"Why'd you get them?" she demanded.

"Because, I'm sorry alright Rory? Can't we just start over, possibly become friends, civil" he pleaded; his eyes giving away his sincerity and desperation.

"They must've cost a fortune," softening her tone.

"Cost doesn't matter, really. I just heard you liked PJ Harvey and thought maybe we could go together."

"Well, I guess---DEAN!" her eyes moving towards the tall form emerging from a truck. "What are you doing here?" moving towards him.

"I was coming to apologize for everything but GOD Rory! You told me there was nothing going on between you and richie rich, yet when I show up here you just happen to be with him?" he steamed as a small crowd formed to watch the drama unfold.

"No Dean, its not like that." Rory defended.

"I just can believe you." he bit back turning in the direction of his parked car.

Dean, no! I love you, I hate Tristan" she called after him in a feeble attempt to keep him from leaving her. Dean spun around and quickly caught her in his arms.

"I love you too Rory" he whispered but she was too distracted by the anguish contorted on Tristan's face as he dropped the pair of tickets he had hoped would construct some type of friendship between the two and bolted as fast as he could from the scene. Shivering slight, Rory allowed Dean to wrap his arms around her tightly; placing soft kisses on her neck. "Wanna go?" as he wrapped his arm around her waist and headed in the direction of the truck once more.

"Yea," came her soft reply smiling at her boyfriend.

Climbing into the truck he enthusiastically told her about how at lunch today Mrs. Kim had almost caught Lane in her tribute to the Sex Pistols t-shirt instead of the cardigan she was sent to classes in. Her laughter filled the car as if on cue, but she failed to absorb anything he was saying because he focus was more on the blonde boy sitting in his SUV. She couldn't help but notice how he sat there, his hands gripping the wheel so tightly they almost looked white while normally teasing blue eyes had taken on a stone-like appearance staring straight ahead and at nothing in particular.

----------------

"Hoooooooooooooney! I'm home" a voice called in the house.

"Hey mom! I'm in my room."

"Hey Sweetie. I heard the funniest thing today. Actually, I mean 5 minutes ago as I was picking up some dinner for us at Lukes. Is there something you forgot to tell me?"

"Lets see, went to Chilton, had some coffee, did some homework, oh yea, and I got back together with Dean this afternoon. How does Miss Patty do it?"

"She's like a cat hun. Sneaks in and out of places without being heard."

"Well, she should be a spy."

"Should be? She is a spy Rory! For the SHSS!"

"SHSS?"

"Duh! Stars Hallow Spy Society of course. Maybe Chilton is ripping me off."

"Definitely, the whole higher level education thing is a sham. I'm actually being brainwashed into becoming the ideal socialite and future trophy wife as we speak. Tragic really, but at least grandmas happy" she quipped.

"Banishing those awful images from my mind, how is giant boy doing?"

"Giant is good mom."

"Good, I'm glad you guys made up. Now come see the treasures I brought home from Luke's," she grinned prancing into the living room.

"Be right out!" Rory called; closing up her textbook and glancing at the PJ Harvey case, she allowed herself a moment to think about Tristan before retreating to the living room, her mother and the comforts of Luke's cheeseburgers.