AN: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! I am sooo sorry it took so long! I promise to get at least one more chapter of this done some time this week. Oh, and yes, chapter 6 was Logan's exit. He will no longer be a factor for Trory. I just wanted to give them a happier parting than I usually do. If he's in this at all, it will be as a friend to her. Happy reading!


Chapter 7

Rory paced through the room. Tristan would be there any minute. She really didn't know what she was going to say to him. They had a lot to get sorted, and she had a lot she needed to explain to him. He was right; he shouldn't have to go into this mess without knowing everything that was wrong in her life. If this was going to work- and apparently they had no choice but to make it work- then they needed to get to know each other. They needed to get along.

Three short knocks broke into her thoughts. She hurried over to the door, and taking a deep breath, opened it.

"Hey." She said, moving aside so he could come inside.

"Hey." He replied, putting his hands in his pockets, "So… you wanted to talk?"

Rory nodded. "Yeah, would you like something to drink? Coke, water?"

"Water's fine."

Rory got their water's and walked over to the couch, motioning for him to follow her. She took a breath, slowly letting it out.

"I'm sorry."

Tristan turned to look at her in mild confusion. "About?"

"The other day. I was rude, and I freaked… and I'm sorry." She said, lowering her eyes. She was ashamed of her behavior, not only for the other day, but in general. She had become someone she didn't even recognize anymore, and she didn't like it. Tristan's presence in her life, along with their current situation woke her up. She knew she needed to grow up, and fast.

"Hey, we all have our freak out moments…" He smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Just be glad yours didn't include a safe."

She groaned, "Nope… my major freak out moment included stealing a yacht."

"The whole probation thing?" He asked, remembering mention of it made amidst the yells and screams thrown back and forth between Lorelai and Rory.

Rory put her hands in her head. "It's kinda embarrassing to talk about."

Tristan gently removed her hands from her face, lifting her chin up to look at him. "Hey, listen, I know all about embarrassments. Imagine being in high school and having to tell the girl you're in love with that your major freak out moment is getting you sent to military school." He shook his head at the memory. Not one of his finer moments. It humbled him.

Rory looked at him in confusion. "Summer said she didn't know where you went."

Tristan met her gaze in astonishment. It was good to know same things never changed. He started laughing, looking away from her curious eyes. He shook his head. "Not Summer."

"Who then?"

He laughed again. "You always were so oblivious, Mar."

She smiled at the use of her old nickname, still waiting for an answer.

"You were the only one I talked to that night. You were the only one I told where I was going." He answered her honestly, watching as her eyes widened in shock.

"Me?" She squeaked in shock. "You were in love with me?"

Tristan nodded. "Yes, Mar, I was in love with you in high school. God, you always were so oblivious. I don't think a piano or a safe falling on you head would have even helped. Lord knows I tried everything I could think of to get your attention."

Rory decided to respond to him honestly, as he had done for her. "You did."

"I did what?" He questioned her.

She smiled slightly. "You got my attention. Of course, the thing that made me realize I maybe, kinda, sorta had and itsy bitsy teensy crush on you was you being sent away. Perfect timing DuGrey, really." She teased, her eyes sparkling.

Tristan smirked. "I always knew you couldn't resist me." He joked.

She groaned. "And there we have it folks, the infamous DuGrey ego I was just waiting to see surface."

"Hey, I can have an ego from time to time, and even you have to admit it's not as huge as it used to be." Tristan defended.

"That is true." She conceded, smiling.

The door opened just as Tristan was about to say something else, and Paris walked in.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the loving couple." Paris said, walking to stand in front of them. "So when are the nuptials?"

Rory glared at her.

"Gellar." Tristan greeted. He turned to Rory. "You know, hon, maybe you should make Paris a bridesmaid."

Rory met his eyes, "Yeah, I was thinking foofy taffeta, maybe some puffy sleeves… ooohhh…. Yellow."

"I hate you both." Paris muttered, storming into her room and slamming the door shut behind her.

They waited until the door was shut before laughing.

"I seriously do want her to be a bridesmaid though." Rory said, trying not to laugh.

Tristan shrugged, "Hey, they're forcing us into this, I say we do whatever we can to piss them off. I mean, I know their hearts are in the right places, but still…"

Rory snorted, "They're not thinking with their hearts. They're thinking with their stock portfolios."

"That is true." He admitted.

"Come on, we can discuss this elsewhere. If Paris thinks I'm serious about the yellow foofy taffeta and puffy sleeves she might come out with a machete."

"She has one?" He questioned, raising his eyebrows quizzically and looking slightly fearful.

"Do you really put it past her? Cause if you want to find out, feel free to stay. I however, want my limbs intact. But really, dear, feel free to make yourself at home. I think she has some special blood removing cleaners in the closet, so any trace of you will be gone by the time I come back."

Tristan laughed, following Rory out the door.

"Where exactly are we going?" He asked her, walking beside her now.

She shrugged. "Do you want some lunch?"

"I could eat."

"Well… the pub actually has good food. Do you mind going there?" She asked, turning to look at him.

"Not at all." He replied, following her towards the pub.

They continue to chat amicably as they strolled towards the pub. He opened the door for her, ever the gentleman, and she entered, before stopping. She stood deathly still, then grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the pub.

"We can't eat here." She said, looking at her feet.

Tristan looked at her in confusion, but saw the look on her face, so he nodded. "Where to, then?"

"Come on, I know a burger place around here. It's pretty good." She said, pulling him away from the pub. She walked away from the pub, away from Logan who was sitting at a table with Colin, picking at lunch.