A/N: I don't own Gilmore Girls or the song. It's 'Fall To Pieces' by Avril Lavigne.

You're the only one

I'd be with 'till the end

When I come undone

You bring me back again

Back under the stars

Back into your arms

I don't want to fall to pieces

I just want to sit and stare at you

I don't want to talk about it

I don't want a conversation

I just want to cry in front of you

I don't want to talk about it 'cause

I'm in love with you

"So, Friday is the party we're throwing for you, Saturday is the one at your grandparent's, and Sunday is the one your parents are throwing in Stars Hollow." Louise said, looking at a pad of paper in her lap.

"Which you are all invited to." Rory said from across the lunchroom table.

"Can everybody come?" Blake asked, looking at all of them.

Louise nodded, "Of course."

"Wouldn't miss it." Madeline said, looking up at Blake.

"Yeah." Baker and Henry said at the same time.

Tristan kissed Rory's temple gently, "I'll be there."

"I'll already be in Stars Hollow all day on Sunday." Paris said.

Rory looked up, "You will?"

"Jess." was all she had to say. There was a round of nods of understanding.

"He's in charge of music, right?" Baker asked.

Madeline grinned, "Yup. We're gonna give somebody a heart attack."

FRIDAY

Rory turned in front of her full length mirror, looking at her outfit from every angle. She was wearing a jean miniskirt and combat boots, along with purple fishnets and a black top. On the front it said: I (heart) NY Boys, and it had purple mesh ribbon lacing up in the back. She glanced at her make up. She had on more than usual. Black eyeliner, purple eyeshadow and the mascara was labeled black/purple, and it showed as a dark purple when the light hit it. Her hair was in two low braids, over the front of her shoulders and she had two thin strips pulled out of the rest, hanging on either side of her face.

There was a knock on her door. She opened it and smiled to see Lane. Her friend grinned, "Happy early birthday." she said, hugging Rory.

The brunette smiled, "Thanks. You ready?" she asked, looking over her friend's outfit. Lane's mid-torso length hair was let loose, and she had on a short red and black plaid miniskirt with a black shirt that said 'Beat It' and had a stick figure playing the drums, along with black platform shoes that had a star cut out of it that you could see straight through. Blake and Jess had so affectionately named them 'The Hulk Shoes' last summer.

Lane nodded, "Ready."

Rory laced their arms, "So then let's go."

LOUISE'S

The four friends walked in and a few people turned, calling 'Happy Birthday!' to Blake and Rory. They nodded, thanking them.

"Late to your own party?" Henry asked, showing up in front of them and hugging Rory, "Happy Birthday."

She grinned, returning the friendly hug, "Thanks. And you know we have to be."

He did the whole hand slap-knuckle hit thing with Blake, "Happy birthday, man."

"Thanks." they talked for a little while until a slow song came on and he took Lane away to dance. Rory smiled leaning against the wall and talking to Jess and Blake until her brother announced, "I'm gonna go find Maddy."

She nodded, "Kay. Bye."

He hugged her gently, "Bye. See ya, Jess." the boy nodded and walked away.

Rory turned to Jess, "Looks like it's just you and me."

He leaned beside her, "Looks like it. So, how's it feel to be-" he glanced at the clock, "two and a half hours away from being sixteen?"

She smiled, shrugging, "Invigorating."

"Oh yeah?"

She nodded, "Yeah," looking over at all the people, she smiled when a new song came on and turned to Jess, "All Apologies?"

He smirked, "Just for you. Come on, we're gonna dance."

Rory grinned, taking his hand, "To Nirvana?"

"Of course." he pulled her to the floor and they started dancing. Something about this song reminded her of Jess. 'What else should I be? All apologies. What else should I say? Everyone is gay.' oh yes, that was it. This wasn't really a song to dance to. It was close enough to a slow song, but you could still move to it.

When it was over she grinned, hugging Jess tightly, he knew how much she loved that song, "I can't believe you actually played it for me."

He shrugged, "It's your birthday." a small smile crossed his lips as he glanced over her shoulder. "I think my turn's up."

"What?"

Jess nodded, "Looks like your boyfriend wants a turn." he smiled, kissing her cheek, "Happy birthday, babe."

"Thanks." she turned and they walked their separate ways. Jess most likely to find Paris and she walked to Tristan. "Hey." she kissed him lightly.

"Hey," he smiled lightly, "sorry I'm late."

She shook her head, "No problem."

"Happy birthday." he leaned down and captured her lips in a slow kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist.

They were interrupted when Louise and Madeline appeared, "Oh, get a room." Rory pulled away and rolled her eyes, looking at the two girls.

Madeline smiled, "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks."

They were distracted when they heard someone yell 'keg stand!' Madeline and Louise laughed. Rory looked at Tristan, "That was Jess." They walked into the hall, towards one of the kegs, and they saw that Baker and Blake were each holding one of Jess's legs, and he was upside down. Rory shook her head, resting her forehead in her hand to keep from laughing. They put his legs down and he swayed slighting, holding his balled fists up victoriously like he'd just won some competition as people cheered.

HALF AN HOUR LATER

Rory sat on the counter, Lane on one side and Madeline on the other. Also in the kitchen were Blake, Tristan, Jess, Paris, Louise, Baker, Henry, and a few other people she knew, but didn't really talk to. Tristan pulled the nozzle of a funnel away from his mouth and Blake laughed, "That's six," he said, placing the empty beer can next to the other five. He looked around, "Anyone else up to it?" he asked.

Rory slid off the counter, "I will."

"You sure?" he asked.

"Positive."

"You hate beer."

"Hey, do you not want me to?"

"No, I think it'll be great." he held the funnel straw out to her and tossed the actual funnel to Louise, who was on the counter.

"Just open the back of your throat." Henry told her.

"And don't try to swallow." Baker said, smirking.

"And put your head back." Tristan added, curling his hand around the back of her head, and she let her neck relax as his hand moved down slowly, "Okay." he pulled his hand away.

Louise popped the top of a beer and glanced at Blake, who nodded. She held it over the opening and poured it out, it was obvious that Rory almost gagged, but she took the whole thing in five seconds. She pulled the hose out of her mouth and shook her head, looking at her brother. They were all silent until she spoke, "That's disgusting." she turned to Louise, nodding, "Do another one." her friend laughed, but grabbed another can.

Within the next hour, all of them had funneled at least four beers (Lane) and at the most, eight (Jess). Tristan was leaning against the counter and Rory was resting her back against his chest, Tristan's arms wrapped around her waist as he kissed her neck gently. She was talking to Lane, but had stopped for a moment having forgotten what she was saying. Tristan leaned down and bit her earlobe gently. She smiled, turning in his arms. She closed her eyes, stepping back and swaying slightly.

"You okay?" Tristan asked, putting his hands on her hips to steady her.

Rory blinked slowly, "Yeah, I'm just....tired." she looked up at him, "Can we go?"

"Yeah, sure." they announced that they would be going and everyone said goodbye and told Rory happy birthday one more time before they walked out. She looked back at Louise, who caught her eye and gave her a small, reassuring smile. Rory returned it and followed Tristan out.

Rory leaned against the door to Tristan's room. The dark cherry wood cool against her back. She smiled at him as he shrugged off his jacket, throwing it to the floor carelessly. He looked up at her, smiling, "What?"

Rory shook her head, "Nothing."

Tristan walked over to her, pulling her to him, "So, you are officially sixteen in-" he glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand, "-seven minutes, how's it feel?"

"I'll tell you in seven minutes." she rested her head on his shoulder, "But right now, I'm thinking it'll be a pretty good year."

"Yeah?" he asked, leaning down.

She smiled slightly, "Yeah." Tristan kissed her slowly, unsure of exactly what she wanted. He felt her pull him further down, and thinking, 'what the hell', he slid his hands under her shirt, kissing down her neck and pulling it over her head.

NEXT MORNING

Rory woke up slowly, feeling Tristan stir beside her. She closed her eyes, fighting the painful throbbing that was rising in her torso. Tristan had done his best to be gentle, but it had still felt like he was ripping her open. If that was sex, then the entire world was freaking out over nothing. It wasn't his fault, she knew that, but she'd still have to lie about the pain. She knew that most girls didn't like their first time, but holy shit, did it always hurt that bad? She was for once glad how experienced he was. If she'd been with someone who hadn't known what they were doing, she probably wouldn't have been able to go through with it after the initial pain.

Tristan opened his eyes, leaning over to kiss her lightly. "How do you feel?"

She sat up, "Okay." he just nodded, and although she knew he could tell she was lying, he didn't call her on it.

"I'm really sorry, I tried everything I could think of to make it easier-"

She shook her head, placing a finger to his lips, "It's fine. I'll live."

"I know it hurt." he rested his arm along the pillow that was beside her leg, and he rubbed her thigh lightly.

She smiled slightly, "I was forewarned. I'm fine, really. We'll try again, trust me." she kissed him slowly, "So, let me get this straight, my parents think I'm at Louise's, and that Blake's here, while Lane's mom thinks that she's spending the night with Madeline for a bible group tomorrow morning, and Luke has no clue where Jess is."

Tristan thought for a second, "Yeah, I think that's right. And Blake is really at Madeline's, Lane is really with Henry, Baker I'm guessing never left after the party, and Jess is, of course, with Paris." he said, kissing her again.

Rory smiled, "We're so fucked if we get found out."

"Well, yeah." he grinned, "but that's what's hilarious about it."

She laughed, "Yeah, you're not the one who's screwed if they find out."

"I would be."

"And how is that?"

"Your parents would forbid you to ever come near me again."

"True." she said, laying down beside him, and he wrapped his arms around her. "I should probably go soon."

He kissed the top of her head, "Alright."

Rory traced his chest slowly with her finger before closing her eyes and snuggling closer to him. Tristan was on his back and Rory's head was on his chest. She looked up at him and moved up his body so that they were even. She leaned down and kissed him slowly, closing her eyes and sighing silently as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down against him. She pulled away after a moment, "I love you." she said quietly.

Tristan kissed her lightly, "I love you too."

NEXT NIGHT

Rory and Blake looked at each other grimly, "Ready?" he asked, both dreading the social party.

She nodded, "Ready."

Blake shrugged, "It won't be so bad. At least Tristan and Madeline will be there."

She nodded, "Yeah, I guess."

"Don't think I don't know." he said, not looking at her.

"Don't know what?"

"What happened last night after you and Tristan left."

"What happened?" she asked innocently.

He just gave her a sideways glance, "Just don't get hurt."

"I won't."

Blake looked over at her before smirking lightly, "I know you won't." he rang the doorbell, they'd driven separately from their parents. Well, SHE had driven. Blake failed his test. Something about running a red light. He had to go back in three weeks for a retest.

The door opened to reveal a maid. She smiled, "Mister and Miss Hayden."

"Hey Carla." Rory said, walking in, closely followed by her brother. The door shut behind them and they looked around slowly. Rory inhaled deeply, "Okay."

Blake put his hand in the small of her back, pushing her forward lightly, "Just breathe."

She rolled her eyes, "Ha ha." her brother looked at her with a knowing smirk. She kept her eyes forward, "I'm working on it." it wasn't like they'd never been to parties like this. But it was never thrown for them. They had no idea what to expect.

Ten minutes later, they were standing with their grandparents and being shown off. Blake gave Rory a side long glance and she nodded. A few minutes later they slowly edged away, needing to get away from the 'elders'. She spotted Madeline and Louise. "Hey." she called.

They turned and smiled, "Hey." Madeline said as they walked over.

"We were just wondering where you were." Louise said.

"Well here we are." Blake kissed Madeline lightly.

She smiled, grabbing his hand, "So, did you get your license?"

"No. He ran a red light." Rory told her.

Louise and Madeline laughed while Blake stuck his tongue out at his sister. "Yeah. It sucks too, because our grandparents already bought us Landrovers, but I can't drive mine until I 'Learn how to properly navigate a vehicle suitable for the road.' to quote my grandfather."

"Did you get yours, Rory?" Louise asked.

She nodded, "Yeah. And I got first pick of the cars."

"What's the difference?" Madeline asked.

"Just the color. I decided to be nice and take the tan one to leave him the black." she said, nodding to her brother.

He smiled sweetly, "And I love her forever for it."

Madeline rolled her eyes, "Come on. Oh, happy birthday again, Rory." she said before leading him away.

Louise turned to Rory, "So, Tristan was looking for you."

"Was he?" she asked, smiling.

"Yes." she grinned, biting her lip while her friend looked off into space, "Details, Rory. Details!"

Rory laughed, "What do you want to know?"

"Everything. How much did it hurt? What led up to it? How long did it last? Everything."

Rory smiled, "Well, it hurt like hell. I swear, I though I was going to die. My legs hurt like hell. But I mean, he did everything he could to make it less painful." she added quickly. "We were just in his room and it kind of....happened. And you think I really know how long it lasted?"

Louise shrugged, "Not really. Did you cry?"

"A little, I think." she said uncertainly.

Louise nodded, looking at a spot a few yards behind her friend and she said quietly, "Yeah, well sometimes that reaction can't be helped."

Rory looked at her strangely and turned to see Tristan walking towards them. He smiled light upon reaching her, "Hey." he kissed her gently.

She smiled, "Hey."

Louise nodded, "Hey."

Tristan looked up, just noticing her. He nodded, "Hey."

Louise looked at Rory nodding awkwardly, "Hey."

Her friend nodded as well, "Hey."

"Well, I see Hunter McCully, and he owes me an explanation as to why he wasn't in science on Thursday and left me without a lab partner.......so I'm gonna go and I'll se you two later."

Rory nodded, "Bye."

The blonde smiled, "Bye."

Tristan broke in, "Bye."

"Bye."

"Bye." Rory said.

Louise looked at her, "Bye." and she walked away before either of her friends could speak again.

Tristan watched her leave, "She knows, doesn't she?" he asked, looking down at his girlfriend.

Rory nodded, "Yeah. I was with her when I got the prescription." He grinned, closing his eyes. Rory tilted her head to the side, "What?"

He shook his head, "Nothing."

"Tell me."

"It's just......Louise."

Rory laughed, "You know you love her."

ONE HOUR LATER

Rory leaned against the balcony, closing her eyes as the cool November air circled her. Her stomach was rumbling, she'd eaten way too much. Jess had been wide eyed as he was the only one who realized that she was on her third plate, and had eaten more than even himself. He'd just smirked at her, knowing that she'd be in pain later. And she hated him for it.

She heard the door open and someone walk onto the balcony quietly. "Hey."

She turned, "Hey."

Tristan walked over to her, leaning against the rail beside her. "I got your present."

She clapped excitedly, standing up straight, "You got me a present?!"

"It is your birthday." he said, laughing at her.

"What is it?"

"You sure you want it?"

"Do you know you're talking to? I love presents. I LIVE for presents. It's all your good for. Didn't you ever wonder why I like having a rich boyfriend?"

"Well, it's good to feel needed." he said sarcastically.

"Oh, you love it." Rory said, smiling, "Now gimme."

He shrugged, "I just don't know."

"Don't know what?"

"If I should give it to you."

"What are you talking about?! It's present. For me."

"Yes it is."

"I'm not supposed to pay you back for it."

He smiled, "Now where does it say that?"

She opened her mouth, but could think of nothing to say, so she snapped it shut and stepped closer, "Tristan," she wrapped her arms around him, under his coat, "If you love me them you'll want to give me my present." she said before kissing him lightly, pulling his bottom lip between hers.

She slipped her hand into the pocket on the inside of his jacket and he pulled away, "It's not in there."

She huffed, crossing her arms playfully, "Evil."

He laughed, "You really want it?"

"I REALLY want it!" she said excitedly.

He sighed playfully and reached into the inside pocket she hadn't felt and pulled out a small box, handing it to her. She narrowed her eyes, smiling as she took it from his out-stretched hand. She pulled the top off and gasped as a jewelry case was revealed. She looked up at him, "What is it?"

He smiled, "Open it."

Rory cracked the top open and her jaw dropped, it was a necklace with a diamond in the shape of a heart inside the outline of a star on a silver chain. She looked up at him, "I can't take this."

He chuckled, "Yes you can."

"No, I, oh my God, Tristan- this is beautiful."

"You like it?"

"It's perfect. Did you pick it out?"

He shrugged, "I picked out a couple things I thought you'd like and got a woman's opinion."

She smiled, looking back down at it, "Will you put it on me?" she asked.

He held his hand out and she set the case in his palm. She turned around and held her hair up; he clasped it, leaving a soft kiss on the back of her neck. Rory shivered slightly and dropped her hair back down, turning and wrapping one hand around the back of Tristan's head, pulling his lips down to hers. He wrapped one arm around her waist, the other resting behind her on the rail. He couldn't believe it. Less than a month after he'd met Rory, she'd been his, now he'd been the first one to claim her. She was his now. She'd been his by right. No one else had the right to touch her. It wouldn't have been fair if they had. She was his....only his. She was amazing and now he had her.

He just had to get through the party at her house, the one with her whole town, including Dean. If he could just get through tomorrow night then he'd be fine.

Want to know who you are

Want to know where to start

I want to know what this means

Want to know how to feel

Want to know what is real

I want to know everything

Everything........