A/N: Back with a longer chapter and yes the appearance of some Logan/Rory banter. :)
Part VII: The Art of Friendship
Friendship: "a relationship of mutual affection and good will." –New Webster's Dictionary-
Walking through Sterling Memorial Library, Logan found himself glancing around the tables where the heads of many of Yale's finest were burrowed in books and notes, as the student body studied or in some case crammed for the exams at hand.
Whether unconsciously or not, his gaze would pause on many of the female brunettes, on the off chance that the face belonged to one female in particular. When he finally caught himself doing this, he silently cursed himself.
He was not looking for her.
Granted of all the places in Yale to study, he had chosen the one library where he had run into her before sniffing a book, he was still convinced it was merely a coincidence he had ended up there. Of course just as Logan seemed to have fooled himself into believing that, he saw the girl in question.
Ace. Rory Gilmore.
He stood studying her and couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face. She was just as he would have imagined her, surrounded by several books and papers, hunched over the table in deep concentration.
Realizing that this was one moment in which he could take his time to reflect on this enigma of a girl before him without inciting her ire, he seized the moment. Generally the female gender was not a mystery to him, he would throw his charm, suave personality their way and for the most part they swooned. But he didn't seem to have that effect on her; she rebuked his gestures with the simple roll of her eyes and a witty retort.
Recalling their last meeting in the fated coffee shop, he had been perplexed by how easily he had gotten worked up by her words, causing him to uncharacteristically return the favor with an angry retort. Logan Huntzberger did not get worked up and he certainly did not get fazed. Only the rare few, which unfortunately included Colin and Finn, saw that side of him. The rest of the world only got to see the confident, unfaultable, charismatic guy.
So what was it about her?
Logan watched as Rory tucked a lose piece of hair behind her ear, before continuing to write some notes on her paper. She was obviously pretty. At that thought, the image of her in the pale blue crinoline dress popped in his mind- making him reconsider his first assertion, she wasn't just pretty she was beautiful. She was smart, too damn witty, stubborn, protective, unassuming, odd, naïve…in other words she was someone he wanted in his life.
Startled by this sudden revelation, he let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. Somehow this girl in the brief time he had known her had worked her way into his life. Granted he still hadn't quite figured out exactly what way he wanted her, but one thing was for sure Logan always got what he wanted.
With that realization he took one last look at Rory before turning and walking away. He would fix things with her. But now was not the time or place.
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Saturday night was proving to be uneventful for Rory, as she sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. She felt slightly more relaxed then she had been all week with just one more exam to be written on Thursday.
A knock sounded from the door, and she called out, "it's open."
She looked up in surprise when Marty, whom she hadn't seen or talked to since the coffee shop incident, walked in and said, "Okay so I brought over three pizzas, that way we can have one each. Ideal if we're going to have any type of competition."
"Marty?" Rory said watching Marty quizzically, as he set the pizzas down on the table and sat on the sofa beside her.
Turning towards her, he replied, "Hey."
"Hey." She replied hesitantly. Happy to see him, but slightly confused, as he seemed to be acting his usual self.
"Paris around?"
"Yep she's in her room studying, the ever studious student."
"Says the most studious person I know."
"Not compared to Paris." She replied, examining Marty's disposition.
Marty noticing Rory's expression asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Umm yeah?" She replied.
"You seem unsure." He said with a small smile.
Looking at her friend, she replied, "Well just a little surprised to see you. You seemed to be really busy lately."
"Yeah I was. School and work have been crazy. Plus had to deal with some things."
Rory thought back to some of the things Paris had said to her about Marty and his feelings, wondering if she should tentatively broach the subject she asked, "deal with things?"
Marty nodded, replied nonchalantly, "I'm having some Lord of the Rings issues."
Rory couldn't help but smile, "Lord of the Rings issues?"
"Yeah. See I was watching the Return of the King the other day with my roommate and he was making comments about Frodo and Sam's relationship and the obvious presence of homoeroticism. And I was like no way they're just really good friends."
Giggling Rory replied, "I've had the same argument with my mom before."
"Yeah, it got pretty heated. We had to stop the movie and part company."
"Well that's the power of the one ring." Rory said, nodding over seriously.
Marty grinned, "tell me about it. But it was only after I cooled down a bit, I realized in a way we were both right."
"How's that?"
"Well see when it comes to how you feel about something or someone, there's no real right or wrong is there?" Marty asked as he looked seriously at Rory.
Rory felt the shift in the conversation and for once she was clued in to the fact that perhaps Marty was now talking about something deeper then the present subject at hand, replied, "No there isn't."
"That's what I realized. My roommate thinks Frodo and Sam are more than friends, I feel like they're just friends. But I can't be mad at him for feeling that way, cause he can't help the way he feels, so I just need to respect his opinion and he should respect mine. Besides the only people who know how they really feel about each other are Frodo and Sam."
"And maybe Peter Jackson, or at least Tolkien." Rory replied with a small smile.
"So what do you think, just good friends or can they be more than friends?" Marty asked tentatively, hoping Rory knew what he was really asking.
Again recalling her conversation with Paris, she looked thoughtfully at the boy sitting beside her. Although not wanting to hurt his feelings, answered truthfully, "I feel like they're really good friends and they're lucky to have each other in their life."
His face dropped in disappointment as he looked away; he had known that it was likely that Rory looked at him only as a friend, but to hear her actually say it was disappointing nonetheless. However, quickly recovering he smiled awkwardly, "yeah that's what I though too."
Rory smiled back uncertainly, hoping for a clue to see if their friendship had been altered, "so everything's okay?"
"Yeah. Everything's fine. We agree, Frodo and Sam are just friends. Come to think of it, we're a lot like them too, minus the dangerous journey part." Marty replied thoughtfully. He had gotten his answer from Rory and now that he knew how she felt, he just had to accept it. Paris was right; Rory's friendship was worth keeping.
"Oh yeah? And who would you be?"
"I'd definitely be the hero Frodo." He answered with a genuine grin. "The way you eat, you're definitely Sam or Pippin, but he's not an option in this case."
"I can live with that." She answered with an equally big grin.
"Hey, as Samwise, you think you could refrain from sharing any Rosie Cotton stories? At least for the moment, especially if they come in the form of rich blond haired guy?" Marty asked.
Rory turned to Marty in surprise, wondering why everyone seemed to think that something was going on between her and Logan. However, realizing it would be completely inappropriate to discuss the matter with Marty, especially since he just asked her not to, nodded, "mum's the word on Rosie."
"Okay. Let's eat then."
"Paris! Pizza time." Rory called out.
Walking into the common area, Paris sat down on the couch beside with a sigh, "Why aren't you two studying?"
"We did and will. But first we need to eat and compete." Rory replied.
"Hey Paris. I got you cheesy bread." Marty said, handing Paris a bag.
"You did?" She replied in surprise. "Thanks."
"No thank you."
Rory saw the two exchange small smiles and once again she was out in the dark, "What did I miss?"
"Nothing." Paris replied with a shrug.
"Okay let's eat!" Marty replied, as the three whipped open their boxes and began digging in.
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She was having fun. She didn't want to admit it but she was.
Lane was sitting on Colin's bed in his room, while Colin, sitting on the ground beside the bed was in the midst of pulling out charts he had made in regards to Plan RoLo- the alias for their plan of making Rory and Logan a couple.
"So here's a chart detailing similarities and differences between the two of them that we can use to our advantage. Feel free to add anything in regards to Rory that you think might be helpful." Colin said seriously.
Lane couldn't help but giggle as she looked at the different pieces of papers strewn across the bed, causing Colin to look up from his charts and glance up at Lane confused, asked, "what?"
"Come on Colin you made charts."
"And?"
"You drew up a time line, there's a detailed bio of Logan and Rory, including their family history, you made a web of possible scenarios…"
"I thought it would be helpful."
"Are you pouting?" Lane asked with a grin.
"Of course not."
Lane giggled again, "Have you ever met Paris, Rory's roommate? Cause you two would be perfect together. I've been told she is also infamous for her chart making."
"Alright, Miss Drummer, since you're mocking my charts, let's hear your brilliant plans then." Colin replied with a confrontation grin.
"Okay then. First off, the key for this to work is for Rory to see that Logan and his crew, which includes you by the way, are not the rich snobs people may perceive you as."
"First, why am I considered a part of Logan's crew? Can't Logan be a member of my crew? And why do I keep saying the word crew? And second, we are not rich snobs, we just happen to have money." He replied defensively.
Lane raised an eyebrow, "Rory told me the story of the first time she met you guys and if I recall you weren't very nice, in fact I think you were intentionally mean, something about you being a friend to all people big and very very small?"
Colin blanched, "she told you about that?"
"Mmm-hmm." Lane nodded.
"Well, we were just playing around."
"Yes well, try to play nice, or else this plan will never work."
"Alright, we… I can do it."
"Good. So that means being nice to Marty."
"Bartender Marty?"
Lane sighed, "which means not calling him bartender Marty."
Nodding Colin replied, "Okay, this might be harder then expected. I'll have to have a long talk with Finn too."
"The next step of course is getting Rory and Logan back on speaking terms. Any ideas?"
"Already have one. Our floor is doing an end of term party next Friday, Logan of course will definitely be there, we just need Rory to make an appearance and I guarantee they'll make up."
"Guarantee?"
"I know Logan. He'll fix things."
Lane nodded, "Okay then, I think I can get her there."
"What else do you have?"
"Nothing at the moment."
"Oh really?" Colin said with a smirk. "I have some ideas, but that would require referring to the charts that you were mocking."
"Alright, let's hear what you have." Lane replied shaking her head with a small smile.
"Notice on this Rory chart, she seems to have to very separate lives, Yale- meaning Logan and Stars Hallow."
"How did you get all this information on Rory?" Lane asked in suspiciously as she took a closer look at the sheet of paper.
"Sources."
"Okay. Sort of creepy but okay."
"Anyways, so what we need to do is attempt to bridge the gap between the worlds. That's where you come in. We should date."
"What!" Lane asked, looking at Colin as if he had just told her Celine Dion out-rocks David Bowie any day.
"You're Stars Hallow. I'm Yale. Bridging the gap." Colin replied matter-of-factly.
Recovering, she replied, "one problem."
"Problem?"
"My boyfriend. Zach."
"Oh right. I forgot." Colin replied, somewhat disappointed, however he perked when he thought about her answer, "wait, you only listed one problem. So if you weren't dating your band-mate, you would go out with me?"
Lane tilted her head in confusion, "sure, for the RoLo plan right? Pretend to date?"
"Yeah. That's what I mean." He replied, silently cursing the occasional naive nature of the opposite sex.
"So any other ideas?"
"Well if we can't date, we should at least be friends, hangout, go out. That way, Rory and Logan would also have to hangout together and the more they see of each other the more they'll banter and come to realize their feelings for one another."
Nodding, Lane smiled, "That makes sense. Good call. So far you have yet to exhibit the snobbery characteristics I've heard about, so I can take you in as a friend."
Colin smiled, "Good. So the first steps of Plan RoLo can now be implemented…" His words trailed as heard a jingling of keys at the door. "Damnit! Hide the charts, someone's home!"
The two immediately sprang into action, Lane grabbing the papers and handing them to Colin who was trying to shove them under bed.
"Colin you around?" They heard Logan call out as the main door opened.
Panicking, Lane grabbed the rest of the papers and in an overzealous attempt to dispose of them; leaned too far over the bed and tumbled off right into Colin's lap. The impact of her body falling onto his caused him to fall back. Leaving them in the awkward position of him laying on the floor and Lane lying on top of him.
And as things go, that's exactly how Logan and Finn found them.
"What is going on in here?" Logan asked in surprise.
"Need you ask my friends, it seems fairly obvious." Finn replied with a smirk.
The couple on the ground stood up quickly, "it's not what you think." Lane replied blushing.
"I'm sure it isn't my fair lady." Finn said, "No worries my dear, your honor is safe with us."
"And here we thought you were at home studying." Logan chipped in, shaking his head.
Shooting a glare at his grinning friends, Colin demanded, "What are you two doing home anyways, I thought you were going to the Pub."
"Now, now, no need to be hostile Colin, we were actually being considerate and coming back to get you. We felt bad about leaving you home on a Saturday night." Logan answered.
"But it looks like you had plans after all." Finn added.
Lane, who was still beat red, had already begun collecting her stuff when Finn interjected, "please don't leave on our account."
"Oh, I was on my way out anyways." Squeezing past Logan and Finn who still stood grinning at Colin's door; she waved at the trio, "bye! Thanks for your help Colin."
The three watched her practically run out the door before Logan and Finn turned back towards Colin with big grins on their faces.
"Well congratulations. You got the girl… for once." Finn smirked.
Colin shook his head and replied dryly, "Don't make assumptions, it makes you look like an ass. It's really not what you think. Granted I'd like it to be exactly what you two are thinking unfortunately I still have a lead singer to deal with."
"My poor boy." Finn began, "give it up then. There are so many other fish in the sea. Redheads, blonds…"
"And plenty of Guinness." Logan drawled.
"Right, keep your Guinness and redheads. I'll keep my drummer."
"But she's not your drummer." Finn replied in exasperation.
Logan couldn't help but point out, "I believe someone once told me that while a certain reporter wasn't mine, I should go and make her mine."
"And look where that got you." Finn replied, causing Logan to throw him a glare, as he continued, "your reporter doesn't even have a boyfriend anymore and still you can't get the girl, so really Logan do not encourage Colin."
"Ah Finn, sometimes you just need some optimism." Colin said.
Looking at Colin, Finn started in exasperation, "You're absolutely hopeless. The world is amiss when I'm the logical one of us three." Sighing in resignation, "I'm here if you need my help."
With a sly grin Colin replied, "Finn, I believe I might just have to take you up on that offer."
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Almost a week later, Lane found herself in another Yale dorm room, trying to get two ladies to attend a certain party. "Come on Rory, Paris. Let's go."
The two remained unmoving as they sat on the couch, before Rory replied: "I thought we were just going to hangout tonight, rent movies, be boring old people. That way we can get up early tomorrow and drive back to Stars Hallow and have breakfast at Luke's."
Appalled Lane asked, "Right. But you can do that all break. Don't you want to go out and be young tonight? Live it up? Party hardy? Carpe Diem?"
"Rory, please go with her so I don't have to hear anymore inane colloquialisms." Paris grumbled.
"Well if I'm going, you're going."
"Idle threat." Paris replied blandly.
"Come on Rory, please, please, please?" Lane begged, kneeling beside her best friend, tugging on her arm, "I need to go out. Especially after the whole Zach thing today."
"What happened?" Rory asked.
"Well you know how Brian helped chose my outfit for the last gig and it turns out he has pretty good taste right?"
Rory nodded as Lane continued quickly, "Well I decided to let Brian be the wardrobe guy cause I know he's been feeling kind of left out with Zach and me going out, and Gil, you know is married older guy so I just wanted to include Brian. Anyways, today, he was all excited, with some stuff he picked out and made me try everything on. Zach was around and making comments about how no way his girlfriend was wearing that stuff on stage. Sure there were some short skirts, but it wasn't like it was Britney Spears. Then he actually said no, I couldn't wear it. What are we living in the 17th century? Of course then I insisted on wearing the clothes, and we started arguing. I ended up bring up the groupies from the last gig and then he called me unrock'n'roll again. That was just so frustrating, which led to more yelling. Finally Brian yelled for us to stop. He called me the Yoko Ono of the group. Hello! Yoko Ono wasn't the drummer for the Beatles in case he didn't remember…"
"Alright I'll go." Paris interjected in exasperation, interrupting Lane's seemingly unending soliloquy. "Anything to put an end to this unnecessarily long and detailed story."
"Sorry Lane." Rory replied, shooting a glare at Paris, before looking apologetically at Lane. "We'll talk about it later?"
Lane shrugged, "sure. I didn't really want to talk about it anyways."
Paris rolling her eyes said, "You sure had me fooled."
"Let's just go." Lane replied, ignoring Paris, grabbing her jackets, as the other two began to do the same.
"How did you hear about a party we knew nothing about? Where is it again?" Rory asked.
Lane not wanting to reveal the true location of the party on the off chance Rory would then decide against going, simply said, "Umm, I just know how to get there, can't remember what it's called. And come on I'm a musician, I have sources to all parties."
"Sources?" Rory asked the question dying from her lips as she opened the door to the dorm and was completely startled by the sight before her. There stood Finn, Colin and… Marty?
Colin looked as if he had just about to knock on the door, Finn had his usual easy smile, his arm slung over Marty's shoulder and there was Marty looking absolutely confused, standing awkwardly between the two.
"Perfect. Ladies we were just coming over to escort you over to our party and look who we found on the way here? Marty. Who accepted our invitation to join our little shindig tonight." Colin replied with a grin.
Rory glanced over at Marty questioningly causing him to shrug in response. "It's your party?" She asked suspiciously, looking at Lane, who was now not meeting Rory's eye.
"Of course." Colin replied, "and we're all going to have a great time."
"Well now Paris, aren't you looking lovely tonight?" Finn said, smiling suggestively at the glaring girl.
"Oh please. Shoot me if I ever fall for something like that." Paris replied looking annoyed.
Finn, not remotely deterred continued with grandiose, "My dear Paris, if you would allow me, I will personally escort and entertain you tonight."
"Alright. I'm already annoyed. I'm not going." She replied in response, stalking away from the group back into her room, closing the door behind her.
"Paris! Come on!" Rory called out after her, in which she received no response.
"I'll get her." Finn replied strolling lazily after towards her door.
Rory wide eyed at Finn's audacity, tried to stop him, "Finn, don't…"
But it was too late; he walked into her room, closing the door. Rory, Marty and Lane traded uncertain glances, in which Colin quipped, "Don't worry about him, he can take care of himself."
Just as the words left his mouth, they heard Paris' voice, "GET OUT!" Then there was a loud crashing sound, followed by a thump, then simply silence.
"Umm, I think someone should check on him." Lane said.
Marty's eyes widened, and replied, "I am not going in there."
Rory sighed and turned towards Paris' door and was surprised when it opened to reveal an unscathed Finn, smiling, followed by Paris, who said, "okay let's go."
The remaining group, save for Colin looked in shock, as Paris followed Finn out the door.
Rory turned towards Colin, "What did he do to her?"
Grinning Colin answered, "Finn has a way with women."
"Now come on, let's go. There is plenty of fun still to be had and we should not keep the party or certain people waiting." Colin replied, throwing a sly look at Rory, as he led the group away.
Rory caught the glance and the obvious implication: Logan was going to be there and now she would have to deal with the repercussions of their last meeting.
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Logan was just where one might expect to find him at any social gather- at the center of attention surrounded by several women all of whom were in one degree or another enraptured with the gentleman before them.
The party was already in full swing. Every room on the floor had their doors open and as Finn had wanted, on second thought demanded, the makeshift bar was set up in their dorm room, where Logan was temporarily playing the makeshift bartender.
Ever the gracious host, he smiled indulgently at every female who asked for him to personally make them a drink and make them he did with a splash of flourish, inciting a lot of oohhing and ahhhing from his audience.
His show was interrupted when a familiar Australian accent rang out, "LADIES! I'm back! Now the real party can get started!"
Logan locating the source grinned as he saw his friend stagger in. The grin froze on his face when he saw the people that followed: Paris, Colin and Lane, finally Marty and Rory.
He hadn't expected them to come to the party; Colin and Finn certainly hadn't mentioned anything. Through the crowd, he first noticed Colin say something to Lane, then leave the group and head towards him. He then he turned his attention onto Rory. He watched as she scanned the room taking in her surroundings, until her gaze came around and met his. He held her gaze for a moment, before on impulse winked and gave her a grin. He saw her tilt her head in question as a look of hesitation appeared on her features.
"Stop staring and go talk to her." Colin said as he appeared beside Logan.
Logan breaking his gaze with Rory turned towards his friend and replied dryly, "I take it I don't need to accuse you of being the mastermind behind Ace's unexpected appearance here at our little party?"
"No need. I fully admit to and take credit for it as well." Colin replied with a smug grin. "Although, I will also admit to my having my own ulterior motives as well."
"The drummer?"
Colin nodded and asked with a sigh of resignation, "Am I being as foolish as Finn accuses?"
Startled at the sudden serious nature of his friend, Logan turned towards Colin and replied, "You're taking a chance on someone, and that's not foolish. It would be more foolish to do nothing at all."
Colin grinned, "I knew I can always count on you to put a guy back on track. By the way, astute advice my friend, you should consider taking it yourself."
"The night's young and filled with possibilities." Logan replied with a grin.
"I wouldn't wait too long. A couple of brigadiers were already asking me if the reporter was coming tonight, it seems that she has acquired many admirers."
Logan felt a touch of annoyance and tried to ask casually, "Who was asking about Rory?"
Colin laughed, "Like I'd tell you. I think it's a little early in the evening for this party to turn into The O.C. Just go talk to her already."
Logan thought for a moment and began making a drink, causing Colin to ask, "What are you doing?"
"Making Ace a drink."
"Getting her drunk wasn't really the solution I was going for."
Shooting Colin a look, Logan replied, "That wasn't what I was going for either."
"Do what you need to do, just fix it." With a shrug Colin walked away.
Logan adding the final touches to the drink went to find Rory. Promptly locating her seated on a couch with Marty, their backs to him as he caught the tail end of their conversation.
"So how did you get dragged into coming tonight?" Rory asked curiously.
Marty shrugged, "I have no idea. One minute I'm minding my own business. The next minute Colin and Finn appear and somehow I got talked into coming to this thing."
"Colin and Finn can pretty much talk anyone into doing anything." Logan piped in. "I've found myself in many compromising positions thanks to those two."
The two turned to find a smiling Logan, who promptly acknowledged them with a nod, "Marty. Ace."
Rory looked uncertainly at Logan, as Marty said, "Hey Logan."
"Marty, good to see you again. How are things?"
"Good. Thanks." Marty replied and glanced at Rory who had yet to say a word, then looked over at Logan, who though was speaking to Marty, was still looking at Rory. He sighed softly it was way to soon for him to witnessing their courtship, or sexual tension or whatever it was so he stood up and added, "you know I'm going to see if I can find Paris. Wow… I never thought I'd hear myself say those words. Rory I'll talk to you later. Later Logan."
"Yeah later Marty." Logan replied as Marty walked off. Smiling again at Rory, he handed her the drink, "So Ace, I come bearing a token of reconciliation."
Rory glancing at Logan in surprise, "what is it?"
Logan grinned, "The Lady, she speaks."
Reaching for the glass, she ignored him and looked suspiciously from the drink to Logan and asked again, "what is it?"
Logan laughed, "Ever suspicious aren't you Ace?"
"You bring out that side of me." She quipped naturally.
"Would it be enough for me to say just trust me and try it?"
"Is that a rhetorical question?"
"Are you always this difficult?"
"Only in your company."
"I do bring out the best in people." He replied with a wink, before continuing, "Will you just try it already? Take a chance?"
"Where have I heard that before?" Rory asked, before taking a tentative sip of her beverage. It was obviously alcoholic but the presence of the two other flavors almost masked it and a small smile of content lit her face as she asked, "coffee and chocolate?"
Smiling at her reaction he nodded, "I've been told the key to your heart is coffee and if I add in chocolate I might even get into your good books."
"And who told you that?" She asked suspiciously, before taking another sip.
"I have my sources."
"I've come to dread that phrase." Rory replied with a frown, "your source wouldn't happen to be a petite Korean drummer who masks as my best friend on a part time basis would it?"
"Now, from one fellow reporter to another you must know that one cannot reveal the identity of their sources. If they did, said sources would no longer divulge further information. Then what use would they be to me?"
"You do know that you can only call yourself a reporter when you've at least written or reported on one story right? Simply donning a hat labeled 'Press' doesn't count in the real world."
With a smirk, Logan replied, "I'm happy to see our usual meaningless banter has returned."
Rory catching his particular choice of words recalled their last meeting in which she had used the same phrase. This led her to remember the heated words previously exchanged and the open-ended manner that encounter had ended. Seeking closure and even some clarity of her feelings she gestured to her glass and asked, "Is this your way of apologizing?"
Logan came around and sat down beside her on the couch, "Oh no. I don't plan on apologizing."
Looking at his self-assured smile, Rory felt a pang of annoyance. Logan noticing her expression, continued reassuringly, "Don't worry I don't expect you to apologize either."
"Good. Cause I wasn't going to." Rory replied with a huff. Realizing that she probably sounded like she was back in grade one.
"Well good to know we're on the same page."
A silence fell between them and though it pained Rory to do so, she finally, out of curiosity demanded, "Why aren't you going to apologize?"
He grinned in responses and she realized that he had baited her into giving in, answered, "Well, if I recall, the words we said to one another on that fateful day, while perhaps coming out harsher than one would normally dispense them, was in fact fairly truthful. And I've never been one to apologize when I'm simply being honest and I would never expect someone to apologize for being honest."
"So you're saying I was right about you?"
"I said you were honest, not right per say. I think I remember you calling me a spoiled rich kid and by all means, you can label me as such. Spoiled? Sure, my parents seemed to buy the old adage of money being able to buy love. Rich? Again would have to answer in the affirmative, I do come from a family of wealth. And kid? Well that label I might dispute, although I could use the cliché and say I'm a kid at heart."
"What about the things you said about me?"
"I think in haste I called you a scared little kid and while I didn't mean it literally, I'm of the opinion that you could take some more chances in life."
Rory shook her head; "I jumped off seven stories with you. I think that was not only taking a chance in general but taking a chance with my life as well."
"I don't disagree. But the next time you come to another seven story building, would you take the chance again and jump?"
"Who are you Morpheus?"
Logan grinned, "I've always seen myself as more of a Neo, being The One and all, but hey he works too."
Shaking her head again, she hid the small smile that lit her face. Logan was exasperating and she hated it when he was logical and even more when his logic made sense, but nevertheless, she felt relieved that they were back to their usual ways.
"Before I allow you to think that you're completely off the hook for your comments that day, I would like to point out you were wrong about one thing and for that you should apologize."
Rory making eye contact with the smiling Logan, asked wryly, "and what was I wrong about?"
Before he could answer a third party interrupted their conversation, slumping down on the couch beside them.
"Argh. Boys suck. Why do they suck so much?" Stephanie asked with a sigh of frustration.
Rory giggled, "I think I've seen an episode of Unsolved Mysteries about that exact topic."
Steph turned to Rory, "Reporter Girl."
"Gorilla Girl." Rory replied in kind.
"You know, I have to say that nickname really isn't flattering. I much rather prefer Stephanie or Steph or at least the Pretty Drunk Girl."
"I know what you mean. I think I prefer Rory over Reporter Girl."
Stephanie grinned, "Touché." Turning towards Logan, she added, "I like her. We should keep her."
"Well I'm trying."
"Try harder."
"I'll do what I can. So Steph, what is your current dilemma?"
"I hate boys."
"Now I for one do not believe that."
"Believe it Logan, I'm swearing off. I might have to try my hand at lesbianism. Are you game?" Stephanie asked Rory.
Rory smiled, "A very tempting offer."
"Can I be there when it happens?" Logan asked with a leer.
"You know, you may be onto something Stephanie." Rory replied, shaking her head at Logan.
"Well, care to elaborate on your current decision to abstain from the opposite sex?" Logan asked.
"I told Craig Masters I liked his shirt. He automatically assumed that meant I wanted to get in his pants."
"Well did you want to get into his pants?" Logan asked.
"Sure I did. But he should have at least acted more like a gentleman about it." Steph answered with a grin, causing the other two to laugh. "All I'm saying is all the good ones are taken."
"Well I'm available."
"I think she said all the good ones, Logan." Rory piped in with a smirk.
"Tsk. Tsk. Ace." He replied. Spotting someone in the distance, he stood up abruptly, "excuse me for a moment ladies."
Rory and Stephanie watched him go, before Steph turned back to Rory and asked, "So you got to the head of the line. Good job. Many would kill to be in your place."
Rory shook her head, "It's not like that. We amuse one another."
"Oh dirty."
"Not like that."
"Don't worry Rory, I'm just kidding. Maybe a little jealous, but definitely kidding."
Looking at Steph in surprise she asked, "You and Logan?"
"What sizing up the competition?"
"Oh no. I didn't know that you…"
Steph laughed, "Me nothing… Logan and I, definitely nothing. I've known him long enough to think of him as a brother, on second thought we kissed once so that would make the brother reference kind of gross. But the general gist is you don't have to worry about me. And if you're wondering why I'm jealous, it's simply cause you're at the start of something with a great guy and damnit I wish I had a great guy of my own."
"But Logan and I…"
"I know I know… you amuse each other. Either way Rory, as one of his bias friends, I just want to give him a good endorsement and tell you that Logan is one of the good ones. So snatch him up girl!"
"I feel my ears burning." Logan's voice broke in, as the two found him back from his brief sojourn with a beer and a guest.
For the second time that evening, Rory found herself looking upon a surprising sight, now standing beside Logan was Marty, who again looked as if he had no clue what was going on.
Stephanie looking at the pair replied, "Logan, not everyone is talking about you all the time. But to the more important point, who's your friend?"
"Marty I'd like you to meet the one and only Stephanie. Stephanie, this is Marty, I believe he is one of the good ones."
"Hi." Marty said with an awkward wave.
"Well then, if you're one of the good ones. We must go get a drink." She replied as she stood up, linking her arm through his. "Now you two behave yourselves and Rory, remember what I said." She added before she started guiding Marty away. Marty turned his head back around with a look of confusion and alarm at Rory, who simply shrugged and smiled.
Logan sat back down beside Rory as he watched the other couple leave; glancing at Rory he found her examining him. "What?"
"Did you just do something nice for Marty?"
"I am capable of good deeds you know." He replied with a smile.
Still perplexed she said, "You called him one of the good ones. You don't even know him and for the most part I thought you didn't even like him."
"He is one of the goods one isn't he?"
"Yes, definitely."
"Well that's what I figured. For you to be such good friends with him, I know there must be something about him. And well, Steph deserves to meet a good guy every once in a while."
"Hmmm." Rory mustered as she thought of his words.
"So back to our conversation at hand. I believe you still owe me an apology."
"Oh and why's that?" She asked cautiously.
"You were incorrect in stating that we are not friends but I have evidence to the contrary. Therefore you owe me an apology."
"And what would this evidence be?"
He leaned forward, closing the distance between them, "We spend far too much time and attention on one another to simply be acquaintances."
Rory couldn't help but smile, leaning forward slightly as well, replied, "that may be the case for you Logan, but I rarely give you a moments thought."
"Now why don't I believe that?" He responded, matching her grin.
"Possibly because of the size of your ego."
"Ah Ace. Admit that you like me and that you were wrong and be done with it."
Rory's smile faltered, as she looked at the person sitting beside her. She couldn't help but feel her breath catching in her throat and her heart beating a little faster just by being in such close proximity to the boy who she figured could break her heart if she let him. Emotions ran through her as he stared back at her, with his ever-confident smile and in that moment she decided that maybe getting to know him better wouldn't be such a bad thing. With that thought she leaned back away from him, and replied, "I guess you could call us friends."
"So you concede."
"I wouldn't call it a concession. I'm agreeing not conceding."
"Call it what you will, but a concession is a concession. You know, you concede an awful lot. I may have to reconsider our friendship."
"You'll just come to regret it Huntzberger."
"I have a feeling I would too." He replied, a tad to seriously for his own liking. "Well Ace, let's drink to our newfound friendship." He held up his beer and with a glimmer in his eye said, "To you and me."
She raised her glass in response. This was the beginning of something, what it was exactly she still had no idea, but one way or another she would find out. With that, she smiled and replied, "To you and me."
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A/N part 2: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feel up to reviewing? Cause it makes the fanfic world go round!