CHAPTER 13

Logan woke up to the cool breeze blowing through the balcony. Some time during the night he lifted Rory off the floor and tucked her under the sheets of the king sized bed. He looked at the bedside clock on his right. It was three past eight; four hours before they had to leave the country.

He remembered groggily that Rory woke up some time in the night, crying out an inaudible sound. Was it a bad dream? Was it a name?

He threw his arm over her waist and squeezed her toward him. Funny, he thought. The whole scavenger hunt in Spain felt like a ride through Alice's rabbit hole. What he expected and what really happened contrasted so much that he didn't know what to believe. Every time he saw Rory and Tristin together, a little voice inside his head kept on chanting, "You're late! You're late!" But now she lay in his arms. It was like she naturally chose him, and he couldn't be happier. He smiled. Despite his paranoia over years of insecurity, he had finally let go. She was with him. Dawn had broken and his nightmare was finally over.

He was a little wary when Rory tried to talk him in to fulfilling his role as Master of Ceremonies the night before. Truly, what he wanted was to escape with her to places the LDB wouldn't be able to follow them. He loved the company of his friends, but he wanted to spend time alone with his girlfriend. Rory showed him what true love and sacrifice was, and he wanted to show her how much she meant to him. He wanted to take her to hear the Montserrat Boys sing their vespers, but she encouraged him to take his role as a leader. For that, she rendered him speechless.

As he laid a kiss on the crown of her head she stirred. Her kohl-black eyelashes fluttered slowly as they tried to adjust to the morning light. She turned toward him and then frowned before looking up. Then, she smiled.

"Good morning."

Even her voice was music to his ears.

"How'd..." she inquired about her whereabouts.

"I took you to bed when it got cooler," he said.

She was contented with his response. She planted a kiss on his bare chest before rolling her back against him. Logan just stared at the exposed skin, marveling at its creamy complexion. I have her and I will never let go.

Rory knew something big was about to happen when he asked her to pack all her things up right before they left for the celebration. At first she panicked. She thought they were taking a midnight flight out of the country without her being able to say goodbye to Tristin. Alas, she got to see her former partner but still failed at her mission to say goodbye. Did Logan know that the SK group was taking off and didn't want her to associate with them anymore?

All she wanted was to bid the Stanford team farewell. Well, at least, Tristin. But Logan saw to it that they wouldn't say their salutations to each other face to face.

Maybe it was for the better. She might have just sounded like a bumbling idiot when she said her goodbyes. Logan had saved her from that travesty.

She stretched on the sheets and marveled at their softness. God, had it been a week since she left the States? Instead of reveling at the romantic gestures Logan had afforded her, she sounded bitter and cynical.

Wasn't it every girl's dream to be whisked away by her appointed knight in shining armor? Apparently, she was being picky.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Logan crooned in her ear.

"What were you thinking?" Rory threw the question back at him as she continued to stare at the wall.

"Well, we have two hours left before we have to be at the airport. We can lounge here for a while until we have to head out; or we can go out, grab a meal, and buy some souvenirs if you're up for it," he suggested.

Souvenirs. All Rory needed was the kiss she shared with Tristin to keep her memories of the country tattooed in her soul.

"I don't think I'll be forgetting Barcelona any time soon," Rory replied vaguely.

"Don't you want to get Lorelai or your grandparents anything?" he queried.

Her grandparents didn't need any more knickknacks. As for her mother, she already purchased her a gold bracelet like the one she lost when they backpacked Europe years ago.

"No, I'm fine," she reaffirmed.

Logan's hand was suddenly on her bare shoulder. She wanted to wince but willed herself not to.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Doubt could be heard in his voice.

"No, just tired," she said. She turned and faced him once more. "I didn't sleep well last night."

"Anxious to get home?"

Not wanting to betray herself, she looked away. "Yeah. Something like that."

"Tell you what," he replied with a boyish grin, "how would you feel if we ordered some breakfast? I know we can't have it on the balcony, but we still have a good view of the city."

Rory sat up, smiled at him, and nodded. "Sure. Let me just go and shower."

Almost too quietly, she got up from the bed, covered herself modestly with the sheet, and left Logan alone to the silence.

-----oooo0---0oooo-------

Tristin rubbed his tired, red eyes. He had just woken up from the most uncomfortable sleep in his entire life.

They had been at the godforsaken airport for over twelve hours, and it did not look like they're leaving the country any time soon. According to what the flight attendant behind the counter told them, all flights were grounded due to the low visibility and heavy fog. They never had a chance to skip out before everyone made their departure that day.

"I guess this is what real camping would feel like," he muttered to himself as he adjusted his lumpy gym bag that doubled as his pillow. He rolled over, trying to stretch out his sore muscles.

He should've followed Jared to the Executive Lounge when the airline hostess offered them the luxury of the sleep pods. But he was obstinate. He wanted to be masochistic and slum it out with the other stranded passengers. He thought it was because he didn't want to bother the crew that was placating the other irate passengers. Realistically, he just wanted to be miserable among people that were already there. Circumstances were different, but misery was misery.

"Mister DuGrey, I am sorry that your flight has been delayed," Amelia Cordero, the attendant behind the counter, whispered to him sympathetically when she knelt down next to him. "However, I surely would love some company over coffee. Would you like to have some pastries at the Lounge? I am technically off in about fifteen minutes."

Tristin smirked. It was always easy for him to have the fairer sex soothe his needs. Somehow, he knew this time she couldn't provide what he was seeking.

"Sure," he responded. "I was going to get some breakfast anyway."

The petite flight attendant was gleeful. She got off her knees and passed on instructions to her relief before signaling to Tristin that she was done for the day. She ushered him to the Executive Lounge shortly after that. He tried to pay attention to her coquettish charms over breakfast. Instead of seeing Amelia's heart-shaped face, all he saw was Rory's. From the corner, Jared raised his cup of coffee in salutation. That was when Tristin realized his absence of closure would never rid him of Rory.

Breakfast was a quiet affair of pancakes topped with whipped cream and compote, toast, and Spanish sausages. The carafe of coffee was rendered empty even before the meal was half done. Rory and Logan spoke in quiet tones as they finally caught up with each other's escapades that whole week.

More and more, Rory was convinced that forgetting what she thought she felt for Tristin was for the better. Tempting fate was something she never liked doing. She had never found Logan more attentive and loving toward her. To Logan's defense, she knew he never would've cheated on her. Despite his love for juvenile pranks, he treated her with maturity and honesty. He never handled her like a fragile flower like Dean used to treat her. Part of her was glad for the change of pace, but a part of her wished that Logan would make her feel needed.

That was the one thing Tristin gave her in a week that Logan hadn't given her in a year.

They finished packing the last of their belongings. The bellhop came to their room and whisked their luggage away. Rory had her hand on the door for a beat longer. She knew the moment that door closed, she would have to accept that she's going back to the States a different woman from the one that left a week ago.

The trip to the airport was somber. The skies were gray; contrasting differently from the day they arrived. It was like the sky was mourning their departure. Taking a deep breath, Logan buttoned up his coat as he exited the car's door.

He extended his hand to Rory and helped her out of the vehicle. She took one long sweeping glance at the drab and wet pavement. There seemed to be a look of disappointment that flashed on her face. Without a second thought he wrapped his arms around her and said, "Don't worry. We'll be back."

Rory looked up and met his gaze. She leaned up against him without saying a word. The chauffer was taking the bags from the boot of the car and loading them on to a pushcart. Logan tipped the driver before taking charge of their luggage.

The airport was more congested than they expected. However, they were glad that they got through check-in without much hassle.

Hand in hand, they went through the gates. If there was one thing Logan wasn't expecting it was the eventual meeting of opposing forces fated to collide.

-------oooo0----0oooo----------

"KLM Flight 1664 to Amsterdam, with a connecting flight to San Francisco, California, will start boarding in fifteen minutes," the overhead announcement rang in the half-filled section of the terminal.

Jared looked around his immediate premises and policed his bag and the remaining reading materials he had outside of his bag.

"Ready, man?" Jared asked.

"About damned time," Tristin grumbled as he undid the ear buds. Shutting his iPod off, his eyes surveyed the room before picking up his tote.

There was a feeling of finality that he never expected. He walked to the far corner where the line was forming. First-class passengers were boarding when Jared spoke.

"Look what the cat dragged in."

Tristin looked up from his shoes only to zero in to the two people he wanted to avoid.

"Hey, Huntzberger!" Jared called their attention.

Tristin panicked and paled at Logan's name. He almost wished he could stomp on Jared's foot just to squelch him from summoning Rory toward them.

Rory's eyes snapped up at the voice that called to them. Her grip tightened around Logan's hand. The other grabbed hard on the strap of her backpack.

"Tristin!" the inaudible name formed on he lips.

Her feet felt like stone as Logan led them toward Tristin and Jared.

"Rory!" another male voice called from the opposite corner. To her relief, it was Finn, toting food in both hands.

She welcomed the diversion. Fight or flight all of a sudden was given a new meaning.

Letting go of Logan's grip seemed trivial when it meant salvaging her dignity.

Be careful of what you wish for. It just might come true.

"Finn!" she managed to say as she pasted a fake smile on her lips.

"Are you running away?" Finn arched an eyebrow at her.

"No," Rory elongated the word to cover her guilt.

------

"Why, Jared, why?" Tristin shot his best friend an evil glare.

Jared shrugged his shoulders in response right before Logan got to them.

"Hey, Jared. Ready for the flight back home?" Logan asked cordially.

"Never thought I'd actually want to eat some certified Angus Beef, my friend," Jared said. "'Bout you?"

"Can't wait myself. However…" his voice trailed. "Tristin, may I have a word with you?" His eyes darted quickly to Jared. "Alone, that is. No offense, Reiner."

"None taken," Jared smiled. "Check you out inside," he spoke as he motioned toward the entrance of the gate. "Have a safe trip, you and Rory."

"Thanks," Logan replied.

It was awkward standing in front of the gate as the other passengers boarded.

"Look…" Logan stated. "I…"

"There is nothing to say, Logan," Tristin guffawed. "You won. We're going home and your reputation is in tact."

"What?" An incredulous tone escaped Logan's lips. "Am I missing something?"

"She chose you, Logan. What else do you want?"

"It's not a question of who won or lost, DuGrey," Logan snapped.

Tristin ran an impatient hand through his hair. "Do you know how lucky you are?'

"Very," Logan quipped. "But that's not why I am here talking to you privately. I just want to say thank you."

"Clue me in, Huntzberger. You lost me at 'Thank you.'"

"You helped me realize how important Rory is to me," he replied humbly. "Don't make me say it."

"I didn't ask you to come over, you know," Tristin scoffed.

"Well DuGrey, can't you just let me talk for once?" Logan replied, locking eyes with Tristin. "You made me realize that I could've been a better friend to you."

"Excuse me?"

"You showed me what it is to be a friend. I could've not asked for Rory to be with someone more trustworthy as you."

"What are you getting at, Logan?" he inquired through gritted teeth.

"I'm just glad you're a bigger and better man than I am," he admitted, slapping him on the arm.

-------

"So what is happening there?" Rory asked Finn to look over her shoulder.

"World War Three!" Finn replied sarcastically.

"What!" she exclaimed.

"They are talking," Finn said. "If you're so concerned, you should've been standing next to Logan rather than finding an excuse to get away from him."

"When did you become so insightful?"

"When did you become a coward?"

Rory grimaced. "It's just…."

"What's the worst that could happen? He can say that he's just not that into you," Finn quipped.

Rory was surprised. "You just did not."

"Did what, Love?" Finn asked, sinking his teeth into a hotdog bun. Talking with a mouthful, "This is such atrocious cuisine, but it sure cures a headache."

"You actually read a self-help chick book," Rory said.

"It's not just for chicks!" Finn defended his statement, albeit stammering. "I ran out of things to read and borrowed Steph's book."

"You are such a closet chickie," Rory teased.

"Whatever," Finn replied, chomping on. "This much I've learned; if you don't get any closure from Tristin, I doubt you'll be able to forgive yourself."

Rory's eyes bugged out at him. "I don't need closure! I…" she calmed herself down. "I am in love with Logan and I… just want to say goodbye to my partner."

"Stop being in denial," Finn clucked. "Walk there and say your piece. I'll make sure Logan won't interfere."

"You don't need to," Rory whispered.

Finn wiped his hand on his pants before throwing his arm around Rory's shoulder.

Having Finn escort her toward Tristin was somewhat odd… Especially since he was her boyfriend's best friend. It struck her odd, but she knew Finn was right despite having an alcohol-filled brain.

"Ah, Huntzberger, may I have a word with you," Finn replied, acting like he has a crisis in his hand. "Later, DuGrey."

Tristin just waved at him as he escorted Logan away.

The overhead announcement to Tristin's flight was called out again. Half of the passengers had already filled the plane. Tristin watched as more people walked the plank.

"I'm sorry about last night," Rory apologized softly.

"Don't," Tristin said harshly, "… apologize."

"I promise that I didn't plan on standing you up," Rory said hurriedly. Hot tears scalded her cheeks.

"Hey, hey, Rory…" he grumbled. "Everything worked out well. You are in Logan's arms. I am going home to my full-sized campus bed. It's what Spring break was supposed to be. You'll forget me…."

"Give me more credit than that, Tristin," Rory grumbled heatedly. "I… cannot forget you."

"You have to," he snapped, pulling her against him by her shoulders. "I have to forget you."

"Why? Why do we have to forget?"

"Because it's the only thing that's going to keep me sane, Rory," he said. His finger traced the shell of her ear, tucking her hair behind him. His voice was soft. His face, solemn. "I think some where, the gods are conspiring against us."

"Is that what you think?" Rory tried to laugh, suppressing the cry that rested in her throat.

"Only they would be this evil," he laughed back, trying hard not to let her see him cry. "Rory, don't cry."

"I can't!" The tears were now cascading fast and hard. "There's this thing between us that is left unresolved."

"Forget it, Rory. We're not meant to be," he said, wiping the tears away. He didn't care that his own eyes were welling up, too. "This thing we have? It's tragic, like a bad stage play."

He chuckled. She giggled. It was the only way she could keep her sanity and not let Tristin know how much she was going to miss him.

"Listen, you've got something good going with Logan. He loves you," Tristin said with a more serious tone. "What happened between us is a fluke. You know, like Neo in The Matrix. It would take God and the Devil to team up and get us together."

"So you think that we're a mistake," Rory was hurt and confused. "What about what you said in the Park?"

"A moment of weakness," he said. "There is no 'we' right now, Rory. A Rory and Logan? Yes. But no 'we', Rory."

"Final boarding call for Flight 1664," the announcement boomed through the speakers.

"I guess you have to go," Rory pulled away and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"We had a good time together, you and I," Tristin stated, picking up his carry on. "Maybe next time, we can do it again."

"Yeah, maybe next time," Rory choked out.

No kiss. No hugs. He turned his back against her and presented his ticket to the attendant.

That was the last she saw of Tristin. Slowly, she walked toward her gate. She could see Tristin's plane from where she sat. Logan was already engrossed in a magazine. Finn was having a conversation with the attendant behind their counter. Rory sat and watched as Tristin's gate pulled away from the plane. She sobbed softly as she laid her head on Logan's shoulder.

He handed the ticket to the attendant by the gate. The elderly lady wanly smiled at him. He dared not to look back. He knew what would happen if he did.

Marching through the dimly lit corridor was enough to unnerve him. There he was again, alone. It wasn't any different from the time he came off the terminal a week ago. So why should this procession be any different?

"Have a good flight, Mister DuGrey," the attendant at the door greeted him.

He nodded at him and proceeded down the aisle to get to his seat. It was the window seat: a place where he witnessed the drizzle dancing on the pavement. It was a seat that afforded him a view of the planes taxiing the airport. It was a position that allowed him to grieve.

What Rory couldn't see was Tristin's hand pressed up against the window, reaching out to her as she rested her head on Logan's shoulder.

Finally, closure.

He pulled down the plastic shutter to obstruct the view he was pained to see.

There wasn't a bigger pill to swallow than the lie he fed himself to rid himself of her.

------

Logan saw Rory drift from the corner of his eye. He tensed up, gripping the corners of his periodical until she sat next to him. He closed his eyes, fearing what she might say.

He braced himself for the worse. Who was he kidding? The tearstain on her face was not for him. It was for Tristin. He wanted to believe the words Tristin hurled at him. But now, he wasn't sure that Tristin was right. If only he could be reassured that he still had a chance with Rory. A chance to prove to her that there was more to him than the shallow shell of the person he had become.

Then her head leaned up against his shoulder. His heart raced as he felt her body soften against him. She sighed. It was a sigh of finality. Closure. His arm went around her. She did not flinch. In fact, her hand slowly reached for his fingers and held them.

"I love you, too," Rory whispered.

Logan's heart soared as he kissed her forehead. For once, he knew he stood a chance.

A/N: To all Logan/Rory lovers, this is your final destination. From this point on, any anti-Tristin commentary is not permitted. I hope you all enjoyed your stay.

And again, thank you, Amy, for making me 'sound' great. Your editing skills are tres magnifique.