Disclaimer: Not mine…
It was like an unspoken agreement, we did not talk about the night of the party, I'm not even sure that I was allowed to think about it.
Problem was that I couldn't get the feeling out of my mind; every little thing brought the memory of our closeness back.
Nothing more of that sort happened that evening but it sort of changed things, made me more aware to the fact that she meant more to me than I was willing to admit aloud.
Ignoring that kiss we shared a light conversation under the moonlight, walked back inside and rejoined the party.
We danced a few times together and with others as well, my mom, while sharing a dance, said that she was happy to see me with a different type of girl for once.
The evening ended when I found her sound asleep in the library, with a book in hand, I woke her up and took her home.
The next day we went ice-skating, I probably don't have to mention that she's not very good at it, most of our time on the rink was spent on helping her back to her feet but it was funny and we both found ourselves laughing so hard that we ended up out of breath.
The day ended at her house over a cup of hot chocolate, trying to warm up quickly.
I finally had the pleasure of meeting Lorelai, her mother, and see where a lot of Rory's traits came from.
And now, a few days later I was back in my apartment, thinking about that weekend and thinking of that moment between us.
I knew that I needed to stop thinking about it but I couldn't, did she really expect me to forget that it happened?
The doorbell rang and as I opened the door I found non other than Rory Gilmore.
She was holding paint cans and some brushes in her hands, smiling, "Jamie and I spoke at your parents' party and decided it's time you do something with your ugly apartment. She's downstairs with David, they're bringing more paint."
I smiled and opened the door wider, inviting her in, "And what would you have done if I weren't home?"
"Break in, I guess." she walked in and dropped everything on the floor, "I also called Daniel and Paris, they should be here any minute and Mark said he'd stop by later."
"And you're all going to help?" I was a little shocked.
"I thought we would cheer you while you do all the work…"
"But I still haven't decided what colors I want."
"Well, Jamie and I have." She walked into the kitchen, "If we leave it to you the year would end and you'd still be thinking about it." She opened the cabinet and took a cup; filling it with coffee she spoke again, "I love coffee."
"How can you be sure that I'm going to like the colors you got?"
"Well, you can't really make up your mind so you don't really have a choice"
"Well, when you put it this way, I guess I don't."
"That a boy…" I heard Jamie's voice and she walked in, David following with 2 huge cans of paint in his hands, he nodded my way in acknowledgement and I did the same.
Ten minutes later Paris and Daniel walked in with bags of supplies in both hands and 30 minutes later we were all busy.
"You want to put Purple on my walls?!" I asked Rory as she opened one of the cans.
"Only on one of them." She said defensively.
"What am I, a twelve year old girl?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" seeing the look on my face she continued, "Oh, come on, you're going to love it."
"Rory, it's a closet, it can stay as it is."
"No one's going to see it anyway and I swear I won't tell a soul." She said, smiling.
I took the brush from her hand, "Fine, which wall?"
She pointed on the selected wall, "I promise you're going to like it."
"What are you going to do in the meantime?"
"Work on the living room, I really hate that room."
"Don't tell me, you're going to paint the walls bright pink." I said sarcastically.
"Watch it, or I'll do it just to spite you."
"It scares me that I believe you."
"Just start working on this walk-in closet and shut up."
"And what if I don't?"
"Do you not know how to work a brush or something like that?"
"Are you asking this because I'm from Hartford?"
"Notice that both Paris and Daniel are from Hartford and I didn't ask them."
"Then maybe you should…"
"Do you see this?" she snatched the brush from my hand, "You use it to put colors on walls." She shoved the brush back in my hand "And you keep your mouth shut while doing so." With a smile my way she walked out of the closed, "And don't you dare come out before it's done. Even if you're choked by the fumes, are we clear?"
"Well, could you at least push the play on my stereo on your way out?"
Hearing the music that was playing she yelled, "Hey, I love this song." And then it played louder.
About an hour later I finished everything and as I walked out back into my bedroom with the empty can of paint and the brush lying inside it.
"I never thought I would have the chance to see Tristan Dugrey coming out of the closet…" I heard Rory's voice and found her sitting on my bed with a book.
"Funny. Did you come up with it all by yourself?"
"What do you think?" she smiled.
"How long have you been sitting here?"
"About 20 minutes."
"And you didn't even think to offer some help?"
"Hey, I'm here because I needed a break, not extra work."
I sat beside her, "So you came to read?"
"Yeah."
"Do you need any help with the living room?"
"Just get Paris away from me for a while, she's driving me crazy."
"I thought you'd be used to her by now."
"I am, but today she's more neurotic then ever."
"So I guess she's going out of her way to get on your nerves, huh?"
"Come on, let's get back to work." She said, pushing herself off the bed.
Half an hour later we were both facing the finished wall. It was light blue now.
She looked at me with a questioning look, waiting for me to share my thoughts, "I like it, okay? Stop staring at me."
"I wasn't staring; I was urging you to share your opinion. And I told you that you'd like it."
"Well, you missed a spot."
"What?" she turned to the wall again, "Where?"
I picked up a brush and touched her cheek with it, turning her cheek blue, "Right here." I smile mischievously.
"Tristan…" she said, trying to rub it off with her sleeve.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, you're just making it worse." She seemed to have smeared it all over and that brought a smile to my lips.
She pouted in response, "Well, this was your doing so you better help me clean it."
I grabbed a clean piece of cloth and gently started to clean her cheek.
"This better come off, otherwise I'm locking you in that closet with Paris and she'll torture you to death."
"No need to threat me, I'll get it out."
"Well, just do it quickly."
I put the cloth down, taking her look in, "Just so you know, you're beautiful either way." With another smile I picked up a clean cloth and headed into the kitchen to wet the cloth, thinking it would help removing the paint.
When I walked into the living room again she was facing the wall again, she seemed lost in thought. I walked over to her and stood quietly beside her, giving her all the time she needed. A few moments later she acknowledged my presence by turning to face me with a smile.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Just thinking." I brought the wet cloth to her cheek and she turned her head away, giving me better access.
Noticing that the paint was gone I stopped, touching her cheek now with my hand I smile at the softness of her skin, "All clean." I said softly.
"Thanks." She said quietly that I barely heard it.
"Yeah…" I smiled lightly as our eyes met for a second.
"Do you guys want some coffee?" Jamie's cheery voice made us both jump, breaking the moment.
"I'd love some." Rory said with a smile, "Thanks." Avoiding eye contact she walked into the kitchen.
"What was that?" Jamie's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"What was what?"
"Still in denial?" she asked with a smile.
I found myself smiling bitterly, "I wish."
"Did you two-"
"No." I didn't let her finish.
She came closer and gave me a hug, letting go she finally spoke, "But you're fine, right?"
I smiled, Jamie is such a sweetheart, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."
"Come on, let's get some coffee."
"Did you make it yourself?" I asked, "Because if you did I'm not so sure that would be a good idea."
"I know how dangerous I am with these things, I asked David to do it." She smiled brightly, "He knows I make terrible coffee so he can't really say no to that."
"You've taught him well, I see."
"Actually, all I had to do was make coffee once."
"And I'm sure that was more than enough." I started laughing.
"Okay, we've made enough fun of my cooking skills, now will you join us all in the kitchen?"
About an hour later everyone has left and after a very long day I decided I needed a good shower.
I walked into the bathroom, a room I didn't even know that they'd been working on, and to my surprise I found that this room was the greatest of all.
The walls had clouds painted on and a painting of a sunset, something I was sure Jamie did, and in the bath stood three yellow ducks in different sizes.
The shower curtain was blue with pictures of smiling, yellow ducks and on the sink stood a soap container with the same ducks.
Smiling, I walked into the living room, picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hello, dear cousin of mine"
"Ducks?"
"It was Rory's idea."
"I loved the walls, they look great."
"Thanks."
"So, why ducks?"
"She thought it would be funny and I agree."
"If I ever let a date walk in there she would run away."
"That probably wouldn't be her only reason…"
"Gee, thanks."
"Well, it's not like you've been dating lately anyway."
"How would you know?"
"I'm all knowing."
"You spoke to my mom again, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Well, the next time you two talk will you tell her to mind he own business?"
"You're her son, it's her business."
"Really, Did your parents meet David already? Would you like me to set something up?"
"I'll tell her to but out."
"Thanks. I'll talk to you later."
"You saw the bathroom, didn't you?" Rory answered.
"Yes, I did."
"Notice that the walls are duck-free so you can remove anything that's too 'ducky'."
"Very thoughtful of you."
"Admit it, you love it all, ducks included."
"It would scare off any date I bring home."
"It wouldn't scare me." Realizing what she said she spoke quickly, sounding very uncomfortable, "Not that I would… err… not that you would-"
"Don't worry; I know you didn't mean it that way."
"No. I just-"
"I know." I said smiling at the situation, "Don't worry about it."
"So what are your plans for this evening?"
"I don't have any."
"Okay, so it's settled, I'll be there in about an hour with some junk food and a movie. What would you like on you pizza?"
"Doesn't matter. What movie?"
"Sleepless in Seattle"
"No."
"Why not? It's a classic."
"I've seen it once and it was more than enough."
"Fine, I'll find a different movie."
"It better not be something as stupid as 'Sixteen Candles', stupid movie."
"I'll do my best."
"Great, I'll see you in about an hour."
I opened the door, "Come in." I found a very wet Rory Gilmore standing at the door, holding a bag with DVD's and a few other bags with sweets.
"I brought two movies, comedies."
"Chick flicks, I assume."
"Sandra Bullock movies." We walked into the living room, "We've got 'Miss Congeniality' and 'Two Weeks Notice' any preferences?"
"Nope."
"Pick one, I like them both."
I took the bag from her hand and pulled out a DVD, " 'Two Weeks Notice' it is."
A week later I realized that it's been a while since I've last seen or heard from Rory so I decided to pay her a visit.
I knocked on the door and a minute later Paris opened the door. She let me in and informed me that Rory was sick and that I was to keep quiet since she was asleep.
Realizing that she was waiting for me to mess up so she could bite my head off I told her I would stop by later and went out for a walk.
When I came back a couple of hours later she invited me in, Rory was awake and they both seemed very annoyed.
I walked into her room, "I come bearing gifts, Soup and coffee." I said, smiling.
She was laying in her bed, covered to her face, tissues all over the place.
"Thank god, Paris is driving me crazy."
"You're sick; I'm not going to let you run around campus." Paris was so annoyed I thought she was going to explode.
"Going to the library is not running around."
"I promised your mom that I won't let you move from bed until she's here."
"My mom is crazy and you know that."
"Well, she's right this time."
"See?" she turned to me, "She's just as crazy as my mother is."
"Well, if you're sick I actually agree with both of them."
"Coffee will definitely help." She smiled sweetly.
"How about some soup?"
"I want coffee."
"Now that I look at you I'm not sure it's such a good idea, I can make some tea."
"Coffee." She demanded.
"Tea has caffeine in it as well…" I offered.
"Are you depriving me of coffee?"
"What does she have anyway?" I turned to Paris.
"I'm right here, you know…"
"Flu, but she refuses to see a doctor." She answered, ignoring Rory.
"And how long has she been sick?"
"For about a week."
I turned to look at Rory, "Are you sick because you insisted to walk back to your dorms? I knew I should have taken you."
"What do you care?" she asked, acting like a little child.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat but I have a class to get to."
"You're not the only one, you know…" Rory spoke.
"Yes, that's true, but you're sick." She smiled and added "Aren't you lucky that you've got a friend in that class to take notes for you?"
"That's not funny, Paris"
"It's not my fault that you're so fragile when you're sick."
"I'm not fragile, so stop acting like I might break." She sounded so frustrated.
"I'll see you later, Rory." She turned to me, "Make sure she doesn't exhaust herself please." And with that she was gone.
"Now do you see why I need that coffee?" she sounded so tired that it almost broke my heart.
"I'll make you a deal, finish the soup and then you can have some coffee."
"Good enough for me." She said, extending her hand for the soup.
She downed all the soup in less then a minute, leaving me completely shocked, "Wow, maybe I should have brought more soup…"
"No need." She smiled, "Coffee please."
"The lengths you'd go to just to get coffee amaze me."
Taking the coffee from me she spoke again, "My mom should be here soon with some as well, she's the only one who really understands the physical need I have for coffee."
"Did she just find out that you're sick?"
"No." she took a sip, sighing, "she's been coming every day."
"That can't be simple."
"It's not but she's been so busy with the Inn and Sookie that she can't really spend the night so she goes back and forth."
"That sounds crazy."
"It is. I told her that I'm fine but she won't listen."
I smiled, "So you got it from her."
She looked at me, "Got what?"
"Your stubbornness."
"I'm not stubborn, I know what I want, that's all."
"So, why didn't you tell me that you were sick?"
"I'm not that sick."
"So what did Paris mean by saying that you're fragile?"
"I fainted a couple of days ago and they both panicked. I probably didn't have enough to drink that's all."
"Or maybe you had too much caffeine."
"That's just like saying that you had too much sex…"
"Point taken." I said.
"Anyway, I'm fine now."
"You do know that your body was telling you to rest, right?"
"I've been in bed all week; I'm going to forget how to walk at this rate."
"So what do you want to do?"
"I need to get out of here."
"And go where?"
"I just want to get some fresh air."
We were now sitting outside on a bench, each with a steaming cup of coffee, she seemed to be lost in thought again so I kept quiet.
As a guy passed us and turned to look at her she finally spoke, "I can't believe I'm sitting outside with trainings and a sweatshirt, I must look horrible."
"You look beautiful."
Her eyes met mine, "Why do you keep saying these things?"
"Because that's what I think."
She got up, "Please stop, Tristan."
I took her hand in mine and pulled her closer to me, her stomach at the height of my head. I looked up, meeting her eyes, "You know I can't."
She swallowed hard, looking away. I got up, facing her, our bodies almost touching.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, trying to calm herself down.
Smiling to myself I pulled her closer to me, "Are you okay?" I asked.
"I'm fine." She said, her body shaking.
I bent my hand down a little, capturing her lips with mine. My hands pulled her even closer and she let me deepen the kiss. My tongue found hers and I was in pure heaven.
She pushed me away, gently, as if unsure of her doing, "It's too soon."
Tightening my hold on her so that she wouldn't escape I smiled, still in a daze from the moment we shared, "I like you, Rory, why can't you just let things happen? Why do you have to analyze every little thing?"
"I don't analyze everything." She protested.
I let go of her, suddenly feeling cold, and took a seat on the bench, "Yes. You do."
"Tristan," she sat beside me, "I'm not experienced as you are, and yes, sometimes I do over analyze things but I can't just rush into it."
"We've been doing this dance for a while now; I wouldn't call this rushing into it."
"I just need to think about, that's all."
"And what, find a way out of this?" I asked exasperated, "No need, I get the hint."
"No, I just need-"
I really didn't want to hear any excuses, "I know, Rory, you want to think about it and analyze and run it over and over in your head but it won't help.
You can't use your brain to get an answer when it comes to these things."
"I know." She spoke quietly.
"Then what's the problem?"
"You don't get it…"
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"I know that, Tristan."
"Fine, go think about it, I'll talk to you later, I really can't do this right now." I gave her a soft kiss on the cheek, "I hope you feel better, soon." And then I left.
A.N: Feel free to review (it might get the next chapter out in less then 4 years…)