Author's Note: This story is totally different than what I usually do. In some ways it is like my song fic, Wonderful, though. Flashbacks are in Italics.

Summary: Takes place after the dance marathon, well, I guess you could say after the episode ends. An accident changes the lives of everyone.

Disclaimer: Once upon a time there was a television show. It was the best television show in all the land. Amy Sherman Palladino owned it and the concept was used by many, although they didn't own it. I'm one of those people. Not mine. Don't sue. Song is When You Cry by Vertical Horizon

ENOUGH

Chapter One: Holding her was…

It only hurts when you cry
I'm only sad when there's tears in your eyes
I can't lie and say that I'm fine
It only hurts…when you cry

When you cry,

When you cry

It was cold, unusually cold. For a fall night, that was. Bright lights sped toward the scene. Shocked gasps filled the heart wrenching silence.

The young brunette was lost in the picture in front of her. As she stared down at the face that had once been so full of laughter and fun, tears fell from the depths of the crystal blue pools of her eyes. That face was now contorted in pain, a pale color, and no laughter. The victim's chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath.

People had crowded around the area. Most people were out as the Dance Marathon had just ended and because of the many phone calls that were made. But the person she wanted most was not there.

She wrapped her coat around her small frame more as she felt a chill in the wind. She hugged her body closely, as goose bumps spread across her body not only from the chill, but also from fright. She could hear distant footsteps, running by the sound of them, getting closer. Part of her wanted to turn around to see who was running, but another part, the stronger part, knew better. If she turned around she'd have to face the worried, shocked, sympathetic faces of Stars Hollow and she wasn't ready for that. A part of her didn't think she would ever be.

Rustling noises came from behind, as the bright lights grew nearer. One loud gasp, then another. The second soft, barely audible. Yet there it was. Soft, and totally his.

Figure turning a quarter of an inch, their eyes met. The dark-haired, dark-eyed male caught the now sobbing girl as she went to collapse. By that time the ambulance was in front of them. The lights clashing with the lights of the beautifully decorated gazebo. For the first time in years, the gazebo went unnoticed.

The man that had rushed over with the boy overcame his shock and stepped over to the paramedics as they hurried. Getting the unconscious, bleeding slightly, woman onto the stretcher and applying a heart monitor and other necessary items.

Sobbing decreasing slightly, the girl buried her face in the familiar neck as he held onto her as if her life depended on it. They heard as information was passed between the man and the paramedics. A female one looked over to the brunette, sighed, and declared that she'd need to talk to the police as soon as possible at the hospital. The boy, whose face usually was home to an especially placed scowl or glare simply nodded to the information, letting them know he understood. The only look on his face was a sad, worried expression.

It was decided then. The ambulance drove off with the siren blaring. Jess held Rory as they watched it depart, Luke accompanying Lorelai to the hospital, deathly sick but still alive.

::::

Trying to get the girl to talk was hard. Jess knew it. He pulled away from her gently staring into her eyes, which he read like a book. She was scared, as they all were. She knew how it had happened but she didn't want to share, totally understandable. He went to speak but it was then that she took off running, running away from him and the startled crowd. Running towards the all-to-familiar path.

She heard his footsteps on the wood for the second time that night. Everything was different. Her mother was as good as dead. She stiffened as she thought it; she regretted it and pushed the thought away. She couldn't think that. Not now, not ever. Her mother was strong, the strongest person she knew. She'd pull through, she had to. Everything was planned for that summer; they were pumped and excited about it. Then this had to happen. Everything was going good until that night.

"So, Dean is history, and Jess is the new dreamy boy." Her mother asked it. So like her. Rory was still a little shaken up over the break up but happy to start her new… relationship with Jess. She was feeling better.

"Yes, and he isn't dreamy! So don't use that word or I will be forced to cut your tongue out missy!" She was kidding, and Lorelai knew it, causing her to laugh.

"Okay, okay. No mention of dreamy again."

"Now, I know you don't like him…"

"Understatement…" Lorelai interrupted as she crossed the street. A glaring light blinded her as Rory jumped back, calling out to her mom. But before she knew it her mom was on the sidewalk unconscious, and a large navy blue car was pulling away, fleeing the scene.

Rory ran over to her mom, noticing the blood on her arms and legs, and her rapid breathing. Tears fell, as she just looked down, scared to do anything. She was unaware that the noise of the car caused several people to emerge and form, more than one phoning an ambulance for her.

"Rory?"

His voice was small, frightened, so not fitting to him. She looked around to him, her eyes red and wet. He sat down next to her, their feet dangling above the water.

His arm found its way around her shoulder, in a comforting gesture and she gladly accepted it. She closed the gap between their sides, leaning into him for support. He stroked her hair gently, whispering to her.

"We need to go to the hospital… when you are ready."

At that moment, she wasn't ready. Rory nodded into his shoulder, starting to cry again. She knew he didn't know what to do when she cried. But what he was doing right then and there, holding her, it was enough.

TBC