A Divine Accident

by HerHighMess

All his life he has been trying to find ways to escape his preordained destiny - unsuccessfully. And just as he started giving up hope he meets someone who introduces him to a life he never knew he wanted until he experienced it. A way of life that could set him free. [ROGAN]

6. An Excursion to a Different World

Chapter 5: An Excursion to a Different World

---

In the week following the LDB event Logan had done a pretty good job with convincing himself that he could stay away from one Rory Gilmore and that he could continue regularly with his usual lifestyle. It sure helped a lot that she was away in Boston until Wednesday morning so the chances of meeting her anywhere on campus were non-existent. He had also taken care of her camera, along with the gorilla mask and the champagne. After an excruciating conversation with her roommate Paris, who turned out to be the snappy blonde from the YDN, he managed to convince her to let him enter Ace's room to leave the stuff there. When he entered the room he was overflown with her scent, enveloping him in a most enticing way, bringing forward memories of the last weekend. On a mission to get out of there as soon as possible, he hastily left the things on her bed and made his way out of there, not even taking a moment to look around and take in the room - something he really wanted to do.

He had spent every night since the event going out, partying, drinking and spending time with his usual types of girls, desperately trying to convince himself that he was still his old self. Of course, he had enjoyed this debauchery but he kept constantly feeling like something was missing and he had a pretty good idea what it could be but he wouldn't let himself think about it. About her. There was nothing more he could do and he had done a pretty good job convincing himself that he wasn't missing her.

He couldn't be missing her, could he?

The mere thought about missing her was absurd. How could he be missing a girl he had known barely a month? A girl with whom nothing had happened? A girl he hasn't even kissed? Or slept with?

If he were honest with himself, he had never ever missed a girl in his life. The most time he would spend with one girl were maximum three or four dates - usually based on how good a lay the girl was - and he had never been attached to any of them. All of them knew what they were getting into from the very beginning. It was because of that that he now couldn't believe that he was missing someone. A girl. A beautiful brunette with deep cerulean eyes.

Shaking his head, he took a sip of his scotch and looked up, seeing Colin and Finn staring at him intently. Today was Friday and they were at the pub, getting ready for a party that they were heading to later. Logan really wasn't in the mood for a party, he hasn't been in the mood for anything the whole week but it was the only way he knew he could efficiently escape his thoughts.

Finn narrowed his eyes at him, "Okay, mate, spill," he demanded, "What's up with you this week? We can't let you be like this anymore."

Also, Logan had somehow managed to escape all possibly excruciating conversations that were bound to happen with his friends. Until now, obviously… sighing, he answered, still trying to escape the impending conversation, "Nothing. Why would you think that something's up with me?"

Chuckling amusedly, Colin gave him a pointed look, "Please don't play dumb with us. You know perfectly well what we're talking about."

"What do you want me to say?" Logan asked exasperatedly.

"Just tell us why you have been avoiding us since last weekend…" Finn sighed, "Or why are you set on partying every night this week like there's no tomorrow? I mean, don't get me wrong, we would never say no to a party, but it's kind of lame when you're obviously not enjoying them at all."

"What's gotten into you?" Colin added.

"Nothing, I just want to have fun."

"And we get that… but you're not having fun," Finn stated.

"I am!" Logan protested vehemently.

"Sure you are. Finn is also chasing blondes around…" Colin chuckled and turned to look at Finn, "Say, mate, have you seen Reporter Girl recently?"

Logan stiffed at the mention of Rory. He really shouldn't be thinking about her now. He took another long gulp of his drink, trying not to give out his reaction to his friends.

Unfortunately, they noticed his behaviour and smirked, "No, mate, haven't seen her since the event," Finn stated and looked at Logan, "Have you seen her?"

"No."

"So that's what got your panties in a twist!" Finn exclaimed and shared a look with Colin.

"Just as we have assumed…" Colin agreed, "She should have been back on Wednesday. You really want to tell us that you haven't seen her at all?"

"No, I haven't seen her," Logan stated.

"I would have bet that you would be following her around from the moment she got back," Finn shook his head.

"Me too," Colin agreed, "So, why haven't you continued following her around?"

Logan looked at Colin annoyed, knowing that they were goading him, "You know why, Col."

Colin glared at him while Finn looked between his two friends, trying to understand what they were talking about, "Care to fill me in, mates?"

"You can't be serious!" Colin exclaimed at Logan.

"Well, I am," Logan stated, trying to escape his friend's glare.

"Again, care to fill me in?" Finn asked again.

"There's nothing to fill you in on, Finn," Logan sighed, emptying his glass and motioning to the waiter for another one.

"It's just that our dear friend Huntzberger here is a moron of astronomic proportions," Colin rolled his eyes and glared again at Logan in a non-approving manner.

"Thanks."

"And why is he a moron?" Finn asked, still confused.

"He had obviously given up on her…" Colin explained shortly, "Geez, Logan, why would you do that?"

"You know why… nothing good could come out of that," Logan tried to explain, knowing that he was failing miserably.

"You really are an idiot!" Colin exclaimed, not believing his friend's reasoning.

Logan rolled his eyes at him, "Again, thanks. Just the support I needed."

"I won't be supporting this! Especially when I don't understand you," Colin sighed, "You have been obsessed with her for almost a month and then, out of nowhere, you just give up on her."

Finn listened thoughtfully to his friends, trying to wrap his mind around what was being said, "Tell me you didn't."

"Didn't what?" Logan furrowed his brow questioningly.

"Tell me you didn't ditch her completely," Finn stated, eyeing his blonde friend with narrowed eyes.

"There was nothing to ditch. Nothing has ever happened."

"I agree with you, mate," Finn looked at Colin, "He is an idiot."

"See, told ya," Colin shrugged.

Logan scoffed, "Thanks a lot for your support, you really are good friends."

"Just because we are good friends, we are telling you that you're an idiot," Finn stated non-repulsedly.

"Really, Logan, why would you stay away from her? What's the worst thing that could happen?"

"I…" Logan trailed, "I can't do that. Neither to her, nor to me," he stated, and looked away, trying to get his thoughts in order once again.

"That's no reason to ditch her completely," Colin sighed.

"It's not that simple…"

"Why can't you just be friends with her?"

"I can't…"

"Why?" Finn asked softly, seeing that his friend was in obvious pain and confusion about all of this.

Logan decided to end this conversation once and for all, hoping they would let him be after his explanation, "As much as I would like to be her friend, I can't. It's too much and I have no idea what I'm doing. Where it's going. I'm losing the ropes from my hands when I'm with her and I can't risk it. It is for the best this way," he sighed, shaking his head, trying to convince himself as well, "It is the best for the both of us if I just stay away, okay?" He looked pointedly at his friends, pleading them to stop with the inquisition, "Can we just drop this now, once and for all?"

Finn and Colin exchanged a look (again!) and nodded softly, having a pretty good idea what their friend was going through.

"We should get going anyway, we're late for the party," Colin stated.

"Meh, the party doesn't start until we get there," Finn rolled his eyes, "But let's get going anyways! I'm in the mood for some bumping and grinding with some redheads!"

Laughing at the crazy Aussie's statement, they got up, took care of the bill and made their way to the party.

Unfortunately, Logan's resolution to stay away from his Ace flew through the window just as they were passing the Sterling Memorial Library. Rory ran past them, "Hi, boys. Bye, boys," she waved offhandedly, making her way to the parking lot.

He stopped in his tracks, observing her hurriedly getting away from them, her flowy flowery dress moving with her, her legs accentuated by the high heels she was wearing. In the meantime, Finn and Colin exchanged a confused look and called after her, "Reporter Girl! That's no way to greet your friends!" Colin exclaimed and Finn nodded in agreement, "I mean, really, Love?" They jogged towards her just as she stopped, leaving Logan behind.

Turning around towards them, she started to explain, "I'm really late, I don't have any time for more than hi and bye," panting slightly.

Logan came out of his stupor and slowly made his way to them, catching her explanation.

"Where are you in such a hurry to?" Colin inquired.

"A hot date?" Finn wiggled his eyebrows. Logan stiffened at this question, praying to all that was holy for her not be going out with some guy. He cringed at his reaction.

So much about staying away.

"Yeah, where are you off to, Ace?" He asked as well, needing an answer before his brain goes into overdrive.

Rory chuckled slightly, "No, not a hot date. Just a Friday Night Dinner."

Logan exhaled hearing her answer, immensely happy that his prayers have been answered. However, now he was interested what she was talking about. Friday Night Dinner?

"A Friday-what now?" Finn asked confusedly, "Is it a name for some rave party that I don't know about?"

She laughed wholeheartedly, "I have a Friday Night Dinner with my grandparents every Friday," she explained, "Well, mum and I do."

"Why would you have dinner with your family every Friday?" Colin asked perplexedly, "I'm happy when I don't have to see my family for a couple of months."

Logan could only agree with Colin's statement, as he was sure Finn could as well.

"You all really are living different lives…" she shook her head, "I just have to have dinner with them. And I like spending time with them, you know?"

Finn narrowed his eyes at her, "You're a strange one, Love."

"Happy to serve," she grinned wickedly, "But I really need to get going now, otherwise I will have to go through the wrath of Lorelai Gilmore for leaving her alone with Adolf and Eva."

The boys snickered at her remark, "You really call Richard Adolf?" Logan asked incredulously, speaking up for the first time in the couple minutes since they've ran into her.

"No, of course not. Grandma is Adolf. Dubbing her as such is the courtesy of my mother, as you all can imagine."

"Ah, the beautiful Lorelai," Finn stated dreamily.

"Yuck, Finn, that's my mother!" Rory exclaimed.

"Good genes, I've told you that already," Finn shrugged, not even a bit bothered by her statement.

Narrowing her eyes at him, she stated, "I'll just pretend you haven't said anything. I'm off, boys, see you!"

"Wait!" Finn exclaimed, "Come to a party with us later tonight when you get back from your grandparents! You'll love partying with us, Love," he winked at her. Logan just glared at his friend, getting acutely aware that staying away from Rory won't be as easy as he had imagined, especially when his friends were so eager to hang out with her.

"Oh, thanks," she shook her head, "But I can't. I'm really behind with my schoolwork due to being in Boston for five days."

"Love! You have to party! What else can you do with your life?!" Finn exclaimed exasperatedly.

She groaned, "We've been through this already, Finn…"

Just as Finn was about to respond, Logan decided to pipe in, "Finn's right, Ace, you need to have some fun. And there's no better way to do it than with us."

Looking surprisedly at Logan and then nodding in agreement at Rory, Colin stated as well, "You have to join us!"

"Maybe some other time, I really can't these days," she answered, "But thanks for the invitation," she looked at her watch, "And I really really really need to get going now. Have fun tonight guys," she smiled at them, "And don't tell anybody that you've seen me running," she stated adamantly.

Curious about her last statement, Logan just had to ask, "Why not?"

"We Gilmore Girls don't run," Rory answered directly.

"Again - why not?" Logan exchanged an amused look with his friends, wondering what her reasoning would be.

"We don't partake in any strenuous activities."

Oh, this was just too easy. Too easy not to tease her for a bit. He felt his lips twitching, forming a smirk, as his brain went in overdrive trying to get a perfect comeback to her last statement. Just as he was about to reply, she glared at him, "Don't even open your mouth, Huntzberger, I can tell where your brain went to now and I don't want to hear it."

"You sure about that, Ace?" He smirked at her while his friends snickered at their interaction.

"Positive," she deadpanned and looked at all of them, "Bye, boys, have fun tonight."

"Bye, Love. And remember us from time to time!" Finn exclaimed.

"Yeah, Reporter Girl, we expect you to join us sometime soon," Colin added.

"Bye, Ace," Logan smiled at her, "Have fun at your grandparents'."

Rory nodded and smiled at them, then turned and headed to her car. Logan watched her move away from them with a small smile on his lips. A first one since the LDB event. Maybe he could be friends with her? Couldn't he? If this encounter had told him anything it was that staying away from her won't be as easy as he had predicted. Especially not when his friends wanted to hang out with her. Moreover, because, if he were honest with himself, he wanted to hang out with her as well. Life was never boring when she was around. Complicated - yes, but never boring.

Shaking his head a bit from his thoughts, Logan looked at his friends to see them smirking at him, "You invited her to the party on purpose, didn't you?" He narrowed his eyes at them.

"Yeah, we want to hang out with her," Colin shrugged.

"And you obviously needed a little push in the right direction, mate," Finn added, grinning wickedly.

"Why do the two of you always have to butt-in in my life?" Logan groaned.

"Because you are your worst enemy, Huntz," Colin stated, "We're just trying to help you."

"Agreed," Finn nodded.

Rolling his eyes, Logan answered, "Just don't go getting any stupid ideas," he demanded but a smile was still playing on his lips, "Come on, let's go," he stated and moved in the direction they were heading before they met Rory, his two friends following him.

---

The next time he sees her is on Tuesday evening, night actually, while he was on his way to his dorm from the pub. Logan was still trying to convince himself during the weekend that he can stay away from her and continued with the partying but he just wasn't enjoying it as much as he used to, as much as he had hoped he would. Tonight, after the third bimbo tried to hit on him, he just had enough of it, got up and decided to go back to his room and read a book.

So, here he was now, watching her exiting the library with her bag slung on her shoulder and a pile of books in her arms. The pile, of course, so high that she barely saw over it. Chuckling slightly at this sight, he made his way to her and picked up the books from her arms without previously greeting her.

She stilled at the movement and looked up at him confusedly, making him chuckle even more. "What are you doing?" Rory demanded.

"You looked like you were going to fall over under all these books, I had to offer my services," Logan grinned at her, "Hey, Ace."

"Hey," she glared at him, "Thanks, but you really don't need to help me, I've been carrying them around the whole day."

"Now, what kind of a gentleman would I be if I see you carrying such a heavy burden and don't offer my help?" He inquired with a cocked eyebrow and then frowned, "And also, letting you walk home alone during the night."

It had just dawned on him that it was well past 10 PM and that she was making her way through the campus alone. She really shouldn't be doing that and he really wasn't pleased with her doing that. It's not safe. Not safe at all.

Rory groaned, "Not this again! I've been walking alone to my room all the time after the library closes for the night!"

He frowned, even more displeased by her statement. Something new to him.

Where was this protectiveness coming from?!

"You really shouldn't be doing that, you know?" He frowned at her.

"Ugh, nothing will happen to me. I always carry a mace in my bag, you know?" She countered.

"Good. But it's no use if you don't use it! You should have used it now!" I mean, really, Logan thought to himself, how could she be so easy going with her safety?

"Really? You want me to have used it on you?" She asked perplexedly but with an amused grin.

"You should have!" He exclaimed, getting more and more irritated by her obliviousness to what could happen to her.

Her grin got even bigger, "I mean, I can still use it if you insist…"

Seeing that he wasn't getting to her, he answered, "Not the point, Ace. You shouldn't be walking around alone at night."

Rory eyed him for a moment with a frown, "But I always do it! Am I supposed to spend my nights in the library after closing time just so that I don't walk home alone?!" She demanded.

"No, of course not," he shook his head, trying to explain to her the seriousness of her actions, "But you can plan not to be there until the closing time. Or to go back home with someone at least a part of the way."

"Now that's just ridiculous!" She exclaimed, "I'm not five, you know?"

"No one said that you were five!" He reasoned, seeing that she was blowing this out of proportions.

"I can take care of myself, you know? I've always been taking care of myself," she sighed and continued softly, "I know that it's not smart to walk alone late at night but I have no other options. And I'm always careful and always take roads which are busier, okay?"

Logan sighed, still not completely satisfied with her answer but seeing that he wasn't going to change her mind easily. Before his brain registered what he was doing, he offered, "You can always call me if you need to go home this late at night."

Where the hell did that come from?!

So much about staying away…

She eyed him suspiciously and then nodded, "Thank you. Even though I don't see it as necessary, I might take you up on your offer sometime," she smiled at him.

"Good, you do that," he smiled back at her, satisfied with her answer. Sure, he was aware that chances of her taking him up on the offer were next to zero, but he would be worrying about that at some later point.

"Now, if you don't mind, I want to get back to my dorm and order something to eat, I haven't eaten the whole day," she said and reached for her books in his arms.

He swiftly moved away, not letting her take the books, "You haven't eaten the whole day?" He eyed her suspiciously.

"No, I was swamped with work today, I couldn't catch a minute to eat something. I'm starving."

"That's not healthy, you know?"

"What is it with you tonight?" She exclaimed, getting annoyed with all his comments, "Did you suddenly decide to criticise all my habits?"

"Well, when the habits are bad…" he shrugged, completely aware that he was annoying her now. He just loved getting her all riled up.

She scoffed, "You're impossible."

"Glad you're catching on," he grinned, "Come on, I'll take you to get something to eat," he declared and moved in the direction of the pub, knowing that it was the closest option and it was the best food they could get on the campus.

"Logan, no, you don't have to do that," Rory tried to protest, "Just go back to what you were doing before and I'll head home just as I had planned."

But Logan was not having it, "No way, Ace. It will take another hour until you get back to your room and order something and the pub is just around the corner. Doesn't it make more sense?"

Rory shrugged, looking thoughtfully at him, "I suppose you're right…"

"Excuse me?" He grinned wickedly at her, "What did you just say?"

Narrowing her eyes at him, "Ugh… should not have said that," she mumbled.

"Did you just admit that I was right?" He goaded her even further.

She glared at him, throwing daggers with her eyes, "Don't make me regret this."

"Never," he winked at her, enjoying seeing her all flustered, "Let's go," he motioned towards the bar and waited a moment to see her walking beside him, making him smile. Maybe this evening won't end up being as bad as he had thought it would.

They made their way quickly to the pub, he manoeuvred the books in his arms swiftly to open the door for her. Entering the pub, he scanned the crowds to see if Colin and Finn were still where he had left them earlier and they were. Thank God, they were still alone. He wasn't in the mood for some more bimbos tonight.

Putting his hand on the small of her back, the jolt again surging through his whole body, making him remember the LDB event, he shook his head slightly and steered her towards his friends.

She noticed Finn and Colin and smiled blindingly at them, "Hello there, boys."

Looking up confusedly to her, Finn grinned, "Well, well, well, look what the tide brought in!" He jumped up and enveloped her in a bear hug, "And I was afraid that this night would end up being extremely boring, especially when our mate here left us alone," he pointed to glaring Logan.

Colin grinned at Logan's glare towards Finn and then turned to Rory, "So, what brings you here?"

Rory smiled at them, "I was promised food, I couldn't say no, could I?"

Eyeing Logan amusedly, Colin nodded, "No, you sure couldn't."

"Let's sit, Ace," Logan motioned to the part of the booth opposite from his friends, putting down the books he was carrying and sliding in the booth after her, "What would you like to eat?"

Rory's eyes lighted up excitedly, "I could go for a burger. Oh and cheesy fries! And guacamole!" She added excitedly, tapping Logan's arm with her hand.

"I thought you didn't eat any green foods?" He asked her amusedly.

She rolled her eyes, "It's guacamole, it doesn't count."

"Oh yeah? Why not?"

"It speaks to my soul," she deadpanned.

"Alright then, fair lady, your food will be with you shortly," he grinned amusedly, "What would you like to drink?"

Rory thought for a moment, "Just a soda, please."

Nodding, Logan got up and went to the bar to order for her. Making his way back a couple of minutes after, he heard Colin say, "There's no way you can eat all that."

"Pif, that's nothing… I usually go to four Thanksgiving dinners and it is bad mannered to leave your plate full, isn't it? So you can imagine where I'm leading with this…"

"No way! Look at you, how could you eat that much?!"

"It's the Gilmore metabolism, what can I say," she shrugged.

Logan sat back next to her and gave her her soda, "They'll bring your food in a couple of minutes."

"Thanks," she smiled and drank a bit of her soda.

"So," Finn piped in, eyeing Logan amusedly, "Where did you stumble into our favourite reporter here?"

Rolling his eyes at his Aussie friend, knowing fully well what he was insinuating to, Logan sighed, "I saw her carrying the library's worth of books while heading home from the library so I offered my services."

"Aha, that explains the books that you brought back with you. I was worried there for a second that you went back to your dorm to do some reading," Finn exhaled with relief.

Rory laughed at Finn's antics, "You really have an aversion towards anything connected to school, don't you?"

"A guy has to have priorities," Finn stated confidently.

"And our dear Finn's priorities are obviously everything except school," Colin patted him on the back.

"How do you pass your exams?" Rory frowned.

Logan groaned, "Ugh, don't ask."

"We have to keep him motivated and locked in library or his room in the time for the exams, to make him study," Colin explained, "A word of advice, stay away from him during exam periods. You don't want to experience cranky Finn."

"So you don't like studying?" Rory tried to clarify with a frown on her forehead. Logan eyed her amusedly, seeing as she couldn't understand why somebody would not like studying. Crazy girl. Well, Logan did like to study but he also liked to have fun. And having fun always one-upped studying. However, he always made sure that he was on top of his schoolwork.

"It's not that I don't like studying," Finn said, "I just like partying more. We all do."

"Again, you are a weird bunch."

"Come on, Love, you can't tell me that you like studying more than having fun?" Finn exclaimed disbelievingly.

"I have fun while studying," Rory stated confidently.

Logan laughed at her statement, "I'm sure you do, Ace."

She glared at him, "Are you mocking me?"

"Me? I would never!" He feigned innocence at her accusation.

"Hope so…" she grumbled just as her food got delivered. Her eyes lighting up, she started to eat.

The boys observed her with amazement. Colin and Finn with amazement that she could eat that much, Logan with amazement about how she was enjoying each bite she took. Just as she had done on their date during the LDB event. Mesmerising, she was mesmerising.

Wanting to annoy her a bit more, he did something that his whole brain was screaming at him not to do - he reached out and took a fry from her plate, throwing it smoothly in his mouth. Just as he swallowed it, she slowly turned and glared at him, "Did you just…?" She sputtered.

"What?" He gave her his best innocent look.

"You took my fry!" She exclaimed. The boys started laughing at her bewilderment and Logan's faked innocence.

"No… I have no idea what you're talking about," he did his best to keep a straight face but a smirk was about to appear. He was thoroughly amused by her reaction.

"Huntzberger!" She hissed.

"Gilmore!" He imitated her.

"Is it your life's mission to get on my nerves? Seriously, why would you do that?!"

"Uh oh, someone's in trouble," Colin said under his breath, making Finn snicker with him.

Logan glared at his friends, who were obviously not helping him here. Not at all. Thinking quickly how to get back into her good graces, Logan smirked his best smirk, "I told you, angry works for you."

Rory blushed slightly but then scoffed, "You'll get to experience the whole wrath if you don't knock it off!"

"Duly noted," he nodded, still smirking at her.

She rolled her eyes at him and continued eating. Finn perked up, remembering the upcoming party, "Love! It's actually good that you're here, now I don't have to look for you around the campus!"

Rory eyed him confusedly, "Why would you be looking for me?"

Logan and Colin looked at Finn as well, not understanding what he was talking about. Finn grinned, "There's an LDB party this Friday, seeing as you're a member now, you have to join us!"

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

Logan hasn't yet explained to her that she had accidentally become a member. He could only imagine what comments are about to follow. To be fair, he did deliver all of the things but he was avoiding her for a week which meant that he didn't get a chance to explain the mask and the bottle of champagne.

"I'm a what?!" Rory exclaimed, glaring at Finn and Colin, then turning to Logan, "Care to elaborate? How in the hell did I become a member even though I never applied for any membership?"

Colin frowned at her question, then turned his gaze to Logan, "You haven't told her?"

Shaking his head, Logan explained, "I left the things for her but I didn't get the chance to explain what they meant," he said simply, hoping that his friends won't knock his head off. They knew that he was avoiding her, hopefully they won't bring up anything connected with that now in front of her.

"Excuse me, guys?" Rory piped in, "Could somebody please explain to me how I became a member of a super secret society without even being aware of it?"

Logan sighed and turned to look at her, "The gorilla mask and the champagne bottle are what we give to new members. Gorilla mask as something you'll need in the future and the champagne bottle as a souvenir from the event at which you joined the Brigade."

"It still doesn't explain why I'm suddenly a member! Geez, I wasn't even asked if I wanted to join!" She glared at him.

"As you already know, you are a legacy. And you participated in the stunt during the event, which is one of the conditions to become a member. Therefore - you're a member now," Logan explained.

She glared at him with narrowed eyes, "Did you make me jump only so that I could become a member?!"

"No! And I didn't make you jump!"

"Funny, I remember some blonde persistent guy convincing me to jump off a seven story scaffold!"

"True," he admitted, "But it wasn't because of the membership. Nor did I force you to do it, you know that, right?" He asked softly, not wanting her to think that he did it on purpose. He would never make her do something that she wasn't comfortable with.

"I know…" she stated softly, gazing at his eyes, "But still, how did I end up being a member then?"

Colin decided to clarify the situation, "It was actually Finn and me. It dawned on us that you had done the stunt and you were already a legacy so it was a logical next step."

"And you couldn't have talked to me about it?" She asked, frowning, "What if I don't want to be a member?"

"Why wouldn't you want to be a member?" Finn asked confusedly.

"Yeah, why not? You're a part of it anyways, even just by your last name," Colin tried to reason.

Logan could see by her shifting that she was uncomfortable by these questions and he thought that he had a pretty good idea why. But it still didn't make sense. She did belong into this world, she should be honoured to be a member of the Brigade.

"I'm not…" Rory tried to explain, "I'm not a part of this world."

"But you are a Gilmore," Finn frowned.

"It's just my last name, I wasn't raised in this world. There's no need for me to be in the Brigade."

"Oh, come on, Ace!" Logan decided to pipe in, at least to figure out why she was so hesitant, "You went to Chilton, graduated valedictorian. You were a deb! You're attending Yale and living in the ground floor apartment at Branford. Based only on these facts, even you have to see that you belong in this world."

She looked him straight in the eyes and he could se so many emotions run through hers. Among them - pain. And some other emotions he didn't want to make her feel.

Shit.

Shaking her head slightly and gazing down to her hands, she whispered softly, "You have no idea what you're talking about." She gazed back up at him with hurt and confusion in her eyes.

Shit, shit, shit.

Logan felt terrible after seeing that look in her eyes and quickly gazed at his friends to see them frowning in confusion as well. But also in worry. They have obviously touched an extremely sensitive topic with her. He reached out to take her hand into his under the table and squeezed it gently, "I'm sorry, Ace, I didn't mean to make you upset."

She looked at him again and put on a brave smile, "It's okay, you couldn't understand anyways."

Frowning, Logan had to ask, "You can try and explain to us, Ace," he gave her a reassuring smile and another gentle squeeze of his hand.

"There's nothing to explain," she sighed, "Just because I have a Society last name doesn't mean I have been brought up the same way as you guys did. It doesn't mean much to me, to be honest. I'm grateful to have grandparents who can afford to get me into the best schools but that is as far as my appreciation for High Society goes these days."

The boys shared a look at her statement, trying to figure out what to say next. It seemed that there was a lot about her that they didn't know.

"But you spend time with your grandparents, don't you? You mentioned the Friday Night Dinners that you have with them. And we met you at an event at their house. It seems that you are partly invested in that life, doesn't it?" Colin inquired something what was on Logan's mind as well but Logan cringed at his tone. Colin really should get the stick out of his ass sometimes.

"It's complicated," she shook her head and continued, "It's all part of our agreement."

Agreement?

"What agreement?" Finn asked with a furrowed brow, voicing Logan's thoughts as well.

Rory sighed, seeing that she wasn't getting out of this conversation easily, "They pay for my education and I spend Friday Night Dinners with them. They also rope me into some events from time to time but I do my best to avoid them at all cost."

What?! Could Richard and Emily be blackmailing her?!

"So, your grandparents are actually blackmailing you?" Colin tried to clarify.

"No!" She exclaimed, "I know it seems that way, but I really do love them and spending time with them. I don't particularly enjoy any Society events, but I do them for their sake. Other than that, I am grateful to have grandparents like them."

Huh.

"So why the obligation of the dinners then?" Logan asked, searching for some clarity.

Hurt flittered through her eyes again, she breathed in deeply and then answered, "I haven't seen much of them until I got into Chilton and needed their help. I used to see them only for holidays for a couple of years before that but I don't remember them from earlier than that."

Huh. How could she not remember them? Did they not know her when she was a kid?

"How so?" Finn asked.

"It's complicated…" she sighed and gazed seriously at all of them, "Can we please just drop this subject now? I need to get going, I have more studying to do tonight."

Logan was about to protest but then realised that it wouldn't make any sense in doing so. Obviously this topic was extremely hard on her and he wanted her to feel comfortable with them. With him. He smiled softly at her again and squeezed her hand reassuringly, "Okay, Ace, we can go," he nodded and motioned for the waiter. Thinking for a second if he should continue, he decided to do so and spoke up, "You know you can talk to us, right?"

She observed him for a few beats and then nodded, "Yeah, thanks." She took her hand from his under the table and brought it up to retrieve the wallet from her purse.

Noticing what she was about to do, Logan tapped lightly on her hand with his fingertips, "Not a chance, Ace."

"Logan, no. I can pay for my own meal," she stated determinedly.

"Doesn't matter, I invited you and it's my treat. Or do we have to have a gentlemanly conversation again already?" He cocked an eyebrow.

Frowning, she answered, "No, we don't, but you really don't need to pay."

"I know, but I want to," he stated flatly, not wanting to discuss this anymore.

She looked at him and shifted uncomfortably but then nodded, "Okay. Thank you," she smiled hesitantly.

"Anytime, Ace," he smiled back at her and got up to go take care of the bill. He wondered why she was so uncomfortable by him paying for her meal. Then, when he thought a bit more about it, he realised that she had always been a bit hesitant when he bought her coffee. At least in the times when he had convinced her to let him pay. She usually insisted on footing her own bill.

Interesting girl.

When he got back, she had already collected her things and was in a discussion with Finn and Colin. "Finny, really, if you haven't already met the redhead of your life tonight, I think it's safe to say that you won't be getting lucky tonight anymore," she rolled her eyes at him.

"You never know, darling! Maybe she stumbles in just during the closing round and falls for my exotic charms!" Finn defended his staying in the pub until closing time.

"There's no way on fighting him about this, right?" She looked between Logan and Colin who snickered at her question.

"Total waste of time and energy, if you ask me," Colin stated.

"Poor Finny, delusion will get to you one day, you know?" She asked mockingly at the glaring Australian.

"Oh, it has already, trust me," Logan chuckled.

Finn glared at both of them now, "You're hilarious, people, hilarious! We'll see who'll be the last one laughing when I find the redhead of my dreams!"

Colin groaned at his exotic friend, knowing fully well that he could easily go into one of his tirades about dreamy redheads now and then looked at Logan who had picked up Rory's books, "You lucky bastard! How do I always end up being the one taking care of him?!"

Logan chuckled again and grinned wickedly, "Bad luck, Col."

"I swear to you, I'm one crazy Aussie idea away from leaving him with you for a full week and going to Europe."

"Col, ease up with the drama. And you know he would follow you if you would go to Europe," Logan stated.

"Thanks, mates, for all your support," Finn glared at them, "At least this Love here is on my side, right?"

"Oh, no! Don't suck me into this weird thing the three of you have going on!" Rory exclaimed with mock outrage.

Laughing at her statement, Logan motioned towards the exit, "Let's go."

Nodding, she turned to the boys, "Bye boys, remember to use your heads."

"Oh we always do, Love, but I think you weren't talking about the same head, were you?"

Staring blankly at them while they snickered, she groaned, "For the love of… I walked directly into that one, didn't I?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Love. I was talking about the heads on our shoulders," Finn smirked at her.

Perplexed, Rory huffed, turned on her heels and made her way out of the pub, followed by laughter from all three boys. Logan quickly made his way behind her and was still laughing when he caught up with her.

She glared at him, "I don't want to hear it."

"I wasn't going to say anything," Logan was trying to catch his breath from laughing so much.

Glaring at him for a moment more, she headed in the direction of her dorm with him catching up with her quickly. They made their way to her dorm fairly quickly and mostly in silence, occasionally commenting about some irrelevant topics.

Stopping in front of her door, she took the books from Logan's arms and smiled at him, "Thanks for tonight."

"No problem, Ace," he smiled back and sighed, "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable with the talk about your grandparents, I didn't know it was such a sensitive topic. And I'm sorry for not letting you know about the LDB."

Rory smiled reassuringly at him, "It's okay, you couldn't have known. And about the Brigade - can I think about it?"

Happy that she was considering really participating in the LDB, Logan nodded encouragingly, "Sure, take your time," he smiled again at her, "Good night, Ace."

"Good night," she smiled and entered her room, leaving him again alone in the Branford hallway.

Making his way towards his dorm, his mind landed on many various conclusions. One of them being that, after all, maybe he could be a friend with her. There was no point of avoiding her because he was obviously going to be running into her fairly often. And also his friends have taken a liking to her, wanting to hang out with her as well. Another important thing that crossed his mind was that he had to find out more about her childhood. He knew that she was raised out of Hartford's High Society, but he hadn't realised before that her aversion towards it was so strong. He could understand her, he also held aversion towards the Society, but he still lived in it. It wasn't so easy to get out of it. And, yeah, he did enjoy some of the perks of it. But he should really make a point of getting to know more about her life as a kid and be more careful with what he says around her in the future.

Smiling inwardly, he thought that this evening has not ended up being as bad as he had thought it would.

---

"Let the partying commence!" Finn exclaimed cheerfully when he barged into Logan's room, carrying a bottle of scotch in each hand.

"Finn!" Logan hissed, wrapped only in a towel as he had just taken a shower, "How many times do I have to tell you that you can't just enter my room without knocking?!" He exclaimed, "What if I had been with someone here?"

His Australian friend scoffed as he catapulted himself on Logan's bed, "Please, mate, you haven't bedded anyone in more than a week," he narrowed his eyes at him, "But that's a whole another problem. And it wouldn't be the first time that I would have walked in on you while in bed with some tipsy blonde."

"Would you just get off my bed?!" Logan glared at him.

"And why would I do that?"

"Finn!" Logan hissed.

"You need to get ready, we have to leave in half an hour," Finn stated non-repulsedly, opened one of the bottles and took a sip of the drink while making himself comfortable against the headboard of the bed.

"I was getting ready until you barged in here!" Logan exclaimed while collecting his clothes for the night but then frowned and turned to Finn, "And why do we have to leave in half an hour? The pre-party is in an hour."

"We have to pick up your Ace, of course," Finn stated off-handedly, like it was the most common thing.

Logan glared at him with even more force, "Don't call her that!"

Finn let out a bark of laughter at his friend's reaction, "Oh, mate, you're just too much."

"Finn!" Logan hissed again, "And what do you mean we have to pick her up?" He asked confusedly.

"I invited her to the party the other day when you brought her to the pub," Finn frowned, "She is an LDB member now, she should be there."

"She didn't confirm that she would come, Finn," Logan sighed.

"What?!"

"She said that she needs to think about being a member…" Logan explained, seeing that Finn has no recollection of that part of the evening, "Don't you remember that?"

"No, honestly, I thought that she had agreed on coming with us today."

"Your memory fascinates me…" Logan chuckled, "Don't you remember that she said that she doesn't belong in this world, that the LDB isn't for her?"

"Now when you say it like that, it does ring a bell," Finn frowned and scratched his temple.

"Great, now you know that she won't be joining us tonight. And she also has those Friday Night Dinners…"

Finn looked thoughtfully at Logan, as he was suddenly remembering everything and suddenly perked up after a few minutes, sitting straight up, "We need to go!"

"What? Why? Where?" Logan stared at his friend.

"Well we have to invite her again!" Finn explained, "She'll probably be heading to the parking lot at the Sterling Library soon if she's heading to Hartford, we can catch her there!"

"Finn," Logan sighed, "She's going to her dinner. She won't be going out with us tonight."

"She can join us when she comes back," Finn raised his eyebrows, "Are you coming or not?"

Logan looked at his crazy friend and saw that he wasn't getting out of this easily. And he did want to see her again. He hasn't talked to her since Tuesday since she had made herself scarce, probably studying all the time. Also, her LDB article was published today and he wanted to congratulate her on it. She had kept her side of the deal and written a marvellous article. He could easily say that it was one of the best articles he had ever read - perfectly painting the mystery behind a secret society.

Nodding lightly, he answered, "Yeah, just give me five minutes to get dressed."

"Hallelujah!" Finn exclaimed, "I thought that you would again refuse with that harebrained idea of avoiding her again!"

Rolling his eyes, Logan said, "Would you just leave me alone for five minutes? Besides, where is Colin?"

Finn's eyes widened in realisation, "Bollocks! I was supposed to wait for him! Now he'll be all cranky, you know him…"

Logan answered laughingly, "Then go get him before he gets all tight up!"

"Aye, aye!" Finn mock saluted and stormed off to get Colin.

---

True to Finn's predictions, they saw Rory beelining for the coffee cart in front of the Sterling Memorial Library on her way to the parking lot just a bit after 6 PM. They got there a couple of minutes before her and got themselves some coffee as well. As soon as Logan saw her, his breath hitched. She was wearing a dark blue knee length dress that perfectly hugged her curves, a fitted leather jacket and lower height stilettos. Her long wavy hair was perfectly imperfect due to the soft autumnal breeze and her eyes were shining with happiness. He got the sudden urge to find out what made her happy.

At the moment Finn spotted her, he galloped excitedly towards her and, of course, scared her when he abruptly stopped next to her and exclaimed, "Love!"

"Geez, Finn, give a girl a warning!" Rory exclaimed a bit spooked but with a smile on her face.

Making their way to them, Logan and Colin stopped next to Finn, both laughing at the situation. "Sorry, we let Finn off his leash today," Colin grumbled and glared at his friend.

"I can see," she chuckled and eyed all of them, "So, what are you Stooges doing at this part of the campus on a Friday evening? Can't imagine any raging parties happening in these realms…" she mused.

"We are here looking for you, Love, of course!"

"Oh really? Little ole me? To what do I owe this pleasure?" She asked with an amused grin.

Logan smiled at her, "Hey, Ace," and patted Finn on the back, "Our dear friend here didn't believe us that you haven't given us an answer for tonight's party so he had to come and double-check it."

"What party?" She asked with a frown.

"The LDB party, Love!" Finn exclaimed like it was the most obvious thing.

"Aha, that party!" She finally understood what they were talking about but shook her head, "Sorry, boys, but no can do."

"Why not?" Finn whined.

"Great, now we have a whining Finn, thanks Reporter Girl," Colin grumbled but he still had a smile on his face.

"I'm off to my family dinner now, Finny, you know that," she stated and took a sip of her coffee, her face a picture of pure content.

"But you can join us later when you're back!"

Just as she was about to answer, Logan piped in, "Finn's right, Ace, you can join us when you get back later tonight," he smiled at her, realising that he really wanted her to join them and enjoy some carefree partying, "And I know that you still haven't made the decision about really joining the Brigade, but it doesn't matter. Tonight's party is more mellow, also with outsiders."

"If I were coming back tonight, I would probably come," she explained, "But I'm coming back on Sunday or Monday."

Logan frowned, "Where are you going?"

She looked amusedly at him and shrugged, "I'm going home for the weekend."

"Home?" Colin asked confusedly.

"Yeah, Stars Hollow," she nodded proudly with a spark in her eyes.

"Stars-what now?" Colin asked with a deeper frown than before, looking almost as confused as Finn. Logan observed his two best friends and realised that they probably didn't have a clue where she was from. He just hoped that Colin wouldn't say anything inappropriate. He really did love Colin like a brother, but he could be a snob in some occasions.

Fortunately, she just chuckled at him, "Stars Hollow. It's halfway between Hartford and New Haven, it's where I grew up," she explained further.

"But why do you need to stay all weekend?" Finn whined again.

She smiled secretively, what Logan definitely didn't miss, making him wonder what she was about to say. "I have some occasions to be at home for this weekend. What does it matter anyways when the party is tonight?" She asked with a frown.

"Ah, Ace, Finn parties through the weekend," Logan amusedly explained, "We all do so we were hoping you would join us."

"Sorry, I really can't this time," she sighed, "But let me know a bit more in advance the next time and I'll see what I can do."

Finn perked up at her proposition and Logan grinned, "You got yourself a deal, Ace."

"Great! I will make Colin write you a list of all upcoming parties," Finn started plotting.

"A list?!" She exclaimed, "What do you mean a list? Now, don't get me wrong, I do love lists, but I don't have time for a list full of parties."

Logan laughed at her comment, "I'm sorry, did you just say that you love lists?"

Rory blushed at his question and diverted her eyes away from him, "Not important now," she mumbled.

"Ohhh, you do love lists!" Logan mused with a smirk, seeing that he was goading her.

She glared at him, still blushing, "Yeah, okay? Yeah, I love lists! My whole life is in lists! I'm a list freak!" She exclaimed exasperatedly and her eyes widened as she realised what she said so she looked away again.

All boys laughed at her little rant, "And why does that not surprise me one bit, Ace?" Logan mused again.

Glaring at him again, she asked, "Are you mocking me? Again?!"

"Never!" Logan exclaimed with a mock outraged voice and winked at her.

Rory huffed at his answer and finished her coffee, throwing the cup away. "As fun as this has been, boys, I do need to get going."

"Come on, we'll walk you to your car," Logan offered.

"No need," she smiled and looked past Logan, "My ride has just arrived."

Her ride?

Logan wondered what she was talking about and turned at the same time as his friends did to see a man wearing a helmet on a red bike at the curb of the parking lot.

Who is that?

Whistling lowly, Finn stated, "That's a nice bike."

"Yeah," Rory piped in, surprising everyone, "It's a 2000 Indian."

While Logan looked at her in shock, Finn said, "I'd never take you for a bike kind of sheila."

"Yeah, Ace, next thing you know and you'll be telling us you're riding one yourself," Logan smirked at her, trying to get some clarity. He was mostly bothered by the guy on the bike.

Did she have a boyfriend?

No, it couldn't be, could it? Girls who are in a relationship usually give out those vibes, right? And she would have probably called him when they were on their way to the LDB event two weeks ago, right? Or maybe he was some punk that didn't care where she was. God, he hoped not.

Rory chuckled at his question and shook her head, "No, I have never driven it by myself. Maybe I will one day, who knows," she stated with a gleam in her eyes that suddenly made Logan's pants a bit tighter as he pictured her on the bike.

"Listen, I gotta go now, I'll see you guys when I'm back," she gave them a small wave and made her way to the guy on the bike.

"Don't forget about us, Love, we want to party with you!" Finn called desperately after her.

Logan watched as she approached the guy and hugged him affectionately. Unfortunately, he couldn't see the guys face, only his eyes, since he still had a helmet on. He gave her a helmet as well and she put it on while animatedly talking to the guy. Logan was aware that his friends were watching the guy and him as well, waiting for some kind of a reaction.

Who is this guy?!

As soon as Logan was about to say to his friends that they should get going - he didn't want to see his Ace with some other guy, Rory spun around and made her way back to them, "Hey, guys, does your offer for partying with me still stand?"

Finn got excited, "Of course, Love! Does that mean that you'll be joining us tonight?"

Logan got excited at the prospect of actually having her around tonight but he suspected that she still won't be coming back today. Bummer.

"No, Finny, I'm still staying home tonight," she explained and started fumbling with her sleeves as she was nervous, "That's actually what I wanted to ask you about…" she spoke quietly and blushed a little, making Logan intrigued about what she was about to ask them, "You see… we are having a party at my house tomorrow evening… and I was wondering… if you'd maybe like to come?" She looked hopefully at them, trying to gauge their reaction, "I mean, I know it's not your usual scene and I'd completely understand if you don't want to come but I just wanted to ask you since you have been inviting me to other things as well…"

Logan chuckled at her rant and gently reached out to squeeze her arm, "You're rambling, Ace…"

She blushed profusely, even so that that was visible through the opened part of the helmet, "Oh, geez, I know, I'm such a spazz…" she groaned.

Sharing a look with his friends to confirm their plans and seeing excited grins, Logan was happy to accept her invitation, "You're not a spazz, Ace," he laughed softly, "And we'd like to come."

"Really?" She asked excitedly.

"Always, Love, you don't have to ask us twice!"

"Yeah, we'd love to come," even Colin smiled at her, even though he was aware that this won't be like any other parties that he usually attends.

"What is the party for?" Logan asked, realising that she didn't explain that part.

Rory smiled brightly, "Oh, it's my birthday tomorrow and we always do a huge blow out for birthdays!"

Birthday?

"Then by all means, Ace, we'll be there for the special occasion," Logan smirked at her.

"I love birthdays!" Finn exclaimed.

"So, Rory, how do we get there?" Colin - ever the planner - had to make sure he had all the details.

"It's easy, just take the highway to Stars Hollow and enter the town. When you reach the rooster, turn left and follow the road, you won't miss it," she made a movement with her hand as she was explaining the easiest thing ever.

"Rooster?" Colin asked with a frown.

"Yeah, it's an orientation mark in the Hollow," she stated and smiled mischievously, "Just turn left there and you won't miss it, trust me," she added with an excited gleam in her eyes, "My best friend's band will be playing and it'll be loads of fun, trust me."

"Oh, we trust you, Ace," Logan winked at her, enjoying her excitement, "When should we be there tomorrow?"

"Uhm, early evening? Does that work for you?"

"Perfect, Finn won't be groggy when we'll be driving there," Colin sighed with relief and deserved himself a light upward slap on the back of his head from Finn.

"Ouch!" Colin exclaimed, "What's the matter with you?"

"You know I'm a night bird, would you just leave me alone about it already?!" Finn glared at his friend.

"Oh, knock it off, you two!" Logan has had enough of his friends' constant bickering about the same topics. He turned to Rory, "We'll be there, thanks for inviting us," he smiled affectionately towards her, hoping that she would be able to read the gratefulness behind his smile.

"Anytime," she grinned, "But I have to get going now. No one leaves Emily Gilmore waiting. See you tomorrow!"

"See you!" All the boys greeted her back as she made her way to the guy on the bike.

They watched her climb on the bike and envelop the guy in front of her with her arms as they drove away.

"So, who's that?" Colin voiced Logan's thoughts.

"No idea," Logan grumbled, urging himself to stop the uneasy feeling in the bottom of his stomach. Looking up at his friends, he was met with two large smirks, "What?"

"Nothing, nothing…" Finn raised his hands in the notion of faked innocence, "You're just too easy."

"What do you mean easy?" He glared at him.

Colin piped in, "You're jealous," he stated it like it was a fact.

"You're delusional!" Logan exclaimed and let out a bark of laughter.

Jealous?!

Ha!

Like that would ever happen!

Logan didn't do jealous. He had everything he could ever want, what would he be jealous about? He was starting to worry that his friends have finally gone completely off kilter.

"No, you are," Colin looked pointedly at him, making Finn nodding in agreement.

"You two are crazy," Logan shook his head disbelievingly at his friends who shared a look. Logan was slowly starting to get tired of those looks they have been sharing since they have met Rory. Would they ever just leave him alone?

Eager to avoid the comments that he was bound to get from his best friends, Logan decided to change the subject, "So, we're going to Stars Hollow tomorrow," he stated and started making his way towards the pre-party, followed by his friends who fortunately decided to drop the subject of his alleged jealousy.

Finn perked up again, "Yeah! We need to get her a present!"

"That won't be a usual party like we're used to, right?" Colin frowned.

"No, Col, it won't be…" Logan sighed, "You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"I'm going, I'm going…" Colin stated and launched himself into a tirade, "I'm just not sure what to expect. What should I wear? What should we bring? How do we get there? There's a process to be handled with these things and we have less than a day!"

Finn grumbled at his friend, "The stick… again so high up his ass…" he shook his head.

"Col, everything is a process with you…" Logan rolled his eyes, "Don't worry, we'll take care of everything, we have enough time tomorrow."

"But we need a gift!" Finn reminded them.

"And we'll think of something," Logan stated slowly before Finn's mind spirals out of control with ideas.

"What does she like?" Colin asked, now also ready to discuss gifts while they were on their way to the party.

Logan thought for a moment, "Coffee or books would be a safe bet if you ask me," he offered and started thinking about what he could get her. If he were honest with himself, he did want to give her something meaningful, but for the life of him he didn't know what. Or why.

"We can get her a coffee cart!" Finn exclaimed.

"A life supply worth of coffee!" Colin added.

"A bookstore!"

"A library!"

"A set of first edition classics!"

"A box of Sheridan - she liked that, right?"

"Boys! Stop!" Logan laughed at his overly excited friends, "I think you need to take it down a notch… I don't think she would appreciate any extravagant gifts, you know?"

"Why not?" Colin frowned.

"She's… she's not comfortable with money… I still don't understand it, but she really did grow up differently than we did. She is different." And he was painfully aware that she was different. Different from anyone he had ever met before, different in all aspects imaginable.

"It still doesn't mean that we can't get her a gift, right?" Finn wanted to make sure.

"We'll get her a gift, we just have to make sure that it's not anything extravagant. I don't think she would appreciate us spending a lot on her," Logan explained.

Finn and Colin nodded in understanding, "So, what are we going to get her?" Colin asked with a frown.

Shrugging, Logan answered, "We'll think of something tomorrow," he looked pointedly at his friends, "Now, can we get to the party already?"

---

After deciding that he would be the designated driver for their outing to Stars Hollow tonight, Logan had to go and pick up his Range Rover from his parents' house in Hartford. Something he really didn't want to, for there was a chance that they would be there but nevertheless had to do. Pulling up the driveway of a mansion he affectionately called Hell, he saw his sister's car parked there as well. He was happy that he was going to see her, since he hasn't seen her since she paid off the Indonesian coast guard after the yacht incident.

Just as he got out of his Porsche, Honor got out of the house carrying a box, "Honor!" He called her excitedly.

"Logan?!" She exclaimed surprisedly and moved towards him, "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to pick up the Rover," he said and watched his sister put the box on the ground and launch herself toward him for a bone-crushing hug.

"It's so good to see you," she sighed while still embracing him.

"You too, sis," he let go off the embrace and asked, "What are you doing here?" He glanced at the house, "And are they here?"

Honor chuckled, "Of course they're not here," she rolled her eyes, "Do you really think I would come here on my own free will if they were here?"

"True," he chuckled, "So, why are you here?" He looked at the box next to them on the ground.

"I just wanted to pick up some things for our New York apartment that I left here," she explained, "What do you need the Rover for?"

"Oh, we're going to a party tonight and I get to be the designated driver," Logan explained and continued, "So, how's Josh?"

"Josh is great, the new apartment is amazing! You really should come by soon!" She stated excitedly and then frowned, "Why do you need a car for the party? Why don't you just call the car service? Especially if you'll be drinking," she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I won't be drinking a lot tonight, don't worry," Logan stated casually, "And I'll come visit you when I'm next in the City, I promise," he grinned at her.

He had thought about taking the car service before but concluded that it really would be for the best if he drove them tonight and took care of them. He knew that Finn wasn't easy to depend on not to drink and Colin will probably need a few drinks more to get through a night with a slightly uncommon group of people for them which meant that Logan should be the responsible one tonight. And if he were honest with himself, he was okay with it. He didn't want to disappoint Rory with their usual behaviour. He had seen last night that her inviting them wasn't easy on her and he was grateful that she gave them a chance. He didn't know why, but he wanted to prove her that not all Society is as stuffy and traditional and, most of all, spoiled as most of it was.

Honor's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets, "You? Going to a party and not drinking? What is happening with this world?" She mocked.

"Har bloody har," Logan rolled his eyes at his sister, "It's just a different party tonight, that's all," he shrugged and hoped that she won't be asking too many questions.

But, being his over the top sister, she surely had to inquire, "What do you mean different?"

"It's just… not our usual type of hanging out…" he tried to evasively explain but unfortunately with no success, as his sister got even more curious now.

"Okay, now I need to know - where are you going?"

Logan sighed, "Stars Hollow."

"Where?" Honor frowned with confusion.

"It's a small town between Hartford and New Haven."

"Geez, the LDB really started lacking since my time there," she laughed.

"It's not an LDB event, Hon," Logan rolled his eyes, "A friend of ours invited us to her birthday…"

"She invited you?" Honor wondered, emphasising the word 'she', "Since when do you have girls that are friends? And it can't be Stephanie since she always does everything extravagantly… so, who is it?"

"A girl that we met recently and been hanging out with," Logan stated with a small smile when thinking about Rory. God, what was that girl doing to him?

His sister glared at him curiously and he squirmed a little under her gaze, "Logan… do you like this girl?" She asked in confusion but with a smile on her lips, not believing her brother.

"We're just friends," Logan stated determinedly, not wanting to have this discussion with his sister.

"Are you sure about that?"

No, he wasn't sure. Which only meant even more problems.

But he wasn't going to admit that to his sister. Definitely not.

"Yeah," he sighed, "Just friends."

"If you say so," she said with a frown, understanding that he wasn't going to tell her anything more.

"Listen, Hon, I gotta go," Logan said, knowing that he still had a lot to do before tonight, "I'll see you for the torture called the Thanksgiving dinner, right?"

"Yeah, we'll be there," she groaned but then hugged him goodbye, "It was great seeing you, baby bro, we should meet more often."

"You too, Hon," he hugged her back then eased up and led her to her car, "Drive safe."

"I will," she stated as she got into the car, "And, Logan," she started and he looked at her, "There's nothing wrong with it if you like someone, you know that, right? And you can always talk to me if you need to, just remember that, okay?"

Logan eyed her for a second, aware that she sensed something, "There's nothing to talk about, Hon."

"If you like the girl, don't be too stubborn about it for too long. I know how defensive you get anytime any feelings are involved, you just look for a way out," she looked pointedly at him, "But, Logan, any girl would be honoured to be liked by you, you need to know that. And I know that you wouldn't like just any girl, so that must mean that this one is special."

He shook his head, "We're just friends. It would never work, I'm not that guy." Again, he was painfully aware that his Ace was special. How could he not be? That's one of the reasons that he had to stay clear of her. Even though he wanted her - so much. But maybe he could settle for her friendship.

"I know you, Logan, and you're running away from something. Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game," she smiled wistfully at him and pulled out of the driveway, leaving him with his thoughts.

Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game?

Could it be that easy? No, it couldn't. There's too much at risk here and he couldn't do it. Neither to himself, nor to Rory.

Still deep in his thoughts, he picked up his Rover and drove back to New Haven to get the present for Rory all sorted out.

---

True to Rory's instructions, it was fairly easy to find the party once they turned left at the rooster in Stars Hollow. Quickly after passing the rooster, they were driving through a narrowing street decorated with lanterns and approaching a one story house painted in light blue colour with a white porch. Logan parked the car at the beginning of the driveway, seeing that tables were set up in front of the house with people mingling around the lawn.

Pulling the keys out of the ignition, he jingled a bit with them, not knowing why. Colin snickered, "Are you nervous?"

Logan glared at his friend, "No! Why would I be nervous?"

Colin let a bark of laughter, "You're jingling with your keys. Jingling is a common way of showing nervousness, you know?"

"Ah, not so loud!" Finn exclaimed as he was woken up at the back seat from Colin's laughter, "What's happening? Where are we?" He said as he looked out the window.

"We're here, Finn, you slept through the whole drive…" Colin explained, "And our dear friend Huntz here is nervous. But for the life of me I can't understand why," he smirked and pointed to his blonde annoyed friend.

"I'm not nervous!"

Finn eyed him for a beat, "Oh, yeah, he is nervous! Do tell, mate, what's making you all jiggly this fine evening?"

Logan groaned, "For the last time - I am not nervous! Now, let's get this show on the road, huh?" He tried to get his friends' focus off of him, not wanting to admit that he was actually - nervous. This strange feeling had been following him since his talk with Honor earlier that day and was getting even worse while they were approaching their destination. He didn't know what to think of it, he had never been nervous about girls before. Never! But then, his Ace wasn't like any other girls he usually spent time with. On top of everything he was also nervous about how they were going to be accepted into this group of people. He could mingle with anybody but he was sure that they were not used to outsiders joining them. Also, calculating in Colin's possible snobbism or Finn's drunkenness - things could go really bad. The last thing he wanted was to make Rory feel uncomfortable with them.

And just like that all his usual suave Huntzberger finesse flew out the window.

Geez, what will he do with this girl?

"Sure you're not," Finn rolled his eyes, "You're fooling yourself, mate. But no time to dwell on that, we have a party to grace with our presence! Well at least I do, every party needs an exotic Finneas!" He exclaimed and opened the door to get out of the car.

"Finn!" Colin hissed and looked at Logan, "It's your turn to take care of him," he grinned wickedly.

Logan groaned, "We both will, you don't get to leave me with him alone! God knows what he can do here!"

"I know, I know…" Colin mumbled and decided to goad Logan a bit more, "You know, you are lucky that I managed to convince Finn to give up the idea of gifting Reporter Girl his self made coupons of Finn Lovin'."

Stopping in his tracks, Logan turned on his heels to glare at his friend and sputtered, "He… What?!"

Colin started laughing hysterically at Logan's reaction, "This is just precious!" He bent over in laughter, "You idiot, of course he didn't do it. He'd never do that to you. I just wanted to see your reaction."

"Colin…" Logan grumbled in rage, knowing that he had fallen for the oldest trick in the book, "Could you just keep it together? Tonight especially? I don't want you to slip up and pull me into some mess I'll never get out of, huh?"

"Take it easy, Logan, I'm just joking," Colin raised his hands in surrender, "We'd never put you in that situation purposefully, even though we do think that you're an idiot regarding this exact one. We just love mocking you, especially since it had become so easy to do so recently," he grinned.

Logan grumbled something under his breath and went to search for Finn whom he realised had gone missing in the last couple of minutes and Logan could only imagine what kind of a wreck he could havoc in that short time. He spotted him bowing on his knees in front of an older large redheaded woman and he sped up the pace towards him, throwing a look back at Colin to let him know to hurry as well.

"Finn, what the hell are you doing?!" He hissed at his crazy Australian friend.

"Mate! I have found the woman of my dreams!" Finn exclaimed and stood up, "As you can see, she is a redhead," he pointed at her, "But she was also on Broadway!" He added excitedly, "And what do I love more than redheads?!" He threw a pointed look at his friends like it was the most obvious thing, "Musicals, of course!"

The woman laughed seductively, "Oh, boy, you couldn't handle me even if you wanted to," she mused and turned to Logan and Colin, "But I can see that you have brought some reinforcements with you. Very handsome men."

Logan and Colin shared a scared look, not knowing what to say to her without sounding completely petrified or, even worse, slightly disgusted at her direct comment.

She eyed them like her prey for a couple of moments before she spoke up again, "What brings you here, gentlemen?"

"Oh, Rory invited us," Colin explained quickly, hoping to get away from this woman as soon as possible.

"Rory? Really?" She inquired, "Where do you know her from? She never told me that she was in acquaintance with such fine young gentlemen."

"We know her from school, we met only recently," Logan provided an answer, "Could you please point us to where she might be?"

"School? How nice! If I had known that such handsome men went to Yale, I would have told her to bring them home sooner!" The woman exclaimed, "She is around here somewhere, I saw her fighting with Kirk a couple of minutes ago."

"Kirk?" Finn inquired, "Who is this bloke that our Love needs to fight with him?"

"I couldn't explain Kirk to you even if I wanted to," she stated, "Oh, there she is!" She pointed behind them.

The boys turned to look in the direction that the older redhead was pointing to and saw a really pissed off Rory arguing with a smaller guy with a large head and a large forehead. Logan chuckled at seeing her all irked, angry really did work for her.

"Love!" Finn exclaimed, waving at her, making her look in their direction and smiling. She raised a finger in a notion that she will be with them shortly and continued arguing with the guy next to her, slowly making her way towards them. When she reached them she was completely annoyed and her voice had risen up to a whole new level, "Kirk, for the last time, we do not need your services from Yummy Bartenders, nor can you be an MC. Just have fun and stop pestering me, for the love of God!" She exclaimed in a huff.

Logan chuckled at her state, "No need to call the Big Guy into this, Ace," he smirked at her.

Turning to look at him, she threw daggers with her eyes, "Don't even think of starting to get on my nerves, Huntzberger."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, "Wouldn't dream of it, Ace," he winked at her.

"But, Rory, are you sure you don't need any services from me tonight?" The small guy whined, "I can bring you my portfolio if you don't know how to decide."

Rory took a deep breath, "Kirk, I will sic Luke on you if you don't leave me alone this instant!"

Kirk looked a bit spooked and nodded, turning quickly he backed away. Rory sighed in relief and looked at the boys and then noticed the woman behind them, "I see that you have met Miss Patty," she grinned wickedly at them.

Gulping visibly, Colin answered, "Yeah, we've had the pleasure."

"Rory, why haven't you brought these fine men earlier home with you?" Miss Patty asked.

"I haven't met them until recently, Miss Patty," Rory chuckled, "I hope that you have been on your best behaviour though?" She eyed the woman inquisitively.

"Sure, darling, you know me!" The woman chuckled, "I'm afraid I need to leave you now and go take care of the punch."

"Oh geez, should have seen it coming," Rory mumbled, "You do that, Miss Patty," she waved her off and looked at the boys again, "Fair warning, don't drink the punch - it's pure acid."

Finn laughed at her warning, "Love! Who do you take us for?!" He exclaimed disbelievingly, "We know how to handle our alcohol!"

"You can't handle this, trust me," she rolled her eyes, "No one knows what's exactly in it and rarely anybody makes it beyond the third cup."

"See, Love, you're talking about the supposed flaws of this intricate beverage and I'm only hearing a challenge," Finn wiggled her brows at her.

Rory laughed at his goofiness, "Then by all means, Finny, be my guest. I shall enjoy your date with this beverage of doom."

"Geez," Colin grumbled, "You don't know what you got us into now," he stated just as Finn has catapulted his fist in the air in sign of victory.

"Yeah, Ace, chances are that you'll get to witness Finn's rendition of the Passion of the Christ if this drink really is as doomed as you've described it. Which I seriously can't believe," Logan chuckled.

"You doubting me, Huntzberger?" She narrowed her eyes at him slightly.

Logan just winked at her but decided to drop the subject since it was futile and instead decided to congratulate her, "Happy birthday, Ace," he smiled softly at her and acted on his instincts so he moved and gave her a hug. She was startled at first but then relaxed into the hug and he, yet again, marvelled at how well she fit against him, just as he did when they were dancing at the LDB event. Understandably, his whole body was tingling now with that weird sparkling sensation that appeared any time he touched her.

Easing up the hug, he moved slightly away from her and saw her blushing which only made him smile even more, while he was getting more and more confused on the inside. How can a simple blush be so enticing?

Just as she had croaked a quiet "Thank you," followed by a small smile, she was engulfed in a group hug by Finn and Colin at the same time. Logan rolled his eyes at them, laughing at their antics. She squealed in surprise and started laughing at their proclamations, "Happy birthday, Love!" Followed by a statement, "We are so happy to have met you!"

"I'm happy to have met you guys as well, but could you ease up a bit now, I kinda can't breathe," she started waving her hands towards Logan in a desperate pray for help.

Logan chuckled, "Boys, let her go," he stated and tapped them on their backs.

They let her go and she was still blushing but now with a blinding smile and sparkly eyes, obviously radiating with happiness, "Thank you all for coming, really."

"Thank you for inviting us," Logan stated, followed by agreeing nods from his friends.

"Oh!" Finn exclaimed and turned abruptly to Colin, "The gift! Where is the gift?!"

Colin chuckled and rolled his eyes, "It's here, Finn, calm down," he stated as he pulled an envelope out of his inner jacket pocket and handed it to Finn, knowing that he wanted to present Rory with the gift. A childish notion but very usual with Finn.

Finn grinned excitedly and bowed in front of Rory to give her the envelope, "A gift for you, fair lady, from the Three Musketeers."

"How many times do I have to tell you, Finn, not to call us the Musketeers?!" Colin exclaimed exasperatedly at his friend, "It just doesn't suit us!"

Logan followed the exchange and grinned at Rory, "This is just something from us, hope you like it."

She shook her head lightly, "You really didn't have to get me anything."

"Nonsense! A birthday girl must be presented with a birthday gift!" Finn stated as if it was a rule that was built in his head since forever.

"Okay then," she giggled, "Thank you," she smiled at them and went to open the envelope. Pulling out the paper from it, she scanned it quickly and gasped, raising her eyes back towards the three boys in front of her, "I can't believe this!" She exclaimed with a blinding smile, "This is amazing! Entirely too much, but still amazing!"

"It's not too much, Ace," Logan smiled at her reaction, "Really! You should've seen some other ideas that these two had managed to come up with. Compared to those, this is nothing."

"But this is a year's worth of coffee beans delivered from all across the world!" Rory exclaimed in amazement and frowned, "I really wouldn't want to know what other ideas were, right?"

Chuckling, Logan answered, "Nope, you wouldn't. Just enjoy your present."

Holding his gaze, Rory smiled softly and nodded, surprising them all with a group hug, "Thank you, boys!" She exclaimed with a blinding smile and looked around for a moment, "Would you like me to show you around?"

"Lead the way, Ace," Logan nodded encouragingly, wanting to know where she grew up.

"Okay, follow me!" She said and led them to the garage at the right side of the property, where the band was setting up, "That's Hep Alien, my best friend's band," she pointed at the small Korean girl, "That's her on the drums. They've been practicing in our garage since they started the band and had some good gigs recently."

She then led them to the side of the house where a guy in a flannel shirt and a baseball cap was grilling the food, "That's Luke," she explained as they approached the man, "He's my mum's boyfriend and the owner of the finest diner in the whole wide world!" She stated excitedly and moved to introduce them, "Luke, these are my friends from school," she motioned with her hand, "Boys, this is Luke - the provider of the finest coffee and the tastiest burgers to us poor - incapable of cooking - Gilmore girls," she grinned as the man rolled his eyes at her statement.

"You're only incapable of cooking because you don't want to learn how to," he stated gruffly at her.

"No need to learn how to as long as I have providers of the greasiest and most unhealthy heavenly food," Rory retorted with an amused smirk, "Besides, what would mum say if she found out that I want to learn how to cook?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"She's the one who has been giving you coffee since you were twelve! You both are the same basket case," Luke stated which made the boys chuckle at his comment and he looked up to finally greet them. He eyed them for a long minute before he grunted, "Great, some more country club members."

The boys looked at each other, not knowing how to respond but then Rory exclaimed, throwing her hand on her forehead, "Luke!"

"What?"

"I mean, really?"

"What did you expect, Rory? I'm still recovering from last week," he stated and headed into the house.

Rory turned to the boys, a bit ashamed, "I'm so sorry. He had the privilege of spending some time with my grandparents last week and to say that he is now resentful to anything connected to Hartford would be an understatement of the century," she explained, "I really am sorry."

The boys looked at each other again and shrugged, "No need to apologise, Ace, we are well aware of what the elder generation is capable of," Logan waved her off.

"Okay, good," she nodded but then frowned, "As we are on the topic, I should warn you that my mum might have some comments as well. She doesn't do well with Society either, but she mostly manages to keep to herself around others."

"Don't worry, Love, just enjoy your party," Finn stated seriously, in a rare moment of sober clarity. Logan and Colin looked at him and he gave them a nod to state that they were supporting her and will handle any comments that come to them peacefully. It was always spooky when Finn got all serious, but Logan and Colin were aware that most of his quasi drunkenness was actually staged. It was just a picture he had painted of himself to fool the others around him.

"Thanks," Rory smiled and led them up the stairs of the porch, "So this is where I grew up. Well, actually, we've been living here since I was eleven."

"Where did you live before that?" Colin asked curiously.

"Oh, we used to-" she was about to answer when she got interrupted by a blonde girl which Logan recognised as her scary roommate Paris.

"Gilmore!"

"Yeah, Paris?"

"I'm officially out of mourning!"

Logan chuckled remembering that she was the one who had an affair with Asher Fleming which earned him a glare from the blonde girl, "Oh great, Mr. Invisible." She groaned earning herself a bark of laughter from Colin and Finn.

"Mr. Invisible?" Colin exclaimed incredulously, "Who dubbed you as Mr. Invisible?!"

"The YDN office," Logan stated proudly, "My life's mission obviously accomplished."

"This is just precious, can't wait for the moment that Mitchum gets a wind of this," Colin was still laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Logan grumbled.

Finn piped in, "Oh, is that why you've been spending that much time at the paper? Because being dubbed as invisible certainly wouldn't sit well with your ego," he mused and threw Logan a wicked grin, "And here I thought that the whole reason you've been spending that much time there was because of a certain Reporter Girl."

Logan groaned, inwardly killing his best friend in a torturous manner, and threw a look in Rory's direction to see her blushing a bit but before he managed to say something Paris piped in as well, "Don't worry, he is drooling over Gilmore here and doing absolutely nothing else. However, he hasn't been seen in the office recently, wonder why's that so?"

Exchanging a knowing look with Finn, Colin snickered, "Yeah, Huntz, why is that so?"

Rory eyed them suspiciously and spoke up, obviously trying to change the topic, "So, Paris, you're out of mourning?"

"Yeah, I think it's time to get back into the dating pool, give the others a chance to experience my wild side," Paris stated non-repulsedly, earning a chuckle from the three Stooges. Just as she was about to continue, she was interrupted by Rory.

"TMI, Paris, TMI! We have talked about this already, you don't have to share everything with me!" Rory exclaimed disgustedly.

"Gilmore, you are my best friend, who else am I supposed to share this stuff with?"

"Well, Terrance, your life-coach for example? You know, the one who spends way too much time in our dorm?" The boys chuckled again.

"But Terrance makes me the best version of me that I can be, I can't share this stuff with him!"

Finn wiggled his eyebrows, "You can share them with me," he added slyly, earning himself a chuckle from Rory.

Paris threw him a dark look, "You couldn't handle me even if you wanted to."

"Oh, but I do want to," Finn wiggled his eyebrows at her again.

Just as Paris was ready to throw him a comeback, Rory jumped in, "Okay, that's enough, I don't want to be traumatised tonight and I feel that I would be if this conversation continued any further," she threw them both a warning look.

Paris continued to glare at Finn who bowed his head in acceptance and mumbled, "Okay, Love."

Nodding, Rory turned back to Paris, "Have you seen my mum?"

"Yeah, she's in the kitchen making margaritas," Paris answered pointing to the inside of the house.

"Margaritas?!" Finn exclaimed and lunged towards the front door but, before he could enter the house, Lorelai got out carrying two pitchers of the drink, making Finn drop to his knees yet again in front of her.

Chuckling, Lorelai spoke up, "Why is this boy bowing in front of me every time he sees me?"

Logan and Colin promptly made a move to grab Finn off his knees before he does something stupid, "We apologise, Mrs. Gilmore, there's no way to explain his curious behaviour even if we tried to," Colin rolled his eyes while explaining his friend's actions.

"Yeah, our friend here is a bit specific whenever alcohol is involved," Logan added, "We sincerely apologise, Mrs. Gilmore."

Lorelai just glared at them and then turned to Rory, "Fruit of my loins," she started, making Rory groan and blush, "Please inform your friends here that it won't be received nicely if they call me Mrs. Gilmore again."

"Mom, chill, they're just being polite," Rory started, earning a pointed glare from her mother, she turned to the boys, "Please excuse my mother, she sometimes tends to behave as a child. Oh, and call her Lorelai." The boys nodded in understanding.

"Okay then, now that that's settled, who's up for some margaritas?" Lorelai smiled wickedly and raised the pitchers, making Finn jump in excitement.

Just as Lorelai had distributed the drinks and made her way to the rest of the guests, a small Korean girl, formerly described as Rory's best friend, appeared next to her in shock, "I think I like Zack!" She whispered loudly while grasping Rory's shoulder.

"You what?!" Rory exclaimed as she spun around towards her best friend.

"I don't know!" The girl exclaimed, "It just occurred to me right now! I can't like him! God, what's wrong with me?!"

"Nothing's wrong with you…" Rory soothed her, "But why exactly can't you like him?"

"We're in a band together! It's not really Rock'n'Roll, is it?" The Korean whined, "What should I do?"

Rory looked perplexedly at her, "Are you seriously asking me what you should do?"

"Yeah! You're the one with the experience here!" The girl exclaimed, which prompted Paris to snicker loudly.

Rory and her best friend spun towards Paris and the boys, both blushing profusely, "Paris, was that snicker really necessary?" Rory glared at her, avoiding eye contact with the boys on purpose.

"Yeah," Paris snickered again, "It definitely was."

Rory eyed her for a moment and then burst out laughing herself, soon followed by her other friend as well. The boys watched the exchange amusedly, not understanding what was going on.

"Care to fill us in, Love?" Finn was the first one to ask for an explanation.

Startled from the question, the Korean girl blushed and looked at Rory, "How have I not noticed that we had company?"

"You were in a middle of a freak-out," Rory stated, while mockingly patting her friend's shoulder, "Let me introduce you," she motioned towards the three boys in front of them, "Lane, these are Logan, Finn and Colin, my friends from school. Boys," she motioned towards Lane, "This is Lane, my thoroughly confused when it comes to boys but a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to music, best friend."

The boys greeted her in a chorus of Hello's and Nice to meet you's but Finn decided to kiss her hand in a gentlemanly manner and leer, "Your exoticness astounds me, are you sure you like this Zack bloke?"

Lane's eyes widened at the suggestion, "Rory, is he for real?"

"I'm afraid so…" Rory eyed the boys suspiciously, "I thought his fetish were the redheads?"

"Finn's mind works in a mysterious way, Ace," Logan winked at her.

Finn straightened up, "She's exotic! What more is there to say?!"

"Um, thanks?" Lane answered with a slight blush.

"Anytime," Finn winked at her while sporting a grin, "But, you know, if you like this bloke, you should definitely do something about it."

Lane looked at him like he was sporting three heads, "Fat chance of that ever happening."

"It's true," Colin piped in, "Guys love when girls take the first step, it catches them off-guard," he grinned wickedly at Logan, "You should just ask Reporter Girl here how she approached Logan about their date."

Logan was about to kill Colin as he observed his grin and Finn who was starting to laugh uncontrollably sputtered, "Mate, you're good," he slapped Colin on the back.

Lane turned inquisitively to Rory, "A date?"

Blushing profusely, "Don't ask, I had to get my desk back," Rory mumbled.

"And here I hoped that you were getting some action," Lane joked while Paris burst out laughing again.

Logan observed Rory smirkingly, barely fathoming that someone could blush so much until she spoke up, "Lane, go play some music," she glared at her friend who also just smirked at her and then turned to Logan, "I don't want to hear it," she glared at him as well and then stomped away to grab a drink, followed by the sound of laughter.

---

Sometime later, after they've gotten something to eat - excellent food made by the grumpy guy Luke, introduced as Lorelai's boyfriend and Sookie, a perky redhead, introduced as Lorelai's business partner and best friend - and gotten another round of drinks, they've found themselves again on the house porch, listening to stories about Rory's quirky town from Rory herself.

Logan was fascinated by the stories she had told them - about Kirk or about Taylor, as were his friends, he was sure. They weren't used to living in such a close-knit community, with so many friendly and familiar faces and traditions. And Rory herself was a surprise - much more laid back than usual, her talking speed increased, cheeks flushing as she animatedly regaled them about yet another anecdote powered by, of course - Kirk.

Just as she was about to jump into another story, the guy from yesterday arrived on his red bike and parked near their car. The boys shared a look, wondering who the guy was and hopeful that they will find out now. Logan again got that weird twist in the bottom of his stomach, wondering if the guy was Rory's boyfriend.

But, he can't be? Right? She said herself earlier that she didn't have successful relationships, which he also found interesting but didn't have time to dwell upon due to all the action surrounding them. Although, he found it curious. How could she have problems with relationships?

Mustering up the courage to ask her who the new arrival is, he noticed a huge smile spreading across her face and her turning towards the guy who was approaching them. He had brown hair, blue eyes and was wearing a pair of black jeans with a dark grey sweater and a leather jacket. She lunged towards the guy and hugged him tightly, "You made it!"

"Sure I did, kiddo, I wouldn't miss it for the world!" The guy chuckled and hugged her back.

Kiddo?

The guys shared a look of confusion - kiddo?

"But why didn't you bring Gigi?"

Gigi? The sister, right? That would mean this guy was her dad?!

"It would be too late for her. Besides, I really needed a kid-free night and wanted to take the bike for a ride. My mother offered to take care of her again," the guy smiled at Rory.

Logan noticed how Rory's posture stiffened at the mention of the guy's mother. Huh, interesting.

"Yeah, I get that," she smiled softly, "I'm just sorry I don't get to see her today."

"You can visit her anytime, you know that," the guy swung his arm around Rory's shoulder, "Now, did you get my present?"

Rory's eyes sparkled happily, "Yeah! It's amazing! Thank you so much!" She exclaimed and hugged him tightly again.

"I'm glad you like it, I wasn't sure if you had it already."

"A collection of Russian classics is always a good present in my book," she grinned at him, "Now I can enjoy the dreariness of the Russian Realism anytime I like."

"You're a weird bird, you know that, kiddo? Most people your age go to keg-parties instead of reading about the woman who threw herself under the train," the guy shot her an amused look but turned to boys as he heard them snicker at his remark.

Noticing the curious look coming from the older guy and a glare from Rory, Logan decided to comment, "See, Ace, I've told you that you should go out more," he grinned at her glare getting stronger.

Looking between Rory and the three boys, the guy shot Rory an inquisitive look, "Care to introduce me to your friends, kiddo?"

Breaking the glare towards Logan, Rory made a swift movement with her hand, "Dad, these are my friends from Yale, whose main mission has recently become partying up my life," she grinned at the boys' stiffness when mentioning her dad, "Stooges, this is my dad."

Her dad nodded in confirmation, "Nice to meet you, I'm Chris," he grinned wickedly, "And thank you for that humble mission directed towards my daughter, I have been trying to explain to her that she should enjoy her college days!"

"Right?!" Finn exclaimed and looked at Rory, "See, Love, even your parent encourages us!"

Rory glared at all of them and replied with a huff, "Would you all just let me be?! Not everybody has to live like there's no tomorrow every day!"

"See, Ace, this is where you're wrong. That's the only way to live," Logan smirked at her and then turned to shake Chris' hand, "Hello, nice to meet you, I'm Logan Huntzberger and these are my friends Colin McCrae and Finn Morgan," he pointed to his friends.

Chris eyed them for a second, "I see, Hartford's finest. I can see now why you share that attitude towards life," he smiled knowingly and then got a look of realisation, "Wait, are you the guys who sunk Dean Elden's Miata to the bottom of Lake Rutherford?!"

What?! How could he possibly know about Rivers?

Logan shared a look with Colin, not sure how they were supposed to answer. He decided to counter it with a question, afraid that they would make a bad impression, "How did you know about that?"

Chuckling lightly, Chris stated, "Let's just say that the word about good prank travels far," he grinned, "And let's face it, Dean Elden should have had it coming decades earlier."

"You went to Rivers?" Colin asked amazed.

"Yeah," Chris nodded, "Briefly, but I did."

Colin turned to Logan, "I told you that was one of the best stunts we have ever done," he grinned.

"It certainly beats your idea to streak through girl's hall at St. Sebastian's," Logan goaded his friend, "And being banned within a ten mile radius from the school afterward."

Letting out a bark of laughter, Chris turned to his daughter, "You've got some good friends here, kiddo!"

"Interesting yardstick you're using," she mused, eyeing them all suspiciously, "Honestly, I really should've seen it coming."

"Seen what coming?" Lorelai showed up from inside of the house, "Oh, hi, Chris!" She greeted him with a brief hug, "I didn't see you arrive."

"Yeah, I just came recently, I've been talking to Rory's new friends," he grinned at her.

Lorelai observed the group in front of her and turned to Rory chuckling, "I see what you meant earlier, you really should've seen it coming," she winked and continued down the porch towards Luke.

The guys exchanged a look, utterly confused by her statement but Chris interrupted their train of thought, "So, men, how are you liking Stars Hollow?"

Logan looked at Rory carefully before responding, thinking of the most diplomatic answer, "Well, it's certainly interesting," he stated and saw an appreciative smile forming on her face. In his defence, he really did find the town fascinating, even though it was a far cry from what he was usually used to. However, he found it amazing to see where a person like Rory grew up, how she was formed to the person she was now - an interesting combination of a small town girl and Society's finest - maybe that's the reason why she's so different from anyone he had ever met.

Grinning at his answer, Chris started explaining to them why they should really stay clear from Miss Patty.

---

"So, here I was, halfway through my interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing, when-" Finn was interrupted mid-sentence by a black Jaguar abruptly pulling up near the house.

Turning to see who had arrived, Chris muttered, "Uh oh, this should be fun," and turned towards the house, "Lorelai! Rory! I think you should come here!"

Seconds later, Lorelai and Rory joined them on the porch, both confused until Chris pointed to the car, making Lorelai groan.

Interested in what was happening, the boys followed the scene resolving in front of them until they realised that it was one Emily Gilmore getting out of the car.

Shocked by what they were seeing, Lorelai managed to outrun them in the obvious comment, "Kid, am I hallucinating?"

"Either we both are or Grandma has finally lost it," Rory stated absentmindedly.

Chris chuckled at their comment, "You're not hallucinating."

"So, that means…"

"Yeah…"

"My mother is really wearing jeans," Lorelai muttered wonderingly and stared at Emily until she burst out laughing, Rory soon following her. The guys still stood shocked there until they all also started chuckling.

Emily approached her daughter and granddaughter with an aggravated expression on her face, "What is so funny? I mean, Lorelai, really, greeting guests like that!"

Regaining her wits, Lorelai straightened up, "Hello, Mother, fancy seeing you here," she greeted with a gleeful grin on her face, while Rory was still chuckling next to her.

Narrowing her eyes, Emily answered, "Lorelai, I'm not in the mood for your little games. What is so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing," Lorelai chuckled again, putting a hand over her mouth to hide her expression.

"Really, Lorelai, tell me instantly what's so funny!" Emily exclaimed angrily.

Seeing that this wasn't going in a good direction and that people were staring at them, Rory quickly approached her grandmother and hugged her from the side, "Grandma, we are just surprised by your attire tonight, that's all."

"What's wrong with my attire?"

"Well, you're wearing jeans," Rory explained carefully, not wanting to get another rise out of her grandmother.

"And? Where's the problem?" Emily narrowed her eyes again exasperatedly.

Lorelai decided to pipe in, "Come on, Mum, that's not your usual style!"

Shrugging her shoulders, Emily stated, "I just thought it would be nice to fit in!" Noticing a gleeful expression on her daughter's face, she continued, "Do you really have to bother me about that now, Lorelai? I've had enough for today! Your father is driving me crazy! He's become absolutely impossible!"

Just as Lorelai was about to answer, Rory shot her a look and turned to Emily, "Grandma, isn't it maybe the time for you two to patch things back up again?" She asked hopefully.

Logan observed the situation in front of them and sensing Rory's hopefulness about her grandparents' marriage. He was well aware of the rumours of Richard and Emily's separation, as were Finn and Colin. Hartford's rumour mill was an interesting thing and there wasn't much information that wasn't out in the open. He was aware that they were pretending at the parties which they attended that everything was okay between them but they also didn't keep up all the appearances recently as they used to before.

If he was honest with himself, he was a bit shocked when he heard about their separation from his mother, even before he met Rory. He had always like Richard and held upmost respect towards him - Richard always treated him with the same respect and included him in interesting conversations. Emily was no typical Stepford-Wife, sure she didn't work and had dedicated her life to her husband, but she still had moxie and it was important to be on her good side within the Society.

He also sensed from Rory's stories that she was connected to her grandparents and that this separation was obviously affecting her now. Unfortunately, he was used to such notions, having seen it many times during his life and living as a child of parents whose marriage was a public sham. He could just hope that everything would in end work out between Richard and Emily because they really were a rarity in their circles.

"No, Rory, this time he has really gone too far!" Emily exclaimed and shook her head disbelievingly.

"What do you mean, Grandma?"

"He has a sparkly vest! He's always leaving in the evening and coming back late!" Emily exclaimed again, "Did I mention that he has a red sparkly vest?!"

Rory and Lorelai looked at each other and started laughing uncontrollably, Chris soon following them. Emily scowled at them until she noticed Chris as well, "Christopher!" She exclaimed excitedly, "How nice to see you!"

Chris approached her and kissed her on the cheek, "The pleasure is all mine," he was still chuckling, "Now, Emily, what was that about a red sparkly vest?" He goaded her and winked towards the girls, making them double over in laughter.

"Et tu, Christopher?" She narrowed her eyes at him as well until she spotted three boys she was the least expecting to see here, "Rory!" She exclaimed at her granddaughter, "You haven't told me that you invited your friends from school! Marvellous, simply marvellous!" She added with glee written all over her face.

Lorelai groaned at her mother's statement, "Mother, really?" The guys shared a look between them, wondering what was about to happen now that they were spotted.

"What, Lorelai?"

"I know what you're thinking, don't even go there," Lorelai sighed exasperatedly.

"I was just about to comment that Rory finally made some valuable friends," Emily narrowed her eyes.

"Valuable friends?" Lorelai scoffed, "Please don't start with your tirades about valuable friends, connections or Hartford's finest," she rolled her eyes, "I'm already on the edge that half of Hartford seemingly realised today that the Hollow even exists."

Rory glared at her mother after her comment and looked at the boys to see them obviously startled. Chris obviously noticed her concern and approached them in a low voice, "Just ignore Lorelai, she's extremely protective of Rory when Society is concerned. You have nothing to do with this here, it's all her aversion towards that life." The boys nodded and smiled slightly, not being used to situations like these when they're being criticised under a microscope.

"Lorelai!" Emily exclaimed, "How dare you speak like that in front of your guests?! Honestly, like you were raised by wolves!"

"Uh oh," Chris muttered, noticing anger flaring from Lorelai's face, "It's time to stop this while we still can," he whispered to the boys, "Finn, can you go to Lane and tell her that we need a distraction?" Finn nodded and went to the band which was taking a break in the garage, while Chris threw an apologetic look to Logan and Colin.

Before Lorelai even got the chance to respond, Rory stopped her, "Mum, Grandma, that's enough. Can we have just one peaceful evening when you're not at each other's throats all the time? It's my birthday and I want to celebrate it with my family and friends!" She looked between the two women in front of her, "Could you do that for me?" She threw them her infamous Bambi-eyes.

Jesus, those eyes really could bring world peace.

Logan observed the way she handled the argument and was yet again fascinated by her as a person. It was amazing how she handled everybody in the same way, no matter where they came from or what their status was. He also noticed how deeply she cared for her family and people around her, something that he wasn't used to. Frankly, he didn't even understand it.

Lorelai and Emily started at each other for a moment longer and then conceded, nodding in understanding towards Rory. Just then, as Finn made his way back with a thumbs up, a fairly similar melody could be heard from the garage and Chris groaned when he noticed the gleeful expressions on Rory and Lorelai's faces.

He turned to boys, "I don't know whether to apologise for what's about to happen or to tell you to enjoy the show." The boys shared a look of confusion, again, but Logan was (again) overtaken by the blissfulness of Rory's face. He didn't even notice Luke approaching them, "Oh no, again?" He groaned and looked at Chris for confirmation.

"Seems so," he shrugged, "We needed a distraction, but maybe we should've told Lane to avoid The Bangles."

As the first melody continued, Lorelai linked her arm with Rory's and started singing from the pit of her stomach, Rory catching up with her a beat after.

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darlin'

Do you feel my heart beating

Rory and Lorelai looked deeply in each other's eyes and started reenacting the lyrics while they were singing them. Everybody started focusing on them, slowly realising something was happening. Most of the people were grinning widely, obviously aware of what's about to happen. Emily was glaring shocked at them but a small smile was playing on her lips.

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Is this burning an eternal flame

The girls slowly started making their way to the stage in the garage, the others following them to not miss the performance. Rory linked her other arm with Emily's on the way, surprising her. Lorelai shot her an inquiring look but Rory only shook her head, "Trust me, Grandma knows how to have fun as well."

I believe it's meant to be, darlin'

I watch you when you are sleeping

You belong with me

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Or is this burning an eternal flame

Stepping onto the stage, they started singing even more loudly, Rory and Lorelai dancing with some pretty crazy moves, Rory pulling Emily as well to dance with them and waving to Paris to join them. The guys shared a look, "I did not see this one coming," Colin commented flabbergasted.

Chris chuckled, "It's the Gilmore Girls, what's there else to say?"

Logan's eyes were glued to Rory, watching her move extravagantly but, in the same time, elegantly. Yet again, he was completely mesmerised by her appearance. Would she ever stop surprising him?

Say my name

Sun shines through the rain

A whole life so lonely

And then come and ease the pain

I don't want to lose this feeling, oh

Finn and Colin snickered at Logan's look, noticing his amazement with the girl with sapphire eyes. The girls, now including Paris and Lane, were still dancing and singing on the stage, like they were without a care in the world.

"I can't believe that Emily Gilmore is dancing on an improvised stage in a garage," Colin commented again, shaken by what he was seeing.

"It's Rory," Logan muttered absentmindedly, not realising he had said that out loud.

Three pairs of eyes set on him with a wicked look, "Your friend is right, boys," Chris confirmed, "That's the basic Rory-effect."

Close your eyes, give me your hand

Do you feel my heart beating

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Or is this burning an eternal flame

As the song ended, the girls were hugging and laughing on the stage and the guests erupted in applause, nobody noticing another car that had just parked in the back.

"Emily Julia Gilmore!" Richard Gilmore's voice boomed while he made his way to the make-shift stage, "What in the God's name are you doing up there?!"

Chris groaned again, "And just when I thought we had saved the situation…" he nodded to the boys, "I would suggest that we get another drink, this could get ugly." The boys nodded in understanding and made their way to the table with drinks, the rest of the guests also dispersed away from the stage but everyone still carefully eavesdropping.

"I'm having fun, Richard!" Emily exclaimed while straightening out her clothes, "If you can have fun, I can as well!"

"What in the God's name are you talking about?" Richard asked exasperatedly.

Rory and Lorelai shared a look, "I need popcorn for this," Lorelai stated and pulled Rory and Paris away from the stage.

"Lorelai!" Emily and Richard exclaimed at the same time.

Richard turned back to Emily, "Let's go home, Emily. What has gotten into you?"

"Oh, leave me alone Richard, I was having fun with our daughter and granddaughter. I don't inquire what you do in your free time!" Emily exclaimed and made her way towards the drinks-table, "God knows what you do with that supposed-to-be trophy wife of yours, Pennilyn Lott," she yelled as she chugged down a glass of wine in one gulp.

"Jesus! Not that again! I've told you, she's just a friend!" Richard exclaimed, and watched Emily pour herself another glass of wine, "Are you going to have another glass of wine?!"

"Yes, I am, Richard, I am enjoying myself and I will have another glass of wine," Emily glared at him, "Maybe even one more after that!"

"For heaven's sake! You're behaving like a prostitute!"

Rory and Lorelai gasped at the comment before they started chuckling, "Told ya that grandma got looser in Europe," Rory commented.

Emily glared at Richard after chugging another glass of wine in one gulp, "Well then buy me a boa and drive me to Reno because I am open for business!" She exclaimed defiantly.

At this point, Rory and Lorelai were full on laughing, as well as the boys and Chris. Richard glared at all of them and then looked back at Emily shocked, "I can't talk to you when you're like this! We are going home this instant!" He ordered.

"No, Richard, I am going home, you are free to enjoy the party!" Emily exclaimed and went to say good bye to her daughter and granddaughter, "Rory, Lorelai, I am leaving before he drives me crazy," she turned to the boys, "I sincerely apologise for what you have seen tonight, it was definitely not of any proper etiquette," she nodded at them and made her way to her car.

She sat in the car and while pulling out of the drive, she bumped Richard's car purposefully. The group stood shocked, awaiting Richard's reaction.

"What is wrong with you, woman?!" Richard exclaimed when he saw what she had done.

Emily just rolled down her window and exclaimed, "Oh, bite me, Richard!" and drove off towards Hartford.

"Dirty!" Lorelai and Rory exclaimed at the same time at Emily's comment, making Richard shake his head towards them.

He approached them, "Rory, I'm sorry you had to witness this spectacle on your birthday," he looked behind her, "And in front of your friends," he nodded in greeting towards the boys.

"It's okay, Grandpa, it was actually quite amusing," Rory grinned, "But don't you think it's time to stop with this nonsense?"

Richard sighed, "It's not that easy, Rory."

"Let it be, kiddo, I'm tellin' ya," Lorelai told Rory and made her way to Luke.

"I'm not letting it be," Rory stated persistently and turned back to Richard, "You're both miserable without each other!"

"There won't be any reconciliation happening if she continues to behave like this!"

"Come on, Grandpa," Rory put her hand on his arm, "You know you love her," she smiled softly at him, "You are meant to be."

"Rory, I love her more than life itself, but she has made it her life's mission to rid me off my last nerves recently. Until she starts behaving normally, I don't see any improvement in our relationship. You understand that, right?"

"Yeah, but you still have to make an effort to see what's actually bothering her, okay?" Rory threw him her Bambi-eyes again.

Just as Richard was about to agree with her, Finn muttered, "Jesus, she's good. All three of them are a force of nature."

Chuckling, everybody turned to him, "Told ya, the power of the Gilmore Girls. Can't live with them, can't live without them," Chris explained.

"I'm not sure if I should be flattered or offended by this comment," Rory glared at her dad.

"But Reporter Girl here doesn't seem as intense as the other two," Colin mused, his look set on Logan, waiting for his reaction, if he ever tears apart his look away from Rory.

At this point, both Richard and Chris bursted out laughing, "Oh, Rory has other tactics. Don't know if you've noticed, but she's freakishly smart. She uses that to get what she wants. While she is more introverted, Emily and Lorelai are extroverted."

"Agreed, Rory here is more subtle in her persuasive methods but equally, if not more, efficient," Chris added.

"Could you please stop talking about me as if I'm not here," Rory glared at all of them.

Logan was still focused on her but followed the conversation carefully and could only agree with what was said. Bottom line was that she is different. Just simply and plainly different. He was still having trouble grasping the concept of the existence of someone who constantly surprised him, who constantly threw him through the loop. Maybe he'll never understand it completely. "I have to agree with you, Richard, she's also really persistent in her little debates."

"Huntzberger," she glared at him, "don't even start." He just smirked instead of providing her with an answer.

Richard looked between the two and smiled wistfully, "I should go before Emily changes the code for the gate," he chuckled amusedly, "In Omnia, right boys," he eyed them expectantly, making them grin in understanding and Rory spinning around towards him.

"Don't think that you've gotten away from that discussion, Grandpa!" She narrowed her eyes at him accusingly, "I can't believe you haven't told me!"

Chris laughed at them, "Oh you Elis and your precious secret Brigade with a bunch of Latin proverbs," he shook his head laughingly.

The boys were now thoroughly perplexed - how did he know about the Brigade?

"Christopher, boy, I wouldn't speak up if I were you, you are a member of The Ivy Club," Richard chuckled, "You Princeton-fellas don't even have secret societies."

"You went to Princeton?" Colin exclaimed.

"And are a member of The Ivy?" Logan added.

Chris nodded in confirmation, "A Tiger through and through."

The boys exchanged a look with Richard, "We should be slightly offended, right?" Finn asked thoughtfully.

Chuckling, Richard nodded, "Yeah," he turned to Rory and pulled an envelope from his jacket inner pocket, "Happy birthday, Rory," he smiled warmly at her.

Shaking her head in negative, Rory protested, "Grandpa, what are you doing? You gave me a present yesterday at dinner already. It's too much!"

"Nonsense, Rory, I couldn't come empty-handed!"

"But, Grandpa… it's really not necessary."

"Rory, I don't want to hear it," Richard shook his head, "For Fez," he winked at her.

"Fez?" Logan asked before he could stop himself, curiosity getting the best of him, "What's in Fez?" He asked with a frown.

Rory shrugged, "I've always felt I had to go to Fez," she explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Logan nodded at her statement, actually understanding the simplicity behind it.

"Thanks, Grandpa," Rory gave him a kiss on the cheek, "And thank you for coming."

"Anytime, Rory," he nodded a good-bye to everyone, "Enjoy the rest of the party."

"Oh, Grandpa!" Rory called after him, "Grandma said something about a red sparkly vest! Care to explain?" She grinned at him.

Richard chuckled before answering, "I've recently joined a singing group. You know I've always wanted to be a crooner, Rory," he winked at her, making everybody chuckle at his admission.

As Richard made his way towards Hartford, Lorelai and Sookie appeared with a birthday cake, everybody breaking off in a chorus of Happy Birthday. Logan stayed a bit behind and thought about what they had witnessed in the past hour. From the great Gilmore Girl show to Emily bumping Richard's car with her own to finding out that Rory's dad went to Princeton.

Who was her father actually?

And also the fact how Rory tried decline the present from Richard, seemingly uncomfortable with money - something that he had noticed with her already, but now finally painstakingly obvious.

Who was this girl?

Not even considering the fact that Richard stated that he loved his wife more than his life - Logan thought that something like that wasn't even possible within the Society. Or the mere fact that Richard obviously didn't marry the woman who was supposed to be his trophy wife.

Is that really possible? Or is there some silver lining to all of this?

One thing was for sure - the Gilmores really were a species of their own.

And Logan couldn't wait to find out more about a certain youngest Gilmore with sapphire blue eyes.

---

Later, after the party had ended and the older generation had turned themselves in for the night, the younger generation sat gathered around one table, talking, laughing and singing. Logan was observing the group of people surrounding him, his best friends, then actually pretty cool members of Hep Alien, Paris - the girl who, while still intense, managed to hold a decent conversation with others, and finally his eyes landing on the girl sitting next to him - the birthday girl, who was currently laughing to the brink of tears while watching Finn's performance of the Passion of the Christ.

If he was baffled by the phenomenon of Rory Gilmore earlier in the evening, now he was completely out of this universe amazed. He couldn't stop observing her, how she communicated with everyone in a polite and equal manner, always smiling, listening and contributing to the conversation. How she managed, to Finn's upmost annoyance, correct him multiple times about reciting the lines falsely during his reenaction and actually be right about her corrections, to the joy of Logan and Colin who have seen their friend's performance millions of times already, but never with someone correcting him on almost every second or third line.

She had this flair of carelessness and pure enjoyment radiating from her, as if just being in presence of the people dear to her made her content. Maybe that was the key. To just be able to be yourself, surrounded by dear people, without the urge to drink like there is no tomorrow or to be looking for distractions on each corner only to get away from your doomed future and barely bearable existence.

Could it be this easy?

Logan was pulled out of his thoughts by Colin, who was currently engaged in a conversation with band members - Zack and Brian - about, of course music, "Logan here knows more about guitars than me, I'm just a fairly decent fanatic about some genres," Colin nodded his way, grinning like an idiot for outing one of Logan's top secrets.

It wasn't that he minded people knowing stuff like that about him, it was just that it was one of his things that he managed to keep private for such a long time. One of his escapes when he was at his lowest, something safe to fall back on when he wasn't in the mood for his usual distractions.

Throwing a glare towards Colin, he understood why he had said that. He knew what he was doing. He was aware that his best friends were painfully persistent on making him not give up on his Ace. To guide him in the right direction. He understood it, but it didn't mean he liked it. He had just recently made peace with the fact that maybe he could be her friend. A friend, nothing more, nothing less. Everything less was just painful and everything more couldn't lead to anything good.

It just couldn't happen. No matter how he much he wanted it to.

Quickly masking his surprise by everybody's focus on him, he smiled while nodding in confirmation, not sure what he was about to say.

"You didn't tell me that he plays the guitar, Rory!" Lane observed, looking questioningly at her friend.

Rory turned to Logan, "I had no idea myself," she grinned, "I've gotta say, Huntzberger, you really are full of surprises."

"What can I say, Ace, I've gotta keep you coming back for more," he just couldn't resist the blush forming on her cheeks and commented, "I see you've been talking about me to your friend, haven't you?" He grinned.

Blushing even more, she glared intensely at him, "Well, I had to share my irritation delivered by a certain pestering blonde with someone. Surely you understand that, don't you?"

"Here you go and wound me again, Ace," he winked at her but was interrupted before he could continue further.

"I see you have already find a replacement," a male voice stated coldly from behind them, followed by a tall brunette guy appearing from the shadows, "And, of course it's one of those Richie Rich's from Hartford, isn't it? I really thought you had more class than that, Rory, I never thought you would sell yourself into that world."

Who the Hell was this guy?!

Logan noticed Rory stiffening when she heard the voice and lowering her gaze to her lap before looking at the newcomer. He shared a look with Colin and Finn to see them as baffled as he was, but also with a fine of anger towards the addition.

How dare he speak to her like that?

"Dean," she spoke quietly, her voice trembling a bit, "What are you doing here?"

"I heard there was a party so I came to talk to you. We have a lot to discuss, don't we?" He narrowed her eyes at her, but Logan noticed that he was a bit drunk from the way he was swaying on his feet.

"No, we don't, actually, I've said everything I had to say, Dean," Rory narrowed her eyes back at him.

"Oh, but we do, you have been avoiding me since you came back from Europe," the guy stated, anger raising in his voice, "Okay, if you don't want to talk, then I'll talk myself. I'm sure that you don't want your precious new friends to hear what you've done."

What the Hell is this guy talking about?!

Before Logan could say anything, the protective streak yet again raising from somewhere deep inside of him, ignited by the look of helplessness on Rory's face and anger on everybody else's expressions, Rory stood up abruptly, grabbed the Dean-guy on his forearm and started dragging him in the direction of the garage.

Paris spoke up immediately after she had seen her intention, "Gilmore, don't do it," she said with voice full of concern for her friend, surprising Logan a bit with the protectiveness as well. He sensed that something serious was going on and started getting up himself reflexively, with no clear intention in his mind on what to do next.

Rory saw him getting up and looked from him to Paris and back to everybody else, "I will be back shortly, I have to put an end to this finally," she said in smile voice while the guy next to her chuckled disbelievingly. She shot him a look and turned back to the table, "Don't worry," she stated and pulled the guy somewhere behind the garage.

Logan sat back at his place and shared a look of worry with his best friends, not knowing what was going on or what was about to happen. Lane was the next one to speak, "Should've really let her go with him?" Her question was directed to Paris.

"It's Rory, we couldn't have stopped her anyway. I just hope she knows what she's doing," she sighed.

Colin threw Logan another look before asking the obvious question, "So, what's the story here?"

Paris scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Bag Boy."

"What Paris means to say," Lane started explaining, "That's Dean, Rory's ex-boyfriend."

"When did they break up?" Logan asked before he could stop himself, curious about the relationship and the reaction of her friends to the guy.

"A long time ago…" Lane sighed but continued explaining when she was met with confused looks, "They were together two times during high school and he dumped her both times."

What is wrong with this guy? How could anybody dump her?

"But why is he here now, if you said that they were together years ago?" Finn frowned.

Lane exhaled loudly, "It's complicated… Something happened before the summer but I can't explain you this, it's not my place to do so…"

Suddenly, a shriek was heard from behind the garage, "Dean, let go!" Logan jumped at the sound of Rory's terrified voice and bolted in her direction, quickly followed by the rest of the group, Finn and Colin just on his heels.

Getting to her in mere seconds, he saw the guy grabbing her wrist, while she was trying to get away from him, "Let go, Dean!"

I'm literally going to pop his head off!

Logan was about to lunge towards the drunk guy when he was stopped by Colin, "Don't do it, man, you'll hurt her as well, look at the way he's grabbing her arm," he pointed at them, "We have to do this peacefully."

"You're not going anywhere!" The guy growled, "You belong with me!"

"Dean, we are over," Rory's voice trembled, "There's no us. There hasn't been an us for a long time now."

"How can you say that? I love you, Rory! You belong with me!" The guy persisted.

"Dean, let her go," Lane stated firmly, "You're drunk, you'll regret this if you don't let her go."

"I'm not letting her go!"

"Then I'll go get Lorelai and Luke and you'll really regret doing this," Paris stated, matter-of-factly.

Dean glared at her, realisation surging through his eyes, before he pushed Rory towards them, "Go to your precious little friends, you home-wrecking bitch! You've ruined my life!"

Logan quickly caught Rory as she stumbled and felt her shaking.

What the Hell was they guy talking about?!

Rory looked back at the guy, "How dare you?!" She exclaimed and lunged towards him, surprising him with a slap across his face, "I trusted you! You lied to me and you used me!"

Wow.

Holding his cheek, he answered, "You ruined my marriage!"

"You're the one who lied!" She exclaimed even more infuriated, disappointment surging through her voice, "I needed comfort and you used me! It's not my fault she found the letter, I never intended on breaking up your marriage!" She shook her head in a giving-up-manner, "I really can't believe you, Dean, after all this time you call me such things. I am aware of my mistakes and I will live with them for the rest of my life, berating myself for being so naive. But you don't get to blame this on me. Not this time."

Logan listened to the argument happening in front of him and felt sorry for her, felt the pain in her voice. To have somebody use her like that, who would do such a thing? He noticed that Dean was about to answer back, and he stepped out in front of him, followed by Colin and Finn at his sides, all sporting a dark menacing glare, "I think you better leave before you really regret it," he said in a low threatening voice, which only made the guy stumble backwards a bit. He threw one last look at Rory who was now being hugged by Paris and Lane, scoffed, turned around and left.

Exhaling with relief, Logan turned to Rory, "Are you okay?"

She nodded softly, "Yeah, thank you," she added with a whisper.

"Anytime, Ace," he smiled back, thinking about what they had witnessed right now. How the evening had taken an unexpected turn. He couldn't even understand how Rory must be feeling, what she must have gone through. And he was even more surprised by his actions, being on the verge of committing a cold blooded murder mere minutes ago, only if Colin and Finn hadn't stopped him.

"Do you want me to go get Lorelai?" Lane asked her.

"No, I don't want to hear it now," Rory shook her head, wiped a few stray tears from her face and put on a brave smile, "I just want to go back to Yale," she turned to Paris, "Is that okay with you?"

Nodding, Paris agreed, "Sure, we'll clean up and we can go," and then she frowned, "But we don't have a car here, your mum was supposed to drive us back tomorrow."

"We'll drive you back, don't worry," Logan reassured them, that was the least he could do.

"Thanks," Rory and Paris smiled in gratification before making their way back to the front yard to clean up the remains of the party.

---

Back at Yale, Logan was getting a drink with Colin and Finn in their dorm, "Whew, what a night!" Finn exclaimed as he collapsed on the sofa, "And I'm not even drunk!"

"Agreed," Colin mused, taking a sip of his drink, "I certainly didn't expect it to be so eventful."

They eyed Logan for a moment, who was lost in his thoughts, "What do you think, Huntz?"

Logan focused on his friends, trying to come up with an adequate answer, his mind in shambles, "I just can't believe that guy. How can anyone behave like that?" He, as well as his friends, was a firm opponent to any type of aggression towards the fairer sex. Sure, they were all playboys of sorts but they would never treat the girls without respect. All of the girls knew what they were getting into and, if there happened to be some confusion, everything would be explained properly and politely, without any violence.

Finn and Colin nodded in understanding, "I really didn't see that coming from Reporter Girl, I must say," Colin stated.

"Don't judge, Col," Finn rebuffed, "She's obviously the victim in this story, as much as it may have originally be partially her fault."

"I still can't believe that anybody would treat her like that!" Logan exclaimed, "I mean, just look at her!" He stood up abruptly and started pacing up and down the common area.

His friends looked at him amusedly, "I think we are looking at her a bit differently at her than you, Huntzberger," Finn stated and turned to Colin, "What do you think, mate?"

Colin chuckled, "Oh, I completely agree," he arched a brow, "The question still remains, Huntz: what are you going to do about it?" He frowned, "If you are going to do something at all?"

"What do you mean?" Logan frowned.

Finn let out a bark of laughter, "You're just too much! We mean, the chemistry between the two of you is literally palpable and the spark that forms when you're close to each other could easily keep the country running for weeks. Don't tell me you haven't noticed that."

Logan scowled at that, of course he noticed it. He notices it every time he's near her, he thinks about it all the time when she's not close to him. "I told you, there won't be anything happening here. At best, we'll be friends. Obviously, we have proved in the last couple of encounters that that's possible," he shrugged, trying to convince himself, as much as his friends.

Rolling his eyes, Colin snorted, "You're fooling yourself, mate, you won't be able to keep this charade longer."

Glaring at his friends and this pointless discussion that they kept having over and over, Logan downed his drink and made his way towards the door, muttering a brief Good night, followed by a bark of laughter from his friends after slamming the door.

---

He could've easily gone just down the hall to his room but somehow he ended up back at his car, picking up the extra gift that he had intended for her, personally.

What possessed him to get her that gift in the first place, he wasn't sure. But he felt it was right.

What possessed him to go to her bedroom window in the middle of the night, he didn't know.

What he did know was that he had to make sure she was okay. He was well aware of the brave smile and front she put up earlier, trying not to make herself the victim. And he admired her for that. But he couldn't stop this gut feeling that she was somehow broken. That she was hurting.

And he couldn't understand why that bothered him so much - why he had this sudden, overpowering urge to go make sure she's okay.

He looked at her window, noticing the light coming through the blinds, he made his way to it and knocked softly, his body's actions completely separated from his brain's reason.

She peered through the blinds and opened the window, surprise at him being there written on her face. He acted on the impulse that appeared to follow him anytime he was alone with her, completely detached from his reason, and smiled softly at her, "I just wanted to see if you were okay," he said quietly, for the lack of better explanation what he was doing there.

Rory gave him a watery smile, making him notice a couple of stray dried tears on her face, also noticing that she was still in her clothes from earlier. "You didn't have to worry," she shook her head, again putting up the brave front.

He narrowed his eyes at her and watched her closely, not knowing what else to do until he remembered the gift that he had impulsively picked up, "I actually have something for you, I didn't manage to give it to you earlier," he said, uncharacteristically nervous and extended the hand holding the gift to her, "Happy birthday, Ace," he added softly, in hopes of cheering her up even a little bit.

Of course, she shook her head, "You already gave me a present, Logan, there was really no need for anything else."

"Just open it, it's nothing much, I just thought you would appreciate it."

She frowned but did as she had been told and gasped as she unwrapped a small silver picture frame holding a photo of the two of them holding each other's hands, mid-air, flying with umbrellas. The frame was engraved with a simple note: Dare to live your minutes.

Her eyes shining brightly, she looked up at him, sporting a huge sincere smile, "This is beautiful, thank you, Logan," she stated and leaned over the windowsill, surprising him a soft kiss on the cheek.

Shaken by her actions, he collected his wits and quickly explained himself, "I just wanted you to have a reminder of what you have done. You deserved it."

"I really needed this now, you know?" She added with a breaking voice, hurt flashing through her eyes and a sole tear escaping its confines.

He reached out and wiped the tear softly with his thumb before saying confidently, not knowing what to say but having the need to console her somehow, "You'll be okay."

She nodded with a small watery smile, "Someday."

Overcome with powerful emotions at the scene he was currently playing a role in, he quickly withdrew his hand and threw her a small smile, followed by, "See you soon, Ace, Good night," he watched her smile back in confirmation a second longer and headed towards his dorm, his thoughts again in chaos.

However, there was one thing he was sure of: it definitely seemed that keeping away from the sapphire-eyed siren won't be as easy as he had thought it would be.

No matter how much he tried to resist her, he got pulled in anytime he was close to her.

And he kind of started liking it.

The question still remains: what will he do about it?

---

TBC!

Author's Note: WHEW! I'm finally back with another chapter. An apology is definitely necessary here - I don't even know how to simply explain my tardiness. Basically, my summer started with a ton of work and I had a couple of projects lined up back-to-back. Then, in the middle of summer, just as I started having more time to write, my family kinda fell apart. It was a long time coming but unfortunately it happened in a very unexpected and ugly way. I have been recovering from the events recently and spending time with my family and getting back to my usual life since then. In the last couple of days I got some renewed urge to write again, so I sat down with my laptop and it just poured out of me.

I know that this chapter is a lot of everything and nothing, but it really had to be like this. I'll just call it a filler chapter needed to explain some things, to open some future themes and to introduce some characters that will be having an important role in the development of our favourite couple, as well as in Logan's self-development. Also, I am aware that some characters were neglected or not described properly, but just, please, trust me with this, I have an idea where I'm going. This FanFic is going to be a long one and everything will be respectfully explained.

Learning from my past experience, I won't promise an update coming up soon but I can tell you all that I think that I'm back in the game. Writing these past few days has ridden me off some grief and really dark thoughts I have been carrying around recently and I think that writing this baby further will help me even more. Especially since I'm in a mood for some happier thoughts. And this FanFic will definitely be a happy one.

What I can say is that the next chapter will include the infamous pranks - pulled by both Rory and Logan. The question is - how will it come to that? Let me know if you have any ideas.

To conclude, I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you who has liked, saved or reviewed this story. Your reviews which kept coming through the summer gave me hope that I still have some hobby to fall back on when I get out of my funk. Keep the reviews coming and I'll award you soon with another chapter. Kisses! :)