Back to Hep Alien tour

Rory woke up the next morning feeling like she had the worst hangover. But it wasn't an alcohol hangover.  It was an emotional hangover.  Her eyes were gritty and swollen.  Her throat felt raw.  She remembered sitting up with Lane for hours talking and crying.  Lane proved she was truly her best friend by crying right along with Rory.  She offered her comfort and advise. 

Rory got up and went into the bathroom to try to minimize the worst of the evidence of her hard night.  She splashed cold water on her face and brushed her hair and teeth.  Then she tried to work some magic with makeup.  When she thought she at least looked cosmetically presentable enough to face people, she left the bathroom.

Lane and Mrs. Kim were up and making breakfast for the boys by then.  Mrs.  Kim surprised Rory by handing her a cup of coffee.  She looked at Rory and said, "You are a strong woman.  This too shall pass.  It will be ok."  She did not wait for answer before walking back into her bedroom.  Rory just stared after her.  Mrs. Kim was not an overly warm person, but she did care deeply for Rory.  Rory knew she had helped Lane with many relationship struggles as the band's fame grew. It made her miss her own mom terribly.

Rory sat with Lane and drank her coffee.  They did not discuss Logan or the events of the night before that morning.  Everything had been said.  And Lane didn't think Rory needed it rehashed that morning.

"We are pulling out and heading to Albany in a couple hours.  There's only one show there, remember.  It was kind of an add-on, but it sold out in under two hours!  What can I say?  Trudy is a ruthless manager and Brad is a genius with PR,"  Lane said chuckling.  "Wow, that still feels so cool to say!  We sold out!"

Rory forced a smile for Lane and said, "It is really cool.  So, there's only one show there, then New York, right?  A couple shows there?"

"Yup.  And then we are on break!  I can't believe I am about to say I miss Stars Hollow, but I do!"  Lane said.

"I understand.  The whole time I was following the campaign, I just wanted to go home,"  Rory said.

"We'll be there soon,"  Lane said.  Then she added, "But I am not sure for how long.  Trudy is really pushing a short West Coast tour before Christmas, probably less than a dozen shows.  It may be a good idea because we were planning to spend a lot of time in the studio in the new year."

"It's only early September.  You could easily add on some shows this year.  You know they will book up!"  Rory said.

"We'll see.  By the way, we are having a band meeting when we get settled in Albany.  As our official writer, you should be there," Lane said.  As Rory nodded, she said, "Ok, I am going to start packing up the boys.  Mama keeps us on a strict schedule.  We need to be packed and in the bus in two hours or she will not be pleased.  Trust me, she will tell George to pull out without you if you aren't ready."

Several hours later in Albany, Rory sat with the band, Trudy, and Brad in the spacious living room of Zack and Lane's suite.

"You guys always get the biggest, coolest room.  This one is two floors!"  Brian complained. "Sara and I are in a suite half this size."

"Dude, you are less than half the people!  We have Mrs. Kim and the boys, plus Rory,"  Zack said.  "We need the space."

"I know.  I just think it would be cool to have that mini kitchen you have,"  Brian said. "I could make my special soup."

"Feel free to use it, Brian,"  Lane said. 

"Cyndi and I have a little kitchen this time.  You can come make your soup in our room,"  Gil offered.

"You have a kitchen too?"  Brian said.

"We have the kids with us this trip.  Cyndi stretched the truth to the kids' school and said it was an educational trip.  So, they got excused, but now we have to go to a butterfly museum so they get credit for science,"  Gil explained making a face at the idea of the museum.

"I've heard of it!  The Butterfly Conservatory.  It has reptiles too.  Can I come with you guys?"  Brian asked.

"Sure, man.  I didn't know it was reptiles too.  Cyn just said bugs.  Could be cool,"  Gil said.

"I hate to interrupt the reptile planning, but we have a few things to cover, guys,"  Trudy said as she entered the room. "First of all, excellent shows in Boston.  I think Brad will confirm that only good press came out of that." 

Brad said, "The meet and greets went great.  Some of the pictures the fans took got leaked and published everywhere.  You guys are masters with the fans.  They all seem to love you.  However it does create more interest, so this article is going to come out at a great time."

Trudy spoke again, "Which leads to the second thing, Brad and I have been talking.  We think Rory should propose to write in depth interviews with each of you.  Rolling Stone jumped over themselves to get exclusive rights to this first whole band interview.  I am positive they will jump through hoops to get the individual stories."

"Stories on each of us?  Like our histories and personal lives?"  Brian said.  "I don't know... I mean, the band's story is one thing, but our personal lives?"

"Yes, it will be a little invasive.  But keep in mind, it will be Rory writing the stories.  I am sure she will respect boundaries and write only what you approve,"  Brad said looking at Rory.

"Of course.  Brian, I think the fans would want to know a little about your childhood and your interests now.  I know you and Sara like to keep things private.  I wouldn't have to include her in the article,"  Rory reassured him.

"But you might consider it, man.  It might end some of the nasty rumors and flat out lies.  Cyn and I already decided to let Rory discuss our kids in this band interview.  I'll talk to her, but I am pretty sure she won't mind Rory writing about them in more detail my separate article as long as it is just like an overview."

"I think this is a good idea,"  Lane said.  "We didn't mean to, but we made ourselves such a mystery that the lies and crazy stories have taken over.  It is time to let the fans know the real us, set the story straight so to speak."

Brad said, "We really think it would be smart at this point.  The kids are getting older, especially yours, Gil.  It is unfair for them to hear lies about you and the band."

"Alright, suggest it to Rolling Stone when we are in New York, Rory,"  Zack looked at Rory and said.  She nodded in response, secretly very excited about the possibility of a whole series of articles.

"Ok, on to the final thing I wanted to bring up in this meeting.  I scheduled the Las Vegas and California shows.  There will be ten of them.  We leave mid-October and should be wrapped up around Thanksgiving.  It will be busy, but not crazy, ten shows in roughly a month,"  Trudy said.  "I could have added at least ten more too!  As soon as I let it out that we were considering a second mini tour, I had so many calls with offers.  I settled on a few big places, get the biggest crowds for our time.  We'll be starting in Las Vegas with two shows.  Then we go to Phoenix for two, then Los Angeles for two, and then San Francisco for the rest. Well, actually, the last four shows will be around San Francisco.  I scheduled us for San Fran,  Palo Alto, and Fresno. I think we are covering a fair amount of ground in areas we haven't toured in a long time."

Rory stopped listening after she heard Palo Alto.  The last she heard, Logan still split his time between New York City and Palo Alto.  She was already nervous, yet hopeful, she might run into him in New York.  Now it appeared she would be practically in his backyard for the last few shows.  After her long talk with Lane and confession of what had transpired between her and Logan, Lane had convinced Rory she needed to contact him if for no other reason than to apologize.  Rory hoped if she contacted him it could be more than just an apology.  After seeing him, Rory knew she was still very much in love with him and wanted him back.  She also knew she screwed up big time and hurt him.  She needed another girl night with Lane to plot her next move.