A/N: Hey! First off I want to thank all of you that have reviewed for your
encouragement.Ok, I know I may have confused some of you with Jess. I
reread it and tigeress, you have ever right to be confused. Sorry 'bout
that. I'll do my best to clear it up throughout the next few chapters.
Anyway I thought I'd put this chapter out, although it's much shorter than
intended and as a result is lacking r/t (sorry). I just got my summer work
for school and realized I may not have much time to write. I'll stop typing
now and let you get on with the story...
¤Kari¤
Chapter 29
**********
"Hey Lan.", Alex greeted her as she hurried up the walk, with a grin stretching across her face.
"Hey, wasn't sure if you'd be back yet.", she replied, linking her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her, cutting off any attempt in conversation.
"It's cold.", he managed, reluctantly pulling away from her.
"Aw, poor baby.", she smirked, kissing him again.
"Let's continue this... inside.", Alex replied, pausing mid-sentiment to return the gesture.
"Gladly.", she smiled leading him into his living room and pushing him unto the couch.
He raised an eyebrow questioningly towards her in mock astonishment, but was too lucid to actually protest.
"You were right.", she smiled, plopping down into his lap and stretching across the sofa.
"Of course I was... about what?", he returned smugly.
"My parents. ... So obviously I thought you deserved... to be rewarded.", she answered with a playful tone to her voice.
"Oh and I respect your judgment.", Alex nodded reverently, encircling his arms around her waist and claiming his reward.
"Mmm. We should celebrate.", Lana interrupted brightly.
Alex groaned, "I thought we were?"
"No, I mean we should go out and do something.", Lana laughed.
"Staying in is a highly underrated option.", he countered.
"We could do the whole dinner and... oh no wait, ice skating! We always used to go when we were younger, remember?", she proposed enthusiastically, to which Alex let out a resigned sigh.
"Thank you. I promise I'll make it up to you.", Lana offered with a grin.
"Just what did you have in mind?", Alex asked innocently. Lana smirked again, the fact she was Tristan's daughter was becoming quite apparent, not only in facial expressions.
"Well..." Just as she was about to ... share her ideas, they were interrupted.
Lana defeatedly buried her head in his chest and then fumbled for the phone in her previously discarded purse. Alex laughed as her heard her murmur, "Damn cell phone."
*
"Hello?", she answer, slightly breathless.
"Sorry, did I interrupt something?", the voice on the other end teased slightly.
"Hey Em. No, nothing that can't wait.", Lana replied, sending Alex an apologetic smile. He nodded, leaning back on the couch lazily.
"Right.", she drawled sarcastically.
"What's up Em?"
"I may have been incredibly stupid today.", Emma told her hesitantly. She wasn't really one for asking advice, but right now she saw no other option, aside from driving herself crazy.
"What's wrong?", Lana questioned with concern.
"Nothing really, I'm fine. It's just... what are you doing later?", Emma shrugged off the question, thinking it may be easier to talk, well vent really, in person.
"Alex and I just made plans to...", Lana started with a tinge of regret. It was evident something was wrong, this didn't sound like Emma.
"Oh it's ok... I'll talk to you tomorrow.", she cut her off, although knowing she wouldn't be let off so easily after her pervious comments.
"No Em, why don't you come we us? ...it's just ice skating." Alex grimaced inwardly, but said nothing in protest.
"Oh yes because I love being the third wheel.", she replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You wouldn't be, Em. Just come.", Lana persisted with a roll of her eyes, she looked to Alex, who simply shrugged.
"No offense but you two can be down right nauseating.", Emma told her with a slight laugh, trying to worm her way out of situation she just threw herself into.
"You're coming.", she insisted, knowing if she let this go Emma would never talk about it again.
"But Lan...", Emma started in protest.
"If it bothers you that much, I'll take care of it. Just show up at Alex's in an hour or so.", Lana replied with finality and hung up before Emma could get a word in edge wise.
*
Lana bit her lip and turned back guiltily to Alex.
"What's the damage?", he questioned, knowing to a certain extent what she was going to say.
"Well...there well be a slight change in plans."
"How slight?", he prodded. She was about to answer when she spotted someone coming down the stairs, turning toward the kitchen.
"Travis!", Lana called him over.
"Lan... you're not gonna do what I think you are?", Alex whispered as his cousin came closer.
"Yeah?", Travis responded with complete disinterest.
"I-we have a favor to ask you.", she started. Travis merely raised an eyebrow in response, as if to say, 'I don't do favors.'. Alex let out a snort of disbelief.
"I know this is short notice, but would you go out with us tonight?", she started.
"Sorry, not really into that sorta thing.", he replied casually, beginning to turn away. All of which only served to earn himself a glare from Alex. Lana rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Emma has the strange idea she'd be a 'third wheel'...", Lana continued, undaunted.
"Emma?", he recoiled, suddenly becoming much more interested. Noticing how affected he was by Emma's name she pressed on.
"Yeah, you remember her right?"
"When are we going?", he asked, making no attempts to keep the eagerness from his voice. Alex laughed. Travis wouldn't make it past the door way. Emma would eat him alive.
"An hour.", she smiled, proud of herself for finding the solution so easily.
~*~
Despite it only being dusk, the makeshift apartment was almost completely dark. It's lone occupant sat staring at the phone in his hand. He'd been sitting there for a half hour already, but he never got past dialing the area code.
A knock on the door startled him out of his trance. Whoever it was saw no need to wait for a response before they clamored in.
"You'd think after thirty-eight years you could figure out how to use a phone, Jess.", the intruder commented mockingly.
"Not everyone can be as quick as you Auntie.", he countered, looking at her expectantly.
"What are you, a bat? It's so damn dark in here.", Lorelai observed unaffectedly, flicking on the nearest light switch and choosing not to notice the 'Auntie' comment.
"I'm guessing this isn't a social call.", he squinted up at her impatiently.
"Right. Luke sent me up to see if you needed anything. So ... Do you need anything?", she asked, unfazed by his sarcasm.
"Nope.", Jess answered simply, wanting her to leave. Compiling to the unspoken request Lorelai walked toward the door.
"Don't wait too long to make that phone call Jess. You don't want history repeating itself.", Lorelai advised, pausing at the door way.
He sighed as the door closed behind her. Suddenly he had regressed to seventeen again. Except this time it wasn't Rory who he kept hanging up on. He laughed bitterly, yeah he had changed so much since then.
~*~
Driving up to the house, Emma readied herself for the result of Lana 'taking care of it'. She opened her car door and rolled her eyes at the thought. She wondered what little twit she would have to be nice to this 'lovely evening'. A sense of de ja vu pervaded, as she rang the doorbell.
"Nice to see you again so soon Emma.", he greeted with his most charming smile.
"Let me guess...", she started.
"I'm the fourth wheel.", Travis smirked. Emma fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"Goody.", she deadpanned.
"Somehow I doubt your enthusiasm.", he retorted. She pushed past him impatiently.
*
"I told you this was a bad idea. She's going to tear him apart.", Alex whispered to Lana as they observed the pair.
"Well then let's just call it entertainment.", she whispered back with a smile.
"Lana, please tell me he's just a pathological liar.", Emma almost demanded. He was the reason she called her in the first place and now she was forced spend the entire night with him. Great, just great.
"Sorry?", Lana shrugged apologetically.
"Fine let's just get tonight over with.", Emma stated placidly, after closing her eyes and pulling in a sharp breath in attempts to calm herself.
"After you.", Travis held the door open gentlemanly. Shaking her head, Emma breezed by him. All were in agreement, this would be a long night.
¤Kari¤
Chapter 29
**********
"Hey Lan.", Alex greeted her as she hurried up the walk, with a grin stretching across her face.
"Hey, wasn't sure if you'd be back yet.", she replied, linking her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her, cutting off any attempt in conversation.
"It's cold.", he managed, reluctantly pulling away from her.
"Aw, poor baby.", she smirked, kissing him again.
"Let's continue this... inside.", Alex replied, pausing mid-sentiment to return the gesture.
"Gladly.", she smiled leading him into his living room and pushing him unto the couch.
He raised an eyebrow questioningly towards her in mock astonishment, but was too lucid to actually protest.
"You were right.", she smiled, plopping down into his lap and stretching across the sofa.
"Of course I was... about what?", he returned smugly.
"My parents. ... So obviously I thought you deserved... to be rewarded.", she answered with a playful tone to her voice.
"Oh and I respect your judgment.", Alex nodded reverently, encircling his arms around her waist and claiming his reward.
"Mmm. We should celebrate.", Lana interrupted brightly.
Alex groaned, "I thought we were?"
"No, I mean we should go out and do something.", Lana laughed.
"Staying in is a highly underrated option.", he countered.
"We could do the whole dinner and... oh no wait, ice skating! We always used to go when we were younger, remember?", she proposed enthusiastically, to which Alex let out a resigned sigh.
"Thank you. I promise I'll make it up to you.", Lana offered with a grin.
"Just what did you have in mind?", Alex asked innocently. Lana smirked again, the fact she was Tristan's daughter was becoming quite apparent, not only in facial expressions.
"Well..." Just as she was about to ... share her ideas, they were interrupted.
Lana defeatedly buried her head in his chest and then fumbled for the phone in her previously discarded purse. Alex laughed as her heard her murmur, "Damn cell phone."
*
"Hello?", she answer, slightly breathless.
"Sorry, did I interrupt something?", the voice on the other end teased slightly.
"Hey Em. No, nothing that can't wait.", Lana replied, sending Alex an apologetic smile. He nodded, leaning back on the couch lazily.
"Right.", she drawled sarcastically.
"What's up Em?"
"I may have been incredibly stupid today.", Emma told her hesitantly. She wasn't really one for asking advice, but right now she saw no other option, aside from driving herself crazy.
"What's wrong?", Lana questioned with concern.
"Nothing really, I'm fine. It's just... what are you doing later?", Emma shrugged off the question, thinking it may be easier to talk, well vent really, in person.
"Alex and I just made plans to...", Lana started with a tinge of regret. It was evident something was wrong, this didn't sound like Emma.
"Oh it's ok... I'll talk to you tomorrow.", she cut her off, although knowing she wouldn't be let off so easily after her pervious comments.
"No Em, why don't you come we us? ...it's just ice skating." Alex grimaced inwardly, but said nothing in protest.
"Oh yes because I love being the third wheel.", she replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You wouldn't be, Em. Just come.", Lana persisted with a roll of her eyes, she looked to Alex, who simply shrugged.
"No offense but you two can be down right nauseating.", Emma told her with a slight laugh, trying to worm her way out of situation she just threw herself into.
"You're coming.", she insisted, knowing if she let this go Emma would never talk about it again.
"But Lan...", Emma started in protest.
"If it bothers you that much, I'll take care of it. Just show up at Alex's in an hour or so.", Lana replied with finality and hung up before Emma could get a word in edge wise.
*
Lana bit her lip and turned back guiltily to Alex.
"What's the damage?", he questioned, knowing to a certain extent what she was going to say.
"Well...there well be a slight change in plans."
"How slight?", he prodded. She was about to answer when she spotted someone coming down the stairs, turning toward the kitchen.
"Travis!", Lana called him over.
"Lan... you're not gonna do what I think you are?", Alex whispered as his cousin came closer.
"Yeah?", Travis responded with complete disinterest.
"I-we have a favor to ask you.", she started. Travis merely raised an eyebrow in response, as if to say, 'I don't do favors.'. Alex let out a snort of disbelief.
"I know this is short notice, but would you go out with us tonight?", she started.
"Sorry, not really into that sorta thing.", he replied casually, beginning to turn away. All of which only served to earn himself a glare from Alex. Lana rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Emma has the strange idea she'd be a 'third wheel'...", Lana continued, undaunted.
"Emma?", he recoiled, suddenly becoming much more interested. Noticing how affected he was by Emma's name she pressed on.
"Yeah, you remember her right?"
"When are we going?", he asked, making no attempts to keep the eagerness from his voice. Alex laughed. Travis wouldn't make it past the door way. Emma would eat him alive.
"An hour.", she smiled, proud of herself for finding the solution so easily.
~*~
Despite it only being dusk, the makeshift apartment was almost completely dark. It's lone occupant sat staring at the phone in his hand. He'd been sitting there for a half hour already, but he never got past dialing the area code.
A knock on the door startled him out of his trance. Whoever it was saw no need to wait for a response before they clamored in.
"You'd think after thirty-eight years you could figure out how to use a phone, Jess.", the intruder commented mockingly.
"Not everyone can be as quick as you Auntie.", he countered, looking at her expectantly.
"What are you, a bat? It's so damn dark in here.", Lorelai observed unaffectedly, flicking on the nearest light switch and choosing not to notice the 'Auntie' comment.
"I'm guessing this isn't a social call.", he squinted up at her impatiently.
"Right. Luke sent me up to see if you needed anything. So ... Do you need anything?", she asked, unfazed by his sarcasm.
"Nope.", Jess answered simply, wanting her to leave. Compiling to the unspoken request Lorelai walked toward the door.
"Don't wait too long to make that phone call Jess. You don't want history repeating itself.", Lorelai advised, pausing at the door way.
He sighed as the door closed behind her. Suddenly he had regressed to seventeen again. Except this time it wasn't Rory who he kept hanging up on. He laughed bitterly, yeah he had changed so much since then.
~*~
Driving up to the house, Emma readied herself for the result of Lana 'taking care of it'. She opened her car door and rolled her eyes at the thought. She wondered what little twit she would have to be nice to this 'lovely evening'. A sense of de ja vu pervaded, as she rang the doorbell.
"Nice to see you again so soon Emma.", he greeted with his most charming smile.
"Let me guess...", she started.
"I'm the fourth wheel.", Travis smirked. Emma fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"Goody.", she deadpanned.
"Somehow I doubt your enthusiasm.", he retorted. She pushed past him impatiently.
*
"I told you this was a bad idea. She's going to tear him apart.", Alex whispered to Lana as they observed the pair.
"Well then let's just call it entertainment.", she whispered back with a smile.
"Lana, please tell me he's just a pathological liar.", Emma almost demanded. He was the reason she called her in the first place and now she was forced spend the entire night with him. Great, just great.
"Sorry?", Lana shrugged apologetically.
"Fine let's just get tonight over with.", Emma stated placidly, after closing her eyes and pulling in a sharp breath in attempts to calm herself.
"After you.", Travis held the door open gentlemanly. Shaking her head, Emma breezed by him. All were in agreement, this would be a long night.