A/N - Hey guys I'm back after a little bit of a break to help me get back in the swing of classes and to help me decide where I'm going to go with the story. I think that I have come to a decision with what I'm going to do. It should be interesting, and I hope unexpected. And sorry for the really bad editing in the last few chapters, I obviously didn't re- read well enough! Thanks as usual for all of the reviews I've been getting I love 'em!!

Disclaimer Don't you think if I owned the Gilmore Girls that we poor, poor Aussies would still be getting our new episodes of the Gilmore Girls, instead of just getting season 1 on pay tv! Plus Milo and Tristan would not have left, ever! Simple as that. But never fear, I am saving up all my shiny pennies to buy them from ASP, and I am proud to say that after 6 months of very intensive saving I now have a total of 50 cents, Yay me!!

Rating: PG-13

The Clearing

Part Five- Deceptions

She couldn't believe it! It was almost too good to be true.

Here she was in the perfect city with the perfect man.

She was in Paris, the city of love, with the man that she loved more than life itself, Tristan.

Coming here to be with Tristan was the best decision ever, she hadn't regretted a thing since she had arrived.

They had decided to rent separate apartments, he had his loft and she had her studio apartment about half a block from Tristan, sure it meant spending more money, but it didn't matter since they both needed their own space.

"But if things go the way that I'm hoping we'll be soon sharing more than a house together"

Things had been going exceptionally well lately, she would always catch him looking at the diamond rings whenever they walked past a jeweller, or look longingly at a family playing together when they sat in the park.

She was certain that he would propose any day now, and she was certain of what she would say. She was already planning the wedding in her mind. It would be very elegant. It would be in a park by the river in late spring, white doves, She would wear a long flowing gown custom designed by some top designer, probably Versace or somebody like that, and there bouquets of red and white roses. It was going to be beautiful just like their relationship.

"Maybe for our honeymoon we could go to Prague, I've always wanted to go there and I just know Tristan would love it. I wonder what it's like in the spring."

She walked over to her stereo and put in the Counting Crows greatest hits album and continued to get ready. As she danced around looking for her earing she thought forward to the dinner she would soon be sharing with Tristan at a little restaurant not far from his place.

One of their favourite things to do together was to go around and try all the restaurants. Not only the trendiest places getting the rave reviews, but also the littler places hidden away in places where only the local knew where to look. They had found some absolute disasters and then there were some places that were just exceptional. Tonight's choice was definitely a favourite. The dessert was like nothing created by man,. It was heavenly.

"I wonder if he'll do it tonight, I mean it is our anniversary after all, so tonight would be perfect!" she thought as she grabbed a fresh cup of steaming java. "Ooh, divine… this has got to be the best cup of the day"

The coffee in the place was something to write home about, she knew good coffee and this was among the best she'd ever had, who'd have known that the French were such caffeine junkies?

Her caffeine addiction was something Tristan both loved and hated about her. Every time he came over he'd have to buy four lots of coffee, three for her and one for him. It cost him a fortune but he always said it reminded him of being back home. That it helped him through his occasional bouts of homesickness.

"Maybe one day I'll open my on Parisian coffee shop back home. How cute would it be, You could read books while you enjoy the liquor of gods."

The clock ticked over to 7:45, Tristan would be arriving any minute and she was only half ready and dreaming about opening her own coffee spot, she'd have to really hurry now, Tristan always whinged when she was running late. The last thing she needed to do was ruined the evening before it had even started.

No, tonight she was determined to make sure everything perfect. It was their anniversary for Gods sake, so it had to be just right. Just then she spied last months copy of Cosmopolitan on the dresser.

"Hmm, I wonder if they have anything on how I could do my hair tonight?"

She was still engrossed in the magazine when her intercom buzzed, she was in it now. She had found an article on the dangers of speed dating and now fifteen minutes later she was half-dressed, with Tristan buzzing incessantly waiting for her to let him in. What was she going to do?

Quickly she snatched up her hairbrush off the bed and started brushing her long brown hair frantically while running to the door to let Tristan in.

She then ran back into her bedroom to find the dress she was wearing. If she wanted to be ready by the time Tristan walked into her apartment the little make up she had on now would have to suffice. When she heard the door to her apartment open then lightly close signalling the arrival of Tristan she hastily grabbed any pair of earings and some shoes and walked calmly as she could into the living room. Kissing him on the cheek she said

"Hey sweetie, where's my coffee and what took you so long? I've been ready for ages!"

Slowly she took in her appearance then a slow smirk appeared on his face

"If you were ready so long ago, why is your dress on back to front and your necklace on your wrist?"

Sheepishly she looked down and noticed that he was in fact right. She looked back at him and his grin had grown wider, all her said was

"Please tell me it was at least a good article."

Later that night they sat in the restaurant eating the heavenly dessert of White Chocolate Mocha Mud Cake. She just knew he was going to ask her soon. He had been shifting in his seat all night, constantly having to go to the bathroom or order another drink. He was nervous and she found it adorable.

After dessert he asked her if she'd like to take a walk. She asked him

"Why tonight? You never want to walk any other night?"

He shot her a wobbly grin, she'd never seen him like this, normally it was all ego and confidence. Nervous Tristan was definitely a new character to add to her story.

"I need to ask you something, it's really important."

After they paid the bill they walked in silence for a little bit. Both lost in thought of what was about to come. When they arrived at the park he motioned for her to sit down on a bench, when she sat he took the space beside her.

"You know I go back home soon right?"

She grinned at him, to herself she said

"Yep this is it, it has to be!"

Then aloud she responded, with a wide smile and laughing eyes

"Yes, I'm well aware, since I'll be going at the same time."

At this Tristan looked at the ground, and was silent for a minute

"Well that's just it. I'm not quite sure how to say this… but maybe you shouldn't come back home at the same time."

The smile that was gracing her face faltered as she looked at the top of his head

"Um, I'm not entirely sure I'm following you…"

Then he looked up at her, unshed tears glistening in his eyes, threatening to spill at any second. In a broken voice he told her

"I just can't do this anymore, I can't keep living this lie. No matter how much I tell myself I love you I don't. No matter how much alike you are, you're not her, you can never be her. Nobody can. I'm sorry Bec, I'm so sorry"

He looked away from her, even if he didn't love her, he stilled cared about her. He hated being the one making her cry. He knew she loved him, that she thought he loved her. Maybe if things were different, isn't that what they all say? But maybe if Rory hadn't have happened he could have loved her. But she had, and he didn't. He had to get out now, before things got any sicker.

She could feel the hot tears running freely down her cheeks. She had thought they were past this, past her. When she met him at a social gathering in Hartford he had been heartbroken, and she had helped heal. Or so she thought. She had been so happy, but it was all a lie, and she was nothing but a replacement. All those time he'd been looking at the rings and the families he'd been seeing her there with him.

"Bec, please don't cry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for this to get so out of hand."

Her sad grey eyes darkened in anger. How could he feed her this "I'm so sorry" crap

Abruptly she stood up and told him angrily.

"Well sorry just isn't going to cut it! You're sick, y'know! I cannot believe I came to Paris to be with you. I must have been high or something! I hope you never see her again, Ever!!"

He looked at her pained, didn't she know this was just as hard for him too?

"You don't mean that-"

"What would you know? You obviously don't care about anyone but yourself! I never ever want to see your face again!"

With that she walked away from Tristan's slouched form and into the night, with a whole new perspective.

Paris was no longer the city of love, but the city of heartbreak and lost souls.

So guys, what do you all think? I've kind of jumped ahead a cuouple of years in this chapter. But I now know for sure where I'm going with it, so you all know the drill- R/R (even if it's bad, because I need some kind of constructive criticism!)

Luv Rach xoxo