Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Gilmore Girls only my made up ones. All rights to Gilmore Girls belong to Amy Sherman Palladino and the CW Network.

Tristan wasn’t entirely sure what his intention was as he headed purposefully towards Anders and Presley. At least Presley had the decency to look guilty, Anders just looked smug.

Rory on the other hand was in a little bit of a panic, unsure what Tristan intended to say. She didn’t want a big scene; she was so over Tristan and Anders fighting with each other.

And it irked her that Anders didn’t trust her anymore than this – feeling that he had to follow her.

Presley however was genuinely embarrassed and she didn’t want to think that she had already blown it with Tristan by listening to Anders and his stupid, paranoia.

It appeared that Anders was truly the only one enjoying this maybe confrontation that was coming and it was in that realization that Tristan knew what he needed to do to defuse Anders ploy to ruin his lunch with Rory.

Quickly he went up to Presley and gave her a welcoming hug surprising everyone.

“Hey hon…it’s good to see you. I didn’t know you were coming here today.” He said smiling a gorgeous smile at her.

Presley smiled back a little leery, afraid the meltdown might still be some where around the corner.

Rory was floored, she had expected Tristan to attack Anders and let him know he was unhappy – now the only one unhappy was Rory.

Reluctantly she realized she was having an awkward time resolving her feelings as she watched Tristan put his arm casually around Presley’s shoulder before he turned to Anders to address him.

“You…I expected to see here.”

“And why is that?” Anders said defensively, a little annoyed that Rory hadn’t greeted him the same way that Tristan had Presley – genuinely glad to see him.

Resigned he realized Tristan had outplayed him again as he watched the mixed emotions going across Rory’s face as she watched Tristan with Presley.

She was uncomfortable and it showed.

“Doesn’t matter…now that you are here, you should join us for lunch and maybe head back to my house for a swim afterwards. “ Tristan offered.

It was on the tip of Rory’s tongue to protest, but she knew that would not bode well for her later.

And if Anders had any common sense he would say “no” anyway.

“Sounds like a plan.” Anders said smugly.

Apparently he has no common sense thought Rory bitterly.

Anders wasn’t stupid, he knew that Tristan was up to something, but he hadn’t been able to figure it out yet and until he did there was no way he was backing down.

“Perfect we were just about to order when you got here. Follow me.” Tristan said taking the lead his arm still permanently implanted on Presley shoulder.

This was not the day he had planned by a long shot but he knew when it was over Anders would not be the winner in this imaginary belief he held that Rory was all his.

Tristan’s plan was to be on his best behavior and to be the best boyfriend to Presley that he possibly could.

His intention was to make Anders squirm as Rory fumed at him for checking up on her, Rory being jealous of Presley was just an added bonus that he hadn’t expected.

Pulling Presley’s chair out for her Tristan allowed her to sit before he moved her closer to the table automatically moving to do the same for Rory, only to have Anders step in front of him.

“I got this.” He said annoyed.

“Sorry…my bad.” Tristan said smirking. “ My mom always taught me to help seat the ladies first.

“What and you think mine didn’t?!” Anders said defensively.

“Relax Anders that’s not what I said.” Tristan countered taking his seat pleased that Anders was already losing his cool.

Sitting down now Tristan picked up a menu and handed it to Presley, Anders followed suite practically shoving it in Rory’s face to beat Tristan at his own game.

“I’m good.” Rory said pushing it away politely. “Maybe you should take a look though before the waiter gets here.”

Instantly Anders realized that Tristan had made him look like an idiot yet again.

“Right.” He answered glaring at a smirking Tristan now.

“My treat by the way.” Tristan offered.

“Yeah…I don’t think so. I can take care of me and Rory.” Anders stated adamantly.

“Whatever makes you happy.” Tristan said turning his attention back to Presley while keeping an eye on Rory out of the corner of his eye.

She was annoyed with Anders and uncomfortable watching him with Presley, this was pure gold.

Presley knew that Tristan was baiting Anders and that he was probably up to something, but she honestly didn’t care as he held her hand and caressed it, leaning over ever so often to give her a quick nuzzle on the side of her neck.

On the other side of the table…Rory was just in hell. Everything Tristan did, Anders copied trying to one up him which only served to heighten her awareness of everything Tristan was doing or saying to Presley.

She knew she and Tristan were only friends but she’d at least hoped he would take her feelings into consideration. After all it hadn’t been so long ago that they had been a couple and in love.

Right now their past seemed so far away as she fought the impulse to vomit every time Tristan touched Presley with his hands or his lips, and knowing what it felt like to look deep into his mesmerizing eyes was almost enough to make that happen.

She couldn’t take it anymore.

“I think I’m going to go.” Rory said getting up from the table mid-lunch.

Everyone turned instantly towards her.

“What…why?” Anders asked finally focusing his attention on Rory instead of watching Tristan’s every move.

“I’m actually not feeling very well.” Rory said honestly.

Tristan looked at her sympathetically, knowing he was probably a big part of how she was feeling right now. He felt much the same way after watching Anders paw at Rory to prove a point to him.

He was kind of glad she’d had enough because honestly he was kind of done pretending for Anders benefit.

‘I’ll take you home.” Tristan volunteered.

Instantly Anders responded. “I can take my girlfriend home.”

Rory really wanted Tristan to take her home but she knew it would look bad if she said that so she was ready to relent until she saw Presley’s expression of relief followed by her less than sincere statement.

“ Sorry you won’t be joining us at Tristan’s for a swim.”

That statement was all it took to change her mind.

“You know what actually…a swim might make me feel better.” Rory said doing an immediate turn causing Presley to wish she’d kept her mouth shut.

It was now a table at odds on all corners – this was going to be an interesting day.

Presley desperately wanted to call Amy for advice. She knew if anyone had been keeping score it would be more than apparent that Rory was still way in the lead on the path to Tristan’s heart.

The last thing she wanted to do was have to spend the day watching Tristan watching Rory.

But now thanks to Anders and his stupidity that was exactly what she was going to be doing.

The remainder of the lunch was cordial, each person weighing in their minds what they may or may not have gotten themselves into and the drive to Tristan’s house short, since he lived in the immediate vicinity of the club.

As he pulled into his driveway Presley turned to him.

“I’m sorry T…I shouldn’t have let Anders talk me into going to the club today.”

“We’ll talk about it later.” Tristan offered not willing to get into it with her right then.

“I knew it you are mad at me.” Presley said the reality of the situation clear to her now.

The whole lunch he had been charismatic and attentive for Rory’s benefit – so he didn’t look like a loser to her.

“I’m not mad – irked…way disappointed, maybe even a little concerned at your stalker tendencies…but not mad.”

“I’m not a stalker…” Presley tried but Tristan quickly cut her off.

“Jury’s still out on that one.”

“It won’t happen again…I promise you.” She said signing her promise with a shy smile.

“I don’t need you to promise me anything – I need you to trust me.” Tristan said in answer.

“I do.” Presley said less than convincingly.

“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response because we both know that if you truly trusted me you wouldn’t have shown up at the club today.” Tristan reminded her.

Presley knew it was time to throw Anders under the bus.

“It was Anders…not me. He wanted to follow you guys and he put doubts in my head.” Presley said weakly.

“I can’t help Anders with his paranoia…but if we’re going to stay together you need to get yours in check.” Tristan warned her.

“It would be easier if you didn’t insist on spending time with just Rory.” Presley put out hopefully only to be instantly shot down.

“We’ve already been down this road – I’m not ready to do that. I want to be Rory’s friend.” Tristan admitted yet again.

“I know.” Presley said the depression at that statement evident in her voice.

“Then stop making me say it.” Tristan requested with a finality that made his side on this matter crystal clear.

Presley wished more than anything that right now it could be just him and her, but knew her wish wasn’t coming true as Anders pulled into Tristan driveway with Rory in his passenger seat.

Immediately Tristan got out and went around to Presley’s side of the car and opened her door for her. It was a sweet and gentlemanly gesture that did not escape Rory or Ander’s attention.

Of course Anders followed suit and Rory smiled in return. He was trying so hard right now not to look like he was trying hard.

As Tristan led them through the house memories began to assault Rory’s senses of the times that she and Tristan had spent there together and Rory wondered a little wistfully if Tristan was thinking about those times too.

Presley and Anders both already had their suits on because of their ploy to make it look like they had planned to go swimming at the club, but Rory, Tristan realized was going to need to borrow one.

“If you follow me upstairs I can find you one of the guest suits” he offered innocently.

But immediately Anders balked at the idea. “Why not just bring her a suit and she can change in a bathroom down here.”

Before Tristan could answer Presley stepped in realizing this was her opportunity to show Tristan that she did trust him and had just let Anders cloud her judgment.

“ Tristan’s right it will be quicker if Rory just goes up with him.” She said smiling at Tristan for good measure.

“Thank you Presley – Rory are you coming?” Tristan said turning to her and Anders now.

“Sure.” Rory said feeling as if she’d somehow fallen into a very bizarre episode of the Twilight Zone.

It was beyond weird to have Presley backing her and Tristan going off anywhere alone together.

The minute Tristan and Rory were out of earshot Anders turned on Presley “ Did you take a stupid pill on the way over here?!”

“Very funny.” Presley countered.

“Do you see me laughing? What the hell has gotten into you – I thought we were in agreement that Rory and Tristan spending time alone was a BAD idea! “ Anders said in full rant now.

“I have to trust him.” Presley said matter of fact now.

“Shit…he got to you in the car on the way here didn’t he.” Anders stated feeling a little defeated now.

“It’s not like that…” Presley began only to be quickly cut off

“Oh…it’s exactly like that. He is so completely pulling your strings now that you don’t even realize you gave him permission to head off to a room alone with Rory – he’s good I’ll give him that.

“You’re an ass!” Presley said losing her temper now.

“At least I know what I am…you on the other hand have no idea what an idiot you are.” Anders countered sarcastically.

Upstairs in his bedroom Tristan retrieved a two-piece swimsuit from one of his dresser drawers.

“Here you go.” He said as he handed it over to Rory.

Rory’s first instinct was to be a little repulsed by the fact that he was keeping some girls bathing suit in his dresser until she recognized it as hers.

“I forgot you had this here.” Rory said smiling in relief as she remembered the last time she had worn it.

“I should probably tell you that it’s not the only thing I have. I started putting your stuff in a box as I came across it, but every time I thought it was time to return the box something else would turn up…so I kind of held onto it. “ He confessed.

“It’s okay…I actually have one of those boxes too.” Rory admitted stepping unconsciously into his personal space out of sheer habit.

“Well then I guess were even and now that we’re friends it should be a lot easier to piece meal your stuff back to you.” Tristan informed her as he gazed into her eyes her close proximity to him inviting danger.

Unable to help herself Rory gazed back at him – both of them now holding the look a little too long for it not to seem tension filled.

“I’ll just go into the bathroom to change into my swim trunks and let you change in here.” Tristan said finally being the one strong enough to break the connection they were experiencing.

“Thanks…” Rory said her voice trailing off as she tried to fight the breathless feeling he was leaving her with.

Quickly Tristan exited his bedroom, into his bathroom, shutting the door behind him before leaning heavily against it.

For a split second there he had wanted to just grab Rory and kiss the crap out of her, the scary realization being that he had really only pulled himself in check at the very last possible second.

Another minute in that room with her and he knew the outcome would have been much different and the future of their friendship would have been doomed.

As she changed into her swimsuit Rory started to feel a little melancholy. This room held so many wonderful memories for her and they were haunting her big time right now.

With no forethought she lay day down on the bed and snuggled into the pillows breathing in Tristan’s scent.

She had never felt more utterly hopeless than in that moment as a very vivid question cascaded through her thoughts.

“How was she supposed to be friends with Tristan when her body and soul still craved him with such an undeniable intensity?