AN: I know you guys are about to murder me for the lack of Trory action, but I promise there will be some! Thanks for reviewing, and keep it up because the more reviews I get the faster I write these chapters. Christmas break is coming up, and hopefully I'll get a lot of writing done then. I love you all!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~

Tristan leaned against the wall of the expensive elevator on the way up to his "apartment" of the top floor. It was really more like a penthouse, taking up the entire top floor, and very nice and very expensive. The elevator made a annoying little chime, and he got off, saying a formal good bye to the nerdy bellhop. He was tired, and he walked slowly to his door. Standing beside it however, was a woman. She had short blonde hair and wore a white fur coat over a revealing dress.

"Hey, Baby," she said seductively.

He mentally searched for her name. Tonight was not the night for this. "Vivian, what do you want?"

"In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight."

"I appreciate the quoting of old movies, but I'm tired. Leave."

"I think I left my panties in your bedroom."

"I'll send them UPS."

"Baby, what's been up with you lately? I mean I'm not in love with you, but the sex was good."

"Just leave me alone."

"You fell in love."

"What?"

"I can read you like a book, and no man turns down sex as good as what we had unless he's in love."

"Whatever. Don't come back."

"Don't forget to mail the panties," she said walking away chomping on her gum.

He unlocked his door and collapsed on his couch. He just couldn't get her out of his head. He wanted to talk to her so badly. He picked up the phone, and dialed.

This time, she picked up.

"Hello?"

"Rory?"

"Tristan?"

"Hey."

"Hey. It's been awhile."

He laughed, "how is everything?"

"Pretty good, and with you?"

"Well besides for being informed by my parents that I need to get married, super."

"Did you not tell them about our engagement? I'm hurt."

He smiled, hoping it meant something that she would bring it up. "My apologies."

"Forgiven. On one condition."

"Well while I'm job interviewing in Manhattan, I'm going to need somebody to give me a tour of the city."

He was very happy, "Your interviewing? Couldn't stay away from me?"

She blushed, although there was nobody to see it, knowing how true it was, "the jobs are better there."

"That they are. Now when are you coming?"

"What does this weekend sound like?"

"Heaven."

"Shut up."

"Blow me."

"Eat poop."

"Lick Dirt."

They laughed.

He broke the argument, "it'll be good to have you up here."

"I think so too."

Their conversation went on for a little bit, about useless things, both in their own worlds, excited about the upcoming weekend. They exchanged small talk, and ended the conversation. Rory collapsed onto her couch, a smile on her face. She held three letters in her hand, from newspapers, eager to have Rory Gilmore on staff. She hoped that maybe everything was falling into place. She couldn't believe that it was Tristan was the one who was doing this to her, but she liked the feeling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With his eyes closed, and his body stretched out on the couch, Tristan's mouth formed a smile. Maybe Rory Gilmore wasn't just being nice after all. Maybe she liked him. She was the first girl who had done this to him, since well, since herself. He looked at the "bachelor pad" and dialed his maid to come Thursday to fix it up. He could not welcome the love of his life, although it was hard to admit that, into a sex den. Rory deserved better.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rory was still lying on the couch, thinking about Tristan when her doorbell rang. She had many friends, but they weren't the types to show up unexpected. She ran her fingers through her hair and opened the door.

"Bradley…"

"Rory, I really want to talk to you."

She didn't smile, "come in."

He sat down on her couch and said, "I don't want to be apart from you any longer."

"Listen, Bradley…"

"I miss you. You're the most beautiful, perfect woman in the world."

"Bradley."

"I want to marry you someday…"

Her cheeks were flushed and her heart was breaking for him. Was she giving up on him for what she might have with Tristan? Was it worth it?


"Bradley, I'm interviewing in Manhattan this weekend, I shouldn't be living here by the end of the month."

"Perfect! We can get a new start together."

She opened her door again, ushering him out. "I'm sorry Bradley, I'm getting a new start without you. Goodbye."

As she shut the door behind him, Rory felt tears in her eyes. She had liked him a lot, they had had good times, but now she knew that she would never truly get over Tristan. She shook her head, and fell asleep, dreaming of the blonde boy she crushed on.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tristan woke with the sun, and sat, draped in his robe, in the dark, staring out his window adorned with velvet curtains, and watched the sun rise over the city. This was a routine he had started since military school. It was the perfect way to start the day. Nothing ever interfered with his morning time. It was the best way to begin the day, he thought, and he enjoyed the peace. Once it had rose, Tristan jumped into the shower and prepared for the day, wondering how he would go through the boring meetings, when Rory and her upcoming visit were all he could think about. He imagined her getting a job here, and them dating, getting married. He imagined beautiful little children running around, and him and Rory ever so much in love. It was a pretty picture, but Tristan saw the empty alcohol bottles littering his kitchen, the black book containing women he would never call again, he remembered the woman he had turned away the night before. He didn't deserve that life, he thought, but he would do his best to make up for not deserving it as long as he had.

He wondered how she had this much power over his thoughts. He went through his meetings, but all he could do was imagine Mrs. Rory DuGrey paging him and asking where he wanted to have dinner. He imagined little Lorelei the 4th falling asleep in his arms, and him tucking her in. A friend asked where his mind was, and all he could explain was "bigger and better things," He had never thought of anything as bigger and better than the business and the money before. It was scary to be like this. He liked it though.