Rory had her arms wrapped around Caleb's neck, pretending to be engrossed in the slow song, but her focus was really on Logan. She couldn't believe he was at the formal with Daniella Vincent: one of the most stuck up, selfish girls Rory had ever had the displeasure of meeting. She tried to keep a stoney face as she watched Logan caress her lips on the dance floor, wondering all the while why it would be much easier to show an expression of annoyance, even sadness. Why was the sight of him with another girl causing her stomach to flip?

She shifted her blue eyes to Caleb, who's strong arms were tucked around her waist. He was a nice guy, quiet, but decent. He'd been nothing but a perfect gentleman to her all night. But her mind was almost completely focused on Jess, and when she wasn't thinking about him, the near kiss with Logan would take over and begin replaying over and over in her head. The way she felt when his lips were hovering near hers was unexplainable. God, she thought her heart was going to pound out of her chest. And he'd been so gentle, so sweet, and she almost made herself believe that maybe...

Shaking her head slightly, she attempted to dismantle anymore thoughts about the possibility of her and Logan Huntzberger being more than friends. He was completely not for her, not even in the slightest. Not only was he cocky, he was the biggest player she'd ever met. And that was saying a lot, considering her association with Tristan, Finn, and Colin. She was still a commitment kind of girl, even after the pain Dean and Jess had put her through. She couldn't help it, there was just something about having a guy with her, and only her, that made her feel safe and protected. And that was what she wanted.

As the slow song moved into another one and Caleb adjusted his arms slightly, her mind wandered back to how the night was supposed to go. She wasn't supposed to be at the dance with a stranger introduced to her by Stephanie. She was supposed to be here with Jess. It had taken her forever to convince him to take her to the dance, and everything she was wearing had been chosen especially for him. Her eyes misted over slightly, but she forced herself not to cry. It was time to get over him, time to move on. Maybe not with a boyfriend, she wasn't ready for that yet, but with her heart. Her heart needed to heal now. Afterall, Jess didn't care about her, so why should she waste her time remembering him?

And she found it strange, even slightly terrifying, that even the slightest recall of her interaction with Logan could erase all thoughts of Jess from her mind. She remembered everything about that moment: the light touch of his fingertips, the concerned, gentle look in his eyes, the salty tears on her cheeks, and the quivering of her lips as his came closer. Why couldn't she stop her head from spinning everytime he came into her thoughts? She couldn't like Logan. Not him. He was one of her best friends, probably her best friend. Even if she had known Colin and Finn longer, the connection she had with Logan was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. She felt like she could trust him with anything, and that he would always understand her, no matter what. She couldn't date him. She couldn't ruin that. And even if she was willing to risk it, it would never happen. He didn't date girls like her, and she didn't date guys like him.

She wrote it all off to simple confusion, a heat of the moment type of thing. She'd been upset, and he was there, comforting her, being the sweet guy she had come to know. That was all, and nothing more. The sparks she felt weren't real, she was imagining them for the sake of wanting to feel better. That was what she would make herself believe. It was true. It had to be true.

"Do you want a soda?"

Rory's head shot up, "What?"

Caleb smiled slightly, "I'm going to get a soda. Do you want one?"

"Oh," she nodded, "Yes, please."

"Okay. Be right back."

Rory nodded again and turned towards the table she was sharing with her friends. Her eyes wandered over to where she had seen Logan last, and she couldn't help but wince slightly when he saw him just pulling away from another kiss with Daniella. She hoped somebody else would reach the table for the couple, because spending more than two seconds with the black haired junior was her idea of a nightmare. And Caleb wouldn't be much help, he'd barely said ten complete sentences all night.

"Hey, Ace. Having fun?"

She fought back the urge to roll her eyes as she glanced up at Logan and Daniella.

"Yeah, you?"

He nodded as he sat down next to her, his eyes never leaving their lock on hers, "Although the choice of music could be better."

Rory couldn't help but grin, "Not a Hilary Duff fan?"

"She's So Yesterday."

"It scares me that you made that connection."

"I have younger cousins."

"And here I was picturing you singing along with her cd in your underwear."

"Oh come on, Ace. I'd at least put pants on. She's a classy girl."

Daniella cleared her through loudly, interrupting the playful banter between the other two. Rory instantly moved her gaze away from Logan, running the table cloth fabric through her fingers in the uncomfortable silence that followed.

"Here you go," Caleb announced, interrupting the extended pause.

"Thanks," Rory replied as she reached for the cup.

"Did they seriously just play Hilary Duff or am I imagining things?" Stephanie asked, appearing from behind Rory.

"You just missed that conversation," Rory informed, "Apparently Logan is a fan."

"I am not a fan."

"And the underwear?"

"That was a product of your sick imagination."

"I don't even want to know," Colin said, pulling out a chair for Vanessa, his leggy, blonde date.

"Unless of course the underwear belong to Hilary Duff, in which case I'm all for the continuing of this conversation," Finn reasoned.

His date, a redhead named Shannon who Rory barely knew, took a seat at the table as well, completing the rather large crowd. Tanner struck up a conversation with Caleb, relieving Rory of the pressure of trying to find a topic to discuss with her near silent date. She knew she would never be seeing him again, as nice as he was, they just didn't click. It amazed her how different it was talking to Logan. With him the conversation was as effortless as breathing, and not only was it a breeze to start, but the entertaining comments just rolled off her tongue.

"So, Ace," Logan commented, shooting her a grin that exposed his dimples, "I think I owe you a dance or two."

"Why, Mr. Huntzberger," Rory shot back with a smile of her own, "I thought you'd never ask."

Logan placed hand on Daniella's shoulder, "You don't mind, do you?"

A fake smile took over her features as she stared coldly in Rory's direction, "Of course not."

"Good."

Rory turned to check with Caleb, but he was already waving her on before she could even open her mouth. Logan stood and held out his hand to her, and Rory accepted gratefully. It would be nice to get away from the cold stares of Daniella and the awkward silences courtesy of Caleb.

They found an open spot on the dance floor and Logan pulled her close to his body, placing his arms firmly, yet gently on her back. Without hesitation, she placed her hands on his shoulders, near the back of his neck, and raised her gaze to meet his chocolate brown eyes.

"You're not having fun, are you?" he questioned.

She sighed, "I'm trying..."

"But?"

"But Caleb isn't the most talkative person in the world, and I can't say I'm in a very chatty mood myself," she paused, "You seem like you're having fun."

He shrugged, "It's alright."

"I think Daniella's lips would disagree," she retorted with a small smile.

"Watching my every move, Ace?" he inquired in his normal cocky tone, the smirk appearing on his features.

She blushed slightly and he laughed, spinning her in a quick circle before tucking her back into his arms. A wave of silence fell over them, but it was comfortable, not at all stressful like the pauses between her and Caleb. The tingling feeling she received from his touch went all the way from where his hands rested on her back to her toes. And as she studied him, a brief thought flashed through her mind: if she was here with Jess, she wouldn't be dancing with Logan right now. It was shocking that something like that even entered her thoughts, but as soon as it reached her, a wave of calm washed over her. For an instant, Jess didn't exist.

"Are you coming to the party after this?"

"Party?"

"Tristan's having a party. I thought he'd tell you."

She shrugged slightly, "I can avoid people with the best of them."

"You should come. It'll be fun."

"I'd need to go home and get clothes first, and I came here in Stephanie's limo."

"I'll drive you."

"And then you can watch Daniella attack me with her abnormally long fingernails."

This brought a smile to his face, "Then I'll call Frank for you. You have to come, Ace"

"Why?"

"Because it's going to be fun. And you need fun."

"Going home, watching movies, and eating junkfood seems like a perfectly fun activity to me. And that way, I won't have to see Tristan. It's a win-win deal."

"But you won't get to see me," he added with a wink, "Add that to your con list."

"There is no pro-con list."

"It's you. There is always a pro-con list."

"You know me too well, Huntzberger. It's actually kind of creepy."

"I've been spying on you through your bedroom window."

"Oh? So that was you I threw the book at last night?"

"Who knew Moby Dick was that heavy?" he countered with a smile, "But back to the original topic. You'll ride back with Frank, change, and return to Tristan's. Deal?"

"Fine," she relented, "But if Tristan hits on me once it's your head."

"You can tie me to a chair and make me listen to Hilary Duff."

She laughed. He smirked. She had to admit, it was a better combination then him smirking and her rolling her eyes in annoyance. They had come far in the time they had known each other. And as she swayed on the dance floor, her arms resting around his neck, she tried to think back to why she had hated him so badly in the first place. Maybe she'd been a little too prejudgemental, a little too low on coffee. But then again, he really was cocky, and lazy, but there was something else about him, something deeper. She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was about him, but she would figure it out eventually. He was deeper than he appeared, much deeper.

"Can I cut in?" a sickeningly sweet voice asked, a hand appearing on Logan's shoulder.

Rory fought back the overwhelming feeling of disappointment and forced a smile, "Sure."

She stepped back and watched as Daniella took her place in Logan's arms. And that was when she realized that everything she felt, every spark, would never lead to anything. Logan dated girls like Daniella Vincent: the ones he could spend a night with and then leave behind. She wasn't for him. And she didn't like him, she couldn't like him. She was just wrapped up in the confusion from the breakup with Jess, that had to be all.

He caught her eye as she turned to leave and smiled, "I still owe you another dance, Ace."

She smiled back, almost sadly, "I'll take a rain check."

She didn't turn back, didn't even see how his face fell as she disappeared back into the crowd. But before she could reach her table, a hand reached out and grabbed her elbow. She whipped around quickly, only to be disappointed by the face of Tristan.

"Yes?" she almost snapped, wiggling her arm out of his grasp.

"I've been looking all over for you, Mary."

"And I've been avoiding you," she smirked, "And I was winning until now."

He ignored her comment, "Are you coming to the party?"

"Logan's forcing me."

"Don't sound so enthused."

"Tristan, does this conversation have a point? Because I really--"

"I heard you broke up with your boyfriend."

Her entire body went rigid, and she sent him an icy glare, "What's your point?"

"My point is now you can dance with me."

"You make that sound like a good thing," she rolled her eyes, "Bye."

He smiled, "See you later, Mare?"

"Not if I can help it," she muttered, turning on her heel and heading back towards the table.

She found Caleb, Colin, and Vanessa still sitting at the table when he returned, and she smiled in greeting as she sat down.

"Hey," she said to Caleb, "There's a party after this. Do you want to come?"

"Stephanie told me. I have to get up early in the morning though, so the limo's just going to drop me off. Is that okay?"

She tried to hide her relief with a small smile, "That's fine."

She doubted he actually had to get up early in the morning, but that was okay with her. He was a nice guy, and she was a nice girl, but there was nothing there. Maybe there would've been, if she was at all emotionally available at the moment. But she just wasn't happy, except...except when she was with Logan. She rested her chin on her palm and sighed. Once she got over Jess, everything would return to normal. It had to. The almost kiss, the dancing, the butterflies...they meant nothing. She was simply confused.

But it would all come together again in the end.

At least she hoped it would.

-------

"You have to give it to Tristan," Stephanie commented, "He sure does know how to throw a party."

"And that's the end of his positive qualities," Rory chirped, leaning back against the wall and taking a long sip of her drink.

Colin shoved her playfully and she laughed, leaning against him slightly. They'd been at the party for a little over three hours, and she'd seen Logan only briefly. Daniella was practically permantely attached to his side, and the two had wandered off hours ago and hadn't been seen since. Rory was now the only person without a date in her group of friends, but the truth was she was more comfortable without Caleb at her side.

"Rory, love, have you seen my date?"

Rory shifted her eyes to Finn and bit back a smile, "She disappeared when you started singing the Sex and The City tune into the microphone."

"Can you blame her?" Colin shot dryly.

Stephanie raised her eyebrows, "How do you know the Sex and the City song, anyway?"

"Are you kidding me? I love that show! Especially the one when--"

"Please," Tanner said, holding up his hand, "Just stop."

"You're learning fast," Rory told Tanner, laughing at a slightly pouting Finn.

"What's he learning fast?" a familiar voice questioned.

Rory could tell Logan was smiling before she turned to face him. He was standing almost directly behind her, his hands in his pockets, and a persistent Daniella at his side. He offered Rory a slightly larger smile, and her knees felt weak for a second before she forced the feeling off.

"When to tell Finn to stop talking," Colin explained.

Logan laughed, "Ah well, that's something you have to pick up fast for your own good health."

"So," Daniella piped up, changing the subject, "You're mother is Lorelai Gilmore, right?"

"Yes..." Rory replied cautiously.

"She had you when she was sixteen, right?"

Rory just nodded, biting her lip slightly.

"She's a legend," Daniella informed her, "The girl who gave up everything in her life for a kid. The screw-up who ruined her life and embarrassed her parents."

Rory's mouth slipped open in shock, but she quickly recovered and took a step forward, "My mother didn't screw up her life."

"Sure, she did. She left everything she had."

"She's perfectly happy with her life, thanks."

"Maybe she was never meant for society then."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean? That she wasn't good enough?" Rory demanded, her hands beginning to shake in fury.

She could feel the eyes of her best friends on her, and Colin took a protective step forward and laced his fingers around her elbow. Logan moved away from Daniella, his face a mirror of disgust.

"Yes, that she wasn't good enough," Daniella countered boldly, "She didn't fit in. Just like you."

"And yet Rory's the one here that everyone actually likes," Colin stated, speaking up for the first time, "Think about that one."

Rory sent a grateful smile Colin's way and then turned back to Daniella, "But you're right. She didn't fit in, because she's an amazing mother who actually had to work to do something with her life. I know that's a foreign concept for you."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Rory shot back simply.

Daniella laughed slightly, "Listen to you, trying to make me believe your life is better than mine. What a joke. Your mother ruined everything you could've had, because of you. Tragic."

"Actually, I envy Lorelai," Logan said suddenly, stunning Daniella to silence, "She got away from all the ridiculous expectations and then decided to live her life her own way. So, Ace, I think you owe me another dance?"

Rory's lips curved up slightly, "There's no music."

"There is outside."

"Let's go then, Huntzberger."

"Let's go."

He took a step forward and placed his hand on her lower back, helping her through the crowds of people. Rory could picture Daniella's shocked face in her mind as they disappeared, and she couldn't help the feeling of satisfaction that fell over her. For some reason, at that very instant, she was happier than she had been in months. And maybe, just maybe, for as much as she hated to admit it, it had something to do with the pressure of Logan's hand against her skin.