jaw drops …okay…wow…I've broken the 300 mark for reviews…just…wow… You guys rock. Seriously. I can't actually form the words to tell you how much I love that you've stuck with me over such long hiatus'. I'm only sorry I can't reply to all of your reviews. I don't have internet access (haven't for months) and can only get online in internet café's, so I've barely the time to check my LJ and my inboxes. But, please know that I appreciate each and every review.
Seriously, thank you.
Author Note: Okay, by following the same trend as I have been, this part should have been from Lorelai's point of view. However, that really doesn't work seeing as Lorelai isn't going to Louise's party and I think I might get lynched if I miss that out completely! Plus, with all the Dean stuff happening in the last chapter, it makes more sense to have Rory next.
xxxxx
Part Ten: Tread Softly
xxxxx
The trip to Louise's went by in a blur and, before she knew what was happening, Rory found herself standing next to a makeshift bar taking a sip of something she wasn't quite sure she wanted a name for. She didn't think it was alcoholic, but she didn't really care either, which was a first for her. She glanced at Tristan, who was eyeing her warily and smiled, trying to get him to realise she was all right. She wasn't all right, but she didn't want him to waste his entire night worrying about her.
"Rory, you guys made it."
She turned to face Madeline and Louise with a small smile. She wasn't sure how to act with them yet, but they had been a lot nicer to her since Tristan had spoken to them about PJ Harvey. Madeline grinned at her and she couldn't help but return the gesture.
"So, are you having fun?" the brunette asked perkily.
"Yes," she lied. It wasn't that she didn't want to, it was more to do with the fact that her problems with Dean were weighing heavily on her mind.
"I can tell," Louise said dryly.
"Ladies," Tristan wrapped an arm around Madeline and Louise and winking at Rory. "Have we heard any more about the Autumn dance?"
"I hear they're taking votes," Madeline said, nodding. "I think they want it themed."
"Yeah," Louise said, turning around in Tristan's loose grip and pressing against his side. Rory chuckled softly and he mock glared at her. "I think they're going for films or famous couples or something."
"Very 'Never Been Kissed'," Rory said, smiling.
"Yeah," Madeline said, turning to Rory. "And I think it's Chilton only, this time, so I don't think your boyfriend will be allowed to come. Sorry."
"Oh, that's okay." Rory smiled awkwardly and, for once, it was Madeline who noticed that something wasn't quite right. She smiled, but it didn't seem to convince the girl. However, the issue wasn't raised and Rory was grateful.
"Stupid idiot." The words were muttered under his breath, but Rory still heard them. She turned in time to see Derek brush past her and disappear out through the open patio doors. Tristan hadn't heard anything, but she knew he could tell that something was wrong. However, he seemed unable to disentangle himself from Madeline and Louise.
"I'll go," Rory said impulsively and, after a moment, he nodded.
She walked quickly away from the party and out into the darkness. The garden wasn't empty, but it didn't take her long to spot Derek kicking at a flower patch over by the tree line that surrounded the grounds.
She walked towards him, waving when he spotted her approach. His shoulder slumped in defeat and he took on a demeanour she had often witnessed in Tristan; one hand tucked into his pocket, the other rubbing at his neck.
"Hey," she said softly, suddenly wondering what on earth she was doing. She didn't know Derek, or any of her new friends, all that well; how was she supposed to talk to him?
"Hey."
There was a slight silence before her Gilmore stubbornness took over. "You okay?"
He chuckled softly. "Yeah, just fine."
"Stupid question, sorry. Today was my mom's day to be hit with the smart stick."
"What did you get hit with?"
"The pretty stick, of course."
"Of course," he said, a smile coming to his face. "I'm sorry, I should have noticed."
"You're forgiven." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a bar of Hersheys. "Smooshed chocolate for your thoughts?"
He took the proffered candy bar, playing with the wrapper, but not actually opening it. "So, Karen and Tommy got back together."
"Rat bastard." He let out a short burst of laughter and she grimaced. "Sorry?"
"No, no, you're right. I'm just not sure which one you're talking about."
"Both?"
"Works for me."
Rory nodded. "I'm sorry. I really did hear that she liked you."
"She says she did, she just liked Tommy more."
She scrunched up her face. "I don't see why."
"You're definitely a keeper, Gilmore."
"Hey, hands off," a voice behind her said and she turned to see Tristan approaching. "I got dibs."
"What am I, a toy?" She grimaced. "Forget I said that."
"Only if I get exclusive rights to play with you," he said with a grin and she swiped at his arm. He winked at her before turning to face Derek. "So…"
"So."
"Saw Karen and Tommy sucking face."
"Tristan!" She hit him.
"What? I did!"
"Do you know nothing of subtlety?"
"About as much as you."
"Hey," Derek said with a shrug. "She gave me candy. You haven't offered anything in exchange for your lack of subtlety."
"See," Rory said smugly. "I gave Hersheys."
"I gave thirteen years of friendship."
Derek seemed to consider that. "I guess that's acceptable."
"So…you okay?" Tristan asked, shifting on his feet.
Derek nodded. "No, but I'll feel a hell of a lot better if I wipe Tom all over the court on Monday."
"I'll help."
"But no violence," Rory said adamantly.
"Not even a little?" Derek asked.
"There was definite tongue exposure in that lip lock," Tristan added.
Rory shuddered. "Okay, but only a little; nothing that will get either of you expelled and nothing that will result in me going to New York on my own next weekend."
"Agreed," they replied together.
"Hey, I'm gonna head back in, see if I can piss off Dave and Bri," Derek said and they all turned back toward the house.
"Shouldn't be too hard," Rory said. "I saw Anna and Audrey beating them at pool a little while ago. I don't think they were impressed."
The boys laughed and Tristan turned to look at her. "They always lose and the more they do the more annoyed they get. So they keep betting they'll win next time. It's a vicious circle."
"Ah."
"You coming?" Derek asked when they entered the house again and Rory nodded, following him through to the pool room. They exchanged hellos with everyone, but after settling against the far wall next to Tristan, it didn't take long for her thoughts to return to her own problems.
"Hey," Tristan said, nudging her. "Thanks for that."
"Any time," she said with a smile.
"They like you, you know."
She grinned. "I like them, too, so we're all good."
"You okay?" he asked, frowning and she nodded. "Nice try, Mary, but I'm not buying it."
He tugging gently on her arm and she followed him dutifully from the crowded room, barely managing to step out of the way when two of her classmates fell at her feet. They weren't drunk - there really wasn't much, if any, alcohol during Chilton parties, despite her mother's insistence to the contrary, well, not to Rory's knowledge. Everyone was just dancing rather exuberantly. She wished she was having as much fun. She waved briefly at Lane and Henry as she was pulled out of the room.
"Tristan, where are we going?"
"You'll see."
He pulled her up the stairs and down the winding hallway, past random people she thought she should know. She didn't have the energy to figure anything out, so she just let him lead her. A few minutes later, he pulled her into a large room and out onto the balcony.
"Pretty." She smiled, gazing up at the stars and took a deep breath. "I'm really so-"
"Don't even think about it." She glanced at him and frowned. He shook his head. "Don't even think about apologising, Rory, nothing that happened tonight was your fault."
"I think it was. You were right, I should have talked to Dean before now. I…God, how did this get to messed up?"
"Karma."
"Gee, way to make me feel better, Tristan."
He chuckled. "Well, we're getting along; it only makes sense that something else should go wrong in its place."
"Well, that's not fair."
"I've come to the conclusion that life isn't fair."
"Well deducted, how did you figure it out?"
He smirked. "Every time I opened my mouth when I was near you, well, that was a pretty good giveaway." She grinned. He sobered and she leaned against the railing, waiting for him to continue. "I might have a lot of money, Mary, but my life isn't easy, not by a long shot."
"I never said that it was."
He nodded. "Yeah, I know." Tristan sighed and she looked at him. He was clearly wrestling with something, some thought that he wasn't sure he wanted to voice.
"What?"
"Is this…us…worth it?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I think it is. After all, life's about enjoying the little things."
"Little?" He raised his eyebrows. "I'd like to prove you otherwise."
She blushed, but didn't give in to her embarrassment. "Please, don't go to all that trouble for me."
"You weren't listening, Mary," he said, leaning closer. "I said I wanted to."
"Technically, you said you'd like to. I am, however, declining the offer."
He winked. "For now, Mary, for now."
She smiled and he grinned, leaning against the railing facing her. "Yeah," she said, nodding. "It is worth it. I like that I have friends at school and I'm glad it's you and the guys."
"Now you can make as many little comments as you like about them," he said, smirking. "However, I'd refrain from saying anything about Dave, he could kill you with his pinkie."
"Noted."
"Also, I think Anna can be a bit of a spitfire."
"I'll be nice and not tell either of them you said that."
"Why thank you, Gilmore, for that you get brownie points."
"What do those get me?" she asked, grinning at the reversal.
"Tit for tat, Mary," he said, wagging his eyebrows. "You show me your t-"
"T-Tristan!" Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She started hitting him and he jumped back, laughing. She backed him into the far corner of the balcony, continuing to smack his arms.
"Hey! Hey! I was going to say brownies!"
"No, you were not!" she retorted, trying not to laugh at the cheeky grin on his face.
"Little things, Mary, remember the little things!"
"If I wasn't remembering the little things, I'd've raised my knee and listened for the crunch."
His face contorted and he edged away from her now that her hands were on her hips. "Remind me not to piss you off again."
She grinned, swaying from side to side. "I will."
"Friends?"
She frowned, seemingly pondering the idea. "I don't know, I still think you owe me something for that last comment."
"You mean that last not-comment; I didn't get to finish it. If I'm getting punished, I at least like to commit the crime."
"Don't even try it, buster."
He grinned. "Okay, so what do I owe you, oh, wondrous Gilmour."
"Ooh, that I like. A few more of those and…" Her eyes lit up. "A poem."
"A poem?"
"Yes, I want a poem. Nothing cliché and nothing stupid. Your favourite; if, of course, you're cultured enough to enjoy one of the finer literary genres."
"Hey, I like poetry. Well…some of it."
"Come on then, Bible Boy. Recite."
"What if my favourite poem happens to be a cliché?"
Rory rolled her eyes. "Then just recite me one you like."
"Okay." He stepped closer and she at him warily. "Just getting into the mood, Mary." He grinned and she rolled her eyes. By the time she was back looking at him, he was almost nose to nose with her. Her heart jumped a little and those stupid butterflies were back in her stomach, so she took a hesitant step back. He didn't follow, but she couldn't make out his reaction to her slight move.
"Never pain to tell thy love; Love that never told can be; For the gentle wind does move; Silently, invisibly. I told my love, I told my love; I told her all my heart; Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears - ; Ah, she doth depart. Soon as she was gone from me; A traveller came by; Silently, invisibly; O, was no deny."
Silence followed his final words and it took Rory a moment to realise that she had closed the small gap she had created only moments before. Suddenly she was aware of everything; her elbow touching his against the railing, the occasional brush of the back of his hand against her arm, his breath on her face, the butterflies in her stomach… she did the only thing she knew. She moved away.
"S-so if that's not your favourite, what is?"
The look in his eyes told her that he was aware of her decision to 'run away' and that he wasn't about to call her on it. He wasn't going to push her and she relaxed…but she couldn't deny that she was also a little disappointed.
"So, your favourite?"
"To see a world in a grain of sand; or heaven in a wild flower; hold infinity in the palm of your hand; and eternity in an hour," he said, shrugging his shoulders and putting his hands in his pockets.
Rory smiled at him. "I love that," she said softly. "Possibility." She sighed.
"I like to think it means that you can find everything you need in the smallest thing…like someone's eyes."
Her breath hitched as he pinned her with his gaze. She felt as if she couldn't move and yet he seemed to be getting closer. At that moment, she couldn't think of anything but him and didn't spend a second trying. There was a loud bang behind them and they both jumped, spinning around to see a three guys lying on the floor laughing. They made their excuses and stumbled out into the hallway, whatever joke they shared seeming to get funnier by the second.
"Sounds like the party's getting started," Rory said awkwardly, searching for anything to break the moment, or rather the edgy silence that had followed.
"Just in time," he muttered, almost bitterly. He shifted a little and cleared his throat, before looking at her with a smile. "You know, you're turning me into the kind of guy I like to beat up."
Rory laughed, but didn't comment. She didn't want to touch on what he was admitting to her; she wasn't ready to deal with that or what might have happened had they not been interrupted. Dealing with Dean was enough for the moment.
"I like Blake," she said, not sure why she was still talking about the one thing she wanted to avoid for the moment. "But I always preferred Yeats, he was romantic and so sad at the same time."
"So you'd rather have your guy quoting Yeats? You're killing me here, Mary." He winked, his hand clasped over his heart.
"Well, since we haven't studied him in class, I'm not holding out for you to quote him to me," she said with a small smile. He grew serious all of a sudden and her eyes widened as she realised what she had just said. She opened her mouth to take it back, but nothing came out. She couldn't speak and she couldn't move, because her eyes refused to break his gaze.
"Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths; Enwrought with golden and silver light; The blue and the dim and the dark cloths; Of night and light and the half-light; I would spread the cloths under your feet; But I, being poor," he smirked a little at this and she giggled nervously, but didn't lose eye contact and he continued, "have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet…" he trailed off and she waited.
But he said nothing.
Something told her that he knew the rest.
He let her think about it for a few minutes before nodding. "Definitely the kind of guy I beat up."
"This coming from the guys whose favourite film is the BBC drama of Pride and Prejudice."
"I never said it was my favourite film, Mary, and it's not even a film, I'd like to point out. I did, however, say it was the ultimate romance."
"Then what is your favourite film?" she asked, suddenly feeling like a bad friend. She knew that he knew could name her favourite film, CD, song, band, singer…and a lot of other things, but she was starting to realise that there was so much that she didn't know about him.
"Terminator," he said with a smirk and she groaned. "What, that's not manly enough for you?"
She rolled her eyes. "Just the truth, Tristan. I already know you own Pride and Prejudice, the full works of William Shakespeare, which I happen to know pre-dates study at Chilton, so don't even think about trying to pass it off as school stuff, and you can quote Blake and Yeats. Your manly reputation went up in smoke a long time ago."
"I'm suddenly feeling the need to re-substantiate my masculinity."
"If you reach for your belt buckle I cannot vouch for the safety of said masculinity."
"You planning on pouncing me, Mary? Because you never need to warn me prior to the event, just feel free to go ahead and jump me any time."
"I was thinking more along the lines of pulling a Kathy Bates, only I'd be aiming a little higher than your ankles."
"Remind me never to piss you off."
"You really should just get that tattood somewhere, that way you wouldn't need me to keep reminding you."
"I'll get it added under the heart with our names and '4eva' I already got on my-"
She laughed and hit him playfully, cutting him off mid-sentence. She frowned and let out a puff of air, a determined look coming to her face. "This is stupid. We're at a party; the first party I haven't wanted to sit in the corner reading, or possibly felt like I was re-enacting She's All That. And I'm hiding out on a balcony wallowing. I don't want to wallow. I want to have fun." She looked at him, eyebrows furrowed. "You're supposed to be fun, teach me how."
He cocked an eyebrow at her. "You might want to make sure you've thought this through, Mary."
"Teach me."
"There are many things I want to teach you, Mary, I'm just not sure you can handle it."
"Is that a challenge, Bible Boy?"
"Only if you think you can take it."
"Oh, I can take anything you can dish out, Greek Boy."
"No one's explained that one to me yet and I'm feeling you need to bargain a little here."
Rory shook her head. "Like you don't want to loosen me up a bit anyway."
"Oh, there's a lot I want to loosen up about you, Mar, that shirt for a start." He smirked. "However, you seem to want me to impart the wisdom of my very essence here and that's got to be worth something."
"Impart the wisdom of your very essence?" she asked incredulously. "What you swallow a thesaurus this afternoon?"
"Luke slipped one in my burger. It's helping me find new and exciting ways to describe the wonder that is me."
"Thinking a little highly of yourself there, Tristan."
"Merely pointing out my infinite wisdom and importance."
"You know some of Max's stuff arrived today and I don't think there's enough room in my house for your ego this weekend. Sorry, looks like you'll have to find other arrangements."
"Guess you're going to have to find another ride home, then."
She frowned. "What's say we start again?"
"That depends; do I actually get to loosen your sh-"
"If you want to live, Bible Boy, don't finish that sentence."
"Noted." He winked at her and she grinned. "So, you were about to bargain for my Jedi training."
"The pleasure of my company?"
"Got that already."
"I could take it away."
"That hardly seems fair."
"Gilmore rule number ten; there's no such thing as fair, only me getting what I want."
"Wow, what's rule number one?"
"It's a Gilmore secret, sorry."
"I'm an honorary Gilmore, your mother inducted me. I even know the secret handshake."
Rory pouted. "I don't have a secret handshake."
"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you." Tristan grinned and she crossed her arms, her pout becoming more pronounced. "I'll tell you what," he said, leaning closer conspiratorially and she had to fight not to react to his proximity. "We'll make up our own secret handshake, you can tell me what the 'Greek Boy' thing is all about, and then we can go have some fun."
"You know, you're making the 'Greek Boy' think into more than it is."
"Actually, you are. The more you refuse to tell me and the more I see those cute little pink circles on your cheeks, not to mention Lanes, throw in your mom's wicked smirk and I'm sorry, but it's enough to make anyone curious."
She debated how badly he was likely to tease her with the knowledge that she was already having fun and then weighed in the fact that he'd likely 'teach' her some fun things anyway and then decided just to go for it.
"Deal."
Tristan grinned lazily. "Deal."
He shook her hand and she decided that, if the fact that he was gently running his forefinger across her wrist, sending tingles up her spine wasn't mentioned, then it really didn't mean anything.
Nope, she thought, her butterflies returning. Nothing at all.
xxxxx
"Oh, my God," Lane said, collapsing on the sofa. "I am actually in awe. My mouth is moving, sound is coming out, and yet I still can't put into words just how in awe of you I am. I think I'm coming down with something."
"Or," Rory said, grinning and flopping back onto the couch with her. "I'm just too cool for words."
Tristan laughed and dropped onto the floor, leaning his head against the couch by Rory's legs. "I have to admit, I'm impressed, Gilmore. I didn't think you had it in you."
"Neither did I," Lane reiterated, blinking and shaking her head. "I'm in awe."
"You said that already," Rory said smugly. "Ugh, I can't move."
Tristan mumbled his agreement and it was only the movement of his head that alerted her to the fact that she was running her fingers through his hair. She blinked and turned her head, meeting Lane's amused gaze. She rolled her eyes and leaned her head back against the sofa, her eyes closing.
"Rory," Lane whispered a few moments later and she opened one eye. Lane smiled and inclined her head in Tristan's direction. Rory glanced down to see that Tristan had moved so that he was leaning against her leg and he was fast asleep. She smiled and watched him for a few more minutes, aware that her fingers had somehow ended up trapped under his head. Not wanting to move her hand for fear of waking him, she shifted down slightly so that she was more comfortable and turned to face Lane, who was watching her pensively.
"He really, really likes you, you know."
She shifted. "I know."
"No, Rory," Lane continued, shaking her head. "I really don't think you do. I mean, he changed for you."
"No he didn't," Rory said softly. "He just let me know the real him."
"You're right, he did…just… I think he's a lot more alone than we realise. Try not to break him, Rory."
"He's not a toy, Lane."
"You're right," she said. "He's not."
Rory frowned and glanced once again at the top of his head. She wasn't sure what was happening anymore, but she knew Lane was right. She really didn't want to hurt anyone, but she knew that, sometime soon, she would have to. And she was beginning to think she'd already made the choice as to whom that someone would be. She just wasn't ready to admit it.
xxxxx
"My little girl has finally grown up," Lorelai said proudly.
"Huh, and here I was about to point out that she seemed to have regressed," Max said with a grin.
"Nope, she's finally living up to her mother's name." Lorelai clasped her hands to her heart. "Greek Boy, you have my utmost admiration."
"Yeah," Tristan said, smirking, "well, I am an Adonis; a Greek God in your estimation already, where else is there to go?"
"You told him." It wasn't really a question. Lorelai shrugged. "If his head gets any bigger it won't fit in that pretty car of his, so I'll get to keep it."
Tristan smirked. "After last night, I'm thinking of bowing down before Rory."
"And here I thought you already did," Lorelai said with a smirk and Rory rolled her eyes, but she could feel her cheeks getting hot. "That's to deflate the ego I helped expand."
Tristan didn't reply and Rory cleared her throat. "So, pizza?"
"Oh, no," Lorelai said shaking her head.
"You're saying 'no' to pizza?" she asked incredulously.
Lorelai looked at her as if she was crazy. "No, I'm saying 'we'll get pizza in a minute, because right now I want to hear more of my wonderful daughter's crazy balcony to pool jumping antics'. I'm saying 'I want to hear about the limbo, the scorched puppy, the broken table, and why they resulted in me receiving a telephone call from Louise's Italian butler about goat's cheese'!"
Rory and Tristan exchanged a glance. "I think you're exaggerating, just a little," Rory said.
"Exactly what part am I exaggerating?"
"Louise's Butler is from Detroit."
Max and Tristan laughed and Lorelai pouted. "Fine, but you're divulging all later."
"Deal."
"So," Tristan said. "How are we topping this off tomorrow?"
"No, there will be no topping off in Stars Hollow," Lorelai said emphatically. "I have my image as party queen to maintain and not even my own daughter is allowed to usurp me. I am un-usurp-able."
Max grimaced. "Can we please not castrate the dictionary in front of the English teacher?"
"Oh, sweetie, that's what makes it so much fun."
Rory laughed before turning to Tristan. "You know, it might be an idea to actually set up the camp bed at some point this weekend."
"Yes," Lorelai said, nodding. "I'm beginning to think I wrongly invested my fifty cents." She mock glared at Tristan. "You've stayed over two nights and still my camp bed remains unused. It feels so unloved; so old and past its time."
"It is old and past its time," Rory countered.
"Mean."
"You're five."
"Thuckerin' thuckotaj!"
Rory grimaced. "Do not do impressions. Especially when they don't even fit with the current conversation."
"What? It's cute."
"No, it's annoying and, strangely, not even close to sounding right."
"But you knew who it was."
"The phrase kinda gave it away."
"Well, if it was recognisable then clearly it wasn't that bad." Lorelai turned to Tristan and Max expectantly.
"I plead the fifth," Tristan said with a smile.
"And I'm going to go call for the pizza."
"Chicken," Lorelai said, pouting. "Ooh, chicken. Max, honey, I want chicken on my pizza."
"And Tris and I want Hawaiian. Ooh, with everything else you can get Pete to add on top."
"Without pineapple," Tristan shouted, moving one of the couch pillows so that he was more comfortable on the floor.
"What do you mean, without pineapple?" Rory demanded. "You can't have Hawaiian without pineapple!"
"Eh, Ror, I'm kinda-"
"No, no kinda, we need pineapple."
"Pineapple's gross and it makes the pizza soggy."
"You take that back!"
"Rory, no pineapple. I'm-"
"Max, pineapple!" She glared at Tristan.
"Rory," Lorelai interjected, bouncing on her seat. "Kitchen." Without giving her a chance to reply, Lorelai grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet amidst protest. "Max, honey," she said as they crossed paths. "No pineapple on Rory and Tristan's pizza."
"Mom!" She tugged her arm free.
Lorelai whirled round to face her, pulling Rory further into the kitchen and out of sight of the hallway. "Rory, you're fighting about pizza toppings."
"He doesn't want pineapple! Tell me, what is a Hawaiian Feast with every other topping on the menu without pineapple?"
"But Rory, you're fighting about pizza toppings."
"No pineapple!"
"Pizza toppings!" Lorelai looked at her in askance. "Rory! Pizza toppings!"
"You already-oh!" Rory's eyes widened and Lorelai's shoulders dropped in relief.
"And people say you're smart. God, I thought I was going to have to go Charlie Chaplin on you, I mean the vocal thing wasn't exactly working. Not sure how I would have done Dean, though, he's got that whole 'tall thing' going for him and-" She frowned. "Rory? Honey? You okay?" Rory shook her head. "Wanna wait in here a minute?" She nodded and there was a slight pause. "Wait a minute, isn't Tristan allergic to pineapple?"
"But it's a Hawaiian with everything. You can't not have pineapple, that's not everything! It's not even Hawaiian!"
"And we're back. Come on, hula girl, cheer up so we can get back to the masses."
"Hula girl?"
"I expended all my energy on the whole pizza toppings thing."
"Oh." Roy frowned, crossing her arms and Lorelai led her to the table, sitting her down and pulling up the chair next to her.
"Listen, babe, I know you've got a lot going on right now. Things at school are finally going good and you have Tristan and Lane and your new friends. Max is moving in and everything's different. I get that. I get that it's hard to accept sometimes, even if it's good stuff."
"Not all good," Rory mumbled, sighing.
"Oh, sweetie, I know it's hard, okay. I know that you don't like to let things go, but you're sixteen. Change is good, even if it's a little scary sometimes."
"What if I don't want it to change?"
"It already has, Rory."
"I know, I just… I don't want anyone to get hurt."
Lorelai sighed. "Look, babe, I like Dean, I'm with the whole Dean thing, I just…I want you to make sure you know what you really want before you decide anything, because either way a nice guy gets hurt. If you choose Dean, make sure that it's him you want, that you want to be with him because he's him, not because he's safe and he was your first boyfriend. Okay?"
"I hear ya," she said, letting out a breath. Lorelai pulled her into a hug. "Mom?" Rory mumbled into Lorelai's hair.
"Yeah?"
"You really think I have a choice either way?"
Lorelai pulled back and looked at her incredulously. "Are you seriously asking me if I think Greek Boy likes you?"
Rory shrugged. "Maybe? No, of course not, I mean, I'm with Dean, I just…Do you think he does?"
"You know, for an intelligent person, you can be really stupid sometimes."
Rory frowned. "I've come to the conclusion that I hear that phrase too often for my liking."
"Then get with the program." Lorelai snapped her fingers. They smiled and stood up, hugging once more. "Rory," Lorelai whispered, "he really likes you. Just…make sure you do what's right for you."
"I don't like hurting people."
"Oh, honey, I know you don't. That's what I love about you, but you can't please everyone this time."
"I know."
"Think about it. I don't think either of them are going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, I think Tristan's now living on our couch. We'll have to put a sign on it, maybe name it or something."
"Like on a dog kennel," Rory said nodding and they made their way back into the room just in time to see Max and Tristan having a popcorn fight.
"You know," Lorelai said, smirking. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when he realises he's having a food fight with his English teacher."
xxxxx
The weekend had seemed to fly by and it was closely followed by the rest of the week and, before Rory knew what was happening, it was already Wednesday. The only good thing about that was that it was at least the end of the school day.
"He's mine, you know."
She looked up, frowning when she recognised Summer and her two lackeys. "What?"
"Tristan, he's mine."
"Funny," Rory said. "I guess he misplaced his 'property of Summer' tag, because I've never seen it." She moved around the group, towards her locker, but Summer stepped in front of her again. "Move."
"No."
"Summer, we are not having this conversation."
"Funny, because I thought we were."
"Well, no one ever accused you of being right."
"Keep your hands off Tristan."
"He is neither a possession nor a piece of meat," Rory said harshly. "He's my friend and that is nothing to do with you."
"He's only after one thing and when he's done, you're gone." She smirked and Rory couldn't take it any more.
"Gee, Summer, you're absolutely right. How could I not have seen it? Tristan only wants me for the sex." She mock sighed, well aware that she was garnering a few curious (and a few incredulous) looks from the people around her. "I guess it's good that the sex is great or we'd be getting absolutely nothing out of the relationship," she continued, her voice deadpan.
When she realised that Summer was none the wiser to her sarcasm she rolled her eyes. "I obviously have to spell this out to you; Tristan and I are friends. That's it. He's my friend and I'm his. There is no kissing, no handholding, no hugging, okay, actually, maybe some hugging, but no sex. Not that it's any of your business. If and when Tristan and I decide to have sex, there will be no vote; there will be no consensus of what the student body thinks about it; there will be nothing involving you. I'm really not into voyeurism, either as the voyeur or the subject. And just in case you haven't got my point yet, this entire speech means 'keep your perfectly operated nose out of my business'. My life is nothing to do with you and what Tristan and I do or do not do is not up for debate. Do I make myself clear?"
There was a pause as Summer glared at her. "Crystal," the girl replied and Rory could see the challenge in her eyes. Great. That was just what she needed; a jealous ex out for revenge. Tristan DuGrey had a lot to answer for and she was talking about more than Summer…she wanted to know exactly what those butterflies thought they were doing in her stomach when she had inadvertently conjured the image of her and Tristan having sex. And off they went again. She was seriously going to have to give those damn butterflies a talking to. And an eviction notice. This was not good.
She stormed to her locker and pulled it open, heedless of the noise it made. After pulling out the books she needed and discarding others, she slammed her locker shut and jumped when she realised Tristan had been standing right behind her.
"Can we please keep the re-enacting of horror movies to a minimum?" she asked as they headed towards the exit. She was silently pleading with him not to mention the scene she had just caused – Chilton was too small for him not to know about it in the few minutes since it had taken place – and, luckily, it seemed like he understood her need to not talk about it. Not yet, at least.
He cleared his throat. "So, I've been thinking."
"Did it hurt?"
"Funny."
"Thank you."
"This weekend, I'm driving, right?"
"To New York?"
"Well, that's where they tend to keep the American Museum of National History. I'm sure we could get them to move it if I ask my dad to ask them nicely, but-"
"Not cute. You seriously want to drive us to New York? Is your disdain for public transport really that bad?"
He shrugged. "I just prefer my own space and my own timetable."
"There's a surprise."
"Well?"
Rory sighed and shrugged. "Sure, I don't see why not."
"There she is," a voice hissed.
Rory frowned when she realised that a rather large group of students were watching her and Tristan exit the school. She glanced warily at Tristan, who shrugged at her, and they continued towards his car. A moment later, two blondes Rory recognised as being in the year above her were suddenly in her way.
"Is it true?" Blonde Number One asked. "Is your mom marrying Mr. Medina?"
She resisted the urge to groan. She knew it was going to get out eventually, but she wasn't sure she was ready to deal with the fall out at school. That said, the truth was that she was happy about it and she refused to show otherwise.
"Yes." She nodded. "It's true."
"Isn't that weird?" Blonde Number Two inquired with a frown.
"Surprisingly, not."
"So…he's like your dad?"
Rory smiled. "Yeah, yeah, he is."
"Oh…right."
Without waiting for them to ask anything else, she steered Tristan towards his car. He resisted after a moment and she looked up at him, frowning.
"What?"
He smiled at her and nodded his head, his gaze focussed on something behind her. She turned to see Max looking at her with a fond grin and realised that he had heard everything.
"You know what," she said, turning back to face Tristan. "Thanks, but I've already got a ride home."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Mary."
Impulsively, she hugged him, but didn't look to see his reaction before she walked away. Grinning, she approached Max and smiled at him.
"You going my way?" she asked and he laughed, placing an arm on her shoulder and pulling her towards his car.
"For a Gilmore? Always."
xxxxx
End of Part Ten: Tread Softly
xxxxx
The poems quoted were: 'Never pain to tell thy love' and 'To see a world…' from Auguries of Innocence' by William Blake and 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' by William Butler Yeats; three of my favourite poems :)
Okay, so, I reckon we're about…half way? A third of the way? This isn't going to be an instant Trory and I have plans for my Max/Lorelai storyline in this one as well (although, I'm still debating how that will end, exactly). Rory and Dean haven't exactly parted for good yet and, when they do, it won't be instant Trory.
Coming soon: A costume party, a visit from Chris, and a cherry pie…possibly :p
Keep hitting that pretty little review button, people!