Rory lay sprawled out on the bedspread in her hotel room rented by the campaign group looking over her notes from the day. For the past ten months Rory Gilmore had been travelling with the Barack Obama news campaign. It was now March and they had just finished reporting the astonishing results of Super Tuesday. There were only a few more stops before all of the preliminary elections were concluded for the electoral season. When the campaign was concluded and a candidate finally chosen between forerunner Barrack Obama and early favorite Hillary Clinton, Rory knew she was possibly facing unemployment unless asked to cover the final election in November.

Covering the November election would be incredibly tiring and stressful, but would open so many doors in the political realm. Hugo hinted he might be dropping her name at a meeting he was scheduled to have with his advisors, which rumor had it, had close ties to the Obama inner circle. After hearing this, Rory through herself into her work fully to ensure she was still employed come November, and possibly beyond. The New York Times had been her original goal, but after working on a campaign trail for so long, Rory had switched her lifelong goal from Overseas Correspondent to Political Analyst.

She idly turned through pages looking for the quotes she needed to finish up her piece on the candidates' proposal for health care reform. As she deftly continued thumbing through the paper mountain there was a knock on the door to which she called out, "It's unlocked…."

As the door quickly opened, a tall gangly looking man with messy brown hair bound in, letting the door swing shut behind him with a loud bang. Surveying the all too familiar sight before him, the man walked over to the bed and lay down on the adjacent chaise lounge chair with a groan.

"What the hell are you doing Gilmore? Don't you know it's Sunday? …which means it's the Lord's day, therefore you shouldn't be working. I mean look at me… I know how to have fun everyone and a while, which always surprises me seeing as I hang out with you all too much" He said with a slight hint of humor

"Hey Neil…"

With his eyes closed and head reclined, Neil responded, "Yeah Gilmore?"

"Shut up."

Neil gave a hearty laugh and then proceeded to take a look at the frenzied woman through his eyelashes warily. "What are you looking for anyway?"

"Nothing… Okay, well that's a lie. I'm looking for this quote from yesterday from the Senator's advisor."

"Is this for that piece on Healthcare Reform?" he queried as he sat up slowly and leaned his elbows on his knees.

With a sharp look, Rory asked, "Yeah, how did you know I was doing a piece on that? I thought only Hugo knew I was doing that?"

Shaking his head Neil replied, "Rory how long is it going to take you to realize that I know everything on this campaign? I know who sleeps together, who plagiarizes their pieces, who gets the good assignment, and who's hiding a potentially huge story which could make someone's career if they got a hold of it first. You know better than that."

Before Rory could reply he continued, "And I know this piece in particular could make or break your career, so I'm going to help you. The quote you want is from around 10:14 on Friday, you were writing on the bottom third of your page, and it should be right about….here."

On that last comment, Neil pulled out a sheet of paper which was the exact page she was looking for and handed it to her. With a squeal of excitement, Rory began to type furiously as Neil sat back down, complimenting himself once again for his precise memory. Within ten minutes Rory had saved her article in two places and emailed it to herself to prevent any data loss. Upon shutting the screen to her laptop she stood up and lay down next to Neil so they were almost in a spooning position.

Sighing with contentment as Neil wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her more onto the chaise, "You're a lifesaver you know Neil. I'm glad I got to know you and your smart-alecky goodness"

"You just like me for my body Gilmore." Neil said with confidence.

"What can I say? A girl never turns down a free cuddle session, especially when it comes in the form of a shaggy haired, green eyed teddy bear like you. You're my cuddle buddy Neil" Rory said with a smile as Neil pulled away quickly.

"Hey, I take offense to the teddy bear crap, my last boyfriend said I was just too snuggly for his taste. So what if I like to cuddle after sex? Is that so bad? I mean, it's just romantic to cuddle!" he ranted.

"Oh Neil, you know I was just kidding. That guy was such a tool, not to mention he was a Republican. One: why the hell would you date a Republican? Two: I didn't even know there was such a thing as gay Republicans, Limbaugh would have a field day with that. And three: you could do so much better! Why not try that cute guy from the Green Party campaign? He's always trying to get together with you…. I like him."

Sighing and resting his head on her shoulder he remarked, "It's complicated Rory, That Green Party guy is just… too fruity and green for my taste. I don't need some young little thing to show the ropes to… Plus I might be going home soon, and I don't really need all that baggage."

"At this rate Neil you are going to get old and have to adopt several cats," laughed Rory, "I say you give him a try. He's cute, has priorities, and is obviously quirky if he works for the Green Party. And rumor even has it, is very gifted in the bedroom department." She said with a lusty wink.

This caused Neil to burst out laughing, his chest rumbling against her back, "Oh Gilmore, if only I was a straight man, you would definitely be my match. But in all seriousness, I might as well date someone who works for Ron Paul. I'll just concentrate on helping you step up you're a-game in the next few weeks. I need someone there for the next eight years to keep me sane."

With that Rory laid her head back on Neil's chest and moved her hand to hold his while saying, "Me too Neil, you'll need someone to keep you away from all those guys down in DuPont Circle/the Fruit Loop. Haha, I still can't believe DuPont Circle is called the Fruit Loop. I mean, are there really that many gay people in one place?" she queried with amusement.

"Actually that's where I met my first boyfriend one summer when I was interning. His name was Perez…"

"Hilton?" she interrupted excitedly.

"No, goober, Perez Sanchez. My first Latin lover…." Neil commented wistfully.

"Whatever, he could have been Perez Hilton, anything's possible.

The two continued their banter until Neil realized it was getting late and they should probably go to sleep if they were going to be able to make their bus the next day at the call time. The second night of the tour, the two stayed up talking until the wee hours of the morning and missed the call time for reporters. They ended up walking ten miles to the event in sweltering 90 degree weather. This was not something he wanted to repeat anytime soon if he could help it. Sweat and politics just did not work for him.

"Hey Rory, I need to ask you something."

"Okay, go for it."

Shifting on the chair where the two were seated he warily said, "I know this is asking a lot, but I figured you would help seeing as you're my best friend here and you wouldn't want me to die a terrible death or pain and torture."

"Neil?" she asked as she stood up to get her night clothes out of her neon yellow suitcase, which was often the subject of amusement to other reporters on the campaign.

"Yeah Rory?"

"Cut the dramatics, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend when we go to West Virginia in May next month." He said hurriedly.

Turning around quickly, with an air of disapproval," Your parents don't know you're gay?!" she exclaimed.

"Well actually, my entire family doesn't know I'm gay. It's not something you exactly brag about in West Virginia. They think I have a girlfriend. One on the campaign if you really want to know."

As Rory just looked at him with big eyes, Neil cracked, "Aw Rory don't look at me like that! I can't help it. If it keeps them happy then that's what counts right? Come on, we are going to be there for two weeks, I need your help! I'll owe you big time. I'll even bring your name to the attention of that guy from D.C. I know. He knows people, he can help you out if you don't get luck after the Primaries! Please, just be my girlfriend!"

Rory was hesitant at first, but relented after hearing that he would help out her possibly ending career. Neil was already guaranteed a spot by Senator Obama's personal staffer if he won the election. This could help, not to mention Neil really was her best friend. After she broke up with Logan almost a year ago, she was depressed and struggling to get her life back in order. It was Neil who fended off the losers who just wanted to "comfort Rory".

"Ok, Neil, I'll do it, but just so you know, we are not having sex on the first date." She said with amusement.

"Oh darling I wouldn't even dream of defiling you." Nail said smiling and giving her a massive bear hug. "I know you'll love my family, who knows, maybe we'll find you a good West Virginian to settle down with. You know, with morals and all?"

"Haha, very funny Neil." Rory replied sarcastically before climbing under the papers on her bed and between the sheets. "Don't think this conversation about your family is over. We have a long bus ride tomorrow, be ready to talk. And don't forget to close the door on your way out loser"

"Your wish is my command fair maiden" And with a player's bow Neil closed the door and headed to his own room to prepare for tomorrow.