Disclaimer: I do not own this.

A/N: So, here is a new chapter. YAY!

Chapter Twenty Two: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

"I can't believe you're still going to class," Rory replied with awe, watching her very pregnant friend waddle her way through the crowds. They were heading to Enviornmental Science and were, as usual, a bit late.

"Well, I still want to graduate on time so I'm making up for the classes I'll miss once the little one comes. Besides, I thought you would be thrilled I was going to class," Rory smiled.

"I am, it's just that I'm worried you're overworking yourself," Stephanie threw her hand in the air, seemingly hitting away the problem.

"Oh relax, I'm pregnant, not dying," Rory couldn't help but admire her friend's courage. If she was in that situation she would be freaking out. Stephanie though was a very different person from Rory. She was relaxed and sure of her life, she had everything put together. Even though the baby was unplanned it still somehow fit into her plan. The girls walked into the large lecture hall, Stephanie sitting near an exit to prepare for her several runs to the bathroom. She had reached the point in pregnancy where the mother pees every twenty minutes and for her it seemed to be every ten.

"See, I made it," Stephanie replied, her voice breathy.

"Yes, yes you did," The teacher began to lecture and Rory became immersed in the lesson. The teacher was an animated one, making something as banal as the greenhouse effect seem as tantalizing as a soap opera. Rory didn't even notice Stephanie leave, too focused on the talented man before her.

"Alright class, that will be all. Bring that essay next week, typed and no more than double spaced. I may be old but I am not blind," Rory packed up her belongings, noticing that Stephanie wasn't next to her. She saw that all of her stuff was still there but the owner was missing. After waiting for a few minutes she headed to the bathroom to check if Stephanie was okay. The moment she entered she heard her friend's muffled sobs.

"Steph, are you okay?"

"No," She saw her friend doubled over in the handicap stall, the floor below her wet.

"Stephanie," She looked up at her friend meekly, grimacing in friend.

"Uh Rory, baby is coming,"

Rory sat with the rest of the group in the local hospital, anxiously awaiting the doctor's return. It had been an hour already and nobody was telling her anything. She wasn't family and the nurses were adamant with the rules. Basically she was helpless. Her thoughts were interrupted by the squeezing of her hand, Rory realizing for the first time that Logan was holding it.

"Hey, everything is going to be okay," She looked over at Colin, noticing his pale face and shaking hands.

"Are you sure of that?" He followed her gaze and frowned.

"The doctors are doing everything they can. We just need to trust them now," Rory shook her head, grabbing her cell phone from her pocket.

"No, I can't just sit here and do nothing," She stood up, starting to walk away.

"Ace, what are you doing?"

"I'm calling Paris," He nodded, looking down at his hands.

"Tell me what she says," She hurried off, dialing Paris's number.

"Hello?"

"Paris, I need to ask you something,"

"You sound terrible,"

"Stephanie is in the hospital. She just went into labor,"

"Oh, I'm sorry Rory," She felt her eyes filling with tears and quickly wiped them away. This was no time for her to be weak.

"Paris, what are its odds?"

"Its odds?"

"The baby's, what are the odds that it will live?"

"How early is she?"

"One month," Rory responded, wiping away the few tears that had escaped the confines of her eyes. She heard Paris's sharp intake of breath and immediatly knew it was bad.

"Rory...," She heard the apprehension in her voice and shook her head.

"Paris, just tell me,"

"It's possible, but...,"

"Paris,"

"It's fifty fifty Rory," She brought her hand to her mouth, stifling a sob. Stephanie had worked so hard and been so strong, and now she was going to lose everything? It was just too much for her to handle.

"Rory, her baby could still live. It's still possible,"

"I know," There was a pause before Paris spoke again.

"Alright, just, call me later okay? Let me know how everyone is doing,"

"Okay, I will. Thanks Paris,"

"You're welcome, bye Rory," She hung up, spotting a coffee machine at the end of the hallway. She slowly made her way down, feeling her body's need for caffeine. She sifted through her pockets for seventy five cents, finding three shiny quarters. Minutes later she was awaiting her coffee, listening to the sounds of the machine fill her order. Right as it was about to finish, it stopped, all movement and sound ceasing to exist. She stood in silence, hoping that it would drop down, that her coffee would magically appear. When nothing appeared she just stood there, feeling the storm rise within her. All at once she broke down, the stress of the day finally breaking her. She cried aloud, banging her fists on the machine. She banged as hard as she could, tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks.

"Why?" She sobbed over and over again, her words choked and strangled. She would've probably broken the machine if Logan hadn't found her, the sight killing him inside.

"Ace," He said in alarm, grabbing her from behind. He held her close, her body still convulsing with each new round of tears.

"Ace, shhh," She turned around abruptly, throwing her arms around his neck. He was stunned by the raw emotion she was displaying, the sheer power of her fear.

"It's all my fault," She choked out, her face buried in his shoulder.

"What? Rory, it's not your fault,"

"No, it is," She sobbed. He could feel her nails digging into his skin and knew how hard it was for her, "She left during class. I was sitting right next to her and I didn't even notice. She must have looked sick, I mean, I should have sensed that something was wrong. I should've known that something was wrong," He pushed her gently away, holding her by the shoulders. Looking her straight in the eyes he found it hard to keep his own emotions at bay. He would be strong for her though. She needed him and he would not let her down.

"Ace, it is not your fault. What happened would have happened whether you followed her to the bathroom or not,"

"I could have gotten her to the hospital sooner,"

"No, that wouldn't have made a difference. Ace, do not blame yourself for anything," He pulled her in again, holding her as tight as humanly possible. All he wanted was to make her feel safe, to make her feel okay again. After a few moments Rory pulled away, wiping at her eyes.

"We...we should go back,"

"Rory-"

"We need to be there for Colin in case-" She stopped, new tears forming, "in case anything happens," He nodded.

"Alright, let's go back,"

"Excuse me, are you the family of Stephanie Vanderbilt?" Rory looked up anxiously, her eyes wide. This was the moment of truth. She had waited for hours and finally when the time came all she wanted to hear was that her friend was okay.

"Yes," Colin replied, his voice sounding much calmer than Rory knew he felt.

"Stephanie is doing well, but the baby did not make it. I'm sorry," Rory looked over at Colin and could see the tears streaming down his face. He nodded at the nurse, clenching his jaw.

"Can...can we see her?"

"Well, sir-"

"Please, I'm the father..I'm...please, just let me see her," She hesitated but then nodded, watching sadly as Colin walked into Stephanie's room. Rory swore she could hear Stephanie's crying and immediatly took Logan's hand. He held it firmly, making her feel somewhat better. She knew that through all of it she would always have him. Resting her head on his shoulder she closed her eyes, letting the rest of the world just fade away. Slowly she drifted off, the sounds of Stephanie sobbing playing over and over in her mind.

"You guys can see her now," The hoarse sound of Colin's voice startled her from her sleep. She looked up at him, his eyes red from crying. Without a word she walked past him, right into Stephanie's room. She looked worse than when she had first found out she was pregnant. She was laying down, completely motionless. Her skin was stained with tears and her eyes were red and puffy, just like Colin's.

"Steph?" She looked at Rory but she wasn't really seeing her. Her eyes were completely devoid of emotion, completely blank.

"Hi Rory,"

"How...how are you?" Stephanie shrugged, the movement slow and rehearsed.

"I'm getting along,"

"Steph-"

"It was a still birth," Rory had known that it would come out eventually but the suddeness of Stephanie's words startled her. She sounded so detached when she spoke, completely detached.

"Oh my-" She stopped herself, steadying her breathing, "Stephanie, I'm so sorry,"

"A still birth. Seven months, that's how long I carried that baby, seven months and it was still birth," She smiled bitterly, wiping away new tears, "Doesn't that just suck,"

"I'm so sorry,"

"It was a girl," She said softly, her voice tender, "It was my little girl, and she was taken away from me," Rory took her hand, holding it firmly.

"Everything will be okay. You have an entire family with you that loves you. You will get through this," Stephanie sniffed, rubbing at her nose.

"I don't want to get through it Rory. There's no point anymore,"

"Of course there's a point. You're young, and healthy, you have years ahead of you,"

"I lost her Rory. I pushed myself too hard. I should have listened to you," Rory shook her head, grasping her hand tighter.

"No, Stephanie, don't do this to yourself. Don't start,"

"How can I not?"

"You did everything you could. You wouldn't intentionally hurt your...your daughter," Stephanie pursed her lip, trying hard not to cry.

"You sound so sure of it all," Stephanie commented, her eyes tired, her face drawn.

"I am,"

Rory walked out, noticing the dark sky, the hushed silence that somehow encompassed places once the sun went down. Logan was sitting by himself, his face drawn and tired. She knew the toll this was taking on him and was thankfull that he would handle it so well. He was her rock and she really could always count on him to keep her grounded, to keep her sane. She sat next to him, putting her hands around one one his.

"Hey,"

"Hi," He looked so tired, so worn down that is scared her.

"Logan,"

"Long day," He commented, glancing at Stephanie's room.

"Yeah,"

"How is she?"

"She's holding up as well as expected," He nodded, putting his spare hand over her small ones.

"I think it's time to head back. It's getting late,"

"Okay," She followed him, saying good bye to Colin and Finn. The entire ride home he was silent, his face looking pained. When he dropped her off they stopped in front of her door, both of then silent. Just as he was about to leave she stopped him, bringing his body to hers. The moment he was in her arms he broke down, the weight of the entire day finally taking its toll.

"Sssshhh," She murmered, rubbing his back. She stood there with him, holding him as tightly as he could. She would stay with him as long as it took. For once, she would take care of him.

A/N: Alright, I know this was very sad...I'm sorry. I hope that you liked it. So...sadly this story will be ending soon. I started a new one and this one is just getting...stale. There will be a few more chapters though so, you guys have a little while longer. Thanks for reading!