Same disclaimer.....

Chapter 17

When Tristan woke up the next morning he thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Asleep in his arms was an angel, by the name of Rory Gilmore. He almost had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. All of it made him unbelievably happy but he didn't know how she would react upon waking up in his arms. He didn't wan this moment to even end. Just watching her sleep was enough to keep him glued to the sofa for the rest of his life.

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Rory was suddenly aware of someone watching her sleep. She knew she wasn't in her bed because it wasn't as comfortable. Unsure as to what she should do she just kept her eyes closed hoping to fall asleep again only to wake up and be alone. Then, just as sleep was starting to re-fog her mind she realized that there was something quite heavy around her waist. Slowly, she opened her eyes only to reveal two deep pools of blue. Groggily she looked at the face next to her and whispered a sleep-filled good morning.

Nothing had really registered in her mind just yet. The feeling of being watched, the arm around her waist, the deep- blue eyes...Oh my God!!! She jumped up from the sofa, suddenly very much awake.

Stealing a quick glance at the spot where she had been lying just seconds ago she saw Tristan looking up at her with the famous smirk on his lips.

"I knew you just couldn't resist me Mary." He said as a way to lighten the mood.

"Don't flatter yourself Bible Boy. This would never have happened had I not been so exhausted."

"No need to make excuses Mary I always knew you had a thing for me."

A rosy color went to her cheeks as he said this and even though she tried her hardest to hide it from him it definitely didn't go unnoticed.

"You know I'm just teasing right? It was nothing but sleeping anyway. Friends can sleep next to each other without anything getting weird right?"

"Yeah I guess. I just wonder why my mom didn't wake me."

Tristan smiled at this. He knew why Lorelei had let them sleep there. She had wanted to get a reaction out of Rory. Unfortunately it probably wasn't the reaction she had hoped for because Rory didn't seem too pleased. That sleeping next to her had only made him want her more than he already did, as if that was possible.

Just as Tristan was getting up Lorelei walked into the living room. She noticed that there had been no changes to the 'couple's' attitudes towards each other so she assumed that her little scheme hadn't had the results she had been hoping for.

"Good morning you two. Sleep well?" She asked looking at her daughter with a little grin on her face.

"Actually mom it was great. You wouldn't imagine the things you can do on a sofa." The comment kind of surprised Rory when she said it but she knew that it would shock Lorelei even more. She didn't even wait to hear what her mother had to say. She left to take a shower and get dressed.

Both Tristan and Lorelei looked after her in a sort of shocked silence. Then they both looked at each other with the same surprised expressions on their faces.

"I think she's a little pissed at me." Lorelei told Tristan. They both agreed that it was probably so. Rory was mad at her mother for not waking her up and for letting her spend the night on a sofa with Tristan.

"I'm going to go get dressed. I'll meet you in the kitchen. The coffee's probably brewed already thanks to the timer on the coffee machine. Help yourself to whatever you want for breakfast."

But Lorelei had a little secret errand to run while the others got ready. She just hoped she'd be back before they realized she was gone.

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The trio met in the kitchen for some breakfast. Lorelei had just gotten in the door when Rory stepped out of her room. Thankfully she didn't ask any questions.

Lorelei had something to talk to Rory about and it couldn't really wait. She knew that this topic could be addressed in front of Tristan so as soon as they were all seated with their coffee and croissants she decided to attack the subject.

"Sweetie, I know it's early in the morning and this is probably not your idea of breakfast conversation but I have to talk to you about something." Lorelei started.

"Okay mom. What's going on it sounds important."

"Well, it is. I know it's like just mid July and stuff but school starts in a month an a half and I was just wondering what you were going to do about Yale?" This was probably a sore subject because it would mean coming back home but she thought her daughter had to face the facts.

"I hadn't even thought about it all mom. I mean, it's school and I absolutely love school and need to finish school but if I go back it'll mean going back home."

"You can't avoid going back to school because you have to follow your dreams but will you come back this semester or will you change schools or will you just come back home?" "I haven't really thought of it all mom... I think I need to think about it all." There were tears coming to her eyes now. She had never been so confused about her education in her life.

"Rory, if I can say something?" Tristan said unsure of how she'd react if he gave her his opinion.

"Sure Tristan, what's on your mind?"

"I think you should go back to Yale this fall. Going to College always meant so much to you and you shouldn't let anything that's happened ruin it all for you." It really pained him to say this. The last thing in the world he wanted was for her to leave him again. After spending almost two years away from this girl he wanted to have her in his life forever but he couldn't be selfish anymore, she had to live her own life.

"College is my dream Tristan but I don't know if I'm ready to go back. It's not so much because of Dean...it's more about growing up and changing my life."

"Hun, you don't have to decide right this minute you know. There's still at least a month."

"I know, thanks mom, thanks Tris."

The phone rang then. Surprisingly the phone call was for Lorelei, unfortunately it was bad news. They needed her back in Stars hollow at the inn. Michel had fallen and hap broken his leg and his arm, which meant that he couldn't go to work, and they had nobody to replace him.

"Sorry hun looks like I'm going to have to leave a little earlier than was planned."

"But we were having so much fun, I don't want you to go yet."

"I know Sweets, but we'll see each other again soon."

"Fine, I'll go get your stuff."

Lorelei took this little opportunity to have a little chat with Tristan before they left for the airport.

"Thanks a lot for this Tristan. Rory will definitely remember this forever. Don't forget that you have to tell her how you feel because if you wait too long it might be too late."

"I know, I'll tell her soon. Maybe even tomorrow or something. I'm glad that you came for a visit. It was nice to have some real fun for once." Tristan really meant that. Having Lorelei around for just a day had helped him see what kind of fun he could have. It also helped him get closer to Rory and see what kind of person she was.
Tristan drove Lorelei to the airport and walked them inside. He said his goodbye to Lorelei and then gave her a chance to say her goodbyes to her daughter by herself.

"Ror, I'm gonna miss you kiddo, you know that right?"

"I'm going to miss you too mom."

"Just promise me one thing okay? Don't be afraid to look in your heart and to acknowledge what is in there."

"Okay mom, whatever you say." Rory pretended that she had no idea what her mother was talking about but she knew full well that she meant her feelings for Tristan.

"Bye Ror, see you soon I hope."

"Bye mom."

They were hugging each other tightly with tears shining in their eyes neither wanting to let go. Finally final boarding was called and the hug had to end.

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Tristan's heart broke when he saw Rory's tear streaked face. He knew that it would be hard for her to say goodbye to her mother but hated to see her cry. He took her into his arms and gave her a hug while stroking her hair.

"You know it's going to be okay right?"

"Yeah it's just that she wasn't supposed to leave today. We were supposed to have another day together."

"I know but you'll see her again soon. I promise."

"I know. So what did you think of my mother?"

"Your mom is great Rory. Now I know where you get everything. You two are so much alike. It was great having her here."

"She is great isn't she? Which I guess means that I'm great too huh?"

"That you are Rory Gilmore." There was something in his eyes when he said those words that she just couldn't put her finger on.

"I can tell she liked you too."

"Well, what can I say but who van resist the Dugrey charm?" "You're hopeless!!" she aid as she playfully hit his arm. With that little conversation he had managed to cheer her right up.

Their drive back to the apartment was spent in silence but it wasn't an awkward silence it was actually kind of comfortable. It was during that drive that Tristan decided that he would tell her everything that night over dinner.

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Back in her room Rory noticed an envelope on her bed that hadn't been there before. Upon closer inspection she realized that there were two and that they were picture envelopes. Attached to the first was a note that read.

Rory,

These are the pictures of us during our fun day. I had them developed at the one-hour photo place this morning when you got ready. I thought you'd want to see the ones of you and Tristan. Actually I thought you needed to see them.

Love ya

Mom

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She took out the first pile and it was so obvious that her mother had arranged them so that she could see the ones she needed to see first. There were really great pictures of her and Tristan. She couldn't believe the poses her mother had gotten them in. the first one was of her and Tristan when he had tackled her to the ground. She saw something on his face that she had never noticed before. She didn't know exactly what that look meant but she wanted to know. The second picture was of the two sleeping on the couch together. She had to admit they looked good together. The third was a little more sneaky of her mother. It had been taken this morning while she slept. Only in this one Tristan was awake and he was watching her sleep. Although she should have been a little freaked out by the whole thing she couldn't hep but notice the expression on Tristan's face. He looked extremely happy. It was as if he was so content with just watching her sleep. Looking at the pictures again she noticed that her expression mirrored Tristan's perfectly. She knew then that she had to go talk to him.

Rory was approaching the living room with the stack of picture ready to show them to Tristan and to get his reaction.

"Tris, can I talk to you for a min..." she started just as the doorbell rang.

They both ran to the door to see who it could be. Tristan reached it first and opened the door to reveal a gorgeous blonde.

"Hi Tris!" she said with a huge smile on her face.

"Katherine!!!!"

Sorry guys but that's the end of chapter 17. I'll have chapter 18 for you soon. Reviews...