AN: Don't forget to read Chapter 16!

Chapter 17

October 22nd, 2004 – Vanderbilt Home – NYC

"Of course, Logan had to outdo me! I spent a month planning a literary themed party with ALL our friends in the Rainbow Room and he books us on a freaking space flight the night before!" Stephanie huffed as the nail artist filed her nails into a nice round form.

Rory giggles, "Stephanie, the party was awesome! It was lively. The food was exquisite. We also got those great pictures from the photobooth."

A small grin starts to form, "That photobooth was killer. The bartender also mixed amazing drinks."

Rory nodded along, "Exactly, so hush. Logan won simply because he told me he loved me."

"What?!"

A smirking Rory responded, "Oops. Did I forget to tel…Ouch! Stephanie, did you just pinch me?"

"Yes! You can't just drop that bomb! I need details woman!"

Rory briefly retold her birthday from beginning to end and her friend was sniffling by the end, "Damn, why can't he get Colin to do something like that?"

Rory shrugged, "I have no idea." The girls silently watched their respective nail artists work for a few moments. "So, I didn't really pay attention last year. What should I expect from this weekend?"

"Oh, it's quite the jam-packed weekend. Tonight, Maroon 5 is the headliner for the Student Association concert! My dad got us VIP passes, so we can fight over who gets Adam in a minute." Rory rolled her eyes as Steph giggled. "Tomorrow will be the Yale vs. Harvard game. Tomorrow night will be the E.A. party."

"E.A.?"

"Elite Alumni. They don't actually call it that, but that's what it's known as. Invite only. Black tie. They say that more business mergers and arranged marriages have happened at this party than any other alumni event at Yale."

"Jeez, why are we going then?"

"Well, the boy's parent's will be there, and the younger generation is forced to attend to 'network'" Stephanie leaned back and rolled her eyes.

"That explains why Mitchum, my dad and Grandpa all called me to make sure I was coming."

"Oh yeah, you're going to get to meet Logan's grandpa Elias." She shuttered, "He's weird."

"Isn't he like 90 years old?"

"Exactly, old people are so weird."

Rory chuckled, "Why don't you tell me more about this dress you've ordered me?"

"Rorrrryyyyy, I need snacksssssssss!" Finn stumbled as they walked to her apartment building.

"Didn't you just eat before the concert and during the concert?" Logan chuckled as he helped his friend stay vertical.

He glanced over, crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue.

"Real mature there, buddy." Logan ended up being the most sober of their group. Colin took Steph back to his place. Rosemary was working the event backstage, so Logan got to babysit Rory and Finn.

"She willlll be loveddddddddd…" Rory sung loudly and off-key as they walked into the lobby.

"Ms. Rory!" The night doorman Rob waved them over. Logan sat Rory and Finn on the couch, and they started giggling and singing.

"Hey Rob, what you got?"

The younger gentleman chuckled as he eyed the two best friends, "Ms. Rory had a delivery. Hand delivered and said it was urgent she get it tonight since it was perishable."

Logan had an uneasy feeling in his stomach as he took the brown parcel box with an envelope taped to it, "Thanks Rob. Have a good night."

Logan called for Rory and Finn and they all stumbled the entire trek to get into the elevator and inside Rory's apartment.

While Rory and Finn bickered over who would get the last bag of Pop tarts, Logan opened the brown box. He slowly pulled back the paper inside. After catching sight of the contents, without a second thought, he runs to the sink and empties the contents of his stomach.

"Lookie here, all that scotch caught up with old Huntz after all!" Finn chuckled as he threw an arm around Rory. "Whatcha got in the box mate? Any snacks…" The word died on his lips as he looked inside the box to see a gruesome sight.

A human heart, bloody and looking like it was just haphazardly cut from someone's body.

Rory had silently picked up the letter attached to the box that was sitting on the counter without glancing inside the box.

Rory,

Giving you my heart. Can't wait to get yours in return.

Love,
Teddy

Clutching the letter, she took one glance into the box and fainted backwards into Finn's arms.

October 23rd, 2004 – The Graduate – Downtown New Haven

"Yes dear, we are parking right now." Rory answered her cell without even looking at the caller ID. Logan had been on edge all day after the unpleasant package delivery the previous night. His dad had him pulled away all day, so he wasn't able to go with Rory to the police station to follow-up with the officers who had taken their statements and the new evidence for the case.

"Ace…" Logan chided, "Our fathers and grandfathers are all here and have started having conversations that make me want to run to Switzerland." He glanced over his shoulder to see the four gentlemen huddled in the corner, discussing something that looked serious.

This black tie, alumni party was packed with the inner circle of the Hartford Elite and those trying to inch themselves into the inner circle. Logan pulled on his tie, suddenly feeling like it was constricting his air flow.

Soft hands suddenly covered Logan's eyes and his favorite voice spoke into his ear, "Guess it's a good thing I'm here to stop you from running away."

Logan put his hands over the ones on his eyes and pulled them off, turning around and losing his breath for a moment, "Oh my god…"

Rory's dress transformed her into Cinderella: an ice-blue sweetheart ballgown with layers of tulle, the bodice was accented with crystals that the low lighting made shimmer. Thin beaded straps held up the dress, with soft sheer beaded strips of fabric hanging off her shoulders gave the illusion of grandeur. Rory's hair was pulled back and light blue flowers were woven into the braided bun at the base of her neck.

"Rory, you're exquisite." Logan leaned down and captured her in a passionate embrace.

She pulled away with a blush, "Our families could be watching."

"My…my…. look at this adorable pair right here." Tristan DuGrey was nursing something dark in his glass, a sneer etched on his face.

Logan looked like he was going to jump out of his skin when he met Tristan's eyes, "I suggest you keep your distance, or I'll show you how adorable the inside of a hospital room is."

Rory felt heat on her back and noticed Colin, Finn, Stephanie, and Rosemary had all silently arrived. The boys looked ready to pounce if needed.

"You know, I'm still baffled. How can Logan Huntzberger be dating the Virgin Mary? I've officially seen it all." He shook his head.

Logan's eyes narrowed into slits, "I'll make this crystal clear. Rory's my girl now. You decide you don't want to respect that, and you'll have much bigger concerns than your next conquest. Do we understand one another?"

Tristan scoffed, "Is that a threat, Huntzberger?"

Logan smiled, "Colin, was that a threat?"

Colin nodded, "Sounds like a contractual agreement to me. He's agreeing to leave Rory alone in exchange for his pretty face."

Tristan mumbled something and walked back towards his father who was socializing near the bar.

"Nice timing gentlemen." Logan turned around and greeted his friends, kissing the girls on the cheek and shaking hands with the boys.

"Love, you are a princess. I bow to her highness." Finn faked a mock bow and Rory smacked his shoulder while everyone laughed.

Mitchum had spotted Rory and motioned for her to join them. She grabbed Logan's hand, "Be right back guys!"

"Hi everyone!" Rory smiled at Richard, Christopher, Mitchum, and Elias.

"Rory, have you met Logan's grandfather Elias?"

Rory stuck out her hand to the older gentleman who shook it surprisingly firm for a ninety-year-old man, "I haven't. Lorelai Gilmore-Hayden, pleasure to meet you Mr. Huntzberger."

"Yes, I've heard many things about you from Straub, Richard and even my own family recently. What exactly are your intentions with our family Lorelai?"

Richard grumbled, but Rory held out a hand to silence him, "Well sir, I would say that I'm here to be a friend to your family just as many in your family have been a friend to me. The Gilmores and Hayden's have plenty to offer me, so you don't have to worry about my intentions."

Chris and Mitchum were both beaming like proud fathers as Rory finished.

Elias nodded, "You have your grandfather's good sense girl." He glanced at Logan, "I approve of this one." The older gentleman turned and walked towards the coat check area, seeming like he was ready to leave now.

Rory's dad grabbed her and hugged her especially tight, "Sweetheart, you look amazing! Logan, good to see you again." He stuck his hand out and they shook swiftly.

"Rory, I was just telling your dad and Richard here how well Andrew at the New Haven Weekly said you were doing. Glad to see you are progressing well. Rory is going to come intern for me all summer next year."

"Oh really, I didn't know that!" Logan looked over at Rory with a curious face.

Rory laughed nervously, "Yeah, I guess we haven't talked about it too much."

Mitchum chuckled, "I was actually going to see if you wanted to come work in the New York Office next summer too Logan. I'd originally planned for you to go to London but thought you might want to spend some time with your old man."

"Yeah Dad, New York sounds perfect." He smiled widely.

"Are you sure? I know London is probably more interesting…"

Logan cut him off quickly, "Nope, New York is perfect!"

All the men chuckled at his hasty response. Mitchum winked at a blushing Rory.

"Care to dance with a lowly Australian?"

Rory giggled and took his outstretched hand, but not before a quick peck on Logan's lips. The pair shuffled out to the dance floor and their friends found an unoccupied cocktail table to congregate around. They had all spent the past hour being drug off by their parents or grandparents to meet people.

"So, tell me again what all this is?" Rosemary eyed the older generation filling the ballroom with an uninterested glare.

"Just an excuse to get the old money and new money together. Usually three generations come and introduce their newest generations. Then with each passing hour, a generation leaves until it's just the kids raging." Colin sipped his drink after finishing.

Rosemary nodded and watched Finn and Rory closely.

Stephanie nudged Rosemary, "You ok?"

The redhead nodded and glanced over to see Colin and Logan had found Robert, Seth, and a few other friends from the LDB. She whispered, "Finn's really really worried. I know we've argued about how he babies her, but I think he's right to be worried."

"About Rory?"

She shook her head, "Yeah, apparently the police told them today not to waste time coming into the station again and they would contact them if they had any leads. She had a fucking organ shipped to her house and they aren't doing anything."

Stephanie was angry, "Stupid police. Why doesn't she get her family involved? You know they could make something happen."

Rosemary was going to say more, but Rory and Finn returned, red faced and laughing so the conversation turned to lighter topics.

The ballroom had finally emptied, so only the college aged individuals were left.

The afterparty was underway.

Logan grinned widely as he and Rory stumbled back to the cocktail table where all their drinks were. Rory chugged her club soda and lime.

"You need another?"

She nodded, "Yes please!"

"You having fun girlie?" Stephanie walked up with a sweaty Colin behind her. He quickly chased after Logan towards the bar to grab more drinks.

She smiled, "Yes! Gosh, it's nice to just let my hair down for a minute and not be worrying about all this crap I have going on."

"Rosemary told me about what happened at the police station earlier."

Rory felt the tightness in her chest, "Yeah. They have my two reports now, my letters and the…well you know. I can't even talk about it without feeling liked I'm going to have an anxiety attack practically." She sighed loudly and took a few deep breaths, "Have you improved Colin's dancing at all?"

Stephanie couldn't help but laugh at the mention of her date's dancing, "No, the scotch is helping a little. I think I'm just going to have to love him through his faults."

Rory cocked an eyebrow, "Love him eh?"

"Oh, shut up Rory! You know what I mean!"

Rory glanced over her shoulder to still see Colin and Logan at the bar. Logan caught her looking at him and winked at her. "I definitely know what you mean, Steph."

The blonde squealed loudly, "God, you guys make me sick!"

Rory was starting to feel the weight of the day and sat down on the nearest chair as Logan returned, "Alright, I know you have to study tomorrow, but I still brought you one lemon drop martini."

She smiled and stood when the room started to spin. She almost fell, but Logan put a hand on her shoulders to steady her, "Woah there, Ace. You been sneaking some of the good stuff?"

She shook her head, "No, I've been drinking club sodas all night. I guess I stood up too quickly."

Thirty more minutes passed, and Rory was starting to feel strange. She glanced at the large clock on the wall and saw it was only a little after 11PM.

Logan was chatting across the room with some guys from the Life & Death Brigade but kept glancing back at her with a worried expression. After she finished her lemon drop, he'd grabbed her another club soda and she nursed it, laying her head on the table.

"Love, you doing ok?" Finn and Rosemary plopped down in seats beside her.

"Yueahhh…" Rory smiled a crooked grin.

"I thought you weren't drinking tonight?"

"I just had one tinsy little drink. Isn't Logan looking too fine tonight? Uhmmm…" Rory nodded and licked her lips as she looked at Logan.

Rosemary and Finn shared a look, before Rosemary got up and grabbed Logan.

"Ace, I hear it's time to get you home."

She looked up at him," No! It's too early!" A wave of nausea hit her and seemed to normalize her thoughts for a minute, "Actually, I'll get Frank to take me home."

Logan's brow furrowed, "Ace, I don't want you out there by yourself. You had an organ delivered to your house last night. I got a room, just stay with me tonight, please?" He stuck out his lip in a pout.

She placed a hand on his cheek, "Compromise: Frank takes me to go get a change of clothes and my backpack and I come back and stay with you? You can drop me off at the library after breakfast in the morning."

Robert and Colin yelled for Logan and Finn to join them at the poker table. He looked torn when he glanced back at her.

"Look hottie, I won't ruin your night. Everything's been crazy lately, so just enjoy some fun with the guys. Frank can babysit me and then I can come back and go to bed. I'll see you when you finish."

"Are you sure?"

She smiled, "Yes sir, give me a room key and I'll see you soon."

"Boys, I know I can usually stay up all night, but I'm going to hit the sack." Logan stretched and glanced down at his watch to show it was just after 2 in the morning.

"Wow Logan, that girl got you turning into an old man now?" Robert ribbed.

He chuckled, "Sorry you idiots struck out with every eligible girl in the party. My girl is waiting for me upstairs."

Logan laughed at his friends' dejected faces as he walked to his hotel room, a big smile on his face as he thought about his girl.

Colin, feeling rather foggy even for a normal night of debauchery, decided to stumble outside of the hotel's ballroom and out into the courtyard area. He'd left the poker game after losing his last hundred in cash. He didn't want to owe Robert any more money.

The gazebo in the center was strung with lights and the landscapers must have just finished putting in the fall flowers, as they were small but bright under the twinkling lights. The air was crisp and bit Colin in the face, giving him the needed clarity he desired.

He was genuinely wondering whether someone had drugged him when he saw a foot peeking out from a nearby bush. Attendees of these society events were known for passing out in rather compromising situations, but that's why they were held in alumni-owned establishments. Necessary security measures were already in place to ensure complete anonymity.

Shaking his head, Colin walked around the bush in question ready to heckle the passed-out partygoer when he actually gasped in horror. Beaten and bloody, Rory was lying unconscious in the fresh mulch of the garden.