Luke made Dr. Cameron aware of Jess' wishes after Jess dozed off again. He went back to the man's office to retrieve Rory and to tell the therapist and the doctor that tomorrow morning, if Jess had not changed his mind, he would be taking his nephew home. Dr. Cameron told Luke that he wanted Drs. Camden and Davis to be made aware of Jess' wishes as well, and that before he signed discharge papers, he wanted the doctors to meet with Jess' family and his staff members. Drs. Camden and Davis had been explicit in their wish for Jess to undergo two weeks of inpatient therapy before being release. Jess was no where near that goal. Thus, the meeting was set for the following morning.

Luke and Rory drove back to Stars Hollow, Luke went to the diner and Rory went home. Luke knew that within minutes of his arriving back in the shop, the girls would be in, so he made a fresh pot of coffee.

"Mom!" Rory called. "I'm home."

"Hey, hon," Lorelai greeted coming in from the kitchen. "You're early. I didn't expect you until ten."

Rory sighed, "I know. Jess was really tired. He's asleep all ready." Rory told her mother as her voice began to crack.

Lorelai rushed to Rory and pulled her into a hug, "What happened, Babe?"

"I got there early," Rory began. "I got there early and Jess' door was still closed. It was all ready five minutes to six so I walked in to see if he was napping…" Rory trailed off as fresh tears started. She took a deep breath for composure. "But he wasn't napping. He was still doing his therapy.

Lorelai thought she understood. It was hard for Rory to see Jess struggle in therapy. The back and leg pain he experience almost constantly was intensified by the demands the regimen made on his body. She understood it would eventually help Jess out but still it was hard on her.

"Oh, Sweetie," Lorelai consoled. "You know the therapy is for Jess' own good. You want him to get better, right?'

"Yes," Rory replied. "You don't understand, Mom."

"I do, Rory," Lorelai assured her. At least she thought she did. "I know you don't like seeing Jess so tired or in pain, but it has to be, Babe. That's how he'll learn to be on his own."

"Mom, when I walked in, Jess was on the floor. The floor! He…they let him fall, Mom," Rory cried.

"That's part of the process, Sweetie. You fell a bunch of times when you learned to walk," Lorelai soothed. "That's what Jess is doing, but it is harder for adults."

Rory pulled out of Lorelai's embrace. She didn't understand at al. Rory brushed her tears away and tried to explain. "Yes, but when I fell you always picked me up. No one did that for Jess. No one. He just left him there and made him get up by himself."

"Rory," Lorelai interjected. "If Jess falls and Luke is out, he needs to know how to get up on his own."

"I know that," Rory insisted. "But they tried to make him do something he wasn't ready to do and he wanted to go back to bed. Because he didn't want to do their stupid exercise, that Jerry guy wouldn't help him lie down. He tried Mom, but he was so tired and Jerry wouldn't help him." Rory was ranting now, letting her anger flow out. "He tried to get up like he learned, but he couldn't do it. He was so tired and he…so I said I'd help him. At first he didn't want me to, he said I'd hurt myself. He fell asleep on the floor."

Now, Lorelai understood. Rory had come up close with the depth of Jess' dependence and he'd rejected her off of help. Rory hated seeing Jess hurting and she'd been given a hearty helping of it lately.

"What happened after that?" Lorelai asked.

"Well, before he fell asleep down there, I tried to help him, but I only ended up hurting him. Then he fell asleep while he was talking to me," Rory confessed. "After that, I got all crazy of Jerry and he touched my shoulder and I started yelling at him. That's when Luke showed up and he put Jess in bed," Rory paused for a breath. "After that, we went into Dr. Cameron's office and talked to him, but that got us nowhere."

"Wow!" Lorelai was surprised. Dr. Cameron seemed reasonable, but St. Barbara's was a tough hospital. "How's Luke?"

"Um, actually he's probably waiting for us at the diner. I told him we'd stop bye. Let's walk and talk," Rory suggested, her mind working better after she let out her anger. "It was something. I've never seen controlled angry Luke before, only aggravated ranting Luke."

"Is controlled anger Luke scary?" Lorelai asked with a mock shudder.

"Kind of. He speaks really low and menacing like," Rory described. "Mental not to avoid making Luke that angry."

"Well said, Sister Suffragette," Lorelai agreed as she and Rory walked arm in arm to the diner.

Luke jumped right back into diner work when he got back. He had to occupy his mind, he couldn't think about what tomorrow would bring. He wasn't prepared for Jess. The apartment was too small, it was not handicap accessible, but still he hadn't the time to find another place.

About half an hour later, Lorelai and Rory walked in. He hadn't told Rory about Jess' desire to come home. He wasn't sure how she'd take it.

"Hey. Coffee?" Luke asked, filling up their cups before they responded.

"Hey, Luke," Lorelai greeted. "It's slow."

"Yeah, has been since Jess' accident," Luke replied.

"Wonder why?" Lorelai mused as Rory sipped her coffee.

"Well," said Luke in a tone signifying he was about to rant. "Some suggest it is to give me more free time to visit Jess at the hospital, meaning Patty. Others, Kirk, say it's because I'm keeping irregular hours, which is not true. Still others, Babette and Morey say it's because everyone is trying that new burger place that opened up across the square. But earlier, I found out those were all excuses. That really, Taylor is the one behind the slow down," Luke paused for breath.

"Splain, Lucy," Lorelai quoted.

Luke rolled his eyes, but did so. "I went to the market to get some whipped cream and flour, and Taylor is his haughtiest tone told me that people weren't coming in the diner anymore because they didn't want their money to go to pay for Jess' care," Luke started to laugh a bit, which worried Lorelai. "He said the hoodlum deserved everything he got. And that he refused to be a hypocrite and pretend her cared just because Jess got hurt."

Lorelai and Rory sat stunned at Luke's revelation. Luke had always been there for the town. He didn't care for the festivals or charities, but still he supported Stars Hollow. Luke's Diner was a staple, a landmark. If the diner was in trouble, if Luke was in trouble…Lorelai tried to think of a way to console him. She was so deep in thought she didn't see Rory leave the diner in haste.

"Luke," Lorelai said gently. "I'm sure that's not true. That was just Taylor being a jerk."

"And now…Jess is coming home," Luke blurted out. "And I have no suitable place for him to stay."

Lorelai looked toward Rory was, no where Rory had been sitting, but her stool was now empty. "Where did Rory go?"

"She left a minute ago," Luke supplied. He was surprised he'd seen Rory leave and Lorelai had not.

Lorelai nodded almost sure she knew where Rory had gone. And she pitied Taylor for a split second.

"Luke, why is Jess coming home tomorrow? Isn't he supposed to stay in rehab another six days?"

"He's tired, Lorelai," Luke replied. "He's tired of that place and he wants to come home. I couldn't say no. You didn't see what I…not even Rory saw the look in his eyes," Luke sighed.

Lorelai tried to understand. Luke was Mr. Fix-It and he couldn't fix this. He all ready subscribed to Dr. Camden's prognosis and he didn't want his nephew, who had suffered in some way most of his life to suffer anymore. What Luke didn't realize was that to give in to Jess now would harm him more than it would help him.

"Is that really a good idea, Luke?" Lorelai asked. "Is Jess able to manage his disability?"

"It seems like it. The therapist said yesterday he was learning fast. I can help him with the rest,' Luke said on a sigh.

"Luke about a place to live…" Lorelai began.

"Nope. Can't do it, Lorelai," Luke cut her off. "I cannot move in with you and Rory. Can't, just can't."

"I know," Lorelai sighed. That would be the easy solution. They, she and Rory, could help with Jess. Jess could get in and out on by himself, he could go from the kitchen to the bathroom to the bedroom at his leisure, but Luke was too proud to accept that help. "But I had another idea."

"I'm listening," said Luke.

"Well, Sookie and I still owe you about $25,000 from that loan. You need a bigger place, all on one floor with a stall shower and we really can't afford to pay you for awhile, so…" Lorelai paused. "She and I think it would work out if you and Jess moved into Room 12 for free."

"Lorelai, I'm not going to stay at your Inn for no money," Luke protested.

"It wouldn't be for no money," she countered. "It would be deducted off what we owe you in loans. This will really help us out. Come on, Luke. What do you say?"

Luke knew what Lorelai was doing. She was craftily soothing his pride by making it seem like she needed him to cut her a break. "All right," Luke agreed. "But only until I find a better place."

"Agreed," Lorelai affirmed with a nod of her head.

Just then, the bell to Luke's jingled and Taylor ushered Rory in through the door. She was struggling against his arms still yelling at him, "What happened to community? What happened to the decency of small town America?"

"What happened to respecting your elders?" Taylor countered.

"Went out the window! Now I only respect those who earn it! And you didn't! Hey, let me go!" Rory shrieked, throwing a fit reminiscent of the one at Chilton many moons ago.

"Taylor!" Luke shouted when he saw Rory pulling her arm out of Taylor's grasp and yelling. "What are you doing?"

Taylor released Rory and held up both hands to protect himself from Luke. "Now Luke. She started it."

Lorelai heard that and advanced on Taylor. "She started it? What are you twelve years old?"

Lorelai snapped. "If anything you started it!"

Taylor ignored that. "Lorelai, you should show Rory better manners. She had no respect for her elders." He paused. "She used to, but since that hood…"

Taylor didn't get to finish his sentence. Luke pulled back his arm, clenched a fist and hit Taylor square in the nose, knocking the older man down. Taylor lay prone on the floor, Luke standing over him, his voice taking on that low menacing tone he'd used in the hospital. "For over a year you made it difficult for me to keep Jess around here. You judged, you accused, you gossiped so everyone would hate him before they even gave him a chance. Time and again you called him names, made jibes, and over and over again, I let it go. I turned the other cheek, all four of them. Today alone, you spread rumors about me and my business, you insulted my nephew again, you manhandled Rory, and you insulted Lorelai. No one gets away with that Taylor! No one."

Taylor got up, wiped the blood away from his nose and said still condescending, "Your father would be so disappointed in you."

"Correction," Luke snapped. "Dad would be disappointed if I let you…no one insults my family, Taylor."

Taylor turned and left the diner, his indignance unswayed by his bloodied nose. Luke looked at Lorelai and Rory, his eyes filled with remorse at having behaved that way in front of them.

"Are you all right, Luke?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah, fine. Are you all right? Rory?"

"Fine, Luke," Rory replied. "Thank you."

Luke pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Lorelai. "Finish your coffee, and then lock up," Luke instructed. "I have to lie down."

With that, Luke turned and headed upstairs, hearing Lorelai say, "You're right. Definitely make mental notes not to make Luke that angry," as he closed the door.

Luke couldn't believe what he had done. He'd actually punched Taylor. Taylor made him angry before, but he'd never lost control. Today he'd done it twice.

Luke opened the drawer where he kept his financial papers. Jess' insurance covered a percentage of St. Barbara's bill and a percentage of the hospital bills. Still the medical bills were astronomical. Between that and the money it would cost for equipment for Jess, he had to mortgage the diner.

Doing his usual steady business, even with paying Caesar, Lane, and Rory he would have been able to meet the monthly payments with ease. Now, with business falling off he'd have to fire all of his help to make ends meet and that was if business didn't get worse. Either way, if things didn't get better, in six months, Stars Hollow would see the end of Luke's diner. He'd have to do something. He had to think of something. He couldn't now, his brain ached. All he could do all he wanted to do was sleep.

Lorelai and Rory locked up and started walking home. "Rory, did you know Luke was bringing Jess home tomorrow?" Lorelai asked.

"No, but I'm glad," Rory smiled.

"Hon, what happened between you and Taylor?" Lorelai asked.

"After Luke said what he heard I felt…I don't know really protective of Jess. So I confronted Taylor and…well you saw," Rory sighed.

"Rory," Lorelai began. "I don't want you to answer this until you really think about it, okay?" When Rory nodded Lorelai continued, "Are you feeling the way you do about Jess because you still care about him or because you feel sorry for him? I mean would you be so protective and devoted even if he wasn't…you know, paralyzed?"

Rory opened her mouth to reply but closed it. Lorelai told her to really think about the question, which essentially was, "Did the feeling in her heart equal pity or love?"

They walked awhile in silence before Lorelai spoke again, "I'm worried about Luke."

"Me too. So is Jess," Rory replied. "Luke's smart, though. He'll let us know if he needs us," Rory tried reassure Lorelai. She only wished she believe herself.

Luke picked Lorelai and Rory up the next morning and drove out to St. Barbara's. Dr. Camden was meeting them at nine to discuss Jess' early release. Jess was dressed in his regulation street garb, jeans, tee shirt, and black socks. He still couldn't bear the weight of shoes. He was all ready in Dr. Cameron's office with Dr. Camden, Jerry and Harriet when Luke, Lorelai, and Rory arrived.

"Good morning," Rory greeted Jess, giving him a kiss. "You look better."

"I feel better," Jess replied moving his chair so he could sit next Rory and hold her hand.

"Good," Dr. Cameron began. "Now we can begin. Jess, your Uncle tells us you want to leave St. Barbara's early and go home. Is that right?"

"That about sums it up," Jess replied.

"Why?" Dr. Cameron asked.

"Because I feel like it," Jess responded.

"Jess," Rory warned. "Don't be evasive. Tell us."

"Well, I guess I got out of it all I'll get out of it," Jess replied. "I guess I realize I'm not going to get better any faster here than at home."

"Matt, I told Luke and Jess I won't release him without your say so," Dr. Cameron said.

"Dr. Camden, if you saw Jess last night…They overworked him so much he fell down and was so exhausted that he couldn't do the same maneuver he did the day before," Luke explained. "And this guy wouldn't even help him up." Luke indicated Jerry.

"St. Barbara's fosters independence, Luke," Dr. Cameron reminded him.

"Does it also foster torture?" Luke argued. "This poor kid…"

Jess was listening to the words around him. Dr. Cameron and Luke arguing back and forth, talking about him and around him, not to him. He let go of Rory's hand and wiped his palms on his legs.

"You can't let Jess give up so easily," Dr. Camden tried to reason. "My sister wanted to…"

Jess had enough of this, "Damn it! I'm in the room or did you forget that fact while you all talk about me like I'm a rotted side of meat? I'm the patient here, it's my body, and I'm the one who decides whether I stay or go. Me! None of you! I want to go home! I'm never going to get any better, so I should stop pretending. And don't," he looked at Rory, "tell me I will if I work hard because you know that's not true. Everybody does. Ultimately, the decision lies with me, none of you. I'm going home."

With that, Jess maneuvered his wheelchair and left the office stunned. Rory rose to go after him, to comfort him, but Lorelai stopped her. "Wait a minute, Hon. Let me go."

Lorelai left the office and headed after Jess. He needed a mother right now, he needed reality and encouragement. He didn't need Luke's tough love or Rory's soft caresses. He needed plain unvarnished facts, and who better to give those out that Lorelai.

Jess had wheeled himself back to his room. He had to hide out, to get away from everyone. He didn't want to see anyone or talk to anyone. He just wanted to go back to Luke's, back to Stars Hollow. That was something that he'd never think to want. It seemed thought that once he finally got back to Stars Hollow, he could start adjusting to this new life. He didn't want to give up hope that by some miracle of some deity out there that he'd walk again.

Jess turned his chair around when he heard the door squeak opened. Before he saw who came through the door he said, "Not now, Rory."

"Good," Lorelai answered. "I'm not Rory."

"Okay then," Jess sighed. "Not now, Lorelai."

Lorelai ignored Jess and moved further into the room. "Jess, it's not fair what they are doing in there, talking about you like you aren't in the room. But, they love you, Kid. They want what's best for you."

Jess shrugged, "It's my opinion that matters, though. Isn't it?"

Lorelai laughed gently and shook her head. "Nope, not when Luke's involved. You said it. Although I didn't agree with the way you said it. He has to fix everything Jess, and he can't fix this. That's why he's fighting so hard and making all the decisions."

"It's not just Luke. I know Luke. I know why he's doing it. It's the doctors and the therapists. Sure, they know their craft, but they don't know what it's like. They have no idea."

Lorelai frowned, "I know. When I was pregnant with Rory and had to leave school my friends tried to say, 'Oh, we understand.' There was nothing I hated hearing more than that. No one can understand unless they've been there. But, these doctors and these therapists work all the time with people who have been there. They do know how to help you Jess. They just can't sympathize with you and that's why you need. Isn't it?"

Jess studied his knees. He felt his eyes starting to water. He wouldn't do this, he would not cry in front of Lorelai. "I think…I just…I need to know that my life isn't over. I need to know that I can still do things with my life," he told her. "I need to know that this," he indicated his chair, "is just an assistive device, not a prison. It feels like a prison."

Lorelai leaned over a bit and hugged Jess gently as he continued, "And Luke…he can't…it's not fair to him to have me…and Rory…"

"Rory is your biggest champion, Jess. She always was, from day one, she was your advocate," Lorelai told him. "And she wants to be that now."

"I don't want that. I don't want her to be my "advocate." I want…never mind. I want to go home, back to Stars Hollow. I want to work in the diner and read on the bridge. That's it."

Lorelai nodded, "What about the therapy Jess? You have to keep working to stay independent. Promise me that if I go back in there and tell them what you've told me, promise that you'll work to keep yourself strong and healthy so you are swinging around the house like Tarzan."

Jess smiled a small smile, "I won't give up. I just can't stay here."

Lorelai nodded with understanding and rose. "Okay, then. I'll fix this, you just calm down okay."

Jess nodded again and watched Lorelai approach the door way. "Why are you doing this?" Jess asked. "You don't even like me."

"I didn't like you. You changed Jess. I see the person Rory saw and Luke. And I like that person," Lorelai told him.

Lorelai smiled once again at Jess and headed down the hallway back to the office. She walked in, and everyone stopped talking. Lorelai stood in the center of the room, put her hands on her hips and spoke firmly, "Okay, here's how it is going to be. Jess agrees to continue to work at home. He wants his life back to normal, he wants to go home. He's in decent health aside from the nerve issue which you can't help anyway. And bottom line, no matter what you think," she looked at Dr. Cameron, "or what he thinks." She then looked at Dr. Camden, "Jess is the patient. Period. So, we can stand all day and debate this, or one of you lovely gentlemen can sign the release papers and send him home. I have all day. I'll wait."

With that Lorelai sat down and crossed her legs.

"We only want him to have the best chances. We understand how hard it is…"

Lorelai cut Dr. Cameron off. "No, you don't. None of us do. If Jess could talk to someone who really did know, maybe he'd feel better, but for now, he'll do better at home."

Dr. Camden let the wheels turn in his head. He knew what this patient needed. He needed reassurance that he could still live a normal life. And Matt knew how to make that happen if the time came. For now, he'd let him go home.