a/n: I'm sorry this took so long. I really didn't intend for it to, but I got stuck, and then I got busy, you know how it goes. Well here it is. I hope it's not too disappointing or anything but it is just a bit of a filler, wrapping up some ends and opening a few new doors. I'll shut up now and let you read. Remember, reviews magically add hours to my day because the more I get, the more time I find to write out the next chapter…
Chapter Ten: Why are we Apologizing?
"I hate that this is happening to her," Lorelai said as she stuffed a cookie in her mouth. "It's like my father and Mitchem Huntzberger only care about their companies. Well, I've always known that's all those men care about. It just killed me to stand there and watch that scene. I could almost hear Rory's heart shattering."
"Well, have you spoken to your parents?" Luke asked as he too reached for a cookie.
"No."
"No? Well then why do you look so dejected? Maybe if you talk to them-"
"There's no use," Lorelai said, cutting him off with a shake of her brown curls. "They are set in their ways. Rory will never marry Logan. It will become the story of the week. I just hoped…"
Lorelai trailed off. She had expressed her frustration a hundred times. She had seen the way Rory and Logan looked at each other right before they left. She understood that this was no small problem. Rory would be full of bitter regret for years, if not her entire life.
She looked over at Luke, who was watching her with patience. He was always that way, so level, though not in a calm way. He was blunt and crabby, and rough around the edges, but she always knew what to expect from him. He was always there for her or Rory, no matter how he felt about the situation.
Her heart turned over in her chest, making chills rush through her body. She knew what was happening, and she thought of her daughter. Rory had taken the chance and lost her love. Lorelai could not risk holding the regret of losing Luke.
"I should go check on Rory."
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Tristan had never had such a bad night. His fiancée Summer was missing; his best friend Austin was gone too. Tristan could not be sure what was happening, but his mind was doing a good job making assumptions.
He was sitting alone, picking out a simple tune on the piano when she walked in.
"I'm sorry."
"No, there's no sorry."
"I'm sorry, she repeated in a different tone.
"You heard?"
"Summer and Austin's exit was a bit obvious."
Rory crossed the room and sat down next to him on the piano bench.
"I'm sorry," he said simply as she took her seat.
"Why are you sorry?"
"About Logan."
Rory nodded and sighed. Several moments passed as Tristan continued to play a mournful tune.
"Aren't we the sorry couple," she said at length.
He stopped playing and looked at her, perhaps truly seeing her for the first time. Her eyes were sad and tired, studying his just as intently. He leaned towards her slowly, and almost reluctantly she reciprocated.
Their kiss was simple and lasted only for a moment. She pulled away, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.
"Did I bite your lip or something?' he asked.
Rory shook her head. "It wasn't the kiss. It was a good kiss." her insistence turned into a sigh. "I just can't do this anymore."
"Is it him?" he asked, but not in an injured manner.
She shook her head. "I just need some time, Tristan. I've been giving my heart out in all directions, and now I'm left with only a few pieces. I want a whole heart that I can give to someone. I just need time to get myself back together.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize."
"What can I do?"
"Can I have my piece back?"
Tristan smiled sadly. "Whoever gets the whole thing will be a lucky man. I'm sorry it can't be me. And I'm sorry it can't be Logan."
"So am I."
Tristan reached out and stroked Rory's head. Relenting, she rested her head on his shoulder and cried.