Disclaimer: I own not a notion, I escape and ape content, I don't own emotion, I rent!

Tristan woke up with a start. He had been having another nightmare. His grandfather was lying in the hospital bed, unable to breathe. There was fear in his eyes, silently begging Tristan to help him, but Tristan was frozen at the foot of the bed. He couldn't do anything but watch. He felt a stirring next to him and he laid back down on the bed. Rory snuggled in closer to him and put a hand over his racing heart. He smiled at the simple gesture; even in her sleep, she knew how to comfort him.

"I'm not asleep." She said, never opening her eyes.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" He asked. She turned her head towards him and opened her eyes.

"Bad dreams?" She wrapped her arms around him.

"Something like that. But don't worry about it, go back to sleep. I'm sorry I woke you." He kissed her forehead and turned over onto his side. He knew the conversation wouldn't end there.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked him curiously as she set her chin on his shoulder.

"No." He said curtly. Laconic tones weren't something that Rory usually tolerated but she knew when to take a hint.

"Ok, but if you need anything, promise me you'll wake me up." She looked at him sternly.

"I promise." He said with a comforted smile

"Oh." She gave him a long slow kiss. "And that's for better dreams." She smiled and looked at him with those innocent baby blues.

"I know I don't always say it, but you're the reason I'm staying sane through this. You know that right?" She smiled and nodded. "Good. Now go back to sleep." He said

OOOOOOO

Monday morning rolled around far too quickly and Tristan and Rory were both running in different directions. They had managed a simple "I love you and Good luck," before leaving in separate cabs and had promised to go out for dinner to celebrate their respective internships that night. Rory had been completely stressed out about her day, but she fit right in. She loved every minute of it and couldn't wait to tell Tristan all about it. After her long day, she went home and called her mother to update her on her day. She also took a long hot shower that she honestly believed was the best shower she'd ever had. She was sitting on the bed putting on her favorite pair of heels when her phone rang.

"Hello?" She asked as she continued to get ready.

"Hey Rory. It's me." She froze.

"Logan?"

"Yeah. Finn told me that you were starting your internship today. I thought I'd call and see how it went."

"It went really well." She said, not believing that was the only reason he was calling.

"Good, I'm glad." There was a long pause before Rory started again.

"So, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I really am proud of you. And I want things to be ok between us. It didn't work, so what? Come on Ace, we connected. I don't want to lose your friendship just because I was an ass." Rory smiled as Tristan walked into the bedroom. He kissed her on the forehead and started to get ready for their date.

"I agree. And thank you for calling. I appreciate that."

"So was today anything like the Editor incident of '06?" Rory started laughing.

"Oh God. You had to bring that up."

"Of course I did. I saved your ass Gilmore and you know it."

"I would have done just fine with my dirty Christmas card." Tristan's attention was peaked. "And you were the one that said my ass was worth saving. I didn't even call you if you'll remember."

"Which is a wound that was just starting to heal by the way."

"I think you'll live. Anyway, I've got to run. We're going out to dinner and I've still got to get ready. But thanks again for calling and tell everyone hey for me."

"Will do."

"Bye." Tristan raised an eyebrow.

"Who was that and where can I get a dirty Christmas card?" Rory blushed as Tristan gave her a look that shook her to the core.

"That was Logan calling about my internship. And there is no dirty Christmas card. It was a bribe that I offered someone to get my way. Turns out, all you need is a good last name."

"Logan?" He was taken aback at the name.

"Yeah, he wanted to know how it went. Don't worry, we're good now." Tristan nodded suspiciously.

"Did he ask about me?" She shook her head. "Did he call you Ace?" She nodded cautiously. He walked into the bathroom and Rory leaned against the doorframe.

"Tristan. Don't be like that."

"I'm not being like that. I was just curious." She gave him a disbelieving look. "I swear. I'm glad that you two are on good ground again." He kissed her to prove his point.

"Well you should be. You have no reason to worry because I'm head over heels, quite literally," she said lifting her foot, "for you." She added as she poked her finger into his chest. "Enough about Logan, how was your day?"

"It was good. How was yours?" She looked up at him confused.

"That's it? It was good? No details, nothing? I'm a reporter Tristan, that won't do." Tristan smiled and shrugged.

"I'm a man of little words."

"Well fine then. Don't tell me." She pouted and walked out of the room.

"There isn't anything to tell! I went to work, they showed me around, told me what I was doing, I did it. Then I came home."

"You are such a guy. We are so going to have to work on your story telling abilities."

"You wound me Mary." He said putting a hand over his heart.

"I think you'll live. God you two are so similar it's scary." Tristan stopped and looked at her. She was analyzing his face.

"Who? Me and Logan?" She nodded. "Oh no. Please don't compare me to your ex-boyfriend."

"Well you two are related. It's not your fault. Besides, Logan and I are friends and he's your cousin! You should at least tolerate the guy."

"As my cousin, yes…as your ex…No."

"You're my favorite." She said. "And honestly, you were the one who said he was the high school version of you."

"Are you ready?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Yes I am." She said with laughter in her eyes. She loved going at it with him. She always had, even back at Chilton when they drove each other crazy. It was their thing. He challenged her and vice versa. They kept each other on their toes.

"Then let's go. After you." He motioned towards the door.

"Such a gentleman, or do you just like to watch me leave in this dress?"

"There's a reason the rules were invented the way they were," was his only reply.

"Uh-huh." She said as she walked out the door ahead of him.