Rory couldn't believe her eyes, Liam was standing there in a full tuxedo. She looked at his face and could see the confusion and hurt in his eyes. She looked at Logan, knowing full well he knew this was the Liam her old boss had mentioned when he went to San Francisco. She stood there completely overwhelmed and suddenly she knew what was coming. She immediately started struggling to breathe.
Finn and Honor were watching the stranger walk up to the couple. Having seen plenty of Rory's panic attacks, he recognized it immediately when Rory was struggling to breathe. He darted to the dance floor and grabbed her by the side.
"Rory darling, let's get you out of here." Finn was escorting her to the nearest exit. Fortunately, it was toward the back, away from the crowd. Logan, Liam and Honor were all quick to follow.
"Rory, calm down. Here, sit and put your head down." Finn took her over to a bench and helped her sit down.
"What is going on, Rory? You are scaring me." Liam was very concerned. He had never seen Rory so vulnerable.
Finn ignored him and continued talking to her "Rory…. Deep, slow breaths. You've got this. Just breathe."
Rory was trying her hardest to calm down, her mind was racing with Liam, she had successfully avoided him for 3 months, it was all just too much for her. Finn watched as her eyes started fluttering and she passed out.
"Come on, Love."
Finn looked up and yelled to the group. "Cold rag, now!"
"I'll get it!" Honor yelled as she ran back into the main room. She grabbed a couple of the cloth napkins and dumped ice water on them to make them cold.
"Here." She handed them to Finn. He was sitting on the floor holding her up. He was running the damp cloth along her forehead and face and rested the other one on the back of her neck.
"We need to call 911!" Liam exclaimed.
"No, we don't. She just needs a few more minutes." Finn was very calm.
Logan was very impressed on how Finn took control. It was terrifying to watch so helplessly. He wondered how many times this has happened for Finn to know exactly what to do.
"How do you know? Who are you people?" Liam still in shock over everything happening.
"This isn't the first time this has happened. As for who we are, we are her friends. And we will make sure she is taken care of. You can go."
"Go? Hell no, this woman means the world to me. I've been looking for her for three months."
Logan watched the man speak, he could hear the affection in his voice and could see the concern on his face. He also knew if Rory hadn't contacted him in 3 months, she likely didn't return the feelings. But, she had also gone through a major trauma in her life, so he really didn't know what to think.
"Hey, she's starting to come to" Honor observed.
Rory slowly opened her eyes. She knew what had happened, and was very embarrassed to be laying on the floor surrounded by both Liam and Logan.
Liam quickly kneeled down beside her, "Rory, are you ok?"
"Liam… what are you doing here?"
"Rory, you haven't returned my calls in 3 months, you quit the only job you have ever loved, and you disappeared from the face of the earth. I came to see you." There was a sadness in his voice.
"How did you know where to find me?"
"Well, I didn't. I read the article on the wine auction and the stats quoted in the article on the Ethiopian literacy rates were the same ones in your series. There were so many similarities, I was guessing and secretly hoping it was your doing."
Feeling very insecure about still being on the floor, she asked Finn to help her up.
"Well, once a reporter always a reporter. As for the auction, I can't take the credit. It was Logan here that planned it." She gestured toward Logan. "And his sister Honor and good friend Finn helped organize and execute it. Everyone, this is Liam. Liam this is Logan, Honor, and Finn."
They exchanged awkward introductions and then it was complete silence. Liam knew how big the Huntzberger name was in the newspaper industry, he knew he needed to play nice. However, he hadn't forgot how intimate of a moment he walked in on earlier with him and Rory, and as much as he wanted to throw accusations at him, he didn't dare upset Rory.
"Huntzberger, huh. I've read your stuff, hell of a reporter."
His lack of sincerity was not lost on Logan, but he decided to go with it. "Thank you. Nothing like our 'Ace' here. She's the real talent." Logan wasn't sure why he did it, but he reached over and pulled Rory into his side.
Finn was watching the scene unfold. He decided he better do something before one of them decided to pee on her.
"Rory, let me take you back upstairs. You really should rest."
"Thanks Finn, but I think I've been delaying this conversation long enough. I really do need to speak to Liam."
Rory also sensing the impending confrontation, quickly moved away from Logan's embrace.
"Are you sure, Love?"
"Yes, Finn. I will be fine." She walked toward Finn and gave him a hug. "Thanks for everything tonight."
"My pleasure, darling. I will talk to you tomorrow."
"Logan, Honor, thank you both for tonight. This really was an incredible event. My apologies for causing all this extra drama."
Logan could only force a smile and nod. Knowing her brother well, Honor could see him struggling, she decided to jump in.
"Rory, don't be silly, we are just glad you are ok. Now, we will check up on you tomorrow. Have a good night." Honor reached over and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. She took Logan by the arm and walked him back to the Great Room.
Once inside the room and out of view, she gave Logan a very pointed look. "Not now Honor, I don't want to hear it." And just like that, Logan walked away back toward the group hoping to forget the last two hours of the night.
Finn walked up next to Honor. "Well, that was something."
Honor gave Finn a very similar look to the one she gave Logan. "No doubt, and it's clear you two boys have left out some pretty important details regarding your new friend Rory. How long have those panic attacks been happening, Finn? That was clearly not the first one."
Finn sighed.. "No, it was not. I guess it really wasn't our business to tell. Frankly, I don't even know everything. She is dealing was some residual effects from whatever happened in Turkey. As much as I didn't want to leave her alone with Liam, I know he was there with her and maybe, hopefully, he can help her with whatever has her so scared."
"Is he her boyfriend?"
"I got the impression she was seeing him, but she has never said he was her boyfriend."
Honor could see the concern on Finn's face. She was one of the few that knew how big of heart Finn really has. She reached up and gave him a hug.
"You are a good friend to her, Finn. He will make sure she is okay, so try and have some fun."
Honor walked back over to her table, she needed a drink. Finn went to find Logan.
Rory took Liam upstairs to her apartment. She wasn't sure how any of this was going to go.
Liam looked around at the place, completely shocked. "This apartment is incredible, Rory. How do you live here?"
Rory had never shared a lot about her family with Liam, so she understood the questions.
"Well, my dad is paying for it. My grandpa passed away a few years ago and my dad inherited a lot of money."
"I see, I had no idea. I mean I knew you were linked with Hartford society through the Gilmore's, but not like this. One hell of a location, across from the Times? Talk about your dream location."
"Yeah, I guess… if I ever planned on being a reporter again, that would be good."
"Oh come on Rory, you don't mean that. Being a reporter is in your blood." Liam walked toward her and put his hand on her arm.
"I do." She walked away from him and toward the windows in the living room. "So, let's get this over with... I'm really sorry I didn't return your calls, Liam, I am. I haven't been in a very good place." She wouldn't look at him and continued looking out the window. The lights were calming.
"Clearly, the ritzy apartment and the ballgowns, I can see how tough it's been" Liam slapped back sarcastically.
Rory turned around and Liam could see the anger on her face. "You have no idea what you are talking about, believe it or not, tonight was the first time I've been with a group of people since the day I got back from Turkey." Rory started walking back toward him and continued. "Except the day I moved into this "ritzy" apartment, I haven't been outside in over three months. And, that lovely panic attack you witnessed downstairs is something I get to re-live pretty much on a daily basis, sometimes more than once." Rory's voice was shaking and the tears already falling.
Liam felt horrible, it broke him to see her like this. He walked toward her and she immediately put her hand out.
"Don't."
"Rory, I'm sorry. I had no idea. Please." He pleaded and could see her internal battle of deciding what to do next. He decided to make the call for her and just pulled her into him. She resisted at first, but he continued and she finally held him back. She was crying harder now, and Liam too found his own tears. After months of worry, he was so relieved to hold her again. However, he was terrified knowing what he needed to ask her next.
"Rory, what happened to you?"
Rory just cried harder. Finally, she pulled away and looked him in his eyes. "I don't know, Liam. I don't know. I don't remember anything." Feeling completely defeated, she walked toward the couch and sat down. Liam followed quickly behind her.
He rested his hand on her leg for support. "What do you remember?"
"I remember the crowd forming downtown. I remember the short cut through the alley. I remember you telling us to go back and me not listening."
"Stop Rory, this is not your fault."
"Of course it's my fault, I should have listened to you." She couldn't even look at him.
"Look at me…." Rory finally raised her head. "Rory, we were both eager to get the story. You were just braver than me. Just another reason why I love you so much."
"Liam...don't."
It was Liam's turn to get up and stare out the windows. "Rory, I have loved you for a year and a half, probably more like from the day I met you. And, I have been waiting and waiting for you to love me back. And, for reasons I will never understand, you don't. I'm trying my best to get my head wrapped around that, but I will be lying if I said it didn't hurt like hell."
"I'm sorry, Liam." Rory got up and stood next to him. They both stared silently. Finally, Liam spoke.
"Don't be sorry, Rory. I came here tonight to find some closure, and seeing you like this isn't going to bring that. I hate to see you hurting like this. All I want for you is to be happy. Can I ask you a personal question?"
"um.. okay." Rory looked at him slightly confused.
"Are you with Huntzberger?"
"What, no!"
"Rory, I know what I saw tonight."
"Well, I'm glad you know because I sure as hell don't. He's my neighbor, lives across the hall. He planned the entire auction as an apology for doing something really stupid, so maybe I was caught up in the moment tonight. But, I'm telling you, we are not together."
"Sorry, it's really none of my business. But, I just wanted to ask."
"It's okay." Rory gave him a small smile. "I need some water, can I get you anything?"
"A water would be good."
Rory went up to the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of water. She sat back down on the couch and Liam across from her.
"So, I'm not sure I want to know the answer, but I have to ask. Liam, what happened to you after we went through the alley?"
Liam took a drink, knowing this part was coming. "Well, right when we came around the corner, that is when all the gunfire erupted. There was total chaos. I had your hand but when the crowd ran at us, we were separated. I was forced into a group with a few other Americans. They took us to a building. It wasn't anything bad, there were several translators that had us writing things in English. They kept us fed and gave us cots to sleep on. There wasn't any torture, but we weren't allowed to leave. It lasted about two weeks until another group came in and we were all released. Every day I was worried sick about you, I had no idea what happened. I prayed over and over you were okay."
Rory was crying again. "I am so relieved that you weren't hurt. I think part of me avoiding you was the fear of finding out something bad had happened."
Liam got up and walked over and sat on the couch next to her. "I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you, Rory. But, I will do anything you need to help you."
"I know, and thank you for that. My grandmother found me a specialist in PTSD, I've been seeing him twice a week since I've been home. I'm just not making any progress. I hate what my life has become. I live in fear every day, fear of remembering, fear of not remembering."
Liam interrupted... "Which is why you don't leave your apartment. I get it now."
Rory just nodded. This entire evening was exhausting. She just wanted to lay down.
"It's getting late, Liam. I have a guest room, why don't you stay here. I really have missed my friend."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. It's a nice room, fresh sheets." Rory waived him back.
"This is nice. I've missed you too. I don't have any overnight clothes, so I hope you don't mind me sleeping in my boxers."
"Oh come on, we pretty much lived together in Turkey. I think I can handle it." Rory laughed and was glad to see Liam laughing as well.
"I did leave my hand bag downstairs, I'm going to run and get it quick. My cell phone is in it and I'm sure my mother has called a hundred times."
"Sure, you want me to go with you?"
"No, that's okay. Maybe you can find us a movie to watch?"
"Okay, I can do that."
Rory headed back down to the Great Room. As soon as she got in the elevator, she couldn't help but think of the almost kiss with Logan and the possessiveness he displayed with Liam. It was all so confusing. It was already after midnight, she had no idea who would all be left. As she stood in the doorway looking around, her stomach turned when she saw Logan in the corner pretty much groping another woman with his tongue down her throat. Finn was on the dance floor also making out with someone.
Honor was the first to notice her, she quickly got up and went to the doorway. "Rory, is everything okay?"
It took Rory a minute to remember what she came down for, "Oh, yes Honor, everything is fine. I just came down to grab my bag, I need my phone."
"Oh, of course, Finn was going to make sure you got it tomorrow. I'll grab it for you." Honor watched as Rory's eyes continued to gravitate in Logan's direction. When she realized what she was looking at, her heart sank. She silently cursed her brother. She grabbed Rory's bag and gave it back to her.
"Thanks, Honor. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
Rory turned around and headed toward the elevator. Honor quickly followed behind her. "Rory, wait. My brother is an idiot."
"It's okay Honor, we aren't together. We aren't anything."
"Rory" Honor just stood there, not exactly sure what to say.
"Good night, Honor."
Rory picked up her pace not wanting to talk any more about it. Honor turned around, dejected.
When Rory got back to her apartment, she told Liam she wanted to skip the movie and just wanted to sleep. Liam knowing her like the back of his hand, knew something happened when she went downstairs. But, he also knew if she wanted to talk about it she would, so he let it go.
Honor went back inside and seen Logan at the bar getting drinks.
"Having fun, Logan? I thought you should know, Rory's okay. She just came down to get her phone. I think she really enjoyed the show you put on?" Honor could do sarcasm with the best of them.
"She what? She came back?" Logan couldn't believe it, he was certain she wasn't coming back.
She did… and left just as fast." Honor grabbed herself a drink and walked away. She knew she gave Logan something to think about.
Logan was confused. He didn't know what or why he was over analyzing this. He wasn't with this girl. He tried to force his thoughts of her out of his head so he could continue his previous activities, but he couldn't. He couldn't go back to kissing Candy, or Mindy, or Cindy or whatever the hell her name was, when he really wanted to be kissing someone else. He joined Honor at her table.
"I knew you had feelings for her."
"Honor, I don't want to talk about it."
"Come on, Logan. Just admit it."
"Admit what? I don't know what to think. I know she's different. I know that man tonight is in love with her. I know she's gone through something horrible and is pretty messed up about it."
"You care about her. I know we didn't have the most loving environment growing up, but why is it so damn hard for you to talk about how you feel?"
"Yeah, so I care about her. Once you meet her, it's kind of hard not to. But, I can't give her what she needs. I don't do relationships, you know that."
"Who says she needs a relationship, maybe right now, what she needs is your friendship?"
The night was winding down. Honor needed to pay the clean-up crew. "I'm going to pay the staff and head back to your apartment. I'm exhausted."
"Thanks for everything, Honor. This night really was amazing." He hugged his sister and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."
Logan was left talking to Robert, the only other person in the room that didn't have a date. Finn disappeared with his new friend, Logan hoped he remembered the no-girls allowed rule in his apartment. It was nearing 2 a.m. when the last of the guests left. Logan hung around making sure things were handled. He was very pleased with the success of the auction and couldn't wait to tell Rory about it. This woman had taken over his thoughts… he needed some sleep.