Title: Strangers

Summary: Sequel to "Just Family". Rory is invited to the funeral of her grandfather. When she arrives there she immediately comes face to face with Tristan. Will he recognise her son as his own?

Disclaimer: I happen to own a few gorgeous posters of Chad. Plus some movies. Plus some One Tree Hill.

A/N:

Cecilia: Oh dear...you said you wouldn't sleep 'til I updated...guess you will be pretty tired by now heehee! You are definitely right...guys are clueless...and yep...so is T!

Désiré: Yep I speak Dutch, why do you ask?

Tristans eyes seemed to become slightly larger as he took in her appearance and that of the small boy beside her. His gaze travelled from her face to that of the little boy, trying to match her features with his, puzzling to see whether this could really be her son. He felt a twinge of jealousy; anger flared up again, anger he thought he had long ago laid to rest.

Feelings resurfaced. Memories came crashing down on him. He could almost taste her lips again, hear her soft sighs when he stroked her hair ever so lightly. He clenched his jaw, willing the memories to stop, before the ending would taint them. He couldn't help it. He was still so angry with her. How could she have left him without even a sound of goodbye? How could she just leave him alone like that? Turn him down like she meant nothing to him?

For years, seven long years, he had wondered whether their love had been real. Whether he had been good enough. Finally he had come to the inevitable conclusion that she hadn't loved him.

And now she was standing there, looking cute as ever. Not that he would ever admit to that. No, if anything, Tristan DuGrey was perfectly capable of controlling his emotions. Yet that little boy next to her stirred up crazy emotions, feelings of jealousy and the urge to snatch her away from whomever she was with.

The little boy reminded him of someone. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but he looked like someone he knew. If only he could find out who...

"Would you all please follow us to the church...the service is about to start"

He walked over to his mother, her beautiful face stained with tears and her eyes red and puffy. She took his hand gratefully, squeezing it for comfort he couldn't quite give. Without looking back they walked into the church.

Nearly two hours later he stepped out, feeling more exhausted than he had ever done. The service, which had been very emotional, had drained him completely. All he wanted now was for everyone to leave so he could go home and have a drink, but unfortunately people were lining up to condole him. He forced a smile and took his rightful place in between his parents.

For two years he had hated his parents. Really hated them. He had tried blaming them for the fact that Rory never answered his letters. Finally his mother had told him she had written him. Once. He could still remember her cruel words.

Tristan,

Don't write to me anymore. Things are over between us. What we did was immoral and gross, I finally see that now. Don't try to contact me any longer. I won't reply anymore. Stop remembering, start living.

Rory.

In a way he was thankful. His father had gotten him a good job and they had never spoken about his 'sin' ever again. If she hadn't replied in that harsh way he would have kept hoping that there was still a chance that their love would survive the distance there was between them.

Suddenly she was standing in front of him, offering him her small hand, which, as he quickly noticed, was carrying an expensive ring. His heart ached for a second but his smile was as it had been with everybody who shook his hand. Polite.

She looked up at him with those big blue eyes, which were shimmering with unshed tears. Her other hand rested on the shoulder of the little boy that had been beside her all along. He nodded a little, silently accepting her condolence. She seemed to bite her tongue, silently refraining herself from asking the question that was so obviously on her lips. Lips that still seemed so kissable.

He shook his head almost invisibly and fixed himself on the ring on her finger. She wasn't his anymore. She belonged to someone else. A long time too, if he judged by the age of her son.

"This is Jayden"

She offered him quietly.

He nodded once more, taking a sharp look at the blonde-haired boy at her side. Jayden looked at him with the big smile only kids could carry. He felt himself smiling back, in spite of the hatred he felt surging through his body. Father and son grinned at each other.

A sharp intake of breath made him look up again. Rory's eyes were even bigger than normal and her tiny hand, which he was still holding he noticed, was shaking a little. He examined her face, then took another long look at the ring around her finger.

"So you're married then?"

Review please!