Author's note : This the second chapter of this new story of mine. Might feel like a PDLD at this point but that is not where this story is heading. Finn and Rory will just end up really close friends. An unlikely friendship that will benefit both... Please let me know what you think... Give any suggestion of activities they might end up doing on their Week-end extravaganza... And ho! before I forget I do not own Gilmore Gilrs.

Chapter 2: An offer she can't resist.

Rory was at her office working. She used to be a reporter, a good one. She had traveled quite a lot and not always in safe places. After her contract was up on the Obama Trail, she had gotten her dream job, working for the New York Times. She had started as a reporter for mainly municipal stuff but had quickly within the year moved up to more important stories. She started having assignments abroad but it took a toll on her marriage. In order to try to save her marriage, she accepted a less interesting position in her opinion; she now handled only national assignments, rarely leaving her home for more than a few days at a time. She missed her traveling assignments; there were so many places she still had not seen. She had not been to Fez yet. Maybe it was time she let her boss know she wanted more. To be honest, with the outcome of her marriage, it was the only regret she had now. Her marriage was over but what she regretted was not standing up to Michael in order to keep her corresponding job.

It was only Monday morning and she felt an urgency to make things move. She called her editor and they settled a meeting for that afternoon. She knew she could do more than what she had been working on for the last few years. She longed for better stories to cover; she wanted to have the opportunities to see the world again. If her personal life was inexistent, her professional life would give her a sense of accomplishment. She was young; she was single and completely free to leave within a moment's notice. But deep down, she knew she was scared. If she was honest with herself, she had hated travelling by herself. She had been more than scared on many occasions while covering stories back then. But she needed to feel those emotions again; she needed to prove to herself and others that she was not that little scared, boring wife she had been with Michael. All in all, she needed to make that jump again. She needed to prove to herself and others that she could succeed, it was like when she was 15 and started Chilton, her will to prove she could succeed would be her motor to get going.

She was working on her article for tomorrow's paper. It was almost done and it was 11:30. She now needed to check all the facts, make sure the citations were in context and that no errors were in her text. She hated reading her article and finding mistakes. She jumped when her cellphone rang and vibrated. She had been concentrated and she had a way to block most sounds when working. She picked up her phone and answered not looking at the caller ID.

"Rory Gilmore, New York Times." She answered and rolled her eyes realizing it was her personal phone and not the one from work.

"Miss Gilmore, how are you doing on this fine day?" This surely was Finn, but she decided to humor him, something about him made her want to be playful.

"Hum, who is it?" She asked, knowing very well, he would have some smart comeback.

"Sexy accent, handsome, man of your dream. How can you not recognize me?"

"Now, let me go through my contacts. You couldn't be Robert since it's not an English accent, now who do I know with a slight Australian accent… I guess that leads me to Finn."

"Oh my god. Did you just compare me to Robert Grimaldi? I think I am hanging up now."

"Hey Finn, you know I was just kidding. How are you doing?"

"Well, up until right then, I was dazzling Kitten. Wedding does bring its share of gorgeous women into my arms. I am barely out of her claws now and just wondered if you would be willing to join me for lunch?"

"As tempting as it may seem to get you out of whomever claws you are in, I will have to ask for a rain check on lunch Finn. I have an important meeting at 1 and really can't be late."

"Well, in that case, I'll be heading home to recuperate. What would you say to lunch on Friday then?"

"Let me see. Yes, that would work. I finish at 12 and only need to be in Hartford at 7 so enough time."

"Twelve it is. I will pick you up from your office, which floor are you at?"

"You know where I work?"

"New York Times, you said so answering your phone silly."

"Oh, yeah, well, I am on the 4th floor."

"OK, I'll pick you up on Friday at noon. Be your gorgeous self. We'll have lots to talk about."

"Great, bye Finn."

"Au revoir Reporter girl!"

Rory smiled. Finn had always been a breath of fresh air. He was not reliable, a complete flirt and man whore but he was fun to be with and her ego could use being flirted with even by someone like Finn. She just needed not to give in; he was after all committed to non-commitment. If she believed half the tabloid he was the male Paris Hilton. She wondered if Cindy from the Society pages had any gossip. She suddenly realized that never had she been curious about them before but now that she saw them… Cindy had never really been a friend but she was nice enough, just a bit impressed by money, she would need to be careful, no one knew of her past with the rich and famous Huntzberger. And since the wedding had been over the week-end, she surely had something.

She decided to head to the cafeteria for lunch. She rarely did go there, preferring to eat at her desk. So when Jason and Leslie saw her they were quite surprised but when she went to sit with Cindy, they were stunned.

"Hey Cindy, how is it going?"

"Hello Rory, good, how are you? You know I was close to your part of the world this week-end."

"Were you?" Cindy was not the brightest but she was quite beautiful so she did get a lot of info on the rich and famous, she fit right in.

"Yes, I was covering the Huntzberger heir wedding. It was quite an event. Huge mansion in Hartford, probably the biggest. Four hundred guests on their estate."

"Wow, so anything worth printing?"

"Well, pictures of the bridal party, bride and groom. I don't know how they do it but these people are always more beautiful than the rest of us. Did you ever see it when you lived there?"

"Hum… no, not when I lived there. So any gossip worth talking?"

"Well, the groom is gorgeous and seemed to be very well in love with his wife, she is from a wine producer in California. This is where they live. But the best man and groomsmen were quite entertaining and three out of 5 still single."

"Well, in between you and me, I tried with the McCrea heir but just out of a dirty divorce so too slippery. I should have gone for the Australian, he seemed for a while to be with this gorgeous redhead but it seems he disappeared later and the redhead was still there. I have no idea who he left with. And no one saw him for the rest of the week-end. "

"Wow, so not much to gossip about there…"

"Not really but weddings of the rich and famous always sells so… my work was done."

"Yeah… I was curious to see that Huntzberger house all my teenage years. Would you mind showing me the pictures?"

"Ho, no problem. Just drop by my office later. Derrick already sent me the files."

"Cool thanks." Rory said trying to act like she was actually excited about the house.

As she was finishing her plate, Rory went to get another coffee and saw her two friends, the only real ones she had sitting a little further. She headed their way.

"So Gilmore, what was that about? Cindy, not really your type."

"Very funny… but yeah, wouldn't be. I just wanted to have a bit of information on some people from Hartford."

"Who? Just some old college friends she might have seen over the week-end."

"Wait, what was this week-end? Oh! The Huntzberger Wedding wasn't it."

"Yeah."

"You knew Huntzberger?" Leslie asked.

Rory just looked at her and Jason and sighed.

"You've got to promise me not to let anyone know. But yes, I knew Logan Huntzberger while I was at Yale. I don't know how come no one figured it out… we were on the paper together."

"Yeah but the word is he did not show much of an interest back then."

"That is correct. He did not but he did help me while I was editor."

"So how well did you know him? Did you keep in contact?"

"I knew him pretty well actually, hung out with him for a while. But no, we did not keep contact." She did not mind sharing part of the truth with Jason and Leslie but still, he preferred no one knew of the nature of her past relationship with Logan. She did not want anyone thinking she was hired because of her contacts. Both were from the west coast so probably did not know much about Logan and his ways from back then.

"So what did Cindy tell you, any good gossips?"

"No, not that I was expecting it. But I'll see the pictures later."

Seeing the look in Rory's face they knew she was after something. They recognized the reporter instinct on her. Maybe they would pry another day but now, she seemed too secretive. They talked a bit more until they all needed to get back to work. Leslie was working with the Art section; she was actually a great show critic. She had befriended Rory when she found out she knew Lane and Zach. They were now pretty popular in the Indy scene on the east coast and getting more and more popular. Jason was someone that had worked with Rory on the trail; both went from the trail directly to the Times. Jason was reporting on political issues around the world. They had worked closely for a while before Rory asked to be assigned to more local scene.

Rory met with her editor as expected and it was no surprise that she wanted to go back to her old position. She had been a great asset to his team on local politics but he did not want for her to look for a position in any other newspaper. She was a great reporter a great analyst, her time on the Obama trail made her efficient and she could turn a story on a dime. He would mention of her intention to the International Politics team unfortunately, lately, they were more and more buying articles from the Associated Press or other agencies. He on the other hand could give her more national assignments. She would not necessarily go abroad but she could travel within the country.

By the Tuesday Rory had been informed that after her series on the City's relation with its Unions she would be moving on to more national politics. It was great news as elections would be coming in the near future and with the contact she had made during the trail, she could fend for herself on this subject. She left a bit early and went to the bookstore to get some references.

By Friday late morning, she had completed all her pending assignments; they were on the editor's desk. Articles should need minimal correction that she could do while in Stars Hollow as she had decided to stay for the week-end to celebrate her new life. She had started to make things move her way, she felt empowered, and she wanted now to change her personal life. And she was off with a bang, meeting with Finn in less than an hour. Hopefully Cindy would not be around when Finn arrived. And she was lucky as she went to grab a coffee she bumped into her as she was leaving for a premiere somewhere out of the city, Rory did not really care.

As she was putting her stuff in her bag for the week-end she heard that distinctive Australian voice down the hall. She smiled. She should have figured he would not stand and wait for her at the front desk like any normal person. Finn flirted his way into the receptionist bringing him to her desk.

"Mrs. Gilmore?" Nancy asked shyly, her face red with blush probably because of comments Finn had made on his way.

"Yes Nancy?" She replied not looking up.

"There is a Mr. Morgan wishing to meet with you? I did not have…"

"That's alright Nancy; he's a friend of mine, that's why I did not put it on the agenda. Hi Finn!"

"Mrs. Gilmore, still look stunning Kitten. How the hell did you manage to look younger after all these years."

Rory burst out laughing.

"Finn, bring down the flirting a notch… you even got Nancy all blushing. Thanks Nancy, I'll manage Mr. Morgan from here. You want to sit a minute?"

"Sure." Finn answered coming into the door and sitting at the chair beside Rory's desk.

"How are you doing Finn?"

"Well, if you could get me Nancy's phone I'd be doing great."

"Finn, she isn't available and I forbid you to use my coworkers for one night stands."

"Well, it's a bit too late, I am pretty sure I have already slept with a few what were it, yes fashion and entertainment. But none compared to your beauty Kitten."

Rory smiled. He surely was a boost for the ego. "Finn, we've never slept together."

"I know. One can dream though?"

As she was now ready, they made their way to the elevator.

"I see you are going somewhere after our lunch?"

"Yeah, I am going home to Stars Hollow."

"Ah, to see your ravishing mother."

"Finn, she is now married and it's my mom you're talking about…"

"Yes, she is just as superb as you are kitten. Did you park your car here?"

"I don't have a car Finn; I take public transport like most New Yorkers."

"Really? And you live to tell the tale?" Rory rolled her eyes at his comment. He then added "How are you going to Stars Hollow if you don't have a car?"

"Taking the bus home."

"Oh no… not on my watch… I am going to drive you."

"Finn I always take the bus, you don't need to…"

"No! I insist… and this will give me the opportunity to see your little town once more. See if it is still as charming as it was what was it, 10 years ago?"

"You remember?"

"Of course I remember, and you never did spank me."

"No I thought the hangover was enough…"

"Maybe, but not as fun as a good spanking."

Rory couldn't believe how he had not changed a bit. She decided to change subject for a while, maybe he'd forget he offered to drive her hours away on a whim.

"So Finn, how was the wedding last week."

"Superb. Flowers, champagne, music, food and the women."

"So you accompanied Rosemary?"

"Ah-ah, you saw the pictures… I knew you'd pry into Logan's wedding. Yes, Rosemary was there, but she is married to a boring accountant and actually in love with him."

"It seems you disappeared after a while?"

"Well, one can only be surrounded by romance for a time before feeling the urges of love."

Rory laughed hearing that.

"Love Finn, come one. Lust you mean."

"Well, I aim for love but find myself only with lust… my life is so tragic. I guess the nice Cynthia talked to you?"

"It's Cindy Finn. And yes, we talked…"

"She went for Colin; little did she know he is quite not back to his game now. Is she around?"

"No, she left a bit earlier."

"Good, I did not want you girls fighting over me."

"I don't think you'll need to worry about it from me Finn. I know you remember?"

"Exactly, you know my worth, in and out of bed." He said with his trademark smirk.

"So where are we heading for lunch?"

"I am bringing you to one of the finest establishment close by."

Rory was expecting as much… a lunch in a fancy restaurant. She was surprised though when Finn stopped in front of a small little Irish pub. They sat at a table and got greeted by a woman in her mid-thirties.

"Hey Finn, how are you? Haven't seen you all week."

"Hi Eileen. I knew you'd miss me but then, maybe you'll accept my offer for a date?"

"Well, if you can survive my hubby there, I'll go, you know I can't resist that smile of yours."

"Paddy! " Finn said toward the man at the bar.

"Finn, still trying to steal my wife?"

"Always, you got the best looking redhead in New York, what am I to do?"

"So the usual Finn? And for you friend there?"

"Kitten, what do you want to drink?"

"Oh, just a Coke."

"So my usual and a Coke."

"Coming right up."

"I guess you come here often?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, almost daily."

"So what do you suggest to eat?"

"In your case, I would say either the lamb stew or the beef and Guinness hamburger. I am always going for the latter. You'll see it is one of the best."

"Hamburger that is… I had never been here. Feels quite authentic doesn't it?"

"Yes, the closest I have seen in New York. Ever been in Ireland?"

"With my mom after graduating from high school but we did not visit that many pubs, I was underage."

"You missed quite an experience then. I might have to introduce you to bar hopping Irish Style."

"You can try. So what are you up to nowadays?"

"Well, I mainly am the family representative on the North American side of my family company. I have one brother overlooking the European side and my sister stayed in Australia and she is taking care of the rest and she's the real leader. My dad is now more of an image than anything else. He wants to retire in 5 years."

"Wow. And you are OK with all those responsibilities?" She asked surprised that someone that seemed so afraid of commitment would embrace this type of job so easily.

"I was raised or groomed for it as they say. It was always the plan. And it gives me enough liberty to do whatever I want. I come in when I want, work from home most of the time, I just need to be there for meetings and all. For the rest, the hotel directors do most of the work. I have it a lot easier than most."

"Maybe, but did you chose that life?"

Finn paused for a moment. He had never really thought about it as if he ever had a choice. If he did, would he have taken the same path?

"Honestly, I don't see myself doing anything else. Would have loved to do music but" He stopped and smiled "I lacked focus. Not talent though."

"What did you play?"

"Guitar, but it was a long time ago… I stopped during Yale, I still have my guitars in Australia, play around when I am there but I never put much energy, I wanted it to come easy and even with money, in that industry well, it is not a given."

"Would you mind playing for me?"

"I'd be happy to… but now about you, what happen to that marriage of yours?"

"Straight to the point I see. Not sure exactly. I met Michael when I arrived here in New York. We were living in the same building. We kind of easily fell in love, you know, the type of history that would never make a movie… Started dating after two months of only saying Hi and Bye. A year and a half later we were engaged, married within 6 month. I guess we were happy the first two years of marriage then he asked me to stop travelling. I went from International politics to municipal one. But damage had been done. I resented him for asking me to put off my career for him. He resented me for being a career woman. He wanted kids, I was not ready. Anyhow, been divorce for 4 months now."

"I am sorry." He said.

"I am not, well, not really. I did love him for a while but you know, he was safe, he made me feel safe. It was Dean all over again."

"Dean?"

"You remember the Alumni party my grandparents through where my boyfriend dumped me in front of you guys?"

"Yeah! That was Dean. Perfect high school boyfriend. I just I don't know yearn for more. Then there was Logan and you guys. You brought the unexpected into my life. After Logan, I needed safe again, I thought it was fitting me more hence Michael. He was a police officer quite ironic when you think about it. Now I know the only time I felt completely myself, on all level was when I was with Logan."

"Ah, so you are not over Logan… you lied to me the other day?"

"Oh no, I am over Logan. I just realized I need to find again what he brought in me. He uncovered my need for adventure, and that side was pushed away with Michael. Now I need it back. I need to act like a Lorelei; I need to be my complete self again. Not what another expect of me."

"You mean you want to act like your mother?"

"No Finn, I mean, I am different than my mom, but I need to let that side of me that is more like her out a bit more… the spunk, the spontaneity."

"Well, when was the last time you did something spontaneous?"

"Hum I guess when I stole the yacht with Logan."

"I had completely forgotten about it. Were you able to get your file expunged?"

"Yes, two years after completing my community hours."

"Good. I have an offer for you Kitten. You can say yes but then, you need to trust me and go along, or you can say no and we meet from time to time just to talk."

"Is it like in the Matrix, blue pill or red pill?"

"Kind of but so much more pleasant… what do you say? You want to find your Adventurous side with me? You know I am the best for this, and you'll get to spend all this time with a Handsome Aussie what do you say?"

Rory smiled thinking of what he had in mind.

"What do I have to lose but my sanity? I'm in. Now what is that plan of yours to let my Lorelei side out?"

"We are going to have 1 week end per month reserved to both of us. I am taking care of what we will do, and you just show up, with your passport just in case and a suitcase. You'll only get information on a need to know basis to be prepared but all details of our expeditions will stay secret."

"Oh my god, what did I get myself into! This is the LDB outing once again."

"Something like it… It will be just fun time filled with me, yours truly, Aussie Extraordinaire."

"So when do we start?" She asked as they were finishing their lunches.

"How about next Friday… I kidnap you after work and bring you back on Sunday for dinner. Then, we can either have dinner together where you'll gush over how incredible I was or you go home and call your mother and tell her all the dishes. I'd choose the first option because that would just extend our week-ends."

"We'll see. And how long do you think we'll keep it up?"

"As long as you want kitten… I enjoy spending time with you."

"OK, so next week-end it is. But for now, I just need to go."

"Oh yeah, right I'm bringing you to Stars Hollow."

"You don't have to Finn; I am very capable of taking the bus."

"Oh, no, I need to ask you some questions in order to organize our first week-end extravaganza. So off we go."

Rory was about to put money on the table to pay for her lunch.

"No kitten. This is on me."

He paid for both of them before they headed out to his car parked in an underground parking. During the drive toward Stars Hollow Finn asked many question to Rory ranging from her favorite candy to the type of rides she likes in amusement parks. He also asked which cities and countries she visited before, the type of food she liked, if she was seriously scared of anything. Rory answered surprised of the interest he showed. When he dropped her off at her mother's house she was dizzy with the number of questions she had had to answer.

She slowly walked up the path to the stairs and waved goodbye as Finn was on his way.

"Fruit of my loins! I thought you were coming by bus? I was waiting for your call."

"Well, I was but I was offered a lift. Do you have any coffee prepared?"

"Sure come in. So who dropped you off?"

"Finn."

"Who?"

"Finn, remember the Limo boys… that was the drunken Aussie one. Finn Morgan."

"Of the Morgan Group of Hotels?"

"Yep, the one and only."

"Did I know you hung out with one of the Morgan Group heir while you were at Yale?"

"Probably not. I did not talk to you much about Logan's friends. You hated them. Finn is the one that flirted with you at the police station."

"Oh! That one. Changed much?"

"Somewhat yes, he is leading the American side of his family business. But he is still a complete flirt."

"And what you just bumped into him and he offered to bring your from New York to Stars Hollow?"

"We met for lunch and yes he just offered."

"Hum… he wants to get into your pants."

"I don't think so. Well, he is all for casual sex, but he knows I am not. He flirts with me yes, but I don't think he really wants me like that."

"So, are you going to see him again?"

"We're spending next week-end together."

"What?"

"Remember how I told you I wanted to be more adventurous, well, he offered me his help in this. All platonic honestly. But we are going on a week-end outing where he is going to bring me to be more daring."

"And he is safe?"

"Not always, but I am."

"Yeah, I am not sure I like it though. Are you sure he doesn't want just a quick fuck. If I remember correctly, he is quite handsome and well, probably experienced. Might be good for you, to get over Michael I mean."

"Mom!"

"I know, you still don't want to talk about your sexual life… Is that still because I caught you with Dean."

"No mom, it's because it is private, personal, why don't you just …"

"OK, backing off. Here is your coffee, my prude little daughter. Now tell me about your week-end to come."

"I have no idea what we'll do."

"He did not give any indication of what he had in mind?"

"None whatsoever. A complete mystery."

"And you are fine with this?"

"No but that is the point of the weekend, to learn to be more spontaneous, adventurous or daring… so… I don't know why, I just trust him."

"You'll need to call me during the week-end."

"I won't be able to. I will have my cell for emergency but he confiscates it when he picks me up… it was one of his rule."

"Are you sure he is not a killer?"

"Yes mom. It's funny, I want to do this to be more like you and you turn out to react just like me."

"Freaky Friday I guess."

And the Gilmore girls keep on talking while dressing up for the bi-weekly dinner at the Gilmore house.

Next time... the first week-end.