Diagnosis
But I have money! The minute the words escaped his lips Logan felt stupid. The doctor just stared at Logan quietly, a sad gleam in his eye. He knew the Huntzburger's well and to deliver such a diagnosis just about broke his heart. Logan shook his head, refusing to believe the inevitable. For the first time in his life the amount of money he had made no difference. The diagnosis wouldn't have changed if they had been living on the streets or living in the White House. What's the point in making money then? Logan had asked himself furiously. What's the point in working so hard if money can't even do anything to help people, or to save a life, to save Rory's life? Logan sighed heavily in an attempt to regain some of his composure. He was Logan Huntzburger; his name alone was supposed to represent courage and strength and now was one of those times he had been bred for. He had been raised knowing how to handle tragedies, or more specifically, other people's tragedies. Family tragedies were kept mum and if they had to be leaked out then they were handled quickly. Something in his gut had told him that this kind of tragedy wasn't what he had been trained for.
"And, you're sure? There's nothing we can do?" Rory's voice was quiet and strained, as if she were still grasping at one last hope that maybe the doctor had been wrong. The doctor had seemed to soften under her hopeful tone and placed a hand on her thin shoulder.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Huntzburger. It has spread far too quickly. Now all we can do is wait—," the doctor had stopped suddenly as if realizing what he had been about to say. A single tear had slid down Rory's porcelain face as she finally admitted to defeat. Logan leaped to his feet in fury, not willing to give up.
"Now all we can do is wait for Rory to die? Is that what you were going to say? You aren't even going to try and save her? What kind of doctor are you? I should have your license revoked for—," Rory held up her hand to stop Logan before he said anything else.
"It's okay Logan, it's not his fault. He's just doing his job," Rory had said gently, sliding off of the exam table. Logan watched in horror as Rory put on her coat, gathering her purse and sunglasses, preparing to leave. Was she really going to leave? Logan thought incredulously. Was she really going to give up so quickly? Rory said a few more words to the doctor but Logan hear none of it. He was too focused on his wife. Sure Rory has lost a lot of weight in the past few months but she's gaining it back, Logan assured himself, ignoring how Rory's clothes seemed to pool around her slim frame. She has looked pale but her color has been coming back, Logan thought, maybe there could be some mistake—Logan knew it was ridiculous trying to reason out of the doctor's diagnosis. This was real, not some elaborate prank by Finn, unless—no, Logan told himself, even Finn had some morals.
"Are you ready?" Rory asked, heading towards the door. Logan snapped back to reality, pausing to gather his bearings. No, he thought, I don't think I'll ever be ready. Still, he grabbed for his coat, heading out the door with Rory one step ahead of him. They walked to the car in silence and climbed in. Logan started up the engine, ignoring how heavily everything was weighing down on the both of them.
"I don't know if I can handle this Rory, watching you die," Logan said suddenly, turning to Rory as the engine idled loudly. Rory didn't look at him but rather stared thoughtfully out the window. She pulled her coat on tighter around her body, soaking in the warmth. Her breathing was slow and methodical. She sat in silence for so long that Logan began to question whether or not he had actually voiced his thoughts aloud. Logan opened his mouth to repeat his statement but Rory held up her hand. Turning to face her husband, Rory prepared to speak.
"We'll get through it," she said softly, her voice melting into a whisper. After a moment's pause she turned away from her husband, her eyes returning to the scene outside her window. Logan shifted into reverse and headed out of the parking lot, his fears momentarily calmed by Rory's answer. We'll get through it, Logan assured himself, picking up the pace as he headed out towards the main street, we always have before.