AN: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your reviews! You guys really amaze me, you're awesome. Here's the next chapter. I'm not exactly sure how long this fic is going to end up being. I have some ideas that I'm sure I want to play out, and plenty that I'm still considering. Colin and Finn reactions will be in the next chapter. Anyway, please read and review!
"I really don't want to do this," Logan groaned as the elevators opened.
"We could always print the story and hang it around our necks. That way, everytime somebody wants to know what happened they can just come up and flip through the pages."
"Yes, and that would be so much less annoying."
She smiled, "Come on."
He didn't hesitate to return his arm to its place around her shoulders, he did however try to hold her back as she took a step towards the elevator door. It wasn't that she would mind staying with him the elevator all day, but she had a job to do, and she was pretty sure she was getting paid to do it.
"Come on," she insisted.
He groaned again, but finally took a step towards the elevator exit.
As soon as they stepped onto the floor with Logan's arm over her shoulders, it seemed like everyone's head shot up to stare at them. The first person Rory made eye contact with was Will, and she couldn't have thought of a better choice. Ever the calm and laid back type, he made his way over to them with a small smile playing at his lips. He shook his head slightly as he reached for Logan's hand and shook it.
"Should I ask for a story, or will that take too long?"
"It involved a bar, rain, and really uncomfortable high heels," Rory replied.
"Enough said," Will turned to leave, then paused, "Congratulations."
"Well, that was easy enough," Logan commented as they headed towards her desk.
"Wait for it."
As if on cue, Aiden and Shawn appeared at their side, looks of complete awe on thier faces.
"Okay, now, this doesn't look like it was a girls night to me," Shawn greeted.
"It started out that way, I swear," Rory defended.
"So how did it end?"
"Can't we just say we got back together and that can be the end of it?" Logan pleaded.
Aiden looked at him like he grew two heads, "Um, no."
Rory sighed, "I saw him at a bar, we talked, he walked out, I followed, we got back together. The end."
"I bet you'll tell your mom the whole story," Shawn huffed.
"Probably," Rory said as she sat down, "But she can be more annoying than you and her fiance controls the coffee in Stars Hollow."
"Fine," Aiden let his eyes drift from Logan to Rory, "This is good."
"Yeah, I'm quite fond of it," Logan answered.
Shawn grinned, "We want the whole story later, Gimore."
"Only if you find a way to hold coffee over my head, Daniels."
Shawn and Aiden sulked slightly as they walked again and Rory couldn't help but laugh. She glanced up at Logan and he was watching them as well, a smirk plastered on his face.
"Well done, Ace."
"Yes, and I took care of Carmen last night, so we're set. Except, of course, for Colin, Finn, and Honor."
"I already called Honor. But you still have to tell your mom."
"I know. I'm calling her sometime today."
"I feel like we're living in a television show or something."
Rory laughed, "We might as well be, Huntzberger."
He smiled. She loved his smile.
"I have to get to my desk. Lunch?"
"Sounds good."
"Okay," he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips, "Later, Ace."
She couldn't wipe the grin off her face as he walked away. When they were walking down the sidewalk, she had been petrified that he wasn't going to turn around. And the truth was, she wouldn't have blamed him. Everything he said was true. They had both made so many mistakes, ending with her leaving him behind his back. Who was to say they wouldn't hurt each other again? But deep inside, she couldn't be more confident in their situation. This was love. And they found each other again, after all that time, and that had to mean something.
Last night had been perfect, everything she wanted it to be and more. Nothing could compare to the feeling of his lips brushing against hers, or the way his arm fell directly over her shoulders. His hands touched her so gently, and whenever she caught his eye he would smile, or better yet, smirk. Nobody in the world could compare to Logan Huntzberger, she was just happy he'd come back to her yesterday in the pouring rain.
"Oh my God."
Rory glanced up at the sound of her best friend's voice, "What?"
"You're like...beaming."
Rory laughed.
"It's a good change, I like it."
"I like it, too."
"But I'm still mad at you for ditching me last night," Carmen added, pretending to pout.
"Sorry. I was on a mission."
"Kudos to your ambition, but we better be going out tonight."
"I'm sure we are."
"Good. Bye, Rory."
Rory waved her hand as Carmen walked off down the office. She knew she should probably call her mother right away, because Lorelai was going to ask when. And if it was later that night, she would have to listen to an entire lecture of the importance of telling her the dirt before anyone else. She selected her mother's number off her cellphone as she started up the computer.
"Daughter!" Lorelai greeted, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I have news."
"Oh, you have smiley voice. It must be good news."
"It is."
"Does it involve a certain blonde boy who shall remain nameless?"
"Yes."
"Oh! Fun. Hit it."
"No screaming."
"Why would I scream?"
"Just promise me," Rory insisted.
"Fine. I promise."
"We got back together."
Silence.
"Mom, are you there."
"I had to stuff a pillow over my face so I wouldn't scream. Are you serious? When?"
"Last night."
"How?"
Rory paused, "I saw him a bar and I knew I couldn't be friends with him anymore so I couldn't take. I went over and told him that and then I kissed him--"
"You what?" Lorelai exclaimed, "Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?"
"Do you want to hear the rest of the story or not?"
"Sorry, continue."
"So then he got mad and walked out. I followed him, in the rain, might I add, and eventually he gave in and we got back together."
"How very cheesey teen movie of you," Lorelai teased.
"Shut up."
"No, seriously, this is great, hun. I'm happy for you. And you sound...normal again."
"Aww gee, thanks mom."
"You know what I mean," Lorelai said quickly.
"Yes, I know. I have to get back to work, but I'll call you later."
"Okay. Bye sweets."
"Bye."
--------------------------------
"Ready for lunch?"
Rory looked up at the sound of Logan's voice and smiled, "One second."
Quickly, she saved her latest file and then got up from her desk, slipping around it to plant a kiss on his lips.
"For you," he said grandly, producing a rose from behind his back.
"Where did get this?"
"I'm magic," he replied as his arm found it's way around her shoulders again.
"This looks familar," she paused, staring at it, "Did you steal this from the breakroom?"
He smirked, "See, I've even become a criminal for you, Ace."
"You were a criminal before I even met you."
"True, but I've never stolen a yacht with any other girl."
"Lucky me. Have you even stolen a flower for any other girl?"
"Only you're worth that risk," he grinned.
He pulled her closer to him and she laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder.
"Just so you know, no man has never stolen me a flower before."
"Yes well, I am a daredevil."
They made their way out to the street, and Rory couldn't get enough of the weight over her shoulders. She missed that feeling, it made her feel safe, loved. Jess would hold her hand limply, at the most, but he hardly ever showed affection for her, except if he knew she was mad about something. Logan seemed to always be reaching for her in some way, whether he was holding her hand or tucking his arm around her. And as they walked steadily down the sidewalk, she knew there was no greater feeling in the world.
"Come on," he said suddenly, grabbing her hand and dragging her through a door.
"I've never been here before," she commented, glancing around the tiny cafe.
"Me either," he shrugged.
"Then why the hurry to get in here."
He nodded his head towards a sign in the window, "It says best coffee in New York."
"They all say that."
"Well, if anyone should be the judge it's you, Ace."
She grinned, "Very true."
They ordered their food at the counter, grabbed coffee, and then sat at a table to wait. She couldn't stop looking into his eyes. They were so soft, so caring, and he always looked like he knew something she didn't. She loved that about him.
"So," she began, using her best pleading voice, "Where are we going this weekend?"
He laughed, and his eyes twinkled slightly, "I'm not telling you."
"Mean," Rory repeated.
"Drink your coffee."
She glared at him, but took a small sip, "Oh my God!"
"Good?"
"I think Starbucks is going to out of business."
"So maybe the sign didn't lie afterall."
The waiter brought there food a short while after and they ate quickly. When they finished, Rory poured herself another cup of coffee, accepted Logan's hand, and they walked back out into the city. She glanced up at him, but he was staring off in the distance. His jaw was clenched and he seemed to be very lost in thought. She sighed softly.
"I think this is going well so far, don't you? I mean, I know it's only been a night and part of a day, but I feel like we're settling in nicely. Not a lot of people could do what we're doing after all this time. I just want you to know that this feels right to me, more right than anything has ever felt, except, of course, for the first time we went out when--"
"Rory," he smirked.
She melted.
He pulled her to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk, grabbed her shoulders, and turned her towards him. He was still smirking as he pressed his forehead to hers.
"I love you. And this, this is going very well."
And then he kissed her: one of those knee weakening, mind blowing kisses that only Logan Huntzberger could deliever. He kissed her right there in the middle of New York City, for all the world to see. And she couldn't have been happier.
--------------------------------
"Hey, you coming out tonight?"
Rory glanced up at her boyfriend and nodded, grabbing her jacket off the back of her chair. She stood up and he pulled her into a kiss, smiling as they pulled apart.
"What? No stolen flower this time?" she teased.
"I can run back and grab one for you real fast."
"That's okay, one criminal act a day is enough for you."
He tucked his arm around her waist as they walked towards the door to meet the others. When they came into a view, Shawn shook his head in disbelief.
"It should be a movie," he commented.
"You're funny," Rory shot back with a smirk, "Maybe you could play Logan."
Logan looked at Shawn, then back at himself again, "I don't think so, Ace."
"You're right," Carmen said with a sneaky grin, "Logan's cuter."
Shawn glared at her, but the rest of the group errupted into laughter.
"So, where are we going?" Will asked as they headed outside.
"Oh! The one from last night," Rory suggested, "I didn't get to stay very long."
"Your choice, not mine," Logan said with a grin.
But when Shawn, Will, Aiden, and Carmen squeezed into one taxi, Logan held her back and waved the driver away. He flagged another one down, but before they got in he looked her right in the eyes and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
"But I'm very glad you made that choice," he murmered.
The ride to the bar was quiet. Rory rested her head on his shoulder and intwined her fingers in his. Every touch, every gesture was like starting to breathe once more. She was learning to be free again, she was remembering how love was supposed to feel. Love was the touch of his hand on her back, or the way he would plant a kiss on her lips when she was least expecting it. Love was everything she'd missed so terribly for over a year.
The taxi came to stop and the two slipped out and walked to where their friends were waiting outside of the bar.
"Where's Colin and Finn?" Rory asked.
"Colin's working," Carmen replied.
"And Finn is with Erin," Logan added.
"Erin? Red head?"
"Mhmm."
"I'm not even going to ask what happened to Felicia."
"Shall we?" Will inquired, nodding towards the door.
Her heart fluttered as the pressure of Logan's hand on her back reached her senses.
They stopped at the bar for drinks, and then made their way to a large booth in the corner.
"So are you ever going to tell us the whole story?" Shawn asked.
Logan grinned, "Wait for the movie to come out."
"Oh, you're clever," Shawn grumbled.
Logan shot Rory one of his smirks and reached for her hand under the table. She gladly laced her fingers with his.
"Logan Huntzberger, do you have any idea how long it takes to find you?" a voice said from behind them.
Rory glanced over at Logan, who's face took on a confused look, and then broke into a smile.
"Honor, what are you doing here?"
"What? You don't even turn around to greet your sister now?"
Logan grinned and stood up, pulling the blonde girl into a hug, "What are you doing here?"
"Well, it's certaintly not to see you," she said with a half smirk, before turning to Rory, "You on the other hand, I haven't seen forever. How are you?"
Rory was instantly taken a back by Honor's friendliness. She hadn't really considered how Logan's sister would handle the situation, but she figured it would be similar to Colin and Finn's reactions. But here was Honor, standing infront of her, with a huge, expectant grin on her face. Rory recovered quickly and got up from the table, hugging the girl tightly.
"I'm great, how are you?"
"Better, now that you're back to keep him in line," she stated, nodding her head towards Logan.
"You didn't see him steal the flower this morning."
Honor laughed, "You stole a flower? Did you really lose that much money when dad cut you off?"
Logan slid back into the booth, "How I missed the women in my life..."
"Sit down, sit down," Rory instructed Honor.
Rory didn't realize how much she missed Logan's sister until she was back in the room with her. Honor had an energy about her that was rivaled only by her brother. It must have been a Huntzberger trait that skipped a few generations. She smiled as she watched them banter back and forth, occasionally laughing when Honor stopped Logan's words by beginning an embarrassing story from his past.
"Okay well," Logan said after the start of an obviously extremely embarrassing memory, "You ready to go, Ace?"
She grinned, "But I wanted to hear this one..."
"How much did you like that stolen flower? Would you like another one anytime soon?"
"Fine," she mumbled, getting up from her booth, "'Night guys."
Once they were outside, Rory stopped to call for a cab, but the pressure of Logan's arm pulled her forward.
"What are you doing?"
"We're walking," he replied simply.
"Why?"
"Because it's good for you."
"I walked yesterday when I chased you all over the city."
"You should walk everyday."
"Are you insane, Huntzberger?"
"Exercise is healthy."
"I don't like exercise. I like coffee, doughnuts, chocolate, and pie. No exercise."
He raised his eyebrows, "How don't you weigh three hundred pounds?"
"I don't know. I get it from my mother."
"Lucky girls."
"I know. It allowed us to have three movie nights a week and still not get fat. I love my life. Oh, coffee!"
She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the nearest Starbucks, listening to his soft laughter the whole way there. The truth was, she was happy to walk out of the bar and just be alone with him. She'd spent over a year with her co-workers, being with Logan again was brand new. He bought two cups of coffee, and soon they were back out on the sidewalk.
"Well," Rory said, taking a sip, "At least you didn't steal it."
"I'm never stealing you anything again."
Rory gave him her best sad look, "Not even a yacht?"
"Now, that wasn't my idea."
"How about the one you sunk?" she accused.
"I didn't steal that one."
"You still sunk it!"
"Two very different crimes, Ace."
She smiled, but felt herself growing sad as they neared her apartment building. She moved closer to him, inhaling the scent of his cologne, and treasuring the the feeling of his hand massaging her back softly.
"Well, I think this is your stop," he said, pulling to a halt infront of her building.
"We could walk some more."
He smirked, "I thought walking wasn't your thing."
"But your my thing, so it evens out."
"I'll see you tomorrow. It's getting late."
She turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning up for a kiss. It quickly escalated into more than just a brief kiss, and soon her back was pressed up against the brick facade of her building as his lips worked against hers. She felt his hand slide up against the skin on her back, and his touch sent chills up and down her spine. Never in her life did she wish for her own apartment more.
"When's Carmen getting home?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"Too soon."
"Damn."
"When are Colin and Finn getting home?"
"Colin's already probably home."
"Damn."
"I guess that means I have to go."
She groaned and came back for another kiss, "I guess."
"Damn," he repeated.
She forced herself to pull away from him, but she could still feel his touch lingering all over her flesh. He was staring at her, his hands in his pockets, like he'd never seen her before in his life. She smiled, which caused him to smirk and start walking backwards down the sidewalk.
"Just so you know, I'm taking a cab home."
"Just so you know, I'm telling the police about that flower," she shot back.
He turned around so his back was to her as he walked away, "See you tomorrow, Ace. I love you."
"I love you, too."
And as she walked through the door to her building, she realized how much she was looking forward to that weekend. She didn't care where they were going. As long as she was with him, and they were alone, it would be perfect.
