"Thank you Luke, for helping me tonight/today. I owe you big time and I promise later to thank you when I'm fully awake, wearing normal clothes."

"Lorelai, anything you, Rory, or Dean need, you know my number. Try and get some rest."

"Thanks Luke."

"Rory, I'm going to bed. Hopefully get some sleep. Thanks hon for everything. I love you."

"Mom, I love you too. Sleep."

Ugh, the inn.

"Sookie, I won't be at the inn today. I don't have my cell, so call me here at home if you need me for an emergency, but I am going to bed."

"Funny. Not at the inn. I'll see you there in an hour."

"No Sook, I'm serious. You have to take charge today. I'll tell you more later, but I really need sleep. Okay? Please?"

"Yeah, okay. Is this because of the text?"

"Yes, the text."

Click.

I don't care what she thinks. I cannot discuss this with one more person right now.

Rory called Mrs. Forester, they had a short, civil conversation, and they arranged to get the vehicles and other belongings back.

Lorelai had several text messages and Rory couldn't help it, she had to see what was there so she could check on things and call Sookie about Lorelai not coming in today.

Dean: Sandpiper, Meriden, 8. Green heels.

Dean: Watching you run to the bathroom. You're gorgeous.

Sookie: I know where you are, who you are with. We're talking tomorrow!

Unknown: Quilts on backorder. Alternative choice?

Unknown: premium quoted incorrectly. Cost higher. Please call.

"Sookie?"

"Rory, I know your mom is mad at me but she really needs to be here. The phone is ringing off the hook and I don't have answers to the caller's questions. Can you talk to her and get her to come in?"

"Sookie, that's why I'm calling. Something happened to mom last night, and she will want to tell you herself, she's sleeping. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but please cover for her the best you can. I'll have her call you when she's awake."

"Rory, you're really scaring me now, you can't be so mysterious, tell me right now what's going on or I'm coming over there."

"Look, she was attacked last night, she's okay, but she's shaken up and she really needs sleep. I promise, you'll be her first call when she wakes up."

"What!? Attacked? Where? I'm coming over." Click.

"Mom? Wake up. Sookie is on her way here."

"No Rory, I cannot see anyone right now. I'm so tired. My head is throbbing. Don't let her in."

"Mom, it's Sookie. I can't do that. You're going to have to tell her. Hop in the shower, and I'll make some coffee. Come on, out of bed."

Lorelai comes downstairs to find Sookie pacing in the living room.

Immediately, Sookie embraces Lorelai, saying she's glad Lorelai is okay.

"Lorelai, you need to tell me what happened."

"Well, as you already figured out, Dean and I were at dinner, on a date, and…"

She told Sookie the events of the previous evening.

"And I want to be at the hospital with him right now, but what am I supposed to do? His mother thinks I'm Maleficent, and I can't go check on him, to see him open his eyes, to talk to him even though he can't talk to me because of the oxygen mask."

Lorelai was crying.

"I'm taking you over there right now. Get dressed."

"But Sookie, this is so screwed up. I made such a mess of everything."

"Yeah, you did, but there isn't anything wrong with you wanting to be in the hospital with the man who saved you from violent criminals. That part is the normal part, and I'll talk to his mom if she's there. Come on, go, I'll be out in the car."

Sookie called Michel and told him that she'd be back later in the afternoon. She felt awful for Lorelai, and frightened for Dean. He was such a great guy, hardworking, always pleasant, helpful, it was unfathomable that he would be lying in a hospital bed now.

When they arrived, no one was in the room. Sookie saw Dean and started to cry. She walked up to him first and put a gentle hand on his heart.

"You are a very good man. Thank you for saving my friend. You get better fast, which I know you will because you're so strong, and tough, and I know how much you love my peach cobbler. When you get out of here I'm making you a meal fit for a king. 3, no 5 courses, and, you, this heart will bring you back."

She turned around and hugged Lorelai who had tears on her cheeks.

"I'll be in the waiting room, honey. You take your time."

Lorelai pulled a chair up to the bed. For a few minutes, she just watched Dean, breathing, sleeping.

"Dean, maybe you can hear me, maybe you can't. I wish you were awake, but I'm going to talk to you regardless. You are my superman. That guy was going to rape me, he was too strong for me, but I couldn't scream because you were being attacked by a knife, and terrified as I was at what was going to happen, the thought of you being stabbed was, of you ending up like this. What I should have said to you, what I wish I had said to you before we ever pulled off the road was, I think I'm in love with you. I can't say those words to other men. I think I can only say it now because you're sleeping. But it's true, I love you. And not because you saved me. You are the best man I've ever known. You make me laugh, you are just as interested in pop culture, music...I think you get me and aside from physical attraction I don't think other guys I've dated cared much about me beyond my looks. I know that isn't true with you. Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered and turned on by you when you look at me that way, when you touch me, with your strong, tall, hot...Dean, you just have to wake up. And be okay. Rory, Luke and Sookie know. They don't like it, but they don't hate it either. Your mother, well, she knows too, and she had the reaction I expected.

Please, open those beautiful eyes. I'm going to sit here, with you, and you're eventually going to open those eyes and part your lips to tell me to shut up because I'm talking and talking and talking. Wake up. You need to hear how sorry I am that you are lying here in this hospital bed. Dean? Please.

Lorelai leans over his face and plants a gentle kiss on his forehead. She touches his face, tracing her fingers over his forehead, over his cheekbone, over his jaw.

Lorelai. Are you here? Am I dreaming? Why can't I see you? Are you real? Why can't I move? Why can't I speak?