A/N: Sorry that its' been a while since I've updated but I've been having some health issues as well as we had several high wind storms and tornado's... I'm doing this chapter with a broken thumb and I can only see out of one eye so if I miss any typo's I am extremely sorry for that.. .This chapter is dedicated to the ANON review Kate for making me smile with her review... Hold on to your pant seats folks you're in for a ride!
Disclaimer: I don't own GG!
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Lorelai pulled back from the hug she enveloped Tristan in and gave him a watery smile. "Thank you so much for saving my little girl."
Tristan shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. "I didn't do anything Miss Gilmore. I didn't save her because she still ended up getting shot. If I would have just moved quicker or sooner then she wouldn't have been shot. It's my fault that she's hurt."
Lorelai shook her head and grabbed Tristan's hand in her own as she looked at him fiercely. "It is in no way your fault that she is hurt Tristan. You didn't have a gun pointed at her. You didn't tell Dean to pull the trigger. You didn't tell Dean to come to your school and hold Rory, yourself and everyone else as hostages. The person that is to blame for all this was arrested. And Tristan you did save my daughter. If you wouldn't have reacted when you did the bullet could have hit her in the heart. Just because I wasn't in the room didn't mean that I didn't hear what that Detective said. It is because of you that my daughter has a fighting chance."
Tristan shook his head but before he could say anything Luke said from behind him "You need to listen to Lorelai. It was because of your quick actions that Rory didn't get shot in the chest or worse. It was because of you that she will survive this. You know Tristan I had heard things about you that had caused me not to like you before I ever even met you. I have never in my wildest dreams expected or even thought that if something like this would happen that you would be the one to save Rory. Hell I never even thought or imagined that something like this would happen. You are a hero Tristan and you need to stop blaming yourself."
Tristan turned his head to look at Luke and he saw the truth and a sheen of tears in Luke's eyes and he nodded. "Thank you."
Luke put a hand on Tristan's shoulder and shook his head. "No. I should be the one thanking you."
Tristan gave a slight smile and then ran his fingers through his hair again as he looked from Luke to Lorelai to Jesse. He could see the gratitude they were feeling in their eyes and he shook his head. He didn't want their gratitude. The only thing he wanted was for Rory to be okay. After all Rory was his Mary and if she wasn't okay he didn't know how he could make it. He closed his eyes on a wave of pain and sighed. "I don't know what I'll do if she isn't okay."
It was Jesse who stepped forward and said what had just entered Luke's and Lorelai's mind at Tristan's words. "You are in love with her."
Tristan's eyes flew open and over to Jesse as he automatically shook his head and denied "No I'm not. I don't believe in love."
Jesse laughed and shook his head. "No man you are in love with her. Let me tell you a little something about Rory Gilmore. Once she is in your heart she doesn't leave. Another thing is loving Rory is easy but also complicated at the same time. You saved her life today so that means her life now belongs to you for the rest of yours and the rest of her life. Don't let her slip through your fingers again Tristan. If you love her then tell her because I'm pretty damn sure she loves you and has for the longest time although she would never admit it."
Tristan's mouth dropped open in shock and he stared at Jesse in shock only for his eyes to fly to Lorelai's face as she said "Jesse is right Tristan. I saw what it did to my baby girl when you left for Military School. I saw how much it hurt her and I saw how much she regretted not giving you a chance. I know that you have been hitting on her since you got back and while she may have acted unaffected she was anything but. I can look into your eyes right now and I see the love you feel for my daughter shining in your eyes. Back before you left for Military school I wouldn't have approved of you dating my daughter but now you're a different boy and I don't think my daughter could do any better than you. You do love Rory, Tristan because if you didn't you wouldn't have saved her like you did."
Tristan swallowed the lump in his throat and then nodded. "I loved Rory back then but I didn't know it until I left for Military school. I realized while I was at Military school that everything I did to her was because I wasn't sure how to show her just how much I liked her. I've had girlfriends before and plenty of them but none of them were what you would call serious. One look at Rory and I felt as if my world had shifted on its axes. I knew that she wasn't the type of girl who would casually date or sleep around which is why I dubbed her Mary. I don't think she realizes that when I call her Mary it is a term of endearment from me. She always has been and she always will be my Mary."
Lorelai chuckled slightly. "You know I tried to tell Rory once that is why you probably called her Mary but she shook her head and told me you do it just to annoy her. My daughter may have had a boyfriend but Dean wasn't one to call her nicknames or give her a term of endearment. I think now though that she will finally understand why you do it."
Tristan smiled slightly and said "I hope so. I don't know what I'd do if I were to lose her. I really don't think I could survive in a world that didn't hold Rory Gilmore in it even if she wasn't with me."
Jesse nodded. "I feel the same way man. I may have at one time been in love with Rory but now I love her like a sister. I'll help you and her in anyway that I can."
Tristan nodded at Jesse and said "Thank you."
Jesse shook his head but before he could say anything a voice was heard calling out "Family of Rory Gilmore?"
A/N 2: So there is chapter 8! *snorts* It didn't go as planned but I like it... Click the button and let me know what you think!
