Title: Pulling Strings

Author: Kathea

Rating: PG13 or it will be at some point

Spoilers: "But not as cute as a Pushkin"

Summary: Since both Rory and Logan come from money they are used to seeing strings pulled. They never thought their friends would use it against them.

Disclaimer: I don't own this or anything related to Gilmore Girls or the WB. Like you didn't already know that.

AN: This is the first GG fic I've written. I'm trying to stay true to character but we'll see how that goes. Reviews are welcomed and treasured unless of course you say nasty things and then I'll just have to hunt you down and duct tape you to the train tracks.

AN2: I'm taking a lot of liberties here. I can't remember when the show left off as far as seasons. So this is set before Christmas. Also, I refer to the "Marty debacle" in this and probably subsequent chapters. This is the imaginary scene when Marty admits that he likes Rory and Rory, being herself, is confused and says the normal line about just wanting to be friends. I'm sure you'll all understand.

AN3: I am trying to update on a daily basis since this story just wants to be written but please be patient if over the weekend nothing comes up. I wrote this chapter during my Research Methodology class last night.

Reviewers:

Whisperofinsanity: Thanks, I can't wait to see where this goes too. I like your name. I wish my insanity only whispered, it bellows at me. Alece: Thanks. I think Doyle is highly underappreciated. Smile1: I'm glad you thought it was better. I tried really hard. I loved the dress part. It just seems like something that would happen to Rory. And I did a similar thing in another story and people liked it. Stay tuned.

Chapter 3: You didn't rush?

Dazed and confused. That pretty much summed up the mental state of one Rory Gilmore. Instead of going alone and suffering through four hours of the Delta ball, Rory was now entering of the arm of Logan Huntzberger. He had warned her about ruining his reputation and yet here he was escorting her to one of the premiere social events of the season. I'll never understand males, Rory thought to herself as Logan lead her through the double doors of the Yale ballroom.

"Logan, I've got a question?"

"Shoot Ace." He said looking away and waving at someone across the crowded room.

"If you are so worried about your reputation as Yale's most eligible bachelor, then why did you bring me here?"

"I see your investigative skills are hard at work." Rory glared at him. "Well, according to Finn and Colin, if I appear to be off the market, so to speak, then once we 'break it off' my comeback will be bigger than ever." Logan finished, pleased with his plan.

"You conniving son of a bitch. You are just using me." Rory hissed.

"Technically, Colin and Finn are the sob's. I just thought it was a good idea."

"I'll just bet you did." Rory whispered and walked away to interview the president of Alpha Delta, leaving Logan to wonder why she was so upset.

After five minutes with Miss Mia Strathmore, Rory was oh so glad she had never rushed a sorority. Mia wasn't empty-headed, she was shrewd and calculating. She would probably run a Fortune 500 company one day and could give Paris a run for her money. Those kind of girls that were pretty and pulled together but would put a knife in someone's back with a smile completely creeped Rory out.

Safely ensconced in a quiet corner, Rory watched in fascination as the party swirled around her. Every now and then she would hear Logan's laugh or a snatch of his voice. It rankled her nerves every single time. Marty had been right, Logan would use anyone to accomplish his goals. The main dilemma was that as much as she wanted to deny it, Logan Huntzberger had gotten to her. He had considerable amounts of charm, very refined charm; charm that hid the soul of a con artist. Chalk it up to a learning experience. It seemed that all of her relationships turned out that way. She had yet to have a fulfilling one.

Rory closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

"What's wrong Ace? All this society giving you a headache?"

"No Logan. Just you." Rory said harshly.

"I'm flattered you were thinking of me."

"You shouldn't be." She said a little louder than she ought to.

"Rory?" Logan questioned picking up on the steel in her voice. Several couples turned noticing the tension between the couple.

"You know I had hoped that Marty and Doyle were wrong. Maybe they didn't know you well enough. I was withholding my judgment. I should have listened."

"What do you mean?" Logan said anger coloring his voice.

"You were just using me." Her voice rose higher and she balled her fists. "You used me for your personal gain and now that I've inadvertently helped you reach your goal you are done with me."

"Rory, that's not what…"

"No. I get the last word this time. I gave you a chance. I thought that I could take a risk on you. I even thought that we had a chance. I didn't love you but I could have. There was the possibility that I did." The entire ballroom was silent. Logan was watching her with wary eyes. He was standing very still but you could see each breath he took as his nostrils flared as he tried to control his anger. "You got what you wanted Logan. We are done. You are back on the market." Rory spun on her heel and all but ran out of the room. The music started back suddenly with a discordant note and the room filled with chatter. Logan made his way out and watched as Rory stood outside waiting in the cold.

"Rory, wait. I need to explain." Logan called. He got no response from the lone figure on the sidewalk. "Ace, you didn't have to do that. Not like that." Rory turned, eyes alight.

"You think that this was for you. Your ego is bigger than I thought," Rory scoffed. "This was for me. I needed a clean break with you. I meant it when I said we're done. No more coffee, no more LBD, no more parties." A car pulled up at the curb. Logan could see a very angry Paris in the drivers seat. Rory pulled the door open and turned back with a sad look on her face. "You were right it has been a wild ride but it wasn't very nice knowing you." Rory stepped into the car and Paris sped away into the night.

"You are a great bloody idiot, you do know that?" Finn said form beside his right elbow.

"The plan was not to have her dump you in public. What part of that did you miss?" Colin asked from his left elbow.

"I don't know. I didn't think she'd react like that." Logan said dumfounded.

"I guess you didn't know her as well as you thought." Colin replied.

Paris fumed in silence as she watched her friend sit in silence as she drove back to the dorm. She should have known better than to hinge everything on Rory's reaction. You never knew when she would turn into an overly emotional wreck. She had been sure when Colin and Finn had informed her off the plan that Rory would understand and even think of it as a joke. She thought back to what Finn had said the other day.

"Here's how it'll go down." Finn began in his best mobster voice. "Logan just thinks that he and Rory will work out a plan to have a nasty public break up at the Delta ball. Then my buddy Colin and I will push Logan back to Rory. Reminding him of how perfect they are for each other and maybe they should give dating a try since being friends seemed to work out. All you have to do is support that idea. I certainly don't expect you be gushy about Logan but you can reinforce her feelings for him. Are you sure she has feelings for him?"

"Yes I'm sure. I've known her long enough to notice when she likes a guy. You don't have to worry. Rory should react accordingly. I don't think she likes the idea of getting married anymore than he does."

"Excellent." Colin said.

"Do we get to synchronize our watches now?" Finn asked playfully.

Paris just shook her head at the memory. It was quite possibly the dumbest thing she had ever done.

Rory broke the quiet. "Is the thought of being with me that repulsive to him?" Paris was unsure of how to answer. This required a girly, introspective response.

"To be honest, I don't think he knows what he wants and you shouldn't let him get to you. His indecision is his problem." Rory just sighed and rested her head against the cool glass of the window. "Look, when we get home we'll do that wallowing thing you and you mother do. It'll make you feel better."

"Thanks Paris."

"Your welcome but expect me to do this all the time."

"Of course not." Rory replied and a small smile graced her lips. She had to smile, who needed enemies when you had a friend like Paris.

AN: I was itching to put Logan in his place. Also, I have nothing against sororities, just so you know.