SeCrEt

Rory and Dean broke up, she's going out with Jess, and the kiss at the piano did happen. Everything more or less happened, and Luke and Lorelai are married with a seven year old girl, Stephanie, and a five year old boy, Daniel.

Summary: Some secrets are better off kept, some you should tell. Bad summary. Trory.

Disclaimer: I only own this story, my imagination, and the people you don't recognize. I wish I owned Chad though. :)

Authors Note: SORRY FOR THE LACK OF UPDATES!!!! Please forgive and forget!! First my Internet wasn't working, and then my computer broke, and then I had to get the new Internet! Trust me, it was just as annoying for me as it was for you.

enjoy!

Jitters and Wise Decisions:

'You know how when your really, really nervous about something you get butterflies?' Rory asked Tristan when they were about 20 minutes from Chilton.

'Yea, why?'

'Cause I'm experiencing that like never before! Too many butterflies!' Rory said clutching her stomach.

'So, we're really doing this, huh.'

'Looks like it.'

'So we're gonna transfer to Chilton this afternoon and then go to your local diner?' he asked.

'Yup. You know what's strange? I actually missed Paris!'

'Yea, she grows on you.'

'Too bad we're gonna be seniors!'

'So you liked my idea in New York?'

'Yes.'

'Well that's good to know.' The car came to a stop. 'Mr. Dugrey and Ms. Gilmore—we have arrived.' The driver announced. The two slowly got out and started at the gargoyle enriched school. It was bigger then they remembered it being.

'Hell awaits us.' Rory said flatly. Tristan nodded.

'Come on. Lets get this over with.' Tristan took her hand in his and started to walk in. they were greeted by a blast of warm air comforting them from the cold outside air. Some unfamiliar chiltonites stared at them as they made their way to the Ambrose building, away from the nosey eyes. They were sent into the headmaster's office immediately.

'Mr. Dugrey and Ms. Gilmore—welcome back. I understand you both have been accepted into colleges therefore you'll be joining the senior class while graduating in June, correct?'

'Yes.' They said simultaneously.

'Good. Now while the time it takes to get your transcripts, you WILL be attending classes, do you BOTH understand?'

'Yes, sir.' Tristan said.

'Mhm.' Rory nodded.

'Good, now I suppose with Ms. Gilmore's help, you both were able to come here directly instead of taking to friends, today there's no point in staying with only two classes left but tomorrow, I expect to see you both here at the proper morning time wearing your Chilton Uniforms.'

'Thank you, sir.' Rory said. Tristan nodded and followed Rory out of the office. They were stopped by two girls.

'Welcome back, Tristan.' One purred.

'If you need any help adjusting just lemme know. You can take your stress out on me' the other said seductively.

'Thanks.' He said before continuing.

'Amazing!' Rory said smiling.

'Me? I know.'

'No, you didn't even flirt with them!'

'Well I've got you. Why would I need to?'

'Good point.' Rory said nodding.

'Rory?' a blonde asked.

'Paris, hi! '

'Your back, and you brought him with you—or is this just a coincidence like the him/you disappearance thing?'

'No, not really.'

'So I assume you're here to stay?'

'Yup.'

'Good. Your article is due by Monday, and Tristan?'

'Yes?'

'Make out sessions are only allowed when I am NOT present. Got it?'

'Yes mom.' He said smirking. Paris glared at him but then left.

'So you'll help me pick out my new flavor for next week?' Tristan asked Rory.

'Sure, I already found someone in fact.'

'Good—who?'

'Oh ya know—my height, blue eyes, brown hair, answers to Rory.' She said smiling.

'She sounds amazingly hot, although she does sound like a Mary to me.'

'I doubt she'll like that.'

'But my kissing makes up for it!'

'I don't think so.' She said. He shrugged and kissed her.

'Now I don't think your Mary would like this kissing we do very much.' She said smiling.

'That's a shame.' He said laughing.

'So I see Summer.' He finished.

'Oh you mean Slut Barbie?'

'Yes.'

'Are you gonna talk to her?'

'Why talk to her when I can make out with you?' Rory rolled her eyes and walked away. Tristan followed her.

'So where to now?' Tristan asked.

'Your grandfather's to drop off our stuff and then to Luke's.'

'Not wasting any time are you?'

'No, you see if I'm gonna make this work, I have to know where she is. Luke will hopefully help me.'

'Oh. Kay let's go.' About five minutes later they pulled up in front of Janlen Dugrey's house. They walked up to the door. He answered the door.

'Tristan? Lorelai?' he asked pleasantly surprised.

'Hey Gramps.' Tristan said giving his grandfather a hug.

'Hello. And hello Rory.'

'Nice to see you again.' She said and gave the older man a hug too.

'Well come on in.' they went and sat in the family room.

'Now I must say I am pleasantly surprised to see you two!'

'I decided it was time to come back and Tristan wanted to be with me so he came, even thought he didn't want too.'

'You know Tristan, you two remind me of your grandma and me.' Janlen said smiling.

'How so?' he asked.

'I don't know. I get this feeling about the two of you. I haven't gotten this feeling for over fifteen years. The last time was right before Tristan's grandmother passed away.'

'I'm sorry.' Rory said sympathetically.

'No it was for the best. She was in pain, and it would have been worse for her to be alive and in pain.' Rory nodded understandingly.

'So Rory what made you decide it was time to come home?' Rory smiled and looked at Tristan who was smirking.

'Well not to long ago, I somehow thought I was pregnant and the home test I took came out positive. The test was wrong and I'm thankfully not, but it made me realize that my mom was who I really needed to talk to besides Tristan. I'm not even seventeen yet. I'm supposed to be that perfect child but even if I'm not, my mom is still my mom. And no matter what, I will always love her.'

'So I guess the "have you two had sex" question would be pointless then, huh?' The three laughed softly.

'Yea, I think so.' Rory responded.

'Rory, I think you are making a wise decision and I'm glad you brought my grandson with you. He needs to learn about family. I fully understand his motherly figure situation but I'm more talking about when he has his own family and he's married with kids of his own.'

'Well Tristan could never say anything bad about you.'

'I'm flattered.'

'Gramps, I'm sorry about me leaving. Rory helped me realize that people I don't even think about need me. I honestly didn't even think about anyone but myself. I mean now I realize what a bad role model I was for CeCe, Alex, and Jordan.'

'Well I'm glad your back and you know you're welcome here anytime, any day.'

'Yes, I do.'

'That includes you Rory!!'

'Yes, sir.'

'Coffee?' Janlen asked the two.

'Sure.' Tristan stood up and motioned for Rory to follow him into the kitchen where Janlen was already headed.

'So Rory, you haven't seen your mom in a while right?'

'Yea, about two months.'

'Right in time for Valentine's Day!'

'Wait, what's today?' Rory asked.

'February 12th, why?'

'God, I'm so stupid!' she said hitting her head with the palm of her hand.

'So how do you plan on meeting her?'

'My stepfather—he's the only one I really talked to during my absence. He's the only that seems to be on my side.'

'See your wrong. I'm on your side, and Tristan is on your side. If he wasn't, he wouldn't be in this house right now drinking coffee.'

'Tristan loves me.' Tristan spit his coffee back into his cup when he heard that. He looked at her.

'So you think he's required to take your side?'

'Yea do you?' Tristan asked.

'Well, I guess I mean I don't know!'

'My grandson is a Dugrey male. I bet you will never find a man more stuck in his beliefs then a Dugrey.' Tristan looked between the two. Rory sighed.

'Tristan, did you take my side because you have to, or because you wanted to?' Rory questioned.

'Honestly?'

'Yes.'

'I was never thrilled with the idea of you leaving here in the first place. See Gramps although I'm stubborn as hell, those Gilmore's are some competition. Rory you are the most stubborn person I have ever met, next to myself of course. So honestly, I have to agree with my grandfather. It's not because I love you, I do love you—I love you so much, but that's not why I'm on your side.'

'I wish life was easier!' Rory said sadly.

'Don't we all?'

'Yea.'

'Rory, I'm gonna tell you something I've never told anyone—not even you, Tristan.'

'Oh?'

'When Tristan's grandmother died, I thought my life was over. I felt like there was no purpose to life anymore, so I had begun to prepare to join my wife in heaven. Rory, I'm not that young so for me at the time it was a great idea—until I met you.'

'Me?'

'Yes. I first met you when you were three years old, and your mom was 19. After hearing your mom's story and seeing such a beautiful young girl, I realized that life goes on. Your mom had it very difficult as you know yet, she's got a beautiful daughter and a successful Inn. I may have lost the love of my life physically, but she will always be with me emotionally. Life soon after that started to make more sense to me. Sometimes we need something major to happen in one area of our lives to realize things in other areas. In my case and yours, they both included something that happened to you.'

'So why didn't I know Tristan earlier?'

'You did but after a short time we lost touch. You knew each other until you were about 3 1/2 I believe.'

'Gramps, why didn't you ever tell me that?'

'There was never a reason too. You were a baby when she passed away and I didn't want to upset you.'

'Excuse me, but do you mind if I make a call?' Rory asked.

'No, go ahead. There's a phone in my office. Down that hall, second door on the left.' Rory nodded and left.

'She's pretty confused about what to do.' Tristan said.

'I know, but she's a smart girl. She'll figure it all out. She just may need some time.'

'So I really knew her when I was 3?'

'Yes.'

'Wow.'

'So you two really did the deed?'

'Yes gramps.' Tristan said laughing quietly.

'And you two are really in love?'

'Yes gramps.' Janlen looked away and smiled.

'What?' Tristan asked.

'Oh nothing, you two just remind me of some other couple I knew.'

'Care to elaborate?'

'You two are going to have some challenges to face, but if you believe in the strength of your relationship and each other, it will last a lifetime.' Janlen got up and left leaving Tristan to ponder his words.

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Alright so here's the deal…the scores for the stories were:

Secrets: 28

No Longer: 22

Time: 21

From War To Family: 16

So as you can see, the scores were REALLY close! Since I was planning on finishing this story before the others anyways, it worked out well!! I don't have much left of this story either. I'm gonna go ahead and guess four or five more chapters. But it could be less and it could be more. Thank you to all of my loyal and faithful reviewers!!

I hope you all had a fabulous Turkey day if you live in the United States! And if you don't, then I hope you had a happy last Thursday! Thanks again, Kiki