The Vineyard 7: Bonfire Pancakes

AN: I have got to be THE worst FanFic writer in history…how many months is it since I last posted? I don't know…but I have a feeling its close to two years? *insert blush here* My god…blame it on the evil High School Musical that kidnapped my brain and made me write fanfics over there…sigh. I'm horrible. Good thing I didn't promise anything at the end of the last chapter, or I would be in serious trouble right now.

The fact that there are still people following the story amazes me, and I want to thank each and every one of you for showing support. I will do my best to make a faster update next time. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT MY STORIES!

This chapter is longer than the others. It was the least I could do for you.

Don't own a thing.

---GG---

Rory fell down among her pillows with a little sigh. Life was good. Smiling she reached for her phone and pressed speed-dial one. She sat up against the headboard and waited for the familiar voice to fill her ear.

"Hello one and all and welcome to Lorelai's house of dirty quote's and comments. Press 1 to add to the collection, press 2 to hear a quote, press 3 to speak the Stars Hollow Oracle."

"3 oh wise oracle," Rory laughed.

"Mini Me! How's things at the vineyard? Did your evil grandma try to feed you to the sharks yet?"

"No, not yet, although I did hear something about some Monster Shark Tournament."

"I'm sorry? A what?"

"A monster shark tournament."

"And that is?"

"No idea, but it sounds very 'Jaws' like."

"It really does. Hey, do you think they go out and fish for sharks and then have fights with them, like they do with swordfish?"

"They actually do that outside cartoons?"

"I don't know, but come on, can't you see it. Grandpa out in one of those little fishing boats trying to catch a shark?"

"And what is he going to do? Challenge Mitchum to a jaws fight?"

"Oh my god, I have got to see that!"

"Mom…you just made that up."

"Crap…I was actually picturing them doing that…well then, if you're not dead yet. How are you? No more boys sneaking in your window I hope?" she teased.

"Well…" Rory grinned with a slight blush.

"Oh my god! Something happened, didn't it!? Come on Rory! Mommy's waiting for details."

Rory laughed out loud when she heard the squeaky springs of the old couch.

"Mom? Are you bouncing?" she laughed.

"Maybe…Rory…come on. Please tell me grandma caught you guys in a hot make out session, and you are now locked into the tower where you can stay till your hair gets long enough for prince Logan to shimmy up."

"Who said anything about Logan? And mom…There's no tower."

"That's what you think. And Logan? Hun…I love you, but let's just say thank god you're not a spy."

"What?"

"You wouldn't stand a chance if some evil Chinese torture guy started pulling out your teeth to find out who you're working for."

"Mom…I think you've had enough Alias for a while…no matter how entertaining it can be to mock"

"You're no fun…are you sure you are my daughter?"

"Yes I'm pretty sure. Grandma keeps telling me how much alike we are."

"Oooh Grandma's turning evil. Details please."

"There's not much to tell. She gave me a whole lecture about keeping my room clean…and when I said I could clean up the mess…"

"Nonsense, that's the maid's job."

"Yes! How'd you know?"

"I lived with Adolph for 16 years remember."

"True…well after that she gave me another lecture about getting up late and using my phone during brunch."

"Filthy texts from Logan?"

"No…he asked me to meet him on the beach."

"Romantic."

"Not really…"

"Why?"

"Cant we just jump ahead to what happened after the beach?"

"Sorry hun…it doesn't work that way. You just gave mommy a treat…and you know how I get when you give me a taste of something."

"You want the cake and eat it too…" Rory muttered.

"I'm so proud." Lorelai said and wiped away a fake tear. Rory rolled her eyes and walked over the windowsill. Outside the dark clouds were hanging dangerously low on the sky and she was pretty sure it was going to rain soon. She could smell it. Sighing she sat down and looked out at the sea.

"Rory?"

"We kissed," she said as she brought her fingers up to her lips.

"And you only tell mommy now!"

"And I forgot."

"You forgot a hot boy kissed you? Were you drunk?"

"No! And technically I didn't forget. I just wasn't sure if I dreamt it or not…"

"Oh my god…you're really growing up. Having dirty dreams about hot boys."

"Mom!"

"Ok I'm quiet"

"Thank you. Ok so I wasn't sure what exactly had happened when we went semi-skinny-dipping the night before. So when I walked to the beach I wasn't sure what to expect."

"Ok I'm still stuck on the semi skinny dipping…how exactly do you go semi skinny dipping?"

"In your underwear."

"I should have known."

"You really should," Rory said with a laugh.

"Ok so you went semi-skinny- dipping with Logan at night. What happened next?"

"My hair decided to attack me. I swear, I couldn't find a way out, and then he tucked it behind my ear…"

"Aww, that's so sweet."

"Do you want to hear the story or not?"

"Sorry, zipping my lips now."

"Thank you. Anyways, he tucked the hair behind my ear, and then it just happened…one moment he was touching my cheek, the next he was kissing me…then I screamed."

"You screamed?"

"Yeah…it was more like a 'ewwww' than a scream though…"

"Was it that bad?"

"No! I mean no…but something swam between my legs."

"So that's what the kids are calling it now."

"MOM! A jellyfish swam between my legs," Rory exclaimed exasperated.

"If you say so." She could almost hear the smirk on her mother's lips and rolled her eyes. She doubted that she would ever grow up, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Please get your head out of the gutter….is it out yet?"

"Yes, its rather dirty though, but never mind that. He kissed you, you screamed. Then what?"

"I climbed onto the quay, and he threw the jellyfish at me."

"No! Please tell me he didn't."

"Oh, but he did, so I called him a butt faced miscreant…"

"Logical, brilliant phrase by the way."

"Thank you."

"Was there more kissing after that?"

"Unfortunately."

"Explain."

"I was kissed by an eel."

"NO!"

"Yes!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

"He made you kiss an EEL?!"

"YES!"

"GROSS!"

"Tell me about it." She muttered just as the first few raindrops started to fall.

"Then what happened?"

"Well we were on the quay for a while, and then we left for our separate houses. I was all changed into my PJ's when I heard this thud outside my window. "

"Oh no!"

"I looked down and Logan was lying lifeless on the ground."

"Oh my god! Was he ok?!"

"He was perfectly fine. Apparently it was a joke. I got mad, slapped him, and then he kissed me again." A flare of lightning flashed across the sky and she jumped slightly, rolling her eyes as her mother's excited voice filled her ear. From the safety of her room she watched the storm and filled her mom in on the rest of the events that had taken place the previous day. Finally finding the support she sought when she claimed nature had a conspiracy against her.

Now, 20 minutes later she was curled up in an armchair with a book on her lap as the storm raged outside. The garden-tea she had been roped into attending had been cancelled due to the bad weather, and while her grandmother had been on the phone she had snuck upstairs to do her own thing. She hadn't heard from Logan since last night and couldn't help but glancing at her phone every three minutes in hopes of getting a text. Shaking her head she brought her eyes to the book again and tried to focus on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, rather than her own brown-eyed beau.

Halfway into the book her phone started dancing across the desk and she jumped at the sudden sound. Smiling slightly she reached for it and pressed 'Show Text'

Meet me on the beach in 20?
Logan.

Rory grinned and quickly typed in her reply.

If you haven't noticed it's raining pretty heavy out there. I'm not planning on catching pneumonia this summer.
Rory.

She had barely put the phone down before it started vibrating again.

Wimp. I promise you won't get cold. Trust me.
Logan.

Biting her lower lip she glanced out the window and shuddered as a gust of wind blew the raindrops horizontally against the glass.

If I end up sick I'm blaming you.
Rory.

---GG---

"Logan! Where are you taking me? You promised I wouldn't be cold. Let me tell you I'm not only cold but I'm wet too!" Rory yelled as she was dragged across the beach by a grinning Logan.

"You're just going to have to wait and see Ace."

"You're going to kill me aren't you? Kill me and then throw my body over the cliffs and into the sea where I'll never be found."

"Kill you? Where's the fun in that?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

"I'm not going to throw you over the cliffs, watch your step, or kidnap you, or tie you to a tree to get struck by lightning. We're almost there now," he said as he pulled on her hand so she could climb onto the rock where he was standing.

Rory frowned and looked at her surroundings. There was nothing but sand, sea, rocks and the steep cliffs.

"You're not going to make my climb are you?"

"Not very far."

"Logan! I'm not climbing a mountain…rain or shine. Not happening," she said and crossed her arms stubbornly across her chest.

He chuckled.

"Yes you are. It will all be worth it when we're there. Have some faith."

"Faith? You're asking me to climb the cliff during a storm…if I didn't know better I'd say you'd lost your mind."

"Just follow me Ace."

And she did. Unable to fight her curiosity she followed his instructions and carefully climbed a few feet up the steep cliff until her hands rested in a cave opening. Expecting darkness, her eyes widened in surprise as she was met with a small bonfire, tea-candles, pillows and blankets, and something that smelled deliciously like hot chocolate. The naturally formed cave was nice and warm and she mentally slapped herself for ever doubting him.

"So…what do you think of my little hide-away?" Logan asked as he climbed up and sat down next to her.

"You did all this?"

"I found it years ago when I was a kid. Proved as a foolproof place to hide from my family."

"It's beautiful."

"Glad you like it. Now how about getting your out of these wet clothes and dry them by the fire? I have hot chocolate and pancake mix ready for us."

"Pancake mix?"

"Haven't you ever been camping Ace?"

"Honestly…no. Me and mom aren't that big on the outdoors. Luke tried to take us fishing once when I was 10. That ended in disaster and mom had to have a hook removed from the palm of her hand. We never went again."

His laughter echoed through the cave as he crawled towards the pillows. Grinning she watched him as he took out a small pan, butter, and what looked liked pancake batter on a bottle. He re-arranged the burning logs with a stick before placing the pan down and testing its stability. Nodding in approval he then placed a cube of butter in it and waited for it to melt.

"You going to sit all the way over there or are you planning on joining me?" he asked as he opened the bottle.

Rory grinned and quickly unbuttoned her soaked jacket before crawling towards him and settled herself on the soft pillows.

"Cold?"

"Not anymore," she smiled.

"Good, that's good," he said and poured some batter into the pan where it quickly baked over the warm flames.

Fifteen minutes later they sat cuddled together with a paper-plate each. The pancakes were piled on top of each other, dunked in syrup, and Rory would be lying if she didn't hands down admit that these were the best pancakes she had ever had the pleasure of eating.

Placing the plate down on the cave-floor, she reached for her cup of steaming chocolate and cradled it between her hands. The crackling of the fire and the distant sound of the rain filled the small room, and when Logan's arm crept around her lower back she simply melted against his side and enjoyed the moment.

"Ace…"

"Hmm?"

"Be my girlfriend?"

"What?" she asked as she pulled away to look at him properly.

"Be my girlfriend?"

His eyes shone in the light from the flames and she could clearly see the hope that flickered across them. Slowly a smile spread on her face and she nodded her head. Grinning he slowly leaned forwards until their lips touched in the sweetest of kisses. The cup of hot chocolate was quickly put aside before her hands found the short hairs at the nape of his neck. Rory could feel his warm hands through her thin top, and as they tightened around her waist she could feel chills running down her spine. Aware of her little experience Logan kept the kiss slow and gentle before pulling away to take a much needed breath of air.

"I've never had a boyfriend before," Rory said quietly. Logan smiled and rubbed his nose against her.

"I've never had a girlfriend either," he said.

Eyes wide with surprise she looked at him questionably.

"But…"

"I've been on a lot of dates Ace, but I've never actually had a real girlfriend. So we're both new at this."

She smiled and closed her eyes as her forehead rested against his. Boyfriend. She was his first girlfriend and he was her boyfriend. He could kiss her when he wanted now. With slightly tinted cheeks she locked eyes with him again.

"My grandma is going to love this."

"Oh crap…my parents too…why don't we keep it our little secret? What they don't know won't hurt them… or us for that matter. Maybe mostly us actually. Can you imagine if they found out? I'd never be allowed to stay in your room alone again."

"I vote for secrecy. At least towards my grandparents and your parents."

"What about your mom?"

"Mom's cool. She calls grandma Adolph, she'll be on our side."

"Your mother calls Emily Adolph?" Logan asked laughing.

"Yeah. Each time we go there for dinner she says we're walking into the dooms of hell."

"Your mom sounds interesting," he chuckled and pulled her close to his side again.

"She's one of a kind. Nothing like Kirk though, or Miss Patty…or even Babette, she collects garden gnomes. Luke claims that my whole town should be medicated…he might be right. It's like a walk through insane asylum."

"So that's why you're like you are huh?" he said and nudged her.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing Ace, nothing."

"No that was definitely something. What was it?" she asked in mock annoyance.

"You're adorable do you know that?"

"No changing the subject Mr."

"No?"

"No."

"Not even when I do this?" he asked and leaned forward.

"Do wh…" she was cut off by his lips. "Oh that…"

"Yes that."

"I don't know…you're distracting me!"

"Kind of the point Ace."

"You're annoying."

"You love it."

"I do not."

"Yes you do."

"Do you have more pancakes?"

"Now who's changing the subject?"

"Shut up," she said with a half smile, half pout. Logan only laughed and handed her the last pancake.

"Here you go Babe."

"Babe?"

"Common affectionate nickname."

"I know that doofus…babe?"

"Do you prefer pumpkin?"

"Babe's good," she smiled and stuffed a piece of pancake in her mouth. "These are really good you know."

"I know."

"Did you make them? Cause these could seriously challenge Luke's, and that isn't something anyone can do."

"Who's Luke? And no, your words of praise should go to the Huntzberger Chef, she's the one who made the batter."

"Luke's the owner of the local diner in Stars Hollow; he's the main source of food in the Gilmore Household."

"So if I ever want to thank the person who keeps you alive…"

"Luke's your man."

"Nice to know…now eat up; Looks like it's clearing up outside."

"Bossy much?"

"Nah just thought that being soaked once is enough for one day."

"Good thinking. All done!" she said and held up her hands to prove it.

"Good girl," he teased. "Help me put out the fire?"

"With what?"

"The water bottle next to the pillows."

"Oh…right."

He grinned as he blew out the other candles.

"You're cute."

"Shush."

---GG---

Twenty minutes later Logan guided Rory's feet the last few steps down the cliff until she was standing next to him on the sand.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" he asked.

Reaching for his hand she smiled and shook her head.

"No, it wasn't as bad as I thought. But don't tell anyone I said that," she said as she entwined their fingers. He merely chuckled and planted a kiss on her head.

"Come on you."

Hand in hand they continued their walk along the beach, their bare feet leaving a trail of footprints that the tide would wash away before anyone had a chance to spot them.

---GG---

AN: There you go guys. Hope you liked it. Please leave a review telling me what you think. Might help the next chapter get up sooner. I really do feel bad for leaving all you faithful readers behind.

Caroline