A/N: hellloooooo! I'm back again. Thank you so much for all the reviews and all your ideas. Sorry I don't have time to give all of you guys credit for your great stuff, but I love you all so much! I hope that you guys will like the results. Oh and by the way, I've gotten a couple of rather nasty reviews. Let me just say, if you hate my story that much, don't read it!

Oh, and funny how when you do spell check, the computer goes crazy over the hoobastank song. Apparently instead of the line being "Is it me?" It should be "Is it I?" ha ha. Trying singing that. It would totally make the song sound much more bizarre.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore girls, or the hoobastank son running away. I'm just kinda borrowing them…

Chapter 14: Running Away

Running Away

I don't want you to give it all up

and leave your own life collecting dust

and I don't want you to feel sorry for me

you never gave us a chance to be

And I don't need you to be by my side

and tell me that everything's all right

I just wanted you to tell me the truth

You know I'd do that for you

So why are you running away?

Why are you running away?

I did enough to show you that I was willing to give and sacrifice

and I was the one who was lifting you up

when you thought your life had had enough

when I get close you turn away, nothing that I can do or say

so now I need you to tell me the truth

you know I would do that for you

So why are you running away?

Why are you running away?

Is it me? Is it you?

Nothing that

I can do

To make you change your mind

Is it me? Is it you?

Nothing that

I can do

Is it a waste of time?

Is it me? Is it you?

Nothing that

I can do

to make you change your mind

So why are you running away?

Why are you running away?

(What is it I have to say?)

So why are you running away?

(To make you admit you're afraid)

Why are you running away?

Rory put down the letter. It had been lying on the floor by the front door, slipped under sometime that morning by Tristan. She had immediately recognized the Hoobastank song, it being one of her favorites when it had been a hit years ago.

She grabbed her coat and mittens off her desk.

"I'm going out for a while Mom," she yelled up the stairs.

Lorelai smiled to herself.

*****

She found him sitting on the bridge, head on his knees, staring at the swan.

"What made you think of the Hoobastank song?"

He turned around, startled at the sound of her voice. "I was really thinking about what your Mom said to me. It just came to mind. And the song works from your perception too. It kinda describes our relationship from either perspective."

Rory nodded, taking a seat beside him. She let her feet dangle over the side of the bridge, grateful that her toes didn't quite reach the water. It was extremely cold for September, and the water would be close to freezing.

"I haven't been here in years."

"It's so peaceful. If I lived here, this would definitely be my refuge."

Rory looked around. "This was my spot with Jess."

Tristan looked at her. She was staring off sadly in the distance.

"I'm sorry. This place probably has bad karma."

"It's okay. I got over him a long time ago."

He nodded and put his head back down. They sat in silence for a long time, just listening to the rustling of the leaves in the wind.

"What made you decide to come to Stars Hollow? It's been more than two weeks since I left London."

"The dishes came."

"What?"

"The dishes. The Blue Willow ones. They showed up on the doorstep two days ago. Then I remembered what I said to you about making a mosaic of your face. Well, after smashing up a couple of plates, I realized it's easier said than done. So I looked at my options. One, stay there and talk to a mosaic that didn't resemble you at all, or two, come here and talk to you in person."

"You didn't," Rory said, starting to laugh softly.

"No," he answered, smiling. "But I did think about making the mosaic. But I had no hammer. So, coming here was the most logical option."

Rory smiled. "I've missed you Tris."

"I've missed you more than you would know."

Rory scooted closer to him and leaned her head on his strong shoulder. "Where do we go from here?"

"That depends on you Mare," he said. "You know where I stand, but I don't know where you are."

Rory looked across the water, watching the swans play. She drew a long breath. "I'm falling Tris."

He smiled, his heart pounding with joy. Gently, he kissed her forehead. "I'll be here to catch you."

Rory's blue eyes met his, and a smile grew across her face. "I love you Tristan."

He leaned down and kissed her softly, finally giving in to their feelings. Rory moved her hand across his cheek, and Tristan felt the sensation of cold medal.

He broke their kiss and took hold of her left hand.

"You're still wearing your ring," he said.

Rory stared at her hand, as if seeing the jewel for the first time. "Yah, I guess I am."

"You know what that means," Tristan said.

"What?"

"We're going to have to get married."

Rory looked at him quizzically. "Isn't that moving a bit fast?"

"Last time we were engaged we weren't even dating. I would say we are definitely making progress."

"We'll take it slow though, right?"

Tristan thought for a minute. "You know, I've never really done slow, but I'm always up for the challenge."

Rory smiled and kissed him again. There they sat, watching the beautiful September sunset in each other's arms.

a/n: you know, I don't know if swans really hang out in ponds when the water is as cold as I just made it. Are there even swans around in September? Do swans fly south for the winter? Wow, I just totally confused myself. Anyway, sorry if the swan thing is inaccurate, cause now I'm just too lazy to change it!