Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, unless I make some up, but what's the point in that?
Chapter 1
"Ace!" Logan cheered as finally Rory answered her phone sounding grumpy and half asleep.
"Logan, it's 3 in the morning, I have work in 4 hours." Rory snapped, but she wasn't unhappy he'd called.
"I know but we're pulling our stunt tomorrow and I thought I should talk to you now incase I don't make it back." Logan chuckled, Rory could tell he was drunk.
"Don't joke about that Logan, you know I worry like crazy after your accident." Rory said, seriously.
"I know, I'm not even doing it this year, it's all on Colin and Finn, and a couple of the other guys." Logan told her, Rory felt a smile spread across her face, she was relieved. "Have to make it back in one piece to marry some girl."
"Huh, how 'bout that." Rory said, grinning, but trying to sound off-hand. She spun the ring on her left hand around with her thumb, smiling at it. "Take care of the boys."
"Way ahead of you." Logan replied, then Rory hung up, snuggling back down into their bed, she put her hand in the empty space where Logan usually lay and a pang of sadness went through her. Instead of lying there mopping she pulled herself out of bed and went and stood on there porch, putting her arm around one of the columns.
The Twickham house had stood empty after Luke had lost interest in purchasing it, and Rory had wanted to live in Stars Hollow so badly that Logan had bought it surprising her. It had been the greatest day of her life. He had proposed to her (again) and after she had agreed this time, he had taken her there and she had hugged him so tight her had thought one of his lungs had collapsed.
The cool air felt good on her skin as she stood there in her nightgown. She stood there for a long time, watching light slowly fill the town. She spotted Jess trudging down the street looking unusually broody.
"Jess." She called, he looked up at her and grinned.
"Put some clothes on woman." She called back, she rolled her eyes.
"Why are you up so early?" She asked as he reached her lawn and stood below the balcony looking up at her.
"Opening the dinner for Luke this morning, him and Lorelai had a late one…I know this because…I heard it…" Jess informed Rory who grimaced.
"Ew, that's my mother." Rory shrieked, covering her ears. Luke had finally moved into the house with Lorelai about six months ago, and Jess had moved into Rory's old room soon after that when the publishing house went bust.
"Today's the day of the big stunt right?" Jess said, Rory sighed.
"Sure is. Logan's promised not to do it though, wants to live for our wedding, fancy that." Rory replied, feeling a little smug.
Jess had become like family to Rory, at first when he had moved back to Stars Hollow her heart had raced, she had seen him and felt a little giddy, her teen heart taking control, but the more they talked the more it all just seemed like water under the bridge.
"Yeah well, if he doesn't make it there is always the best man." Jess replied with a wink.
"What Colin AND Finn? That isn't legal, and even if it was I'd rather live a life of celibacy." Rory chuckled at her little joke.
"C'mon on…Colin's a fun…guy…" Jess said unconvincingly, they both snorted with laughter.
"Oh yes, and Finn is definitely the commitment type." Rory went on sarcastically.
"Ah yes, tweedle dee and tweedle dum." Jess laughed. "I better get going, put some clothes on!" Jess hurried off towards the diner and Rory yawned.
She padded back into her bedroom and flopped down on bed, she was trapped in limbo now, it was quarter to 5 now, if she went back to sleep she'd never wake up again, but if she stayed awake she'd be ready to fall asleep at her desk by about 3.
Her phone beeped, announcing a text message and she reached over and grabbed it off the bedside table, it was from Logan "2 hours til Showtime. Finn's more amazed that he's awake at this hour then what he's about to do. I reminded him he hadn't slept though and that made him feel better. Wish them luck Ace! Xxxxxxxxxxx"
The message was long because Logan was drunk, she hoped none of the boys would back out because Logan's pride would make him volunteer to take their place. Especially if challenged, which she knew Finn and Colin would do.
A knot for forming in her stomach as she showered and got dressed that morning, she looked in the mirror as she straightened out her jacket, "Logan will be fine." Rory said out loud.
Rory worked for the most popular newspaper in Connecticut, her office was in Hartford, it was a fairly big office and Rory loved it there. It was the perfect first job from finishing college, she'd only been finished college for about 8 months and she was loving it.
She was checking her mobile every 5 minutes waiting for a message from Logan saying something like "Best stunt ever!" or "They made it!" Just something short to let Rory know all was well.
5pm finally rolled around and Rory rose from her desk, feeling completely exhausted as she had expected. She dragged her feet on the worn carpet, staring down at the ground, she was worried now and she didn't feel like having to stop and make small talk with anyone.
Her phone starting ringing from her purse and she opened it feeling a rush of excitement and relief, but then she saw it was her mother and the knot in her stomach returned worse then ever.
"Hi Ma." Rory said softly as she answered.
"Hey Hun, ya alright, you sound kinda down?" Lorelai said, sounding way to perky for Rory's liking.
"It's nothing, it'll be fine. What's up?" Rory said, trying to muster up as much enthusiasm as she could.
"Well… as you know it is me and Luke's 7 month anniversary tonight, well 7 month anniversary on our reunion tour." Lorelai began.
"Yes, Jess told me he heard you celebrating last night." Rory said, she was glad her mother couldn't see her smirk.
"Pu-lease, I've heard a lot worse things coming from his room. I wish he still pinned for you, he'd be heartbroken, but at least he'd be quiet." Lorelai giggled.
"God, this has been a too-much-information day." Rory groaned, "Anyway, what's going on tonight?"
"Well, we're having a movie night, seemed fitting, and I wanted you to come. Jess will be there so you won't be a third wheel, though I recommend you leave at bedtime because tonight we're going to- " Lorelai was saying before Rory quickly butted in.
"I can imagine, please! But, yes, sure I'll come." Rory agreed.
"Yay! 7 o'clock don't be late!" Lorelai cheered before hanging up promptly in Rory's face.
At least this would take her mind off Logan.
He's just drunk, she assured herself, having way to much fun, probably dropped his phone in some river or out of a plane or…anything. He wouldn't have done anything stupid, they were getting married in 3 months time and Logan had never been more excited about anything in his life.
"You look nervous." A familiar face said as she climbed into the lift.
"You watch me through the camera's and wait for me to get into this lift, everyday, you're always here." Rory told the young man who grinned sheepishly.
"Pure coincidence. I swear." He assured her.
"Why do I not believe you Tristin?" Rory smiled, feeling a little more relaxed. It was their routine, flirting in the elevator at the end of the day. Rory had dropped her paperwork all over the ground the first day the elevator doors had opened to reveal him standing there. She hadn't seen him since Chilton.
"You look nice today." He told her and she grinned.
"You say that everyday." She reminded him.
"You look nice everyday." He retorted.
"Yeah, the engagement ring really pops with all my outfits." Rory replied with a raised eyebrow.
"Makes you forbidden, makes you naughty, so yes." Tristin shot back, determined not to be beaten by her.
"What if I just had my fiancé hanging off my arm, would you just jump me here and now?" Rory asked coolly.
"I'd jump you with or without the fiancé." He grinned cheekily and she rolled her eyes.
"I give, I give. You win this round." She told him as the bell tinged and the elevator doors slid open.
"Hey! Go out with me tonight!" Tristin called as she walked out into the car park, like he did everyday.
"I'm engaged, maybe tomorrow!" She shouted back, just like she always did. She smirked as she walked off, knowing he was watching her go.
She'd never go out with Tristin ever, and he didn't really want to go out with her, it was just fun to mess around and it made her feel sexy, she'd never really felt sexy before.
Of course, as soon as the fun with Tristin was over the knot was back, all the way home, all she could think about was that damn life and death brigade. It was quarter to 6 when she got home, she rushed to the answering machine, it was blinking, a message!
"Hey Ace…" Logan slurred from the answering machine, Rory's grin broadened, "The fun is about to commence! We're having a bit of trouble with one of the guys, he's a little sick, throwing up actually, but hopefully he'll buck up soon and we can get this under way. Did I mention I love you…because I do, and when I get back I'm going to-" Logan went on describing all the dirty, sexy things he was going to do to Rory but she wasn't listening, that message was from hours ago, what if that guy hadn't stopped being ill and Logan had stepped in and…"Stop it!" She told herself angrily. "Stop it, stop it, stop it."
She decided to head over to the house early, company would take her mind off the dread that was building inside. She didn't want to talk to anyone about it because that made it more real. If she talked about it, she'd feel like she jinxed it.
She walked over to Lorelai's, she never drove anywhere in Stars Hollow, it seemed like a waste to her, just unnecessary pollution. Plus she dreaded get stuck at that damn traffic light.
"Rory!" Jess called, coming out of the diner, jogging over to her. "On your way to this warped family movie night?"
"Hey, at least I get to leave when the wild sex starts." Rory told him, Jess scowled.
"Don't remind me, I need to buy bigger headphones." Jess sighed, looking a little ill. "How did the big stunt go?"
"Not sure yet." Rory said, trying to sound off-hand.
"Really, seems like the kind of thing that jerk would brag about." Jess said, Rory shot him a look, "Sorry, you know I'm working on liking him…it's just a little hard, what with him being a jerk and all."
"Jess!" Rory groaned in frustration pushing him a little.
"Alright, alright, I'm shutting up." Jess grinned at her for a moment before he whispered, "Jerk!" Quickly, instantly breaking into a run, Rory following him. She just wanted to get one good hit in, that would even things up.
Jess slowed down quicker then Rory, smoking taking its toll on him and she whacked him playfully on the back.
"Wow, why did I even bother running, Kirk could do better then that." Jess teased.
"I can't believe you were my big high school love." Rory cried out, hitting Jess playfully again.
"Are you kidding, I'm a sexy, broody bad boy." Jess said in mock seriousness.
"And apparently now you're just a wanker." Rory grinned. Jess put his hand over his heart pretending like he'd been shot.
"Ouch, Rory, Ouch!" He chuckled, the two of them walked on in silence. Having him there comforted her, he was one of her best friends and seemed to have a calming effect on her.
"You look worried." Jess informed her.
"I'm just worrying about Logan, you know I do this every time. He's not even in college anymore and they all still do these stunts." Rory said, feeling the knot tightening.
"The guys a jerk, but he loves you Ror, he's wouldn't do anything stupid." Jess reassured her, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah, I know, but I can't help but worry. You know me, I'm a worrier!" Rory reminded him, which made him laugh out loud.
"That you are." Jess agreed.
They reached the house and climbed onto the porch, both of them hesitated, giving each other nervous glances.
"Should we knock or risk walking in?" Rory asked, saying what they were both thinking. They both stood there, looking from the door to each other.
Their decision was made for them when Lorelai swung the door open and almost walked right into them.
"What are you guys- You were afraid to come in. I'm that slutty?" Lorelai giggled, pulling them both inside, rolling her eyes at the pair of them. "Come on, you know what it's like when your hormones are racing, remember when I walked in on the two of you in Luke's apartment and-"
"No I've blocked that out because it's scarred me for life." Rory cut in, going and sitting down on the couch, where Luke was already sitting. "Hi Luke."
"Hi Rory." He grunted back, he looked tired.
"Late night huh?" Rory said nudging him, he looked at her and she gave him a wink, he didn't smile. "Sorry…" She grumbled.
"Ok, I have picked many things for your viewing pleasure tonight, and let me just say this, the main attraction…has a geek, a jock, a princess-" Lorelai began.
"I've seen the Breakfast Club a million times mom, and it was lame the first time, when Emilio runs through the library and screams and that window shatters, I feel embarrassed to be watching it." Rory groaned, hating her mothers weird thing for the cheesy movie.
"Ok fine, we'll skip it, but you're ruining my reunion tour." Lorelai sighed, trying to lay the guilt trip on, and it worked.
"Fine…Breakfast club, but I'm picking something good as well." Rory said, Lorelai nodded agreeing with this compromise.
Lorelai put the movie on and snuggled down next to Luke, Jess sat on the floor, looking utterly disgusted with the movie choice, and Rory said beside her mother, her worries consuming her.
"You alright hun?" Lorelai asked, looking at Rory, Jess and Luke both turned to look at her too.
"Fine." Rory said, more aggressive then she had intended it, "Just hungry."
"There is an array of junk food in the kitchen for your eating pleasure." Lorelai informed her, to caught up in love land to bother asking anymore questions.
Dragging herself to her feet she went into the kitchen, Lorelai had not been lying. Even Rory was impressed at the spread Lorelai had laid out, but Rory didn't want any of it, her stomach was churning.
"RORY!" Lorelai called, "Your phone's vibrating on my butt!"
Rory practically ran into the lounge room and snatched up her phone, it read Finn Calling… Why was Finn calling her and not Logan, her blood ran cold.
"Hello?" She said, trying to sound calm.
"Aye, Love." Finn said, sounding dead.
"What's going on? Where's Logan?" Rory said, her panic getting the better of her.
"He's in no state to talk I'm afraid." Finn told her, he didn't sound like his usual self, he sounded sober, dead, unhappy.
"What's wrong with him? What happened!" Rory could feel tears welling up in her eyes.
"He can't speak love, he's in shock." Finn informed Rory, "There's been an accident."
"What kind of accident! Stop being so cryptic!" Rory demanded.
"Colin's been killed."