A/N: I sadly do not own any of the characters mentioned, they all belong to the brilliant mind that is Amy Sherman-Palladio. Hello, so for any followers of this story out there I just want to say a massive thank you for your interest! It is my first story and as I'm not that great of a story writer I wasn't sure anyone would even read this. However, I am glad that I could appease some Rogan fans. Fingers crossed that Amy finally reunites the two of them in the Netflix revival season! Anyway, I'm really sorry for taking such a long time to update. I've been really busy with school and to be honest, didn't have much motivation to write. I'm back though and hopefully will be able to release a new chapter every 2-3 weeks or so.
Below is a flash-forward. I know I previously stated that this chapter would be Rogan-interaction or something along those lines...but I needed to get through some back story and details. The next few chapters probably won't see the two of them interacting yet which I understand is unbearable because I too, have read fanfics and was just eagerly awaiting for Rory and Logan to interact. Their chemisty is just that special. Sorry for the ramble, as I was saying...the following few (maybe 3?) chapters will be fleshing out the necessary details and info pertaining to the plot. Okay, now that that's out of the way, please continue on and enjoy the chapter! I don't have a beta and pretty much wrote this in a few hours. I would love for you to guys to comment, give me any feedback (critical advice is welcomed!), and share your Rogan hopes and thoughts re: the Netflix revival. Thanks!
Washington, D.C., January 20, 2009
"Isn't my wife gorgeous?" Rory looked on with admiration at the new, freshly minted President Obama who was beaming at his wife. Rory couldn't believe the whirlwind of a tour she's had the past year and a half. Here they were, she and the Senator she'd been following since Day 1, after all the sleepless nights brainstorming innovative and fresh ways of reporting the same speeches over and over; the stale, lukewarm coffees at every goddamn motel, press conference and pit stop; the mountain of Ramen consumed; and the general non-stop cycle since the beginning...all of it had finally paid off. She and President Obama had finished victorious. And here Rory was at her final campaign assignment, watching the Obamas embody the meaning of happiness and love, dancing along to Queen B.
At last, my love has come along. My lonely days are over…
Rory let the warm feelings of this moment wash over her as she let her mind drift into memories never lost nor forgotten. Her eyes gently drooped closed as the corner of her lips curled up ever so slightly, swaying to Queen Bey's velvety voice. Rory was brought back to a time when she felt the same peace and happiness the Obamas were feeling. To blond hair, warm brown eyes, and an-all familiar grin of a man she loved whole-heartedly, embracing her in a tight hold as the two of them danced around in their pyjamas to Moon River, in the apartment they shared. It was a snapshot of home. The smile upon Rory's face slowly dropped as the memory continued in her mind. She sighed deeply and shook her head clear as she reluctantly opened her eyes.
As she once again looked upon the jubilous President and First Lady, she couldn't help herself from thinking about how much she missed Logan. She did continue to try and contact him after she left for the road, she pursued him for a month but all her connections to him just couldn't, or wouldn't gain her that access. Honour did her best to reach out to him but he was clearly having none of it. Colin, Finn, and Steph...well, let's just say that losing their friendship hurt more than she expected it to. She knew that if it came down to it, they would choose Logan over her since the four of them have been like family to one another since childhood. However, Rory didn't think they would completely shut her out and not offer a tiny olive branch of help after three years of friendship. They all grew to be very close. Thus the break-up left an even bigger hole in her heart than anticipated. She was suddenly left with no one and that sudden loneliness really messed her up in the aftermath. As the 6-month mark passed, Rory gave up. It's not that she wanted to but she really couldn't keep up with the emotional and physical exhaustion from this break-up turmoil, her job, and Lorelai and Luke's engagement. The latter of which meant helping her mother plan the long-awaited wedding. It was all too much for Rory so she had to let something go before she had a complete meltdown. Logan gave up on her. And she used that as motivation everyday to move on and live her life. Nonetheless, he was always at the back of her mind, lingering like a shadow, and emerging every so often to say hello. Slowly over time she let the pieces of her heart mend back together. It didn't quite fully heal but it was enough to function and resemble some semblance of a normal life again.
Rory was mid-way through a solemn sigh to retrieve her back to reality when someone slapping her ass did it for her.
"Oowwwww! Slllaayyyyyy schmeegs sslllaaayyyyy!" A rowdy voice whispered.
Rory heard the all-too-familiar voice and broke out into a smile, "Honestly Hana, we're at the Presidential Inaugural Ball for pete's sake, show some professionalism."
"Yaaaassss babee, you're killing it in that outfit tonight. I do have to say I have good taste and Dior never ceases to fail," Hana continued as if uninterrupted while Rory rolled her eyes at her, all the while failing to conceal her smile. "Oh don't you eye-roll me schmeegs, pretending as if you don't know that you are werkingggg ittt!" Hana slapped Rory's bum again and sent her a cheeky wink.
Rory couldn't contain her laugh as she admired her best friend's antics. Hana was an absolute enigma, and Rory didn't know where she would be without her. They became the chummiest of chums when the two of them were assigned to bunk together one fateful night. No female on the campaign bus wanted to room with Rory anymore, they passed her around like a hot potato because her late night crying fests were unbearable. That is until Hana came into the roommate rotation. At 7am on a Tuesday morning, the sun just peeking into the sky, Rory felt a heap of clothes hit her in the face. Her eyes puffy glued together with crusty eye-bogeys from yet another night of crying, opened a smidge of a crack to see Hana dressed, standing above her. She simply said, "Get dressed loser, we're going on a food run."
Next thing Rory knew, she and Hana were sitting on the steps of the MET eating rainbow bagels. "These are rainbow-swirled bagels!" Rory exclaimed with child-like excitement, mouth agape with disbelief.
"Yup." Hana answered as she took a big bite out of the bread.
"This is so cool! Rainbow freaking bagels, who woulda thunk?"
"And with rainbow cream cheese. New York baby, you gotta love it." Hana sent a smirk over at Rory and matched her stupid child-like grin. Rory smiled back and continued to eat in comfortable silence as they watched people mill about as they headed to work. Since that morning, the nights spent crying were less and less, and the two friends became inseparable. Hana was exactly what she needed. She was humble and kind, despite being filthy rich (both her parents were renowned hot-shot lawyers), she was laugh-cry hilarious, a ball of energy, intelligent, and extremely loyal. Rory felt incredibly lucky to have someone like her as a friend.
"...and then I shaved his butthole with that mini swiss-army knife you bought for me. I only left a tiny little scar from an itsy-bitsy error. It was insane!"
"Wait what!?" Rory stuttered as she snapped back to the conversation.
"Honestly schmeegs, at least pretend that I'm interesting. A nice absent-minded nod wouldn't hurt yea? I mean can you even imagine what Ev would do if I ever went near his butt? Clenches up like a clam. Ughh I'm already shuddering at the thought. It was a joke, moving on. But really, you've been out of it tonight. What's up?" Hana furrowed her brows slightly as if worried.
"Nothing, I'm fine. I am being honest, there's no need for that disbelieving look. I'm just feeling a little wistful about today. I mean, it's been one hell of a year and a half and now it's just over. And I don't know...it just...it feels like my college chapter is over. This job was sort of a part of my college career as it was the first opportunity I received. I was a fresh newbie coming in and now I feel...adult? And it feels like with the conclusion of this chapter of my life, that the Logan door is closing permanently as well and I'm kind of...unsure how I feel about that…" Rory rambled thoughtlessly.
"Oh schmeagle, it really has been a tremendous chapter and this? This moment, this event in history that we are here to experience and forever live to tell of the first Black US President in office? I think it's an absolute banger way to conclude it. Don't you think so? You, me, Ev (fellow reporter and Hana's sort-of boyfriend) moving to New York City, to our new exciting chapter! I mean, you've got features and your own column for crying out loud, that's amazing! (With Hugo's online magazine that has been picking up quite a lot of traffic in the past 6 months) And most importantly, to the rainbow mother-effin bagels!" Hana did a mini fist pump dance before continuing, "And so maybe your past with Logan seems to be fading but you have transcended into such a strong and confident woman. I believe that you will be okay. I've got your back." She bumped her hip into Rory's and gave her a comforting shoulder squeeze.
Rory smiled back and quipped, "Ugh, you're so like, obsessed with me, I don't need a cheerleader."
"Haha Courtney," Hana deadpanned. "On a serious note though, if you ever miss him, and I know you do, don't let it stump you. Use it in your writing. Your column readers love it whenever you toss them a bit of your personal life. They like the secrets, makes them feel connected to you and all. But who am I to offer this advice that you already know and utilize. You have a cult of followers - not forgetting that you have the New York Times editor's wife as a fan!"
"Yea I guess…"
"Rory, you guess!?"
"I'm sorry, I meant that I am happy. I'm elated for our move to New York. I know that we're going to have an incredible adventure. Really, I genuinely am. So that penthouse of yours better be as spectacular as you say!" Rory teased.
"Oh trust me, you will love it. Mostly because I will be initiating wine dance parties basically every other night, if not every."
"And the bagels, they're worth mentioning twice." Rory emphasized.
Hana clutched Rory's hand and whispered in a serious hush, "Oh hun, wait till you hear about the buttery, flaky, rainbow croissants."
Rory's eyes widened, "WHAT!? Get it in my stomach asap." She stuck her tongue out and panted like dog, wagging her behind.
Hana laughed trying to still her friend. "How about for now we just go celebrate the end of this momentous journey? Everyone's heading out for a drink, let's go!"
"Nah, I'm going to get some sleep. I've still got that flu kicking and the meds are starting to wear off. My body is really starting to feel knackered. Just go on without me."
"Oh gosh Rory, you're still sick? That fever has been hanging on for a week now. Ooo maybe alcohol will kick it out of your system?" Hana wagged her brows attempting to lure her best friend out.
"It's really okay Han, I want to call it an early night. The headache is starting to begin its thumping. I insist, go and celebrate with Evan and the gang. Just don't forget to take me to New York in the morning" Rory joked.
"Alright...but call me if you change your mind." She quickly hugged Rory, pecked her cheek, and flitted away.
Rory returned to the motel and faded into sleep, memories flooding into her slumber state. Memories of the last year of her life, of all that she has accomplished and experienced. She truly was proud with how things have progressed in her professional life, and yet she couldn't help but think how it would be better if a certain boy was there to share these moments. And with that, Rory succumbed to sleep, dreaming about that blissful night dancing to Henry Mancini.