Last week I had a little writes block, and I was busy with a lot of birthdays (Including mine.. Jeej... I'm finally 17 :P). But when I finally had some inspiration, I wrote my longest chapter ever... so may I present to you (drumroll please) Chapter 11: Gilmore's don't run. For the people who pay attention to that, the rating has gone upto T, and it's just to be safe.
(By the way, I own zip)

Love, maybe… - Chapter 11 – Gilmore's don't run

The last day with only the two of them was just like all the other days had been. The "incident" was forgotten and Tristan and Rory were best pals again. It was all peachy the whole ride, until they came nearer to LA. All of a sudden it seemed as if cars started to emerge out of thin air. The traffic really started to annoy them. Why did it have to be so busy today, the day that Paris would kill them if they were late. And it would be a slow, painful and bloody death.

When they finally reached the centre of LA, they already had decided to head to the convention centre first instead of their hotel, trying to buy them some time time. But that attempt failed when they took the exit that was supposed to buy them that time. That road was just as busy as the highway they just left. Cars as far as the eye could see, all driving at a foot-pace.

When they finally arrived at their destination they were already 30 minutes late.

When they finally found a parking spot, Tristan parked the car like it was his first time (all crooked in the parking space), jumped out the car and ran towards the building.

Rory, however, is a Gilmore, and Gilmores don't do sports, and they most certainly don't run, under any circumstances. So she walked, not rushed at all.

Tristan shouted something to her she couldn't understand because he was too far away. Because she didn't answer him and kept walking he ran back to her.

Still jogging next to her he said 'Rory, we need to hurry, I don't like an annoyed Paris and if we're going to be later than the late we already are, she's going to be angry and I definitely do not like an angry Paris.'

'Paris scares me too when she's angry, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm a Gilmore, Tristan, and you know what we Gilmore's don't do?' She asked him if it was a very normal question.

'Enlighten me.' He said, still jogging.

'Run.'

'Excuse me?'

Rory looked at him annoyed. 'It's easy, we Gilmore Girls do not run.'

He smirked evilly, but with a twinkle in his eyes. 'Well, if you don't run, we're going to have to speed you up in a different way.'

Rory saw the look in his eyes, and when she had figured out what he was talking about, it was too late.

He lifted her off the ground and flung her over his shoulder effortless and started running towards the building again. At first Rory struggled, trying to get down, and screaming 'Tristan put me down', but after a while she just let him. It required no exercise for her but it did for him, so while he was making himself tired she could mock him.

When they finally arrived at the elevator after asking 3 different people if they knew where the convention was (and openly being laughed at by dozens of people because of their unusual way of transportation) Tristan got a little desperate and angry at the same time 'Shit, you've got to be kidding me.'

Rory loved this; he was getting himself really worked up. She'd seen the "Out of order" sign on the elevator already but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to annoy him.

'What's wrong Tris?' she asked in her fake sweet voice.

'The elevator is out of order, damnit.'

'Oh come on Tris, there's no need to get angry, we can just use the stairs.'

'Will you walk on your own then?'

'Yes…' she said firmly and Tristan looked a little relieved '…I will walk on my own, that means still no running.'

'Oh Rory come on, please don't make me carry you up eight stories.'

It was Rory's time to have an evil twinkle in her eyes, payback time 'You're the one that wants to run all the way up. Oh and by the way, I thought you're my big strong protector, with the emphasis on strong.'

'Are you implying I can't carry you all the way up?' The slight despair was audible in his voice and his eyes said please do not make me.

'Well…' Rory said 'I did kind of imply that.'

Being a male in the prime time of his life and always trying to impress the ladies, he couldn't let that slip. His ego had to come in the way. He knew it, hated it sometimes, but couldn't help it either. 'Alright…' he said determined '… hang on, we'll be up in a flash.'

---

The debate was already going on in full force, and usually Paris was an enthusiastic participant. This time however, she couldn't keep her eye on the game and the prize. She kept looking at the door, waiting for her two best friends to enter. She asked both Tristan and Rory, two people she'd known for forever (Rory not really forever, but it felt like forever), to come to this convention. Because behind all her defences and her tough attitude, she was vulnerable, she needed friendly faces during these important days. And as an added bonus she was reuniting two people who used to have the hots for each other, even though they would deny it with all their might.

After her little chat on the phone with Tristan a couple days ago, it became clear to her Tristan was still into Rory after all these years, or he fell for her all over again, which of the two it didn't really matter. He liked her and he was denying it. It was high school all over again.

She was actually surprised Rory accepted Tristan to go with her. But on the other hand she really wasn't. Rory is the type of person who gives people second chances, no matter how much of an asshole they were in high school, herself being the best example.

All of a sudden her thoughts were interrupted by a voice outside the room were the debate was going on.

'God, you've bursted in every single room on this floor. Every time it was the wrong one with very annoyed people in it. Just knock please.'

'Oh come on, where's your sense of adventure.' A second voice said.

'I don't think of this as adventure!' the first voice said again very annoyed.

'I do.' The second voice seemed to enjoy the annoyance of the first. 'So I'm going to do it again, are you ready?'

Everybody in the room was wondering who were making all that noise outside. Paris, however, had an idea of who were standing behind that door. She'd recognise that banter and their voices everywhere and always.

Her idea turned out to be right when a young man opened the door roughly with a girl hanging over his shoulder, but in the air. The whole room burst into laughter when the odd duo looked around startled. Well, when the guy looked around startled, the girl's face wasn't visible to the room.

When the laughter slowly died, Tristan regained his sanity. A smirk crept on his mouth 'I guess we have the right room, Ror. I spotted our friend.'

The girl still sounded very annoyed when she replied sarcastically 'Oh really, that's great. Could you put me down then?'

'If I have to.' Tristan kept smirking while he put Rory down.

When she finally was standing on her own two feet again, she saw what a scene they just caused. The whole room was watching them, and the debate had fallen silent the moment they were arguing outside the doors. All of a sudden she felt shame creeping into her veins and quickly walked to an empty chair all the way in the back.

Tristan however enjoyed the attention. So he decided to let it last a little longer.

'Yo Paris, sorry we're late. Traffic you know.' He played it cool and winked at her. He started to walk towards his seat next to Rory's. When he was nearly there he turned back to Paris. 'Lovely to see you again by the way.'

Paris was stunned when he finally took his seat. She couldn't believe that just happened. The people she invited caused a scene, and what a scene. Tristan carrying Rory over his shoulder, arguing, barging in, making her look stupid. Actually Tristan made her look stupid, Rory felt enough ashamed all by herself.

How dare he. He knew how important this was to her. This would be the cherry on top of her diploma, she could do anything after Yale if she did this well. And here Tristan comes and does what he does best, fuck things up. Surprisingly, Rory hasn't killed him yet, she must be one patient woman.

Suddenly Paris' thoughts were interrupted again, but this time by the debate that had started again. She decided to let things rest for a minute and interfere in the debate. And this time nothing was distracting her anymore.

---

The debate had ended and Rory was resting her head against the cold coffee machine. The coffee was really gross, but she had 2 cups anyway. Not that 2 cups could do the trick. She was still upset with Tristan. She knew this here was really important to Paris and so she felt really bad about the whole entrance-fiasco and embarrassing her. Tristan's ego sometimes got in the way, and then he never knows when to stop. She was hoping Paris would cause him real physical pain, he'd definitely deserve it.

---

He'd seen the look in Paris eyes when he was on that ego-trip. It didn't look good. Paris was mad, and for a good reason. He knew this was important, and yet he didn't seem to get his mind and ego on the same page. Why, oh why, did he have that problem all over again? He thought he got rid of it during military school, but since he'd met Rory again, it all came back. He was surprised that she still had that effect on him.

And as an added bonus, seeing Paris again also, in a school-like environment, made him feel very Chilton and 16 again.

He saw Rory push herself of the coffee machine and insert another coin to get her 3rd cup. Three cups in 5 minutes, she must be really upset with him.

He sank deeper in the couch that was standing outside the conference room. Every few seconds he peeked inside to see if his torture was already coming or if he still had a few more peaceful seconds to himself. He had known Paris for a long time; he knew she could cause anyone a lot of pain. So he was right to fear her a little bit. But hey, it was entirely his own stupid fault, he admitted it. So maybe if he admitted it to Paris, she wouldn't hurt him physically and only verbally.

---

A couple of minutes later he saw Paris storming into his direction. If he wouldn't have been the victim, it would have been kind of funny. Her eyes said war.

He quickly stood up from the couch, but when he was within Paris' arm swinging-length she pushed him back into it, and not in a friendly manner.

'Dugrey, you idiot! Have you gone entirely mad?' She paused for a second 'I really do not know what to say to you. I thought you learned some manners in boot camp.' She was yelling pretty loud at that moment and Rory woke up from her thoughts.

Paris just kept on ranting, yelling and calling names at Tristan. He just sat there, like a little boy. He looked really sorry.

When Paris finally had said everything she wanted to get out of her system, she looked furiously at Tristan, tapping her foot, waiting for his explanation.

He spoke slowly and soft, trying not to catch as much attention as he did before.

'Paris I'm so, so sorry. I really didn't know why I did that.'

'That doesn't even qualify for an excuse.' Paris replied.

'I'm serious Paris, I am truly sorry.'

'Yeah of course you're sorry.' She said sarcastically 'Reason, Dugrey, I want a REASON'

'I am really sorry…' he said soft, but then continued in a more strong one '… I am sorry I said, and I said I really didn't know why I did it, so that means I really don't know why. Now if you want to hear a reason anyway, I guess I did it because I was annoyed with traffic and being late and all, I just wanted to have fun.'

Paris relaxed a little, but still wasn't calmed down entirely 'Fun, you think that's fun huh, you're still the same annoying teenager, aren't you. Oh and by the way, don't get me started on you guys being late. I told you…'

She suddenly was interrupted by Rory 'Paris, you can't blame us for that, the traffic was crazy, I've never seen so much traffic in my entire life, it took us 8 hours instead of 5.'

Paris looked at Rory, she hadn't notice her coming closer to her and Tristan. 'Oh…' she said softly '…you're right that's not your fault then.'

All of a sudden Tristan spoke again 'I didn't think that was fun, at the moment I even didn't think it was fun, I just really don't know why I did that.'

Paris looked at him; he sat there on the couch, looking at her with those big puppy eyes, apologies written all over them. It was so hard to be angry with him. Her heart had already forgiven him. But she didn't want him to think he could do anything he wanted and not learn the consequences.

'I am still really upset, I'll let it go for now though.'

Tristan sighed softly, happy it was over, for now at least. 'Thanks Gellar' He couldn't help it but he had to smirk.

He stood up from the couch again, facing the two ladies. 'Do you two mind if I use the bathroom for a sec. I'll be right back.'

'Sure.' Paris and Rory replied at the same time.

Paris looked at Rory, like she just realised she was there too. Rory looked at Paris carefully, searching the other girl's eyes for any anger towards her. When Paris smiled a little bit, she knew there was no anger, and the girls finally smiled at each other.

Paris lunged forwards all of a sudden and hugged Rory tight, like they were long lost friends, while in reality, they were roommates.

'I'm sorry' Rory whispered 'for everything. Being late, Tristan, the entrance, everything.'

'It's all right Rory. I'm really not mad at you, unless you planned the whole thing with him.'

'No I didn't plan anything.' Suddenly she smirked, something she learned from Tristan 'I did make him carry me all the way up the stairs though.'

Paris looked at her in awe. She pictured Tristan walking 8 stories with Rory over his shoulder and couldn't help but laugh. 'You go Gilmore; I wish I could've seen that.'

'It was kind of hilarious yeah.' Rory said giggling.

They started walking towards the exit, catching up and talking animatedly, and paid no attention to Tristan, who had come back from the bathroom somewhere during Rory's apology. He followed them outside on a safe distance.

This was just a 'Meet Paris' Chapter, so it contained not musch Trory action, but I promise to you that it'll come soon. Rory is oblivious but not blind ;)
By the way thanks for the reviews of the last chapter, you're so great, you give me what I want every time :D.. so if I ask you this time for 100 reviews, can you do that? I really hope you can.

Xxx Hanneke

And Heather, thanks again for being my beta