Thank you so much for reading! I know I keep saying it but I really appreciate it. xxx

Chapter 5: The Offer

Good luck for your meeting with my father today, you'll ace it. X

Rory ran over to her phone the second she heard the first beep. She had been trying to figure out what to wear and currently had four different outfits laid out on her bed. Her grandmother had offered to help but somehow Rory felt that she didn't want Emily choosing her outfit. She had decided, however, to go with Emily's advice and wear her hair in a neat ponytail as she felt that it would be more professional.

Thank you. I'm so nervous. Are you still in NY? What's your agenda for today? Ever since the day after the dinner, Logan had been in business meetings in New York, getting to know his new staff.

I'm actually on my way back to Hartford for a couple of days. Fancy lunch after your meeting?

Definitely. You don't have any tips on how to impress your father do you?

I've been away from home nearly all my life, I don't really know him. But he does hate peas.

I don't think that's going to help but thanks anyway.

Glad to be of service. Don't be nervous. He called the meeting, he must be impressed by you already.

I'm still going to be nervous.

Call me when you get out of the meeting and we'll meet up.

"Ah Rory, come on in," greeted Mitchum as he opened his office door to find her sat outside. His secretary had just informed him of her arrival.

"Thank you Mr Huntzberger."

"Please, call me Mitchum."

"Umm, ok," she said awkwardly.

"Now as I'm sure you know, I run a number of newspapers across the country and in Europe," started Mitchum. Of course Rory already knew this. She had been interested in journalism for as long as she could remember so she knew about all the major corporations. "As part of our recruitment scheme, we keep an eye on the major college newspapers. And of course your grandfather always mentions your writing at the various functions we attend. I was curious about you so started keeping a keener eye on the Yale Daily News. I was impressed. The talent you have shown is extraordinary and by all accounts the other staff members all speak highly of you."

"Thank you," blushed Rory.

"I asked your grandfather for some examples of your earlier work and he gave me some of your Chilton articles and once again, the talent you showed from an early age is really promising. As such I would like to offer you a job at the New York Times which is our newest acquisition."

"Really?" gasped Rory. She had been expecting to get a job at the Hartford Gazette, if anything, as they were in the Gazette's office.

"The position I have to offer you is in the features department so very much like your time at Yale. Everything I've read and heard about you makes me think that you would be a perfect addition to the team."

"In New York?" Rory checked.

"You'd start in a couple of weeks which would give you time to sort out a place to live and I'm sure your grandparents would be more than happy to help you find a place. This is assuming, of course, that you want the job and would like to move to the Big Apple."

"Yes of course I accept," smiled Rory.

"If you need time to think about it, maybe consider other newspapers ..."

"No. I don't need any time. Working at the New York Times would be a dream come true. Thank you so much for the opportunity."

"My dad's sending you to New York?" Logan said after Rory finished telling him about the meeting.

"Yes. I can't believe it," she smiled. They were in a small restaurant in downtown Hartford and their food had just arrived.

"So that means we can see a lot more of each other," Logan winked.

"There is that."

"Assuming of course that you want to," checked Logan.

"Of course."

"What are you doing tomorrow?" asked Logan.

"Probably planning my move, why?"

"A couple of my friends and I are heading down to Yale for a little reunion, I wondered if you wanted to come."

"I'm not sure," admitted Rory. "I don't want to intrude."

"Please come. It's nothing formal, just a gang of us getting together, having fun. Don't you want to see the old school again?"

"Well it would be fun," smiled Rory. "Sure."

"Great. I'll pick you up at 10 tomorrow morning."

"So, who am I meeting tomorrow?" she asked.

"Finn and Colin, I told you about them I think on the plane?"

"The future lawyer and the Australian?" checked Rory.

"Exactly. And then there's Steph who's dating Colin but she's been friends with us for years. They only got together senior year of Yale though. Then there's going to be lots of other LDB's."

"LDB's?" asked Rory.

"I'm not really meant to say, but as you've left Yale now and you seem to be pretty trustworthy ... ever hear any rumours about a secret group called the Life and Death Brigade?"

"Sure I've heard bits about them. They're legendary... wait a minute, you're in the group!" exclaimed Rory.

"I am. Along with the others who you will meet tomorrow."

"So do you do all the stunts and things?" she asked eagerly.

"There's been one or two," smiled Logan.

"When I was on the paper someone heard about them and tried to find out more but they couldn't find any information."

"That's because it's top secret."

"Then why did you just tell me? Isn't that breaking some sort of code?"

"Not really. Since leaving Yale we've relaxed a lot. Tomorrow it's just going to be alumni's from my year so it's not like you're going to be meeting the current batch of members."

"Is there going to be a big stunt?"

"Tomorrow? No. The stunts are only done by the one's still attending Yale ... this is just a reunion to catch up and reminisce on old times ... whilst getting drunk."

"But you said that you'd pick me up," pointed out Rory.

"With my driver," smiled Logan.

"Oh," replied Rory.

"So still up for it?" he asked.

"Definitely."

"Grandma? Grandpa?" called Rory as she entered the main house through a back door.

"We're in the dining room," came her grandfather's reply. Rory walked through the living room and froze as she saw who was seated at the table, receiving frowns from both her grandparents. She hadn't seen him in nearly 20 years, not since her mom died. She recognised him from the pictures she had found. He looked older but knew the face. Sat at the table was her father - Christopher Hayden.

"Rory," he said, looking up at her and smiling. He stood up and Rory noticed that her grandfather followed Christopher's every move. "You've grown up into a beautiful young woman. I'm Chris, your –" But Rory cut him off.

"I know who you are," she interrupted, frozen to the spot. This was the man who had abandoned her. This was the man who had cut her from his life whilst he disappeared for 20 years. Emily was standing now, not hiding her annoyance at Christopher. Richard was glaring at him, not trusting him at all. Christopher pretended he didn't see the looks and glanced at his daughter. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you," he replied.

"You're about 20 years too late."