in. He followed Lorelei through the living room into the kitchen.

"This is the guest room," she said, pointing to a small room off of the kitchen. "Here's the bathroom," she pointed to a door across from the guest room. Tristan peeked in. The bathroom had a sink, toilet, and shower stall. Perfect for his needs. He smiled. "Dump your stuff in the guest room, and I'll give you the grand tour. Tristan did so. He then followed Lorelei upstairs.

"This is the master suite, and this is my daughter's bathroom, there's her bedroom, and here's the nursery. Lorelei walked into the nursery, startling a girl of about twenty who sat in a rocking chair, holding a sleeping toddler in her arms.

"Hi, Lisa. How were they today?"

"Hi, Lorelei. They were fine. A bit rambunctious and Emma here woke up from her nap with a cough. I gave her some cough medicine. She just dozed back off about fifteen minutes ago. I didn't want to wake her up."

"That's fine." Lorelei eased the sleeping Emma off of Lisa's lap, and set her in one of the two cribs set up in the bright, cheery room. Emma didn't wake.

Tristan headed into the upstairs bathroom. While he was in there, Lorelei paid Lisa, and walked her out. "We won't need you everyday anymore, since Rory's school is out, but we will call you."

"That's fine, Lorelei. I'll see you later."

"Bye, Lisa."

Tristan listened to this exchange through the open window in the bathroom. He groaned inwardly to himself. 'Rory.' He should have known. The fact that the names were the same was too much of a coincidence. Hadn't Rory once mentioned that she was named after her mother? And her mother had remarried eight years ago, which would account for the different last name. Tristan sighed.

He walked out into the hall and looked at the wooden door with the silver 'R' hanging on it. There was also a small circular bulletin board that looked like a flower. A message was posted on it: "Call Lane". Tristan slowly opened the door. He saw a staircase, and guessed her bedroom was the attic. Giving in to temptation, Tristan crept up the stairs. He found himself in a small, cozy attic bedroom. The walls were painted a bright sky blue. The floor, rather than being carpeted, was covered with a big area rug and a couple of smaller rag rugs. A twin bed was nestled in the corner next to a window. It was covered by a multi-colored quilt. There was a trunk at the foot of the bed. On one side of the room was a gable window with a padded window seat. Pillows were nestled on it, and a lamp was installed in the wall. Bookshelves, filled to capacity, sat on either side of the window seat. On the next wall, he saw a door, partially open. It led into a very small, organized, walk-in closet. Framed photographs and knickknacks covered every available surface, and the room was neat and tidy. The walls were hung with posters- PJ Harvey, Jimmy Eat World, Lifehouse, The Bangles- and more photographs. All the furniture- desk, bed, dresser, bookshelves- was made of a medium-dark wood that matched the floorboards, doors, and stairs. It was so typically Rory. (I am aware that Rory's room is off the kitchen, but this just seemed like the perfect room for Rory.) He smiled and went back downstairs, where he met Lorelei in the living room.

"Hey, Tristan, want some coffee?"

"Sure, I guess." Lorelei looked through a cupboard. She gasped. "We're out of coffee! Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to go to Luke's. Want to come?"

"No, thanks."

"Ok, I'll bring you back some coffee. Feel free to watch TV or do whatever. I'll be back soon. Rory should be home any minute, I'm not sure where she is."

"That's fine, Lorelei. See you later." Lorelei walked out the door, and Tristan turned on the TV.

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While Tristan was making himself comfortable at The Crap Shack, Rory was wandering miserably around a Border's bookstore in Hartford. Dean had broken her heart… again. She sighed and dejectedly got on a bus to go home.

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Tristan had just finished watching a rerun of 'The Fresh Prince' when Rory walked in the door. She was upset; she had cried most of the way home. Her mood was not improved when she walked through the door and spied Tristan sitting on her couch. She blinked. She had to be hallucinating. Tristan grinned widely.

"Hey, Mare."

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