AN: This chapter is mostly flashbacks which give a lot of back story. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. Keep them coming they keep me going! Thanks!!!!

Chapter 2 Miracle Max

Rory looked towards the passenger seat at her daughters sleeping form. They hadn't been in the car fifteen minutes before she passed out. Neither had said much when they got in the car with the things they would need for the weekend. It was only about a two hour drive but Rory was already tired too. She would have to talk with Logan this weekend and she wasn't looking forward to it. She would be upset Rory had kicked Max out and maybe she had been a bit hasty but he had no right to tell Charleston what Logan had been thru, he was just going to go running to Mitchum with the information and he already blamed Rory for Logan's death. With as mad as she was she couldn't help but think of how important Max had become in their lives. She should have know from that first day in Charleston's office when she announced her mother had been right he was El Douche and Max interceded on their behalf that he was changing their lives.

Two Years Ago.

"What do you mean you wont accept her. She is a straight A honor student at one of the most prestigious prep schools on the west coast. She has never been in trouble, has glowing recommendations from her last school and we can afford the tuition. I see no problem. I was even valedictorian from this school."

"Although, you were a shining star when you were here Ms. Gilmore, Mr. Huntzberger on the other hand was expelled within a month." Head Master Charleston said as if this was actually grounds to refuse acceptance.

"The name is Mrs. Huntzberger and you can't seriously tell me that you are denying an exceptional student based on the actions of dead man committed over 20 years ago. Are you senile." Rory asked raising her voice. "I will take this to the board as an Alumni I'm sure they would be very accommodating since your senility is clouding your judgment." Rory snapped, she was used to having to overcome issues because of the name but this was the first time she had been denied based on Logan and it rubbed her the wrong way.

Rory was heading out of the office not watching where she was going as the tears started to form, she was looking for her grandmothers number in her phone when she smacked right into him. If he hadn't grabbed her arm to steady her she would have fallen. "I'm sorry Miss." he said politely as he started to walk away not recognizing her. She knew exactly who he was he had been her favorite teacher, her almost step father. He looked almost the same, not near as old as he should look. "Max?" she said hesitantly.

He stopped and looked closely at her. "Lor… Rory? My god! Your all grown." he said surprised. He had wondered over the years about her and her mother but he could never bring himself to find out about then.

"Are you here about the English position because if so your hired!" he said hopefully.

"Sorry, I'm a journalist not a teacher. I was here trying to enroll my daughter but El Douche said he couldn't accept my straight A student because her father was expelled from here. I was a good student here, Lola has never been in trouble her last school loved her!" Rory said tearing up again.

"Why don't we go to my office and we talk. Are these her records?" Max asked leading her to his office as he opened Lola's file. He immediately whistled. Rory raised an eyebrow as she sat down. "Lorelai Logan Gilmore Huntzberger the Fourth, that's a lot of name! Huntzberger, Huntzberger why is that ringing a bell?" max asked Rory.

"My husband was Logan Huntzberger." Rory said quietly.

"Mitchum's son? Charleston is friends with Mr. Huntzberger. Does he maybe want her attending another school?" Max asked unable to imagine after looking at her records why she was turned away. None of their currant students had scores this high except maybe the McMaster kids.

"I wouldn't know what he wants he hasn't talked to us since the funeral. I think he is upset it was Logan and not one of us." Rory shrugged.

"What happened Rory, I've read some but his father owns most of the papers and they aren't saying much." Max asked concerned.

Rory shrugged sadly "I wasn't there I was back here, my grandmother was sick. Lola is the only one who knows for sure what happened. Well her and the judge but she is a minor so everything she told him was in his chambers just her and the lawyers. Can what I tell you stay between us?" Rory asked uncertainly.

Max nodded unsure what she was going to tell him. "What I know is just what the police and the doctors have told me. Lola wont talk about it. She never has talked about it, she wont, she used to talk all the time like my mom you know rambling from the moment she wakes up. Now she doesn't talk a lot she wants to be called Logan now. It's hard remembering to call her Logan. She is seeing a shrink but she said she just sit's there and stares she doesn't talk or answer any questions." Rory stopped talking and stood up moving to the window she looked out not really seeing anything. "They came in thru the patio door into the office. Emptied the emergency cash from the safe, I never understood why Logan always insisted on keeping so much cash in the house. They split up moving to the rooms and for all the jewelry. The police think Logan and Lola being home surprised them. Logan's body was found in Lola's room, he had been shot twice trying to get to her, to help her. We don't know if she was already unconscious at that point or if she saw him die." Lost in thought Rory continued to stare unseeing out the window. Every day she felt she was dying a little more. She never imagined like without Logan and this life was so hard. They were so broken with out him.

Rory was snapped from her thoughts by Max's voice. "What?" she asked

"Was Lola? I mean did they?" he asked sure he already knew the answer.

"Yes." Rory answered looking at Max. "She was in the hospital for a while. She doesn't like to be touched."

"Are you sure you want her here? You know these kids aren't the nicest." Max asked in surprise that she would put her thru more.

"Max kids are mean everywhere but here she already has friends. I'm Matt and Sierra McMaster's godmother, and Paris and Doyle are Lola's godparents. Sierra is Lola's best friend I wanted them together." Rory sighed.

"Well I have the authority to accept her application. So if you are sure about her being here she's in. I'll take care of Charleston" Max said with an encouraging smile. His kindness was to much for Rory and she turned back to the window as the tears started. She was surprised when she felt an arm over her shoulder and it's comforting squeeze. She looked up at Max and gave him a sad half smile as she said "thank you" quietly and let her head rest on his shoulder accepting the comfort he offered her. For the first time since he life had been shattered she felt a small glimmer of hope that they may survive.

Snapping out of the memory she exited the highway and pulled into the Exxon. She started the pump then went in for two coffee's if Logan didn't wake she would just drink the second herself. Although, truthfully Rory hoped she would stay asleep till they made it to Finn's. Back on the road Rory's mind drifted back to Max. She wondered if he had realized when he gave her his cell number that first day telling her to call anytime she needed to talk, just how much she would end up using it. Or where it would lead. Meeting for coffee frequently, she really began to understand why her mom almost married this man even knowing she didn't love him. He was a great friend, smart and insightful. Though it had been weird at first, Lorelai never begrudged Rory her new friend. As understanding as Lorelai had been the look on her face was priceless when Rory had told her Max was staying for a few weeks with them. Lorelai couldn't help laughing when Logan said she invited max to move in and Rory just shrugged.

"Look kiddo get the coffee while go say hi to Max." Rory said after spotting Max at the corner table of the coffee shop down the street from the school. He was pouring over a newspaper and she could see the frown line from across the room.

Sneaking up behind him she leaned down and whispered in his ear since there were some other Chilton students in the coffee shop. "We have to stop meeting like this your wife is going to start thinking were having an affair."

Max laughed as he grabbed her arm and pulled her into the seat next to him not so quietly telling her, "Well since she is apparently sleeping with her research assistant. I think it's safe to say me having coffee with my favorite almost step daughter and her lovely daughter is none of her concern. Besides I moved into a hotel last night."

"Why didn't you call me?" Rory exclaimed. "Really and affair? With her research assistant? That's so… I am soo sorry."

"that Bitch!" Logan said putting down their coffees.

"Logan mouth! Although the sentiment is about right." Rory scolded as Max started laughing.

"Thanks kid I needed that." He said grinning at the girl that reminded him so much of her mother at her age. Of course she was a lot more outspoken since she had gotten used to him. The change in the last 4 months was so wonderful, he could even hug her and she wouldn't freeze up.

"What are you looking at. Maxie?" Logan asked grinning

"Well Logie, I'm trying to find and apartment that is available right away since the hotel is almost 200 a night. But the only thing close to the school isn't going to be ready for a month." he answered stealing one of her cookies.

"Hey!" she exclaimed slapping at his hand. "Come stay with us we have a guest room and then you wont have to waste a bunch of money." She said popping another piece of cookie in her mouth. "besides think how fun it will be to watch grandpa get all cranky with both you and Luke in town." she said wiggling her eyebrows.

"As tempting as you make that sound, I can't but thanks for thinking to use me for your own enjoyment there kid." he said pulling her ponytail.

Rory had been silent watching Max and Logan talk taking a minute to think about what Logan had proposed. "You should." she said causing Max to look at her surprised. "Logan is okay with the idea and she has a point that's a big waste of money. It's not like it would be permanent just til you can get into a place. No arguing I'm not taking no for an answer. Go check out and get your tings you know where the house is." Rory said getting up. "We'll get your room ready." and Rory was out the door before Max could even pick his jaw up off the table.

That had been a year and a half ago. He had divorced his wife and when it was time to move out Logan begged him to stay, begged Rory not to make him leave. It turned out him being there helped Logan feel safer and when Rory and Max found that out it was decided he would stay. Lorelai started calling the Joey and Rachel or sometimes Will and Grace. And they had become almost best friends. It was comical since he was 20 years older than her, in some ways he still thought of her as that little girl he wanted as his daughter. They fought, had water balloon fights, they had a routine and system. They were the perfect couple, with out a spark of attraction at all. They made perfect roommates. Rory couldn't help thinking What have I done?