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: Watch Out: The Man Has A Plan
AN: Sorry it took so long. I didn't get much writing done while I was gone. But here it is, another chapter. Thanks to those who have been faithful in reviewing, it really spurs me on. Enjoy!
Lorelai sat on the couch, on top of the extra covers she'd seen Rory place down before she said goodnight to Logan earlier in the evening. Lorelai had been in the process of following Luke up the stairs, and could feel the show that was happening in her living room. The 'let's pretend for Mom's sake that Logan isn't going to follow me into my room and do unspeakable things to me' show. She got ready for bed, slid in next to Luke, but as soon as she heard his even breathing, she'd slipped right back out and down the stairs to find a darkened living room with no one in sight. There was a line of light shining out from under Rory's door, but thankfully there was no noise. She would wait.
When she heard her daughter's door creak open, she turned to see Logan take one last look of whatever sight Rory was providing him in the now darkened room before closing the door and turning down the hall. He stopped in his tracks when he saw her waiting on his 'bed,' and she wondered if and for how long he contemplated going back from whence he came. But with just a slight hesitation he started up again, slower this time, towards her. He nodded and gritted his teeth in preparation when he got to the arm of the couch, and she patted the cushion beside her.
"Have a seat."
"Lorelai, that," he began, but she held a hand up to stop him.
"Look, I am not stupid. I know you have sex with my daughter. I did hold out a shred of hope that you wouldn't have sex with her in my house, but I really don't want to listen to you lie about it."
He nodded again, clearly waiting for her to go on.
"I wanted to get a few things straight, between us."
"Okay."
Lorelai smiled softly, her tough exterior fading a bit as she looked at him. "I can see that Rory really likes you. I'm a fan of her being happy. But I also know, because I know my daughter so well, that the beginning of your relationship was a bit unorthodox."
He appreciated her wording, but couldn't help but want to disappear under the couch at the thought that she knew intimate details of his personal relationship with Rory. What mother would like him after knowing that?
"What I want to know from you is, what are you doing?"
"What am I doing?"
"With Rory."
He sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. It was late and his mind was still fuzzy from his activities in Rory's room not three minutes ago. But this woman was serious, and he knew he wouldn't go to sleep tonight until she was satisfied with the answers he provided her.
"We're dating."
She let out a laugh, some mix of a scoff and true amusement.
"Let me make something crystal clear to you, Logan. I know guys like you. Rory's dad, for one, not to mention the hundreds of other guys that I grew up with. You are raised believing nothing is off limits to you, and as you grow up, you test those limits with cars, girls, alcohol, boats," she added, giving him a look to convey that Rory really did tell her everything. "You can, and from your reputation have had, any and every girl that crosses your path. You're set up to inherit a huge money-making factory and live more than comfortably for the rest of your life. Yet, here you are, with Rory, willing to piss off your parents and give up certain freedoms? Is that true?"
He nodded, hating that she did seem to understand him somewhat. "I'm getting more than I'm giving up."
Lorelai smiled. "As long as you remember that. No one deserves her."
"I know that."
"And you've given up the other girls?"
Logan nodded. "I have."
"What about your folks?"
"We're meeting them this weekend."
"What do they think?"
"They aren't thrilled," he admitted.
"So, you're willing to continue on with this relationship with no support whatsoever?"
"My friends are supporting this. Her friends are, too. And we have each other."
Lorelai sighed. "Oh, kid, I wish it were that easy."
He didn't quite get her meaning, but didn't feel comfortable pressing anything right now. "My parents are like yours. They are stuck in the past, but that doesn't mean we are, does it?"
"Logan, I don't think you understand what it takes to break free of that lifestyle. Rory doesn't want to stay at home and plan your business parties and schedule her Botox and lobotomy early in the day so she can be the proper Stepford wife by cocktail hour."
"I don't want her to give anything up to be with me."
"But you're really okay to give up things to be with her?"
He looked at her, "You don't know," he began.
"Logan, trust me. This is the one topic I do know all about. I need you to be sure of what you're doing before you lead her down this path."
He nodded in understanding. She stood up from his make-shift bed. She hated the look on his face, crestfallen and pensive, especially coupled with the relief that she felt at getting this chat off her chest.
"One more thing," she added, "She's crazy about you, so I figure you aren't all that bad."
He smiled, taking the compliment. "Back at ya."
She smiled back at him, finally turning to leave him alone with his thoughts.
XXXX
"Men, I need your help!" Logan announced as he swung open the door to his suite.
Colin glanced up from his laptop with a look of frustration.
"Whatever it is, I have a paper to write."
"Later. Where's Finn?"
"It's 9:30 on a Monday."
"Right. I'll make a few calls, and we'll convene here at noon."
Colin eyed Logan, admittedly curious as to what he was up to. He wasn't complaining—it was like the old times. Before being sent into the depths of the unknown by Rory, Logan had been the ever-mischievous ringleader. Whatever his antics, he had to admit, they were never boring. Logan disappeared into his room, and Colin turned his attention back to his computer.
XXXX
"I'm going to kick his ass. Nothing is this important on a Monday morning."
"It's after noon, Finny," Stephanie patted his arm.
"I can't believe he dragged you out here," Colin put his arm around Jill.
"You aren't glad to see me?" she jokingly batted her eyelashes at him. They had just seen each other upon her departure on Sunday morning, and weren't expecting to get the opportunity until a couple of weeks from now.
"I would never say that," he assured her.
"He said he needed my expertise," she shrugged, "whatever that means."
"Did he tell anyone anything?" Steph asked.
"It's about the brunette," Finn announced.
"Well, duh," she shot back.
"You don't think they've done something … rash, do you?" Jill asked, knowing her impetuous friend and most girls' inability to say no to him.
"It's more likely they've done something to spread a rash," Colin mused.
"Gross!" Steph tossed a pillow at his head.
"I'm just saying, there are levels of stupidity."
"You're giving him a lot of credit," Finn argued.
"You don't really think they might have--," Jill began, but halted as Logan opened up the main door to join his gathered friends.
"Don't think we might have what?" Logan asked.
The four looked at him sheepishly, and he took a seat on the chair facing the couch. He was glad they'd all showed up, but he'd had no doubts. He could count on these people for anything.
"We were just speculating about why we've been brought together today."
"And I'm here to tell you. As you know, Rory and I, we're, well, you know," he stumbled.
"Dating?" Steph offered.
"I was going to say nauseating," Finn added.
"Thank you," he said, glaring at Finn. "Yes, we're dating. And you also know my parents have found out about the nature of our relationship."
"Your father bringing the lie detector test and spotlight to grill us for hours on end did give that impression," Colin agreed.
"We're going to my folks' house on Saturday."
"Oh, my," Jill said under her breath.
"Exactly. I want this to go well, and I'm going to need all your help."
"I'm so not going with you," Colin shook his head.
"No, no, nothing like that. I want you to help me prep Rory."
The four shared a collective look. Was he serious?
It was Jill that found her voice first. "Um, what?"
"Prep her. Get her ready to handle whatever my parents throw at her."
"How?" Colin asked. He hoped Logan had a clearer plan than this.
"We'll work all week. You guys can put us through a series of interrogations so we can practice our answers—so we aren't surprised by anything that the other might say even. We can't be caught unaware. You two, get her ready to dress and act correctly, however it is they exactly taught you gals to curtsey and stare blankly before nodding and smiling at whatever the men folk say," he rambled.
"God, you're starting to sound like her," Finn said, looking at Logan with scrutiny.
"So, what do you say? Will you help me?"
"Wait a minute. Has your better half agreed to this tutoring session?" Steph asked.
Logan looked to her in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Jill and Stephanie shared a knowing look. "Uh, let me paint you a picture. You go to Rory. You tell her that you want your parents to like her just as much as you do. In order for that to happen, all she has to do is learn how to act like a proper lady."
"Can I be there when you tell her this plan? I think it might get ugly," Finn laughed.
"I bet she has a pretty good right hook on her," Colin mused. "Feisty."
Jill shoved an elbow into his ribs in distaste. "Sorry," he cringed.
"I'll explain it better than that," he assured them. "Will you help me?"
The girls sighed, and looked at the boys. "We don't have a choice, now, do we?" Colin asked.
XXXX
Logan knocked on Rory's window just as the sun had set under the horizon. The sky was still streaked with pinks and purples, the darkness not yet covering over the beautiful colors. She was sitting on her bed, books open all around her. She looked up when he tapped against the paned glass, and smiled.
"Miss me already?" she teased, moving to kiss him.
"I was actually hoping you'd agree to spend the night at my place."
"Tonight?"
"All week."
She furrowed her brow. She'd never spent the night in Logan's room, unless you count the night she spent on his couch before they'd really started the charade of pretending not to date. And she didn't. He'd always come to her, since that first night. She'd never really thought about it before, but now with his request, it seemed strange to her.
"Why?"
"Because I miss you?" he tried, but saw his cute line wasn't going to work on this one.
"Logan, I have stuff to do."
He sighed. "I need you to come to my room," he paused, hoping she wouldn't shut the window on him after the next part of his explanation, "because I want you to be ready to meet my parents on Saturday."
"And staying in your room will help me?"
"No, but going through the Drill and Grill with my friends will."
Her mouth dropped open upon hearing the words that came out of his mouth, too surprised by his words to mock his rhyme. She hated that part of her was actually intrigued. "What?"
He extended his hand, giving her the most sincere look of trustworthiness he had in him. She melted a little, knowing it was no act. He wanted this to go well, and wanted to prepare her in the only way he knew how. Looking back at the books on her bed, she bit her lip. She should stay and study. It was the smart thing to do.
Turning her back on her common sense, she took Logan's hand and let him help her out her window and toward a whole other kind of lesson.
