Thanks for all the reviews, you guys are amazing!
Thank you to Lourenda, my wonderful beta.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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"Tristan, come on! You've been a bore all weekend what is your problem?" Breelynn asked as she walked through downtown Hartford with her brother on Sunday afternoon.
"I don't have a freaking problem!" He snapped.
"Then why are you acting like this?"
"Acting like what?"
"Like Lassie would if Timmy never got out of the well."
Tristan eyed his sister strangely, "What the hell?"
"Depressed, upset, in a different world… Do you need me to continue?"
"No, I got it."
"Then care to share as to what your issue is?"
"There is no issue it's just I finally asked Rory out on a date and she said no."
"Are you serious?" Breelynn said shocked, "Are you seriously surprised? I mean every time you asked her out at Chilton she practically laughed in your face."
"To tell you the truth, Bree I am a little shocked. Not because she told me no but because she told me no even though she would love to say yes."
"That makes no sense."
"No it doesn't. She said it would complicate things." Tristan shrugged as they walked into a small restaurant for lunch.
"Tristan," Breelynn sighed, "As much as you don't want to think about this. Do you think it's possible she's not the same girl you were infatuated with in high school?"
"One, I was not infatuated and two, I know she's not the same girl. I don't expect her to be the same virginal girl I knew four years ago, but I was hoping that she'd be able to trust me a little more now than she did then."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you more trustworthy than any other guy she'd meet on the street? I mean sure you've said a few nice things and proved you're not the asshole you were before, but that makes you a nice person not a confidant."
"When did you get so smart?" Tristan said smiling at his baby sister who was no longer a baby. She was an eighteen-year-old young woman, who seemed to impress him more everyday.
Breelynn grinned, "I've always been this smart, you've just never noticed."
Tristan and Breelynn were looking over their menus when a blonde guy and the tall brunette that Rory had been chatting with at the camp appeared in the booth next to them.
He knew he shouldn't eavesdrop, but those two guys looked very familiar. Tristan kept his eyes on his menu but his ears concentrated on the booth next to him.
"Logan, I told you it's her business." The brunette said irritated.
"I think I have a right to know."
"No, you lost all rights when you guys broke up."
"That was her decision not mine, I still care about her." The blonde admitted sadly.
"I know, Mate. But seriously, you've got to understand why. Look at what he did to her."
"I understand that, Finn but that doesn't mean I have to stop caring and throw any feelings I did or still do have for her to the wind."
"Logan, where she is and what she is doing is her business and when she decides she's ready to call you back or answer your e-mails you'll be there."
'Logan and Finn…Logan and Finn…Oh, god! Logan Huntzberger and Finn Morgan!'
Tristan thought 'Why would Rory be hanging out with Finn Morgan?'
"You saw her the day you picked up Kiah." Logan accused.
"Yes, but I did many things that day. I took Kiah to the toy store, had lunch with Rosemary in Hartford and went to the sporting good store with Colin. I could have seen her everywhere."
"Rory doesn't like sports and I bet if I ask Kiah she'll tell me if she knows her."
"But you wouldn't pump an innocent child for information."
"I've stooped that low before and I am willing to do it again."
'Kiah…Kiah is Rory's camper. They are talking about Rory…Rory dated Logan Huntzberger?' Tristan was officially confused. The Rory he knew hated society, she despised anyone who used their name to gain status and Huntzberger was someone who did just that.
"I'll keep Kiah away from you." Finn threatened.
"Kiah loves me…Who wouldn't love this face?" Logan joked.
"Apparently, Reporter girl." Finn shot back.
"Low blow, besides she's no longer reporter girl." He corrected sadly.
'No longer Reporter girl? Why isn't she reporter girl? My god, she was reporter girl in high school.' Tristan reasoned but then suddenly it all clicked. Rory telling him everything was complicated and she was no longer a Mary, her using the excuse they barely know each other.
Something had happened with Huntzberger or possibly before that he didn't know…he did know he'd try and figure it out.
"Tristan!" Breelynn called pulling him out of his thoughts.
"What?"
"You going to order?" She asked motioning to the annoyed looking waitress.
"Oh yeah… Sorry. I'll have a cheeseburger and Fries."
"It'll be ready soon." The waitress mumbled before walking off to put the order in.
"Care to explain why you look like you're on Blues Clues?"
"Because I just found a clue!"
"Found a clue?" Breelynn said raising an eyebrow.
"More like…Heard a clue." Tristan smirked.
"Whatever, I have my own problems to deal with…Like how to convince Eric to go on a date with me. Apparently, he made a pact with my stupid brother!"
"I promised not to date his sister and he promised not to date mine, it was a fair trade."
"HIS SISTER IS NINE!" Breelynn yelled attracting half of the restaurants attention to herself.
"That is exactly why I promised not to date her." Tristan smirked taking a sip of his soda.
"I hate you."
"We've been through this…If you hate me so damn much you can stop using my apartment as your own personal haven, you can stop putting your tampons on my shopping list and you can certainly stop making me lie to mom and dad about your whereabouts."
"Fine! I don't hate you…but at the moment I severely dislike you."
"I love you, little sis." Tristan smiled as his food was placed in front of him.
"Bite me." Breelynn snapped.
"That's my sweet baby sister…the same one who'd come into my room when she had nightmares." Tristan teased.
"Eat your food, Tris," his sister advised hoping it would get him to shut up.
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"I think you should go out with him." Lorelai advised as they sat on the couch watching TV.
"Of course you do!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That means that you always think the opposite of what I do! Granted with some of them you were right but with this I am not so sure." Rory shrugged.
"I know we've had a difference of opinion on the men you date, but Ror, Tristan liked you way back when. What makes you think he can't now?"
"Exactly, Mom! He liked me way back when. What if he doesn't like the new me? He still has this picture of what Rory Gilmore should look like in his head and let's face it I am far from the person I was in Chilton."
"Yes, you are but Hon, have you ever heard that saying 'Whatever you did before is part of what makes you who you are today?' I mean seriously if anyone would understand mistakes don't you think he'd be one of them?"
Rory looked down and began to fidget with the pillow on her lap, "Mom, I don't want to disappoint him and don't try to tell me that he won't be because he will," Rory said trying not to cry. "Because every guy at Chilton who ever hit on me had this fantasy about devirginizing the Mary, but what are they going to think when they find out Mary has already been devirginzed by her married ex-boyfriend? They won't want me."
Lorelai was caught off guard by Rory's confession. "Ror, you are an amazing young woman. You are driven and smart and witty and you can pack in as much food as you want without gaining an ounce…Any guy - and I do mean any guy - whether you end up with Tristan, Logan or some guy you haven't even met yet will appreciate you."
"You're just saying that because you are my mom." Rory sniffled.
"Yes, I am, but you know what it's the truth." Lorelai told her pulling her into a hug.
"I…think I like him, Mom." Rory sighed resting her head on her mothers shoulder.
"I know, Babe. I know."
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Monday morning rolled around and Rory was sitting at her picnic table taking attendance of her campers.
"RORY!" Danielle and Darla yelled simultaneously as they both hugged her.
"Hey, Girlies! How are you guys?"
"Good!"
"That's good."
"Hey, Ror." Mackenzie said walking up and sitting on the picnic table.
"Hello there Kenzie, how's life?"
"Um, how about I finish attendance and you go behind the equipment shed."
"Mackenzie…" Rory warned.
"No, for once it's not a smart ass remark about you and Tristan….It's Casey."
"Casey?"
Mackenzie nodded and pointed "She needs you."
Rory handed Mackenzie the clipboard and announced to her campers that Kenzie was in charge before quickly walking towards the equipment shed.
She found Casey leaned against the shed wall with tears streaming down her face. "Case, what's wrong?"
"Rory?"
"Yeah, it's me. What's wrong?"
"I'm stupid, very stupid."
"No, you are not. What's wrong?" Rory repeated.
"I knew I shouldn't have stayed with him. Emily, Nikki and Kenzie all warned me." She sniffled.
"Casey," Rory said with a hint of panic "You've got to tell me what happened."
"He was seventeen, he's an upperclassman and that made me cool by association. He promised he wouldn't rush things, but he did."
"He did what?"
"He forced me into having…." Casey said trailing off and broke down into sobs.
Rory was unsure what to do but pulled Casey into her arms and gave her a hug.
"Does your mom or sister or someone in you family know?"
"I don't have a sister and my mom could probably care less."
"I'm here." Rory assured her.
"He told me he wouldn't make me do anything."
"Boys say a lot of things." Rory told her. "Alright, this will be awkward but I have to ask a few questions."
Casey nodded.
"Were you safe?"
"I'm on the pill for cramps and he u-u-used a condom." Casey sniffled.
"Did he…hurt you?"
"No, he was nice, but he still said he wouldn't make me."
"Why do you mean by make you?"
"He didn't really make me…I guess. He said if I loved him that I'd sleep with him because that's what couples that are in love do."
"Boy's suck."
Casey laughed through her tears "Yes, they do."
"How about this, we are going to go and do our usual camp routine then…I'm going to take you for ice cream." Rory smiled.
"Really?" Casey asked hopefully.
"Yep, we've just got to get your mom's approval."
"I'll call her at lunch."
"Ok. Let's go." Rory said helping Casey up as they walked to their first class. Rory had soccer and Casey had painting.
Rory walked over to the soccer field, but right before she got over to where Tristan was sitting Casey ran up to her and gave her a hug, "Thank you so much."
Rory hugged her back and then pulled away slightly "I will always be here for you, I promise." Casey nodded and ran towards her activity.
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Tristan glanced at Rory then back at the game "You know I am starting to get a complex."
"About?"
"You are constantly leaving me on my own."
"Tristan, I give you time by yourself because I know how much you and your ego like to be alone." Rory smirked nudging him slightly.
"Cute, Ror. Really cute."
"I know I am." She smiled.
Tristan just shook his head "Is umm…Casey ok?"
Rory looked at him and the sincerity in his eyes "As fine as someone can be with a broken heart."
"Boy, do I not miss being thirteen."
"I liked being thirteen, I guess I was still naive and sheltered, but to me the world was still a safe and happy place."
"When did that theory stop?"
Rory thought about his question and sighed, "When I realized people leave."
She had found that everyone except her mom had left her. Her dad had left her when she was an infant and then time and time again after that. Dean had left her at the dance alone. Jess had left her for California. Tristan had left her for military school.
Tristan looked into her eyes, "Sometimes, they come back."
"Yes, they do. But they don't always get what they expect." Rory sighed, "I'm going to go help Tory play goalie."
"You said you didn't do sports." He called after her, but Rory just ignored him.
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The end of the day didn't come fast enough for Rory, the comment Tristan had made about people coming back had struck a cord in her as well as the situation with Casey.
Casey's mother didn't seem to care about where Casey was and gave full permission for Casey to be out with whom ever she wanted for as long as she wanted.
Rory knew Casey was expecting her to give advice, but how could she when she was so ashamed of her own experiences. At the time being with Dean seemed right but in the long run she had done a horrible thing.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Kiah yell to her uncle. Finn had made a habit of coming to pick Kiah up every other day.
"Rory, Love…You've got to go."
"Finn? Are you drunk or stoned or something…I cannot let you take Kiah if you are." Rory said flatly, she was all too familiar with some of his habits.
"I'm not stoned or drunk…Logan is in the car."
"W-what? Why?"
"Because he's a freaking Huntzberger and put two and two together and figured out that you work at Kiah's camp."
"Why did you even mention you saw me in the first place?"
"It slipped!"
"Yeah, right." Rory sighed "I can't go away, Finn. I've still got campers to look out for, make sure they are going home with a responsible adult."
"You let me take Kiah."
"Yes and I fear because of that she will be scarred for life."
"Hey! Kiah loves me."
"Yes, I do!" The little girl exclaimed and was about to say something else when something caught her attention and she began running away.
"KI!" Finn yelled after her but realized she was running into Logan's arms.
"Don't say I didn't warn you, I told you to save yourself." He said in a 'told you so' voice.
Logan walked up to them with Kiah in his arms "Uncle Logan, this is Rory. My favorite counselor in the whole world."
Logan smiled and looked at Rory, "Nice to meet you."
Rory realized what he was doing, he obviously didn't want to drag Kiah into this and neither did she, "You too."
"Where is your jacket, Ki?" Finn questioned.
"Over by the pond."
"Well how about we go get it and leave Rory and Uncle Logan to talk."
"Why?" She asked as she was passed from surrogate Uncle to her biological one.
"So they can get to know each other."
"Why?"
"Because then Uncle Logan can pick you up from camp and buy you that pony he promised you."
"Why?"
Finn shook his head and headed towards the dock with Kiah in his arms.
"Do you think he realizes that he acts just like her?" Logan asked not waiting for an awkward silence to take over.
"Probably not, but even if he did I think he'd deny it."
Logan gave a half smile then turned serious "What's with the game, Rory? You said we'd stay friends and this might be because exclusive dating was fairly new to me but I thought you really meant it."
"I never did go over breaking up protocol, did I?"
"Save the witty remarks for a different day," Logan said. "I still want to be friends."
"Can we do that?"
"I don't see why not, I understand why we broke up. We are two different people going in two separate directions, but that can't stop anyone from being friends. I care about you, Ace."
Rory's heart melted a little when he called her Ace. She didn't know what it was with blonde boys giving her nicknames and she would deny it till she turned blue in the face but she had always had a soft spot for them.
A warm smile appeared on Rory's face and she flung herself into his arms, "I'm glad we're friends, this means I can comment on the women you date."
Logan pulled away and smirked, "I already know what you think of them, and there is no need for you to repeat it."
"That is my goal, to find you a nice respectable women."
"As long as it's not Paris."
"I learned my lesson and setting people up with Paris, besides you'd have to fight Doyle for her and though he might look scrawny I bet he packs a mean punch."
"In my defense I'd like to believe I could take Doyle." Logan said nudging her slightly.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," Rory teased.
Logan pulled Rory into another hug "I'm glad we're friends, Ror."
Rory nodded "Me too, Logan. Me too."
Rory pulled away when she heard someone clear their throat, turning around she came face to face with Casey.
"What is it with you and hot, blonde guys? He's almost as hot as Tristan."
Rory stepped back and took in Logan's appearance, "I'm not sure who's hotter, so for right now we'll call it a tie." Rory smirked causing Logan to pout.
"I thought you'd always believe I was sexy."
"Did I put a scratch on your overly inflated ego?"
"More like a dent." Logan told her, "It's very fragile these days, some girl broke my heart."
Rory gave him a look and shook her head, "Always the drama queen." She glanced at Casey "Case, this is Logan Huntzberger. Logan, this is one of my campers Casey."
"Nice to meet you," Logan said as he shook Casey's hand.
Casey blushed, "You too."
Kiah came running up, "Uncle Finn said he wants to know if the white flag has been flown."
"He sent you to do the dirty work, typical Finn." Logan shook his head.
"FINNY-KINS!" Rory yelled "It's safe for you to come out now!" Rory yelled.
Finn came out of the bushes and walked up to them, "All issues resolved?"
Logan and Rory nodded, "Yes."
Finn smiled, "Good, now if you lovely ladies will excuse us, I believe Kiah has a ballet lesson to attend."
"You going to join her?" Rory smiled.
"I'll have you know I happen to look drop dead sexy in a tutu."
"I'm sure you do." Rory rolled her eyes and hugged Finn, Logan and Kiah before they all left.
Rory sat on the picnic table to realize all her campers were gone, "It'll be amazing if I don't get fired by the end of the summer."
Casey just laughed, "So…You've got to tell me your secret, I mean not only do you have Tristan fawning over you, you are friends with that hot blonde guy and the amazingly gorgeous Australian."
Rory shook her head, "Let's go submit my paper work, and then we're off to get ice cream."
"Cookie dough and mint chocolate chip." Casey told her.
"I'm more of a Rocky Road and cake batter girl myself."
Rory and Casey linked arms and skipped to the office unaware that Tristan had seen the whole scene unfold in front of him.
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This chapter is extra long because I was typing in Arial Narrow and size 8 font and usually I type in Times New Roman size 11 so I didn't notice until it was 3 pages longer than usual.
Sorry for the not so frequent updates but school and yearbook keep me pretty occupied. Not to mention that tomorrow is my SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY!
Reviews are always appreciated!