Chapter 10: The Only Difference between

Chapter 10: Free Falling

Friday 11:00 am

He was back; sitting in the same spot he had been the day before. An hour earlier he had been watching a grave being dug, listened to the crunch of shovels hitting dirt and men grunting from manual labor. Now though he sat in silence, every now and then a car would drive by on the street and the roar of it's engine would echo throughout the cemetery. School didn't let out until 2:45 so he still had awhile until he needed to be home. At six, he would meet everyone at his aunt and uncles house and go to the country club from there. Later he would return home with Rory where he would remain for the next week, already having talked to his parents. The ringing of his cell phone startled him and had him looking at his watch. It was only a little after eleven, if somebody was calling him during school hours, something was wrong. He took the phone from his pocket and saw Paris's name, worried he quickly pressed talk.

'Hello?'

'Hey.'

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing. Why, do you know something I don't?'

His eye's narrowed and he looked at the phone confused.

'Uh, no. Why aren't you in class?'

'I'm at home. I have a doctor's appointment today but apparently my loving parent's decided a spur of the moment, supposed, business trip to Grease was more important, because they're both gone. So I was wondering if you could maybe pick me up? Unless you're busy of course.'

'No I'm just visiting Chris, I'm sure he'll understand, I've been here all morning. What time's you're appointment?'

'One. But we can hang out here until then.'

'Alright I'll be there in a little bit.'

'Thanks Colin, you're a life saver.'

'No problem. Bye.'

'Bye.'

He ended the call and sighed.

'What am I doing Christopher?'

He waited for a few seconds for some kind of answer. Then laughing at himself he ran a hand through his hair, kissed the tips of his fingers and laid them on the headstone.

He stood and glanced up at the sky while stuffing his hands deep into his pockets.

'Don't let me do something stupid.'

With that being said he bowed his head and walked back to his car.

Geller residence

Colin pulled into the mile long driveway of the Geller residence and just about slapped himself. What was he doing? He shouldn't have been there while Sean wasn't around, they both knew that. Why would she call him and not her boyfriend, he would've left school in a second for her. With another sigh he realized it was to late to turn back now, so he turned his car off and strode up to the door, hands deep in his pockets. He was just about to ring the bell when the door opened. His eye's widened at the sight of her.

'What the hell happened to you?'

'Hello to you to.'

'Paris.'

'I fell; Tristan took me to the doctor and thought it would be funny to tell him to make my cast pink.'

He followed her into the family room where she had the TV on and a few DVD's laying on the coffee table.

'Well crap Geller, you fall off the roof or something?'

'No, down the stair's.'

She sat down slowly and winced. Colin moved beside her in a second.

'What is it?'

'The stupid Vicodin's to strong for me, so I'm not taking it. Which is why I didn't go to school today; I was in too much pain and the damn doctor couldn't take me until after lunch.'

'So what are you doing about it?'

She winced again as she shifted.

'Paris I don't think you should be putting any weight on it, especially if you're not taking the meds. Where are you're crutches?'

'There was only one and I forgot it at school.'

'Well just sit back and try not to move so much. '

He helped her put her leg up on the couch, then placed a pillow beneath it and another one behind her back.

'Do you need anything? A blanket, something to drink?'

'I didn't call you to have you take care of me Colin, just sit down.'

'Have you eaten?'

Her face set stubbornly.

'Colin.'

'I want to take care of you damn it, now do you want a sandwich or take-out?'

Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

'A sandwich sounds kind of good.'

He laughed and shook his head amusedly.

'Then a sandwich it is. Watch you're movie.'

She turned back to the TV and tried not to be embarrassed by the fact that the movie playing was Peter Pan, it had just started. Smiling, he turned back to.

'I'll be back.'

After he was out of sight Paris let out a long sigh. She had no idea what she was doing. She knew she shouldn't have called him, Sean or Tristan, Louise, hell even Finn would have come. The problem was that none of they're names registered in her mind when she realized she needed to find a ride, which was a huge problem. Her reasoning was that she simply didn't want to pull any of them out of class, and that's exactly what she was going to tell Sean if he found out. If. She realized that not telling him would make her look even worse in the long run, but she couldn't deal with something she didn't fully understand, not yet anyway. As she was lost in thought, staring blankly at a group pirates, Colin came back into the room carrying two plates and two cans of soda. She tried to move her leg so he could sit, but he shook his head effectively stopping her.

'That was quick.'

He placed her plate in her lap and handed her, her drink, then sat in the floor in front of the coffee table.

'I hope it's ok, I'm not much of a cook.'

Paris laughed while opening the can.

'There's not many ways to screw up a sandwich.'

She took a bite and Colin raised his hands.

'I'd just like it to be known that I offered take-out.'

'It's fine Colin. Very good.'

'Really?'

'Yes.'

She laughed, then winced as a pain shot through her leg.

'Paris are you sure you don't want to try another pill?'

'No, it'll pass. And anyway I left em in my locker, I told Rory to just throw em out.'

He froze, holding his sandwich mid air.

'Rory has them?'

'I don't know if she still does but yea, when I called this morning to tell her to pick up my work, she offered to get em for me.'

'Wait she offered or you asked?'

'What?'

'Never mind. So you've just been sitting around all day watching movies?'

'Yep. I now realize why I like school so much, I hate being home.'

Colin laughed and gave a nod.

'I know the feeling.'

'Is that why you were at the cemetery?'

'No, my parent's don't know I've been suspended; so I'm just hiding out there. The company doesn't suck either. I feel like when I'm there, he's with me ya know?'

She smiled sadly and cleared her throat.

'Yea. It's still strange going to school everyday and him not being there. I mean I know it's been two years but he was there everyday since preschool, it's still hard to believe he's gone.'

Silence enveloped the room for a full minute, when he finally spoke it was as if he were afraid of her reaction.

'I talked to Anna yesterday.'

'What?'

'She was at the cemetery when I got there. She feels like crap Paris, she thinks she killed him.'

'Well, a lot of people would agree with her.'

'Are you one of them?'

She paused a second then shook her head, causing Colin to sigh.

'Me either.'

'It was an accident, and they both made the mistake to get in that car drunk. That never really made sense to me either, I mean neither of them were ever big drinkers, Chris had to have been really upset to have that much alcohol in his system.'

'You know she never did tell where they got it from.'

'God I can't believe it's going to be two years next week. Poor Rory, I couldn't imagine dealing with something like that, I don't know how she does it.'

Colin sighed again and said a silent prayer for his cousin, that she would be strong and fight off whatever temptations were thrown at her.

Paris's voice broke into his thought's.

'Thank you for lunch.'

She handed him her plate and he sat it on top of his own.

'No problem. Hey what's with the skirt? It's the middle of winter.'

He pulled at the hem of her black knee length and laughed at the white tank top and single knee high, white boot, she had paired with it. Blushing, she pushed his hand away.

'I couldn't get my leg into any pants. Why are you wearing you're uniform?'

'I left for school wearing it; I need to return home wearing it.'

'Why don't you just tell them you were suspended?'

He ran down the entire story for her.

'My god Colin! Why would you risk hitting him? He's not worth it.'

'He deserved it, you should have seen his face, all cocky and sleazy. In that moment it was completely worth it.'

'I get it, but what if you get caught?'

'Then I shave my head and stalk up on combat boots.'

'That's not funny!'

'Paris it is what it is. There's nothing I can do about it now except pray to God that I've got a Guardian Angel watching over me. If not then Boot Camp here I come.'

'You better be careful then McCrea! You're not going anywhere, and if you do I'll personally hunt you down, got it?'

Colin smirked, then hopped up and stood straight and tall, hand to his forehead in salute.

'Sir yes sir!'

Paris began laughing and once again cried out in pain. Colin shook his head and then looked around the room for something to distract her. Spotting a marker over on the desk he picked it up then preceded to lift her leg gently, sit down, and then place her leg in his lap delicately.

'What are you doing?'

'Branding you.'

'Like a cow?'

'No, not like a cow.'

They sat there for half an hour, talking comfortably about everything and anything, while Colin continued drawing on her cast. A flower here a rainbow there, random little designs scattered about. Finally he sat back and clicked the pen closed.

'Finished.'

Paris moved the pillow he had put up in order to keep her from sneaking a peek.

'Nice, very retro. You draw really good, how come you don't do it more often?'

He shrugged and clicked the cap off and on.

'I do, just usually at home.'

'Really? And how come this is the first time I'm hearing of this?'

She eyed him with a suspicious smile causing him to laugh.

'I guess it's something personal, ya know? Like you and Rory have writing, Chris had music; Finn has drinking.'

They both laughed.

'This is just mine, I guess I didn't want to share it.'

She smiled and glanced down at her cast.

'Well thanks for sharing it with me.'

She looked up and he was watching her, they both looked away quickly trying to avoid an awkward moment. Colin gestured to the clock next to the TV.

'We better get going before we're late and have to follow him home for dinner.'

'Yea and we don't want you to miss you're chance to wear a tux and eat snails.'

'Yum.'

He stood up then helped her do the same.

'Wait you're not going?'

'My arm sling doesn't really go with my dress.'

'I'm sure you could take it off for a little while.'

He helped her put her black London fog on and then they made they're way out to Colin's car, her arm over his shoulder taking the weight off of her leg.

'Probably, but my parent's aren't home so I figure I can't really get into trouble for not going, right?'

'Lucky girl.'

He opened the door for her and waited until she was comfortably situated, to shut the door.

Paris looked down at her cast once again as he made his way around the car.

'Yea. Lucky.'

He got in the car and she plastered a smile on her face.

'So where's you're doctors office?'

'On the corner of Rose and Bradley.'

'That's by the bowling ally right?'

'Yea.'

He started the car and then paused while putting it in drive. He glanced at Paris and sat back in his seat.

'What is it?'

'You're seatbelt.'

She blushed once again and became irritated with herself, Paris Geller does not blush. That thought though didn't stop her from stumbling over her next few words.

'Oh. Uh. I can't really. Uh.'

'You can't get it on?'

She shook her head slowly causing him to groan internally. He leaned across her bringing they're faces within inches of each other and pulled the belt quickly across her chest and into the buckle. She let out a small groan.

'What's wrong?'

'It's to tight on my arm.'

'Wow, you're killing me here Geller.'

'Sorry, I know I'm being a big baby.'

'That's not what I meant. I don't have a problem doing thing's for you Paris.'

'Then what are you talking about?'

Colin simply looked at her then away. She got the meaning though because her heart began pounding and her palms began to sweat.

'Uh. Never mind.'

'Paris if it hurts I'll fix it.'

'It's fine.'

He moved back over and slowly picked the belt up and over her head, then brushed her hair aside so as to prevent it from being pulled. His hand grazed her neck however and left them both with tingles shooting throughout they're bodies. Colin froze a few inches from her face, his eyes transfixed on her lips. Her breathing quickened and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, causing a small groan to fall from his, own lips. Suddenly a piercing ring broke through they're thought's and had him jumping back in his seat. His breathing quickened and slowly he pulled the phone from his pocket; Private. Laughing unbelievably to himself he stared out the window at the slowly passing clouds, a sudden heaviness filled his chest and he had a feeling his cousin had in some way, been answering his earlier plea.

'So.'

'Yea.'

'Rose and Bradley right?'

'Yea.'

The drive was quiet and uncomfortable. They had known each other since Preschool and had never been uncomfortable with one another. Colin turned the radio on after a few minutes and quietly hummed along to the lyrics of Evanescence's Sweet Sacrifice.

After another minute or two Paris let out an irritated screech and slammed her hand down on the power button.

'Talk!'

'What's wrong with you?'

'You haven't said a word in six minutes!'

'I was listening to that.'

'Colin, talk to me.'

Shrugging his shoulders, hands still firmly placed on the steering wheel, he glanced at her, irritated.

'What do you wanna talk about?'

'Anything, just stop ignoring me.'
'I was singing a song, not ignoring you Princess.'

'I'm not one of you're ditzy little girlfriends, don't patronize me.'

'Paris, you said you wanted to talk, not argue; make up you're mind, you can't have it both way's.'

Even if he hadn't meant for there to be, there was a double meaning in his words and that effectively silenced her; they stayed that way until they came to a stop in the doctor's office parking lot. He turned the car off but neither of them moved.

'Why'd you call me?'

She looked at him with wide eyes; she didn't expect him to be asking her that question. Sean she had an answer ready for; Colin on the other hand, she was never able to lie to him.

'What?'

She asked lamely.

'You could have called anyone, why me?'

'Because I thought we were friends. My mistake, sorry.'

'Don't do that, don't try and make me feel bad for asking a simple question.'

'I'm not!'

'Yes you are!'

'Fine! I called you because I wanted to see you, ok? We haven't spent a day, just the two of us since we were in junior high. I guess I missed you.'

Colin laid his head on the steering wheel and moved it back and forth; after a few seconds he laughed.

'Eighth grade, Sam Bakers end of the year party.'

Confused, Paris narrowed her eye's in concentration.

'That's the last time we were ever actually alone together.'

With realization she began laughing.

'Fifteen minutes in Heaven!'

He turned his head to the side and smiled at her.

'Isn't it supposed to be seven minutes in heaven?'

'Yea but Sam thought it would be dirtier with fifteen.'

'How the hell did we end up together again?'

'He put Finn in charge of the couples.'

'Ah. Yes. Good Old Finn.'

'We were in that closet for like five minutes before either of us said anything.'

'And we spent the last ten talking about the crush you had on Chris.'

'I did not have a crush on him!'

'You were pissed because he had been dancing with Anna all night.'

'If anyone was jealous, it was you over Madeline and Robert McNeal.'

They both laughed and smiled at the memory. Colin sat up and laid his head back against the head rest.

'Remember why we decided not to go along with the rules?'

She gave a small nod and looked down at her feet.

'We didn't want to ruin our friendship.'

'We were close huh? We kind of lost that.'

'No we didn't. I think our focus just shifted; You became Mr. Chilton Big Shot.'

'And you have Sean.'

Silence took over once again until finally Paris swallowed the lump in her throat and spoke.

'I love him.'

'I know, he's a good guy.'

'Yea.'

Slightly uncomfortable, he looked at the clock.

'Crap, we're late.'

He jumped out of the car and ran over to her side. She emerged from the car and threw her arm over his shoulders. Slowly they made they're way to the door.

'Well damn Geller, at this pace we're both going to miss the party.'

'Keep dreaming McCrea.'

Chilton 2:55pm

Tristan stood by his car waiting for Sean and Finn, the three of them had driven to school together, for some odd reason, that morning. Louise and Madeline came out of the double doors and directly over to him, with worried expressions on they're faces.

'Ladies.'

Madeline smiled cheerfully.

'Hey Tris, have you seen Rory? We were supposed to meet at her locker after class, but she wasn't there.'

Louise looked around the parking lot as he shook his head.

'Her car's gone.'

He pulled out his cell phone and pressed send twice.

'Hello?'

'Ror, where are you?'

'Hey! Oh my God, I'm getting the best massage right now!'

'Massage? Rory you were supposed to meet Maddy and Louise after school, why did you just take off?'

'Oh that's right! I went total space cadet! Are they pissed? Oh my gosh Tristan you should see the guy giving me my massage, I think he was a Greek god in a past life. '

'That's great Ror. So what should I tell them? Are we still meeting at you're house later?'

'For what?'

He narrowed his eyes at her 'are you crazy' tone and shook his head.

'The party tonight. We're all supposed to meet up at you're place, so we can go together.'

'Well duh silly, of course we are!'

'Uh. OK. So'

'Tris Daniel's back, I'll talk to you later. Love ya!'

The line went dead and he stared blankly at the phone.

'Well? What'd she say?'

Louise stood hands on hips, while Madeline chatted with Finn and Sean who had joined them at some point during his conversation.

'She's getting a massage from a Greek God named Daniel.'

He couldn't help he jealousy in his voice. Everyone stared at him, unsure if he was joking or not. Finally realizing he wasn't, Louise huffed.

'She just left? What the hell?'

'I don't know. She was acting kind of weird.'

'Mate, she's always actin weird.'

'No Finn, he's right, she has been acting weirder then usual the last couple of day's.'

Both girls nodded in agreement, then Madeline shook her head and pulled her bag over her shoulder.

'I don't know, but we've got to go get ready. Tristan, talk to her?'

'Yea.'

'Thanks hun. I'll see you boy's tonight. Is Paris coming?'

'Probably not, she was in a lot of pain this morning when I talked to her.'

'OK well tell her we love her even though she's crazy and hope she feels better soon. Bye guys.'

The boy's laughed as they walked off towards Madeline's car.

'So mates, drinks at my house?'

'Finn, we've got to get ready and Tristan's driving.'

'Well how bout we get ready and you poor lads watch me drink?'

'Fine, whatever.'

Tristan was still quiet, worry clouding his eye's.

'Dude stop worrying she's fine, it's just a hard week for her ya know?'

'Yea, I just, I don't think that's all though.'

'Well not much can happen to her at the massage parlor mate, so what do you say we hurry up, that way you can check on her quicker.'

'You just want to get drunk Finn.'

'Well. Yes. But I also care about the lovely Lorelai Jr., very much.'

'Fine let's go.'

Shaking they're heads Sean and Tristan followed an overly eager Finn into the car and out of the parking lot.

15 minutes later

'So, tell me Daniel, how old are you exactly?'

'Nineteen.'

'Oh so you're still fresh meat.'

He laughed and moved his hands further down her back.

'Well I guess you could say that. I'm assuming from the uniform you were wearing, you're still in high school.'

'You'd be right, I'm a senior at Chilton.'

The lie fell smoothly from her lips.

'So that means you're seventeen; eighteen?'

'Somewhere around there.'

'All done, Miss. Gilmore.'

Rory swung her legs over the side of the table and came face to face with Daniel, while letting her towel hang loosely around her body. She gave him a flirtatious smile, pulled her hair from its loose knot and ran her fingers through it a few times.

'My names Rory.'

'Pretty name for a pretty girl.'

'Pretty? Am I five?'

'I thought it fit.'

'I don't think it fit's at all, you see pretty describes someone of innocence, purity.'

'And you're not innocent?'

She bit her lip and shook her head.

'Good to know.'

He brushed her hair off of her neck then lowered his mouth to the bare area. Rory smiled and dropped her head back allowing him better access. Lost in the moment she tangled her fingers in his blonde messy hair and with her free hand she trailed her fingers lightly down his back until the hem of his shirt was firmly in her grasp. The towel wrapped around her, was now held up only by his body being pressed against hers. He pulled away and let her pull his shirt over his head, when he saw that her towel had pooled around her waist he smiled lustfully and attacked her skin with his mouth once again. She moved her hands over his sculpted chest, down over his abs and came to a stop at his waistband. In one quick move she had his pants unfastened and pooling to the ground; a few seconds later his briefs fell on top of them. Rory wrapped her legs around him as he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her up off the table and flesh against him. She bit down on his shoulder to muffle her moans, while digging her nails into his back in ecstasy.