Part 2 of "The Past & The Present"
by Angel Girl15
L/C & R/T

This fanfic was just an idea I came up with over my winter break and finally finished it during exams(yes I should have been studying but I passed them J) Anyways feedback is welcome to sweet_death_29@hotmail.com This is just a fun thing I wanted to do, its not all accurate (duh since I didn't create Gilmore Girls & all their stories) but its just what I thought could/might happen. You are going to have to ignore ep 209- Run away little boy b/c well Tristan does exist normally in this

A NIGHT OF FIRST'S
17 Years Earlier:

I finally gave in to Christopher. We had made a deal. If we had an awful time, he would leave me alone, and not say anything to the gossip queens. If we had a good time…well to me that wasn't even an option. Although the last couple of weeks he has started to grow on me…but that would never happen.

I stood in front of the mirror fixing my simple, black mini-skirt with a red tank top. It was nice but not TOO nice. I grabbed my coat and purse and left the room.

"Lorelei, why are you wearing that?" my mother accused when I walked down the stairs.

"Hi Mother. I'm wearing this because it's comfortable."

"Go upstairs and change into something nicer."

"No. I like this outfit."

"You are going out with a very important guy from a very important family, who your father does business with often."

"Well, personally I think I'm very important but that doesn't seem to matter does it?"

Before she could answer the doorbell rang.

"Now, if you'll allow it, I have to go" I said, twirling on my heel and hurrying down the steps. I intercepted Chris from my dad before he got too much into his interrogation.

"You look great" he said, as we walked to his car.

"Yeah, yeah. I don't care, lets just get this evening over with."

"What's the rush?"

"The rush is the fact that I don't want to be here. But if it ends up with me never having to hear you again, I'm all for it."

"Wow. You make me feel SO wanted."

He opened the car door for me, which surprised me. I mumbled a thank you as I climbed into the seat. I took a few deep breaths as he walked around the car. "I have NO feelings for him" I thought to myself.

He turned the car on and turned on the stereo. Some generic pop crap came on. "Oh please no, anything but this" I cried, turning the radio off.

"What's wrong with it?"

"What isn't? It's cheery, designed to make everyone think everything's okay. It has no beat, no rhythym, no nothing! It's just crap."

"Good to know."

"And whoever listens to it, deserves to be slapped, and I happily volunteer!"

"Hold the slapping. That crap happens to be what my sister listened to when she used my car. When I got here, my tape ran out, hence that music."

"Well, I'll believe you this once…but expect to be teased anyways all night."

"Fine by me."

"Where are we going anyways?"

"None of your business."

"Well considering you are taking me there, it is my business."

"It's a surprise."

"A one I'll like or one I'll hate?"

"One you'll like…"

"You sure about that? Because I don't wanna get all excited for something that will ultimately disappoint me in the end, because then that will make this evening ever more unbearable."

"Well why you were babbling, we're here."

I blushed slightly from embarrassment. I looked out the window and just saw a building.

"A building. Nice surprise."

"Oh humour me" he said getting out. He opened the door for me while I got out which was nice.

"So, care to elaborate on where we are?"

The night was very warm and you could see all the stars in the sky.

"Just follow me" he said grabbing my hand and leading me behind the building. There were groups of people looking towards the back of the building.

"OH!!! This is one of those places, with the things on the buildings!!"

"So descriptive! Do you mean one of those places where they play old movies on the sides of building and you sit outside and watch the movie?"

I glared at him and just got happy. "What movie?"

"Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory…"

"Oh my god!! That's my favourite movie of all time with candy in the title!" I squealed. I can't believe I squealed. I shuddered inside.

"I know."

"How???"

"I have my ways…" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Krysta?" I asked, referring to my closest friend.

"Yeah. Well there goes the conception for mind reading."

"Yeah well I could never picture you as one of those gypsies with the tarot cards, foretelling people futures."

"Why? Would I not look good in brightly coloured dresses and bracelets?"

I laughed as we walked to a nice patch of grass, with some rocks to lean against. He pulled out a blanket from a bag he was carrying.

"Oooo, he comes prepared. Me like."

"Always something nice for a lady…"

He gestured for me to sit down which I did. I sat carefully since I didn't want to reveal to much in my skirt. I finally got comfortable and looked to see him staring at me.

"What?" I said, with a smile coming to my lips.

"Nothing" he said looking away.

"Well it had to be something or you wouldn't have been looking at me."

"It was nothing."

"I'm not letting this one go…I already let that…crappy pop music go, so this is not being let go."

"Fine. I was thinking how beautiful you are."

"Yeah right."

"Fine, don't believe me. You wanted to know."

"Well, you've dated like the most beautiful girls in our school…its hard to believe."

"They may be beautiful on the outside but not the inside."

He pulled out a bunch of candy and we dug in. I leaned against the rock and allowed him to put his arm around me. I smiled slightly as the movie started.

Present:

I was at a stupid Chilton dance. I didn't want to be here, but it was an alumni one, so all past and present members of Chilton were expected to come. I was sitting alone at the table, sipping my coffee. My mom was there, along with my grandparents but they were mingling, while my mother was hiding in the bathroom. I had seen a couple of people I know around the place but no one I felt like talking to. I was about to pull out a book when a guy I sort of knew, Andrew, came up and asked me to dance. I didn't want to be rude, and it would only be one dance, so I agreed. He led me onto the dance floor and unfortunately a slow song started. I allowed Andrew to wrap his arms around me, and we slowly swayed to the music. As we were twirling around I saw Tristan leaning against the wall, staring at us. I gave him a half smile which he returned. I couldn't wait for the song to end. Andrews decent looking and smart and all but, he's just…well…boring sometimes. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I stopped. Tristan stood there and asked if he could cut in. I tried to hold back my happiness of being freed but it was by Tristan so it wasn't great. Andrew walked off without saying a word.

"Thank you" I said as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Well the look on your face screamed 'Save me!'"

"My saviour then…I guess I owe you one."

"Only one? Come on, its worth more then that…"

I just laughed and leaned into him. It felt very comfortable, and when the song ended, I was actually disappointed

"No! I can't have these feelings for him!" I thought to myself. I walked off the dance floor and sat back down. Surprisingly he followed me.

"So now we can discuss how you can repay me…" he teased.

"Well I'd offer money, but I have none and you have more so that won't work. I'd offer clothes, but I don't think your into skirts, and tank tops."

"That's a good thing though."

"Depends…it would be funny to see you in a skirt…"

"That will NEVER happen…"

"Too bad you didn't owe me one…that would make a great photo…"

"Yeah right. You could send it out with your Christmas cards."

"That would be classic."

"But now back to the real fact…you owe me."

"So what would you like? Chem notes?"

"Nah, too easy and boring."

"Hey! I could go around school in a skirt!"

"Nah, that's no fun. How about nothing at all?" he said, his eyes twinkling.

"I'd rather jump off a cliff."

"Okay then. Lets go find a cliff."

"You realize I WAS joking right."

"Joking? What's that?"

"Ha ha Tristan. Seriously though what do you want?"

"A date."

"Fine."

I could tell he was shocked at how easily and quickly I agreed to it, but compared the things he could of asked me to do, a date would be a piece of cake. Or a cup of coffee.

Past:

"I can't believe you know the entire Oompa Loompa song!" I said to Chris as the credits were rolling.

"What? It's a cute song."

"Yeah, for 10 year old girls, and of course me."

"So why is their an exception for you but not me?"

"Because I'm an immature female, and your…well…not."

That's gender discrimination!"

"Yeah so?"

"Its not allowed."

"Says who?"

"Me."

"Well that'll sure shut me up…" I said sarcastically.

"Maybe not but this will" he said leaning in and kissing me. At first I tried to pull away, but it just felt right. Finally we broke apart and I just said "Well that way worked…but now I have even more in my brain that I have to say so now I'm going to be talking twice as fast to get it all in…I mean out…or what do I…"

He just laughed and kissed me again.

I couldn't believe I was having a fun time with him. With Christopher of all people. But when it was just him and I, he was way more open and very funny.

I broke the kiss off and grabbed some more candy.

"Okay, you have eaten about 3 times as much candy as I have, yet you are that skinny…how does that work?"

"I'm special that's why."

"Do you EVER do any exercise or sports?"

"Rarely. Working out is boring and I suck at most sports."

"That surprises me."

"Why?"

"Well you just seem to be the good at sports type."

"But I'm not."

I finished off the rest of the candy happily.

"It's 11. What time do you have to be home?"

"Doesn't matter. I'll get yelled at anyways."

"Parent prob's?"

"Major. The second I can, I'm leaving this place."

"Which place?"

"All of this. I can't stand the people I'm forced to spend days and nights with. I can't stand being told how to act and how to dress."

"Doesn't everyone?"

"You hate it? You seemed like one of those people that enjoys it."

"I can fake enjoy it. I've found the role of being the good son, and don't plan on changing that. It allows me freedom."

"Lucky. I can't hold anything in. At all."

"That's a good thing though. At least you aren't afraid to speak your mind."

"Try telling that to my parents. Or to half the people at school who've I've bitched at."

"Actually most people at school like you."

"No way!"

"Yes way!" he said mocking me, for which I slapped him on the arm. He just laughed.

"They think you're interesting. Especially the fact that you never seem to care about your grades or what you say to anyone, including teachers."

"I was blessed with a big mouth and an attitude to match."

"You want to go to the car? Or walk around a bit?" he asked.

"Yeah sure."

Present:

"You are going out with EVIL ONE!!" my mom said, sitting on my bed, bouncing up and down, and still enjoying her rubbing in of the date.

"You know, this would be a lot easier f you weren't bugging me about it."

"I know, but I'm your mother. I'm supposed to give you a hard time."

I was standing in front of the mirror just fixing my hair. I didn't know what we were doing so I just wore a long black skirt with a multi-coloured striped ¾ sleeves top. I don't usually go for heels but I was wearing boots with a bit of a heel, since my mom practically screamed at me when I put running shoes on. That from the lady that pairs a cowboy hat with a dress and sneakers.

"Ooh, Rory used the pretty stick for her date…"

"Just for that, you aren't even going to see him."

"NO FAIR!" she said, crossing her arms and legs and pouting. I walked out of the room to her crying out "RORY'S MEAN!!!"

I grabbed my purse off the chair and threw in my strawberry smelling lip gloss. I heard a car pull up, followed by my mom running out of my room. She came right towards me, but I stepped out of the way and she slid on her socks into the family room.

"Bye mom!" I said before opening the door. Right on the porch stood Tristan. He was wearing a pair of baggy khakis, that still looked like they had been perfectly placed to be a mix between nice and rebel, along with a baby blue long sleeved shirt, that was some knitted material. He looked really cute, but I just looked down.

"Hey Rory! Ready to go?"

"The sooner the better."

"That's the enthusiasm" he said with sarcasm.

"Trust me you want to get out of here soon before my mother attacks."

"Would that be the women peering out of that window, pretending she's not looking right at us."

I laughed, and turned around and waved at her, and she quickly ducked.

"Well we better get going…" he said.

"Oh right, going, yeah" I said cutting myself off before I kept on babbling.

I walked right to the passenger side of his car, a red Lexus SUV. I reached for the handle but he beat me to it. I just stared at him.

"What? I get yelled at for being an asshole to you, and when I try to be a gentleman, you say nothing? What do women want…"

"I'm just shocked. I didn't even know you knew what the word GENTLEMAN entailed to."

I climbed into the car, and Tristan hurried around the back. I looked at the house, and my mom was up against her window, holding a hastily made sign that said "THAT'S TRISTAN?!?!?!?!", which I translated as "He's hot!! Why didn't you tell me he was hot? I want answers!!!"

Tristan got in and started the car up. The stereo system started to play some rock music.

"You listen to Blink 182?!?"

"Yeah, so?"

"They are a bunch of crap!"

"How is this crap?"

"How is it not?"

"They have decent beats, good lyrics, it makes a statement…even though it can be a funny statement, and most of it gives you energy. Now how is it crap?"

"Its manufactured. They try to be different and they end up being the same as everyone else. They are not rock, they are hard pop. There beats are just copies of one another, and the lyrics barely make any sense whatsoever."

"Everything is a copy of one another. Everything's been done, and now groups just slightly improve or change a bit of the beats and lyrics."

I couldn't argue that point so instead I asked "So, where are we going tonight?"

"It's a surprise."

"Come on, tell me!"

"Then you won't be surprised."

"Meany!" I said sitting back in my seat, crossing my arms with a pouty face on.

We drove in silence for a couple minutes, and I kept sneaking little peeks at him.

"You REALLY want to know where we are going?" he asked.

"YES!!"

"Then, it will cost you a kiss on the cheek…"

"Oh, I don't know if I want it that bad…a kiss on your cheek to know what we are doing…that's a tough choice…" I joked.

"Yes a kiss on the cheek…am I moving too fast for you?"

I gave him a quick one, followed by a hit on the arm for that fast remark, and he pretended to be in pain.

"Spill."

"Your evil and cruel aren't you?"

"Yep that's me, now spill."

"We're going to dinner at Lugazina's and then going to a movie."

"I gave you a kiss on the cheek for that?!? Boy did I get ripped off."

"Excuse me! All I got for saving you during that dance was this date! That's a great prize Mary" he joked.

"Back to the old name?"

"You insulted me…you deserve it."

We pulled into a parking lot and got out of the car.

"Wish I had a car…it'd be so much easier then taking the bus everyday" I said as we walked into the restaurant.

"I could pick you up everyday!" he joked.

"Yes, the first thing I want to talk to in the morning and see is you…wouldn't that just start my day off great?"

"It would…I can be very charming."

"I have yet to see it…"

He opened the door for me, which I said "Well there's a point in the charming side…you still have a lot to go…"

Tristan went right up to the maitre'd while I just looked around. The place was nice, but not over the top. I stared at a beautiful painting of the forest while waiting for Tristan. He came up behind me, and lightly put his hand on the swell of my back and pushed me to follow the waiter. That little touch sent a shiver up my back, but I shook it off. This was TRISTAN, the evil one himself. He was not to be liked…ever.

*!~Tristan POV*!~

Man, she looked so hot! I can't believe I'm finally on a date with Rory. I was going to make this a perfect night. I was disappointed when we got to our table and I had to take my hand off of her back. We slid into the four-person booth, on either sides.

!*!*Rory POV!*!*

"You do realize that you didn't have to do all this? I'm happy eating at McDonalds…" I said.

"Yes but its our first date, and its got to be memorable" he said, raising his eyebrow.

"Dream on, pizza boy."

"Pizza boy?"

"I don't know… it just popped into my head and outta my mouth."

"Pizza boy??? Hmm…it does have a nice ring to it, but there's no meaning behind it…"

I just pretended to be reading the menu. I could feel his eyes still looking at me, waiting for me to say something else.

Past

"Here we are…" Chris said.

"And here would be…?"

"My favourite spot in the whole world."

And that would be…?"

"Here."

"You confuse me…and trust me that takes a lot."

"Don't I feel special?"

I just opened the car door and got out. I fell down as soon as I hit the ground…well sand. "Why the hell is there sand in Hartford" I yelled from the ground. Chris came around the car, leaning over from laughing.

"You just going to stand there or help a girl up?"

He laughed for another couple seconds, then reached his hand out. Instead of using it to get up I pulled myself up.

"Where the hell are we?"

"We are at my house, by the pool."

"Why is there sand?? What crazy person has sand around there pool?"

"My family. Well actually it was my idea to put it in. It makes it seem more like being on a lake or by the ocean.

"Well now I know the crazy person is you."

Chris disappeared for a couple minutes and then the pool lit up with little floating lights. Also torches were staked in parts of the sand, around the pool which fired up.

"Okay that was cool" I said when he returned.

"I've got magical powers…" he said waving his fingers in the air.

"Question. How did you bring your car all the way over here?"

"I came in the back entrance which has maintenance paths all around the grounds."

I slid my shoes off and sat down. Chris came over and sat right next to me.

"Well this is nice, even if it is crazy."

"I thought you liked crazy?"

"Crazy is good."

I shivered a bit and Chris put his arm around me without a word. I couldn't say anything.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" Chris asked.

I was about to say a rude comment about the tongue thing but then he kissed me again. And again I didn't stop him. When we did break apart, I all of a sudden got a bad feeling.

"Take me home."

"Why? Aren't you having a good time?"

"I just need to get home. Please?"

Without a word he got up and started the car. I slid my shoes back on and brushed the sand off my clothes then got into the car. The entire ride to my house, although only a couple of minutes felt like hours. I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know how I felt. I just needed to think or do something.

When we got into the driveway, Chris got out and opened my door for me, then walked me to the front door.

"A gentleman. This evening was not…what I expected" I said.

"So it wasn't horrible?"

"Definitely not."

"So can I call you tomorrow?"

"Nope," I said and his face dropped a bit, "You can call me any time." I took a pen and scribbled my private number on his hand then I gave him a kiss, which lasted a minute or two, but I broke it off, and flew inside, leaving him just standing there.

Present

We had ordered our food, and we were actually having a pretty decent conversation, when I asked probably the stupidest thing I could.

"Why did you ask me for this date in return for the dance?"

"Why do you think Mary?"

"Because you wanted to torture me…and enjoy a meal and movie while doing it."

He just smirked.

"Why can you not get it into that big brain of yours what I want from you?"

"And what you aren't going to get into that tiny brain of yours is that I wont give it to you." "You know what Rory? Why won't you even give me a chance?"

"What's this?"

"This is my doing, since I saved you. This is what I wanted, and you knew that no matter what you did or said, I would get this date. Now I want you to take whatever you want the next step to be…"

The waiter brought us our food and I immediately shoved food into my mouth. I had gone with the lasagne. It was absolutely delicious and I had to stop myself from moaning with pleasure.

"You know the food tastes better if you don't inhale it, and actually taste it, before tossing it down your throat" he said with that little smirk on his face. I slowed slightly but I was starving and I did not want to talk. I didn't know what I wanted the next step to be, so I defiantly wanted to figure that out before anything else was said. But I don't think there's enough lasagne to last till tomorrow. When I finally finished, Tristan just looked in awe at how much I had eaten. He, who had ordered a steak, was barely halfway done.

"What? I like my food…especially when it's good."

"That's good. At least you aren't one of those girls who will see food, and then run off into the night. But it is easier on my bank account, since salads are very cheap."

"I'll just use up all that extra money you've got lying around…the only food I get is from Luke's or junk food."

"Luke's?"

"The coffee shop owner. My mom and I practically LIVE at his store. But he's a big sweetheart…except when he takes the coffee hostage."

"Your precious coffee…I'm surprised he's still alive."

"Oh and my moms MUCH worse…you don't even want to know the tricks she's pulled to get Luke to give her, her precious coffee."

"At least tell me one, while I finish off this steak."

"Okay fine…oh a couple weeks ago, Luke cut her off. She ran out and got this guy, Taylor, who Luke hates. Anyways she told Taylor that Luke had decided he was not going to even put up a Christmas wreath on his door this year. That's the only decoration Luke EVER puts up, and Taylor's usually trying to get Luke to put up every decoration he can. So Taylor stormed the diner and him and Luke started in on a yelling match, while my mom snuck behind the counter and stole the entire pot of coffee, and then hid in the corner till she was done. Luke didn't even realize what she had done, till she took the pot back. The look on Luke's face was priceless."

Tristan had finished his steak and enjoyed the story.

"Okay lets go" he said standing up and giving me his hand. Once he pulled me out of the booth, he still didn't drop my hand, but I didn't pull my hand out.

"Don't you have to pay?" I said as he led me through the tables.

"Oh they know me, and I gave them money ahead. Whatever there is extra is their tip or bonus."

"That's sort of what we do at Luke's. We always leave without paying but then at the end of the month my mom just gives him like half her pay check…well not that much but a lot."

We got to the car, which Tristan opened for me again. I slid into the leather seat. Once Tristan climbed in, and he started the car, the clock flashed 6:30. The night was still very young.

"Now off to the movies…"

"What movie?"

"It's a surprise…"

"Not again!! I already had to kiss you for the first one…" then I put a very playful tone in my voice "…and that was just SO horrible. I don't think I'll ever recover."

"Well it'll cost you another one…" he said tapping his cheek. We were still sitting in the parking lot, so I leaned in, and instead of kissing him on the cheek, I kissed him dead on the lips. I broke the kiss apart before it went any deeper, and my lips felt tingly afterwards.

"Well…that was more then I asked for" Tristan said.

"Well now, I get to know what movie."

"Well, I'll start with a hint…its playing at the Old Cinema."

"That does not even give me any clue. I gave you more then you asked for…so I get the whole deal."

"Or…???"

"Trust me you'll regret it."

Tristan pulled out of the parking lot and started driving.

"You'll find out in about 3 minutes."

"Your evil. Like the lowest of the lowest. Scum, the devil…"

"Oh, don't I feel so special."

"TELL MEEEE!!" I begged.

"Begging seems to fit you well…" he joked

I slapped him on the arm and then put on my best pout. I crossed my arms and just stared blankly out of the window.

"Ahh…cheer up! You're making me feel bad here."

"Good" I said in a fake huffy tone.

"Fine, fine. We are going to see Willy Wonka."

"YES!!! You're the best now…a god…I love you!!" I said without even thinking.

"Well I like that sentence" he said wiggling his eyebrows at me again.

We passed a convenience store and I told him to pull in.

"Why? We are going to miss the movie."

"It'll only take a couple minutes, and it is absolutely necessary."

He pulled in and I hopped out of the car yelling, "Bring your wallet!!"

I ran inside and grabbed a bunch of candy off the shelves, and Tristan came in.

"So now I'm just the guy that pays for everything?" he asked, and I nodded as I grabbed more candy. I carried it over to the counter.

"And you plan on sneaking this into the theatre how??"

"I have my ways…"

"And you plan on eating all of this?"

"Yes I do."

"And your total comes to 10 bucks flat."

Tristan opened his wallet and threw the money on to the counter, while the guy put the candy into a plastic bag. We left the store quickly.

"I really want to see how you get all of that into the theatre."

"Just watch me" I said opening the bag. I let the air out of some of the packages, and with all the sugar candy, dumped it into the plastic bag, making a big mix. I took my purse out and took out the book. I put in the liquorice package and the chocolate bars right into the purse. Tristan watched me do all this after he pulled into the movie theatres parking lot. I then tied the plastic bag up so that none of the little candy would fall out, and then shoved that into my purse. It was bulging but it would work.

"I think I should be offended that you brought a book on this date."

"I bring a book everywhere I go. I just know I won't need it since we are seeing Willy Wonka."

"Rory, Rory, Rory…defiantly one of a kind."

"Well we going to sit out here all night or go see the movie?"

"Well I'm not opposed to sitting here all night…"

"Haha. Movie it is" I said jumping out of the car. I allowed Tristan to lead me into the theatre since I'd never been here before. As Tristan bought the tickets, I noticed the snack bar which was set up as an old style snack bar.

"Oh, oh!!! You have to get me a large popcorn with lots of butter!" I said grabbing ahold of his arm.

"Along with lasagne and all that food?? You want popcorn?"

"I'm a growing girl. Besides the food in my bag, when I take it home my mom will devour whatever I haven't."

"You go to the theatre and grab seats, and I'll get your jumbo size popcorn."

"With jumbo butter."

"Of course" he said passing me my ticket.

The theatre only had one movie screen so it was easy to find. I gave the guy the ticket and walked in and the theatre was pretty packed. I grabbed two seats in the middle of one of the back rows. I can't stand sitting near the front, since it kills my eyes.

I finally had a chance to catch up with my thoughts. I have to admit, I'm extremely attracted to him right now. He's just being so…him, but better. But this is Tristan!! The guy I said I hated. Why couldn't this all just be easy. Why did attractions have to be confusing!!!

Past

I was just climbing into my bed when the phone next to my bed rang. I quickly snapped it up and said "Who is the crazy person that is calling me at night, interrupting my beauty sleep?"

"Well you don't need it" a deep voice said.

A smile came to my lips as I realized it was Christopher.

"I guess that was an attempt at flattery."

"It was, it was. I won't keep you from your precious sleep. I just wanted to say I had a great time, and wondered if you wanted to go to party tomorrow night at my best friends. He doesn't go to our school."

"Sure that'd be fine."

"Great. I'll pick you up around 8. Night malady…"

"Night milord…" I said instead of saying the insult that was about to roll off my tongue.

And I fell asleep with a smile on my lips.

Present

The movie was hilarious, and Tristan surprised me by reciting a few parts right along with the movie. Once it was over, I was surprised I felt a bid sad, with the date being over. I had only eaten about a quarter of the popcorn and most of my to other candy, but Tristan ate everything I didn't.

"I don't think I can get out of this seat" I said as the lights came on.

"That doesn't surprise me considering how much you ate!"

"Enjoy your gloating moment. Just please help me up" I said holding out my hand. He helped me up and we made our way out of the theatre.

"Disappointed Mary?" He asked as we got to the car. What!! How could he tell? Was I that transparent?

"What?"

"Disappointed you couldn't finish all that food?"

I let out a sigh of relief and said "Yeah well I reached for the moon but landed among the chocolate stars."

"Even when you are talking about candy you can turn it into something beautiful."

He opened the door for me, and we both got into the car.

"Now back to Stars Hollow…" he said dramatically.

"Yeah but its not over yet…"

"Ah, did I actually make you care for me?"

"Nah, I need a ride to Luke's. Its too long and cold to walk there and then to my house."

"So instead of being the guy that pays your way, I'm now your chauffeur?"

"Hey you made me come onto this date! At least you can be my slave for one night."

"Your slave? That's got a nice ring to it."

"You seriously need to get a new hobby Tristan."

"Oh but don't you love my torturing you hobby??"

"No!!"

"I'm hurt, Mary."

"You should be."

"Another great comeback…"

"And that one was so great? I would have thought the all mighty Tristan could have come up with at least something half-decent to say."

"Well you know that just being with you makes my mind go blank" he said. I knew he said it as a joke but something about the way he said it, it actually sounded like he meant it.

"Okay, Tristan. I have to ask you something, and could you actually be serious for like the next 10 minutes?"

"10 whole minutes?"

I glared at him. "Yeah, I will, don't worry. Shoot."

"Why did you start torturing me in the first place?"

"The truth?"

"The whole truth and nothing but."

"At first, I just did it to, I guess to "boost my ego". I mean, I could have any of the girls at school…so I figured it would be the same with you. Then you turned me down and actually you returned the teasing, I don't know it just…became something I enjoyed. You are one of the few girls that genuinely intrigue me."

"Right!"

"It's true!!"

"No I meant turn right!!"

Tristan passed the turn and had to do a u-turn to make it.

"You really confuse me" I said bluntly.

"How?"

"Okay you go from teasing me, and make my life a living hell and then you do a complete 180, and are all sweet talking and nice. And you do all that in a span of about 2 seconds."

"Would you rather me just do one? Where's the fun in that?"

"Because I never know what you feel or what you want!"

"You're a smart girl Rory, just figure it out. If not just go on your instincts!"

"I'm not the type of person who just does something for no reason!! I'm someone who likes to know what will happen if I do something."

All of a sudden Tristan pulled the car over to the side of the road.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't argue with you while driving, or I could end up killing us both."

"Well at least you have some logic in that head."

"Look, lets figure this all out for once?"

"Fine by me."

"What do you want from me?"

I looked down at the ground.

"I don't know! This is not like it was with Dean. I knew what I felt and what I wanted. But its so different with you."

"Fine then. I'll tell you what I want. Plain and simple. I just want to be with you. That's what I told you at dinner, and it's up to you what you want the next step to be."

I looked up and into his eyes and knew he was telling the truth.

"I need to think. Can we go to Luke's and get some coffee? It's just up the street. Then I just want to talk to you."

"And will you ever know what you want?"

"First I want my coffee."

"You and your coffee…I don't think anything can separate you two."

"Nope."

We drove in silence for a minute till I told him where to park. Once we got out of the car, I saw a lot of the people staring. One at the car, and two at the mysterious boy. I knew we'd be lucky if we got through a cup of coffee without anyone coming up to us.

"It says it's a hardware store…"

"So? Don't you trust me by now?"

"Still…"

"Still nothing come on!!" I said grabbing his hand and running inside.

"Hey Rory" Luke said. Then he noticed Tristan and got a scowl on his face.

"Who's that?"

"Don't worry about it Luke. He goes to my school. Can we have 2 large coffee's, please?"

Luke actually gave it to us, although there was glaring involved and I led Tristan to a table somewhat in the corner. I looked around and didn't see my mom unfortunately.

"Luke seems to be protective of you. I swear he was trying to kill me with his looks."

I laughed then chugged my coffee.

"Why did you get me coffee?"

"I didn't. Its for me."

"Crazy woman."

"So?"

"Does he have coke?"

"Yeah, you want me to get it?"

"Nah its okay. I'm not scared of him."

"Trust me, be scared of him…"

"Listen to her, accountant boy…he put me in a headlock when I broke up with her."

I snapped my head up and noticed Dean standing there, with that smug look on his face, his head titled and his eyes glaring at me.

"I think I'll go get that coke…" Tristan said, going up to the counter.

"What are you doing here Dean?"

"Hey I live here to."

"Yeah well I'm surprised Luke hasn't thrown you out yet."

"Oh I think he's given up on that."

"Can you just leave?"

"What so you can get back to your new boyfriend?" he said boyfriend with such hate and disgust

I saw Tristan leaning on the counter, carefully watching this exchange.

"Just go okay?"

"So we're apart for what? A couple weeks and you already are with accountant boy? I thought you said you hated him!"

"Yeah well that day I said a lot of things I didn't mean."

Tristan came back to the table.

"I think she asked you to leave."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Look Dean, he's my boyfriend now, and you aren't. Just accept it and leave."

"I'm not leaving."

"Fine then we will" I said grabbing Tristan and taking him outside. I could see Dean fuming inside the diner, deciding whether to follow us or stay.

"Sorry about your coke" I said as we walked slowly to the car. I still had a hold of his hand.

"Its okay. I can live without caffeine, unlike you. Rory?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean what you just said?"

"What part?"

"The boyfriend part?"

I paused for a minute, and thought.

"Yeah I did…just as long as we go slow…I'm still very…perplexed by you."

"Ooh a big word for such a little lady" he said pulling me towards him, and putting his arm around my shoulders.

"But it will be slow?"

"Of course" he said kissing my forehead.

We got to the car, and got in.

"Well I'll just say that today did not turn out the way I thought it would" I said as we drove to the house.

"Trust me, this is not what I expected either. It's what I hoped would happen…but didn't actually think it would…"

"…actually come true?"

"Yeah."

He pulled the car into the driveway and we just sat there for a second.

"I better get in or my mom might freak a bit."

"I'll call you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah…just don't expect much…because I can still kick your ass…"

"I won't, and I'll even be nice and leave that kick your ass comment alone," he said smiling.

I looked out the window and could see my mom watching us from the window, trying to be not noticeable, but failing miserably.

"Well, I'd give you a kiss, but I think that would give my mom too much pleasure. Don't turn around but she's trying to spy on me. And trust me if she sees me kiss you before knowing anything else, I won't get a bit of sleep tonight."

"How about if I give you one on the cheek?"

"I think that'll be okay."

He leaned across and gave me a kiss on both of my cheeks.

"Well that was one two many but I won't complain."

I opened the door and said "I'll see you soon, Mister Dugrey."

Then Miss Gilmore, see you later."

I slammed the door shut and walked up to the house with a big smile on my face. As I leaned into the door to open it, and gave Tristan a little wave as he pulled out of the driveway.

"So????? How was it?? And why do you have a big smile on your face!?!?!" my mom said as soon as I entered the entrance way.

"Well…it wasn't horrible," I said with the smile still on my lips.