"Hey Ace" Logan greeted cheerfully as he took a seat across from the tired brunette on the sunny Tuesday morning.
"Why the hell are you so chipper?" was Rory's less than friendly reply. "It's freaking 8 o'clock in the morning and I haven't had any coffee yet! It's a dangerous time to be around me."
"So I see…" Logan chuckled, "And thus I have set out to remedy this situation. Let's go!"
"Where are we going?" Rory asked in sudden confusion.
"To get you coffee!" Logan replied patiently. "I assume that you still want it, right?"
"Of course I want coffee!" Rory cried indignantly before getting up. "There isn't a time when I don't want coffee. But I have to be back here in half an hour."
"Plenty of time" Logan assured. "Now let's go!" And with those last words he pulled a tired Rory from the dinning room and out the sliding doors.
In the distance, Colin and Finn regarded the pair with keen interest.
"Still want to change your bet?" Finn asked.
"Yes," Colin replied after a pause. "I don't think he'll get her. And he's treading upon dangerous grounds."
"What do you mean?" Finn inquired with furrowed brows.
"You would agree that in terms of preference of the fairer sex, Logan and Tristan DuGray have similar tastes, right?"
"If you mean they both like easy women, then yes." Finn responded, still unclear as to where this was going. "But that's before DuGray started dating Reporter Girl."
"Exactly. Rory Gilmore caught his interest. And since DuGray and Logan have similar taste in women…"
"You think he's going to fall for her." Finn finished, realization finally hitting him.
"Exactly."
"No," Finn denied with a shake of his head. "There's not enough time for him to fall for her. This thing's only a week long."
"I hope you're right." Colin replied with a frown. "Because things could get real messy if he does. And I could definitely see why guys would fall for a girl like Rory Gilmore."
"Nah, " Finn assured with confidence. "It's only a week. And he's never going to see her again. Well, maybe occasionally when she comes to visit that friend of hers at Yale. But other than that, never."
Colin nodded, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding settling in his guts.
(Break)
There was something about Rory Gilmore that just mesmerized Logan. It wasn't just her natural beauty or witty sense of humor. Nor was it her unabashed honesty and genuine kindness. There was simply some deeper element that Logan could not explain. He felt both at ease and tense with her and it completely threw him off.
"…so when a deer hit me, needless to say, I was even more late for the English exam," Rory recounted, drawing Logan out of his pondering.
"Wait-did I just hear you say you were hit by a deer?" Logan asked in bewilderment.
"Yep" Rory confirmed nonchalantly. "Made a huge dent on my mom's jeep too."
"So…how does one go about being hit by a deer?" Logan inquired teasingly. "If I sit still here, will I be hit by a bird?"
"Don't mock my traumatic experience," Rory fumed dramatically. "I was so impacted by it that now, every time I drive down that road, I go at least 10 miles under the speed limit."
"Trying to limit yourself to hitting one dear per year now, Ace?"
"Hey, the dear hit me!" Rory insisted with a pout.
"Whatever," Logan replied with a mischievous grin. "You killed Bambi."
"I did not!" Rory shouted. "Take that back!"
"Bambi killer."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"I am not and I'm not going to tell you anymore stories if you won't believe me." Rory stated indignantly.
"Fine…" Logan sighed with raised hands. "I believe you were hit by a dear. So tell me more about your Chilton days." Rory obliged and sat up in the plastic chair to get ready to recount another memory.
Just then her cell phone rang.
"Hello?" Rory answered. "Oh hey Tristan. I'm fine. Just hanging out with Logan at the coffee shop across the street." She paused for a moment and frowned. Logan had an inkling it was because of DuGray's less than ecstatic reaction. "Tristan, we've been through this…" Another pause. "Alright, I forgive you. I'll be right there." And with that, Rory concluded the call, her lips reverting back to smile.
"Boyfriend jealous?" Logan sneered. Distaste was running off of him in waves.
"No, it's just that…Tristan just doesn't trust you," Rory tried to explain. "He still thinks you're out to get me. I explained that you agreed to be just friends, but I guess after years of rivalry, he just doesn't believe you."
"And do you?" Logan asked softly, his face a perfect bend of neutrality after years of practice. Rory regarded him with a thoughtful expression.
"You haven't given me a reason not to" she replied in an equally soft tone before getting up. "I'll see you later, Logan." And with that, she left the pondering blonde behind.
Logan regarded her retreating figure with a thoughtful frown. He just blew a perfect opportunity to make a move.
What is it about Rory Gilmore that made him lose his track?
(Break)
As the old saying goes, time sure flies when you're having fun. Soon, Tuesday blended into Wednesday and then, before you know it, it's Thursday. Logan sat on the hotel balcony, watching the majestic sunrise paint the sky a mellow orange. Birds were just beginning to chirp in the still morning air and he could hear the distant bustle of the market in the busy Mexican district. It was a beautiful time to be alive, but Logan sighed heavily.
"You can't do it, can you?" An amused voice startled him out of his contemplation. Logan looked up at the approaching figure.
"What are you doing up, Colin?" The other man shrugged in reply.
"I saw you up and just thought I'd keep you company. But don't change the subject, why haven't you made a move, Logan?" Colin demanded.
"Couldn't find the opportune moment." He wasn't even going to pretend that he didn't know whom his friend was talking about. Rory Gilmore has been a constant in his mind for the past 72 hours.
"Or you can't do it" Colin deadpanned.
"Yes I can," Logan insisted defensively. "I'm just waiting for the right moment." He thought back to the perfect moment he was waiting for. And how he let it pass by him.
"Hey Ace, what's with the long face?" Logan greeted the frowning brunette.
"Oh hi Logan," Rory replied, coming out of her lamentation. "Where'd you come from?"
"Dinner at some restaurant," Logan waived it off nonchalantly. He didn't add the quickie with the waitress he had for dessert. Somehow he doubted it would endear him to Rory. "So what's up? What are you doing here by yourself?" Rory shrugged.
"I like the quiet when I'm trying to think," she replied. Logan looked around the almost empty pool area. Yeah, it sure was depressingly quiet here.
"And what were you thinking?" He tried to probe in a teasing manner. Rory didn't reply and Logan frowned at her silence. "Ace…?" he asked with uncertainty.
"It's about Tristan," she replied after a pregnant pause.
"Oh?" Logan could feel his luck turning and tried to suppress the mirth that threatened to jump out in his tone.
"Yeah, I don't' know what's going on. He's so secretive. He'd receive these mysterious phone calls in the middle of dinner or something and rush out to answer them. When I ask him who they're from, he'd always shrug and change the topic. Then there's the constant whispering between him, Mark and Ryan. I feel like they're hiding something. I don't want to doubt him, but I can't help but feel left out of the loop. I don't know what to do Logan," Rory sighed. "I don't want to be one of those girlfriends that nag, but I still wish he would tell me stuff. Should I push him for it or just give him space?"
Logan watched the conflicting emotions play out on her face in morbid fascination.
How did she do it? How could she remain so honest and innocent in such a hostile world? Logan was used to the jaded women that inhabited his life and shared his bed; who used manipulation to attain their goals. Needless to say, a girl like Rory Gilmore was a complete alien specie to him. Suddenly, all thoughts of revenge flew out of his mind and his sole purpose became to alleviate that stress off of her face. He wanted to bring back that dazzling smile he was so found of. He wanted her captivating eyes him to sparkle in good humor again.
"Give him space," Logan suggested with an understanding smile. "Don't push him. He'll come to you when he's ready."
Rory pondered his suggestion in silence.
"You're right. "She replied after a while. "Thank you Logan. You have no idea how good it is to finally seek a second opinion."
"No problem. It's what I'm here for, Ace."
"Tristan was wrong about you." She intoned softly while regarding him with intensity. "You're a good person."
"Um…thanks…" Logan replied, a little embarrassed at the genuine compliment. No one had ever said a positive thing about him so sincerely. She smiled before getting up. The moment was over.
"You're welcome. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Rory affirmed. "I have to go call my mom now. I'll see you tomorrow Logan. Thank you."
"What the hell just happened?" Logan asked himself quietly as Rory left.
Even now, after hours of contemplation, Logan could still not understand what he was doing. Helping DuGray with relationship problems when he was supposed to be stealing his girlfriend? What the hell was he thinking? He winced every time that memory resurfaced. Which it had been doing a lot last night.
"Logan, you've had four days with her" Colin interrupted again. "Time is a factor here and the right moment isn't just going to drop into your lap."
"Not again," he muttered darkly.
"What?"
"I know…" Logan sighed. "But she won't get the hint that I'm flirting with her."
"Which is a good thing, considering how she set you straight the first time."
"Then how the hell am I suppose to get her?" Logan yelled in frustration. His loud voice echoed in the quiet morning atmosphere, but he paid it no heed.
"Maybe it's just time to admit defeat and move on," Colin suggested carefully, knowing how competitive his blonde friend is. "You know, pick your battles."
"No" Logan stated with absolute conviction. "I'll make my move today."
"Somehow I have a feeling that it's going to end in absolute disaster." Colin predicted.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Logan replied dryly.
"Hey, that's what friends are for" Colin deadpanned with a grin.
(Break)
Tristan regarded the sleeping figure in his arms akin to wonder.
How can fate favor him so much? How can fortune give him a gift like Rory Gilmore and not ask for anything in return? Was he committing hubris by admitting to his absolute contentment in life? Will some furious Olympian god descend from the clouds and take her away? Tristan tightened his hold.
"I love you," he whispered to her before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. He really did. More than life itself. Despite what love had done to his father, Tristan was willing to try his own hand at it.
Everything had gone off without a hitch. Sure there were some phone calls at the least opportune moments that made the situation look a tad suspicious to Rory, but the means justified the end. The restaurant was ready. The museums were ready. The hotel was ready. And most important of all, the present was ready. It had taken a lot of string pulling using the DuGray name, but the surprise he had so generously labored for was finally ready to be executed. Tristan was prepared to give Rory the best five months anniversary celebration she had ever seen.
(Break)
Logan spotted a grinning Rory eating her lunch at one of the tables in the hotel dinning room.
"Hey Ace, you seem chipper" Logan greeted as he gracefully swooped down on the seat across from her.
"Good morning Logan!" Rory replied cheerfully. "I've had a good morning. How about you?"
"Meh, as good as they'll get" Logan shrugged nonchalantly. "So what was so good about your morning?"
"Well, we figured out a lot of clues," Rory began.
"Good" he smiled charmingly, but inside he was starting to get nervous. A tally count yesterday only put his team at 68 tokens. They really needed to speed up the process if they wanted to win. He sincerely hoped that DuGray was having similar ill luck.
"And I finally figured out why Tristan is acting so secretive lately."
"Really?" Logan had a bad feeling about this. If it were incriminating then she wouldn't be smiling like a maniac. This couldn't bode well for his cause today.
"Yeah, it turns out he was planning a surprise for our five months anniversary!" Rory announced with excitement, her deep sapphire eyes sparkling.
"How'd you find out?" Logan asked, working to keep the disappointed frown off his face. It looks like his plans might be slightly delayed.
"Actually, I overheard him and Ryan discussing it."
"You mean eavesdropped" Logan supplied with an arched brow.
"Accidentally overheard" Rory stated with a slight blush. "And I can't believe that all this time I thought-"
"Mary!" A deep shout across the room interrupted Rory's rambling, bringing a deep smile that lit her face. Logan looked up with disdain at the rapidly approaching blonde.
"Why does he keep calling you that?" Logan asked in irritation. "Your name is Rory."
"It's a high school nickname," Rory explained offhandedly.
'How original,' Logan thought with a snort before putting on a fake grin for Tristan.
"Huntzberger," Tristan greeted curtly before going to Rory and branding her with a possessive kiss. Logan was sickened by the PDA.
"Well, got to go guys," he announced, leaving post haste before the couple could even respond. Tristan smirked in the midst of the kiss. Sometimes it just didn't hurt to show a guy he was treading upon someone else's territory. The heated kiss continued after the intended audience had long since left. However, the need for oxygen soon caused the unprepared Rory to pull away.
"What was that for?" asked a breathless Rory, still in a daze.
"What? Can't a guy kiss his girlfriend on their 5 months anniversary day?" Tristan countered innocently with a smirk.
"You were trying to make him jealous, Tristan" Rory supplied with an eye roll.
"So, what's your point?"
"Ugh, never mind!" Rory sighed, giving up. It was no use arguing with Tristan when he was like this. It just ended up aggravating Rory more.
"So I was thinking that me and you could head out of here soon." Tristan began, "say… right now?"
"But it's only one, Tristan," Rory protested. "We still have a whole afternoon to go. Don't you have to be here to lead the team?"
"Nah, they're pretty self-sufficient," Tristan waived it off. "Besides, I got Ryan to fill in for me. Mark can manage the field on his own."
"But-"
"Come on Mary, it's our anniversary!" Tristan whined.
"Alright, if you say so…" Rory sighed before an excited smile began to spread on her face. "So what are we doing?" From what she had briefly overheard earlier, it involved a beach.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out, my dear," Tristan replied with a teasing grin. "Come on, let's go."
"Should I go change?" Rory asked in panic. It would never do to under dress to such an important event.
"We'll come back later to change," Tristan assured with a wink before grasping Rory's hand and pulling her up.
(Break)
"Alright, you can take off the blindfold now" Tristan declared. Not needing another notification, Rory immediately pulled the black scarf off with a slight giggle of excitement.
Then her breath stopped in her throat.
"Welcome to the National Viceroyal Museum, Mary" Tristan announced with a dramatic flourish of his hands to the beauty around him. His clear voice echoed throughout the colossal building.
"Wow…" The only coherent thing Rory managed to whisper in the midst of her spellbinding shock.
It was amazing. Surrounding her were one of the largest and finest collections of Mexican art from 16th to 19th centuries. She had always wanted to visit this place, but she hardly thought she'd get an opportunity this week with the hectic hunt. And now, as she stood there with her mouth agape, one definite thought entered her mind.
Visiting this place in person definitely beat looking at the extraordinary Tepozoltan Jesuit Monastery from a picture.
"I take it you approve?" Tristan asked with a smirk. That look of blissful awe on her face sent a tingle of pleasure down his spine. It has yet to seize his wonderment at how much this girl affected him.
"Approve?" Rory chuckled incredulously. "Approve doesn't even begin to sum it up. I'm ecstatic. Awed. On cloud nine. Still wondering how I could be so lucky to have such a wonderful boyfriend!"
"Good, remember that the next time you feel like punching me after I did something particularly stupid." Tristan suggested with a teasing grin before grasping her hand and intertwining their fingers. "Now let us enjoy the exhibit."
"Wait-" Rory halted, finally catching on to the deathly silence. "Why is it so quiet? I thought that it would always be really busy here since it's a world-known tourist destination and all."
"They closed down for lunch" Tristan shrugged nonchalantly. Rory eyed him with skepticism.
"Tristan…"
"Fine, I had them close it down for an hour so we'd enjoy the exhibit in privacy," Tristan admitted sheepishly. "All those tourists make my head hurt." Rory gasped.
"Are you serious? What'd you have to do? Sell a kidney?"
"Or contact the director and tell him that I'm Michael DuGray's son. He owed my father a favor."
"Ah, the silver spoon strikes again." Rory chuckled.
"Why, don't you like spending time with me alone?" Tristan asked with mock indignation.
"No, just amazed at the length you'll go to please me," Rory replied before leaning in to kiss him passionately. A feeling hovered at the back of her mind that she did not care to identify.
(Break)
"You seem angry, Logan," Finn declared with a frown. "Logan, why are you angry?"
"I'm not angry" Logan replied stiffly.
"Leave him alone Finn, he's sulking." Colin informed before taking a large gulp of coffee.
"Why is he sulking?" Stephanie Lancaster asked in interest. The quartet currently sat under the cheerful afternoon sunlight. A large umbrella overhead provided the necessary shade and four cups of delicious steaming coffee provided the sustenance. Simply put, the four Yalies were enjoying a much needed coffee break after the success of finding yet another token, adding the total count to 79 since the morning.
"Because he has finally found a girl that's capable of resisting his charm" Colin supplied nonchalantly. "Give him some time to adjust."
"Oh? Why wasn't I informed of this right away?" Steph demanded with a pout. "I thought we were friends Logan! Does 21 years of friendship mean nothing to you?"
"Don't worry, it didn't happen too long ago," Colin assured with a smirk. "In fact, only last week."
"That long?" Steph gasped dramatically. "I have to meet her! Wait-she's here right? Oh my god, she's CCB, isn't she? You've fallen for the enemy! It sounds so romantic! The forbidden love angle!"
"Would you idiots please stop rambling?" Logan requested with an exasperated sigh.
"Yep, a definite case of bruised ego," Finn confirmed before patting the blonde on the back in a consolatory manner. "Don't worry champ, who needs her anyway? So what? You now have one minor glitch in your perfect record. Sure the glitch has killer legs, a to die for body, and a breathtaking smile. The point of the matter is you're Logan Huntzberger and you don't need her. Women throw themselves at you, so what's the difference if one is missing, right?"
Logan just glared at him in silence. Finn continued to smile expectantly. The confirmation never came.
"Right…" Finn replied awkwardly before taking a sip out of his cup. "Well, I tried." Silence settled over the group.
"So what's the girl's name?" Steph asked, finally breaking the silence.
"Rory Gilmore" Colin supplied easily.
"As in Gilmore Insurance?" Steph inquired.
All three boys immediately looked up, realization finally dawning upon their eyes.
"So that's where I've heard the name!" Logan cried out in triumph. "Richard and Emily Gilmore!"
"I can't believe I didn't make the connection!" Colin chastened himself. "So she is blue-blooded. Funny…she doesn't' seem like it."
"How come?" Steph asked.
"She seemed so…" Colin struggled to find the right word.
"Into equality" Finn supplied.
"And that's a bad thing?" Steph inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"No, just different" Finn shrugged. "I mean you don't get many socialites standing up for bartenders."
"Then are you sure she's related to those Gilmores? Gilmore is not an uncommon last name." Steph pointed out.
"She has to be, or else how could she afford a school like Harvard?" Colin speculated. "It didn't seem like she was working either. And she's a CBB member. And you know how selective the brigades are. There's practically a blue-bloods only rule."
"Crap. Richard and Emily Gilmore…" Logan mused, ignoring the conversation around him.
"What?" Colin asked, turning his attention to Logan.
"I don't think they particularly like me."
"Why?"
"I may have taken Richard's car for a joy ride when I was fifteen. It was at one of those boring society functions and none of you were there. So I had to do something to keep myself from dying of boredom."
"Oh yeah… " Colin recalled with a grin. "That's why you were cut off for a month."
"So what does this have to do with Reporter Girl?" Finn asked in confusion.
"Reporter Girl?" Steph echoed.
"Long story" Finn waved off.
"What this means, Finn," Logan explained patiently, "Is that her family would have poisoned her mind against me. No wonder I'm not having any luck with her!"
"My friend, whatever part of her mind is prone to influence has been long since poisoned against you by DuGray" Colin informed in a matter of fact tone.
"DuGray? As in Tristan DuGray?" Steph echoed again. Her mind was going a hundred miles a minute trying to assemble the rapidly spewed forth information. She felt so out of the loop!
"Yeah, but I was hoping that once I got her away from him, she'll change her mind" Logan supplied, ignoring Steph's puzzlement. "But I can't compete with her family!"
"That sounds like quitter talk to me" Finn warned. "Besides, I'd say your chances just went up. Chicks dig the whole forbidden fruit angle."
"Speaking of Reporter Girl, where is she now?" Colin asked out of the blue.
"Probably enjoying her anniversary date with DuGray…" Logan muttered darkly.
"Oh, looks like your plans for the day just shot to hell" Colin commented. He exchanged a look with Finn. Although it went beyond the notice of Logan, who was back to sulking, it did not pass Stephanie's notice.
No, she was keenly aware that there was something going on beneath the surface. She made it a point to remember to have a chat with the two in private later on. She sensed a bet in the air.
And if there was, she wanted in.
(Break)
The afternoon went by in a flash. What began as a promising anniversary celebration turned into an amazing memory. Tristan spared no expenses in his quest to make this an unforgettable event. Nothing was left out. The evening was timed to perfection.
After the National Viceroyal Museum, Tristan brought Rory to tour a private art collection, courtesy of the same director. Rory's eyes widened in wonderment at the famous pieces of renaissance art that were not available to the public view. The afternoon was concluded with a trip to the largest bookstore in the city.
Rory felt like she died and went to heaven.
After the better half of an hour, Tristan had to drag a reluctant Rory out of the bookstore along with her newly purchased seven books.
"Come on, or we'll be late for our dinner reservations" Tristan kept pointing out to a pouting Rory. The couple hailed a taxi and went back to the hotel to change in a rush.
Now, as Tristan regarded the gorgeous brunette dressed in an elegant ocean blue gown across from him, his pulse began to beat rapidly. She was gorgeous.
'That necklace will match her perfectly' Tristan thought in satisfaction, taking note of her modest platinum necklace that will soon be overshadowed by his gold and sapphire.
"You certainly know how to impress a girl" Rory commented with a smile as she took in the surroundings of the intimate beachside five star hotel restaurant again. The Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa was nothing if not impressive with its exclusive clientele, careful service, and beautiful ocean view.
Rory felt like she was living in a fairy tale with her very own silver-eyed prince.
"No, just one girl" he replied while regarding her with a burning intensity. Gently, he pushed his dessert plate aside and produced a sleek jewelry box out of the pocket of his Armani suit. "Open it."
Rory felt her heart beat doubling as she gingerly took the box out of his offered hand and carefully pulled the lid open. Inside it nestled a magnificent golden necklace with a sparkling sapphire pendant. Rory felt her breath catch in her throat.
"It's beautiful," she finally whispered when the breath returned to her lungs.
"Let me put it on" Tristan offered as he stood up and crossed the table to her side. Gently, he slid the platinum necklace from her neck and replaced it with his much more splendid gift. Then he bent down and kissed her creamy neck, the blood in his brain rapidly pooling towards a lower region.
"I love you," he murmured clearly in between kisses. All breath escaped Rory's lungs and she felt herself suddenly freeze in response.
"Tristan, I-" Rory took a deep breath. It was not easy for her to say this, but it was as if his profession unleashed a moment of epiphany within her. She finally understood that elusive feeling she tried to bury this morning. "I love you too."
Tristan DuGray felt like he could fly. His kisses became more fervent, but he exerted all his self-control not to get out of hand. Not just yet. The place was not right.
"Want to go for a walk on the beach?" He asked huskily as he finally pulled his lips away from her creamy flesh.
"No, let's go back to the hotel" came Rory's trembling response.
"No need, I have the honeymoon suite reserved right here."
"Hoping to get lucky tonight, DuGray?" Rory teased before gasping. His hand just slid through the split of her dress and began rubbing lazy circles on the inside of her thigh.
"And will I?" he murmured seductively in his velvet smooth tone.
"Oh yes," Rory breathed out, "several times."
(Break)
Logan Huntzberger was having a particularly crappy Friday. He woke up this morning filled with bright optimism, but by the end of lunch, he could compete with the best of the pessimists.
It began this morning when he could not find the elusive Rory Gilmore. Of course, it didn't escape his notice that the mighty Tristan DuGray was also missing, thus leading him to the conclusion that it must've been hell of an anniversary celebration, with mating and all. The sour taste lingered in his mouth for the rest of the morning.
By lunch, it escalated into a team problem when the counting came up with only 86 tokens. And so the afternoon was filled with frantic LDB members scrambling to gather the last of the tokens to achieve that much sought after victory.
And currently, he sat at the concluding banquet with Finn and Colin at his side, glaring at the couple making doe eyes at each other across the pool. Oh yes, they definitely had a busy night.
"The winner will be announced later tonight," Ryan Mason declared. "But for now, let's enjoy the feast!" And so the crowd pool, eager to mingle. The alcohol flowed freely and soon the tense atmosphere turned jolly. However, it was obvious that one Logan Huntzberger, the usual life of the party, was not enjoying himself.
"Stop sulking" Colin demanded as he passed him a martini. "It's highly unbecoming of you."
"I'm not," Logan denied. Colin sighed in exasperation and took a seat beside his old friend, intent on cheering him up. He was in for a trying night.
(Break)
Way on the other side of the pool area, Rory was having a good time. Mark had just told one of his funnier jokes and the group was howling with laughter. Of course, if it weren't so funny, the group would still be laughing. Alcohol made everything sound funny.
Tristan was currently counting up the team tokens with Ryan, leaving her to mingle with Mark for a while. And Mark, ever the entertainer, was off telling another one of his bizarre tales. She has yet to figure out which ones were true. He had a tendency to exaggerate.
"Hi, I'm Stephanie Lancaster," A pretty blonde approached her with a huge grin. Rory was a little taken aback by the randomness of her self-introduction. It came out of the blue.
"Hi, I'm-"
"Rory Gilmore" she deadpanned.
"How'd you know?" Rory asked in amazement.
"I heard about you from Logan" she explained nonchalantly. "So how do you like Mexico?"
"Oh it's great!" Rory exclaimed with delight, forgetting the initial awkwardness. "Just yesterday, I visited the Nath-"
"Ladies!" Finn interrupted, sauntering over and placing an arm around each one. "What've you two been up to? Steph, good to see you. Rory, Logan's been looking for you." Before either could reply, Finn began to steer them towards the table with the two blonds. One was sulking the other sighing.
"Here we are!" The Australian announced dramatically before collapsing in a seat. "So what's up?"
"Rory!" Collin cried. Logan immediately looked up.
"Hey guys" she greeted cheerfully, taking a seat beside the amused Australian. Steph was soon to follow.
"Where have you been all day?" Logan asked coldly.
"Oh, Tristan and I got lazy and slept in till noon" Rory laughed, choosing to ignore his chilly mood. The last thing she wanted was to antagonize him further in his state.
"How romantic," he sneered. Rory narrowed her eyes in irritation, but otherwise remained wisely silent.
"Ignore him Rory, he's being a particular ass today" Colin suggested flippantly.
"Well, off days happen to the best of us" Rory shrugged, letting go of her annoyance. "So, what has everyone been up to?"
"Well, I went to this bar this morning," Finn began, but before he could go further, Rory's glass slipped from her grasp, spilling pop all over her red t-shirt.
"Oh crap!" she shrieked, feeling the sticky liquid seeping through the fabric. Steph immediately passed her some paper napkins. "Thanks."
"No problem."
"Guys, I'm going to go quickly change" Rory announced as she continued to dab at her wet shirt. "I'll be right back."
"Alright, we'll be waiting love" Finn replied.
As the brunette got up and began walking towards the pool entrance of the hotel, Logan regarded her back thoughtfully. After a moment, he got up also.
"Where're you going?" Colin asked. Then he became aware of the direction his friend's gaze was pointing to. "Logan, how many drinks have you had?"
"Not enough" came his gruff reply as he began heading towards the path Rory took just moments ago.
"Don't' do anything stupid, Logan!" Colin called after him with a frown. The blonde waived a careless hand in the air, indicating the request was heard.
And most probably ignored.
Logan began to jog and soon caught up with the fretting brunette in the hallway separating the two wings of the hotel.
"Hey Ace! Wait up!" He yelled. Rory looked back and smiled.
"Hey Logan." Logan caught up to her and paused. Silence reigned between the two with Logan looking uncomfortable and Rory regarding him curiously.
"Um…so, how was the anniversary?" He began. Inwardly, he chastened himself. Used to being suave and charming, especially with the opposite sex, moments of apparent awkwardness were a rarity to him indeed.
"It was great!" Rory began with a smile. "I'll tell you about it later, I just have to go quickly change or it's going to stain."
As she gave him a last smile and began walking towards her suite, Logan's fury finally exploded.
"Why are you with him?" he bellowed, startling Rory.
"Pardon?" She turned around in confusion.
"Why are you with DuGray?" Logan demanded. "Can't you see he's a complete asshole?"
"What's wrong with you, Logan?" Rory cried in bewilderment, completely caught off guard.
"Dump him."
"No, and frankly, it's none of your business." Rory replied indignantly. She retraced her steps to him.
"Clearly you're too good for him!" Logan informed her as he too came closer.
"How would you know?"
"Because I'm not blind!" Logan cried in exasperation. "He's a womanizer! He was before you came and he will be after you leave. Trust me, I've known the guy for quite a long time now. He's nothing but a spoilt boy looking for his next lay. He doesn't give a shit about you. Tristan DuGray is the meanest son of bitch on this planet!"
"Quit while you're ahead Logan" Rory warned in a tight voice. "You're drunk."
"No, I'm not" Logan insisted. "I'm just being bluntly honest with you about your so called boyfriend."
"No, what you're doing is trying to break us up because of some stupid need to up him in this rivalry you two have going," Rory informed heatedly. "And as I told you before, I refuse to be used to hurt him! Whatever you have against Tristan, deal with him personally. Don't try to use me instead to prove some sick point! I remained friends with you because I thought you could move past this ridiculo-"
Before Rory could finish, Logan closed the remaining distance between them and crushed his lips to hers.
Rory was stunned beyond belief. It was only after a couple of seconds that her mind finally began functioning again. Rory immediately reacted by pushing him off, eyes going wide before narrowing into tiny slits of dangerous blue fire.
"Rory, I-"
She slapped him soundly before he could finish.
"You, Logan Huntzberger, are a complete bastard!" she whispered in fury before whirling around and marching to her suite.
Logan watched her retreating form until it disappeared around the corner.
"FUCK!" heyelled as he brought his fist to the wall, resulting in a resounding crack of mortar and a huge dent.
(Break)
"Ladies and gentlemen, now for the moment you've all been waiting for, the announcement of the winner!" Ryan declared amidst the rowdy atmosphere of clapping, whistling, and right out singing.
"First off, the Life and Death Brigade with…drum roll please." Mark dutifully complied in the front with a dramatic drum roll performed with chopsticks on the tabletop.
"94 tokens!" A roar erupted, particularly from the LDB members scattered all over the area.
"And now for the Crimson Blood Brigade…" Ryan paused, waiting for the cheering to die down. Mark complied with the customary drum roll again.
"96 tokens!"
The CBB members went wild, some going as fire as jumping onto chairs and doing a happy dance. Mark and Ryan patted each other on the back for a job well done before going to Tristan and Rory, who were busy kissing in celebration.
"Where's my kiss?" Mark pouted to Rory as the couple pulled apart. "I'm just as much part of the team as Tristan is."
"Oh Mark!" Rory laughed before placing a kiss on his cheek. She gave Ryan the same warm treatment and hugged a couple of the CBB members near them.
"Well done Tristan!" was the most common greeting as their fellow teammates came up to bask in the glory of the leadership. Tristan beamed. A clear victory over the LDB with the girl he loved by his side.
Tristan felt like he was on top of the world.
But alas, for every person that was on top, there had to be someone at the bottom to even out the karma. That person tonight was Logan Huntzberger.
Whereas Tristan was experiencing the zenith of fortune, Logan had reached a very low point. He lost, every which way that counted. The game, the girl, the rivalry. He certainly wasn't used to the taste of defeat. No, the great Logan Huntzberger was a natural born winner through and through. This new taste was definitely unfamiliar to him and one he never wished to experience in his life again.
"Cheer up mate, there's always next year," Finn tried to comfort him with a pat on the back. Both Colin and Steph quickly added their agreements. But Logan paid them no heed. His eyes were wondered to the embracing couple across the huge space.
As Logan regarded the happy couple, a bitter alien feeling began to pool at the pit of his stomach. It was not until much later that he identified it as envy.
And then he promptly denied it.