A/N: Okay, I'm sorry it has taken so incredibly long for me to update. Now that school has started I'm not doing a very good job of making time for writing. Plus, I'm extra frazzled because of a math course that I'm most likely failing. Forgive me. I tried doing this chapter differently, but instead this came out. It worked out lovely in my head, perhaps not as great on paper (well, computer). I'm sorry if I disappoint, but that seems to be the trend in all areas of my life right now. Oops, I'm blabbing. Alright, read on dear friends, read on…

Chapter 7

With Jess' permission, Lorelai decides to spend the night at the apartment. She knows Rory is going to need all the comfort she can get. For now, Rory is asleep and Lorelai remembers the state of panic she was in when she left for New York. In a frantic rush she stormed out of Luke's, but promised to give him a call. She figures now would be a good time to fill him in on the happenings in New York.

"Lorelai, hey!" Luke says. "How are you? How's Rory? What's going on?"

"I'm fine. I'm not so sure about Rory though."

"What happened? Is everything alright?"

"Well, it depends on what you'd consider alright. Rory's pregnant."

The statement sends Luke through the roof. "What!? How the hell did this happen? Jess did this didn't he? I'm going to kill him! I told him that if he so much as touched Rory…"

"No Luke, it wasn't Jess' fault."

"Now I'm confused."

"It's not Jess' baby. It's Dean's."

"But isn't Dean married?"

"Yup."

"Wow. I think I'm gonna need to sit down."

"Good idea."

"When did it happen?"

"At the test run for the Inn."

"But Rory was there helping."

"Well, you know what happens. You take your eyes off them for a second and all hell breaks loose!" she explains, "That's why we were fighting."

"Oh Lorelai, I'm so sorry."

"Nah, it's okay. We're talking again so everything's good, well, not everything obviously. I mean, I was hoping it would be under different circumstances, but we're talking again."

"How's Jess taking it?"

"Actually he seems to be taking it really well. He hasn't disappeared yet, so I guess that earns him some points."

"He didn't bolt?"

"Nope. He's still here."

Luke smiles. He's proud of Jess. He really has changed. "You want me to come out there?"

"Thanks Luke, but I think Rory and I just need a little time to adjust. We'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I hope so."

"Okay, you just call me if you need anything."

"I will. Thanks Luke."

"Bye Lorelai."

"Bye."

- - - - - - - - - -

"I don't know what to do!" Lorelai exclaims in exasperation. "She won't get out of bed, won't eat, won't talk to me! At least yesterday she was talking to me!"

"What happened to 'we'll be fine'?" Luke asks.

"Not helping!"

"She'll come around. This isn't like Rory," he says.

"That's what worries me. Rory's idea of wallowing is making a to-do list and maybe loading up on some ice cream. She doesn't just stop working!" Lorelai begins to tear up.

"Aww Lorelai…"

"She's spent her whole life trying to get to university. She was finally there. She reached her goal and now it's put on hold. Luke, I don't think I can fix this," she complains.

"Are you sure she doesn't want to, you know…"

"No, she won't have an abortion. She absolutely refuses. At least, she did yesterday when she was actually talking. I'd agree with her, but she's so miserable."

"It'll be alright. Rory's a strong girl. She'll be fine. You did it, right? Look at how things turned out for you."

"Yeah, but I wasn't happy to begin with." She sniffles. "You should see her Luke. It's like she's playing dead or something."

"She'll be okay," he reassures her.

"I really don't want to leave her, but I have to get back to the Inn. I can't leave Michel and Sookie to look after everything by themselves. There may not be an Inn when I get back. Damn! Why'd I have to start a business now?"

"Lorelai…" She cuts him off.

"I need to be there for her!"

"Jess can take care of her. At least you're not leaving her alone."

"I guess," she sighs, "What about her doctor's appointment?"

"What?" Luke asks.

"I booked a doctor's appointment for her in a couple days. The way things are going now, there's no way she's going to go."

"Jess can take her," he suggests.

"Luke, I can't even get her to talk to me. I don't think Jess will have much luck getting her dressed and out of bed."

"She'll snap out of it. You can't stay there forever. You have a business to run. Jess can handle it."

"Jess this, Jess that. I'm her mother Luke! I'm supposed to take care of her! That's my job! I'm not looking for a replacement. Although, I guess I'm not doing a very good job. Things are already falling apart. If I don't get back to the Inn, things will start falling apart there too. I don't know what to do!" she cries.

"I'm sorry Lorelai. I don't want Jess to replace you. I just thought that Rory is only one person and that Jess could handle her by himself. The Inn is an entire business. I figured there's a lot more to take care of."

"You obviously know very little about women."

- - - - - - - - - -

"Rory sweetie?" Lorelai pops into Rory's room and crouches down beside her. Rory still refuses to talk. "I have to get back to the Inn now, but you can call me whenever you need me, alright? I promise I'll come as soon as I can. I love you hun."

She pushes back her hair and kisses her forehead. As she gets up to leave, she hears a whisper. "Don't tell Dean," Rory murmurs.

"Okay."

- - - - - - - - - -

"Rory, you have a doctor's appointment in 3 hours. You have to get up," Jess tries to make her understand that this is urgent, but she seems to have no interest. Still, she will not speak, will not move. "Look, I know you're scared and I know this sucks but I have been working my ass off to try to make sure you're okay! I have taken days off work, that's money I can't afford to loose. I'm sick and tired of watching you waste away. You haven't showered in 5 days! I've hardly seen you eat anything. You're not doing this alone, but I can't help you if you're not willing to cooperate with me! You need to get up."

Instead Rory begins to cry, deep heart wrenching sobs. She buries her face in her pillow.

"Oh shit," Jess mutters under his breath.

He kneels beside her bed, leans in close and whispers, "We can do this."

She faces him, unable to get out any words. He pushes back the greasy hair that tears have plastered to her face and kisses her right by the eye. A bitter saltiness lingers on his lips. He combs out the knots in her hair with his fingers. "It'll be okay," he adds.

When she finally calms down, Jess stops stroking her hair. Although they will most likely be late for the appointment, he fills the bath with warm water. Back in her room, he lifts her out of bed, carries her to the bathroom and sets her down on the toilet seat. He feels like he's taking care of a 4 year old. Jess looks her in the eye. "I can't do this for you anymore. You need to take a bath, okay? And brush your teeth." She nods and Jess leaves, closing the door behind him.

An hour later Rory emerges from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She walks into her room and collapses in a weeping mess on her bed. Right in front of his eyes, Jess has been witnessing Rory Gilmore having a nervous breakdown. She is sobbing hysterically. At that moment he knows they will not make it to the doctor's office. He lies down beside her, pulls her cold, shaky body close to his and takes her trembling hand. Her hair is wet beneath his cheek. Jess has no idea what to do. He hopes that his wordless comfort can help sooth Rory. Rory continues to wail uncontrollably, but eventually her sobs turn into whimpers. He squeezes her hand gently. "It's okay Rory," he whispers, "You're going to be okay."

He places a soft kiss between her neck and her collarbone. When it seems like she's finally settled down and maybe asleep, Jess begins to get up. Rory holds tightly to his hand. "Don't leave," she pleads timidly.

Jess falls back beside her. "I won't," he promises.