A/N: Hello my dear readers! I'm in a very happy mood today, I guess it's reflected on this chapter, not so much drama this time, hehe. But before anything else, here are my thank yous!
Alicia Jo - Oh, I'm so happy you didn't give up on me! Yay! Well I have a feeling you're not going to be so angry with this chapter, I think you'll be very pleased actually! Thanks for reviewing (and for not disappearing!)
BellaLou - My dad also thinks I'm insane when I'm talking to my computer, that's why most of the times I read things with my bedroom door closed, hehe. Anyway... Oh, God, poor Logan, do you really think he deserves to be 'kicked in the shins until he stops being an a'? lol, that made me laugh... I'm glad you liked this, here's chapter 12!
Honeyluv - I love Star Wars, now even more because of the, um, 'special friend' I mentioned last time. He's really into it and I guess it's contagious, hehe. Don't you like it? Anyways... I'm glad you liked the chapter and thanks for reviewing!
Problem Child1 - Ok, so your review always make me laugh out loud, but this one with the comment on Logan's (Matt's) neck, it just cracked me up! I'm posting this before the chapter, I hope you don't mind, I just think people should read it, it's really hilarious! Thank you for reviewing, you're awesome!
TSOHoneybaby - I don't want to give anything away, so just read this chapter, you'll be please! Thanks for reviewing!
Jen - Well, Rory was just mad at the time. This chapter she's more... reasonable. I think you'll like it. Thank you for the review!
Lillie M. Cheagana - Lol... Thank you for the review, I' glad you liked it, here's your update!
ReeseAnn - I was almost considering a slap at the end of the fight, but I thought it'd be too much, way too much drama for just one chapter. And since I am now in a happy mood, I've given up the fights for this chapter (uh-oh, was that a hint?). Anyhow, thanks for reviewing!
Megliz716 - Well, I think all the characters are a bit more reasonable this chapter, now that the dust has settled things will start to go back into place... I'll stop now before I tell you everything! Thank you for reviewing!
Bookworms - Another reviewer that makes me laugh out loud. You are so sweet! I'm so glad you liked it and that you're so involved in it! A writer always likes to hear that from the readers. About Logan, hum, you think that huh? You'll get your answer soon, like this chapter soon! Thanks for the oh so very sweet review, I loved it!
jmarit17 - (or reviewer formerly known as Kellie, lol) Thank you for the review, here's the update, hope you enjoy it!
Poetic Angelica - Thanks for reviewing! I didn't want to make Logan really evil, cause he truly isn't, he's just in love, and like you said, love does make people do stupid things... Here's chapter 12, enjoy!
Smile1 - You don't know who to trust, hum... maybe you'll change opinions now... or not! Thanks for reviewing, dear!
Cinemagal - Oh, don't die, here's the next chapter! I hope you like it and thank you for reviewing!
Freakage - Aw! Thank you! Hehe...
Ok, so that's it for my thank yous this time! You guys are truly awesome, I'm writing this for you! I love you guys! And here's the next chapter, I do hope you like it and don't forget to review.
"Holy hell, if I didn't already hate Logan and his abnormally long neck (seriously, just next episode, look at it. I swear, there was this one time he was kissing Rory and she was kinda backing away, and his neck just kept advancing! No, seriously, he was standing in one place, but his neck just kept getting longer. I mean, he's pretty and all, but damn!), then I would most definitely hate him now." - Problem Child1 (just a piece from her review, hehe, that cracked me up, I thought you guys deserved to read it too)
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Chapter 12: Let's have a party!
"I need you to help me with something," Logan said after Colin let him into his dorm room.
Logan went home on Friday night thinking about his conversation with Lorelai. How could he amend things with both Rory and Finn? That's when he came up with the plan and early on Saturday morning he went over to Colin's room to ask for help.
Obviously Colin was still asleep when Logan went there and he answered the door not so enthusiastically and with a grunt invited Logan in.
"What?" he asked as he sat down on the couch, Logan preferred to just stand up.
"I need you to tell Rory and Finn something, but they can't suspect anything. I've got to make things right, Colin."
"I'm listening."
Logan filled Colin in on his plan and Colin agreed to help him. His first job was to call Finn and tell him about the little change of plans about the party and then he had to recruit Stephanie to go to Stars Hollow and convince Rory to join their gathering for the night.
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"I hate you," Finn grunted when he answered his phone.
"Good morning to you too, Finn!" Colin answered sarcastically.
"Number one: why in God's name would you be calling me at 8 in the morning on a Saturday? And number two: why the hell are you so cheerful about at 8 in the morning on a Saturday?"
"I'll give you just one answer for both questions: change of plans for the party tonight."
"Couldn't it have waited until, I don't know one in the afternoon!"
"Well, yeah... I just wanted to get things done before noon. I've gotta call a lot of people you know..."
"Ok, ok, just tell what changed so I can go back to sleep!" Finn said impatiently.
"My parents weren't going to be home tonight, that's why I decided to throw this little party of ours,"
"To the point, Colin!"
"My dorm."
"Your dorm? The party's going to be at your dorm?"
"Yep, 8 o'clock."
"Fine, bye," Finn said and hung up the phone.
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Rory woke up on Saturday with a headache. She didn't want to talk to her mother and Lorelai didn't force the communication, she figured Rory would talk when she felt like talking. The only thing that actually got her out of bed was the scent of coffee and eggs coming from the kitchen. When she opened the door she saw Luke cooking and Lorelai sitting at the table reading a magazine.
"What's wrong with this picture?" Rory asked when she saw that.
"Good morning, sunshine! How'd ya sleep?"
"Terribly... Mom, are you aware of Luke's presence in our kitchen?"
"Oh, yes, dear, I am aware of his presence here. Why?"
"Because maybe he should be at the diner, you know, Luke's Diner, the place he owns and works at?"
"I offered," Luke responded, speaking for the first time.
"Why do I find that a little hard to believe?"
"It's the truth! I went to Luke's to get us something to eat, since I figured you'd wake up tired and crabby, which is not far from the truth, and then Luke kindly offered his services."
"I'll pretend I believe that just to end this conversation. Everything smells delicious by the way, Luke."
"Thanks," Luke said and putting the scrambled eggs on a dish, "I'm gonna go now, leave you two to talk over whatever there is to talk over. I'll see you at lunch?"
"Sure thing, darlin'" Lorelai said while he bent down to kiss her.
Rory grunted.
"Not in loving mood I presume," Lorelai teased after Luke exited through the kitchen door.
"Oh, what gave you that impression?" Rory said taking a bite at her toast.
"Ok, I do not like moody Rory, I want the old one back."
"Too bad, it's the only one you're getting today."
"Maybe if you talked about last night it'd help."
"There's nothing to be said."
"I talked to Logan after you left."
"I don't wanna know."
"I think he's sorry."
"I don't care."
"Rory..."
"No, mom, I won't forgive him! What he did, he didn't give me the opportunity to be happy or break my heart! It wasn't his right to do that!"
"I know that, and so does he. He loves you..."
"If he loves me he should want to see me happy, shouldn't he?"
"It's not that simple and you know it. But I think I made him think about it and he's sorry now, I'm pretty sure."
"Like I said, I don't care. I don't want to talk about Logan anymore, is that ok?"
"Fine. Let's talk about Finn then, what you gonna do about him?"
"Nothing, I guess, he chose Logan, didn't he?"
"Maybe he was just caught up in the moment, maybe he didn't think when he offered to stay away from you."
"I know that, mom, but what can I do? He said we couldn't be together now, that was his decision... And I don't think I mind it that much."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if he gave up on me that easily, maybe he didn't like me as much as I thought he did."
"I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to give you up."
"But he did it anyway, didn't he? So maybe he doesn't really like me, maybe he was just looking for a fun time and seeing that this would be way too complicated for him he backed out."
Lorelai sighed. "You said it yourself he looked crushed and I can tell he wasn't just looking for a fun time."
Now it was Rory's turn to sigh. "I know that, I know he likes me for real. He said he likes me since I don't know, summer. And that's what I don't get! I mean, if he likes me so much, why did he agree to this crazy thing Logan proposed?"
"You have to take into consideration the relationship he has with Logan. They've known each other for a very long time, it's hard to just give up a friendship like that. Would you give up Lane for a boy?"
"No... I guess you're right... But can I still be angry?"
"Your prerogative."
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"So, all I have to do is convince Rory to come to a party?"
"You know it's not going to be so simple, right? I mean, she'll definitely bring up Logan and Finn and her wish not to see them." Colin said.
"I'll work it out... Is Logan really doing this?"
"I guess..."
"Uh, why?"
"I don't know, maybe he realized he was being an ass, maybe he decided that he should let Rory be happy and make her own choices."
"Or maybe he's just playing nice so he'll look good."
"That's another perspective."
"Well, no matter his reasons, I've got a job to do and I better get to it!"
Stephanie got to Stars Hollow around lunch time. She went to Rory's house but no one answered. She asked around and was informed that they could probably be found at Luke's Diner, and thither she went.
"Stephanie?" Rory asked surprised when she saw her friend come into the diner.
"Hey, I went by your house but no one answered."
"Yeah, we're usually at Luke's when it's time to eat, unless my mom persuades him to cook for us in our house."
"He offered!" Lorelai insisted.
"Anyway, what brings you here?" Rory asked offering Stephanie a seat.
"A party."
"I'm listening."
"Colin's having a party at his dorm tonight, would you like to come?"
"Oh, I was planning on just hanging here this weekend."
"Oh, come on, you can hang here another weekend! Come to the party it'll be fun!"
"Yeah, Rory, you could use some fun," Lorelai said.
"Logan and Finn are going to be there, right?"
"Possibly."
"Possibly?"
"Ok, they'll be there."
"I don't think I'm ready to face them yet, at least not Logan."
"But you don't have to deal with them if you don't want to. I mean, there'll be a lot of people there and you won't even have to talk or look at them if you don't want to."
"I don't think so..."
"Rory, stop being so silly! It's just a party. It's not like you're gonna have to solve all your issues with your boys tonight. And you're not going to avoid them forever, are you?" Lorelai replied.
"Well..."
"Oh, come on, go to this party, go crazy, get drunk, sing 'Welcome to the Jungle' on top of a table and pass out wearing only your underwear!"
"Do I have to remind you every time that you're my mother and mothers are not supposed to encourage their kids' reckless behavior?"
"I'm unique."
Stephanie just laughed.
"Fine, I'll go."
"Yay, make sure you take pictures of my daughter singing in her underwear," Lorelai said addressing Stephanie.
"Will do, ma'am."
Lorelai sighed. "Why do all your friends insist on calling me ma'am? Do I look old? And be careful with your answer cause I date the Diner's owner and I can ask him to spit on your food!"
"Uh, ok, then, no definitely not old at all. You could definitely pass as Rory's sister."
"That's what I like to hear!"
"Ok, Rory, Colin asked us to get there a little earlier to help him set up, is that ok?"
"Sure, we can leave right after lunch."
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Stephanie and Rory arrived at Colin's dorm at about 5 pm. When Rory saw his room she was surprised.
"Uh, Colin, what's with all the candles?"
"It's for the party."
"Well, fire and alcohol don't really mix, you know?"
"Well, yes, but it's the whole theme, I can't wreck the theme just because of one minor detail."
"Minor detail? If a drunk guy gets near one of these candles this whole place can go up in flames!"
"You're exaggerating, Gilmore."
"Whatever, what's the theme?"
"Romance."
"How appropriate..."
"Not really what you're thinking."
"Really, and what am I thinking?"
"Romantic stuff."
"Well, romance, romantic..."
"Maybe I phrased it wrongly. When I said romance, I meant hook ups."
"Hook ups?"
"Yeah, everybody at the party is going to have to hook up with someone."
Rory shot Stephanie a disapproving look. "You knew about this?"
"Kinda," Stephanie answered.
"I can't believe you guys! Why are you doing this to me? Don't you know I've enough problems already without having to go to some orgy!"
"It's not an orgy... at least it wasn't planned that way."
"Ugh, I'm leaving!"
"No!" Colin and Stephanie exclaimed at the same time. "I have an idea and you won't have to hook up with anyone." Colin said trying to convince Rory to stay.
"Speak."
"You could serve the drinks. I mean, you can even keep the tips."
"Oh, goody."
"Come on, it could be fun! I'm staying at the bar too," Stephanie said.
"You?" Rory asked.
"Well, yeah, I'm not feeling the romance tonight," she said giggling.
"Ohkay... fine, I'll stay at the bar."
Rory thought Colin and Stephanie gave a little sigh after she said that, and it sounded like a relief sigh.
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It was 8:00 when Colin and Stephanie rushed out of the dorm saying that they needed to go get some more drinks. Rory thought that was odd since she saw the great amount of bottles of anything alcoholic on the counter, but she didn't argue much. She was already dressed, since Stephanie made it obligatory that they'd get ready before 8. Again, she thought it was odd since Colin had told her that the party would start only at 9. She decided not to think of it anymore, her friends really were insane. She turned on the radio, sat down on the couch and started to browse through a magazine without really paying attention to it. It was 8:30 when she heard a knock on the door. She figured it was Colin and Stephanie back with the drinks. Imagine her surprise when she saw Finn standing in front of her.
"You're half an hour early," was her greeting.
Finn was just as surprised as she was when she opened the door.
"No, I'm not," he answered.
"The party doesn't start until nine."
"Colin told me eight."
"He's not even here, so obviously the party's not at eight."
"Where is he?"
"He went to get more drinks with Stephanie."
"Huh, I could have sworn he said 8."
"You must have heard wrong," she said and started closing the door, he stopped her.
"What are you doing?" he asked his hand still keeping her from closing the door.
"Nothing, just waiting."
"Can I wait with you?"
"I'd rather not," she said with sternness. Rory was still a bit hurt, but she was also angry to see him at the party. She didn't think he'd be working at the bar tonight.
"Promise I won't say a word, I'll just sit quietly and wait."
"Fine," Rory said and moved aside so he could come inside. "So, got any girls in view yet?" She asked closing the door.
Finn didn't understand her. "What?"
"Well, do you know who you'll be hooking up with tonight?"
Finn looked really puzzled. 'What the hell is she talking about?' he thought.
"Have you been drinking?" he asked her.
"So you haven't thought about any girls... I'm sure there'll be plenty of red heads for you to choose from. Aren't they your favorite?"
"Really, Rory I have no idea what the bloody hell you're talking about."
"The party!" she exclaimed angrily.
"What about the party?"
"Will you be working at the bar?"
"Uh, no..."
"Then you're gonna hook up with some girl, aren't you?"
"No, you know I couldn't do that."
"Then what the hell are you doing here, Finn?"
"I'm here for the party."
"The hook up party?"
"What? What are you talking about, the hook up party?"
"This, tonight, everyone has to hook up with someone, except the ones working at the bar, which are me and Stephanie, so if you are here, it must be to hook up with someone!"
"I swear I didn't know about this!"
"The candles, see the candles? What do they say to you?"
"That Colin's trying to save on the electric bill?"
"Ah, that's funny! I forgot you were so funny!"
"Seriously Rory, I didn't know."
"Whatever, I don't care, you can hook up with whoever you want, I don't really give a damn!" She said and sat down on the couch and taking her magazine again she started to flip the pages hurriedly looking at the clock on the wall counting the minutes until Colin and Stephanie would be back again.
Finn was hurt by Rory's speech, but he chose to think that she was just angry to see him there. If this really were the hook up party she was talking about, he really shouldn't be there. His cell phone interrupted his thoughts. He looked at the caller ID, it was Logan.
"Where are you?" he asked skipping 'hello' or 'hey'.
"Don't screw it up like I did," Logan said and Finn heard him hang up. He looked at his phone and Rory, back and forth, with a confused look on his face. Rory noticed.
"What?" she asked with a stern.
"It was Logan."
She only grunted and got back to her magazine.
"This was a set up," he said gaining Rory's attention back.
"What?"
"There's no party."
"What are you talking about Finn? What did Logan say?"
"Don't screw it up like I did."
"What?"
"That's what he said."
"Don't screw it up like I did? What's he talking about?"
"Us."
"I don't get it."
"I think he got Colin and Stephanie to get us here alone tonight, so we could talk to each other and work things out."
"Logan did this? After asking you to stay away from me he wants us to work things out?"
"Looks like it."
"I don't believe it."
Before Finn could answer her his phone rang once again. It was Colin this time.
"What's the meaning of this?" Finn asked when he answered the phone.
"You can thank us later... oh, my bedroom is off limits! You may use the couch, I'll get another one tomorrow."
"Yeah, that's funny, Colin. Where are you?"
"At the party, where else?"
"What party?" Now Finn was really lost.
"The one I told you about, the one at my parents' place."
"You lied!"
"Like I said, you can thank us later, enjoy! Oh, by the way, what about the candles, huh? My idea."
"Yeah, nice touch, maybe I'll let one near the curtain to see what happens."
"Hey!"
"Bye, Colin... and thank you."
"Sure thing, buddy." Colin said an hung up.
"So?" Rory asked.
"They're at the party."
"Where?"
"Colin's house in Hartford."
"So this was really staged?"
"Yep."
They were silent. Rory didn't really know what to say and Finn didn't know where to start.
"I'm sorry," the both said at the same time.
"You first," they said again in unison. They laughed a little at the stupidity of the moment.
"I'll go first," Finn offered. He sighed, "I never meant for any of this to happen, starting with us. I mean, I liked you, but I never thought we'd ever be together. I'd see you with Logan and think, 'yeah, she'll never be mine'. I didn't mind it though. Being friends with you was enough. When Logan broke up with you I was very mad at him for hurting you the way he did. That's why I stuck with you that whole weekend, cause I saw how hurt you were. People might say that I was trying to make a move on you, but I wasn't, I was just trying to be your friend. But in the process I began to fall even harder. I mean, there was no turning back at that point, I had to do something. And Atlantic City happened. Then Sunday night happened. I wasn't thinking, Rory. I just wanted to make things right with Logan, he's been my friend forever! Really, like you and that Lane girl you're always talking about. That's me and Logan. I just couldn't give him up and I said the first thing that came to my head that'd make him feel better. I never wanted to stay away from you. This week has been the worst of my life. I wanted to be with you so much! I missed you so much," he said, standing up from his chair and sitting next to her on the couch, "I'm really sorry I hurt you, but if it's any consolation, I'm not feeling so great either."
"That is consolation," Rory played. "I guess it's my turn then. I know you like me Finn and that you were just trying to fix things with Logan, but you've got to understand how that made me feel. I mean, I thought you didn't like me enough, that you just wanted to have fun with me and when things got complicated, you ran away."
"No, Rory..."
"I didn't interrupt you, so listen to me quietly please."
"Sorry."
"That's ok," she giggled. "Anyway, I understand why you did it, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm still hurt. You could have called me and explained. You waited for me to call you. Were you just going to avoid me?"
Finn was silent for a moment. "What, is it my turn to speak?"
"I asked you a question, so yes."
"Oh, sorry... No, I was not going to avoid you forever, I was just trying to find a way to change things. I didn't want to lose you and I didn't want to lie to Logan again. But you called and I had to do something."
"Break up with me?"
"Well..."
"I would have done the same."
"What?"
"If I was in your shoes, I would have done the same. I mean, guys come and go, but true friends, they're worth sticking with."
"So you think that about me, huh?"
"Think what about you?"
"That I'm just a waste of your time, that I'm not worth fighting for."
"I never said that!"
"Guys come and go?"
"Well, they do!"
"See!"
"Hey, you're the who messed up!" she said in a loud tone.
"And I've apologized!" he said louder.
"I accept your apologies!" Rory said almost yelling.
"GOOD!"
"GOOD!"
"May I kiss you now!"
"Yes, you may!"
Finn held Rory's face in his hands and leaned in to kiss her, their eyes meeting for one brief second before they closed to fully enjoy this experience. Rory hugged him tighter as he slid his hands through her neck and then her back, making her shudder. She ran her fingers through his hair while lying down and he gently laid down on top of her. He started kissing her neck and moved his hands to her leg, making her let out a soft moan. Rory's ever so inconvenient cell phone, ringing in her back pocket made Finn stop. "Just turn the damn thing off," he said trying to take the phone out of her hands.
"It's my mom."
"And the moment's over," he said moving to a sitting position.
"Hello, mom."
"How's the party?"
"There's no party."
"I hear music."
"I'll explain later."
"Whatcha doing?"
"I'm trying to hang up the phone!"
"To do what?"
"I told you, I'll tell you later," she stressed the word later.
"I interrupted something, didn't I?"
"As a matter of fact you did."
"Something that included, I don't know, some guy? Some guy named Finn?"
Rory gasped. "You knew!"
"Yeah, Logan called me to tell me about his plan!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Did it work?"
"I'm not telling!"
"Hey! Why not?"
"Out of spite!"
"Mean!"
"Yep, that's me, mean!"
"I know you'll tell me later though or I'll tell your little boy toy about your I don't know, debutante ball and the fan dance!"
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would..." Lorelai said mischievously.
"Fine... it worked."
"Oh, you guys were making out when I called!"
"Mom, will you just let me hang up the phone!"
"Make out session was that good huh?"
"I'll hang up on your face!"
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would..." Rory asked imitating her mother's voice from earlier.
"Fine, but you have to call me tomorrow! Early!"
"I will, bye mom." She said. She turned to Finn while she turned her phone off. "See, off," she said and put it on the coffee table. "She knew."
"Lorelai?"
"Yeah, Logan told her."
"I guess we're very gullible."
"Good for us," she said leaning to kiss him.
"Wanna go to the party? There's still time," he said after they pulled away.
"Or we could just stay here. All the work lighting all these candles and for nothing?"
"What do you wanna do?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Not that. I saw that Colin has Casablanca on DVD, wanna watch?"
"As long as it's with you," he said kissing her softly on the lips.
Rory put on the DVD and made herself comfortable on the couch. About halfway through the movie Finn had lied down on the couch and Rory had laid on top of his chest. Suddenly everything felt right again and before the movie was over they fell into a peaceful sleep.
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A/N: Nope it's not over yet! A lot could happen before the happy ending finally comes, hehehe. I hope you guys are please now that Rory's back with Finn, but like I said, story's not over yet... Don't forget to review, byee!