Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls has never belonged to me… and it probably will never belong to me tear

A/N: Hello my lovely reviewers! Thank you very much for all your support. Also thank Christi for making this story what it is. I hope you enjoy this chapter and all the chapters to come!

Rating: PG-13 (Violence)

Previously:

The revulsion and abhorrence in Tristan's eyes was enough to make even the innocent squirm in their chairs. The class was silent and Mr. Medina again told Tristan to sit down. This time, Tristan obeyed, but his eyes still smoldered as he faced the front of the class. Mr. Medina even felt uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny.

"Whoever drew that on the board better be ashamed of themselves. That was completely unacceptable behavior, and I will never see anything like that again in my classroom. Unfortunately, I can't prove who did it; but if I could, you better believe I would insure their immediate suspension. Furthermore, I would like a written apology on my desk by the end of the day," Mr. Medina sternly told the class.

He felt bad that there wasn't anything more he could do, but his hands were tied. Because he didn't see anyone drawing on the blackboard, he couldn't punish anyone. Mr. Medina felt awful, and he was shocked when a well-composed Rory returned to class and took her seat. He half expected her to stay in the rest room the rest of the day. As one student read Beowulf aloud, Mr. Medina laid a note on both Tristan and Rory's desk asking them to stay after class.

Chapter 18: Don't Do Anything Drastic

Rory and Tristan stared at the clock as the seconds ticked by. Tick… Tick… Tick…. Tick… There had to be something wrong with the clock. The class felt like an eternity as the two teens sat in their uncomfortable chairs waiting for the relief of a bell. Only for once, they wouldn't be saved by the bell. The bell meant it was time for their private meeting with Mr. Medina. Which was worse: staying in that class forever or discussing their personal tragedy with a teacher? Decisions, decisions. Reality made the decision for them, however, and the shrill bell signaled the end of class.

And then there were three.

Max Medina stood in front of the two teens feeling extremely uncomfortable. Tristan's eyes were still flaming as he stared in stony silence at his Literature teacher; Mr. Medina got the feeling he was busy plotting someone's death… it was quite unnerving. Mr. Medina decided to approach the situation as if that horrible drawing was just a rumor. He really hoped it was because no one at their age should have gone through such a horrible situation.

"I know this is kind of awkward. I just want to know why the two of you got so upset."

His question was met with silence from both sides of the couple.

He sighed and tried again. "I understand how incredibly cruel it was, but someone will start another rumor in a few days and it will all blow over."

Tears threatened to fall when Rory heard the words 'blow over.' No it wouldn't 'blow over.' She had a miscarriage and that would never just be forgotten. She knew it would haunt her until the day she died. It's something too horrible to be forgotten. The rational part in Rory's brain shut down her emotional side and told her to suck it up and stop being a cry baby. Millions of women have miscarried children and it was probably for the best. The emotional part snuck in one last line before being pushed out. If it was for the best, then why do you feel like dying?

Mr. Medina analyzed the teens and saw Rory's face turn bright red as tears threatened to fall. Tristan's jaw clenched and his gaze actually shifted away from Mr. Medina. Being released from the young man's penetrating glare was relieving until he realized what it really meant.

"It's not a rumor, is it?" he asked them quietly.

Rory's emotional side finally gained the upper hand, and a tear rolled down her cheek as she shakes her head. Max Medina felt sick in the pit of his stomach as he watched Rory fight for composure. He knew it was a losing battle, and a sob escaped her lips signaling that Rory had given up. Tristan turned around and saw Rory furiously wiping tears away and his gaze softened, momentarily.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea. You two may go," the literature teacher told them.

Rory had collected herself and shot Mr. Medina a grateful smile as she scooped up her things and walked out the classroom with Tristan.

"So, how are you holding up?" he asked her tenderly.

"Just peachy," Rory replied, sarcastically.

"Yes, this day has just gone smoothly, hasn't it?"

"Oh yes, I barely register the shocked stares anymore," Rory quipped.

Tristan smirked. "Mary, Mary. They're just jealous of your super hot boyfriend."

"Yeah, that's it," Rory said, while rolling her eyes.

Tristan's demeanor changed and he turned to Rory, very serious. Rory could tell instantly that he had shifted from their silly banter. She saw his smirk fall from his lips, and his eyebrows made a slight crease on his forehead. She felt her stomach lurch when she realized he was about to take their conversation to a serious level. Rory liked silly Tristan. She missed silly Tristan.

"I'm going to find out who drew that."

Rory sighed. "No you won't."

Tristan felt slightly irritated. "Mary…"

"I'm serious, Tristan," Rory said, with a look.

Tristan conceded, "Okay."

Well, he conceded to her face, but he was serious about finding whoever drew the horrible atrocity on the board. He couldn't believe anybody could be that cruel. Rory studied Tristan carefully. She knew he was lying to her when he said, 'okay,' but she didn't press him. They were both to the point of snapping and she couldn't stand to make him angry.

"I need to go to the library. I'll meet you by your locker after school, okay?"

Tristan knew he had to throw her off, so he put his sill façade back on. "Goodbye fair Juliet."

"Oh, Romeo. I shall count the hours until we meet again."

As Rory walked away, she heard Tristan's parting words all the way through her heart. "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Tristan's grin faded as soon as Rory was out of sight. He was steaming angry. At that moment, Billy walked up to him and Tristan inwardly groaned. He was in no mood to handle anything Billy had to say.

"Hey Tristan."

"Hi."

"Um… Is it true?" Billy asked, cautiously.

Tristan had a choice. He could either deny the whole thing, or he could own up to it. He wasn't ashamed of what happened with Rory. They lost their child, and it was a horrible experience. He didn't care what the hell anybody thought, though, so he stared Billy straight in the eye.

"Yes."

"Oh my damn!"

"You're telling me."

"Dude! You lied to me, yesterday," Billy exclaimed.

Tristan gloomily muttered his response. "Well, we didn't exactly want to broadcast it."

Billy smiled. "I forgive you, and as I sign of my good will… I have some information."

"Information?" Tristan inquired, clearly intrigued.

"Mike Durcan drew the picture on the board."

Tristan was enraged. "WHAT!? Why the hell would he…"

"Dude, calm down! Apparently, he's still pissed about you taking Summer away from him."

Tristan was livid.

"That was an eternity ago! Summer dumped me and then got together with him!"

Billy sighed. "I know, but apparently he was still pissed and thought this was the perfect opportunity to get you back."

Tristan clenched his jaw. "Where is he?"

"Um… I probably shouldn't tell you, but I hope you nail the bastard for making a girl cry. He's in the courtyard."

Tristan ran off with that valuable piece of information. His blood was boiling and all he saw was red. His eyes were blazing as he raced towards the place where he could exact his revenge. He vaguely heard Billy saying something, but he ignored it as he saw red.

"Don't do anything drastic!" Billy called after him.

Mike Durcan was a very arrogant and rude individual. He was possessive over his women, and once he had a grudge against someone, he wasn't quick to forgive. His favorite place at Chilton to hang out was the courtyard. You're probably thinking, 'oh so he likes to be outside.' That wasn't the reason he liked the courtyard. The reason he hung around there is because outdoors equals wind and Chilton uniform equals skirts. Put those two together and he had a nice show most days of the week. He was so busy catching a glimpse of Traci Phillips' thong that he didn't even see the first blow coming.

Tristan was far beyond reason, and he ran right up to Mike and sucker punched him right in the face. Mike reeled backwards with shock and surprise. Then he saw who hit him and his violent temper exploded. No way was lover boy DuGrey getting away with that. Mike swore and lunged back at Tristan, but Tristan was faster and jumped out of his way. He then shoved Mike onto the ground. Needless to say, Mike was pissed!

He stood up and took a swing at Tristan. Unfortunately, Tristan landed right in the path of his fist. It hit him in his jaw and he felt a trickle of blood. He wasn't anywhere near being finished and he jumped forward and plowed his fists into the cruel guy. Mike was stunned at how hard Tristan was beating him. His head spun and he tried to hit back, but Mike could barely breathe as Tristan punched him in the ribs. At that point, a few teachers ran up and separated the two boys.

"What do you think your doing?" One teacher yelled.

"I was trying to teach that jackass a lesson," Tristan spat.

Coach Brown tried to drag him away, but Tristan just remembered the feeling of Rory burrowing her head in his chest. That got him angry all over again and Tristan broke away and punched Mike in the face. Hard. Mike screamed as blood started pouring from his face.

"That was for Rory."

Tristan sat in the Headmasters' office glumly. His father was on the way and Tristan wanted to run away. Far away. He never wanted to see his father again because until he turned eighteen, his father still had control over his life. Mike Durcan's father had already came and left with him. Mike was suspended for fighting and drawing such a vulgar drawing on the board. Tristan had to hand it to Mr. Medina for helping him out. If Mr. Medina hadn't backed him up on the offensive nature of the drawing, the entire incident would have been pinned on Tristan alone. Tristan was also being suspended for a week. It wasn't the first time. He really hoped it was the last, though.

Tristan's father was steaming as he walked into the headmaster's office. He was fed up with his son's behavior. First, he knocked up some girl, and now he gets into a fight. Tristan was being completely inconsiderate. Didn't his son realize that he had a job and obligations? He was so angry and he wanted to scream some sense into Tristan's head.

"Let's go, Tristan."

"Dad…" Tristan started.

"Now!" he yelled in return.

Tristan stood up and followed his father out of the office. Mr. DuGrey spun around, suddenly, and Tristan almost ran into him.

"You're going to military school."

"What!"

"You are going to military school. I'm tired of this, Tristan. First, you get some girl pregnant and now you're getting in fights. That's it."

"Dad! Come on. You don't know what he did. He deserved…"

"I don't care, Tristan."

Before Tristan could yell at his father, Rory walked up to his locker. He saw her and walked over to her.

"Hey. Are you ready to go?"

"Rory, I did something stupid."

"Uh oh. How stupid?"

"Um… I sort of punched Mike Durcan and got suspended."

"Tristan!" Rory chastised.

"I know, but that's not the worst of it."

Rory had a bad feeling about what he was about to say.

"My father just informed me that I'm going to military school."

"What? Military school. But…"

"Tristan. Come on. Now."

Rory sighed as tears threatened to fall. Her world was falling apart. Tristan was her constant and now he was leaving. She had nothing to connect them anymore, and he was leaving. She felt her heart begin to ache.

"You should go," she whispered quietly.

"I have to take Rory home," Tristan called to his father.

"I'm sure the young lady can find her own way home," he quipped.

"No she can't and she won't."

"Fine, I'm through dealing with you, Tristan. You'll be in military school next week. Until then, do whatever the hell you want."

Rory's heart sank as she watched Tristan's father walk away. Tristan was leaving her in a week. Seven short little days. He would be gone.

"Let's go," Tristan said quietly, knowing she was disappointed in him.

"Why would you punch Mike Durcan? I mean, he's a total jerk, but why would you……… Oh, it was him. Wasn't it?"

Tristan nodded, but remained silent. Rory almost started crying right then, but held her tears in. She'd cried enough for the rest of her life.

"Um, we should head to Stars Hollow, or Mom will start to worry."

"Okay."

As they walked towards Tristan's car, he reached out and took Rory's hand. She couldn't hold back and one single tear trickled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, not wanting him to see. He did see and it broke his heart.

A/N: I hope you liked it. Please Review!!! It'll just take a second, I promise! Oh yeah. If you review, Chad Michael Murray will appear and do your bidding…. SO PUSH THE BUTTON.