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Chapter 25

Rory came out of her bedroom ready to go back to school after being back from Washington about a week. She was surprised to find her dad just sitting at the kitchen table.

"Morning." She said.

"That's all you have to say?" Luke said shortly.

"What?" Rory said confused by his demeanour.

"I found this in the trash." Luke said holding something up from the table. "Care to explain?"

Rory looked at the object he was holding and was shocked to see it was a negative pregnancy test. "What do you want me to say? It's not mine."

"Rory, don't lie to me. I knew sending you to Washington with him would lead to this. I didn't want to send you all in the first place." Luke said gruffly.

"I'm not lying! What does it matter anyway? That says it's negative!" Rory exclaimed, getting angry that he was believing her.

"That's not the point! The point is that you're having sex behind our backs! God Rory, you're too young!" Luke exclaimed getting angry too.

"We're 18! I love Tristan and he loves me so why can't we?" Rory exclaimed. She suddenly stopped when she realised she had just admitted that they were actually having sex.

"Oh geez...I knew it..." Luke said. "I knew he was trouble!"

"You always do this! When things don't go your way, you blame me or you blame Tristan! We're 18 now. We can make our own decisions!" Rory retorted hotly.

"Not if you're being irresponsible! I mean, god Rory, you thought you were pregnant!" He exclaimed.

"I told you, that's not mine!" Rory exclaimed.

"Yeah and who else would it be then? Katie's?" He said sarcastically.

"I'm not the only girl here! There's mom or maybe it's Paris'! She's around here a lot! I don't know but what I do know is that it's not mine!" Rory shouted. "I'm going to school." She mumbled.

"You're to stay away from him!" Luke said.

Rory snorted. "Yeah right."

"I mean it Rory!"

"Yeah and I meant it when I said it's nothing to do with you. It's mine and Tristan's choice, not yours!" Rory shouted angrily. "I'm going to school." She repeated before going to leave.

"You haven't had breakfast!" Luke shouted.

"I'm not hungry!" Rory shouted back and then stormed out.

"Whoa! What was that all about?" Lorelai exclaimed as she appeared downstairs.

"Nothing." Luke grumbled.

"Didn't look like nothing. I could hear you from upstairs. Katie and LJ could hear you." Lorelai said.

Luke sighed. "Sorry."

"What's going on?" Lorelai asked.

Luke groaned and rubbed his hands through his hair. "I've just found out Rory and Tristan are having sex." He said.

"Oh.." Lorelai said.

Luke looked up at her and frowned. "You don't seem that surprised..."

"Luke, they're 18. They've been together for nearly two years. Did you really expect them not to?" Lorelai said softly.

Luke frowned at her. "You knew, didn't you? You knew they were having sex. Why didn't you tell me?!"

Lorelai sighed. "Because I knew you'd react like this. Luke, Rory's growing up. This was bound to happen." She said. "I thought you liked Tristan. Wouldn't you prefer her doing it with someone she loves, someone who loves her back? Someone we trust."

"Yeah but we can't trust them though." Luke grumbled. "Found this in the trash. I mean, how could they be so careless?" He exclaimed showing her the pregnancy test.

"Did you show that to her?" Lorelai asked quietly.

"Yeah but she denied it of course. But it's obviously hers! I mean who else's could it be?" Luke exclaimed.

Lorelai sighed. "It's not hers."

"What?" Luke said.

"It's not hers." Lorelai said quietly.

Luke looked over at her. "How do you know?" He asked. He then saw her sheepish expression and suddenly realisation dawned on him. "Oh..." He said quietly. "You thought you were...?"

"I had some of the symptoms but I wasn't sure. I thought I might as well do a test to find out. Anyway you see the result so it was obviously nothing." She said quietly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

"I was going to if there was something to tell. I'm sorry. Are you mad?" Lorelai asked.

"Mad? No of course not! I just wish I had known before I accused Rory of lying." He sighed.

"Sorry." Lorelai said. She sighed. "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Rory and Tristan. She phoned me from Washington in a bit of a state. It was on Tristan's birthday. Apparently Tristan had given her the promise ring, you know the one she showed us, and he made this huge speech about how he was committed to her and how he wanted her to know that. She said she knew...she knew she was ready." She said softly.

"She rang you?" Luke asked surprised.

"We talked about it ages ago and Rory promised me she'd talk to me before anything happened. I thought she'd forgotten but obviously she had't. She didn't want to hide it." Lorelai said.

"Why didn't you talk her out of it?" Luke exclaimed.

Lorelai sighed. "I thought I would. But..."

"But what?"

"She was ready, Luke. I could hear it in her voice. The way she spoke about Tristan. She told me he was the one." She said softly. She glanced at him. "She asked me whether there was a time when I just knew...and I thought back to our first time." She said. "Both of them." She chuckled. "Seeing as we didn't actually think we knew each other when we started dating here. But I got it. I understood. Because there was a moment when I looked at you and I just knew." She said softly, giving him a small smile. "Didn't you feel the same?"

Luke sighed but gave her a small smile. "Yeah. I knew." He admitted.

"I know it's hard because you still see her as a 7 year old. God so do I! But this was always going to happen. And I'm glad it was with someone who I know for certain would do anything for her." Lorelai said.

Luke sighed. "I still don't like it."

Lorelai laughed. "Neither do I! But they're sensible, Luke. They're responsible. We just have to trust them."

Luke groaned. "How do you always know what to say?"

Lorelai grinned. "Because I'm the best!"

Luke rolled his eyes but got up and started making breakfast. "I'll talk to Rory when she gets home." He said gruffly.

"Talk? Not shout?" Lorelai teased.

Luke rolled his eyes again. "Talk." He said. "Here, drink your coffee."

"Hey cuz!" Jess suddenly said, sneaking up behind Rory who was at her locker staring down the corridor at school.

"Geez! JESS!" Rory exclaimed frustrated.

"Sorry." Jess smirked.

"Yeah sure you are." Rory snapped.

"Ok what's put you in this delightful mood?" Jess smirked. He followed her gaze and saw her watching Tristan. "You have a fight with Tristan or something?"

"No." Rory mumbled.

"Wow really monosyllabic today." Jess commented.

Rory sighed. "Sorry. I just had a fight with dad this morning and I may have let slip that me and Tristan are having sex."

"What, seriously?" Jess chuckled.

"It's not funny!" Rory exclaimed.

"It is a bit." Jess grinned.

Rory rolled her eyes. "Thanks for your support." She said dryly.

"Ok so if you had a fight with Luke then why are you glaring at Tristan?" He asked.

Rory sighed. "I'm not. I just...I don't like the guys he's hanging round with. I know he's known them in the past but I thought they were history." He said.

"Who?" Jess asked.

"Duncan and Bowman." Rory said.

"He really is an idiot if he's back in with those guys again." Paris said appearing next to Jess.

Rory sighed. "I just wish they'd leave Tristan out of it. They've been suspended three times already. I don't want Tristan to get into any trouble."

"Talking of him..." Jess said gesturing down the corridor where they saw Tristan walking towards them. "I'll see you later Ror." He said.

"Yeah see you." She said watching him go off to class with Paris.

"Hey!" Tristan smiled at her.

"Hey." Rory said.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing." Rory mumbled shutting her locker door. "Come on, we'll be late for class."

"Rory, wait." Tristan said grabbing her arm gently. "What's wrong?"

Rory sighed. "Are you friends with Duncan and Bowman again?" She suddenly blurted out.

"We've always been friends." Tristan said confused.

"No I mean, are you like in with them again?" Rory asked.

Tristan frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well...we all know they don't have the best track record here. They've been suspended numerous times. I just don't want you getting caught up in their mess." She said.

Tristan frowned. "They're harmless. And since when do you get to dictate who I can be friends with or not?"

"I'm not! I'm just saying they're not exactly the best influence on you!" Rory exclaimed.

"What and Madeline and Louise are on you?" Tristan retorted.

Rory frowned. "Well I doubt they will be planning the next big heist!" She said.

"God Rory, live a little! You're so sheltered, you never want to have fun!" He exclaimed. "I can hang out with who I like when I like!"

"Fine! Whatever! Throw your life away!" Rory said angrily.

"Fine!" Tristan said angrily.

"Fine!" Rory retorted. "Oh and by the way, my dad knows about us having sex!"

"Wait what?!" Tristan exclaimed. "How the hell does he know?"

"I told him." Rory shrugged.

"You told him? Why?"

"He found a negative pregnancy test in the trash and he thought it was mine." She said. She saw Tristan's eyes widen. "It wasn't." She said quickly. "But we got into this fight and it just came out."

"Great.." Tristan grumbled. "Now he's going to want to kill me."

"Better him than Duncan and Bowman." Rory retorted.

Tristan scowled at her. "Whatever Rory. I'm not taking the bus back straight after school today. I'm hanging with Duncan and Bowman."

"Whatever." Rory snapped.

"I'll see you around I guess." He snapped.

Rory watched him leave angrily and then let out an exasperated groan. That was so not how that conversation was supposed to go. Now she was in a fight with her dad and with Tristan. "Great." She muttered and went off to her first class in a huff.

Rory was walking back home through Stars Hollow later that afternoon when she suddenly felt someone following her. She glanced back and saw two guys she didn't recognise following her and sniggering. Starting to feel a bit unnerved, she quickened her pace. Her heart started pounding when she heard them getting closer.

"Hey Mary!" One of them shouted.

Rory felt scared now and started running but she felt herself being grabbed from behind. "Let go of me!" She exclaimed, trying to sound confident.

"Not until we talk." One of them snarled.

"Talk about what?" Rory said nervously. "My parents are expecting me home any minute."

"So?" The other guy snarled. "We want to make sure you get the message."

"What message?" Rory said getting scared now as she realised they had cornered her against a wall.

"To stop being such a precious princess and let your boyfriend have some fun." The first guy said. "Message from Duncan and Bowman. Let Tristan hang with them or this might turn more nasty." He said menacingly.

"He's hanging with them now." Rory said quietly. "Please just let me go. I've got the message ok?"

"See I don't think you have. Do you, Tom?" The second guy smirked.

"No I don't think she does." The first guy smirked.

"Hey! Get away from her!" A voice suddenly shouted.

Rory turned her head round and was relieved to find Tristan running towards them. "Tristan..." She said relieved.

"Get off her!" Tristan said angrily pushing the two guys away. "Stay the hell away from her!"

"Hey mate, we were just helping you." The one who had been called Tom, said.

"By scaring my girlfriend?" Tristan said angrily. "I swear if you've hurt her in any way..."

"Hey relax, we haven't touched her." The other guy said obviously surprised by Tristan's anger.

"Good. Now get lost before I do something I'll regret." He said deadly. He watched them go and then shouted after them. "And tell Duncan and Bowman to stay the hell away from us as well!" He let out a breath when they disappeared from sight. "Good riddance." He muttered turning back to Rory. "Are you ok?" He asked.

"I'm fine." She said quietly.

"Rory..." Tristan said. He suddenly saw that she was trembling. "Hey, come here." He said pulling her into a hug. "You're ok. I promise I won't let them near you again."

"I thought...I thought they were going to do something. I thought...I was so scared..." She said shakily, finding comfort in his embrace.

"I'm so sorry." Tristan said feeling awful. "You were right earlier. Duncan and Bowman are jerks. I shouldn't have shouted at you like I did. You were right."

Rory looked up at him. "What happened? How come you're back?"

Tristan looked down at the floor. "They wanted to bust into Charleston's safe." He admitted.

"What?" Rory said shocked.

"They said he would never know it was us." Tristan said. He glanced up at her. "I knew that wasn't true. I knew there would be a way to trace it back to us and then I knew there and then that you had been right. I didn't want to get caught up in their mess." He said shamefully. "You were right."

Rory sighed. "I wasn't trying to dictate who you can be friends with. I just...you have so much going for you Tristan. I didn't want you getting suspended and then throwing away any chance you had of getting into a good college." She said.

"I know." He said. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Rory said quietly.

"Rory..." Tristan said not believing her.

"No really." She said sincerely. "I was in a bad mood this morning anyway and I took it out on you. You made a mistake but you've more than made up for it. I mean if you hadn't come back when you did..." She said, stopping suddenly as a shiver went up her spine. "It's fine." She said quietly. "I don't want to fight with you."

"I don't want that either." Tristan said quietly. "Duncan let slip that they had decided to set some guys on you. When I told them I was out, they told me to lighten up and that if I was afraid of what you thought, that they had taken care of it. God I was so angry when I found out. I ran to catch the bus and came as fast as I could. I didn't know they had done that, I swear." He said.

"I know." Rory assured him. "I know you didn't know."

"I'm so sorry Rory." He said softly.

"It's fine." Rory said. She took another shaky breath, still slightly shaken over what had just happened. "I think I want to go home now." She said quietly.

"I'll walk you." He said.

Luke jumped up from the couch when he heard the front door open. He had been waiting for Rory to get home. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes when he saw Tristan with her.

"Dad, please don't start." Rory said quietly.

Luke looked at her and was suddenly concerned at her unusual demeanour. "What's happened? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine." Rory said.

"It was my fault." Tristan said.

"Tristan no.." Rory said.

"It was." Tristan said.

"What was?" Luke demanded.

Tristan sighed. "We had a fight at school about these guys I was hanging out with. Long story short, they sent some guys after Rory thinking they were helping me out."

"What do you mean sent guys after Rory?" Luke said suddenly worried.

"I'm fine, dad." Rory assured him quickly.

Tristan sighed. "They were meant to warn her to let me hang out with these guys. I didn't know. As soon as I found out, I came straight here." He said.

"And because he did that, nothing happened. I'm just a bit shaky, that's all." Rory said.

Luke sighed. "You're sure you're ok?" He asked his daughter.

"I'm sure." Rory nodded. "Thanks to Tristan."

Luke let out a breath and rubbed his hands over his face. "Ok you two sit down. I think we need to talk."

"Dad..." Rory started.

"Please." Luke said. "No shouting this time, I promise."

Rory looked doubtful but glanced at Tristan who just nodded. They went and sat down on the couch.

"I'm not going to pretend and say I'm ok with this, with what's been going on." Luke said awkwardly.

"Dad.." Rory tried again.

Luke shook his head. "Let me finish." He said. "But I also have realised that I can't exactly stop it from happening." He said taking a deep breath. "But it won't be happening here. When you're here, the doors stay open. Got it?" He said.

Both Rory and Tristan nodded.

"Good." He said. He looked at Rory. "I'm sorry I shouted at you this morning. I was just shocked. I still see you as this little 7 year old girl. I guess I've finally realied you're growing up." He sighed.

Rory gave him a small smile. "It's ok. I'm sorry too." She said.

Luke then turned to Tristan, who immediately sat up straighter. "My threat still stand though. If you hurt her at all, you will wish you'd never stepped foot in here."

"Yes sir." Tristan said. He looked Luke in the eyes. "I love her. I will never hurt her."

Luke nodded. "Ok, so that's that then."

"What are the rules when I'm at the apartment with Tristan?" Rory asked.

"Don't push it!" Luke said but had to smirk when he saw Rory grinning, obviously teasing him. "I'm going to start making some burgers for dinner. I'm assuming you're staying for dinner, Tristan?" He said.

"If that's ok." Tristan said.

Luke nodded. He was about to go to the kitchen when he felt two arms go round him. He looked down and saw Rory smiling up at him.

"Thanks dad." She said softly.

Luke put his arms round her and hugged her tightly. "I just want you to be safe, that's all."

"I know. I love you dad." She said softly.

"I love you too." Luke said gruffly. "I better get started on those burgers." He said disappearing off to the kitchen. "Remember, doors open!" He called.

I hope you liked it! Please review and let me know! :) :) I really do appreciate all of them!