Rory and Jess arrived at the Gilmore house late Thursday night after long hours at the hospital. Luke was doing better, but was still very tired and weak and he slept most of the time they were at the hospital. His doctors said he'd have to remain in the hospital at least another week.

The next day was Friday. Earlier in the week Lorelai had spoken to Emily and Richard about Luke's heart attack and that she intended to stay at his side until he was stronger. The elder Gilmores understood and said they'd be happy to see Rory for Friday night dinner. Little did they know she was bringing Jess.

"I'm still not sure it's the best idea to spring this on your grandparents," Jess said as Rory helped lift his legs into bed that night.

"Jess, either way they'll probably say no," Rory sighed. "But after last time…"

Jess touched her arm as she finished pulling up the covers over his legs, "I promise you it won't be like last time."

Rory giggled as she recalled the story Jess had recently relayed. "I still can't believe you got beaked."

"That's why I didn't tell you," Jess defended. "You're still laughing at me."

"It's funny," Rory justified sitting beside him on the bed. "You comfortable?" she asked.

"Yes" he nodded. "I'll be more comfortable with you next to me."

Rory blushed at the memory. "Last night was nice."

"Yes it was," he leaned in to kiss her. "Get changed. I'll be here."

Rory had slept beside Jess the previous night, his arms around her, holding her close. When Jess back spasmed and he awoke in pain, Rory awoke with him, held his hands until he relaxed and the muscles relaxed.

It killed Rory to see Jess in that kind of pain and the long hours in the wheelchair and the stress of Luke's illness and the foreclosure of the diner didn't make it easier on him.

Rory prayed her grandparents would understand. She prayed they'd understand how special the diner was to Luke, how much she and Jess needed their help. If the diner was lost, Rory feared Luke would be lost with it. That place was his family, his father's legacy; they couldn't let Luke lose that.

Meanwhile, across town Lorelai was keeping her vigil at Luke's bedside. He was sleeping again, his left hand was cradled inside hers. It was pale, his face was pale, his entire body was weak and pale and that scared Lorelai to death. Luke was not weak, he was strong he was her rock, everyone's rock, but now…All Lorelai wanted was for him to be all right, to recover and for things to be normal again. The piece of paper in her hand through meant that would never be; nothing would ever be the same again.

Lorelai lifted Luke's hand and kissed it, tears stinging her eyes and streaming down her cheeks. She would have to tell him there was no choice in that. Lorelai's fear though was that would literally be the nail in his coffin.

Lorelai heard the click of heels on the hospital floor. It was a common sound here, many of the men on this floor had successful wives that wore heels 24 hours a day so the sound of the heels did not startle her, but the voice that belongs to them did.

"Lorelai," Emily greeted her daughter in her customary way. Lorelai looked up at the door, not even trying to hide her tears.

"Hi, Mom," she said, her voice husky with emotion.

"Lorelai, how is Luke?" Emily asked noting her baby's tears and as any mother would in spite of their complicated relationship.

"He's better. He's sleeping," Lorelai replied wiping her eyes. "Um, I don't want to disturb him."

Emily looked a bit upset. She's come to see her daughter. She'd known for a long time that Lorelai and Luke had a very special relationship. She had known from Rory's sixteenth birthday that the two were in love. Lorelai's pain at Luke's illness only confirmed it.

Emily remembered when Richard was in the hospital. Thank God it was only angina, but it tore her apart. Luke while younger was in a far more serious condition. It had to be Hell for her daughter and she wanted to be a mother to her child and help her through it.

"Oh," Emily sighed. "All right. I just…"

Lorelai rose and cut her off. "I just meant maybe we could talk over coffee."

Emily couldn't help but give Lorelai a small smile. "The cafeteria looked nice," she replied and waited for Lorelai to precede her down the hallway.

On their way to the cafeteria Lorelai left word with Luke's nurse as to where she would be in case he'd awaken and need her.

Once they were seated in the cafeteria Emily broke the heavy silence. "I don't understand it, Lorelai. Luke was always so health conscious."

"I know but his doctors say its genetic. His parents both died young of cancer, but stil…" Lorelai trailed off and wiped her eyes. "He isn't getting better, Mom and when I tell…"

Lorelai couldn't continue. She couldn't ask her mother that kind of favor twice. It was best Emily didn't know.

"Tell what?" Emily asked. "Is there something else?"

"Um, it's Jess," Lorelai fibbed. "He's still being really stubborn about his therapy and… Jess' condition is very hard for Luke," Lorelai confessed. "Even more than Rory I think. It's a complex Luke has." She sipped her coffee.

"I never liked Jess much but I admit I do admire his courage," Emily stated. "Especially when it comes to his encouraging Rory to continue at Yale."

"Jess loves Rory, Mom," Lorelai said simply. "It's killing him seeing Luke like this. He blames himself."

Lorelai studied her hands; the foreclosure notice was still there as if she couldn't put it down. If Luke saw that paper tears began just thinking about it.

Emily followed her daughter's eyes, her tears and her gaze fell on the page in Lorelai's hand. In therapy with Richard, Emily learned not to push or pry so she didn't ask about its contents.

Instead as Lorelai's tears grew into sobs she moved to put her arms around her daughter. "It'll be all right Lorelai," she murmured the at of comforting foreign to her.

"I can't lose him, Mommy," she sobbed. "I need him. He…I need him and I'm losing him and I don't know…he'd never let this happen to me," she sobbed. "How could I let this happen?"

"Lorelai," Emily admonished. "You couldn't have known this would happen. It was jut one of those things. Luke knows that and you know that."

Lorelai sniffed, her mother's words not completely registering in her head. "And now when he finds out about the diner, that will kill him, Mom."

Emily was about to question that comment when the nurse from Luke's floor came for Lorelai. "Ms. Gilmore, Mr. Danes is awake. He wants to see you."

"Thank you, Sarah," Lorelai smiled. "I better get back." Lorelai quickly rose, but before she left she embraced her mother. "Thanks Mom. Rory and Jess will see you tomorrow night and I'll call you during the week."

"All right, Lorelai," Emily said. "Give Luke our best."

Emily watched Lorelai walk away. For the first time in many years, she felt like a mother. She felt as if Lorelai needed needed her support and it felt good to be in that toel again. In fact, Emily was pretty certain that was one of the most maternal moments in her relationship with her daughter and that connection uplifted her. It was a very precious moment, so precious Lorelai's comment about Jess accompanied Rory was lost on her.

Lorelai smiled as she entered Luke's room. "Hey, you're awake."

"Yeah," he said, his voice hoarse from disuse and soft from his weakness. "You're usually here when I wake up," he said. "What's wrong?" he asked noticing the tear tracks on her cheeks.

"Nothing," Lorelai said. "I just…it's just difficult seeing you in the hospital."

"Not much fun on my end either," Luke sighed. "I'm the one who's afraid of hospitals."

"I know," Lorelai whispered. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"

"Chest is still a bit sore, but I'm not as tired," Luke replied. "You on the other hand…you look exhausted." He reached out fore her hand and squeezed it. "You should go home and get some rest."

Lorelai shook her head. "Not until you are well enough to come home too. I won't leave you here, Luke." Her eyes misted again and she raised his hand to her lips.

"Lorelai, that's sweet but if you don't take care of yourself, you'll be in here," Luke gently scolded.

Lorelai blushed slightly. "It's not such a hardship, being with you," she sighed. "And Jess is excellent company."

Lorelai shook her head, "You settled him Luke. You gave him so much, and he does appreciate it."

Luke sighed and studied their clasped hands. "Jess is family," he replied simply, saying so much in that statement. "My Dad would be proud to know his legacy went for his grandson. And hey, I can do a lot of things right? Maybe Tom…"

Lorelai couldn't let him continue on this track. It was bad for his heart, his spirit and hers. So Lorelai did what she always dreamed of doing, kissing Luke midrant.

Luke was shocked at Lorelai's actions but he relished in the feel of her lips on his whne she pulled back, she met his gaze full on. "Now, you listen to me Lucas Danes, when you get out of here and get well, you won't be working anywhere but in your diner. That's a promise."

Luke couldn't argue with Lorelai's tone or position in this frame of mind so he didn't say anything in response to her declaration. He just leaned back, closed his eyes, and surrendered to another wave of sleep.

Friday night brought Rory and a very nervous Jess to the elder Gilmore's front door. For the tenth time that night Jess was tugging at the knot in his tie. Rory slapped his hand, "Jess, leave your tie alone and stop fidgeting."

"I'm sorry," he hissed. "I'm nervous all right."

"Don't worry," Rory comforted. "You all ready promised it won't be a repeat of last time." The door knob turned. "Show time."

"Rory, I'm so glad you've…" Emily paused when she saw her granddaughter had company. "Jess, it's…nice to see you again. Please come in."

Rory and Jess entered into the older Gilmore home, and Jess once again fidgeted with his tie. "Jess," Rory scolded.

Rory helped Jess maneuver his chair around the thick oriental rugs and showed him to the living room.

"Would you like a drink Jess?" Emily asked.

"Um, do you have ginger ale, Mrs. Gilmore?" Jess asked politely. It earned him a smile from Rory.

"I believe I do," Emily replied. "Rory, would you help me please?"

Rory kissed Jess quickly on the lips and rose to follow her grandmother out of the room.

"Why didn't you tell me he was coming?" Emily asked.

"I was afraid you'd tell me not to bring him," Rory replied. "And if he didn't come, I couldn't come."

"Why not?" Emily asked.

"Because Luke's in the hospital and Mom is busy taking care of him. Jess can't be left by himself for very long," Rory replied. After last time, I was nervous you wouldn't let me bring him."

"You should have told us," Emily maintained. "Jess didn't do very well the last time he was here."

"I know," Rory agreed. "But Jess grew up a lot since then. California and living on his own in New York changed him. The accident changed him," Rory told her. "And I love him more than I ever thought I could, seeing this new side of him. Please Grandma, give him another chance."

Emily sighed. She didn't like her granddaughter's rebel boyfriend. Jess was a lower class, not very motivated, but at least once you got under the image there was a glimmer of intellect. And Rory saw that.

"All right," Emily acquiesced. "Are there any areas I shouldn't mention? I mean, is he…" her voice lowered, "sensitive about his injury?"

Rory shook her head. "Not really. Just don't baby him."

When Emily and Rory returned they found Richard and Jess in conversation.

"Exactly what I say," Richard nodded. "Women just cannot appreciate the genius that is Jack Kerouac."

"Rory appreciates that well enough," Jess acknowledged. "Ernest Hemingway…"

"Hey," Rory protested. "No fair turning my grandfather against me."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Jess smirked and his eyes danced.

"This is a very interesting young man, Rory," Richard said. "So far, I approve."

Rory smiled and sat on the settee next to Jess' chair. "He's very smart when he's not being obnoxious."

"I am never obnoxious," Jess argued with feigned hurt.

Rory feigned shock. "Oh, he's obnoxious."

The new improved Jess Mariano was at ease in conversation with Richard and slowly as she observed his new more mature attitude, he won over Emily. Well, as much as anyone could win over Emily.

The meal passed successfully, conversation never stalling. Tension mounted as the dessert course was served however because Rory began to turn the conversation toward money.

"Grandma, Grandpa," Rory began. "Jess and I have something we need your help with."

"Of course, Rory," Richard replied. "Whatever you need."

"It's a really huge favor, Mr. Gilmore," Jess said. "I'd like to explain it before we commit to anything."

"By all means," said Emily. "What is this favor?"

"Well, my Uncle Luke is in the hospital now as you know and that's partially my fault because…"

"Jess, don't do that," Rory scolded.

"Sorry," Jess sighed. "Paying for the accident, the surgery, the hospital, the therapy used all of his savings so he mortgaged his diner."

"Luke mortgaged the diner?" Emily said in surprise. "He loves the diner, it's his link to his father. At least that's what he led me to believe."

"It's true, Grandma," Rory affirmed. "But he loves Jess more."

"I hope you appreciate it, Jess," Emily scolded.

"Believe me Mrs. Gilmore, I appreciate everything Uncle Luke has done for me before and now. That's why I wanted to be the one to do this," Jess explained. "The mortgage has been called now, and just…he has run out of time to pay it back."

"And you want us to give him a loan to pay it back?" Emily asked.

"No, Grandma, it's not that simple," Rory explained. "Luke's diner has all ready been forclosed on. Jess and I…we want to ask you for a loan to by the diner at auction. Luke can buy it back from us when he gets on his feet," Rory sighed. "Please, we can't let Taylor buy it. That'll kill Luke."

"Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore," Jess picked up. "We know it's a lot to ask and Lorelai and Luke don't know we're asking so no pressure. But please, please at least think about it."

There was silence in the room for a few moments the only audible sound was the beating of expectant hearts.

Finally Richard spoke, "Jess, you bid as high as you need to to keep that diner in the family. You shall have help from us to pay the fee."

"Thank you, Sir," Jess said sincerely, leaning over to kiss Rory. "This means so much to…you don't know how much this means to us."

Richard and Emily exchanged a glance, and then Richard looked at the light in his granddaughter's eyes as she held her boyfriend close. "Yes I do," he replied. "We most certainly do."

Next: Rory is set to return to Yale, which caused yet another backslide for Jess. Luke recovers more fully with Lorelai who seeks help from Dr. Camden in regards to Jess' attitude.