AN: OK so first and fore most I'd like to thank everybody for their reviews, I'm always happy to hear that you guy's are enjoying the story.

Second I would like to thank Anybody Anywhere for the very helpful advice. While I admit that upon first read I did find my feelings a bit hurt, blame is completely on my being annoyingly over sensative lol. I truly appreciate constructive criticism and have tried to the best of my current ability to take it and use it not only in this story but in other stories that I am writing as well. In regards to the your vs you're, lol the misuse of those two words is one of my biggest pet peeves about myself and other people. I often find that I am scolding myself over it in fact, yet somehow it's a horrible habit I've never been able to break. That along with my inability to stick to one point of view while I am writing. I find that in one chapter I'll be writing in the third person point of view to a characters point of view, from the past tense to the present tense. I'm not sure if I've done that in this story but I know that in other stories I have and end up completely irritated with myself.
About the spell check, I completely agree with you - there truly is no excuse to not click that little button before uploading a document. All I can say is that the majority of these chapter's have been both written and uploaded in the the middle of bouts of insomnia. Which usually means that it's usually somewhere between 4am and 6am when I click upload and really the last thing on my mind is spell check. It wasn't until reading your review that I realized - um hello ... you don't have to wait until the end to check. Lol Hopefully I caught everything this time around. I'm actually one of those people who opens a story and does a quick scan before reading it, because if I see that there are too many spelling or grammar errors, I know I won't be able to read it.
I am so completely intimidated by summary's it isn't even funny. I don't know what it is about them but every time I've ever tried to write one, I come up blank and end up with either a snip-it from the story or song lyrics, in it's place. I am going to give it another shot though. Once again thank you. =)

Now last I would like to apologize to you all ahead of time for my inability to write anything even remotely ... steamy? That's such an awkward word isn't it? Unless of course it has Mc in front of it, then it's just fun lol. I truly struggled in this department and at time's thought about cutting the scene all together. I hope my choice to keep it was the right one and that you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 20:
Inhibitions of the lacking kind

'If you let yourself think about it to much, like we both know you will -you're going to panic and self destruct.' Paris's words kept running over and and over in my head, accompanied by Tristan's own words from that morning. 'Isn't that how all of this started? You not telling people how you feel.' They were both right. I watched Tristan who was quietly singing the lyrics to the song Chapter One by Lifehouse; rung my hands nervously.
'I think we should talk.' He glanced at me quickly then back at the road and continued to sing. 'About what happened in the hospital.' His attention snapped to me, the car swerving. I screamed and in a panic he slammed his foot on the brake. We came to a screeching halt, just barely missing the lamp post in front of us. We sat in silence for a few seconds before he looked at me, I smiled guiltily. 'Not the best timing in the world?'
He laughed and looked at the black chrome post in front of us. A smile on his face, he looked back at me and shrugged. 'No worse then in a hospital bed.' We drove back to his house in silence, my panic growing by the second. I felt like I couldn't breathe. With fumbling hands I was unbuckling my seat belt the second the tires hit his driveway . He turned off the car and turned to me expectantly. The look on my face must have been comical because he started to laugh. 'I'm sorry, you just – you look terrified. Look if you don't want to do this now it's cool. I'm not going to rush you. When your ready I'm ready.'
My mind was in a jumble, my only coherent thought being about how much I wanted to kiss him. I was still trying to think of something to say when he unbuckled his seat belt and pulled the keys from the ignition. My heart started to pound harder as I watched his hand move toward the door handle.
'Tristan.'
He turned back to me and before either of us knew what was happening I was leaning across the front seat, my lips pressed against his. Obviously surprised, it took a moment for him to respond. I heard his keys hit the floor and felt his hand come up to touch my face. Instantly the fog in my head cleared and I pulled away. My hand flew to my mouth. Off of his confused look I sighed. 'I know, OK? Just – stop talking because every time you open your mouth my head shuts off and we really' My eyes narrowed as he smirked at my words. 'Don't be an ass.'
He laughed and nodded apologetically. 'I'm sorry you're right, continue.'
I started ranting, listing every plausible reason there was for us to not be together. He remained silent throughout my irate ramblings, not even flinching when I would sporadically shout 'I mean are you insane?' or 'I'm so completely screwed up!' Twenty minutes later though, even I was left feeling unconvinced. With a huge sigh I sat back in my seat, staring blankly out the windshield at nothing. I could feel him watching me, waiting. I rolled my head to the side to look at him and sighed in defeat, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. 'Who the hell am I kidding?' On instinct I moved forward to kiss him again, but I stopped myself. 'But, it has to stay between us, just for now.' He looked hurt so I hurried on to explain. 'Everything is so messed up, not just with me but with everybody, with everything with Paris and Sean and Louise and Colin - I just don't think it's the time. And not only them, at home too, my Mom and Colin and even Carmen, they're all still walking on egg shells – treating me like a head case. They won't understand. Trust me.' It took him awhile and I could tell he was trying to think of a way to dispute my argument but eventually he nodded.
'When you're ready, I'm ready.' He said, echoing his earlier words. A slow smile spread across his face, matching the one on mine. This time he leaned over and kissed me.

Three Weeks later

It had been three weeks since going back to school and things were still far from normal. It had gotten to the point where, Tristan, Madeline, Finn and myself had to schedule our time between Sean, Paris, Colin and Louise. Other then myself and Colin, nobody knew the real reason for Louise not talking to either him or Paris. Everyone assumed she was just angry with them for hurting Sean and making the situation what it now was. Today was Finn's day with Colin and Madeline's with Louise. Tristan and Sean were my designated baby sitter's for the night. We were sitting in Tristan's backyard studying, or rather I was studying and Sean was beating Tristan at poker.

'Three.' He slapped down his cards.
'Dude, stop.' Groaned Sean with a roll of his eyes. 'Every hand it's three and every hand you have nothing.'
With a childish pout he tossed his remaining cards down. 'Not every hand.'
'You suck at poker - and you have a tell.'
'No I don't.'

Without thinking I laughed. With widened eyes I looked up from my homework to find two sets of eyes staring back at me. While Sean looked extremely amused, Tristan a bit shocked.

He cocked an eyebrow. 'Something funny Mare?'
'Huh?' I asked dumbly.
'You sounded like you had something to say.' He answered as Sean began to shuffle.
'No, nothing.' With as convincing a smile as I could muster I lifted my book off of the table. 'Just doing my homework. Knowledge is power you know.'
'Oh come on Rory just tell him.' I glared at Sean as he continued to laugh.
'Tell me what?'

I shook my head discreetly at Sean who rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. 'The reason everyone knows your tell is because she told us all about it.'
'Really now?'

With a sigh I dropped my pencil on the table. 'You bite your lip and slap your cards into your palm when you have a good hand. When you have nothing, you trade three and then raise twenty. Never more never less.'
He made to respond but Sean cut him off. 'And.'
Tristan looked between us, disbelief on his face. 'There's more?'
I sent another glare at Sean who just smiled in return, then lifted one shoulder. 'You only go for straights.'
'No I don't.' He looked to Sean who nodded in the affirmative and began to deal again. He picked up his cards and his hand twitched, he glanced at me and when I laughed, his eyes narrowed; it took him a second to realize why I was laughing and he released his bottom lip. As Sean and I continued to laugh he tossed his cards down on the table and got up. 'Whatever. I'm getting a soda. You want anything?'

We both shook our heads and he disappeared into the house. Sean cleared the cards and held the deck up questioningly. I shook my head. 'Shouldn't you be doing your homework? Our paper's are due on Monday.'
He shrugged. 'I left my history book in my locker.'

I cocked an eyebrow disbelievingly and pointed toward my house. 'I've got mine in my room if you want to borrow it. I finished mine last night.' When he didn't accept right away I laughed and got up to take Tristan's spot. 'I guess I can take a break to take your money.'
'Oh cocky aren't we?'
'Nope just that good.' He laughed and I picked up my cards. I could feel him watching me from over his cards. 'You can ask.'
'Ask?'
'About Paris.'
He cleared his throat and looked back down at his hand. 'I wasn't going to ask.'
'Sure you weren't.'
He smiled halfheartedly. A moment went by and he put his cards down. 'Are they dating?'
'Who?' I asked in confusion.
He looked like he was in pain.'Paris and Colin.'
I put my own cards down and shook my head. 'No. From what I know, she hasn't even talked to him since you guys broke up. She spends most of her time in the library and locked in her room these days. She's hurting Sean; she never wanted to'
'Yea, I know.' He cut me off with a forced smile.
'It sucks. Not being able to hang out with the four of you at the same time.'

He nodded and looked off towards the pool. 'So how are you?' When he looked back I shifted uncomfortably. I was tired of that question and I had been thankful that he'd been one of the only people who hadn't asked it. 'I know we have this sort unspoken deal that I won't ask, but it's been over a month.'
Has it really been that long? I lifted a shoulder, unwilling to meet his eyes. 'I'm OK'
'How's the new therapist working out?'
'She's … kind of irritating.' I laughed.
He laughed and nodded. 'The, how does that make you feel – thing.'
'And the - Tell me what going on with Rory. How is Rory dealing with her feelings.' I mimicked.
'At least you get called by your name, I get - how are we doing. What do we want to talk about today.'

I'd forgotten that he saw a therapist; it made me feel better talking about it knowing that he knew to some extent what I was going through.

'When I first started talking to Doctor Myers after my parent's split, I actually punched him.'
'Oh my God, I totally want to go girl fight on her and just pull her hair. What happened?'
He cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward. 'Do we feel better now?'

We laughed until Sean's attention was caught by something behind me. Confused, I followed his gaze across the lawn to find Louise coming from the bushes separating mine and Tristan's houses. I smiled as she made it to the steps leading up to the patio. 'Hey. What are you doing here?'

'Hey.' She sounded sad as she gave Sean a small smile. With a sigh she pulled a chair closer to mine and sat down. 'Madeline and I were supposed to go shopping but she was gone when I got to her house.' She glanced at Sean then quickly back at me. 'I guess she mixed up her days.' With another sigh she laid her head on my shoulder and tangled her arm through mine. She pointed at my jean shorts curiously. 'Those are cute, will they fit me?' I slapped her hand away as she pushed me forward trying to see the tag. 'Greedy. So what are we doing?' At her words Sean and I laughed. She lifted her head, a pout on her face. 'What? Why are you guys laughing at me?' She whined.

Before either of us could respond, Tristan came back out of the house, a determined look on his face. He was rubbing his hands together. 'Alright I'm back and ready to lay a poker smack-down' Taking notice of Louise he nodded in her direction. 'Hey. When did you get here?'

'Just now.' She cocked an eyebrow questioningly. 'Poker smack-down? Really? Could you be any more of a geek?' He made a face, pretending to mimic her and she rolled her eyes.
My breath caught and goosebumps tingled up my back as he walked by and trailed his hand along the back of my chair, letting his finger tips brush the nape of my neck. He sat down without even glancing in my direction. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks so I pulled my homework over and tried to concentrate on math.
Louise groaned and pulled my book away from me. 'Rory, no. Come on I'm bored, pay attention to me.'
Her whining had me rolling my eyes. 'I can pay attention to you and finish my math homework simultaneously. And look at it this way, the quicker I finish - the more time I have to devote to you.'
While she thought my argument over, I began to impatiently tap my pencil on the table. Just as she relented and gave me back my book, the pencil flew from my grasp and under the table. With a sigh I looked under the table and watched as it came to a stop beside the chair on the other side of Tristan. Avoiding his eyes I got up and walked around the table. He looked apprehensive as I came to a stop beside him. I squatted down and picked up my pencil, tried to hold back my smirk as I hopped up and spun around. Pretending to lose my balance I fell forward, my entire body pressed against his. I felt his chest rise and I realized he was holding his breath. I laughed in mock embarrassment and mustered up the most apologetic look I could. 'Sorry. Lost my balance.' I said with a smile. Palm flat against his chest I pushed off of him and walked back over to my chair. I had to force myself not to openly bask in my triumph when he cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. I turned to Louise as if nothing had happened. 'Don't you have homework you need to finish?' I could feel his gaze burning into my back but I ignored it.
She rolled her eyes. 'It's Friday Rory. Besides they have homework to, why aren't you scolding them?'
'I gave up on them. You still have a chance.'

Sean laughed. 'Actually you were just giving me the same little speech a few minutes ago.' He smirked at Tristan and laid down his cards. 'So I guess that means she just gave up on you man.'
Tristan mock laughed and grabbed the deck of cards from Sean. 'You girls want in? We'll try and go easy on you.' He slapped some money on the table and Louise perked up, interest showing in her eyes.

I shook my head at her. 'To risky. Sean told him.'
Her eyes widened and she looked to Sean accusingly. 'Why?'
'It was getting boring.' He shrugged innocently.
'For you maybe. Now what am I supposed to do when my parent's take my credit card again?'
Tristan's eyes widened in disbelief. 'What?'
I laughed as she rolled her eyes. 'Oh don't be such a baby. It's not like I'm the only one who does it. Who do you think bought Rory her new iPod last month when she lost her other one?'
His accusing eyes turned to me and I turned to her in shock. 'Louise!'
'What?' She asked innocently causing Sean to laugh.

I gave him a wide toothy smile as I disentangled myself from Louise. I couldn't tell whether the look on his face was him trying to hold back from laughing or if he was simply to shocked to show his anger, but I wasn't going to wait around to find out. Getting up I walked backward toward the door while pulling nervously at my Green Day tank top. 'I'm going to go see what there is to eat.' Spinning around I all but ran through the house toward the kitchen.

Coming to a stop in front of the refrigerator I pulled open the freezer door already knowing what I was looking for. With a smile I grabbed the pint of chocolate ice cream. I grabbed a spoon and hopped up on to the counter, letting my flip flops slide off my dangling feet and to the the floor. I sighed in content as I popped the lid, that had a neon green post-it stuck to it, the word Tristan's!scrawled in huge letters, off and took the first bite. Ice cream is never really as good as when it belongs to somebody else. The silence surrounding me was comforting. Not wanting to lose the rare serenity, I stayed sitting atop the counter, my eyes closed and took another bite. I don't know how long I sat there but apparently it was long enough for him to come looking for me. I could feel his presence even before I felt his touch. I opened my eyes to find him standing in front of me smiling.

'I distinctly remember putting my name on that.'
I tilted my head to the side. 'Hmm, really? I didn't see it.' I took another bite of ice cream; laughed as he

picked up the lid sitting beside me and showed it to me. 'Hey look at that!'
Smiling he ripped the post-it from the lid and stuck it to my forehead. 'There. Now everybody will know that you're mine.' It was meant to be a joke, I knew, but I could hear the tinge of hurt behind his words.
Not wanting to go down that road, I chose to ignore it. Instead, I scooped up some ice cream and held it out to him. He hesitated then took the bite. I smiled brightly. 'Isn't it yummy?'
'That's why I bought it.'
'Awe, for me? That's so sweet.' He looked amused as I leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. I sighed in contentment after pulling away. 'Gotta love a boy who tastes like chocolate.'
He laughed then his eyes flashed with what appeared to be remembrance. 'Hey, by the way – that whole fake falling thing … you seriously suck.'
With wide eyes I tried to sound as innocent as possible. 'Fake falling? I have no idea what you're talking about.'
'Right. Of course you don't.' Amusement, flashed in his eyes as he grabbed the pint of ice cream and put it on the counter. I tilted my head to the side and grabbed hold of his shirt. When I pulled him closer, he brought his hand up and through my hair, cradling the back of my neck.
'You started it.' I accused teasingly.
He rubbed his thumb over the flesh right below my ear, his eyes locked on mine. 'I couldn't help it.'
When his other hand came to rest on my outer thigh the same overwhelming need that I always got before we kissed, burned inside me and I brought my lips down against his. He responded instantly. As the kiss deepened and as the need to be closer grew more frantic he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to the edge of the counter. Every nerve in my body was tingling as his hand burned a trail from the back of my neck down my arm and up under my shirt. I wondered briefly if he could hear my heart pounding in my chest as he trailed his fingers up my side and back down. His other hand slid up my back, into my hair, back down and then up my exposed thigh. He was eliciting a familiar yet new ache inside of me, causing me to whimper at not being able to be any closer. My hands traveled frantically from his hair to his shoulders. I could feel his stomach muscles contract as I slid my hands up under his shirt and around to his back.

'Holy crap!' Like a bucket of ice cold water had been thrown on us, our bubble burst and we pulled away from one another. Tristan stumbled backward for a moment before catching his balance. Louise and Sean stood in the same entry way he had been standing in earlier. Sean's eyes were wide with surprise, his mouth hanging slightly open. Louise on the other hand looked like she was about to burst from excitement. 'I am so sorry we interrupted!' She practically skipped over to us then pushed Tristan toward Sean. I was confused at first when she glanced at my forehead, then I remembered the post-it and embarrassment spread throughout my body. She laughed when I ripped it from my head and shoved it in my pocket. She looked far from sorry. 'But go away perv, we need to have girl time now and you need to make sure Sean's not having a heart attack.' Tristan looked back at me as he walked away, something new in his eyes. I was still catching my breath when she pushed both boy's out of the room and bounced excitedly back over to me. 'OK what the hell? Since when do you and prince un-charming make with the naughty touchy?' She hopped up on the counter beside me and I couldn't help but laugh. 'And why doesn't anyone know about it? If it weren't for the fact that Sean looked just as bitch slap shocked as I did I'd totally be taking it personally.' She grabbed my ice cream and took a bite while waiting anxiously for my explanation.
Heart still pounding, I pulled at the hem of my shirt nervously. 'A couple of weeks.'

Her mouth fell open and she dropped the spoon into the container. 'Weeks? As in plural?'

'As in three. Well, five if you count the one time while I was in the hospital.'

'Oh if I count it? Really? That was over a month ago Rory! Why would you keep that from us?' She didn't sound upset, just confused.
I couldn't meet her eye's. 'Well with everything you guy's are going through, we thought maybe it wasn't the best time.' She looked even more confused for a few seconds then pain flashed in her eyes.
'Rory, what's going on between us …' She trailed off, her gaze shifting away from mine. 'Sucks. Royally.' With a determined intake of air she turned back to me, her shoulders squared. 'But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be happy.'

'I wish things could just go back to normal.' She glanced worriedly in the direction the boys had left. I shook my head with a laugh. 'I don't mean Tristan. Oddly enough that's the most normal feeling thing in my life right now.' I could feel my cheeks heat up as her smile grew wide. 'It feels kind of … natural? I mean at first I was kind of freaking out because, I mean I'm me and eventually I'll screw it up you know? But then … I don't know, I just couldn't stop kissing him.' I finished shyly.
Squealing, she clapped her hands together. 'Oh my gosh! I'm so happy for you!' Her eyes grew wide and she looked like she was just realizing something. Her smile was so big it looked painful. 'And I know first!' She kicked her leg in the air. 'Take that little miss forget about our mall plans!' I laughed as she hopped off the counter. 'She's going to freak! She's always bragging how she knows everything before everybody. Ha!' I practically whimpered as she put the lid back on the ice cream and put it back in the freezer. She tossed the spoon into the sink and pulled me off the counter. 'Come on we're so having a slumber party.'
I couldn't hide the confusion on my face as I slid my sandal's on. 'We're?'
Her giddiness faded as she realized what I was saying. There was no way I'd have a Paris-less slumber party, this she knew. After a long pause, she sighed. 'We're.'
Despite the reluctance in her voice I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. 'You're awesome, you know this right?'
She sighed in mock exasperation. 'Yea I know.' When I pulled away, there was a small smile on her face. She linked her hand through mine and pulled me through the house. When we came out onto the porch Sean smirked at me and I felt my face heat up once again. Louise bounced happily over to the table and grabbed her phone and instantly began texting. 'We're having a slumber party!' She sing songed.
Tristan turned to look at me, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. His question was obvious, he'd caught the we're just like I had. With a small nod I told Louise to scoot over, then sat down in the chair with her so I could read what she was writing. We looked at each other in confusion as Madeleine's text came in.

:I have maaaajor newz!
Mads: Is it about veronica miller 4rm lakeside? bcuz I already knw!
:no it sumthing wayy btr! trust me! wait wutz going on with v.m?
Mads: She ran away! She trnd 18 last wk got her inheritance and tha nxt mrning she wuz gone!
:no way!
Mads: way wayy!

My head was starting to hurt from all of the bad spelling. I nudged her with my knee. 'Tell her about the slumber party.'
'Oh right.' Before she could reply, a new message came in.

Mads: wutz ur newz?
:Cant tell in mes. Slumber party at Rorys. Tell Paris

When she didn't respond right away, I knew she was thinking exactly what Tristan and I had been thinking.

Mads: You sure?

Louise paused before letting her fingers move over the keys.

:Yes its major!
Mads: Tell me now!
:Nope! 2nite!
Mads: Mean. Paris says what time?

'Paris want's to know what time.' She was trying to whisper, but the mention of Paris's name caught Sean's attention. When we caught him looking at us he quickly looked away. Louise and I smiled sadly at each other.
I shrugged and crossed my legs. 'I don't know it's your party.'
'Seven?'
'Sure.'

:7 ok?
Mads:C u thn! 3!
:3!

She closed her phone and turned to me excitedly. 'Can you believe she just took off like that?'
'Who?' I was distracted by the feeling of Tristan's eye's on me.
'The Miller chick!' I could feel her shaking my arm trying to get me to pay attention but I couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes on me. She groaned irritatedly and her attention snapped to Tristan. 'DuGrey stop it!'
He laughed and lifted his shoulders innocently his attention on their game. 'What am I doing? We're playing cards.'
Sean shook his head and laid his cards on the table. 'No I'm kicking your ass at cards. You're staring at Rory's legs.'
My eyes widened and I tried to no avail to cover my exposed skin. Louise slapped my hand. 'Oh don't pretend like you didn't wear them for that reason. If you got em flaunt em I always say.' Petrified I buried my head against her shoulder.
'Where is a rabbit's hole when you need one?'
'What the hell are you talking about?' I lifted my head to look at her, trying to gauge whether she was serious or not. With a sigh I stood up and pulled her with me. 'Where are we going?' She asked confusedly.
'To the Library before it closes. The longer I let you go on without reading something that doesn't have ten ways to a better, on the cover – the worse of a friend I become.'
'Hey you've got your text books and I've got mine.'
We all laughed as I let her go. 'We need ice cream. My Mom's been on this healthy kick since' I trailed off feeling uncomfortable. Even if they all knew it didn't make it any easier. I cleared my throat. 'Anyway all we've got at my house is this no this no that crap that she bought at some health store yesterday.'
'Ewe, let's go.' I tried to pretend like I didn't notice the look Tristan gave her, the one that told her to keep glued to my hip and not let me out of her sight. I pretended like I didn't see the small nod she gave back in response.

We were already half way across the lawn, heading back to the bushes that led out into my backyard, when something occurred to me. Louise looked at me in confusion when I stopped and turned back. Tristan looked just as confused as I came up the steps and skipped over to him. 'Guess what I just realized.'
'What?' A surprised smile spread across his face as I sat down on his lap. His hand came up and rested on my knee.
'It's not a secret anymore.' I leaned down and softly touched my lips to his. It wasn't a long kiss, or anything like the one we'd had in the kitchen, it was short and sweet and when I pulled back, it left a smile on my face. 'I'll see you later.' Without waiting for a response I got up and ran back across the lawn to Louise who had once again begun to singsong about how mad Madeline was going to be that she knew first.

7pm Rory's house

'This is a bad idea.' I looked up from my task of pouring M&M's into a bowl, at Louise who was standing in the hallway biting her nails.
Despite my best efforts, I found myself unable to restrain from rolling my eyes. 'It was your idea.'
She tossed her hand in the air dramatically. 'That should have been your first clue. This isn't going to end well.'
Shaking my head I dropped the empty bag on the table and grabbed the bag of sour patch kids we'd bought for Madeline. As I poured them into a small candy dish I realized she was still standing just outside the door. I looked around the room in confusion, trying to remember if she had actually helped with anything. When I looked back to her she was staring blankly in the direction of the front door. 'Why haven't you come in here to help?' Her attention snapped to me.
'What?' It was so blatantly obvious that she was trying to avoid the question that I became even more confused.
'You've been avoiding coming in here since we got back from the market. How come?'
Her mouth opened then closed instantly. I could practically see the tension in her shoulders ease when the door bell rang. 'That's them.' She took off down the hallway. After a few seconds passed and I heard no voices, I followed after her. She was standing beside the stair case staring at the door.
'What's up?' Seemingly startled she looked to me.
'Huh?'
'I thought you were going to answer the door.' I commented sympathetically, already knowing why she hadn't.
She nodded and inhaled a deep breath. 'It'll be ok right? I mean - she didn't know about … so I mean I can't really be angry with her right?' I'd never seen her so nervous before. She shook her head and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. 'Never mind, I'm being stupid. It's fine.' Defiantly she squared her shoulders, walked to the door and with a big smile pulled it open.
Before she could say anything Madeline came rushing past her. 'OK we're here, now tell me!'
Paris came limping in behind her, rolling her eyes. 'Please! She hasn't shut up since you text her.'
I waited for the awkward pause, for the snippy comments – but they never came. Louise shut the door behind Paris and smirked at Madeline. 'Nope not yet.'
Madeline turned to me with a pout. 'Rory! Tell me!'
Louise's eyes widened in panic and she shook her head. Laughing I shrugged. 'I can't - sorry buddy.' When her pout grew I linked my arm through hers and pulled her toward the TV room. 'I can tell you however that it's not as big of a deal as she's making it out to be.
Madeline glanced behind us at Louise who was walking silently beside Paris. I heard her laugh teasingly. 'She's right, it's way better.'
Madeline let out a whine and I laughed. Letting go of her arm I walked ahead of her and into the room, Paris came in after me. When I turned around both Madeline and Louise were standing in the hallway still. Madeline looking as if she were about to cry.
'We're sleeping in here?' She sounded almost frightened.
I looked at Louise in confusion and again her mouth opened as if she were going to say something then snapped closed.
I gestured to the room in confusion. 'OK, what's wrong with this room all of a sudden? We always sleep in here.' Louise looked away from me and Madeline stared distantly at a spot on the floor a few feet from where I stood. I followed her gaze to the ground then back up to her, still confused. 'What' Realization clicked and my hand flew to my mouth, tears stinging my eyes. 'Oh my gosh. You guy's I'm so sorry, I didn't even think.'
Paris stepped beside me. 'What's wrong?' She sounded just as confused as I had.
I gestured to the room trying to hold back from letting them know I was about to cry. I lowered my voice to a whisper. 'That night, when everything happened, we were in this room.'
Her mouth formed into an o and she nodded in understanding. She gave them a comforting smile and shrugged her shoulders as she walked over and picked up one of the bowls of candy and then another. 'It's fine, we can sleep upstairs.' I smiled to myself, Paris Geller, forever the mother hen of our little group.
Louise sighed and shook her head, gesturing to Paris's booted cast. 'Paris your leg.'
Paris shrugged. 'It's fine. I walk the stairs at home now and school, with almost no help.' She motioned for me to grab the rest of the things as she limped over to Louise and Madeline to hand them the things she was holding. 'Just stay behind me that way if I stumble you guy's will break my fall.'
Louise laughed while taking the bag of chips and a bowl of candy. 'Nice.'

Ten minutes later and we were all comfortably situated around my room. Paris, Madeline and I on my bed and Louise in a heap of pillows on the floor. Madeline was bouncing impatiently earning a glare from Paris.
'Would you stop that?' She snapped irritatedly.
Madeline shook her head. 'Not until I know what's so huge.'
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. 'It's not huge.'
Louise cocked an eyebrow in surprise. 'Really? Hmm I guess what they say about cockiness being a form of over compensation is true.'
With narrowed eyes I tried to figure out what she was talking about. When I finally did I felt my cheeks burn red and my eyes widen. 'No! That's not what I – I mean I don't even know about – that!'
A small gasp came from beside me and we both turned to Paris. 'Is this about what I think it's about?'
Louise's eyes narrowed suspiciously. 'What do you think it's about?' When Paris's eyes darted toward the open balcony doors, Louise gasped and turned to me accusingly. 'She knows? You said nobody knew!'
'She knew before I knew, but she doesn't know!' Her glare turned confused and I couldn't blame her.
In a fit of irritation, Madeline let out high-pitched screech, picked up my pillow and slammed it down on the bed, effectively gaining all of our attention. 'I want to know what the heck you guy's are talking about right now!'
Louise pursed her lips trying to suppress a smile. 'We caught, Rory and Tristan making out in his kitchen!'
Madeline's eyes grew and she looked to me for confirmation. With a groan I fell face down on the bed, burying my face in the blankets.
'And I mean the - if we had been just a few minutes later, somebody would have been naked kind of making out.'
'What?' I could hear the surprise in Paris's voice. She pushed my arm trying to get me to look at them. 'What happened to – time and I don't know if I could handle any more change right now?'
Groaning I slammed my fist against the bed and sat up. 'I know! But you were right, if I waited to long I was just going to screw it up.' I whined.
She looked surprised by my words. 'I didn't say that.'
'Yes you did. You said if I let myself think about it to much I was going to go all destruct-o girl and nobody would be left standing.'
She rolled her eyes. 'Well now I know I didn't say that.'
'Well, different words same basic theme.' I shrugged.
Madeline held up a hand to silence us. 'Wait let me get this straight, everybody knew about this but me?' She sounded a mixture of hurt and irritated.
'No that's not how it was. Louise and Sean walked in on us.' I mentally berated myself when I could hear Paris take in a sharp breath. I glanced at her apologetically but she was looking down at a loose thread on my throw pillow. I looked back to Louise who was also watching Paris. 'And Tristan told Paris that he had feeling's for me long before he ever told me apparently.'
Madeline shook her head and a smile spread across her lips. 'OK, so wait I mean how did it happen? How long have you guy's been together?'
I could hear Louise snort and I pursed my lips. Nervously, I raised a tentative shoulder. 'A few weeks.'
'A few?' Louise asked provokingly.
I sighed. 'Three.'
Madeline's eyes widened. 'Three weeks?'
'Five if you count the one time in the hospital.' Louise said with the worst impersonation of me I'd ever heard. She rolled her eyes.
Madeline's mouth fell open and she glared at me. 'Five weeks? What the heck?'
'Why didn't you tell us?' Paris asked curiously. Louise and I looked at each other and she inhaled a sharp breath.
I turned back to Paris with a shrug. 'I don't know, I guess maybe I just wanted to make sure it could work first - you know?' She nodded in understanding, then turned to Madeline who had started asking another question. I glanced back at Louise and she smiled appreciatively. Madeline pulled my arm trying to gain my attention. Once she had it she demanded a full recall of every detail from beginning to end.

AN2: OK so there it was! This was the ... thinking ... counting ... wow fifth - version of it. I re-read and re-think and re-write and all together trash chapter's constantly. Initially this one started out completely skipping over 'the talk' and jumping right into the three weeks later. Then it all turned really dark and I found that it wasn't where I wanted to go just yet. So attempt one was trashed. After the second re-write, I somehow still ended up back in a depressing place and so there went attempt number two. Come the third time around I found that while it was less dark, it still didn't hold the right element for a new relationship between the two of them. So on to number four. I played with the idea of having Paris know about Louise and Colin and their being an argument between the two of them, but again ending this chapter on a negative note didn't seem right. I'd even brought Anna into it, then came the re-thinking and I came up with an entire storyline for that confrontation. One that I'm hoping I will not scrap when the time comes. Anyway then there was five. I hope you all enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think. Reviews are like gold guy's! lol =)
Oh! By the way, I really hope the time jump's don't bother you all, I'll probably be doing another one soon. OK so ... yea. lol Thanks for reading!