Disclaimer: If I owned Gilmore Girls do you really think I’d be writing fan fiction?
Author’s Ramblings: Written for the Event Integrity Fic Exchange I so forgot to put it up here when it ended. Anyway, thanks for such cute requirements bullet-proof! I hope this sufficed. Oh, it’s Post But Not As Cute As Pushkin.
Premise for Challenge: Include: a game of pool/billiards, Rory meeting Logan’s parents, Logan’s parents’ knowledge of the engagement joke, jealous Marty. Don’t Include: Jess, Anything terribly racy or R-rated, Rory/Marty, the affection should be one way.

-----

“Done.” Rory mumbled rather incoherently, as she rose from her desk. Grabbing her bag and a couple of folders she headed out of the empty newsroom almost walking straight into a certain blonde.

“Sorry.” She mumbled turning away.

”Ace...just the girl I was looking for.”

“Lucky me.”

“I’ve got a proposition for you.”

“No.”

He turned following her down the hall. “Come on Ace, where’s you sense of adventure?”

“Sold it. I needed a new pair of shoes, and a matching bag.”

“Someone’s in a bad mood.”

She sighed, turning to stare at him. “I’m in a rush. Skip the witty intro and just cut to the chase.”

“I need a favor.”

“Oh this should be interesting.”

“I need a date.”

“Wh–I’m sorry what?”

“I need you to be my date for this party my parents are having.”

“I’m sorry; do I look like the type of girl who’d be willing to play Barbie for the night? Because if I do then I’m really going to have to work on my image, is it the peppiness? Damn that coffee.”

“Ace...”

“Or maybe it’s the ponytail. I knew it was too high, makes me look like a cheerleader.”

“Ace!”

“Then again it could be the–“

His lips on hers cut her off abruptly. And all form of argument left her mind. Her books dropped from her arms onto the ground and her hands found their way to the familiar feel of Logan’s hair. She moaned against his touch as Logan quickly probed, explored and sucked at her lips making her long for more all the while. And then, just as quickly, it stopped. With his hands stuffed in his pockets, he began to walk backwards down the hall with a parting comment.

“It’s formal-ish, so nothing over the top. I’d leave the tiara at home. I’ll pick you up at seven. Be ready.”

Rory simply nodded, placing her hand to her lips.


:::::

It was the third time this week that Logan Huntzberger had kissed Rory Gilmore, and each time it always got better. He laughed, remembering her expression as he made his exit. She’d really been caught off guard today.
They’d been doing this for some time now, a little over a month. The banter, the subtle flirting, the passionate, tension filled kisses. They never discussed them, and they never questioned them. It just was.

He didn’t know if she was dating anyone else, and she didn’t know if he was. In truth he wasn’t; he hadn’t since their first kiss. It didn’t feel right. He just hoped she wasn’t seeing anyone either.

She didn’t seem to be dating anyone since she broke up with the Dean guy, but she was always with that bartender, Marty. It was no secret he had a thing for Rory, but Logan just hoped the feelings weren’t mutual. An unknown feeling crept up inside Logan — jealousy. Logan wanted Rory all to himself; he didn’t want to share her. He sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair, now to tell Rory.


:::::

She hated herself for doing this: for giving in, letting a man rule her decisions, and agreeing to be his bimbo for the night. But Logan - Logan kissed like he meant it. He made her feel alive; he made her forget. He let her stop thinking logically, and let her live life on the edge for just a few moments.
That was why she let him kiss her. That was why she agreed to be his date whenever he asked her and that was why she remained at his beck and call. She hated herself for it, but those few minutes made up for it.

She knew she’d never get a real relationship out of it. He would never be her boyfriend, someone she could bring home to her mom and Luke. She wanted it to, but knew that wasn’t the way Logan worked. He liked to be loose, to be free. He didn’t want a relationship and Rory knew this. Her mind said to move on and forget about him but her heart told her to hold on, no matter how illogical it seemed. For once, Rory Gilmore was thinking with her heart.

That was what left her in her current position, rummaging through her closet for something to wear. Formal-ish? What the hell was formal-ish? She needed help. She couldn’t ask Lane or even Lorelei they weren’t the type to know the difference between formal, and formal-ish, and Paris was out on a date with Doyle. Immediately she crossed her grandmother off her mental list; too many questions would be asked. Regretfully she dialed an almost foreign number.

“Hey Stephanie, its Rory, Rory Gilmore.”


:::::

“Logan, why do your parents insist on making these parties so dam early.”

“It starts at eight Finn, any later and we wouldn’t have enough time to get drunk.” Colin insisted.

“Well, we do need sufficient time to get drunk.”

“’Course you do.” Logan chimed in as he grabbed his keys off the table and headed for the door. “See you guys there.”

“Where are you off to mate?”

“He’s going to pick up Rory, where else?”

“Shove it, Colin.”

“Well, you are, aren’t you?”

No protest came from his lips. “I...”

“See...” His friend snickered. “I told you.”

“Oh, and I suppose you and Stephanie will be flying solo tonight?”

“Well...no.”

“Interesting.”

Logan sighed, turning to his friend. “What now Finn?”

“You just referred to Rory as if she and your relationship, and feelings for her were equivalent to Colin’s for Stephanie...”

“I did not!”

“Are they?”

”Are they what Colin?”

“It’s a simple question Logan, are your feelings for Rory beyond physical attraction? Do you care about her? Do you want her?”

He remained quiet for a moment, before turning for the door and mumbling an almost silent ‘yes’ as he exited.

:::::

“Oh, dress up! This should be fun.”

“I already told Logan Steph, I’m not Barbie.”

“I know that silly, but it’s still dress up. You don’t normally dress like this.”

“No...no I don’t.”

”Well, don’t worry. I brought a few dresses for you to choose from. Now the first is very conservative and the second you’ll probably say no to as soon as you see it so, I suggest this one...” Stephanie held up a plain black halter, with a sheer white layer overlapping it. The waist poofed out just enough, not laying to flat, but not making her look like she stepped out of a fairy tale either. Rory said nothing.

“Now you could wear your hair up in a twist and I have these great black silhouettes.”

“That...sounds great. Thanks.”

“So, what exactly is going on between you and Logan?” Stephanie asked as she and Rory applied each other’s makeup.

“Honestly...” Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure? Well, we’ll just have to find out then, won’t we?”

”Wha–“

”There. I think we’re done. Now I have to get back to my dorm before Colin gets there and Logan here.”

“Okay. Stephanie?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

She ran out of the dorm and into the hall, meeting no one other than Logan himself.

“Steph?” He asked, eyeing her complete in a ball gown and an elaborate coiffure.

“Hey Logan. See you in a few minutes. Colin didn’t leave yet did he?”

“No, not yet. What–are you doing in there?”

“Oh, Rory and I got ready together.”

She headed down the hall again, but stopped one last time and turned to face her life long friend. “Logan?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t break her heart. She’s sweet.”

“Steph...”

“I like her. It’s nice having another girl in the gang.”

”Steph!”

“I mean honesty Logan. If you’re just in this for the thrill stop it now. Please. She’s a great girl, and a great friend. I don’t want her to get–”

“Stephanie. It’s not like that, okay? It’s more than that.”

“Oh...good.” She smiled. “Then get the hell in there, she’s waiting.”

:::::

He knocked on the door, and she must have been waiting for him on the other side, because she opened the door immediately.

“Hey Logan...I’ll be right there, just have to grab my purse.”

“Yeah...no-“He trailed off, eyeing her up and down instead.

Grabbing her purse and her cell phone she turned to find him staring. “What is it?”

Logan smirked. “Steph had something to do with that dress didn’t she?”

“Well...yeah. Why does it not look right? Too much? Not enough? Is it...okay?”

“Ace, it’s perfect.”

“Oh.” She leaned in and placed a kiss to his cheek. Leaving him in shock, she walked towards the door, nodding her head for him to follow. “Come on. We’re going to be late.”

:::::

They rode with Stephanie, Colin, Finn, and Finn’s date. It turns out the redhead with the short name was Tina; she was accompanying him tonight. Inside they separated.
“We have to mingle for a little.” Stephanie explained. “You know chit chat with the parents. The real fun starts later.”

Rory only laughed with a glint of fear in her eye.

Logan wrapped his arm around Rory’s waist. She felt warm and safe, happier than she had felt all week, barring the times he’d kissed her. When she felt his breath tickle against her neck as he spoke, she knew she’d done the right thing coming. Following her heart wasn’t half bad.

“Time to meet the parents.” He whispered into her ear. His grip tightened as he steered her towards the Huntzbergers.

“Mom, Dad, I want you to meet Rory Gilmore. She’s Richard and Emily’s granddaughter. Rory these are my parents Mitchum and Shira Huntzberger.”

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

“Finally, we get to meet the infamous Rory. We’ve heard so much about you, Rory. Even before you and Logan... well even before you two met, Richard loved to boast about his granddaughter.”

“Graduate valedictorian coming in the middle of her sophomore year, made every school she applied to all of which were Ivy League, is now on the Yale Daily News willing and ready to enter a career in journalism.”

Rory’s blush deepened. “My grandfather loves to talk about me. He gets a little to caught up in it, I’m sorry if he’s bored you.”

“Nonsense.” Shira said with a smile. “We love to hear about it.”

Logan’s arm remained around Rory’s waist. “Ac–Rory likes to sell herself short. She doesn’t even realize her potential.”

“Well...” Mitchum cleared his throat. “I’ve read quite a few of your articles and I’ll tell you right now Ms. Gilmore, you lived up to and beyond everything your grandfather has to say about you. Give me a call when you graduate, we’ll talk.”

“Thank you sir, I’ll do that.”

“Rory, your grandparents are here tonight, actually. Come with me and we’ll go find them.” Shira suggested.

“Oh...”

Inwardly Logan groaned not releasing his grip on the brunette. Tonight was not supposed to be a social engagement. It was supposed to be a chance for them to hang out without having to actually ask Rory to hang out.

“Mom, I don’t think-”

“Logan, they’re her grandparents, honestly you can’t expect her not to go and say hello. Now, we won’t be long. You stay here and chat with your father. We’ll go find Richard and Emily. Come along Rory.”

He felt Rory wiggle free from his arm and ran a hand through his hair. This was going to be a long night.

“Don’t run your hands through your hair son, shows frustration, and weakness. You don’t want the enemy to know when your weak.”

“I didn’t think I was dealing with the enemy here.”

His father chuckled, “You’re not. It’s just a tip.” He paused and said, “So that’s her, huh? Your fiancé?”

“God, Dad! Not that again!”

“Well, you have to admit, she got you good.”

Logan looked over at the brunette in the black ball gown, grinning widely. Mitchum knew that look; he had it on his face every time he saw Loretta. “She did, didn’t she?”


:::::

“What do you say Ace, how about a game of pool?”
They mingled for some time, danced quietly, laughed, and had a decent time before they, and those they arrived with, retired to Logan’s pool house. She sat there, curled up against Logan on his father’s expensive couch. It was heaven; she was sure of it.

“I can’t play.”

The blonde looked down at her. “Sure you can. It’s simple.” He removed himself from the couch and motioned for her to follow. “It’s just a simple game of pool.”

“With a twist.” Finn added, quickly.

“I’m not sure I like the sound of this twist.”

“It’s not that bad.” Tina chimed in. “It’s just pool, with a little truth or dare added in, except there’s no truth, just dare. And if you don’t take the dare, you drink a glass of champagne.”

“Oh, dear God.”

“Don’t worry.” Colin assured her. “I’m barring anything above misdemeanors. I don’t feel much like bailing anyone out of jail tonight.”

“Spoil sport.” Stephanie spat out before attacking his lips.

She sighed. “I have a feeling that I’m desperately going to regret this.”

An hour later all were sufficiently drunk, all except Rory who had limited herself to a few glasses of champagne despite all dares, and Logan who had pulled off almost all dares flawlessly. The only dare he had turned down, everyone taking notice of it too, was Finn’s dare to go get laid by that cute blonde waitress.

“Alright!” Finn screamed. “One last dare. Rory–you lost the most games and have done nothing except steal a table decoration! It’s your turn, and you can’t say no. It’s for you and Logan.”

She giggled, the champagne putting her in a much better mood. “What is it?”

“Go up to the bar, and order a margarita, and Logan you go with her. Act like a couple. Logan you have to kiss her in front of the bartender.”

“What’s the catch?” She asked skeptically.

Colin smirked. “No catch, none whatsoever.”

“What do you say Ace?”

“I say let’s do it.”

In their intoxicated states none their friends realized that there was a catch other than a laugh at someone else’s expense. Rory and Logan didn’t see it until it was too late.

They got up, and his hand fell to the small of her back. She was used to it by then; it felt right.

“Hi...” She told the bartender between giggles. “I’ll have a margarita.”

Logan pulled her closer, their bodies up against each other. He moved forward but stopped just before he reached her lips. They itched with anticipation, and unconsciously she licked them.

”This isn’t just for a bet.” He whispered before leaning in, and capturing her lips.

For a moment, she forgot where and who she was. All she knew was the way Logan’s lips felt on hers and that it felt good. She didn’t want it to end. His tongue grazed her lip, asking for entrance, entrance she would have eagerly given if it hadn’t been for their interruption.

A different bartender cleared his throat, placing the drink on the counter. Rory flushed, pulling away and looking into the eyes of her friend.

“Marty.”

Marty clenched his fists tightly trying to find words. “Rory...”

“So um...I didn’t know you were working here tonight...”

“I didn’t know you were attending.”

“It was kind of last minute.”

“I’m sure it was.”

Silence. It was at times like these that Rory wished she could disappear. Being caught making out with a guy Rory claimed to hate more than once was not exactly fun.

Marty sighed. ‘Why would you? How could you-I don’t know what to say.”

“Marty-I...”

“You talk about him constantly, how annoying and frustrating he is. Well, that should have been my first clue. I thought we were friends Rory.”

“Marty, we are-“

“Then why him over me? What makes him so appealing and me just the reliable friend?”

She said nothing.

“I thought you were different. I thought that didn’t matter. I thought you didn’t like him. Hell, last time I check I didn’t think you believed he liked you. But apparently that changed.”

“I–I have to go.”

Seeing Rory about to leave Logan turned, capturing her in his arms. “Hey...”

“Logan...I can’t. Not right now.”

With a sigh he watched her go.

:::::

He found her outside on a balcony. She didn’t acknowledge him and for a moment he wondered whether or not he had to make his presence known.

“Rory...”

She turned, meeting his eyes. “Don’t call me that.”

”What?”

“It sounds foreign, coming from you. Call me what you usually call me. This is no different.”

He nodded a smirk on his lips. “Ace.”

She waited for more. Nothing came.

She laughed. “That’s it. That’s all you’ve got?”

“I live spontaneously.”

“Well, put your spontaneous ways aside for a moment and answer a question for me.”

“Shoot.”

“What are we?”

“We’re whatever you want us to be.” His hands moved to her waist.

“I’m serious Logan.”

“So am I. I want you Ace, just you. I don’t know what you want, but I’m willing to give you it, whatever it is.”

She nodded her head, wiping away a tear. “I want...I want that feeling, that feeling of complete happiness, yet total chaos that I get whenever I’m with you. I want it to be constant.”

She exhaled deeply with a small nod, as if coming to a decision about something.

“I want you Logan. Just you.”

He grinned, tightening his grip as her hands wrapped around his neck. He leaned in, his lips reaching hers as he gave her just that.