Chapter Title: Like I am by Rascal Flatts. This is one of the sweetest songs I have ever heard. Another song for you guys to download if you want. Unless you're not into Country music.

Summary: They have the summer ahead of them. A lot can change in a summer.

AN: God Lord you guys, I didn't think that many of you would get the question right but here we go: AyshA, Truelove, Mandysandy, LoVe, SkyDevil, KariandTK, and finally Satenshelper. All of you get trophies. And here I thought not a lot of people would know. And to justhidden, I had planned to use VB. I've got to use someplace from my home state. And the fact that I go there whenever I can helps.

When you say that I'm one of a kind

Baby, I don't see it but you believe

That I'm so strong and true, I promise you

I'll try to be that kind of man

Because you love me like I am

Rory drummed her fingers on the when along with the radio. Tristan had a map spread out on the dashboard trying to find the quickest route from New York City to Philadelphia. They were on I-280 looking for their exit.

"What exit is it?"

"14-14C. Then it's a straight shot down."

"How long?"

"Not even two hours."

"This is great. I can't wait to get there."

"What do you want to see first?"

"The Franklin Institute."

"Or maybe the Liberty Bell."

"We've got all day."

Rory turned up the radio bopping to the music. Tristan laughed at her thinking she was crazy. Truth be told he liked seeing her like this. She was quirky and fun when she wanted to be. Tristan never would have said that when he first saw her. All he knew then was that he wanted to be a part of her world.

"What are you thinking about?"

"You." He said cupping her cheek in his hand.

Rory sighed leaning into his touch. They were at a stoplight, so Tristan took advantage of the situation. He leaned over brushing hair off of her shoulder. He kissed everywhere he could find bare skin. Her neck, shoulder, back and finally the corner of her mouth before pulling away. The person behind them honked their horn making Rory jump.

"The lights green." Tristan said smiling.

"You are evil. Wait until your driving again." Rory said shaking her head.

Tristan stifled a laugh knowing she meant what she said. He had no idea what she was planning. But he couldn't wait to find out what it was. His cell phone rang breaking him from his thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

"Jess."

Rory looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Where is she?"

"You forget her cell number?"

"No. I just figured I'd try yours."

Tristan handed Rory the phone brushing his fingers against hers.

"What do you want Mariano?"

"Just calling to check in."

"What are you my dad?"

Tristan choked on his drink then gave her a surprised look. She shrugged her shoulders looking at him innocently. He glared at her wiping soda off his chin.

"Rory!" Jess yelled making her jump.

"What?"

"Did you hear what I said?"

"No." She said sarcastically.

"Come see me when you're in California."

"Not if you're going to yell at me."

"Well maybe if you paid more attention to what you were doing I wouldn't have to. We can't all belike him ya know?"

"I'm hanging up now."

"Rory…"

Rory hung up not letting him finish. Tristan reached for his phone but Rory held it out of his reach. She opened it again and went through his list of numbers. She found the one she wanted and put the phone to her ear.

"Yo?"

"Nice mom."

"Aww thanks hon, you having fun?"

"Yeah." Rory saw Tristan out of the corner of her eye. He was making stupid faces trying to make her laugh.

"So you finally decided to call mama?"

"Just checking in. Letting you know I'm alive."

"So how's the hottie with the body doing?"

Rory laughed before taking hold of Tristan's h and. He kissed her wrist before tracing lines on her palm.

"He's fine."

"Yeah, I know he is. He's a Brad."

"Hey! You've got a Viggo so shut up!"

"Yeah I do. I'll let you go. Love you."

"Love you too."

Rory looked over at Tristan and smiled. He winked at her before looking out the window.

"Did I hear your mom call me Brad?"

"She said you were a Brad. Meaning you look like Brad Pitt."

"I don't know if I like your mom thinking that."

"I won't let her hurt you."

"Now that I think about it. You could be Angelina." He whispered in her ear.

She turned her head to kiss him. She pulled away after a second wanting to keep her eyes on the road. With the morning traffic gone the highway was pretty much deserted. Rory took the next exit and pulled into a rest area.

Tristan got out to stretch while Rory used the bathroom. Just before they got in the car she grabbed his shirt collar. She kissed him pinning him against the door. His hands were in hair as she wrapped her arms around his neck. A bus full of guys passed them shouting and cat calling. Rory pulled away burying her face in his neck. She was shaking she was laughing so much. He rubbed her back before she pulled away. She smiled at him before reaching into his pocket. She pulled out the keys and walked around the car.

"I never said it was your turn." She said sarcastically.

He shook his head knowing she was faking it. He switched the station as they pulled out of the lot. Rory glared at him before changing it back. Tristan threw up his hands in surrender. Rory smiled at him letting him know she appreciated him.

She still hadn't told him she loved him. He knew she loved him, but he would like to hear her say it. He had said it so many ways he had lost count. He still remembered the first time he said it out loud. He had been in Rome a week and he was already missing her. He had worked up the nerve and finally blurted it out…in Italian.

"ti amo Rory, ti amo."

"What?" Rory asked laughing.

"I said I love you."

Rory stopped laughing as soon as he said that.

"I don't expect you to say it. I know you love me. I just wanted you to know that I love you too."

She had cried after he said it. Not because it scared her, but she couldn't believe he had said it. It was going to go down as one of her favorite moments in her life. It had been romantic and had made her miss him more than she already did.

AN2: Just for the record I do think Viggo Mortensen looks like Scott Patterson. Especially in the Lord of the Ring Movies. It's the jaw and the eyes mostly, and the fact that they can make the rugged look look good.