"I don't want you to go."
"Ace…"
"Stay. Just one more day, please?"
"Rory, you know we want to," Colin sighed. They all hated when the end of summer came, and he, Finn and Logan had to go back to school.
"Summer went by too fast," Rory huffed reluctantly, crossing her arms. They were all on her porch, sitting on the front steps, waiting for Logan's driver to come and pick the boys up to take them to the airport.
"Love, think of it this way," Finn said, putting an arm over her shoulder. "In just a few months you'll be with us, coming to our insane parties. You'll learn to sleep all day and stay up all night. You'll be dancing like there's no tomorrow. You'll drink gallons of alcohol. Boys will be falling at your feet," he paused. "Not that we'll let them actually touch you."
"You got that right," Colin muttered.
Rory couldn't help but roll her eyes at her friend's comments. Although she loved how much they cared for her, every now and then she wished they would let go of the rope they were holding her on and let her go free. "Okay, let's get a few things straight. First off, I'm coming to visit you, and maybe try out a few of the calmer parties. I will be going to bed at a suitable hour every night, and getting up at a suitable hour each morning. There will be very limited dancing, probably none, along with no alcohol consumption. And no boys will be falling at my feet."
"Ah, Ace, it's amazing how naïve you can be sometimes," Logan chuckled. Even after years of boyfriends, ask outs, and being hit on, Rory still didn't see how attractive she was.
"I am not naïve," Rory defended, sending him a playful glare.
"Anyway," Colin interrupted quickly before another debate could arise, "we'll call you the moment we get off the plane, okay?"
Rory sighed, her face falling. This was her least favorite part of the summer. For the past six weeks, she Logan, Finn and Colin had done everything together. They went to Luke's each morning, a movie night twice a week, and the many carnivals and other Stars Hollow quirks in between. Everyone in Stars Hollow loved them, and were happy to see them back. Except Luke, who didn't like any boy Rory defended, thinking that they would hurt her. It took several minutes of convincing from Lorelai before he would even serve them in the diner. Now, he still didn't trust them, but would at least serve them food that wasn't contaminated and coffee that wasn't cold and bitter.
When Logan saw Rory's broken expression, he immediately took her in his arms, taking her out of Finn's. Finn sighed, trying to ignore the gesture that was so…boyfriend-ish. He knew it was second nature of Logan to take care of Rory, but he wished someone else would notice the way they acted around each other so he didn't have to hold the secret inside.
Logan kissed the top of her head, as she silently cried into his chest. "Ace, we'll see you in just a few months. We'll talk on the phone every day, and we'll send e-mails."
"But it's still not the same as you being here," she said quietly, wiping the tears from her eyes. Before anyone else could respond, a black limo pulled up into the yard, causing everyone's heads to turn.
"It's early. Logan, why is Frank twenty minutes ahead of schedule?" Colin asked angrily.
Logan shrugged, reluctantly letting go of Rory to stand up and check his watch. "It's usually late. Maybe Frank's not driving this time."
Rory sighed, getting up with the rest of them. "So I guess this is it," she said, forcing a smile as a few stray tears continued to fall down her cheeks.
Colin pulled her in for one last hug. "Rory, it's three months. We're not dying."
"I know,," she sighed, returning the hug.
"My turn," Finn called, giving her a kiss on the cheek and a hug. "Miss you, Love," he whispered into her ear. "Don't do anything dirty while we're away, okay? And if any boys come after you, be sure to call me so I can come over here and pummel them."
Rory giggled. "I'll be sure to." Finn released her, giving her a sad smile before following Colin into the waiting limo.
"So I guess it's my turn," Logan smirked at her. Rory didn't respond, but just ran into his arms, and closed her eyes. It had always been harder to say goodbye to Logan then the others throughout the years.
"So you'll call?"
"And write, and visit. Don't worry, Ace. Four months and you'll see us again. I'm surprised you haven't gotten sick of us yet."
"Impossible," she smiled, and they stayed in their embrace for a few more silent moments before the horn beeped, and they jumped apart. Rory sighed. "Bye, Logan."
Logan took her hand and squeezed it before walking to the limo. "Later, Ace," he called, before getting in and slamming the door shut. Rory watched as it drove away, taking her best friends with it. Sighing sadly, she walked back into her house. Her mom was sitting on the couch, flitting through an old magazine. She looked up when she heard her daughter's footsteps, and gave her a sympathetic smile when she saw her broken face.
"Aw, hon, you'll see them in four months."
"I know, but goodbye's are always hard for me," Rory replied, sitting next to her and getting comfortable.
They were both silent for a few minutes, Lorelai continuing to read her magazine and Rory sitting quietly next to her, lost in thought. Eventually, she broke the silence. "Hey, Mom?"
"Hmmm?"
"Can I talk to you," Lorelai looked up to see Rory's stressed expression. "Of course. Is it big?"
"Depends on your definition of 'big."
"Like, 'I'm pregnant and I don't know who the daddy is' big? Or, 'Hey, I think I got a rip in my new shirt' big?
Rory thought for a moment before responding. "Bigger then ripped shirt, smaller then mystery daddy."
"Oh, spill!" she exclaimed, dropping her magazine.
"Okay, well…it was weird. I had a dream last night."
"Okay, not seeing the weird part. I had a dream last night too. It was a very dirty one involving Jonny Depp and whipped cream." Lorelai smiled.
"Mom!"
"Right, sorry."
"Thank you. Anyway, so in this dream, me, you, Logan, Colin and Finn were all in Luke's, you know, just eating and talking, like always."
Lorelai raised her eyebrows, still not seeing the weird part. "Okay…"
"So, then, completely out of the blue, Logan…"
"Yeah?"
"He kisses me, and I just blush and look at him, like it was a normal thing."
"Her kissed you?"
"Yeah."
"Like a kiss kiss or just a kiss?"
Rory gave her mom a look. "What?"
"I mean, was it like a full throttle make out session, or just a friendly 'muah'" Lorelai explained.
"Mom, we were in a diner! I would never make-out in a diner, not even in my dreams."
"So it was friendly?"
"No it was…" Rory thought for a moment, before unconsciously smiling. "It was real. It was long, and full of love, and I felt like I wouldn't mind kissing him forever."
Lorelai's eyes went higher, not only at her daughter's description but at the smile she had on when she said it. "I thought you said it was a dream."
"Huh?" Rory got pulled out of her short trance. "Oh, yeah it was."
"So, how did you feel like that."
Rory shrugged. "I don't know. It felt…real. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, what does that dream mean?"
"Hmmm…" Lorelai stroked her chin, pretending to be in deep thought. "I know!" she said after a minute. "It means that you are in love with Logan."
Rory rolled her eyes. "Mom, get real."
"Okay…it means that you are in love with Logan, but you just don't know it yet."
"Nope. Try again," Rory replied immediately, not noticing the small feeling she had at the bttom of her stomach.
"I can't try again, that's what I think. That's like asking me to choose between Jimmy Choos and Reeboks. I pick the Jimmy Choos, and then you tell me to 'try again'. It's not possible."
Rory sighed. "Well, neither of those are right, so I'd like a better answer."
"Alright, fine, I'll make one up, just for you. It means that…you really want one of Luke's burgers. Hey! I know! Let's go there right now!" Lorelai stood up, giving her daughter a smile.
"Mom, that doesn't make any sense."
"Hey, you rejected my ideas that actually made sense. That's the only idea I have left. Now come one, Luke's is calling." She pulled on Rory's arm.
"Alright, fine, I'm coming." Rory giggled, standing up and following her mother out of their house.
On their way to Luke's, Lorelai noticed Rory's uneasy expression. Looping arms with her, she smiled. "Hey, you want to hear a story?"
"Yes!" Rory's face immediately brightened. Lorelai's "stories" were always moments from her past with Colin, Finn, and Logan. She loved hearing her mother tell them, whether she remembered the moment or not. "What's this one?"
"Hmm," Lorelai paused, thinking. "I know! How about the Chocolate Milk Incident of 1991?"
Rory gave her a puzzled look. "I don't remember that one."
"Ah, funny day, funny day. At least for me, the onlooker," Lorelai giggled.
"You are unbelievable!" a six-year old Rory told Finn, as she chased him around the kitchen of his mansion in Hartford. Finn's parents were holding some sort of fundraiser for, what Finn called, "a moldy looking plant", and the little kids were sent into the west wing, where the party was not taking place, to play.
"Why was I chasing him?"
"He took your book. Pride and Prejudice, I believe."
"Pride and Prejudice? He is unbelievable!"
"Whatcha guys doin'? Colin asked his friends. He was dressed in suit and tie, much to his reluctance. Finn was able to wear whatever he liked, and Rory didn't mind putting on dresses, but he hated being in a suit.
"He stole my book! I was just sitting on the stool reading, minding my own business, and he took it!" Rory yelled, trying to grab the book from Finn, who was holding it an arm's length away from her.
"Hey, you refused to play with me and Logan. I was simply taking away what was stopping you," Finn explained.
"But…I…have…to…find…out….what…happens….to….Mr.….Darcy…and…Lizzy!" Rory pleaded, saying another word after every unsuccessful jump to try to reach her book.
"I am going to give Finn a nice talking-to when they call me."
"Hon, you guys were six. That was twelve years ago."
"Mom, everyone knows not to steal my books. It's like, in the 'How to Survive with Gilmore Girls handbook'."
"I know what will stop you from reading!" Finn grinned evilly, running over to his refrigerator. Rory and Colin followed, and she gasped when she saw what he was doing.
"Finn, don't you dare!"
"Chocolate milk!? Oh, he's dead, he is so dead."
"Kid, calm down, it gets better."
"Just say you'll play with us Rory, or the book gets it. Mate, help me out." Finn told Colin, who shook his head.
"I'm staying out of this one."
"Party pooper. Anyway, Rory, what's it gonna be?"
"But-"
"Cut it out Finn." Logan suddenly appeared out of no where, snatching the cup of milk out of his friend's hands, along with the book. "Here you go Ace," he smiled, returning the book to her.
"Logan! You're supposed to be on my side!"
"Not when it comes to Rory's books. Finn, it's in the 'How to Survive with Gilmore Girls handbook' that you aren't ever supposed to steal Ace's here's books." Logan explained.
"Thanks Logan! I love you!" Rory smiled, giving him a huge hug."
"Anytime Ace, anytime."
"I love him! I'll have to make a mental note to thank him."
Lorelai smiled. "Are you gonna tell him about your dream?"
Rory looked at her mother like she was crazy. "Yeah, right," she said sarcastically, as they arrived at Luke's and took seats at a table. "That would go over well."
"I'm just saying, he might have better insight on it then me."
"Mhmmm, I can see it now: "Logan? Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I had a dream where we were in love and we kissed. I think that means we are going to fall in love and be together forever. Logan? Hello?"
Lorelai laughed. "Together forever. Ah, that brings back memories."
Rory perked up. "Another story?"
Lorelai nodded as Luke came over with coffee. "Thanks hun, I'll repay you tonight," she told at her fiancé, who simply rolled his eyes in return before walking away. He hated when Lorelai talked in public about what they actually did at night.
"Mom, focus! So, another story?"
"Huh? Oh, right, yes. But for another time."
Rory sighed, disappointed. "Can you at least tell me what it's called?"
"Hmmm, I supposed we can call it…'The Pinky Sworn Promise of 1990."
"Pinky sworn promise?" Rory asked, puzzled.
"Mhmmm," Lorelai replied, taking a sip of her coffee.
"It's not ringing and bells."
"Don't worry, I'll tell you at a better time."
"What would qualify as a better time?"
"Oh, trust me," Lorelai smirked. "It'll come. Stay tuned."
Okay. I've decided I'm too lazy to type out everyone's names right now, so let me just tell you hear that I am very, very grateful for all of your reviews. I love them, please keep them coming. Oh, and if anyone had any ideas for this story, please tell me. I love ideas, and there's a more then likely chance I'll use them.
Oh, and Luke and Lorelai are engaged at this point in time. None of that Christopher crap happened or will happen.
Okay, so review please, it means updates much faster: )