Shelter

Flossie

Summary- Two years after leaving Chilton, Tristan comes back to find Rory. She's gone. And the soul reason for Tristan's whole life crumbles away from him.

Spoilers-Nothing after Run Away Little Boy.

Rating- PG

Disclaimer- Hopefully once the papers come in, I will officially own Chad Michael Murray. But thanks to the slow postal service, I've been forced to wait.

Author's Note- another chapter! I can't believe it. I' shocked with myself. Now, you all know how much I love feedback, so get going!

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She had always prided herself on being a confident person. She wasn't sure about much concerning herself, but she knew that she had a lot of determination to succeed. But when she looked in the mirror that morning, Rory couldn't see herself. She saw a stranger. A stranger who looked as though she was well and truly ready to give up. A stranger so un-like the girl Rory knew herself to be only a few months ago, a stranger, in a strange place, with the same fear.

It was one of those times that Lorelai couldn't lighten the mood with a little of her Lorelai-ness, she didn't know what to do. There hadn't been many of those times in her life when she couldn't make something better by being herself.

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The place wasn't what Rory had expected at all at first. It was so quiet. Expect clutter, expect shouting, expect rush. But never silence.

It seemed so inappropriate that such a big hospital was deserted, but then again, as Lorelai said, this was a completely different area of the hospital altogether.  A man greeted them at the door. He seemed nice enough, but every professional at the same time. He explained to them what was going to be happening, and what she should understand about the procedure.

Then he led them to another room. Lorelai kept telling her how she'll be right outside, and they'd go get as much ice-cream as she wanted afterwards. Rory didn't listen, she didn't want to listen.

When Rory came out of the room hours later, not a word was said. All the way home Lorelai toyed the idea of talking with her, trying to make her smile. She couldn't. She knew she couldn't.

Every now and then she would look to the back seat, Rory didn't move, she stayed in the same position, drawn herself into a tiny ball. Her eyes wide. Rocking herself gently.

The morning was worse, if it could be. Lorelai was worried. She wanted things to be the way they were, she wanted everything to be perfect again. Things were changing so fast around her she couldn't tell where she was, and what to do.

It was 2 o' clock when Jess and Luke came round.

It wasn't the same anymore.

Luke could see straight away.

His voice was so gentle and cautious,

"Where's Rory?"

Lorelai collapsed into his arms, for a second Luke was shocked, but hugged his arms around her. Lorelai held onto him, her head rested on his shoulder, crying softly into his shirt.

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Jess could see her from the kitchen. Rory was always beautiful, but today, today the spark in her was gone. When Luke had told him they were going over to see how Rory was going after her first chemo, Jess didn't know what to expect. For the first time, Jess was afraid. He didn't want to be any different around her. He wanted to act the same around her. But inside, he knew it was going to be difficult.

He stepped into her room.

Rory knew it was Jess before she looked up.

"What're reading?"

She put down her book, smiling feebly, "Promise you won't laugh?"

He smiled, "Yes"

"John Edwa- Jess, you said you wouldn't laugh."

He snorted, "I'm not," he choked out, "Go on, which book of his are you reading?"

"Oh," she cried dramatically with a shake of her hand, "It's done now; I'm not going to talk to you if you're going to be rude."

"Fine."

"Fine"

"Fine"

Jess grinned, "I can't believe-"

"Don't finish that! He's a very talented writer."

There was a long pause, Rory sat up un-comfortably, and began playing with her bracelet.

Jess came over and sat next on the bed and put his arm around her, pulling her close.

"You're strong enough Ror, you can do this; I know you can."

"I don't know Jess."

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Chapter 8

Diverse