Chapter Eight

'What do you mean he might not wake up?' Rory's eyes were full of tears but she wouldn't allow herself to believe what she was hearing.

'He lost a lot of blood. Had serious injuries to his head and although they did their best to save him.' Here Lorelai paused looking to Luke for support.

'His injuries were so severe that there was only so much they could do for him,' Luke continued for Lorelai 'They said there's a 70% chance he'll never wake up.'

'I want to see him' Rory said firmly.

'You need to stay in bed Rory. The doctors said that you need rest' Lorelai said watching her daughters heart breaking in front of her.

'Please. I just want to sit with him for a little while' Rory said barely above a whisper.

'Rory there really isn't much hope' Luke's voice was gravely as he spoke, his eyes void of emotion.

'There's still 30% chance. I promise you I will be clinging to that 30% for as long as I can' Rory yelled getting out of her bed. Pulling on her little jacket over her hospital gown and walking down the halls. Lorelai moved to stop her but Luke put his hand on her arm gently and told her to let Rory go.

Reaching Jess's room Rory let out a small cry as she saw him lying their so small. So unlike Jess. The Jess who always seemed annoyingly in control. The Jess that teased her, tested her, made her think, made her smile. The Jess who knew her inside and out. The Jess she loved.

This Jess was weak and pale. Tubes sticking from his arms. Monitors bleeping around him. Rory made her way to his bed side and slipped one hand into one of his own. Letting her other hand push his hair from his face. She pulled up a seat along side him and sat down.

'Jess,' Rory's voice shook with the effort of holding back tears 'You have to be strong for me. I need you to wake up. I need you Jess,' Here she paused again looking at his face hoping to see the smallest flicker of life. There was nothing. 'Who else will I fight with about books and movie's. Nobody sees me like you do Jess. Please just wake up OK.' Rory was vaguely aware of the presence at the door. She looked up and saw a blond woman standing their, her eyes wild and moving quickly. She was obviously here to see Jess.

'Uh can I help you?' Rory asked getting up from Jess's bedside and taking a step towards the woman. Her eyes met Rory's and then drifted back to Jess.

'I'm Liz' She answered by way of explanation. Rory's eyes widened as she looked at her 'Uh who are you?'

'You're Jess's mum?' Rory said looking from Jess to his mum. Not seeing much resemblance.

'I guess so,' Liz said shifting from one foot to the other 'That's what it says on his birth certificate' She added nervously.

'Right. Um I'm Rory, Jess's....Uh friend' Rory said finding it hard to define what her and Jess really were.

'Luke said there was a girl in the car with him. That was you?' Liz said entering the room.

'Yeah that was me' Rory said looking over at Jess's sleeping figure.

'Jess always was trouble. I uh..' here she stopped coming close to Rory. She smelt the alcohol on Liz's breath and drew away from her. 'Uh...I'm sorry he hurt you'

'He didn't. Jess never would' Rory said taking his hand in hers.

'No well...I just came because Luke asked me too. Where is he anyway?' Liz said looking at her son and then out of the window uncomfortably.

'I'll show you' Rory said knowing she should be getting back to her own room. She bent down and placed a light kiss on Jess's forehead.

'Please be OK' She whispered in his ear 'I need you.'