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: What's the Worst That Could Happen
As always, the maid answered the front door. Rory and Logan handed off their coats, as the newly hired woman told them that Richard and Emily were in the sitting room. Rory leaned in to Logan as they moved towards their destination.
"I know where they keep the coats, don't worry. I've had to make many a hasty exit."
"Good to know. Where's your mom?"
"Oh, she'll be exactly on time, not a minute sooner, count on it."
He nodded, and took her hand as they walked into the opening of the sitting room. She looked down at their joined hands, but said nothing as they were now in the presence of her grandparents. Emily looked up and nudged Richard to look up from his paper as they stepped into the room.
"Rory, my goodness, you didn't mention you'd have a young man with you," she said, moving towards the couple.
"It was a last minute decision, I'm sorry I didn't call. You know Logan, right?"
"Well, of course, Logan, what a wonderful surprise! How are your parents?"
"They're well, thank you, Emily, Richard," he acknowledged both of them, as they all moved to sit down.
"Can we get you two drinks?" Richard asked, but Logan stood and moved to the bar.
"I can get them," he offered, seeming perfectly at ease in the house. Rory marveled at him, not being able to help not the difference of bringing him here as opposed to her other two failed attempts to bring boys here. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all. She smiled as he handed her a soda, and as she brought it up to her mouth, she could smell the alcohol he'd added to the mix.
"So, Rory, how is school going?"
"It's going really well. I just finished a round of exams, so it's kind of a nice break," she smiled, as she heard the doorbell go off in the background.
Emily's face lit up, as she was clearly excited to have Lorelai back at the dinners. It'd been so long since this stand-off started, and she would count this as a victory, undoubtedly. Rory squeezed Logan's hand as her grandparents' expectant eyes lifted towards the incoming guests.
"Lorelai, Luke," Emily said, saying the second name as if she weren't completely surprised, but she wasn't very successful at hiding her distaste. Rory turned to smile at them both, and Lorelai's gaze moved quickly to Logan. She scanned the scene, noting the hand-holding.
"Mom, Dad, Rory, Logan," this time it was Logan's name that sounded funny, as her own displeasure and confusion came through. It was his turn to squeeze her hand now.
"Well, if you'll all excuse me, I should go inform the maid of the extra company. I just hope she's made enough to cover for the unplanned surprises," and with that, Emily took her leave of the room. Lorelai rolled her eyes, feeling that her mother was just making the first of many jabs of the evening of how unwelcome Luke was.
Rory and Logan moved closer together, to allow the second couple to sit down next to them. Richard stood and offered them drinks.
"Nothing for me, thanks," Luke declined, and Lorelai gave him a strange look. "You want to remain sober, completely?" she whispered under her breath before answering her father. "Martini, heavy on the olives."
Emily returned to the room briskly, sitting down again in her seat. "Well, it's going to be a bit longer than usual, I didn't expect such a large group tonight."
"When did you invite Logan?" Lorelai turned to Rory, who looked up from her drink suddenly.
"What?"
"Logan. I talked to you this morning, and you didn't mention he would be here," she smiled forcibly at her daughter.
"Uh, after that, it was a last minute decision."
"So, after I called you this early this morning, that's when you decided?" she pressed the subject.
"Mom, what are you doing?" she dropped her voice and searched her mother's eyes.
"Just trying to clarify, I mean, since Mom is so put out with all the extra people."
"I'm hardly put out, Lorelai. Two extra people are just unexpected, that's all."
"But you didn't make a fuss when they showed up, did you?"
"Lorelai, please," Richard started.
"Mom, can we do this later?" Rory pleaded with the most upbeat tone she could muster.
"I'm sorry, it's just that normally, we don't bring guys to Friday night dinners, unless they are serious relationships. I mean, Mom and Dad knew that I was in a serious relationship, and that I was coming, but I'm willing to bet that they didn't know you were seriously dating Logan. You are, right? I mean, how else would you explain his answering your phone this morning?"
"Mom!"
"Lorelai," Luke pulled on her arm, but glared at Logan. Logan shifted in his seat, unwilling to look at anyone directly.
"Who are you mad at? Me, for not telling you every last detail of my relationship, or Grandma for not liking Luke as much as they like Logan?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Mom, you know I love Luke. I am a big fan of you and Luke. Why can't you be as supportive of me and my relationships? You always start out hating any guy I like."
"Girls, stop this, right now," Richard hedged, looking at the very uncomfortable men on either end of the couch.
"No, Rory, I am supportive of you. I just don't think you have the smartest decision making skills when it comes to boys. You are letting him play you, and I can't just sit here and watch you get hurt. I was there, I saw your face when you saw him with that other girl. And you let him do whatever he wants—how is that fair to you? I don't like how you're letting him treat you!"
"You don't know what you're talking about," she defended him, standing up in a fury.
"I do know what I'm talking about. And I'm sure Mom and Dad love him, because his parents are filthy rich," she continued, standing up now to face Rory.
"This isn't you, I don't know what this is about, but this isn't you!"
"This is me! This is me, not being able to watch you keep doing this!"
Rory shook her head, and looked to her grandmother helplessly. "I'm sorry, I can't stay and listen to this. I can't. I'll call you tomorrow to make alternate arrangements to see you this week. We're leaving."
"Lorelai, what has gotten into you?" Emily demanded as Rory reached for Logan's hand and moved to get their coats.
"Mom, you don't know anything about this, clearly, or you wouldn't be sitting there not saying anything about it. He's not good for her," she reiterated.
"Lorelai, that is your daughter. You should know better than anyone that she is going to be with whomever she wishes, regardless of your input. I suggest you go home now, and think about that."
With that, Emily walked off into the dining room, and Richard silently followed her. Lorelai turned to Luke, and hung her head. He stood, and pulled her to him.
"That wasn't how this was supposed to go."
"I told you to talk to Rory, before it got to this point," he said softly.
"I know."
"You can't let this stuff build up, or else you start a yelling match in front of your mother," he informed her.
"I don't like him."
"I know. But as much as it pains me to say this, Emily was right. You don't get to pick who she's with."
"I know."
"And you need to apologize before this gets worse."
"I know."
"We should go."
"Yeah."
She stood there, still in his arms, not moving. She couldn't even fathom the exchange that had just gone on. She just knew it bubbled up in her before she could control it.
XXXX
Rory drove about a block in silence before pulling off to the side of the road and parking. He watched her, also in silence, and with even more interest as she parked the car.
"I'm sorry. I had no idea," she started, her voice shaking still with anger.
"Hey, it's okay. It's not the first time a mother has objected to my being with her daughter."
"Really?"
"Well, no, I don't do a lot of the meeting the mother things. . .and usually they haven't seen me half undressed first," he continued, causing her to smile despite her still heightened anger.
"She's normally cool with everything. I mean, I expected her to be on the defensive with Grandma, but not on the offensive with me."
He nodded, and moved to put his hand on her knee. "Is that how you feel, about us?"
"What?" she looked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent.
"She said I wasn't good for you, that I didn't treat you the way you deserved. . . is that how you feel?"
"No, Logan, she doesn't understand. I mean, I wasn't thrilled to see you with other girls, but it was what I'd agreed to. We were both seeing other people."
"I know, but," he sighed. She put her hand over his, and leaned in towards him.
"Listen, she's not good with any part of any relationship that involves me and sex. It's just a very touchy subject for her and me, okay?"
He nodded. "Okay. I can respect that. I just didn't expect her to get so chatty about it. In front of your grandparents."
"I'll smooth that over. I promise. Don't worry about it."
He nodded. "I won't. Do you want me to drive back to Yale?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I just needed to calm down."
"Well, if I can be of any assistance with that," he smiled, leaning in closer to her, and running a hand through her hair. She beat him to the chase, initiating the contact with his lips. "What do you say we go back to my place, and I'll work on de-stressing you."
"Mm, I think you've got yourself a deal," she murmured as she pulled back and restarted the car. She pulled off down the street and started heading back towards school. He pulled out his cell phone to check his messages, and seeing one from Finn, he immediately called back.
"Where in bloody hell have you been?"
"We were at dinner, briefly, we're heading back to my room."
"No, mate, don't come back here."
"What, why? Is this about the twins?"
"No, man, sufficed to say, that got blown. Your Dad is in the front room, waiting on your arse to get back. You can't come to this campus tonight. Not here, not her room—both are being staked out. Colin and I are being held captive."
"Where are you?"
"I'm in the bathroom. Look, just don't come back here, unless you're willing to get the full on interrogation tonight."
"Shit. Where are we supposed to go?"
"Anywhere but here, my friend."
"Thanks. I'll see you guys later. And, sorry."
"Yeah. The twins were duds anyhow. Kept trying to give us these horrifying nicknames."
Logan flipped his phone closed, and started navigating. "Turn here."
"That goes south."
"I know. We're going to New York."
"New York, why? What's going on?"
"Dad's at Yale. Emily must have gotten right on the phone—my parents know about us."
"And so we have to flee the state?"
"Take your mother's reaction and magnify that, about a hundred times."
"You seriously want me to drive to New York?"
"We'll stay in a hotel, just until tomorrow. Tomorrow, you can go to Emily and Richard, and I'll call my folks. We'll probably have to have dinner with them soon, though," he frowned.
"I don't understand."
He smiled sadly. "I tried to warn you, Ace. I really did. My family takes image very seriously, and the woman on my arm isn't taken lightly in any respect."
"Oh. So, they just want to meet me?"
"They want to interrogate you. And I'm going to try to keep that from happening."
"So, we're hiding out in New York?"
"Just for tonight."
She nodded, and turned where indicated, heading them down the interstate towards the bright lights of New York City. She couldn't imagine a family being more intense about image than her grandparents. That his parents had stormed Yale to interrogate them seemed a bit drastic. She wondered just what they'd signed themselves up for.
