I know I'm bad, but I've had a lot going on.

Sorry.

Timeline explaination: The party was roughly 1 1/2 weeks before Christmas... so this is the week between Christmas and New Years. Cheers!

Mary,

As I sit on this cold, hard lump they call a mattress, I stare at the ceiling. Why do I stare at the ceiling? Only because thoughts of you occupy my mind far too much for my liking. I can't seem to think of anything else at this stupid military boot camp they call school. You know Rory; I really did like you. No, scratch that, I really do like you. I can only hope that someday you will realize that. And it will not be too late for us. I know that you thought I was only "going after you" because you were a conquest; the school's next Mary to be pinned by the king. But you've changed me. For the better. I am still changing. I want to see you again. I will see you again, because Lorelai Gilmore, I believe I have fallen in love with you. What started as playful bantering and flirtatious laughter on my part has turned into so much more. That smirk that occupied my face 75 of the time was not because of the innuendo's I made, but because I completely loved the face you would make when it did. I loved to see you blush, not as a sign of mocking, but because you are beautiful when you do. That day, after you set me up with Paris, and I told you I liked someone else, it was not Summer I was referring to, like I led you to believe, it was you. It has always been you. You have been my guardian angel since you set foot inside that door at Chilton. It was my own stupid fault that I didn't listen to you. I don't know how, when, or if you will get this message, but if you read this know one thing: you are my one, true love.

Sincerely Yours Forever,

Tristan DuGray

As Rory sat rereading the letter for what seemed like the seven hundred and fifty-second time, she felt her baby blue orbs once again brimming with the tears of what could have been. Although things were going smoothly now, it had been two weeks since the party, and they had gone out several times, she couldn't help but wonder where they would be now if they both hadn't hesitated to send that fateful letter.

Flashback

Rory sat idly, twirling her pen in her hand. She sighed nervously as she looked at the pitiful excuse she called a letter. Groaning, she crumpled up her seventh letter, threw it in the trash, and started her eighth. This one was going to work, she told herself.

Tristan,

I can't stop thinking about you. Wipe that smirk off your face, bible boy. I can see it all the way from down south. How are you being treated, being the Yankee that you are? You better get back to me in one piece Mr. Dugrey. I hate that you left when I was just starting to like you. Yes, I, Mary Gilmore, like you. Now wipe that smirk off your face before I have to come down there and wipe it off myself. O jeez, why do I set myself up for those innuendoes? Gosh, now I sound like Luke. Dirty! Great, I'm completely rambling, and you don't have a clue what I'm talking about. I tend to do that a lot. Jump around, I mean. Maybe I should get back on track. Okay, so when you left, you didn't kiss me goodbye, and that killed me inside. I so much wanted to taste your lips again, and have the chance not to run crying. When I ran crying, it wasn't because I was emotionally upset, like I let you think, but because I didn't understand what was going on inside. I wanted you Tristan, and that scared me. I had never wanted Dean like that, or even thought about it. But with you it's so different. So new. Dean and I broke up by the way, he could tell we just weren't clicking. He could tell there was someone else. I didn't mention that someone else was you though, or you might have gotten a visit. Tristan, please come back. I miss you terribly. I need you.

Forever Yours,

Mary

Tearfully, Rory placed it inside a white envelope, sealing it with a kiss. As she started to write down the address, Rory realized she didn't have a clue where to send the thing.

End Flashback

Rory sighed, once again, and vowed never would she think of what might have been. She had now, and she wasn't going to let this one slip away, again. Jumping up, Rory headed for her closet to pick out the perfect outfit. Tristan was taking her to dinner tonight, he had told her semi-formal, but had left no indication as to the whereabouts of said date.

After going through all her clothes, twice, Rory picked out the perfect outfit (though her feet were going to kill her by the end of the night). She had on a sleeveless deep red dress that gathered at the bust, and had a bow around the waist. It was long and flowing, about mid-ankle, with several layers of different lengths. Her shoes were very strappy, and had a four-inch heel. She had on gorgeous red dangling earrings, and a 5-tier necklace to match. She looked good, if she dared say so herself.

At promptly 7:10, the Crap Shack's doorbell rang. Lorelai rushed to get it.

"What time did he say he'd pick you up?" She yelled to her daughter, who was putting her make up.

"7:00!" Came the muffled reply. It sounded like Rory was putting on her lipstick.

"Oh, the boy is good." Lorelai snapped her fingers for effect.

Lorelai answered the door, and Tristan immediately handed her a cup of Luke's coffee. "For you Lorelai." Tristan bowed for effect.

"Mommy like." Lorelai was won over.

As Rory turned the corner from the kitchen, Tristan was floored. His jaw dropped, and he struggled to regain his composer. "You look, nice, Mare." He was finally able to choke out.

He then handed her a dozen yellow roses. "They mean eternal love." O God, why did she always make him feel like a schoolboy just by looking at him?

After the ensuing mocking that came from Lorelai, Tristan linked his arm with Rory's, and led her out the door.

Yes, I know I'm bad, but I had to end it there. It was getting long. Oh, I don't own anything, except the dress. I wore it to my "Silver Bell Ball", and then again at Midnight Mass. I sang that night, and we stood the entire time. Believe me, my feet were killing me. At the end of the night, I took off my shoes, and walked out to my car barefoot. They hurt that badly.

Well, you know what to do. The review button's getting lonely.