Author's Note: Sorry guys, life is SUPER crazy right now and this chapter is SUPER short, really just a filler. I've got some scenes played out in my head where I want the story to go... Just not sure how to get them all out the way I want. So I'm going to be cranking out updates fairly regularly for a while hopefully on all my stories. I'm really liking where this is going and the response I've gotten to it. Wish I could be one of those writers who put a review limit on it, but I won't. I love getting your feedback, big or small. It's what encourages me to write. I had a review on a story I hadn't touched in over a year, and I updated it for no other reason than that review. Just a quick reminder, that little button down there does wonders for getting updates out! :) Thanks for sticking with me and the story, I hope you enjoy it!

Previously on The MOUNTAIN

"Body heat. Survival one-oh-one." Truth was, he was now freezing and waiting on her to be a normal girl and just take her clothes off. Instead her eyes widened and she started shaking her head furiously back and forth, making him sigh. He closed his eyes in frustration and then reached for her jacket zipper. She jerked away quickly but he grabbed her shoulder in the tight space. "Rory." His tone caused her to halt all movement and look him in the eye. "We will share this tonight okay." It was probably supposed to be meant as a question, instead coming out like a statement. "I don't want to freeze to death up here okay?" She nodded and let him unzip her jacket and invade her personal bubble closer than anyone had before. He muttered a thank you before wrapping his arms tightly around her and making good use of his as a make-shift pillow.
Quickly, she saw he was right about the body heat, even in just the close proximity they were sharing it helped. She fell asleep before he did, reveling in the heat the fire was giving off.
Days two, three and four went much the same. She shoveled more snow while he went for more fire wood, always back before dark. And then day five came, and night fell, and Tristan was no where to be found, leaving a panicked Rory waiting. Just waiting.
Back home, Loreali was parked in the closest spot she could find at Chilton Prep's outlandish parking lot and considering she was the only parent there, it was pretty close. The bus unloaded and she found herself confused as she searched for her daughter's face, and then Tristan's, neither to be found. Jumping out of the car she walked up to the chaperone who blanched upon seeing her.
"Where's my kid?" He blinked quickly and shrugged, helpless to answer her questions. "Gilmore. Loreali Leigh Gilmore." When he continued to stand mute she yelled, "Rory!" And then Headmaster Charleston appeared and took her elbow.
"We need to talk in my office Ms. Gilmore." His formal manner was more formal than normal. When they reached the office he had a fire going already to help ward off the cold and sighed as he motioned for her to set down. Next to the one and only Emily Gilmore.
All eyes on Loreali, she spoke. "Now, will someone please tell me where the hell my kid is?"

DAY FIVE

Darkness had fallen and Tristan was still nowhere to be found and panic was gripping Rory. She didn't even want to think about what might be wrong. Had he said there were mountain lions in the area? She shook her head to derail that train of thought and took a deep breath. Zipping up her parka and sliding on her hat and gloves she found the flashlight labeled "Emergencies" and clicked it on. She stilled herself and put her hand on the door when it came flying open towards her and as it whacked her, almost comically, in the head the wood Tristan had gathered flew all over the threshold and she fell somewhere towards the middle of it.

"Rory?" His confused tone came through despite his chattering teeth. He helped her stand upright, but held her hand despite her efforts to escape and lick her wounds.

"Rory? Are you okay?" He started looking around, panicking. But when he saw nothing but the tears in her eyes his eyebrows knitted together. He pulled her closer to him and rubbed his gloved hands up and down her arms, trying to comfort her.

"It's dark." Her voice was even quieter than normal and he almost missed it and then it hit him like the wood he'd been carrying. He'd scared her. She had been scared for him. Even if it was because she was worried she'd freeze to death alone out here, she was worried for his well being. He pulled the gloves off his hands and put them on either side of her face and kissed her like he never had before.

"I'm here and I'm never going to leave you for too long, I promise you that Rory Gilmore." When she smiled up at him he kissed her again.

"You did what?" Loreali's voice was beyond raised, rage burning in her blue eyes.

"Ms. Gilmore, if you would..." Charlston's voice only seemed to make it worse.

"You can both go to hell! You will get her home!" At their hesitation, she continued in a voice as cold as her eyes. "Like yesterday." She exited the room, slamming the door behind her. She needed to get to Luke's.