Over the next few days Logan and Rory spent a lot of time getting reacquainted. In bed. Rory's grandmother had called the next day and told Rory that regardless of what was happening between them she was still expected at Friday night dinner that week. Rory started to realize why her mother felt the way she did about her parents. But she didn't let it ruin the next few days.
They felt like they were back in the beginning of their relationship, where it was nothing but talking and sex, mixed in with tv and cuddling. As the days went on though Logan began to get anxious for calls about the jobs and Rory had to get back to Yale and all her homework.
They spent the nights together though, laying around watching movies, tv, whatever. They didn't talk about the future. Logan's optimism pervaded the entire apartment. He felt strong, self sufficient. He wouldn't need anything from anybody soon.
Rory too felt the change from when he had first come. As if now that they were back together he had a plan, he had something to work towards and the rest didn't matter. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to be suddenly poor, to have everyone look down on him and treat him differently. But maybe Logan could grow up after all. Maybe he could evolve into a real person, who could provide for himself and have something to offer someone besides money.
They were in one of these times where they just sat together, watched tv and said nothing. Rory rested her head on his shoulder, cuddled up against him. Logan turned his head to lightly kiss her on the forehead, smiling as she lifted her head to look up at him. Logan was wearing a new set of clothes that Rory had bought him and had combed and trimmed his hair. He looked like a cheap imitation of his former self, but Rory didn't care. It wasn't the external things that drew her to Logan, and in essentials he was still the same as always. But there was still some awkwardness between them during the intervals where there was no conversation. They were still figuring out how exactly to relate to each other again, when Paris burst in.
"I know what happened Rory, why didn't you tell me?" she asked angrily. "Logan has nothing and he is staying here, eating our food!"
"Paris, I didn't tell you before because it didn't matter. I'm contributing his share for now, and he is applying everywhere for jobs." Rory started to defend Logan, but he touched her arm, silently asking her to be quiet, to let him stand up for himself.
"I may not have a family now but I'm not just trying to live off everyone else." he told Paris. "I'm going to pay back Rory every cent when I get a job, and I'll be able to carry my own weight too, so you don't to worry."
"I'd still rather be informed before I invite someone into my apartment. Although I guess I didn't even invite you, you just came on in." Paris was not pacified by their assurances that he wouldn't be any trouble.
"Look, I don't like you and you don't like me but I'm not here to make any trouble. Rory and I are together so if you don't want me, she and I will find a new place together." Logan was hoping that Paris wouldn't call his bluff because he knew that there was no way Rory could afford to pay any more than she already was.
"Fine stay." said Paris. She needed Rory's help paying for the apartment as well. "Just don't expect to be cut any slack, okay? You are just like the rest of us now and you better get used to it."
With that she turned and marched into her room, leaving Rory and Logan together on the couch.
"Don't listen to her." said Rory. "You know Paris. Everything is a big deal at first but she will settle down."
Logan nodded thoughtfully. "How are you with money?" he finally asked. The question had been bothering him for a while but he couldn't find the right way to bring it up. Not when things were so perfect between them, when they were having so much fun. Rory sat up a little. "I'm doing okay, as long as nothing unexpected comes up. My grandparents are paying for Yale and my mom helps me out. If you get a job soon we should have no problem making things work."
Logan leaned in to kiss her. "Good. I hate having to use your money, but I'm glad that you are fine. I will pay you back, I promise."
Despite all that had happened Logan felt confident that he would find work soon, that everything was going to be just fine. He didn't need the Huntzberger name or money, he had Rory.