"2 minutes," Paris texted, trying to pick the right boots to go with her tube skirt, before heading out with Finn. He'd promised to take her out for a change. December had passed too quickly with Paris travelling and all the family-related obligations, the two had had little time to really date, and they'd just hung out, mostly at Finn's.

"So what is this mysterious band we're seeing?" Paris asked, as she stepped into his car.

Finn liked to keep up the element of surprise, replying only with a smug smile, adding, "And may I state that you look ravishing tonight, love," before kissing her gently in greeting.

The club was definitely not the classical college scene one would've expected from its location next to one of the University buildings. The place was lit up with eclectic choice of floor and wall-lamps, while the overall decor was characterized by blue velvet seating and gold detailing. Paris and Finn arrived just as the concert had started, as Paris' kids had had other ideas, delaying their departure. She recognized the singer from the chords.

"This is Aldous Harding isn't it?" Paris said, looking at Finn.

"It is," he replied.

"How did you know?" she asked. She was one of her favourites.

"I listened to your Spotify the other day," he confessed.

"Thank you," she replied, giving him a sideways hug, her arms wrapped around his waist.

Finn reached out his hand and positioned it around her shoulder, leading her to their table.

"Have you given any thought to Marrakech yet?" Finn inquired after the concert had finished, the question burning a hole in his pocket.

"Honestly, I am not sure I should, it was a very nice thought and I'd love to, but it's the kids," Paris said apologetically.

"You don't want to be apart from them?" he asked, hoping it was just that.

"It's that, and I am just not sure what signal that would give them," Paris said. While spending time with Finn had been amazing, he was like a breath of fresh air, he was spontaneous, romantic and treated her well, yet she had her doubts. Getting too serious too soon would mean getting her kids involved and likely invested. They knew that Finn was their mother's friend, but they'd never seen them do more than kiss. He'd never stayed over. She figured her 6-year olds had enough drama with Doyle. At least that was how she justified her actions to herself.

"So what kind of signal do you want to give them?" Finn inquired, running his hand through his rough hair.

"That their mother is more stable than their father," she explained briefly.

"I can't disagree with that," he replied, wanting to add 'doesn't their mother deserve to be happy too?' But he knew that would've meant assuming he did just that for her, and he wasn't sure that was a fair assumption at this point.

"Finn, I told you I was going to ease them into this," Paris said, sensing Finn's disappointment.

"And I get that, but I feel you're keeping me at arm's length here," he said, feeling discouraged.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but I am not sure what I am supposed to do here - jump into a plane with you and go on an adventure for three weeks and have you move in with my kids right after? We've been dating less than two months," Paris replied, raising her voice slightly. She almost wanted to add 'I am not Rory', biting her tongue.

"I am not asking to move in, Paris, but I'd like some indication that I am not just some f***-buddy," Finn said, agitatedly.

"I don't know what you want me to say, Finn. I think you understand yourself too, that it is not just that, but I am not ready to plunge in too deep just yet, Marrakech would certainly be the deep end," she explained.

He said in fact nothing, gesturing for them to leave. He'd lost his mood.

They drove home in awkward silence, neither of them really knowing what to say.

"Thank you for the concert, I really liked it," she said, as Finn pulled up in front of her house, trying to reprimand some of the damage.

"Paris, I get it that you don't want to hurt your kids and I can understand not wanting to come with me to Morocco, but I think you need to figure out what it is exactly that you want from me. I'm done with just casual relationships. I want to know that there is something else, something more in the future, not just you sneaking off at 6 AM," he explained.

"Finn, I just… I don't know," she hesitated, adding "I'll call you okay?" after realizing that she really didn't know what to reply. Not knowing what she wanted was not a feeling she encountered often.

"Okay," he said, his gaze fixed forward.

She slid out of the car hesitantly, almost disappointed in herself that she couldn't just profess love to him, adding a "bye," before closing the door behind her.


Logan stepped into Luke's, the smell of coffee and fries, filling his nostrils.

"Hey Logan!" Luke greeted him. "Funny seeing you here. Is Rory with you?" he added.

"Actually no," Logan began. "I came to see Lorelai actually," he said.

"She's probably still at work, she was supposed to drop by here after," Luke replied.

"I guess I'll just wait then," he said, beginning to take a seat at the counter.

"Logan," a familiar shocked voice approached from behind him.

"Lorelai," he greeted with a nod.

"What brings you by?" she asked.

"I came to see you actually," he said. This was certainly not the first time he'd sought her up.

Two minutes later they stood upstairs in Luke's old apartment awkwardly.

"So do you need another letter or something?" Lorelai asked, half jokingly.

"No. I was hoping you might tell me what's going on with you and Rory," he stated. There was no point to small-talk. They'd known each other long enough, to cut to the chase.

"Why don't you just ask her? I am sure she can explain what's going on in her head," Lorelai replied.

"Because the last time I did, I ended up taking her to the ER," Logan said.

"Oh," she replied, taking a moment. While Lorelai knew she'd had a panic attack, she was unaware of the details. "I told her I didn't like the person she was turning in to," she added.

"So what exactly do you have a problem with?" Logan asked. His tone was very different from what it had been the previous times he'd been over here, talking to her. While he knew Lorelai's opinion mattered to Rory a great deal, the well-being of his fiance was more important to him than Lorelai's approval of him.

Lorelai sighed, thinking of the right wording to not drive an even bigger wedge between herself and her daughter.

"Do you have a problem with me?" he asked out front.

"Not you as such," she began. She knew Rory loved him and he loved her, after this long on-and-off game for more than a decade, there was no question. "But just all the stuff that comes with you. She's turning into someone who has no time for her family, she's distrustful and I can just see her falling into the assigned role," Lorelai added.

"You think she'll turn into Shira or something?"

"Em... I think that would be unlikely, but something in that direction, yes," Lorelai replied.

"I am pretty sure she could never be that, she's far too driven for that. I have no doubt that she will do great things once she's better," he said, almost hearing himself use his father's words. "And sure, there are some aspects that are different with the accompanied name, but there's not much I can do about that," he said.

"Sure she's driven. Perhaps too much," she commented.

"So you want her to balance her life better, I am sure that is something you can discuss peacefully?" he suggested, adding, "I don't want her to kill herself with work either, but you saw what she was like before, it's good to see her in her element, it suits her, and I honestly can't blame her for wanting to make up for some missed time."

"I guess," she sighed, adding, "I'm seeing her on Wednesday actually, we're going to Richard's grave."

"Please just be careful with her, okay?" he added, pleadingly.