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Chapter 24

"Rory? Tristan? You here?" Paris called as her and Jess walked into the room.

"Crap!" Rory said in a panic jumping out of her bed. "Quick, get these on!" She said throwing Tristan's clothes at him.

"I thought you said they were going to be back late!" Tristan exclaimed getting dressed quickly.

"I thought they would be!" Rory exclaimed.

"Rory?" The door opened and Paris and Jess walked in finding them both trying to get their clothes back on. "Oh." Paris said awkwardly.

"What the hell?" Jess exclaimed. "Rory!"

"We..it..You said you would be late back!" Rory stammered.

"Our movie was cancelled." Paris said, trying to hide a smile. "We figured we would come and hang with you guys and celebrate Tristan's birthday together."

"But I guess you had other plans." Jess said narrowing his eyes at Tristan.

"Look mate..." Tristan said.

"Don't mate me! I trusted you!" Jess said angrily. "You promised you were for real, not just for...this!"

"I am!" Tristan exclaimed. "Jess, I love Rory!"

"Yeah you say that but how do I know it wasn't a ploy to just get what you want?" Jess retorted.

"Jess stop!" Rory intervened. "It was my decision."

Jess turned to her. "Yeah right. Did he tell you to say that?"

"It's true!" Rory exclaimed. "God stop being so like my dad! I wanted this. We both wanted this. Mutually!"

Jess snorted.

"She's telling the truth. I didn't force her. I would never do that!" Tristan said, looking hurt that Jess would ever think that. "I thought we were meant to be friends. How could you think I would pressure Rory into something as big as this?"

"Jess, he got me a promise ring." Rory said a bit calmer. She smiled down at her finger. "We love each other. This was a joint decision, I swear. I suddenly knew it was the right time. I think I wasn't even more sure than Tristan. He kept asking if I was sure and if I was ok." She said softly. She looked up at Jess who seemed to have calmed down a little. "I love that you care, Jess, but I swear this was my decision. Tristan's the one for me." She said softly, glancing over at her boyfriend who gave her a small smile which she reciprocated.

Jess rubbed his hands over his face. "I need to go sit down." He said leaving the room, Paris following him out.

Rory let out a big breath. "God that was awkward..." She chuckled nervously. She looked over at Tristan, though, and saw he was smiling. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"How could he think that of me? He's like my closest friend and suddenly he thinks I'm capable of forcing myself on you!" Tristan said. "God, how could he think that?"

Rory could see that he was hurt. "He doesn't." She said softly. "He doesn't think that you would."

Tristan snorted. "Could have fooled me. He basically just said it!"

Rory sighed. "Jess...he's always been protective of me. Even when I was younger. Did I ever tell you of the time when there was a fire at the school and Jess actually came back in to help me? I was trapped in the toilets and was so scared."

"He did?" Tristan asked.

Rory nodded. "Helped me open the window and then got me out. He broke his arm as a result though." She sighed. "It's not a reflection on you, Tristan. I know how much Jess values his friendship with you. I just...He's just overprotective."

Tristan sighed. "I guess we should go face the music so more. We can't stay in here forever."

"Yeah.." Rory said. She reached across and squeezed his hand. "I love you and none of this takes away from what an amazing time we had." She said sincerely.

Tristan smiled at her. "I love you too."

They took a deep breath and then went out into the living area part of their hotel room. They found Paris and Jess sat on the couch, Jess leaning his head back against the back of the couch.

"Hey.." Rory said nervously.

Paris turned round and smiled at them. "Think he's realising he overreacted just a little bit." She said.

Rory looked at Jess. "Jess?"

Jess looked up at them and sighed. "Yeah...I just..you're family, Ror. I don't want you getting hurt and I guess when I saw what I did, I guess I did overreact and get all protective of you. It wasn't my place, so I'm sorry." He said gruffly.

"I swear it was my decision. It was all me." Rory said sitting opposite him with Tristan standing awkwardly next to her.

"I know." Jess said gruffly. He rubbed his hands over his face again and glanced up at Tristan. "I'm sorry. I know you would never...you know." He said. "I know you probably won't accept my apology after what I said to you but I really am sorry. I just panicked and flipped out. God I don't even know what I will be like if Katie gets a boyfriend." He chuckled nervously. He glanced up at Tristan again. "I really am sorry."

Rory glanced up at Tristan with bated breath but was relieved when she saw him nod and go over and pat Jess on the shoulder before sitting down next to him. "It's fine." He said. "I get it. You and Rory grew up together. You're more like brother and sister than cousins so I get why you're protective."

"But I didn't need to be. I know you love her. That you love each other. I just...I flipped out. I mean I thought, weird as it seems, that you might talk to me about this." He said glancing at Rory. "I know you shouldn't have to but that's just my weird thoughts. You promised to talk to your mom before so I guess that didn't happen either."

Rory blushed a little which didn't go unnoticed from both Jess or Tristan.

"Oh god Rory..." Jess chuckled for the first time since finding them in the bedroom.

Rory avoided Tristan's eye and stared at the floor. "I promised her..."

"Was that when you said you were taking a shower?" Tristan asked.

Rory finally plucked up courage to look up and glance at him and she was somewhat relieved to find an amused smile on his face. She blushed a little but nodded. "I'm sorry. I know it seems weird but I promised her and..."

"Rory, it's fine." Tristan chuckled.

"Really?" She asked surprised.

"I know how close you and your mom are. If ringing her helped you, then that's fine. Just please tell me you didn't tell your dad." He smirked.

Rory smirked. "God no. He'd freak out worse than Jess!" She grinned.

Jess ducked his head in embarrassment but did smile.

The rest of the trip went smoothly. Rory and Tristan were insanely happy and Paris and Jess' relationship was developing too. They had been out on many dinner dates in the evening and felt like they were really falling for each other.

As they touched down back in Hartford, they went to collect their bags and then went towards the exit. They walked through the double doors to the arrivals area of the airport and immediately heard a familiar voice.

"Hey! Gilmore!" Lorelai grinned excitedly.

"Mom!" Rory grinned back and rushed off, launching herself in Lorelai's arms hugging her tightly. However, their embrace was a bit overestimated and they ended up toppling over onto the floor.

Jess and Tristan just chuckled, used to their antics, and walked over to where Luke, Katie and LJ were waiting patiently also leaving the girls to it.

"Hey." Jess smiled at his uncle.

"Hey. Good trip?" He smiled at them all.

"Yeah it was good." Jess nodded. He then smiled at his cousins. "What does it take to get a hug from you guys?" He said.

Katie and LJ grinned and launched themselves into his arms. Jess pulled away after a moment to see Paris smiling at them. "What?" He said.

"You really are a softy." She smirked.

"Yeah whatever." Jess rolled his eyes.

By this time, Rory and Lorelai had gotten up and come over to join them all.

"So we were thinking food at the diner before we go home?" Lorelai grinned.

"Sounds good!" Rory grinned. She turned to Paris. "Are your parents coming to collect you?" She asked.

Paris' smile faltered a little. "Uh..no..I was just going to get a cab back." She said.

Lorelai smiled at her sympathetically. "You wanna join us?" She asked.

Paris smiled at her. "Really?"

"Sure. The more the merrier! Plus you can give us all the gossip about what Jess has been up to on the trip because god knows we won't get anything out of him!" She grinned.

"Hey!" Jess said.

Rory laughed. "Come on, let's get going." She said. "I'm starving!"

"When are you not?" Luke smirked.

Later that evening, Paris had gone home while Jess had decided to stay at the apartment with Tristan that night so Rory was just relaxing watching some tv with Lorelai at the Crap Shack.

Lorelai glanced at Rory as she laughed at something on Friends on the tv. She had noticed how happy Rory had been since she had been back and she had been desperate to ask but they hadn't had a moment to themselves. "So..uh..anything interesting happen on the trip?" She asked casually.

Rory glanced over at her and then looked towards the stairs.

"Don't worry, he'll be a while yet. Katie always makes him read two stories." She smirked.

"A girl after my own heart." Rory laughed.

"So...?" Lorelai asked nervously.

Rory was quiet for a moment. "It was...good..." She said awkwardly.

"Good?" Lorelai asked.

Rory looked over at her mom and gave her a small smile. "It was amazing." She admitted softly.

"Yeah? And..uh..you were...?" Lorelai asked awkwardly.

"Yeah we were." Rory nodded knowing what she was asking.

"Ok." She said relaxing a bit.

"Tristan was so sweet." Rory said with a soft smile. "Mom, it was amazing." She said quietly.

Lorelai had to smile at how radiant her daughter looked. "I'm glad hon." She said softly. "Just make sure he keeps making you happy."

"He will." Rory smiled leaning her head onto her mom's shoulder.

Lorelai put her arm round her daughter. "It's good to have you home, kid."

"It's good to be home." Rory smiled.

So I hope you liked it! Please keep the reviews coming. I read all your comments and really do appreciate every one of them so thank you! :)