Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls

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Rory walked with Paris to their lockers after their last class let out.
"I can't believe he's back" Paris said.
"Do you still like him?"
Paris shook her head. "No. Not anymore. I've moved on."
Rory nodded. "Is this good or bad?"
"Good"
"Good"

Rory opened her locker.
"Hello ladies" Tristan said as he walked up.
"Hi Tristan" they said simultaneously.
"I got to go get ready. Mom's decided she wants to be a family again so we're having a family dinner and I have to be home as soon as possible"
Rory smiled. "Good luck"
"See ya" and Paris left.
"So, I've come up with an idea" Tristan said as Paris left.
"Really? How'd you manage that one?"
Tristan chuckled. "Good one Mare, as I was saying, I think it is highly improper for a senior to ride the bus"
Rory rolled her eyes. She knew where this was going. "Fine Tristan you can give me a ride"
Tristan smiled and led her to his Porsche.

Besides the music that Rory had demanded to pick out, the car ride was in comfortable silence. Rory told him the directions for Stars Hollow and he obeyed.
"Alright where do I go from here?" He asked once they'd reached Stars Hollow.
"You want some coffee?" Rory asked eyeing Luke's.
"Umm sure. Where to?"
"Right there" Rory pointed.
"Isn't that a Hardware store?"
Rory laughed. "Nope. Trust me, it's a diner"
"Ok" Tristan gave in and pulled into a parking lot.

They both got out and walked in. Rory led them to a table. Tristan grabbed a Menu and began to read. Rory stared at him. He'd changed so much. She liked it.
"Hey Rory, how was school?" Luke asked as he walked over.
"Hi Luke, School was fine. I'd like a coffee and Strawberry pancakes with a side of fries"
"Umm I'll have a…."
"Who are you?" Luke interrupted.
"Oh I'm sorry" Tristan offered Luke his hand. "Hi, I'm Tristan Dugrey. Nice to meet you…."
"Luke Danes"
"Luke Danes"
"Aren't you the Tristan that made Rory's sophomore year hell?"
Tristan chuckled. "Yes that would be me but, I am very much reformed"
Luke raised his eyebrows.
"It's okay Luke I invited him here"
Luke nodded gruffly and left the two teenagers alone.

"So, what's up with him?"
Rory laughed. "That's Luke, He owns this place, He's like my dad"
Tristan nodded. "So, what else have you been up to?"
"Oh not much really. Working on the newspaper. Counting down til I graduate. Nothing too big"
He nodded. "Sounds like fun"
"I guess. What about you? How was military school?"
"It wasn't what I expected. Military school taught me more then I've ever learned. I was glad to be away from my parents but I was sad because I didn't get to see My granddad before he died."
"I'm sorry"
"It's not your fault. He had a heart attack 2 weeks after I left. dad wouldn't let me back to see him. Mom tried but he was too stubborn. Now it's just me and my baby sister Melanie."
"You have a sister?"
Tristan smiled at the thought of her. "yeah, she's about 12 and a half. We're really close. I'm like her father, Dad never talks to her just like he doesn't talk to me anymore. Mom's too busy with DAR and all that society shit, I'm all she's got. She's all I've got."
Rory smiled. She didn't picture him to be the type to take care of a younger sibling. By the look on his face and the way he talked about her Rory could tell he really cared about her.
"anyways, I'm going to Yale next year. Dad already planned that."
"Are you mad about that?"
Tristan shrugged. "I honestly don't care where I go to school as long as its away from my parents and it gives me a good education."
"Look who became a nerd"
Tristan chuckled. "At least I don't carry a book everywhere Mary"
Rory blushed slightly.
"What about you? Where you going to school?"
"Harvard or Yale"
"Still Harvard huh"
Rory nodded. "Yeah still Harvard"

The door bells rung as the Diner door opened.

"RORY!"
They turned.
"Dean"

Oh Shit. Tristan thought. Now how was he to keep from killing the bastard if Bagboy was right in front of him looking pissed?