TITLE: No Longer

PAIRING: L/L, L/D, R?

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, just this story and the made up stuff about this show…such as Tristan Dugrey this late in the show or them getting married.

SUMMARY: Tristan divorces Rory, but fate disagrees.

Rory arrived at work and got through the whole day. She was on her way home when her cell phone rang.

R-Yea?

L-Rory!

R-Lane? Oh my god! How are you!

L-I'm good, you?

R-Okay, I guess!

L-Man I haven't talked to you in what—

R- A year.

L-Really? Oh god, I'm such a horrible friend!

R-No, you're not. You've been busy touring with your band.

L-That's true, but Happy Birthday!

R-See at least you remembered my birthday, and thank you!

L- I would never forget it! I would have to be a moron to miss my best friends wed—umm, birthday.

R-What were you going to say?

L-Oh, umm nothing. Is your Grandma having a party?

R-Yea, hey where are you?

L-Oh, you want me to come.

R-YES!

L-I'm SSOO sorry, but I'm not gonna get in till tomorrow! Maybe we can just pretend your birthday's tomorrow and we can go out for dinner or something?

R-Fine, but only cause I love you.

L-Okay, I love you too, but I have to go…….Dave needs help with the equipment.

R-Okay, see you tomorrow.

L-Hey, how about Luke's at let's say…5:30?

R-Perfect, see you then!

L-Kay.

End------

Rory smiled and hung up, then her smile faded. Lane left right before they had decided on the divorce…she still didn't know. Rory pushed that to the back of her mind and pulled into her driveway having made it all the way home. She went inside the house and found tons of balloons everywhere. Her smile returned and she saw a card saying it was all from Lorelai. Rory didn't think there was anything special about a 26th birthday, but hey, she wasn't complaining.

She had to be at her Grandmother's house in two hours. She decided to take a nap, and when she woke up she took a shower and found one of her favorite dresses in her closet, although she couldn't remember why she liked it. It was white with short sleeves and a collar. It fit her very well and had a cluster of navy stripes in about three places. There was one navy strip on the collar. The dress fit her very well and could be dressed up with a nice pair of shoes and jewelry. She slipped on a pair of silk white panties and then pulled the dress over her head allowing it to mold to her shape. She then put her jewelry and shoes on, and then realized why she liked this dress so much. Tristan had gotten it for her about a year-and-a-half ago, because she had begged him for it and he finally broke down and got it. She didn't have anytime to change. As it was she was already going to be late. No one knew she got it from Tristan so she just left it on. She touched up her make-up and left for her grandparents house. She arrived there about ten minutes later and when she got to the door, she rang the door bell. Emily opened it.

'Rory! Happy Birthday dear! But you're late.'

'Thank, you and I'm sorry grandma, the traffic was bad.'

'Oh, that's all right. Come on in!' Rory smiled and walked in. She found that most people had already arrived and they were waiting for her. Everyone crowded around her saying happy birthday. She just smiled and slipped away getting herself a drink. She found a bottle of beer and brought it to another quiet room and drank it.

She had been at the party for over an hour and she still didn't see Tristan. She secretly wished he was there. She went back out into the commotion and looked around, when a man walked past her. She knew that cologne, Tristan wore it. He looked up and saw him pass and start to talk to one of the other men there. Two more beers and an hour later she wandered away when she felt someone stop right behind her.

'Nice outfit.' The voice said, the warm breath tickling her ear. She tensed and then turned around. She took his hand and then pulled him into the library and shut the door separating them from the party.

'What are you doing here?'

'What?' he asked confused.

'My grandmother…she told me mom, who told me that you weren't gonna come.'

'That's bullshit. I never said that. I was just hoping that for one night, we could just be civil to one another.'

'Why? Tristan, you're the one who wanted the divorce.'

'And what I wanted was still to be with you as your friend.'

'It doesn't work that way.'

'Look, I didn't want to cause anything by coming, so I'll just go…' he said starting to walk away.

'No, stay.' She said catching his arm.

'Fine, but one question.' He said softly.

'Yea?'

'Why are you wearing that dress? I mean I know no one cares how you got it, but I'm just confused.'

'I saw and it and I remembered it was one of my favorite dresses, and when It was too late to do anything about it, I realized you gave it to me.'

'Oh, can we just forget we were married…and divorced for tonight? I want tonight to be fun for you, although I know how tortured you were having to come in the first place.' He said looking at her. She laughed and looked away.

'You know me too well, and yes, I would like that. Friends? For tonight at least?' she asked sticking out her hand.

'Friends.' He smiled shaking it.

'So having fun?'

'No, you?'

'Well, you already said I was tortured into coming here in the first place, which by the way you were correct, so what do you think?'

'I don't think you are.'

'Ding, ding, ding. I've had three beers.'

'I know, I saw you.'

'Oh, how long have you been here?'

'About five minutes before you came.'

'Really?'

'Yea. Hey, we're both bored do you wanna leave?'

'It's MY party, well not Mine but it's for me.'

'So?'

'Tristan I cant just up and leave!'

'Why not?'

'Fine.' She said smiling. Tristan followed her out. They both avoided the curious eyes as they went up to her grandma.

'hey Grandma?' Rory asked tapping her shoulder.

'Yes?'

'I'm not feeling well. I'm just gonna head back.'

'Oh, I guess, I mean it Is YOUR party.'

'Yea, but just leave the cake alone. It's mine.' Rory said laughing before the two left. Tristan drove Rory home in her car since he walked over. He didn't have much to drink so he was still completely sober. Well Rory sober too, but she wasn't completely lying when she said she didn't feel well. She did have a headache. Tristan walked her inside. He sat down.

'Thanks…for ditching my party with me.'

'Sure.' He got up to leave and she got up also. They walked to the door and Tristan turned around.

'I'll see you soon, okay?' he asked tucking hair behind her ear.

'Sure.' She smiled. He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she accidentally moved her head making their lips touch. He pulled away quickly and then went back aiming for her lips. They both forgot how amazing the kisses they had were. They got wrapped in their own little world that they didn't even care the amount of clothes being taken off. Their kisses were hungry and soon were on the floor making love and screaming each other's names. They fell asleep soon after, and around three am, Tristan woke and woke Rory up to.

'Rory, I'm gonna go.' He said getting dressed. She got dressed to. She walked over to him and gave him a hug, which he gratefully returned. They pulled away and he kissed her forehead before leaving. Rory smiled and walked to her bedroom falling into a peaceful sleep.

Please Review and I'll update. Tell me how horrible and rushed it is! Just kidding, but if it is PLEASE, PLEASE tell me!