A/N: I was watching the episode 'But I'm a Gilmore' the other day and this idea just came to me. I was going to hold it back but I wrote it and decided just to post it to see what you think. It takes place after Logan shows up at Rory's door and takes her to get something to eat. The only thing I'm changing about that episode is that Mitchum didn't offer her an internship. Shira shows up instead with a different kind of offer. So read on and tell me what you think. Good, bad, or indifferent. Thanks. I don't own the show.
An Offer She Couldn't Refuse
Chapter One: An Offer She Couldn't Refuse
Rory smiled to herself as she and Logan walked along the hallway to her dorm room. The sound of Logan's voice was a pleasing hum in her ear as her mind focused on the feel of his hand holding hers. She gazed down at their entwined hands and felt her heart warm as he grazed her knuckles with his thumb caressingly. As soon as they had left the car, Logan had taken her hand and she was embarrassed to admit how much comfort and reassurance she felt just from one little gesture.
Logan had never done the 'boyfriend' thing before, but so far he was doing a pretty good job at making her feel like this could work despite what his parents thought of her.
Rory frowned as her thoughts turned to earlier that evening; dinner with the Huntzberger's. She was sure it would live on in folklore. It had been an evening she was nervously looking forward to; however, it had turned sour before she had even finished her starter. She kept replaying all of the horrible things Logan's family said about her. They had basically implied that she was trash and not good enough to be a part of their family. Actually, they had done more than imply, they had told her straight to her face. She had never felt more embarrassed or bewildered than she had at that point. She just wanted to run away and hide until the mean people stopped picking on her.
It was awful.
Shira, Logan's mother had gone on and on about how Rory wanted to work and how she didn't know what it took to be in their all powerful family. First of all, Rory had never so much as contemplated the possibility of marrying into the Huntzberger family. She was 20 years old and she and Logan had just started dating officially that very same day. Marriage and the future were a long way off.
Second of all, why was it such a bad thing that she had plans to work in her future? It was the twenty-first century. The world had moved on. She was fairly sure that if Hilary could raise a family, work and be married to Bill Clinton, then she could most certainly follow suit. She had always been brought up to work hard for what she wanted. There had never been a day in her life when she expected anything to be handed to her, nor would she ever want there to be.
She didn't want to be a trophy wife and apparently that is what the Huntzberger's wished for their son. A life of emptiness and misery with someone he didn't love or respect.
The more time she spent with Logan, she knew that that would never be enough for him. As much as he liked to live the no strings, no responsibilities lifestyle, he was smarter than almost everyone she knew and he needed someone who could match him on some kind of level. Not someone who would let him get away with things or someone who would bend to his every whim. In the short time that she had known him, she realised that he needed someone like her.
That thought made her smile.
"So, here we are, Ace." Logan stopped and stared down at Rory as they stood outside her dorm room. Rory, lost in a daze, gazed up at him dreamily and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hmm?"
"You're home, Rory." he told her sweetly. Rory looked at the door and then realisation kicked in.
"Oh, right." Logan smirked and raised her hand up to kiss it softly.
"This is where I say goodnight." he pulled her against him and kissed her thoroughly. Rory sighed into the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When he broke away, she kept her eyes closed enjoying being so close to him.
"Why don't you come in? Spend the night?" she whispered huskily as she breathed in his scent. After the night they had had, she just wanted to curl up in his arms and sleep.
"And face the wrath of Paris? It's been a long night. You should get some sleep." he offered while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Rory leaned forward and kissed him chastely on the lips.
"I'd sleep better if you were there." she whispered. Logan smiled and kissed her forehead surprised by how her words affected him. He felt happy that she needed him. He had never been needed before. He had never felt such a strong urge to protect someone either. But with Rory, he just wanted to wrap her up in his arms and promise never to let anything hurt her ever again. It did occur to him that he might be the one who hurts her most.
Rory rest her head on his shoulder and he kissed her hair. He was finding it hard to break away from her. He didn't want to leave her.
Part of him wanted to just go home on his own and try and process everything that had happened tonight. He had officially been a boyfriend for less than twenty-four hours and it had been eventful to say the least. None of it had been Rory's fault, but he felt a little guilty himself for dragging her into the lions den without warning. He knew his family could be ruthless, but how they had treated Rory…he would never forgive them.
The other part, the part which seemed to have more sway with his body wanted to stay with her and spend the night showing her how much his family's opinions didn't bother him. He wanted to posses her body and soul in a way he had never experienced before. But he felt nervous. For the first time in a long time, Logan felt unsure about having sex with someone. It had always been about scratching an itch, enjoying himself, but things between him and Rory were different now. It would be much more intimate, much more meaningful and that scared him a little bit.
But who was he if not someone who faced their fears head on and took risks. He wanted to be with her more than anything. It surprised him how much the thought of being in her arms comforted him. Like she was the only person who could take away all of the hurt and frustration. She made him feel so calm and relaxed, it had only been a day but he was beginning to need her.
"Lead the way, Ace." he smiled down at her big blue eyes as she gazed up at him. She took his hand in hers and pulled out her key from her purse to let them inside. He followed silently as she guided him through the common room and into the sanctuary of her bedroom.
Logan sat down on the bed as Rory moved about the room, getting herself ready for bed. He watched her closely as she slid out of her dress and stood in just her underwear while removing her jewellery. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He felt the blood pool in his groin as his eyes skimmed over the soft, supple curves of her body and her pale, creamy skin. She must have noticed him staring at her as she gazed back at him meeting his eyes. He smiled and held out a hand for her to take. She did. Logan pulled her to him and she climbed onto his lap straddling him. He closed his eyes and hugged her warm body to him burying his face in the crook of her neck. He let out a deep sigh and held on to her firmly. He just wanted to hold her. He just wanted to lose himself in her and shut out the rest of the world.
"Logan?" she asked, her voice muffled as she kissed his hair and wrapped her arms around him. They stayed like that for a few minutes until he felt her shiver under the cold. He rubbed his hands caressingly over her bare back and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. She smiled down at him and ran her fingers through his hair. Both were enjoying the closeness, a new bond was forming between them. A bond which would be hard to break for anyone.
"Rory…I'm sorry about tonight. I…" he spoke in a low voice. Rory surprised him by placing her finger over his mouth, silencing him.
"Ssh. No more words. Lets just sleep." she told him soothingly. She slid off his lap and pulled him up off the bed. She slowly began undoing the buttons on his black shirt before sliding his jacket off over his shoulders. Logan kept his eyes on her as she tugged the ends of his shirt out of his pants and then made quick work ridding him of his belt. He shivered as she ran her fingers gently over his toned abs before finding his zipper and helping him out of his pants and shoes. It took all of his strength not to pull her onto the bed and have his way with her. Maybe before he would have, but not now. Now, he just wanted to revel in the feelings she was provoking in him.
Rory took his hand and led him to the side of the bed. She pulled the covers over and climbed in. Logan followed her and they just lay there staring at each other. Unable to control himself any longer, he moved closer to her and cupped her face, brushing her lips with a tender, yet passionate kiss. Rory melted into it, loving the feeling of his lips on hers. She edged closer until he pulled her flush against his hard chest. He wrapped her up in his arms, their legs tangling as their kisses grew more heated. Logan's hands roamed over her soft flesh. His fingers searching and enjoying the feel of her body completely at his mercy. She moaned as he squeezed her butt and wrapped her leg around his waist allowing her to feel him pressing hard against her. She broke the kiss and smiled seductively back at him. Pulling away slightly she rolled them over so she was on top of him. She bent down to capture his lips in a frenzied kiss. There was so much desire brewing between them, so much need. He needed her just as much as she needed him.
RLRLRLRLRL
Rory sat at her desk in the newsroom listening to Paris as she explained her new found intimacy with Doyle. She told her how he had had his heart broken and that was why he was reluctant to make a commitment. Rory was trying to concentrate on finishing her article when a flash of blonde hair caught her eye. She glanced up to see Shira Huntzberger standing at the door. She scanned the room looking for her son, Rory assumed. When her eyes fell on Rory, she smiled and made her way to her desk.
"Hello Rory, it's nice to see you." she greeted her warmly. Rory frowned feeling slightly confused. This was the same woman who had basically called her scum the night before and she was standing smiling at her as if they were friends reunited.
"Um…hi." she said quietly. Her voice coming out sounding a little rough. Shira glanced at Paris who looked at Rory questioningly. "Are you looking for Logan?"
Shira laughed. "Oh no. Don't be silly. I was actually looking for you. I was hoping maybe we could do lunch. Are you hungry?"
Rory remained puzzled by Shira's appearance. She was here to see her. Fear flooded her as she mentioned them having lunch together. Maybe she wanted to poison her, get her out of the picture once and for all.
"Um…"
"Please. At least let me make it up to you. Last night did not go the way I wanted." she admitted solemnly.
Rory's eyes widened. She studied the older woman curiously trying to figure her out. Before she could process her request, she found herself saying yes.
"Wonderful." Shira said, her eyes lighting up. "How about De Luca's in one hour?"
"Great." Rory smiled forcefully. What had she gotten herself into? She had agreed to have lunch with a woman who despised her. Her thoughts turned to Logan. Maybe he had gone over and demanded that Shira apologise to her. Maybe that was why she had shown up.
Rory sighed. If she was going to make this thing work with Logan she was going to have to make an effort with his family. Starting with his mother.
RLRLRLRL
"So, where did you get to last night? I called you a dozen times." Colin asked as he perched himself on the stool beside his blonde friend. Logan took a swig of scotch and turned to face him.
"Dinner with the family." he informed him. Colin frowned. He was surprised that Logan would willingly attend dinner with his family unless held at gunpoint.
"Who died?" he queried. Logan shook his head.
"My soul." he joked, though his tone was tinged with bitterness. Colin continued staring at him. "No one died. Honor made me go. She's getting married and she wanted me there for moral support."
"Honor's getting married? To Josh?" he asked disbelievingly.
"They have been together for three years."
"Yeah, but…" Colin stared off into the distance.
"But what?"
"There goes my shot with her." Logan snorted and gestured to the bartender for another drink.
"Yeah, you wish." he told him just as Finn arrived.
"Hello lads. How are we this fine evening?"
"Great. Logan was just regaling me with tales of his latest sojourn into the depths of hell." Finn widened his eyes and turned to Logan.
"You don't have a scar on you." he studied his appearance.
"All my scars are emotional." he accepted the refill and took another swig while Finn and Colin looked at each other and then back at him.
"What did Mitchum do this time?" Finn asked plainly. Logan smirked. No one knew him better than his two best friends. They had learned that whenever something was bothering him, it was usually Mitchum's doing. Surprisingly, this time it wasn't. Although, he was sure he had some part in it.
"It wasn't Mitchum. It was my mom and my grandpa."
"Well…?"
"I took Rory to dinner."
"Gilmore? Why would you take her? The last I checked you two were just bed buddies. I didn't think your conquests got the grand tour of Huntzberger towers." Colin asked a little bit confused.
"Well, she's not just a bed buddy anymore. She's…" he downed his scotch and took a deep breath before he told his best friends that he had given up his philandering ways for the love of a good woman. "…my girlfriend."
Colin's eyes went wide and Finn choked on his beer. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Rory is my girlfriend. We're together. Exclusively." he explained to their blank faces.
"Did you lose a bet?" Finn quizzed him, staring at him as if he was nuts. Logan shook his head and Finn looked back at Colin.
"Does she have some incriminating pictures of you? Did you bump your head and forget who you are?" Colin asked just as equally confused as Finn.
"No." Logan rolled his eyes.
"How? What? When? Why?" Colin couldn't get his mind around this turn of events and judging by the look on Finn's face, he was right there with him.
"It happened the other day. She showed up at my dorm room saying that she couldn't do the 'no strings' thing anymore and that we should just go back to being friends. But…I didn't want that. I didn't like the idea of not seeing her. So, I said I'd be her boyfriend." Logan finished as Colin and Finn gaped at him.
Colin shook his head. "Let me get this straight. You actually entered into this crazy arrangement out of your own free will? She didn't hold a gun to your head or threaten to chop off Logan junior?"
Logan rolled his eyes. "Nope. No weapons of any kind were used in the decision making process."
"Well, then she played you."
"What?"
"She totally manipulated you."
"What are you talking about?" It was Logan and Finn's turn to look at Colin with perplexed expressions on their faces.
"She was the one who started this thing between you two, right?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah and she probably knew deep down that she could never follow it through. So, she just waited until you were more invested and then BAM! She used the 'let's just be friends' card. And you fell for it."
Logan rolled his eyes at his paranoid friend and sighed into his drink.
"Colin does make sense, mate. Although, Gilmore doesn't seem the type…"
"They never do. Until they get you in their grasp…" Logan scanned his friend's dark features and narrowed his eyes at him. It was possible that Colin was channelling his father's paranoia in regards to women. The man had been married five times and Colin had resolved to never follow in his footsteps. He was going to remain a bachelor for life. Logan had thought that would be his life too, but he had never expected someone like Rory to show up and throw him through a loop. Someone so sweet and sincere. He didn't think anyone existed quite like her anymore; he had become so jaded by the falseness of the world he belonged to.
Rory had been like a shining beacon of hope for him. She had gotten under his skin and become…important to him. Despite what Colin said, she hadn't manipulated him into doing anything. She may have been the one to initiate this thing between them, but he had been having similar kinds of thoughts for a while before. His reluctance to do anything about it was mainly due to the fact that he had grown to care about her and didn't want to hurt her. Another reason for him not getting involved with her was because she scared him, or more specifically, his feelings for her scared him. He knew that if he were to date her, it would be more than that. He had said so at the time. And he had been proved right. Not only had she struggled with their casual arrangement, but he had too. Seeing her with Robert had made that glaringly obvious to him. So here he was; someone's boyfriend. Not just someone; Rory Gilmore, and he felt happy. She made him happy and he wasn't willing to give that up for anyone. Not his friends, not his family, not even for himself. He liked being a boyfriend. It was growing on him.
RLRLRLRL
Rory stood outside the café trying to work up enough courage to go inside and face Shira Huntzberger. She had a feeling of dread and felt physically sick at the thought of being in her company for any prolonged amount of time but she would do it for Logan. She didn't want to cause him any more stress than he already had.
So, she took a deep breath and opened the door entering the café. She stood for a few seconds scanning the room, looking for Shira.
"Over here, Rory." Shira waved to her and Rory slowly made her way to the table the blonde woman was frequenting. "Please, have a seat."
Rory nervously sat down and glanced around the café. The place wasn't too busy but if she were to suddenly keel over from being poisoned there were a good amount of people there who could help her. There were plenty of potential witnesses if Shira were to try anything.
"I love that blouse, Rory. It's a wonderful shade on you." Shira commented pleasantly as she sipped on her coffee. Rory forced a smile and then found her throat dry and in desperate need of some caffeine refreshment of her own. She gestured to the waitress who took her order and then she began fiddling with her napkin.
"So, does Logan know that you are here?" Shira enquired. Rory gazed up at her as the waitress brought over her coffee.
"Um, no. I haven't seen him today." she managed before taking a long sip of her coffee.
"Well, that's probably for the best. I think we should keep this little meeting between ourselves. We wouldn't want to upset Logan again now would we?"
"Um…"
"I asked you here today because I wanted to apologise for how things happened the other night. I never meant for it to get so…out of control. I truly apologise." Shira said sincerely. Rory shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She smiled at Shira and then took another sip of her coffee.
"Thank you." she didn't know what else to say.
"You must think that we are horrible people. We invite you into our home and then attack you." Shira shook her head and Rory studied her closely. She didn't know what to make of the current situation. She was more than weary of Shira but she was being so apologetic. She seemed sincere, but she still felt uneasy.
"I asked you here today, Rory, because I wanted to give you this." Shira pulled out a white envelope and slid it across the table. Rory looked down at it and then furrowing her brows, she looked back at Shira.
"What is it?" she wondered. Shira smiled and took a sip of her coffee.
"Open it and find out." she told her. Rory's gaze stayed on her for a few more seconds, unsure as to what was going on. She eventually picked up the envelope and opened it. There was a piece of paper inside. As she slid it out of the envelope, her eyes widened as she read what it said. It was a cheque for twenty-five thousand dollars. Rory held it up trying to take it in, thinking her eyes were deceiving her.
"What? What is this?"
"I think you know exactly what this is, Rory. You're a smart girl." Shira said an even tone. Rory looked at her in disbelief.
"It's yours. On one condition." Shira explained. Rory felt the sick feeling in her stomach creep over her again. "You break up with Logan."
Rory sat on her chair holding the cheque feeling completely speechless. She had no idea what to say. She couldn't believe what was going on. Here she thought Shira was trying to apologise for her behaviour when in fact she wanted to buy her off.
"You want to pay me not to see Logan anymore?" she asked incredulously. The woman was clearly insane.
"25000 is a lot of money. Think of what you could do with it. You could put it towards your tuition, buy a new car, an apartment for next year." she listed trying to convince her to accept the money. Rory remained completely dumbfounded.
"No thank you." she said pushing the cheque back across the table. She felt sick looking at the thing. She couldn't believe that Shira could even contemplate asking her such a thing. She felt sorry for Logan for having a mother like that.
Shira narrowed her eyes at Rory and folded her arms across her chest. "Okay, how about thirty thousand dollars?"
Rory frowned and pushed her coffee away. Suddenly it tasted bitter in her mouth. "I don't want your money, Mrs Huntzberger."
"Well, what do you want? Everyone wants something." she said icily.
"Not everyone can be bought." was Rory's retort.
"You would be surprised." Shira smiled. "I may be sorry for how things occurred at dinner the other night, but everything that was said was true. You are not good enough for this family."
Rory felt a pang, although she did her best to hide it. "I don't want to be a part of your family. Logan and I have been dating officially for a total of two days. The concept of marriage or anything else hasn't even entered my head." Rory informed her, trying not to let her anger get the better of her. Shira just looked at her.
"Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe." she told her firmly.
"Logan is my son. He is meant for great things and he needs someone at his side who can support him. Not someone who is going to be on the other side of the world chasing a story." Shira said in a quiet voice so no one could hear her.
"Why don't you let Logan decide what he wants? It is his life after all." she breathed out a frustrated sigh.
"Logan doesn't know what he wants." Shira said flippantly. Rory fixed her with a stern look.
"Then you don't know him very well." she remarked and received an icy stare from Shira, obviously she had hit a nerve.
"I know my son, Miss Gilmore. I know what is best for him. And that does not include you." she said harshly, her eyes darkening. Rory felt a little intimidated but she wasn't going to let this woman get the best of her.
"How do you think Logan would feel knowing his own mother was trying to pay his girlfriend to break up with him?" Rory questioned. Shira smirked.
"He would get over it. You overestimate my son if you think he could last being in a relationship for very long. I know his reputation. I know that you couldn't keep him satisfied for very long. He'll get bored soon enough. I'm just trying to save you from the heart ache."
"Oh please!" Rory couldn't believe this woman. Did she really think she was that stupid?
"Take the money, Rory. Do yourself a favour." Shira pushed the cheque back to her. Rory looked down at it and then at her. She picked up the piece of paper and tore it in half.
"I don't want your money. All I want is for you to leave Logan and I alone." she grabbed her purse and moved to stand up until Shira grabbed her arm.
"Okay, so you don't want the money. Maybe there is something else I can give you." Rory shook her head at the woman in front of her. She was trying to trade off her son's affections.
"I don't want anything from you."
"Oh, I know what you want." Shira said sitting back on her chair with a smug grin on her face. Rory sat back down as others glanced over at her. "You have very lofty ambitions in the journalism field."
Rory sighed and crossed her arms. "Yes."
"What a coincidence that you want to be a journalist and you find yourself dating my son." Shira continued grinning making Rory feel uncomfortable under her gaze.
"I'm not using Logan if that's what you mean?" Shira inclined her head to the side.
"No?" Rory felt her anger bubbling under the surface.
"No! There are some people in the world who don't use manipulation tactics to get what they want. I have never once considered Logan to be a stepping stone. I care about him."
"I'm sure you think you do." Shira nodded condescendingly making Rory's blood boil.
"I don't think I do. I do. He means a lot to me." she informed her seriously. Shira smiled again.
"How much?"
"How much what?" Rory asked unsure where she going with this.
"How much does he mean to you? Would you be willing to give up your dreams for him?" Rory froze on the chair as the sick feeling from before returned.
"What do you mean?"
Shira smiled smugly at her and brushed her blonde hair behind her ear. "My husband is a very powerful man. His influence is far reaching. With one snap of his fingers he could make it very easy for you to achieve your ambitions. As his wife, I could put in a good word for you." Shira explained. Rory shook her head.
"I'd rather make it on my own, thanks. Anything I achieve, I want to earn it. I don't need your help." she told her firmly.
"An admirable trait." Shira nodded. "But as I said; my husband is very influential. As easy as he could make it, he could make it very difficult for you. So, I ask again. Would you really be willing to give up on everything that you dreamed for yourself to be with my son?"
Rory thought about what she was asking. She couldn't believe that she was actually saying it. She was threatening to take away everything that she had worked so hard for. All of her dreams, all of her aspirations to be the next Christiane Amanpour could be snuffed out just like that because Shira Huntzberger didn't want her dating her son. The woman was willing to ruin her life to ensure she got what she wanted.
"Think about it. It's a big decision. Take some time. You know where to find me." She said as she gathered her belongings and stood up. She looked down at Rory who was still staring off into space. She smiled to herself knowing that she would win this one. Shira Huntzberger always got what she wanted and where her family was concerned; she would do whatever it took to ensure their future survival.