DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Tess. By the way, for all you people who are wondering if this is a knock off of Code, then you should know 1) It's not, and 2) Jewls is ok with this.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry it took me so long to come up with this, but school's started again, and I've been very busy. Expect an update a week, hopefully. And the troryness starts in this chapter, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief! Lol, anyway, enjoy!

CHAPTER 3: START RUNNING.

"Hey sweetie, I'm home!"

Rory poked her head around the corner.

"Hey mom! How was work?"

Lorelai sighed. "Busy. I had to run around the Inn all day. Which is not easy in heels."

Rory put on a baby's voice. "Poor mommy."

"Not funny evil spawn! I fell over! Twice!"

Rory laughed. "My day was worse. I was guilt tripped into going to a football game with Lane tomorrow"

Lorelai snorted. "You win. Poor daughter…er…daughter-y?"

Rory shook her head. "I'm looking into therapy."

"Glad you care hun." Lorelai said and sunk into the couch, flipping the T.V on in the process.

Rory cleared her throat. "So…you were still at the diner when I left?"

Lorelai didn't look up from the T.V. "Yeah sweetie."

Rory sat at the edge of the couch. "So…uh…you talked to Tess huh?"

Lorelai finally looked up. "Yeah, I did".

"So…do you like her?"

Lorelai shrugged. "Well I hired her if it's any indication." She said laughingly.

"You what?!"

Lorelai turned around fully. "She starts at the Inn tomorrow. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yes!" Rory said indignantly.

Lorelai waited for a reason.

It was at that point that Rory started babbling. "Of course it's wrong! You don't even know her! She could be an axe murderer for all you know! How could you hire her?"

Lorelai shrugged. "Well she hasn't killed Jess in the six years she's known him, so I say it's a safe bet. Besides, what could I do? She wanted a job, and the Inn needs as much help as it can get."

"But…but-"

"But what?"

Rory shrugged. "You like her? Just like that?! You never even liked Jess…you still don't!"

Lorelai became suspicious. "Why are you getting so defensive?"

"I'm not defensive."

Lorelai laughed. "Yes you are! If I didn't know you better I would think you're…jealous."

Rory shook her head slowly. "No…why…I mean…that's just…I'm not…"

Lorelai clapped her hands. "Yes you are! Lorelai Leigh Gilmore is jealous! Someone alert the news!"

Rory pouted. "This is ANOTHER ridiculous conversation! I'm going to bed!" and with that, she turned around and stormed off to her room.

"It's seven thirty!" Lorelai shook her head slowly and sunk into the couch again.

Next day.

Lorelai and Rory hopped out of the Jeep and walked into Luke's.

"Morning" he grunted while rushing past them.

Lorelai grinned. "Such friendly service! Uh…coffee?"

"Wait."

"Wow, I would hate waking up to you in the morning. Pick a table Rory."

Rory looked around. "Counter." She was still mad at her mother. They both sat down with their coffee, and it wasn't long before Jess and Tessa came running down the stairs.

"Good morning!" Tess said, grinning. Jess remained silent. Tess rolled her eyes. "He says good morning as well."

Lorelai smiled. "You ready to go?"

"Sure." Tess turned to Rory. "So, what are you doing today?"

Rory was sulking. "Football game."

Jess laughed. "No, seriously"

It was at that moment that Lane walked into the diner, wearing her bright cheerleading outfit.

"Let's go Rory! Give me an R, give me an O…"

Rory looked at her mother helplessly as she was being dragged out of the diner.

"Somebody shoot me."

Lorelai hopped off the stool and and waved goodbye to her daughter. "I would, but it's frowned upon. Have fun!"

Rory rolled her eyes and groaned. Lorelai laughed and turned to Tess.

"We should probably get going before Michel stabs someone with a butter knife."

Tess looked afraid. Lorelai waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, he's nice! He's just…French. Bye Jess."

They waved him goodbye and climbed into the Jeep.

Football game.

Rory sighed. This was just as boring as she expected it to be. She looked over at Lane, who was talking to a bunch of peppy people, including Henry. Rory opened her bag, chose a book, and tried to get comfortable, when she heard a chuckle coming from behind her.

"My, my, what a surprise. My little Mary has her nose stuck in a book."

Rory turned around and shielded her eyes from the sun. A tall, muscular, blond boy greeted her.

"Tristan!" Rory stood up and hugged him. "I see your personality hasn't changed a bit." She said with a laugh.

He grinned. "Old habits die hard Mary…uh…Rory." He said, smirking.

"How come they let you out of boot camp?" she asked with interest.

"Believe it or not, Hell has summer holidays too." He raised an eyebrow. "Miss me much?"

Rory laughed. "Tristan? Tristan who?"

Tristan rocked back on his heels. "So…how's Bean head? I mean, coupon kid! No, no, I mean bag boy! Crap, you know who I mean."

Rory rolled her eyes. "I don't know. Maybe you should ask his girlfriend."

Tristan looked confused. "I thought I was asking his girlfriend."

"No, Deans girlfriend is Daisy."

Tristan laughed. "Dean has a girlfriend called Daisy." His smile faded when he saw Rory's face. "You're serious."

"Yes I am."

"Wow…that's…interesting" he was playing it cool, but inside, he was doing back flips.

Rory nodded. "Yes it is. So how about you?"

Tristan shrugged. "What about me?"

"How's life been? Any new girls in your life?"

"Rory, I've spent every day for the past six months locked up in a building with a whole bunch of bald boys."

Rory grinned. "Right."

"Rory!" she turned around when she heard her name being called. She saw Lane waving wildly at her.

"I'd better go see what that's about. It was nice to see you again Tristan."

"You too Rory." He said softly, and watched her walk away. That was it. The moment he had been fantasising about for six months was…gone. He sighed quietly. He sat down again. He had a football game to watch.

Rory had finally reached Lane. "What is it?" She asked breathlessly.

Lane squealed. "I just got asked out. On a date!"

Rory felt genuinely excited for friend. "Lane, Henry asked you out? That's fantastic!"

Lane's smile faded. "Well…no."
"No?"

"Henry didn't ask me out. Andrew did."

Rory looked confused. "Andrew?"

Lane nodded. "Tall, gorgeous, Korean musician. He asked me to go to his friend's party with him on Saturday! Isn't it exciting!"

Rory laughed. "Yeah...it is, but, what do I have to do with this exactly?"

Lorelai looked at her with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Oh no Lane, I'm not coming with you guys!"

"Rory please! If you came I would have an alibi for my mother, and it won't be so weird! Plus, you NEED to get out."

"Staying in is just fine with me thank you very much! I don't want to be the third wheel Lane."

"What if you ask Jess?" Lane asked hopefully.

"Well, his friend is visiting, which means she'll have to come. So that makes me the…fifth wheel?"

Lane was consistent. "Come on Rory! You haven't been on a date since Dean! Do it for your bestest friend in the whole world?" she pleaded. Suddenly she perked up.

"How about that cute blond boy you were talking to?" she started walking towards Tristan.

"Lane, no!" But it was too late. Lane had already reached Tristan. Lane ignored the fact that Rory tried to grab her arm and started talking to Tristan.

"Excuse me, but my friend Rory here is kinda shy, but she really likes you, and she was wondering if you would like to go out with us on Saturday night?" Lane asked hurriedly.

Tristan smirked while Rory covered her face with her hands.

"I knew you missed me Mary."

Lane looked confused. "What?"

Rory sighed. "Lane Kim, this is Tristan DuGrey."

Lane's eyes widened. "Ooohhh, this is Tristan?"

"Yes it is."

"Wow…you never told me he was cute." She looked at Tristan. "You're very cute you know. You could be in a boy band. Do you sing?"

"Uh…not much." He extended his hand to Lane. "It's lovely to meet you Lane." He said with a wink.

Lane raised her eyebrows. "So, do you want to join us?"

Rory jumped in with "Lane!" just as Tristan said, "I'd love to."

Rory looked infuriated. "What?!"

"Well, your friend here obviously wants me to join you, and I wouldn't want to make her sad now, would I? I'll call you." And with that, he turned around and walked off.

"He doesn't have my number." Rory muttered quietly. She glared at Lane. "I suggest you start running."