The Voices in Your Head: Patience
Author: snoflaik
Disclaimer: You all know the drill. . own nothing blah blah blah. . . wish I owned Tristan blah blah blah
Author's Note: After getting berated once again for having a cliffhanger, I ran back to my puter and pulled up a word doc and started typing and this is the result. . .
By the way, this is going to be the end for sometime.. . I'm going away for a few weeks and won't be near a computer for all that time. . I may write
more on paper but it wont get updated until I'm back. I think I may leave the trory ending till a sequel or much later in the story.. . anyway enjoy!
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There it was. The Million-Dollar Question. The one thing that Tristan truly wanted to know. The little question in the back of his mind that had been nagging at him ever since that day. Did she mean it? Does she really hate me? The possibilities had been playing in his mind and practically driving him nuts. Never before had something mattered so much to him. Never before had he fallen so deep. And now the cards had been dealt, the bet was matched and he had called.
Rory just blinked for a second. She was surprised. Not by the question as much as the intensity behind his words and in his eyes. His eyes had always been intense. When he let his guard down, they showed his emotions plainly. Now he looked haunted. Like he had 83 emotions and thoughts swirling around inside and wasn't sure what to feel or to think anymore. He looked . . . lost.
"It hurt you that much." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
Tristan's head flew up to look at her. She read the answer in his eyes. She also found that she could look into his face forever. It was such a study of thoughts and expressions. They sat in silence just looking at each other. Trying to decide what to say next and coming up blank.
"I can't hate you. I never could. I don't know the real you. I am not too fond of the arrogant, self-centered, jerk you acted like before. But I know that was just a cover that you show to everyone. I think I'm finally getting to know the real you now and," she added with a smile, "I like what I see."
Tristan smiled back at her. All of his worries were washed away by her words.
"I believe Miss Gilmore, we just had a moment."
"I concur with your assessment Mr. DuGrey."
"Remember what happened last time we had a moment together." He said with a leer and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Rory laughed, rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully on the arm, "I thought you said you would behave."
"I didn't make any promises. " He replied with a smirk.
" uh-oh, Evil Tristan rears its ugly head."
"Evil Tristan?"
"Your nickname that my mom and I had for you from when you were making my life hell at school."
"So you talked about me outside of school, eh?" he replied with a grin.
"Only to describe what exactly drove me to banging my head against a wall."
"A pet name. Rory, I'm touched." He placed one hand over his heart and wiped away an invisible tear with the other.
Rory sighed in frustration. Could the boy's head get any bigger? "I knew this couldn't last. I mean just when we're all chummy, you have to go and ruin it."
She replied crossing her arms.
Tristan saw her look and moved to sit in front of her on the floor. "I'll be good. I promise."
Rory couldn't help but laugh at his earnest expression. "Alright, Alright."
Tristan couldn't help but grin as he got back up. "So, we've eaten and slept. What should we do now? Are you feeling alright?"
"Lord Tristan. I'll be fine. Stop worrying about me."
"Hey I'm the only one here to take care of you and if my hunch is right, if I allow anything to happen to you while your mom's away, I'll have your mom and the whole town of Stars Hollow against me. And I'm not to fond of a public lynching."
"Oh don't worry we haven't lynched anyone in years. They would probably only decapitate you." she replied with a grin.
:"Now that would ruin my whole day," replied Tristan, grinning back.
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"Ok, vanilla or chocolate?"
"Strawberry."
"Strawberry! How can you pick that over vanilla or chocolate?! Strawberry is always the one left in the Neapolitan package of ice cream."
"Well it shouldn't be, cause it's the best."
"Oh I beg to differ."
"Beg all you want. You'd still be wrong."
" Ugh. Fine. My turn." Rory sat and thought what she could ask him next. They had already discussed and argued over movies, television, books and countless other topics over the past few hours. Suddenly a thought popped into her head and she smiled mischievously at what she had thought of to ask him. He had been practically flirting with her all day and now two could play the game. "Boxers or briefs?"
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"Hello?" asked Tristan quietly as he picked up the phone to his ear and turned down the volume on the TV with the other. It had taken him the first four rings just to find the thing hidden underneath a pile of magazines in the corner of the sofa.
"Who is this?" came a surprised voice on the other end.
"Who is this?" he countered in turn.
"Look Mister. When you're answering my phone I get to ask the questions."
Tristan laughed as he realized where Rory got her attitude. " Hi Ms. Gilmore, It's Tristan DuGrey."
"Tristan as in Evil Tristan?"
"One in the same apparently." He replied chuckling softly as he shook his head at the sleeping form of her daughter next to him.
"Ah. Could I please speak to my daughter?"
"She asleep right now. Oh wait she's waking up"
Rory woke up to find Tristan hovering over her with the phone in his hand. "Wha. . . "
"Phone. It's your Mom."
"Hi mom. I got your note. How is the conference?"
"Why is the spawn of Satan answering my phone?"
"He's not the spawn of Satan," replied Rory. When she saw Tristan beaming at her she added, "Well not now at least." She smiled when he pouted and hung his head in dejection.
"Ok then why is the Tristan formerly known as evil answering my phone?"
"I was asleep."
"Yeah got that one already."
"Do you want the long or the short version?"
"Long, I've got time."
"Conference not very fun I take it."
"They ran out of coffee!"
"Capital offence."
"Tell me about it," whined Lorelei, "Now story time."
"Well I was in first period and had a really bad headache and dizziness. Tristan helped me to the nurse. I remember walking down the hall and then I think I passed out somewhere along the way cause when I woke up I was in his car being driven home. Now he has been staying here because he's incredibly stubborn and won't leave me alone to care for myself like I said I could," said Rory with a look at Tristan.
"Ungrateful little. . " murmured Tristan.
"What was that?" asked Rory covering the mouthpiece with her hand.
"Nothing," replied Tristan innocently.
"ANYWAY," she began again, "We've decided to start over and become friends so he's not evil anymore. Well not entirely." She added with another glance at him.
"So he carried you down the hallway? Interesting. Do you need me to come home?" asked Lorelei.
"Only if you can."
"Please give me an excuse to leave," begged Lorelei. "No coffee, do you know what that does to an addict. So I'll be home in a few hours. Will you be alright till then?"
"Yeah Tristan's here."
"I know. That's why I'm asking."
"I can handle him for a little longer," she replied as she walked into the kitchen and out of Tristan's hearing, "He's actually very nice when he wants to be."
"Oh I'm sure he is. Can I please talk to him for a second?"
"Why would you want to do that?"
"Oh just to have a little chat with him."
Rory walked out of the kitchen with a glass of water in her hand and handed the phone over to Tristan who was sitting on the couch reading a magazine. "She wants to talk to you again."
"Hey Lorelei." Rory watched him as he talked with her mom.
"Uh huh. Yes. It's complicated. Yes. Maybe sometime in the near future. Could you really do that?" he asked at one point. Looking at Rory with wide-eyes. "Point taken. Oh I'm sure we will. Yes. Safe trip home. Here she is." He passed the phone back to Rory.
"So what did you two talk about?" she asked questioningly.
"Oh a little of this a little of that. His passion for you and what I'm going to do to him if he harm's one hair on your head. You know the ususal."
"Passion?" she asked with a squeak glancing at Tristan who was absorbed in the magazine again.
"Yes well I've really got to be going if I want to miss the traffic. I'll be home as soon as I can."
"Ok love you."
"Love you too. Feel better."
Rory hung up the phone and looked at Tristan. "Passion eh?"
"I have no idea what she was talking about." He replied without looking up from the magazine.
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"Honey I'm home."
"MOM!" yelled Rory jumping off the couch and running to the door.
"So how are you feeling?" asked Lorelei with a hand to her forehead. "No fever. Although you do look a little flushed. Or could that just be the company?" she asked teasing.
She knew about the rocky relationship that the two kids had together and had come to the conclusion a long time ago that the kid who was supposed to be the devil had a thing for her daughter. Her daughter of course was oblivious to that little possibility but today's events heightened Lorelei's suspicions even further. She knew that there was more going on between the two than Rory would ever admit to herself let alone to another person.
"Mother!" exclaimed Rory exasperated, "I'm fine and no it's not the bloody company." She replied darkly.
"My your cranky when you don't feel well."
"He said the same thing and I don't appreciate it anymore coming from your lips then from his."
"So where is he?"
"Hey Lorelei."
"Speak of the devil," said Rory as Tristan walked in.
"Hey I thought I wasn't evil anymore." He replied with a pout in her direction.
"Yeah well things change."
"You don't feel well again do you."
"My your powers of perception astound me."
"Ding Ding. Move to your corners," said Lorelei breaking in. "Evil Tristan I presume." She asked looking at the young man before her.
"The one and only," he replied with a smile.
"You're starting to like that aren't you??" asked Rory.
"Any pet name from you reaches my heart, dearest," he replied.
"Dearest eh? Well I'll tell you where you can put that name in a minute."
"Tsk, Tsk, such language in front of your mother," said Tristan shaking his head.
"Ok you two that's enough for one day," said Lorelei. With so much passion in each person, who knows where they're conversations could lead.
"Well now that your home. I think I should be going. I still have homework to attend to since I spent the day moving at your every whim and desire.
"Why don't you stay for dinner?" asked Lorelei.
"I really would but I should get home. Thanks for the offer though."
"Ok well, safe trip home."
"Thanks. Stay well Rory. Hopefully I'll see you in school." Tristan turned and started walking out the door and down the path.
"Tristan?" asked Rory as she came out onto the porch.
"Yeah?" He asked turning to look back at her.
"Thank you. For everything."
"No problem," he replied with a smile.
"So were friends now?"
"Friends," replied Tristan.
Somehow the word seemed bitter on his tongue. He wanted more but he was willing to wait. Any relationship with her that didn't include her hating him was welcomed. He knew things would be different. Somehow he knew deep inside that it wouldn't last forever and that their relationship would come full circle and change again. The only thing to do now was wait. And Tristan was a very patient person when he stuck his mind to it.