Thank you all so much for the reviews! A lot of you want to know who Rory's secret Santa is or if I've already said it. I haven't and I won't. Patience is a virtue.

Speaking of patience, I got a PM about how I should be working Rec. Projects and Suddenly I See rather than this. I am having fun writing this, it's nice to take a break from those stories but don't worry because I have a new chapter for both with my beta so those should be up fairly soon.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rory was sitting in the library the next day during her free period trying to get someone of her homework done when Paris came over and sat in the chair across from her. "Here."

"What's that?"

"You're secret Santa present."

"Why do you have it…Do you know who it is?" Rory questioned.

"It was in the newspaper office, whoever has you figured that you where going to go there on your free period like you usually do."

"Oh…"

"How are things going with your secret Santa?"

"What do you mean?"

"Have you like your presents?"

"Yeah…I mean everything I've gotten seems like they've put some sort of thought into it rather than just bought whatever had a Christmas theme to it."

Paris scoffed. "Must be nice. Today I got Star of David window cling on's."

"They're just trying to respect your religion." Rory assured her.

"They can't be a smidge more creative?"

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault the people in our English class are complete idiots."

"It's the holidays…Be cheerful."

"No." Paris whined, "So…What'd you get?" she asked motioning to the present in front of Rory.

"I don't know…Let's look." Rory said as she carefully unwrapped the reindeer wrapping paper. Lifting the top of the box and a layer of tissue paper she found gloves, a scarf and a hat with a little pompom on it. They were a deep blue color and the material they were made out of was amazingly soft. "They're awesome." Rory said as she motioned for Paris to feel the material.

"You're person likes you."

"They're just doing the assignment." Rory remarked looking for the note that should be attached to the present. She located it on a small piece of blue paper at the bottom of the box:

You certainly can't go into a snowball fight without the proper gear. Hopefully, these will keep you warm.

Yours truly,

Santa's Helper

"You're secret Santa's a boy…A boy who likes you!" Paris accused.

"I assumed it was a boy due to the handwriting on the notes and he does not like me…It's the assignment." She reiterated.

"I got my person a book about the corruption of the government…Not expensive gloves."

"How exactly does the corruption of the government say 'Happy Holidays'?"

"It doesn't…But I figure if I have to spend my time and money on this person the least I can do it attempt to educate them. Plus, I had the people at the store wrap it in festive red shiny paper…So if the book scares them they can take comfort in the simplicity of the wrapping paper."

"Such faith in our fellow classmates." Rory laughed as she brought the end of the scarf up to her cheek "It's so damn soft!"

"Look at Mary using naughty words…Tsk, tsk." Tristan said walking up and sitting in the chair next to Paris.

"Seriously, feel this." She said bring half of the scarf up for him to feel.

"You're a little to fascinated by the fabric of this…Scarf?"

"It's soft…I like soft things." Rory defended.

Tristan smirked. "Really? Because I have a feeling you'd like my hard-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence, DuGrey." Paris glared.

Tristan glanced at Rory, whose face had turned bright red even though she tried to hide it with the scarf. "Sorry, I forgot. Virgin ears."

"As much as I'd love to hear you hurl more insults about people having their virginity, I've got some newspaper work to do."

"You're going to leave me here…With that?" Rory asked dramatically.

"It's everyone for themselves."

"Nice friend you are." Rory muttered as Paris walked away, exiting the library.

"And then there were two."

"Yay." Rory deadpanned.

"I'm not that bad! You had fun with me last night, did you not?"

As much as she wanted to make a sarcastic quip about what a lame time she had, she couldn't. She'd actually had fun last night. "I did have fun, you were actually mildly entertaining."

"Thanks…I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've ever had a girl tell that to me when we spent the whole evening fully clothed."

"I did take off my blazer."

"Not what I meant."

"So what did you secret Santa get you today?" Rory asked changing the topic.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"It seems they've forgotten about me."

"I find that hard to believe."

"I can't tell if that was a backhanded compliment or not."

Rory smiled at him innocently, "And you'll never know."

It was amazing how one innocent smile from her could reduce him to a puddle of nothing. What spell she had over him, he'd never know. She was so confident and unsure at the same time and he wanted nothing more then help her be the one to figure out which one she was. "Are you sure I couldn't persuade you?" he said leaning closer to her in a husky voice.

She brought her hand up, which was covered in the soft material of a glove, and stroked his cheek sweetly. "Not a chance." Rory grinned.

"You're wearing gloves and a scarf which I am assuming you just got, how old are you again?"

"Nine and three quarters." She answered instantly.

"Real mature."

"I try."

"Isn't it supposed to be me who acts younger than I am?"

"I can't have my moments?"

Tristan let out a light chuckle, this girl was something else. She looked adorable sitting there with the scarf around her neck and the mittens on her hands. "Fine for the next," he trailed off glancing at his watch, "Five minutes you can act as if you were nine and three quarters."

"…I don't remember how I acted when I was nine and three quarters."

"I have a feeling you were just as innocent and naïve as you are now."

Rory glared at him. "And the nice moment we were having is over."

"We were having a moment?"

"Were."

"We can have another moment... Can't we?"

Rory took the scarf and mittens off and put them back into the box she received them in, she placed her books into her book bag before turning back to Tristan. "Not in the mood." she smirked, "I'm sure you've been with other women who have the same problem once you open your mouth to speak."

"Hey!" Tristan exclaimed, understanding her insult.

"Bye." She waved before walking out the of the library leaving a shocked Tristan behind her.

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Tristan walked out of school and towards his car. He didn't know why but he was a little upset to find out that he didn't get a secret Santa present today. He'd only gotten two of them but he'd come to look forward to them.

He finally reached his car when he found a present sitting on the hood of his car. He didn't know long it had been there but he was assuming not long since there wasn't any snow on top of it.

He grabbing the present which was wrapped in dancing Santa wrapping paper and got into his car. Unwrapping it he found three DVDs: A Christmas Story, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Looking down he found a note written in familiar handwriting on the same snowman stationary, the last two notes he'd received had been on.

Christmas isn't just about traditional families, it's about being with the people you care about and who care about you.

Sincerely,

Your very own Cindy Lou Who

He glanced at the titles again and realized, he'd never seen any of them. He'd seen the animated version of The Grinch when he was a kid but he'd never seen the full length movie. Tristan was intrigued, he wanted to watch his movies but he didn't want to watch them alone.

There was the option of calling one of the girls numbers he had in his cell phone contacts, but he had a feeling they wouldn't really want to watch the movie. His friends would most likely laugh at him if he suggested that they just sit and watch a heartwarming tale about a green creature and his bitterness towards the holidays. No one was home at his house except the maid, who wasn't to fond of him apparently he'd dated one of her nieces.

That's when he looked up and caught a glimpse of Rory walking across the parking lot. She was bundled up in her coat, accompanied by her new scarf, gloves and hat. He knew she was heading towards the bus stop, that's where she always headed after school. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it would be a while before the bus arrived and what kind of gentleman would let her sit and freeze on a bus bench?

Placing the movies into his backseat, he turned the car on and drove towards the bus stop where Rory was sitting. Pulling up, he rolled the window down so he could talk to her "Mary." he greeted.

"If you're going to follow me the least you could do is learn my name."

"Stalkers are sneaky. I make it apparent that I'm following you."

Rolling her eyes, she smiled despite herself. "Did you want something."

"I was wondering if you'd like a ride home."

"Really? No ulterior motive?"

"Well…" He hesitated, this would be the second time he asked her to spend the afternoon with him. It was starting to make him look pathetic. "I was wondering if you'd like to watch some movies with me."

"Movies?"

"Yeah, I got a few of movies from my secret Santa and I've never seen them before. I was hoping maybe you'd fill me in on them." he told her, truth be told he remembered her rambling on about a movie night at some point. She looked intrigued, which he figured was a good thing.

"What movies?"

"A Christmas Story, The Grinch and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

"You've never seen those before?"

"No…"

"That's sad."

"Is that a yes or no?"

"That's a maybe."

"What's the deal breaker?"

"Coffee and junk food."

"I think I can deal with that."

"No funny business, mister." She told him before she walked around to the other side of the car and put her book bag into the backseat.

Once she was seated and buckled up, he turned to her with a smirk on his face. "I can't promise anything."

She laughed before telling him what kind of candy they'd be purchasing for the evening.

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"Next movie night, Mom and I are invading your house." Rory told him as the credits to the first movie rolled.

"Why?"

"You have a home theater! Big cushy couches, a huge screen and surround sound. I'd live in here if I could."

Tristan laughed, they had watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and while he thought it was an alright movie, he had more fun watching her. It was apparent that she'd seen it more than a few times. Her mouth moved along with the actors and she'd playfully hit him and tell him when a good scene was coming up. "You could actually probably live in here and no one would notice."

"Really?"

"No one really comes in here."

"That's crazy! Why have such a fantastic room if you aren't going to use it?"

"It's not fun to watch movies alone." He shrugged.

"You've never watched movies with your dates or friends?"

"My friends and I don't really ever watch movies together and my dates are usually much more occupied in something else rather than movies."

A look of disgust crossed Rory's face. "Am I safe sitting here?"

"I assure you, I've never had sex in this room." He laughed as he watched relief wash across her face. "In fact, I don't think I've ever brought a girl into this room…"

"I'm the first?"

"I guess."

"I feel special!" She smiled.

Tristan glanced over at her as she shiver slightly. "Cold?"

"A little…I'm wearing a skirt."

"Come with me." He told her.

Before she could ask why or where he was already leaving the room expecting her to follow. "Tristan!" She called but he was already going up the stairs. She followed only because she didn't want to be left alone in his house.

She followed him into a dark blue room which she assumed was his bedroom. "Why are we here?"

"I'm planning on having my way with you." He deadpanned as he walked into his closet.

As much as Rory wanted to be disgusted by the thought of kissing him, touching him she couldn't be. She'd seen a different side to him these past few days and she was really impressed with what she saw. "No complaints here." She called to him. Hearing a thud right after her comment, she stifled a laugh. "Are you ok?"

He reappeared from his closet with something in his hands, rubbing his head. "I'm fine and here."

"What are they?"

"Pants."

"Pants?"

"Yes. I know you know what pants are, you got into Chilton after all."

"I know what pants are, I'm just a little mystified as to why you are giving me a pair of pants."

"You're cold because of the skirt you are wearing and you really can't be comfortable in your uniform. So, I am offering you a pair of lounge pants to wear and a even a hoodie if you'd like."

"Whose pants are these?" Rory asked skeptically. She knew she shouldn't be turning them down due to the fact that she was really cold but she refused to wear something that came from one of his bed buddies.

"I got them a couple of years ago but they were too small, I guess I just never got rid of them."

"Oh…I'm sorry for assu-"

"It's fine." He told her placing a Chilton hoodie on the bed and leaving her to change.

Quickly changing into the pants and sweatshirt he gave her, she instantly became warmer. Opening the door she found him sitting outside of it.

"I assumed you would know how to get back to the movie room alone."

Rory thought about it and decided he was right. "Thanks…For waiting and for the clothes."

"No problem." He grinned, glad he gave her the clothes. She looked so cute in them, both the pants and sweatshirt were big on her. "Ready to go back down?"

"Yeah." She smiled and grabbed his hand. She was shocked at her behavior. She didn't know why she grabbed his hand, it was instinct. It felt like something she'd done a million times but she hadn't. Slowly she brought her eyes up to meet his stare. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head at her. "Don't be." Keeping her hand in his, he guided her back to the movie room so they could continue to watch movies.