Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.

CHAPTER 7: HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU

Rory found herself kissing Jess back before she realized it. She quickly pulled away, touching her lips in surprise.

"Now tell me that you felt nothing," Jess said intensely, breathing hard.

"I – I don't know…" Rory said, confused. Her confusion soon turned to anger. "Look, we can't do this. This isn't right, it isn't the time…this is the worst timing. I'm not willing to screw things up with Logan for…for…" Rory was at a loss for words.

"Look, Rory, what exactly does Richie Rich have to offer you, huh? He doesn't exactly have a stable history."

Rory didn't bother to ask how Jess knew anything about Logan's history, or to explain why she was dating Logan. "Oh, and you do? Every time you decide you do, in fact, want to be with me, you leave, take off, disappear. How is that stable?" she argued.

"This time is different, Rory. You can trust me; I'm here," Jess said, reaching for her.

Rory shrugged away his touch. "How do I know that? How?"

Jess paused, searching for a good reason, an explanation, anything. Rory put her hands up, warding him off.

"Look, I just…I gotta go," she said, turning around.

"Rory," Jess said quietly, "don't go."

Rory paused, turned to look at Jess, evaluating the situation. She simply shook her head. "I have to." Rory hurried away, leaving Jess staring after her, contemplating the whole mess.

"Hi Gypsy," Lorelai said, passing the mechanic on the street.

"Lorelai, where are you registering?" Gypsy asked in her usual direct manner.

"Well, we thought we'd register at Wal-Mart, but I heard Britney and Kevin already registered there so we're re-evaluating," Lorelai said flippantly.

Gypsy rolled her eyes. "Your invitation. It doesn't say." She looked at Lorelai expectantly.

"I'll let you know, Gypsy," said Lorelai.

"You better," grumbled Gypsy, walking back to her shop.

Lorelai rolled her eyes and continued walking to the Inn. As she was walking, she passed a construction site and found herself face to face with Dean.

"Hey," he said uncomfortably.

"Hey, Dean," Lorelai said with false warmth.

"I just wanted to say thanks for inviting us," Dean said.

"Oh, well, you know, we're still cool, right?" Lorelai offered. "Plus, you live in Stars Hollow, so you were a shoo-in."

"Yeah," Dean said, almost confused. "Well, I just wanted to say thanks, and we're coming, you know; I'm sure you heard we're tryin' to work things out… um… although I don't think Lindsey's mom is gonna make it."

"Nor did I expect her to," replied Lorelai. There was an awkward silence.

"Well, I gotta get back to work, so…"

"Right. Nice running into you, Dean," said Lorelai.

"You too," he said in relief. He went back to work as Lorelai continued her walk.

"Hey Sookie!" she called.

"Hey you! Look at you all getting married… but this time it's for real!" Sookie said, pausing to order around the wait staff before brushing the flour off her hands.

"Lovin' the confidence you got in me, Sookie," Lorelai said dryly.

"Hey! You know what I mean," Sookie said. "I mean, Chris was always a maybe, and then you almost married Max, and - "

"Ok, stop right there or I will not allow you to have any input in my reception food, hm?" Lorelai said with a mock threat.

"I give!" exclaimed Sookie. "So, you got a lot of RSVP's yet?"

"Well," Lorelai said, stealing a cookie off a nearby plate, "since half the list is the entire population of Stars Hollow, I've been getting oral RSVP's, and if you go there you don't get a say in the cake, either," Lorelai said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Mum's the word!" said Sookie, pulling away the cookie tray from Lorelai.

"Not yet!" Lorelai said, making a face. She swept out of the kitchen. "I'm going to Luke's," she called over her shoulder.

"Hello?" Rory said, answering her cell phone.

"What is this?" Paris said abrasively.

Rory sighed. "What is what, Paris."

"This wedding invitation! Who are you marrying?" Paris demanded.

Rory momentarily freaked until she remembered. "Check the middle name, Paris."

She heard Paris pause long enough to consult her invitation. "Oh. I wondered why you stole Luke from your mother. So can I bring Doyle?"

"I'm counting on it," Rory said.

"Will all the Huntzbergers be there?" Paris asked hopefully. "Because you know this could be an important networking opportunity for Doyle and myself."

"Charming, Paris," Rory said sardonically. "Actually, everyone should be there…except Mitchum," she said, suddenly remembering.

"What? Why not?" Paris asked brusquely. "He's the key, Rory. Although sometimes the wife is the in," she reasoned.

"He had a heart attack," Rory explained. "Um, Paris, look, I gotta go."

"Bye," Paris said with her usual abruptness. Rory hung up. She immediately got in her car and drove to the hospital.

"Hi, do you know which room Mitchum Huntzberger is in?" Rory asked at the nurse's station.

The nurse on duty checked her computer. "Room 318," she answered.

"Thanks." Rory rushed to the elevator, got off on the third floor, and knocked on his door. Logan answered it. Rory took in his appearance: his sleeves were pushed up to three-quarter length, his clothes were rumpled, and he had a five' o'clock shadow for the first time she had ever seen. He simply opened his arms, and Rory gave him a hug.

"So, you realize that this year you have to give the opening bid at least," Lorelai said, following Luke around his diner.

"What?" Luke asked, returning to the kitchen.

"On my basket! This year you are officially my man, and therefore are expected to bid on my basket," Lorelai insisted.

"Fine. On one condition," Luke said.

"Condition? I am wounded! Luke, I thought we had an unconditional love. You love me even when I don't shave my legs, and I love you no matter how much hair you acquire in either your nose or your ears."

"First of all, that's gross. Second of all, do you wanna hear it?"

"Fine," she pouted.

"Only on the condition that I get to pack it," Luke said.

"Hmm," Lorelai said, pretending to consider it. "Will there be vodka involved?"

"No, but there will be chocolate."

"Ooh! I think I'm ok with conditional love," Lorelai said. She sat down and picked at her muffin. "So…" she said in an attempt at casual conversation. "You think Jess will be coming this year, seeing as how he's been visiting more lately?"

Luke refilled her coffee. "I dunno; I suppose so." He paused. "Look, what is your fixation with Jess all of a sudden?"

"Well, it's just that he's around more, and I'm just worried about Rory. I mean, look at Sandy," Lorelai pointed out.

Luke looked confused. "And Jess is Danny?"

"No, silly, Sandy as in Sandra Bullock. Nice girl marries biker dude."

"Well Jess doesn't have a bike," Luke said, dismissing her silliness.

"Aha, but he does; he's a messenger, right?" Lorelai crowed.

"Not anymore, he's - " Luke stopped. "Look, that's not the point. Stop freaking out. This is ridiculous."

Lorelai looked offended and sipped her coffee. "You're just lucky I'm hopelessly devoted to you," she said loftily.

"Well, there are worse things you could do," Luke deadpanned.

"I could want a co-oo-oo-ool rider," Lorelai sang.

"That's from the sequel; it doesn't count," Luke said.

"Oh, it counts if I say it counts," Lorelai said, finishing her muffin.

"So how is he?" Rory asked Logan, sitting in one of the chairs in the hospital room.

"Um, well they say he's in a coma," Logan said, sitting in the chair next to Rory. "He's stable right now, but they don't know how long the coma will last, or if…" Logan trailed off, finding it hard to speak. He stared off into the distance for awhile, then came back to reality. "Listen, Ace, about the other night, I'm sorry that - "

"No! No, it's ok. Forget it," Rory said.

"I'm really glad you're here," Logan said, relieved. He reached for her hand, and they held hands in silence. "You know, it's kind of scary," he said.

"What?" Rory asked.

"When real life infringes on our reality," Logan said. "I mean, you know, in omnia paratus only covers so much; I got nothin' for real life tragedy," he said ironically.

Rory just smiled sadly and squeezed his hand.

Shira walked in the door. She stopped when she saw Rory there. Rory looked uncomfortable, but Logan didn't seem to notice.

"Hello Rory," Shira said with strained politeness.

"Hello," Rory said weakly.

"Logan," Shira said, going over to hug him.

"Um, I should go," Rory said.

"No, no," Shira said, visibly holding back tears. She shook her head. "Actually, you can go now, Logan. Honor will be coming in a little while and you need some proper rest."

"Are you sure?" Logan asked. "Because I can stay…"

"No, no, you children run along. I'll call you if there's any change," Shira said.

"Ok," Logan said with a sigh. "C'mon, Rory."

They left the hospital room and headed toward the elevator. When they got in, Logan leaned against the wall. "I feel awful," he remarked.

"Well, you look awful," Rory admitted. "But guess what?"

"What?"

"Taking care of you is one of the myriad of girlfriend duties I've assumed," Rory said.

"Oh yeah?" Logan said, finally smiling.

"Mm-hm. It's one of the perks," Rory said, cocking her head to one side.

"Just one of the perks?" Logan asked.

"Easy, boy," Rory said.

"That one's mine," Lorelai stage-whispered to Luke.

"I know; I packed it," Luke stage-whispered back.

"Hey, mom," Rory said, walking up.

"Well hello there," Lorelai said. "Which one is yours?"

"I opted for a blue ribbon this year," Rory said, sitting down next to Luke and Lorelai.

"Oh, how Yale of you," Lorelai said.

"But it's pretty!" Rory protested.

"And so are you," Logan said walking up.

"Charmer," Rory said, kissing Logan hello. "Where are the boys?"

"Peeking in the baskets, of course," Logan replied.

"Ooh! Taylor won't like that," Rory warned.

"Remember last year when he caught Kirk looking in them?" Lorelai asked.

"Oh the horror!" Rory shuddered. They heard shouting across the lawn. Colin and Finn ran up to them, finally stopping and catching their breath.

"He's mad, man!" Finn said.

"Who chases people with brooms? I should call my lawyer!" Colin said.

Everyone laughed at their expense.

"Ooh, shh, shh, the bidding is about to begin!" Lorelai said.

Over on the other side of the field, Jess was walking up. He walked past Dean and Lindsey.

"Hey there, Bag Boy," Jess said as he walked past.

"I'll be right back," Dean said to Lindsey. He ran to catch up with Jess.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"None of your business," Jess replied, scanning the crowd for Rory.

Dean laughed tersely and shook his head. "It'll never happen, man."

"Actually, I have every confidence it will."

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Dean asked.

"Well," Jess said, taking a dramatic pause. "I guess because I've already done it once, I'm sure I can do it again," he said smugly.

Dean moved as if to hit him, but stopped himself. "You don't get it, do you? This guy is money. It's who Rory's grandparents want for her. He's society; he's a billionaire. He can give her everything she will ever want."

"Maybe not everything," Jess said.

"Whatever, dude. You know what, good luck with that, cuz you're gonna need it," Dean said, dismissing Jess and returning to Lindsey.

"Thanks," Jess said to noone.

"I am offended!" Lorelai pouted.

"What?" Luke said, annoyed.

"My basket! It only went for thirty bucks!"

"That's cuz you told everyone it was yours! They probably expected a week-old pizza and a plastic container of crispy wontons."

"Hey! That's totally…" Lorelai searched for words.

"True?" offered Rory.

Lorelai stuck her tongue out at Rory. "Ooh, ooh! There's yours!"

"And now we have a lovely basket, tied with a blue ribbon, I see," announced Taylor. "Do I hear ten dollars?"

"Are you kidding me? That's chump change," said Colin.

"Hey boys, no bidding on this one, ok?" Logan asked.

"Oh, sod that, mate!" Finn exclaimed. "Ten dollars!" he shouted.

"Finn!" Rory exclaimed, smacking him on the arm.

"Twenty," they heard from their left. They turned their heads en masse to find Jess standing in the middle of the field. Rory's face suddenly fell.

Logan looked at her quizzically. "Fifty," he offered.

"A hundred," Jess called.

"Wait a minute, gentlemen," Taylor said, exasperated. "That's not how it's done and you know it," he protested. He adjusted his vest. "Now. Do I hear one hundred and twenty-five?"

"One-fifty," Logan offered.

Jess narrowed his eyes. "Two hundred."

"Five hundred," Logan shouted.

"A thousand!" cried Finn in glee. Logan began to laugh.

"Two thousand!" yelled Colin, getting in the spirit of things.

"Five thousand," stated Jess. All eyes turned to him in surprise.

"How does Jess have five thousand dollars?" Lorelai asked Luke.

"Don't ask me!" Luke said. "I got nothin'."

"Well, gentlemen, five thousand dollars seems awfully steep, unless this basket is lined with gold, but it's your money," Taylor said. "Do I hear six thousand?" he asked, getting excited.

"Ten thousand," offered Logan. Jess looked down, calculating.

"Fifteen thousand!" Finn called.

"Shut up, Finn!" they all hissed.

"Twenty thousand," Logan offered, putting his hand on Finn's elbow and giving him a mock warning look.

Finn nodded and gestured with one hand. "All yours, mate."

"Phew! Twenty thousand!" Taylor trilled. He looked at Jess expectantly who dejectedly shook his head. "Going once? Going twice? Sold to the gentleman in the back," Taylor proclaimed, banging his gavel.

"Congratulations," Colin said, patting Logan on the back. "C'mon, Finn; maybe he's distracted and won't notice when we take another peek." Colin and Finn headed off to sneak another look at the remaining picnic baskets.

"Maybe you shouldn't let them…" Rory started.

"Don't worry, I'll reel them in," Logan reassured her. He kissed Rory on the forehead. "Hey, what's with that guy?" he asked, gesturing in Jess's direction with his head.

"Oh, well," Rory said, not sure how to explain.

"Chemical imbalance," Luke barked. Rory gave him a thankful look.

"Runs in the family," Lorelai said coolly.

"Hey, more comments like that and the cheesecake is coming right out of the basket," Luke warned.

"It's an isolated case," Lorelai said with a serious nod.

Logan looked almost satisfied and went off to get Colin and Finn.

"Oh my God, what- why- what did he do that for?" Rory exclaimed.

"I don't know, honey…don't you?" Lorelai asked.

"No! I mean…well, I guess, but no!" Rory said. "I mean, he knows Logan has money. Doesn't he know Logan has money? Not that it's about money, but still!" she rambled.

"I'll be right back," said Luke. He went off to find Jess.

Rory and Lorelai sat there with their chins in their hands.

"Men," Lorelai said.

"You said it," Rory agreed.

Logan's cell phone rang. "Logan Huntzberger," he answered.

"Logan!" Richard said.

"Richard! Nice to hear from you," Logan said. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to extend my condolences; I hear your father's in stable condition, though," Richard said.

"Thank you, yes, he's doing much better," said Logan easily, inwardly twinging.

"Yes, well, that's not all, actually. I was wondering if you could stop by the club tomorrow; there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Anything serious?" Logan asked, remembering Rory's visit with his mother.

"Good Lord, no. Nothing for you to worry about. Just something you need to be aware of, that's all. We'll have lunch and then go for a round of golf, if you're interested."

"Sounds great, Richard," Logan said, suddenly very interested.

"Great. At noon, then?"

"Noon it is," Logan replied. "Goodbye, sir."

"Goodbye, Logan."

Yay for basket bidding. Are you having fun yet?