Disclaimer: I don't own the story or characters featured in Gilmore Girls, however I have a fertile mind and a fan orphan heart.

A/N: HUGE CHAPTER AHEAD! I know you guys like that. I'm worried about your interest in this story because the reviews have dropped a lot (or this is just my impression?), but I still want to thank those who continue reading. Anyway, this chapter was a lot of fun to write and so far it's my favorite. I have to warn you: we'll have visitors. Happy thanksgiving to you all. ❤

CHAPTER 10 – WE'RE NOT FRIENDS.

Rory walked aimlessly, for hours even, in hopes of becoming distracted and completely oblivious to the world. Replaying her conversation with Amy in her mind, she reevaluated the situation and regretted not having done anything differently. She should have expressed herself better, she shouldn't have let her go off like that.

She returned to the hotel frustrated on so many levels. She began to recapitulate in her mind to find the moment when her life was out of control. But the answer was in front of her eyes.

Logan was sitting there alone at the bar counter. Of course, it was him. He was the shifter that turned her life into a mess. She began to act strangely, insecure, and out of control. She watched Logan drinking his old scotch and she just knew it wasn't time to overthink. It's all she'd ever done so far and it didn't work out.

"A scotch, please." She ordered, sitting by his side.

He pouted sarcastically. "Someone is ready for the party."

Rory looked at him and decided to change her order. "Make it a double-scotch."

Logan's face froze. "I would ask what happened, but I'm afraid you will get into an alcoholic coma on the first drink."

She wiped a hand down her face, still stunned that things had happened so quickly. "Amy evaporated."

Logan nodded at her, but there was unconcern in his voice. "Don't worry, Ace. You still have me."

"I'm serious, Logan. She really vanished. We had this huge fight."

"What did you fight about?" He asked.

"You..." She said, sheepishly. "She found about us."

"How?"

She shook her head. "She just did."

"Don't worry, she'll get over it." He repeated, but Rory was inconsolable. "I don't know. I lied to her. I had never lied to her before and I feel so stupid."

He rubbed her back and tried his best to sound soothing. "You're not stupid. You're just having a hard time."

"How do you know that?"

"I can see."

"Right, because you know me so well." She said, sarcastically as the bartender handed her drink.

"No, because I'm giving you a hard time."

"Sure, because that would be way less pretentious." She mockingly corrected, tossing the drink down her throat.

Logan watched in amazement the grimace she displayed, then continued. "I'm serious, Ace. I know this isn't easy for you. Trust me, this isn't easy for me either."

She glanced at him. "You make it look easy."

"That's because you're not putting this into perspective. You're overreacting, you're always too worried to make everything perfect. Sometimes you will let people down, then you will apologize and move on."

She giggled. "Thanks, Dr. Phil."

He smiled. "What I'm trying to say is that I'll be gone soon. Just hang in there."

She nodded, swallowing his words while she stared at the empty glass in front of her.

That's when she thought: 'What was he doing there alone?' He was neat and perfumed. He was on alert, certainly looking for someone. He was on the chase for the next possible conquest.

Rory ordered another drink and questioned. "So, who is it gonna be?"

"What?" He stared back at her.

"The lady. You don't want me to believe you're here for no reason. Who is it gonna be?"

He smirked and stared straight ahead trying to disguise, sipping at his drink. Rory followed his eyes, bumping into a blonde with incredibly long straight hair and a black dress that looked more like a nightdress. A very flamboyant one. The woman was staring back at him. Her eyes were quite clear.

"Oh, so the blonde it is." Rory nodded at herself. She felt a pinch inside her chest, but she couldn't say why she didn't want to let it slip, though. "Why don't you go there and ask for her number? She is totally into you."

Logan smirked again and pulled out a piece of paper, dragging it across the table toward Rory.

"Oh, so you did already." That strange sensation inside her intensified. A racing heart and a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

At that moment, Rory rummaged through her bag, reaching for her phone. She took the small paper and began dialing the number. She noted that the blonde across the room didn't move to pick up her phone, and the line was definitely ringing into Rory's ear.

Rory smiled with satisfaction as she turned to Logan. "Well, well, well. Seems like Logan Huntzberger got a fake number. How does it feel like?"

Rory couldn't finish bragging, because a voice on the other end answered the phone.

"Hello."

She frowned. "Hi. Who is it?"

"John Greenwald."

She slowly closed her eyes in mourning. "Mr. Greenwald? Oh, this is Rory Gilmore. I'm calling to thank you for the great help."

Logan watched delightedly while she shrank within as a look of anger formed on her face. Apparently, the man was rambling on and killing her inside. Rory sent a menacing glance toward him as she mouthed to him "I'll kill you".

He couldn't help himself. He laughed as if he was going to explode.

"Sure. Thank you again." Rory finally hung up the phone and playfully slapped him on the arm.

"Stop it!" He said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

"You deserve it! Damn you, Huntzberger." She declared.

"Why? I didn't say it was that woman's number." A striking grin parted his mouth.

"Who does that?" She whined.

"People wanting to teach you a lesson about minding in their business?" He asked, rhetorically.

"And did you really wrote his number on a paper? What if you had lost?" Rory asked, accusingly.

"So what? Now he has your number." He pointed at her, drinking his scotch.

"Oh my God. He does have my number now. He's gonna think I'm that girl, won't he?" She chirped flabbergasted, cupping her face with her hands.

Logan stared at her, thirsty. He caught himself thinking how cute she was when she was nervous. And he sure as hell shouldn't have been on the verge of reaching for her and kissing her sweet mouth again. He broke eye contact with her and focused intently on his glass, after looking at her and stating with a sly grin. "No, you're still my girl. Nobody takes my girl."

Her crystal blue eyes glistened like she wanted to smile, but she didn't. She liked how that sounded, but she wouldn't admit it so easy, so she just cleared her throat and changed the subject, careful not to look at him.

"You didn't talk to that blonde, did you?" She drank silently.

He smirked. "I'm not here to pick up girls, Rory."

"So what are you doing?"

"Actually I'm here waiting for the guys."

She laughed mischievously. "Don't you tell me..."

He narrowed his eyes. "Very funny."

"What's the problem? Love is love."

He sighed. "I'm here waiting for Colin and Finn."

"Oh." Her voice stiffened in dismay.

"They should be here thirty minutes ago, but you know, they're Colin and Finn."

She nodded in agreement. "It makes sense."

There was an awkward silence, then Logan asked. "Do you wanna join us?"

"Really? Where are you going?"

"No destination defined."

She considered the idea and discovered she liked it. Joyous memories of them enveloped her. "I could do that."

"Well, well, well. Rory Gilmore ready to party." Logan teased.

"Hey, I do party." She responded in protest, her voice growing thinner.

He pulled a mock face. "Really? When was the last time?"

"A few days ago, at the cocktail." She remembered, leery.

Logan laughed. "You went to bed before ten."

"So did you."

"Fine, Ace. I'll let you choose the destination with one condition." He playfully warned her.

"What?"

"It can't be boring."

She pouted. "Fine."

"No sitting and eating all the time."

"Got it!"

"No girly activities."

She pretended to contemplate the idea. "Girly like get our nails done or gawking at naked guys?"

"Both." He stated, resolutely.

"Too bad, you really need a manicure."

They were still engaged in that banter when the boys came in. As always, the stage all theirs.

Rory was a bit puzzled. She hadn't seen them for a long time and after the troubled break up, she never spoke to them again.

She felt a little guilty for pulling away like that. Rory simply concluded that they were friends of Logan over hers and a healthy coexistence would be impossible. She felt some regret in making such a drastic decision. After all, they were her friends too, and she also broke up with them indirectly.

She looked up at them and they still looked the same. Finn was Finn. His tan was darker than when she had seen him last, and his still messy hair moved slightly in the soft current from the air conditioner. His clothes however were a mystery to Rory. It looked like pajamas. Or like Finn. Colin dressed like a businessman, but his sarcastic expression and unconcerned air didn't lie.

The three man started hugging as if they had never seen each other in a million years.

They laughed and made funny remarks about their current lives, until Colin saw her.

His face was confused. It looked like his mind was shut down, unwilling to think anymore. "Rory?"

A shy smile was her response and he found himself returning an equally one. "Hi, Colin. Nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too."

Logan and Colin exchanged a glance that excluded her, like there was something Logan should explain to his friend. The little chat between them caught Finn's attention, and he finally saw the brunette.

"Hi Finn."

"Hi, love. Nice to meet you." He shook her hand, but his eyes seemed clueless.

Rory scowled. "What?"

"What?" He replied in apathy, as if he had no idea what she was talking about.

Her eyes turned empty and her face turned into a grimace. Yet Finn still didn't get it. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

Rory cracked a smile. "Nice try, Finn."

The silence continued.

"Oh my God! You really don't remember me, do you?" She asked in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, darling. Logan just has so many girls." He tried to justify himself.

Colin elbowed him not so subtly and he made another useless attempt. "But you're surely one of the finest, love."

Both Colin and Logan slapped their forehead in disbelief at his stupidity.

Colin intervened, trying to control the situation. "She's not one of Logan's random girls. She is Rory. Reporter girl. Remember now?"

Finn snapped his fingers, as if there was a bulb on top of his head. "Ohhhh, reporter girl. I love reporter girl. How are you, darling? I'm so happy to see you again. And oh, I'm so happy that you guys are together." He got down very gently kissing her hand and holding it for longer than appropriate. She mechanically tried to set her hand free but he was holding her tight.

Plastering a bright smile on his lips, Finn started to spill the beans. For Logan's disgrace.

"You finally did, mate." Finn said, patting Logan's backs. "You finally took your lost blue diamond out of the sea."

"Finn." Colin muttered in warning tone, but Finn only burst out laughing.

"You should see this guy after you two broke up." He turned to Rory, pointing at Logan. "He was so whining and depressed. We almost kicked him out of the gang. Colin and I were like — Mate, you really need to get laid. Like soon. You can't just keep bitching around that you lost the love of your life."

"Finn, shut up!" Colin demanded.

"What? This story is funny!" Finn didn't wake up, then Logan interjected.

"Finn, we aren't back together. We're just working together."

"Oh..." He pouted, less embarrassed than anyone would be, after all he was Finn. "My bad, mate. In my defense..."

Logan folded his arms, pretending to be expecting some great insight coming from the Aussie.

He shrugged. "Screw it, I don't have any defense." He then turned to Colin and added. "A little warning would be nice."

Colin just rolled his eyes as Finn walked away to talk to some girl.

Rory looked at Logan, astonished. Finn's little revelation was mind-boggling. Her mouth was open but no sound was coming out.

"So, I'm gonna…" Colin scratched his head and pointed without direction, knowing he just had to get away and followed Finn.

"So, that was awkward." Logan said. His head came up slowly, but he didn't face her.

Rory smiled wryly. "Bitching, huh?"

"Finn's words, not mine."

The hotel bar was so energetic that they decided not to leave. It was still relatively early, and nobody from the crew had returned from the bar. A few hours ago, Rory would be losing her mind about it, but not now. She was laughing so hard at times she was bawling, her mascara and eye makeup was streaming all over the place with tears. Between jokes, she checked her cell phone. There was still no sign of Amy. She was shortly lost in her thoughts, until she overheard their intimate conversation.

"The next weekend is still up?" Finn asked. He sounded excited.

Logan confirmed. "Sure, we'll be there!"

"And how is Lisa?" Asked Colin.

"She is fine." Logan said passionately.

"Good man, she is great." Colin added.

She pretended not to be listening to their conversation. As she had an anxious thought, her heart started pounding and her muscles tensed up. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't ignore it. Who the hell was Lisa? It was driving her mad that the answer might be staring at her all in the face and she still couldn't see it. However, she saw Amy walking in.

Rory covered her mouth with her hand and ran toward the door.

"Amy, please just hear me out." She pleaded, desperately.

"No, Rory. I wanna go first." She sighed and looked at her. "I'm sorry I was a bitch."

Rory's eyes went wide. "No, no, no! I am the wrong one. I should never hide this from you. I'm so sorry."

"That's OK. I understand. I mean, I still don't agree with everything you said, but I understand. I know that sometimes I can be a bit thick and you just wanted to protect yourself." She replied, with sympathy in her eyes.

"Even though. I shouldn't have done it. You are my best friend. I'm so sorry." Rory said, holding her hands.

"Can you repeat this, please?" Amy asked, dramatically.

"Yes. I'm so, so sorry."

"No, the part that I'm your best friend." Rory looked at her with eyes full of joy and then they beamed together.

The three men grabbed their drinks and watched the two women hug each other. Amy stroked Rory's hair and rubbed her back. The hug was tender, as if they were exchanging the energy to deal with the anguish of life.

Impressed by the scene, Finn expressed what the three of them inevitably thought. "Hot."

The two moved away from the group and sat at their own table. Logan was curious to know what they were talking about with such hush-hush. Rory had said that they fought about him, about their secret. Was it possible that was the infamous girl talk?

"Tell me everything about him." Amy pleaded with her eyes.

"There's really not much to tell. We dated, we broke up four years ago and I never saw him again. Until now."

"Why all the bad blood?" She asked her.

"He cheated on me with all the bridesmaids of his sister's wedding. I found out from them."

"Ouch!" Amy lamented in surprise.

Her face grew harder as the memory returned to her. "He said he thought we were broken up."

"Were you really?"

"Of course not. We had a huge fight and didn't speak for a few weeks. His sister told me we were broken up, but we never talk about it. I think it was very clear that we weren't broken up."

"Hm." Amy rubbed her chin as if thinking it over.

"Oh, come on." Rory protested when Amy seemed uncertain about siding with her.

"Sorry, sister. But isn't it possible that this was just a huge misunderstanding?"

"No, Amy. You don't get it. When I first met Logan, I knew he was a player. He told me he wasn't looking for anything serious. I just thought I could be that girl, but I couldn't. Then we started dating, but I knew it. My mom told me, Paris told me."

"Paris hates everybody and you're mommy's little girl." Amy interjected.

"It doesn't matter, they were right. I was stupid and I don't plan to be again. This is so over." She snorted, sure she was right.

Amy listened intently, but something still lingered in her mind. "It doesn't mean you can't sleep with him."

Rory didn't believe what she was hearing. "What?"

"You can still sleep with him." Amy reasserted casually.

Rory laughed in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Why not? You don't have to be all feelings. You're clearly attracted to him."

Rory was offended by her friend's observation. "I'm not attracted to him, I'm bothered by him. And I can't do it."

"Of course you can. You just do it."

Rory shook her head in disgust, trying to dismiss the idea. "Oh no. Forget it, Amy. It would be too weird."

Amy watched Rory's hurried explanation. Her cheeks flushed even deeper when she mentioned the idea. Of course, she knew Rory was shy and a bit closed to it, yet something told her that there was more to that story than an ex-boyfriend's heartbreak.

"Rory, if you don't mind me ask. How long?"

Rory pretended innocence, but she knew what Amy was talking about. "What?"

She raised her eyebrows suggestively. "You know..."

Rory sat up straighter and looked down in embarrassment. Right after that, she showed the number two in her hands.

Amy pouted her lips. "It's not that bad. Two months it's acceptable."

Rory shook her head in disagreement. Then Amy realized. "Wait a minute! You're not saying that two means..." She narrowed her eyes at her, knowing that her reasoning couldn't be far from the truth.

Rory's sad eyes confirmed.

Amy shrieked, calling everybody's attention. "TWO YEARS?"

"Amy!" Rory exclaimed reproachfully.

"Oh my God, just do it. Or you little girlfriend may end up sticking irreparably." Amy mockingly advised.

Rory rolled her eyes, still flustered. "Very funny!

Amy laughed heartily. "I'm sorry, I just… Wow."

Rory felt the pressure dwindle, she laughed at herself and began to cut loose. "I know."

"Why?" Amy asked her.

She reflected for a second or two then shrugged. "I don't know. I just don't feel comfortable enough to do it with some random guy. No offense."

"Not taken. What about that writer guy? You've met him recently. There's a story there."

"Oh, Jess? No, we're not in that place. We're just friends." She assured her.

Amy shook her head in disapproval. "You have this horrible habit of getting friends with hot guys."

She smiled timidly. "We dated when I was younger."

Amy was proud. "Oh, now we're talking."

"But you know, I was seventeen, it was a little more innocent thing. Plus, Jess is Luke's nephew. We're like cousins now."

"You mean no hot stuff."

"Definitely not."

"I'm starting to lose interest in your story."

Rory giggled.

"So who was the last guy?" Amy asked.

Rory traveled to that memory. "His name was Tom. We met in a workshop. He was charming and smart."

"Sounds perfect."

"Yes, but it didn't feel right. I thought it was a first time thing, but it didn't get any better later."

"So, you quit sex?" Amy was discontented.

Rory tried to justify herself in case Amy was thinking she was a freak. "I didn't quit sex. I just don't feel that way about anyone right now."

"But you're not looking." She argued.

"I know." Rory consented, sheepishly.

"Look, what I'm trying to say here it's — Logan isn't some random guy to you. If you can't do it with a strange, do it with him."

"You're right, he's not. He's the guy who broke my heart into a tiny million little pieces."

"I know you don't wanna hear this, but people change."

Rory widened her eyes. "You really believe this?"

"Why not? Ten years ago, my first boyfriend dumped me and spread my naked pictures to his friends. I'd plumped up a good twenty pounds and didn't leave the bed for a month. All this has happened; can you imagine this me now? I've changed, people change."

She blinked her innocent eyes at her. "You're right, but I don't think this is still a good idea. Plus, how do you know he'd want that?"

"Oh, you're so cute." Amy laughed. "Let me just ask you something. Is he looking at us?"

She pondered how tired she was and how slowly her brain was processing information, then she looked toward him again. "Sometimes."

Amy smiled triumphantly. "He's worried about our conversation. Did you notice how he looks at you? How he smiles at you. He doesn't want just to take you to his bed, he likes you."

Rory looked at Logan again. She thought about that last week but wasn't sure what she felt. Logan gave her mixed signals. He was a player; she couldn't know what was really going on in his mind. She could trust her feelings though, but part of her knew that her feelings wanted to betray her mind. She had already done it. It was terribly wrong. It was just a joke to him. She couldn't let herself think otherwise. Could she? She was too confused to make decisions, so she kicked the feeling away for now. "No way!"

Amy looked at the trio simultaneously and caught two fresh meats. "Who are those two?"

"Colin and Finn. They are Logan's best friends. Single." Rory suggestively added.

Amy smiled. "Nice."

"Come on, I'd like you to meet everybody." Rory said, driving the redhead with her.

Before Rory had a chance to introduce her friend, Finn stepped in.

"So, love. I believe we haven't met yet. I'm Finn." He said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and leading her away.

"Hey, that's not fair." Colin cried out, following the two of them.

"So." Logan rose his brows suggestively toward their friends. "So, who is it gonna be?"

Rory took a sip then set it down. "Why does she need to pick one?"

Logan couldn't believe his ears. "Look at you, Ace. Kinky."

She shrugged. "I didn't say I'd do that."

"Yeah, I wouldn't like to share you with Mr. Greenwald."

"You don't have to. He knows I'm your girl." She paraphrased, winking at him.

Logan was hypnotized by her eyes and charmed to stillness by her smile. He involuntarily smiled and studied her face. She was gorgeous. Though he tried his best to hide his fascination, she knew it.

She didn't know if it was the alcohol running in her veins, but well, she liked the way he was looking at her. She just wasn't sure if she liked the way she felt when she saw him looking at her. Actually, that wasn't true, either. She sure liked the way she felt.

"I'm glad I'm useful to you, Ace." He retorted.

"Right. At least you're good for something." She said, turning towards him with a dazzling smile and crossing her legs suggestively. He glanced over. The look on his face changed — chin jutting, eyes blank; the way men's eyes went when they were done thinking. He was confused, but definitely interested. Was she really flirting with him back? More importantly, was she responding to his intentions?

Looking at him, she finally came to her senses. Amy was right. Was she really that naïve? He was definitely in that place, at least sexually. The question was - was he serious? Could she do that?

He turned to her so they could be face to face, leaving a tiny gap between them. "I am good in plenty things. You know that, Ace."

Chewing on her lower lip for a brief moment, she stared at his mouth. "Did you come to this conclusion by yourself?"

He bent, almost touching his lips to her ear. His voice was a husky whisper. "No one ever complained."

She teased him back. "Not to your face."

He touched her cheek and his hand drifted to her chin. He raised its angle lightly, but she spun away from him.

Her smile was mean and got bigger as she came even closer, only inches from his mouth, she whispered. "We're not gonna kiss, Logan."

He loosened the collar of his shirt and looked into her eyes, his smirk had returned. "Yes, we are. You know, I know. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. The only question is how much longer you will try to resist. Regardless, you should know that I'll be waiting, patiently."

He stood up, pulled out a bunch of bills and dropped in the counter. He was leaving and taking his unwavering conviction with him.

"Logan." Rory called him out.

He turned back to look at her and sank his hands in his pockets.

"Where are you going next weekend?" She asked, burning in curiosity.

His smile was cocky and sure. His eyes twinkled, as if he held the answers she wanted to hear, but he just shrugged.

"Sorry, Rory. We're not friends."

A/N: Hum. It's going to happen, I know, you know. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. The only question is how much longer you GUYS will resist.

Please review. Very interested to know what you think. :)