Never Forget

"She's crashing," The doctor says as he grabs the paddles. "Charge to 100."

Everyone stood there in shock as the doctor worked on their loved one. It was like slow motion. It seemed like hours, yet it was only minutes. They all prayed like there was no tomorrow. They didn't want her to die. She had become the link in their family. If she died then everything would fall apart. No one breathed. They were all touching, trying to comfort their loved ones, but in the end all they wanted was to hear Holden one last time. Everyone was numb, it felt like a dream. They couldn't take everything in. They knew that she might die. They said their goodbyes. But no one prepared themselves for her to pass away. They all thought that if they kept hope, then she would make it. But now she was dying in front of them all. They couldn't pretend anymore. She was going to die. They couldn't do anything about it. They would just have to deal with the fallout.

"She's back," Dr. Mackenzie says and everyone snaps out of their numbness.

Only now could they fully take in the scene in front of them. Holden's eyes were open, which seemed strange to everyone in the room. Jess ran to his daughter's side. The nurses gave her a once over and then left the room.

"Ernie," Jess says as he grabs his daughter's hand. Holden begins coughing.

"Right," The doctor says as he pulls out Holden's breathing tube.

"Ernie," Jess says again, trying to get her to speak.

"I'm sorry," Holden says weakly before falling back into unconsciousness.

"What happened?" Lorelai asks the doctor frantically. "Is she alright?"

"Seems to be," Dr. Mackenzie says shining the light into Holden's eyes. "Her body needs to heal. It knows that it can heal faster in unconsciousness, so that's probably what's happened. It's a good sign-"

"That's what you said last time," Lorelai says cutting him off. "And look what happened then."

"I know," The doctor replies. "But now that she's regained consciousness, even for just a few seconds, it should be all uphill from here. Plus she's breathing on her own now, which is definitely a good sign."

"What about the bleed on her brain?" Rory asks the doctor.

"We'll have to check it again," Dr. Mackenzie answers. "With the strain on her heart, it pumped more blood around her body, which means that there is a chance that the bleed has become bigger. If that has happened then there might be some brain damage. We'll get a MRI straight away."

"When will she be awake again?" Jess asks the doctor anxiously.

"Maybe sometime this afternoon," Dr. Mackenzie answers. "It's hard to tell really, but seeing as she regained consciousness in less than 24 hours after the incident, it shouldn't be that long. We'll just have to wait and see. I'll go get a nurse to take Holden for an MRI."

"Thank you," Jess tells the doctor earnestly.

"Just doing my job," Dr. Mackenzie replies as he makes his way out of the room.

As soon as he left everyone let out a sigh of relief and joined Jess at Holden bedside.

"She looks somewhat peaceful now," Rory says from next to Jess.

"Yeah," Matt agrees.

"We'll go and tell the others the great news," Chris says rubbing Jess' shoulder. "She's strong Jess. She'll make it through this."

"I hope," Jess replies.

"She will," Matt tells him.

Matt and Chris leave the room just as the nurse comes in to take Holden to get her MRI. Jess lets go of his daughter's hand reluctantly and everyone moves out of the way. They move into the hall and watch the nurse wheel Holden down the corridor.

"Come on Jess," Rory says to him as she leads him into the waiting room where the others had spent the majority of the night.

"There's still a lot of media outside," Em tells them as she hands out coffee and doughnuts. "I think someone needs to go out and give them an update."

"Yeah," Will agrees. "They're still fearing the worst."

"I'll do it," Rory says. "They know me."

"Thanks," Jess tells her.

"Jess?" Rory asks Jess nervously. "They were asking if we were engaged… what do I tell them?"

"Whatever you want," Jess replies sweetly. "You can let the whole world know if you want."

"Thanks," Rory says as she kisses Jess.

"I'll come with you," Lorelai tells Rory who looks at her suspiciously. "I always miss out on the fun, plus I'll get on TV."

"Fine, come on," Rory tells her mother. "We'll be back."

The walk to the front of the hospital was interesting to say the least. Lorelai wouldn't stop bouncing up and down, she was so excited. Rory had told her to calm down several times, but she didn't listen.

"Please try and act professional," Rory tells Lorelai as they near the front doors. "Holden's not completely out of danger yet."

"Right," Lorelai says sadly, instantly calming down.

They walk out and are hounded by questions, lights flashing everywhere.

"Please," Rory pleads them. "One at a time."

"How is Jessica Mariano?" Someone asks.

"It's Holden Mariano," Rory corrects them.

"Sorry," They apologize.

"She made it through the night," Rory explains. "We lost her this morning for a few minutes, but the doctors revived her. She gained consciousness for a few seconds after being revived, but she has since slipped back into unconsciousness."

"What happened?" Another asks.

"She was hit by a car," Rory answers. "The police are looking for the car and driver, but if any of you have any information please contact the police."

"What are the extent of her injuries?" Another asks.

"We don't know exactly," Rory replies. "The doctor didn't think that she was going to make it through the night, so he left us in the dark. We do know that she has a bleed on her brain, which is being checked now. It could lead to brain damage or be fatal, but we are keeping our hopes up."

"You're wearing an engagement ring," Another says. "Does that mean that you and Dodger Holden are engaged?"

"Yes," Rory answers as she blushes. "We are engaged."

"How did he propose?" Another asks.

"You'll have to wait and see if it makes it into his next book," Rory answers.

"So he's writing another book?" Someone else asks.

"Yes," Rory answers. "But with Holden's condition I don't know what's going to happen with it."

"When are you getting married?... Have you and Jess thought about kids?..." They start asking at once.

"No more questions," Lorelai tells them. "We will update you on Holden's condition once we know more."

"Thanks," Rory says to Lorelai as they make their way back into the hospital.

Meanwhile upstairs.

"Jess," Liz says as she brings him into a hug. "I'm so glad that Holden's going to be alright."

"Yeah," TJ agrees.

"Thanks," Jess replies.

"You're a good father Jess," Liz tells him.

"Sure," Jess replies not believing her.

"You are," Liz tells him. "You're daughter's amazingly smart… oh just imagine if you and Rory have a child, it'd be like a kid genius."

"Sure," Jess replies as Lorelai and Rory rejoin them.

"What are you talking about?" Lorelai asks Liz. "You've got that look in your eye."

"Rory and Jess' future kids," Liz answers. "They'd be beautiful and smart, don't you think Rory?"

"Huh," Rory says blushing. "Yeah, sure."

"So Jess?" TJ asks. "When are you going to impregnate her?"

"What?" Jess asks confused. "I think that will be between the two of us."

"You better hurry," TJ says. "Women don't stay fertile forever."

"Umm," Jess says uncomfortably.

"Jess," Luke interrupts. "Holden's coming."

"Thanks," Jess tells Luke as he goes to his daughter's bedside.

"Hey," Holden says weakly.

"When did she wake up?" Jess asks the nurse excitedly.

"During her MRI," The nurse replies as she wheels Holden back into her room. "She didn't say anything until now though."

"Hey Ernie," Jess says and the nurse leaves the room. "You scared me, you know that?"

"I'm sorry," Holden replies.

"I'll go get the doctor," Lorelai suggests as she leaves the room.

"Holden," LJ says coming into the room. "I just heard, no one thought to wake me up."

"Sorry," Rory apologizes. "I forgot."

"Every… Everyone's here?" Holden asks weakly.

"Yeah," Luke answers. "We were all worried about you."

"Holden," The doctor says coming into the room. "I'm Dr. Mackenzie and I'm glad to finally meet you. I've heard nothing but good things about you."

"My…" Holden stutters. "Legs."

"Right," The doctor says. "You've badly broken both your legs and shattered your pelvis. You're probably in pain, are you in pain?"

"My… head hurts," Holden tells him.

"Yeah," The doctor replies. "You hit your head pretty hard."

"What did the MRI show?" Rory asks the doctor anxiously.

"The bleed did get a little bigger," The doctor tells them. "But it seems to have stopped on its own, which is good. We'll have to wait and see if it has done any permanent damage."

"What are her other injuries?" Jess nervously asks the doctor.

"Dislocated shoulder, and some cuts and bruises," Dr. Mackenzie answers. "She had no internal injuries, which is a mystery to say the least."

"Holden?" Jess asks knowing that she somehow prevented internal injuries, even if it did seem impossible.

"What?" Holden replies smirking. "Ow!"

"Are you alright?" LJ asks her concerned.

"Pain," Holden answers.

"We'll get you hooked up to some morphine," Dr. Mackenzie tells her. "Do you remember what happened?"

"Yes," Holden answers blankly.

"The police are going to want to come around and ask you questions," The doctor explains. "Get your account on what happened."

"LJ," Holden say weakly.

"Yeah," LJ answers.

"No," Holden tells him. "The license plate... LJ 3927."

"Okay," The Doctor says as he writes down the license plate number. "I'll pass this onto the police straight away."

"Thanks," Rory tells the doctor as he leaves the room.

"So Holden?" Jess asks his daughter. "Why the hell did you get hit by a car?"

"I'm tired," Holden answers as she turns her head away from her father. "And my… head hurts."

"No way you're getting out of this?" Jess tells her. "You can't put yourself in danger and then not tell anyone why you did it."

"Jess," Rory says, silently telling him to be cautious.

"I can't," Holden replies her eyes welling up. "Maybe some time, but not now."

"Holden," Jess tells her. "I want to know."

"I can't," Holden repeats tears flowing down her face.

"Jess," Rory tells him. "She's been through a lot, she's in pain and obviously whatever happened to her was bad enough for her to consider getting hit by a car."

"I'm sorry Ernie," Jess says to his daughter and she turns to face him again. "I'm just glad that you're alright. We thought that we lost you."

"I'm sorry," Holden says tiredly.

"Go to sleep baby girl," Jess tells her. "We'll all be here when you wake up. Sweet dreams."

"I'm so sorry," Holden repeats again as she falls into a deep slumber.

"Just give her time," Rory tells Jess. "She'll let you know when she's ready."