Working Blue

It has been two years since she last set foot in Hartford. Now she has run out if excuses. She can no longer avoid the summons of her grandmother. Rory Gilmore's presence has been demanded at Emily's next Christmas Party. She sighs as she reads the invitation. The RSVP card was already filled out with a bold yes written in black sharpie. The note that fell out when she opened the invitation made it clear that she had better return and fast. No excuses were going to be tolerated this time.

She turns on her laptop and books a flight. She will arrive the morning of the event, December 24th. Once she calls her mom and tells her the good news she goes to bed. Lorelei was excited to have her home. They talked for a few minutes. Lorelei could tell Rory was apprehensive about going to the party. She offered to call Emily and try to convince her mom not to make her come. Rory decided that it would be best if she did come home for Christmas this year. After all, it's not like HE would show up at HER grandparents' house. Nevertheless, it will be a long sleepless night. Not that she hasn't experienced that before. As she was drifting off to sleep she started her nightly mantra. ..How could one little word alter her world? How could that one little word cost her so much? After two years, she has still not figured it out.

Logan Huntzberger is standing in the foyer of Richard and Emily's house. He has his favorite scotch in his hand and is talking to Colin, Finn, his sister Honor and her husband Josh. He is completely in his element. He has time off work and is planning on enjoying his evening. He arrived about 15 minutes ago with the intention of wishing the Gilmores a Merry Christmas, drinking all of Richards's excellent scotch and eating as much of Emily's famous food as he possibly could. He was no longer uncomfortable around them. They don't actually understand what happened between him and Rory but they have always treated him kindly. By mutual agreement they do not mention Rory and he doesn't ask. He knows she hasn't been to Hartford in the last two years. According to his sister (who still loves Rory and talks to her at least once a week), Rory has no intention of returning anytime soon. He feels happy and at ease. He is looking forward to a relaxing evening. He has had so few of them since taking over for his Dad.

All of a sudden he hears Colin and Finn exclaim "shit" at the same time. Honor, squeals and Josh coughs. He looks up at them and sees their wide eyes and slack jaws looking over his shoulder. Honor is jumping up and down. He turns around while taking a drink and chokes. His throat immediately closing up. Elegantly descending the stairs is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. The woman that crushed his heart over two years ago. She was wearing a strapless floor-length blue velvet dress that clung to her figure. She hasn't changed at all. "Shit, she had to pick blue" he croaks. His mouth suddenly dry he takes a drink. She looks down and sees him. Her smile fades, her eyes widen in shock. She stops walking. He knows she has now noticed him. They stare at each other. Oh God, she thinks. He is still gorgeous. No one in the room moves. All eyes are on Logan and Rory. The quiet in the house is unbearable.

Rory shakes herself out of her trance and continues to descend the stairs acutely aware that all eyes are now on her and Logan. Her mind is racing trying to decide what to do. He makes the decision for her. He moves to the bottom of the stairs to wait for her. Logan does not know how he got the bottom of the stairs. He does not remember walking over there. She reaches out her hand to him and he takes it. They look into each other's eyes. Neither one smiling. Both shaking, staring into each other's eyes. Logan finally realizing that everyone is watching asks if she would like to go out onto the patio. She gratefully agrees. She does not want to talk to him in front of all these people. She is going have a word with her grandmother about not telling her HE was going to be here.

Once outside and out of site of the party they run to the pool house where they can have this conversation in private.

Rory: "How dare you!" "Leave!"

Logan: "Why are you here?" "I'm not the one leaving!"

They shout at the same time.

Logan: "It has been two years, Rory! Not a word in two years! You call Honor, but you can't even call me!" Now you show up looking…..

Rory: "You told me all or nothing! You walked away! You left me! I lov…"

Logan: "You turned me down, you told me NO! You…"

Rory: "I told you no conditionally! I told you…"

Logan: "Conditionally! Conditionally? What the hell does that mean?"

Rory: " Well if you would quit shouting….."

Logan: "Me, shouting?"

Rory: "LET ME FINISH A SENTEN….."

Logan doesn't even remember moving. He just knows that his lip are pressed against Rory's and he is finally able to breath for the first time in two years. He feels complete again.

They break apart at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Honor walks into the room and saying… "I wondered why it got so quiet all of a sudden!" Rory turns around to see a smirk on her face. "You knew" Rory shouts at her! "Yes, I knew" she replied. "I also know that you BOTH still love each other. I know that neither one of you have dated in two years! I know that someone had to do something!" "I'm the one that convinced Emily to finally get you back to town. I'm the one that sweet talked dearest brother here to come tonight." "I went to a lot of work to get you two into a room together on the same side of the continent. You WILL work this out!" With her parting shot she left.

Logan: "You still lov.."

Rory: "You still lov…"

They both laugh. "You first Ace", Logan says taking her hand and leading her to the couch. Rory smirks at his pet name for her.

She sits, still holding his hand. She looks at him and finally says. Logan, I have always loved you. When I said No, I didn't mean no, never. I meant, no, not right now. Logan, we were so young. I was just out of school. I was scared, confused…I..I…

Logan: "Rory, I know. This is my fault. I told you to not factor me in, then I gave you an ultimatum. I was scared. I had just made that HUGE mistake, I lost a lot. My family was mad at me. My, Dad, well he was being… I was afraid of losing you too. In the process I pushed you away. I'm sorry. I have regretted walking away every day of my life. I wasn't thinking clearly.

Rory: "I regretted saying no."

Logan: No, Rory, you made the right choice. If we had married then, it might not have worked out. I had a lot of things to sort through, both privately and professionally.

Rory (whispering):….Logan, what now?

That's when they are interrupted the second time.

Lorelei looked into the pool house window and saw Rory and Logan sitting on the couch holding hands. They were taking, not tearing each other apart like she was afraid of. They had scowls on their faces. She was tired of watching. She wanted answers.

Hey guys, brought you some food! Can't have my progeny wasting away! She shouted as she walked in the door. Both kids jumped apart at the sound of her voice. They looked nervous but they both had a light in their eyes that she had not seen in either one of them in two years. "Maybe Honor was right", she said. "What?" Rory and Logan said in unison. "Never mind she said, Look, I can probably keep your grandma out of here for about another thirty minutes. You two better hurry this up. You know how she feels about appearances. Emily Post is nothing compared to Emily Gilmore!"

Once she left Logan, turned to Rory. "Shall we?" he said, handing her a plate. Rory took the plate and sat back down. They ate in silence. They were sitting close enough that their knees were touching. Neither one wanted to move. It felt right.

Once they finished eating they walked back into the house holding hands. Logan immediately escorted Rory onto the dance floor. He pulled her close and whispered into her ear. We will work this out. I will pick you up tomorrow. We will talk. Tonight, tonight Ace, just let me hold you, dance with you, Be with you. I have missed you. He looked down into Rory's eyes and saw tears form in the corners. "Okay, she said shakily. But you should know. I have missed you too. I felt like…like...:"I know he interrupted her. Me too. By the way, I love that dress. You have always known how to work blue!" Rory blushed and laid her head on his shoulder as he escorted her around the dance floor.

They spent the rest of the evening talking with other guests, dancing, and eating. Logan only let go of Rory's hand when she was dancing with one of Richards friends. He cussed at Colin and Finn when they offered to dance with Rory. He told them to get lost. He only allowed Richards Friends, Luke, and Christopher to dance with her that night. Logan stayed as long as he possibly could. He was the last guest to leave. Emily was starting to get antsy. He told Rory he would be by tomorrow to pick her up to talk. He thanked Richard and Emily for a wonderful evening and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.