A/N - Happy birthday Matt Czuchry. This guy is hot. I thought he looked so good in S5-7 of Gilmore Girls, but he looked even hotter in AYINTL. The scene in AYITL where he gets out of the bed only in his boxer briefs, OMG. You know what I am talking about. Thank you, Matt Czuchry, for giving us Logan Huntzberger.

You amaze me, Rory Gilmore, every day - everything that you do, everything that you are. This past year, I realized that I don't know a lot more than I thought I knew if that makes sense. I'm a little bit nervous. I didn't think I would be. What I'm trying to say is that... I don't know a lot. But I know that I love you... and I want to be with you... forever. Rory Gilmore... ...will you marry me?

I don't want to do that, Rory. I don't want to go backward. If we can't take the next step...

Does it have to be all or nothing?

Yeah, it does. Goodbye, Rory.

Rory woke up sweating and panting. This was a dream she had often in the last 2 years. Ever since Logan walked away from her on the day of her graduation.

Rory picked up the alarm clock to check the time. 8:00 AM. She tried to get up and felt a sharp pain in her head. Hangover. She cursed herself for drinking so much the night before and promised herself like every Saturday morning that she would never drink this much again.

She took out 2 aspirin from her bedside drawer and fell back on her bed again.

Rory woke up again around 11:00 AM and like clockwork went to make herself coffee and pick up the paper. After she was done with her morning chores. She picked up her phone to call Tara.

"Whatt." Tara said from the other side. Her voice deeper, clearly dehydrated, and exhausted from the last night.

"Good morning to you too my friend, or rather a good afternoon." Rory replied in a high pitch voice that she knew would annoy her friend very much right now.

"I am going to hang up."

"No no. Wait. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go for lunch today and then some shopping?"

"Shopping for what?"

"Just shopping...for office clothes."

"What's wrong with the ones you already have." Tara asked, trying to bait Rory.

"I thought I should get some new clothes, you know."

"Uhhun. Trust me, I know. But do you know?" Tara laughed at her friend's inability to see why she was trying so hard.

"I am going to go alone if you don't give up." Rory said irritably.

"Okay, Okay. I give up."

"We can do the whole hangover meal. Tacos, burritos, French dip sandwiches, cheeseburgers...oh god I am craving Luke's cheeseburgers so much." Just thinking about Luke's burgers made Rory's mouth salivate.

"Yes you can have all that and I can have chicken salad." Tara laughed and added to her friend's long list of food.

"Good, so 1:00 PM? Westville? That should give you some time to recover from your hangover and get prepared for mortification when I show you the videos from last night." Rory said eagerly waiting to show Tara the video she captured of her dancing with Brian last night.

"Oh god. What did I do?"

"All in due time my friend," Rory laughed mischievously.

"Oh god. I hate the sun right now. The only reason I am doing this is because of you. You know that right? Tara said as she took off her sunglasses and sat down at the table with Rory.

"Well, you will be glad you came after I tell you, what I am about to tell you."

"Okay...Is everything ok? Oh no, you really slept with Kevin again." Tara said slapping her forehead. "And you feel guilty, of course, you feel guilty."

"Wait...What? No." Rory said trying to keep up with Tara's train of thoughts. "I did not sleep with Kevin. Well, at least not last night."

"Okay...then?" Tara prompted Rory to go on.

"I ran into Logan after I left the bar. I was in the car with him when you called." Rory said.

"Ohh...so that's what that was. I thought that was Kevin's voice and I assumed you fucked up and went home with him."

"That didn't happen." Rory said shaking her head. "Anyway, Logan was working late, he saw me leave, offered me a ride home, insisted he see me walk in the door."

"And...?"

"We decided to meet for lunch tomorrow and talk about things."

"By things you mean, talking about the rejected proposal?"

"Yes." Rory said.

"Okay, this can be good."Tara said.

"Yes, I just want things to be good between us. I don't like feeling weird and awkward around him."

"Do you want something else also to come of the conversation?" Tara asked. She hoped her friend would have the courage to follow her heart.

"Like what?" Rory asked.

"Like giving things another chance?" Tara said like it was obvious.

"No, I think hoping for that is just setting myself up for more disappointment. I really don't want that in my life. Last time it broke my heart. I was a mess last time, I still am. I can't go through it over and over again. At what point do I learn?"

"Whatever you say Rory." Tara couldn't believe how stupid her friend was acting at this moment.

Rory woke up the next morning and picked up her phone to check for any texts from Logan. She must have checked her phone at least 50 times since yesterday for any texts from Logan. She put her head back on the pillow and start making a mental list of things that she needed to get done today.

1. Laundry

2. Cleaning

3. Grocery

4. Calling Grandma

5. Reading the new book

6. Organizing yesterday's shopping

7. Checking the mail

*Ding*

Rory jumped to pick up her phone from her side table.

"Gramercy Tavern. 1 PM?"

Rory smiled to herself and replied

"I'll be the one in Blue."

"Already picked out the outfit huh ;)"

Rory got up from her bed and went to take the shower with a spring in her step. She had been anticipating this lunch for a while now. She got out of her nightclothes and got in the shower. She leaned her head a little back to enjoy the pressure of a hot shower on her neck and breasts. She turned around and let the water do the same on her shoulders and the upper area of her back. She closed her eyes and enjoyed a sense of calm wash over her. She felt happy. The happiness you feel when you are about to go to your favorite place. A place that reminds you of happier times in your life. A place that brings you so much joy, that your heart fills just by imagining it. Only in this case, it was a person. Logan. She wasn't sure entirely how today was going to go but all she wanted was to be on good terms with Logan.

She could think of multiple situations in her life when she would be enjoying her morning shower just like this and Logan would come in and hug her from behind. He would whisper about leaving him alone in the bed then he would start kissing the side of her neck, his arms would go to her waist and he would spin her around to kiss her on her lips until they both ran out of air. His hands would travel all over her wet body until he would grab one of her boobs and start playing with her nipples...Rory snapped her eyes open. She quickly realized what she was doing and if she wasn't out of the shower right now, she wouldn't be for another 10 minutes, and then she would be late to see Logan in person.

She turned off the shower and got out wrapped in a towel. Rory decided to wear a short white Polka dot blue dress with nude heels. She left her hair open, giving them soft curls at the bottom. By the time she checked the time, it was already 12:30 and it would take her at least 40 minutes to the restaurant. She called a cab and made her way to the lobby.

Gramercy Tavern served North American cuisine, it had big wooden tables and chairs and an old rusty oaky vibe to the whole restaurant. Logan knew Rory would like the ambiance.

Logan reached Gramercy at 12:55 PM. He didn't always make it on time to non-business lunches or parties. Something his sister and friends gave him immense grief about. He wanted to be on time today, in case Rory got here early. Logan was dressed in black trousers and a white Ralph Lauren shirt that fit his gym body perfectly. His hair was styled casually.

He spent a good part of his day yesterday and this morning deciding what he wanted to come out of today's lunch with Rory. What did Rory want to come out of today's lunch? She was the one who suggested they talk about their past. Given that they needed to talk about their situation at some point, he hadn't been able to fully process Rory being around him again. He was just going with the flow, living with one day at a time mentality. Sure, he had been shocked to find Rory working at the New York Times but past that he wasn't angry at Rory anymore. He was angry at her for a long time. Unable to understand why she rejected him and the life they could have had.

The rejected proposal broke his heart, he never in a million years thought she would say no. The rejection also humiliated his pride. He put himself on the line there, in front of all those people, and rejection of the proposal robbed him of whatever pride he had left after fucking up that business deal. When he proposed to Rory he had assumed, if he had her with him they would be able to start over together. A good life made out of love and respect, far away from society's coldness.

He felt angry and hurt when thought about those days. The days after the rejected proposal, were a memory now. One that he did not want to recall or relive now. Being around Rory these past few days made him feel like no time had passed between them but that was probably because none of them brought up their past and reality of things. He would have liked to have a few more days to figure out his thoughts before they had this lunch. He did not want to say something he would regret.

He saw Rory come towards him and he got up to give a side hug and sat back down.

"Sorry I am a little late," Rory apologized, she did not want Logan to assume she was late on purpose.

"No problem. I figured putting away all those outfits must have taken some time anyway." Logan said smirking at Rory.

"There weren't that many." Rory said sheepishly.

"Come on Rory. I know you, I am sure there were outfits planned for a different type of restaurants depending on their casualness, weather and don't even lie about not planning an outfit based on your level of hunger this morning, because you never wear skinny jeans when you are hungry as they get in the away of you eating." Logan rolled his eyes as he said the last part.

"Oh boy, you do know me well." Rory said blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Yeah, I guess I do." Logan said smiling at her.

"So... you want to talk about it?" Rory said getting directly to the point.

"Let's order first and then talk about IT."

Rory picked up the menu and perused it for a while.

Logan called a waiter to their table.

"I'll have the Lamb Tripoline." Logan said.

"Beef Tartare and Grilled Hanger Steak, for me". Rory added.

"And we will have a bottle of Malbec. Thank you."

Rory realized that Logan didn't even look at the menu before ordering. Did he come here often? Did he come here often with his girlfriend? Rory wondered if she is doing anything wrong by being here on lunch with him when she knew that he is dating someone else. She decided to put herself out of the misery and to ask him.

"So you come here often?" Rory asked looking around.

Logan had been to this restaurant a couple of times. Once with honor and another time with Colin and Finn. He knew Rory would love their food, which was one reason he chose this place for their lunch. Logan could detect some sarcasm in her voice and wondered why she would ask it like that. So he chose to answer her honestly.

"Yes, with Honor and Colin and Finn." Logan said studying Rory's expressions closely.

Rory exhaled at a deep breath and Logan raised his eyebrows at that

"Nothing its...just leave it." Rory waved her hand. "So let's talk about it now."

"Where do you want to start," Logan asked

"Do you hate me?" Rory blurted out.

Logan looked at her and smiled wondering why would she assume that.

"Why would you think that Rory?"

"I said no to your proposal." Rory shifted nervously in her seat.

"I know, I was there." Logan said suddenly angry. He didn't want to think about those times, it made him hurt all over again, just like it was yesterday.

Rory said. "I thought you hated me and never wanted to see me again. The way you turned around and left, I had no idea if you would ever be able to forgive me."

"What would you have wanted me to do then Rory? Stand there and take pictures with and your family when I asked you to be my family and you said no?" Logan spat out.

"No, of course not. I know that day didn't go as we planned." Rory lowered her eyes. This was not how she planned for this lunch to go.

"I know." Logan said sarcastically.

"Let's start again." Rory paused for a second took a deep breath and started again "I just wanted to say I really like having you around in the office. It's good." Rory tried to change the direction of the conversation before any of them said something that would drive them apart again. Logan was finally back in her life after two years, in some capacity at least and she didn't want to let him go. If bringing up old things was going to get him mad and possibly away from her, she would rather not talk about it.

"Yes me too. So tell me Rory what have you been up to since then?" Logan said trying to follow Rory's strategy to keeping calm and talking about anything else.

"Where do I start. Let's see, I worked at the Obama campaign. It was an amazing experience, one I am grateful for. But it kind of made me realize that I don't want to be a foreign correspondent. I realized I could write my best articles after a full night's sleep and I liked living on more than 5 pairs of clothes." Rory said shrugging her shoulders.

Logan chuckled, "Yes that's what I recommend. "

"So, What have you been up to?" Rory's asked excitedly.

"Well let's see. Most certainly not enjoying a full night's sleep like you. Work has kept me extremely busy."

"Yes, I read about your deal. Congratulation Logan. You did well." Rory smiled at Logan.

Logan felt certain happiness in his chest. Rory had always been a big motivator in his life. Even in the last two years when he did good in life, he wanted to share it with Rory immediately but thinking about how they left things he didn't. But the desire to call her up and share things with her never went away. For Rory to say she kept up with his work and be proud of all that he achieved felt good to him. He felt proud of himself.

"Thank you." Logan smiled so big at Rory, his smile reached his eyes.

"So, NYT huh? Back into the crutches of the dark Lord." Rory and Logan both laughed at this.

"Well as you know, the devil drives a hard bargain. But this time I am back on my terms. After I sold the company in Palo Alto, he came up to me and asked if I would help with HPG"s Digital media presence. I didn't have anything holding me back there. So here I am. Right now I am working with the change department that will introduce all these new changes to increase our online presence." Logan said passionately. He was good at the work he was doing. In the past few years, he enjoyed working so much, it would shock his 20-year-old self. Work was one thing he dove deep into after he and Rory broke up, it was the only thing that kept him from falling off the edge.

"Wow, sounds big Logan."

"Yes. That was the first time my dad asked me something, instead of ordering it." Logan said.

"Your food." The server put their plates in front of them.

"That's probably because of how well you did in Palo Alto. I think he realized his son grew up and wasn't the same guy he was in college anymore." Rory said.

"Yes, probably. I must say, it felt good. After that shit deal, I didn't think, I would ever be able to redeem myself." Logan picked up his cutlery to start eating.

"Everyone makes mistakes, every once in a while Logan. That was one bad deal. Everyone is allowed to make at least a few mistakes in life. You know what, I say it must be compulsory for everyone to make at least one bad mistake in their life. No one should be that perfect." Rory said trying to help Logan get over the guilt of something that happened years ago.

"So you think I am perfect huh?" Logan winked at Rory.

Rory blushed. "I think it's ok to make a mistake. What matters is how you deal with it afterward. And I think you dealt with it in a very good way."

"Thank you." Logan's eyes lit up at what Rory said. "You did well too Rory. Being on the campaign trail of the first black president, reporting him making history. And then The New York Times. That's pretty incredible."

"Well, the president was making history, I was just reporting." Rory said looking around.

"Still not better at taking compliments, I see." Logan smirked at her. Logan couldn't believe how they fell into their old ways again. Sitting here with Rory at this moment, felt like no time had passed at all.

"Still the same old me." Rory shrugged her shoulders.

"Okay. So I have been waiting to ask this. What has Taylor Doose been up to all this while." Logan asked laughing.

They spent the rest of the lunch catching up about their life. Everything that happened after Rory's graduation. While they talked about everything that happened in their life. They talked nothing about the way their relationship ended because of that proposal. Rory didn't bring it up out of the fear that it would ruin all the progress they made today and Logan didn't bring it up as he was unsure what bringing it up would change for him and Rory. He didn't feel the need to open old wounds when he was having a particularly good day. No reason to act like a masochist.

Rory listened amused as Logan told her about Finn and Colin's latest endeavors at their boy's trip in Germany. Rory felt more relaxed and at home, she had felt since...well since Logan actually.

"Wow. I can't believe we have been here for over 2 hours. I think we should leave before they throw us out." Rory said looking at the time.

"I don't think they'll throw us out without taking our money first but let's go. I am supposed to meet someone in Hartford." Logan gestured to the waiter to bring the bill.

Rory's heart dropped in her stomach. Shit. She forgot again. The girlfriend.

"We didn't need to have this lunch if you were busy." Rory turned her face away to look out the windows.

"I thought you had fun." Logan's forehead creased.

"I did. But that doesn't mean you had to leave an important person waiting, to make it to this lunch."

"Well, Okay. I came here because I wanted to see you. The reason I need to go is important as well. The person is as well or rather 2 people are important.

"TWO?!" Rory looked at Logan wide-eyed, half yelled.

"Wait I think, I should ask now before your eyes drop out of your sockets. Who are you assuming I am meeting?" Logan was trying to understand why her mood shifts so suddenly. She was laughing and enjoying the whole lunch with him and now it looked like she was seconds away from fleeing the table.

"Your girlfriend." Rory pointed at Logan.

"My girlfriend?" Logan asked pointing at himself, looking at her even more confused.

"Yes Logan, your girlfriend. Don't act stupid. Your mother told my grandma, grandma naturally told me." Rory was angry. Why was trying to hide it? Why couldn't he just be straight with her?

Logan looked at her and smiled. She always looked cute while she was jealous.

"Okay. There is no girlfriend. There was one in California but not anymore." Logan decided to put Rory out of her misery but boy was he having fun.

Rory looked at Logan to see if he was telling the truth. Logan never lied. She accepted it. She put her head in her hands and thought about all the hours she wasted feeling sad, hyperventilating, and the brain cells wasted thinking about something that didn't even exist anymore.

"I have got to tell grandma to verify her sources." Rory sighed.

"That would be wise." Logan said trying to hide his amusement.

''So? What about you? Any boyfriend?" Logan asked Rory nervously. Do I even want to know the answer to this question?

"No. Just Friday night." Rory said picking the napkin in her lap.

"The one you were trying to get away from, this Friday?" Logan lifted an eyebrow. He tried to come across cool but the fork he was holding on to under the table, was about to be bent to the point of no return.

"Yes. It... It didn't seem right anymore." Rory was suddenly finding the patterns of the tablecloth very interesting.

Logan exhaled. "Because?"

Rory's head snapped up. "Because it didn't feel right."

Because I am back.

They both stared at each other for a while. Logan gave up first and let out a lopsided grin that made Rory roll her eyes.

"Don't let it get to your head, Logan." Rory was certain he was going to let this go to his head.

"Me? Never?" Logan feigned innocence.

"Okay, so the reason I need to go is that I am meeting Honor and Josh in the evening and she makes a huge deal if I don't reach on time." Logan rolled his eyes, explaining his reason for going to Hartford. If he didn't have to go, maybe he could have taken her for some ice cream.

Logan paid their bill and they walked out of the restaurant together.

"Logan I think I should take the cab. I know you are getting late and I don't want to impose." Rory said.

"Come on Ace, you are not imposing." Logan opened the car door for her.

Rory felt her body tingle at his use of Ace. It felt incredible. She looked up at him and smiled.

Logan didn't plan to use his nickname for her, it just slipped. He freaked out for a minute and then looked at Rory. He could see she was smiling. He could see she was happy with the name like she had always been.

"That's what friends are for. Get in." Logan said gesturing her to get inside.

Rory looked at Logan and joked "Friends huh? We are friends now?" Before Logan could reply. Rory got in the car and nodded her head. "I like it."

A/N - Did you like the almost scene in the shower?

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