Beauty as a virtue

Authors Ramblings: I know it may be confusing, but please bear with me!

Characters in book:

Tristan- Charles Quinn

Rory- Isabella Novalee

Cilia- Lorelai

Vivian- Emily

Victor- Tristan's father

David- Rory/Isabella's Fiancée

More Rambling: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews…

Short chapter…

And I apologize for the delay!

Ch 9

End of the end

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--Okay, so maybe she didn't feel the same, but she had to feel something, right? This thought hit him hard, and he almost didn't notice the intense glare he was receiving from the other side of the window… almost.

Tristan shook his head, closing and finally opening his eyes to reassure his self that the person in front of him was real. And as he suspected- reality stung.

He rolled his eyes, and jumped out of his car, facing off with a very pissed off Dean. I couldn't have one good night? He cursed a god- if there was one- above.

He watched as Dean clenched his fist together, and a sigh parted his lips again.

"What's your problem?" he started, but knew very well why Dean was furious.

Dean didn't speak, just glared at Tristan steadily.

"Let's skip the whole fighting deal, at least for a night," Tristan smirked, "I have better things to do…"

"What- like Rory?" his words were cold.

Tristan's smirk died on his face at that moment, and he looked at the shaggy haired man with disgust. "I never would do anything to hurt her."

This only made Dean even angrier, "Oh- so she just allowed you access?"

Tristan's eyes widened and he shook his head slowly. "If you believe she's easy then you clearly don't know her."

"I don't know her at all," were Deans words.

Tristan still couldn't believe that Dean was capable of such talk about Rory, and his face settled in anger. "I don't know what she ever seen in you Bag Boy; you're nothing but a low class asshole."

Dean didn't say anything; instead he closed the gap between them, and clenched his fist.

"Stop," Rory's voice called, pushing in between the two angry males. She looked at Tristan then Dean and back to Tristan. "Just stop, okay?"

His face was solemn as he nodded, stepping back once.

"Dean?" her head whipped around to find him already walking off into the darkness. She fought the urge to cry, and instead turned back to Tristan. "I- I have to go," she barely pronounced the words, and started walking down the street.

He pulled her back gently, and furrowed his eyebrows. "At least let me drive you home."

"My house is just around the…"

"Please?" his eyes silently pleaded with hers, and his lips curved into a frown.

"Okay," she said softly, and rounded the car.

The drive was silent, and Tristan wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish in the first place. You were making sure she got home alright… He nodded softly at this thought.

"Here we are," he said as he stopped the car.

For the first time in the drive home she met his eyes, and bit her lip. "Thanks," she muttered, and attempted to leave the car.

"Wait," he softly pulled her back, and placed a quick kiss on her lips. This has to be bad-was his thought as he watched the tears fall freely from her eyes.

She quickly gathered her belongings and made her way out of Tristan's car.

"I'm sorry," he called, and hoped she heard him before she shut the door behind her.

She did…

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The next morning was predictable- Rory was avoiding him- and Tristan couldn't help but be angry. As he watched her have trouble trying to open her locker, he found his in.

"Stupid-stupid locker," she cursed.

BANG

Her locker opened, and she looked up into the eyes of Tristan. "Thanks," she replied, and tried to work on the object at hand. It would be easy- if she could remember it.

He shoved his hands in his pockets- something he didn't do too often- and cleared his throat, causing Rory to look up at him. "You're avoiding me," he said flatly.

She shook her head, returning her eyes to the contents of her locker. "I've been busy that's all."

His heart stung by her words. "Oh, okay," and with that he was walking away.

She watched his retreat and fought the tears that were begging for release.

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Rory sighed as the classroom door shut, still no sign of Tristan- much like the classes before.

After class was over, she seen him over by the cafeteria doors with a couple of his friends. She inhaled deeply, and began to walk over to him.

"Tristan," she asked softly, interrupting their conversation, "can I please talk to you?"

The two guys with him looked at each other, and then him with interest.

He simply looked passed her, "Do I know you?"

His words were chilly, and Rory nodded. "I deserve that."

He didn't even glance at her, but made his way over to a blonde instead.

Pain worked its way through Rory's heart, and she quickly turned away, almost running down the hall.

Tristan sadly watched her go, and fought the urge to go after her. Instead he did what he always does- what comes natural- he flirted cruelly with the ditsy blonde.

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"And I was really starting to like my son-in-law too," Lorelai pouted, embracing her daughter.

"So was I," Rory admitted with a sniff and a shrug.

Ding

"I'll get it," her mother offered, and sent her a comforting look before leaving the room to answer the door.

Five minutes later Lorelai returned, and a solemn look was imprinted on her face. "You have a visitor; want me to send him away?"

Rory shook her head, and hope filled her heart as she made her way into the hall. Unfortunately, it wasn't who she expected. "Dean," her tone was harsher than intended.

"Listen, I want to apologize for…"

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Tristan paced his bedroom, every so often glancing at the spots Rory usually made her self comfortable in. He sighed, and grabbed his keys…

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Upon pulling up at the Gilmore residence, his heart caught in his throat as he drank in the view. Rory and Dean were seated on the steps, and obviously reconciling their differences- or more. Tristan's jaw tightened and he shook his head sadly.

Rory's eyes widened as she watched him drive away, and the only thought that she could process was- he came.

Dean shifted, uncomfortable. "Well, I should be leaving then."

"Yeah," she agreed and stood up.

"So then this is really the end?"

"It's really the end," she assured, and bit her lip.

"I'm sorry for everything Rory," he concluded, and walked off.

Rory didn't watch him leave, she ran into the house instead. Quickly, she picked up the phone and began to dial Tristan's cell phone number, but thought against it. She put down the phone, and glared at it for a second.

She decided a cup- or five- of warm coffee was needed right now, and grabbed her jacket on the way out.

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Rambling:

I told you it was short…

I like this chapter…A little. The story is coming to an end though, and I'm sad. There will probably be one last chapter, and I promise to have some scenes from the 'book' in it.

About Dean…I know I might have exaggerated a little, and even made him out of character, but I dispise him!

Thank you again; I love all of your reviews!

TBC

3 Noi