To All of You who wondered about the pairing, it will be revealed in this chapter.

I still own nothing.

As Rory turned into her driveway she found herself with tears in her eyes for the eighth time that evening. She had to keep reminding herself that his family was in Hartford, not Stars Hollow, and she wasn't going to see him. Rory bravely dried her eyes, fixed her running mascara, smiled and walked towards the door.

Lorelai burst through the door as soon as she saw headlights coming down the driveway, and engulfed her daughter into a bear hug.

"I've missed you, o spawn of mine!" Lorelai exclaimed. "Let's see how big you've gotten." She followed in mock surprise.

"Mom, I was here 3 weeks ago. And I do believe my growing stage is over." Rory laughed at her mothers' antics. Lorelai guided her daughter into the house, and saw that far-off look in her eyes.

"You've been thinking about him haven't you?" Lorelai inquired of her daughter. Rory nodded slowly. "Well then, you'll be ecstatic to hear that we've been roped into one of my mother's famous Christmas saureè's." When Rory's face shown with no signs of emotion, Lorelai inhaled dramatically, and continued. "All of Hartford's prominent will be there Rory. And my father and Janlan have been doing business since I can remember. Tristan is sure to be there."

Rory gasped, and immediately spoke up. "Why didn't you tell me before I left Harvard? All my cute clothes are up there still!"

"Well, then you'll just have to wear some of mine." Lorelai stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"No, I can't do that!" Rory exclaimed.

"And why would that be, my darling?" Lorelai feigned shock.

"Because all you've got is sexy clothes..." Rory spat back.

"And how is this a problem? Rory if I remember correctly, wasn't it you who pined daily for Bible Boy after he left for military school? And wasn't it you who chose Harvard, because that's where he knew you were going? And wasn't it you who called me weekly for your entire first semester because you hadn't seen him? Don't you WANT to look sexy for him?" Lorelai answered, exasperated.

Rory, who had been silent throughout this charade, finally spoke up. "Well DUH mother, but what if I'm not good enough for him? Or what if he's there with somebody? Or what if he's not there at all?" Rory was on the brink of tears.

"Okay, I am going to address all those questions. One, you are the most gorgeous, intelligent thing to walk this planet, after me of course, so it would be the other way around. You are not "not good enough" for anyone, understand? And two, then the sexy clothes would be for good use, because you would just have to make him jealous. And three, when mom called I specifically asked about the DuGray's, and whether they would be attending WITH their grandson, so I know for a fact that he will be there."

Rory sighed, "When's the party?"

"Tonight!" Her mother answered gleefully.

In Hartford

Tristan sighed as he pulled into his driveway, and wiped a moist spot from his eye. As soon as he had left his dorm room, Kenny Chesney had come on the radio, with "You Save Me", and he couldn't help but think of her. After all, she was the reason he changed. He had to pull his grades up in military school, for her. If he wanted to get into Harvard to find her, then he was going to have to actually GET IN to the university. And as for his infamous flavor of the week, that went out the window. If he wanted to get his Mary, his Immaculate Mary, he was going to have to become Joseph, of sorts. He was going to have to give up his locker buddies. They were only to make her jealous anyway. And if Harvard was going to accept him, he would have to clean up his record. He was going to have to become squeaky clean. And he did. So, in fact, Rory Gilmore had saved him. Now, he couldn't get her off his mind.

As soon as he walked into his house, he was met with his Grandfather. "Get dressed. We're going to one of my business associates' Christmas gatherings in half an hour. And look nice, there's a young lady whose mother inquired as to your presence at this event."

Tristan groaned. This was going to be a long night.

There it is. The party is in the next chapter which I might get up tonight, as well. Hope you liked it. I think I here the review button crying out, so you better go check.

3 Roscette29