A/N: Alright already... I get that it may be moving slowly. It's only been 2 days, and 10 chapters. But I need to establish the relationship between Rory and Logan. This IS a Rogan. Perhaps a Trogan Triangle sometime... who knows. Anything can happen. But it will be Rogan in the end. That being said, I hope the majority of you don't feel that this story is going to "crash and burn" as one review so delicately put it. Anyway, here's your conflict-

Previously:

Tristan walked briskly toward the center of the dance floor. He made sure to be polite as he tapped Logan on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?"

Chapter 10- Hearts Broken by the Gilmore Girls

"Sure," Logan replied politely. Rory could see he was confused and a bit angered that anyone would ask. Logan slowly let go of her hand and released her from his embrace. He gave Tristan an angry glare before heading to the bar for a drink.

Tristan stepped in, quickly picking up the beat where Logan had dropped it. This would be as good a time as any to let her know how he was feeing about her situation with Logan. Before he could even open his mouth to speak, she looked at him with angry eyes.

"Tristan! What are you doing?" She didn't even attempt to mask the irritation in her voice.

"Cutting in; I wanted to dance with you." He wasn't sure why she was so upset.

"I was dancing with Logan," she stated plainly.

"I noticed…" he replied, now beginning to get annoyed himself. "Rory, I want to talk to you about Logan."

She looked up into his eyes, thoroughly curious what he had to say. "What about him?" she asked coldly.

"I…" he wasn't sure he really wanted to do this anymore. "I just don't think you should get involved with him."

She blinked, surprised by his blatant remark. She shook her head in disbelief. "Tristan listen, I appreciate the concern. But you don't have to worry about me. I'm a big girl; I've been making decisions since my last few hours in the womb. Besides if you were so concerned about who I have been involved with, you could have called, or written. This is kind of out of no where- after 2 years."

"Rory, I know we haven't seen a lot of each other. But… I mean, after this afternoon, maybe it would be better for you to take things slow. I just don't want you to be feeling that way again any time soon."

"And what makes you think Logan would do that?" The anger in her eyes was beginning to intensify. He could tell this was not going the way he had planned.

"Rory…" Tristan said; she knew exactly why he was worried about what Logan would do to her.

"What Tristan? Please… explain it to me. Are you really worried about me? Or is it that you're jealous?" He didn't answer; that comment pierced deep.

"You know what?" she continued. "I'm tired of people telling me what I should and shouldn't do. Maybe for once I want to do something that isn't expected of me; something that I want to do for fun; something that maybe…. maybe I shouldn't do." She had raised her voice by this point, and had pulled back from his arms. They were now standing in the middle of the dance floor, as the other couples spun around them.

"Rory, I'm sorry. I just…" he reached out to stop her, but she had already turned and was headed out the door. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. He turned to see Stephanie standing next to him. "In my head, I pictured that going differently," he said, letting out a sigh.

Rory leaned against the railing, watching the waves ripple out into the water as the motor from the boat pushed through the inky liquid. She was livid by this point. I can't believe Tristan would pull something like that. We weren't even friends back at Chilton, not really. And now? Now he was going to be my protector? And after only being 'friends' for one day!

"Ugh" she exclaimed, disgusted. "What am I doing with my life? I hate that I'm so predictable, so safe. I need a change. I need something fun, just… just something different." She was talking to herself. She was sure if anyone came out and heard her they would quite possibly think she was crazy. But at that point, she didn't care. She needed to vent and didn't have anyone to vent to.

Logan had missed most of the commotion. He figured he would let Tristan have his dance and then he and Rory could get back to their fun-filled evening. He ran to the bathroom quickly. He didn't get back until after Rory had stormed off the dance floor. On his way back inside he passed a distraught Tristan.

"Hey man, where's Rory?" Logan asked.

"I don't know. My assumption would be that she's looking for you," Tristan replied, feeling completely defeated and utterly humiliated at the scene. He was also beginning to feel angry. Logan wasn't sure what was going on, but he could sense that something wasn't right.

"Oh. Well then in that case, I should be going." Logan turned to leave, unsure of where Rory would go in search for him. Well, if something is bothering her, as much as something is bothering him, she would probably go somewhere quiet, to be alone. Logan headed up the stairs to the open deck. Sure enough, leaning against the railing of the back of the boat he saw her. She looked like she was freezing. As he approached her, he could hear her talking to herself. He smiled, amused.

"This is quite a Titanic moment we've got ourselves here," he joked. She turned quickly, startled by the sound of his voice. She hadn't heard him walk up.

"Well, I have no plans to jump, you can be assured," she replied, thankful it was Logan and not Tristan- or anyone else for that matter.

"I just may sleep a little easier tonight," he answered, smiling. He moved closer to her and removed his jacket. "You look cold," he said, placing it over her shoulders.

"Are you always such a gentleman?" she asked, pulling the lapels of the jacket close around her. "Giving up your jacket twice in one night. I could almost say I'm surprised."

"Why would that surprise you?" he questioned, curious.

"Most players aren't quite so chivalrous."

He smiled; she knew of his history. For that matter she wouldn't have to have known. A guy like himself wasn't hard to peg, most of the time.

"A player huh? Is that what you think of me?"

"Despite the fact that you seem to be proving me wrong, yes; that is what I think of you." She was now resting her back on the railing; her arms were wrapped around themselves, trying to keep in the warmth.

"Well, I'm no ogre, but I take my statement of defense from them. I'm like an onion, many layers. Perhaps I just let most people see me a certain way." Her mouth was curled up in a smile, and he could tell she was trying to stifle a laugh.

"Hmmm… a Shrek reference? I haven't heard a good one of those in a long time. Not to mention it was used in the same conversation as a Titanic reference. Lorelai would be proud." She smiled.

"Good to know I have the approval of someone," he smirked. "So what will it take for your approval, Ace?"

"You're getting there," she smiled. "So, how did you know where I was anyway?"

"Oh that," he said softer, moving closer to her. "A little blue birdie whispered it in my ear."

"Would that birdie's initials be TD?" she asked, her eyes turning to slits. He could tell by the quick mood change that she was upset with Tristan.

"He seemed troubled about something. Last I knew he was dancing with you, so I assumed something happened."

"You assumed correctly," she said, now sounding more hurt than mad.

"What's up Ace?"

"He just said some… well, hard to swallow things. I don't really want to talk about it."

"Alright. Anything I can do?" he offered.

"Your presence is a tremendous help," she smiled.

At that moment, Rory's phone rang, interrupting any moment that the two might have possibly shared. She pulled it out of her purse and noticed it was her father. She hadn't heard from him in a while. "I'm sorry, I have to take this," she said to Logan. She flipped open her phone. "Dad?"

"Hey hunnnnney," he slurred into the phone.

"Dad, are you alright?"

"Me? I'm fine…" he sighed heavily.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"Oh, nothing. I just got off the phone with your mother."

"What happened?"

"Do you remember when she called me from her bachelorette party? When she was going to marry that guy… Max?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Well, right now the guys and I are out. I had a drink too many and decided to repay her the phone call. Sherri and I are having some problems… and your mom is so happy now. And…"

"And what, Dad?"

"And I want it to be her…"

Sirens went off in Rory's head. What was he doing? "You want it to be who?"

"Lorelai. It was always supposed to be Lorelai."

"I know," Rory replied sympathetically.

"I was finally getting everything together. I didn't think that things with Sherri would turn out this way, and now there's the baby. And… hey… Did she ever tell you about our first kiss?"

"No," Rory admitted. She stood up and walked away from the table, where Logan was patiently waiting for her to get off the phone. She moved far enough to be out of earshot, for some privacy.

"It was after school, in junior high. I was hanging out with some friends and she just came up to me and kissed me. She said she just wanted to know what it would be like. I couldn't believe it. That was Lorelai though. She always knew what she wanted, and she always went for it."

"I wish I was more like her sometimes," Rory said.

"I don't know what made me think of that."

"Hey, Dad? Did you like it? That she kissed you first?"

"Who wouldn't like being kissed by a Gilmore Girl?" he said, saying exactly what Rory needed to hear. "Hey hun. I'm sorry about calling like this. I didn't mean to."

"It's alright."

"Well, the guys are getting restless; they're ready to hit the town. I'll call you soon, ok?"

"Okay. I'll talk to you then." Rory closed the phone and turned back to Logan. Somehow that phone call was all the convincing she needed. She walked over to the table and sat down. She took a deep breath and threw caution to the wind.

"Logan, can I ask you something?" she looked into his eyes, searching for the answer.

"Anything," he replied simply.

"Was the Zaxby's thing like a date, or a group outing?"

"A bunch of us were going to go out."

"Oh," she replied, disappointed.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I just thought that you liked me. I mean, you act like you liked me; you have ever since we met-- which was only last night; but still, showing up at my grandparents, inviting me to this fancy thing. I guess I just thought…"

"Rory…" he looked her square in the eye. "I want to be clear. I do like you; and I admit that I would love to go out with you. But you're different."

"I'm different?" she repeated, unsure of what he meant.

"Yes, you are. You're different than the girls I usually date. You're beautiful and witty. You have great taste in music and books, and you love a good banter. Plus, you write for the Yale Daily News. But the truth is- I don't do relationships. I've been having a hard time deciding if I should say anything to you about it."

"So, you like me?" she asked.

"What is not to like? Besides, even if I wanted to, I couldn't deny the intense feeling I get whenever you're around me."

"You feel that too?" She asked, somewhat rhetorically.

A voice from behind Logan interrupted his response. "Rory?" It was Tristan, there to ruin another moment with Logan. He walked over briskly, looking determined. "Rory, I need to talk to you."

"Tristan, I'm kind of in the middle of something," she said coldly.

"Please, it will just take a minute."

"I don't mind," Logan offered. "I know where you're sleeping tonight," he said, shooting Rory a wink. "Besides, if things go badly I can assume you'll be on the other side of the railing?" he smiled, referring back to their previous conversation. "I'll just go get us something to drink." Logan walked toward the stairs. He couldn't believe he was leaving Rory twice in the hands of Tristan.

Rory realized she couldn't do anything to stop Logan from going. She turned to Tristan, her jaw clenched. "What do you want now?" she asked.

"Rory, please, just hear me out. I'm sorry about the way things sounded in there. I just…" he paused. He couldn't believe that he was going to admit something like this to Rory when she was angry at him. "I like you Rory. And yes, seeing you with him does make me jealous. But at the same time, I know his type; probably better than anyone. I know what you would be to him."

Now she almost felt bad for him. He was admitting his feelings for her, and she felt nothing in return. "Tristan, I'm sorry. I like…Logan. I thought the truce meant we would be friends. I appreciate you looking out for me, but like I said before, I can make my own decisions. I'll be careful, and I will take things slow. But I don't-" she was already hurting him. "I don't have feelings for you… not like that."

"I see," Tristan replied. He was already too late. Seeing them together was going to be like her shoving a knife through his heart every time. How could he be friends with her now, after this? It was going to hurt too much.

A/N: dun dun dun… Will Tristan turn and walk out of Rory's life forever? Will she realize what she's losing if she does lose Tristan? Will she end up on the other side of the railing? Will Rory ever get to kiss Logan, like Lorelai kissed Christopher? Will Logan and Tristan have to fight for Rory? Will Rory ever be inducted into the LDB, or even find out how she's connected to it? And will Logan ever return with those darn drinks? Those questions and more, answered in future chapters. Reviews are always appreciated!