Thanks for all the great reviews…keep them coming! This story "Accidents Happen" is based on the wonderful "Gilmore Girls" television series and characters created by…not me!

Accidents Happen

Chapter Three Filling in the Pieces

When Jess got to the family room, it was empty. It, like Rory's room, had been Gilmore-ized. The couches were covered with sheets, blankets, and pillows. The garbage can was full of take-out containers and there was a duffel bag full of Lorelai's clothes on the floor in one corner. Jess sat down on one chairs and buried his head in his hands. He managed to doze off a bit when he heard the door swing open.

"You made good time," Luke said.

"Yeah, I've been here for a while."

"I thought you were coming in the morning."

"I changed my mind."

"Where's Lorelai?" Luke asked Jess as he entered the family waiting room loaded down with bags of food from the diner.

"With Rory. The doctor's in there."

"Did you see her yet?"

"Yeah, I just left her."

"Did anything happen?" Luke asked. "Did she know you were there?"

"Yeah, I think she did. She said my name and mumbled a few things, she squeezed my hand and I think she kissed me back."

"So, you kissed her?"

"Yeah, I kissed her before I left and I think she kissed me back."

"You think she did? How do you not know? She either did or she didn't, Jess."

"Okay, she did. She kissed me back. There was movement and I felt her lips touching mine, not just mine touching hers, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. Hungry? Want a burger?"

"Did you make it?"

"No, Caesar did."

"Good. I always liked his burgers better."

"You always were a pain in the ass."

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Luke started pushing Jess for information.

"Why did you come back, Jess?"

"Because you called me and told me about the accident."

"But why did you come back? You didn't have to come just because I told you about the accident. You made the choice to come. I just want to know why."

"She was asking for me and I want to know why. We've got history and I want us to have a future and her asking for me is a first step, anyway."

"When was the last time you talked to Rory?" Luke asked.

"Last year when she came to Philly for my reception. You know, you and April came as well. How is she, by the way?"

"April? She's good. She's staying with your mom right now, actually."

"My mom? Liz? You're trusting Liz with your daughter?"

"During most days, anyway. She's been here a few times, but seeing Rory like this upsets everyone. Plus, April loves playing with your baby sister."

"I totally forgot about Doula – I haven't even seen her yet. Is she getting big?"

"She's growing like a weed. Thankfully, she doesn't look a thing like TJ. She's actually pretty cute. I told Liz you'd probably be here for a while. You'll get the chance to see her, I'm sure."

"Yeah, I will. Luke, tell me what's going on. What happened this past year? What happened with you and Lorelai?"

"Well, Lorelai and I were engaged, you knew that. Then, when I found out about April, I freaked out. I needed some time to figure out what was going on, but I kept Lorelai in the dark and we split up. She married Christopher."

"Christopher? Wait, Rory's dad? That Christopher?"

"One in the same. So, they got married in Paris and they were actually married for a few months, but it didn't work. Apparently, Lorelai still loved me."

"Well, duh."

"Okay, but I didn't think she still loved me. She was so angry about April and everything, I figured she would never speak to me again. But, around the time Rory graduated, we started talking again and before either of us knew what was going on, we were back together. We were going to get married right away, but then this happened, so things are on hold again."

"What about Rory and Logan? What happened there?"

"No – what happened with you and Rory when she came to visit you in Philadelphia?"

"Why?"

"Jess, Rory was applying for jobs in Philadelphia. She was headed to a job interview when she got hurt. We think she was looking to move there."

"I had no idea."

"I figured as much. I didn't think you knew. Hell, Lorelai didn't even know. We only found out about it when Lorelai started looking through Rory's calendar a week ago. So, what happened when she visited you?"

"Not much, really. We talked, I kissed her, she told me that she was still with Logan and she left. End of story."

"More like the pause in the story," Lorelai said from the doorway. "They loved each other, but not in the same way. When he proposed, he was ready to settle down and have Rory be a wife, but Rory wasn't ready to be a wife. Rory needs to be Rory first and anything else second and I don't think Logan ever understood that. That's why she said no."

"And what happened when she said no?" Jess asked.

"Logan left. He had taken a job in San Francisco and he left."

"And her plan was to move to Philly?" he asked.

"You told him? Luke, how could you tell him?"

"He came for her, Lore. He dropped everything and came for Rory. She was looking for jobs to be close to where he is. I had to tell him!"

"Would you please stop talking like I'm not here? All of this stuff, it's between me and Rory. I'll find out what's going on when Rory wakes up. Until then, all this talk about Rory coming to Philadelphia needs to stop. I want her to tell me what she's thinking and why she wanted me to come here! Now, tell me what's going on with Rory? What did the doctor say?"

"She's okay. She's still not conscious, but she was a lot more responsive to the doctor tonight. You need to keep talking to her, Jess."

"It's helping?"

"Absolutely. Jess, you got more of a response from her in ten minutes than any of us have in a month. You're just what the doctor asked for, so to speak. No, you're just what Rory asked for."