Such Sweet Sorrow

Disclaimer: For legal purposes it must be stated that I do not own any of the characters from Gilmore Girls nor do I own characters originated by Jennieln, who has given me permission to use them. Lyrics are from "Love me when I'm gone." By Three Doors Down



Author's Note: I am so sorry I haven't updated in so long. There was a whole big to do with moving and vacations and family crisis, illness and beta MIA! Seriously my beta's living through the horrors of high school complete with exams and all sorts of nasty so she's a busy girl AND I can't just post a chapter without her, cause trust me, what I write may be good, but after she's edited out all the screwy bits I appear brilliant! Much love for anyone still reading this bit of goods and no worries I will finish this!



Chapter Five: Love Me When I'm Gone



There's another world inside, me that you may never see

There's secrets in this life that can't hide..

Somewhere in this darkness there's a light that I can't find

Or maybe it's too far away..

Or maybe I'm just blind

"You're being absolutely foolish!. Mr. Tremain has offered for you, regardless of your sullied status.. You should marry without haste before he realizes his error and withdraws his suit." Alice voice was high and screechy at Isabella's back as Isabella moved slowly between the crudely made dresser and her own disreputable looking satchel.

"I will not Jack Tremain is a horrid, small-minded, ill-tempered brute!" Isabella answered coldly.



"I shouldn't be so uppity if I were you, harlot, considering your own tarnish," Alice retorted bitterly.

"If you have already forgotten of your trespasses, then you are more of a whore than I thought."

"I am not ruined, I am not tarnished and I consider my brief time with William to be to my credit. Nor would I trade our friendship for a thousand marriages to a man such as Mr.Tremain," Isabella turned to stare at her Aunt reproachfully.

Alice's face turned a splotchy red with indignation and, Isabella suspected, jealousy.

"You mark my words," Alice hissed "You'll come to a bad end Isabella Radcliffe and there'll be no one to weep for it." With her final curse hurled swept form the room leaving Isabella starring after her.

"Would you weep, William?" she whispered softly.



So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong

hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone

Everything I am, and Everything in me

Want's to be one you wanted me to be

I'd never let you down, Even if I could

I'd give up everything, If only for your good.





Only a short walk away from where Isabella stood, William stared into the fireplace. His father's best brandy decanter was rapidly being depleted as it sat on the table next to his armchair. Above the blazing fire the vase he once used to exchange notes with mocked him. His hand tightened angrily around fragile glass of the brandy.

'He should have told her.' William berated silently.'She deserved to know he hadn't wanted to abandon her. Isabella damned well deserved to know he hadn't lied when he told her how special she was. She deserved to know that only fear of his Father's retaliation against her family had kept him from dragging her off to Gretna Green.'

"Bella." He groaned,"Oh God, Bella. What have I done? I am a stupid, fool!"

*************************************************************

So hold me when I'm here, Right me when I'm wrong

You can hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there

So love me when I'm gone, Love me when I'm gone...



Rory's House

"Moooommmmm!" Rory wailed from her bed.

"You rang, Master?" Lorelai drawled, lurching into the room, hunched over and swinging her arms uselessly.

"I need coffee, Mummy," Rory whined pitifully in her best little girl voice.

"Sweetie. I know you're not feeling well, but I can't be your Starbucks Lady all the time," Lorelei told her with mock sternness.

"I'm tired," Rory pouted.

"You dreamt again, didn't you? Rory, this is ridiculous. I'm calling Dr. Bobby today. He can't hypnotize you and find out what's really bothering you. If the incense doesn't make you pass out, he can just bop you on the head with something really hard and see if that shakes something loose,". Lorelei said as she walked over to sit next to Rory. Rory sighed, seeing the concern in her mother's eyes.

"It wasn't...completely the dream," Rory admitted in a disgruntled mutter. "I was talking to a- friend until really early this morning."

Lorelei's eyes widened. "Wow! Who'd you keep up all night? Dean? Rory, honey, you can't stay up like that. You're exhausted enough as it is."

"I know, Mom I'm sorry I just got caught up and didn't notice the time, and it wasn't Dean...it was a friend, from school,"Rory muttered reluctantly.

Lorelei sat back with a thoughtful expression.

"It was Tristan!" Rory burst out. "He's been really helpful lately and we're friends now so..Besides I told him I'd go over to his house while you're at work. We have homework do to," she finished lamely.

"Mm-hmm. Rory?" Lorelei forehead crinkled as she thought carefully. "Is there..something else going on I don't know about? Do you like Tristan? Is that it? Are you feeling guilty?" Lorelei gasped. "Are you dumping Dean? Will Tristan replace the cooler water? Is he strong? Wait! Is he cute?"

"NO! I'm not dumping Dean. Mom!" Rory cried exasperated. "I don't feel guilty. There's absolutely nothing for me to feel guilty over. Nothing! Tristan and I are friends. I'm with Dean." Rory repeated a little desperately.

"Rory-"

"No! I don't want to talk about this anymore! Tristan is not replacing our cooler water and it doesn't matter how cute he is! I'm going to get my own coffee."

Lorelei watched as Rory stalked from the room before smiling at the retreating figure. "So he's cute..Really cute. Hah! What is it about me that just makes people open up like that?"

A faint "shut-up" was heard from the kitchen moments later.



Tristan's House

When your education X-Ray, Can not see under my skin

I won't tell you a damn thing, That I could not tell my friends

Roamin' through this darkness, I'm alive but I'm alone

And part of me is fighting this, But part of me is gone....



"How about some warm milk? You could try to nap a little, maybe I can run and get some of those sleep aid tablets?" Gretchen offered, staring at him again with anxious eyes. Tristan looked away, feeling guilty.. He felt a little sick over having yelled at her days ago.

"I don't need anything," he told her tiredly, he smiled at the thought of him looking like the walking dead in order to procure her concern.

"Thanks," he added.

"TristanI know you're still upset with me. But..please don't punish yourself because I'm the one making suggestions. You need to do something! You're exhausted." Gretchen's eyes turned damp and pleading and Tristan felt an uncomfortable itch in the back of his chest.

"I'm not punishing anyone, Gretchen. I got a little sleep last night and I'll try to nap later, but I'm okay. Really." He offered a winning, if tired, smile that faded as soon as Gretchen nodded and turned away. "I would appreciate it if you could make up some snacks for later though...Rory's coming over again." He watched Gretchen's back, studying her for her reaction

"No problem." Gretchen answered with a small nod.

"She might stay for dinner," he added after a moment. "I'll come down to get the snacks. We'll be working hard so I won't want any distractions," he told her pointedly.

Gretchen's back stiffened and Tristan smiled with grim relish. "Whatever you want."

"Rory she's something else, really," Tristan mused aloud, coldly enjoying the way Gretchen's muscles grew even tighter as she restrained the urge to yell at him. Normally Gretchen held no reservations about lecturing him or giving him a whack when he deserved it, but things were already strained between them. In his more pensive moments, Tristan figured it was nice that Gretchen wanted to protect Rory. It was an easy place to come to, once you met Rory, since he, himself, held a crazy desire to protect Rory-except she only needed protecting from him.

"I'm going upstairs," he announced abruptly. "Let Rory know I'm waiting for her when she gets here."

He was headed back upstairs when the doorbell rang, and he turned, heading back down to answer it. In his more pensive moments, Tristan figured it was nice that Gretchen wanted to protect Rory. It was an easy place to come to, once you met Rory, since he, himself, held a crazy desire to protect Rory-except she only needed protecting from him.

"I'm going upstairs," he announced abruptly.

"Let Rory know I'm waiting for her when she gets here."

He was headed back upstairs when the doorbell rang, and he turned, heading back down to answer it. Gretchen was walking out of the kitchen but he waved her away.

"Hey! What took you so long?"Tristan smirked as he yanked open the door and saw Rory standing on his doorstep. She was wearing jeans with a red shirt claiming 'Girls Rule!' He sneered even as he reached for her pack.

"I had breakfast with my Mom before she went to work. And I rode the Bus, Mr. GTO." Rory stepped past him, heading toward the staircase,"Hey, Gretchen," she greeted warmly.

Tristan's smile faded as Rory greeted the older woman who stood quietly outside the kitchen door watching them.

"Hello, Rory," Gretchen answered with a smile. "Got a lot of homework to do today?"

"Tons. No rest for the weary. Uh you don't by any chance have any coffee made, do you? I've only had two cups and I need at least five to get going."

"Of course she does,"Tristan answered from behind her. "I warned her you were on your way. First thing she did was run over to the coffee maker muttering something about 'coffee maniac' and 'plum crazy without it.' I don't know, I didn't catch it all."

Rory smiled at Gretchen even as she paused to smack Tristan as he caught up to her. "Ignore him. He's just trying to bug me," Rory explained cheerfully.

Gretchen's smile flickered, but she nodded, "He was always that way, even as a boy."

"Oh, really?" Rory said with sudden interest, "You don't happen to know any embarrassing stories, do you?"

"No, she doesn't and you don't need to know," he said and clapped a hand over her mouth quickly before she could finish the request and open the door for Gretchen's favorite memories. He slung the pack over his should and used his free hand to herd her upward. "And we are going now. I'll come down for the coffee in a sec."

Rory pulled his hand away from her back as they reached the first landing and called down to Gretchen, "We'll talk later!"

Gretchen smiled as she headed into the kitchen.

***************************************************************

So hold me when I'm here, Right me when I'm wrong

Hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone

Everything I am, and everything in me,

Wants to be the one you wanted me to be..

"I don't know. I felt lost," Rory admitted, sitting on the couch, curled up. Tristan sat in his computer chair, facing her, legs crossed.

"Yeah. I know what you mean. But there's got to be some sort of continuancy with the dreams, some sort of pattern, you know?"

"You mean like something we haven't been noticing?"

"Yeah."

"Like what?" asked Rory, blinking. She hadn't even thought of it, really.

"I think besides the fact that something is trying to tell us something, there's something weirder going on."He looked at her for a second, their eyes not quite meeting.

The moment passed and Rory drew back, uncomfortable with the bond she felt for this boy whom she had so disliked only a few weeks ago.

"Right, well just an idea. Anything helps. I know you said we couldn't, but I feel like shit, you're probably just as exhausted. If we could just try again, I swear I won't lay a finger on yousexually, I mean. " he smiled encouragingly.

Even having her in his bed was better than nothing, he figured.

Rory glanced at the bed but frowned she was about to voice the refusal that sprang to her lips when she caught a flash of; disappointment? Unhappiness? Hurt? On Tristan's face, "Okay."

"Rory-" Tristan's protest broke off and he stared incredulously. "What? Okay? I mean--that's great. Thanks. I mean, I even think the bed thing was a little too forward last week." he finally mumbled in confusion.

Rory smiled. "If I don't get some sleep soon my head's going to fall off and roll away." She told him wryly.

Tristan offered a sympathetic smile and gestured toward the bathroom. "You go ahead and get comfortable. If you're nice to me, later on you can have control over my gay remote."

"Dirty," Rory rolled her eyes at him. "I'll pick the movie, though You have horrible taste."



Tristan groaned but dutifully turned his back to head downstairs. "Help yourself to my closet if you need anything."

Gretchen eyed him warily when he told her they didn't need any snacks, but she promised they'd have to eat a big meal later.

When Tristan came back to his room, he found Rory fast asleep on his bed in a pair of sweatpants and that Harvard sweatshirt she seemed to wear a lot when she slept at his house Her left hand was tucked beneath a squishy white pillow, the right hand stretched across the bed. He smiled as he lifted the outstretched hand, gently, sliding into the bed beside her. He wrapped his fingers around hers and curled entwined hands against his chest as he lay on his side mirroring Rory.

Tristan drifted off the sleep as he studied the pixie features he was beginning to know so well.

I'll never let you down, Even if I could

I'd give up everything, if only for your good

So hold me when I'm here, Right me when I'm wrong

You can hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there

So love me when I'm gone...



************************************************************





"Done! I win!" Rory exclaimed, slamming her chemistry book shut. "You don't know jack about electron levels. You suck!"

"Yeah, and I feel so bad about it, too."

Rory rolled her eyes at him. "Can I have the gay remote now?"

"If you keep on calling it that you're never going to get to the DVD collection, sweetheart."

"Don't you have any normal movies?" Rory muttered, moving past the amused boy to fully inspect the movie cabinet.

"All my movies are normal. I'm a guy. I have sperm. It's a guy's collection of normal, testosterone-filled goodness," Tristan grinned cheekily, still staring up at the ceiling as he was lying on his back.

"Ew."

Six hours of sleep had done both of them good. Perhaps not that much good to Tristan's sense of humor, but it had left Rory rather satiated.

"I don't have Bambi." Tristan retorted still starring up at the ceiling from his sprawled position next to her.

"Hah!"Rory crowed suddenly. Tristan glanced toward her and saw her waving a pink cover at him. He squinted trying to make out the blurry image and groaned.

"Where did you find that?"he demanded as he fought the heat rushing to his face.

"It's my favorite movie of all time, besides Ocean's eleven," Rory told him, pulling the DVD out to put in the machine.

"I don't want to watch that! It's a chick movie!" Tristan protested, sitting up to try to stop her.

"Why do you own it if you don't like to watch it?" Rory persisted putting the disc in and hitting play.

"I don't" Tristan denied quickly. "I don't" he repeated at her disbelieving look. "My cousin probably left it here the last time she came by and some helpful servant put it in there while cleaning." He protested as Rory looked on doubtfully.

"Anyway. It's a good movie. You'll like it. It's got pirates, and giants and swordplay. Very appealing to the juvenile mind." She supplied helpfully.

"Ha, ha," Tristan muttered as he stood and shifted onto the couch to watch. After a moment Rory followed, flopping herself down on the couch next to him.

"It's a kid's movie!" Tristan exclaimed as Fred Savage appeared on the screen.

Rory nudged him to be quiet but otherwise ignored his outburst.

Throughout the beginning Tristan threw out snarky comments to bait her and Rory would dutifully slap his arm or shove him into silence. By the middle of the movie they sat quietly, watching the movie intently, laughing at the ridiculous antics of Wesley, Indigo Montoya and the rest of the characters.

As the credits rolled Rory turned to him with a triumphant expression. "See! It was great, right?"

Tristan rolled his eyes at her. "It was okay, not as stupid as I thought.. It was still a chick movie, Rory." He shrugged.

"Ug. You have no taste. I give up,". Rory said, standing to stretch. "What time is it anyway?"

Tristan glanced at his watch. "Whoa, it's almost eleven, I better get you home."

"Eleven," Rory repeated weakly. "Oh my God! My mom is going to kill me . I'm supposed to me home in five minutes!"

"Relax. I'll come in and explain," Tristan offered, jumping to his feet to help Rory grab her things.

"Thanks," Rory said, shooting him a quick grin. "But I think it'll go better if you're not there. No offense."

"Because I'm a sex god and your mom would never believe you could spend time with me and not take advantage of my weak flesh?" he asked innocently

"Yeah, that's it Gee, Tristan, how could you know that?"

"It happens a lot more than you might think." He told here earnestly as he picked up her pack and headed for the door.

"I bet," Rory scoffed as she stepped past him



Maybe I'm just blind....?

**************************************************************

Forty minutes later they turned onto Rory's block laughing as they argued over the Insane Clown Posse CD he insisted they listen to.



"This is terrible! They're Bozos!" Rory retorted laughing at the bad pun.

Tristan groaned. How can you listen to them?"

"It's existential. They're mocking today's society," Tristan argued.

"They're total idiots! You can't mock the mocking."

"I happen to like them," he said, smiling as watched Rory give a suspicious glance towards the CD player in his car. Her expression changed when she looked up from it.

"Besides you...Oh, this is bad." Rory's face paled as they stopped in front of her house.

"What's wrong?"

"Dean."

"Dean's here. He's waiting for me. He can see you. You have to go! Drive away. NO Wait, I should get out. No, he's headed this way let's just go. You can drop me off down the street. Why are you stopped? Don't turn off the key! We have to get out of here!."Rory rambled frantically.

"Relax Rory, okay? I'll talk to him." Tristan grabbed the hand she was using to try to shove the gear into Drive.

"No, no you can't. Tristan"

The door opened quickly and Rory realized she was staring at Dean's form, and that Tristan was outside.

She glanced out her window just as Dean reached the car and she almost screamed when she saw his furious expression. She heard the door open behind her and belatedly realized Tristan had gotten out while she was starring at Dean.

"Hey, listen-" she heard Tristan say as he came around the car and approached Dean. His hands were up and open to show he meant no harm and Rory started to call out a warning as she shoved open her own door.

Dean lunged at Tristan from where he had been standing. Tristan's face registered surprise as Dean's body plowed into his mid-section. The two boys tumbled to the grass and rolled as they fought for supremacy.

"Dean! Stop!" Rory shouted, watching the two boys fearfully. Tristan finally landed on top of Dean and threw a right. Dean's head snapped back as a red patch bloomed at his mouth where Tristan's fist landed.

"Tristan!" Rory screamed crying now as the violence escalated, shaking her.

Tristan heard Rory call him and turned to look at her. He saw her tears and loosened the hold on Dean. Instantly Dean freed a hand and caught Tristan under the chin with an uppercut.

He lay on his back stunned as Dean stumbled to his feet and grabbed Tristan's shirt to drag him up.

"MOM!" Rory shouted running toward the house for help.

The door flew hope and Lorelei ran out wearing her favorite old robe over cow print PJ's. She pulled Rory into a hug as she frowned over at the two boys. "I'm calling Luke!" she shouted as she pulled Rory toward the door.

"Get off me you jerk!" Tristan growled, grappling with the hands pining him down.

"I told you to stay away from her!" Dean retorted drawing back to hit him again.

"You don't deserve her." Tristan shoved him up and off, rolling quickly to his feet.

"And you do?" Dean sneered. "A pretty boy like you? Where's your tie?"

"We're not at school now, jerk-off!" Tristan reminded him. "So I can do this!" He stepped forward and swung, putting the force of his frustration behind it.. The blow landed with a satisfying smack to Dean's cheekbone sending him flying.

Panting a little, Tristan watched Dean expecting another attack. He heard Rory shriek and he turned to look at her just as she ran over to Dean's side. Ignoring the intense need to yank her away and insist she acknowledge what a jerk Dean was..Insist she dump him, he turned away.

From her kneeling position next to Dean Rory looked up at Tristan. Her eyes were still filled with tears, her cheeks stained where others had already fallen. Holding back a groan, Tristan shrugged reluctantly.

"Dean, are you okay?" Rory asked, turning her attention to the boy at her side.

"I'm fine." Dean muttered angrily as she stood helping pull him to his feet.

Lorelei ran over to help and lifted his chin to look at the cut that was bleeding. "You'll be fine once you put a cold cloth on it, but I already called Luke so he'll be here any minute you should go." Lorelei warned, glancing over at Tristan to make sure her point was made.

While Lorelei checked Dean, Rory slipped away to go to Tristan. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"Sure. It's nothing." Tristan answered, trying to smile but he winced as the cut on his lip pinched open and began to bleed once more.

"Mom, can you take Tristan inside and get him an ice pack?" Rory asked, glancing over to her.

"Sure hon.," Lorelei nodded, turning to intercept them.

"I'm so sorry." Rory whispered, her eyes filling again.

"Rory-" Tristan started to reach for her when she took a step away, forcing him to drop his hand uselessly back to his side.

"Come on boy-whom-I've-never-met-but-am-now-aware-is-the-former-Evil-Tristan, Bible-Boy-of-Hell." Lorelei said as she reached his side. Tristan followed silently as she headed into the house. He glanced back at Rory but she was standing near Dean again and he felt a wave of shame grip him. Dean was the one Rory wanted, He was just her tormentor. Why had he ever thought they could be friends? Tristan berated silently. 'If you cared at all, you'd get the hell out of her life!' his brain insisted, then the door closed, shutting off the image of Rory tending Dean's injuries.

*************************************************************

So hold me when I'm here, Right me when I'm wrong

Hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone

Everything I am and everything in me,

wants to be the one you wanted me to be...

"Are you okay?" Rory asked Dean again unhappily.

"What do you care?" Dean retorted, holding his fingers to the cut at the side of his mouth.

"Your right! You deserve it. How could you attack him like that?" she demanded, suddenly furious with his attitude.

"Are you kidding me? What was I supposed to do Rory? Shake hands with the guy I know my Girlfriend is cheating on me with?" Dean demanded, shouting at her.

"I am not cheating on you with Tristan!" Rory shouted back.

"Right." Dean drawled, disbelievingly. "Do you think I'm stupid, Rory? Just because I don't go to your snotty little prep school like you and the accountant? The whole town knows, Rory. You think I can't see their pitying looks when I'm at the store? Or hear them whisper that you've been coming home late every night and getting out of the same fancy car?!" Dean waved toward Tristan's GTO with a sneer.

"We're working on something together." Rory told him tightly, wrapping her arms around her waist to ward off the chill that was beginning to grab her.

"Yeah, Each other." Dean muttered.

"You know, I think it's time you went home. Luke'll be here any second and he'll wanna talk to my mom." Rory said turning away. "I don't like you very much right now." She said quietly.

"Fine." Dean spat, turning to stomp away. A moment later he paused and turned back. "Just one question and I'll go."

Rory turned to face him, wiping away the tears that were falling again.

"I'll believe you, no matter what. I'll even apologize to the preppie if I was wrong." Dean offered with a grim smile.

Rory froze, her stomach churning painfully as foreboding swept her. "Dean.." She paused, uncertain of what she intended to say.

"Did you kiss him Rory?" he asked quietly, watching her closely, spotting the stricken expression that appeared, the guilt that flooded her face.

"Dean, please?" Rory shook her head, wanting to lie, to deny it but knowing she couldn't, hoping he'd take it back.

Dean's face hardened. "Say it!" he ordered coldly. When she shook her head again, his anger flared. "Say It!" he shouted.

"Yes!" she burst out. Dean stared at her silently as the implications of his question and her answer sank in, tearing away whatever fragile bond existed between them.

"Dean, wait..I can explain." Rory whispered.

"Don't bother. I think it'd be best if you didn't see me or try to talk to me for a while." Dean told her bitingly.

Rory started to protest but Dean had already turned away.

"Rory?" a voice called behind her. She turned and met Luke's sympathetic gaze. "You okay?"

She started to nod but tears filled her eyes. Instantly Luke stepped closer and awkwardly hugged her.

"Uh..Let's go find your Mom." He suggested leading her toward the front door.

Rory sniffed, wiping the tears away as best she could.

"Lorelei!" Luke shouted as soon as the door was open.

"Luke!" Lorelei shouted back.

"I'm okay, Luke. Mom called you because Dean and Tristan were fighting but it's over now." Rory told him quietly.

"You want me to go after him, I can drag him back for ya?" Luke offered nodding outside.

"No, it's okay. Thanks." She smiled.

"I'm just gonna wait for your mom. Talk to her for a quick sec, than I'll go." He told her warily, as if she might burst out crying again.

"Sure. She'll want to talk to you anyway. Thanks for coming over so quickly."



"Sure. No problem." He nodded.

"I'll go get Mom." Rory answered, turning away quickly to hide a smile at his relieved look. "Mom, Luke's waiting." She called as she headed toward the back hall.

She found Lorelei standing just outside the bathroom door.

"Is Tristan okay?" Rory asked quietly.

"I think so. What happened with Dean?" Lorelei asked reaching out to stroke Rory's hair gently.

"We broke up. I guess." Rory sighed.

Inside the bathroom Tristan heard Rory's quiet words and froze staring at the bruised image in front of him. They broke up? Maybe..?

"Oh honey, I'm sorry. Are you okay? Do you want me to go break his arm or I'll send Luke? We'll call a town meeting have him boycotted? Luke'll never feed him again and he'll starve..No wait. That's us. Uhh."

"No. He thinks I'm cheating with Tristan." Rory answered a moment later.

Tristan smiled grimly at his reflection.

"Uh not to sound like a Mom or anything but..what is going on?"

"We're working on something together." Rory answered quickly and Tristan's smile faded. He slumped forward feeling a great deal more batter than a moment before.

"And I guess we're friends now." Rory added thoughtfully, making Tristan pause.

Friends? He tested the word and nodded. I can live with that.

"Okay. So..Do we hate Dean?" Lorelei questioned almost hopefully.

"No. Yes. I don't know. I don't like him very much right now but he's been one of my best friends for almost a year. What if he doesn't even want to be that anymore. I can't think about this anymore." Rory groaned painfully. "Where's Tristan?"

"In the bathroom cleaning up. He's okay. Just a little banged up but if he wants to win the heart of a Gilmore, he's gotta brave it out." Lorelei teased.

"He's not tying to win my heart! Forget it! I'm not talking about this either. Luke's waiting at the front door. Go talk to him."

"Okay. I'll go tell him we're okay but don't think we're finished." Lorelei warned, heading down the hall.

Rory waved but walked into the kitchen to make coffee while she waited for Tristan to reappear.

Twenty minutes later Lorelei and Rory sat at the kitchen table sipping coffee when Tristan reemerged from the bathroom looking worse for wear.

"Wow! You look awful." Lorelei dead panned.

"Thanks." He smiled at her and only winced a bit when his lip pinched.

Lorelei looked over at Rory with a raised eyebrow. "Didn't you say you need something from the livingroom?"

"No." Rory frowned in confusion. "Ow!" she yelped, lurching forward suddenly. "I meant yeah, I need..an ice pack."

"You keep your ice pack in the living room?" Tristan smiled at the two of them, as far as he could tell Rory and Lorelei acted more like sisters than Mother and Daughter. He also had a sneaking suspicion that Lorelei had just kicked Rory under the table and guessed that she wanted to talk about him in the other room. A moment after Rory stood Lorelei jumped up and announced she would help Rory look for the ice pack. He could hear the murmur of voices as he sat at the kitchen table, but deliberately tuned out the conversation when he heard his name.

"He looks awful. Should he spend the night? I can call his parents. I think he should spend the night? He shouldn't be driving in his condition. Should I call his parents? The warden? His agent? What? Unless you don't want him to stay? Want me to call Luke back and throw him out roughly?" Lorelei offered with an evil glint.

"No mom. Don't bug Luke again. Your right, he should stay. He's too exhausted to drive but he insisted on bringing me home. Fight Dean must have wiped out any energy he had left." Rory glanced toward the kitchen as she spoke and her voice softened.

Lorelei absorbed Rory's look with a thoughtful frown but didn't comment. "Do you want me to ask him?" she asked instead.

"No. I'll do it." Rory said, heading back toward the kitchen. "And there no one to call."

"I'm going to go look for spare sheets then. Tell him I said I command him to stay!" Lorelei called afer her daughter. Rory waved over her shoulder and Lorelei headed toward the hall closet muttering about evil closet gnomes.

Tristan was sprawled in a chair half-asleep when Rory reappeared. He blearily raised his eyes when she approached but the smiled that flickered died before it reached his lips and he tried to rise instead.

"You look exhausted. My mom said to tell you she commands you to stay tonight. You can bunk on the couch." Rory lowered her voice. "And maybe it'll work if were under the same roof?" she suggested hopefully.

He nodded without real hope. "You sure it's okay with your Mom? I don't want to cause problems with you two."

"It's fine. Don't worry." Rory smiled and Tristan finally got to his feet.

"I'm wiped. I'll probably pass out the second my head hits the pillow." He confessed following Rory toward the livingroom.

"My Mom's looking for spare sheets and blankets and pillows right now but I'll go steal her blanket and pillow until she finds them." Rory announced with a quick mischievous smile.

"It's okay. I don't need either. I could fall to the floor and be out in 15 seconds." He yawned behind her.

"No I-"

"AH Hah!" Lorelei shouted upstairs. "I win! I win!" she called out with a series of thumps.

"She's dancing. She found the spare linens so she's beaten the closet gnome again." Rory explained.

"Okay." Tristan nodded uncertainly.

Ten minutes later the couch was made up into a comfortable bed and Tristan was settling in wearing an old pair of Lorelei's sweat pants.

"Need anything else?" Rory asked politely, stifling another yawn.

"Nope. Goodnight Rory." Tristan shut his eyes reluctantly and was already dozing when Rory whispered, goodnight.

I'll never let you down, Even if I could

I'd give up everything, If only for your good

So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong

You can hold me when I'm scared, you wont always be there

So love me when I'm gone...



Tristan sat straight up, his chest hurt where his heart thundered and he glanced absently at the clock as he rose. It was 1:37am, not quite an hour since he first lay down. Quietly he made his was to the door of Rory's bedroom. He pushed the slight opening and the door swung open. Rory lay in the bed, kicking and shoving at invisible forces. He heard her moan and slipped inside. He brushed a hand over her silky hair and she stopped kicking.

A moment later her eyes flickered open. The two stared at one another silently until Rory shifted to one side, lifting the edge of her blanket invitingly. Tristan slid in beside her, holding himself stiffly next to her until Rory reached out, linking their fingers. Warmth flooded him at her touch, soothing tense muscles. They slept.



Love me when I'm gone..

Love me when I'm gone..

When I'm gone...

When I'm gone...

When I'm gone.