5. Clocks

Rory rolled over to the side that wasn't facing him. The sex was great. She had forgotten what it felt like. Pure ecstasy. During, she actually thought they must be made for each other. Now, after the rush, she was wondering where she ever got that idea. How could she have possibly thought that? It was Tristan for god's sake.

"Rory?" he asked. She felt him prop himself up on his elbow.

She closed her eyes. "Hm?"

"Are you alright?"

Her body tensed. Of course she wasn't alright. "I'm fine."

He made an attempt to wrap his arm around her to fall asleep. She scooted the other way slightly.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied quietly.

"Don't lie to me."

Rory sat up and swung her legs over the edge. "I'm going to make some coffee." She put on her pajama pants and a shirt.

She could hear him walking behind her as she went into the cramped kitchen.

"Will you talk to me?" Tristan pleaded as Rory started to put grounds into the coffee maker.

"What would you like me to say?" she asked calmly, not looking at him.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. He finally got her to look at him.

"This is just like high school, Tristan. This is so like you," she said disgustingly.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes at her, accusingly.

"You know what the hell that is supposed to mean. You think I want to do this to myself? You think I looked forward to revisiting you? But somehow, I'm drawn to you. I can't stop thinking about you once I start. It was the same way in high school. Ron would have fucking killed me if he found out. But things are different now. I'm not that same damsel in distress. I don't need protecting anymore. Look around you, I have a great life. I have my kid. I love my best friend. I love my job. I don't need you anymore."

Tristan tried to comprehend this. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, and said, "Our kid."

Rory glared at him. "Don't you fucking call him yours. You left, Tristan. You left us. You aren't part of our family. He has Jess."

"Are you at least going to let him see me?"

"That's for him to decide."

"I fucked up, Rory…" he started.

"I know," she said harshly. A long moment passed, and she softened. "Just give me a little time," she then whispered. "Let me heal."

Tristan nodded.

-

Rory woke up from a shout.

"You fucking bastard!"

Rory looked around to find Tristan, clad in only boxers, on the floor getting punched and beaten.

"Jess?! What the hell are you doing?"

Jess didn't seem to hear her as he continued kicking and hitting Tristan. Tristan was trying to fight back, but Jess had a pretty good hold on him.

Rory tried to get his attention a couple more times, but nothing seemed to be working.

"Jess!" she screamed and then tried to pull him off. He stopped and looked at her. She had a few tears running down her cheek.

Jess then looked back at Tristan angrily. "You fucking promised me you wouldn't take it this far."

Rory jerked back from Jess. "You've talked to him?" This can't be happening, Rory thought.

"Ror… I-" Jess tried to explain.

"How long?" Rory demanded.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"How fucking long?!"

Jess looked in her eyes for a long moment and then shook his head. "Since he left you."

Rory breathed deep and exhaled, while looking at him disgustingly. "Get out."

"Rory-"

"Get the fuck out, both of you."

Tristan grabbed his clothes and together, they walked out of the room. Rory walked over to it and slammed it shut.

She walked over to the bed, light on her step, as always.

She descended into the comforter, and then, she let herself fall apart.

-

When she finally exited her room, it was around 1 o'clock p.m. She had taken a shower and changed into jeans and a button up white shirt and vest.

Her bare feet smacked quietly on the kitchen tile.

She took out the coffee beans from the pantry, but when she went to make it, the pot was already full and warm.

She jerked to look around, wondering who was there. She then saw Tristan sitting at the dining table across the room.

"I thought I told you to leave," she said, curtly.

He shrugged. "I'm here to see if you wanted to talk about it…"

Jess walked in.

"… if he doesn't help you," Tristan finished.

"I really can't talk to either of you right now," Rory informed, then made herself a cup of coffee.

"Just listen then, Rory," Jess pleaded.

She lowered her eyes, nodded slightly, and gave in.

"Tristan, can you give us a moment?" he asked.

Tristan left and Rory heard the TV turn on in the other room.

"How could you have done this to me, Jess? I thought you were on my side," Rory whispered.

"You know that I'm always on your side. But he was my friend, too. I just… I don't know… wanted to keep in touch."

"After everything he did?" Rory started to cry. "I can't believe this has been going on behind my back for fourteen years."

"Not behind your back," Jess said. Rory looked disbelieving at him. "Just… not in front of your face. I knew it would hurt you. And that's the last thing you needed then. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I'm not sorry I did it. He was my friend, too."

"You already said that."

"It's true."

"It's just…" she let some tears fall. "… he hurt me so badly. How can I let him back in, Jess?"

He shrugged. "He's a good man, now. Who knows? Maybe you'll find yourself falling back in love with him."

A/N: I really don't know if I should keep this story going. I don't know what I had in mind for the plot. If you do want me to write more, you could tip an idea off and I'll run with it, or you can just pray that I find one on my own. Either way, review. If you don't, I'll just take that as a sign of no one reading it, and then there's no point in writing more if I really don't have anything to write anyway. Okay, review what I should do.