CHAPTER 13

"I swear to God, I am done with men," Rory proclaimed to Lane as they sat in Ashley's Ice Cream Shop that cold winter day.

"That bad, huh?" Lane asked as she shoved a spoonful of sundae in her mouth.

"Ugh, Logan is just so... annoying recently," Rory complained. "One week he's like the best boyfriend ever and now, he's just so possessive and secretive."

"Are you sure you're not just PMSing?" her best friend inquired.

"If I was, decapitating him would've been an obvious reaction," Rory responded, licking her spoon clean.

"Ouch," Lane commented.

"Enough about me," Rory said. "So, Zach lent you the car, huh? I guess things are really serious between you and the guitar man."

Lane blushed. "As long as I put gas in the car and make sure that the radiator cap is on, he's pretty laid back about it."

"See? Why can't I have a smooth sailing relationship like that?" Rory asked. "I constantly have to deal with egotistical parents and snot-nosed, high brow kids."

"It's because your pond is a little bigger than mine," Lane pointed out. "If mama went ahead and forced me to go to Bible College, trust me, we would be comparing stories and mine would have a Korean minister's son in the running rather than your snot-nosed high brow kid. However, I think mama has warmed to the idea that living in Connecticut results in higher chances of me dating and marrying a Caucasian than a good, old, born and bred Korean boy."

"Why can't we just go back to being kids and not have these kinds of problems?" Rory whined, toying with the medallion between her forefinger and her thumb.

"Because we would be under the constant glare of our ever loving parents?" Lane stated the obvious.

"Good point," Rory said, taking another scoop of her banana split.

Rory's was upset that her Monday still looked bleak after her argument with Logan the night before. She tried calling Tristin after the blowout just to let him know that she got home safely but his line was busy and his voice mailbox was full. She did not bother calling her mom because she will give her the answer she didn't want to hear: break up with him.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Lane broke into her reverie, returning them to their prior conversation. "By the way, cute medallion. Is that new?"

"It's a loaner," Rory said, laughing softy as she let go of the ornament. "A different story for a later date."

"I take it this isn't a short story, right? So I digress. Logan?" Lane spoke telegraphically.

"I don't know. Part of me wants to break it off but our argument isn't really justifiable as a break up excuse," Rory explained.

"Hello, he had a girl in his room!" Lane reiterated.

"But she was dressed. And it looked like they didn't do any hanky-panky," Rory defended.

"Boy, you are blind," Lane grumbled.

"Well when you see Zach with groupies, don't you get jealous?" Rory asked smugly.

"Yes, but it's part of our business. And Zach has been really conscious to keep the one arm's length thing with the fans," Lane commented.

"So you think I should press him for more information in regards to Sydney," Rory stated the obvious.

"I think it behoove of you to do so," Lane verified.

Rory mulled over the decision. She definitely didn't want to rock the boat more than it already had been.

After Lane left for Stars Hollow, Rory had pretty much settled on a trance. She definitely felt like Scrooge on a mission to be miserable all week. Even Doyle's pessimism and Paris' rants seem to have no ill effect on Rory. She was already there.

That evening, she decided to do the last of her studying in the library. She knew she should've been ready weeks ago but she was not inspired to do any of her schoolwork. By nine o'clock, she decided to call it a night. Her slow walk back to her room made her think of her current relationship. The one thing she hated about being a hermit is that she really had no one to talk about matters of the heart. For once, she wished Madeline and Louise were around for a heart-to-heart.

She stepped into the cold dormitory building. She took her time going up the stairs to her dorm room. Humming a tune stuck in her head, she absently slipped her key into the lock only to be welcomed by a wonderful aroma of food and a sight of a at least twenty lit candles. Logan got up from the couch constantly shifting his weight from one foot to another.

"Rory, I am sorry," Logan said in the most reverent manner he can conjure. "I was insensitive, a jerk…" he listed nervously.

Rory dropped her bag and books on the floor and closed the door behind her. She ran into his arms and kissed him passionately. As far as apologies are concerned, Rory forgave him as she fell asleep in his arms that night. Asking him about Sydney can wait another night.

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Tristin was apprehensive when he headed down to Yale that Thursday. He took his final about an hour ago and he's not due back at the campus until after Christmas break. He was glad that he had an excuse to get into the Yale campus other than checking up on Rory. Paris had gotten a hold of him after she harassed Rory as to where he hid himself. He gave points to Paris for her persistence. He looked at the flowers he got for her and the little snow globe he got for Rory. He didn't know why he got the knickknack for her. It was inexpensive and common but he bought it on a whim just right after he dropped her off at the station.

Almost two hours later, he parked his maroon Cadillac Escalade by The Herald building as per Paris' instructions. He sucked in the cold air, looking at the thinning Yale population. People were darting in and out of the buildings. Many like him have started packing up and headed home. He zipped up his coat and grabbed the goodies he brought along from the passenger seat of his SUV. He hoped his visit was for worth the diversion.

"Finally!" Paris retorted when Tristin appeared on the journalists' floor.

"And hello to you, too!" Tristin greeted, extending his arms to hug Paris.

"You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago," she scolded.

"Hmm, a woman waiting on me. A very endearing trait!" Tristin teased. He handed her the snow-white rose bouquet on one hand. She received it with delight.

"You know, my boyfriend might misconstrue this little token of friendship," Paris pointed out as she took a whiff of the fragrant flowers.

On cue, Doyle walked in and took a possessive stance next to her. "Hey, Paris, what's going on here?"

"Hi, I'm Tristin," he offered his hand to Doyle.

"Is this a joke? Who's this guy?" Doyle asked Paris in paranoia, avoiding the friendly greeting.

"Tristin used to go to my school. Tristin, my boyfriend, Doyle," Paris snuggled up next to her man.

"Congratulations! Does Rabbi Schreck know about him?" Tristin teased her, putting his hand down.

"How does he know Rabbi Schreck? Is he an ex-boyfriend?" Doyle grilled Paris, sweat breaking on his forehead.

"Relax," Paris calmed Doyle by laying a hand on his belly. "Tristin here is a master tease," she responded with a droll. "He knows what strings to pull just get the desired effect. Am I right, DuGrey?"

"Always, Geller," Tristin said.

"Apparently, you haven't lost your touch," Paris said.

"He reminds me of someone. I just can't remember who…" Doyle pondered.

"Well, let me not take up any more of your time. Where can I find Rory?" Tristin politely asked Paris.

"Wow, it took at least five minutes before you could mention her name. That's a record," Paris sarcastically responded.

"Paris, you know you're always first on my list," he sweetened her up.

"Uh-huh," she haughtily responded. "She's over there," Paris nodded her head toward her general direction. He saw her deep in thought typing away on her computer.

"Thanks, babe," he said, laying a quick kiss on Paris' cheek to get Doyle more riled up. He jumped the short banister to get to Rory.

Doyle shot Tristin a dirty look as he rushed to Rory's desk.

Tristin slowed down a few desks before closing in on Rory. Her intense concentration didn't pick up on the fact that he stood right next to her. Like a naughty child, he went behind her and covered her eyes.

"Three guesses," he playfully suggested.

Rory let out a surprised gasp at his sudden reaction and his unexpected voice. She played along in his game. "Deepak Chopra."

"Younger," he clued her in.

"Haley Joel Osmet," she said, smiling.

"Older," he said.

"Dave Navarro," she replied.

"God, you suck at this game," Tristin chuckled, putting his hand down.

"Well maybe I would've guessed better if you actually told me you were going to be around the area," Rory prompted.

"Then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" he cockily responded, squatting between her legs.

"That it wouldn't be," she agreed.

"Oh, before I forget," he said, reaching out at the side of the table and handed her the snow globe of New York City.

"You didn't!" Rory yelped shaking the paperweight.

"I thought of you when I saw it," he murmured. Unbeknownst to the couple, Logan was watching them from the glass door, a clenched fist on his side.

"Well I love it. Thank you," she giggled, hugging him tightly around the neck.

"So when are you busting out of this joint?' he asked, his eyes intently staring into hers.

"Why?" she asked.

"So I can take you up on the coffee date thing," he reminded her.

"She's not going anywhere with you, buddy," Logan interrupted the couple.

"Huntzberger," Tristin responded coldly as he stood up from his position.

"DuGrey," Logan matched his tone. "Isn't it amazing that you seem to rear your ugly head at the most inconvenient circumstances."

"Funny, I thought it was the other way around," Tristin taunted.

Rory felt the chill between them. Oddly, she didn't know what started it.

"Why don't you poach someone else's girl, huh?" Logan said, putting his arm around Rory.

"Maybe you should take up on that suggestion yourself," Tristin mocked Logan.

"Alright, guys. Too much testosterone," Rory tried to diffuse the situation.

"What are you even doing here, huh? You don't even go to this school," Logan sneered.

"I'm an invited guest, which gives me more of an excuse to be in this building. What's yours?" Tristin said.

"I work here," Logan said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, you're actually literate? " Tristin ridiculed him.

Logan was about to launch a punch at Tristin when Rory got between them.

"Guys! Let it go!" she ordered. She pushed Tristin away, pinning him at one of the tables.

"Tristin, go," Rory begged him, her breathing ragged.

"Not until that loser promises to break up with you," he swore.

"What are you talking about, Tristin? He's my boyfriend. I'll deal with him," Rory informed him. "Please, just go."

"Yeah, listen to the girl, Tristin. Let her fight your battles," he egged Tristin.

Tristin launched his body towards Logan only to have Rory lean her weight against him. "NO!"

Tristin shot a bewildered look at Rory. Her bright blue eyes gave away the intensity of her anger. He pushed her away and shrugged his coat in place.

"I'm out of here," Tristin responded, shaking his head at the couple.

Rory glanced at Logan, looking smugly at Tristin. "Tristin, wait!"

"For what?" Tristin asked. "To see you all weepy when that bastard breaks your heart?"

"That's low," Rory spat at him.

Tristin's angry eyes softened as he saw her doe eyes tear up. He wanted to touch her face and tell her the truth but it's not up to him to make that decision. "I'm sorry."

He ran out of the building, not looking back.

"You know, Tristin reminds me of Logan," Doyle said, his hand cradling his chin.

"I think neither of them would want to hear that analogy," Paris hushed him.