DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything involving Gilmore Girls.

Okay, I am HORRIBLE for not updating this story and I'm sure most people have given up and lost interest. Trust me when I say that I had a good reason for not updating, but I don't want to dump my problems on all of you. So, again I am SO sorry for not updating and if you are willing to read this after all this time, THANKS! Your reviews have been wonderful and I do really appreciate them!

Rory stood in front of Tristan's front door, breathing deeply out of excitement and exhaustion from running her way up the expansive driveway. Taking a deep breath and flattening her hair, she knocked quickly and waited nervously. After a minute or so, she figured that Tristan wasn't up for answering the door and tried the handle. Seeing that it was unlocked, she slowly opened the door and ducked her head inside.

"Tristan, can I come in?" She laughed to herself at the question; she had entered his house numerous times without asking. But, this time was different. Tristan had sounded like he had something to tell her, and she was hoping that was a good thing.

"I'm up here, Ror!" Tristan shouted from upstairs. Rory smiled and made her way up the stairs. Once she reached his room, she stood nervously in the doorway, returning the smile Tristan offered her.

"You gonna come in? I promise I'm not contagious." Tristan smirked as Rory gave him her 'stop being a smart ass, this isn't funny' look. He knew that she had a difficult time realizing his need of sarcasm to get through this. But, it was how he dealt with it, and he preferred it over the crying and bitterness that had been forcing its way into his mind lately.

Rory slowly stepped inside the room, stopping after she had only gotten a foot away from the door. He smiled at her nervous expression; she was biting her lip in that adorable way that he couldn't resist. "So, you wanted to talk to me?" She asked, purposely avoiding eye contact. She couldn't bear to look in his eyes if he was about to brush her off for good.

Tristan knew that she was afraid of what he was going to say, and he honestly didn't blame her. He had been so back and forth with Rory that he really couldn't believe that she was still putting up with him. It was time for him to finally show her how grateful he was for all of the support.

"Come on, sit down." He motioned towards the spot next to him on the bed and waited for her to slowly sit. She stared at her wiggling hands in her lap and just waited for him to start.

"Rory, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for being such an ass. I've never had anyone like you in my life, and I guess I just didn't know how to trust you. But, I've realized that I was just being defensive and was cheating myself out of something really great." He lowered his head to try to catch her eyes. Finally, she raised her head and their eyes locked. Tristan smiled and grabbed her hand, stroking her thumb lightly.

"You don't know how many times I've wanted to just give up. It would be so easy for me to just say fuck it and crawl into a hole of self-pity. But, you've made that impossible. Every time I feel myself getting down, I think of you and it makes me want to fight. And I know that it won't be easy, but if you're still willing, I would really like to have you with me through this." Tristan let out a deep breath and self-consciously looked at Rory.

Rory sat silently in amazement at what she had just heard. Finally, Tristan wanted the support that she had so badly wanted to give. She couldn't find the right words to say to respond, so she just sat staring at her hands. Thinking the worst of her silence, Tristan dropped his head in disappointment. Of course she wouldn't want to put up with his bullshit any longer. Why would she?

Hearing Tristan sigh brought Rory out of her thoughts. She saw his defeated stance and placed her hand under his chin, bringing his face up to look at hers. "Hey, look at me."

Tristan did as he was told and Rory saw what looked like the start of tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry for all the silence… I was just processing everything you said."

"Yeah." Tristan said sadly.

"No more doom and gloom, mister. I was just thinking about how long I've waited for you to say those things. " Rory gave him a reassuring smile, which Tristan eagerly returned.

"Really?"

Rory nodded and said, "Really. Of course I want to be here for you. It has been killing me to be think of you all by yourself, and not just for your sake, but for mine also. I really care about you, Tristan and I want to spend time with you."

Tristan couldn't help himself and broke into a goofy smile. "I care about you, too. And trust me when I say that spending time with you is the only high point of my life." He practically whispered the last part, but he knew that she had heard him.

"That's going to change soon, Tristan. You'll get through this and there will be plenty of things worth living for."

"Nothing could beat having you in my life." Tristan said without missing a beat.

Rory smiled brightly and grabbed his face, pulling him in for a deep kiss. Tristan eagerly ran his hands through her hair and brought her as close as possible. Rory smiled against his lips and he did the same. Pulling back for air, she pressed her forehead against his, smiling as she stared into his blue eyes. "Nothing, huh?"

Tristan gave her a small peck on the lips and said, "Nothing."

Rory pulled him into a hug, resting her head on his shoulder as she whispered, "Thank you for trusting me and letting me help you."

"Thanks for giving me the opportunity to trust you." Tristan said, still holding her.

Rory finally pulled back when she heard her cell phone ring. Smiling apologetically, she checked the caller I.D. and answered the phone excitedly, "Mom!"

"So?" Lorelai asked eagerly.

Rory smiled and said, "Cancel the order!"

"Oh, thank god! I'll see you later, then?"

Rory ignored Tristan's questioning face and said, "Yup, I'll see you later!"

"Bye sweets."

Rory hung up the phone and smiled as she looked as Tristan's confused face. Without hair, his 'raised eyebrows' look was quite amusing. "Order? What order?"

Rory laughed and said, "Oh, the wallowing food. You know, pizza, candy, and ice cream?"

"Wallowing food, huh?" Tristan asked, running his hand over his bald head and looking uneasy.

"Yeah, it's a Gilmore Girls rule that my mom has for when…" Rory stopped herself, not wanting to admit what she thought the real reason was for her coming there.

"For when you get dumped?" Tristan asked softly.

Rory simply nodded, looking very uncomfortable at the situation they had found themselves in over some stupid junk food.

"I'm so sorry, Rory. I never wanted to make you think that I would do that. I'm such an ass for putting you through all this." Tristan raised his voice, yelling in frustration at himself.

Rory gently rubbed his shoulder and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. You're going through a lot and I understand. Besides, it's not like you would have been dumping me anyway."

"Huh?" Tristan asked, confused.

Rory quietly said, "Well, it's not like I'm your girlfriend or anything." She mentally swore at herself for letting that slip. She hadn't wanted to bring up the fact that whatever their 'relationship' was, it was very undefined. He had enough on his mind already without adding this.

Tristan had never even thought of that, and he felt like an idiot for it. "Rory, I never actually asked you, but I figured you knew how I felt."

"Yeah, I do, but I know that you don't need a relationship right now."

Tristan sighed and shook his head. "Rory, didn't we just go over this? I told you that you are the only good thing in my life. So, stop being so cautious and just accept it."

She smiled and said, "So, you think I'm too cautious, huh?"

Tristan laughed and said, "Uh, you think? I mean come on, I may have cancer, but you're acting as if the entire world has to revolve around that fact."

"Okay, you're right. I'll try to work on that." She pulled him towards her for another kiss, this time much more hungrily. A few moments later found her sitting on his lap, Tristan's hands on her waist.

Tristan pulled back when he felt her hands graze under his shirt. "Whoa, what are you doing?"

Rory placed her finger over his lips and said, "Throwing caution to the wind."

He smiled wickedly and took her lips with his once again. They finally pulled apart, Rory cuddling up next to him. "I think I like the adventurous Rory." Tristan said as he softly ran his hands through her hair.

"Me too." Rory smiled and yawned, falling asleep only seconds later. Tristan felt all of the exhaustion that had always seemed to disappear when Rory was around take over once again and quickly fell asleep also.

So, I highly doubt that anyone is still reading this, but if you are please, please review! After not updating for so long, I need to see if anyone is still reading or now. And if you are, thanks so much and I really, really appreciate it! THANKS!