Chapter Title: Surrender by Ashlee Simpson

Disclaimer: Still don't own them.

AN: You guys are great; I just wanted to thank you for all the reviews you've been

sending. It makes my day and it makes me give you give you guys more. It's a win/win

situation.

Oh you drive me crazy

Oh you just bring me down

Look out your window

My sunshine is all around

All you have to do is just surrender

Rory ran down the street almost colliding with Lane. She grabbed her arm pulling her down the street towards her house. Lane slammed the door as Rory let go of her arm.

"Mom?" Rory asked dropping her bag and walking into the living room.

"Kitchen!" Lorelai yelled then there was banging.

Lorelai was attempting to make dinner. But she wasn't succeeding. Rory stopped her and pulled her to the table. Lane and Lorelai both looked at each other then at Rory wondering what was going on.

"Okay, what's going on?"

"I broke up with Dean."

"What?" Lorelai and Lane yelled at the same time.

"And I felt up Tristan."

"Whoa, back the truck up. Explain."

"Does he have tight abs?"

"Lane!" Lorelai yelled spitting out her drink.

"What? I'm just wondering."

"They're very nice. Very tight."

"Am I the only one shocked about Dean?" Lorelai asked staring at them.

"I knew it was coming. Just not so soon." Lane said shaking her head.

They got quiet letting the news sink in. When no one had said anything Rory got up and grabbed the phone.

"Luke's."

"Hey Loser."

"Hey Horn ball."

"Hey!"

"You want the usual?"

"Plus two orders of chili fries."

"Lane's there."

"Yep."

"Give me ten minutes."

"You're bringing it?"

"Just this once."

Rory hung up the phone and sat back down. A few minutes later someone was at the door. Lorelai ran to answer it before Rory could get up.

"Hey Ror, did you order a side of beef?"

"What?" Rory asked walking into the foyer.

"Hi." Tristan said handing Lorelai the food.

"Don't listen to her, she's coffee deprived."

"Speaking of coffee, did you bring any Bible Boy?"

"It's coming. Jess forgot the brownies and coffee."

"Not a good sign." Lane said pulling everything out of the bag.

"Rory, show our guest around." Lorelai said shoving Rory into Tristan.

She fell into his arms and he winced after he grabbed hold of her.

"I am so sorry."

"It's okay." He said looking down at her.

"Ror, tour of the house?"

"Right, come on." She said taking Tristan's hand and leading him upstairs.

"Stay out of my panties drawer!" Lorelai screamed from the bottom of the stairs.

"That's advice I'll listen to." Jess said letting himself in.

"Can it James Dean."

"I can take the brownies and coffee back."

"Stop! Put down the box. Step away from the box. Sit down. Good doggie." Lorelai said patting Jess's head.

Jess rolled his eyes as he saw Rory and Tristan come back downstairs. They went into the living room, and then there was a loud shriek. Lorelai looked around the corner and smiled. Tristan had Rory leaning over the back of the couch tickling her. Obviously he was feeling better.

Rory came into the kitchen while Tristan was trying to pull her into her room.

"Leave that door open!" Lorelai warned.

Rory watched Tristan as he looked through her books. He picked one up reading the back cover. He put the book back then sat down next to Rory.

"This is nice."

"Thanks."

"One of these days you'll have to come over to my house."

"One day."

Tristan looked at her and smiled. Rory smiled back wondering when the change in their friendship had occurred. Probably at Luke's when she was groping his chest. She wasn't complaining though. Lorelai cleared her throat from the door to get their attention. Rory looked over her shoulder at her mom.

"I'm not getting any younger. Lets eat!"

Tristan laughed shaking his head.

"Is she always like this?"

"She's been worse." Jess said putting his jacket on.

"We're leaving?"

"I am. You can stay."

"Stay." Rory said pulling Tristan to the table.

"I'll call you tomorrow." Jess said before walking out the door.

It was almost midnight before Tristan left. Lane had gone home hours ago. And Lorelai had gone upstairs after dinner saying she had work to do. Rory sat on the front porch with him just before he left.

"I'd hug you. But I don't want to hurt you again." Rory said looking at her hands.

"Since when are you shy?"

"It only happens around you. And I think it's just tonight."

"We'll have to work on that." He said taking her hand. He traced the lines of her palm waiting for her to answer him.

"Tristan look at me."

He looked into her eyes and saw the scared look she was giving him.

"I'm not going to force you into anything. But I'm not like him. I know you think you know me, but you don't. Not yet."

Rory stood up pulling Tristan with her. She walked him to his car and opened the door. He looked down at her before getting in.

"I'm not going anywhere. The sooner you realize that the sooner you can be happy."

Tristan got into his car and pulled the door shut. Rory watched him leave. She stood in the driveway long after his taillights had disappeared.

AN 2: Someone had said that they thought Jess's character was gay. And I just realized I called him James Dean in this chapter. I promise, I'm not trying to make him sound gay. But I thought it was funny that someone would say that, and then the James Dean thing made me laugh again.