Chapter 23: So close

Dean picked up the box and opened it. A letter fell out and he saw a simply elegant silver ring. Inside it was engraved 'I Love You'. He then read the simple letter.

Mary,

I gave you my heart, my soul. You are beautiful and perfect, my soul mate. I love you with all my heart. Accept this ring, for before long, a diamond one will replace it.

Love you always, Bible Boy.

Dean's guilt got heavier as he grabbed the ring and got into his own car, chasing after the two.

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*How could you do this to me? I love you Rory, with all my heart and soul. My God, I love you. Why can't I hate you? I love you too much. Why did you have to kiss bagboy and rip my heart out?*

Hot tears were rolling down his face.

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Rory's eyes were hurting from all the crying, as well as her heart.

*Tristan, please understand. I love you, so please don't end this. I love you too much. God, I love you too much, please don't do this to me. Please forgive me. Please understand.*

*~*~*~*~*

Tristan heard the honking and decided that the confrontation had to happen. He stopped the engine and sat there.

Rory saw Tristan stop and turned off her engine. This was it. She got out of the car and knocked on his window.

Tristan got out and looked away. He still loved her too much to let her go, but felt as though he had too.

"Please Tristan, understand me, please. I didn't do it on purpose. It was a test to see if I still felt anything for him and I don't! I love you, I love you more than myself or anything. So please just look at me and forgive me."

Tristan turned to look at her. His wall was up, and was determined not to let it down.

"I am looking at you, but I can't forgive you."

"Tristan, you have to understand. I love you. Please."

It hurt him so much to see her beg, and it took so much of his strength not to just hug her and kiss her. But he then saw Dean's car pull up and he kept that wall.

"You don't love me. You couldn't have. Your boyfriend is here. I'm leaving."

Before another word was uttered, Tristan got into his car and sped away, not looking back.

Dean had come out of his car, carrying with him the box.

"Is everything better Rory?"

"No! It's your entire fault! God Dean, I can't believe I kissed you."

Dean felt really low.

"I'm sorry Rory. But it at least confirmed that we love someone else."

Rory sniffled.

"Too bad my love is long gone."

Dean handed her the box and the letter. She read it 7 times before she opened the box and started to sob.

"Thank you. But please leave. I need to be alone."

Dean drove away, but parked within looking distance. He felt obligated to make everything better.

*Cause you made everything worse.*

Rory started to cry and cry all over the letter, leaving tear marks all over it.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I love you too, I really love you."

After an hour, she finally got the nerves to drive back home.

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A/N: I know it's sad. R/R and find out what happens next!