Author's note : I do not own Gilmore Girls nor profit from this story
AN 2 : Thank you for all reviews. Please continue reviewing and don't hesitate to influence where I am going. I have an endpoint but from here to there, a lot could happen and nothing is written in advance but drables of conversations.
Once again, sorry for any mistakes, English is my second language an dwell, I guess it shows but writing in French narrows the audience too much.
Chapter 7: After the storm, dead calm
Rory woke up the next morning feeling completely empty. She was exhausted. She had talked on the phone for hours with her mom and fell asleep past 3 am. She looked up at the alarm clock beside her. It was now 11 am. Although still tired, she got up and went to take a shower.
She had thought she would wake up still angry but instead she found herself quite calm. After her shower, she went out to grab a bite and headed to meet with the other reporters from the trail. Her phone rang twice. It was Finn both times. She did not answer it, not knowing how to handle him. She knew that all the feeling she thought she still had for Logan were now completely dead. But Finn, she could not figure out if she was angry at him, deceived or just ashamed that he had known. Mainly, she did feel ashamed that she had held on to something that had not existed for a long time. Deep down, she knew it was only her pride that kept her from talking to Finn; she was ashamed that everyone now knew her boyfriend had cheated on her.
When Katherine, one of Rory's friends from the trail saw her, she jumped up and ran to meet her.
«Rory, there you are! How was your night yesterday?» she asked with a devilish smile.
«Please Katherine, I don't want to talk about it.»
«Come on, we've all seen the pictures. Tell me you have. You should have told me that your friend is not only completely gorgeous; he's also one of the richest bachelor. You really have everything going for you. And you both looked so good together. A real fairytale. »
«hmm, well, what picture? »
« These ones... » and she showed Rory the gossip page of today's edition where she could see Finn and her dancing closely and looking at each other and then one when he was hugging her before they left.
« You guys really looked into each other in this one... not a friend's only look. And here, he looked as if he wanted to sweep you off in his arms and bring you to a deserted island. » Katherine said of both pictures.
« Well, the dance one was before my ex came barging in... Please can we not talk about last night? »
« Okay... if you are not ready to share » Katherine quickly said and went on « But I'll talk about my last night... » and she went on talking about the previous night outing with the team of reporters from the trail.
Rory's phone rang again and she looked at the caller's id. Seeing it was Finn, she once again ignored the call. She did not want to talk to Finn before she was ready to address the situation.
When Rory got back to her hotel after the rally, she had forgotten about Finn's calls. She completed her article faster than she had done before. In two hours, she was satisfied with her article and was ready to submit it to the editor. She then proceeded to pack up her stuff and was soon sitting alone in her room. It was now 8 pm. As she was about to call her mother, she realized that she had a message. She listened to it.
« Rory, its Finn. I know you might not want to hear me right now but love, I really did not want to hurt you. I guess it was inevitable. If you feel up to it my parent's invitation still stands. I'll wait for you call until 6 pm but then I'll go by myself. Anyway call me back before going away. Take care. »
She needed to figure out why she dreaded talking to Finn so much.
She called her mother.
«Hey Mom, you have time to talk? »
« Hey hon, for you always. How are you doing today? »
« I am OK. Weirdly, I am surprises of how much at peace I am with everything that happened. It is as if I always knew or something. »
« Did Logan try to contact you? »
« No, nothing whatsoever. I've been filtering anyway. »
« And Finn? »
« He called a couple of times actually. He left me a message saying he did not want to hurt me. »
« And? »
« I haven't called him back yet. I don't know. He knew this whole time and never mentioned anything. Yeah he did tell me numerous times I had done the right thing and that I should not press for information but I should have been told. My boyfriend cheated on me, got a girl pregnant and they all knew but none of them came to me with the information. He knew, he knew it would hurt me but never dared to let me know. »
« Rory, hun, what was he supposed to do. You might not like to hear it but it was a lose-lose situation for him. If he told you, he'd hurt you and Logan, risk his own friendship with both of you. You realize that don't you? You can't blame Finn for something that Logan did. Remember when Paris was cheating on Jamie, did you volunteer the information to him? »
« No but I was not really friend with Jamie. »
« And you and Finn were not talking when Logan cheated. You had no contact while Logan was in London nor when he came back except maybe quick phone calls. You started really being friends with Finn after your breakup. He only wanted to protect you. Your relationship with Logan was over what was the point of him hurting you with this information. »
« You might be right there. And I don't want to lose Finn. It is too nice to talk to him. Never a dull moment. »
« By the way, did you see the pictures? The way he looked at you, he cares. If I did not know better I would say there's more than friendship there... »
« Mom, there is nothing more than friendship, he's Logan's best friend. Anyway, I'll call him later to talk. As for tomorrow, I'm taking the bus sometime in the morning, I should be in Stars Hollow in the afternoon and I'll stay until Monday morning when I need to get back on the bus. »
« Okay kiddo. Call me when you get here and I'll meet you at Luke's. If you need we'll do a wallow night.»
« That's a deal. »
When she got off the phone it started ringing right away.
« Gilmore! Why is there a picture of you with the annoying Australian flirt from Yale! »
« Paris, how are you? When did you get back from India? When are you starting at Harvard. »
« You did not answer me Rory. When I left you were all heartbroken about Logan and now I see you in a tight embrace with a tall dark and handsome basket case. »
« Paris, Finn and I are just friends; I went with him to a charity event yesterday. The picture shows more than there was in reality. »
« Not with you! Rory, you are so oblivious of the effect you have on guys. You're not like me. They run away from me, but you, you are the light they can't get away from. »
« But I am telling you, Finn and I are just friends. It is weird, I know but we became somewhat of a 21st century pen pals. Hey, I am going to be in Stars Hollow on Sunday, you want to meet before heading to Harvard? »
« We'll see. I'll talk to you ok? »
« Sure thing Paris... oh by the way, before you hear anything else from last night... Logan did an appearance. I'll talk to you about it some other time, I need to call Finn. »
« Oh, so now he's your best friend? »
« Paris, I'll call you back ok? »
It was now around 8:45, Rory decided to try calling Finn and see where it goes.
« Hello? » A female voice Rory does not recognize.
« Euh, hmm can I talk to Finn? »
« Hold on a minute. » she then hears « Finn, it was your phone! Can you take it or are you still brooding?
« Coming... » she heard Finn answer from afar... she noticed that he is not his usual self.
« Hello? »
« Finn, it's me Rory. »
« Oh Love, I did not expect you to call anymore. »
« Sorry, just a weird day, sorry not to have talked to you earlier. Am I catching you at a bad time? »
« Nah, we're done with supper... just hanging out now. Are you alright? Did Logan contact you?»
« I am ok and no, not a word from Logan. Listen Finn, I am sorry to have shut you out yesterday. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You have been a good friend all summer and you had warned me many times. »
« You're damn right you shouldn't have Rory. But I kind of get it. »
« It's just that I felt so humiliated. And all of you knew. I feel like the joke was on me. But I should not have blamed you. You are Logan's friend. »
« Yeah. I am not so sure about that either. He disappeared last night. My guess is that he is back in Hartford for the week-end. I am heading up there tomorrow to talk to him. »
« Oh! You think he did something stupid? »
« Hmm... we all would have. Rory, I don't feel right talking about him with you now. And I got to go, can we talk some other time? »
« Finn, I am leaving tomorrow morning for Stars Hollow, and after that it's back on the bus for me. »
« Oh, you want a ride? »
« You sure you don't mind? »
« Not at all, we'll have time to talk. I'll call you before picking you up. Should be around 10 am. Is that ok with you love? »
« Yeah, it's perfect. Oh Finn,» she added unsure « Thank you for being there for me. And I'm sorry for yesterday. Could you also tell your parents I'm sorry I couldn't honor their invitation? »
« Don't worry. They were there yesterday. I think they get that you did not feel like company tonight. »
« So we're good »
« Yes, we'll be. »
« Bye Finn. » And Rory hung up before opening the tv and spending a quiet evening by herself.
At the Morgan's House
"So now are you going to stop brooding and come spend some quality time with us Finn?"
"Sorry Lil, it's just a rough time." Finn answered his youngest sister.
"But big brother, if you think it is rough for you just put yourself in her shoes. It's as if everyone around her lied to her for months. You remember how it felt last year with Rose."
"I don't know why I was so upset with her reaction."
"Really? You don't" Lilyann said laughing. "Come here and I'll show you."
She brought her laptop to her brother and showed him the picture from Rory and himself from the night before.
"Yes I know we were together last night. She accompanied me as a friend. What's there to see that would explain anything."
"Finn, could you be more stubborn? Read also the text."
Did the Morgan heir find true love… Finnegan Morgan the fourth and Lorelai Leigh Gilmore the third dancing at a fundraiser event in New York. Did the Prince finally found his Princess.
"Yeah so? It's only the gossiping column. There were many like this before Lil, they just make it look like more than it is."
"Well, I hope I can look like her one day and have someone look at me like you do in there… There was never a picture of you and Daphnee where you looked at her like this. Nor with Stephanie when you brought her to an event. If you had; Colin would have killed you by now." She said laughing at the face Finn was doing."
"Anyway, how is she doing? Rory I mean, it was her wasn't it?"
"Yeah, she seemed OK. I just hope our friendship will be fine. But I'm also concerned about Logan. He won't answer my phone calls. I am pissed at the guy to have done it the way he did but for once he was honest and told her everything. I had been telling him to tell her for so long."
"Well, he did want to get Rory back and he saw you so he's probably just brewing in his own mess. And he saw you. Even mom thought there was more to you and Rory."
"Come on, he knows I wouldn't try anything with Rory. She wanted to get back with him you know. Before this. She was his first. Guys don't date their best friends exes…"
"Oh come on Finn! Do you believe Huntzberger would honor this dumb loyalty. Didn't he just do enough to make her completely free of her own decision?"
"Lil, he is a good friend to me. I know you guys don't like him much. I don't agree with his decisions lately but still, he's a good guy. He's just under a lot of pressure from his family…"
"Don't! Don't defend him. He cheated on his girlfriend and more than once I am sure. He's going to have a kid and bought his way out of being there. Who does such a thing?"
"Lil, it's complicated in Logan's case. His father and grandfather arranged for Bobbie to agree to their terms. They don't want for her kid to be recognized as the Huntzberger heir. He never had a good father figure like we had. "
"Come on Finn. I know you and you agree with me that Logan should go and be a father to his kid."
"Yes, and I know Logan. It might take time for him to realize it but I am sure he's going to end up doing the right thing. I just hope he'll do it soon."
"Maybe if he does not have Rory to hold on to, he will."
"I hope so. How about a game night then! Monopoly?" Finn said trying to change the subject.
Later that night Finn called Collin to see if he had news of Logan. Collin told him Logan was still angry. That he was home and refused to see anyone. Finn confirmed that he was going to meet with Logan the next day and try to patch things up.
At 10:15 Finn was waiting for Rory in his new BMW suv. When he saw her with all her bags he got out and went to her. They looked at each other for a second. There was an awkwardness that neither of them had hanticipated. Rory spoke first.
"Finn, I'm sorry for Thursday evening. I just was really hurt and confused and Logan was there waiting for me and I panicked. I probably was harsh with you but I know you had nothing to do with what happened with me and Logan. And I know you went against your best friends to keep in touch with me. I still can't really figure out why but you mean a lot to me now. I can't just pretend that you were not a great friends throughout the summer. Please be my hot Aussie friend again will you? I will never mention Logan again and…"
"Rory, would you just stop ranting like this?" Finn cut her off.
"I am friends with you because you are one of the most real person I have met. I am not going anywhere and still consider you one of my best friends. Logan and Collin will only have to get used to it. So shall we go?"
"Yeah, can you help me out with these luggages?"
"Whatever you need love. I am your slave if you want me to…" and he looked at her with a smile that said so much more than his words.
"Finn… it is way too early for this. How about we go and get coffee for the road?"
Finn put in Rory's luggages in the trunk of his suv and they left the hotel.
They talked a lot in the car. They started mostly with small talk but ended up having an argument about whether a guy should always pay when going on dates. Rory did not agree with this as she was raised by an independent mother, Finn was raised believing this was a way to show a guy could provide for his family. She called him Macho which ended up in Finn singing Macho Man from The Village people and Rory burst out laughing telling him that song was just doing to him what her singing "Barbie Girl" would do to her.
"Oh, I just need to hear you sing that song Rory!"
But she stayed silent and just stared at him.
"Come on. I serenaded you, you're time now… as you said you are all for equality between man and woman, if I sing to you, you sign to me!"
"But you did not serenade me… you annoyed me." She said laughing…
"Not fair… you are the one that chose to cite this song!"
"Finn, there is no way I am going to ridicule myself and sing this song…"
"Damn, now I will have to find some other way to tease you, shouldn't be hard." He said jokingly.
"I am starting to be hungry" he added "do you know if we are getting to your town soon?"
"Yes, we should be there in about 15 minutes. You want to have lunch with me and my mom before getting back on the road?"
"Well, you made such a big fuss with Luke's. How can one pass by and not stop!"
"Oh, you are so going to like it... but first I'll drop my stuff home." She said and quickly grabbed her phone.
Finn looked at her. She seemed happier than he had seen her all week. He could not figure out if it was the fact that she was going home or if it had to do with what happened with Logan but something really was making her just enjoying herself more. It is as if she was back to when she had gone back to Yale. As if everything was just perfect in her life.
She took her cell phone and called her mom to tell her she would be there in about half an hour.
"By the way love, I don't know why but you look just radiant this morning. What is your secret?"
"Hmm, what? No I look the same. Well… I don't know. For the first time in months I think I am at peace with everything that happened. I am looking forward to the next part of my life. Since graduation, I should have felt it but couldn't because of the breakup. Now, now that I know I did the right thing, I have all the possibilities opened to me. I am just happy. I am not happy that he cheated on me and that he is going to be a worst dad than mine was. I am still mad and I don't want to see or talk to him in the near future. Well the worst is that I am deceived at him not willing to be the father he should be to his kid. He's going to be even worse than his own dad was to him. You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do. I feel the same way. But he needs to figure this out himself… I can only point him in the direction cause if I say it straight, he's going to be more pissed than he already is."
"You did not talk to him since Thursday?"
"No. He would not take my calls. Can we change topics… Oups there we are. Stars Hollow… Wow, I haven't been here since the first night we got you drunk! And to be honest, I don't remember a thing about being here."
"Yeah. A lot of water under the bridge since then" She added
They got to her house. Finn helped her with her luggage, bringing it to her house.
"Wow, small but cozy place your mom made for you! It's like a doll house but bigger!"
She showed him around the house which was small compared to what Finn ever visited.
"Wow, this is small… I guess if you ever had any action in your room, your mom would hear you?"
Finn said with a smirk that reminded her of his old ways.
"Finn!" she said and turned completely red.
"But I thought you and your mom were really close!"
"We are but still, I wouldn't want to share details, and neither would she!" She said pushing him outside her bedroom.
"But love, you know it is part of life. You do know that is how you make babies." He added laughing at her still crimson face.
"Come on, I thought you were hungry!"
And they got back into Finn's suv and left toward Luke's.
Lorelai was sitting at Luke's when she saw a big BMW suv pass by. Everyone in town was looking at it and she then saw a familiar face getting out and running toward the passenger seat. He opened the door and help Rory out of the car.
Well, well, well, she thought to herself… I will finally meet the hot Aussie…
"Luke! Luke!" she called, Rory's got company, you should come and have a look.
"What, is she with that Logan guy? I thought he was gone for good since last week."
"No, not Logan, I think it's Finn."
"Finn, who's Finn…" Luke asked Lorelai but she had gotten up and was halfway to the door…
"Mini-me! At last you have arrived. And what a chariot my Princess had, is the bus now too shabby for you?" She asked teasingly.
Finn smiled. Rory and her mom were so alike and then so different at the same time.
"Hey mom" Rory said and she hugged her for a while.
"I see you've brought your hot Aussie boyfriend!"
"Mom, he's just there and he can hear you. And we are just friends!"
Her mom laughed and she said in Rory's ears… "Yeah sure just friends…"
As she let go of her mom, she turned to Finn.
"Mom, this is Finnegan Morgan the Fourth." She said with an accent that tended to be slightly British before adding "Finn, this is my mother Lorelai Victoria Gilmore the second."
Finn noded to Lorelai. "It's nice to meet you officially Mrs Gilmore."
She added… "Please it's Lorelai… you were a lot less formal at the police station." She said smiling broadly to him.
"Well, yeah, hum… Sorry about that, I was a bit hmmm childish then."
"Yeah, it's ok… always nice to be flirted by younger guys… makes me almost wish being a cougar… then again, the man of my life is expecting us."
The three of them head back into the dinner and take a table.
"So this is the famous Luke's." He said toward Rory.
"Well, not sure which is more famous you or Luke. He did not make it to the Gossip pages." She said looking at the two young people at the table.
Rory blushed once again thinking of the picture. She actually had kept a copy in her purse.
"Not everyone can be as handsome as this Aussie boy. Then again, I'm sure Luke can cook a lot better than I can, and for a Gilmore girl, I believe this is somewhat of an advantage." He said as Luke was coming their way.
"Luke" Rory said "This is Finn Morgan, a friend of mine from Yale. Finn, this is Luke Danes, my new daddy." She said and both her and Rory laughed while Luke was completely red. Finn and Luke exchanged a handshake.
"So are you all going to eat?" Luke said looking at Finn as he already knew Rory and Lorelai would eat more than they should..
"Yes, I have heard that you have the best burgers so I'll have a burger and fries with a coffee please."
Luke turns to the two women at the table and said "I guess Rory, you've finally found your match. Your usual?" Never knowing how close he was to the truth.
"What else would we have?" they both said at the same time.
The three of them ate and talked. Finn being his charming self told stories after stories making Rory and Lorelai laugh as they had not had in a while. Lorelai kept from telling stories of when Rory was young as she could not figure out the real nature of Rory and Finn's relationship. She knew they were friends but it felt as if he had always been with them. It was weird to her how someone from the life she constantly fled from could fit with her daughter so much. Logan had never.
When Finn finished his third cup of coffee, he motioned to Luke to bring him the check.
Luke came by the table and told him it was on the house, as a friend of Rory's.
He then excused himself to Lorelai and Rory. But Rory got up.
"Lorelai, it was a pleasure to meet you again. I hope to have the pleasure again in the near future." He said taking her hand and kissing it gently.
"Oh, such a gentleman you brought home Rory." She said mockingly but then added "It was a pleasure shared by both of us Mr. Morgan, you can accompany my daughter whenever you wish." she added looking him straight into his eyes.
Rory and Finn left the diner and walked back to his car.
"I'm going to miss you love." Finn said arriving at his door.
"Yeah, me too… we should have spent more time during the week."
"Next time you're in New York or close by, let me know in advance. I'll take time off so we can do more stuff."
"Would be nice. But now, I guess this is goodbye then! We'll chat and talk on the phone soon!"
"Of course. Take care of yourself. Now give me hug." He added.
Rory and Finn hugged longer than usual. Neither wanted to let the other go. It felt good. It felt like home but neither realized it now.
"Say hello to Daphnee on my behalf when you next see her."
They reluctantly let go and Finn got into his car to drive toward Hartford while Rory went back to Luke's.
"So hun, are we in need of a wallowing session?" Lorelai asked knowing by the way her daughter looked that she was over Logan and probably ready to move on.
"Nope. I actually feel more like having a party tonight. You mind if I invite Lane and Paris?"
"Oh, a girls night! Can I join?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Luke, we are getting you out of the house after supper tonight. It's a girl's night!" Lorelai shouted.
"Mom, I did not mean you had to cancel on Luke! Sorry Luke."
"No, no cancelling, he has just been staying at home for a while now."
"So he can join then."
"Rory, I think I will be better at home. Anyway, there are some things I need to do I pushed aside for a while. Enjoy your girl's night."
"And you, I'll see you around 5?" he asked towards Lorelai…
"Yep, I'll pick you up on the way home."
On this, Lorelai and Rory left. Lorelai went back to the Inn and Rory headed towards Lane. They would have a great night.
Finn arrived at Logan's at around 3 pm. He was not sure how this would go but he needed to make sure he could mend things with Logan. Him and Collin had been there for him so many times. Even though he did not always agree with his best friends, he knew they were there. He now needed to show Logan he would be there and not bail on him like Logan's father did so many times.
Finn rang the bell and a maid opened the door.
"How may I help you?" The maid asked.
"I am here to see Logan Huntzberger." He provided quickly
"Finn" he heard at the end of the foyer "what the hell are you doing here. Didn't you get me not answering your calls?"
"Yes I got the message that you did not want to talk to me. But we need to Logan. We are friends. I won't let you think a disagreement will screw 10 years of friendship."
"But a Girl might Finn."
"Logan, you know Rory and I are only friends. Nothing more."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, unless you know something I don't, and I pretty much remember all of this week, yes I am sure. I do like Rory but we are just friends."
"So what is the point of your visit then?"
"To make sure you are ok."
"I am not, but I'll be. Come on, we'll go to the pool house, this way, no-one but Collin will bother us."
"Is Collin coming tonight?"
"Yeah, after supper at Stephanie's he's coming here."
"Have a seat man." Logan motioned to a chair as he goes back to the computer.
"What were you doing?"
"Looking on the web. Actually, searching for Bobbie on MySpace."
"Logan. What are you looking for?"
"Well, I was wondering if she gave birth yet." Logan said looking down. "It's just that now that I have told Rory, I don't know. I know I should not say it but I thought that if that baby did not exist, I could get back with Rory, so I acted as if he did not. Now, I see how stupid I was. I screwed up whatever chance I had to be happy with Rory when I cheated on her. The baby has nothing to do with it. I should not punish it for my own dumb action. And Bobbie also deserve more than this."
"Can you tell me what you were thinking cheating on Rory with Bobbie?"
"I don't know, I think I loved them both in different way. You know how my family was not ok with me being with Rory, could you imagine with Bobbie? They would have flipped. But the thing with Bobbie was not just a fling Finn. Rory and I were not in a good place since I had gone. Something was broken. I was just not ready to let her go. How can someone let Rory go…" Logan said and realized with the way Finn looked that he knew what he meant.
"So what are you going to do now?"
"Not sure. I think I need to let Rory know that I really am sorry for all I have put her through and that I will always be there if she wants to be friends. I don't expect her to call on it though. But I do wish she'll be happy with someone one day. As for Bobbie… If I contact her, everything she signed will be irrelevant. She could not contact me but if I do, she can do whatever she wants. My father said he would disown me but somehow I doubt it. What would be the point? If I recognize my kid as my own."
"Do you have any idea how Bobbie would take you coming back to London."
"No idea. She is quite unpredictable. I might have to prove that I will be there for them before she allows me to get back into her life in any shape or form. But I think I am willing to try. You know. Get back at my father by being what he never could be for me."
"I am so glad to hear you say that mate. If you need anything, let me know. You know I am here for you and so is Collin." Finn said and for once in more than 9 months he was thinking that the Logan he met a while back was back.
"So are you going to London soon?"
"I believe so. I will take a week off from work and try to talk to Bobbie. I'll see how it goes. After, well, the company I was working for wanted to expand in Europe so I might be able to work from London anyway."
"Well, things are lining up for you then."
"Yeah… as if we were in a movie kind of way… let's just see if it will have a happy ending or dramatic finish line."
"So want something to drink?"
"How about one of those beers. Too early and too damn hot for a scotch."
Both opened a beer bottle and although they knew they would never be as close as before, they knew their friendship would survive. They both knew that in time of needs they would be there for each other just like Collin would be there. They talked and played pool until Collin showed up. Then they headed to the pub where they were met by Stephanie and some of her childhood friends that were in town for a visit. Madeline and Louise were quite the party girls Stephanie had described them as and even Finn was surprised of their flirtatious ways. For the first time in almost a year, they all partied like college kids and the hangover was awaiting them with a vengeance.