Author's Note 2004/06/01: Here is another chapter. Hope you enjoy it! Thank you Mai-Ahn for going over this chapter to correct it, and thank you Arlene for pushing me to write.

The Thin Line Between Love And Hate
Chapter 10: Things That Change And Things That Always Stay The Same

Tristan is laying on top of Rory, kissing her passionately, his hand taking liberties that Rory lets him take. The promise of 'talking only' that Tristan had previously made are completely forgotten, as they have been in each other's arms barely saying a word for the last couple of hours. Tristan breaks the kiss, looking intensely at Rory's eyes. He slowly starts to unbutton her shirt, revealing her creamy skin inches by inches. Rory is mesmerized by the fuzzy feelings invading her; she is unaware of what he's doing until she hears his voice, just a little above a murmur, "Wow." Rory looks down at her open blouse, as realisation of the state of nakedness of her chest hits her; she tries to cover her body, her face flushed. Tristan moves her arms away, admiring the simple white cotton bra she's wearing, "You're beautiful, don't hide yourself."

Rory pushes him away, her body screaming for more but her head screaming that it's too fast. "We have to talk."

Tristan kisses her again, his hand rooming over her bare stomach whispering in her mouth, "We'll have plenty of time to talk later."

Rory gives in for a split second before trying to push him harder, "No, you don't understand, we need to talk now!"

Reluctantly, Tristan rolls on the grass, "Oh, man!"

Rory sits up and buttons up her shirt, hiding what she had never shown to anyone before. "I won't sleep with you, Tristan."

Tristan turns on his side, holds his head with his hand, looking at her. Her hair is tangled, her lips swollen, and her eyes shine violently in a way he's never seen before with so much innocence. "There's no harm in making out, Rory."

Rory sits in front of him, uncertain of the way she should approach the subject, "It's complicated. I don't want to be just any girl."

"You're not any girl, Rory. I like you and I want to do all kind of things for you and with you. Is that a crime?"

Rory blushes, understanding what he is saying, "I don't want to do it as a one night stand. I want to be in love too… It's a big step for me."

Scrutinising Rory, Tristan asks, "Come on Rory, you've been with the same guy for over two years. Don't tell me all you did was hold hands."

Rory puts on her bambi eyes, looking as innocent as she can at Tristan. Tristan groans in frustration as he lets his body fall on the grass. Sadness in her eyes, Rory stands up, "We should just forget about it all. I'm not what you want. I can't be what you want."

Tristan stands up also, takes both of her hands in his. "Look, I like you a lot. I find you intriguing. I like to hold you in my arms. We don't need to have sex to enjoy each other's company."

"What do you want?"

"You. To get to know you. I want you to give me a chance. A date?"

Rory looks in his eyes, seeing sincerity in it, her heart tells her to scream him a 'yes' but her head screams back at her to make him wait a bit for her answer. "I'll think about it. Drive me home?"

Resigned, Tristan extends his hand for her to take and leads her to his car.

They have been driving for a couple of minutes in complete silence. Tristan turns on the radio, shifting channels until he finds something that he likes. Rory is trying to find a way to break the silence but her mind always brings her back to Tristan kissing her. Finally, Tristan breaks the silent torture, "How are we supposed to act tomorrow?"

"Guess we just act normal."

"What if I feel like kissing you?"

"You won't."

"Rory, let's be realistic, we can't just hide in my backyard. I want to bring you out on a date and tell the whole world that we are together."

"Is that what we are? Together, I mean."

"Well, I'm just saying I want to be sure no one else tries to steal you away."

"Come on Tristan, we said we would get to know each other, not that we would get married."

"How long do you want to hide this from the world?"

"I don't know a couple of weeks I guess."

"You do realise that I have never been in a relationship for over a month?"

"That's the main reason why I want to wait."

"A month; and that's it. If it doesn't work out, it's our secret; if it works, you'll face Chilton's gossip."

As Tristan parks the car in front of the Gilmore's house, Rory is gathering her things to get out of the car. As her hand touches the handle, Tristan whispers, "Not so fast, aren't you supposed to kiss me goodnight?"

Smiling at him, Rory opens her door, "Aren't you supposed to be a gentleman and walk me to my door?"

As Tristan watches Rory get out of the car, he follows her. Walking her up the stairs of the porch, as she reaches for the door, Tristan turns her around; backs her into the front door. His hands slowly moving around her waist, he holds her tightly against him. "Now, you didn't think I would let you go without a goodnight kiss?"

Rory feigns resignation, "If I absolutely must."

Tristan closes the distance between their lips, pushing her harder against the door. Rory's hands, wandering against the muscles of his back as their tongues dance over rhythm known only to them. They are both intoxicated by their kisses, unaware of their surroundings. Neither of them hears in the background, "Finally Rory, I was worried sick. Did you missed your bus or has Paris hold you…"

Lorelai opens the door, making Rory and Tristan fall on the floor. "Ouch!"

Tristan gets up and helps Rory do the same, "Did I hurt you?"

Rory looks at Lorelai, her face completely flushed, "No, but my mother did."

Lorelai, sparkles in her eyes, looks at Tristan from head to toes. A smile creeps up onto her face, making Tristan feel uncomfortable. He moves closer to stand behind Rory. "Rory, I didn't know you had it in you."

Looking at her mom warningly, Rory says, "Mom, don't!"

Lorelai looks at Tristan again while still talking to Rory, "What?" Lorelai makes an innocent face. "I heard a thumb on the door. I thought you had forgotten your keys again and was trying to open the door by smashing this incredibly heavy bag of yours. Imagine my surprise to see my favourite daughter engaged in an intense make out session on my door step with a complete stranger."

Doing his best to contain his laughter, Tristan extends his hand to Lorelai, "Nice to meet you Miss. Gilmore. I'm Tristan DuGrey."

Lorelai brushes him off, "Miss. Gilmore! Haw! Why don't you just call me Lorelai that way I won't feel as if I am my own mother?"

Tristan smiles to have finally figured out where Rory inherited her odd personality. "Okay, Mis… Lorelai."

Lorelai looks at Rory and winks at her, she turns back to Tristan, "Well, that wasn't perfect but maybe it's better." Looking at Rory again, a devilish glint in her eyes, Lorelai says, "I've already ordered pizza. I'm starving." Ignoring Rory's pleading eyes, she looks innocently at Tristan, "Would you like to join us?"

Tristan faces Rory, seeing a discomfort, he replies with regrets, "It would be my pleasure, but my parents are expecting me home for dinner."

Before Lorelai can argue on that weak excuse, Rory says while taking Tristan's hand, "I'll walk you to you car."

Watching Tristan's car drive away, Rory's insecurities about them come back. Sadly, she walks back inside the house, her mother waiting for her on the couch. "I want every detail of your afternoon, Rory because when you come home with the best looking teen I've seen in a long time, and that you haven't buttoned your blouse back correctly, mommy tends to get worried."

Rory sits beside her mother, takes a sip of her mom's coffee, "Nothing happened, well obviously something did happened but not much."

Lorelai takes back her mug of coffee, "I want details."

Pondering on telling her mom or not for a minute or two, Rory starts talking, "Well it all started this morning…"

As Tristan walks inside his house, he is met by Agathe, "Your dinner is ready, Mr.Dugrey. Will you require my services again tonight?"

Sadly, Tristan replies, "No, that'll be all for tonight Agathe. Are my parents home?"

"No, they went to a charity event held at the country club. They left you a message not to wait up for them."

"Thank you, Agathe. Good night."

Tristan watches Agathe move in the direction of the garden, where the servant house is. He shortly follows in the same direction but enters the kitchen. Seeing the five star meal waiting for him there, he throws it in the garbage. Walking back on his steps to reach the main stairway, he climbs up to his room. Murmuring to the walls, "This year is all going to be about discipline, son. I'll keep an eye on you." Entering his room, he resumes his rambling, "Yeah dad, as if you ever really cared."

Author's Note: That's it for today
Siaram