Chapter 2

The next few days were a blur for Rory. Tristan approached her a few days later, asking if they could be friends. "I've changed since high school," he explained. Since he seemed sincere, Rory agreed.

Since then, it felt like everywhere Rory was, Tristan showed up. And Rory wasn't the only one who seemed to notice. "Can you believe him?" Logan asked Finn; watching Tristan approach Rory and sit down next to her from across the courtyard.

"He's lucky if he even gets one date out of her. Rory's quite a catch. But she's not your type, is she Logan?" Finn asked questioningly.

"No, of course not," Logan answered a little too quickly. He was usually so good about hiding his true reactions from others, but Finn was the only one who could read him like a book.

"Whatever you say man," he replied with a smirk.

Later that day, Rory was at the paper working on her newest article, and Logan was at his desk, taking his daily nap, when Tristan walked through the door. He headed straight towards Rory.

"Rory! I heard your grandparents are having a Christmas party tomorrow," he exclaimed. Then, looking around at his surroundings, he asked, "Is that Huntzberger over there napping?"

"Yup," Rory answered, amused. "And yes, my grandparents are having a party tomorrow. Why?"

"Would you care to accompany me? I'd hate to be without a date," he asked.

"I guess," Rory said hesitantly.

At this point, Logan got out of his seat and walked towards them. "Hey, Finn, Colin and I are all invited too. You two can come in the limo with us if you want," he offered.

"That would be great, thanks."

Logan left with a smile, but inside he was not so happy. What was he thinking? He didn't even like that Dugray guy. He could tell he was going to be in for a long night tomorrow.

The party was a bore. Where was her mother, she wondered? Just then, Logan noticed a tall, dark haired woman enter the room, and head right towards Rory, who he was standing next to. The woman looked like an older version of Rory, but a little more carefree, he guessed. Did Rory have a sister? He didn't think so.

"Rory!"

"Mom! Where have you been?" Rory exclaimed.

"I know, I know, I'm late. I was about to leave, but I forgot to put gas in the car. So then, I went to ask Luke if I could borrow his truck, and you know as well as I that I can't walk into LUKE'S without having at least three cups of coffee, and then it turns out Luke's jolly green giant of a truck will only go up to 25 mph, and so here I am, an hour and a half later than I said I'd be, but I'm here! " Lorelei exclaimed.

Wow, Logan thought. She said all that without even taking a breath! It's obvious she's the perky, older version of Rory. He wondered what would happen if someone tried to deprive this woman of coffee.

"So, what's the rating on the Gilmore Girls scale?" Lorelei asked, not wasting any time.

"I'd give it a two. There are some kids here my age, but mostly just clones of their parents. "And Grandma is parading around here somewhere. It's really just a bore." Rory sighed.

"Well, you and…." Lorelei appeared to be studying Logan. "…. Master and Commander over here can use the tree as an escape route if you want. You can use the truck as your get-a-way vehicle. Luke's coming later, and he can give me a ride home. You can go down to Luke's and have a cup of coffee; I know you've missed Luke's coffee. Then I'm sure Limo boy here can call his driver and he can come pick you up. How does that sound?" she asked.

Logan was surprised. Master and Commander? Did these two share everything with each other?

"Sounds great to me, Tristan seems to be having fun, so we'll pick him up on the way back I guess. Make sure you tell him, okay mom?" Rory said, grabbing Logan's hand and leading him up the stairs. She brought him into her mom's old room, and through the window to the balcony.

While Rory was trying to find the best way down the old willow tree, Logan had time to look around. "Nice balcony, there aren't any in my parent's mansion. My mom thinks they're dangerous."

"Well, she's sort of right." Rory said with a smile. "I was conceived on this very porch."

Logan looked puzzled. "Wait a minute. Gilmore…. Lorelei Gilmore's your mother? The one who had a baby when she was sixteen and ran away from home?" She's a legend!"

"Thanks, I'll make sure I tell her how fond of her you are," Rory said with a smile.