Wait For Me

Four.

I think I walked too close to love and now I'm falling in

There's a life inside of me that I can feel again

"I cannot believe you are letting Gypsy mess with your car."

Rory came to a stop at the end of the sidewalk and waited for the light to tell her she could cross. She took the moment to tuck her phone under her arm and pin her hair up in a knot before bringing it to her ear again. "I was in town visiting mom and Luke, you know that. Gypsy saw me trying to start the car, failing to do so even after Luke brought the jumper cables out, and offered to take it to her shop. How was I supposed to tell her no? That I'd rather pay two hundred dollars to get it towed to a mechanic three towns over than let her do it?"

She could practically hear Jess rolling his eyes on the other end of the line. "You could say, Hey Gypsy thanks for the offer but I need my car to actually work, and not just work for one day only to have it die on me again in the middle of nowhere. Even Taylor, who thinks that all town needs should stay with local businesses, secretly drives his car to Hartford for his oil changes twice a year with the excuse that he's visiting the art museum."

Rory crossed the street quickly when the sign blinked and turned to jog the last two blocks to Paris's building. "She said it will be done on Monday. From there, I'll take it to my normal mechanic and have him look it over for me too, just to make sure everything is good. Are you and Gypsy ever going to get along? I remember a time when it was Taylor who was your arch enemy. Now you know what he does when he goes out of town."

"After we joined forces to terrorize Luke we formed a special bond." Jess admitted. "And Taylor didn't accidentally sell my car he was supposed to be fixing because his new mechanic accidentally parked it in the sales lot and then swore he thought it was one of his cars even though he saw me driving it every day."

Rory tried not to laugh at the memory of the incident and the screaming match between the two that ensued that had the whole town coming out to watch. "You didn't even like that car anyways and she gave you the money that she got from selling it."

"My entire record collection was in the trunk because I hadn't had a chance to move it into the new house yet. Whoever, and I say whoever because Gypsy to this day still claims she never took down the buyer's name, probably didn't even know who half the bands were and tossed them when they found them." Jess let out a noise close to a whine. "It hurts me just thinking about it."

Rory grinned as she grabbed a dollar out of her pocket to place in the guitar case of a street musician playing on the sidewalk as she passed. "My mothers dramatics have rubbed off on you."

"Ha ha." Jess replied before cursing when a loud crash was heard in the background. "Oh, shit. Hang on."

Rory stopped walking when the line went silent. "Is everything okay? Jess?"

"Come see Dad, bud, it's okay. You're okay." she heard Jess cursing under his breath for a moment before he spoke into the phone again. "Before Christie left this morning, she specifically told me that under no circumstance was I to give Junior the baseball that Morie bought for him."

"Tell me that crash wasn't what I think it was." Her hesitant question was muffled by the hand she held over her mouth.

"Well the good news is the ball went right through that wonderful drum set you bought him so I'll have to throw that out. What a shame." Jess tried to sound optimistic.

Rory smiled. She'd just buy him a trumpet next. "And the bad news?"

"Bad news is that on its journey to the drums, it had to go through a window first."

A chuckle slipped from her lips as she arrived in front of Paris and Mike's building. "Was it at least that little kitchen window you guys were going to be replacing anyways?"

"Oh no." Jess replied, and she could hear the dread in his voice. "Just that one window in the living room. That huge one we just put in. Yeah… It was nice knowing you Ror."

"Kiss JJ for me." Rory told him as she ended the call and slipped the phone in her pocket.

She walked up the stone path that led to the building and hit Paris's apartment number, her eyes glancing around the lot while she waited for Paris to buzz her in, her gaze landing on a few familiar bikes parked a few feet away.

"No, thank you." She turned and started to walk away. "I'll just catch the next bus."

"Just get on the damn bike already."

Rory stopped and turned to look at him again. "I'm wearing a skirt," she replied lamely.

He darted his tongue out to wet his bottom lip as his eyes traveled from her head to her feet. "I don't mind."

Now she glared.

"Are you done making up excuses?" He asked, tossing her the helmet and she caught it reluctantly. "Just get on the bike."

She swallowed, her throat dry. He had waited for her to get out of school and was now offering her a ride home and she had just missed her bus and would have to wait another hour for the next one so what would be so wrong with it? He should give her a ride anyways since he's the reason she was distracted and missed her bus to begin with. He stared at her with an expression that told her he already knew she was going to get on and then a slow, satisfied smile formed on his lips when she pulled the helmet hesitantly over her head and crossed the few feet to the bike. He threw a leg over and held out a hand to her.

This is it, Rory, your last chance to run, she told herself.

Glancing at his hand, she pushed all anxiety away and reached her own out, sliding it into his and, holding her skirt down with her other one, slid her own leg over the bike and sat behind him.

"Hold on, Mary."

"About time you showed up." Paris's agitated voice blew through the intercom but before Rory could respond, the door was beeping and opening for her. Sighing, she made her way through the lobby and headed for the elevator that would take her to the sixth floor.

Paris already had her door open and was waiting for her as she stepped off the elevator. "It's the day the cab and ride share companies are protesting, remember? That little thing that's been on the front page of the paper all week? Refusing to run for 24 hours?" Rory reminded as she walked to the door, knowing she was extremely late but it couldn't be helped. "My car's in the shop so I had to walk. I even jogged some of the way, and it was horrible, so I'm going to need you to give me…" her request was cut off as Paris grabbed her hand and pulled her into the apartment and straight to her bedroom, slamming the door behind them. "Hey, I really am sorry I'm late…"

"Late. Late! Everyone's late! Though I wish I was the kind of late you are. But I'm not!" Paris cut her apology off. "Of all the times for this to happen it happens now. Now!"

Rory leaned back against the dresser and watched as her best friend paced back and forth throughout the room. After a minute she finally found her voice. "Paris, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I thought it was stress. Of course I'm stressed right now. I'm getting married. Stress makes you late. It's a scientific fact. And I kept very good track because I planned the wedding and honeymoon all around this because who wants to be menstruating when they're on their honeymoon?" Paris rambled and then stopped and faced Rory, her chest heaving. "I took a test and it was positive. So I took another one and it was positive too. But you never know, there could have been two faulty tests and the one had a really faint line so I took them up and asked the pharmacist for a second opinion. And does he give me one? No. He just kicks me out of the store. Whatever happened to the customer always being right? So what if I put the test on the counter. Even used, I bet my test was cleaner than half the people who have rested against that counter since it wasn't exactly the best part of town but I figured less chance of running into someone I know."

Rory walked over to the girl who was now wringing her hands together and placed her hands on her shoulders, meeting her eyes. "Have you told Mike?"

Paris shook her head. "I took the tests at the drug store so I wouldn't have to worry about him walking in or seeing the boxes. I just told him I wasn't feeling good and called my doctor. I left an urgent message with his nurse and I'm waiting for him to call me back and see if he can get me in today. As soon as he calls we're leaving." Paris told her, putting a hand to her stomach. "I didn't want to cancel because we have so much to go over for the wedding."

"This is way more important." Rory told her and then couldn't help the smile spreading across her face. "Paris, you're having a baby."

Paris shook her head, her eyes narrowing. "The tests could have been wrong…"

"Paris…" Rory started and then was enveloped in a hug. Paris Gellar didn't hug. In fact, in the nearly nine years they'd been friends she could only recall ever hugging her twice. Either aliens had taken over the girl's body, or it was definitely a side effect of the hormones.

Paris pulled back and ran her hands through her long blonde hair. "Now I'm thinking the couple times my stomach has been off the past week must have been morning sickness. What if it's bad on the day of the wedding? We're going to have to put it off."

"No, we're not." Rory told her quickly. "You can carry a bucket instead of a bouquet."

Paris's eyes narrowed. "Funny, Gilmore." She muttered and Rory smiled as she saw the old Paris shining through. "If you hadn't been so late, I wouldn't have had all that time to work myself up. Damn college kids puking in cabs and causing the strike. I'll have Mike drop you off at home before we head to the doctor."

Rory linked her arm with Paris's and headed for the door. "Don't even worry about me. I'll find another way, or walk. Very slowly. Definitely no jogging this time." She could already feel the ache in her calves. "I haven't had a work out like that in a while."

"What kind of workout are we talking about, love?" Finn wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her as they entered the living room. Rory just responded with an eye roll, making her way to the couch and sitting between him and Paris.

She was proud to say she managed at least a whole thirty seconds before the feeling of his eyes on her got to her and she glanced across the coffee table to the other couch where he was seated opposite her. He was back to looking like his usual self today, no more suit. Just boots, jeans and a black shirt.

And the image of him had her breath catching in her throat. Noticing a familiar leather jacket hanging over the back of the couch had her pulse quickening.

When her eyes met his, a small smile made its way to his lips and he nodded his head in greeting before looking away.

Her stomach dipped. She had actually thought she was going to be ready for this? Yeah, right.

She really hoped Paris's doctor called soon.

"First, Mike will go down the aisle himself, followed by my mother and then his parents. Then Damien," Paris motioned to a guy Rory had met a couple times years ago from Tristan's group of friends who was now one of Mike's groomsmen. "…you and Madeline will walk down the aisle, followed by Finn and Louise." Paris picked up her phone to check it then set it down after seeing she hadn't somehow missed a call. "Then the Maid of Honor and Best Man will go. Rory, DuGrey."

Rory's eyes met Tristan's for a brief second before looking away. Not that she had to look at him to know his eyes had been on her. She had already felt them and knew he was probably thinking the same thing she was. Him and her, walking arm in arm down the aisle.

That was the only thing she was dreading. She could handle everything else. In fact, it wasn't even that bad being around him, sitting just feet from him. Instead of painful silence and awkwardness, she felt fine. Except for the fact that her body seemed to catch fire every time she felt his eyes on her. Or the way her heart started to beat a little faster when blue met blue. The way his low, deep voice brought back memories of the dirty things he used to whisper in her ear at the most inappropriate times. What the heck is wrong with you, Rory? You're not some inexperienced teenager with a crush.

It must have been the dry spell she was going through getting to her. Perhaps she'd have to give Logan a call after all for a quick hookup to ease any tension out of her.

She glanced at Tristan again, and took the opportunity of his eyes being on Paris to watch him for a moment. Still the face she had memorized but somehow different. Her eyes traveled down to his lips, unwanted memories of the way they felt invading her thoughts. She watched him dart his tongue out slowly to wet them, and her stomach flipped, but when the corner of his lips slowly turned up she quickly looked away knowing she'd been caught. Even though his eyes had been on Paris, he'd known she was watching him. Maybe he could feel her eyes just like she could feel his.

At least she had that, she told herself. Perhaps she wasn't the only one affected.

She focused back on Paris and tried to ignore the way her blood hummed with awareness under her skin. Yeah, Logan definitely wasn't going to help with this tension. She wasn't sure anyone could.

Well, anyone other than the person causing it and that was never going to happen.

"Then there will be a thirty second pause, the music will change and my father and I will walk to the front."

"Is there any way we could walk down the aisle to a song of our choice? Twist things up a bit?" Finn suggested with a shimmy of his shoulders. "Perhaps some Right Said Fred or Rod Stewart for myself?" At Paris's look, Finn sat back on the couch, looking like he wished it would swallow him. "Just a joke, love, just a joke."

Rory looked down to hide her smile and quickly changed the subject before Paris had the chance to rip into him. "We've had Madeline and Louise's dresses sent to them for fitting since their filming schedule doesn't allow them to make it back until they fly in the night before the wedding. The final fittings for the tuxedos and our dresses are next Wednesday. The shops are the ones on first street and are technically two different establishments but they're also connected since they have the same owner. Paris will go for her fitting earlier that way no one accidentally sees the dress before the big day." She glanced at Mike. "Paris should be done by 2pm so your guys' appointments are at 2:30. I will text you when the coast is clear so please do not show up until then. Is that going to be a problem for anyone?" She glanced around and everyone shook their heads. "Good. Rehearsal dinner is still scheduled for Friday, and Madeline and Louise will be arriving in time for that so everything should go smoothly and we won't have any surprises on the main day."

Paris closed her notebook that she had every detail written in and stood up from the couch, crossing her arms and clearing her throat once, twice, until everyone's eyes were on her. "I've seen the movies and have witnessed it first hand. Champagne is flowing, beer goggles and loneliness comes into play, and people start having the always in the wedding party, never my own wedding syndrome and feel like their time is ticking away. So I'm well aware what ends up happening between bridesmaids and groomsmen but please save the shameless hookups for after the wedding and not the rehearsal dinner. I don't want any awkwardness for the ceremony. As soon as we say I do feel free to do what you want." Paris warned, looking specifically at Finn. "I'll let Louise know the same thing."

Finn feigned shock. "Paris, love, I would never put the moves on my good pals baby sister. I do have morals you know." Mike snorted in response and Finn just grinned. "Though I don't think it's me and darling Louise you have to worry about."

Rory inwardly groaned as everyone's eyes turned to her. She could feel heat sliding up her neck and embarrassment had her opening her mouth before realizing what she was doing. "I don't know what you could possibly be insinuating, Finn. I have a date for the wedding."

If there was ever a time she wished a hole would appear and swallow her up, it was then. Finn and Mike, not so subtly, turned their eyes to Tristan, whose own eyes remained on Rory, his face expressionless.

"You didn't tell me that." Paris's voice had Rory reluctantly dragging her eyes over to meet her best friends. She tried to send Paris a signal to play along but if Paris caught it, she ignored it. "Please don't tell me it's who I think it is."

Rory stayed silent.

Mike popped a carrot in his mouth and glanced between the two girls. "Huntzburger?"

Fuck. Rory turned to glare at him. "Is there a problem if it was?" she countered, hating that she told a lie to put an end to one thing but only ended up opening something else. She should have just ignored the looks and changed the subject but the second Finn had insinuated her and Tristan would be doing something more than what their Maid of Honor and Best Man duties required, she bristled.

Mike put his hands up in defense at her tone and sat back. "Just asking, Ror." He relented and then a grin broke out across his face. A grin that made her more than a little uneasy. "You remember Logan, right Tristan? From school?"

Rory's stomach dropped. She had never put together that Logan and Tristan were around the same age, meaning they had attended Chilton at the same time before Tristan had left. And never had Logan mentioned it because not only did he have no clue about her past relationship, but when they were together, talking was generally the last thing they did because it always made them remember that they really didn't like each other.

But what did she care? She tried to tell herself. Her and Tristan were long over and she had every right to have a relationship with whomever she wanted.

Tristan sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees, still watching her. "Wouldn't peg him for your type."

Rory let a mask of indifference fall over her face and relaxed back into her chair. She waited a beat before tipping her head to the side and sending him a fake smile. "Oh you know, blonde, no respect for authority and a disgustingly large ego that's actually compensating for something…"

Mike almost dropped his glass and Finn hurriedly masked his laughter with a cough and jumped off the couch to leave the room. Paris on the other hand didn't bother hiding her snort of amusement. Tristan's lips turned up, the amusement at her jab evident but a flash in his eyes showed her something she hadn't yet seen since he'd been back.

That the danger was very much still there.

And god help her if it didn't have her pulse racing.

She kept her eyes on his and when he didn't look away, just raised an eyebrow challengingly at him. His lips curved a little more and he brought a hand up to run through his short hair before running his eyes from her feet, slowly up her body, and aiming a look at her that would have made a nuns toes curl.

And her damn traitorous body nearly melted right off the couch.

"Well, as great as this conversation is…" Mike started but was cut off as Paris's phone rang. The blonde quickly grabbed it and walked out of the room.

Rory took a deep breath and stood up, heading to the kitchen to rinse her glass. "That's probably the doctor so you guys will be leaving."

Mike walked over and grabbed his keys. "Yeah. Paris said your car was in the shop. Do you need a ride? We can swing by your place first."

Rory sent him an appreciative smile, thankful that he thought of her as well, but shook her head. "No, I told Paris the same thing. Just go do what you guys have to do, I'll be fine."

A few seconds later, Paris was exiting the bedroom and heading for the door. "Okay everyone, we'll text you a reminder about the fittings Tuesday. Rory, can you lock up when you leave?" Paris's voice drifted from the hall and didn't even wait for a response, Mike quickly following.

Will do, Rory thought, a smile covering her face in anticipation for the call later where Paris confirmed the results. Paris Gellar was having a baby, she thought. Out of all of them she was going to be the first married and the first mommy. Who would have thought?

She waved a hand as Finn called out a goodbye and grabbed the remaining cups left on the coffee table and brought them to the dishwasher. After a quick scan of the main room and making sure no one was in the bathroom, Rory flipped the lock and shut the door behind her, heading for the elevator.

She heard a beep and looked up to see the door to the elevator sliding shut. "Hey! Can you hold the…" she called out, sprinting to the doors, not sure who was already in it but when a tattooed hand darted out and made the doors whoosh back open, she instantly regretted not just waiting until it came back up. "…door. Thanks." she mumbled as she stepped into the elevator and stood on the side opposite Tristan and Damien.

"No problem." Tristan said, and hit the button for the main floor before leaning back against the wall.

She couldn't help but notice the way the muscles in his arms moved as he slid his hands into his pockets, not having put on his jacket yet. Or the fact that being in an elevator with him for the first time in five years brought back things she hadn't thought about in a very long time.

"Why are you so possessive?"

Tristan quickly pulled her into the empty compartment and hit a button on the panel. As soon as the doors closed, he turned to her, pinning her against the wall, raising her hands above her head and holding them there gently with one hand, a smirk covering his face. Her heart raced the second he pressed his body against hers and as she stood there unable to move, his lips descended to hers.

"Possessive?" he asked as he nipped at her lips, teasing her.

She ignored her racing heart and the intense need to touch him. "Yes. Possessive." She repeated, tugging at her wrists but he just held them tighter. "I believe Finn was only going to hug me. You know, a friendly gesture. I'm sure he wasn't going to try anything else."

Tristan chuckled darkly and reached over to hit another button, causing the elevator to come to a complete stop this time. "You're my girl." He whispered, his breath tickling her neck as his lips moved there, trailing kisses down to her collar and back up again. "So why should anyone else be able to touch you?" His lips moved against hers again, one hand still holding hers above her head as his other one ran slowly from her shoulder to her stomach. "You're mine, baby," Tristan whispered as she kissed him back as greedily as he was kissing her. His words had her head spinning and she couldn't get enough. "I'm yours." His hands roamed down her body and ended on her thighs, lifting her easily and she wrapped her legs around him "Only yours." He brought his eyes up and locked them with hers before resting his forehead against hers and closing his eyes.

"Rory?"

Rory glanced up at her name and realized the elevator had come to a stop. Without meeting either other occupants' eyes, she quickly exited it and headed for the main doors to the building.

"Hey, wait up." Tristan jogged after her and grabbed the door to pull it open and hold it before she could do it herself.

Rory muttered a thanks and took a deep breath of the fresh air outside, pushing away the memories that had surfaced in the elevator that touched on something far deeper than just attraction.

"You look a bit flushed, kitten." Finn looked over at her from his position on his bike, and winked.

"Did I hear Mike saying you needed a ride home?"

Rory turned and met Tristan's eyes. He had shrugged his jacket on now and was leaning against the building, watching her. It fit tighter than it had… before. And somehow looked even better on him.

"I'm just going to walk." She could hear her feet crying in protest even as she said it.

A knowing smile appeared on Tristan's lips and a familiar spark of mischief made its way into his eyes. "You're not afraid to get on a bike, are you, Mary?"

Rory glared. There was no way he was going to goad her into this. If he wanted to play games, she could too. "Not at all." she shrugged and turned to the Australian who was adjusting his helmet. "Finn? Would you give me a ride home please?" She knew her smile was smug when she glanced back at Tristan.

Finn's eyes widened and darted to Tristan for a moment before meeting hers again. "Well Doll, you know I would love to but I ah, have somewhere I need to be."

Rory's smile instantly faded. He could not be serious. "Finn…"

"Oh look at the time!" Finn cut her off quickly. "Later lads, Rory."

Rory took a slow, deep breath and, ignoring Tristan's smirk that she didn't have to see to know was spread across his face, turned to Damien. "And you?"

He froze. "Umm… no hablo inglés."

Rory couldn't help it. Her jaw dropped. "You cannot be serious. I just heard you speaking English for the last hour." She told him and his face flushed. She sent a lethal look to the man standing behind her when she heard a chuckle. "So this is how it's going to be? You're all just going to let him intimidate you?"

"Ah… hasta la vista."

Rory bit at her lip and tried not to laugh at the absolute ridiculousness of Damien's comment and just watched him as he avoided eye contact and hopped on his bike and drove away. Finn, who was turning purple trying not to laugh himself, followed quickly behind him, letting out a howl as he sped down the street.

The laughter bubbled out then. She told herself to be mad, to be irritated, but instead found herself doubled over, laughing harder than she had in far too long at the absolute comedy that had just unfolded.

When she finally managed to stop, hair a mess and face undoubtedly the shade of a ripe tomato, she turned amused eyes to the only man left.

"I didn't say a word to them." Tristan held his hands up innocently, his own eyes dancing. "He's a big fan of Arnold apparently."

Rory, still smiling, just shook her head. "Oh, I'm sure." With one last look she started down the sidewalk.

"Let me give you a ride."

She stopped and turned, met his eyes. "I'll walk."

"Come on, Mary." Tristan coaxed, and the way he said the nickname had goosebumps covering her skin. "Get on the bike."

A shiver went up her spine at the words. Not only from a memory but from the urge she felt now, even as an adult, to just do it. To feel the air rushing against her again. To feel free.

"I don't live in Stars Hollow anymore and have to have you give me a ride because it's my only option." she told him. Knowing there was a small smile on her lips and wasn't sure how they had fallen into this flirting so easily. Or why she was allowing it. Continuing it.

"Really?" he crossed to his bike and grabbed the spare helmet. "I seem to remember things a bit differently. There was the bus, that you half heartedly insisted for a moment you were going to wait for. There were also your friends who could have driven you home. You had options, but as much as you probably try to deny it, it really didn't take that much convincing for you to let me give you a ride home that very first time."

Rory pursed her lips and shrugged casually. "Well, you know, every girl is entitled to a bad boy phase."

Tristan dropped his head, his chest vibrating with laughter. When he looked up and met her eyes again, they were brighter than she'd seen them yet. "Oh yeah? Is that what that was?" He stepped toward her. "Any chance for a relapse?"

Rory crossed her arms at the closeness but didn't break their stare. "I wouldn't hold your breath."

He shrugged and held out the helmet. "Last chance, Rory."

She turned to walk away, but couldn't take the first step. It was one ride, that was all. No strings, no hidden meaning. Just a ride home.

She didn't meet his eyes as she told him her address, then turned and grabbed the helmet, making sure to put it on before he could see her face. The excitement that was sure to be written all over it. He put his own helmet on and straddled the bike, holding out a hand for her but she put her hand on his shoulder for support instead as she threw her own leg over and sat behind him.

Her adrenaline was pumping as he started the bike and revved it up and she scooted forward, fitting her body to his, tightening her legs and setting her hands on the leather at his waist.

Then they were taking off.

She didn't know just how much she had missed it until that moment. She thought she knew, but the instant feeling of freedom she felt as he sped away eased every muscle in her body, every worry in her head.

She had missed this so much.

It ended too quickly, and when she saw him pulling up outside her building she panicked, not wanting it to be over yet. Before she realized what she was doing, she was tapping his shoulder and waiting for him to turn towards her.

"Tristan." she breathed, her heart feeling as if it would pound right out of her chest. "Don't stop yet. Keep driving."

This life ain't the fairy tale we both thought it would be

But I can see your smiling face as its staring back at me

I know we both see these changes now.

I know we both understand somehow.