Disclaimer: We do not own Gilmore Girls, nor do we intend to, but we do own any original characters.

Rating: PG-13 though it might go as high as R in future chapters…

Feedback: We appreciate any constructive criticism you have to offer!

Pairing: Trory & Java Junkie

Author's Note: It seems like Kay and I repeatedly desert this fic and we are truly sorry for that. It's like our seemingly never-ending 'busy-ness' (or should I say laziness) is always preventing us from putting pen to paper. Anyway, we'll try to update sooner than the 10 or so months it took us to update this, however we make no promises. -Liz (on behalf of mystic roses)

* * * *

Life's Endeavours

Chapter 5: Truths Left Unspoken

The instant Lorelai saw the woman's finger pointed in her direction and Luke's uncharacteristically stunned expression, she instinctively dashed out the diner door and ran as if her life depended on it, random thoughts violently circulating in her mind.

Why do I have the peculiar feeling like I've seen that woman before?

Why did Luke bear such a strong resemblance to a deer caught in headlights?

But above all... Why the hell am I running away?

Today wasn't how Lorelai planned at all. It felt like a "gang-up-on-Lorelai-day"; like the whole world had joined forces with the mission of making her life a living hell. And boy, were they succeeding. First with Chris' abrupt file for divorce and now the strange incident at Luke's that she was running away from.

Lorelai was in such a hurry to get to her car, she didn't realise she ran straight past her youngest daughter leaning on a familiar blonde's shoulder, both sound asleep on the public bench.

* * *

A cool breeze blew through Rory's chocolate brown hair, rousing her from her snug slumber. She softly yawned and scanned the area before her. It was Stars Hollow. She knew she couldn't possibly be there so her half-awake self concluded it was yet another one of her weird Stars Hollow dreams.

All of a sudden, a warm figure wriggled beside her and she turned to see the source. Panic rose fiercely in her eyes as soon as she realized it was none other than... Tristan!

Without further thought of the pickle she got herself into, she gently shook his shoulder and whispered,

"Pssst. Tristan. Wake up. Wake up."

Tristan stirred in his spot as he heard a soft voice whisper in his ear. When he opened his eyes to find Rory before him, he slowly smiled at her,

"Hey there, Sleeping Beauty."

Rory grinned at Tristan's remark, quickly quipping, "I distinctly remember the prince waking sleeping beauty. Not the other way around."

Tristan chuckled to himself, "Now that you've mentioned it, didn't the prince kiss sleeping beauty?"

Tristan play-seductively moved in closer to Rory, not actually intending to kiss her, but poor Rory assumed he was serious and gently pushed him back with her free hand.

"Look Prince Charming, it was a joke!"

Mission #1: Get home! Get sleep! Tristan's wit is seriously warped at night.

"If you say so, Ror," Tristan joked, "But it didn't seem like it from where I'm standing."

Rory rolled her eyes, "Dude, I've got two things to say to you. One: you're not actually standing, you're sitting, so that comment you've just made isn't even close to being valid. Sometimes Tris, it's so damn obvious you're a blonde," she suppressed her rising smile, "And secondly, next we are definitely going to have to practise far more interesting conversation. The one we had earlier put us both to sleep."

And with that she turned and walked away from the bench, but stopped midway,

"One more thing. I'm going home."

* * *

Days Later

Tristan DuGrey stepped out of his black Jaguar and casually made his way to the massive front porch of the Hayden Mansion. Thoughtlessly, he rang the doorbell, faintly hearing the melodic chimes echo through the house.

No one answered.

He repeated his action, unknowingly aggravating the only person in the house. Suddenly the door was forcefully flung open by a flustered Rory in her pink bathrobe and a matching towel wrapped loosely around her head. Initially, a tight smile was plastered on her face, but upon the sight of the unexpected guest it softened into something genuine.

"Hi," Rory initiated.

"Hi."

"Hi."

There was a momentary pause. Then in unison they blurted,

"Hey haven't we done this before?" Both recalling the exact same greeting the previous time Tristan was over.*

A pause descended upon them once again, leaving their eyes to wander around the porch. The male's eyes drifted to the female standing directly before him, noticing the fact that all she was wearing was a bathrobe and towel.

"Oh Rory if this is the way you dress greeting all your guests, I should come here more often," Tristan smirked, attempting to break the uneasy silence.

Immediately, Rory hid behind the broad oak door, using the structure as a shield.

"And on that rude note... Bye Tristan," she retorted, and tried to close the door behind her, but with a hand, Tristan kept the door ajar.

"Look, Ror, I'm here for another reason other than seeing your after-shower look," he smiled, "I'm actually here to see Liz."

"Pity, she left an hour ago to pick out a frock for next month's dance. And as we both know, she probably wouldn't be back til the break of dawn. Better luck tomorrow," Rory quickly said as she shut the door, noticing the disappointed expression on Tristan's face.

Guilt consumed Rory, having her reopen the door to see Tristan already making his way back to his Jaguar.

"Umm... maybe Liz'll be back in a couple of hours," she amended in a voice audible enough for him to hear, "And if you really want to, you could wait for her here." The words were out of Rory's before she had the chance to think.

Tristan turned around to see Rory's head popped out of the side of the door. He placed his hands in his pockets and silently contemplated the suggested idea, considering the fact that Liz was getting suspicious about his outing with Rory at Stars Hollow. But then again, he didn't exactly have anything better to do.

"Sure why not?"

* * *

One Hour Later

A solid wooden racket flew forcefully across the ping pong table, aimed directly at Tristan's groin.

"Fuuuck!" Tristan yelped at the pain of impact, "Rory, what the hell was that for?"

"Ummm... Does 'I swear Ror, even Liz would be more of a challenge' ring a bell?" Rory smiled evilly, not the slightest bit remorseful at hitting Tristan's vulnerables.

"Fine! But that doesn't exactly warrant the most excruciating pain known to man," Tristan managed to say through his agony.

"You go the 'known to man' part right."

Tristan flashed her another of his trademark smirks, "Dirty girl."

* * *

Rory's Bedroom

After the unlikely pair tired of ping pong, the both collapsed on the sofa in Rory's room, more drained on account of their squabbles rather than physical exertion.

"Tris, do you wanna watch a movie?" Rory asked out of nowhere.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Oh something I bet you'll all enjoy," Rory lifted her eyes suggestively.

She made her way to the DVD rack, leaving Tristan to meander around her room. He found a comfortable spot on her bed and picked up a framed photo on her bedside table. It was a photo of both Liz and Rory, both still toddlers, smiling the cheesiest grins he'd ever seen.

Rory returned with the particular DVD in hand, immediately seeing the item in Tristan's hands.

"You know you look nothing like Liz," Tristan pointed out.

"Yeah I know. We get that a lot. There had to have been a mix up at the hospital," she kidded, "I might be a princess and not even know it. You never know. Happened to that chick in Princess Diaries didn't it?"

Tristan shot Rory a sceptical look.

"Speaking of Princess Diaries..." Rory grinned wickedly.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding."

* * *

Two Hours Later

The credits ran on Rory's large plasma screen. Tristan smiled. He actually enjoyed the movie as Rory presumed earlier, though he'd never let her know. Not in a million years. His cocked his head to the right, without twisting the rest of his body, to see Rory snooze softly beside him. He should've known she was asleep. She hadn't spoken a word in the last half hour and considering their usual conversations, that was very unusual.

"She's 90% caffeine yet she can still sleep through anything," Tristan sighed.

Tristan smiled at her innocent state and grabbed her sunflower-covered quilt to tuck her in tightly, gently kissing her on the forehead. He cringed the second his lip made contact with her forehead.

Why did I do that for? I mean, she's only my girlfriend's kid sister...

Not wanting to think of it further, he made his way to the entrance. He figured Liz wouldn't show up in a while so he decided to go home and call her later that day.

Just as his hand reached to twist the doorknob, he heard the door unlock itself. The door then opened completely and Tristan found Liz standing there carrying around eight shopping bags, most probably filled with eight designer outfits.

"Oh, Tristan. What are you doing here?"

Thanks to elanor tinuviel for editing this chap! :o)

Author's Note: Hey guys! That's it. That's Chap 5. Once again sorry for the wait. Oh and revisions will be made on all the early chapters. Just spelling and grammar changes, but more may be changed if necessary (for plot purposes).

*The scene were Rory and Tristan repeated the "hi" is from Chap 3 (Except it was "hello" then). Just a bit of trivia. :o)