Rory could see nothing; Tristan's hands were covering her eyes as he walked behind her, leading her towards her surprise.

They'd been driving in Tristan's BMW for an hour and a half, and Rory appreciated the fresh air- but now she was bursting with anticipation, as Tristan whispered in her ear "Almost there".

The cool breeze floated through her hair, and her footsteps were awkward as Tristan lead her up and down a rocky path- what was this place? She wondered.

"Ready?" he whispered, wanting to draw out the anticipation for as long as possible.

Rory began to squirm "Yes! I'm ready- now let me see" Rory whispered back, her eagerness overwhelming now.

Tristan released his hands, allowing Rory to see what lay before her.

- A beautiful rippling lake-, which ran through a wild reserve, with weeping willows along the bank side, and colourful wild flowers growing all over with their beautiful perfume scents filling the cool air.

The sun was sprinkling its rays through the trees, and Rory felt it's warmth on her skin.

This place was beautiful! She turned around and fell into Tristan's arms; "I knew you'd like it," he said, glad that he'd bought a smile to her face.

"Like it?" Rory began, looking into his face "I love it!" she exclaimed, and she let her head fall back onto Tristan's chest.

"And I love you" he whispered.

The words rippled through her body, and brought comfort to her heart.

She looked into his face once more, and went on her tippy toes in order to reach his sweet mouth, and kiss it tenderly.

Tristan tightened his hug, happiness overwhelming him.

Rory sat back against Tristan's chest; they were sitting down comfortably, Tristan leaning back against one of the huge willow trees, encasing his arms around Rory.

"This has all happened so fast," Rory said.

Tristan bent his head down and buried it in Rory's neck, kissing the smooth, skin softly.

"It's like a dream" she added, goose bumps on her arms as Tristan touched and kissed her neck; and then he pulled away, "if this is a dream, then I don't want to ever wake up" he said.

Rory giggled, and looked around them "How did you find this place?" she asked curiously.

Tristan put his head back against the tree "My dad used to take me here, when I was little- before he and my mum got divorced and he moved to New York" he said bluntly.

"What did you used to do here?" Rory asked, realizing there was a deeper side to Tristan, something she wanted to know more about.

Tristan smiled to himself, and pointed to a group of trees on the other side of the river.

"We used to go camping, and that spot over there was where we always pitched out tent" he said, a little more cheerfully this time.

Rory smiled; glad to hear Tristan's tone lighten.

And then she frowned, and lifted herself up from Tristan's embrace, turning to look at him.

"I know nothing about you" she said, a little wearily- had she really only just realized this? She had fallen in love with somebody- who, up until a few days ago, she had loathed?

Tristan grinned at her weary look of sadness "What do you want to know?" he asked "everything" Rory replied, nestling herself back into his arms.

"Well this has to go both ways," he said, looking down at her.

"Ok, you ask a question, then I'll ask a question," she said, happy that they were making some progress.

Tristan sighed "Ok, tell me about you're childhood" he said, grinning to himself.

Rory laughed "Want to narrow that down a bit Sigmund Freud?"

Tristan bent his head down and kissed her on the neck again.

"No" he said, smiling, "Go on, answer the question," he said, willingly.

Rory laughed "Ahhh- ok, where to begin-"

Tristan lay on the grass, looking up at the clouds.

And Rory's head lay nestled on his chest, a hand holding onto one of his- while his free hand twirled a piece of Rory's hair with his finger.

"You realize we just shared out entire life stories with one another" Rory said, pleased.

"And all within two hours" Tristan added, chuckling.

Rory got up, and supported herself with her arms; looking down at Tristan "Who would have thought we'd end up together?" she said, smirking at him.

"Well, me for one" Tristan said, smiling at her.

Rory jabbed him, gently, in the ribs; "You did not, you hated me" Rory said, staring at him.

"No, I wanted you- you were the one who hated me" he said, returning the grin.

Rory nodded her head "Oh yeah" she said.

Tristan looked at her "No I didn't hate you at all Tristan! I loved you all along" he said, jokingly mimicking Rory's voice.

Rory tickled him on his belly, and under his arms, and he rolled around with laughter.

"So all that teasing and nastiness- you were just hiding you're true feelings of lust? Right?" Rory said, pulling her hands away.

Tristan raised himself with his arms, becoming level with Rory "You always tease the ones you love" he whispered, and then bought one of his hands to her ear- tucking a piece of loose hair behind it, and then kissed her on the mouth.

Rory became overwhelmed- was this really happening? It seemed so, supernatural!

Tristan slipped one of his arms behind Rory's back, and pulled her towards him, still kissing her tenderly.

But then Rory pulled away; looking deeply into his eyes, she couldn't resist as she said, "I love you".

Tristan was awe-struck for a moment, catching his breath as he looked into Rory's eyes.

But Rory couldn't wait for a response; she knew what she wanted to do.

She kissed him once more, on the mouth, and then began lightly kissing his neck.

She looked back into his eyes, and he knew what they were about to do- nervousness and happiness overwhelming him all at once.

She tugged at his shirt, and he raised his arms as she slid it off, and went back to kissing him lightly, on the chest this time.

"Rory" he whispered huskily, running his hand through her soft hair "are you sure?" he said, pleasure and desire beginning to overwhelm him- but still, as much as he wanted Rory, he was so nervous- he didn't want to screw things up with her, and at the same time, he felt that he didn't need to have sex with her- simply holding her in his arms was enough.

Rory slid her arms around his neck, and kissed him gently on the lips, and then pulled away, looking into his eyes as she began to unbutton her school shirt, and peel off her cardigan.

Then, as she pushed him gently back down onto the grass, placing her body gently on top of his- aware of all his tender bruises- she leaned down, kissing him some more "I've never been so sure of anything in all my life" she whispered.

Were you expecting that? Was it too tacky? Not romantic enough? Not believable enough?