Chapter Title: More Than Words by Extreme.

Summary: They have the summer ahead of them. A lot can change in a summer.

Rating: M, because this chapter has some drama in it.

AN: I want to take a few seconds to say thank you to everybody who has sent in reviews. And to tell you guys Happy Fourth of July. I didn't think I would have time to send this in. But I have a few minutes so here you go.

Saying 'I love you' Is not the words I want to hear from you It's not that I want you

Not to say, but if you only knew

How easy it would be to show me how you feel

They had been trying to find a place to park for twenty minutes. At the last minute Rory pulled into a space. Tristan put his hands on the dashboard to keep from hitting it. Rory gave him an apologetic look before she unbuckled her seatbelt. They got out and set out on foot. They stood in front of the Institute looking up at it in awe.

"What do you want to see first?" Tristan asked wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"I have no clue." Rory said still staring at the building in awe.

"Come on." Tristan said moving to her side.

He pulled her inside turning in a circle wanting to take everything in at once. Rory made this fun; he never would have set foot in here if it weren't for her. It was summer; they weren't supposed to be learning anything. They were looking at a map when Rory pointed to something.

"We are so going to see the space center."

"We can go see Superman."

"Then we can go to the National Memorial."

There were mostly parents and kids walking through the exhibits. Rory and Tristan were walking through the air show when they caught a group of middle school girls staring at Tristan. He smiled before waving at them. They walked away giggling.

"Even twelve year old girls like you." Rory said nuzzling his neck.

"They're smart girls." He said smiling down at her.

They stopped in front of the Wrights brothers exhibit taking it in. Tristan definitely wanted to go to Kitty Hawk. He had been fascinated with the story since he was a kid. He was going to have to call his granddad and tell him about this. They made their way to the sports challenge watching the people around them. At least there were people their age here.

"I wanna climb that." Rory said watching people climb a floor to ceiling rock wall.

"I will if you will." He said following her to the back of the line.

While waiting in line Rory took in her surroundings. She needed to try and find something for her mom, then everyone else. Tristan put his chin on her shoulder while wrapping his arms around her waist. She turned her head to kiss his cheek before stepping into the embrace.

They were getting into harnesses a few minutes later. Rory looked over at him before they started.

"Loser buys lunch."

"What?"

"You heard me."

Rory took off up the wall before Tristan could react.

"Damn it." He said under his breath as he started climbing.

Rory might have gotten a head start but Tristan's arms and legs were longer. He closed the gap with no trouble. She looked over at him just before they reached the top. He gave her an evil grin before reaching for the top. Rory let go not feeling too bad about losing.

"I was going to let you win. Then you had to go and cheat." They were walking towards the café when Tristan finally said something.

"I'm not worried about it. It was fun."

"Yeah it was. Hop on." He said stopping in front of her.

Rory took off her sandals before getting on his back. Tristan rubbed her arms before starting to walk again. She rested her head on his shoulder in a dream like state. His birthday was coming up and she wanted to do something nice for him.

"Tired?" He asked after brushing his lips over her temple.

"No. Just thinking."

"About me?"

"Always." She said opening her eyes and smiling.

They ate in silence then headed to the Imax Dome. The next movie didn't start for another hour so Tristan bought their tickets then they headed to the Memorial. His cell phone rang and he sighed.

"Go ahead. I'll catch up with you." He said stopping.

"Okay." She said kissing his cheek.

He watched her walk away as he opened his phone.

"Cece?" He said hoping she hadn't hung up.

"Thank God you answered. You're dad has been calling here for you."

"And you're just now telling me this?"

"Check you're messages hon. He smells a rat."

"I'll call him."

"You better."

Tristan snapped his phone shut. His dad couldn't tell him what to do. He couldn't send him back to Rome. Couldn't take away his credit cards. He had gotten them after he turned eighteen. He needed to stand up to his dad. Starting now. He dialed his dad's office knowing he would be there.

"Dugrey Enterprises. How may I assist you?"

"Janice, it's Tristan. Is my father there?"

"Yes Mr. Dugrey. One moment."

"It's Tristan Janice, the same as it has been for the ten years you've known me."

Tristan waited for his father to come on the line. He had no idea what he was going to say. He would just go with it.

"Jonathan Dugrey."

"Dad…"

"Tristan, where are you?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Why are you being so stubborn?"

"I learned it from you."

"Come home son."

"No."

"Your mother is worried about you."

"Tell her I'm fine. I'll call her in a few days."

"I want you to come home."

"I told you no."

"Then don't expect me to help you pay for college."

"I can make it without you."

Tristan hung up not waiting to hear what his father said. He didn't want to deal with this right now. He set off to find Rory. He wanted to enjoy the rest of the day with her. He would deal with his family tonight.

Rory saw Tristan out of the corner of her eye. He was walking towards her with his head down and his hands in his pockets. He was a few feet away from her and he hadn't noticed her. She smiled knowing he needed her. No one had ever needed her the way he did, no guy at least.

"Hey gorgeous." She said stepping in front of him.

Tristan looked up giving her a weak smile. Rory pulled him to her not saying anything else. They didn't move, people walked around them minding their business. Which was good, because Tristan didn't want to deal with nosy people right now.

Half an hour later they were waiting for the movie to start. Rory lifted the armrest between them and snuggled close to him. Tristan wrapped his arms around her wanting to be close to her. The theater wasn't as crowded as he thought it would be. Then again it was a late show. The Institute was almost empty when they walked through it again.

Tristan played with Rory's hair during a lull in the movie. She looked up at him but he kissed her before she could say anything. Rory pulled away laying her head on his shoulder again.

AN: Okay so I haven't seen Superman Returns yet. That's why I didn't make a big deal about it. But if anyone has seen it please don't tell me about it! I'll eventually see it.