Thank you so much for you reviews and follows! I really am overwhelmed by the amount of support I'm getting for this story so thank you! :)

Chapter 12

Luke looked over at the table by the window, that Saturday morning, where Rory was sat with a coffee tapping her fingers on the table constantly glancing outside. She had been like that for an hour. Apparently she was waiting for this guy to turn up that she knew from Chilton. He was confused as he could have sworn it was the same guy that made her first year and a half at Chilton hell. He sighed and headed over to her. "More coffee?" He asked.

Rory smiled up at him. "Yeah. Thanks Luke."

"Are you nervous or something?" Luke asked. "You seem jittery."

"No, not nervous. Just..I don't know. I was a wreck when I saw him last. It was when I found out about Logan." Rory said. "I guess that means I am sort of nervous then."

"This guy...is he the one that made your life hell at Chilton while he was there?" Luke asked.

"Yeah." Rory nodded.

"And you're meeting up with him because...?" He asked protectively.

"He seemed different. It would just be nice to catch up, that's all." Rory said. She grinned up at him. "Why, are you think of fighting with him like you did with Dean?" She teased.

Luke ducked his head embarrassed. "No. I just...if you need me, I'll be here." He said.

Rory smirked. "Thanks Luke. But I think I'll be fine." She said. "Anyway, you've got April to think about. She's still coming for the afternoon right?"

Luke smiled at that. "Yeah she is. If Anna brings her."

"Doesn't she have to?" Rory frowned. "It's part of the custody plan now."

Luke shrugged. "You never know with Anna."

"She'll be here. I'm sure." Rory smiled.

Suddenly the bells rang, signalling someone coming in. Luke saw Rory stand up, obviously recognising the person. He turned round to see a blonde haired guy with jeans and a jacket on. "This him?" He grunted.

"Yep. Tristan, Luke. Luke, Tristan." Rory introduced them.

"Hi." Tristan nodded.

"I'll be right over there. Don't forget that." Luke grunted and then headed back to the counter.

"Uh...ok I know I can make bad first impressions but how the hell did I get that wrong so quickly?" Tristan asked confused.

Rory smirked. "You'll have to be on your best behaviour. Luke's ready to fight you at any moment." She teased.

"That's Luke?" Tristan asked.

"Yep. Or as I know him, my step-father to be." She grinned.

"Ok, well I'm screwed." Tristan said unnerved, glancing over at Luke who was watching them.

Rory grinned. "Don't worry. He's a big softy really. Here, come sit." She said as she led him over to the table. "You hungry?" She asked handing him a menu.

"I could eat." He nodded taking it. He glanced up and saw Rory just watching him. "Are you not hungry?"

"Oh please, I'm always hungry." Rory said.

"Why aren't you looking at the menu then?" He asked.

"I've practically lived here since I was 8. My mom and I had the menu memorised after the first week." Rory grinned.

Tristan chuckled. "Fair enough. So what do you recommend?"

"You can't go wrong with the burger here." She said.

"Burger it is then." He said putting down the menu.

"Hey Luke? Can we get two burgers over here?" Rory called over to the counter.

"Coming up." Luke nodded.

Just then the door opened again and a voice rang out through the diner. "Dad!" April grinned excitedly.

Rory smiled as she saw April rush over to Luke and give him a hug. She caught Luke's eye and they exchanged a smile. Rory watched as Luke kissed the top of her head and then took her bag from her and stored it behind the counter. He then asked her something to which she nodded and he disappeared into the kitchen. "Hey April!" Rory called.

April turned round and her face lit up. "Rory!" She smiled getting up and coming over to give her a hug.

"How are you?"

"I'm good." April smiled. "Better now I'm here."

"Well I'm glad you're here. We've all missed you. And I know your dad has to. But don't let him know I told you that. He has his grumpy reputation to keep." Rory joked.

April giggled. "Secret's safe with me." She smiled at Rory. "I heard you did the character reference and that's what swayed the judge. Thank you." She said quietly.

"Oh you don't need to thank me. Besides, Jess did it with me." She said.

"Jess is my cousin right?" April asked trying to remember.

"Yep and he's the clone of your dad. Monosyllabic number 2." Rory grinned.

"April, I've got your food." Luke called appearing from the kitchen.

"Oh this is Tristan by the way. He's...uh..a friend. I knew him from Chilton." Rory said.

"Hi." April smiled shyly.

"Hey." Tristan smiled.

"Ok you go eat. We'll catch up later." Rory smiled.

"Cool! See you later." April smiled and returned to the counter.

"Luke has a daughter?" Tristan said.

"No, that was his son." Rory said sarcastically.

"Alright!" Tristan rolled his eyes. "I was only asking."

Rory grinned, enjoying winding him up. "Yeah that's his daughter. Although he didn't know she existed until like a month ago."

"Wow really? How come?" Tristan asked surprised.

"Because her mother didn't think it fit to tell him." Rory said shortly. "She even tried to keep them apart when he knew. He had to fight for custody."

"Wow." Tristan repeated.

"I told you he was a big softy really." Rory said, smiling as she glanced over at the counter and saw April laughing at something Luke said.

"He means a lot to you, doesn't he?" Tristan observed.

Rory smiled, turning back to him. "Yeah. He does." She said softly.

"That must be nice." Tristan said.

Rory saw the wistful expression on his face. "So is your dad's party tonight?" She asked.

"Yep." Tristan nodded. "So not looking forward to that."

"Your relationship still not good?" She asked cautiously.

"Nope." Tristan said.

Rory smiled briefly at Luke as he brought their burgers over. She turned back to Tristan who was focusing on his food. "Your dad must be proud of you though right? Going to Princeton and stuff?"

Tristan snorted. "I don't think he'd ever be proud of me. No matter what I did." He said bitterly.

"Oh. Sorry." Rory said awkwardly feeling like she'd stepped into something.

He sighed. "Sorry. I just...don't really like talking about him. That's why I chose Princeton. It was far away from home."

Rory nodded.

Tristan glanced up at her, who was now focusing intently on her food. He kicked himself for making things awkward. "So how are you doing?"

Rory glanced up and smiled at his effort to change the subject. "I'm good." She nodded.

"Really?"

"If you're talking about Logan, I've not seen him since I got my stuff from his apartment. I think Paris must have scared him off." She said smirking slightly.

Tristan chuckled at that. "Good."

They ate their burgers in companionable silence, making small talk every now and again. She looked up when she heard Luke's voice. "Hey Rory? April wants to see the inn so I'm going to take her over." He said. "If he..." He said gesturing to Tristan. "...misbehaves, that's where I'll be."

Rory smirked. "Thanks. I'll let you know. But I think I'll save him from you at the moment." She joked.

Luke smirked slightly but nodded. "I'll be at the inn if you need me."

"Have fun." Rory smiled. "Make sure your dad shows you the horses." She grinned at April.

"There are horses?" April asked excitedly.

"Thanks a lot." Luke grunted.

"Have fun!" Rory grinned as she watched them leave. She turned back to Tristan. "Do you need to get home?" She asked.

Tristan glanced at his watch. "No. I have time." He said.

Rory was quiet for a moment before she asked hesitantly, "Do you fancy a tour of the town?"

Tristan glanced at her in surprise. "Uh...sure..." He nodded.

"Cool! Let's go!" Rory grinned and stood up leading him out of the diner.


"That Mrs Kim is one scary woman." Tristan said as they walked up the porch of the Crap Shack.

Rory smirked. "Tell me about it!" She said.

"Lane was cool though." He smiled.

Rory smiled. "Yeah she is."

"Was she Henry's secret's girlfriend?" He asked.

"How did you know about that?" Rory asked surprised.

"I did go to Chilton and that party." Tristan reminded her. "Besides, Henry was a good friend. He seemed to really like her."

"Yeah they did." Rory sighed. "Just didn't work out."

"Shame." Tristan said.

"Yeah but she's happy now." Rory smiled. "Hey, how are you with dogs?" She asked opening the front door.

"Why?" Tristan asked amused.

"Because we've got a crazy scaredy-cat dog." Rory grinned. She gaped, though, when Paul Anka bounded towards them when they walked into the living and immediately started sniffing Tristan and wagging his tail. "Wow, he likes you! He normally runs for his life and hides under my mom's bed whenever there are new people around."

"Well, I am very lovable." Tristan smirked, kneeling down to pat Paul Anka.

"Modest too." Rory rolled her eyes. "God, is there anyone who doesn't like you?" She exclaimed when they sat down on the couch and Paul Anka placed himself at Tristan's feet.

"Luke." Tristan smirked.

Rory laughed. "That's true."

"So why does he hate me so much?" He asked.

Rory shrugged. "He probably just thinks we're going to start dating and then you'll hurt me and he'll have to fight you." She joked.

Tristan glanced at her in surprise. "Uh..ok..."

"I know. It's stupid!" Rory said.

"Yeah..uh..stupid." Tristan said quietly.

Rory glanced across at him and she felt embarrassed when she felt herself blushing when she caught his eye and then both immediately avoiding each other's gaze. She watched Tristan pat Paul Anka a few more times. "Or..uh..maybe it's not so stupid..." She said slowly.

Tristan looked up in surprise. "What?"

Rory sighed. "I don't know." She admitted. "Just ignore me."

"Ok..." Tristan said slowly. He glanced at his watch and sighed. "I should be going. I promised my mom I would help her set up."

"Oh ok." Rory said getting up, following Tristan to the door. "So..uh..it was nice catching up." She said awkwardly.

"Yeah it was." Tristan smiled sincerely.

Rory gave him a small smile. "When are you heading back to Princeton?" She asked.

"Monday. How about you? When are you heading back to Yale?" He asked.

"Tomorrow evening." She said.

"Ok." He said.

"Ok." She repeated.

"Well..uh..I guess I should be going. Thanks for showing me round the town. This is some town you live in." He smirked opening the front door stepping out onto the porch.

Rory laughed. "Yeah. It is."

"See you Rory." Tristan smiled.

"Bye Tristan." Rory said softly. She watched as Tristan walked towards his car. She turned to walk slowly back inside the house. She closed the door and headed into the living room when she heard a knock on the door. Frowning, she went back and opened it. "Uh...hi?" She said as she saw Tristan standing there. "Did you forget something?"

"Yeah." He said taking a deep breath. "This." He said before leaning in and kissing her.

Rory was in shock as they pulled away after a moment. "Uh..that was...uh..." She stammered.

"Good?" Tristan offered.

"Yeah. Good." Rory said still in slight shock.

"I really should be going now." He said reluctantly.

"Uh..ok.." Rory said not really knowing what to make of it. What did it mean? She slowly turned to head back inside.

"Hey Mary?" Tristan called from his car.

"Yeah?" She turned round.

"Thanks for not crying this time!" He smirked.

Rory had to laugh at that. "Well it wasn't crying material this time." She smirked.

Tristan smirked. He hesitated a moment. "I'll call you?" He said, although it sounded like he was asking for permission.

Rory smiled. "Yeah. Call me." She said softly.

"Bye Rory." He smiled.

"Bye." Rory smiled before turning round and heading back into the house with the biggest, giddiest grin on her face. She didn't know what it would lead to, especially with them being miles apart, but she had to admit that it felt pretty good kissing Tristan.

Hope you liked it! :) Please let me know what you think by continuing to leave reviews! I really do appreciate them! :)