Title: Taking a header or staying the course
Author: Joy
A/N: For those of you who have been following the saga of my sickly state I thought I would let you know that I finally have a diagnosis. I have been suffering from...believe it or not...chronic dehydration. It is amazing to know that there just wasn't enough fluids in my body so my heart had to pump too hard and too fast...thus the dizziness. So while most people need to drink a quart a day I need two...who'd have thought it? Weird.
Now story notes: I have a different take on Mitchum Huntzberger. Let me know what you think,
Chapter 13: Coffee with the Newsman
For an hour Rory and Logan went through catalogs looking at bed frames, bedding, and other sundry things. Breakfast was done and couch cuddling had commenced.
"What do you think of this?" Rory asked turning a picture to her boyfriend.
"It's a sleigh bed," Logan commented with his eyebrows squished together.
"I take it you don't like it?"
"Not so much." He then pulled out a different picture. "How about this?"
"Logan, have you seen my room in Star's Hollow? That belongs in a museum having to do with a twelfth century queen, not my bedroom."
Logan winced, "I see your point... okay how bout this one?"
"It's nice...not too old, not to new."
"And metal with headboard and foot."
Rory looked at it again. "That could be a problem," she said suddenly.
"Why?"
"Well, what if you have another growth spurt? We'll have to get another bed frame without a foot thingy."
Logan was looking deep in Rory's eyes with an unreadable expression. "What?" she asked beginning to feel unnerved.
A slow seductive smile crept across his face, "You just said that."
"Said what?"
"And the best part is you have no idea what you did...it was that instinctive."
Rory's eyes lit with annoyance, "What are you talking about Logan?"
His smile became a full-fledged grin. "You," he murmured touching the tip of her nose, "are thinking about a future with me... One that involves enough time for me to go through a growth spurt." Her mouth opened and closed a few times unsure what to say. "And now you're blushing," Logan growled lightly as he dropped the magazine and began to kiss her lips and neck.
"I...I..."
"Stop talking," he whispered and leaned her back against the couch kissing her all the while.
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Rory moaned slightly as
she felt Logan's hand creep beneath her shirt. She then groaned in
disappointment when she heard Paris fuss, "Take it in your room
Gilmore or I swear I will hose you down."
Logan and Rory sat
up shamefaced as they watched Paris putter around before grabbing
some books and heading for the door again.
"You're leaving..." Rory said in confusion.
"...and you made us stop," Logan stated in disgust.
Paris turned to him quickly, "I didn't want Huntzberger baby batter on my furniture." And with that she was out the door.
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"She's terrifying," Logan muttered pointing at the closed door.
"Yes, but she is my roommate and has a point," Rory contended.
"But I was about to celebrate the fact that my hot girlfriend was thinking of a future with me," he murmured kissing her neck again.
She pushed him away slightly, "Are we going to talk about this?"
"Do you want to?"
"Maybe."
"Okay," he said looking at her sweetly.
He shrugged, "I was thinking about it too...its probably why I wasn't thinking of your room in Star's Hollow."
"Then where were you thinking of?" Rory asked.
This time it was Logan's turn to blush, "Somewhere else."
She touched his cheek, "Where?"
He shrugged, "Somewhere else...but close."
"Is this now, a few months, a few years..."
Logan looked at her with some timidity, "Somewhere and some time, we aren't ready for."
"But you want to be," she whispered still stroking his cheek with her thumb.
"I want to be," he admitted.
Rory snuggled into his chest, "Does this somewhere and some time include one location with no other roommates?"
Logan kissed her head, "Yeah...with two closest, a computer room, and an attached bathroom with a whirl pool tub."
"I like that. Is it a flat or does it have an upstairs?"
"Both actually," he responded hugging her a little closer. "A condo with living room, kitchen and half-bath downstairs, and bedrooms upstairs with an attached bath, though there has to be a door to that bath from the hall so others can use it. I haven't figured that part out yet."
Rory looked up at Logan, "I like future gazing with you."
"Me too... its new."
"For me too."
Logan looked at her oddly, "You didn't picture yourself married to Dean?" Rory's face fell. "Oh god... I am such an idiot. I'm sorry. I can't believe I said something that stupid."
"No...Its okay..."
Logan looked at her like she was nuts.
Rory smiled, "No really... I just had a flashback to my coming out thingy."
"Excuse me?" Logan said in confusion.
"What?" she asked confused by this confusion.
"Since you are sleeping with me I can only assume you mean you were a debutant."
"That's right," she muttered.
"Rory Gilmore...Lorelai Leigh Gilmore... Daughter of the infamous Lorelai Victoria Gilmore was a debutant... All is not right in my world anymore," he said with a slight shudder.
"You have a problem with the fact I was a debutant?" she asked incredulously.
He held up his hands, "Wait...we were talking about Dean, so that can only mean Dean was your escort."
"Right..."
"Dean was your escort?" Logan asked seeming even more disturbed by the minute.
"Why is that a problem? He was my boyfriend... when you said that about me being married to Dean...hey wait a minute. We were talking about the future and housing...but you went to marriage with Dean."
Now Logan was really red and very panicked. "I didn't mean...that is... I just thought..."
Rory was smirking like there was no tomorrow, "So I really have changed you, haven't I? A practical joke that hit the mark, about prenups and trust-funds and you were ready to choke...but now..."
"But now I am thinking about little blonde headed children with blue eyes... and hammocks on porches of houses that are comfortable but not huge and bed-frames with metal slates for you to grip when I make love to you in comfortable houses with porches with hammocks next to the Dragonfly," he spouted in all one breath seemingly very angry and pouting.
Rory couldn't take it and began to laugh.
Logan glared at her, "This is not funny."
"Yes it is... The ultimate playboy Logan Huntzberger has fallen in love and by so doing is planning a future in his head. However he was caught out planning said future by the woman he is in love with and now his insecurity is causing him to pout like the five-year-old son his love has pictured in her mind on occasion." She paused letting the last statement sink in, "Now feel better."
It took Logan a moment to work out what Rory had said before he smiled back, "Yeah... I do."
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A little after 10:30 a.m. there was a sharp knock came to Rory's door. "That would be dad," Logan said knowingly taking a deep breath before greeting his father.
Rory saw a man about Finn's height but far heavier set with grey hair and Logan's smile standing at her door.
"Hello, father," Logan said very formally.
"Hello, son," Mitchum said back before clapping his boy on the back. "Are you going to introduce me or are you going to continue to block the doorway?"
"Oh...I'm sorry." Logan extended his hand to Rory. "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, this is Mitchum Huntzberger. Dad, this is Rory."
"Nice to meet my son's infamous Ace," he said shaking her hand.
"Thank you sir. My grandfather speaks highly of you."
"I notice you avoided mentioning how my son speaks of me," Mitchum countered.
"Oh no sir...Its just..."
"He's teasing Ace," Logan whispered in her ear while giving her a reassuring squeeze.
Mitchum watched the slight physical contact with amusement. Logan was normally very demonstrative with his dates. He seemed completely unaware of the respect he was showing to both Rory and his father. That made Mitchum's day.
"So Rory, lets go get that coffee I promised you," Mitchum stated offering his arm.
Rory smiled and took the invitation. "Why thank you kind sir?" she said in a fake southern accent.
Mitchum laughed lightly, "You sound exactly like your mother when you do that."
"Yes well, she taught me."
Logan followed a step behind the two only to have Mitchum look over his shoulder. "Where are you going?"
"For coffee?" Logan said quickly.
Mitchum flashed a big smile, "I invited Miss Gilmore for coffee...not you. I am sure there is something you need to study, write or finish that will occupy your time while we are away."
"But..." Logan said in annoyance. He was afraid Rory would freak out, however she looked completely at ease. "Fine Dad... I will grab my books and be back shortly."
"Paris is still out," Rory warned.
"I'll open the window," he commented with a shrug.
"Window?" Mitchum asked.
"Your son has a Romeo complex," Rory confided.
"Ah...well...that doesn't surprise me in the least... Off we go."
Logan stared in awe for a moment then shook his head. The Huntzberger charm was genetic, he was quite sure.
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Mitchum and Rory walked arm and arm to a coffee shop on campus. They chatted along the way. Rory found Mitchum very much like her Grandfather in some ways and therefore easy to talk to. Her nerves eased as Mitchum regaled childhood stories of her mother and her babysitting days.
Once Mitchum had purchased both himself and his son's girlfriend a coffee they found themselves a table to sit at. "So Rory...you liking Yale as much as you thought, or do you sometimes wish you went to Harvard as planned?" Mitchum asked out of nowhere.
She laughed, "I forgot you were that close with my grandfather to know something like that." Mitchum smiled. "Logan has your smile."
The older Huntzberger nodded. "Yes... and Honor has my eyes."
"Honor?"
Mitchum couldn't help but laugh out right, "Logan's older sister, Honor. I imagine you will meet her soon enough."
"Oh, right I remember my mom saying something... He just never mentioned..."
"He doesn't mention family if he can help it. The last year has been very rough for us. After the Fiji incident my nerves and patience were shot."
Rory smirked, "Yes...I figured that. Though you will be happy to know he is getting better."
"I know...It's just sometimes worrisome that he manages to slip past normal consequences for his actions. I don't help matters by saving him...but he's my son."
Rory smirked, "Then I am happy to share that his behavior toward T.S. Hayden has bitten him in the ass."
"How so?" Mitchum asked curiously.
"She's my cousin."
"Ah... that would make sense wouldn't it?" Mitchum chuckled. "He had to face her recently?"
"Last night in fact... I think she might have threatened his life if he hurt me."
"Would not surprise me in the least?"
"Well this should...It appears my cousin is quite taken with Finn of all people," Rory confided.
Mitchum blinked a few times, "That is odd. I suppose she met him through you?"
"Finn threw Logan and I a party last night so the Yale community could get used to their reigning ladies man being off the market. Your wife has apparently spoken rather highly of me to the mothers' of several girls that wanted their Cinderella shot with Logan. Let's just say when we returned to campus it wasn't fun to be my telephone...or my roommate actually."
"Well, I will tell Shira to pause the accolades until things are more settled between you and Logan."
"Thank you... That would help."
Mitchum looked at Rory deeply, "The reason I wanted to meet with you without Logan, isn't for some nefarious purpose to buy you off or scare you. It's actually to ask a favor."
Rory regarded him a moment, "What favor sir?"
"You mean a great deal to Logan. I don't know if he has said it to you yet but my son loves you and is falling in love with you... more by the hour. I have never seen him as happy or at peace as he is when he is with you or talking about you."
"Thank you sir."
He paused, "That being said, I know you don't want the lifestyle that the Huntzbergers' lead. I know that it is uncomfortable for you, but you put up with it for your grandparents' sake."
Mitchum breathed deeply and looked into Rory's innocent face. "I put a lot of pressure on Logan. I require that he be in the spotlight due to the position he will be filling in the future...however I don't want that to harm your relationship. Therefore if I am asking for him to be gone too much or go to too many functions...if something is important to you that there is a business meeting I think Logan should be at instead...I need you to promise me you will tell me."
"Shouldn't Logan do that sir?" Rory asked quickly.
"Stop saying sir please. Mitchum or Mr. Huntzberger is fine...I would prefer Mitchum." He then looked at Rory, "Unfortunately, Logan and I have had a very antagonist relationship. I am afraid if he were to say he didn't want to go I wouldn't believe it was because of you. Logan had never wanted to attend meeting and parties. He always sneaks off to get buzzed in order to tolerate the company I force him to keep... I know deep down he understands when I turn the company over to him I want him to be confident in running it. We just disagree on tactics."
He sighed again, "You are the best thing that has happened to my son. You are the best thing to happen to my relationship with my son. I want to make sure that you feel welcomed as well as the time commitments and priorities you have are also honored."
Rory gave him a small smile, "I promise to let you know if I need Logan with me."
"And also if you just want to blow off a stuffy party to hang out with your mom," Mitchum stated quickly.
She looked at the older man for a moment, "You aren't going to lose him as long as you try to let him live before handing the business over."
"I always run the risk of loosing my son, Rory. He's a lot like your mother."
Rory regarded him oddly before Mitchum spoke again.
"Honor and Logan were both headstrong and willful, but they both played the parts we asked them too. I watched your grandparents grieve Lorelai and your loss. I became acutely aware of the potential to lose me children. Honor dealt with the constraints on her life much like you did...picking which battles to fight. Logan just fought everything. Eventually one day he looked at me and said he would take over the business like I asked but he didn't want to hear about how he chose to live his life until that day...since I was taking away his life and his choice. Since then it has been a tightrope act. I know Logan could walk away at any moment. He knows I will continue to pay for his college, room, and board and his friends will always pick up the tab when they party. He is talented and just as easily become a reporter and support himself...not as comfortably as he is used to be, but still..."
He stared at his cup, "I tried desperately to hook him on as many expensive things as possible so he wouldn't walk away...but in the back of my mind I still see the look on Richard's face when I asked how Lorelai was and he excused himself from the room. A servant told me that Lorelai had run away. Those few moments are etched in my mind."
Mitchum looked deeply into Rory's eyes, "If there is anything or anyone in Logan's life that would push him to leave the Huntzberger purse-strings it's you. I don't want to lose my son. I don't want that awful haunted look in my eyes when someone asks after Logan."
Rory nodded her head sadly and lay a hand on top of his, "I'll help in anyway I can."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
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Logan sat quietly in Rory's room waiting for his father's return. He didn't think Mitchum was going to try to get rid of Rory but with his father he could never quite be sure. The longer they were gone the more disturbed he felt. But then he heard the blissful sound he was waiting for. "Logan...we're back," Rory called. He sprang up and out the door to see both his father and Rory smiling so he hoped that meant everything was cool.
"Good coffee?" Logan asked.
"Is there such a thing as bad coffee?" Rory asked.
He could only grin, "For you I suppose not."
"Well Rory it was good to meet you. I will be sure to tell your grandfather what a delightful young lady you are with strong emphasis on how too good you are for my son," Mitchum said with a wink to Logan, causing a chuckle in the young man. "I expect I will be seeing you both at dinner sometime after break."
"Yes dad," Logan agreed.
"And son?" Mitchum said as he opened the door.
"Yeah dad?"
"Why don't you two go to New York for part of the break? You seem to be looking for furniture so..." he said gesturing to the magazines and catalogs on the floor. "IKEA is one of your favorites. I bet you can find all sorts of things to furnish your apartment for next year. Bye," Mr. Huntzberger said as he shut the door.
Rory looked at Logan in confusion, "Did he just suggest we live together next year?"
"He did," Logan nodded.
"I see," Rory
stated still with a confused look. "So..."
"Let's
not think about it yet."
"But New York is a cool idea," she commented.
"We can make a day trip to IKEA. You'll love it... Then on another trip we can go to FAO Swartz," he suggested.
"Huh...planning for those blonde haired, blue eyed children you've been dreaming of?"
"Funny..." Logan muttered.
"I thought so," she mocked.
"Just remember the pout... on a little boy, I believe you said."
Rory smirked, "Yep... but I'm not the one shopping for them."
"Not for them, for you."
"What do I need at a toy store?"
Logan sighed, "Who knows but we'll go and find out."
"Alright a trip to IKEA and a future trip." Rory started walking to her room. "We'll worry about the apartment thing at a later date."
Logan stood slack jawed then muttered to himself, "When did I stop being able to get the last word in?"
Rory poked her head around the doorframe, "I believe it was after you said, 'oh god' and then came the first time we made love." Then she pulled her head back into the room.
"And she did it again," he growled.
TBC...
So one or two more chapters guys... I hope it's entertaining. Let me know what you think. Next chapter they will go shopping...I think I might try to find a way to bring Finn and Tressa back...we'll see.
Now please REVIEW. Please REVIEW.
