Chapter 2- The beginning of the end

Note: Hey guys thanks for the reviews! I know my first chapter was short but it was just a teaser. My chapters will be longer, don't worry. Also, this is my first fic so I am trying to work out all the kinks. So any constructive criticism is very welcome.

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Tristan lay in his bunk thinking about later at home the night when he broke into the safe…

"Why do I have to go to military school?" asked the young blonde boy whom was packing his belongings.

"Why do you think Tristan, you broke into a safe. Your attitude has gotten worse, and I will not take it any longer. I want you to learn respect, and this is the only way." stated Tristan's father Samuel DuGrey.

"My attitude has gotten worse! What about your attitude father! When have you ever cared about me or mom? All you ever cared about was your work!"

Tristan's father temper got hotter and he lifted up his hand to Tristan, but put it down when Tristan's grandfather, Janlen walked into the room.

"What are you doing here father?" asked Samuel.

"I came to help my grandson pack before he is shipped off." Janlen said with distain in his voice.

"Fine, help him, but don't ever think you can change my mind about this." With that said Samuel stormed out of the room.

"Thanks for coming in when you did." stated Tristan truthfully.

"Your welcome, I figured you have been punished enough today .May I ask, why did you break into the safe? I don't think it was a dare nor do I think it was an attempt at getting attention, but something drove you to it."

"I was just in a bad mood ok!" Tristan said more loudly then he intended.

"Listen Tristan, whatever it was it wasn't worth it"…

Tristan laid thinking about why he did it. His grandfather was right it wasn't a dare and he wasn't trying to prove himself, he was mad. He was mad at her. He was mad at Rory Gilmore. She never gave him a chance. He tried to be honest with her then she would just drag him down with his past actions. She could never move on and see how he could change.

At first Rory was a game to him, but that was over with. He knew he should not have treated her like that, but he did. He tried to make it up to her, but he always went about it the wrong way. He tried to force her into dating him and he always said the wrong thing. The only thing he did right was not kiss her at the play. What would have happened if he did? Now that non-existing kiss will haunt him for as long as he cares for her. Then again that will probably be forever. How did he come to like her? He never had a serious relationship before yet he wanted one with Rory. Maybe it was the way she walked with eyes at the floor. He loved how she always had her nose in a book. Maybe it was her coffee brown hair framing around her soft cheeks brining out her beautiful blue eyes. How he felt for Rory changed, and now she was hours away.

"Hey man, are you asleep?" asked Tristan's bunk mate Dan.

"No man, what's up?"

"Are you ready to go to the hospital tomorrow?"

"Not really"

"Well, I will warn you it is not as easy as you may think. I have been doing this for two years, and it can be emotionally hard on you. There have been patients that have died and some of us were deeply upset about it. We usually get close to these people."

"Oh great do we get to go on the Oprah show and tell all about." Tristan said with a snicker.

"Man, I am being serious. Some of these people are like our grandparents."

Tristan thought about losing his grandfather, Janlen, for good and realized that it could be hard. "Sorry" was all that Tristan said. Dan said goodnight and both drifted off to sleep.

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"Fruit of my loins, where are you?" Lorelei asked in a sing song voice.

"I am in here mom!" Rory called out from the kitchen.

It had been a few weeks since Tristan had left and tons of things had been going on. Jess told Rory how he felt, but realized they should only be friends. Rory agreed with Jess and they got even closer (in a friendly way only) because of it. Dean of course was not too happy about that. In fact Rory and Dean's relationship keeps going downhill.

"How was hell today, mini me?"

"It was fine. Paris scared the freshmen today. I have a huge project due in two weeks, but other wise was uneventful" sighed Rory.

Lorelei ponders what her daughter said and starts in on what Rory was dreading to hear.

"I wonder why school has been uneventful lately. Maybe it's because a very lovely young man isn't there to flirt with you." stated Lorelei in a matter-of-factly voice.

"Wait a minute, mom. Tristan never flirted with me. He always picked on me, but never flirted." replied Rory.

"First off, I never said it was Tristan, and now that you have mentioned it he did flirt with you. He liked you and you liked him."

"I did not like him! He treated me like I was a prize and he did not like me."

"Yes he did, that's what boys do when they like a girl. Maybe he didn't know how to act."

"Mom I think you need coffee, because you are starting to sound delusional."

"Your just afraid to admit that you two liked each other. You got used to your banter and realized you enjoyed it. Then you became attracted to him, because he is a damn fine looking boy. You two have a lot more in common then you thought."

"First off mom, I am with a great guy and second Tristan is gone so what does it matter."

"So you did like him?"

"I don't know." Rory throws her hands up in the air. "Maybe I did."

"I think you did and you were trying to hide it. You kissed him right after you broke up with Dean. I know you were upset, but maybe part of you just wanted to kiss him. I could always see it in your eyes."

Rory looked up at her mom and then looked down again

"Even if I did like him, which I am not sure I did, he is gone now, and I just want to be with Dean. We love each other and that is all that matters."

After that was said Rory walked into her room.

"She'll understand soon enough. She wanted to be with Tristan, and she will realize he is gone now and she will miss him." Lorelei thought to herself.

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In North Carolina the boys in the military school were up at five in the morning. They started off the day with and hour run, showers, breakfast, and inspection. After that they went out to the training course. After training and lunch they headed over to the Beaufort Hospital to meet with their patients.

Tristan was not looking forward to this. He really did not like hospitals. They always gave him the creeps, especially after his grandmother Janice died. Grandma Janice was married to Janlen. Both of them were so nice he could never understand how his father came from them.

As they entered the hospital parking lot each of the boys were handed a piece of paper. Tristan's said: Jamie Sullivan- Leukemia Patient Room 201.

The boys were let go to find their rooms. Tristan did not understand the point of this and he really did not care. When he found Room 201 he walked in slowly realizing the girl was reading something. Then he realized that she was reading a bible.

Tristan thought, of course I will be the one stuck with a bible thumper.

He noticed that the young girl had to be about his age. Even though she was very pale she was very beautiful. She reminded him of his Mary. In fact this girl was screaming Virgin Mary. He could always tell with theses girls.

The girl looked up from her book when she heard him enter the room. She smiled and asked, "Are you the young man from the military school?"

"Yes I am." He stated very briefly.

"Well I am Jamie Sullivan. What is your name?"

"Tristan DuGrey"

"Please, Tristan do sit down" she said pointing to a chair by her bead.

Tristan did so and sat in silence until Jamie spoke again.

"Where are you from Tristan?"

"I am from Hartford, Connecticut"

"That is pretty far away."

"Well, yeah, that's because my father wanted to get rid of me."

"Well I am sure that is not true."

"Listen you know nothing about me. So don't pretend like you do" he stated angrily.

"I am sorry Tristan. I was just trying to think positively."

"Do you always think positively?' he asked as he looked around the hospital room.

Jamie simply said, "Yes."

Tristan sat in silence, until he spoke up. "I am very sorry, I was out of line."

"Don't worry about it. I can understand that you would be upset. So why are you here?"

"Well…" said Tristan shifting uncomfortably "It is required to come and visit patients in the hospital. It is a way of helping the community and gaining respect in the process."

"That's nice, I am really glad I get to see a new face."

"How many people visit you?"

"Well my father and boyfriend come in everyday. Many church members and other friends come in often."

"That's nice, well I am sorry but I have to leave now, but I will be seeing you in two days. This was just a meet and greet so our next visit will be longer."

"It was nice to see you."

Tristan nodded his head and walked out of the room a little fast. Something about her made him feel little uneasy. She reminded him of his Mary.

However, Tristan did not know that this girl will change him forever.

Ok another chapter done. I will try to update faster. I have been so busy lately with graduation and all. So I hope you liked it! REVIEW!