The Escort

Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls it is owned by the CW/WB and Amy Sherman-Palladino. Some of the dialogue from this chapter is from the Gilmore Girls episode 5.08 "The Party's Over" which does not belong to me.

Chapter 5: Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown

The Yale University cafeteria was crowded with the students, faculty, and alumni enjoying their luncheon on a beautiful fall morning. Rory Gilmore-Hayden was currently seated across from her roommate Paris Gellar talking about their academic lives; or rather Rory was while Paris was covertly looking over Rory's shoulder.

"So now I've got three days to do this comparative religion paper, and the teaching fellow who runs our group spends all his time explaining to us how much he disagrees with the professor, and - what are you looking at?" asked Rory.

"That guy over there is staring at me," stated Paris pointing to a man who was located behind Rory's peripheral view.

"Which guy?" asked Rory turning around to get a better look.

"The one in the Santa Claus red sweater."

Rory gave Paris a dubious look, "Umm…Professor Prady?"

Paris quickly nixed Rory's questioning tendencies. "Shh! He'll hear you."

"You think Professor Prady is looking at you?"

"He is more than looking at me. God, this is so annoying. Ever since word leaked out about me and Asher, every faculty member over fifty thinks I'm easy," explained Paris as if they were discussing what pair of shoes to buy Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin.

"Paris, I don't think Prady's hitting on you," said Rory rather dubiously.

"You are so naive. He's practically licking his lips. You sleep with one old guy, and suddenly you're Catherine Zeta-Jones," sighed Paris.

Before she could make a rebuttal Rory's phone rings. She gives Paris a look before answering it. "Hello?"

"Rory, it's your grandmother," says Emily as if clarification was needed.

"Oh, hey, Grandma."

"Your grandfather is also here." And just to prove her grandfather was on the other line as well he spoke, "Hello, Rory. How are you?"

Rory scrunches her eyebrow before answering. What were her grandparents up to? "Fine, Grandpa, and you?"

"We're wonderful, thank you for asking," says Richards. Emily continues on where her husband left off. "Rory, we're sorry to bother you at school, but next Friday your grandfather and I agreed to host a little Yale alumni event at our house."

"It completely slipped our minds the other night," says Richard referring to the previous night when the whole family had gotten together. World war three had almost broken out when Rory had admitted to reuniting with Dean to both sets of grandparents and one angry great-grandmother.

"So we'll have to cancel our usual Friday night dinner," said Emily.

"Oh. That's okay," replied Rory, who was somewhat relieved to miss some of the scathing remarks Trix was going to send her way.

"However, we were wondering if maybe you'd like to come," asked Emily with genuine curiosity.

"Me?" asked Rory forgetting she was on the phone.

"The alumni always like to meet the next generation of Elis, and plus, we'd love to be able to show you off to all of our friends, wouldn't we, Emily?" asked Richards. Emily promptly responded with a "Yes, we would!"

"You might even make a few connections that could come in handy somewhere down the road. Please come! We'd hate to miss our weekly Rory fix. And I promise you, there won't be any chicken or steak on a stick," said Richard and Rory could hear her grandparents chuckling to their own joke. Robert, the Gilmores' current chef had decided to barbeque outside and it hadn't quite turned out as he had envisioned it.

"Well, sure. I'd love to come," responded Rory since she knew both her grandparents would be happy. What were a few cutting remarks in her direction going to cost if it would make Emily and Richard happy?

"Wonderful. Your grandmother and I are thrilled," said Richard.

"Is it fancy? What should I wear?" asked Rory.

"Oh, just pick out a pretty little dress and bring that face," responded Emily.

"Well, the face comes with the package," responded Rory thinking her grandparents should go away on vacation since it seemed like they were losing it.

"Oh, and I know you usually come at seven, but could you make it at six instead?" asked Emily politely.

"Yes six is fine. See you Friday," replied Rory. Her grandparent's reciprocated farewells and they mutually hung up their respective phones.

"What's going on Friday?" asked Paris.

Rory distractedly replied, "My grandparents are having a party."

Before a proper answer could be given, Paris jumped up. "Damn it! Dean Treadwell just came in. He's been throwing sex daggers out of his eyes at me all week."

-GG-

Logan Huntzberger was in his sitting room watching John Stewart when he heard his two best friends coming down the hall. He could hear Finn's distinctive voice anywhere and Colin seemed to be reprimanding him about something.

"Mate, I don't think he's gotten the invitation yet. Don't you think we would have heard him yelling? Bet you twenty dollars he has no idea," said Finn.

Logan glanced up from his program and gave his friends a dirty look. "What are you guys doing here? I thought we were supposed to meet up at the pub."

Colin looked at Logan to see if something might be wrong, but everything looked normal. It was weird. "Umm…Logan buddy, did you happen to receive an invitation for a Yale alumni event at the Gilmores' humble abode?"

Logan perked up at the name Gilmore, but shook his head in a negative reply. "I haven't looked through my mail yet. Why would the Gilmores be hosting a Yale alumni event in the middle of the first semester? It doesn't make sense."

"We thought the same thing mate so we asked around. It seems like only the male population and their parents were invited…if you get my drift," said Finn. He had been learning American colloquialism and was proud to be using it in conversation.

The first thing Logan did was head to the unsorted pile of mail that was sitting on his kitchenette. Lanny, his roommate, always tried to separate their mail and leave Logan's correspondences on the counter, but apparently the boy had not sorted the current pile. When Logan found his invitation it looked like the hundreds of other invites he dismissed and tossed away. "I think I'll make an appearance at this shindig just to make sure that it's an actual alumni party and not something else. You'll be joining me?" asked Logan.

"Of course mate!"

"Logan are you sure you want to be doing this?" asked Colin.

"I was invited to attend a party at a family friend's home and that's exactly what I'll be doing. I wonder if Rory's going to be there," said Logan trying to act like nothing was wrong. He didn't wait for a reply, but simply went into his room and closed the door.

Finn and Colin looked at each other with amusement. "He has to know that Rory's going to be the main event. Her grandparents want her to be suitably attached to a man with good breeding and who will provide her with a life she's used to having," said Finn.

"I can't wait to see Logan's reaction to other men interacting with Rory. This time he won't have control like he did at the Life and Death Brigade event," said Colin.

"It'll be an interesting party. This is one for the record books, you'll see," said Finn rather ominously.

-GG-

The stockroom of Doose's Market could never be thought of as a romantic location, but Rory and Dean could forgive the lack of ambiance due to time constraints.

"Okay. So, we have today for your dining pleasure a choice of sandwiches. All fairly fresh, though slightly dented so as to afford me the eighty percent employee discount that Taylor throws in with the pay check," said Dean who looked like he was offering his date haute cuisine rather than pre-packaged dented food.

Rory could only grin and bear it because this was the only way she could see her boyfriend. "He's a heck of a humanitarian, that Taylor."

Dean cleared his throat and continued to list his offerings for lunch. "Ah, we have a battered chicken salad, a bruised tuna salad, a ham that survived the creamed corn assault of 2004, and something grey. I think we'll toss that."

"Well, this is a very nice spread you've assembled here, minus the unknown grey substance," said Rory.

"Well, when you're dating an Ivy League girl, you have to pull out all the stops. Chip pieces?" asked Dean. When Rory gave her nod of assent Dean continued. "I'm glad we got to do this today. We haven't been able to see each other much lately."

"Well, we're here now, right?" asked Rory who was all about looking at the bright side of the situation.

"Yeah. Right," replied Dean.

"Hey, did you ever read my story? The one about the Life and Death Brigade?" asked Rory. She had wanted to ask him about the article for a while, but every time they spoke all Dean wanted to talk about was his divorce proceedings.

Dean hesitated before answering. "Uh, yeah, I did…I did like it…I like everything you write."

"Do you think I painted the picture interestingly enough? Because I tried to be objective, to a certain extent, but it is a feature piece, so I wanted to have some human spark, you know?" asked Rory. She wanted an outsider's perspective on her article, not someone who went to Yale or was associated with it.

"I thought it was good," was Dean's stoic reply

Rory was annoyed. "Nothing specific, though?" she pressed.

"Hey, you're the writer. I can't critique these things. I just know that I read it and I was interested," said an agitated Dean.

"Oh…well that's what counts…Okay, so, let's talk about tonight." It wasn't the answer Rory was looking for, but it would have to do. "I'm going over to my grandparent's at six. I figure I'll go in, make the rounds, say hello, eat a cheese puff, then you can meet me outside the house at eight-thirty and we can hit a movie in Hartford or something."

"I don't want you ducking out of your grandparent's party early if it's going to be a big thing," replied Dean who knew how fancy the elder Gilmores' parties could be. He never fit into that scene.

"Hey, don't you want to get together with me?" asked Rory.

"You know I do."

"Okay then. No more talk, it's settled. Eight-thirty, out front, I'll be the one in the party dress with the jeans and a purse. I'll have to take a pretty big purse, but desperate times call for desperate actions. Deal?" asked Rory

"Deal," replied Dean.

Rory smiled and leaned in to kiss Dean.

-GG-

Rory entered the Gilmore mansion and all she saw were people scurrying to do the bidding of a tyrannical Emily Gilmore who was at the center of all the madness. She had no idea what she had signed up for. She had been to several fancy parties thanks to Straub's political position, but Emily Gilmore threw a party like none other.

"Just move them so people can navigate around them comfortably. Not that far apart, not that far apart! Good Lord, if someone needs that much room to get around a chair they shouldn't be at a party, they should be on a treadmill," barked out the commander-in-chief.

Rory could only chuckle. "Hey, Grandma. How's the party planning go along?"

"Rory! Oh, look at you! Will you look at her? I said look at her! Isn't she beautiful?" Emily's wrath was turned to the nearest servant who had no other answer than to say Rory looked beautiful.

"I love this dress, very elegant!" sighed Emily. She seemed to be reminiscing about something or other.

"Thanks, Grandma. The place looks wonderful! Are Grandma Francine and Grandpa Straub going to here? Have you invited Honor? Are mom and dad coming?" asked Rory with a barrage of questions.

"Unfortunately Straub and Francine couldn't make it tonight, though they send their regards. Honor had to fly out to Tuscany for some emergency regarding work. Your parents will be in attendance, but I know Lorelai is held up at the Inn so it may be late. Thank you so much for the compliment on the décor, but there's too much blue," said Emily hastily.

"Grandma, its Yale alumni, there can't be too much blue," replied Rory.

Just as the women were winding up their conversation Richard Gilmore made his appearance. "Emily, I noticed the bartenders weren't planning on using proper martini glasses." Upon seeing Rory he complimented her. "Well, Rory, how lovely you look tonight."

"Doesn't she? This dress is divine. But you know what? My hairdresser's upstairs in my bedroom right now, why don't you go on up and have her do a little something with your hair?" asked Emily. She was looking suspiciously chipper.

"My hair?" asked Rory. She'd thought her hair looked nice.

"Your hair is lovely, but Stella is here and you might as well take advantage. Just for kicks. Come on, I'll take you up. Richard, could you –" asked Emily

Richard shooed them on their way. "I have it all under control."

-GG-

Rory was curious. Why were her grandparents going all out for a Yale alumni event and why was she getting her hair done? She always showed up at important events suitably attired, and she felt this party was going to be like any other gathering her grandparents had.

Emily was in her own little world. "Oh, yes, that's very nice. I love the lashes."

"Umm…Grandma, this is really nice, but-" before Rory could finish Emily interrupted.

"Just a little more cheeks, Stella," Emily instructed the make-up artist.

"Shouldn't we be getting down to the party?" asked Rory who was surprised at all the preparation for the party.

"Yes. One more minute now. Let's see here, this might do it," said Emily while removing a huge diamond necklace from her safe.

"Grandma, I really couldn't-" started Rory, but was once again interrupted by Emily.

"Diamond necklaces were invented to be worn, they're doing nobody any good just sitting in a box. Perfect, do you like it?" asked Emily. Once again before Rory could answer in the affirmative she continued. "It needs earrings! I agree! Your grandfather bought me these earrings on our first trip to Denmark. He swears he bought them off the ne'er-do-well brother of the king who stole them from the queen - have you ever heard such a thing?"

"No."

"Ah, I have a wonderful idea! Have you ever worn a tiara?" asked a crazed Emily.

It was official, Emily Gilmore had gone insane. Rory could only continue on with the madness. "Well, when I was four..." Rory watched her reflection in the mirror as said Tiara was perched on her head. "Grandma, are you sure you want me wearing all this stuff? They must be very expensive, and if something should happen-"

"Nothing's going to happen, and yes. You look exactly the way I want my granddaughter to look to all our guests, like a princess. Shall we?" asked Emily.

"Okay," peeped out Rory.

-GG-

The scene was out of period drama of old. Rory felt like she was in a surreal environment and she could only watch as her grandmother guided her down the stairs. She saw a lot of faces as they turned towards Emily.

"Everyone, here's Rory!" it was announced as if to say "ready or not here she comes."

"You look absolutely royal," was the remark of Richard who looked pleased as punch.

"Well, it's probably the crown," quipped Rory. She was going to have sit down with the mental patients and have words.

"Oh, uh, Rory, I'd like you to meet Min and Argus Head and their son Andrew. Andrew, this is my granddaughter Rory."

"Nice to meet you," said Andrew who had a friendly smile on his face.

"Nice to meet you too," said Rory.

Richard continued his introduction of the family. "Andrew will be at Yale Law next semester. Isn't that wonderful?"

"It is, especially if you want to be a lawyer," deadpanned Rory. Everyone thought it was funny because they burst into laughter.

"Well, we need to make the rounds. You two can talk more later," decided Emily while she grabbed a hold of Rory's arm and pulled her along.

"Rory, we'd like you to meet Deanna and Chase Anderson and their son Donnan," said Emily.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said an attractive suave man with a drink in his hand. He looked rather distinguished and she saw a smile appear on his face

"You too," Rory blushed.

"Donnan is going to run his father's shipping business one day. Our own Aristotle Onassis with infinitely better table manners," said Richard.

"Nothing's written in stone yet. We'll see what kind of pension plan the company has, and then-" said Donnan Anderson rather smoothly. He had intelligent eyes.

"Rory's going to be a journalist. Take the world by storm, the two of you should talk later. She's also Senator Straub Hayden's granddaughter so the two of you will have much to discuss," said Emily rather cryptically.

Donnan forced a smile on his face, but he turned to Rory and replied, "Definitely."

Before Rory could finish saying goodbye to the Andersons she was grabbed and brought to another set of three. She had an idea as to what was going on, her grandparents were sending their message loud and clear. "Oh, Rory, Bunny and Napoleon Barnes and their son Kip."

"It's nice to see you again Rory," replied Kip Barnes who Rory had met at the Life and Death Brigade event the previous weekend.

"Kip…hello…it's nice to see you again," stuttered Rory.

"I didn't realize the two of you were acquainted. Kip is captain of the polo team," said Emily.

"Interesting that I didn't realize the kid's had met before. Hell of a polo player, young Kip. Gives those Windsor boys a run for their money," said Richard.

"William and Harry are good guys. Decent horsemen, terrible bridge players. Rory and I were introduced by mutual friends the other weekend," said Kip.

"Yes…Um, Kip, will you excuse us for a second? I need to talk to my grandparents. It was nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes," said Rory dragging Emily and Richard away.

"Make sure you two talk later," said Emily to Kip as she was being pulled away.

"Yes, ma'am," replied Kip, he was looking forward to more conversation with Rory Gilmore.

"Yes, Rory? Are you enjoying the party?" asked Richard.

"The party is very nice, Grandpa. I was just wondering, do your alumni friends have any daughters?" asked Rory

"Daughters? What do you mean?" asked Emily feigning ignorance.

"Well, I was just noticing that there are a lot of boys here but not that many girls," replied Rory with gritted teeth.

"Really? I hadn't noticed. Did you notice, Emily?" asked Richard curiously.

"Why no, I haven't. Huh, well. I will have to pay more attention to the guest list next time, won't I, Richard?" asked Emily as if to appease Rory. You could tell the couple had this act down to an art.

"Yes, you will," replied Richard rather jovially.

"I promise you, we will throw another party just for our friends with girls. But in the meantime-" said Emily but was interrupted by Richard.

"Ah, the Campbell boy is here," said Richard who was accosting the Campbell family as they made their way through the door.

"Oh, good, let's go…Campbell, like the soup!" expressed Emily with much enthusiasm. Rory could do nothing but follow her family.

-GG-

Rory was looking around her family's home in Hartford with a little trepidation. She wasn't hiding…not really. If anyone wanted to seek her out she was eating outside, her grandmother knew how to throw a party. She couldn't believe how the evening had turned into. Her parents had still not made an appearance.

"Rory?" asked an unfamiliar man.

"Mm-hm?" answered Rory. She was hungry and it was just as she was stuffing her face when this character decided to talk to her.

"I'm Jordan. Your grandmother sent me over here. Apparently we're made for each other," he jokingly replied.

Rory didn't know how she felt about her grandmother throwing men at her in such a presumptuous manner. "Oh, gee. Well, how convenient."

"There's nothing like having your family play matchmaker. How old are you?" he asked curiously.

"Me? I'm, um, almost twenty…"replied Rory curiously. He sounded skeevy.

"All right, good. Just making sure everything's legal. You need a drink?" he replied as if their getting together was a forgone conclusion.

"No, not a drink," said a disgusted Rory.

"Why? Get a little crazy when you drink?" Jordan asked intrigued.

Rory had no better answer than to say, "Yes. That's it."

"I'd like to see that."

Rory was ready to slap the smarmy look on that jackasses face when she saw someone approach from the corner of her eyes.

"Rory. There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you. I'm late, I'm sorry, don't be mad. Logan Huntzberger," said Logan extending his hand to Jordan and possessively putting his arms around Rory's shoulder.

"Uh, Jordan Chase," came the deadpanned response.

"Good to meet you, thanks for keeping my girl busy. If you hadn't, she would've noticed exactly how late I am and then she mighta left and that would have been very, very bad," replied Logan with a sickly sweet voice. Anyone who knew him would know he was close to throwing the first punch.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry - you're with her?" asked a confused Jordan

"Going on a year and a half," came the haughty reply.

"Great. What the hell am I doing here?" replied Jordan before walking away.

"Oh, thank you. I didn't think there was anything worse than listening to guys talk about their cars. I officially hate arrogant bastards like Jordan Chase. I can't believe he thought we were perfect for each other," replied a disgusted Rory.

"You looked cornered; well I'm glad to be of service," said Logan not having anything else to say.

"I won't even ask what you're doing here since I know the answer to that question," said Rory picking up a nearby glass of champagne and draining the whole glass.

"I couldn't say no to a stocked bar, and I must say your grandmother has excellent food," said Logan looking around at the turnout. The Gilmores knew how to command a crowd and this party was a hit, its reason not being lost on any of the attendees.

"Hmm…Emily has such great taste," said Rory

Before the conversation could escalate, they were interrupted. "Logan? How are you, son? I haven't seen you in ages," said Richard who had come from inside the house.

Logan shook Richard's hand and said, "I'm very well, sir, and yourself? It has been a long time since we've seen each other."

"Oh, I'm fit as a fiddle! It's good to see you. Are your parents here? I haven't seen them in a week or so," said Richard looking around the patio to see if Mitchum and Shira would pop out of nowhere.

"They're wandering around here somewhere. Mom is obsessed with Emily's new draperies. I think she's trying to find out who manufactures them so we can get similar ones for the Huntzberger home," said Logan.

"Ah, yes. Emily has exquisite taste in fabrics. All right, Rory. Since I see that you are in capable hands I will make another round and end up at the bar. The two of you together reminds me of your Debutante Ball Rory, it was a good memory," said Richard reminiscing about times gone by.

"It's been good to see you, Richard. I'll catch up with you some time this week," said Logan.

"Good to see you, Logan. We'll get a golf game underway next time we meet," replied Richard and made his way back into the party.

"Its official, my grandparents still love you. Why are you here Logan?" asked Rory honestly.

"I'm here because my parents requested I be here. Okay, so. Lesson one in coping with painfully boring parties, form a sub-party," said Logan before Rory could find out his real reason for being here.

"Where are you going?" asked Rory trying to lighten the mood after his rather hurtful remark.

"Finn!" yelled Logan

"Finn's here?" asked Rory who was surprised that Finn knew her grandparents.

"Finn!" yelled Logan once again.

"You rang?" came the droll voice of Finn who looked rather bored.

"Time for a change of venue," came Logan's command

"Oh, fantastic," came the sigh of relief. Then he looked at Rory an asked "Do I know you?"

-GG-

Rory had no idea how she ended up surrounded by the crème-de-la-crème of Hartford society, of the male persuasion anyways, in the pool house of her grandparent's home. Somehow she had consumed glass upon glass of alcohol and she felt she was officially drunk. She hadn't realized that so many of the guys she met at the Life and Death Brigade event would be attendance at this so-called "Yale Alumni" event.

"Gilmore, your grandfather has appalling taste in Scotch," said Colin McCrae who couldn't sit still without a glass of scotch in his hand.

"I think you should go on inside and tell him!" sputtered Rory, then she burst into laughter.

"If he hasn't learned by now I certainly can't teach him," replied a disappointed Colin. He had no idea how enjoyable Gilmore would be after a few drinks.

"Colin, make sure you refill that bottle with something, we don't want Ace over here to get busted," said Logan.

Colin simply rolled his eyes. "I know. I know."

"So Ace…Refill?" asked Logan holding up the champagne bottle. He never knew Rory would be a happy drunk.

Rory smiled and threw caution to the wind. "Sure, why not?"

"Because drinking is bad. It's very, very bad and we're bad for doing it. Spank me," said Finn who had lost himself in the moment.

"I think the hangover tomorrow will be punishment enough," replied Rory trying not to think about tomorrow.

"She hasn't had enough champagne, Logan," said Finn before getting up and moving near Colin.

"Hey, listen, I forgot to tell you, I read the article." Logan had been waiting several days to talk to Rory about the Life and Death Brigade event and he'd never found the perfect time to approach her. Although, this wasn't exactly the perfect time, surrounded by the single men of the Hartford elite, but he couldn't been choosy.

"You did?" asked an anxious Rory.

"Yep, not bad," said Logan not realizing how much his words meant to Rory.

"Thank you," she said rather poignantly.

"Caught the spirit of the thing, I'll give you that," he said reluctantly.

Rory was waiting for the other shoe to drop. "But?"

"No, no buts. You've got a good style. There were a few too many similes in it for my taste, but it definitely had a Joseph Mitchell thing going for it, I like that," said Logan honestly. He knew he could give her this, when he couldn't give her something else she was looking for, not yet.

"I'm surprised you even bothered to read it," said Rory trying to dismiss how much his remark meant to her. He was the one person whose opinion she would value when it came to journalism.

"Are you? Hmm…So, who's it going to be?" asked Logan. He had to do this because if he didn't he wouldn't know the reason behind this party…the real reason.

"What?" asked Rory taken aback.

"Well, this shindig's an obvious meat market, I've got the feeling that your grandparents are expecting you to choose someone tonight, so..."

"Oh, well..." said a stunned Rory.

Finn came out with the first remark. "Me. Pick me."

Then all the guys decided to put in their two cents. "No, pick me!" they all shouted.

Finn actually looked at the group in disgust. "But I'm exotic!"

"So's the Asian Bird flu," replied a rather terse Colin.

"Wow. A room full of guys and still extremely slim pickings," said Logan chuckling. However, he was seriously checking out his companions because it was odd to see them so worked up.

"Well, I don't know. It's a tough choice, maybe I should wait to make my decision. You know see if anyone better comes along," joked Rory.

"I think they want to know now Ace," said Logan.

"No, they're just - oh no, what time is it?" asked Rory rather hurriedly.

"It's crying time," said a dramatic Finn.

Colin ever the sensible one replied, "Eight forty five."

"Oh I have to leave. I'm meeting someone at eight-thirty!" Rory was quickly grabbing her shoes and putting them on.

"Who? ... Where?" asked Logan. Who exactly could she be meeting late at night during her grandparent's party.

"Oh…umm…someone…Here, out front!" came the disjointed remark.

"Well, we got to see this "someone" and make sure your going off in safe hands," said Logan. The whole reason he wanted to follow her was to find out who she was meeting.

"What? But-hey!" said Rory

"Coming?" asked Logan.

Rory was walking as fast as her heels would allow. She knew this wasn't going to turn out well. Dean was going to freak and Logan wasn't going to react well.

-GG-

Rory did try to keep the group of guys under control, but they were curious as to who she was meeting. She felt more than saw Logan tense when he saw who was waiting for her.

Rory approached Dean and started talking. "Dean, hi. I'm sorry, have you been waiting long? I didn't have a watch and we were in the pool house. These are some friends. They go to Yale with me and they know my grandparents. The party was so boring so we- Is that a new shirt? 'Cause I like it."

"What am I doing here, Rory?" asked a tired Dean. He didn't know why he did this to himself. She wasn't who he expected her to be.

"You're picking me up," replied Rory rather dumbly.

"I don't belong here. Not anymore. Do I?"

"Dean," whispers Rory.

"You look good," he said looking her up and down one last time.

Rory can only watch Dean drive away. She can't allow her tears to fall because then it would be showing her weakness. Deep down, if she was being honest with herself, she knew this was how this particular relationship would end. Holding on to Dean was like holding on to her safety blanket, and she had to get rid of it some time.

"Please don't tell me you were stupid enough to get back together with that idiot," remarked Logan. He had silently watched as Dean had broken up with Rory and couldn't understand how this had come to be. He knew a little about Rory's romantic relationships, he'd found out through his mother that Rory and Dean had broken up and now it seemed like they had somehow gotten back together.

"I don't have to explain myself to you Logan." Rory angrily looked at him before trying to make her way back into the house. The rest of the guys were watching the spectacle unfold before them.

Logan grabbed her by the arm and held on. "You're smarter than that. Why do associate with someone like Dean who doesn't care about your dreams and aspirations. That little boy had no idea what he wants to do with his life and holds on to you like a jealous husband and you allow him to treat you like that?"

"Let go of my arm. You have no idea what and who I am anymore and you have no say in my life or the relationships I have. You left when I needed you the most…I don't have to explain my reasons for being with Dean," said Rory who was trying hard no to cry.

"I had to get away from here and you know why. I thought you would have moved on from your childish relationship with Dean," said Logan with his hands in his pocket.

"My relationship with Dean wasn't childish…it's the most adult relationship I've had with a man," said Rory before grabbing a hold of Finn and going back into the house.

Logan let the last words sink in before the fury set in; he was beyond pissed. Colin taking a hold of him and dragging him into a room didn't click in until his friend was right in front of his face.

"You have to calm down Logan," said Colin. He'd never seen his friend look that murderous. Colin had no idea what Rory Gilmore had said to his best friend, but it certainly got a reaction.

Logan paced the floor trying to get rid of the implications of Rory's words. He didn't know how he felt about the connotations of such a remark. "I wish I could punch him in the face Colin."

"Who? Gilmore's ex-boyfriend?" asked Colin.

"Yes! Damn that Dean Forrester and his stupidness. I never thought she would get back together with him after I found out they had broken up. I can see why Emily and Richard thought they would throw this party to get Rory to attach herself with one of the guys here," said Logan. He had stopped near the portrait of Rory. She looked just like he remembered her at sixteen.

Colin walked up behind Logan and watched his oldest friends pine for the girl in the picture. "What does she mean to you?"

Logan looked at his best friend and decided to come clean. "When I met Rory I had a chip on my shoulder the size of Texas and didn't care about anything but a good time. I'm sure you remember me then, but she came into my life when I expected nothing. She was sweet, but would tell me off if I did anything stupid. Her family took in me and Honor and they were different than Mitchum and Shira. I think she was the first person to ever tell me I would do great things and that I would be a better man than my father. I just can't give her what she needs now, you understand why."

Colin looked at the oil painting and wondered if Rory knew how much she changed Logan. He was still a party boy, but she had the capacity to change his path. He wasn't ready to be who she needed, not quite yet. "I know why you can't be what she needs, but you need to understand that she can't lock herself in her room and wait for you. You have to realize that she's going to see other men and you're not going to like it."

Logan could only look at the painting and grimace at the remark.

-GG-

Rory was laughing at Finn's renactment of Passion of the Christ; it turned out to be funny every time he did it. She had decided to forget about Dean and Logan and enjoy her party.

Logan came into the pool house when Finn was mid-sentence and watched his friend try to speak in old Aramaic. He and Colin had decided to come and join the party once again. Rory was ignoring him.

Before Logan could make his way towards Rory the pool house door opened and a distinctly familiar voice speak. "How come I didn't know my parents were trying to marry off my eldest child?"

Rory's eyes lit up. "Mom!" she ran into the arms of her mother and gave her a big hug.

"Wory!" yelled the voice of a miniature version of Rory who was in the arms of Christopher Hayden who had come into the pool house after his wife.

"Gigi! How are you? Have you missed your big sister? Have mum and dad been behaving themselves?" asked Rory grabbing her little sister and giving her father a hug.

Logan watched the sisters babble to each other; he didn't think Rory understood anything the two-year old way saying. He'd never met the newest addition to the Gilmore-Hayden family, but he'd been sent a lot of pictures by his sister and Christopher Hayden. Logan made his way towards the couple.

"Why Logan Huntzberger as I live and breath," said Lorelai. She grabbed him in a bear hug and squeezed.

Logan smiled into her shoulders. He always had soft spot for Lorelai and Christopher because of the way they welcomed both him and Honor into their family. "It's nice to see you Lorelai. You're parents decided to take matters into their own hands and tried to find an eligible bachelor for Rory to settle down with."

Christopher shook hands with Logan and gave him a manly hug. "Logan, nice to see you young man."

"You too Chris! I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your wedding, but I hope you liked the present I sent you," said Logan.

"Are you kidding me! You gave us the best present…who wouldn't like a deluxe uber-expensive coffee maker. It's Italian, that's all needs to be said about that," said Lorelai.

"Lore you have a one track mind…so how is this sub-party going?" asked Christopher looking around at the males.

Logan watched as the guys were introduced to Rory's parents and were charmed by them. He could see Colin and Finn being sucked in by their magnetism. It was nice to be home after years away…some things never changed.

Logan looked at Rory who was introducing her sister to the guys and sighed…although some things did change. He just wasn't sure how the final outcome would be in the drama that was Rory and Logan.

"Umm…Rory why are you wearing a tiara?" asked Lorelai.

AN: I hope you enjoyed this installment of The Escort. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of the story and anything else you wish to share. ~LE