Title: Pulling Strings
Author: Kathea
Rating: PG13 or it will be at some point
Spoilers: "But not as cute as 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.
Reviews: Jessica: Here's more. Rouella: I'm glad you are enjoying it. Skellington-Theory: Interesting name and thanks. Blueyed18: Of course they'll be together! Opps, just gave away the ending. Darn. Skater: Thanks. Smile1: Thanks for the constant encouragement and great reviews. Waful89: All good things must come to an end, unfortunately. Janesparrow: Here's more for you, enjoy. Nikki: Nah, I didn't want to add any more angst than necessary. Crissy: Stupid angst is fun! Spoiledgurl: I'm sad this is ending too but we'll have some very nice resolution. Kimmers: Thanks so much. Adriana: Most people don't like my cliffies. Chinkybrowneyes: I'm glad you liked this chapter. I wanted something really heartfelt from Logan since we know how Rory feels about it. Got to love drunken confessions. Lovelock79: Thanks so much for you constant reviews. I think ya'll like how it ends. Tickledpink22: Well, you got one but do you know where it's from. See answers below. Kyizi: I'm glad I could amuse you.
AN: OK, let's get a loud fanfare, a la the end of Star Wars: Phantom Menace. Did you know the song is called Auggie's Muncipal Band March? Yep, I was a band dork in high school. Anyway, here is the final installment of "Pulling Strings". I have really enjoyed writing this one and have loved the reviews. You guys are great. I've decided to respond to all the reviews for this chapter via my livejournal/homepage. So check there. Thanks again for all your support and keep an eye out for the "Coda"s they'll keep coming.
AN2: Ahem, the title from the last chapter was the name of Eddie Murphy's first and only foray into the music business. I see that stumped people. Also, the phrase "Space Monkey" is what Jack calls Daniel in Stargate SG-1. Yes, I am a SciFi freak. I accept it.
AN3: I am so mad that Gilmore Girls got preempted by Terps Basketball. Stupid game, stupid boys, stupid television. Urgg. All of those who are waiting for a Coda will have to wait a little longer.
Chapter 10: I'll Say
"Momma. Momma?" Rory whispered in her mother's ear from where she knelt on the floor of her mother's bedroom. Thankfully Luke was sleeping at his place, so there would be no strange confrontations on that point in the darkness of pre-dawn. Despite her callings, Loralai was still sound asleep, wrapped in one of Luke's flannel shirts. Rory sat back on heels balancing carefully while staring at her mother. Why couldn't she just wake up? "Mom!" Rory said in a loud whisper. Loralai shot straight up in bed, looking around wildly.
"Where's the fire? Rory? Huh?"
"Mom, sorry!" Rory said biting her lip.
"Sweetie, not that Mommy minds, but why are you here at 6:43 on Christmas Eve morning?"
"Can I get in?"
"So Logan's involved?"
"How'd you know and how can you be so coherent without coffee this early in the morning?"
"Maternal instinct." Loralai pulled the covers back and Rory kicked off her shoes and hopped in the bed. "So, tell Mommy what he did do now?"
So, Rory launched into her story. She started with the meeting in the library and ending with her waking up in Logan's room. The tears hadn't come yet, which to Loralai was a good sign. If Rory had gotten over the hurt and moved on to something other than pain, it was a start.
"I don't know what's worse, me being so angry at him or the fact that if I don't see him every couple of days I get all twangy inside. It's like I go into withdrawal. And it sucks."
Loralai nodded in understanding. When Finn and Colin had called, they confirmed that Logan was feeling the same way. Paris had said much the same thing about Rory's recent behavioral changes. When Emily had called to tell Loralai about the impromptu Christmas Eve party, she'd been surprised but then her mother was always doing strange things. It was the calls later from Paris and Logan's friends that decided Loralai's plan of action. True, she'd sworn to stay out of things and let Rory handle this problem on her own but that didn't mean that she couldn't expedite the process. After all, she was the master of pulling strings, she'd learned at the knee of her mother and regardless of how strained their relationship might get, Emily would help on this little project. Loralai stroked her daughters face as she thought about what to say. "Babe, let me tell you something I learned a long time ago. Unless you tell people what you want, the chances of you getting it are slim to none. So, you have a choice to make. Do you wait for Logan to figure it out or do you tell him what you want?"
"I don't know what I want." Rory said sadly.
"Don't you?" her mother responded in that tone that said I know you are lying but I'll let you get away with it.
"I don't want to be hurt again, especially by him. I don't think I could take it."
"Loralai Leigh Gilmore, you are strong enough to take anything they throw at you. Can you honestly tell me that you could let him walk away from you? Could you stand seeing him at school with other girls, could you trust yourself not to react?"
Rory ducked her head to hide from her mother's questioning eyes.
"Well?"
"No! Are you happy now?"
"Yes," Loralai said, proud of herself. "It's always better for you to admit what you feel that for me to tell you how you feel. Plus it makes me feel superior."
"So, what am I supposed to do? I won't see him again after the new year."
Loralai had the grace to blush but unfortunately Rory caught her grin before she could hide it behind a yawn.
"Mom, what do you know that I don't?" Rory asked, instantly suspicious.
"All sorts of things, my child." Loralai responded airily.
"What do you specifically know about Logan and the near future?" Rory growled out.
"I'm not sure what you mean, dear."
"Mom, don't make me tickle it out of you?" Rory threatened.
"I'll never tell." Loralai said in a sing-song voice. On that note, Rory attacked. Rory grabbed at her mothers' legs, pinning them together and tickled the underside of her knees. Loralai laughed, helpless at the barrage. After a few minutes and much squirming, Loralai wheezed out, "Uncle, uncle. I'll tell you, just stop. I'm gonna pee myself." Rory sat back, proud of her work and gave her mother a meaningful, you'd better tell me everything you know look.
"It was your grandmother's idea." Loralai started in her defense. At Rory's narrowed eyes, she continued on quickly. "Evidently, Finn called her and suggested a Christmas Eve party and to invite the Huntzberger's. He also might have mentioned that you two were kind of on the outs. You know your grandmother and her matchmaking schemes." Loralai distinctly heard, Rory mutter something about murdering Finn. "Then I called Paris to check on you and she told me what was going on with you and Logan. And so I invited her and Doyle too."
"All, I'll kill them all. Colin had to be involved too." Rory said loudly then winced as her brain registered the hang over, again.
"Come on, this is great news. Now you get to see Logan tonight, instead of weeks from now." Loralai enthused.
"This isn't good. I'm not ready yet. I need to think about it and what I'm going to say and how I'm going to act and what I'm going to do when he says he doesn't love me or if he says he does love me. Oh, God, I can't handle this." Rory cradled her head as her temples started to throb.
"Okay, sweet cheeks, here's the low down. You go take a hot shower, you smell like beer. I go get coffee from Luke's. We leave for Grandmamere's. You formulate attack plan for talking to Logan. I formulate attack plan for grandmother. Deal?" Rory nodded in agreement and rolled over on the bed when her mother got up and pulled on a pair of jeans. "I'll be back in a flash. You did remember to bring your dress right?" Rory mumbled an agreement before pulling herself from the bed and trudging to the bathroom. Loralai smiled as she skipped down the stairs. There was nothing like a plan to get her daughter moving.
Rory stood under the hot spray of water. Her brain was whirling a mile a minute. She was going to see Logan tonight. Two days in a row. Her heart beat just a bit faster at the prospect. True, there would be a hundred other people there but even if nothing was worked out, it would be worth it. As Rory shampooed the alcohol smell out of her hair, she thought hard about what to say. Her mother had said to be direct and tell him what she wanted. What did she want? Ducking her head under the water, Rory answered the silent question of her heart. She wanted Logan, only Logan. More than that, she wanted him all to herself. Rory was never very good at sharing, comes from being an only child. Logan, on the other hand, was very good at sharing. He liked sharing. That was it that was what she could tell him. She wanted him and she wasn't going to share. It was her attitude that had brought them together in the first place. Maybe he just needed to know how she felt. Having solved the most pressing problem, Rory soaped up her legs to shave and contemplated how to dismember her friends without being caught. It would be tricky but her mother would probably help. Lane would help too, after all, friends help you move but best friends help you move bodies. Rory grinned and began to hum. Her "friends" would never know what hit them. Nobody messed with Rory Gilmore and got away unscathed.
Rory was toweling off and slipping to some comfy clothes when her mother came back with coffee.
"Do I smell pancakes?" Rory called from upstairs
"Diner Man came through. I didn't even have to beg. I just mentioned that you smelled like the bottom of a keg and he sent a whole thermos of coffee and pancakes. You should get tanked more often." Her mother yelled back. Rory skipped down the stairs and barreled into the kitchen. Loralai would eat all the pancakes if she watching her closely. "You feeling better, chickadee?"
"A bit. I'll need a nap later but I'm doing okay."
While Rory took a sip of coffee, Loralai continued her questioning. "And you've sorted out what you're going to say to Limo Boy tonight?"
"Pretty much."
"Good then no more worries for the day. We can just chill before we go storm the castle." Rory giggled as her mother brandished her fork like a sword before spearing a piece of pancake.
Sleeping Beauty was playing softly in the background, as Loralai and Rory napped on the couch. Stretched out from end to end, their feet meeting in the middle, mother and daughter snoozed away the morning until, a sharp buzzing sound broke through the haze of twittering animals and the high pitched singing of little fairies. Rory groped around blindly, searching for the source of the offending noise. Her hands slapped across the coffee table and onto her phone which was ringing madly. After fumbling with the cover and buttons, Rory managed to pressed the phone to a part of her face that was semi-close to her ear.
"Hrrmp?"
"Rory? Is that you? What an unpleasant way to answer the phone?"
"Grandma?"
"Of course, who else would I be?"
"Right."
"Where are you? You were supposed to be here at 11:30 a.m. I told you mother specifically to be here then. Why aren't you here?"
"My mother didn't tell me anything and I've just woken up."
"Why on earth would you be sleeping this late? You must get dressed for the party."
"Yes, the party. Interesting how you just threw that one together, Grandma."
"Well," Emily paused. "You know me, Mrs. Spontaneous."
"Uh, huh. We'll see you soon." Rory snapped the phone shut on her grandmother's reply. Snuggling back under the covers, Rory tucked her cold feet under her mother's butt, which, of course, woke her mother up immediately.
"Why must you do such heinous things to me, child?" Loralai grumped as she shifted to a position that didn't include Rory's feet.
"Cause I had to talk to Grandmother. Now, why would she tell you what time to be there? She always tells me since I always remember. Riddle me that."
"Because she has taken leave of her senses." Loralai responded smartly.
"You had better hope that was the reason or more than the tickle monster will be out to get you."
Loralai chuckled nervously before jumping from the couch still tangled in blankets. "Come along, munchkin, we must go where we are called."
"Do we have to?" Rory pouted.
"Hey, babe, if you want to take on the Dragon Lady, I'll support you but I'm staying out of the reach of the flames."
"Thanks ever so much, Mom."
"Is there a particular reason why we have to be dressed four hours before the party starts?" Rory whined to her mother who was pulling hot curlers out of her hair.
"Of course," her mother replied wisely. "The reason is two-fold. First, who wouldn't want to wear gorgeous dresses that make us look fabulous for the most amount of time possible and second, as sexy as our shoes are, they will, through no fault of their own, kill our feet. So, we dress now to look pretty and put our shoes on later to save our poor soles." Loralai couldn't help but laugh at her own pun and doubled over in giggles at the dressing table.
"Ha ha, Mom. Cute but not funny. What are we going to do to fill the time between now and the party? Grandma confiscated my books and I know she's lurking in the hallway. I can't make it safely to the library and back."
"Hmm. Now that is the quandary of the century." Loralai mused. "As it so happens, I have, in all my wisdom, devised a solution to your problem."
"Does it involve me scaling down lattice work?"
"Well, now that I think about it that would make things more fun. I'd love to see you try to go down in that dress. No, dearest, your distraction should be arriving soon." Two sharp knocks sounded on the heavy wooden doors before the thrust open. "Right on time, Geller."
"I am always prompt, Loralai." Paris said saucily.
"This is the distraction?" Rory asked surprised. Paris wasn't really one for distractions.
"Look Gilmore, if you are refusing the hot coffee and copy of The Great Gatsby that I brought with me, fine. I'll leave you to your own devices and see you later." Paris turned on her elegantly spiked heel and headed for the door. Rory rushed toward her friend, finally spying the proffered coffee and book resting on the floor by the door.
"Paris, I can't even begin to say how thankful I am that you are here. I haven't had any coffee in hours and I'm dying from boredom." Rory said pleadingly.
"Hey! I'm not boring." Loralai complained.
"Please, I'll accept your gifts wholeheartedly. I'll treasure them forever. I'll remember you in my memoirs as the person who saved me from going quietly insane while waiting for the party to start. I'll.."
"That's enough." Paris cut her off. "You are only getting these because it's the only way to shut you up."
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you." Rory chanted reaching greedily for the very large cup and book.
"Just remember," Paris warned. "You owe me." Rory had already escaped into the book so Paris was talking to empty air. She settled herself carefully on the bed, trying not to wrinkle her own gown and grabbed another book that she had hidden and began to read.
It was the doorbell ringing, announcing the arrival of the first guests, that jolted the girls out of their books. Rory looked around a bit wildly, not noticing the passing of time. The sky outside the window was dark but she could see the headlights of cars pulling up the long drive. Paris's handbag started to buzz and she flipped it open to read the message. Delicately moving off the bed, Paris surveyed herself critically in the mirror before heading for the door.
"I've got to go collect Doyle, so I'll see you down stairs later. Oh, and Rory, it's worth it despite the consequences." Paris finished cryptically.
Rory's eyes turned quickly to her mother, her lower lip getting gnawed relentlessly. Loralai just shook her head, knowing what her only child was thinking.
"Mom, I can.."
"Yes, you can and you will."
"But what if…"
"What if the sun doesn't come up tomorrow?
"You don't understand. I haven't.."
"I don't understand? Rory, I love you more than you can understand so take what I'm about to say with that knowledge. I understand what this feels like, what you are feeling intimately. You know how long Luke and I danced around each other. How long it took for us to finally figure everything out and make it work. There were so many times when I just wanted to throttle him and scream at him for not taking the chance and there were the times when I yelled at myself for not saying anything when given the chance. We both could have been much happier a long time ago."
"But that's you. You are strong and brave and confident. I'm not, I've never been those things."
"Rory, I have raised you to be all those things. I'd be a disappointment to myself if I hadn't. You can do this, kid, I know you can. I'm going down now. Luke's waiting for me to rescue him from the uppity, socialites. I expect you'll come down soon. Don't make me send Emily up to get you. You know I'll do it and it won't be pleasant." Loralai finished her threat with a quick kiss to Rory's forehead before leaving her daughter alone to stew.
Rory turned towards the mirror and watched as her hands mechanically went to fluff her carefully curled hair. Her fingers strayed to the lipsticks scattered on the vanity top and randomly choosing one, covered her lips in a sparkling pale pink. All the thoughts and determination from this morning had gone out the proverbial window when the doorbell rang. Rory was scared witless. By now the foyer and adjoining sitting room would be filling up with people. Logan was probably already here, a champagne class in one hand and a girl in the other. Or maybe not. She didn't know what worried her more rejection or acceptance. Honestly, rejection would be easier to handle and process through. Acceptance brought forth a plethora of problems. For a brief moment, Rory thought about finding a back exit and running. Running farther and faster than she ever had before; it was a very appealing option. A voice cautioned from the back of her mind that running would bring regret. Squaring her shoulders, Rory reminded herself that she'd had enough regret in her short life there was no need to make more. After all, Logan was just a boy. A gorgeous, intelligent, caring boy. Enough, Rory told herself, I will not procrastinate anymore. Resolutely heading for the door, she could just hear the sounds of happy people talking below her.
Rory paused at the top of the stairs, just beyond the curve, gathering her nerves. For a second she had déjà vu. She was coming down these stairs in a black dress with a tiara on and Logan was there. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Rory descended the stairs. When she reached the final landing, her eyes were drawn to the front door which had just opened. She paused, for no apparent reason and waited for the newest guest to arrive. She recognized the voice before the face registered. A laughing Logan was being pushed through the door by Finn and Colin. He turned then, as to not run into anyone, and noticed her standing on the steps. Logan stopped abruptly, his eyes never leaving her figure standing helplessly on the stairs.
He's here alone.
She's beautiful.
Rory couldn't help but lock eyes with him. For just a moment they were the only people in the room and it was silent but for their breathing. Then Colin was knocked into Logan by an exuberant Finn and the contact was lost. Logan was pushed on into the crowd and past the stairs with a backward look over his shoulders. Rory, catching her rapid breath, descended to the floor and went in search of a drink, any drink to settle her nerves. It was going to be a long night.
When the grandfather clock in the dining room chimed eleven o'clock, Rory had stationed herself in an alcove where she could watch the dance floor and was in close proximity to the bar. It was strangely like the Delta ball. Rory standing in the corner trying to remain unnoticed but concentrating on the sound of Logan's voice and laughter not far from where she was standing. A break opened in the crowd dancing and Rory watched as Logan twirled her mother about the floor. She knew her mother was talking to him but Logan looked to be whole so it couldn't be too bad. A hand tugged on hers and Rory tore her eyes away from the dancing couple, outrageously jealous, and up into the solemn eyes of Colin. He nodded in the direction of the dance floor and Rory followed, at a loss for what else to do.
Colin held her carefully and was silent for several moments before he began to speak. "Rory, Fin and I are aware that you probably want to torture us, at the very least. I understand. Let me just say in our defense that none of this turned out how we planned and our end goal was to get you two together not further apart." Colin paused and took a breath. "You are the first girl in a long time that Finn and I've seen make Logan this happy. You are also the first girl we've seen make him this miserable. I know that doesn't excuse our actions but at least you know our motivations." Colin was about to continue but then Loralai was cutting in and it was Logan's arms holding her not Colin's. Her first instinct was to pull back and walk away but his hand clasped hers firmly and the hand gripping her waist wouldn't release. Rory turned uncertain eyes up to Logan's.
"Do you want to do this here or somewhere more private?" Logan asked seriously. There was no way he was letting her out of this. He had come this far and wasn't going to back down now. Rory would hear him out even if it killed her. Rory was tugging on his hand, pulling him from the dance floor. Logan walked in step beside her, his hand resting on the small of her back, his fingers just barely brushing her skin. Rory shivered at the touch, so light but so intimate. Rory pulled open the doors to the sun room in the back of the house. The only lights were those that spilled in from the hall and the stars shining through the glass roof. The room was cast in shadows.
Rory gripped her hands tightly but started to twist them as Logan remained silent. Rory sucked in a deep breath, ready to tell him everything but he beat her to the punch. His arms were wrapping around her, pushing her head into the crook of his neck. His lips were pressing against the crown of her head.
"Ace, I've missed you." Logan said quietly into her hair, his fingers pulling through the soft curls. After a few moments, he pulled back, his hands still holding her shoulders. "I know you want to say something. I can see it written on your face but you have to hear me out first. After I'm done you can say anything you want." Rory nodded her agreement. Logan knew he was taking a risk letting her say what was on her mind but it was a part of his personality, risk taking, far be it for him to change now. "Rory, I'm sorry. I don't think I can say it enough. I treated you horribly and you didn't deserve it. I have been miserable and cranky the past weeks and I don't like it. And that's all your fault." Logan said with a smirk. He watched as the ire came up in Rory's eyes.
"Well, excuse…"
"Rory, you said you would let me finish."
"But…"
"Rory." Logan said his voice just a little angry. "I understand that you were mad at me. That's fine and I deserve it. But this thing where you ignore me has to stop. What are we teenagers?" Rory blushed but Logan plunged on. "We need to work this out because we have two more years ahead of us at school, working together on the paper, the LDB. This can't go on. I'll agree to whatever terms you want but we have to settle this for the sake of my sanity at least." Logan finished, his eyes boring in to Rory's begging for the appropriate response.
"I'll admit I have been a bit juvenile lately. But I didn't know what else to do. I've never met anyone else like you before. I didn't know how to react, what to expect. How could I? One minute you were hot the next cold. Plus, you could've told me before the ball and we could've worked something out. It was just a joke that went to far. I'm sorry about that. But you made me crazy too." Logan smiled at her admission. At least she was feeling the same way, that was a good sign.
"Let's start over then. Clean slate. Tabula rasa and all."
"No."
"What do you mean no?" Logan asked confused and irritated. "Starting over would be the best thing for both of us."
"I mean no. It's very simple. There is too much behind us and between us for the slate to be wiped clean. I don't know if I can forget everything. Do you have any idea how much you hurt me?" Rory said quietly as the tears started to pool in her eyes. Logan watched as she held them back, resolutely turning to stare him in the eye. "I'm going to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and I expect the same in return." It was her turn now.
Logan smiled; even when she was mad Rory couldn't help but reference a movie.
"I was caught up in you. I didn't know what to expect and our relationship wasn't following any of the paths that I knew. And I liked that. I liked you. I saw possibilities in you that I hadn't seen in anyone else. You were different and exciting and new. I can't do this anymore, though. I have hated not seeing you even if all we ever do is argue. I've missed that. I've missed you. But there is more than that. I lied when I said the possibility for us being in a relationship was gone. There was always the possibility, there still is." Rory finished strongly but a tear still rolled down her cheek. Logan reached out a hand to brush it away and Rory turned her face into his hand.
"Rory, I want that possibility." Pause "What do you want?"
The words she had whispered this morning in the shower came rushing back with a surge of emotion. "Logan, I want you. Only you and I'm not sharing." Logan gave a little laugh at the last bit before stepping closer to her, his fingers caressing her face.
"I wasn't going too." His lips connecting with hers ended the conversation quickly. Rory linked her arms tightly around Logan's neck pulling her body flush with his. His hands gripped her hips then slid to her bare back. Rory shivered again and Logan ran his fingers softly across the delicate skin at the small of her back. Rory arched against him and he groaned into her mouth. Coming up for air, Logan rested his forehead against Rory's, breathing heavily. Rory closed her eyes trying to remember that this was reality not some carefully concocted dream.
Deep breath. I want to tell him.
I want to tell her.
How will he react?
What will she think?
Is this too fast?
Should I wait?
Deep breath. I'll tell him now.
I'll tell her now.
Deep breath.
"I love you." Logan said huskily. Rory let out the quickly inhaled breath.
"Oh God, I love you too." Rory replied and pulled Logan back to continue their kiss.
In the hallway, six pairs of eyes watched the two as they whispered their hearts and grinned happily at each another. Emily smiled serenely, pleased with her own machinations. Loralai did a little jig, content with the knowledge that her child was happy again. Paris was kissing a very surprised Doyle but he wasn't complaining. Finn gave Colin a silent high five. It had all worked out in the end, not exactly as planned but there was a saying about the best laid plans. They turned their collective attention back to the couple in the room that had just broken from their kiss. Logan was holding Rory close, not wanting to lose physical contact with her.
"Logan, you realize that our friends have been messing with our lives."
"Of course. It didn't occur to me at first but after I checked Colin's phone calls I figured they might be up to something."
All commotion in the hall stilled.
"I'm pretty sure now that Paris and by association Doyle were involved and definitely my Grandmother. It's a sad thought but I think my mom could be implicated as well."
Logan gave her an evil smirk. "You know we really should thank our friends for helping us sort this mess out."
"Yes," Rory said catching on quickly. "We really should."
"They will rue the day."
"Indeed they will."
The group watching gulped nervously. This was a bad sign. It was a very bad sign indeed.
"What do you propose we do?"
"Oh, I'll think of something. Later, much later." Logan said laughing before pulling Rory in for another kiss.
The group in the hall snuck carefully away trying to make the least amount of noise. It was time to hide.
"Do you think they know that we know that they were standing there?"
"Doubtful." Logan cupped her face again. Watching her with those laughing eyes. "Rory, I meant what I said. I love you. I'm still not sure why or how but I do."
"I know. You know for two incredibly intelligent people we sure messed this one up."
"Even us genius' are entitled to make mistakes every now and then."
"Yes we are. This isn't a mistake though. This is the best thing, the right thing right now."
"Let me correct you on one little thing. This is the right thing forever. You are not getting out of this arrangement. Event integrity and all."
"Are you ready for that?"
"I am always ready."
"In omnia paratus." Rory whispered and ended the conversation the best way she knew how.
THE END
AN: I hope you enjoyed. I'll still do Codas and maybe another Rorgan if I get inspired. Remember my thanks for reviews will be on my homepage. Please check there.