Chapter Title: Make Me Believe by Sugarland.

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

AN: Be prepared for something very unRory like in this chapter. She does something she's never done in any of my stories. Just thought I'd warn you.

But if you can look in my eyes

And tell me we'll be all right

If you promise never to leave

You just might make me believe

That night they were getting ready for bed when Tristan pulled Rory into his lap. They had decided not to go to the Liberty Bell. They had agreed to make a weekend of it and come back in the fall. Tristan buried his face in her hair taking in the smell of her hair. It smelled like the ocean, he had expected it to smell like flowers. But he liked that she was full of surprises.

"Where do you want to go next?" He asked putting his forehead to hers.

"I thought we could go somewhere you wanted to go."

"This trip is for you."

"I don't care where we go. Pick a place."

Tristan thought for a minute. There were so many places he wanted to go. He smiled before he answered her.

"What are you scheming?"

"Me? I'm not scheming."

"Do you know where you want to go?"

"DC."

"Really? Why DC?"

"I've never been there. Plus we can stay a few days and see the fire works on the fourth."

"I like that." She sighed running her hands up and down his back.

Tristan laid down pulling her with him. Rory was half on him. Her legs were dangling over the side of the bed. She sat up straddling his waist once she finally got situated. She leaned down intertwining their fingers then put Tristan's hands over his head. Rory kissed him gently at first. Then Tristan caught her bottom lip between his teeth. She sucked in a breath before opening her mouth letting him in. Rory let go of his hands putting hers on his arms. Tristan cupped her butt making sure she didn't move. She pulled away gasping for breath. He brushed his fingers over her swollen lips. She looked down at him not breaking her gaze.

"I love you." She said just above a whisper.

"I love you too."

Rory kissed him again letting him roll them over. Her hands were under his shirt feeling the muscles flex under her touch. His hands were at her sides wanting to go farther. He knew she was tired. He pulled away before rolling off of her. She laid her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. He kissed her forehead before turning out the light.

"Go to sleep. We're getting a early start."

"Okay."

XXXX

Rory woke up feeling safe, safe in Tristan's arms. She yawned trying not to wake him up. He sighed making Rory look up at him.

"Morning." She said groggily.

"Good morning." He said running a hand through her hair.

She tried to sit up but he tightened his grip around her.

"Let me up. I want the shower first."

"We can't take one together?" He asked letting go of her.

"Come on." She said pulling him up.

Rory had a hard time not trying anything. Every time she did Tristan would push her away. They were out of the shower when Rory put a hand on his arm. He looked at her from under his eyelashes.

"What's wrong?"

"Sit down." He said pulling a chair out for her.

She looked up at him with worried eyes.

"I talked to my dad yesterday. He knows, and he tried to threaten me into coming home."

"Are you going?"

"Hell no. I told him I didn't need him."

Rory grabbed his hands pulling him into the chair next to her.

"I don't want you to fight with your dad because of me."

"Don't worry. If it weren't you it would be something else. My dad has never approved of anything I do."

"What are you going to do?"

"What any college student would do. I'll get a job."

"What about your granddad?"

"I want to do this on my own." He said giving her a stern look.

Rory let the subject drop knowing he didn't like talking about his dad. She was glad he was starting to be independent; she just wished it were under better circumstances. Tristan got up from the table without saying anything else. He walked to his side of the bed and started packing.

"Things will get better. You know that don't you?" Rory said from across the bed.

Tristan nodded not stopping what he was doing. Rory walked over to him and grabbed his wrists.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore." He said trying to pull his hands away.

"I love you, you know that. But right now I need you to trust me." She said leaning down trying to get him to look her in the eye.

He sighed before looking her in the eye. Rory rubbed her thumbs across his wrist trying to calm him down.

"We'll get through this together. Because in case you haven't noticed, I'm not leaving."

"I know. I love you too."

Rory let go of him letting him finish packing. She went back to her side and zipped her bag. She carried it outside and tossed it in the trunk. Tristan came out as she was leaving the office. He slid behind the wheel as Rory opened the passenger door. He started the car without saying a word.

AN2: You guys don't know how hard it was to hold off on letting her tell him she loved him. I'm the type of person that has no problem saying it. Hope you guys it. R&R please.