A/N: Wow 10th Chapter. Thank you for all the reviews, and sorry if I have so far played with your hearts a little too hard ;) Enjoy my first milestone chapter, I hope you at least do a little because this chapter may seem a bit weird and maybe a bit repetitive... I dive into Lorelai's head during this whole ordeal so bare with...

Previously…

She sat by her mom, holding her hand. "You should have seen me mom. Caesar actually let me flip a burger! I cooked!" She exclaimed. She sighed when she saw no movement. "Mom, it's been too long. I miss you. Please, please, wake up. Maybe I should try smuggling some of Luke's coffee in here and let you smell it, maybe that would trigger you to wake up" She said sadly. She sighed again when she didn't see any recognition. Suddenly, though, she felt her mom's fingers squeeze hers. Rory looked up at Lorelai's face to see if the hand was just a fluke or a muscle spasm.

"Mom? Mom can you hear me?" Rory exclaimed. Please please please hear me!

Lorelai felt weird like she was trapped in a never ending abyss. She tried to open her eyes but couldn't, she tried to move but couldn't, she wasn't aware of her body, it was like it had vanished, though there was some kind of itching where her head and leg were supposed to be. She didn't understand, she couldn't remember what had happened. What was going on? Where am I? She thought, well at least I can still think right? That's good right? Or am I stuck in some looney bin and it's all catching up with me, I'm drugged up and talking to a wall in reality. She then heard some unfamiliar voices close to her.

"Terrible accident this. She's lucky it isn't worse, no major damage to any organs, her leg will heal eventually, there's plenty or brain activity and she's breathing on her own, in almost every other case similar to this one, they don't make it – that's my medical opinion. My personal opinion; She must be some kind of special or lucky and just looking at her I can tell she is." Said the doctor.

Terrible accident? Speeding car? Oh my god, where's Rory? She wasn't with me, was she? And Luke, I was talking to Luke.

"Yes terrible. And that poor daughter of hers. She shouldn't have had to see her mom like this. How are we going to tell her that her mom's in a coma?" Another voice said.

Oh thank god, Rory's ok. But a coma? I can't be in a coma, can I? I can hear everything! Lorelai tried to speak but she just couldn't. She was scared.

"I don't get how people can just drive away after hitting someone. Especially when they're speeding." The doctor said.

Soon after the doctor left she heard a voice she recognised.

"Mom?...Mommy" It was Rory, she sounded so small, so lost and defeated, like when she was 4 and scraped her hands and knees on the gravel driveway at the inn, It was that memory flashing before her telling her that Rory was hurting and she just wanted to hold her little girl. "I don't know if you can hear me, but if you can I just want you to know, I love you so much."

I love you too baby! I can hear you! Please don't cry… I will be fine, I wish you could hear me say this to you! Lorelai once again tried to speak or open her eyes but she couldn't. She heard Rory leave and then heard Luke talk.

"Please I know you can hear me, you wouldn't be Lorelai if you couldn't. I just need you to open your eyes. I need you to wake up. Rory needs you. I need you. I love you so much…" His speech touched her so much, he considered Rory in this factor, not just himself, that's why I love him. As he kept talking she could feel something radiating inside her caused by his words, but she didn't know what.

Of course you know I can hear you, you know everything about me Danes, I need you too, so please have hope, I'll try to find a way.

"…I… I just love you… and I have for a long long time. You're my best friend. Just please be ok. If not for me, then for that girl, for Rory, you mean the world to her, to both us"

I love you too, Luke, it took me long enough to realize it so I am not gonna leave this world without trying for more with you. I promise I'm fighting! If only you could hear me! She then felt him kiss her, well not a kiss on her end so to speak, but the sense of something warm and loving, it was enough that she felt safe, and she knew Rory would be OK… as long as Luke was around.

Lorelai didn't know how long she had been like she was but she kept hearing Rory and Luke coming by to see her and surprisingly her parents too... Well her father mostly, if her mom was there she didn't say anything.

As Lorelai laid there, still lost in the dark she couldn't help wonder is this how Alice felt falling through the rabbit hole? Is this the part where I start questioning where Longitude and latitude is…? Maybe not… Lewis Caroll was high as a kite when he wrote that story.

God I am bored… bored bored bored…I could so use some coffee right now, except one problem… you're unconscious! Ergh wake up wake up wake UP!

You'd think with how full my brain is, it would at least give me some epic dreams or visions or something to entertain me…

When is Rory coming? Maybe she is here already, studying or reading, either way somewhere her nose is in a book and I am proud of my little book worm.

Over the course of time Lorelai had many frequent visitors, she found that many would confide in her and tell her things she wouldn't know otherwise, I guess talking to someone who can't talk back can also be used like a human diary, little did they know she could hear every word. Would she remember what they said if or once she woke up then that's another question altogether.

One day during a Sookie-filled visit, she had 'forced' Michel to come along with her. Sookie had briefly stepped out to call the inn's kitchen to check in on things, So Michel was left there alone. He confessed he missed her at work, she kept him on his toes and annoying and bantering Sookie wasn't the same, also that he hated doing the pay checks and other paper work because it is long and boring. So he really wished she would wake up. She was touched when she heard Michel admit that he missed her annoying the hell out of him.

Just you wait Michel! I'll be back and I am gonna tease you so much that you'll wish you never said that!

When Rory visited she sometimes brought Lane along. She thought if she couldn't have one best friend talk to her she could at least talk to the other. Both girls sat there informing the comatose Lorelai of some gossip they had heard throughout the town but mainly throughout Rory's old digs; Stars Hollow High.

"…They had a very public breakup right before homeroom, then a very public make up during lunch and I suspect they will be happily married by dinner."

"Sounds intense." Replied Rory.

"Yes it was great yet sad at the same time – like Full House meets Cruel Intentions, kind of like a weird John Hughes movie." Gossips Lanes, she then sighs "If only he would stop writing really bad sequels."

"Hear hear to that" said Rory

Hey but I actually liked Home Alone 3 it was still as funny as the first two movies thought Lorelai.

"OK, so I am done with this hand, should I move onto her feet?" Asked Lane. This particular visit included the girls giving Lorelai a desperately needed manicure and pedicure.

"Yeah sure, oh use the red nail polish"

"Why red?"

Because all the bad girls wear red.

"Well all the bad girls wear red, and I've decided mom is being bad for not waking up" Rory said trying to joke but then looked at her mom's face, and then her own fell.

"Rory…" Lane said noticing her friends fallen face, "it's gonna be OK, your mom is the toughest bravest person I know, and I live with Mama Kim! She will wake up just give it time."

Atta girl Lane!

"Yeah I guess…" said a solemn Rory.

What do you mean you guess kid? You can't get rid of me that easily.

"Oh and Mama Kim and her bible group have been praying for Lorelai at every meeting, so that's something."

Well what do you know, good ol' Mrs Kim does have a heart.

One night when Rory was late visiting Lorelai could hear a big storm brewing outside, she was a little worried about Rory being miles from home especially since Luke wasn't there, but suddenly she heard a second voice in the room.

"Hey, Grandpa I didn't know you were gonna be here"

Dad's here?

"Hello Rory, still no change?"

"Nope, still no change, she's being stubborn." She attempted to joke.

Hey! Don't be mean to mommy in her insentient state!

Richard gave a small chuckled "That's your mother for you, always has been…"

I am right here guys! Just you wait till when I wake up… If only I knew when my body would let that happen.

It was Luke's confession that was a little shocking… startling… sad mostly.

It started off like his usual visit, he said he had made Rory go back to school to keep routine in her life. He knew what is what like for her, to have someone you love lying in a cold clinical room. He then started to talk about his mom.

"Lorelai, I am doing my best for Rory, I am trying to be strong, especially keeping cool in front of your parents, but I have to admit… it's been hard. I never told you this, but my mom… my mom was in a bad accident when I was 12…"

Oh Luke, I knew she was gone but I didn't know how...

"She was coming home from Litchfield one night and it was a bad night, it was pouring down with rain, the roads were wet, it was dark, she was coming down the 68 and a produce truck had lost control and hydroplaned in front of moms car and she couldn't stop and…well you could guess what happened next" Luke could feel a ball in his throat forming, he didn't want to be emotional, it happened a long time ago.

Lorelai could sense in his voice he was having trouble recounting the story she wish she was awake to tell him it's OK, Luke you don't have to tell me this.

"… anyway they air lifted her to the hospital, and they did their best to heal her, but she… she was stuck in a coma and after a week of hoping and praying and doing gods knows what, the doctors announced her brain dead, she just couldn't fight anymore, it was too hard she was too broken. I don't remember much from that week, only what I just told you... that, and my dad's face when they said they had to make the call… They turned off her life support and she went peacefully"

Oh Luke I am so sorry… but I am not gonna be like that, I am gonna fight through this.

"So I just wanted you to know that. I am doing my best for Rory because I know exactly what she is going through… she is a great kid Lorelai, you should be proud… any way it's getting late I better go, I have deliveries tomorrow, so Rory is staying at your parents tonight, I don't know if you agree with that, I just don't want her alone at any moment. So I'll come by tomorrow, goodnight Lorelai, I love you.

There was one day, Rory started talking to her again and she couldn't do anything but listen but she was so relieved by what she heard. "It's been over a month now. I need you mom. Luke's been great to me, and the grandparents too - looking after me and making sure I'm not alone in the house but you're my mom, you're my best friend. I feel empty without you, I miss you, I miss our talks, I miss our movie nights, our walks around town, our teasing Luke because it just isn't the same when it's just me, no one can think and talk in lateral sentences at the speed you can. Just please… please wake up."

Lorelai felt a wet drip splosh where she thought her hand would be, she figured it was small enough to be a tear, her heart broke for her darling daughter.

I knew I could count on Luke. Please don't lose hope. I'm fighting, I am!

Each time they came, her visitors always made her feel even more loved, and the more who visited and said their piece the more she felt better. Like she was a broken puzzle and those people's words were putting her back together, only there were still a few pieces missing.

The day after Rory's latest visit she was surprised to have a visit from Chris as well although he didn't stay long and didn't say much. But that was Christopher for you. She guessed the real questions - the real talk, would come later with Rory out of the room, or when she was awake. But hearing a strain in his voice allowed her to know he couldn't handle seeing her in that way, she was his oldest friend and she heard his footsteps fleeing the room.

Only Moments later she then had a visit from her mom, which really touched her beyond all doubt.

"Lorelai, darling, my sweet girl I don't know if you can hear me, I hope you can, but I'm sorry for not coming to see you more often. This time has been tough. For everyone. I was scared, I realize that now…"

She could hear her mom tearing up. I can hear you mom, it's OK I swear.

"I know… I know I never tell you this but I am proud of you, Lorelai, I really am. Rory is an amazing girl, she is sweet and caring and so bright and it is all down to you. And I am proud of how far you have come. It may not have been the life I picked out for you but you have achieved so much. You are one of a kind, you are brave, generous, patient, loving - all qualities I wish I had more of but never the less we are cut from different cloths and I am sorry our differences get between us I will try to be better. So please Lorelai, sweetheart, please… please wake up so I can tell you all of this to your face. Because I do… I do really love you."

Oh wow! Mom, I love you too even with our differences. I'm trying to wake up, I promise! I am fighting for you, for Rory, for Luke.

She heard her mom leave and then Rory come back in and started talking about helping out at the diner.

… And it's still standing, Man you are so getting teased about that! Oh I why did you mention coffee I am craving it like crazy!

What Lorelai didn't realize was her mom talking to her was the last missing piece of the puzzle. She then started to feel her muscles, well some tingles really, in her hand and tried to squeeze Rory's hand and it actually worked, very quickly she could feel the tingles in her whole body, it felt weak but it was enough.

"Mom? Mom can you hear me?" Rory exclaimed. "Please say something! Or… or squeeze my hand again!"

Slowly, her mom's eyes started to flicker and slowly they opened. "Ro..Rory?" she said with a dry throat

"Mom!?" Rory said with tears in her eyes. "Oh my god, you're awake!"

"Hey…sweets… water…" She said quietly.

"Oh sure" handing her mother her water bottle, "I can't believe this, you're OK!"

"Yeah I am OK" Lorelai agreed "What happened though?"

"Oh you don't remember? There was an accident some old drunk was speeding and slammed right into you when you were crossing the street… we are in the hospital by the way if you hadn't caught that much."

"Oh right, yeah that sounds familiar… so how long was I out for?"

"5 weeks, 3 days, 20 hours, and 23 minutes…Mom, I've missed you so much!" Rory said holding her hand tightly and giving her a hug.

"I'm so sorry hon…."

"You've got nothing to be sorry for. You're awake!" She press the call button for a Doctor or Nurse to come to the room, Rory then decided the others needed to know she was awake. When the doctor came rushing into the room he visibly sighed with relief as he saw his patient awake, he immediately went to work examining her, and Rory used that as her cue, "Hang on, mom, I need to get the others! Promise you'll still be awake when I get back!" Rory said still not quite believing it.

"I think I've had enough rest for a while, don't you worry…" Lorelai joked.

Rory grinned. It was still her mom alright. She ran outside to the waiting room, still having tears running down her face. She saw her grandparents, her grandma having re-joined her grandpa, and Luke sat in the chairs, Chris was nowhere in site, he had left... But at that moment it hadn't bothered Rory, all she could think about was her mom who was finally awake and talking. "Luke, Grandma, Grandpa!" She exclaimed.

They all looked up and saw her tears and thought something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked worried. Please don't say something happened!

"It's mom! She's awake!" Rory exclaimed.

Emily gasped and squeezed Richard's hand, who had tears in his eyes. Luke just sat there in shock – it was safe to say all three of their hearts had just palpitated. Luke had waited over a month for someone to say those words and he didn't like to admit it but he had been losing hope. This whole ordeal reminded him of his mother, and he couldn't do that again but it was getting harder and harder as the days went on and seeing Rory's face with tears just now meant he thought history was repeating, but it wasn't! Thank God!

Rory looked back down the corridor seeing the doctor leaving the room, "I'm going back in! I can't believe she's awake!" Rory beamed and ran off to her mom's room again.

Emily, Richard and Luke sat there, not quite believing it. Richard looked over at the stunned Luke, ever since this began he had observed Luke from a distance, he could see he was hurting and that it was painstakingly obvious of his love for Lorelai and Rory. "You go, Luke. She will want to see you." He said gently, he thought Luke deserved it but he also wanted to wait till Emily was ready so he could go in with her.

Luke just nodded but took a moment to stand up.

Meanwhile, Rory had gone back to her mom's room who was still awake. "Oh mom, you have no idea how much I've missed you." She said tearfully hugging her again.

"Baby girl, please don't cry"

"Oh mom these are happy tears, I love you so so so much." Squeezing tighter on that hug.

"Oh Kid, you have no idea. I could hear what everyone was saying but I couldn't respond. I felt like I was enclosed in like a bubble and couldn't do anything about it." Lorelai admitted.

"You could hear us?" Rory said shocked.

"Every word…I think…" Lorelai said sadly. "I'm sorry I caused you so much pain."

"Oh mom, you don't need to be sorry. You're awake!" Rory exclaimed.

Lorelai looked towards the door. "So who is out there?" She asked quietly.

Rory nodded. "Oh grandma, grandpa and Luke… He's been here a lot. He's been great mom. He's really looked after me." She said with such warmth.

Lorelai smiled at the cordiality in her voice. "Well he's always been known for being great."

Rory smiled. They then saw Luke at the door. Lorelai looked at Rory then back at Luke, she could see the relief in his eyes that she was OK. Luke walked over and smiled at Lorelai. "Hey…" He said quietly cupping her face and kissed her passionately on the lips.

"Uh Wow Duke… I never knew we were really that close!"

… Oh shit! thought Luke.

Thou Shall REVIEW! :D

Like actually please do, I am anxious on your thoughts for this chapter, and how a tad different it is, so let me know if I have screwed up.