Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything up to Jews and Chinese Food is fair game. Past that, it's just where my mind takes over.

Teaser: When Rory and Logan's arrangement goes prematurely sour, his friends take it upon themselves to intervene. Sequel to Keeping it Casual

Story Title: Nothing A Good Friend Wouldn't Do

Chapter Title: Arrivals

AN: Thanks to everyone that have reviewed. So much encouragement, it's really nice. I've been busy with work and family stuff all weekend—I apologize for the lack of work on my part. But here's another installment.

She wrapped her scarf around her neck a second time as she hurried to answer the door. Paris was yelling about the fact that whoever it was wasn't welcome to stay as she'd clearly called dibs on the suite for the evening. She'd been alluding to the night over a month ago that Rory had scared Doyle out of their common room, sending a pissed off Paris to suffer in his room for the night. Since she was finally able to coax him back to their room, she had gone to annoying lengths to avoid a repeat performance.

"Oh, wait, do you mean tonight, Paris?"

"You aren't funny, Gilmore."

"I can't help it if your boyfriend is afraid of me, Geller."

"Stop that! You know we haven't defined this yet!" Paris yelled back, sure that Rory was just trying to undermine her.

"Still? Geez, Paris, grow a pair, ask him already!" Rory leaned on the door frame to her roommate's room.

"I am, tonight. You think it's time, don't you?"

"Yes. I do. For the good of everyone we know, talk to Doyle. Tell him he's your boyfriend."

"I was thinking of just sending him a memo," Paris bit her lip, looking at Rory.

"I can't have this conversation anymore," Rory shook her head as she heard another knock at her door. "I'll be back."

"When?"

"Later."

"When, later?"

"Just, put a sock on the door if you're going to be naked," Rory said, her hand on the door knob, now pulling it open.

"This isn't about my sexual escapades, this is about your mother. She calls here and asks when you'll be back, I need to know."

Colin, suddenly pulled into the conversation just by having heard it from the open doorway, stared at the blonde girl.

"Just have her call my cell. I'll be late, if I even come back tonight at all," she said in a hurry. "Bye."

"Fine," Paris huffed, shutting herself in her room.

"Ready?" she smiled brightly at Colin, who frowned.

"What was that?"

"Sorry. It's your own fault, everyone who deigns to sully our doorstep must hear about Paris' sex life. Maybe we should post a notice on the door to be fair?" she teased.

"Probably best. That was terrifying."

"Let's go," she giggled, shutting the door behind her.

He led her to a car, and opened her door for her. Smiling, she got in, allowing him to shut her door for her before he climbed into the driver's seat. She said nothing until they got underway, and completely off the campus.

"So, we're going alone?"

"You sound surprised."

"No, it's just you guys always seem to travel in a pack."

"Not when on dates."

"Oh. Right," she smiled again, feeling a little weird about the whole thing.

"I'm kind of surprised you said yes, to tell you the truth."

She looked at him wistfully. "Why's that?"

"Oh you know, I just thought maybe it'd be weird for you, with the whole Logan thing. I didn't know how much that affected you."

She nodded, a slight frown donning her features. "Oh, right. Well, it was really no big deal."

"Yeah. That's what he said," Colin said off-handed.

"He did?"

"Yeah. I mean, not technically. He just said that it was over. He didn't go into specifics."

"Well, there were no specifics."

"We just had all assumed, having seen the two of you together, that there was something going on."

"No, no something."

"Well, good. I'm glad you're coming tonight," he said truthfully, though he knew she wasn't reading his real reason behind his emotion.

"Yeah, me too."

Colin nodded, looking from her out to the road, concentrating on getting to the beach before the sun set completely. He wanted to make sure she got a look at their surroundings before the festivities really got going. Or rather, their comrades. He was almost positive Logan was bringing a date—he'd mentioned something in passing about having to wait for her to arrive before he could take off for the beach. Finn and Stephanie had agreed to go separately as well, just in case an extra car was needed.

There was no telling how this night would unfold.

Upon arrival, Rory got out, excited to be at the beach. She loved the smell of the ocean air, how it permeated everything in its midst. The moon had already risen, hanging high as if to remind the sun it's time had come. People were milling about, talking and laughing around beach bonfires that were already burning strong.

"Wow, good turn out," she nodded in approval.

"Usually is. The beach is a big draw."

"This isn't an event, is it?"

"Nah, just a casual thing. Most of the same people, as you know."

She nodded. She noticed Finn and Stephanie further out towards the water, Stephanie holding Finn's arm back and laughing. It looked like he was wanting to test out the water, but she wouldn't quite let him get close enough. She smiled at their antics, and turned to look back at the larger crowd.

She didn't notice him at first. There were several people blocking her view. They parted, as if on cue, and she noticed him nodding along to whatever the girl on his arm was saying. She squinted, trying to get a better look from her vantage point at this girl. She looked. . . familiar.

Colin noticed Rory's observation of Logan's arrival—and of the girl he'd brought along. She seemed bothered enough by it, but he got the distinct impression that alone would not be enough to break her.

"You want something to drink?" he asked, interrupting her viewing.

She looked up, knowing by the look on his face that she'd been caught spying. "Oh, sure."

"Do you want to get that over with first?"

"What?"

"Saying the obligatory hello to Logan. He's one of my best friends, we can't ignore him."

"Right. Yeah, let's go."

Colin nodded, and offered his arm out to her.

"Hey, Logan, isn't that the girl in the tuxedo?" Jill asked, nudging his side to get his full attention towards the couple that was walking towards them.

"What?"

"The girl, the one you disappeared with at that wedding. Is she the reason I just had to come up this weekend?"

"I asked you up because I so rarely get to see you anymore."

"Right," she smiled knowingly. "At any rate, buck up because they're coming to say hello."

Jill was right, and he stood a little straighter as his friend came to a stop in front of him. His arm was securely around Rory, and Logan moved to put his arm across Jill's shoulders, and ignored the side glance she shot him.

"How's it going?"

"Great, Colin. Hey, Ace," he nodded tersely.

"Logan," she nodded, before turning to the blonde. "Jill, isn't it?"

"Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you, officially."

"I'm Rory," she said, extending her hand pleasantly to the other girl. She smiled knowingly to Logan, as she pulled her hand back. "Well, have fun, you two," she said before she and Colin turned to make their leave. Rory was obviously pleased, more so than Colin liked. This was not boding well for the plan. She wasn't supposed to be having a good time at meeting the other woman. This was all wrong.

"Rory," Colin began carefully. She looked over at him, as they neared the drinks.

"How do you know Jill?"

"Colin, you can stop pretending now," she said, in a tone that let him know the jig was up.

"What?"

"I know what this is all about. I was a little confused at first, but now seeing Jill, it all makes sense."

"What makes sense, exactly?" he asked, now unsure himself. She obviously had a reporter's eye, taking in everything around her and deducing out the facts. He wasn't sure what the Jill thing was about, other than the fact that he didn't want to show up alone. Rory seemed to make a mental leap that he wasn't following.

"Colin, if he wants to play it like this, it's fine. I can play along as well as anyone. Now, aren't you going to get me a drink?" she smiled sweetly, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Nodding, still unclear of why she was so pleased, Colin moved to place drink orders, leaving Rory to warm herself by one of the fires.

"You know you want to go over there," she whispered in his ear.

"And leave my date?"

"Logan, I swear to God, if you call me your date one more time, I'm going to throw you in that freezing cold ocean! And if you try to kiss me, I'll run over you with your own car!"

He looked at her in surprise, clearly amused. Jill was usually rather easy going, and laid back. "I'm sorry, but where is this hostility coming from?"

"Logan, you're an idiot. Just go over there."

He tensed his jaw. "Can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"It's a long, boring story."

"Now's your chance, her date is getting drinks."

"Do you want something?" he asked, referring to refreshments.

"I want to know why your best friend is out tonight with a girl that you haven't been able to stop looking at since we got here. Or for the whole of the wedding you made me tag along to as well," she added pointedly.

He sighed. "We had this thing. It's over."

"Clearly."

"She's moved on, she's out with Colin."

"Logan, talk to her," she said softly. He looked at his old friend and let out a held breath. He nodded, and walked silently away, towards the fire that Rory was still warming herself at.

Jill shook her head, amazed at his unending stubbornness. She jumped a little as a voice came over her shoulder, and someone brushed against her side.

"Want a drink?"

She looked at Colin, who was extending the drink that he'd retrieved for his 'date.' She took it happily, and smiled. "Shouldn't you be getting back to Rory?"

"Are you on the side of good or evil?"

She smiled. "That depends. What exactly is going on with them?"

Colin laughed and held his arm out to her. "Oh, what a story I have for you."