Title: The Good Old Days
Chapter #: 4
Author: Gilmore_Gurl911
Rating: Depending on your idea of 'inappropriate' PG - PG13. okies?
Disclaimer: See chapter 1

A/N: Well, after serious thought, and an overwhelmingly huge thumbs up sign from the review section, I'm continuing the story the way I started it. You guys are Awesome!!! 3 chapters and over 70 reviews?! AMAZING!!! Sorry I couldn't post this sooner. I had an essay due at school and my friend had to do some business on my computer, so It's done now- and be happy my friends!!! I'll try not to let it happen again.
Ummm... and another thing, I have a bad habit of starting stories then loosing interest and leaving them unfinished. This one WILL be finished and the only other one of my stories that I can say will be too would be "And Then There Were 2". Which, is in the process of being re-edited, and re-formatted- so it can be re-posted in two or three long huge chapters instead of 14 or 15 very small ones. So look forward to that also. *Smiles* Read away and enjoy. I really like this chapter. I tried not to be to cliche. And If I don't stop babbling now- this A/N will be the chapter so have fun! :)


Chapter 4


Rory sat upon the bed of wildflowers that covered the field beside the lake and breathed in the thick smell of daisies and violets that surrounded her. Her thin, white, sleeveless dress was perfect for the hot day and her hair, now tied back, draped down her shoulders and back. Her shoes were carelessly thrown aside allowing her bare toes to soak up the warm sunlight. There was something almost magical about being in a place, so beautiful, but all Rory's attention was focused on the book in her hands, Jane Eyre, another gift from her grandfather.

But she wasn't the only one focused.

Across the lake Tristan saw her, He was on his way to her grandparent's home when he noticed her lying there in the field. She laid there, soaking in the sunlight as It cast upon her face, giving her a certain glow he'd never seen before. "Rory!" He yelled the short distance across the water. Rory looked up, surprised to see Tristan waving at her and getting off his horse across the lake from her.

"Hello!" She said as she stood to wave back. "What are you doing out here?" She put her book down.
"I was coming to see you!" He yelled.
"Oh, I see!" She laughed.
"Hold on, I'll be there in a minute!" He said reaching again for his horse.
"Wait! No you can't " She called suddenly.
"Why not?" He laughed.
"Because I locked the gate to the field!" She admitted, "I didn't want anyone to get in!"
"Oh!" He stopped, then brightened. "I'll just have to get to you another way then!" He replied. Rory watched confusingly as he took off his coat and shoes, laid them over his horse, and tied the horse to a tree. But Rory quickly understood when Tristan dove swiftly off the edge into the sleek, clear water. Rory shrieked and laughed, and
soon Tristan was at Rory's side of the lake.
"Hey Rory." Tristan said casually, still in the water at the end of the dock.
"Oh, hi Tristan! Fancy meeting you here." She played along, smiling and strolling up the dock to meet him, her book now forgotten.
"Well, you know, I try to stay active and I always do enjoy a nice swim." He smirked. She laughed as she sat on the edge of the dock, dipping her toes into the clear, clean water.
"So, how are you?" He asked, looking up at her from the shoulder deep water.
"I'm fine, I was just reading."
"I noticed, but why the field?"
"Because it's pretty." She giggled. "My mom and I used to come out here when I was really young. It's the best place to read." She suddenly hesitated.
"And-..." He pursued.
"And my grandma is gone, and she hates it when I come out here, and I really don't want to have another conflict right now." She admitted.
"And-..." He smirked.
"And Charles was supposed to come over today and he doesn't know that this field is here." She sighed and splashed Tristan in the face with her foot. He grabbed it quickly to stop her from doing it again.
"I know you all too well Rory Gilmore." He laughed. "So why don't you want to talk with your grandmother?"
"We had another...talk."
"Ahh."
"About the ball coming up."
"Ahh again."
"And who I'll be accompanied by."
"And yet another, Ahh."
"Yes it was definitely that kind of a conversation." She nodded.
"And I'm guessing that the name Charles was present in this little chat."

"As was yours."
"Oh? How?" He asked incredulously.
"She kept going on about how I'm never going to get to know Charles better if I'm spending all my time with this Tristan gentleman." She smirked.
"Me? A gentleman?" He feigned shock.
"I know, I was shaken also."
"How did this lovely chat end?"
"Me promising that I'd talk to him today when he came by the house." She smirked, Tristan laughed.

"This Tristan gentl... character you've been seeing sure sounds interesting." He said sarcasticly. "You should really stop spending time with him, he is such a bad influence." He said sarcastically.
"I couldn't if I wanted to, he has a death grip on my foot." She smiled as shook her foot free. "I still can't believe you swam over here. What if someone sees you?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, nobody will. Come on in, the water's fine." She giggled.
"Yeah right! In this dress?" She smiled.
"Give me your hand." He smirked, as she laughed.
"Yeah right. Like I'm going to fall for that trick. Now I know you all too well."
"Hey, isn't that Charles' carriage?" Tristan said suddenly, pointing over Rory's shoulder.
"Where?" She spun around quickly to look for it. Tristan quickly grabbed her left hand and yanked her into the cool water. Rory's arms flailed around her under the water. Tristan laughed victoriously. Rory had landed in the water very ungracefully. She tried to reach the bottom but failed and instead came franticly up for air. "Tristan!" She gasped.

Tristan laughed at her joke, but quickly he realized it was not a joke when she didn't come up and still flailed around under the water. He gasped and immediately reached for her from under the water. He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up until her head emerged. She gasped for air and swung her arms around his neck to keep her head up. He held her body as you would a baby's and let her catch her breath. "Oh my God Rory! Are you okay?" He said gently, still holding her delicately.
"Yeah, I think so. I can't really swim all that well."
"Obviously. I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

"It's okay, I'm fine really."
"No, It's my fault. I'm just..."
"It's fine Tristan." She hushed, leaning her head on his shoulder. He kissed her
forehead and dropped her legs into the water gently so she was standing in front of
him.
"I'm still sorry."
"Well, you're completely forgiven." She smiled at him.
"Good." He said, still holding her waist to keep her from going under again. "Rory?"
"Yes?" She breathed.
"Do you want to go to the ball with Charles?" He asked, holding his breath. She
looked down, and sighed, then shook her head no. He lifted her chin up to look at her eyes. He carefully pushed the wet hair out of her face. "Then would you like to go with me?" He asked, his ever-present confidence failing him. Then, ever so slowly, she nodded her head. Tristan let out the breath that he didn't know he'd been holding and leaned in. Rory smiled and lifted her arms to circle around his neck. Tristan pulled her body closer, not willing to let her go for anything. Rory moved forward willingly as Tristan deepened the kiss, finally breaking it when it was necessary. "Do you know how long I've wanted to do that?" He huffed. She smiled.

"Probably almost as long as I've wanted you to do that."
"God, you're amazing. You're unlike any other girl I've ever met. You're perfect."
"I'm far from perfect." She blushed.
"You're perfect for me." He stated earnestly. She smiled and kissed him again.
"Thanks."

A/N: Okay, there it is. There is the fluff that you all so desperately wanted. But I do warn you, The next 3 chapters will endanger our lovely fluff- so be forewarned, but until then enjoy this. Any predictions??? C ya next time!