How did she ever let herself get coaxed into getting up early for these events? Any fun she might look forward to having should have been cancelled out immediately against the notion of getting up early and going out into the cold New England winter morning. She shivered once more, and was relieved by the fact that she needn't wear a blindfold this time. But then again, perhaps not seeing Finn drive would be better than seeing him drive, she thought, as she saw the black car skidding to a halt in the middle of the driveway.
"Great, I have to risk my life even before I get to this winter-fest of yours!" she called out to Logan who came out of the car to get her bags into the car for her.
"Relax Ace, you've been in the car with Finn before, and you've survived, so you will probably survive this time."
"Well, statistically, one safe trip with a certain chauffeur doesn't lessen the chances of crashing the next time." Rory said indignantly.
"Empirically however, it has been shown that those who drive more, cause less accidents, relatively speaking, and Finn here always drives, making him our safest bet."
And of course he had to add that heart-melting smirk of his, Rory thought. She hated that she never seemed to be able to get the last word in a discussion with Logan. She was smarter and faster in debate than most people she knew, but Logan she had still to beat. He lightly touched her hand, since she was still clutching the last bag to be put into the car. Tiny electrical sparks flew up her arm from her fingers where he had touched her.
"Whoa… what's with the heavy bag, Ace?" Logan said as he took the bag from her and nearly lost his balance because of the weight of it. Before she could stop him he'd peeked inside one of the zippers that was almost bursting at the seams.
Rory reddened, but Logan just smiled softly and said, "Well Ace, that book sniffing of yours is one hell of an addiction. But still, better than crack I guess." He zipped up the bag and pushed it into the already overfull trunk, to Rory's great surprise he just smiled at her and… was that a wink?
Rory couldn't stop the blush on her cheeks from rising even further (she felt like she was blushing on her forehead, or even in the parting of her hair if it was possible to go red there at all) as Logan softly pressed a hand to her back to usher her into the car.
The drive didn't take long, and seeing the apparent destination loom before them Rory suddenly understood why they had been driving straight into the city. They weren't going to drive to their final destination; they were taking the Huntzbergers' private jet…
"How opulent!" Rory exclaimed as the car came to a halt near the hangar, now joined by a couple more cars.
"Well, you didn't think I was going to let Finn drive us all the way to Colorado, now did you, Ace? I would never do that to you…"
"We're going to Colorado?" She interrupted Logan.
Wow, Logan couldn't have imagined that those big blue eyes could get any bigger, but apparently they could.
He only laughed and Rory had to remind herself to never be surprised at anything that happens in Life and Death Brigade outings. And she did feel a tiny tingle in the pit of her stomach at how Logan had said that last sentence, I would never do that to you... Why was she so surprised at how good that made her feel?
The passengers of four other cars that had followed them from Yale piled into the airplane. Most of the faces were familiar, some even attended classes with Rory, but she didn't know any names. However the first unknown face that she got to know by name didn't make a very good impression on Rory.
"Logan!" a rather short but very shapely blonde shouted or rather squeeed at Logan, and as he turned, grinning widely, she flung herself around his neck and kissed him, though it looked more like she was attacking him. And to Rory's chagrin, Logan didn't seem to mind the public display of sexual aggression one bit.
"Nice to see you too, Alicia!" he smiled. Rory willed to see some kind of embarrassment for the scene on Logan's face, but there was nothing. Just that stupid irritating smirk. That easy smile, which he apparently wasn't picky in sharing with just anyone.
"You all right there, reporter girl?" Finn sat himself into the empty plane seat next to Rory. She'd mistakenly assumed that Logan would join her (why did she assume that anyway, it was not like they were friends and she was obviously not here as his date… ick… she meant guest), so she hadn't taken the empty seat next to the only nice girl she knew on the plane: Stephanie. Then again, Finn wasn't bad company either; he could just be a little tricky with those questions he always seemed to have to ask.
"I said, are you all right? Hello, Mars to Rory?"
"Oh yeah, Finn, why wouldn't I be all right? And isn't it Earth to Rory?"
"Uh, nevermind Rory, I guess I didn't just see you zoning out after seeing Logan kiss Alicia McSluttyho. Oh and I am of course the epitome of manlihood, therefore I am Mars, my dear Venus. Or do you prefer Snickers?" Finn said with a huff.
"Nuts, actually, but what did you just call her?"
"Oh, everyone knows that Alicia's the girl to call when you need some womanflesh. Logan didn't bring a date on the trip so Alicia has chosen to be his date."
If Logan didn't bring a date, and everyone else did—as she looked around she did indeed see an about equal share of boys and girls—what was she, and with whom was she here?
"I see question marks in your eyes my dear, and I will clear any doubts you may have this instant." Finn laughed. "You are here per invitation of Stephanie, Colin and me. And Logan of course. But since I have a date, and Stephanie and Colin are in a bit of a sore spot right now, Stephanie decided to put you down as her date. Hence, Colin and Logan are both dateless, and Colin called Alicia in order to get back at Stephanie. Alicia however has a well known clear preference for Logan over any man, certainly over Colin. So she transferred herself to Logan and our poor friend Colin is stuck with the spare one-seater next to the emergency exit."
"Oh, you call that simple?" Rory said. "I call that messed up…"
"Suit yourself." Finn said, looking around distractedly. "I'm going to find the minibar, want some champagne?"
"Hell yeah," Rory said. Some alcohol might be able to save this trip, as she looked upon Logan and Alicia sucking face in plain view once again… She was not jealous, at all, she just hated that skanky ho and that arrogant smut… hated them with a passion.
A.N.: I know, too short, and almost a filler...So show me some love! I really appreciate the feedback...the more reviews the happier I am and the sooner I update, I'm like a machine! J.K.! Those who reviewed chapter one: you're awesome...I love you and I want to have your reviewing babies...
"Ouch, Gilmore, got a problem with my date?"