Title: More Than This

Part: 2/?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to the creators of Gilmore Girls/Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: I don't know, I'll guess PG-13.

Category: R/T (friendship)

Backstory: Everything in season 1 happened (Dean and Rory reconciled). Tristan and Rory became friends at the beginning of junior year (season 2). Rory wanted to apologise Tristan for the 'I hate him'-comment, but he kept brushing her off. Eventually after probably a confrontation of some sorts they had it all out and they have been friends ever since. Some stuff of season 2 might still be there (Lorelai and Max have broken up). Jess did come to Stars Hollow.

Author's Notes: The poll is not really necessary anymore. I've figured out a way to apply everything that happens to both endings. I'm still not sure, so I've decided to write and post 2 different endings. One that ends with friendship and a romantic trory ending. There'll be about 5-7 chapters. Chapter 3, I'll probably post monday, because I can only use the computer when I'm alone ("Eek!" "WTH is fanfiction?" "You're a freak" Get it?).

Chapter 2

Later at Lunch Tristan and Rory sat down on a far-off bench in Chilton's schoolyard. Rory with an already half-empty cup clutched in her hands.

"So", he asked. "Did anything exciting happen yesterday in good old' Hollow?" Since becoming Rory's friend he had grown fond of that quirky town. Something happened there everyday.

"Well besides my mom and Luke's usual quarrelling, bantering and sparring, nothing much." She softly smiled, "But, that's good, you know? To know there are some people out there who fight even more and worse than we do". She laughed.

"Yeah, but they "like" each other", Tristan felt like adding and smiled uncomfortably. "And we have long established that we…" He didn't continue.

Rory looked at him as she herself struggled with her next words, "-don't even like each other and more or less just use our time together to practice our debate skills". She finally offered.

"Yeah, sure", Tristan silently agreed.

Rory looked around her for a couple of seconds. "But, this weekend…woah! We have our annual post-Easter chocolate and candy fair, So… So that should be fun!" She said in an extra uplifting way.

"Yeah…yay for Stars Hollow", he said a bit cynical.

"Oh, come on, it's really fun! All the retailers sell their leftover Easter candy and goodies there half-prize. And all the town's residents, plus those pesky, avid collectors, bring all their decorations - self-made and bought - to the town's square for a trade-off!" She smiled. "Last year I traded this Wal-Mart bought bunny-on-a-stick-thingy for this beautifully painted egg from Morocco!" She replayed for him. "Aaand at the end of the day we have an after-dark egghunt! Because, Taylor decided that one egghunt per year, just wouldn't suffice." She said and looked over at him.

"So?" she turned to him.

"So what?" He stared lazily at his feet that were kicking gravel around the muddy ground.

"So, what do you think?"

"It sounds kind of fun, yeah," He admitted, "but, geez, Ror. Your town is like the town equivalent of a 'party school'."

"I knooow", she grinned. "That's why I plan on going to Harvard next year to start the über serious portion of my life."

He grinned back.

"-So that means until then, I'm going to have fun." She proudly announced. Who's a neurotic freak now, huh? Buddy.

"Okay, now for me, you see, college is where the fun finally begins", he said sadly. Rory noticed.

"Right! So, have a break in your gloominess and come!"

"Hmm, what?' He asked dumbfounded.

"To the festival, doofus. It will be fun!" She said brightly.

"I don't know", he replied sceptically.

"Oh, come on. There will be chocolate. You like chocolate, right?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, maybe as an aphrodisiac", he winked.

Rory rolled her eyes. She had got so used to "those" comments of his.

"Oh and hey! You can be my partner with the egghunt. We can combine my excellent research expertise with your ruthlessness, which, ahem, might even rival my mothers…"

He frowned, "what about Dean? Isn't this what you exactly would call a boyfriend-girlfriend kind of activity?"

"No", she said. "He chose to pair up with my mother this year. He called me a softie!" She pouted. "And of course my mom jumped at the chance to partner with, in her words, "the guy whose shoes they used to model the 'boots of seven leagues' after''."

"Okay, so what about Jess? He's not exactly what I would call ruthless, but he's certainly sly enough for the job." Tristan suggested.

"Jess!? Oh, please. No, he hated Easter. He said he doesn't like the color yellow. Must remind him too much of sunlight, and energy and happiness." She said in a mocking singsong voice. "He's spending the day in the diner with Luke, sulking and actually working".

"Jeez", Tristan snorted. "Those two would make excellent vampires".

"Right", Rory laughed. "So, you'll come then?"

"I don't know. When is it?" Tristan inquired.

"Saturday. I just told you." Rory looked at him quizzically.

"I don't know. I have this… thing with Duncan and Bowman-"

"Humph", she hissed. "I'm sure those bozo's can manage one weekend without their leader."

"Hey, hey, hey! I thought you were going to make an effort to be nice, they are", Tristan commented.

"Well, you also said that you were going to try and make an effort with Dean. And I know that's the real reason you are not agreeing to this. But, Dean knows that we're friends, Tristan", Rory stated tiredly and a bit angry.

Tristan closed his eyes. "You know, Rory. I know you're of the oblivious kind and while sometimes that makes you cute and naïve and endearing, it is, in fact, not all that becoming to you."

Rory looked away, kind of hurt.

"I mean, you're a smart girl. You should realise that no guy would happily accept his girlfriend's former enemy as her 'new best friend'." Tristan said hurriedly. "You know, especially one that isn't like, gay", he added. "And I understand that… I wouldn't trust me either." Tristan concluded.

"But, Tristan. He doesn't have any reason not to… trust you, right?"

This time Tristan looked away. "…No", he turned to her then. "There's no reason why he shouldn't trust me"

"Right!", Rory exclaimed. "So, whatever problems Dean may still have with you, he just has to going to get over them, okay?" She smiled shyly and Tristan nodded.

"And hey! I am always nice! You're the mean one if you're going to abandon me. Lane is stuck helping her mother cook all the eggs for the egghunt. So, with my luck I'll get paired off with Kirk, who is like the ultimate loser that everybody chooses last for dodge ball!"

"Oh no!" Tristan said mockingly. "I wouldn't want to wish that fate upon anyone."

Rory laughed. "No, he's not that bad. But, with him there's no chance in Hell that I'll win!"

Tristan gasped. "Oohlala, a competitive Rory. Where did she come from?"

"Oh, she's been here all along. She especially comes out when people call me a softie", she puffed. "Hello, me a SOFTIE!? I'm still a Gilmore, people!" She smiled. "But, I do guess you bring it out of me more."

Tristan chuckled.

"No really, Tris. You've really loosened me up this year. I really needed that and I like it." She stated.

"You're welcome. And okay, you have flattered me enough, I'll come"

Rory gave him a half-smile. YES!

"Aww", Tristan laid a hand over his heart. "And that's the first time you've actually acknowledged that I'm a good influence."

"Hmm yeah, you can come in handy sometimes."

"Yeah, yeah. That's what you say now, but before you'll know it I'll have you crossed over to the dark side…" Tristan laughed vindictively.

"There's no way in Hell that I'll…" She stopped when she realised her mistake.

"Yes, yes. That's right. In Hell!!" Tristan started laughing hysterically.

Rory pouted and punched him in the arm.

"Ow!", he shrieked. "Getting physical AGAIN, Gilmore??" Tristan mock-gasped and laughed some more.

Rory was fuming and playfully let her fingers wander over his chest, down his abs, to his sides…and started tickling him.

"Wohuohohaah! I'm gonna get you, Gilmore." He started tickling her back.

They continued to engage in a battle of tickling, agreeing to stop, and tickling each other again. "Can't handle the truth, huh?" Tristan said in between laughs and attacks, to infuriate her some more.

"Ahem." They heard coughing. Rory stopped and also pushed Tristan, who kept his arm around her.

"Pacey, Joey." Paris said dryly. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Rory we need you for an extra meeting with the Franklin. Mrs. LaVelle, our dean's secretary was in a car accident this morning and we need to decide who's going to cover it.", Paris announced.

"Oh my God, is she alright?" Rory asked with Tristan still holding her.

Paris set her jaw and looked at them for a second, before throwing her hands up. "I give up!", she muttered while stalking off.

"Oh", Rory murmured and tried to release herself from Tristan's grip. Tristan dropped his hands from her shoulders to his sides and Rory turned to him, still slightly blushing from their heated chase. "I guess she means that I should go. Now."

"Yeah", he smiled and looked down at her rosy cheeks and fluttering lashes.

Rory went to gather her things. "Thank heavens she said Pacey and not Dawson." Tristan joked softly from behind her.

"Yeah, but what about calling me Joey?! She's even more of a neurotic freak than I am. Much more uptight." Rory faced Tristan with shining eyes, daring him to contradict her.

"No…but…" he started and Rory smiled happy with her triumph. She knew he couldn't resist.

"-Joey is hot. And you have totally copied that half-smile of hers." Tristan responded.

"No, I have not!", Rory said indignantly.

"Yes, you have…You're Miss 'Most Lopsided Face of America'!" He told her as she was walking away.

"Bye, Jailbait." Rory held up her hand (instead of just one finger) and started running towards her building.

"Bye." Tristan looked after her for some moments more, before walking over to the bench to get his stuff.

"She's so tiring."