Rory was quietly sitting at her desk. A manuscript was open before her. She knew a decision needed to be made soon on publishing the story. The brunette looked at the clock, two hours and she hadn't read a single page. Yesterday her husband brought up the Jess problem again. During the divorce Jess's lawyer had persuaded the judge to issue a ruling that she could not take Lynn out of state. At the time it was no big deal and she would agree to just about anything to get out of the marriage

A small smile crossed her face momentarily; the irony of marrying Tristan, her nemesis from Chilton. As a young girl she had fantasized marrying Dean and she had even fantasized marrying Jess; unfortunately that fantasy came true, but Tristan, no fantasies, just horrible things happening to him. Some times when she lay in his arms she felt guilty of the horrible things she wished upon him. A long time ago Rory made up her mind she would not tell him. What purpose would it serve?

Rory slowly closed the manuscript she was reading. Even if she could force herself to read, no justice would be given to the author. The coffee in her cup was cold. Rory rose and dumped it in the sink, then refilled her cup with steaming dark brown liquid. Instead of returning to her desk she sat in the rocking chair Tristan had bought for her office. He had noticed how she liked to sit in the old rocking chair at home and think.

She needed a break: actually Rory needed a break from life. So many little things were just piling up. As soon as she sat in the chair a sigh of relief escaped her lips. This is what she needed. Taking a long sip of coffee Rory rested the cup on the arm of the chair. The editor let her thoughts wander back to when she met Tristan again.

After graduating Yale Rory decided to stay with her grandparents. She found work in Hartford, plus she liked a lot of the life her mother rejected. Dressing for a formal was fun, meeting different people at the endless dinners she attended with her grandparents was fun and interesting. At a charity dinner for the preservation of American Indian culture she ran into her old nemesis; Tristan Dugray.

The first words she heard were. "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? And are you wearing any silver bells and cockle shells?"

Rory quickly turned and looked into the blue eyes of her former nemesis. She stared for a minute collecting her thoughts. "Why are you here?" Is all she could blurt out?

Tristan smiled and gave a little bow. "The same reason you are here; supporting Native Americans. My father couldn't attend and he sent me forth with a large check for the charity."

"I have met your father Tristan, but he has never spoken of you. The last I heard you were in some military school in North Carolina."

"Ah yes North Carolina. I developed a fondness for grits and pork barbeque. Also now that I think of it black beans and rice, with hog jowl."

Rory laughed. "Hog Jowl?"

"Yes adds to the flavor. So what brings you here?"

"I'm living in Hartford now with my grandparents and I usually tag along to the various events when I can."

Tristan took in the woman before him. She had changed from high school, but she was still an attractive woman. "Rory I just came back to Hartford, do you think we can put the past behind us?

Rory hesitated. She remembered what an ass he was, but his demeanor had changed. There was a calmness and gentleness about him she had never seen before. She smiled. "Of course we can Tristan, we're adults."

Tristan took her hand and returned her smile. "I appreciate it. I need to go. Check delivered, made a good showing. My father will be happy. Take care Rory good seeing you again." Tristan dropped her hand and did an about face and walked off.

Three days later her grandmother knocked on the open door and walked into her bedroom. She handed Rory the cordless and with an arched eyebrow she spoke. "It's a man for you."

Emily being Emily made no move to leave. Rory looked up at her with a flicker of annoyance then spoke. "Hello."

"Hi, would you like to meet me for a drink? I'm taking you at your word that we can be friends."

The fact that Tristan called her surprised her. She was silent for several seconds. Then Tristan spoke again. "Hello, are you there?"

Softly she replied. "Yes."

"Is that a yes you will meet me for a drink or a yes that you are still there?"

"Yes that I am still here." Rory hesitated. "When?"

With a little laugh Tristan replied. "How about now?"

Quietly Rory replied. "I can't I have to pick up my daughter."

Now it was Tristan's turn to pause and be silent. He was shocked. "You have a daughter?"

"Yes, she is five. Do you want to change your mind about the drink?"

"No I don't; we can meet later or I can pick you up."

Rory didn't want to be stuck with Tristan, but he intrigued her. I'll meet you at seven. Just tell me where."

"Do you know where Bennies Irish pub is? I don't mind picking you up."

"That's okay; I'll see you at seven."

Her grandmother spoke. "You're going on a date?"

"Yes I believe so. I guess you could call it that."

"Well call him back and have him pick you up at the house. You just don't go running off and meet some guy in a bar."

"I'm sorry, but I'd rather meet him. I am not sure I am going to like him."

Emily shook her head. "You're going to meet a man you're not sure you like? What is wrong with you? I disapprove."

Rory stood up and handed the phone back to her grandmother. "I'm sorry you disapprove, but I'd rather do it this way.

"I'm sure your Grandfather will have something to say." Emily turned and walked out of the room.

A smile crossed her features. Both her grandparents had a lot to say when she returned from her date at nine A.M. the next morning. It took her close to a half hour to get a word in edgewise. That all her clothing stayed on and they just talked through the night. But it was the night she started falling for her ex-nemesis.

XXXXX

Eighty miles to the south in Manhattan the blonde paralegal leaned back in her chair. Shane was looking forward to her ten year reunion. High school was some of the happiest times of her life. Her problems came later on in college but those demons were behind her.

Jess approaching her after the reunion meeting puzzled her. Why after all these years would he want to talk to her? His break up with her was sudden and brutal. She had spent the evening making out with him while they watched a dance marathon. She watched Dean break up with Rory. Later she found out that she was probably the only person in Stars Hollow who did not about Jess's relentless campaign to break up Rory and Dean. "I guess the girlfriend is the last to know." She said under her breath. Shane hadn't been home long when she answered the phone. It was Jess. "I'm breaking up with you." Then the line went silent as he hung up. No explanation. It made sense late the next day when she found out that Rory and Jess was an item. Now it made sense why Rory was always nasty to her.

The fact that Jess broke up with her did not really bother her as much as she thought it would. How he did the break up bothered her and she felt used. Shane knew she wasn't in love with Jess, but she thought of him as a friend. Now he was suddenly too good for her. She felt betrayed. Shane snapped out of her thoughts and became reflective. The fact that it bothered her eleven years later pissed her off. She didn't love Jess, but somehow the fact that he betrayed a friendship and treated her like crap ate at her. Never had she been so wrong about someone. Shane now realized why she recoiled so much when Jess touched her in the parking lot. He was reptilian.

Her husband didn't want to attend her high school reunion. His excuse he was twelve years older and didn't want to people to think she was with an old man. Shane made up her mind; he was going. They met in rehab and helped each other rise, from what was the ashes of their lives. Now they lived in the Riverdale section of The Bronx, a beautiful enclave, due to its location, almost a separate town located in northwestern Bronx; a borough of New York City. She loved the wide streets and the chestnut trees that populated the center medium. Also Shane liked the bagel and pizza shops along Broadway, the long avenue that went from the Yonkers city line to deep into Manhattan.

Shane had always liked Lindsay. They traveled in different circles, but were friendly in high school. They had several classes together and shared the occasional lunch. Shane was surprised that Lindsay married Dean so soon after graduation and even more surprised that they were still together. Dean she did not know very well but Shane was secretly pleased when he slugged Jess; at a party years ago.

Shane leaned back in her chair. They were to meet again next Saturday in Stars Hollow. She really didn't want to run into Jess again. Lindsay reached for her purse and then hesitated, then went ahead and took out her cell phone. She was going to call Lindsay and see if she could get her to call Karen Jones, the woman who was coordinating everything, to see if she could set the meeting someplace other than Luke's.

XXXXX

Jess sat on his favorite barstool in the almost empty bar, staring at the shot of bourbon in front of him. After a minute he picked up the glass, tilted his head back and drank the amber content of the glass. Then picked up his glass of beer and washed down the harsh bourbon. The bartender Meredith approached with the bourbon bottle held at the ready to pour position. Jess shook his head no.

Meredith sat the bottle down and looked at Jess for a moment before she spoke. "Jess, are you going to your ten year reunion?"

Quickly Jess replied. "Why do you want to know? You want to be my date or something?"

Meredith shook her head. "I'm just trying to make conversation Jess." Then she turned to walk away.

"Wait, no I'm not going. I didn't receive an invitation."

Meredith stopped and walked back to Jess. "The invitations are out. They know where you live don't they?"

Jess took a sip of his beer and placed the glass on the scarred bar top. "How do you know? You weren't in my grade."

"True, but my boyfriend was and I'm going with him."

"Probably because I didn't graduated from that loser school."

Meredith shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't think that made a difference. Ray, my boyfriend did his senior year at East Lyme high school. He received an invitation."

Jess tried to assume an air of nonchalance. "Good for him." Inside he was seething. He just realized that he was left off the invitation list on purpose. He looked up at Meredith. Silently she poured him another shot. "It's on me." Then she turned and walked away.

Jess wondered if they could really just not invite him to the class reunion. It is a public event and he qualified by being in that class and graduation was not a criteria.

Before he could make up his mind the cell phone rang. It was his ex-wife Rory, he wondered what she wanted. Jess clicked on the green key. "Speak your peace; are you not bringing Lynn this weekend?"

"Exasperated Rory replied. "Yes, of course I am going to bring her. Do you think maybe you could be less hung over?"

"Kiss my ass Rory, I'll be fine."

Rory sighed. "Jess can't you be civil."

"Civil, why should I be civil? You're the one who dumped me and married that rich ass. How long did you have that planned?"

"I'm not doing this again Jess. I had no idea where he was when I asked you for a divorce and if I remember correctly you had some choice words for me also. But we need to talk.

Angrily Jess replied. "Why? I thought we took care of all the talking years ago. So tell me now what you want?"

"No Jess I'll do it when I see you Saturday."

Jess took the phone away from his ear and sat it on the bar. "Now what kind of drama is she going to come up with?" Ran through his mind. He picked up his glass of beer and drained it and looked for Meredith for a refill.