Bad Timing
AU: Rory has changed. Stars Hallow knows it, her mother knows it, and
even she knows it, but he doesn't.
Note: 100 Trory fan! Whoohoo! If you are not a Trory fan then this
story is definitely not for you.
Claim: I own my wild imagination!
"I'll have you know that I can sue you for assault," Tristan Dugrey announced, wincing as he slid into the seat opposite to Rory.
"It's hardly abuse," she laughed, shaking her head, "I barely landed on me."
He opened his mouth for mock surprise, and hissed, "Barely? You dove on top of me- full body weight and I think you fractured one of my ribs."
"All is fair in the game."
"Yeah right, if there was a referee there he would have benched your ass for the rest of the season for foul play!"
She couldn't help but giggle at his counter attack, and she instantly blushed as she did so.
"And did you just giggle?" his arch eyebrow gave his question affect.
"No," she bit her lip and smiled.
"Yes you did," he pointed his finger at her and smirked, "you giggled."
"I do not giggle Dugrey, therefore it was all in your imagination."
"I may have a broken rib and a shattered ankle, but I do not have head damage."
"Whatever you say Dugrey," she waved him off and smiled at the waiter.
It was almost… intimate. Rory couldn't help but think as she finished the remainders of the dessert Tristan had ordered for the two of them to share.
The lights in the dining area had dimmed and candles were lit at each table… the wonderful ocean view didn't help matters much either.
But it was all so innocent… at least that's what she had to remind herself.
"What caught your attention and stole you from me?" his question was asked in the softest tone, and caused a light shiver to crawl up the side of her arm.
The eyes that caught hers were filled with wonder and there was a slight hint of amusement that flickered beneath a deep green. "I was just admiring the view," was her simple answer.
"Me too," was his as he continued to stare into her eyes, which caused another creeping shiver… innocent- she reminded.
Thoughts circled over and over in her mind… it had been a very long time since she left Stars Hallow to make a life elsewhere. It had been a very long time since she decided it was time to open her world up to possibilities. To open the door to a life with Logan that once held such great appeal. And it had been that long since she was truly happy. She hadn't smiled much in the last few years- until he strolled into her ordinary life.
Of all people he who tortured her as a young girl… was now her only friend in the city, and maybe the best she could ask for.
"Care to dance Mare?" he was standing in front of her, hand held out and a smile on his face.
She hadn't even noticed that her eyes were closed that whole time and embarrassment reddened her cheeks. Glancing around and seeing that there was not a single soul dancing in the place, she whispered, "here?"
"Sure, why not," came his easy answer.
Without another word she placed her hand into his hand and allowed him to lead her away from their table. It was as if she couldn't even say no… as if he took away that part of her that was rational and practical.
They began to slow dance with easy steps, his left hand cupped on her lower back and his right laced with her left hand.
The music in the room seemed to get a little louder and the light in the room seemed to get a little darker… and her heart seemed to beat a little faster.
It wasn't the first time that they danced as was evident to the rest of the room, but it felt like the first time all over again to her.
"Do you want to stop?" Tristan asked in a curious tone, forcing her to stare back into his eyes.
She didn't say a word just allowed her lips to curl into a small smile.
Her smile was infectious and he chuckled. "Lorelai Leigh did I ever tell you that you're quite a wonderful dancer?"
"You might have, but it's nice to hear it a second time you know."
"Well you are- very exceptional…"
"Must have been those classes grams made me take."
"Must have been."
As their laughter faded they notice couple start to make way onto the dance floor that Tristan had created, which caused a grin to spread across his face.
She searched for words- a sly remark- some kind of comment, but couldn't find any… as moments seemed to pass she found herself leaning her head on his chest.
His air supply seemed to be cut short at that moment, but he managed to take a deep breath a let out a sigh of relief.
He wondered if she could feel his heart beating erratically in his chest.
The ride home was filled with silence…
He wasn't sure if it was because of the seemingly romantic and extremely awkward day that they had spent together or because there was nothing left to say.
Well maybe she had nothing left to say but he could go on for hours.
"My back still hurts you know," he announced, throwing a sideways glare in Rorys direction.
"Then you shouldn't have fell on it," she teased, sticking out her tongue.
"I wouldn't have if you wouldn't have thrown all of your body weight on top of me, knocking me clear off my feet and onto the ground…"
"Are you calling me fat Dugrey?"
"You've put on a few pounds," he teased playfully.
She swatted him and pursed her lips together. "What time do you think that we'll make it home?"
"Eight the latest," his words were void of emotion.
Rory frowned as her phone started to vibrate against her hip and inwardly cursed as her husbands name came across the caller ID.
'Hey' she sighed, turning her eyes to gaze out the window.
'Baby, where are you?' his tone was soft.
'Went to the book store,' she lied, not noticing the sideways glance Tristan threw her way.
'Find anything new in that damn place?' he chuckled.
'Just reading a bit…where are you?' her tone changed from guilty to bitter.
'I'm just finishing up in the office I should be home no longer than an hour I hope,' he paused, and when she said nothing in return continued, 'I'm sorry.'
'Its fine,' she answered.
'No it's not fine,' he admitted, 'I told you we would spend some time together and I got caught up in work… we'll go see a movie tomorrow and dinner, okay?'
'Okay,' she said simply, wishing that she could believe his words and hoping this time she could.
She didn't want to fail… not in her marriage.
But she knew that a failing marriage was not a one way street it took two to do the awful job.
'I'll be home in an hour,' he said again.
And realization hit her… an hour.
Hopefully she would be home before then.
'Love you,' he hung up and she closed her eyes, letting his last words sink in.
"Is everything alright?" Tristan asked in a seemingly nonchalant tone, eyes still fixed on the road.
"Yes," she bit her lip, feeling nothing but terrible, "but do you think we could speed it up just a little?" when he said nothing she added, "He said he would be home in no more than an hour."
"Okay."
His tone had a lace of sadness that made her cringe…
And the rest of the ride home was complete silence.
As they pulled up to the side of her building he said, "Home with twenty minutes to spare."
"Thanks Trist," she smiled and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "I appreciate the speeding- if you would have got a ticket I promise I would have paid."
He only chuckled at her comment and took out his pack of cigarettes.
When the fire hit the paper he became intrigued… he watched as in burned its way into the center.
Marveled at the beauty of it, and then placed it to his lips.
Closing his eyes he took a long, very slow hit and let the smoke fill his lungs.
He opened his eyes, still watching as the fire burned the paper and ashes formed.
A slow exhale…
A slow release of troubles, worries, and negative thoughts…
An escape into a hazy place where no one could reach him
At least for a couple of seconds…
He felt her stare, and he let his eyes meet hers.
She looked unsure- almost sad.
He handed her the cigarette.
She took it wordlessly, and placed it to her lips.
The action became familiar over the past couple of weeks and for the first time the whole ride the silence was a pleasing kind.
It seemed like an eternity had gone by, and Tristan wished it could be.
"It was a great day," were Rory's words as she opened the car door.
"Yeah," he agreed, smiling, "it was."
"I'll see you… tomorrow?" she asked, trying hard not to sound pushy.
He laughed, running fingers through his tousled hair, "it's a date Gilmore."
She blushed a little, closing the car door softly and walking away.
He sat there for a few minutes, waiting to see if the lights of her apartment came on to make sure she was safe and began to drive off.
They never noticed that someone was watching them…
AN: Thanks for all the reviews! Keep em' coming please )
Hope you enjoyed!
Riss