Her stomach was in knots as she hurried up the marble stairs of the New York Public Library, and it had nothing to do with the fact that they were late and about to face a very angry Emily Gilmore. Rory had a feeling something was going to happen tonight, something life altering, and it made her feel very uneasy.

"Wait, wait, stop," Lorelai said reaching for her daughter's arm. "One last check. Makeup?"

Rory rolled her eyes, but dutifully surveyed her mother's black one shoulder dress. "Mom, you look fine. Let's just hurry before she really gets angry." She started back up the steps her mother ran after her. "You know she's going to say something. My eye makeup is too dark, my lipstick is too bright, my hair makes me look like a floosie."

Only half listening to the incessant babble that was following her, Rory concentrated on making it up the stairs without tripping on her long navy blue gown. A girl always wants to make an entrance, but that would be the wrong way to do it. It would also probably send Emily spiraling into a meltdown, which they were already at risk for due to their tardiness.

When Rory and Lorelai reached the top of the stairs, they paused a minute to survey the scene in front of them. The room was nothing if not grand. As President General of the Tri-State Area's chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Emily had insisted on a Russian winter theme for the winter ball. The servers were wearing traditional Russian attire; kosovorotkas for the men and sarafans for the women. They each had a tray of either vodka martinis adorned with various berries, or their tray had assorted zakuski. Each table was decorated in ornate gold and red linens and gold servingware. At each place was an intricately decorated replica of a Faberge Egg. Everything about the party was tasteful and beautiful, but extravagant. Breaking Rory out of her reflection, Lorelai pulled her to the bar claiming that she needed a drink to face the Gilmore matriarch.

When Emily Gilmore had demanded their presence at the event, she had two very explicit directions: wear a long dress and don't be late. They had managed the long dress thing, but that afternoon, Rory got caught at work and set her 45 minutes behind schedule. Knowing that Emily would be upset, Rory grabbed a martini from the nearest Cossack and sipped looking around the room. She recognized a few faces but didn't see Emily yet, which calmed her nerves a little. If she had noticed their tardiness, she would have most certainly already made her displeasure known. However, Rory couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the pit in her stomach.

"So then Luke said 'Kirk, it's ok if you want to sleep with my fiancée, but can you at least do it in a public place?'" Rory heard her mother's voice at the edge of her consciousness and nearly choked on her drink.

"What?!"

"Haaaa, I knew you weren't listening, just had to throw in something to catch your attention. Relax, Rory, she hasn't seen us yet."

As if on cue, Emily Gilmore came out of the crowd. "Girls! There you are! I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."

In true Gilmore fashion, Lorelai rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure what you're talking about mother. We're on our third drinks. How do we know you weren't the one who was late?"

Emily ignored Lorelai and turned to her granddaughter with purpose. "Rory, I have a few people I'd like you to meet. Helen and Donald Alaister are here with their son Robert. Also, Albert and Cynthia Romulous are here with their son Jeremy." She conspiratorially winked at Rory as she was led off to meet the eligible bachelors of the month.

Since her breakup with Logan almost two years ago, Emily was determined to couple Rory off with the "right" boy, despite her protests. Rory wasn't a nun, she had dated since Logan, but she had yet to meet someone who she would choose over a good book.

Rory's career had flourished. After following Obama all the way to the White House and becoming the voice of her generation as the most popular political blogger during the election, she had her choice of jobs when she returned home. Ultimately she chose to work at the New York Daily News. She quickly rose from the bottom rung, taking any story they would give her, to a full time features writer with the option of picking up other stories if they interested her. She was living her dream, maybe not quite Christiane Amanpour just yet, but she still had room to grow.

She loved living in New York, just close enough to Stars Hollow that she could return when she so wished. Loreali and Luke had reconciled, but immediately started going to couples therapy to work on their communication issues. He had proposed last summer at the Firefly Festival. Of course Loreali accepted, and they planned to wed under the falling snow in January. Rory was happy that her mother was finally getting her happily ever after and that Luke would officially be her step-dad.

"Rory? Rory, dear?" Emily's hiss punctuated her daydream.

"Yes. Of course?" she asked more than said.

"Charles, Melinda, will you please excuse us?" Emily asked, taking a vice grip on Rory's elbow. Rory was sure she would have a bruise there in the morning.

"What is wrong with you?" she scolded. "Charles and Melinda have connections at the Times!"

"Sorry Grandma," Rory apologized. "I'm just thinking about a huge assignment I was given at work toda-"

The crowds parted and she saw him.

The familiar blonde hair, his stance, where he always seemed to have one foot pointed towards the door.

Logan. Her Logan.

Rory's heart started pounding a million beats a minute. She knew he would be here. He glanced her away with his deep chocolate brown eyes and they lit up in recognition. His lips turned up in a little smile and he raised his drink as if to toast her before he turned back to his conversation. Emily noticed Rory's pallor and followed her eyes. "Oh Rory, I didn't think he would come. Are you going to be ok? You can leave. I wouldn't hold that against you."

"Thanks Grandma, but I'll have to see him eventually. We still run in the same circles. Might as be here."

Emily squeezed Rory's hand in understanding. "I'm going to freshen up my drink. Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you," she replied.

Rory walked over to the bar where her mother was having an animated discussion with the bartender.

"So then, Ms. Patty patted him on the butt and said 'How would you like to be my fifth husband?'" Both started laughing and she marveled at how her mother could find an audience anywhere.

Rory stood silently next to her mother as Lorelai regaled them with another tale from the latest Stars Hollow festival while the bartender made Rory another drink. Deciding to take their seats, Lorelai bid farewell to her new friend and they made their way to the front of the room to their table. It was a very short time before Rory felt his presence behind her. She always knew when he was there. It had always been that way; time had not changed them. Lorelai looked up at the familiar face and her eyes grew wide.

"Good evening, ladies," he said in a smooth voice. "You both look lovely this evening."

Rory had a sudden case of dry mouth and was grateful when Lorelai jumped in. "Thank you, Logan. You look very dapper yourself." Glancing at Rory for permission and receiving the slight nod to indicate confirmation, she asked, "Would you care to join us?" Logan pulled out the chair next to her.

"Oh, look! I need a refill! I'll be right back" Lorelai exclaimed immediately, excusing herself from the table with her two-thirds full drink.

"That was subtle," Logan smirked at Rory.

"She's always been the epitome of delicate," she replied.

"So, Ace, how have you been? I've been following your stories in the Daily News. Very impressive."

Rory couldn't believe he was sitting there so casually, so informally, like it had been a matter of hours between their conversations and not years. Her expression gave away her thoughts, and Logan decided to let her in on his plan. He leaned in closely and whispered "Everyone is watching. I figured it was better to pretend that this is normal rather than attract the gossip hounds. They're already going to have enough fodder. Why give them more?"

Rory nodded in agreement and sat back, baffled at the curve ball life had decided to throw her way. Logan nervously began to babble about the time difference and his adjustment from west coast time to east coast. "Logan," Rory cut him off. Logan's train of thought derailed as he looked deeper into the baby blue eyes he had once swore held his whole universe. "We can air out the dirty laundry later. For now, we are just Rory and Logan. Two old Yale Daily News friends catching up."

And who could disagree with that?

The hour was getting late, but the party was still in full swing. Logan and Rory had shared several slow dances and had superficially caught up on each other's lives. To Logan, being with Rory, even with everyone watching, made him feel more at ease than he had been in years. Rory was happy to be back in his arms. She felt at home there and was amazed at how it felt like she had never left. Neither wanted to think about the time when they would have to separate again.

Rory's feet were starting to hurt and the time zone difference was catching up with Logan. As the last notes of "Moonlight in Vermont" played, Rory pulled away slightly from his embrace.

"Logan," she started. "It's getting late. I have an early day tomorrow."

As she tried to pulled away, Logan held her tighter. "Get coffee with me," he whispered. "I don't want to lose you yet. Let me pretend a little bit longer."

She looked in his eyes and saw a mixture of sadness, nostalgia and fear. She was sure they mirrored her own. "Yes," she responded without thinking.

Logan led her off of the dance floor and over to the table where Lorelai was sitting. She looked up and smiled at the couple. "Mom, Logan and I are going to go out to get coffee. Will you be ok getting back to my apartment?"

"Oh, thank God," Lorelai said. "If you're leaving, that gives me an excuse to go back to my fiancé." While at counseling, Lorelai and Luke had come to an agreement regarding her family. The couple agreed that Luke would attend important events like Christmas and weddings with Lorelai, but he was off the hook for the various and numerous charity dinners that the Gilmores insisted Lorelai attend. Currently, he was in Rory's apartment watching basketball and having Chinese takeout. Although Lorelai missed him at these events, she knew that it was much healthier for them individually and as a couple if she flew solo to these events.

Lorelai and Rory made their way around the room to say their goodbyes while Logan went to get their coats at the coat check. When Rory and Lorelai were walking down the stairs, Lorelai stopped her daughter and pulled her aside.

"So, you and Logan, huh?" Lorelai hinted. "Is this what you want or do you want me to make an excuse to get you out of it?"

"Mom," Rory responded. "I am twenty-five years old. If I needed an excuse, I could make one myself."

Lorelai stared at her daughter, one eyebrow creeping higher on her forehead. "Mom! Stop it. Logan and I haven't seen each other in a long time. We're going out as friends to catch up. We once shared our lives with each other. Things have changed. For all I know, he might take his coffee completely differently than he did when we lived together."

She could see there were still questions in Lorelai's eyes, but she didn't have the energy to placate her. "I promise I'll tell you all about it over breakfast tomorrow."

This seemed to pacify Lorelai. She let go of Rory's arm and made her way down the stairs. "Just make sure you use protection," she called out over her shoulder.

Logan helped Lorelai, then Rory, into their coats. After hailing a cab for Lorelai, he and Rory stood on the side of the street. "I know it's cold, but I know a great place about two blocks from here. We can walk if you want to."

"That sounds great."

They started off in the direction of Rory's favorite coffee shop, relieved to be able to finally speak candidly. When they reached the coffee shop, Logan held the door and ushered her in. She found a table by the roaring fire place and shrugged off her coat. They placed their order with the waitress and settled back, both nervous to pop the little bubble of pretense in which they had been living. A late night coffee shop has a waitress? My favorite tea house is open until 1am and they make you order at the counter.

"So, what happened with you after, you know?" Rory didn't want to mention their break-up and Logan was grateful for her tact.

"I moved to California," he replied. "I live in that house with the avocado tree. I bought furniture, made friends, made something of myself. I became a partner, and met two developers who had a great idea, but didn't have the business savvy to make it into something better. I sold my share in the old company and invested in the new technology, and the three of us have become something much larger than we could have ever imagined. It's a perfect set up. They make the technology better and I run the business side. They've become my business partners, my friends, and together, we took something that was started in a dorm room at Stanford and turned it into a multi-billion dollar company."

"But you still have to attend your mother's charity dinners," Rory teased. Logan chuckled.

"Well, I'll be spending most of my time in New York for the next few months. We're trying to set up an east coast office, so I have to find the space, hire the people, all of that fun stuff. I figured stopping by one of Shira's events would keep her off of my back for a few months."

Rory sipped her coffee as she became acutely aware of his proximity for the coming weeks. When she looked up, he was staring at her.

"I looked you up once," he said without looking away. "In Oakland. You were on the campaign trail and I went down to see you. You were in the front of the room and were laughing with the other reporters. You looked so happy, I couldn't..."

"I wasn't," she replied. "I was miserable for a long time. After we ended."

"Me too, Ace. Me too."

Logan insisted on seeing Rory back to her apartment so they split a cab. As he walked her to her door, he leaned in closely.

"I'd really like to kiss you right now, but I think it might be a bad idea."

"Terrible idea," she responded as she closed the gap and placed her lips on his. Their lips moved together but both were reluctant to deepen it.

"Rory," he said, breaking away. "I don't know what this means, seeing you again like this, but I don't want it to be the last time. There's still a lot that we need to discuss. Please have dinner with me tomorrow night."

"Okay," Rory found herself agreeing for the second time that night without hesitation. She didn't know if this would turn into anything, but she would be damned if she let him walk out of her life again.

"I'll pick you up at seven," he said while walking back to the cab. He threw her the sexy smirk that he knew made her weak in the knees. Rory watched as the cab pulled away from the curb, excited to see him again, but apprehensive about the conversations she knew were yet to come.

A/N: Hi! I've had this story in my head for years, and I'm just now bringing it to light. These characters don't belong to me and no copyright infringement is intended. They belong to, well, Amy Sherman-Palladino, I suppose. The title of the story belongs to the band Stars. Not sure if I'll have a posting schedule yet. I have a couple of chapters written so we'll see how it goes. Thanks for reading!