DISCLAIMER: Err…no

AUTHOR"S NOTE: I'm so incredibly sorry that is took me soo long to do but school started again and I have tests and assignments…grrr…teachers really are evil! Hope you like it anyway! Finally a trory chapter! Enjoy the sappiness!

CHAPTER 8: HELPLESS

"Hey" he murmured, running his hand through his hair.

"What? Tristan? What are you doing here?"

For once in his life, he found himself at a loss for words.

"I uh…" he handed her the coffee.

"Umm…thanks?" Rory hesitated. "Come in"

Rory stepped back and let Tristan enter her house. She cautiously led him into the living room. They both sat on the couch and Rory took a sip of her coffee. Her face immediately lit up.

"This is Luke's coffee!"

Tristan smiled and took a swig. "Hey, this is pretty good"

"Of course! I don't exaggerate!"

They sat in silence for a few seconds until Rory finally spoke.

"So, we could make small talk or night, or you could tell me why you're here"

Tristan took a deep breath before finally spilling his guts.

"Rory, I'm sorry. I'm…sorry. I didn't mean what I said. It's just things are bad at home…" he laughed bitterly "…things have majorly sucked at home. Sometimes I wish I was back at Military School"

A look of worried placed itself on Rory's face. "Are you ok?"

Tristan nodded. "I'm ok, I just get a little worked up"

"Tristan, I accept your apology, but I'm sure you didn't come all the way to Stars Hollow just to tell me that."

Tristan shook his head. "There is, uh, something I want to give you"

Rory perked up immediately. "A present?"

"You could say that"

"I l-o-v-e presents"

"Really? I never would've guessed"

"Enough with the sarcasm Mr." She peered behind him. "So where is it?"

"Close your eyes"

Rory gasped. "A surprise present?! They, my friend, are the best kind of present"

She closed her eyes Tristan lent into her. Rory felt shivers down her spine as his breath tickled her face.

"Tris…"

She was cut short by his lips meeting hers. Her eyes popped open but she closed them again as her lips started kissing back. Her hands snaked around his neck and he brushed his tongue against her teeth. She obligingly opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. After a few minutes of making out, they pulled apart, gasping for air. Rory managed to muster up a smile.

"That was some present"

Tristan smirked. "There's a lot more were that came from"

Rory blushed and looked down.

"Rory" He paused. "I really like you. I mean, I really like you. And it scares me"

Rory looked up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I was so mopey at Military school. I missed talking with you. You're the only person I know that can keep up with me. Then I came back and everything was good, I wasn't evil Tristan once!"

Rory laughed. Tristan continued with his little speech (which he had coincidentally practised)

"And then we fought and you called me a jackass and it felt as bad as the time…" he felt a lump in his throat form. "…As the time you said you hated me."

Rorys eyes widened in shock as she recalled the memories of Dean and the last day of school…

"Oh Tristan, that time, I…I'm so sorry…I didn't mean too…"

Tristan motioned for Rory to stop.

"I know, I really don't want to talk about that right now"

She nodded.

"I just felt helpless after you called me that. All that time at Military School pining after you wasted by a single stupid moment. What I'm asking you is…do you think you could take a chance with a guy like me?"

Rory felt touched. She ran her finger across his jaw and kissed him softly.

He smiled. "I'll take that as a yes"

"Absolutely. And Tristan? I'm sorry"

"Apology accepted" He paused. "Can I uh, continue giving you your present?"

Rory giggled and hugged him. He lay back and she rested against him. Her hand was on his shoulder, and his hands were placed safely on her waist. They both closed their eyes and sighed contently.

"Tristan?" Rory said softly.

"Yeah?"

"I want to make a toast"

"A toast? Should I get out the alcohol?" he asked excitedly.

She smacked him lightly. "A non-alcoholic toast"

"Go ahead"

She smiled. "To New Beginnings"

"To New Beginnings" he murmured.

* * * * *

Lorelai and Luke had finally made it back Stars Hollow. He pulled up in front of her house and the pair sat in silence for a few seconds.

"So"

Lorelai smiled. "I should go inside. Rory's probably waiting "

Luke nodded. Ever so slowly, he moved his head closer and closer to Lorelai's, and finally kissed her. They both felt fireworks. You could practically see the electricity in the air. They pulled apart and both grinned.

"That was …wow"

"I agree"

Luke smirked. "So will I see you tomorrow?"

"Of course." Lorelai stepped out of the car and waved Luke off. She grinned to herself and walked into the house.

"Ror-"

Lorelai stood in the hallway, completely in shock. Rory was sleeping on the couch with an unidentified blond boy. Lorelai moved closer to assess the situation. Luckily, they were both fully clothed.

*It must be Chris*

Lorelai crept out of the room to check the answering machine.

BLEEP.

"…Hey Rory, its Chris. Just apologizing again for not being able to make it. Call me at…"

*So it's not Chris. Wow, she kisses one guy and look what happens. Also, do they all fall asleep around her? Jeez, way to go Ms. Narcoleptic*

Lorelai kicked off her shoes and got comfortable on a chair across from the sleeping beauties. She took one last look at them, to make sure their hands weren't in any suggestive positions. She let her eyelids droop, and memories of her fantastic night flooded her mind. A smile formed on her lips, and she had sweet dreams for the rest of the night.