AN: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! The long AN is at my blog!

Chapter 4

It was the day everyone had been anxiously awaiting. Lucas was trying to keep busy. Rory was double checking all her luggage. Logan was being teased mercilessly by Colin and Finn. Little did they all know the events the summer would hold for them all. None of them had any idea of the changes that were to take place…

-GG-OTH-

"Don't forget to call Mommy every day!" Lorelai pouted, wrapping her arms around Rory once again.

"Mom! I've been away for the whole summer before. In fact, I've been away all summer every year." Rory said, rolling her eyes.

"I know." Lorelai put on a sad face at this and nodded. "You're such a bad, bad child for leaving your Mommy all alone for the whole summer. But it's ok. I'll forgive you. After all, who else would I leave my dirty pasta to in my will?"

Rory groaned, shaking her head. Her mother could be so dramatic.

"Well, I suppose there is a bright side to this." Lorelai said, a devilish grin forming on her face.

"That would be…?"

"You're going to be spending the entire summer with my hopefully future son-in-law. Logan free at that!" Lorelai had never made it a secret that she loved Lucas. If she had to pick the perfect man for Rory, he would certainly be it. She made her adoration for Lucas very well known; she made her hatred for Logan even more known.

"Mother!"

"Daughter!"

Rory rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Lucas and I are friends. Best friends. That's it. As for Logan, he is my boyfriend. You really need to get over your issues with Logan."

"Please! You two are so oblivious!"

Rory had to actually laugh at this. "You're calling Lucas and I oblivious? Well, isn't this the pot calling the kettle black!"

Lorelai narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Umm… gee, let's think. A certain backwards baseball cap wearing, coffee making diner owner we all know and love!"

"Luke and I are best friends!" Lorelai defended.

Rory smirked. "That's exactly what Lucas and I are. Best friends. And Logan's my boyfriend. Once again mom, get used to it!"

"There's a simple solution to this whole argument." Lorelai stated matter-of-factly.

"Once again- that would be…?"

"Dump Logan and do Lucas." At this she clapped her hands, thrilled with her plan.

Rory was about to respond when her flight was announced.

"I won't even dignify that with a response. I love you, bye Mom."

"Bye honey. I love you. Don't forget Mommy. Buy me lots of pretty things. Take lots of pictures of all the hot young North Carolina basket ball playing boys for me!" Lorelai said, hugging Rory one last time before she watched her daughter board a flight just as she did every year at this time.

She wasn't able resist one last parting call as Rory walked away. "Don't forget to kiss Lucas for me! Feel free to add some tongue!" She shook her head as she caught the last glimpse of her daughter for the next three months. 'Maybe she'll finally realize Lucas has been right there all along. The perfect man for her was right in front of her face, and she was is too blinded by friendship to see it. I swear, the girl must get the obliviousness from Christopher…'

-GG-OTH-

Logan paced the plane, awaiting take off. He still didn't know how he was going to handle Rory once he actually got there. He knew she wouldn't be thrilled that he decided to crash her vacation, but he had to do this.

"Mate, either sit down or I'll bloody tie you down!" Came the annoyed Australian voice.

"I don't have a plan yet!" Logan exclaimed, gesturing wildly with his hands.

"Well, maybe you should have thought about that before boarding us on your jet to Hickville, NC." Colin said sarcastically, still pissed off that his summer plans had been changed.

-GG-OTH-

Nathan looked over at his brother, who was driving to the airport. He shook his head, holding in a laugh. Lucas had been in "go" mode all morning. He was obviously more than ready for Rory to be here.

He had the privilege of spending summers with the two often. Dan was their father, and while Nathan lived with him year-round when they were younger, Lucas lived with his mother in North Carolina most of the year. For the most part, they only saw each other in the summers. For many years, Lucas and Nathan didn't get along, so the summers would be strained. That was when Rory was also in town, visiting her father. It was always interesting. He had never had a friend he was as close to as Lucas was to Rory. They talked to each other all the time, about everything.

These days, Nathan and Lucas were much closer. Things got resolved over the years, and they became not only brothers, but also friends.

He had witnessed girlfriends of Lucas's get jealous of Rory, and try to come between the two. It never worked. Lucas made it clear to every girl he dated that Rory came before anyone else in his life.

To be honest, Nathan was just as anxious as Lucas was for Rory to get here, though for different reasons. Tree Hill was not a busy place like Boston. But with Rory and Lucas there, things would definitely be interesting. 'Yes, things will certainly be interesting…'

-GG-OTH-

Rory leaned her head back against the seat, relaxing. She would be landing soon. She could hardly wait! All year long she had to wait and bide her time until she got out of school for the year. That was when she was able to be free. She was the most carefree, relaxed, and comfortable around Lucas. He brought out every side of her. He made her open up, without even really trying to.

While Logan was able to talk her into stretching her boundaries and expanding her horizons, Lucas was her partner in crime. He was the one who she plotted and schemed with. There was no convincing needed. They went in their summers completely together. What one did, the other did. No questions asked.

Rory continued to think about her relationship with her best friend, and the relationship with her boyfriend. She cared about Logan. She really did. Still, Rory had to admit to herself that she was glad to be away from him for the summer. He had a tendency to become jealous when she was hanging out with her guy friends. This summer, she would have time to think, clear her head, and make decisions. She needed to decide where their relationship really stood, and how solid it was.

His family hated her. More specifically, they hated that she wanted a career. Her mother hated his social status. She knew if she stayed with Logan, it would continue to cause many more arguments with her mother. 'At least I'll have plenty of space to figure things out before I return to Yale…'