Rory and Logan slept in the next morning.  They were both exhausted from travel and talking into the night.  While neither were happy about the negative result of the test, they had both made peace with it.  It was decided that fate had stepped in and determined the time was not right.  There was still hope until Rory started her period, but they had prepared themselves for the likelihood that a baby was not on board this month. 

And Lorelai was right that this time could be used productively for preparation.  Rory and Logan had done a lot of talking and planning.  Since they had unexpectedly gotten married, real life and how they would handle things had not really been discussed.  He had always known Rory would want to live on the east coast if possible with work situations.  Since Rory was currently free-lancing and had the ability to write from anywhere and Logan was in the process of moving east, the east coast seemed like the best option.  While Logan didn't care much about proximity to family, he knew Rory needed to be close to her family.  He already sent an email to a realtor near Hartford requesting appointments to tour some properties upon their return.

Thinking back on the night before, Logan was amazed at Lorelai's ability to calm Rory.  After reading the results of the test, Rory had been very upset.  It was sheer luck that Lorelai had chosen that moment to call, and Logan was thankful he had used the opportunity to push Rory to talk to her.  Logan had been very unsure how to handle the devastating news.  Lane's presence had helped immensely, but it was Lorelai's call that saved the day.  Logan had wanted to comfort Rory and be the one to make her feel better, but knew he was out of his league.  Rory had needed an experienced woman at that time.  Logan understood this and was not offended or hurt. 

So, after waking late and ordering in breakfast, Logan and Rory sat drinking coffee while gazing out at the courtyard view.  Logan had been to LA countless times and wanted to show Rory around the town.  But touring would have to wait until the next day.  Rory had spoken to Lane who had just finished the morning rehearsal.  Lane and the band were heading back to the hotel for lunch and to relax before their show that night.  Rory was set to meet Lane and finally do her final interview of the series.  Logan decided to work from the room for the afternoon.

"Are you sure you don't mind that I am abandoning you this afternoon?"  Rory asked.

"Go do your last interview, Ace. I'll be fine.  I have some calls to make and emails to return.  I wrapped up most things at work, but I still need to check in,"  Logan assured her.  "Plus I want to scan the listings the realtor in Hartford sent."

"And looking around Hartford is really alright with you?"  Rory asked.  She was thrilled that Logan had insisted they look for a home near her mother and grandparents but was concerned he would be traveling too much for work.

"I only have a few more months of back and forth left.  I have turned over most things to the staff here.  With Mitchum's health being a concern and his forced semi-retirement, I have been back on the east coast more and more the past few months.  I planned to remove myself even more from the business here and move my base east anyway,"  he said holding her hand.  "It is all working out perfectly."

A short while later, Rory sat with Lane in the living room area of Lane's suite.  Zack and the other guys had gone to explore the hotel and hopefully run into other celebrities.  Mrs. Kim and the twins were napping.  Lane told her that traveling across country always wore out her mother and children, and they typically spend the first day napping or just relaxing in the hotel. 

"So, this is a little weirder than  thought it would be,"  Lane said laughing.  "You know more about me than anyone!  What could you possibly ask me?"

"I know.  This is strange.  This whole series of interviews has been weird.  Usually I have to research people and discover information.  With all you guys, I didn't have to research much of anything.  But, I did find out a lot of information I didn't know on the guys,"  Rory said.  Then considering, she said, "I doubt you are hiding any big secrets from me though."

"Nope, sorry, no big reveals here.  I am not pregnant.  I am not a business whiz with a musical passion.  And I didn't have a traumatic childhood with a broken relationship with my parents.  I am pretty boring, huh?"  Lane laughed.

"Well, not really.  I mean, I am sure the readers would love to hear about your floorboard vaults of CDs and makeup.  You could give teenage girls ideas on how to hide things from their parents.  I mean, your methods of wardrobe changes in high school were genius.  Remember how you would hide clothes in Miss Patty's mailbox to grab on your way to school and change in the bathroom?  It really worked great until Kirk, who was of course the mailman, changed the mail route and kept picking up your clothes with the mail.  Then when you switched to Gypsy's mailbox,  he convinced Taylor that it was some sort of gang signal to leave clothes in a mailbox! It is your fault that Stars Hollow has a town watch!"  Rory giggled.

"Kirk was always foiling my plans!  Remember when I wanted to apply to non-Christian colleges?  I went into the stationary store where, of course, he was working.  They were out of the large manila envelopes.  I explicitly told him I would pick them up when they came in.  Instead he hand delivers them to my house and gives them to my mom.  I had to tell her I was volunteering to do Seventh Day Adventist mailings!"  Lane reminisced.  "I wasted hours folding and stuffing envelopes after making up bogus flyers! And I never did apply to any other colleges." 

"And just recently when we were back in Stars Hollow he made everyone aware you guys were in town when you wanted to lay low.  I cannot believe he made those cardboard cut-outs of you and the guys and propped them next to the bus for fans to take pictures!  Did you know he took the pictures with his mom's ancient Poloriod camera and charged people $5 a piece?  Everyone had to walk past the bus since it was the closest parking.  With everyone in town for the Fall Festival and the streets blocked with all the bales of hay, he made a killing!"  Rory laughed.

"I signed more autographs in my hometown that weekend than I have on this tour so far!"  Lane said laughing along.  " I wondered how all of Connecticut seemed to know we were home.  So much for a relaxing low key break at home!"

"He is quite a character.  I think we all have soft spots for him,"  Rory said.

"Yeah, I definitely do.  He is a pain and kind of a mess sometimes, but he always means well.  And you know how great he was to me when my dad died,"  Lane said with somberness.

"Yeah, that was a surprise.  But he did help you.  He lost his dad young too,"  Rory said.  "Do you want me to go into all the stuff with your dad in this interview?"

"I have been thinking about it and talked to Mama about it.  We both think it would be nice, you know, kind of give my dad the respect he deserves, tell his story,"  Lane said.  "He is mentioned every so often, but no one really knows anything about him.  I think it is time to tell the story."

"Ok, can you tell me again?  Even we don't talk about it much.  I want to make sure I have all the facts right,"  Rory said.

"Well, you know my father was an ambassador.  He worked for the United States government.  Since he was fluent in Korean and was raised in Busan, South Korea, he was sent over for political meetings often.  When he wasn't in South Korea, he was in Washington, D.C. a lot.  He translated and mediated meetings between the countries.  So, he was never really home all that much.  But that's the way he and Mama had it planned.  They didn't want to raise me in Washington."  Lane shrugged and smiled, "They lived in Hartford before I was born and would take day trips scoping out the towns.  They just fell in love with Stars Hollow.  Mama loved the low to nonexistent crime and wholesome feel of the town."

"What's not to love?"  Rory said smiling at Lane.

"Exactly,"  Lane grinned.  "So, anyway, Dad would work in Washington or South Korea most of the time.  He would visit from time to time.  You met him a few times, right?"  At Rory's nod, she continued, "The whole plan was for Mama to build the antique business while he worked for the government and ensured funds and benefits for when he retired.  They both always loved collecting antiques and thought it would be a peaceful retirement life to run the store."

"Wow, that's kind of funny.  I always just kind of thought the store was your mom's thing, not sort of a dream of both your parents.  Is that why your mom still keeps it going?"  Rory asked.

"Yeah, she's never said it, but I think it is kind of a memorial type thing to him now,"  Lane said.  "Dad just wanted to make some money so they could do it full time.  I mean, let's face it-- how much money could Mama really make selling door knobs to Stars Hollow residents?  Tourist were good, but that was seasonal."

"Hmmm...another thing I never really thought about,"  Rory said.

"Honestly?  Me neither, until I got older,"  Lane laughed.  "So, dad was away a lot.  He was away almost all of 2000.  There was a huge meeting between North and South Korea.  It was called the 2000 Inter-Korean Summit.  It was basically a peace talk to improve relations between the countries.  You know Kim Jong-il was the leader of North Korea.  He was not a great guy, a dictator, horrible to the people.  A few years before, there was a terrible famine and he refused to help the people.  The leader of South Korea was much better.  His name was Kim Dae-Jung.  Both men were at the summit."  Lane took a breath, "Sorry for the history lesson, but it helps you understand what was going on."

"No, don't apologize.  I think it's fascinating.  Your father was an interesting man,"  Rory said.

"I think so too.  As a kid, you don't pay much attention to what your dad does.  In the past few years, I have read up on all this.  It's pretty cool to think, 'Hey, my dad was there.  He helped with that.'  Silly, maybe.  But I still think it sometimes,"  Lane said.

"Not silly at all,"  Rory said.  

"Well, he was there.  And he did help with the peace agreement, which stayed in effect for many years,"  Lane said proudly.  "Dad stayed in South Korea for nearly a year.  He came home for a quick visit, but had to return because there was some issue in North Korea with Kim Jong-il.  Dad never came home alive again."  

Rory reached out and held Lane's hand seeing she was getting upset.  "You don't have to go on, Lane.  I don't have to print the story."

"No, I want you to,"  Lane said steadying herself.  "Dad was killed in a political skirmish.  Citizens were protesting.  The government retaliated harshly.  Nearly a hundred innocent people were shot as the oppressive government flexed their muscles and showed their power.  Dad was one of them.  He was trying to get the protesters to stop.  He was afraid they would be killed for voicing their opinions."  She smiled ruefully, "He was killed trying to stop others from being killed."

"We were 14, right?"  Rory asked.

"Yes, I we were 14.  Dad was shipped home.  The whole town came to his funeral,"  Lane said.

"I remember.  Your mom was so brave.  She seemed so strong.  I sat by you during the funeral service.  I don't think she let go of your hand the entire time,"  Rory said sadly.

"Mama wasn't brave or strong.  She was in complete shock.  She had just lost her husband and unborn baby,"  Lane revealed.

"What? Baby?"  Rory asked shocked.

"I guess when dad was home briefly, she got pregnant.  When Mama found out dad was murdered, she lost the baby.  She was grieving two deaths that day.  That's why she was clinging so tightly to me.  That's another reason she became even more strict with me.  Mama was afraid she would lose me too,"  Lane said.

"Oh my god, Lane.  I had no idea,"  Rory said.  "I am so sorry."

"No one did.  She never told anyone she was pregnant.  I only knew because I had seen her sick a few mornings.  She told me when I brought her Saltines and water,"  Lane said.  "She told me it was God's will and we must carry on, that there was a reason for it.  I didn't believe her, still not sure what I think.  It just all seems like a waste and a tragedy,"  Lane said shaking her head.  "But that's the story."

"It is quite the story.  If you are sure you want it in print, I would love to tell it,"  Rory said.