It was quarter past nine on Tuesday morning. Rory was taking a quick break from her work to refill her coffee mug. Walking toward the kitchenette Rory noticed several of her co-workers standing in a group whispering; when they spotted Rory the whispering stopped. Sure that they were talking about her again, Rory shrugged it off and continued on her way to get coffee. She rinsed out her mug in the sink before refilling it. She took a long swig of it as she always did before topping it back off. As she left the kitchenette to return to her desk her path was impeded by Paige.
"So," Paige said, somewhat menacingly, "It's really true then."
"What are you talking about?" Rory asked, fearing the worst.
"When Mike accused you of being a Huntzberger spy, he was actually right," Paige hissed.
"I don't know where you got that idea, I just work here like everyone else," Rory said defensively.
"I don't believe you. Last night I saw Mr. Huntzberger get into that car with you down in the garage," Paige explained, "I saw you checking around for witnesses before he arrived, but you couldn't see me, I was sitting in my car."
"Is that what everyone is whispering about this morning?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to get their opinion on what I should do," Paige replied.
"What do you mean?" Rory asked.
"I'm not just going to stand around and let you ruin all our careers," Paige said, "I discovered that Huntzberger Media Group has placed you in our department as a spy to determine who keeps their job and who doesn't."
Rory scoffed and said, "Is that really the only explanation you could come up with for why I might be in a car with Logan Huntzberger? I can assure you that I am not here as a spy. I really am here as simply an employee."
"We'll see about that," Paige directed at Rory's retreating back.
When Rory retuned to her desk her hands were shaking partly out of blind fury, partly out of fear. She couldn't believe that after less than two weeks at her new job her secret was already going to be revealed. Clearly she was going to have to set the record straight; the last thing she needed was Paige telling everyone that she really was a spy, but after what she saw last night she couldn't say that she blamed her for jumping to that conclusion. She wasn't sure what her next move should be. She thought about getting Logan involved in straightening this situation out and then rejected the idea; she was a big girl and could handle this on her own. After thinking for several minutes Rory knew what she must do. Rising from her chair she first headed to Kevin's cube. Popping her head in she said, "You've still got my back right?"
"You know it," Kevin said.
"I'm going to talk to Darin then," Rory said determinedly, "I've got to fix this mess."
"Good luck," was all he offered.
When Rory reached Darin's office which was a few short paces from Kevin's cube she felt nauseous. She knew that Mitchum and Logan wouldn't let her be fired from the company; but depending on how Darin took the news he could chose to make her professional life hell. She made herself knock on his doorframe before she changed her mind and ran back to her desk.
"Gilmore, what can I do for you?" Darin greeted her warmly.
"We need to talk," Rory said. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Paige and the other gossip queens watching her with satisfied smiles on their faces. They thought she was turning herself in.
"Sure, come in, take a seat," Darin said.
Rory entered the office and closed the door behind her. Taking a deep breath she said, "There are some rumors about me going around the office that I wanted to clear up."
"Rory, I know you aren't a spy for Huntzberger Media Group," Darin said immediately putting her mind at ease.
"You do?" Rory said incredulously.
"Yes, and I also know who you are, Mrs. Huntzberger," Darin said.
Rory gasped before saying, "I'm so sorry for not revealing my identity when I first started here, but you have to understand my situation…how did you find out?"
Darin smiled at her from across the desk and said, "We newspaper folk aren't known for our investigative skills for nothing. When I first heard that this paper was being bought out by Huntzberger Media Group I wanted to learn what I could about the new owner and his son who was rumored to be our new Editor and Chief. In my search I came across the story of your elopement last summer which I really only skimmed until the morning Logan started and we were in a pinch for our newest reporter to start."
"At which time you remembered the elopement story," Rory supplied.
"It's actually your husband's fault that I even put it together," Darin said, "That morning when we made the conference call to you I was surprised that he didn't even need to look at your file to dial your phone number; he seemed to know it off the top of his head. Then later when I introduced the two of you in the hallway, there seemed to be a strange vibe; like the two of you were pretending to meet for the first time for my benefit. From there I figured it all out."
"Is this going to be a problem for you?" Rory asked.
"No, I think you are a tremendous talent and I'm glad to have you in our department. I can see why your father-in-law offered you a job," Darin said.
"It was more like he wouldn't take no for an answer," Rory said.
"Well, if I were him I wouldn't let the competition snatch you up either," Darin said, "I imagine your co-workers might give you a hard time; but hang in there, I'd be willing to go to bat for you."
"What would you recommend I do about the rest of my co-workers. It seems like a bad idea to let this spy rumor get any further out of control," Rory said.
"Maybe when you are ready we have a department meeting and you just come clean with everyone," Darin said, "Being honest about it to their faces will show them that you're not trying to hide anything from them."
"Okay," Rory said, "Let's do it."
"Now?" Darin asked, "Don't you need time to prepare?"
"No, let's get this over with so I can get back to work," Rory said, "I have articles to write; I don't have time to be dealing with silly things like this."
"Why don't you go wait in the conference room and I'll round them up," Darin offered.
"Thanks Darin," Rory said.
Rory paced around the front of the conference room while Darin rounded up her co-workers. Kevin came in as soon as Darin left his cube. "What's going on?" he asked.
"I'm telling everyone the truth. Right now everyone thinks I'm a spy; I'd rather they know the truth than believe that," Rory explained.
"They thought you were a spy yesterday too, what changed?" Kevin asked.
"You didn't hear?" Rory asked in reply.
"I'm not exactly part of the inner circle around her," Kevin joked, "What happened?"
"Last night Paige spotted Logan and I leaving in the same car. It was late and no one was around we didn't think we'd be seen. Paige was sitting in her car and I didn't notice her," Rory explained, "This morning she's been busy spreading the word and she threatened to turn me into management."
"Which is a laugh considering that you're related to the most important people in management," Kevin said.
"True, but I didn't realize at the moment that Darin had already figured out who I was too. I was not prepared to damage my relationship with him I felt I owed it to him to come clean with him," Rory said.
People began to filter into the room. As they took their seats they openly stared at Rory. It appeared that the rumors had reached all corners of the department. When finally the entire department, including Darin, was seated before her Rory cleared her throat and said, "I am aware of the rumors going around about me being a spy for Huntzberger Media Group and I wanted to clear a few things up so we can all get back to focusing on our work instead of whether or not I am a spy." When after a few moments no one commented Rory continued, "In a way I suppose I could be considered a spy for Huntzberger, but not in the way you all think I am. You see, Logan Huntzberger is my husband and Mitchum Huntzberger is my father-in-law."
Rory paused at this point knowing that this announcement would cause a stir. Murmuring filled the room as everyone started talking at once to their neighbor. "Folks, let's let Rory finish what she has to say before we start talking," Darin yelled above the din.
"Thanks Darin," Rory said as the conversation died back down, "In passing I'm sure I will talk to my husband and father-in-law about my work and my department but not in the way you're assuming that I will. I will probably talk to them about my friend Kevin, the stories I've been assigned, and how much the coffee stinks." A few people chuckled appreciatively at her last comment, "I am here to write. I will leave the decisions about the changes Huntzberger Media Group wishes to make to the paper up to my husband and father-in-law. Many of you may be wondering why I'd even accept a position at one of the companies my father-in-law owns. Most days I'm still wondering that myself. I had planned to accept a job anywhere besides a Huntzberger company, but there is no denying Mitchum when he wants something."
At this point Darin interjected saying, "Rory is truly a talented writer and reporter, Mitchum was doing what was best for this newspaper in not letting another company snatch her up. While it is unconventional to have someone in our department who is related so closely to all our bosses I hope that you will all give her a chance."
"Darin, did you already know who Rory really was?" Mike asked.
"I picked up on a few clues the day she started and figured it out shortly there after," Darin said, "It didn't bother me at all."
Rory nodded her thanks to Darin and resumed speaking, "I hope you'll give me a chance to get to know all of you better. Does anyone have any questions?"
"Did you ask Mitchum and Logan for a job here?" Mike asked.
"No," Rory said, "Mitchum arranged an interview for me before I knew that he'd bought this paper. Had I known that he and Logan were ambushing me I never would have even shown up. I felt very strongly about earning a job on my own merit and not just because I was part of the family."
"Do you think you'll get unfair advantages because of your relationship to Logan and Mitchum?" someone in the back asked.
"I don't think so," Rory said, "I have made it more than clear that if it appears that I am getting preferential treatment I will leave and go find a job where I can advance based on my own merit."
"Did you really work on the Yale Daily News staff?" Paige asked.
Rory was about to respond when Logan, who she hadn't noticed lurking in the doorway, replied, "Not only did she work there, she was the Editor-in-Chief, an accomplishment that eluded me while I was on staff. If anyone knows about the news business, it's Rory."
Shock had registered on everyone's faces at Logan's sudden appearance, "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to intrude. Darin and I have a meeting scheduled and I just stumbled upon your meeting here."
"So you two really are married?" Paige asked.
"For over a year now," Logan said with a grin.
"We can wrap this up if the two of you have a meeting," Rory offered to Darin and Logan.
"If there aren't any more questions for Rory, why don't we all get back to work," Darin suggested.
As everyone rose from their seats to return to their desks Logan entered the room and approached Rory. "Why didn't you tell me that you were making this announcement today?" Logan asked, "I could have come and backed you up."
"First, I didn't know I would be doing this today and second, I didn't need you to come back me up," Rory said.
"I know you don't need me to back you up, but I still would have," Logan said, "I really have to go meet with Darin, but why don't you come eat lunch with me in my office later and you can tell me about what prompted this meeting."
"Quarter to twelve?" Rory asked.
"Make it noon," Logan said as he leaned in to kiss her.
"No PDA at work," Rory protested as his lips found her cheek.
"No one saw," Logan said as he gestured around the empty conference room.
"Still," Rory said.
"See you later," Logan said as he left the room and headed to Darin's office.
Rory remained alone in the room gathering her nerve to walk back to her desk. It felt good knowing that everyone knew the truth but she knew that her days of being the target of office gossip were far from over. Now instead of gossiping about her being a spy they would be discussing her connection to Logan and whether or not she deserved this job. Taking a deep steadying breath Rory left the conference room and headed back to her desk. When she approached her cube she was surprised to find Paige waiting for her outside it. "Great," Rory thought, "more confrontation is just what I need."
"Rory," Paige said, "I want to apologize to you for jumping to conclusions and forcing you to reveal your secret."
Rory was taken aback and only managed to say, "um, thanks."
"If anyone tries to give you a hard time about getting a job here through your connections just send them to talk to me," Paige said.
"Why would I do that?" Rory asked.
"When I started here when I was about your age I had an inside contact too. My uncle used to be Managing Editor here and helped me land a job," Paige explained, "I believe that your husband and father-in-law wouldn't offer you a job unless you really deserved it. So, I guess I'm trying to say…welcome."
"Thanks," Rory said, feeling slightly unsure of the complete 180 that Paige had made in a manner of minutes.
"I can understand your wariness toward me," Paid said, "But I hope we can put it behind us."
"Maybe we could have lunch sometime," Rory offered, "But not today, Logan beat you to it. He's been dying for everyone to know who I really am."
"How about tomorrow?" Paige suggested.
"Sure," Rory agreed.
When Paige left, Rory sat down and got back to work on her articles. At five minutes after noon her phone rang. Distracted Rory picked it up and answered, "New York Daily News, Rory Gilmore speaking."
"Ace, I thought you were having lunch with me," Logan replied.
Rory glanced at the clock and was shocked to see that it was already past noon, "I got so wrapped up in my work that I didn't realize what time it was. I'll be there in a few minutes; just let me heat up my lunch in the cafeteria."
When Rory arrived in his office with a steaming plate of leftover pizza he was in the middle of a phone call. Quietly she settled herself into one of the chairs in front of his desk. When he finished his call he hung up and swiveled his chair back toward her. "Ace, you made it."
"I wouldn't have missed it," Rory said, " I would work though our meeting time and show up late; but I wouldn't have missed it all together."
"I'm curious why you were announcing to your entire department the one thing you were so adamant about keeping a secret," Logan said prompting Rory.
"Last night Paige, from my department just happened to be sitting in her car down in the garage when we left together," Rory said.
"Oh," Logan said, "So she figured out our secret and threatened to tell everyone unless you told first?"
"No, she actually went back to the spy rumors from last week and assumed that they must be true," Rory said, "She'd told almost everyone in the department what she saw and things were starting to get out of control. I went to confess my identity to Darin to put this spy rumor to rest; but he already knew who I was."
"Really?" Logan asked, "How'd he find out?"
"Actually, something you did, or didn't do tipped him off to the fact that we may be closer than we appeared to be," Rory said.
"Crap," Logan said, "I'm sorry, what did I do?"
"Apparently when you and Darin called me the morning you started you didn't need to look up my phone number from my file, but appeared to know it off the top of your head," Rory explained, "Not to mention that he picked up on the weird vibe between us when we were pretending to meet for the first time when he introduced us in the hallway that same day."
"How soon after that did he put it all together?" Logan asked.
"I'm not exactly sure," Rory admitted, "But I don't think it was very long. He had already skimmed the story of our elopement when he researched you and your father when Huntzberger Media Group bought the paper."
"From what I heard at that meeting he thinks very highly of you and your work," Logan said, "It doesn't seem like you being my wife is going to be an issue with him. How do you think your other co-workers are going to take it?"
"Hopefully well. I thought Paige was going to be my biggest concern but she came and apologized to me after the meeting and told me that she understood. Apparently back when she was my age she got a job here through her uncle who was Managing Editor at the time," Rory explained, "We're going to lunch tomorrow to get to know each other better."
"And you thought it would be a bad thing, everyone knowing that you are my wife," Logan said happily.
"I'm not totally convinced that everyone will have the immediate change of heart in regard to me like Paige did," Rory said, "But it felt really good to be honest with everyone and it will be so nice to be able to interact with you in the office."
"Tonight let's celebrate by leaving the office together and walking home," Logan said.
"That sounds wonderful," Rory said. The couple ate in happy silence for a moment before Rory said, "I should probably go visit Helen in HR and fix my emergency contact forms."
"Make our marriage official company business," Logan said, "I like that."
Rory finished the last few bites of her pizza and said, "As nice as this was, I barely got any work done this morning thanks to the rampant gossip queens and the subsequent meeting. Come pick me up at my cube when you're ready to walk home."
"I have to get back to work too. I am interviewing secretaries this afternoon, which I am dreading," Logan said, "I'll see you later."
Rory left Logan's office and headed toward Helen Jenning's office. When she reached it she knocked on the doorframe. Helen looked up from her computer and smiled warmly at Rory, "Ms. Gilmore, what can I do for you?"
"Actually I need to make some changes to the forms I filled out my first day," Rory admitted."
"What do you mean?" Helen asked.
"I would like to change my emergency contact form and I'm now ready to give you my spouse's information," Rory said.
"Are you telling me that the information you provided is not entirely truthful?" Helen asked in a shocked tone.
"More like I withheld information," Rory replied.
"That is something we take very seriously," Helen scolded, "I may have to consider reporting you to upper management; I'm not sure that they'd be comfortable employing someone who isn't being entirely forthcoming."
"Actually, I think that upper management will understand," Rory said.
"Why would you think that?" Helen asked, starting to sound angry.
Rory was just about to explain the entire situation when Logan popped his head into Helen's office. "Mr. Huntzberger, what can I do for you," Helen said sweetly to Logan.
"Helen, I see my wife found you to make those changes to her forms," Logan said, "I'm sorry to interrupt; I was wondering if I could get extra copies of the resumes for the secretary candidates I'm interviewing. I seem to have misplaced the ones you already gave me."
Helen gathered some files from off her desk and excused herself to use the copy machine.
"You have impeccable timing," Rory told Logan as soon as Helen was out of earshot.
"How so?" Logan asked.
"I'll tell you all about it tonight," Rory said with a giggle.
When Helen returned to the office and Logan had departed from it, Helen asked, "You're Logan Huntzberger's wife?"
"Yes, now do you understand why I was so secretive about some of my personal information?" Rory asked, "I'm sorry I had to be less than completely honest."
"I do understand," Helen said, "I just hope that in the future you feel you can confide in me; that is what I'm here for.
"I will keep that in mind," Rory said.
Rory filled out new forms before heading back to her desk. Before she got back to work Rory collected her coffee cup and headed to the kitchenette for her afternoon caffeine fix. As Rory neared the kitchenette she could hear a group of two or three women talking. Pausing just around the corner Rory listened.
"I understand why he works, he's the heir to the company, but what's she doing here?" one voice asked, "If my husband had that kind of money you can bet I wouldn't be working."
"Maybe she really loves journalism," another voice said, "She said in the meeting that she loves to write. She had two by-lines on Monday. Did you read her stories? She's and excellent writer."
"I bet her husband helps her write her stories and I bet he had something to do with her getting two by-lines," a third voice chimed in.
"Why would he do that?" the second voice asked, "Don't you think as the ex-Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Daily News that she'd be a pretty good writer?"
"I guess," the first voice said, "All I'm saying is that I'm not quite ready to trust her yet. She lied to us about who she really was, who's to say that she won't lie to us again."
Rory chose this moment to interrupt their conversation. She breezed around the corner with false confidence and nearly ran into the little group. "I'm sorry," Rory said, "I'm just looking for my afternoon coffee."
Two of the three women scurried off quickly, leaving the woman who Rory assumed was her one supporter in the conversation she overheard. The woman stood by as Rory rinsed and filled her coffee cup before whispering, "I'm sorry if you heard that conversation. People will warm up to you, just hang in there." Before Rory could respond the woman, who Rory guessed was around forty, hurried away.
Rory worked steadily at her desk on her stories, doing her best to push the worries she had concerning her co-worker's opinions of her out of her mind. Before she realized it, it was after six and Logan had arrived to walk her home.
Coming up behind her Logan began massaging her shoulders, startling her out of her work, "How was the rest of your day?"
"Okay," Rory sighed, "How was yours? Did you hire a secretary?"
"I have a few more to interview tomorrow. I miss Barbara so much," Logan admitted, "So far no one I've interviewed could stack up to her."
"Let's go home," Rory said as soon as her computer began to shut down.
"That sounds great," Logan said, "Should we stop and eat on our way home or call for take out when we get there?"
"I vote for take out. When we get home I want to take a hot bath, then eat Chinese in bed while we watch Veronica Mars," Rory said.
"I will second that only if I can join you in the tub," Logan said with a smirk.
"I suppose your brand of therapy could help improve my day too," Rory said.
"That's what I'm talking about," Logan said.
Hand in hand the couple made their way home. Their secret had come out and they'd survived the day. They weren't yet sure yet what tomorrow would bring; but for now they were just content in the knowledge that they no longer needed to hide their marriage at work.
Author's Note: So, there it is…her secret is out. I know that a few people are going to tell me that there wasn't enough drama….but I felt this was most believable. I work at a company where the wife of someone in upper management works as a 'consultant.' Several people think it is a bit of a sham that she works there as needed, but mostly gets paid to take a lot of vacations; but mostly no one cares. I kind of feel that initially people in my story would be slightly upset at being lied to, but in the end, who really cares. I'm not saying that there won't still be fall out from her little announcement; but not as much as I think people were maybe expecting. I think a trip abroad my be in the works for our favorite couple.
Anyway, please review and as always offer suggestions if you have them! Thank you!