A/N: Still alive. I'm pretty sure that's a good thing. Thanks for reviews and well-wishes, they made me feel almost as warm as the tea I was drowning my flu in.

Orionsbabydoll: Obviously they are gonna see each other. Or is someone out there really rooting for Jane in this one? I'm not sure the interview is so important for the story, it's more like a way to give Finn and Rory a little time together and get to know each other. They probably need that. Also I felt Mitchum deserved a little screentime.

Curley-Q: Thanks so much for the well-wishes. Yes, flu really sucks and it's almost like you can't get rid of it. I hope you feel better too.

Summer2391: I agree with Stephanie too (obviously). I hope this update was fast enough for you.

Papaslittlecj: I actually wasn't that excited about reading the books (a friend forced me), but boy am I glad I did. They are AWESOME! Just finished book number five and I can't wait to start the next one.

MaryBBlove23: Thanks so much.

Roseinthegarden: I know there hasn't been that much yet, I'm working on it. Hope you'll stay tuned.

To everyone else who reads, please do review. It makes the writing experience even better!

Chapter 13: Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends

"So this rehearsal dinner, how bad is it gonna be" Lorelai asked. She was sitting on Rory's bed while Daniel watched 'Finding Nemo' yet again.

"I'm thinking pretty bad. Jane is going to be there, which will be both humiliating and embarrassing, and then there's Logan, who's gonna want to know why I was making out with Finn like a sexcrazed teenager, which will be awkward. And Stephanie's mom, who hates me. Tristan is still calling me Mary, Finn won't look at me and I have to ask him to do this interview thing…"

Lorelai held up her hand to try and stop her daughter's ramblings. "Hold up, interview?"

"Yeah, I looked into it. Finn is like a Forbes guy and apparently he never gives interviews…"

"So?"

"So my boss for some reason really wants an interview and Mitchum thinks Finn will do it because he "likes me" or something" Rory said, using air quotes. She really wasn't too sure she could have a conversation about how Finn felt about her. Everything was just a complete mess right now. "Oh, and I met his sister today!"

"Yeah? How was she?"

"Like evil in solid form!"

"Really? I thought Finn was really easygoing?"

"Yeah, he's definitely the easygoing of the two of them. She's seriously scary, nothing like him. I didn't even know she was his sister before he told me. How is this?" Rory held up a black cocktail dress in front of her.

"Kinda boring, but since it's a rehearsal dinner I'm sure it'll fit right in" Lorelai said. "So you didn't get along with the sister?"

"I don't really know, I don't think she actually gets along with anyone. She gave me these, though." Rory handed her mother the legal papers Ryder had given her. "Somehow, I don't think anyone's ever said no to her. Stephanie told me she once made Colin cry!"

"No?"

"Yes!"

"I would love to see her and Emily together."

"I think she could make Trix cry" Rory said.

Lorelai looked impressed. "She certainly sounds like fun."

"Yeah it was a real hoot" Rory mumbled while getting her dress fixed. "I asked Steph not to seat me anywhere near the Limo boys. It'll just be me and Paris and Stephanie's grandparents."

"Better keep an eye out for Paris, I hear she likes them old" Lorelai snickered.

"Mom that is not fun! She's trying to seduce another professor now, it's like she's the black widow or something! Why can't she just find someone from the same century as herself?"

"Life would be boring without a little Paris-crazy" Lorelai said with a smile. "You ready to face the wolves?"

"Why are you insulting the wolves? This is so much worse. What are your plans for tonight?"

"Well, me Daniel and Nemo are gonna swing by your grandparents and try not to talk about you and the hot Australian, who is apparently very very rich. And tomorrow I'm gonna parade Daniel around the town and definitely talk about the hot Australian, who is very very rich. We'll probably watch 'Finding Nemo' again after that."

"You're gonna give Babette a heart attack, you do know that, right?"

"And miss Patty! I even googled some pictures of the hot Australian" Lorelai said.

"He does have a name, you know?"

"Yeah, but hot Australian sounds way better than Finn."

Rory just raised an eyebrow at that. "How do I look?"

"Like you're going to a funeral."

"Great."

"Is it me, or is there a faint trace of the word 'Dick' written across Tristan's forehead" Rory asked, as she and Paris sat down at their table at the rehearsal dinner.

"It only seems right" Paris replied dryly. "You look like you're gonna throw up."

"I'm fine" Rory said in a loud whisper.

"Finn isn't here yet."

"So? I don't care" Rory said in a tone that clearly indicated she did.

"Hey Rory, Paris" Colin greeted them. "Just a fair warning: Stephanie's mom decided to bring her new um… friend, Javier, tonight and Steph is a little on edge about it. So just go along with whatever she says." They both just nodded. "Oh and Rory, Finn is bringing Ryder as his plus one instead of Jane."

Rory wasn't sure what was worse. At least Jane would be too proper to confront her at a party, she doubted Ryder would have any problems hurling a vase through the room if she felt like it. "Oh… How nice… Why?" Tiny drops of sweat made their way down her back.

"I'm not sure, but apparently Jane booked a flight back home a couple of hours ago."

"What? What happened?" She instantly felt like hitting herself, she happened!

Colin also looked extremely uncomfortable suddenly. "Maybe you should talk to Finn? Just keep it down, I really don't want anything to stress Steph further."

Paris looked over her shoulder. "She looks fine."

"I slipped her something" Colin confessed.

"Seriously?" Rory looked at Stephanie, who was giggling lazily at something a darkhaired young man was telling her. "Oh my god, Colin, she looks stoned!"

"Yeah, on second hand, taking pills from Robert was probably a bad idea, but she wouldn't shut up about the cake and the dress and Italian Stallion and I just figured… What the hell?"

"She's hitting on her mother's escort" Paris noted with an eye roll and Colin almost ran from the table. "Those two deserve each other."

Rory managed to get through dinner without further incidents. Paris had been kind enough to inform her, that when Finn wasn't busy staring at her like a lovesick puppy, his sister had been glaring holes in the back of her head. Rory was hoping she would be able to just sit through desert and the last couple of events without any troubles and then go home and sleep. She desperately needed sleep!

Unfortunately her luck ran out just before deserts. Paris had spotted someone she knew from prep school or something and had left Rory with Stephanie's paternal grandparents, who were perhaps older than sin and more boring than a trip to the dentist. She had almost dozed off as someone sat down in Paris' seat. "Hi there Ace."

Rory fought to stop the groan that made its way up as she gave Logan a strained smile. "Oh hello Logan."

"So… I saw your picture on the net today."

"Imagine that."

"Yeah, I was just a bit shocked, because it didn't seem like Finn even knew who you were in Yale and suddenly you're dry humping each other."

"We weren't… that! Things just got out of hand" Rory mumbled, wondering why the hole in the earth never appeared and swallowed her when she wanted it to.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"What would that be?"

"I don't know, maybe that you and Finn know each other better than you let on?"

"Are you seriously asking me that? We broke up like five years ago and you cheated on me with your sister's entire wedding party."

"Yeah but none of them were your best friend. So tell me, is there something I should know?"

"You look ridiculous in turtlenecks" an accented voice set behind them and Rory was actually glad to see Ryder. "Now, evaporate, woodland creature, I need to talk to Rory."

Logan looked completely pissed off but somehow did as Ryder ordered anyway. She took his place and made a funny face at his retreating form. "Honestly, that guy is just a wanker. Did you know he once tried to get me drunk so he could sleep with me?"

"No… What happened?"

"I got drunk and slept with him" Ryder said and took a sip of Rory's champagne. "So, having fun?"

"Not really."

"Yeah me neither. At least Jane went back to the motherland."

Rory wasn't sure how to ask about that and settled for a somewhat awkward "oh really?"

"Yeah, she asked Finn to choose and I guess she didn't like his decision. I doubt she'll be missed. So, when are you making your move?""My move?"Ryder rolled her eyes. "Please, it's obvious you want him."

Rory thanked whatever god was in control of interruptions, as Paris made herself present. "You're in my seat."

"So" Ryder countered.

"Move."

"No."

If it hadn't been so weird, Rory would have laughed. Paris and Ryder were two peas in a pot, both definitely not used to hearing the word no or not getting their way. Paris scowled at Ryder. "I think I saw Logan Huntzberger at the bar, why don't you go hit on him? He seems like your type."

Ryder leaned back in the chair with a smirk. "Make me…"

"Are you serious? Get your ass out of my chair or I'll move it myself" Paris threatened.

Ryder opened her mouth and Rory was pretty sure this was going to end in something like a wrestling match, and decided to intervene. "Paris, I need some air, why don't we go outside for a little while?"

Paris scowled at Ryder, who smirked in return, but followed Rory outside. "That bitch deserves a smack down!"

Rory was just about to ask how Paris had even heard of the word "smack down" when Finn appeared next to her. "Great you could join us, love." He looked at Paris. "Even if you brought Mr. Hyde here."

Rory turned and saw Stephanie, Colin and Logan sitting outside as well. They had apparently reverted to their old tricks and formed a sub-party. "My mom and dad are fighting" Stephanie said with an eye roll.

"Join us, Ace" Logan said, although it sounded a bit forced.

She sat down next to Stephanie and although it was freezing outside, she didn't really mind. It was almost nostalgic, sitting here with them. Tristan showed up a moment later and joined them as well.

"Finn that sister of yours…" Tristan whistled.

"Don't even go there, mate" Finn replied in a solemn manner.

"I'm telling you, it's not a word" Logan said in a loud voice.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "They've been having this discussion the last hour!"

"It's a word" Colin insisted.

"Fine, use it in a sentence" Finn challenged.

"Alright… Tomorrow night, I'm gonna 'farphelkügel" Stephanie" Colin said.

"Ew" was the bride to be's reaction.

"It's not a word" Logan and Finn said in unison.

"I'm telling you, it's a word. It's not my fault you two are idiots!"

"Oh we're the idiots? You're making up words" Finn said.

"Yeah I'm not paying you, unless you find that in a dictionary. And it has to be for the English language. No cheating and finding it in a German one" Logan said.

"Aha, so you're admitting it could be a word!"

"A German word, maybe" Finn exclaimed. "That wasn't the bet. You're such a twat, Colin."

"Hey, what did we talk about with the foreign swear-words" Colin countered.

"So Ace, heard you talked to my dad today" Logan suddenly said and Rory had the distinct feeling this was "change the topic unexpectedly" day today.

"Yeah, briefly." She took a deep breath. "He wanted me to do something for him."

"He usually wants that, yes… What?"

"An interview… With Finn."

"Not gonna happen" Finn said.

"Yeah, I already tried" Logan said. "Twice!"

"Finn doesn't give interviews, he's way to important for demeaning things such as that" Stephanie said in a mocking tone.

"People should know who I am" Finn said.

"Now that's some skewered logic, man" Tristan objected. "How are they gonna know who you are, if you never give interviews?"

"He's right about that" Stephanie agreed. Tristan blew her kiss which she caught with a loving expression on her face.

Finn seemed to think about that. "Fine, ten minutes, starting now. Go."

"What? But I'm not prepared" Rory objected

"Times a-ticking" Finn said with a grin.

"Oh I'll get you started" Stephanie said in a helpful voice. "Favourite place on earth?"

"Bondi Beach with Jessica" Finn said with a dreamy expression on his face,

"Who's Jessica" Rory asked, fumbling with her cell to turn on the recorder. There was no way she was going to remember this in the morning.

"My surfboard."

"Named after the ultimate redhead" Tristan supplied. When Rory just looked confused, Finn caved in. "Jessica Rabbit."

"Oh… How do you feel about being on the Forbes list" Rory asked. She was apparently the only one taking this serious.

"It's wonderful, love. I plan on splurging a little bit after that and buy my own Island. I'll name it Finn-Land…. Get it?"

"Yeah, very original" Colin said. "Biggest fear?"

"Snakes. God how I hate snakes. Like the worst creatures on earth."

"Any tattoos" Paris asked. They all looked at her with a surprised look. Rory had almost forgotten she was even there.

"Three."

"Three? Colin and Logan looked at each other. "Last I checked you only had two."

"Yeah well, the last is not in a place you're going anytime soon, Colin."

Rory thought about it. She could remember him having 'CM' written on his left shoulder blade. She hadn't thought about it back then, but now it kinda made sense. She couldn't remember the other two. "What do they look like?"

"'CM' on the shoulder blade, 'In omnia paratus' on my wrist" he held up his wrist and Rory wondered why she hadn't even noticed that. "The last I got when I was completely pissed and I'm not telling you about that."

"What? Come on" Tristan pleaded. "Where is it?"

"Lets just say, the sun doesn't shine there very often and that's all I'm gonna say about that" Finn said.

"Buh, you whore" Stephanie said with a smile. "You like your work?"

"Some days" Finn said honestly. "Gets me around. I would have preferred my dad working still, but you can't have it all, I suppose."

"What happened. To your dad, I mean" Rory asked.

"He has cancer, love. In remission now, but it's taken its toll on him. He's not really the same person anymore. For starters, he isn't chasing me around with his shotgun anymore."

"Your dad used to chase you around with a shotgun" Rory asked with a mix of shock and disgust on her face.

"I'm kidding, love. Although he is like the biggest contributor to NRA outside America. He did once, accidentally of course, shoot my sister's new boyfriend."

"Yeah and it hurt like hell" Colin said in a sour tone.

"Oh you were fine, three days in the hospital is nothing" Finn laughed.

"Biggest regret" Stephanie asked and immediately wished she could take it back. A weird silence fell over the small group.

"Hooking up with Robert's girlfriend. He started crying and I had to spend three hours consoling him afterwards." It was a complete lie, but Rory understood his reluctance to tell the truth.

"You deserved that" Logan said.

"I did not! That was three hours I could have spent with…" Finn suddenly looked a little embarrassed. "I seem to have forgotten her name. Something with an 'N' I think. Our maybe 'U'?" He looked thoughtful. "But she had the biggest…" He hade a gesture with his hands and then suddenly remembered this was supposed to be an interview that would get published. "Feet… She had rather large feet." The whole group burst out in laughter at that.

"Greatest achievement" Tristan asked.

"Having a kid. That's pretty great, I think." His eyes met Rory's for a second.

"Wait, what?" Logan looked like he had been hit in the head with a chair. "You have a kid?" Tristan's face matched Logan's, but everyone else just looked mildly uncomfortable. "You knew about this" he asked Colin and Stephanie.

"Us? No… No no no" Stephanie said in the most unconvincing voice ever. Rory wanted to smack her. Stephanie was like the worst actor ever. She had once auditioned for a role in some Yale play and by God's mercy, she had gotten it. It had been horrible! Finn and Logan had been thrown out from the show because they laughed to loud and Colin had fallen asleep, while Rory thought of the best words to describe Stephanie's performance (safe words like "unbelievable", "unique", "special"). It had been the worst play Rory had ever attended, including some truly horrendous performances by Kirk.

"You are so lying" Logan said. "Why hasn't anyone told me?"

"Are you really surprised that Finn somehow managed to reproduce" Colin asked, trying to cover up the truth.

"Who is it, Jane? Someone else?" Tristan looked just as confused as Logan.

"Someone else" Finn said. "I figured, what with my stunning looks, manly charm and quick wit, it would be an offence to the world not to reproduce. You, on the other hand" he looked at Logan, "should do the world a favour and suit up. One Logan Huntzberger is more than enough! Now, I think the ten minutes are more than up and I am freezing my ass off. It's summer in Australia right now, you know…. You Americans got it all backwards. Let's go inside." He got up and dusted himself off, before offering a hand to Rory. "Coming, love?"

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