Author Note: Thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing!
Characters do not belong to me.
Logan's inner thoughts are in italics.
On Monday morning, Logan rolls out of bed far sooner than he would like. He takes a quick shower, then begins packing his bag.
Rory hears him and lifts her head from her pillow. "Nooooo."
He comes over to sit beside her. "I know, but I'll be back soon. Three weeks. Ish. Okay? And we're getting so close to Christmas."
"Oh, I can't wait. Thirteen uninterrupted days with you. But are you sure you can't come back next week too?" she asks.
Logan laughs. "Well, the Brits take Thanksgiving as an affront, so I'll be working. But just remember, the sooner I can finish all my projects, the sooner I can be in New York full time."
"Okay, fine. But if you're going to leave me alone on Thanksgiving, the least you can do is come back to bed for a minute," she says.
"Ace… You're naked. You know if I get in there with you, I'm not coming out for an hour, and I have a plane to catch." She pouts until he relents. "Fine, but all of my clothes stay on, and keep your hands to yourself, Rory!"
He toes off his shoes, then slides back into bed to spoon with her, desperately trying to ignore her body and how badly he wants it.
She sighs against him. "I'm really sorry about yesterday. We lost so much time together."
"I know, baby. I'm sorry, too," he says, kissing her hair. "But our time apart is almost over, and we made it."
"How pissed do you think Mitchum and Shira are that three thousand miles wasn't enough to keep us apart?" she asks.
"You know, I think my dad has come around. He realizes that one of the reasons I'm doing so well at HPG is your influence. My mom… Well, she may never come around, but lucky for you, I don't care what she thinks," he tells her.
Rory looks back at him and smiles. "Lucky for me." She turns in his arms until they are facing, and she snuggles her head into his neck.
He breathes her in for a minute, running his hands along her bare back until he reaches the curve of her hips, and he can't contain his body's reaction. Rory reaches her hand down in between them and gropes over the bulge in his pants.
"Ace…" he groans. "I have to go," he says, even as he simultaneously thrusts towards her.
"You're not exactly pushing me away," she whispers as she nibbles on his earlobe.
Fuck it. There's got to be a later flight.
He pulls her on top of him, causing her to giggle. "Fine, but only once," he laughs.
It does feel odd to Logan the next week when no one mentions Thanksgiving. He has been trying to explain to his friends in London why it is such a great holiday, but he can't explain much more than food and football.
Later on the phone with Rory, he asks her "What is it about Thanksgiving? Mentally, I know it's just another day, but emotionally, I don't know how I am supposed to work. I don't know if I can handle Thursday without turkey, cranberry sauce, and the Lions losing."
"I think it's just the traditions that are so ingrained in us," she says. "I mean, we could eat turkey every day, and some people watch football every weekend, but it wouldn't feel as good as it does on Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, I don't like it."
"Poor baby. If I could wrap up Sookie's meal and send it, I would," she says.
"I know… Let me tell you, at Christmas, we are eating Christmas food. American Christmas food. I don't care that it's just the two of us," Logan says.
"Oh… Actually, I promised my mom that I would save Christmas for her."
"What? You'll be here, right? You're still coming? Right?" he asks frantically.
"Of course," she says. "But Mom and I always do Christmas with each other, so we're just going to put it on hold until I'm home, and we're physically together."
What the hell?
"You can't be serious," he says.
"Um…"
"Ace. We are decorating a tree. We are drinking eggnog. We are eating turkey. I'm giving you a gift. Lorelei is just going to have to deal with it."
Rory is quiet.
"Baby. Come on. I have been planning this trip since May. Are you really going to deny me Christmas?" he asks. He lays it on a little thicker. "I'm already getting shorted Thanksgiving."
"Okay, fine," she relents. "But if my mom asks you, just say you've converted to Judaism or something."
"Done. Shalom."
Three days later, a package arrives at his apartment. It is a can of cranberry sauce with a note that reads:
Eat Thursday, or save until Hanukkah with me. Love, Rory.
He decides to save it.
Two weeks after Thanksgiving, Logan flies into LaGuardia. He has a quick meeting in the city with Pete, and then he drives his rental car to New Haven as fast as he can.
He grabs Thai takeout and heads to their apartment. He opens the door to find Rory on the couch watching TV.
"Oh, wow," she says, getting up to hug him. "You got here so fast!"
"I couldn't wait to see you," he says laying a kiss on her lips. "I brought dinner. You hungry?"
"Starving."
Of course.
He heads into the kitchen, noticing boxes all over the countertops.
"What is all this?" he asks.
"I'm moving, remember?" she says.
"You already found a place? I was hoping you'd change your mind and stay… If this is about what I said about rent-"
"It's not."
"-you know I didn't mean it. And you're comfortable and safe here. And moving is such a pain in the ass," he finishes.
"Yeah, about that. Can you help me move tomorrow?" she asks with a smile.
"Tomorrow? You're really doing this? I can't talk you out of it?"
"No. I have to go," she says adamantly.
"Fine," he groans. "I have to work, but I can help you in the morning. So where is this place? Did you get a roommate?"
"Uh… Two actually."
He frowns. "Who are they? Do I know them?"
"Actually, you do… I'm moving back in with Paris and Doyle," she says, hiding her face behind a carton of noodles.
He stares at her for a moment. "No. No, absolutely not."
"What- are you forbidding me?" she asks, putting the noodles down.
"Rory. This is not some caveman bullshit. You know I don't do that. This is about… Well, number one, it's not safe there. At all. And number two, Paris is completely unstable. What if she kicks you out again?"
"Logan, everything will be fine."
"You can't just indulge me here?" he asks.
I'm practically begging.
"I can't, sweetie. My feminist sensibilities won't let me be a kept woman any longer," she jokes.
"You know at some point, you are going to have to get comfortable with the fact that I have a lot of money. And so do you, for that matter," he tells her.
"Yes, but that point is not coming today," she says.
The next day, they load up her car and his rental with boxes and head to the other side of town.
Doyle meets them downstairs with a kiss on the cheek for Rory and a friendly hug for Logan. Despite his overt dorkiness, Logan has always had a soft spot for Doyle, and he has to admit, he feels better about Rory living here knowing that it won't just be her and Paris.
It's not like I'm counting on Doyle to protect her from drug dealers. Paris is actually more suited for that. But hopefully, he can protect her from Paris.
"Thanks, Doyle. It should only take a trip or two," Rory tells him.
Logan glances at her to see if she's joking.
It only took a couple of trips at my place because we have an elevator there.
She seems serious, so he just shakes his head and pops his trunk. He grabs a couple of boxes, and heads up the stairs. "Same room?" he calls back to her.
"Yes, just pile it all in there," she says.
The boxes are heavy, and he is starting to get tired. Why didn't we hire someone to do this? She has got to stop being so weird about money.
They take a break to get water, and Logan poses a question to Rory. "Is there any time while I'm here this week that we can look at apartments in the city? Honor has done some scouting and there are three she wants me to look at. I just don't want to choose anything until you get to see them."
"Maybe. It depends on when you go. I have some papers due. Does my opinion really matter?" she asks.
"Of course. I mean, obviously I'm hoping you'll be spending a lot of time there. Maybe even live there after your graduation," he says.
"I don't know if her opinion should matter, Logan," Doyle says. "She's choosing to live here over your penthouse."
"He's making a good point, Rory," Logan says, laughing.
"Guys, quit fucking around. Let's go. We can't leave Rory's stuff on the street for too long," Paris shouts.
Thanks for reminding me of the exact reason I don't want her here.
They all sigh and head back out the door.
They are finally making the last trip, which of course is another heavy box of books. He gets it into the apartment quipping "My God, woman. Is there a book you don't own?"
"I'm so sorry," she apologizes.
"I think I may have reactivated my scoliosis," Doyle comments, bringing his box into the bedroom.
"Suck it up, people. That was the last of it," Paris barks.
"So much for one trip," Logan chides her.
"Who knew I had nine trips worth of stuff?" she asks.
We did, when we moved it this morning. Selective memory.
"Your place is so big, it made my stuff look small and inconsequential," she continues. "Did I mention I'm so sorry?"
"Two copies of the Norton Anthology?" he says, pulling them out of a box.
"They were gifts," she explains. "I can't get rid of gifts."
Paris re-enters the room nearly bumping into him as she plows through. "Okay, looks like all that's left to do now is the paperwork," she says.
"Paperwork?" Rory asks.
"The lease," Paris says.
Oh, this should be good.
Logan listens with a grin as Paris stream rolls Rory into signing the agreement. He is pulling books out of boxes when he hears his name.
"Rights and privileges of Logan Huntzburger or any other paramours?" Rory asks.
Other paramours? Who are these other paramours?
"If Logan is going to be spending an inordinate amount of time here, it's only fair to assess a daily tariff for water and power use," Paris says.
Sure, why not? Apparently I have to make sure that I am the only paramour here.
To his amusement, Paris explains how she will come up with this number, adding that "Sunday is no charge."
He grins. "It's okay. I'll kick in, Paris."
"Thattaboy, Rockefeller."
Logan checks his watch and sees that he will be late if he doesn't leave right then, so he heads toward his girl.
"Alright, I better take off."
"Oh no. You just got here, and we spent the whole time moving," she says.
"Why don't you come in on Thursday? I've got to wine and dine some clients, but you should join us. It'll be fun. We'll rack up an obscene bill at Nobu and charge it all to my dad," he suggests.
"Oh, I can't. Its Lucy's twenty-first birthday on Thursday. We're throwing her a big party. I was hoping you'd be able to come," she says.
"I can't. Nobu."
"Nobu, schmobu," she jokes. "It's a college party. Don't you miss college parties? Our theme's 2002!"
2002?
"Why?" he asks.
"Just because. Why, what's your theme?" she asks.
Logan laughs. "Contracts."
"Ugh, boring. 2002's so much better. Just bring your clients, and we'll let them tap the keg."
"Rory!"
"Come on. It's a 2002 party, right? In 2002, you were a college freshman. You would have been completely bored by businessmen and thrilled to go to a party thrown by three hot senior girls," she says.
I'm still bored by businessmen, and there is one hot senior girl I have a hard time saying 'no' to.
"It's all very tempting, but I have to go," he says reaching for her waist.
"I know," she pouts.
"I love you."
She kisses him sweetly. "Love you, too."
He turns to leave. I am going to be so late.
He pats Doyle on the back and scoots out quickly. As the door shuts behind him, he hears Paris yell "I'll put you down for half a day, Logan!"
Jesus Christ.
Logan races back into the city to start a full day of work on the merger. He is exhausted at the end of the day, but can't wait to call Rory when he gets back to Honor's place.
"How great is it to be in the same time zone?" Logan asks her. "How was the rest of your day? Did you get all settled in?"
"I did. Thank you for helping me. And I'm so sorry about Paris. I can't believe she wants to charge you for being there," Rory says.
"Hey whatever it takes for her not to kick you out again, I will do."
"And thanks for not fighting me too hard on this. I know it's not where you want me to live," she says.
"It's not," he agrees. "But I know when you've made up your mind, and it's only for a couple of months, right?"
"Yeah, yeah," she says absently. "When are you looking at apartments in the city?"
"I have to do it Thursday morning. That's the only time the realtor has available, and I have to find something if I'm going to move in January. Do you think you can come?" he asks.
"I doubt it. I have class in the morning, and then I promised Lucy and Olivia that I would help them set up for the party," she responds.
Something is off.
"Is everything okay?" he asks her. She wants to help me pick an apartment, right? I mean, surely she cares where I live.
"Yes, I think I'm just tired from all the moving today. Can I get back to you in the morning? Now that we're in the same time zone and all?" she asks.
"Of course. I love you." Calm down. She is only passing because she has prior commitments.
"You too."
Honor is waiting when he comes out of her guest room. "Ready to go to dinner?" she asks. "We have a lot to catch up on! I'm so glad we have a couple of days!"
Logan gears up.
Here we go. Yes, Rory and I are great. Yes, we are excited about my moving to New York. Yes, I am going to propose, but I don't know when yet. Yes, I have my eye on a ring. Yes, I will keep you in the loop. Yes, I'm sure she will ask you to be a bridesmaid…
The next couple of days fly by. Nobu is a triumph, and Logan is feeling successful, yet slightly hungover, when he heads back to New Haven on Friday morning.
Pete has flown back to Scotland for the week so Logan actually has a little free time, and he knows exactly how he wants to spend it. He immediately heads to Paris's apartment, trying to ignore the new graffiti on the side of the building.
Rory opens the door to him, still wearing her pajamas.
"You don't look good, babe," he tells her.
"I'm hungover," she bemoans. "I need a shower… and some food."
"Me, too," he laughs. "How about you share your shower, and I'll take you out for tacos and a coke?"
"Sounds good. But I'm probably too tired for sex right now in case you thought shower was code for something else."
"No, I got you," he says. He laughs. "Though I probably wouldn't turn down sex if you were offering."
Later as the hot water runs over them, Rory leans into him and says "I'm so glad you are coming home for good. Now we can have lazy moments like this without feeling like we are wasting precious time."
"I know. I missed all this mundane stuff just as much as I missed the big stuff," he says, kissing her forehead. "Feeling better? You about ready for tacos?"
"Actually," she says turning off the shower, "Maybe we could eat in the dining hall?"
"Why would we do that?" he asks.
"Well, it's free. I mean, it's already been paid for on my meal plan, and I have rent to pay now, and…"
"Rory," he sighs, grabbing a towel. "I can buy you a taco."
"You can buy me lots of things, Logan. I just need to feel like I'm equal, contributing to this relationship," she explains.
"Where is all this money stuff coming from? Because I've always had it, and it's only been the last month or so that you have been so concerned with it," he says.
She pulls a shirt over her head and sits down on the bed. "I don't know. It's just a feeling I've had lately. And I promise it's not about our fight. I think… I'm seeing how my dad is changing now that he has a lot of money. And how that's changing my mom. Their dynamic is just different now, and I don't want that to happen to me. To us."
Logan nods his head in understanding.
I don't really understand, but whatever she needs to feel comfortable, I will have to do.
"Okay, to the dining hall," he says, dropping his towel and pulling on some boxers.
As they pull up to campus, Logan takes in the buildings, the quad, the students milling about.
Wow, I did not realize how much I missed this place. Or at least how easy I had it here.
"I need to turn in a paper, and I'm gonna grab some coffee. You want?" she asks.
"No, I'm gonna pretend I'm still a student. Get a paper. Not go to class. Watch the hippies play hacky-sack," he laughs. "Text me when you want me to meet you in the dining hall."
Close to an hour later, Logan's phone rings. "Hey!"
"Sorry that took longer than I thought. Where are you?" she asks.
"I'm on the bench outside Branford where you used to get coffee."
"Okay. I'll be there in just a minute."
She approaches shortly and leans down over his shoulder to kiss his cheek. "Just like old times!"
He smiles his biggest smile at her, and stands up to take her by the hand. They get in line outside of the dining hall. He leans close to her, and says "We had some good times in here."
"I know. We stole ice cream! And every time I walk past here, I think about you climbing in my window," she says, smiling. "Changed my life."
"Mine too," he agrees.
"Hey, you can come to my parents wedding party, right?" she asks. "My mom needs to pad her guest list."
Logan laughs. "You mean, she's not inviting me because of how much she adores me? I'm wounded."
"Hush. She likes you! And… my family's wedding parties are important history for us."
Logan smiles again. I'm liking all this memory lane stuff. It's crazy to think how long we have actually been together now.
As they reach the door, the smell of the cafeteria hits him hard. "You know, we don't have to eat here."
"Oh, yes, we do. We're on my turf now," she says.
"Your turf?"
"My turf."
"You know, I did go to school here," he says.
"Yeah, you graduated from Yale. You could eat from their cafeteria at least once," she teases him.
He shrugs his shoulders. "I stopped by for the occasional bowl of cereal."
"Yeah, cereal does not count, okay?" she says.
When you eat as much of it as you do, it does.
"You need to get something hot, mushy, and meaty," she continues.
"You're not making it sound too appetizing," he laughs.
"Oh, it's not! I have an extra family pass from Parents' Weekend," she informs him.
"Oh, so when your parents came to visit, they got to eat real food?" he asks.
"Mm-hmm. I'm gonna tell them you're my brother, and that you're gonna get your meal comped," she says.
This is your hang-up, not mine.
"I don't mind paying for my mushy meat," he tells her.
"No," she chastises. "That's not the issue. I mean, I know how to work the system."
She is so adorable, that he can't help smiling at her. "Oh, you do."
"Yeah, you know me. I can be crafty."
Please.
"Yeah, you can be crafty. You can make a necklace out of macaroni, but this is high stakes deception!"
"Well, what's my middle name?" she says in all seriousness. "Rory 'High-Stakes Deception' Gilmore."
They are at the front of the line, and he smiles as Rory tells the cashier that he is her brother.
"Logan!"
Logan looks up to see his old buddy, Evan. God, I haven't seen him since Costa Rica.
They bro-shake, and Evan says "What's up brother? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you moved to London to run the world or something."
"Just back for a visit," he explains.
"My brother went here too," Rory tells the cashier lamely.
"Isn't this your girlfriend, Rory?" Evan asks.
Logan looks blankly at the cashier and then at his girl. "I don't know… Is it?"
She gives up quickly. "I'm a terrible liar."
"Apparently so," Logan says, smiling.
"Hi, I'm Rory," she introduces herself.
"Evan. Nice to meet you."
"You too." She turns back to the cashier. "So, Dennis, how much is a lunch pass?"
"$9.75."
We could have gotten the tacos for less than that!
Logan turns back to Evan. "So you're still with Nicole?"
"Yeah, till I die or she kills me," Evan replies.
Logan laughs. With your wild streak, anything is possible. "Well, give her my best."
"Will do, buddy. Good to see you, Logan."
"You too." Logan says.
"Nice to meet you, Rory," Evan says as he leaves.
"You too, bye!" Rory says in that fake voice she uses when she's embarrassed.
He can't help but tease her. "Smooth!"
"Shut up."
"Way to work the system," he teases.
"You totally left me hanging there!" she pouts.
"What could I do? You were working the system," he says. "In fact, you were working the system so well, I think the system needs a day off."
She ignores his taunts and turns to the servers. "I'll have the chicken, and he'll have the meatloaf, extra gravy," she says.
"Nice." Man, I love her.
They take their plates and are turning towards the tables, when Rory says "Oh, hey! There's Lucy. Lucy!" she calls out.
A cute girl with dark hair comes over from the cereal station. "Hi!" she chirps. "You must be Rory's imaginary boyfriend, Logan."
He shakes her hand and smiles. "Hi, Lucy."
"Hi. I would give you a proper hug, but my pockets are full of Apple Jacks. I have art history in a few minutes, and my professor sounds like Garrison Keillor on Quaaludes. So I need a constant intake of sugar just to stay awake," Lucy says.
I like her. I like that Rory has a friend who is capable of smiling.
"Well, I was just treating Logan to his first Branford dining hall meatloaf," Rory tells her.
"Oh, you're in for a treat… and a stomachache," Lucy says.
"I can tell." This will not help the hangover.
"So congratulations on buying the internet or something," she says.
"Thank you. Although Al Gore and I are still negotiating, so it's not a done deal yet," he quips.
"It's too bad you have class. You could have eaten with us," Rory says.
"Sad. Hey, but why don't we have dinner? I have a lecture tonight, but what about tomorrow night?" Lucy asks.
"Sure," Rory says, right as he agrees. "Sounds good."
"Fun! We have to go to Panchali's. It's this new Indian restaurant right off campus. It's awesome, and I swear, no matter how much food you order, you cannot spend more than seven bucks," she says, with such enthusiasm that he feels compelled to agree.
"Sounds like stomachache number two," he says.
Someone calls to her, and Lucy turns around. "Boyfriend!"
She motions him over, and as the guy approaches, Logan realizes its Marty Jones.
Wow, another guy I haven't seen in ages. I wonder why Ace didn't tell me that Marty was Lucy's boyfriend.
Lucy starts to introduce them, but Logan quickly interrupts. "I know Marty. How you doin' man?"
"Hey," Marty says quietly before shifting his eyes to Rory.
"How do you two know each other?" Lucy asks.
"Uh, we met when I was bartending one of Logan's parties," Marty says.
"What a coinky-dink," Lucy says.
"More than one," Logan says. "He did a couple of blowouts for me, and if I'm not mistaken, at the last one, cops were called."
"Sounds familiar," Marty says.
"You know, you probably met Marty, too, and you just didn't even know it," Lucy says to Rory.
What?
He turns to look at Rory, whose face is blank, but whose cheeks are flushing. She doesn't meet his gaze.
He hears Marty saying he needs to leave, and as Logan looks back to him, Marty is catching eyes with Rory again.
What the hell?
Lucy says goodbye too, and Logan fakes a smile. "Later." He turns to Rory who is also fake smiling.
"Hey, uh, come on," she says, leading him toward a table.
What the hell?
"Is this okay?" she asks him nervously.
"Fine… So what's with that? What's with the whole 'you must have met Marty' thing?" he asks.
She laughs it off. "Oh, I had meant to tell you."
She doesn't elaborate, so he prods. "Tell me what?"
"Um, it's kind of embarrassing," she says, sitting down at the table. "It's so juvenile and lame. It's like high school, not even high school. Junior high."
She's rambling.
"I'm listening."
"Well, I've been hanging out with Lucy and Olivia, and I keep hearing about Lucy's boyfriend, and… they never actually said his name. And then when I finally met him, it was Marty… And before I could even say anything, he just pretended like we've never met… And I just didn't know what to do, so I went along with it, but now Lucy still doesn't know that we know each other… It's just kind of weird and awkward… And did I mention juvenile?"
Something doesn't add up.
"Why did you go along with it?" he asks.
"I don't know. It just happened so fast. I was caught off guard," she stammers.
"So, why would he pretend not to know you?" Logan asks, fairly certain he knows the answer.
"I don't know. I mean, maybe because he used to like me, and maybe he still does a little."
There it is. Well at least she's not completely oblivious.
"But that's stupid," she continues, "because he's with Lucy now, and she's amazing. They're great together, and it's all so annoying. I mean they don't call people by name…"
Logan stops listening for a moment. Is she into him? Why has she not told me any of this? She has been friends with these girls all semester, and somehow it never dawned on her to tell me that Marty was back, and oh yeah, he still likes her?
"So what happened?" he asks, trying not to sound as freaked out as he feels.
"What do you mean?" she asks him.
"Well, he must have said or done something, right? To make you think he's still into you."
"Hmm, I don't know," Rory deflects. "He said I was beautiful. To me, he said it."
Asshole.
"Well, can't blame the guy for that. You are beautiful," Logan says, again trying to stay calm.
"The way he said it," she explains further.
Asshole.
"You're right… So, what? You guys have been hanging out?" He looks up at her, needing a facial expression here.
"No." She seems surprised at his question. "No. I mean, just when he's around with Lucy."
"So you have been hanging out," he presses.
"Just with Lucy," she insists.
"So why the secrecy?" Is there a reason you haven't told me this? Like maybe you're into him too...
"I told you. I was caught off guard."
"No, with me. Why did you never mention that you and Marty were hanging out again?" he asks.
"Oh, I just didn't think it mattered," she says.
"Well, you're just not usually the secret-keeping type," he says. "Of course, that is before I knew you were Rory 'High-Stakes Deception' Gilmore," he tries to joke.
"No, it wasn't a secret. I mean, I didn't tell you. That's it. I swear. I mean, I didn't not tell you. I just didn't think there was anything to tell," Rory says.
That is the definition of a secret.
Logan sighs loudly. "Well, you have to tell Lucy."
"I know," she agrees. "I will. I just need to figure out the right time and way to do it. I just don't want to screw anything up."
"A little brotherly advice- tell her sooner, rather than later." Before Marty cashes in on whatever game he's playing.
"Yeah. I will. I'll figure something out," she says. "We don't have to go to dinner with them though. I can cancel that."
"No, it's fine. We can go to dinner with them," he says.
Why don't you want to go to dinner with them?
I gotta ask. We are supposed to be completely honest with each other.
"Unless there's something on your end," he says, searching her face for a sign.
"No. Logan. God, no."
"Good, then let's go to dinner," he responds turning back to his meatloaf.
"Okay," she says in a small voice.
Shit. I pushed too far. Lighten it back up.
"Really? They charge ten bucks for this?" he says holding up his fork.
"Mm-hmm…" She pauses for a moment. "So have I met Evan before?"
"Yeah, he was Life and Death Brigade the year behind me. His girlfriend is Nicole. You remember her. Her mom is the doctor who helped me out after my accident." Surely you remember me jumping off a cliff because I thought you were cheating on me with Jess.
Always good to end one uncomfortable conversation with a different uncomfortable conversation. Idiot.
"Oh, right. I liked Nicole…" she trails off as the awkwardness takes over again.
They eat in silence for a few minutes, both picking at their food. Finally Rory says "My stomach is just not ready for this. Can we go get tacos and a coke?"
Logan looks up at her. She is wearing the 1000-watt smile he loves, and he feels the tension leave his mind.
She loves me. She chose me over Marty then, and she would choose me now. I'm being ridiculous.
"Yes, please. Let's get tacos."
"Its official, Gilmore. I cannot have any more sex with you. You have worn me out," Logan says, as he tries to catch his breath. Rory is lying on her back, panting beside him.
They have barely left the bed for 24 hours, and Logan is wiped. But it was worth it to remind her how great we are together. She would never have this with Marty.
"I feel like I need a nap, and I haven't even been vertical today," Logan says.
"You're getting old, baby. I was hoping for one more time before dinner," she laughs.
"I must be getting old, because I don't know if I'll even make it to dinner."
"We can cancel," Rory offers again.
"No, I want to get to know Lucy. I like you having a sane friend," he says.
"Shhh. Paris has ears like a bat. She'll double charge you for today!"
"Another reason we should have stayed uptown. And we wouldn't have to get dressed every time we need water. Speaking of, I need water." Logan rolls out of bed and pulls on some clothes.
"Me, too, please. I have to start getting ready to go," she says.
Logan opens the door, peeks his head out and, upon finding the coast is clear, heads to the kitchen for water. He is putting ice in his glass when Paris pops up behind him.
"Huntzberger," she says as she looks at his glass.
"Hey… Paris. Everything okay? You're standing really close to me," Logan says.
"I'm counting your ice cubes for your water assessment."
He purses his lips and watches her intently. A soon as she walks away, he fills his glass and heads back to Rory's room.
"Did I mention that I'm glad you've made a sane friend?" he says, re-entering the bedroom.
He finds her in her bra and panties, standing in front of her vanity.
"Well, I'm not complaining, because you look really sexy, but it might be a little cold out tonight for that," he jokes.
She rolls her eyes at him. "I'm going to put my dress on once I'm done curling my hair."
"Bummer," he says, setting the glass of water in front of her and heading back to bed. He opens his laptop to do one last email check before they leave. He is occupied for the next twenty minutes or so until Rory calls out to him.
"What time is it?"
"6:42. When do we need to leave?" he asks.
"A little after seven," she tells him.
He shuts his laptop and heads in to turn on the shower. Rory still has no clothes on as she applies make-up in front of the mirror.
Well, Marty is no dummy. She is undeniably beautiful.
He walks behind her and puts his arms around her waist, lightly kissing her neck.
"I thought you were so spent," she laughs.
He looks up to their reflection in the mirror.
"I am. But even so… when you aren't wearing clothes, I can't keep my hands to myself," he says. He reaches his hands higher to caress her breasts. He gives her a good squeeze and feels her nipples harden in his hands. He kisses down her neck onto her shoulder.
Rory is watching their reflection. "We don't have time," she sighs.
"I know. But raincheck. I'll be ready again after dinner." He smacks her on the ass before stripping off his clothes and jumping in the shower.
Logan looks at Rory from the driver's side of her car. "Okay, how do we get to this place?"
"Um, head past campus, and um… its right next to that pizza place that Finn loves," she says.
He looks at her closely. "Are you okay? You're fidgety."
"I'm fine," she says, but her body keeps moving, and finally she crosses her legs tightly.
"Are you sure?" He pulls out of her parking lot before looking back to her. "Are you nervous or something?"
His insecurity about Marty creeps back in, and he tries to squash it. She's not nervous about seeing him. She's not hiding anything. She loves me.
"No, I'm fine," she says, but she shifts again in her seat.
At the next red light, he looks over at her again. "Ace."
"Fine," she says, cheeks flushing. "You got me all worked up earlier, and I just need to... move the energy around or something."
A big smile spreads across Logan's face. She's not nervous about Marty. She's so turned on, she can't sit still.
When the light turns green, Logan turns right instead of going straight.
"Where are you going?" she asks. "You need to go straight there."
Logan doesn't answer. He just turns down into campus and pulls into a parking deck. He drives all the way to the top until there are no other cars around.
"What are you doing?" she asks when he puts the car in park.
He unbuckles his seat belt and leans over into her, kissing her hard, sliding his tongue straight into her mouth.
"Logan-" she starts to protest, but quickly gives in when he reaches his left hand down to cup her through her dress.
"We don't have time," she whispers.
"Relax," he whispers back, unbuckling her seat belt with his right hand. "Rory… un-clench," he says, and she finally uncrosses her legs. She slouches down just enough to give him a little access, and he puts his hand under her dress.
He slips his way into her panties. God, she's so wet.
Rory pulls his face back to hers, kissing him deeply and running her hands through his hair. She moans a little into his mouth, and he adds another finger, quickening his pace. She slouches even further and opens even wider. He works his palm right onto the sweet spot, and she can barely kiss him anymore, she's so deprived for breath.
The gear shift is digging into his side, but he doesn't care. He leans further into her, using his right hand to angle her face towards his.
She reaches to kiss him, but he pulls away. "Open your eyes," he whispers.
She does, and he tries to convey all of his feelings through his own eyes. How much he loves her. How attracted he is to her. How he never wants to be separated again.
She is starting to break, and he curls his fingers forward, coaxing her to orgasm. She finally has to close her eyes, and she bites her lower lip. Her body goes limp, and he lays her back into her seat, stilling his hand.
"Better?" he asks, kissing her temple.
She nods, eyes still closed. "God damn, Logan…"
He smirks. There is nothing hotter than making her curse.
"I think there are napkins in the glove box," she whispers, her eyes still closed.
He cleans both of them up and pulls her dress back over her knees.
"Alright! Let's get some Indian food," he says, reversing the car and heading out of the parking deck.
They arrive at Panchali's about ten minutes late, and they rush in to find Marty and Lucy waiting for them.
"We're so sorry we're late," Rory says.
"It was my fault," Logan tells them. "I turned onto the wrong street, and it took about five minutes to get off." He turns to Rory with the biggest smirk he's got, and she blushes intensely.
She glares at him, exasperated, and turns back to Lucy. "Can we sit down?"
"Yeah, let me tell them we're ready."
"I'm gonna go wash my hands," Logan whispers to Rory. "Order me a beer."
In the bathroom, he checks his reflection and gives himself a pep talk.
She chose me. She loves me. Be nice to Marty. Keep your mouth shut. Rory needs a normal friend.
Back at the table, the server is bringing a round of beers as he sits down. He puts his hand on Rory's knee and leans over to kiss her cheek. He feels Marty looking at him. Logan meets his eyes and tries to smile, though he's not sure he's successful.
"So cute," Lucy says. "And here I thought you were Snuffaluffugus."
"Nope. I'm real," he replies.
The conversation flows fairly easily between he and Lucy. Rory chimes in occasionally, but Marty is quiet. Logan is reminded of that fateful dinner at China Palace.
Well, she is definitely leaving here with me tonight.
Throughout the meal, Logan notices the way Marty looks at Rory. He checks her too, but she doesn't seem to notice.
Which is even worse. He must look at her like this all the time. She's just used to it.
Logan can't help himself. He puts Marty on the spot. "Hard-working and beautiful. She's something special. You got yourself a good one here, Marty," he says, pointing to Lucy.
Marty looks up at him, shifts his eyes to Rory, and says "Thanks."
What the fuck? Why is he checking out Rory like that?
"Oh, Rory's got way better stories than I do," Lucy says.
"Did she ever tell you about the time she drove out to her English lit professor's house in Albany to replace the last page of her final?" Logan asks.
"Well, it was in the wrong font," Rory protests. "And I got an A on that paper."
"Wasn't that the professor who had a crush on you?" he asks quietly, turning back to his food.
"Hey! Are you saying she didn't deserve that A?" Lucy laughs.
"I'm just saying the woman is the object of many strange crushes," Logan replies pointedly.
"Oh, that's not true!" Rory says.
"The oddball who works at Baskin-Robbins?" he reminds her. "She can't walk within a block of the place without the guy running out with a triple scoop of mint chocolate chip," he tells Marty and Lucy.
Lucy laughs as Rory says "So not true." She nudges him with her knee.
"Hey, she's something special," Lucy parrots.
Logan checks Marty again, but he is suddenly very interested in his food.
"Hey, you know, I put four pages of endnotes on that final. I deserved that A," Rory tells him.
"I'm not saying you're not dedicated to your schoolwork. You're the hardest worker I know." Logan says sincerely. I'm also not saying you're not worthy of the crushes. "See I was always about doing just enough or maybe a little less," he continues, turning to Lucy with a grin.
"Well look at you now, Mr. Slaving Away." Lucy says.
"It's true. My rep is ruined," Logan agrees. He smiles at Marty, who is smiling at Rory.
"Boyfriend works insanely hard," Lucy brags.
"Is that true, Marty?" Logan asks. From my vantage point, you spend all of your time looking at my girl. Not sure when you would find time to work.
"I just have a couple of jobs," Marty says.
Lucy and Rory debate the state of Marty's jobs. How does she know all this? She has definitely been hanging out with him more than she let on.
"That's a lot of jobs, my boy," Logan weighs in.
Marty looks at him. "Hey, I'm just waiting for that trust fund to kick in," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Logan looks up. Is this where she has been getting all this trust fund bullshit?
Marty leans over to pick up Rory's fallen napkin, oblivious to Logan's glare.
Of course he's oblivious to me. He hasn't stopped watching Rory since we got here.
He can feel the tensions rising in his mind, and he attempts to redirect.
"So how did you two meet?" he asks Marty and Lucy.
Marty seems unsure of what to say until Lucy says "He stalked me!"
"That's charming." Logan counters. And not unfamiliar.
They tell the story, and it sounds cute. You know, if I didn't hate him.
"Sweet," is all he can say. He knows how fake his smile must look, and he tries to reign it all in.
"I can't even believe I don't know this. How did you two meet?" Lucy asks, referencing Logan and Rory.
Logan looks to Rory, who is looking into her lap.
Be the bigger person, Logan. You don't even remember this anyway.
"Actually, Marty introduced us," he hears himself say. He sees Marty's eyes bug out, and Rory is frantically nudging him with her knee.
"What?" Lucy asks.
Fuck it.
"I'm sorry I can't be a part of this," he tells Rory.
"A part of what?" Lucy quizzes.
"Logan," Rory says softly.
He turns back to Lucy. "They've known each other since freshman year."
Marty is staring at Rory again. Check your own girl, asshole.
"I don't understand," Lucy says.
Yeah, me neither.
"Rory and Marty. They used to hang out all the time in Branford and watch 'Duck Soup'." Logan smirks a little at Marty, who is finally looking back at him.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy demands, anger rising in her voice. "What is he talking about?" she asks Marty.
The anger and volume escalate from there as Rory and Marty stammer out excuses and denials.
Finally Lucy stands. "Oh, my God. This is… this is so messed up. I have to go."
"No, Lucy!" Marty says, chasing after her.
Logan looks up to the ceiling, preparing for the anger Rory is about to unleash on him.
"What is wrong with you?" she asks, incredulous.
"I was asked a direct question. I'm not gonna lie. She's a nice girl," he says. Why have you been lying? Please make me understand.
"Yeah, I know she's a nice girl. She's my friend."
He hears the hurt in her voice, and he feels guilty.
"You were gonna tell her anyway," he offers lamely.
"Not here. Not like this! You totally humiliated her," Rory says.
What? That is my fault?
"Lucy's humiliated because of what you and Marty did to her, not me. I told her the truth, which is something she could use a little bit more of from her supposed friend and her boyfriend," he says.
"I can't believe you're trying to justify this. What you did was so obnoxious!"
I can't believe you are turning this on me!
"I was just being honest," he says. After a moment, he continues. "I'm just gonna head back into the city tonight. I got a lot of work to do tomorrow."
"Fine," she says.
Great. Freeze me out for another few days. This is all my fault, of course.
He drops his utensils, and flags down the waitress. "Can we get the check, please? And a couple of boxes for her." He hands over his credit card and turns to Rory. She is digging through her purse, ignoring him.
The silence extends through the car ride home. Two hours ago, I was watching her come in my hand, and now she's not speaking to me.
He heads into Rory's room to pack up his things. I really don't want to go, but I kind of drew a line in the sand.
When he walks out of the bedroom, Rory finally breaks the silence. "How could you do that? You were so happy I made a sane friend, remember?"
"I like her, Rory. You like her. She should know that her boyfriend is into someone else," he responds angrily.
"Why do you do this?" she asks. "You are always so jealous! You're always jealous of Jess, and now you're jealous of Marty? He is not that into me!"
"Wake up, Rory. He was staring at you all night… And who are you to talk? You are so jealous of Bobbi, and she's just my co-worker."
"And Marty's just my friend," she counters.
"You have history with him, and he's still totally in love with you," Logan says. "I don't even talk to Bobbi unless we're at work."
"I can't believe you don't trust me," she says quietly.
"Well, I did… until you didn't tell me about him," he says.
"I didn't not tell you," Rory insists.
"So if you found out that I was hanging out with... I don't know... Claudia Wellman, and conveniently forgot to tell you about it… You would have no problem with that?"
Anger and hurt flash in her eyes, and he knows he's gone too far.
"Okay. Bad example," he says.
"How dare you?"
"Baby, I didn't mean-"
"How dare you compare my friendship with Marty to some girl you screwed behind my back!" she yells.
"Rory-"
"Do you have all your stuff?" she asks.
Logan can only nod.
"Then just go," she says walking into her bedroom and closing the door behind her.
Damn it. How does this keep happening? I was only trying to think of someone who I have history with… Why can't I ever just shut my stupid mouth?
He gets into his rental car and decides he's too tired and pissed to drive all the way to Manhattan. Instead, he heads uptown to his apartment and pulls into his old parking space.
He falls asleep in his bed that still smells like Rory, waiting on a call that he knows isn't coming.
He drives to Honor's apartment on the upper west side on Sunday morning. She opens the door, surprised to see him.
"I didn't think I would see you again before you went back. Is Rory with you?" she asks.
"No. We had a big fight."
Honor sighs. "Come in. Tell me."
He runs through the whole night for her, trying to remember every detail.
"And she's right, isn't she?" he finally asks. "I mean, I got jealous. It's true that I didn't want to lie, and I thought Lucy should know, but…"
"You really only told to get back at Marty, didn't you?" Honor asks.
"Yes… He just kept watching Rory all night. And I know he's been flirting with her in his 'I'm-such-a-nice-guy-and-your-boyfriend's-a-rich-asshole' way," Logan says. "Petty and vindictive are not qualities that I like in people. I don't want to be that way."
"Logan, when you're in a relationship, especially a long-distance one, jealousy and insecurity are like… the default. You have to work really hard to rise above it. But you'll be home in a month, and everything will get better. You'll see. Now you know her and how stubborn she is. Just give her some time.
We need to choose your apartment today anyway. I know you like the extra bedroom on 66th, but the Tribeca loft is a lot closer to your office."
He tries to follow Honor's advice, but he finds it difficult not to call her. He works in the office on Monday and Tuesday morning (Honor is right about the loft), which is a nice distraction, but he finally gives in while he is waiting to board his flight Tuesday afternoon.
He calls her, but has to settle for voicemail.
"Hey… I'm at the airport about to go back, and I just want to tell you… I'm really sorry that I upset you, and to… remind you that I love you so much, and I hope you'll still come to London next week. Um… call me when you're ready to talk."
He sleeps and reads through most of his flight. When he lands at Heathrow, he finds a voicemail from Rory.
I'm nervous. What if she finally decides it's been enough, and she can't deal with my shit anymore?
He anxiously listens.
"Hey… I love you, too, and… of course I'm coming to London next week. I can't wait."
He exhales and smiles.
A/N: I've never been sure why Logan is so jealous here. Marty is really not competition, amiright? I tried to give it some plausible subtext. Hopefully, this works for you guys!
Only one more chapter left!