A/N: Rory's POV
When I got there, I was already fifteen minutes late. I rushed into the room, only looking at my grandfather's friend. I was supposed to be there to help him and not to mention write an article. "Mr. Schalupa. I apologize for being late." I walked over, shook his hand, and turned to Charles. "Mr. DuGrey, it's nice to see you again." I was as professional as ever, like they were the ones who were late. "You as well Miss Gilmore." I shot him a smile and then took my seat, still not looking at the front of the room. I heard someone clear their throat from that general direction and I looked slowly up and there was Tristan, smiling at me, looking very amused. I extended a hand. "Mr. DuGrey." He shook my hand, but gave me a look. I didn't like where that look was headed, so I looked away quickly. "Let's get down to business shall we?" Always the professional.
The rest of the meeting went without mishap, until Charles suggested we all take a lunch break. He volunteered to take Mr. Schalupa, and Tristan to take me. Something about seating arrangements in a car, but I wasn't buying it. I almost told them we could all just take my car, but then I realized that I didn't want to do that either. "Actually, I've got to get to the office." Charles shook his head again and smiled placatingly at me, fully aware of what I was trying to do. "I've already taken care of that for you Miss Gilmore." I nodded. "Tell your grandfather hello for me, will you?" I nodded and then they left Tristan and I alone in the large conference room.
I looked over at him again, and I couldn't tear my eyes from his slate colored eyes. "So, I guess it's lunch then?" His voice was mocking me, laughing that his father caught me trying to get away from them all. "I guess so." I kept using my professional tone, hoping he wouldn't try anything. I grabbed my duster, not even noticing it fall out of my pocket into the floor and swept out of the room, Tristan right behind me.
"You can pick where we eat. I know you don't want to be here." He sounded like a jilted twelve year old. "I'd just rather be at the office." He nodded. "I have no clue how that would feel." I laughed a little. "I love my work Tristan. And I like the people I work with." He cocked an eyebrow. "And for?" I looked at him out of my peripheral vision and then shook my head. "Not so much." And then I turned up the radio, signaling the conversation was over. And the next thing I know, Tristan fell asleep, leaning his head against the window. He's so cute when he's asleep. It was only five more minutes until I got to Luke's so I reached into my pocket to call my mom, but it wasn't there. So I reached into Tristan's jacket pocket and pulled his out and dialed my mom's number. "Loreali the second speaking." I couldn't help but laugh. "This is Loreali the third."
"Oh, fruit of my loins! Where have you been all my life?" I rolled my eyes at her. "We just got off the phone a few hours ago mom." I hear her sigh. "It's just never enough." Again, I laugh. "Are you at Luke's?" I can tell she's thinking about it. "I'm about to get a table." I nodded. "Alright. I'll call you later." She's going to think I'm crazy. "By hon."
Five minutes later, I pulled into Luke's got out. I decided not to wake Tristan yet, not only was he tired, but so was I. As soon as the bell rung and mom turned around the loud noises and cheering started, and then Lane joined in. I was too wrapped up in all the excitement to see him wake up and start inside. "Alright mom, now don't freak out…" The bell on the door cut me off. I didn't turn around, I already knew it was him. "This is Tristan." I pointed a finger in his general direction and they swapped introductions. So much for alone time with mom. We started eating and I explained to mom why "Spawn of Satan" was with me and of course she wanted to show him our house. So we all walked out there and we showed him. Mom also showed him the Inn, the shack, and then the whole town. "Mrs. Patty kind of freaks me out." I snorted. "You'd think you'd be used to women throwing themselves at you." He shook his head. "Not like that." And I couldn't help but laugh.
And then I saw a clock, it was five thirty. "Shit. I'm late. I've got to go." I was already late for my date with Logan. I rushed to the car, and noticed Tristan was taking his own sweet time. So I did something I never do, I yelled. "Would you get in the damn car! Please?! Act like you have some consideration for me and for…" In the middle of my tirade he cut me off by kissing me. "That, was so…" He tried to gather his thoughts, but I could tell we were both having a hard time. "Hott." I nodded and then he kissed me again. And even though I tried not to, I kissed him back. "Cancel wherever you have to be, you should spend some time with your mom." I nodded, it was all I could do. "Alright." I went inside Luke's to call Logan and to put some space between me and Tristan.
"Huntzberger." Okay, he sounded pissed. "Hey, I lost track of time in Stars Hollow and mom wants me to stay here with her. Mom shot me a look but I shook my head. "Rory, are you serious? I asked you to be here by five! Why couldn't you just have come home when you were supposed to?" Okay, now I was getting mad. "Ugh! You know what, sorry if I'd rather make things better with my mother than go to some stupid social event!" I heard him take deep breaths, no doubt trying to regain his composure. "Rory… it wasn't…" But then he stopped. "You're right. You should be there with your mom. I'm sorry I yelled. It's just, I was worried about you when you didn't answer your cell and then you didn't go to work and then…" He sighed. "Alright, I'll see you at home tomorrow." I shook my head then, my mind made up. "No, I'm staying here the rest of the weekend. So I guess I'll see you Monday night." I heard him mumble something and then he said bye like I had just told him you weren't allowed to have ice cream as dinner. I rubbed my hand over my eyes, I was just so tired.
"Come on hon, let's go home." I smiled at my mom, she knew just what I needed. I handed Tristan my keys and he drove us to mom's. Before I knew it, I was out like a light. When I woke up, I was laying in my old bed on my side and I was so… warm and comfortable, but I felt safe. I tried to roll over, when I rolled into someone. I looked and there was Tristan. All my movement woke him. "Hey." He smiled at me sleepily, I adored the way he looked in that moment. "Hey yourself. What are you doing here?" He was trying to wake up and talk to me, I could tell that it was taking great effort. "I was only doing what the lady asked." He nodded and then fell back asleep. I smiled at him and pushed my fingers through his bed head. Eventually though, we would have to talk to each other, and that kiss only complicated things. I sighed and laid back down, no use in doing it now. And then I fell back into the best sleep I'd had in over a year.