Summary: He wanted nothing more than to be seen. Truly and deeply. But that seemed impossible until he met her… Sophie

Prologue – Invisible Man

I long to be invisible. I know it seems like a weird thing to wish. I always seem to put myself in the spotlight but I guess it's my way of hiding in plain sight. I suppose that what I really want is someone who sees me for me. But the likelihood of that happening is so slim that it's not even worth wishing for it to happen. In my world everything is hidden and I've given up looking for the person who sees me.

I hide behind a mask of the ladies man persona that I've perfected over the years. It's the same one that all my friends have adopted as it works the best for all of us. We're privileged and rich young bastards who pretend to be invincible. It seems to be the only way to get through life without choking. It's the way our fathers acted and it's the way we were brought up to act.

I am so tired of having to put that mask in place every day, having to push aside all emotion in order to function and go about my daily tasks. To stop myself from punching my father straight in the face every time I see him. That fact alone is probably the reason he sent me halfway around the world all my life. Now isn't any different that any of the previous times, other than the fact that this is no boarding school, this is my "destiny" according to my father and apparently in the land of Mitchum this means "grow up and get on with your life" which evidently led me to being sent to the wettest place on earth, three thousand miles away from everything familiar to me. Jolly Old England—yeah right.

It was my first day in the office and as I walked into the front doors of the London Times it was obvious that no one knew who I was as no one jumped out of my way as I walked forward or even acknowledged my presence. I relished in my anonymity knowing it would be short lived.

I used my anonymity to my advantage that morning, using it to observe my employees. Walking from each section of the paper I gathered initial impressions of the staff and the work that seemed to be getting accomplished. Although I may seem to be young and irresponsible being the heir to Huntzberger Media Corporation did lend quite an education in how to run and understand the business. I personally believe that Yale was just a formality. A final chance to learn something you're interested in before being thrust into the career that you've been groomed for your entire life.

I was lost in thought staring out over the newsroom when a voice permeated my thoughts. "Excuse me Sir? Can I help you? This is private property and if you don't have business here I'm going to have to ask you to leave. We do have a paper to get out," a soft voice said behind his right shoulder.

I turned around and came face to face with a woman with bright red curls and a face I instantly recognized.

"Oh my god! Logan!" she said before throwing her arms around my neck in a tight hug. "Why didn't you tell me you were in London? And even better what the hell are you doing here at the Times?"

I laughed and hugged the redhead back just as tightly. "Soph, I only got told about London a week ago. I haven't had time to tell anyone let alone my friend who conveniently forgot to give me all her new contact information when she moved last year," I said raising my eyebrow at her.

Sophie smiled back at me slightly sheepishly. "Oh yeah, sorry Logan," she said before returning to her original query. "Now tell me what you're doing here!"

I smiled at her exuberance. "Well, I'm here in London to start work as per orders of the Dark Lord and as for being here at the paper, I own the crap pile now," I said jokingly.

She hit me on the chest. "Logan Huntzberger, that was very mean. This paper prints quality news and you should be considered lucky to have been placed here."

At that I decided to poke a little more fun. "How could any establishment be considered any good if it has Sophia Kendall working there? That has to be one of the biggest antonyms on the planet—"

"Along with Logan Huntzberger and work ethic," she completed and then we shared a grin.

Our moment of fun however was short-lived as a gruff voice cut through our chuckles of amusement.

"Kendall, what's going on here? I sent you over here fifteen minutes ago to see what this skulker wanted and remove him if needed. Now I find you over here laughing with the interloper. What is the meaning of this?" The red-faced man said.

"I'm terribly sorry Mr Jenkins. Logan here is an old friend of mine that I haven't seen in a very long time—"

"That is perfectly fine Kendal; I am perfectly aware that you are allowed friends but this is an office and not socializing time. I'm almost positive I didn't give you authorization to have social time while all your co-workers don't."

"I'm sorry Mr Jenkins—I," she started before I cut in.

"I gave her authorization to talk to me," I said, which made the old man look at me incredulously.

"You gave her authorization to socialize? And what gives you the idea that you have any say here at all?"

"Well, the fact that since Miss Kendal here is my employee says I can do whatever I want. That being said, who are you?"

Jenkins straightened up. "I'm the Editor in Chief at this paper and I know you aren't Mitchum Huntzberger so get out of here," he said haughtily.

"No, I'm not Mitchum. That would make me his son. And that makes you fired. I'm sorry insubordination is not tolerated in Huntzberger Media Corporation. Please clear out your office as soon as possible," I said with a tight smile in his direction. "Good day Mr Jenkins, it was a pleasure meeting you." With that, I walked away with Sophie leaving the portly British man staring at our backs slack-jawed.

"Logan! That was mean! And you do realize we need an Editor in Chief right?" Sophie said as we made our way to me office.

"I realize that. For the moment I'll fill the position until we can find a suitable replacement. That man was not anywhere near the standards of HMC and per orders of the Dark Lord, Jenkins was already gone. I'm just glad I had a good reason to do it quickly and easily," I said sitting in my chair as Sophie did the same on the chair across my desk.

"Wow. Little Peter has grown up," Sophie said teasingly. "Acting all responsible. I didn't even know that it was possible."

"Very funny Soph. You know better than anyone that I can be responsible." I said. "By the way, as I've finally found you, Honor wanted me to invite you to visit her in Rome. She got married last year to Josh but couldn't mail you the invitation seeing as none of us had any information to contact you so if you have the time do pay her and Josh a visit in the Rome house."

Sophie had the decency to look sheepish at this information. "I'll definitely get over there as soon as possible. I make such a crappy friend to her, it's a wonder that she even puts up with my crap."

"And that, ladies and gentlemen is the ultimate truth," I said with a mock bow saluting her. "And I think that Honor overlooks your faults. We all know that you care its just a little harder to keep in touch."

Sophie nodded before changing the conversation to a lighter topic. "So how is that hottie Aussie friend of yours doing? Is he still lusting after blondes?"

I chuckled to myself thinking about Colin and Finn. "Finn is doing great. Going strong and trying his best to impress the ladies with his exoticness; but he has long since moved on to redheads," I said with an evil grin in Sophie's direction.

"Awww, Logan you're being mean to me again," she said with a pout. And I knew exactly what I was doing. Sophie has had a crush on Finn for as long as I could remember and I had always teased her about it, and now my taunts were coming to realisation.

"Don't worry darling, he's on the other side of the Atlantic for the moment but with Colin and Finn there's no telling how long that will last," I said with a satisfied grin.

She gave me a pouty face before replying, "Do the lost boys need their Peter to make sure that they're alright?"

"Doll, I would appreciate not being called a lost boy," said an Australian voice from the doorway. "Don't get me wrong, Logan is a great mate but I am lost, and I am certainly not a little boy."

Sophie shot me an incredulous look and I could only shrug. I had no control over Colin or Finn as much as anyone thought otherwise and as much as Soph might have hated it, we were safer that it was only Finn and not the both of them.

"Finn, what are you doing here?" I asked slightly exasperated. I had only been in this job an hour and I could already feel it crashing down around my ears. I was now just waiting for the phone call from my father that would send all the merit of the day down the drain.

Distantly through my thoughts and the sound of Finn and Sophie flirting outrageously I heard the sound of my cell phone playing the Imperial March.

Sighing heavily I signalled for Sophie and Finn to leave the room while I took the phone call I had been dreading all day.

I squeezed my eyes shut and answered the call. "Hi Dad. What can I do for you?"

"Ah, Logan. I assume you're at the office?" Mitchum's voice rang out over the line.

"Yes Dad, I was just getting settled in."

"So you fired the Editor. Good job Logan."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks Dad."

"Well I'm glad you're settling in well at the office. But I have a small task for you to do for me. I know that you're busy at the paper but this is a favour to a friend and as you're already in London it's much more convenient for you to do this for me."

"What do you need Dad?" I asked defeated.

"Put someone you trust in control of the paper for the next week. I need you to show the Granddaughter of the Haydens around the business. She's graduating this year and she needs some practical experience. She's a good ambitious writer but she needs some direction. Give her that. We can't afford to lose the connections that being friends with the Haydens gives us. Do a good job Logan. I'm counting on you."

"Of course Dad. I'll get right on that. Where did you say that she goes to school?" I asked with a defeated sigh.

"Oxford. Her name is Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden. Find her and do whatever you have to."

"Will do Dad," I said looking at my watch. "Now if that's all I have a staff meeting I need to get to. I'll talk to you later."

"Find the girl Logan. I'll check back in on you later."

"Bye Dad," I said disconnecting the call before letting my head fall forward and hit the table.

"That good huh?" Sophie said coming back into the room, Finn directly behind her.

I looked up into her face. "How do you feel about running this place for the next week?" I asked her.

"Why do I know that you're not kidding," she asked.

"That's because I'm not. The Dark Lord called and told me I'm to show some business associate's granddaughter the "ropes of the business" or else."

"Gah, I'm sorry. I know that you really don't want to do this right now but it might to do you some good to spend some time in England and get to know the land a little before committing yourself to the office 24/7. And you know that I'd be happy to help in any way I can."

There Finn jumped in, "Yeah mate, I'm here for you no matter where you can use me. I'd be happy to help out here at the paper if you need help or with the lovely Sheila that you have to entertain for the next week."

"Thanks guys. I'll definitely take you up on that offer Finn. But for now I'm going to head out and get a cup of coffee," I said before dragging my ass out of the ridiculously comfortable desk chair.

At this, Sophie jumped in. "You want coffee? The best stuff is about a ten minute walk form here. It's called Holly Rose. It's a student hang out but it has awesome coffee."

"Thanks Soph. I think I'll head home and change and then I'll get that coffee. I'll see you guys tomorrow morning." I turned to Finn. "If you're serious about helping out here, I'll expect you here in the morning so that I can tell you both what needs to be done. But for now would you mind trying to line up interviews for the Editor in Chief position for when I come back next week?"

"Of course Mate. Get your coffee. Don't worry about anything here. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."

With that I gave them both a weak wave and walked out of the office. Walking in a daze until I ended up in my apartment where I proceeded to change into more comfortable clothes and grab my book and reading glasses. This was officially the worst and best day of my life. But I didn't know it yet.

Chapter One – Eyes that Burn like a Cigarette

I easily found the café. But then again, at that point my nerves were screaming so hard for coffee that I could smell it from three blocks away; and in a city where good coffee is an abnormality the scent of the brew was more than starkly apparent.

I ordered the largest cup of joe offered and sat myself in a large comfortable chair next to a small window in the corner of the shop, wedged in behind a bookshelf, and proceeded to enjoy my drink and my book. It was one I had read many times before but it was a never ending fascination to me to read the absolute perfection of the characters of this book. From the first time I had read The Fountainhead I had always wanted to be Howard Roark. I tried my best to model myself after him. At one point I even fancied myself to be an architect. But alas with the family being who they are that dream was nipped in the bud.

I was so immersed in my book that when a hand tapped my shoulder I was so startled that I upended the remainder of my coffee and dropped my book. When I looked at the offender I was surprised to see a girl with shiny brown hair leaning down to pick up my book.

"I'm terribly sorry," said the girl looking up and handing me my book, "I didn't mean to startle you but I needed to get something from the shelf behind your head and I had some trouble getting your attention. Please let me buy you another cup of coffee. It was completely my fault that yours was wasted," she babbled.

But I couldn't even gather my wits enough to formulate a reply. For as soon as she had raised her head and I had met her eyes I was completely captivated. The bright cerulean of her eyes burned my retinas and made me want to look away; but held my gaze with a magnetic quality. Not allowing me to move my gaze.

Finally I gathered my wits enough to put out a hand to touch hers and cease her babble. "It's fine. I was nearly finished anyways. But please do sit down because I'm sure you've been standing there quite a while. When I get lost in my thoughts or my book I'm difficult to bring back." I said with a gentle smile. My time with Howard had smoothed my nerves considerably.

She shook her head. "Oh no, I don't want to intrude and I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I'll let you get back to your reading if you're absolutely sure that you don't want me to replace your coffee."

I smirked inwardly at this innocent looking girl, but something about her stopped me from behaving as I normally would around girls. Maybe it was because she was so obviously not high society, and that was something very new to me. I had no friends that were "below" my station; only associates.

"No, I'm quite sure that I don't want you to replace my coffee. But if you care to wait here while I grab us both another I would love to talk to you a little more. Please make yourself at home," I said indicating the second chair across from the one I had occupied previously. At that I walked away before she could even protest. As I strode toward the counter I watched as she collapsed defeated into the chair across from mine and twitched nervously.

I returned as soon as possible with the coffees and handed one to her as I sat down in my chair. She stared at the cup for a long while before taking a long sip which she savoured blissfully and let out a low pleasurable moan. I was shocked speechless. I had never seen someone respond so erotically to a cup of coffee.

I must have been staring at her for quite a while because she jerked me out of my slightly inappropriate thoughts with an odd look and a worried, "Are you quite all right?"

I shook my head as much to clear it as to reassure her that I was quite fine. Or as well as I could be given the circumstances. But just to be sure I replied, "I'm fine thank you. I just got lost in my thoughts."

"I understand completely, I get lost in thought periodically too," she said with a slight smile before continuing, "Is this your first time here? I don't mean any disrespect," she said hurriedly. "I just meant that you sound like an out of towner and I've never seen you in here before and I'm quite the regular. It's just weird to see anyone new in here is all," she babbled.

I laughed outright at that. "Don't worry, I am new in town. I just arrived yesterday in fact. I'm from Connecticut. I just graduated this year, so I guess it felt comfortable to be somewhere that would have felt comfortable in college. But I guess I'm a little old for that now aren't I?" I said with a wry grin.

She smiled back. "It's a new place and you really aren't any older than most of the patrons here, seeing as they're all Oxford students. I don't you're ever too old for good coffee anyways. That's against the rules," she said definitively.

I raised an eyebrow. "Against the rules?" I asked slightly confused.

She nodded. "Rule 4.3 loophole R. It's clearly stated there in the Gilmore Girls handbook."

I nodded like I actually understood. This girl was certainly different than any I had ever met.

"So what are you reading?" she asked trying to look at the book in my hand.

Instead of answering her I handed her the book.

"The Fountainhead, I'm impressed Coffee-boy," she said with a grin before she began perusing the first edition.

I looked at her slightly incredulous. "Did you just call me Coffee-boy?"

She looked up from the book, slightly surprised. "Well, of course I did. I certainly don't know your name and you did get me coffee. So the name is completely justified," she explained.

I grimaced. "My name is Logan."

"Rory," she said before bowing her head over the book once again. After a few moments she began muttering to herself. "So true, oh my god. How could I not have realized that right away?" etc. And I realized that she was reading the notes I had made in the margins. I felt a surge of pride well up in my chest that I had made observations about the text that seemed to impress even this girl, Rory, who seemed to have read and done some analysis of the text before.

I shook my head again. What on earth? I thought to myself. I never cared so much about anybody's opinion before. I guess it had something to do with the fact that she had absolutely no idea who I was. I didn't have to be anyone but myself. I could be Howard Roark and she wouldn't know that I acted any differently in real life.

Get a grip Huntzberger! I thought to myself while giving myself a swift kick in the proverbial ass. I couldn't stay Logan Nobody forever but I would try to stay there for as long as possible. But for now I needed to get out of there and gather my thoughts.

"I'm terribly sorry Rory, but I need to go. Hopefully I'll run into you again," I said as I rose from my seat.

She looked up at me and put aside the book. "It was very nice to meet you Logan, I'm terribly sorry for upending your coffee earlier," she said with a smile that sent shockwaves through my system. I definitely need to get out of here. I thought to myself desperately.

"It was my fault. I was in your way. And I really have to go, so I'll take my leave. Good day Rory," I said before turning to leave the café.

"Bye Logan," I heard her voice call behind me.

It was only as I walked into my apartment that I realized that I had left my book in the café with Rory.

I'll get it back. I knew we would meet again. In fact, I didn't know how right I was. We would meet again, but not exactly as I imagined it.

Chapter Two – I Want You to Know Me

When I woke the next day, I had mentally prepared myself for my week with Lorelai Gilmore-Hayden and was starting to devise a plan to bump into Rory once again. But things had to be dealt with first. Namely: Sophie, Finn and the London Times.

I walked into the Times and straight up to my office, not bothering to slow down at all; and by the way people jumped out of my path it was clear that they had now realized who I was. When I reached my office I found both Sophie and Finn waiting for me. I smirked, it was just so perfect. I knew as soon as I saw Finn in the office that something had happened between the two of them. Finn was never early for anything.

"So how was it Soph?" I asked her with a wicked grin as I sat behind my desk and opened up my email. "As good as you always imagined?"

"Logan! How the hell did you know?" she shrieked while Finn looked on with calm resignation. He had known that I would know immediately. We had been best friends for too long for anything like that to be missed.

"Sophie," I said patiently, "You slept with one of my best friends. You'd think after ten years I would know Finn's habits and being anywhere on time is not one of them. And you my dear friend have never hidden your emotions in this matter. It was only a logical deduction," I said with a chuckle.

Sophie glared at me while I checked my emails. I sorted through them until I found the one from my father. As much as I hated how he ran my life, I knew that this was important to him and it was easier for me to not be hard headed in this situation as that meant that I would have had to find this girl without any assistance. And that wasn't impossible but it caused more problems than I cared to deal with at the moment.

After copying out her address onto a small piece of paper I turned to Finn and Sophie and handed them a piece of paper from my briefcase.

"This is the list of things that need to be done this week. Delegate to whomever you wish but they're the non-negotiables." I then handed them a second list. "This list is things that should be done this week but can be left until I get back next week. If you have time, take a look, if not, it's no big problem," I said. "Now, about the interviews for the Editor in Chief, I actually would rather they took place this week. I think it would be a good experience for Miss Hayden to experience the interview process. So if you could set those up and send me the details I would be much obliged. Any questions?" Both shook their heads, so I continued. "Good. I'm off to try to find my protégé. Good luck," I said as I gathered my things and walked back out of the office I had entered not even twenty minutes before.

Before heading over to Lorelai Hayden's apartment I decided to stop by Holly Rose for a cup of coffee. And if I see Rory it will just be a bonus. I thought wryly.

When I entered the café, it was apparent that my luck was in as Rory herself was standing at the counter ordering a cup of coffee.

I walked up behind her and spoke over her shoulder, "A small black coffee for me and put her drink on my tab as well please."

Rory spun around clearly startled. "Oh my god! Logan!" she gasped. "I wasn't expecting you to be right behind me." I laughed. That much was very clear. She apparently hadn't been paying much attention to her surroundings because I had been about as stealthy as Finn entering a bar. And although that was a slight exaggeration, as Finn entering a bar is quite an experience, I wasn't exactly being stealthy.

I handed the woman behind the counter a 10£ note and grabbed my coffee. Rory frowned at my paying for her coffee again. "You know, I am perfectly capable of paying for my own coffee right?" she asked.

"I know. But I don't mind paying for coffee for a friend. And isn't there some rule of yours that says "thou shalt not refuse coffee" or some such rot?" I asked with a smile.

"Well yes, but…" she began.

"Well then you can't say anything," I cut in. "You have your rules and I have mine," I said with a wink.

At that she rolled her eyes but put up no further argument as we walked out of the shop together. Just then her eyes lit up as she remember something, "Oh, Logan. I have your book. You left it at The Rose yesterday. It's at my apartment. What direction are you headed in right now? If it's convenient you can come by now and pick it up."

"I'm heading towards campus actually. I have to do a favour for my dad. So thank you. I was worried that I had lost it," I said with a grateful smile in her direction.

"It was no problem. I actually wanted to finish reading your margin notes," she said with a sheepish smile. "They were really insightful and interesting. It made me take a whole new perspective on the novel. So thank you," she said earnestly.

"I live to please, Miss Rory," I said jokingly but inside I was bursting with pride. It was such a weird emotion for me and it was the second time in two days. It felt strange. I quickly changed the subject. "So you live close to here?" I asked remarking the street signs and noticing that I was close to my destination as well.

"Yup. Just around the corner in the apartment across from the library. I'm staying in my grandfather's apartment while I go to Oxford. He lives in the States and rarely comes out here because it used to be his mother's apartment and he hasn't been able to set foot in the place since she died four years ago. So it's basically mine."

My mind was screaming warning signs at me. I pushed them aside for later thought as we approached her building. Everything finally clicked. It was her. But it couldn't be. It had to be. There was no way that there was another girl in this building who fit all the criteria for Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden. But just to be sure I kept my mouth shut until we reached her apartment, which just happened to be the penthouse. I was so sure by then that I was wondering how I had ever missed it before.

She unlocked her apartment and let me through the door. "So where do you have to go? I would invite you to stay but I'm expecting some business associate of my grandfather's. I didn't really want it but I couldn't say no to him." She looked at me with a wry smile. "I'm a little too nice sometimes."

"I can tell," I said.

She blushed prettily and just about ran further into the apartment calling behind her, "I'll get your book!"

I chuckled at her retreating form. It was clear that I made her uncomfortable. I didn't mean to but it was almost an unconscious reaction in me to compliment her.

When she came back into the room she looked calm and collected my book in hand. "So where did you say you had to be?" she asked me as she sat next to me on the couch.

"Actually," I said rubbing the back of my neck, "I'm supposed to be right here."

She looked at me, shock written across her face. "That's not possible. I'm waiting for some associate of my grandfather's and you're doing—"

"I'm doing my father a favour and showing Miss Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden around the news business. And unless your name isn't Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden then I'm in exactly the right place. Logan Huntzberger at your service," I said with a half bow in her direction.

"You're Mitchum Huntzberger's son?" she said finally after a long silence where she looked at me incredulously.

"Do you need identification?" I asked. "I'm not usually in the habit of impersonating the son of a media mogul but if you need reassurance I'm sure I have my driver's licence somewhere in my wallet," I said and began pulling my wallet out of my pants.

"Oh no, Logan. You don't need to do that. I believe you. It's just a little surreal. I was expecting some stuffy old friend of my grandfather's. Not a friend of mine that I just met yesterday," she explained.

"I understand completely. I wasn't expecting you to be the person I was looking for either. Having you be my new buddy for the week is better than a dream come true. We may actually have fun," I said with a smile in her direction which she returned.

"Are you ready for a week of fun Logan Huntzberger?" she asked me.

"I was born ready," I told her and we smiled at each other. This was my chance. I knew that for sure. She was it for me. This was my chance to be seen for real. For me.

Hey Guys this is probably complete and utter crap. I would greatly appreciate a beta but if this really does suck please let me know and I'll get rid of the thing. Also, forgive any typographical errors. I'm in France at the moment and the keyboards are WERID! lol.

Singing Sailor