As the weeks progressed, Rory and Dean grew closer and closer than ever, rebuilding slowly the relationship that had been destroyed when Rory found the note. "Dean, I'm so sorry that I doubted you for a second." Rory apologized again for the dozenth time as she got on the bus to Hartford on Monday morning.

"It's okay; I should have told you."

"Bye!" she kissed him quickly on the cheek and the doors of the bus closed, and Dean turned to go to the high school.

At school, Tristin was again waiting for Rory, leaning against her locker.

"Hi," she greeted him softly. She felt really bad, but she had to let him down gently.

"Hey." He smiled. "You're looking a bit happier today--something good happen over the weekend?" he hinted.

"Yeah--Dean and I...um...we got back together this weekend." she said quietly.

"Ah." he nodded. "I figured as much. So what changed?"

"I discovered that the girl who wrote Dean the note was his cousin. You could say that I feel pretty stupid right now."

"I'm glad you're happy." he started to walk away from her.

"Tristin!" she called after him. He turned.

"You'll find the right girl soon."

He smiled wryly and shook his head. "See you later, Mary!"

A few weeks later, Luke's nephew Jess blew into town from New York City. As she saw Dean throwing Jess death glares across the diner, Loralei shook her head. "Here we go again!" she thought.

THE END!