Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls, actors, characters, plots, etc, that would be the wonderful people at WB. Although if I did, I'm pretty sure they'd be some big changes coughChadcough. Anyway if you do feel inclined to sue me, some people have strange urges and we must accept them for who they are, I'm currently flat broke so all you will get is a used textbook, on organic chemistry.
FairyGirl07: Yup, I'm back and it's good to be here again! And as I've said before, too, I don't particularly like Logan either. (Here's a hint: our preferred blonde, Rory-love-interest is making an appearance in this chapter!)
Thshali: How can I forget you! Thank you for your lovely review. I'll check out that site you mentioned.
Rish: Thanks for reading and reviewing. And look quick updating for a change.
Uscrocks: Haven't decided exactly what the ending will be, I guess you'll have to read and find out. I'm updating soon, too. Thanks.
Blazergrl17: Thanks. Hope it continues to be interesting.
LoVe23: Well, I do aim to intrigue! And scroll down, I've provided you with more to read. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Ktam36: Thank you. Hope you like this chapter.
Finnlover: Well I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long to find out what happens next! Thanks.
Fallen Heart: Yeah, I think this stories a bit different to some of FF. I think there'll be more action, not just drama. We'll see where it goes. Thanks for reading.
Ess3sandra: Can't say what's happened to Logan yet! You know how it is with us writers, give a tidbit and drag it out. Hopefully I'll continue to update quickly so I won't leave you hanging too much.
Cosmopolitan: Thanks for reading and reviewing. New chapter, please enjoy.
Sunnel: Why, thank you, darling!
Andrea Kamille: Why, I think I might just update. Love the review!
Mrmp: I'm glad you like it so far, so it stays interesting. Thanks.
Justine260: Thank you. See, I'm updating, soon too!.
Sweet-little-devil-one: Well I sincerely appreciate your lovely review!
Chapter 2Every time the phone rang, every time there was a knock on the door, her heart would skip a beat. Was it Logan? Was he calling to tell he was fine, held up somewhere in a meeting, his phone switched off? Maybe he had been mugged, his phone, wallet, keys, everything stolen, and it had taken him all day to limp back to the apartment. But it was never Logan. Instead, his secretary called twice, asking if she had heard anything from him. The police kept coming over, always with something else to check out, standard operating procedure.
She needed to speak to a friend, someone who was more concerned with how she was doing than the documents Logan needed to sign or if any suspicious persons had been loitering in the lobby. She had picked up the phone countless times to call her mother, but each time she started dialling, she would remember the last time she and her mother had spoken and the thought of reliving that nightmare was enough to make her hang up.
Once more there was a knock on the door and once more her heart skipped a beat. Oh please, God. But Logan was not standing on the other side of the threshold, in what should have been his place stood a large, bear-like man with shaggy brown hair and a rumpled suit, his usual attire.
"Harry?" Rory asked, looking surprised at her boss, when he said soon, she wasn't expecting just a few hours after his call.
"Hey, I thought I should come with the people I was telling you about," he motioned to two other men behind him, "Just in case…"
"Thanks," she replied softly, allowing the three men into the apartment.
A tall black man followed Harry inside and behind him was another man who for just a second, Rory thought was Logan.
"Rory, this is Adrian Clarkson," Harry said, nodding towards the first man.
He wore a well-cut suit that sat comfortably on his tall frame, his height and gait gave Rory the immediate impression he was an ex-basketballer.
"Hello," Adrian tilted his head slightly as he greeted her formally, his voice a low, steady rumble.
He offered her his hand to shake and she accepted, instantly she felt a surge of energy and strength from his grip.
"I've heard a lot about you, Miss Gilmore," Adrian continued, "And I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. We will do everything to find you're fiance."
"Thank you," Rory replied, as a feeling of confidence gathered in her heart.
"Harry is a great friend and any friend of his requires the very best effort," Adrian went on, "I want you to meet the very best effort."
He motioned slightly to the third man who had been standing slightly off to one side, staring out the window for the past five minutes.
"Miss Gilmore, this is our best agent and he will do everything he can to help you," Adrian gave her a slight smile and his voice filled with pride, clearly this agent had to be his protege or something.
Rory glanced at the third man, the first time she had looked at him since he had walked in. Her initial reaction, thinking he looked like Logan, was wrong. Despite have blonde hair like her fiance, he shared nothing else with Logan. He stood, slightly hunched, his face schooled into a blank mask and his blue eyes studied her coolly. He wore a well-worn leather jacket and dark jeans, nothing of the clean-cut attire his boss wore. Hands stuffed in his pockets, his hair and unruly mess, slight stubble grazed his cheeks.
"Agent Tristan Du Gray," Adrian finished.
Rory blinked, the name was familiar, but she wasn't sure why.
"We've met," Tristan informed his boss, his tone so neutral and indifferent, it almost stung Rory.
"You have?" Adrian glanced at him surprised, by his response and by his tone.
"I'm sorry, I don't recall…" Rory shook her head slightly with an apologetic smile.
"Chilton, Mary, PJ Harvey, Romeo and Juliet," Tristan reeled off, if he was hurt by her forgetfulness, he didn't show it.
"Of course," Rory smiled at the memory.
"Well, this is excellent," Adrian smiled widely, the brightness of his teeth contrasted with the dark chocolate brown of his skin, "We'll let you get to it then, Du Gray. Harry, how about that drink?"
Adrian didn't wait for a response from anyone, sweeping out of the apartment, Rory's boss hurrying after him. When they were alone, Rory turned back to Tristan to find he had returned to staring out of the window.
"I'm sorry about not remembering you," Rory apologised, "It's been a while."
"Nice view," Tristan replied coolly, ignoring her apology, "What's a place like this cost these days? Seven, eight hundred a week?"
Rory stared at him, a little in shock.
"I didn't know tabloid journalism, if you can call it that, paid so well," Tristan continued, with his back still to her, "What happened to overseas correspondent? Not glamorous enough for you?"
"I thought you were here to help me, not criticise my choices in life," Rory replied, finally finding her voice.
"Oh that's right, missing fiance," he finally turned around, looking at her with a cold smile, "Logan Huntzberger?"
"Yea – "
"You sure know how to pick 'em," he cut her off, "But I guess millionaire publishing magnate is a step up from a bagging groceries in Small Town, America."
"Enjoy the view," Rory spat, "It's the only way you can enjoy it, what with a salary of a glorified police officer."
His lips twisted into a smirk.
"Rory, Rory, Rory, I see all the luncheons the DAR ladies haven't dulled your wits, but like you said, you're the one needing help, careful who you burn," he made to leave then and all her hope died with him.
"Wait," she called as he reached for the door.
"What?" he frowned, irritated at the hold up.
"You're just going to leave? Just like that? What about what Adrian said?" she clung desperately on to any glimmer of hope.
"Yeah, I am," he replied, "You got problem with it?"
"I…" she stopped herself as she realised what she was going to say, "I don't want to be alone… Please, Tristan, I'm scared."
He paused, hearing her say his name, for a second he almost gave in.
"This is New York," he reminded her, "You're never really alone."
And with that, he was gone, leaving her alone with the aftermath of the day.
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AN: So, Tristan has made his appearance… what do you think? I know he seems a little callous, but I have my reasons (when do I not? Ha!), hope you'll stick around to find them out.