Chapter Four: One Step Behind

            ** This scent of summer floated in the air, promising of the coming warmth.  The world was busy and bustling, and so very alive.  In a small, secret corner or the earth, two young lovers enjoyed the coming season quietly, and privately.

            It would be their last day together for a time.  Both leaving the next day, to begin their lives in what has so often been called, the real world.  Both parted with a smile on their lips, already dreaming of when they would next meet.**

*****

            "Let's see, who do we have here . . .  Lorelai Gil - Rory?" The attractive young man said.  He looked up in astonishment.

            "Hello to you too, Tristan," Rory said with a nervous smile.  It had been a very, very long time since she had seen Tristan DuGrey.  They had known each other at Chiton, although they had never exactly been friends.  Then, in their junior year Tristan had been sent off to military school.  The only other time she had seen him was when he had shown up at the Chilton graduation.  She could only hope he wouldn't turn her away now.

            "Rory?  God, I can't believe it's you!" he greeted warmly, standing and pulling her into a fierce embrace.

            Rory returned the hug, feeling her nerves subside a bit at his friendly welcome.  He pulled back, still smiling, and motioned for her to take a seat.

            "So what are you doing here?" he asked, "Visiting the city?  I'm really glad you stopped by."

            Rory smiled, wondering whether or not now was the time to tell Tristan exactly why she was there.  "Well," she began, "Coming to Europe was just something I needed to do."  She was being evasive, and Tristan noticed.  He frowned slightly, but didn't comment.

            "How are you, Rory?" he asked, suddenly serious. 

            "What? Oh, I'm fine."

            "No, really.  I, uh, heard about the accident when it happened a few years ago.  I wanted to come see you, but I had just finished up school and started working here in Dad's London firm.  Things were just really crazy.  I wasn't sure if you would want me there anyway."

            Rory smiled, "It's okay.  Things were really crazy then for me, too.  I went through some pretty rough times after the crash, but I think I'm finally doing better."

            Tristan bit his lip, thinking about how to phrase his next question.  "I kept in touch with Paris for a few years after graduation.  I don't really talk to her these days, but . . . well, she was the one who called and told me about the crash.  She also, uh, told me about your boyfriend."  Tristan winced at the flash of pain he suddenly saw in Rory's eyes.  "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up.  Let's talk about something different.  How long are you going to be in the city?"

            Rory shook her head.  "No, it's okay.  We're going to have to talk about him eventually . . . that's actually why I'm here.  It just surprised me when you already knew.  I didn't know you had spoken to Paris . . .I mean, she never mentioned anything to me."

            "Rory? What are you talking about?  Are you okay?"

            "How much time do you have?  This could take a while, and I don't want to bother you if your busy."

            "I have as much time as you need.  Don't worry.  Now tell me, what's going on?"

            Rory took a deep breath, and started at the beginning.  She told Tristan everything, right from Jess's disappearance, to her original searches, her failed attempts to move on with her life, and her new resolution to find him.

             "So, I decided to search in Europe.  The problem is that I don't know anyone in Europe.  And so I -" she broke off, hoping Tristan would figure out what she was asking of him.

            Tristan slowly nodded, "That's some story.  I honestly figured the guy would eventually show back up again when Paris first told me about it.  You do realize that there is the possibility that something could have happened to -"

            Rory vehemently shook her head, "He's still alive.  I know it."

            Tristan nodded, "Well, in that case, I guess the only thing you can do is keep looking.  I'll help you in any way I can, Rory."

            Rory looked at him gratefully, "You don't know what this means to me, Tristan, I- "

            She was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.  Both she and Tristan looked over to see the door swing open and another man come walking in.  This man was young, probably around Rory and Tristan's age, and strikingly handsome.  He had light brown hair, and piercing green eyes.  Although, despite his killer looks, Rory suddenly felt cold at the sight of him.

            "Tristan, my man, what do we have here?"

            Tristan fought to keep the disgust off his face.  Nicholas King was the son of one his fathers longest and most trusted friends.  William King, Nick's Dad, had done business with Tristan's father for as long as he could remember.  So, when Mr. King had asked Mr. DuGrey to give his son a position at the business firm, Mr. DuGrey had been pleased to oblige.  However, no matter how nice William King might be, his son was a asshole.  Tristan only tolerated him because he had to, as his father refused to listen to the negative complaints concerning Nick.  Not only was he a slick bastard, Tristan was almost positive he was somehow involved with the file discrepancies that were suddenly appearing in the business.  Still, he had no way to prove it, so he kept his mouth shut.

            "Nick, I'd like you to meet my old friend Rory Gilmore.  We went to school together back in the states.  Rory, this is Nicholas King, he also works at the firm."

            Rory noticed Tristan's hard tone of voice, but still pasted a smile on her face and turned to Nick.  "It's nice to meet you."

            Nick's lips curved upwards into a smooth smile, "It's very nice to meet you."  He bent down and kissed the top of her hand.  Rory felt her cheeks flush as his eyes freely roamed over her body as he stood back up.  She glanced back at Tristan for help.

            "What can I help you with, Nick.  I'm a little busy here."

            Nick smirked, "I just wanted to let you know that the Prescott deal closed this morning.  Oh, and your wife called.  Well, I won't keep you.  It was nice meeting you Rory . . .  I certainly hope our paths cross again."  With a meaningful look in Rory's direction, the man left the room, shutting the door behind him.

            "Sorry about him, he's a creep.  If it wasn't for his father, he wouldn't be here, believe me."

            "It's alright, I can handle it.  So, wife, huh?  How come I haven't heard about this yet?  It seems like that when the 'player' Tristan DuGrey actually settled down it should have made international news," she teased lightly.

            "Yeah well, I grew up a lot after high school, thank God.  Here's a picture of my family," he said, showing her the frame proudly, "That's my wife, Jacquelyn, and that's our little girl, Madison."

            Rory stared at Tristan's beautiful family.  All happy, and smiling.  The picture was so full of love.  She suddenly felt tears spring into her eyes . . . God, how may times had she dreamed of her and Jess having a family like this?  By now, she was sure they would have, it hadn't been for the damn plane crash.  Life just wasn't fair . . .

            "Rory, what's the matter?" Tristan asked softly, already knowing the answer.

            "Nothing," she said softly, smiling, "Your family is beautiful.  I can't wait to meet them . . .?" Rory said, shooting Tristan a glance.

            Tristan laughed, "I figured you'd need a place to stay.  Don't worry, Jackie won't mind a bit.  She's actually pregnant with our second baby, right now.  She'd love the company.  And Rory, I have to be honest with you, you might be here for a while.  Looking for Jess could take a long time."

            "I know, and I'm prepared for that, no matter what.  I really can't thank you enough for doing this for me."

            "Don't mention it.  That's what friends are for.  Let me just call Jacquelyn and let her know you're coming, then I can give you directions and you can catch a cab.  I'm afraid I won't be able to get off work for another few hours, so you should probably just go on over."

            Rory smiled, feeling happy.  She had taken her first major steps down the path that she could only hope would lead her to Jess.

*****

            Jess glanced around at the busy airport and then back down at the little slip of paper in his hands.  He stared at the number written on it and sighed.  As much as he hated the idea of doing it, he knew he had to call that number.  Otherwise, going to Europe would be pointless; he wouldn't have a clue as to where to even begin looking for Rory.  He made his way over to the payphone, and quickly dialed the number before he could change his mind.  A woman answered, and Jess gave her the name of the person he wished to speak to.

            "Just a moment, please," the woman said.

            Jess waited uncomfortably.   A lot of things may have changed over the years, but his people skills wasn't one of them.  He hadn't been considered overly friendly ten years ago, and he sure as hell wouldn't be considered friendly now.

            "Hello, Paris Gellar speaking, make it quick."

            "Uh, hello Paris? My name is Jess Mariano -" he began to introduce himself but was soon cut off.

            "Jess Mariano . . . Jess . . . Mariano . . . sounds familiar, but no, I don't believe I know you.  Who is this?" Paris asked irritably.

            "My name is Jess Mariano," he tried again, "I am or was or I don't know . . .  I used to date Rory Gilmore.  Do you remember her?"

            "Of course I remember her.  Are you the one who pulled the Houdini act after the plane crash?"

            Jess sighed, "That would be me."

            "So you finally decided to pull your ass up out of whatever hole you've been hiding in for the past four years?  How nice.  I'm sure Rory must be thrilled, but honestly I don't have time for -"

            "Paris!" Jess snapped in frustration, "Rory's not thrilled, because -"

            "Oh really?  So she really was serious about that guy she was dating.  Surprising, really.  I honestly just thought she was dating him to get over you.  Well, good for her.  If you think that by calling me that I'll put in a good word for you, you're mistaken.  I think it's great that Rory didn't waste four years of her life over you.  Besides, it's not like she'd listen to what I had to say anyway, she never did- "

            "Paris!" Jess said again, suddenly feeling like banging his head against a wall.  This woman was impossible.  "Rory's not thrilled because she doesn't know.  Just as I came back, she was going to Europe.  Apparently she was going to search for me over there or something -"

            "Europe?  Is she crazy?  What -"

            "As I was saying," Jess cut back in, any semblance of patience long gone, "We can't get a hold of her, so I'm going over there to find her.  The reason I'm calling you is that Rory said she was going to try and get the help of an old Chilton friend.  She said he was working in his father's business firm in London.  Do you know who that is?"

            "Well, well, she must have meant Tristan DuGrey.  That's the only person I know of whose working at a business firm in London," she said.  Jess could almost see her twisted smile over the phone.

            "Great," he muttered.  He hadn't even thought about Tristan DuGrey in almost 10 years, but he still remembered Rory's high school graduation.  The creep couldn't keep his eyes off her back then.  He certainly hoped things had changed over the years.

            "Yeah, I can't say I've seen Tristan recently, but unless he was horribly disfigured in some sort freak accident, I'm sure he's still as attractive as he was in high school -"

            "Paris?  May I ask what I ever did to you to make you clearly dislike me so intensely?"

            "You hurt Rory.  I know you didn't mean to, and believe it or not I understand what you must have been going through.  But Rory's life fell apart when she realized that she'd lost you.  I personally think it's foolish to be so controlled by a man, but to her, you were everything.  She went through a lot of pain."

            "And that matters to you?" Jess asked, trying to fight the regret that was suddenly threatening to engulf him.

            "Of course it matters to me.  Rory is one of the few people I've ever actually considered a friend in my entire life.  I didn't like seeing her hurt."

            'Huh,' Jess mused to himself, 'Maybe Paris isn't such a bitch after all.'

            He suddenly heard his flight being announced over the intercom.  "Well, my flight's about to leave.  Thanks for the information," Jess said.

            "Bring her home, Jess."

            "I will."

*****

            Rory stepped out of the large business building and headed to where her cab was already waiting on the side of the street.  She was incredibly thrilled over how wonderful everything had went with Tristan, and she was looking forward to meeting his family.  Just as she was about to get into her cab, she heard someone calling her name.  She turned around to see Nicholas King, the man she had met earlier, running towards her.

            "Yes?" she asked, politely.  The man gave her the creeps, but she didn't want him to realize she was uncomfortable around him.

            "I was wondering, since you're new in London, if you might give me the honor of escorting you to dinner this evening, showing you around city, perchance?"  He asked, smoothly.

            Rory looked into his clear green eyes.  They were so emotionless, so cold.  Nick seemed like a perfect gentleman, but there was just something about him.  Rory couldn't put her finger on it, but it nonetheless turned her off.  Even is she hadn't been in love with someone else, she still never would have even considered going out with this man.

            "I'm sorry, Nicholas, but I'm very tired.  I think I'm just going to stay in tonight."

            "Some other time, then?"

            "No, I don't think so."

            Rory thought she saw a flash of raw anger in Nick's eyes, but just as quickly as she had seen it, it was gone.  They were back to their intent, unreadable stare.  Rory figured she must have imagined it.

            "Well, I certainly hope you'll be successful in whatever you came to London to do.  Be careful, though, a big city like this wasn't made for pretty little ladies who are all alone."

            "I think I have it covered," Rory said icily.  If she didn't know better, she would think that Nicholas was threatening her. 

            "Very well, once again, it was nice meeting you."  With that he turned and disappeared back into the office building.

            Rory stared after him, surprised by the rapid beating of her heart.  Something about that man had made her incredible uneasy.  'Oh well, he's gone now.  I most likely won't ever see him again,' she thought to herself.

            She suddenly realized that she had made the poor cab driver wait for way too long.  She quickly opened the door and got in.  She gave the driver directions to Tristan's house and tried to get comfortable.  Yet for some reason, every time she closed her eyes, she was haunted by the same confusing image. 

            A flash of anger in a pair of clear green eyes . . . 

A/N: So what did you think?  Reviews are always appreciated. 

Also, I'd like to thank the reviewer who gave me the idea of giving Tristan a wife.  I decided Rory really did need to know someone in Europe, and I wanted it to be a character everyone was familiar with.  Tristan seemed like the best bet, but while I think Tristan is great, this is a literati all the way, so giving him a wife seemed perfect! : )