And the next chapter is finally up! I'm in desperate need for a beta for my Summer Passions fic, so if anyone would be so kind as to e-mail me at or leave an email address in a review, I would be forever greatful! And I promise Trory action is coming, just give it a little more time : )

-Tristan-

I'm not really sure what Rory is so worried about. This seems like a normal town. No staring like she was saying earlier. Maybe it's all just in her head. She seems different here; more relaxed and confident. She's in her element, even if she thinks it might be a semi-hostile one.

We're back at the diner/hardware store. Never did find out why that sign is out front. "So what's with the hardware sign?"

"Used to be a hardware store."

"No way."

"Yep. Unbelievable, I know."

"Honey, are you sure you don't want to just go to Al's?" There's no need to semi-whisper. I can hear you guys!

"Al's?" I try to break into the conversation.

"No, they don't have any really good breakfast there, you know? It's no big deal." Just ignore me completely, then, why don't you?

"Al's?"

"Al's Pancake World."

"With no good breakfast?"

"Long story. Al doesn't make pancakes anymore." I just nod. I can see it's pointless to get any further into this. It'll be a story like Rose's on Golden Girls.

"Yeah..." No. Don't say it. She'd never let you live it down. Tristan DuGrey watching Golden Girls on the Lifetime Channel. Hey, I mean, there isn't much you can watch in military school. Those girls did have spunk, though. Rory's mom reminds me a little of Sophia.

"Tristan!"

"Wha? Oh, coming." Good one.

-Rory-

Please let Jess be not working. Please let him not be working. I don't need another public confrontation, but I really need to get this over with before I lose my nerve. Crap, only one more table left, and it's by the window. Here we go.

"What can I get you guys?" Holy crap. Luke just popped up out of nowhere.

"We ladies will have the usual with extra, extra, coffee."

"Do you want to see a menu?" Menu? Us? Who does... oh? Duh.

"No, I'll just have what they're having." Brave soul.

"Uh, I have to ask Luke something. I'll be right back." I haven't seen Jess yet, that's a good sign. I think.

"Uh, Luke?"

"He's upstairs."

"Thanks." Deep breath. Up the stairs I go.

...Meanwhile...

-Tristan-

Wait. Where's she going? Wow. This is getting awkward fast.

"So, Tristan."

"Yes?" I've been out of Hartford too long, normally I could have dealt with this easily.

"Military school."

"Yep." This diner guy, Luke I think, is starting to creep me out. He looks like he's going to strangle me or something.

"Here's the coffee."

"Thank you, Lukey!" Lukey. Jesus Christ. At least the guy has the sense to just walk away. Great. Now she can focus on me again. This is not how I had planned my evening.

"So, you coming back to Hartford or are you permanently banished?"

"Not sure yet."

"They haven't decided yet or you haven't decided yet?" Damn. She's good. But then again, she came from that society.

"Both."

"I suppose it would be pointless to ask you how you ended up sleeping on my couch with my daughter."

"Somehow I knew it would come back to that." She's giving me a look. I'm not going to get off that easily. Damn it. It's not even like I was doing anything. For once. "Look, nothing happened."

"And nothing will." We'll just see about that.

-Rory-

"Hey."

"Hi. Look, Jess..." He's just shaking his head, like he knows what's going to come out of my mouth before I even say it. And maybe he does. It has to be said, though. If I could just put it into words.

"Don't bother. I know: It was a mistake. It can't ever happen again. I love my boyfriend, and we're going to work things out. Whatever. I have to get to work."

"I'm not in love with him anymore. Maybe I never really was. We're over, and we both know it. But that doesn't change things with you. I can't be with you, not now, and maybe never. All I know is I need to get out of this situation. I hope we can just... put this behind us and go back to what we were. Friends."

"Like we were ever friends, Rory. There was always that undertone there, and you knew it. Hell, everyone in town knew it. Maybe that was why they've always watched me so closely."

"Or maybe it was because of your record of juvenile delinquency. Everyone in this town gave you a fair shot in the beginning."

"Whatever, Rory." And with that he's out the door. Fine. Whatever. I am so hungry. Time to go and face Mom and the endless tormenting about 'sleeping' with Tristan.

-Tristan-

What is taking her so long? "So what's she doing up there, anyway?"

"Good question. I have a feeling I don't want to think about that." What? That certainly wasn't the response I expected. She must have noticed the surprised look on my face, because she continued. "She'll be fine. She knows what she's doing. Just like I did..." And I've lost her. Whatb the hell is she talking about, anyway? 'Just like I did.' Holy shit. There is no way... -bang-

Well, maybe her mother wasn't so right after all. Somebody who came out of that room doesn't seem very happy. He's a lot shorter than bagboy.

"Don't you think he's a bit young for you, Lorelai?" Wow. Got to give him points for that one.

"Age is all relative, don't you think, Lorelai?" And she's finally speechless.

"I... I..."

"Tristan!"

"Mary." She just stands there for a second, taking it all in. She is going to rip me a new one for this. I think the look on diner-boy's face here is worth it, though.

Wait. Is that a smile? No, definitely a smirk on Rory Gilmore's lips. And then she starts to giggle. I don't think I've ever seen her truly giggle before, except for maybe last night, but that was a totally different situation.

The next chapter will be up... well, whenever I get it done. Who knows when that will be. Hopefully soon. Thanks to Jenn for betaing this for me, and thanks to everyone who's reviewed:

Callista NicTeryn, kris, OTHlover04, Amanda, smile1, blip-dragon, Psychotic Scribbler, Ms. Vaughn, mar0506, smile1, Krissy, barbra, snooty7sweep, lilyLOVESwb, coffechick, AznGurl, four51, hAleY-jaMEs-FaN, l-dog, JeNsEnS wifey ChAdZ lover, Shady199, GGfanatic, bBy x jUjUbee, Kiki, Kate, Mel, CMMluver, Robin2, carrotop24, prosthetic.ballerina, michelle22, cilou, Sarah, Alexus, AlexiaWarren, Fashiongurl3188, DoRK47

If I missed anyone, please let me know!