A/N: Again I apoligize for my long absence. I had planned on combining this
chapter with the next one but that would have taken twice as long and I
wanted to get this out for all of you as soon as I could. Plus I haven't
been able to get it up on the site for a while. Now with the SATs out of
the way I think I'll be able to write more often. Thank you all so much for
your reviews,
:-D
¤Kari¤
Chapter 27
**********
It was well before sunrise when she started to wake up. Eyes still closed, she tried to regain her senses while listening to the steady beating of her heart. A serene feeling enveloped her as she blinked her eyes open. In the predawn hours she slowly became aware that the wall she was facing wasn't that of her boring white color. As she groggily tried to remember where she was, she could feel her heart beginning to race, but that steadying beating in her ear remained constant. Laughing at her memory lapse, she made a move to get up, but a strong arm instinctively pulled her back to him.
"And where do you think you're going?", Tristan questioned sleepily with a lazy smile. Rory smiled, not really wanting to go, but she knew it was best if she did.
"Home.", she smiled almost sadly.
"You are home.", he contested, pulling her tighter to him. There was nothing she wanted more than to stay, it felt perfect being there.
"You know I love you, but Tris I really do have to leave.", she said, will wavering.
"No. You're staying right here.", Tristan replied firmly, kissing her neck.
"Fine I'll just stay here but when Lana decides to wake up and comes in here we'll have a lot of explaining to do.", she countered, referring to their compromising little position. Tristan sighed, running a hand nervously through his hair.
"That little detail escaped your keen sense of observation didn't it.", Rory teased.
"Flew right under the radar.", he nodded.
"So like I said before, I'd better be going.", she smiled.
"I guess.", he admitted defeat and pulled her into a long goodnight...or morning...kiss. She gathered her things and started down the stairs, looking back one last time.
~*~
A soft snow began to fall and the few visible stars shone through the clouds. A light sleeper, the first few flakes landing on her face woke her up. Lana smiled realizing Alex's coat was draped over her. However having no idea of the time, she made no move to leave her comforting position on the aging wooden swing. As she leaned back against Alex, she smiled at his arms wrapped around her, keeping her from falling. She sighed thinking unconsciously that she could get used to waking up like this. It was then she realized she could never have gotten through any of it without him.
"Hey you.", Alex smiled after being waken up by a kiss from Lana.
"Hi.", she replied simply.
"Look it's snowing.", he pointed out, the cold finally sinking in.
"Grandma always says the best things happen in the snow.", she replied softly, looking out at the fine layer of snow building up on the lawn.
"She's a smart lady.", he murmured, leaning in to kiss her again.
"How long were we asleep.", Lana asked groggily. Looking down at his watch, Alex's eyes went a little wide. He was expecting it to be around ten maybe, give or take some, but his watch told him differently.
"Lan it's three am. I have to go.", he said looking toward his house and wondering if his parent gave a damn where he was. Lana bit her lip as he began to leave.
"I love you Alexander.", she blurted out. She grimaced inwardly. Yes that was eloquent, well phrased and perfectly timed. 'Sure, keep telling yourself that Lana.', she thought to herself.
"Love you too Lorelai. Now get yourself inside it's freezing out her.", Alex responded warmly, then turned to go back home.
Lana, she clad in his jacket, complacently walked into the house and meandered through the living room.
*
"Mom? What are you still doing here?", Lana questioned, seeing her mother hastily tying up her shoes.
"Lana hey. I stayed on the couch for a while since I had a few drinks. Better safe than sorry right?", Rory replied a little nervously, but convincingly none the less. She had been working it out in her head ever since she woke up that morning.
"Oh okay.", Lana nodded, accepting her excuse as a legitimate one.
"What about you, where have you been?", Rory countered using her best motherly tone.
"I fell asleep outside on the swing.", Lana replied, undaunted by the question and choosing to leave out parts of the story, but at least hers wasn't a complete lie.
"Oh okay." They stood there silently for a few minutes, each waiting for the other to make a move.
"I better be going to bed.", Lana broke the air awkwardly.
"Yeah... yeah I should be going too. Hey do me a favor and come by Luke's tomorrow for lunch."
"You mean today.", Lana amended, reminding her of the time.
"Wow yea it is that late. I'm gonna go now."
"I'll tell Dad you said good bye.", Lana said almost suspiciously.
"All right, bye hon. See you later.", Rory said, almost leaving this time.
"Mom.", Lana called as Rory reached the door.
"Yeah Lan?"
"Are you and Dad...?", she said hesitantly.
"Would you be okay if we were?", Rory smiled toward her daughter, not exactly answering the question.
"I think I'd manage.", she said.
"Bye Lan."
~*~
Emma chewed on her lower lip instead of her breakfast that morning. She was still completely stunned from the night before. Something was wrong with the world, the planets must have been aligned or something because there was no other way to explain the phenomenon that took place. Travis Griffin was actually nice, civil, and not at all like the pompous ass he normally was, and it was scaring her.
He walked in to the club just before her band had finished playing and simply sat and listened. Suspicious and annoyed she went over to yell at him but he beat her to it.
'I don't feel like being lectured or yelled at and no Emma I'm not stalking you. So could we cut to the part where you storm away just angry as you stormed in.', Travis cut her off quickly.
She still couldn't get over that dejected look about him and the total lack of his former arrogance. It was as cold and closed off as she had ever seen him, which granted was not often. And then his reply after she asked him why he had come struck her as somewhat cryptic.
'I don't know. I just am.', he shrugged with a half hearted smile.
'What's wrong with you?', she recalled saying ineloquently. She kicked her self for her continual lack of tact, she really needed to work on that character flaw.
'That's what I like about you Emma you say exactly what you think, don't you? Don't worry that's a good thing.', he replied with a slight smile.
'You're acting weirder than usual, you know that?', she told him, while taking a seat opposite him.
'Would you rather me act like that pretentious jerk you know and hate? Cause I don't really enjoy being him.', he retorted edgily. There was something about his manner that haunted her still.
Emma didn't quite know how to respond after that, thinking back she still wouldn't have been able to say anything that wouldn't come out sarcastic and totally inappropriate. So she just sat there with him... in silence, which was totally okay with Travis. He was getting sick of false sincerity and small talk.
"Are you going to eat Em, or are you going to stare at that wall all day long?", Emma's elder sister pulled her out of her reverie.
"Morning Jamie.", Emma greeted lacking too much enthusiasm, and chewed her eggs slowly.
"Your distracted.", Jamie stated the obvious. Emma rolled her eyes.
"Your too happy for seven in the morning.", she countered, not at all happy Travis had wormed his way into her thoughts when he wasn't even there. And why was she up so early on a Saturday? Oh that's right she couldn't sleep... damn him.
"Someone's cranky. Guy trouble?", her sister said patronizingly.
"Don't you have somewhere to be? Detox maybe?", she said, recalling how trashed her sister got the night of their party... and almost every night really.
"Ouh defensive aren't we?", Jamie smirked, eyes twinkling at the mere pleasure of tormenting her little sister.
"I hear Betty Ford is nice this time of year."
"Come on tell your big sister all about it.", she replied with false sympathy. Jamie seemed a little tipsy then too. But then you could never tell whether it was drunkenness or plain stupidity and self centeredness that gave her that attitude.
"Why did Princeton let you out? Doesn't ruin their case study?", Emma rolled her eyes. How her sister got into an Ivy League school, she had no idea, but she guessed bribery was involved.
"My, my you haven't been this way since what's his name...Adam?"
"Andrew.", Emma murmured, glaring down into her plate.
"Oh right Andrew. What ever happened to him?", she asked, unknowingly hitting a sore subject with her sister. She didn't like talking about him. He was in the past, and that was where he was going to stay. Jamie needed to watch her step because at this rate strangulation was a possibility.
"I really can't say.", she managed with a clenched smile. She picked up her plate and dropped it in the sink, not even flinching at the loud noise it caused. At this Jamie shrugged and began eating her own breakfast. Either Jamie sensed that Emma wasn't to happy with her line of questioning or she used up her five second attention span. Emma had her bets on the latter.
*~*
"Hi Paris.", Rory said cheerfully, walking into the office that morning. She still had hard time believing all that had gone on, but that didn't curb that elated feeling from remaining with her.
"Hey Ror. Got that article for me?", she greeted placidly, leading her into her office.
"Article?", Rory questioned, guiltily biting her lip.
"The one that should be in my hand right now.", Paris replied eyeing her expectantly awaiting an explanation or excuse.
"Paris I'm so sorry. I'll have it to you before lunch.", she said as more of a question than a statement.
"You're off.", Paris observed, siting herself down.
"I'm not off. I just had a memory lapse. Must be age setting in.", she joked, trying to evade talking with Paris about her 'distraction'.
"There's something different about you.", Paris continued, undaunted.
"What do you mean? Nothing's different.", she laughed lightly.
"Right there. Different.", Paris protested, citing her laugh as evidence.
"Good different or bad different?", Rory smirked. Good or Bad depended on who you were at that moment. Paris' mouth dropped as if finally pinpointing the alteration. She knew that look on her face and what it meant, but like a good reporter she had to be sure
"Where were you last night?", she questioned.
"Having dinner with my daughter.", Rory answered simply. Paris nodded sarcastically.
"And afterwards.", she asked, slowly losing her serious face.
"Sleeping.", Rory replied.
"Where?" Rory didn't answer. Well she had to find out eventually.
"I knew it, so I was right. All those lunches with 'Lorelai' were...", she smiled triumphantly. Being right was a great thing.
"Only lunches with Tristan.", Rory finished, not wanting her to think that much of her little white lies.
"Have you told Lorelai and Luke?", Paris asked seriously. Rory shook her head.
"This afternoon we plan to.", she sighed anticipating the worst. Paris, although very unlike her, withheld all her disapprobation and all her concerns. She figured Lorelai would throw enough of that her way, not to mention Luke.
"So... last night... you and Tristan?", Paris said still in slight shock and still somewhat feigning enthusiasm.
"Yup.", Rory nodded, Happily sipping the foam cup of coffee she held in her hand.
"Like I said. The cycle continues."
¤Kari¤
Chapter 27
**********
It was well before sunrise when she started to wake up. Eyes still closed, she tried to regain her senses while listening to the steady beating of her heart. A serene feeling enveloped her as she blinked her eyes open. In the predawn hours she slowly became aware that the wall she was facing wasn't that of her boring white color. As she groggily tried to remember where she was, she could feel her heart beginning to race, but that steadying beating in her ear remained constant. Laughing at her memory lapse, she made a move to get up, but a strong arm instinctively pulled her back to him.
"And where do you think you're going?", Tristan questioned sleepily with a lazy smile. Rory smiled, not really wanting to go, but she knew it was best if she did.
"Home.", she smiled almost sadly.
"You are home.", he contested, pulling her tighter to him. There was nothing she wanted more than to stay, it felt perfect being there.
"You know I love you, but Tris I really do have to leave.", she said, will wavering.
"No. You're staying right here.", Tristan replied firmly, kissing her neck.
"Fine I'll just stay here but when Lana decides to wake up and comes in here we'll have a lot of explaining to do.", she countered, referring to their compromising little position. Tristan sighed, running a hand nervously through his hair.
"That little detail escaped your keen sense of observation didn't it.", Rory teased.
"Flew right under the radar.", he nodded.
"So like I said before, I'd better be going.", she smiled.
"I guess.", he admitted defeat and pulled her into a long goodnight...or morning...kiss. She gathered her things and started down the stairs, looking back one last time.
~*~
A soft snow began to fall and the few visible stars shone through the clouds. A light sleeper, the first few flakes landing on her face woke her up. Lana smiled realizing Alex's coat was draped over her. However having no idea of the time, she made no move to leave her comforting position on the aging wooden swing. As she leaned back against Alex, she smiled at his arms wrapped around her, keeping her from falling. She sighed thinking unconsciously that she could get used to waking up like this. It was then she realized she could never have gotten through any of it without him.
"Hey you.", Alex smiled after being waken up by a kiss from Lana.
"Hi.", she replied simply.
"Look it's snowing.", he pointed out, the cold finally sinking in.
"Grandma always says the best things happen in the snow.", she replied softly, looking out at the fine layer of snow building up on the lawn.
"She's a smart lady.", he murmured, leaning in to kiss her again.
"How long were we asleep.", Lana asked groggily. Looking down at his watch, Alex's eyes went a little wide. He was expecting it to be around ten maybe, give or take some, but his watch told him differently.
"Lan it's three am. I have to go.", he said looking toward his house and wondering if his parent gave a damn where he was. Lana bit her lip as he began to leave.
"I love you Alexander.", she blurted out. She grimaced inwardly. Yes that was eloquent, well phrased and perfectly timed. 'Sure, keep telling yourself that Lana.', she thought to herself.
"Love you too Lorelai. Now get yourself inside it's freezing out her.", Alex responded warmly, then turned to go back home.
Lana, she clad in his jacket, complacently walked into the house and meandered through the living room.
*
"Mom? What are you still doing here?", Lana questioned, seeing her mother hastily tying up her shoes.
"Lana hey. I stayed on the couch for a while since I had a few drinks. Better safe than sorry right?", Rory replied a little nervously, but convincingly none the less. She had been working it out in her head ever since she woke up that morning.
"Oh okay.", Lana nodded, accepting her excuse as a legitimate one.
"What about you, where have you been?", Rory countered using her best motherly tone.
"I fell asleep outside on the swing.", Lana replied, undaunted by the question and choosing to leave out parts of the story, but at least hers wasn't a complete lie.
"Oh okay." They stood there silently for a few minutes, each waiting for the other to make a move.
"I better be going to bed.", Lana broke the air awkwardly.
"Yeah... yeah I should be going too. Hey do me a favor and come by Luke's tomorrow for lunch."
"You mean today.", Lana amended, reminding her of the time.
"Wow yea it is that late. I'm gonna go now."
"I'll tell Dad you said good bye.", Lana said almost suspiciously.
"All right, bye hon. See you later.", Rory said, almost leaving this time.
"Mom.", Lana called as Rory reached the door.
"Yeah Lan?"
"Are you and Dad...?", she said hesitantly.
"Would you be okay if we were?", Rory smiled toward her daughter, not exactly answering the question.
"I think I'd manage.", she said.
"Bye Lan."
~*~
Emma chewed on her lower lip instead of her breakfast that morning. She was still completely stunned from the night before. Something was wrong with the world, the planets must have been aligned or something because there was no other way to explain the phenomenon that took place. Travis Griffin was actually nice, civil, and not at all like the pompous ass he normally was, and it was scaring her.
He walked in to the club just before her band had finished playing and simply sat and listened. Suspicious and annoyed she went over to yell at him but he beat her to it.
'I don't feel like being lectured or yelled at and no Emma I'm not stalking you. So could we cut to the part where you storm away just angry as you stormed in.', Travis cut her off quickly.
She still couldn't get over that dejected look about him and the total lack of his former arrogance. It was as cold and closed off as she had ever seen him, which granted was not often. And then his reply after she asked him why he had come struck her as somewhat cryptic.
'I don't know. I just am.', he shrugged with a half hearted smile.
'What's wrong with you?', she recalled saying ineloquently. She kicked her self for her continual lack of tact, she really needed to work on that character flaw.
'That's what I like about you Emma you say exactly what you think, don't you? Don't worry that's a good thing.', he replied with a slight smile.
'You're acting weirder than usual, you know that?', she told him, while taking a seat opposite him.
'Would you rather me act like that pretentious jerk you know and hate? Cause I don't really enjoy being him.', he retorted edgily. There was something about his manner that haunted her still.
Emma didn't quite know how to respond after that, thinking back she still wouldn't have been able to say anything that wouldn't come out sarcastic and totally inappropriate. So she just sat there with him... in silence, which was totally okay with Travis. He was getting sick of false sincerity and small talk.
"Are you going to eat Em, or are you going to stare at that wall all day long?", Emma's elder sister pulled her out of her reverie.
"Morning Jamie.", Emma greeted lacking too much enthusiasm, and chewed her eggs slowly.
"Your distracted.", Jamie stated the obvious. Emma rolled her eyes.
"Your too happy for seven in the morning.", she countered, not at all happy Travis had wormed his way into her thoughts when he wasn't even there. And why was she up so early on a Saturday? Oh that's right she couldn't sleep... damn him.
"Someone's cranky. Guy trouble?", her sister said patronizingly.
"Don't you have somewhere to be? Detox maybe?", she said, recalling how trashed her sister got the night of their party... and almost every night really.
"Ouh defensive aren't we?", Jamie smirked, eyes twinkling at the mere pleasure of tormenting her little sister.
"I hear Betty Ford is nice this time of year."
"Come on tell your big sister all about it.", she replied with false sympathy. Jamie seemed a little tipsy then too. But then you could never tell whether it was drunkenness or plain stupidity and self centeredness that gave her that attitude.
"Why did Princeton let you out? Doesn't ruin their case study?", Emma rolled her eyes. How her sister got into an Ivy League school, she had no idea, but she guessed bribery was involved.
"My, my you haven't been this way since what's his name...Adam?"
"Andrew.", Emma murmured, glaring down into her plate.
"Oh right Andrew. What ever happened to him?", she asked, unknowingly hitting a sore subject with her sister. She didn't like talking about him. He was in the past, and that was where he was going to stay. Jamie needed to watch her step because at this rate strangulation was a possibility.
"I really can't say.", she managed with a clenched smile. She picked up her plate and dropped it in the sink, not even flinching at the loud noise it caused. At this Jamie shrugged and began eating her own breakfast. Either Jamie sensed that Emma wasn't to happy with her line of questioning or she used up her five second attention span. Emma had her bets on the latter.
*~*
"Hi Paris.", Rory said cheerfully, walking into the office that morning. She still had hard time believing all that had gone on, but that didn't curb that elated feeling from remaining with her.
"Hey Ror. Got that article for me?", she greeted placidly, leading her into her office.
"Article?", Rory questioned, guiltily biting her lip.
"The one that should be in my hand right now.", Paris replied eyeing her expectantly awaiting an explanation or excuse.
"Paris I'm so sorry. I'll have it to you before lunch.", she said as more of a question than a statement.
"You're off.", Paris observed, siting herself down.
"I'm not off. I just had a memory lapse. Must be age setting in.", she joked, trying to evade talking with Paris about her 'distraction'.
"There's something different about you.", Paris continued, undaunted.
"What do you mean? Nothing's different.", she laughed lightly.
"Right there. Different.", Paris protested, citing her laugh as evidence.
"Good different or bad different?", Rory smirked. Good or Bad depended on who you were at that moment. Paris' mouth dropped as if finally pinpointing the alteration. She knew that look on her face and what it meant, but like a good reporter she had to be sure
"Where were you last night?", she questioned.
"Having dinner with my daughter.", Rory answered simply. Paris nodded sarcastically.
"And afterwards.", she asked, slowly losing her serious face.
"Sleeping.", Rory replied.
"Where?" Rory didn't answer. Well she had to find out eventually.
"I knew it, so I was right. All those lunches with 'Lorelai' were...", she smiled triumphantly. Being right was a great thing.
"Only lunches with Tristan.", Rory finished, not wanting her to think that much of her little white lies.
"Have you told Lorelai and Luke?", Paris asked seriously. Rory shook her head.
"This afternoon we plan to.", she sighed anticipating the worst. Paris, although very unlike her, withheld all her disapprobation and all her concerns. She figured Lorelai would throw enough of that her way, not to mention Luke.
"So... last night... you and Tristan?", Paris said still in slight shock and still somewhat feigning enthusiasm.
"Yup.", Rory nodded, Happily sipping the foam cup of coffee she held in her hand.
"Like I said. The cycle continues."