AATT 10

If Rory thought that the few weeks between her and Logan's first date, and their second were busy, it was nothing compared to what she was facing now. The editor and half of the political section quit in a blaze of glory and Logan had begged her to help out until they could find a suitable replacement as she had experience in that field of reporting. She had heard about the uprising through the rumor mill but didn't believe it was as bad as it was being reported until a few hours after the rumors started a disheveled and exhausted looking Logan came and sat down on her office couch. When she finally got him to talk to her he explained the situation before finally breaking down and begging for her help.

"I know, I know that you have to much on your plate as it is, and I know what I'm asking, but it will only be for a few days, maybe a week, tops." He pleaded, and she gave him a kiss and told him she would help with anything he needed.

As she sat in her office ten days after the original agreement she looked at her phone again willing it to ring. They had kept missing each other, they had never got a chance to discuss the housing situation as this crisis had happened the Wednesday after they got back. Now it was Friday and they had played phone tag for 10 days straight. It was the first weekend they didn't spend together while both in the same city and she missed him. The worst part is that he was only either a few floors away or a few blocks away. Constantly working on filling the positions that Rory was filling in for, along with a few other poor, unfortunate souls that had experience in the political journalism realm. However, none of those people were also editing and writing for 2 different sections. She was exhausted, mentally, and physically, and the fact that she was missing Logan only hindered her.

The last time she was even close to being this busy they didn't have an established relationship, she didn't have the emotional connection that she now had, she didn't have the frame of reference of all the different smiles and smirks one man's face could show. No, now she was in deeper which made it hurt more.

RLRL

In an office a few blocks away, Logan looked down at his phone screen while his father kept talking, they had narrowed it down to 3 candidates for the editor position and once they got that in place the political section would be back to fully staffed. He looked over his and Rory's text messages.

To: Rory

From: Logan

God Ace, how many times can I apologize for this fucking insanity?

To: Logan

From: Rory

It's okay, it's throwing me in the deep end, preparing me for life, I'm sure there's a life lesson in here somewhere.

To: Rory

From: Logan

We'll get this figured out, I promise. Dad and I are almost through with the hiring process. Just a few more positions to fill.

To: Logan

From: Rory

Maybe we should move that trip up a bit?

That was the last time he had talked to her, and that was 2 days ago, he kept meaning to text her back but every time he did, it seemed like a new crisis popped up and his attention was diverted yet again.

"LOGAN!" He heard his dad snap and it made him jump and look at Mitchum.

"Sorry, it's just been a whirl wind, I spaced out." Logan knew Mitchum didn't completely buy it, but he let it go.

"Listen, I think Allen is our best bet for the editor position." Logan nodded his head in agreement, at this point he would have hired the guy with the hot dog cart if it meant an end to this week. "So, with that in mind, I think you should take the editor who has been putting so much extra time in out to dinner tonight, on the company as a thank you for her extra man hours she has been putting in."

Logan's head shot up when he realized what his dad was saying and before his dad could say another word Logan was out of his chair and packing up his things. "Thanks dad, and I think Allen is a safe bet too. I'll talk to you on Monday." In the elevator he sent an email to his secretary informing her to hold all calls, emails, snail mail, anything until Monday morning. He made his way to the Times' office and hurried up the stairs, not bothering with waiting for the elevator.

Rory was sitting at her desk, after finally powering her computer off and slumped back in her chair, exhausted, sore, and overworked when she heard her door slam open and she saw Logan for the first time in days standing in her doorway.

He looked just as unkept as he had 10 days ago but she didn't care, she watched him standing there out of breath as he spoke. "We did it, it's fully staffed, this nightmare is over." She couldn't believe it so she did the only thing that her body was telling her to do and without a single word she raced over to him grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and brought him inside her office and slammed the door shut before she pushed his back to the door and kissed him, before he picked her up, wrapping her legs around his torso as he made their way to Rory's desk. They never spoke a word, never discussing how hell-ish everything had been, they were just thankful they were back with each other.

Later, as they were putting on the clothes that had been thrown across Rory's office they finally spoke. "God, I missed you." Logan said as he came over and kissed her bare shoulder.

"You know, work wise this week was brutal and exhausting but exhilarating and I loved being pushed to the limits, showing that I had what it takes. But honestly, I didn't expect to miss you as much as I did." Rory admitted to him as she finished zipping up her pencil skirt and grabbing her shirt from the couch in the corner.

"I know what you mean, there were so many days I almost just bypassed my place and made my way towards yours."

"It would have been a waste, I slept here most nights anyway."

Logan's face contorted. "I don't think I like the idea of that. You haven't slept much at all?"

"No, I haven't. Maybe, since it seems like all is settled, you and I can spend the weekend holed up at my place?" Rory asked as she gathered up her laptop and chargers.

"I love that idea, but only if you promise me one thing?" Logan asked her as he made his way over to her desk, he couldn't help the smirk that passed over his face as he flashed back to 20 minutes prior to this conversation.

"Sure, anything."

"You will leave your laptop here, you need the break, and your phone gets internet access, so you won't be completely cut off, but no work." He wrapped his arms around from behind her and couldn't help himself from kissing her neck. "I want you all to myself this weekend."

She moaned and quickly set her laptop down, only grabbing her phone and her purse and grabbed his hand as they exited her office. She turned to lock the door and they made their way downstairs, this time using the elevator.

As they entered Rory's apartment they heard a very distinct voice coming from the living room and Rory turned to Logan before they were fully seen. "I should be more surprised, shouldn't I?" She rolled her eyes as she walked into the living room where once again they were greeted with 2 brunettes. "Boys who don't understand what social norms are, may I ask how you got into my apartment? And don't you have places of your own?"

"Yes, but darling, you see, I was bored, and Colin promised me an adventure."

"Finn, that doesn't explain how you got into my girlfriend's apartment."

"We know very powerful locksmith. Well, that and we stole your key, made a copy, and returned your key before you noticed." Colin explained without an ounce of humility or remorse.

"And this just seemed like a normal thing to do for you guys?" Rory asked, she couldn't even pretend to be upset at this point, she was to tired and slap happy that the whole thing was rather amusing at this rate.

"Well, we thought, what if there was a horrible tornado—" Finn started.

"In the middle of New York City?"

"I think it happened on one of those apocalypse movies, now hush mate. What if there was a horrible tornado, or another life-altering moment and Logan here, didn't answer his calls which he tends to do when he's around you, and I can't say I blame the bloke—"

"Does he always switch from Australian to British?" Rory asked, interrupting Finn.

"Quite frankly, he's lived here the majority of his life, how he still has an accent is beyond me, I think it's fake and that's why he gets confused."

"Excuse me!" Finn looked affronted. "Everything about my person is 100% authentic. Now will you two stop interrupting me. As I was saying, we thought it would be crucial in case of an emergency."

"There is not a single emergency on this planet that requires you two to have a key to my girlfriend's apartment. Hand them over and get out." Logan held out his hand and prompted Rory to do the same. Colin and Finn both mumbled something as they took the keys off their key ring.

"You know, that's the second time you've called her your girlfriend in about 10 minutes there Huntz, is someone a little possessive?" Colin asked as he handed over the key to Logan.

"No, it's just I don't believe you two idiots need a key." Just as he said it he watched Finn hand the key over to Rory.

"Love, if you're ever questioning just how authentic I am, just give me a call."

"OUT! The both of you!" Logan barked as he looked over at Rory whose face was pained he thought she was upset but she was really just trying to hold in her laughter. Once they heard the door close he turned to her and immediately started apologizing. "God, I'm so sorry. I don't know how they did that, or why they did that—" He was cut off by her laughing.

"Logan it's fine. They're a mess and intrusive and have yet to understand what a boundary is, and don't get me wrong, I never want to come back here and find them on my sofa, but it's not the end of the world."

"You're really not upset?" He was surprised as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm not exactly happy about it, but I'm exhausted, and it was a funny surprise."

"Fine, but when we get our own place they're not allowed to have keys, and we will have 'Do Not Duplicate' on our set, okay?" Rory couldn't help but smile at him as he said it.

"So, our own place?" She asked as she looked up at him, she watched as his face got sheepish, almost like he didn't want to admit what he had just said before he finally just smiled at her.

"It's something I've thought about. Especially after this week, but I don't know, we've only been at this for a few months, and they've been a great few months."

Rory didn't know why but her heart sunk a little bit at his words. "Yeah, I completely understand." She didn't want to admit that she had felt that longing that she never felt with Jameson, the lack of longing that had led to the end of her marriage was what she had felt for Logan the past few weeks and it scared her but exhilarated her. She had started to get excited about the idea of her and Logan eventually moving in, but now she wasn't sure he was on the same page.

"But then I was thinking, my lease ends in 6 months, that will be almost a year of dating, and so I was thinking, we can continue what we're doing, plus I've cleared out half my closet for you and a few drawers for when you stay over so you're not constantly carrying clothes back and forth, and maybe you'd be okay with me keeping some stuff over here? Once my lease is up, we can evaluate where we're at and we can go from there. Does that sound okay? When is your lease up?"

"Well, actually I own the place, I got it in the divorce. And I'd want to get a new place, if we're going to get to the stage of moving in together and starting a life together I want to do it in a new place."

"I really like that idea, I never would have asked for it, but I do appreciate it." Logan answered.

"And as for moving some of your stuff in." She grabbed his hand and led him back to her room where she showed him the space she had made for him, before leading him into the bedroom where she had bought a stash of his normal toiletry items. "I took note of what you like to use and got it for you before all the craziness happened." He wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her.

"So, were on the same page?" She asked as he set her down on the floor.

"We are." He confirmed as he kissed her again.

"Actually Logan, there's one more thing." She sat down on her bed and he followed suit. She looked around the room a few times before she said anything. "Remember how I told you about that business trip I took, and that longing was there for Jameson? I didn't miss him like I should have missed him?" Logan nodded and took her hand in his. "I don't know what this means, but this week, when we couldn't talk much, and we were both so busy I missed you. More than I thought would have been possible. I craved your kiss, and your touch, and the way your smile makes me feel, I just missed you Logan. And I know it might be to soon to say anything, especially words I don't know if I'm ready for, but I wanted to tell you that I did miss you, more than I thought was possible. And I'm glad we're on the same page about moving in together, because I do think it's smart to wait but I do like having a plan in place. And it's okay if we're not on the same page with this, with how much I feel for you, but I felt like you deserved to know. Especially after we worked out the whole living situation issue. I felt like I needed to tell you."

"I missed you too Ace. When I was with Cassandra I thought I missed her, I thought I loved her, and I'm not exactly sure I'm ready to put this into words yet either, but all I know is that this week was brutal. I missed everything about you, in ways I didn't think was possible. So, I'd say we're on the same page there too."

RLRLRL

The next day they decided to get some of Rory's things and bring them over to Logan's apartment, with a stop to pick up her own toiletry kit. When they entered the apartment, they got to work setting up all of the things Rory had brought over, and she felt happy, it helped when every time Logan would catch her eye as they hung up some of her clothes he would give her this infectious, boyish smile that she was positive was her own kryptonite.

A few hours later as they finally finished setting things up and deciding on dinner they heard a knock on his door, thinking it was the food Rory went to open it. "Hey there!" She was looking in her purse trying to find some cash for the tip knowing Logan already put the food on his card. When she lifted her head up she was face to face with a sea of blonde hair.

"I'm sorry, I must have the wrong place." The woman with the British accent turned to leave when they heard Logan's voice coming near them.

"Ace, do you need help with the food?" Logan came up behind Rory and wrapped his arms around her waist, finally looking at the woman standing at the door. "Cassandra? What are you doing here?"

"Your mom called me."