"A Gilmore Groundhog Day"

By Ellie

A/N) Thanks for all of the great reviews! I'm glad that you're all enjoying my story so much. I would like to ask everyone a favor though- I appreciate the reviews so, SO much… But do you think you could at least give me a name w/ them? That way I can actually *respond* to your questions/comments. (Hey! It happens! LOL) =)

By the way, I've decided to post at least one more 'day' after this one- the ending, at long last! LOL However, I'm still up for doing double-duty and giving you guys an alternate ending- so REVIEW and VOTE. (I haven't officially started counting or anything, but so far I'm pretty sure the vote's in the Trory direction.) Any ways- thanks to all you faithful readers out there!

:::Cough! Check out my other stories- or my fav. stories list- lotsa good stuff there! Cough::: ;)

-Ellie

*Side note- I'm so happy that Jess and Rory finally hooked up! They made Dean out to be a real jerk though! Dumb bag-boy! LOL ;)*

~Day 3~

"Taking Advantage"

Rory was standing at a new gravesite. The pungent scent of freshly dug earth seemed to taint the crisp air, and Rory realized that she was in one of the oldest parts of the Hartford Cemetery. Trying to regain her bearings, she looked down at the grave she was standing in front of. There were flowers propped up against the large marble headstone.

"You never learn…"

Rory jumped at the sound of the voice. "Why am I here?" She called out desperately into the stillness.

"Have you forgotten so quickly?"

She felt memories pulling at her and began to fidget with her hands uncomfortably. Puzzled at a brush of softness, she looked down and realized that she was holding a beautiful red rose. Shifting the perfect bloom from one hand to the other, Rory felt a sharp sting. Upon examining the rose more closely, she realized that the sharp thorns were still present. Hidden under the beauty of the bright petals. There was a drop of blood welling up on the pad of Rory's finger; the vibrant color matching the rose perfectly. Startled, she dropped the flower and stared horrified at the blood sitting innocently atop her skin.

Blood on her hands. Her blood, and His.

With memories tearing at her from all angles, she suddenly realized where she was. The DuGrey Family Plot. And the grave… Hot tears squeezed from Rory's eyes as she focused on the name written on the dark marble.

TRISTAN DUGREY

A Spirit that will never die,

and a memory that will last forever.

"You must learn from your mistakes and make choices that you can live with. Time is running out! For you… And them."

"Them? Who are 'they'?!?"

"If you don't know that by now, all is lost."

"What's lost!?" Rory cried, frustrated.

"Happiness. Happiness for you all."

"Wait! Wh-" But colors were fading and blending into each other; a jumble of images that no longer had distinct form. It was then, spiraling down the path to awareness, that Rory heard the voice again- "Time is running out."

* * * *

Rory opened her weary eyes. The kitchen blurred and then suddenly became clear as Rory blinked away any remnants of sleep that still clutched at her. It was morning and she was sitting at the kitchen table. Whipping her head down to her 'pillow', the pages of her Literature book seemed to wink up at her. A glimmer of hope began to crawl up from her stomach and lodge itself in her brain. Scrambling up from the confining chair, Rory bolted into her room and threw on a pair of jeans and T-shirt. Scribbling a quick note to Lorelei, she grabbed the keys to the jeep and scrambled out the door.

Mom- I went to Hartford. Something important came to my attention this morning. Have fun on your trip- Love you! -Rory

Lorelei read the note ten minutes later. Then, shrugging, walked over to the coffee machine. It smelled heavenly and that was no surprise. What WAS strange was that the pot was full. Rory woke up early and drove to Hartford without even re-fueling? What could possibly be *that* important?!?

* * * *

DUGREY MANSION

Rory felt more than a little ridiculous standing outside the impressive mansion. She hadn't even bothered brushing her teeth! God, how stupid! Well, the snide voice in her head began, unless you plan on getting some lip-action in with Tristan, I don't think it'll matter much! "Stupid voice!" Rory muttered.

"Excuse me?" A tall, regal man with the stereotypical 'Englishman' glasses perched on the tip of his nose had opened the door and was now looking at Rory with puzzlement.

Wow, I wonder if his name is 'Jeeves'! Nah, too perfect!

"May I help you?" 'Jeeves' inquired politely… yet again. That's the way to make an impression Rory, sit there and gape at the nice man that wields the power to invite you in, OR slam the door in your face!

"Uhh, I- I just wanted to know-" Rory began.

"Hey Jeeves, did I get any mail yesterday? I forgot to check."

Jeeves, turned away from Rory and towards the speaker; he was about to respond to them when Rory blurted out, "No way! Is your name *actually* 'Jeeves'?" Immediately following her little outburst came flaming cheeks of mortification. Expecting to be stared down, Rory felt her cheeks heat up, and she almost missed the twinkle in the butler's eyes.

"No, but Tristan prefers that to Barty. He insists that my *real* name doesn't do me justice."

Rory let out a delighted giggle at the thought of the calm, collected man before her, being named 'Barty'.

"Yeah, I agree with Tris- 'Jeeves' suits you *much* better!"

"Ahh, so you know Master Tristan. In that case- Please, come in!" After speaking, he swung the door completely open, revealing the person that had been lurking behind it.

"Tristan." She breathed. Looking up into his confused blue eyes, Rory felt relief and happiness so great that before she could stop herself, she was over the threshold and wrapping her arms around him.

Jeeves just looked at the pair; his sharp eyes focused on Tristan's expression. First it was one of abject shock, then dawning wonder, followed by a look of tenderness that Jeeves hadn't seen on Tristan's face since his mother, Elaine DuGrey, was alive. This one is special to him. She must be Rory. Looking upon the girl with approval, Jeeves closed the front door firmly and went to tell Matilda that there would be one more person joining them for breakfast.

* * * *

10 MINUTES LATER…

"So couldn't wait to get your hands on me huh?"

Rory rolled her eyes, "Oh yeah, you caught me… I just couldn't help myself."

Looking searchingly into Rory's gaze, Tristan's face became more serious, "Rory, how did you know I was back?" Uh… God, what am I supposed to tell him?!? Oh, well see I'm re-living days and so I knew that you were back in town because you and I kind of kissed. But then you died… And I was just checking to make sure that you have a pulse…

"Louise called me…. And I think there was a blimp that was flying around and flashing the message too…"

"Yeah well," Tristan paused to rub his knuckles across his chest; "I'm pretty big news."

Narrowing her eyes Rory responded quickly with, "Yeah maybe to you and your big ego."

Grinning, "Aww, Mary that really hurts. But I know that you're just trying to disguise your burning desire for me." Midnight blue eyes sparkled as he waited for her to either blush and deny it, or get worked up and THEN deny it. His little Mary was so predictable.

Seeing Tristan alive and well, not to mention *smiling* at her that way… Well it got her thinking about the LAST time she had seen him looking at her that way. Right after the kiss. The second kiss they had ever shared. A very NICE kiss… He was so gentle, and he seemed just as moved as I was. He's so sweet too, it's like he has a whole other side to him… Plus he's gorgeous! I mean, C'mon I'm not *blind* He has a great body, chiseled features, dark blue eyes that seem to capture whoever looks into them, soft full lips…

Tristan noticed immediately that his comment was getting him an entirely *different* reaction than the one he was expecting- but it was definitely GOOD. She was staring intently at his lips, and she looked partly dazed, and partly hungry. It was a look he *never* thought he'd be receiving from Rory Gilmore, and he was going to make the best of it.

Rory started to come back to awareness after her hazy mind started shrieking at her to stop staring. Tristan was licking his lips; slowly….caressingly. Gulp… Maybe thinking about Tristan like that when he's two feet away wasn't the *best* idea…

Rory began to blush and she swung her eyes quickly away from his now-grinning mouth. If she had looked just a little longer she would have seen the way his eyes drank in the red of her cheeks before lighting up with surprise and happiness. Rory didn't see it, but someone else did.

"Hello Dears, Time for breakfast!" Matilda had noticed the absolutely radiant look on Tristan's face and she had quickly discerned that this girl, Rory, was the cause of it. Setting down steaming plates of pancakes and eggs, Matilda smiled with satisfaction before dusting her flour-y hands on her apron and giving the young lady an accessing glance. Chocolate brown hair, with delicate features and sparkling blue eyes filled with intelligence. An intelligence that Matilda had never seen in any of Tristan's other 'interests'. ~She's the one that's going to show him his potential~ The kindly cook then walked briskly back into the kitchen. ~Please, whoever up there is listening- please don't let him mess this up!~

* * * *

AFTER BREAKFAST…

"You know we have school…"

"Hmm? Oh yeah! I *still* haven't figured out what to do for our Creative Lit. project!" Rory was lost in her own thoughts, and she didn't notice that when Tristan had started talking about school he was staring pointedly at her street clothes.

"Rory," He softly tugged on her elbow, "I'm talking about your clothes, where's your uniform?"

"School? No big deal- I already know everything that I have to do for homework." And it's a waste of time to do it, because it gets erased every time that I re-live this day.

"Hmm, well this is my first day back, so I'm not as up to speed as you are." Smirking he lifted his hand to graze her cheek lightly. "So Ror, are you even *planning* on going to school… 'cause if you want to play hooky- than I'm game!"

Looking at Tristan Rory realized that she cared for him- deeply. And following THAT thought, was the one of Jess kissing her, and her own response to it. She unconsciously lifted her own hand to trace the side of his face and trail into his soft hair. So soft, and it had felt so right when he kissed her. As if she was cherished, and they were the only people in the world- yet it was perfect that way.

Tristan was so surprised at her gesture that he didn't respond- he didn't do anything that could scare her off. He instead chose to just sit there and let the tenderness of her touch wash through him.

Then she thought of Jess, and his words to her. Everything was falling into place. The dreams, the fact that no matter what she did to prevent it- she and Dean still broke up. It's time to let go of the past- as much as it hurts. All that's left for me is the future.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N~ Hey y'all- I'm so, SO sorry that this took so long!!!! :::Hides her face from her angry reviewers:::

Well I hope that you all enjoyed this story because I'm almost done!!!! Does a happy dance

There's so much that I could have done with this story- but I realized that I couldn't bring myself to flake out on it, and not write it with the same energy that I have with all of the other chapters… So I decided that I'll end it within 2 chapters. With her decision/s

Yep, that's right- 2 chapters because one will be for my fellow Trories and the other for all of you Literati fans. I'm doing the double ending!!!

(The vote is pretty darn close any ways.) =)

There is one *teeny* favor I could ask of you guys though…. It's kind of my goal to reach 100 reviews….. So hopefully EVERYONE that reads this story will take the time to review- because it would make me EXCEEDINGLY happy!

And if THAT doesn't motivate you than how about this- I solemnly swear to update as fast as my little fingers can type if you help me reach 100!

(I'll probably be typing *ANY WAYS* but I promise that it will be my fuel!!!!)

Love you all- thanks for sticking with this story- It's almost done!!!!!!!!

~Ellie