Rory is restless; she is graduating Yale but hasn't really ever lived. What will the roads of America show her? Will Logan and Lorelai let her go? [Logan and Rory]

Disclaimer: Still not mine, only my ideas.

Without a Net

Chapter 3 – This Isn't Goodbye

Rory and Logan were standing outside the crap-shack, "Well, I guess this is it, you are leaving me for good this time." Lorelai hugged them both.

"Mom, don't be so dramatic, I told you I will be back for Thanksgiving at the latest." She promised and they got into her Prius to drive to Palo Alto.

"Thanks for the lift to Palo Alto; I think it'll be good for us to be alone together for a while. I told Honor about our trip and she is thrilled we will be taking this step together." He said as they passed the 'Thank You for Visiting Stars Hollow' sign.

"It's the least I could do; you made it so much easier when you told my mom you would be with me. I mean, I get it, a woman of means traveling alone. I make a good target for all manner of weirdness. You know I set up my blog with just RLG, and I am not mentioning my gender or name. I have actually been thinking of using an alias just to be on the safe side. Any suggestions?" She explained.

"Why not just use your middle name, Leigh is fairly androgynous and it has a kind of whimsy, you know you can sign off, 'Your friend on the road, Leigh'. He offered.

"I like it, and I think it will calm mom's fears even more. I want the blog to be informative, fun and even smart or silly at times. I was looking at our route and did you know they have a bunch of museums in Ohio, maybe we can stay a day or so to explore?" She asked.

"Sure Ace, I read about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and we have to see the Christmas Story House and I think I read somewhere that Ohio is home to the most Art museums in the US, so we have to check a few of those. I can't believe I am excited about seeing Ohio." He laughed and they continued on their way chatting and enjoying each other's company.

As they neared Ohio they called Finn for hotel advice and he set them up in a nice suite in a hotel walking distance from the famed Museum District and she was delighted to not be in the car anymore. They checked in and had their bags sent up while they went in search of food. They came upon Taza and decided to try Lebanese food as a part of their adventure. They were seated and the menu explained everything looked so interesting they just decided to each order a Tour plate that featured a variety of foods. They laughed through lunch as they dipped the pita into the hummus, and wrapped it around shawarma and even though it was vegetarian, they both loved the falafel. In all it was a good choice. They walked aimlessly until they stumbled upon the Kelton House and decided to take the tour. Rory took out her camera and snapped photos of the elegant home. She spoke to a docent explaining her blog and even received permission to take some up close photos of the tableware and art. She cooed over the cradle and tin bath in the nursery and Logan enjoyed reading to her from the wall celebrating the home's participation in the Underground Railroad. Ever the perfectionist she took diligent notes and triple checked the dates for accuracy. As they were walking back to the hotel Rory laid her head upon his shoulder and he pulled her closer feeling just how tired she was.

"I am so glad we didn't live in Victorian times." She mused.

"Why is that Ace? I think you would have looked cute in a corset." He casually moved his hand between her shoulders.

"It was just such a restrictive time. Women couldn't vote and you know we would never have been allowed to date, I would have been a scandal child. Could you imagine?" She stopped and looked at him with wide eyes.

"I would have broken the rules for you in anytime Ace, there is no way I would have let a beautiful, intelligent and charming woman such as you are be taken from me by society. Remember when my parents met you, and gramps even, they thought lowly of you and now they see you as I do. There is no way in anytime or place I wouldn't want you with me." He looked at her with sincerity in his eyes.

Rory saw the soft brown and forgetting where she was kissed him. She kissed him with all the love in her heart and only stopped when someone catcalled.

"Oh Logan, I'm sorry I guess...I just got swept away in what you said. I mean, I know you love me; you have just never been so eloquent about it. I guess I never thought you saw us that way, you know, forever." She blushed as she looked at him sweetly.

"You are my world Ace and one day, I want the world to know it. I told you, I want to marry you; I want to have children with you and grow old and grey. I want to explore the four corners of the earth with you, see everything through your eyes. I am never letting go, and by that kiss, I think you feel the same." He smirked at her and lifted one brow.

"Of course I do, don't ever think I wouldn't want to be with you. This little road trip has nothing to do with being with you; it is about being with me. I just want to be the best form of me I can be before we make that jump. I am just afraid that if I move in with you, I become your significant other and I will disappear." She took a breath.

They had just reached the hotel and Logan held the door for her. He let what she said sink in. They rode the elevator to the suite and stepped inside and he guided her to the seating area. He knelt in front of her and removed her shoes then he tilted her to him so her feet were on his lap and began to massage them.

"You will always be you Rory, only you can stop you from having a voice in this world. I will never hold you back; I just want to be beside you when you take this world by storm. I can see you receiving many awards in the future and me being referred to as the spouse, and I am OK with that. I want the world for you and I want to be part of your world." He rubbed her feet and saw how her head lolled to the side and she let out a contented sigh.

"You make it sound so wonderful, you and me a team in this reckless world we are strong and stable. I like that thought. I guess I just have never seen it, I mean my mom never married until now so we didn't have a man in the house. My grandmother lives for grandpa and I worry what will become of her when he is gone. I worry people will see me with you and believe I am only famous because of being with you, that you made it all happen. I worry I have no talent at all and that serving on the charity boards for the DAR will be my fate one day." She looked at him as he lovingly massaged her feet and calves.

"I get it Ace, and that's why I am not arguing with you about this trip, any of it. Take as much time as you need, but know I am here, waiting in the wings. OK?" He paused his efforts to see her face as she replied.

"OK, I promise, no matter what I will always come home – to you- you are it for me, for now and forever. I LOVE YOU and I will never stop letting you know that." She enthused and he returned to his efforts while she slipped off to sleep.

Rory had been sleeping about an hour when Logan decided just to order room service since he could tell she was physically and emotionally drained. The food had been delivered and set up when he leaned over and kissed her sleeping face.

"Wake up baby, I have some dinner for you then I can draw you a nice bath and we can retire early so we can enjoy a couple more museums tomorrow." He smiled at her as her eyes fluttered open and she focused on him.

"How long was I asleep? I'm sorry I fell asleep on you. "she gazed at him through bleary blue eyes.

"Not long, I don't mind that you slept, you needed it. I do however want you up now so I can feed you, can't have my Gilmore girl wither away from starvation. Up, up!" He gently tugged her to stand and pulled her to himself in a tender hug. She returned the embrace in kind and they moved to the table to enjoy the meal he had ordered.

That night he would make slow deliberate love to her, showing her with all his heart how much she meant to him. Afterwards he leaned on his hand gazing at her serene face as she slept.

"I love you Rory Gilmore, for now and forever." He whispered to her and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips before succumbing to sleep himself.

The next day they explored the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they strolled through and enjoyed the historical photos, tickets, posters and clothing of the legendary masters of music. They next stopped at the Christmas Story House and laughed as they posed by the leg lamp, took turns shooting the infamous bb gun, neither shot their eye out, and they stopped in the gift shop to get Lorelai a gift, they agreed on the coffee travel mug sporting the famous double dog dare. They found a baseball cap for Luke that said 'You'll shoot your eye out kid' and had the image of Ralphie after he had the bb ricochet into his glasses. They decided to begin the drive again the next day and agreed to stop for lunch of deep dish Pizza in Chicago but then push through to Lincoln Nebraska. They had been to Chicago and figured that Lincoln might be a bit more challenging. Rory had been blogging and loading her photos for four days now, she had about 300 followers and not all of them were family or from her town. She smiled at the comments and made mental notes to set up a Q&A or poll to increase traffic.

They decided to fly without a net and drove into downtown to find lodging without Finn's connection, odds were they would still end up at one of his family hotels but hey they would find it on their own. They requested a suite and asked about local events and were told that if they like Jazz it was Tuesday and they could enjoy the live Jazz offered every Tuesday in June. The musical event occurred on the Sheldon Museum of Art's west lawn. They arrived to find a festive environment more like a fair than a concert venue. There were food vendors and artists, the music wafted as they perused the sculpture garden, it was a delightful surprise. Logan bought Rory a lovely set of earrings that had been made by a local artist and she bought him a t-shirt and dropped a few bills in the bucket to support the free event. They picnicked under the blanket of music and shared dreams in hushed voice while the night slipped away.

The next day they drove the whole way to Salt Lake City only stopping to refill the tank and enjoy a burger at a roadside café. They arrived past 7pm and were dog tired, even though they had taken turns driving it had been tiring. They found a nice hotel, got a suite and called for Chinese to be delivered. While they waited on the delivery they reviewed the travel book supplied by the hotel to encourage explorations. They found the Utah Arts Festival and decided that would be the next day's adventure. Rory blogged about the uneventful drive but spoke of the beauty of it all, so even though some of it was miles of really nothing, it was very calming and comforting. They had made some small stops at scenic turns and taken photos for the blog, to keep it interesting on a day when nothing was really accomplished except moving forward.

Rory gazed at Logan as he slept; she was having difficulty seeing herself on the road without him. This trip so far had been so seamless. He finished her thoughts, loved all the things she did and didn't object to her crazed coffee addiction, although when she really thought about it, she hadn't had much coffee this trip, she actually drank less coffee when she was with him. He was enough energy for her she often found coffee left her restless, where he left her feeling content. She gently kissed him then snuggled into his embrace and into a peaceful sleep.

The Arts festival was very different from the Jazz festival they had enjoyed in Lincoln, this one was huge. There were some major names performing and it was a ticketed event, it wasn't that it was expensive; it was just a surprise to pay to enter such an event. They supposed it paid for the musical talent and venue maintenance. They wandered the event taking in the colors, sound and smell it was intoxicating. Rory laughed how envious Taylor would be if he could manage such an event in Stars Hollow. She could see Ms. Patty's dancers and even picture Kirk working this event, it made her smile. Sure she missed her childhood home, but she could see her future as she passed by the many booths and it made her happy. Logan looked at her bright smile and felt the warmth of her hand in his. He loved how happy simple things made her, he loved her, and he just hoped that after this time together she would understand just how much.

They had decided to drive straight on again this time landing in Palo Alto, however Logan saw the sign indicating distance to Reno and took the exit. The colors were just beginning to fade as they had opted to drive the dessert at night to beat the summer heat and the little city sparkled against its mountain background. Rory laughed at the city's proud logo 'The Biggest Little City in the World'. They checked into a Hotel on the strip and retired to their room to rest so they could enjoy some gambling later that evening. She blogged about the desert sky and driving in to the quirky little gambling town and then snuggled into bed to sleep by Logan. While they slept their phones went crazy, they received many voicemails and texts and one particularly irate message from Lorelai forbidding them from eloping.

When they awoke they couldn't help but laugh, the site had blown up too. It seemed half of Yale was now following after someone let slip the Huntzberger heir and his girlfriend were in Reno. Rory decided to blog about little known facts about the town like for instance it was the divorce capital of the world due to lax divorce laws. She also touted they boasted the number one Rum bar and a hotel pool where you could swim in both California and Reno at the same time. After leaving a surprisingly fast paced blog post she decided to call her mom and put it on speaker phone.

"Don't tell me you eloped, you better not get married without mommy in attendance!" She ranted upon answering.

"Well, hello to you to mom. Why would you think we were eloping? We just stopped to gamble I even said so in my earlier blog, Logan thought it would be fun." She explained.

"Yeah Lorelai, I wouldn't dream of marrying Rory without friends and family in attendance. I respect her too much to take away her special day. I want her to have her dream wedding whenever she is ready and I think you would know better than to think Reno would even come close to that dream." He soothed.

Lorelai let out a huge sigh, "You're right, I just saw Nevada and panicked. Go gamble, don't lose everything and call me from Palo Alto. Love you and sorry."

"It's OK mom, I'll call you when I get home." Rory hung up the phone and looked at Logan's big grin.

"Did you mean it? You called Palo Alto home just then." He had his hands on her waist and the biggest smile on his face.

"Of course I meant it, I have been saying it a lot this trip, home is where you are, it always will be. I can go to the moon and back, but home is where you are." She confirmed.

He pulled her to himself and kissed her like she was the air he needed to breathe then he took her to bed and showed her how much she meant to him again and again.

The last leg of this trip would take them to Palo Alto, the lovely white frame house with an avocado tree in the yard.