Thanks so much for all your support! I really do appreciate it! :) Here's the next chapter!

Chapter 8

Rory reread the email she had just written. Biting her lip, she hesitantly pressed send. Yep she was so going to regret this! She thought.

From: rgilmore...

To: tdugrey...

Subject: Hey

Hey back!

Thanks for your email and concern. I'm sorry I was such a wreck at the bar. I didn't mean to take it out on you but the person I wanted to take it out on wasn't there so you were the closest person. Anyway, I took care of the jerky ass as I recall you called him. Well I didn't do much to be honest. I let Paris do it. ;)

On a more serious note, the time at home did really help me so I am feeling better. What's the saying people say when they want to move on? Good riddance to old rubbish, right? Well that's my perspective anyway. Onwards and upwards I say. :)

I never thought I'd admit this but it was nice catching up with you too. It was brief though so would definitely be up for getting a coffee with you when you're around. Maybe you could come to Stars Hollow and I could introduce you to Luke's? I promise you, your life will never be the same again after you try the coffee there. ;)

I should probably wrap this up as well. I guess that rambling bug is contagious after all! So maybe I'll see you soon? Let me know when you're next in the area. :)

Rory

Rory sighed and closed her laptop. It was sent now anyway. She couldn't do anything about it. She stretched her arms and yawned. She got up and got ready for bed, quickly falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.


The next day was manic so Rory hadn't had time to check her emails. Her schedule was packed and she had obligations at the paper as well. Luckily, Logan didn't turn up there. Not that he would seeing as he was never interested in the paper but she still had that little bit of her that was dreading that he would so she was glad when he didn't. She eventually got back to her apartment about 10pm and found Paris waiting up for her. "Oh hey! I was worried I would wake you when I got back." Rory said relieved.

"Don't really sleep much at the moment." Paris said. "Anyway, Doyle's coming over in a bit and we were going to spend some time together..."

"Ok too much information. Don't need to know!" Rory grimaced.

"So I hear you've been emailing Tristan.." Paris said.

Rory stopped. "Uh..yeah..well not really. He sent me one so I replied. Common courtesy and all that. He was at that newspaper panel the other day." She said cautiously, knowing how much Tristan had been a sore point in the past.

"Relax Gilmore. I'm not interrogating you. If I wasn't cool with it, I wouldn't have given him your email." Paris said.

"Oh. Ok." Rory said.

"So...you and Tristan?" She pressed.

"Paris, there's no me and Tristan. We're just friends. It's been nice catching up." Rory said.

"Ok..." Paris said.

"Honestly! It was just one email." Rory said.

"You know he still likes you right?" Paris said.

"Wait, what?" Rory said. "Paris, he never liked me. He made my life a nightmare at Chilton."

"Oh please! Why do you think he did all that? He liked you!" Paris rolled her eyes. "Why do you think I was so mad? It was because I liked him and I knew I had no chance the moment he met you."

Rory was stunned. "Paris..."

"Look, I'm over all that Tristan crush thing now. I've got Doyle and I'm happy. But Tristan's still a good friend and I know he likes you. Just...if you really don't feel anything...just don't string him along ok? It's not fair on him." She said.

Rory looked at Paris and surprised at her almost desperate plea. "Yeah...ok..."

"I'm going to stay up and wait for Doyle. Feel free to go to bed if you want to. We'll be quiet." Paris said.

"Ew ew ew! Do not want to know!" Rory covered her ears.

Paris smirked and watched Rory head to her room. "Hey Rory?" She said.

"Yeah?" Rory turned round.

"He's a good guy deep down." Paris said quietly. "I know he was a jerk back then but he's a good guy."

Rory gave her a small smile. "Yeah I know."

Paris returned her smile and nodded. "Night."

"Night Paris." She smiled.

Rory headed into her room, dumping her bag on the floor. She got changed into her pyjamas and got into bed. She hesitated but then got her laptop, placing it on her lap. She took a deep breath and logged into her email. She saw one unread email in her inbox.

From: tdugrey...

To: rgilmore...

Subject: Hi! (Thought I'd mix it up a bit! ;))

Hey!

I'm glad you're feeling better! And you're right! You're worth more and you're better off without him. I wish I was there to see Paris in action! I know what it's like to get on Paris' bad side so I bet it was great watching! ;)

I'd love to experience Luke's coffee. I've heard you rave about it enough times! I'm actually in Hartford in two weeks. It's my father's birthday and they're having this formal party thing. My idea of hell but my mom wanted me there so I couldn't really say no! Anyway it's on the Friday evening but I'll probably stay the weekend so maybe we can plan something? :)

See I'm getting better at this rambling thing! ;) Let me know if you'll be around that weekend. :)

Tristan

Rory couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face. She didn't even know why but Tristan always somehow made her laugh. He was always a challenge and she guessed she enjoyed the banter she'd shared with him in the past. Not that she would admit it to him though. She thought back to what Paris had said. Was she actually telling her to date Tristan? She shook her head. It was silly to even think about. Her and Logan had just broken up. She sighed and shut her laptop, lying down in her bed. After a moment though, she opened it again and sent a quick reply.

From: rgilmore...

To: tdugrey...

Subject: Hola! ;)

I'm sure I can arrange to be home that weekend. If not, I'll let you know! :)

Rory

She nodded. Quick and to the point. She shut her laptop again and went to sleep.


The rest of the week had gone pretty quickly. Rory hadn't heard anymore from Tristan and she hadn't bumped into Logan at all so things were getting back to normal. However, she wasn't ready for the phonecall she received the following week as she was walking into the apartment. "Hello?" She answered without looking at the caller id.

"Rory?" A small voice said.

"April?" Rory frowned.

"I'm really sorry to bother you. I wouldn't have if I wasn't desperate but...I need your help." April said.

"What's wrong?" Rory asked concerned.

"Your mom and my dad haven't said anything?" April asked.

"Said anything about what?" Rory asked worried.

"My mom's refusing to let me see dad!" April said close to tears.

"Wait what?" Rory exclaimed, confused as to why she hadn't heard anything about this.

"It's crazy! She just freaked out!" April cried.

"Ok slow down! What happened? I thought things were good between your mom and Luke?" Rory said confused.

"They were! But then dad called my mom this weekend when we were visiting my Gran and was talking about the wedding. Lorelai wants me to be a bridesmaid..." She said quietly.

"Well of course! You're going to be her step daughter." Rory smiled.

"I know and I was ecstatic when I found out but mom freaked. I don't know whether it was because we were with Gran and she's not very well at the moment and she's afraid she's going to lose her and me. I don't know. But she freaked big time and said I couldn't be. Dad and her got into a fight and I think things were said and now she's not letting me see dad at all! He's not even allowed to chaperone our school trip anymore!" April cried.

"Wow..." Rory said quietly. She hesitated. "You said you needed my help?"

"Dad's fighting for custody." April admitted.

"Wow." Rory said. She then smiled. "Well of course he would. That's who he is. He won't give up without a fight, April, I promise you that." She said softly.

"I know. But mom's got a lawyer already and she's good. Like really good! I'm worried dad will lose and I won't get to see him again." She admitted.

"That won't happen." Rory tried to reassure her.

"I've read up on cases like this and dad will need a character reference..." April said quietly.

"Ok..." Rory said.

"I was wondering if you would be able to do it..." She said hesitantly.

"Oh...uh..." Rory said surprised.

"I know it's a big ask but I thought it might help coming from someone who's had dad as a father figure. I mean I know he's not your dad but you said he was as good as and I remembered you telling me how much you appreciated him being there for you when you were younger..." April said quickly.

"April..." Rory said softly.

"And I just thought it might really help his case and show the judge that he should be able to be in my life..." She rambled on.

"April..."

April sighed. "I just...I've finally felt like my life is complete. But now it's falling apart again and I don't know what to do. I can't do anything. That's why I called you. I just...I don't want to lose him. Not when I've just found him." She sniffed.

Rory's heart broke for her. "Of course I'll do it."

"You will?" April asked surprised.

"Anything to help you and Luke. You're right. You deserve to have your dad in your life. And he deserves to be able to be a dad to you too." Rory said.

"Thank you." April said quietly.

"It'll be ok." Rory said softly. "I promise."

"Thanks." April sniffed.

"Hey, you can call me anytime ok? Whenever you need to talk. I'm here." Rory said.

April smiled. "Thanks Rory."

"I better go but I'll keep in touch ok?"

"Ok."

"Bye April."

"Bye." April said quietly.

Rory hung up and collapsed on the couch. "What a week..." She muttered. She picked up her cell again and phoned a familiar number. "Mom, hey!" She said.

Hope you liked it! Again, sorry about it being a bit Rory centric but I promise you there will be Luke and Lorelai in the next chapter. :) Please keep the reviews coming! :)