a/n - okay, first off thanks for all the reviews; it really encourages me
to write faster. and secondly, to all you guys that thought the last
chapter was a cliffhanger, i didn't intend for that to be at all. sorry; i
actually thought i was being nice for once. :) hopefully this chapter
won't leave those kind of questions....
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Chapter 25 - Anything But Ordinary
Rory sighed as she snuggled up closer to the side of the bed. She felt so warm and comfortable and... what! Her eyes popped open as she realized that she was not snuggled up to the side of her own twin bed but instead a chest. A very strong, very bare chest. Her eyes roamed up the smooth expanse of skin as her eyes locked on Tristan's sleeping face. Smiling, Rory's hand seemed to move on its own as she reached up touch the dream. He looked so peaceful when he slept, so... angelic. Rory grinned at the thought. Tristan, angelic? No. Not possible, especially after last night.
Last night!?
Rory shot up in bed at the memory. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Here she was waking up in bed next to Tristan, both of them wearing next to nothing and it never occurred to her that this was out of the ordinary!? Rory groaned as she felt Tristan pull her towards him in his sleep. She had to think. This was not what was supposed to happen. She need to get out of here, she needed to think. Moving quietly so as not to wake her bed partner up, Rory made her way towards the kitchen for a glass of water.
Stopping in the doorway so she could throw on a robe, Rory took one last look at Tristan's muscular form as he shifted in his sleep, adjusting to her absence. Rolling onto his back, he flung his arm out to the side, and Rory got a good look at those abs she had been so close to a moment ago.
A blush covered her cheeks as she remembered the feel of his hands on her body and the way his lips had demanded control of her every thought. Nothing else had been important; only making that feeling last. Rory groaned at the memory, not even wanting to admit the truth to herself. She hadn't wanted to stop. She wouldn't have. But thankfully for her, he had.
Sighing, Rory recalled how hot she had felt when his hands had brushed over her underwear, and the way she had taken in a deep breath as he had slipped his fingers under the fabric, how she'd felt her hips rise in response to his every movement, she'd felt his hand start to slip down... the cold rush of air as he had quickly broke away from her, and then the hurt and argument that had followed. She shook her head, trying to block out the unpleasant, and not to mention embarrassing, memory as she filled a glass with water and began sipping from it.
She took in her reflection in the swirling water and it reminded her of the way she had looked at her reflection last night in Tristan's eyes as he had tried to explain himself. She felt a dreamy smile form on her lips as she revived the image of his face so honest and sincere as he'd told her that he didn't want her regretting their first time together. That he had thought about it.
Rory finally allowed herself to smile widely. Tristan cared about her. He cared about her as deeply as she did about him, and he was willing to wait for her. No longer was he the cocky playboy that had greeted her in the hallways two years ago. He was a new Tristan, one that she could definitely see something happening with. Rory poured the rest of her water down the drain and scanned the living room. She wasn't really tired right now after that realization. In fact, she was positively giddy with the realization of their new relationship. Fueld with the energy, Rory decided to clean up the mess she and Tristan had made last night.
After clearing a few dishes and rearranging the couch cushions, Rory came across a book on the table, A Tale of Two Cities. Now that was a good idea; nothing better to slow her pulse than involved reading. Settling herself onto the corner of the sofa, Rory cracked the book open and there it was. Jess' handwriting. Cringing, she slammed the book shut.
What had she been thinking? Making out with Tristan when she had a perfectly good guy waiting at home for her? A guy that had no indication anything was wrong, a guy that she had given every signal that there would be a relationship when she got home...
Rory jumped up and began pacing the room. What was she going to do? Granted, she'd never actually agreed to be Jess's girlfriend, but they had been talking regularly over the phone, and she'd never given him any sort of warning that she might be falling for Tristan. As far as Jess was concerned, Tristan was a friendly, but slightly annoying friend that she was stuck living with. She had assured him so many times that there was NO romantic interest between the two of them.
Slapping her forehead, Rory continued to rage at herself for her sluggishness in realizing her true feelings for Tristan, for her indecisiveness all summer, for her impulsiveness tonight. She had forgotten all about Jess. The second she and Tristan had been alone together, all thoughts of Jess had flown out of her head. Jess had become a distant memory, some guy that she'd kissed a few times back home. Rory stopped dead in her tracks at that thought.
Jess was a memory. He was her past.
It had taken her all summer to realize that. She had left Star's Hollow to figure out where she stood with everyone, and now she had.
Pausing in the hallway outside her room, Rory fondled the silver ring on her finger. She'd finally figured it out. A huge grin formed on her face as she found herself at the foot of the bed, again admiring Tristan's angelic features.
It may have taken her all summer, but she had finally made a decision.
* * * * *
Tristan watched Rory as she shifted in her sleep, reveling in the fact that her head was resting on his chest and her arm wrapped around his neck. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her hair one more time. She always smelled so soft and fresh. Hell, she even looked it. He smiled softly at her simple cotton undergarments. Rory could even make the practical light green bra/underwear set look sexy. He groaned as he felt himself getting turned on for about the ninetieth time since he'd been laying there; seeking a distraction, he glanced at the clock again, 10:14. He was going to have to wake her up soon.
It had already been over an hour that he'd been laying there watching her sleep on his chest. The fact that last night had actually happened was still unimaginable to him, and the grin refused to vacate his face as memories of last night flashed through his head. Rory kissing him in the hallway, Rory removing his clothes, Rory moaning as he touched her, willing to give herself to him. Tristan sighed contentedly and pulled her body closer to his, feeling her relax into his embrace. He didn't want this to end. He just wanted to stay here forever.
But he knew it had to. Paris was going to be coming home soon and they had to finish packing up what they hadn't sent off yesterday, check out, get to the airport... Tristan sighed heavily; he had to wake her up.
And that was the one dark cloud in his horizon. After he ended this perfect moment, what would happen? What would she say? Would she call last night an accident... a mistake... try to blame it on the wine again? Today they were going to return to their old homes in Stars Hollow and Hartford, and what would happen then?
A frown traced the edges of his face as he replayed all the scenarios he'd begun building in his head. Scenarios where Rory yelled and screamed and told him she never wanted to see him again. Scenarios where she slapped him and told him she hated him. Scenarios where she went running back into bagboy's arms, or even reuniting with that other kid she talked to on the phone all the time, who, in Tristan's mind, greatly resembled Bagboy.
He instinctively tightened his hold on her body as Tristan realized that he was very soon going to find out which scenario would transpire. Rory had begun to stir and was just on the verge of waking up. Deciding that it would be better to get it over with, he leaned down so his lips were barely brushing her ear, and he whispered, "Did you sleep well, Mary?"
* * * * *
"Mmmmmm...." Rory smiled as she heard Tristan's voice in her ear. She had woken up with her head rested on his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around her. It just felt so right. She blinked a few times and turned to face him. "Can I ask you a question?"
To her surprise, the inquiry was greeted with a confused look and then relieved laughter.
Separating her body from his, she furrowed her brow at his amused expression. "What?"
"If I recall, that's the sentence that started all of this."
"You're right..." Smiling softly, she thought back to last night. Then she returned her head to its previous location and kissed his bare chest as he wrapped his arm around her body. Satisfied with her new comfort level, she questioned, "But is that such a bad thing?"
"Well, if this is bad, I cannot miss the part where they show me good." His voice had a hint of sincerity buried amongst the sarcasm and Rory marveled at how different the effect was after this summer. A few months ago she would've gotten annoyed with him, but now she just laughed along.
Tilting her head up where she could see his face, Rory shifted the conversation back in the direction she wanted. "So is that a yes?"
He nodded and waved his free arm in the air. "Go ahead. Ask your question."
"Gee thanks." Rory rolled her eyes at him before launching into her speech. "Okay, here it is. If you liked me all summer, then how come you never tried anything?"
"Tried anything?" She didn't even have to look at his face to see the self- satisfied smirk.
"You know what I mean. Even last night, I was the one that kissed you."
"Maybe there was a reason for that." Rory blinked in confusion. Despite the mocking tone in his voice, he seemed sincere enough; nonetheless, these short, mysterious responses were extremely aggravating.
Pulling away from him slightly, Rory began to speak a little louder. "What is that supposed to mean? When you like someone, it's usually customary to ask them out." She gave him a quizzical look as he stared down at her, his expression losing all traces of taunting.
"How would you have responded if I had?" Rory thought about it for a second and then lifted her head up so she could kiss him.
"You are a smart man, DuGrey."
"I like to think so." With that, he started to get up, leaving her moaning in protest. "Don't want me to go, Mary?"
"You're warm." The Lorelai-esque whining was slightly muffled as she burrowed beneath the comforter.
"Is that all?" Tristan was grinning as he slipped a t-shirt on, but turned around when he noticed she had put a stop to the banter. Her face was peeking out from under the blankets, suddenly serious as she gazed at him.
"Is it?"
"Is it what?" Tristan appeared to be honestly confused, and Rory was taken aback slightly. When she'd dug under the blankets it had suddenly occurred to her that she had no idea whether Tristan felt the same way she did about them. She'd just assumed that last night was the first of many... but it had occurred to her that it was possible he would want to leave all that had happened in Chicago, not take it with them back to Connecticut... Rory suddenly felt very timid to be the one initiating this conversation.
"Is this all?" Her voice betrayed her nervousness and she watched as her meaning dawned on him and his face softened. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he sat down on the bed next to her, taking her hands in his.
"You already know my answer to that, or you should." His eyes searched hers for a second before he continued. "If it were up to me, last night would be just the beginning for us, but what do you want, Rory? Are you ready for more?"
The words echoed in Rory's brain and she began to panic, the Gilmore in her taking over as she began to analyze the situation. Here she was, deciding overnight to jump into a relationship with a guy with whom her history with could at best be described as 'rocky.' Plus, with Dean, things had begun falling apart practically the day after they'd decided to be 'a couple.' What if that happened with Tristan too? Maybe they weren't ready. Maybe they should ease into the relationship slowly...
The questions in his eyes became too much for her and Rory glanced away. She just needed to think about it...
* * * * *
She looked down and Tristan could see the uncertainty written on her face. Last night she'd finally admitted that she had feelings for him, but Tristan had known that there was the possibility that she might need some time before she was ready to have a serious relationship with him. None the less, his heart fell at her indecisive response.
"I... I don't know..." Two sets of blue eyes connected in a moment of pure understanding. "We just got to be friends, and I... What if you...? I mean, I want to, but I'm afraid that- " Tristan cut the incoherent rambling off with a soft touch to her lips. Then he spoke.
"I understand Rory. I'll wait for as long as you need; I want you to be sure."
Without hesitation, she flung her arms around him in appreciation, and Tristan could feel her smile pressing into his shoulder as she whispered, "What did I do to deserve you?"
Pulling back just slightly, he fixed her with a slight smirk and a raised eyebrow. "If I'm not mistaken, you were in this bed last night too, right?" Slapping his shoulder, Rory flushed deep red. Tristan just grinned at that; even after last night, she was still the most easily embarrassed girl he knew.
She just shook her head in mock disapproval and sighed as she climbed out from under her covers, making her way to the far edge of the mattress. "Some things never change."
"And some things do." With that, a surprised shriek pierced the room as Tristan captured her ankle and dragged the struggling figure back across the bed towards him, laughing the whole time.
~~~~~
a/n- nope, that's not the end. I'm still gonna wrap things up with Jess and of course the story can't end without Tristan meeting the inhabitants of Star's Hollow. :) But if you want it quick, don't forget to use that little button in the corner. You all know which one i'm talking about... Review!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 25 - Anything But Ordinary
Rory sighed as she snuggled up closer to the side of the bed. She felt so warm and comfortable and... what! Her eyes popped open as she realized that she was not snuggled up to the side of her own twin bed but instead a chest. A very strong, very bare chest. Her eyes roamed up the smooth expanse of skin as her eyes locked on Tristan's sleeping face. Smiling, Rory's hand seemed to move on its own as she reached up touch the dream. He looked so peaceful when he slept, so... angelic. Rory grinned at the thought. Tristan, angelic? No. Not possible, especially after last night.
Last night!?
Rory shot up in bed at the memory. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Here she was waking up in bed next to Tristan, both of them wearing next to nothing and it never occurred to her that this was out of the ordinary!? Rory groaned as she felt Tristan pull her towards him in his sleep. She had to think. This was not what was supposed to happen. She need to get out of here, she needed to think. Moving quietly so as not to wake her bed partner up, Rory made her way towards the kitchen for a glass of water.
Stopping in the doorway so she could throw on a robe, Rory took one last look at Tristan's muscular form as he shifted in his sleep, adjusting to her absence. Rolling onto his back, he flung his arm out to the side, and Rory got a good look at those abs she had been so close to a moment ago.
A blush covered her cheeks as she remembered the feel of his hands on her body and the way his lips had demanded control of her every thought. Nothing else had been important; only making that feeling last. Rory groaned at the memory, not even wanting to admit the truth to herself. She hadn't wanted to stop. She wouldn't have. But thankfully for her, he had.
Sighing, Rory recalled how hot she had felt when his hands had brushed over her underwear, and the way she had taken in a deep breath as he had slipped his fingers under the fabric, how she'd felt her hips rise in response to his every movement, she'd felt his hand start to slip down... the cold rush of air as he had quickly broke away from her, and then the hurt and argument that had followed. She shook her head, trying to block out the unpleasant, and not to mention embarrassing, memory as she filled a glass with water and began sipping from it.
She took in her reflection in the swirling water and it reminded her of the way she had looked at her reflection last night in Tristan's eyes as he had tried to explain himself. She felt a dreamy smile form on her lips as she revived the image of his face so honest and sincere as he'd told her that he didn't want her regretting their first time together. That he had thought about it.
Rory finally allowed herself to smile widely. Tristan cared about her. He cared about her as deeply as she did about him, and he was willing to wait for her. No longer was he the cocky playboy that had greeted her in the hallways two years ago. He was a new Tristan, one that she could definitely see something happening with. Rory poured the rest of her water down the drain and scanned the living room. She wasn't really tired right now after that realization. In fact, she was positively giddy with the realization of their new relationship. Fueld with the energy, Rory decided to clean up the mess she and Tristan had made last night.
After clearing a few dishes and rearranging the couch cushions, Rory came across a book on the table, A Tale of Two Cities. Now that was a good idea; nothing better to slow her pulse than involved reading. Settling herself onto the corner of the sofa, Rory cracked the book open and there it was. Jess' handwriting. Cringing, she slammed the book shut.
What had she been thinking? Making out with Tristan when she had a perfectly good guy waiting at home for her? A guy that had no indication anything was wrong, a guy that she had given every signal that there would be a relationship when she got home...
Rory jumped up and began pacing the room. What was she going to do? Granted, she'd never actually agreed to be Jess's girlfriend, but they had been talking regularly over the phone, and she'd never given him any sort of warning that she might be falling for Tristan. As far as Jess was concerned, Tristan was a friendly, but slightly annoying friend that she was stuck living with. She had assured him so many times that there was NO romantic interest between the two of them.
Slapping her forehead, Rory continued to rage at herself for her sluggishness in realizing her true feelings for Tristan, for her indecisiveness all summer, for her impulsiveness tonight. She had forgotten all about Jess. The second she and Tristan had been alone together, all thoughts of Jess had flown out of her head. Jess had become a distant memory, some guy that she'd kissed a few times back home. Rory stopped dead in her tracks at that thought.
Jess was a memory. He was her past.
It had taken her all summer to realize that. She had left Star's Hollow to figure out where she stood with everyone, and now she had.
Pausing in the hallway outside her room, Rory fondled the silver ring on her finger. She'd finally figured it out. A huge grin formed on her face as she found herself at the foot of the bed, again admiring Tristan's angelic features.
It may have taken her all summer, but she had finally made a decision.
* * * * *
Tristan watched Rory as she shifted in her sleep, reveling in the fact that her head was resting on his chest and her arm wrapped around his neck. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her hair one more time. She always smelled so soft and fresh. Hell, she even looked it. He smiled softly at her simple cotton undergarments. Rory could even make the practical light green bra/underwear set look sexy. He groaned as he felt himself getting turned on for about the ninetieth time since he'd been laying there; seeking a distraction, he glanced at the clock again, 10:14. He was going to have to wake her up soon.
It had already been over an hour that he'd been laying there watching her sleep on his chest. The fact that last night had actually happened was still unimaginable to him, and the grin refused to vacate his face as memories of last night flashed through his head. Rory kissing him in the hallway, Rory removing his clothes, Rory moaning as he touched her, willing to give herself to him. Tristan sighed contentedly and pulled her body closer to his, feeling her relax into his embrace. He didn't want this to end. He just wanted to stay here forever.
But he knew it had to. Paris was going to be coming home soon and they had to finish packing up what they hadn't sent off yesterday, check out, get to the airport... Tristan sighed heavily; he had to wake her up.
And that was the one dark cloud in his horizon. After he ended this perfect moment, what would happen? What would she say? Would she call last night an accident... a mistake... try to blame it on the wine again? Today they were going to return to their old homes in Stars Hollow and Hartford, and what would happen then?
A frown traced the edges of his face as he replayed all the scenarios he'd begun building in his head. Scenarios where Rory yelled and screamed and told him she never wanted to see him again. Scenarios where she slapped him and told him she hated him. Scenarios where she went running back into bagboy's arms, or even reuniting with that other kid she talked to on the phone all the time, who, in Tristan's mind, greatly resembled Bagboy.
He instinctively tightened his hold on her body as Tristan realized that he was very soon going to find out which scenario would transpire. Rory had begun to stir and was just on the verge of waking up. Deciding that it would be better to get it over with, he leaned down so his lips were barely brushing her ear, and he whispered, "Did you sleep well, Mary?"
* * * * *
"Mmmmmm...." Rory smiled as she heard Tristan's voice in her ear. She had woken up with her head rested on his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around her. It just felt so right. She blinked a few times and turned to face him. "Can I ask you a question?"
To her surprise, the inquiry was greeted with a confused look and then relieved laughter.
Separating her body from his, she furrowed her brow at his amused expression. "What?"
"If I recall, that's the sentence that started all of this."
"You're right..." Smiling softly, she thought back to last night. Then she returned her head to its previous location and kissed his bare chest as he wrapped his arm around her body. Satisfied with her new comfort level, she questioned, "But is that such a bad thing?"
"Well, if this is bad, I cannot miss the part where they show me good." His voice had a hint of sincerity buried amongst the sarcasm and Rory marveled at how different the effect was after this summer. A few months ago she would've gotten annoyed with him, but now she just laughed along.
Tilting her head up where she could see his face, Rory shifted the conversation back in the direction she wanted. "So is that a yes?"
He nodded and waved his free arm in the air. "Go ahead. Ask your question."
"Gee thanks." Rory rolled her eyes at him before launching into her speech. "Okay, here it is. If you liked me all summer, then how come you never tried anything?"
"Tried anything?" She didn't even have to look at his face to see the self- satisfied smirk.
"You know what I mean. Even last night, I was the one that kissed you."
"Maybe there was a reason for that." Rory blinked in confusion. Despite the mocking tone in his voice, he seemed sincere enough; nonetheless, these short, mysterious responses were extremely aggravating.
Pulling away from him slightly, Rory began to speak a little louder. "What is that supposed to mean? When you like someone, it's usually customary to ask them out." She gave him a quizzical look as he stared down at her, his expression losing all traces of taunting.
"How would you have responded if I had?" Rory thought about it for a second and then lifted her head up so she could kiss him.
"You are a smart man, DuGrey."
"I like to think so." With that, he started to get up, leaving her moaning in protest. "Don't want me to go, Mary?"
"You're warm." The Lorelai-esque whining was slightly muffled as she burrowed beneath the comforter.
"Is that all?" Tristan was grinning as he slipped a t-shirt on, but turned around when he noticed she had put a stop to the banter. Her face was peeking out from under the blankets, suddenly serious as she gazed at him.
"Is it?"
"Is it what?" Tristan appeared to be honestly confused, and Rory was taken aback slightly. When she'd dug under the blankets it had suddenly occurred to her that she had no idea whether Tristan felt the same way she did about them. She'd just assumed that last night was the first of many... but it had occurred to her that it was possible he would want to leave all that had happened in Chicago, not take it with them back to Connecticut... Rory suddenly felt very timid to be the one initiating this conversation.
"Is this all?" Her voice betrayed her nervousness and she watched as her meaning dawned on him and his face softened. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he sat down on the bed next to her, taking her hands in his.
"You already know my answer to that, or you should." His eyes searched hers for a second before he continued. "If it were up to me, last night would be just the beginning for us, but what do you want, Rory? Are you ready for more?"
The words echoed in Rory's brain and she began to panic, the Gilmore in her taking over as she began to analyze the situation. Here she was, deciding overnight to jump into a relationship with a guy with whom her history with could at best be described as 'rocky.' Plus, with Dean, things had begun falling apart practically the day after they'd decided to be 'a couple.' What if that happened with Tristan too? Maybe they weren't ready. Maybe they should ease into the relationship slowly...
The questions in his eyes became too much for her and Rory glanced away. She just needed to think about it...
* * * * *
She looked down and Tristan could see the uncertainty written on her face. Last night she'd finally admitted that she had feelings for him, but Tristan had known that there was the possibility that she might need some time before she was ready to have a serious relationship with him. None the less, his heart fell at her indecisive response.
"I... I don't know..." Two sets of blue eyes connected in a moment of pure understanding. "We just got to be friends, and I... What if you...? I mean, I want to, but I'm afraid that- " Tristan cut the incoherent rambling off with a soft touch to her lips. Then he spoke.
"I understand Rory. I'll wait for as long as you need; I want you to be sure."
Without hesitation, she flung her arms around him in appreciation, and Tristan could feel her smile pressing into his shoulder as she whispered, "What did I do to deserve you?"
Pulling back just slightly, he fixed her with a slight smirk and a raised eyebrow. "If I'm not mistaken, you were in this bed last night too, right?" Slapping his shoulder, Rory flushed deep red. Tristan just grinned at that; even after last night, she was still the most easily embarrassed girl he knew.
She just shook her head in mock disapproval and sighed as she climbed out from under her covers, making her way to the far edge of the mattress. "Some things never change."
"And some things do." With that, a surprised shriek pierced the room as Tristan captured her ankle and dragged the struggling figure back across the bed towards him, laughing the whole time.
~~~~~
a/n- nope, that's not the end. I'm still gonna wrap things up with Jess and of course the story can't end without Tristan meeting the inhabitants of Star's Hollow. :) But if you want it quick, don't forget to use that little button in the corner. You all know which one i'm talking about... Review!