A/N - To all of my readers, I am so sorry for the longest delay in posting yet, but once again life rears it's ugly head. I've had a bunch of ideas and half chapters, but no time to put any of them together until now...

"What kind of proposition?"

"I told you that the agency wants me to get more from you; and that my buddy at The Times is interested in seeing more of your stuff…"

"And you have something in mind?"

"I do actually, but it would be a risk… for both of us."

For both of us? "How so?"

"Well, it's my job within the agency to get our writers published, but it's my job as your editor to help you get your work where you want it to go. Now, you pretty much jumped at the chance to shoot for The Times, so I'm guessing that's where you want to see your stuff."

"It's The New York Times."

"That's what I thought. I've been looking into more of your portfolio, and the work you did on the campaign in '08 was good, a little raw, but good. And you've definitely come a long way as a writer since then."

"Thanks, but…"

"So here's my proposition… update your political portfolio."

"That's your proposition, to write about politics?"

"There's more to it than that. You focus on getting some articles my way, and I will focus on getting them over to my buddy at The Times. We'll stick with it being our main focus, which is where the risk comes in. The same rules apply as the first time around… we could shop to wider markets and probably get you copy every time, or we risk it only shooting for The Times, which has the same odds as before; higher standards, more competition, fewer chances at bylines… But if you're up for it, I think it could lead to big things."

Big things? "How big?"

"Look at it this way; we're only a few months away from potential candidacy announcements for next years' race. The Times is going to be looking for coverage from start to finish, and you've already got campaign experience."

Holy crap. "You think I've got a shot at something?"

"I think that your first article published was a start at a shot. Obviously it's a long shot, but they know your name now. If we can keep them interested in you, and use your resume to your advantage…"

"What are we talking here… consistent freelance work?"

"Honestly, it's hard to say. Yea, there's obviously potential for that, but…"

My breath was caught in my throat… Was he really saying I could be getting in at The Times? Like in, in? "But?"

"Look it's not like they're posting job listings, but it's not unheard of to take on staff during election season…"

Staff. He said staff. As in staff at The New York Times.

"… Like I said, this is a long shot, and we'd have a lot of work to do between now and when something even might come up, but I really think you've got what it takes if you're interested in the chance."

I've got what it takes. I couldn't help but laugh. I would have given anything to have Mitchum sitting in on this conversation.

"Gilmore?"

"Yea, of course I'm interested. It's the chance of a lifetime."

"That's what I was hoping to hear, because this is going to be a lot of work from you, especially considering you're still with The Post, for potentially very little pay off. I mean, a few more bylines in The Times is nothing to scoff at, but there's no real guarantee in what we're really hoping for."

This was incredible. A real chance at getting my foot in the door… I should really thank Gerry for turning that piece down. The thought of Gerry made the risk seem very real. If this panned out I could be walking away from The Post, but it held the potential of my dream job.

"Dominic, what's in this for you?"

"What?"

"You said you're taking a risk only pushing my work at The Times, when you could definitely sell it elsewhere. Why is it worth the risk?"

He chuckled, "You're smart, Gilmore. I'd love to tell you that it's all about integrity and wanting to get the best writers their best chances. But a straight answer? Building your career builds mine. If other writers see that I got you into the second most circulated paper in the country, they're going to want the same."

Logan's words rang in my ears, "It's how the industry works..."

"Bingo…" At least he's being honest. "…So, now that you know my ulterior motives, you still want to take the gamble?"

I didn't hesitate, "I'm in."

"Good. Get working on updating that portfolio and start sending things my way."

I hung up the phone. I took a deep breath. I needed to keep perspective here… getting that article published in The Times was probably just a one in a million shot; there was no way that this would pan out; there isn't even a real job to be working for, this is all just going on a chance that they'll want someone in the future. But if they do want someone, it could be me. "Holy crap."

I didn't even realize that I had said it out loud until I heard Logan behind me, "Everything okay?"

I had been so wrapped up in my own head that I hadn't even heard him come downstairs. "I think so."

"You think so?"

I spoke slowly, still trying to process all of it myself. "I just got off the phone with Dominic. He has proposed that I update my portfolio to focus on some more political pieces… kind of an update to my work on the campaign. He thinks it will serve me well going forward… he thinks that with next year's election starting to ramp up, The Times will be looking for people to cover it. He thinks I could have a shot at something more than a couple of freelance bylines."

A smile had slowly spread across Logan's face as I summarized the conversation, "You're going to do it, right? You have to do it."

"Yea… I mean, I told him I am, but…" Suddenly my pervious lack of hesitation seemed careless, but… "No, you're right, I have to do it. I'm going to do it… Realistically it's more than likely that nothing will come of it and I'll end up writing a bunch of pieces that will never see the light of day, but there is still a chance. Of course there's also a chance that I'm just opening myself up to be rejected by them again. But if I don't do it I'll never know and I'll probably never get another opportunity. On the other hand, is it crazy to put all my eggs in a basket for a long shot chance?"

"Rory, calm down." I realized I had been rambling. This is what pro-con lists were for. He took me by the shoulders, "Is The Times still what you want?"

"It's what I've always wanted."

He looked me in the eye, "Then jump."

"Jump?"

"Yes. Jump. You said it yourself, Ace, it's a long shot anyway. It's not going to hurt anyone to try. You've got a stack of leads on your desk; there's got to be something there. Dig through and find something worth writing about."

"What about The Post? They get first go at everything I write."

"If you're really focusing on politics, it's not going to fit Features anyway, not at the depth The Times is going to want."

"It's going to be a lot of work…"

He laughed, "It's going to be a ton of work. You're going to have to be Hildy-freaking-Johnson, but if anyone can do it, it's you."

"Wow. You should start making those motivational posters, you know with the stock images and the black frames…"

"Maybe I'll propose the venture as part of the merger... But I was serious about that His Girl Friday bit."

I took a deep breath… If I didn't hesitate before it's because I knew it's what I really wanted. I can't let me talk myself out of it now. "Okay."

He smiled, "Good… now kiss me before I leave for my meeting."

"Jeeze you're bossy…" I obliged anyway.

"That's the idea. I can't let these guys get turn into you and try to over complicate things when we launch with their Sunday edition tomorrow… Speaking of, there's going to be a thing tomorrow night; you should come."

"A thing?"

"Yea, a launch thing, you know… cocktails, crappy hors d'oeurves, forced conversations…"

"Sounds like a blast… and don't think I missed that jab about over complicating things."

He smirked. "Thought I was going to get away with that one…"

"Nope, and your pitch on the party is severely lacking in selling points."

"Damn, I must be off my game…"

"Better get your groove back before this meeting, Stella."

"I think I can get it together… So what do you say? I'm going to need someone to rescue me from all of the 'What's next?' questions that I can't really answer since everything is still hush-hush…"

"And who's going to rescue me when you actually have people to talk to?"

"Bring Leslie…"

"Who is going to want to bring Finn."

"Then it will really be a party." He raised his eyebrows hopefully.

My hesitation really had nothing to do with being bored while he mingled. "I don't know if it's a good idea…"

"Inviting Finn? I mean, it's always a little risky, but…"

"Not Finn. I mean going to a business thing with you…"

He lost the goofy look and sighed. He knew what I was getting at. Besides our, well his family, work was going to be the biggest hurdle in our relationship. "It's just a party, Ace."

"A work party."

It meant everything for him to understand that I wanted to keep our relationship separate from my career, but realistically I knew that it would be more complicated than that. His family was royalty in the industry in which I was merely common folk.

"Yes, it's a work party, but…"

"Logan, I don't want…"

"How are you really expecting this to work, Ace? I get what you're worried about, but how far can we take this?"

"I don't know…" I didn't want to fight with him, not after how well we had been handling everything together, but I knew he was getting frustrated.

"Are we never going to be seen together at anything work related? Are we supposed to act like we don't know each other at any event remotely related to any newspaper? If that's the case we're going to be spending more time pretending not to be in a relationship than actually being in one."

"It's just that…"Be honest. "…I don't want everyone else to think what your parents already think… that I have a career because of you."

His frustration ebbed, but he was still serious, "Rory… you and I both know that that is not true, and so do plenty of other people. Anybody that has read your work knows that you deserve to be getting the chances that you are… and as far as I'm concerned, anyone that says different is an asshole."

"You realize that you just …"

"I know exactly what I said about them. And as for tomorrow, the party's just about making sure the investors are happy; impressing some advertisers, helping the editors make some contacts... things that have to happen for a small paper, but it's not a major event. I don't want you do anything you don't want to do, but…"

"You want me to be there?"

"Of course I want you to be there. I love you, Rory. I want you to be with me for everything… Isn't that the point? You and me… together."

He's right. And he was right about me over-complicating things, but I wasn't ready to admit that one yet.

I narrowed my eyes at him, pretending to be skeptical, "When did you get to be so mature?"

He was finally smiling again, "Me? Mature? I don't know… it probably started about the time you forced me to be in a committed relationship…"

"I did not force you… I think I actually tried to talk you out of it."

"And where would we be if I had let you?"

He had me there… "Alright."

"Alright you'll let me take you out to this party?"

I nodded.

"Good…" He suddenly looked apprehensive, "And we're okay?"

This was the closest thing we'd had to a fight since we've been back together… I didn't like it, but the fact that neither one of us stormed off in the middle of it meant that we were handling points of contention much better than we had in the past.

"We're good."

He kissed me, "Good… I have to get to this meeting, are you busy later?"

"Yea, I think I'm going into the office… I guess I've got some digging to do."

He smirked, he was genuinely excited for me, "Knock 'em dead, Hildy. I'll call you later."

Another kiss and he was out the door, off on another expedition as a captain of industry.

I went to the office and got to sifting through the folders on my desk. I was going to need to find something great to follow up my space shuttle series so that I would have something for Gerry to be pleased with when I tell him that I'm going to be pushing more freelance work. And I needed to be thinking ahead for articles for my portfolio… maybe find something that would become a hot button issue for upcoming platforms.

After narrowing the stack from very large, to moderately sized I called it a day at the office and ended up taking a few things home to look into.

Late in the afternoon I got a call from Leslie, "Hey, I just got a call about an invitation to a launch party for some online paper… you wouldn't have anything to do with that would you?"

"It's not my party, but I have heard talk of it…"

"So were you going to tell me that you scored me an invite?"

"Well, yea… but I hadn't heard from you today and I didn't want to interrupt whatever you might be involved in…" I didn't even really want to think about what she might have been involved in.

She filled me in on the events of the newly minted Three Musketeers, minus the more intimate details as per my request. It had been another successful outing for her and Finn, though apparently Colin struck out in his attempts to distract himself from his mundane life of as a responsible adult.

"So what are you doing today?"

"Working…"

"Working?"

"Yea, I'm going to have to be doing a lot of that for the foreseeable future. Dominic's got a plan in the works for me… Why?"

"First of all, I thought that having Logan back in your life was going to loosen you up a bit…"

"Sorry to disappoint, but he's working today too."

"Well don't you two have the whole power couple thing down…"

"The new Kennedy's."

"Anyway, as long as Camelot is standing and we're going to this party, I need to get something to wear."

"I'd love to help you in this time of crisis, but I'm up to my elbows in research."

"Ugh. What would Jackie O. say?"

"Ask not what your busy friends can do for you, but what you can do with your Visa."

"Always clever..."

"I try… Tell me again why you can't wear something that you already own?"

"What fun would that be?"

"I don't know… maybe it would be fun like being able to pay more than the minimum on our credit card bills."

"Says the girl who's probably sitting in her boyfriend's penthouse right now."

"I am not. I'm sitting at my own crappy kitchen table"

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why? This is where I live. Why do I have to keep answering that?"

"I know that Logan has asked the same question."

"Are you conspiring with him again?"

"Nope, that one I deduced on my own. So why are you fighting it? It's not like you haven't lived together before."

"I'm not fighting it. He technically hasn't brought it up. He just continues to take passes at my apartment about how it's in a bad neighborhood and it's a dump and…"

"But it is a dump in a crappy neighborhood."

"I know that, but it's my dump in a crappy neighborhood, and it's not like you're not in the same boat. We're reporters in Ney York city, that's how it's supposed to be. It might be a dumpy apartment that I put way too much of my paycheck into, but it's a life I made for myself, you know?"

"So this is about pride? You're avoiding moving in with Logan because you are supposed to be living in a crap hole? I mean, Go Rory, you made it in the big city, but come on… You're not moving in with the guy who loves you, a guy that wants to, and can, give you everything you could want or need…

"But I don't need anything. I don't need to live in a penthouse; I don't need him to give me fancy things…" I laughed to myself, "I'm actually pretty terrible at being on the receiving end of fancy things; you should have seen his face when I didn't know better than to treat a Birkin Bag better than any other purse…"

"A Birkin Bag? God, being with someone who has money is totally wasted on you… And his parent's honestly think you're a gold-digger?"

"Don't ask me…"

"It doesn't matter, I got distracted by the Birkin; I should have followed up your 'don't need nice things' speech with something about needing not being the point. Don't you want to be with him?"

Of course I want to be with him. "Well, yea, but…"

"Then I really don't see the problem."

Once again I found myself in awe of her unexpectedly presented wisdom… and again she quickly followed it up with something that was classic Leslie.

"He really bought you a Birkin Bag? What for your birthday?"

I should have known that mentioning that purse was going to set her off, and was really going to hate the answer to this one, "No… he just kind of showed up with it one day."

"He gave you a fifteen thousand dollar just because gift?"

"I know that now. If I had known it at the time, there would have been no way that I could have accepted a bag that cost more than a down payment on a car."

"You own a Birkin Bag and you don't carry it?"

"Logan bought me the bag. I couldn't carry it after I turned down his marriage proposal… It's currently in the same place it's been for the last four years, safely stored in the box it came in on the shelf of my closet in Stars Hollow."

"Money really is wasted on you… which is all the more reason to come shopping and spend the money you don't have."

"Will you forget about the Birkin Bag?"

"I'll stop talking about it out loud…"

"Fine, but you can't complain when I work all day tomorrow."

"Deal."

She dragged me out shopping, which I had to admit was a fun afternoon. We had barely spent any time just the two of us outside of work since Logan reappeared in my life. We had dinner at the diner down the block, which was a sad substitute for Luke's, before I headed back to my apartment determined to pick at least one major story to work on.

Logan called me later that night.

"How goes the story search?"

"It's going… I've been slowly witling down the options. How was your meeting?"

"After a couple minor crises, things should go smoothly. I had to talk them down from a last minute panic about whether it was a mistake not to include a regular column dedicated entirely to reality TV stars, but in the end I successfully convinced them that their target market did not spend their days worshiping at the Kardashian altar."

"Nicely done… you also successfully made Leslie's day."

"About the party invitation?"

"Well that and the fact that she found out you bought me a Birkin Bag."

He laughed, "Ah, yes… the Birkin Bag. Well, it is what got you to fall in love with me…"

"I am not that materialistic!"

"Hey, I'm not complaining..."

"It maybe had something to do with admitting that I loved you, but it was definitely more about the meaning than the bag itself."

"Relax, Ace. I'm just giving you a hard time. Believe me; I know that stuff is not what's important to you. There were a few occasions when grand gestures did nothing to help my case."

"Well, you know what they say, Can't Buy Me Love…"

"Are we referencing Paul McCartney or Patrick Dempsey."

"Either one."

"Duly noted."

"So everything worked out today, which means tomorrow should be a success, right?"

"That's what we're hoping. It's our last major launch before I go finalize stuff at the California office and the merger is announced."

I was suddenly very disappointed. I had kind of forgotten that he was leaving… "When do you leave?"

"Monday. I'll pretty much be getting on a plane as soon as I'm done with Mitchum… which is why I am especially glad you conceded to coming to the party tomorrow night."

I smiled knowing that he wanted to see me before he leaves, "Well, I'm glad I could be of service."

After perusing a certain, newly-launched online publication over my coffee Sunday morning, I finally decided that the place to start this quest with The Times was to follow up on Obama's progress regarding his original campaign promises. I had followed his campaign after all, and his effectiveness in office over the last three years would probably be the biggest factor in the next election. That decision pretty much eschewed all of the other leads suggested by my colleagues, effectively solving my moral dilemma, though I did flag a couple to use at The Post.

I was going through the mountain of notes and research I had compiled during my time following the incumbent president, when I got a text from Leslie, "Need shoes, I'm coming over."

I looked at the time and it was already later than I realized. I guess I should get ready for this shindig. I jumped in a quick shower, and pulled out the shoes I knew I wanted to wear before Leslie came over to shop in my closet.

We got ready and much to her excitement headed over to Logan's apartment. She had been harassing me about bringing her to gawk at it, and since we were meeting the boys before the party she was finally getting her chance.

"Good evening, Ms. Gilmore…" Tommy was standing at the concierge desk.

"Tommy…"

Leslie was practically giddy as we walked through the lobby.

"Calm down. It's not like you've never been in a nice apartment before."

"Not one where the doorman knows you by name."

When we got off the elevator I heard Leslie take a deep breath as we walked down the hallway, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"What?"

"Nothing… but if you're going to be in cahoots with Logan, and continue to do whatever you're doing with Finn, you had better get over this ogling thing."

My comment did nothing to keep her jaw from dropping when we walked inside.

"Well, if it isn't our favorite ladies…" Logan was already had his charming game face on for the party.

"Logan this place is…"

He did his best to hide his amusement at Leslie's awe, put an arm around each of our shoulders and led us towards the living room, "Come on, Finn's fixing pre-cocktail party cocktails."

"Are we sure that's a good idea?"

Right on cue Finn's handed Leslie and I each a martini, "Rory, I'm offended. It's always a good idea."

"I dunno Finn, even I can't substantiate that claim."

"Why are the two of you so intent on giving this fine woman the wrong idea about me?" He turned to Les, "Don't listen do them Darling; they're only trying to start trouble." He spoke with his usual flourish, but there was an actual heir of earnestness to his use of the word darling.

I glanced at Logan, who was equally fascinated when he kissed Leslie and brought her to sit next to him on the couch. We shared an amused smile and silently agreed that this was a totally new side to Finn. I'm impressed.

Once we were at the party Leslie had calmed down; we had been to a few functions like this before. In fact, I was the one feeling a little nervous. Thankfully Logan had been right, and there didn't seem to be anybody at there who would care about he and I being together. He had mingling to do and people to introduce to each other, and he introduced me to a lot of them, but I was very glad to have Leslie and Finn there.

There was strength in numbers when it came to holding awkward conversations with strangers. Finn was a master when it came to entertaining anecdotes and even better at warding off people he had no interest in talking to. At one point Leslie and Finn had made their way to the bar and I was amused to see that he walked with his hand on her back and they seemed to be holding a real conversation. I was surprised when Logan came up behind me and put his arm around my waist.

"Who'd have thought that the hundreds of women who rebuffed his advances might have actually missed out on something…" He had clearly noticed what I had been observing.

"I know… Although Leslie has done her fair share of rebuffing, so maybe it's just fate."

"So that makes us a pair of some sort of mythical matchmakers?"

"Merely the proxies of destiny."

I always appreciated when he played along with my musings… "Alright Cupid, what do you say we get out of here?"

"Really?" I thought he was going to be stuck schmoozing all night.

"Yea, really… I've don't my duty here, so I thought maybe I'd steal you away before I have to leave tomorrow."

That grin of his was dangerous. "What about those two?"

We glanced back at our besotted friends, who were still enthralled with each other's company.

"They're busy..." He snuck a quick kiss and tilted his head in the direction of the door, "…let's go."

I text Leslie from the car, "We're leaving. You guys are on your own."

"Good." Well at least she didn't feel abandoned.

Later that night while we were lying in his bed Logan made a suggestion, "You should stay here…"

My eyes were closed but I felt him pull me closer to him "It's late, and in the morning you are leaving for a week; I'm not going anywhere."

"I mean while I'm in California… I like the idea of you staying here while I'm gone a lot better than at your place."

"Thousands of people in New York live in apartments that are just as bad, or worse than mine."

"But I don't want to come home to any of those people."

I finally opened my eyes to look at him. I had to give him credit. He's good. "What are you getting at, Huntzberger?"

"When I get back, I want to come home to you."

Talk about something being predestined; Leslie and I had just had this conversation yesterday. "Is that so?"

"Come on, Ace, are you really going to make me beg here?" He made the same face had that day when he called me a pain in the ass.

I pretended to think about it for a second, just to mess with him. I thought about the conversation I had had with Leslie only yesterday, and admitting that it really was what I wanted. Finally I smiled and kissed him, "I guess begging would be a little excessive."

He kissed me back and then pulled away, "You know I'm talking about more than just next week, right?"

I had to laugh at his need for clarification, but nodded to reassure him.

"I mean if it had come down to it, I would have moved into that hovel you seem to love so much if you really wanted to stay there that bad…"

"Hovel?"

"…I would fear for my life, but if it would make you happy…"

"Logan…" He's just being ridiculous now.

"…because that's really all I want. Well, that and good insurance, given the neighborhood…"

"Stop! You've won. You've got me... I'm staying."

"Promise?"

I kissed him again to seal the deal.

** I do not own any characters or content related to Gilmore Girls or any other entities mentioned. **

A/N - Hope you enjoyed and I promise not to delay to long in posting again! What do you think about the Leslie and Finn situation? Be on the lookout for some more Huntzberger action coming up...

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