I Didn't Get On The Plane

by MOPmom

What was Logan doing in the years between Season 7 and the Revival? What on Earth is he thinking during the Revival? Logan POV. Multi-chapter

10. 2016

Author Note: I apologize for the delay and for the length! Logan's inner thoughts in italics.

All characters belong to Gilmore Girls, WB, and Netflix.

---

January 2016

"Can I use your desktop?" Rory asks, sitting up and putting down her phone.

Logan glances over at her from his side of the bed. "Of course."

She disappears for a while, returning almost an hour later.

"You didn't have to wait up," Rory says.

He puts his book down. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," she says softly. "Just some edits on my piece for The Atlantic."

Logan sits up. "Doesn't that publish this month? What edits could they possibly want this late?"

"They want to shift the tone slightly. You know… because language is a little more… coarse right now. More vitriolic," Rory explains. She purses her lips. "I just… That's not really my style."

"Well, what did your agent say?" Logan asks.

"I don't actually have an agent at the moment."

"What?" Logan says incredulously. "How do you get any freelance work without an agent?"

"I have a lot of connections, and I just felt that I couldn't justify the cost of an agent."

"What about your trust fund?"

"I'm keeping that for emergencies. Rent. Food. Digital articles don't pay as well as print, and I need to be prepared for the day when there is no money coming in."

Wow. Her financial situation is worse than I thought.

"You know there are a litany of agents at HPG that would kill for a writer of your caliber," he says.

"Logan, you know I can't do that. It's not a big deal. I just need to shift my verbiage a little. You go to bed. I know you have to get up early."

A few hours later, he is awakened to the sound of Rory tap-dancing downstairs.

I knew she was more worried about this than she let on.

He has learned over the last few weeks not to bother her when she tap-dances, so he rolls over and attempts to go back to sleep.

I wish she would let me help her.

---

That night over dinner, he attempts to broach the subject.

"I heard you tap-dancing last night-"

"I'm sorry-"

"No. I just hate to see you this worried. What can I do?" he asks.

"Nothing. I promise that everything is fine," she deflects.

Logan sighs loudly. "Well, if you don't want to talk to me, you still need to talk to someone. What does Lorelei think?"

"I haven't talked to her in a while," Rory admits.

"Really? When's the last time you went home?"

"The week Grandpa died," she says quietly.

Woah. That's been months.

"You know I've learned from experience that things get sideways when you aren't talking to Lorelei. Are you fighting?"

"No, not all," she says, pausing for a moment. "Do you ever feel like you're disappointing people?"

Logan actually laughs out loud. "Every day. You remember my family, right? But I'm sure Lorelei is not-"

"No, she's not. It's the exact opposite. She and Luke are so proud of me, and I really haven't done anything to deserve it. And that makes me disappointed in myself. I can't tell her that my career is floundering."

"Rory. You have got to cut yourself some slack. You're a freelancer, which is hard enough, but you're doing it without an agent, which is close to impossible. And you just published a very well-received Talk of the Town. You should be proud of that."

Rory leans forward and kisses his lips sweetly. "Thanks."

He grabs his laptop and opens his browser. "What's your schedule like this week?"

"It's pretty light. Why?"

"Because you're going to Stars Hollow to see Lorelei."

"Oh. Are you sick of me already?" she asks with a smile.

He gives her a knowing look. "Of course not. But you need this."

He is booking her flight when his phone rings.

Rory picks it up and hands it to him. "Odette," she says quietly.

Logan looks up from the computer and sighs. "Decline." He finishes buying her ticket and says "I need to tell you about Odette."

"No, you don't. We're in Vegas."

"Rory-"

"Logan, I don't want to know."

"But-"

She cuts him off again. "I don't want to know."

I'm engaged. People think I am getting married. I need to be upfront about this.

"It's just that-"

"Do you want to stop seeing each other?"

"You know I don't," he says.

"That's all I need to know," she says.

I'm all for burying my head in the sand too.

But this is not something I can keep secret. I've got to talk to Odette and see how quickly we can get out of this.

---

The next night at The Ivy, Logan waits until dessert is placed on the table to bring the conversation back to his main concern.

"You're leaving me tomorrow. According to our rules, I need to know when you're coming back."

"I feel compelled to remind you that you booked this flight for me to leave. But… I also spoke with Naomi's agent this afternoon and she wants to meet on Thursday, so I'll be coming right back," Rory says.

Logan grins. "You waited all night to tell me this?"

"Seemed trivial," Rory scoffs. "But I was thinking, I can get a hotel room. I've been here for over two weeks, and I don't want to cramp your style."

Logan rolls his eyes. "You're staying with me." He reaches across the table for her hand.

Her eyes quickly dart around, surveying the scene, before she takes his hand.

One more month, she'll be past all of this. I'm sure of it.

"Then it's settled. I'll give you a spare key when we get home so that you can just let yourself back in," Logan says.

"That doesn't sound very Vegas-y," she says.

Neither does almost three straight weeks together…

"Then just shoo the hookers out and flush all of the blow when you get there," Logan says.

---

On Tuesday morning, Logan is awakened by the ping of a text message. He groggily reaches over to his bedside table and opens the message.

It is a picture of Rory in the red bra he gave her for Christmas accompanied by:

Are you up yet?

His eyes pop open, and he feels his whole body awaken. Logan swings his legs over the side of the bed, his eyes still intent on the racy selfie.

Wow. This is a new move for her.

He heads into the bathroom, arranges himself in his boxer briefs, and takes a quick shot of the mirror.

I am now.

As he heads back to bed, he grabs his tablet to Facetime her.

She answers quickly. "Hey!"

"Hey. Nice outfit."

"Yeah, I found it in my suitcase, and… it makes me feel pretty. And sexy," she says.

"Well, you are pretty and sexy," he flirts. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"I just can't. Jetlag, I guess. I tap-danced… and had coffee with Mom-"

"Wow. I can't believe you didn't pass out immediately," he quips.

"Hush. But I do know something that always gives me amazing sleep," she says.

Logan smirks.

We can't even be apart for one night. She has to see that.

"Good idea," he says, reaching down to touch himself.

"You like that?" she asks coyly.

"You know I do."

"How much?"

"This much," he says, sliding out of his underwear. He pans his tablet down until Rory has a good view of his hard-on and tugs on himself a few times, smiling when he hears her gasp.

He brings the picture back up to his face. Rory's eyes are closed, lips slightly parted.

He props his tablet up on a pillow and rolls onto his side. "Open your eyes," he whispers.

She slowly does, her big blue eyes clouded with lust. Logan inhales deeply and picks up speed on himself.

"Show me," he says.

Her face flushes, but she shifts her phone until all Logan can see are Rory's red lacy panties, her hand moving furiously inside.

"Fuck, Rory," he groans.

They continue on, whispering and touching, teasing and showing, until they both topple over the edge.

Once he has his breath back, Logan says "Do you think when techs created Facetime, they thought they were going to revolutionize phone sex? How great would this have been when we…" His voice trails off.

It is silent for a moment. Finally, Rory says "We did pretty well without it."

"Yeah. We did," Logan agrees. "Do you think you can sleep now?"

She nods.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Ace."

He hangs up, then lies in bed for a while.

Fuck. I'm in love with her. Again.

That did not take long.

I've got to end this engagement. I've got to call Odette today.

He heads to the shower to start getting ready for work.

He does not call Odette.

---

On Thursday, Logan heads home after his lunchtime session with his trainer. He normally showers at the gym, but he wants to hear about Rory's meeting with Naomi. He steps out of the elevator and catches sight of her opening the door.

"Ace!" he calls down the corridor, jogging to catch up to her.

"What are you doing home?" she asks.

He catches up to her at the door and kisses her sweetly. "I wanted to hear about your meeting. Wow… You look great."

White lace works for her. Good to know.

"Thank you," she says, crinkling up her nose.

"I know. I stink. Let me shower, and then you can tell me all about it. I don't have anything until two, so we've got a little time." He drops his gym bag and rushes up the stairs, not wanting to miss any of this stolen time with her. He is in and out of the shower quickly, wrapping a towel around his waist.

"Logan, can you come here for a sec?"

"Everything okay?" he asks, peeking his head out to the living room.

Rory is sitting on the couch, dress gone, clad in only her bra and panties. Her legs are crossed seductively, her feet still encased in her high heels. She stands when she sees him.

Jesus Christ.

Welp. Gonna miss that 2:00.

"Meeting must've gone well," he says with a smirk.

He saunters over to her, and with a quick flick of her wrist, his towel is down at his feet. She pushes him down to his knees and sits back down in front of him, drawing one leg up and hooking it around his head.

"God, I love it when you boss me around."

She smiles. "Get to work, Huntzberger."

He smirks before pulling her panties to the side and diving in.

---

"Okay. Done with shower number two. Tell me about your meeting while I get dressed," Logan says thirty minutes later. He pulls on a pair of boxer briefs and digs into the recently delivered dry cleaning hanging over the closet door.

I am going to be so late.

Totally worth it.

He hears Rory launch into the recount of her meeting as he begins to put on his pants.

Bourbon during the day? No wonder she was so forward.

He finds a shirt that will work and pulls it on.

I hate that she's always so worried about money.

"So basically I just had a really good day. How was your day?" she asked.

I just went down on you until you were screaming my name, so…

"I had my dry cleaning delivered," he says cheekily, re-entering the living room. Oh, she's dressed too. Boo.

She smiles. "Oh, I think I win."

"I don't know," he quips. "I really like these pants, so..." He leans down to kiss her. "I'm glad it went well," Logan says sincerely.

"It did."

He kisses her again. "Tonight, I will take you out to celebrate."

"I'd like that."

He can't stop kissing her. "And tomorrow I'll tell you all the things I've heard about Naomi Shropshire." He heads to his bed and grabs his jacket and tie, listening to Rory insist that she doesn't mind 'difficult' or 'weird'.

"If it comes together, it could be great. And you deserve that," he tells her.

"I do," she agrees. "I do deserve that."

He loops his tie as Rory continues on, detailing Naomi's eccentricities.

"Weird makes good copy," Rory insists.

"So does a good writer," he counters.

"Those pants did put you in a good mood!"

She stands, so he takes the opportunity to kiss her again.

"Do you really have to go back to work?" she asks.

Unfortunately, I'm already going to be about an hour late. "I can't let the pants be the main accomplishment of my day. Plus, I have competition now. You're going to be an author."

"It's not like I'm John McPhee or anything," she says.

Always self-deprecating.

"Yet," he admonishes. "I'll send the car for you at eight." He gathers up his things and gets ready to head back.

"I'm gonna use your desktop, okay?"

"All yours."

"Hey, where are those boxes that I had sent here?" she asks.

He slips into his jacket. "I think the maid stuffed them into the closet."

"I need to look for something," she murmurs quietly,

"Your lucky outfit?" he guesses.

"Do not mock!"

"I am not mocking," he says with a laugh. "It's a great outfit. You were wearing it when I saw you in Hamburg."

She smiles sweetly before heading toward the hall.

"Hey, is there anything in here that you do not want me to see?" she asks.

She's been here for weeks. What does she think I'm hiding?

"Like, body parts?"

"That would be on the list, sure," she says, closing the closet door and returning back to him. "No, like, uh… other girls' things."

How can she possibly think I'm seeing other people when she basically lives with me?

"All clear," he says, with just a hint of sarcasm. But thinking on it, he feels the need for sincerity and not snark. "Hey… I wouldn't do that. You know… leave things around for you to just…"

"I wasn't accusing," she backtracks.

"I know. I'm just…" he trails off, unsure of how much of his feelings he can let Rory hear.

"Look. We have an agreement. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

"We do," he sighs. Apparently, she's still not ready yet to hear any of my feelings.

She turns back to the closet, but quickly pivots to continue justifying their situation. "And when we leave Vegas, we forget about Vegas… until we're back in Vegas… and then it's just us in Vegas until we're not. Throw me a rope here, man."

Just play it off like you're totally fine that she still thinks this Vegas bullshit still applies.

He smiles and kisses her again. "I'll see you at eight," he says in his bedroom voice. Her eyes melt before she turns back to start going through his closet.

Okay, it's fine. She obviously doesn't mean this stuff either. Not when she looks at me like that.

Rory's personal cell vibrates on the table beside him, distracting him from his thoughts. He glances down, and-

What the fuck?

"Your phone," he says picking it up.

"What's it say?"

"Paul. Dinner. Don't forget." Who the fuck is Paul?

"Oh, crap," she says.

'Oh crap' because I saw it, or 'Oh crap' because she forgot, or 'Oh crap' because she misses him?

"That's a lot of exclamation points."

Mother fucker.

Pull it together. Quick.

"I forgot," she says.

"It was all the excitement about my pants," he snarks, trying to keep a lid on his emotions.

"Go," she says.

"But-"

"Vegas."

"Yes. Vegas." Fucking Vegas.

He grabs his briefcase and hurries down the stairs, desperate to get away from her before she sees how upset he is.

Just as he opens the door, Rory calls to him from the top of the stairs. "Logan?"

He looks back to her.

"You shouldn't call the pants the main accomplishment of your day. I mean you just gave the best orgasm I've had since… well, since the last one you gave me."

He can't help it. He breaks into a smile. "I'll see you tonight."

"Can't wait."

But the smile fades when he gets into the back of a cab.

Who is Paul? And how can she not see that in no way, shape, or form is this relationship like Vegas?

---

February 2016

Odette comes into the kitchen and opens up the refrigerator with a sigh. She closes it without selecting anything.

"What's wrong with you?" Logan asks, stirring a sweetener into his coffee.

"I'm having lunch with Papá today, and I'm anxious."

"Yeah, he was asking me last week about the wedding. Sorry, but I told him I was leaving everything up to you," Logan says.

"Does he bother you about it often?" she asks.

"No. Not since the blow up a few months ago. He seems calm, and… He's been giving me a fair amount of space."

She sighs again. "They want me to move here. They think that being in Paris is what's keeping us from moving forward."

Logan eyes her.

Are we going to let it get this far? If she moves to London…

"What about Henri?" he finally asks.

"I don't know. Everything just feels very out of my control right now. Henri, my job, this."

"Yeah, me too," he says.

"What do you mean? You always seem like you have it all together," Odette says.

"I mean… I'm not really being pro-active on any front. I'm just letting my life happen to me. I'm waiting on Rory to make up her mind. And I'm not good at it. It's making me antsy. I like to go after what I want."

"I remember," she smiles.

He looks at her closely, but she doesn't seem sad or wistful.

It is strange that we used to be so easily intimate physically, and now we barely make any contact.

"I'm sorry. Is this awkward?" Odette asks. "We don't have to talk about this stuff."

"Actually this whole thing is getting weird. At some point, we are either going to have to call off this engagement or get married," he says.

"Oui," she says matter-of-factly.

Logan leaves the kitchen, and they don't speak about it again.

---

March 2016

Logan gives his cab driver the address to Rory's hotel in Boston. He leans back in the seat and closes his eyes, the whirlwind chain of events that led him here finally catching up with him.

After a quick ride, he exits the cab, slings his bag over his shoulder, and heads in. He unsuccessfully tries to charm the receptionist into giving up Rory's room number and has to settle for them calling her down. He anxiously waits in the vestibule.

"Oh my God! Logan!" she cries stepping off the elevator and laying eyes on him. She runs toward him and flings herself into his arms. "What are you doing here? When I talked to you last night I thought you were in London!"

He breathes in the intoxicating scent of her shampoo and sighs against her hair. "I was. But I realized how much I missed you, so I got out of bed and drove to the airport."

She pulls away from him to study his face. "I missed you too," she admits. "You must be exhausted. Let's go upstairs."

"How's the story going?" Logan asks as they make their way to Rory's room.

"Good. You always hear that Boston people can be kind of… rude, I guess, but people have been very willing to talk to me."

Logan smiles. "You're talking to Irish people about the St. Patrick's Day parade. There is probably nothing they would rather talk about."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Sit down for a minute," she says.

He drops his bag and lies down on the bed, taking her hand and pulling her with him. He snuggles her tight. "This was a good idea," he whispers into her temple. "Two months is too long for us to go without seeing each other."

Rory doesn't respond, and Logan panics.

Why do I keep forgetting that she is not as into this as I am? She's got… fucking Paul… and who knows who else. I feel really pathetic right now… This was a stupid idea.

He loosens his grip on her and rolls away slightly.

"No. Come back," she whispers, tightening her arms around his waist. "It has been too long. I've missed you."

I can't help it. I'll take whatever I can get.

Logan breathes a sigh of relief and relaxes in her arms.

Two hours later, Logan opens his eyes and squints around the room. Rory is sitting at the desk, typing away on her laptop.

"Hey… How long have I been asleep?" he asks.

"Oh, you're awake!" Rory finishes what she is doing and closes her laptop. "A couple of hours. Do you want to go get dinner?"

"It's dinnertime already? Wow. Yeah. I just… Do I have time for a shower?"

"Of course," she says.

"Wanna join me?"

"Oh… um, I can't," she stammers. "This is not… um … a good week for me."

"Oh. Yeah, no big deal." He sees Rory's blush intensify, so he continues. "Ace, come on. It's fine."

"I just feel bad. You came all this way," she says.

"Good thing we're more than just sex," he says.

Shit. I've got to stop saying this stuff until she is ready to hear it.

But he is surprised when Rory smiles and nods at him. "Yeah."

The smile spreads from his mouth to his eyes before he takes her hand and says "Doesn't mean we can't fool around."

She smiles and follows him to the bathroom.

---

After dinner, Rory and Logan are walking through Boston Common, their gloved fingers intertwined.

Logan's heart is heavy as he ponders whether this is the right time to have this conversation.

The whole flight here I kept thinking "What if she has some other guy here?" "What if she doesn't want me to do romantic things anymore?"

But how can I be so jealous and possessive of her when I'm engaged to someone else?

I have to tell her the truth. I just have to.

"Can we sit for a minute?" Logan asks, brushing some snow off a bench and pulling Rory down next to him.

"Wow! This bench is so cold, I feel like Ted Williams," she says.

Logan doesn't even smile.

"Come on. No props for the sports reference? What's wrong? Is… Do you want…?" Rory begins.

"I have to tell you something, and I need you to just let me say it," Logan says.

"Okay."

"It's about Odette."

"Logan, I told you. You don't owe me any explanations."

He hangs his head for a moment.

How can I say this so that she'll understand?

"Unless… Are you getting serious with her? Do you need to stop seeing me?" Rory asks, and Logan can hear a hint of desperation in her voice.

"I do not want to stop seeing you. I need you to remember that. But I have to tell you… that Odette and I are engaged." He looks at Rory trying to gauge her reaction.

"Engaged? Like 'to be married' engaged?" she asks.

Logan slowly nods. "It's… our families pushed for it. We don't want to get married, and I'm trying to figure out ways around it. I promise, Rory. It's nothing like when I wanted to marry…" You.

Rory doesn't say anything. She just continues looking into her lap like the answers will come from there.

He normally feels like he knows her pretty well, but right now he can't read her at all.

"Rory-"

"How long have you been engaged?" she interrupts him.

He swallows hard. "Since July."

"July? Oh my God," she says, voice rising. She drops his hand and walks away from the bench. He watches her until she pivots and circles back to stand in front of him.

"So she's not… I mean… God. When is the wedding?" she asks, sounding like she may burst into tears at any moment.

She cares. I knew it.

"We don't have a date," Logan says, standing and taking Rory's hands again. "We don't want to do it. I'm going to get out of it." He repeats this for himself as much as he does for Rory.

"Okay… Okay… You're engaged. That's… Wow… Okay. I'm going to walk back. I need you to give me a little time," she says.

He nods morosely.

She turns to leave, but he grabs her arm and spins her back around. "Rory, you know that I…"

Do not tell her you love her. Do not do it.

"I don't want this to be the end," he finishes.

She nods and turns to head back to the hotel. Logan slumps back unto the frozen bench.

That did not go well. But I'm not sure how I thought it could go better.

I guess I was fooling myself to think that she'd beg me to break it off with Odette. That she wouldn't be able to stand the thought of me being with anyone else.

The temperature is continuing to drop so Logan heads into the first bar he sees, sitting down with a scotch.

The pain is palpable. His heart hurts more than he thought it would.

Finn warned me this was stupid. That I was going to get my heart broken again.

His phone buzzes with a text.

Come back.

I don't want to go. Right now, she's still my girl, but if I go back, she may hand me my bag and tell me to get lost.

But he has no other option, so he finishes his scotch and heads back out into the cold.

His heart is pounding when he knocks on the hotel door. Rory opens it, and he tries desperately to maintain his stoicism.

"I'm sorry I left you out there," she says. "I was mad that you didn't tell me, but I know I haven't really let you. I just… needed a little time to think, and I've decided…"

Dear God, please don't let her leave me.

"I don't see why we can't keep things the way they've been. I don't want this to be the end either. So let's just keep seeing each other until… we can't."

Logan finally exhales and wraps her up in his arms.

"Oh, you're freezing!" she squeals. "Let me warm you up."

And even as his heart is quietly calming down, his head is screaming.

"Until we can't"? What does that mean? Is she just willing to let me marry someone else? I would never let her marry someone else.

But as she tips her face up to kiss him, these thoughts fade away, and all he can think is how much he loves her.

---

April 2016

"Halfway through her third martini, she asked if she could lick my juicy apple cheeks!" Rory says.

"Ooh, do I want to know what that means?" Logan asks.

Though I would like to lick your juicy apple cheeks too.

"My brain is fried," she sighs.

"Well, let's talk about something else," he offers.

"Oh, Conde Nast. Just got the message. Pushed again."

Logan looks up in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"I know I'm not their highest priority, but Conde Nast asked for this meeting. Months ago. This came from them."

I wonder if she'll let me-

"Conde Nast?" his father's voice booms from beside him as he pulls up a chair. "Procrastinators supreme. May I?" he asks, before grabbing a French fry off of Rory's plate.

What the hell is he doing here?

Okay. Calm down, play it cool.

"Help yourself," Logan says watching Rory closely.

Mitchum continues. "How ya doing, Rory? Long time, no see."

Rory's face flushes as she responds. "It's been a very long time."

"I didn't know you two were still in touch," Mitchum says.

Logan takes a measured breath. "Rory was passing through town on a job, and I begged her to have lunch." He looks up and gives her a tight smile.

"Hmm. Nothing better to do?" Mitchum asks her, all the while popping fries in his mouth.

"He did beg," she says with a fake laugh.

Logan continues to internally freak out, while he hears his father offer to fix Rory's Conde Nast problem.

Oh, shut up. She doesn't need you to be her savior.

I need to be her savior.

"I gotta go," Mitchum says.

Finally. I can't believe I made it through that with almost no bruises.

"Um, hey, the party next week for your uncle… Is Odette coming?" Mitchum asks.

Oh, fuck you.

"She will be there," Logan responds through gritted teeth.

Mitchum turns to Rory. "Gets engaged to a girl who lives in another country. Smart girl."

Fuck you times ten.

This is a disaster. I've just gotten her okay with the engagement.

"And Conde Nast. The offer stands," Mitchum says to her.

"You're very nice. Thank you," Rory says with a smile.

"I believe that's the first time anyone's ever said that to me," Mitchum quips. "I mean someone not sticking a shiv in my back. Ha, ha. See ya."

Logan watches him leave before taking a big gulp of his wine.

"How did this happen?" Rory cries.

"It's okay," he says, trying not to let his own panic show.

"He's seen us!"

"As far as he knows, we're just friends," Logan says.

"Of all the millions of restaurants, he walks in here?" she asks.

Logan pauses and then turns back to his plate. Just let that lie.

"What?" she asks.

He sighs. "It's one of the family holdings."

"Of course it is."

I've got to lighten this back up. Because everything is fine.

"Why do you think I sprung for the three hundred dollar bottle of wine?" Logan asks, smirking.

But Rory doesn't smile back. She glances at Mitchum again. He can tell from her body language that she's shaken.

"Ace?" he asks quietly. She doesn't respond, so he continues. "It's okay, I promise. I'll talk to Mitchum. Make sure he doesn't-"

"I'm going to go to the rest room." She stands abruptly, grabs her purse and takes off.

Logan sets his glass of wine down and leans back in his chair, exhaling loudly.

I can't let her be alone right now. She will twist this into something it's not.

He rushes out of the dining area towards the restrooms, but catches sight of her out the front window. He chases her onto the street.

"Rory! Where are you going?"

She stops, slowly turning around. "I'm sorry. I had to get out of there. Your father has always had a way of making me feel so small. And he just hit me with the double whammy- my career and…" she trails off, unable to commit it to words.

Your relationship with me.

"Ace. Your career is going to be fine. You're too talented for it not to be. And as for the other…" He is terrified to vocalize her actual place in his life. But he's even more terrified to let her walk away without knowing the truth. "You know how I feel about you."

She nods slowly. "I'm still going to go. I'll see you tonight, okay?"

He feels helpless watching her walk away from him. Pivoting quickly, he strides back into the restaurant, ready to lay into Mitchum, public audience be damned.

But Mitchum is no longer in the bar.

Ugh… I've got no place to put all this anger.

He finds his server to settle up his tab, and takes a car back to the office, his mind racing a mile a minute.

What can I say to make her feel better? Would it help or hurt to tell her that she's the only one I want?

Maybe it's time to end this with Odette for real. She's a big girl, and she'll just have to deal with the fall out.

And I can handle anything as long as I've got Rory.

But do I really have Rory?

It's been months, and she's still made no overtures to end this Vegas agreement.

He walks into his office and finds Mitchum sitting there waiting for him.

"When did you get in town?" Logan asks.

"Last night. I probably should've let you know, but surprising you with your mistress was so much more fun."

"We're just friends, Dad."

"Yeah. Um-hmm. You know, most men wait until after they are actually married to start having affairs."

Logan sits down at his desk silently.

"I seem to remember," Mitchum continues, "a time when you insisted to me that you weren't a cheater. Or did that just mean cheating on Rory, not cheating with Rory?"

Logan glares at him, but says nothing.

"You're playing with fire, son."

Logan finally cracks. "You were the one who told me that if I got engaged to Odette my life wouldn't have to change."

"Well, parading your little fling into a crowded restaurant in the middle of the day is not the way you go about it. What if Jean had walked in there instead of me?" Mitchum asks. "And honestly Logan, a fling outside of your marriage only works if your heart isn't in it."

"Dad-"

"I watched you two for a few minutes before I came over, and this is no casual thing. You need to end this now. You are going to marry Odette. You are going to raise a family with Odette."

"You do understand that you can't actually force me to do any of that." Logan taunts him.

Mitchum stands up, buttoning his blazer, casting a stern gaze down at Logan. "Do not embarrass this family. Do what you're supposed to do. You should face the fact that you're not going to end up with Rory Gilmore. Because if I remember correctly, you already tried that. And she said no."

His father's words hit him like a punch in the gut. He is silent as Mitchum strides out of his office.

He turns on his computer and begins going through the motions. Checking emails, returning phone calls. Anything to keep from admitting to himself that his father is probably right.

---

When he gets home later that night, he finds Rory curled up on the sofa with a magazine and a cup of coffee. She looks up at him with a shy smile.

"You're late tonight," she says.

"I didn't know if you'd want me around, so I went out for a drink with Will and Rowan."

"Oh. Are they your Colin and Finn in London? Helping you pick up chicks, and-"

"Rory. I don't want to fight," he says.

"Are we fighting?"

He takes off his jacket and goes to sit by her. "What happened today-"

"I'm sorry I freaked out," she says, interrupting him. "I know in my mind that you're marrying Odette, but it just threw me to hear your father say it out loud. And she's going to family events with you, and it kind of made me feel… trashy."

He pulls her close to kiss her. "Baby, you know that's not what this is. That's not what we are."

"Are you drunk?"

"Yep," he says, kissing her again. "It's not a family party. It's my 'Uncle' Nigel. Dad's friend. Board member. Just work stuff. That's what Odette is coming for. And I'm not going to marry her."

I've had a lot of scotch tonight. And everything feels fuzzy, but something has become very clear.

I'm going down with this ship.

He is reminded of the Dido song from high school that he always thought was pathetic.

It's not pathetic. Some loves are just worth going down for.

He lays his head down in her lap and falls asleep to the touch of her fingertips on his forehead.

---

May 2016

Logan moves his tablet aside so that Rory can settle into his lap. He tries to hold in his laughter as she continually argues with Naomi Shropshire about a rabbit and a mouse.

Finally, Rory sighs and hangs up the phone.

"Come on. The suspense is killing me. Is she the mouse or the whale?"

"It doesn't matter. Next time she'll be a mongoose, or a pangolin, or a piece of fruit, and it'll be my fault for not remembering," Rory rants.

Logan can't help but laugh.

"What did you think?" she asks gesturing toward his tablet.

"Sandee Says?"

I need to be honest, but give her as much encouragement as I can.

"The layout's pretty good. Design catches your eye."

"And attacks it with pretty, pretty colors," Rory snarks.

Yeah…

"It's an interesting mix of sweet and sour. Gets a little catty and gossipy. Not that I don't like gossip," Logan continues.

"Well… how many steps down is it from the New Yorker, or GQ, or Huffington, or Bazooka Comics?" she asks.

Honestly…

"A few below the first three. But I love that they want you," he says sincerely. "It could mean they're looking to class up the joint a bit."

Rory gives him the look that always gives him hope, and he kisses her temple.

Now is the time when I should whisper "But no matter what, I want you, and everything will be fine."

But he refrains, knowing how vulnerable his words will make him to her. Over the last week, he has done a good job of straddling the line between fling and love, and he doesn't want to push it now at the end of her visit. But as he gets up to head back to the office, Rory surprises him.

"Hey, I was thinking. I don't have to head back to the States so soon."

"Yeah?" Logan perks up.

"Yeah, there's nothing pressing. I could hang a couple of more days," she continues.

But you know Odette is coming for Nigel's retirement party.

Is she pushing this because she's ready to commit to me? Or has she just forgotten, and I'm fooling myself again?

"Are you leaving town?" she asks.

She knows the answers here. What is she playing at?

He stares at her for a minute.

"Someone's coming to town?" she alters her question.

"Kind of," he replies, with just a hint of sarcasm.

"Odette?"

"Kind of," he says, full sarcasm.

"Right, so I guess I'll go," she says.

Don't go. Just tell me that you want to stay for me, and not just because you have nothing better to do. Tell me that, and I'll never let Odette step foot back into this flat.

"Ivy tonight?" he asks.

"Our traditional farewell meal."

"I'll send the car at eight."

"Eight is great," she agrees.

He turns to head down the stairs.

I know she wants me. I know she wants this. But I need her to ask me for it.

I asked the last time, and it ruined my life for the next eight years. It's her turn. She's got to take a chance this time.

He gives her space all day, foregoing the normal texts and calls. He wants her to really think about what they will lose here if they don't admit what they want.

Logan gets to the Ivy around 7:30 and starts on the wine. By 8:20, he is panicking because Rory is a no-show.

I'm so stupid. Why am I forcing her hand? Why not just let her to stay, and tell Odette to stay in a hotel.

When Rory walks into the restaurant, his relief is palpable.

"I'm sorry I'm late," she says, kissing his cheek. "And I'm sorry about earlier." She quickly sits down across from him, picking up her napkin and placing it in her lap. "I forgot all about the retirement party. I did not mean to make it so awkward," she continues with a nervous laugh. "I mean, Vegas is Vegas, and you have your own life just like I have my own life…"

He nods slowly. "And that's still how you want it?"

Her eyes narrow slightly. "Is that not what you want?"

I'm willing to do whatever I have to do.

"Vegas is fine," he lies. "You just let me know when it doesn't work for you anymore."

She smiles and takes a sip of her wine.

---

Later that night, he stops kissing her long enough to ask "When are you coming back?"

"I don't know," she sighs. "Everything with Naomi is falling apart. I should probably concentrate on some of my other projects for a bit."

"I don't like that."

She smiles. "I know, but I can probably get back here later in the summer. Maybe July or August."

"August? That's too far away, but I know something we could do then that you would love. I'll get the tickets, so plan on being here."

"What is it?" she asks.

"Nope. I want it to be a surprise."

"You won't tell me?"

He shakes his head and laughs.

"Fine. You always do the best surprises."

---

June 2016

Logan comes home from work to find Odette sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Hey. What are you doing here? Did I forget-"

"No, no. And I'm sorry to just show up," she says. She looks up at him, and he can tell from her red-rimmed eyes that she has been crying.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" he asks, dropping his bag and moving toward her.

"Nothing. I just needed to get out of Paris for a bit. Is it alright that I'm here? Rory's not here, is she?"

"No, it's fine. She's in the States. You're sure you're alright?"

"Oui."

He doesn't press her. He's not her boyfriend, and it's not his place. But he does feel bad for her, so he orders her favorite takeout for dinner and opens a new bottle of wine. They sit silently for a while until eventually she opens up.

"Henri and I broke up."

"What happened?"

"It's just too much. The mood swings. The drugs. A little cocaine at a party is one thing, but… I asked him to stop, but he won't. I guess I'm just not enough to make him happy."

"I'm sure that's not true. I'm sure he'll call you within the week and tell you how much he wants you to come home," Logan says, although he's entirely unsure if this is true. In actuality, he knows next to nothing about her relationship.

She shakes her head. "He told me to go ahead and marry you."

Ouch.

"I'm going up to bed," she says leaving the kitchen table.

Logan finishes eating and cleans the kitchen quickly. Once upstairs, he finds the door to the guest room closed tight, so he doesn't bother her. He goes about his business, and it's almost like she's not there.

A few nights later, Odette enters his room and crawls up unto his bed. Logan sets his book down and asks "You okay?"

"You were right. He wants me to come home."

"That's good, right? That's what you want?" he asks her.

"I'm not sure anymore. Maybe, no matter how much I love him, he's not good for me anymore," she says.

He's not sure what to say to that; it's not a pleasant thought, and it makes him contemplate his own situation.

Eventually Odette falls asleep, right on the side of the bed she used to. Logan thinks about waking her to send her back to the guest room, but decides against it.

She's had a rough few days. I should let her sleep. And it's not like I'll even notice she's here in a bed this big.

It's not like when I sleep with Rory, and she's all over me.

He places a marker in his book and turns off his light before rolling onto his stomach and falling asleep.

He is awakened by the phone ringing on his bedside table. He grabs it quickly to find Rory calling.

"Hey there," he says, groggily.

"Oh shoot," she says. "Did I wake you up? I woke you up. It's two A.M. there."

He turns on his light and reassures her. "No, no, no. It's fine. I'm up. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm… I just… Um," she stammers.

She's not okay. She's breaking up with me.

"What?" he prods.

"I really hate to do this."

Shit. Here it comes.

Have a little pride here, Logan. Take it like a man.

"What?" he asks again. "Come on."

"Um… Would your father still be willing to put in a good word for me at Conde Nast?"

Oh… Thank God.

"Absolutely."

"It's okay if he won't. I mean, I don't even know how serious he was," she rambles.

"No, he'll do it for sure." Logan tries to keep his voice even, so that Rory can't detect the tangible relief in it. "He does stuff like this all the time for lesser mortals."

"I really didn't want to do it this way," she says, and he can hear the regret already building in her.

"Don't be embarrassed."

"I'm not," she says. "Pride's a little hurt."

"Well then get over it. I'll give you a text when it's done. Okay? Be happy."

I'm happy. If she settles her career, maybe she can settle on me.

"I'm happy. Oops, hold on," she says.

"What?"

"Oh, uh… No, I just thought the baby was gonna throw up."

What?

"Your life change a lot since I last saw you?" he quips.

"It's Paris's kid. I'm babysitting," she explains.

Got it. But more importantly, once we set this meeting-

"Did you find your lucky outfit, Ace?" he asks.

"There is no sign. Thank you again. And thank your father for me."

"No problem. Really."

I like doing things for you. I want to do things for you.

"All right. Well, I guess I should uh, let you get back… to bed," she says.

At the mention of his bed, he remembers that Odette is asleep there, and he looks back to make sure he is not waking her. "Okay, I'll let you know, Ace. And… good luck."

"Thanks, Logan."

He hangs up, realizing he is wide awake.

Might as well call Mitchum now.

He heads down to the kitchen so as not to disturb Odette and calls his father.

"Son. Everything alright? Isn't it the middle of the night for you?" Mitchum barks.

"Yeah, but I'm awake," he hurries through his words, not really wanting to give this time for discussion. "I wanted to ask you if you thought you could talk to Conde Nast on Rory's behalf. They're still dicking her around, and…"

He hears the sigh all the way across the Atlantic.

"That's still going on?" Mitchum finally asks.

Logan ignores him. "You yourself told her you could make it happen. You know she's a talented writer, and she just needs to have the door opened for her."

"I can make it happen. I'll call tomorrow. But I need you to be smarter here. I need you to-"

"Will you just let me know when you talk to them?" Logan interrupts. "Thanks, Dad. I owe you one."

"Yes, you do. And I know what I want, and I'm going to collect soon."

Logan hangs up on him and texts Rory.

Mitchum will call them tomorrow. Find that outfit!

She replies back quickly.

You're the best!

---

The next Saturday, he comes in from his run and hears Odette shouting in French. He walks slowly up the stairs unsure if her mother or father are there.

But it turns out that she is on the phone, and she heads into the guest room when she sees him enter. She shuts the door, but he can still hear her yelling.

He takes a shower and goes about his day, though he is constantly listening out for Odette.

She finally comes out of her room a few hours later and says "I don't want to talk about it."

He tries to respect her space, but for days at a time, Logan can hear nothing but screaming and crying through her bedroom door.

After a week of this, she finally tells Logan "I don't think I can go back. I can't live like this."

"Yeah, and honestly I can't live like this either. I can't listen to it anymore. Just stay here until we can figure out what you're going to do, but for God's sake, stop taking his calls," he tells her.

More of her things arrive the next week, and before he knows it, Odette is living with him.

---

July 2016

Logan hangs up the phone and takes a sip of coffee.

He has been working in the middle of the night for three straight days, and he's exhausted. He refreshes his email over and over until he sees the documents he's waiting for.

He scans through the wording, making sure that everything is as they had discussed. Needing a break, he is thrilled when his cell rings with a call from Rory.

He opens with a tirade on China and time zones, but he slows down as he realizes something is off with her.

"Hey, I know I'm coming out in a couple of weeks, but…"

"Oh, come on, don't cancel on me now," he says, firing off another email. "I've got Matilda tickets, planned pony rides, there's a freak show in town!"

"No, not cancelling. I just thought… Well. I'm not really doing much of anything these days, and I'm a little bored, and I thought maybe I'd come out sooner. Like tomorrow."

"Oh," he says.

You're bored. That's why you want to come?

"Is that okay?" she asks.

Who do I think I'm kidding?

"Sure. Yes, let's do it this week. We'll make is special. Your favorite place. The Dorchester or the Savoy."

"I'd have to stay in a hotel?"

I can't kick Odette out on one day's notice. Can I? She'd probably be okay with that.

"Well…"

"She's in town?" Rory asks.

"Yes."

"For how long?"

Until I can figure out where to put her that won't end up with both of our fathers at the door with shot guns.

He hears Rory sigh. "She's moved in?"

Fuck.

"Yes."

"When?"

"A couple of weeks ago," he admits. But it was kind of by accident.

"Okay. Were you going to tell me?" she asks angrily.

"Of course I was."

God, now I'm lying.

"So now you want me to just wait in a hotel until you can slip away and come see me?" she says, and he can hear the hurt in her voice.

"No."

"Like I'm a geisha?"

"Come on, that's not fair." He sets his laptop aside. I have given you every opportunity to tell me that you want to be the woman in my life.

"I know I knew about Odette," she says, backtracking. "I just… Like a hotel. It's just weird."

"It doesn't have to be. Look, can't we just keep the plans the same? Come out in three weeks, and we will figure it all out then," Logan says.

I will have Odette out by then, and I am going to convince you that this is a real relationship, not this Vegas stuff.

She doesn't respond, so he resorts to begging. "Please?... Rory?"

"Yeah, a few weeks."

"I'm looking forward to it," he says.

"Yeah, me too." But he can tell that she's not.

After he hangs up, he pulls his laptop back open and tries in vain to finish proofing his contract. But he can't concentrate knowing that he's hurt her feelings. He minimizes his emails and brings up his schedule.

He calls her right back, but she doesn't answer, so he sends a text.

Please call me. I'm sorry.

When she returns his call twenty minutes later, he has just booked a flight to New York.

"I'm sorry," he says as soon as he picks up. "That's not how I meant for that to go. I'm going to come to New York in two days. Will you come to see me? I'm going to explain everything. Please, Rory."

She doesn't answer, so he pushes his pride to the side and tries again. "Please, baby. I want to see you."

I need to see you.

She finally agrees. "Okay. I'll come."

---

Logan is frantically typing, trying to get some work done while he waits for Rory to arrive. When he finally hears her knock, he puts his computer away and rushes to the door.

She gives him a tight smile, and an awkwardness ensues.

No. This is the weekend we sort this all out.

"Come here." He takes her hand and pulls her tight to his chest. He breathes in the scent of her shampoo and sighs. "I'm so glad you came."

"Me too," she says, rising to her tiptoes to kiss him.

An hour later, they're curled up in bed. He is still covering her body in kisses, unable to stop.

"Why is sex always so good in a hotel?" Rory muses.

He laughs. "It's somewhere different. And… I mean, this place is covered in mirrors," he says, gesturing to the mirrored closet next to the bed. Noting her blush, he continues. "I saw you watching, Ace."

"Don't tease me. It was hot."

"Oh, I'm not teasing. How do you think I know you were looking?" he laughs.

"It's kind of amazing, ya know? How after all this time, all these years, that sex with you is still… just so…" she trails off, unable to find the word.

"Unbelievable," he fills in. "Amazing. Toe-curling. Mind-melting."

She giggles. "Yeah. All of that."

Logan's heart is pounding as he begins the speech he's practiced for the last few days. "It's because it's you and me, Ace. We have real history, and we both-"

Her cell phone interrupts him.

"Oh, God. It's Paris," she says. "Can I take this? She is losing it over this Doyle stuff, and I just need to-"

"It's fine, Ace."

I've got two days to say everything I need to say.

A few minutes later, she hangs up. "Can I leave you for an hour or so? She needs to be talked off the ledge."

"Well, I don't like it, but I can't have Paris's suicide on my conscience," he jokes. "Maybe I'll run over to Colin's and meet the new baby."

They quickly dress, and she steps into his arms before she leaves.

"Take a key," he tells her. "I'll meet you back here in a little bit."

"I can't wait," she says, causing Logan's face to light up.

On the walk uptown, he plans through the conversation he needs to have when he gets back. That he will end it with Odette. That he will commit to only her. She simply has to ask.

He knocks on Colin's door and is greeted by warm hugs.

"What are you doing here?" Stephanie asks.

"Quick work trip," he lies. "I thought I could come meet Anabelle."

"Oh, I just put her down. She'll be up again in about an hour."

"Okay, what if Colin and I take Harper out for a bit, you take a nap too, and then text us when she wakes up."

"How did you know I needed a nap?" she asks with a laugh.

"You have a newborn. Don't all parents of newborns need naps?" Logan responds.

Logan, Colin, and Harper stop into a Starbucks on their way to the Park. Logan hands Harper a cookie, grabs his coffee, and turns around to leave when he runs straight into Rory and Paris, who are waiting in line.

Rory's eyes widen, and a smirk threatens to break out on Logan's face. She is so cute when she thinks she's been busted. Let's hear Rory 'High-Stakes Deception' Gilmore lie to her best friend.

"Rory, Paris. Good to see you," he starts.

"Hey guys," Rory croaks out.

"Huntzberger. Huntzberger's friend," Paris says.

Colin raises an eyebrow at her before giving Rory a warm hug. "And this is Harper," Colin says as her picks her up.

Rory smiles at the little girl, but Logan can still see the panic in her eyes.

He smiles broadly before letting her off the hook. "We're gonna head out, but it was good to see you."

Paris rolls her eyes, while Rory smiles at him gratefully. He subtly brushes his pinky against her wrist as they leave.

On the sidewalk, Colin turns to him, astonished. "What was that?"

"What?" Logan says, furrowing his brow.

"With your hand back there?"

Oh shit. I didn't think he was paying attention.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Logan says as he steps into the street, moving quickly away from Colin's question.

Colin catches back up with him on the opposite sidewalk. "Oh my God. You are fucking Rory Gilmore."

"What? No."

"Don't lie to me, Logan. I know you."

"Daddy, what's 'fucking'?" Harper asks.

"Shit. It's a bad word, sweetie. And Uncle Logan probably shouldn't be doing it."

"Daddy, what's 'shit'?"

"Go play. We're right behind you," Colin says, setting Harper down next to the playground.

"Excellent parenting there, buddy," Logan deflects.

Colin just stares at him.

"Spare me the lecture, okay? I've got it under control," Logan says.

Colin rolls his eyes, but lets it drop.

Later, when Harper is worn out and riding atop Logan's shoulders back to their apartment, he finally says "Don't tell, Steph."

Colin sighs. "You can't ask me to do that."

"Please?"

"Alright. Just make sure you know what you're doing."

Stephanie opens the door, holding the baby. Harper slides off of Logan's shoulders and runs to her mom.

"Mommy, Uncle Logan is a bad boy!" she says.

"Why? What did he do?" Stephanie asks.

"Daddy says he's fucking!"

---

When Logan gets back to his hotel room later, Rory is already back and ordering room service. "I ordered for you. Is that okay?" she asks.

"Of course. I can't believe we ran into you. There must be a thousand Starbucks in Manhattan. Did Paris notice?"

"No. She's so upset about her divorce, she didn't notice a thing. I'm sure Colin didn't either though. We played it pretty cool."

"Oh, no. He definitely noticed. And now Stephanie knows too."

"Oh, God. What did they say?"

Steph says she'll personally kick your ass if you throw me over again.

"Not much," Logan says, before regaling her with Harper's accusation.

They laugh for a moment before Rory turns serious. "How are you and Colin, two people who never take anything seriously, doing so well in life, when Paris and I, two people who have never had a flippant day in our lives, are such a mess?"

"Ace. You are not a mess."

"I don't know about that. I mean… I didn't get the Sandee Says job. And I blew my shot at Conde Nast. And I slept with a Wookie," she admits.

What? What? And what the hell?

"I'm gonna need some background here, Ace."

She goes into detail, way too much detail, about the last few weeks of her life. Logan tries to stay calm, but his blood is roaring.

I was planning on figuring this all out tonight. And she's having one-night stands.

I've been coddling her and making excuses, but the truth is she has no idea who she is or what she wants.

"I'm gonna give you some tough love, Rory." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "You are a great writer. A great writer. But if you want to be successful, you have to realize that it takes more than that. You need drive, and ambition, and perspective. And the last couple of months you haven't had any of that. You constantly tell me that you're bored, and instead of working on yourself to figure it out, you show up at my place, apparently for a string of one-night stands since that what you do now."

Her eyes blink furiously.

"Where is the Rory Gilmore who saved the Daily News? Who followed Obama around the country? Who wrote think pieces for all kinds of feminist causes?"

She swallows hard, taking in his judgement.

"You need to figure out what you care about. Because it's not lines or Sandee Says… Or me."

He rises from the bed, grabs a key card, and leaves the room. He heads outside and walks the city as dusk settles in around him. He is half proud of himself and half terrified that he has ruined anything he may still have with her.

Eventually he heads back, unsure if he will still find her there. She is under the covers watching TV, and he can see the tear stains on her cheeks.

"Ace, I'm sorry. I was way too harsh on you."

"No, you were right. I needed to hear that," she says opening the covers to invite him in. He toes off his shoes and undresses before slipping in.

So I'm pathetic. I don't care. I've always loved her more than she loves me.

"And… you know I care about you, right? Logan, I will always…" she trails off as her voice hitches. "But your life is perfect. Your perfect job, perfect apartment, perfect fiancée. And in the immortal words of Miley Cyrus, I'm like a wrecking ball."

Despite the seriousness of the conversation, Logan laughs out loud. "I don't want to disparage the message of a poet laureate like Miley, but none of that is true. Nothing about my life is perfect, and you're not wrecking anything that matters. The only way that analogy works for me is if, like Miley, you're naked on that wrecking ball."

She laughs too, and the tensions ease a bit, but he abandons his plans to tell her how he feels. He's not sure he can recover if she doesn't reciprocate.

---

August 2016

"I know this is terrible to even ask, but when you leave for home next week, do you think you can move some of your stuff around? So it looks like you don't live here?" Logan asks Odette.

"I'll work on it. Just don't let her go into my room. Or… maybe just let her go into my room, so she can see that this is only a temporary situation. As soon as I get back, I'm going to look for my own flat. I've been moping around here for weeks. Enough is enough," she says.

"I'll help you find a place, and then we'll sit our parents down, okay?"

She sighs.

"I know. I'm not looking forward to it either, but we've let this- Oh, hold on. It's Rory."

Logan takes his phone into his bedroom and answers. "Hey!"

"Hi. I'm glad I caught you. We haven't been able to connect lately," Rory says.

"I know. I've been really busy with work, but I'll be done with most of it by the time you get here," he says.

"That's actually what I need to talk to you about. I have bad news, but for a good reason."

"Don't tell me you're not coming," Logan says.

"I'm not coming," she says. "I'm sorry. I know you had something special planned."

Logan's heart sinks. This has been his biggest fear. That the distance growing between them will eventually be too long to span, no matter how hard he tries.

"Logan? Did you hear me?"

"I did," he responds, unable to keep the disappointment out of his voice.

"I'm so sorry. I'm disappointed too. But it's for good. I heard what you said to me, and I really took it to heart. I needed to find something that inspired me. Because what I've been doing, it's not working."

"So what are you thinking about?" he asks, trying to smother his emotions.

"I'm going to write a book. About Mom and me and the way she raised me in Stars Hollow."

He hears the excitement in her voice, and he realizes he's being a dick.

She needs this. I shouldn't be so selfish.

"Ace, that's a great idea. You've been prepping for a book with Naomi so you're ready process-wise, and no one can write that story but you. How did you come up with it?" he asks.

"Well, I was talking to Jess and telling him-"

"You were talking to Jess?" he interrupts.

"Lo-gan."

"No, I just didn't know you still talked to him," Logan says, attempting to come off casually.

"I don't. He was in town to visit Luke, and he stopped by the Gazette office."

Logan responds with stony silence.

"Do you want to talk about this or not?" she asks.

He gives an exasperated sigh. "I do. I'm sorry. Continue."

"No, I'm sorry. I should've remembered how much he bothers you. Anyway, I was telling him how pathetic my life has been, and he nudged me toward this idea. And it all falls in line with what you said to me. I've got to take some ownership. So I hate that I can't come to see you, but I'm inspired. I need to write now."

"Well if you're happy, I'm happy," he says.

"I just don't want us… to run out of time. Have you set a date for the wedding?"

He is stunned for a moment at the cavalier way she speaks about his impending nuptials.

"Because I can't let… I mean, if I need to come this week, tell me, because…"

She does care. Just say it, Ace. Ask me if we can make this real.

But she doesn't finish her thought, so eventually he says "No, there's no date. Hopefully there won't be one."

"Okay, good. I was worried that… Never mind. So what was the surprise? I'm sorry I'm messing up your plans."

"No, I'm not going to tell you. We can still do it the next time you come," he says. After a pause, he asks "You are coming back, right?"

"Yes, Logan. Of course I'll be back."

"Good luck with your writing, Ace. And call me soon. I miss hearing your voice," Logan says.

"I will. I promise."

He heads back into the living room where Odette is scrolling through her phone. She looks up, sees his expression, and asks "Alright?"

"She's not coming, so don't worry about your room. And do you want Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets for next week? They were really hard to get."

"I don't know. I've never read Harry Potter. Do you think I'll be able to follow it?" she asks.

"You've never read Harry Potter?" Logan asks.

Geez. I thought I couldn't marry her before.

---

September 2016

Logan exits a meeting to find three missed calls from Rory. There are no voicemails or texts, so, slightly unnerved, he sends her a quick text.

Everything ok?

He slips his phone back in his pocket and pops into Bobbi's office to accompany her to their dinner.

"You ready for this?" he asks her.

"Yes, I just found out that Smith's daughter went to university with me. That should give me some wiggle room in the small talk department while you close him," she says.

"Excellent. We've been working on this too hard to lose him now."

He pulls his phone out to check for Rory's response and finds nothing.

They take a car to dinner, Logan anxiously checking his phone.

I haven't been able to talk to her in over a week. We've both been so busy and the fucking time zones…

"Logan. What's up? You're mind seems a million miles away," Bobbi says.

"What?... I'm sorry. Putting it away," Logan says tucking his phone into his pocket.

But halfway through the meal, he feels his phone buzz, and he subtly eases it out of his pocket.

It's Rory.

"Excuse me, please," he says standing up and leaving the table quickly. He races out to the lobby and answers. "Rory?"

But she hangs up just as he answers. He quickly calls her right back, but she doesn't pick up.

Shit. I'm dying to talk to her, but I can't ruin this meeting just to do it.

He heads back into the dining area and slides back into his booth, ignoring the glare from Bobbi. Turning on his game face, he quickly begins maneuvering, and by dessert, all parties have agreed to terms.

Outside, he and Bobbi shake hands with their new investors and plan to meet with attorneys tomorrow to sign paperwork.

"You sure pulled that out of your arse," she says as they wait for their car. "I was worried about you at the beginning."

"I know," he says. "I'm sorry. I was a little distracted."

"Everything's alright though?" she asks.

He nods. "Everything's great," he lies, looking out the window, effectively shutting down the conversation.

As soon as the car pulls up to her flat, Logan pulls out his phone. Rory's number is dialing by the time Bobbi reaches her door.

It goes to voicemail.

Once back in his apartment, he tries again. Voicemail.

This is like that time after she found out about the bridesmaids. How many times can I call before it becomes stalking?

In the end, he calls one more time, this time opting to leave a message.

"Hey. I really want to talk to you, so call me back. I don't care how late it is… I miss you, Rory."

---

The next morning, Logan oversleeps.

That's what I get for staying up to wait for a phone call.

This is not acceptable. I am too good at what I do to drop the ball right now.

He rushes through his shower and heads to the office to finalize the agreements made yesterday. He purposely drops his phone in a desk drawer and doesn't even peek until late afternoon, when all of his business is tied up.

There are four missed calls from Rory, two including voicemails, but when he goes to listen, he only hears dial tones.

What is going on?

Is she hurt or upset?

Is she breaking up with me?

It's been too long since I've seen her, and now I don't know what's going on in her life…

He returns her call only to get hit with her voicemail again.

Ugh. I cannot go another night playing phone tag.

Luckily for him, the phone rings again just as he walks in the door of his flat.

"Hello?"

He hears Rory yell before she hangs up.

What the…?

"Hello?" he asks again.

He is about to call her back, when he receives another incoming call from her.

"Hello? Rory?

"Crap! I did it a-" She hangs up again.

What on Earth is happening here?

The phone rings again and he hears "chewed up and spit out by this thing we call life."

"Rory! What is going on?"

She hangs up on him again, and it suddenly dawns on him what is happening here.

She's trying to break up with me, and she keeps losing her nerve.

He takes a couple of deep breaths, trying to settle on a strategy before he calls her back.

Do I beg?

Do I tell her I'm coming to her right now?

Do I just accept that this is what is supposed to be? That she will never love me as much as I love her? That I will never come first in her life?

And can I be okay with that? Or do I have to let her go?

All of these emotions swirl in his brain until he can't make a coherent thought.

I'm just going to have to wing it.

"Hey, stop calling!" A strange voice answers Rory's phone.

"What are you talking about? She's calling me!" he yells at the stranger.

"Yeah, well. It's a reflex, and we're gonna kick it. We've got Lipitor, so you won't hear from her ever again."

Racking his brain, he realizes who he's speaking with.

"Lane, just put her on the phone!"

"Nope, not gonna happen," Lane says. "No, I'm protecting you for some reason."

What? Is she talking to Rory? Does she think Rory needs protection from me?

What has Rory told her is happening with us?

"Hey," Rory says.

"What is going on?" he asks, unable to keep the anxiety out of his voice.

"Nothing. Bad day."

His innate desire to help her swoops in, but he fights it off with sarcasm.

"Yeah, I heard about the cholesterol problem."

"Ha, ha," Rory says.

"Come on, Ace. You called me a bunch of times today. You called me four times last night. You hung up every time. What is it?"

Just rip off the band-aid.

"Nothing. I had a thing with my mom."

Oh. She's not breaking up with me. Thank God.

"Well, talk to me. I'm here," he says.

Rory sighs loudly. "I was just upset at her, and I was needing to vent, and I realized I… I can't call you anymore."

"Why?" he asks incredulously.

"Logan?" he hears Odette call from downstairs.

"I gotta take this outside," he mutters to himself before turning and heading out to the balcony.

"Because she's there," Rory says, and he can hear the tears in her voice.

Oh, shit. This is about me.

Okay. Stay calm.

"Rory-" he begins.

"She's there," she accuses.

"Yeah." He doesn't know what else to say.

"That's why," she sighs.

Logan exhales loudly.

"So I guess we should say goodbye."

"If that's what you want." I can call you later when she's not home.

"Don't make this my thing," she says, indignation rising.

"Sorry," he says quietly.

"So that's it?" she asks. "We're breaking up?"

Oh God. She means goodbye for good. Not goodbye to this phone call. Fuck. What can I say?

"Except, we can't break up," she continues. "Because we're nothing."

He is stunned; her words feel like a slap to the face. She hangs up before he can say anything, and he chokes back his response.

How can she say that? Even when I've felt insecure about us, I've never thought that she actually felt we were nothing. How can she not know that she is everything to me?

Her words replay over and over in his mind.

She can't mean that. She was crying. You don't cry over nothing.

He walks inside and slides down to the couch, pulling off his tie.

"Logan?"

Maybe I should just go to her right now. Convince her that we are not nothing. Convince her that Odette and I are nothing,

Or maybe she was looking for a way out…

"Logan?"

But I can't let her do that. Because when we're together, it's magic. She can't deny that. It's only when we go too long without seeing each other that-

"Logan?" Odette says as she pops up at the top of the stairs.

"What?" he yells at her.

She visibly shrinks back before saying "The sink in the kitchen is leaking, and I don't know how to fix it."

He stares blankly at her.

"Are you mad at me?" she asks.

I have to get away from her. This is not actually her fault, and she doesn't deserve my wrath.

He heads to his bedroom, but finds no privacy there.

Why can't I have a fucking bedroom door like normal people do?

Christ, I am losing it.

He slides past her on the stairs and heads out the door, aimlessly walking, unsure of where he is going, unsure of what he has been doing with the last eleven years of his life.

---

October 2016

"Hey buddy," Logan says, answering his cell phone as he strides down the hall. "Can I call you back in a little bit? I'm heading into a meeting."

And I really don't want to talk to you.

"I talked to Rory," Finn replies.

At the door to the conference room, Logan makes an abrupt u-turn and heads back to his office.

"Really. How's she doing?" he asks, trying his best to sound nonchalant.

"Fine. I suppose. She was very surprised that I didn't know you two had broken up."

Logan sits back down in his chair silently.

"She assumed that the whole thing meant nothing to you. That it wasn't important enough to let your best friend know," Finn continues.

Logan inhales deeply.

"I told her you were probably just too devastated to tell us."

Oh God.

"Please tell me you didn't actually say that," Logan says.

"No. But that's closer to the truth, isn't it?"

Logan is again silent.

"Mate, you've got to fix this."

"She made her decision," Logan says. "She thinks we were… nothing."

She said that we were nothing.

Finn scoffs. "I think we've been through this before. You told me the same thing last time, and you let her walk away. Are you really going to do that again?"

"I don't-"

"Do you want her?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then fight for her, Logan."

"I don't know what else to do to convince her," Logan says.

"Lucky for you, I've got an idea. Come home, and we'll make it happen."

He's right. I've been devastated for weeks, and I can't go down like this. Not without a fight.

"Alright. I'm coming."

At the end of the meeting, Logan calls all of the department heads into his office.

"I need to go out of town this weekend," he says.

"But we have-" David starts.

"I know. And I'll be back and ready to go on Monday. I'll be accessible by email if you need me. I'm sorry this is so last minute, but we've worked hard, and we're ready."

As they file out of his office, Bobbi stops in at his desk.

"Is everything alright?" she asks.

"No. But I'm going to fix it, and I'll be fine by Monday. Don't worry."

Logan flies directly into Hartford, planning his words and actions on the flight. He rents a car and heads to his parents' house.

"Sir, your mother is at a spa in Arizona. I don't think she knew you were coming," says a maid that Logan doesn't recognize.

"That's fine. I'm not here to see her. I do have some friends arriving soon. Can you show them to the living room? Thanks." Logan says.

Within an hour, Colin, Finn, and Robert arrive.

"Robert?" he asks Finn.

"No one else was available on such short notice, and my plan requires three of us."

"Fine, but he better not hit on her," Logan says.

Finn pours the scotch, and they settle in. They spend the next hour or so strategizing and planning.

"I've hacked her computer," Robert says. "It was surprisingly hard. That computer must be fifteen years old. The geezers she works with are on board too."

"I spoke to the weird guy. Chris or Greg… or something common. The decorations, the signs… All taken care of," Colin says.

"My man, Kirk! He is anything but common, dear Colin," Finn says. "I've got costumes here. And obviously, I will be doing the makeup."

Logan rolls his eyes, before saying "No make up for me. I'm handsome enough, as is. But you three should work on that… I've run this all by Taylor. He promises me the town will be empty."

He gets excited in spite of his nerves. While they are getting into costume, Logan slips into the kitchen to grab the key to the house in Maine.

This will be perfect. She can write her book uninterrupted.

Unless she wants me to move in there with her, in which case I will probably interrupt her frequently.

I need to slow my roll. I can't be this cocky.

He meets the guys in the foyer. "Are we ready, fellas?" he asks.

"Let's go get our girl," Finn says.

---

From an alleyway, he watches Rory go past him, smiling when she is distracted by the unicyclist and the crow. She heads into the newspaper office, and Logan puts on his top hat. "Showtime."

The guys move toward her, and suddenly Rory walks out to them, a big smile on her face.

Logan pauses to smile too. This is the reception we were hoping for.

They circle around her, no one missing a beat.

It's perfect.

He settles into the planter behind her to wait for his cue.

"And we decided… That we had to come and take you out," Logan declares, striding toward her. She accepts her costume quickly with a smile on her face.

They run through the town, and as he reaches for her, she takes his hand without hesitation.

Everything comes together. The rooftop golfing, the trip to Doose's, the viewing of Kirk's movie. When they pile into the car, she gladly takes the seat beside him, snuggling in on the curvy road.

It's like nothing has changed. Things are perfect when we're together, and she's remembering that right now.

When they arrive at the underground speakeasy, Rory can't contain the glee on her face. He tugs her onto the dance floor and pulls her body close to his. It's all he can do to keep from kissing her right there.

But he slows it down, wanting to respect her space. They end up at a table for two watching his friends drink and flirt.

"Do you think Robert will hook up with that waitress?" she asks.

"Probably, but I'm not worried about him. He's single. I need to keep my eyes on Finn. I promised Andy."

"Not worried about Colin?" she asks.

"No. He would never. He still talks tough, but Steph and the girls are his life," Logan says.

I want you to be my life. Just give me a sign, Ace.

"How's your foot?" she asks, changing the subject.

Logan sighs. "I do not think it's broken."

"Well good."

"You're still a terrible dancer," he teases.

"Agreed."

"But damn, you are a beauty."

I've got to get this conversation on us.

"Save the sweet talk, Huntzberger," she admonishes.

"Well, you are."

"I'm not going Dutch, so…" she shoots back, sipping her champagne.

He laughs out loud. "Rats."

But I have to know. I can't bullshit all night.

"Glad I came?" he asks seriously.

"Why did you come?" she asks.

"Well, it was my turn to walk Finn," he jokes.

"Sure."

"And I did not like the way we left things," he says, alluding to his real reasons.

Rory shifts uncomfortably in her chair. "Yeah. Me neither."

"I should have told you about Odette moving in." I should have told you that she lives in the guest room, and I barely see her.

"Nope, that was not the agreement," she says.

Well fuck 'Vegas'.

"I know."

"You owed me nothing," she says.

And fuck the word 'nothing'.

"Technically no, but-"

"No strings," she continues. "When we're together, we're together. When we're not, we're not."

That's not working for me. I'm miserable.

"So how are you?" Logan asks. Please be miserable too.

"Oh, well, I'm okay." She's not okay.

"Did you fix things with Lorelei?" he presses her.

"Not yet. I've been crashing at Lane's."

At least she's not at Paul's or Pete's or whoever.

But Lane is obviously not my biggest fan…

Concentrate. Get back on track.

"No word from her at all?" he asks.

"Nope… What time is it?"

"Why? You bored?" he says with laugh.

"One thing I can honestly say, I've never been bored with you," she says smiling, causing Logan's heart to soar.

"Yeah, we're good like that," he agrees.

Her face falters for a moment, and Logan decides to move to the next part of his plan.

"I have something for you," he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a key.

"What is that?" she asks.

"That is a key," he snarks.

"To?"

"To… my family's house in Maine. It's a great place. Private. Right on the water. It's completely empty. No one ever uses it. My dad only bought it because Martha Stewart wanted it. They had a business thing fall through, and he was pissed." He realizes he is rambling and takes a breath.

"Wow, you're family life's different," she says.

Unimportant.

"It's yours," he says, pushing the key her way.

"Um… you're giving me a house?" she asks.

It's not like that…

"It's yours to use… To write that book."

"What?"

"Go there. Stay as long as you want. Just work."

"Logan."

"There's a groundskeeper. He'll look after you. The cleaning lady comes twice a week. She'll cook for you. She'll shop for you." And I'll be there too if you want.

"I can't," she says.

"Yes, you can. You need to do this. Write this book. It's time… Please. Take the key," he pushes.

She finally acquiesces before looking down and biting her lip. "Are you really gonna marry Odette?" she asks in a measured tone.

He blinks a few times. This is what he has been waiting all night for. What he has been waiting all year for.

"That's the dynastic plan," he says, monotone. He takes a breath to continue, but Rory turns her attention back to the tango dancers.

But I won't if you ask me not to. I will marry you if you let me.

He waits for her to turn back to him so he can finish his thought, but Colin jumps on the table in front of him, and the moment is gone.

They finish their champagne in silence until Rory stands and asks "Whaddya got for me next?"

He can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. He takes her by the hand, rounds up the guys, and they head back to the car. He wraps his arm around her shoulder, pleased when she tucks in.

Within minutes, they are at the bed and breakfast that Robert had booked. They explore the front room, and Rory can't keep her hands off of him; Logan can't keep the smile off of his face.

The boys clear out, and Logan reaches into his pocket for a second key, although he's hoping she won't take this one.

"So… here."

"Wow. More keys," she says.

"I didn't know where we stood," he says honestly, "so I got you your own room."

"Oh, well, where's your room?"

"Right across from yours."

She grabs him by the lapels and gently kisses his lips. "Show me," she whispers.

This is going even better than planned.

She follows him closely up the stairs, his heart pounding in anticipation.

"It's beautiful," she says, taking in the room.

"You're beautiful," he tells her sincerely.

She smiles shyly before leaning in to kiss him.

They take their time undressing. ("Lots of pieces to this costume, Huntzberger.") There is no rush, no sense of urgency. It has been three months, and Logan wants to savor every moment.

She is riding him slowly, and he can't stop watching. He loves to see her like this- totally in control, chasing her own pleasure. His hands move on her hips as she clenches and unclenches around him.

He sits up, and Rory wraps her legs around him until they are totally intertwined.

Her body is tensing, and her eyes are welling up. Through the tears, Logan finally sees what he has been waiting to see for a year.

I know this look. She loves me.

As they ride out their orgasm, he is overcome with emotion.

"I love you, Rory," he whispers in her ear.

She pulls back to search his eyes before kissing him passionately.

It's there. I see it. I feel it, even if she can't say it.

But as he heads to the bathroom to clean up, his thoughts are exploding.

This is torture, and it's only been two minutes. How in the world did she wait months for me to reciprocate?

He is so distracted that he doesn't notice that the condom he flushes down the toilet is broken.

He heads back to the bed, stopping only to pull on his boxer briefs, before slipping in beside her.

"Logan… I just want to say-"

"Shh. You don't have to say anything," he says, letting her off the hook.

She'll tell me when she's ready. She waited for me. I can wait for her.

Besides… I know she loves me. You don't orgasm to tears over someone you just have lukewarm feelings for.

He snuggles her close, inhaling her scent. He wants to stay awake to remember it all, but the late hour, the copious amounts of alcohol consumed, and the warmth of her body combine to lull him to sleep.

---

He wakes up to an empty bed, before seeing Rory across the room, gazing out of the window.

"Hey. How long have you been sitting there?" he asks her.

"Just watching the sun come up," she says.

"Come back to bed," he says.

"How long before you have to get back?"

"Oh, I have time," he answers.

"How long?" she presses.

"Long enough."

It only takes a moment for us to realize what we have here.

Not satisfied with that response, she turns to stare him down.

Logan relents. "I have a flight out at noon... Don't do the math."

"Someone needs to," she says, and he can hear the tears in her voice.

Wait. What is going on here?

Just push through it.

He climbs out of bed and grabs a shirt. "Okay, so there's this great diner down the road. Checked it out. It's not your beloved Luke's, but it's supposed to have an amazing breakfast."

"It's really pretty here," she says, turning back out the window.

"Well, I wanted it to be special."

"It was. It was a perfect night."

I do not like that tone.

"Hey Ace? Something going on in that head of yours?" he asks, approaching her.

She turns to him, rising, and hands his key back to him. "Here."

"No. No, I told you. It's yours. Use it to write."

That key is for you. For us.

"I don't need it. I know where I'm going to write."

He reluctantly takes it back. "Okay." He steps back toward. He is dying to touch her. To feel her. To remind her of what they shared last night.

"Breakfast sounds good," she says, verging on tears.

"Hey-"

"Come on," she sniffles. "We have to get you home."

She pushes past him, and Logan feels his façade crumble.

This is it. She is one hundred percent done with this.

But as they silently get dressed, he sneaks glances at her. She looks miserable, and while it shouldn't please him so much, his resolve is strengthened.

At breakfast, I'm just going to flat-out beg her not to give up. I've been so stubborn. Wanting her to make the first move. But it can be me. I love her, and she loves me, and if we let this pass because I'm being obstinate… I'll never forgive myself.

Downstairs, he takes Finn up on the martini offer. He needs all the courage he can get, even if it comes in liquid form.

He listens to the banter half-heartedly, trying to pull his life up from the galleys. He chimes in when necessary, but can't find the enthusiasm he felt last night. The fear of reality is creeping in with the sunlight.

"Well boys. My car is almost here," Rory announces.

"What?" Logan says. What about breakfast? Begging?

Finn makes the protests he wishes he could make.

"Logan tell her!" Finn says.

"I don't think she's listening to me anymore, boys."

It's really over.

Rory and the Life and Death Brigade play out an overdramatic goodbye complete with Wizard of Oz references that he would enjoy if he weren't feeling so nauseated.

The guys finally shuffle out, leaving the couple alone. She turns to him with sadness in her eyes.

Suck it up. Have some pride. Don't make her feel guilty for not being in love with you.

"You sure you don't want breakfast?" he asks, trying one last time.

"I'm sure."

"I'd really like to drive you back," he says. What if this is the last time I see you?

"I know."

"I dragged you out here," he continues, with a fake laugh.

"You didn't drag me," she says. "You took me on my own Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. How many girls can say that?"

"It didn't work though, did it?"

"Every ride has to end," she says.

Do not blame her. She doesn't want what you want, and that is her right.

"Okay," he says, finally giving in to the inevitable. But he can't resist touching her one last time. He reaches out for her. "So... Let's do this."

He places a tender kiss on her lips, tasting the salt.

"If you change your mind about the house, it's yours," he says.

I will always be waiting for you to change your mind. I'm going down with this ship.

"No strings attached," he promises.

"I think your days of rescuing me are over."

"Oh, you never really needed rescuing, Ace. You know that."

I love you just the way you are.

"I do now."

He knows he can't hold it together much longer so he steps away, reluctantly letting her go. He places the hat above her melancholy smile, brushes her hair away from her eyes, and steps away.

He takes a mental picture, smiling his best fake smile. "Yeah, just like that."

He quickly turns and hightails it out to the car where his friends are waiting.

"So that's it?" Robert asks.

"That's it," Logan replies.

Don't make me talk about it.

"How can that be it? Anyone who sees you two together knows it's kismet," Finn says.

"If it were kismet, she would be out here with you," Colin says. "It's not what you want to hear, but I'm being honest. You threw it down last night, and if she's not on board after that, you should let her go."

"No, go back in there, Logan," Finn says.

"I think Colin's right, guys. Rory and I are just not meant to be," he says, desperately trying to convince himself.

---

November 2016

Logan wakes up the morning after the U.S. elections to the shocking news that Trump has won the presidency.

He is sipping coffee, constantly refreshing CNN when Odette walks into the kitchen.

"Have you seen this?" he asks.

"Wow. Well, we thought Brexit wouldn't happen either," she says.

"Rory must be devastated," he says before silently cursing himself.

When is she going to stop being my first thought?

"Really?"

"Yeah. She's always been a huge fan of Hilary Clinton, back before I even knew her," he explains.

"Maybe you should call her?" Odette says.

He doesn't admit that the thought has already crossed his mind.

"No, I just need to keep this a clean break."

I've got to get on with my life. She said no. She had reasons.

Well this time, she didn't actually say no. But she said goodbye, and I'm sure she had reasons.

The light catches her engagement ring, distracting him from his thoughts of Rory and introducing strange thoughts of Odette.

"You know, I always thought our biggest issue would be that we couldn't live together, but you've been here for months, and it's been fine," Logan says.

"I bet you'll be glad when I'm out next month though, huh?" she asks, sitting down beside him with a cup of coffee.

"I don't know. I'm kinda used to having you around."

She looks at him sharply. "Where are you going with this?"

I'm not actually sure.

"What if we get married? For real?"

"Why would we do that?" she asks.

"Because we like each other. Because we can cohabitate. Because we're not getting any younger."

"Hey! I'm younger than you. And… Okay, technically we live together. But more like roommates. We hardly ever see each other. I'm moving out in three weeks," she says.

"Don't. Let's see what happens. We used to have genuine feelings. Maybe we can get them back."

What am I even saying? How desperate I've become to leave Rory in the past…

Odette is looking at him closely. He leans forward to kiss her, for the first time in eighteen months. It is stilted and awkward.

When he pulls away from her, she has wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"So we'll have to work at it. Maybe brush our teeth," he says with a smile.

"I don't know."

"We should think about it," he says as he heads up the stairs to get ready for work.

---

December 2016

Logan looks at his ringing cell phone to see an unknown Hartford area code.

Geez, Mom. That didn't take long. I should never have told her that we were thinking about spring. I just wanted her to shut up.

He declines the call and dives back into the proposal he's reading.

A few hours later, the same Hartford number calls again.

You have got to be kidding me. I am not going to talk to wedding planners.

He rejects the call and immediately calls his mother. He is in a full tirade when Shira finally interrupts him.

"Logan! Stop yelling at me! I have no Earthly idea what you are talking about. I haven't given anyone your number," she says.

"Then who is this Hartford number that has started calling me the day after I told you we may get married in the spring?" he asks.

"I don't know, dear. But the wedding will be in London, so all of the planners and vendors will be there."

"Oh. That… makes sense."

"Although Odette really is dragging her feet," Shira says. "To my knowledge she hasn't done anything yet. This will be the longest engagement in history. I wish she would let me-"

"Gotta go, Mom. Bye," Logan says, hanging up on her.

Who is calling me?

His thoughts flit to Rory.

It's not her. She said no. She had reasons.

He returns to his business and finishes his day uneventfully. When he gets home, he finds Odette at the kitchen table with her phone to her ear.

She glares at him as he walks in. "Yes, Shira, I understand how quickly the best people book up…"

Logan mouths "Sorry" to which Odette rolls her eyes.

"Shira. Shira. Logan just walked in the door. Can I call you later?... Okay… Yes, I'll tell him. Au revoir."

Logan pours her a glass of wine and grabs a beer for himself.

"Thanks for that," she says sarcastically. "What did you say to her? She thinks we're getting married this spring."

"I know. It was stupid. I just needed to get her off my back. I'll tell her to lay off," he says.

Odette sighs. "Are we really going to do this? I mean, we're not even…"

I know. The intimacy… the relationship… none of it is coming back like we thought it would.

"We don't have to. I know it's not what either of us want. And I can handle our fathers," he says.

"It should be what I want. You're fun and handsome, and I like you. But we're not in love with each other," she says.

"And we probably won't be," Logan agrees.

"Ugh. I wish I were. I don't want to be in love with a bipolar drug addict."

"And I don't want to in love with someone who has no clue what she wants and keeps breaking my heart."

"We're a mess," she laughs.

"It would be the safe choice," he argues.

Safe is never a word I've wanted to apply to my life. But if the last year has taught me anything, it's that I don't want any more back and forth. I want stability.

They are eating take-out at the coffee table later that night when the mysterious Hartford number calls again.

"This is the third time this number has called today," he says. "Let me take this…. Hello?"

"Logan?"

It is a voice he knows, but cannot place.

"Yes… This is Logan."

"It's Christopher… Hayden."

Oh.

"Rory's dad."

"I know who you are, Chris. Is everything okay?" Logan asks.

"Well…"

Oh my God.

"What happened to Rory?" Logan asks.

Odette's head snaps back from the television to look at him.

Logan stands up. "Christopher. What is going on?"

"She's not hurt. She's physically fine. I'm sorry I scared you. But… I just think she could use your help," Christopher says.

Logan puts his hand up to let Odette know that Rory is fine, and then he moves into the bedroom to finish the conversation privately.

"What's going on?" he repeats.

"She just… needs you right now. That's all I really feel comfortable saying," Christopher hedges.

Logan is silent.

What could be going on?

It doesn't matter… It's not my concern anymore.

"Chris, it's really not my place. She…"

She said no. She had reasons.

"You were the one who told me to move on with my life," Logan continues. "Obviously, I haven't done a great job with that, but I'm trying. Rory has made her decisions, and I have to respect that."

Now it is Christopher's turn to be silent.

He finally speaks. "I was wrong when I told you that. You're not me. And it's becoming increasing apparent that Rory is not Lorelei. She's going through something right now that only you can help her with."

"But you can't tell me what it is?"

"No," Christopher says. "She doesn't know I'm calling you, so I don't want to overstep any more than I already have. But I'm begging you, Logan. Go to her. For both of your sakes."

The urgency in Christopher's tone gives Logan pause.

"I'll think about," he sighs. "Where is she?"

"She's at Richard and Emily's. Er… Emily's. In Hartford. Please, Logan."

He hangs up and heads back to the couch to find Odette looking up at him, eyes widened.

"It's nothing. Not my problem. Don't worry about it," he reassures her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Except he's not. His conversation with Christopher stays with him the rest of the evening. It keeps him up tossing and turning all night.

At three in the morning, Odette pokes him. "Can you tell me what's going on?" she asks, sitting up and turning on her lamp.

"I don't actually know," he says before relaying the entire conversation with Christopher.

"You're not going to be able to let this go," she tells him. "You should go and see what's going on. If she doesn't really need you, tell her that this has to stop. And if she does… well, you'll figure it out from there."

Logan looks at her gratefully. "Why can't it be you?"

"Because it's not. It's her."

---

Thirty hours later, a weary Logan stands at Emily Gilmore's front door, his hand poised to knock.

What am I doing here?

He has asked himself the same question over and over since he boarded the plane in London, but he has not been able to come up with an exact answer. His imagination has gone crazy, thinking of all the things that could be wrong with her.

Christopher said she was physically fine, so I can rule out illness, but what else could be so dire?

He raps lightly at the door, unsure of who will answer or even be awake at this early hour.

Rory opens the door in pajama bottoms and a Yale sweatshirt.

Is that mine? Is she sleeping in my clothes?

"Logan! What… What are you doing here?" she asks, quickly smoothing her hair behind her ears.

He looks at her, really looks at her, but can see nothing that alarms him.

Except for how hard my heart is pounding. How does she always do this to me?

"Your dad called and said you needed my help," he finally responds.

"I'm sorry, Logan. He shouldn't have done that. I'm… I'm fine, really," she says.

He can tell by her voice and her avoidance of eye contact that she's not.

"Can I come in?"

"Um… sure," she says, opening the door further and allowing him in.

"It's changed a bit since I was last here," Logan says, taking in the sparsely furnished room.

"Grandma lives in Nantucket now, and I don't need a lot. I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting company."

They move into the living room and sit down on opposite couches. He stares hard, but she will not return his gaze, and the silence stretches into awkwardness.

"Why am I here, Ace?" he asks, her nickname slipping out of habit.

She still doesn't say anything.

What in the actual fuck? Is she kidding me?

"God damn it, Rory! I just flew across the Atlantic to see you, and you can't even talk to me?"

Her hands reach up to cover her face, and he can tell she has started crying.

He takes a deep breath to calm himself, trying to be patient. Something is obviously wrong with her, and yelling is not going to help.

She finally looks up at him, tears on her cheeks, and asks "Why are you here Logan?"

Good question. She already knows I love her. Should I just lay it all out here again?

"Because I'm in love with you, Rory. I have been since I was twenty-two, and it's not going away, no matter how hard I try. You know it. I know it. That's why I'm here. You say jump, and I hop off a scaffold. Your dad says you need me, and I'm on the next plane out of London." He looks away for a moment before meeting her gaze with a steely resolve. "Don't you love me?"

Her face softens. "Of course I do. You know that."

"How am I supposed to know that?" he asks angrily.

For a moment his heart flutters. (She loves me) But in an instant he knows that is not what he came here to hear.

"It's not enough, though. I need more than that. I need you to be with me. Really be with me. Not this Vegas bullshit you want."

"Hey! Don't turn this all on me," she says, her voice rising. "You're engaged to someone else, and if it were only about your parents, you wouldn't do it. You've defied them for me before, but you don't seem in any hurry to do that now."

Logan inhales deeply, trying to reign in his anger. "You know what? You're right. I haven't gotten out of this engagement. The truth is… the truth is… I see Honor and Josh with their kids, and I'm so envious. They have a family apart from Mom and Dad. I want that. I want to get married and have kids. I want a family. I want that with you. I've always wanted that with you…

But I guess, deep down, I don't trust you to give it to me. You've burned me before, and I guess I always knew that I'd end up here again, begging for you to give me more than you're willing to."

And that is the uncomfortable truth that I have been avoiding admitting to myself since the day I saw her in Hamburg.

Rory's breath catches as she is openly crying now. "It's so much more complicated than that."

"It's really not," he says. "I love you, and you say you love me."

Rory's silence speaks volumes to him.

"You're sure you're okay?" he asks.

Rory still doesn't say anything, just continues to sob into her hands.

"Goodbye, Rory." He sighs, standing and striding out the front door.

How many goodbyes do I need?

"Logan!" he hears her cry as the door shuts behind him.

Don't turn around. There's nothing left for me to say.

He starts the rental car and heads back to the airport. He drops his car off, buys a return ticket to London, and heads through security.

What a waste of a day. What a waste of my life.

I mean, she loves me, but she doesn't want to try? At all?

Waiting to board, he pulls out his phone to charge it, stunned at what he finds.

Please come back. Please don't leave. There are so many things I need to say.

He reads the text over and over.

What else could she possibly need to say? And why couldn't she say it when I was there? I'm not going back.

Why do I do this to myself? I shouldn't even entertain this idea. I obviously have no more self-respect.

If I go back, will she just destroy what's left of me?

But if I do go back, this time, I won't leave until she gives me some answers.

Maybe I can get some closure, if nothing else.

Damn it.

He grabs his bag and heads out of the airport to rent another car.

Two hours later, he is knocking on her door again. She answers looking even more disheveled than he left her.

"You didn't get on the plane," she says.

"I didn't get on the plane," he says, striding purposefully into the house. "I'm not going to until you give me some answers."

"That's fair," she says, following him in and sitting on the same couch as him this time. "Do you want something to drink, or…"

"No," he says curtly. "Why did you say no when I asked you to marry me?"

"Wow. Just jumping right in. Okay… I wanted to say yes. Logan, I loved you so much, and the thought of life without you was devastating. But we were so young, and I felt, very strongly, that I needed to find myself. Find my voice as a writer. As an adult. I was worried that I would always be thought of… and seen… as your wife, and not my own independent person. I probably let my mom influence me more than I should have.

Some days I think I made the right choice, but most days I regret it."

That is… not what I expected her to say. But she knows that I never wanted her to be a Stepford.

"So why-"

"Wait. I need answers too. It's my turn," she interrupts him.

Logan nods at her. I guess that's fair.

"Why did you propose like that? In front of everybody. You know how I like to process and talk things out. You really put me on the spot."

He is surprised by this. He'd never thought about that from her side before.

"You always liked when I made big romantic gestures, and it seemed like the right time. One phase of our lives was ending, and I wanted to start the next one together. My turn… Why did you walk away from me at the Obama rally?"

"What?"

"The rally in San Francisco. Right before California primaries. You saw me. I wanted to talk to you so badly, and you just… walked away," he says.

"You were actually there?"

"Ace, you looked right at me, shook your head, and walked away. It gutted me."

"Oh my God," she whispers. "I can't believe you were really there. I'd had all these fantasies of you showing up on the campaign trail to tell me you'd changed your mind, and… I was so sleep-deprived. I thought that I hallucinated you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I thought I was losing my mind. But if you were really there… If you really wanted to talk to me, why did you never try and get in touch?" she asks.

"I guess I was being stubborn," he admits. "I felt like… since you had rejected me, you had to decide if you wanted to talk to me again. But if you were fantasizing that I would come to see you, then why didn't you try and get in touch?"

"The same… I felt like you walked away, so you had to make the first move. And I had Finn show me your Facebook page one time, and there were so many pictures of you with all these beautiful women, and I just felt sick to my stomach. I was sure you had moved on. That I was never even a thought in your head. How many women did you date in the years we were apart?"

"A lot. It was miserable. Who the fuck is Paul?" he asks.

"Paul? Oh. Paul. He's not important. He never was. What is your relationship with Odette? Really."

"She's… We've been friendly for years, and our families… It's complicated, and it would take me a while to explain it. But I haven't slept with her since I saw you in Hamburg. I only want you, Rory," he admits.

She is stunned into silence, so he continues. "Last question. Why did your dad tell me to come here?"

Rory pauses and looks away, the rapid-fire question and answer session apparently over.

"Logan…"

"Come on, Ace. Just tell me what's going on," he pleads.

"Okay. Okay." She looks down into her lap, gathering her thoughts. When she looks back up, her face is composed. "I'm pregnant."

He looks into her eyes, and she looks back, unflinching, unwavering.

Pregnant. She wouldn't be telling me this if I wasn't the father.

"New Hampshire?" he asks.

She nods with a tight smile. "Our beautiful, romantic, perfect last night made a baby."

We made a baby. We made a baby.

Oh my God, we made a baby.

In all of his thoughts over the last two days, this has somehow never occurred to him.

He is quiet for a moment before Rory says "I know this is huge, unexpected news, and I don't expect anything from you, Logan. Really. I know you have-"

"How far along would that make you?" he asks.

"Nine weeks. Apparently, when you're pregnant, months are obsolete. It's all about weeks," she rambles. "I had an ultrasound two days ago. Do you want to see the picture?"

He nods, and she brings him a little square photo with an amorphous blob on it.

We made a baby.

His mind is whirring, trying to do the math.

"How long have you known?" he asks.

She looks back down into her lap and quietly responds. "Three weeks."

Three weeks? She's kept this from me for three weeks? What if Christopher hadn't called me?

"Were you ever going to tell me?" he asks, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice.

"I was going to tell you if I decided to keep it," she says.

Oh.

Oh.

She's not going to keep it. She's not going to keep my baby. The baby that I didn't know I had until three minutes ago.

He sits back against the couch and runs his hands through his hair. After a couple of measured breaths, he speaks. "I'm going to support whatever decision you make, but I would like to at least be a part of the process. Where's your pro-con list?"

"How do you know I made a pro-con list?"

He gives her a disbelieving look, to which she rolls her eyes. "I'll go get it."

She heads to Richard's study and returns a moment later with a well-worn piece of paper.

"Let me hear it," he says, and she settles back unto the couch.

"Okay. Cons. Number one. This will blow up Logan's life-"

"Ace, it will not blow up anything," he interrupts.

"Logan, if you chime in on each one, we'll never finish. Just let me get through it," Rory says.

He nods in agreement.

"Number one. This will blow up Logan's life, and I've done enough damage there. Number two. I'm alone, and being a single parent is hard."

"Rory, you're not-"

She looks up at him sternly, and he shuts his mouth.

"Number three. My career is a disaster, and I have no secure income. Number four. I'm essentially homeless. Number five. I'm terrified of being pregnant, terrified of delivery, and infants scare the crap out of me. Number six. I can't cook, change a diaper, or really do anything maternal. Number seven. This baby will be a daily reminder of how badly I screwed up with Logan, and my self-esteem is already in the toilet.

Now I know you have a response for each of those, but… just let me keep going.

Pros." She pauses, making him wonder if she has any. But then she continues. "Number one. This baby will be half Logan, and if I love it half as much as I love him, my heart will overflow… And that's it," she says, her voice cracking.

She looks up at him, her eyes shining with tears, and he knows he's about to cry too.

She loves me as much as I love her. Finally.

He hands her a tissue from the coffee table, then reaches back to grab one for himself. She giggles, and they are finally smiling.

"So your list is pretty skewed toward the cons," he says, scooting closer to her. "But I learned a long time ago that when it comes to you and me and a pro-con list, you have to pick quality over quantity, and your pro is all that matters."

He reaches behind her head to pull her close, gently kissing her lips, before resting his forehead on hers.

"Let's do this, baby. We love each other. We belong together," he says.

She sniffles. "What about your life? Odette?"

"You are my life. I'll take care of everything else," he assures her.

"But I'm such a disaster. Why would you want me?" she asks.

"Ace, come on. You're all I've ever wanted."

She smiles her thousand-watt smile before kissing him deeply. She takes him by the hand and leads him up the stairs. He follows her quickly, before a disturbing thought hits him.

"We can't hurt the baby, can we?"

"No," she says, opening the door to her bedroom. "It's smaller than a grape."

She doesn't need to tell him twice.

---

Later that afternoon, Logan wakes up naked in Rory's bed. He watches her sleep for a few minutes, his heart close to bursting.

We made a baby. In all the years I've known and loved her, I've never been so in awe of her.

My baby is inside her. My tiny, grape-sized baby.

He could lie there forever, but he knows he has some unpleasant business to attend to. He slides out of bed and pulls on some clothes before heading downstairs.

He calls Odette first. "Is she pregnant?" she asks when she answers the phone.

"You couldn't have clued me in?" he asks.

"It just came to me this morning," she says. "But it's good? This is what you want?"

"Yes," he says. "And I'm sorry."

"Don't be. There's a reason I never unpacked any of my things."

She is gracious and supportive, volunteering to tell her parents herself.

The next phone call will be tougher. He doesn't expect his father to be gracious or supportive.

"Dad, I need to talk to you about something," he begins.

"Where are you?" Mitchum interjects. "I called your office today to go over the Folsom deal, and they told me you didn't come in this morning."

"I'm in Hartford."

"Oh… Is everything alright?" Mitchum asks awkwardly.

"I think so, but I'm not sure if you'll think so."

Mitchum sighs. "Is this about Rory Gilmore?"

Logan doesn't answer at first.

"Christ, Logan. You're going to give your mother a heart attack. Just break it off with Odette now, so your mother won't have to deal with the embarrassment of it all."

"That's already done," Logan says. "But the bigger news… is that Rory and I are having a baby."

"Oh, for fuck's sake… Just when I think you've become responsible… Well, I guess congratulations are in order, but you're going to have to tell your mother. I'm not going to do it for you. And I want you to meet with lawyers soon. You need to have your living will amended, and there will be a pre-nup. That's non-negotiable."

"Woah. We haven't even talked about marriage. But I have to say, I'm little surprised at this reaction. You're awfully calm," Logan says.

"Would you rather I threw a fit?"

"No. But I was sure you would threaten my job."

"You will have to sort this out with Jean on your own. But otherwise, will this affect your job?" Mitchum asks.

"I don't think so. But I don't know where I'll be living or…"

"Figure it out. Soon," Mitchum commands. "Because if it starts to affect your job, I won't be so calm."

"I can't believe how well you're taking this," Logan muses.

"Son, I've been waiting on this conversation since I saw you two together last spring. And honestly, I don't care who you marry. I just want you settled. Now your mother does care, and she will raise hell. Just keep me out of it. And get back to work soon. I'm ready to close the Folsom account."

That was so much better than I expected. Every once in a while, the old man surprises me.

Now for Shira…

---

Logan has listened to Shira berate him for what feels like an eternity.

"Mom. Mom," he cuts her off. "I've already apologized, several times, for any embarrassment this may cause you, but this is what is happening. I'm not going back to Odette. I'm not changing my mind."

"You're really going to give everything up for Rory Gilmore?" she asks.

"I'm not giving up anything," he says.

"What if she leaves you again?"

Logan is quiet for a moment, because, truthfully, he fears this too.

"Mom, just please try and remember that she makes me happy, and I know, deep down, you want me to be happy. We'll talk later, alright?"

Shira sighs deeply. "Alright."

He hangs up and takes a few deep breaths, trying to relieve some of the tension that built up during that conversation. Finally, he heads back upstairs to Rory's room, expecting to find her still asleep. Instead, he finds her sitting up in bed, writing in a journal.

When she sees him walk in, she snaps the book shut guiltily.

"Whatcha doin?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.

"Nothing. Where did you go?"

"Ace. Let's not keep secrets on the first day. What are you writing?"

She bites her lip. "A pro-con list."

What? I thought…

He begins to panic. "I thought we had decided all that. I just told Odette and my parents that we're having a baby."

"Wow. Already?"

"Yes. I thought we had decided…"

"No, Logan. We did. It's not about that." She looks at him a beat too long.

"Oh… oh…"

It's me. She's making a pro-con list about me.

"Logan, I'm sorry. I'm just scared."

He moves to sit next to her on the bed. "I'm scared too."

"Really? You're never scared of anything."

Yeah, well loving you… trusting you… is really fucking scary," he says. "It hasn't always worked out for me in the past."

Her eyes blink rapidly, taking in his words.

"Fine. What's on it?" he asks.

"I just started," she says.

"How many cons?"

"Two," she says sheepishly.

"And you just started." How many will there be when she's done?

Stay calm.

He reaches for her hand, trying to quell his nerves. "I know we're scared, but some wise kid once said 'People can live to be a thousand… no… people can live to be one hundred, but… they have to… live… in the moment?' What the hell did I say?" he asks with a laugh.

She laughs too. "You said 'People can live for a hundred years without living for a minute. You climb up here with me, it's one less minute you haven't lived.'"

"Okay. Pro number one. I've got great lines," he quips.

"Great?" she asks.

"I got you, didn't I? And you still remember it twelve years later."

"True. Okay, I'll give you that one. Great lines."

He leans down and presses a kiss to her still-flat stomach. "Ace, we have every reason to try."

She puts her hands in his hair and rakes her fingernails through it. He moves down to her hip bone, placing small kisses over her abdomen where his baby is.

Our baby.

I'm going to convince her. And pretty soon everyone will know she's mine, and that I put a baby inside her.

His tongue traces the edge of her panties, and she takes her hands out of his hair long enough to push them down. He takes the hint and pulls them off her legs, before slowly moving back in where she wants him.

We're supposed to be talking. I'm supposed to be convincing her that I'm worth taking a chance on.

"Pro number two," she says. "Nobody is better than you at oral sex."

So maybe I'm convincing her.

"Any sex. All sex. Nobody is better than you at sex," she says in a breathy whisper.

"Damn right," he murmurs, his mouth against her. "Pro number three. I will prove it you… every… single… day." He alternates his words with swirls of his tongue.

"Oh God… Okay. This is probably the only pro I need."

Convinced.

---

Later, he is lying beside her, running his hand over her belly. "So my pros are good lines and good sex?"

"Great lines. And mind-blowing, Earth-shattering sex," she clarifies.

He smiles, then swallows hard. "Let's walk through the cons. And I get a say this time."

"Are you sure?" she asks.

"Yes. I think so. Just go."

"Well, first, your family. They are not going to be happy about this."

"I've already told my parents. Mitchum was really calm. He thinks this was inevitable, and he just wants me settled enough to focus on work."

"No way," she says.

"Yeah. He's always liked you. You remind him of his college girlfriend. And my mom… Well, she's not thrilled. But she'll want to be a part of the baby's life. It's ironic since she didn't want to be a part of mine or Honor's life. But she does love the grandkids.

And there was a time when Honor loved you. You haven't been her favorite for the last few years, but I'm still her favorite. Once I tell her that I want you and the baby more than anything, she'll come around."

Rory's mouth crinkles to the side, like she is about to cry again so he presses her. "Can we cross that one off the list?"

She nods, blinking furiously.

"The next one. You live in London, and I live here," she says.

"This one's harder. I love London. The first time I was there, I only thought about getting back to you, and I barely paid the city any attention. This time, I was getting away from you, and-"

"What?"

"That's a story for another day," he says. "The point is… I've really built a life there. I have friends, and I'm really good at my job. Obviously, I'm going to live wherever you and the baby are, so just tell me what you want."

She looks at him and smiles. "I've been rootless for over a year. It's not all it's cracked up to be. Turns out, I like roots."

"So what are you saying?"

"I'll move to London. We can cross that off the list too."

Logan knows that he is radiating happiness as he leans over to kiss her. "We're on a roll. Any others you can think of?"

"No. I'm getting the idea that you're pretty determined to make this work. So I think it's really just going to come down to your promise to give me head every day," Rory says with a mischievous smile.

Logan laughs out loud. "Oh, you just try and stop me!"

---

"I don't want to go," Logan whines at Emily's front door two days later. "I want to stay with you. I want to do Christmas together. Remember how good we are at Christmas?"

"I know. I wish you didn't have to go either. But I need Mitchum on my side. And that means you have to go back and do this Folgers thing," she says.

Logan smiles. She's so cute when she tries to talk business.

"You're right. But it doesn't mean I like it," he says, kissing her and pulling her body flush to his. "Can't you come sooner?"

"Babe, I have to shut down the Gazette and pack up my whole life. I need to say goodbye to Paris and Lane. And then there's the little matter of telling Mom, Luke, and Grandma that I'm moving to another country and raising my child there. You can survive two weeks without me."

"I don't know. I've done a pretty shitty job of it the last nine years." He kisses her again. "And since one of the things we've agreed on is not to let words go unspoken anymore… I just want to say that, obviously, 'Vegas' does not apply anymore. No Paul, no Jess, no random droids."

"It was a Wookie."

"That doesn't make it sound any better, Ace."

"I may see Jess at Christmas. But Luke is his uncle. It has nothing to do with me," she says.

Logan gives her a skeptical look.

"I promise."

"Well, just make sure he knows that we're back together," he says.

She nods and replies "Of course. And as for you… no Odette, no models, no dentists."

Logan raises his eyebrows.

"I may have done a deep dive on your Facebook last night while you were working," she admits.

"I won't even have any time for any of that. I'll be clearing out drawers, stocking up on decaf, and buying new bookcases."

"And the next time you see me, I'll be there for good. Over the last two days, I've let you in on the entire disaster that is my life. This is your last chance to back out, Huntzberger."

"Never," he says. "You're it for me, Rory. Your mess is mine."

---

A/N: Congratulations on making it through 21,000 words of angst! Whew! As a reward, there are two short chapters left that are all fluff :)

I apologize for any typos that may have snuck through. I just couldn't proof it anymore. Let me know what you think!