A/N: Many thanks to those who have reviewed and to my lovely beta NarcoGilmore.

Chapter Two: Support

The constant ringing of the phone awakened Rory Gilmore around three in the morning. Who would be calling at this time? "Hello?" Answered Rory sleepily.

"R-Rory?" Asked a shaky voice filled with pain. Rory could not recall a time when she heard

such a voice from one person, yet the voice sounded very familiar to her.

"Dean?" She hoped it was not his. If it was then something had to be wrong, she could sense it. "What is it?"

"My family's been in an accident."

"Oh my God. Are they okay?"

"No." Choked Dean.

"What happened?" Asked Rory in concern.

"I...my mom-." Dean stopped and she was not sure how much time went by before he spoke again. "My mom didn't make it.")Shock overcame her. "Oh Dean, what about your dad and Clara?"

"No. Clara's in a coma and my dad isn't in good shape either. He's still in surgery."

"Where are you at? My mom and I will come."

"Hartford General."

"We'll be there soon." Rory said gently trying to offer him some comfort.

"Please hurry." Pleaded Dean.

"I will Dean. I love you." Rory put as much emotion on the word 'love' as she could and hoped he would pick up on it. Not bothering to check to see if she placed the phone back on the receiver correctly, she bolted up the stairs to her mother's room. "Mom! Mom! Mom!" Shouted Rory running over to the bed. "Mom, wake up." She grabbed Lorelai by the shoulders and shook her harder then she probably should.

"Rory? What is it?" Asked Lorelai half asleep and half in worry.

"It's Dean, Mom. His family was in a car accident."

"Oh God!" Lorelai shot up in bed and threw the covers off of her as climbed to her feet. "Are they alright?" Rory shook her head. "His mother was killed and his sister and father are in critical condition.

"What hospital is he at?" Asked Lorelai pulling on a pair of shoes.

"Hartford General."

"Then let's go!" They ran down the stairs, out of the door, and into the jeep. Getting into the car they did not notice that they were still in their pajamas.

Dean slumped down in a chair in the waiting room. The doctor had not come back and given him any more information regarding his father. He picked at his nails nervously with each passing second. It felt like hours since he had called Rory but he knew it was only minutes.

Around him people passed and other commotions occurred but he did not pay them any attention.

"Dean!" He turned his head to see Rory running towards him, Lorelai shortly behind. As he stood up to meet her Rory picked up her pace and engulfed Dean in a hug. He placed his arms around his girlfriend and buried his face in her hair. Rory, she's here. Pulling away, Dean looked into her blue eyes. He could tell by the way she looked at him that she was trying to find something to say. Instead she wrapped her arms around him tighter and pulled him closer.

"Have you heard anything?" Asked Lorelai.

"No, I haven't heard anything." Replied Dean.

Rory stepped back from Dean a little but still kept her arms around him. "What caused it? The crash? Here, sit down." Rory guided him back down onto the seat and sat beside him. She gripped his hand in hers.

"A drunk driver." He explained. "A drunk driver hit them. My mom was killed instantly and the doctor told me that Clara had suffered damage to the right side of her brain and there is only fifty percent chance of her coming out of the coma." Dean's voice cracked on the last part and he could feel moisture pushing its way through his eyes. He lowered his head hoping they would not see his tears. He felt an arm come around his shoulder.

"It'll be okay, kid. No matter what happens it's going to be alright." Rreassured Lorelai.

"Mr. Forester." Dr. Summers called him. Dean stood up and Rory went with him. "Is my dad going to recover?" Asked Dean.

"I'm sorry that I do not have better news for you. Your father had more head trauma then we had originally thought. When we started to operate his heart began to stop and his liver and both kidneys failed. We had to put him on life support."

"Is there any way he could...come out of it?" He asked. He needed to be able to cling to some hope that all was not lost. If there was even the smallest possibility that his father could live then he needed to hold onto it. Please let there be someway. "I'm sorry." Dr. Summers apologized. "With the injuries he suffered there isn't anything we can do other then keep him on life support. He won't be able to live without the life support."

"So what do I do?" Dean said anxiously. The doctor looked at the clip board in his hand and flipped through some papers before speaking. "We can keep him on life support or we can take him off of it. I know it isn't an easy choice to make but it's really just a matter of when you're ready to let go."

"I can't make a choice like that!" Dean practically shouted. A hand squeezed his and another hand his shoulder. The doctor held up his hand. "No, of course not, are these relatives of yours?" Dean shook his head. "Is there any other family you can contact?"

"I could call my grandmother." Replied Dean.

"Then it would be best if you could get her over here. She's the one who can legally make this decision. Your father is in room 515. My condolences." Dr. Summers turned around and left.

Dean could feel his body start to tremble and he sat down before his legs would not hold him up any longer. Rory once again sat beside him. Silence settled around him except for a few noises within the room. He stared at the floor thoughts rushing through is head. How can I tell my grandmother that her daughter is? And about Clara and dad. I don't know how I can do this. I don't think I can do this.

"Dean?" Lorelai's voice broke through his thoughts but he did not lift his head to look at her.

"Dean, why don't you come back to our house…you should get some rest."

"I really need to call my grandmother." Said Dean.

"Of course, but then you should get some rest."

"Okay, I drove here what-" Lorelai cut him off. "I'll drive it sweetie. Let me have your keys."

Dean searched his pockets and held out the keys. He let himself be guided out of the hospital and into the jeep by Rory. He did not acknowledge her when Rory reached over and buckled his seat belt or when she pulled of the parking lot and onto the road. He leaned his head against the window and watched the early morning hours pass around him.

"You can sleep in my room." Said Rory when Dean entered the house. "Where will you sleep?" He asked.

"I'll bunk with my mom. You need to sleep in a bed." Dean went into Rory's room and sat on the bed. "Do you need anything?" Asked Rory. "Any extra blankets or pillows?" She went over to the closet and started to go through things.

"No Rory. This is fine. Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me for anything." Rory told him as she ran a hand through his hair.

"Everything's going to be fine." She leaned down and kissed him. He wrapped his hands around her neck and pulled her closer while he deepened the kiss. Rory pulled away caressing his cheek. "Get some sleep." With a quick kiss she left the room.

Dean lay down on Rory's bed and stared at the ceiling. Taking his cellphone out he took a deep breath. He dialed his grandmother's number, counting each of the dial tones. How long could it take for someone to pick up the phone? He looked and the clock which read 4:40, 3:40 in Chicago.

"Hello." His grandmother's voice answered.

"Granny." Said Dean.

"Y-yes. It's me."

"What's wrong? Why are you calling at this hour? Did something happen?" Asked his grandmother her voice wavering with panic. Dean swallowed hard before speaking. "It's mom and dad. They were in a car crash and Clara was with them." A gasp came from the other side of the line.

"How are they?"

Dean gripped the bed sheets until his knuckles turned white. "The police told me that Mom was killed instantly."

Dean could hear her struggling to hold back tears. "What about Clara and your dad?"

"Clara's in a coma and dad's..." Dean bit down on his lip until his he could taste blood. "The doctor's had to put him on life support, Granny." His eyes were filling over with tears but he wanted to stay strong for his grandmother. "Where are you staying at?" Asked his grandmother nearly sobbing. "My girlfriend's house." Replied Dean.

"Stars Hollow yes?"

"Y-yes."

"I'll get the first flight I can and will be there as soon as possible." She was crying freely as she hung up, her sobs fading off.

Dean dropped his cellphone and let it fall to the floor. He buried his face into the pillow and clutched it. Everything was real. Telling his grandmother made it real. Closing his eyes Dean let the tears he held back all night fall from his eyes. He cried into the pillow until he was unable to fight sleep.