Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls, actors, characters, plots, etc, that would be the wonderful people at WB. Although if I did, I'm pretty sure they'd be some big changes coughChadcough. Anyway if you do feel inclined to sue me, some people have strange urges and we must accept them for who they are, I'm currently flat broke so all you will get is a used textbook, on organic chemistry.
Rish: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Glad you enjoyed it.
Photobooth romance: Well I'm sorry I can't confirm anything yet, but thanks for reading and reviewing anyway.
LoVe23: Lots of questions! Don't worry I love questions. Can't say exactly when you'll find out what happened, it'll probably come out over a couple of chapters. Yes, she'll see Tristan again.
Danger1Zone1988: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Hope you like this chapter.
FairyGirl07: Yes, Rory and Tristan did go to school together, more will be revealed soon. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Mamashirl: I'll try to reveal more details to avoid confusion soon. Thanks for reading and reviewing, despite the haziness of my story.
Mrmp: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Hope you like this chapter too.
Sparxx27: Ohh, someone who likes the mystery! Thanks! And I love that you put a lot of thought into answering my random question. Hope you like this chapter.
Ess3andra: Firstly, Rory doesn't recognise Tristan for several reasons, I can't reveal them all right now, but it has been a while since Chilton and she's pretty upset so it wouldn't have come to mind straight away. Secondly my penname, it's a bit of a long story, but basically, the first GG story I wrote was titled 'Tea bean, coffee leaf', so when I had to pick a name, I shortened the title. And no, I won't ever post 'Tea bean, coffee leaf' it's for experimental purposes only!
Fallen Heart: This is probably a stupid question, but what does 'LMAO' mean? Thanks for reading and reviewing.
:D: I love your reasoning! And thank you for your lovely review.
PDLD-LIT-TRORY-ELIXER-OF-LIFE-LOVER: Boy, that's a long name! Thank you for your review. I think everyone's questions will be resolved soon, sorry if I'm being too mysterious.
GGluvr1987: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Hope you like this chapter.
SonnyCarlyJasonCourtney: Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Joellekyle0712: Thanks, darling. And I'm continuing, but I guess you already know that!
I die without you: Yes, Rory and Tristan did go to Chilton, more explanation in coming chapters. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Chapter 3
The taxi neared a large sign and Rory took a deep breath.
"Stop here," Rory directed the taxi driver.
"Here?" he frowned, slowing the car, "On the side of a highway?"
"Yeah, I think I'll walk the rest," Rory nodded.
"Okay, if you're sure," the taxi driver shrugged, checking the meter, "That'll be twenty-six, forty."
"Keep the change," she said as she handed him thirty dollars.
Getting out of the car, Rory stood facing the Welcome to Stars Hollow sign, taking a deep breath, she took one step forward, she was going home.
How many years had she travelled back and forth along this very road? Each tree, each subtle curve of the road, each reflective road marker seemed to be embedded in her memory, most attached to a story or event in her childhood. Before she knew it, she was on the outskirts of the town itself, development had not bypassed Stars Hollow completely, she could see the beginnings of urban sprawl taking effect.
Block after block of land had been cleared of natural forest, replaced with real-estate signs loudly proclaiming 'breath-taking views', 'close to schools and shops' and strings of abbreviations only people who wrote them seem to understand. Half the signs had been plastered over with the word 'SOLD'. She clutched her jacket closer to her, as if trying to keep the people from selling her off too.
The first familiar landmark she passed was the bus stop, the old wooden garden seat had been replaced by a much more modern metal-and-glass shelter. An electronic panel stood in place of the 'please hail bus' sign, the time of the next bus light up brightly against the otherwise dark screen. Still some things did not change as a young couple bid farewell to each other as the bus approached and the young boy boarded it, the girl waved after him until the bus was long gone.
Al's Pancake Parlour had been replaced with Al Junior's Pancake Parlour, but last Rory had heard, the fare had not changed nor the ill-effects on unsuspecting customers' gastro-intestinal systems. The gazebo stood proud as ever in the centre of town, looking its finest with a fresh coat of white paint.
She turned a slow circle, taking in each familiar building. Doose's, the church, the bookshop, Mrs Kim's Antiques, the high school, Taylor's Ye Olde Soda Shoppe and beside it was Luke's. A lump mysteriously found its way into her throat. Even at this distance, she could see a woman seated at the counter. A rotund crimson mug in one hand, the other hand danced freely through the air as she related a very embellished tale to a man behind the counter, who listened to the woman with a mixture of annoyance and love in his face.
Abruptly the woman stopped and began to turn. Rory froze, not wanting to be caught, but the woman didn't turn completely, only to the figure beside her and Rory's heart broke a little. Seated beside the woman was a little brunette boy, not quite tall enough rest his arms on the counter, his expression was impish and Rory could see concealed behind his back, he held a muffin. The boy and the woman exchanged a wink, which the man behind the counter pretended not to see as he restocked the muffins on display near the little boy.
What was she doing here? She couldn't be here. This place was no longer home. Coming here was the worst thing she could do. Turning away, furious with herself, she started to walk back the way she had come. Quietly, she prayed that she would not be recognised and that no one would ever know she had made another mistake.
She huddled in the bus shelter, the time blinked another fourteen minutes to the next bus. Fourteen minutes and then thirty minutes to Hartford railway station, that's forty-four minutes and she could pretend this little outing had never happened. Thirteen minutes. The advertisement that made up one side of the bus shelter was for the upcoming Stars Hollow High School Play, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Twelve minutes.
"Rory?" the voice was brisk and distinct and brought back all kinds of memories, mostly involving rescuing her bestfriend from awkward dates with future doctors and lawyers.
"Mrs Kim," she forced a smile, not that she wasn't happy to see the older woman, it was the timing that was off.
"What are you doing here?" Mrs Kim asked, lifting a hand to indicate the bus shelter.
"Waiting for a bus."
"I can see that," Miss Kim frowned, "I want to know why."
"I'm going to Hartford."
"So you came to visit Stars Hollow?"
"Sort of," Rory replied vaguely, "Yes."
"But you didn't visit me?"
"I'm sorry."
"I made you promise last time."
"I know, Mrs Kim. And I'm very sorry, I just – "
"Did you visit your mother?"
Rory sighed, there was no way to get out of it now.
"No, no I didn't visit my mother."
"Why not?"
"It's just – "
"Your mother has missed you."
"She has?" she didn't mean to sound so surprised, but after seeing Lorelai, Luke and their son, she could only imagine that her mother's life was happy now.
"Very much," Mrs Kim nodded, "I know. I miss Lane."
"How is Lane?"
"Good, thank you. She and Henry are doing very well. I should thank you for that. They're in Korea at the moment, on a holiday."
"I just did what any friend would have done."
"You should stay, longer."
"I can't."
"But you haven't visited in so long."
"I know, it's just…" she couldn't help it, but her eyes drifted towards Luke's.
Luke had turned his back and Lorelai was letting the boy sneak sips of coffee from her mug.
"You want to stay, but something is holding you back," Mrs Kim guessed seeing the wistful expression on Rory's face.
"I don't have anywhere to stay," she admitted.
She couldn't exactly appear on her mother's doorstep and demand a bed for the night and staying at the Dragonfly meant an encounter would be inevitable and awkward.
"You can stay in Lane's old room," Mrs Kim suggested.
"I shouldn't impose."
"Certainly not. Lane would want you to stay there."
"In that case, I'd really appreciate it, Mrs Kim."
"Good, that's settled then," Mrs Kim nodded with finality and together they walked to Mrs Kim's Antiques.
--
AN: I couldn't remember the exact locations of various landmarks in Stars Hollow, so if anything is out of place, sorry. Also I have to plug a new story I'm starting, it's an original story called 'The Daily Rant', it's a bit of drama/romance/humour. It's on Fiction Press and my penname is teabean85, please check it out and tell me what you think. Thanks.
