Disclaimer: I do not own the song "With or Without You" even though it's one of my favorite songs. That belongs to U2.

Chapter 16: It's time to Go

Two Months Later....

[Dean]

Everything Dr. Thomas had said was true. Dean couldn't see, but he could hear okay. He couldn't speak very well. He could talk, but every word was a struggle. Now he was bedridden just like Dr. Thomas said. Every time he felt himself falling asleep he would always wonder, "is this the part where I go into a coma and die?"

Lorelai, now being six months pregnant had moved in temporarily. Dean asked her to. He said that she needed her mother, although Rory spent most of her time with him. She even slept in the same room as him. But, she slept on top of the bed because Dean didn't want her to be freaked out if he died and she was in a bed with a dead man. One night Dean heard movement in the room.

"Who's there?" he asked.

"It's me," Rory said.

"What time is it?"

"10:00 PM."

Dean heard the bed springs creak and felt Rory grab his hand.

"How are you?" Rory asked.

"I'm blind....and I can't.....get out of bed," Dean replied with difficulty. "Does it.....get any......better.....than this?"

He felt her thumb go over his knuckles.

"While you were asleep I went to the OBGYM today," Rory said. She was two months pregnant.

"And?" Dean asked.

"We're having twins," Rory said. "That's why I'm a little fat."

"I......haven't noticed...any extra weight," Dean said. "Can you......turn on the radio? I...would like to.....listen to....music if....it's okay with you."

Rory turned on the radio. Their wedding song, "With or Without You," was playing.

"See the stone set in your eyes," Bono sang. "See the thorn twist in your side. I wait for you."

"It's our song," Rory said.

"Sleight of hand and twist of fate. On a bed of nails she makes me wait and I wait without you."

Again, the bed springs creaked. Dean felt Rory's lips press against his. He felt himself getting drowsy again. He felt Rory's head on his chest. He inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo. Suddenly, images of her on their wedding day kept popping into his head. How beautiful she was in her long, off-the-shoulder, slim gown. He was lucky that Rory stuck by him after all this time.

"Rory," he said, with difficulty. "Thanks for sticking by me....all these years. Even after Jess..."

"I wouldn't have came back if I didn't want to," Rory said.

"I want you to know," he said. "That I'm very grateful..that you came back..And I also want you to know that...I'll always love you."

"I know," Rory whispered, sounding like she was going to cry. "And I'll always love you."

Dean kissed the top of Rory's head and wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep.

Two Weeks Later

[Rory]

Two weeks later, Rory came home from the OBGYM and she heard voices from hers and Dean's bedroom. Her pulse quickened with fear as she made her way upstairs. A paramedic came out of the bedroom and stopped Rory in her tracks.

"Mrs. Gilmore Forester?" she said.

"Yes," Rory said.

"One of the nurses came in to check on your husband while you were gone," she said. "And she noticed that he wasn't breathing. We've done all we can. But, we couldn't save your husband."

"So you're saying he's-"

"Passed on. I'm sorry."

"Can I see him?"

"If it's not too upsetting for you."

Rory walked into the bedroom to stare at the body that once held Dean's spirit. He was so pale, and yet he looked so peaceful. Rory touched his face, which was cold. She stroked his hair and kissed his almost frozen lips.

"Good-bye, Dean," she whispered.

She walked out and slowly shut the door. She felt sick. She needed to get out of there. She ran outside to the bridge outside Stars Hollow High and threw up in the water. When she was finished, she broke down and cried hysterically.

In the battle between Dean and the tumor, the tumor had won. Dean Forester, her first and only love, was gone.

To Be Continued......

A/N: I hope that didn't suck. I know that it takes more than six months for all this to happen, but I don't know how to make a story last over long periods of time. It's something I need help with. Also, I'm really sorry that I killed off Dean, but if I had him saved it would've been another mushy love story where they live happily ever after. I wanted to try something different, but my next stories will be a little happier. Chapter 17 is coming soon.