"So, what are you reading that is so captivating you didn't miss my absence?"

Rory held up her copy of Still Life with Woodpecker. Tristan raised an eyebrow and looked from the cover to Rory.

"Ever read Tom Robbins?"

"Can't say I have."

"You should. It's really unique. All his stuff is great."

"I'll do that. So, what have you been doing with yourself the last couple of years?"

"Oh, you know, same old, same old. Being valedictorian, choosing a college, basic teenage stuff."

"Right. Well you were a shoe in, what with your only real competition being at military school."

"Puh-huh! YOU, my competition? Hardly."

"Why do you not believe that? I'm smart!"

"You weren't my competition."

"I was second in our class when I left."

"Really?"

"You underestimate my powers, I see."

"Not as much as you think, I'm sure."

Tristan raised an eyebrow at her again. She smiled at his expression, and took a moment to really look at him. She'd missed him coming up to her, but she could definitely see that the time apart had been kind to him. He was definitely more filled out, much more muscular. His hair was shorter than she remembered it being, still sort of a ruffled style, just as blonde as she'd remembered. The most change she noticed was in his facial features. He looked genuinely pleased, instead of sullen and sarcastic. It looked good on him.

"Rory?"

"Hmm?" She looked into his eyes, his voice having brought her out of her thoughts. He had caught her staring at him. This can't be good. Now he was really smiling.

"So, tell me about the poor soul whose car you egged."

"It's sort of a long story. The short of it was my mom was pissed about my dad's girlfriend's pregnancy, and the girlfriend sent us home from the baby shower with deviled eggs. My ex-boyfriend had pissed me off, so we let out some aggression on his car."

"I'm glad I'm not your ex."

"Well, he wasn't at the time. Actually that was when I liked him."

"Oh, well, that makes sense."

"You had to be there. The look on his face was priceless when he saw his car. It was a really smelly mess."

"So are you seeing anyone now?"

"Nope. He moved to California. I'm single. I have to admit, I sort of like it. It's been a while since I was."

He nodded. "Yeah, me too."

She smiled in spite of herself. Playing it cool wasn't in the cards today, evidently. She had better watch it, she was bordering on girly. Changing the subject would be good.

"So you stayed in North Carolina for college? I would have figured you for a legacy somewhere up here."

"Oh, I got in a ton of places. I was supposed to go to Yale. That's where Dad and Grandfather went. But after they shipped my ass off to military school, I decided I was going anywhere I damn well pleased. I really liked North Carolina. It's much more laid back there."

"I've never been."

"You should come visit. Plus, the added bonus is that I have no family at all down there. Mom keeps bugging me to transfer up here somewhere, but I really wanted to be out on my own for a while. So, what made you choose Yale?"

"Well, the thought of being so far from Mom and Stars Hollow got to me. Yale had everything Harvard did, plus my grandparents wanted me to go there really badly. And at the time, I thought I had a relationship worth staying close for. Boy was I wrong about that."

"Sounds like a winner."

"He just up and left. No goodbye. Lame, truly lame. But there you go. I guess you never know about some people."

"What happened to Dean?"

"Oh, he's married."

Tristan swallowed his coffee the wrong way and coughed really hard. Rory reached out, trying not to laugh and grabbed his arm.

"Are you okay?"

Tristan was more occupied with her hand on his arm than with his coughing fit. Shivers went up his arm and down his spine, causing his further distraction.

"Tristan?"

"Yeah, so he's married? How did that happen?"

"I have no idea. But they did it."

"Wow. Makes being single suddenly sound SO much better."

"Tell me about it."

Rory realized her hand was still on his arm at this point. Blushing now, she withdrew her hand.

"Um, sorry."

"No complaints."

More blushing. He was remembering how fun it was to make her blush. Not that he was trying; she was having enough luck with that on her own. She was so cute when she blushed. She had cut her hair, which made her look more her age. It suited her. He wanted to tell her how incredible she looked, but didn't dare freak her out.

The two continued to talk for the next couple of hours. When the waiter came by to offer Rory her fifth cup of coffee, she declined and looked at her watch. It was nearly five o'clock.

"Oh, wow. It's almost five. I have to get to my grandparents house."

"Big plans?"

"Well, to them, yeah. There's some social function they insisted I join them at. They're really proud about the Yale thing. They called all their friends to brag when I accepted. But I have to go there and change into some formal thing. I'm hoping to go to wherever it is, say hi, smile and fake sick. I figure it'll only take about a half hour."

"Lucky you. I get to go to my grandfather's birthday party and stay 'til probably midnight. It's going to be a long night in a suit."

"Do you get along with your grandparents?"

"I'm really close to my grandpa. Grandma passed away a few years ago. It's mainly my parents and their friends I can't stand."

They stood up to pay the check and walked over to the counter. Rory got out her wallet to pay for her coffee.

"No, I got it."

"Tristan. I drank a ton of coffee."

"It's okay. Let me pay."

"Fine. I'll get the next one."

"Okay," he allowed her this promise, if it meant there would truly be a next time.

"So it was great to see you. Let's do this before two years passes again," Rory said as she reached out to hug him.

Surprised, he hugged her back tightly and gave her a little squeeze before letting go.

"Definitely. Good luck getting out of your event early. Think of me when you're home early, in comfortable clothes watching TV."

"Do you spy on me? That's uncanny."

"I have my ways of knowing things. Good bye, Rory."

"Bye Tristan."

It was nearly six before Rory got to her grandparents house. Once she got changed she came downstairs and saw her grandfather standing in the entryway.

"So, where exactly are we going to tonight, Grandpa?"

"Well, Rory, it's one of my oldest friend's birthday. Social event of the winter. Always a good party, you'll have a lovely time. Didn't Emily tell you?"

"No, she just told me I was coming."

"I'm sorry, Rory. I do promise it'll be a great party. Delicious food. And plenty of Yale alums. Great networking opportunity. That's why Emily was so insistent you come tonight."

"I'm sure you're right, Grandpa."

"Are we all ready? Perfect. Richard, let me help you with your tie."

"Thank you, Emily. I was just informing Rory where we were going tonight."

"You mean, I didn't tell you what tonight was? Oh, Rory. I was sure I told you what tonight was. There will be tons of Yale alumni, great networking opportunities for you. Honestly, it's never too early to start making connections."

"I'm sure it'll be great, Grandma. Thanks for thinking to include me."

"You're very welcome. Okay, we're off. Everyone in the car."

They drove a short distance and pulled up to what could only be described as two of the Gilmore mansions put together. Rory had seen a few of her classmates homes from Chilton, and they were always unbelievable looming and spacious, but this was the largest residence she'd ever seen. She followed her grandparents up to the entrance and what else, a maid, greeted them. She took their coats and led them into the next room. Rory looked around, but didn't seem to recognize anyone there. She thought that perhaps a few fellow Chiltonites might have gotten roped into coming with their families as she had, but her search was to no avail. She decided to stick close to her grandparents for a while, and then make an escape to the bathroom where her 'illness' could occur. They mingled for a moment, eating from the trays the waiters brought around. Richard had been right, the food was good. Much better than the weird stuff that was usually served at these parties.

Richard introduced Rory to a few of his fellow classmates, which inevitably led to her talking about taking Asher Flemming's course. This made her so many levels of uncomfortable, knowing her roommate was right now with him in New York. She wished Paris would have listened to her, but most of all, she hated knowing about it at all. After a few of these mundane conversations, she decided it was time to excuse herself to the bathroom. Just as she opened her mouth to get Emily's attention, Richard cut her off.

"Janlan, happy birthday! Have you met our granddaughter, Rory? She's a Yalie, you know!" Richard beamed proudly and slightly pushed Rory towards his friend with his hand in the small of her back. She was at this point incapable of moving, as standing to the right of Janlan was that snooty Hartford boy from this afternoon. She managed finally to stick out her hand in greeting, her eyes wide, still looking more at Tristan than Janlan.

"So, Rory, you go to Yale? Wonderful school. Spend some time with my grandson, Tristan, here tonight. Try to convince him to follow in your good example," Janlan smiled and shook Rory's hand.

"Yes, sir, I'll try my best." She got her bearings back, smiled at Janlan warmly before turning to Tristan.

"Shall we?" He offered her his arm, and she gently placed her arm in his as they wandered out the main doors to the patio in the crisp night air.