DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Gilmore Girls or the song "What's Up Lonely?" by Kelly Clarkson. I am simply borrowing them for a little while.
Hey everybody! A shocker, I know- I went a day without updating. HUGE technical errors! First, I had this written and then for about three days the site wouldn't let me update. Then, I got back to school and my internet didn't work for six days. But, I'm back and I just have to keep singing the praises of all my reviewers! You guys are seriously way too nice to me, and I love you all for it! So, please enjoy this chapter and keep reviewing!
Tristan pulled the car to a stop in front of Luke's as per Rory's instructions. Rory quickly got out of the car, excited at the prospect of coffee. Tristan slowly followed her, with a confused look on his face. "You know Mare, this is a hardware store." He said, still lagging behind her.
"Oh yeah, I just needed to pick up a few tools. It'll only take a second." Rory said, inwardly laughing at the expression on Tristan's face.
"So, my little Mary is handy, huh?" Tristan asked. Rory came to the entrance of Luke's and from behind her, Tristan started laughing. "I have to give it to you, that was a good one Mare."
Rory gave him a sweet smile and grabbed his hand, leading him to the counter. Luke noticed Tristan right away and said, "Who the hell is this?" Tristan just stood quietly beside Rory, observing the once-over the gruff looking guy behind the counter was giving him.
"Luke, this is Tristan. Tristan, this is Luke, the provider of life." Rory sat down and said to Luke, "Can we please have three cups of coffee?"
Luke visibly softened, and said, "Who is the third one for?"
"Me, of course." Rory said, then instructed the still standing Tristan to sit down.
Luke handed over the coffee, and Rory finished the first cup in record time. "Wow Mare, you can really suck that stuff down."
"Why is this kid calling you Mare? Is that some sort of punk kid word for something bad?" Luke asked, once again glaring at Tristan.
Tristan nervously said, "Um, no sir. I just-" Rory started to laugh and Tristan gave her a not-so-amused smirk.
"Relax, Luke. It's just a stupid nickname Tristan gave me. You don't have to worry about him, he's like a little puppy dog." Luke just tilted his head as if in thought and then walked off to take some orders from other customers.
Once Luke was out of earshot, Tristan said, "So, a puppy dog, huh? Unless that is in reference to how incredibly cute I am, I'm not too sure I like that."
"Ha, I just can't get over you being all 'no, sir. Sorry sir.' That was priceless."
"Hey, that guy is scary. Did you see the way he was looking at me?" Tristan asked, finally beginning on his cup of coffee. Rory was already half way through her second cup.
"He's just protective of me. He's like my dad. As a matter of fact, if my mom ever gets her act together, he just may become my step-dad some day."
"Well, allow me to say now that I feel bad for any guy that would have to encounter him as your step-dad." Tristan was now looking around Luke's and out the big glass window. He was interested in seeing what other sorts of interesting things were in Stars Hollow.
Rory noticed him glancing around and said, "Come on, let's go."
Tristan reached for his wallet and Rory stopped him and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. My mom and I have a running tab that I don't think is ever paid."
"Okay? Where we going?" Tristan asked Rory, who was already half-way out the door.
Once outside, Rory allowed Tristan to catch up and then said, "I'm going to give you a little look around my town."
"Aww, Mary, I'm touched. For you to include me like this…" Tristan grabbed his chest dramatically and smirked at the annoyed look that came across Rory's face.
"You really are a smartass, you know that?" Rory asked and Tristan grabbed her hand and led her against the front of a store. He just nodded his head at her, smiling.
"Oh, you do know? That's just all part of your charm?" Rory said as Tristan came closer to her.
"You know you love it." Tristan leaned forward and kissed her, slowly at first, then more passionately. Rory gave in and enjoyed the kiss until she heard someone clear their throat behind them. Reluctantly, they parted and Tristan let out a frustrated moan at whoever disturbed them.
"So, this is what it's come to, huh Rory?" Tristan turned around and glared at the sight of Dean.
"Bagboy, what a pleasure to see you. Come to tell us about the specials?" Tristan stepped away from Rory and walked towards Dean, looking as if he was going to hit him.
Rory didn't want them to get into another fight like at the dance, and quickly stepped between them. "Dean, please just go away."
Dean laughed and said, "Really Rory, I can't believe you. Running around with this jerk."
Tristan watched for a moment to see Rory's reaction. He could see the anger rising in her, and she definitely looked as if she was ready to cry. Rory couldn't help herself and said, "Oh yeah, you're one to talk. Making out with some bimbo. Does she love you Dean? Or did you break up with her too because you're so insecure?"
Tristan had to admit, he was proud of Rory for sticking up for herself like that. Still, he could see the hurt in her eyes; now he realized why the couple had broken up. He wanted to kill Dean right there and now.
Dean frowned for a minute and then said, "At least she's not a tease. You never kissed me like that Rory and now you're perfectly fine doing it with Tristan?"
Tristan suddenly felt very responsible for putting Rory in this situation. Taking another step towards Dean he said, "Back off Bagboy. I'm not going to just stand here and let you talk to her like that."
Rory smiled at seeing Tristan's protective side. The knowledge of having him by her side, sticking up for her, gave her the courage to say to Dean "I can't help the way I felt about you, or lack thereof. Just because I like Tristan and am comfortable kissing him doesn't make me a tease. Now just walk away and never come near me again."
Dean stood there for a second, trying to come up with a comeback, but he finally just shook his head and walked away. Tristan wrapped his arms around Rory and said, "You okay?"
"Yeah, thanks for sticking up for me." Rory wiped the little tears that had started to form from her eyes and smiled at him gratefully.
"No thanks needed Mary. That guy is an asshole, he shouldn't have said any of those things to you."
Without saying another word, Rory grabbed Tristan's hand and started walking once again. After a few minutes of silence, Tristan finally asked, "Is that why he broke up with you? Because you didn't tell him you loved him?"
Rory stopped walking and stared at Tristan, surprised at his question. She was definitely uncomfortable discussing love with him. "Yeah, he did." She said quietly, and then continued walking.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Tristan said, feeling guilty.
Rory gave him a slight smile and said, "It's okay, It's just still kind of a sore spot for me. I mean, how could he have expected me to say that to him after three months? It's not that easy."
Tristan reached out and gently grabbed her arm, stopping her. He suddenly realized that Rory's life isn't the perfect little world he has assumed. She always seemed so happy and full of life, it was hard for him to imagine her being hurt. It was hard for him to imagine anyone hurting her. "I know what you mean."
Rory nervously said, "You do? I just always assumed you didn't want to care about anyone and that's why you had a new girlfriend every week."
Tristan sighed and said, "No, Rory, that's not it. I just never felt anyone was worth risking getting hurt. Everyone in my life is only there because they want one thing: money. It was just easier to get whatever affection I could and then run."
"Wow." Rory said and Tristan just hung his head, embarrassed. "You are just full of surprises Tristan DuGrey. And thanks."
Tristan raised his head and stared into her eyes. "For what?"
Rory smiled at him and said, "For trusting me enough to tell me that."
"Yeah, well, I'm not really as bad as everyone thinks."
"I know you're not." Rory grabbed his hand and continued to lead him through the town.
Tristan and Rory just kept walking, both not knowing what to say. They were both stuck in their thoughts. Tristan kept thinking about how he couldn't believe he had just told Rory that. He was happy that he was so comfortable with her that he could tell her things, but he was scared shitless about what that meant.
Rory was so confused she didn't know what to think. She and Tristan had just had a conversation usually reserved for couples that had been dating for a long time. They weren't even technically dating yet. She could tell that if she were to enter into a relationship with Tristan, that it would definitely be something different. Through all this, she still couldn't help but have doubts about him. He was after all, Tristan DuGrey, the guy who could easily lie his way out of anything.
So, what did you think? Sorry there was kind of Dean bashing going on there, but I am really not a fan of his. This didn't start out as a "they spill their guts" chapter, it just kind of came out that way. Please, please review and tell me what you thought. Also, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!