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. And now that I have my own laptop, I'll write more during my classes.

Reviewers: Jazz14: Hello new reader. Thanks, I thought the vodka part was funny too. Caroline: Gotta love Alias and Gilmore Girls. Sarah: Thank you so much. I hope this chapter is just a good. Smile1: I always get worried with really long reviews. People tend to say nasty things in the long ones. But you didn't so…thanks for the wonderful things you said. Steph: All guys can be dense. Nikki: Yes, Monday but that's today. You're not pushy. Jess/Milosgirls (Felicia): Quick, like a bunny. That's priceless. I'm glad you love it. Cressida Aliora: Don't worry it's not what you think. Lovelock79: The cliffhanger is one of my favorite literary tools. Be prepared.

Chap 5: Help From My Friends

"Rory, I don't know if I'm the right person to help you."

"No, don't you get it, you are." Rory retorted. "I know things between us have been rocky lately but I still call you my friend." Her statement was given in a questioning tone. She had to know if Marty still called her a friend. She could see the emotions flickering across his face. Marty took a deep breath, opened his mouth to speak, sighed and then abruptly pulled Rory into a hug. Rory exhaled in relief. She was forgiven. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. Friends were something that Rory held dear and the thought that she would lose one of them was scary. Marty let go and gripped Rory's shoulders.

"So tell me what he did…" Marty prompted. Rory started telling the story. By the time she was at the point of her verbal explosion at the ball, Marty had threatened Logan's life several times and swore to never bartend for any of them again. When Rory started to wring her hands when recounting the first run in after the ball, Marty gently took her hands in his. Despite the anger and hurt she displayed, he could hear the longing in her voice. She missed the bastard.

"So…" Rory finished.

"So…" Marty echoed.

"What should I do?"

"What do you want to do?" Marty asked. "You seem to have mastered the art of ignoring him."

"God, I don't know. I want him to hurt as much as I hurt."

"You want revenge?" Marty asked surprised at the vehemence in her voice.

"Yes, no. No! That's what started this whole mess. I guess I want him to learn something from this since I learned something."

"What did you learn?"

"I learned that when my friends give me good advice I should listen to them." Rory said looking up at Marty with a smile.

"Yes, you should. Especially when your friends know what they are talking about."

"I know and I will from now on." Rory promised. "So, what should I do?" Rory asked again.

"Why don't you let me think about it for a while and we'll see what I can come up with." Marty said sagely.

"Grovel? Logan Huntzberger doesn't grovel." Logan sputtered.

"You will if you want to get your girl back." Finn countered quickly.

"I don't know how." Logan whined.

"I would suggest that large extravagant gestures, such as you usually do, would not be appropriate in this situation." Colin said hoping that Logan would take the hint. Most girls enjoyed Logan's way of expressing his affections but considering the result of their last "large, extravagant gesture" it probably wouldn't be a good idea this time.

"So, what am I supposed to do? She won't talk to me or stay in the same room as me. How on earth am I supposed to do this thing you call groveling when she ignores me?"

"You're a smart boy," Finn said cheerily. "I'm sure you'll think of something."

"You two are no help whatsoever." Logan grumped.

"We are fully aware of that." Finn replied without a hint of remorse.

"Some friends you are." Logan said darkly and left the suite.

Finn was able to hold in his laughter until after the door had shut completely. Colin quickly joined in. They had never seen Logan have it so bad over a girl. This was a momentous occasion.

"Do you think we should consult with Geller?" Colin asked.

"Probably. She'll have a better idea of how Rory is holding up. And once our friend figures out how to beg, she can tell us how it's working."

"Why don't you call her? She scares me."

"You are a wimp. You just have to know how to handle her. She's like a rose. Just look out for the thorns."

"Right." Colin said looking at his friend with dismay. Finn was as crazy as a loon.

"Yes, I'll keep you informed. It appears that even though she is still mad at him, she really misses him. It's disgusting actually." Silence. "Yes, I'm sure he feels that way too." Silence. "I'll speak with you later. Good bye." Paris clicked her phone shut just before Rory walked back in their suite.

"Hey Paris." Rory said but Paris only pushed past her out the door. "Good to see you too!" Rory called out the door as it was closing. She could only shake her head. You never could tell what kind of mood Paris would be in. After snagging a cup of coffee from the kitchen Rory flopped on her bed with her cell phone held carefully between shoulder and ear. It was about time to tell her mother.

"Hey, mama." Rory managed to get out before her mother could begin her usual spiel.

"What's wrong?" Loralie asked immediately concerned. "You never call me mama unless something's wrong."

"I have something to tell you." Rory said quietly.

"Oh my god, you're pregnant."

"Lord, no. Geez, Mom have a little faith."

"Okay. I apologize for my rational jump to conclusions."

"Forgiven. Just some stuff's been going on that I haven't told you about. I felt the need to repent."

"I'm listening."

"Well," Rory began after a deep breath. "You know about what happened with Marty. I managed to fix that but in the mean time the results of the "Get Back at Logan" plan went up in smoke. As it turns out I had developed some, ahem, feelings for Logan. He did not reciprocate said feelings. He then proceeded to use me as a pawn to achieve his goal of being the biggest playboy at Yale. I've been ignoring him for the past few weeks but it's driving me nuts. As much as I can't stand what he did to me, I can't help but still be attracted to him."

"All in one breath too. My goodness. Sounds like you are in a bit of a pickle."

"Yeah, so what should I do?"

"This is a bit after the fact, don't you think?"

"Mooooooooommmmm!" Rory wailed.

"All right. The way I see it, you've got two options. You can offer yourself up to the gods of humiliation and tell him how you feel or you can keep on keeping on and forget about the prick."

"Thanks mom, you've been oh so helpful." Rory said derisively.

"Look sweet cheeks, as much as I would love to come rescue you on this one. Guys problems are things you have to learn to fix on your on."

Sigh. "I know."

"But, I will be more than happy to come down there and rend him limb from limb if it will make you feel better." Loralie said placatingly.

"Nah. Thanks for the offer though. I like him better all attached. Love you."

"Love you too babe." Rory dropped the phone to the bed after she hung up. The late afternoon sun was shining through the window. She could hear the chatter of the students in the court outside her window. Snuggling up against her pillow, Rory drifted off to sleep.

The music swirled around her. She saw the Delta president off in the corner. She'd have to talk with her at some point tonight. Rory sighed. It was going to be such a long night. Her feet were already killing her. Although, the gorgeous shoes made up for it for what would be incredibly painful feet tomorrow she still winced when she stepped. Rory spotted a quiet corner on the opposite side of the ballroom. She was halfway across the dance floor when a pair of hands pulled her into the dance. Her body followed as her partner spun her around the floor. She shut her eyes tightly, feeling vertigo come over her. The spinning stopped suddenly. She opened her eyes to see Logan's warm brown eyes smiling back at her. He released one of her hands so he could brush his fingers down her cheek. He was softly smiling. It was so gentle, so intimate, so distinctly Logan. Rory could smell his cologne, a scent she could pick out anywhere now. His hand slid around to cup the back of her neck, his fingers delving in her hair. Slowly, the world stopped turning, time stopped ticking away, and Logan's lips were only a breaths away from hers. Just as she could feel his skin warm and tight against hers, a high, tinkling version of Canon in D tore her attention away. Logan's face lost its smile and then became hazy and finally disappeared.

Rory shot straight up in her bed. She was breathing heavily as her mind twisted to fit reality back together. She dropped back against her pillows. It would just figure that she would dream about him. It had been the way things should've been, the way she wanted the night to go. She shook her head trying to dispel the last of the images from her dream. The look in Logan's eyes wouldn't leave though. Coffee, she thought quickly, coffee will fix everything.

"Logan Huntzberger." He said answering the ringing phone.

"Logan, it's Marty."

"Who?"

Sigh. "Bartender Marty."

"Oh. Rory's friend."

"Yeah, look we need to talk."

"About what? We're not having a party anytime soon."

"About Rory."

"Oh."

AN: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I know it was a little short but I was starting to run out of steam. Look for another chapter on Friday.