Hello everyone...I'm back!! Okay, this is chapter 23...getting close to the end, I think. Anyway, I'm so sorry this is taking forever but I'm kind of stuck. It's like I don't know what to write or how to write it. I do have a plan as to where this is going but I still have to leave you in suspense for another chapter or two.

Disclaimer: I still don't own the GG nor do I own the lyrics to Here Without You, the song belongs to Three Doors Down.

In chapter 22 Rory and Tristan found out that the other has feelings for them through letters they secretly gave to the other before Rory left for Stars Hollow.

CHAPTER 23

Here Without You

A hundred days have made me older, since the last time that I saw your pretty face

A thousand lies have made me colder and I don't think I can look at this the same

But all the miles that separate

They disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams

And tonight, there's only you and me

The miles just keep rolling as the people leave their way to say hello

I've heard this life is overrated but I hope that this gets better as we go

I'm here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl, there's only you and me

Everything I know, and anywhere I go

it gets hard but it won't take away my love

And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done

it gets hard but it won't take away my love

I'm here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl, there's only you and me

I'm here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams

but tonight girl, there's only you and me

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Rory was now entering Stars Hollow. After leaving the diner where she had read Tristan's letter she had driven straight home. She couldn't wait to see her mother; she just needed to talk to someone. She desperately needed for someone to tell her that she had not just made the biggest, or second biggest, mistake of her life. If anyone could make her feel better and comfort her it was Lorelai.

When she reached her place she noticed that the Jeep was in the driveway, which meant that her mother was at home, and not at the Dragonfly. She hadn't told her mom that she was coming it was supposed to be a surprise. Tears were streaking her face again and that wasn't exactly the way she wanted to face her mother so she did her best to wipe them away. Alas it didn't work too well, her eyes were puffy and red and she just looked a mess. So she took a deep breath and walked into the house. At first she didn't see anyone but she eventually found her mom asleep on the sofa. She tiptoed over to her and quietly kissed her mom's cheek. Unfortunately the kiss woke her mom up. There was a look of surprise at seeing her daughter there.

"Rory? Rory? Is that my daughter? Am I just dreaming?" Lorelai exclaimed as she looked at the girl standing in front of her.

"Hey mom, it's me. I'm home." She smiled a little at her mother.

Lorelai got to her feet then and hugged her daughter tightly to her. It was kind of like she thought the girl would disappear if she'd let go. She had missed Rory so much and the last thing she wanted was for her to leave again.

"I'm so glad to see you kiddo. But what are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I had to come back fro Yale mom. School starts in two weeks you know?"

"Yeah, true. So, what happened with Tristan?"

"Nothing happened mom, nothing at all." The tears were threatening to fall again.

"Oh hun, tell mommy what's going on. Why is my baby so sad?"

"It just hurts so much mom. I've only been gone a day and I miss him so much." Tears were spilling down her cheeks again but this time she didn't try to wipe them away, she just let them come.

Lorelai didn't know what to do except hold her daughter even tighter. She hated so much to see her kid in so much pain. Sure she didn't know what had happened but it couldn't be good if she was so sad. Neither said anything for a long time. They both just sat on the sofa, mother holding daughter in a bear hug, stroking her hair.

"Do you want to tell me what happened Ror?" Lorelai asked unsure if it was the right time to ask but unwilling to sit in silence for much longer.

"That's just it mom, nothing happened. I just packed up and left. We were such good friends and now we're far away from each other."

"You didn't tell him how you feel did you?"

"Not when I was there no, but I left him a letter when I left, as well as the pictures of us."

"What did it say in said letter might I ask? Was it dirty?" Lorelai had to somehow find a way to make her daughter smile. Maybe this would get some kind of reaction out of her.

"I wrote about how I feel and why I didn't tell him how I felt before leaving. And no it wasn't dirty." She half smiled at this but it still looked sad.

"So, I'm guessing he didn't tell you how he really feels about you while you were there?"

"No he didn't but he did leave a letter in my book telling me how he's fallen for me."

"So, let me get this straight. You have feelings for him and he has feelings for you but you're still sitting in our living room in Stars Hollow instead of in North Carolina with him. Why is that Ror?" There was confusion on Lorelai's part. She just couldn't understand how two people who loved each other didn't stay together.

"I'm here because I have to be mom. I have to go back to Yale. This is about my future. Besides, if Tristan and I were meant to be it will happen in the future right?" Rory desperately wanted to believe that they would in fact be together once school was over and everything but she just wasn't sure anymore.

"I still think you should have told him back when you two were living together."

"Yeah well, it only would have made it harder for me to leave. At least now I finally know how he felt about me all along. Imagine how hard it would have been for me to leave if we would have gotten together." Rory told her mother with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"You're right. Now lets have some fun before school starts again. We have to have some fun even if you might not feel like it right now." Lorelai knew that it would be hard for Rory to concentrate on other things besides Tristan but she had to try anyway.

"Ok but first lets go to Luke's. I really missed his coffee."

The Gilmore Girls headed for Luke's where they'd both spend a lot of time in the next two weeks. That night while they were watching movies the ringing of the telephone interrupted them.

"Gilmore nut house. Nuttiest speaking." Lorelai was always coming up with strange ways of answering the phone.

"Hi Lorelai, is Rory home?" came the voice on the other end.

"Oh so why is it that you automatically assumed that I'm the nuttiest?"

"Just a guess Lorelai. Just a guess." "Just a minute there lover boy, I'll get Rory."

"Rory dear it's Mr. Lover boy for you." There was an amused smile on Lorelai's face when she saw the slight blush on her daughter's cheek. Before answering the phone Rory stuck out her tongue at her mother and headed for her room.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mar, what's up?"

"We were watching a movie actually. To what do I owe this phone call? If I'm not mistaken I just left North Carolina like yesterday. Miss me already Tris?"

"I miss you very much Mar. I just had to call. By the way you were supposed to call right when you got there remember?"

"Sorry Tris. We had to go to Luke's and then we rented movies and we ate lots of junk food and well...I guess I just forgot." That was such a lie. She hadn't forgotten to call him. She had just been avoiding it. The truth was that she had no idea what to say to him. She missed him like crazy already and no words would ever make her feel better.

"You wound me Ror. I really thought I meant more to you than junk food. Then again can't come between a Gilmore and her food or coffee for that matter." Rory could here the smile in his voice when he said this. He had really gotten to know her a lot when they lived together.

"I really wish you were her with me Tris. It would definitely make things more enjoyable. I miss having movie nights and talking to you about everything. I even miss your little smirk. When will I see it again?" She was trying so hard not to cry that her voice cracked a little bit.

"Well, I was thinking I'd come see you in about a month or so. It would give you time to get settled in at Yale and spend some quality time with your mom. Plus I'm going to be busy at the store for a while. I will come see you though and we'll spend the whole week together I promise."

"You're coming in a month? Really? You're not just pulling my leg are you? Because if you are, I will definitely have to hurt you."

"You know I'd love to get my hands on your legs but I'm being serious. I'll be there in a month." She could hear the smirk in his voice and she felt her face getting crimson.

"Maybe you'll get your chance someday but don't hold your breath." She threw back at him.

"Someday Mar, someday."

"Whatever you want to believe Bible Boy. If it helps you sleep at night you can believe what you want." There was a hint of amusement in her voice. She just loved teasing him.

"So, to change the subject. How happy was your mom when you walked into your house?"

"She was ecstatic that I was home but a little disappointed at the same time."

"Disappointed? When she saw you? But why would she be disappointed?" "Well, you see...ummm...well... she was kind of disappointed that I hadn't grabbed myself a cutie while in North Carolina. There was this good-looking blonde guy that she just thought I would have nabbed while over there. So when I told her that nothing had happened she almost sent me back." She couldn't believe that she was saying these things to him. It so wasn't like her to talk like that.

"Oh is that so? And who was that guy might I ask?" This was amusing to him. He was glad to hear all this things.

"I think is first name was Evil and if I'm not mistaken his second name was Tristan. And he was really hot. The thing is I really like the guy but he's all the way over there." Her own words were making her blush but she had to say them. Sure it wasn't that serious a conversation but she meant what she was saying.

"Is that so huh? Well I'm 100% positive that he likes you more."

"Glad to hear it. I really can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait either Mar. I promise that when I go see you we will have a real long talk."

"I know we have to have a long talk but before we do we have to have lots of fun."

"I got to go Mar. I'll call you soon ok?"

"I don't want to hang up. You better call tomorrow."

"Promise I will."

"Bye Tris."

"Bye Ror."

When she walked back into the living room her mother was asleep. As excited as she was about Tristan coming for a visit and as much as she wanted to share the good news she didn't have the heart to wake her mom up. She just looked so peaceful all curled up on the sofa.

That night, lying in her bed all she could think about was Tristan. She could still see his deep blue eyes, full kissable lips and his sexy messy hair. She remembered their days together at Chilton and how miserable he had made her life. Now she knew that all along he had just been trying to get her attention. She thought about how much it annoyed her when he'd call her Mar and when he'd lean against the locker next to hers. Then she realized that she kind of liked it when he gave her all that attention. Things would have been pretty dull had he not picked on her all the time. The next month would really be going by slowly. How was she going to make time fly by faster?

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Back in north Carolina Tristan was lying on his bed thinking about the girl who had changed everything in his life. He could remember how she'd get when he teased her. She was so hot when she was annoyed with him. Never in his life had he met a woman who understood him the way Rory did. Never in his life had he imagined that he'd ever fall in love with a woman. He didn't think he was capable of love until Rory walked into his life. Finally when he had found out that she had the same feelings for him they weren't even together. Life could certainly be cruel sometimes. He hoped and prayed that the next month would go by as fast as possible.
Ok all, Chapter 23 is finally done. I've never had so much trouble writitng a chapter. I know nothing much happened but the next chapter or two will answer all your questions. What'll happen when Tristan visits? Did the song fit in witht the story? Well, now's the time to review. Tell me what you really think.