DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
I love reviews if you would like to leave me one. :-)
I started writing this story about a month ago, and just randomly decided to publish it, so I am currently re-reading everything that I have thus far, making edits and changes, and publishing each chapter as I go. I have quite a bit written so far, but I am also dealing with some writers block, so hopefully by re-reading and editing everything, I'll figure out where to go with this and get it finished. If anyone has any ideas of something they would like to see happen, please feel free to let me know.
"How'd it go?" Lorelai asked as Richard, Doyle, Collin and Honor walked back into the conference room a few minutes later. "Where are Rory and Logan?"
"It went really good." Richard told her. "Everyone is good to go for the press conference."
"I think Rory needed a few minutes." Honor told her. "She looked really stressed out."
"Do you know where they are?" Lorelai asked getting up from her chair.
"I saw them go into Rory's office." Doyle answered.
"Excuse me." Lorelai said quickly exiting the room, and heading to help her daughter as quickly as she could, gently knocking on the door as soon as she arrived at the office.
"Who is it?" Logan asked.
"It's Lorelai, can I come in?"
"Sure." he said softly, still holding Rory who had calmed down a little bit.
"Oh, Honey . . ." Lorelai said softly as she walked into the office and saw Rory crying in Logan's arms.
"I think she is just really overwhelmed right now."
"What happened in that meeting?"
"The hospital was able to get my Dad's medical records, and as it turns out, he has had a heart condition for years. Dating back to when I was in college, but has been refusing treatment, and hiding it from everybody! Honor and I are going to be setting up a treatment plan to force Dad into getting the help that he needs, including a stay at a rehab facility, forbidding his return to work until his treatment plan is completed and signed off by his medical team. The idea was then brought up to keep Rory on as permanent co-CEO even after my Dad eventually comes back. Just in case something happens down the line, whether it's in a few months, or even a few years. It prevents us from having to go through any of this all over again."
"Wow! He's lucky it took this long for him to have a heart attack! And he's probably lucky that this heart attack didn't immediately kill him."
"Exactly my thoughts!" Logan told her.
"That is a lot to take in."
"Honor and I are going to meet with Dad's care team next week to get a treatment plan set up., including sending him to some fancy celebrity rehab facility out of state until we are all confidant that he can come back to work without jeopardizing his health. And we are kind of hoping that by sending him to a fancy resort type facility, maybe he will love it so much that he won't want to come back."
"Yeah, good luck with that one!" Lorelai chuckled as Rory sniffled, and started to pull away from Logan. "Honey, are you ok?"
"I need coffee." Rory said super softly.
"Ok, why don't you sit down on the couch with Logan, and I'll go find you some coffee, ok?"
"Thanks." Rory murmured as Logan moved her toward the couch, and helped her to get comfortable as Lorelai quickly left the office in search of coffee.
"You can skip the press conference if you want to." Logan told her.
"No, I have to go. What's the point in the press conference to discuss the new CEO, if said CEO isn't in attendance?"
"Rory, you aren't in any condition to deal with a press conference right now."
"I just need some coffee. I'll be ok."
"Rory . . ." Logan sighed adjusting his arm around her as they sat together on the couch. "You don't have to pretend for me. I know you. It is perfectly ok for you to not be ok. You have had a stressful couple of weeks, and in the last few days, the hits just keep on coming your way. It is ok for you to meltdown. It's perfectly ok for you to need a break right now. This is all a hell of a lot to deal with. You are handling all of this with such strength and grace. I can't think of a single person who could possibly handle all of this better than you are."
"I know. I'll be ok. Really. I just need some coffee."
"Can we talk about this?"
"I'll be ok Logan. It's just a lot. I'm emotional about losing my job today. I know that it's happening. It's the one thing that I've worked for my entire life for, and now I'm being fired."
"Hey, we don't know that."
"Yes we do. You heard Collin. I violated my contract. I worked my entire life for a chance to work at the New York Times, and now I've gone and messed it all up. I was a reporter, and an assistant editor. I was working my butt off, hoping to get another promotion. Maybe I could get a writing position for the world news section. Finally get to be the foreign correspondent that I've always dreamed of being. And now I'm nothing! I'm being fired. Just like that!"
"Rory . . . I know that you are upset. But let's look at it this way. You are now the CEO of the Huntzberger Publishing Group. One of the BIGGEST media conglomerates in the world. If you want to write stories as a foreign correspondent, then you can do it, and there isn't a single person who is going to stop you. And because YOU are the CEO, and writing the stories, your stuff will be instantly picked up by the New York Times off the AP wire. You are so much better than the New York Times. Big deal, they can go right ahead and fire you today. If anyone knows how hard you have worked to get that position, it's me. But Rory, you don't need them anymore. You are so much better than all of those people. Don't let them drag you down, ok? Let's walk in there today, with your head held high. You are the new CEO of HPG, and you can buy them if you want to. You can buy them, and put them right out of business. But I'll tell you one thing . . . If it is an international features piece that you want to write, then you are going to write it. I will book us flights to Dubai or wherever it is that you want to go. We will pick up whatever story you want to write, and you and I will fly to wherever we need to, and you will write your story, ok? I will make this happen for you. No one says that you can't be both the CEO and a foreign correspondent."
"You can do that?" Rory asked in a hopeful voice.
"No, WE can do that. Us, together. It's you and me now, ok? We will go write whatever international news story that you want. You just tell me what story you want, and where we need to go, and I will make it happen."
"Logan, you have no idea how much this means to me."
"Oh trust me, I have every idea. I love you Ace. We are in this together, ok? It's you and me verses the world. You just need to trust me, and let me help you, ok?"
"I know, and I do."
"Just because I'm not the one taking over HPG doesn't mean that I am going to throw you in here, and sit back while you flounder. You know that I am not like that. You are I are a team. And until you are ready to fully run things on your own, I will be right here with you, every second of the day. I will teach you how to do this and help you, until you can run this place in your sleep, alright? I've got your back."
"Hey, it's Honor, can I come in?" a voice said as there was a gentle knock on the door.
"It's open." Logan answered.
"Lorelai said someone needed some makeup touch ups. She's getting coffee, so I told her I would help out."
"Thanks Honor."
"Is everything ok?" Honor asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm just pretty overwhelmed. This is all just a lot." Rory told her. "I just needed to cry for a minute. I'm ok now."
"Should we touch up your makeup before the press conference?"
"It might be a good idea. Do you have anything that can hide the red puffy eyes?"
"Other than the giant sunglasses I heard you hijacked from my collection?" Honor asked with a laugh.
"Hey, your brother told me to!"
"It's fine, you can shop in my closet whenever you want. I honestly don't mind at all. Maybe I should just start buying two of everything, that way we both have one." Honor suggested as she dug into Lorelai's makeup bag. "Oh wow, your mom has all the good stuff! I can definitely fix your red puffy eyes."
"If a Gilmore girl is anything, it's prepared!" Rory told her. "Mom has all kinds of tricks. Did you see the 12 shades of lipstick that she carries around with her?"
"You're serious?! I only carry 3! Maybe I should get myself some Lorelai lessons."
"Mom carries all things beauty and fashion fix with her when she goes out. She has a sewing kit in her bag in case you ever need it."
"I wouldn't even know what to do with that except maybe stab someone with the needle." Honor laughed. "Ok, open your eyes really wide for these drops. They will clear the redness away immediately."
"Thank you for being here Honor. I'm not close with my sisters at all, and I have no idea what it's like to have someone other than my parents and Logan looking out for me. But I really like having you here, and I appreciate everything that you've done for me."
"Hey, it's what big sisters do. And I'm sure that you would do the same for your own sisters."
"I try to. Gigi is 14 now and April is 20. I see them on special occasions."
"Before today, I didn't know you had a second sister." Honor told her.
"April is Luke's daughter. She goes to MIT, so she isn't around much. She'll call or text me every so often if she's got a question, but we aren't close at all. And Gigi lives in Boston with my Dad."
"Well you have me. And I'll be here as much as you want me to. I've never had a sister, so I am super excited to FINALLY officially have you. I think I missed you just as much as Logan did."
"I missed you a ton too." Rory told her.
"You know, I honestly can't thank you enough for taking over this company for us. I was worried that I would have to do it someday after Logan told Dad to piss off."
"This is actually benefiting me way more than anyone ever thought it would. Ever since I was a little girl, it's been my dream to be a foreign correspondent like Christiane Amanpour, but when that phone call came in from my boss at the times, my heart just sunk. I thought that I was loosing everything that I have spent my entire life working toward. But now, Logan says that I can write. Being CEO, I can pick any news story that I want, and that we will fly out to wherever we need to go, and I can write my story. Taking on this position, I never expected that I would be able to do that."
"And that is where you are already better than our Dad is. I don't think Dad has written a single thing since college! But you, you will obviously lead by example. You are willing to put yourself out there, and find the stories instead of sitting behind the desk drinking whisky and pushing everybody around. I think that everyone in this company will respect you a lot more for it too."
"I love writing! I am actually kind of looking forward to writing our introduction article this weekend. I was dreading it at first, but now that I've thought a little bit more about it, I think it will actually be fun."
"Well I am super excited to read it! And if you need anyone to proof it for you, I do have an English degree."
"I didn't know that."
"It's the thing to do in this family. You are forced to get a degree in English and journalism, unless you want to go to law school. You should have seen the parentals flip out about Logan going to medical school. You would have thought he had shot their puppy!"
"That still baffles me." Rory told her.
"Me too. You would think they would be thrilled about their son going to medical school. I really don't understand my parents sometimes! If I ever get to have children of my own, they will be free to be whoever they want, with zero pressure from Josh and I!"
"You want kids someday?"
"I want one of each. A little boy named Jamison, and a girl named Emery. I don't know if it will ever happen, but hopefully one day. We've been trying for years. It's all in God's hands. But even if I don't get kids of my own, I can still be fun Auntie Honor to your kids someday."
"Definitely!" Rory smiled as Logan rubbed her back reassuringly.
"Coffee is here!" Lorelai said cheerfully as she walked into the office carrying a tray of drinks. "Rory, I am so glad you look happier now. I was really worried about you."
"I'm fine, just overwhelmed. I just needed to cry it out. Logan and I talked, and I've been talking to Honor. Everything is good now. I promise."
"Good, I am so glad! But we've got to get going. I was just told we need to be downstairs in about two minutes."
"Eh, it's not like they can really start without us." Logan told them.
"We need to stick with the schedule though. We have somewhere to be in an hour. We need to get this press conference done, and get out of here quickly." Rory told him.
"She's got a point. Let's get going." Lorelai told them, handing each person a cup of coffee, then heading out of the office toward the elevators.
3:00pm
Huntzberger Publishing Group Offices
Manhattan, New York
Media Room
"Thank you all for coming, we will begin in just a few minutes." Steevin Coolage, the head of Public Relations for the Huntzberger Publishing Group announced, stepping up to the microphone for a brief moment. "We are just waiting for a few more people . . . Can everybody hear me ok? Can you hear me in the back?"
"Is everyone ready?" Logan asked, entering the room, and immediately finding Doyle by the door.
"Please let Steevin know that we are ready." Doyle said to one of the team members next to him. "We were just waiting on you guys. Is Rory ok?"
"She says she is. Hopefully this will be over quickly." Logan said as they saw Steevin stepping back up to the microphone.
"Good afternoon everybody. My name is Steevin Collage, and I am the head of Public Relations here at HPG. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy day to be here. We have gathered you together today to address some changes happening within our company, and we hope that you will be just as excited as we are, to move forward with a new team on hand. Now, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Doctor Logan Huntzberger, the son of our longtime CEO, Mitchum Huntzberger."
"Let's go." Logan whispered to Rory, squeezing her hand, and moving toward the podium. "Thank you all so much for being here this afternoon. As many of you have heard, my father recently sustained a Myocardial Infarction, and is currently in the hospital recovering from Coronary Bypass Surgery. As is standard for any cardiac patient, my father's recovery is expected to take quite some time, which leaves our company in the tough position of not having a leader. Due to my own career and commitment to my peers and patients at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, I am unable to fill the void left by my father. However, I have done by best to find someone to step into the role of CEO, who is not only just as good as my father, but will bring with her a ton of previous newspaper experience, as well as new ideas which I am confidant will not only continue to move the Huntzberger Publishing Group forward in our current endeavors, but will also provide us with new routes and experiences which I know will redirect us in ways we never realized we could go, and help us to continue growing as a company. I am confidant in my appointment in my appointment of our new interim CEO, and I hope that you will join me in welcoming her to the HPG family. Please welcome my fiance, and our new CEO, Rory Gilmore-Hayden." Logan said proudly holding a hand out for Rory to step up next to him.
"Thank you Mr. Huntzberger. I am looking forward to working with you, and the rest of the board and employees here at HPG, and I hope that I can live up to the wonderful example that your father has been to this company." Rory said with a smile, then quickly stepped away from the microphone.
"Thank you Mr. Huntzberger and Miss Gilmore." Steevin said, stepping up to the microphone once again. "We will now hear from Mrs. Honor Huntzberger Rothschild."
"Thank you so much Mister Coolage. My name is Honor Rothschild, and I am the eldest child of Mitchum Huntzberger. Thank you so much for joining my family this afternoon. I can't tell you how much it means to us to have all of your love and support behind us as we face my father's terrifying cardiac condition, and challenging recovery. I am so incredibly relieved to not have to worry about my family's company while my father recovers, as my younger brother has asked the most amazing person to step into our Dad's large shoes. Rory Gilmore is the perfect example of selfless integrity. While working on the Presidential Campaign trail with our wonderful President, Barack Obama, Rory's unbiased, honesty was a breath of fresh air during what is always a very frustrating smear campaign between candidates. In the 12 years since my brother brought Rory into my life, Rory has always spoken the truth in every situation, and never has said a single negative word about anybody. Rory is always super positive, and goes out of her way to help anyone who might need it. If there is anyone that can step into my father's shoes, and help move this company forward through the ever changing newspaper industry, that person would be Rory. She is such a sweet person both inside and out, and she believes in leading by example, which is such a huge thing for someone in her position. No one wants to work for someone who pushes people around, and isn't willing to practice what they preach. I love Rory so much, and I believe with all of my heart that she has this company's absolute best interest at the forefront of her heart and mind, and she is the perfect person to take on the very challenging role of CEO. I am super excited to work with her, and I am absolutely tickled that just last night, she finally accepted my little brother's proposal to join our family as his wife. There is nobody better than Rory, and I can not wait to have her as my new sister! Thank you!" Honor smiled, then stepped back from the microphone, and joined Logan and Rory, off to the side of the podium, linking her arm through Rory's.
"Thank you Mrs. Rothschild. Now, due to the tremendous interest of the assembled media, we have a few more statements. Mr. Gilmore."
"Good afternoon, I am Richard Gilmore, Grandfather to the beautiful Rory. I can't tell you how proud my family is of our wonderful little girl. It is a privileged and an honor to be Rory's grandfather, and I am immensely thrilled for her new position as the interm CEO of the Huntzberger Publishing Group. I have known Mitchum Huntzberger for a very long time, and have always greatly respected his work with HPG, and all of the endless hours of work he continuously puts in. My granddaughter has always been an exceptionally hard worker, and accomplishes everything she puts her mind to. There isn't anything that this girl can't do, and we as a family as so excited to watch Rory continue to grow as a person, and now help lead HPG to new heights in the newspaper publishing industry. I know without a doubt, that Rory is the perfect choice for this position, and our family stands behind her 100%. We are thrilled for her to take on this new role in life, and we are very honored to soon welcome Logan and the whole Huntzberger family into our own family in the near future. Christopher . . ." Richard said, finishing his statement and stepping aside as Christopher stepped up to the podium next.
"Thank you Richard. Hello everyone, I am Christopher Hayden of Hayden, Merkle and associates, and I am Rory's father. It is my greatest honor to be a part of the life of someone as wonderful as Rory. My daughter has always been the light of my life, and continues to make me the proudest father in the world, every single day. I don't know a single person who is as hard or as determined of a worker as my daughter is, and I am confidant that she will be a fabulous addition to the Huntzberger Publishing Group. As a family, we are thrilled to see Rory take on this new position, and eagerly await all the positive changes she will make in this new role. I have every confidence in Rory's abilities, and I can not wait to watch her dive right in. Logan and Honor choose very well when they asked Rory to step in for Mitchum, and I am beyond excited to have them join the Gilmore and Hayden families. What Rory tackles, she conquers. There is nothing that my little girl can not do, and I am so proud of her! Congratulations Rory! We all love you so much! " Christopher said proudly, then quickly stepped away, and rejoined his family off to the side.
"Thank you Mr Hayden. Lastly, I would like to introduce Mrs. Samantha Sudsburry, Chief Public Relations officer of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital." Steevin announced. Following Mrs. Sudsburry, we will open the floor for questions."
"Hello everybody, thank you all so much for joining us this afternoon. I am Samantha Sudsburry, Chief Public Relations Officer at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. It is my honor to be with you today, and to let you know that our lovely patient Mr. Mitchum Huntzberger, is doing very well following his coronary bypass surgery two days ago. Mr. Huntzberger came into our emergency department with another patient, during which time, Mr. Huntzberger suddenly developed syptoms consistant with a Myocardial Infarction. One of our Emergency Room Physicians, Doctor Logan Huntzberger was immediately alerted to the elder Mr. Huntzberger's condition, at which time the younger Doctor Huntzberger immediately began diagnostic testing, while also calling in help from our cardiac team, headed by an incredible surgeon, Doctor Charles Levan, who is with us today, to my left. Doctor Levan assisted in diagnosing the elder Mr. Huntzberger with a Myocardial Infarction, and immediately took him into the OR and performed Cardiac Bypass surgery. Mr. Huntzberger is doing very well in our facility, and in time, is expected to make a full recovery. As a medical team, and along with the Huntzberger family, we would like to thank you all for your endless love, concern, and healing thoughts toward our patient, and we assure that we will continue to strive to serve you and the rest of our wonderful community, to the very best of our ability. Mr. Huntzberger is in wonderful hands with our cardiac team, and we are so honored to take care of such an incredible man."
"Thank you Mrs. Sudsburry. I will now open the floor up for questions." Steevin announced.
"Mr. Huntzberger, is it true that news of your engagement caused your father's heart attack?" a reporter immediately asked.
"Don't be silly!" Honor said quickly stepping up to the microphone. Logan and Rory began dating since college. If their engagement was going to cause our father to have a heart attack, it would have happened 9 years ago. Besides, our father had a heart attack a full 24 hours before there was even any talk of an engagement. This whole 'They are trying to kill Mitchum' thing is just ludicrous! We honestly have no idea where that rumor even came from, but there is zero merit to it at all."
"Mrs. Rothschild, how long will your father be out of work?"
"There is no timeline for our father's recovery. We aren't rushing things by any means. We expect that it will be several months before he is medically released to return to work."
"Mr. Huntzberger, how long have you known Miss. Gilmore?"
"About 12 years?" Honor asked looking toward Logan and Rory who both nodded their agreement. "They have known each other for 12 years."
"Mrs. Rothschild, is Miss Gilmore even qualified to take on such a role within your family's company?"
"Of course Rory is qualified! Do you honestly think that we would have appointed Rory to take over our father's role if she wasn't qualified?! Don't be ridiculous!" Honor laughed.
"Rory has a degree in English Literature and Journalism from Yale University, where she served as the Editor of the Yale Daily News. Since then she has worked as a reporter on the campaign trail with President Barack Obama, and as a reporter and assistant editor for the New York Times. Rory is more than qualified to take on the role of Interim CEO." Richard said joining Honor at the podium.
"Miss. Gilmore, what will you do when Mitchum Huntzberger is recovered and returns to his company?" another reporter asked.
"That will be determined at the appropriate time." Logan answered as he and Rory stepped up to join Honor at the podium.
"Mr Huntzberger, why didn't you step into your father's role as CEO?"
"I have other commitments with my medical career." Logan answered
"Why didn't Mrs. Rothschild step in if you are unable to?"
"I am not at all as qualified as Rory is. We would rather have someone who is qualified to lead our business forward, step into our father's role as CEO, than for someone with zero newspaper publishing experience to step in. Being CEO of a multi national company is very tough job, and I am definitely not knowledgeable enough to take on the challenge." Honor answered.
"Miss Gilmore, what do you think will be your biggest hurdle, stepping into such a challenging role as Interim CEO of the Huntzberger Publishing Group?"
"That is a great question, thank you so much for asking." Rory started. "I interned for Mr. Huntzberger while I was going to college at Yale University. At the start of my internship, Mr. Huntzberger had just acquired a new newspaper, and it was my job to shadow him, and learn all about what he does, and how HPG works right from the ground floor. I sat in meetings as Mr. Huntzberger met all the department heads, and learned exactly what their strengths and weaknesses were, and helped to identify just where they were struggling, and how to help build them up to where they needed to be in order to have a successful newspaper. I sat in financial meetings where we discussed advertising, and exactly what it costs to run a daily newspaper. I think my biggest challenge right now will be meeting with each individual newspaper, and working to identify their unique needs, and how I can help them grow, and continue to succeed in their specific areas."
"Miss. Gilmore, how long did you work for the New York Times?" another reporter asked.
"Hello Mr. Bruce. It is so nice to see you again! I have been with them for 3 years. I hope you are doing well."
"Miss. Gilmore, would you say that you were handed the position of CEO due to nepotism?"
"It is very important to our family to keep HPG within our family unit, and my sister and I very much respect our father's wishes in that area. When we needed to find a interim CEO we were thinking about who would best be suited to take on such a tough position, and have the necessary skills and experience to run our family's company. Luckily for us, that person just happened to already be in our lives, and having known Rory for 12 years, we were confidant in her qualifications and know how. Rory has been a big part of our lives for so many years, that it just made sense for her to take on the role of interim CEO." Logan informed everyone.
"Mr. Huntzberger, did you propose to Miss Gilmore, specifically to keep your company in the family?"
"No, I did not. I have been wanting to marry Rory since I first met her over a decade ago. Our engagement has been a long time coming. I had been planning to ask her for a while, but it spontaneously just happened to fall in line with everything else going on this week. I can assure you, that in no way was asking Rory to marry me, a play to keep this company in our family. In a perfect world, I would have married her 8 years ago."
"Mr. Huntzberger, have you had any push back from your board members?"
"No, we have not."
"Mr. Huntzberger, how does your father feel about being replaced? Is he ok with Miss Gilmore taking over his company?"
"Dad and Rory get a long very well. They've worked together before."
"Logan, we need to go." Rory whispered, seeing the clock on the wall reading 3:30."
"I'm sorry, but that is all the time that we have right now. Thank you all so much for coming." Logan said quickly, then nodded to Honor and headed out of the room with Rory. Once they were outside the door, Lorelai helped Rory into her coat, and handed Rory her purse.
"Lorelai, we will meet you all back here at 6pm." Logan said, then turned toward Rory, and gestured in Collin's direction. "Are you ready?"
"Let's go!" Collin agreed.
"Good luck!" Lorelai waved as the trio headed out of the building and through the media crowd to their waiting car.
4pm
New York Times Office Building
New York City, New York
"Miss Gilmore, thank you so much for coming." Rory's boss Stewart Carrington said as Rory walked into his office with Logan and Collin. "Mr. Huntzberger, I didn't realize you would be coming."
"It's nice to see you again Mr. Carrington. It's been a long time." Logan politely greeted the man.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you two know each other. Stewart, Logan is my fiance. And this is Collin McCrae, he's a close friend and our personal attorney."
"This isn't a legal matter Rory, there is no need to have an attorney present." Steward said looking toward Collin.
"Yes, we understand that. However, due to recent events, Collin has been with us all day." Logan told him.
"Please, take a seat. I will get another chair." Stewart said, then stepped out of the office for a brief moment, returning with a chair for Collin, then shutting the door, and taking his own seat behind the large desk in the center of the room. "Rory, it seems like we have quite the situation in our midst." Stewart started. "I received quite a few emails both last night, and this morning with your name in them."
"I am very sorry about that Stewart. I had no idea everything would blow up the way it has."
"Rory, the last time I talked to you, you were expecting to be released from medical leave, and excited to come back to work. But then I suddenly got a message from you asking for a leave of absence due to personal and family circumstances."
"Yes, my father in-law suddenly had a heart attack the other day. He is still in the hospital, and in time is expected to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, it will be several months before he is back to his normal routine. I asked for a leave of absence so that I am able to help out where needed."
"I am very sorry to hear that. Please give Mitchum my sincerest apologies and let him know that I wish him the best. He is a good man."
"Thank you, we will." Rory smiled.
"Rory, I am quite concerned with what I have been hearing about you in the last 24 hours. Rumor has it that you have tried to overthrow HPG, murder the CEO, and all kinds of other things. Now I like to think that in the 3 years that you have worked here, I have gotten to know you pretty well, and I am fairly certain that these rumors are all false."
"Yes, they are." Rory smiled as she shook her head. "I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. Things have gotten extremely out of hand. But I can assure you that it is all being handled."
"We just left a press conference at HPG. We addressed all of the issues, and the media circus should be dying down." Logan added.
"As nice as that sounds, here at the New York times, we don't like our reporters being news fodder. It is your job to bring the news to our readers, not to be the news yourself. But today's news is quite unusual. It isn't every day when we hear that one our own reporters is taking on a new role as CEO at another company. And it is especially concerning to hear that the company is one of our direct competitors."
"I am so sorry for not coming to talk to you first, this all happened so quickly. But I can assure you that it is a temporary position, just to help out Mitchum while he is unable to leave the hospital."
"Now I can understand that on a personal level. Helping out family during difficult times is very important, and awfully noble of you. However, on a business level, we have a major problem . . ." Stewart said opening a file folder on his desk. "Rory, correct me if I am wrong, but this is your signature . . ."
"Yes, it is." Rory answered.
"Rory, did you read the paperwork that you were signing when you were hired here at the New York Times?"
"Yes, I did."
"So then you are aware that this paper that you signed here is what is known as a non compete contract."
"Yes, I am."
"Rory, do you know what a non compete contract is?"
"It is a contract stating that during my employment, and often even after, for a specified amount of time, I am not permitted to work for any competitors of the New York Times."
"And there lies our problem . . ." Stewart told her.
"I am so sorry, it didn't occur to me when everything happened the other day that I would be in violation of my contract with you. Everything happened so quickly and I don't think any of us thought about anything other than making things easier on the family. I sincerely apologize. I would have come to talk to you immediately had I actually been more aware of the extenuating circumstances."
"Rory, you are an excellent journalist, and I have truly enjoyed having you on our staff for the last 3 years. However, you just said yourself, that taking the position of CEO with HPG, violated your contract with the New York Times."
"Yes, I understand. I was made aware of that a few hours ago. I did not realize it until after your phone call, and I spoke to Logan and Collin. I am very sorry."
"So then you understand that at this moment, I have no choice but to terminate your employment here."
"Unfortunately, I do."
"I am very sorry Rory. And because of your contract violation, you are not eligible for any severance pay."
"I understand."
"Alright. Then I just need your signature on this termination contract, then I need to get your press credentials, and building access card from you, then you are free to clear out your desk. Normally I would have security escort you from the building, but I don't feel that it is necessary at the moment. I just ask that you please be quick and professional about it."
"I am more than happy to do that for you. I am so sorry Stewart. I wish the circumstances were different. I have truly loved my job here. Thank you for everything that you have done for me these last few years." Rory said as Stewart set the termination paperwork in front of her. Rory quickly signed her name, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a lanyard with her New York Times ID card, and also her building security pass attached, and set them on the desk in front of her.
"Thank you Rory. I am very sorry to see you go, but I am sure I will be hearing great things about you in the future."
"Thank you Stewart." Rory said as she stood up, then turned to leave the office with Logan and Collin right behind her.
"I don't want to cause a scene by being here, so I will wait in the hallway. Collin, would you mind going with Rory to get her things?" Logan asked.
"No problem."
"We will just be a minute. I don't have much here." Rory told him, then headed down the hall with Collin at her side.
"You doing ok?" Collin asked as they walked toward Rory's office.
"I will be. You've gotta fake it til you make it, right?"
"Something like that." he agreed with a small smile. "Just keep in mind what I said about buying this place. It will only take me one phone call to have things set up."
"Oh Collin. You and your extravagant spending habits really need to part ways." Rory chuckled. "What would you wife and child say?"
"My child is barely a year old and would probably think that I bought her a present. And my wife would be ok with it because it's 1, not my money, and 2, because I did it for you. Stephanie really misses you."
"I miss her too. Let's set up dinner or something really soon. I can't wait to meet your daughter! Logan has told me so much about her." Rory said as they walked into her office where she saw a box sitting on the chair behind her desk. Rory quickly placed the few pictures from her desk into the box, then opened the drawers and removed her snack stash, and a few other personal things, adding them to the box as well.
"Is that the picture from the LDB event?" Collin asked noticing the picture he had taken of Logan and Rory when they had landed following their jump off the scaffolding tower.
"It's a reminder that facing my fears is much better than hiding from them, and that sometimes they lead to really amazing places."
"It is also a picture of the man who up until just a couple of weeks ago, you had been broken up with for 9 years."
"That was a very important moment in my life."
"You haven't been back in this office since your accident, right? Since BEFORE you and Logan ever spoke again."
"Your point?"
"That you've had that picture on your desk of your ex boyfriend, who was fighting himself not to kiss you at the moment I clicked the shutter button. Has this been on your desk the entire time you've worked here?"
"Collin . . ." Rory started.
"So that's a yes."
"Why do you care anyway?"
"I don't. It's just that Logan is my best friend, and I know how much losing you nearly killed him."
"Logan broke up with me, remember?"
"You turned down his marriage proposal."
"Because I wasn't ready. But I never wanted to break up. I never wanted to loose him. He's the one who walked away."
"And you've been pining for him this entire time."
"Collin . . ." Rory sighed. "You don't know what you are talking about."
"Rory, you and I may not be the closest of friends, but you forget how well I know you. You wear your heart on your sleeve. I've always known how much Logan means to you. Don't worry, I won't tell Logan about this . . . But just for the record . . . He didn't date at all the entire time you guys were apart. Finn and I tried our damnedest to get him to get back out there, but nothing we did ever worked, because none of the girls we threw his way, could ever hold a candle to you. Logan loves you more than I think even he knows. Please don't hurt him again."
"I promise to do my best." Rory told him giving Collin a brief hug. "Let's get out of here. I feel like getting some ice cream."
"I think that is a great idea!" Collin agreed. "I know the perfect place!"
"Hey Collin . . . Thank you for always being there. For me and for Logan."
"No problem. I'm texting Stephanie to meet us at our favorite ice cream place across town.
"I am so excited! Let's go!" Rory said excitedly as Collin reached into his pocket for his phone, while following Rory out of the office.