Chapter Four

Rory slowly surfaced to consciousness. Upon opening her eyes, she saw that she was in an immaculate white room, complete with a drawn green curtain, and crisp, comfy sheets covering the bed upon which she was laying. Somewhere in the distance, a monitor was beeping.
It took a minute, but soon Rory remembered what had happened.

The accident. She had been driving Paris's car because Paris had claimed she had a headache. In the distance, the red Mustang in the opposing lane had been swerving. Rory had tried to pull to the side, but the Mustang was aiming straight for them. Paris's little Escort had stood no chance against the bigger car, especially when the bigger car had been going 95 mph. Now she was in the hospital.
Rory, of course being Rory, began wondering about the passengers in the other car, but more urgently about Paris. In the few blurry flashes Rory had to reflect upon, she observed Paris being thrown from the car.
Suddenly, a frantic cry sounded from the hallway. Listening closely, Rory vaguely recognized the strained voice.
"Look lady, I really need to see my daughter… and I swear that if you do not point me in her direction, you will also be needing a trip to the E.R…" The woman's voice cracked on the last two words, though the entire exclamation was peppered with saddened desperation.
Mommy… it was the very last coherent thought Rory had before slipping back into the warm blanket that was unconsciousness.

Luke watched Lorelai as she walked up to the help desk in the hospital. Her outer appearance was that of a calm woman, but her eyes betrayed her. Those deep, beautiful eyes… in them, Luke had seen something foreign. Something he'd never seen there before… fear… desperation.
She was scared. Hell, so was he.

He looked at his watch. It was one thirty.
It's too early for this kind of crisis. These things only happen at night… and to other people. He thought fleetingly.
When the nurse had refused to let Lorelai into the E.R., her outer cool cracked. Seeing Lorelai's eyes flood with the unshed tears of a loving mother as she fought with the nurse made Luke's heart ache. He wanted to ease her pain, to find Rory, to cure her, and to finally tell Lorelai of his heart's desire.
He reached out to her, cupping her side with his hand. Lorelai looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears. The nurse used the temporary distraction to her advantage and quickly scurried away.
Luke and Lorelai stood alone in the long corridor. Luke holding Lorelai. Lorelai being held up by Luke.
Twin tears began to run down her face, and Luke couldn't help but pull her to him while taking a shuddering breath. He could barely keep from breaking down himself, but he had to be strong for Lorelai. He hugged her tighter when she began to sob. Spotting two chairs down the hallway, and began leading her towards them. Suddenly, she stopped. They had come to a door that was slightly ajar.
"Rory," Lorelai said simply, her voice shaking. Without hesitation, she pushed open the door and went directly to the bedside of the dark-haired, soft-featured girl sleeping in the center of the room.
And it really was her. There she was. Rory lay on the hospital bed; sheets were tucked neatly around her small body, her face and arms slightly scratched up, and the cast on her left leg was clearly visible through the sheets.

Immediately, Lorelai began sobbing. Respectfully, Luke stepped into the hallway to wait for Lorelai to finish.
And so once again, he was left standing with all his thoughts rumbling around his head. Just like the many times he had politely bowed out of Lorelai's business.
He retrieved the two chairs from down the hallway, and placed them on the wall just outside the door. He sat down, took one fleeting look at the now closed hospital door, and finally bowed his head, and prayed.