Disclaimer: I don't own it!
A/N: Okay, here's the next chapter. I'm trying to update my stories before the week of hell for musical begins...let's hope it works out!!!!
Chapter Four
"Dean-"
"Who was that?" He asked, his nostrils flaring with anger. She inched back from him, feeling the tension thicken between them.
"It was Logan,"
"Damn it Rory. I told you I don't want you seeing him,"
"He's my friend,"
"No, he's another Tristan. He's another blonde rich rich that wants to steal you away from me," Rory shook her head, not believing that this was actually coming out of her boyfriend's mouth.
"Dean, you're being ridiculous,"
"No, I'm being realistic Rory. I'm figuring it all out. I've been wondering why you've been distant with me lately, why things haven't been the same. Now I know why, it's because of him. He's driving us apart,"
"You're wrong Dean,"
"He's the reason this is happening," Rory stood her ground, body erect with frustration.
"No, you are," He looked away from her, doing his best to control his mounting rage.
"Me? I'm the problem? Are you seriously feeding yourself these lies?"
"I could ask you the same question," Rory retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I don't want you to see him anymore," Rory shook her head once again, walking past him to open the door, beckoning him to leave. As she strode past him he grabbed her arm, twisting it in an upward position towards him. She gasped as her arm burned with pain, her gaze being forced up to meet his.
"Dean-"
"We're not done talking," She ripped her arm away from him, nursing the soon to be bruised limb against her chest.
"We're finished Dean. We're finished talking, we're finished with everything," Dean didn't move, still processing her words.
"What?"
"We're over Dean. I can't do this anymore,"
"We're just having a fight," Dean clarified, moving closer, "We're not over, we can't be over," Rory bit her lip, forcing the tears back. With a deep breath she set Dean with a steely glare, pursing her lips in a tight frown.
"Dean, it's all too much for me. Your jealousy, your trust issues, all of it. I won't take it anymore, I'm sick of it. We are done and that's the end," Dean gazed at her, his eyes softening as he realized that the end had come. He had lost her.
"Rory,"
"Please go," She said softly, her voice still firm.
"Rory, please-"
"Go," He nodded, walking out of her house. Once gone Rory quickly locked the door, her hands pressed against the cool wood of the door. She could hear his retreating footsteps, the pitter patter that signified the end of something important in her life. She turned around and slid down the door, finally coming to a stop at the floor. With a throaty sigh she broke down, sobs racking her body. It was really over. It seemed like Dean was always there before. He had been her rock, someone that she had truly loved with all of her life; now he was gone. She never thought that her and Dean would end and now that they did, she felt immensely...alone. There was a knock on the door and she shuddered, only imagining what horror the other side of the door could behold. With a great bout of strength she stood up, swinging the door open with everything left in her.
"Dean, just go-" She stopped herself, a different man staring back at her.
"You forgot your purse," He said slowly, taking in her disheveled appearance, the tousled hair, mascara stained cheeks, and finally the freshly bruised arm. She mumbled a quiet thank you, avoiding his penetrating gaze. He was looking on her with so much pity, so much worry, that it made her sick. Slowly he inched towards her, carefully putting his arms around her small frame. Once within the confines of his arms she let her guard down, simply letting go all of the facades she had up, all of her pent up strength drained. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, his soft spoken words in her ear doing nothing to calm her. Finally he led her into the house, walking her carefully to the couch.
"Ace," He breathed out, the pain and worry evident in his voice. He knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. She looked up at him, her clear blue eyes misted with tears.
"I broke up with him," She said simply, her lower lip trembling.
"What happened," She shook her head, tears cascading down her face and onto their interlocked hands. He gently untangled one of his hands from hers and wiped away her tears, his touch tender and caring.
"Come on Ace, you can tell me," He cooed.
"He saw you drop me off. He was so angry, he was saying that you were breaking us up and that it was all of your fault. I asked him to leave and he wouldn't, he just kept standing there telling me these terrible things. Then I tried to get to the door and...," She broke off, it all becoming too much, "and..he grabbed my arm. I know he didn't' mean to hurt me, but, he did," Logan looked down at her arm, the bruise becoming worse and worse by the minute. He could only imagine what damage Dean could inflict if he really wanted to.
"Everything's going to be okay," Logan said, kissing her hand, "I'll be right back," He walked to the kitchen, coming back with a bag of frozen peas. He sat next to her, gently taking her bruised arm in his hands. He pressed the frozen bag to her arm and she winced in pain, the extreme cold burning her delicate skin.
"Sorry," he said meekly, "this should help the swelling though," She nodded, gently extricating her arm from his hands.
"You don't have to stay," Rory said.
"But I want to,"
"Logan, you can't possibly want to stay with me on a Friday night. You could be-"
"I want to be here," Logan reiterated, his eyes locked with hers. She blushed, looking away from his dark eyes. When she looked up again she found she couldn't look away, his face being the only thing she wanted to see. She noticed his face edging closer to hers, each second bringing him a bit closer. She held her breath in anticipation, her entire body rigid with a mixture of fear and excitement. Just as his lips were about to touch hers she turned her head, his lips barely grazing her cheek as he pulled back.
"Ace-"
"Rebellious daughter of mine!" Lorelai sing songed, walking into the rec room, "First you spend a night with Logan and then you bring him home? How scandalous of you! Next thing I know I'll be reading about you on Page 6," Rory smiled weakly, already feeling tears well up in her eyes.
"Hi Mom,"
"Hunny, what's wrong?" Rory shook her head, feeling herself lose grip on her emotions as the prospect of explaining it all over again surfaced. Logan took her hand, holding it firmly.
"It's okay Ace," He murmured, trying to forget the stabbing pain he had felt as she turned her face, changing everything in a split second.
"Logan, I think you should leave," Lorelai said, her voice a bit cold.
"Lorelai-"
"I need some time alone with my daughter," Logan nodded, standing up. With a quick good bye he left, the sound of his car zooming away heard by both Gilmore girls.
"Alright, now that Blondie has left, will you tell me what's going on?"
"Can we talk later?"
"No, we will not talk later. Something is seriously wrong. First of all, you are not cheery and bubbly, something extremely odd. And you are holding a bag on peas to your arm, which is quite odd-" Lorelai stopped herself, walking over to Rory, "Show me your arm,"
"Mom,"
"Show me your arm," Rory sighed, removing the bag from her arm. Logan was right, the swelling had gone down a bit but it was still as discolored as ever. Lorelai looked at Rory, her eyes wide.
"Who did this?" Rory didn't even need to answer before Lorelai's eyes widened with recognition, "Dean, it was Dean, wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Lorelai hugged her daughter tightly, her body trembling.
"Please tell me that you broke up with him."
"Oh yeah, I definitely did," Lorelai pushed the hair away from her daughter's face, her own eyes filling with tears.
"Oh Rory, I'm sorry I wasn't here for you,"
"I'm okay Mom,"
"I just-"
"I'm okay. Logan came, I'm fine," Lorelai hugged her daughter, closing her eyes as she envisioned the dreadful scene. She quickly pushed it away, relieved that Rory was okay.
"Logan sure is becoming your guardian angel," Rory nodded, frowning as she remembered their "almost kiss".
"Uh huh,"
Rory sat in her bedroom, tapping her fingers nervously on her desk. It had been one week since she broke up with Dean and she had been unable to stop thinking about Logan. All she could think about was the feeling of his hot breath on her neck, his eyes on her. She would try to study and be haunted by the sound of his voice, the feeling of his arms protectively around her. She couldn't think, focus, even function. It was becoming all consuming and she had to do something about it. She took out her cell phone, dialing the number quickly before she could change her mind. The phone rang three times before he answered, already knowing it was her.
"Ace,"
"We need to talk,"
"Are you okay?" It was an ironic question. He was obviously speaking of Dean, oblivious of the fact that he was the one making her hurt now. He was driving her insane.
"I'm getting by,"
"Alright, what did you want to talk about?" Rory shifted in her seat, unable to form the words. Finally she spoke, disappointed by her own incoherent words.
"Um, well, I...,"
"Ace?"
"Do you think we could meet somewhere today. I think this would be easier in person. I-"
"How about we meet at the coffee stand I brought you to. I'm assuming you don't want to meet in Stars Hollow,"
"That sounds perfect. I'll see you in about an hour,"
"An hour? Wow, this must be pretty important,"
"We can meet later if you want," She offered.
"No, we'll meet now,"
"Alright, I'll see you soon," She stood up, her breaths shaky and unsteady, just like she felt.
"Mom!" She called out as she rushed down the stairs, "I'm going to Yale!"
She walked to the coffee stand, praying that she had remembered the right one. She hadn't realized how many coffee stands there were at Yale. She had counted at least seven as she made her way to what she hoped was the one she had visited with Logan. To her relief she found Logan there, chatting up the vendor. With a deep breath she surged forward, mustering all of the courage she had.
"Logan," He turned at the sound of her voice, smiling wide at her. He offered her a cup of coffee and she gladly took it, smelling the heavenly aroma from the styrofoam cup.
"I figured you'd want a cup," Logan said with a smile, saying good bye to the vendor and then placing his hand on the small of her back, leading her away from the stand.
"Thank you,"
"I have something for you," He said simply. She looked up at him, surprised by it all. Hadn't they come to talk?
"Really?"
"Uh huh, come one, I'll take you to where it is," She nodded, letting him lead her to wherever they were going. Sure, they had to talk, but that could be done later. He was in an exceptional mood and it only served to lighten hers. As they walked Rory began to notice things she had seen before. Of course the several benches that her grandparents had pointed out, but also the best bookstore, the hall that Logan had said housed the best Stir Fry. She felt at peace in Yale, she felt like she was home. Soon enough she found herself walking into the library.
"Did you get me the library?" Rory asked with a smile. Logan looked at her and shook his head.
"No, I think you'll like this though,"
"Really?" He smiled.
"Yes, really," He strode to the front desk, the old librarian looking up at him with a genuinely friendly smile.
"Logan Huntzberger, twice in one day. To what do I owe this pleasure?" He chuckled, resting his hand on the desk.
"I'm here to pick up the book I bought from here. I actually have the gift-ee with me now," He gestured to Rory, "This is Rory. Rory, meet Gertrude Flanner, the best librarian in all of Connecticut,"
"Oh, you flatter me,"
"Only because it is all truth," She smiled, handing over a parcel to Logan.
"There you go," She smiled at Rory, "Enjoy dearie," Logan walked out, Rory following behind him.
"So, what did you get me?" Rory asked in a flippant manner, but inside she was bursting with excitement. He smiled, handing over the package.
"Open it," She kept his gaze and then opened up the package, discarding layers of tissue as she got down to the item inside. She nearly gasped aloud when she saw it, the leather bounding, the rich embossed lettering, it was absolutely exquisite.
"Logan,"
"Do you like it?" She looked up at him, eyes wide.
"Of course I like it. Logan...this is...," She broke up, unable to put into words how amazing the gift was. He had given her the first edition copy of Pride and Prejudice. She didn't' know how he did it but he had managed to get it for her.
"I'm glad you like it," She gazed up at him in amazement, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"How did you get this?"
"I bought it,"
"From the library? Is that even allowed?" He shrugged.
"Hey, if you're a Huntzberger anything is possible," She smiled up at him, feeling her cheeks burn, but for once she didn't care. He was so disarming around her, it made her forget that she was an awkward high school student who had only had one relationship which failed terribly. He made her feel like...herself.
"So, you wanted to talk?" He prompted, bringing them back to the reason they had gotten together in the first place.
"Yeah, is there some place that we can sit down?" Logan nodded, taking her to a bench.
"Did anyone famous sit here?" She joked, plopping down next to him.
"Only me,"
"Aren't you modest," She chided.
"So, what did you need to talk to me about? It sounded pretty important on the phone," She looked down at her hands, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"Why did you kiss me?"
"I didn't kiss you," She looked up at him, his tone puzzling her.
"You almost kissed me,"
"But I didn't. If my memory is correct you turned your head," She repeated the motion he had mentioned, turning away so he couldn't see the pain on her face.
"Why did you try?" Her voice was small and weary, not sure if she wanted to hear his answer.
"Why did you turn your head?"
"Would you just answer my question?" She pleaded, finally looking him in the eye.
"Not until you answer mine. Were you afraid? I know that you felt something Ace, I know it,"
"You don't know anything,"
"I was looking right in your eyes Ace, I know what you felt," He put his hand over hers, skin against skin making her body tingle, "I know it because I felt it too,"
"It's too soon," He removed his hand from hers, the movement feeling cold and disappointed from her end.
"How long?" She looked up at him, his words ringing in her head.
"What do you mean?"
"How much time do you need? I'll wait for you, weeks or months, I'll wait,"
"No, I won't do that to you," She replied, shaking her head in refusal. He took her hands in his, wanting to convey how sincere he was, how much he meant his words.
"Ace, you're something special. I've never met anyone like you before, ever. You're different, and...you make me feel different. I'm willing to wait for you. However long it takes, I'll be here when you're ready," She slowly retracted her hands from his, the simple motion tearing her up inside. All she wanted to do was lean into him, feel her head securely against his chest, his heart beating beneath her brown curls. Instead she was pulling away, doing everything her heart was yelling at her not to. She would not make him into a rebound though, she couldn't do that. Just as he had told her that she was special, so was he. Everything about him was important to her and she couldn't let their relationship turn into something as poisonous as a rebound, it would hurt her even more than leaving him now.
"Okay," She said softly, noticing his features relax into an easy smile.
"Good," Against her will he pulled her into a hug, all the while she was using every ounce of strength within her to not wrap her arms around his neck and press her lips to his.
"I'm going to go," She breathed out with much effort, pulling herself away from him.
"Bye Ace," She nodded before walking off, the warm air blowing against her face, drying the newly formed tears that had streamed down her cheeks.
"He said he would wait for you? That is adorable-no beyond adorable," Lane gushed, looking through the aisle of Doose's. They were walking through Doose's, picking up food for the town meeting, "You get everything. Life is so unfair," Rory smiled.
"He looked so amazing, just sitting there. And he looked at me, I mean really looked at me. I've never been looked at like that before,"
"So, when are you going to end both of your miseries and agree to be with him?" Rory sighed, grabbing a bag of marshmallows from the display. She saw the meager attempt at an artistic display and could tell whose work it was. Dean. Just the thought of him strengthened her resolve to wait.
"I'm still waiting," Lane picked up a bag of twizzlers, the red packaging bright and cheery.
"Your mom likes the strawberry ones, right?"
"Yeah, she thinks the cherry ones taste like medicine,"
"Uh huh, so when are you going to end this waiting?"
"I don't' know. How long is the rebound period?" Lane shrugged, tossing a box of pop tarts into the basket.
"It depends on the guy, length of relationship, intensity of relationship,"
"Dean Forrester, one year, pretty intense," Rory ticked off, contemplating each factor, "I am so screwed,"
"What?"
"According to all of that my rebound is going to be too long, like, Tolstoy long! By the time it's over Logan will have moved on and then the whole waiting thing was really for no point. Case and point, I am screwed,"
"He'll wait,"
"You don't know that," Lane sighed at her friend's stubborn attitude, facing her with a stern face.
"Fine, then make a set amount of time and alert him of it,"
"Like, a date?"
"Yes, pick a month, day, time, and let him know,"
"It all sounds so official," Rory wearily responded, her face scrunched up with indecision.
"Rory-"
"Fine, one month, in one month I'll date again," With a satisfied grin Lane headed to the check out line, Rory lagging behind her. Once in line Lane turned to her, eyes twinkling.
"See, now wasn't that easy?"
Lorelai slipped into Ms. Patti's studio, already hearing Taylor's booming voice a block before. She was late because of work, some demonic bride making her stay late to ensure that she would indeed get Easter lilies for her reception and not any other kind of Lilly. The bride wouldn't let Lorelai go until she had a typed contract signed by Lorelai saying that if there were no Easter lilies that the entire wedding would be on the Dragon Fly Inn's tab. Needless to say, the lady would get her Easter lilies. Lorelai looked at the sight around her, the place in more of a disarray than usual. Taylor's face was flushed, his nose inches away from Luke's. Chaos encompassed the studio, townspeople yelling, Babette angrily pounding her hands on the chair in front of her as Maury helplessly pleaded for her to "cool down". Lorelai moved over to Rory who immediately handed her a twizzler.
"The town's gone mad," Lorelai marveled, biting of a bit of twizzler.
"I know,"
"What is everyone yelling about?"
"Taylor's canceling the Pick-A-Basket event,"
"What?" Lorelai looked at Taylor who was basically pinned against his podium by Luke, "Then why is Luke over there?"
"Luke wants it to take place,"
"You can't be serious,"
"I am, Luke is on our side,"
"Are you sure he isn't just doing it to get Taylor pissed?"
"Nope, he actually wants it to take place,"
"This is weird," Lorelai muttered, watching Luke storm off back to his seat.
"I know, it-"
"Wait, ssshhh, the next part of the meeting is going to begin. I hope it's good," Taylor shakily straightened up, facing his highly irritated audience.
"Okay, on to the next matter of business. Now, I've noticed we've had some visitors in our town lately. I believe that everyone has noticed,"
"I didn't' notice," Gypsy called out. A few other people mumbled their agreement, a buzz of chatter filling the room.
"Okay, so not everyone noticed. Anyway, I noticed and something bothered me. While I highly encourage tourism in Stars Hollow, there are things we want and things we don't. This man I saw was driving around our town gawking at our sights and attractions,"
"Sights and attractions?" Luke grumbled, sarcasm evident in his tone.
"Yes Luke, we do have many sights and attractions in our town, such as the Old Fashioned Soda Shoppe, and-"
"Don't blow your own horn Taylor,"
"Anyway, he was clearly up to something,"
"Taylor, where are you going with this?" Lorelai complained, popping a marshmallow into her mouth.
"All I'm saying is to be careful of who you bring into this town, Rory," Her head shot up, confusion clouding her eyes. What was he talking about?
"Taylor, once again I ask, where are you going with this?"
"That young man that keeps coming here, I know that she brought him here. He was up to something, he was definitely casing the town," Lorelai shook her head in amazement.
"Logan? Logan was dropping her off, not casing the place,"
"Lorelai, I own a grocery store, I know what casing looks like. Your own daughter was caught-"
"It was an accident!" Rory said loudly, not liking the whole corn starch debacle being brought up, especially because of what happened with Dean.
"Right Rory, you leaving with a clearly unpaid for piece of merchandise in your hand was an accident,"
"This is ridiculous!" Luke spat, joining in with Lorelai and Rory against Taylor.
"Excuse me?"
"Why would someone case Stars Hollow. There's nothing to steal besides your groceries and Babette's garden gnomes,"
"I carry very high quality grocery items," Taylor countered.
"Give it up Taylor. Rory wouldn't' bring anyone bad into the town!" Babette yelled, smiling widely at Rory.
"She did bring that Paris girl here, though," Ms. Patti countered, shooting an apologetic look at Rory. Having enough of it, Rory stood up looking around her to catch everyone's attention.
"Listen, Logan drove me home, that's why he has been here a lot. We are friends, and yes, he may be coming here more," She spun her head towards Taylor, shaking her head in irritation, "He was not casing Stars Hollow, he doesn't need to steal things, believe me. Now, can we please either move on or end the meeting?" She plopped down onto the seat with a sigh, tired and fed up.
"Alright," Taylor said in a defeated tone, "I guess that ends our meeting,"
"Wait, there's one more thing," Lorelai said, standing up.
"What now?"
"I heard that you were not having the Pick-A-Basket this year,"
"Yes, you heard correctly. Funds just are not working out this year, meaning that the event will not work out,"
"I'll do it this year. We can have it at the Dragonfly Inn," Taylor shook his head.
"No, no, no, I always run that. You can't do it without me,"
"Well, if you won't do it how else are we supposed to have it?" Ms. Patti asked, smiling at the prospect of still having the annual event.
"You won't be able to get it all done. It's very complicated,"
"I think I can handle it," Taylor sighed, shaking his head.
"Fine, but don't expect me to help you," Lorelai shrugged with a smile.
"That's fine by me," She turned around to face the townspeople, a triumphant smile on her face, "Everyone, the Pick-A-Basket auction is going to take place at the Dragonfly Inn! Get your baskets ready!"
A/N: I hope you liked it! Please Review!