AN: I've hit another snag in this story. I know where I want it to go, but it's getting harder to write chapters. There are still seven chapters to go and I've got a lot to cover. Bear with me you guys. I promise I'll make it worth it.
Who needs shelter when the morning's comin?
Absolutely there's no one
Who needs shelter from the sun?
Not me, no not anyone
Rory looked over at Tristan as she stopped at a red light. They had been driving for hours and he still hadn't said much. She was all for letting things sink in. But how many times would she have to prod him to get him to open up to her? He had been somewhat normal at the hospital. As soon as they got into the car he had become mute! She sighed in frustration as the light turned green. They had been on the road for four hours and she didn't know how much more she could take. Tristan turned in his seat to look at her. He took her hand in his making her look over at him.
"I'm fine, really. I just needed a little more time to let things sink in."
"It took you four hours to do that?" Rory asked giving him a cold glare.
"I'm sorry. You don't have to worry about me."
"I know I don't have to. I do it because I love you."
"Pull over." He said unbuckling his seatbelt.
"What?" She asked giving him a weird look.
"Pull over I'm driving." He said before reaching for the door handle.
Rory pulled over to the shoulder without saying a word. Tristan pulled her to him as he passed her in front of the car. He kissed her forehead before letting her go. Rory looked up at him giving him a weak smile. He winked at her before letting her go.
"So where are we headed?" Tristan asked starting the car.
"North Carolina."
"Why?"
"I figured you'd want to see the Wrights Brother's National Memorial."
"Are you serious?" He asked sounding excited.
"Yeah. This trip isn't just about me. It's for both of us. I've told you that."
Over the next few hours Tristan told Rory all that he knew about the park. Which was a lot considering he had never been there. He told her that Janlan had been born in North Carolina and had passed on his love for the state to Tristan. By the time they found a place to stay for the night Rory was excited about tomorrow too.
"There are so many things that I want to see. This is like what the Franklin Institute was to you for me."
"I understand. This is huge for you."
"I can't wait to call my granddad and told him that I went."
"You should get him something." Rory said turning on her side to look at him.
"That's a good idea." Tristan said nodding.
Rory was glad that she would be able to share it with him. It was nice knowing that she made him feel the way he was feeling. She fell asleep that night looking forward to tomorrow.
XXXX
Rory threw her arm over her eyes as the sun filtered through the curtains. They hadn't been open the night before. She rolled over to feel for Tristan but his side of the bed was empty. It wasn't cold so he couldn't have been awake for long. She sat up in bed trying to clear the cobwebs from her head.
"Tristan?" She called hoping he would answer her.
She got nothing but silence in answer. She sighed in frustration as she threw the covers off of her. She walked to the window hoping to see the car outside. It was there so he couldn't have gone far. She went into the bathroom and turned on the water to run a bath. Tristan came in as she was trying to find something to wear. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Are you getting ready to take a bath?" He asked taking off his shoes.
"Maybe. You wanna join me?" She said watching him undress.
He didn't answer her he just followed her into the bathroom. Half an hour later they were drying each other off when Rory's cell phone rang. She pulled away from Tristan but he pulled her back to him.
"Let it ring." He whispered in her ear.
"I thought you wanted to get an early start." She said giggling.
Tristan was nibbling on her ear as she ran her hands up his back and across his shoulders.
"The park will be there in an hour." He breathed against her neck.
"You can be pretty convincing when you want to be Dugrey." She said looking him in the eye.
XXXX
Two hours later they were walking through the trails that led through the park. Tristan looked like a kid on Christmas as he took a picture of Rory on one of the marker boulders. They had to be fast because they knew they shouldn't have done it. But Tristan just had to have a picture. They had gone through the camp buildings and Tristan had stood in awe at the displays. Rory stood in front of the Memorial Shaft while Tristan took another picture. She paused to read what it said.
"IN COMMEMORATION OF THE AIR. BY THE WRITE BROTHERS WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT. CONCIEVED BY GENIUS. ACHIEVED BY DAUNTLESS RESOULUTION AND UNCONQUERABLE FAITH."
"That sums this all completely. Thank you for coming here with me." Tristan said pulling her to him.
"You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to share this with you."
When they left that afternoon they didn't know what lie ahead of them. But they would deal with it together. Tristan had promised never to push Rory away again. If he had a problem he would talk about it. He was still learning that he couldn't deal with everything on his own.