Chapter Title: She's Got A Way by Billy Joel. I used a song for Rory's feelings for Tristan at the beginning of the story. This is Tristan's song for Rory.

AN: I had this chapter written last week. Then I lost the disk, but my niece found it this morning. So here it is. As usual, let me know what you think.

She comes to me when I'm feeling down

Inspires me without a sound

She touches me

And I get turned around

They had been driving all day and Tristan was almost at his limit. They had gotten lost three times before finally crossing the Mississippi state line. Rory thought it was hilarious, but Tristan wasn't laughing. She had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing when it happened the last time. She knew nothing good would come from it. To make matters worse Tristan refused to stop and ask for directions. Rory had finally bought them a map when they stopped for gas. Tristan gave her a warning glare every time she tried to tell him where to turn.

"Could you put that away?" He asked looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

"It's the only thing helping us get out of Mississippi." She said trying to sound rational.

"I can get us out of here without your help." He said through clenched teeth.

"Fine." She said folding the map dramatically.

He sighed before shaking his head. He knew she was just trying to help. But he was a man, it was his job to keep them from getting lost. And so far all he had done was make them go around in circles all day.

Later that afternoon after Tristan had finished sulking he came to a realization. Maybe she had a point. He looked over at her and noticed that she was looking out the window. He put a hand on top of hers getting her attention. She looked over at him waiting for him to say something.

"I'm sorry."

"I am too." She said with a sigh.

"Truce?" He asked looking her in the eye.

"Truce."

That had been three hours ago in Louisiana. Now they were in Texas. The 'Welcome to Dallas' sign came into view up ahead. Rory stretched letting out a groan. Tristan looked over at her noticing how tired she looked. He took the first off ramp he came to and started looking for a place to stop for the night. A few minutes later they were stopping at a hotel. Tristan went in to pay for the room while Rory waited in the car.

Rory flung herself onto the bed with a grunt. Tristan shook his head holding back the urge to laugh. He kicked off his shoes before walking into the bathroom. He would just have to take a shower by himself. He started the shower then went back into the room to grab a change of clothes. He checked on Rory noticing that she was already asleep. He brushed a piece of hair off her forehead before kissing her temple. She sighed in her sleep bringing a smile to his face.

XXXX

Rory woke up feeling something pressing down on her stomach. She lifted her head and saw Tristan sprawled across the bed with his head resting on her stomach. She looked over at the clock and realized she had been asleep for four hours. She ran a hand through his hair hoping that he would wake up easily. He groaned in protest as he moved his head away from her.

"Come on I have to use the bathroom." She said with a groan.

"Are you saying that just so I'll get off of you?" He asked not opening his eyes.

"You're pressing down on my bladder with your arm. What do you think?" She said sarcastically.

He guffawed before rolling off of her. She felt his eyes on her as she walked across the room. When she came back into the room a few minutes later he was still laying on the bed. She smacked his leg making him bolt off the bed. He fell into her almost knocking her over. She regained her balance before he could put all of his weight against her.

"You're such a baby." She said rolling her eyes.

"And you have good reflexes." He said running a hand through her hair.

"You can let go of me now." She said looking up at him.

"What if I don't want to?" He asked quirking an eyebrow at her.

She shook her head as he led them over to the bed.

"Five more minutes." He said wrapping his arms around her.

"Two."

"I'll take what I can get." He said kissing her forehead.

Two minutes turned into half an hour before they finally decided to get dinner. They walked down to the restaurant on the first floor and placed an order to take back up to their room. People walked by staring at them. An elderly couple walked up to the bar and looked over at them.

"That was us forty years ago." The husband said to his wife.

"They are a beautiful couple." The wife said looking over at them with a smile.

Rory laid her head on Tristan's shoulder watching the couple interact. She smiled when she heard what they said.

"Excuse me." The woman said getting their attention.

Tristan looked over at them with a smile.

"How long have you been married?"

"We're not married ma'am." Tristan said shaking his head.

"It's a little early to be thinking about that. We just graduated High School." Rory said with a smile.

"I married Joel out of High School. That was almost forty two years ago." The woman said looking at her husband.

"They've been the best forty one years of my life." Joel said looking down at her.

They talked for a few more minutes before the couple said that they had to leave. Rory looked up at Tristan as he watched them walk away. He looked down at her with a smile.

"You think we'll ever be like that?"

"I hope so." He said brushing his lips against hers.

Back upstairs Rory thought about what the couple had said. About her and Tristan reminding them of themselves when they were younger. Could she say something like that when she was their age? She hoped so.