spoilers : none

pairing : have you been reading the story?

disclaimer : they're still not mine

author's note : I've added more ... because I can't just leave what I have on my computer just sitting there. I guess this chapter will be mini- chapters updated within itself.



Tristan sprang up from his bed, drenched in sweat. It was all a dream. I'd never happen. Rory Gilmore would never be his. There'd always be another obstacle in the way.

~ * ~

"BECCA!!!"

"GILMORES!!!"

"You're back!" Lorelai screamed.

"I am!"

"So, are you, or aren't you?"

"With Jason? Aren't."

"Whattie?"

"Yessie."

"But isn't that why you went to LA?"

"Yeah, but it got worked out for the better. It just easier if we're just friends."

"Were there benefits?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to share?"

"A girl never kisses and tells."

"Party pooper."

"Paste eater."

"I never ate paste."

"I never pooped parties."

"You're evil."

"You're caffeine high."

"So are you."

"So is Rory."

"Oh so I'm finally allowed in on this conversation?"

"Rory, darling, you've always been allowed in. If you got the invite."

"Then I guess I'm driving home."

"I guess you are."

~ * ~

"Hey stranger. Long time no see."

"Well that wasn't my doing, now was it?"

"What's your problem?" Becca inquired.

"What's yours?" Tristan retorted.

"I just said hi."

"No, you said 'Hey stranger. Long time no see.'"

"Same difference."

"To you maybe."

"What's up your ass?"

"Apparently the stick you shoved up there."

"WHAT THE HELL DID I DO?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"Then why are you mad?"

"Mad? I'm not mad. What gave you that impression?"

"Because you're acting like a JERK!"

"And you're acting like a primadonna that just got her nails done."

"But I didn't do anything."

"Exactly."

"How can that be an exactly if I don't know what I didn't do?"

"Figure it out."

"That doesn't help if you won't talk to me."

"I wasn't the one who initiated the silent treatment."

"Is that what you think? I was giving you the silent treatment?"

"That's what I said, isn't it?"

"I was across the damn country. I talked to you while I was there. What do you expect? Me to commute?"

"Something more than an instant message that says 'talk to you later.'"

"I had to go! And don't blame it on me. A phone works two ways you know."

"Yeah."

"Look, I'm sorry for not talking to you while I was gone. But I was catching up with my friends, who I haven't seen in six months. Can you really blame me?"

"I guess not."

"Okay then."

"Okay."

"So what's new?"

"Nothing."

"Really. No new girlfriend?"

"There's a Bridget."

"Oh, of course. No one can go too long without some action."

"Speak for yourself. You went to California to bed a guy."

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT?"

"Don't act like it didn't happen."

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I finally realized something."

"What, that you're a jackass that never learns?"

"First of all..."

"You know what. This is a bunch of crap. I don't have to put up with it. The only reason you're bedding this one is because you thought I was over there with Jason. Well here's a hint. I WASN'T! Period. End of sentence."

"Yeah, whatever."

"And I still don't know what I did. Good Jesus."

"Free at last. Free at last."

"YOU'RE THE MOST INTOLERABLE PERSON EVER!"

"And you're the most *original* person ever."

"And you're a male chauvinist pig!"

"And I'm leaving."

"Yeah, to go make out with another meaningless girl."

"Like you've never done it."

"BECAUSE I'M NOT A DAMN LESBIAN!"

~ * ~

Becca got into her car and closed the door as hard as she could. Putting her key into the ignition she only felt one thing ... anger. She backed up hurriedly, tires screeching, and sped out of the Chilton campus. No sooner had she passed the first light, when ... darkness.

~ * ~

"Where is she?" Kathy said frantically, "Where's Becca?"

"She's in Trauma 1. She's suffered from multiple injuries." As the doctor filled the woman in on Becca's condition, Dean made his way to the public phone.

"Operator? I need you to connect me to a DuGrey. Hartford, Connecticut. Yes, I'll hold."

"You sonuvabitch. What the hell were you thinking? Don't act like nothing is going on. She's in the hospital. You'd better be getting your ass over here." He was yelling into the phone. And slammed down the receiver. Leaning over, he blinked away a few tears before they could escape.

(3 hours later)

A small crowd of people had started to form outside of Becca's room at Hartford General. No one knew what was happening to her. At the moment, her aunt was inside getting briefed by the doctor about her health.

The door opened. Kathy stepped outside with tears streaming down her face. The words barely escaped her lips before she started to break down again, "She's going to be alright."

Everyone let out the breaths that they'd been holding. Lorelai was the first to make a comment.

"Can we see her?"

The woman nodded, and stepped slightly away from the door. Lorelai took Rory's hand and walked through the door. When the got inside, they saw Dean standing by the foot of the bed.

"How are you holding up?" Lorelai asked.

"I'm alright, I guess. As good as someone can get in these situations."

"What's going on?"

"She suffered a brain injury when her head hit the dashboard, so the doctor's think she'll suffer from amnesia. Other than that and a broken wrist, she's going to be fine."

"That's dandy." Rory commented.

"Quite." Lorelai responded.

"Do you know what happened?" Dean asked.

"You mean what led to it?" Rory answered.

"Yeah."

"She and Tristan were having a fight in the courtyard right before she left. You don't think that he ..."

"I don't know what the bastard is capable of."

"He'd never."

"It's his fault."

"I don't ..."

"Rory, it's okay." Tristan walked into the room, his eyes were red from tears and the blue of his eyes clouded from pain.

"I'm glad you made it. Trying to finish the job? She can hear you." Dean spat.

"Then we shouldn't be talking like that, should we?" Tristan walked over to Becca's bedside and brushed an invisible strand of hair away from her face.

"We'll leave you three." Lorelai said, as she and Rory walked out the door.

"What happened? Why did this happen to her? Why not you?"

"We got in a fight. I don't know. And I wish it did."

"Don't lie. You'd worry about all that money you'd lose."

"Bag boy, why don't you just shut your ass."

"And this is where you go 'Don't you think I feel bad enough already?' Well, I'm not buying into any of that bull."

"Look. I know we're not on the best of terms. But think about it. The reason why we hated each other in the first place was Rory. I wasn't the one who took her away from you, but yet, you still seem to hate me more than James Dean over there."

"Like Becca doesn't matter to me."

"You've been pissed at her for the past God knows how many months. I don't remember why. You probably don't remember why. And we both know that now, she definitely doesn't remember why. So let's just cut the crap."

"Someone has to look out for here while she's here. Heck, someone has to always look out for her. She'd get herself hurt otherwise. Like now, look at her, with all those wires hooked up. And it's your fault. So tell me why I shouldn't hate you."

"Because I care about her."

"Well you have a damn good way of showing it."

"Like your way of showing affection is any better."

"I don't work people up to the point of which they can barely see straight so they run their cars straight into trees."

* { a/n : chapter complete ... let's see, what little tidbits do I have left for to you think about. +Jason will be back +Tristan & his Bridget +Rory and Jess's next anniversary (can anyone guess how long they've been together now, 4 months sound about right?) +Luke and Lorelai? Not when there's a Jess and Rory +Valentine's Day ... oooh the possibilities. } *