A/N: An update in less than a week? It's unheard of! Haha. Hope you enjoy this one :-)

Chapter Thirteen: You Vacation in Peoria?

The Martha's Vineyard weekend had ended without much more hoopla and it even seemed that Logan's parents were beginning to like her by the time she was on her way back to Stars Hollow. Logan had been perfect, as always, but she found herself questioning this perfection. She wondered how many girls he had used each line on. How many lips had touched the ones that left a hot trail on her collarbone? She hated questioning what they had. They had worked hard for it and the fact that this questioning was prompted by a callous comment on Tristan's behalf did not help matters.

She was beside herself by the time she returned to her living room in Stars Hollow.

"He paused," she told Lorelai, gnawing on her bottom lip. "Should I be worried?"

"How long of a pause are we talking about here? Was he taking time to breath or creating an escape plan? There is a difference."

"Um, I don't know," Rory said. "Maybe a cross between the two?"

"How are things between you two? Did something happen while you were there?"

"No, it was perfect. Well, until Tristan came."

Lorelai pulled her feet under her and carefully said, "Rory, I know that you are upset right now, but you may want to consider where this knowledge you acquired came from. This is Tristan, Ror."

"I know."

"That kid's mission in life was to make your life living hell."

Rory sighed. "I know."

"Maybe he's just doing this to mess with your head."

"But he paused."

"He had to take a long breath," Lorelai reasoned.

"I'm being ridiculous, aren't I?" Rory said after a moment. "Logan cares about me."

"He does."

"What does it matter what happened in Santa Barbara?"

"If anything happened," Lorelai pointed out.

"Exactly, I don't even know if anything happened. I'm just making a lot of problems out of nothing."

"Ah, you're rationalizing," Lorelai chirped. "That is a good sign."

"I don't care about what happened or didn't happen. The Logan I know now would never do anything and that is all that matters."

"You have a pretty strong argument there," Lorelai said, rubbing her back supportively.

"Thank you."

"Why don't we go to Luke's now? We'll get some coffee, start a philosophical discussion on the origin of a pause and just have a grand ol' time. What do you think about that?"

"I like the coffee part," Rory offered.

Lorelai grinned and slung an arm over her shoulder, giving her a little squeeze. "Then coffee it is."

"Two cups of coffee and bowl of your dazzling charm, please," Lorelai drawled, shooting Luke a wide grin.

"Was that really necessary?" Luke asked, pouring them both cups of coffee.

"Has that ever stopped me?"

"Good point," he answered gruffly. "Here's your coffee."

"Hey, we should get Luke's opinion on the pause," Lorelai offered. "It would be good to get a guy's opinion."

"You think so?"

"What are you talking about?" Luke asked, adding, "Why do I always ask that question when you are here?"

"Okay, hypothetically speaking, you are with your girl friend-pretend you have one- and she asks you if you have been to some vacation spot. You know you have been there. How would you answer?"

"Is this a trick question?" Luke asked, not understanding.

"Okay, let's act it out," Lorelai suggested. "I will play your girlfriend."

"Great," he scoffed.

"Oh, now don't look too excited, Sparky. Okay, Luke have you been to Las Vegas?"

He answered immediately. "No."

Lorelai blinked for a moment and said, "Luke, um, you were supposed to say yes. This will only work if you say yes."

"I haven't been to Las Vegas."

"Fine, where have you been?"

"Peoria."

Lorelai stared at him with her mouth dropped open. "Peoria? You vacation in Peoria?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?"

She straightened in her seat and answered, "Absolutely nothing, um, Luke, have you been to Peoria?"

"Yes," he said without hesitation.

"I guess that's your answer?" Lorelai said to Rory.

"I'm overreacting," Rory said, shaking her head.

"Is there trouble with Logan?" Luke asked.

"No, there is no trouble whatsoever," Rory said obstinately. "Everything is fine."

"You know, I never liked him," Luke continued. "I didn't like the look of him."

"Me either," Kirk said suddenly.

"Do you even know what we are talking about, Kirk?" Luke asked irritably.

"Um, no, I just thought I would join in. I thought you might need someone on your side."

"No thanks, Kirk."

"Look, Logan and I are fine," Rory said, ignoring Kirk as he said, "Oh, Logan."

"We care about each other and that is all that matters."

"That is never all that matters," Kirk said solemnly. "If that was the truth then why does my mother keep kicking me out of the house?"

"I don't think I want to answer that question," Lorelai said.

Rory's phone buzzed and she pulled it out, relieved to see Logan's number. She opened it up and stepped out of Luke's, feeling herself calm at the sound of his voice.

"How are you, Ace?"

"Good, I was just at Luke's."

"How many cups of coffee have you had?"

"Only one," she answered with a grin. "We haven't been there long. Anyway, how are you?"

"I miss you. I liked having you to myself all weekend."

Her chest tightened as she told him, "I miss you, too."

She felt silly then for ever doubting him. He was so genuine in his affections that she found Tristan's words to be as false as they were ill wishing. He had been trying to sabotage their relationship, plain and simple. He would not win, though. Her and Logan were a united front and she refused to let Tristan break that.

"What are you doing now?" She led.

"Nothing."

"Want to share some of Luke's coffee?"

"I cannot believe this," Paris snapped, appearing beside Rory at her locker. She looked at Paris and raised an eyebrow for her to continue. "He's back."

"Who's back?"

"Look," she said irritably, jutting her chin out. Rory looked behind her and took a sharp inhale when she saw Tristan Dugray leaning against locker. He smirked when he caught her looking and gave a small wave.

"Tristan's back."

"His father let him come back because of his good behavior at military school." She shook her head. "Didn't anyone learn anything from Al Capone?"

"So, he's back for good?"

"It seems that way." Paris frowned and lamented, "This year cannot end soon enough."

"I'm with you," Rory answered, watching Tristan walk past them. "I'm with you."

Rory stepped out of school and clutched her books to her chest in surprise when she saw Logan leaning against his car, a cocky grin in place. She hated to reinforce that grin by running to him, but before she could stop herself her feet began to shuffle and she was in his arms.

"Happy to see me, Ace?"

"What are you doing here?" She asked, grinning when he brushed his lips against her cheek.

"I thought I would take you out."

"Don't you have work to do or something?" She asked worriedly. "I don't want you to fall behind at Yale because of me."

"If anything, you make me study harder," he insisted. "I want to be a good role model for when you come."

"If they accept me," she pointed out, rebalancing her books.

"Here, let me take those," Logan said, taking the books from her. "And Yale would be stupid not to accept you. Besides, didn't your grandpa go there?"

"Yeah."

"Then you are pretty much a shoo in."

"Oh, thanks," she said dryly.

"That should calm your fears," he insisted, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Not only do you deserve Yale, but your family has a history there."

She half-smiled and admitted, "That does sound pretty nice."

"Yeah, much better than Harvard," he said with a haughty sniff.

She laughed and told him, "You only don't like Harvard because you wouldn't be there."

"I'm not worried," he said easily. "I heard Harvard guys are unattractive."

"Hm, really?"

Logan smiled but she watched it dim as he noticed something over her shoulder. She looked back and frowned when she saw Tristan.

"What's he doing here?" Logan spat. "Is he stalking you now?"

"He's back," she said simply. "His parents let him leave military school because of good behavior."

"Didn't anyone learn anything from Al Capone?" Logan said in a low voice.

"You know, Paris said the same thing," she said in an effort to lighten the mood.

Logan smiled slightly and told her, "She's not half bad."

"You're only saying that because you clearly share thoughts," Rory teased. "Next thing I know you'll be going on about how you want to be a Puff."

He looked down at her and said, "A what?"

Giggling she pushed away his question with a flit of her hand and assured him, "It's not important."

"Well, are you ready to go?"

She nodded and he gallantly opened the door for her which made her giggle. As he climbed in next to her he commented, "You have not dated enough chivalrous men if their opening a door for you makes you giggle."

"Maybe I'm just a giggler," she shot back innocently.

He looked at her and stated, "You, Rory Gilmore, are not a giggler."

"How do you know that?"

"I can just tell," he replied.

"That's some talent you've got there," she noted. "You should be studied."

"Think your Mom would mind if I stole you for dinner?"

"Probably not," she said. "As long as we bring her back some form of dessert."

"Good, then my plan continues."

"Your plan?"

"Ace, do you know what today is?"

She looked at him blankly.

"It's been four months since we first met on that bus to Yale."

Rory blushed, looking down at her hands. "Wow, I feel kind of bad that I didn't know that."

He patted her hand and assured her, "I can remember for the both of us. Anyway, I thought we should celebrate."

"What are we doing?"

"That I cannot tell you. It's a surprise."

"This better not be one of those surprises where my body is found in a forest a week from now," Rory said point blank.

"Oh please, with my connections the body would never be found."

Rory snorted and conceded, "Good point."

"Not to purposely change the subject, but," he paused, "I am going to purposely change the subject."

She chuckled and said, "Go on."

"Did I tell you that my mom got a call from her parents?"

She shook her head.

"They informed her that they want to come over for dinner this week. Immediately after the call my mom took a mysterious looking pill, pulled out her contraband cigarettes, and told the maid ot begin pulling out all the crosses."

"That should be an interesting dinner," Rory noted.

"Yeah, and, well, my parents wanted me to invite you."

"Really?" She asked in surprise. Although the weekend had furthered her relationship with the elder Huntzbergers, it had not solidified any actual fancy from their side. In fact, Shira had still said some biting comment about Lorelai before Rory had left. It seemed odd that they would suddenly be asking her to dinner.

"I won't candy coat the invitation," Logan began, seemingly reading her thoughts. "I'm sure my mom is only doing this to have the attention off of her. Still, though, I'd like you to meet them. They really are fun people."

"I'd love to come," Rory answered. "Maybe your mom will like me better after dinner. I'll be serving a purpose greater than the girl ruining her son's future."

"If anything, you are making it better," he assured her. "And my mom does have a knack for liking people better after she has used them in some manner. You're spot on, Ace."

"Can you give me a hint at where we're going?" Rory suggested. "You could still keep it a surprise but appease me with a little clue?"

"You really don't like surprises, do you?"

"I guess I am a bit partial," she answered with a grin.

"Fine, Elvis."

She stared at him.

"Elvis? Please don't tell me we're driving all the way to Graceland."

Logan chuckled. "Not even if you paid me, Ace."

"Okay, so my clue is Elvis," Rory said soberly.

"Yes."

"Costello or Presley?"

"Presley."

Logan glanced at Rory who was gnawing her bottom lip in thought and chuckled. "Ace, how about you let that brain of yours rest for a bit and then you can figure it all out when we get there."

"Fine."

"Trust me, though, you're going to love it."

"I'd better, otherwise it'll be your body found in the forest."

"I love it," Rory trilled, standing with Logan in an old 1950s diner. "I had no idea there was one of these around here."

"I know, I saw it about a week back and knew I had to take you here."

She looked at him and couldn't help but smile. It dimmed when she thought of how she had doubted him, doubted them. He noticed her slight grimace and touched her cheek with his fingertips lightly.

"What's going on with you? You've been acting so odd lately."

"Nothing," she raised on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his. "Thanks for remembering today."

"You're welcome."

The host led them to their table and Rory pushed any doubts, any thoughts about that damned pause, from her mind. This was their dinner and she would not let Tristan Dugray pervade it.

He approached her when she was at her locker putting away books. It was just like before he left, his frame resting cockily on the locker next to hers. He had a look in his eyes that made her feel that he had seen her naked or something.

"What do you want, Tristan?" She asked pointedly, not in the mood for his games.

"Have you asked your boyfriend about Santa Barbara yet?"

"No," she said immediately, shutting her locker. "There is nothing to ask about."

He rubbed his jaw and retorted, "That's not entirely."

"Listen, Tristan, you are not going to sabotage my relationship. I am with Logan. I lov-"

She stopped herself before she said it, her cheeks reddening.

"You what, Mary?" Tristan asked in bemusement. "I hope you weren't going to say that you loved him."

"What if I was?" She shot back.

"Well, I would say that you were making a terrible mistake. So, you really haven't asked him about Santa Barbara."

"Tristan, I think we established that."

"You really should. Mention Amy," he said offhandedly.

Rory was nearly shaking with agitation and she balled her fists tightly against her thighs, inwardly ordering her voice to not tremble. "Good bye, Tristan."

She walked off, but not before she heard Tristan call out, "I wouldn't tell him you love him, Mary, not until you know the truth."

A/N: And the plot thickens, haha. Next chapter will be up before the end of the week. And just so you know, I am planning on only a few more chapters. The whole mystery of Santa Barbara will be revealed next chapter, too. So...start getting excited :-)

Please review!