333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333The car slid sinuously down the strip of road winding like a dark ribbon in front of them. The air was redolent with the heady scent of coffee. Rory leaned her head back on the butter soft leather of the seat and closed her eyes with a sigh of pure bliss. "Have I told you that you are a god?" Her words were a bit garbled between sips of coffee that bordered on superb.
Logan cast her an amused look "Only about 5 times since you saw the other three cups of coffee, but don't let that stop you, one can hardly tire of hearing adulation. The glowing review on the seat warmer may have been a bit over the top though."
Rory smiled winningly and her voice floated through the dark car on a lyrical lilt "It's not often that one of those completely intoxicating moments of satiation occurs, it needs to be celebrated, one should revel in the cloud nine experience, sing the praises of the one responsible for the euphoria, rejoice in the rapture."
Logan shook his head in mock dismay "Rapture, euphoria, intoxication, that's a lot of superlatives for a car ride and some coffee."
She liked the way his voice seemed sort of warm and husky issuing out of the shadowed interior of the car. "What can I say we Gilmore's tend to wax poetic at the most nonsensical of things. You forgot the chocolate flower and the seat warmers though, there is nothing a Gilmore loves more than chocolate, coffee and romance, add that to a warm butt on a cold night and you do the math, obviously we have entered the Gilmore version of Shangri la."
"More like Hog Heaven if you ask me, isn't gluttony one of the seven deadly sins?"
"I wouldn't throw stones my hedonistic friend, if I remember correctly you are an accessory to gluttony having so kindly provided for this little Utopian existence in your Porsche. "
"I'm pretty sure Thomas More just rolled in his grave."
"Be that as it may if I'm going to Hades for drinking a little coffee then you can't be far behind since you are my enabler."
"I have a plausible defense." His tone implied laughter.
"Do elaborate." he could tell that she was fighting a smile.
"It was self-defense." His tone was a tad smug and she barely stopped an outright laugh.
"Let me get this straight, your plan for exculpation is to claim that you had to provide me with extra coffee out of self-defense? "
"Precisely."
"Because I would be threatening you with what exactly?"
"Death by nagging. You forget, I've been watching you suck down coffee like it is some sort of life giving elixir for the past two weeks do you think I would ever dare to bring you only ONE cup of coffee? Not only would you spend the rest of the car ride torturing me to stop for more but I have seen you without adequate caffeine.... and let me tell you poking a hungry crocodile is more fun."
"This gets better and better, now you are comparing me to an angry, scaly reptile?" her arms were crossed but he suspected it was more to contain the laughter.
"You two quarts low on caffeine is a sight that would strike terror in the hearts of far better men than I."
"So you opted for self preservation?" When she saw his almost imperceptible nod she laughed "Good, you are a fast learner. Now since you were so kind as to provide this lovely ambiance for our car ride I think it only right that I contribute something to making this a memorable evening."
His voice took on a tinge of wariness "Being the quick learner that I am I have become leery of that particular tone."
"Good, then this is the perfect opportunity to work on your trust issues. Don't worry, I promise it won't hurt... much." She patted him soothingly on the leg and then began to pull things out of a bag that had at first glance appeard to be a small purse but now seemed to be impersonating Mary Poppin's magical carpetbag. He flicked his eyes towards her in between glances out the window of the car. Out came a lip gloss and a small mirror both normal enough date paraphernalia, then the unexpected began to appear, a rather large book, three CD jewel cases, a couple of packages of red vines and a small digital camera. She could all but sense the quirked eyebrow and arched an admonishing look in his direction. "What, you thought you were the only one who came prepared?"
His tone was curious "Are we doing a documentary that I am unaware of or are you just preparing for a tabloid opportunity?"
"I am prepared for every eventuality." He could tell she was enjoying the chance to be cryptic, obviously paying him back for the chocolate flower remark earlier.
"Do you care to elaborate on the eventualities? Will I, for example, be needing my passport or my library card?"
Her voice was overtly shocked "You have a library card, will wonders never cease?"
"Now who is auditioning for the Last Comic Standing?" his voice was biting. "You were describing these contingency plans of yours."
She launched in with obvious relish "The red vines are in case of emergency..."
"Just for my own edification what exactly would a red vine emergency entail?"
She gave an exasperated sigh "An old movie festival that doesn't have red vines of course."
He sighed with what sounded like exaggerated relief "Oh good, I was envisioning something out of a MacGyver episode like having too build a rope from snack foods to escape from a building being held hostage by terrorists."
She paused and cocked her head at him "Oh, no I wouldn't waste red vines in such a blasphemous way, that's what the duct tape is for."
"You have duct tape in there?"
She seemed to find this question extremely hilarious "Now who is being silly? Obviously the duct tape would never fit in this purse."
"Of course not." He nodded as if this were perfectly reasonable.
She continued as if he had never interjected "The camera was a compromise with my mother who accepted it as her stand in and therefore agreed not to accompany us on this date.... trust me you should thank me for that one. "
"Duly noted."
"The book is my own personal version of the emergency parachute, the panacea for any situation that ends with less than stellar success, you'd be surprised how many times I have needed the book life preserver, I never leave home without it, don't take it personally. The CDs are my sound expert, Lane's contribution to the evening's success. We decided that it was probably best not to rely on your choice of music for the evening's entertainment, too much pressure, just think how many first dates have gone dreadfully wrong on the car ride due unfortunate incidents involving the playing of Eminem or Jessica Simpson. "
His tone was slightly injured "I am going to try to ignore the insult to my pride that you think there is even an iota of a chance that you are so bored with my stimulating presence that you might need to resort to reading a book but I do hope it is at least a respectable book and not some bodice ripper novel, if you chose Fabio over me then I would seriously have to reconsider my estimation of your character.
Her voice dripped disdain "I may have to reconsider my estimation of YOUR character due to the mere fact that you can name Fabio. I consider bodice rippers only slightly higher on the literary chain of evolution than Paris Hilton's book and in my opinion that may be the only book ever written that should justifiably be burned and I use the term 'written' in the loosest sense of the word."
"Did you know that at some point sine they were first in published Ulysses, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath and The Catcher in the Rye were all banned or considered for censorship?"
"You are honestly going to defend a book by a slutty socialite about being a slutty socialite?" her voice was on the edge of snappy.
"Just making small talk. Besides, I always say don't bite the hand that feeds you, first amendment rights helped by this Porsche after all and I don't remember any specific clause that precludes slutty socialites from first amendment rights."
"What a paramount example of egalitarian altruism."Her voice was droll.
He tried to sound humble and failed utterly "I try. Now, about that mystery book...."
Her voice lowered slightly and he pictured a faint blush although the dim interior of the car hid it well "Naked by David Sedaris."
His chuckle was delighted "You are a Freudian creature Ace."
"You wish." She grumbled, "If I might give you a word of advice...you might want to take an etiquette refresher course, I think your small talk needs a little brushing up."
He grinned "I'll take it under advisement, but frankly I thought it was going rather smashingly myself, we have only been in the car ten minutes and we have discussed politics, censorship, books, music.... by the way, to add my two cents to that one Jessica Simpson despite her regrettable lack of knowledge about the distinction between chicken and tuna is smoking hot..."
There was a gasp of horror and Rory's hand was clapped over his mouth to stop the incriminating words. "I am going to pretend I did not hear that, one of the regrettable blind spots caused by too much testosterone corroding your brain. It is clear that we are just in time, if we work fast the genius of the Great Tunemaster might still be able to save your soul."
"I have no doubt that I am going to regret asking but, the Great Tunemaster?"
"Lane's super hero identity. Her top-secret mission is to save the innocent victims of the world from the dangerous soul sucking influences of Top 40's music. "
This statement was delivered in a nonchalant voice that had Logan laughing. "You are an odd girl."
He could all but picture the grin "I prefer whimsical, or unique."
"Let me guess, your superhero identity had something to do with words or books, am I right?"
Her tone was arch "Come on don't you know the rules of Justice League, you aren't allowed to just go around telling mere mortals your super secret identity.... have you no respect?"
"Thesaurus girl, dictionary diva?" he guessed with tongue tucked firmly in cheek.
She huffed "Fine, I can see you are going to belabor this but if I ever hear this repeated I will have to kill you myself." She gave him an admonishing look "I was Worder Woman, you know like Wonder Woman only with words.... I was only eight at the time...hey, didn't anyone ever tell you that it is extremely bad form to laugh at your date?"
Her tone had turned ill tempered and he cleared his throat and managed with some effort to suffocate the guffaw. "Okay, as requested I will attempt to ignore the completely irresistible mocking material that you just provided me with and return to the ever fascinating subject of music. I don't' think that Rick Dee is the son of Satan or anything but I will bow to the wisdom of the Great Tunemaster and graciously allow you to make the musical selections for the evening. So what have we got?" he pointed to the CDs splayed in her lap.
She picked them up one by one "Foreplay, Fairy Tale and Dante's 9th Circle. In other words, one for the trip and then one if the night goes well and one if the night is a catastrophe."
His eye roll may not have bee visible but he enjoyed it nonetheless "Wow, you really are prepared for everything. Nice to know you have such faith in my social skills.'
She crossed her arms defiantly "It never hurts to be prepared. If one expects the worst one is rarely disappointed."
"Well, I will certainly try to surpass your expectations then. Well maestro, put one in." he waved a hand at the CD player in the front console then hi tone turned sexy "Start with the Foreplay one, that sounded promising."
Rory rolled her eyes but slid the CD out of its case and into the player. She began to read the list on the back of the CD case as the first chords rippled through the car. "Ride by the Vines, Wheels by Cake, High Speed Soul by Nada Surf, The Passenger by Kings of Convenience, Lets Go by the Jessica Fletchers, Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand.... all excellent choices." Rory was nodding as her eyes skipped down the list and suddenly she stopped abruptly as her eyes landed on the next songs on the list, Good Girl, Bad Boy, Lucky Girl, Need to Get Some, Lets Get it On, Darts of Pleasure, Wild and Crazy. She stopped reading when she got to Can't get Enough of Your Love Baby by Barry White. Good god, what was this an Ally McBeal episode? She cursed Lane for her impeccable timing, now was so not the time for a sense of humor, she wondered if Lorelei had put her up to it.
Logan cast a questioning look in her direction at the abrupt silence that was followed by incomprehensible muttering and what appeared to be glowering at the CD case. "Is there a problem Ace?"
Rory avoided looking at him " Problem, no, not so much a problem as a justifiable defense for homicide."
"I'm afraid I am going to need a little more information to form a coherent response to that comment." Now the glower was directed at him and he could practically feel the heat of it scorching the side of his face.
Her voice was petulant "No need to worry your pretty little head about it, I'm just planning my revenge on the artist formerly known as Lane and henceforth to be referred to as the Betrayer, with a capitol B mind you."
He smirked "There must be something really good on that CD because even in this light I would swear that you are a rather becoming shade of crimson right now,"
She crossed her arms in a huff "You are enjoying this aren't you?"
The streetlights bounced off the white of his grin "Immensely but I'm thinking I would enjoy it even more if I saw what was on that CD." He made a grab but she held the CD just out of his reach.
"Uh, uh, I don't think so, not only is it clearly not in my best interested to share the dastardly wit of the girl formerly known as my best friend but you are driving. I won't share with you the gory details about the last guy who got in a car wreck with me in the car but suffice it to say that it is really much better for your health not to break me, my mother gets sort of funny about things like that and she has a memory like an elephant."
His voice echoed the surprise that she was sure would be painted cross his features could she see them clearly "You were in a car accident? With a boy?"
As expected mention of Jess and the ill fated trip for ice cream had taken his attention off the evil CD and her relief made her a bit loose of tongue "Yeah, you see we went to get ice cream and there was a squirrel or something in the road and Jess swerved to avoid it and ended up totaling the car that Dean built for me and breaking my wrist." She snapped her mouth shut as she realized all that she had said.
"Whoa, who is Jess and where was Dean when all this happened? And more to the point, you broke up with a guy who BUILT you a car?"" he felt a little like he was three steps behind in this twisted fairy tale and was always trying to catch up.
"Jess is Luke's nephew and Dean was visiting his grandparents and yes, Dean built me a car and we broke up, although the first time he broke up with me, although I suppose it was my fault because of the whole not saying I love you thing and the second time he also broke up with me, although come to think of it that was sort of my fault to with the whole dance a thon thing and then this last time I think it was sort of mutual. If you add it up though I really never actually broke up with Dean." She nodded as if working out the convoluted details in her mind and then looked out the window at the passing street signs "So is this Indian Restaurant actually in India or do you think we might get there sometime before my stomach begins to digest itself?"
'Good distraction attempt but clearly you can't drop a snarled mess like that story into my lap with all these hints of previous indiscretions and expect me not to ask for more details."
She turned to face him and he could make out the stubborn set of her jaw in the reflected light from the street "From what I've heard of your romantic interludes I wouldn't think that you would be all that eager to discuss past transgressions on our first official date."
He cleared his throat thoughtfully "I'll concede that you may have a point."
"I thought you might."
"I'll stick to safer topics and settle for hearing the rest of the list on that CD."
Her tone was bland "It's admirable that you have goals."
His chuckle had an edge of the wicked "We'll see how long you last when I drive around in circles until you are forthcoming with the details."
She gasped, "You wouldn't."
"Fine, take your chances." There was a moment of silence as he drove and then he put a hand to his lips in mock dismay "Oops, I think I just missed the turn, guess we will just have to take the long way."
Her glare was heated "You are Lucifer."
She could tell he had that Cheshire cat grin from the sardonic lilt in his voice "Keep up the flattery, maybe eventually I will weaken from hunger and you can overcome me with your strength. I wouldn't hold your breath though; I did have a snack an hour ago. Starvation versus a little embarrassment over a CD.... your choice."
She grumbled but then her growling stomach reminded her that she was indeed starving "Fine, you can see it, but only after we get to the restaurant, and you are not allowed to laugh" She stared at him defiantly "and from now on I'm calling you Beelzebub."
"Works for me." His smile was triumphant as he turned a corner and a restaurant appeared in front of them. "Will you look at that, I guess we weren't lost after all."
She growled at him "Mean."
In the lights from the restaurant she could see his smile and as expected it was entirely disingenuous as he held out a hand. She slapped his hand in a parody of a high five. He wiggled his fingers and cocked an eyebrow at her "Foreplay please."
She ignored him and unbuckled her seat belt before deftly tucking the CD in to her jacket pocket and turning to open the car door. "As per our agreement, you may see it when we are inside the restaurant."
He was out of his side of the car and around to her door in a flash, she blinked once as he clasped her hand and helped her out of the seat. He sent her an angelic smile when she gave him a disconcerted look "What's with the Sir Galahad act all of a sudden?"
He leaned towards her and she took a little step backwards to find her self pinned between the car and the open door "Does a guy have to have a good reason to be a gentleman with his beautiful date?"
She held his gaze for a millisecond that seemed to stretch into eternity as she felt her breath stutter in her lungs "Yes.' She forced the word past her dry throat.
"Maybe all the talk of foreplay gave me the urge to kiss you." She sucked in a breath as his eyes went smoldering and dangerous and forgot to exhale as his lips descended towards hers. The kiss was brain sucking, her mind ceased to think; her body was in suspended animation as their lips danced. His hands molded her to him and she felt both their hearts racing in perfect synchronization. They were both gasping for air when he pulled away but somehow he still managed to give her a satisfied little grin "Or maybe I'm just good at multitasking." he backed a few steps away as if expecting retaliation but her brain hadn't quite caught up.
It took him waving the pilfered CD at her before realization dawned and a breath hissed out as her mouth dropped open. "Evil and larcenous."
"My apologies but that was too prime an opportunity to pass up. Not only was that a thoroughly enjoyable diversion but that look on your face is priceless." His grin was gorgeous to behold and it took all her effort to maintain a scowl as he turned and began to saunter towards the restaurant obviously reading the CD cover as he went. She was frozen in place for a minute until she heard a hoot of laughter. She rolled her eyes and stalked after him.
"I thought you weren't going to laugh."
He cast a playful grin "I don't remember agreeing to that but in the spirit of compromise I promise not to laugh.....if you give me a little melodic interpretation of the songs for me." She tried to snatch the CD back but he was too quick and had it tucked in an inside pocket of his jacket before she could get to it.
"A thief and a mocker....great, I'm dating my mother."
"Low blow, you are really a sore loser Ace." He smiled and held out his arm "Alright Ace, since I would like to eat sometime tonight how about a truce....you promise not to call me your mother anymore and maybe I will let you retrieve the CD..." he caught her glare "I mean I will give you the CD." She cocked her head to one side and tapped one foot, he sighed and continued "Okay, what will a ceasefire cost me? Ice cream? Coffee?...Wait, let me guess, both?"
She gave him a saccharine smile "That is a lovely offer, I accept....see how easy that was?"
He rolled his eyes "How gracious and undemanding of you."
"I'm a Gilmore, quality doesn't come without a price. If you want low-maintenance get a robo-girlfriend." She looped her arm through his "Shall we?"
Visions of white coated waiters danced in her head as they climbed the stairs and she wondered what the restaurant would be like, not that she would complain, by now she was hungry enough to eat a horse, preferably a Clydesdale. The gaily-colored building looked like it was an old house that had been renovated to be a restaurant and already she was intrigued by the delicious scents wafting from the kitchen.
He had followed Finn's advice and his own gut instinct and picked a restaurant that was one of his favorites but off the beaten path for a first date when the full court press of wining and dining and name-dropping at trendy hot spots was in progress. Usually the first date was more of a ritual, a societally prescribed preamble to a one night stand, usually he was in a hurry to get it over with. Rory was different, Rory he wanted to savor. He wanted to enjoy every moment....and so far she hadn't disappointed.
Now she was strangely silent as they entered the restaurant and he felt a trickle of unease. The host greeted them at a door and led them almost immediately to a table that was hidden by gauzy curtains in a small alcove. After placing menus in front of them and pouring chai tea into the small porcelain cups in front of them he vanished discreetly. Rory hadn't even glanced at the menu yet and Logan was hard pressed to decide if the indecipherable look on her face was one of awe or of disgust.
Logan shook his head now as he watched her across the table and felt like a first date virgin again, like suddenly he, the virtual world record holder in first date successes was experiencing it all for the first time. Rory was surveying their surroundings with an inscrutable expression gracing her features and Logan felt a little flutter of nerves in his stomach that was truly unsettling. Rory took in the details around her with something that bordered on wonderment. She felt like she had stepped right into the pages of Midnight's Children or The Vine of Desire. The restaurant was decorated in rich intense colors, reds and yellows and purples and the walls were covered with photographs and art. The whole thing had a homey, welcoming air that made you feel as if you had been welcomed into a family's living room and the smell, well the smell made you want to take a bath in curry sauce. Nowhere in evidence were men in penguin suits or crystal and silver place settings. When she turned to face him he was almost afraid to hear what would come out of her mouth next, she glanced around once more and then met his eyes still without cracking a smile, her eyes intense "This place is...."
He interjected almost nervously "Let me guess, not what you expected."
She grabbed his hand across the table in what he knew must be a completely unconscious gesture and now her lips curved into a glowing smile "Actually I was going to say incredible but unexpected works."
That gave his ego a nice little bump and he felt his own lips melt into a smile and he knew he must look like a beaming idiot, but somehow he just didn't care.
"Its exquisite, marvelous, splendid, I feel like I should be wearing a sari."
"Again with the superlatives, laying it on a little thick don't you think?" his grin was back to cocky.
She leaned forward and her voice was hushed "I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised, I was sort of expecting fine china and a haughty maitre de with a wine list that read like something out of Louis IX' cellars."
"I have to admit that wouldn't be far off the mark for my usual dining choices on a first date. I take it you find this preferable?'
"Infinitely." She picked up the menu eagerly and began to read with an enthralled look.
He laughed as he relaxed back into his seat and picked up his menu, apparently there was no need to have worried for a nanosecond that she would love this place as much as he did and they did have superior food. He watched as she studied the menu worrying her bottom lip with her teeth as she clearly struggled with the decision of what to order.
He chuckled and she looked up again. "What's so amusing? This is not a choice to be made lightly or to be rushed you know." She swatted her menu at him and narrowed her eyes in a mock glare "If you aren't careful I'm going to end up ordering the entire second and third pages of the menu, don't laugh at me or there will be dire consequences. "
"I wasn't laughing at you. I was enjoying your, uh, let's say exuberance. I don't think I have ever seen a girl on a first date more excited about the food than staring adoringly into my eyes...its refreshing."
"Good, you are in dire need of a little humility." She closed her menu decisively and laid it neatly in front of her. He could feel her eyes on him as he continued to read the specials on the inside of the flap. After a long moment she tapped on the back of his menu and gave him a pleading look "Are you ready yet? I'm famished and for your own well being I really suggest that you do not wait to see what happens when I pass famished and move on to ravenous...it can get ugly. I may look dainty but I am vicious when I'm hungry."
He nodded and went back to his menu. "As a wise woman once said these decisions can't be rushed.'
She began to tap her fingers impatiently on the table and he quite purposefully debated his choices for a good five minutes more than necessary, just waiting to see how long it took before he actually saw steam shoot out of her ears. Finally and with agonizing slowness folded the menu and laid it on the table. The waiter appeared at his elbow nearly the instant the paper hit the table, obviously having been forewarned by the voracious look in Rory's eyes. He really was having a hell of a good time goading her. Logan waved a gracious hand at Rory in a sign that she should order first. She eagerly began to order and his eyes widened for a second before he coughed to cover a laugh, it appeared that she was planning to make good on her threat. The waiter even looked a little astonished at the order but stoically remained without expression as he turned to Logan "And for you sir."
Logan placed his order and then waited for the waiter to disappear before he turned back to Rory. "Are you planning on feeding everyone who lives in Branford?"
She smiled sweetly "Are you doubting my appetite? " she stuck a finger out and wagged it back and forth at him "You should never doubt a Gilmore when it comes to food consumption, it just makes us stubborn. Besides this is nothing, we once ate four Thanksgiving dinners in one night and still managed to have pie at Luke's for dessert." She sighed in happy memory "It was one of our finest hours." He grabbed her hand from where it hung in the air and brought it down to the tabletop it in a carefully familiar gesture that did not go unnoticed by Rory. He saw the slight flare of her nostrils and the instantaneous stiffening of her shoulders and he sensed that she was close to pulling away. As if he were talking to a skittish horse he kept his voice low and soothing and pushed onward, grasping her hand a fraction tighter.
"If it helps soften the blow then I promise that I will carry you out of the restaurant if necessary, just consider me your personal slave." The words slipped off his tongue before he could stop them, enamored as he was with the small circular motion of her fingertips in his palm.
Her smile went a little impish at the edges "Really? My slave? Now that does have a nice ring to it."
His smiel frayed a bit at the edges "Uh, did I say slave? I don't suppose I could amend that offer of eternal servitude?"
She seemed to be mulling this over "On what grounds?"
He gave her a pitiful look "I wasn't in a coherent state of mind, clearly I was FUI." At her perplexed look he elaborated "Flirting Under the Influence."
She rolled her eyes "Under the influence of what exactly?"
"Pheromones, your glowing smile, your sparkling eyes, your scrumptious looking lips...you name it. Seems unfair to hold a poor inebriated fellow responsible for the a slip of the tongue in that kind of irrational state." He winked at her playfully as she flushed a little at his off hand compliments but that didn't stop her wit.
"Do those lines ever work?" her tone implied patent disbelief.
He chuckled as he sat back in his chair with a lazy smile his fingertips still grazing hers across the table "You'd be surprised Ace, apparently some girls actually fish for compliments like that, spend hours perfecting the glowing smile and the sparkling eyes just to hook a prime specimen such as myself."
She snorted in disgust "I think I may be a different species entirely from that particular creature."
He nodded emphatically "Thank god." She arched an eyebrow at him in surprise and he went on to explain "In my experience any woman who spends more than ten minutes fixing her makeup and shellaquing her hair to the point that it would slice your hand to ribbons were you to dare to touch it then expects you to spend the majority of your dinner conversation complimenting said work of art and spends an inordinate amount of time discussing the ever fascinating subject of lipstick color and whether or not ones purse should be matched to one's shoes. My theory is that it is a direct result of inhaling too many hairspray fumes."
She grinned "Well, sir then you are in luck because I rarely wear lipstick, I usually pick my purse base on what book I am planning to bring....and I almost never match my book to my shoes. To top it off the I believe the last time I shellaqued anything on my person was my debutante ball and I think that was one of their ten commandments 'thou shalt not debut without hair that has been perfectly coiffed and super glued."
He practically choked on the sip of chai that he had just taken "I think my universe may have just shifted on its foundations. You were a debutante? Was it for a grade or a practical joke or something?"
She made an exasperated face "You're a regular Billy Crystal. Is it impossible to believe that I was just dying to dress up in a frilly white dress and parade around with a fan?" she fluttered her eyelashes at him in a mockery of flirtation.
He snorted in clear derision "I think the chances of that being the case rank right up there with the chance of Finn becoming a priest and taking a vow of celibacy. Unless you have recently had a complete personality transplant I can't really see you as the dress up to parade in front of prospective husbands like cattle type of girl. I did see you at a similar shindig not that long ago if I dare remind you and I'll tell you, I've seen wild animals that looked less cornered than you did."
She considered arguing but relented because she knew it would be purely for the sake of obstinacy since he was absolutely right in his analysis. "God, you sound just like my mother, fine you are right, I only did it to make my grandparents happy."
He nodded knowingly "Ah, yes the erstwhile Rory auctioneers, how have they been by the way?"
"Good. Actually, I hope you don't mind but I sort of accidentally told my grandmother about this date last night." She lowered her eyes to fidget with her napkin and he wondered at the sudden shift in the tone of the conversation.
"Why would I mind? I wasn't aware it was a secret, your mom knows all about it right and most the other people in your town?" He looked genuinely confused.
"Well, yes, my mom knows but tats because she is my best friend and the town knows because well they get a little stalkerish if they think you are keeping secrets and frankly after a while being followed around by thirty some odd people trying to look nonchalant starts to get a little tiresome so I've learned just to go with full disclosure."
"I take it the full disclosure policy does not extend to you grandparents. I get that but why all the secrecy, I was under the impression that they thought we were dating weeks ago?" he still looked perplexed and Rory sighed.
"They did, they do I
mean, think we are dating that is. It's just that if the real story
comes out they are not going to be happy that we lied initially and
so I thought there was no point in upsetting them until we knew
whether this " she gestured back and forth between them
"whatever
it is between us amounts to anything real and meaningful."
His face was for once expressionless and his tone bland "Your conviction about us is inspiring." He took a sip of his chai and appeared to have let the matter drop but she had learned his mannerisms well enough by now to know the signs of peevishness. His left foot twitched and he suddenly became absorbed with twisting the band of his silver watch around his wrist, it was sort of like a cat flicking its tail in irritation. She watched him for a long moment trying to decide how to fix this unintentional slight. Finally she grabbed his hand and pulled it away from the watch and across towards her side of the table.
"Look Logan, I'm sorry that came out wrong, it's not a reflection of what I think about us...."
He interrupted obviously still feeling snitty "Oh, my apologies, I must have misunderstood your insinuation that this whatever it is between us is shallow and meaningless."
She gritted her teeth "If you would stop being pig headed you would realize that I was about to explain." He opened his mouth again but she continued "and to apologize. My relationship with my grandparents is still kind of in flux and well; it's complicated by a lot of history that has absolutely nothing to do with you and me. I guess I'm just hesitant to let them into this part of my life... I'll save the horror stories for another day but suffice it to say that the whole introducing my grandparents to guys I'm dating thing has never been a rousing success. It was okay when we were pretend dating and you were just a decoy but now, well..."
Understanding dawned "You didn't want them to meddle."
She smiled and nodded "I guess you could put it that way. You sound like you are familiar with this scenario.'
'Wait until you meet my parents.... our relationship gives new definition to the word complicated." she watched as his eyes assumed a far off look and there was a moment of heavy silence.
Rory broke it "How about we agree to leave our sordid little family stories until the second date."
"Agreed." His smile was bright and mesmerizing and seemed out of place for the topic of conversation.
"Okay good, now why are you smiling like that?" she cocked her head to one side as if trying to analyze the quality of his smile.
"You just agreed that we are going on a second date."
She sniffed "Well, so far I'd say the forecast is looking good, I'm not signing a contract though, I think we have to makes sure there is no need for the third Lane CD first." Suddenly she turned a startled gaze on him "Wait you said I was going to meet your parents."
He nodded "That should be no surprise, that was a given before we were even dating for real. You haven't forgotten our original agreement have you? Come what may there is no way that you are weaseling out of that one."
"I would never weasel." She said in mock affront.
"Good...now about this whole Barry White thing."
The food arrived just in time to put off the rest of that particular discussion. Rory's eyes glazed over in pleasure as she took a deep sniff of the curried lamb that was first to arrive she breathed out on a blissful sigh "Ah, manna from heaven, the nectar of the gods."
Logan shook his head in playful dismay as the next plate arrived and she gave it the same treatment. "I retract my offer to carry you, we are going to need a forklift if you intend to eat all of that."
She gave him a proud smile "I have good metabolism, one of the many things including my name that was given to me by the reigning Lorelai Gilmore."
"You would need to have the metabolism of a hummingbird to eat all of that and not explode." He waved his hand at the largesse in front of her.
"Who are you, Bill Nye the Science guy? Surely you are not casting aspersions on my talents. We Lorelais take great pride in our excess."
She paused to enjoy the spinach Naan that had just arrived "This is excellent by the way, it reminds me of the Indian food that I conned my mom into getting when we were in London, I can still taste that Butter Chicken.... talk about superb thighs." She held up a hand to stop the inevitable retort "I know, dirty...clearly I've been around my mom too long when things like that come tripping off the tongue with such ease."
Logan was highly amused "So, you went to Europe with your mom, that must have been quite an adventure. In most cases I would say it would be totally dullsville but I have to amend that since I have met your mother. "
"Let's just say that when one has Lorelai Gilmore as a travel agent one spends time wishing for a dull moment." She chuckled to herself obviously remembering some amusing story.
Logan watched her, feeling her contagious smile leap to his own lips. "Your mom really is your best friend isn't she?" he sounded perplexed by this revelation as if he still doubted the possibility of such a nonsensical statement.
Rory took a sip of chai and nodded "Yeah, she is. I think its because she was so young when she had me that I guess in a lot of ways we grew up together, we have a bond is often more like that of siblings rather than mother and daughter. Every now and then she plays the mom card, but thankfully she uses that pretty judiciously." She stopped and gave him a suspicious look "Wait, I thought we agreed not to discuss family?"
He shrugged "Your mom seems more than a little schizophrenic so we will just discuss Lorelai the best friend instead of Lorelai the Gilmore."
She narrowed her eyes at him "Sneaky.'
"I have a natural talent. So, tell me about the Gilmore Girls and this crazy circus town of yours they sound a little like the cast for a National Lampoon movie or a Saturday Night Live skit and it sounds like if I hope to survive past the first date I had better have a crash course in crazy."
She waved a hand in dismissal. " I think you have the wrong impression, we aren't really that interesting. I'm sure it would bore you into a catatonic state."
"Au contraire, it sounds a lot more amusing then my life, I didn't get to grow in Mayberry and now I feel a little left out. I need to live vicariously. Humor me.' His eyes seemed genuine.
She leaned her elbows on the table and looked at him thoughtfully "Why are you so interested in my small town life? I'm sure it can't be that fascinating to the scion of a wealthy man who has traveled the world and can't hold a candle to the countless adventures of your own. I think I'm remembering something about sinking a yacht and spending half a year gallivanting in Fiji."
He pushed his half empty plate to one side and leaned forward so that their faces were only inches apart "Well Ace, the thing is, you are a puzzle, an enigma, I've never met anyone like you and I want to know what makes you the fascinating girl that you are."
Logan saw her stiffen and with what was quickly becoming a sixth sense he recognized that her convoluted brain had somehow twisted his words into something other than his intended meaning. He grabbed her hand as he saw her shift to pull back. "Stop." She looked startled at this command but she stayed put as he sighed "What?"
She had a stubborn set to her jaw "What do you mean what?"
"What is it that you think I just said that insulted you?"
She wasn't happy about the fact that he could read her so well "I don't know what you mean." Pig headed Rory was back.
Logan gave her an exasperated look "don't try to lie to the master of body language. I gave you what was intended as a compliment and you stiffened and your eyes got all steely and you were just about to pull away from me and I am pretty sure that you are giving yourself TMJ right now. Now what gives?"
She lasted for about ten seconds under his penetrating gaze "You just all but said that I was just another notch on your bed post. Just some strange new species to categorize and then write in you little black book. A puzzle to solve."
He rolled his eyes and resisted the urge, barely, to shake her "Has anyone every told you that you are completely exasperating?"
She shrugged noncommittally "I believe it may have come up once or twice. What's your point?"
He loosened his grip on her hand slightly and reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear before giving her earlobe a playful little tug "The point Rory Gilmore, is that I like you. I believe I have mentioned that but perhaps it bears repeating. I like spending time with you and I like talking to you.... except or those rare occasions when I'm torn between the urge to gag you or kiss you just to stop the completely insane accusations that sometimes tumble from those tempting lips of yours. Now, what I was trying so valiantly to say is that because of this perhaps inexplicable affinity towards you I would like to get to know more about you. Clearly your town and your mother are a big part of what has made you the captivating albeit it vexatious girl that you are. Thus my interest in the inner workings of Stars Hollow Connecticut."
She considered for along moment before the corners of her mouth twitched up and slowly bloomed into a full-blown smile. She leaned forward as if imparting a carefully kept secret. "I like you too Logan Huntzberger." Rory weighed his words "Alright, I'll make you a deal, I will tell you about our little corner of the world and you will tell me about your incestuous little cabal and how you met."
He calculated "I'll do you one better, I'll tell you what really happened in Fiji."
Her eyes lit with that journalistic scent of a story in the making "Deal." She reached across and shook his hand emphatically and then gestured back to his chair. "Now, you might as well get comfortable because this might take a while."
He settled back into his chair and gestured for her to begin thoroughly enjoying Rory in storyteller mode "No place I'd rather be Ace. I hang on your every word."
He watched the play of emotion over her face, the animated hand movements as she imitated her mom and the rest of the cast of characters that he realized were more of a family to her than his flesh and blood family ever had been. He wondered if she realized how lucky she was. Finally she seemed to be winding down "Maybe you need to write a Cliff's Notes version." He waved a hand when she would have retorted "Only kidding, clearly a great deal would be lost in summarization but in the interest of actually getting to the movies this evening I will attempt it. Now let me see if have all this straight. Luke, whom I already met runs the diner that used to be his father's hardware store, his sister Liz and her totally loony husband are the Renaissance fair artisans, Miss Patty, whom I should always stay at least ten feet away from, is the retired starlet who now owns a dance studio and is apparently the official rumor monger for all of Stars Hollow..."
"Co-rumor monger, Babette would be devastated if she got second billing." Rory interjected with a grin secretly flattered that Logan was even attempting to follow this convoluted troupe.
He nodded "Right, of course, can't forget Babette, owner of the garden gnome posse and inhabitant of the house with six foot ceilings along with her significant other Morry of the estimable jazz playing skill. Then there is Taylor, the scrooge of the village whose sole delight in life seems to be digging up arcane town regulations in order to tie the entire town up in red tape for as long as humanly possible. Sookie is the slightly harebrained chef who owns the Inn with your mom and her husband Jackson is the eccentric farmer who is now the Town Selectman. Oh, and of course I couldn't possible forget Kirk who seems to be the town mascot and through some sort of nonsensical time bending manages to work in nearly every business in town and still lives in his mother's basement with what sounds like a rather impressive population of arachnids. Did I forget anyone? Besides the two princes of course, we have yet to get to the details of their involvement in this little saga."
Rory shook her head laughter evident in her eyes "You know when I hear you say it I'm thinking perhaps they should declare the whole town one big insane asylum."
"If the straitjackets fit."
She pushed him playfully in the shoulder "We may be crazy but you said you like me so what does that make you?"
He feigned wide-eyed panic "I think I'll be making my appointment with the family shrink first thing on Monday."
"See now you've just got the wrong attitude, you need to adopt the laissez faire philosophy. You'll see, after a while the irrational starts to seem perfectly logical. '
He smirked at her and clasped her hand again across the table and brought it to his lips "I think I'm already there Ace."
She shivered a little at the soft caress of his thumb over the back of her hand and felt a little temblor in her belly, a quake that told her that they were veering into that miasma where attraction and affection met face to face. She knew there was no turning back now; whatever happened she was in the car as they sped around that next corner to whatever awaited them. She met his eyes for a long throbbing moment where all the playful teasing, the banter and the arguments melted away and what was left was the heart of the matter. A chemistry that was undeniable. She leaned across the table without a second thought and kissed him softly. The meeting of their lips full of promise.
His eyes were warm when they leaned back from each other "What was that?"
"An invitation." She raised gave him a playful little wink
"To what?"
"My world."
Molten caramel eyes met crystalline blue and his words were silken and caused her heart to skitter and leap "It would be my honor to accept that invitation."
