DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Gilmore Girls or its characters.

I just have to say a big huge thanks to all of you who reviewed! I really appreciate you guys giving my new story a chance! I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

"Come on, Tristan, I don't want to be doing this all night." Rory said, annoyed at the sight of Tristan lounging lazily with his feet on the computer desk.

"Relax, Mare, I'm just taking a little break. We've been at this for 3 hours." Tristan eyed Rory carefully from his close position. She was sitting at the computer typing while his feet rested at the side of the keyboard.

"Yeah, I've realized." Rory muttered to herself.

"Try not to sound so excited." Tristan said sarcastically. He knew that they could have finished hours ago if it wasn't for his lack of participation. It was beginning to become difficult for him to think of reasons to prolong his time with her.

Rory sighed and looked up from her typing to say, "Could you, I don't know, do something?"

"I'm supervising. And I must say, your typing skills are not up to snuff."

Rory let out a loud groan and turned around in her swivel chair. "You know what, Tristan? I think this would go much quicker if you just left. I can handle doing it by myself, since that's what I've basically been doing anyway."

Tristan pulled his feet off the desk and sat up. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'll help." His goal was to spend some time with Rory, but he didn't want to make her hate him even more in the process.

"Fine. You can take this stack of articles." Rory handed him several papers and turned back towards the computer.

Tristan moved to the computer next to hers and began typing. For several minutes, all that could be heard was the noise of the two keyboards. Rory couldn't help but be surprised that Tristan was actually doing work. Risking the silence, she said, "Wow, you actually can type. It's a miracle."

Tristan's fingers paused and he said, "I resent that, Mary. Just because someone is good looking doesn't mean they can't be good at other things." He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she sighed.

"Why is it that everything with you has to be dirty?" Rory asked.

"Hey, I didn't say anything. That was your assumption." Tristan said, smiling at the blush that grew on Rory's face. It was so easy to make her uncomfortable, and he loved the reactions that he could get from her.

"You know, I'm sorry that I even opened my mouth." Rory continued typing and refused to even look at Tristan.

Tristan watched her for a minute and then said, "No, I get it. I'm not comfortable with silence either."

Rory laughed and said, "Somehow, that doesn't surprise me."

"Oh, because you know me so well?" Tristan asked playfully.

"I'd like to think that there is more to you than meets the eye. For your sake." Rory said seriously.

Tristan stopped typing once again; he was at a loss of what to say in response. For years he has been the arrogant, self-centered jackass to everyone. It was just easier for him to let everyone think that he didn't give a damn about anyone except himself. Why is it that Rory Gilmore can see past his bullshit?

Tristan's voice became more serious and he said, "You and me both."

Rory turned her head to look at him, surprised at his response. She tried to look him in the eye, but he was doing an excellent job dodging her gaze by looking at the computer screen. She opened her mouth to speak, but shut it upon realizing that she had no idea what to say to him. Thankfully, her cell phone rang, giving her an excuse to turn away.

"Hello?" She said into the phone.

"Hey, hun, where are you?" Lorelai asked.

Rory glanced at the clock on the wall and said, "Oh my god mom, I'm so sorry. I got stuck working on this project."

"Paris, huh?"

"How'd you know?" Rory asked.

Lorelai laughed and said, "Who else would keep you there for hours on a weekend?"

"Good point. Well, I'll be home as soon as I can."

"Do you need me to come get you? Didn't the last bus just leave a few minutes ago?"

Rory sighed loudly and said, "Oh no! You're right."

Tristan turned towards her and gave her a questioning look. On the other line of the phone, Lorelai said, "Hello? Rory!"

"Oh, sorry mom." Rory hadn't realized how long she was just sitting there, looking at Tristan.

"Did something pretty walk by?" Lorelai asked, amused at the tone of her daughter's voice.

Rory turned so she was no longer facing Tristan and said, "No!"

"Okay, I believe you. So, is there someone there that can give you a ride? Paris, maybe?"

"No, Paris isn't here to give me a ride. She left me here all by myself with Tristan." Rory said, trying to keep her voice down.

"Ah, now I get it!" Lorelai said teasingly.

"Mom, geeze! Don't even think that!" Rory turned a bright shade of red, something that definitely was not lost on Tristan, who was now contently watching Rory.

"Fine, we'll talk about this later. Now, about that ride…" Lorelai started to hint.

"Mom, I think you better come get me."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I can't just invite myself into someone's car." Rory said, trying desperately to end the conversation. Despite herself, she had started to raise her voice, and she heard Tristan clear his throat.

"I can give you a ride, Mare." He said.

"Oh, see? He'll give you a ride! I'll see you later, hun!" Lorelai said excitedly and then hung up before Rory could respond.

Rory sighed and shut her phone. She warily looked over at Tristan, who was surprisingly already back to work at his computer. She walked back over to her computer and sat down. "Are you sure it's okay if you give me a ride? Stars Hollow is kind of far."

"No problem, Mary. It's the least I can do for making you stay here so long."

Rory couldn't help but think that Tristan was just full of surprises. He sounded completely serious about wanting to give her a ride home for genuine reasons. "Umm, thanks." She said and went back to her typing.

Half an hour later, they both hit save and switched off their computers. "Ready?" Tristan asked as he gathered his bag and jacket.

"Yeah." Rory said and followed him out of the classroom.

Rory sat nervously in Tristan's car as he drove towards Stars Hollow. Neither had said a word since they left the school building. Tristan, sensing the tension in the car, turned on the radio. Rory was pleasantly surprised by the music that played through the speakers and took a deep breath to relax herself. She unconsciously began singing the lyrics of the song and Tristan said, "So, you approve?"

"Huh?" Rory asked.

"The music. I'm guessing you don't hate it since you are singing along with it." Tristan said, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

"Yeah, I like it. I'm a little bit surprised." Rory said.

He laughed and said, "Let me guess, you figured me for a hip-hop fan or something?"

"Kinda, yeah." Rory said and then laughed nervously.

"Well, I'm just full of surprises." Tristan said and then turned the music up a little louder.

"Yeah, I'm beginning to think that." Rory said, and then immediately hoped that he hadn't heard her over the music.

He obviously did, however, because he turned his head and gave her a bright smile. "Glad to hear it."

"Why?" Rory asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

"It's nice that someone is actually taking the time to see what's beyond the Tristan-image."

Rory was once again surprised by his answer and said, "Then why have it?"

"Have what?"

"The Tristan-image; the 'I don't care what anyone thinks because I'm too cool to care' attitude."

Tristan so badly wanted to answer her. He wanted to tell her that the whole purpose of his tiring image was to keep people away. That it was just easier for him to not care, because every time he does, he gets hurt. He wanted to say that he hated having to act the way he does, but he doesn't know any other way to be. Instead, he said, "Because if I don't care, then no one else will."

"Oh." Rory said. She had no idea what else to say; she had definitely not expected that response from Tristan. She thought he would give her some sarcastic comment that made her question ever caring. She was completely thrown by this new side of Tristan, and she couldn't think of anything to say for the rest of the ride home. When he pulled up to her house after the few directions she had managed to blurt out, she simply said, "Thanks" and went into her house.

Tristan pulled out of the Gilmore driveway and headed back to Hartford. There was something about Rory Gilmore that made him question everything about his life. And wasn't too sure if he liked it.

So, please review and let me know what you think! I may update quicker because I am on spring break and sadly not on vacation. Thanks!