First, without further ado, the next installment:
05.
Tristan took the rest of the day off, stating to his boss that it was a "personal emergency".
They were in Tristan's car. A BMW. Sophiscated, yet not flashy. That had been one of her Lorelai's mottos for Rory to live by as she grew older.
"Wait"
"What?"
"I mean, I don't think you would enjoy wearing a probably very expensive suit for such a long trip. You'll wrinkle it badly. And we'd probably be staying overnight unless you have this thing for driving at 4 a.m in the morning, so." Rory trailed off.
"So, Rory my dear, what are you suggesting?"
"We make a stop at your place first."
If it had been at a different time, Tristan would have the perfect innuendo AND smirk to go along with it. But considering the circumstances, he decided to be considerate and try to keep Rory as calm as possible, by following her wishes.
"Ok, I think that's a good idea."
"You do?"
"Yeah. Considering with all that on your mind, you cared enough to think about my needs. Thanks." Tristan gave Rory a smile.
She couldn't help but blush. Damnit, she had to stop doing this everytime. "Only because you have the car. Wouldn't want to upset the chauffeur now would we?"
Tristan laughed. The short but sweet banter gave away to memories of their other more heated and rage-inflicted banters.
Rory loved hearing him laugh. It was one of the few attributes of Tristan that she actually had learned to enjoy back at Chilton. It was a genuine laugh, one that made Rory happy knowing that she had caused this heavenly sound.
They arrived at Tristan's apartment complex. Rory decided to wait in the car while Tristan made a quick trip up to his apartment to change out of his suit and get a change of clothes.
She was anxious to see Sookie, but at the same time felt at ease that they were on their way. As Rory waited, she decided to look around his car. She saw no sign of a cigarette or a lighter. Good, he wasn't a smoker. One point Tristan. She skimmed through his CD collection. Third Eye Blind.meh, not a big fan. One point against. "Tristan's Mix".Radiohead, nice choice, one point for. Metallica, what was he thinking? But before Rory could go on with her survey and silent criticism of Tristan's taste in music, the devil himself had just emerged from the building. Rory was planning to go back to the rest of the CD collection when she had to do a double take. The past two times that Rory had seen him, Tristan had been dressed from head to toe in a suit. Its not like she minded it, men in suits were incredibly sexy. But seeing Tristan and what he was wearing now. Wow. She had to admit, the casual preppy look that Tristan donned on and further adding to his demeanor screamed sexiness. She of all people had to admit, Tristan was gorgeous. She was now openly staring as he made his way down the steps and approaching the car.
"Are we ready to go?" asked Tristan as he flung his bag onto the backseat, "don't you think that since we made a stop at my place we should stop at your place to get you some extra clothes?"
Rory didn't answer him at first, she was still too busy staring at the spot out of the window where Tristan had emerged in a god-like manner.
"Rory?"
She snapped back to reality, "what, I'm sorry, I must've spaced out there. What did you say?"
He gave her a questioning look, "should we stop at your place?"
"Oh, don't bother, half my wardrobe is at Stars Hollow anyway."
As Tristan pulled out of parking he thought that Rory must be really anxious to see Sookie, this was not the first time she had spaced out, seemingly deep in thought.
He turned around to face her, then reached over and took her hand. He gave her a reassuringly squeeze, "she's going to be okay."
Rory realized that Tristan must have perceived her silence as her concern for the well-being of Sookie. She felt ashamed because that was what she should have been thinking about, but instead, she was having thoughts about him and his well-defined body underneath those clothes.
"Thanks, I hope so."
She waited to see if he would move his hand.
He never did.
Tristan noticed the open CD file in Rory's lap. "Looking at my CD collection are we? So what's the verdict? Is it good enough for Rory?"
"So far, you have two points against, and one point for. There better be more worthy CDs in here for you to redeem yourself."
"What?"
"Come on, Metallica? After their album St. Anger, very disappointing I might add, came out in 2003, their record sales have declined brutally in the last five years. They've been virtually non-existent on the charts. Now Tristan, what have you got to say for yourself?"
Tristan was amazed, he let out an unbelieving laugh, "Wow Mary, I didn't realize you have such a passion against the music I like. If it would really make you happy, you can take that disk and throw it right out the window, or maybe, I could pull over and we can go skip out to the field and use it as a Frisbee."
"Nah, that would involve exercise, and I would never do that for myself, let alone a Metallica CD."
Tristan just shook his head and laughed. He hoped that he was taking Rory's mind off the crisis at hand, "so did you see anything in there that you possibly liked, maybe even a tiny bit."
"This," holding up Radiohead-Hail to the Thief, "I approve of. It was a long-awaited album that was actually worth waiting for."
"I'm glad, "Tristan grabbed the CD from Rory's hand, "that we agree on something."
He put the CD into the slot and they let the voice of lead singer Thom Yorke relax and prepare them for the journey ahead.
* * * * *
The ride for the next few hours had been a pleasant one. They caught up what the each other had been up to for the past few years. But their reminiscing didn't get as far back as sophomore year. There were too many memories, some painful, some joyous that were better off left for another time.
Tristan found out that Rory had indeed made her dream come true with Harvard, still keeps in contact with her mom, the reason behind the break in her and Christopher's relationship, and that her coffee addiction had never stopped and it was still going strong through the numerous times they had to stop her whining and satisfy her cravings. He had learned all that through many many of her stories, both amusing and informative.
Rory found out about his life after Tristan finished military school, she heard many amusing stories that had made her twice nearly spit out her coffee and once actually made her do it. She found out about his relationship that formed between him and her father. A bit like a father/son relationship, both experiencing something they never had. Rory liked what she heard and say. He had definitely matured from the Tristan that she had got to know a long time ago.
So basically, after four hours of driving, they talked about everything about themselves, everybody around them, except the subject of Tristan and Rory.
* * * * *
"Did you catch that sign?"
"What sign?"
"The one that just passed that indicated when the next gas station was."
"Did it have a coffee sign indictating they provided food?"
"Uh.I don't think so."
"Then, no, I didn't see it."
"Well, I'm running low on gas, we're going to make a stop at the next service station.
* * * * *
It was nearly 8 p.m. when they pulled up at a service station. Tristan had exited the car to get gas and Rory waited in the car.
Tristan tapped Rory's side of the window from the outside. She depressed the button that brought the window down.
"I have to make a call. I'll be right back, don't miss me too much." He flashed her a smile and strode off.
Ha. Rory thought, still the same charming guy. She had enough of sitting in the limited area and decided to get out and stretch her legs and get some fresh air. From her spot, she spotted Tristan a few feet away. His back was to her and he couldn't see her. She was wondering who he was talking to. A girlfriend maybe? Nah, he had specifically told her that he wasn't seeing anyone. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but she could hear Tristan's side of the conversation.
"Hey Nick, how's it going?"
So it was a guy, a colleague maybe.
"I'm at a gas station right now. Five hours away from New York actually."
"Calm down man, that's what I called to tell you. I can't make it tonight."
"Well something important came up."
"I know Stacey's waiting for me, but she should get the idea that I'm
not interested, so no matter how many of these types of "gatherings"
that she tries to set up, I'm.not.interested. End of story."
Rory stood there stunned. So he did have plans. But its not like she imposed on him, he had insisted. Still, he had lied to her. Before she could hear the rest of his conversation, she reentered the car.
Tristan hung up the phone and walked back to the car.
"Did ya miss me much?"
No answer.
"Aw come on, Mary. Don' t pout, I promise I won't leave you ever again."
He only managed to get a tiny smile from Rory. Animated Rory had turned into mute Rory. She was staring ahead wordlessly.
Tristan kept on driving. Talk about moodswings. Then, the silence was broken by the soft words of Rory.
"Why did you lie Tristan?
"What do you mean?" her accusingly hurt tone was enough to want him to throw himself at her feet for forgiveness, although he wasn't even sure what he did.
Rory sighed, and turned to face him, "I overheard your conversation when I got out of the car to stretch. You said you didn't have plans, but there you were canceling you plans."
Tristan shook his incredulously, here she was patronizing him for helping her out, "I admit, I did have plans, but it's not like I wanted to go anyways."
"You let down a friend. Maybe it wasn't important for you, but it was probably important for them."
Tristan couldn't believe this, he was starting to get angry, "You're important to me okay! I care about you! Do you know how much it hurt me to see you so frantic and anxious to see Sookie?
By now Tristan had pulled to the side of the road. He had started this and he was going to finish this.
"Why are you so stubborn that you can't you just realize that I was willing to help you out. I did a nice thing, accept it!"
He could tell Rory wanted to say something, but he wasn't done.
"You're always so quick to assume that I'm doing something wrong. It never clicks in that head of yours that maybe I'm doing all this because I like you!"
There he said it, he finally said it. Rory was at a loss for words. She all of a sudden felt so sick, so guilty, so ashamed of herself. Tristan lowered his voice just a notch.
"I've always wanted a chance with you. But you were too stubborn to see that I liked you and that could be something more between us."
"Tristan, I-"
"You know what. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said all of that. I should of just left it as wanting to help a friend in need."
"No."
Tristan looked at her quizzically and opened his mouth to say something. But before he knew it, Rory had leaned over and placed her lips on his. It was a light kiss and she lingered there for a few seconds, letting a stunned Tristan collect his thoughts and realize what was going on. She pulled back, her face only centimeters apart and gave him a slight smile, "not too stubborn now am I."
Tristan had just recovered to find that he hadn't properly enjoyed the moment. He wanted seconds. He cupped Rory's face in his hands and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. Never, in ten years, had he pictured it like this. On the side of the highway. His hands roamed up and down her side and Rory slid her fingers through his hair. She let out an involuntary moan as Tristan trailed kisses along her jaw and worked on her neck. Both letting go of some of the sexual tension that had been built up between the two.
After what seemed like a good few minutes, they broke away, both of their breathing laboured. They didn't pull apart from each other though.
The sun hadn't completely set and the sky was painted in hues of pink and orange. It cast a warm glow on Rory's face as Tristan stared longingly at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were swollen. It made him want to forget everything and go at it right then and there. But he couldn't. There were so many complications to that. They still needed to make it to Hartford. He looked at her for any signs of regret. He saw none.
He swallowed, "that was..wow." he gave her a slight grin.
"Yeah, it was." They both spoke in hushed voices, as though afraid to shatter the peacefulness of the situation.
"Does that mean you forgive me?"
Rory smiled, all that had been long forgotten, "We'll see."
Tristan leaned in again and gave a short sweet kiss, "how about now?"
Rory put on a confused look, and said, "I'm starting to forget what I'm forgiving you for."
He leaned in and kissed her again, "and now?"
She smiled and said before capturing his lips again, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
-------
Second, a few words from me,
WOW. Longest chapter yet.
Soooo, what'd you think? Finally got some Trory action for you guys there, hope it was worth the wait. There'll be more to come!
Ok, I have some issues to clear up.
Were they in their Sophomore year when Tristan left for North Carolina? HOW THE F- DO YOU PUT THINGS IN ITALICS OR BOLD?! Dun worry, I love third eye blind, all the remarks about Metallica and Radiohead were actually made up. It was based on comments friends had told me. To be honest, I had no idea what I was talking about. That part was actually hard to write. MEN IN SUITS - - - *THUD* JULIANNE- thanks for the feedback and for reviewing each chapter. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT! THANKS TO ALL THE REVIEWERS!
R A C H
05.
Tristan took the rest of the day off, stating to his boss that it was a "personal emergency".
They were in Tristan's car. A BMW. Sophiscated, yet not flashy. That had been one of her Lorelai's mottos for Rory to live by as she grew older.
"Wait"
"What?"
"I mean, I don't think you would enjoy wearing a probably very expensive suit for such a long trip. You'll wrinkle it badly. And we'd probably be staying overnight unless you have this thing for driving at 4 a.m in the morning, so." Rory trailed off.
"So, Rory my dear, what are you suggesting?"
"We make a stop at your place first."
If it had been at a different time, Tristan would have the perfect innuendo AND smirk to go along with it. But considering the circumstances, he decided to be considerate and try to keep Rory as calm as possible, by following her wishes.
"Ok, I think that's a good idea."
"You do?"
"Yeah. Considering with all that on your mind, you cared enough to think about my needs. Thanks." Tristan gave Rory a smile.
She couldn't help but blush. Damnit, she had to stop doing this everytime. "Only because you have the car. Wouldn't want to upset the chauffeur now would we?"
Tristan laughed. The short but sweet banter gave away to memories of their other more heated and rage-inflicted banters.
Rory loved hearing him laugh. It was one of the few attributes of Tristan that she actually had learned to enjoy back at Chilton. It was a genuine laugh, one that made Rory happy knowing that she had caused this heavenly sound.
They arrived at Tristan's apartment complex. Rory decided to wait in the car while Tristan made a quick trip up to his apartment to change out of his suit and get a change of clothes.
She was anxious to see Sookie, but at the same time felt at ease that they were on their way. As Rory waited, she decided to look around his car. She saw no sign of a cigarette or a lighter. Good, he wasn't a smoker. One point Tristan. She skimmed through his CD collection. Third Eye Blind.meh, not a big fan. One point against. "Tristan's Mix".Radiohead, nice choice, one point for. Metallica, what was he thinking? But before Rory could go on with her survey and silent criticism of Tristan's taste in music, the devil himself had just emerged from the building. Rory was planning to go back to the rest of the CD collection when she had to do a double take. The past two times that Rory had seen him, Tristan had been dressed from head to toe in a suit. Its not like she minded it, men in suits were incredibly sexy. But seeing Tristan and what he was wearing now. Wow. She had to admit, the casual preppy look that Tristan donned on and further adding to his demeanor screamed sexiness. She of all people had to admit, Tristan was gorgeous. She was now openly staring as he made his way down the steps and approaching the car.
"Are we ready to go?" asked Tristan as he flung his bag onto the backseat, "don't you think that since we made a stop at my place we should stop at your place to get you some extra clothes?"
Rory didn't answer him at first, she was still too busy staring at the spot out of the window where Tristan had emerged in a god-like manner.
"Rory?"
She snapped back to reality, "what, I'm sorry, I must've spaced out there. What did you say?"
He gave her a questioning look, "should we stop at your place?"
"Oh, don't bother, half my wardrobe is at Stars Hollow anyway."
As Tristan pulled out of parking he thought that Rory must be really anxious to see Sookie, this was not the first time she had spaced out, seemingly deep in thought.
He turned around to face her, then reached over and took her hand. He gave her a reassuringly squeeze, "she's going to be okay."
Rory realized that Tristan must have perceived her silence as her concern for the well-being of Sookie. She felt ashamed because that was what she should have been thinking about, but instead, she was having thoughts about him and his well-defined body underneath those clothes.
"Thanks, I hope so."
She waited to see if he would move his hand.
He never did.
Tristan noticed the open CD file in Rory's lap. "Looking at my CD collection are we? So what's the verdict? Is it good enough for Rory?"
"So far, you have two points against, and one point for. There better be more worthy CDs in here for you to redeem yourself."
"What?"
"Come on, Metallica? After their album St. Anger, very disappointing I might add, came out in 2003, their record sales have declined brutally in the last five years. They've been virtually non-existent on the charts. Now Tristan, what have you got to say for yourself?"
Tristan was amazed, he let out an unbelieving laugh, "Wow Mary, I didn't realize you have such a passion against the music I like. If it would really make you happy, you can take that disk and throw it right out the window, or maybe, I could pull over and we can go skip out to the field and use it as a Frisbee."
"Nah, that would involve exercise, and I would never do that for myself, let alone a Metallica CD."
Tristan just shook his head and laughed. He hoped that he was taking Rory's mind off the crisis at hand, "so did you see anything in there that you possibly liked, maybe even a tiny bit."
"This," holding up Radiohead-Hail to the Thief, "I approve of. It was a long-awaited album that was actually worth waiting for."
"I'm glad, "Tristan grabbed the CD from Rory's hand, "that we agree on something."
He put the CD into the slot and they let the voice of lead singer Thom Yorke relax and prepare them for the journey ahead.
* * * * *
The ride for the next few hours had been a pleasant one. They caught up what the each other had been up to for the past few years. But their reminiscing didn't get as far back as sophomore year. There were too many memories, some painful, some joyous that were better off left for another time.
Tristan found out that Rory had indeed made her dream come true with Harvard, still keeps in contact with her mom, the reason behind the break in her and Christopher's relationship, and that her coffee addiction had never stopped and it was still going strong through the numerous times they had to stop her whining and satisfy her cravings. He had learned all that through many many of her stories, both amusing and informative.
Rory found out about his life after Tristan finished military school, she heard many amusing stories that had made her twice nearly spit out her coffee and once actually made her do it. She found out about his relationship that formed between him and her father. A bit like a father/son relationship, both experiencing something they never had. Rory liked what she heard and say. He had definitely matured from the Tristan that she had got to know a long time ago.
So basically, after four hours of driving, they talked about everything about themselves, everybody around them, except the subject of Tristan and Rory.
* * * * *
"Did you catch that sign?"
"What sign?"
"The one that just passed that indicated when the next gas station was."
"Did it have a coffee sign indictating they provided food?"
"Uh.I don't think so."
"Then, no, I didn't see it."
"Well, I'm running low on gas, we're going to make a stop at the next service station.
* * * * *
It was nearly 8 p.m. when they pulled up at a service station. Tristan had exited the car to get gas and Rory waited in the car.
Tristan tapped Rory's side of the window from the outside. She depressed the button that brought the window down.
"I have to make a call. I'll be right back, don't miss me too much." He flashed her a smile and strode off.
Ha. Rory thought, still the same charming guy. She had enough of sitting in the limited area and decided to get out and stretch her legs and get some fresh air. From her spot, she spotted Tristan a few feet away. His back was to her and he couldn't see her. She was wondering who he was talking to. A girlfriend maybe? Nah, he had specifically told her that he wasn't seeing anyone. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but she could hear Tristan's side of the conversation.
"Hey Nick, how's it going?"
So it was a guy, a colleague maybe.
"I'm at a gas station right now. Five hours away from New York actually."
"Calm down man, that's what I called to tell you. I can't make it tonight."
"Well something important came up."
"I know Stacey's waiting for me, but she should get the idea that I'm
not interested, so no matter how many of these types of "gatherings"
that she tries to set up, I'm.not.interested. End of story."
Rory stood there stunned. So he did have plans. But its not like she imposed on him, he had insisted. Still, he had lied to her. Before she could hear the rest of his conversation, she reentered the car.
Tristan hung up the phone and walked back to the car.
"Did ya miss me much?"
No answer.
"Aw come on, Mary. Don' t pout, I promise I won't leave you ever again."
He only managed to get a tiny smile from Rory. Animated Rory had turned into mute Rory. She was staring ahead wordlessly.
Tristan kept on driving. Talk about moodswings. Then, the silence was broken by the soft words of Rory.
"Why did you lie Tristan?
"What do you mean?" her accusingly hurt tone was enough to want him to throw himself at her feet for forgiveness, although he wasn't even sure what he did.
Rory sighed, and turned to face him, "I overheard your conversation when I got out of the car to stretch. You said you didn't have plans, but there you were canceling you plans."
Tristan shook his incredulously, here she was patronizing him for helping her out, "I admit, I did have plans, but it's not like I wanted to go anyways."
"You let down a friend. Maybe it wasn't important for you, but it was probably important for them."
Tristan couldn't believe this, he was starting to get angry, "You're important to me okay! I care about you! Do you know how much it hurt me to see you so frantic and anxious to see Sookie?
By now Tristan had pulled to the side of the road. He had started this and he was going to finish this.
"Why are you so stubborn that you can't you just realize that I was willing to help you out. I did a nice thing, accept it!"
He could tell Rory wanted to say something, but he wasn't done.
"You're always so quick to assume that I'm doing something wrong. It never clicks in that head of yours that maybe I'm doing all this because I like you!"
There he said it, he finally said it. Rory was at a loss for words. She all of a sudden felt so sick, so guilty, so ashamed of herself. Tristan lowered his voice just a notch.
"I've always wanted a chance with you. But you were too stubborn to see that I liked you and that could be something more between us."
"Tristan, I-"
"You know what. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said all of that. I should of just left it as wanting to help a friend in need."
"No."
Tristan looked at her quizzically and opened his mouth to say something. But before he knew it, Rory had leaned over and placed her lips on his. It was a light kiss and she lingered there for a few seconds, letting a stunned Tristan collect his thoughts and realize what was going on. She pulled back, her face only centimeters apart and gave him a slight smile, "not too stubborn now am I."
Tristan had just recovered to find that he hadn't properly enjoyed the moment. He wanted seconds. He cupped Rory's face in his hands and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. Never, in ten years, had he pictured it like this. On the side of the highway. His hands roamed up and down her side and Rory slid her fingers through his hair. She let out an involuntary moan as Tristan trailed kisses along her jaw and worked on her neck. Both letting go of some of the sexual tension that had been built up between the two.
After what seemed like a good few minutes, they broke away, both of their breathing laboured. They didn't pull apart from each other though.
The sun hadn't completely set and the sky was painted in hues of pink and orange. It cast a warm glow on Rory's face as Tristan stared longingly at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were swollen. It made him want to forget everything and go at it right then and there. But he couldn't. There were so many complications to that. They still needed to make it to Hartford. He looked at her for any signs of regret. He saw none.
He swallowed, "that was..wow." he gave her a slight grin.
"Yeah, it was." They both spoke in hushed voices, as though afraid to shatter the peacefulness of the situation.
"Does that mean you forgive me?"
Rory smiled, all that had been long forgotten, "We'll see."
Tristan leaned in again and gave a short sweet kiss, "how about now?"
Rory put on a confused look, and said, "I'm starting to forget what I'm forgiving you for."
He leaned in and kissed her again, "and now?"
She smiled and said before capturing his lips again, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
-------
Second, a few words from me,
WOW. Longest chapter yet.
Soooo, what'd you think? Finally got some Trory action for you guys there, hope it was worth the wait. There'll be more to come!
Ok, I have some issues to clear up.
Were they in their Sophomore year when Tristan left for North Carolina? HOW THE F- DO YOU PUT THINGS IN ITALICS OR BOLD?! Dun worry, I love third eye blind, all the remarks about Metallica and Radiohead were actually made up. It was based on comments friends had told me. To be honest, I had no idea what I was talking about. That part was actually hard to write. MEN IN SUITS - - - *THUD* JULIANNE- thanks for the feedback and for reviewing each chapter. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT! THANKS TO ALL THE REVIEWERS!
R A C H