A/N: Apologies on the last one being a tad shorter than par (and shying away from the usual, but it was plot mover so it's understandable). Thanks everyone for the support! And now, here we go again :)
--Pride and True--
Chapter V: It's going to be a bumpy ride
She arrived at his door a little earlier than he would have anticipated, she was sure. It was unfair though, springing the whole thing on him, without letting him have some sort of time to prepare. He'd probably be wearing something entirely casual, smart perhaps, but not smart enough to walk into the matriarch of the Gilmore family's residence.
Maybe she- no. No, she couldn't stand him up. Still, he was going to be in for a shock that she wouldn't wish upon even her closest of friends.
Which reminded her, what was he? What would she say to her grandmother- more importantly, what would she say to her mother?
'Hi Grandma, this is...'
Nothing fit in that blank spot.
It was going to be one extreme baptism of fire, but she calmed herself down. Logan was undeniably sharp. If he could tangle with her, he'd be able to look after himself, even for just one night at the Gilmore's. He had had plenty of experience with her and seemingly a wealth of his own-
"Are you going to stand out there all night?" Logan's muffled voice came from within the room.
Rory blushed as her eyes widened, her train of thought entirely interrupted.
"It's a funny way to have a date, but I'll try anything once," he teased, still muffled by the wall between them.
"I- I have to tell you something," she replied timidly.
The door unlocked and parted just enough to reveal Logan's scantily clad body, still wet after having showered complete with that trademark smile that now haunted Rory's dreams.
She blushed again and her eyes widened further.
"What?" he asked, "a guy has to shower, right?"
She nodded, still embarrassed and turned slightly to avoid his gaze.
"Come in, you can tell me whatever it is that's brought you here so early," he urged, opening the door and inviting her in with the wave of a hand.
She stepped inside silently and observed his living room, adorned with the very latest in technology and fine art.
"By your expression I can tell you're impressed with my humble home," he stated proudly, "it's a nice finish".
"It's very- you," she taunted, avoiding his gaze still, taking in a further detailed analysis of the accoutrements dressing his room.
He stepped into a smaller bedroom and spoke, "what's the news?"
Rory swallowed and searched for a logical way to explain her predicament, "well-" she began, "I- I kind of double booked and now we have to go to my grandmother's because of this deal we have and I came early to make sure you were dressed right because they'll eat you alive if you're not dressed well and- and they'll judge you and then they'll not like you and-"
"Slow down," he chuckled, "what's the big deal... if they don't like me?" he asked.
"I-" Rory paused, "I- it doesn't really matter..." she lied and could almost sense his smirking in the bedroom.
"Well, how should I dress, Ace?" he asked.
She almost protested the choice of name he had suddenly bestowed upon her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She liked it.
"Uh, just something... maybe a little dressy, a jacket... nice pants," she called, surveying the ridiculously large television hanging on his wall.
"Right, so safari suits are out?" he asked, attempting to sound serious.
"Actually," she pondered, "that mightn't be such a bad look for tonight's scene," she teased, playing along with the game.
She was sure he laughed, but tried to hide it.
"Do you want a drink?" he asked, still from the bedroom.
"I'll wait to we get to my grandmother's," she answered, comfortable with her choice.
"Well?" he asked, emerging from his bedroom dressed in a pinstripe suit, unbuttoned, with a suave white shirt complementing the colours nicely. There wasn't any tie though, which she was sure her grandmother would have something to say about.
"You look," she paused, "you brush up okay," she finished, acting as though she truly did not care how he looked.
"You look really pretty tonight too, Ace," he replied, startling her with such a forward statement.
She felt the redness rushing to her cheeks and was paralysed by his charm, without even a witty retort to cover her emotion.
"Shall we get going?" he asked, clapping his hands together and rubbing them gently, "does your grandma cook well?"
Rory shot him a look of disdain, "what kind of question is that?"
He shrugged, smirking.
"And besides," she continued, "the maids do the cooking, not my grandmother".
"Right," he replied, "I think I know the arrangement".
She nodded, "so, are you going to be- cool with all this?"
"Ace, do you have any idea who you're talking to?" he asked, raising his hands in the air and smiling devilishly.
"Mr. Self-righteousness incarnate," she recoiled.
"It's a full-time job," he retorted.
"Oh, so that's what you do all day?" she questioned, smiling a little.
"The pay isn't great but the business cards are a real winner," he replied, smirking and walking toward her.
The pair were rather close and for a moment, said nothing.
"My car- it's in the parking lot," Rory spoke up softly, "we should go before it gets late or something".
"Let's go then," he replied.
They walked silently out of the room and stopped only so he could lock the door. She walked a little faster than usual, with difficulty, in heels, and attempted to keep space between them.
He walked casually, saying nothing, for a change, and followed her lead, out of the dorms and toward the main student parking.
"Sure you want to take your car?" he asked.
"Positive," she replied quickly.
He nodded and continued to follow her, "who am I meeting tonight?"
"People," she answered quickly again.
"Thank God they're of our species," he mocked, "I always wondered what breed you were".
Rory shot him an icy look over her shoulder.
He shot her an equally melting smile, in return.
She looked ahead and swallowed.
"This is my car," she pointed, clicking a small infra-red locking device which in turn, caused the car to respond with a flash and unlocked doors.
He opened the passenger side door and jumped in.
She entered the driver's side and started the engine.
"I hope you're a good driver Ace," he shot, looking at her from the corner of his eye.
"Buckle up, it's going to be one heck of a bumpy ride," she retorted, "and I don't mean the car trip".
He chuckled, "I'll handle it".
"And another thing," she continued, looking at him momentarily, "just- be careful tonight".
"And why should I be careful?" he asked, smirking proudly.
"I don't need a reason," she replied coolly.
The car eased from the parking space and pulled gently out onto the asphalt, turning once more toward the exit of the parking lot.
"Just- just please be careful," she asked seriously.
He nodded, smiling slightly.