When Rory got back to her room she found Logan there waiting for her.

She gave him a quick hug without thinking. Logan smiled at her. She noticed that he looked tired and worn, but there was a new look of determination on his face.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"I went to look for a job." he responded.

Rory looked surprised. "Where? Will you still have to leave Yale?"

"I looked just about everywhere around here." he responded. "I'll have to wait and see if anyone will hire me. I can't go to Yale now, Mitchum demanded his money back and had me pulled out of school. He didn't want any of his money to fund anymore of my education. And he never even paid the second semester tuition yet. Besides, I'm not even sure thats what I can do now. I won't be able to support myself and I don't know what kind of job I can get after I graduate. I'm not even doing so well in school right now as it is. But lets not talk about that, where were you?"

Wanting to spare his feelings Rory lied and told him that she had been in class. The things her grandparents had said were just too cruel to repeat, especially to someone who was probably not feeling too good about himself anyway.

Logan felt hopeful though for the first time in weeks. He felt like he had some goal, some future. Maybe not the one he thought he would have, but now at least he had options.

Feeling better Logan regained some of his buoyant good spirits. Rory felt better too, seeing him smile again. She also didn't mention that she had talked to her mom.

Rory hoped that his mood was indicative of good things to come. Maybe Logan didn't need his family. It was possible that he would be okay on his own. But what about them? Rory wasn't sure how to bring up the subject. Of course Logan had other things to think of right now besides their relationship. And he had made a lot of efforts to get her back last week, but how serious was he? Was all that changed now that he had no money? Did he just want her help and nothing more?

Confused questions ran through Rory's head as she glanced over at Logan. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Somehow he seemed to sense her worries.

"Hey Ace." he said, nudging her arm a little. "Thanks for helping me out. I know you were mad at me, but are we at least friends now?"

"Yeah, I guess so." she said. "I'll be here for you, but you have to be here too. You need to be more dependable than you have been in the past."

Logan nodded. "I will be."

Rory was glad that they had talked a little, but still wasn't sure where their relationship stood. She learned a minute later when, unable to hold back anymore Logan turned her to him and pressed his lips against hers. Rory's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't realized just how much she had missed him, the feel of him, the smell of him.

Recovering from her first surprise she returned his kiss. They didn't have to talk about their relationship, they knew that they couldn't be around each other and stay just friends. Then Paris, with her usual perfect timing knocked on the door.

"Rory?" she called.

Rory broke the kiss reluctantly and opened the bedroom door.

"What Paris?"

"Well you haven't really said anything to me, or bothered to consult me, but can I assume that Huntzberger is staying?"

A flash of anger crossed Logan's face. "Don't call me that." he said quietly.

"Fine, Don Juan, what would you like to be called?" Paris asked, wanting to get back to the real issue.

Logan looked confused. "Just Logan I guess." He had realized for the first time that he didn't have a name. He wasn't a Huntzberger anymore and he hadn't even asked what his biological fathers last name was. Besides, his real father didn't want him and he certainly didn't want his real father.

"Okay, whatever." said Paris impatiently. "Is he going to be living her?" she asked turning back to Rory.

"I guess, at least for now. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, everything just happened all at once. And he doesn't have anywhere else to stay. Is that going to be a problem?"

Paris glared slightly at Logan. There was no love lost between them.

"If he is going to stay, there have to be a few ground rules." Before Rory even had time to respond she continued. "One, he doesn't go in my and Doyle's room. Two, he doesn't bother me, or Doyle. Three, he learns the system of getting in and keeps this place safe. Four, he doesn't flash his money around here, we don't want to get robbed. Five, he chips in for the rent and six, I can add to the rules as I see fit."

"Okay, my turn to talk?" Rory asked. "We won't bother you, or Doyle. I don't think you have to worry about him flashing his money around, and together we will pay for half this apartment. But he should be treated like an equal roommate, which means a set of keys, the right to go where he wants, etc."

Rory didn't tell Paris what had happened with Logan and his family. She wasn't sure why, except that she didn't know if Logan would want her to know and also that maybe Paris wouldn't let him stay if she knew how poor he was.

They finally worked out the terms under which Logan could stay. Logan felt relieved that Paris had finally agreed to him living here. He knew that Paris didn't care for him, and certainly Doyle didn't, but Paris could talk Doyle into anything.

When Paris finally left Rory smiled over at Logan.
"Welcome to the apartment, roomie." she said.

They came together again as if drawn by magnets. Logan smiled back at her and then leaned in for a long, slow kiss.