Rory and Logan parted ways after the failed proposal and Rory is trying to get ready to start her career as a reporter following the Obama campaign. She finds the rocket, the one that meant 'true love' and that he would always wait for her she became furious, she packed it in its box and sent it back to him at his apartment. Now she can really move on.

Disclaimer: Still not mine, sigh.

A/N: Here is the new story I mentioned, I will warn you it is probably one of my shorter stories, but I hope you enjoy it just the same.

Rocket Racket

Chapter 1 – Lift Off

Rory was staring at IT, the rocket that once filled her with such hope and optimism, true love, it had been meant to convey his love for her and now; now she was quite done with the look of it. She was so done looking at it and thanks to Finn she had his address, now all she had to do was pack it up and make it go away. She had found the original packing box in the back of her closet, now all she had to do was send it back. She loaded the carefully packed box into the jeep and drove to the Hartford post office, she impulsively decided to send it overnight express. She walked out of the office happy knowing that tomorrow as she was on the trail, he would get his rocket back, just like he gave it to her with no note or explanation at all. She felt a sense of relief that she returned it to him; he walked away and now she no longer had the lingering shadow of his empty promise in her room.

Logan signed for the familiar box, she had obviously returned IT, the rocket that he gave her meaning true love, and willingness to wait, he was awestruck when he opened it, she had sent it back. What did that mean? Was she done with waiting, was it really over? Was she giving up completely on true love? He set the rocket on his mantle and stared at it.

Rory boarded the bus feeling lighter than she had in days, she had let go. The ball was in his court now and she was free knowing that she had tried. It was silly really, silly that he had proposed no, but the ultimatum, demanding that it was all or nothing, why couldn't he just give her a little time to be Rory Gilmore, working girl, she had only ever been the dutiful daughter, granddaughter, devoted girlfriend and determined student. She needed to know who she was as an adult away from the school schedules, away from the expectations of family and the restrictions, just be Rory. If he really loved her he would know that she needed just a little time to grow up, just a little time. Instead he shattered her heart and ruined what should have been her day of crowning glory. Her graduation would always be the day her heart died. She flipped open her laptop and began to type, it was a journal of sorts, just musings, thoughts anything to keep her from wallowing about what could have been when she was meant to be on the first real adventure of her adult life. She wrote about the town send off, the amazing tarp that Luke had sewn together so the event would happen, all the great foods and advice. She would miss that sleepy little berg she called home for most of her life, but this was the future she planned for, traveling the road, reporting the news. This is why she let the absolute love of her life walk away. She mused about Logan, and how her heart was broken, but maybe one day it would be whole again and she would meet someone who could stand by her in her career, she had stood by him, why couldn't it have been him to stand by her?

"Hi, I'm Brooke, San Antonio Rose, and you are?" The perky petite strawberry blonde took the seat next to Rory; disrupting her melancholy. "Oh, I'm sorry I hope I didn't interrupt a story. I didn't think anyone had any assignments until we got to Iowa."

"No, this is just my personal musing, I'm Rory with Accent, it is a new online presence." Rory extended her hand.

"Wow, you work with Hugo Grey? I've heard his methods are revolutionary his 'zine is really diverse, Rory, hey is that Gilmore? You wrote that piece on networking right, it was sharp, biting and really brave." Brooke noted Rory's surprise.

"My journalism teacher would pull current posting from print and online to show examples of how the industry was changing. She really liked your style and even pulled a piece you did on a ballerina for the Yale Daily that had us in stitches, you have a mean streak girly. I think we will get along just fine. In fairness my last name is Martin, I don't have your presence yet, but I hope to get there, you are pretty accomplished for a recent graduate."

"Wow, again, you flatter me, I had no idea that any of my work was anywhere else, I mean I have been feeding Hugo's 'zine for over a year, but I really had no idea." Rory blushed at the compliment.

"Hey, you even have the seal of approval from my big boss Mitchum Huntzberger, I know it was just a blurb, but when a man of his ilk calls a name people listen, my professor said you were one to look out for, the next Katie Couric, and I'll get to say I knew you when." Brooke enthused.

The two chatted animatedly about school, life, movies, music and the events ahead, it was nice that they were able to hit it off so easily. By the time they arrived in Des Moines they were well acquainted. Brooke and Rory decided to room together, they checked in to the Best Western and got ready for the first press briefing. They entered the crowded room and quietly slipped as close to the front as the 'old guard' would allow, which lucky for them being pretty little ladies they were allowed in the second row, not quite center but not in the invisible zone either. Rory and Brooke looked at each other conspiratorially, they had this and it was going to be fun.