DISCLAIMER: Ahem, no.
A/N: You readers are so incredibly awesome! I can't believe how good you are at reviewing and telling me what you think, but still being encouraging at the same time. It makes me feel so good, really, and I just want you all to keep up the good work, 'cuz you rock!
* * * * * *
A Kiss Is Still A Kiss
PART V: Well Someone Had Their Wheaties Today
What in Sam Hill was going on? She let him kiss her! In fact, she invited the kiss, practically begging for it. Rory doesn't beg unless there is coffee involved, and she certainly didn't beg Tristan, of all people. Did the madness never end?
Rory pondered over that question after school while sitting on the couch and pretending to do her homework. She knew she couldn't focus, but she figured she'd better try, because soon she was going to drive herself insane. This whole 'overly-seductive-Tristan' ordeal was beginning to bug her -- not because of the ordeal, but because of how she was responding to it. One look, one smirk, one kiss from Mr. Sexy Pants and her quip reserve was on empty. She had to think of something to do or else there would be no turning back, and Tristan very well might get his way after all.
But alas, there would be no more deliberating, for it was prevented by a ringing of the doorbell. Setting aside her books, she made her way to the door and opened it.
" Too busy to call your best friend are you, especially when she's so desperate she'd murder for a breath of fresh air?!"
Rory merely smiled at the animated Korean girl before her and stepped aside to let her in.
" Hi Lane."
" You are seriously going to have to reevaluate your priorities, Rory, because slacking is prohibited. God, my mom has been driving me up the wall with bible studies and memory verses and worship tapes -- did you know they make sermons on CD now as well," Lane prattled on, making her way into the living room.
" I was not aware of that fact," Rory admitted.
" Yes well, it isn't enough we have to listen to them at home all day long, but she plays them in the car too. A nightmare would be some sort of cruel euphemism for my life, honestly."
When Rory didn't respond with some sort of sharp witticism, Lane gave her the once over, plopping down on the couch.
" Man you're slow today, have you had enough coffee?"
" I'm just a little tired."
" Oh that's exactly the word I was looking for, how about half-dead?"
Rory gazed wearily at nothing and heaved a sigh.
" Alright what's wrong," Lane asked finally.
" Am I an easy target?"
" For what exactly?"
" Guys?"
Lane stared at Rory in an uneasy fashion and proceeded to answer.
" Just guys in general," she clarified.
" Yeah."
Silence and pausing ...
" Well, what guys do you want to target you, is the real question here Rory."
" Do I have to want someone to target me?"
" Yes, or else you wouldn't be asking."
Rory stopped talking to think about what she was really asking Lane to begin with.
" I guess I'm trying to make sense of this whole thing with Tristan -- you know, with the flirting, and the kissing, and the touching -- and the flirting and the kissing and the more touching, I'm telling you, it's a cycle."
" Do you like it?"
Did she like it? That was an inquiry she had yet to address, and she honestly had to ponder seriously her contribution to the fiasco.
" No! I mean -- yeah ... kinda, not really, but ... yes, I'm not sure."
" Please don't be so decisive," Lane quipped dryly.
" I sound confused because he makes me confused," she reasoned.
" So make him confused back."
" Huh?"
" He confuses you and makes you question everything, so, to put it in cliché terms, give him a taste of his own medicine -- that way, you'll know whether or not he's playing with you or he actually wants you like he says he does -- it's full-proof, I guarantee it."
" No you don't understand -- you don't surprise Tristan, you don't play with Tristan, it just doesn't happen. He's got this radar thing, I swear he can smell fear and he lives off of it."
" Maybe he smells something else -- like intrigue," Lane proposed.
" From who? You can't mean me," Rory retorted.
" What have you really done to stop the situation from accelerating? A 'no' here, a 'stop it' there -- to a guy, that's as good as a direct invitation."
" So what're you saying? I should just pour more grease on the grease fire in hopes of it going out? You'd make a terrible fireman, you know."
" We're not talking about fire safety, we're talking about you taking control -- all I'm saying is tease him a little, see where it goes, it could work if you go about it the right way," Lane advised wisely.
Before Rory could contemplate the validity of her best friend's words, there was another ring at the doorbell. Rolling her eyes at the interruption, she stalked over and flung the door open for the second time that day.
" Hi," the other voice said in greeting.
" Dean."
" I called you last night," he informed her, wondering if she was going to let him in.
" Yeah - my mom told me."
Dean nodded and expected a reply, but he received none. Rory was in a daze - how long had it been since she had seen his face? Too long, she gathered, by how much she was staring and long it was taking her to respond.
" Rory? You okay?"
" I'm fine - do you wanna come in?"
" Uh, sure."
She opened the door wider so his unusually tall frame could fit through and shut it behind him.
Lane just stood there, looking between the two of them.
" I think I should go - Momma might reinstate the whole tracking device thing if I'm out too long."
" We wouldn't want that," Rory conceded, grinning.
" Yeah - I'll talk to you later - bye Dean," Lane said over her shoulder and quickly exited the premises.
Now it was just the two of them. Dean decided to be the first to break the silence.
" So ... how have you been?"
His voice alarmed her, it having previously been so quiet.
" Okay."
" I really miss you, Rory."
**Man, he doesn't beat around the bush, does he?**
" I miss you too."
" So what does that mean," he asked nervously.
" I'm not really sure, actually."
* * * * * *
" I said no, why do you insist on begging, why does she insist on begging?"
Sookie shrugged, knowing not to get in the middle of Luke and Lorelai's secretly flirtatious bouts over coffee.
" I've gave up trying to figure that one out," she explained.
" Maybe because I'm praying one day the frigid coating over your pea- sized heart will melt and you'll finally give in to my every demand."
Not liking the evil gleam in her eye and having been over this with Lorelai numerous times, Luke just decided to ignore her.
" So what were you saying about the loser who's chasing after Rory," he changed the subject.
" Oh well, what else can be said? He is single-handedly trying to win over Rory's heart by going over the top with displays of affection, all the while disregarding her pleas to the contrary."
" He sounds like a jerk," Luke concluded with his constant blandness.
" You don't think it's the least bit adorable that my daughter has someone hopelessly chasing after her," Lorelai inquired, her eyebrows quirked and a smile on her face.
" I think it's sad and I feel bad for the both of them."
" What does this Tristan look like, he sounds awful mysterious and handsome," Sookie contributed to the conversation.
" Well I haven't actually seen him myself, but Rory says he's boy- band material."
Sookie's eyes widened at the prospect.
" Ooo, that sounds fantastic, is she going to be bringing him home any time soon? When do we get to meet him? Can I bring food, let's make an event out of it, maybe a picnic or something, I'll start making arrangements!"
" Now hold on a second sister, I don't think Tristan is the 'bring him home to Momma' type - he sounds like the 'don't ever in a million years tell Momma you're even dating him' type," Lorelai corrected.
" That's because that's exactly what he is, you see, guys like him - they weasel their way into the hearts of innocent young teenage girls, promising them the world in all its glory, then end up leaving them pregnant and alone with an endless string of sexually transmitted diseases, it's more than a common story, it's fact."
Both Lorelai and Sookie stared at Luke blankly.
" Has one of these men broken your heart too, Lukey?"
He rolled his eyes at Lorelai's teasing, heading to the kitchen.
" Why do I even bother," he mumbled to himself.
" Hey while you're back there, see if you can find the nice guy who usually gives me coffee when I ask for it," she called after him.
" One of these days he's gonna crack, y'know," Sookie warned.
" Oh I'm counting on it - that way, I can have all the Luke's coffee I want with out any obstacles or hindrances."
" But what's Luke's coffee without a Luke to give it to you, then it's just coffee."
Lorelai gasped in horror.
" What sort of demonic speech is this? It's never 'just coffee', I demand you recant your sacrilegious abominations and, when we get home, swear on Mr. Coffee that you will never utter such words for as long as you shall live - which may end up being a lot shorter should you blaspheme against the sacred name of coffee ever again!"
" Wow, that time I thought a blood vessel might pop, you're getting a lot better with the guilt!"
" Really? Was it believable? I really tried to dig deep with the unholiness and all that ..."
" Luke won't know what to do with himself."
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
" But seriously, you're okay with this Tristan/Rory thing?"
Lorelai pondered briefly and nodded.
" Of course I can't be totally certain how pure his intentions really are, but I do believe that Rory has a habit of attracting really nice guys -- even if they do break her heart and dump her on anniversary dates, that's not really not what I was trying to say. What I was trying to say was I trust Rory's judgment more than I fear his resolve to seduce her."
" Yeah I see your point. Never in all my days did I see a girl with more prudence than our Rory, she's -- she's a sharp one," Sookie agreed.
" The sharpest, and guess who she gets it from?"
" Chris?"
" Uh, no."
" Your parents, it's gotta be one of them -- no, don't tell me, I bet it's your mom, she's so smart it's scary."
" Y'know, you're really making it obvious you're trying to think of a lot of other less-than-qualified individuals and you don't wanna say me, so, I suggest you give it up."
" Ah well, effort is 90% of the battle."
" At least you admit defeat."
* * * * * *
Rory stewed over her and Dean's conversation the previous afternoon as she unloaded her book bag into the locker the next morning. They had acknowledged their feelings for each other and agreed that being apart would only create distance between them instead of bringing them closer, yet no real step toward reestablishing a relationship had been made. So where did that leave her? What did she really want?
At first, the only answer to that question would have been Dean. But Tristan and his slightly changed behavior had brought a new facet to her emotional life that she wasn't sure she could handle. Life, she was sure, was not supposed to be this complicated.
The sight of Paris flouncing down the hallway only increased her anxiety.
" You and Tristan are going out now right?"
" No."
" So what, was this some sort of desperate ploy you concocted just to spite me?!"
" You really think I'm that underhanded," Rory countered.
" I don't have to think, the facts speak for themselves!"
" Paris ..."
" Oh that's just the tip of the iceberg, the real kicker is you thought you could lie to me about it," Paris spued, her eyes brimming with contempt.
" Paris, we're friends -- or at least I thought we were - why would I lie about something like this?"
" Correction, we aren't friends, we never were friends and why wouldn't you? 'Forget Paris the loser (A/N: From "The Third Lorelai"), I've known all along Tristan wants me, so why don't I just turn a blind eye to her feelings for him and move in for the kill', it was just that easy, wasn't it?!"
" The real question here, Paris, is why you automatically assume the worst about me! I've tried, oh God knows I've tried, to be your friend and you always give me a hard time about everything, why?!"
" Because by some detestable act of ill-fated favor, all that I once could have indirectly called my own before the beginning of this year has been stolen from me and passed on to you and I hate it!!!"
Not able to offer any sort of consolation or reaction, Rory just watched Paris storm down the hallway, knocking over everything in her path.
What had happened to destroy the borderline friendship between them? It certainly wasn't her doing, no ... a certain blonde-haired Chiltonite came to mind as the perfect match for a culprit. Surprisingly, she had not seen him yet that morning and could've called herself looking for him, expecting him even, until now. Now, she was going to make him pay - she just wasn't sure how that could be successfully accomplished. There was no time to think now, she had to find him and make him pay. So, she threw her backpack down on the ground and headed off.
Cutting through the endless stream of students, her long brown hair flying behind her, she spotted the offender leaning (what a shock) against a row of lockers, talking to his friends - an innocuous act on the surface, but she knew what was beneath ... some not-so-innocuous acts to counter it. Stalking up to the group, she halted and crossed her arms cantankerously across her chest.
Tristan, feeling the gust of wind her fast pace had brought with her, looked over and acknowledged her presence.
Enter the charming smile.
" Rory."
Why was she there again? No, resolve must be maintained, stay strong and focus.
" We need to talk."
" Oka -"
Before he could finish what he was going to say, his arm was yanked and he was already being dragged to God-knows-where with a bunch of confused faces staring back at him.
Tristan almost couldn't keep up with her fiery gait and tripped over himself quite frequently while making efforts.
" What has gotten into you," he managed to ask, but to no avail, because she would hear none of it.
Soon, they reached a more secluded hallway, where Rory proceeded to push him against a new row of lockers in a very forceful manner and glower at him in disdain.
He winced at the impact but immediately recovered, encouraged by the blazing inferno in her wide blue eyes.
" Well someone had their Wheaties today."
" Shut up."
Her venomous words caused his expression to flatten in fear.
" You know, you're unbelievable. You single-handedly ruin one of the only pending friendships I have in this God-forsaken place, and then you suggest all sorts of redolent things about me that're supposed to somehow change my perspective on you - how do you manage it? I mean, how can you honestly live with yourself? Well?! Come on! Speak up!"
After gawking at her unhinged anger, Tristan tried to ease the tension by laughing uneasily.
" Rory I ..."
" Oh shut up, I didn't ask you to talk! It amazes me that someone so full of themselves could even pay attention to anything else besides pruning and primping their already-enormous ego, I'm surprised I can even breath around you with all the space it's taking up! Isn't it heavy?! Doesn't it weigh you down?! Doesn't' it?!"
" Rory!"
" Shut up! That's great, wonderful, my mouth opens, so you mindlessly assume I want you to say something when I'm done! Guess you didn't get the little memo that says the world doesn't revolve around Tristan, now did you?! That is it! I've had enough!"
To say she had baffled him before would be of no comparison to this situation right now.
" W-what did I do?!"
" Didn't I just tell you to shut up?! But no, you don't wanna listen to anything except the sound of your own voice!"
" I just want to know what the hell's going on," he told her frankly.
" I'll tell you what the hell's going on!"
He waited with all the patience he could muster but no words came. What he got instead was a heated stare from Rory - and he was almost positive that there was something else in the stare besides derision ... could it be .... No, that's impossible, Rory doesn't look at him like that. He was just seeing things, she wasn't looking at him like she - wanted to kiss him, no, that's absurd.
Before he could get another thought in edgewise, she had already grabbed his face and was kissing him with more passion than he had ever deemed imaginable. He would've pulled away to get a better grasp on the circumstances and then kiss her with more confidence, but her tongue demanding access to his mouth prevented him from any sort of coherent activity.
No! He had to make sense of this, he had to understand her intentions in the predicament, he couldn't be left in the dark. Clarity must be reached!
" Wait, Rory stop."
He never thought he would utter those words ever in his life.
" What," she questioned in a lethargic state.
" This is nice, really ..."
" Nice?"
" Okay, this is completely better than nice, but I seriously have to know what's going on with you."
Her brow furrowed in bewilderment.
" I thought this is what you wanted."
" It is," he interjected a little too enthusiastically.
" It is, I just -- I wanna know why you're doing this -- with me."
" Because I want to ... and you're a good kisser .... and I'm taking my friend's advice."
Now it was his turned to be perplexed -- did she just say ...?
" Wait, what?"
" Just kiss me and stop asking so many questions, you're ruining the moment."
" Well when you put it that way ..."
Tristan was then cut off from any further discussion by Rory's lips on his, and that moment ended up being just as good as the first, his arms winding tighter around her waist while one of her hands rested on his face and the other clung to the back of his neck.
Then, the hands became more rampant, the kissing became more intense, and Rory became more aggressive, moving forward so his back was once more up against the locker and he would have no place to go -- not that he would go anywhere, but this was all about control, now wasn't it?
Rory's body being pressed fervently to his was beginning to be a difficult task to handle, and since air was a necessity for humans, there was a mutual consensus that the kissing must be put on hiatus for the time being. Plus, the warning bell to begin 1st period had just rung. Tristan couldn't help himself, and the grin found its way back to his handsome visage.
" Good Lord woman, I have no idea what you put in your coffee this morning -- but please put in there again tomorrow."
" Must be the puppy chow," she mumbled, leaning her forehead on his and receiving an affectionate nuzzle in return.
" I hope not, 'cuz that's beyond disgusting."
They shared a laugh, and the there was quiet for a little while, save the distant bustling of school activity.
" We should get to class," Rory reminded.
" Now is that really necessary?"
" It is if you want to do something with your life."
" One absence doesn't make a noticeable difference, Mary."
" See here, Mr. DuGrey, I will not have you traipsing around God knows where doing God knows what with God knows whom and wasting your precious Chilton education, it just won't happen."
" And who am I to refuse such a pretty face?"
" Smooth-talker -- too bad it's not getting you anywhere except to class," she hinted, slowly unraveling from the embrace and pulling him in the right direction.
" Who would I be if I didn't at least try," he reasoned.
" Well, someone with half a brain, of course."
" That's the best you can do?"
" Given the proper amount of recuperation time, I'm sure a satisfactory comeback could be made."
" Recuperation, eh? Had you reeling pretty bad, didn't I?"
She took notice of how their hands had remained joined up until this point and smiled at how her next words sounded in her head.
" When I'm finished with you, you won't even remember what reeling is," she shot back indicatively, stepping in front of him to plant a solitary kiss on his unsuspecting mouth.
" Why do I like the sound of that?"
" Because you're a glutton for punishment -- by the way, I might be getting back with Dean tonight," Rory rushed out, releasing her grip and tearing down the hallway.
The words still hurt, but they didn't seem to carry the same sting as before -- maybe it was how she said them.
" You're a malicious woman, Mary -- this is far from over," he called after her desperately.
Around the corner, Rory was dying of laughter and attempting to walk to class at the same time. She made a mental note to thank Lane for the tip.
* * * * * *
So? Okay, perhaps? I know, I've been gone a while, but I've been working super-duper hard on this chapter, so I hope you all like it. R&R, that's all I ask!!!
Alrighty, it's shout-out time:
Surya (my homeslice -- oh chica, how I love thee!), LandonLover, Tristanlover59, JuJuBean, I love you (though that's not really a name per say, but thanx for the review just the same!!), Mrs. Witter (I am in awe ... you rock!), flossie, swimminsweetie, jesika090, Sparkles, BTVSGoddess, Samantha, french05, Lauren, cool (also not a name, hehe!), piper-h-99, Amber, girl devil, ZoeLuv80, Me, SevereSweetie, klm111a, LizDarcy, tearose, Elise (an honor, I assure you), Stargirl, Little Miss Lena, katia, klara, KaylaW, ... (that's just dots, but it's a review, so, hey, no complaints!), baby doll_0101, jayce, Trory4ever (oh Chellie, much love!) and Nikki
GEEZ!!! You guys are so awesome! I know I use that word a lot, but you are! I can't begin to describe! And there are so many review vets that have been with me since the beginning (even though my fic isn't that long) -- you know who you are, and thank you so much! Happy reading!!!
A/N: You readers are so incredibly awesome! I can't believe how good you are at reviewing and telling me what you think, but still being encouraging at the same time. It makes me feel so good, really, and I just want you all to keep up the good work, 'cuz you rock!
* * * * * *
A Kiss Is Still A Kiss
PART V: Well Someone Had Their Wheaties Today
What in Sam Hill was going on? She let him kiss her! In fact, she invited the kiss, practically begging for it. Rory doesn't beg unless there is coffee involved, and she certainly didn't beg Tristan, of all people. Did the madness never end?
Rory pondered over that question after school while sitting on the couch and pretending to do her homework. She knew she couldn't focus, but she figured she'd better try, because soon she was going to drive herself insane. This whole 'overly-seductive-Tristan' ordeal was beginning to bug her -- not because of the ordeal, but because of how she was responding to it. One look, one smirk, one kiss from Mr. Sexy Pants and her quip reserve was on empty. She had to think of something to do or else there would be no turning back, and Tristan very well might get his way after all.
But alas, there would be no more deliberating, for it was prevented by a ringing of the doorbell. Setting aside her books, she made her way to the door and opened it.
" Too busy to call your best friend are you, especially when she's so desperate she'd murder for a breath of fresh air?!"
Rory merely smiled at the animated Korean girl before her and stepped aside to let her in.
" Hi Lane."
" You are seriously going to have to reevaluate your priorities, Rory, because slacking is prohibited. God, my mom has been driving me up the wall with bible studies and memory verses and worship tapes -- did you know they make sermons on CD now as well," Lane prattled on, making her way into the living room.
" I was not aware of that fact," Rory admitted.
" Yes well, it isn't enough we have to listen to them at home all day long, but she plays them in the car too. A nightmare would be some sort of cruel euphemism for my life, honestly."
When Rory didn't respond with some sort of sharp witticism, Lane gave her the once over, plopping down on the couch.
" Man you're slow today, have you had enough coffee?"
" I'm just a little tired."
" Oh that's exactly the word I was looking for, how about half-dead?"
Rory gazed wearily at nothing and heaved a sigh.
" Alright what's wrong," Lane asked finally.
" Am I an easy target?"
" For what exactly?"
" Guys?"
Lane stared at Rory in an uneasy fashion and proceeded to answer.
" Just guys in general," she clarified.
" Yeah."
Silence and pausing ...
" Well, what guys do you want to target you, is the real question here Rory."
" Do I have to want someone to target me?"
" Yes, or else you wouldn't be asking."
Rory stopped talking to think about what she was really asking Lane to begin with.
" I guess I'm trying to make sense of this whole thing with Tristan -- you know, with the flirting, and the kissing, and the touching -- and the flirting and the kissing and the more touching, I'm telling you, it's a cycle."
" Do you like it?"
Did she like it? That was an inquiry she had yet to address, and she honestly had to ponder seriously her contribution to the fiasco.
" No! I mean -- yeah ... kinda, not really, but ... yes, I'm not sure."
" Please don't be so decisive," Lane quipped dryly.
" I sound confused because he makes me confused," she reasoned.
" So make him confused back."
" Huh?"
" He confuses you and makes you question everything, so, to put it in cliché terms, give him a taste of his own medicine -- that way, you'll know whether or not he's playing with you or he actually wants you like he says he does -- it's full-proof, I guarantee it."
" No you don't understand -- you don't surprise Tristan, you don't play with Tristan, it just doesn't happen. He's got this radar thing, I swear he can smell fear and he lives off of it."
" Maybe he smells something else -- like intrigue," Lane proposed.
" From who? You can't mean me," Rory retorted.
" What have you really done to stop the situation from accelerating? A 'no' here, a 'stop it' there -- to a guy, that's as good as a direct invitation."
" So what're you saying? I should just pour more grease on the grease fire in hopes of it going out? You'd make a terrible fireman, you know."
" We're not talking about fire safety, we're talking about you taking control -- all I'm saying is tease him a little, see where it goes, it could work if you go about it the right way," Lane advised wisely.
Before Rory could contemplate the validity of her best friend's words, there was another ring at the doorbell. Rolling her eyes at the interruption, she stalked over and flung the door open for the second time that day.
" Hi," the other voice said in greeting.
" Dean."
" I called you last night," he informed her, wondering if she was going to let him in.
" Yeah - my mom told me."
Dean nodded and expected a reply, but he received none. Rory was in a daze - how long had it been since she had seen his face? Too long, she gathered, by how much she was staring and long it was taking her to respond.
" Rory? You okay?"
" I'm fine - do you wanna come in?"
" Uh, sure."
She opened the door wider so his unusually tall frame could fit through and shut it behind him.
Lane just stood there, looking between the two of them.
" I think I should go - Momma might reinstate the whole tracking device thing if I'm out too long."
" We wouldn't want that," Rory conceded, grinning.
" Yeah - I'll talk to you later - bye Dean," Lane said over her shoulder and quickly exited the premises.
Now it was just the two of them. Dean decided to be the first to break the silence.
" So ... how have you been?"
His voice alarmed her, it having previously been so quiet.
" Okay."
" I really miss you, Rory."
**Man, he doesn't beat around the bush, does he?**
" I miss you too."
" So what does that mean," he asked nervously.
" I'm not really sure, actually."
* * * * * *
" I said no, why do you insist on begging, why does she insist on begging?"
Sookie shrugged, knowing not to get in the middle of Luke and Lorelai's secretly flirtatious bouts over coffee.
" I've gave up trying to figure that one out," she explained.
" Maybe because I'm praying one day the frigid coating over your pea- sized heart will melt and you'll finally give in to my every demand."
Not liking the evil gleam in her eye and having been over this with Lorelai numerous times, Luke just decided to ignore her.
" So what were you saying about the loser who's chasing after Rory," he changed the subject.
" Oh well, what else can be said? He is single-handedly trying to win over Rory's heart by going over the top with displays of affection, all the while disregarding her pleas to the contrary."
" He sounds like a jerk," Luke concluded with his constant blandness.
" You don't think it's the least bit adorable that my daughter has someone hopelessly chasing after her," Lorelai inquired, her eyebrows quirked and a smile on her face.
" I think it's sad and I feel bad for the both of them."
" What does this Tristan look like, he sounds awful mysterious and handsome," Sookie contributed to the conversation.
" Well I haven't actually seen him myself, but Rory says he's boy- band material."
Sookie's eyes widened at the prospect.
" Ooo, that sounds fantastic, is she going to be bringing him home any time soon? When do we get to meet him? Can I bring food, let's make an event out of it, maybe a picnic or something, I'll start making arrangements!"
" Now hold on a second sister, I don't think Tristan is the 'bring him home to Momma' type - he sounds like the 'don't ever in a million years tell Momma you're even dating him' type," Lorelai corrected.
" That's because that's exactly what he is, you see, guys like him - they weasel their way into the hearts of innocent young teenage girls, promising them the world in all its glory, then end up leaving them pregnant and alone with an endless string of sexually transmitted diseases, it's more than a common story, it's fact."
Both Lorelai and Sookie stared at Luke blankly.
" Has one of these men broken your heart too, Lukey?"
He rolled his eyes at Lorelai's teasing, heading to the kitchen.
" Why do I even bother," he mumbled to himself.
" Hey while you're back there, see if you can find the nice guy who usually gives me coffee when I ask for it," she called after him.
" One of these days he's gonna crack, y'know," Sookie warned.
" Oh I'm counting on it - that way, I can have all the Luke's coffee I want with out any obstacles or hindrances."
" But what's Luke's coffee without a Luke to give it to you, then it's just coffee."
Lorelai gasped in horror.
" What sort of demonic speech is this? It's never 'just coffee', I demand you recant your sacrilegious abominations and, when we get home, swear on Mr. Coffee that you will never utter such words for as long as you shall live - which may end up being a lot shorter should you blaspheme against the sacred name of coffee ever again!"
" Wow, that time I thought a blood vessel might pop, you're getting a lot better with the guilt!"
" Really? Was it believable? I really tried to dig deep with the unholiness and all that ..."
" Luke won't know what to do with himself."
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
" But seriously, you're okay with this Tristan/Rory thing?"
Lorelai pondered briefly and nodded.
" Of course I can't be totally certain how pure his intentions really are, but I do believe that Rory has a habit of attracting really nice guys -- even if they do break her heart and dump her on anniversary dates, that's not really not what I was trying to say. What I was trying to say was I trust Rory's judgment more than I fear his resolve to seduce her."
" Yeah I see your point. Never in all my days did I see a girl with more prudence than our Rory, she's -- she's a sharp one," Sookie agreed.
" The sharpest, and guess who she gets it from?"
" Chris?"
" Uh, no."
" Your parents, it's gotta be one of them -- no, don't tell me, I bet it's your mom, she's so smart it's scary."
" Y'know, you're really making it obvious you're trying to think of a lot of other less-than-qualified individuals and you don't wanna say me, so, I suggest you give it up."
" Ah well, effort is 90% of the battle."
" At least you admit defeat."
* * * * * *
Rory stewed over her and Dean's conversation the previous afternoon as she unloaded her book bag into the locker the next morning. They had acknowledged their feelings for each other and agreed that being apart would only create distance between them instead of bringing them closer, yet no real step toward reestablishing a relationship had been made. So where did that leave her? What did she really want?
At first, the only answer to that question would have been Dean. But Tristan and his slightly changed behavior had brought a new facet to her emotional life that she wasn't sure she could handle. Life, she was sure, was not supposed to be this complicated.
The sight of Paris flouncing down the hallway only increased her anxiety.
" You and Tristan are going out now right?"
" No."
" So what, was this some sort of desperate ploy you concocted just to spite me?!"
" You really think I'm that underhanded," Rory countered.
" I don't have to think, the facts speak for themselves!"
" Paris ..."
" Oh that's just the tip of the iceberg, the real kicker is you thought you could lie to me about it," Paris spued, her eyes brimming with contempt.
" Paris, we're friends -- or at least I thought we were - why would I lie about something like this?"
" Correction, we aren't friends, we never were friends and why wouldn't you? 'Forget Paris the loser (A/N: From "The Third Lorelai"), I've known all along Tristan wants me, so why don't I just turn a blind eye to her feelings for him and move in for the kill', it was just that easy, wasn't it?!"
" The real question here, Paris, is why you automatically assume the worst about me! I've tried, oh God knows I've tried, to be your friend and you always give me a hard time about everything, why?!"
" Because by some detestable act of ill-fated favor, all that I once could have indirectly called my own before the beginning of this year has been stolen from me and passed on to you and I hate it!!!"
Not able to offer any sort of consolation or reaction, Rory just watched Paris storm down the hallway, knocking over everything in her path.
What had happened to destroy the borderline friendship between them? It certainly wasn't her doing, no ... a certain blonde-haired Chiltonite came to mind as the perfect match for a culprit. Surprisingly, she had not seen him yet that morning and could've called herself looking for him, expecting him even, until now. Now, she was going to make him pay - she just wasn't sure how that could be successfully accomplished. There was no time to think now, she had to find him and make him pay. So, she threw her backpack down on the ground and headed off.
Cutting through the endless stream of students, her long brown hair flying behind her, she spotted the offender leaning (what a shock) against a row of lockers, talking to his friends - an innocuous act on the surface, but she knew what was beneath ... some not-so-innocuous acts to counter it. Stalking up to the group, she halted and crossed her arms cantankerously across her chest.
Tristan, feeling the gust of wind her fast pace had brought with her, looked over and acknowledged her presence.
Enter the charming smile.
" Rory."
Why was she there again? No, resolve must be maintained, stay strong and focus.
" We need to talk."
" Oka -"
Before he could finish what he was going to say, his arm was yanked and he was already being dragged to God-knows-where with a bunch of confused faces staring back at him.
Tristan almost couldn't keep up with her fiery gait and tripped over himself quite frequently while making efforts.
" What has gotten into you," he managed to ask, but to no avail, because she would hear none of it.
Soon, they reached a more secluded hallway, where Rory proceeded to push him against a new row of lockers in a very forceful manner and glower at him in disdain.
He winced at the impact but immediately recovered, encouraged by the blazing inferno in her wide blue eyes.
" Well someone had their Wheaties today."
" Shut up."
Her venomous words caused his expression to flatten in fear.
" You know, you're unbelievable. You single-handedly ruin one of the only pending friendships I have in this God-forsaken place, and then you suggest all sorts of redolent things about me that're supposed to somehow change my perspective on you - how do you manage it? I mean, how can you honestly live with yourself? Well?! Come on! Speak up!"
After gawking at her unhinged anger, Tristan tried to ease the tension by laughing uneasily.
" Rory I ..."
" Oh shut up, I didn't ask you to talk! It amazes me that someone so full of themselves could even pay attention to anything else besides pruning and primping their already-enormous ego, I'm surprised I can even breath around you with all the space it's taking up! Isn't it heavy?! Doesn't it weigh you down?! Doesn't' it?!"
" Rory!"
" Shut up! That's great, wonderful, my mouth opens, so you mindlessly assume I want you to say something when I'm done! Guess you didn't get the little memo that says the world doesn't revolve around Tristan, now did you?! That is it! I've had enough!"
To say she had baffled him before would be of no comparison to this situation right now.
" W-what did I do?!"
" Didn't I just tell you to shut up?! But no, you don't wanna listen to anything except the sound of your own voice!"
" I just want to know what the hell's going on," he told her frankly.
" I'll tell you what the hell's going on!"
He waited with all the patience he could muster but no words came. What he got instead was a heated stare from Rory - and he was almost positive that there was something else in the stare besides derision ... could it be .... No, that's impossible, Rory doesn't look at him like that. He was just seeing things, she wasn't looking at him like she - wanted to kiss him, no, that's absurd.
Before he could get another thought in edgewise, she had already grabbed his face and was kissing him with more passion than he had ever deemed imaginable. He would've pulled away to get a better grasp on the circumstances and then kiss her with more confidence, but her tongue demanding access to his mouth prevented him from any sort of coherent activity.
No! He had to make sense of this, he had to understand her intentions in the predicament, he couldn't be left in the dark. Clarity must be reached!
" Wait, Rory stop."
He never thought he would utter those words ever in his life.
" What," she questioned in a lethargic state.
" This is nice, really ..."
" Nice?"
" Okay, this is completely better than nice, but I seriously have to know what's going on with you."
Her brow furrowed in bewilderment.
" I thought this is what you wanted."
" It is," he interjected a little too enthusiastically.
" It is, I just -- I wanna know why you're doing this -- with me."
" Because I want to ... and you're a good kisser .... and I'm taking my friend's advice."
Now it was his turned to be perplexed -- did she just say ...?
" Wait, what?"
" Just kiss me and stop asking so many questions, you're ruining the moment."
" Well when you put it that way ..."
Tristan was then cut off from any further discussion by Rory's lips on his, and that moment ended up being just as good as the first, his arms winding tighter around her waist while one of her hands rested on his face and the other clung to the back of his neck.
Then, the hands became more rampant, the kissing became more intense, and Rory became more aggressive, moving forward so his back was once more up against the locker and he would have no place to go -- not that he would go anywhere, but this was all about control, now wasn't it?
Rory's body being pressed fervently to his was beginning to be a difficult task to handle, and since air was a necessity for humans, there was a mutual consensus that the kissing must be put on hiatus for the time being. Plus, the warning bell to begin 1st period had just rung. Tristan couldn't help himself, and the grin found its way back to his handsome visage.
" Good Lord woman, I have no idea what you put in your coffee this morning -- but please put in there again tomorrow."
" Must be the puppy chow," she mumbled, leaning her forehead on his and receiving an affectionate nuzzle in return.
" I hope not, 'cuz that's beyond disgusting."
They shared a laugh, and the there was quiet for a little while, save the distant bustling of school activity.
" We should get to class," Rory reminded.
" Now is that really necessary?"
" It is if you want to do something with your life."
" One absence doesn't make a noticeable difference, Mary."
" See here, Mr. DuGrey, I will not have you traipsing around God knows where doing God knows what with God knows whom and wasting your precious Chilton education, it just won't happen."
" And who am I to refuse such a pretty face?"
" Smooth-talker -- too bad it's not getting you anywhere except to class," she hinted, slowly unraveling from the embrace and pulling him in the right direction.
" Who would I be if I didn't at least try," he reasoned.
" Well, someone with half a brain, of course."
" That's the best you can do?"
" Given the proper amount of recuperation time, I'm sure a satisfactory comeback could be made."
" Recuperation, eh? Had you reeling pretty bad, didn't I?"
She took notice of how their hands had remained joined up until this point and smiled at how her next words sounded in her head.
" When I'm finished with you, you won't even remember what reeling is," she shot back indicatively, stepping in front of him to plant a solitary kiss on his unsuspecting mouth.
" Why do I like the sound of that?"
" Because you're a glutton for punishment -- by the way, I might be getting back with Dean tonight," Rory rushed out, releasing her grip and tearing down the hallway.
The words still hurt, but they didn't seem to carry the same sting as before -- maybe it was how she said them.
" You're a malicious woman, Mary -- this is far from over," he called after her desperately.
Around the corner, Rory was dying of laughter and attempting to walk to class at the same time. She made a mental note to thank Lane for the tip.
* * * * * *
So? Okay, perhaps? I know, I've been gone a while, but I've been working super-duper hard on this chapter, so I hope you all like it. R&R, that's all I ask!!!
Alrighty, it's shout-out time:
Surya (my homeslice -- oh chica, how I love thee!), LandonLover, Tristanlover59, JuJuBean, I love you (though that's not really a name per say, but thanx for the review just the same!!), Mrs. Witter (I am in awe ... you rock!), flossie, swimminsweetie, jesika090, Sparkles, BTVSGoddess, Samantha, french05, Lauren, cool (also not a name, hehe!), piper-h-99, Amber, girl devil, ZoeLuv80, Me, SevereSweetie, klm111a, LizDarcy, tearose, Elise (an honor, I assure you), Stargirl, Little Miss Lena, katia, klara, KaylaW, ... (that's just dots, but it's a review, so, hey, no complaints!), baby doll_0101, jayce, Trory4ever (oh Chellie, much love!) and Nikki
GEEZ!!! You guys are so awesome! I know I use that word a lot, but you are! I can't begin to describe! And there are so many review vets that have been with me since the beginning (even though my fic isn't that long) -- you know who you are, and thank you so much! Happy reading!!!