Rory dug furiously through her locker in search of a blue pen. Her day had been absolutely perfect. Paris was being civil to her, well, as civil as Paris could be. She had received an A on an English paper that had given her trouble, and she had yet to run into Tristan. Rory found the elusive blue pen and slammed her locker shut. “Morning Mary.” Tristan gave her his trademark smirk as he leaned against the lockers. Rory glared at him for a second before turning away and sauntering down the hall. “No.” She called over her shoulder. Tristan, slightly dumb founded, ran to catch up to her, but remained slightly behind like a begging puppy. “I didn’t ask anything.” “You normally do. I was merely answering the question that you would soon ask, in an attempt to save time. So whatever it is... no.” “I wasn’t going to ask a question. I was just only saying hello.” “Nein.” “In German now.” “Nessuno, het, non, la.” Rory continued to walk away from Tristan, but he still followed close behind. “Multi-lingual. I’m impressed, especially with that last one, Swahili, I believe.” Rory turned abruptly into history class, it took all of Tristan’s strength not to touch her on her back and guide her through the door. “I might as well get some education out of this.” Rory said as she sat down. Tristan sat on the desk top in front of her, and slowly leaned towards her. “Glad to see that I am useful.” He arched his eyebrows suggestively. Rory leaned into him even closer. “That doesn’t happen often.” “Touché Mary.” Tristan smirked leaning in even closer, slowly becoming intoxicated by the sweet aroma of Rory’s hair. He was so close to her that he could feel Rory’s warm breathe upon his face. Her deep blue eyes mesmerized him, placing him in a trance. That spell was broken by the teacher entering the room. “Morning class. Mr. DuGray, please remove your behind from the desk, and place it where it belongs.” Tristan did so. “In a toilet.” Rory said in a hushed voice so that only Tristan could hear. The teacher began to drone on about a project, but none of the information reached Rory or Tristan. “So you wanna see my bare ass now, do ya’?” Tristan threw back quietly over his shoulder. “And that would be the question where my ‘no’ comes in.” “You want me Mary, you can’t resist me.” “You’re right, I do want you.” At this Tristan turned around and faced Rory, staring into her deep blue eyes. “You do?!?” “Yeah,” Rory stated seductively, “I want you... to turn around and leave me alone.” Rory crossed her arms triumphantly and leaned back in her seat. Tristan felt shattered. Didn’t she see that he was crazy for her. However, he couldn’t let himself fall apart. He quickly regained his confident demeanor. “No, Mary, I think you want me alone.” He wasn’t about to be beaten. “Mr. DuGray, Ms. Gilmore, since you two seem to have made a connection already, you can work together on this project.” Rory elicited a slight groan, while Tristan secretly smiled. “Since you two were so wrapped up in your little conversation, you know nothing of this project.” “Sorry sir.” Rory and Tristan said in unison. “So I’ll repeat myself. In this project two people will debate the sides of a Supreme Court Case. Research will be conducted together so that information is shared. I want very in-depth results. Your findings will be presented to the class in three weeks. Mr. DuGray, Ms. Gilmore, you have the 1973 case of Roe vs. Wade. Rory you will support the court’s decision on legalizing abortions. Tristan you are against it.” Mr. Bosco continued to deal out partners and cases, but Rory was in a haze. *Three weeks! How can I be with Tristan for three weeks? I can barely stand him for three minutes let alone three weeks.* The class continued and Rory took down minimal notes. As soon as the bell rang she bolted for her locker, but Tristan had beaten her there. He was casually leaning on the door, the top button of his shirt undone. He stared at her as she slowly walked down the hall towards him. *Why can’t he look that innocent... and cute all the time.* Rory thought. *Woah, where did that come from. Dean, think Dean, Dean at bus stop, kissing Dean, kissing Dean at bus stop.* A small smile spread across her lips as she thought of the way Dean would run his hand through his hair as he waited for her to get off the bus, and then sweep her into an embrace as soon as he could. “A smile... for me? How sweet.” Rory was awakened from her daydream when Tristan’s voice cut through her vision. “No.” “Are we back on that already?” “Nein.” “Mary.” “I was saying ‘no.’ That smile was not for you.” She nudged Tristan away from her locker door. “Then who, pray tell, was it for?” Rory struggled with the jammed door. “Someone who wasn’t you.” Rory finally freed the door and set in flying into Tristan’s nose. He let out of shriek of false pain and grabbed his nose like it was broken. “I almost feel sorry for you Tristan.” “I think you broke my nose.” He rubbed the tip of it while staring at the back of Rory’s head as she stuck books in her locker. “Oh... poor baby... you’ll live.” She slammed her locker shut and turned to face Tristan. “If it hurts so bad get one of your groupies to kiss it and make it all better.” “No, that’s all right, I’m fine.” “Darn, I was hoping to leave a scar.” Rory began to walk to lunch. “Mary.” Tristan called after her, she didn’t stop. “Mary... Mary...” He ran and caught up with her. “Seriously Mary, we need to get together to plan this.” Rory stopped and looked at him. “When, where, and how fast can we get this thing done? I want to spend as little time with you as possible.” “Mary, I’m hurt that you don’t want to spend time with me.” “Then I have achieve my goal.” Rory was in no mood to be speaking to the person she loathed at the moment. “Come on can’t we at least be civil?” “We can try, I won’t make any promises.” “Fine, how about your house 7pm.” Tristan plotted a way to remove himself from the DuGray household during his parents ‘friendly fight happy hour’ as he liked to call it. “Why my house?” Rory could see the wheels turning in his head. “Because it Wednesday.” “So.” “Well, every Wednesday Bella, our cook, makes lasagna.” “And the problem with that is....” Tristan searched for an explanation that might be somewhat believable. “Well.... uh... she makes it using.... uh.... blue cheese... yeah.. blue cheese, and she’ll make you eat it, and it tastes really bad.” Rory didn’t quite believe him, but she took that bait anyways. “Fine, my house 7pm.” “See you there.” Tristan turned and began to walk away. “Wait!” He stopped and turned back to her. “Don’t you need directions?” “No, I know how to get there.” *Damn, I let that one slip. She’s not suppose to know that I know where she lives. Maybe she won’t notice.* “Umm... ok, see to you then.” Tristan turned back around and continued to walk away. Rory just stared at him in incomprehension. *How does he know how to get to my house?* *** Rory leaped off the bus as soon as the doors open. Her focus was on one thing and one thing alone. “Dean!” She ran straight to him. “Hold Me!” Dean happily complied, but was somewhat stunned when Rory began burying her face in his chest. He let out a small laugh. “What happened at school today that made you want to dig a burrow in my shoulder?” Rory let out a small groan of dispair as Dean stroked her hair to calm her down. “Oh, it was horrible.” She buried her face even deeper into his shirt, slowly being lulled into peace by the aroma of his cologne. Dean guided Rory to their bench and they sat down. Dean threw his arm around her and held her close. “Ok, what happened?” “Tristan happened.” Dean was not pleased with this tidbit of information. “What did the accountant do?” “What didn’t he do.... it wasn’t bad enough that he had to ruin my day by actually showing up, but now I have to work with him on a history project.” Rory let out a whimper and dropped her head onto Dean’s shoulder. “Maybe you two could split up the work, that way you wouldn’t have to be around him all that often.” Dean kissed Rory’s forehead hoping to soothe her nerves. “I wish. One of the guidelines of the project is that we must do all research together. It’s suppose to make us see how a law team works.” “What’s the point of that?” Dean asked while pulling Rory closer. “I don’t know, Mr. Bosco has always been... weird.” “There’s always one teacher like that.” “But why do I have to get him?!?” Rory groaned again. “Because you’re so beautiful.” “What does that have to do with a weird teacher?” “I don’t know, but it’s the truth.” Dean tilted Rory’s chin up to face him and gave her a delicate kiss. Rory smiled. “You’re so sweet... but I’ve only got three hours before hell comes over to my house.” Rory looked at her watch. “Comes over.... you mean he’s coming to your house?” “Yes, unfortunately, I don’t want him to. Can you dress up as me and do the project for me?” Rory looked at looked expectantly. “As much as I’d like to trade in my knight’s shinning armor for one of your shirts, I have to work tonight. But I don’t like the idea of him going to your house... he has a thing for you.” Dean pushed a stray piece of hair behind Rory’s ear. “Oh no he doesn’t. He is merely trying to make my life a living nightmare.” Rory crossed her arms and sulked. Dean shook his head back and forth. “Rory, Rory, Rory....” “What’s that look for?” She glared at him from the corner of her eye. “I love you, ya’ know.” Dean whispered. Rory was shocked, but didn’t show it. *Did he just say that he loves me?* She decided to act like she didn’t hear him. “I’d better head to Luke’s and get some coffee. I’m going to need it to get through tonight.” Rory stood but brushed one last kiss on Dean’s lips before walking away. “Call me if he makes a move on you!” Dean shouted after her. “Ain’t gonna happen.” Rory shouted. Dean chuckled before heading to the store. *** Rory entered Luke’s and headed straight for the counter. She dropped her book page and then proceeded to drop her head on the counter with a resounding thud. “What did he do to you now?” Luke asked while filling a cup with coffee and setting it in front of Rory. Her head popped up slightly as she stared at the rim of the cup. Her hands closed around it and she brought the steaming liquid to her mouth and took a sip. She smiled dreamily. “Who did what?” She asked while staring into the cup. “What did Dean do to you?” Rory picked her head up and looked at Luke. “Dean did nothing.... it was Tristan.” Rory finished her coffee and motioned for more. “Oh no, one cup limit.... What did Tristan do?” Luke pulled the coffee out of Rory’s reach. “Luke....” two voices whined. Lorelai had entered the shop. “Coffee Luke, I need coffee.” Lorelai grabbed at his shirt. “You always need coffee. You’ve had too much today.” Luke turned to Rory. “So what did Tristan do?” “Tristan! Need me to track him down.... Luke coffee please.” “No. As I was saying, what did Tristan do?” “He was born.... Luke I need coffee to get me through this.” “Fine.” Luke took her cup, “But only if you tell me the real reason as to why Tristan caused you to come in here and pound your head on my counter.” Lorelai who was only half listening because she was plotting how to steal coffee, perked up at the mention of pounding heads. “What! Rory... honey.” Lorelai rubbed Rory’s back. “I can call my taxidermist friend. He could turn Tristan into a punching bag for you. You can pummel his head senseless.” Rory sighed. “No, as much as I love picturing that, I need him for a school project. He was talking to me and the teacher paired us up. I think I’m never going to speak in school again so that I can avoid things like this.” Rory dropped her head on the counter again. “Oh honey, stop, you’re making my head hurt. Luke coffee stat.” “Here.” He placed the cup back in front of Rory who immediately took a drink. “Aaahhhh... I think I’m better now.” At this Lorelai banged her head on the counter. “What on earth are you doing Lorelai?” Luke stared at her like she had three heads. When Luke didn’t place any coffee in front of her, Lorelai picked her head up and pouted. “Lukey... if Rory gets coffee because she bangs her head, why don’t I?” “Because.” “That’s not an answer.” “Yes it is.” “Please, please, please....” Lorelai continued to whine until Luke finally gave in some twenty minutes and two burgers later. “Aaahhhhh.... coffee.... where have you been all my life?” Rory just stared at her mother. “Well I’d better be off. Luke can I get two cups to go?” “Why do you need two? I know your day couldn’t have been that bad.” He began to fill up the cups. “Oh it was, but the second one is for Tristan, he’s coming over in about an hour so that we can start.” “What! I’m coming with you I don’t like the idea of him home alone with you.” Lorelai started packing her stuff. “Why does everybody say that? He may be a slimy, egotistical, sleaze-ball, but I am perfectly capable of handling him.” “I know that... that’s why I want to be home. If you decide to use his him as a crash test dummy I want to be there to see it.” They said their good-bye’s to Luke and headed home. The ran into Lane as soon as the left the store. “Rory. Hey, I heard about Tristan.” Lane gave Rory a hug of sympathy. “Hey watch the coffee.” Rory said. “You are picking coffee over me...” “Yes.” Lane faked a stab in the chest. “I’m hurt.... anyways I’m sorry about Tristan. If you need some one to hold him down while you punch just tell me.” Lane looked expectantly at Rory. “Thanks, but I’ll be fine. How do you know anyway?” “I ran into Dean at the market. I grilled him as to way he was so PMSy. That boy was mistreating cans of green beans.” “I see.” “Well I better get home before my mom finds me out of my cell. Call me.” “Sure.” Lane left for home, and Rory and Lorelai continued home. Rory dragged her feet along the street, not wanting to go home and have to face Tristan. “Come on Rory, pick your feet up. It’s not like it’s your funeral. It may turn out to be Tristan’s but not yours.” Lorelai tried to grab one of the cups of coffee. “Oh no you don’t. I may not like him, but this is for him. Paws off.” “Fine.” Lorelai threw her arm around her daughter and the walked home the rest of the way in silence. *** Tristan threw his bookbag into the car as he climbed into the drivers seat. *Only thirty minutes till I get to see Rory.* He thought. Backing out of the driveway, he began his drive to Stars Hollow. The trip seemed to take forever. *Twenty-seven minutes.* What had Rory done to him. The first time he laid eyes on her face he thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Her big blue eyes stared up at him from her desk. Unlike the others before her, she hadn’t immediately dropped at his feet. She looked so innocent just sitting there. *Twenty-one minutes to go.* He had pegged her to be the next conquest in his dating game. Unlike the others though, she fought back. At first he thought she was playing hard to get, which made him try even harder. ‘Mary’ became his pet name for her. She dodged every advance he made. *Sixteen minutes left.* Tristan checked his watch for the fourth time. The minutes seemed like hours. Time always stood still when Rory was around him. Her simple beauty shone through all the made-up girls that surrounded him. Try as he might, he could never stop thinking about her. Every night he dreamed of her, and every second he was without her, he thought of her. *Eleven minutes.* He turned off the highway. His feelings for her had changed in a matter of weeks from conquest, to crush, then from crush to infatuation, and finally from infatuation to love. His entire day was spent trying to be near her. His day did not truly start until he saw her face. He tried to be nice to her, but he never could get past his elementary school antics. Annoy the one you love. *Seven minutes till I’m with her again.* He passed the sign announcing his arrival in Star Hollow. He had been here so many times. Every weekend he made a trip to this town. Slowly learning why she loved this place so much. Passing her house, in hopes of seeing her. Two days was too long to go without a sparring match. *Three minutes, just three minutes.* Rory was the first girl who fought back. She was smart and witty. He loved their verbal wars. Rory had gotten to him that way. Her personality brightened up even the worst day. No one could touch him like she could. She had changed him, even if it was only on the inside. *One minute, fifty-nine seconds, fifty-eight seconds....* The waiting was too much. He had determined a while ago that this project was going to be a turning point for their relationship, from bantering partners to friends, and if possible even more. Rory deserved to be treated like a princess. He was going to change. *Ten seconds.* Tristan climbed out of the car and headed for the front door. This was it, only one chance to change. He rang the doorbell, and leaned against the door frame. *Four, Three, Two, One.* “Hello Rory.” *** “Hey... did you just call me Rory?” She let Tristan in. She was too surprised to glare at him. “Well that’s your name is it not.” Tristan smirked for good measure. Rory rolled her eyes. “Yes it is, but you have a tendency to forget it.” She led Tristan to the living room. He plopped down on the couch. “Yeah, sorry about that.” Rory sat down on the other end. “You don’t deserve that.” He rubbed his forward and looked at his shoes. Rory was at a loss for words, an apology out of his mouth. “Umm... Rory, are you ok.” Tristan waved his hand in front of her face. Shaken from her thoughts Rory. “Yeah... I just thought I’d never hear an apology come out of you. So... we should get started, but first, I need coffee.” Rory went into the kitchen and caught Lorelai trying to steal the coffee she had picked up earlier. “Mom! Get away.” Rory slapped her mom’s hand away from the cups. She slunk away like a puppy who had just been yelled at. “I take it that was him.” Lorelai peered into the living room. “No mom, it was Santa, he said since I was so good this year I get my presents early.” “Oh... did he bring me anything.” Lorelai jumped up and down. “Ok, you don’t need this coffee.” Rory left the kitchen. Lorelai followed. “Devil child. How dare you say that. Go to your room.” Lorelai pointed to Rory’s bedroom. Tristan was perplexed. What had Rory done. “Hi.” Lorelai extended her hand to him. “Call me Lorelai, if you even think of calling me Ms. Gilmore, Ma’am, or some other horrid name, you’ll be grounded to. This one is getting a month of solitary confinement because she won’t give me coffee.” Tristan laughed at this. “What’s so funny young man?” Lorelai placed her hands on her hips. “You two both have a coffee addiction. I find it amusing.” Tristan stifled another laugh. “So from now on I’ll bring coffee with me so that you both get some.” Lorelai’s eyes widened as did her smile. “I like you... come over anytime you want.” Rory glared at her. “Well I’m going now. I’m going to make myself a whole pot of coffee and read about stuff that will bore you.” She stuck her nose up at Rory and sauntered to the kitchen. Rory sat down and handed Tristan his coffee. “She is quite the character.” Tristan chuckled as he sipped his drink. “Ok let’s get to work.” “All right. What do you know about Roe versus Wade?” He set the cup down and leaned back against the couch. Rory looked so childlike all curled up in the corner with her cup in both her hands. “It’s the abortion bill, and I’m suppose to be against the ruling.” “We’ve got a long way to go.” “Why’s that?” “I don’t know more than that either.” Tristan laughed at the disappointed look on her face. “You are suppose to be the smart one.” “I am.... I just haven’t boned up on my Supreme Court cases.” She sipped her coffee and smiled at him over the brim of the cup. That smile. The smile that weakened his knees and made him want to hold her and never let go. The smile that had stolen his heart. “You should smile like that more often.” Rory stared at him in disbelief. “Why’s that?” “Because it makes your eyes sparkle.” Rory didn’t respond leaving a thick silence hanging in the air. “So.... what’s our plan.” Rory was shaken from her haze. “Ummm, well, I think we should first find out what this case was about.” “That would be a smart thing to do.” Rory threw a pillow at Tristan. He caught it. “What was that for?” He tossed the pillow back at her. “For being a smart ass.” She threw the pillow back. “Oh, that’s what I get for being nice.” Throw. “Yeah. Being a smart ass equals pillow in face.” Throw. “I see.” By now the conversation had erupted into an all out pillow fight. Unbeknownst to them Lorelai was watching from the kitchen, coffee mug in hand. *Is this the same guy who causes so much trouble for Rory? He seems so nice. He even said he’d bring coffee. Anyone who brings coffee is godlike.* Lorelai walked back into the kitchen. *I think he likes her.* Back in the living room the fight had died down leaving to tired teenagers still clutching their respective pillows. “Truce?” Tristan questioned Rory with an evil gleam in his eye. Rory eyed him back. “Truce.” She set her pillow down. Tristan saw his chance and whacked her one more time. “Hey!” Rory screamed while grabbing for her pillow. She was stopped by Tristan’s hand on her wrist. She looked up him. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Rory was pulled in by how blue they were. Dean popped into her head. She pulled her arm back and sat back down on the sofa. “Tristan?” He was staring at the floor. *I shouldn’t have done that. I moved to fast.* “Hmmm?” He looked up at her. “Why is it that we can be friends away from Chilton, but you treat me like dirt when were there?” She stared at him questioningly. “I don’t know.” *Actually I do know, you turn me into a baby needing love and attention.* “I was wondering the same thing though.” “Maybe we should... you know.... try to be nicer to each other.” “I can go ahead with it.” He sat down next to her. “But I think we should start this project before this turns into the WWF.” “Good idea.” Rory and Tristan both pulled out a textbook and notebook and began their research. *** “Morning Rory.” Tristan was leaning up against her locker with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. “I could get use to this.” Rory smiled as she took the cup form his hands, their fingers brushing for a brief second sending a shock down both of their spines. *Ok, what was that. I’m not suppose to go weak when I see him. But he does look so sexy today... stop that. He calls you Mary... oh, but he didn’t today. Stop. Mental slap. Think of Dean. Tristan. No Dean. But Tristan is right here. All right brain, this is war. Think Dean damn it. Tristan. Aaaahhhhh.* *Wow she is even more beautiful than I remembered. And she even smiled. She hasn’t yelled at me yet. Why was I so stupid? God she’s beautiful.* “So... Rory, do you want to get together again tonight? That spontaneous pillow fight killed a lot of time.” “Sure. Besides, we need to figure out how we’re gonna set this up.” She smiled up at him. *We should have become friends a long time ago. He’s not all that bad.* “Good, same time, same place.” He pushed away from the lockers. “You bring the coffee.” “Yes ma’am.” Tristan saluted. “See ya’ in first period.” Rory continued to dig in her locker. That damn pen always went missing at the worst times. Finding it she slammed the locker door. “What was that all about?” Paris glared at her. *What is it with people and hiding behind my locker door?* “What was what all about?” Rory began to walk down the hall but Paris got in front of her. “You and Tristan. You two weren’t bickering.” Paris was getting really angry. “Oh that, well since Tristan and I have to work together on a project, we decided to basically start over and be friends.” Rory explained. Paris let out a sight of relief, but still wanted to know one more thing. “Why did he salute you?” “Oh that... I ordered him to bring coffee, he did it for the comic relief of the moment.” Rory and Paris walked into English. “Ok.” They sat down. Paris began to rifle through her notebook. “Paris?” Rory turned to look at her. “Yeah.” Paris said not looking up from her notes. “Has Tristan ever called another girl Mary before?” Paris slowly raised her head to look at Rory. “Yeah, but he never called anyone Mary as long as he did you.” “Oh.” Rory turned back around in her seat. She looked up and saw Tristan looking at the two of them from the doorway. “Hello again.” He said smoothly as he slid into the chair next to Rory. “Morning Paris.” “Good morning Tristan.” Paris gave her full attention to him. “How are you doing?” “I’m just great.” His eyes left Rory’s face for all of a millisecond. “How are you?” “Fine.... just fine.” Paris had noticed Tristan was too preoccupied with Rory to even hear her. *She doesn’t even notice.* Paris looked back down at her notes. *She doesn’t even notice.* “Good morning class. It is time to continue on for the search of truth and beauty.” Mr. Medina chimed in. Tristan took notes, but most of the class was spent stealing glances at Rory. From her seat Paris saw the whole spectacle take place. *She doesn’t even notice.* *** “What do you mean you’re out of coffee?!?” Rory barely resisted the urge to throttle the lunch lady. “I need coffee!” “I’m sorry. But we ran out. There will be some tomorrow. Would you like some tea?” Rory hung her head. “No thank you.” She walked out of the lunch line and sat down at an empty table. *I need my coffee. What is a meal without coffee? But I guess I’ll settle for a novel.* She pulled out a new book. ‘Spoon River Anthology’ by Edgar Lee Masters. She was just beginning to become enthralled with the tale of Harry Wilmans when Tristan sat across from her. “Rory. I’ve brought you something.” She looked up for her book. Tristan was holding a cup of coffee. “Tristan you are god.” She reached for the coffee but he pulled it away from her grasp. “Wow from friend to god. I’m liking this. What do I have to do to become something more?” He slowly moved the cup back and forth. Rory’s head followed every movement of the cup. “What is higher than a god?” Her eyes never left the cup. Tristan smiled at her innocence. *I’d give up being a god if it mean you could love me.* “Tristan I’m gonna pounce on that cup if you don’t stop doing that hypnotizing thing.” She began to stand up. “Ok, ok. Here ya’ go. Sheesh... you really love your coffee.” “And don’t you forget it.” She took a long swig from the cup. “Aaahhh.. that hit the spot. How did you know that I needed coffee.” “I noticed that they ran out earlier. And knowing you as I do, I figured I’d be nice and get a cup from the Starbucks down the street. Apparently I was right in thinking that you’d crazy if you didn’t have any.” He place his head in his hands and stared at Rory. “I’m glad that you are so confident in my ability to contain myself during caffeine withdrawal.” She sipped again. “Welcome. What was that you were reading?” He picked a random page in the book and read a few sentences. “’Spoon River Anthology’ its a bunch of poems that interconnect to create a story. It’s neat.” Rory put the cup down. “I see like the poems show the different people, but that everyone some how relates to everyone else.” “Yeah, something like that. I never pinned you to be the analytical type.” She picked up the book and turned to the page where she had left off. “I’m normally not, it makes my brain hurt.” Tristan was glad to see that his comment had made Rory smile. He would have given anything to be able to kiss her at that moment. “Well, we wouldn’t want smoke to come out your ears. It may cause you to loose fan club members.” Tristan laughed. *Wow, what a great smile. Oh no! I did it again. Stop it brain. I’m dating Dean. Tristan’s sweet. Dean. Tristan. Dean Tristan. Dean. Tristan.* “Rory? Rory?” “Yeah...” “Wow, for a second there your mind was off in space. You ok?” Tristan placed his hand gently on her forehead. Rory got butterflies in her stomach. “Uh... yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.” Tristan removed his hand, he could barely control the urge to stroke her hair. “Maybe I’m not the only one who gets smoke pouring from their ears when they think to hard.” He smirked. “Funny Tristan. Very funny.” She sipped the coffee. “Well Mary, I’d best be off.” He stood up and gathered his books. “I thought you were done with the whole ‘Mary’ thing.” Tristan looked at Rory. His eyes immediately drawn to hers. “No.” Rory bowed her head. Seeing her disappointment Tristan revised his statement. “I just don’t mean it as an insult anymore. Think of it as a pet name.” “Oh. We’ve moved to pet names already. Does that mean I can call you Triscut?” He laughed. “Not a chance.” “Fine. But I’m only letting that slide because you brought me coffee.” “Ok. I’ll see you later... Mary.” She threw a balled up napkin at him. “Get out of here you big lug.” Tristan walked away but turned around just once to see Rory mesmerized by the words in her book. *I’m gonna have to try that one.* *** The bell over the door to the store jingled when Rory opened it. She searched the aisles for Dean, finally finding him stocking canned peaches. “I hope that you’re treating the peaches better than the green beans I heard about yesterday.” She walked up to him, he didn’t even look at her. “Tell Lane I said hi. How was your day?” Dean was talking but Rory picked up on a tone of negativity. “I will. It was fine. You?” She cocked her head to one side, trying to get a better look at his face. “Fine.” On to the pineapple. “Dean? What’s wrong?” Rory placed her hand on his shoulder. He shrugged away from her touch. “Nothing.” “If it was nothing than you would look at me, and give me more than a single word answer. Come on Dean.” Rory stared at him. “I heard about your night with Tristan.” He finally looked at her. “Nothing happened Dean.” “If you say so. It’s just that your mother came in here with Luke talking about how great Tristan was.” “Oh that. Tristan said he’d bring her coffee. She’s probably thinking he’s a god by now.” “I figured that much. It’s just that she said you two were really getting along. I thought you hated the guy.” “I did... but not any more. He’s not that bad once you get to know him.” She smiled remembering the look on his face when she called him a god. “He’s only being nice because he realized that by being mean to you won’t get you to like him.” Fruit cocktail. “Dean. He doesn’t like me like that. We mutually agreed that it would be in both of our GPA’s interests if we gave up on the mortal enemies bit.” Dean stopped stocking the cans. “Rory you don’t get. How can you be so naive. He likes you. It’s elementary school psychology. Annoy the one you love, when that doesn’t work try friendship.” The fruit cocktail became the victim of some harsh stocking. “Dean why are you so jealous? He doesn’t like me, and even if he did, I don’t like him like that.” Dean let out a sigh. “Rory. I don’t want to share you. I know his type. They wait until you’ve become great friends, and then they go in for the kill.” “Dean. You’re being unfair, you don’t even know him!” Rory crossed her arms in disgust. “See, now your defending him. It won’t be long now until he has you eating out of his hand.” *Well, maybe Dean’s right, he does have me ‘drinking’ out of his hand...* “Dean stop. Tristan’s not like that.” They were shouting by now and the other customers in the store were staring at the couple. “Tristan is just like that.” Dean lowered his tone, cupping her cheeks in his hands. “I don’t want to loose you Rory.” Rory just stared at him. “Can’t you just understand that we are friends.” Silence. “I’d better go then.” Rory slowly pulled away from his hands. The jingle of the bell marking her exit was the only sound in the store. Dean went back to his shelving. *I don’t want to loose you Rory, but I’m afraid I already have.* *** Rory was laying on the couch contemplating her fight with Dean. *Things have never been this strained between us... and why am I constantly thinking about Tristan? I just want a sign as to what to do.* Doorbell. “Mom! Can you get it? I’m too comfy to move.” Rory closed her eyes and leaned into her pillow. “Sure thing.” Lorelai opened the door. “Good evening Ms... Lorelai. I brought coffee.” Lorelai squealed like a delighted child. “You know last night when I said that you could come over any time... I meant it.” Lorelai grinned at Tristan as he stifled a laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Tristan handed her a cup of coffee. “Oh thank you. You are a god.” She took a sip as she skipped into the kitchen. *Bringing coffee will get you anything in this family. I wonder if I could get a kiss. No Tristan. You are going to slow it down. Friendship first.* Tristan entered in the room they had been in the night before. He was greeted by the sight of Rory stretched out on the couch, her head turned toward the ceiling. Her face showed signs of obvious signs of deep concentration. She wore only flannel pajama pants and a simple black T-shirt. *Wow, she even makes the simplest outfits beautiful.* Tristan stared down at her face. Her forehead was wrinkles with thought lines. He didn’t want to disturb whatever conversation she was having with herself, and was content to just gaze upon her lovely face. Rory, however, knew that Tristan was there. Her eyes opened and caught his. Stare met stare and not a single word was passed between the two. Rory sat up and pulled out a notebook while Tristan quickly occupied the space on the couch that had been vacated by her feet. Tristan handed Rory her coffee and she smiled in gratitude. Some two hours later they were both off the couch and sitting on the floor surrounded by books and papers. It looked like a cyclone had gone through the room. “It says here: Roe v. Wade, was a case decided in 1973 by the US Supreme Court. Along with Doe v. Bolton, this decision legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. The decision, written by Justice Harry Blackmun and based on the residual right of privacy, struck down dozens of state antiabortion statutes. While establishing the right to an abortion, this decision gave states the right to intervene in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy to protect the woman and the “potential” life of the unborn child. Denounced by the National Council of Bishops, the decision gave rise to a vocal antiabortion movement that put pressure on the courts and created an anti-Roe litmus test for the judicial appointments of the Reagan and Bush administrations.” Rory was reading from a large encyclopedia. “Rory... please translate that into normal English.” “Basically the Supreme Court said that abortion was legal in the first three months of a pregnancy, but after that the states could decide whether it was legal or not. The courts decision caused many pro-life people to become unhappy, and they pressured the presidents to have the ruling overturned.” “Now why didn’t they just say that?” They both laughed. “I think that explains the case for us. Two hours, and that is basically all we have.... just worded differently. This project sucks.” *Well not really, I get to see her outside of school. I’d go to hell and back just to see her.* “How exactly are we going to present this?” Tristan’s pen was poised to take notes. “Well, I figure that we first introduce the case and what it is about. Then we can tell what the two sides did to try and get it approved or rejected, and we end with the outcome of the case and how it is viewed today.” “I like that idea. But I don’t exactly see where the pros and cons idea comes in.” “Me neither.” The both giggled but went back to working in silence for a little while. “Tristan?” Rory stopped her research. “Yeah.” He continued to take notes from his book. “Can I ask you something?” “I think you just did.” “You want another pillow in your face?” “No... go ahead.” “Why are you being so nice to me?” Tristan’s breath caught in his chest when he heard this. He looked up to find Rory biting her bottom lip. *What exactly had she been thinking about on that couch?* “You aren’t trying to get something out of me are you?” Tristan sighed. “No, I’m not using you for anything. I just thought that I should stop acting like a jerk to someone who didn’t deserve it. Why do you ask?” “No reason.” Silence one again. “Ok.... you see, the thing is, Dean and I had a fight today.” *She better stop doing that lip thing soon because I can barely keep myself from kissing her as it is.* “Boyfriend Dean? The guy I almost punched at the dance Dean” Rory dipped her head, her hair falling about her face. “The one and only. Well any ways, he said that the only reason you were being nice to me was because you wanted something from me. I told him that you weren’t like that. That you had changed, and were being nicer for the sake of our collective GPAs.” Rory babbled. “You defended me?” Tristan leaned forward and brushed back a piece of hair that had fallen in front of Rory’s eyes, she felt a shock travel throughout her body. “Yeah. Dean was even angrier when I did that, but he calmed down.” Silence. “So you aren’t trying to us me?” “No Rory. I don’ want anything from you.” *Liar! You want her to love you.* Rory sighed. “Glad we got that cleared up.” They went back to work, but Rory’s toes still tingled from his gentle touch. Not long later they finished up for the night. The books had bee stacked and the papers place in various folders. Tristan was collecting his things and heading for the door. Rory followed him out. “Goodnight.” Rory said at the doorway. “See you tomorrow.” Tristan began to walk down the stairs. At the bottom he turned around and faced her. “Rory.” “Yeah.” “If Dean dumps you because of our new friendship, he’s dumber that I thought. He’d have to be to let you go.” With that he climbed into his car and drove away. Rory just stood there, unable to speak.