Title: Imagine Me Without You
Chapter 12: Conversation With Happiness
Notes: June 5, 2002 - I'm not sure how many of you read this junk at the top but thanks for all the wonderful reviews, especially to Lily. I do my best to supply the TRORY fans an enjoyable fan fic. I like Jess but I'm always going to have a special place in my heart for Tristan. He is supposed to be the one with Rory. OH WELL :) If I could have it any way, I would have Chad Michael Murray come back to the show because his Lone Ranger pilot was not picked up by the WB. Also, the song that Rory and Tristan are dancing to is Moonpools and Caterpillars Heaven. It's such a beautiful song and fits in one of their moments of happiness. I'm sure that's how they'd feel if they were together all the time. You might remember the song if you've ever watched Disney's Wish Upon A Star.
Download: Heaven by Moonpools and Caterpillars. You'll understand why I picked this song.
Email: gigi@xquisite.net
P.S.: I hope you all get the ending of this chapter. Please tell me you do!


Chapter 12: Conversation With Happiness

Rory and Tristan sat in their respective seat in the Beamer. Not much was exchanged in the first 20 minutes. Before the two had gotten into the car, the two decided to they would each treat one another with a plan of their own for the date. Rory settled on bowling and Tristan settled on some "happy place". Since Tristan was the designated driver, Rory thought it would be only right that she treat him out first.

He smells sooo good. If I lean in any closer, he might think I want to bit the skin off his neck or something. That and other things. BAD! Stop it! Behave. Be a good girl and look out the window. Rory permitted herself to let out a sigh of relief, which tickled the tiniest of tiny hairs on Tristan's neck. Before he could steal a glance of Rory, she was already staring outside the window.


On the outside, he was cool as a clam. But deep inside, he was a nervous wreck. He wanted to reach over and touch her glowing skin. Her soft hair. Stop it. Behave. Look straight at the road. Concentrate. She's not even a whole foot away from you and your palms are soaking the steering wheel. The car ride was both hectic and soothing at the same time but he decided to break the silence. When Rory and Tristan started to talk, it was hard to stop. Who knew that they would have so much in common?

"So what's the deal with bowling?"

Whew! Conversation! Finally, Rory! "What do you mean? You don't want to bowl?"

"I didn't say that." A smile formed on his face, not taking his eyes away from the road. "Actually, you never struck me to be the bowling type."

"How so?"

"You read books."

Rory laughed at his comment. "Because I read books? Because I read books, you think I can't bowl or play any sport for that matter, hmm?"

"Hey, you said it."

Tristan turned left to enter the bowling arena's parking lot. The fluorescent lighting beamed above the door's entrance, although the B and G were flickering. Turning the ignition off, the two stepped out. Tristan went around to meet with Rory and she graciously slipped her arm into his. She could get used to this. At the entrance, Tristan pulled open the door for her and thanked him for the polite gesture. Once inside, she happily ran away from him and jumped into line.

"Geeze, I open the door for you and you run away?" Befuddled, he ran after her and jumped in line with her.

"You have to be quick about these things. It's a Friday night you know. The line gets really long."

"I wouldn't know. I've never been bowling." His smirk met down with her suprised expression.

"Tristan 'Tufty' Dugrey, you've never bowled? Not once? That's, that's-, that's ludicrous!"

"Well, I mean. Look where you come from and where I come from." Tristan, that sounded so ignorant. What the hell? I hope I didn't offend her. But of course it would offend her. He looked down at her waiting for a response.

But it was true. Rory grew up in a world of simple delights --- simple delights looked down upon in his world as 'pointless' and 'pauper-like'. There were balls and banquets to attend. People to lie to. People to do.

Normally, Rory would've been down-right insulted but she knew he meant no harm. She knew he grew up in a cold world with cold people and cold ways. She saw him differently and for her to judge him off the bat was what she wasn't going to do.

"That's true. But, Star's Hollow doesn't have ugly people."

The two bust out hysterically at her comment, causing several people to stare at the two teens. When they noticed the attention placed on them, the two composed themselves and quiet down. Now at the top of the line, Tristan placed his hand on the small of her back and softly pushed her forward to the counter.

"One lane, 2 games, one 7 and one 11 1/2."

The slightly balding man at the counter wrote down the girl's requests and handed her two worn-out red pairs of shoes. "That'll be $15.77 little lady. You have a good time now." After paying the charge, she Kindly took the shoes and dropped a pair into Tristan's arms. Rory tugged him out of line and not too far away, Rory sat herself on one of the stools to put on her shoes.

"How'd you know I was an 11 1/2?" Tristan was suprised at her "guess".

"You have big feet." Realizing what she said, she looked down at her red shoes.

"Really Mary, I have big feet, huh? What else do you know that's big?"

Finalizing the laces on her shoes, she stood up and slapped him hard on the chest with the back of her hand. "Don't be 'cocky'." She smiled sweetly and without waiting, she walked towards their lane for the night.

Tristan stood there in shock. Did he just hear right? Cocky? Who thought she knew such a word? And the way it rolled off her tongue. It almost sounded like a sexual retort.

"Are you sure you don't want me to be?"

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Three hours later, the 2 games were over. Time seemed to had passed by too quickly for the both of them. The games would've ended sooner but inbetween rounds, the two kept on exchanging banter. It was only 9:30, more than enough time to take Rory out to his part of the date. Arm-in-arm once again, when they reached his car, he opened the door for her. Rory slipped inside and closed the door. Tristan went around and slipped inside as well.

"You know," Rory said while buckling her belt, "I could get used to the whole opening and closing doors thing. Too bad I don't have someone to bang my locker open."

"Say what? I do that for you! I do it for you everyday!"

"Yeah, but, I want someone cute!" She meant for it to be a joke but saw Tristan faking a puppy frown.

"Oh, please, like that would work."

When he wouldn't stop, she couldn't help but frown, too. Then smile. Then frown. Then smile.

"Ok, stop it. It's working. Tristan. Stop. Stop. Stop it!"

He smiled. It's all he had to do and she had stopped whining.

"I like the way you say 'stop'. But you really should be saying 'don't stop'." Dammit Tristan. Why'd you say that? Dolt!

She didn't know what came over her but she couldn't help but play along. She leaned over, tickling the tiny hairs on Tristan's neck once more. Tristan was amazed and excited and didn't know what to think. He sat there, still as a rock while Rory grazed her skin against his.

Rory, please stop. My, my, MY! Please stop...well, no, not really, but, please, please, PLEASE stop!

When she had just enough fun, she softly whispered into his ear, "Don't stop." The two words sent shivers down his spine. Tingles reeling all over him.

She pulled away and situated herself in the leather cushioning of the Beamer. Rory, what WERE you thinking? She wasn't embarassed by her actions, merely suprised.

"So where to?" Rory asked.

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Rory didn't have a clue as to where Tristan was taking her but she trusted him. He was driving definitely back towards Star's Hollow, though. All she could see where incoming and outgoing headlights and tailights on the road. There were no buildings or sidelamps to be seen. Without notice, he made a detour to the side and parked.

"Tristan, it's dark. What are we doing out here?" She didn't know what was going on but she hated being out somewhere in the dark.

He turned off the ignition and unclasped his seat belt. He turned to see frightened eyes. It's not what he expected to see and almost choked to see them. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her.

"Rory, trust me."

"But it's dark and we're alone in who know's where and- I mean, don't you remember that episode of Dawson's Creek when Joey was all alone in the library and- well, except we're out in nowhere and-" She rambled when she was nervous but she rambled even more when she was scared.

"Rory, calm down." He took his hands into her own and rubbed circles with his thumbs over her hands. "Don't be scared. Trust me, ok?"

She met up and saw that he was gazing at her. Not at her eyes but at her as a whole.

"Ok." she sfotly replied. Smiling softly, Tristan released her hands and popped open the dashboard compartment. There, he pulled out a white handkerchief. Closing the compartment, he opened his door and stepped out. He ran around to Rory's side of the car and opened her door. Offering his hand, she took it and pushed out of the car. Closing the door behind her, he turned her around to see him.

He leaned in and whispered into her ear. "Don't be afraid. Trust me." Tristan took the handkerchief and tied it around her eyes. It was one thing to be in darkness but to actually see it was another. Her heart started pounding and she wouldn't suprised if Tristan could hear it, too.

Making sure it was tight (not too tight of course), he took her hand into his. The touch was more intimate. Closer than before. And most of all, it was safe.

He didn't want to rush, so he slowly guided her to the unknown place. Rory couldn't use one of her senses, so she decided to use her sense of smell and touch. She couldn't get a smell, although the word 'fresh' seemed to pop up a lot. She could hear her twigs and leaves snapping, so she knew they were defintely way out there in nature. After 15 minutes of silence and walking, they came to a holt.

"Can I take this thing off now?" Rory pointed to the handkerchief.

"Umm, no you can't. I'm going to leave you here for a little bit. Promise me you won't take it off, ok?" When Tristan planned to let go of her hand, he found it impossible to do so. She was gripping his hand like a cat digging its claws into the upholstry.

"Tristan, please don't. Please don't leave me here."

Tristan didn't know what to say. She really was afraid of being alone. But it had to be more than that. She was dead scared.

"Rory, you have to let me go." He had to practically pry her hand of his. "I promise, promise with my heart and soul I'll come back for you. Just wait right here for a littl bit. Can you be a brave little girl for me?"

"I'm not little." Rory puffed.

"See, brave already." Smirking, he walked away from her and left her to be alone.

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It was getting cold and late and Rory didn't know what Tristan was doing. She was tempted to remove the cloth around her head but she trusted him. What would that make her if she took it off? She did and does trust him. She wanted him to do the same to her. Although the thought was a comfort, knowing that she was alone in wilderness was getting to her. To keep her sanity, she talked out loud.

"Tufty, will you hurry up already. I'm cold. Hello? Hello0o0o0o0o?"

No reply.

"Ok, Tristan, come on. What are you doing? I'm going to take this thing off. Come on, seriously. Hello?"

No reply.

"Tristan?" her squeak was a mere plea.

No reply was made once more and she turned around, only to be grabbed.

"Ahhhhh!" She started hitting, not sure at what or who.

"Rory, calm down!" Tristan tried to make a grab for her arms. Who knew the petite little girl was such a fighter? Still, he tried to grab hold of her everytime she tried to run away. He didn't know what had gotten into her. When he thought he had a grab of her left hand, her fingers scratched his skin. He winced at the burning pain. "Rory, stop! Stop! It's me! Tristan!"

Rory stopped when she heard the familiar voice. How stupid could she be? Of course it was Tristan. Who else would it be?

The two stepped away from one another, breathing rather heavily. The whole thing was bizarre. One minute they're bantering around and the next, he's confused and she's scared out of her wits.

When enough breathing time was given, Tristan spoke up.

"Rory, are you ok?"

I am so embarassed. What will Tristan think? And I scratched him. I hurt him. How could I do that? She was sure he was now freaked out by her. All he was trying to do was making sure that she was alright. And she reacted like a psycho.

"Rory?"

"Yeah?" Rory said rather weakly.

"I'm sorry. I should've said something instead of sneaking up like that on you."

She took in his words, still trying to calm herself down. "No."

"What?"

"No, Tristan, don't be sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I hurt you."

"You just grazed my skin. It didn't hurt at all."

"Liar."

"Ok. It hurt. Just a little."

Rory stifled a little laugh and it released some of the tension out between them. Tristan was still confused with what just happened but decided that time was ticking. All that mattered what the she was alright. He walked towards her but stopped two feet before her, making sure it was alright to do anything before he proceeded. He just gazed at her, shivering a bit in the cold.

"Tristan?"

"Yeah?"

"It better be good."

Smirking, he took her hand into his once more. It felt nice.

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This time the walk to the hidden place wasn't so bad. On the way there, he was rubbing circles all over her hand, comforting her. He even hummed a song to her, although it was unfamiliar. But whatever the song was, she sure did like it.

Once again, they stopped. She slightly whimpered when he let go of her hand again but she hoped he didnt noticed. Tristan maneuvered himself to Rory's back and slightly leaned in to whisper into her ear. "You can take it off now."

Finally she thought to herself. Untying the handkerchief, she blinked her eyes a few times to rid them of the bluriness. Once in focus, hey eyes popped.

"Tristan!" She saw what seemed like a million of wild flower petals spread all over the place with lit floating candles in bowls. Soft music was playing in the background and several willow trees were strung with lights. If she imagined right, she could smell coffee and pizza with all the toppings.

"Yes, that is my name." Acting on impulse, he slipped his arms around her waiste and pulled her in. She didn't hesitate to lean in, his chin, digging into the curve of her neck. Cheek to cheek.

They were at the quarry. It was the last place Rory thought they would ever be. Again. And the quarry never seemed so much beautiful as tonight, with the stars twinkling high above.

"Why are we here?" Her expression was flustered and happy, cheeks tinged with a healthy blush. Not that she was complaining but she wanted to know why they were there.

Still holding her close, he smiled. "You told me once that you came here when you were younger. I could tell that it made you happy. And if coming here makes you happy, well, umm---how do I say this without souding tacky?"

"Just say it." She smiled and looked up at the guy looking down at her.

He didn't want to choke on his words or sound too cheesy but he just had to say it. "I hope I can make you happy, too."

The two pairs of eyes stayed locked on one another. She didn't know if she heard right and he didn't know if he said it right but it didn't matter. Both of them felt like they were in heaven.

Suddenly, a familiar song came on. The same song that Tristan hummed for her when they were walking to the quarry.

Clearing his throat, he turned Rory around and offered his hand. Giving no thought to her action, she accepted. He led her more into the candle light and instinctively wrapped his arms around her small waiste. Rory wrapped her arms around his neck, inhaling the scent of his cologne. The two slowly swayed to the music, embracing every single second of the moment.


I believe in heaven and know
that I should just accept it all
So content with the paths that I walk on
- surely I should see it all

So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss you so
When the distance grows
and the nights are long
and you're scared at times
and you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
I will miss you so

I've looked into the sky one hundred times
and I've seen the stars that shine so bright
And I'm sure that one of them is you, my friend
Watching and waiting and hoping that
I'll be alright

So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss you so
And when the distance grows
and the nights are long
and you're scared at times
and you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
I will miss you so

I believe in heaven and know
that I should just accept it all
So content with the paths that I walk on
- surely (surely, surely) I should see it all

So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss you so
And when the distance grows
and the nights are long
and you're scared at times
and you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
The road back home is shorter than you know (The road back home is shorter than you know x3)


As the song ended, the Rory and Tristan were still embracing one another so tight. The song was right. It described everything single thing that they were feeling. Still smiling, the two let go of one another and Tristan led her to the small picnic he had made for them. The two sat down and the first thing he handed her was a rather large cup filled with coffee.

"Smart. Very smart." Rory giggled as she accepted the cup of brew. As she sipped the still hot beverage, he digged into the basket and pulled out more goodies. Two of those goodies were Doritos and cream cheese.

"Aww, you remembered!" She clasped the two items and hugged them with her might. "But you hate it?"

"But you love it. Well, it's sort of growing on me." Tristan handed her a plastic knife.

"Really?"

"No." Tristan smiled.

"Liar."

"I know." The smiles between them just wouldn't end. Plopping the box of pizza in front of them, the two digged right on in.

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After they completed their meal, it was already quarter to 11. Tristan knew told Rory he had to be home by 12 although he would've wanted the date to last longer. So did Rory. Rory decided to prolong the date a little longer, so she called Lorelai and asked if it were alright if she could stay overnight at Emily's. She knew that there was no way Tristan could drive her home and drive back in time.

"Rory, did I just hear right? You actually want to spend the night at Emily's?" Lorelai was so loud on the speaker that Tristan could hear her. He made faces at Rory while spoke on the cell, trying to calm herself from laughing.

"Tell him I can see him doing that!" Rory laughed and mouthed the remark back at Tristan who rolled his eyes. Lorelai added and said "And I saw that, too!"

"How does she do that?"

"Because I taught her." Rory replied.

Lorelai interfered. "Well, I'm ok with it. I'll call your grandma. Don't get there too late, ok?"

Munching through Doritos, Rory managed to let out an 'ok'.

"Hey, no fair. You have Doritos and cream cheese!"

"Goodnight mom."

"Bring some home for me! Coffee, too!"

Click.

"Your mom's crazy." Tristan said, taking the bag of chips away from her. Rory whined but made chance with the coffee.

Licking off the crums off her lips, she smiled. "Can't argue with that." The two sat up, Rory now sitting against a rock and Tristan across from her. It shouldn't have bothered him but everything was going right, so he didn't want to ask about what happened back outside the quarry earlier. He opted for a different approach. He wanted to know how she was feeling.

"Ok," Tristan began, "time to have a conversation with Happiness."

"Say what?" Rory replied, putting down her coffee. "Happiness? Did I hear correctly?"

"Yes, Happiness. It's not a game, just a person you can talk to, say anything you want."

"So what am I?"

"You."

"Ooh, that's oodles of fun." She rolled her eyes when Tristan wagged his finger in front of her.

"Remember what I said about rolling your eyes. They might not come back down."

Nodding her head, she decided to play along.

"Ok, Helllllllo, Happiness."

"And hello to you. I haven't heard from you in awhile."

This is lame. Where is Tristan going with this? "Well, I've been really busy."

"Really, busy with what?"

"Visiting sadness."

"Well, you still could've hanged out with me while visiting sadness. You could've set a little time to-"

"Tristan, wait, I mean, Happiness, I've been really busy and-"

"Uuhp, uuhp!" Tristan wagged his finger once more, "that's not an excuse I hear, is it?"

"It is not! It's an explanation."

"So, you're trying to explain to me that you didn't have time to hang out with me?"

"I didn't say that." Really Tristan, where are you going with this? Rory wasn't perturbed by this "game"; she was curious. She really did want to know where it was going. Tristan definitely knew where it was going.

"So you're saying that I'm not worth your time? Tristan smiled. She looked so cute when she was flustered, trying to figure out the right words to say. That was her --- always trying to say the right thing. She could never just say what was on her mind.

"No! Stop it! I didn't say that."

"Then what are you trying to say?"

"Well, umm, I'm trying to say that I did want to hang out then. I wanted to get to know you."

"Right."

"You don't believe me?"

"I do, Rory. I do. Keep going."

"I just forgot how to get here."

"Were you lost?"

"No," Rory was starting to catch on. "I took a detour. Everything looked different than once before. Things were ugly. Misplaced. Scary to tell you the truth. But I've managed to find my way back."

Tristan was learning more about Rory, understanding her. He wanted her to be free, to express how she felt. "Was it worth it?"

"Every second."

"That's good. Now that you've experienced that scary road of troubles and hardships, would you like to come in?"

Rory sat there revelating the past few exchanges of words with it.

"Rory?" Tristan asked the blanked-out girl.

"I think I'll sit outside a bit with Tristan." A smile lit up her face and did the same to Tristan.

"Well, Happiness says you don't have to knock when you decide to come in --- you can walk right on in."

"Thank you."
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