Rory halted the car in her spot and stared over at the person sitting next to her. No words
were passed between the two, but more was said in her glare than could be expressed in
words. The passenger made no move to exit the vehicle, they just sat their and smirked
back at her. Rory let out a huff and climbed out of the car and walked over to the
passenger side of the car. They still made no move to exit. Rory grabbed to door handle
and swung it open. Her passenger smiled.

“Not only can I not believe that you are making me pick you up everyday, but now you
want me to open the door for you.” Rory crossed her arms and stuck out her hip defiantly.
She stared at the occupant of the car. Tristan.

“What would you have me do? Walk? You know I can’t drive?” He gingerly lifted his leg,
which was now encased in a cast out of the car, followed by a pair of crutches.

“There is such a thing as public transportation.” Rory grabbed her backpack out of the
back seat and threw it over her shoulder.

“Yes, but do I look like the public transportation type to you?” Tristan turned as best he
could on crutches, attempting to look suave. Rory had to hold in a laugh. To her Tristan
looked like a penguin with motor control problems.

“No you don’t look like that type. Public transportation is too good for you now that I
think about it.” Tristan feigned pain.

“That hurt Rory really. Watch your mouth or tomorrow you may not get coffee like you
did today.” Tristan use a crutch to point at the cup in her hand. “You’ll just have to use
me as your caffeine jolt.” Rory shook her head in disdain.

“You are too much to handle.”

“That’s what I’ve been told.” Rory glared at him.

“I don’t know what’s going to be worst. Having to cater to your whims, or having to deal
with that enormous ego.”

“I’m sure you’ll be able to deal.” Rory shook her head back and forth at Tristan’s
comment. She grabbed his bag from the car and slammed the door shut. Tristan resituated
himself on the crutches and they made their way towards Chilton’s main entrance. As they
entered the halls Rory’s thoughts drifted back to when she had re-entered Tristan’s
hospital room.

She had seen the desperate look on his face and decided to keep him entertained with
random conversation while his parents talked with the doctors. Surprisingly she had a
genuine good time with Tristan. When he wasn’t trying to be the king of the world he was
actually a decent guy. Rory was confused about why he acted like a jerk one moment, and
was a total sweetheart the next. The theory of male PMS was the only thing that came to
her mind.

She had gone home that night and laid awake in bed for hours. Thinking about that day.
About the accident. About... Tristan. It was weird. She had offered him a second chance,
and he still acted like a jerk... and yet now, she willing to let him try again.

Rory shook the thoughts from her mind and they walked into the building. Tristan halted
at the bottom of the stairs. It had been two days since he had fallen down them and now
he had to go up them again. Tristan’s mind flashed back to yesterday. Rory had come to
the hospital before school to see him before his surgery.

*Why did she do that?*

She had come back after school to keep him company while the anesthesia wore off. He
wasn’t sure if he was dreaming at first when he opened his eyes and saw her beautiful face
staring at him. Her blue eyes seemed to be entranced with his features, just like he was
with her. He had whispered her name and she had simply brushed his hair back. They sat
in silence for an hour until he decided that he was awake enough to put together a
coherent sentence. Just like the day before they had talked about the most random of
topics. She had gone home when his parents came to take him home, but his thoughts
remained on her.

“Tristan?” Rory’s voice carried him away from his daydream. She was waving her hand in
front of his face. “Did the anesthesia not wear off?” Tristan shook his head in attempt to
bring himself back to the present.

“No... I think they used the heavy duty stuff.” Rory laughed. Tristan loved her laugh. It
was so full of spirit. The way her mouth curled at the corners, her eyes dancing with light.
They began to make their way up the stairs. Students stared at the pair. Rory and Tristan...
together... it was normal. Tristan took his time and Rory had her hand on his back in case
he began to lean backwards. Tristan was becoming light headed from her touch. 

He sighed in relief. Not only were the stairs over, but Rory removed her hand. Any longer
and he would have said hell to the crutches and wrapped his arms around her. They were
stopped at his locker when Paris walked by. Rory was sure she was going to get screamed
at. Paris was not one to be happy when Tristan and her were together. But to her surprise
Paris didn’t even seem to notice.

“Morning Rory. How are you doing Tristan?” His head was buried in his locker and he
handed a book to Rory so she could but it in his bag.

“Fine. I’ve got myself some help.” His hand pointed to Rory.

“That’s nice of her.” Paris’ voice was genuinely happy, not a hint of sarcasm. Rory was
bewildered as to way Paris was so nonchalant. Her question was answered when Robert
stepped up behind Paris.

“Hey Paris. We still on for lunch?” Paris’ eyes snapped to Robert and she smiled widely.

“You bet.”

“Great! Walk you to class?” Robert offered his arm.

“Sure.” She took it and waved to Rory as she walked away. Tristan had closed his locker
during the whole scene. His brow was furrowed with wrinkles as he tried to figure out
what had just happened.

“What just happened here? Did Paris just....” His words trailed off as he thought.

“That was Robert. Methinks Paris has found someone.” Tristan hid a laugh when he saw
Rory wiggle her eyebrows.

“Methinks your right. Got your stuff?” Rory nodded. “Good. Let’s get to class.” 

They took their seats in first period English and directed their attention to the teacher. She
was writing something on the board, but her body obstructed what it was. The entire class
groaned when she moved.

“That’s right class. Test on Shakespeare’s plays next Friday.” Tristan looked over at Rory
who was making a note of something. Her hand brushed back a loose strand of hair. A
smile slowly crept up on Tristan’s lips as he plotted.

***

“Mom! I’m home.” Rory shut the front and made her way to her room. Lorelai came out
from the kitchen. ever present coffee mug in hand. She kissed Rory on the forehead.

“Hey honey. Where were you?” Rory tossed her bookbag on her bed before grabbing a
cup of coffee herself. She took a seat at the kitchen table.

“Mrs. Kim let Lane out of her solitary confinement and we went to Luke’s for some
coffee.”

“Without ME!” Lorelai stated over dramatically as she flopped down in a chair. Rory
stared at her mother over the brim of her cup. Lorelai’s bottom lip was beginning to creep
foreword in a pout. “Are you gonna make it up to me?”

“Mom.” Lorelai’s lip scooted forward a bit more.

“Pwease.” She made her lip tremble a little.

“Mom. Don’t give that look.” Lorelai sniffled and her lip trembled even more. “Fine, I’ll
take you to Luke’s later tonight if you just stop with the face.” Rory looked away in
disgust. The pout on Lorelai’s face was immediately replaced with a massive grin.

“So honey.... how was school?”

“School was school.” Lorelai crossed her arms at her daughter’s answer.

“You gonna give me more than that?”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” Rory took one last sip of her coffee and placed the empty mug in
the sink before heading towards the leaving room. Lorelai watched her daughter leave and
then hurriedly went after her.

“Why not? Did Tristan do something to you. Because I swear if he did I could find some
interesting things to do with that coffee grinder that we have.” Rory glared at her mother.

“It wasn’t Tristan.”

“Or there were those hot dog tongs that could be used to....’

“It wasn’t Tristan.”

“But I’m now getting a vision that involves a ten gallon drum with a small whole in the
top, and a whole lot of Vaseline....” Lorelai giggled to herself at the thought.

“MOM!” Lorelai shook her head to free her mind.

“What?”

“It wasn’t Tristan.”

“Oh! Well in that case..... what’s wrong?” Lorelai sat down on the sofa next to Rory and
threw her arm around her daughter, pulling her close. Rory raised an eyebrow at her
mother.

“Nothing is wrong. Is it so hard to believe that I didn’t have a bad day at Chilton?”

“Well...ummm... Yes.” Rory glared at her mother before she wiggled out of her mother’s
grasp, and began pacing the room. Lorelai’s head followed Rory back and forth. Rory was
biting her bottom lip and every now and then would brush her hand through her hair. “Ok,
I believe you when you say nothing is wrong with Chilton, but something is wrong, or you
wouldn’t be pacing like this. So spill it girl.” Rory stopped for a brief second before she
resumed pacing.

“Well you see the thing is..... I’m having these... how do I put it... there’s this guy.... well
no... ok yes....” Rory was having trouble putting her thoughts into complete and
understandable sentences. “Have you ever... no.... ummm... Feelings... guy... not a normal
experience.”

“Rory. Take a deep breath and spit it out. I’m feeling like I’m watching Wimbledon as I
watch you pace. My neck can’t take the strain.” Rory took a deep breath and started
again.

“I’m having these weird feelings....”  Rory was unable to finish her thought because the
phone rang. After a quick search they found the phone underneath a sofa cushion. Rory
grabbed the phone before her mother could, and answered.

“Hello.”

“Hey.” Rory froze when she recognized the voice. Her eyes stared off into space. Lorelai
cocked an eyebrow at the surprised expression on Rory’s face.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?” Rory plopped down on the sofa with a huff.

“So my call is a pleasure, I’ll make sure to do this more often.” Rory rolled her eyes. “I
know you just rolled your eyes.”

“I did not.” Tristan’s voice was full of cockiness.

“Yes you did. I made a comment that would make you roll your eyes, so I know that you
did.”

“I did not.” Rory bit on her bottom lip.

“Whatever. I didn’t call to argue with you about eye rolling.”

“Then why did you call?” Lorelai was very confused at her daughter’s actions. Hearing
only one side of the conversation wasn’t helping either. It was time’s like these that she
wished they had another phone.

“You know our English test....”

“Yeah.” Rory nodded as if Tristan could see her.

“Well I was wondering if you wanted to study together?”

“Do you not recall me saying that studying was a solitary activity.” Lorelai sat down next
to Rory and put her ear up to the back of the phone, in an attempt to hear better. Rory
backed away.

“I have selective hearing.”

“So I’ve noticed.” Rory pushed her mother away from the phone. Lorelai fell off the
couch in the process.

“Well.... my parents are going to be gone on Saturday and I’m going to need help around
the house, so I figured we could study as well.”

“Don’t you have a Jeeves to help you out?”

“A Jeeves?”

“A butler, manservant, handmaid... whatever you want to call him.”

“No. We’re rich, not into servitude.”

“I see.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Did that sound like a yes?” Rory swatted away her mother’s hand when she made a grab
for the phone. Lorelai returned to a some what normal seated position on the couch.

“Great. See you Saturday.” Tristan hung up before Rory had a chance to argue. Rory look
at the phone dumbfoundly when the dial tone rang in her ear.

“What was that all about?” Lorelai bounced up and down on the sofa. A reaction from an
anxiousness to figure out this mystery, and an overdose of caffeine.

“Well you know those feelings I was talking about..... they just go weirder.”

***

Rory’s hand was poised to knock on the door, but she slowly pulled away. She ran her
hand through her hair and sighed loudly. Her feet had minds of their own as they carried
her back and forth across the entrance way.

*What are you so nervous about? It’s just Tristan..... it’s just.... Tristan. You’ve been with
him all week, and though while he was still a completely jackass at times... he was nicer.
The Mary’s were few and far between. He even gave you some genuine smiles. It’s just
Tristan, Rory. He won’t kill you and being with him won’t kill you. You’ve actually
enjoyed the time you’ve spent with him. Calm down. It’s just Tristan for God sakes. Why
are you like this. It’s not like you have a crush on him.*

Rory stopped dead in her tracks when that last thought went through her mind. She took a
deep breath to resettle her nerves, it didn’t help much.

*Crush? On Tristan? Not possible. There was only that one time. That single, solitary,
unwanted, meaningless kiss. You were upset over Dean. He was there. He’s not even that
cute... ok that was a lie. He’s extremely cute. Wait. Mental slap, get back online Rory.
Kiss.... Bad. You were weak at that moment, You were trying to cheer him up, ok not in
that way, but still. It meant nothing, nothing at all. Not a thing...... Then why am I
rationalizing it?*

Rory let out an exasperated groan and her hands gripped the sides of her head like a vice.
Her breathing which had been shallow and quick paced began to slowly return to normal.
Her hands released the death grip that they had on her head, and she slowly began to
massage her temples to relief that tension that was ever increasing.

*Just knock on the damn door and get it over with. Just do it Rory!*

Rory walked to the front door. Staring at it for along second before she knocked loudly.
She could hear taps on the floor inside. Her breath quickened when the handle turned, but
she had to keep from gasping when she saw Tristan standing before her. Her eyes were
wide as she took him in. 

He was wearing a short-sleeved, light blue button down shirt that highlighted his eyes. The
buttons were recklessly undone to show a white wife-beater that clung to his chest like a
second skin. It  gave Rory just a hint of flesh that made her yearn to see more. Her eyes
slowly shifted southward. He was wearing tan cargo pants that hung low on his hips
giving Rory a glimpse of his red polka dotted boxers. Her eyes drifted upward again to
meet Tristan’s face. His eyes sparkled in amusement. His lips were hiding a smile that he
surely wanted to giver her for openly checking him out, but he couldn’t say anything
because he was doing the same thing.

Tristan knew it was Rory at the door, but he hadn’t prepared himself for her breathtaking
beauty. His gaze was drawn directly to her strikingly blue eyes, that still gave him chills
everytime he looked at them. When he noticed her eyes float across him it sent waves of
sparks jolting through his body. His eyes drifted on their own over her figure. She was
wearing a red T-shirt that clung to her in all the right places. Her dark blue jean shorts
hugged her hips, and were low enough to allow a thin strip of skin to be seen the shorts
and shirt. His hand was itching to reach out a caress her stomach. He dragged his eyes
away from her stomach and they landed on her long and shapely legs, that didn’t do much
to calm him down. She was wearing sneakers and white socks and right there and then he
had the urge to give her a foot massage. His eyes drifted up to hers. When the both met no
words were passed. The situation grew tense and Tristan had to literally hit himself to get
his mouth to say something.

“Come in.”

“Huh.” Rory looked around to see that she was still outside. “Oh right.” Rory stepped into
the foyer, a sheepish grin on her face. Tristan showed her to the living room and she
dropped her bag on one to three white couchs. ”So.....” Rory began. “Where do we
start?”

“Well....” Tristan dropped his crutches on the floor. He flopped on his back onto the soft
cushions of one of the open couches. “I know you.... you’ll want coffee.... my parents left
some brewing in the kitchen. Then we.... “ Tristan stopped when he noticed that Rory had
dashed out of room. A few moments later he saw her walking down the hall, steaming
coffee mug in hand

“As you were saying.” She leaned against the entrance way, her position showing a bit
more skin on her stomach. Rory took a sip from her mug. Tristan had to stifle a groan
when Rory licked a drop of coffee off the rim. His mind was on hormone overload.

“Well... I figured we could break out the books and see why this Willy Shakespeare guy is
so important.”

“Let’s!” Rory collapsed on the couch. She sat her coffee down and retrieved her study
materials from her bag and they set to work.

Two hours later they were still at it. Grilling each other on plays and characters, themes
and settings, and anything else they could think of. They were sitting on opposite ends of
the same couch, staring each other down.

“Name the play that this line comes from: A poor player who struts and frets his hour
upon the stage.”

“Macbeth.”

“Oh brave new world that has such people in it.” Tristan faked a yawn.

“The Tempest... come on Rory.” Tristan leaned forward, he was now within touching
distance. “Hit me with a hard one.” He wiggled his eyes suggestively. Rory snorted and
covered her smile with her notebook, but she was still able to peer over the edge and see
Tristan’s face. His eyes were dancing with light.

“Ok.... Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, which mannerly devotion shows
in this; For saints have hands that pilgrim’s hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy
palmers’ kiss.” Rory finished the last part by memory as she stared into Tristan’s intense
gaze.

“Have not saint’s lips, and holy palmer’s too?” Tristan was inching closer to Rory.

“Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.” Rory fought to catch her breath as Tristan
grew nearer. His hand reached out and pushed down the notebook that was blocking her
face.

“O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do...” Tristan’s last words came out in a
breathy tone as he leaned into Rory. She was frozen in a trance and did not flinch when
Tristan’s hand caressed the side of her cheek. She leaned into his touch reveling in the
warmth it provided. Rory felt Tristan’s warm breath on her lips and she wanted to lean in
and finish off the job. A growl suddenly echoed through the silent room.

*Rory! What the hell are you doing?*

Rory jerked back a tad from Tristan and tried to suppress a giggle. But it turned into a full
fledge laugh before long. Tristan leaned back into the couch in defeat. Rory made her way
to the kitchen.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to get something to make that stomach of your happy.” She disappeared from
the room and Tristan let out a load groan as his hands pushed back his hair.

“That is the last time I skip breakfast.” Tristan sat in the living room alone for a few
minutes. He heard clatters and the sound of running water coming from kitchen. Above all
the usual kitchen noise he heard a soft humming drift this way. The notes carried him off
the couch. He picked up his crutches and hobbled his way to the kitchen. When Tristan
arrived he was rewarded with the sight of Rory on her tiptoes looking through the cabinets
for something. He enjoyed the vision of her slightly bobbing to the tune she was humming
for a few moments.

“What are you looking for?” Rory let out a small shriek. 

“TRISTAN!” She yelled at him at him playfully before returning to her search.

“I always knew that I’d have you screaming out my name one day.” Rory stopped to glare
at him

“Need I remind you that you are still an invalid. One who couldn’t escape very quickly.”
Instead of backing away Tristan inched closer. 

“Who says I would want to escape?” He inched foreword even closer. Quickly closing the
gap between Rory and himself.

“Ummm...”

“Because right now that is the last thing on my mind.” His hand brushed a piece of hair
over Rory’s shoulders before his hand traveled slowly up her neck. Rory’s breath caught
in her throat when his thumb ran over her bottom lip. His eyes traveled from her trembling
lips to her eyes. They held a mix of emotions, from confusion to anger to need. It was the
need that he was playing on. Both of his hands were now cupping her cheeks which long
ago had turned a delightful shade of red. Rory’s eyes had yet to leave his.

“Tristan?” Rory’s voice was hushed and quivering. It was right now that he was glad he
had crutches because they were the only thing holding him up when his legs turned to jello
at that moment. Rory was stalling and the spoon in her hand kept on tapping his leg. Her
breath came in short gasps, and this only encouraged Tristan more. He leaned in, but that
damn spoon suddenly made an appearance in front of his face. “So that water is taking a
long time to boil....” 

Her voice was nervous as she stepped away from his embrace. Tristan stared at the floor.
She obviously was into what was going on, but Tristan decided to play along. “Yeah it is.
Water does that sometime.”

For the rest of the afternoon they slipped into studying and playful banter. Tristan tried to
bring up the subject of their “feelings” towards one another, but Rory always changed the
subject. Rory glanced at her watch around 4p.m. and decided that was time for her to
pack up. Tristan hobbled along side her to the door. She was already outside when she
turned back to Tristan.

“Why did you ask me here today? You didn’t need my help at all.” Tristan looked at her
confused face, and decided to tell the truth, even if she didn’t believe him.

“I didn’t want to go two whole days without seeing you.”

“Oh.” Rory brushed back a loose strand of hair. “Ok then. See you Monday.” Tristan
leaned on the door as he watched her leave, obviously pondering what he had just said.

***

“Would you hurry up Tristan. You’re being such a slow poke.” Rory got behind Tristan
and began pushing him down the hall.

“Hey, I’m on crutches here.” Tristan stated.

“I’ve seen you break the land speed record on those things.” Rory stopped pushing and
walked beside Tristan instead. “You aren’t afraid of the hospital are you?”

“No.... I’m not afraid of the hospital.” Tristan looked straight ahead. “Especially with all
those nurses in those cute uniforms.” He smirked as he turned to Rory and was rewarded
with a glare and a smack on the back of his head.

“You are such a guy.”

“Thank you. Glad that you noticed.” Rory rolled her eyes as they approached the check-in
counter. “Hi. Tristan DuGray here to see Dr. Foster.” Tristan looked at Rory out of the
corner of her eye.

“Rory. I have an injured knee, I can speak for myself, my mouth doesn’t need to be
operated on.” He grabbed the forms from the nurse and began filling them out.

“Good thing, because I don’t think your tongue could go a week without wrestling.”

“I’ve resisted the urge for much longer than that.”

“Oh really? Enlighten me with a memory of an extended period of time that you went with
out kissing anyone.” Tristan handed back the forms and racked his memory. 

“I didn’t kiss anyone this summer.” Tristan’s voice was shaky. Rory gave him a look of
disbelief as they sat down in the waiting area. He stammered to cover his lie. “Well, no
kisses that actually meant anything.”

“So you use girls.... kiss them.... and it doesn’t mean anything? How do you sleep at
night?” Rory’s tone went from slightly amused to dejected in mere seconds.

“On my right side. Usually in boxers.”

*Boxers.... that’s it.....mmmmm....wait Rory get back on track here.*

“Tristan, I know I speak for most women when I say that right now you are a disgrace to
the human race. You play with people’s emotions and lead them on, and then drop them
when you’ve had your fill.”

“Wait a minute don’t make me out to be the bad guy. Those girls know exactly what they
are getting into.”

“Do they? Because most of them are probably thinking ‘I’m going to be the one he
changes for.’ And then when you don’t they are crushed. Have you ever once felt anything
for a girl beyond how good she was in bed?” Tristan stared wide eyed at Rory. His mouth
dropped open as he tried to find the words to tell her exactly what he felt for her. How
much he needed her. How much more he loved her every time she smiled or laughed. How
much he wanted to be the one she thought of. How much he loved her. Rory stared at
him, annoyed look on her face, demanding an answer.

“Rory I....”

“Mr. DuGray the doctor will see you now.” A nurse called to the pair from a door that led
to the examination rooms.

*Saved!*

Tristan got up out of the chair as quickly as humanly possible. He grabbed his crutches
and made his way towards the nurse. He stopped suddenly when he noticed that Rory was
not behind him. He turned to face her.

“You coming?” His head jerked towards the door.

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Why not?”

“Well seeing your face right now makes me think of some inventive ways of using a pair
of tweezers and duck tape.” Tristan visibly recoiled as a mental image popped into his
head. “But.... if I get to me alone with you in a room.... then maybe those tongue
depressors could be used in new ways.”

“I’m beginning to rethink my offer.” Tristan’s lips slowly climbed into his trademark
smirk. “But I also like the idea of being alone with you in a room.... that has a bed.”

“That’s an examining table.” Rory smacked him as a blush slowly creeped up her cheeks.

“Bed.... table... what’s the difference.” Tristan wiggled his eyebrows. The nurse showed
them to the room and handed Tristan a gown.

“I’ll wait outside.” Rory made a beeline for the door, but Tristan’s stern voice stopped
her.

“No you won’t.”

“Tristan I don’t think that I...”

“You see this curtain here?” Tristan wiggled the fabric, as Rory nodded. “Look at what it
does.” With one quick jerk the curtain flew along it’s track and split the room in half. Rory
took a seat in a chair in the corner of the room, thinking of anything to keep her mind off
the fact that Tristan was undressing mere feet from her. All attempts to clear her mind of
him were dashed when she saw his shirt hit the ground. He leaned down to pick it up.
Rory saw his toned arm and strong hand pick it up again and toss it in her direction. She
caught it before it hit her in the face. Tristan winked at her from underneath the curtain.

“Naughty Rory. Having bad thoughts about me?” Rory did not answer, she clung to the
shirt. It smelled of him. That added to her already overridden senses. She almost exploded
when she heard the distinct sounds of  a belt being unfastened. She fought to swallow
when she saw his pants hit the floor. She closed her eyes, but it didn’t help much. She
could smell his shirt, it was still warm. She could hear his breathing, and the sounds of him
struggling to get the gown on. The last thing she needed was for him to ask her to tie it
closed.

“Rory. I need your help.” The curtain swung open again. “I can’t get this last thing tied,
could you do it for me?” Rory groaned. She missed the evil twinkle in Tristan’s eyes as
she walked up to him.

“Which one it is?” He hands shook slightly.

“The top one.” Rory walked behind Tristan and grabbed the two strings. Tristan didn’t
miss her fumbling hands. Rory worked as quickly as she could, but she was reveling in the
warmth that he radiated. She about gave up when he took a deep breath and his broad
shoulders lifted up and back down. Her hands were shaking so hard that the bow came
undone.

“What’s taking you so long?” Tristan’s voice was deep and full of yearning, it almost sent
Rory over the edge.

“It’s just a slippery little bugger.” Tristan felt Rory’s hand brush against his back. They
both gasped at the contact that sent shivers to their toes. Rory struggled to regain her
composure. How could show go from despising him one minute, to wanting to floor him
the next. She quickly finished the bow and took her seat. Tristan lifted himself onto the
bed and Rory saw just how sculpted his arms really were.

“Rory...”

“Tristan...” They both started at the same time. Tristan motioned for Rory to go, but the
doctor came in before she had a chance to say anything. She noticed that Tristan scooted
away from him, and it amused her. They check-up went normally and Tristan was looking
very relieved until a nurse came in carrying a covered tray. His face went white.

“I don’t need a shot do I?” Tristan was shaking and Rory couldn’t help but giggle. He
shot her an unamused glare.

“Big shot DuGray is afraid of needles. This is priceless.” Rory about fell out of her chair.

“They hurt, what do you want me to say. ‘Oh I love needles. It’s so fun to have long
pointy things invade your body. I really love it when the liquid inside burns. It’s fun fun
fun.’” The nurse held up the needle and Tristan leaned away. Rory got up out of her seat
and walked to his side. She took his hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Would it help if you had someone to comfort you?” Tristan just nodded his head. Any
thoughts of the needle had disappeared when she touched him. Rory was like morphine at
the moment. The nurse injected the shot and Tristan winced slightly, but his eyes never
moved from Rory’s face.

“Done.” The nurse trashed the needle and left the room.

“There now that wasn’t so bad.” Rory squeezed his hand again. Tristan pouted.

“It still hurt.” Rory’s next moved surprised him. She leaned down to the spot where he
was given the shot, and placed a gentle kiss on the skin there. Her lips barely grazed his
arm, but he barely restrained himself from crushing his lips to hers.

“There... that’s better.” Rory slipped her hand out of his and tossed him his shirt. “Now
get dressed so we can go study.” Tristan simply nodded as Rory closed the curtain. She
slumped into her chair and stared at his silhouette.

*What the hell did I just do?*