Second Chances – Part 6 [Eleven Roses]

Disclaimer: I wish I had some clever, witty disclaimer for you all to read and laugh at, but I have none. What I can say is that I own nothing, though I wish long and hard that I did.

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"You need me, as much as I need you."

The sentence alone caused a tingling sensation run up her spine, making her unintentionally shiver. She bit her lip, avoiding his longing look. She walked backwards, ever so slowly, until her back came in contact with the cold, hard wall.

"I don't need you," she wanted to scream at him, but the words refused to escape her rosy lips.

"Just say it," he followed her actions, now standing beside her.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because…" Rory fought to find the right words "I would be lying to you and myself."

"So, you're telling me that you don't need me?" Tristan questioned, his voice unaffected by her sentence.

"No."

"Yes," she forced out, stuffing her hands into her pocket to keep them from shaking.

"Why is that?"

"I don't need anybody," she replied, her voice wavered ever so slightly.

"What would happen if I… let's say… kissed you?" he suggested, the corners of his lips twitched upwards.

He now faced her, their faces inches away. Rory felt his hot breathe by her cheek, once again, ignoring the familiar butterflies. She almost screamed, as she witnessed him licking his lips, slowly… deliberately. Swallowing hard, she placed her hands on his firm chest, stopping him from doing what he wished to do.

"Don't."

"Why not?" he asked huskily.

Rory closed her eyes; his intoxicating scent filled her nostrils, she could feel his slightly unsteady breathing against the palm of her hands "You have a girlfriend."

"That's beside the point."

"No… it isn't," she forced her voice to co-operate.

"I'll break up with her."

"You think that would make me happy?" Rory asked, bitterness in her soft voice.

"It would make both of us incredibly happy."

Rory pushed him. Tristan staggered backward, but regained his composure almost immediately.

"You think you could just walk back into my life? Just like that? Think again DuGray," she hissed, opening the door to her apartment.

Before she could close the door, he held the door open. His strength overpowered hers. Rory glared, annoyed and angry.

"Leave."

"Ask nicely and maybe I'll think about it."

"You have a case to be working on," Rory replied.

Tristan smirked "I have time to spare."

"Please leave."

"No."

Rory let out a growl "I asked you nicely."

"And I thought about it."

"Goodbye Tristan," she said loudly.

Tristan grinned, "See you later Rory."

-

Rory watched him walk toward the elevators, casting her one more eye-popping gorgeous grin before walking into an open elevator. Fuming silently, Rory slammed the front door shut, meeting Lane's wide eyes.

"That was Tristan?" she blurted out.

"Eavesdropping aren't we?" Rory asked.

"So it was!" Lane grinned, "You didn't tell me he was a model!"

"He isn't."

"He might as well be. Wow." Lane smiled a distant smile "Why didn't you invite him in?"

"I have my reasons," Rory answered, her eyes observed the blank television screen.

"What happened?"

"Don't you have to get home Lane?"

"No, not really."

"I think you do," Rory urged.

"No, I don't. I have lots of time, what happened?"

"He just came by to tell me that he needed to ask me a few more questions about Jess' case," Rory surprised even herself, who knew she could lie so well.

"Is that all?" Lane asked, disappointment written on her face.

"Yes, that's all."

-

The following day, Rory sat comfortably on her desk, watching over the little children coloring their pictures of what they wanted to become when they were older. So far, several students came to her to show her their pictures. Timmy wanted to be an astronaut, Ian wanted to become a clown and April, a silent girl who loved reading books (much like herself) aspired to become a princess when she was older, not just a princess, but also a princess who authored children books.

"Class, put your crayons down and it's time for lunch."

The school Rory worked at was a small school with far too many students. Because of this, the school enforced a rule. Students must eat lunch at their own classrooms, giving Rory no time for herself. Sighing, she brought out her own lunch (Cherry Danish and coffee).

"Miss Gilmore."

Rory looked up, surprised to see Timmy's innocent little face looking up at her with his bright blue eyes, his toothless smile making her own lips twitch. What surprised her was what he was holding.

"Timmy, where did you get those roses?" Rory asked.

Timmy's grin widened, shrugging.

Rory looked down at the roses Timmy had given her. She counted eleven. Eleven? One rose prevented the bundle from becoming a dozen. Confused, she opened the tiny white envelope attached to the flowers, taking her sweet time.

I ask for one thing.

A kiss.

Love,

T.D.

"Miss Gilmore," Timmy said, in a singsong voice.

"Hmm?" Rory looked up from the note, her eyes landing on the figure standing in the doorway.

His face. His smirking face.

And in his hand was the missing twelfth rose.

Aw, sweet isn't it?

Thank you for the kind reviews and suggestions. Thank you gilmoregal1 for the blonde jokes (I'm a brunette BTW lol), and yes, Sarah-Angel1, I am Canadian… from a small town in Ontario. :D

Thank you once again, and review.

LOL wow, sorry about the little mistake. Didn't notice, it's fixed now. Heh heh.

- RockerFreak