Author's Note: This chapter will be dedicated to Edward Herrmann, the man who played Rory's grandfather. I started this chapter just after I found out about his passing. I couldn't imagine the Gilmore Girls universe without him in it, so I'm so sad to hear of his passing.

Also, sorry for the long hiatus. I was surprised to see people still waiting on an update. But in good news, I've now finished university and have started working as a primary teacher!

'The One You Should've Let Go'

Even while consumed with desire she couldn't quell the spark of doubt that continued to grow in her mind. In the dimly lit room, his lips slowly trailed the curve between her shoulder and neck, deftly tracing a tantalizing pattern over her porcelain skin, straining towards their destination – her lips. Momentarily the sight of wilted roses caught her attention. A moment of hesitation – Rory wondered if she'd made the right choice after all.

She pulled back, briefly. Green eyes glanced back at her, filled with light. "You've made the right choice, Ace," Logan said. Happiness lit his face. Rory couldn't help smiling back. She was happy. She'd picked him for a reason.

He pulled her back to his lips, tender now, soft. The kiss was filled with gentle passion, and for a moment Rory was trapped in that moment, made of perfection. This is why she'd picked him. Aside from everything, he was gentle and good and caring. She'd seen that in him from the moment they first met. His vulnerability had shone through his eyes.

He pulled back, a smile pulling at his lips. "I've waited so long for this Mary…" His blue eyes took her breath away.

With a start, Rory woke. Her alarm blared in her ear – a deep monotone buzz. It barely registered though; her mind was still untangling itself from the dream. Her lips tingled even though they hadn't been touched. These boys were infuriating. They not only darkened her days, they now invaded her sleep, her dreams. She would give anything to be able to sleep peacefully again. With a groan, Rory recalled the blonde she'd run into at Logan's dorm. A bubble of anxiety grew in her stomach like it did whenever she thought of Logan with someone else. She knew, deep down, that if she were to choose Logan she would undoubtedly live with constant doubts. After all, he was a playboy at heart, and she was unsure whether anyone could tame that side of him.

If she was truly honest with herself – she didn't need either of them. It had occurred to her that she'd survived before they came into her life, and she would continue to exist whether they weren't in it anymore. Still, the thought of either of them not being in her life made her head ache and her stomach hurt. She'd grown used to them both. But she knew she could only have one.

She was starting to realise who the better choice would be, if only because he would be the most trustworthy. Finally, something to set them apart. Something that made them different. Tristan had once been the player. The bad boy of Chilton who paid to have a teacher's car taken apart and put back together in the hallway of their high school just for the amusement of it. That Tristan was not one she ever saw herself being with, despite having a slight crush on him. But he had grown over the years since she last saw him. He'd grown from the childish, spiteful blonde haired boy who used to taunt her in the school halls to a man who was gentle and kind.

With a sign, Rory rose to begin her day with the strong hope that she could avoid any life-changing decisions for a little while longer.

The Yale Daily News was quiet. Rory liked these rare moments when she could actually think. Sometimes the noise cut through everything else in her mind and rendered her incapable of finishing her work. Today had been productive though. She'd written two articles and edited them both within the span of two hours. Keeping herself occupied also meant that she had barely let her mind flitter to the boys vying for her attention. Thankfully the newsroom was one of the last places she'd find Logan. Even when he was trying to woo her, his work ethic was as bad as ever. It was nice to have something to rely on.

"I think I'm having a heart attack." Doyle suddenly appeared beside her, face pale with nerves.

"Doyle, what's wrong?" Rory asked, jumping up to help him. "Was it something you ate?"

"No, no." He replied between deep breaths. " I'm freaking out. Mitchum Huntzberger was just spotted heading this way. What if he yells at me for not giving Logan enough work? Oh no, what if he blacklists my name at every newspaper in America?" His eyes practically bugged out of his head at the thought.

"I'm sure he knows his son well enough by now to know that his lack of prosperity at the Yale Daily News is not your fault," Rory said reassuringly.

"But, he's the biggest newspaper conglomerate around." Doyle's voice shook but he appeared slightly calmer than before. "He could have any one of us on some secret blacklist that will ensure we'll never be able to work again."

Suddenly Mitchum appeared in the doorway. His presence was like a shadow over the newsroom. The second he appeared the slight amount of noise that could be heard faded into nothing. Rory had seen him before at her grandparent's vow renewal but she hadn't formally met him. Unlike his son, he had an intimidating presence. Rory could see why Doyle had been so affected.

Doyle rushed to greet him. "Good morning Mr Huntzberger. It's an honour to have you here at the Yale Daily News. I'm the editor, Doyle McMaster." He stuck out a sweaty, shaking hand for Mitchum to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Doyle." He took his proffered hand and offered it a few quick shakes before subtly wiping his hand on his pants. "I hear great things about you. I just wish my son had some of your work ethic."

"Thank you so much, Sir." Doyle beamed, finally losing some of his nerves.

Mitchum's eyes suddenly landed on Rory and recognition flared in his eyes. "Ah, just the person I was looking for." Rory was startled. She had seen him from a distance before but didn't think a powerful tycoon like him would know who she was. He made his way over and stuck out his hand. "Rory Gilmore, I'm Mitchum Huntzberger. My son has told me a lot about you."

"Oh, it's nice to meet you." She said politely. She was suddenly unsure what to do or say and had to force herself to stand straight and not dip into a curtsy or something equally humiliating. "I've heard a lot about you." She added.

"I can see you're busy." He added, eyes skimming her desk; her piles of research, a screen full of articles and a half-empty coffee cup was clear indications that she was in the middle of her work. "So I'll make this quick. I've recently acquired a new newspaper, the Stamford Eagle-Gazette, and have some spots open if you're interested in an internship."

"An internship?" Rory repeated. "I don't mean to sound…ungrateful, but why would you offer me an internship? You don't even know me?" Rory had always worked hard for each opportunity she had in life. She always earned what she received. So this was new to her. Being offered something not because of who she was or what she had achieved, but because of a person, she knew. Because Rory knew this was because of Logan. He had somehow pulled some strings with his father and made this happen. Maybe this was some new ploy of his to gain her favour.

"That's very true," Mitchum replied, looking taken aback. "I don't know you. I personally don't care whether you take this opportunity or not. But I advise that you do. Clearly, you're a driven young girl, and this is what you want to do. You want to be a journalist and the best way to achieve that is to make connections. This is a connection. It doesn't matter how you got it, but here it is." He gave her a smile that seemed half genuine, half smug. Like that was the only smile he was accustomed to giving any more.

Rory pondered for a moment but knew he was right. She wanted more than anything to be a journalist and this opportunity would allow her to gain connections she normally wouldn't have. "Okay. I'll take it." She replied, giving him an uncertain smile in return.

"Excellent." His voice boomed. "Internship starts on Monday. Call my office and my secretary will give you the details." He turned to leave. "Oh, and bring a pencil. You never know when you'll need a pencil." He said before walking back out the door. The room felt like it filled with air again, and the noise that had diminished upon his arrival flooded back.

Rory slowly sat down at her desk, unsure what had just happened and whether she should be happy about the prospect of working with Logan's father or not.

In loving memory of Edward Herrmann
21.07.1943 – 31.12.2014