Author: Sunday Rain

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Second season.

Disclaimer: Don't own em.

Summary: Rory has to deal with her past, while Tristan has to deal with the present.

Better Days

Chapter 12: Request from the Heart

Dinner was an extravagant affair and they all agreed that their dessert, courtesy of Rory and her lack of cuisine skills, Twinkies and chocolate ice cream, was particularly nice.

Now it was bedtime for Mary, and she skipped along the corridor to her room, with Rory's arm clutched tightly in hers. "Rory, can you read me a bedtime story?"

Rory looked at Tristan. He shook his head and pointed at his watch. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but its already really late and past your bedtime. Maybe next time, I promise." Mary looked sad for a moment and then shrugged.

"Okay, but Rory, you have to come a lot okay?"

Rory laughed. "Okay."

"Pinkie swear?" Mary asked holding her pinkie up.

"Pinkie swear." Rory linked her pinkie with Mary's considerably smaller one, and then the little girl looked satisfied.

"Okay babe, into bed you go," Tristan lifted her up and onto her soft bed. He held the duvet over her while she wiggled into a comfortable position. "Say good night to Rory."

"Good night, Rory," Mary said, sleepily.

"Night, Mare…" Rory said, leaning over and giving the girl a kiss on the forehead. She turned around and walked out the door, to give Mary and her father alone time. Before she exited, she turned around again. "Tristan, it's really late, I should be on my way… Thanks for all the food today."

Tristan paused in his daughter's ritual to bid Rory goodbye. "You have no idea how much I owe you today."

Rory smiled, "It was nothing. But if you insist, maybe one day I'll come running to you for something too."

"Anytime," Tristan said, earnestly.

"Anyway, your daughter's waiting…" Rory said. She gave him a hug. "Night, Tris." She walked down the hallway where her coat and bag were.

Tristan turned around as he heard the front door close and headed back to his daughter.

"Did Rory go?"

"Yes, sweetie."

"I like her."

Tristan just smiled.

"Is she an old friend?"

"Yes."

"How old?"

"Enough questions for tonight, you've gotta sleep."

"Daddy, I love you," Mary said, as Tristan arranged the covers around her.

"I love you too, honey," he replied, kissing her forehead. "Now, goodnight. Sleep tight."

He turned to leave her room, switching off the lights as he went.

Into the darkness, Mary whispered longingly, "I wish Rory was my mommy."

For the first time in his life, Tristan pretended to ignore his daughter. He pretended he hadn't heard what she just wished. It was the first time he knew he couldn't give his daughter what she wished.

His heart broke.