Disclaimer: They are not mine. I own nothing but my ideas.

Just Trust Me

Soon enough Rory relaxed into Tristan's arms and gave up fighting. Just when the boys had relaxed, she'd start up again, taking advantage of their momentary relaxed state to attempt escape. After a while though, she simply stopped trying. Not because she didn't want to get away, but because all things considered, she was tired, Tristan was warm and although not squishy and comfy like a sofa, was rather comfortable. She gave in to slumber and the freedom of dreams.

Finn and Tristan exchanged looks, three hours later they were still in the same positions. Limbs were losing feeling, stomachs were growling, yet every time they moved an inch or tried to shift Rory, she would start to frown and grasp thin air only to stop when Tristan stroked her forehead, hair or hand. The music had been turned off long ago in fear of waking the sleeping princess. It seemed that the boys were in it for the long haul.

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A/N: I know I'm weird for sticking it in the middle of a chapter but last chapter went on forever and ever and I couldn't figure out a place to end it neatly. So I simply got frustrated and ended it. This should have been the true end, and oy with the angsty poodles already. I've alluded to Rory being unstable, drinking problems, nightmares… we need some fluff to counter. Don't you agree?

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Logan found himself actually sitting in the library. His books were spread in front of him, the year spent in Rory's presence left its reminders every day. From having a minimum of 10 types of junk food per movie watched, to studying in the library complete with back-up thermos and junk food strategically hidden from librarian prying eyes by textbooks to be consumed as necessary. There wasn't a day that went by that Logan didn't think about her, even in passing. A song on the radio and all those cliché things triggered "Rories" as he called it. Anything that happened often enough in one's life deserved a name. He wished that they could still have been friends, initially there were phone calls every week or so, then emails every month or so, favours asked, or an unconscious display of caring. She remembered he always got worked up before a polisci midterm, so she brought him a care package of essentials to last him while he forgot anything else existed besides the midterm. He remembered her dislike of finals and offered to drive her home after exams.

Little things, but the slip-ups had been hard to ignore. She kissed him out of habit after she saw him once, barely avoiding the disaster of kissing his lips, but in veering to his cheek to cover her mistake, caught the corner, one of his sensitive spots. In his haste to update her on his life, he mentioned the same events multiple times, forgetting they'd been mentioned before which annoyed her. The problem was, there were issues that were avoided, and the need to fill the "what's new" conversation void, the same trivial thing would be repeated. All these things made it difficult to move on. Then there were the misunderstandings, so easily understood and accepted when part of a couple. His constant need to tease her, her being forgotten in front of their friends, her idiosyncrasies. Friendly banter was now interpreted as barely veiled barbs. It was just too much.

But the worst thing for Logan, was her eyes. Every time she saw him, he relived that night. Her eyes full of love and trust, then as she remembered the pain, he saw her break. No matter how many beds he filled, how many eyes he saw. Those haunted him.

Frustrated, he slammed the book closed earning treacherous shushes from neighbouring Yalies.

Hypersensitive jerks he thought. They've got to be at least 4 kropogs away and still they shush. Sick of being mad at himself he refocused on Finn. Stupid Finn, why did he have to go and mentioned Cassandra. That girl's probably got it all over campus that I can't rise to the occasion anymore. My hearts just not in finishing. I suppose I'll be out of my misery soon anyways. I've got to take 'Stasi to Tiffany and Co next week. I did what was best for Ace, I ended it the best I could. Not the whole truth, but no lies either. I did feel guilty, and she can no longer be in my heart. She would have never ended it herself, she was too secure, she would have stayed no matter what, what irony, her track record is to stay, even as the other woman. I couldn't let her do that. Poor Ace, too many men running out of her life yet too insecure to let go of any man. That girl needs more confidence. I thought I gave her that at least…maybe I was wrong. Logan pulled out his sterling silver gentleman's flask and took a healthy swig. Logan left the library swiftly. His mother had told him to call Anastasia and invite her on a romantic mini-break in New York which would end at Tiffany and Co. Here goes nothing, all in the name of inheritance and propriety.

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Rory's nightmare began to worry the boys, she was talking out loud, squirming and alternating between holding onto Tristan like a life line or beating him and kicking Finn till they truly were sore.

"Crikey, the Sheila can kick! I can't stand much more of this man," began Finn, "my family jewels are at stake here."

Tristan knew the dangers of being woken from a nightmare included never ending repeats, but when Rory's breaths became shallow and she looked like she was having trouble taking in breaths, he had to wake her.

Slowly with extreme caution, Tristan lifted her up till she was sitting in his lap, then he wrapped her in a tight hug to restrain her arms and started rocking her back and forth. Shit, I hope this works. She's really a piece of work. This might take extreme action for her to get anywhere. I'll have to get Lorelai, Paris, Lane and Finn to help. Maybe even Richard and Emily.

"Mary, Mary, its time to wake up, you're safe, I'm never going to let go ok? Never going to let go. Mary…Mary, its time to wake up. It's all right, you're safe. No one is going anywhere. Mary…" his mantra slowly brought Rory back.

Unconsciously he started placing baby kisses on her cheek, her hand, her arm, innocent rubs of his lips against her skin. The tactile and verbal combination safely roused Rory from her troubled dreams, but put her back in confused waters.

At least Tristan was saved from explaining his little kiss slip-ups by a cell phone softly playing a Beethoven sonata.

"Hello, Tristan here. Yes…no…I'm in America now. Ok…" Tristan's conversation was of no interest to Rory so it gave herself a moment to think.

Wow, Beethoven…at the best I would have hoped for a White Stripes, The Vines or even The Killers ringtones, at the worst…I'm too sexy for my shirt? Rory's mind had become so honed at avoiding the real issue over the years, that Tristan's kisses fell to the back recesses of her mind, nagging at her, but never truly forcing her to deal with them. At least that worked in Tristan's favour.

"Are you sure that is completely necessary," continued Tristan's conversation, "maybe I could just sign… what about video conference… or do that another…" as he talked he started glancing at both Rory and Finn, that combined with running his hands through his hair started to stoke Rory's interest.

"Fine, no, I don't need the private jet, that's insane. It would require too many stops to refuel. I'll take commercial. If I remember correctly, SIA has a non-stop flight from JFK. Book the weekend flight…actually, hold off on that…I'll call you back in a few minutes." Tristan ended the call, cocked his head to the side and glanced at both Rory and Finn once again. Perhaps I can get her to agree if I get Finn to come too. She seems alright in his presence. The best self medication is removing the stimulus from the situation. I'm pretty sure she's never been there before. Tristan's thoughts brought an evil smirk to his contenance. Aruba, Jamaica, Asia, they're all fungible as long as she's never been there before. If she's going to run, she might as well do it supervised…and have fun while she's at it.

"Mate, as amusing as it is to play charades, you're not playing fair. How many words, and are any of them naked or girl…" Tristan's concentration was broken by Finn's outburst followed by Rory throwing a couch cushion at his Aussie head.

"No. I was just thinking. Rory…have you ever been to Asia?" inquired Tristan.

"No…but I don't know much about the culture or the history of the region, save incidences when America got involved, those were briefly covered in history class. I've seen pictures in travel magazines and such, it looks gorgeous. Why?"

"Well, the Montpensier lawyer just informed me that there are some holdings in Singapore that I need to tour and sign papers for. Its all a formality really, the lawyers have already done everything, and my cousin had told me that the company was being sold so all I need to do is be there, give a speech to the company and sign on the dotted line. Anyways Singapore is as metropolitan as it gets, mind you it's not big, but it's different. It's entirely made up of immigrants from neighbouring countries so its like a melting pot of culture. It's a first world country with the best food in the world. Also, shopping isn't bad. All the couture brands, anything you cant live without, you can find there. I guess this with this spiel I'm trying to convince you and Finn to accompany me. From there most places in Australia are only a few hours away, 4 hours to Perth, 7 to Melbourne…we can hop to Australia too."

"Smashing, I knew being nice to you may pay off…count me in" began Finn "…now where did I put my itty bitty teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini, there's strict enough there, one place I'll try not to break laws, bend them…perhaps, depending. Definitely depending." completely serious, Finn left Rory and Tristan shuddering in the living room.

Rory nervously began wringing her hands, "I can't really afford, that's to say, I can't really miss the school…"

Tristan quickly took Rory's hands, that seemed to be the easiest way to get her to focus.

"Mary, its my treat. Everything would be taken care of for you."

"I couldn't Tris, its not right. I don't like people buying me expensive things, this would be extravagant! I couldn't afford it no matter what. So that's completely out of the question." Rory was back, stubborn and proud.

"Listen Mary, if we went out for ice cream and I forgot my wallet…would you pay for my ice cream?" reasoned Tristan.

"Yes, that's such a silly little thing though."

"Would you expect me to pay you back?"

"Of course not, what's ice cream between friends. Don't be ridiculous."

"Well Mary, that's exactly what I'm saying. You would treat your friends, and if they wanted to treat back, well that would be pleasant but not necessary. Why doesn't that same logic apply to me?" Tristan could see he was going to win this argument, he would rather get her to go willingly than the alternative of getting Emily to aid in kidnapping Rory.

"Yes, but you're talking ice cream and all expense paid vacations, that's like comparing ants with elephants!"

"No I'm not." Tristan's patience hadn't been tried this much since his one and only reprimand at military school. To wash all 8 dorm bathrooms and toilets with a toothbrush. 48 toothbrushes to be exact had to be used. "Just for example lets say you have about fifty to a hundred dollars a week to spend, ice cream for two, lets say is ten percent of your budget. Now, my budget is a little bit different. Needless to say, I was told if I were to need money to go out with friends, or a special lady friend…"with that he looked intently into Rory's eyes, his hand slowly reaching to hold her cheek and chin so she couldn't break eye contact. "I would have the budget. Now, for the last 4 years, I've done precious little else but study. In the process, completely messing up the budget projections on my inheritance, so my completely disposable ten percent of my budget, I can assure you, will cover all OUR expenses, and a few little side treats for my Mary."

Tristan could see his dearest's resolve breaking, almost, almost, there, her blush covered all he could see.

"But my mom…"

"Your mom wants you to be happy. Honestly, wouldn't it be nice to get away from everything here? Absolutely everything? Besides, I have 5 years of birthday and Christmas presents to buy you. I've been imagining what to get you since your 16th."

Rory's brain wracked up about 35 more excuses she could try to use, but somehow her voice just wouldn't work. It was as if fate stepped in and said, throw in the towel. She had a suspicious feeling that if she didn't willingly agree to this, she might find herself in her bed, waking up on a plane bound to goodness knows where. She wouldn't put it past the brains the LDB produced.

"Good." Announced Tristan, amazingly he didn't have a single trace of smugness, or triumph in his voice. He whispered, "why don't you go back to the dorm and pack. I know Finn's probably got a little used office in here. Let me just grab your mom and grandfather's phone numbers from your phone. I'll take care of everything. Just be ready to leave for New York's JFK airport by the morning, our flight will likely be tomorrow evening. Be ready for a long flight. Its over 20 hours non-stop."

At that Rory visibly balked.

"Don't worry, I've flown with this airline before. You won't even notice. Just trust me."

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A/N: The fluff is comming. I just want it to be as realistic as my idealistic imaginiation and the character's personalities will allow. I've been having trouble concentrating on my studies. Is it normal for reviews to be less than 1 percent of the hits? Thank youto those who review. Esteem boosters are conducive to faster posts and the will to write. Have a good weekend dear readers.