Note: This part is pretty short, I like to try to keep them short and posted most frequently, it keeps me motivated, and feeling like I am moving things along.
Logan's thoughts and perspective are in italics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls.
Part 006
Season 5
Episode 7
Title: You Jump I Jump, Jack
Logan is waiting outside of the tent for Rory. He is sitting at the table picking at some of the food. About 3 minutes have passed since he helped her tie her dress, when she comes out of the tent.
"I've got your event integrity right here mister," she says softly once she has come out of the tent and spotted Logan.
Logan stands up from his seat, buttons up his tux while taking a deep breath. You look beautiful. "Yup, I've got an eye for dress sizes. We go this way."
Rory steps in front of him and Logan debates on how to properly lead her to the next location. I can't stay behind her or I am going to keep staring and that is going to get uncomfortable for her, and eventually for me. Logan places his hand on her lower back for a moment to guide her forward, and to walk in step with her so he can start to lead the way. Once his hand meets Rory's back he immediately withdraws. He feels something the moment they touch but tries to brush it off, instead. Logan puts his hands in his pockets nervously, in an attempt to remind himself to keep his hands to himself. Once they make it to the clearing he picks up the pace almost speed walking.
He leads her over to the next part of the event that has already begun, with Colin making an announcement about it being the 108th grand assembly of the Life and Death Brigade. They carefully slip into the middle of the crowd. Logan leads Rory to a spot, taking her hand and positioning her next to Finn who is already holding three champagne flutes. I can always count on Finn to make sure I don't miss out on the drinks. They quickly their places, and each get passed a flute of champagne from Finn.
The group repeats the statement In Omnia Paratus, after Colin does in a cheers. Logan turns to face Rory, and she turns towards him, clearly she doesn't really know what is going on, and is just mirroring his gestures.
I love how into this she is, she really does embody the Ready for Anything mentality, at least this weekend. She hasn't asked me why she has to do something or to really explain anything. She just goes along with it and seems happy to be doing so. I have to figure out how to spend more time with her. At least for Steph, she wants to have another friend in the group. I could probably manage that, if I had to.
Logan and Rory exchange and sip each other's flutes.
Logan leans into Rory and tells her "Hey, you might want to cover your ears."
"Why?"
So much for not having to explain things. Rory doesn't cover her ears in time, so Logan just smiles as he walks away backwards. Maybe next time she will just listen. "And to think some groups just go bowling."
XXX
Logan sees Steph sipping champagne talking with Rory, he walks over as he sees them finishing up their conversation.
They seem to be finding each other a lot this weekend. I should probably make sure Steph isn't giving Rory a hard time.
As Logan approaches, Steph almost immediately walks away, saying that she will leave them to catch up.
"Everything alright over here" he asks Rory, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh yeah, everything is fine. Stephanie was just filling me in a bit on the group, and who I should talk to who might actually be willing to answer some questions."
Suspicious. "Good, that's good."
"Yeah, this is pretty amazing, I can't imagine all the planning that goes into this."
"Worth it though, right? Glad you came?"
"Oh definitely glad I came."
"Me too," there is a pause, almost like he should clarify, did he just say he was glad she came? "So who do you need to talk to? Do you need me to make any introductions?" I'd actually like to supervise the conversations, make sure everyone stays in line, and no one is a dick.
"Umm, I think I'm okay. I am going to catch up with Robert a bit, I met him with Colin yesterday."
Robert, that guy. "Alright, let me walk you over, I'd be happy to make sure he remembers you."
"Am I that easy to forget?"
God every time I say something it comes out wrong. "No! You are not forgettable at all, just let me walk you over. Steph's over there I have to ask her something anyways."
Logan walks over with Rory and offers introductions to the rest of the group plus Robert and Stephanie. He can tell that Robert is interested in Rory, but he can't figure out if it's just because he is or not. He is also trying to establish if he is interested in Rory. He keeps trying to deny it to himself, but he also realizes that he feels something when he is around her that he hasn't ever felt before.
XXX
After eating and drinking for a bit, Logan turns to Steph, and asks if he can steal her for a few minutes.
"You know, you pulling me off to talk about Rory is becoming a little bit of a habit."
Logan's smiles sheepishly. How does she always know? It must be that intuition Honor is always insisting that girls just have. "How do you know that's what I want to talk about?"
"Come on Logan, why else are you pulling me aside where no one can hear? What's gotten into you?"
Am I that obvious? I wonder if Rory can tell, I don't want her to think anything weird, especially after that moment with me helping her into her dress. "I don't know okay; I don't know what's gotten into me."
"Can we just be honest for a second?"
If you can honestly keep it to yourself. "Maybe."
"Logan, I am not going to tell anyone anything if you don't want me to."
Logan exhales, "fine".
Stephanie tells Logan about her conversation with Rory that day. Not the one from the night before, because she had a lot of champagne and can't really remember the details. Stephanie tells Logan that she thinks Rory is interested in him beyond the event today. She tells him it's not something she explicitly said, but just her general interest in his role in the group, and him on a personal level. Stephanie didn't really get into Rory's relationship status, but she explains to Logan that she has a hard time believing she has a boyfriend, especially if he is sure she isn't with Marty.
Logan tries to think back to their previous conversation about him being rude to Marty, and she definitely referred to him as her friend. Relationships can change, so maybe that changed, but for some reason he doubts it.
Stephanie tells Logan that she doesn't think Finn is going to make it to the stunt, and since she has no interest in climbing the ladder in a dress, she thinks Logan should ask Rory.
There is no way Rory is going to go up there. I don't know her that well, but she definitely seems a little sheltered, not really a risk taker. But what do I know, I thought she was going to freak out when I told her this was overnight, and she didn't. Maybe she will surprise me.
Logan looks across the field where Rory is still chatting with a group of guys. They must be charming her, he sees her nod her head with a subtle smile, and tucks some hair behind her ear. He gets a weird stirring inside and can't quite identify the feeling.
"You know; I can tell them to back off for you." Steph nods in the direction of the group Rory is with.
What, first of all that would only egg them on more. Logan rolls his eyes and looks back at Steph. "Thanks but I'm good."
XXX
Logan and some of the group are shooting at people being launched into the air on a mat. Some of the stunts and activities are so outrageous it's comical.
Rory is walking around with her notebook in hand trying to get more information on what all the activities are and their significance to the brigade. She walks over to Logan who has just been handed one of the guns by Finn who has left to go be a target.
Logan smiles as he sees Rory approaching. "If you want to interview Finn, Ace, you better do it quick."
Logan continues to shoot the human targets while Rory stands next to him asking questions about the big stunt they usually perform.
One of these days I am going to have to ask her where she researched to get all this information. She knows way too much about this to not have had an inside contact already. I hate to believe I was her second attempt though.
Logan tells her that she will know the big stunt when she sees it.
"Good."
Finn gets carried by them on a stretcher explaining that he missed the mat.
Steph called it, definitely not making it to the jump. Hopefully we can avoid the hospital.