Declaimer: I own nothing you recognized. However everything you don't recognize is the invention of my imagination which I gladly adapted to the fabulous world of Gilmore Girls.
Break From The Path
Summery: Rory's and Logan's paths broke when they were at collage. Years later life gives them a second chance. But it won't be easy with full backpack of life experience and less courage to jump into unknown. Future FIC. ROGAN
A little background: Everything till the row between Rory and Logan in 6.08 episode happened. The rest – you will see.
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Chapter 1 – New And Unknown Doesn't Always Mean The Worst"Tell me one more time – why do I have to go to that school?" Lo Gilmore asked leaning against the front seat in her mother's car.
"Because you want to have a good education," Rory started pointing out the reasons, "because you want to go to a good college like Harvard or Yale and become a well-educated successful woman like your fabulous mother," she finished as she belted up and started the engine.
"Great!" Lo murmured under her nose.
"Don't mutter to yourself! It's not polite and talking to yourself is also known as the first step to insanity. Didn't your mother ever tell you that?" Rory asked smiling at her teenaged daughter who was not quite pleased with the new situation.
"Yes she told me that," Lo confirmed, "but I decided to ignore everything she tells me after her declaration that when we get back to the States I could go to whatever school I wanted!" she said looking at the New York buildings passing by the car's windows and not even bothering to look at her mom.
"And you could have decided," Rory replied but Lo quickly cut in turning to her.
"Yeah, but every school was supposed to be every school not the stupid tartan-skirt-wearing-private-schools!" she exclaimed angrily.
"Hey, like your crazy grandmother said – you look sexy in that skirt so you shouldn't worry," Rory tried to joke but the expression on Lo's face told her that her daughter didn't see anything funny in that situation.
"Mom," Lo moaned "be serious for one moment please!" she begged, "I've been really hoping that I would go to a normal high school. You know that I didn't like that private school in England"
"I know and this school is not like the English one," Rory confirmed as she changed lanes and quickly jumped to justify herself catching Lo's pout with a corner of her eye, "But that wasn't only my decision and you know it!" she finished.
"Yeah! I know. Everybodys against me!" Lo grunted crossing her arms on her chest and pouting even more. That was her favorite I'm-mad-at-the-whole-world pose.
Rory sighed. She knew that Lo wasn't happy with this situation. They'd had this conversation a few times already, and with Lo being as stubborn as always she just wasn't going to let it go.
"You father, you grandparents and great-grandmother want you to go to a good school," Rory started.
"But you are the one who is raising me…" Lo wanted to protest but Rory cut her off.
"I am fully aware of the fact that I am the one who is raising you not your father or grandparents. In this particular moment I would gladly change with one of them!" Rory started to become angry. She was really tired of the issue. After glancing at her mom's tightened lips and spotting anger sparkling in her familiar blue eyes Lo realized that she had strained her mother's patience and quickly apologized.
Rory smiled at her. She knew that Lo didn't want to make anyone angry or upset. She was always the peacemaker of the family.
"You shouldn't be sorry. Everyone wants the best for you even your grandparent," she caught Lo's skeptical look, "Although they don't show it often," she added.
"Great! Everyone wants me to be happy and this means that my future years I am going to spend in a private school that I don't like and then later spend my college experience in a college that everyone but me will have chosen," Lo grunted and stared blankly at the road before her.
"Probably," Rory nodded with a smile, "But I can promise you now that I'll let you choose your future husband on your own," she added with a smirk on her face.
"Wow lucky me!" Lo groaned but couldn't stop herself and giggled, "Latest hot news – Lorelai Hilary Gilmore has finally made the decision on her own. At the age of 85, after many years of regime and control, she's chosen a candidate for her future husband. Our crew is only hoping that her soon-to-be husband survives at least for the ceremony. At any rate he is 92!"
Rory smirked, "Well I could always throw you a husband auction."
"You wouldn't dare!" Lo looked at her with wild eyes.
"One word to Emily Gilmore and you will have hundreds of young and rich bachelors at your feet begging for your attention," she described with passion. She looked at Lo and they both burst out laughing.
"Gran would be in heaven."
"So…" Rory started again but Lo broke in.
"My mother has always told me that I shouldn't start the sentence with so."
"Really?" Rory asked sarcastically, "She must be a really smart woman but hasn't she also told you that it is not polite to interrupt people?" she asked stopping at the traffic lights and turning to Lo with raised eyebrows, "OK the school discussion is now officially over which means - your father, his parents, my parent and Emily have decided about high school. You will decide about your husband and about college we will see later."
"Yes ma'am," Lo agreed with a sigh.
"Ok it's a deal then," Rory nodded once more and pulled the car to the school parking lot.
"Mom may I ask you something?" Lo asked leaving the car.
"You already did," Rory stated smiling also getting out of the car and walking up to her daughter.
"You know what I mean," Lo rolled her eyes. Her mother had a tendency not to give a straight answer which always irritated her.
"Shoot!" Rory smiled.
"Did grandma Lorelai also want me to go to that thing?" she pointed at the large old building in front of her.
Rory was silent for a moment.
"Huh, basically you want to know did your favourite granny betray you?" she finally asked.
"Mom it's not what…" Lo started but Rory interrupted her quickly wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Yes she wanted you to go to this school," she put more pressure on that and quickly continued seeing her daughters disappointed face "but as I told you before it is all for your own good."
Lo didn't look convinced.
"Look this school is really great. I've told you that already, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"No buts! You will see yourself – you will like it! Now come on! We don't want to be late," she kissed her daughters forehead and led her towards the entrance.
The truth was that she wasn't convinced herself. She didn't know if she had done the right thing by choosing this school for Lo. There was still a little doubt in the back of her head but now there was no turning back. "It will be OK. She will get used to it and later she will be grateful that we have chosen this for her." Adam's words rang in her head. "What if it won't be ok?" She asked herself. Maybe they should have let Lo choose something for herself not forced her…
"Mom are you going or not?" her thoughts were interrupted by Lo's voice.
"Yes, yes I am going. Sorry kiddo, I spaced out for a moment."
"I've noticed," Lo giggled and followed her mom to the school.
They stopped at the entrance. Lo looked around. From outside the school looked similar to her previous one in England but inside there they were very much different. The English private school that she attended was dark and creepy, whereas this school looked very different, there were bright walls, colourful notice-boards, posters and paintings were everywhere. There was also some music playing through the speakers. The school looked just happy and friendly.
"It's not that bad," her mom whispered to her ear, "What do you think?"
"No, it looks nice," she answered quietly and looked around once more.
There was at least 30 minutes before school was going to start so there were few students hanging around the corridors. Each student was dressed in a uniform similar to the one she was wearing. Dark green tartan skirt or black pants and light green jacket or blazer. They were chatting and laughing. The atmosphere was friendly. "Maybe it won't be that bad," she thought to herself as they passed a group of girls who smiled at them.
They went to the first floor were the headmasters office was. After one knock at the door they heard a polite please come in and they entered. They saw a middle-aged woman who probably was the secretary.
"Good morning my name is Lorelai Gilmore and this is my daughter, also Lorelai Gilmore," Rory introduced them. "We are supposed to meet with headmaster Williamston."
"Yes of course, Mr. Williamston is waiting for you. Follow me please." The lady said and led them through a small corridor to the wooden door with the headmasters name on it. She knocked and entered, "Sir, Miss Gilmore and her daughter."
"Let them in, please." They heard a man's voice and the secretary let them into the room. It was a typical headmaster office. At the middle of the room stood a dark wooden desk with a leather chair behind it and three others on the other side. The walls were covered with bookcases and framed diplomas. Near the window stood a small table with a globe.
They entered and saw a man in his fifties. He rose from his chair and came up to them.
"Good morning I am Steven Williamston. It's nice to meet you both," he said as he shook hands with both of them, "Please sit."
"Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you," Rory replied while they took their seats.
"Lorelai," headmaster turned his attention to Lo, "I am very glad that you've decided to join our school. I've read through your records and I can see that you are an excellent student and I've also heard many good things about you."
"Thank you."
Rory watched as her daughter blushed and looked down at her hands on her knees. It was funny to see this – her daughter who was always so self-confident and witty around her family and friends was so shy when it came to strangers.
"We have heard a lot about this school too and Lo's father and I are hoping that it will be the best place for Lo to attend."
"I hope so. Lorelai," headmaster once again turned to Lo, "I think the best for you will be if one of our students will show you around and tell you about the classes and extras activities that you can attend here. I have a schedule prepared for you but I want you to attend some of your classes today and to get to know the school. Later in the day we are going to meet again with a guidance counselor to discuss your complete schedule. Now I am going to have a very long discussion about parents participating in school's life with your mother so I think that you will be bored within a second so…" His speech was interrupted by a little knock on the door.
"Excuse my sir, but Mr. Huntzberger insisted to see you," The secretary appeared at the door with a blond guy behind her.
"Steven I am very sorry for this interruption," the man entered the room and started to explain himself to the headmaster without paying attention to the other people in the office, "You've wanted to discuss Liam's latest problem," he emphasized the last word "and I going on a business trip today so this is the only opportunity to do that," he finished and turned to the women in the room to apologize to them but seeing who it was his face broke into a wide grin.
"Rory! Lo! What a surprise!"
"Hello Logan! Nice to see you again," Rory replied while Lo smiled at him.
"Logan," Headmaster started, "I really need to talk to you about Liam but as you can see this is not the best moment. Miss Gilmore…"
Rory quickly cut him off politely, "Wouldn't mind if her meeting will be delayed," she said with a smile.
"Are you sure Miss Gilmore?" headmaster asked.
"I'm positive although I have one condition. I would like to stay and get a little experience with this school problems-dealing politics," she said the word problems in similar way to Logan.
"I'm sure that won't be necessary in your case, Miss Gilmore," headmaster commented.
Rory smiled, "Headmaster Williamston, I don't know what exactly you've heard about my daughter but I should warn you that I will be in your office more then you think" she said looking pointedly at Lo who lowered her head and didn't look at the adults.
Logan chuckled, "I can assure you that Lo won't break a school record. Liam made sure that it won't be broken in the next 25 years," he added sardonically and set down on the chair next to Rory. "So it's official," he thought to himself, "Rory Gilmore is back in the States."
Lo didn't pick up her head but smirked a little. This school was looking better and better every minute.
"OK if either of you don't mind we will continue this meeting together," headmaster suggested. Both adults nodded. He pushed the button on the intercom. "Sara would you please bring in Liam Huntzberger."
Then he turned to Lo, "Lorelai, maybe you could tell me what problems your mother had in mind a moment before."
Both Rory and Logan looked at Lo who was blushing, "I am sometimes too hot-blooded and speak without thinking that cause my trouble," she answered quietly.
"I see," headmaster Williamston nodded, "Well I hope that you won't have any problems here…" His words was interrupted by a knock on the door. After a second the door was open and a blonde boy appeared. His was a younger version of the man sitting in the office.
"Good morning headmaster. You wanted to see me," he said and noticed the occupants of the room. His face paled at the sight of his father. "Hey dad," he said quietly.
Logan nodded at his son with a stern look and Liam knew this look. Nothing good was about to happen. He looked around and noticed a woman and a girl. They looked very much alike. He recognized the elder one. It was Rory Gilmore one of the most famous overseas correspondents who also happened to be a college friend of his dad.
"Liam," Headmaster greeted him with a nod, "I want you to meet Rory Gilmore and her daughter Lorelai."
"Liam nice to see you again!" Rory shook hands with him. They had met few times in a past mostly at aunt Lorelai's house, "And you actually met Lo but I don't think you remember it," Rory continued, "I think you were both 4 at that time. And even if you remember something I don't think it's a pleasant memory," He heard his dad chuckling, "Lo bit you because you ate her pie," she added with a smile.
"God, can this be more humiliating!" he heard the younger woman grumble.
The teenagers looked tentative at each other and the adults laughed at their embarrassed faces.
Headmaster decided to break the uncomfortable silence between the kids.
"Lorelai will be in your class so I want you to show her everything and take care of her on her first day," The Headmaster ordered, "And I strongly suggest you two get going because classes start in about five minuets."
He led them towards the door, "Have a nice day and I will talk to both of you later," he closed the door after the kids and turned to the kids' parents to discuss their issues.
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After Lo and Liam had left the office they'd fallen into an uncomfortable silence once more. They looked at each other hesitantly.
"Well… I think we should go to class," Liam started, "You probably want to see most of the school so we should hurry. First we have English Literature and Mrs. Gelteon doesn't like students to be late."
Lo nodded and walked after him along the corridor.
"You're new to New York?" he asked wanting to break the silence.
"No, I've lived here before but as a little kid so I don't remember much," she explained, "Just like the biting thing," she murmured under her breath but Liam heard her and laughed.
She shot him an uncertain glance but seeing him smiling she also giggled, "Yeah, sorry about that," she added.
"There's nothing to be sorry about. I don't remember it either and I probably deserved it because of the pie."
They looked at each other and started to laugh together. The ice was finally broken.
"What country were you living in before you came back to America?" Liam asked as they made their way to the English Literature classroom.
"In England at a boarding school," she explained. He remembered aunt Lorelai mentioning that. "My mom was traveling a lot during the last year," Lo added.
"I've heard. I really admire her. She is a great journalist."
"Thank you, I think the same," Lo smiled.
"Hey Huntz! New girlfriend?" Some tall guy that was passing them shouted at them smirking and wiggling an eyebrow suggestively.
Liam stopped abruptly. Theo and he had always been opponents. The black-haired guy had never passed the opportunity to get to Liam and he'd always commented his actions. Mostly the digs had referred to Liam's girlfriends or like Theo liked to call them "flavors". The situation with Nat hadn't helped them. Liam thought that it had gotten worse. He was sure that Theo would want to discourage Lo or any girl for that matter to date him. He didn't want Lo to get a wrong impression of him so he started to explain but Lo's actions stopped him. She grabbed his arm and put it around her waist and snuggled closer to him.
"Yes, jealous?" she asked Theo in a sweet voice. Then she quickly led Liam from the other boy who was staring after them with angry eyes set upon Liam. When they reached the corner Lo released herself from him and looked at Liam a little embarrassed.
"Sorry… I don't like jerks like that," she cocked her head to the side of the corridor where Theo was, "I think my grandma's genes are speaking right now," she added a little flushed.
"How did you know he was a jerk?" Liam asked.
"To me he looks and acts like one," she shrugged but after a moment shot a worried look at him, "He wasn't your best friend or something?" she asked.
"No, he wasn't. And I really didn't mind what you did," Liam smiled, "The Infamous Lorelai Gilmore, huh?"
She looked at him with shock, "You know my grandmother?"
"Yes I had the pleasure, and today I've finally met at least since I don't remember the previous meeting, according to your mom we re-met today, the Lorelai number IV. I now only don't know the first Lorelai"
"I didn't know her either. She passed away during my mums first year at Yale."
At the mention of Yale they fell into another silence. They both know some facts about their parents past relationship.
"It's weird!" they said at the same time and laughed. The bell rang.
"Ok hurry up! Mrs. Gelteon likes to ask some tricky questions to the latest one and I've already had problems with the prank," Liam pulled Lo to the nearest door.
"What did you do?" Lo asked curiously.
"I'll tell you at lunch."
And with that they both disappeared into the classroom.
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After the meeting with the headmaster Rory had gone home.
The whole meeting had turned out to be really nice not some boring talk about student's and parent's obligations. Headmaster Williamston had turned out to be a pleasant man who took his job seriously but also was very devoted to his job and wanted only what was best for the kids.
And meeting Logan had been an additional pleasure. She'd been really enjoying his conversation with the headmaster about Liam's behavior. It'd looked like Liam and Logan were more alike than Logan wanted to admit. Rory had had a hard time preventing herself from laughing after hearing about Liam's latest prank. It had "I am Logan Huntzbergers son" written all over it.
Now she was at Lo's and her new apartment. She was unpacking her stuff. She didn't need to go to work. Like she' told Lo she'd taken some time off. What she hadn't told her was that she wasn't planning to go back. She also hadn't mentioned that she had quit her job at CNN. Again the little voice in her head was telling her that she was making a mistake keeping things from Lo. But she hadn't found the courage to tell Lo yet. Rory herself wasn't sure that she had made a good choice.
It wasn't that she didn't like her job nor had she had enough of being a journalist. She still loved her job and knew that Lo also liked their life. Her daughter liked to travel, see the new countries, meet new people. But she also knew that they both needed a break.
She was tired. The last year had tired her out and now she wanted to do something different. The voice inside her head told her that she wanted a normal life now. The life that she hadn't experience since she was 21. Before that time everything in her live had been predictable, she'd always known what was going to happen in her life whether it was something she had to do in a few days, weeks, months, or even years, then it'd ended. First due to Logan and their relationship and then after college because of her job and Lo, now she had decided to stop, to stop being spontaneous, to stop running, moving and traveling. She needed it and most of all Lo needed it. They needed stability, something which she'd never have with her previous job.
Lo thought that they had come back to the States because after her dad moved back they wanted to be near him and that Rory would be working in the country no. Well that part was true. Rory had really missed The States and being near her family and friends. The occasional visits hadn't been enough for her. She wanted to see them on a daily basis. What she wanted more than anything else was to be with her daughter every day. The last two years when Lo had been in London and she had been traveling a lot and only going to England from time to time was horrible for her and she knew that her daughter hadn't liked it either. Although Lo didn't say much about it.
"Maybe this won't be that hard," she thought about the awaiting conversation with Lo and checked the messages on her phone. The first was from Adam.
"Hello my not-wife, you aren't answering so I presume that you are at the meeting at school. I hope that Lo is ok and that she stopped complaining about school, uniforms, etc. If the answer is yes, and even if not, now is my turn to complain. Please tell my wife that I really can't stand blue and I don't want a blue roof, please. Pleaseee! I will be back in the city in two days. See you then. Kiss Lo. Bye."
Rory chuckled at Adam's message. She was turning in to a complaint-center for her family. She listened to the second message.
"Well hello fruit of me loins! How was your fruit of loins' first day at school, any cute candidates for a really pretty great grandchild? "Lor!" oh shut up diner man! I want pretty great grandchildren. I don't want to be worse then my mother. She has a pretty great-granddaughter and I want one too. Sorry kiddo that was your evil step-father. I've always thought that Cinderella should have an evil step-father, not an evil step-mother you know. "Lor stop rambling!" OK, OK gee I don't know what happened to him… maybe sex... Oh Luke don't look at me like that I got your point. Sorry kiddo. So I'm just calling to tell you that your little bro will be there tomorrow at 6 a.m. I know horrible hour but you were the one who offered to pick him up from the airport. Love you! Bye."
Rory smiled and had to remember to play this to Lo when she came home. Lo loved her grandma's crazy message. The last message was from Abby.
"Hey my husband's not-wife, call me when you get back from the meeting, we should got out for lunch while I am a free woman. I love the days when my crazy husband is not in town and the crazy kids are at my parents. It's great! Tell me why I ever agreed to get married. Oh yeah! I remember because I am crazy in love with my husband. Nice family we have, huh? Anyway, what do you think about tomorrow at 4 pm. I hope Lo will be back from school then. I have to show you the colour that I've chosen for the roof. Adam hates it but who cares! Say hey to Lo. And call me."
Rory wrote down "Call Abby" and stuck the note on the message board. Which where her and Lo's way not to forget anything. She started to re-read them when her phone rang.
"Gilmore," she answered as usual.
"Just the woman I wanted to hear from," she heard a familiar voice on the other end.
"Wow! Twice in one day." She smiled. It was nice to talk to Logan again after such a long absence since work and there families interfered. Rory missed the time they used to spend together in collage. The last time they spent together was at her grandmother's birthday that was nearly a year ago.
"I have a proposition for you," she heard.
"Ok?"
"What would you say to dinner on Friday with me?" he asked.
"Aren't you on a business trip?" she asked while walking to the living room and sitting on one of the many boxes which where lying all over the place. She was planning to do the big shop for furniture with Lo on the weekend so until that time they had to live in and around boxes.
"Yes I am," she heard Logan confirm "Currently I am on my way to Boston. I've already had two meetings since we saw each other," he said tiredly, "I'll be back Friday afternoon. Tell me how many times you can talk about the people-lost-interest-in-reading-problem?" he asked dryly.
"Well seeing as you own about 20 papers and magazines in the country I would say at least 20," she answered with a laugh.
"So one down nineteen to go," Logan replied with fake enthusiasm, "So what about the dinner?" he asked again.
"Mhm… sounds interesting. How about some encouragement?" she teased.
"Well excellent food," he started to recite the reasons.
"Gilmore girls never say no to excellent food but I think I can provide for myself these days," she replied with a smirk.
"Let me finish, excellent drinks, in an excellent place with excellent music, excellent conversation partner..."
She broke in, "How many excellent things are you going to mention?"
"As many needed for you to say yes," he replied and she could hear the smirk in his voice. "Although I was planning to add excellent coffee in between to make sure you'll agree," he added.
"Logan Huntzberger you are an evil man and you know it!" she laughed. She missed their witty conversations. She wanted to have dinner with him to catch up.
"Of course I know it," he replied, "So Friday around seven? I'll pick you up then. Bye!"
"But Logan you don't know…"
He cut in, "I am a newspaper magnet – I know everything Ace," and she heard the dead tone.
She put away her phone and went back to unpacking. Logan had always loved to have the last word.
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Rory was standing by her car with a newspaper in one hand and coffee cup in another. She was reading Logan's article about the newest New York mayor. "He's still a great writer," she thought. Leading the family business hadn't work Logan down and he still wrote excellence articles.
As Rory heard the unmistakable sounds of laughing and talking she took her head out from her newspaper and watched as her daughter left the building with Logan's son. Liam looked exactly like Logan, the same hair, the same eyes and the unmistakable smile. Lo looked quite comfortable with Liam. Rory smiled. Minus the uniform and plus a few years they would look just like Logan and her during their years at Yale.
Lo looked up and noticed her mom. She waved at her. Then she turned to Liam, kissed him on the check, said something with a smile and ran to her mother.
"Hey kiddo!" Rory greeted her.
"Hey mom!" she hugged Rory.
"I see that the first day wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be," she commented as she glanced at Liam who waved at them while walking to his car.
Lo smiled "No it wasn't" she smiled and got into the car.
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AN: The first chapter of a longer story. As you can see it a future story with a little twist in season 6. Everything that is not clear now will be explained in next chapters. I hope you will like this story.
Review and tell my what do you think.
Edith10
