DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything involving Gilmore Girls.

I don't know how many times I can say it, but thanks so much for the reviews! Some of the things that you guys say are really great and I really appreciate everyone that is continuing to read this story. Anyways, enjoy!

"And now I only see him a few times a year." Rory finished her story and Tristan nodded, slowly taking in every word she had said.

"Wow, I never would have expected anything like that for you. I guess there really is no one with the perfect life." He didn't know how, but somehow Rory had ended up basically telling him her entire life story. Tristan could see the masked hurt in her eyes as she recounted her mom getting pregnant at 16, her father coming in and out of her life, and the strained relationship between her grandparents and her mom.

Rory nodded and said, "Yeah, well, I really shouldn't be complaining. I'm not the one with cancer."

"No, I know what it's like to have a weird family situation and I completely feel for you. Having cancer was just the icing on the cake for me. There's nothing like sitting alone in a hospital to make you realize that your parents don't give a shit about you."

Rory frowned at the mental image she now had of Tristan being sick and alone. If she ever had the opportunity to meet Tristan's parents, she was really going to let them have it. "Tristan, I'm sure they care more than you think. Maybe they just don't know how to deal. That's what some people do, they run and avoid things that they can't handle."

Tristan inwardly laughed at the thought of his great and powerful father being afraid of something. "I would believe you if it hadn't been this way my entire life. Your father may be physically gone, but mine has kept me at a distance, even when we're in the same room, since I was a little kid. I don't even think we've ever had a conversation that didn't consist of him yelling at me for one reason or another."

"What about your mom?" Rory asked cautiously.

Tristan sighed and said, "She's civil when she's around, but she's mostly just following my dad wherever he goes. She's not the warmest person in the world."

Rory stared sadly at Tristan, trying to imagine everything he has gone through. He tried so hard to seem like none of it affected him, but she could see in his eyes and hear in his voice that it hurt him. If at all possible, the guilt that she had been carrying around for the past few days increased even further. She now knew that every time Tristan was teasing and following her that he was just desperately in need of someone to care, but he had no idea how to do it. He grew up in a household without love, and as a result, he not only didn't know how to make a connection with someone, but he feared it.

"I'm so sorry, Tristan. I can't even imagine what that's like. My mom and I are best friends who talk about everything." Rory silently reminded herself to give Lorelai a hug the minute she got home. She had always known that she was lucky, but now she realized just how great her mom really was.

Tristan smiled and said, "Yeah, I can tell by the way you talk about her. You get so happy and excited. I'd like to say that I'm not jealous, but I have to admit that I am."

Rory moved closer to Tristan on the bed where the two were lying with their backs propped up against pillows and grabbed his hand. "Well, you have me, which is almost as good. We are both Lorelai's."

Tristan smiled and said, "Thanks, Mary." He squeezed her hand lightly and added, "You know, I just can't imagine calling you Lorelai. No offense."

Rory laughed and said, "None taken. I love the name, but no one ever calls me anything but Rory. Well, besides you."

"Well, at least I'm original." Tristan smirked and lifted his hat off, wiping the sweat that had risen from his fever; it always made his head itchy, but he didn't want to take it off. He placed the hat back on his head and adjusted it as Rory looked on quietly.

"You know, you don't have to wear that. It must be hot and I've already told you that I like you bald." Rory looked on amused as Tristan played with his hat, considering what she had said.

"Yeah, but you were probably just saying that. You're too much of a Mary to say something mean."

Rory hit him playfully on the shoulder and said, "Hey, I am not that much of a Mary! And even if I was, that would mean that I don't lie. Thus, I wasn't lying about the hat!"

Tristan couldn't help but laugh at the victorious grin on Rory's face. "Well, when you put it that way… I guess I have to believe you!"

Rory nodded and said, "That's right, mister."

Tristan slowly brought his hand to the hat, but held it there. Rory watched as he seemed to be clutching onto the hat instead of lifting it off. "Tristan, seriously…" She sat up and gently straddled him, reaching forward and grabbing his hand away with one hand and pulling the hat off with the other. "There, I win!"

Any other time, Tristan would have been preoccupied with his bald head, but now, all he could think about was the girl that had innocently found herself straddling him. Her face was just inches away from his, and they were staring at each other. After about a minute, Rory seemed to realize where she was and looked down at the hand in her hand, playing nervously with it. Just as she was about to get up, Tristan grabbed her hand and said, "So, my bald head repulses you that much?"

Rory looked up at him, surprised and nervous. "What are you talking about? I just thought it wasn't a good idea for me to be sitting on you. You know, considering that…"

"Oh, trust me, I didn't mind you there. What I do mind is the fact that you are so afraid to come near me. I mean I know I don't look my best, but still…"

Rory shifted uncomfortably, making Tristan pull her closer. "Tristan, I…"

"You what?" He whispered.

Rory's breath hitched as she could feel his breath on her neck. Her mind was reeling; she had no idea what to do. She was sitting on top of Tristan, inches away from his face and all she could do was think about kissing him. But, the other voice in her head was telling her to ignore how cute he looked, even while pale and thin. He was really sick, after all, and she shouldn't be thinking about things like this.

"I should go." She finally managed to get out.

Tristan didn't realize his grip and just stared back at her. "No, I need you to tell me the truth. Are you afraid to touch me?"

Rory looked at him, silently pleading him to let her run. When she saw no sign of him giving up, she said, "Yes, I am."

Tristan sighed and let go of her hand, grabbing his hat from her other hand and placing it back on his head. "Okay, you can go now. Run away from the scary bald kid." His voice was angry and bitter, as he was desperately trying to cover the hurt that he felt.

Rory ripped the hat off of his head and threw it across the room. Tristan opened his mouth to protest, but Rory covered his lips with her hand. He stared at her questioningly and she said, "Shh, I'm going to talk now and I need you to listen. I mean, really listen. Got it?"

Tristan nodded his head and she removed her hand. "I am in no way afraid of you, no matter how self-conscious you feel about your hair. I know it might be difficult for you to believe, but I was actually thinking about how cute you looked. I was yelling at myself, saying that I shouldn't be thinking things like that when you're sick. I shouldn't be sitting on top of you wanting to kiss you. It's not right."

"What?" Tristan said in complete surprise.

"You heard me." Rory said, knowing that she didn't have the courage to repeat herself.

Tristan grabbed her chin and brought her face up to look at his. She looked away shyly, but he turned her back towards him and slowly kissed her. It was short and sweet and when he pulled away he was smiling. "It is definitely right."

"Tristan, I really don't think-" Rory started, but was interrupted by Tristan placing another kiss on her lips. She pulled back and said, "Are you sure about this?"

Tristan smiled and stroked her hair, staring into her wide, unsure eyes. "Rory, I have wanted to kiss you again since Madeline's party. I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life."

Rory smiled sheepishly and said, "So, I was the girl you liked, huh?"

"Mary, you can be so naïve sometimes. Of course it was you." Tristan smiled bigger as he saw Rory smile happily.

Rory gently pulled him into a hug, and Tristan wrapped his arms around her as tightly as he could. Rory rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, "You're sure?"

Tristan placed a kiss on her cheek and said, "You're not going to break me, Rory. If anything, you're going to make me want to be better that much quicker."

"Well, then, I guess I have to be with you now." Rory smiled and buried her head in Tristan's shoulder, not ready to let go of him just yet.

What did you think? I thought it was about time for something to happen between them. And doesn't anyone else think that Chad Michael Murray looked fantastic in One Tree Hill with hardly any hair? I honestly prefer him that way, so I can only imagine him being completely bald definitely wouldn't be a bad thing. Anyways, please review and let me know what you thought!