Seven

Logan immediately felt Rory melt into him when he kissed her neck, not something he had intended, and her reaction caused him to linger far longer than he should have.

Needless to say, he was both awkward and awestruck. What was that about?

"Let's go," he said, dropping his hands, trying to keep close but needing to remove what contact they had.

He saw her nod and he dared a look at her. She was flushed; a rosy shade of pink spread from her cheeks to her chest and Logan couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction.

They made their way through the dining room, Logan only steps behind her before they were finally at the coat room and Logan was helping Rory with her stole. She was unusually quiet, a sign Logan had quickly learned meant she was deep in thought.

"Rory, darling, is that you?" a voice suddenly chimed, as Mrs. Holden came sauntering out of the ladies room.

"Mrs. Holden!" Rory faked excitement and Logan knew that this moment would be a huge step for their façade, "how nice it is to see you again!"

"Yes, always," Mrs. Holden replied as they kissed each other on the cheek before turning her attention to Logan.

"Logan Huntzberger, as I live and breathe," she exclaimed before taking his cheek to her lips as well, "why, you are the spitting image of your grandfather when he was young!"

"At least you didn't insult me by saying my father," Logan quipped, sending a fit of giggles through Lady Holden as she playfully smacked his arm.

"You are too much," she finally managed to get out between laughter. "So what brings you both here tonight?" she immediately asked, Logan knowing full well that it would be Mrs. Holden driving their gossip train.

"You know," Logan answered, "dinner, dancing, just your typical date."

"I didn't see any dancing," Mrs. Holden pointed out with a fake pout as a grin spread across her face like she had caught them red handed.

"Ah well," Logan grabbed Rory's hand, pulling her to him, his eyes pleading with hers that she just trust him and he instantly felt her relax as her back met his front before he spun her out in a move fit for a ballroom dance floor, then, pulling her close again and dipping her back over his arm gently.

Mrs. Holden applauded, "you two kids are divine," she praised, "enjoy the rest of your evening together and tell your families I said hello!"

"You are something else, you know that Huntzberger?" Rory smiled as they watched Mrs. Holden head back to her table, "I thought for sure that we'd be here till tomorrow playing twenty questions with her.

"What can I say Ace, when I'm good, I'm very good and when I'm better, I am excellent," he laughed as they headed out the doors to the valet.

"I've been playing this game for a lot of years, you stick with me and I'll teach you everything I know." he winked.

"Ahh, like who to call first for bail money?" she joked as the car pulled up.

"Always call the lawyers first, they can call the bank," he grinned, opening Rory's door.

Soon they were off to their next destination and Logan once again noticed Rory's silence.

"Something wrong, Ace?" he asked.

"It's just a lot for one night," she shrugged, "I've spent the last few years trying to avoid a scene like that and now we're seeking them out, I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"Back there in the restaurant," he explained, once again feeling the need to put Rory at ease, "it was all for show, I didn't think…" he drifted off, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"No, no, it was just unexpected," Rory admitted, "I guess I really should get used to the idea of public displays."

"Well, we can go over that when you're ready," he began, "it's just eventually we are really going to have to act like a couple, and even with your shyness, people are going to sense something is off if we aren't… affectionate."

"I know, I know," she said, "I'm just out of practice."

Logan's eye brows raised and Rory's hand flew to her mouth when she realized what she had said.

"No, no," she said, backtracking, "not like that."

"Not like that?" Logan smiled.

"I just don't do it very often," she explained and Logan could not stifle his laugh. She gasped, throwing her head back on the headrest, her eyes closing and her hands covering her face. "Not that either…" she whined. "I give up trying to explain," she finally huffed, her arms crossing her chest in defeat.

"No worry, Ace," Logan chuckled, "we'll figure it out."

...

The pub was a hole-in-the-wall sort of place and Rory was actually surprised that Logan would ever pick here for a hangout. It was a mixture of old-timey bar, complete with dark wood paneling and high stools, as well as comfy little enclaves for small groups of people. It was unusual, not the super high trendy, modern bar or club that Rory had been envisioning.

"What do you think?" Logan asked as they entered.

"It's different than I imagined," she admitted, "cozier somehow."

"You'll love it," Logan stated and Rory smiled, knowing that no matter what he'd learned so far, he still didn't know her well enough if he thought she enjoyed hanging out in bars.

"Skeptical, eh?" He asked, his smile widening. "That's okay. You'll just have to be amazed then," he said cryptically before heading off to one of the comfy little small group spaces, a mixture of small tables, couches, and chairs.

She followed him, sitting next to him on the curved sofa and he handed her a small one paged menu. She skimmed it over, her eyes widening and her mouth dropping open in shock. Her arm flew, playfully knocking Logan in the chest.

"Logan!" she exclaimed, suddenly giddy with excitement. "This is a bar,"

"Yes, I know," he interrupted her, his smile even bigger, like the cat-who-ate-the-canary.

"But, it's a bar bar AND a coffee bar!" she giggled, trying to decide what to try first.

"Rule number one," he laughed, "trust me!" His arm sank down across her bare shoulders, "I told you you'd love it."

Now who was that for? Rory wondered to herself, thinking that what had happened in the restaurant was for show than this was… on purpose? Did he enjoy touching her? The way she was beginning to enjoy being touched by him? She admonished herself immediately.

"Hello, Love!" she heard a very distinctive accent exclaim, then realizing that Logan must have spotted his friends and was trying to set a vibe.

"Finn," Logan laughed, standing and extending his hand.

"Not you, mate," Finn pushed his hand away and looked directly at Rory, dropping to one knee to take her hand. "This exquisite creature who didn't realize she was sitting next to boring ole' you when I was on my way here."

"Hello to you, too," Rory smiled, slightly surprised by his intense hello.

"Easy there, Finn," Logan laughed, "you'll scare her off and I'll be left dateless."

"Good God!" Finn cried out, "tell me it isn't so, darling?"

"Well," Rory grinned up at Logan, "he did drive me here."

Finn looked up, "Ahh, he's just the chauffeur then," he frowned toward Logan, shaking his head and moving to sit on the other side of Rory, "and you thought you had a chance, silly boy."

Rory couldn't help but laugh at the over-the-top comical banter of the two as Logan returned to his seat next to her.

"Now that that is out of the way," Finn looked to Rory, "I am Finn, exotic lover, playboy extraordinaire and you are…?"

"Rory," she smiled, "Rory Gilmore-Hayden," she smiled.

"Well, Rory-Rory Gilmore-Hayden, what shall you be having to drink," he asked just before kissing her hand.

"I'm thinking of trying this Hot White Russian," she smiled, tossing her small menu on the small table.

"But I'm Australian," he cocked his head confused.

"No, no, it's a coffee drink," she explained.

"Coffee?" he asked curiously, "you do know they do sell just alcohol here, yes?" he questioned, like she was completely bizarre.

"But I like coffee," she chimed and Finn let out a theatrical sigh.

"You will never been intoxicated enough to be convinced to come home with me," Finn admitted, suddenly grasping her hand and holding it to his chest. "Rory-Rory, darling, it's been fantastic but I'm afraid our love affair is over, it truly has been grand."

"Be still my heart," Rory faked shocked, both hands flying to grasp at her heart.

"I know, dear, but it's for the best," Finn stood, "I'm leaving you in... semi-capable hands," he motioned toward Logan apologetically.

"Well," Rory moved her hand and bravely rested it slightly high on he inside Logan's thigh, a flood of adrenaline rushing through her at the intimacy.

Finn gasped, pointing his finger with the accusation, "so it IS the chauffeur!"

Rory winked and Logan shrugged, slipping his arm around her once more.

"And so it goes," Finn sighed before asking Logan, "What can I get you brother?" clearly about to head to the bar.

"Scotch. Neat," Logan replied.

"A Scot and a Russian, coming right up," Finn slurred, "I might need a map."

"No," Logan laughed, shaking his head.

"A Scotch and a Hot White Russian," Finn corrected himself before blowing Rory a kiss.

"You had your chance!" Rory called as he walked away and she and Logan were left alone again.

"He's a bit much," Logan explained, apologetically, "but he's one of my best friends and he's had my back more than I care to admit."

"That's all anyone can ask for," Rory smiled, her mind wandering to thoughts of her mother, the only person who had had Rory's back through everything; God how she missed her.

"You okay Ace?" Logan asked, catching her distress.

She forced a smile, nodding, attempting to hold back tears.

"Hey, hey," Logan pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her back, "what's up?"

"My mom was my best friend," Rory whispered, knowing if she said the words too loud she'd risk losing it in public.

She was going to cry, good God, their first date wasn't even over and Logan had managed to almost make her cry.

"Do you want to get out of here?" Logan asked, worry sinking in his stomach as he held this breaking girl in his arms.

It was then that it finally dawned on Logan, that despite all her talk, all their banter, even despite the face she showed the world: Rory was fragile, Rory was special, and most of all, and this was the part he hated to admit, she deserved to be faking dating someone way better than him.