DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Gilmore Girls or the song "What's Up Lonely?" by Kelly Clarkson. I am simply borrowing them for a little while.

Hey guys, so sorry it has been such a long time! This story has been slightly neglected for another one and the little annoying thing known as college. I hope I haven't lost your attention! So please read and review!

Tristan walked down the hallway with a huge smile on his face. He couldn't get over the fact that by his side was Rory Gilmore, his girlfriend. God, he loved the sound of that. He turned to her and she just smiled shyly back at him. He knew that she was noticing all of the staring eyes in the hallway. He gave her hand a light squeeze for reassurance and they continued their walk to her locker. Once there, he heaved her heavy backpack off and held it out for her as she unloaded it.

"You know Mare, I don't know how you do it." Tristan said, amused as she began filling the bag with just as many books as she had just taken out.

Rory stopped and said, "Do what?"

"Carry all these books around. You do know that no matter how much you'd want it, your handsome and strong boyfriend can't always be around to be your personal tow truck." Tristan inwardly did a happy dance as he saw Rory beam at the word 'boyfriend.'

Rory placed the back of her hand over her forehead in a dramatic gesture and in a horrible southern accent said, "Oh no, what ever will I do without my man?"

Tristan smiled and then grasped her hand, leaning forward to give her a lingering kiss. He pulled back to see Rory smiling shyly and looking around the hall. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. You just looked so cute."

"Oh, well in that case you are forgiven." Rory gave him another quick peck on the lips and said, "Come on, we have to get to class."

Tristan groaned as they walked towards first period and said, "Man, it's going to take me a while to get used to dating a brain."

"I know, because all of your other girls had so many other important concerns." Rory said in a somewhat bitter tone.

Tristan had spent so much time studying Rory's face in the past that he was now able to notice every change of emotion. He pulled slightly at her hand, causing her to stop and look at him quizzically. "What?" She asked, looking impatient.

Tristan grabbed her hand and led her away from the middle of the hallway and against a locker. Rory bit her lip nervously and looked expectantly at Tristan who was just inches away from her face. "You need to listen to me now, Rory."

Rory nodded her head, unsure of what to make of Tristan's serious tone. "Okay?"

Tristan tucked the hair that was covering her eyes behind her ear and said, "I don't want you, even for a second, to ever be jealous of any of those girls. None of them meant anything to me. Trust me when I say that they have absolutely nothing on you."

"I'm not-" Rory began but Tristan stopped her by putting his finger to her lips.

"I know you better than you think. I know that you have a hundred different smiles and frowns; I can see it in your eyes when something bothers you. I'll never understand why something as stupid as the bimbos at this school can get to you, but I know that it does."

Rory just stood there, staring at him in surprise. Tristan stared right back, never taking his eyes from hers. She finally couldn't take it anymore and said, "How do you know me so well? We've been going out for what, 20 minutes?"

Tristan laughed and said, "What, did you think that I actually pay attention to the teacher in class? Hardly."

Rory blushed at the thought of having Tristan stare at her for the many hours of class they have shared together. She had always noticed him looking at her, but she had always thought it was for the sheer purpose of annoying her. "Oh, well, I guess I get it now." Tristan smiled and she added, "Even if it is a little creepy."

Tristan pulled back and said, "Creepy, huh?"

"Uh huh." Rory laughed and then screamed as Tristan began tickling her. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry! You're not creepy!"

Tristan's hands stopped their action at her stomach and moved to cup her face. "Good. I don't think I can go around having a girlfriend who thinks I'm creepy." He didn't want for her to respond and leaned down, capturing her in a much longer, sensuous kiss. Rory grabbed the back of his neck pulling him even closer. Tristan was pushed closely against her body, which was trapped between him and a locker. They stopped when they heard "Uh hum."

Tristan pulled back and said, "Need something, Paris?"

Paris scowled and said, "In case you two lovebirds didn't notice, the bell just rang."

Rory blushed and gave Tristan's chest a slight push to free herself from the compromising position they had been caught in. "Come on, Tristan. Now we really have to go." Rory pulled Tristan down the hall, shooting Paris a guilty look. She still wasn't sure how things with Paris were supposed to go. She knew that Paris had a crush on Tristan, but she thought that they had resolved their issues. Paris could be heard grunting from down the hallway and Tristan smirked.

"She's just jealous of my Mary."

"Oh, so I'm your property now?" Rory asked jokingly as they neared the classroom.

Tristan smirked and said, "I should think so, girlfriend. I certainly don't want you to belong to someone else. Or have anyone else call you Mary."

Rory smiled and said, "Yeah, I think you're right. It's weird when someone else calls me that."

Tristan gave her a kiss on the cheek before opening the door, leaving them standing in front of an entire classroom of curious students. Tristan leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Ready for the madness?" Rory simply nodded and slowly walked into the classroom, closely followed by Tristan who took his seat behind her. Rory pulled out her notebook and did the best she could to ignore all of the whispering from her fellow classmates. Tristan looked around the room, shooting everyone a look of warning. This did the trick and the class remained silent for the rest of the period. Rory didn't even have to look back to know the reason for the newfound silence. She shot Tristan a grateful smile from behind her shoulder and he just mouthed 'you're welcome.'

The bell finally rang and Tristan shot out of his seat, grateful for having study hall next. He waited for Rory to gather her things and then took her hand, leading her outside. "And just where do you think you're taking me, Mr. DuGrey?"

"I just thought you might want a little time away from the lemmings." Tristan sat at a table in the courtyard, patting the seat next to him.

Rory sat next to him and said, "You're right about that. Why do they find you so interesting?"

Tristan pretended to be offended by the question and said, "You don't find me interesting, Mary?"

Rory shook her head and said, "Of course I find you interesting, but I just don't know why they do. They see you so differently than I do."

Tristan suddenly became very interested and said, "Oh yeah, how so?"

"Well… I'd like to think that I see who you really are. They still see the Tristan that I thought I knew before. The fake you." She studied his face carefully, trying to judge his reaction.

After a minute, Tristan nodded and said, "You're probably right. Not everyone gets to see me the way you do. Let them think whatever they want. I really don't care anymore."

"Why is that? Why do you let me see you differently?"

Tristan shrugged and looked away. He really wasn't used to answering questions like this. "You are worth showing the truth; I trust you to like me for who I really am."

Rory smiled and grabbed his face, turning it towards her. "Well good, because I do." She kissed him lightly and said, "Wow, Tristan DuGrey insecure. Never would have thought I'd see the day."

"Yeah, well don't get used to it. And don't go blabbing. After all, I have a reputation to protect." He smirked, showing her that the serious moment was over and he was ready to move on.

"Of course, King Tristan. Whatever you say." Rory pretended to bow and then burst out laughing.

"Good to see you take me so seriously." Tristan joked and then kissed her quickly, smiling against her lips. Rory pulled back and rested her forehead against his.

"As long as someone does." She said, smiling.

Ok, so definitely a filler chapter. Please let me know what you think. This story might be coming to a close unless someone has a good idea of where it should go from here. Thanks for reading!