Disclaimer: Do not own Gilmore Girls.
AN: I'm finally finished with my exams so i have time to sleep and breath again and of course to write :) So there it is a jampacked and chaotic chapter. haha. But as the title inclines...it's supposed to be. :) I hope you like it! Read & Review! And I really want to thank all of you and especially those i could't reply, for your reviews! You guys are amazing and keep me motivated! Thank you!!!
Chapter 13. Apocalyps now.
"Lena – Rory; Rory – Lena…" Logan recited as if it was the alphabet.
Rory smiled at the girl standing in front of her, an overnight bag in her hands. She had the same eyes as Logan, dark and warm, a bit playful, the same blond locks falling down her heart shaped face. She wasn't tall, nor did she have a very feminine figure, but she radiated, the same way Logan did. Boys were probably surrounding her like a swarm of bees would do with a pot of honey.
"Hi," she said with a wave.
"Hey." Rory answered.
"So now the pleasantries are out of the way. What are you doing here?!" Logan exclaimed making a wild gesture with his hands.
"I called." She smiled sweetly batting her eyelashes.
"And I said NO!!!! Argh!" He left the hallway, practically stomping. Lena ran after him.
"Logan come on! Please!"
He looked at his sisters pleading eyes. And no, at this time they didn't do anything. He still wanted to inflict bodily harm.
"Please?"
"Mitchum will be worried."
"If he even notices I'm gone… I hate him anyway." she murmured, sitting down on the couch, twisting her hands.
"Lena, don't say that." He sat down in front of her running his hands through his already messy hair.
"Why?! You do."
"I don't… hate him." he sighed. "I resent things he did, does, but he is still my father and yours for that matter."
"He lets Shira do everything. Did you know that she threatened to sell moms piano, if I didn't come to this stupid charity thing with her."
Logan closed his eyes. That sounded typically like Shira.
"And she is always sweet like a goddamn diabetics p…"
"Don't finish that." He cut her off with a disgusted face.
"What I was saying is, that I can't prove to dad that she is a hag! She is always so goddamn sweet. Makes me sick."
He chuckled.
"You would make a for murder convicted sailor blush, do you know that?"
"Sorry. She just! Argh! I don't want to go home."
"I'll talk to Shira. She is not going to sell that piano even if it is the last thing I do. But you have to stop doing this. Running away. This is like the third time this year. And last time I had to go to Florida to collect you!"
"I did buy you a Mickey Mouse mug."
He laughed. It was simply impossible to be mad at this girl.
"So what am I going to do with you?"
"I can stay?!" she squealed.
"Only today!"
"Awww…can't I stay the whole weekend?" she looked at him pleadingly.
"No… only today." He sighed. "But I'll come to Hartford on Saturday, ok?"
"OOOOOH I love you! I love you! I love you!" she bounced throwing her arms around his neck.
"Only today. Do you hear me? And call dad." He handed her the phone.
"Yes, yes! I promise. Only today and you are coming." She solemnly folded her hands, but the rest of her was jumping like quicksilver.
"In…" he looked at his watch "2 hours Rory's mom is coming and I'm not sure how well our dinner will go. I want you to behave."
"I'll be like an angel…"
"Yeah yeah…" he mumbled getting up.
He wondered were Rory had wandered off and peeked in the bedroom, but it was empty. He pushed the door of the study open and smirked at the sight of Rory doing an almost successful attempt of crawling IN his computer.
"You'll go blind," he observed, catching her off guard.
"What is so interesting that it causes you to physically crawl in the computer?" he asked closing to the desk, the smile not leaving his face.
"Logan! Come on!" Rory could hear Lena pleading. She didn't know what to do. Keep out or go in. This was so strange. Dean had had a little sister, but the emphasis had been on little. How was she supposed to act around a sixteen year old? She silently left the hallway and made her way into the study, shutting the door to give them some privacy. With a sigh she let herself down in the chair at the antique desk and decided to check her email, since Logan's laptop was just sitting there…looking bored. She scrolled down her emails. Paris, YDN, study group, Christopher. She scanned through them, till her eyes locked on the piece of correspondence. Paris Internship Program, it said. She had sent them a letter 2 moths ago, seeing it not only as a great opportunity to get some experience and clean up her French, but also as a way to get her mind straight about Logan… 3 months without the boy could give her some perspective. But now, now she was afraid to open it and find a positive answer. She held her breath as her hand moved the cursor on the mail and she clicked it open. Her heart made a jump when the page appeared before her.
Dear Miss. Gilmore,
The Organization of the University of Yale Paris Internship Program is hereby inclined to inform you, that you have been accepted to the program of 2006/2007. Further information will reach you by mail the following week. In case questions arise, you can contact the secretariat during office hours.
Kind Regards, E. Stampton, chairwoman of the Organization of the University of Yale Paris Internship Program
Rory read it ones, twice… and heaved a sigh. She had gotten in. Her eyes flew over the lines once more, but there it was, beaming to her as if the message was set in neon letters: She had gotten in. Did she want to be in? She sighed once more. Something to ponder about later.
"You'll go blind." His voice made her jump up.
He was leaning against the doorpost, smirking.
"What is so interesting that it causes you to physically crawl in the computer?" he asked coming closer.
She clicked the window away and shrugged.
"Nothing. Just read my mail. How is Lena?"
He sighed.
"We'll have to set the table for one more."
"She is staying? That's nice." Rory nodded.
"Sorry, I didn't know she was going to barge in like that…"
"It's ok." Rory smiled.
"Ok then. Come one, lets finish that lasagna."
"Can I cut the veggies?" Rory asked bouncing after him. "If you say no, I'm going to mock you forever!" she finished in a singsong voice.
Logan rolled his eyes, handing her the knife. He took a swing from the bottle of wine on the counter. Rory raised an eyebrow.
"What?" She kept staring at him.
"What?!" Her hands traveled to her sides as she maintained her piercing stare.
"Oh holy mother of Moses!" Logan opened a cabinet, took out a glass and demonstratively filled it with wine.
"Good boy." Rory smirked and sliced the tomato in two.
"Need a hand in here?" Lena asked, hopping on the counter and putting half a tomato in her mouth.
"Ehm…no we got it," Rory smiled.
"Did you call Mitchum?" Logan asked taking a sip from his glass.
"I was going to…"
"Lena…"
"I really was…"
"Lena…"
"I don't wanna!"
"Lena…"
"You sound like a broken record." She rolled her eyes. With a tea towel he smacked her butt.
"Go call him."
Pouting she disappeared in the living room. Rory couldn't help but smile. Logan in full big brother mode, was heart warming.
"What is so funny?" he asked snaking his arms around her waist and steeling a slice of tomato.
"Hey! Knock it off! Wait until dinner, otherwise we wont have anything to put in said dinner."
"You are very bossy today." He snickered.
"No I'm not!" she protested.
"Yes you are…"
"I'm not!"
"Booossyyyyy," He breathed in her ear.
"I'm not bossy!" she turned around in his embrace, now leaning against the counter. "It's simply yuk when you dribble all over the bottle. They didn't invent glasses for nothing, you know."
"You make it sound like I'm some sort of walking bacteria."
Rory chuckled.
"But a very cute one."
"A cute germ…" He pretended to contemplate about it. "I can live with that."
He lowered his head leaning his forehead against hers.
"You look very pretty today."
"My socks don't match…" Rory deadpanned.
"And I still…" he started.
"He wants to talk to you." Lena remarked. …love you all the same. He sighed, letting go of her and reaching for the phone.
"I'll be right back." He said padding into the living room.
"Soooo…" Lena started, "you are his girlfriend?"
"Yep, according to rumors I am."
"I'm still shocked." She blurted out. "Logan is not known for his monogamy, trust me."
Rory smirked.
"I trust you."
"So how did you two meet?"
"Logan and his friends were looking for a redhead…in my dorm."
"Finn?" she smirked.
"Oh yes."
"So then what happened?" Lena installed herself on the counter once again. "He asked you out? You said yes? And you lived happily ever after?"
Rory put down the knife. She couldn't help but feel some sort of resentment in that girl.
"No, I hated his guts and he kept annoying me."
"But you still went out with him."
"Eventually."
"Do you love him?" Rory drew in a deep breath. What was her problem?
"I do." She then stated.
"So you first hated him and when you found out who he was you loved him?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing…just very convenient." Lena shrugged.
"Well you got me there. I'm planning on cleaning out his bank account. Did you know that we have a child on the way? Yeah…then he HAS to marry me and well I'm all set for life." She shoved the lasagna into the oven and straightened up again.
"Do you think that little of him?"
"I don't. But he is a guy after all…"
"Yeah. He is a guy. One of the good ones, although he doesn't know it himself. And he is not stupid, Lena."
"I never said he was."
"You just inclined that."
"What's going on?" Logan asked.
"Nothing…" both of them mumbled. Rory proceeded chopping the onions. Starting a rift between Logan and Lena was not on her agenda.
His eyes darted from his sister to his girl and back again.
"I didn't fall on my head. What is going on?"
"We had a discussion…" Lena answered looking at Rory, who nodded slightly.
Logan rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"Can you finish?" Rory asked him. "I want to jump in the shower before mom comes here."
He nodded, stepping aside to let her through. And raised his eyebrows at Lena.
"What did you say to her?"
"I…didn't."
"Stop bullshitting me. Just 2 minutes ago she was smiling."
"Well that's because you practically had your tongue down her throat."
He sighed. Sometimes he wanted to throw something at her. Something big, heavy and pointy and…
"I simply asked her how you met. She told me that she hated you at first and that she loved you when she found out that you were loaded."
"You really are an immature little brat, aren't you?"
"What?"
"You heard me. You come here uninvited, ruin my plans, you offend my girlfriend."
His tone was rising with every word he uttered. Lena felt tears pricking in her eyes.
"I care about you. I don't want some money-grubber to make you all miserable." She defended her actions.
"Right now you are making me miserable." He spat. "When she gets out of that shower, you are going to apologize."
"No I'm not!"
"Yes you are! Don't fuck with me! I'm really not in the mood!" He slammed his wineglass on the counter, causing it to break in two. Lena jumped up.
He left her alone and she let out a sob, angrily flinging the tea towel through the kitchen.
Logan turned on the TV sitting down on the couch and willing his nerves to unwind. His eyes took in the images of snow ploughs working overtime, roads closing down, electric failure wrapping half of the state of New York in dusk and he turned his gaze to the window. Obese snowflakes were falling down and he furrowed his eyebrows.
Rory turned off the water and wrapped herself in a soft towel. She had tried to wash away that heavy feeling but it was still nestling in her stomach and facing Logan's sibling once more didn't sound all that appealing. She brushed her wet hair and got dressed enjoying the feel of Logan's heated bathroom floor. This room was almost like a shrine. Silent, serene, warm and comforting… with the bathtub of course as it's altar. She padded into the living room, finding Logan in front of the TV. He smiled padding on the spot next to him.
"Vermont and New York are snowed in…It's coming here too. Roads are closing down." He remarked with a little nod in the direction of the TV.
"I'm going to call mom." She said getting up, but got pulled back down.
"Are you ok?" he asked her.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
He shook his head with a smirk..
"Go call your mom."
Rory walked into the bedroom grabbing her phone when a soft knock on the door made her turn around. She lowered her phone and straightened up at the sight of Lena standing in the doorway.
"Hey." She said, "Can I come in?"
Rory nodded.
"I…I didn't mean to offend you earlier." Lena said, looking at the floor. "So I'm sorry. I was wrong."
"It's fine."
Without a further word Lena turned around and left. Rory's eyes were fixed on the empty doorway. Somehow she wasn't convinced this was over. She sighed and put the phone to her ear.
"This is Madame Olga. I see all and know all. To whom am I speaking?"
"Hey, mom…"
"Oh my God! You won't believe this! I woke up this morning to 2 feet of snow! And it still is snowing!" Lorelai rambled exploding through the door. " And Babbette's sister, who was about to visit, had to abandon her car driving through Stars Hollow at 6 in the morning. She turned down the street and discovered that it wasn't plowed and got stuck and luckily the night before Babbette talked her in wearing snow clothes suitable for getting stranded. She scoffed at the time, thinking it was absurd that she might need them! But this morning she was very thankful. So Morey was banging on my door at 6.32 in the morning telling me that they were planning on hiking there sometime today and shoveling the Land Rover – I might add – out. So if he could borrow the shovel and I, being all helpful me said, of course. So I crawled out of the snow tomb that is around my house right now and I couldn't get in the garage." 3 pairs of eyes were staring at her, 2 of mouths hanging open.
"There is simply too much snow to drive cars! Anyway I climbed through that mountain of snow like a skilled saint Bernard sniffling for stranded skiers and finally got to the garage when I noticed that the garage door was frozen stuck…See that is why I never ever park my car in there! It's suicide…" The woman went on and Logan started to question the fact that a human needed oxygen to survive.
"So anyway I wanted to blow-dry it – the door not the car- and I crawled back to the house, but the cord of the blow-dryer wasn't long enough and I had already used the patch cable for the VCR and I couldn't just pull it out, because I have no clue how to set the clock on the thing again and so I couldn't get in the garage and borrow Morey our shovel. Do we even have a shovel?" she asked.
Rory opened her mouth to answer the question, but was cut off by the continuing rant.
"So then I made a path to my beloved car, to come here and it didn't budge! It made this 'ughieghie' sound and then nothing… So I had to call Chris! Because Luke's truck was at Gipsy's, and Gipsy had slipped on the pavement outside miss Patty's studio and I think broken her tail-bone or sprained it, I'm not sure Kirk was very vague. And then Chris drove all slow in that stuck up Volvo of his and I kept yelling that he needed to step on it. But he yelled back that it wasn't safe and then I yelled that we were in a frikkin' Volvo so it leveled out our reckless behavior, being the safest car on the planet and all, but anyway it's horrible outside and that's why I'm late. Sorry, hon." Lorelai drew a deep breath, taking off her coat.
"Hey, mom." Rory smiled, taking her coat from her and kissing her cheek. "This is Logan and his sister Lena, who is visiting."
"Lorelai Gilmore." The older version of Rory introduced herself.
"Mrs Gilmore." Logan gave her a polite nod.
"Where?!" Lorelai exclaimed almost jumping into her daughters arms.
"Excuse me?"
"The only Mrs Gilmore I know is well that is not true…I know two. But anyway, be careful where you yell that… you might get struck by lightning!"
"Mom!" Rory tried to get her mothers limbs off of her.
"It's true…It has happened before!"
Rory rolled her eyes and shook her head at Logan.
"I'm going to call Melissa! See if she wants to go see a movie tonight." Lena told Logan and he nodded. After his requested apology to Rory and a spontaneous one to him, he had chosen to let the matter go and all seemed like it used to be again.
"Make it quick," he added, "We are going to eat soon."
"I'll be right out!" she yelled from the study. That would mean a half hour at the least.
"So this is where you live?" Lorelai asked looking around the living room, a fire burning in a open masonry fireplace, pool table covered in books, an unfinished game and maps, a harness standing in the corner. It looked hassle-free and judging from the wall covering bookcase filled with books like a place Rory could feel at home.
"It's nice." She said. Now the rambling and craziness was done, she didn't really know what to say. She couldn't help it. She didn't fully trust the guy.
"Thanks. Ehm, would you like some wine?" Logan offered.
"Yes. Thanks." Logan nodded disappearing in the kitchen.
"It's a very nice place." She said and Rory smiled.
"It is." She preferred it above hers. "It's cozy."
"What's with the harness?"
"Oh that's Henry."
"Henry."
"Yes. Henry." The two women just looked at each other, both of them a little uncomfortable.
Logan returned with 2 glasses of wine handing them to both of them.
"The lasagna has been ready for some time now, so shall we dig in, otherwise it will get cold."
"I'll get it." Rory suggested and padded in to the kitchen. Logan and Lorelai sat down. She sipped from her wine.
"Sooo… It's cold outside." Lorelai offered.
"Yes, yes it is." The rustling of the fire echoed through the room as an uncomfortable silence set in.
"Tomorrow is Valentines day. Are Rory and you doing something special?" Lorelai asked.
"No. We are not really into the hole Hallmark extravaganza. We discussed it and decided that it's not for us."
Lorelai opened her mouth to disagree when Rory entered the living room again wearing rooster shaped oven mittens, a dish in her hands. She put it on the table and plopped down on a chair.
"Lena is not going to come back until that phone falls apart from misery," Logan sighed, "We can start without her."
"Are you sure?" Rory asked.
"Yes. I don't want to risk you starving. You might chew my leg off." he winked.
Rory stuck her tongue out to him and Lorelai, observing the couples interaction, smiled.The first bite of the lasagna was barely swallowed when a door slammed shut.
"Elvis is dead, Mozart is dead, Einstein is dead! And to be frank I'm not feeling so great myself…" Finn declared barging into the living room.
"Finn, why are you here and what can I do to change that?" Logan sighed.
The Australian grinned taking in his annoyed friend, his girlfriend… and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"My GOD!" He exclaimed, dropping on his knees, "Who are you, oh heavenly creature?!"
"Oh my…"Lorelai snickered, "I'm flattered. Lorelai Gilmore."
"Lorealai Gilmore" Finn repeated in awe. "Are you our dear Rory's sister?"
"Try more along the path of her mother and who are you?"
"My God those are good genes!" He mumbled and 'subtly' gave Logan the thumbs up. My name is Finnegan Antonius Daniel Matthew Joseph Stoddart….the THIRD! " he finished with an increase in volume and took a well needed breath.
"But you can call me Finn. Are you married, dear?" he proceeded. Logan paled. He loved the blockhead from down under, but this was certainly not the time to open 'the box of charm', that usually had people running away screaming for mercy. How the bloke got woman was beyond his comprehension.
He looked at Rory, but she was only speechlessly staring at the scene before her.
"Finn." He groaned, "Quit it! What do you want?"
Before he could respond Lena flung herself at him.
"Finn, you old rascal!"
"Old?! Watch it, little Sheilla." He hugged the girl, getting of the floor. "Didn't know you were visiting."
"I…"
"She is not." Logan cut her off and earned himself a glare. "She is invading, like yourself… And that, my friend, is a subtle hint."
"I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar, mate." Finn furrowed his eyebrows
Oh my good lord, Logan thought. Rory's mother was not only going to take away Rory and put her in a tower behind 7 locks, but he was also not going to be able to blame her.
"Finn! What are you doing here?!"
"Oh thank God! I thought he got hit by a snow plough or something!" Colin yelled shaking the snow off his coat, "I thought you were hit by the snow plough!!!!" His finger was dangerously close to Finn's eyeball.
"Dirty nail, mate." Was Finn's dry remark.
"I told you! Come back in 10 min!" Colin kept screaming. "Seth! Robert! Will! They are all out there in the bloody snowstorm looking for you! Hey, Lena! It's been long." He cheerfully ended his rant.
"Well that is bloody brilliant. I was here…" Finn shrugged plopping down on the couch and snatching the bottle of wine in one fluent and graceful movement.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED!"
Colin yanked the bottle out of his hands and Logan was certain he was going to smash it on the Aussies head. He felt a migraine coming up. This was not happening. This was not happening. WHY was this happening?!
"OK!!! ENOUGH!" he yelled and the two bickering men plainly stared at him. "In the Study!"
"But…" Finn attempted to protest, nevertheless stopping at the sight of Logan's almost diabolic facial expression.
As two children who were just rebuked and were now awaiting a beating, the men plodded to the study.
"Excuse me for a moment." Logan apologized and followed them with clenched fists. Lena skipped after him, rambling something about movies and Jude Law.
"Sooooo…" Lorelai started and burst out in laughter. "That was almost as good as a Stars Hollow festival."
"Nothing is as good as a Stars Hollow festival…, but yes the insanity comes close." Rory corrected with smile.
"Is it always like this here?" Lorelai asked taking another bite of the lasagna, "And this is sooo good!"
"When those two are around, yes. When they aren't it's quiet, nice. And if you meant the lasagna…it is. But I'm also starving."
"Yes those snowstorms make a person hungry. Do I have to get you out of tomorrows Friday night dinner? Since it's Valentines day?"
Rory shrugged.
"No, I'll come. Logan isn't a big fan of Valentines day." She remarked and raised her eyebrows at the muffled arguing that flowed into the living room.
"I noticed. Doesn't that affect you? I know that you love Valentines Day."
Another shrug.
"I can't make him do something he doesn't want. Plus he didn't freak out completely when I told him that you were coming. I guess that is as good a Valentines gift as any."
Lorelai gave her daughter a sad smile. Deep down that girl was a romantic. She loved the Stars Hollow Valentines festival, that was cancelled due to the snowstorm this year.
"I'm so sorry about that." Logan sighed reentering the room and sitting down again.
"Bye, enjoy your evening." Colin yelled from the hall opening the door.
"Bye!" Rory yelled back.
Suddenly Finn ran back into the room, once again dropping in his knees and sealing a kiss on Lorelai's captured hand.
"Divine!" He gushed, scrambling of the floor. "See you, love." He addressed Rory with a wink and made a quick exit before Logan could throw something at him.
"Byeee!!!" Lena yelled as well.
"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?" Logan exclaimed. This evening was wrecking him.
"To Melissa. You said I could go." Lena raised her eyebrows.
"Now? What about dinner?"
"We'll grab something on the way to the theater, otherwise we'll miss the movie."
"I want you to get back right after the movie, comprenez?"
"Oui!" she saluted and ran out the door after Finn and Colin. Logan let himself down in his seat again and downed his glass of wine in one gulp.
Rory patted his hand and he gave her a tired smile.
The dinner, filled with light conversation and jokes hadn't been a complete disaster. They were half through desert and Lorelai's explanation of the Civil War reenactment in Stars Hollow when her cell phone started playing the Oompa-Loompa song. Lorelai excused herself for a moment and went into the kitchen.
"How are you holding up?" Rory asked. Logan shrugged with a smile.
"My batteries are a little low after today. But other than the display of Finn as my friend I didn't embarrass you, did I?"
Rory chuckled, giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Thank you, for doing this."
"You're welcome." He winked. "More wine?"
"Do you want to get me drunk?" she scoffed letting him fill her glass.
"Why how on earth am I going to take advantage of you otherwise?"
"It's official!" Lorelai exclaimed. "the end of the earth is near. They are closing down roads and if I want to get home tonight, I have to hitch a ride from Christopher, whose Volvo and he himself are standing downstairs. The doorman doesn't believe that he is not a burglar or serial killer, which I don't blame him, to be honest."
"Oh I'm sorry." Logan got up, calling Eddie.
"Hello everybody!" Christopher greeted cheerfully, closing the door behind him.
"Hey dad."
"Hello, Volvo-man!" Lorelai chirped.
"I'm Logan. Logan Huntzberger." Logan extended his hand, which Christopher shook.
"Christopher Hayden. Nice place."
"Thanks."
"So you are Rory's…"
"Boyfriend." Logan answered timidly. These were way too much parents on one day.
"Boyfriend, yes. Did we know that she had a boyfriend?" he asked Lorelai.
"We do now. So what is the deal? Am I being Volvoed out?"
"Yes, you are. Sorry to cut the evening short. But it's getting worse outside by the minute."
"That's ok. Logan, it was nice to meet you, dressed and all." She winked. "Fruitloin! I am going to see you tomorrow. And remember to wear snow clothes suitable for getting stranded. Do we have snow clothes suitable for getting stranded?" she asked Christopher.
"Nooo…We have a Volvo."
"Ah yes the Volvo! Well ok. Bye!" She kissed Rory.
"Bye. Drive safe."
"Of course we will. We have a Volvo after all."
"Would you stop with the Volvo already?! It's a good car!" Christopher groaned dragging Lorelai out the door.
"So… that was that." Rory sighed, plopping on the couch on top of Logan.
"Yep." He sighed in return, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "You know?" he started once more and groaned when the intercom zoomed yet again. This was starting to feel like a Jerry Springer show with 'I love you' being the beeped words.
"I'll get that." Rory smirked. "Mom, probably forgot something. Or Lena came home."
"Not Lena." Logan called after her. "She texted me, that she was spending the night at her friends house." It wasn't long before both Lorelai and Christopher were standing in the hallway again. Lorelai barely containing her laughter.
"Would you happen to have a flashlight?" Christopher asked. "We have a bit of a situation."
"A situation?" Logan asked.
"Yes, you see…"
"The Volvo has a flat." Lorelai exclaimed, doubling over in laughter.
Christopher ignored the woman and looked at Logan who drew in a deep breath.
"I'm sure I have a flashlight, but it's night, it's freezing and there is a blizzard raging…I'm not sure the flashlight will be of much help." He said.
"You could stay at my place," Rory offered, "and fix the wheel in the morning."
"You forgot the heat, Ace, or well lack there of." Logan reminded her and she furrowed her eyebrows.
"I forgot. There is no heat today and tomorrow."
"Well we could…"
"Stay here." Logan proposed and a silence filled the hall. "The couch is comfortable and I have this comfy air bed. Why not? At least it's not freezing."
"Well…" Christopher started.
"If it's not…" Lorelai added.
"I'm going to make some coffee." Rory smiled, giving Logan's hand a squeeze. He had no idea what it meant to her, him offering a place to stay. He had no obligation what so ever and yet he did it, he tried. I love you.
Logan responded with a squeeze back. You're welcome, Ace, I love you.
"You got kicked out of Marks, Andover, Rivers and Groton all in the same year?" Christopher asked incredulously.
Logan laughed.
"No I actually finished a year at Andover. Lasted about 2 months at Groton and Marks and I think 3 weeks at Rivers."
"I thought no one got kicked out of Rivers." Christopher mused.
"So did we. But the headmasters Miata on the bottom of the lake proved to be just the ticket out."
Christopher let out a laugh.
"You got yourself a good man here, Rory."
"I think he is already taken." Lorelai snickered.
"Interesting measuring standard you are using." Rory retorted carrying a tray with mugs. She handed one to Lorelai who was slyly enjoying the conversation between the two men, one to Christopher and one to Logan, who was sitting in the loveseat.
"No, thanks. I'm past my coffee drinking hours." He declined.
"It's not coffee." Rory interjected.
"It's not…"
"Nope. Tea."
Logan took the mug from her and smelled it. Green tea and jasmine.
"I didn't know we had green tea."
"I know, I bought it for you." Rory answered nestling herself on the loveseat next to him. Logan lifted his arms so she could put her legs over his. If it hadn't been for her parents sitting on the couch in front of them he would have kissed her, but now he only gave her a smile and a friendly nudge.
Lorelai watched the delicate exchange of affection and smiled. Those two, not only fit perfectly into that one and a half person loveseat, but also together. She still didn't knew Logan well, but the looks he gave her daughter, she felt his eyes adoring her. And the way he understood her in one word, one gesture. He simply saw her, as Rory had put it.
After they had come back from the Volvo-catastrophe, conversation seemed to flow naturally. Outside it was freezing, but inside the ice seemed to be broken.
"Movie?" Rory suggested out of nowhere bouncing out of the seat and Lorelai's eyes lit up.
"Oh boy here we go…" Christopher mumbled and Logan smirked for thinking the same.
"Well, goodnight." Rory said linking pinkies with Logan.
Logan nodded.
"Night." Lorelai and Chris answered in unison. Rory smiled tailing after Logan into the bedroom. I silence Logan dimmed the lights and they crawled in to bed. In the dark he could still see her eyes sparkle. She was staring at him and he couldn't help but smile.
"I liked them, Ace." He said, waiting for her to cuddle up to him. Her eyes smiled and her head moved to his shoulder.
"What do you think they are doing?" Chris asked installing himself on the couch.
"I have an idea or two." Lorelai answered from the air bed.
Chris jumped up as if he just had been sitting on an ant-hill.
"Oh my God! They are having sex! He is touching my girl!" he uttered in a loud whisper.
Lorelai rolled her eyes.
"That girl has been touched before and I was actually aiming for: 'sleep'." Before that sentence had fully left her mouth Chris had already jumped up, ran to the bedroom and threw open the door. The lights were out and he could distinguish two silhouettes in the bed.
"Dad?" Rory's voice filled the room.
"Uhm…yes… Could I have…another…blanket?" he asked clearing his throat.
"Sure." Logan's voice followed and he could see someone move. Out of the closet Logan got another blanket and handed it to Chris.
"Uhm…thanks." Chris uttered scratching his head.
"No problem."
"Dad? Are you ok?" Rory asked. His eyes, now accustomed to the light, could discern his daughter currently sitting up in the bed.
"Yes, yes. Chilly. Night." With that he left. He could here Lorelai's giggles, clearly suffocated by a pillow and rolled his eyes.
"Stop gloating." He told her laying down on the couch again, after throwing the blanket on the coffee table. It was scorching in there.
"Ok come on!" he uttered when the giggles only intensified. "Lore….?" Nothing. Just giggles. He sighed and closed his eyes.
Logan lay down again.
"Despite the fact that they are checking up on us… I like them." He snickered.
"They were not checking up on us." Rory scoffed letting herself fall back in the soft pillow.
"Yes they were. They thought we were having sex."
"No they didn't. Dad just…"
"Ace, it's 90 degrees out there." He cut her off, and chuckled at her gasp of indignation.
"Oh my God! They were checking up on us!"
"Night, Ace." He closed his eyes.
"I can't believe they checked on us!" she went on.
"Night, Ace."
"Seriously, that is…"
"Ace! Good night! Except if you want give them something to check up on!"
She was silent for a while and he could almost feel the color creeping up her cheeks.
"Noooo…"
"Good night then…"he smirked.
"Night."