This turned out to be a really long chapter, but I didn't want to tear it apart.

I am kinda sure you won't mind.;)

She didn't know what to think. As if in trance she walked up and down in front of the building. These accusations were not right, were they?

Was it somehow her fault? Partially…Honor was right.

Would the Hunzerbgers crush her? They certainly could. But would Logan let it happen?

Suddenly a voice called her name: "Rory Gilmore! Pleasure to meet you!"

"Hi Colin!"

"Are you on your way to Logan?"

Rory nodded.

"Shall we go up together?"

Rory hesitated.

"Rory, what's up?" She quickly shook her head:

"Nothing, let's go!"

They entered the building and made their way upstairs.

Colin knocked but Finn just called. "It's open!"

"Imagine if I was a terrorist!" Colin replied opening the door.

"Oh, look what the cat dragged in!"

"Finn please, there's a lady around!"

Rory stepped into the room. "Hey guys!"

Logan and Finn were sitting on the couch playing a game on the X-Box.

"Rory!" Logan exclaimed.

"You look better." She replied.

"But you look a little disconcerted, darling." Finn observed.

"I found her walking up and down the street in front of the building."

"What's bugging you, love?"

Rory rolled her eyes. "I told you I am fine!"

"Guys leave her alone!" Logan interjected. "Wanna have a go?" He asked indicating the X-Box.

She nodded. "Sure."

They played for a couple of hours, as if they were still in college and nothing had happened.

But everyone had to face reality at some point.

Rory still wasn't any cleverer than before, but this afternoon had been fun and she didn't want to ruin it.

"I should probably get going!" she said.

"I'll walk you!" Logan replied immediately. Maybe there was still a chance to talk, however Rory declined the offer: "Thanks, but no, you need to rest."

"I need a lot of fresh air. So come on!" He stood up and offered her his hand that she took. It was warm and the feeling raised goose bumps on her arms. She let go of his hand again avoiding his glance.

"Bye Colin. Bye Finn."

"Bye Rory!" They answered in unison without looking up from the screen.

She walked to the door with Logan right behind her. She felt odd. Excited. Exhilarated. Scared. Calm.

Has it been this hot all day long?

They walked in silence for a while, both of them lost in thoughts. Around them the summer slowly came to an end. The air was becoming cooler, the wind became stronger and autumn had already started to paint the leaves.

"So how was your week off till now?"

"Pretty enjoyable until I told my sister!"

Rory tried to smile. "Since then she has been calling me every day, bugging me about taking two steps back and stuff. I know what you're going to say: She is right, work dork!"

"Yes, that was pretty much what I thought about."

Rory really enjoyed having Logan around. It wasn't exactly like going back in time, because they both had changed, but the confidence was the same.

They didn't know what to say, so they kept walking in silence.

"Are you coming in for a little bit?"

Logan took the offer smiling. As they entered her small room he frowned.

"Oh my god! This room really is too small!" He walked into the middle of it and looked around. "Even my dog would become claustrophobic in here!"

"You have a dog?"

"No!"

"Then you can't say that! Besides it is really okay. I don't have a lot to clean up. The lack of a hiding place is some kind of a problem, if I ever have to hide from someone, but in reverse no one can hide from me. And if I scream everyone will hear it. I was wondering how thick this carton of a wall actually was. I wanted to hang up some pictures, but I was afraid my neighbours would push the nails out of the wall again from the other side."

"Seriously have you ever thought about how unhealthy this is? There is not enough air in here!"

"You're not going to faint again, are you?"

Logan chuckled. "No, Ace I am fine!"

He smiled at her while his eyes were scrutinizing her.

A cold shower raced down her spine and Rory had to hug herself. "What?" Suddenly she felt insecure. Logan chuckled and shook his head: "Nothing."

"When are you flying back?"

"On Sunday." She nodded. Three days to go.

"I am planning to come back next weekend." This surprised Rory.

"Can you do that?"

"I'll take care of everything necessary. So, in the future I hope I can either work from here or I'll find something new around here."

"You sure about it? Coming back…"

Logan looked into her eyes. "Yes." His voice was steady and confident.

Rory sighed. "Logan…"

His heart started pounding as he waited for the next sentence that would destroy his hopes.

"There's one more thing…"

Logan should have expected it.

Rory took a few steps through the room. "How many were there?"

He frowned. "How many of what?"

She walked over to her small kitchen counter to grab a paper that she then handed over to him.

He took a look and saw himself with a blond woman at some gala thing. His heartbeat slowed down again. This was no "no and never ever again", just a demand for an explanation, that he could give her.

Logan looked directly into her face. "None. I know this looks different and I can't prove it to you, I wouldn't know how, but honestly there was none!" He stared at her, almost desperate for her to believe him. He added: "Not this time! I tried to move on but I couldn't! I couldn't go back and I realized I didn't want to go on without you!"

Rory bit onto her lip. Suddenly her heart ached to believe him. Her arms were still crossed over her chest, so they wouldn't reach out. "So, were you about to comeback anyway?"

"Well, I…I don't know. Probably yes…no! I mean I was certainly to comeback! Yes, sure! That I learned my father had caused you trouble again only rushed things."

Rory nodded. She felt so exhausted.

"Do you believe me?" He clenched his jaw.

"I…" Rory couldn't think straight. She wasn't herself. "I guess so…I met Honor today."

Logan's eyes flashed.

"She told me to stay away."

He raised his eyebrows and started clenching and unclenching his hands. He pursed his lips then clicked his tongue. "What?"

"She said it would be better for both of us, to have a clear cut."

Suddenly the penny dropped and he understood.

"Rory…" He took a step closer. "That's why you have been so confused the whole day. Am I right?"

Her glance dropped to the floor. She shrugged.

"Ace."

Rory's knees went wobbly. Logan stepped right in front of her. He opened his arms and Rory succumbed. She let him hug her and she let herself lean against him. With her face buried in his chest she took his scent in and hugged him back.

Logan pulled her even closer.

"No matter, how hard she tries to protect either of us, this is not her business! Don't let her disturb you!" He noticed how heavy her body became, so he steered her over to the couch.