Rory stood in front of the mirror and smiled, her bruises were hardly noticeable anymore. To the naked eye, of course; but her eyes would always seek out quickly the faint traces of blue left on her ivory skin. Chris had been a saint ever since the last beating, and she was glad things had seen a definite upturn. She didn't want to imagine herself without him... or rather, she couldn't imagine herself without him...over the years, he had become like her own shadow; and it scared her to think of life without it. True, at times she was scared. Terribly scared... she felt as though safety would never be hers again, but she knew that the same hand that caused her so much pain, also needed her horribly. That hand wouldn't make it without her; and she knew that.
She jumped as she felt a hand on her arm, and turned to see Chris staring at her reflection, also. She stared at him wide-eyed and relaxed when his easy grin spread out across his handsome face.
"Mornin' sweetie," he sing-songed as he made his way to the kitchen. Rory closed her eyes as a single tear led its way down her face. Would she ever go back to her normal self? She felt as though she weren't really living, as though she were watching herself from a far off place; she was sure her far-off self wouldn't approve with her decisions, but she wasn't really in control anymore....
"Rory!" Chris called from the kitchen. "Phone!"
Rory shook her head and picked up the portable. "Got it, Chris." She heard the click of him hanging up before speaking.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Oh, Tristan, hi."
"You sound....bored." Tristan grinned into the phone as he knew what her reply to his suggestive tone would be.
"I am," Rory answered, and Tristan's grin faded. Normally she would keep going with joke or have something witty to say, but she seemed so out of it lately.
"Rory, I think that 'heavy machinery' incident has gone to your brain."
Another single tear slid down Rory's cheek. "Guesso."
"Well, I called to talk to my dear friend, Rory, but seeing as she's not there, I'll just be going," Tristan's voice was playful, however quite serious at the same time. What's with her? He frowned as he hung up the phone and headed out the door. He felt like being in Stars Hollow, he loved that place, it reminded him of good times with Rory. Or at least, the Rory he used to have good times with. The past few months she had been really distant and melancholy, not her usual self at all; and this worried him. He needed her in his life just like she needed coffee in hers, but something was really getting to her and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. However, he needed something to remind him of her. A nice session of arguing at Luke's should do. Over the years, Luke had grown accustomed to Tristan being in his diner; usually accompanied with either Lorelai or Rory. He seemed to be a main person in both of their lives, so he accepted him with just a bare minimum of grunts.
Tristan strolled casually up to Luke's before he was interrupted by a hand. His eyes flew to the person, then grew wider, then desperately searched for an escape route. "Well, hello Miss Patty." Seeing no definite plan he glanced inside at an observing Luke, hoping he would get the message and save him.
"Tristan, darling," she cooed. "The years have done you good..."
"Miss Patty, you saw me last week," Tristan's voice was exasperated, but Patty paid no attention.
"Well you look so much older; not that I'm complaining; the older you look, the better for me," she purred.
"Now that wouldn't be fair to Rory!" Tristan forced a playful smile to his lips.
"Oh, my words don't mean a thing. You ought to know I'm the biggest tease," she raised her eyebrows in what she called a seductive manner; in what Tristan called a panic alarm. She pinched his butt before strolling off and his eyes were so wide, you'd think he'd just seen a horrid sight, which in his mind, he had. Walking in the diner, Tristan was surprised to see Luke shaking with laughter.
"Why didn't you save me out there?" Tristan demanded, trying not to erupt with laughter himself.
"Figured I was helping you," Leave it to Luke to use the least amount of words possible.
"How??"
"Oh, you know, it's a part of the whole 'get over Rory' process," Luke grunted his 'in place of a grin- grunt'.
"Yeah, she's not doing too well," Tristan sighed.
Luke whipped his head in the kid's direction. "What are you saying?"
"I mean, she hasn't been herself lately."
Luke grunted. "I told her not to get addicted to my coffee, that's the problem right there it is. Unhealthy. No wonder she's a toothpick, it stunts your growth." He grunted again in disapproval.
"A toothpick??" Tristan cried aloud. "Uncle Luke, Rory has a beautiful figure, she's not a toothpick! She's perfect." Tristan's voice didn't have a hint of his usual sarcasm, and Luke raised his eyebrows before grunting again. Kids these days, goin' round callin' everyone one 'mom' and 'dad' and 'uncle'. But he didn't mind it from Tristan. Better than when Jess said it.
"Take her some coffee, she'll be fine," Luke handed Tristan a to-go cup and went to help other customers.
BACK IN HARTFORD
Rory screamed in frustration with Chris's silly inquiries. Why did he have to blow things out of proportion? "No, Chris, I haven't seen Jess since he came over the other night!" He had already beaten her for it, why couldn't he leave it alone?
"I'm sure."
"Why are you so insecure? If you think I'm cheating on you, break up with me! All your missing right now is a tiny room and white bright light hanging over my head. I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Jess isn't your friend. He wants you back; he's jealous of our relationship."
"He IS my friend, he's not jealous, he's involved with someone else. We were over a long time ago!"
"But you weren't completely over."
"Oh shut up! This is ridiculous!" Rory yelled
Chris's eyes flashed with anger and his palm collided with the side of her face. Tears caused from the sting streamed down her face as she looked at him with shock. "Don't you ever say that to me again," Chris's voice was heavy. He advanced on her, as she cowered against the wall. A ring interrupted them. Chris retreated and went to the door.
Rory was sitting on the couch, drying her tears and holding her hand to her face when Tristan and Chris entered the room. She gave a helpless look to Tristan and glanced frightfully at Chris. Tristan grinned and plopped himself down on the couch next to her, handing her the coffee.
"Oh, thank you, Tristan! It's been forever since I've had one of these!" She looked at him; however his face had hardened.
"Rory, what happened to you?" He saw her face and the bright mark of fresh red pain. Quickly, he turned to Chris; not wanting to hear another 'heavy machinery' excuse. "What happened here, man? Did she tell you?"
"Well, our pillow fight got a little too....competitive." Chris casually shrugged and grinned. "She told me she was fine."
"It doesn't look 'fine' to me," Tristan's voice was irritated. A pillow fight? What was the matter with these people?
"Tristan, it really doesn't hurt," Rory said quietly, sipping her coffee peacefully. She leaned her head against the couch and closed her eyes contentedly. Sipping the sweet liquid brought the memories of Stars Hollow flooding back to her. She loved that town; but she knew returning there would be pitiful, there was nothing for her, except Lorelai. She knew she had to look ahead, not behind. But the present wasn't making her happy and she knew it, but she was attached for some reason. Her cheek stung and she wished Tristan would know the truth, she just couldn't tell anyone. Maybe if she kept it inside, it would be less real.
CHRIS POV
Twelve. Dammit. The twelfth time I've hit Rory in six months. What happened to me? I love Rory; if I ever lost her, I dunno what I'd do. Well, first I'd kill the guy who stole her from me. If I wanna keep her, I can't keep this up. But sometimes I need to let out all this frustration that builds up. I really do think she's cheating on me at times; I walked in to find her here with that Jess guy, her ex from Stars Hollow and jealousy overcame me. I think Jess sensed it, because he left without having to be told. They just looked so cozy, they were laughing and talking and Rory's face was animated and she couldn't stop smiling. I hate that. I can't make her feel that way. Lately, she cries around me. I'm sure the "beatings" don't help; if you can call them beatings. Some people overexaggerate about everything. Like Tristan. He needs to shut the hell up.
A/N I know this part was kinda boring, but things should heat up next chapter, I hope you keep reading! let me know what you think~ good and bad reviews appreciated. I will probably post a different G/G story I wrote, not related to this one. Look for it, it's titled 'I Must Be Dreaming' Thanks for reading!
She jumped as she felt a hand on her arm, and turned to see Chris staring at her reflection, also. She stared at him wide-eyed and relaxed when his easy grin spread out across his handsome face.
"Mornin' sweetie," he sing-songed as he made his way to the kitchen. Rory closed her eyes as a single tear led its way down her face. Would she ever go back to her normal self? She felt as though she weren't really living, as though she were watching herself from a far off place; she was sure her far-off self wouldn't approve with her decisions, but she wasn't really in control anymore....
"Rory!" Chris called from the kitchen. "Phone!"
Rory shook her head and picked up the portable. "Got it, Chris." She heard the click of him hanging up before speaking.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Oh, Tristan, hi."
"You sound....bored." Tristan grinned into the phone as he knew what her reply to his suggestive tone would be.
"I am," Rory answered, and Tristan's grin faded. Normally she would keep going with joke or have something witty to say, but she seemed so out of it lately.
"Rory, I think that 'heavy machinery' incident has gone to your brain."
Another single tear slid down Rory's cheek. "Guesso."
"Well, I called to talk to my dear friend, Rory, but seeing as she's not there, I'll just be going," Tristan's voice was playful, however quite serious at the same time. What's with her? He frowned as he hung up the phone and headed out the door. He felt like being in Stars Hollow, he loved that place, it reminded him of good times with Rory. Or at least, the Rory he used to have good times with. The past few months she had been really distant and melancholy, not her usual self at all; and this worried him. He needed her in his life just like she needed coffee in hers, but something was really getting to her and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. However, he needed something to remind him of her. A nice session of arguing at Luke's should do. Over the years, Luke had grown accustomed to Tristan being in his diner; usually accompanied with either Lorelai or Rory. He seemed to be a main person in both of their lives, so he accepted him with just a bare minimum of grunts.
Tristan strolled casually up to Luke's before he was interrupted by a hand. His eyes flew to the person, then grew wider, then desperately searched for an escape route. "Well, hello Miss Patty." Seeing no definite plan he glanced inside at an observing Luke, hoping he would get the message and save him.
"Tristan, darling," she cooed. "The years have done you good..."
"Miss Patty, you saw me last week," Tristan's voice was exasperated, but Patty paid no attention.
"Well you look so much older; not that I'm complaining; the older you look, the better for me," she purred.
"Now that wouldn't be fair to Rory!" Tristan forced a playful smile to his lips.
"Oh, my words don't mean a thing. You ought to know I'm the biggest tease," she raised her eyebrows in what she called a seductive manner; in what Tristan called a panic alarm. She pinched his butt before strolling off and his eyes were so wide, you'd think he'd just seen a horrid sight, which in his mind, he had. Walking in the diner, Tristan was surprised to see Luke shaking with laughter.
"Why didn't you save me out there?" Tristan demanded, trying not to erupt with laughter himself.
"Figured I was helping you," Leave it to Luke to use the least amount of words possible.
"How??"
"Oh, you know, it's a part of the whole 'get over Rory' process," Luke grunted his 'in place of a grin- grunt'.
"Yeah, she's not doing too well," Tristan sighed.
Luke whipped his head in the kid's direction. "What are you saying?"
"I mean, she hasn't been herself lately."
Luke grunted. "I told her not to get addicted to my coffee, that's the problem right there it is. Unhealthy. No wonder she's a toothpick, it stunts your growth." He grunted again in disapproval.
"A toothpick??" Tristan cried aloud. "Uncle Luke, Rory has a beautiful figure, she's not a toothpick! She's perfect." Tristan's voice didn't have a hint of his usual sarcasm, and Luke raised his eyebrows before grunting again. Kids these days, goin' round callin' everyone one 'mom' and 'dad' and 'uncle'. But he didn't mind it from Tristan. Better than when Jess said it.
"Take her some coffee, she'll be fine," Luke handed Tristan a to-go cup and went to help other customers.
BACK IN HARTFORD
Rory screamed in frustration with Chris's silly inquiries. Why did he have to blow things out of proportion? "No, Chris, I haven't seen Jess since he came over the other night!" He had already beaten her for it, why couldn't he leave it alone?
"I'm sure."
"Why are you so insecure? If you think I'm cheating on you, break up with me! All your missing right now is a tiny room and white bright light hanging over my head. I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Jess isn't your friend. He wants you back; he's jealous of our relationship."
"He IS my friend, he's not jealous, he's involved with someone else. We were over a long time ago!"
"But you weren't completely over."
"Oh shut up! This is ridiculous!" Rory yelled
Chris's eyes flashed with anger and his palm collided with the side of her face. Tears caused from the sting streamed down her face as she looked at him with shock. "Don't you ever say that to me again," Chris's voice was heavy. He advanced on her, as she cowered against the wall. A ring interrupted them. Chris retreated and went to the door.
Rory was sitting on the couch, drying her tears and holding her hand to her face when Tristan and Chris entered the room. She gave a helpless look to Tristan and glanced frightfully at Chris. Tristan grinned and plopped himself down on the couch next to her, handing her the coffee.
"Oh, thank you, Tristan! It's been forever since I've had one of these!" She looked at him; however his face had hardened.
"Rory, what happened to you?" He saw her face and the bright mark of fresh red pain. Quickly, he turned to Chris; not wanting to hear another 'heavy machinery' excuse. "What happened here, man? Did she tell you?"
"Well, our pillow fight got a little too....competitive." Chris casually shrugged and grinned. "She told me she was fine."
"It doesn't look 'fine' to me," Tristan's voice was irritated. A pillow fight? What was the matter with these people?
"Tristan, it really doesn't hurt," Rory said quietly, sipping her coffee peacefully. She leaned her head against the couch and closed her eyes contentedly. Sipping the sweet liquid brought the memories of Stars Hollow flooding back to her. She loved that town; but she knew returning there would be pitiful, there was nothing for her, except Lorelai. She knew she had to look ahead, not behind. But the present wasn't making her happy and she knew it, but she was attached for some reason. Her cheek stung and she wished Tristan would know the truth, she just couldn't tell anyone. Maybe if she kept it inside, it would be less real.
CHRIS POV
Twelve. Dammit. The twelfth time I've hit Rory in six months. What happened to me? I love Rory; if I ever lost her, I dunno what I'd do. Well, first I'd kill the guy who stole her from me. If I wanna keep her, I can't keep this up. But sometimes I need to let out all this frustration that builds up. I really do think she's cheating on me at times; I walked in to find her here with that Jess guy, her ex from Stars Hollow and jealousy overcame me. I think Jess sensed it, because he left without having to be told. They just looked so cozy, they were laughing and talking and Rory's face was animated and she couldn't stop smiling. I hate that. I can't make her feel that way. Lately, she cries around me. I'm sure the "beatings" don't help; if you can call them beatings. Some people overexaggerate about everything. Like Tristan. He needs to shut the hell up.
A/N I know this part was kinda boring, but things should heat up next chapter, I hope you keep reading! let me know what you think~ good and bad reviews appreciated. I will probably post a different G/G story I wrote, not related to this one. Look for it, it's titled 'I Must Be Dreaming' Thanks for reading!