Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't own the characters or the lyrics just the plot.

A/N: Okay I know I took forever with this. It took some recent reviews to kick my butt into gear. I got caught up in my other story Only One. I'm also in summer school to make up classes I missed by taking a semester off. But I promise I will finish this story and I will update sooner. Thank you so much for the reviews and the encouragement. Personal thank-yous at the bottom like always. Enjoy! Beware angst ahead.

Chapter Eight: Cleaning Out My Closet

"I'm sorry Momma/I never meant to hurt you/ I never meant to make you cry/ But tonight I'm cleanin' out my closet."~Eminem

How Tristan managed to get through an entire day of school, Rory would never know. He was still sporting many colorful bruises and of course the female population of Chilton was practically lining up to "kiss it and make it better". It was making Rory sick to her stomach.

          "Hey Rory! Could you help me with this?" Tristan asked motioning her over to his locker.

          "Sure." She said as she began to put the books he would need for the weekend in his book bag. "How are you feeling?"

          He grimaced. "Like I was run over by one of those eighteen-wheeler trucks."

          "No sweetie, remember it was a huge Welcome to Stars Hollow sign." She mocked him.

          He narrowed his eyes at her tone. "Thanks for the reminder."

          "Anytime." She answered cheerfully.

          "You know Gilmore. You can be a mean little girl when you want to be."

          "I'm aware of this and have no problem with it. Just like you can be a self-absorbed self-abusive prick when you choose to be."

          "Ouch. I'm wounded."

          "I know. Remember the sign?"

          "You're never going to let this go, are you?"

          Rory smiled, and not an entirely a nice smile, "Not a chance." They both walked out to Paris's car, the designated meeting place, but Paris was nowhere to be found.

          "Where do you think she is?" Rory asked glancing down at her watch. One good thing about Paris was that you could always count on her to be punctual.

          "Probably terrorizing some teacher over a half of a percentage point." Tristan remarked.

          "I heard that DuGrey!" Paris shouted storming up to the couple. "For your information I was talking to Headmaster Charleston about your makeup work, so you could try and be grateful."

          "Sorry Par." He said awkwardly shifting against the car. He had not flinched or exploded when she called him by his last name. That was progress right?

          "Come on guys lets get Tristan home before he collapses." Rory said taking their bags and putting them in the open trunk of Paris's car.

          "Hey, I would never do something as unmanly as collapse."

          "Would you prefer I said swoon?" Rory retorted as she assisted him into the front seat of the car.

          "Children can we put a hold on the sexual tension for five minutes? You're giving me headache. And thanks to the three hours of sleep I got I'm not exactly in the best mood. Okay?" Paris growled.

          "Duly noted." Intoned Rory as she climbed into the backseat deliberately ignoring the first part of Paris's declarative.

          As they pulled up to his house, Tristan braced himself for what was to come, he let Rory assist him out of the car and hand him his school things but refused to let either her or Paris come into the house with him. He confirmed their plans to study the next day and waved goodbye.

                   He opened the door to an empty foyer, no evidence from last nights fight graced the floor in front of the study, it had all been quietly cleaned up by the household staff. He limped up to his room and fell onto his bed, fighting the instinct to pull the covers over his head and pretend everything would be okay, because he knew it wasn't going to be okay. It never was. A timid knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

          "Who is it?" he called out.

          "It's just me." His mother's voice replied.

          He pushed himself up to a sitting position before responding, "Come in."

          She entered the room slowly unsure of what she would find. Looking around she saw the debris from his drunken rage and then she saw her son, covered in bruises sitting on the bed.

          "What happened to you?" she gasped.

          Tristan shrugged sullenly. "It's not like you look so great yourself." He snarled referring to the large bruise on her face.

          Unconsciously her hand went up to touch it and hovered there for a moment before she regained her composure.

          "That's none of your business." She informed him coolly.

          "Whatever you say mother." He said his words dripping with derision.

          "Tristan…"she began but just sighed. She had no idea how to address her son, she didn't know how to talk to him, and she never had.

          He echoed her sigh unconsciously. He didn't know how to bridge the gap between them and if he was honest with himself he really didn't want to. Too much had past between them and too much of it had been bad. She may have meant well but meaning well didn't make her a good mother.

          "I got into an accident. The car is totaled by the way."

          "Are you okay?" she asked immediately.

          He shrugged but even that motion made him wince. "I'm fine. Just a little banged up."

          "Can I? Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked tentatively.

          "No." then pausing regretting the harsh way it came out. "No thank you."

          "Okay." She assented beginning to back out of the room. "Tristan about last night…"

          "Yes?"

          "What your father said—"

          "He's not my father, is he?"

          Janette forced herself to meet his eyes. "No, he's not the man who fathered you. But he is the man who raised you. And he was just upset last night and drinking too much. He didn't mean what he said. What he did."

          Tristan gave a harsh laugh. "Yes he did. He always does and you always protect him. I've given up trying to understand it. I don't care. You're both fucked up."

          Janette lifted her hand to her temple trying to ward off the migraine that was beginning to pound at her skull. "I'm sorry Tristan. I don't know what else to say."

          "I guess there is nothing else to say."

          She nodded and walked out of the room. She didn't understand her son and sometimes she wished with all her heart that she could. That they would regain the bond they had shared when he was younger. But the cynical part of her acknowledged that it was easier this way, to have the distance, the disinterest. He was a grown man now not a little boy so she needn't worry about him. But that voice she tried to ignore reminded her he never really been a little boy, not really, he had always been a little man trying to protect her. He never understood she didn't need to be protected. This was the life she chose.

          Rory arrived at her Grandparent's home and after exchanging pleasantries she went up to her bedroom intending to study. She had no sooner opened her textbook when a wave of exhaustion overcame her. Laying down she succumbed quickly to sleep and didn't wake until she heard her mother's voice at the door.

          "Wake up Sleeping Beauty." Lorelai called opening up the door a little wider.

          Rory opened her eyes groggy from the nap she had just taken. "What? Is it time for diner already?" she asked burying her head back into the pillow.

          "No we still have a little time."

          "Then why don't you let me sleep?" Rory asked feeling cranky.

          "Because Mommy Dearest needs to have a little chat with." Lorelai said becoming a little impatient herself. Enough scenarios had run through her mind and now with Rory being grumpy and sullen it only made things worse.

          Rory pushed herself up into a sitting position. She knew she shouldn't be taking her anger out on her mother but she couldn't seem to help herself, she was only human, not perfect like some people seemed to think. "What?" she asked again petulantly.

          Lorelai was getting angry now. So she whipped out the article of clothing she had found in the downstairs bathroom this morning. A pair of navy blue boxer shorts that had the insignia of a military school on them, Tristan's boxer shorts.

          "Care to tell me whose these are? Cause unless Jess had a brief sojourn in military school that I don't know about…"

          Rory flushed. "They're a friends. He must have forgotten them." She said knowing it would just make her mother angrier. But Rory was angry. You would think that her mother would trust her enough not to jump to conclusions. But since she obviously didn't Rory let her words of ambiguity linger.

          Lorelai bit her cheek trying to think of what to say next. Trying and ultimately failing to stop herself from yelling.

          "What the hell were you thinking?"

          "It's none of your business what I was thinking. You have no idea what happened but the first thing you think of is that I'm sleeping with some guy! I'm not you mother!"

          "That's what every girl thinks until she ends up pregnant!" Lorelai screamed back. She couldn't believe her daughter was acting this way. Her and Rory rarely fought but when they did—it was ugly.

          "I'm not pregnant!"

          "You're not going to be. You're going on the pill."

          Rory and Lorelai both experienced flashbacks of the dance Rory's sophomore year but things had changed since then.

          "How long has this been going on?" Lorelai yelled. "Have you been sneaking him over every time I'm out? I thought you had more sense than this!"

          "I do." Rory shot back at her mother. "I have more sense than you. And if you gave any thought to this than you would realize that you're wrong. But no! You just look at me and you see yourself and all you're mistakes. You don't trust me."

          "Not anymore." Lorelai said bitterly.

          "It's not fair. Everyone is just waiting for me to mess up. Not live up to the perfect Rory standard. Well guess what? I didn't mess up. I'm still a virgin. But I'm not always going to be, and you have to face it. I'm growing up. You can't keep me a little girl forever. Let me make my own mistakes." Rory screamed all her pent up frustrations. Tears were coursing down the faces of both women.       

          "I don't understand."

          Rory felt the anger leach out of her and now only the bitter aftertaste of guilt lingered.

          "A friend was in trouble and spent the night. He needed a change of clothes, which Jess provided. That's it. Nothing happened."

          Lorelai eyed her daughter and conceded that she must be telling the truth. But so much had been said and the bitterness hung over the room like cigarette smoke. She didn't know what to say. I'm sorry didn't seem right because she wasn't sorry she had asked. She was sorry about how the conversation went but she thought she knew her daughter better than this. Maybe she had been wrong—and that hurt.

          "You should have told me." Was all Lorelai said as she got off the bed and headed to the door.

          Rory nodded but didn't say anything. Too much had already been said. You couldn't take words back—and sometimes things just needed to be said. Even if they hurt, especially if they hurt.

Lucyferina: Thank you for the review. I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. But once again I promise I will not abandon this fic. I will finish it. Jazz: Hey girl! Thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoy the "cute" moments. More to come as soon as I get out some more angst, fluffy moments will follow. Lanie: Glad to know I'm not the only Dashboard addict. I do like the potential in the Jess/Paris relationship. More of them will be in the next chapter. Thanks for the review! Dreamer4ever-77: I'm glad you like the story. Thanks for taking the time to review! I enjoy your comments. Anonymous: Wow, that's enthusiasm. Thanks. Me: I'm glad you like my version of Tristan. When it comes to that boy, what's not to like? Thanks for the review! TristansChick: I'm glad you liked the chapter. Yes there will be Paris/Jess action. In fact I'm planning more of that for the next chapter. Those two are so fun to play with. Mandie: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you still like this. Kate: Thanks for your comments. I do feel bad for poor Tristan. He has a lot more to work through, but Rory will there to help ;). More Trory action to come. Crissy: LOL yep only Tristan would be hitting on girls half conscious. It's part of his charms. Thanks for the review. Ellie: Thank you dear for the review. I would have sent this to you to beta but I felt so guilty I just wanted to post it right away. I'll talk you later I'm sure. Lola: I'm glad you liked the Trory parts. Yes Tris will eventually explain his situation to Rory it will just take some time. And Paris and Jess have some scenes coming up. I hope you'll enjoy them too. Deeta: You're such a sweetheart. It's good to know I'm not the only one who drools over Tristan. Rory has way more self-restraint than me! Monica: I'm glad you like my portrayal of Jess and Paris. Having them fight is always tons of fun. More about them in the next chapter soon it will be revealed why there is so much tension between them ;). LizDarcy: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like the POV I have on Rory. Love your name by the way. Huge P&P fan here. Ashley: Thanks for the words of encouragement. I appreciate it! Green eyed wonder: Thanks for the review and your concern. I'm happy you enjoy this! Maree Collingswood: LOL. Loved your review. More story is on the way. By the way I love your stories too! Lindsey: Thanks for the applause::blushes:: and to answer your question. Yes Tristan is under the influence, a lot of it and it all different varieties. A shock like a car accident can sober a person up pretty quick. Enough that they're more coherent and will remember things better. Hope that helps. Thanks for the review. ChevieJane: Thank you, I adore your reviews. They always make me smile. Thank you again for the encouragement. Lookening4CoffeeGod: Thanks! Glad you find it interesting. Natalie: I loved your review, thank you. I'm glad you like intense Tristan. I think there's a lot more to him than people think. And Jess and Paris are so much fun as I've said more about them and their particular source of tension is coming up. Intuition: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like the story. Martina G: Thanks for the review. I know this story has a lot of angst but it serves a purpose in bringing Rory and Tristan closer. After that happens lots more romance I promise! Annashari: I love your reviews. And I'm just happy you like the stories. Thanks! Lindsay: Thanks for the review! Lin: Wow, somebody recommend this? I'm surprised but happy. I'm glad that you're enjoying it. Whatever child: I know I took forever but you're encouragement helped. Promise I will work harder on this story! Thanks for the review! Nora: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you find this semi-original. Average Jane: Hun thank you so much for the reviews. You really kicked my butt into gear and made me finish this chapter. I will finish this. Thanks so much for letting me know at least someone still cares about this fic. Blurred: Thanks for the review and I hope you liked this chapter too!