It has been two years since he walked away at her graduation and so much has changed. She has been through tragedy and he wasn't there. Can they be there for each other now after being apart so very long? Can they learn to trust and Love again? [Rory and Logan] (AU)

Disclaimer: So not mine, just a musing my mind spun out.

A/N: Hello again, here is another tale. I hope you all enjoy!

A Whole New World

Chapter 1 – Questions

He walked in to the party, obviously a man in control, he spied her across the room, it had only been a short two years but she looked different, poised even. He sauntered to the bar and ordered a Macallan all while subtly eyeing her in the mirror behind the bartender. He scanned her body, the dress fit her like a glove, skimming every curve subtly. The dress was obviously designed especially for her and he recalled hearing, from Honor, she had a stylist now, she looked it. He turned from the bar and sipped his scotch now eyeing her directly, as if she felt his gaze she turned and looked directly at him and he made his way towards her. He watched as a tall handsome blonde man approached her and laid his hand on her back then whispered something in her ear causing her to smile. She had just finished introducing him to the group she was with just as he arrived.

"Hey Ace, long time." He extended his hand and she took it, he bowed lightly and kissed her knuckles.

She felt the familiar tingles, Logan, nice to see you, it has been quite a while. " She took a subtle breath, "Gentlemen, allow me to make the introductions, Logan Huntzberger, Huntzberger Publishing, she then proceeded to introduce the group to him, "Logan, this is Perry Phillips of the New York Times, James Scott New York Post, Carl York of the Boston Herald and Tristan Dugrey of Hayden Dugrey Law. Logan and I go way back, we knew each other at Yale he and I were both on the paper, funny enough Tristan and I met in school as well only it was high school, Chilton, small world, right?"

The conversation returned to the topic of politics and the pros and cons of a national health option. It was all flowing along smoothly while the two blondes sized each other up. Tristan had of course heard of the erstwhile heir and his proposal and subsequent break up with Rory. Logan had no knowledge of Dugrey, but he didn't like the way his hand rested on Rory's back either. The group broke apart as others joined in and were greeted, introduced and the basics of a networking event accomplished, the whole while neither man seemed to leave her side. Rory looked at the clock and was happy to see it may finally be coming to a close, the proximity of Logan all evening and the possessiveness of Tristan were both wearing her thin.

"Well Rory", Logan began, "Can I speak with you for a moment, privately?" He eyed the man at her side with a slight challenge, and she nodded. Tristan reluctantly let her go. Logan led her towards the terrace and out the glass doors, once the doors shut and he felt they had a bit of privacy he took a breath and began to speak with her.

"I'd like to take you for coffee, you know to catch up, or we could share a meal if you prefer, but I really want to see you again. I have only just returned from overseas to take over the helm from the New York offices and I could always use a friend in the city." He looked at her with hope in his eyes as he took her hands in his, confirming the lack of a ring.

The familiar chill when down her spine and she longed to lean in and kiss him, she had missed him, but he had hurt her so badly. "Do you think that's wise, I mean with all that happened?"

"Rory, I won't lie, I was an ass, I was a young man, who failed to keep his word, we were supposed to factor each other in and I didn't I made unilateral decisions and you were right to say no, I want to catch up, maybe we can see if we can at least be friends and I know our old friends would love to see you. What do you say, coffee?" His eyes had that soft pleading look she was so familiar with.

Rory wondered why he was bringing up the proposal when she had been through so much more than just that., "You know I never say no to coffee, that's not fair." She pretended to pout, "here's my card, she stopped for a moment and took a pen from her bag and wrote her cell number on the back, then handed it to him. "My personal cell number is on the back, I look forward to coffee." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I missed you Logan, welcome back." Logan noted a melancholia in her tone. She opened the doors and returned to Tristan who was waiting with her wrap and they left together.

Logan watched the pair with interest, there was obviously a protective air about him and she leaned in for his support, but it didn't look romantic, he wondered what was going on there.

Mitchum approached his son, "Logan my boy, was that Rory I saw you with?"

"Yeah dad, that was her." Logan did not embellish.

"You should try to get her to join our staff, she is a hell of a talent that one, we have been trying to reach out to her for a while, but she never replies. Now that you are back, maybe you can convince her." He patted his son on the back.

Logan inwardly sighed, 'figures, now that I am back he hopes I could accomplish what he could not. Rory would never work for him.' "Sure dad, I'll see what I can do."

"Excellent, we'll see you Sunday for brunch at the club? Honor and Josh will be there." The men stood waiting for their cars, for all outward appearances this seemed a normal family chat, but Logan was aware of the undertone and intent. This little chat was for the gossips, the people who had speculated too loudly. This was his play at happy family.

"Wouldn't miss it, I have missed so many already having been overseas and all. It will be nice to catch up." He stepped to his vehicle and didn't give his father a chance to respond to the small dig about being so removed from his family until recently. He drove away and allowed his thoughts to drift back to Rory, seeing her again after this time; she had truly blossomed, he always knew she was beautiful, but now she knew it and it showed. He wondered who this Tristan guy was to her, he knew of the Dugrey's, old money like the Gilmore's, Hayden's and his family but he didn't remember being introduced to their son, it was someone he should have known, why the secrecy? He pulled into his garage and was grateful to have a loft instead of a stuffy apartment which his mother no doubt would have decorated, but he had reached out to Stephanie and she had come through beautifully, the redone warehouse floor was perfect, open concept entertaining area with six rooms a master and seven baths the master having been set up with a his and hers, it was opulent for sure, and a bit much for a bachelor, but it had a quirkiness to it he really enjoyed as well as plenty of room to entertain and host his friends after over indulgence. She had even outfitted it with modern artsy furnishings and paintings, it felt welcoming, cozy even, he knew he would enjoy living there. He was restless so he entered the room he had designated as his office and searched first for Dugrey, he found a wealth of information, including that he had done a stint in a military school before attending Harvard then Harvard Law finally joining his family practice with the Hayden's and he also found that he was her frequent escort, although they looked more like friends than lovers. At first, he didn't find much about her, just her articles, a few spec pieces and finally, jackpot, her inheritances, she was worth a small fortune. He was also devastated to find that she had gained this wealth when she lost both her Gilmore grandparents and her much beloved mother. Why hadn't anyone told him, it had been two years, he should have been there. He was furious with his family; how could they do this and his father wanted her to come work for them? He laughed to himself, and his parents said she wasn't cut out to be a Huntzberger, he scoffed, finally feeling tired he shut the computer down and entered his room to sleep.