2. Who Was The Stripper?

One week later Rory sat alone in her room in Stars Hollow and stared at her cell phone. She knew that it was in the middle of the night in London but nevertheless she hoped for a call from Logan. Sometimes he called her when he couldn't sleep or felt too lonely without her. These calls with Logan had been her only delight since he had left for London, which had been only a week ago, but to Rory it seemed like a lifetime apart from him. How on earth could she survive one year without him?

Suddenly her mobile rang and she started to smile, which she didn't even notice. Logan called her. She took the phone without looking at the display and answered the call. "I miss you. Is there really no chance for you to come back?"

"Love, you know I would do anything for you. Of course I come back to you. If I am ever sober enough to drive my car to Stars Hollow." came the answer of an all too familiar male voice with an Australian accent.

"Oh, Finn, it's you." Rory wasn't really able to hide her disappointment, which made her feel a little embarrassed. This was the second time she was hoping to hear from Logan and instead of him it was Finn. Again. "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting to get a call from you."

"I know, Love. There's no need to be sorry. But this only shows me that I'm doing the right thing."

"And what exactly is it that you're doing?"

"Wow, someone doesn't want to lose any time! But let's get to the point. I figured you could use some distraction so I put you on the guest list for the LDB Party tonight."

Rory didn't know what to answer. She had been to a few parties with the LDB folks, but never without Logan. And she was afraid that she would feel out of place without him there. "That's nice of you, Finn. But I don't think I will be able to come. My Mum just broke up with her fiancé and I think I should be here. Just in case, you know. But anyways, thanks for the offer!"

Finn smiled. He knew she would answer something like this. Except for the part about her mother, of course. "Come on, Love. He doesn't come back if you stay in your room all the time and keep staring at your phone."

Rory wondered why she was such an open book for Finn. He seemed to be able to read in her eyes and even in her words. "Finn, I know you promised Logan you would take care of me, but I'm okay. Don't worry about me, have fun at the party!"

"I'm not doing this because of Logan." Finn answered and something in his voice changed, though Rory couldn't tell what it was. But whatever it was, it made her change her mind.

"Okay, I'll come with you!" At first Rory was a bit surprised to hear herself saying this. Was this okay? Sure, it was cute that Finn did not just care about her because of Logan, but somehow all of this kind of reminded her of a date. But she put this thought aside and added jokingly: "But only if you promise not to sing this time!"

Finn couldn't help but laugh. "Anything you want, kitten!" he assured her before telling her to be at her dorm at noon.

"Noon? Finn, what kind of party starts at noon?" Rory was confused and somehow it made her nervous that she had agreed to go to a party she knew nothing about. That wasn't typical for her, she loved to have everything under control. So she asked Fin: "And where is it going to be?"

"No comment!" was his only answer and Rory could tell that he had a hard time not break out in laughter.

"Not fair, Finn! I mean, you could plan to go to a strip club and I wouldn't even know it until it is too late. So come on, tell me at least something about the party tonight. I promise not to back out!"

Finn didn't say anything so it was quiet for a few moments until Rory got impatient. "Finn, come on!"

"Sorry, love. I just tried to picture you at a strip club." he answered.

At first, Rory was shocked at this answer but then she couldn't help but laugh and decided to play this little game with him. "And? Who was the stripper, you or me?"

Finn was totally surprised by this comment. He had never heard her talking like this before. "Wow, Gilmore, and I always thought you were a sweet and innocent small town girl!"

"Well, sorry for that, but I'm not as sweet and innocent as I might seem to be!"

"So then I guess it should be no problem for you to go to a party without knowing anything about it!" Finn gave back triumphantly.

Rory realized that there was no backing out anymore. So she sighed and agreed to wait for Finn at her dorm at noon. But before he could end the call she had one last thing to say: "Hey, Finn, you haven't answered my question. Who was the stripper?"

"I don't think your sweet and innocent ears can already take the truth. But maybe tonight after you had a few drinks I might tell you!"

"Ha-ha, Finn! I guess you mean after you had some drinks and I used my female charms to persuade you!" Rory answered and hang up the phone without even waiting for a reaction.

When she out away her phone she realized that over her verbal battle with Finn she had forgotten completely that Logan was far away from her. For the short duration of the call she had been totally happy. Right now nobody could make her laugh and just feel good as good as Finn could do! There was a small voice inside of her saying that this whole thing would end up in tears and broken hearts, but she put the thought aside and prepared herself to go back to Yale and wait for Finn to pick her up.