Chapter Two - Abrupt Awakenings (Part Three)
Finally!
At least that's how Sandi and I felt last night when we finished editing this part. It's taken us a long time, for a number of reasons, but now it's up.
We hope you haven't forgotten about us, and that you will still enjoy this story.
Stay safe, and take care of each other.
And here is the next part. Enjoy.
Chapter Two - Abrupt Awakenings (Part Three)
Saturday June 10th, 7:00 PM, Stars Hollow / Gilmore House
Sookie hurried down the street on her way to Lorelai’s house, relieved that her friend was home and seemed to be ok, for the moment at least. She felt a little guilty for abandoning Jackson, but reasoned that there would be plenty of time to tell him everything that had happened when she got home. Plus, she might have some actual news by then, and not just guesses.
Rounding a corner she almost ran into someone and stopped abruptly, letting out a startled cry. After taking a second to compose herself she recognized the girl in front of her and broke into a smile.
“Rory?” she exclaimed. “Oh my god, you scared me.”
Startled by the voice Rory, who had been too lost in thought to notice her surroundings, looked up, her eyes wide. “Oh, hey Sookie,” she said, managing a small smile. “I’m sorry.”
“How are you doing?” Sookie asked, but noticed Rory seemed distracted, and then realization hit her. “Oh,” she cried, “Lorelai told you. Well, of course she did. Are you ok, honey?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Rory assured her, but her smile faltered and Sookie frowned, not convinced.
“I have to go, I’m sorry,” Rory hurriedly said, before Sookie had the chance to say anything else. “I’ll see you later.” And she hurried off down the street, leaving Sookie staring after her worriedly.
Sookie sighed and watched the spot where Rory had disappeared out of sight moments ago and then continued on her way, not long after arriving at the Gilmore house. Not bothering with knocking she opened the door, calling out for Lorelai.
When she got no answer she continued into the Kitchen, rounded the corner, and almost collided with Lorelai. “Sookie!” Lorelai exclaimed, enveloping her friend in a hug. “You scared me on the phone, now you’ve got to tell me what that was all about. Who died?”
Sookie hugged her back, letting out a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry,” she said, letting go of Lorelai and stepping back. “I was just so shocked and you know how I get when I’m shocked.”
“Oh yeah, I know,” Lorelai said, with a knowing smile and sat down at the kitchen table. “So, no one died? That’s good.”
“Well,” Sookie said hesitantly, sitting down in another chair, and Lorelai looked worried again. “I don’t think anyone’s dead. That’s partly why I’m here actually, to see if you knew anything more.”
“Me?” Lorelai asked confused. “Why would I know anything more?” And then she gasped. “Oh…”
“I was calling you and I overheard Kirk telling Lulu that he killed him, and it just… And well, I thought that maybe you knew something more, and…”
“Sookie, breathe,” Lorelai ordered, and Sookie dutifully took a deep breath. “And no, I don’t know anything more than that Jess is at the hospital. Luke hadn’t heard anything when I left.”
“Oh,” Sookie mumbled. “So, it’s possible…”
“I’m sure he’s not dead,” Lorelai said, trying to sound confident. “I mean, come on, Jess is too stubborn to die, right? And besides, Luke would never allow it,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Sookie awkwardly smiled back. “Yeah, you’re right.”
Lorelai just nodded, and Sookie watched her carefully.
“How are you doing?” she asked quietly. “I mean, with you and Luke…” she trailed off, not knowing exactly how to continue.
Lorelai sighed and gave a noncommittal shrug. “I don’t know. I just…there’s so much happening. I don’t know what to think, no less feel.”
“Aww, I’m sorry, honey,” Sookie said sympathetically.
Lorelai gave her a weak smile. “It’s all just so confusing. I mean, at the hospital, it was so awkward, but at the same time it wasn’t. I just don’t know how to handle it.”
“Do you want me to stay?” Sookie offered. “I could make you something to eat and you could tell me all about it.”
“Thanks,” Lorelai smiled, “but I think I just need to think it all over first, wrap my mind around it, you know?”
“Yeah, of course,” Sookie said. “But don’t hesitate to call me whenever you need someone to talk to, ok? Any time, just call and I’ll be here.”
“Thanks Sookie,” Lorelai said, offering a small smile.
Sookie reached out and squeezed her hand reassuringly. “It’ll be ok.”
Lorelai nodded. “I hope so,” she said quietly.
“Are you sure you’ll be ok by yourself?” Sookie asked, and Lorelai nodded. “Ok then, but don’t forget to call me, ok?”
“I won’t,” Lorelai promised.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” she said suddenly, turning back. “I met Rory on my way here. She seemed upset.”
“Yeah, I told her about Jess, and she left about an hour ago, said she’d get something to drink. It’s just so confusing you know, I never know what’s going on with her when it comes to Jess.”
She gave a frustrated sigh and got up, starting to pace the room. “I feel like there’s something she’s not telling me, but I can’t figure out what it is.”
“They were always complicated, weren’t they?” Sookie said thoughtfully, getting up after her.
Lorelai nodded, stopping in front of her friend. “I just wish she would tell me.”
“I’m sure she will when she’s ready,” Sookie assured her.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Lorelai agreed.
Sookie gave her a reassuring smile. “So, you’re sure you’ll be ok?” she asked.
Lorelai nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Fine, but take care of yourself, ok,” Sookie said sternly, squeezing her hand once more before starting for the door.
Saturday June 10th, 7:45 PM, Gilmore House / Hartford Memorial
Lorelai paced the bedroom, holding the phone in a tight grip, trying to convince herself to dial the well known number. Once again she reached the window and once again she raised the phone, only to drop her arm down by her side again.
With a heavy sigh she sat down on the edge of the bed, scolding herself for being such a coward. It was just a phone call. She'd made many phone calls in her life.
But of course, none of them had been to her up until a day ago fiancé about his nephew, whom she still couldn't quite bring herself to stop holding a grudge against.
She took a deep breath and stared at the phone for a few seconds before resolutely pushing the numbers, only hesitating a second before pressing call. Holding her breath she waited for the call to go through, almost hoping he didn’t have his phone with him.
At the first ring she jumped, and she wished she had some coffee within reach, but she didn’t think she’d have the courage to call again if she hung up now.
And before she had any more time to think it over she heard him pick up. “Luke,” he said, almost hesitantly, as if not sure how to answer, and she felt herself smile despite everything.
“Hey Luke,” she said, surprised at how timid she sounded.
“Oh,” Luke said uncertainly and stood up from the chair he had been sitting in for the past hour. With a glance at Jess’ still face he walked away from the bed. “Hey,” he added as he opened the door and slipped out into the corridor.
The line went quiet, before Lorelai broke the silence. “How...” she began, but stopped. She didn’t even know if there had been any news. “Have you heard anything new?” she asked instead.
“Yeah,” Luke acknowledged, closing the door behind him, searching the corridor for any sign of life. It was empty.
“And?” Lorelai inquired apprehensively, not sure how to take his non-informative answer.
“And he broke a leg and a couple ribs.” Luke hesitated. “And…”
“And?”
“And he’s still unconscious,” he said, letting out a tired sigh.
“Oh,” Lorelai said quietly.
Luke sighed again, pulling at his cap nervously. “The doctor says he’s gonna wake up within twenty four hours.”
“Well,” Lorelai said slowly, “that’s good, right?”
“Yeah, I suppose so,” Luke agreed, glancing back at the door he had just closed.
Lorelai recognized the worry in his voice. “I’m sure he’ll wake up soon,” she said, trying to sound reassuring.
“Yeah,” Luke repeated.
“He’ll be ok, Luke,” she added as confidently as she could.
Luke found himself smiling slightly at her assurance. It actually made him feel a little better. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Lorelai said, suddenly feeling awkward.
The line went silent again and they both grew increasingly uncomfortable, neither of them knowing what to say now. After a minute Luke cast another glance at the door to Jess’ room again and cleared his throat uneasily.
“I…I should be getting back inside,” he said nervously.
“Oh,” Lorelai said quietly. “Right”
“In case he should wake up,” Luke hurriedly added.
Lorelai sighed. “Yeah, of course,” she agreed. “Let me know if there’s any change, ok?”
“Yeah, sure.”
They were silent for a while again. “Ok,” Lorelai finally said, “I guess we’ll talk later?”
“Yeah,” Luke agreed. “Bye.”
“Bye,” Lorelai repeated and slowly hung up the phone. She sat on the bed for several minutes, staring unseeingly at the phone in her hand.
Saturday June 10th, 8:00 PM, Gilmore House / London Apartment
Rory quietly entered the house, trying not to alert Lorelai to her presence, and cringed as the door creaked when she closed it behind her. She stood completely still in the hallway for a few moments, listening intently for any noise in the house. When she didn’t hear anything she breathed a sigh of relief and quietly made her way over to her room.
Once inside she closed the door and leaned back against it, closing her eyes, trying to clear her mind. It didn’t work.
She had been out walking for two hours, rounding corners randomly and dodging everyone she recognized, with the exception of that brief encounter with Sookie. But despite her efforts it hadn’t helped her sort out her thoughts. And now she was back at home, just as confused as when she left.
She didn’t know what to think or feel, didn’t even know how she actually did feel. Apart from confusion and shock she felt strangely detached. But she couldn’t seem to be able to stop thinking about her mother’s words, and her mind constantly made up images she didn’t want to see.
It hadn’t helped that she had accidentally walked past the diner on her wanderings. She had made a conscious effort not to go there, but then her mind had drifted and she had suddenly found herself across the street, standing in the middle of the crowd, staring at the sight of a car lodged inside, covered in dust and rubble.
For a minute she had just stood there, staring in disbelief, but then she had heard Taylor’s annoyed voice and quickly walked away, head bowed down, trying not to be seen.
And now she was back in the house. She opened her eyes again, searching the room for a distraction. Her eyes fell on a stack of books on the desk and she made a move to walk over and pick one up, but stopped almost immediately. No, reading would not help now.
Looking around the room once more she sighed, and then she slowly walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge, staring out in front of her. After a while she shook her head and decided to just go to bed.
She quickly changed into the night gown she’d brought and crawled under the covers, closing her eyes, trying to force herself to sleep. But she was still wide awake, her mind racing. Then, getting an idea, she suddenly jumped up and searched for her cell phone, finding it on the bedside table.
Dialing the numbers she sat back down on the bed, waiting anxiously for the phone to connect.
After what seemed like an eternity it finally started ringing and she counted the signals in her head. Four signals went through, then five and she started fidgeting with the hem of her nightgown. Then the line clicked and she could hear a groggy voice mumbling something incoherently.
“Logan?” she asked anxiously.
“Yeah,” came a mumbled reply. “Who’s this?”
Rory frowned. “It’s me, Rory, I…”
“Oh, right,” Logan said.
“I just wanted to talk to you,” Rory continued.
“It’s the middle of the night,” Logan muttered, rubbing his free hand over his eyes, squinting at his alarm clock. “I just got home half an hour ago from a late dinner party with some clients and I have a board meeting at seven. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”
“Oh, I…ok,” Rory stumbled, surprised.
“Great, I’ll call you after my meeting tomorrow. G’night Ace.” He put the receiver back on its hook and was almost back to sleep again before he’d laid back on the bed.
At the other end Rory was left with the dial tone in her ear, feeling more confused than ever. She finally lowered the phone, and pressed the off call button, lying down on her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
She didn’t know how long she’d been lying there when she heard the far away sound of a door closing upstairs. For all she knew it could have been hours. With a sharp intake of breath she once more got out of the bed, slowly walking up to her mother’s room.
Outside the room she paused, not sure why she felt so hesitant. The door was closed, so she knocked softly before opening it.
“Mom?” she asked quietly, walking into the room.
Lorelai, having just gone to bed after her phone call with Luke, was startled out of her thoughts by the voice and sat up abruptly. “Oh, Rory, you scared me,” she exclaimed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think you were asleep,” Rory apologized.
“No, it’s fine,” Lorelai said with a small smile, “I was just thinking. And I didn’t know you were back”.
“Yeah,” Rory said, looking down at her feet, “I just got back. I took a walk around town.”
Lorelai nodded and sat up more comfortably, patting the bed beside her, motioning or Rory to come sit beside her.
“Are you ok?” she asked.
Rory nodded, managing a small smile. “Yeah, I just needed some time to think.”
They were quiet for a moment, neither quite knowing what to say.
“I just got off the phone with Luke,” Lorelai suddenly blurted out.
At that Rory instantly looked up, watching her expectantly. “And?”
“And Jess broke a leg and a couple ribs,” she said, echoing Luke’s words from not that long ago.
Rory visibly relaxed. “That’s not so bad, is it?” she asked, thinking of all the scenarios she’d made up in the last couple of hours.
“Is it?” she repeated, watching her mother carefully, seeing her expression.
“And he’s still unconscious,” Lorelai added softly, once more repeating Luke’s words, feeling a weird sense of déjà vu.
“Unconscious?” Rory echoed, getting worked up again. “As in…?” She broke off, not knowing how to continue, making a vague gesture with her hand.
“The doctors are certain he’ll wake up within twenty four hours,” Lorelai assured her.
“Oh,” Rory mumbled.
“Luke said he’d call if there is any change.”
“Ok,” Rory acknowledged. “Good.”
Lorelai watched her warily, reaching up a hand to smooth out her hair. “Honey, are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired,” Rory assured her. “I think I’m gonna go to bed.”
Far from convinced, Lorelai still accepted the response, knowing her daughter well enough not to push.
“Ok, honey,” she said, hugging her. “Sleep tight.”
Rory hugged her back, holding on tight for a moment. “G’night mom.”
“G’night Rory,” Lorelai said, letting her go.
Rory got up from the bed and walked slowly out of the room, closing the door behind her. Outside she closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, before walking down the stairs, into her own room and crawled into bed.
She lay down, closing her eyes, and immediately she was flooded with images of Jess lying emotionless in a hospital bed and she could feel her eyes start to well up. Angrily wiping the tears away, she chided herself for being so emotional.
She had no business crying over Jess. She had a boyfriend, a good life; she was on her way to fulfilling her dreams, and everything was perfect.
Turning to her side, she once more closed her eyes, and again the images appeared, as if burned into her eye lids, this time mixed with some of Logan from the past days. Frustrated she turned on her stomach and buried her head in the pillow, squeezing it, and cried herself to sleep.
Sunday June 11th, 10:00 AM, Hartford Memorial
The first thing that entered his mind was an annoying sound coming from somewhere close by. His whole body felt stiff and his head seemed to be wrapped in cotton. Jess mentally checked his body for more damage and found his upper body bandaged tightly and his right leg immobilized by something heavy.
Somehow the feeling was familiar, but his memories and thoughts were spinning around and the slightest effort to sort them out set off an explosion in his head.
Slowly Jess opened his eyes. He was lying in an unfamiliar room and the meager walls, only decorated with cheap prints of flowers, in combination with the sterile, sharp smell of disinfectant identified it as what is was; a hospital room. He sighed, which caused a burning pain in his throat and he winced.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught a movement and carefully turned his head. Slumped in a very uncomfortable looking chair next to his bed was Luke, snoring softly.
“Ah, you’re awake,” came a soft voice from the other side of the room. A young nurse entered, smiled at him, and checked a monitor beside his bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Drugged?” he said, the only thing that came to his mind. His voice sounded scratchy and talking burned his throat even more.
The nurse grinned, taking the response as a good sign. “I’ll go and tell Dr. Daniels you’re awake,” she said cheerily. “I’ll be back soon.”
Jess just nodded, instantly regretting it as it started of a sharp pounding in his head.
“And I’ll see if I can get you some more of those drugs,” she added with a little wink after seeing his face.
Jess sighed, trying to stop the world from turning around in circles.
“Try not to move your head. You have a concussion,” the nurse ordered as she left the room.
“Shit!” he cursed through clenched teeth.
“Charming!” Luke said from the chair.
Jess glared at him, or at least tried to, as Luke stretched his arms over his head and stood up. Jess searched for a good comment, but his thoughts started to drift again and he found it hard to keep his eyes open.
“How are you?” Luke asked.
“I’m not sure,” Jess responded, shifting his gaze from Luke to the ceiling.
Jess’ absence of sarcasm or rebellion against the whole situation concerned Luke, but the doctor had told him that the painkillers might quiet him a little. So he sat back in the chair and took a deep breath.
“That bad, huh?” Jess sighed with a little chuckle and a grimace at the pain it started off and turned his head carefully back in Luke’s direction.
Luke rolled his eyes at his comment. “You’ll survive,” he grumbled, but Jess heard the hidden relief in his voice. “Kirk drove the car right into my diner during that stupid presentation of Taylor’s red light camera. You got in the way. Now your leg and some of your ribs are broken, you have a concussion and lots of cuts and bruises. They also intubated you back in the diner, so your throat will be a little sore, but besides that you were damn lucky.” Luke sighed and looked at the floor while rubbing his hands. “I was so close to strangle Kirk or Taylor…or both,” he added.
“So there could’ve been something good coming out of this, huh?” Jess grinned, but stopped at the pounding it one again caused in the back of his head.
“Nearly,” Luke said with a full smile on his face while the nurse came back into the room.
“So, here I am again,” she announced with a smile. “I’ll give you something for the pain and the doctor will check on you in a little while,” she informed and injected something in Jess’ IV-tube. “I will be outside if you need anything.” She smiled cheerfully, fluttered her eyelashes and left.
“I think she has a crush on you,” Luke teased.
“Sure,” Jess mumbled, fighting to keep his eyes open, his cheeks slightly pink.
Luke found it highly entertaining that his tough nephew could be so shy. “You should sleep,” Luke said softly. “I’m just gonna call Lorelai.”
“Lorelai?” Jess asked, half asleep.
“Yeah, she came here after I…”
But Jess had already closed his eyes and drifted off into the depths of unconsciousness.
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