What had he meant when he told her he had already stated his intentions. Why did Colin buy her that share? She now had to do something with it and she wasn't sure what. What would she do with all those flowers sitting in her aparment.

Thursday night Rory sat in her office, finishing up her business for the day. Tomorrow she would be going home for the Fall carnival. Jess would know what to do. Hopefully.

"Rory, you have a visitor."

Before her assistant could finish Mitchum Huntzberger stormed into her office.

"Just what the hell do you think you're going to do with a paper?"

"I am leaving, which means you are too because I have things to do. The paper share you wanted now belongs to me, you can deal with it or you can get out, either way i'm not selling."

"You don't know what you're getting into. I can make this paper run to the ground. It might be hard to get profits from a failing paper."

"Your threatening won't work with me. You manage to disrupt things with this paper I will see that you go to jail."

Rory started gathering her things and began walking towards the door. As she walked Mitchum began backing up. When Rory was standing at the door she took one more step, pulled her door closed and locked it.

"If you have anything else to say to me make an appointment."

Rory pushed past him and began walking towards he elevator. What is with all these pop-up books. Did I break a mirror.

On the street Rory hailed a cab to take her to her apartment. The rain was pouring outside the window as she leaned against it. The coolness helped alieve the headache she felt coming on. The cab stopped outside her buildin. Paying the man she stepped out and saw Stephanie waiting by the door. As Rory stepped closer she saw a purple discoloration on Stephanie's face. Stephanie looked up as Rory approached.

"Stephanie, what happened?"

"Would you believe I ran into a door."

"No."

"My boyfriend got a little angry."

"Has this happened before?"

"Yeah, but no one can do anything. He's numero uno in the police line."

"It's been so long I thought you had left."

"I did for a while. I would have come to see you but I didn't know if you were still mad at me for not telling you about Logan and I."

"I'm not mad, I was just hurt. Logan said you tried to comfort him and he was the one who went too far." I'm not mad at him for anything anymore.

"I just wanted to stop by and say hey. I'm leaving for Paris in the morning."

Hugging Rory one last time, she felt Rory hold on tighter than she needed, Colin would never forgive her. If she ever saw her friends again she knew Colin wouldn't be with them.

Rory stayed outside until the cab disappeared around the corner and went inside. The doorman waved her over and handed her a large package.

Stepping on the elevator Rory tore the seal and pulled out the pictures she had taken the morning of his graduation.

Rory stepped off the elevator and saw a glow coming out from the crack in her open door.

As she pushed the door open the smell of vanilla and apples floated to her as cnadles sat on every available surface and sitting on her couch was none other than Logan Huntzberger.

"Hello, stranger."

"How did you get in?"

"Colin, and he said to say he was sorry."

"What is it with Huntzbergers today. Every where I go you pop up and surprise me. You father barged into my office threatening the paper."

"I'm sorry."

"For what. And why did you give me these pictures. I sent them back when we broke up."

"They were from when we were happy and I like for you to be happy. I also hate hurting you I am sorry that I made you hate me."

At that moment her stomach announced its presence and the fact that Rory hadn't eaten since noon.

"And as I recall keeping you happy means keeping you fed. I made supper."

Rory followed Logan into the kitchen and saw the spread set out on the table with even more candles on the counters.

"Why are you still so nice to me. I keep pushing you away and you're still here."

"I'm still here because you didn't leave me after i decided to jump from a plane in Costa Rica, you trusted me enough to jmp from a seven story structure tested only on potatos while wearing a ball gown, and you braved my family. That's why I'm still here."

"But I keep pushing you away, that can't make you happy. And I don't hate you, not anymore. I think I figured that out about five minutes ago."

"I knew you weren't mad at me the day you let me help you. You just had to realize it. I couldn't do it for you."

"Why not, then I wouldn't be miserable and I would have my best friend back."

"Best friends huh, if I knew that I would have pushed harder. You know I was disappointed when you didn't climb in my window for the LDB story you wrote in college."

"Well, that day I was wearing a skirt."

"It would have been a sight."

"Did you ever tell you grandmother about that day I burst into class "professing my love" over Colin's?"

"No, she would have had everything planned by the time we were out for summer break. Emily Gilmore can not be handed a society event and then have it taken away. You should know your mother is the same."

"I'd rather not talk about my parents seeing as how I haven't talked to them in about two-and-a-half years. The day I quit we stopped talking."

"Sounds good to me. I'm still not talking to Emily after she pulled the priest on us five years ago."

"You're happy."

"You cooked."

"Are we on a tow word maximum now?"

"No, just amazed. I forgave you a long time ago Logan, why haven't you pushed farther."

"Because I had to get you used to the fact that I'm not leaving. Now that you're used to me I will become so much more annoying."

"I just bet you will."

Pushing her plate away after consuming enough for three people. she looked over at Logan.

"What's for dessert?"

"I cook and you expect dessert too. My you have gotten pushy."

"I've always been pushy but when we were together I couldn't push too hard or you'd have been pushed on you butt."

"Rory I'm stronger than you I could have stood for a little pushing. Push me right into a different career would have been good."

"If I did that you could be somewhere else instead of getting up right now and getting me dessert."

Rory and Logan finished eating a short time later. When the dishes had been put away Rory invited Logan to stay for a movie. When the sudden unforgettable song came on Logan let out a groan heard in Jersey. When Logan figured it was time to leave Rory had cuddled closer than she had been in days and Logan had to disentangle himself without waking her. Writing a note and sticking it to her forehead Logan laughed his way out.

Only the ringing of the phone warned Rory that she had fallen asleep.

"Hello."

"Are you going home this weekend?"

"I already thought we had this settled."

"If your not going home I will not go face those crazy people we call family on my own."

"I will be there. I am leaving tomorrow after work. You will not be there alone. I have to bring home more dishes because the crazy people in our town feel I will starve if they don't send food every other day."

"Ok, then I will see you tomorrow."

Putting the phone back in its cradle Rory walked to her bathroom and looked in the mirror. On her forehead was a note.

It was a great evening. I will see you later.

Smiling Rory washed her face and fell back asleep the minute she was all covered up.