Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls.

A/N: Here is chapter three! I hope that you all enjoy it!

Chapter Three: Check Please

"Headache, very bad headache," Rory groaned, gently massaging her temples with her fingers. Lorelai set a cup of coffee in front of her, sitting beside her at their kitchen table.

"Well, that's what you get for being socialized,"

"They told me the punch wasn't spiked,"

"And you believed them?" Rory sighed, taking a large gulp of coffee.

"Good point, it was Madeline and Louise. Though, you'd think that when it comes to partying they would know what they're doing,"

"Rory, it's still Madeline and Louise," Rory shrugged, taking a heaping bite of her burrito.

"Thank you for all of the hangover food. You are an amazing, amazing person,"

"I know, and...I'm not the only amazing person," Rory looked up at her mother, perplexed by her words.

"What?"

"Do you remember anything from last night?"

"I slightly remember puking on some kid's shoes, but that's it,"

"Were they good shoes?"

"I think they were converses," Lorelai smiled, patting her daughter on her shoulder.

"That's my girl. Anyway, you don't remember anything else?"

"Nope,"

"Logan brought you home," Rory was frozen, her burrito inches away from her mouth. Slowly she looked at Lorelai, a look of sheer terror on her face.

"Logan brought me home?"

"Yeah, he was kind enough to make sure that you didn't get abducted by anyone else wanting to socialize you,"

"So, he saw me all...,"

"Giddy and crabby? Yes, he sure did,"

"I was giddy and crabby at the same time? Is that even possible?" Lorelai smiled, nodding.

"Rory, when you're drunk anything is possible. I was surprised by your behavior. I always thought that you would be the 'mom drunk',"

"The mom drunk?" Lorelai nodded, taking a bite of her own burrito. Sure, she was completely sober, but burritos were good regardless of blood alcohol level.

"Uh huh, you know, the one who drinks a decent amount but still looks after everyone else. She pledges she's fine and even acts fine, but everyone knows that she is still drunk. A functional drunk," Lorelai clarified, her daughter watching her with a bemused expression.

"You have given that way too much thought," She shrugged, smiling.

"It's true, but you most definitely were not the 'mom drunk'. You were the 'dancing on the bar and then passed out on a random couch' drunk,"

"I was tired," Rory defended herself, pouting a bit at her mother's analysis.

"Tell me you didn't do a rendition of a Coyote Ugly girl or try your chops at a Britney song," Rory smiled.

"I don't think I did," Lorelai smiled, her hand over her heart in relief.

"Good, because one Gilmore doing that is enough," Rory laughed, her eyes glistening.

"You?"

"No, your grandmother,"

"Hey Mary," Tristan smoothly said, working his way in next to Rory. She was walking with Madeline and Louise and he of course did not beckon any invitation to join them. Tristan was the type of person who believed everyone loved him and wanted him, regardless of the reality of the situation. Rory looked at him, smiling tightly.

"Hi Tristan,"

"How you doing over there?"

"I don't think you should call her Mary anymore," Louise revealed, smiling a mischievous grin.

"Oh, why not?"

"Rory got smashed at a party with us and then got extremely comfortable with a college guy," Tristan looked at Rory, his eyes wide.

"Wow, interesting weekend," She shook her head.

"No, first of all, I drank spiked punch that I didn't know was spiked. It's not like I went wild with Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan. Also, I was not overly friendly or comfortable with Logan. All we did was dance," Madeline giggled, shaking her head.

"Oh Rory, there was more than dancing going on,"

"What? I was there, I think I know what happened," Louise smiled.

"Oh, come on Rory. He totally was giving you bedroom eyes the entire time,"

"Bedroom eyes? What are you talking about?" Madeline rolled her eyes as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"He was giving you looks that told you that he basically wanted you and your body,"

"And you, Rory Gilmore, were not protesting at all," Louise added.

"How could I protest when I wasn't aware it was even happening?" Rory asked, "Which, by the way, it wasn't," Tristan shrugged.

"It sounds like you definitely deserve a new nickname," Rory shook her head, relieved to be at her class.

"Well, you think on that and I'm going to go to class," Tristan watched her surge into the classroom, a satisfied smile on his lips. He loved messing with her, any contact with the infamous Rory Gilmore was something he savored. She was a rare commodity, a girl with beauty and wit. If only he could catch her.

"So Finn, was Rochelle the one?" Logan asked, his Australian friend looking a bit more ragged than usual. Finn looked up at him, his eyes red and puffy.

"Mate, she was a beast. We were at it all night. I mean, I love all of that stuff, I am Finn Rothschild, lover extraordinary, but mate, it was just too much," Logan smiled.

"Was she too much woman for you?"

"Yes, indeed she was. If I had enough energy she would be the love of my life, but for my own health and sanity I let her go. Somewhere she will find a man who can please her," Finn proclaimed, a hint of chivalrous valor ringing through his words.

"Anyway mate, how was your night?" Logan thought of Rory in her drunken stupor, still managing to look beautiful and perfect.

"Uh, it was fine. Colin and I followed Stephanie to some high school party,"

"High school?"

"It wasn't too bad. The beer was flowing and the ladies weren't half bad," He couldn't get her eyes out of his head. Those bright pools of water, so blue that he nearly thought it impossible for them to be real. He had never seen eyes like hers before. But, he had never met a girl like her before either.

"Sounds like a pretty promising party. Next time be sure to invite me. Finn here loves to drink and to chase the pretty tails," Logan smiled a this friend.

"Yes Finn, I know," Colin walked in, angrily grabbing a bottle of water and downing half of it. He spit out half of it into the sink, looking in outrage at Finn.

"This is water?"

"Yes mate, it sure is,"

"What happened to the bottles you fill with vodka for during classes? I could really use a strong drink now," Finn sighed.

"Rochelle used it all. I'm telling you, she was neurotic. Beautiful and built, but neurotic," Colin groaned, collapsing onto the couch next to Logan.

"And it begins again," He muttered, drawing the attention of both Finn and Logan.

"What's up?"

"Well, Stephanie and Oliver have broken up yet again,"

"Oh no, here we go," Logan muttered.

"Yeah, you can say that again. Stephanie won't stop bothering me now. She keeps wanting to talk and discuss her feelings," He groaned, closing his eyes tightly with frustration, "I don't know how I got pinned as the sensitive one, but I really hate it,"

"Man, that sucks,"

"Yeah,"

"What happened this time?"

"He broke up with her, apparently because of some reason that she calls ridiculously stupid and so juvenile that a three year old would use it. She said a lot more but that's all I caught. When she gets angry she tends to speak at an inhumane rate," Logan nodded, remembering the one time that Stephanie's dad had taken away her credit cards. She had been so pissed off and spoke at a rate so fast that Logan could not understand a word she said the entire rant. Needless to say, Stephanie was not a very articulate person when it came to anger and frustration.

"Well, at least we know from experience that within a week they'll be back together and we won't have to listen to her whine," Logan offered. Colin shook his head in frustration, clenching his fist.

"I hope so because she is driving me crazy,"

"He drove you home?" Lane asked, her smile evident through her voice. Rory nodded, grasping her back pack strap tightly with one of her hands. They were walking through town to Lane's house and were discussing the previous night's excitement. Upon much prodding Rory revealed the depth of Logan's kindness, feeling her heart quicken at the mere thought of him.

"That is so romantic," Lane replied dreamily, her eyes misty, "And very rock and roll," She added, "I mean, you were smashed and he saved you. What is more rock and roll than that?"

"It wasn't really romantic. I mean, I was sick and he took me home. He was just doing the right thing," Lane looked at Rory, eye brow cocked.

"Uh huh, so you think that any other guy there would have done the 'right thing'? They would have either left you or do a lot more than take you home," Rory shrugged, wanting to avoid the topic of Logan. Her feelings for him still made her uncomfortable and they were something she didn't dare admit to anyone, even Lane.

"He was just being nice,"

"Has he called you at all?" Rory nodded, thinking about their previous conversation.

"Hey Ace, how are you feeling?" He asked, his voice light, but she could detect a hint of worry lying beneath the smooth tone.

"Alright,"

"So no splitting headache or decapitating nausea?"

"Yes on the splitting headache, but the decapitating nausea has thankfully passed me up,"

"Ah, I guess that's only for experienced drinkers," She laughed, not knowing how light headed the sound made him. The tinkering sound making him wish she was his.

"I guess so,"

"You're lucky to only get a headache. You hit the bottle pretty hard last night,"

"Yeah, the sniff test really does not work,"

"The sniff test?" She smiled, shaking her head.

"Never mind,"

"Whoah, Rory, you still there?" She looked at her friend, alarmed that she had dazed off for so long.

"Sorry, what?" Lane smiled, her eyes twinkling.

"That must have been one amazing conversation," Rory looked away, trying to distinguish his voice from her head. All she could hear were his kind tender words, the way his voice lowered when he was serious. The way his face lit up when he saw her, the easy smile, twinkling eyes. As she tried to forget one thing she remembered another, the process repeating itself until all she could think about was him.

"Rory," She found herself face to face with Dean, his usually kind face contorted in anger.

"Hi Dean,"

"We need to talk," It wasn't a question, or even a statement. It was a demand and she nodded, waving a quick good bye to Lane. Following him to wherever he was taking her she could feel the tension, his raw anger. Finally they arrived at somewhere relatively private and he layed it on her.

"Where were you last night?" He asked, not even trying to hide the accusation from his voice.

"I was at a party with Madeline and Louise,"

"Madeline and Louise, huh?" She nodded, noticing how his right eye brow was twitching slightly, something that happened when he got tiffed.

"Yes, they wanted to socialize me so I went," He shook his head, laughing bitterly.

"I can't believe this," He muttered, turning away from her.

"Believe what?"

"That you're lying to me!" He hissed, spinning around to meet his face to hers. He was inches away from her and she could feel his hot breath on her, threatening and full of rage.

"I'm...I'm not lying to you," She stammered, the proximity of him scaring her.

"Then why did I hear that some blonde prick dropped you off last night?" She shook her head, already countering it in her head.

"No, Dean, that's not what it looked like,"

"Well, it looked like you picked up some guy at a party,"

"No, that's not true. I was sick and he drove me home,"

"You really expect me to believe that?" Rory tried to touch his arm but he recoiled, his face hard.

"Dean,"

"Just tell me the truth,"

"I am, he just drove me home,"

"You're lying,"

"Dean, what do you want to hear? I'm telling you the truth!" He broke away from her, his hands in tight fists at his sides.

"Who was he?" He asked through clenched teeth.

"Logan Huntzberger, he's a friend of mine,"

"A friend?" She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yes, he's a friend," She walked towards him, tentatively placing a hand on his arm, "He just drove me home,"

"Next time get a girl," She smiled slightly.

"Alright, next time I'll get a girl," He took her into his arms, holding her a bit tighter than necessary.

"I'm sorry I was so upset Rory. It's just...I love you," She nodded against his chest, his previous hurtful words resounding in her ears.

"Uh huh, you too," The words he wanted to hear were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't say them. As the accusations replayed in her head she couldn't tell him she loved him.

"Can we skip Friday Night dinner?" Rory asked in a small voice. It had been three days since her drunken night and she was still reeling from the effects. Lorlai put her arm around her daughter, squeezing her gently.

"Seeing that we drove all the way out here, I'd say we just go for it," Rory looked up at the imposing house, wishing she was back at her own. Usually she didn't mind visiting her grandparents but on that particular Friday she was simply not in the mood.

"Fine," She sighed, ringing the doorbell. A mere matter of seconds later a maid opened the door, looking meekly at the two.

"Uh, hello,"

"Hi, we're here to see Adolf and Eva," Lorelai chirped, smiling brightly. The maid's eyes widened in fear as they darted back into the house to see if Emily or Richard had heard. Once she had ensured that they were no where near her she smiled shortly and then let them in. They handed off their coats, Lorlelai smiling slightly at Rory's outfit.

"You're wearing sweat pants," Lorelai commented, her face full of glee. Rory took in her outfit, her eyes widening with horror.

"Oh no, I never changed. I was busy with homework and it never dawned on me to change," Lorelai smiled, tapping her daughter's arm.

"Don't worry, at least they're clean," Emily sweeped into the hall, smiling grandiosely for the two girls.

"Hello, welcome, welcome," She spotted Rory's outfit and frowned with disdain, "Rory, did your mother forget to wash your clothes?"

"Right, just blame it on me," Lorelai lamented.

"No Grandma, I forgot to change before I came," Emily nodded shortly, her eyes lingering on her granddaughter's Yale t-shirt.

"Well, that is a fine shirt you're wearing Rory. At least part of your outfit is suitable for our guests,"

"Our guests," Emily nodded, ushering the girls into the living room.

"Yes, we have dear friends of ours here. Rory, Lorelai, this is and Shira and Mitchum with their son Logan," At the sight of him Rory nearly dropped dead, his charming smile directed right at her.

"Hello," He said smoothly, his eyes twinkling. Rory looked away, forcing herself to smile at the two older people in the room. Mitchum was an astute man with a haughty air around him, somewhat resembling his son. Shira was a meek thing, shrinking down next to Mitchum. It was apparent that she was trying to look elegant and astute but instead she just looked silly, a far cry from Emily. She looked years younger than what read on her birth certificate, the botox injections making it impossible to do more than give a tight smile. Rory quickly looked away from his deep brown eyes, smiling politely at his parents.

"Rory, that is a fine shirt you have on," Mitchum boomed. She smiled sheepishly, nodding.

"Sorry I'm not better dressed, I was a bit rushed today,"

"You know kids these days, always doing something," Lorelai commented, smiling a bit too broadly, "At least this one isn't doing anything illegal," Rory watched their reactions, Mitchum cracking into uproarious laughter while Shira giggled politely, her hands clasped daintily in her lap.

"Emily, you really do have a charming family," Mitchum commented, his eyes twinkling.

"Yes, we really do. Are you all ready for some dinner?" Emily asked, already walking to the dining room, "Brigita has made a fabulous herb crusted salmon,"

"Salmon sounds wonderful," They made their way into the dining room, sitting opposite each other. Rory found herself seated far from Logan, quietly thanking God for not being cruel and having them next to each other.

"So, you know that Logan here is a Yale man himself," Mitchum directed at Rory. She nodded in recognition, smiling.

"Yes, he actually showed my mom and I around," Rory responded. Emily looked at her granddaughter, confused.

"He did?"

"We went a second time by ourselves Mom," Lorelai clarified.

"What? Was our trip not good enough for you?" Emily asked, looking at her sharply.

"No Mom, we just wanted to see something other than famous benches," Emily scoffed, shaking her head.

"That was a bench that Henry David Thoreau sat on himself," Richard countered.

"Alright, it was a fine bench. Can we please move on?"

"You showed them around?" Mitchum asked his son, surprised.

"Yeah, I did. They were on the train and looked pretty lost,"

"That was very kind of you," Shira added, equally surprised as her husband. Emily looked at Lorelai, astounded.

"You took the train? Why in the world would you take the train?"

"Unlike you mom, we are not afraid of public transportation,"

"And our car broke down," Rory added, garnering a look from her mother.

"No, our car was out of gas, it did not break down,"

"You didn't remember to fill your tank?" Richard asked, astonished, "Lorelai, you always fill your tank when you are doing a long drive,"

"So Logan," Lorelai began, making a point of showing that the previous conversation had ended, "How do you like Yale?"

"It's pretty good. The classes are nice,"

"Although you rarely attend them," Mitchum interjected, garnering a glare from his wife.

"Mitchum, remember where you are," Rory noticed Logan clenching his jaw, biting back a bitter response to his father's outburst. His control astonished him, how he could take the sharp comments in his stride.

"The coffee is quite good," Logan said, smoothly transitioning away from his father's criticism, "And the library is impressive. We have a first edition of just about everything, including War and Peace," He looked straight at Rory, causing her to blush. She smiled, looking down at her hands. It seemed he did read books other than chick lit.

"Well, let me just ask you this. Do they have a good Chinese take-out place?" Emily rolled her eyes, shifting disgruntingly in her seat.

"Lorelai, really," Logan smiled, nodding.

"Actually, there is an amazing place. It's only about ten minutes away, walking distance," Lorelai smiled.

"Logan, nothing is in walking distance for us," He chuckled, nodding.

"Well, then the shuttle can take you there,"

"That sounds better," The maid arrived, placing plates in front of everyone. Rory looked down at the herb crusted fish and grimaced, not looking forward to putting the fancy looking food into her mouth. She noticed that Logan was watching her, a bemused look on his face. She caught his eyes, biting her lip to keep from smiling. The moment was ruined by his cell phone going off, all eyes going to him. He answered it, mumbling an apology before walking to the living room. Rory sighed, directing her attention back to the dead fish in front of her. Moments later he returned, his face looking apologetic.

"I'm sorry but I need to go back to Yale," The table looked up at him, some faces interested, others with vague skepticism.

"Why?" His father asked.

"Some business I need to take care of," He vaguely stated, shrugging. Mitchum sighed, nodding.

"Alright, well, go then," Logan made brief farewells to everyone and then walked out, the slamming of the door signaling his final exit.

"So Rory, you're a journalist, right?" Mitchum asked. She smiled, nodding.

"Well, that's what I plan on becoming. Right now though, I'm just focusing on getting through high school," He laughed heartily, nodding in approval.

"Yes, that is a very good plan. Who knows, maybe one day you'll work for one of my papers?" She smiled brightly.

"That would be something, wouldn't it?" Emily mused, her eyes taking on a dreamy hue. Just then Rory's cell phone went off, the tune of "Human Behavior" dancing from her purse. She smiled sheepishly, answering it.

"Uh, hello?"

"Hey Ace, I have a proposition for you," She stood up, excusing herself from the room.

"Didn't you just leave to go to Yale?"

"I made it up,"

"You lied to get out of dinner?"

"Hey, I saw the way you were looking at your salmon, it is disgusting. Do you want me to show you real food?"

"Real food?"

"Yeah, none of that fancy crap, real food," She looked back at the room full of adults, topics of the economy and President Bush reaching her ears.

"I can't just leave," She said, not believing her own words.

"Yes, you can,"

"But what would I tell them?"

"Make something up. Last time I checked you were quite good at fake phone calls," She smiled, remembering her last lie.

"Logan, I don't know,"

"Come on, say that something urgent came up and you had to leave," Her mind was screaming no, telling her it was wrong, but before she knew what was happening she had agreed, her voice clear and strong.

"Alright, where are you?"

"I'm waiting outside in my car," She nodded, already feeling guilty.

"Okay, I'll be out in a few minutes," She hung up, formulating the lie in her mind. She walked back in, the story formed.

"That was Paris," Rory said, feigning frustration, "She told me that there is some show thing tonight that I need to cover,"

"Does that mean you need to leave?" Lorelai asked, doing her best to hide her excitement.

"Yeah, it does. I'm sorry," She addressed the others at the table, a sincere frown on her face. Emily waved her hand as if flitting away the apology.

"Rory, that's okay. You need to do what needs to done," Rory nodded, feeling a bit guilty for the lie.

"Alright, bye," She looked at Mitchum and Shira, smiling broadly, "It was great to meet you,"

"You too Rory," Emily walked them out, stopping just short of the door.

"Good bye, have a safe drive home," The girls walked out, pulling their jackets around them to shield from the cold. Lorelai noticed Logan in his car, watching them with an amused expression.

"Why do I have a feeling that Paris didn't call you?" Rory looked at her mother, hoping that she wouldn't disapprove.

"Mom, uh, do you mind if I get something to eat with Logan?" Lorelai eased her mind by smiling, putting her hands on her hips.

"Well, at least he's blonde, so your story sort of fits. You could say that you were covering a restaurant," Rory smiled, relief washing over her.

"I'll be home by eleven,"

"Eleven thirty," Lorelai countered with a smile, "Go have fun," Rory smiled, giving her a quick hug.

"Bye Mom,"

"Bye sweets," Rory got in the car next to Logan, the smell of his cologne filling her nose.

"So, where is this amazing food?"

"I think I'll let that be something for me to know and you to find out,"

"What's your favorite movie?" Logan asked, watching her with a smile. They were at Al's Diner, the restaurant that Logan swore had the best hamburgers he had ever tasted. They weren't as good as Luke's, but got a close second. They were currently finishing their milkshakes and were playing twenty question. She was amazed to see just how alike they were.

"It's a tie between Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and The Godfather," Logan smiled.

"Willy Wonka? Let me ask you, who is better, Johnny Depp or Gene Wilder?"

"Gene Wilder, hands down. Johnny Depp should have stuck with Jack Sparrow," Logan laughed, nodding, "Alright, what about you?"

"We actually have something in common there. My favorite movie is The Godfather,"

"Interesting,"

"Not the third though, that one was terrible," Rory shook her head, eyes wide.

"But that is the one with Sofia Copple's death scene," She countered.

"So?"

"That was an oscar worthy scene. I think she missed her calling as an actress,"

"But all that happened is she got killed," She shrugged, taking a sip of her milkshake.

"It was still amazing,"

"Okay, favorite color," Logan proposed.

"Blue," He nodded.

"Yeah, it brings out your eyes," He responded, causing her to blush.

"So, what's yours?"

"Yellow," She looked at him, surprised.

"Yellow? You don't look like a yellow guy," He laughed.

"I'll take that as a good thing,"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way. I just thought...," She sighed, leaning back into the booth, "I don't know what I meant," He smiled.

"Don't worry, it's cool," She smiled back at him, her eyes connecting with his.

"So, um, there's actually something I've been meaning to ask you," She noticed that he looked uncomfortable and bit back a smile.

"Yeah?"

"When you were drunk before, you said some things," Her heart stopped, fear filling her.

"I did?"

"Yeah," She tensed up, imagining all the embarrassing things she had said. What if she had come on to him? Or worse, admit her feelings to him? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

"Nothing bad I hope," She prompted, gauging his reaction.

"Well, uh, you said some things about your boyfriend," She was caught off guard, not hearing what she thought would come.

"Oh,"

"Some of your comments, they just...is everything okay?" He paused, rephrasing, "Are you okay?" She looked at him, trying to push back the scene from earlier.

"Yeah, everything's fine,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah,"

"Because earlier, you had said how controlling he was and how overprotective,"

"I'm fine, we're fine," She reaffirmed.

"Rory-"

"Stop," She snapped, the proximity of him from the truth igniting her rage, "you have no right to come here and criticize my boyfriend,"

"I just thought-"

"You thought wrong," Her voice housed finality and he nodded, dropping it. The carefree atmosphere had long dissipated and they were full of tension, an awkward silence between them.

"I should take you back," He finally said. She nodded, looking away so that he couldn't see the tears in her eyes. He left money for the bill and then they left, the entire ride back home devoid of words. When they got to her house she mumbled a quick good bye before getting out and walking to the front door. She found her mom was not home, she was probably at Lukes, and she sat down on the couch. Rubbing her hands tensely over her thighs she let her emotions flood. There was a knock on the door and Rory wiped away tears, taking a deep breath before answering.

"Dean," She breathed, surprised to see him.

"Who the hell were you just with?"

A/N: Ah! Drama!!!!! I love writing it. So, I hope that you liked it. Please let me know how you like it!