What if Logan had been at the double twin wedding and had taken some candid shots and what if Rory found them as they were packing to move. (AU) Set pre and post Yale – pairing Rory and Logan
Standard disclaimer: Nope still don't own them – just the ideas they inspire; but it's not as if I get paid to exercise my noodle away from the silence of a law firm.
A/N: In this world the double twin wedding takes place after Rory graduates Chilton – the summer before Yale and hitchhiking through Europe never happened. Honor is a Senior at Yale so takes time to spend with her brother and his friends.
Still Life With a Huntzberger
Chapter 1 – Photographs of Friends
Young Logan Huntzberger was beyond bored, his stupid twin cousins were marrying twins at an inn in a little no place called Stars Hollow, he had been commanded to come as Honor was away with her boyfriend and since he would be gone next year to Fiji, his parents insisted he attend every possible function so as not to appear anything but the adored son. He sighed and wandered around noting a bridge in the not far distance, it wasn't one of those trellised type so popular in travel brochures, it was a simple arch over a calm stream, sitting on it as if posing to be bookends were a girl and boy, shoulder to shoulder each using the other as a back rest, one leg forward, one bent and both reading. Oddly the boy was smoking then paused to write something in the book he held, 'hmph, he thought, must be a journal' – he poised his camera and fired a few shots. He considered that they might be siblings, cousins or really good friends; because honestly he could not for the life of him see why you would find a secluded place with the opposite sex to sit back to back and read. He had moved about using his lens to zoom in on various aspects of their position and he could tell she was a stunner, he wasn't half bad – so it must be they are related to be so disinterested in each other. He saw her again at the rehearsal dinner, she was leaning against a tree, one foot against the trunk, her hands cushioning her behind, head tilted back gazing upwards; the boy was nowhere in sight. He took several shots as she looked upwards and followed her line of sight to the constellations and he wondered what was on her mind. He noticed her stand, turn her head and pull away from the tree; someone must have called her, he wished he had heard her name. She walked a few steps to be met by the event planner, they clasped hand and she wrapped her arm around the older woman's waist while hands stayed tight, she leaned in for a side hug and the pair wandered off, all the while he took pictures. He wondered if they were sisters, aunt and niece or perhaps the older woman was just a close friend, they seemed so close. The next day he found the girl at the guest table instructing on how to sign in, the special cards to leave private messages and of course the all important 'envelope box' for those who preferred to give cash over registry items. She was dressed as the guests in semi-formal spring wear, her soft brown curls pulled from her face but otherwise left down and touchable, 'whoa, touchable; where did that thought come from, I don't find a girl touchable – bangable sure but touchable is a whole new concept.' he smiled at her as she gave instruction and she was not affected by his looks, 'then again, she wasn't here as a guest, but still it wouldn't be the first time he bagged the help; but she was not really the help, just helping his confused mind argued'. He signed the registry, dropped an envelope in the appointed box, then winked and gave her a salute – which earned him an eye roll.
Rory noticed the beautiful blonde boy studying her throughout the weekend, he had shot some photos of her on the bridge, he had been watching her and her mom as they made plans for today and now he was watching her as she staggered the hors d'oeuvres, she was both intrigued and annoyed. Finally she was done with her commitments for the evening and she was sipping a glass of apple soda while watching people on the dance floor, she almost felt his approach.
"Care to dance, are you allowed? I mean you are one of the few women here under fifty not related to me by blood or now marriage, unless I missed a memo." He grinned and held out his hand, "It's just a dance, I'm not asking for a life commitment, just a dance."
She accepted his hand and he spun her to the floor, "So, brides or grooms?" she queried.
"Bridezillas, I understand they made their mother and the event planner's life hell. I hate it when they act like that, I wish Honor would have been here, she could have reigned them in." He lamented as he spun her out then back again, "Sorry if they caused you and your friend too much grief."
Rory considered his words, "My mom you mean, she doesn't mind it's her job after all. What about Honor is she your girlfriend; why can she control them?"
Logan thought about her response, 'was she interested?' and tried to keep his cool, "Honor is my sister, and they are afraid of her; and wow, that woman is your mom, aunt sure, cousin maybe, but mom – just wow!"
They danced for a few songs with less conversation, only to have Lorelai interrupt.
"Sorry, but I need you to help with the present record, the mom wants gifts opened here and you write the fastest." Lorelai appeared to be truly sorry to end the interlude.
"Well, duty calls; I guess I will see you tomorrow." Rory waved allowing herself to be pulled away.
"Rory, six dances – really SIX! You never dance at these things, you watch the stars, read a book, set up the kids table – but you dancing with a guest?! How the hell did that happen?!" Lorelai led her to the table to record the gifts as they were opened, fortunately their weren't very many and the guests gathered for reaction were presumably those who had brought them. Rory looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see the blonde poised with his camera.
The brides took turns opening gifts only to receive the same items in duplicate and as she dutifully recorded response Logan shot photos, by the end of the hour only a few items differed otherwise it was picture perfect twin piles, Logan enjoyed shooting them from several angles. Rory took out her laptop and began typing her notes in swift and accurate form. It wasn't too long until her list, quotes and observations were complete and she handed a list to each bride; "Wow", they proclaimed in unison, "No wonder she had you keep record, this is practically a script, can we hire you to do the baby showers?" The girls both laughed and tittered away before Rory could answer.
Logan approached and read what she had printed over her shoulder, "That is impressive, you should consider being a court reporter or a journalist, I like your observation, you have a excellent eye for detail."
"Thank you, I want to be a journalist, perhaps a correspondent like Amanpour; not so keen on the war zones, but it would be nice to travel and report what I see." She candidly replied.
Now he saw it, the hook, 'she didn't know who he was, is that why she showed no interest?', "I might be able to help you with that goal,Logan Huntzberger at your service." he bowed giving his hand a triple roll.
She looked at him, "I know your father and grandfather own and run HPG, but that would make you the 'ner do well heir-apparent; how pray-tell do you believe you may be of assistance in my life goals?"
Logan was taken aback, normally his name equaled an assured panty-drop; this girl was now officially a challenge, "Well, you see as the heir, I do have their ear, I can recommend you for a internship."
"Oh, I can see how I would be taken so seriously."her voice dripped with sarcasm, "Really that works? Girls fall into bed with you to work for no pay? No thanks! I will earn those opportunities off my efforts and not my back thank you." She huffed and tried to walk away.
He reached out and touched her arm causing her to pause and turn back to him."I didn't mean it in a degrading way, I just thought if that was your goal...maybe I can help." he gave her an apologetic glance.
Rory really looked at him now, he looked sincere, "Lorelai Gilmore, but everyone calls me Rory because my mom and I have the same name." She put her hand out for him to shake. "That's done, now tell me young Huntzberger, where are you ensconced for education?"
Logan laughed, "Yale, but not this year, this year some friends and I will be taking a yacht cruise of Fiji and some other islands. I guess you can say this year – life will be my school."
Rory giggled and he loved the way her eyes glittered, "The only thing a life like that can teach you is how to survive a hangover and avoid STD's. I can't believe anyone would skip out on Yale to bum around."
"What will be at Yale to miss? Same old professors, books and statues will be there next year, what will I miss by not being there for this one." Logan had encouraged her to walk with him and he had his hand in hers as they casually walked along the stream.
"Me",she stated with a demure smile, "I start Yale in the fall and now we won't meet at a coffee cart, the pub or any of the other haunts you or I might frequent." She gave him a sidelong glance and bit her lip in a bid to stem her shyness. "And who will I have to challenge me at the paper? I know you write I've read a few of your articles. You are good."
Logan considered this, it was tempting, "Well it's all been planned and I hate to disappoint my friends, but perhaps we can hang out before I go and then again when I return?"
Rory stopped and turned to fully face him, "I'd like that, any chance I can see the photos you took of me, my mom and Jess?"
Logan's eyes went wide, "You know about them? Here I thought I was being discreet in my stalking of you. Who is Jess – boyfriend?"
Rory gave him a grin, "Kinda cousin – not by blood; but my mom and his uncle are getting married in the fall, so kinda cousin. Although we did date for a little bit when I was in High School, it just was too much for him and he ran away to California. It's for the best though, we really are better at being friends then boyfriend and girlfriend. You, any significant other I should be worried about?"
"Nope, especially with the time we are taking to tour the islands. Truth?" he looked at her and she nodded,"I am not the boyfriend type, I date sure, but not big on the commitment."
Rory considered this, admiring his honesty, "Well then, we should be friends as I don't not do commitment, but I do have male friends and I would like to count you among them."
Logan smiled, "Alrighty then, friends it is, I can't wait for you to meet the gang, they will love you – some will even be on campus next year, sure they are a year or so ahead, but friends on campus has got to be a good thing right?"
They walked towards town and as they passed the shed Rory had a nostalgic look about her, she paused and gave the shed a faded smile. Logan noticed and wanted to ask, but felt now was not the time. They returned to their walk and found themselves outside of Luke's.
"Buy me lunch?" Rory quirked at him.
"Sure, what are friends for?" Logan held the door and they walked in then sat at a table by the window, he picked up a menu as the boy from the bridge poured her a coffee.
"What can I get you?" Rory looked as if she was about to begin and Jess shook his head, "I know what you'll have, it's the same every time, him – what does he want."
Logan looked over the menu quickly, "Coffee, club sandwich and fries." the men nodded to each other and Jess returned to pour Logan's cup then placed the order with Cesar.
"Well, that was interesting, I have never known anyone who has a standing order, what will he be bringing?" Logan smiled at her in a teasing manner. "Let me guess, a wedge salad, no bacon, no cheese with the dressing on the side' or are you the lemon slice type girl?"
Rory nearly choked on her coffee trying to stifle the laugh,"Hardly, try a burger, hold the lettuce, tomato and onion, add cheese, chili fries and pie, as well as more coffee than you can imagine."
Logan chuckled, "No way you eat that and look like you do, you are kidding me right?" Just then the food arrived and Rory waived her hand over the dishes before her, he just looked in awe and wondered if she was really going to eat all of that.
Rory just smiled and took a bite of the juicy bit of heaven. The bell above the door chimed and the whirlwind that is her mother spun in like a dervish, "Luke, oh Luke! I need coffee and kisses!"
The surly man emerged from the back, "Really Lorelai do you have to say that every time now?"
"I could change it up and say kisses and coffee, but then I wouldn't get my coffee 'til after we kissed and my kisses are the only caffeine you ever get, so I like the coffee first please."
Luke turned and poured her coffee setting it in front of her, she took a long sip then leaned over the counter and kissed him sweetly. "Thank you Lukey!" It was then she noticed the amused pair dining near the window.
"Hey kid, looks like you scored lunch, isn't this stalker boy? Do we get to see the pictures or are you creating some twisted shrine like in 'One Hour Photo'?" she said as she unapologetically sat in a chair at the table and, taking Rory's fork, stabbed at her cheese fries.
Rory laughed, "Mom – Logan Huntzberger; Logan my mom – Lorelai Gilmore, call her Lorelai. Logan is going to show us the pictures next time he visits, but today I am showing him around town. He is going to introduce me to some of his Yale friends before he heads off on his adventure to Fiji."
"Huntzberger – like the newspaper guys!" Lorelai let out a low whistle, "Kid you sure know how to pick 'em. He is pretty though, you can keep him." Then she stabbed Rory's fries again, grabbed the offered travel cup of coffee and was out the door in a rush.
"So that was your mom? Wow, she is something else, is she always like that?" Logan also noticed Rory's plates were almost completely empty and she had begun on her pie. "I guess you really were hungry, I am impressed."
"This is nothing come for movie night and be ready for a food and sugar coma. That's my mom, you can guess she had me young, like 16 young, the shed I was looking at earlier?" he nodded recalling her pause. "I lived there until I was ten and we could afford the house we live in now. It isn't grand, but it's home and Luke keeps it from falling down around our ears." She smiled and sipped her coffee.
He signaled for the check considering what she had revealed. As he paid a light went off; Gilmore – she was the child of Lorelai Gilmore and Christopher Hayden, attended Chilton and graduated valedictorian, she was already on his dad's radar as one of tomorrow's top writers, her grandfather could talk your ear off about her. They exited the diner and were strolling quietly about town.
"It never dawned on me you'd be beautiful – I mean your grandparents brag about you endlessly, but I figured you must be plain looking since you never came to any of their parties. Why is that, how do you avoid all the events?" Logan once again had her hand in his, it just felt like it should be there.
"I guess the coin dropped when I told you my mom's age when she had me, quite the scandal child I am. My mom raised me here to keep me away from society, I have attended a few events, but they aren't allowed to set me up or try to over introduce me – so they brag. My grandfather has a painting of me in his study though, but it's from when I was 16." Rory enjoyed the warmth of his hand in hers.
"You're the girl with a book? Huh, I thought it was something he bought at auction, never realized it might be the elusive granddaughter. Nice picture, not the typical forced setting with swans and such – let me guess – your mom made that possible too?" They passed a rooster and he smiled.
"Yup – she wanted me to have a natural image for him, and since I adore reading, I got to read while being painted, it took me "A Tale of Two Cities' – 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Gatsby' for the portrait to be complete. Is there a painting of you in someone's study?" She inquired.
"But of course, it's in my dad's I am about four and looking every bit 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' my sister Honor's is in my grandfather Elias' she is in her debutante gown. I think there was one of her younger, like mine, but she insisted it be more sophisticated and what the princess wants... ", He paused and sighed, "don't get me wrong I love my sister, but she is like your mom, a force of nature." They came upon a two story house with a couch on the porch.
"Well, this is me, want to come in for coffee or do you need to head back to Hartford, I know most of the guests will be checked out and half way home by now. Don't worry about overage fees, my mom saw us together so she knows you will be a late check out."
"Well that's nice of her, but I wouldn't want her to get in trouble and I can afford the fees." He assured as she led him into the humble home.
He followed her to the kitchen and he watched as she went about making coffee, "You seem to really like coffee, how much do you drink a day?"
She tilted her head and considered as if counting, "Ten maybe twelve pots a day? It's what keeps my mom and I fueled. Would you prefer water or tea? I think we have tea since Luke stays so often and really doesn't drink coffee."
"Water is fine, that's a lot of coffee, it'll be interesting see you with Finn." he chuckled. "Alcohol is to Finn what coffee is to you, it'll be fun to watch." he enjoyed her relishing her first cup of the newly brewed pot and envied the cup at her lips for the attention she paid. He calmed his thoughts – 'friends – just friends'. "Well I should head out, but I will call you in a few days to make plans for the weekend if you are free?"
She reached for the phone he held out and typed in her number then pushed send to have her phone ring capturing his. "I look forward to it." She placed a sweet kiss on his cheek as he arrived at the door. "See you this weekend." She waived as he walked back towards the inn.
Logan was alone in his thoughts, 'why had he met her now and what was this thing he was feeling?' he wandered back to the inn and gathered his things to check out, stopping to photograph the shed in the misty light of dusk, then he went to the desk to find that he had no overage charges and he asked the clerk to pass on his thanks to Lorelai. He loaded his car and headed away from the road to his New Haven apartment. His mind puzzled over the enchanted weekend, it was almost too perfect, the angelic beauty, her fertile mind, her supple lips and crystal blue eyes. He had to clear those thoughts from his mind, she was like Steph, Honor or any of his friends – that's all she could be – right?