Author's note 2004-08-02: I revised this chapter, trying to fight all the misspelling and grammatical errors (thanks Raven and Arlene for always being there for me and re-read everything countless times). There might still be some errors and I'm sorry for that but this should be better now.

Didi

Stay
Chapter 2: Waking Up To Uncertainties

Rory slowly awakened around five in the morning while the lighting in the room changed gradually; she felt two arms around her waist. Inside her head, she almost heard Lane practicing drumming. Partially remembering the previous night since it was somewhat blurry, she remembered feeling comfortable, like she was at that moment. She remembered the passion and the kisses, when she stopped him, his request for her to stay for the night just to hold her. Suddenly, Tristan's visage appeared in her mind. What had she done? Going in bed with Tristan, Tristan DuGrey! This must be a nightmare and she had to get out of there before he woke up also. She didn't want to face his satisfied smirk when he opened his eyes and laughed at her for finally giving into his charms. From that moment, she was to never going to attempt to breech her alcohol consumption level ever again.

She tried to untangle herself from the strong arms that resisted letting her go. She turned around to face him as he tightened his hold on her. She admitted to her self that he was good looking and that he looked so innocent while he slept. However, she also admitted how harsh and mean he was able to be. She wanted to run away from him the fastest possible but as she tried to get up again, Tristan held her stronger this time. Rory heard just barely above a whisper, "Go back to sleep my love, it's still too early to get up." She looked at his eyes and as she saw his closed eyelids, she realized that he was still sleeping, a big smile plastered across his features. She pondered on the fact that he must be having wonderful dreams, she forgot why she wanted to get up and fell asleep again.

Tristan was awake for the previous hour and was still unable to determine if it was a dream or reality. The fact he knew was that Rory was practically naked and asleep in HIS bed willingly, he voluntarily omitted the fact that she was obviously too drunk to think straight the previous night. She was everything that he had imagined her to be while he was undressing her with his eyes during class. She had always rejected him and made it clear that he had been and would always remain just a mistake. Tristan fought the urge to kiss her, as he looked at her, aware that the moment she woke up; she would run away from him again, probably screaming. He knew that once again, he would be rejected and his pride would be hurt. Somehow, when he saw her dancing the previous night, all the infatuation he had felt for her in high school came back.

Tristan watched Rory as she slept peacefully, one of her arms rested on his chest; her head used his shoulder as a pillow, their legs tangled together. He smirked to no one as he pulled down the sheets a little bit to engrave every last detailed curved of her body inside his mind. He knew that she would kill him if she ever found out, he covered her with the sheets, lust coursed inside his body, it made him close his eyes to regain control. He sighed as he realized that he should have let her go instead of inviting her to stay the night but the lust in her eyes prevented him from protecting himself and made him gambled to have at least one night with her. At least one night with her, his biggest challenge, the girl that got away, the one that never became another notch on his belt. He knew, he should wake her up but he kept on delaying the moment.

Tristan sensed her slowly come out of her sleeping state. He tried to avoid the nightmare of her looking at him with hatred; he leaned over her to kiss her softly. A content smile formed on her lips as she thought 'What a wonderful way to wake up.'

Rory opened her eyes and she saw Tristan. She was lost in his genuine smile and in his deep blue orbs when she heard, "Good morning beautiful, I hope you slept well." He didn't wait for an answer, he kissed her with all his might. Rory's body weakened as she responded to the kiss, she lost herself in his embrace. Tristan moved his hands over Rory's breast and let her be aware of his arousing excitation. She panicked and pulled away, realizing her state of nakedness and that he was wearing boxers only.

Tristan looked at Rory with confusion in his eyes, "Did I do something wrong?"

Rory blushed as she pointed the object that had caused her sudden timidity, "No, it's just... it's that..."

Tristan picked up his shirt and offered it to her, he explained, "That's the effect you have on me so I suggest you cover yourself if you still want me to behave like a gentleman."

Rory gladly accepted the offered shirt and hurriedly put it on, she whispered, "Thanks."

Tristan closed the distance between them, slid his arms around her waist and sent shivers all over her body, "Anytime."

He kissed her mouth softly, his lips followed her jaw line when she whispered, "I have to go."

Tristan kissed her earlobe and muttered, "Don't."

"I have to."

He tightened his hold around her waist, "I don't want you to."

"I have classes."

He let go of her and asked with hope in his eyes, "Will you call me?"

"I don't know."

Tristan looked at her hopelessly as she gathered her clothes and dressed her self.

Rory was a little confused, she was not supposed to feel all tingly with Tristan, she needed time to figure out what this meant. A little surprised of not hearing him say something about the way he always knew she would fall for him eventually. As she gathered the courage to face him, she saw Tristan in a new light, not the usually confident one but the one she encountered once long ago by a piano, lonely and sad. She saw a flicker of hope in his eyes, that disappeared almost instantly before he whispered, "Stay, just for today, please?"