THUESDAY AFTERNOON
When Logan as promised had called her up an hour after their roused and hurried conversation, she had once again asked him if he was truly sure in his decision. Rory had by then calmed herself down, and could at that point fully see the lack of rationality in his choice to fly home. She had argued that it wasn't at all wise to leave his new job on such short notice, and that it really wasn't necessary. She had tried to convince him that she really was fine and that she would be okay – and finally concluded her speech with the argument that they would see each other in two days time anyhow.
Logan had listened to her explanatory reasoning in silence, and not responded until she was done. He had then only used a few words to express his point of view.
"The thing is, Ace" he began in the casual tone she knew too well "that I don't want to be rational when it comes to you."
"Okay, but…" she tried to oppose, when Logan's words intervened.
"Besides" his relaxed tone pressed on "I'm not just doing this for you, you know. I want to come. I miss you like crazy."
"I really miss you to" she declared with burning cheeks and racing heart, but then restrained herself with a deep breath and continued in a hurried voice "But Logan, what about work? Isn't it really bad to just leave like that on your first week? What will your colleagues think? And… besides -don't you have important business-things, I mean meetings and stuff you're missing?" She paused to catch her breath and blinked in confusion when she heard a chuckling sound in her ear.
"You're laughing" she stated, and continued to ask in a conflicted voice "Why are you laughing at me?"
"Because" he replied with a warm and amused tone "you are really cute."
"Huh?" Rory grunted, feeling more than a bit annoyed.
"Sorry" he continued with an apologetic but still amused tone "It's just that when you get all anxious like that - you're just making me want to see you even more."
Rory shook her head in sheer frustration at her obstinate fiancé and took a deep breath.
"Be serious, Logan!" she then urged in a pleading voice "Tell me, how will this affect your work?"
"I've taken care of it" he responded with a calm voice "Ace, you seriously don't have to worry about it."
"Well, I can't just…" she tried to insist, but Logan's compelling voice interrupted her attempt.
"I know what I'm doing, Rory" his voice stated "Don't you trust me?"
"Yes, but…" she quickly replied, when Logan's words yet again cut her short.
"What is it then?" he asked in a curious voice "Don't you want me to come?"
"Logan!" she hurriedly answered "of course I do, but…"
"Because I really want to see you" his concluded in a definite voice and Rory could with a sudden tug in her stomach feel the plain sincerity in his words reaching her.
"Well" she began to oppose, but suddenly felt her will to argue both weaken and fade away - as she was distracted by her stupid racing heart pumping blood into her brain and making her all giddy and flushed. "I want to see you too" she instead heard herself end in a hushed voice.
"Great" Logan's determined voice stated "then I guess it's settled."
"Yeah!" she blurted out "I-I guess it is" and she continued to finish the argument with a high pitched; "Great!"
With those words Rory knew she had put a somewhat unrefined but nonetheless definite end to their discussion, and she had blinked in perplexed wonder. Then she all of a sudden remembered every other time Logan had won an argument - and she swiftly realized that she had to admit that ever so often she really was no good at discussing with her partner. It was her stupid heart that got in the way, she had reasoned with herself to get rid of her frustration. It made her all fuzzy and blurry and weak in the knees, and Rory pouted her lips for a moment in stubborn annoyance at that thought. She did not like losing an argument, and Logan was one of a handful of people that could get the better of her in a dispute. After they sustained their bickering a while longer, Logan continued to describe just how much he longed to see her –which made Rory's troubled expression slowly transform into a mask of delight. She held a hand to her burning cheek and took a deep excited breath.
"You're really coming" she finally confirmed in a thrilled voice.
"Yeah I am" Logan stated with a laughing tone "I'll see you sometimes after midnight"
"No" Rory declared with a confident tone "I'm picking you up. I'll see you at eleven at JFK. Terminal 3, right."
"No" Logan replied in an outstretched way "You do not have to pick me up, I'm taking a cab. I'll see you in Stars Hollow."
"But it's terminal 3" she reasoned "Logan, you must know by now that I've always wanted to see the flying saucer roof design of that place!"
"Well, you know" Logan's laughing voice answered "that actually clarifies a lot, Ace. Some very disturbing conversations you've had during sleep can now finally be put to rest."
Rory repressed her grin with force and tried to think out a good retort, when Logan's unyielding voice continued;
"But" he said "your lifelong wish to see that particular historical landmine will have to wait. Besides, I heard it's actually ranked as the worst airport in the world, so you really should avoid it if you could."
"What - the Worldport? But why?" Rory asked with sadness in her voice.
"I don't know" Logan replied in a solemn tone "No one has ever lived to tell the tale."
"Ha-ha."
"Seriously though" Logan continued "Rory, you said yourself that you're exhausted. I don't want you spending hours getting to JFK when I just as easily can take a cab,"
Rory remained quiet for a moment and furrowed her brow deep in thought. "Fine!" she then told him with a heavy sigh and a streak of annoyance. It was a good thing he couldn't see her at that point, as her face would have exposed her bluff. As it was she had in fact no intention at all to follow his plea, and she was at that moment filled with great animation and determined thrill. She could control her voice but could not control her face, which betrayed her inner state of mind and made her eyes shine with excitement.
After their conversation ended, Rory was busy as a bee. She called the Inn to clarify the current situation to her mother. She prepared her for the unexpected guest, and gave excitedly details on her own plan for her fiancés sudden arrival. Lorelai responded as one might have expected; with a loud howl, followed by an endless stream of questions. Rory answered a few, and then walked decisively into town in searched for Miss Patty - who was sure to have the things Rory was in need for.
She found the woman standing in the doorway at Patty's –smoking the cigarette in her hand, and loudly instructing the small twirling flowers in her dance studio.
"You are supposed to be thriving in the sun, girls" her loud voice rumbled "That means you Rosie – less thorns and more bloom!"
Rory watched the scene with affection while approaching, as she realized it was that particular time of the year. It was the Midsummer Festival of Stars Hollow in a week's time, and she had once been one of those girls clothed in the bulky costume representing the flora of the season. As she approached the entrance and the large woman's back, she was spellbound by the small flower's colorful swirling - encircled by the studio's murky light.
"Hey Miss Patty" she greeted the woman in front if her, while climbing the stairs wooded steps.
The flamboyant women turned around and lit up in a bright smile.
"Rory darling! How are you?" she bellowed in her vibrant voice, and after inspecting the approaching younger woman's face she continued in a loud, concerned voice "What the heaven is the matter? You look like death warmed over, hon!"
"Yeah, well… Ok" Rory retorted in a somewhat touchy voice, while reflexively putting her hands to her tired face "I don't know. Is it really that bad? I-I haven't gotten much sleep lately" she concluded and felt her cheek burn in shame. She didn't like lying to her friend, but Rory had at that point neither the will nor the energy to explain the true reason for her current exhaustion.
Miss Patty considered Rory's words for a second, squinting in the younger woman's direction - while sucking at the nearly finished cigarette. She then glanced at the cigarette butt, and stubbed it out in the ashtray horded with a substantial amount of poisonous ends.
"You're love sick, honey? That's what bothering you?"Miss Patty asked in a conspiratory way, while winking and smiling knowingly "You are longing for that gorgeous man of yours?"
"Yeah, I guess that could be the reason" Rory answered with a shrug and continued with a decisive tone "Miss Patty, I was wondering…"
"Spin girls!" the rumbling voice interrupted her, and the flamboyant woman directing her sharp eyes at the dancing troop "You are supposed to be flowers! Flourishing poppies, daisies and lilies in the gentle summer breeze – not some colorful band marching to the Dwarf's Mine. Light steps, girls!"
Miss Patty turned her face towards Rory, and given her a meaningful look. She then took a deep breath and continued in a loud voice;
"The Midsummer celebration is my personal favorite. Of all the festivals of the year – this is the most sensual. Don't you agree?"
"Yeah, I guess…" Rory started - before the wide woman interrupted her yet again.
"You might not recall this, young lady" Miss Patty pressed on "but the dance of the Midsummer used to be something entirely different." She gsve a loud theatrical sigh and shook her large head in sorrow.
Rory suddenly remembered the tales of the infamous town's meeting, where Taylor and Miss Patty had come to blows over the Midsummer festivity's performance.
"I think I remember" she answered in a low voice, while trying to repress the amused smile that had formed in her face "The recital used to be more - um… educational. Am I right?
"Educational. Yes!" the larger woman bellowed in animation "That is what art is all about; shredding a light on the mysteries of the universe and in the same time light up the souls of the audience" she sighed and shook her head "I truly believe that the Holy Willie in charge actually enjoyed the recital, even though he'd never admit it" she winked in Rory's direction and continued with a grin "He is too caught up in his Taylorism to ever let his hair down. Don't you agree, darling?"
"Maybe" Rory answered in a neutral tone. She knew better than getting involved in this particular feud, as she in secret always had been on the opponent's side. Rory was in fact extremely grateful towards Taylor that in a period of prudeness had disapproved of and put a veto against Miss Patty's original work. The unusual routine had thanks to his involvement been banished before Rory had a chance to ever participate, and she had instead been cast as one of the bulky little flowers in the first bunch that had replaced the prior dance. She had on numerous occasions been the unwilling audience to Lorelai's reenactment of the enlightening routine, and Rory had always gone crimson just thinking about herself taking part in Miss Patty's gripping tale about the birds and the bees.
"It remains my greatest sorrow. It was a work of art, through and through. Even the costumes were without comparison" the large woman sighed, with a sentimental look in her eyes "I keep telling your mother that the work she did on those birds are her masterpiece. Mhm!" she breathed in contentment, lost deep in pleasant thoughts.
Rory waited in silence for a moment. She let her eyes fall on the small moving figures that were swirling and skipping on the wooded floorboards in the dim-lit room. Rory herself had always been the single blue bell in a group of poppies, daisies and lilies. As the costumes all had been made by her mother, the biased designer had tailored Rory's outfit specially - with the reached intent to match her strikingly blue eyes. Rory felt the still lingering embarrassment when remembering how it had made her stand out in the twirling bunch of blossoms. Her mother had by that choice set the tone for the town's reenactments and festivities years to come, where the younger Gilmore reluctantly had been showcased as the obvious centerpiece of the act time after time.
Rory cleared her throat and directed her eyes at the woman beside her, who was clasping her hands in beat with the music.
"Speaking of which" Rory began in a tentative tone "I was wondering if I could borrow something one of your costume from the – the storage."
This question instantly earned Miss Patty's full attention, and Rory blinked as the older woman scrutinized her with great suspicion.
"Oh my! Secret pass to my hidden storage, she asks for" she began in her bellowing voice and with twinkling eyes "What can it be that is that important, I wonder. What is it that you hope to find, young lady?"
"It's nothing special, really. It's a costume that was used in a play years ago. You would have it back by tomorrow, so it really isn't that big of a deal. Really!" Rory answered in a rushed voice, hoping against her better judgment that it was enough for the older woman to let her off the hook.
"Oh!" was Miss Patty's strident reply and Rory could see that she really was enjoying herself and wouldn't let it go just yet "Something from a play from years ago, desperately needed for one night. What a spectacular mystery! What could it be?" she sank down in silence and Rory settled down in the stillness, waiting for the questions that were sure to come.
"I know!" Miss Patty exclaimed with a sudden shriek that made Rory flinch in surprise "It's Ariel's fishtail-costume. I always wanted to fit into that one myself" she smirked knowingly in Rory's direction and continued in a theatrical whisper that was loud enough to be heard of anyone within 50 feet "Good choice, my dear" she said "Just bear in mind that the costume actually isn't any good in water, it will make you sink like a rock in a pond. You might remember the incident when Kirk was working as an attendant at the pool?"
Rory could indeed remember the occasion when Stars Hollow's most original individual had dressed up as a mermaid and somehow forgotten that he actually didn't know how to swim. She wondered in silence if the quirky man still was as afraid of deep water as he had been the year after that summer, and made a mental note of making sure to check in with Kirk before she left for California. She then came back to the present and frowned slightly while she in puzzlement asked the other woman why in earth she would think Rory would be in such desperate need for such a costume.
"But isn't it obvious?" Miss Patty answered in a loud voice "You're taking some creative pictures for your luscious man!"
"What? Ew - NO!" was Rory's loud and hurried answer. As Miss Patty had watched the blushing woman in front of her, her mouth silently formed into an affectionate smile.
"No?" she asked with a dramatic flair and hanged her head in disappointment. After a short moment she regained her vitality, while raising her head and in an excited tone continuing "Then it must be Gregor Samsa's cockroach suit!"
"From the production of Kafka's the Metamorphosis?" the amused Rory asked "Why would I want that?"
"Just because dear, just because" Mitt Patty answered with a mystical smile. She then turned her head towards the dancing troop and bellowed to the swirling forms; "Girls! Take five!"
"Is it anything from the amateur production of 'The Little Clay Cart'? Those costumes were pretty smart in my opinion" Miss Patty asked, yet again turned towards Rory.
"No, that's not it" was the reply that was delivered with a shaking head.
"Anything from the one and only collaboration between the glee club and the Star Hollow Anime society?" the strident, curious voice asked.
"You mean the Yakuza-themed musical?" Rory asked with a frown "God no!"
Miss Patty snorted in accord and fallen into a thoughtful mood "Oh, but of course!" she then exclaimed "For some reason you need to become an Oompa-Loompa for the evening! It has to be something from the production of Charlie and the chocolate factory!"
Rory shook her head, and finally decided that yielding to the pressure was the less painful option.
"It's a costume from Casablanca" she explained in a low voice "You know the suit Ilsa Lund wears in the finale scene… Do you – think you still have it?" She wished in vain that her scarce explanation would be enough to at last gain passage to Miss Patty's secret and well-guarded treasure.
"Aha! So, you have a desperate need to dress up as an enigmatic femme fatale with her pocket full of pining men" Miss Patty exclaimed with passion.
"That's not really how the story goes" Rory mumbled in a low and somewhat grumpy voice, and averted her eyes in displeasure. She had always felt somehow connected to the tragic female character in the classic love story, and she felt a sudden aversion towards Miss Patty's way of making her sound.
"Yes, of course I still have it!" Miss Patty continued, while waving her hand reassuringly "I wouldn't give that one up for no reason. So tell me! What is the reason? It better be good!"
Rory saw the excited and consipratory look that covered the larger woman's face, and understood that there was no way she would be given the wanted passage if she didn't deliver. She therefore sighed heavily and let her words spill out in the air;
"Well, there is really nothing to tell" she began with a shrug "It's just something – well, something Logan and I - said – once." She paused, feeling uncomfortable talking of the precious memory "I don't know, it's really nothing special – not for anyone but for the two of us."
The fact was that Ilsa Lund represented the true meaning of love, in Rory's mind. Logan had Rory had once discussed the issue, and she had then told him that she always had thought Casablanca as the most romantic movie ever made. She had told him how she for some reason always considered the love of Rick and Ilsa to be truer than any other, and how she wished the story ended differently every time she saw it. The movie's final scene played out at an airport, where the lover said their final goodbyes – and Rory always ended up in distressed tears, while urging the grieving Ilsa to speak her mind. Rory wanted the beloved character to object to a greater extent and get her one true love to understand the full sacrifice he was asking her to make. Rory had told Logan that she thought the sacrifice and the love story was so much more tragic just for that reason, as they both had to keep on living – and keep regretting the decision that was made that day.
"You have to do better than that" Miss Patty snorted and brought Rory back to the present "It's the character of Ilsa Lund, a woman that fully understands her own insignificance but also recognizes the power she holds. She fights fiercely with the weapons she's got and uses her sexual powers to string the males through a labyrinth of lies." Miss Patty sighed in delight and finished with a dramatic gesture painted by her moving hands "A true femme fatale, if there ever was one."
Rory, tired of this endless nonsense, frowned her brow and bit her lip to refrain from speaking her mind. She felt appalled by way the film had been dissected, but knew it would be foolhardy to get into a discussion at that point. Instead she shook her head in frustration and took a deep calming breath.
"Yeah, ok. Sure" she answered with badly hidden exasperation in her voice "I guess Delilah better watch out, as she's obviously got nothing on the infamous Ilsa Lund. Now, can I please, please get you to open the storage?"
Miss Patty ignored her words and held a scrutinizing gaze locked on the younger woman's face. She took a deep breath of air and asked with grimness in her voice;
"Darling, may I ask if you perhaps heard that Jess Mariano is back in town?"
This was rewarded with a stunned silence, and a quick guilty glance from the younger of the two.
"Uh… I-I did - hear that" Rory finally stuttered. Her voice was set in an awkward pitch, as she failed in her attempted to sound indifferent "But… um - What about him?"
Miss Patty's eyes widened significantly, and she held her breath while keeping her sharp peering eyes the flushed face in front of her.
"Tell me it's not what this is all about" the large woman finally voiced with passion "I hope you aren't still infatuated by that boy!"
"Well, no of course not!" Rory blurted out, and blinked as she recognized the fierceness behind her words. She averted her eyes to her tightly clasping hands, and took a deep and calming breath of air. "Of course not, Patty!" she said in a more contained voice "Why would you even think that?"
"Come now, it wouldn't be far stretched if you were" the woman answered with a brusque shrug "Honey, the lure of the troubled soul is one that a few women can resist, and for someone as sweet-natured and good-hearted as you the temptation must be even greater." She took a lungful o air and her mouth formed into a heavenly smile as she continued; "I've had a few experiences myself of being ensnared by men with dark pasts, and with even grimmer futures. I know the attraction, and how hard it can be to resist. But I have to tell you Rory-darling; that young man, with his irresistible troubled soul and his gorgeously dark eyes - he is simply not worth it. He is trouble walking on two sticks, sweetie, always has been, and - trust me on this; he's not worth it."
"Well, thank you for the concern but it's really not necessary. I'm not…" she hastily glanced down the street to make sure no one inappropriate was in earshot and continued in a more hushed voice "…in to Jess. We're just friends." She gave an attempt to a berating look and continued somewhat sternly "And I mean, don't you think it's a bit inappropriate to insinuate something like that? I'm engaged, remember?" she held up her left hand with its brilliant gem to give emphasis to her words.
"That's why I asked, darling... That's why I asked" Miss Patty replied with a clarifying tone in voice "I wouldn't' for the life of me want the thing that happened to that poor boy Dean to happen again. That gorgeous fiancé of yours is a far too fine example of a man to be thrown away just for some dark delicious eyes and an alluringly haunted soul, even how tempting it may seem at the moment. I've met your young Huntzberger, and I am really fond of the boy."
"Well, I really like him to" Rory replied in a controlled voice "So again, thank you for the thoughtful concern – but it's really not necessary" she took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly, to give her animated soul some peace. She then raised her head and asked for the final time, if she please could get an entrance pass to the heavily protected storage and finally get to the things she needed for the evening. Miss Patty gave her a long, examining look and gave at last a single small nod. She then turned around with a sudden fierceness, and motioned for the younger woman to follow. Rory felt a sudden tug of relief at that motion, and a smile was spreading in her face as she followed in the flamboyant woman's back on their way to the locked door with the treasured wealth hidden behind it.
THUESDAY NIGHT
Rory nervously corrected the collar of her white blouse with her gloved hand as she waited in the huge terminal with a refundable ticket hidden in her purse. She picked at her sleek-lined and square-shouldered jacket, and smoothed the fabric of a simple A-line skirt that fell below her knee. She let her eyes fall on a pair of white shoes with solid square heels that covered her feet, and bit her painted lip anxiously. She was currently wearing a very particular Forty's outfit, and had completed the look with a brimmed hat and a vintage hairstyle. The sophisticated waves and ringlets had taken some time to finish, but when she was finally satisfied she had with an approving smile watched her own reflection in the mirror and silently agreed with her mother's earnest words. It was impeccable, and Rory had at that moment felt a wave of confidence and excitement.
As Rory now stood waiting for the plane to arrive, she felt the confidence slowly being replaced by anxiety and harsh uncertainty. She could sense the staring eyes from the surrounding crowd burning holes in her back, and she wondered if she not indeed looked ridiculous. Rory's uneasy thoughts hammered in her head, and made her question her own good judgment. She fingered on her beige jacket and asked herself in silence if this in fact had been a dreadful idea. What if Logan wouldn't get it? Did he even remember that day from so long ago? She couldn't help but visualize a confused Logan stopping at a distance with apparent incomprehension in his eyes, and she suddenly felt paralyzed by a sudden doubt. If he didn't remember, he would undeniably find her dress-up both silly and bizarre. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Nothing to do about it now, she thought to herself and briskly brought a hand to her hair to yet again make sure everything was just perfect. She then averted her eyes to the tablet suspended from the ceiling and saw that the plane from SFO had just landed. She took a calming lungful of air and closed her eyes to the busy hall - momentarily lost in thoughts.
Rory could feel her heart pounding out of her chest as she was standing at a distance when the gate finally opened. She took a deep, calming lungful of air and watch the steady stream of people that scattered with hurried motions and significant steps. A few indecisive individuals lingered by the gate, and Rory frowned in frustration as they blocked her view. She had waited in what felt as forever for the well-known shape to appear, and just as the torrent of figures seemed to be endless it slowly began to lighten. When the gate finally revealed its sole remaining figure, it was with slow steps and with his head firmly bowed over an item in his hands that he emerged. Rory watched with affection as she saw him stop his lingering steps some 20 feet away, and continuing to type at the blackberry in his hands. As he with a swift glance watched his surroundings he froze his eyes were suddenly seized by a strikingly blue color. As Rory held his gaze, she took some eager steps forward and raised her hand in a somewhat embarrassed greeting.
Logan instantly recovered from his motionless state, and his face fell into an infectious smile that spoke of trouble yet to come. Rory felt a wave of relief, and knew in that instance that her anxiety and worrying had all been so pointless. Logan was here, right in front of her; and closing in with a forceful pace. Without any words he cupped her face in his hands and placed a passionate kiss on her mouth. They then stood intertwined for a great length of time and Rory, enraptured by his arms, could feel her restlessness melting away into a blissful oblivion. As they drew back he kept his silence as he stood watching her. Rory could see his deep feeling clearly revealed on his shifting face, and gripped hold of his hand.
"A franc for your thoughts" she said in a soft voice.
"I was just wondering…" he began hesitantly.
"Yes?" Rory urged him to continue with a smile.
"Nothing" he shook his head "Just… Why I'm so lucky."
"What do you mean?" asked with an innocent voice "I just came to pick you up."
He shook his head and gave her a knowing smile "Rory, You look beautiful! I mean you did all this for me. I don't know how to fully convey just how much this means, but…"
"You remember?" she asked softly.
"I remember" he said, and gave her a smile. He then sighed and continued in a chuckling voice "This is so much better than a stupid rocket."
"Hey! Don't you dare badmouth my love-rocket!"
"It's just that… this is so amazing, Rory. I mean, were did get that costume - and how did you even get in here? The security is –well you know."
"I have my ways."
"Letters of transit?"
"We said no questions."
He smiled at that comment, extended his hand and raised her chin with his thumb. He then leaned closer and spoke in a voice that was soft and full of fondness;
"…Here's looking at you, Ace."
This was rewarded by a moment of stunned silence, before Rory suddenly gave an excited cry, and threw her arms around his neck.
"The way you changed that line… Wow! I mean – wow!" she giggled a bit later, whilst still holding on to her grip.
"Well, Ace - You asked me to never call you kiddo again…" he chuckled with a guilty grin and locked her tighter in his arms.
"Yeah, that's right! I did" she began in a warm, smiling tone "It's just that –it was so dorky, Logan!"
This was met by a laugh, and she met his gaze while continuing in a steady voice; "I can see that my work is finally finished. I'm truly proud of you."
He laughed and shook his head "I'm finally a dork, is that what you're saying? Ace, I don't know how to react to that."
"Just accept it. You must have known this day would come sooner or later… that's what hanging with me will do to you. "
"That is absolutely true" he said with a smile, and landed a kiss on her lips. "You know that's actually fine" he then told her with a badly pretended seriousness "I heard through the grapevine that dorky is actually the new cool."
"Through the grapevine; at the water-cooler?" Rory asked with an equally bad attempt at sounding solemn.
"Yes" Logan admitted with a nod "I guess I heard it at the water-cooler."
"Ah" Rory smiled in delight "A workplace rumor! How exciting!"
"Yeah, good old-fashion in-group favoritism at play" Logan smiled in agreement and continued in a serious voice "I have to admit, though, that I'm actually really glad to be able to be part of it. I mean, right now - it's where everything happens! – It's the one place where one should be" he gave her a hesitant look "Am I making any sense at all?"
"Well yeah!" Rory exclaimed "You're making totally sense. I mean, it may not be my area if expertise, or anything, but I know some things" she gave him a content grin "I did do some googling, while you were away…"
"Of course you did" Logan interjected in a laughing tone "and how many results came up?"
"With the combined keywords of 'dork' and 'Silicon Valley'? Oh, only a couple of millions" Rory answered with a shrug.
"Aha!" Logan grinned and shook his head in amazement.
"So, you sense a theme here?" Rory smiled.
"Yeah" Logan said "Caught up on that pretty quickly, Ace."
"Anyway, I just wanted to say that I am so glad!" she said while holding his eyes locked with a serious look "I'm so happy you're here, and I am so glad that you've been accepted into the sacred kingdom of Dorks. I'm so proud of you!"
Logan chuckled in amusement and rewarded her with a long and passionate kiss. He then held her tight and expressed in a low voice just how much he'd missed her.
Rory kept her eyes closed and her head leaned against his shoulder. She was fully enveloped by the feeling of closeness and felt his heart beat in sync with her own. She breathed in his smell and reluctantly let him free. She gave him a hard good look and squinted at him.
"You look different somehow" she said with a tilt of her head.
"I do?" he asked "is it the Californian sun-kissed skin?"
"It might be" Rory said in a thoughtful frame of mind. She felt as that wasn't really it, but in that moment she couldn't put her finger on the shift. Instead she hugged him, holding him tight yet again. She had missed his smell, and she had missed the feel of his frame. She suddenly remembered the last time she had held him just like that; at their longsome goodbye at the metal detectors. She closed her eyes and thought of how much that had happened since then. Maybe the one that had changed wasn't him, but herself, she suddenly though. She opened her eyes and raised her head. Logan watched her as she frowned while watching the ceiling.
"What's with the face, Ace?" Logan asked her.
"Do you hear chirping?" she asked in confusion.
He stood in silence and suddenly smiled "Yeah" he said "what is that?"
"I guess it's - birds" Rory said in a surprised tone, meeting his eyes "you think they live in here?"
"Wouldn't surprise me" Logan answered, and let his cynical gaze linger on the worn-down interior of the historic building.
"It's really named to worst airport in the world?" Rory asked, while watching their sad surrounding. It gave the clear impression that the cleaning crew must have given up in despair long ago, and Rory suddenly felt a rushed urge to leave the building.
"Perhaps…" she started hesitantly.
"…We should get out while we still can" Logan agreed.
With watchful eyes prepared for the danger in shape of angry birds ready to attack they moved towards the exit. With hurried steps and enveloped by the echoing sound of two pair of solid square heels meeting granite, they held on to each other's hands. As they felt the connection from where they were linked, they simultaneously started to smile. They smiled because they felt as if they would never let the other one go, and that the rest of their lives would be spent just like this. They smile because they had sensed the uncertain future, and then decided to face it together.
They smiled because they had with certainty seen the remains of their days.
THE END