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Chapter 16

Another week had passed and Stars Hollow was having a big rummage sale in the square.

"Explain to me again why we have to stand here all day and be in charge of all this lot." Lorelai whined as her own family stood with her helping with the sales.

"Because you were the one who suggested this rummage sale in the first place and offered to organise it." Rory said.

"Yeah but I was very hot that day. I wasn't in sane mind!" Lorelai exclaimed.

"You're never in sane mind." Luke smirked.

"Hey!" Lorelai exclaimed. "Taylor should know never to take me seriously in town meetings! Urghh, why did I suggest it?"

"It was a good idea." Luke said. "Look how much we've made for Cancer Research already. Mom would have been so happy."

Lorelai softened a bit. "Yeah." She said quietly. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm glad we're doing this."

Luke kissed her cheek. "Go take a break if you want. Caesar will make you something." He said.

"No it's ok. I'll stay with you." Lorelai said.

"It's ok. Go eat something. We all know what you get like when we don't stick to your food schedule." He teased.

Lorelai narrowed her eyes. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No, I'm trying to feed you." Luke smirked.

"Ok!" Lorelai grinned. "Come on you two, let's go get some food." She said to Katie and LJ, taking their hands and walking off.

"Yeah don't mind us, we're fine!" Rory called after her causing Jess and Luke to chuckle.

"You two can go too if you want. I'll be fine here." Luke said getting some money out of his wallet.

"No it's fine dad. I'm not hungry yet. Plus Tristan said he'd stop by soon." Rory said.

Luke nodded. "What about you?" He asked Jess.

"I'll stay too. Got nothing else to do." He said.

"How generous." Luke rolled his eyes.

After a moment, Rory looked up at her dad. "Do you think Grandma would mind us donating some of her things?" She asked quietly.

"She would be happy the money was going to charity. She would want us to do it." Luke assured her.

Rory nodded. "Ok good."

"Hey lover boy's here." Jess said nodding towards Tristan walking towards them.

Rory's face lit up when she saw him. "Hey! You made it!" She smiled.

"Had nothing else to do." He smirked.

Rory frowned. "You two are too alike." She said looking between Jess and Tristan.

Tristan smirked. "Sorry. So how's it going?" He asked.

"Good! We've made quite a bit already." Rory said. "A lot of Grandma's stuff has already gone apart from that." She said gesturing a knitted scarf. "I've always liked that. She wore it all the time."

Tristan glanced at it and then at Rory's reflective look. He got some money out. "How much for it?" He asked.

"Oh no, you don't have to..." Rory said.

"Rory, you love it, I can tell. This way you'll get to keep it but also have money donated." He said.

Rory smiled. "You are so sweet."

"I try." Tristan smirked. "Here." He said handing the money to Luke. "Keep the change."

"Thanks." Luke said.

"So are you staying for the day?" Rory asked.

"I can't as my parents are coming home today and I have to be there to let them in." Tristan said despondently.

"Your parents have been away?" Rory asked surprised.

"Yeah but only a couple of days. Business stuff.." Tristan shrugged it off.

"Oh. Ok." Rory said.

"However, I did want to ask if you two were coming to Madeline's party tomorrow night." Tristan said. "It should be fun. It's at her step-father's house which is like a mansion."

"I don't know. Parties aren't really my thing..." Rory said reluctantly. She also didn't exactly feel like spending a night with her school mates who hated her.

"I know but we don't have to stay for long. Plus there will be dancing." Tristan said. "You'll come right?" He asked Jess.

"Sure, although I can say now that I will not be dancing." Jess smirked.

"Fair enough." Tristan chuckled, turning back to Rory. "Come on Ror, it will be fun I promise. You can bring a book if you want just in case." He teased.

Rory rolled her eyes. "Fine! Dad, can I go?" She asked turning to him.

"Sure but you three stick together ok? No drinking drinks that you don't know what they are. And don't be too late back." Luke said.

"Ok! Thanks dad!" Rory grinned. "So do you have to head home now?" She asked turning back to Tristan.

"Yes unfortunately. Pick you up at 7 tomorrow?" He said.

"Sounds good." Rory nodded.

"Good." He said leaning in to give her a kiss. "See you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." Rory smiled and watched him walk away.

Later that afternoon, Rory stood at the bottom of the stairs to the diner apartment. She still hadn't been up there since Katherine had died. She was the only one who hadn't. Obviously she'd overheard Tristan and Jess' conversation in there but she hadn't gone in yet. After the rummage sale, she finally felt like she could. It was like closure. She suddenly felt a presence beside her.

"Plucking up courage?" Jess asked.

Rory nodded. "I think I'm ready." She said. "But..." She started, glancing at Jess.

"Come on, I'll come with you. It's not as bad as you think it will be." Jess said heading up the stairs already.

Rory took a deep breath before going upstairs. She found Jess by the door and slowly followed him in. She looked around and it felt emptier. "It's weird.." Rory said. "This apartment's been lived in for so many years."

"Yeah." Jess said looking around.

Rory spotted something shiny on the table. She went over and frowned when she saw what it was. "This is Tristan's. I gave him this for our anniversary." She said picking up the watch. "How did that get up here?"

"I don't know." Jess shrugged.

Rory spotted some other items on the counter as well. "These are Tristan's too." She said confused. "Why does he have so much stuff here?" She looked over at Jess who was looking uncomfortable. "Jess?"

Jess sighed. "He stayed here last night after your anniversary. He'd forgotten his keys and his parents were away so Luke brought him here. I sort of gave him the spare key so he could come bunk here when he needed to. He told me his parents get him down sometimes and then other times he just finds the empty house a bit unnerving." He said.

"Oh." Rory said quietly.

"He didn't want to worry you. That's why he didn't tell you or why he didn't want me to tell you." Jess explained. "He just needed somewhere to bunk."

Rory sighed. "I'm not mad. I just...I wish he would just talk to me."

"You know how I'm like with talking about my feelings and personal stuff. Tristan's the same. I guess he just didn't want to look weak in front of you or something." He said.

"I wouldn't have thought that." Rory said.

"I know and he probably knows that. He was just embarrassed. I guess he's not really had anyone look out for him before apart from his grandfather. I guess it's a bit of a change for him."

"I guess." She said.

"Come on, we should get back." Jess said causing Rory to just nod and follow him out.

"You came!" Madeline exclaimed making her way through the crowd of people with Louise and surprisingly Paris, to greet Tristan, Jess and Rory.

"Hi Madeline." Rory smiled. She had a soft spot for her. She had always been welcoming to her.

"I'm so happy you came!" Madeline smiled. "There's lots of drink, food, dancing. So enjoy!" She said before being dragged away with Louise and their respective boyfriends.

"Oh I love this song! Let's go dance." Tristan said.

"Sure." Rory said following him, leaving Jess and Paris together.

"So I didn't think this would really be your scene." Jess said.

"Funny. I could say the same thing about you." Paris retorted.

"Rory and Tristan made me come." Jess said.

"My mother made me come." Paris admitted. "She doesn't think I interact with people enough. Shocked huh?"

"I'm floored." Jess smirked.

Paris rolled her eyes. "I'm going to get a drink so if you want one follow quickly because I'm not turning around." She said heading off through the crowd.

Jess just smirked at the typical nature of Paris and followed her.

"So your mother made you come?" Jess said after taking a soda and coming to stand next to Paris as she watched the dancing.

"Yep. Have to stay until 10:30. I'm already so bored." Paris said.

Jess chuckled. "Well I guess we could be bored together then. I'm chauffeur for those two." He said nodding towards Rory and Tristan who were dancing.

"Lucky you." Paris said.

Meanwhile on the dance floor, a slow song had just come on and Rory enjoyed the closeness with Tristan. However, she did still want to talk to him. "So I hear that a certain someone's been bunking at a certain apartment above a certain diner..." She said casually. She looked up at him to find him looking sheepish. "Why didn't you tel me?" She said softly to show she wasn't mad.

"I didn't want to worry you." Tristan said. "I know you, it would have kept you awake and we have tests going on at school and I didn't want to be the reason for you failing them."

Rory had to admit she was touched by the extent of his thoughts. "I just don't want you to think you can't talk to me. Maybe I would have worried but I would have been happy that Jess and dad had helped you."

"Sorry." He said sincerely.

"It's ok." Rory said. "Is it really that bad at home though?"

Tristan shrugged. "It's just not like your home. Even though I'm alone in the apartment, I feel better because I know I'm near you." He said. He saw Rory's concerned look. "I'm fine, Rory. I promise. If it gets worse, I promise you'll be the first to know." He said.

"Ok." Rory said quietly.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's not because I didn't want to."

"I know." Rory assured him.

Tristan leant over and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too." Rory smiled and leant her head back on his shoulder for the rest of the song.

Back at the side of the dance floor, Jess and Paris were still stood together watching Rory and Tristan.

"God they are so sickening." Paris said.

Jess smirked. "Agreed."

Paris glanced at him. "I am happy for them though." She said.

Jess glanced at her and raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

Paris huffed. "Yes really! You know I've overcome my stupid jealousy." She then saw Jess chuckling. "You're baiting me." She accused.

"Yep. But it's fun!" Jess joked.

Paris huffed again. "I'm glad I can amuse you so much."

"Aw come on Paris, your rants remind me of my uncle's." Jess joked. "So you're happy for them..." He said taking it back to the subject.

Paris shrugged. "Tristan deserves to be happy and he is with Rory. Everyone at school can tell they would do anything for each other."

"You've known him a long time right?" Jess asked actually interested.

"Since Kindergarten." Paris nodded.

"So you know his parents?" He asked.

Paris looked over at him. "Yeah why?"

"I just wanted your take on their relationship." Jess said. "I know they're not that close."

Paris was quiet for a moment. "He's never been close to them. The only family member he's ever been close to was his grandfather. I guess that's why we sort of became friends. We had that in common." She shrugged.

Jess glanced at her, surprised that she was opening up a bit. "Yeah. I guess I know how that feels too." He said. Paris had opened up to him so why shouldn't he?

"Really?" Paris said.

"My dad took off when I was still a baby and my mom went off the rails. I lived with my Grandma for years. My mom's better now and I live with her again but I know what having a rubbish relationship with your parents feel like." Jess shrugged.

Paris nodded. "I heard about your Grandma. I'm sorry." She said quietly.

"Thanks." Jess said gruffly. He glanced up at the clock on the wall and saw that it was still just after 8. He looked over at Tristan and Rory who were having fun and then he glanced at Paris who was watching the dancing. "You wanna bail?" He asked smirking.

"I thought you had to be their chauffeur?" Paris said.

"I'll just tell them I'm bored. Tristan can drive so they won't mind." Jess said.

"I have to stay until 10:30." She said hesitantly.

"Then we'll stay out until then. Your mother will never know. Plus you are technically socialising as you're talking to me. Let's go grab some good food and go to a book store or something." Jess said.

"You want to take me for food and to a bookstore?" Paris asked.

"Sure, why not? We're both bored out of our minds. Plus the sappiness in this room is making me sick." He said.

Paris tried to hide a smirk. "Ok. Let's go."

"Good. I'll just go let them know. Meet you outside." He said heading off to tell Tristan and Rory. He then left after they assured him they didn't mind and he met Paris by the car. "Get in then. I'll take you to the best taco place around." He smirked.

Paris watched as Jess got into the driver's seat. She smiled and had to admit it was fun defying her mother and she actually enjoyed chatting with Jess. She opened the car door and got in and let Jess drive off away from the party.

A slightly shorter chapter and I know it was teenager heavy, sorry! I just enjoy writing them! Hope you liked it and I will try and update soon! :) Please keep the reviews coming.