As Logan prepared to leave the office to meet Rory at Mario's he thought about the bizarre situation they were in. They were married and she worked for him. He knew that their secret would not remain intact for very long; but he hoped for Rory's sake that it would hold long enough for her to become comfortable in the office. It was awkward enough being the new employee at a company that had just undergone a change in management. He wanted her to reach a comfort level before being thrust into an awkward place again, when everyone discovered that she was married to the boss. Hopefully she'd even make some friends in the office that would have her back when the news broke. Secretly he couldn't wait until their secret was out. It had been hard to see her around the office today and not interact with her as he normally would.
Logan left his office ten minutes before he was supposed to meet Rory at Mario's. While the restaurant was less than two blocks away, Logan had asked Frank pick him up in front of the building with the Town Car. The last thing he and Rory needed was some nosy NYDN employees following him to Mario's and seeing them together. Frank drove in a few large circles before stopping in front of Mario's where Logan quickly jumped out. When he entered the restaurant Rory had already been seated in a large, secluded booth. When the hostess left him at the table, the look of utter sadness on his wife's face surprised him. She had alluded to the fact that she hadn't had the best day; but he hadn't thought that it could possibly be that bad.
After dropping a light kiss on her furled brow he took his seat opposite her in the booth, "Tell me all about it," he said as he took her hand.
"Can I quit?" Rory asked, sounding as if she might cry.
"Huntzbergers are not quitters," Logan said.
"I'm only a Huntzberger by marriage though. Gilmores aren't apposed to quitting if the situation warrants it," Rory said sulkily.
"Just tell me what happened," Logan repeated gently.
"It was one of the most horrible days of my life," Rory said, "My co-workers were rude and hostile. One of them even accused me of being a Huntzberger spy in the meeting this afternoon after you and your father left. People openly gossiped about me and whether or not I was a spy. I couldn't find the coffee and when I finally did it was sub-par."
"You'll have to tell me where the coffee is, I never did find it," Logan said.
"Aren't you going to comment on my sucky day?" Rory asked.
"Sounds like what I go through everyday at work," Logan said.
"But you're the boss," Rory said, "Its only natural in your position."
"That might be true; but I think you need to give it until the end of the week," Logan said, "Think of where they're coming from. Their company was bought out and management suddenly changed. These people are probably worried about how their jobs are going to be affected by this. The last thing on their minds is cordially welcoming a newcomer who was hired by the new management and could possibly be there to take their jobs."
"I guess when you put it like that…" Rory said, "I'm just not used to being so openly disliked."
"Just pretend you're up against my Mom and Dad before they decided they liked you," Logan joked.
Rory chuckled a little before saying, "Thank you for putting this into perspective for me. Tomorrow will be better. I am getting my first assignments tomorrow. I'll have actual work to distract me from how hated I am."
"I'm sure they don't hate you," Logan replied, "They just don't realize yet that you aren't a threat."
"How awkward was it when Darin was introducing us in the hallway earlier?" Rory asked, smiling.
"That was weird," Logan agreed.
"As soon as you walked away I commented that you seemed nice," Rory said, "Darin quickly told me that you were married and I shouldn't get any ideas. Then he told me about how all the women in the office were talking about you all morning."
"Really," Logan said.
"Don't you get any ideas now," Rory admonished.
"I'm not," Logan said, "You didn't have any snappy come backs for Darin? Considering he implied that you had the hots for the boss, I assumed you would have."
"The look on his face when I told him I was married too looked pretty surprised," Rory said, "He thought I looked too young to be married."
"Just wait until he finds out who you're married to. That should produce an especially priceless expression," Logan said with a laugh.
Over their simple Italian dinner the couple continued to discuss the better parts of their days before heading home. Still not willing to risk being seen together Logan got into the Town Car first and had Frank circle the block a few times before stopping again to pick up Rory. As she climbed into the car Logan said, "It is going to be so much easier when everyone at work has figured out who exactly you are."
Back in their apartment the couple decided that they would head to bed early. Logan flipped through television stations from their bed while Rory bustled around choosing an outfit for the next day and packing a lunch. Logan watched her, amused with her need for organization and perfection. After he watched her contemplate her fifth different outfit he rose from the bed. Taking the hanger out of her hand he hung it back in the closet and said, "You'll look amazing no matter what you choose. Now, come to bed."
Rory glanced again at her closet before admitting defeat and crawling into bed with Logan. As she snuggled closer to him she asked, "What time are you going into the office in the morning?"
"Why?" Logan asked.
"We're going to need to stagger our arrival times slightly," Rory said.
"Good point," Logan said, "Seven-thirty, I guess."
"Okay, I'll plan for seven-forty-five," Rory said, "Good-night."
Logan stared as his wife rolled away from him and shut off her bed-side lamp. He waited for her to roll back over and finally said, "I thought we were going to be early so we could fool around," Logan said dejectedly.
Rory rolled back toward him, grinning and said, "I never said that."
"No, but you implied it," Logan said as he pulled her to him.
"I know, I'm teasing you," Rory replied.
"Don't tease when it comes to sex," Logan said, "It gets me all wound up."
"I know," Rory said with a smirk, "I like it when you're all wound up."
"Oh, really?" Logan said with a smirk of his own. He positioned himself between her splayed legs and placed a searing kiss on her lips before snaking a hand under her tank-top.
Approximately an hour later the couple had redressed and settled themselves back into bed. Logan flipped on the evening news as Rory laid her head against his chest. Not five minutes later her breathing had changed and he could tell that she had fallen asleep. He brushed some hair away from her face as he watched her sleeping. He hoped tomorrow at the office went more smoothly for her.
The next morning, as planned, Logan left for the office first. Rory spent another fifteen minutes at the apartment before walking down 42nd Street to the office. Rory was surprised at how empty the office was considering how close to eight it was. Leaving her purse, jacket and lunch at her desk Rory helped herself to coffee at the kitchenette before heading to Darin's office for her assignments. Rory was anxious to find out what Darin was going to assign her. In her opinion she couldn't have landed in a better section to start her journalism career. The Lifestyle section included a vast array of subject matter including but not limited to: Your Money, Health & Wellness, Style & People, Family & Relationships, Taste, Faith & Values, Home & Garden and Travel.
"Gilmore, you're here early," Darin said as he looked up from what he was working on when she knocked lightly on his doorframe.
"I like to be early," Rory told him, "Do you have some assignments for me?"
"As promised," Darin said as he gestured for her to take a seat in one of the two chairs in his office, "While I have skimmed your writing portfolio and you are a very impressive writer I felt it might be best to start simple."
Rory nodded, understanding that she had to work her way up to the big assignments. It would also give her a real sense of how the entire process worked before she took on a more challenging piece.
"Since I am starting you with more simple stories I have three assignments for you to work on this week. Turn them in as you finish them up or by Monday morning at the latest. We will work them into the layout as we need them," Darin explained.
"Thanks, Darin," Rory said as she accepted the three assignment sheets he offered her. Each sheet contained the basic concept of the story she was covering; desired length and any other basic information Darin felt relevant to her covering the story. As Rory made her way back to her desk she read over each of them. She'd been assigned to cover the availability of flu shots late next month and what the predictions were for what the most current strain would look like this year. Her second story was about the growing trend of organic foods and all the new shops that were opening to supply the demand. Her final story was about the recent downward spiral in the housing market. Her brain was already spinning with possibilities for each of the three stories as she flicked on her computer and waited for it to boot up.
"Rory Gilmore," a male voice said behind her.
Rory turned and saw a face that was familiar from the department meetings from the day before. "I'm sorry," Rory said with a smile, "I don't remember what your name is."
"Kevin Walters," the young man said. Rory couldn't imagine that he was much older than she was.
"Can I help you with something?" Rory asked, confused by his presence in her cube.
"I'm just trying to figure out why your name is so familiar," Kevin said.
Rory froze momentarily, trying to offer any reason besides the most obvious, "I was editor in chief at the Yale Daily News," she offered.
"That's not it," Kevin said.
"My Grandparents are well known in Hartford society," Rory tried again, "And my Grandfather, Richard Gilmore, is well known in the insurance business."
"I don't think that's either," Kevin said, "Hmmmm, I'll get back to you when I figure it out. I'm sure it will come to me."
Rory didn't like his tone; she had the feeling that he was already fairly certain that he knew who she was but for some reason was not yet ready to show her his cards. Knowing there was nothing she could do about it Rory got down to work. She logged onto her computer and opened her company email; no new emails.
Rory's morning flew by, she was in her element doing research and setting up interviews for her various articles. It was going on twelve-thirty before her stomach growled loudly reminding her that it was lunch time. Rory took the container of left over pasta out of her lunchbox and went in search of a microwave. Remembering that the cafeteria was on the sixth floor Rory took the stairs and quickly found it. Rory had to wait in line for a few minutes to use one of the six microwaves set up on the long counter top. She gathered plastic silverware and a napkin as she waited for her food to heat. Just as she was pushing open the cafeteria door open to return to her desk someone on the other side was pulling the door to come in.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rory said immediately before she noticed it was Logan.
"Quite alright," Logan said cordially in return as he backed up and held the door open for her.
"Thank you," she said, granting him a small smile. He discretely smirked back at her before they both went their separate ways.
Rory ate lunch at her desk as she continued to work on preparations for her articles. It felt strange to work in an office full of people and still feel alone. Rory talked to no one; she'd decided it might be the best plan of action until her co-workers got used to her presence there. She would let them come to her when they were ready to make nice.
It was going on four in the afternoon when Darin stopped by her office to see how things were going. Rory rattled off the research she'd done and the interviews she'd set up for each of her articles. Darin beamed at her and said, "You dove right in, didn't you. Well done."
"I have an interview tomorrow morning at eight for my flu shot article. I will be coming into the office afterward. Is that something I normally need to alert you about?" Rory asked unsure of the all the new protocol at the office.
"That's unnecessary," Darin said, "This is a newspaper. If you aren't in the office we just assume that you are out on a story. However, if you are taking a sick day or a vacation day then you should let me know."
"Thanks Darin," Rory said as he left her cube.
Around five o'clock the floor began to empty out as people headed home for the day. Rory had done about all that she could for today. After her interview tomorrow morning she could at least start writing her flu shot article. Rory saved her files and began shutting down various programs she had open on her desktop when her computer dinged, alerting her to a new email. Surprised, Rory couldn't imagine who might have her email address at work.
To: Rory Gilmore
From: Logan Huntzberger
Subject: What's the Plan?
Ace,
I thought it might be safe enough to email you from my personal email account. How has your second day been? Better, I hope. Are you heading home soon? Should we have dinner out or do you want me to cook?
Let me know.
Logan
Rory smiled at his thoughtfulness as she quickly typed her response.
To: Logan Huntzberger
From: Rory Gilmore
Subject: Re: What's the Plan?
Hi Logan,
I got my first assignments today and have been busy with them all day long. Besides you and Darin, I only talked to one of my co-workers. I'll have to tell you about that conversation later. I've decided that I'll give everyone a chance to get used to me being here and let them come to me. Let's eat in; you can cook. I am leaving shortly; do you need me to pick anything up at the market?
Love, Rory
A few minutes later her computer dinged again.
To: Rory Gilmore
From: Logan Huntzberger
Subject: Re: Re: What's the Plan?
Ace,
I'm glad your first day went so much better; but I feel bad that it went so much better because you avoided talking to any of your co-workers though. I don't think I need anything else to make dinner tonight. I will plan to leave here by 6:30 at the latest. I'll see you at home.
Love, Logan
Twenty minutes later found Rory at home in their apartment. She'd changed into sweat pants and a tee-shirt and had settled herself on the couch. Her mother had left her a voicemail early this afternoon and Rory still needed to call her back. She punched the speed dial for the Inn and waited for Michel to answer.
"Dragonfly Inn, this is Michel, how may I help you?" he droned.
"Michel, this is Rory, is my Mother there?" Rory asked.
Michel made a sound in her ear that sounded somewhat like a snort before she heard him bellow, "Lorelai, telephone."
A few minutes later Lorelai finally answered, "Hello, this is Lorelai."
"Mom, it's me," Rory said.
"Hey, what's up?" Lorelai said.
"I don't know, I'm just returning your call," Rory reminded her.
"Right," Lorelai said, "Listen Grandma needs us over at her house on Saturday afternoon for a dress fitting. Can you make it?"
Rory thought for a moment before answering, "Yes, that should work. How are the wedding plans coming?"
"Fine," Lorelai said in a tone that told Rory that they were actually anything but fine.
"Mom, how's it really going?" Rory asked.
"Your Grandmother can be impossible sometimes," Lorelai said.
"Why did you agree to let her plan your wedding. You knew how she could be," Rory asked.
"Well, she did such a great job with your wedding and it made her so happy to do it," Lorelai said, "Not to mention that I'm her only child."
"I'm sure the end product will be just as perfect as you hoped it would be," Rory assured her.
"Yeah, but she's going to pester and annoy me with every single tiny detail from now until the wedding and its pure torture," Lorelai whined.
"Tell her that you don't need to be involved with all the decisions," Rory suggested.
"I would except that when I agreed to let her plan this whole thing I told her I wanted the final word on every detail no matter how tiny," Lorelai explained, "Anyway, how's work?"
"Okay," Rory said quietly.
"Just okay?" Lorelai asked.
"The actual work part of my job is great. I got my first assignments today and am really enjoying working on them. But the office politics are making me crazy," Rory said.
"What happened," Lorelai asked, urging Rory on.
"I had no idea that working in an office could be so much like high school. But that's exactly what it's like with all the gossiping and cliques. All day long I listened to people whisper about me and whether or not I was a Huntzberger spy. My co-workers were hostile at best. I know it will get better when they figure out that I'm not a threat; but right now it stinks. I'm not used to being hated," Rory explained.
"I suppose you're the first new employee since the buy-out," Loreali said.
"Yeah, and it didn't help that I started on the same day that management officially changed hands," Rory said, "I was supposed to start next week but they were in a bind."
"Just hang in there," Lorelai said.
"Yeah," Rory said, "Thanks for the cookie bouquet! It was delicious."
"I'm glad you liked it," Lorelai said, "Listen, I have to get back to work; but I'll see you on Saturday at Grandma's."
"What time exactly?" Rory asked.
"I don't know, I'll get back to you," Lorelai said.
When Logan arrived home at quarter to seven Rory was fast asleep on the couch in front of the television which was tuned into the Game Show Network. After changing his clothes he quietly slipped into the kitchen and went to work on dinner. Dinner was nearly ready when a sleep rumpled Rory entered the kitchen.
"Hey sleepyhead," Logan said cheerfully.
"Hey," Rory said with a yawn and a stretch, "How long have you been home?"
"Twenty minutes or so," Logan said.
"Why didn't you wake me?" Rory asked.
"You looked so peaceful," Logan said.
Logan continued to work on the pork chops and mashed potatoes for dinner while Rory pulled dishes out of the cupboards to set the table.
"Tell me about your first assignments," Logan said.
"Darin decided to start me off with some simpler stories so I can get used to the processes in our section. But, he did give me three of them," Rory explained excitedly, "I am working on a story about flu shots, one about organic foods and another about the falling housing market."
"Those all sound like good stories to start with," Logan said.
"Yeah, I had a good time working on them today," Rory said, "I'm anxious to see my name in a by line."
"I'm sure you won't have to wait long," Logan said, smiling at her enthusiasm.
"How do you feel about spending the weekend at the Branford house?" Rory asked.
"I don't think I have any plans," Logan said, "Why?"
"I have to go to a dress fitting for Mom's wedding at my Grandmother's on Saturday," Rory said, "It seemed like a shame to waste all day Saturday driving back and forth. Then I thought we could invite Colin, Steph, Finn, Paris and Doyle over to visit us there."
"We could have a barbeque or something," Logan added, catching her spirit, "That would be great. I haven't seen the guys since way before we moved to New York."
"I'll start making arrangements," Rory said with a grin as she thought, 'Something to look forward to.'
Author's Note: The next chapter will start off with a wrap up of their first work week at NYDN then I'll move onto their weekend at the ocean. Please review and PLEASE offer suggestions of what you'd like to see happen in this story. I draw a lot of inspiration from my readers and their ideas for my story—REALLY!