A/N: Thanks to "cherrycokeaddict" because you just changed my whole story – for the better. I was going to have this chapter be different, but you were totally right! Thanks so much!

7. Green Eyes

Rory took a long and hard look at herself in the mirror. She hadn't seen or talked to Rhett since the night before when he said all those horrible things to her. She breathed in deeply.

"I can do this," she told herself softly.

Jess had called but she got off the phone too quickly for him to realize that she was crying profusely.

"I am fine. It's not the first time we've been in a fight," she reasoned to her reflection.

Rory turned around and walked toward the door. When she got to the doorknob, she paused. She closed her eyes and breathed fully.

"I can do this," she whispered again, as she pulled open the door.

It was quiet. She could hear the murmur of his music. She made herself a cup of coffee.

"Mom," he asked, softly, behind her. Rory closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly. "I've decided I don't want to meet him."

She nodded.

"Mom? I'm – "

She shook her head, not ready for his apology yet.

"Okay," he whispered. "But I am."

-

Rory's work day, long and stressful, ended with a phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hey. It's me."

"There's a lot of me's in the world…"

"Stop it, Tristan. It's Rory."

"And to what do I owe this wonderful occurrence to?"

"Rhett has made up his mind."

"Yeah?"

"He's decided that he can't have you in his life right now." Pause. "And I've decided the same thing." Her voice was hoarse as she started to cry.

"But, Rory – "

"Goodbye, Tristan."

She hung up and let a few tears drop down her cheeks.

"Mom?" Rhett asked in the doorway of her classroom.

She hid her face.

"You ready?"

She nodded. "I'll be out in a second."

He hesitated, "Okay," and left the room.

She closed her eyes, wiped the tears away, and sniffled.

Breathed deep.

"One, two, three," she counted herself to get up, but nothing happened.

"Four," she continued, then.

"Five." She got her purse.

"Six." Rory put her hand to the arm of the chair.

"Seven, eight, nine," she paused before counting, "ten," and stood up.

She sniffled again, breathed deep, and made her way to the car.

Both Rory and Rhett got in, and they started their way back.

Rhett sliced through the silence, "Why haven't you ever dated?"

Rory looked at him through the corner of her eye. "I don't want to talk about it."

"No, come on, Mom. I want to know."

"Rhett…" she warned.

"I was just remembering that I haven't seen anyone other than Jess in the house… or in your life. Have you dated?"

"No."

"Well, why not?"

"Rhett! I don't want to talk about it! Just leave it be."

"Why don't you want to talk about it?!"

"God! Fine! Tristan broke my heart! I gave up! Okay?! Is that what you w – "

But she didn't get to finish. Her car ran right into a tree. Rory passed out.

-

Rory woke up in a hospital bed, coughing non-stop.

"Whoa, whoa," the person next to her said, surprised. "Nurse!" they shouted when Rory didn't stop.

When the nurse got her to calm down, she explained that Rory inhaled a lot of soot from the accident. "It just needs to get out of your system."

"I hate being on these stupid hospital beds," Rory said, her voice hoarse.

"What hurts?" he asked.

"Everything, Jess, everything. The fucking tree must have been growing right in the middle of the fucking road."

"There's a church room right down the hall. Limit the curse words to one per sentence."

Rory smiled. "Don't make me laugh; it hurts so much."

"Oh my god," Rory panicked, "where's Rhett? Is he okay? How is he?"

Jess laughed, "He's fine. He didn't get hurt. Just a few scratches. No more than ten stitches. He can go home tonight."

Rory breathed, "Thank god."

"You want to tell me what happened?" he asked softly, as he took her hand.

"Rhett called me a whore."

Jess looked down. "No… he wouldn't say that…"

"Well, it wasn't really in those words, but – "

"Then he didn't mean it like that. Ror, that kid adores you."

"Jess, he said it. I don't know how to even look at him, now." Her face scrunched up, ready to cry.

"Even if he did say it – and that's a big 'if'," he shook his head, "he probably was just upset. He's young. This is a big thing to take in… I don't know, Rory…"

"You and Rhett are all I have, Jess. If he thinks that, then – "

"No, Rory. You will never, ever be a whore." He paused. "Tristan was the love of your life. He influenced you in more ways than any other person has. It's expected for you to…"

"Turn to mush every time I see him?"

He smiled faintly.

"I told him that I don't want to see him anymore."

"If it's about what Rhett said…"

"It's not. He's right. Tristan… he was the reason for so much hurt and distrust in my life, and when I see him again, I sleep with him. What the hell was wrong with me, Jess? I should have so much hatred for him. Up until the other night, I thought I did…"

"Tristan's not going to give up that easily. It took all of my strength to convince him not to come here to the hospital."

"And I thank you for that."

"Give him a chance when you're ready. He really regrets it, Rory."

"I don't know if I'll ever be ready."

"I do."

He squeezed her hand.

"Mom?" Rhett asked, in the doorway.

"I'll catch you later," Jess said with one more squeeze, got up, and left the room.

She smiled slightly at Rhett. He came over and sat next to her.

"Mom, about last night, I didn't mean it. I was so confused and frustrated, and I didn't know how to channel my anger, and I am so sorry, Mom. I mean it. I am totally going to make it up to you. Anything you want. I am so, so, so sorry, Mom." He got tears in his eyes. "I didn't mean it. I love you so much. Please forgive me. Please."

She smiled up at him. "It's okay," she whispered, as a tear fell down her cheek.

"No, it's not, Mom. I should be shot at how I spoke to you. And then, when they said you were hurt really badly, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't say I was sorry and you had…" he paused, not being able to say 'died'.

"Rhett?" she asked, getting his attention. "I forgive you. Now, about that present…" she started, a smile on her face.

"Yeah?"

"How about you go get me some food so I don't have to kill myself with that hospital crap."

He smiled. "Will do."

A/N: So, I think this was a fairly long chapter. I'm proud of myself. So Rory and Rhett's bout is all patched up. Of course, she's still going to have some hesitancy with what he said, but they're relationship is fixed. Tristan and his role in their lives is going to be put on the front burner now, as they figure out what they want to do. Thanks again, "cherrycokeaddict", I think you just saved my story and added plenty more chapters to this seemingly predictable story. Time for reviews! Tell me what you think!