NOTES: Sorry if this chapter is too dialogue heavy for anyone. I tried my hardest to make it clear who was speaking when but not degenerate into "Rory said, Colin asked, Logan replied," etc. It's hard when there are more than two people in a scene. It was supposed to be a quick transition chapter to get all the players to the Hep Alien show. As you'll see, it kind of moved away from that. Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I'm pleased this has been well received. As a thank you, of sorts, I included a snippet of the next part at the end of this one.

Four: Gathering the Troops

"Please?"

"No."

"Paris. Please. I will owe you so big time."

"First born child, big time. But still my answer is no."

"Please?"

"Look. Rory. I'm not the girl at the rock show type. You know this. I know this. I'm the girl with liquid hand sanitizer in her pocket who only got her ears pierced at her mother's insistence."

"And yet you just quoted a Blink-182 song," Rory pointed out.

Paris made a face. "Jamie was a fan. He thought it made him rebellious."

Rory rolled her eyes, "Someone should have bought him some Sex Pistols." Paris, having no idea who or what a 'Sex Pistol' was did not reply and so Rory returned to her nagging. "Come on. I'll buy your ticket."

"Why are you so insistent?"

Rory turned coy, "I sort of, kind of, not totally on purpose, invited Logan to come."

"So you want me to be the third wheel? I know you don't have a lot of experience with this sort of thing, but third wheels are bad. Bad, Rory."

"I know that. But I also invited Colin and Finn."

"Hmm. Kinky."

"Paris! I invited Colin and Finn, and you, because it's not a date. I don't want to date Logan."

"Yeah, you do."

"I broke up with Dean two weeks ago. I'm not ready to date anyone."

"That's probably true. But really, when has that stopped you before?"

"Shut up. I'm serious. You have to come. It's not like you've never made me do things I didn't want to."

"Name one."

"Running for student body vice president," Rory had been waiting for the opportune time to use that one.

"It looked good on your applications!" Paris protested.

"Nonetheless, I did not want to do it."

"Damn."

"Was that a damn of defeat?"

"That was a damn of 'fine, but only if you buy me earplugs, too.' And you still owe me your first born."

"Fine. And thank you."

"Never let it be said that I'm not a humanitarian at heart."

"Boys. Have you got any plans for Thursday night?"

"Yeah. Why?" Colin answered and looked up from the newspaper he was reading. Finn courteously paused the Playstation.

"Cancel them," Logan declared.

"Um… no?" Finn replied, disbelievingly. "I've got a 'study' date with Rachel Leland."

"So?"

"Have you seen Rachel Leland?"

Logan thought about it and came up blank. "Probably."

Finn smiled dreamily, "She makes me want to be a better man."

"And she'll still do that next week. Cancel."

Colin folded the newspaper neatly, "You're going to have to give us a reason, here."

"Yeah, and it had better be good. Like, you need us to donate bone marrow to save your life, good."

Logan sat down on the couch opposite Colin. "We're going to see a band."

Colin regarded Logan skeptically, "'A band?' What band?"

"Since when are you into bands?" Finn added. "I tried for two years to get your musical taste to a cool place. I've given up."

"Look. It's not that big of a deal. Rory just asked us to go. I said yes."

"Ah. Rory." Colin said, nodding sagely.

Logan glared at him, "What do you mean by that?"

"He means that you are uncharacteristically attached to this girl," Finn, ever so succinctly, stated the obvious.

"What? I am not."

"Yeah, you are," Colin countered. "It's funny, too, because half the time she seems not to like you very much."

"But she's cool, so we approve. It's funny to see you getting shot down. So I'm willing to sacrifice my face time with Rachel so you can have some with the reporter."

"That's very noble of you, Finn. I'm shocked," Colin said.

"Every dog has its day."

"It's not like that," Logan argued. But neither of them appeared to be listening.

On Monday, Rory realized that she should probably call Lane to confirm things. She dialed and waited. Lane did not answer but a chipper, recorded Brian did. "You've reached the residence of three fourths of up and coming rock and roll sensations Hep Alien. If you would like to book up, or sign us to a lucrative recording contract, please leave a message after the tone." Beep!

"Lane, it's Rory. I got your message…"

"Rory, hey," Lane picked up.

"Screening calls? How rock and roll."

"Too many groupies have this number."

"Still?"

"They're surprisingly persistent."

"I can imagine. They all want to be Yoko."

"Please, Rory. These girls have no idea who Yoko Ono is. They just want a guy in a band to fall in love with them so they can break his heart, and hear songs about what a bitch they were on the radio."

"Ick."

"Exactly. So can you come?"

"I'll be there with bells on. I've recruited a couple of people I know, too."

"Excellent. We can't count on Brian's parents to show up and buy tickets. It's too far, apparently. And they don't want to miss ER."

"Well, I played your tape to the music writer at the paper and she's going to mention your show in the next issue."

Lane squealed. "Really!?"

"Yep."

"Our first press mention outside of Stars Hollow. I'm so proud."

"It's only a campus paper."

"Still. Thank you."

"No problem. Do you guys have a flyer?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"E-mail it to me. My stapling hand is getting rusty. It could use the workout."

"Aw, Rory. You don't have to do that. I know you're busy."

"I expect the first thank you on the album. Full name. None of that initial business."

"You got it," Lane promised.

"Do you want to get together before the show?"

"Sure. There's a sound check in the afternoon. How's dinner?"

"I'm a fan of the meal. I'll pick you up at the club?"

"At, five, say? Then we can get ready at your place. It'll be like old times."

Rory sighed. "I miss old times."

"Me too. Hence the revival."

"Alright, so, I'll swing by the club at five. We'll grab some takeout. Bring it back here. Prettify ourselves. Make sure Paris doesn't try to wear pearls. Pick up the guys…"

"The 'guys'?'"

"Logan, Colin, Finn."

"From the limo?"

"That's them."

"Intriguing," Lane drawled.

"They like to think so."

"Are they cute? Babette said they were cute."

"Lane Kim. I'm telling."

"Way to avoid the question, Rory."

"Thanks. So we pick them up, than go to the club."

"We're going to need more than one car."

Rory hadn't thought of that. "You're right. I'll see if Paris will drive. It will appeal to her desire to have an escape route."

"Okay. That sounds like a plan."

"An 8 on the brilliant scale, I think."

"I can't wait."

"Me either. I'll expect your e-mail post haste."

"I'm approaching the computer as we speak. Bye, Rory."

"Bye."

As luck would have it, Marty found her on Tuesday, mid-staple. "Rory Gilmore. You're a difficult gal to track down."

"Yeah. Sorry. I'm a one woman street team these days."

"So I see," he relieved her of part of her stack of brightly colored flyers. "Hep Alien. Thursday at The Collective."

"Yeah. My friend Lane's the…"

"Drummer. I remember. Count me in."

"Marty. Before you make that decision. There's something you should know."

"Do they cover Flock of Seagulls? You know I hate Flock of Seagulls."

Rory laughed. "No. Though that'd be a sight to see. Or sound to hear, I guess. Do you remember Logan Huntzberger?"

"Against my better judgment, yeah."

"He's coming. As are his sidekicks."

"Oh. That's a new development."

"He kind of just keeps showing up in weird places. Breakfast, my grandparent's house, my voice mail. Like that one sock, that doesn't match any of your other socks, but you can't throw out, just in case its match shows up sometime."

"Well, I'm still in. I'll make nice if he does."

Rory couldn't exactly say no. But she had precious little faith in Logan's ability to make nice.

Late Wednesday afternoon found Rory making the trek back to Mackinnon Hall, with the promised Franz Ferdinand C.D., and several others. She knocked, but no one answered. She knocked again, louder, and was just about to turn and leave when the door was wrenched open. Finn slouched against the door frame, looking quite disheveled and rubbing his eyes.

"Do you even have class?" Rory questioned.

"Reporter Girl. What's the 'haps?" He ignored her question.

"Logan around?"

Finn furrowed his brow in thought. "It's Wednesday, right?"

"All day."

"Then no. He has a global policy seminar that lasts until 6:30. Anything I can do for you?" He leered. Just a little.

"As a matter of fact, give these to Logan," she handed him the stack of C.D.'s.

He took them and flipped through them quickly before handing them back. "I've got all these. I'd be happy to sit him down and make him listen to them, though."

"You have them?"

"Now, now, reporter girl. You sound skeptical."

"Just surprised."

Finn smiled and with a flourish swept his arm up to usher her into the room. "Step into my office." Rory entered and followed him to one of the doors off of the main room. He turned one hand over the door knob. "Now, I have to warn you. You will find me irresistible after this."

Rory rolled her eyes, "I'll take my chances."

He threw open the door, "Ta da."

Rory took it in. A bed, unmade. Several days worth of laundry on the floor, though no underwear that she could see. A desk covered in books, a fancy looking lap top opened on top. And on the wall an impressive sound system and shelves upon shelves of C.D's and records. "Wow. I feel like I should cross myself." She moved to step closer but looked for approval, "Can I?"

"Knock yourself out." He flopped down onto his bed on his stomach and propped his head up on his hand. "Do you want to play something?"

Rory closed her eyes, reached out and plucked a C.D. out. "How about this?"

Finn took it. "Excellent choice."

A fair bit of time passed and Rory was still there. Finn had dug up some licorice and paid a passing freshman $50 to get her coffee. He had cleared space on the floor in front of his stereo and there they sat, taking turns playing their favorites. Finn had all of hers. Rory had never even heard of some of his. Rory figured Lane had never even heard of some of his favorites.

"Finn. You are a man of hidden depths, I must admit."

"Why thank you, Rory. Just don't let it get out. I have a reputation to protect. If the ladies begin to think I'm deep, they won't be so willing to use me for my body."

"Did Logan tell you about the show tomorrow night?"

"He did."

"And you're going?"

"Yes. Though it pains me to have to cut into my study schedule."

"You're only young once. At least that's what Logan keeps telling me. My friend Lane, she's the drummer, is going to love you."

"Really?" He sounded intrigued.

Rory laughed. "She won't love you, love you. She's seeing someone. He's the lead singer and guitarist."

Finn looked disappointed. "Drat. It's so hard to compete with the musician types."

"Oh? You never started a garage band?"

"Nope. Stubby fingers and no rhythm. And a voice like a dying cat."

"Really," Rory smiled mischievously, "sing."

"No."

"C'mon. You can't be that bad."

"Oh yes I can. My badness is unequivocal."

"If you sing for me now, I'll send some groupie types your way and tell them that your part of an Australian band touring the east coast."

"Damn you Rory Gilmore for knowing my weakness." And then he opened his mouth and proceeded to positively butcher a Sinatra tune. Old blue eyes was rolling over in his grave.

Rory was laughing so hard her sides hurt. "Stop, please stop. You're right, I was wrong. So, so wrong."

He stopped, briefly, "You asked for it," and started up again. Louder and further off key.

Rory was just looking for a pillow to hide under when a voice spoke over Finn's wailing, "For the love of God, what is that?"

Colin popped his head into the room. Finn, thankfully, stopped singing. "Hiya Colin. We didn't here you come in."

"Finn, you're screeching would have obscured the sound of an atomic bomb dropping. Hi Colin," Logan joined Colin in the doorway, "Logan, hey," Rory greeted, surprised. Was it that late already?

"Ace. What a surprise. You're becoming something of a regular around here."

"It's the superior entertainment. Paris wouldn't sing for me."

"She came by to see you Logan," Finn explained. "I waylaid her," the lascivious wink that accompanied that remark earned him a pinch on the arm from Rory. "Ouch," he complained, rubbing his arm. "See if I sing for you again."

"Please, please don't. I'll pay you."

"I don't come cheap."

"Unless, he's drunk," Colin cut in, "which is often."

"I've noticed," said Rory.

"Why must you always pick on me?" Finn asked mournfully.

"Because it's easy," Logan answered. "We brought Chinese. You want to stay, Ace?"

"No, thanks. I don't want to impose."

"C'mon. Stay," Colin wheedled. "There's plenty, and you don't look like you eat much, anyway."

Rory raised an eyebrow, "I happen to be an excellent, eater. Thank you."

Colin looked skeptical, "All girls say that and then they just suck on a lettuce leaf."

"Ooh," Logan drawled, "that sounds like a challenge, Ace."

"Accepted," Rory nodded primly and stood. "Otherwise, my mother would disown me."

A few minutes later they had arranged themselves around the coffee table and were digging in. Colin hadn't been lying when he said that there was plenty. "How is your mother, anyway?" Finn asked cordially from where he was sitting to her left, "she seemed a little… perturbed, when we chatted the other day." He said chatted as though he and her mother were book club buddies.

"Oh, that reminds me…" Rory reached over and pinched Finn again, in precisely the same spot as before. His face twisted comically. "Please refrain from answering my cell phone."

"Well, it was ringing. Loudly."

"Yeah. They tend to do that," Rory said sarcastically.

"Well," Finn sniffed, "I hardly see what the big deal is."

"Are you kidding? You practically told her I had sex with Logan," she gestured wildly at Logan who was sitting diagonally from her, eating an egg roll.

He held up his hands, "Don't drag me into this."

"How old are you?" Finn asked.

"Umm… 20? What's that got to do with anything?" Rory was baffled at the abrupt topic switch.

"And you're not heinously unattractive."

"Gee, thanks, Finn. You really know how to make a girl blush."

"Jesus," Logan piped up. "You two should get an agent and take this show on the road."

"They'd make quite the side show," Colin agreed.

"Finn could run the Tilt-a-Whirl for a couple of extra bucks," Logan continued.

"You two?" Finn pointed and made a throat slashing gesture, "Shut up. I'm making a point."

"The world waits with baited breath," Colin mocked.

"As I was saying, Rory. You're twenty. You're hot. Therefore your mother must know you've had sex," Finn finished.

Rory blushed instantly, unused to discussing her sexual status with three guys who she did not know all that well. Finn studied her blush, interestedly, "Wait, are you a virgin?"

"What? I'm… How is that any of you're business?" Rory stuttered.

Finn shrugged and glanced at Colin and Logan, "We're all friends here. I've had sex. I've had lots and lots of sex," he confided, to the surprise of no one.

Rory also glanced at Colin and Logan who were watching her with closely. "Okay. This is too weird. I can't discuss this with you people."

"'Us people?'" Colin echoed.

"People I only met a month ago and know very little about."

"Rory, Rory. After all we've been through together," Finn shook his head. "We listened to The Raveonettes together, and you don't trust me?"

"Not as far as I can throw you, to butcher a cliché. And trust me; I have no arm muscles to speak of."

Finn got a gleam in his eye that made Rory very nervous. "How about we play a little game?"

Rory turned her attention to Colin and Logan, "Is he always this creepy?" Her attempt to change the subject fell flat and Colin merely nodded his confirmation.

"A little verbal game of 'you show me yours, and I'll show you mine,'" Finn continued, as though Rory hadn't spoken.

"How about no?" Rory countered.

"What have you got to lose, Gilmore?" Colin challenged.

"How do I know you won't tell every one you know what I tell you, starting rumors that lead me to drop out of Yale and become a telemarketer, a la that movie of the week the pink ranger was in?"

"Because," Logan answered her, "you know all about a little club we're a part of. A little club that's activities could get us expelled."

"And disowned," Colin added. "And I'm quite fond of my platinum, card, thanks."

Rory surveyed the three of them, "You're serious about this?"

Colin shrugged, "I'm game. From the way you're acting it's got to be a decent story."

"Life's just not worth living if one can't brag about one's sexual escapades," said Finn.

"You jump, I jump Jack," answered Logan, reminding her of another chance she'd taken.

"Fine," Rory capitulated. "But you all are jumping first."

Next time, in Ceiling of Routine:

"We're always dressed appropriately," Colin answered automatically.

"Yeah, for dinner at a four star restaurant or golfing at the club. I somehow doubt your ability to dress for a show at a night club in a not so classy part of town," Rory countered. "Some ground rules: you," she pointed at Logan, "no turtlenecks. No blazers. Colin, no cuff links. No outrageously expensive loafers."

"But they're Italian."

"Leave 'em at home. Put a pair of Chucks on the platinum card. Both of you: wear jeans. Actual jeans, no trendy, fussy dark denim designer stuff. Do not bring more than $50 in cash. Bring one credit card. Preferably one with a limit. Put the credit card in your front pocket, separate from your wallet. Don't wear a watch or anything that can be lifted. Any questions?"

Colin raised an arm, "What are 'Chucks?'"

Rory rolled her eyes, "Lord. This is going to be harder than I thought."