Although Rory certainly hadn't come to terms with Lane's dramatic view of fated love between her and Tristan, she did note, with a slight lump in her throat, that she missed seeing him on a daily basis. Tristan, for all his innuendos and sly remarks, had been the closest thing she had to a friend at Chilton unless Paris was counted, and Rory wasn't really sure how much she could fudge the line between mortal enemy and friend to make herself feel less lonely. A few days after this revelation Rory had begun hatching.

"I'm going to do something," She told her best friend.

"Oh my god, you are going to get together with Tristan!" Lane squealed excitedly.

"No no," Rory said emphatically, "but I'm going to end this cold war between us. I mean I want to be friends."

Lane looked at her slyly and with a nudge of an elbow and a slight drawl said, "sure, friends."

Rory rolled her eyes. "Lane, I just want to be friend with him. Just friends."

"With who?" Lorelai cut in, just arriving to the early breakfast scene at Luke's.

Lane turned to Lorelai excitedly and with the air of a messenger with juicy news said, "Rory's going to fix things between her and Tristan."

Lorelai snatched a bit of Rory's muffin and nodded approvingly.

"Good, that boy's gorgeous," she continued despite Rory's look of protest, "If I were sixteen again…and not pregnant mind you I would…"

"MOM, that is so unnecessary"

There was a wicked gleam in Lorelai's eye as she leaned in and said in her naughty voice, "I would be happy to make up with that boy. Very happy."

"Amen," Lane said.

Rory cleared her throat and said authoritatively, "Alright peanut gallery, news bulletin:"

"but you're not Walter Cronkite," Lorelai threw in.

"ahem," Rory forged on, "Tristan and I aren't even friends. I hope to fix that but that's all…I'm not looking for a boyfriend in him at all."

"but why not?" Lorelai shot back quickly.

"Because…" Rory stalled, "of so many reasons."

"like?" Lane prompted.

"like …that fact he can be a complete jerk."

"eeerr," Lorelai intoned, imitating the wrong answer sound found on many game shows.

Rory looked at her crossly and said, "what, you don't think that's a good reason not to date someone? Personality is just a insignificant detail?"

"Hun, obviously you can't mind his personality that much if you want to be his friend. Or do you usually go out of your way to make jerks forgive you?"

Rory furrowed her brow and chose to escape answering by taking a very long sip of coffee.

Lorelai and Lane exchanged knowing looks that only served to infuriate Rory more.

"Look babe, all we are saying is that the guy obviously liked you and probably could be convinced to do so again, you like him enough to want to be his friend and you feel bad that's he's angry with you. And you are, for once in your short life, not engaged in a marriage-like relationship so it seems like now's a good time to start something…fun. You shouldn't necessarily disqualify Tristan just because he's tall, rich, blonde, and insanely hot," Lorelai finished with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Lane nodded quickly in consent, "besides what have you got to lose?"

Pride, I could lose serious pride. He could humiliate me in front all these people at school, give Paris fuel to ridicule me for weeks, and make me feel absolutely awful. That's what I could lose, Rory thought as she contemplated seeking out Tristan to talk. Rory had yet to see him but she knew he ate lunch in the courtyard everyday. As much as she wanted to make peace with Tristan she couldn't imagine herself making the long walk outside to go up to him while he was surrounded by cronies at his table. Nope, that was definitely not happening.

I'll just have to find another way, she thought.

Later in English class, a class she did share with Tristan even if he had changed seats to the opposite end of the room, an idea formed slowly while she attempted to subtly eavesdrop on what her teacher, Mrs. Pagley, was telling a very uninterested looking Tristan Dugrey.

She heard key word, "failing" and quickly pieced together the situation: Tristan's grade in English was sorely lacking. Not that he seemed to care, but then Rory noted, his expression turned much more serious after Mrs. Pagley threw in the idea of bringing his father in for a meeting. The bell rang and class ended. Rory stayed behind, wheels in her mind churning.

"Uh, Mrs. Pagley, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second?"

"yes Rory," and she smiled at her with the affection that teachers reserve for their brightest students.

Rory hoped this would go over well.

"Well I didn't know if you knew but I'm applying to Harvard," Rory began.

"Good school but then again you have top grades," Mrs. Pagley said jovially.

"Yeah," and Rory tried to look a bit daunted, "but my extracurricular could use some work."

"Ah," the teacher commiserated with a motherly look, "it's hard to fit in activities with such a rigorous schedule."

"yeah, well I was just wondering if you might have any suggestions …I don't know. I was thinking maybe I could tutor a bit and I didn't know if you knew anyone…" Rory trailed off hopefully.

The teacher looked as she was scanning her mind while Rory held her breathe in anticipation and then, "Oh, you know what Rory? I do have a suggestion," the woman said happily, obviously glad to help.

"Really?" Rory answered keeping an even tone.

"Yes, one of your fellow classmates needs some help and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. He shows such promise, I didn't want to fail him. I was going to bring his parents in but I think maybe this would be better. I tell you what, I'll give him say until the end of the quarter to make up his missing work and start improving his performance with your help and if he doesn't get better well then… I'll bring in his parents."

Rory tried not to look too thrilled.

"You think he'd agree to that?"

Mrs. Pagley wrinkled her brow and said with a confidential air, "oh yes. I'm pretty sure he'll prefer this to involving his father. I've had to deal with the boy's family on other occasions and," and then as if catching herself she stopped and said, "yes, I think this will work out just fine dear."

Rory felt a bit bad for Tristan. It was obvious he had a bad relationship with his father.

"Oh well thanks for your help."

"No problem, anything for the top of the class. Hm, today's Monday so how about I have Tristan meet you in the library after school on Wednesday?"

Rory submerged a grin, "sure that would be fine."

Lack of trory action but it's coming along.

Reviews are wonderful forms of encouragement.