AN: Just wanted to let those of you know that might care, I have a new story done, a Trory, and it's not really postable on this site. Hit my homepage for a link, it's called Sorry, and it's NC-17. If you go to my site, you will find the links to all my racier stuff, all done for the Seasonal Passions exchanges. Done plugging that, now on with this story. . .
Rory heard the knocking at her door, but rather than putting her book down and losing her place and concentration, she put the highlighter she had been using between her teeth and stood up, reading while she walked to her door.
"Yeah?" she asked through clenched teeth and flicked her eyes up rapidly to see her favorite floor monitor standing in her doorway. She immediately went back to the last sentence she had read.
"So, you all packed?"
"Uh-huh," she nodded, not looking up.
"Leaving soon?"
"Uh-huh," she repeated, the beginnings of realization that Dan had something he wanted to say seeping in, but not rooted enough to steal her attention away from her assigned reading.
"Rory," he said, putting his hand on her book and taking it from her, to which she opened her mouth to protest until she saw his face. "I need to talk to you."
She frowned and moved back, allowing him into her room as he handed her book back to her. She spit the highlighter out of her mouth and tossed it on her bed. Sighing, she put the book on top of the bag she'd packed for the weekend in the country she was to spend with Tristan and his grandfather. She moved to her shelves and procured a foil-covered package from its cardboard box, and pulled the package open expertly. She handed one frosting-covered pastry to Dan, who smiled and sat at her desk chair.
"You do this well."
"I was taught by the best. Lorelai Gilmore would never start a schmooze session without proper snacks," she flashed a smile. "What's up?"
"Elisa and I went out last night," he began, "and when we were at dinner, we ran into some people that she knows from class," he sighed and took a bite of his Pop tart.
"Yeah?" she encouraged, taking a sympathy bite as well.
"And she introduced me as her 'friend', Dan."
She put the back of her hand to her mouth, trying to stifle the yawn that was making its way from wherever they start out to her mouth. Dan frowned.
"I'm boring you?"
"No, I'm sorry. I've been up late the last few nights," she informed.
"Okay, now you're just flaunting your perfect relationship in my face. I came here for advice and comfort," he took a bigger bite, some strawberry filling catching at the corner of his mouth.
"I've been up late on the phone with my mother, who just found out she's pregnant," she clarified.
"Your mother is pregnant? Is that possible?"
Rory sighed. That did seem to be the most asked question of her these days. "She had me when she was sixteen."
"Ah, I see."
"So, she introduced you as her friend?" she asked, trying to lead him back on track.
"Yeah. We've been going out for the last few weeks, and I'm still in the friend range?"
Rory cringed.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," she shrugged.
"I saw your face. That face meant something; tell me what the face meant!"
"Well, sometimes, when a guy and girl hang out, and nothing is really established after a certain window of time has passed, you miss the romantic phase and get deadlocked in friendship."
Dan's face was alight with panic. "How long is this window open?"
Rory shrugged. "Not sure."
"How can you know of the window, but be unsure as to how long it's open?"
"I'm just saying. It happens."
"I need the window to stay open. Or reopen."
"That window tends to stay shut."
"What about you and Tristan? You were both insistent that you were just friends, and now, you're, well, disgustingly engrossed, if you must know."
Rory smiled. "We were never just friends."
"I'm lost," Dan shook his head in defeat, having finished his treat.
"When two people are overly adamant about the fact that they are just friends and nothing else from the very beginning, they are never just friends. There's always an underlying tension that they're trying to squelch."
"Well, duh."
Rory put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Have you talked to her about this?"
Dan shook his head. "I didn't think we had to talk about this. We see each other a few times a week, we've been more than friendly, it's not like I punch her on the arm and say 'See ya, buddy!' when I leave her at her room."
Rory giggled at the image. "I've seen you two together. I didn't get the 'just friends' vibe. Maybe she freaked out, or she just didn't feel those people had a right to know intimate details. Are there, intimate details?"
"Just normal stuff. Making out. Nothing major, yet."
"Well, you know, you could always just ask her where she thinks this is going," Rory suggested.
"Oh, man. I don't have to do that, do I? I hate the talk. The talk never goes well for me. I always get nervous and end up saying something stupid."
"No, buddy, I guess you don't have to," she put an emphasis on the dreaded word, and he sighed. There was a knock at her door, and she patted his shoulder again on her way to answer her door.
Tristan moved next to her, and took note of Dan seated at her desk. "He doesn't look so good."
"And this is after the Pop tart," Rory shook her head.
"Girl troubles?" Tristan asked, moving to grab Rory's bag.
"I have to talk to her," he nodded, looking up at Rory.
"I think it's wise," she agreed.
"Have a good trip," Dan gave an attempt at a smile as he left the couple to finish up their business before they left for the country. As soon as he was out the door, Tristan dropped the bag and put his arms around her waist to pull her in for a proper kiss. She happily responded, kissing him for a moment before pulling back to rest her forehead against his.
"Hey," she smiled.
"Hey. How was your day?"
"Busy. You?"
"Same. I haven't seen you in forever," he complained.
"I'm sorry I've been MIA. Mom's really freaking out, and I hated to interrupt your beauty sleep just because I've had to surgically adhere the phone to my head."
"She still hasn't told him?"
"No. And until she does, the nightlong phone marathons will continue."
"Give me the phone, I'll tell the poor guy," Tristan offered. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too. But you get me, all weekend," she crossed her heart with her middle finger.
"Ah, the glory of no cell reception."
"My mother is in crisis, and you're gloating."
"I don't even know your mother."
"Well, you will, and believe me, she'll make you sorry that you ever took anything but pity in her pain."
He raised an eyebrow. "You want to take me home to meet your mother?"
"You're taking me to meet your grandfather."
"Yeah, I suppose I am. Not that I'd have a choice. If we didn't go there, he'd come here."
"You're the one that talked to him about me," she teased him. "Told him who great I was, how much you can't live without me," she continued, running a finger down his cheek repeatedly.
He rolled his eyes and kissed the top of her head. "You're delusional."
"What did you tell him about me?" she asked, highly intrigued.
"That you have legs that go on forever and the sweetest as-," he began, but she swatted his chest.
"I'm serious!"
"So'm I!" he laughed, holding her to his chest, as she tried with a decent amount of effort to wriggle out of his arms. He was just too strong, despite her best half-hearted efforts.
"I should make you go all by yourself and let you explain why you're alone!" she stuck her tongue out at him.
"That wouldn't be too hard. The old man is probably expecting me to have screwed this up by now," he said with a hint of seriousness.
"Not the best at keeping the ladies happy?" she nodded, in mock-understanding.
"What have you told your sainted mother about me?" he asked, allowing her freedom of her limbs and once again, as he moved to pick up her bag. She pulled together her sweater and purse, and the book that had fallen to the floor, unnoticed by Tristan before.
"Oh, you know. Everything."
He paled and turned. "Everything, as in, everything?"
"Uh-huh. Why?"
"Well, I can never meet her now."
"What? Why?"
"I have a strict policy, never meet mothers that know I've had sex with their daughters."
"Aw, don't worry. I talked you up. I was very generous when describing your attributes," she smiled and stepped out her door, ready to embark on their weekend.
He groaned and followed her, having not other choice.
XXXX
"I can't believe you brought homework."
"I have to get this done, besides, we'll be there all weekend. I have to have something to read."
"I plan on keeping you very occupied. In fact, I could occupy you right now," he raised an eyebrow and put his arm around her shoulder.
"We're in the car. There is someone sitting right up there," she hissed, motioning to the man that was driving them, clearly visible through the glass partition.
"I miss you. I haven't gotten to see you much for the last couple of days," he reminded her, kissing her cheek sweetly. She nodded and looked up into his blue eyes.
"I know, but," she managed before he placed another kiss on her lips softly. She kissed him back quickly, chastely, before pulling back and looking up at the driver again. He didn't seem to be paying them any attention, just continuing his drive through the countryside.
"Tell me about your grandpa," she suggested, trying to veer him away from his focused attempts to make her lose her train of thought.
"Not really what I had in mind," he said, kissing her bare shoulder.
"Tristan, come on," she said, but his mouth was once again on her lips, not letting her protest, or really even breathe. She returned the fervor and slid her hand down into his lap and pressed gently. She looked into his eyes, and noticed how they seemed to be gleaming with hope.
"Dream on. Now, tell me about your grandpa," she smirked.
"Tease," he pouted. "Fine. What do you want to know?"
"What's he do?"
"International law. He deals mainly with large corporations, and rights infractions."
"Interesting."
"Yes, it is. Or at least, I'm screwed if I don't think so," he nodded.
"You're taking over the business?"
"I'm joining the business. The old man isn't going anywhere yet."
"Do you two get along well?"
"We're pretty close, we're a lot a like."
"He's a skirt-chaser?"
"Funny."
"I thought so."
"He's stubborn and strong willed. He doesn't put up with crap from anyone."
"Ah, now I see the family resemblance."
"And he's going to love you."
She looked at him and blushed. He still had his arm around her, and her hand had fallen to rest gently on his upper thigh. They were basically sharing the same seat in the back of the car, they were so closely pressed into one another. Her shoulder was tucked under his arm, and her chest was pressed into his.
"Oh."
He wasn't sure if her speechlessness and hesitation were from surprise or shock, but he leaned down to kiss her, not wanting her to feel pressure to say anything back to him. He put a hand to the back of her head, gently holding her to him. She smiled as they pulled apart from the kiss of reassurance.
"I'm sure I'll love him, too," she said with authority and a genuine smile over took his anxious features. They sat back, her with her book in the comfort of his embrace, and him watching the scenery go by on the rest of their trip out to meet his grandfather.
XXXX
"Where are you calling from?"
"Tristan's family's cottage. I shouldn't stay on long. I just wanted to check in."
"No cell reception at all! That's lunacy!"
"Well, unless you're going to come out here and build a cell tower yourself, I don't see any way to fix this problem. Oh, wait, you could talk to me now," she suggested.
"Luke asked me to dinner tonight."
"You live together."
"I mean, to a fancy dinner."
"So, you think he might pop the question?"
"I've narrowed it down to that or an easy let down."
"Mom, stop. He doesn't want to let you down. He likes you up."
"That makes no sense."
"I'm serious. He wants to be with you. Are you going to tell him about your delicate condition?"
"You make it sound like I haven't been trying," she sounded put out.
"What have you done?"
"Well, I've been eating vegetables without argument. You know how he always tried to sneak them into my food?"
"Go on," Rory encouraged.
"And I've been having to get up out of bed early in the morning to throw up. I run the shower when I do it, though, so he can't really hear me."
"Uh-huh. Keep going."
"I was looking at your baby book the other day, and left it on the coffee table for him to find."
"Did he find it?"
"Yeah. He asked when you were coming home and said to say hi next time I talked to you."
"Mom," she sighed and tried to think of a way to say what needed to be said nicely. "Maybe you should consider actually using the words 'baby,' and 'we're having a' in the same sentence."
"We'll go to dinner tonight. We'll see what happens. And after I throw up said fancy dinner, then I'll tell him."
"I'll call you tomorrow. You have to tell him."
"I could wait until you get back, and you could tell him. He'd never cry in front of you."
"I have to go."
"Fine. I see. I give you life and raise you to be an independent woman who leaves me when I need you most."
"Tell Luke hi for me."
"Bye."
"Bye," she sighed, hanging up the phone just in time to see Tristan moving into the room. He smiled.
"His car just pulled up."
"Okay."
"Everything okay at home?"
"It will be. Let's go."
She smiled and took his arm, and they moved through the house to greet the older gentleman whose car had just pulled up in front of the house. She hoped that this evening went smoothly both for her and her mother.
