Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, settings, music, or movies mentioned.

AN: A lot of people asked be to skip ahead a little, as they were excited to see Rory and Logan get together, and so am I! So, I decided to pick up 1-month mark, it has been 2 weeks since we saw them last and as you can imagine the have gotten closer…

Two Weeks later…

Rory exited the town car and stepped out onto the Yale campus for yet another weekend with her sister and… and well Logan. She made her way to Elle's dorm and knocked. Steph opened the door and allowed Rory in. "Hey!" she said.

"Hey Steph, do you know what the plan is for tonight?" Rory asked, setting her bag down by the door.

"I don't know, probably the pub again," she said. "But its karaoke night so you know what that means!"

"Finn singing 'I'm too sexy for my shirt'?" Rory said, rolling her eyes.

"No!" Steph said. "Ok, that too but it also means you have another chance to get up there and make a fool out yourself with me."

"Thanks, but I think I will, yet again, pass on that."

"Fine," Steph huffed, sitting on the couch. "Ok, so since it's just us I want to talk to you."

"That sounds ominous," Rory said, sitting on the couch as well.

"Well, I really think you need to hear this," Steph said.

"Ok, what's it about?"

"Logan."

"Logan? Is he ok? I just talked to him this morning," Rory said, starting to worry.

"Oh, he's fine, don't worry. Sorry I didn't mean it like that. I meant I want to talk about Logan, as in you and Logan."

"What about me and Logan?"

"He likes you."

"He… what?" Rory asked.

"He likes you Rory. And take it from me, someone who has known Logan for 18 years, that doesn't happen," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"Logan is always so afraid of getting hurt and I know he told you about his whole, waiting for the one thing. So, if he likes someone and decides to go for it, he's setting himself up for major heartbreak and disappointment."

"Yeah, he told me," she said.

"I just want you to be careful. He likes to put up this cool front, but he's vulnerable and he's pretty smitten with you," Steph said.

"Well you don't have to worry, I'm pretty smitten with him too," she said, smiling.

"Good," Steph said. "He cares about you. He's only known you for a week but the man is fiercely protective of you already."

"What do you mean by that?" Rory asked.

"They didn't tell you?"

"Who didn't tell me?"

"Elle or Logan."

"No, they haven't said anything. Why? What happened?"

"Logan yelled at her, it was pretty bad too. In the middle of the pub, he just walked in and let her have it," Steph said.

"What did he say?"

"Apparently, he had just gotten off the phone with you and you had though he was drunk, because Elle told you he was. He came in and told her to stop interfering with things between you two. He didn't want her telling you things like that, especially because it wasn't true."

"He yelled at her?" she asked, surprised.

"He did," Steph confirmed.

"Wow."

"Yeah, wow is right."

Before Rory could ask anything else, her phone rang and a number pooped up on her screen, one she had been waiting for a call from all week. "Sorry, I have to take this," Rory said.

"No problem, I'm going to finish getting ready," Steph said, getting up and head back into her room to curl her hair.

"Hello, this is Rory Hayden," Rory answered.

"Hi, Ms. Hayden. I'm calling from The Stamford Eagle Gazette about the internship you applied for, Is now a good time?"

"Of course," Rory said, tapping her foot nervously and biting her lip. Her stomach was in knots waiting for the answer, waiting to find out.

"Well unfortunately you were not selected for this internship." Rory felt her stomach drop and her face fell. She wasn't nervous or excited now, just disappointed. How could she not get it? I'm editor of my school paper! I'm definitely qualified to get coffee for people and sit in on meetings! "However, you were one of the top contenders. We would like to consider you for other positions in the future."

"Oh, ok, well thank you," Rory said politely.

"Of course. Have a nice day, and we do look forward to hearing from you again." With that Rory heard the click of a phone followed by the dial tone. She suddenly didn't feel like being here. Well, she wanted to be at Yale, but not Elle's dorm. Not where she felt like she had to put on a fake smile if her sister came back. She got up and walked out the door, then three buildings away to where she knew a certain blonde was sitting on his couch awaiting her text message, letting him know she was there.

She made it to the door and knocked. After a minute he opened the door for her and upon seeing her face, a huge grin came over his features. "Hey Ace," he said.

"Hey," she said. He took in her appearance, she had chosen a causal outfit, a pink denim skirt and a white tank top. (cover photo) Her hair was curled as usual, but her smile wasn't as bright. Her eyes didn't shine as blue. And she didn't quite seem like herself.

"What's wrong?"

"How do you know something wrong?" she asked.

"I just do," he said, opening the door wider and allowing her in.

"Well, I am beyond pissed off," Rory said as she flopped onto the couch.

"Uh oh," Logan said, sitting next to her and tossing his newspaper onto the coffee table in order to give her his full attention.

"Uh oh is right," she said. "I'm not even that pissed off, I'm just… upset."

"What happened?"

"You know that internship I applied for?" she asked, suddenly not as angry. In fact, she seemed rather depressed.

"Yeah, of course. The newspaper one, it was HPG's newest paper. I said something to my dad about you, what happened?" he asked, sitting up and leaning toward her.

"I didn't get it," she sighed. "And this sounds so stupid but I really thought I would get it. She said, 'Unfortunately you were not selected for this internship" but apparently, I was one of the 'top contenders' so why didn't I get it? You know what, I shouldn't have been so cocky about it, I just assumed I was a shoo-in."

"I thought you were too Rory, it's not stupid," he said.

"I was just so excited," she said.

"Aw I know you were Ace," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"I really wanted to do this, you know. Experience a daily paper and work with real professionals. It would have been great. I just… I don't know I'm so disappointed," she said. "I'm disappointed in myself."

"It's ok to be disappointed in the situation, but don't beat yourself up about this Rory. You couldn't have done anything more. You have great grades, your editor of your newspaper, and I gave you a great recommendation. If anything, you're over qualified. It's just bad luck, you'll get the next one I promise," he said, squeezing her shoulder.

"You think so?" she asked.

"I know so," he told her. "But I wouldn't apply to an HPG paper next time, you said it yourself, my dad sucks."

"He does, doesn't he?" she laughed, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

"Anytime Ror," he said.

"Your good at this 'making people feel better' thing," she said.

"I try," he said. "I don't have much experience, but I try."

"Could have fooled me," she teased him.

"You're a great writer Ace, hell why do you think I call you Ace," he said. "You'll get the next internship and you'll be great."

"Well if you're so sure," she said, smiling.

"I am," he said.

"Do you have any idea who got it?" she asked.

"I don't know," he said. "I can ask if you really want to know."

"No, that's fine," she said, "I know you don't like talking to your dad."

"I don't, but I don't mind calling… for you," he said.

"I appreciate it but you don't have to do that, I don't need to know," she said.

"If you're sure," he said. "So, I take it you probably don't feel like hanging out with everyone else?"

"No, no let's go. I just want to take my mind off this," she said, only half way truthfully. She would have loved to stay in with him and watch movies, but she was pretty sure that wasn't his idea of a good time. If she asked he would do it, she knew that but she didn't want to inconvenience him.

"Of course," he said. "Nothing can take your mind off something like Finn singing karaoke." They laughed as he stood up and offered her his hands to pull her up from the couch. He pulled a little too hard and she crashed into his chest. She gasped as she felt him against her. She could feel is breath on her lips. Her gaze flitted from his eyes to his lips and back again. His hand, still holding hers, was warm and soft and comforting. But at the same time his touch seemed to burn her and excite her. Her stomach was a mess with nerves, as was the rest of her body. Does he know what he's doing to me? Does he feel this to? Is he doing it on purpose? Why the hell does he smell so good? Her mind was in overdrive, not able to tear herself or her thoughts away from him. Was Steph right? Does he really like me? If he didn't feel it, he would pull away, right? And he wasn't pulling away so…

He could feel her heart beating rapidly against his own chest and her eyes were mesmerizing as she looked up at him. He should pull back. He should. But he didn't want to. If he did, her skin wouldn't be on his anymore, her lips wouldn't be this close, his hand wouldn't be oh so close to her hip. She smelled like strawberries and vanilla, probably a mix of her lip gloss and her lotion. Whatever it was he loved it, he wanted to taste it, he wanted to taste her. He'd bet she was just as sweet as she smelled. Who knows when he would get her like this again? Who knows when he would have chance like this again?

He leaned forward, his lips a breath away from hers, and his hand did in fact make its way to her waist. She held her breath as she desperately waited for him to kiss her. Kiss me damn it. Just kiss me Logan. Come on. He moved closer again, bringing his lips down to hers so soft and light, she almost couldn't feel them. Except she did. And it gave her the biggest shock of her life. Who knew that even the lightest touch could make her feel so much.

Logan was nervous, he was afraid, he was… he didn't know, he had quite literally never felt like this. Not in his entire 19 years of living had he ever felt anything like this. And this was just from touching his lips with hers, barely even a kiss. He moved to deepen the kiss, to really kiss her. To kiss her like he had been longing to do for a month. To pull her as close as humanely possible and kiss the life out of her. But he didn't get the chance. Not this time. Not today.

"Logan guess what!" Elle said, bursting into the dorm. The couple quickly sprang apart. Their bodies separating, but their eyes staying locked on one another's. Rory swallowed nervously as she looked at him and bit her bottom lip. She didn't know what to say. What do you say to the guy you like after he kisses you? After he had every chance to back away from her and didn't? Does it mean he likes me? Was he caught up in the moment? Did he just want a good lay? Stop overthinking this!

Logan ran his hand nervously through his hair. Is it just me or is it hot in here? He had been so close. So close to really kissing her. So close to taking her right here in the middle of the room. Ok, maybe I wouldn't have gone that far. Rory was a virgin and he respected that, so he probably wouldn't have taken her on the couch. But he definitely wanted to take it farther than they had gotten. Damn it, if Elle hadn't walked in. What is she even doing here? She never walks into my dorm. He regretfully tore his eyes from Rory's and looked at Elle. Trying to keep a semblance of composure in his voice he asked, "What's up?"

"Um, nothing it can wait," she said. What were they doing? They were kissing, weren't they? What the hell? She looked at Rory who was still looking at Logan, refusing to make eye contact with her sister.

"You sure?" Rory said, still not looking at her.

"Yeah… everyone is on their way to the pub," Elle said.

"Ok," Rory said.

"Got it," Logan said, looking back at Rory.

"Well we should go, after all nothing can take your mind off something like Finn singing karaoke," Rory said, giving him a smile.

"Yeah Ace, you're right," he laughed. They would talk later. Because what just happened sure as hell wasn't a mistake and they both knew it. The only mistake he made was not kissing her sooner, and not kissing her to the extent he wanted to just moments before. Logan put his hand out and Rory took it happily. He pulled her closer to him and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "We'll talk later Ace, I promise."

"I'll hold you to that Huntzberger," she whispered back with a smirk that could rival his. They followed a still suspicious Elle out the door and all the way to the pub as she peppered them with questions. Of course, she didn't directly ask them anything, the questions were vague. By the time they got to the pub everyone else was already there, sitting in the usual booth. The three new arrivals sat down, Elle on one side and Logan and Rory on another.

Logan was particularly enjoying himself tonight. Juliet and Elle were the furthest things from his mind. He had Rory under his arm, which was not unusual. But one thing had changed, they were a lot more affectionate toward each other tonight. She was resting her hand on his leg and he was leaning in a lot closer to talk to her. Everyone else was too intoxicated to notice, so Logan was spared the sly winks and knowing smiles tonight. Everything was business as usual, including their swap the drink game with Finn until Steph asked about the internship Elle applied for.

Internship? Rory thought. She looked at Logan questioningly and he just shrugged his shoulders, as clueless as she was. She listened to their conversation as Elle explained that she had in fact gotten the internship she applied for. Rory didn't even know Ell had applied for one. Why hadn't she mentioned it?

"That's great Elle," Rory said.

"Yeah it is, I wasn't sure if I was going to get it or not," Elle said.

"Well congratulations sis," Rory said.

"Thanks," she said.

"Yeah, congrats," Logan said, nodding towards her.

"Thanks Logan," Elle said, placing her hand on his which was resting on the table. He quickly moved it, under the pretense of taking a sip of his scotch. He also pulled Rory closer to him just to emphasize how uninterested he was. "It's actually one of your papers." She said, hoping to impress him.

"My dad's papers," he said, rubbing Rory's arm as he felt her tense beside him. He knew what was coming, she knew what was coming and neither one of them wanted to hear it. "Which one?" he asked. He knew, but he wanted to hear her say it.

"The something Eagle Gazette," she said flippantly, taking a sip of her Cosmo. Rory swallowed hard, desperately trying to hold back the tears. She couldn't cry, it was stupid and she couldn't cry about it, but she could lay her head on Logan's shoulder and let him stroke her hair. She sighed and closed her eyes, willing to stop the water building up. Why did Elle have to get it? Anyone else could have gotten it and I would have been fine, but Elle? I should be used to this by now. She's better at everything, of course she would have gotten this. But I didn't even know she applied! She never mentioned it but I guess I didn't either. I didn't tell anyone but Logan and mom. I can't believe this!

"Wow," Rory said.

"I know, I hope the guys are cute," she said, picking up that conversation with Steph.

"Ace are you-," Logan started.

"Yeah, I'm just going to run to bathroom, I'll be right back," she said before sliding out of the booth and hurrying away. She walked through the door and went straight to the sink. She leaned against it and let a few tears slide down her cheeks before she wiped them away quickly. She splashed her face with water and dried it with a paper towel. She had closed her eyes again and taken a deep breath when she heard the door open and close.

"Ace." Her eyes sprang open and she saw Logan leaning against the now locked door.

"Hey. What are you doing in here?" she asked, sniffling.

"You're not ok Rory, don't pretend to be," he said, coming toward her.

"I'm fine, swear," she lied.

"Rory," he said.

"Why did it have to be her?" she asked him, another tear falling.

"Oh Ace," he said, taking her in his arms. She hugged him back and buried her head in his chest and cried silently. "It's ok Rory, let it out, it's ok." She sobbed into his shirt, holding onto him for dear life. Her body was shaking as he held her close to him. "I know, I know. It's ok." He stroked her hair and rubbed her back, trying everything he could to make her feel better. He kissed the top of her head and rocked her in his arms. "Shh, I know. I got you Rory, you're ok."

"Why did it have to be Elle?" she sobbed.

"I don't know, I don't know," he said softly. "I'm so sorry Ace."

"This is so stupid, why am I so upset?" she asked.

"Rory this is not stupid. You lost something you really wanted, something you had been looking forward too and you lost it. You lost it to your sister and you have every right to be upset about this," he said.

"I'm so selfish! I should be happy for her, I shouldn't be crying just because something didn't go my way," she said, tucking her head under his.

"You are not selfish. Ace you're a lot of things, but selfish is definitely not one of them," he said.

"Why can't I be happy for her? She's my sister," she cried.

"Stop," he said forcefully. "Do not beat yourself about this."

"But…"

"No, Rory that's not doing any good. You have every right to be upset, so be upset."

"Ok," she said, taking a deep shaky breath.

"Good, we should get out of here. Do you want to go back to my dorm?" he asked.

"Sure," she said.

"Do you want me to come?" he asked.

"Stay, I don't want to make you leave. I'm the one who's upset, you should stay and have fun," she said.

"Do you want me to come?" he asked again.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Then let's go," he said, keeping one arm around her shoulder as he led her out of the bathroom, careful to make sure no one was outside the door. He found Colin at the bar and told him they were leaving, not wanting to make Rory face the whole group with tears still running down her face. Colin gave her hug and told her to feel better before she left with Logan. They walked in silence to his dorm and when they reached it he unlocked the door. They went in and Logan started a pot of coffee as Rory sat down on the couch.

"I feel so emotionally drained," she told him as he sat next to her on the couch.

"Rightfully so," he said as she settled against him.

"Did I overreact?"

"No, if you're this upset it just means that this internship meant a lot to you," he said.

"I guess," she yawned.

"Go to sleep, stay here tonight," he said.

"We still have to talk," she reminded him, closing her eyes.

"I know, we'll get to it," he said.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Don't mention it," he said, pulling her closer. Her breathing evened out and for the second time she fell asleep in safety of Logan's arms. He didn't fall asleep until hours later when he was sure she wouldn't wake up, sure that she was fast asleep.