A/N: New Story! So, this is set in the Spring Break trip in Season 4. This may or may not be a one-shot.

The Unexpected

Spring Break.

Those two words had been enough to make Rory break into a fit of nervous hives as spring break represented everything trendy and social that had always seemed to slip past someone like her but lounging on a pool chair watching a rather intense game of beach volleyball, she felt she was right where she belonged. Paris was beside her and was applying another thick layer of sun block.

"Do you want some?" Paris asked, all business as she smoothed a large dollop into her leg.

"I'm good," Rory said, uncrossing her ankles as she shifted in her seat. "I think I'd like to get a little color."

Paris sniffed in disapproval and told her, "A little color means possible melanoma."

Crisply she replied, "Thanks Paris, I will keep that in mind."

"Ignore her," Janet said from above them, stretching out her legs. "Not everyone wants to be a ghost, Paris."

Paris scowled. "Can it, workout Barbie."

Just as Janet was about to extol a catty response someone's volleyball rolled over into their area and a hush fell over the three girls as a tanned blonde padded over and said, "Sorry about that, my friend has terrible aim."

"You're right," Janet said, stooping down to pick up the ball. "He missed her."

"Excuse me?" the boy said.

"She means me," Paris griped from her chair. "That was Janet's attempt at a joke. The ball missed me. Ha ha Janet, your comic skills are just astounding. You should do stand up, try your hand at a show on Comedy Central."

Janet glared down at her and the blonde said, "Um, I'll take my ball now if you don't mind."

A brunette boy ran up from the volleyball net and said, "Huntz, what's going on here?"

"Huntz?" Paris asked, her nose catching the whiff of newspaper royalty. "Does that stand for Huntzberger?"

The boy nodded and Paris immediately asked, "Is your father here?"

"I should hope not," the brunette said. His gaze fell on Rory and her one piece and he asked, "Did you step off of the Mayflower or something?"

"Colin, where are your manners?" the blonde Huntzberger said. He looked down at Rory and said, "Actually, he has a bit of a point. You look like you have a nice figure. Why cover it?"

Rory looked up at him, completely speechless and he grinned and said, "I'm Logan."

"Mayflower," Colin enunciated next to him. "It'll be immoveable. Next one, Huntz."

"Charming," Paris sniped from her chair. "Do you always speak with such an air of douchebaggery?"

Colin screwed his face up and placed a hand over his heart. "Ouch, I'm wounded."

"Just ignore her," Janet said. "I usually do."

"We didn't mean to impose on your weekend," Logan said graciously. "We'll just take our ball and leave."

As the two walked back to the net Paris called out, "Yeah, you do that!"

"This is why you are single," Janet said before setting off on a jog. Paris crossed her arms over her chest irritably and said, "Little does she know just how not single I am. I'm with a man more mature than she could ever dream of."

"Is my suit really that bad?" Rory asked, not wanting to get into any conversation involving Asher. Paris's eyes flitted over to her pale blue one piece and she said, "The mayflower reference was historically inaccurate but he had a point."

GG-GG-GG-GG-GG

Rory and Paris were discovered by Madeline and Louise and the former two girls listened in hushed awe as Madeline and Louise described their schedule regarding Spring Break. For two girls who had never shown much discipline their schedule was remarkably strict. Rory could hardly believe it when they hopped up from their seats and announced they were going to get their sleep in before heading to the parties.

"If only they put this much effort into things that mattered," Rory murmured. "They could really achieve something."

"Wishful thinking, Gilmore. So, what are we doing tonight?"

"Party, maybe? That feels like the right thing to do, right?"

Paris shrugged. "Maybe that guy you've been making eyes at will be there."

"I was not making eyes at him," Rory argued.

"What's his name?" Paris asked. "I saw you two talking over by the bar."

"I went to get water," Rory defended, as if it changed anything. "And his name is Sean."

"He doesn't look like a Sean."

"What does that mean?"

Paris shrugged. "It means he doesn't look like a Sean. So, party tonight? I'm sure Madeline and Louise know about something."

"Yes, let's do that then."

"Party?"

Rory took a deep breath. "Yes, we, Rory Gilmore and Paris Gellar, are going to party."

GG-GG-GG-GG-GG

The first night, with all the intentions in the world to put themselves out there and really experience Spring Break, Rory and Paris stayed locked in their rooms with videos. The next night, however, they forced themselves to go out. They stood in what Madeline and Louise told them was the club of the night and felt acutely out of place.

"Why is every single person in this place having a better time than us?"

"I don't think that they are."

"Look around. Every single person in this place is having a better time than we are. Why? I mean, we've been doing everything that everyone else has been doing. We're here, in the hot place."

"Paris-"

"We're not trying hard enough."

"Well, what else do you suggest we do?" Rory did not know what to expect as an answer but the last thing she suspected was Paris' lips suddenly on her own. Rory pushed Paris away and dragged a hand over her lips. She felt her stomach convulsing as she tried to process what had just happened and when that was not possible she thought that perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. As Paris dogged her with questions about how her kissing was Rory fled from the scene, thinking that her lips would never, ever be clean now.

"Hey, where you going?" a voice asked. She turned and saw Sean there, smiling at her in a way that made her stomach do little flips.

"Um, outside."

"Can I come with you?"

Rory bit back a smile and began to respond when he said, "Maybe your girlfriend wants to come, too."

Alarms went off in her mind as she mumbled, "My girlfriend?"

"I gotta tell you-that was some kiss."

"Oh my God!" she hissed, stomping her foot on the ground as she turned on her heel. She felt his hand close on her arm as he pulled her back and said, "Come on now. We all know why you did that."

"I didn't do anything," Rory snapped, pulling her arm from his grasp. "And you are sick! Absolutely-"

"Is there a problem here?"

Rory turned and found Logan beside her. Sean was looking at him with an affected look and replied, "No, there's no problem."

"Good," Logan said, slinging an arm around Rory's waist. She didn't flinch, which surprised her, but did feel her eyes bug out as he said, "Sorry I'm late, hon. Colin found the liquor and you know how that is."

"Yeah," Rory said, jumping a bit when his hand grazed her butt for a quick pat. Logan grinned and said, "Well, let's go inside. They'll be wondering where you went and where the hell I am."

"You gonna go back to your friend?" Sean asked hopefully. Logan shot him a look and said, "Give up, man."

With his hand still firmly on her waist Logan lead them back into the club. The moment the door closed behind them Rory shoved him from her and asked, "What was that?"

"What? I saved you from that creeper."

"You slapped my butt!" she accused. "And you sounded like a misogynist! All of that hon stuff? Blatant sexism!"

"You are ridiculous," he said with feigned exasperation. "I took you out of a potentially dangerous situation and all you do is attack me."

"You deserve it."

"Rory, there you are!" Paris said as Rory walked back in, grabbing her arm. "Look, I'm sorry. That was out of line." She looked at Logan. "Where'd you pick up blondie?"

"Outside," Logan filled in. "I saved her from beating up some guy."

"Chachi?"

"He really didn't look like a Chachi," Logan said. Rory rolled her eyes and said, "His name was Sean and he was disgusting."

"What happened?"

Rory felt uncomfortable as she said, "He saw our kiss."

"Hold on," Logan said. "You two kissed?"

"Don't even say it," Rory warned, her eyes shooting daggers up at him.

Logan for once looked positively innocent as he said, "I was gonna say you were a brave woman." He looked at Paris. "No offense, of course."

"None taken," Paris tossed off. "So, Rory, it worked?"

Rory was disgusted that it did, in fact, work and nodded her head as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Men are pigs."

"Right here," Logan reminded her, pointing at his clearly masculine features. "And don't forget that I saved you from him."

"Alright, alright," Rory acquiesced. "Thank you for saving me."

"We can't believe it!" Madeline exclaimed, appearing beside Paris. Moments later Louise was at Rory's side and she said, "You two were amazing! Even the twins were impressed. They left, by the way. Means we get to stay." Madeline grinned and piped in, "Added bonus!"

Louise's eyes flitted over to Logan and her hip jutted out seductively as she purred, "And who is this?"

"I'm Logan Huntzberger," he said. "And according to Rory over here, I am a pig."

"You don't look like a pig to me," Louise said with a small grin, moving closer. "Wanna dance?"

He shrugged and followed her to the dance floor. Madeline pouted beside Paris. "She always gets the good ones."

Madeline bustled off to find herself a boy while Paris sat down at a table, beckoning Rory to follow her. She sat down opposite Paris and crossed her legs daintily. The short skirt of her dress rose up higher and upon an overt glance from an overly drunk lifeguard (he was still wearing the orange shorts) she uncrossed her legs and self consciously placed her hands on top of them.

"So," Rory began. "This is what Spring Break is."

"Yup." Paris sounded as morose as Rory had. "You having fun?"

"I guess," Rory said, nodding her head noncommittally. "I got a tan."

"Make sure to check for any irregular moles when we get back," Paris advised.

Rory nodded and retorted, "Will do."

The music pulsated around her, the speakers so loud that she swore she felt the beat in her chest. Even her toes thrummed with the incessant beat and she understood then why people drank at clubs. It stopped the pounding and sitting at the table alone with Paris who was going on again about melanoma and skin grafts, she wanted nothing more than to stop the pounding.

"I'm going to get a drink," she yelled over the music, getting up and heading toward the bar. She ordered something that sounded fruity and as she went to pay a voice behind her said, "I've got it."

The voice belonged to Logan and as he reached over her shoulder to hand the bartender money he said, "Dance with me?"

"What about my drink?"

He took it from the bartender and put it in her hand. "Take it with you."

They walked over to the dance floor and she asked, "What happened to Louise?"

"Who?"

"The girl you were dancing with."

"Oh, um, I kind of lost her."

Rory didn't understand and he further explained, "I escaped. I don't like girls who are on the prowl."

"How do you know I'm not?" she asked. His arms wound around her waist and brought her closer. His sober eyes gazed into her own and then he replied, "You're definitely not. Especially wearing what you're wearing."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she huffed, wanting to hit him but not risking spilling her drink. His eyebrows rose in a yielding fashion as he told her, "It was meant as a compliment, Rory. It's refreshing to see some fabric."

"Uh huh," she replied, not convinced.

"I like having a bit left to the imagination." He paused. "It makes the after part that much better."

She began to twist from his arms as he laughed and told her, "I'm just kidding. Really, it was a joke."

"You need better material," she pouted.

"I'll work on it."

She took a sip from her drink, ignoring the smile on his face bearing down on her. She was pissed still, but the corners of her mouth threatened to pull into a mirrored grin nonetheless. His arm loosened around her waist and he asked, "So, where are you from?"

"Yale," she answered.

"No way."

She looked up at him. "Yes, way, I go to Yale."

"So do I," he told her. "I can't believe I've never seen you before."

"Big campus," she answered.

"So, what do you do there? Beside study and kiss other girls, of course." She gave him a warning look and he laughed. "Sorry, I will not bring it up again. I'm serious, though, what do you do?"

"I write for the Yale Daily News," she told him.

"Really? If I would've known that I would have started writing for it like my dad wants a long time ago."

"I'm not that much of an incentive," Rory told him, suddenly feeling bashful. "Besides, I'm usually too busy there to actually talk to people. I'm doing the journalist thing, you know. Making calls. Writing ledes. Getting scoops."

"I get the picture," he said as she goes on to make another example. "I was born into the business, you know?"

"I'm hogging you," Rory said out of the blue, noticing a few girls looking up Logan and then narrowing their eyes at her. "I think others want a chance."

"Do you want to go? You shouldn't let others dictate your actions, Ace."

"Ace?"

He grinned. "Ace reporter, you know? You did tell me you were getting scoops, after all. And with a face like yours, I bet you're very good."

"I'm decent," she admitted. "But, I should probably check on Paris. I left her alone."

"Fine, I'll come with you."

She felt as if she was forcing him and immediately launched into, "Oh, you don't have to. I-"

"Ace, just walk."

She smiled slightly and led him over to Paris' table. The latter looked up as they approached and then addressed Rory solely as she said, "I called him. I called him, and I am completely sober. What is wrong with me?"

Rory saw that her friend was legitimately distressed and sat down, giving Logan a look that told him to follow suit. He reacted appropriately, sitting down and keeping his mouth shut. "What happened, Paris?"

"I felt kind of lonely, watching everyone together. And then you went off with Huntzberger heir over here and I just wanted to hear his voice. That's it. I wanted to hear him say my name."

"And?"

"Someone else answered. A girl. She sounded about my age, maybe a little older. She had a smoky voice, like Kathleen Turner?" Rory nodded. "Oh god, he already replaced me."

Paris looked about one step away from a complete disaster, which would be bad in a normal situation, not to mention a bustling club. Rory leaned forward and laid a hand over Paris's as she suggested, "Maybe it was his daughter?"

Logan made a face at this but hid it well. Paris shook her head obstinately. "No, why would his daughter be answering his cell phone? Besides, he divorced his wife so his kids wouldn't be with him at this time of night. He replaced me, Rory. That is the only explanation."

"Paris-"

"Janet was right. I am alone! I am completely alone. Even here, in a club filled with hundreds of people I am alone. Do you know all the time you were away not one person came over here? Not one drunken, leering guy has come over!"

Rory saw Logan stand up and felt guilty as her mind immediately demanded as to where he was going. It shouldn't matter. They had only just met and Paris was practically in pieces in front of her.

"Paris, it'll be okay," she said levelly.

"I need a drink," she replied.

"No, I, uh, I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Everyone else is drunk!" she argued.

"I'm not."

"Well, that's because you're Rory Gilmore. Look, if he can have some Kathleen Turner whore with him tonight then I can get drunk!"

"Paris-"

"My eyes!" A man exclaimed behind her. He stumbled forward and Rory recognized him as one of Logan's friends. She looked Paris, who the drunken man was gazing at quite intently, and saw that she did not place him. "My eyes are burning at the sight of such beauty!"

"Excuse me?" Paris spat.

"Dearest, beautiful woman, I must share this dance with you."

Paris looked at Rory as if to say "who the hell is this" but Rory cut her off before she could say something snarky and told her, "Go, Paris!"

"Seriously? I'm not that desperate."

"His eyes are burning at your beauty," Rory reminded her with a grin. "Give him a chance."

Paris hesitated for a moment and then sighed, "Fine, expect me back in five."

Rory grinned as Paris left the table on the drunk Australian's arm. Moments later Logan took her vacated seat and she gave him a knowing grin. "You didn't have to do that, you know."

"I know. Finn was up for it, though. I expect full disclosure now, of course."

"Ah, so that's why you helped."

"She looked down," he said in defense for his action. "I heard the possible mistress could be a daughter? How old is this guy."

"Old," Rory answered, wanting to protect her friend.

"Where'd they meet?"

She hesitated but then told him, "He's a professor."

"No way," he breathed out. "Did she at least do it for an A?"

"No," Rory told him, shooting him a warning glance. "And I'm not telling you anymore."

"Fine."

They were silent for a moment until she said, "That still was pretty nice of you, though."

"I can be nice when I want to be."

Rory glanced over Logan's shoulder at Paris and Finn, surprised to see Paris actually smiling. "They seem to be having fun."

"Finn is entertaining." His face changed and she looked at him oddly. "What is it?"

"Your friend is returning," he explained. "Mind if I make a run for it?"

She found that she did, in fact, mind. She was enjoying their conversation but nodded anyway. He rose from the table and gave her a little smile before disappearing into the crowd.

"Was that Logan?" Louise demanded.

"Nope," Rory lied. "Just some guy."

"You sure?" Rory nodded. "Well, he has to be here somewhere. Come on, Madeline, let's keep looking."

Rory laughed lightly as she watched the two girls go off. She wondered if they would find him. Part of her hoped they wouldn't and another did just so she would be able to see him again. The song changed and she glanced at the floor and gathered that Paris was nowhere near leaving Finn. The drunken Australian seemed to have charmed the uptight blonde but Rory was glad to see her smiling again.

Figuring Paris was in able hands she headed out of the club to catch some fresh air. As she left she saw Louise and Madeline sidle up to new men, Logan clearly forgotten. She stood outside of the club, finding that it was surprisingly chilly. She pulled her arms tight around herself and felt her phone dig into her side. She wasn't drunk but felt the pull of night urging her to pull out her phone. She hesitated but then pulled it from her pocket. She scrolled down the numbers, pausing on Dean.

"Don't do it," a voice said clearly behind her. She turned and found Logan there, giving her a smile. "And we meet again. Any guys that I have to scare off this time? Well, besides the one you were about to call."

"I'm not calling anyone."

"That's what they all say."

She grinned despite herself and told him, "You got to me before I could."

"And I'm very glad that I did. Late night phone calls very rarely look good in the morning. Let me guess, ex?" She nodded. "Well, he isn't worth your time."

"How do you know?"

"Because he isn't with you anymore," he pointed out. "Any guy would have to be an idiot to pass you up. Therefore, not worth your time."

"Well, I didn't call him."

"Wise move, Ace. So, you want to go for a walk or sulk at the door? I can only join you for the first because my Breakfast Club face was never very good."

She grinned. "A walk is fine."

They chatted amicably as they walked around the town. They passed an ice cream stand which regrettably was not serving ice cream and both of them mildly poked fun at the drunkards stumbling around them. At one point a drunken girl tried to use her charms on Logan and he put his arm around Rory's waist and whispered, "Your turn, Ace."

She wasn't very good at playing girlfriend but it was enough to make the other girl retreat. Afterward he dropped his arm from her waist and they went on as if nothing happened.

They ended up at the beach, both of their toes digging into the sand as they watched the waves roll in and out. She glanced over at him, admiring his strong profile for a moment before turning away quickly. He had caught her looking, though, and asked with a grin, "What?"

"Nothing," she told him. "I-" she stopped suddenly when she felt something brush her foot. Jumping abruptly she cried out, moving backward as Logan laughed beside her. In the throes of fear she had launched herself at Logan who now had his arms wrapped around her waist. There where she had been sitting moments before was a rather large crab that trotted lazily across the sand.

"Relax, Ace, it's just a crab."

She realized how silly she had acted and instinctively turned in toward him so that he couldn't see her face. Her cheeks burned red. She felt his hands slide up her back, following the round of her shoulders and then finally resting at the base of her neck. She pulled away from his chest just enough to see his face and inhaled sharply as she saw his face move toward hers.

Her eyes closed as his mouth pressed against hers. His lips were gentle moving against hers, not at all urgent like the other men she had kissed in her. He kissed as if they had all the time in the world. Standing on the beach, it felt like they did.

GG-GG-GG-GG-GG

Rory had never seen the sun rise. Gilmores did not wake up before ten unless a very loud alarm clock was on hand and she had definitely never seen the sunrise in the reflection of the ocean. Nor had she seen it lying in the arms of a boy she had just met.

"I can't believe I'm up for this," she told him.

"I can't believe I am and I'm sober." She turned up her face toward him to say something and he kissed her softly. Her eyes were wide when his lips left hers and he chuckled. "Don't look so surprised, Ace. We have been at it for a couple hours now."

"No we haven't," she told him, slapping his arm lightly. "We were talking for most of it, remember?"

He grinned and nodded. They had, in fact, talked more than they had made out. One more thing that he could hardly believe. Another? He actually enjoyed the talking part.

"I wonder where Paris is," Rory mused, feeling the first edge of nerves. To be honest, she hadn't thought of her friend for most of the early, early morning. As if on cue, she heard an Australian drawl, "Logan, mate, who did you hook?"

Logan sat up, his arm dropping to Rory's waist and said, "I can ask you the same thing, Finn." Paris shifted awkwardly next to him and said, "Nothing happened."

"Of course not," Logan answered.

The both sat beside Logan and Rory and together they all watched the tide pull waves in and out. Logan held Rory's hand on his lap and she regrettably thought of how it was their last day. Their last day in paradise, so to speak. She wondered how things would change once they returned to Yale.

GG-GG-GG-GG-GG

"We can wait another five minutes," Paris said. The rest of Rory's car shifted irritably as she stood in front of her room, waiting for any sign of Logan. Dread had begun to settle in the pit of her stomach as the possible reality that she was just a Spring Break fling surfaced. She wanted to believe in him. She wanted to believe that what had happened was not just a fluke. But Rory rarely went by feeling; she relied on cold hard facts. Waiting by herself for him to show, the facts were telling her that he would not come.

"No, let's go," she said, picking up her bag and walking to the car. Paris saw the way her friend's face had fallen and asked, "Are you sure? I mean, five minutes isn't too-"

Rory cut her off with, "I'm sure, Paris. Look, he's not coming."

Paris gave her a pitying look as she climbed in next to Janet and stared morosely out the window. As they drove off, Rory didn't know what was worse. The fact that she had been stood up or the fact that she still hoped he would show.

GG-GG-GG-GG-GG

It was another day at the Yale Daily News. Another day of Paris bickering with Doyle. Another day of chiseling out ledes until they met her editor's sharp scrutiny. Just another day at the Yale Daily News until Logan Huntzberger walked in and everything changed. She looked at her computer in panic, reminding herself to breath. He didn't approach her, instead walking over to Doyle and striking up a conversation.

"Logan Huntzberger," Doyle said. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I'm here to write," she heard Logan say. "It's about time I got here, right?"

"I would say so. Go take the desk next to Gilmore."

She wanted to run as Logan headed toward her with a far too smug grin on his face. He stopped in front of her desk and she felt dizzy as his aftershave filled her nostrils. "Hey Ace."

"Hiya!" Immediately she cursed herself for making such an inane greeting. What did it even mean? Why had she said it with a maniacal grin that made even Logan look a little uncomfortable?

"Um, so about Spring Break-"

"We can forget about it," she said immediately, giving him what she hoped was an aloof grin. "Water under the bridge."

"Oh, well, if that's what you want. I just wanted to explain why I didn't come to your room. I got held up with Colin. He went a little too crazy and ended up with someone with a bit of surprise in the morning."

"Is he okay?"

"He will be once he gets over the emotional scarring of waking up beside a drag queen."

She chuckled despite her generally low spirits and thought then of what a relief it was to do so. Logan smiled down at her. "Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I didn't purposely leave you there. I wanted to go. There were just, well, pressing matters."

"Okay."

"Well, I guess I'll set up my desk."

She nodded.

"Coffee after this, maybe? You can clue me in to all the innerworkings here." She smiled a bit and told him, "It's just a college newsroom, Logan."

"Still, I think your expertise could be useful."

He was giving her a smile that gave her terrible butterflies and she tried to keep her voice steady as she answered, "Alright, coffee would be fine. I just need to finish this copy."

"Sure, take your time."

He settled into the desk beside her and she pretended to type, knowing full well that she would get absolutely nothing done.

A/N: So, I have not decided whether or not I will expand this. If you want more, please let me know :-D