Frantic Fridays

(Yale – Friday Morning)

Rory was already awake, staring blankly at the ceiling when her alarm clock went off. She hadn't been able to sleep at all since the doctor's visit. Today she would get the test results. As if nightmares aren't enough, Rory thought to herself. Maybe I just wasn't meant to sleep, and that is why God gave me coffee early in life…she thought, pondering the cruelties of fate. She turned off the alarm and went to take a shower.

After a nice, hot shower, Rory got dressed and was on her way out in search of several cups of much needed coffee when Paris cornered her in the courtyard.

"Your mom called to check on you last night. Apparently she thought you and I had talked. She explained to me what's been going on. Why didn't you tell me?" Paris asked, more than a little hurt. "I knew something was up. I mean, I understand why you are staying with Stephanie instead of Doyle and I, but this…it's major. All of it…the nightmares, Logan, the pregnancy thing. I thought we were friends. You need all the support you can get right now, and God knows you have been there for me."

"I guess I just figured I was the last person that you wanted to see, what with the whole kicking me out/editorship thing. And to be honest, I just couldn't deal with any more drama. I know you don't like Logan, and you're mad at me. I just didn't need to hear you bad mouth him or call me a backstabber." Rory answered. "Now, as much as I think we need to continue this conversation and clear the air between us, I have yet to have my coffee and I am literally running on no sleep."

With that Rory resumed her quest for coffee, Paris not two steps behind. Seven cups of coffee and 2 hours later, the friends were united once again. Rory was really glad that they had been able to talk through this rift between them. She needed her friend. Paris volunteered to go with her and Stephanie to the doctor's office.

"Are you sure Paris? I mean, I hadn't even planned on trying to sit through class today, but you've already missed one on my account."

"Rory, I am positive. What are friends for, after all? Besides, I can get the notes later."

"Well then, we should get going. We still have to go get Steph before we go meet my mom at Dr. Donnell's office in Hartford."

"Let's go!"

And with that Paris and Rory set off to Steph's room. Steph and Rosemary were waiting for Rory and surprised to see Paris.

"Rory, finally!" Stephanie greeted them.

"We were starting to get a bit concerned…" the ever worrisome Rosemary added.

"Well, here I am. Now let's get this show on the road. I need to get this over with!"

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Rory, Paris and Stephanie walked into the doctor's office to find Lorelei at the reception desk inquiring about Rory.

"Mom, you're late!" Rory teased.

"Oh, sweets, there you are! Adolph called and I was so busy trying to get her off the topic of my wedding that I lost track of time and before I knew it I was running late. What's your excuse, missy?" Her mom said, raising an eyebrow at Paris.

Before anyone could satisfy Lorelei's curiosity, they heard the nurse calling Rory back. Rory and Lorelei followed the nurse while Steph and Paris took a seat in the waiting room. "We'll be right here if you need us." Steph reassured her friend.

Lorelei was the first to speak once the nurse had left them alone in the small room, "Rory, hon, just remember that no matter what happens, I love you and you will never have to deal with it alone. You have some pretty great friends out there that would probably agree with me too."

"Thanks mom. And, I know."

They heard at light tap on the door and in walked Dr. Donnell. "Good afternoon ladies. Rory, Ms. Gilmore, if you will both have a seat there are a few things that we need to discuss. First things first, you are pregnant; unfortunately it is an ectopic pregnancy. The fetus has begun to implant and form in your fallopian tube instead of the uterus. Sadly, the fetus survival rate in this particular type of pregnancy is extremely slim, but more importantly, could pose a very serious risk to your own health should the tube rupture."

As the doctor spoke, Lorelei felt her heart flip while Rory fought back tears in an attempt to maintain composure and concentration. "What is the next step?" Rory asked. "Yes, doctor, where do we go from here? What can be done?" Lorelei mimicked her daughter's fearful tone.

"The best approach, in my experience, is one of instant action. I suggest that we start a medication regimen today in order to halt farther progress of the pregnancy. Ultimately, we will have to surgically remove the fetus and surrounding tissues. The sooner this is done, the better." Dr. Donnell responded.

"If that is the only option…if there is no way to save this child…" Rory thought out loud letting a single tear escape.

"Rory, I am afraid that in your case, there is just no hope. I hate to be the one to tell you all of this. But I do want to see you make a full recovery so that someday I will be able to share with you in the new joy of motherhood."

"Ok, doc. You said something about medicine and a procedure…"

"Yes, I will give you a prescription for a hormone treatment. Please have it filled and begin taking it immediately. We can schedule the procedure for as early as Monday if you want."

"Then Monday it is. The sooner we get through this the better. Can you make it Monday, mom?" Rory turned to her teary-eyed mother.

"Of course, honey. You just tell me when and where, and I am there for you- always."

A few minutes later Lorelei was half carrying a nearly hysterical Rory out to the waiting room. Paris saw them first and jumped up to help Lorelei. "Oh no! What is it?" Paris asked as Steph chimed in, "Yes, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Rory was so distraught that Lorelei doubted she had even heard the girls' questions. "Look, we just got some bad news involving a surgery and hospital stay on Monday." Lorelei began to answer their questions, only to create more. "I know that you are both worried sick, and we love you for it, but this is something that Rory should really speak to you about. I am sure that when she is able to get herself together, she will want to be the one to tell you."

"What can we do to help?" Stephanie said motioning to herself and Paris.

"Why don't you girls head back to the dorm and make sure it is fully equipped for a full-on wallow weekend. All the necessities…and we will meet you there shortly. I don't think she is in any shape to be faced with the public, so to speak. I will stay here with her until she calms a bit, then we will make a run to Luke's for coffee and meet you guys back at Yale."

"Excellent plan. I know all of her favorites…and I'll double up on the rocky road and red vines. Come on Steph, we have some shopping to do." Paris said, happy that she could do something to help.

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(Later-Back at Yale)

Paris and Stephanie are on their second trip back from the car to Stephanie's room with several more bags of wallowing supplies when Colin runs into them….literally.

"Damn it McRae, watch where you are going!" Stephanie snapped as she bent down to pick up the groceries that lay scattered as a result of the collision.

"What's with you today Steph? I was just coming by to see what was on the menu for dinner tonight, but it looks like you guys have other plans. What's up? Selling me out for girls' night again?" Colin questioned, more than a little irritated with the frequent secrecy between the girls lately. He knew something was up and he wanted to know what it was.

The irritation and expectancy in Colin's voice sent Paris reeling. "Just who in the hell you do you think you are McRae? No one, especially us, owes you any explanations. You have some nerve. You automatically assume that this is about you…that we are keeping something from you. And you can't stand it. God, if I didn't know better, I would mistake you for a gossipy teenage girl. Grow up and realize that the world does not revolve around you. I mean we have a friend that needs us. Who knows what is going to happen with this baby when Rory goes into the hospital on Monday and all you can worry about is why you aren't included in our dinner plans!" As soon as it was out of her mouth, she knew she had said too much.

"WHAT? BABY? HOSPITAL? You are going to have to better than that! Stephanie Anne Vanderbilt, is Rory pregnant?" Colin shot at her with fire in his eyes.

"Look, Paris has really said too much already." Steph said, shooting a death glare at Paris, "We don't know the whole story, but I will tell you as much as I know. Last week she confided to me that she thought she might be pregnant on top of everything else. So, I took her to her mom. We got some home tests and they all came out positive. She went to the doctor on Monday but he wanted to run some blood tests. We went with her today to find out the results, but she was so upset when she came out the Lorelei just told us to get prepared for a wallow weekend and that Rory would be in the hospital on Monday. One hell of a cliff hanger, I know, but Lorelei thought that Rory should be the one to tell us what's going on."

"Shit! Of all the times for Logan to be out of touch…well, not anymore! Thanks Steph. Sorry I was an ass. I have something to take care of. Just watch out for Finn, I am sure

he'll be around any minute, and you know how protective he is of Rory, if he gets wind of this situation, it may be better that there is an ocean separating Logan from him." Colin advised.

Colin took out his phone as he walked away. "Yes, what's the first class dinner for the red flight to London leaving LaGuardia?" he asked the booking agent. And with that, he set out on his mission.

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(London-Friday afternoon)

"Logan, there you are boy." Mitchum bellowed as he entered the mailroom on the ground floor of the London offices. "Seems you have been spending an inordinate amount of time down here."

"Yeah, just taking a breather Dad. It's been a long few weeks."

"Son, I know you have a lot going on, but that is life. I did not bring you here to learn the intricacies of the mailroom. As much as I know you don't want to be here, you have to face the fact that this is probably your new home away from home for the foreseeable future. Besides, you know that we won't have any results from DIMACS until at least Monday…hell, you've checked online tracking at least 5 times already today. Standing down here will not make it come any faster, and even if it did, the results are likely to be the same as the ones from Scotland Yard." His dad finished with a hint of sadness in his voice. No parent wanted to see their children hurt, and Logan was hurting.

"I know. You're right. I'll get going." Logan answered, careful to remain vague about exactly where he would get going. He had every intention of sneaking off to the nearest bar to drown this day in as much scotch as he could consume.

It wasn't long before Logan was able to slip out. He headed to the first bar he could think of -in the The Beaufort Hotel, just around the corner. It was within walking distance and because of it's five star status, he was sure that they had a good scotch on stock.

Logan had been at the hotel bar since mid afternoon and it was nearing two in the morning when the conceierge finally came to Logan. "Excuse me sir, but I couldn't help that notice that you have been here for quite sometime and it is getting fairly late. Would you be needing a room this evening?" He inquired as politely as possible.

"Actually, I hadn't realized it was to late. A room would be great. I'm sure we have a standing account here with the company…Huntzberger Publishing." Logan replied, knowing that name would get him a great room – fast. And though he really hadn't planned on staying the night, he knew he could use the respite.

Logan barely made it up to his room before he passed out on the couch. This would be th first night since he's come to London that he would actually sleep… even if it was alcohol induced. He awakened around noon the next day with a severe headache, a stomach that wouldn't settle and in serious need of a shower. He phoned the concierge desk to have some fresh clothes sent up, as he had none of his own. It took a few minutes, but finally he decided that he could get up without being sick. A shower would help…

Forty-five minutes later, Logan was showered and headed down to grab a bite to eat. He stepped out of the elevator, nearly being run over by a bellboy. This is going to be a long day, I can just feel it… He walked into the hotel restaurant to be seated and was quite surprised to see that Colin was already there, also awaiting a table.

"Colin?" Logan asked, amazed.

Colin spun around with a stunned look on his face. "Logan- damn it! Wouldn't you know that as soon as I stopped looking for you, you'd show up!" The anger and irritation in his voice sent a warning to Logan.

"What do you mean? Why were you looking for me?"

"Well, besides the fact that you haven't spoken to any of your friends or your girlfriend in over 6 weeks? You mean besides the fact that we are worried sick? And, oh yeah, let's not forget the most important thing...the fact that you left a beautiful, intelligent, blue-eyed brunette at home with a broken heart?" Colin yelled.

"Ok. I get it. Can we go sit and talk about this is a little less public place?" Logan asked sheepishly.

"Sure. But not to protect you, to protect Rory. I would never want to hurt or embarrass her. Looks like you're buying my lunch, Huntzbuerger." Colin said, poking Logan in the chest.

After they were seated, Colin started. "Look, Logan. I don't want your excuses or apologies. Save those for Rory, but I do think it is high time you think about someone other than yourself and come home. Yes, Mitchum brought you here, but you are a man now, you have to stand up for yourself with him. If not now, when, Logan? Do you know that Rory is pregnant? Pregnant! With your child. And now something's gone wrong and she will be hospitalized on Monday. Really, who do you think needs you more right now, Rory or Mitchum?" Colin seethed, not trying to conceal the disdain in his voice.

Logan sat there stunned. "Hospital? It can't possibly be time to deliver. What's wrong?" The realization suddenly hit him. Rory was hurt. She was sick. And he had done that to her.

"I wish I knew. What ever it is, she only found out yesterday and she isn't talking about it to anyone but Lorelei. Don't you see, you have to come home!" Colin pleaded. "We are all worried sick about her. She doesn't sleep or eat. She's in bad shape. We don't know what to do." He admitted to Logan.

Well I sure can't go back and spring all of this I-might-have–a-child-and-have-to-marry-its-mother stuff on her…that would surely break he, Logan thought to himself

"I wish it was that easy, but it's not. Don't you think I would already be home if that was an option. I miss her. Every second of every day I miss her, but I can't come home. Not yet. I won't know until Monday when or even if I will be able to come home." Logan said flatly, trying to keep his demeanor serious and control his emotions at once.

"You can't be serious! What could possibly keep you here after what I just told you? I thought you loved her!" Colin exploded at Logan. "I never in a million years thought that I would be ashamed to call you my friend." He added sadly as he got up and left Logan alone in the restaurant.

Logan sat there as his mind went into overdrive…I need to be at that hospital Monday, but how can I be? I have hurt everyone I ever loved. He had never been this scared. Scared that something would happen to Rory. He couldn't loose her…he just couldn't. He had no idea love could hurt this much. As much as he had wished for Monday to come only hours before, now he wished he could stop time. He couldn't think of Rory in a hospital, suffering- without him and because of him. I'll surely die before I live without her.