AN: GAHHH this is so late. Major family issues going on right now and I'm serving as a mjor support system for my cousin right now who's suffering from a 5 year heartbreak... so I've been at her house like every day for 2 weeks now trying to help her cope. 5 years... its crazy. Here's your update.

"Rory can we talk?" Logan asked hoarsely approaching her slowly.

One decision can change the outcome of the rest of your life. One decision can change the outcome of a story and give readers another gleam of hope towards the broken relationship of their favorite couple with one simple statement.

"Yea, I think we should," Rory replied getting up from her seat and leading Logan out of the cafeteria and out of the hospital.

The hardest part of taking a step towards change is being unsure of the direction it will lead you though.

Rory fidgeted nervously with her jacket zipper, looking over at the view of Hartford from the patient overpass the hospital had situated on its grounds. Logan stood next to her, his hands gripping the railing taking deep breaths while listening to the wind whistle around them. It would've been a romantic site if there weren't so much tension.

"Rory, I want to get past this and just try being friends again because I can honestly say I miss you being around and there to talk to," Logan started before he backed out of this. Being in such a close distance with Rory was intoxicating, and was reminding him how much he wanted her back, but he knew an event like that was still far in the horizon.

"Logan, I've always been here for you to talk to. It was just up to you to take the initiative to do so," Rory replied ever so formally. Logan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You know that's not true Rory. If that were the case you would be able to look me in the eye right now," he replied turning to face her with his side against the railing, trying not to be affected by how simply beautiful she looked.

Rory's breath caught in her throat. Turning to look at him just might throw all her composure she was grasping onto so tightly out the window. But she did it anyway, because that was the only way she was going to show him she meant every word she said, even if she didn't.

Logan was surprised when she turned to face him and realized how much he missed gazing into her eyes, he didn't notice the hard glint they still took, because he was too caught up in his thoughts of nostalgia, and he certainly didn't see the words she spoke coming.

"Logan you can talk to me anytime you want. As far as I'm concerned, what's passed is past and there's no way that we can change that. I've forgiven you and I'd like to think that you've forgive me. It's apparent that what we had wasn't working out either way so it's good that both of us move on and just stay friends right?" Rory asked trying to keep the confidence she had up. She was lying, but she sure as hell wasn't going to show it.

Logan's heart dropped. Did she just say it'd be best to move on? "R- right," he stuttered trying to grasp he words.

"Great," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes before leaning over and giving him a quick hug, both of them trying to ignore the sparks and the warmth that they didn't want to pull away from. However, Rory did and shot him a smile. "Well I'm going to check on the others, are you coming?" she asked.

"Uh, in a bit, I'm just going to enjoy the view for a little longer," he said turning away.

"Alright," Rory all but whispered walking away and not daring to look back. Not willing to see the result of her false words.

It's the hardest thing
I'll ever have to do
To turn around and walk away
Pretending I don't love you

Logan watched her go before turning yet again to face the city. It looks as if Rory acted on Logan's prior resolution of letting go. Man was karma a bitch.

One Week Later…

"Welcome back to school T-Man!" yet another jock yelled slapping Tristan a little too hard and causing him to almost lose balance on his crutches. Lucky for him, Rory was there to help him regain it with a worried smile. "Maybe we should just go home, I'll take notes for you and get all your homework and then you can relax and not worry about you getting hurt again," Rory suggested eagerly.

Tristan sighed. "You're the one who's worried not me. And I'm find, my arm cast is off and the doctor said it's ok for me to be back here. Plus I'm tired of your treating me like I'm a six year old we just got a nasty 'boo-boo'," he said somewhat annoyed at Rory.

Rory frowned frustrated. "I'm sorry Tris, I just don't want you to get hurt again," she said in a small voice. Tristan looked down at her and supported himself with one crutch while dropping the other one and pulling her against his chest with his free arm. "I'm sorry baby I didn't mean to get so pissed it's just I'm a big boy and I can handle myself," he said into her hair before kissing the top of her head.

This little display of affection started the gossip mills turning in Chilton once again.

Oh wait no, that's not what started the gossip. That accomplishment could be given to the numerous tabloids that lined the stands of grocery isles. The tabloids with covers featuring Rory in a hospital bed with Tristan, both of them with big smiles on their faces as they slept with the headline 'Hayden Heiress Heats it up in Hospital with Hot Hubby… Huntzberger Heir Hysterical'. Rory didn't know what it was with gossipers and alliteration, but it pissed her the hell off (alliteration not intended). Those tabloids were released a mere day after she and Logan had their talk, and she was worried that it would effect their only newly healing friendship, but Logan said he didn't mind it at all, saying that it wasn't true anyways.

"Hate to break up this touching moment but you're in front of my locker," Colin said smirking at the two best friends. Rory detached herself from Tristan and picked up his crutch, placing it under his arm with a big smile before turning to Colin with a playful glare.

"Way to ruin the best friend moment jerk," she said teasingly before sauntering off to across the hall with Tristan behind her.

"Yeah, yeah. You're missing two shadows, where are they?" Colin asked with a smirk. Rory rolled her eyes but smiled, glad that their relationship was back to the way it was before the giant fight.

"Picking me up some coffee at the nearest Coffee Beanery," Rory replied pulling out her books she would need for the day.

"But the nearest Coffee Beanery is in Andover, that's like 20 minutes away," Colin said.

Rory smirked, "Oh I know."

Colin couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Wrapped around your little finger aren't they Hayden?" he asked shaking his head.

"Can't have it any other way," she replied, "What about you? Where's the wife, the Aussie, the gossip queens and the newspaper heir?" she asked pulling her arm around Tristan's waist.

"Is that all I am to you love, an Aussie? Not your destined lover and future father of your children?" Finn's voice asked as he sauntered down the hall way with the rest of the group in tow.

Rory smiled. "Sorry Finn I'm saving that title for Wentworth Miller."

Finn pouted before pulling her into a hug and spinning her around in a circle causing her to yelp. "So glad that we're one big dysfunctional, spoiled family again mates and kittens," he said putting Rory down.

"Yea, it's much better than the big mope fest we had going on," Rory said sending a smile to Logan that caused his brain to freeze. You would think that after their week of civilities and actual friendly gestures they shared he would be used to her smiling at him, but nope, not even close. The feelings still remained.

He willed himself to smile back at her and suddenly the tables turned. Rory relished the moments he smiled at her, it was the time she felt most at ease and yet torn. The smile convinced her that things indeed had been put behind them and that things were indeed back to normal, but she couldn't help but feel little strings pulling at her heart with his gesture. She ignored them, of course.

"Where are Texas and C-Note?" Madeline asked giggling at their new nicknames she, Louise and Stephanie had came up with. Texas because Austin was a city in Texas and C-note since that was slang for a hundred dollar bill and it became a fact that Matt was one of the few 17 year olds that carried around hundred dollar bills in his wallet. (A.N. For those who didn't understand the nicknames.)

"Running around Connecticut for a cup of coffee," Colin said with a smirk while kissing the top of Stephanie's head.

"Why?" Logan asked truly interested. He found that they weren't as bad as he saw them as before, and had civil conversations with them now, sometimes even joking around with them.

"Princess needed coffee," Tristan replied tilting his head in Rory's direction. Logan looked at Rory and she gave him a big innocent grin. Logan couldn't help but laugh and it was music to Rory's ear. However, the smile of Rory was quickly wiped away when a busty brunette stalked her way over to the group with a sly smile on. It didn't take a brain surgeon to figure out her intentions.

The group also noticed as she slung an arm around Logan's waist and whispered something in Logan's ear with a smirk sent to Rory. Rory tried to tear her eyes away but couldn't help herself, it was like watching that scary scene where you don't want to look but still do anyways, knowing already the outcome would be regret, or so she thought.

Logan's face stayed indifferent as she nibbled a bit on his ear and he sent a worried glance to Rory but quickly turned away and whispered something in the girl's ear causing her to frown and walk away without a glance back. Confused looks covered all of their faces, but Logan just kept on his placid expression, surprising everyone. Rory though was quite happy.

Logan just told a girl to find another fuck buddy, that was so not his style yet he did it. He had felt Rory's eyes, along with the rest of groups' eyes on him, and he knew that he had to prove himself, even if the brownie points counted for nothing. He was just trying to prove his intentions to himself, to let himself know he could change.

The group broke off into quiet hushed separate conversations, as if the awkward silence shouldn't be messed with. However, that factor was quickly broken by the grunting and stomping of two figures coming down the hall looking rather disgruntled.

"Hayden, explain to us why we do this for you again?" Matt asked her handing her a bag filled with 3 chocolate éclairs.

"Uhmmmm… because you love me?" Rory said with an innocent smile while stuffing a pastry into her mouth.

Austin rolled his eyes and handed her the coffee cup holder that contained the 4 coffees she demanded that morning. Rory gave both of them a kiss on the cheek before devouring the things they had brought her.

"No it's alright Rory, we don't want any, just eat in front of us," Louise commented rolling her eyes at Rory. Rory stopped her movements and stared blankly at Louise before turning her back to the circle they made up.

"Better?" she asked, her voice muffled by what was sure to be the éclair. The group laughed before Logan realized the appearance of Austin and Matt.

"Why the hell do you two look like shit?" Logan asked not meaning to sound mean.

"Charm becomes you Huntzberger," Austin replied with a smirk. Logan feigned laughter and Tristan stepped in. "He's kinda right, you two do look pretty shitty," he said with an eyebrow raised.

"Not everyone can look like models every day like us mate," Finn running his hand through his long disheveled hair. The group scoffed collectively, even Rory who was sipping her coffee, now turning to face the group again.

"Seriously, why do you look like you got ran over by a tractor?" Rory said brushing some dirt off of Austin's shirt as he put an arm around her waist, glaring at her question.

"Funny you should ask," he replied. "Considering you're the reason why we look like this," he said.

"Always blame the cute one," Rory pouted causing the group to laugh and Logan to smile longingly at her.

"Can we please just get to the impending story?" Colin asked getting impatient.

"Fine," Matt said launching the narrative.

"We've passed the same barber shop about 6 times now man, swallow your pride and ask for directions," Matt groaned dramatically.

"Shut the hell up, I've got this," Austin spat back nearly hitting an old lady crossing the street with a walker.

Matt sighed dramatically. "That's what you said that one time when you were trying to put the star on top of the Christmas tree and ended up breaking a window and almost setting the house on fire," he mumbled.

"Who the hell puts a Christmas tree near a lit fireplace anyways," mumbled Austin finally deciding to ask for directions.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Logan said with a smirk.

"No, he's serious. Lucky for these two dumbasses I was there," Rory said with a cocky smile.

"There to scream and make us even more nervous," Matt added causing Rory to pout.

"I thought you were going to burn my presents!"

"How selfless of you Rory," Stephanie said laughing.

"Hey I did bring out a bottle of water!" Rory defended.

"Because it's what you were drinking when you went running to see what the fuss was about and you only ended up spilling it onto my face when I came out to ask what was going on," Tristan replied.

Rory glared but said nothing more so Matt continued with his story.

"About damn time," Matt said as they entered the Coffee Beanery and fell into line, failing to notice they had cut off a little 8 year old girl standing in line for a scone.

"What does Rory want?" Austin asked pulling his wallet out to check he had enough cash.

"The usual," Matt replied before he felt a sharp pain on his chin received from the blow of the little girl they had unintentionally cut in line.

Matt turned around and looked down to see a red face brunette girl with blue eyes. "You cut me in line!" she yelled with a big pout.

"Oh sorry little girl, we didn't notice you. You're very cute!" Austin said trying to suck up, not realizing the consequences.

"STRANGER!" she started screaming causing the whole establishment to look at Austin and Matt accusingly. Matt brought his hand to the girl's mouth to shut her up which was obviously a bad move because a woman quickly made her way over and all but socked Matt and Austin before grabbing the little girl away from them.

"Did you touch my daughter?" she accused glaring at them with her as intense blue eyes.

"We just didn't want her to disturb the others," Matt explained trying to get out of this one.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Austin," Austin said with a smirk in place. Stupid stupid Austin.

The woman who looked about Lorelai's and Liz's ages glared back before lifting her purse up and practically beating Austin and Matt while screaming in another language. Austin and Matt had a feeling that was because she didn't want her daughter understanding what she said. With one final death glare the woman walked out of the coffee shop pissed with her daughter sticking her tongue behind her.

The coffee shop went back to their activities as soon as she left while Austin and Matt stayed in line embarrassed. "Dude, let's just go, I think we've wounded our prides enough," Austin suggested.

"Hells no, do you really want to face the wrath of Rory Hayden?" Matt asked. Austin's eyes widened and he turned to stay in line.

The group laughed and Rory glared at the two of them. "I have no wrath."

"Sure you don't sweetie," Louise said rolling her eyes. Rory only harrumphed in reply.

"Wait a minute, that still doesn't explain why you're covered in dirt," Tristan said motioning to Austin and Matt.

"Well ass here couldn't stop bad mouthing the girl who beat us to the cashier. Turns out the cashier was the owner of that particular store and also the husband of that woman, so obviously he wasn't happy," Matt grimaced.

"Which is probably why he literally threw us out, thank god for the grass on the side walk," Austin mumbled. The group stared at the two incredulous before they all laughed out loud at the lengths the two went through just for Rory. Even though Logan knew he would still do just as much.

"Aww… I almost feel bad," Rory pouted. "Almost," she added before chugging her final cup of coffee.

"Amazing how you have all these gorgeous mates wrapped around your little feisty finger love," Finn said.

"What are you talking about?" Rory asked innocently causing the girls to roll their eyes.

"Well to start love there's me, and then Tristan, Texas, and C-note, I'm pretty sure Colin mate's quite whipped and then there's Lo-," he started before Stephanie and Louise coughed and gave him a look.

"Lo Mien! I can use some Lo Mien right about now loves so I'm going to go see if there's any in the cafeteria. Anyone want to come?" he said quickly.

"I'll come!" Stephanie, Colin, and Louise all exclaimed as they dragged Madeline with them. "But they don't serve Italian food in the cafeteria!" she exclaimed stupidly as she was pulled down the hallway.

"And then there were 5," Rory mumbled a little uncomfortable at the obvious situation Finn put them in.

"I actually have to go fix something in the tech lab with Matt, we have a project to catch up on. So we'll see you later babe," Austin said giving Rory a pointed look and a kiss on head before walking away with Tristan making a sad excuse to go with them. This left Logan and Rory standing across from each other awkwardly in the hallway.

"Well… that wasn't obvious," Logan said trying to lighten the situation. Rory laughed shakily and nodded her head while biting her lip.

"I don't know why they're so uptight about the whole thing, I mean it's not like we're still weird around each other. We're friends now," Rory rambled.

Logan smiled, he certainly did miss that characteristic of her, and she looked so cute when she was nervous. "Yeah it's not like there's any awkwardness anymore," he lied.

"Right," she said unconsciously stepping closer to him. "So how are you?"

"I'm good, how are you? How have things been at the paper?"

"Paris put me up as editor while she tours Europe with her parents, so it's been busy. We can really use you back on the team," she said.

"Ace! That's great!" Logan exclaimed sincerely not realizing his nickname use.

Rory visibly froze and once again a wall was built up around her, Logan noticed this and comprehended what he had done and slapped himself mentally.

"Uh… yeah it really is. I actually have to go and check up on the layouts right now, so I'll talk to you later," she said obviously wanting to get away from him as soon as possible.

"Right, err… I'll try stopping by after school," he said.

"Sounds good," Rory said with a smile and a touch of his arm before striding down the hall way and not looking back, her ponytail wagging behind her.

Logan watched her go with regrets running through his head. He found himself doing this a lot lately, watching her just walk away from him without saying what was really on his mind. He didn't really know where this was all going anymore, he felt as if he should fight for her yet he wanted her to fight for him. But with the way she walked, with such confidence like the way she used to almost convinced him things were going to just go back the way they were. Back to when they were all just friends and nothing more. Almost.

Rory walked away as fast as she could, not wanting to look back. She wanted to fight for him she did, but of course her stubborn side wouldn't let her do that. The use of her nickname struck tender feelings that she tried to ignore, and that's why she had to get away. She just wanted to let go now, it's what she thought she was easier.

She was so caught up in her thoughts she bumped straight into a hard body. She looked up and came face to face with her maimed best friend.

"Oh sorry Tristan," she mumbled helping him reinstate his balance.

"It's alright Pinky, I just came back to make sure no scenes were made," he said with a caring gleam in his eye.

Rory frowned. "He called me Ace," she whispered, her voice wavering slightly.

Tristan sighed and dropped his crutches while leaning against a set of lockers nearby. Rory looked up at him confused until he extended his arms out to gather her closer to him, holding onto her like he had done for so many times before. Rory's face immediately was buried into his tone chest and her arms went around his waist.

"Things will work themselves out Ror. I know you're confused right now, but things will work out," he mumbled into her hair with his eyes closed.

"How do you know?" she asked loving the feeling of being wrapped up in the safety of her best friend's arms.

Tristan didn't answer… because truth was he didn't know.

Only I dooo!

AN: Not too much Rogan. wanted to show the group back together and also Trory friendship there as well as the lengths Austin and Matt go for Rory. however, there is garunteed Rogan next chapter and not the suck kind either so I'm asking for like... 40 reviews? only 5 more than usual people you can do it! Love you all!