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: Steph: No terror is needed. CFSC: Thanks. Nikki: Here it is. I hope it is up to standard. Coriel: Super exciting right? Wuful89: I thought the dream would be interesting too. Boston-bound09: What's the point of having friends if they don't stick their noses in your life? SnowyOwl-17: Hello new reader. Lovelock79: Just for you I'll try not to be so cliffy-obsessed. Kyizi: Hi, new reader.

Chapter 6: Friends in High Places

"Attention, attention please! Can I have everyone's attention?" Doyle shouted over the hustle and bustle of the newsroom. He huffed as everyone continued to chatter around the room. Paris whistled sharply causing heads to turn in her direction. Doyle blushed, red creeped up his throat until his entire face was flushed. Paris nodded her head brusquely at him indicting that he should begin before he lost everyone's attention, again.

"Okay people, the paper goes out tomorrow. I'm still waiting on several articles. I expect they will be waiting in my inbox shortly." Doyle glared at the offending journalists and continued his diatribe. "I know this edition was a lot of work but I think the student body will appreciate the efforts. I hope everyone has a stress free finals week and a good holiday break. That's all." The noise level of the newsroom rose considerably as everyone cleared out desks for the upcoming break. Doyle scowled at the cheery sounds of the journalists. Rory watched as Paris leaned over to whisper in Doyle's ear. His face got red again but he didn't seem quite so dour after whatever Paris had said. Rory had to smile, it was good to see Paris in a semi-normal relationship. It was a start.

Rory ducked down under her desk to reach a paper that was hiding in a dark corner. While under her desk she didn't see Logan walk into the newsroom. The casual observer would think that Logan randomly scanned the newsroom but Paris noticed that his eyes seemed to linger on Rory's desk. His eyes noticeably brightened when he noticed the top of her head appear from behind her desk. Logan stood very still. It had been so long since he'd been in the same room as her, he wasn't going to spoil it by rash movements. Rory ducked back under the desk and Logan moved quickly forward to place a cup of steaming coffee next to her monitor. He backed out quickly with a sad smile on his face. So, Paris thought, this is where he's going to start. It was as good as any. Coffee always made Rory happy. Rory quickly poked back up above her desk when the smell of her life's blood reached her nose. Her eyes beamed with joy. She reached greedily for the cup and took a quick sip. Rory looked around suspiciously to see who had left such a gift. Shrugging in her shoulders, as Rory was not one to turn down free coffee, she continued to drink as she packed up her things. Paris was pleased to see her friend bouncing back from her recent funk. Still, every now and then, a shadow would cross Rory's face and Paris could tell that Rory was thinking about him.

"Gilmore, are you ready to go?" Paris asked quickly.

"Yes, Paris." Rory replied grinning at her friend's rough tone. "I'm waiting on you, you know."

"Be that as it may, I'm ready now. So let's go. I have things to attend to today." Paris turned and quickly exited the room with Rory tagging along behind her. Paris moved quickly through the late afternoon crowd. Rory jogged up next to her friend.

"What's your hurry today? I know you don't have any more classes today, your story was finished two days ago, and you don't have any finals, so where's the fire?" Rory asked jokingly.

"Just because I spend the majority of my time either writing for the paper or studying doesn't mean that I don't have a life. I do have errands to complete. If you must know." Paris grumbled.

"Sorry, I asked." Rory raised her hands up asking for peace. "Are you PMSing?"

"No, I'm not." Paris gave her friend a sharp look. "What kind of absurd question is that?"

"Hey, it's a logical conclusion. My friend and roommate snaps at me for no reason and rushes around in an abnormal fashion. It has to be hormones."

"I have to get Doyle a Christmas present." Paris said quietly. "I don't really know what to get him."

"Ooohhhh."

"Don't gloat Gilmore, it's not becoming."

"Do you need help?" Rory asked trying to be friendly.

"No," Paris sighed. "I have to figure this out on my own but if you wanted to suggest what you might give him I wouldn't ignore you."

Rory giggled at Paris' sideways request for help. "Well, if I was dating Doyle, which I wouldn't, I would probably get him something to do with writing or journalism. Or there is always the option to get him a gift that has nothing to do with writing. He might appreciate that even more. It would show how well you know him."

"You are no help whatsoever." Paris said snidely.

"Your welcome." Rory said cheerfully and watched as Paris marched off to her car. Rory turned and headed to her dorm with a light heart. Hours of studying lay ahead of her but she was well stocked with various junk foods and the coffee cart on the corner had taken to staying open almost all day so she was set.

"You wanted to talk?" Logan asked hoping to get what was surely to be a painful conversation over with quickly.

"Yeah, I really don't want to talk to you but my friend's wellbeing is important to me so, here I am." Marty said grumpily.

"Do you have a point?" Logan said his temper rising.

"In fact," Marty replied hotly. "I do have a point. You hurt her. I should pummel you for that but Rory asked me not too. You are lucky that she doesn't completely hate you."

"For the sake of argument, I'll believe you." Logan replied in his most condescending tone.

"Look, I don't like you. I never did but Rory did or does and that's what matters. You had better find a way to fix this, Huntzberger."

"I'm working on it." Logan replied ruefully.

"Really? Sure doesn't seem that way. You are at some point going to apologize for your incredibly asinine behavior, right?"

"Eventually, when she'll stay in the same room with me and not ignore me."

"Yeah, I can see how that would be a problem."

"Look, I…"

"No, you get to listen for a while. Despite the fact that Rory ignored my warnings about you she still likes you. I can tell, Paris can tell, hell most people can tell that she's still hung up on you. Why, after the way you treated her, she still has a thing for you, I don't know, but she does. You should know you are going to have to work for it, right? Rory is very special. She's very special to me. I know that compared to you I have no chance. I'm not an idiot."

"Look, Marty, you can stop right there." Logan interrupted quickly. "My friends have already cornered me about my behavior and told me what I need to do. I know Rory is special. I certainly plan on getting her back as long as you don't get in the way."

"I'm not going too. It's you that she wants. For some strange reason, you make her happy. That's all that matters to me."

"I know. You are a good friend to her."

"Fine. Just don't hurt her again." Marty said quietly the underlying threat hanging in the air between them. Turning and walking away, Marty could only hope that Rory knew what she was getting herself into. As much as he wanted to hate the bastard for ending all his chances with Rory, a blind man could see the pain in Logan's eyes. Marty knew how he felt.

Finn and Colin were waiting in the common room of their suite when Logan came back from the now infamous meeting with Marty. He was dusted with snow and not looking the least bit pleased.

"Well?" Finn asked without preamble.

"Ace, sure knows how to collect champions."

"There's just something about her."

"Shut up."

"So what do you have planned?" Colin asked a clearly disgruntled Logan.

"Like I'm going to tell either one of you. This is partly your fault."

"Oh, it most certainly is not. You didn't have to take our advice."

"Finn, you're in denial."

"Look, Logan," Colin said. "Rory's our friend too. We just want the both of you to be happy. Especially since you are both horrible to deal with when you are unhappy."

"I need to go think. I've only got a week until break. I'll have to do everything during that week. It's just not enough time." Logan trudged off to his room, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Colin, I think you should make that call now." Finn said in a conspiratorial whisper.

"I agree. It's time to bring out the big guns." Colin reached for his phone and after a little searching dialed a number. "Hello?" Silence. "Mrs. Gilmore? So good to speak with you again. We met at the Yale alumni party, this is Colin." Silence. "Yes, I'm their son." Silence. "Yes, I was just wondering if you could lend us a hand. It has to do with Rory and our friend Logan Huntzberger." Even Finn could hear through the phone Emily's response.

"How can I help?"

Rory's phone buzzed loudly next to her head. Her modern philosophy book lay open before her and was serving as an impromptu pillow. The number flashing on the screen was her mother's. She knew she was studying so it must be important.

"Hi, Mom."

"You'll never guess what my mother is doing. Guess?"

"Mom, I'm trying to study."

"She's having a Christmas Eve party."

"So."

"We are expected to be there. Actually I believe her exact words were, 'Loralei if you aren't there I will send someone to pick you up, with or without your consent.' So we have to be there."

"Moooommmm."

"I know. Sometimes I wonder where I get some of my spur-of-the-moment-ness and then I look at my mother and understand."

"Ugh, fine. See you later."

Great, just freaking great, Rory thought.

AN: I'm sorry that this chapter turned into a filler chapter. It wasn't planned, I swear. But I needed a way to get from chapter five to where I need the story to be. I'll update again on Monday or Tuesday.