Are We or Aren't We?
Chapter 8 – Tristan meets Jess
Something was jabbing into Rory's leg. Come to think of it, her whole lower body was aching as if she was lying on uneven ground. But for some reason, her head was warm and felt - protected. Without realizing it, she gave a low groan.
"Rory?" a soft voice whispered near her head. She groaned again, and tried to open her eyes. She blinked, and then quickly closed them again. Too bright. Rory tried to clear her mind. What had happened to her? Then it all clicked back in. Jess had been furious, she'd chased after him, he'd kissed her, then her mom had run out and tackled him – and then something. She couldn't remember what. But after that? Oh no. She must have fainted. How embarrassing. Lane would never let her live this down.
"Rory?" It was that voice again. She sighed, then opened her eyes just wide enough to see through her lashes.
"Yeah?" she muttered, and opened her eyes wider. She gave a small start. "Tristan?" she whispered, her lips forming his name almost soundlessly. She suddenly became aware of where she was: lying on the ground with her head in Tristan's lap while he bent over her.
Tristan stared down at her, biting his lip. Her face was so white, with the only dash of colour from her eyes as they stared up at him, wide open. He tried to smile. Then he watched in amazement as Rory slowly raised her hand up to his face and touched him on the cheek softly.
"Tristan?" she repeated, a little louder. Then she smiled up at him. He couldn't help but smile back.
"Uh huh," he muttered his gaze caught up in her eyes.
"Why am I lying on you?" she asked. It was his turn to give a start.
"Oh – uh," he jumped up backwards and her head fell onto the ground with a thump. She groaned. At that, Tristan's already red face turned redder. "Sorry," he whispered. Rory reached up to rub her head, suddenly aware of everyone else standing around her, staring. Luke, her mom, Jess... Their eyes caught and held for a second, his eyes pleading with her. Then he broke the gaze, looking down at the ground instead. What was going on here? Everyone was looking at her as if she was some extra-terrestrial from Mars or something.
"Mom?" she said. Lorelai broke into action.
"Pick Rory up, Luke. We need to get her home," she ordered gesturing at Rory. In a fluid movement, Luke walked over and picked Rory up effortlessly.
"No, Mom, Luke – I can walk, seriously," Rory protested, kicking her legs weakly.
"Shh, Rory. You just fainted for heaven's sake!" Lorelai said, leading the way. Luke turned around to look at Jess.
"Don't go anywhere, young man. I'll deal with you when I get back," he said crisply. Jess didn't look up; seemingly unaware of Rory's eyes burning into the top of his head. Luke turned around abruptly, so that all Rory saw was a blur of blond hair and blue eyes, before they were striding back down the street.
* * *
Jess was still staring down at the ground, his face slowly turning into a wry smirk. Finally, he looked up at the guy standing a few metres away. He was still staring after Rory.
"You're Tristan, huh," Jess said. Tristan turned to look at Jess.
"Yeah. You heard of me?" he asked.
"Briefly," Jess said.
"And with a few curses attached to my name, I imagine."
"Something like that," Jess said without a smile. Tristan sighed, turning to look one last time at Rory's disappearing figure.
"How does she do it?" Tristan asked softly.
"I don't know."
There was a moment of awkward silence as they stood still without speaking. Finally Tristan looked up and shook himself. He handed a small piece of paper over to Jess.
"You have any idea where this person lives? I think her name's Pat or something," he said. Jess took the paper, looked at it and burst out laughing.
"Are you kidding me?" he said. "What does this person want with you anyway?"
"I'm billeted with her," Tristan said, looking at Jess warily. At that, Jess exploded into an even louder burst of laughter. The corner of Tristan's lip inched upwards and then he was laughing too at Jess' reaction. Finally Jess calmed down and looked up at Tristan with a grin.
"I cannot and I will not be responsible for this child harassment," he said. "What are you doing in Stars Hollow anyway?"
"Last resort," Tristan said. "Military school didn't work so I'm here doing community work."
"And Rory wasn't supposed to be part of the plan, huh?"
"Definitely not," Tristan said, his smile faltering. Jess' own smile had disappeared.
"Well," Jess said, "I'll take you to Miss Patty's so you can see for yourself what you're facing." They started walking in silence.
* * *
Rory was now securely tucked into bed, the covers pulled up to her neck. She could hear Luke and Lorelai talking quietly outside. She was tired, so tired...everything had been so weird today. All the stuff with Jess, then her mom. But wait a second! Tristan? What on earth was he doing in Stars Hollow? Rory tried to open her mouth to call out to Lorelai, but then her eyes were closing and she was asleep.
Thanks for reading!
