A/N: Hello everyone! I am very excited to share this chapter with you. I think it turned out pretty well. Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen: He's a Sleeper

"Did you ask him yet?" Tristan asked, falling into step beside Rory as she made her way to one of her classes. She didn't repond and he repeated the question.

"I'm not deaf, Tristan," she said irritably. "I'm just choosing not to answer."

"I'm assuming that you didn't because, trust me, you would have an answer if you did."

"Why are you doing this?" She asked, shaking her head. "Do you enjoy trying to ruin my life?"

"Mary, believe me, I am not trying to ruin your life. If anything, I am trying to save yourself from ruining it."

"Well, you can stop."

"No, you see, I was told to pursue my civic duty more after I left military school. You, Rory Gilmore, fulfill this civic duty."

"You're disgusting."

"No, I am looking out for you," he corrected. "When have I ever steered you wrong? I said from the beginning that your Dean was a red-necked hick, and look how right I ended up on that front."

"You don't know anything," she hissed.

"Oh, did I hit a chord?"

"Things have changed since you've been gone Tristan," Rory said icily. "One thing is that I don't have to listen to your rants anymore. Logan and I are in a good place and you will not change that."

"I might not, but other things definitely will. Here, do me a favor and just ask him. If he tells you and you are okay with it, then I will let it be."

"I doubt that," she muttered.

"But I have a feeling that even someone as forgiving as you will not be too quick to forgive and forget for this."

"Tristan-"

"Just ask about Amy, and if you don't want to ask Logan then ask Honor. She knows as much as him."

"Good bye," she said flippantly, moving past him. He had affected her, though, and she could feel it in her nerves. She felt it when a migraine pulled her eyebrows together and when she flinched as the teacher called Amy Halloway in attendance. She didn't want to admit that she was bothered.

But dammit, she was bothered.

*********************

"You're going to a dinner with Shira Huntzberger's parents?" Lorelai repeated, watching Rory fastidiously go through her closet.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I was invited."

"Does this mean that you are finally moving out of your rebellious mother's shadow?"

"No," Rory said, turning around with a dress in hand. "Logan's mom wants someone to take the attention off of her. She doesn't get along with her parents. What do you think of this dress?"

"Too Mayflower," Lorelai told her. "You can show a little of your collarbone."

"I want to look respectable," Rory explained. "It's a big step for me to be meeting his grandparents, motives put aside."

"Of course," Lorelai said, moving to the closet. She pulled out a dress that Lorelai had bought her a few months back and said, "Wear this."

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me, I am the Stacey London of this town, wear it."

Rory grinned and placed it on her bed.

Lorelai watched her moving around the room nervously, picking up a book here, a shirt here, and casually asked, "So, any headway on the pause?"

Rory shook her head. " Tristan won't let me forget it."

"What is he saying?"

"He says to ask Logan about an Amy and if I don't want to ask him, to go to Honor."

"Babe, just ignore him. He is poison, straight poison."

"I know."

"He's enjoying his new freedom and unfortunately that enjoyment has collided with you."

"I know."

Lorelai put an arm around her daughter's shoulders and said, "Don't think about it too much. Just go and have fun."

Lorelai felt Rory's shoulders rise and fall and then her daughter said, "I'll try."

*******

"I despise this house," Logan muttered as they pulled into the Huntzberger's driveway.

"It has nice landscaping," Rory offered weakly.

"Yeah, to cover everything else not nice about it." He sighed and got out of the car, walking around to open the door for her. "I would just like to apologize in advance for anything that takes place tonight."

"You seem to be apologizing in advance a lot lately," she noted, taking his hand as she stood up.

"Well, you've been meeting my family a lot lately."

"That's very true."

Logan looked at her oddly and asked, "Ace, is everything alright?"

She nodded but avoided his eyes. "Of course, why wouldn't it be?"

"You're acting weird."

"Nerves," she said softly.

He sighed and pulled her into him, bringing his lips to the top of her head. He tenderly murmured into her hair, "They are going to love you, Ace. Luckily, they are not as judgmental or plain mental as my parents. They will love you."

When she didn't respond as enthusiastically as he expected he gently took her chin between his fingers so that she was forced to look at him and murmured, "Ace, you have nothing to worry about."

When she thought of what she was going to ask Honor, she questioned that.

There was a lot she was questioning.

"Let's go in," she said, taking his hand in hers and dropping them to her side.

"That's the spirit," he said with a small grin.

The door was answered by a nervous looking maid, and the faint smell of smoke made Rory's stomach curl.

Why did she always see Shira Huntzberger when she was stress-smoking?

Logan felt her tense and said, "Believe me, the smoking has nothing to do with you."

"More company!" Honor trilled, rushing over to hug her brother. She looked at Rory and said, "Thank God you're both here. This night is moving at a tortoise speed."

"Slow and steady, sis," Logan answered easily.

"Not when Mom has already went through a pack of cigarettes."

"That bad?"

"Well, Dad isn't here, so yes, I would say that bad."

"Oh," Logan replied and the tone of his voice caught Rory's attention.

"Is that bad?" She asked softly.

Logan turned to her and explained, "My dad doesn't really see them as worthy people to spend his time on. They rank just below us kids. Anyway, my grandma does not like that."

"She's already started on the dog walking story," Honor added.

"We better get in there, Ace," Logan said quickly, his hand going to the small of her back. "And remember, they will love you."

Rory swallowed hard and allowed him to lead her into the room.

"Every day I would walk those damn dogs!" An elderly woman said, her voice hoarse. "Every day I would drag myself out and walk dogs that were probably eating more than I was. Did I complain? No. Not even when those damn critters made me break out in hives. I did it all because I had to put you through college. I-"

"Oh look," Shira said shrilly, "Logan is here."

"Hi Grandma," Logan said, moving over to give her a peck on the cheek.

"You look more and more like your father," she told him. "What a shame."

"And Rory," Shira pressed, "you should meet Rory, Logan's friend."

"Girlfriend," Logan corrected, "Rory is my girlfriend."

The same woman who had been ranting moments earlier looked at Rory with such adoration that she felt her chest constrict a bit. "Well, Rory dear, come here and give Grandma a hug."

"It's a long one," Logan whispered as he handed her off and she didn't understand until his Grandma went to hold on to her for a good five, six seconds, patting her back a bit for good measure.

"It is just wonderful to meet you," she enthused.

"Well, thank you Mrs.-"

"Gertie, call me Gertie."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Gertie."

Gertie grinned and gestured to her husband as she said, "I would have you go hug my husband Carl, but I don't think I trust him with a looker like you."

"Alright, alright," Logan said, chuckling, "I think Rory has had enough time in the spotlight."

"Nonsense, a girl can never have enough time in the spotlight," Gertie said, leaning forward. "Besides, this is the best time in her life to be in the spotlight. She's young, pretty, still has a perky little chest, what-"

"I think we got it, Gram," Logan said, patting Rory's arm.

"Dinner is served," a maid announced.

"Thank God," Shira muttered. "Everyone, let's head to the dining room."

"So Rory, what do you do?"

"Well, I go to school," Rory began.

"Oh, we know that," Gertie retorted. "What are you good at?"

"I-"

"And notice I said what you are good at, not what you are interested in. I could really give a rat's ass about what someone is interested in. Interests lead nowhere, skills do."

Rory nodded slowly, "Um, yes, I write for the paper. I plan on becoming a journalist."

"Rory is one of the leading writers on the Yale Daily News," Logan added. "If she keeps doing so well I think Dad might give the company over to her instead of me."

"That would be an upgrade," Carl joked and Rory looked at him a bit oddly because he hadn't spoken up until this point and she found it odd that his first major utterance would be a slightly degrading joke. Honor turned her head to the side slightly and whispered, "He's a sleeper."

"Clearly," Rory whispered back.

The brief exchange reminded Rory of what she needed to speak of with Honor and it made her arm jerk a bit, knocking into a full water goblet. Only a few drops of water sloshed over the side but the entire table noticed.

"Ace?" Logan asked softly as Gertie said, "You've got a live one there, Logan."

"Rory, is everything alright?" Shira asked with a tight smile. She clearly hadn't counted on her distraction causing trouble and Rory nodded quickly.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just, um, tired. That's all."

"Usually ones movements become slower when one is tired, not spastic," Carl joked.

Again with the not-funny jokes.

Rory gaped at him.

The food came and they ate in relative silence after Rory nearly toppling over the water goblet. As Gertie made obvious glances at her, Rory began to understand why Shira was not fond of her parents.

"So, Rory, where are you from?" Gertie asked.

"Stars Hollow," she answered.

Gertie's grin widened and she said, "So you're from the sticks, like us."

Rory didn't know how to respond, and ironically, Shira saved her.

"Rory is actually a Gilmore."

"Didn't your family come on the Mayflower?" Carl asked.

Rory was nearly as surprised by this innocuous question as she was by his inane jokes.

"Yes, they did," she answered.

He nodded appreciatively.

"Terrible conditions," he said.

She nodded, not entirely sure what he was referring to. Gertie noticed the blank movement of her head and said, "The boat, dear, the boat."

"Of course I was talking about the boat," Carl answered. "What else would I be talking about?"

"The Gilmores?" Honor offered.

"Honor," Shira gasped. "Mind your manners."

"Like you ever do," Honor said under her breath.

"I'll be right back," Shira said hurriedly, standing and leaving the room.

"I understand that apology now," Rory told Logan quietly.

"Is there dessert?" Honor asked the maid as she timidly took her plate.

The maid shook her head.

"Well, then I'm off," Honor announced. "I have a case I need to prepare for tomorrow. Law school never lets its' students rest."

Rory watched Honor kiss her grandparents and felt a gnawing fear as she stepped out of the room.

She had to ask Honor about Santa Barbara because she had to know what happened but she knew that she would never ask Logan and as she watched her only hope leave she felt a paralyzing fear that she had missed her chance. In a near fit of panic, she jumped from her seat and went after Honor.

"Your sister forgot her cardigan," Rory made up and as she went after Honor she heard Logan say, "Honor didn't have a cardigan."

"Honor," Rory said, catching up with Logan's sister. Honor turned to her and smiled.

"Can I help you?"

Never good with tact, Rory blurted out, "What happened in Santa Barbara?"

Honor's face drained of color and she quickly said, "Nothing, Rory, nothing."

"I know something happened. Please, just tell me."

"Nothing happened," Honor insisted, rubbing her neck uncomfortably. "Logan went there for Spring Break and nothing else."

"Who's Amy?" Rory pressed.

Honor paused. Another damn pause.

"I don't know."

"You paused," Rory accused, feeling her control slip. "You paused which means that you had to think about your answer, which means that you do know who Amy is-"

"Rory, I really do have to go work on my case."

She turned but Rory grabbed her arm.

"Rory-"

"Honor, please," her voice turned thick as she pleaded, "I just need to know. Please, let me know."

Honor sighed and told her, "Talk to Logan."

"I already did. He said it was nothing."

"Then I can't help you."

"But-"

"I'm sorry, Rory. Good bye."

She watched Honor leave and felt the lump in her throat growing.

"Ace?"

"We need to talk," she said upon turning, taking his arm and pulling him to his father's office.

"We shouldn't leave my grandparents alone," Logan protested. "My mother is bound to attack them with her Dunhill lighter."

"This is important," Rory insisted, shutting the door firmly behind them. "I want to know what happened in Santa Barbara and now."

He exhaled loudly and it made her chest hurt. "Rory, I told you, nothing happened."

"Tristan said-"

"Are you really listening to Tristan?" Logan asked. "Rory, come on."

"Then tell me what happened. Prove Tristan wrong."

"Nothing happened," he articulated. But the way that his eyes didn't stay with hers made her nervous and she noticed a slight film of perspiration on his upper lip which every good tv show tells you means the person is lying and before she could stop herself she blurted out, "I know about Amy."

This time Logan did more than pause.

"Did you hear me?" She pressed.

"Tristan told you," Logan said in a defeated voice.

"Only her name," Rory admitted. "Tell me the rest. I need to know the rest."

She watched his shoulders slump and he moved over to his father's desk, sinking into the plush seat. He looked like he wanted to be swallowed whole by it.

"Logan-"

"I met Amy when I was there on Spring Break three years ago. I was seventeen and stupid."

"Nice alliteration," she said softly, not knowing what else to say.

"We were only there for a week, but a week was long enough for me to, well, get to know Amy."

"What do you mean get to know?" Rory asked nervously, already feeling the inevitable truth closing in on her.

"We slept together."

Rory felt something crack in her chest as she said, "Ah, so biblical knowing."

"We only slept together once, the night before I left, and then I didn't see her again, not for a year. I didn't even know she had tried to contact me until my father's lawyer called me, asking me if I had been in contact with an Amy during my Spring Break. I told him that I had and he informed me that this Amy was insisting that the father of her four month old child was none other than me."

Rory felt her entire body go numb as Logan continued his story. Mitchum had arranged a DNA test and it had been confirmed that the child was Logan's. She felt her stomach turn when Logan described how Mitchum had paid off Amy, giving her five million dollars in exchange for keeping the child's paternity a secret. When Logan had finished his story, Rory was trembling so terribly that she had to back up to the wall to keep from falling.

It disgusted her.

All of it disgusted her.

"Rory," he pleaded, his eyes trying to find hers.

She refused to look at him, though. She would crumble if she did.

"Rory, say something."

"That's terrible."

"I should have been more careful," Logan lamented softly, looking down at his hands.

His words struck a chord and she replied, "No, Logan, I'm not bothered by the fact you knocked some girl up. Let's face it, I'm the product of that same situation." She felt her voice rise as she continued. "What bothers me is the fact that the entire thing was paid off so that you could go about your life like nothing had happened."

"Rory-"

"I can't even begin to understand how you people can just use money to right all of your wrongs."

"You people?" Logan asked, his voice dark. "Don't separate yourself, Ace. You're the same as me."

"No, I'm not," she insisted. "I would never do what you did."

"I was seventeen. I was in no shape to be a father."

"And you think that girl was?" Rory shot back. "I saw singlehandedly how difficult it is for someone to raise a child on their own."

"My father gave her more than enough money to give that child a nice life."

"Money doesn't fix everything, Logan," Rory told him, shaking her head. "That money isn't his father. A child needs a father."

She felt tears drip down her face and she wiped them away angrily.

"I was seventeen, Rory. I was in no shape to be a father."

"That's no excuse."

"I would have messed up the kid or something."

"No, you wouldn't have. You're his father. He would have thought you were fantastic no matter what. Do you know how many times my dad let me down? How many times he didn't show up when he said he would?"

Logan shook his head.

"He did it a lot. And you know what? Every time he did show up, I loved him even more than the last time."

"That's you, Ace. Not everyone is as forgiving as you."

"Well, he sure as hell won't forgive you now that you have practically sold him."

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, looking at her for some answer. "What do you expect me to do?"

Even in her agitated state she knew there was no easy answer. "I don't know."

Logan sighed. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

She nodded, feeling her anger ebb.

"I really am sorry."

"Could you take me home?" She asked, sniffling.

"Yeah."

"What were you two up to?" Gertie asked bawdily as the two stepped from the office.

"I'm going to take Rory home," Logan said, ignoring her comment.

"You're leaving already?" Gertie said to Rory, frowning. "I hardly got to talk to you."

"Well, you'll be seeing her again," Logan said, glancing at Rory for her reaction. She had looked down at her shoes.

"Well, I damn well hope so. Take care, Rory."

"You, too," Rory answered quietly. "Good bye."

Neither spoke on the ride home and Rory found it both fitting and unsettling. She didn't really trust herself to speak in her current condition, just the thought of what he had done made her tongue itch, but the fact that he wasn't speaking made her uncomfortable. He didn't say anything until they pulled in front of her house.

"Are we okay?" He asked softly, staring at the steering wheel. "I know I made some mistakes, but everyone does Ace. I was young and stupid."

"I know," Rory said.

"I don't want this to come between us."

"I need time," Rory said after a moment.

He nodded.

"I just, I need time to accept all of this."

"Okay."

Despite what she had said, she felt an overwhelming urge to stay in the car and had to force herself to move her hand to the handle, pull, push, and step out of the car. Logan was looking at her with those sad eyes that she had seen the night that he had found her after the Dean incident and it made her entire body go cold. She went to lift her hand in a small wave good bye but felt it was too inappropriate and dropped it halfway through.

He wasn't even looking, though.

Her feet brought her to the front door of her house and then her hand pulled the door open and those same feet brought her into the house and into the arms of her mother, fat tears rushing down her porcelain cheeks.

"What happened?" Lorelai asked hurriedly, the initial stiffness of her body giving into her daughter's weight.

"Everything is so messed up," she sobbed, snot staining her mother's Don't Hate, Forensicate t-shirt.

It was one of Lorelais favorites and she felt an irrational guilt for unintentionally blowing her nose in it.

"I'm sorry," she said, wiping her nose on the back of her hand.

"Hunny, what happened?"

All she could manage was, "Logan."

"Oh sweetie, everything will be okay."

She wanted to believe her mother but she couldn't help feeling that this was the beginning of the end.

The beginning of a very messy end.

A/N: Thoughts?

Now, I don't mean to beg for reviews or get on my figurative soap box, but last chapter had over 600 hits and only 12 reviews. This story is almost over (expect two or three more chapters) and I really want to get as much of your feedback as possible. I absolutely love reading all of your thoughts on this. Therefore, if you are reading, REVIEW.

Okay, off my soap box :-)