Author's Note: Thank you, thank you, thank you to the nice reviews. After this horrible week I had I was happy to find that you all still love my writing! I'm sorry that this goes on the long side but this spanned for a long time….hope you all like it.

Chapter Seven: Saturday

I awoke to the phone ringing. A glance at the clock revealed that it was nine. The phone continued to ring and I realized my mother must not be home. For a minute I search for the phone and triumphantly find it beside the coffee maker. "Hello?"

"Finally," Tristan said exasperated. "What's up?"

"I've been calling since seven,"

"Oh god. I'm sorry,"

"Yeah, I know you are. It's all right," he sighs.  "Are you okay?"

"Not really,"

"What's wrong?"

"Guess what time Paris showed up,"

"Seven?"

"Nope,"

"She didn't."

"Five in the morning Rory," he says sadly. "Five?"

"Yes," he says upset. "I'm so sorry. I should've suggested my house,"

"Yeah, you should've,"

"Did she wake you up?"

"No. I woke up at six after a bad dream,"

"Poor little Tristan! He had a nightmare," I tease. "Rory shut up," I giggle for a moment but then become quiet. "What was it about?"

"Losing you,"

"Well that's not going to happen anytime soon. I love you,"

"I love you too,"

"Tristan! Get off the phone we need to work," I hear Paris's voice. "Paris, half of our group isn't even here yet," Tristan retorts. "They're slackers is all!"

"No. They are normal people who sleep in on Saturday mornings,"

"Tristan back to me please," I singsong. "Sorry, just come here quick okay?"

"Fast as I can,"

"Is that a promise?"

"Promise. Just don't kill Paris yet. I don't want my boyfriend to be in jail without me,"

"I like your style Gilmore. See you soon,"

"Bye," As soon as I hung up the phone I saw a note on the table from my mother:

Rory, my darling. Off to the inn, stop by at Luke's before going off to hell, okay?

- Mom

I rush to my room, grabbed my favorite jeans and a top before heading into the bathroom. After taking a quick shower and getting dressed I go over to Luke's. The bell on the door jingle merrily and I spot my mom sitting on the counter spinning around in her stool. "Hey babe!"

"Where were you this morning?"

"Home. Why?"

"Tristan called from seven on,"

"I woke up at six, okay?"

"On a Saturday?" I question incredulously. "Sweetie, work with me here,"

"Oh! Luke and you are—," I was cut off by my mother clamping her hand over my mouth. Seconds later she removed it. "You licked me," she said in disgust.

"You deserved it,"

"Whether it was deserved or not I am your mother,"

"Sorry. I have to go! Coffee please Luke, to go!"

"You're going already?"

"Paris has been at Tristan's since five,"

"No!" shaking my head yes in response I grab the cup and take off running to the jeep. *                *            *

I get to Tristan's at 9:45 much to my satisfaction. "Hey Jim," I greet my partner as we head up the stairs. He says a quick hello to me as we continue our way to the front door. "Did you hear what time Paris came this morning?" he shook his head in reply.

"Five,"

"No way!"

"That's what I said when Tristan told me. Have you had breakfast?"

"No," Jim said somewhat forlornly. "I got up fifteen minutes ago," he explained with a sheepish grin. "Good then my plan will work," the door swung open and a very relieved looking Tristan stood there. He picked me up and spun me around in a circle. "Are you okay?"

"I want to kill her," he mutters before kissing me lightly on the lips. "I have a plan," I promise patting him on the cheek with a simple smile. "Should I be worried?" I hear Tristan whisper to Jim and I grin. Striding into the living room I am shocked to see almost every inch of once empty floor space was full. "Good, good Gilmore you're here," Paris mutters. "Jim too," I say my smile fading away slowly. But then I get to action. "Put the pen down Paris," I say surprising her.

"Why?"

"Paris. Put it down,"

"Rory, we have a ton of work to do,"

"And plenty of time to finish it in. Chill out Paris. We're going out to breakfast," grabbing Paris's arm I drag her to the foyer where Tristan and Jim are nervously waiting. "Come on you two. Breakfast's on me,"

"You're a genius," I hear Tristan murmur as I continue to drag Paris out the door.  

*          *            *

"This is disgusting," Paris declared eyeing her Sausage McMuffin warily. "It's good," Tristan, say polishing off his bagel sandwich. "Yeah, I can't believe you've never been to McDonald's," Jim teases and Tristan as well as I start laughing all over again. When we had first pulled up to the McDonald's parking lot Paris had announced she had never been to one before. We had laughed for almost ten straight minutes. "Almost every country has one," I point out grinning. "Enough making fun of me. If you don't stop we're going back to work on the project," Paris threatens, as the three of us remain silent. "Why did you go to Tristan's so early?"  I question after a minute or so of awkward silence. "I'm more productive in the morning,"

"Okay, so you broke into my house?" Tristan asks. "No, I remember where you hid your extra key. Hasn't changed in almost seven years,"

"She knows where your hidden key is?" Jim queries confused as well as I. "We used to be best friends,"

"What ended it?" I asked curious to here that these two sworn enemies were once best friends. Two answers came at the same time. "Popularity," (Tristan) "My crush," (Paris). "Well aren't we learning new things today," I say with a smile. "Who was your first kiss with Tristan?" I ask suddenly craving to know everything about him. "Paris," he mutters. "That dare, remember?" Paris asked softly.

"You're first kiss was in sixth grade?" Jim asked surprised, as I just looked wide-eyed at Tristan. "Elementary school, I was different,"

"Really different," Paris comments hiding a grin. "You were the dork weren't you?" I question giddily. "I wasn't a dork,"

"Were too,"

"You weren't so hot either Gellar,"

"I wasn't the shortest guy in my grade," I start laughing, as does Jim. "This was a great idea, huh?" I say quoting his comment from before while I nudge him in the ribs. We get our trash together and head out the door back to Tristan's house. This time around the atmosphere is much more relaxed due to my brilliant idea.

*          *            *

It was about two and the project was slowly getting completed. There was a lull in the conversation as we were all doing our own thing to get it finished before it got to late. "I'll be right back," Jim says excusing he and I watch Paris's eyes follow his every move as I pretend to be immersed in my project. Minutes later Paris leaves saying she needs a glass of water. Tristan leans over across the coffee table and starts kissing me. "Wait," I say softly pushing him away and getting up to look out the doorway and down the hall. I spy Jim and Paris making out much to my surprise as well as delight. "Come here!" I hiss and he does grabbing my hand in the process. "Wow," Tristan says quietly before leading my back to the couch for our own making out. After ten minutes or so I pull away from him despite his protests. "Tris, we have a project to finish,"

"So?"

"Due Monday. I don't know about you but working on a Sunday for me is so not going to happen,"

"So, you're going to break them up?" he questions with a smirk. "Uh, no,"

"Then this project isn't going to be done anytime soon,"

"I don't want too Tristan!" I whine. "You're a trooper, Rory Gilmore," was his response kissing me lightly on the nose. "Here I go," I mutter pausing in the doorway again to watch them for a moment. After a second or two they pull away from each other without me saying a word. Jim leans down and whispers something to her. I slip back into the room and whisper frantically to Tristan to start working on our projects again. Both Jim and Paris return slightly embarrassed. I see Tristan start to open his mouth but I elbow him to keep him quiet. He smiles sweetly at me as I roll my eyes. The sun begins to set as we finish our project. Jim and Paris begin to leave at the same time, which doesn't get past the two of us. "Shut up," Paris hisses as I follow her outside for a minute. "This is crazy. You falling in love?"

"We're just friends," she claims. "With benefits," I reply shaking my head in amusement. "Is it really that obvious?"

"You're glowing Paris," she blushes as she put her school stuff in the trunk of her car. "Have fun tonight!" I call out as I run back up the stairs and open the front door. Tristan's standing there looking out the window. "Hey," I say softly as he slips an arm around my shoulders. "Isn't he her bio partner?" he questions. "Tristan!" I shove him away playfully. "But I am yours aren't I?" he leers. "Yes, you are. Now I have to get ready for our date. Seven, right?"

"Seven-oh-five on the dot,"

"I've taught you well," I say before kissing him. "I love you," he murmurs. "I love you too," comes my quick response. And I leave him to go back to Stars Hollow.

*          *            *

"You look wonderful," my mother declares as she zips up the back of my dress. Even I had to admit the form fitting burgundy colored dress did look pretty good on me. "So, where is he taking you?" she questions curiously as she brushes my hair one more time. "No idea," I admit smiling as my mom looks at me critically and I become self-conscious. "What's wrong?" I ask nervously. "It's just that," she pauses biting her lip for a moment. "You're growing up so fast!"

"Mom, it's still me, Rory,"

"I know. Let me be a mom for a sec. Okay, okay…be home at eleven?"

"I guess…actually mom he's taking me somewhere at eleven. We're going to stop by here so I can change,"

"Have fun. I'll see you when you get back," she says hugging me tight for a moment. The doorbell rings. "Okay, mom let go. My date's here,"

"Oh right sorry sweetie," smiling apologetically at me I leave her in my room still reminiscing my childhood. "Bye!" I call shutting the door behind me, nearly running directly into Tristan. "Wow," he says softly as he takes my hand and guides me to the car. "You take my breath away, Rory Gilmore," he whispers in my ear and I smile. "You sure are a charmer, Mr. DuGrey,"

"Only way to please the ladies," he replies with a wink. He opens my door as I giggle softly. "Off we go," he says a few moments later when he himself gets into the car. He pulls out of my driveway and I realize we're heading back to Hartford. "Tristan?"

"Yeah?" he responds. "Where are we going?" he groans and then looks at me. "I know how you hate all those Hartford shindigs but it's my grandfather's retirement party. I promised him I'd come,"

"Okay," I agree. "Really?"

"Of course I'm still on a date with you," I smile at him and he looks relieved. "Famous last words always come back to haunt people Mary…"

*          *            *

"So maybe being on a date with you isn't what I should've been counting on," I say finally finding Tristan. He sends me a sympathetic look. "How was it?"

"Your mother is a witch. She wouldn't even shake hands with me,"

"She didn't," Tristan says bitterly, regretfully. "Oh, she did,"

"Was she drunk at least?"

"I don't know," I say unhappily. "I'm so sorry," he says softly. "I still love you," he continues on pulling me away to a secluded corner in the room and kissed me long and hard. "I knew you were hiding somewhere Tristan," I hear an elderly man's voice float over to us. My eyes widen as Tristan whirls around. "Grandpa! Happy Retirement," he says unfazed to have his own grandfather catch us making out. "Pooh. Retirement isn't happy," Tristan's grandfather, Janlan mumbles. "I'd rather say hello to this enchanting beauty again," he says looking at me as I blush. "I'm Rory Gilmore," I remind and he nods. "Yes, Rory. I remember and even if I didn't I've heard many wonderful stories about you," he says a twinkle in his eye. "You have?" I question caught off-guard. "From Richard, Emily and of course Tristan," I grin glancing over at Tristan to see he's the one whose now embarrassed. "Gramps can we go?" he asks after gaining his composure again. "Not until I have a dance with Miss Gilmore,"

"No…I don't dance," I say meekly hoping to get out of it but both DuGrey men are set for me to dance. "Rory," Tristan chides gently. "I seriously don't," I say but it's to late. "Oh my god," I mutter as Janlan DuGrey's smile turns wide at my reluctance to dance. "I can't believe you're making me do this!"

"Every lady needs to know how to dance,"

"I know. It's the being stared at I don't like,"

"All of them are staring because they are all wondering how I stole such a beautiful girl from my grandson," I roll my eyes. "Say thank you in response to compliments not eye rolls,"

"Thank you," I reply tight lipped. "You've changed him you know," at the mention of Tristan the mood changes. "I know. He never calls me Mary anymore,"

"That's not all. He hasn't been this happy ever,"

*          *            *

"You danced?" my mother wrinkles her nose in disgust. "Yes Mom I danced,"

"With his grandfather," she says from out in the hall as I change. "I couldn't stop him. We were talking and the next thing I knew he was dragging me out on the dance floor,"

"But you can't dance,"

"I can now. Bye Mom!"

"Home by one please!" she yells as I run outside to the car again. "So, where are we going?" I ask getting into the passenger seat. "Not telling," he says gunning the engine and pulling out of the driveway. As we exit Stars Hollow we see Taylor standing on his porch muttering 'teenage delinquents' no doubt.  We burst into laughter. "Taylor loves your driving skills," I comment hiding a grin. "He hasn't even met me,"

"But you're the big city rebel who's stealing the small town princess away,"

"Someone's got to do it," The car ride was full of chatter as well as some lewd comments thrown in for good measure from Tristan. We passed by boat ramps and some docks much to my puzzlement. We got out of the car with Tristan leading the way his hand in mine. "Almost there," he says over his shoulder. "But you have to follow right behind me, okay?"

"Okay," I respond my eyes watching the only thing I can see, his blonde hair. A moment or so later he stops and I do too. "We're here," he announces and I'm still confused. In a way it kind of scared me. Tristan sits his feet dangling off the edge. "So what is this?"

"Just this place I found once," he pauses. "I found it with Paris a couple of years ago before we grew apart," we're both quiet for a moment giving me a moment to think how insane this week has been. "Get ready," Tristan whispers suddenly. "For what?"

"You'll see," he murmurs sliding his arm around my waist pulling me closer. I could feel his lips on my neck and I turn to kiss him. Suddenly there is this loud rumbling and everything around is lit up. I pulled slightly away from Tristan and saw that we were sitting on a piece of concrete with do not enter signs all around us. My feet dangled over the edge, suspended in thin air. Tristan slid his arm around my waist again as I leaned forward still confused and blinking to see the water below me. The dam was groaning, opening as I tried to slip out of Tristan's grasp. The noise and the light frightened me. "Tristan—," he cuts me off quickly. "I'm here. You're not going to fall," he whispers as he pulls me back in kissing me hard, his hands smoothing my hair back. And I kissed him back just as hard letting out the girl in love with Tristan DuGrey. In that instant I wasn't Rory Gilmore, good girl, small town princess. I was just a girl head over heels in love with a boy.

*          *            *

"Thank you," I say softly as we stand at the door of my house. "You're welcome," he replies as he kisses me good night. "Stay there," I say vanishing through the door with an impish smile. A few moments later I re-appear in my pajamas and a blanket is clutched in my hands. "Sit," I say pointing to the porch swing. He sits as do I. He pulls me close to him and whispers, "Thanks for this incredible week, Gilmore," I lean in and kiss him. "It has been incredible hasn't it?" I murmur burying my face into his shoulder smelling the sweet smell of him I then pulled away and looked up at the stars. "If someone told me by last week that you would fall in love with me I would've laughed and now look at us," the two of us saw a shooting star, off in the distance as we both made a wish. We stayed up for a while and pretty soon sleep was creeping up on us. "Ror, do you think we'll be this happy forever?"

"I'm counting on it," I whisper back as we both fall asleep right where this whole crazy week had started.

- End Saturday, end of the week.

Author's Note: The whole dam thing came from the book Someone like You by Sarah Dessen. Also, I have no clue if there really is one in Connecticut, but as far as I know there isn't so it was all made up on my part. Thank you for the wonderful reviews, again….and I'm happy to say this fic is over so I can work on Back to You!