"I have been waiting for you all morning!  I demand the full story with no details left out.  I know there is more to this story than you guys told last night,"  Lane said as she pulled Rory into her suite when Rory went next door to interview Zack.

"I am here in an official capacity.  No time for gossip right now,"  Rory said.  "But I could be persuaded to have lunch with you afterwords," she added with a smile.

"Fine, fine, make me wait longer,"  Lane sighed.  "Mama and I were going to take the boys for a walk while you interviewed Zack.  Is an hour or two enough?  We can go when we get back."

"I think an hour, hour and a half should be fine.  Then, yes, lunch sounds good,"  Rory said.

Lane and Mrs. Kim left with the boys.  They planned to walk around the downstairs of the hotel.  There were several small stores and the courtyard to explore.  Mrs. Kim felt the hotel was safe enough, plus they had a bodyguard with them for additional security.

Zack and Rory decided to take a cup of coffee out on the balcony.  It was a beautiful day, not yet too hot, and they were often trapped indoors.

"Ok, so your full name is Zachary Todd Van Gerbig, correct?"  Rory began.

"That's right.  Try writing all that out as a kid.  Teachers always wanted to call me 'Zachary' too.  I always liked 'Zack' better,"  he said.

"Noted.  I will only ever call you 'Zack'," Rory said.  "I bet you were a pistol as a kid, weren't you?"

"Not really.  I was kind of shy until I discovered music actually.  Lane thinks it helped me to express myself.  She's probably right.  I was a mess after my dad left.  I didn't completely get my act together until the twins were born.  I think I am the man I am today because of my mom, Lane, and Luke,"  Zack said.

"I knew your mom raised you on her own.  Do you remember your father?"  Rory asked.

"Not too much.  I remember he was a bigger guy, liked to drink beer and stay out.  I don't remember him coming home much.  It wasn't great when he did come home, so I didn't mind too much when he was gone,"  Zack said remembering.  "It wasn't, like, he was abusive physically.  He never hit me or my mom that I remember.  He just didn't care."

"That must have been hard,"  Rory prompted.

"Yeah.  I only have a few memories of him really.  But the one that is the clearest sucks.  I was in preschool or maybe kindergarten and had made him a plaster plate thing of my hand print. You know the round ones that you stick your hand in and wait for it to dry?"  Rory nodded and Zack continued,  "I decorated it with little rocks and beads.  It was for Father's Day.  I got home from school that day all excited and gave it to him early.  I remember he took it and said, 'What the hell am I supposed to do with this?'  He flung it into the yard.  It broke in half.  When I cried, he told me if I want to give him something he wants, I should go into the house and bring him a beer,"  Zack told the tale staring out into the courtyard.

Rory put her hand on his and said, "Oh Zack, that's terrible.  No father should make their child feel that way.  I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, well, I don't remember much more about him.  He left for the bar one night and never came back.  He sent Mom money for a few years, then nothing.  I wasn't really upset that he left, but I kind of blamed myself.  Kids think weird things and don't really understand.  All I saw was my mom crying and always scared about money.  I thought maybe it was my fault he left. I don't know, like maybe I didn't give him what he wanted," he said shrugging.  "He's still alive somewhere.  Would you believe he actually hit me up for money a couple years ago when Hep Alien hit it big?"  Zack said turning back towards Rory. 

"I hope you didn't give him anything,"  Rory said disgusted.

Zack laughed, "No, no, no.  I didn't really talk to him.  Lane and Mrs. Kim sent him packing.  Mrs. Kim is a scary woman when she wants to be!"  Zack stopped laughing, but still smiled, "She called me her son as she was yelling at him.  Told him no one hurts her children.  Then she started ranting about the fires of hell."

"Aww, sounds like Mrs. Kim.  She's a hard woman, but she does have a big heart,"  Rory said.

"I don't know what we would do without her.  We wouldn't be here, that's for sure.  You remember how she got us started and pushed us along,"  Zack said.  "I still have nightmares about that whole church tour!"

"You have a great family now, Zack. Where is your mother?"  Rory asked.

"I bought her a condo on the beach.  She loves it.  After all her years working several jobs to support me and keeping me out of trouble, I thought she deserved a nice retirement.  Lane helped me pick a place, then she helped her decorate it.  We go to visit her every few months.  She loves the twins.  But she also loves the quiet life she has now.  She deserves the peace after working so hard for so long,"  Zack said.

"Zack, that's so sweet.  Readers, especially the female ones, will fall in love with you more knowing that you take care of your mom,"  Rory said.  "It's ok that I use all this in your article?  I would like to.  It shows how you are the person you are and what you have overcome."

"Sure.  I used to be embarrassed and not want anyone to know.  I see now that maybe it can help some kid somewhere not feel alone," he said.

"I agree.  I'd also like to write about the kind of dad you are.  I have seen it from the day the boys were born.  You are very involved in their lives,"  Rory said.

"I try to be.  I was so scared when they were born though!  It helps a lot that Mrs. Kim can bring them on our tours.  We already decided that when they start school, we are cutting back on the tours for a while.  Gil and Brian agree that it's important to be with the kids.  Gil's kids are a little older and don't need him quite as much.  Brian's got one on the way.  I know he'll want to be around for his kid too,"  Zack said.

"Wow, Hep Alien is a bunch of family-guys!"  Rory joked.

"Chicks dig dads,"  Zack said with a smirk.

Two hours later, Rory and Lane were seated in a booth in the restaurant downstairs.  Their booth was against a large window leading to the courtyard.  The Vegas sun had reached its peak in the sky, so it was too hot to sit outdoors.  But from their table, they had a nice view.

"I can't believe you got married!  What happened to Logan needing time?  What did you do to him?"  Lane asked.

"Me?  I didn't do anything!  We were completely wasted.  It was his idea!"  Rory said.

"I can't believe it.  Miss Pro-Con List for a haircut just elopes!"  Lane exclaimed.

"I'm not that bad, Lane,"  Rory protested.

"Ummm...I happen to remember the week long debate and numerous phone calls your freshman year when you hacked off your hair,"  Lane laughed. "You sent me pictures of different styles and we discussed each one in detail."

"Ok, ok, maybe it is a little out of character for me,"  Rory admitted.

"Well, maybe not,"  Lane said thinking.  "Maybe it's a genetic thing.  Your mom got married to your dad in Paris.  Luke got married to Nicole on that cruise."

"I am not genetically related to Luke,"  Rory reminded her.

"No, but he has been a figure in your life forever and he's with your mom now.  I think it counts,"  Lane said.  "I guess the point is, this isn't that uncommon.  People just get married spur of the moment sometimes."

"Not real encouraging examples, Lane.  Mom and Dad split up.  Luke and Nicole split up,"  Rory said. 

"Well, those two examples of spontaneous marriages didn't work because the people involved didn't really love each other.  You love Logan.  And he loves you," Lane said.

"He does, Lane!  He said it last night and again this morning.  It felt like the first time.  I think this is going to work,"  Rory said dreamily.

"Aww, look at you!  Yeah, I think it's going to work,"  Lane said.  "So what else was up last night?  There is something you aren't telling me."  Rory gave her a questioning look.  Lane sighed and said, "Come on.  We have been best friends since we were basically babies.  I know you better than anyone.  What's up?"

Rory laughed.  She knew she would never be able to hide anything from Lane.  She leaned in and said quietly, "On our, uh, wedding night, we didn't use a condom.  I stopped taking the pill a while ago, Lane."

"Oh..." Lane said understanding.  "Do you think you're pregnant?"

"I don't know.  I've never been pregnant before.  What does it feel like?"  Rory asked her.

"You saw me when I got back from my honeymoon.  I was sick as a dog.  Have you been sick?"  Lane asked.

"No. I feel fine,"  Rory said.

"Well, it was only two days ago.  I think you have to wait until after your missed period to take a test,"  Lane said.  "Wait, does Logan know?"

"Yes, I told him,"  Rory said.  "He seems like he is almost happy with the idea."

Lane looked shocked.  "Wow.  He does go from going slow to full out family, doesn't he?"

Rory laughed and said, "I kind of like the idea too, Lane.  But I don't want to let myself get too excited.  I obviously am not telling anyone yet, but I really don't even want to think too much.  I'll just wait and take a test in a couple weeks."  Rory took a breath and then told Lane that she wouldn't be going with the band the next morning to Phoenix.  She told Lane her plans for joining Logan in Palo Alto. 

"What are you waiting for?  You're done interviewing Zack, right?  You don't have to stay for the show tonight, Rory.  Why don't I have George run you there now?  It's an eight hour drive, but you could be there by like 10 tonight,"  Lane suggested.  "Or I have a few connections, I could get you on a flight in a few hours.  You could surprise him.  I'll bet he would love it."

"Really?  Think you could get me on a flight?  I don't want to take George.  He has to drive all of you to Phoenix tomorrow.  That would be way too much driving for the poor guy,"  Rory said.

"I'll call Brad.  He knows everyone and can make anything happen.  Go pack, I'll have a ticket for you in an hour,"  Lane said smiling.