A/N: Thank you all for you sweet reviews, you guys are amazing. I love you all.

Chapter 12: Nipper

It was Wednesday, a week and a half after the party and life was pretty much business as usual. Rory walked in to her Lit class and immediately noticed Finn sitting in the back row; there were two steaming cups of coffee on his desk. Her better judgment told her to stay away if she actually wanted to learn something today, but the empty cup in her hand eventually led her to the back of the class where the goofy Australian was sitting.

"Couldn't resist my charms, luv?" he smiled.

"No, actually I couldn't resist the coffee, Finn. Is one of those for me?"

"It was, but now that you've ripped my heart out with that foul remark, I'll just have to drink it my self." He frowned with feigned hurt.

Rory smiled at his inane behavior; things were never dull with Finn around. She sat down beside him and gave him a peck on his cheek. "I'm sorry Finney. You know I always enjoy your company."

"I know, luv, I just like to hear it." Finn grinned as he handed her a cup of coffee.

Rory smiled as she took it from him. She held the cup under her nose and inhaled deep so she could take in the delicious aroma before she emptied the cup in one chug.

"Wow, your affinity for the dark caffeinated liquid never seizes to amaze me." Finn noticed with a hint of admiration in his voice. "But it's always nice to see another addict going at it." He grinned.

Rory just smiled, took his cup out of his hand and finished the rest of his coffee.

"Thank you, Finn." She said in her best sugarcoated voice.

"Don't mention it, doll."

"Doll, huh? Anyway, what are you doing here? You do realize that the sun is out, right?"

"Yes, I do. But I have to start following some classed if I don't want to fall behind. I do want to graduate with my friends, you know."

"Okay. I didn't even know you were in one of my classes. But I like it."

"Me too."

"Wait, how did you even know I was in this class?" Rory wondered.

"Logan told me." Finn said matter-of-factly.

Rory didn't have time to respond because the professor just started the class.

"So, how about we start our research in the library tonight?" Finn suggested as he sat in front of Rory in the cafeteria. He handed her a cup of coffee.

"Sounds like a plan. Which library do you want to meet at?" Rory wanted to know.

"You mean there is more than one?" Finn's eyes were big as saucers, but a smile obviously made its way from his eyes to his lips.

"Hey, with you one can never assume anything." She uttered in her defense.

"True." He conceded. "So, do you want me to pick you up so we can go to Sterling Memorial together?"

"Sure, why don't you meet me around six, that way we can have some pizza before we hit the books."

"Okay, six it is."

"Please don't tell me you just made a date with my girl." Logan's voice came from behind Finn.

"As a matter of fact, I did, mate. Sorry, she's moving on to a real man." Finn declared.

"Yes, Finn is introducing me to one tonight." Rory mocked him.

Logan sat down beside Rory and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "So, seriously, you two got a Lit project, huh?"

"Yes, we have to do it in pairs, so I figured teaming up with your girl would be a very astute decision." Finn explained to his best friend.

"Okay, I see the logic behind that, but what are your motives?" Logan asked Rory.

Rory raised an eyebrow and smirked. "What's wrong, honey? Don't you trust me?" she asked while she looked up at him from underneath her eyelashes.

"Or are you simply jealous?" Finn chipped in.

"Neither, it's just a lot of fun to hear Rory's motive for certain actions."

"Uhu, right." Finn replied; it was clear he didn't believe his friend.

Rory felt bad for Logan, but she also felt content because it was clear he was jealous.

"Don't worry, I chose to work with Finn because that way I'm sure I'll have fun during this project and I'll be able to see you more than when I would work with someone who isn't your best friend and roommate." Rory comforted him. He smiled at her and tucked a strand of lose hair behind her ear. Then he turned to his best friend.

"You do realize that she will let you work, right?"

"Yes, I'm fully aware of the fact that nipper over here won't let me be a bludger, but I'm fine with that. It'll be good for me."

"Nipper?"

"Bludger?" Rory and Logan asked in harmony.

"Yes, a bludger. You know, a slacker." He explained like it should have been obvious."

"Ehm, okay, and nipper?" Logan asked.

"You'll figure it out. That means that your girl will figure it out and she'll tell you."

Rory looked at Logan. "Should I be concerned? He wouldn't give me a degrading or embarrassing nickname, right?"

"Knowing Finn, no, it's probably something that fits you perfectly. Don't worry." Logan reassured her.

"You two lovebirds do realize I'm still here, right?" Finn asked. Then he stopped a passing student. "Do you see me?" he asked the baffled young man. When the dark- haired boy nodded yes Finn thanked him and told him to 'Resume his previous activities'.

Logan looked at his friend in amusement and decided to include him in the conversation again. "So, what is your project about?"

Finn looked to his left and right and behind him. Then he turned to Logan. "Are you talking to me, mate?"

"Yes, Finn, I'm talking to you." Logan sighed.

"Oh, so you can see me?" Finn continued acting as if he didn't notice Logan's tone.

"Do you want me to seclude you from the conversation again?" Logan threaded.

"Okay, okay, I'll give you a hint. 'How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there's no help in truth'."

"Wow, reciting Sophocles, I'm impressed." Rory said.

"So, the Greek, huh?" Logan noted.

"Yup, not nearly as exciting as my fatherland, but it'll just have to do." Finn said in a haughty tone of voice. "Will you be joining us this evening?"

"No, I have some school work to finish myself." Logan answered.

"You're doing homework tonight? Huh, guess my studious side is rubbing off on you." Rory smiled.

"Yes, just like my sometimes reckless behavior is rubbing off on you. I guess we're a good match."

"I guess so." Rory replied before placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"Well, that just proves I'm the smartest one at this table. See, I don't guess you two are quite the match; I know so." Finn chimed in.

The three of them shared a laugh and then went their separate ways.

"Mom? I can't hear you. Who's crying in the background?"

"Rory, I need you to come home and help me."

"Help you with what? Hold on a sec, mom. I have to open the door for Finn."

"Finn, did you change boyfriends without telling me?"

"No, mom, we have to do a project on a part of the Greek mythology together for our literature class."

"Oh, okay. He's the cute rich one with the accent, right?"

"Yes, he is."

"Great, than you can pass him on to me."

"I'm sure Luke would appreciate that, mom. You do remember Luke, right? Your boyfriend?"

"But I wouldn't keep him as a boyfriend, more as a boy toy."

"Hey Finn, come in."

"Hey, love, I brought pizza."

"Great, just give me a sec, my mom's on the phone. Make yourself at home."

"Just hear that accent; it makes him even more… Gigi, please be quiet for just a minute. Do it for me, please."

"Gigi? What is Gigi doing there?" Rory exclaimed.

"That's why I need you to come home. Your dad asked me to baby-sit her because he had some family business to take care of, but she won't stop crying and the inn is short-handed and I don't know what to do right now." Lorelai rambled.

"Hold on, mom." Rory turned the phone away from her ear and looked at Finn.

"Would you mind if we reschedule, my mom needs help with my sister."

"You know what? Why don't I come with you, that way we can do some research on the net while we are baby-sitting." Finn suggested.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"I was the one who suggested it, nipper, remember?"

"Yes, I remember, and I won't let you forget it either."

"Mom, Finn and I will be right there."

"Okay, hon. Hurry."

"Finn, could you hand me my phone, please. It's in my purse." Rory asked her passenger while she tried to keep her speeding to a minimum.

"You actually want me to go trough your purse?" Finn asked in wonder.

"Yes, I trust you."

"That means a lot to me, nipper." Finn said as he retrieved the object from her purse and handed it to her.

Rory presses number three on her speed dial and waited for Logan to answer his cell.

"Hello, Ace. Need me to rescue you from Finn already?" Logan smirked.

"No actually I'm calling to tell you that we're heading over to Stars Hollow. My mom needs us to watch my sister for a while."

"Oh." Was the only responds she got.

"Listen, I didn't plan it like this, my mom called a few seconds before Finn arrived." Rory explained.

"It's okay, Rory. I trust you both. It's just a bit weird that my girlfriend will be alone in her room with my best friend." Logan sighed.

"We won't be alone, Gigi will be there and she's the best chaperone one can imagine. Besides, Finn and I don't like each other like that, you know that." Rory reassured her boyfriend.

"I know, it's just that this whole relationship thing is new for me and so is the vast variety of feeling that come with it. You understand that, right?"

"Yes I do. I promise I'll make it up to you."

"I'll hold you to that, Ace." Logan baited her.

"I expect nothing less, Logan."

"Well, good luck with your mom and sister and tell your mom I said 'Hi'."

"I will and thank you. Good luck with your homework."

"Thanks. Good night, Rory."

"Good night, Logan."

Rory smiled as she hung up.

"Huh, you're whipped." Finn sing- songed.

"No I'm not. I just wanted to tell him right away so things wouldn't be misunderstood." Rory defended herself.

"I was just kidding, love. If you hadn't called him I would have. Now, what kind of music do you listen to?" he asked as he started skimming trough her CD's.

"Was that Rory?" Colin asked his best friend as he walked into the common room.

"Yes, it was."

"Didn't you two see each other this afternoon?"

"Yes we did, why?"

"Nothing, just asking." Colin shrugged, trying to hold back a snide jealous remark.

"Hey Colin, didn't you spend some time in Australia with Finn last summer?"

"Yeah, we went there to celebrate the queen's birthday."

"Do you know what 'nipper' means?"

"Let me think. It sounds familiar." Colin narrowed his eyes and tried to remember when he had heard that before. Then it struck him. "Yes, it means little brother or sister, why?"

"I just wanted to know what Finn's nickname for Rory means." Logan smiled as he started punching in a text message on his phone.

"Finn calls her nipper?" Colin asked.

"Yeah, I told him to come up with his own nickname for her, and he did."

"You don't mind?"

"No, as a mater of fact, I really like it. So, want to go get a drink at the pub?"

"Sure, why not."

"Mom, we're here!" Rory yelled as she walked into her home.

"Shh!" Lorelai whispered as she met them in the hallway. "She's finally asleep."

"Oh, sorry mom." Rory said as she hugged and kissed her mom. "Mom, you remember Finn, right?"

"Of course, how could I forget, he was one of the three you gentlemen that awoke us so rudely on the day of God."

"Ahh, but in my defense; I was doing my love-struck best friend a favor. Isn't that what best friends are for?" Finn asked innocently.

Lorelai looked at him for a couple of second and smiled.

"You're good, I like that. Come in; take your hat off and plop down on our couch. Do you want something to drink?"

"Mom, why don't you let me do that, you have to get to the Dragonfly."

"The Dragonfly? Why would I go there? It's my day off." Lorelai asked confused.

"You told me they're short-handed. That's why we had to come over."

Lorelai looked down at her feet before looking at her daughter. "Uhm, yeah, about that…" she started.

"Busted!" Finn called melodically from the couch. Lorelai looked at him and stuck out her tongue.

"There was no need for us to come over here, you had everything under control." Rory stated.

"There was every need for you to come over, I never get to see you anymore." Her mom pouted.

"Mom, you saw me last Friday."

"So, that doesn't count because that's our mandatory dinner with the people who I have to call my parents."

"It has always counted before, what changed?"

"It counted before because you used to come home with me after dinner, but you haven't done that for the last couple of weeks." Lorelai accused her daughter with a small voice.

"You're right. And since we are here now anyway, we might as well stay for a while." Rory conceded; she knew her mom was right and felt a bit guilty. She walked up to her and hugged her tightly. "Why don't we make this weekend a mother and daughter weekend?"

"Yay!" Lorelai shrieked. "Can we have a theme then? And lots of chocolate and booze? We can rent all our favorite movies and reenact the best and worst scenes. Ooh, and I'll even see if I can muster up some costumes to make it extra ridiculous." Lorelai rambled excited, waking Gigi up in the process.

"Uh oh." Lorelai and Finn said in unison in a very Teletubbie way.

Lorelai walked to Rory's bedroom and grabbed Gigi out of her crib. The little girl was a bright shade of red and was screaming her lungs out. She handed her to Rory and told her to give it a try.

"What should I do?" Rory cried helplessly as her little sister turned up the volume a notch.

"I don't know. Once she starts it very hard to make her stop. I know, hit her on the head with one of your books. I'd go with 'The bell jar', no one knocks you out like that Sylvia Plath."

"Mom!" shrieked offended.

"Bad idea?" Lorelai asked her daughter who was still holding the screaming toddler.

Rory sighed. "What did you do when I cried?"

"You didn't cry a lot."

"But when I did?" Rory asked again, she was getting impatient.

Lorelai felt her daughter's annoyance and got a bit more serious. "I rocked you while feeding you breast milk."

"So do that than!"

"Sorry hon, but my boobs are all out of milk."

"Minus the boobs, mom. And stop saying boobs."

"Well, I've just said it ones, you said it twice, so maybe you should stop saying it."

Rory let out a frustrated sigh. "Would you just rock her?"

"No, you do it; I've done it almost the entire afternoon." Lorelai snapped.

"Well, I didn't offer to watch her." She snapped back.

"Well, I'm not the one in here who's her blood relative."

Finn, who had been watching mother and daughter the entire time decided to cut in. "I don't think my mums would ever allow such folly." He said as he took Gigi out of Rory's arms and started rocking the little girl.

"You two are such amateurs. Really Lorelai, how you ever raised Rory to be such an outstanding young woman is beyond me." Finn said as haughty as he could.

This made Lorelai smile. "Wow, it's just like having my mother here, please stop."

Finn looked like he was considering it.

"I'll buy you chocolates, with rum- filling."

"Just chocolates, no rum, have to stay sober around the little one."

"Okay, I'll just head on over to the store, be right back." Lorelai said as she walked to the door.

Finn turned to Rory and smiled. "Would you be a doll and make your sister a bottle?"

"Sooo," Logan started as he sat down at the table Colin found and put down their drinks. "how are things going with you and Celia? I've seen her coming out of your room several times over the last week and a half."

"Things are going good. She asked me to go home with her for the weekend." Colin shared reluctantly.

"Wow, meeting the parental unit. Big step."

Colin just grunted in responds, downing his Southern Comfort in one gulp.

"To big, huh?" Logan asked knowingly.

"Yeah, I mean, she's nice and all, but she's just not R… really the type of girl I want to label as my girlfriend." He quickly recovered. He couldn't believe he almost said Rory's name. If he didn't want to lose Logan's friendship he had to control himself better. Not that that was an easy task, especially not with her being around all the time.

Logan looked at his friend and knew something was troubling him. "What's wrong Colin?"

"Nothing, I'm just tired, that's all. I think I'll head back to the dorm."

"Just let me pay the bill and then I'll join you, I have to finish my article for the paper, anyway."

"Wow, you're actually writing articles on a regular base, you do your homework and you go to most of your classes. Gilmore's got quite an influence on you, huh?"

"Yeah, but at least it's a good influence. I just want to be the type of guy she can be proud of calling her boyfriend, that's all." Logan blushed. Colin mustered up a smile and walked to the exit as Logan paid for the drinks. Next time it'll be on him again.

Ninety minutes and two boxes of chocolate later Gigi was finally asleep. Finn was sitting in the big chair listening to Lorelai who was planning their weekend. Rory was sitting next to her mom on the couch and chimed in whenever she had an idea or didn't agree with her mom. It was very amusing to watch mother and daughter interact. He could imagine that some people would have trouble following them; they had the tendency to change topics every other minute. One minute they were discussing their favorite movie; Willy Wonka, and the next they were reminiscing Rory's seventh birthday party. And while he could follow the logic in that; the theme of the party had been chocolate treats, other definitely wouldn't. But then again, he was a tad flakey himself.

Lorelai looked at Finn and smiled. "Tell me something, Finn; when exactly did you lose us?"

"Actually, I'm still following you, Lorelai." Finn smirked.

This triggered Lorelai's curiosity; there were very few who could keep up with them this long. She could see her daughter was just as surprised by this.

"Wow, how did you do that and can you please teach my mother?" Lorelai asked, astonishment still evident in her voice.

"It's quite easy. When a certain subject of a topic reminds you of something else or triggers a new idea, you immediately change to the new topic, to make sure you won't forget. And about teaching your mother; as far as I know she raised you and she has witnessed numerous conversations between you two, so…"

"So if she doesn't get it after all this time, she'll never get it." Lorelai finished for him.

"Sorry." Finn uttered.

"That's okay, Finn. I already knew it; I just didn't want to admit it." Lorelai sighed.

"But on the other hand, this way you two can have private conversations or jokes at her expense while she is still in the room and she wouldn't even know it."

"Like we do all the time." Lorelai smiled. "You're right Finn, if she would understand all of our conversations; Friday night dinners would become unbearable." She shivered at the thought.

Rory smiled, she was glad her mom could get along with Finn. Logan and his two best friends were practically inseparable so she would get to see them a lot and things were much easier when she liked at least one of the two.

"So, Finn, we've been friends for quite some time now, but there isn't a lot I know about you." Rory started. "Tell us something about you."

"Yes," Lorelai shipped in. "What's it like to grow up in Australia. When did you move to the States? Where did you live and where did you lose your virginity?" she rattled on.

"Mom!" Rory cried out embarrassed.

"What!" Lorelai utter innocently.

"You can't just ask him that!"

"I just did. And if he doesn't want to answer the question, he won't." She stated simply.

Finn smiled at the two women. "Don't worry Rory, I'm not that easily embarrassed. And I'll be happy to answer all of your questions, Lorelai." He shifted in his seat, placed his ankle on his knee and folded his hands under his chin.

"Let me tell you all about this charming young man in front of you. I, Finley A. MacMurray, was born out of Melinda and Julian MacMurray, a young billionaire. Due to complications at birth, I'm their only child. I grew up in a magnificent Victorian mansion in Brighton. Brighton is a coast town near Melbourne in the state Victoria. I had a very pleasant childhood until I was five years old. My dad had an affaire with my aunt and got her pregnant. When my mum found out she decided she needed to get away from the entire situation and took me with her to some relatives in Hartford, Connecticut. Luckily my mum's family is loaded as well and soon we had our own house. After a divorce and a lot of distasteful argument my parents became friends, which they still are. My dad married my aunt and they are very happy with their three children. I have two half brothers and a half sister. But just like you, Rory, I just call them my brothers and sister. I love them dearly and they feel the same way about me. My mum remarried six years ago to a man I can get along with fine, just as long as we don't have to be alone together for too long. Don't get me wrong, he's a nice bloke and all, he's just arse -numbingly dull. I met my two best friends, the two young men you know as Logan and Colin in the second grade. For Rory that would be Handsome and Colin." Finn smiled as a blush made its way to Rory's cheeks.

"Anyway," he continued his story "I visit my family in Australia on a regular base and I'm quite happy with my life. I had my first kiss under the slide in third grade with Camille Janson. The first time I had a naughty I was visiting my family in Brighton. I went to a party at the Twelve Apostles with some friends and saw Yara Michaels, a girl I had been sweet on since I was two years old. As it turned out she liked me too. We found a private place and made love. I was sixteen at the time; which means I was a late-bloomer. At least compared to my friends in the States. And that's about it. Anymore questions?" he concluded.

"Just one." Rory smiled. "What does the 'A.' stand for?"

"Bugger, I hoped you would forget about that." Finn grunted.

"Not a chance." Mother and daughter laughed in unison.

"Only three people know the answer to that question, my parents and me. Not even my best friends know what the 'A.' stands for." Finn folded his arms in front of his chest and frowned. He wasn't going to tell them, no way.

Lorelai and Rory walked up to him and smiled their sweetest smile. "Come on, Finn. I know we joke around a lot, but you can trust us. We would only use it against you in a life and death situation." Rory pleaded.

"Yes, cross our hearts and hope to die." Lorelai added.

Finn looked at their angelic faces and sighed. There was no way anyone would be able to resist those two. "Archibald." He mumbled under his breath.

"Did you just say 'Archibald'!" Lorelai shrieked. Rory didn't say a word; she was lying on the ground holding her stomach. Her face was red with laughter.

Finn knew he was supposed to be offended, but he couldn't blame them and soon joined them in their laughter.

It took the three almost a half an hour to calm down. Lorelai was getting them some drinks and Finn was in the bathroom. Rory reached for her purse and took out her phone. She had one new text message. When she read it a huge smile made its way to her lips. As soon as Finn walked in the room she got up and threw herself in his arms. She hugged him tight and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

Lorelai walked in shortly after Finn and witnessed the scene in front of her. "What is this all about?" she asked curiously. Rory smiled at her mother, got her cell from the couch and showed her mother the message. After reading it Lorelai walked over to Finn and hugged him too.

"You are one amazing guy and I'm very glad that you're my daughter's friend." She smiled. She walked over to the table and handed Finn his drink. Finn, who was very confused, accepted the drink and sat down. When he saw Rory's phone he took it from the table and read the message that made the two women so happy. It said;

Hey Ace, I found out what Finn's nickname for you means.

Nipper means little sister.

Thought you would like to know that.

Big kiss, Logan.

Finn smiled, placed the phone back on the table and started to watch Rory and her mother again.

"Goodnight, hon. Goodnight, Finn." Lorelai yelled once more at the two teenagers who were walking towards her daughter's car. After they drove away she got back in the house and called Luke.

"Hey sexy lumberjack. Wanna come over and play 'The Sultan and his Slave' again?" She purred when her boyfriend answered his phone.

"I'll be there in two minutes." Came his responds. After that all she heard was the dial tone.

"I'm sorry we didn't get any work done." Rory apologized to Finn on their way back to campus.

"That's okay, luv. We'll do that some other night. I had a lot of fun."

"I'm glad to hear that. I had a lot of fun too." She smiled. "But I'm gladder about the fact that we are good friends, Finn. I know it means a lot to Logan. Especially with the way Colin has been lately. I don't think he likes me anymore, maybe because I claim Logan so much." She pondered, more to herself than to Finn.

"I'm glad we're good friends too, nipper. And don't worry about Colin, he'll come around eventually." Finn reassured her. He felt bad for her and Logan, more so because he knew the real reason for Colin's weird behavior.

For the rest of the ride they were both lost in their own thoughts.

Finn was shaken out of his train of thoughts when Rory asked him if he wanted her to drop him off at his dorm.

"No, thank you, luv. I'll walk from your dorm, after I've dropped you off at your door."

"That won't be necessary, Finn. I'm a big girl, you know."

"I know, but my mums raised me to be a gentleman. Besides, I just want to make sure you get to your suite okay." Finn reasoned.

"Okay, I don't want to undo your impeccable upbringing." Rory smiled.

After they got out of the car Finn grabbed Rory's book bag and walked her to her door. When they reached it they saw two freshmen leaning against it with their ears.

"What do you two think you are doing?" Finn yelled, scaring the two youngsters away. Rory's face turned red when she heard the reason for the boys' interest. It sounded like wild animals were having sex behind her door. She turned to Finn and smiled shyly.

"Care to walk me to your suite?"

"Not at all, luv. As a matter of fact, I'm on my way there too." Finn played along, sensing her discomfort.

When they reached Finn's suite the lights were out.

"Guess the boys decided to get to bed early." Finn remarked.

"Well Finn, it isn't that early." Rory noticed. "It's almost one."

"Huh, guess time really flies when you're having fun, then." Finn smiled. "Want to watch a movie until you can go back?"

"No, I'll just sleep with Logan." Rory said. As soon as the meaning of the words got through her she added; "I mean I'll sleep next to him, I'm not actually going to sleep with him. We're not like that, yet. I'm not easy or something we, I…" she rambled.

"Shhh, luv. I know what you mean and I don't think you're easy." Finn interrupted. He took her coat and guided her to Logan's door. Before going to his own room he kissed her on her forehead.

"Sweet dreams, nipper."

"Sweet dreams, Finn."

A/N: I know I promised drama, but I had to write this first. You'll find out why soon.

Not a lot of Rogan, but I'll make up for it in my next chapter; Cross my heart, hope to die.

As always; R&R is greatly appreciated