A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates. I have so much stuff to do... well, I guess you probably aren't reading this, due to the fact that you just wanna get on with the story. Um... I think that you guys should know that I am changing the characters... especially in this chapter and on. I know that Rory and Tristan probably wouldn't do what I am going to have them do, and if you don't like it, stop reading it. But I am still going to write it.

Chapter 8. Holding On

Rory awoke with someone's arm draped over her bare waist. She tried to escape. "Oh, my god... Oh, my god..." she muttered quietly, but he woke up and held on to her.

Tristan: "Wait, Rory, calm down." He didn't want her to go.

Rory, with no energy left, she looked into his eyes with her own, tearful ones: "Tristan, he's going to kill me." She broke down in sobs, and he let her head go on his nude chest. This wasn't supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to get emotionally involved. He was just supposed to quietly help her out, just on the sidelines. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Tristan: "Nothings going to happen to you... Nothing."

Later that morning, they were still in the same position, but Rory's tears had subsided. They were just laying there, her head on his chest, for what seemed like hours. Tristan had turned the TV on, but neither was really watching it. They were caught up in their own thoughts that seduced them so. Neither had said a word since that early morning, but both were content. Every word they needed to say, the other was feeling the same way.

Rory started to get up, holding the sheet and quilt up to her chest.

Tristan: "Hey, hey... where're you going?" He looked at her longingly, sympathetically, and confusingly.

Rory: "Well, we... aren't really doing anything... so... I thought... maybe it would be time for me to..." she stumbled over every word, and Tristan smirked inwardly at this.

Tristan, sitting up as well: "Ye-yeah, um... do you want to... take a shower, maybe?" He tried to make her feel more and more comfortable.

Rory bowed her head and curled up her lips ever so slightly.

Then she nodded once.

Rory: "Sure, I'd like that."

Tristan, smiling a bit: "Good, do you want... breakfast, when you come out?"

She nodded the slightest nod, and then they both stood, Rory, pulling the sheet around her, and Tristan, putting on his boxers.

A/N: Short chapter, I know, but I wanted to end there. I hope you know that Tristan (as I said before, he could be a little OOC) wants Rory to just forget about the situation they are in – for now. He doesn't want her to feel pressured to feel anything. Thanks for reading, and review. The next chapter will be up later.

Paige