Disclaimers and summary: See chapter one.

The seventh stranger
Chapter 7: I wouldn't say that you were ruthless or right

Tears threatened to fall and Tristan tried to get up to leave when two arms embraced him from behind. He tensed at the unexpected touch, he was about to push the intruder away when he heard, "I'm sorry, I didn't know! I… I… I…"

Even though he wanted to be mad, he knew he couldn't hold anything against her. He relaxed in her arms a little before he slowly turned around to engulf Rory in a big hug and whispered in her ears, "Don't be, I've never given you any reason to like me."

She tightened her hold on Tristan, "I never hated you."

As Dean watched the exchange, his heart broke by the tenderness between them, he tensed when Tristan barely breaking the hug asked, "How did you know I was here?"

Rory hid her face in Tristan's shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper, "Just promise me not to run away or start a fight and I'll tell you."

Tristan's drunken eyes were clouded with confusion as he replied, "I promise, even though in the shape I am now, I'm not sure I could fight anyone and you," he forced her to look into his eyes, "just solved my biggest problem."

She smiled teasingly, "And what was your problem exactly?"

He chuckled drunkenly, "Getting back in the dorm when I have no keys to get in and being barely able to stand, can't even imagine what driving would be like."

Rory blushed and murmured, "I made you a bed in case you came back, and I might as well drive you back."

He tried to keep his balance while playing with her hair. He leaned over her until their faces were only inches apart and repeated his previous question, "How did you know I was here?"

She closed her eyes to regain her composure, when she opened them again she asked, "Well, as you named him, do you remember farm boy, as you liked to call him?" He slowly nodded. "Well, he was your bartender tonight."

He faced Dean, anger and hate replaced the feeling of bliss he was feeling moments ago, he scrutinized Dean's eyes, replayed Dean's words in his head, "I loved her but she couldn't love me back…" Respect replaced his previous feelings for the man in front of him, a man that used to reciprocate the loath he felt but still made sure to get Rory to help him. Tristan extended his right hand to Dean, "Thank you. I knew that I knew you before. Thank you…" Ashamed that he didn't remember the name of his once upon a time rival.

Dean accepted Tristan's hand and whispered, "Just make sure she's happy and remember that my name is Dean."

"Thanks again, Dean."

Tristan gave Rory time to hug Dean quickly across the counter, his left arms instinctively surrounded her shoulder to guide her to his car as he whispered, "Let's get this day over and start a new one tomorrow."

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Rory looked at her surrounding from the driver's seat, "Tristan, I think we have a problem here!"

Tristan opened one eye as he was about to drift into sleep, "Please, don't tell me you never held a stick in your hands."

Grateful of the darkness that camouflaged her blushed cheeks due to his innuendo, "You're right, I never DROVE a stick."

Tristan chuckled, "Just jump over here and I'll let you ride MY stick all…" He felt her slap his shoulder and he sighed. He closed his eyes to explain, "You have three foot pedals, on the far left you have the clutch then it's the same as any other automatic car. You use you left foot for the clutch and the right one to alternate between gas and break. Now, press the clutch to the bottom and make sure you are positioned in the number one with the stick." Rory pressed the pedal, tried to move the stick but nothing happens. Gently, Tristan put his hand over hers saying while moving the stick in different positions, "See, now it's loose, you're on neutral, move it to the upper left and you have the first gear, do a straight line down and you get the second. Imagine a big W on top of a big M, that's your gears. Up, down, up, down, up, reverse. Now try to start the damn car so we can go sleep."

She shivered under his touch and wondered how it could be possible as they used to dislike each other, on her part at least... While she thought about the turmoil inside her, she shifted the gear in first position, his hand still on top of hers and turned the ignition key, the motor started and she exclaimed, "I did it! I did it! It's so easy!"

Tristan chuckled, "Now, you have to feel the friction point, slowly release the break pedal and the clutch pedal simultaneously."

Slowly, Rory did as she was being told until the pedals vibrated under her foot, she squeaked, "I can't do this! It has a mind of his own!"

"That's the fiction point Rory. Remember the feeling and everything will be fine. Now, put your break feet on the gas pedal and you will advance." As he said that, the car advanced while he helped Rory bring the Porsche back to the dorms.

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"This is where you'll be sleeping, I know it's the common room but Paris and my mom are already asleep in mine making it impossible for you to sleep there. Will you be alright?"

Tristan took his shirt off and faced Rory with a wicked smile as her eyes lingered on his chest, "Mind tucking me in?"

Her mouth suddenly dried she whispered, "I will, but only when you're in your night outfit, lying down."

Tristan smirked and slowly unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants smirking as he saw her eyes drifted lower. Slowly, he took his pants off, and clad only in his boxers, he looked smugly at Rory, "I usually sleep naked but I don't think it would be appropriate tonight, unless of course you insist."

She blushed and feigned disappointment, "Well, it is after all a common room, imagine if the sheet slip and your sister sees you naked, or even worst, Paris and she decides to rape you."

He slid on the bed not covering himself with the sheets and waited for Rory to tuck him in, he saw her approached the bed slowly. She brought up the covers on top of him; she hurriedly turned around to walk to her room and heard, "Aren't you supposed to kiss my nightmare away?"

Rory whispered, "Don't push your luck DuGrey."

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Awakened from her sweet dreams by an unknown disturbance, she concentrated on her surroundings, she heard muffled sounds, "No, I'll do your chores but please, not this again!"

She ran to the common room forgetting to put her night gown. Tristan was fighting against a pillow in the improvised bed. She hurried to climb under the sheets wanting to comfort him. Tristan turned to face Rory with a wild glint in his eyes, he placed both of his hands near her neck, "Don't you dare do that again! I swear if you do, I'll kill you!" Rory froze under Tristan, tears of fear flowed down her cheeks. He immerged from his dream and saw Rory under him, tears drowning her beautiful eyes, he held her in a strong embrace, almost crushing her bones, "I'm sorry Rory, I didn't hurt you did I? I was dreaming."

Rory sobbed in his arms and muttered, "I just wanted to comfort you, I didn't want to hurt you." Then panic in her voice, "What the hell were you dreaming about?"

Upon hearing the despair in her voice, Tristan softly kissed some tears away, "Something I'll tell you when I'm ready. I'm not right now. I'm so sorry Rory, please don't run away from me again"

Rory tried to get up, "I'll be in the room beside if you need anything."

Tristan begged, "Let me hold you tonight, just let me hold you. I know the nightmares will go away if you're close to me."

Rory protested in fear and managed to let out, "But… But you almost… strangl…"

She was cut by Tristan lips on hers, and then she heard, "Please, I would never hurt you Rory"

She resigned herself and laid back on the bed thinking, 'What if he hurt me without knowing it?' She felt two strong arms holding her waist and hearing the regular sound of someone asleep, she drifted into a tormented sleep praying, 'Don't hurt me Tristan! Please don't!'