Story: Falling Into Grace

Summary: Rory has trouble dealing the new development in her relationship with Tristan. How long will it take for her to fall for his charms?

Chapter: He Wasn't by Avril Lavigne

AN: This is a really long chapter. This is for the people that said the chapters were too short. I also wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful feedback you've been giving. I don't want to single anyone out so thank you all.

This is when I start to bite my nails

And clean my room when all else fails

This point of view is getting stale

Rory walked through the door at Kim's Antiques calling Lane's name. Mrs. Kim stuck her head out of a room.

"Why you call for Lane?"

"Is she here?"

"Upstairs." Mrs. Kim went back to work ignoring Rory.

Lane sat on her bed with her mouth hanging open.

"You had two guys fighting over you? And you ran out on them? Are you crazy!"

"I'm tired of it. Dean has been starting arguments over little things lately."

"He yelled at Kirk because he told you he liked your shirt last week. Dean all but accused him of sleeping with you."

"What am I gonna do?"

"You're asking the wrong person."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ask someone who's actually had a boyfriend."

"Henry counts."

"Henry was perfect, but he doesn't count. We never went on a date."

"Who should I ask? My mom?"

"Or Jess, I mean he is a guy. He can help."

Rory scrunched her face in defeat. She'd try her mom first. Then talk to Jess if her mom couldn't help. Jess didn't like Dean anyway. He only tolerated him because Rory had asked him to ease off.

Rory was waiting at the Inn for her mom to get off when her cell phone rang. She saw a number she had never seen but answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

"I was hoping you would answer."

"I'm hanging up now Tristan."

"Then I guess you don't want an apology?"

"I'm listening. How did you get my number anyway?"

"Jess gave it to me. After you ran off I realized what an ass I had been. I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"I didn't hurt did I?"

"No. No marks."

"Good. I'll let you go."

"Bye Tristan."

She hung up as Lorelai walked up to her. Lorelai draped an arm over her shoulders steering her towards the door. On their way home they saw Dean on the opposite side of the street. He made his way to them and Lorelai gave him a stern look.

"You have five minutes. Then I'm coming back to get her."

"Yes ma'am."

"Don't call me that." She said pointing a finger at him.

"What do you want?"

"To apologize."

Rory sighed letting him explain himself. He had been making a lot excuses lately. And Rory was passed being agitated. She was mad, and Dean knew it. Rory put up a hand to stop him before walking away. She stopped halfway down the street and turned away.

"Call me when you can stop making excuses."

XXXX

During lunch the next day Madeline and Louise sat across from Rory.

"What now?"

"You haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

"You're boyfriend beat up Tristan." Louise said making Rory choke on her soda.

"What?"

"You haven't noticed that Tristan isn't here?"

"I've had a lot on my mind. How do you know Dean beat him up?"

"Because I saw him do it." Paris said from behind Rory.

Rory ran out of school pulling her phone out of her bag as she ran. She pulled up his number hoping he would answer.

"Hello?"

"Jess? Thank God."

"Rory?"

"Yeah. Have you talked to Tristan?"

"He's here now. You wanna talk to him."

"No, is he okay?"

"He's a little banged up. Did Dean tell you?"

"No, I heard it at school. I'll be there in half an hour."

"I'll keep him here."

"I have to deal with Dean first."

"Like I said, I'll keep him here."

Rory was banging on Dean's front door ten minutes later. Clara answered the door with wide eyes. It figures he would make her answer the door.

"Where's Dean Clara?" Rory asked trying to calm down.

"I'll go get him. You can come in."

"That's okay, I'll wait out here."

Clara disappeared but kept the door open. Dean was yelling at her from the other end of the house. Rory walked down the hall putting an arm on Clara's shoulder.

"Go outside and play Clara," She said before Clara ran out of the house.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked once Clara was outside.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? So you yelled at Kirk and beat up Tristan for over nothing?"

"He had it coming; he's always acting like he's better than me."

"In some ways he is. I don't see any signs that he even touched you."

"He tried."

"You didn't let him defend himself?"

Dean clenched and unclenched his fist before walking upstairs. Rory followed him catching his door before it shut.

"I don't know what's going on; but until you can tell me I don't want to be around you." Rory let herself out not caring that Dean was yelling at her to come back and that he was sorry.