Thank you all for the wonderful replies that you like my story. And thank you for the constructive criticism; it helps me see what I still need to work on.

The italics are to show the singing.

I do have a question, does anyone know how I can show indents on my updates. Fanfiction won't show my indents of a new paragraph. So if anyone knows how to make the indents show up I would be much appreciated.

Here is the fourth installment of my story; I hope you all enjoy it.


The Party's Over

My message machine is blinking, I press the button down hearing a terrifying voice enter the room, "Logan this is your mother. Richard and Emily Gilmore are having a small social gathering to introduce their granddaughter to some of Yale's more proper candidates. It is this Friday and starts at seven pm, and I expect you to dress respectably. I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Good-bye." Poor Ace, her grandparents are putting her up for auction. I know how she's going to feel, I myself have been put through the agony of having my family search for a significant other for me. Especially my mother, she is anxious to meet her future grandchildren. Though hypercritically my mother is not so impatient to meet the grandchildren Honor will give her. Mother will see them as tainted by Josh's DNA, in her mind I am the last hope for a perfect grandchild. It's not that Mom dislikes Josh's personally; she just dislikes the gene pool that he came from. Mom would prefer if Honor and I were to both marry respectable people of wealth and privilege. This is code for boring snobs who think more about themselves than the other people around them; so in other words Mom wants us to marry her.

I dial Colin's number, thankfully he answers after the second ring, "Hey, you're calling about the party that our parents are forcing us to go to on Friday right?" See this is why Colin is my best friend. Not only is he always around when I need to talk, but he is force to live the same arrangement schedule life by his parents as I am. He knows what it likes to have every moment of his life planned for him leaving him to have nothing for him. It is his destiny to go into banking like his father before him, no wonder Colin can be so tight sometimes. I would have a stick up my butt too if I was force to live out the rest of my life pinching numbers. Of course I will probably end up doing that as well, considering my father owns fourteen papers and is always in the process of purchasing more. So the time I come into inheriting the business, I just might be in charge of twenty papers. Sometimes I think Dad is addicted to the thrill of taking over a newspaper, well that and his want to avoid Mom. I bet Fraud would have a field day with our family, he would definitely get pay well enough just listening to my mother.

"Yes, Carnac the Magnificent that is exactly why I am calling, I flip you for being Finn's babysitter for the eveing." I am hoping that he won't remember that I pawn Finn off on him last time.

"If my memory is correct you beg to switch with me last time, so you could spend the eveing with that blonde from your ethics class." I just know that he is smiling into the phone, "He's all yours on Friday," damn it curse Colin's good memory. Everytime we go out Colin and I have to take turns on assigning ourselfs the protector of Finn for the eveing. Finn tends to get into trouble if he not watched, espically if he has any form of alachol in him. But basically Finn can get enough trouble of his own without the help of any liquid spirits.

Hearing a beeping noise I press a button and Finn enters the conversation, "We're being summoned to a very dull party on Friday," he whines..

"Yes Finn, Logan and I were just disscussing that," Colin replies dryly.

Finn fakes a laugh at Colin remark, "Well then all powerful Colin do you have a brilliant plan to get us out of this dulldrum?"

I chuckle at their bickering, I should step in to settle the air, "Finn it's open bar," knowing full well what effect those little four magical words would do to Finn's ears.

He didn't even have to think about it, "I'm in," came his quick response. "So which one of you gentlemen is going to be my nanny for the eveing?"

Colin answer quicker than me, "Logan has kindly offer his services for the eveing."

Finn let out a genuine laugh, "Lose the coin toss did you Logan?" I have a tenhancy to flip a coin to trick my friends into doing things for me. And basically I have been known to cheat to win, I'm very Tom Sawyer in that respect. Though I have yet to con anyone into white washing a fence for me.

"Colin unfairly outlawed the toss," I reply dripping my voice in fake sadness.

"That's because you cheat and beside I've done it twice in a row," Colin said scolding me for trying to bring Finn to my side.

Finn try consoling me the best he could, "Ah don't take it so hard Logan, Colin's just a sore loser. Don't worry we'll brankrupt the bar and leave him to deal with the dull party by himself." I bet Finn is winking in to the phone right now.

"You do realize I can still hear you," I take it Colin was slightly cross with us.

I set in to calm the storm brewing, "Nah, it might be fun, the party is for Ace."

Colin went for the low blow, "Oh you mean that nosy reporter that you want to sleep with?"

"I told you Colin repeatily that I don't want to sleep with her, I consider her a friend only. I don't know why you keep insiduating that there something more to this friendship then I've told you." He was starting to piss me off with his chronic hinting that my only interest in Ace was to bed her. But that one of Colin's faults, his ability to not let something go until it frays everyone of my last nerves.

Finn interupted, "Who are we talking about?"

"That reporter that Logan brought to the last LDB gathering," Colin answers.

"Oh she was cute, why don't you want to sleep with her Logan?" God now Colin has Finn doing it, thankfully Finn will forget soon.

"Because I am not interested in having a physical relationship with her, I am just friends with a lot of girls," I protest against their accusations.

"Name one," Colin demanded.

Fine if he wants to challenge me on this subject, "Jill."

"You slept with her when you were fifteen," Colin reminded me of my summer with Jill.

He can't find anything sexual with this one, "Juilet."

"You slept with her junior year," Finn brought up.

"Rosemary."

Colin shot that one down, "You slept with her at my last birthday party."

"You did what!" Ow, I think Finn just burst my eardrum.

Colin steps in quickly, "Don't worry Finn I think she was just bored." I know I can always count on Colin to calm Finn down and insult me at the same time.

"Finn it was one time, and she didn't even like my performance," this was a lie of course. Rosemary and I had a good time, enough of a good time that she thinks of me as her top friend with benefits person. Now that I think about it, I been with Rosemary more than just Colin's birthday. But I doubt Finn would take that information well. Thankfully Finn bought my lie, though I know Colin didn't, he saw right through it like he always did. "Even though you two brought up all those examples, I assure you that the relationship Rory Gilmore and I have is purely platonic."

Colin gave up aguring with me, "Fine Logan if you say so."

Finn voice came back sounding much happier with me, "So Logan what time are you picking me up?"


So far Finn has been behaving perfectily, though if I don't find him something fun to do soon I might have a problem on my hands. Oh no I've been spoted, "Logan darling, so nice that you came."

Mother look itching for a ciagrette, "I thought I had to come under pently of death." I notice her neck is dressed in a new diamond necklace that I've haven't seen before, Dad must be apologizing for something bad he did recentelly.

"Don't be silly," she look around to see if we were in ear shot of anyone. "Now Logan I want you on your best behavior, and don't worry I didn't bring you here to couple with this Rory girl."

"And here I was hoping you were already planning our wedding," though I am curious to why Mom wouldn't want me to date Ace.

"Logan this is serious, this girl grew up in some place called Moon Hollow. Let Emily pawn her off on someone else unsupesting son." This kind of predjuice talk was making me more anger at my mother, than I usally get when she being a hard core snob.

"I thought Richard and Emily were your good friends?" I ask through cench teeth.

"They are my good friends, but this Rory girl is not the one for you," what can I say my mom can be a real witch sometimes. I don't even want to bother with why she sees Rory as unsuitable candinate as the future Mrs. Logan Huntzberger. Not that I'm in any hurry to marry anyone least along Ace, but I could do worst than having Ace as my wife.

Thankfully my dad comes over to us and rescues me, "Logan have you written an article for the paper yet?" Well so much for him rescuing me, he just transported me from one agonizing converstation to the next agonizing converstaion.

"Yes I did actually, the fifth dentist finally caved and now they all recommend Trident," I saw the annoyance in my father's face. Giddly I conitue, "Isn't it great that they're finally getting along," I will pay for this remark later of course.

Mom steps in before Dad can start drilling me in public, "Mitchum we are at a party hosted by our friends, this is not the time our place to lecturing Logan to reach his potential."

Dad took a swing of his drink, letting the ice rattle, "Isn't that what you're doing Shira with your constant matchmaking?"

I quickly look at my watch and cut in before Mom can reply, "Well look at the time, as much as I would love to stay here and listen to you two argue over me. I have a very energetic Australian friend to monitor, excuse me." I walk away as fast I can without drawling attention to myself as I head straight for the bar. Not surprisingly that where I find Finn, he looks like someone took away his best friend leaving him all alone defenseless.

"Logan be a pal and kill me right now," Finn beg clutching his scotch.

"As much as I like to put you out of your misery, I'm not interested in spending the remainder of my life in Sing-Sing," I say patting him on his back.

"Chicken," he pouts draining his drink.

"I have an idea, lets look around for Ace," I need to get Finn moving to snap him out of his depression.

"Maybe she'll have the balls to pull the trigger," I better work quickly, Finn turning into Colin.

"Leave it to you to become Old Yeller when you're sober," I lead him away from the bar, making sure to steer us away from any adults that might want to strike up a conversation.

Ace seems to be in hiding, I can't find her anywhere. Which is not good, Finn is getting more restless by the second. I've been withholding alcohol from him and I think he is getting ready to mutiny. Oh there she is, out on the patio; unfortunately she is trap by a leering cad. Ace needs a rescue fast; leaving Finn alone, I walk over for an intervention, "Rory. There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you." I put my arm around her for show, "I'm late, I'm sorry, don't be mad." I turn my attention to the leering cad, "Logan Huntzberger," I throw out my hand.

"Uh, Jordan Chase," ah, so the leering cad has a name.

He releases my hand; I pull Ace closer to me, "Good to meet you, thanks for keeping my girl busy. If you hadn't, she would've noticed exactly how late I am and then she might have left and that would have been very, very bad."

Jordan looks cheated out of a prize, "Excuse me, I'm sorry - you're with her?"

"Going on a year and a half," hopefully he is buying my charade of being Ace's boyfriend. Playing along with my ruse, Ace places a hand over the one I have drape across her shoulder.

Hopefully our combined efforts will rid Ace of leering Jordan; thankfully the desperate loser took the bait. I release Ace now that our con is over, "Oh, thank you," you know I think this is the first time she's been happy to see me.

"You looked cornered," I say stating the oblivious.

"I was," she does look happy to see me, maybe because she knows I'm not circling around her like the other vultures here.

"Well, glad to be of service. Man, I hate these parties."

"Not really my bag either," I'm so glad that she not one of the few insane people like Jordan so lonely they're go to this type of parking looking for a hookup. Nothing good ever comes from these parties, low self-esteem from being paraded around like property and a bad hang over from trying to drown yourself at the bar is all these type of parties give you.

But it is best to look on the bright side, "But at least the bar is stocked, and I must say your grandmother has excellent food."

Now I've confuse her, "Wait, my grandmother?"

Richard comes up behind me looking please to see me talking to Ace; I put my best behavior on. "Logan? How are you, son?"

He puts out his hand and I return with a strong handshake, my Dad taught me long ago that if I wanted men like Richard to respect me I had to greet them with a firm handshake. "I'm very well, sir, and yourself?"

Richard seems almost chipper, "Oh, I'm fit as a fiddle! It's good to see you. Are your parents here?"

Unlike me, Richard actually likes talking to my parents, "Wandering around here somewhere. Mom is obsessed with Emily's new draperies."

"Ah, yes. Emily has exquisite taste in fabrics," he seems proud of Emily's tastes in decorating. He turns to Ace, "All right, Rory. Since I see that you are in capable hands I will make another round and end up at the bar."

"It's been good to see you, Richard," I say with genuine feeling, Richard is one of my parents more agreeable friends to talk to. Unlike their other boring friends, Richard doesn't make me dread having to interact with him and normally I enjoy our conversations.

I guess one could call him my friend as well, "Good to see you, Logan." He moves away leaving Ace and I once again alone.

She wants answers for what she just witness, "You know my grandparents."

I explain, "My folks are good friends with Richard and Emily." Time to get down to business, I think it is time to give Ace some schooling on surviving this mind numbing event. "Okay, so, Lesson one in coping with painfully boring parties, form a sub-party." Ace looks eager to learn what I can teach her about escaping the party, I start collecting valuable supplies.

Ace is curious to what I am up to, "Where are you going?"

I better collect Finn from wherever he is sulking, "Finn!"

Ace is shock, "Finn's here?" I guess she didn't know much about who was on the guess list, I bet she was trick into coming to this little mating shindig her grandparents are hosting tonight.

I hope he hasn't wandered too far away; usually he comes on the first call, "Finn!"

Thankfully he answers this time, "You rang?"

I walk past him on my search for Colin, "Time for a change of venue."

He instantly perks up, "Oh, fantastic." I leave Finn with Ace, she should be able to watch him for a few minutes while I round up everyone.


The sub-party is going great, Finn found some agreeable music to listen to and we are not a want for alcohol. And best of all everyone seems to be having a good time, even Colin, "Gilmore, your grandfather has appalling taste in scotch."

Ace was a little tipsy, "I think you should go on inside and tell him."

Colin shook his head, "If he hasn't learned by now I certainly can't teach him."

"Colin, make sure you refill that bottle with something, we don't want

Ace over here to get busted," I calmly advise.

Colin agrees, "I know. I know."

I turn my attention back to Ace, "Refill?"

She sticks her glass out willingly "Sure, why not?"

Finn's alcohol intake is starting to take effect, "Because drinking is bad. It's very, very bad and we're bad for doing it." I surprised at his behavior usually Finn response better to his drinking, "Spank me," ah there's Finn I know.

Ace shoots down his request, "I think the hangover tomorrow will be punishment enough."

Rejected Finn turns to me, "She hasn't had enough champagne, Logan." He leaves and once again I am alone with Ace.

I sit down next to her, "Hey, listen, I forgot to tell you, I read the article."

She sounds surprise, maybe she doesn't think I can read, "You did?"

I shrug her surprise off, "Yep, not bad."

She smiles a happy smile, "Thank you."

I congratulate her more, "You caught the spirit of the thing, I'll give you that."

She looks unsure of my compliment, "But?"

I assure her that I'm genuine, "No, no buts. You've got a good style." Maybe I should throw in some constructive criticism to please her, "There were a few too many similes in it for my taste, but it definitely had a Joseph Mitchell thing going for it, I like that."

She smiles again, "I'm surprised you even bothered to read it," she was teasing me.

"Are you? Hmm..." It feels nice sitting like this with her, we're talking as if it's the easiest thing to do. I feel comfortable with her…wait a minute what am I saying? I need to get my mind onto something else fast. I stand up, I don't think it best that I am so close to her right now, "So, who's it going to be?"

She's confuse by my change in conversation, "What?"

I need to distance myself from having these types of feelings for her. I need to push these thoughts of wanting to become something more with Rory out of my head. We're just friends I tell myself, just friends. I force myself to come together, "Well, this shindig's an obvious meat market, I've got the feeling that your grandparents are expecting you to choose someone tonight, so..."

She's not happy that I brought the reason of the party up, "Oh, well..."

A bunch of guys rush to present themselves for her choosing, Finn included, "Me. Pick me." He was met with boos from the other suitors, "But I'm exotic!" Finn whined.

Colin spoke up with an insult waiting on hand, "So is the Asian Bird flu."

Strangely enough I find this all entertaining, "Wow. A room full of guys and still extremely slim pickings."

"Well, I don't know," she's blushing, she likes the attention. Then she lowers the blow, "It's a tough choice; maybe I should let my boyfriend help me choose."

I feel a queasy feeling in my gut, "You have a boyfriend?"

Finn looks deflated, "I'm crushed."

Colin plays along, "Ain't it always the way?"

I sit back next to her, "Do Richard and Emily know about this?" I am so stupid; of course a girl like Rory would have a boyfriend. I'm her friend I should be happy for her, than why do I feel a twinge of jealousy?

"Yeah, they do," she's treating me like her friend.

So I should response like one, "They're just trying to make sure you got a backup?"

She shakes her head, "No, they're just," a look of horror comes onto her face, "oh no, what time is it?"

"It's crying time," Finn announces.

Colin checks his watch, "Eight forty five."

Ace shoots up off the couch to gather her shoes to leave, "Dean is meeting me at eight-thirty!"

So the boyfriend name is Dean, "Where?"

She doesn't look at me as she looks for her shoes, "Here, out front!"

I ask a question I already know the answer to, "Dean, is this the boyfriend?"

She answers, "Yes, it's the boyfriend."

"Well, we got to see this guy," what am I insane? Why am I so interested in who Rory dates and what he looks like?

She's as shock as I am by my statement as she puts on her shoe, "What?"

I come up with an explanation quick, "See who the man is that's won your heart. Gotta make sure he's good enough."

She puts on her other shoe as she protest, "But."

The others head for the front, though I stay behind with Ace, "Coming?" She fixes her shoes one last time before she follows me. The adults pay us little attention as we loudly head through the house to the front. Ace emerge through the crowd to open the door, we all closely follow behind her to get a glimpse of Dean. He looks depressed as he leans against his truck, though I was right on my assumption he is tall. We stay back as she goes to talk to him, he doesn't look happy at all. Their voices are hushed and I can see a frown firmly planted on his face. A few seconds later he gets into his truck and drives away leaving Ace alone. I know a breakup when I see one, Ace looks so small. I depart from the group and walk quickly to her as the others follow my lead, "You'll be okay," I reassure her as gently as I can.

"No, I won't," she sniffs as the tears fall down her face.

I can't stand to see her cry, "Okay, that's it. Back to the pool house, men. We have some serious bucking up to do here."

In effort Colin holds up his stolen bottle of scotch, "I swiped some scotch."

Finn offers to help out too, "I'll reenact the Passion of the Christ." The rest cheer and with Colin and Finn they head back inside.

I lean in closer to her, "Come on, Ace, nothing ever seems quite as bad after Finn's Passion of the Christ, except Finn's Passion of the Christ." She lets out a soft laugh, but she still looks a little uncertain if she wants to go back inside. Her eyes meet mine; I give her my most trusting face. She weakly smiles and for a second it feels like we're connected; and it scares and excites me at the same time. But then her sad eyes cast downward breaking the bond. She turns back to the house; I put my arm around her for comfort as we head back together.


Finn had just finished his last scene of the Passion of the Christ, and Ace was bubbling with laughter. And I think I actually heard her snort a few minutes ago. She is drunk; I can't believe I got Ace drunk. She seems better now since Dean left, though it might just be the alcohol talking. We are alone sitting on the couch; she looks at ease from what she was an hour ago. "You know what I thought when I first saw you?" she was baiting me.

I learned from experience to always answer a person under the influence. It's good to keep them talking, "What did you think?"

"That you," she said poking me hard in my right shoulder, "Were nothing more then an arrogant pretty boy whose daddy paid for everything."

I can't resist, "You thought I was pretty?" I ask with a smirk sneaking onto my mouth.

She rolls her eyes at my question, "When you're not being an annoying jerk, you're not that horrible to look at."

I laugh, "You can't take it back now Ace, and you think I'm pretty."

She wasn't paying attention to me anymore, but quietly staring off into space, "He was right you know to break it off," she stumbles out the words. I didn't interrupt her, it look like she needs to tell someone, "He was my first everything, my first boyfriend, my first love, my first time." Strangely I don't like the idea of Ace's ex being with her intimately. I shake this thought off as she continues speaking, "Dated in high school, but I fell in love with someone else and poof no more relationship with Dean. But the other relationship fell apart and I was lonely and Dean was just there." Her voice is sharper now, "He had gotten married, he was married when we slept together," her eyes were tearing up. This was a tough subject for her to face, I stay quiet, "She was really nice too, but I didn't think about her. All I thought about was me and how nice it was to be wanted by a guy." I hand her my handkerchief to dab at her eyes, "I broke up a marriage and I didn't even love him," a look of surprise came over her face. As if a light bulb just went on over her head, "Oh my God, I didn't love him. I'm a tramp; I stole a married man that I didn't love for kicks. I'm a horrible, terrible, unforgivable person."

I decide it time for me to step in, "Rory, listen to me" her blues eyes turn to me looking so innocent. "You are not a horrible, terrible, unforgivable person," I say trying to reassure her.

"I doubt Dean's wife would agree with you," she looks so small.

"You're a good person who made a mistake; it doesn't make you bad it makes you human. Yes, people got hurt, yourself included. But you have two options to choose from, you can either let your mistake control you or you can learn from it and move on."

She blew her nose softly, "You talk like you have experience in this area."

I put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Trust me I made enough mistakes of my own, but my mistakes are something I can't change; I have learned to accept that. You just have to take it one step at a time, trust me it does get better."

Her voice was like a whisper now, "What's the first step?"

I smile at her, "Well I find that it helps to talk about it with a friend."

Her mouth curls into a genuine smile, "Thanks, Logan."

"Anytime Ace," she looks more peaceful now, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

Finn's drunken voice can be heard out of tune, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to. Cry if I want to; cry if I want to, you would cry too if it happened to you."

"Nobody knows where my Johnny has gone, but Judy left the same time," a new voice enters. Oh no, he's gotten Colin to join him.

It starts out slow but the others begin to join in, "Why was he holding her hand, when he's supposed to be mine."

Ace starts giggling as she starts singing along with them, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to. Cry if I want to; cry if I want to, you would cry too if it happened to you."

Well you know the saying if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, "Then all my records keep dancing all night. But leave me alone for a while, till Johnny's dancing with me

I've got no reason to smile."

Finn pulls Ace up to dance with him, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.

Cry if I want to, cry if I want to; you would cry too if it happened to you."

I'm glad I could soften the blow of this breakup for Ace as I watch her merrily dance around the room with Finn. I can't explain it, but I want to shelter her from pain, yet I want to open her eyes to new possibilities. It's a very complicated situation that I don't understand myself. I never felt this way about a girl before, and I don't mean romantic feelings. It's like things are just better with her around, she makes me think about things I never thought I could or would. Colin was half right about her, I have thought of asking her out on a date maybe once or twice. But dating her would be more than just sex and a good time, and I'm not that kind of guy. I can't do relationships; no I must always be nothing more than a friend.

Judy and Johnny just walked through the door

Like a queen with her king

Oh what a birthday surprise

Judy's wearing his ring

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Cry if I want to, cry if I want to

You would cry too if it happened to you

Oh-oh-oh it's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Cry if I want to; cry if I want to...

A giggle escapes from Ace's rosebud lips as I refill her glass.

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

"So," I get comfortable in my seat, "Have you notice that Finn likes to sing when he drunk yet?"

She giggles some more, note to self: huge amounts of champange turns Ace into a giggling girl. "Is it Finn singing, I would have sworn it was Bette Midler."

"He considers himself closer to Barbara," I say correcting her.

"Ah the faboulous Ms. Streisand," Ace hiccups, "Excuse me."

She started to giggle strongly again, "What?"

"I'm drunk," she answers my question without hesitation.

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

"I can see that," she looks so alive and loose from what she was a few hours ago.

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

She pause before she spoke, "Logan."

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand

"Yeah Ace?"

We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you're not strong

"I'm happy," I smile warmly at her. "Tonight would have been different for me, if you hadn't been there. You really help me tonight and I just want to say thank you."

I finish my champange, "Wow Ace, you must be drunk if you're saying such nice things to me."

She smiles knowingly, "Yes, it must be the champange talking."
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

The limo pulls to a stop, "You're home Ace." Ace shrieks as she is gets out of the limo follow by us rowdy group of guys. She stumbles walking up to her house, "Whoa, Ace, you need some help there?" I offer a little buzz myself.

She happily shakes her head no, as she calls out over her shoulder, "Bye!" I was sad to see her go, but I am glad that she has recovered from the blow that she had received earlier tonight. She has a lot of spunk to be able to bounce back from what has happen, though I think the alcohol might have help a little. I turn my attention to the energy fill boys around me, "So where are we off to now?"


So that it the chapter, I hope you enjoy my new update. And please reply; I love reading your comments on what you think about the story. I will get started on But Not as Cute as Pushkin right away and I am going to try to have it up by this weekend.