AN: Hey! I got very few reviews but I would like to give a special thanks to smile1 and tickledpink! Thanks so much for reviewing almost every chapter and giving me good feedback. Also tickledpink, I enjoy your rants and find them oddly amusing and entertaining so please continue them lol. Also just thanks to everyone who does review I really appreciate it. So anyways on with the story! And yes I do have another dazzling plan! Oh and !i!i!i!i is just a change of scene. Enjoy!

Recap:

"Rory, me leaving had nothing to do with you, actually you were the reason I was trying to get myself to forget it all and stay. I didn't want to leave; I just felt it was the best thing to do at the time. But I need you to know, that I did not go because of you. I would never intentionally hurt you."

"Ok" Rory stuttered, unsure of what else to say.

Tristan walked closer to her and took her hands in his. He leaned down and gave her a simple kiss, and pulled her into a tight embrace. She fit into him beautifully as she snuggled in closer to his toned body. They stood like this for some time. They finally pulled apart and Tristan rested his forehead against hers, and kissed her softly once again. It took her a few moments to respond, she just was unsure now. "Tristan" she said quietly "I just don't know" at that he nodded and turned to leave without another word.

When he was descending the steps she looked out upon the outside world. It was snowing. Magical things happen when it snows. She heard her mother's voice in her head. She ran towards him. "Tristan" she muttered, he turned around at the sound of her voice. She looked deep into Tristan's eyes and saw they hold truth and sincerity. She kissed him hard and when she pulled away in desperate need for air she whispered breathlessly "It's that damn snow." And with that she walked into the house and only gave a small smile before closing the door.

Rory and Tristan had talked the previous day and agreed to take things slow and just ease into a relationship if that's where things let them. Well Rory decided and Tristan agreed not wanting to push her into anything. This was especially because since it was long distance and was hard on them both already. He wrote practically every other day and she replied just as often. She awaited his letters as he did with hers. Each one spelled faintly of coffee. Rather than email which was fairly impersonal they sent letters, each loving to see the handwriting and get even the slightest sent of the other.

It was now mid January. Snow was falling heavily as Rory walked home from the bus stop without a care in the world. Friday night dinner was canceled as well so she and her mom were planning a movie night. She stopped by Luke's for a cup of coffee and continued on her way. When she saw the mailbox, Gilmore printed boldly on the side, she couldn't help but smile. It was Friday, and there was always a letter waiting for her. She peered inside and there it lay, propped up against the side of the mailbox. Rory Gilmore was scrawled on one side in Tristan's casual cursive. She balanced her coffee in one hand and pulled out the letter with the other and headed inside holding it to her chest. She went into her room and carefully unsealed the envelope and slid out the letter. It smelled of sweet sweat and cologne. She inhaled deeply and unfolded the cream paper.

Ma chère,

So today we had a very tough work out. 100 push-ups! I thought I was going to die. Plus we had to do 200 crunches after going through the excruciating obstacle course. Let me tell you, not fun! I miss you so. I just received your past letter and it just tickled me. Luke just won't give it up will he? Doesn't he know he doesn't stand a chance? When coffee is involved the Gilmore Girls can get ugly (one of the few times)! How did that English paper come out? Oh and how was your French test? I just had to turn in a paper for English and if I may say so myself, it was pretty damn good. Wow I'm sore. I must go, my bed is calling. If only you were here to share it with me wink wink. Goodbye my dear Mary.
Tristan

P.S. Now stop blushing!

Now Rory was indeed blushing even more. He knew her so well. She got out a piece of stationary and immediately started to respond.

Bible Boy,

I'm sorry they work you so hard, but I'm sure it'll be worth it in some way. Please inform Luke of the fact that he will never win the battle. He doesn't seem to catch on to that fact. But, I'm glad me having to beg for my cherished coffee amuses you. sarcastic Anyways, I got an A- on my English paper and I believe I did quite well on my French test. You will have to let me read your essay sometime. I have a ton of homework this weekend, oh what fun I will have. Lane's band has a gig tomorrow night and she is so excited, so I have to go and cheer her on. Well my mom is calling, yelling something about how the regular pizza guy wasn't there so she actually had to order like the rest of town. Sorry to cut this one short.

Rory

"Rory!" Lorelai yelled.

"Coming" Rory responded. She carefully slid Tristan's letter back into its envelope and placed it in her desk drawer with the others. She then folded her letter and put it in the envelope and sealed it. She carefully printed the address and put a stamp in the upper corner. She was about to go out into the living room when she realized she was still wearing her Chilton uniform. She pulled out some sweats and a big t-shirt and quickly slipped of her uniform and put on the clothes she had selected.

"What's taking you so long, the movie is about to start"

"Sorry, here I am" Rory said as she sat next to her mom on the couch. She grabbed a piece of pizza and sat back and relaxed. When the movie was over Lorelai accosted Rory with many questions.

"So, how's Tristan doing?"

"Fine" was Rory's short response. Lorelai gave her a look so she continued. "He is doing well, he says its hard work but he is trying his best. And no, I don't know when he will be returning."

"Rory, are you okay?"

"Ya I'm fine, why?"

"Well you've been acting different lately."

"I've just been happy."

"I know it's just that usually, especially when there is something good happening, you always came and talked to me and now, well now you're not so much. It's like I have to drag information out of you."

"Really? Oh I'm so sorry, I just my mind has been occupied by other thoughts…"

"Like Tristan."

"Yea, like that." Rory sighed "I can't help it."

"I know exactly what you mean."

"Yeah" Rory said dreamily.

"Ok, I guess I'll head up to bead now." Lorelai said.

"Wait mom?" Lorelai turned to face her daughter with a big smile. Rory gave the same goofy grin and Lorelai bounced back to the couch. Rory began to fill her in.

By the time the Gilmore Girls finally wandered into bed it was two A.M. They both fell asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow. When Rory finally awoke around twelve she forced herself out of bed and into the shower. She stood there under the hot water, thoughts of none other than Tristan Dugray clouding her head. By the time she was showered and dressed, Lorelai was awake. They both agreed that the need for coffee was desperate so they wandered over to Luke's. They took two of the last available seats at the counter.

"Luke" Lorelai called in a sing-song voice. Rory just chuckled at her mother's antics.

"What?" Came his gruff reply

"Coffee and a cheeseburger, what do you want Rory?"

"Uh, I think I'll just have chili fries and coffee."

"You know you should wait for me or someone else who works here to come take your order. Just like everybody else." He said motioning towards the people in the crowded dinner.

"Luke, since when have we ever been just like everybody else?" Lorelai questioned, tilted her head to one side.

"Whatever." Luke muttered pouring them coffee. "This stuff is going to lead you to an early grave." And with that Luke walked away.

"He is just a ray of sunshine." Lorelai said sarcastically.

"yup." was all Rory said in response.

They finished their meals and walked back home. Rory tried to put a dent in her homework because that night she was going to see Lane's band. At six Rory began to get ready for the "concert". After much negotiation with Lorelai, Rory consented to wear a flowy black, silk skirt that fell just above her knees. Along with a bright pink tank top which was lower than Rory would have normally worn, but Lorelai didn't give her much of a choice, with a ruffle down the front. She wore pink chandelier style earrings along with a necklace of the same color. Around her wrist was a bracelet that appeared like she was wearing multiple but was actually one. The different shades of pink and styles of bead added a little something to the outfit. She walked out and twirled for her mom who clapped giddily, happy that she had won the clothing battle.

"You look gorgeous honey, just smashing." Lorelai said. "Shoes?" she questioned, seeing Rory's bare feet with only a simple silver chain around her right ankle.

"These?" Rory asked, holding up a pair of strappy black heels, embellished with a light shimmer to them.

"Perfect" came Lorelai's response. Rory's hair was down in loose waves with a small section on either side clipped back with sparkly clips and she just had on a splash of clear lip gloss, such a simple beauty.

"Okay, I should get going, don't want to be late."

"Okay Hun, but first a picture!" Lorelai said pulling out a camera from behind her back, smiling evilly.

Rory just sighed and posed for the camera. Lorelai took many pictures, some of just her standing there smiling and others of her in a model like pose. Lorelai finally decided she had enough and handed the camera to Rory.

"Get some pictures of Lane and the band and use of the roll of film. And have a great time."

"Thanks mom, I will, I'll be back later." She kissed her mom on the cheek and left.

!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i

Rory followed the directions Lane had previously given her very carefully. She arrived at around 7 and so she went to go find Lane.

"Rory!" Lane yelled eagerly, happy her best friend was here. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world." Rory said sweetly hugging her friend.

"You look hot!" Lane said

Rory blushed and laughed. "All Lorelai's doing, she didn't give me much of a choice."

"Well she did a wonderful job, you look great."

"Thanks, you too." She said noticing Lane's outfit. She wore black, slightly tight, pants that had faint turquoise pinstripes. She had on a studded black belt and a turquoise shirt with a slanted guitar on it. It was angled at the bottom, so the shortest part hit just above the top of her pants. Her earrings were small records that hung from a chain and she had a matching necklace.

"Thanks."

They continued to talk for a while; they had been out of contact for a while due to their schedules. They had a lot to catch up on. Rory filled Lane in on her latest Tristan info and soon it was time for the show to start.

Rory finally walked through the door of her home at 12:30 completely exhausted. She went and said goodnight to Lorelai and filled her in on the important details.

The following afternoon Rory and Lorelai were at Luke's, as usual.

"I should probably head home; I still have to finish typing up my Lab for chem." Rory said

"Sure Hon, I have to stop by the inn but I'll be back in time for dinner. I'll pick something up on my way home."

"K, see ya then."

"Bye sweetie."

While Rory headed home to work on her homework Lorelai headed to the inn but made a quick stop on her way.

Lorelai headed to the Chinese place to pick up dinner for Rory and her. After she got the food she stopped and picked up the film she had dropped off earlier that afternoon. When she arrived home she found Rory working on homework on the couch.

"Hey Rory, I got Chinese."

"Oh good, I'm hungry." Lorelai set the food on the coffee table.

"I'm gonna go start some coffee, be back in a sec."

"K" Rory responded.

Lorelai snuck into Rory's room. She went to her desk and found a letter from Tristan. She copied down the return address and then made her way to the kitchen to start the coffee. She walked back into the living room and sat down next to Rory on the couch. They dug into the food.

Later that night after Rory had gone to her room Lorelai started to write a letter.

AN: ok I know bit of a dull chapter but I had to lay the ground work for a part in the next. Sorry it took so long too, but I just wasn't inspired to write because I can't do much yet because I can't just skip forward to much quite yet because I have to show Rory and Tristan's relationship right now and yada yada but I will be skipping forward a few months soon. Oh and is that always recapping thing annoying? I think it might be let me know please. I was planning on only doing that when they leave off mid sentence or it's a big cliffhanger or whatever but let me know pretty please! Ok so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!!