A/N: Here's another chapter for you! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Thanks for sticking with me, though! By the way, I know I said that Jess didn't exist, but I changed my mind. He and Rory are just friends, presently, but of course, Jess has feelings for her. We'll see where it goes…

Chapter 5:

"Rory! What was that?" Molly, one of Rory's best friends, gaped.

"Yeah, Ror, if I'm correct, you were kissing Tristan Dugrey!" Hannah cried out as she grabbed Rory's shoulder.

Rory wasn't paying any attention to her horror-struck friends. It had all happened so fast that she didn't know what she was doing!

Her eyes had been locked on the intense soccer game since she had first sat down on the bleacher. Her gaze never left the field. She had been staring at mostly Tristan, but she had occasionally looked over towards Blake. She couldn't bear looking over at Blake because a pang of guilt shot through her. Even though Blake had been oblivious to the 'Tristan and Rory Kiss,' it still made her feel so awful.

She couldn't believe what she had just done. First, she tells off her 'oh-so-perfect' boyfriend. Then, she pretends to be Tristan's girlfriend by making out with him. This was so unlike Rory. She was so fired up by Blake's leaving her on the street that she had barely had any time to think. She loved Blake…didn't she? Yet, why did she feel electric vibes whenever she had been with Tristan?

"Ugh," Rory groaned as she massaged her head.

"Oh my gosh," Hannah cried out sarcastically. "The girl finally uttered a word…if the word 'ugh' is in the English dictionary."

"Talk to us, Rory, please!" Molly pleaded.

"I don't know what to say." Rory shook her head in bewilderment.

"Well, you can start explaining why you were making out with your boyfriend's worst enemy!" Molly threw her hands in the air.

"Not here," Rory looked around at the other fans who were watching the game.

Rory stepped down from the bleachers and lead her friends to a nearby park bench. Her friends were quickly following.

"Okay," Rory took a deep breath and began. "Blake and I got into a huge fight just before the game. I was just so angry at him, so I wanted revenge. I clearly wasn't thinking straight when I kissed Tristan and I feel terrible about it. It meant nothing…the kiss meant absolutely nothing."

Rory tucked a strand of brown hair out of her face.

"Rory, a kiss always means something." Molly grabbed Rory's hand.

"Honestly, Rory, what were you thinking?" Hannah grabbed Rory's other hand, supportively.

"That's just it…I wasn't thinking." Rory looked over at the soccer field while clenching her teeth. "For all I care, I never want to see Tristan Du…"

"Uh-oh," Molly interrupted Rory. "Incoming."

Molly nodded her head to the side. Their gazes fell on a group of teenage girls from Chilton Prep.

Rory stood up defensively, hands across her chest. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized them.

With Hannah and Molly right behind her, Rory approached the newcomers.

"Darcy Hunter," Rory halted in front of a teenager with blonde curly locks and dark green eyes. "What a surprise…"

Darcy glared at the tough Gilmore girl. "A pleasant one, I suppose?"

Rory scoffed and turned her head toward her friends. "Hardly,"

"Well, I didn't come for you anyway, Gilmore. I came to watch my boyfriend play soccer." Darcy smirked, while twirling a lock of shiny hair.

"I think you've got the wrong place, because no scumbag with you would ever think about coming here." Rory challenged.

"That goes to show you don't know everything." Darcy took a step towards Rory.

"Get out of my town." Rory shot daggers at her enemy.

"What?" Darcy scoffed. "Before 'Little Miss Gilmore' makes me get out?"

"Haha,no. I'd rather not waste my time on you." Rory sneered and strutted past Darcy and her posse.

"You're right; she's so not worth it." Hannah linked arms with her two best friends.

The three-some laughed as they made their way back to the bleachers. Although she was giggling with her friends, she was wondering who Darcy's boy was.

The game went by pretty fast. Blake's team ended up losing, leaving Tristan with the victory. Ever so often, Tristan would steal a glance at Rory. She looked so happy…giggling and chatting with her friends. If only she would give Tristan the time of day!

"Look, I'll catch you guys later?" Rory said a quick good-bye to her friends and headed over to Blake.

Tristan intercepted Rory mid-way.

"We need to talk." Tristan put his hands on her shoulders.

"There's nothing to talk about." Rory took a step away from him. "I made a mistake and I'm with Blake, okay? I was just so fired up that I wasn't thinking. Just forget it."

Tristan grabbed Rory's arm as she started to walk away.

"Don't lie to my face, Rory, you know you felt something."

"No," Rory paused and locked eyes with Tristan. His hand still rested on her arm and it felt right.

"Problem?" Blake strode over after seeing Tristan grab hold of Rory.

"No," Rory pulled her arm away, fiercely. She turned to Blake. "Let's go."

"Alright," Blake put his arm around Rory as he led her away.

Blake turned his head to Tristan. "Stay away from my girlfriend, and from my life."

Rory winced and shook her head.

"Okay," Rory halted and faced Blake. "We need to talk."

Blake sighed and rubbed his face. "I know, baby, and I'm sorry. I was acting like the biggest jerk around. I was just fired up and focused on the game. I know I was wrong for not caring more about you. Please forgive me and take me back."

Blake grabbed Rory's hand. "I need you, Rory."

Rory smiled and squeezed his hand. "You're mine and all mine."

He grinned and pulled her into a heated kiss. Blake rested his hands on her hips, while Rory snaked her arms around his neck.

Rory jumped back, in laughter.

Blake grinned. "What is it?"

"Oh, nothing," Rory smiled, coyly. "You just smell like a load of horse dung."

"You're gonna get it, Gilmore," Blake joked and ran after her.

-

-

Tristan watched the happy couple, playfully fooling around in the distance. He sat, resting on the bleachers. The whole place was deserted, except for the mischievous giggles and laughter from down the way. He was in lost in thought about everything…school, soccer, Rory.

His ears perked up when he heard footsteps nearing.

"What's a handsome stud like you doing all by yourself?" A familiar voice slithered towards him.

"Darcy," Tristan turned towards the girl and he smirked. "You've never worn this much clothing before."

She raised an eyebrow, lustfully. "Wouldn't you like to see that change?"

Tristan stole a look over at Rory and Blake. He turned back to Darcy and whispered huskily, "You know I would."

Tristan led Darcy back to the Gilmore's house and snuck her into his room. He locked the door and sat down on his bed.

Darcy smirked as she straddling him. He moaned as Darcy began to tease him. She nibbled on his lip, and then ran her tongue over it. Tristan wrapped his arms around her.

Darcy moaned and forcefully deepened the kiss. Darcy slid her hands up Tristan's back, pulling off his shirt. Tristan sent a trail of kisses down Darcy's neck. Darcy gyrated against him, hungrily.

Tristan came to his senses as Darcy was beginning to fully unclothe herself.

"You need to leave," Tristan slid away from her and sighed.

"Tristan," Darcy ran her hand down his chest. "That's never stopped us before."

Thinking of Rory, and how Tristan wanted to become a better person, he replied, "Well, it's stopping us now. I need you go, now."

Tristan fought off the temptation and opened the side window.

"Fine," Darcy pecked his cheek. "I'll be seeing you?"

"Yeah," Tristan watched her leave. "What was I thinking?"

Tristan punched the wall and then plopped down on his bed.

-

-

Their clothes lay in a heap on the shore. All Rory was wearing was her bra and underwear. Blake had on his boxers, but nothing else.

"Come here," Blake called to Rory.

He grabbed her legs and wrapped them around his body. Straddling her boyfriend in the middle of the lake, Rory pulled him into a kiss. Blake rested his hands on the back of her thighs as he pulled her closer. His hand slowly slid down to the top of her panties.

"Blake," Rory hesitated, nervously. Unlike most teenage girls she knew, Rory was still a virgin. She was just waiting until it felt right. Of course, she had done pretty much everything else, except sleep with Blake. Mainly, she was waiting until she was in love. And lately, she wasn't so sure she was in love with Blake.

Rory splashed Blake, playfully, and swam away from him.

"Rory," Blake pleaded.

Rory laughed. "I'm not trying to be a tease, Blake, but we're in a public place!"

"But, Rory," Blake shot Rory puppy dog eyes which made her laugh.

"I'm ready for our little picnic, Blake, please?" Rory puffed out her bottom lip.

"Okay, fine," Blake rolled his eyes, playfully.

-

-

Rory sipped her iced tea and let out a laugh. "I thought that older couple was going to have a heart attack."

Blake smiled as he remembered. "When we were putting on our clothes, or when we were actually swimming half naked?"

"Who knows, but they were pretty shocked." Rory leaned back into his arms.

"I'm really glad I have you." Blake kissed the top of her head.

"Even if we're not having sex?" Rory turned her head, raising her eyebrows.

"Of course," Blake wrapped his arms around her. "I'll be ready for you whenever you are."

Rory closed her eyes and smiled. She knew Blake had experienced that part of a relationship before she came along. But, it didn't bother her and she was fine with that.

"Can you believe Tristan showed up to play today? The nerve of that guy." Blake scoffed.

Rory froze, unable to utter out a word.

"Mmhmm," Rory swallowed, nervously. She knew she had to tell him and now was the time.

Rory exhaled, trying to calm herself. She squared around to face him.

"Okay," Rory interlocked her hands with his. "You really aren't going to like this, but I don't have any choice. It had to be this way and I can't help it. Please don't say anything until I'm done. I really need you to understand."

"Sure, baby, what's the matter?" Blake frowned in concern.

"Chilton wanted to transfer some of their best soccer players to Baylor so they could play competitively and maybe have a shot at a college scholarship. So, my mom volunteered our family in this sponsorship. The deal was that we would have to house one of Chilton's students for this soccer season."

"That's not so bad, Rory. Who's the guy?" Blake asked.

Rory squeezed his hand and whispered, "Tristan Dugrey."

"What! This is unbelievable! You can't go through with this! How long have you kept this from me, Rory? Huh?" Blake pulled away from his girlfriend's grasp as he yelled.

"He just moved in this morning, Blake. I need you to understand where I'm coming from." Rory cried out.

"How am I going to be able to trust you? I'm not going to have my heart broken hearing that you're sleeping with him!" Blake lashed out.

Rory's eyes bugged out of her head and she gaped. "How can you be so judgmental? A relationship is about trust, Blake, and you have to trust me! This morning, when we had our fight, I was just trying to build it up to tell you. I just couldn't find a reason why I automatically have to hate him! I mean, I don't even know him!" Rory threw her hands up in the air.

"You have to hate him because I do and you're MY girlfriend. If I didn't know, I would say you're standing up for him! He hasn't been here for a day and you're already into him. Un-freaking-believable!" Blake began to pace.

"I don't even know him, Blake. I'm just trying to give him a chance…to be fair." Rory fought back tears.

"Well, Rory things just aren't always fair. So, get over it." Blake fused.

"Get over your own self," Rory couldn't take anymore so she walked away.

Rory drowned out his voice as she headed home.

-

-

Tristan shot up from his bed as he heard the door open and then slam shut.

"Hello?" Tristan walked out of his room and approached the teenage girl who just sauntered in.

He stopped when he saw her. She was a mess. Her clothes were drenched and her makeup was running.

"Rory?" Tristan's eyes filled up with concern.

"He knows." Rory whispered. "Blake knows that you're here. I told him myself."

"And things didn't go too well? Did he hurt you?" Tristan stiffened.

"It was awful, but he didn't lay a hand on me." Rory hugged herself and shivered.

"Okay, go take a hot shower and I'll have some fresh coffee for you when you get out." Tristan gently put his hand on her back and nudged her towards the bathroom door.

"Thanks, Tristan," Rory smiled and disappeared into the bathroom.

Rory could see his sensitive and caring side come out and she liked it…a lot.

Tristan was glad he didn't go any further with Darcy because it was foolish and he knew that. He wanted something more than just 'friends with benefits.' He wanted to be with someone, for real.

Tristan walked over to the refrigerator and located Lorelai's cell phone number on it. He quickly dialed her number and waited.

"Hello?" Lorelai's voice rang through.

"Hey, Lorelai, it's Tristan. I was just wondering where the best place to get coffee is."

"Luke's Diner, of course,"

Lorelai gave Tristan directions to Luke's and they hung up.

Tristan slammed the door on his way out as he headed to the small diner.

-

-

"Two coffees to go, please," Tristan leaned against the counter, nonchalantly looking around at the local diner.

"Who are you?" The guy behind the counter taking Tristan's order challenged.

"I didn't ask for a friend, I just asked for two coffees." Tristan stared down the dark-haired punk that looked his age.

"Well, my bad," Jess snorted sarcastically. "You just looked lost."

"Huh, cause you just look like a smart-a…"

"What's going on here?" A low, gruff voice interrupted Tristan's retort.

"All I want is two coffees to go. I didn't think that required a debate." Tristan glowered at Jess.

"Get the coffees or get out of the way," Luke growled at Jess.

"That'll be $3.05," Luke rang up the cash register.

Tristan handed over the money and waited.

"Here's your coffee," Jess murmured. "Next time you want to make me lose my job, make it worth the while."

"Alright, man," Tristan laughed and stopped at the door. "Your shirt pretty much gives away your personality: 'Kill or be killed.' I just didn't think you'd have a shirt quoting a line from Call of the Wild."

Tristan raised his eyebrows and strode out of the diner.

Seconds later, footsteps bounded up to him.

"I've practically worn that shirt my whole life and no one has ever gotten it. Funny how you're the one who figured it out." Jess scoffed.

"I guess you shouldn't have pin pointed me as the jock who knows nothing because I'm real deep about literature." Tristan narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah, it's about time someone really cared about that." Jess half-smiled.

"I'm Tristan,"

"I'm Jess. I've never seen you around before, what's your story?"

"I'm staying at the Gilmore's house. You know them?"

Jess' eyes widened. "Yeah, Rory's one of my friends."

"Look, I gotta go but I'll see you around. Sorry for the conflict inside, dude." Tristan bumped fists and started back to Rory.

-

-

"You are the best," Rory sipped her coffee in delight.

"Yeah, I've been hearing that about myself for awhile now." Tristan joked.

Rory punched his arm and laughed. "Meet anyone?"

"Yeah," Tristan leaned back into the couch. "The diner boy…Jess, I think it was."

"Oh yeah, he's my friend. Feisty one, isn't he?"

"Yeah, but I think we'll end of being friends." Tristan considered.

"Hah," Rory grinned. "I thought you two would clash! Funny…" Rory shrugged her shoulders.

She propped her feet up onto the table and leaned back into the couch.

"I'm glad you're here, Tristan," Rory nodded and put her hand on top of his.

"Yeah, me too,"

A/N: How was it? I kind of like the idea of Jess as Tristan's friend mainly because they are so different. I thought it could be interesting. As for Darcy, I don't like her and she will not be with Tristan anymore. I had to get that scene out of the way so you could see what she was like and who Tristan was in the past. I hope you can see Tristan's slow transformation on behalf of Rory. Anyway, review and I'll keep writing! Thanks!