Chapter One: Horatio the Tree

Rory walked through the campus of Yale, taking in her familiar surroundings. There, on her right was her dorm, on her left was the building where she had her literature course. Up ahead was a famous bench that Ernest Hemingway sat on. Who would've thought, a year ago, that Rory Gilmore would be at Yale. All her life she had thought that she would be in Harvard. Life surprises you sometimes, and Rory was just happy that it was a pleasant surprise this time. Ones like her and Dean's messy relationship or Jess ending up to be emotionally deficient were not ones that she enjoyed. She stopped at a coffee stand, smiling brightly at the man working behind the counter.

"Hey Ronnie."

"Hello Rory, how are you?" The man asked her cheerfully, already going to get her the usual, a large coffee.

"Ronnie, you better make it a small. I'm trying to cut back." Ronnie looked at her surprised, the coffee pot frozen in mid-air.

"What?" Rory laughed at his horrified expression, taking out her wallet.

"I'm just playing with you. Can you imagine me cutting back? Please Ronnie, you know me better than that." Ronnie smiled, pouring her the steaming hot cup she had ordered.

"You scared me there for a minute. You almost singlehandedly finance this coffee stand. My boss would think I was stealing money if you cut back." He said handing her the cup. Rory exchanged her money for the cup and then smiled at him again.

"Don't worry, Ronnie. I've got your back." She raised her cup of coffee and grinned. "I would never give this stuff up."

"Good."

"Alright, have a nice day."

"You too Rory, see you at 3:15." She laughed and shook her head.

"Wow, you really do know me well. See you at 3:15." She walked away, heading for her favorite spot on campus. It was a tree on the outskirts of the green expanse. She loved the shade the tree provided and not many people hung around by that area so it was perfect for reading. As she neared the tree she noticed a boy was sitting underneath it. He was engrossed in a magazine, the top of his messy blonde hair being the only part of his head that she could see.

"Uh, excuse me?" She said when she had gotten close enough for him to hear her. He looked up, his brown eyes meeting her blue ones.

"Yeah?"

"This is my tree." Rory said awkwardly, gesturing to the large oak.

"No, I'm pretty sure that it's not."

"I sit here every day." Rory insisted, "Everyday I buy coffee from Ronnie and then drink it and read out here."

"First off, who is Ronnie, and how the hell was that relevant?"

"This is my tree." Rory repeated

" Actually, it is not. As a matter of fact I know that you don't own it. My father donated money to Yale and paid for these trees to be planted. My father owns these trees. Excuse me, are you my father?" Rory looked blankly at him, surprised by his bluntness.

"Uh, no I'm not,"

"Yeah, you're a bit too brunette to be him. He's a blonde, and you're a bit skinny."

"Okay-"

"He's also not a girl, that too."

"Alright, I don't own the tree, whatever. Can I have my spot back?"

"It's pretty comfy down here. I think I'll stay." Rory groaned, becoming increasingly agitated with the cocky blonde. She wanted her seat back, and she was going to get it.

"Come on, I actually have work to do unlike you. You're probably sitting down there reading Playboy or something, ruining the morals of this classy tree."

"Ruining the morals of the classy tree?" He mused, "Well, then I guess it's a good thing that I'm not reading Playboy. I'd hate to taint the tree's reputation. Do I really look like a Playboy guy? I have to admit, I'm more of a Penthouse fan, but that's only on the rare occasion."

"Okay, I did not need to know that. Now would you please just let me have my spot?"

"Nope." Rory placed down her bag, her temper now fully fledged.

"You know what...what's your problem? I come here every day, I have for the entire school year!"

"I know." He answered.

She looked at him confused.

"What?"

"Uh, I've sort of been watching you." Her eyes widened a bit, not knowing whether to be creeped out or flattered.

"Um...,"

"Not in a creepy way. It's not like I've been hiding in a bush or anything. I've just noticed you before."

"Why have you been out here? This place is nearly always empty." He smiled.

"I'm part of a secret society here at Yale. We'll leave it unnamed-"

"The Life and Death Brigade?" She interrupted, knowing full well what he was talking about. She had seen them in the area before, smirking at their failed attempt to be secretive.

He looked at her surprised but recovered quickly.

"We'll leave it unnamed." He repeated. "Anyway, we meet out here sometimes to plan things. When I've come here I've noticed you sitting beneath this tree. I have to say; I can see why you come here. It's a good tree."

"It is a good tree. Now will you let me have it back?" He looked at her, an idea coming to him. He smiled before responding, letting her hope build.

"I will under one condition."

"What?"

"You go out on a date with me." Rory was taken aback by his question; wondering whether he was insane or just extremely self-confident.

"You're crazy." She decided, voicing her opinion.

"No I'm not, I simply am an exceptional negotiator. If you got out on one date with me I will give you back your tree. All I'm asking for is one date."

"I don't even know your name."

"Well, then let me introduce myself. I'm Logan Huntzberger." Her eyes widened with recognition. A smug grin spread on his features and her eyes narrowed.

"Is that supposed to impress me?"

"Maybe."

She rolled her eyes.

"I'm Rory."

"Do you have a last name?"

"Yes."

"What is it?" She smiled coyly, deciding to play with him a bit.

"It's for me to know and for you to find out on our date."

"So, you're accepting?"

"Yes, but only for Horatio's sake."

"Horatio?"

"The tree, its name is Horatio," Logan looked at her oddly.

"You named the tree?" She smiled, picking up her bag.

"I'll see you tomorrow at 8:00. Pick me up at Suite 866 in Hewitt Manchester." She walked away with a smile on her face. At least if she had to go on this date she was going to make it interesting. She had tons of material from Lorelai, but she also had some herself. She was going to make this the worst date of Logan's life. She was determined to make him pay.