Rory gazed at the shelves of books. Normally she would be over delighted at the selection, but for one reason, or another they held no beauty today. She sighed and decided coming to the bookstore alone, wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Rory?" A familiar voice asked.

Rory turned around. "Tristan... hi." Rory was surprised.

"Hey." Tristan smiled. "Did you come to take advantage of the book sale?"

"I did." Rory replied. "But I'm not really feeling in the mood anymore."

"How come?" Tristan asked.

"It's nothing." Rory brushed off. "I should be going."

"Hey..." Tristan quickly shot back. "What's wrong?" Tristan actually had a concerned look in his eye and in his voice.

Rory's wall came down. "My mother has been blowing me off for some guy."

"Ouch." Tristan replied. "I'm sorry."

"We were supposed to watch a movie marathon all day yesterday, and she bailed... then she said we would spend the whole day together today, and she bailed again..." Rory was becoming upset with every word she spoke. "And I don't even like this guy, he's such a... such a... jerk!"

Several eyes landed on Rory, and suddenly she realized just how loud she was being. "Oh god. I'm sorry." Rory replied.

"It's okay." Tristan smiled. "If you want we can go somewhere else?"

Rory thought for a moment "Okay."

(The Gilmore house)

"Well, once again, I had a great time." Matthew smiled.

"Me too." Lorelai smiled back

"I'll call you later."

"Okay." Lorelai replied softly. Matthew paused for a moment and leaned in to kiss her this time more passionately than before. "You do that so well." Lorelai smirked after it was over.

"Good bye, Lorelai."

Lorelai opened the door and walked into the house. "Rory?" She called. "Rory?" No answer. "Hey, I'm ready to make a peace treaty." Lorelai called throughout the empty house. She walked into Rory's room and still no sign of her.

"Thank you Tristan..." Rory said getting out of his car.

"No problem. I'm glad I finally got to see Stars Hollow."

"Not for the ride." Rory laughed. "Though I thank you for that as well, but for listening to me today."

"Once again, no problem." Tristan smiled. "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Bye."

Rory walked into the house, feeling a lot better than when she had left it. Rory would have been more prepared for her mother's entrance had she not been thinking of the time she had spent with Tristan.

"Rory... Where have you been?" Lorelai demanded, using the "mom" voice.

Startled. "Hartford." Rory replied.

"Why haven't you called? Do you know how long I have been sitting here wondering where on earth my daughter is?"

"Mom, relax." Rory retorted. "I told you earlier I was going to Hartford."

"Ah ha, well you didn't say "Mom I'm going to be gone all day, and by the way I'm not going to call, or send word that I'm alive or okay."

"God, what is your problem?" Rory asked.

"Not knowing where my kid is, that's a big problem Rory."

"You didn't care yesterday." Rory replied. "Or this morning. You don't care at all as long as Matthew is around. I'm surprised you even noticed I was gone."

"That's not true." Lorelai defended.

"Really?" Rory added becoming just as upset as Lorelai. "Sorry... you fooled me."

"Ugh." Lorelai groaned. "I though you wanted me to go out with Matt?"

"I did... or at least I thought I did. You made him sound like such a good guy and it seemed like a good idea at the time. I had no idea you was going to spend all your time with him, and disregard those you care about you the most. But you know it's expected. I mean I'll be going off to college in a couple of years, and you're going to need somebody anyway, so I should just go ahead and get used to it now. " Rory finished her ranting.

Lorelai became silent and slowly sat down the couch. Rory stood still, not sure if the argument was over. Tears whelmed up in Lorelai's eyes. "I can't do this." She muttered.

"What?" Rory asked reluctantly.

"I can't be a mom and a girlfriend at the same time." She said louder. "God.. I'm so bad at it. I never meant to hurt you Rory... I promise. But Matt makes me feel things I haven't felt in so long, and when I get around him my whole body warms, and it feels so good, and so scary at the same time. But you're my everything Rory... I love you more than anyone or anything. You're the most important person in my life so, I'll tell Matthew it's just not working out."

Rory sat down beside her mother. She felt as if she was an inch tall. She felt selfish, and stubborn. Why couldn't she have seen before how happy her mother was. Lorelai had every right to a romantic life, ever since she was 16 Lorelai's life had revolved around Rory. Lorelai had been flying solo for too long.

"I'm sorry." Rory replied softly.

"No sweetie, I'm the one who should be sorry"

"You really like Matt?" Rory asked.

"I do." Lorelai replied.

"Then you should date him." Rory concluded. "I'll just have to learn to share I suppose." She smiled.

Lorelai grinned. "I promise, from now on there will be tons of mother daughter time. In fact there'll be so much bonding, you'll be begging me to leave..."

"That could never happen" Rory replied.

"Aw..." Lorelai leaned over and kissed her daughter. "I love you, babe."