"Hello?" "Hey mom." "Hey hon! How are you?" Lorelai asks. "I'm good. I just got home from work and wanted to talk to you." Rory said, laying out possible outfits for her dinner with Logan. "Well I am always here to talk." Lorelai said, and Rory smiled. "So, how was that gala thing last night?" "It was good. Not as bad as I thought it would be." Rory responded, walking to her closet to pick out shoes. "That's good! Any cool journal-y people there?" Lorelai asked. "Not really. Mostly just the company and the company we're merging with. It was pretty uneventful." Rory said. She felt like she was lying, but she wasn't really. She knew Lorelai would not like that she was going out with Logan, but she felt like she needed to tell her. "Is there something you're not telling me, hon?" Lorelai asked, hearing it in Rory's voice. "Logan was there." Rory said, sighing. "Logan as in house in California with an avocado tree, Logan?" "That's the one." Rory said, sitting on her bed. "How was that?" Rory sighed. "It was fine, we talked a little." She said. "Okay. I'm going to tell you something but I don't want to hear it from you okay?" "What's that supposed to mean?" Lorelai asked, raising suspicion in her voice. "I just don't want to hear it if you don't agree with me." Lorelai sighed, "Okay shoot." "Logan and I are getting dinner tonight. It's not a date or anything, we're just catching up. Condé Nast is merging with his dad's publishing company and-" "Okay I don't agree that this is a good decision, but I'm glad you two could get some better closure. I still don't like the boy that much because he broke your heart, but I know you loved him and he was good for you, even though he was kind of an ass at times." Lorelai said, causing Rory to smile. "Okay good. I'm glad I'm going out with him. I don't know why he's back at his dad's company so that will be interesting and honestly I missed him." "Well good. I'm glad you're happy." "Thanks mom. Can I send you pictures of my outfit choices and you'll help me decide?" "Of course that's what I do best." Lorelai responded, smiling. "Okay thanks mom. Love you." "Love you too, hon. Thanks for calling" Rory smiles, hangs up, and immediately sends pictures of her choices to her mom.
Promptly at 7:00, there was a knock at the door of the apartment. "Rory you didn't tell me Little Huntzberger was coming up here!" Holly exclaimed. "Chill. He'll probably only be here for a second." Rory says, putting her second earring in while walking towards the door and opening it on Logan. "Hey Ace." "Hey Huntzberger." "Oh these are for you." He says, handing Rory the flowers he has in his hand, and kissing her on the cheek. "Oh Logan you didn't have to bring me flowers." Rory says, taking the flowers from Logan. "They're beautiful, though, thank you. Here come in while I find a vase." She says, and Logan walks into the small apartment. Holly makes a small noise behind her. "Oh sorry. Logan, this is Holly. She is also a freelance writer working for Condé Nast at the moment." Rory says, and Logan shakes Holly's hand. "Nice to meet you Holly, I'm Logan." Holly responds with a small smile. "This is a nice place you've got, Rory." Logan says peering. "Yeah, it was mostly thanks to Emily and Richard." Rory says, reaching up to the cabinet where the vases are. "Oh bless Emily and Richard." "I agree. We were so lucky to find something in such a nice area." Holly says, joining the conversation. Finally putting the flowers in the vase, Rory arrives back at Logan's side. "Ready?" He asks, looking down at Rory. "Yup. Let's go." She says, grabbing her purse from off the counter. "Have fun you two!" Holly shouts as they leave, giving Rory a wink as she turns around to look at her roommate.
"You know you really should move into a building with better security. I mean the guy at the front desk asked me who I was here for and I said it was you and he told me to go right up." "Oh you met Fred?" "Since when are you on a first name basis with the doorman?" Logan asks and grabs Rory's hand and kissed it, like he had done so many times before. "So where are you taking me?" Rory asks, as she presses the button for the elevator, but still holding on to Logan's hand. "It's a surprise." Logan says, with a glint in his eye and a smile on his lips as they step into the elevator. "I should've known." Rory says, smiling back at the blonde boy next to her. As they walk outside, Logan hails a cab, finally letting go of Rory's hand. "No car?" Rory asks. "No the car is in London, with the rest of my stuff." Logan explains as the car pulls up. "Oh. So, where do you currently reside? Like permanently reside?" She asked, secretly hoping it was on this continent. As the driver began to drive to their undisclosed location, Logan answered "I'm kind of in the middle of things. I have to have an apartment out here to do some work with Condé Nast," he says, gesturing to her. "But, there is a chance that I will still need to do some work in London, so I'm working on getting some stuff out here to balance out my belongings." "Sounds complicated." Rory responds, running her hand across the strap of her purse. "I forgot to tell you, but you look incredible." Logan says, after a moment of silence and Rory looks over to him, smiling. Grabbing Rory's hand and running his thumb against it, 'I'm still in love with her' he thinks to himself. "So why are you back at your dad's company?" Rory asks, curios once again about Logan's whereabouts over the last two years. "Mithcum had a heart attack and needed someone who knew the company to take over for a little while, and well, here I am." Logan said, frowning a bit. "You don't seem too happy about that." Rory says, and Logan goes back to rubbing her hand. "I mean it's not terrible, but you know, I left the company for a reason and things were so great in California…" He trails off, remembering how he and Rory had left off.
"So how are things with you? How's Lorelai?" "Umm I'm doing okay. Freelance writing is stressful and not really what I imagined I would be doing but that's okay. My mom is great. Her and Luke have been together for about-" she looks up "three years now and the Dragonfly is doing well." She finishes as they pull up to the restaurant. "That's good." Logan says, paying the cabbie and opening the door of the cab and stepping out. "Wow the River Café! This is the one with the great view of the bridge, right? How did you get a reservation here?" Rory exclaims, in awe of the location. "You underestimate me, Ace." Logan says, grabbing her hand as she steps out of the cab. "You know people get married, here right? Married. And you got us in here? On a one day's notice? Wow Huntzberger, you've really stepped up your game." Rory says, and Logan just laughs. "Again, you underestimate me." He says, holding out his arm so she could grab it, and without looking away from the outside of the restaurant, she does. As they walk in, Rory takes the whole scene in. The restaurant is just beautiful, and once again, she is floored by Logan's gestures. "Reservation for Huntzberger" Logan says to the hostess. "Right this way." "Logan this place is amazing." Rory said, leaning in close to Logan so she could get a full look at the venue. "Just wait till you see the view from our table." He says, just as they get there. Rory's eyes widen as she looks out the window at New York city glistening. "Incredible, right?" He asks as they sit down. "Absolutely breathtaking" She responds, finally taking her eyes off the skyline. "Just like you." He says, as a waiter brings wine to their table. "Wine for you, Mrs. Huntzberger?" Rory laughs a little. "Yes please." "Okay I will be back in a little bit to take your orders." He says, turning to walk away. "Mrs. Huntzberger?" Rory asks laughing, then sipping on her wine and Logan shrugs and grins at her.
"So, what have you been up to? How did you end up in New York?" Logan asks, looking at Rory then grabbing his menu. "Well after graduation, I met with that guy that I met at your, party, remember the one that worked at the New York Times?" Logan nodded in response. "Well he gave me a job to work on Barack Obama's campaign trail and it was so incredible. I mean I was a real reporter. It was only for an online magazine, but still! It was so cool and I got to meet Obama and be with all of the real journalists!" Rory enthused, while Logan just smiled. "That's awesome, Ace." Logan says, then the waiter comes and takes their orders. "But, when that finished I just started freelance writing, and New York is probably the best place for that, plus it's not too far from Stars Hollow, which I guess is why I'm here." Logan nodded. "How is Stars Hollow? You know-" "Yes. You thought it was fascinating. I remember." Rory says, laughing. "But Stars Hollow is good, it's basically the same. The Winter Carnival is coming up, as well as the Revolutionary War Reenactment, and the Snowman Competition, so Stars Hollow is busy. Paul Anka the dog is telling fortunes again this year at the carnival, so it's setting out to be an exciting event. Rory said nodding, and Logan laughed at the small-town antics of Stars Hollow. "That town of yours is truly fascinating." Logan said, laughing again and shaking his head.
"What about you? What have you been doing? How was California?" Rory asks. "California was great, but I kind of missed having seasons, you know? I mean while the snow can get annoying, sometimes the constant sun is a bit much. But the job was an unparalleled experience. I mean I made so many connections and learned so much. It was great." Logan says, and Rory smiles. "I'm glad it was such a good experience, despite the sun." Rory said, and the pair laughs as their food arrives. "Oh this looks amazing." Rory awes as the waiter walks away. "Thank you again, for everything Logan." Rory says, smiling at Logan. "Of course, Ace." Logan responds, smiling back.
After a minute of eating in silence, "So you don't seem too jazzed to be back at your dad's company." Rory asks. "Since when do you say jazzed?" Logan asks, laughing and Rory just gives him one of her 'hush you' looks. "I mean, it is what it is. I would rather not be working for him, but I couldn't say no to him after he had a heart attack." Rory nods. "That's understandable. Have you thought about leaving his company again?" Rory asks, curious but trying not to pry too much. Logan kind of makes a face. "Sorry is that too personal? You don't have to answer at all. I just want to know what you've been up to and I-" "Ace." Rory stops talking. "It's fine. Yes. I want to leave my dad's company, but I don't know if I can." Rory nods, still a little worried about her words. "My dad says that I have to work for him until he can find someone who can replace me, or until he is sure he won't have any more health problems that could be detrimental to his work, or we could go my usual route, and just disappoint him enough so he has to fire me." Logan says. "I'm very proud of you for not taking option C yet." Rory responds. "It's only been a couple months. I have to make him not hate me and then boom out of nowhere, disappointment city." Logan says, which causes both of them to chuckle. "I'm sorry Mitchum is still an ass." Rory says. "Mithcum will forever and always be an ass." Logan responds, taking a sip of his wine. "What do you think he would do if he knew you were with me?" Rory asks, thinking of Mithcum's hatred towards her. "Oh I don't know, but that is a very good question. Rumor has it that we're actually his favorite two people." Logan says, smiling. "Oh is that so? I didn't hear that one." Rory responds.
"So I've been meaning to ask. How did you meet Holly?" Logan asks and waits for Rory's answer as she finishes eating. "Oh. Holly was on the campaign trail with me as one of the reporters for smaller online newspapers." Rory explains. "She seems nice." "She is. I mean she's no Lane, but she's nice and neat." "Both good qualities to look for in a roommate. How is Lane, by the way?" Logan finishes. "Lane is good. Her kids are growing up so fast." Rory says, sighing. "You miss her?" "I miss her." Rory confirmed, nodding. "How long as it been since you were back in the ol' Hollow?" "Since when do you or anyone calls Stars Hollow 'the ol' Hollow?" She says laughing, and Logan laughs with her. "I don't know. Let's forget I called it that." "Agreed." She says, still laughing. "But I'm not sure. It's been a while. I missed the last town festival because I was in Italy." Rory says. "Italy?" "Freelance writing sure can take you places, mister." She says. "It was for a small online magazine. They have a weirdly popular travel section, so I got to spend two weeks in Italy. It was amazing." "I'm sure it was." "But yeah. It's been since the summer I think?" She says, raising her pitch at the end to make it sound like a question. "My mom has been out here a couple times to see me, but I haven't really made it home in a while." Rory says, now thinking about exactly how long it's been since she was in her hometown.
"Have you seen any of the members of the Life and Death Brigade? Colin? Finn?" Rory asked, curious about her other friends' whereabouts. "I saw Colin, Finn, and Robert a few months ago, but they all travel a lot for work, whatever it is they do. Speaking of eccentric friends how is Paris?" "She is good. I actually saw her about a month ago. She's working at Massachusetts General Hospital right now since it's connected to Harvard, but she came down here for the weekend. You know, we can't really seem to lose each other. From Chilton to Yale, it's kind of just been us." Rory says. "Rory. Do not tell me you miss Paris Geller." "It's not that I miss her, I'm just nostalgic!" Rory says, defending herself. "Okay, whatever you say, Ace." Logan says, not fully convinced.
"Ready to go?" Logan asks, after signing the check. "Yup." Rory responds and they both get up. "Thanks Mitchum for a great meal." Logan says, raising his eyebrows at Rory. "Logan!" Rory says, hitting Logan in the stomach. "Hey, I thought earlier we decided he was an ass!" Logan says, defending himself. "We did!" "Well then he can pay for our dinner!" "Fine." As they walk out of the restaurant Rory grabs Logan's arm again. "Do you want to walk around a bit before I take you home?" Logan asks, extremely aware Rory's presence next to him. "Yes, please." After a minute, Rory leans in to look up at the skyline around them. "I missed you a lot, Logan." She says, looking at him. "I missed you more than you can imagine, Rory." Logan says, stopping and facing her then brushing a piece of hair out of her face. "I'm still in love with you." Logan says, immediately regretting it once it comes out of his mouth. "Logan…" Rory says, looking down at her feet. "You've always had a tendency for saying things like that at the wrong time." She says, finally looking back up. "Yeah I'm starting to realize that myself." "But I guess if we're sharing our confessions, I think I still love you too." Rory says quietly. "This is such a bad time for this. I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I feel like I'm just floating and not doing the things I wanted to do." Rory says, looking at Logan with a sad, yet annoyed look on her face. "I know, Ace. I know." Logan says, pulling Rory into a hug. They stand there, embraced in each other for a few minutes, until Rory finally pulls away, sighing. "What if we took things really, really slowly?" Logan asked. "You sure you could do that Huntzberger?" Rory replied, trying to joke. "Hey. The whole boyfriend thing worked pretty well until you turned down my marriage proposal, so you can't say that." Logan says, making Rory smile. "So super slow?" "Super slow."