CHAPTER 4

Rory's sobbing probably ended a good ten minutes ago. Racking up all the tears she could shed left her exhausted. Where was she headed? New York to see Lane? Boston to see her dad? She just had to get out of Stars Hollow.

Her muddled thoughts left her drained. "If only I could rest my eyes for a second," she said to herself as she laid her head on the steering wheel. Seconds later, she fell asleep.

She did not hear the sharp wailing of breaks. Nor did she hear crunching sounds as footsteps approached her car. What brought her back to consciousness was the rush of cold air that hit her legs and arms. Then she heard a voice she seemed to recognize. "Are you okay?" the stranger asked. She looked up and met blue eyes that used to taunt her years ago.

"Tristin?" she whispered with sleep-laced voice. "What are you doing here?"

"The question is what are you doing here?" Tristin said, irritated. "It's way past your bedtime, Sleeping Beauty, and the road is not the best place to take a nap."

Tristin mentally kicked himself over his cavalier attitude. "You've been crying!" he exclaimed.

"I have not!" Rory lied. "Okay, a little bit, but I'm too exhausted to argue," she added.

Tristin stood up to his full six-foot frame and said, "Well, I'm not leaving you here tonight. C'mon," he cajoled.

"I'm not a charity case, Tristin. I'm not going with you," Rory argued.

"Woman, you would not defy me now that I am tired from studying and driving and in dire need of sleep. So God help me if I have to carry you home or call your mom to pick you up," he threatened.

Rory looked up at his angry face. Where did he come from that he looked so tired?

Tristin was getting impatient. He never was one to guard his emotions. He quickly reached into the car and undid Rory's seatbelt.

"What do you think you're doing?" Rory demanded in horror.

"I'm taking you home," Tristin said as his dragged her out of the car.

"The hell you are!" she swore back. Before she knew it, she was tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Let me down, you Brute!"

"I have no time for this, Rory. Trust me," he said as he opened the passenger door to his Rover and unceremoniously dumped her on the leather seat.

Rory was dumbfounded. She was still confused with the events that just transpired. Her eyes followed his every move as he impatiently tugged on a chain from the back of his vehicle and hooked it on a loop under her blue Prius. She could see him shift her car into neutral and slam the door afterwards. Seconds later, Tristin jumped into the driver's seat. The engine came to life and his swift actions made her aware that she was a distraction that he did not need at this moment. She was about to speak when he flashed her with bright, angry eyes. Rory slumped back onto her seat feeling desolated. Seconds later, she realized that they are not headed back to Stars Hollow. She wondered at first where they were headed but she was too tired to ask. Resting her arm by the door frame she laid her head on her palm. Before she knew it she was back in her dreamless sleep.

Tristin was beyond exasperation. He did not mean to glare at Rory, but he was too tired to care. He was looking forward to a quiet summer: seeing a few friends and relatives who knew he was around, hiking a couple of trails he had been meaning to walk since he left three years ago and maybe pick up a hobby. Now Rory literally comes out of nowhere and wreaks havoc to his so-called quiet existence. Rory. For someone he made sure would not be part of his new life, she surely rocketed to the top of his list not even minutes before getting home! The silence in the car was deafening. He was about to turn on the radio when his gaze fell upon the sleeping body next to him. His expression softened toward her. He stole glances at her every now and then during the remainder of his drive. Then he let out a chuckle. Fate sure hung like the sword of Damocles! Sighing, he glanced back at the road, taking a turn into a place that he knew too well and yet felt like an intruder as he parked.

"Hey, Rory. We're here," Tristin whispered softly as he undid her seatbelt.

"Here where?" Rory's husky voice reverberated.

"My dad's. Can you walk?" he asked.

"I think so," she responded groggily. She got out of her seat and woodenly went to her car and took out her purse and gym bag. Both bags in tow, she followed Tristin into the house like a zombie.

Tristin unlocked the heavy door with his house keys and ushered Rory through the dimly lit hallway. Taking her bags, he said, "This way."

They walked up a stairwell that seemed to ascend forever. Tristin led her through another hallway of doors and opened the last door on the right. Turning on the lights, he said, "We're here."

The room looked professionally done. It was very masculine with the earthen tones setting a mood of dominance and control.

"It's all I could offer on a very short notice," he apologized.

Rory did not respond.

"Why don't you jump in bed and we'll talk in the morning," he suggested.

"Okay," she responded absentmindedly. Taking off her spring coat, she dropped it on the floor. Then she slipped off her sandals, kicking it to the side of the bed. Finally, she slipped under the sheets like a little girl that had been up way past her bedtime. Moments later, her deep breathing confirmed her state of rest.

Tristin was temped to share half of the king sized bed. It was bad enough that Rory pulled a mini striptease unaware of the effect she had on him. This was his room and he'd be damned if he got kicked out of his own bed. He was about to lift the down comforter when Rory started talking in her sleep.

"Tristin?" she mewled.

"Yes?" he replied, his breath caught in anticipation.

"Thank you," she responded and rolled away from him.

Tristin cursed at himself as he let the comforter drop from his hand. He walked toward the étagère that held spare blankets and pillows. Disgusted with himself and the situation, he decided to sleep on the leather lazyboy next to his desk. Snuggling into a position that was most comfortable to him, he mumbled, "Sweet dreams, Mary."

Then he turned off the light.