The girl night came the next evening after the concert.  The show ended late, but as usual, the boys were hungry.  The hotel had a very nice restaurant/bar downstairs.  Since security was tight at this hotel and they did have bodyguards, the guys decided to venture downstairs for some food and drinks.  Zack didn't like to risk public places with Lane.  He was too afraid something would happen to her, so they rarely went out.  With proper precautions, he occasionally still went out with the guys though.  Since Rory and Lane seemed eager to talk alone, he figured this was the perfect night to grab a beer with Brian and Zack.

After the guys left, Rory and Lane sat on the sofa in the living room of Zack and Lane's suite where they had the band meeting the day before.  Mrs. Kim was making herself a cup of tea in the kitchen area.  As she finished, she turned to them and said, " I am going to my room to drink my tea and read from my Bible.  I will have earplugs in so that I may concentrate better.  I will not hear the children if they wake up, Lane."

"Ok, Mama.  I will hear them. Thank you for watching them tonight.  Goodnight,"  Lane said.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Kim,"  Rory said.

"Goodnight girls,"  Mrs. Kim said. "Remember we go to the bug museum first thing in the morning before we go to New York."

Once alone, Lane looked at Rory, "So...you haven't said anything, but I am assuming you heard we will be in and around Palo Alto..."

"Yes, I heard," said Rory.  "When I told you the story of what happened when Logan came to the hotel to see me, you said I should contact him to apologize.  Do you still think that?"

"Yes, I do,"  Lane said.  Then she added, "It's obvious you want to contact him."

"I really do, Lane.  I can't stop thinking about him since I saw him.  I can't believe I sent him away and treated him the way I did!" Rory said sadly.

"Rory, you were upset and not thinking.  I don't think he would have had such a strong reaction to you if he didn't still care.  The whole time he was in that meet and greet, he looked so uncomfortable and edgy.  I don't think he would have looked like that if he was completely over you,"  Lane said.  "When people get over something or someone, they tend to just not care, not show major emotion either way.  There was major emotion in that meeting."

"I honestly hope so.  I know there was major emotion on my end,"  Rory said.  "Now, we need to figure out when I contact him.  Should I call or go see him in New York?  I mean... IF, of course, he is even there.  Or do I wait until California?"

"If I know you, you want to do it sooner rather than later,"  Lane said thinking.

"Yeah, it is driving me nuts.  I really want to do something now,"  Rory said.

"Ok, how about you go see him in New York?  You know where his apartment is.  Go knock.  If he is there, great.  If not, then try California,"  Lane suggested. 

"I could do that.  Just go, say I am in town and wanted to apologize for losing my crap on him when he came to me.  I could say I know I was wrong and hated that things were so awkward when we saw each other,"  Rory brainstormed.  "Maybe I could see if he wants to get a cup of coffee or something."

"Yeah, then you could say you will be in California in a couple months.  Maybe make plans to see him again?  Invite him to the concerts?  We can get him awesome tickets,"  Lane added.

"Oooh, yeah, that's a good idea.  Know anyone that can get me front row tickets to Hep Alien?"  Rory joked.

"I have a hook up with a great scalper," Lane laughed, "Got you covered."

Everyone was up bright and early the next morning for the trip to the butterfly and reptile place with Gil and his family.  When Brian decided to go, it encouraged the rest of the group to tag along as well.  Zack and Lane figured their kids would get a kick out of snakes and other slimy critters. 

Brad nearly had a heart attack when he heard the whole band was going on a surprise public outing.  He called and explained who the group was.  He convinced the sanctuary to give them a short private showing in exchange for pictures with the employees that could be displayed in their venue.  So, Hep Alien and the others had the butterfly and reptile sanctuary to themselves for two hours.  Since it was private, Brian even brought Sara.

Two hours was more than enough for Rory, Lane, Sara, and Mrs. Kim.  They stood back against the wall while all the kids, men, and Cyndi took turns holding various snakes and turtles.  But they did enjoy the butterfly house though. They were pretty and did not slither.  And, in the end, Jacob and Stella got their science credits for school.

Mrs. Kim insisted the boys have a quick bath before they pulled out of Albany for New York.  Rory was excitedly packing all her things, anxious to get to New York.  She was very nervous, but couldn't wait to knock on Logan's door.

"Wow, Rory, you are never the first on packed and ready to go,"  Brian commented as Rory dragged her bags to the bus.  "Are you that eager to meet with Mark from Rolling Stone?  Don't be nervous.  I am sure he will go for the idea of the individual interviews."

"Um, yeah, Brian, I am just really excited.  I can't wait to get to New York,"  Rory said remembering she had scheduled that meeting for the next morning  while the band was setting up and having their first rehearsal in the New York arena.

"I'm really glad you're with us,"  Brian said.  "Hey, when it gets approved, can you interview me first?"

Hours later, they pulled into the Plaza Hotel in New York City.  The staff from the hotel immediately ran out to help the band unload their things.  Mrs. Kim hustled the children up to the family suite and Rory and Lane looked around.

"God, who would have ever thought Hep Alien would be staying at the Plaza?"  Lane asked as she looked around. "And have people run out to greet us and help us!"

"Lane, this is awesome, your dream come true.  I always knew you guys would make it.  You've been on your way since you played Kyle's party!"  Rory said.

"Ha!  What a mess that turned out to be,"  Lane laughed.  "Alright, let's go check out our suite.  Mama was talking about getting settled in and then coming down to the dining room for dinner.  It's pretty safe here.  This place gets even bigger stars than us."

"Actually... I was kind of thinking I may go try to see Logan tonight.  I can't wait anymore, Lane.  We're here, why wait?"  Rory said.

"Are you sure?  I thought you were going to go after your meeting with Rolling Stone tomorrow?"  Lane asked.

"I was.  But I can't give myself any more time to think about this,"  Rory said as they entered the elevator.

"Rory, how ever this turns out, not that I think it will go bad or anything, I am proud of you.  Chasing a guy and going after something like this is not your usual style, I know.  But I really think to get what you want, this is the way,"  Lane encouraged. 

The elevator chimed to indicate they were at their floor.  The girls exited the elevator directly into a huge penthouse suite, "I sure hope so."  She looked around and said, "Wow!  Look at this place!  I signed on with the right band! Let's find Mrs.  Kim and see which rooms she has assigned everyone."

A while later, after everyone had unpacked and relaxed after the bus ride, the group left for dinner without Rory.  Rory was in her room touching up her makeup and giving her hair a final brush.  She had left her hair down, the way Logan liked it best.  She was dressed casually in jeans and a blue top.  She wanted to look good for him, but not like she obsessed over her appearance.  When she was finally as satisfied as she was going to be, she hopped on the elevator and headed down to the lobby.

Her stomach was fluttering like the butterflies she had seen at the sanctuary earlier that day as she hailed a cab and gave the driver Logan's address.  Rory said nothing to the driver on the short drive, just concentrated on remembering to breathe.

The cab pulled up outside of Logan's building.  Rory paid the driver and got out.  She stood on the sidewalk looking up at the building for a few moments.  From the street, she had no idea which window was his, but she tried to imagine him inside.  She hoped he was alone.  She imagined him sitting on the couch sipping wine and reading a book waiting for her.  That fantasy was ruined when her mind wandered to a vision of Claudia walking in from the bedroom wrapped in a towel as if she just got out of the shower.  Rory shook her head to clear that image.

Taking a deep breath, she finally forced herself to move forward.  She smiled at the doorman and gave her name, nervous that Logan had removed her name from the list of approved visitors.  Luck was on her side, she was still on the list. 

Rory took the elevator to Logan's floor.  She stopped outside the huge double wooden doors.  She strained her ears to listen for sounds inside the apartment.  She could hear nothing.  She cursed the excellent soundproofing in the new building.

With a deep, steadying breath she raised her hand and knocked on the door.