Usual Disclaimers Apply

AN: Thank you sooooooo much to everyone who reviewed. I couldn't believe I got so many reviews on it. The overwhelming majority of you thought I should continue, so I tried. I've got some ideas, but please forgive me if you find the practical jokes a little immature. Don't worry, it won't be all practical jokes (especially since I can only think of a few…)!

Puppet Master

Days later, Logan still hadn't decided what would be fitting punishment for Rory. He contemplated everything, from starting a food fight in the mess hall (too direct and confrontational) to kidnapping her and abandoning her hundreds of miles away (too dangerous, for everyone involved and very little to joke about). Nothing seemed quite right. He needed something both subtle and downright funny, at the same time.

In the meantime, however, it was amusing to watch Rory. She was following his instructions and watching her back. Whenever they were in the same room together, she got just a tad bit tenser, jumping minutely at every noise and carefully avoiding his person. In some ways, it made his job easier. She was proving that he was the puppet master – three small words and he already had her on guard. In fact, she made it so easy, every once in a while he began to wonder if laying an elaborate practical joke was really worth the trouble.

During these times, however, he unintentionally remembered the embarrassment her practical joke had caused him. Colin and Finn certainly hadn't forgotten about it, and Finn's big mouth had caused it to spread like wildfire throughout their social circle. Thankfully, he was the only one privy to his conversation with his father, which spared him some minor embarrassment.

For days, Rory pondered what to do. Not about the practical joke war she had, mostly unintentionally, started. She had made the last move; the ball was in Logan's court now. No, what she pondered was what to do with the ring.

She had shown it to Paris, who had immediately assured her that it held a real diamond. How Paris had known that, she hadn't bothered to ask. But, if what Paris said was true, it was a very expensive gift. She couldn't return it, as it had not conveniently arrived in store wrapping. But she also couldn't leave it to rot in the bottom of her jewelry box. Such a gift demanded it be worn, and after a few days of contemplation, she decided to wear it, indefinitely, on a chain around her neck.

Having made the decision, she wore it with an air of defiance. It felt good, having a sort on inside joke, one that only she and Logan understood – for she knew he would correctly interpret her open displaying of the necklace as a challenge. 'The game's afoot?' she thought. Good. Bring it on.

Of course, Logan saw it. The first day she wore it, he noticed it. They were in the newspaper room working – or, at least, she was working and he was wasting time. As she bent her head to copy something out of her notebook, the necklace slipped out from under her shirt. He was so startled to see it, that he actually laughed. His laugh was so abrupt and unexpected that he caught the attention of the entire newspaper staff. Chagrinned, he only managed to attempt a charming smile before ducking out of the room.

As he walked to his suite, he analyzed what she meant by wearing it. He knew it had to mean something, because he knew the type of person Rory was. She was the kind of person who never did anything without thinking through all of the possible outcomes. Finally, he decided that she meant it as a sort of acceptance of his challenge. Good. Let the games begin.

Not of course that he wouldn't have played practical jokes on her if she hadn't – it was just that he would feel less guilty bringing out the big guns now. Wait, who was he kidding? Logan Huntzberger never felt guilty about anything.

As he reached his dorm, he swung the door open happily, bellowing, "Boys. Time to get up. We have some planning to do."

When he was greeted with silence, he charged into Finn's room and pulled open the shade. The sudden entrance of light made Finn groan. "Go away."

"No can do. We have pranks to pull."

"What's with the sunny disposition? Last night, you got as drunk as I did."

"Nobody ever gets as drunk as you do Finn." Logan paused a moment. "Now get up." Before Finn had time to argue, Logan was out of the room and giving Colin the same treatment.

Rory was still in the newspaper room, trying to write her latest article, but there were too many distractions. First Paris had stormed into Doyle's office demanding to know where he had been the night before. Ever since they had slept together, Paris had become even more neurotic and Doyle had been even more demanding – which Rory took to mean that they both cared for each other. The ensuing argument emanating from Doyle's office lasted for half an hour, their voices escalating with every word. Just when Rory had had enough, Paris stormed out of the office, and, thankfully, out of the newspaper room.

After that, Logan had come in, to do his usual time in the newspaper room. Rory had known that was coming, however, because Logan always spent forty five minutes in the room. Everyday, he came in at ten and slept, flirted, or surfed the web for his obligatory forty five minutes. So today, when he had burst out in laughter twenty three minutes after his arrival, and left short after, Rory had been surprised.

Her hand went up to touch the ring, and she had been surprised to discover that it was no longer hidden by her shirt. However, she quickly put two and two together and figured out what had prompted Logan's quick departure.

"Now, tell us again why we're doing this?" Colin demanded of Logan.

"Because you love me," Logan shot back impishly.

"No really." Finn was just beginning to recover from his hangover. "You want to get back at the reporter because she got back at you for pulling a practical joke."

"Exactly."

Colin picked up the questioning. "And why, pray tell, would you want to start a practical joke war?"

"She asked for it."

"No, Colin has a good point. Normally, you would just pick yourself up, brush off your ego and go on your way. What is it about the prank Rory pulled that bothered you so much? You've been subjected to worse."

Logan had no good comeback and so he crossed his arms and sat silently.

"But Finn, I think you just hit the nail on the head. You see, because it was Rory that pulled the prank, he has to one up her."

"Ahh, I see what you're getting at. Our resident Casanova has fallen for Miss Gilmore."

"I have not!" Logan finally regained his voice. "I do not fall, they fall."

Colin interrupted. "And since Rory Gilmore didn't fall when you did, you have to do something to get her attention."

Before Logan could reply, Finn said, "Very well then. As long as it's for a good cause, we'll participate in your little plan."

The following day, Rory was busy studying in the library. She was anxious to get her homework done so that she could go to Stars Hollow for the weekend. When she was finally done, she headed out to her car. When she got there, she was quite surprised to find her small car turned sideways in the parking spot with cars on either side so she could not get it out. Under the windshield wiper she found a small note that said "Courtesy of the LDB."

The next morning, Logan woke up to a knock on the door. When he went to investigate, all he found was a note taped to the outside of the door.

Logan,

Tut-tut. How unoriginal. Is that the best you could do?
Against my better judgment, I'll give you a point for it.
Logan – 1
Rory – 1
I just hope you are 'in omnia paratus'
Good Luck. You'll need it.

Ace

AN: You guys asked for it. BTW 'in omnia paratus' means prepared for all things.