Summary: Future Rory and Tristan are in Harvard. They're "friends" now. Rory finds herself thinking of Tristan and try's to fight the attraction. An obstacle will get in the way.

Pairing: Trory (though some of you might kill me for the ending)

Rating: PG (mild language)

Disclaimer: I own nadda! Zip, Zilch! I wish CMM was mine though... but he's not :(



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"Should be huh?"

"Louis is so funny sometimes."

"Yes he is. So what are you going to have?"

I looked down at the menu. After about 5 minutes of debating, I finally decided on what to have. I closed it and set it down.

"So have you decided yet?" Tristan asked before I even looked up.

"Have you been watching me the whole time?"

"So what if I have?"

I laughed. "I don't know. I think I'm going to go with the Filet Mignon aux oignons. Mmm... I haven't had that in a while."

"Onions?"

"Umm... maybe I could get it without."

"I don't think Louis would mind switching it to something else."

"I just don't want the onions. That's all."

"Well then, why don't you just get the regular Filet Mignon?"

"Because I'm dumb and didn't think of that."

"Can I take your order?"

"Um, yes. We'll both have the Filet Mignon. I'll have a glass of red wine to go with it."

"Make that two please."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, thank you."

The waitress gathered our menus and left to place our order.

"So are you going to take Louis up on that offer about free desert?"

"Of course! When do I ever give up free coffee?!?!"

Tristan laughed at me. He seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.

"That is so bad! You and your addiction!" He shook his head.

"Hey! It's all in the "Rory package." Take it or leave it." I said jokingly.

"I think I'll take it then." He reached across the table and held my hand.

*~ After Dinner ~*

"Will you be having any desert? I was told that it's on the house for you two."

"Actually, I would like a cup of coffee."

"You better bring the whole pot. It'll just save you a lot of time."

"Hey! You be quiet!"

The waitress looked at us as if we had two heads. "Ummm, OK...And you sir, what will you be having?"

"I'll have the Profiteroles au Choclat."

"Do you want whip cream on that?"

"Yes please."

"Ooo! I think I'll have the same too please, along with the coffee."

"OK, that's two Profiteroles au Choclat and a cup of coffee?"

(A/N: It's vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce and the finesse of a choux pastry. I dunno, I found it on a site of French food)

"Two cups."

"Two cups." The waitress confirmed and left.

"So what else are we doing tonight?" I asked eagerly.

"What makes you think that we're going to do anything else?"

"Aww! Come on Tristan! Let's have some fun!"

"Fine, but I get to chose where I take you."

"Where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise!"

"Can I have a hint?"

"Nope!"

"Do you even know where you're taking me?"

"Yup!"

"Here you go, two cups of coffee and two Profiteroles au Choclats." The waitress came and placed the deserts and drinks down. I quickly grabbed my coffee and finished it before she even left the table.

"Would you like some more Miss?" She looked at me with disbelief."

"I told you to just bring the whole pot. It'll save you endless trips back to the coffee machine."

"Alright, I'll bring the whole pot."

"Thank you!" I said as I reached for Tristan's coffee.

"Hey! That's mine!"

"Cry a river!" I smirked as I continued to down the coffee.

"Here's the pot of coffee and your check."

"Thank you."

"I think you should leave her a big tip."

"I think so too. You've made her night a little interesting..."

"Well welcome to the world of Rory Gilmore. Interesting's my middle name."

"Yeah yeah."

We finished our desert and Tristan paid the bill. We got up to leave but was stopped by Louis.

"How was everything?"

"Oh, it was delicious! I think I scared one of you waitresses though. Is she new? I've never seen her before."

"Oh, yes. Anne was hired about a month ago and this is her second night serving. I bet she won't forget you. Not like anyone does."

"Oh Louis. Don't say that." I playfully slapped him in the arm.

"Dinner was great Louis, but we need to get going."

"Of course. Have fun you two and happy anniversary!"

"Bye!"

*~ Tristan's Car ~*

"So where are you taking me?"

"Mighty inpatient, aren't we?"

"So sue me! Wait scratch that! Knowing you, you probably would!"

"Ouch! You think I would do that to one of my girlfriends?"

"One of?" She looked shocked. I just laughed at her.

"Yup, one of many."

"Tristan Janlan DuGrey! I'm shocked! I'm beyond shocked! I'm..."

"Speechless? That's a first. Rory Gilmore Speechless!"

"Oh, shut up!" She looked at me with amused eyes. We drove for about 5 minutes before I pulled into a parking lot. I stopped and turned the ignition off.

"So this is your surprise? A park?"

"Not just any park."

"It's our park, yes, but still."

"Just wait." I walked over to her and helped her out of the car. Taking her hand, I lead her past some tress and to a little gazebo. She stopped walking. I turned to see her expression. It was exactly as I pictured it.

* * *

I looked at my surroundings. My breath caught in my throat when I saw it. There was a blanket spread on the ground and little candles that surrounded it. There were flowers lying on the blanket and I saw champagne in a bucket of ice. Tristan turned around and smiled. He saw the look of surprise on my face. Still holding my hand, we mad our way to the blanket. We sat down with me still observing the scenery around us.

"You like?"

"I like very much! It's beautiful!" I smiled idiotically.

"Not as beautiful as you."

I blushed at his remark. Even after all this time, no matter what the occasion, he could still always make me blush. He pulled out the champagne poured us both a glass. After he was finished he handed me a glass and held his up for a toast.

"Happy anniversary Rory."

"Happy anniversary Trist."

Our glasses came together and clinked. We both took a sip from our glasses before placing them down. I looked at Tristan. He seemed a little distant. *What's bothering him?*

* * *

I was getting nervous. *Come on DuGrey! It's not that hard to ask her a question. But what if she says no? Well it's not the first time you've been rejected by her. Hey! You're supposed to be here to support me, not put me down! Sorry. But I'm right. It's different this time. It's not just for a date. It's for life.*

"Tristan?"

"Yeah Rory."

"What's wrong? I mean, you were off in your own little word before."

"Oh, nothing's wrong." I forced a smile but failed miserably.

"Trist." She was worried. *It's now or never.* I took both her hands in mine and started.

"Rory, I need to tell you something and I don't want you to interrupt me. OK?" She nodded and I continued. "I've loved you since the day you stepped into my life. At first, yes you were a conquest, but deep down I knew better. It wasn't until Mad's party that I realized that you were more. More than all the girls I dated in the past. You were the one that made me want to be a better person, want to look forward to something. So I tried to change. When you offered your friendship, I knew I couldn't blow it. I knew that I needed to have you in my life, even if it meant just being your friend. But I did. I did manage to screw it up."

"Tristan..."

"Shhh, let me finish. So I started hanging out with Duncan and Boeman. I did things to get your attention. But then I got sent to military school. I was scared that night I said good- bye to you. I was scared that I would never see you again. That I would never get a chance to tell you how I feel. After that I was determined. I was determined to work hard and maybe someday, see you again. During my senior year I remembered something. I remembered that you always wanted to go to Harvard, and knowing you, you wouldn't rest until you got in. So I worked even harder. My marks were well over standard marks and I was accepted. I knew that it would be a miracle if I ever saw you on campus, but I still prayed I would. Then that day came and I was ecstatic. I felt that all that hard work was worth it. But you didn't seem as happy to see me. Shocked was a better word. So I went back to my old ways. Taunting you, annoying the hell out of you. It was the only way I knew how to act. When you showed up at my apartment, I was surprised beyond imagination when you kissed me. I vowed to myself that this time I would not screw up. When you told me about your cancer, I was so scared. So scared that I would lose you, that what we had was too good to be true, but most of all, I was scared for you. Then you disappeared. Everyone was a wreck. When you called I was so happy that you were OK, but you didn't even let me get a word in before you hung up. So I stuck by my vow and did everything possible to find you. So I found you and we got through it together. The day of your surgery, I wanted to give you this." I pulled out the box. "I wanted you to have something that you could come back to. So I bought it for you but I couldn't bring myself to give it to you. I was scared again so I chickened out. Instead, when you came back and asked for it, I told you, you would receive it the next day. Before I had came to visit you, I made a stop at the jewelry store and got you the locket. I gave it to you and kept this for another time. I think that now's the perfect time. I love you Rory, and nothing will ever change that. So I ask you, Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, will you make me the happiest man on earth and make my dreams come true. Will you be Mrs. Tristan DuGrey, my wife?"

A/N: dun dun dun! Oooo cliffhanger!!! haha! he finally popped the questiong! Yay!!! OK, I want reviews for this chapter!!! It's really long too, so I want at least 10!!! and this is my threat: IF I don't get at least 10... then you guys won't get her answer!! haha im sooo evil!