Disclaimer: I do not own the Gilmore Girls. Thanks to all the reviewers. Enjoy!

They both let out a collective breathe and sigh of relief as they saw her chest rise and fall, rise and

fall, with every breath she took. She was hooked up to several different machines, reading her heart

rate, blood pressure. She had pads attached to her temples reading her brain activity and on the

side of the bed hung the catheter bag filled with a light pink fluid and a tube that ran underneath the blanket that was covering her.

She looks so peaceful thought Rory as she inched closer to the bedside.

And with a shuddering breathe she reached out and grabbed her mothers hand whispering,

'Mom'.

She ran her thumb over her mother's hand, back and forth, back and forth.

Not only to comfort her mother but to comfort herself as well. She just had to touch her. Her face

was turned slightly towards her and she could see some bruising at her upper left temple. Other than

that and the paleness she didn't look hurt at all.

Luke stood at the foot of the bed with his hands shoved in his pockets.

Feeling out of place rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. He didn't think he should be

witnessing this moment between mother and daughter even though Lorelai wasn't awake. His mind

was speeding down the track and so many things were going through his mind.

Every one who has ever meant anything to me has been taken away.

This time I almost lost her, the one person who means anything to me.

My one true love.

I saw it happen with my own two eyes and couldn't do anything about it. I froze. How am I

supposed to live with myself knowing that I couldn't protect her.

Maybe her parents are right.

Maybe I'm not good enough for her.

I don't deserve her

I couldn't protect her.

My mom and dad I know I couldn't do anything about, but this time I just stood there, FROZEN.

How am I supposed to face her.

Luke looked over at Rory holding Loerlai's limp hand, then at Lorelai, then the machines, then the

room began to spin out of control. It was all too much. He scanned the room frantically with his eyes.

'I can't.' and Rory turned towards him, 'What.. Luke!'

Huh, did I say that out loud.

'I, uh, I'll be right back.' And he scurried out the room, down the hall, past Logan and Dean both

looking expectantly. He started a slow jog, then pick up the pace.

He didn't notice Emily and Richard calling out his name.

Or Sookie and Jackson sitting off to the side. He got to the elevators, but they were too slow. Then

sprinted for the stairs.

He had to get out, run, run it all away.

He broke through the outer doors of the emergency room into the night air and ran until he got to

the end of the parking lot.

He bent over clutching his side, gasping for air, sweat pouring off his face.

'Oh God I could've lost her, Oh God!.

Gut wrenching sobs overtook his entire body as he fell to his knees.

TBC