Finding Rory

Chapter 38: I'll Protect You

"I think it's adorable that you chose a Hello Kitty band aid," Tristan teased as they were walking out of the lab.

"Hey, if they're going to poke me with a needle, I at least want a cute band aid," Rory chuckled.

"I'm not arguing the merits of cute first aid supplies; I'm just saying that you're adorable," Tristan replied. He leaned in and kissed her. "You want to drive since you know where we're going?"

Rory took the keys and walked around toward the driver's side of the Escalade.

"Sure, I don't mind. I know this great seafood place on the wharf if that's okay?"

"That sounds great," Tristan agreed.

Rory drove the short distance to Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale.

"This place is great - it was one of my favorite places to eat when I was at Yale," Rory said as they got out of the car and walked into the restaurant.

"It smells great," Tristan agreed. "Table for two, please," he told the hostess.

"Of course. Right this way," the hostess replied. She led them to a table on the covered deck which overlooked the harbor. Tristan helped Rory into her chair and then took a seat across from her.

"What's good here, Mare?" Tristan asked.

"I haven't had anything that wasn't good. The lobster mac and cheese and stuffed shrimp are amazing, and I always get the fried veggie combo," Rory replied excitedly.

"That sounds fantastic - want to just order all three and split them?" Tristan asked.

"Ooh, yes please!" Rory exclaimed just as the waitress walked up to the table.

"Welcome to Lenny and Joe's. My name is Amber, and I'll be your server. Can I take your order?"

"I'll have an iced tea, and then we'll take the fried veggie combo, the lobster mac and cheese and the stuffed shrimp," Rory answered.

"And I'll also take an iced tea," Tristan added.

"Excellent choices. I'll put in your order and will be right back with your drinks," Amber replied before walking away from the table. She returned a few minutes later with their drinks, and Tristan and Rory began talking.

"I know you have a few projects that you want done around the pool house. I thought maybe I could get started on a few of them this weekend?" Tristan asked.

"You can help me fix up the pool house?" Rory asked as she giggled. "I didn't really take you for the handyman type."

"Hey, I'm a man of many talents. I'll have you know I'm very good with my hands," Tristan smirked.

"Oh trust me, I'm well aware," Rory replied huskily. "I've learned just how talented those hands are."

"Mary! You made a sexual innuendo without blushing," Tristan teased.

"You're corrupting me, Bible Boy," Rory shot back.

"Nope, I'm pretty sure you were like this before we started dating."

Rory giggled and stuck her tongue out at Tristan.

"I'm pretty sure you had something to do with my being corrupted - maybe it was all the leering and lewd comments when we were at Chilton," Rory accused him.

"I thought we'd moved past that?" Tristan asked just as the waitress delivered their appetizer. "Thank you, this looks great," Tristan told Amber.

They both dug into the fried zucchini and onion rings, talking between bites, and soon their entrees were brought to the table as well. Tristan moved to sit next to Rory to make it easier to share.