AN: Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter! I'd love even more for this one. ;)
"Hey, Ace," Logan greeted, standing up from his seat on the porch steps.
He smirked in amusement and stuffed his hands into his pockets, watching her expression as it remained set in shocked. He took a few steps forward, but didn't speak again. He would give her time to process that he was there, and allow her to open her mouth next. She was still staring at him, her eyes wide, and he bit back a laugh. If only she could see her face...
"What are you doing here?" she finally forced out.
"Some girl wouldn't return my phone calls," he answered with a grin, "So I came to see what the hold up was."
Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and she shifted her eyes to the ground, "Sorry."
"It's okay, Ace. My ego's a little bruised, that's all."
He smiled slightly, and he took another step forward, trying to organize all his thoughts. Ever since the kiss, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He'd never spent so much time thinking about a girl before. And as much as he wanted to deny it, Rory wasn't just special, she was special to him. This was new to him, but it felt right somehow. He needed Rory in his life, there was no questioning that anymore. The kiss kept replaying in his head, and he hadn't even thought about another girl since he felt her lips brush against his.
"I think your ego can avoid a few bruises every now and then," she shot back, her smile growing slightly larger.
"We'll discuss that later," he motioned towards the swing on her porch, "Can we sit down?"
She looked nervous as she nodded slowly and followed him onto the swing. He turned to face her, and he was immediately struck by her beauty. No matter how many times he looked into her sapphire blue eyes, they amazed him everytime. Her hair looked like it just dried recently, but it had curled slightly around her lightly touched up face. She reached up and brushed a piece behind her ear, her fingernails brushing against her pale skin. As he studied her, she kept her focus firmly on her hands folded in her lap.
Slowly, he reached out and placed a finger under her chin, forcing her eyes up to meet his. Once more, a light blush crept onto her cheeks and he couldn't help but smile. He knew he had to start talking soon, but suddenly he was unable to get the words to come out of his mouth. Where to begin? What to say? And most importantly, was he sure?"
"Logan," Rory jumped in, "I--"
"Hold up there," he interrupted with a grin, "Me first."
She nodded slightly and he clenched his jaw, turning away from her briefly with a long sigh. This was it; now or never.
"Rory, what happened last night wasn't a bad thing. It wasn't a bad thing by a long shot. In fact, it was actually pretty fantastic. Do you agree so far?"
She hesitated slightly, before offering him a slow nod.
"Good."
He focused his gaze directly on her, taking in everything about her as he replayed his decision in his head. Was this really what he wanted? But as he took in her entire appearance once more, he knew there was no question about it. This girl from Stars Hollow had captured his heart in a way he didn't even know was possible. She made him laugh, she challenged him, and hell, she even mellowed him from time to time. Ever since he had walked into her life, she'd had a hold of him. And now, he wasn't so sure he wanted to let her go.
"Okay, Ace. Here it goes," he inhaled, and then released his breath slowly, "You're amazing, plain and simple. And that kiss was by the far the best I've ever experienced. I think there's something here with you and me. I'm not really sure what that something is, considering my experience with girlfriends is zero, but it's something."
"Logan," she stated, her voice quiet, "You don't have to pretend like you felt something."
"Who's pretending?"
"Logan..."
"I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't feel something, Rory. I felt a lot, including utter disappointment when you walked away from me."
She shrugged, "I figured it would be easier that way."
"Excuse me?"
"That way you wouldn't have to deal with making excuses."
"I'm not making excuses," he argued, "Aren't you listening to me?"
"Of course I am."
"Then why can't you see that I felt something, Rory? Didn't you?"
She remained perfectly still, perched almost precariously on the edge of the swing, but she didn't even make a move to reply. Logan was starting to get scared now. Was he taking his chance for nothing? Did she feel anything at all? He could've sworn he saw something in her eyes, felt passion in her kiss, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe there was nothing there at all.
Well, there was only one way to find out. And if there was one thing Logan was good at, it was going forward and not looking back. He jumped, it took risks, it was what he did best. And this was no different.
"Okay, time to cut the crap. I care about you, Rory, and I have to tell you it scares the shit out of me, but there it is. I haven't been able to get that kiss out of my mind and now I realize that I don't want to. You get me, Ace, and I get you. You know that. There's something here, and it's big. I wouldn't be here talking to you like this if it wasn't big. Ask my sister, she'll vouch for my relationship history," he paused, "What I'm getting at here, is that want to give this a shot."
He eyes flashed through emotions, so many emotions that he had a hard time catching any of them before her gaze turned completely numb. He knew she was still hurting from Jess, and that was part of the reason he had wanted to give her some time. But when he thought about it, he knew he needed to get to her right away, before she thought he was regretting anything. A phone call wasn't enough, he had to see her in person, had to read her expressions. But looking at her now, her expression was completely unreadable.
"Give what a shot?" she asked, her voice holding a bitter edge, "I don't do this, Logan. I don't 'date around'. I commit. I can't be with you and have you off with five different girls every night, I can't--"
"I don't want to be with five different girls," he interrupted, "I want to be with you."
"Yeah, right," she scoffed.
"Have you listened to a word I said?"
"How am I supposed to believe you?" she demanded, "God, you were with another girl the night you kissed me."
"You were with another guy," he pointed out.
Her eyes narrowed, "That was a blind date. And I wasn't making out with him in the middle of the dance floor."
"Okay, so I kissed her, but she's nothing compared to you. Nothing. I want to try this, Ace. I've never wanted to be a committed relationship before, but you make me want to be a boyfriend."
"And what if I said I didn't want to be your girlfriend?"
A sharp pang went through his heart and he was quiet for a moment, his chocolate brown eyes sweeping over her face. And it was then that he caught something in her eyes that gave him hope: a hidden look of regret, a light touch of hurt, and maybe, just maybe, tucked away deeply, a feeling that matched his own. That was all he needed to press forward, he just needed a tiny shred of hope.
"Then you'd be lying," he answered simply.
She raised her eyebrows, "Yeah?"
"Yeah," he confirmed.
"And how do you know that?"
He smiled, "I'm psychic, remember?"
"Logan, please," she protested without the slightest hint of a smile.
"I know you," he revised, "And I know this isn't one sided. Tell me what's going on. Why are you holding back?"
"I'm not holding back," she insisted.
"Ace!"
She opened her mouth and then snapped it closed again, swallowing hard. She finally initiated eye contact with him, and he suddenly found himself looking into one of the most pained stares he'd ever seen. He opened his mouth to say something, but she held up her hand to silence him.
"You want to know what's going on, Logan? Fine. I'll tell you," she was silent for a moment, "I've been hurt. I've been hurt, a lot. In fact, I just came out of a relationship that completely tore me apart inside. But I saw Jess today, and you know what? I didn't feel anything. I have you to thank for that, because you've changed me, and helped me. I trust you, I do. But you're still you, and it doesn't matter what I felt, I don't want to get hurt again."
"I want to make this work. I would never intentionally hurt you, you know that."
"You are who you are, Logan. It's too much of a risk. I'm not ready for a risk."
"Tell me you didn't feel something and I'll go away," he urged.
"I can't tell you I didn't feel anything because I did!" she all but exploded, tears springing to her eyes, "I haven't stopped thinking about that kiss, okay? Is that what you want to hear? It was amazing, Logan, mind blowing even, but it was once in a lifetime."
"It doesn't have to be."
"You go out with a new girl every night. You were making out with Daniella five minutes before you kissed me. Don't lie to me, Logan, please. I don't want to lose you as a friend. So, let's just end this now."
"I'm not lying to you," he pressed on, "I want this. I want to try this, with you."
"It's too much of a chance. I can't," her voice broke, "I can't let myself fall for you."
"If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it," he spouted off, staring deep into her eyes.
She was silent for a moment, seeming almost stunned, before she pressed forward again, "You've already changed my life, Logan, you turned it upside down the minute I met you. I don't need you to turn it upside down again."
He smirked, "If I turn it upside again, it'll be right side up."
"Logan," she shook her hand, "I can't."
He reached out and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. She held back slightly, but soon he could feel her grip meshing with his.
"Come on, Ace. We're good together. You know that. I'm not Jess, I'm not Dean, I'm me and I'm telling you I can change, for you I can change."
"And what if it doesn't work out?" she asked quietly, "What happens then? Do I lose you completely?"
"I'm not going anywhere," he reassured her with a small smile.
"I already feel things for you that Jess and Dean never made me feel, but that doesn't change the fact that we are two very different people. I'll admit it, Logan, I'm scared."
He sighed and turned towards her even further, squeezing her hand as he began to speak, "You think I'm not scared? You'd be the first girl I've ever committed to, but I want this so much that I'm willing to look past how scared I am. How bad do you want this?"
She fell silent again, and he watched her chest rise and fall with each shaky breath. Once more, she turned away and refused to look him in the eye, although their hands were still clenched together. She was biting her lip, and he knew that meant she was thinking. Her eyes shifted around the yard, taking in just about everything but him, and he had to admit he wasn't sure where this was all leading. All he knew was that he wanted more kisses like the one he shared with Rory Gilmore, and he was willing to go to great lengths to get them. But the real question was: was she?
The silence was pressing down on him, suffocating him, and he wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be sit there, just waiting for her to open her mouth. He could see where she was coming from, sure, but he wanted her to believe what he was saying. He would never hurt her on purpose, and he wanted to try something with her that he never experienced before. He wanted to commit to her, completely. And he knew that was hard for her to believe, and that she was scared of him breaking her heart, but it was true. He couldn't stop thinking about her.
And then he stopped processing, looked at her for a moment, and slipped his hand out of her grasp. When she turned to look at him, he slipped his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her towards him, crashing his lips down on hers. This time, there was no hesitation. This time, there was no surprise. The familiar sparks and fireworks exploded as he pulled her closer, tucking his other arm around her and securing her in his embrace. He moved his hand down to cradle her head, and her fingers found their way into his messy blonde hair.
When they pulled apart, Logan pressed his forehead against hers, smirking as he searched her eyes for a promising expression. And what he wanted, was exactly what he got. Her eyes were practically sparkling as they stared back at him, and her lips were curving themselves into a half smile. But there was still a sadness hidden in her steady stare, and he knew he had to do everything in his power to make it disappear.
"Please don't walk away again," he said softly, grinning, "My fragile ego can't take it."
She laughed quietly, and then fell silent, and he knew she was losing herself in thought again.
"Come on, Ace," he murmured, "We deserve a shot."
"And what if it doesn't work?"
"Then it'll be fantastic along the way," he replied, "This is exciting, it's new, it's different. Aren't you ready for something different? I can kiss you again if you're not sure."
She let herself smile, "Believe me, it's not the kissing I'm unsure of."
"Then go with it," he urged, brushing a finger along her jaw line, "Just go with it."
"I want to, but--"
"Don't finish that sentence," he interrupted, "All you need to know is that you want to, and that this feels right. No buts."
"But--"
"What did I say?" he smirked.
She rolled her eyes playfully, "Yes sir, Master and Commander."
And with that comment, he knew that he had her. He wasn't sure exactly how, but he knew that he did. She paused for a moment, and he could almost see the words forming on her lips.
"Okay, Huntzberger," she nearly whispered.
"Okay?"
"Okay," she confirmed, a smile sweeping over her features.
He smiled back and leaned in to kiss her again, letting his lips rest lightly against hers before pulling back. She tucked herself into his side and he placed his hand on her leg, rubbing his thumb over the fabric of her jeans. In that moment, he was happier than he could ever remember being. He was still scared, but he was feeling no regrets. It was amazing to him how perfectly she fit against his side, and how light his heart felt as he gazed down at her porcelain skin. This girl was going to make him fall -- and fast. And the truth was, he couldn't wait to jump.
He leaned down to connect their lips again, and this time she eagerly deepened the kiss. Her hands again tangled themselves in his hair, and he cradled her shoulders, savoring the taste of her lips on his. He trailed his kisses down from her lips and onto her neck, smirking a bit when he heard her sigh eagerly and tightly wrap her arms around him. And when his lips made their way to her mouth again, they connected in a kiss that weakened even Logan's knees.
That was it. He was in this for the long run.
"Now you see what you ran away from?" he whispered in her ear.
"You are such a miscreant."
"But a damn good kisser."
"Let me test that theory," she said softly, pulling him in for another.
"Gladly, Ace," he murmured when they parted.
"So, I'm thinking I should wear some sort of padding to school Monday," Rory announced, leaning her head against his shoulder with a grin.
"Why?"
"Because when all the girls find out I'm your..." she trailed off, and seemed suddenly unsure of what word to use.
"Girlfriend?" Logan offered, the smile on his face changing into an amused smirk.
"Girlfriend," she repeated slowly, "Then I'm going to have to fend for myself in many, many cat fights."
He laughed, "Just throw your book bag at them. With the amount of books you have in there, you'll knock them out cold."
"I like my books!" she protested.
He planted a kiss on top of her head, "I like your books, too, especially when they can be used for self defense."
"You're mocking me," she accused
His eyes grew wide in false shock, "I'm doing no such thing."
He absently twirled her hair around his fingers, trying not to laugh as she sent a fake glare in his direction. It was amazing to him how easily they had made the transition from friends to dating. The jokes were still there, and the laughter, and most importantly, that deep feeling of understanding they shared. She was his Ace, he trusted her completely, and that's how he wanted it to stay.