Title: Taking a header or staying the course

Author: Joy

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Even if you don't like the chapter please review it. I like to get feedback.

Please Read: if anyone has a problem with the abilities I am giving Tressa at her age I can only say I am combining my grandmother's school history with my father's youthful investing.

Chapter 12: Exams, coffee and freak-outs.

Logan was staring down at Rory sleeping the way he had after the first time they had made love. The room was the same, the bed was the same, the pillows were the same, the sheets were the same but the situation was now entirely different. Logan Huntzberger was off the market and happy about it. He was in love and not afraid of the future. Biting his lip as he gazed at the girl in his arms he knew there was nothing better than this.

Logan had woken up next to Rory throughout the night, skin still tingling from the touching and tasting that had occurred in regular intervals through the wee hours of the morning. At one point he had worshiped her over and over before he became overwhelmed with emotion and stopped. Rory had regarded him a moment and touched his sweat glistening face. He whispered he loved her and that he needed her. It wasn't a line or a lust driven statement. It was just an honest assessment of his heart. Rory had smiled her innocent smile even as she wrapped her thighs around his back and guided him home. She whispered the same sentiments in a high breathy tone as they began to make love. In his whole life no moment could have been more pure.

Now the sun was up. It was nearly time for the day to begin, with all of his surprises waiting to arrive... Everything was perfect.

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And everything was perfect until as very upset and flustered redhead threw open the bedroom door, scaring him to death so that he fell out of bed. "You...out!" Tressa demanded.

"Tress... What the hell?" Rory said groggily.

"OUT!" Tressa growled. "I need my cousin."

Logan threw on his boxers, gathered his shirt and jeans before he went into the living area.

There was much-frustrated ranting going on just beyond Rory's door. Tressa was fussing loudly...something about a manor born. Whatever the hell that meant. He doubted they were fighting about him again. Tressa had all but given her blessing by the end of the party. She had told him that unless he was a remarkably good actor, he did seem to genuinely care for Rory. The shock in her voice was not lost on him.

Logan groaned pushing these thoughts aside as he put on his clothes before he went to retrieve something from the refrigerator. This action stopped when Finn threw open the door.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

"Who?"

"Tressa!"

"What did you do?" Logan growled.

"Nothing... I was a perfect gentleman...I talked to this great girl all night. I figured if my best friends were going to try the monogamous thing I might as well join in...especially after seeing her. And she was great, smart, funny. Great taste in music, clothes, movies, wine. What's not to love right?" Finn stated in exasperation.

"Right," Logan said automatically.

"Then I said something... I'm not even sure what... I watched my language, curbed the innuendos, stayed funny but not crass... I really haven't a clue. Suddenly she says, 'Manor born' and runs out of the building. I chased her here. Now where is she?" Finn demanded.

Logan just pointed to Rory's door.

Finn didn't wait or knock, he just threw open that door too. "What was that?" Finn demanded as he shut the door. Logan began to pray his friend would survive.

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Rory stared as Finn plowed into her room. "Finn...the guy is Finn."

"You see now the problem?" Tressa stated.

"Well I don't," Finn growled. "We were having a good time. We were talking. I was sober for god sake. What just happened?"

Rory could tell this was going to be bad. Finn had no way of knowing that Tressa was going to freak out about his bank account. It was actually sort of sad. Two minutes before Tressa is talking about this great guy she sat up all night talking to in the basement of the Art building. She helped him clean up and then they had just stayed talking about anything and everything. Unfortunately Finn mentioned something about boarding school and Tressa made the pieces add up.

Tressa didn't do society. She took pleasure in taking down the boys clubs person by person. Rory could admit that Tressa was smarter than Paris and she put together. Tressa had skipped grades in school...Chilton hard schools at that. She even managed to opt out of her entire freshman year at Princeton. By the time she was nineteen she was a college graduate with an impressive financial standing and business smarts that were unsurpassed.

After her father had passed away, society was something she avoided like the plague. She hated her own family and did her best to outshine them so they could never act superior to her. If any ever tried, she would takeover whatever business deals they were working on. The Haydens' could not control the wayward child and so they learned to back off. Tressa was Rory's inspiration in many ways...but she never envied her heart. It seemed it had died with her father. Rory knew something else happened, but never knew what.

Now Rory sat watching a train wreck occurring. Finn who never was serious about any girl had chosen her cousin to try with. Tressa who never was serious about any guy had given Finn a chance... But it all boiled down to who his family was. Rory ran from Logan because of the Society Issue, so she understood perfectly. However Tressa was that much more over the top. Tressa refused to ever deal with any 'Society guy' or 'Manor Born's as she called them. If society people were picky and superior with those who had to work, Tressa was twice as prejudiced against them for it.

"Explain to me what just happened?" Finn demanded.

"I..." Tressa began as Finn slowly walked her back against the wall.

He stared into Tressa's big blue eyes as she tried to formulate a thought. Leaning down slowly Finn pressed a sweet, chaste kiss to her lips. "I thought about doing that all night," he whispered, "...and admittedly some other things too... but I didn't 'cause I didn't want to scare you off. So what did I do? You knew my age, my alcohol habits, my player ways and yet you stayed. What happened in those last few minutes that screwed things up?"

Rory felt like an intruder in such an intimate moment, but she knew Tressa would loose it if she left.

"I didn't know you were a manor born."

"What does that even mean?" he questioned.

"You come from that world. The one I ran from. The one I take apart. The one I refuse to go back to."

"No tiaras, or ball gowns, or limos," Finn said gently.

"No."

"So what's your vice...I can fit in just about anywhere. It's a gift."

Tressa looked at him hard, "I study my opponents. Find out their weaknesses and exploit them. I turn people like Logan's daddy on their ears just so they will know what it feels like to be beaten. I have destroyed some of my own families businesses just to stick it to them for hurting Rory. I am one of those people that loves to rub salt into the wounds of old money as I take apart their businesses...because I can."

Finn stared back at her just as hard, "And I expect that doesn't really help ease the pain of whatever it is that made you start doing it to begin with."

"Don't you understand? I have already screwed with Logan's family...who's to say yours won't be next."

"You do... You choose whom to go after. I doubt you will be hitting the Huntzbergers' again anytime soon because of Rory." Finn leaned down again and kissed Tressa sweetly. "No one is asking for the world Tressa...just a cup of coffee."

Tressa leaned up and kissed Finn in the same light way he had the moment before. Soon the two were locked in a heady embrace, so Rory eased herself from the room.

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"So?" Logan asked when Rory came in.

"They are making out against the wall."

"You're kidding."

"Nope," Rory said as Logan handed her a cup of coffee. "They have sex on my bed they are toast."

Logan laughed lightly even though he was sure she wasn't kidding. "Don't worry Ace... I'll buy you new sheets and we can have a ritual burning of the old."

"Thank you. Depending on what happens, I may take you up on that."

Logan looked at Rory out of the corner of his eye. "So you never really explained that phone call from last night."

Rory smirked, "What do you want to know?"

"Everything," he stated clearly ruffled by the situation.

"Paris and Tristan had talked before. I called him for real. Once I identified myself he told me he missed me and such. He immediately asked about visiting and that is when I said I had a boyfriend. He made some crack about when did I not. He asked if you were listening and I said yes...so he started spouting odd things about marriage and the kiss... once I told him who you were was when things got odd. He started ranting about me dating him in another body...a worse version of him. Tristan followed with a few other choice statements about your reputation, hurting me, and his sniper duties. All and all he mainly was just wanting to convey his interest and protective nature."

"But you'll always be his Mary?" Logan asked quietly.

"Logan...Tristan and I kissed once, when I was sixteen... a lot has happened since then. That statement shouldn't worry you. I don't know, isn't there some girl out there that you would always be Logie too or something...some person that there is a bittersweet relationship long since past."

"No..." he admitted. "Look, I've dealt with Dean. I saw you respond to him. I knew there was nothing there. This guy talked for thirty seconds and your face lit up like a Christmas tree."

"That's only because there was no awful break up... Dean, awful break up, three times. Jess abandonment issues out the ying-yang. Tristan just left with this affection that couldn't be matched. It has nothing to do with us," Rory murmured kissing his cheek.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah..." she gazed at him. "I make you feel pretty insecure," she whispered gently petting his face.

"You're the first girl I have actually cared about in a long time let alone fallen for. I keep waiting for you to really bolt like you did the first night," he whispered back.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that."

"No, it was good... I needed it to happen. I just feel out of my element now."

Rory smiled, "You and me both."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"You want me to drag Finn away... I have to go get changed before class," Logan asked sipping out some orange juice.

Rory pouted. "You have to go? I was hoping to kick them out and use the bed ourselves," she murmured sidling closer to Logan before nipping at his ear.

His whole body shuttered as he grabbed her hips before she could rub against him wickedly. "Hold that thought for later."

"How much later?" she asked.

"I'll remove them," he uttered pointing at her door, "And then I will be back after my eight o'clock with breakfast, coffee, and surprises."

"Surprises?" Rory said with a smile.

"Surprises," he agreed kissing her soundly.

Logan pulled away reluctantly and walked to Rory's bedroom door and began to knock persistently. "Finn...whatever you are doing needs to stop now and be relocated. I don't want to know you had sex on the bed I made love to Rory on this morning!" Logan growled sternly.

A small surprised squeal was heard along with, shuffling, low conversation and the door opening quickly. Tressa who was as red as her hair, pretty much hid behind Finn who just glared at one of his dearest friends. Neither said anything, but Finn moved them quickly out the door.

"Were they?" Rory asked.

"I don't think so...groping I would guess."

"I can deal with groping," she commented.

"It's a fun pastime," Logan agreed before nipping at her neck. "I'll be back in a couple hours. Go back to sleep."

"Yes sir," she murmured with a yawn.

"Good girl," he whispered and gave her a quick kiss before leaving.

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Rory woke to the sound of Paris arguing with someone...actually a lot of someones. "For the last time, we didn't order this!" she heard Paris yell. She threw on some clothes and made her way to the living area.

"What's this?" Rory asked as men brought in large coffee machine dispensers.

"A mistake," Paris griped.

"I need a signature," one deliveryman cajoled.

"I'll sign that," Logan said suddenly appearing in the door.

"Thank you Mr. Huntzberger. We will bring the rest up momentarily."

"Whatever...I have to go," Paris growled and left Rory to deal with her boyfriend's surprises.

"What's this Logan?" Rory gestured to the machines now in her living area.

"Luke's coffee, for exam week," he said with a smirk.

Rory's eyes lit with amazement. "He gave you the recipe?"

"No...I purchased a ton of his coffee for you. That's what I was discussing with him the other morning."

She smiled huge and jumped at him. Logan quickly caught the flying Rory and fell back to the couch. "I take it you like my surprise Ace."

"I love your surprise. Thank you. This is beyond sweet," she said kissing his face.

"Good... Because I am stealing your bed."

"Excuse me?" Rory said in confusion.

Logan shrugged, "I figure since we will be sharing here and at my place most of the time it would be best if we got bigger beds... so the bed in your room will be moved to a storage unit as will mine."

Rory looked at him like he were nuts as men came in her place, into her bedroom and removed her bed...which they had stripped. Next a couple guys brought in an aero bed and began to assemble it along with other small pieces of furniture. "Logan," she whispered. "I have no sheets or bedding for that."

"I know...but I figured you wouldn't be opposed to black silk sheets until we can buy you the rest." He leaned over and grabbed magazines and catalogs out of his bag. "Look through these for the type of bed frame you want for Star's Hollow."

"Logan," Rory chastised.

"I told you I was going to...now look."

"Your breakfast sir," Frank said as he brought in food from Luke's.

"Frank?" Rory said with joy. "Did he make you pick that up in Star's Hollow?"

"No, Miss Gilmore. Your friend left this for you last night with the rest of the food for the party. I just brought it over."

"Please call me Rory."

"I imagine Mr. Huntzberger would get upset if I called you by his pet name for you," Frank joked.

"That's right...I am the only one that can call her Ace."

"I will remember that...but I suggest you remind your father, since that is how he is referring to her."

Logan groaned, "When do we expect to see dear old Dad?"

"About an hour," Frank confirmed. "Have a good breakfast Rory...and I have already eaten so don't worry about me."

Rory smiled, "I'm glad."

Frank left even as people continued to come in and out of Rory's room. "All finished sir," one of the workers said calmly.

"Thank you... Let's check it out," Logan whispered and led Rory to her room.

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Rory opened the door and found her room in relatively the same order she left it, only now there was a larger bed made up in black silk sheets, two night tables, two small table lamps and a tall thin free standing wardrobe in the corner. "What's this?" she asked pointing to the wardrobe.

Logan shrugged, "Couldn't deprive you of closet space, could I? Open it."

Rory opened the wardrobe to find hanging clothes (obviously male), a shelf above full of male toiletries and a dop-kit, and two side by side draws on the bottom with boxers, socks, and shoes. "Home away from home," she whispered.

"You have an identical one in my room. We'll go shopping tonight to put what you will need in it."

"I'll just move some clothes and..."

"No," Logan said firmly. "This is an excuse for me to spend money on you... You will not deprive me of the experience of seeing Rory Gilmore shop for clothes."

"Why?"

"Why what?" he asked back.

"I don't need anything," she contended.

"I didn't say you did...but you will turn away expensive pieces of jewelry or art. Having ball gowns in your closet seems to mock you. I can buy you sunflowers but only in moderation... I want to do this. I want to go to the drugstore and buy you shampoo, conditioner and dare I say tampons." She blushed a bit. "I want you there, with me. I want your stuff there even if you aren't... It's a silly, stupid way to help cover the silly, stupid insecure gnawing at my stomach."

"Logan, things aren't going to keep me in your room."

"I know that...but having a piece of you close will help remind me you are coming back."

"Also remind you if you are stupid enough to bring another girl home," Rory challenged.

Logan shook his head, "Never gonna happen Ace. I know I'm replaceable. You aren't."

She sighed, as she turned around to view him head on before kissing him sweetly. "We'll go after class... Now you need to help me figure out what to wear for coffee with your dad."

"Sure," he murmured with a smile. "Breakfast first."

TBC...

A/N: For those of you think Logan is out of character, I am of the opinion it is simply a side to his character we haven't seen much of. He is very much a 'been there, seen that, bought the t-shirt' kind of guy, but he sticks to what he knows and doesn't venture out. His whole thought process about grand events is more to do with being the biggest and best at everything rather than the experiences themselves. That was the reason I chose to have Logan marvel over holding a baby. The insecurity I am having him display is very much about a lack of confidence in the mundane things in life, rather than turning him into a wuss. I had a friend very much like Logan in school. I was constantly amazed at the ease at which he would take massive adventures...dating...life in general. But when it came to falling in love for real all his confidence couldn't help him with the free fall he experienced. I guess I am writing from that experience.

Now... PLEASE REVIEW. Give me a happy. PLEASE REVIEW.