Author's Notes : Hello! I hope you enjoy the second chapter of this fic! Thank you to all of the people you reviewed this story it really helped motivating me to write this chapter. It was pretty difficult trying to write all the conversations, but a lot of fun too. Please Enjoy! And give me any advice if you like :).
Chapter 2: Hello alcohol my dearest friend
"You two know each other?" Lorelai asks gesturing to the two as they awkwardly stare at each other.
"Of course, Ac-Rory and I are on the paper together," Logan charmingly responds as he places his hand on Rory's shoulder in a friendly gesture, which she pulls away from.
"For you to be on the paper you would have to go to the paper," Mitchum says under his breath, although it seems only the Gilmore's didn't hear it.
It was blatantly obvious to Jason, and the rest of the Huntzburger family, that Logan was much more than "colleagues with Rory on the paper". Other than the fact, stated by Mitchum, that Logan rarely ever writes for the paper, his reputation with women was awfully infamous with his Casanova tendencies much like his father.
To put it simply, something was definitely going on with the two Elis, and the only ones who didn't know were Lorelai, who wasn't aware of the high society gossip, and their hosts, who rather live in ignorance of the fact that Rory was doing anything but holy actions.
"Well why don't we all have a seat and start on drinks, shall we?" Richard asks before everyone nods and settles down.
Jason, Lorelai, and Rory all take their previous spots on the couch, having stood up to greet the guests, but Emily and Richard had graciously given up their seats for Shira and Mitchum. With Honor, Josh, and Logan taking up the other unoccupied couch.
"Lorelai, Rory, Jason, Emily I know your preferences. Mitchum, McAllen Neat still your drink of choice?" The Gilmore patriarch asked.
"Richard, you've known me for decades, surely it can't be that hard for you to remember my drink, yes?" Mitchum replied, however Jason was able to detect condensation in his tone.
Whether Richard heard it or not he continued making drink orders, with Emily jumping to help, "Shira what would like? Brandy?".
"None for me Emily, you what they say about how Brandy makes you age quicker, I'll just have a glass of wine," Shira replied, and it wasn't unnoticed to Jason how Emily was holding a glass of Brandy at that moment.
"Really I thought that was about cigarettes, that and how they make you fat," Emily replied society charm in place, apparently it didn't go unnoticed by her either, with the dig at Shira's habits.
"I'll have a martini Emily," Honor asks before Josh whispers in her ear, "and Josh will just have water".
"A gin martini?" Lorelai asks.
"Of course, is there any other way to have a martini?," Honor responds rhetorically.
Not in my book there isn't," Lorelai comments leading to her and Honor smiling at each other.
"And Logan? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to drink orders yes?" Emily asks turning to Logan.
"Not if the tree has anything to say about," the blond colligate charmingly answers, smiling.
"Espasially if the apple kept breaking into the trees liquor cabinet when he was a teenager," Honor teasingly mutters as her brother playfully glares at her.
Once everyone had gotten their drinks and was settled, Emily started by making conversation, "So how did you two meet exactly?" She asks gesturing to the two Eli's.
"Well, remember back in January to get on the paper I had to do the freshman initiation?" Rory explains.
"Initiation?" Jason asks being the only one who wasn't close enough to Rory to know the story and the only one who had no connection to Yale.
"For the first semester if freshman want to join the paper they have to write qualification articles for each department, then once you qualify for one night all the freshman serve all the needs of upper class men as they try to get out the paper, it's required to be on staff," Logan chimes in.
"Of course sometimes if you're too busy partying and slacking off you can pay them to put you on the paper," Mitchum says to himself as he takes a sip of his drink.
"Yes, but in those cases you just don't want to be on the paper but assholes demand that you do to help their ego," Logan comments smiling, hearing his father.
"I'm guessing you were present at Rory's initiation and she helped you out then?" Richard inquiries using his drink to gesture to the Huntzburger heir.
"Harassmed me is more like it," Rory mutters, crossing her arms and glaring at her "colleague".
"Yes and it led to us being close friends," Logan says, answering Richard's question and ignoring Rory's comment.
On second thought, that something going on that Jason suspected has apparently long started and was going down hill.
"Well it's nice to at least one of you has a nice young man in your life," Emily says to her granddaughter, but the double meaning was completely present to Jason and Lorelai.
One of the myriad of setbacks that came with keeping their relationship secret was comments just like that directed at Lorelai. For Jason it wasn't as bad since both Richard and Emily have seen Jason with dates, along with the fact that he wasn't their daughter, it made the chances of one of them commenting on his, apparently, single status less likely.
But Lorelai, who hadn't ever paraded a man to her parents in the time he has known her, was a victim of these digs every time she and Emily were together.
"Well maybe I'm like Laura Bell mom, ever think of that?" Lorelai replies.
This led to many of the Huntzburgers, who were unaware of the Lorelai's creative wit, choking on their drinks. With Honor , Josh, and Logan silently laughing, and their parents being confused.
"I'm sorry Laura Bell?" Shira asks recovering.
"You know that woman in the 1800s who slept with every rich man in London? The queen of whoredom?" Lorelai explains uneffectively.
"With that description that sounds more like Shira than Lorelai," Mitchum comments under his breath, leading to his wife glaring at him.
Eventually, the conversations moved on from being so passive aggressive as the group intermingled. Richard and Jason began proposing their offer to Mitchum, who half-heartedly listen paying more attention to his drink. Emily and Shira began discussing an upcoming event for the pediatric hospital committee. Surprisingly, Honor and Lorelai began making good conversation with each other having a good amount in common.
So far, Jason hoped that the earlier conversations were as bad as dinner was going to get.
But these hopes went up in flames as soon as Jason tuned in on Rory's conversation with her grandfather.
"If I remember correctly I have that Andrew Becket book in my room, if you'll excuse me," Rory says as she politely exits the room and from the literary analysis discussion she was pursuing with her grandfather.
"Smart kid," Mitchum comments, looking after the girl.
"I like to think so, maybe smart enough for an internship?," Richard proposes to the media mogul.
"Eh yeah sure we'll see," Mitchum responds off handedly taking a sip of his drink.
"You know dad, Rory really is a brilliant writer," Logan comments in defense of the girl.
"Well you should know since the two of you are so close at the paper," Emily added on, smiling.
It was becoming abundantly clear to Jason that Emily was hoping for Rory and Logan to date. With observations on how close the two seem to be and how both weren't currently seeing anybody.
Although, Jason inferred that if Emily knew what Logan was actually like, his lack of commitment skills included, she wouldn't be as supportive of the two of them together.
"It hardly seems appropriate for young girls to be pursuing careers though," Shira adds, before sipping her wine.
That remark leads to all the members of the Gilmore clan going quiet before staring at the matriarch of the Huntzburgers in question.
"What do you mean by that Shira?" While Emily inquired in a somewhat calm manner it was obvious to the group that the elder woman was essentially pissed.
"Well, you and Richard talk of the girl taking on an extravagant journalistic career, when is she going to have time to settle down and care for a family," she explains as though it were obvious.
"Oh boy," Honor says quietly to her boyfriend and brother, and Jason can't even blame her.
In his time working with Richard and dating Lorelai, along with the couple of dinners he had with them together. It was clear to Jason that Rory was basically the glue holding the family together.
Whenever Lorelai was in a disagreement with her parents or there was need for conversation, Rory was the answer able to keep peace within her family. It was something Jason appreciated, especially during this evening with all the disagreements that it had sprouted before they even got to the actual dinner, he rather have less conflicts then more. It's that talent that also came with all of the Gilmores being fearsomely protective of her.
"My daughter is going to be the next Christiane Amanpour an she is fully capable of doing that and having a career," Lorelai responds in defense of Rory.
"Excuse me for a moment, I have to use the restroom," Logan says before quickly existing the room.
"Lucky bastard," Josh mutters to himself, having gotten slightly more vocal upon realizing that he was being ignored.
"Well that's awfully ambitious, did she not just get on the paper," Mitchum adds, looking down at his drink.
"Well if anyone can do it then Rory can," Richard declares, making Jason worried he might be losing his cool.
"Well the girl just started Yale I give you that Mitchum, but I have read some of Rory's work and she really does seem to have a talent," Jason said in an effort to keep the peace.
And he didn't outright lie per say, Jason only read the one article she did on a ballet from before he even started dating her mother, and that was mainly skimming it, but it was still really good.
Luckily, his comment seemed to calm everyone down and the group went back to their somewhat normal chit chat, but there was an obvious tension in the room. It was fifteen minutes after the return of the somewhat calm atmosphere did Jason realize that Rory hadn't returned, and that Logan wasn't present either.
It was after this realization that Jason started to panic, the fact that the two even knew each other was concerning enough but the idea that the two Eli's knew each other well enough for Rory to be upset with the blond made Jason worried that there would be a vey possible future involving how the deal would fall through due to the fact of Richard getting overprotective of Rory, because her heart was broken by the playboy.
It was that train of thought that led to Jason going off to look for the two, "Excuse me everyone, but I need to review the notes in your office Richard," he said looking at his business partner and potential client.
"Must be a bit of a challenge if you can't memorize the notes that you made huh Digger," Mitchum comments pointing his glass at the younger man.
"Well I just like to be prepared," Jason replied holding in the urge to tell the media mogul that he was really going off to stop his son from getting him beat to a pulp by Richard since he couldn't keep it in his pants.
Jason then went off to look for the two collegiates.
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After a couple minutes of searching he saw the two, or rather heard them.
"Ace come on-" Jason made the first voice out to be Logan's, although slightly whiny.
"No Logan, I already told you today that I'm not doing this," Jason heard his girlfriend's daughter reply before peaking behind the wall to observe the two.
Logan seemed to be dialing up the charm to the max with his arms wrapped around the brunette's waist, but it didn't seem to be working judging by how Rory's face was twisted with anger and trying to escape the Casanova's grip.
"I really don't see why Ace, everything was going great," the blond comments his tone more exasperated now.
"Great? You consider that fact that Sean almost died because of you going into a jealous rage great?" Rory questions, managing to get out of Logan's arms.
"The guy was a creep and you were trying to get away from him anyway," was the Huntzburger heir's explanation as he crossed his arms.
"Yes I wanted to get away from him, but it wasn't your job to play knight in shining armor," Rory responded putting her hands on her hips.
It was becoming very clear to Jason that the relationship between the college students was much like a soap opera as he watched the two from his hiding place.
"I still don't see why you're mad about this," Logan said before pacing in front of the girl.
"I'm mad about this because what you did is something a boyfriend would do, and you made it clear that in this casual relationship you weren't my boyfriend," Rory explained as she threw her hands in the air in frustration.
Upon hearing the word casual Jason's worry and concern over what was going on turned to fear. Jason was fully aware of what casual meant for a relationship, having many friends who had similar relationships in high school and college. So to hear those words seriously freaked the man out.
Whenever Rory came up in topic of conversation with Richard and Emily Jason always heard the two talk about how innocent and angelic their granddaughter was. While Jason hardly believed it, hearing similar things about Honor Huntzburger when Jason was fully aware of what happened at the Turks and Caicos hotel in 1996 with her sleeping with the pool boys.
But when Lorelai had rambled about her daughter after one of their dinners together it had led to Jason disturbingly knowing that the girl was still a virgin.
But Rory having a friends with benefits relationship with the biggest playboy on the east coast was hardly angelic and innocent.
"I told you that I couldn't do commitment when we started this, and I can't now," the playboy had stopped pacing at this point and was standing directly in front of the brunette.
"Oh really Mr. 'can't do commitment'," Rory said with air quotes before continuing, "why did Colin and Finn have to drag you off of Sean as you practically beat him up til he was unconscious. And by the way I was fine with your lack of commitment since wasn't ready for a relationship back then and was trying to get over my ex," the girl had poked her finger into the blond's chest to make a point.
"Oh so you admit you want a relationship now," Logan had replied while grabbing Rory's hand in front of him.
Rory pulled out of his grip before pinching her forehead and looking like she was about to scream, and frankly Jason was surprised she hadn't yet and that the rest of the group hadn't heard them.
"Look Logan I told you earlier today and I'll tell you again, unless you can figure out if you want to be just friends or official then I'm not talking to you. The fact that we're even at this dinner makes that harder, but we just have to get through this with polite conversation and dodge my grandmother's attempts at trying to set us up and we'll be fine. However, we aren't doing this arrangement anymore," The nineteen year old explained before taking a step back and crossing her arms.
Logan followed her and his demeanor seemed to have calmed down, "Ace, you really think that we can just go back to being friends," he said before putting his hands in his pockets.
"At this point I really don't care if you want to be my boyfriend or just someone I work with at the paper, but I'm not dealing with this confusion about our relationship anymore, whatever this is," she replied, gesturing to the space between the two of them.
"You really believe that after all of this we will go back to colleagues in the newsroom?" The twenty one year questioned as he put one hand on her waist and using the other to tuck a piece of the girl's short hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek in his hand.
However before the brunette could reply the blond leaned closed the distance between the two.
It was I this point that Jason had awkwardly realized what had taken the two so long to get back. His awkward position didn't improve once Rory started kissing Logan back.
As Jason had somewhat reluctantly accepted his unwelcome position of being a voyeur of the Elis, Rory seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in and pulled away from her "friend".
"No! You cannot charm your way out of this Logan it didn't work with calls, it didn't work with you showing up at my dorm, and it certainly isn't going to work with that," Rory said in anger.
"It certainly worked five minutes ago," Logan chimed in working blue.
Rory sighed before slouching in defeat, "Can we just go back to drinks with everyone, we've been gone for a while and someone might come looking for us," the girls said looking at her companion.
He looked at her for a moment before sighing as well and gripping her shoulder, "Yeah, but we're not done talking about this".
The blond then began to walk back to the living room, and once he was gone Jason stepped out of his hiding spot.
Rory straighten up when seeing him and tried to have a happier facade, "Jason hi, how much did you hear?"
Jason looked at the girl in sympathy, "I went looking for the two of you, and was able to hear enough to understand the situation, you okay?" He asked.
"Honestly? No and I don't think I have since spring break," Rory replied sadly.
"Did you tell your mom about any of this?" The man replied in unconscious fatherly concern.
Rory didn't meet his eyes as he replied, "What, and tell her that I'm unofficially seeing a guy who doesn't think I'm good enough to date exclusively when she hasn't even calmed down from my last boyfriend dumping me".
Jason understood the girl on that level, hearing Lorelai's angry rant as she talked about how her daughter's punk of an ex showed up when they went to the rare manuscript function.
"Well, if it's any help, I think you're handling it nicely," Jason said as he awkwardly put his hand on the college freshman's shoulder, having no idea what to do in this situation.
Rory looked at him in surprise, "Really?" At Jason's nod she smiled, "Well then I do feel a bit better, thanks," the brunette replied.
He shrugged before putting his hands in his pockets, "No problem, now let's head back before they start dinner".
As the two walked back to the rest of the group, Jason couldn't explain the urge he had to knock some sense into Logan Huntzberger over his actions.
Eh, it probably wasn't a big deal. Besides he had other problems to worry about when it came to this dinner then some twenty one year old frat boy.
Author's Notes: So that was the second chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. For clarification on Rory and Logan, the two meat in season 4 episode 10 The Nanny and The Professor at the newsroom. When Rory mentions how Logan harassed her, she's talking about how in this timeline as Doyle was explaining the point of the newspaper tradition Logan shows up in the middle of it, freaking Doyle out. Logan then proceeded to try and get Rory's attention, but she was already frustrated with what was going on with Paris and Asher along with Doyle that she couldn't deal with him and yelled. Afterwards, Logan apologized and try to get back on Rory's good side and this worked and led to them being friends. In season 4 episode 13 Nag Hammadi Is Where They Found The Gnostic Gospels Rory and Logan began casually dating started on Rory's part to get over Jess and what he said. This was going well for the two until season 4 episode 17 Girls in Bikinis Doin' The Twist where Rory and Paris went to Florida with Logan, Colin, and Finn instead. At this point Rory was trying to see other people since that was the agreement even if she was unhappy with it and it leads to her and Logan acting like how they did at Finn's party in season 5. Once they got back from spring break Rory avoided Logan until the day of the dinner to state how she wasn't okay with the arrangement anymore and was mad at him. All of this takes place during the second semester at Yale.