Title: Best Friends or Lovers?

Author: Julz

Summary: Rory Hayden has lived in Hartford all her life with her dad. She has had the perfect life: best friends, a great dad, and everything she could ever ask for. What happens when she falls for one of her best friends?

Pairing: Trory!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Michelle and the story line!

Author's Note: Hey guys! Wow! I have been getting soo many positive reviews. Okay, so this is the deal with my other stories. I kinda lost interest in Changed so if anyone would like to pick up on that one. Things… I am going to pick up in a bout a month. I just want to get this one out there and have a t least five chapters for this story. I finished Dismissed, but if you guys want me to do that spin-off with a Lit, then you can email me at julz7389@aol.com. My re-write for Runaway Little Boy, I really don't think I will continue that. But if I do then I'll let you guys know. Okay, this A/N is getting too long…On with the story!

*~*Chilton Parking Lot*~*

"Hey Ror!" Summer called out as she got out of her car.

"Sum!" Rory said as she walked over to her best friend. "Where's Tris? He was supposed to be here by now?"

"Oh my God. You didn't hear. Janlan had a heart attack. Tristan is at the hospital right now."

"Oh God. Sum, tell all my teachers that I was sick and get my home work for me. I'll see you later at my house." Rory said as she ran back to her car.

"Hi, Sherry? Is my dad there?" Rory asked into her cell phone.

"Sure sweetie." Sherry said as she called out to Christopher.

"Thanks." Rory said as Sherry put her on hold.

*~*Rory/Christopher inter-cut*~*

Christopher: Hello?

Rory: Dad, Janlan is in the hospital. He had a heart attack last night. I'm going over to see him now.

Christopher: Alright, babe, calm down. I'll meet you at the hospital in ten minutes. Drive safely. Don't break too many laws.

Rory: I won't. I have to go. I will see you at the hospital.

Christopher: Love you sweetie.

Rory: Love you too dad.

*~*End Rory/Christopher inter-cut*~*

*~*Hartford Memorial Hospital*~*

Rory walked through the revolving doors and immediately saw Tristan and his family.

"Rory?" Steven DuGrey asked as he saw the young brunette.

"Hi, Mr. DuGrey. I'm sorry about your father."

"Thank you, Rory. Shouldn't you be at school?" Steven asked. 

"I came as soon as I heard. How are you?" Rory explained.

"We've all been better." Tristan replied as he came up behind his father.

"I think I'll leave you two alone." Steven said as he walked back to his wife and the newly arrived Christopher.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tristan asked as he pulled Rory into a hug.

"Can't a girl see her friend?" Rory asked as she smiled up at Tristan.

"Not when the aforementioned girl is supposed to be in school."

"I came as soon as I heard the news. Why didn't you call me?" Rory asked as she hugged him tighter.

"I didn't want to worry you." Tristan replied.

"A little too late for that." Rory smiled wryly. "Summer said she will be coming after school gets out."

"She doesn't have to come. You didn't even have to come here, Rory. I know how much you hate hospitals."

"Tristan, please, Janlan has been like a grandfather to me. Remember when my dad had to go to the hospital when he crashed his bike?" Rory asked as the painful memory washed over her.

"Yeah I do. It was a hard time for all of us." Tristan replied as he saw the look on Rory's face. "Come on, let's go sit down." He said as he led her over to the hard, plastic, hospital chairs.

"Mr. DuGrey?" the doctor asked as he came out of the ICU wing. "Your father has been stabilized. We are moving him into a room on the third floor. You can go up now to meet him up there."

"Thank you doctor." Elaine DuGrey said.

"We'll be up in a minute." Steven said.

*~*Janlan's hospital room*~*

"Ror, are you okay? You don't look to good." Christopher asked, concern clearly heard in his voice. 

"I'm alright. I just need some coffee." Rory said as she stood up. "I'm going to see Janlan."

"Alright." Christopher said. "Tell Janlan I said to feel better, I have to go back to work. I will see you at home. If you need anything, call me on my cell."

"I will. See you at home." Rory said as she gave her dad a kiss on the cheek.

"Ror, my grandfather wants to see you." Tristan said as he came into the private waiting room.

"Coming." Rory said. When they entered the room, Rory looked at the form on the bed.

"Rory." Janlan croaked out.

"Mr. DuGrey." Rory said rushing to his side.

"How many times have I told you to call me Janlan?" The old man laughed.

"137, but who's counting?" Tristan said.

"Tristan said you wanted to talk to me." Rory said.

"Yes. When I'm gone, I want you to take care of Tristan. Make sure he is alright. He is a good kid, let's keep it that way." Janlan said.

"What are you talking about? You're healthy. You can make it." Rory said as she grasped the older man's hand.

"Rory, you know as well as I do that I won't make it. Look at me Rory. Take care of him for me. Make sure he doesn't fall apart. Okay?" Janlan ordered.

"Okay." Rory replied as she felt a tear roll down her cheek. All of a sudden she heard loud beeping noises coming from the machines attached to the elderly man. She and the DuGrey's were rushed out of the hospital room and into the waiting room. As Elaine and Steven sat there and waited for news to come, Tristan and Rory went down to the hospital café. They got coffee for everyone and went back up. When they entered the waiting room, they saw the doctor trying to calm down Elaine.

"Tristan, Rory. I need to talk to you two. Outside." Steven said as he ushered the two bewildered teens into the hallway. "Tris, your grandfather has not made it. He had a heart failure."

"Oh my God." Tristan said as his body started to shake with uncontrollable sobs.

"Come here Tristan." Rory said as she pulled Tristan into a hug. "It'll be alright." She said as she rubbed circles on his back. They stood there for a few more minutes when Steven interrupted them.

"Rory, take Tris back to your house. Is it okay if he stays the night at your house?" Steven asked.

"Sure. Call my dad if you need anything." Rory replied.

"I will. Drive safely." Elaine said as she walked up next to her husband.

"I will. Bye." Rory said as she turned to leave with Tristan.

*~*Hayden Mansion*~*

"Hey, Tris?" Rory asked as she knocked on his door.

"What's up Ror?" Tristan asked as he looked up from his book.

"I was just wondering if you needed anything."

"I'm alright." He replied as she walked into the room. When she reached the bed, she crawled up next to him and rested her head on his chest.

"Now. Really, are you okay?"

"I don't know. I mean, I've known this man for my whole life. He was like a father to me. Whenever my parents would go on trips, he would come over. And when he was too sick to get out of the house, I would go over there. He was the kindest man I have ever known. What will I ever do without him Ror?" Tristan let out as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"I don't know Tris. I really don't know." Rory said as she hugged him. They laid like that for a while and eventually fell asleep. That was the position Christopher found them in when he came home from work. He laid a blanket over the two peaceful teens and kissed his daughter on the forehead. He walked out and quietly shut the door behind him.

A/N: Hey guys! That looks like a safe place to leave this chapter. Ok…I got a couple of reviews where they say that Lorelai is evil, mean etc. just to let you know, this isn't an Anti-Lorelai fic. Lorelai is actually one of my favorite characters. I just needed to put those scenes in there to show the 'relationship' between Rory and Lorelai. Rory and Lorelai will get along in later chapters. I just have to figure out how now. *Ooh! That rhymed!* Anyway…until next time ~~~Julz