Title: the good old days

Rating: PG-13 at the most.

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Okay, it's finally here. And the drama continues. lol. Hope you like it. This chapter may seem short but I think I ended it in the best place. This was going to be two and I made it into one. So be happy! More for you! More work for me. lol J/J reviews please!

An: I have a five-day weekend this week, so I'll probably finish the story this week!

To my editor: thanx bunches, you've done an awesome job!!!

And on with the show...

Chapter 5

"So, you will got to the ball with me?" He asked again, smiling brightly.

"Of course, I'd love nothing more." Rory smiled and Tristan started to lean in, but her smile quickly faded when he abruptly pulled back.

"What is it..." She started, but he quickly covered her mouth to hush her , and looked at her again.

"Do you hear that?" He asked, whispering. Rory tried to listen, and eventually heard the approaching footsteps coming through the field. She nodded, and was about to peek around the dock to see who it was when he carefully and quickly hid them both under the dock. He held her protectively around the waist and she clung to him meekly. He put his finger to his lips, signalling her to be quiet and she nodded in understanding. Rory could touch the rocky bottom of the lake now but still held on to him tightly. He kissed her temple lightly as the steps finally moved on the dock about them.

"I was sure I here splashing out here!" Emily's voice came, sounding exasperated. Rory dropped her head and Tristan's shoulder and sighed.

"It was probably just a fish!" Said Richard.

"A fish doesn't make that much noise."

"Then it was an alligator! Please Emily, let's just go back inside."

"But her book and shoes are in that blasted field!"

"Well, she's obviously not here! We must have just missed her inside."

"I'll bet you she's with Tristan. They've been inseparable for a month now!"

"Did you ever stop to think they might be in love."

"Yes, and that's what scares me."

"Why?"

"Because Charles he..." Rory closed her eyes tightly at the name, "...has asked for Rory's hand." Rory gasped and Tristan griped her tighter. "And he's going to ask her, then what?"

"She'll say no!"

"She must say yes, don't you see , Richard?"

"See what?"

"Charles is the heir! I know he is!" She blurted out.

"Are you certain?"

"Not one hundred percent, but that's what everyone thinks. I'm almost positive that he'll announce it, and who he has chosen for his bride, at the ball!" Emily explained.

"That's this weekend correct?" He asked.

"Yes! The same night Charles told us he was going to propose to Rory." Rory felt her knees go weak and lost her breath. She held back tears. Tristan gulped and winced.

"I just want her to be happy."

"So do I, but Charles will take good care of her."

"I suppose. Lorelai and Chris would never stand for this! What will they say if they come home and find their daughter married to the Dombious prince?"

"I don't know." Emily finally resigned. " Look at us, bickering at each other out here. I'm sorry dear, let's go back inside, we'll talk to her there."

"Good Idea." Rory and Tristan finally relaxed a bit, but waited until they knew Emily and Richard were gone before crawling out from under the dock.

"Oh my God." Rory started to cry.

"Rory." He said, raising her chin to look at him. He wiped away her tears. "It'll be fine, we'll figure it out."

"I just don't see how."

"Well, you'll be at the ball with me. We'll decide then."

"I suppose." She tried to smile.

"It's only a few days." He brightened. "I have to sort some things out with my family over the next couple of days. I don't know when I'll be back but I'll be here for you the night of the ball. I will be able to come by tomorrow but it sounds like I shouldn't come in. I don't want you to have to go through that with your grandmother." Rory nodded.

"I'll write you a letter then."

"Okay! Leave it under the swing."

"I will." Tristan wiped the remainder of tears away and kissed her passionately once again. "You should probably leave."

"Yeah. What are you going to do."

"I'll sneak in through my bedroom window like I always do and pretend to be asleep. I really don't want to speak with them. Plus if they see me all wet they'll know I was out here."

"Alright. I'll pick the letter up at 9 am. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

"Goodbye Rory."

"Bye Tristan." He lifted her up onto the dock, and gave her one last kiss.

"It'll be alright Rory I promise." He smiled at her, then swam back to his horse. They waved and Tristan rode off quietly and quickly. She watched after him and sighed. 'It'll be all right,' she thought. Rory quietly grabbed her things, careful not to get the book wet, and went towards the tree outside her bedroom deck. She climbed it swiftly, a talent her mother had helped her prefect, and climbed on the deck and went to her room through the large french doors . She quickly changed into dry clothing, and put her hair in a bun before climbing into bed with a notebook and pen to write with. With only the light from her window she began to write the letter, pushing the sounds of her grandparents downstairs to the back of her mind.

The next day, Tristan came as promised. Making sure no one saw him he took the letter she had written, replacing it with one of his own, then went back to his carriage. "Carry on." He told the driver, who quickly did so, and sat down opposite his parents.

"Did you get what you needed son?" His father asked.

"Yes I did." He nodded. He waited for awhile, until his parents were chatting contently before he opened the letter. He smiled at her neat penmanship and read.

Dear Tristan,

I wish you were with me right now instead of with your family, as selfish as that sounds. I'm writing this under my blanket so no one sees it, so if it doesn't make sense, blame it on the lack of light. I miss you already and anticipate the ball this weekend! I'll be ready, whether my grandmother likes it or not.

My grandparents are downstairs right now. I'm trying to ignore them but they are rather loud! They are talking about Charles and I, that seems to be a popular topic around here. I wish I could stay in my bed until the ball so I wouldn't have to answer any questions about It, but I know sooner or later the food and water issue will arise and I'll be forced to forfeit my little hideout. I wish I could write more but my light is dimming, so I'll stop for now. Have a wonderful time, and I'll see you this weekend.

Love: Rory

Tristan sighed and folded the letter back up. 'Oh Rory.'

"Come now Tristan, put that letter away, and let's go." His mother said. Tristan got out of the cab and helped his mother and father out onto the sidewalk and smiled, wondering how it was all going to turn out.

Rory came home that day to find the letter she had written gone, and in its place sat a blue envelope. Rory smiled brightly and opened it, sitting on the swing, it simply said:

Dear Rory,

I love you.

Tristan

p.s. I'll be there for you at 7:00.

Rory just about screamed and ran up the stairs to her bedroom, collapsing on her bed. 'Oh Tristan,' she thought, 'I love you too!'

AN: Sorry if that was too corny or cliche. Hoped you liked it anyway. C-ya

Chow Bella!

Ali