Pairing: R/T, of course
Rating: PG-13 at the most
Spoilers: May reference anything and everything from Season 1
Disclaimer: The characters referenced here are the property of Amy Sherman- Palladino, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and Warner Brother Television. No copyright infringement is intended. The characters are being used solely for entertainment purposes, and no profit is being made from them.
Unbreakable Heart
by Grace
Part 7: Revelations and Repercussions
Tristan had never considered Wednesday to be a particularly special day of the week. After all, it just kind of sat there, in between Tuesday and Thursday, as if waiting for someone to give it a purpose. It wasn't early enough in the week to be truly vexing, and not late enough to be anticipating the weekend.
This Wednesday, though, was special. This Wednesday, he would wait beside Rory Gilmore's locker because he belonged there, was welcome there. He would walk her to class not to antagonize her, but because she enjoyed his company. He would place a guiding hand on the small of her back not to get a rise out of her, but from a simple yearning to touch her, and a proprietary need to protect her.
Tristan DuGrey walked into Chilton wearing a smile—not a smirk, not a leer—all because the night before, Rory had kissed him. Even better, she hadn't run away crying in the aftermath.
She had fallen asleep in his arms while he read A Tale of Two Cities, and when it was time for dinner, he awakened her with a kiss. His very own Sleeping Beauty. As her eyelids had fluttered open, she had smiled at him, and he hoped that by some miracle, some super-sophisticated spy satellite was looking down that very moment, so that others would know it really happened.
The hallways were bustling with groggy students, but after peering intently into the crowd, Tristan was pleased to discover that Rory had not yet arrived. Somehow, it just seemed fitting that he be waiting for her—an analogy of sorts to all the waiting he had done over the course of their tumultuous relationship. At any rate, he enjoyed the symbolism of her walking willingly towards him, even if it was primarily to get to her locker.
He noticed her approach a few minutes later, her nose occupying its customary position in a book. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as she progressed, allowing her to pass by unscathed.
Sensing his gaze upon her, Rory's head tilted up, and their eyes locked. The connection didn't falter as she walked towards him, and soon the distance had been closed. Her cheeks were flushed with nervous anticipation, and he was shocked to discover that his hands were trembling. That was an unexpected development. Tristan DuGrey didn't do trembling.
Then again, up until the night before, Tristan DuGrey didn't do tingling, either.
"Hi." Her voice was quiet, tentative, and he felt doubts flood him as he rushed to put her at ease.
"So how's your leg feeling today?"
"Better. I don't think I'll be running a marathon this week, but then, I wouldn't do that anyway."
An uneasy silence settled over the pair, and this time, Tristan didn't know what to say. He watched Rory take a deep breath, and braced himself for the worst.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Fire away," he replied, trying not to wince.
"I didn't imagine what happened yesterday, did I? Or dream it?"
He smiled in relief, saying, "No, but it was definitely a dream come true for me."
She grinned then, and said with a twinkle in her eye, "Then I guess you won't mind if I do this."
"Do wh…"
He was cut off when she stood on her tiptoes and brushed a quick kiss across his lips.
As he gazed down at her in wonder, sardonic applause sounded from behind them. They turned to discover Paris, a dark scowl on her face.
"A touching scene, really. Now if you two are finished triggering my gag reflex for the day, I'd like to get to my locker sometime before the dawn of the new millennium."
"Paris…" Rory began.
"Save it, Gilmore. No matter how many times you tried to deny it, I knew you had your sights set on Tristan from the moment you walked into Chilton. Well, now you have him. Congratulations. I hope you're not too disappointed that your medal hasn't been engraved yet."
"Enough, Paris," Tristan said sharply.
She whirled on him. "Enough what? Enough pining after you for more than eleven years, only to be sent on a pity date with you by this little waif from Smalltown, USA? Enough praying that you might notice me as something other than smart, only to have the Queen Bookworm waltz in and monopolize your attention?"
"I never meant for things to turn out like this, Paris," Rory said softly.
"Of course, you didn't," she replied snidely. "After all, you already had one gorgeous boyfriend. I guess Tall, Dark, and Dumb just wasn't man enough for you. I suppose you'll try to set me up with him next." Her tirade apparently complete, Paris spun on her heel and stormed off down the hall.
Rory turned to face Tristan, and rested her head on his firm chest. "Well, that went well," she mumbled into his shirt.
He chuckled, and stroked her silky hair softly. "You have to give Paris credit—she never does anything halfway."
Rory lifted her head and cocked it at him. "Is that supposed to be encouraging?"
"Oh, she'll get over it…someday."
She groaned, and resumed snuggling into the warm muscles of his chest. "I'll probably have grandkids by then."
He dropped a quick kiss on the crown of her head, and conceded, "That's entirely possible."
* * *
Rory managed to survive the remainder of the school day without any further confrontations with Paris, but the entire school was buzzing about the change in her relationship with Tristan. Madeline and Louise looked at her as though she had grown a second head, while the rest of the female student population simply sent jealous glares in her direction. Most of the guys just smirked, certain she was just another notch in the DuGrey belt of conquest.
For his part, Tristan winced every time one of his "friends" clapped him on the back and congratulated him for "finally getting the Gilmore chick." He knew what his reputation was—he had earned it. He also knew, though, that Rory was anything but a conquest. He had to find a way to show all of Chilton that he genuinely cared about Rory—before the rampant rumors reached her ears. That is, if they hadn't already…
He approached her locker tentatively at the end of the day, and felt a surge of relief when she flashed him a weary smile.
"Rough day?' he inquired softly.
"You could say that. Going out with Dean was never quite this stressful."
A frisson of fear crept up his spine, and he asked, "What do you mean?"
"Overnight, I've gone from being a social outcast with no friends, to being reviled by every girl in school because I'm dating you. It's exhausting."
He grinned slightly and edged closer to her. "So is that what we're doing?"
Her brow furrowed. "Is what what we're doing?"
He stepped still closer. "Dating."
Rory flushed and tried to inch away from him, only to discover she was trapped between Tristan and her locker. Instinctively placing one small hand against his rock-hard chest, she realized she'd have a better chance of moving the locker. Nervously, she cleared her throat and replied, "Well, 'making out on the couch' takes too long to say."
Tristan laughed, a hearty, joyous sound, and stooped over to place a hungry kiss on her lips. The hand she had rested on his chest was now trapped between them, while her other hand snaked around his neck, threading through the soft tendrils of hair there.
He broke away abruptly, knowing they were causing a scene, and struggled not to laugh at the dazed, wanton expression on her face.
"You know, Mary, dating usually involves going places together, just the two of us. Do you think that could be an acceptable part of our relationship?"
"I'd like that. How about this Friday? We can celebrate surviving the English test."
"Perfect."
They were interrupted by a buxom blonde sophomore approaching them and latching possessively onto Tristan's arm.
"Hi Tris" she cooed, batting her (obviously false) eyelashes.
"Oh, um, hi Tanya," he answered awkwardly, trying desperately to free his limb from her grasp.
"I was thinking maybe we could do something Friday night. Go out…or stay in," she added suggestively.
"Sorry, but I already have plans with Rory."
She pouted, but immediately offered, "How about Saturday, then?"
He finally managed to extricate his arm, and said firmly, "I don't think you understand. Rory and I are seeing each other now. That means I won't be dating anyone else.
Tanya looked crestfallen. "Oh. Well, if you change your mind, call me!" Then she bounced off down the hallway.
Tristan turned back to Rory, and she sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I guess I'm just going to have to get used to that."
"Get used to what?"
"Girls throwing themselves at you."
His expression became serious, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Rory, I want you to know, you're the only girl I want to date, the only girl I want to spend time with. I want to be with you for as long as you can find it in your heart to put up with me."
Rory smiled up at him, and brushed a rebellious tear away from her eye. "Fair enough. Since I haven't killed you yet, I'd say you're doing pretty well so far."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now, can I take you home?"
"Lead on, Jeeves. And don't forget your copy of A Tale of Two Cities."
He slung an arm around her shoulders, and grumbled, "Such a slave driver" as they walked out of school.
TBC
Rating: PG-13 at the most
Spoilers: May reference anything and everything from Season 1
Disclaimer: The characters referenced here are the property of Amy Sherman- Palladino, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and Warner Brother Television. No copyright infringement is intended. The characters are being used solely for entertainment purposes, and no profit is being made from them.
Unbreakable Heart
by Grace
Part 7: Revelations and Repercussions
Tristan had never considered Wednesday to be a particularly special day of the week. After all, it just kind of sat there, in between Tuesday and Thursday, as if waiting for someone to give it a purpose. It wasn't early enough in the week to be truly vexing, and not late enough to be anticipating the weekend.
This Wednesday, though, was special. This Wednesday, he would wait beside Rory Gilmore's locker because he belonged there, was welcome there. He would walk her to class not to antagonize her, but because she enjoyed his company. He would place a guiding hand on the small of her back not to get a rise out of her, but from a simple yearning to touch her, and a proprietary need to protect her.
Tristan DuGrey walked into Chilton wearing a smile—not a smirk, not a leer—all because the night before, Rory had kissed him. Even better, she hadn't run away crying in the aftermath.
She had fallen asleep in his arms while he read A Tale of Two Cities, and when it was time for dinner, he awakened her with a kiss. His very own Sleeping Beauty. As her eyelids had fluttered open, she had smiled at him, and he hoped that by some miracle, some super-sophisticated spy satellite was looking down that very moment, so that others would know it really happened.
The hallways were bustling with groggy students, but after peering intently into the crowd, Tristan was pleased to discover that Rory had not yet arrived. Somehow, it just seemed fitting that he be waiting for her—an analogy of sorts to all the waiting he had done over the course of their tumultuous relationship. At any rate, he enjoyed the symbolism of her walking willingly towards him, even if it was primarily to get to her locker.
He noticed her approach a few minutes later, her nose occupying its customary position in a book. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as she progressed, allowing her to pass by unscathed.
Sensing his gaze upon her, Rory's head tilted up, and their eyes locked. The connection didn't falter as she walked towards him, and soon the distance had been closed. Her cheeks were flushed with nervous anticipation, and he was shocked to discover that his hands were trembling. That was an unexpected development. Tristan DuGrey didn't do trembling.
Then again, up until the night before, Tristan DuGrey didn't do tingling, either.
"Hi." Her voice was quiet, tentative, and he felt doubts flood him as he rushed to put her at ease.
"So how's your leg feeling today?"
"Better. I don't think I'll be running a marathon this week, but then, I wouldn't do that anyway."
An uneasy silence settled over the pair, and this time, Tristan didn't know what to say. He watched Rory take a deep breath, and braced himself for the worst.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Fire away," he replied, trying not to wince.
"I didn't imagine what happened yesterday, did I? Or dream it?"
He smiled in relief, saying, "No, but it was definitely a dream come true for me."
She grinned then, and said with a twinkle in her eye, "Then I guess you won't mind if I do this."
"Do wh…"
He was cut off when she stood on her tiptoes and brushed a quick kiss across his lips.
As he gazed down at her in wonder, sardonic applause sounded from behind them. They turned to discover Paris, a dark scowl on her face.
"A touching scene, really. Now if you two are finished triggering my gag reflex for the day, I'd like to get to my locker sometime before the dawn of the new millennium."
"Paris…" Rory began.
"Save it, Gilmore. No matter how many times you tried to deny it, I knew you had your sights set on Tristan from the moment you walked into Chilton. Well, now you have him. Congratulations. I hope you're not too disappointed that your medal hasn't been engraved yet."
"Enough, Paris," Tristan said sharply.
She whirled on him. "Enough what? Enough pining after you for more than eleven years, only to be sent on a pity date with you by this little waif from Smalltown, USA? Enough praying that you might notice me as something other than smart, only to have the Queen Bookworm waltz in and monopolize your attention?"
"I never meant for things to turn out like this, Paris," Rory said softly.
"Of course, you didn't," she replied snidely. "After all, you already had one gorgeous boyfriend. I guess Tall, Dark, and Dumb just wasn't man enough for you. I suppose you'll try to set me up with him next." Her tirade apparently complete, Paris spun on her heel and stormed off down the hall.
Rory turned to face Tristan, and rested her head on his firm chest. "Well, that went well," she mumbled into his shirt.
He chuckled, and stroked her silky hair softly. "You have to give Paris credit—she never does anything halfway."
Rory lifted her head and cocked it at him. "Is that supposed to be encouraging?"
"Oh, she'll get over it…someday."
She groaned, and resumed snuggling into the warm muscles of his chest. "I'll probably have grandkids by then."
He dropped a quick kiss on the crown of her head, and conceded, "That's entirely possible."
* * *
Rory managed to survive the remainder of the school day without any further confrontations with Paris, but the entire school was buzzing about the change in her relationship with Tristan. Madeline and Louise looked at her as though she had grown a second head, while the rest of the female student population simply sent jealous glares in her direction. Most of the guys just smirked, certain she was just another notch in the DuGrey belt of conquest.
For his part, Tristan winced every time one of his "friends" clapped him on the back and congratulated him for "finally getting the Gilmore chick." He knew what his reputation was—he had earned it. He also knew, though, that Rory was anything but a conquest. He had to find a way to show all of Chilton that he genuinely cared about Rory—before the rampant rumors reached her ears. That is, if they hadn't already…
He approached her locker tentatively at the end of the day, and felt a surge of relief when she flashed him a weary smile.
"Rough day?' he inquired softly.
"You could say that. Going out with Dean was never quite this stressful."
A frisson of fear crept up his spine, and he asked, "What do you mean?"
"Overnight, I've gone from being a social outcast with no friends, to being reviled by every girl in school because I'm dating you. It's exhausting."
He grinned slightly and edged closer to her. "So is that what we're doing?"
Her brow furrowed. "Is what what we're doing?"
He stepped still closer. "Dating."
Rory flushed and tried to inch away from him, only to discover she was trapped between Tristan and her locker. Instinctively placing one small hand against his rock-hard chest, she realized she'd have a better chance of moving the locker. Nervously, she cleared her throat and replied, "Well, 'making out on the couch' takes too long to say."
Tristan laughed, a hearty, joyous sound, and stooped over to place a hungry kiss on her lips. The hand she had rested on his chest was now trapped between them, while her other hand snaked around his neck, threading through the soft tendrils of hair there.
He broke away abruptly, knowing they were causing a scene, and struggled not to laugh at the dazed, wanton expression on her face.
"You know, Mary, dating usually involves going places together, just the two of us. Do you think that could be an acceptable part of our relationship?"
"I'd like that. How about this Friday? We can celebrate surviving the English test."
"Perfect."
They were interrupted by a buxom blonde sophomore approaching them and latching possessively onto Tristan's arm.
"Hi Tris" she cooed, batting her (obviously false) eyelashes.
"Oh, um, hi Tanya," he answered awkwardly, trying desperately to free his limb from her grasp.
"I was thinking maybe we could do something Friday night. Go out…or stay in," she added suggestively.
"Sorry, but I already have plans with Rory."
She pouted, but immediately offered, "How about Saturday, then?"
He finally managed to extricate his arm, and said firmly, "I don't think you understand. Rory and I are seeing each other now. That means I won't be dating anyone else.
Tanya looked crestfallen. "Oh. Well, if you change your mind, call me!" Then she bounced off down the hallway.
Tristan turned back to Rory, and she sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I guess I'm just going to have to get used to that."
"Get used to what?"
"Girls throwing themselves at you."
His expression became serious, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Rory, I want you to know, you're the only girl I want to date, the only girl I want to spend time with. I want to be with you for as long as you can find it in your heart to put up with me."
Rory smiled up at him, and brushed a rebellious tear away from her eye. "Fair enough. Since I haven't killed you yet, I'd say you're doing pretty well so far."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now, can I take you home?"
"Lead on, Jeeves. And don't forget your copy of A Tale of Two Cities."
He slung an arm around her shoulders, and grumbled, "Such a slave driver" as they walked out of school.
TBC