*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the characters. All I
own is my imagination and the plot.
*A/N: I'll leave the rambling for later, please read the A/N at the bottom. Enjoy! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Tristan moaned as their was a knock on the door.
''Go away,'' he mumbled, as he turned onto his other side.
''Wake up !''
Tristan closed his eyes even tighter, trying to block out that rough voice and dreadful knocking. He was just having one of his rare pleasant dreams, though he had already trouble seeing the images that had been so clear only seconds before.
When the door flew open, so did his eyes, his dream nothing but a fading memory. He had always found it strange that he could remember something so small, as putting on his first shirt that he had bought himself, forever, bringing it up to the surface at the weirdest times, but yet he could only remember a dream the first few seconds after he had opened his eyes.
''Wake up, DuGrey.''
Yeah, these last four months he had had enough time to think, but he always managed to choose the wrong time.
''Lighten up man, it's Saturday.''
Tristan still wasn't used to these early wake-up calls, especially not on a Saturday. He was the kind of guy who liked to sleep late on a Saturday, spend almost an hour on his brunch, which consisted of only the best free- range eggs and the crispiest bacon. After that he liked to chill, watch some football, read a magazine, maybe a book if he had a little more time on his hands. And at night he liked to go out with a girl of his choice.......
The sergeant sighed and started to pull the covers off of Tristan. Tristan tried to reach for them, but it was too late. The sergeant dropped the covers and looked at the young man, who had an annoyed look on his face.
''Get out of bed.'' A small smile appeared on the sergeant's face, as he continued. ''And I suggest you take a cold shower.''
Tristan dropped his gaze to his boxers, already knowing what he would see. But he wasn't really to blame, after all, he hadn't been with a girl in more than four months now. And he was pretty sure that the sergeant got to see his wife at least once a week.
''Fine, I'm up,'' Tristan said, before realizing his unlucky choice of words.
The sergeant snickered as he left the room, giving Tristan some privacy.
*~*~*
''What are we doing here so early ?'' Lorelai whined, as she looked over at her daughter, who was standing next to her. ''Cause if you wanted to prove to me that Luke's looks exactly the same in the morning as it does in the afternoon, than you've made your point. Can we now take the point with us and go back to bed ?''
''Mom, I'm going to a basketball game with Lane, remember ?'' Rory said, trying to get her mom to remember.
''I don't remember any basketball game and even if I did, I still don't get why you had to drag me out of bed when everything's still dark. And I didn't here my name in your former sentence,'' Lorelai complained.
''The sun's already up.''
''That's because you dragged him out of bed too, leaving another country dark when it still had a couple of hours of light left.''
Lorelai yawned and returned her gaze to Luke's diner. ''Are you sure it's even open yet ?''
Rory nodded. ''Luke opens his doors at six.''
''Can we pretend that it's still closed ?''
Rory shook her head. ''Not a chance, let's go in.'' She reached for her mother's arm and started to pull her towards the door.
''You know, I don't like the dragging you,'' Lorelai commented, as they entered the diner, which was unusually empty. Lorelai pulled her arm free and looked around the diner. ''Look at how empty it is.''
''Scary.''
''It's like one of those spooky diners in an abandoned town, only it isn't abandoned.''
''Where do you wanna sit ?'' Rory asked.
''I can't make up my mind, there are too many tables.''
''Maybe we should sit at the counter,'' Rory suggested.
Lorelai nodded and headed for the counter with Rory by her side.
''You think Luke's in the back ?'' Rory asked, as she sat down on one of the stools.
Lorelai shrugged. ''I'll go check.''
''There will be no checking, I'm already here,'' Luke said, as he entered the diner.
''We noticed, but thanks for clarifying, now we know for sure that you're not floating around behind us or something, like one of those ghost people.''
''What are you two doing here so early ?'' Luke asked, not paying any attention to Lorelai's words.
''Me and Lane are going to some basketball game in Hartford, it starts in a couple of hours,'' Rory explained.
''And I'm just here, because I wanted to keep her company, on my own free will.''
''Right, so I'm guessing you two want coffee ?''
''Is there any other reason for us to come here ?'' Lorelai asked.
Luke nodded. ''I'll go get some coffee from the back.''
''I'm coming with you, so I can take in the coffee's smell. It's almost like tasting it, only you're smelling it, but it's so early that I'll take anything I can get.''
Luke shook his head, but didn't stop her from following him into the back. Just as her mom and Luke disappeared into the back, Jess made his way into the diner, an annoyed frown on his face.
''Hey,'' Rory said, trying not to sound too happy, knowing that Jess wouldn't appreciate it right now. ''What's wrong ?''
Jess shrugged, as he grabbed a donut and roughly placed the lid back down. ''I'm not in a after-the-rain-the-sun-will-shine kinda mood, nothing to worry about. It just happens every now and then. I blame it on this freaking town.''
''I'm sorry.''
Jess swallowed a piece of donut and looked at her. ''You should, since it's your fault.''
Rory smiled. ''Just try to find something to be happy about.''
''Top of the morning to you,'' Kirk said, as he sat down at one of the tables.
A smirk appeared on Jess' face as he glanced in Kirk's direction. ''I think I know a way to make my mood fade away.''
*~*~*
''So, what did you tell your mom ?'' Rory asked, as she and her best friend were on there way to the diner.
''Actually I didn't have to tell my mom anything. She's out of town until tonight, visiting a friend. A friend that is even more religious than her.''
''Sounds dangerous,'' Rory commented.
''Try sitting between them on a church bench, I was afraid to shift. Do you know how uncomfortable wood is.''
Rory smiled. ''So, you're sure she won't be back until tonight ?''
Lane nodded. ''Positive. But just in case I did come up with a back-up plan. See I tapped myself saying a couple of prayers and I set it on repeat, and my mother never questions or doubts me when I'm praying.''
''Unless she notices the fact that you keep repeating the same prayers over and over in the same tone.''
Lane gave her a look, but didn't make any returning comment. ''Whom's car are we taking anyway ?''
''Jess' , but is it cool if he comes with us ?'' Rory asked, quickly adding the last part.
''I doubts Mr. Genius will have fun at a basketball game, but sure.......''
Rory shook her head and hid a small smile. Even though Lane always had the most horrible things to say about Jess, Rory knew she didn't really mean it. The two of them could get along if they only tried. Sometimes they would even surprise themselves and have an actual conversation about music or books, if it happened to be a book that Lane had read.
Rory opened the door of the diner and found her way to the counter without even noticing. As soon as Jess saw them, he put away his back and walked over to them. He nodded. ''Hey.''
''Hey,'' Rory said, hearing Lane murmur something too.
''I'm guessing you guys didn't come here to exchange chitchat with me,'' Jess started, as he got his keys out of his pocket.
''He really is a genius,'' Lane said, rolling her eyes.
Rory shook her head. ''He's psychic.''
As she took the keys from Jess, their eyes met for a few already fading seconds. She knew that he was thinking about the same situation they were in almost four months ago. She knew, because the same memory was flashing in front of her eyes, only at a much greater speed than it should have gone. For a slight second Jess' eyes changed into Tristan's. His light eyes always had a calming affect on her, reminding her to slow down and enjoy life, just like he did........or used to do, depending on what military school was like for him. Rory lowered her eyes to Jess' keys.
''So, you wanna go with us ?''
''To a basketball game, in Hartford ?'' Jess asked, raising an eyebrow.
''See, I told you he probably didn't wanna go. I mean it's a basketball game and he doesn't really look like the type who goes to those sort of things.........''
''Unlike you, who naturally fits in with the crowd,'' Jess said, glaring at Lane. Lane childishly stuck out her tongue which caused just the hint of a smile to appear on his face. ''But since I'm getting sick of this diner, I'll go.''
''I'm still driving,'' Rory said, as she headed for the door.
''And I've got shotgun,'' Lane said, shooting Jess one last look before following Rory.
*~*~*
''Wow, outdoor bleachers,'' Lane said, sounding impressed by the steel structures that surrounded the basketball court.
''I wonder what she's like in the zoo,'' Jess mumbled, only loud enough for Rory to hear.
Rory softly laughed, as she followed Lane onto the crowded bleachers, hoping to find a place to sit. As couple of minutes after they had found a place to sit, the game started. Rory knew from experience that she wouldn't pay any attention to the game. She wasn't exactly into sports, especially not team sports. She preferred doing things on her own, that was she would be sure that things would be done on time.
Rory only decided to go, because Lane had begged her to go. For some reason Lane was really into socializing. Probably because she wasn't allowed to do almost everything. Rory stole a quick glance at Jess and wasn't surprised to find him reading one of his worn paperbacks he had bought just for occasions like these. She wished she had brought something to read with her, now she only had her thoughts to pass the time with. And lately that hadn't been a good thing. Every thought eventually lead to Tristan's departure and him promising to call her. Well, maybe he didn't promise her, but she thought that this was what he wanted. She wasn't blind or as naive as some people thought she was. Rory knew Tristan liked her and she figured that he probably knew that she liked him too. But recently she had been doubting everything. Maybe Tristan had just needed someone to help him out at that precise moment.
Suddenly she felt someone nudge her and she let all her thoughts fall to the bottom of her mind, leaving it blank.
''I just spotted the cutest guy I have ever seen,'' Lane said.
Rory contained the urge to roll her eyes, which Jess didn't. With Lane there was always a cutest guy everywhere. But Rory followed Lane's gaze everyone, leaving herself completely stunned at the sight of the guy Lane meant.
''Zack,'' Rory softly said.
''Are you just guessing or.........''
Rory shook her head. ''No, he goes to Chilton.''
Lane furrowed her eyebrows. ''He doesn't look like the blazer wearing type.''
The two girls remained silence for a little while, both staring at Zack. He looked so different than he did at Chilton. At Chilton he looked like just another one of the many, and here he actually stood out. Though Rory had to admit that he would probably stand out anywhere.
''Do you like him ?'' Lane asked.
Rory shrugged. ''I'm not sure yet.''
*~*~*
''So, who's Zack ?'' Jess asked, his voice barely above a whisper, because of the sleeping figure of Lane that was lying on the backseat.
''The new ruler of Chilton,'' Rory answered, not moving her eyes from the dark scenery behind her window, giving her a certain feel of security.
''What about Tristan ?'' Jess asked, before a silence could fell upon them.
''He hasn't tried to contact me yet.''
She kept her eyes on the landscape with it's vague and blurry lines, telling herself that that was the cause of the chilling feeling she got inside. Yet a feeling that could burn you once you've reached its edges.
*~*~*
Back at her house, Rory found a note of her mother, telling her that she was waiting at Luke's. Just as Rory put on a thicker jacket, the phone rang, forcing her mother to wait a few minutes longer.
''Hello ?'' Rory said, as she answered the phone, expecting to hear her mother's voice telling her that she was taking to long. But instead she heard nothing but a light breathing.
''Hello ? Who is this ?''
When an answer still didn't come, she hung up. Once again she made her way to the door, only finding herself to be interrupted again by the loud ringing of the phone. She sighed and picked up the phone.
''Hello ?'' she said patiently, assuming that it was the same person who has called before and deciding to give them another chance.
''Hey, Rory..........it's Zack.........''
Before Zack could say anything else, Rory hung up, not knowing that at the same time Zack was putting the phone back in its cradle with an amused grin.
*~*~*
''She wasn't home,'' Tristan said, as he left the office, cursing the fact that he didn't have the guts to say anything to her. Unfortunately, he now had another week to prepare himself for the next phone call.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? Though it might not seem as if I have a worked out plot, I do. It's just a bit confusing and I'm afraid there will be a lot of dialogue, which isn't my favorite thing to write. Like I have mentioned before, there will be Trory action, but it will take a little while for them to be together. Cause I still have a couple of things I want you to figure out about Zack. Lane and Jess were just put in the chapter as 'distractions'. It's just a really hard sequel to write, with Tristan being in military school and Rory being in Stars Hollow, so I hope you'll keep reading.
*Thanks again for your reviews, I really appreciate them, since I'm not so sure of this story. The thought of deleting it has crossed my mind........ Thanks though!!! :-)*
*A/N: I'll leave the rambling for later, please read the A/N at the bottom. Enjoy! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Tristan moaned as their was a knock on the door.
''Go away,'' he mumbled, as he turned onto his other side.
''Wake up !''
Tristan closed his eyes even tighter, trying to block out that rough voice and dreadful knocking. He was just having one of his rare pleasant dreams, though he had already trouble seeing the images that had been so clear only seconds before.
When the door flew open, so did his eyes, his dream nothing but a fading memory. He had always found it strange that he could remember something so small, as putting on his first shirt that he had bought himself, forever, bringing it up to the surface at the weirdest times, but yet he could only remember a dream the first few seconds after he had opened his eyes.
''Wake up, DuGrey.''
Yeah, these last four months he had had enough time to think, but he always managed to choose the wrong time.
''Lighten up man, it's Saturday.''
Tristan still wasn't used to these early wake-up calls, especially not on a Saturday. He was the kind of guy who liked to sleep late on a Saturday, spend almost an hour on his brunch, which consisted of only the best free- range eggs and the crispiest bacon. After that he liked to chill, watch some football, read a magazine, maybe a book if he had a little more time on his hands. And at night he liked to go out with a girl of his choice.......
The sergeant sighed and started to pull the covers off of Tristan. Tristan tried to reach for them, but it was too late. The sergeant dropped the covers and looked at the young man, who had an annoyed look on his face.
''Get out of bed.'' A small smile appeared on the sergeant's face, as he continued. ''And I suggest you take a cold shower.''
Tristan dropped his gaze to his boxers, already knowing what he would see. But he wasn't really to blame, after all, he hadn't been with a girl in more than four months now. And he was pretty sure that the sergeant got to see his wife at least once a week.
''Fine, I'm up,'' Tristan said, before realizing his unlucky choice of words.
The sergeant snickered as he left the room, giving Tristan some privacy.
*~*~*
''What are we doing here so early ?'' Lorelai whined, as she looked over at her daughter, who was standing next to her. ''Cause if you wanted to prove to me that Luke's looks exactly the same in the morning as it does in the afternoon, than you've made your point. Can we now take the point with us and go back to bed ?''
''Mom, I'm going to a basketball game with Lane, remember ?'' Rory said, trying to get her mom to remember.
''I don't remember any basketball game and even if I did, I still don't get why you had to drag me out of bed when everything's still dark. And I didn't here my name in your former sentence,'' Lorelai complained.
''The sun's already up.''
''That's because you dragged him out of bed too, leaving another country dark when it still had a couple of hours of light left.''
Lorelai yawned and returned her gaze to Luke's diner. ''Are you sure it's even open yet ?''
Rory nodded. ''Luke opens his doors at six.''
''Can we pretend that it's still closed ?''
Rory shook her head. ''Not a chance, let's go in.'' She reached for her mother's arm and started to pull her towards the door.
''You know, I don't like the dragging you,'' Lorelai commented, as they entered the diner, which was unusually empty. Lorelai pulled her arm free and looked around the diner. ''Look at how empty it is.''
''Scary.''
''It's like one of those spooky diners in an abandoned town, only it isn't abandoned.''
''Where do you wanna sit ?'' Rory asked.
''I can't make up my mind, there are too many tables.''
''Maybe we should sit at the counter,'' Rory suggested.
Lorelai nodded and headed for the counter with Rory by her side.
''You think Luke's in the back ?'' Rory asked, as she sat down on one of the stools.
Lorelai shrugged. ''I'll go check.''
''There will be no checking, I'm already here,'' Luke said, as he entered the diner.
''We noticed, but thanks for clarifying, now we know for sure that you're not floating around behind us or something, like one of those ghost people.''
''What are you two doing here so early ?'' Luke asked, not paying any attention to Lorelai's words.
''Me and Lane are going to some basketball game in Hartford, it starts in a couple of hours,'' Rory explained.
''And I'm just here, because I wanted to keep her company, on my own free will.''
''Right, so I'm guessing you two want coffee ?''
''Is there any other reason for us to come here ?'' Lorelai asked.
Luke nodded. ''I'll go get some coffee from the back.''
''I'm coming with you, so I can take in the coffee's smell. It's almost like tasting it, only you're smelling it, but it's so early that I'll take anything I can get.''
Luke shook his head, but didn't stop her from following him into the back. Just as her mom and Luke disappeared into the back, Jess made his way into the diner, an annoyed frown on his face.
''Hey,'' Rory said, trying not to sound too happy, knowing that Jess wouldn't appreciate it right now. ''What's wrong ?''
Jess shrugged, as he grabbed a donut and roughly placed the lid back down. ''I'm not in a after-the-rain-the-sun-will-shine kinda mood, nothing to worry about. It just happens every now and then. I blame it on this freaking town.''
''I'm sorry.''
Jess swallowed a piece of donut and looked at her. ''You should, since it's your fault.''
Rory smiled. ''Just try to find something to be happy about.''
''Top of the morning to you,'' Kirk said, as he sat down at one of the tables.
A smirk appeared on Jess' face as he glanced in Kirk's direction. ''I think I know a way to make my mood fade away.''
*~*~*
''So, what did you tell your mom ?'' Rory asked, as she and her best friend were on there way to the diner.
''Actually I didn't have to tell my mom anything. She's out of town until tonight, visiting a friend. A friend that is even more religious than her.''
''Sounds dangerous,'' Rory commented.
''Try sitting between them on a church bench, I was afraid to shift. Do you know how uncomfortable wood is.''
Rory smiled. ''So, you're sure she won't be back until tonight ?''
Lane nodded. ''Positive. But just in case I did come up with a back-up plan. See I tapped myself saying a couple of prayers and I set it on repeat, and my mother never questions or doubts me when I'm praying.''
''Unless she notices the fact that you keep repeating the same prayers over and over in the same tone.''
Lane gave her a look, but didn't make any returning comment. ''Whom's car are we taking anyway ?''
''Jess' , but is it cool if he comes with us ?'' Rory asked, quickly adding the last part.
''I doubts Mr. Genius will have fun at a basketball game, but sure.......''
Rory shook her head and hid a small smile. Even though Lane always had the most horrible things to say about Jess, Rory knew she didn't really mean it. The two of them could get along if they only tried. Sometimes they would even surprise themselves and have an actual conversation about music or books, if it happened to be a book that Lane had read.
Rory opened the door of the diner and found her way to the counter without even noticing. As soon as Jess saw them, he put away his back and walked over to them. He nodded. ''Hey.''
''Hey,'' Rory said, hearing Lane murmur something too.
''I'm guessing you guys didn't come here to exchange chitchat with me,'' Jess started, as he got his keys out of his pocket.
''He really is a genius,'' Lane said, rolling her eyes.
Rory shook her head. ''He's psychic.''
As she took the keys from Jess, their eyes met for a few already fading seconds. She knew that he was thinking about the same situation they were in almost four months ago. She knew, because the same memory was flashing in front of her eyes, only at a much greater speed than it should have gone. For a slight second Jess' eyes changed into Tristan's. His light eyes always had a calming affect on her, reminding her to slow down and enjoy life, just like he did........or used to do, depending on what military school was like for him. Rory lowered her eyes to Jess' keys.
''So, you wanna go with us ?''
''To a basketball game, in Hartford ?'' Jess asked, raising an eyebrow.
''See, I told you he probably didn't wanna go. I mean it's a basketball game and he doesn't really look like the type who goes to those sort of things.........''
''Unlike you, who naturally fits in with the crowd,'' Jess said, glaring at Lane. Lane childishly stuck out her tongue which caused just the hint of a smile to appear on his face. ''But since I'm getting sick of this diner, I'll go.''
''I'm still driving,'' Rory said, as she headed for the door.
''And I've got shotgun,'' Lane said, shooting Jess one last look before following Rory.
*~*~*
''Wow, outdoor bleachers,'' Lane said, sounding impressed by the steel structures that surrounded the basketball court.
''I wonder what she's like in the zoo,'' Jess mumbled, only loud enough for Rory to hear.
Rory softly laughed, as she followed Lane onto the crowded bleachers, hoping to find a place to sit. As couple of minutes after they had found a place to sit, the game started. Rory knew from experience that she wouldn't pay any attention to the game. She wasn't exactly into sports, especially not team sports. She preferred doing things on her own, that was she would be sure that things would be done on time.
Rory only decided to go, because Lane had begged her to go. For some reason Lane was really into socializing. Probably because she wasn't allowed to do almost everything. Rory stole a quick glance at Jess and wasn't surprised to find him reading one of his worn paperbacks he had bought just for occasions like these. She wished she had brought something to read with her, now she only had her thoughts to pass the time with. And lately that hadn't been a good thing. Every thought eventually lead to Tristan's departure and him promising to call her. Well, maybe he didn't promise her, but she thought that this was what he wanted. She wasn't blind or as naive as some people thought she was. Rory knew Tristan liked her and she figured that he probably knew that she liked him too. But recently she had been doubting everything. Maybe Tristan had just needed someone to help him out at that precise moment.
Suddenly she felt someone nudge her and she let all her thoughts fall to the bottom of her mind, leaving it blank.
''I just spotted the cutest guy I have ever seen,'' Lane said.
Rory contained the urge to roll her eyes, which Jess didn't. With Lane there was always a cutest guy everywhere. But Rory followed Lane's gaze everyone, leaving herself completely stunned at the sight of the guy Lane meant.
''Zack,'' Rory softly said.
''Are you just guessing or.........''
Rory shook her head. ''No, he goes to Chilton.''
Lane furrowed her eyebrows. ''He doesn't look like the blazer wearing type.''
The two girls remained silence for a little while, both staring at Zack. He looked so different than he did at Chilton. At Chilton he looked like just another one of the many, and here he actually stood out. Though Rory had to admit that he would probably stand out anywhere.
''Do you like him ?'' Lane asked.
Rory shrugged. ''I'm not sure yet.''
*~*~*
''So, who's Zack ?'' Jess asked, his voice barely above a whisper, because of the sleeping figure of Lane that was lying on the backseat.
''The new ruler of Chilton,'' Rory answered, not moving her eyes from the dark scenery behind her window, giving her a certain feel of security.
''What about Tristan ?'' Jess asked, before a silence could fell upon them.
''He hasn't tried to contact me yet.''
She kept her eyes on the landscape with it's vague and blurry lines, telling herself that that was the cause of the chilling feeling she got inside. Yet a feeling that could burn you once you've reached its edges.
*~*~*
Back at her house, Rory found a note of her mother, telling her that she was waiting at Luke's. Just as Rory put on a thicker jacket, the phone rang, forcing her mother to wait a few minutes longer.
''Hello ?'' Rory said, as she answered the phone, expecting to hear her mother's voice telling her that she was taking to long. But instead she heard nothing but a light breathing.
''Hello ? Who is this ?''
When an answer still didn't come, she hung up. Once again she made her way to the door, only finding herself to be interrupted again by the loud ringing of the phone. She sighed and picked up the phone.
''Hello ?'' she said patiently, assuming that it was the same person who has called before and deciding to give them another chance.
''Hey, Rory..........it's Zack.........''
Before Zack could say anything else, Rory hung up, not knowing that at the same time Zack was putting the phone back in its cradle with an amused grin.
*~*~*
''She wasn't home,'' Tristan said, as he left the office, cursing the fact that he didn't have the guts to say anything to her. Unfortunately, he now had another week to prepare himself for the next phone call.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? Though it might not seem as if I have a worked out plot, I do. It's just a bit confusing and I'm afraid there will be a lot of dialogue, which isn't my favorite thing to write. Like I have mentioned before, there will be Trory action, but it will take a little while for them to be together. Cause I still have a couple of things I want you to figure out about Zack. Lane and Jess were just put in the chapter as 'distractions'. It's just a really hard sequel to write, with Tristan being in military school and Rory being in Stars Hollow, so I hope you'll keep reading.
*Thanks again for your reviews, I really appreciate them, since I'm not so sure of this story. The thought of deleting it has crossed my mind........ Thanks though!!! :-)*