Rory ended up conducting two interviews on Wednesday morning before she headed into the office. First she interviewed a representative from the board of public health and safety about the upcoming flu season and the availability of the flu shot. On the way back to the office as Rory thought about her article she was inspired to call Paris and see if, as a medical student she would be willing to supply some comments as well. As Paris had decided on New York for medical school; the two of them could meet in person. Paris had instructed Rory to meet her in the cafeteria of the hospital where she was currently interning and Rory could interview Paris over a cup of coffee.
"What are the predictions concerning the strain of flu that will be circulating this flu season?" Rory asked.
"It will look much like what we've seen in the recent past including an aggressive attack on the upper respiratory system. Symptoms to be aware of include, but are not limited to: fever, fatigue, aches and pains, chills, and cough. The cough is a bronchial tube irritation and is usually not productive, in other words; you're not coughing up gunk," Paris explained.
Paris provided colorful responses to all of Rory's questions before they turned to more personal chat, "This is what, day three, of working for your husband and your father-in-law? How's that going?" Paris asked snidely.
"All my co-workers hate me," Rory confided.
"Because of your connections to upper management?" Paris asked knowingly.
"No," Rory replied, "No one is even aware of who I really am; at least not as far as I know. They seem to hate me because I started on the same day that management changed hands and it was obvious that I was hired by new management."
"Just think how much more they are going to hate you when they find out who you are," Paris said.
"Hopefully they never find out," Rory said.
"Even you're not that naïve," Paris retorted.
"I know, hopefully I'll have gained their friendship before the news breaks," Rory said, "I still feel like I took the easy route, accepting a job from Logan and Mitchum."
"I would too," Paris said, "But try to think of it positively; your husband and father-in-law think so highly of your writing skills that they had to snatch you up before a competitor got you."
"It would be easier if Logan and I weren't in the same office though," Rory said.
"Yeah," Paris replied, "Listen, Gilmore, my break is about over. When you quote me make sure you use my married name, Geller-McMaster. See you this weekend?"
"Looking forward to it," Rory said as she gathered her things.
Back at the office Rory immersed herself in constructing an interesting article out of the facts and quotes she'd gotten concerning the upcoming flu season. Rory had nearly finished with it by lunchtime when she took a quick break to heat up her lunch in the cafeteria. As luck would have it she was standing in line for the microwaves behind Kevin Walters; Rory prayed that he wouldn't notice her. She thought her prayers had been answered when he left the lunch room. Unfortunately when she'd finished heating her food and left the cafeteria, he was waiting outside for her.
"Rory Gilmore," he said in the same annoying tone that he'd said it in the day before.
"Kevin Walters," Rory replied in a mocking tone, "What can I do for you?"
"I'm still trying to figure out why I know your name," Kevin said, "I have some interesting theories."
"Really," Rory said nervously.
"Would you care to hear them?" Kevin asked.
"Sure," Rory said, trying to force a laugh, as if this whole thing was a big joke.
"At first I thought maybe we'd gone to the same school at some point in our lives; but that didn't pan out. Then I thought perhaps you had a famous relative that you forgot to mention; but besides your society Grandparents, nothing. My final theory was most promising," Kevin said.
"What was it," Rory said.
"You and I can discuss it together over a cup of coffee at the coffee shop around the corner after work," Kevin said, "Deal?"
"Five o'clock?" Rory asked quietly.
"Yes," Kevin said as he walked away.
Rory had to fight the urge to run straight into Logan's office and ask him what she should do. Back at her desk Rory picked at her lunch; her appetite having left her. She sent a message to Logan via her sidekick but so far hadn't heard back from him. Rory pushed the meeting with Kevin from her mind and focused on finishing her article. It was nearing four when she was finally satisfied with her article. After saving it on the department drive in the unpublished stories folder Rory printed out a copy and headed into Darin's office. Handing him the article she seated herself in one of the chairs and waited as he read it.
"Gilmore, this is excellent," Darin said, sounding shocked, "I'm not sure I've ever read a story from a rookie reporter that wasn't filled with rookie mistakes."
"Yale was an excellent teacher," Rory replied.
"I guess so," Darin said, "I really like that you interviewed more than one source. In a story like this typically you'd only see quotes from the representative at Public Health and Safety. I love that you found a medical student to interview and get a slightly different perspective."
"Paris is one of my oldest friends," Rory admitted.
"Well, inspired choice, she gave wonderful quotes," Darin said.
"She was editor and chief at the Yale Daily News just previous to my reign; she knows the value of a good quote," Rory said.
"How are your other articles coming along?" Darin asked.
"I have several interviews lined up for each of them tomorrow. I may be out of the office for most of the day," Rory said.
"No problem," Darin said.
When Rory returned to her desk it was quarter to five. Checking her sidekick she found the following message from Logan:
Logan: Ace, are you sure it is safe to be meeting with this Kevin alone? If he has discovered the truth I would just be honest with him. I'm not sure what exactly to tell you. To be honest, I am somewhat anxious for this secret to come out. It is frustrating to not be able to talk to you when I see you around. I have a meeting this evening. I should be home by 9. Eat supper without me. I'll call to make sure you made it home by 6. Love you.
Discouraged that Logan's message failed to offer her anything that would really help her with this meeting, Rory gathered her things. When she arrived at the tiny coffee shop around the corner Kevin was already sitting at a table. He was tall and skinny and though he was clearly well out of his teens, still held some teenage gawkiness. He had a longish mop of mousey brown hair and pale blue eyes under his trendy wire-rimmed glasses. Awkwardly she sat across from him, waiting for him to speak. Before he spoke a waitress approached the table to take their order. Once she'd left Kevin admitted, "I actually don't have a third theory about who you are."
"You got me to come here under false pretences?" Rory practically yelled at him.
"I'll pay for your coffee, if that helps," Kevin said.
"It's a start I guess," Rory said.
"Just tell me one thing," Kevin said, "There is a reason why I know your name, right?"
Rory paused for a moment before remembering Logan's advice to just tell the truth then said, "Yes."
"Why do I know your name?" Kevin asked.
"I can't tell you that," Rory said with a small smile.
"If I continue to guess will you tell me whether I'm right or wrong?" Kevin asked.
"Under two conditions," Rory said. When Kevin nodded his assent Rory continued, "One, if you figure out why you know my name you keep my secret to yourself and two, you are not allowed to recruit other people in the office or otherwise to help you in your search. No one at the office is to know about this."
"Deal," Kevin said with a grin as she thrust out his hand. Rory shook it and Kevin said, "This is going to be fun."
Kevin and Rory chatted a bit longer before Kevin paid for the coffee and they both headed toward their homes. As Rory walked back toward the apartment she smiled; in a weird way she felt that maybe she'd made her first friend at the office.
The next day, Thursday, Rory was out of the office all day. She'd pinned a note outside her cubicle saying that she was out on interviews for her article; but if she needed to be reached she'd be checking her office voicemail periodically. For her housing market story Rory interviewed a realtor as well as a client of said realtor whose house had been on the market for nearly a year. She visited multiple organic food stores around the city and interviewed their proprietors about what they felt the benefits of organic foods to be. She decided also to get some quotes from customers of each of the stores about why they chose organically grown foods. Finally Rory interviewed a contractor for a construction company that specialized in building custom homes to see if they had also felt the crunch of the downward spiral in the housing market.
It was after five when Rory arrived back at the apartment. There was a message on their voicemail from Logan saying that he had another late meeting and not to hold dinner for him. Disappointed that they would not be having dinner together for a second night in a row, Rory decided to take advantage of the situation rather than let it upset her. After ordering Chinese food Rory booted up her laptop in the study and arranged the notes for both articles. When her food arrived she brought it into the study with her and got to work.
It was going on ten when Logan finally arrived home after his meeting. He found Rory still hard at work in the study. She'd finished her story about the housing market and was working on the finishing touches for the organic foods story.
"Have you been busy working on your articles since you got home?" Logan asked.
"Yeah, so," Rory said, "I decided that if I'm going to be home alone I might as well make use of my time. Besides I'm hoping that after I turn in my articles tomorrow I can head home early and finish packing for this weekend."
"Are we heading to Branford tomorrow night or on Saturday morning?" Logan asked.
"I guess that depends on your work schedule," Rory said.
"I'll see what I can do. It would be nice to get there tomorrow night," Logan said.
"I was hoping you'd say that," Rory replied.
The next morning Rory arrived at the office at her usual time. But, in an effort to stick to their plan of heading to Branford tonight Logan had gone into the office an hour early. Rory booted up her computer and her email dinged, alerting her to a new message in her inbox. There was one new email.
To: Rory Gilmore
From: Kevin Walters
Subject: Guesses
Rory,
Is Rory Gilmore your real name? If it is your real name is Rory short for something?
Let me know,
Kevin.
Rory cursed under her breath, he was getting closer to the truth than she liked him to be. If she admitted that Rory was short for Lorelai it would take little time at all to connect Lorelai Gilmore to Logan Huntzberger. Maybe she'd have to spill her secret to him and swear him to secrecy. She'd deal with him after she turned in her stories. Rory plugged her jump drive into her computer and moved her stories into the unpublished folder on the department drive. She printed out copies of each and headed into Darin's office.
Darin was as impressed as he had been with her flu story. He commended her no-nonsense work ethic and her journalistic writing talent. He told her in confidence that she would receive more prominent stories next week; they couldn't be wasting her writing skills on the small stories.
"Do you have anything left to work on for today?" Darin asked.
"Not really. I can start researching another story if you'd like," Rory offered.
"Until our department brainstorming session on Monday morning I don't really have anything else to assign you," Darin said, "Why don't you take the rest of the morning to compile ideas for our Monday meeting and then take the afternoon off. You've earned it."
Beaming Rory replied, "Thank you!"
As she headed back to her desk she formulated a plan of attack as far as Kevin's questions were concerned.
To: Kevin Walters
From: Rory Gilmore
Subject: Re: Guesses
Kevin,
Perhaps you'd be willing to join me for lunch? We could discuss your questions then.
Let me know,
Rory
Kevin responded in the affirmative and they planned to have lunch at a Mexican place down the street. Rory worked steadily all morning compiling lists of different ideas for each of the broad subjects that her department covered. Fifteen minutes before she was due to meet Kevin in the lobby to head to lunch Rory texted Logan via her sidekick to alert him to her plans.
Rory: Hey, I'm done for the day. Darin told me to take the afternoon off because I've earned it. I am having lunch with Kevin at the Mexican place down the street to discuss further questions he has about my identity. I'm heading home to pack after that. See you later.
Before Rory agreed to answer Kevin's questions she told him that she had some questions of her own. Kevin was cooperative and Rory found out that he was single, three years older than she was and had worked for NYDN for a little over a year. He'd gone to college at the University of Minnesota and majored in Journalism. He'd worked various low-level jobs at various New York newspapers before landing a rookie job at NYDN.
"Now can we talk about my questions?" Kevin asked.
"Certainly," Rory said after she swallowed a mouthful of beef fajita.
"Is your real name Rory Gilmore?" Kevin asked.
"Technically, yes," Rory said, knowing that he'd have questions about her answer.
"Explain technically to me," Kevin demanded.
"Legally it's no longer my name because Gilmore was my maiden name. But at one point yes, Rory Gilmore was my real name," Rory explained.
"What is your married name," Kevin asked wisely.
"I can't tell you that," Rory said with a smirk.
"Ahhh," Kevin said, "I know your name because of who you are married to."
"Correct," Rory admitted reluctantly.
"Is Rory short for something?" Kevin asked.
"Yes," Rory said worriedly.
"Can you give me a hint what it's short for?" Kevin asked.
"Sorry," Rory said.
"Hmmmmm," Kevin said, "I'll have to give this some more though. But I'm getting close; I can tell that I have you worried."
"Yes you do," Rory said softly.
"I understand from our previous conversations that this is not information that you'd be comfortable with becoming public knowledge at work," Kevin said.
"That is correct," Rory confirmed.
"It seems like this secret is something you feel will have an impact on your professional life," Kevin said.
"It is," Rory confirmed again.
"When I figure out what it is I promise to keep it to myself," Kevin said.
"What if, when you find out what the secret is you are just too overwhelmed to keep it to yourself?" Rory asked.
"I will ask to talk to you about it," Kevin said sincerely.
"You swear?" Rory said seriously.
"I swear," Kevin said, "This is going to sound cheesy, but I've come to think of you as a friend. And I can't say that about anyone else in our department."
"You've worked for NYDN for over a year and have no friends at work?" Rory asked sadly.
"Nope," Kevin said, "I was the first new writer the department hired in years and I've always just kind of been the outcast."
"Until me," Rory said.
"Exactly," Kevin said, "I think part of why I started my whole quest to figure out why I know your name was just so I could get to know you better. It can be very lonely not to have friends."
"Well Kevin, I've come to think of you as my friend too," Rory said, "So you'll have my back when the news about my identity breaks?"
"More than likely," Kevin said, "I'll let you know for certain when I figure it out."
"Do you want me to just tell you?" Rory said, having reached the point where she wanted to confide in him.
"No, let me figure it out on my own, then we'll talk about it," Kevin said.
"I am not naïve enough to think that this will remain a secret forever," Rory told him, "But I would like to keep it under wraps for as long as possible."
The two of them finished their lunch and paid their bill. Rory explained to Kevin that she had the afternoon off and would be heading home. They bid each other good-bye and exchanged well wishes for a nice weekend.
Back at the apartment Rory finished packing and was busy writing a grocery list for Branford when Logan arrived home at four. Rory filled Logan in on her new friend as he quickly packed what he needed for the weekend. Together they hauled their bags to the Escalade in the underground parking garage.
"I'm so excited for this weekend," Rory said happily as she slid on her sunglasses.
"Me too," Logan said as he squeezed her hand.
They would have tonight to themselves. Tomorrow afternoon Rory would head to Hartford for the dress fitting then their friends would arrive early in the evening for the barbeque. When Rory invited everyone she'd insisted that they bring their overnight bags and make use of the guest rooms. It was going to be the perfect weekend.
Author's Note: Okay, so I lied. I said that this chapter would be mostly the weekend at the beach, but my overview of the rest of their week at the office became a lot longer than I thought it might. I swear that the next chapter will be ALL about the weekend at the beach. As always please review and let me know how I'm doing. Offer any suggestions you might have and let me know what you think about Rory's blossoming friendship with Kevin.