The Past & The Present
by Angel Girl

RETURNS & ANSWERS

Present

The plane landed, and I impatiently waited for the captain to announce that we could leave the plane. I already had my carry on bag packed up and I couldn't wait to get back home. My parents were meeting me at the gate…I had told Rory I was coming home but she had a final to write so couldn't meet me at the airport. I was so happy to finally get out of North Carolina. Jerome and the other guys were in SO much trouble so I had the room to myself after that day. I hadn't been able to talk to any of them since they were all transferred to higher security stuff.

Finally the captain told us we could leave, so I hopped out of my seat and quickly got out since I had been in first class. My parents had apologize since they knew they had gone a bit too far with it, but I think they were also glad it had turned out to be good for me…at least somewhat.

After going through all the stupid stuff, and getting my bags, I walked to the spot where I had planned to meet my parents, a little café in the airport. I walked in and immidiatly my mom and dad stood up and came over to me.

"Tristan!" my mom said, hugging me while I was still holding my bags.

"Let him breath at least…" my dad said to my mom. She gave me a kiss then let go.

"Happy to be home now?" my dad asked, giving me a bear hug.

"Oh yeah. So can we get home…I really want to get to Chilton before the end of the day."

"I can guess why…" my dad said, giving me a weird look.

"Dad!"

"What?"

"Just leave it alone…"

"Okay…lets go. Bart's got the limo waiting outside. Here I'll take some of your bags."

I passed him 2 of them and followed him outside, with my mom telling me they had missed me a lot. We got into the car, and I finally relaxed into the comfy leather seats. I stretched my legs out, while my parents sat at the back of the limo. I flipped the TV on, and just waited till we pulled in at home.

20 Minutes Later:

We pulled into the driveway and I checked my watch. Chilton didn't end for 20 minutes, and it takes 10 minutes to get there.

"I'm going to take some of this stuff up, then I'm going okay?" I asked my parents as we climbed out of the car.

"Fine. Just be back for dinner around 7:30. It's a special dinner, and you can bring that girl."

"Mom! You know her name" I said as I ran off into the house. I got upstairs and changed out of my clothes and into a black t-shirt and baggy khaki shorts. I was about to run out when I saw something that I hadn't had the chance to give Rory. It was the other part of her valentines gift. I grabbed it and ran down the stairs. I opened one of the closets doors, and searched the rack for my car keys. I finally found them and grabbed them. I walked to the garage and climbed into the SUV. I put Rory's gift in the backseat, then hopped in the car and started it up.

I drove quickly to the school and got there with 5 minutes to spare. I parked the car, then climbed out. I looked up at the massive building. Everything looked so…refreshing. I walked through the front gate and into the courtyard. I sat down at the bench that Rory and I had hung out on a number of times. It was the place where we had talked about that first kiss at the party. I had a perfect view of the front entrance, but I was somewhat hidden, since I didn't want to see anyone else but Rory. I wanted to see my friends just not right now. I had most of them that I was coming home soon but not the exact date, since I knew they would make a big deal about it. There were a few people milling around, that had already gotten out, but no one I knew. The bell went off, and almost immediately people started rushing out of the school. I saw Brad come out all alone, and then I saw a Eloisa, Amanda, Justin, Ashley, Austin and Drew come out. Still no sign of Rory. I felt a tap on my shoulder, so I turned and there stood Summer.

"Oh hell no."

"That's a nice hello."

"Just go away Summer."

"You're looking good Dugrey."

"Funny I was just about to say the opposite about you."

"What? Problems in paradise? Thought you'd be happy to see me after being with guys for so long."

"Just go away…NOW!" I threatened.

She put her hand on my arm and gave me a little smile. I shook her off, and walked away.

"Tristan!" she yelled. I just waved her off and walked towards the doors of the school. Rory was probably at her locker or in the papers office. It was weird to be inside the school again. Everything looked so bright and new compared to the dullness of most of military school. I walked down the hall and saw Rory, still trying to open her locker. I made my way quietly up to her and banged on the locker making it pop open.

"Oh thanks" she muttered, not even turning around.

"Well that was a great welcome back."

She dropped her books and turned around.

"Oh my god!" she said, wrapping her arms around me.

"That's more of what I expected…" I said as I put my arms around her.

"You are really good at ruining the moment."

"I think you already did, when you muttered oh thanks, when I first helped you."

"I was planning on hurrying out of here to meet you at your house, but first, I had to talk to Paris about an article and then the locker…"

"Its okay."

She let go, and looked up at me with that smile.

"God its good to see you" I said, leaning down and giving her a kiss. After a couple minutes I heard a coughing sound from behind me, so we broke it up.

"Oh, hi Mr. Richter…"

"Rory…I think you two might want to continue this outside of the school. Especially since Mr. Dugrey is no longer a student here…"

"Sure thing Mr. Richter" she said, dropping her arms from my neck. He moved on and both of us laughed.

"Well that was embarresing…good thing he's not my teacher this semester."

"What would he do? Give you a A- instead?"

"Very funny" she said turning back to her locker, grabbing her stuff. I leaned down and picked up her books from the floor and passed them to her.

"Thanks…that's a first, you giving me my books rather then stealing them."

"Haha…very funny. I was stupid."

"Oh yeah. And desperate."

"Hey, I'm never desperate."

"Yeah. Sure. Okay" she said. She was about to swing her backpack but I took it from her.

"I've been gone for awhile…I gotta make up for lost time" I said when she stared questionably at me.

I put my other arm around her shoulders and we made our way outside.

"Did you see anyone on your way in?"

"I saw a glance of most people. Brad looks…out of it."

"I know. He's just…"

"not complety there anymore." I hesitated then said "I saw Summer."

Her smile faltered but didn't dissapear.

"And…?"

"And nothing. I was waiting for you, she came up, said some stupid stuff then I walked off."

"And…?"

"Nothing. She touched my arm but other then that nothing."

"Good. Because then you'd wish you never left North Carolina."

"I would never wish that" I said as we got to the courtyard.

"So what now? I don't want to stay around here…its depressing."

"Why?"

"Just the whole feel here. Its better now though. Do you want to go see anyone else?"

"Nope…I just want to see you right now."

"Such a line…but I missed those stupid lines."

"Ah, I feel so special" I said pretending to wipe a tear from my eye. I led her towards the car.

"Shut up."

"Another great comeback from Rory."

"Well I wasted all my good comments on my other boyfriend lately."

"Oh your other boyfriend…and that would be…?"

"You might know him…he's about your height, but not as muscley and his hair is more then peach fuzz."

"Hey they made me do it…"

"Sure they did."

"There's something for you in the car…"

"GIFTS!!!" she squealed running over to the car. She tried to see through the tinted windows, then tried to open the locked door.

"OPEN!!!" she demanded.

"And if I don't?"

"No welcome home kiss."

"What was that inside?"

"Oh please…your you, and you were with all guys for like 3 months…I think you want at least a couple kisses."

"You know me too well" I said clicking the unlock button. She opened the passanger side door. "Where is it? Did you get my hopes up for nothing?"

"Backseat."

She peered in then I saw her sqeeze through the two seats.

"You know there is a backseat door."

"So that's for losers. And this is SO adorable. And big." I opened the backseat door and saw Rory, hugging the giant teddy bear. It was black with bright pink polka dots.

"You like it then?"

"Almost as much as the guy that gave it to me."

"I'm not sure if that's a compliment of a dis."

She shrugged then gave me a kiss. I used one arm to pull her closer, and the other to close the door behind me.

Past

I was about to sneak out through the balcony, then I realized I couldn't risk falling or hurting the baby. I decided to just go back and leave through one of the back or side doors. I slowly crept down the hall and made my way downstairs. I didn't see my parents anywhere, so I just left through the front door. I knew where my dad hid the keys to the cars, so I grabbed a set, and started the car. I quickly left the driveway and drove to Chris's. I pulled into the driveway and rang the front door. One of their butlers, Marshall, opened the door.

"Hi, is Chris home?"

"Yes he is. Would you like me to go get him?"

"Would it be alright if I go upstairs? He's expecting me" I lied.

"Of course, Miss Gilmore."

I walked in, and walked up the stairs. I knocked on his door and he yelled to come in.

"Hey…" I said while opening the door.

"Lorelei!"

"Sorry I just…"

"Its okay" he said sitting up from his bed. I sat down in one of his chairs.

"Okay…don't say anything. I need to get this out there. First, I told my parents. They freaked, and I left. Second…I do love you, but we can't get married. Be realistic. You know we can't. Your parents won't like it, mine won't."

"Since when do you care what they think?"

"I don't but still. We're young. If we did get married it would just be a huge mess. I am having the baby though. I don't know what I'm going to do but I'm having it."

"Lorelei…we should get married…it's the right thing to do."

"But that's it! We SHOULD, but we don't have to. Sure it's what is expected of us but do you want to?"

"I guess."

"So no. You didn't even think about it. I told you, then like an hour later you asked me to marry you. Sure you love me but neither of us wants this."

He just hung his head.

"I don't know what I'm going to do about this but I have about 6 months to think about it."

"Well…I know more then anyone how strong headed you are…its just…"

"We're young. We have our whole lives. Do you really want to be tied down now? I don't think so."

"If we aren't going to get married…what is going to happen between us."

This was the question I was dreading answering.

"For now? I think we should just be friends. Things are already complicated enough…do you really want to add that pressure to it to."

Chris stood up off of his bed and started to pace.

"I love you…and nothing will change that but well…"

"Today is just not my day…" he trailed off.

"Well it hasn't exactly been peachy for me either. Can I just stay here for abit…I'm really tired. All I want to do is sleep and forget everything, for now."

"Sure…my parents won't be home for a while, and they wouldn't notice. You can sleep here" he said waving to his messy bed.

"Thanks" I said standing up and making my way to the bed.

"You need anything?"

"Just to sleep…"

"I'll leave you alone then. I gotta…do something."

"Chris?" I said as he was about to leave.

"Yeah?"

"You don't have to go…I know things are weird but…I really want you to stay."

"You sure?"

I nodded and he came back inside. He lied down next to me and stroked my head.

Present

"Nowthat was a good welcome," Tristan said to me, as we broke apart.

"What can I say…I'm good at greeting you."

"I won't argue with that…"

"Plus you gave me a gift. Gifts are good. Gifts keep bad boyfriends out of trouble."

"Are you saying I'm a bad boyfriend?"

"Not directly…"

"I can't argue this one…you got me."

"But you know what turns a decent boyfriend into a great boyfriend?"

"Coffee."

"How'd you guess?"

"Anyone that has met you for a minute knows the only thing on your mind is coffee."

"Tis true. So are we going to get some, or do I have to steal the keys?"

"We're going, we're going…" he said, getting out of the car, and walking around it. I didn't bother to get out, and just slid between the seats.

"Again…there is that amazing thing called a door…"

"Too far, and too much energy."

"Lazy."

"So?"

He just shook his head and started the car. It was felt so good to be there with him. He had surprised me by my locker, and since then I just had that good feeling in myself. I turned my head to look at him. He looked good…his body more defined since all the work, and his usually adorable hair, practically gone.

"What?" he asked, taking a quick glance at me. "Don't tell me I have sauce or something on me."

"Sorry I was just out of it. You look good though…"

"Thanks…I think."

"Don't tell me you lost that ego."

"Oh no its still there. Do you really want it to come out?"

"Well no, but it would remind me that you are real and not just a figment of my imagination."

"Do figments make out with you in the backseat?"

"No but still…I could have IMAGINED that. Are we there yet? I think I'm about to go into full withdrawal."

"1 minute."

"That's too long" I moaned.

"Poor Rory…no coffee makes her a no-fun girl."

"Coffee!" I said as he finally pulled into a parking lot. I had already hopped out of the car before he had it parked and ran inside the donut shop. I could hear him grumble from outside the shop. I went right up to the counter and ordered a cup of coffee and a coke for Tristan, while he made his way inside to join me.

"You do that again, and I will kill you" he threatened when he came up to me.

"No you won't…you'd miss me to much" I said elbowing him lightly in the ribs.

"I'm surprised you haven't finished your coffee yet…"

"I haven't got it yet. I ordered you a coke."

"Smart girl."

The waitress put the drinks on the counter and dryly asked if we wanted anything else.

"I'll have a…chocolate glazed donut…"I said and Tristan nodded, "Oh and a Boston Cream donut as well."

She put them in a bag and I pulled out my wallet.

"I'm paying" Tristan said, doing the same.

"I can pay…"

"I know you CAN but I will. You've gone to long without me around…" he said handing the girl the money.

"Oh yes…paying for stuff is just so hard to do" I said as we grabbed our stuff and sat down at a table.

"Well no worries now, your guy with his wallet is back."

"And I'm still debating whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. But when you buy me coffee, its defiantly good."

I quickly drank half of it and smiled at him.

"Some things never change. Oh, what are you doing tonight?"

"Why?"

Cause at 7:30 my parents are having a dinner for me, and they said I could bring you…if you want of course."

"Sure…I have to call my mom but no problem."

"Here I got my cell phone," he said leaning forward, and pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. I took it and dialled the number quickly. After four rings I finally heard a panting voice.

"Okay whoever this is, you just gave me my excersise for the day."

"Hi mom."

"Rory…so what do you want?"

"Nothing going on tonight right?"

"Well, nothing after my being abducted by aliens, then returning to earth only to be attacked by David Duchveny and that other freak girl look-a-likes."

"Okay so its all free?"

"Another exciting night at the Gilmore House…"

"So can I go to Tristan's for supper?"

"Oohh…so you with him right now?"

"Yes."

"Is he staring at you?"

"Mom!"

"Okay so that's a yes."

"Anyways can I go?"

"Yeah of course…you know when to be back by…"

"Yeah 6am."

"Nice try…take about 6 hours off of that. If you're a bit late it'll be fine."

"Thanks."

"So have you kissed him yet?"

"Good-bye" I said clicking the phone off.

"Interesting conversation?"

"A one-sided conversation as usual."

"So you can come though?"

"Yep. Do you think my mom would risk me killing her if she said no?"

"Ah, you'd kill your mom over me…I feel so special."

"No one wins over my mom…not even you."

"Your moms awesome though. If you grow up to be something like her, well…you'll be even more awesome."

"Just not the whole pregnant at 16 thing…"

"You aren't 16 any more though…"

Past

"That's it" I said, as I started throwing stuff into a suitcase. I'd had it with my parents…I had to get Rory and get out of here. Rory was barely a month old, and so tiny. She was sitting in her playpen, staring up at me.

"It's okay Rory…we're getting out of here" I whispered. My parents had left to go to another "gathering", so I lugged 2 bags downstairs. I grabbed car keys and threw my bags into the trunk. I ran upstairs and grabbed everything I needed. I lifted Rory out of her crib and got her into her little coat, and little slippers/shoes. She was starting to cry so I picked her up and talke to her softly while I grabbed the last of my stuff. I scribbled a note with my free hand to my parents, basically saying, I was leaving. I shut the door and walked down the stairs, and out the front door to the car. I placed Rory in her car seat and slipped into the drivers seat and just drove.

Present

"You sure your parents won't mind me wearing my uniform at supper? I feel sort of stupid wearing it to dinner."

"They don't care…of course I'd also approve of you wearing nothing at all" he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

I hit him in the arm while he just laughed. "That never gets old."

"It was old the first time you said it."

"Well you have the same reaction every time…but now you don't hit as hard."

"Ah, did I hurt you?"

"Yes deeply" he said pretending to be in great pain.

"Here…I'll kiss you to make it better" I said, tilting his head to mine, and kissing him deeply.

"Mister Dugrey, Miss Gilmore, supper's being served now" a voice called from behind us. We broke apart and when we heard him leave, started laughing.

"That was a great first impression…" I said looking towards the floor.

"They don't care…come on. Food!" he said greedily, grabbing my hand and leading me out of the sitting room. We entered the dining room which reminded me of my grandparents dining room.

I had met both his parents again when we had arrived and they both were really nice, and I could tell they were happy to have Tristan back.

"Rory, you can sit there, across from Tristan" his dad instructed. Tristan dropped my hand and pulled the chair out for me. I said a quiet thank you while Tristan walked around the table. I felt nervous, the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. His parents seemed nice enough but I was still nervous. A butler or something, placed a salad in front of me. I waited till I saw Mrs. Dugrey start eating.

"So Rory, happy that Chilton's over for the summer?" Mr. Dugrey asked.

"Yes it's nice to have a break. I love it there though, and in August, I'm taking some summer courses."

"Summer courses? I hope she influences you, Tristan" Mrs. Dugrey said, laughing.

"I think I'll pass on those…schools enough during the year."

I listened for a couple minutes while they discussed that and finished off the salad.

"Hungry Rory?" Tristan said, smirking.

Maybe since a certain someone here ate most of my donut" I said staring pointedly at him.

"Hey, I paid for it, so it was my donut."

"I said I'd pay…you were just too stubborn."

"Sounds like any other male Dugrey" his mother added, laughing.

I had forgotten they were listening in so I looked at my plate.

"Oh and you aren't stubborn?" his father asked looking at his wife.

The main dish which was steak was brought and his mom raised her glass.

To Tristan, finally back for good…and to hope he stays good, as well as him and Rory" she said, smiling at me then her son.

I took a sip out of the glass set in front of me. I had thought it was some weird drink but Tristan must have told them to put coffee in it. I mouthed a Thanks to him across the table and pointed to the cup.

The rest of the dinner went easily and it was coming to an end.

"Your mother and I are going over to the Branches for a drink and game of pool. You two are welcome to come…"

"We'll pass" Tristan said quickly.

"…and that was nice of you," he said giving him a quick look. "You two can just hang around here then."

****a few minutes later & his parents have left and Rory & Tristan are just leaving the dining room.*****

"So was that horrible?" he asked.

"No worse then a dinner at my grandparents when my mom and grandma are in a fight."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Oh its hilarious…its so funny watching them try to talk, but not directly at the other one…your parents are cool though."

"I've never heard those words used in the same sentence…my parents and cool. So where to?"

"How about the game room? I feel like beating you at something."

"Like that will ever happen."

"It did before…"

" So where to?"

"How about the game room? I feel like beating you at something."

"Like that will ever happen."

"It did before…"

"Yeah well now I've been to military camp and boosted up these muscles" he said, while posing and flexing.

"Well I boosted this thing up here" I said tapping my head.

"Oh so it's the size of a large pebble now?"

"Haha its still bigger than yours" I said as Tristan turned the lights on, and I followed him down the stairs. At the bottom I got lazy and jumped on his back, piggyback style, wrapping my legs around his waist.

"Ugh…warnings are good" he said jumping up to adjust me.

"My legs got tired."

"Sure they did…you know you'll use any excuse to straddle me…"

"Not again" I said, sitting my chin on his shoulder as he walked to the games room.

"I went like 4 months without any…I gotta make up for lost time."

"You already have. I'd hit you but then you'd drop me and that would be painful."

"I'd never drop you,"

"Was that something sweet coming out of your mouth Dugrey?" I said as we got to the room and he slid me off his back.

"Shocked?"

"Very."

"So which game shall it be?"

"How about…Mario Kart" I said pointing to his game consol, hooked up to the giant TV.

"That's so old though…"

"Come on…you don't wanna play cause I'll kick your butt in it!"

"Oh you are so going down!" he said starting the game up. He pulled over a giant beanbag chair and sat in it. I sat on the edge of it, leaning against him slightly.

"Happy to be back?"

"You're here…that's what I like."

"You're on a roll with these nice things today…" I said beating him to picking Yoshi on the screen.

"And what does it get me? Toad" he grumbled.

We played for a half an hour or so, both of us winning a couple times.

"Okay final race…" I said dramatically.

"Oh no!" he said in mock terror.

"Which track?"

"Um…the rainbow one…"

The annoying guy came on and counted down to 1…the second he did I used one arm and quickly hit Tristan's controller out of his hands and got a big lead.

"NO FAIR!!" he yelled, trying to catch up.

"I did nothing…you are just a klutz."

He tried to hit my controller but I kept moving out of the way while still playing the game.

"You're going down" I yelled as it came to the last lap. He got a lightning and caught up to me.

"No!!" I screamed at the TV.

"Look who's about to win…"he gloated as he came into the sight of the finish line. I reached with my foot and hit the restart button on the game consol. A split-second later the race disappeared.

"You did not just do that" he said, staring at me.

I did nothing…I stretched my foot out…"

"You are so going to get it now" he said lunging forward and grabbing me around the waist. I tried to squirm out of the way but he was too strong. He started to tickle my sides and I was squirming everywhere. He ended up straddling me so I wouldn't end up kicking him during my laughter pain.

"PLEASE…let…me…go" I said in between squeals of laughter and pain.

"Not until you say I won."

"Never."

"Well then your just going to keep getting tickled…" he said, tickling me even more.

"AHH!!! Your…evil…"

He laughed at my pain. "Fine…stop tickling and I'll say it." He stopped and I grumbled "You won…"

"What? I can't hear you from up here?"

"YOU WON!" I yelled.

"That's better" he said leaning forward and kissing me deeply. I reached my arms up and slid them around his neck and pulled him closer. He slowly trailed his mouth down my neck, making me moan with pleasure. I ran my hands up and down his back, while his mouth made its way back up to my mouth, and his hands made their way around my body. Tristan had started to lift my shirt off, but then he pulled away slightly, looking at me to see if it was okay. I just pulled his face to mine and kissed him. He slid my top off slowly, then he lifted his top off before kissing me again. Hi skin was warm and it felt good to have him that close.