DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything involving Gilmore Girls.

Sorry for the lack of updating. Things have been interesting in my life lately and it has kind of been taking a toll of my writing. I started the fabulous world of my Microbiology summer course, 3 hours a night, every day of the week. And to top that off, I went to my doctor and let's just say that what I found out isn't exactly going to make this story fluffy. Okay, never mind, sorry for rambling and thanks for all of your reviews!

"The world knows very little of its greatest heroes."

-Don Ward

Stronger Than Cancer

Lorelai sat staring curiously at her daughter, who was humming happily to herself as she made coffee. "Somebody's cheery this very early morning."

Rory turned away from the coffeepot and said, "Yup, I am. It just seems like a great day, doesn't it?"

"Well, I might agree if it wasn't 6:30 in the morning." Lorelai said, resting her head on the kitchen table.

"Oh, so I guess it's too early to tell you my news. I'll just come back when you're more awake." Rory grabbed her mug and began walking into her room.

"Hey, get back here!" Lorelai yelled. Rory stopped at her doorway and turned around, smiling brightly.

"I knew that would get your attention." She plopped onto the seat next to Lorelai and said, "Tristan and I kissed yesterday."

"What?"

Rory nodded eagerly and said, "It was really great. Well, once we got past the whole 'him thinking his bald head repulsed me' thing."

Lorelai looked at her questioningly and said, "Whoa, hold on a second. You and Tristan kissed? Are you sure that is a good idea?"

Rory's face fell at the question that had been running over and over in her head since last night. As much as Tristan said he wanted it, she still hadn't totally accepted that fact. "Well, I was thinking that too, but Tristan seemed to think it was a good idea."

"Of course he does! He wouldn't give up an opportunity to kiss you, even if he is sick!" Lorelai said, only half joking.

Rory smiled and said, "I know, but it's different than you think. I want to be there for him and help him through this."

Lorelai placed an assuring hand on Rory's and said, "I know you do, kid. I just hope you're prepared for this." Lorelai loved that Rory seemed so happy, but she couldn't help but think that Rory was getting in over her head. Just because Tristan said that them being together was a good idea didn't make his cancer magically disappear. She was afraid that Rory really didn't know what she had in store for her.

Rory nodded, knowing what Lorelai was thinking. She had to keep reminding herself not be naïve about this entire situation. "I hope I am too."

After school, Rory quickly made her way over to Tristan's house. After knocking several times and receiving no answer, she finally tried turning the knob. Seeing that it was locked, Rory decided to ring the door bell. When there was still no answer, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed the house phone. The phone rang and was finally picked up by the answering machine. "You have reached the DuGrey residence. We aren't here at the moment, so please leave your name and number and we will get back to you."

That's weird, Rory thought, hanging up the phone. Figuring that he was at the doctors, Rory decided to sit on the front steps and wait. She couldn't help but wonder why Tristan hadn't told her yesterday that he would be gone. Rory shrugged off the thought and pulled her book out of her backpack. After about five chapters, she finally saw a black limo pull up the driveway. She smiled and stood up quickly, wiping her skirt. The door opened and she saw the maid get out and reach inside the limo. Nothing could have prepared Rory for what she was about to see.

The driver had retrieved a wheelchair from the trunk and was assembling it while the maid was gently pulling Tristan out of the car. As soon as Rory saw Tristan's face, her heart dropped. He was the palest she had ever seen him, with dark circles around his sunken eyes and he was grimacing in pain. The driver picked him up slightly and placed him in the wheelchair and the maid began leading him to the house. Rory ran towards them and said, "Tristan, oh my god! Are you okay?"

Tristan groaned and said, "Rory, what are you doing here?" The maid gave Rory an impatient look and continued pushing Tristan closer to the house.

"What do you mean? I always come here after school. I wanted to see you." Rory spoke quietly, walking beside the wheelchair and staring down at him.

Tristan was aware of the fact that Rory was staring at him and he slowly brought his eyes up to hers. "You should go."

"Tristan, no. I'm not going anywhere." Rory began following them through the front door, but was stopped by the maid.

"Mister DuGrey needs his rest." She then shut the door, leaving Rory pounding on it desperately. Tristan hated that she was out there, begging for him to let her in, but he just couldn't bear to let her see him right now.

Once he finally made it up the stairs and into his bed, Tristan grabbed the bucket beside him and quickly got rid of whatever little food he had been able to eat earlier that day. He placed it beside his bed and as loudly as he could muster, he shouted, "Fuck!" He then rolled over, clutched his stomach and let the tears roll down his cheeks. His entire body felt hollowed out and useless; his head pounded and even blinking his eyes as the tears flooded them caused him to wince. His thoughts drifted from the pain that was coursing through his body to that of Rory's shocked face. He knew that he hurt her by telling her to leave, but he knew that Rory would be hurting even more had he let her see what was happening to him. He couldn't stand the thought of anyone, especially her, looking at him when he was this weak.

Rory finally stopped knocking and dropped her arms to her sides weakly. She grabbed her bag and began walking to her bus stop, tears streaming down her face. She wasn't sure which hurt more; seeing Tristan in so much pain or being ordered away. He had told her that there were things that she wouldn't want to see, but she thought that he was going to let her decide that for herself. Wiping furiously at her eyes, Rory took a deep breath and told herself that if this was what Tristan wanted, then she would support his decision. She had no idea what it was like to go through everything Tristan was, and she had no right to question his reasoning. Still, she wanted more than anything to be there by his side, offering comfort in any little way she could. He was clearly suffering, and it broke her heart to think of him being all by himself in that lonely house.

When Rory got home, Lorelai was standing in the kitchen talking on the phone. Lorelai quickly dropped the phone the minute she saw the distraught look on Rory's face. She had never seen her daughter look so sad and scared. "Rory, what's wrong?"

Rory dropped her bag on the floor and quickly pulled Lorelai towards her. Lorelai gently rubbed her daughter's shaking body as she sobbed quietly. After a few minutes, Lorelai heard a muffled, "I can't do anything to help him."

"Shh, Ror, it's going to be okay." Lorelai whispered softly.

Rory pulled away and said, "For the first time in my life, I feel like it isn't."

Lorelai looked sadly at her crying daughter and said, "Rory, you can't say that. It may seem like that now, but everything will be okay."

Rory's tears continued to fall more quickly and between her sobs she said, "Why can't I just make it better? Why?"

It's a little bit short and I'm sorry for that. Please review and let me know what you thought. Thanks!