Disclaimer: Sadly as I rushed to open my presents Christmas morning Tristan was not among them ::sigh::, there's always next year. So alas I still don't own them.

A/N: WOW! Thanks for all the awesome reviews. I was incredibly happy w/ the feedback. You are all wonderful and deserve Tristan clones. And I got my first flame ::does a happy dance:: now I finally feel like a real fanfiction writer, lol. Seriously I was so thrilled w/ the reviews. It made me write a lot faster. Hope you enjoy this. I know I'm taking awhile bringing the whole romance thing in to this. But I really want them to evolve from friendship. But don't worry lots of sexual tension. Review!!

Part Eight

          It was their last day in what they had come to think of as paradise. They both would go their separate ways the next day. One to Hartford the other to Stars Hallow, both back to reality. This vacation had been a sanctuary for them, an escape.

            They both sat on 'their' spot on the beach, watching the bonfire in front of them. The silence was comfortable. Tristan watched Rory out of the corner of his eye.

            She looks even more beautiful by the firelight, he thought. As he saw the flames bring out the hidden highlights in her hair. I don't want to leave, he thought fiercely. I don't want to go back to my so-called home and my absent bickering parents.  I don't want to lose her. I can't lose her, not again.

            "Penny for your thoughts?" inquired Rory, startling Tristan from his contemplation.

            "Huh?" he asked as he focused on the present.

            Rory gave a gentle laugh, "Penny for your thoughts?" she repeated.

            "Mary you forgot who you are talking to, a penny just doesn't do it for me." He replied lacing the comment with a subtle suggestion out of habit.

            She reached over and smacked him upside the head.

            "Ow what was that for?" he said as he rubbed his head in reflex.

            "What it's always for, you opening your big mouth and saying something dumb."

            "Oh that…"he said trying to act sheepish but his twinkling eyes gave him away.

            "So no pennies. What I am suppose to offer you then?" she asked bringing the topic back on track.

            'A kiss' was the first thing that popped into his head, thank goodness he thought before he spoke. That didn't happen too often and as she had so gracefully pointed out his mouth just got him in trouble.

            "Well I guess this will be a freebie due to the Mary comment. I was thinking about…"

            "About?" she prompted.

            "About what happens when we leave tomorrow." He said trying to make it sound nonchalant instead of life altering.

            "Oh that…"she echoed softly. Truthfully that thought had been plaguing her mind also. She didn't want to give up what she, what they had found here.

            "Yep going back to the 'real' world. I'll guess I'll get to see who won the house in the settlement." He said trying to make light of it.

            "Who do you want to live with?" Rory questioned cautiously as he had avoided the topic of his parents divorce every time she tried to bring it up.

            "It doesn't really matter. It's either, Dad and his playmate aka his secretary or Mom and the pool boy, or it could be the tennis instructor now. She has such a short attention span." He said cynically.

            Rory just murmured, "I'm sorry." Not meeting his eyes.

            "Don't be Ror, it's just the way my life is. I'm not looking for pity. But my house has never been a home. Ya know? It's not a warm inviting place I look forward to going to. It's a residence. A place to keep my stuff and get my mail and phone messages. It's not big deal. It doesn't matter."

            She placed her hand on his forearm making sure she had his attention, "Yes it is a big deal." She said staring him straight in the eyes, blue meeting blue. "It does matter. You matter."

            Tristan felt his eyes widen and his throat close at her declaration. His emotions simmered at the surface. All he wanted to do was kiss her, thank her…for being herself. Rory Gilmore.

            But he knew he couldn't, knew he shouldn't. He didn't want to mess up the friendship that had formed. The friendship that had become a kind of lifeline for him. He needed her.

            Rory gazed at the play of emotion on his face, the shock and disbelief, the gratitude and this unbelievable sadness…longing. He leaned closer and for a second she thought he was going to kiss her. And in the second all thoughts flew from her head, except the one that said… finally.

            But he pulled back and instead of kissing her he tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. His fingertips brushed against her cheek as he whispered in a husky tone "Thanks Mary."

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