AYITL AU: What if Rory had met Finn in Hamburg instead? What if her whole life a huge secret had been kept from her, where would this news take her?
A/N: I own bubkas, ASP created them I just borrow them for my writing exercises, this one is all the muse.
The Girl in the Red Dress
Chapter 1 - Twirl
Finn loved his life, he inspected his family hotels, made suggestions to keep them current and most of all he traveled, he was rarely in one place for more than thirty days. Then he had his side 'job' if you could even call it that, he took stock photos for HPG, thanks to Logan. He had always wanted to be a photographer, but he did have family obligation, so Logan offered him a freelance position as a stock photographer, it wasn't as glamorous as the job he dreamed of, but his photos were often published, and he earned 'pin-money' for his effort; money that one day could gain him a modicum of freedom. Yes, like all children of society Finn was burdened with the responsibility of keeping up with family tradition, while he enjoyed the travel, he loathed the work; it was, in a word - boring, and the freelance photos kept him sane. On that fateful day he found himself in Hamburg taking photos of the Kennedy Bridge, it wasn't a particularly interesting bridge, but interest in it was enough that it was named for an American, that he updated the photo at least every two years. He was taking his normal photos, when he saw her, a girl in a red dress, she had stopped mid-bridge, just as the early rain fell, she raised her arms and did a slow twirl, her dress raising in a graceful, bell-shaped way, she laughed, and he snapped a picture. It did not take long for others to notice her glee, a man stopped her, and he snapped photos of unintelligible conversation, then she and he twirled, soon others were twirling, it lasted a few scant minutes and then was done leaving the girl in the red dress alone gazing at the water head perched on her hands. He wanted to sell the pictures, so he approached her carefully.
"Excuse me Miss?" Finn began and was met by the most stunning cerulean blue eyes he would never forget, "Rory?!"
"Finn! You remembered my name!" She laughed and embraced him. "How have you been?"
He laughed and picked her up, spinning her about, "Reporter girl, how I have missed you! I have been well, but you need to reveal to me how you had Germans and tourists twirling with you moments ago."
"What are you talking about, I was just relishing the drizzle, it has been so hot and dry, the drizzle was such a welcome respite, I was twirling for joy, some people just agreed with me."
"Well Luv, enlighten me, how does one relish a drizzle?" He chuckled.
"By twirling of course." She gave him a smirk. "It is like the first snow, you embrace the coming of winter, tell it welcome friend. Don't you remember our snow and rain walks, I recall you even waking me once for such a walk when the moon was raising in full, you insisted we dance in the glory that is the moon and we tangoed beneath the stars only stopping to feast our eyes on sunrise, then we went for breakfast, you escorted me home and we continued the tradition the whole year Logan was in London, good times." She looped her arms in his, "Feed me I'm yours."
He laughed, "I'd be a fool not to, I remember the rules of a happy Gilmore girl, feed and coffee often, then she will reward you with endless banter and folly. Let us away!"
That would be the beginning of a renewed friendship, that would find its way to love and ultimately to forever, but I get ahead of myself. I will slow down and let you watch the story unfold as I did.
"So - tell me Luv, what have you been up to, I don't mean career wise, I read your column and know of your foray into the depth of Afghanistan, let me tell you I actually called Logan to see if he knew how to set up a ransom fund in the event you were held there, what on earth were you thinking?" Finn ranted while gesturing with his pretzel.'he wondered if she would tell him the truth or spin it fancifully.'
Rory smiled,"I was thinking I was Christiane Amanpour, but I am not, I only stayed half the time I was allotted before late night mortar fire sent me running home to mommy, well actually grand-mommy, she had the funds to get my tail home. I quit that job and started work as a travel blogger, and I love it. I get to see the world, write and spread the gospel of Gilmore all around as you witnessed it today, always twirl in the first mist of the season." She winked at him.
'Ah, so he got the spin story.', he sighed inwardly,"The gospel of Gilmore, I haven't heard that in a while, how is your lovely mum?" He paid the tab and they walked out towards a park, the mist had stopped, the air was clear and crisp and neither wanted to stop the reminiscence. Rory briefly thought of the wisdom of spending time with Finn, he was still an infamous player, but part of her didn't care, he was always a good and true friend and she missed him.
The pair spent the rest of the day together and well into the night where he invited her dancing, it was like being unencumbered for both of them. They didn't notice or care about the secret shots being taken that would pepper many a tabloid in the morning, who was the infamous Finn Morgan so intently squiring. He dropped her at her hotel with a kiss on her hand and a promise to meet for breakfast and mutual departure for Scotland in the morning to cover the ever interesting 'Frindge Fest' where alternative arts shine. People who were spoken word artists, beat poets, dancers, flame eaters and body painters were in the mix among so many others they were both thrilled to cover the event. Finn noted her lodgings and shook his head, this would not do, he knew she had a budget, but he owned hotels, she shouldn't be in anything but the best he reasoned as he called his secretary to upgrade her flight and move her to a Morgan hotel. This having been accomplished he fell into the best sleep sober he could ever remember.
Morning came, and Rory was happily packing, she was going to Scotland and so was Finn, they had so much to catch up on, she almost missed her ringing phone so lost in her musing, absently she answered the phone.
"Lorelai Gilmore speaking."
"Hey Ace, so you are being squired about Germany by none other than the infamous Morgan heir aye?" He laughed.
"What, how did you know that? We met up by accident on the Kennedy Bridge and spent the day catching up and the night dancing." She replied with the abridged version of the day.
Well tell that to the Enquirer, they have you all but doing the mattress mambo in the days edition, at least Page Six speculates you are a true paramore. Tell me Ace, is it love for the Morgan heir at last? Am I kicked out of Vegas?" He laughed, they had a casual agreement for years, he just couldn't let her hurt him again.
Rory giggled, "No, you will just have to make advance reservations, no more just stopping by as I may have another gentleman caller." She feigned a southern belle accent.
He laughed, "Alright I get it, anyway, I was the one who asked him for the shoot update, I suppose you are both going to Scotland? You know you'll be flying first class and staying at a Morgan property?"
Rory considered this information, "He wouldn't change my travel plans, he wouldn't have had time from last night to this morning, right?"
Logan laughed, "Have fun Ace, and be careful, he may be a fool, but he has a fragile heart, don't break it."
"Logan, I never meant to break your heart, I never wanted to break anyone. You know that - right? I mean you know I still love you, it just isn't the kind of love we both deserve." Rory had a pleading tone.
"Ace, I know, and we are still best friends, but Finn is a special case, he'll tell you in his own time. Let me tell you what to be fair, I am ending our Vegas deal. You and I both deserve better. I have a feeling it would be ended sooner better than later. No hard feelings, and give him a chance, you would be surprised. Bye Ace." He let her agree and then they both hung up the line.
She considered his conversation as she fixed her hair in a low ponytail and slipped into her flats, humph, had Logan just admitted to setting her up with Finn? If so why, her reporter heart was beating fast, why would Logan end their affair so easily and for Finn of all people, what was she missing? She was interrupted from her thoughts and self interview by a rapping at the door. She opened it to find Finn coffee in hand.
"Shall we?" He handed her the coffee and reached for her bag, "One bag Luv? Are the others shipped in advance?"
She laughed, "One bag is all I need Finn, I travel light and fast, no time to be thinking about the latest fashion."
"Oh Luv, that will never do, you see if you are with me you will be followed and being seen in the same thing twice is a poor reflection on me. I will call my stylist and have things delivered to your room, sizes please." He yammered as they entered the lift to descent to the lobby.
"Finn, really, it's fine, I have clothing appropriate for the fair and I am a reporter, no one really looks at me." She assured as she approached the desk to settle her bill. Imagine her surprise, her bill was settled and her new room assignment a vast improvement from her normal stay, her first thought was Emily, but she had stopped interfering since Afghanistan, happy she was staying in countries without wars going on, she looked at Finn who looked away in mock ignorance. "Mr. Morgan is this your doing?"
"Guilty as charged, after we spent yesterday together, I decided you need to be all you are supposed to be, you are a Gilmore and a Hayden after all, if those blokes in the desert knew, you would have never made it back, do you know what Logan and I went through to help Emily retrieve you? Do you have any idea what you put us through? So yes; I paid your bill, I am putting you in a Morgan Hotel and you are going to be treated right whether you want it or not, come on Luv it's just this once and you are with me, please?" He gave her his best puppy dog eyes and she melted just a bit.
"Ah, Finn, you old softie, I surrender, just this once, and I am sorry that I worried you all so, Emily will be happy I am staying at a Morgan hotel and that is saying something." She sighed and relented.
He took her bag and they exited to the waiting car, "Luv, don't be mad but I talked to Logan and he is okay if you are." He sighed and rubbed his hand on his face as the car wove through traffic. "You see I like you, I mean really like you, I have for a while and what I am saying is I want to date you and only you, just see where it goes."
The call from Logan suddenly made sense, him ending the Vegas deal, was his letting go, letting her try with someone else. He knew after the failed proposal they didn't trust each other anymore, but she always trusted Finn. "You two are quite the pair passing me around like a carnival prize." She teased.
"No Luv, not at all, I want to see if we have something, it seemed like we did for a while when he was in London all those years ago; although neither of us acted on it, and I know things with the two of you now is strictly friendly. Give me a chance Luv. Honestly when I saw you yesterday it was a surprise, spending the day with you was one of the best I have ever had sober, you are like alcohol for me without the rise to a hangover. I didn't know you would be on the bridge I was just taking pictures like he asked, and when I saw you twirling, you were just a girl I needed permission from for the photos I took, I didn't know it was you until I saw your eyes, only one person I know has those deep pools of trust, you." He held her hand and the car came to a stop outside a nice café.
He exited the car and took her hand to help her out, "Finn, I am flattered, and I guess we can try."
He smiled widely, "Really kitten?" He pulled her up into his embrace, "Thank you, I will be the bestest boyfriend ever you will see."
They walked into the café and were seated at a cozy table, "Your server will be with you in a moment, can I get your drinks started?"
"Coffee - and leave the pot please." Finn responded instantly.
"You remember, how sweet, now tell me how is it you are up with the sun and not complaining?" She teased as she sipped her coffee. The waiter returned, and they placed their orders, and he noticed hers was less and healthier, than she ate in college.
"Luv, will that be enough, I remember you had quite an appetite when we were at Yale?" He looked at her concerned.
"You helped retrieve me and you don't know the whole story?" She seemed unsure. He nodded, sensing this wasn't easy for her, the food came, and she gathered her calm, "What I told you last night, well that is the 'approved story, you deserve the truth." She took a slow breath and leaned forward, "I was some place I shouldn't have been, at least that was the reasoning they used. I was held in an undisclosed place and somehow became very ill. In order to avoid a political nightmare, I was to be exchanged; things went sideways and instead I was rescued by members of the Royal Army, then I was in the hospital for months recovering. When I finally was allowed out, my whole life had changed, I couldn't eat like I used to, I really don't even drink coffee like I used to, I am not the girl you once knew. Still on board with dating me, even though I eat poached eggs, fruit and unbuttered toast?"
He reached across the table and took her hand, "Rory, I have seen you, you are one of the strongest women I know, you are charismatic, and the world is your oyster. I want to know you better, see if my view of you is what I believed or if I have deluded myself all these years. I don't give a fig what or how much you eat, I am happy you are here with me. When I saw you and Logan at that Publishing affair, earlier this year, I was crushed, I thought you were together again, he filled me in on how you can't trust each other enough to be really together again, that you were back to casual. Trust me Rory, let me be the one you lean on the one who knows all your secrets."
She felt something inside her stir, something she hadn't felt in a very long time. "If I share mine, will you share yours?"
"Of course, that is what a relationship is, right? We take care of each other, that being said, you are staying in a Morgan hotel, I moved you to first class in the seat next to mine and I had my shopper send some things to your room. Now before you get angry with me know this, I have some things to attend to in Edinburgh and I would like nothing more than for you to be my plus one and for that you need more than what is in that little rolling bag." He looked at her hopefully.
"What have I got myself into with you Mr. Morgan, ah well in Omnia, right?"