*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the original
characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.
*A/N: Hey! :-) I'm glad all of you seemed to like the last chapter. I know that this one might not be as sweet or intense, but it's the beginning of better things for the both of them. Enjoy! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Rory stirred at the sound of a distant thud, not ready to wake up from her dreams just yet. She didn't want to open her eyes, knowing that the slumber would slip out of her reach if she gave in to the aggravating sound that didn't seem to belong in this early morning. Rory forced herself to keep her eyes closed as the second and third thud followed rapidly, although she already knew that it was a lost cause. So at the fourth knock, she let out a frustrated groan and kicked away her covers. Soon she found herself making her way over to her bedroom door, her eyes half open, giving her just enough perception to find her way over safely.
Rory roughly pulled open her door, more tiredly frustrated than angry at her mom, who had been standing at the other side of the door all this time, knowing that her daughter wouldn't be able to just sleep right through the knocking. Lorelai looked at Rory with her eyes partially closed, not bothering to wipe the messy strands of hair out of her sight.
''Any particular reason why you're knocking on my door at this hour ?''
''I was too tired to open my mouth, so I had to find another way to communicate with you,'' Lorelai explained in a slurred voice.
''You're talking now,'' Rory pointed out, a tad annoyed by her mother's words.
''That's because you finally decided to open the door.''
''I kind of had too,'' Rory said, as she turned around and headed back to her bed. ''Just don't use my door as a tribal drum next time.''
''Where are you going ?''
''Back to bed,'' Rory mumbled, as she kept walking. ''It needs me and I need it. Compare it with oxygen if you want.''
''You can't go back to sleep.''
''I could die without it,'' Rory remarked, hoping that her mom had a good reason for waking him, although she wasn't sure if she had the energy to listen to it. She was too tired and she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.
''But there's someone knocking on the door. Personally I think he's taking the whole knocking-on-heaven's-door-thing a little too serious.''
''You woke me for that ?'' Rory asked with disbelief.
Lorelai shrugged. ''Your door's closer than the other one.''
''I can't believe you didn't just open the door.''
''I was too tired. I didn't open your door either, if that makes you feel better,'' her mother said.
''So, you just decided to keep that person waiting ?''
''Just answer it,'' Lorelai said, as she walked over to Rory's bed. ''Unless you wanna keep the person, who doesn't have any respect for my traditions, waiting even longer.''
''Traditions ?'' Rory asked, while raising her eyebrow and crossing her arms.
''They involve a lot of sleep and laziness,'' Lorelai managed to utter, before dropping herself on Rory' bed. ''I have never felt a mattress as soft as this one.''
Rory sighed. ''Fine, I'll answer the door, if the person hasn't left yet. Just don't fall asleep.''
''I've already lost track of the sheep I've counted, so you better hurry.''
*~*~*
Tristan's breathe caught in his throat when he saw Rory standing in the door frame, although he managed to keep his expression neutral. He followed her fingers's movements as they ran through her hair, which was deranged and stated clearly that he had indeed woke her. Her eyes curiously searched for the person who had disturbed her from a rest she had well needed after last night.
''Tristan,'' she said, as soon as her eyes had landed on his figure, although they were slightly squinted because of the large amount of morning sun that shone down upon her.
''What are you doing here ?''
Rory took a step back into the safety of her house, as she lowered her eyes to her bare feet, not aware that Tristan's eyes had followed hers to the sparkly blue of her toenails. They were both struggling against the silence that gave their thoughts they chance to break through. Last night was now a freshly painted memory, its paint still wet and the emotions it expressed still fragile.
Tristan knew that every wrongly calculated step in her direction would make her pull back and that every misplaced word would get another shaky breathe from her. He wondered about the words she had left him to ponder about: 'Cause he reminds me of you.' Those had been hurtful words in his eyes. Ones that caused a gasp to slow his breathing down for a short while, before releasing it, fully with anger and disappointment. That sentence had caused a turmoil of emotions and thoughts to match. Simply because the intensity of their kiss, the breakable tension that had hung between them and Rory's pleasurable moans could have all been an act.
Tristan had already spend one restless night thinking about all of this, and he would end up wasting even more nights, even if they did talk about it or not. The envy he felt towards Zack's relationship with Rory would never completely fade and no matter how many times he pictured Rory and Zack being wrapped up in each other like they had been, he still thought that the picture was forced, especially on Rory's side. Finally rage had lulled him to sleep.
Meanwhile Rory was worried about Zack's reaction to the kiss, cause she would tell him. Rather sooner than later, because she wouldn't lie to him. That would only make him angrier and the least he deserved after all this was the truth. Especially since he had done nothing to hurt her so far. Rory knew that kissing Tristan wasn't something Zack would accept and she didn't expect him too. She also knew that it had been wrong of her, but it couldn't be undone and perhaps it was better to get out of this fool's game as soon as possible.
Ever since she had noticed Zack for the first time, she had been comparing him to Tristan, using him as a distraction. One that would divert her attention from him, but would keep him in her mind at the same time, because Zack's personality resembled Tristan's, although now she knew that all those little things would never add up. Seeing Tristan again had made her realize this and the kiss they shared had proved it. The kiss had given her the illusion that he did indeed like her. A blush colored her cheeks, that were hidden behind her curtain of hair, as she thought about how his lips had been lightly pressing against her lips while his tongue had patiently influenced hers to move in sync with his. Rory bit her bottom lip. She had already fallen.
''I'm going back to military school today,'' Tristan started, bringing his gaze up to her face, although he knew that he wouldn't be able to make eye contact. ''I was hoping that you would accompany me to the airport.''
At the sound of his wistful demand, Rory wiped a few strands of hair out of her face and brought her eyes up to meet his. She saw the desperate hope in his eyes, afraid that she wouldn't take his offer and let him leave with the burden of last night still on his shoulders, unsolved.
Rory's guilt came up to the surface at his pleading eyes. She had brought him into all of this by wanting to hold on to him. And she understood that it was both unfair to Zack and Tristan. After all, her relationship with Zack was never completely truthful. It couldn't be when she was only with him, because he was a substitute that came dangerously close to the real thing. She had thrown herself in deeper with every feigned emotion and smile, but she wasn't going to sink any deeper.
''Just let me get dressed.''
Rory turned around and vanished from Tristan's sight. He took this as an indirect invitation and went in, closing the door behind him. He traced Rory's footsteps, but couldn't find her, although her voice eventually lead him to the kitchen. He saw her standing in a bedroom, but he was unsure if it was hers or not, because another woman was lying on the bed, her mother. He watched Rory and her mom exchange a few words, before she looked up and glanced in his direction, but she didn't make any attempt to get up. Instead she greeted him with a nod, and he returned the gesture.
Rory grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, forgetting to close the door completely in her hurry. Tristan lowered his eyes in respect for both of the Gilmore girls and waited. She came out only a few minutes later dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a simple white blouse, that had him wishing for rain on their walk to the car.
The car ride itself started out in silence, as they both tried to find something else to look at than each other. Rory chose to look out the windows, although the tainted glass made it hard for her to recognize anything familiar. Finally Rory couldn't stand the silence anymore and found her way out, her eyes moving over to Tristan, who was sitting across from her in the limousine. Her eyes rested on his hands, which were clasped in his lap.
''I'm sorry about last night.''
Tristan's eyes flew over to her figure at the sound of her voice, surprised that she had decided to break the silence.
''That wasn't your fault, I already told you. And I kissed you.''
His eyes slightly narrowed at his own words and his fingers stopped rubbing the rings on his left hand, hoping that it would lead her attention up to his face.
But she chose to keep her gaze fixed on his hands instead, remembering the way their weight had rested on top of her thighs during the kiss.
''But I kissed you back and I didn't even try to stop you.......oh God, Zack's going to be so mad when I tell him.''
''Rory,'' Tristan said, wanting to understand the guilt that the kiss had caused.
''I......I just don't know what has gotten in to me these passed months. I mean, I......you.....we..........used to fight, nothing more. And when your grandfather passed away........'' Rory stopped for the few seconds it took her to raise her eyes up to his, asking for permission to continue, which he gave her with a simple nod.
''.......When your grandfather died, I saw a whole different side of you. You were quiet and easier to approach, so I did and then............you left.''
''Not by choice,'' Tristan added.
''I know, I'm not trying to blame everything on you, I just don't know what to do,'' she confessed, her eyes saddened, giving Tristan the illusion that they were now a lighter shade of blue.
''Rory, I'll be in North Carolina, so.........''
''I know, don't you think I know that we have to figure this out in these couple of minutes, otherwise we won't be able to for a while.''
''There's nothing to figure out. If you like Zack then the kiss between us was indeed a mistake, on my behalf and not yours,'' Tristan calmly said, his eyes still fixed on her face.
''How can you say that ?! It's just as much my fault as it is yours. And I want.........'' Rory stopped when she realized that Tristan was sitting right across from her and that she would have to face him if he chose to question her words.
''What do you want ?''
Rory sighed. ''I want to get out of this car.''
Just a few minutes later her prayers were heard and the car stopped, right in front of the main entrance of the airport. Tristan didn't look at her as he got out of the car and went to get his bags out of the trunk. Rory took a deep breathe before getting out of the car and walking over to Tristan, who was leaning into the trunk, so he could reach his bags easier. Rory stood beside him and watched as he pulled out his bags and dropped them onto the ground, avoiding her gaze.
''I'm sorry,'' she softly said.
Tristan nodded and closed the trunk.
''I don't want you to leave.''
Tristan looked at her, a smirk slowly forming on his face. ''Because you love me, Mary ?''
Rory snorted and playfully hit him on the chest. ''This isn't one of your fantasies, DuGrey.''
Tristan clasped her hand in his, before she could pull it away. He brought it closer to his chest, pulling her closer in the process. ''But it could be.''
Rory rolled her eyes, although she hardly doubted that he had noticed, since her eyes had been lowered to her hand, which was trapped between his.
''Tristan, what are you doing ?''
''Saying goodbye,'' he answered, as he started to lean into her.
Rory's eyes shot up to his. ''Don't.''
''Why ?'' Tristan whispered.
''Because I don't wanna feel more guilty than I already do.''
Tristan nodded and pressed his lips onto the corner of her mouth instead. Rory smiled and wrapped her free arm around his neck, pulling him into an awkward hug, which caused his lips to press onto her skin even more.
''I'll miss you.''
''Same here, Mary,'' Tristan said, as he stood up straight again and put some safe distance between him and Rory.
Rory blushed and lowered her eyes. ''So, I know you don't get a lot of phone calls, but let me know how you're doing once in a while, okay ?''
Tristan nodded. ''I have to go.''
''Yeah,'' Rory said, as she locked eyes with Tristan once more. ''Bye, Tristan.''
Tristan chuckled. ''I'm having this weird feeling of déjà vu.''
He took her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles, before reaching for his bags.
''See you in your dreams, Mary.''
Tristan turned around and headed for the doors, catching Rory's reflection before entering the building. He was more determined than ever to find a way out of this situation, where loneliness would eventually turn him into his own worst enemy.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, I could have ended the story here, but I didn't, because I would have had to start a completely new story if I did and I didn't want that. But if I left it like this the ending would have been......incomplete. A few more chapters are still to come, before the conlcusion. And thanks for the reviews!!! :-)
*Also for you Lit's who enjoy Trory's too, please check out 'Submission'. It's a Lit and written by miarae, well partly, cause I'm co writing it. AND (!) Cornered will probably be updated tomorrow.*
*A/N: Hey! :-) I'm glad all of you seemed to like the last chapter. I know that this one might not be as sweet or intense, but it's the beginning of better things for the both of them. Enjoy! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Rory stirred at the sound of a distant thud, not ready to wake up from her dreams just yet. She didn't want to open her eyes, knowing that the slumber would slip out of her reach if she gave in to the aggravating sound that didn't seem to belong in this early morning. Rory forced herself to keep her eyes closed as the second and third thud followed rapidly, although she already knew that it was a lost cause. So at the fourth knock, she let out a frustrated groan and kicked away her covers. Soon she found herself making her way over to her bedroom door, her eyes half open, giving her just enough perception to find her way over safely.
Rory roughly pulled open her door, more tiredly frustrated than angry at her mom, who had been standing at the other side of the door all this time, knowing that her daughter wouldn't be able to just sleep right through the knocking. Lorelai looked at Rory with her eyes partially closed, not bothering to wipe the messy strands of hair out of her sight.
''Any particular reason why you're knocking on my door at this hour ?''
''I was too tired to open my mouth, so I had to find another way to communicate with you,'' Lorelai explained in a slurred voice.
''You're talking now,'' Rory pointed out, a tad annoyed by her mother's words.
''That's because you finally decided to open the door.''
''I kind of had too,'' Rory said, as she turned around and headed back to her bed. ''Just don't use my door as a tribal drum next time.''
''Where are you going ?''
''Back to bed,'' Rory mumbled, as she kept walking. ''It needs me and I need it. Compare it with oxygen if you want.''
''You can't go back to sleep.''
''I could die without it,'' Rory remarked, hoping that her mom had a good reason for waking him, although she wasn't sure if she had the energy to listen to it. She was too tired and she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.
''But there's someone knocking on the door. Personally I think he's taking the whole knocking-on-heaven's-door-thing a little too serious.''
''You woke me for that ?'' Rory asked with disbelief.
Lorelai shrugged. ''Your door's closer than the other one.''
''I can't believe you didn't just open the door.''
''I was too tired. I didn't open your door either, if that makes you feel better,'' her mother said.
''So, you just decided to keep that person waiting ?''
''Just answer it,'' Lorelai said, as she walked over to Rory's bed. ''Unless you wanna keep the person, who doesn't have any respect for my traditions, waiting even longer.''
''Traditions ?'' Rory asked, while raising her eyebrow and crossing her arms.
''They involve a lot of sleep and laziness,'' Lorelai managed to utter, before dropping herself on Rory' bed. ''I have never felt a mattress as soft as this one.''
Rory sighed. ''Fine, I'll answer the door, if the person hasn't left yet. Just don't fall asleep.''
''I've already lost track of the sheep I've counted, so you better hurry.''
*~*~*
Tristan's breathe caught in his throat when he saw Rory standing in the door frame, although he managed to keep his expression neutral. He followed her fingers's movements as they ran through her hair, which was deranged and stated clearly that he had indeed woke her. Her eyes curiously searched for the person who had disturbed her from a rest she had well needed after last night.
''Tristan,'' she said, as soon as her eyes had landed on his figure, although they were slightly squinted because of the large amount of morning sun that shone down upon her.
''What are you doing here ?''
Rory took a step back into the safety of her house, as she lowered her eyes to her bare feet, not aware that Tristan's eyes had followed hers to the sparkly blue of her toenails. They were both struggling against the silence that gave their thoughts they chance to break through. Last night was now a freshly painted memory, its paint still wet and the emotions it expressed still fragile.
Tristan knew that every wrongly calculated step in her direction would make her pull back and that every misplaced word would get another shaky breathe from her. He wondered about the words she had left him to ponder about: 'Cause he reminds me of you.' Those had been hurtful words in his eyes. Ones that caused a gasp to slow his breathing down for a short while, before releasing it, fully with anger and disappointment. That sentence had caused a turmoil of emotions and thoughts to match. Simply because the intensity of their kiss, the breakable tension that had hung between them and Rory's pleasurable moans could have all been an act.
Tristan had already spend one restless night thinking about all of this, and he would end up wasting even more nights, even if they did talk about it or not. The envy he felt towards Zack's relationship with Rory would never completely fade and no matter how many times he pictured Rory and Zack being wrapped up in each other like they had been, he still thought that the picture was forced, especially on Rory's side. Finally rage had lulled him to sleep.
Meanwhile Rory was worried about Zack's reaction to the kiss, cause she would tell him. Rather sooner than later, because she wouldn't lie to him. That would only make him angrier and the least he deserved after all this was the truth. Especially since he had done nothing to hurt her so far. Rory knew that kissing Tristan wasn't something Zack would accept and she didn't expect him too. She also knew that it had been wrong of her, but it couldn't be undone and perhaps it was better to get out of this fool's game as soon as possible.
Ever since she had noticed Zack for the first time, she had been comparing him to Tristan, using him as a distraction. One that would divert her attention from him, but would keep him in her mind at the same time, because Zack's personality resembled Tristan's, although now she knew that all those little things would never add up. Seeing Tristan again had made her realize this and the kiss they shared had proved it. The kiss had given her the illusion that he did indeed like her. A blush colored her cheeks, that were hidden behind her curtain of hair, as she thought about how his lips had been lightly pressing against her lips while his tongue had patiently influenced hers to move in sync with his. Rory bit her bottom lip. She had already fallen.
''I'm going back to military school today,'' Tristan started, bringing his gaze up to her face, although he knew that he wouldn't be able to make eye contact. ''I was hoping that you would accompany me to the airport.''
At the sound of his wistful demand, Rory wiped a few strands of hair out of her face and brought her eyes up to meet his. She saw the desperate hope in his eyes, afraid that she wouldn't take his offer and let him leave with the burden of last night still on his shoulders, unsolved.
Rory's guilt came up to the surface at his pleading eyes. She had brought him into all of this by wanting to hold on to him. And she understood that it was both unfair to Zack and Tristan. After all, her relationship with Zack was never completely truthful. It couldn't be when she was only with him, because he was a substitute that came dangerously close to the real thing. She had thrown herself in deeper with every feigned emotion and smile, but she wasn't going to sink any deeper.
''Just let me get dressed.''
Rory turned around and vanished from Tristan's sight. He took this as an indirect invitation and went in, closing the door behind him. He traced Rory's footsteps, but couldn't find her, although her voice eventually lead him to the kitchen. He saw her standing in a bedroom, but he was unsure if it was hers or not, because another woman was lying on the bed, her mother. He watched Rory and her mom exchange a few words, before she looked up and glanced in his direction, but she didn't make any attempt to get up. Instead she greeted him with a nod, and he returned the gesture.
Rory grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, forgetting to close the door completely in her hurry. Tristan lowered his eyes in respect for both of the Gilmore girls and waited. She came out only a few minutes later dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a simple white blouse, that had him wishing for rain on their walk to the car.
The car ride itself started out in silence, as they both tried to find something else to look at than each other. Rory chose to look out the windows, although the tainted glass made it hard for her to recognize anything familiar. Finally Rory couldn't stand the silence anymore and found her way out, her eyes moving over to Tristan, who was sitting across from her in the limousine. Her eyes rested on his hands, which were clasped in his lap.
''I'm sorry about last night.''
Tristan's eyes flew over to her figure at the sound of her voice, surprised that she had decided to break the silence.
''That wasn't your fault, I already told you. And I kissed you.''
His eyes slightly narrowed at his own words and his fingers stopped rubbing the rings on his left hand, hoping that it would lead her attention up to his face.
But she chose to keep her gaze fixed on his hands instead, remembering the way their weight had rested on top of her thighs during the kiss.
''But I kissed you back and I didn't even try to stop you.......oh God, Zack's going to be so mad when I tell him.''
''Rory,'' Tristan said, wanting to understand the guilt that the kiss had caused.
''I......I just don't know what has gotten in to me these passed months. I mean, I......you.....we..........used to fight, nothing more. And when your grandfather passed away........'' Rory stopped for the few seconds it took her to raise her eyes up to his, asking for permission to continue, which he gave her with a simple nod.
''.......When your grandfather died, I saw a whole different side of you. You were quiet and easier to approach, so I did and then............you left.''
''Not by choice,'' Tristan added.
''I know, I'm not trying to blame everything on you, I just don't know what to do,'' she confessed, her eyes saddened, giving Tristan the illusion that they were now a lighter shade of blue.
''Rory, I'll be in North Carolina, so.........''
''I know, don't you think I know that we have to figure this out in these couple of minutes, otherwise we won't be able to for a while.''
''There's nothing to figure out. If you like Zack then the kiss between us was indeed a mistake, on my behalf and not yours,'' Tristan calmly said, his eyes still fixed on her face.
''How can you say that ?! It's just as much my fault as it is yours. And I want.........'' Rory stopped when she realized that Tristan was sitting right across from her and that she would have to face him if he chose to question her words.
''What do you want ?''
Rory sighed. ''I want to get out of this car.''
Just a few minutes later her prayers were heard and the car stopped, right in front of the main entrance of the airport. Tristan didn't look at her as he got out of the car and went to get his bags out of the trunk. Rory took a deep breathe before getting out of the car and walking over to Tristan, who was leaning into the trunk, so he could reach his bags easier. Rory stood beside him and watched as he pulled out his bags and dropped them onto the ground, avoiding her gaze.
''I'm sorry,'' she softly said.
Tristan nodded and closed the trunk.
''I don't want you to leave.''
Tristan looked at her, a smirk slowly forming on his face. ''Because you love me, Mary ?''
Rory snorted and playfully hit him on the chest. ''This isn't one of your fantasies, DuGrey.''
Tristan clasped her hand in his, before she could pull it away. He brought it closer to his chest, pulling her closer in the process. ''But it could be.''
Rory rolled her eyes, although she hardly doubted that he had noticed, since her eyes had been lowered to her hand, which was trapped between his.
''Tristan, what are you doing ?''
''Saying goodbye,'' he answered, as he started to lean into her.
Rory's eyes shot up to his. ''Don't.''
''Why ?'' Tristan whispered.
''Because I don't wanna feel more guilty than I already do.''
Tristan nodded and pressed his lips onto the corner of her mouth instead. Rory smiled and wrapped her free arm around his neck, pulling him into an awkward hug, which caused his lips to press onto her skin even more.
''I'll miss you.''
''Same here, Mary,'' Tristan said, as he stood up straight again and put some safe distance between him and Rory.
Rory blushed and lowered her eyes. ''So, I know you don't get a lot of phone calls, but let me know how you're doing once in a while, okay ?''
Tristan nodded. ''I have to go.''
''Yeah,'' Rory said, as she locked eyes with Tristan once more. ''Bye, Tristan.''
Tristan chuckled. ''I'm having this weird feeling of déjà vu.''
He took her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles, before reaching for his bags.
''See you in your dreams, Mary.''
Tristan turned around and headed for the doors, catching Rory's reflection before entering the building. He was more determined than ever to find a way out of this situation, where loneliness would eventually turn him into his own worst enemy.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, I could have ended the story here, but I didn't, because I would have had to start a completely new story if I did and I didn't want that. But if I left it like this the ending would have been......incomplete. A few more chapters are still to come, before the conlcusion. And thanks for the reviews!!! :-)
*Also for you Lit's who enjoy Trory's too, please check out 'Submission'. It's a Lit and written by miarae, well partly, cause I'm co writing it. AND (!) Cornered will probably be updated tomorrow.*