AN: Well everybody seems glad to see Lorelai coming around, you can all thank photobooth romance for that suggestion. And to answer a question I've been asked, Louise lost her virginity to Tristan, not Mike, it was after Mike's parent's moved him away.
Kat86: Thank you, I think everybody is really starting to get the story now. I was worried that without heaps of TRORY action people wouldn't like it but...
Karah06: Thank you, thank you, I wanted to make Tristan kind of creepy, so readers might even doubt him. He he he. Glad to see it's working.
And finally, thank you to everbody for reading and for those who have added this story to their facourite's lists. You're all awesome!
Disclaimer: I don't own GG, or any other TV show, movie, video game, song etc. coincidentally
Louise looked over at Rory on Tuesday night. She was sitting cross-legged on her bed, her hair creating a curtain in front of her, studying. Or at least, she was pretending to study. Rory had been mooning around since got back from the weekend and Louise knew why.
Lou and Jay had become closer over the past few weeks. Jay shared her concern about Tristan, and about Rory. He wasn't that interested in school, just like her. They had a lot in common and had become firm friends. He'd told her about Rory sneaking out on the weekend and the fight that had ensued. She decided to say something.
"So Jay said you snuck out on the weekend"
Rory looked up at Louise, furious that her brother would have told her.
"Yes" She admitted, guardedly.
"You went to Tristan's?"
"Yeah I did" Rory said, nodding.
"Did you two…you know?"
Rory was horrified when she realised what Louise was asking.
"God no! I'm a virgin Louise"
"Big surprise" Louise muttered.
Rory narrowed her eyes but laugh anyway. Louise shrugged.
"Hey, l lost my virginity to him" She confided and Rory was shocked.
"To Tristan?"
"Yup"
Rory shook her head slowly, God who hadn't slept with him? As if reading Rory's mind Louise said:
"Oh before he and Liz fell so madly in love he was the biggest slut around. Even bigger than Madeline…or me!" She added with a giggle and Rory threw a cushion at her. Yet she couldn't shake an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach.
"I have to use the computer lab" She told Louise a couple of hours later. She wanted to check her emails. Lane was going to send her the latest song she'd recorded. She slipped a jacket on and made her way downstairs. She told Mrs. Shultz where she was going and made her way out the heavy oak door. The computer labs were in the main school building and were open until 10p.m. Of course you needed a security pass, but Rory had charmed her teachers into giving her one in her first week. She nodded to the other kids there; she didn't know any of them, just their faces. She quickly logged on and downloaded the clip to her mp3 player without listening to it; the rooms were being shut in five minutes. She switched off the computer and walked back towards DuGrey. She cut through the Debelar courtyard and around the side where Finn was having a cigarette.
"Hey Finny!" She called in a singsong voice and he grinned at her.
"Hello gorgeous! What are you doing wandering here-abouts so late at night?"
"It's only 10 o'clock Finn"
He shrugged.
"I was just coming back from the computer labs" She explained. Involuntarily her eyes flicked to Tristan's dormitory window. She saw him at the window and she raised her hand to wave. He didn't seem to see her though; he was on he phone. Finn followed her eyes.
"He seems a bit better lately." He said quietly and Rory nodded.
"It's probably the shock wearing off." She said.
"I think it's got to do with something closer to home," Finn said.
Rory looked at him confusedly but he was just looking at her. She was good for Tristan, Finn had realised, her belief in him, her friendship.
"Well I'd better get back before lights out"
Rory said. Finn nodded and finished her cigarette.
"See you love"
"See you"
She wandered off in the direction of DuGrey, having to make her way through a thin line of trees. She walked slowly, enjoying the cool breeze on her flushed cheeks.
"Hey Rory"
She heard the voice beside her as she neared the thicket, deep, breathy. She jumped and spun around to see Matt laughing.
"Shit Matt! You scared the crap out of me!"
He laughed again, trying to sober up.
"I'm sorry"
She glared at him. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry…really I am. I just couldn't help myself"
She hit him in the shoulder and he jumped back.
"You're an idiot" She hissed. "I thought you were…"
"What? A murderer?"
She paled and he realised what he'd said.
"Rory!"
They both turned at the third voice. It was Tristan.
"Hey Matt" He greeted his occasional roommate.
Matt smiled easily at him.
"Hey Man"
"Rory can I talk to you…alone?"
Rory nodded.
"Are you sure Rory?" Matt asked.
Tristan rolled his eyes.
"Fuck off Freeman, I promise if I'm gonna strangle her I'll call you first so you can come be the hero"
"Tristan!" Rory chided but Matt backed away.
"Whatever man…see you Rory"
"By Matt…what's up Tristan?"
"Did you mean what you said the other night?" He asked her, a sense of urgency to his voice.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm leaving" He said, "I've tracked down Justin"
Rory's heart started to race, her promise that she would go with him. Was she ready to do that?
"Where is he?"
"Out of New York. I'm leaving now. If I don't track him down the police are going to charge me"
"Tristan they won't…"
"Rory! Let me make this clear! If I don't find him and bring him back here, it won't matter whether I'm innocent or guilty or whatever! The DA wants to get somebody for this, think about it, a teenager from the Hartford elite, hacked up in the grounds of the most exclusive boarding school on the east coast. She had a smug, rich boyfriend. They want to make an arrest and I make a great story. You've heard the evidence…"
She put her hand on his chest to silence him.
"Do you want me to come?"
She wanted to hear the words but he stayed silent. She looked into his stormy blue eyes and somewhere, in their depths, she could see he needed her.
"Give me five minutes, we'll have to take my car" She said; his still hadn't been fixed.
Her mind was spinning even as she packed her duffel bag. Louise was asleep on her back, her hair splayed on the pillow. Her right arm was flung over her head and she was snoring gently. Rory looked over at her and picked up her cell, dialling her mother's number and getting her message bank.
"Mom, remember on Saturday night and I said there were things I might do that you wouldn't understand. Well this is one of them. I'm going with Tristan, to find someone who could clear his name. He needs me right now. I'll be safe, I promise. Please try to understand"
She hung up the phone and placed a carefully worded letter for Louise on her bedside table. Picking up her car keys and a scarf she sighed, making her way down to the ground-floor, skirting the house mother's desk where Mrs. Shultz was watching the late show, she snuck into the common room again, opening the window and climbing out after her duffel bag. Tristan was waiting by her car. He looked up when he heard the crunch of gravel. She smiled wanly and unlocked the car. They threw their bags into the back seat and climbed in.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked. "It could mean expulsion. I can go alone, take your car. You could tell them I stole it"
Her heart was still rattling around her rib cage but her voice was calm when she looked over at his tired, drawn face. She reached for his hand and placed it over her heart.
"Do you feel that?" She whispered, her huge eyes focused on him.
He nodded, his eyes down, not meeting hers. She didn't say anything else. His mouth was set in a grim line but his eyes softened a little as she let go of his hand and turn the ignition key.
AN: Keep reading and reviewing! Let me know what yu think of this latest development? Will they find Justin? Did he do it? Stay tuned for more Detective Corry and a very pissed off Mr. Jenkins and Lorelai. As well as Rory and Tristan goin cross-country...or...er...state.
