Saturday dawned crystal clear, bright and flawless. One of those crisp sunny November mornings that tiptoed towards the chill of winter but still held that last dying breath of the warm memories of autumn. It was an auspicious beginning to a day that was to be a tribute to that most enigmatic of human emotions, the ever mysterious and eternally sought after, love.

The portent of that golden first light spilling through windows to warm those snuggled inside the confines of bed, couch and chair was not lost on any that stirred from the dark warm abyss of sleep to greet this fair day. Nor was it appreciated if one were to be completely truthful. Lorelai for one was not all that thrilled by the brightness or the clearness as she stretched from her cramped position on the couch and rolled her head lazily from one side to another with a slight moan. When would she learn that a 36-year-old body was not meant to sleep curled on a couch? Another couple of years of this and she was going to give Snap, Crackle and Pop some real competition. She rose to a seated postion with a nearly audible creaking of muscles and the king of all headaches and wondered idly whether she might lose to Algernon should an IQ test be administered this morning. She did remember her own name and at least a vague sketch of the past night's events so that was a point on her side. She slapped a hand over her eyes to keep them from bouncing right out of her head and lay there for a second in a miserable puddle contemplating the punishment that would be meted out for simply sinking back into the kind oblivion of sleep. Surely it couldn't be worse than this.

There was a knock that sounded more like a sledgehammer and she envisioned her options slipping silently away. When the knock was repeated with some vehemence she called out in a feeble attempt to stay the hand on the other side of the door.

"I'm coming. Hold the horses." Her voice came out more a croak than a shout and did not have it's desired effect on the hand so she staggered towards the door and swung it open to find a dapper Luke dressed as if for a funeral. Rather appropriate as she imagined that he looked forward to this event somewhat less than he might a good wake.

She gave him a once over and then a little smile played on her lips as she leaned in for a hello kiss "You are a sight for sore eyes Mr. Danes." She laughed but instantly regretted it as she clapped a hand back on the aching head, too early and too much rum ingested to make flirtation possible "And when I say sore eyes, that is not just a figure of speech." She whined.

Luke shook his head in an age-old symbol that all but shouted 'I told you so'. He had not in fact told her not to drink the rum but it was one of many calamities which fell under a sort of umbrella I told you so policy. Right up there on the list with never letting your mother show up at your house unannounced but then she had blindly stumbled into that rabbit hole despite any number of warnings shouted at her by her belatedly engaged rational brain. Undoubtedly the same part of her rational brain that Luke would probably claim was inhibited by consumption of said rum...all in all it was a vicious cycle and better not analyzed before coffee...LOTS of coffee.

With Luke trailing behind her she staggered into the kitchen, a room that at the moment vaguely resembled the pictures taken of the dining room of the Titanic, after it sank. She slumped into a chair and then shoved one out for Luke with her foot before closing both eyes in silent protest at the glaring sunshine. Whoever said that sunshine was cheerful and ...well, sunny was clearly not suffering from the effects of too much rum at the time of said pronunciation. Probably some overly pious teetotaler out to punish all the rum-drinking infidels.

She suddenly realized that while she had been off on her mental wanderings Luke had not taken the seat she had offered but rather had taken it upon himself to load the coffee machine which was now belching out steam of the coffee scented variety. Ah, God was good. God had not only seen fit to create the coffee that made such heavenly scented oxygen but had provided Saint Luke to make it for her on such an atrociously brilliant morning. It almost made up for the sunshine.

She gave a grateful sigh and opened one eye to see Luke standing a foot in front of her holding out a steaming mug. She reached out with both hands snagging the cup skillfully with one and his leg with the other. She set the mug just out of spilling distance on the table and then pulled him towards her. He came with little resistance until she had both arms around him and was looking up with a smile that flirted with the edges of her lips.

"Luke Danes have I told you I love you.'

He blushed, it never failed to amuse her that Luke 'I'm a tough guy' Danes blushed.

His voice was a little husky as he smiled back at her "I believe you've mentioned it... usually when you're clutching coffee in the other hand like you think it's manna from heaven. I'm beginning to think my only use to you is as a barista."

She smiled, that vibrant take the world by storm smile that made something in his chest just stop dead at the thought that she was his "Not only do I know you have many other uses..." she was delighted to see the blush darken "but as you'll note I actually put the coffee down, now not out of reach mind you, but it is clearly out of my death clutch." She held up both hands like a young child riding a bicycle for the first time and waving them around as they chanted 'look mom, no hands'. "You know what this means Saint Luke?"

"You were too hung over to keep a grip on the cup?"

"Please. Like that day would ever come. Hung-over Lorelai needs coffee like Dracula needs a transfusion... no my dear diner man, that means that this is the history making day where you supplanted coffee on the priority list. Now coffee is still right at your heels so I wouldn't get complacent if I were you, just when you think you have it made coffee will sneak up on you someday and go flying past, like Lance Armstrong and that French guy. Also, you will have to share the top billing with Rory, you know flesh and blood, only child, best friend, disturbing likeness to me, she's sort of got dibs on the top spot. Besides, I have to stay on her good side, someone has to take care of me when I'm old and I can no longer make it to the freezer to get the ice cream."

Luke laughed, helpless as always in the face of her infallible inanity "I love you too Lorelai Gilmore." They grinned like idiots for the second it took for their mouths to meet in a warm kiss that quickly escalated to searing.

It was a rather shrill voice that tore them from each other with a start "Lorelai." the voice trailed down the stairs and gave the kitchen inhabitants a shudder of ill-conceived trepidation "Lorelai, I have no idea where my other shoe is, and I don't understand how I ended up wearing these strange socks. Is this your idea of a joke?"

The socks were red and white and looked like something that either Pippi Longstocking or the Wicked Witch of the West would wear. They were the first thing that Luke saw round the corner into the kitchen, mostly because he was too horrified to focus his eyes above floor level. Lorelai had yet to unwrap her arms from his waist although now she had the coffee in one hand and she peered to the side of him to take in the glory that was Emily Gilmore after too much rum, a night in strange bed and a little help in the wardrobe department from yours truly.

"I happen to think the socks go perfect with your wedding dress, give it just a touch of the whimsical, besides they fulfill that whole something borrowed requirement. Your shoe if I remember correctly is in the oven and the coffee is on the counter if you want some...no servants and I may very well have an aneurysm if I stand so you'll have to get it yourself. "

The tone was overtly cheerful with that razor edge that Luke had come to recognize as Lorelai's version of getting along with her mother. It seemed the two rarely exchanged a word that didn't have some hidden slight or defense. He found it sad mostly but at the moment he would have opted for uncomfortable as the most accurate descriptor. He couldn't helped shuffling ever so slightly, there was something about Emily Gilmore that made him feel like a third grader again and reminded him of the time that he had gotten called to the board for a spelling bee and had misspelled Arkansas, it was stupid memory really but Luke hated being the idiot, hated looking the fool. Something in Emily Gilmore's prim and disapproving look put him right back in Mrs. Samson's class and the flush that crept up his neck didn't feel much different than it had at the age of 8.

Emily was still focused on her daughter and clearly determined to ignore as long as possible the man wrapped in her only child's arms. "What is my shoe doing in the oven?"

Lorelai shrugged and took another sip of coffee her temper starting to heat a bit at her mother's continued avoidance of Luke. Her tone was breezy "How should I know, do I look like the person who knows anything about the oven? I haven't used it since Luke fixed it. I wouldn't want to break it again after all his hard work."

Luke wasn't happy about her deliberate mention of his name, this time he would have been perfectly happy to be ignored. Emily looked at him as if only just noticing his presence "Oh, Luke, good morning." The tone implied that she thought it was anything but a good morning that found him standing in her daughter's kitchen. Awkward was a perfect word for the silence that fell heavily in the room.

"Good morning Emily" scrabbling for something to say he grabbed at the first thing that flitted through his brain "Would you like some coffee? I just made it fresh."

So saying he disentangled himself from Lorelai who only gave a little huff and crossed to the still steaming pot. "Lorelai is no joy to be around in the morning until she has had at least a few cups, I've given up on breaking her of that particular habit for my own safety and sanity."

He was rambling purely on nerves and missed the little narrowing of eyes at his affectionate familiar tone. Emily did not like it one bit that this man was so cozy in her daughter's house, in her granddaughters house. She hated more than she cared to admit that this man was more a part of their lives than she was. Regardless iron clad manners had her accepting the cup of coffee which she would admit if only silently was excellent. It took Rory wandering sleepily into the kitchen and staring at the socks with a mumbled question about her whether she were trapped in Oz to register the fact that she was still standing in Lorelai's kitchen sans shoes and with ridiculous striped socks up to her knees and Luke was dressed like some member of the Stars Hollow Mafioso.

Oh my god...the wedding!

After that the morning was a scramble. The errant shoe was retrieved from the oven although no one could quite agree on how it came to reside there. Emily rushed off to make last minute arrangements all thoughts of the scene in the kitchen momentarily forgotten in the throes of excitement. Rory and Lorelai showered and dried and generally did what girls do before a walk down any aisle where everyone would be watching them if only for their fifteen seconds in the spotlight.

They grabbed garment bags, shoes, sundry girl supplies resembling various medieval torture implements that Luke did not recognize and wasn't afraid to admit he hoped never to come into close acquaintance with and Luke himself and made a dash for the car. The car ride there was enough to lighten the mood from preparing for a good guillotining to at least a good let them eat cake speech. There was the prerequisite stop for additional caffeinated supplies, the inevitable squabble over proper car music when one is going to what they had come to refer to as the re-wedding. All in all Luke would have preferred that the car ride last a little longer, like maybe until tomorrow. Alas the fates were not with him today and even as they slid to a stop in the drive he was wishing that an earthquake would occur that would open up a nice canyon right in front of him, even a one man crevice would have sufficed. Lorelai stopped as they disembarked from the car and waved for Rory to meet them inside before she turned to Luke. She adjusted his tie, an affectionate and thoughtless gesture that had Luke relaxing slightly. No matter what happened today he was here with Lorelai, the woman he loved, they would survive the lions and the fire-breathing dragons together.

She leaned up and kissed him and then spoke low and silky into his ear "Have I told you how much I owe you for coming with me today?"

That had his lips quirking and an eyebrow raising "A lot. You owe me a lot."

She smiled in clear invitation up at him "Don't worry Mr. Danes, I'm good for it."

He met her lips and took her deep with a solid kiss that backed her up a step into the side of the car. The squeal of tires on asphalt broke the spell and she just gave him a wickedly lazy smile "To be continued." She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the entrance. "Come on, much as I wish it weren't true, they are waiting for us."

Logan was just straightening his tie when the knock sounded on the door. He didn't bother to answer it presuming correctly that it would sing open without invitation in mere seconds. The first of the revelers to arrive was not surprisingly Finn. If there was one thing Finn was always on time for it was a wedding. He was followed closely by Colin who had the look of a man being led to the noose.

Logan sized his friends up with a practiced glance, Finn looked dapper, pressed and dressed to impress but the gay smile on his face had Logan suspecting that he might have had a bit of encouragement in the liquid form to jump start his celebratory mood. Colin looked fidgety and anxious although equally well coiffed.

Colin's first words confirmed his jumpy state as he muttered half to himself and half to the room "I can't believe you talked me into this. You'd think I would have learned by now not to listen to the two of you, maybe I need a CAT scan or a therapy session or something." He lowered his head to his hands and appeared to be contemplating the best way to dig his way through the floor to China.

Finn smirked a tad too happily "Pessimism does not become you Colin."

He spoke without raising his head " It's not pessimism, its realism, something the two of you are sorely lacking."

Finn just grinned his Cheshire cat grin "It's part of our charm."

Logan grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair and joined the conversation "Come on old man it's just a date, dancing, liquor and a few professions of undying love. All in a good day's work, all you have to do is follow the plan and you'll be singing our praises by tomorrow."

Colin looked at him in clear doubt "Singing praises to the two of you? " he shook his head as if to clear it "This could be the first signs of dementia...maybe I should call my doctor right now." He had barely shifted his weight when Logan's hand closed over his arm and stalled him in his stride.

Logan turned his head towards Finn and gestured with his other hand "Give the flask to Colin." His tone didn't invite argument but that had never stopped Finn before and wasn't about to now.

He gave Logan his patented guileless expression tinged with just a hint of maligned honor. "What flask? I believe you were present at the signing of the contract on a moratorium of pre-wedding alcohol consumption."

Logan rolled his eyes "Since when has a little blood oath stopped you?"

Finn pondered "Good point." He produced the flask from his coat pocket and held it just out of Logan's reach "This had better be for a good cause though."

Logan smiled "What cause is nobler than true love?"

Finn grimaced "That was a low blow, appealing to my sensitive side."

Logan took the flask and handed it to Colin with a glance back at Finn "The last thing we need to throw a wrench into this little plan of ours is Colin having an apoplexy and faint dead away at the sight of Stephanie. Geez, you'd think the poor boy was the one about to get hitched today."

"I am insulted by the insinuation that I might faint. I'm not some feeble girl you know." Colin's voice was laced with affront.

Finn cocked an eyebrow at him "I don't know Colin, I know many a fair lass that would pay good money for a complexion that alabaster shade."

Colin glared at his two best friends before he took a healthy swig of the liquid that burned it's way down his throat and had his eyes widening. "Jesus Finn what the hell are you drinking? Battery Acid?"

Finn grinned "My own little recipe. Not for the faint of heart."

Colin sighed and closed his eyes as if debating with his inner demons the wisdom of the course he had set. When he opened them there was an air of resignation in their depths. "Okay, tell me again how this plan is supposed to work."

Finn clapped a hand on his shoulder and led him to the couch "It goes a little like this. You're at a wedding, romance is in the air, you flirt, you dance, you have the DJ play your song and you profess your utter adulation for her. Simple really...nothing too it."

"We don't have a song."

Finn sighed, "I feel like I'm talking to a wall here and I'm beginning to hear an echo because I could swear we had this exact discussion yesterday. Pick a song...doesn't matter what song, you just have to come up with a sappy reason for why you picked it...maybe it reminds you of the barrette she used to wear in the fourth grade or the time you held her hair while she was puking or that time that you fell asleep with her in Toronto and woke up convinced you'd had a stoke because half your body was asleep from her sleeping on you. Good times."

Colin glared at him "That is a horrible romantic story."

"Yeah, but it's damn hilarious."

"Glad I could be the punch line in your monologue but if I have to have a comedian I think I'd rather have Jay Leno as a friend." Colin had that stubborn set to his chin taht signified he was readying for an argument.

Finn just laughed him off "No way, he's kind of scary with that bobble head of his...besides he can't compete with my lovable nature."

Colin scoffed and was about to interject another snide remark when Logan jumped in. "Stop stalling Colin. You know we just want to help and you know that you don't have a better idea so just give it a try. What have you got to lose?"

Colin's quip was sharp "You mean besides my self-respect and one of my best friends? And don't even get me started on thinking about the sensation of having one's heart stomped into the ground."

Logan waved a hand "Excuses, all of them. You have no self-respect when it comes to Stephanie. Haven't since the day she talked you into picking those lilies. You know as well as we do that your friendship is a sham if you don't ever take a chance and tell her how you really feel and you can't fool me for a minute into thinking that your heart isn't pulverized every time you see her kiss some other lucky fool."

Colin considered for one long moment the automatic cutting remark that sprung to his lips...the urge to confront Logan once and for all about Fiji but he couldn't do it, if he did it now it wouldn't be about resolution, it would be about creating another excuse to not take a chance. He did want to take the chance he just couldn't seem to get past this lump of fear and myriad emotions that had built themselves in his chest like a tumor since the first time he had watched Stephanie kiss some other lucky lucky boy, since the first time she had come to him in tears wanting a shoulder to cry on. He had known it was a mistake, making himself the best friend, picking up the pieces time and again and putting them back together just so that some other guy could shatter her again but he hadn't been able to say no, to turn her away. His heart wouldn't let him. So he suffered silently...their friendship was real but maybe Logan wasn't that far off the mark in his analysis. Maybe it wasn't real until he either embraced or released these feelings he had kept hidden for so long. He didn't know how much longer he could stay silent and watch her try out guy after guy looking for Mr. Right. The day she found that guy he would despise himself for not taking this chance, for always waiting as if the perfect time and opportunity would just fall in his lap. He was tired of waiting for fate to give him a push, he was about to give it a big old shove of his own. He looked back at his friends and grimaced slightly...it looked like these two were about the best allies he was likely to find.

Colin shook his head in disbelief and took another slug from the silver flask in his hand and then looked down at the intricate metal work on its side. His voice was low when he spoke. "You're right."

Finn smiled broadly "Of course we are..."

Colin's voice stopped him "You're right about taking a chance but you're wrong about the method. That plan is signature Finn, with a little Huntzberger finesse thrown in and either of you could carry it off with flawless execution. It's not my style though and it wouldn't be real, not for me, it would be like playing the part of someone else and the whole point of taking a risk is that I don't want to play a part with Stephanie anymore." He stopped a comment from Logan with a hand. "No, I've got to do it my own way."

Finn nodded his head in agreement "What are you going to do?"

Colin leaned his head back on the chair to stare at the ceiling with blind eyes and then rolled his head back and forth in denial "I have no idea... but I'll let you know when I figure it out."

The knock on the door broke the moment of contemplative silence like a gunshot in the woods and Logan yelled for the person to enter.

Colin knew who it was without looking; there was just something about how the air changed when she came into, like it thickened into a sort of syrup. His head came up with a snap and he took another rather large swig from the flask to steal his courage. He swiped the back of his hand across his mouth and made a truly horrific face at the liquid currently searing his esophagus but was careful to wipe this expression from his face in the second it took for the door to swing open. Finn wasn't close enough so Logan smoothly intercepted the passed flask and palmed it into his pocket just as Stephanie came into view and had Colin wishing for about another gallon of the caustic stuff.

He couldn't stop the ingrained male response to seeing a beautiful woman as his eyes trailed less than subtly over the smooth red silk that cloaked Stephanie from neck to ankles. It was perfectly proper, covered most of her skin and left little to the imagination. She looked like an add for debauchery and sin, all wrapped up in a pretty package. It was when his eyes trailed back up to her face and met her wry smile and one delicately arched eyebrow that he began to sweat. He felt his mouth go dry and wished again for another belt of Finn's poison.

Finn broke the awareness that seemed to have cloaked the room when he grasped both of Stephanie's hands and pulled her into the room "Darling you do make an excellent lady in red. All sweet and scrumptious like a candy apple."

Stephanie laughed, the sound of pure chime clear tones ringing in Colin's head. "Now Finney, I thought we agreed you were going to save that silver tongue of yours for your date."

Finn winked "Don't worry sweet thing, there is plenty to go around."

Colin groaned inwardly and wished for once in his life that he had Finn's gift for the outrageous, that he could be the one spouting poetry and flirting shamelessly.

Finn saw the look in Colin's eye...the one that said he was still hesitating at the edge of that precipice and sighed. Apparently Colin was going to need a few more good prods before the night was over. No better time than the present. He offered his arm to Stephanie and gave her a sly grin "You know love, I could always be persuaded to take you as my second date. I've always wanted to be the sheik with the harem."

Colin had always been the cautious one. The one who dipped one toe in the water to test it's temperature and even then never did a flying cannonball but rather eased himself into the water with enough time to adjust to the new environment. He liked routine, he like the comfort of certainty and the commonplace. He'd never been one to literally or figuratively rock the boat. It was probably a big reason he was friends with the two Looney Tunes characters that called themselves Finn and Logan.

This...the banter and flirtation between Finn and Stephanie...this was routine. It was banal nothingness but tonight it chafed and he was tired of it. Tired of being the audience to this two-man play. He was going to take a chance and if he was going to do it he wasn't goign to stick his toe in first, this time he was going to dive in with a big old splat and the consequences be damned. It was now or never. He couldn't lose something he had never really had so it was time to make it his.

He stepped forward smoothly to take Stephanie's arm in a grasp more proprietary than she had ever seen from him "No need for such sacrifice Finn. It would be my pleasure to escort Stephanie anywhere she wants to go."

He looked at Stephanie and she was certain that he was unaware that his eyes spoke volumes despite the slight friendly curvature of lips. She smiled up at him automatically although her mind was racing behind those merrily dancing eyes "A girl couldn't ask for the company of a better gentleman."

Colin smiled "Good, then we might as well head for the car, I think that Finn has a date of his own to retrieve."

Stephanie looked askance at Finn and Logan "Right, of course, the mystery date. Where is she?"

Finn closed his eyes as if in some sort of mortal pain "Well, it seems that due to my less than fortuitous loss of a recent wager, Paris Gellar...that's Woodward's roommate, has taken it upon herself to provide me with female companionship for the evening."

Stephanie burst out laughing, "I've met Paris Gellar... I still have nightmares. I just can't believe that you let Paris the Piranha set you up with a wedding date? That's like handing a Kim Jong-il the launch codes to a nuclear weapon. There are stories about the men that Paris has reduced to dust...I think she collects their teeth as trophies and wears them on a necklace. A source of her evil power. That must have been some bet you lost. What were the stakes the pink slip to your soul?

Finn gave her a disgruntled look "It might have been good to know that before I let her win."

Stephanie's eyes widened even further in clear enjoyment of the moment "I always knew that soft side of yours would sink you in the end Morrison. This is one backfired scheme that may reform you for life. "

Finn neared a whine but an ill-founded hope remained in the tone "Maybe she won't be that bad."

There were three snorts of laughter at that clearly deluded comment and Finn's eyes narrowed until they caught the gleam of cunning "Well, lucky for me I have my friends there to run interference for me." He emphasized the word friends in a way that had them all shivering and started a dance of shaking heads.

Logan was the one who voiced the obvious opinion "Not a chance in hell Morrison. This is one bed you're going to have to lie in all by yourself."

Finn turned on his heel with a grumble "Fair weather friends...that's what you are, a bunch of fickle, unfaithful deserters. See if I save you next time you dig yourself into a pit."

He trailed the group out the door still grumbling under his breath and glaring at Logan's back when he realized that he had never gotten that flask back. He was going to have to work on his pickpocket skills.

Stephanie and Colin headed for the limo and Logan went with Finn to retrieve the mystery girl claiming he needed moral support but mostly because he figured it would be good for a laugh.

Paris opened the door on the first knock and Finn felt a little quiver of apprehension at the sanctimonious smile that greeted him. This did not bode well. The voice was even worse, all smooth and self-satisfied and nearing a purr of delight "Mr. Morrison, lovely day isn't it. I'm glad you are on time. Punctuality is an admirable trait even in a scoundrel." Paris nodded past him at an amused Logan "Huntzberger."

Logan tipped his head in acknowledgement laughing inside at the overtly polite tone. "Gellar." Gellar was definitely up to something and now her smile took on that toothy gloating quality that usually signified that the person believes they have gotten your goat.

Finn, who considered himself goat less, took this as a rather blatant challenge to his skill as an intellectual opponent and met the smile with one that all but proclaimed 'bring it on sister'. "So where is she? This mysterious fair damsel of yours. I've been on pins and needles all day in anticipation of meeting her."

Paris looked as if she were rather enjoying the image of Finn on pins and needles. Logan watched this mental pawing of the earth with nothing short of sheer enjoyment.

Paris nodded towards her bedroom, "She's just finishing getting ready, wouldn't do for a lady to appear to eager."

Finn looked slightly skeptical "Tell me you haven't been giving her lessons. I'd call you many things dear heart but an expert on ladylike manners isn't one of them."

Paris stiffened slightly but the fact that she didn't outright slice his head from his shoulders certainly indicated that she had an ace up her sleeve and was willing to wait for delayed gratification. "Touché Morrison, but I think I'll stay on my lofty perch rather than wallowing in the muck with you."

Finn wiggled his eyebrows "Now that is a shame. Angry chicks often look their best covered in mud...brings out their dirty side."

She just gave a harrumph and left the room presumably to collect the aforementioned date. He turned to Logan "Can you imagine Gilmore and that one in the mud wrestling pit...talk about the stuff of fantasy."

Logan's smile was droll "More like a wet dream for the perverse and sadistic and I'd thank you to keep my girl out of your fantasies. I don't share."

Finn pouted "You were definitely more fun when you weren't on a leash."

Logan knew it was meant as an insult but failed to rise to the bait "Rather be on a leash any day than picturing Gellar in mud that just smacks of desperation or a death wish."

Finn shrugged "What can I say, just call me the Marquis de Sade."

Logan laughed, "I do. Often."

They sobered as Paris returned with a petite brunette in tow. She was pretty, in a quiet unassuming way. That was the first surprise. She did not have any body piercing, tattoos, or spiked orange hair nor was she wearing a nun's habit. That was the second surprise. She looked sweet, innocent, a classic wallflower and aside from a certain penchant for slightly medieval dress as evidenced by the long rather elaborately embroidered purple dress, she looked perfectly normal. Logan was beginning to think that Paris was either the Edward Scissorhands of Yale, a sensitive human being behind the slashing blades or had far exceeded even the Machiavellian craftiness that he gave her credit for. He settled in for the show.

"Finn Morrison I would like you to meet my cousin Alice Gellar."

Logan caught Finn giving Paris' companion the once over and he must have been relieved at what he saw because his lips twitched and then curved into his practiced Don Juan smile and he was all charm as he entered the room a step further and took the girl's soft hand, lifting it to his lips for a gallant kiss. "Lovely to meet you Alice, that is a lovely name for a lovely girl."

She giggled a little and blushed before raising her eyes to his with a shy coquettishness born of innocence. Logan thought the entranced staring might go one for a while but she surprised him when she spoke her voice soft but more compelling than expected "Actually I've never liked the name, makes people think I'm some dolt who falls down rabbit holes and plays cricket with caterpillars."

Finn smiled at this somewhat unexpected remark "Point well taken. I will be sure never to make that particular assumption."

Alice, not of white rabbit fame, continued with a thoughtful tone clearly warming to her topic "Actually I've been thinking of changing my name. I'm thinking of Arwen, it means Evenstar... do you like it?"

Finn slanted a look at Logan that could be roughly interpreted as 'what the hell?' but he persevered "Arwen? That's a pretty name, it sounds sort of familiar." He trailed off leaving the question hanging and the wallflower smiled brilliantly transforming into a rose before their eyes.

"It would be after Arwen, the daughter of the lord of Rivendell. She is such a heroine, I want to be her." she sighed as if caught in some fantasy and Logan forcibly swallowed a chuckle as she focused back on Finn now with shining eyes "Don't you think it would romantic to be an elf?"

Finn seemed for once without a glib retort. Oh, he was an avid supporter of the world of fantasy but this particular venue was a little beyond his purview. "Uh...sure." it was the closest Logan had heard to uncertainty for the imperturbable Finn but he rallied "I'm sure I could be a top notch elf."

Logan watched as Alice aka Arwen's brows drew together in confusion then smoothed into understanding and when she spoke her voice was slow as if speaking to someone who is clearly missing a few of their marbles. "Oh no, you can't be an elf. You're Aragorn... obviously."

Logan barely contained a snort of laughter and from his position behind Finn he tipped an imaginary hat in Paris' direction in admiration, this coup was completely gloat-worthy.

Logan couldn't hold in a chuckle at Finn's slanted look of incomprehension but if there was one thing Finn was good at it was bluffing. "Right. Of Course. I'm Aragorn...Prince of...' he let his voice trail artfully and she happily supplied the rest of the information.

"Gondor, crowned the King, one of the bravest warriors of the latter day human race and powerful ruler in Middle-earth."

Finn puffed up his chest "Right, obviously, that does sound rather like me come to think of it. Aragorn it is then."

She turned to Logan next "And you can be Legolas. He is a brave elf warrior and part of the Fellowship. It's a pleasure to share your company."

Logan smiled wickedly at Finn and then grasped her hand delicately "The pleasure is all mine Lady Evenstar."

Finn coughed and gave Logan a good glare before turning towards Alice with a gracious smile. "We'd better be going." Finn held the door open for them all determined not to let Paris Gellar know that she had gotten him even a little unsettled. "We wouldn't want the coach to leave us stranded."

Alice smiled "Yes, of course, we mustn't' keep the elf steeds waiting. I'll just get my cloak."

Logan sidled over to Finn and they stood watching as she pulled a folded piece of velvet off the chair and unfurled it. The cloak was a thing of beauty, royal purple velvet that fell to her feet and had a pointed hood. Logan surreptitiously slipped the flask back in Finn's pocket and gave it a pat. "I'm thinking you might be needing this." He turned to the now ebullient evil cousin and sent her a droll wink "Masterful Gellar. Next time I need a good coup you're hired."

Paris smirked "I'm not sure I'd hire myself out as a mercenary to the likes of you but I do pretty well when it's personal. Have fun Morrison and I'd be on your best behavior, if you have such a thing, otherwise she might cast a spell on you, legend has it that elves have the most powerful of magic."

Logan was humming happily as he exited, neatly avoiding the scathing glare from Finn. He sallied forth with a near skip his step "You know I've heard death glares don't work on elves, rumor is we're magical."

Logan didn't quite catch the muttered comment but it sounded a bit like "Traitor."

Logan slid into the limo first to be greeted by an already cheery and slightly tipsy Stephanie and Colin who appeared to be valiantly trying to keep up. Steph leaned forward with a gleeful look in her eyes "So, what is it? Librarian glasses or spiked hair or a dominatrix outfit?"

Logan leaned back with the look of someone who knows a killer secret and isn't above flaunting his superior knowledge a bit "You'll have to see for yourself. I would so hate to spoil the effect. I will give Gellar kudos though for a superb effort. Remind me never to tick her off."

They watched as the cloak clad girl slid daintily into the car followed by Finn and Steph leaned over to whisper in Logan's ear "I don't get it, she looks normal enough except for the choice of overcoat."

Logan smirked "Just wait."

Finn gave a wan smile and then immediately started opening a bottle of champagne as he gestured to the girl. "Alice this is Stephanie and Colin."

Stephanie held out a hand "Hi Alice, welcome to our merry band. I hope you have a good time tonight. Finn here is known for being a wonderful escort." A bit of an exaggeration but then hyperbole had always been Finn's strong suit. Alice then cocked a considering head at Stephanie. "Aragorn." She said absently "His name is Aragorn tonight. You could definitely be Eowen. Do you ride horses?"

Stephanie gave first Finn who was currently downing champagne straight from the bottle and then Logan a perplexed look but then played along "Not since I was a kid, why do you ask?"

Alice considered with pursed lips "Well, that's not quite right then, you being a lady of Rohan and all but I guess you'll have to do."

Stephanie gave her an uncertain smile "Sorry to disappoint."

Alice waved her hand as if it were of no consequence "We'll make it work"

In the midst of this conversation Colin had started an appraisal of his own as he looked at Stephanie and now he spoke up "You know Alice that's brilliant. She does look rather like the character and she has that whole indomitable spirit thing down...ignore the lack of horsewoman skills and you've definitely got yourself a White Lady of Ithilien." He smiled approvingly at Alice and extended his hand. "Colin. It's a pleasure to meet a lady with such obviously discerning taste. Not sure how you ended up with a bloke like Finn."

Alice looked at him with a shy smile "I prefer Arwen." She looked him up and down "A staid name like Colin doesn't fit an appreciator of the arts such as yourself, you have to be Faramir. It's so fitting, mild and sensitive but also wise and brave."

Colin kissed her hand delicately "You flatter me with such a proud name." He smiled at her "And may I say that legend of your beauty doesn't do justice to the real thing. You are surely the most exquisite being in Middle earth."

She blushed and giggled and the other three members of the fellowship blinked in sheer astonishment and looked at one another Finn spoke first in a low whisper in Logan's direction "Any idea where this Middle earth place is?"

Logan shrugged "Vermont or maybe the Twilight Zone?"

Colin rolled his eyes at this whispered conversation "It's from Lord of the Rings you idiots. You know J.R.R. Tolkein, famous author, blockbuster movies, everyone raving about them for like the last four years. Do you all exist in a vacuum where culture does not survive or something?"

"Ah, I remember now, that was that movie I fell asleep in three times. Too much talking and not enough naked scenes although the elf chick was hot." Finn went back to his love affair with the bottle of bubbly.

Colin's retort was dry "A stunning commentary." he turned towards his new best friend with an apologetic smile "You'll have to forgive my ignorant friends."

Alice sighed and shook her head sadly as she looked back at Finn "I guess it was too much to expect that he have the looks, charisma AND the brains. At least I have you as my kindred spirit. I think that somehow I can persevere."

Stephanie leaned over to Logan now "Any idea what language they are speaking?"

Logan shook his head "I'm thinking Tolkeinite."

"Gellar has a twisted sense of humor." Stephanie commented with a dry tone.

Logan laughed, "Yes she does, got to give her points for creativity though."

"Yeah." Stephanie's tone was absentminded and somewhat lacking in enthusiasm. She reached across Logan and grabbed at the bottle of champagne in Finn's hands "Hey Lord of the Drink save some for the rest of us."

Finn hugged the bottle to his chest and glared at her "Get your own horsewoman."

Logan chuckled "Now children, I'm sure there is plenty for everyone." So saying he dug another bottle out of the icebox and opened before he quite solicitously offered it to Stephanie. "See, here's one all your own."

Stephanie grabbed the bottle with less than good humor and took a sip before she turned and watched with narrowed eyes as Colin and Alice chatted with great animation not liking one bit the little snarky comment that wanted to rise to her lips. A comment that just smacked of something akin to jealousy. Luckily she was saved from the need to comment by their arrival at the country club.

She sighed with relief and grabbed Colin's hand in casual possession as she brought his attention to the fact that they had arrived. "We're finally here."

Colin blinked at her "Already? That was fast."

She gritted her teeth unconsciously and muttered under her breath a comment that only Logan caught "Felt like a frigging millennium to me."

Logan raised an eyebrow as he caught the tense set of Stephanie's shoulders and the jaw that was flexing slightly. This strained expression was completely out of character for Stephanie and if he wasn't mistaken the emotion that had those muscles clenched was none other than jealousy. Now this was shaping up to be an interesting evening and might even turn out much better than expected. As the driver opened the door and Stephanie and Alice slid out first Logan grabbed Colin by the arm and cocked his head "Care to tell me what that was all about?"

Colin smiled, feeling in good spirits for the first time that night "I have a plan."

Logan watched him slide out of the car and offer Stephanie his arm and laughed to himself ... the nice guy might have a chance after all.