Hey everyone, well here is the next chapter. I had issues with my computer so I couldn't post sooner. Thanks for the feedback on Chapter 9. Oh and I kinda fixed a little bit of Chapter 6 (The Trory conversation in the end) it's nothing big but it changes a few things. You might not even notice the difference.
Princess Ruby thanks for noting my typo. You'd think with seven years of French I'd be able to catch that. Roxy, "raison d'etre" means reason to be if I am not mistaken. So there you go.
On to the chapter!
Chapter 10: Mercury Rising
"It's not a date!" Rory informed her mother the next night. Lorelai sat on the bed, amid the piles of clothes and eyed her daughter reproachfully. "He didn't ask me out, Mom. He just said that he'd be there to keep me company. Therefore, it is not a date."
Lorelai scrunched her nose as Rory held up a black vest against her navy blue dress. "But this is the same devil child that declared that he wanted you. That he was going to pursue you. Why would he pass up an opportunity to ask you out?"
"I don't know," Rory said with a shrug. "Tristan is so complicated. One minute he's friendly and I feel like we're making progress but then he returns to his evil ways and messes with my head. I feel like I am on a roller coaster when I am around him. With Dean, everything was easier. I always knew where I stood with him."
"Well not all boys can be narcoleptic now can they?" Lorelai asked. Rory shot her Mom a warning look. Her mother backed off with a surrender gesture. "What I mean is that relationships get harder and messier when you grow up. Things with Dean were simple on some levels but hard on others but he was your first love. And love is hard and complicated and you just have to feel your way through."
Rory nodded. "You're right. Besides, Tristan doesn't want serious. He wants to prove something and I'll just have to fight him until he gives up or I give up. Whatever comes first, right?"
"That sounds like a plan," Lorelai said and handed her daughter a pair of pumps.
"Paris, hold still!" Lane yelled. Lorelai looked at Rory amused and the two headed for the bathroom to help the other two girls out.
Fifteen minutes later, Rory and Lane were in Lorelai's Jeep, following Paris and Jess in the formers' Mustang. Lane nervously fidgeted with the radio as soon as they pulled out of Stars' Hollow and Rory was going from amused to irate very quickly. "Would you choose a station already?"
"I'm nervous," Lane admitted as she folded her hand across her lap after leaving the radio on a soft rock station. "I don't even know if this is something I want. I mean it was over – Henry and I went our separate ways…now all of a sudden he's back and it's like we were never apart."
"Boy do I know what that feels like," Rory said her hands firmly on the steering wheel. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be on a non-date with Tristan."
"What are you talking about? This totally a date-date with Tristan."
"Technically, it isn't." Rory replied. "We were cornered. I don't know what's worse – to be alone while you and Henry and Paris and Jess make googly eyes at each other or to have Tristan to bicker with until one of us finally gives up and - "
"Admits burning desire for the other?" Lane piped up mischievously. Rory shot her a pointed, annoyed look before returning her gaze to the road. "Come one, Ror you can't tell me that you don't want to be with a guy who obviously adores you."
Rory sighed. "I don't want to get into this Lane. With Tristan things are never simple."
"If it's not complicated, it's not love," Lane offered and then let out a sigh of her own. "Okay, I won't rag you about this. Just try to have fun with Tristan and maybe the two of you can start again. Like civil people."
That would be nice, Rory thought to herself. Maybe we can be civil to each other if we really wanted to try. It can't be that hard. Satisfied with her resolve, Rory smiled and decided to follow her mother's advice and take things as they came.
After passing a series of exits, they finally left the highway behind and entered mainstream Hartford. Five minutes later, Paris pulled into up to the curve in front of what looked like an abandoned warehouse – except for the fact that it wasn't at all abandoned and music was blaring loudly from the inside. The word "Mercury" was splattered over the door in impressive colors and despite its laid back atmosphere, there was a valet service waiting to take the cars to a nearby parking deck.
"Classy," Lane stated as the foursome stood outside, waiting for the other two members of the group to arrive. "I like."
"I have to agree with Kim," Jess stated pocketing his hand in his jeans.
Rory looked at Paris who seemed mildly interested in the place and then nodded to her best friend. "It's unanimous."
"What is?" Henry asked as he appeared behind Lane and Rory. The formers' eyes widened in surprise and in her excitement, she impulsively wrapped her arms around her ex-beau and grappled him to her. Jess rolled his eyes and Henry laughed. "Hey Lane."
The group exchanged pleasantries and then decided to wait for Tristan inside. They quickly entered the club, asking the mean-looking man at the door to let their friend know that they were waiting for him inside. Indoors, dance mixes were blaring at an unbelievably high volume and Rory found it hard to listen to her thoughts, let alone the two couples who were seated at the table with her. Appetizers and drinks were bought and everyone dug in.
To confirm her earlier fears of abandonment, Jess and Henry asked their respective dates to dance. Rory watched as her so-called friends nodded eagerly and were led away, without a backward glance in her direction. Well this is just…great, she thought wryly and picked at the tortilla chips that were placed on the table in front of her. At least I have my comfort food.
"Hello beautiful," a low, husky and all too familiar voice whispered in her ear. She suppressed the shudder that was running through her just as Tristan took a seat beside her. She took in his ensemble, which was comprised of jeans and a blue sweatshirt. His hair was as always a tousled mess and his eyes seemed bluer juxtaposed against his sweater. "Miss me?"
"Terribly," Rory deadpanned. She looked away from him and played with the tortillas again. "But it's not like you to be on time, anyway."
"Well I am not one to disappoint," he answered taking a deliberate sip from her soda. "I made it didn't I? Now I can save you from a night of loneliness."
Her eyes flew to his. "Is that why you came tonight? To keep me company?"
"Why else?" He looked genuinely confused. Rory furrowed her brow, hating him for playing mind games again. She couldn't figure him out and she was getting tired of trying. Tristan's attention was fixed to the dance floor as she studied his profile, trying to asses whether he really wanted to be there or not. "You wanna dance?"
"What?" she asked snapping out of her thoughts. He gestured towards the dance floor, his smirk reappearing as he caught her blushing. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably and shook her head vehemently. "Oh…no."
He sighed, as if defeated. "Why not?"
"Because no good can come out of it," she answered and took a sip of her drink. He placed a hand on hers and tugged her off her chair. "What are you doing?"
"Come on," he said easily and led her to the dance floor. "I don't bite. I promise." When they were standing in the middle of all the dancing couples, she stood facing him, her arms crossed firmly over her chest and a defiant expression in her eyes. He merely smiled and slipped an arm around her waist. She took a step back and he took another step closer, his amusement in his eyes and his patent grin plastered across his face. Rory rolled her eyes and unwillingly gave in, let her arms drape loosely around his shoulder. "I knew you'd give in to me, eventually, Mary. You just have to stop fighting it."
"This is ridiculous. And you're evil." Rory retorted, looking disdainfully into his eyes.
"I am the spawn of Satan after all," he returned evenly. "It's what I do."
In spite of herself, she smiled over his shoulder and relaxed in his embrace. She had complained to anyone who would listen that she didn't want to be alone while her friends danced with their dates and now when she was on the dance floor too, she was still complaining. So what if it's Tristan? All we're doing is dancing. With her resolve firmly in place, she sighed and listened to the words of the sappy song.
If I had castles built on high,
I'd find a millions ways to
Write your name against the sky,
Just to let you know you've caught my eye
And if I had more than wealth could buy,
I'd sell it all and start again
For just a chance with you,
Girl I'd give my all to win your love.
Suddenly, she was very much aware of the feel of Tristan's strong body against hers, his hands splayed between her shoulder blades and the small of her back, his face in her hair and the rhythmic beating of his heart against hers.
Tristan knew how to dance.
He was smooth, gentle, easily swaying to the music and pressing himself against her with the just the right amount of pressure so that Rory wished that a fast song would play so she wouldn't have to endure the torture.
She needed to focus on something else. Unconsciously, her ears returned to picking up the words to the song.
And I would be rich,
And I would build all my world around you,
Just to show you,
How you take my breath away.
And you would find love, sweet lady
Nobody else this side of heaven, knows
How you take my breath away.
Tristan pressed her closer and she had no choice but to rest her head on his chest.
Yeah, they were just dancing.
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