The Best of You – Chapter Fourteen
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing…
"Hey kid," Lorelai whispered as she entered the room that the maid had just pointed to.
Rory turned around, facing her mother almost nervously.
"Mom – hi."
Lorelai stepped toward Rory, who was currently snuggling deep within the Dugrey's guest satin sheets.
"Hi, how are you feeling?" Lorelai asked, hovering over Rory's figure. She held her palm against Rory's sweaty forehead. "You're burning up babe," she continued to whisper.
"I was worse this morning, believe me," Rory reluctantly replied, her voice hoarse and throat dry.
"Why didn't you call me?"
"Because – because we were fighting," Rory answered weakly, attempting to sit up.
"Because we were fighting?" she whispered incredulously, "Hun, I don't care if it was it full on World War 3 in the Gilmore house… I'm your mother, I love you and you absolutely have to call me when things like this happen!"
"I know but," Rory bit her lip, thinking of something to say, "You were mad and we weren't exactly on speaking terms."
Lorelai sighed before taking a seat beside her daughter. "I'm not mad anymore."
"You're not?"
Lorelai shook her head.
"Since when?"
"Since you almost died," she answered.
"I didn't almost die. I'm fine – see?" Rory waved her hands.
"You can scramble an egg on your forehead because it's so hot."
Rory paled at the statement, "Please no food references."
Lorelai put her right hand against her heart, "You really are ill!"
Rory smiled before coughing, "Have I told you how incredibly sorry I am?"
"I don't believe you have."
"Well then – I'm really sorry mom," Rory whispered, her throat burning.
"Yeah well I'm sorry that you chose Tristan instead of me."
"I didn't choose Tristan over you."
"Then what are you doing at his grandfather's house?"
"He forced me to come here mom. I refused but he was adamant."
Lorelai nodded, she couldn't comprehend her daughter's words. "So he helped you from the goodness of his heart?"
Rory shrugged, "All I know is… Tristan helped. A lot. And I'm almost… grateful."
"So are you two dating?"
"What? No!" Rory exclaimed, her voice louder then it should have been.
Lorelai winced, "Your poor vocal chords. And my poor ears."
"We're not dating. How could you even think that?"
"Well I don't know… maybe because one; you two had sex. And two; you fall sick and he whisks you away from hell to take care of you. What else I am supposed to think?"
"We are not dating."
"Do you like him?" Lorelai questioned.
"I don't… know."
"You don't know?"
"I mean no, I don't like him like that," Rory's voice was almost inaudible.
"Are you sure about that?"
A silent pause had filled the room; the only sound heard was Rory's loud breathing.
"Pretty sure," was the younger brunette's answer.
Lorelai smiled, attempting to lighten the situation. "Well good."
"What do you mean by good?"
"I mean… I know guys like him kid. They're not trustworthy and are only after one thing."
Another pause had silenced the room; only this time… tension filled the two women. Rory inhaled quickly at her mother's harsh words. She swallowed back the nausea and closed her eyes, letting the words settle in her head. Following this, she wasn't so sure if she could keep the nausea down.
"He got it," Rory answered, looking her mother in the eye, "He got the one thing that he's been wanting from me since he met me."
Lorelai wrapped her arms around her daughter, hugging her tightly. "It's all over. What's done is done. You can't dwell on it now. Just be glad that you two were safe and you can get past it."
"How are you so sure?"
"Because you're Rory. You're a strong kid," Lorelai whispered before getting to her feet.
Rory nodded, her head pounding from the dozens of questions floating through her head.
"Let's get out of here," Lorelai suggested, "Sookie brought the most amazing cinnamon buns and – too early for food references?"
Rory nodded, shakily getting to her feet.
-
Tristan sat in front of his grandfather, his eyes ablaze from his earlier conversation with Lorelai. He was trying so hard to be suitable for her but it wasn't working. Shaking his head, he rested his head against the back of the couch with his eyes closed.
"Sit up boy, their coming down," Janlen barked.
Tristan inwardly groaned before straightening his posture and hiding all previous emotions. He turned his head to the sound of hushed whispers and saw the two Gilmore women. The older one was supporting the younger one, who had her eyes closed and was looking drained.
Janlen stood from his favorite seat and looked at Tristan to follow suit. Tristan stood and avoided Lorelai's penetrating gaze.
"Off so soon?" Janlen asked.
Lorelai nodded, tearing his eyes from the blonde toward the elderly man, "I think we've overstayed our welcome."
"Nonsense! You can stay as long as you like… or at least until the young one here feels better."
"She does," Lorelai replied, "Just exhausted."
"She must be, the poor thing," Janlen shook his head.
"Thank you for everything Janlen," Lorelai started, "And thank you Tristan – for taking care of Rory."
Tristan nodded, clearing his throat, "No problem."
The sound of his voice seemed to waken Rory from her light slumber. Rory opened her eyes slowly.
"Mom, I need to talk to Tristan," Rory said, her voice quiet but firm, "Tristan, I need to talk to you – alone."
Tristan nodded, a little surprised. "Sure, let's go to the kitchen."
-
"So uh – do you want anything to eat or drink?"
Rory shook her head; the thought of food right now disgusted her. "No thanks."
Tristan took a seat on the kitchen counter and grabbed an apple; he looked at her expectantly before taking a bite. Chewing thoughtfully, he eyed her curiously.
"Are you feeling better?"
"The hammering in my head has stopped and the nausea now only comes once every hour."
"So yes?" Tristan cracked a small smile before taking another bite of the Granny Smith.
"Progress is being made, yes."
"So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Rory took a seat on a kitchen stool and rested her head on the glass table. Her head had now just started to throb and she was waiting for the pain to subside.
"You okay?" Tristan asked, placing his half eaten apple beside him.
Forcing her head up, Rory opened her eyes and met his worried ones. "I'm fine."
"So… what did you want to talk about?" he asked again.
"I actually have a question to ask you."
"Ask away."
"Well the night that… um… the night that we… well you know."
"The night that we had sex?" Tristan smirked lazily.
Rory blushed, contrasting greatly against her pale face, "Yes that night."
"What about that night?"
"Well did you – umm… was there… no did you…"
"You're rambling."
Rory paused, "I am."
"That means that you're nervous. Why?"
"What?"
"Why are you nervous?"
"Because of the question that I'm about to ask you."
"Ask your question, I'm eagerly waiting."
Rory took a deep breath, clearing her mind of the embarrassment that was sure to come. "Did you use protection?"
Tristan plastered an innocent face, his eyes searching hers. "Come again?"
Rory blushed an even more red hue, "Did you use protection?"
"I'm sorry but I'm not following."
"A condom Tristan! Did you use a condom?"
"A condom?"
"Yes a condom… rubber… you know, protection!" Rory whispered fiercely, looking around as if she was worried that someone might have heard.
"I didn't need one," Tristan shrugged, taking a large bite of the tart apple.
"Excuse me?" Rory choked out, her body becoming numb.
"I didn't need one… I figured since it was your first time, then the chances of you getting pregnant are slim to none."
"Are you serious? Where did you learn that?"
"Freshman year Phys. Ed. Mrs. Enilesav taught Sex Ed to the whole grade that year," Tristan shivered, "That old hag. I swear she wanted me."
Rory couldn't believe her ears, if only she was strong enough. "Can we please focus here Tristan?"
"About what?"
"About the fact that I might be pregnant," the word left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"I don't think you are," Tristan replied casually, throwing his half eaten apple away.
"And how are you so sure?" Rory exclaimed, clutching her stomach nervously.
"Because I just know."
"I'm going to kill Mrs. Enilesav!"
"If she isn't dead already. She was quite old."
Rory swallowed loudly, "Oh god, what am I going to tell my mom?"
"Tell her that Tristan was completely safe."
"But then I'd be lying."
"No, I was."
Rory glared at the blonde, "What are you talking about?"
"You honestly believe that I, Tristan DuGrey could be so stupid? Rory, of course I used protection," a light smile played at his lips.
Rory's heartbeat had slowed to its normal pace and color had reached her face.
"You're horrible."
"And you're gullible," he laughed, taking another apple from the pile.
"How many apples a day do you eat?"
"It's the only fruit I'll eat."
Rory stood from her seat and attempted to straighten her wrinkled school shirt, "My mom's waiting for me. I better go."
Tristan stood also, following her out. Rory walked at an incredibly slow pace and Tristan found himself behind her, him inches away from her petite figure. He couldn't resist and his hands slowly but very surely found her slim waist. He felt her stiffen and freeze on the spot before turning around to face him.
Blue met blue and Tristan had become mesmerized. It was her and only her who caused him to feel emotions that he had never felt before. Emotions that he wasn't quite sure he wanted to feel.
Her blue eyes questioned his motive and her cheeks were stained with pink.
"What are you –"
"I have something to say too," he whispered.
Both his hands were positioned at both sides of her waist. Using the hold he had on her body, he brought her closer to him, until their faces were only inches apart.
"Say it," Rory's voice wavered nervously; the closeness of him to her caused her heartbeat to quicken and her head to spin.
He licked his lips, "No regrets."
Rory closed her eyes at his words; the sound of his voice soothed her to the point where it scared her.
"Of course you don't."
--
Hello all!
This chapter was rushed and I'm terribly sorry for that but drama and excitement is to come! Eeep! I can't wait…
Thank you ALL for the reviews. Gosh, I don't have enough words to thank you guys for your kindness and continued support for this story. But please… do continue!
And since I'm feeling nice, here's a little spoiler… two simple but clear words…
Paris, anyone?