In the days that followed, Rory obeyed Jess's wishes and stayed away from the hospital. She and Loralei returned to Stars Hollow. Everyone there, though they had disliked Jess even before he came to Stars Hollow, showed concern for him on Rory's behalf. "Such a shame, him bein' blind." Babbette whispered to Loralei one day at the diner. She and Cesar were running the diner in Luke's absence. Luke was still in Philadelphia, comforting Liz and T.J. and keeping them as sane as possible.

Weeks after returning home, Rory returned to work in Hartford. Her boss noticed right away that Rory wasn't herself. She was distant and her work didn't have it's usual snap to it. Her opinion piece about the current administration was a disaster. "Rory," her boss spoke gently, "do you need to tell me something?" Rory shook her head, and her boss gave her a look. Rory nodded. "My boyfriend was the victim of a hit and run accident in Philadelphia a month and a half ago. He's just been moved to the normal wing of the hospital. He went blind and doesn't ever want to talk to me again." she spilled out the whole story. "I'm so sorry that I'm not doing my job here very well, sir." Rory apologized.

"Well, I don't usually let someone slide because of a personal issue, but this is different. Do you need me to do anything for you, Rory?"

"No. I'll try harder to do a good job." Rory promised, returning to her desk.

A few minutes later, an anxious Loralei appeared at Rory's desk. "Hon," she adressed Rory, "You have to come with me."

Ten minutes later, Rory and Loralei were in Loralei's Jeep and Loralei was following the highway signs to Philadelphia. "Mom, what's wrong?" Rory demanded. Loralei looked Rory straight in the eye. "We're losing Jess."