Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls.
Chapter Five: A Perfect Fit
"The senior edition of The Franklin will be out soon. All of us need to be on task and responsible for this issue. Not only is it the most read issue but it is also the one that people remember the most," Paris drilled, walking like a drill seargent (not surprisingly so) back in forth in front of the lowly staff writers of the Franklin. Louise snickered at her last comment, flippantly raising a perfectly shaped eye brow.
"Wow, that's surprising. Our most read issue is the msot remembered," Paris stopped, spinning to face the person who had dared speak against her.
"Excuse me Louise, do you have anything to add?"
"No Paris, I mean sir," Madeline giggled next to her, raising her hand for a high five. Louise oblidged with a haughty grin, turning her head to give an arrogant look to Paris.
"Anyway, let's get back to the issue. There is no time for dawdling and no time for excuses. If you are not going to work hard and timely then you can just leave," She paused, waiting for any intimidated writers to exit. A few did, rushing out to avoid any last scathing remarks from Paris. Once she was sure that everyone else was in for the long run she continued, "Alright, I assume you all are ready to work. I'll pass out the stories now. Madeline, you'll be covering the seniors on the wrestling team. Louise, you'll be interviewing our valedvictorian, who...oh that's funny, the valedvictorian is me. So, you'll be interviewing me," Louise scoffed, grudgingly nodding. Rory waited for her story, hoping to get something juicy, something interesting. She hadn't had many hard hitting stories and hoped that Paris would have some mercy and give her something other than interviewing the head of the football team. Anticipation mounted as Paris turned to her, a smug smile forming.
"Rory, oh Rory Gilmore, can you really believe that we're seniors already? I remember when you first came here, a littly country bumpkin in the jungles of Chilton. I really thought you would leave after a day,"
"Paris, just give me my story,"
"Wow, someone's in a hurry. Do you have some cows to milk? Or is that Lorelai's job?"
"What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?"
"You were born,"
"Ah, well I'm sorry. I'll have to work on that,"
"Yes, you'll be covering the head of the chess team. I figured that would be right up your alley," Rory stared at her, not able to believe what she had heard. She was one of their best writers and was given the head of the chess team?
"Paris, come on, you know I'm better than that,"
"What? Are you above doing a simple interview? Last time I checked, a journalist should be grateful for any story she gets,"
"The head of the chess team?"
"I could give you the swim team,"
"Chess is fine,"
"Or how about the literary magazine. I'm sure that there would be some award winning quotes from their head person,"
"Chess is fine," Rory stated again, voice firm. Paris smiled, the gesture looking twisted and odd on her sharp features.
"Perfect, have it in by Tuesday,"
"Fine," She stalked out, reminding herself the entire way out that in two weeks she would never have to see Paris again. That was the only thing that kept her from turning around and slapping Paris hard across the face. She almost wished it hadn't stopped her.
"It smells good in here," Lorelai said cheerily, walking over to Sookie. She smiled, nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, I just finished baking my basket," Lorelai smiled, looking at her friend in wonderment.
"You baked your basket?"
"Uh huh, I made it out of foccacia bread. It should be delicious,"
"Do you think it could beat your pretzel basket?" Lorelai teased with a smile.
"It already has. This bread is amazing,"
"Well, make sure to find me after bidding and let me have a taste,"
"Are you making a basket?" Sookie asked, crafting her basket carefully.
"Nah, I'm kind of running the entire event,"
"I know that. It doesn't mean that you can't make a basket though," Lorelai shrugged, pouring herself a cup of coffee. She dropped in a dollop of cream, it quickly dissipating in the dark liquid.
"Sookie, there's no point in me making a basket. Who would buy it?"
"There could be some cute new guy in town. You never know,"
"Sookie," Lorelai blanched.
"What? It could happen. What's to say that someone new wouldn't show up?"
"The fact that if Ms. Patti didn't scare him away there would be five other crazy people to make him run out. While we may love the lunacy of our town, strangers are not too fond of it," Sookie giggled, nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right,"
"Lorelai, Luke is here for you," Michel said stuffily, immediatly leaving after his message was delivered.
"Uh, thanks," Lorelai called out, shaking her head, "I swear, it's as if he's afraid of me,"
"No, he just doesn't care. Hey, maybe he could buy your basket," Sookie offered with a grin.
"Michel?"
"No, Luke," Lorelai laughed, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Are you serious? It's Luke,"
"He fought for this festival,"
"Yeah, not for buying rights of my basket. Besides, I don't have a basket, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember," Lorelai smiled, walking out. Luke was waiting in the foyer of the inn, hands shoved in his pockets.
"Luke,"
"Sorry I was late. Cesar messed up a couple of orders and I had to go and fill them. I swear, that guy is just-"
"It's okay," Lorlelai interrupted, smiling at him, "I'm always late so I'm used to it"
"Yeah, I guess I forgot about Gilmore time," She smiled, nodding.
"Yeah, so, did you bring your stuff?"
"Oh," Luke picked up his tool box from the floor, "It's all here,"
"Good," She directed him to the stage in one of the reception rooms, walking behind him, "Thanks for doing this. Usually I would have called Bill, but he couldn't come until right before the Bid-A-Basket thing started and that just made me too nervous, and I didn't-"
"You're rambling,"
"Oh, sorry," Luke smiled.
"That's okay, I don't mind doing this. Cesar was driving me crazy anyways,"
"Oh yeah, right,"
"So, what's going on with this?"
"It's rickety and since people are going to be standing on it I'd rather it not collapse underneath them,"
"Alright, I'll fix it," Lorelai sighed a breath of relief, smiling.
"Thank you, amazing, you are just amazing," She walked off, finding her daughter waiting for her at the front desk. Doing her mother proud by harassing Michel.
"I just need the conjugation for one verb," Rory said, doing her best bambi eyes.
"I do not have time for your incompetence. I am very busy,"
"You don't look very busy,"
"Silly little girl, what are-"
"I really don't think that eighteen is little. I could be a stripper at eighteen, little girls are not eligible to strip-at least not legaly,"
"Rory," She smiled at her mother, doing a little wave.
"Hey mom, how's everything going here?"
"Great, we're almost ready. Have you made your basket yet?" Rory nodded, pulling it out from underneath the desk.
"Yeah,"
"Anything edible in it?"
"About 50, the other half is pretty much all fillers," Lorelai smiled.
"Good girl,"
"So, what is the count down now?" Lorelai smiled, looking at her watch.
"It is officially one hour and ten minutes until the Bid-A-Basket begins,"
"This sucks," Lane lamented, sitting with Rory in the Bid-A-Basket room, people bustling with baskets and chatting amicably.
"Lane-"
"No, do not try to unsuckify this. It's not even possible. My cousin is going to buy my basket. I need my cousin buy my basket,"
"No, you're mother is forcing it,"
"I'm pathetic,"
"Well, I don't know if anyone will even buy mine. At least you have someone,"
"My cousing, Rory, my cousin," Rory sighed, leaning her head against the wall. Lane followed suit, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Have you talked to Logan?"
"Yeah, he's going to wait for me," Lane shook her head, a small smile on her lips.
"You so get everything. Even if no one bids on your basket you have this amazing college guy waiting for you. It's crazy,"
"I know, it's complete madness," Lane's head snapped forward, her eyes feasting on someone she knew Rory would not want to see.
"Well Ror, you're basket may have one taker," Rory looked in the direction Lane's head was turned to and groaned.
"Not him,"
"I can't believe he had the nerve to come," Rory looked at Dean, feeling herself become nervous. She couldn't forget the last time they had spoken, how out of control his rage had made him. She knew that it wouldn't happen again but he still made her uncomfortable. For all the great times they had that one isolated moment overshadowed all of them. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lorelai. She walked to the microphone, tapping it briefly before talking.
"Okay, hello everyone. I am Lorelai, but you probably already know that. Today is our annual Bid-A-Basket, which I am running for the first time. I hope that I do a good job,"
"You're doing great hunny!" Babette called out. Lorelai laughed, nodding.
"Thank you Babette. Now, our first basket-ee is Sookie St. James. She is a world class chef and her basket is sure to be a delcious taste sensation. Bidding will start at ten dollars,"
"Ten dollars!" Jackson called out, smiling at Sookie.
"Okay, we have ten dollars,"
"Twelve!" Jackson spun towards the voice, feasting his eyes on Kirk.
"Kirk, what are you doing?"
"I'm bidding,"
"Why?" Kirk shrugged.
"It's what you do at an auction. I am merely keeping with the spirit of the event," Jackson scowled, shaking his head.
"No, cheering at a football game is keeping with the spirit of an event. Bidding against someone's boyfriend for his girlfriend's basket is entirely different,"
"I am-"
"Twenty dollars!" Jackson interrupted, nodding exuberantly at Lorelai to close the bid.
"Uh, we have twenty. Going once, going twi-" Kirk interrupted her, raising his ballot.
"Wait, I-"
"Sold!" Lorelai chirped, smiling at Jackson and Sookie, "Sold for twenty dollars. Enjoy your lunch kiddos, and make sure to save some of that bread for me," Sookie smiled.
"Thanks Lorelai,"
"You're welcome, I'm used to playing Kirk deference,"
"No," Lane complained to Rory, seeing that she was up next, "I don't want to go,"
"It won't be bad,"
"My cousin Rory, my cousin is going to buy my basket,"
"No one else knows that,"
"Rory, everyone knows everything here," She smiled sheepishly, nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right. They practically knew about Logan before I did," Lane smiled.
"And next we have Lane Kim!" Lane grimaced, standing up. She shot one more glance at Rory, her mouth slack with a heavy frown.
"I hate my life,"
"In her basket are some delicious treats, I'm sure. We'll start the bidding at ten dollars,"
"Ten dollars," Lane spotted her cousin and sighed, resigned to the fact that her cousin would buy her basket and that in the future she would probably be married off to some Korean doctor who didn't speak a word of English.
"Fifteen!" She stared at the man who had spoken, her mouth agape. She recognized him, she had definitely seen him before. He was wearing a wrinkled argyle sweater with a worn oxford shirt peeking out at the collar and at the hem. His jeans were well worn and she noticed with glee that he was wearing Chuck converses.
"Twenty," Her cousin's voice brought her from her daze and she immediatly began praying as hard as she could that the mystery boy would win. She looked at him with pleading eyes, smiling to urge him to bet more.
"Twenty five!"
"Thirty!" The man paused, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out his wallet and rifled through it, clearly counting bills.
"Forty five dollars and...," he looked through the change, counting out each penny, "sixty seven cents," She glanced at her cousin who had visibly paled. He was out of money. She knew that look and it was the look of fear that any Kim family member got when they knew they would have to disobey Mrs. Kim.
"Anyone else?" Lorelai prompted, smiling a bit wider than usual. She knew of Lane's opposition to being set up with cousins and was glad to see she'd have a little adventure.
"Alright, sold for forty five dollars and sixty seven cents. Enjoy your lunch!"
Rory sat anxiously, picking at the shreds of wood on her wicker basket. Truth be told, she was nervous. She had no idea who would buy her basket. She knew that Dean was out there and that worried her. What if he bought it? What would she do? She couldn't very well say no. When her mother announced her name she grudgingly walked over, eyeing the crowd wearily.
"Alright, bidding for the lovely Rory Gilmore's basket will start at ten dollars. Any takers?" There was silence for a while, everyone waiting for someone to make the first move. Just when Rory believed that all hope was lost a bid rang through the air.
"Ten dollars," She knew that voice. Once she had heard it was was unable to forget it. She looked into the crowd, seeing the familiar leather jacket, the messy blonde hair. Logan had come. She didn't even know how he knew about the whole event, but he had come.
"Alright, we have ten dollars. Any other bids?" Rory prayed that no one would speak, the prospect of spending an entire afternoon with Logan filling her with excitement. She caught Logan's eye and he winked at her, a trademark smirk in place. She felt her breath quicken and forced herself to take control of herself. As much as she wanted to fling herself at Logan she had made a pact with herself to wait. She had promised herself one month and she would hold to it.
"Anyone?" Lorelai prompted again, looking at the bustling audience, "Alright then, ten dollars going once, going twice, sold!" Logan walked over to Rory, his swagger drawing stares from the townspeople around him. Guys like him did not usually show up in Stars Hollow. People were paying special attention to him, especially after Taylor's attack of him at the town meeting.
"That's him," Babette told Ms. Patti in a loud stage whisper, gesturing animatedly at Logan. Ms. Patti nodded in approval, her eyes traveling their usual route: from the bottom up.
"Oh yes, Rory has exceptional taste,"
"Yeah, he's a cutie patootie," Logan put his hand on Rory's back, leading her away from the crowd.
"They're all talking about me," Logan told her, greeted by a knowing smile.
"I thought that you would be used to that," She teased.
"But they're very 'circus freak' about it," Rory laughed, shaking her head.
"Logan, if anything we're the 'circus freaks'. We like it though, just call me the bearded lady,"
"So, what's in that basket?" He gestured to the wicker basket, its oversized cover teetering precariously as they walked.
"Well, there's some poptarts, and old Halloween candy,"
"Hm, what type of candy?"
"Skittles and M+Ms, I think," He nodded.
"Well, the M and Ms will be fine but the Skittles will just be disgusting," Rory smiled at his analysis.
"I'm sorry, my basket is pretty pathetic,"
"Good thing I only paid ten dollars,"
"I'm worth more than ten dollars," Rory scoffed with a smile. His hand found hers, fingers lacing between her slender ones.
"Yeah, you are," Rory stopped, gently removing her hand from his.
"Logan, we talked," He sighed, a tired smile replacing the usual smirk.
"I know, one month,"
"I don't want you to be a rebound," She clarified again.
"So, you're not one of those girls who holds hands without a commitment, huh?" Rory shook her head, smiling.
"If you think everyone's gawking now, they see us holding hands and people will get out their binoculars,"
"Binoculars?"
"Yeah, there's really not much to do in Stars Hollow," Logan smiled.
"Well, seeing that there is nothing edible in your little basket, should we go out?" Rory resumed walking, Logan quickening a bit to catch up with her.
"We have pop tarts," Rory said with a smile when he arrived at her side. Logan nodded thoughtfully, clasping his hands behind his back to stop himself from grabbing her hand again.
"Yes, we do. But what type are they?"
"Strawberry," Logan clicked his tongue, head shaking.
"See, I'm allergic to strawberries and according to the packaging real fruit is used," Rory looked up at him with a smile.
"You're allergic to strawberries?"
"Deathly, one taste and I blow up like a balloon,"
"Well, I wouldn't want you to blow up at all, it would give your ego competition,"
"Ouch," His tone was playful and she smiled, turning away from his intoxicating features.
"So, then I guess that we do have to go out. I do have one stipulation though," Rory said.
"And what would that be?"
"I need to pick where we go," Logan glanced at her.
"Was my last pick not satisfactory?"
"If you remember correctly, the last dinner we had ended quite badly. It was extremely bad, Watergate bad,"
"Watergate bad? Now don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?" She ignored him.
"Seeing how terrible that night was I feel that it is impertinant that I pick the restaurant," Logan sighed, a look of mock exasperation on his chiseled features.
"Fine," She smiled, leading the way to the only place possible for their little rendezvous. Logan followed, commenting now and then on the quaintness of the town, the weirds stares. She nodded, pretending to listen, but all she could hear was her heart, a rampant beat filling her ears with such a thud that it nearly hurt. His effect on her was astounding, and really not in a good way. She felt all clammy and her legs felt as if they were going to buckle beneath her. Every step she prayed that her legs would sustain just one more. A quick glance at Logan assured her that he was quite fine. He walked with his usual swagger, leather jacket hanging casually on his muscular frame.
"Here we are," Rory announced, stopping just short of the door to Luke's. He gazed up at the sign, eyes scrunched.
"William's Hardware?"
"No, it's Luke's Diner-"
"Ace, I'm pretty sure I can read and the sign says-" She stopped him with a hand to his mouth, feeling herself blush at her forwardness. She quickly retracted it, putting on a smile to cover up her shock.
"Trust me, this is the best diner in town. The burgers are amazing," He sighed, following her into the diner.
"I hope you're right. Otherwise I have dibs on the next restaurant,"
"Believe me," Rory began, sitting down at a table, "when it comes to food I am rarely wrong," Logan smiled, sitting opposite her.
"So, burgers huh?" She smiled, nodding.
"Yeah, burgers,"
"Wow, there is not one edible thing in here," Dave remarked, looking up at Lane with a look of surprise. She shifted awkwardly, nodding.
"Yeah, it probably wasn't worth your forty five dollars and sixty seven cents," He chuckled, running a hand lazily through his curly black hair. It was close to his head, but it was just long enough to form messy curls.
"Yeah, the basket probably wasn't. This is though," He gestured to Lane and himself and she blanched, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Are you kidding me? I'm Mrs. Kim's daughter, I...I go to church more than once a week, I'm not worth much,"
"Quite to the contrary," Dave affirmed, smiling warmly at her, "I think you are quite cool. I know that you have your own band, you know just about every group on the rock scene, and as for the church thing, don't sweat it because I go once a week myself,"
"Really?"
"I swear to God," She smiled, looking away.
"So, you really wanted to have lunch with me,"
"Yes,"
"This isn't some elaborate joke?"
"No,"
"Some stupid bet like in "She's All That"? Although, I didn't get a major makeover so if you planned on using that one, you missed one pretty important step and-"
"Lane, I wanted to go on a date with you," She stared at him, eyes wide.
"A date?"
"Yeah, I have wanted to ask you out for a pretty long time. I just never had the nerve to ask you. I figured this Bid-A-Basket was the perfect opportunity. I wouldn't have to ask you to your face and I'd still get to spend time with you," Lane was silent, staring at him in complete awe. Her ears were ringing, unable to process the words he had just said. After several moments of silence she swallowed hard and spoke, her voice shy.
"I would've said yes," Lane said, smiling shyly, "if you asked me, I would have said yes," Dave grinned leaning back on his hands.
"Well, then I guess I'll have to ask you again, just to test out this whole 'saying yes' thing,"
"That sounds like a great idea,"
"So Lane, would you like to go out with me now? I think unless we get some real lunch we're both going to starve," Lane laughed, nodding.
"Yes, lunch sounds perfect,"
"Okay, are you ready for the most mind blowing burger you have ever tasted?" Rory prompted, both her and Logan having their burgers in front of them. A delicious aroma wafted from them, tickling their noses.
"Ace, can we just eat them?" She shook her head, eyes wide in surprise.
"Logan, this is your first time having one of Luke's burgers. We cannot rush this. Rushing this would be like rushing through someone's first Melville. It is unthinkable,"
"Do you always make literary references?"
"What? Do you need an explanation?" Logan frowned, looking down at the burger.
"Okay, now what do I need to do before I can eat this?" Rory smiled, looking down at her own burger.
"Alright, first you must take in all of the wonderful sights. Notice the perfectly proportioned servings of fries and the burger. I hate when the burger is too big and you don't have enough fries or vice versa. Luke is great at that, everything is balanced,"
"Okay, good balance, got it,"
"Now, smell it,"
"Smell it?" Logan looked up at her, a smirk in place.
"No smirking Huntzberger, now smell it," He sighed, lowering his nose to his meal. Rory followed suit, taking in the grilled aroma.
"Aaaahhhh, doesn't that smell delicious?" Logan nodded.
"Yes, now can I please eat it?" Rory laughed, leaning back in her chair.
"Fine, you can eat your burger,"
"Thank you," He picked up his burger, taking a large bite. Rory watched him as he chewed, swallowing slowly.
"Wow,"
"I'm right, huh?" Rory asked with a smile.
"Wow, this burger is good, really good,"
"I told you that I am rarely wrong about food,"
"You definitely get to pick the next place," Rory took a bite of her own burger, chewing slowly. She knew that she had to set some perameters here. She needed to have some distance between her and Logan over her month of singleness otherwise she was going to go crazy.
"Logan," He looked up at her, attentive.
"Uh oh, I don't like that tone,"
"I need some space, we need some space,"
"I know,"
"If this one month thing is going to work I can't see you everyday. I'm going to go crazy,"
"Me too," He sighed, putting down his burger, "but I don't want to stop seeing you,"
"It'll be easier that way,"
"Are you sure?" She shrugged, a headache beginning to set in.
"It has to be easier than this,"
"Alright, after today I'll give you your space," With a nod she returned her attention to her burger. Taking a heaping mouthful with the hopes that the incessant presence of food in her mouth would hinder her ability to speak to Logan, she began to chew.
"Rory!" She looked up, suddenly cursing the now ground beef in her mouth. She struggled to swallow, wincing as the not fully chewed meat slid unwillingly down her throat.
"Hey Lane, Dave," She smiled a bit wider at the latter, shooting Lane an approving look.
"I see you have burgers, great choice," Lane commented, shifting awkwardly next to Dave.
"Would you like to join us?" Logan asked, gesturing to him and Rory. His partner immediatly began nodding, embaressed by her own ignorance of not asking them first. They were her friends after all, well, at least Lane was.
"Yeah, Lane sit down, you too Dave. Sit, sit!" They sat down, filling up the four edges of the square table. She watched Logan chat amiably with Dave, spouting about the latest Britain rock group as if it were his undying passion. Lane gently elbowed her in the side, dropping a napkin on her lap. She saw the scrawled message and read it.
They sure seem to fit perfectly in our lives, huh?
Rory glanced at Logan and Dave, and nodded, smiling at Lane, "Yeah, they sure do,".
A/N: Alright...I am so sorry that this took forever to come. I could list a million excuses but the truth is that I was just plain lazy. Anyway, it's here now and I hope that you liked it! Please review! I want to know if this story is going to right direction...