Ch 22: The Circus Comes to Town

Logan was, well he couldn't quite come up with the word for it but he settled on unsteady. He couldn't pinpoint the second the scales had started to tip but he felt that he was teetering on the brink...of what he wasn't sure.

Watching as Rory and Colin reenacted their daring escape from the librarian and Stephanie and Finn rolled in laughter he felt a disturbing disease. He, always at the center of their little ensemble suddenly felt like the outsider. He watched the group closely, for once the silent observer and was amazed at the ease with which his friends had welcomed Rory into their midst. The foursome, virtual strangers less than 24 hours ago now appeared to be fast friends. She seemed to fit here as easily as she had fit at the fancy party at her grandparent's house, at the hole in the wall diner in her small town and hard at work at the newspaper.

She had enchanted his normally jaded friends. It was what had drawn him to her in the first place. There was something honest and elusive about her that drew you into her spell. Then as soon as she had you up close and you thought you had her pegged she shifted, revealing a new complexity that changed your preconceptions yet again. Her smart wit and quick brain had quickly endeared her to his friends. He would almost have named the emotion coiling in his gut jealousy but he wasn't really sure at this point exactly who it was aimed at. All he knew was that he was going to have little talk with his so-called friends at the first opportunity.

He was caught in this loop of thought when Rory suddenly looked up and caught his eyes dead on. She flashed him a smile and for one of the first times since he had known her she looked happy. In fact she radiated with it. He almost felt the crackle in the air as if her gaze had given him an electric shock. The tingle stayed with him long after their gaze had broken.

Finn flipped on the stereo in the car and groaned when he heard the song. Colin and Rory said almost simultaneously "I love this song."

Rory turned to Colin with wide eyes "You like the Dandy Warhols?" her voice was unbelieving.

Colin gave her a playful look of scorn "What, you think just because I wear a blazer and loafers I can't have good taste in good music?"

"Uh, well the two are generally considered to be mutually exclusive, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you are just a repressed indie lover at heart and haven't mustered the couraged to come out of the Ralph Lauren yet. Do you like the White Stripes?"

Colin gave her a look that read as insulted although the others were already lost in the conversation "They are pretty good but not on my top five, lets see, this week I'd say the Strokes, the Shins, Rilo Kiley, Franz Ferdinand and okay, I have to admit to one guilty pleasure the Eels."

Rory's eyes had widened to the size of golf balls at this recitation and Logan feared that they might pop right out her head any second just like in the cartoons "Oh. My. God. Colin I swear if you bore even the slightest resemblance to a short Korean girl I would have to claim that you were my friend Lane's long lost twin. She is music junky, she even used to hide her huge cd collection under the floorboards in her bedroom because her mom is a religious fanatic and...." she stopped when she raelized she was rambling and had clearly lost her audience "Thats a story for another day, suffice it to say that she is an addict and she got me hooked long ago. She is a drummer in a band called the Hep Aliens. If you like the Dandy Warhols you would love them.' She paused and then linked her arm through Colin's " You know Colin; I think you and I might be kindred spirits after all. Perhaps it was fate that brought us together."

Logan noted with ill humor that she had conveniently forgotten that HE was the one who had brought them together; fate didn't have a damn thing to do with it.

The car pulled up next to the airstrip just then and they piled out of the car Colin and Rory continuing to jabber animatedly about music as they ascended the steps. Colin was too engrossed in one of his favorite topics to notice the frown on Logan's face but it did not escape the other two members of their group. Once they had climbed on to the plane they realized that they were the last ones there, the rest of their small contingent was already comfortably settled into their seats, most of them dozing.

They quickly chose seats, Stephanie and Finn taking one row and Colin and Logan both snagging single seats in empty rows. Rory was still chatting away to Colin but she automatically took the seat next to Logan and continued her conversation with Colin over the back of the seat. It was a telling action to anyone that was watching, and they all were. Stephanie gave Finn a quick look of triumph. Logan couldn't' help a small self-satisfied smile.

The pilot telling them to buckle up interrupted the conversation and after promising Colin an introduction to Lane, Rory dropped in to her seat and fastened the belt. She settled into her seat and leaned her head back on the headrest with a tired sigh. Logan, for once was hesitant to break the peace. They felt the plane taxi and then build up speed for take off. Soon they were in the air and winging towards their next adventure across the morning sky.

The threesome behind them were now engaged in a muffled conversation but Logan couldn't seem to focus on it. All he could think about was the jumble of strange feelings and the girl next to him that seemed to have with barely a push toppled his world on edge. She rolled her head to one side and regarded him with drowsy eyes, the lack of sleep obviously starting to catch up with her.

Her voice was low and soft and her eyes sparkled blue, "I had fun tonight Logan, It was scary but fun. Thanks."

His voice felt caught in his throat but he forced it out glad when it sounded halfway normal "I'm glad." He meant to add a light-teasing note but couldn't quite manage it. "You look tired, why don't you take a nap, we have a little time before we get to the next stop and we can't have the troops falling over in exhaustion mid-battle."

She smiled with her eyes already at half-mast "Yes sir. Where are we going by the way?"

He chuckled "Ah, now there is the Ace I know and love. Ever the curious reporter. Just sleep and you will find out when we get there. "

He winced at the words that had fallen from his lips but she didn't seem to notice already halfway to dreamland as she slumped over in her chair. Fifteen minutes later she was sprawled partway onto his lap, his arm was half asleep from where her head lay and she was snoring quietly. When he found this endearing rather than annoying he knew he was in serious trouble. He knew he should move but he couldn't seem to make his muscles obey his commands, the smell of her hair, the fell of her skin so close to his was intoxicating and he felt himself being pulled under by the current of heat. He watched her for a second, her dark eyelashes touched her pale skin and despite the snoring she looked angelic.

Finn walked by just then and it was the knowing smirk that he cast in his direction that had Logan quickly extricating himself from his position, careful not to wake Rory. He stood up and stepped cautiously over her slumped form and then stalked after his friend with a purposeful look in his eye. It was time for some answers.

He found Finn, Stephanie and Colin lounging around a small table in the back part of the plane. From the deck of cards in front of Finn he surmised that they were starting a game. Finn looked up, unsurprised at their new arrival "We've been expecting you."

"Deal me in." Logan said as he slid into the seat next to Stephanie.

"You don't even know what we are playing." Finn said with an admonishing glance.

"I don't care, just deal me in."

Finn very carefully dealt out five cards. Then he met Logan's questioning look. "This is our very own version of Go Fish with a twist."

Logan rolled his eyes "Go Fish is a kids game."

Finn gave him a wicked grin "Not the way we play it my friend. Now, this game serves two purposes, one to have fun...that should always be the number one goal of any undertaking and two, to answer some questions."

Logan looked at him a bit startled at this twist "Okay, what are the rules exactly? "

Stephanie took over here. "Well, it is sort of like a modified version of truth or dare, only in this game there is only truth. When ever you get a card from someone else you get to ask them a question, if you win the hand then you get to ask each person at the table a question. Each person gets one question that they can pass on." Logan had a bad feeling as he looked at his friends that this game had suddenly become a bit one sided...like three against one.

Logan got the first card from Stephanie. He was warming up to this idea. He pondered his first question. "Okay Steph, what exactly was Rory doing on a bar with a whip?"

Steph laughed and rolled her eyes "Guys are so predictable. We figured if we could get the attention of the bartender and at least one of the security guards that Finn could manage to slip by the other guard and get up the rope to the cage. So our little Woodward got up on the bar and did a little dominatrix dance, knocking people's drinks off the bar with the whip, I think she even smacked the bartender in the ass...it was highly amusing."

She and Finn both chortled at the memory. "And the fire?"

Steph waved a finger at him "uh, uh...one question at a time."

Colin got the next card from Finn and asked him the next question "How did you end up with whip cream all over you?"

Finn rolled his eyes in dramatic fashion "That is what I get for working with amateurs. As my illustrious apprentice mentioned Rory was quite effective as a distraction and I did managed to get a hold of one of the ropes, I was climbing up it when one of the gorilla men grabbed me and tried to pull me back down. In the ensuing scuffle I lost a few pieces of my wardrobe and I truly feared for my survival until Steph came running, my hero, come to save the day. Only problem was that all she had were a couple of cans of whip cream that she had grabbed from the bar. The other hiccup in the rescue mission that quickly became obvious is that our dear Stephanie, although possessed of many enviable talents can not count good aim among them."

Logan let out a crow of laughter now and pointed a finger at Steph "So you whip creamed Finn, on accident?"

Stephanie gave a droll wink "Who said it was an accident?"

Finn gave her a light shove on the shoulder and a flabbergasted gasp "I'm not playing with you anymore. I don't like you."

"Oh, come on Finney you know you loved every second in the limelight."

Finn recovered his composure enough to get the next card from Logan, he tapped the cards with a shark like gleam in his eyes "So Logan, do tell us, exactly what are your intentions towards the lovely Miss Gilmore?"

Logan was caught. "Isn't that kind of a vague question?"

Finn cocked an eyebrow...it wasn't often that you saw Logan evasive. "Okay, we'll start simple. You are pursuing her correct?"

Logan made a face and stared at his cards suddenly fascinated by the familiar patterns. "Yes."

Finn smirked "Very succinct. So..."

Logan cut him off with a triumphant smile "Only one question at a time remember."

Stephanie snorted in appreciation for the cunning move. It didn't stop her from taking the next card from Logan and continuing the interrogation "So what do you intend to do with her when you catch her?"

Logan had put himself in a corner "I don't know." The words were nearly a whisper. Steph strained towards him "I'm sorry, I don't think I heard that correctly." He gritted his teeth "I don't know okay."

This caused silence to descend on the table. "I never thought I would hear it from his own mouth.... this is a red letter day indeed, did we just hear Logan Huntzberger admit that he didn't know something? That he doesn't in fact have every detail of his conquest planned from start to finish as we have come to expect of him."

Logan glared at them. "Sure, sure, mock me now, we'll see who bails you out of jail next time."

"Idle threats won't win you this round my friend."

In revenge Logan took the next card from Stephanie "So, Steph, tell me the truth, what kind of little underhanded scheme do you and Finn have going to corrupt Rory."

Stephanie gasped and looked morosely at Finn "It is a dark day when we are so maligned simply for trying to help a friend. We were simply trying to give your reporter girl a little push in the right direction."

Logan rolled his eyes "And I'm sure that the fact that you get to make a fool of me in the process had nothing to do with your machinations."

"Well, that did definitely add appeal to the plan but really it was all just for your sake."

Logan was unconvinced "All traitors fall back on denial as their defense of choice.'

Finn grinned, "I wouldn't say traitors so much as double agents. I get to be 007 though, he always gets all the women and frankly I don't think that Steph would enjoy that part as much as I would."

Colin had been silent for most of the game but now he won the next card from Logan and entered the fray. "Tell me Logan, how did you happen to meet Rory's mom?"

Logan, master of the mask of indifference looked surprised...and guilty for the first time that any of them could remember. Finn and Stephanie stopped their playful bickering mid-sentence. Finn turned curious eyes on Logan "Yes, do tell, this looks like it might be an intriguing story."

Logan sighed and looked around the table, obviously they weren't going to let him wiggle his way out of this one. He told them the story only leaving out a few tiny details...like the kiss. For once they were all rapt in their attention, there were no comments from the peanut gallery until the end of the tale at which point they all erupted into a frenzy of questions.

"So you were there when she and her boyfriend broke up?" leave it to a girl to zero in on that point.

"Yeah. Kind of a surreal situation."

Steph nodded as if a piece of the puzzle had just fallen into place "No wonder she was so pissed at what you said to the bartender guy.' That hadn't occurred to him in exactly that way before.

Colin cut to the point that interested him "What exactly does this deal of yours entail?" Finn interrupted "And why is this the first time we have heard about it? You've been holding out on us, your loyal accomplices. Shame on you. We will have to think of a punishment that befits this crime."

Logan shook his head at Finn's silliness but he pondered the question. Why hadn't he told them about the deal and the party and the trip to Stars Hollow? Maybe because he didn't really know what it all meant. It was at the end of that night that he had started to admit his attraction to ROry, they had even shared the briefest of kisses but since then there had been nothing but the usual banter. Of course that could be in part due to his bungled attempt to punch her friend or his purposeful avoidance of any overtones of flirtation. He had a lot to think about.

First he had to get rid of his curious onlookers. "So are we finished with the girl talk for now?"

Finn batted his eyelashes "Already? I was thinking we might paint each other's fingernails next" he held up his hands and considered his fingers "I'm a spring and I think I would look just smashing with pink sparkles, how about you Colin?"

Colin put a finger to his chin with a reflective look "I think I'm more of a whore red kind of guy myself."

Logan slapped a hand on each boy's shoulder "I'll leave you two to your makeovers."

Finn looked down his nose "Only a lesser man is afraid of his feminine side."

"Stephanie they are all yours. do leave them some male dignity though. " Logan said with a teasing grin and wandered back to the front of the plane where Rory still slept peacefully.

He spent the rest of the short flight alternately staring out the window and watching Rory sleep. She seemed to be out cold and when not even the plane landing jolted her out of sleep he decided to let her be for a bit longer. They other groups dispersed quickly to their various tasks and he waited already plotting his next move.

When Rory woke out of a dead sleep she was disoriented and she had a major cramp in her neck. She raised her head rubbing at the back of her neck with one hand as she took in her surroundings with eyes still fogged by the last wisps of sleep. Glancing out the window she suddenly realized that the plane was on the ground. She looked around and was surprised to find all the seats empty but the one across from her that was occupied by a smirking Logan who had his feet propped in the seat next to her.

His tone was a few shades too perky for her taste. "Nice of you to rejoin the land of the living Ace. For a few moments there I was afraid that you had stopped breathing and I might have to do CPR." He looked amused by this prospect. "Not that I would mind giving you CPR."

She struggled for an eye roll, "I don't do sexual innuendo before coffee. Where is everyone?"

Logan waved an airy hand in the direction of the outside world "They are off gallivanting and pursing mischief. Don't worry we will join them soon."

"What time is it? I'm afraid my internal clock has gone totally haywire at this point and it could be midnight for all I know."

"No worries, it is only 11:00, we still have plenty of time to prepare for our next debut."

he sounded too pleased with himself and she eyed him suspiciously as he rose from his seat. "I have a present for you" the glee in his voice did not sit well in her empty stomach. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him practically prance to the bulkhead in the back of the plane and extricate a large box. She did brighten marginally when she saw him grab a large paper cup as well and pour coffee into it from a large carafe.

He came back to his seat and handed her the cup, she could smell the coffee steam rising to tickle her nostrils, like ambrosia. She took a careful sip and let it slide down her throat. Before she focused her eyes back on his face. "This is my present?" she asked, already suspecting the answer.

"No" his smile was devilish "That's the bribe to get you to wear the present."

She looked anxiously at the box. Who knew what was in it, given Logan's sense of humor it could be anything. She watched him rest his chin on his steepled fingers as he regarded her with an expression that bordered on villainous. She sipped her coffee thoughtfully but in the end curiosity got the best of her.

"Okay, Dr. Evil, you win. Show me what's in the goody box." She set her coffee aside as he pushed the box towards her and slowly opened the tape on it before folding back the top. "It won't bite right?" she asked with a diffident glance in his direction. He smirked silently.

She reached in cautiously and pulled out a bulldog head, her other hand came up with a fur covered suit. She looked at him perplexed but her expression turned to horror when she saw what remained in the box. "Please tell me that I get to be the bulldog." She pleaded.

Logan grinned with devious delight and reached in to pull out the blue and white cheerleaders uniform. "Sorry, Ace, I don't think it's my size."

Rory gingerly gripped one edge of the cheerleader's skirt with two fingers touching it like she might a bomb, which she feared might explode at any second. The sheer repugnance on her face was comical. "It is going to take an exponentially larger amount of caffeine to bribe me to wear this."

"Come on Ace, I think you'll make a great cheerleader.... you just have that peppy, all American girl look about you. You are a shoe in for the part."

The glare she sent his way could have easily sliced him in two. "Gilmore's don't do pep, we mock those who have pep, the only thing we jump up and down for is coffee and pie " she said with a hiss.

Logan looked apologetic "Well, that is sad, to have come this far and be vanquished by a silly little skirt. I guess we all have our phobias." He took the outfit back regretfully.

He was egging her on. Her mind knew it but the scathing lecture that she delivered to her pride clearly had no effect and said pride soon took on a life of its own and kidnapped her voice as its pawn. "What do we have to do?" she heard the traitorous voice ask. Apparently the hands had been hijacked as well because they, in clear defiance of the admonition by her rational brain reached out and grabbed the offending articles of clothing. She groaned. It seemed she had been defeated by a coup and the voice reigned victorious.

Logan's grin spread for ear to ear and he reminded her of the diabolical Joker in Batman. "We are going to crash a football game."

An inkling of suspicion rose in her mind "Where are we exactly?"

"Why Boston of course."

She was out of her seat and peering out the windows "Tell me you are not insane enough to crash a Harvard football game dressed as the Yale mascot!"

"Sorry, no can do and don't forget it's not me...its we."

"We'll be tarred and feathered for sure." he was unmoved by this prospect.

She rolled her eyes to the heavens praying for forgiveness. "Fine, where do I get dressed." He pointed to the back of the plane and she turned on her heel with a loud huff.

Ten minutes later she was back and she was beginning to regret ever meeting Logan Huntzberger. She should have taken one look at that smirk and hightailed it the other direction...even if that did involve running. She reached Logan sitting in his bulldog outfit minus the head and he whistled as he took in her outfit. She sighed and was about to launch into a vitriolic rant on the degradation of women when she saw the smirk, he had a lot of smirks but she recognized this one, this was the one that said that he knew he had gotten under her skin. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Two could play this game... well...as they say, when in Rome.... she gave him a brilliant completely insincere smile and twirled in front of him "Does it meet with your approval?"

He nodded in appreciation "Just as I suspected Ace, there is a hidden cheerleader even in you. I knew you had what it took."

She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him "and what would that be exactly?"

"A sassy smile and a superior ass..."

The vehement look in her eyes stopped him as she looked frantically around the plane. "Looking for something?"

"Yeah, something big and sharp to hurl at you."

He just laughed. "Better get that hostility out of your system now. It would not behoove a cheerleader who represents our fine University to be seen with that particular expression on her face. Angry might work on me but I'm not sure the average sports fan will feel the same."

She stalked to the door but whirled when she got to the first step. "Promise me one thing Huntzberger or I am not stepping one foot off this plane."

He grinned at her "Anything to see you do the splits Ace."

"My mother can never see a picture of me in this outfit. I would never hear the end of the mocking."

"Damn and there goes my idea to post them on the Internet." The bulldog hit him with a resounding thud and he let out a little "oomph."

"Okay Handsome Dan lets get this circus on the road."

His laughter followed her down the steps. "Hold up Ace, you are forgetting the most integral part of your ensemble." The pom poms hit her in the back in a shower of plastic fringe. He was SO going to pay for this.