A half an hour later, after being mildly insulted by Sookie and reminded of all past kitchen-related incidents, Rory had a plan.  Rory was in the closest supermarket she could find selecting a piece of beef for a simple crock-pot pot-roast.  Luckily, Logan had a crock-pot in his kitchen. Rory was able to find it after Sookie described what she was looking for.  Sookie assured her it was one of the most foolproof things and would be delicious.  All she need to do was throw in the meat, onion soup mix, vegetables, and seasonings and then turn on the pot.  Sookie insisted Rory make her own salad and garlic bread though.  

Rory's phone was ringing as she carted her bags into the house after her shopping trip.  She saw her mother's number and decided to let it go to voicemail.  She would call her back after she got the crock-pot going.  According to Sookie, this pot was magic, but it took its time to work its magic.

A short while later, Rory was feeling downright domestic as she put the lid on the crock-pot and turned the dial to 'high'.  She straightened up the kitchen and sat down with her phone to call her mother.  Rory took a deep breath steeling herself.  Neither piece of information she was hiding was suitable to tell over the phone.  She really wanted to talk to her mother in person about everything, so she vowed to make this a short call and just let her mother talk.  In her experience, letting Lorelai ramble was usually a safe way to avoid topics Rory didn't want to talk about.

Rory took a deep breath and dialed Lorelai's cell phone.  She really didn't feel like explaining herself to Michel again, so she didn't call the inn.  Lorelai answered on the third ring.  "Well, hello Betty Crocker.  What's cooking?"

"Which one told you? Michel or Sookie?"  Rory answered.

"Both of them.  Sookie was so proud of you and absolutely thrilled you called her.  Michel was appalled and thought we should call Palo Alto paramedics and have them on standby,"  Lorelai said.  "So, what's the deal?  Is there no take-out or delivery there?"

"Logan's at work.  I am here.  I figured I'd try something different,"  Rory said.

"Cooking for your man?  Tell me you are wearing pearls, heels, and a dress like you did for Dean that time.  Logan does deserve the same, doesn't he?"  Lorelai mocked.

"Actually, I was going to serve dinner this evening wearing ONLY pearls and heels,"  Rory answered smartly.

"Oh man!  Dirty!  And too much info!"  Lorelai yelled.

Rory laughed and said, "You deserved that."

"Not nice to put that picture in Mommy's head,"  Lorelai said.  "So, how is The Plan working?  Was Logan surprised to see you?"

"Ummm, yeah, you could say that,"  Rory said biting her lip and thinking of the events of the night before.  "I am pleased with the progress of the plan, moving along much faster than I imagined."

"Faster, huh?  That's good.  Just don't get married or pregnant out there,"  Lorelai said laughing at what she thought was a crazy idea.  Rory nearly burst out laughing too.  Luckily, Lorelai then began rambling about some really stuffy guests that she had in the inn all week.  She was even doing voices for Rory.  Relieved, Rory sat back and listened to her mother's stories and nasal impressions of the demanding guests.

Several hours later, Rory had just put her garlic bread in the oven to toast when Logan walked in the front door bellowing, "Honey, I'm home!"

Rory giggled and closed the oven door.  She yelled back, "I hope you aren't expecting me to bring you your slippers and the newspaper!"

Logan entered the kitchen grinning.  He swept Rory into his arms and kissed her.  Still holding her, he said, "I work with newspapers and publications all day.  The last thing I want is one when I get home." He sniffed the air and said, "Something sure smells good in here.  You really did make dinner." He looked around exaggerating his surprise.

"Did you think I was lying?"  Rory asked poking him in the chest.

"No, I just didn't think you could cook,"  Logan said laughing and wincing at her playful poke.

"I can cook!"  Rory said pretending to be insulted.  She couldn't hold the serious expression long though.  Her face broke into a smile and she admitted, "Or I can at least follow Sookie's exact directions."

"Remind me to put Sookie on speed dial for you,"  Logan said. "How long until you feed me, woman?  I was going to go change real quick."

"I will start putting things out now, sir,"  Rory said grinning.

Logan plucked a carrot out of the salad on the counter and popped it in his mouth.  He walked toward the bedroom saying, "I could get used to this.  I like the little woman having a meal on the table for me when I get home."

Rory threw a dishtowel at his back as his disappeared.  Then she set the table.  She got her garlic bread out of the oven and moved the salad to the dining room table.  She was just placing the crock-pot on the table when Logan walked back into the room.  He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.  He kissed the side of her neck and said, "This really is nice and smells amazing.  Thank you for doing this."

Rory smiled.  She said, "I wanted to give it a shot.  Sit down. Dinner is served."

Sookie's precise directions yielded a success.  The pot roast and vegetables turned out perfect.  Rory's salad was great.  Her garlic bread was slightly burned, but overall very good as well.

They cleaned the kitchen together, loading mostly everything into the dishwasher.  After he wiped down the counter, Logan said, "I am stuffed.  That was really good.  Want to go watch tv and relax for a bit?"

"Sounds good,"  Rory said as they moved towards the living room.

"We can probably catch some of the trash tabloid show.  Claudia's people let the break up story out like we planned today.  I called Finn and told him to get his little part out too,"  Logan said.

"Oh boy.  Have your parents heard yet?"  Rory asked as Logan flipped on the tv.

"I haven't heard from them, so I will say no,"  Logan said.  "I am sure I will though."

Rory and Logan settled on to the couch together with Rory propped against Logan.  He had an arm draped over her and stroked her shoulder gently as they watched the nightly tabloid show.  After the commercial break, the first story they saw was on Brian Fuller of Hep Alien.  Photos of Brian and Sara flashed on the screen.  The man reporting the story recapped their engagement announcement from the concert last month.  Then he went on to report on an article in the new issue of Rolling Stone that revealed Brian and Sara were expecting a baby.   Rory's name was mentioned as the author of the article and close friend of the band.  The reporter said fans were already sending baby items to Brian and Sara in bulk.

Logan squeezed her closer and said, "Wow, Ace!  That's really cool!  You made the celebrity evening news!"

"It appears you did too,"  Rory said nodding towards the television as Logan and Claudia filled the television screen.  The subject of the show had changed and now the story was the Huntzberger-DuPont breakup.  The program had found a photo of them on the beach somewhere.  A crude red squiggly line was drawn between them indicating a split.  The photo remained in the background as a perky brunette told viewers of the sad breakup.  "It seems the smiles we see in the photo behind me were part of an act.  A source close to the couple tells me that the spark had died in their relationship a long time ago.  The couple tried to rekindle it, but to no avail."  The brunette nodded at the camera and continued, "I interviewed the couple myself a few months ago.  While they seemed united on the exterior, I could sense a disconnection in their relationship.  It seemed they were trying just a bit too hard to appear happy.  The source close to the couple confirmed this."  The reporter concluded the story, "So it seems Logan Huntzberger is an eligible bachelor again, ladies.  We hope he finds true love next time."

"Well, that was fast,"  Rory said.

"No point in waiting,"  Logan said holding Rory's hand.  "You have to admit, Claudia is good.  She managed to make this happen exactly as we planned."

"She is good.  Just last night, she predicted what reporters would say.  It was like that brunette was reading her script!"  Rory said.

"But, see how perfect it is?  The public will just think we tried and it didn't work.  Everyone saves face and no rumors circulate.  And they just feel so badly for me," Logan said with a smirk.  "Think I will find true love next time?"

"There is no next time for you, pal,"  Rory squeezed his hand.  "You found it."

"I found it a long time ago.  I was just stupid enough to let it slip away.  I am not going to do that this time,"  Logan said leaning over to kiss her.

Their kiss started lightly and gently.  It slowly grew into a more passionate, needy kiss.  Logan laid back on the couch pulling Rory on top of him.  He held  her tightly against his chest.  Her lower body settled between his spread legs.  She could feel his arousal growing.  She let her hands wander under the t-shirt he had thrown on for dinner.  He groaned as she ran her hands up his chest.

Just as Logan was pulling Rory's shirt up, his cell phone began ringing.   Annoyed, he grumbled, "Ignore it.  Let it go to voicemail."

The ringing stopped and they resumed their couch coupling. Rory was grinding against Logan making him pant.  He hastily unhooked Rory's bra and had her breast in his hand when the phone started ringing again.

Rory laid her head on his chest and laughed.  She sat up and said, "I think the word is out.  You better answer or they will just keep calling." 

Logan groaned and sat up next to Rory.  He looked at his cell phone.  Shira's name and number was on the screen with the missed call icon.  Just as he was tapping her name, the phone started ringing again.  Rory smiled at him and began to get up to give him some privacy for his call.  He grabbed her hand and pulled her back down next to him and shook his head.  He answered his mother's call.  "Hi Mom.  I see you have been trying to call."

Logan switched his phone to speaker as Shira shrieked, "Logan!  What is this report of a break up between you and Claudia?  Please tell me this is not true, Logan."

"Unfortunately, it is true, Mom.  Claudia and I just weren't right for each other,"  Logan said looking at Rory as he rolled his eyes.

"Not right?  What do you mean?  Of course you were right!  You two are perfect together.  You must call her, Logan.  You simply have to fix this!"  Shira continued in a high pitch.

"There is nothing to fix.  We broke up.  We didn't have much in common and it wasn't working,"  Logan said patiently.

Shira sighed loudly, "Logan, relationships are difficult. It isn't always fun.  You aren't in college anymore.  Did you think it was always going to be parties and vacations?  I know the only other real girlfriend you had was that Gilmore girl, which was a totally unsuitable match, so you are inexperienced in these matters.  But trust me, Claudia is a catch.  You must win her back!"

At the mention of her name, Rory stiffened and looked at Logan.  He squeezed her hand and smiled at her.  To his mother, he said, "I am aware I am no longer in college.  I don't have feelings for Claudia.  And, that Gilmore girl you speak of like a nuisance was a better match for me than Claudia will ever be."

"Logan, she dumped you, made a fool of you.  Claudia would never do that,"  Shira kept going.

"This conversation is over.  Claudia and I are over.  I will see you when I return to Connecticut.  Goodnight Mom,"  Logan said hanging up.  This time he turned off his ringer.

"Well, I don't think she is going to welcome me into the family with open arms,"  Rory said.

"Forget her.  My arms are open and want to welcome you back to where we left off before she interrupted,"  Logan said tossing his phone aside and pulling her back on top of him on the couch.