Rory dreams she is in Camelot a handmaiden at the round table friend of Guinevere and pursued relentlessly by Lancelot, she is championed by and weds Tristan – In her waking world she is pursued by Logan after the bridesmaid debacle and surprised when Tristan appears to save the day. Was her dream prophetic? Who will she choose? (AU)
Disclaimer: Still not mine, only borrowed to make my stories more interesting.
A/N: So sorry my postings have become so staggered, I have just started at a new job and the pace is unpredictable. When I started posting this, I thought I could post it daily as before and even thought it was complete, I am now rereading and rewriting each chapter before I post, I hope you will all be patient, keep commenting, PMing, following and favoriting, I will not give up on this story. Thank you all for your kind support!
Chapter 4 – How About Love?
Rory and Tristan became fast friends, he knew she wasn't ready for more yet, he could wait, heck he had already waited this long, what was a few weeks or months more, he really hoped though, that the empty years were behind him. Rory and Logan were still on tender hooks, Rory loved Logan, but his hold on her was weakening, she had fully moved out of his apartment and they had talked, but she was wary, she would always wonder if she was enough for him. Logan watched as Rory and Tristan drew closer and she withdrew from him, it was painful to all three of them and for different reasons.
The group for friends were meeting at the pub, it was Thursday so weekend plans would be the hot topic, New York was always a favorite for those with no home obligations, which meant Rory was often out of the planning, the group left after last classes on Friday and Rory had the family dinner. It seemed odd to her that this weekend the group was at odds, they craved adventure, but couldn't be far due to midterm prep starting in the week to come and none of them could afford to miss their first class. Oddly the conversation had become heated as no one wanted to stay in Hartford or New Haven but could find no alternative.
"Luv" Finn turned to Rory imploring, "Tell us about that sweet town of yours, what antics is Kirk up to?" Finn was tired of the tension and decided it was Rory's turn to get the party started.
Rory smiled broadly at the Aussie with clear understanding, "You know Finn, you can see for yourself this weekend, we are having a festival of Fall, there will be loads of food, games, some rides and you will get an eyeful of Kirk for your very own. It would be great if you all came." Murmurs of agreement came from around the table, "Great it settled then, Tris and I will take his car and you all can follow in the SUV, we should leave about 10:30 so we can have a late breakfast or early lunch at Luke's, you are all going to love my town and they will just eat you up, not literally, I won't let them." she giggled and they looked at her oddly.
Logan felt crushed, she had just let him know, Tristan was her preferred partner. Even though he thought maybe they were getting somewhere, they had talked, he had obtained a note from her mother..., after all that he thought, no hoped, she forgave him, but hearing her assert that she would ride with Tristan it hurt. He got up to go to the bar, she noticed and followed him over.
"Logan what's wrong, you always said we should visit my town." Rory place her hand on his shoulder.
Logan took her hand, turned it over and kissed her palm, "You are riding with Tristan not me, are we over?"
Rory felt the shiver she always got when Logan touched her, kissed her and she thought carefully about her answer, did she want them to be over? "Honestly Logan, I don't know, I know that the whole bridesmaids episode hurt me deeply. It was painful to think you could so easily go from my bed to several others. I felt as if I wasn't enough for you, I am not what you need, that you will always want more, you need the many to feed your ego not just one to feed your heart."
"I never wanted you to feel that way Ace, you are special, a real beauty with a heart of pure gold, when we fought, I thought it was over, that I had lost you and I allowed myself to try and behave as I used too. It wasn't enough, none of them was you, they didn't smell of coffee and a hint of vanilla. They didn't say my name as beautifully as you. It was empty and meaningless and it cost me you. I realized I was in love with you, that could be the only reason no other woman could compare, I love you. I can't tell you how very sorry I am, about my stupidity, and now you are moving on to Tristan. I want you to be happy, but I wish it was me that gave you that happiness." Logan held her hand in his.
Rory froze, she looked at Logan's face into the deep chocolate of his eyes, he was telling the truth, he was in love with her. "Logan, that is why it hurt me so much and it still hurts because I love you too, I couldn't have moved in with you if I didn't. I just don't know if I can trust you. I haven't moved on to Tristan, he and I are friends, I know he would like more, but until I know what to do about you, you still hold my heart. Let's take this slow and see where we get from here, I really loved you Logan, and I want to trust you again."
Logan pulled her into his arms and breathed deeply her sweet scent, that scent that was solely Rory, the fragrance he identified as home. He pulled back slightly, tipped her chin up and kissed her sweetly. "Thank you Ace, I will do my best."
Tristan, along with the whole table, watched the pair converse, they seemed in deep conversation, then they saw the kiss, it was intimate and not at all like they had ever seen anyone kiss, there was a sweetness and genuine feeling in it. Tristan, felt an ache in his heart, but he had promised to be her friend and that he would always do.
Stephanie reached for his hand below the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze and he was grateful for the small comfort. He wondered if they would ever be what he wanted, but respected that she was where she wanted to be, even if it shattered him, he wanted her happy. 'Mary should be happy', that was his heartfelt thought.
The pair shared an intimacy that Tristan wanted for his own - one day. He saw the way she looked at him, hopeful and heart-filled with love. He saw how Logan looked at her, as if she was the whole world, he knew that feeling, she was his world as well. He wanted to tell her to stop, think it over, ask if she was really ready to trust him not to cheat again. Even though Logan insisted again and again, he thought they were broken up, it wasn't cheating. Logan was wrong, if you don't confirm with the significant other that it is over, it is absolutely cheating. It wasn't a single indiscretion, it had been several and those were just the ones in Honor's wedding party, had she even considered that their may be more? Tristan knew love could be blind, but his heart broke at seeing Rory so blinded and in another man's arms.
