What if Logan had been at the double twin wedding and had taken some candid shots and what if Rory found them as they were packing to move. (AU) Set pre and post Yale – pairing Rory and Logan
Standard disclaimer: Nope still don't own them – just the ideas they inspire; but it's not as if I get paid to exercise my noodle away from the silence of a law firm.
A/N: Thank you all so very much for your warm reception of my latest story. I modified a very famous title but not the story line,so no creature that knows the only word that rhymes with orange will be shot into space, in my story 'Still Life' it refers to photography. I hope you continue to enjoy!
Still Life With a Huntzberger
Chapter 2 – Yale Away
Logan arranged a Yale weekend for their first outing , he and his friends would show her all their favorite haunts. His friends were amused at his planning and attention to detail, not that Logan was slovenly in planning things, but it was highly unusual for him to do it for a virtual stranger and even weirder that his relationship with her was 'just friends'. He was just a bit too adamant about that point and they all knew he was already a goner. Honor had heard an earful from Logan about the blue eyed beauty, with her fast banter, huge appetite and brilliant control of language. She smiled that private smile of women when they know the secrets of a man's heart, especially when that heart belongs to her playboy little brother.
Stephanie was amused at her friend's antics as he planned to show the Gilmore granddaughter the ways and means of Yale including introducing her to all the people necessary to assure her membership in the LDB. Her friend was a goner, she briefly wondered if he was still taking the trip with Finn and Colin, could he leave his new found joy behind?
Colin and Finn were amused by their friends oblivion to his attraction to the youngest Gilmore and his behavior since meeting her, they had been out and about but he had yet to let any willing vixen warm his bed, the man was practically a monk. They grinned at the thought of the BMOC acting like a whipped pup.
The crew loaded up in the SUV and headed out to Stars Hollow and towards their friend's undoing.
Logan past the Rooster and stopped in front of Rory's home, his friends all looked puzzled.
"Who lives here are we picking up something before we get your girl?" Steph asked looking at the odd abode.
"Nope, this is where she lives, her mom eschewed society and raised her middle class." he undid his seat belt and exited the car, the group followed suit.
They traipsed to the door and he knocked, she appeared dressed in jeans, a vintage band t-shirt and a light sweater, by the door she had her overnight bag.
"Hey, come in – come in; I am almost ready. Make yourselves at home. She dashed back to her room and was followed by Steph and Honor.
Honor plopped onto the bed and Steph claimed the comfy chair. "So, you and Logan huh?" Honor started.
"He is so gone over you, totally killed the line; there are girls who really hate you right now." Steph laughed, "you know you totally jumped the cue?"
Rory stopped packing her toiletry bag, "What are you talking about, we are friends that's all, he doesn't do girlfriends and I am a commitment girl. We totally talked about it and we agreed that we are friends."
Honor gave Steph a knowing glance and Rory zipped her bag and shook her head, the three girls joined the men who were entertaining themselves with a photo album.
"Luv, you were just the cutest little ballerina, but why aren't there any pictures of your recitals, my parents have scads on my little sis." Finn rushed.
Rory blushed, "That gentlemen is the first and only day I was in ballet, I tripped, fell and broke Suzy Michelson's wrist, her mother demanded I never return. I was just happy that they moved when I had to learn the dances for my Debutante ball; it would have been awful to take those lessons in Hartford."
The group looked at each other, "You came out?" Logan looked amazed, "I thought your mom kept you from all things society. A Deb ball is about as society as it gets. Who was your escort." He felt a little jealous of the unknown guy for some reason.
"My grandparents requested it and I didn't see the harm, I mean I am the reason mom missed hers." She shrugged. "The boy was my boyfriend at the time, totally not society and I had to promise to watch 'Battle Bots' for a month to get him to wear the gloves." She smiled at the memory and waived her bag. "Okay, all ready to be taught the ways of Yale."
They set the book down and headed out to the SUV, "Shotgun!" Colin and Finn called in unison.
Logan shook his head, "Ace rides up front, you two mad men take the rear, Honor and Steph get the middle." He directed as he tossed her bags in the rear storage area with the rest of their gear. His friends shared a knowing glance and Honor mouthed 'ACE' while arching her brow. He moved to open the door for Rory so she could climb in the car.
The group pulled away and Logan pointed the car towards Yale. The group shared embarrassing Logan stories and warned Rory about Finn's naked phases. Logan explained that it was Finn and Colin that he was sharing the trip with and that they had planned it for years starting in High School and were amazed that the Dark Lord approved the use of the Huntzberger yacht. They then had to explain the Dark Lord was Mitchum; he had earned the moniker for his brooding temper at Logan's various antics. They stopped local hotel and left the bags, then called a car to drive them to the pub to enjoy dinner and drinks. Logan smiled when Rory ordered a Reuben, fries and a vat of coffee. Everyone at the table looked at her in awe.
Their meals arrived and the table was animated as Rory ate her huge meal compared to the petite salads, no croutons, dressing on the side the other girls had. She then asked for a dessert menu, Finn had enough.
"You will not sit in the pub, eat yourself silly and not even have a drop of liquor, not on my watch. Let me get you a dessert cocktail luv – please." Finn pouted with clasped hands.
Rory looked at his pitiful actions and relented, "Okay Finn, let's see what you get me."
Logan looked at her, "Ace, I don't know if that's wise, Finn's drinks are kinda strong."
Rory looked at him and grinned in a way that made him feel a shiver. "My mom and I drank our way through Europe while my grandparents made the rounds and you haven't lived 'til you've had Ms. Patty's punch. I think I can handle what he brings me. If not – I'll buy tacos in the morning."
"Tacos – why tacos?" Steph advanced.
"My mom taught me they are the absolute best hangover cure, granted we have had to improvise when they aren't available - but they really are the best!" Rory enthused.
"You drink with your mom!" Honor was aghast.
"Well yeah, we are best friends – it's probably is because she was only sixteen when she had me." Rory said as Finn set a tray of drinks on the table and everyone grabbed for one.
"Here's to new friends, old friends and friends yet to come – ha! I said come! CHEERS!" Finn laughed, and glasses clinked well drinks were enjoyed; beneath the table Logan held tight to Rory's hand.
The night wore on with much laughter and last call was made, the gang called for their car and were driven to the hotel, Rory – forgetting she had never before slept with a man – followed Logan to his room. They stumbled across the threshold and drunkenly fell into bed to sleep the intoxication off. She woke to him kissing her shoulder, soft sweet kisses and she felt him carefully lifting her blouse, his hand gently grazing her abdomen, he leaned in to kiss her deeply, she responded removing his shirt as she was caressed and kissed awake. His hands traced her body leaving trails of fire, her desire for him becoming overwhelming. Her heart raced, and she softly whimpered – Logan, Logan, Logan – as if it was a mantra, but there was something more behind it, as they divested clothing he noticed she became more cautious, it had been a long time but it dawned on him – she may not be very experienced, this may be her first or second time, if it was her first he knew he should stop, but he just wanted her so badly he kept moving forward, kissing, caressing, using his words to soothe, encourage and inflame. He was deeply entranced in adoring her when he heard the door open.
"Logan – luv isn't answering her door. Do you think she may have left; gone out for coffee since what the room offers is complete shit?" Finn opened the door and Logan quickly moved to hide her as well as cover their state of undress.
Finn; ever perceptive noticed the effort Logan made to protect the identity of his bed mate. "Luv, it's okay you are here, this bloke is half in love with you if not full on. I will leave you two to your pursuits; just wanted to assure your weren't in need of hospital after our nights drinks. Oh, and do you owe us tacos?"
Rory had to chuckle, Finn was just as advertised, the drunken friend in need of a challenge, "It's okay Finn, I never made it to my room, just slept here. Logan was a complete gentleman." Finn gave Logan a disbelieving look; Logan just shrugged agreeing with her.
Finn turned on his heels and exited the room, Logan was assured by the click it was locked behind him.
"Sorry about him, he has boundary issues, now where were we." He moved to return to earlier pursuits but she scooted aside and grabbed her shirt.
"Friends, remember friends, sorry if I let us get carried away." she blushed profusely.
"Why are you apologizing, it was nice? Can I ask you something – something personal?" he allowed her to leave the bed and turned his back while she redressed.
Rory had a feeling about what he was going to ask, "Shoot, I mean – we are friends and friends can ask questions of each other, right? So ask away." She showed more bravado then she felt.
"If Finn hadn't interrupted, would we – would you? I mean you seemed okay with it, a little hesitant but okay – did I miss read you?" Logan was standing beside her and she sat on the bed so he joined her again reaching for and twining their hands.
"I don't know, um – I never have; what I mean is I am a virgin, I don't know what came over me, following you to your room; waking up like that..." she hung her head and was turning a delightful shade of red.
He lifted her chin and placed a chaste kiss upon her lips. "Hey, no need to be embarrassed we all get carried away sometimes and it was nice to find you in my bed, it felt different – comfortable. You being a virgin, well that's okay too and you should never go further than you want. We are friends and if anything happened, we would discuss it as we are now, okay?"
She nodded and released a breath she was unaware she had been holding, "Truth?' he nodded, "I guess I like you more than I thought and I really feel safe and comfortable with - you and your friends."
Logan wrapped his arm over her shoulder, and she laid her head upon it receiving a side hug,"I'm glad we make you feel safe, and I like you too otherwise things wouldn't have escalated this morning. Honestly, it just felt natural, you here in my bed." he sighed, "okay – let's get up, you go to your room – shower, dress and we can continue on with the weekend – no awkwardness right?"
She smiled a crooked smile, "Right, no awkwardness – I'll see you in a few and you can buy me breakfast." she leaned to him and kissed his cheek.
"Breakfast, I can do that – but it is good I am going to bee in Fiji, you could probably eat your way through my trust fund." he beamed at her and she rewarded him with a blushing grin.
"See you in an hour and bring that trust fund." she winked and slipped out the door.
Logan fell back onto his bed and sighed, 'What exactly had he gotten himself into?'
In the next room Rory was showering, 'Oh my god, I almost slept with him? Okay so I did sleep with him, but that was just sleeping off the drunk, I think.' her mind was a whir, it had all been so nice; dinner, drinks and then sleeping in his arms. She wondered why she felt so connected to him, he was a known playboy, but there was a sweetness to him she could not deny. She toweled off and applied lotion, then dressed in her jeans, another band t-shirt , a light sweater, socks and her comfy shoes. She heaved a sigh as she applied light mascara, blush and had just finished her lip gloss when there was a gentle knock at the door. She opened it to find him dressed in black jeans, a long sleeved black t-shirt with his hair tousled, she felt her heart swoon. He appraised her look, casual, comfortable and simply stunning. He loved that she wasn't trying to impress any one, but still looked damn impressive.
"Ready to dent my account with your voracious appetite?" He chuckled extending his elbow.
She smiled, grabbed her cross body bag and took the offered arm, "You - are - on - Huntzberger," she challenged, "bring on the breakfast." she rubbed her tummy gleefully.
They entered the dining room just as their friends were finishing up, "Well, don't you two look well rested, care to share your secret with the class?" Finn teased.
"Just a good night's sleep my friends, she is just a friend after all. Right Ace?" He hugged her to him unwittingly.
"Absolutely, an excellent night's sleep, now did you all eat already, I need coffee and really can't do anything without proper fuel."
Honor looked between the pair trying to decipher what she was seeing."Oh, we ate, but we'll wait while you have your breakfast, there is no schedule, just showing you around while we all get to know you."
The waitress came by and poured coffees, took her and Logan's breakfast orders – startled a bit when he ordered a bowl of fruit and yogurt while she ordered chicken fried steak, gravy, biscuits and two eggs over medium. She walked away and shook her head as if she was coming away from a shock.
Logan smiled, "I think you scared her Ace, you sure you can eat all that after last night?"
"Not a problem, no hangover – just starving; so glad she brought the coffee with her." She took a long drink and let out a contented sigh earning a wide eyed look towards Logan from the group at hand.
"She and her mother are self proclaimed coffee addicts, we will have to be sure she knows where all the kiosks are or she may just fade away." He teased in good humor holding her hand beneath the table.
Sly glances were exchanged between his friends. Breakfast was delivered, playful banter exchanged and it was agreed they would tour the campus then do some damage to the black cards on State Street. Rory enjoyed the company of all and Logan was animated in his instructions about various professors as well as places to study. The friends all kept mum about his attention to her, afraid they might spook him, they wanted him to come to the reality of the situation on his own, that reality being he was falling for the spunky brunette.
The group traipsed about the campus, he posed them for various shots and Honor insisted he be in some, she even posed the pair by the famous toe both touching it in a mimic of Michelangelo's 'Creation of Adam' with him lying below and her reaching down from above, it took nearly twenty minutes to get it just the way Logan had envisioned and most of that was spent cracking up at the concept. Finally they stopped at the Daily News office so Logan could unload his camera as well as email her the shots she requested including those from the wedding weekend. His friends watched quietly at first then escaped for a little tete-a-tete about this development.
They reached the near coffee kiosk and ordered some drinks, it was Steph who spoke first, "OMG, can you feel the electricity, they are practically pulsating with it."
Finn laughed, "She slept with him last night – just slept. Logan the most infamous man-whore, slept with a girl like he was taking a nap in kinder."
Colin looked aghast as the group had moved to some benches in the interest of privacy, "How do you know – maybe they..." he made a hand gesture that conveyed his meaning.
"Ewwe Colin, that is just gross, can't you tell she isn't that type of girl? Look at her, she blushes at the slighted innuendo and Finn has more than once made the girl beet red – I bet she isn't very experienced, if she is experienced at all." Steph stated arms crossed and Honor nodded in agreement.
"Honestly boys, has it been so long since you met a girl deserving of respect that you missed all the cues?" Honor rolled her eyes, "Look she may be bluer than blue, but she is just a small town girl, we are going to need to help her if she hopes to survive this den of wolves in sheep's clothing."
"Hey, I resemble that remark.," Finn laughed; "but I won't be one of the wolves on the prowl. You are right, we need to warn the lamb."
Logan and Rory approached the group just as Finn finished,"Lamb? Who's a lamb and are they being led to slaughter?" Logan looked at his friends warily.
"Just thinking about how to help Rory here avoid the more salacious and dangerous of the boys on campus and in the LDB, you know that they can't all be trusted." Steph clarified and Rory looked at her a bit wide eyed. Sure she knew that not all boys could be trusted but she didn't like being thought of as helpless – she had Paris.
The weekend ended with the group returning to Stars Hollow to drop Rory off and enjoy burgers at Luke's.
LRLRLRLRLRL
BMOC – Big Man on Campus; refers to a man who is very popular with the ladies; in other words - a player.