Rory moved to lean against the wall for a minute, to try to get her bearings. A minute later, Brad was returning from the men's room. He saw Rory and went over to check on her. "Hey, are you enjoying the evening?" he asked.

She blinked at him for a second and then said, "Sure, why not?"

He smirked at her, "Yeah, same. Joshua and I hate these kinds of things too, but its part of the job."

She smiled, "Really? You both look fantastic in a tux. It seems like the perfect place to show it off."

Brad sighed and said, "Well, yeah, but... this is a stuffy crowd. And we're a same-sex couple. Its accepted now more than it was when we got married, but it still isn't ACCEPTED. Not in this crowd, anyway."

Rory frowned, "But... its not a big deal. You guys are a married couple in love. That's all that should matter."

Brad offered his arm to Rory to walk back to the ballroom. "Yeah, I know. And that's all that DOES matter. But sometimes we get tired of being trailblazers. If I want to take my gorgeous husband for a spin on the dance floor, I don't always want to hear 'they're so brave' or whatever. You know?"

Rory nodded. "I get it. So, you likely already figured this out but I'm engaged to a man carrying a baby that was conceived the day before he broke up with his previous fiancée. I'm not exactly scandal-free."

Brad scoffed, "Well, I guess, but that's different. They weren't TOGETHER together."

Rory stopped walking and pulled Brad to the side. "Tell me more. I've always been afraid to ask Logan. I didn't want to know the details."

Brad raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure you want to know?"

Rory made a face. "Do I?"

Brad said gently, "I think you should talk to Logan. But I promise, its not as bad as you think." Rory raised her eyebrows. "He never slept with her. He said it would have been like sleeping with Honor."

Rory hugged Brad and said, "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that." She kissed his cheek and they walked into the ballroom together.

Joshua was at their table and apparently had been monopolized by Shira. Brad saw what was happening and said, "Oh, boy. It looks like Joshua has been cornered by the Dragon Lady."

Rory burst out laughing. "Is that your name for her?"

Brad nodded. "That's everyone's name for her."

Rory noticed that Logan was scanning the room, looking very tense. Once he spotted Rory with Brad, he noticeably relaxed.

Brad escorted Rory to her chair then stood behind his own chair, which Shira was currently occupying.

Logan slid his arm around Rory's waist and whispered in her ear, "Ace, you okay?"

She nodded and replied, "You're parents are vicious, but I'll tell you later." Logan inhaled sharply and raised his eyebrows, but Rory said again, "Its fine. I promise. I'll tell you later."

Logan bit his lip and looked over Rory's shoulder at Shira and said, "O-kayyyyyyyy. Just tell me if I need to draw my sword." He smirked at her and then kissed her cheek. "You're always beautiful, but this dress..." He shook his head and whispered, "The things I want to do to you." He nibbled her ear and was interrupted.

Mitchum's voice boomed across the table as he took his seat, "Alright, you too. You'll be out of here soon enough."

Logan muttered, "NOT soon enough," and Rory giggled.

Dinner was several courses and took nearly ninety minutes. One of the older couples at the table was having an anniversary soon. Joshua asked them how they met and that began an hour long diatribe about how they met, their courtship and eventually their wedding. Logan didn't seem to care about their surroundings. He constantly touched Rory and occassionally kissed her. Also, his hand was on her upper thigh in such a place that Rory was grateful for the tablecloth covering her lap. Once the lady finished talking about their courtship, Brad asked Shira about what it was like when she and Mitchum got together. Rory and Logan exchanged glances, as the rumor had always been that Mitchum had his eye on several women. Shira was pregnant with Honor and they were married soon afterwards. As soon as Shira opened her mouth to speak, the Master of Ceremonies took to the podium and started his speech.

During the speeches, Logan scooted over to Rory as close as he could. He realized he could rub her back and touch her skin, so he did the entire time. Logan acted like Rory was a drug and he couldn't get enough. Shira glanced at them every once in a while during the program while Rory and Logan pretended not to notice.

Towards the end of the last speech, Logan whispered in Rory's ear, "I'm still in shock that I'm here with you tonight."

She smiled up at him and kissed his cheek. She whispered to him, "You'd better get used to it."

He pulled her close to him and wrapped her in his arms. They stayed like that for a while. Once the speeches were over, Mitchum looked over at his son and grinned. He started to say something and then stopped himself.

The band started to play and the bandleader announced dancing would begin. Logan whispered to Rory, "We only have to stay another thirty minutes or so. Just let me know when you're ready to leave."

"Oh, no. You're not using me as an excuse to leave. This is your event." She giggled at his 'excuse'.

People started to scatter and Rory noticed a blonde and an older blonde make their way across the room. Shira made a beeline for these women and it made Rory curious. Logan told Rory softly, "You see the two women Shira ran over to greet? That's Odette and her mother. I didn't want you to be blindsided - I didn't know they would be here. I'm sorry."

Rory replied, "Its okay. You can't control where people go, especially to public places. Don't worry. She can't be any worse than your mother."

Logan nodded, "Now, that's true... You're the best." He dropped a kiss on her lips. "Dance with me?" He held out his hand.

She took his hand and stood up. "Sure. Although I'm surprised you want to after the tango club." She smirked at him.

They reached the dance floor and joined the other couples. "Ace, that was one of the best nights of my life. Besides, I don't need ALL my toes." He pulled her close and they began to sway to the music.

She laughed at his 'toes' comment and then relaxed in his arms. "I'm not looking forward to leaving you here for a few days. I'm going to miss you."

Logan agreed. "Me too, but its not like before. Before, we never knew when we would see each other again. You know that I will be meeting you in four days."

She nodded. "Yes, that IS better."

Logan leaned forward and nuzzled her ear a little. "Were you serious about what you're wearing under the dress?"

She smirked at him. "I guess you'll have to wait a while longer to find out, won't you?"

He practically growled in her ear. "And I promise you, I will find out."

"I hope so," she whispered as the song finished. The decided to leave the dance floor for a drink when Shira brought over Odette and her mother to ambush them at the edge of the dance floor.

Shira announced overly enthusiastically, "Logan, look who I found."

Logan nodded to both of them. "Hello, Mrs. Marquis. Hi, Odette." They all politely did the double cheek air kiss thing without actually touching. Logan decided to introduce the women (might as well get it over with.)

Shira spoke to Rory like she was a third-grader. "Rory, this is one of our oldest friends, Mrs. Marquis and her daughter Odette. Logan was engaged to be married to Odette until a few days ago," she said with a frown.

Logan was the picture of awkward. "Mrs. Marquis, Odette, this is Rory Gilmore."

Rory shook their hands and said hello. Odette grabbed Rory's hand and examined her engagement ring. "Wow. I assume congratulations are in order?"

Rory pursed her lips, "Actually, yes. Thank you."

Logan wrapped his arm around her waist and said, "Rory was my college girlfriend for several years. We have finally reconciled and are getting married."

Odette smiled a huge smile and hugged Logan. "Congratulations! I'm SO happy for you!"

Logan smiled a soft smile. "Thank you so much."

Odette moved over to Rory. "Best wishes to you! I'm so happy for you both." Then she whispered in Rory's ear, "He's wanted this for SO long."

Rory whispered back, "Me too."

Much to Shira's chagrin, Odette and Rory hugged each other again and promised to talk soon. Shira scowled at the whole exchange and shook her head. Finally Logan interrupted and said, "We were on our way to grab a drink. Can I get you two anything?"

Odette smirked in Shira's direction. "No, we're great. Have a good night, you two."

As Rory passed by Shira, she whispered in Shira's ear, "Game on."