"Hey Rory, it's time to wake up." Lorelai said, gently shaking her daughter to wake her up. All of your test results are in."
"Hey Ace, how are you feeling?" Logan asked as Rory's eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Like I got hit by a truck."
"Good news, food is on its way!" Lorelai told her.
"Actually, it's in my hand." Paris said walking into the room with a large bag of food. "Who bought out Jimmy John's?"
"That would be Lorelai." Logan answered.
"Hey, I had to feed all you children! Cut me a break here! I know you people all eat like Gilmores."
"Hey, I blame your daughter for that one!" Paris told her.
"Me too!" Logan agreed with a laugh.
"And I blame you for it, so that makes the three of us all your fault." Rory added.
"Well don't blame me, blame Gran. I swear, it's the Lorelai paradox! With the name comes a bottomless stomach." Lorelai told them.
"So let's eat then." Paris announced.
"Actually, let's hold off for a minute." Logan told her. "We should get Rory stitched up first."
"So the test results are back?"
"Like you didn't log in and check them yourself? Logan asked.
"Not yet, but I will."
"Don't bother. I already have them pulled up. Nothing is broken, no ligaments or torn and detached muscles. It's just a large deep cut. I'm going to stitch you up myself, then cast you for extra protection." Logan explained too everyone. "I've also got another unit of blood that I want to give you, just to be extra safe."
"So there weren't any veins damaged either?" Lorelai asked.
"It looks like only one, but the paramedics already took care of it." Logan told her as he pressed the nurse button next to Rory.
"Can I help you?" A female voice asked thru the speaker.
"Will you send Veronica in please?" Logan asked.
"Right away!" The voice answered, then the speaker shut off.
"Rory, I need to clean the wound before I stitch it up, so I'm going to give you some more morphine, then do a numbing injection in your arm, ok? You and Lorelai probably don't want to watch any of it." Logan explained.
"OK." Rory answered timidly.
"What color cast would you like?"
"Can you do purple?"
"Right again!" Logan smiled.
"You're two for two." Lorelai told him.
"What does that mean?" Rory asked.
"Logan told me to order you the beach club from Jimmy John's because it's your favorite."
"What if I wanted something else?"
"Yeah right!" Paris smirked.
"You don't know me!" Rory told her, sticking her tongue out toward Paris.
"I have Parmesan garlic fries coming from the Cafe upstairs in 30 minutes." Logan told them.
"Oh, but he sure knows you!" Lorelai laughed.
"Maybe a little." Rory agreed with a bashful smiled.
"Should we get started so we can eat soon? I know how hungry you are." Logan asked.
"How badly is it going to hurt?"
"It shouldn't at all once I numb you."
"You promise?" Rory asked, meeting Logan's eyes.
"I'll do my best." Logan promised, as Veronica walked into the room with the rest of the supplies she had gathered. "Alright, let's do this! Paris, you distract Lorelai and Rory, and Veronica is going to help me with everything else. Paris, would you mind giving Rory the morphine?"
"Easy peasy lemon squeezie!" Paris agreed, taking the syringe from Logan.
"Please make sure you flush the line too." Logan told her, handing over a second syringe.
"Not my first rodeo Huntsberger! Besides, I'm the one who taught you how to do all of this."
"I'll hang the transfusion." Veronica offered, holding her hand out for the bag of blood Logan had brought into the room.
"It's been like this since Paris got here." Rory said looking toward Lorelai, and rolling her eyes. "These two both have egos the size of of the empire state building, and they like to argue over who is the better doctor."
"Welcome to the rest of your life, kid!" Lorelai laughed.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Rory asked as the morphine began to hit her.
"I'll tell you about it a little later. Mommy may have had a little chat with someone." Lorelai whispered in Rory's ear.
30 minutes later, Rory was medicated, numbed up, stitched, and casted.
"Is there anything else you need Doctor Huntsberger?" Veronica asked.
"Nope, thank you for all your help. I appreciate it a lot."
"No problem. I'll go finish up that discharge paperwork."
"Hey Veronica," Lorelai started. "You need to eat too." She said holding out a sandwich. "Thank you for everything!"
"Thank you, you are so sweet! You really didn't have to do this." Veronica gushed.
"I know. But you guys have taken amazing care of my baby today. It's just my way of saying thank you. And I'm sorry for all of the drama."
"Oh it's no problem at all. I'm happy to help. It's been an enlightening day for me."
"You've learned who to turn to for blackmail." Lorelai snickered with a knowing nod.
"Pretty much!"
"Just remember one thing. I'm the one with blackmail on both of them. And neither one has any on me."
"Oh really?!" Paris started."Have we forgotten about Mister Medina?"
"Oh Honey, you've forgotten one little detail." Lorelai told her. "It's not blackmail if it's already public knowledge.
"And the fact that you were also engaged to him." Rory added.
"I'm going to go work on your discharge. You guys enjoy your reunion." Veronica smiled, then quickly left the room.
"Well we're an uncomfortable bunch!" Rory announced as the door closed.
"Welcome to life in the frat house!" Paris said insincerely. "Now pass out those sandwiches!"
"Doctor Huntsberger, your order just arrived." a nurse said, knocking gently on the door, then popping her head in.
"Perfect timing! Thank you Janice!" Logan said taking the paper bag from her. He reached inside, removing a styrofoam container, and set it in front of Rory. "Because I know you can never eat a sandwich without french fries."
"Logan, thank you!"
"It's the least I can do after torturing you for the last several hours. After you've eaten, I'll get you discharged, ok?"
"Sounds perfect! I don't even know what time it is anymore."
"Crap! It's after 7." Paris told her, looking at her watch. "I actually have to go. I need to tuck my kids into bed, and send the nanny home."
"Paris, thank you for all your help today." Logan said turning to his friend. "Having you here was a huge help."
"Rory is my best friend. I wouldn't be anywhere else." Paris told him, then turned and hugged Lorelai. "Thank you for coming Lorelai. It was so good to see you again."
"Hey, Rory is my baby. I'll always be here for her. And for you. You better bring those kids to see me soon."
"I will. Maybe we'll drive down with Rory in a few weeks."
"I would love that! Here, take your sandwich."
"Thank you so much! Rory, you call me if you need anything, ok? I mean it."
"I will Paris. Thank you for being here today." Rory said holding her left arm out toward her best friend. "You made this a lot more bearable."
"Any time. Call me tomorrow and let me know how you're doing. I can stop by after work if you need anything."
"Thank you, I will." Rory said hugging her best friend.
"Have a good night you guys. Drive home safe." Paris said, then turned and left the room.
"And then there were 3!" Lorelai announced. "Sandwiches?"
"Yes please!" Rory said holding her hand out.
"Honey, I'll cut this up for you. That way you can feed yourself easier since Logan casted you from your fingers to your forearm."
"Thanks Mommy!" Rory happily chirped, digging into the fries Logan had placed in front of her.
"Here's your sandwich Logan." Lorelai smiled as Logan sat down in the chair next to Rory's bed.
"Thank you so much! I haven't eaten since this morning either."
"What time are you off tonight?"
"Hopefully in the next hour. This sandwich tastes amazing!" Logan answered around a mouth full of food.
"If you don't have any plans, do you mind coming by and helping me get Rory settled at her place?" Lorelai asked as Rory's head shot up and she turned to look at her mother.
"Only if it's alright with Rory." Logan chuckled. "I'm pretty sure I've invaded her life enough today."
"No, it's fine." Rory told them, going back to eating her fries as Lorelai finished cutting up her sandwich. "Mom is going to need the help getting things set up. My apartment isn't exactly guest ready, much less handicapped Rory ready. If Paris hadn't needed to get home, I was going to ask her to come by."
"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude on your life any more than I already have today."
"It's really ok. My place is just kind of a mess. Things have been crazy at work, so I haven't exactly had time to clean. I was planning to get everything done this weekend."
"Sorry Ace, but I don't really see you doing much this weekend. Logan told her. "I'm writing you out of work for the next week. I need you to rest and let your hand heal. Plus, you're going to be in some pain, so your best course of action is to just sleep and watch TV."
"Please tell me you're kidding?" Rory said, her head snapping up and looking back and forth between Lorelai and Logan. "Mom?"
"Sorry kid. Doctor's orders."
"Logan, I can't do that! I have so much to get done, and I just took half a day today! I'm already behind, I can't possibly take any more time off!"
"Rory, relax. You got hurt at work. It's called worker's comp. They kind of have to do whatever I say until you are released back to your normal routine by a licensed physician. They don't get any other options."
"And you'll still get paid even though you're not there." Lorelai added.
"Logan, no!"
"I'm sorry Ace. My hands are tied. Hippocratic Oath. I can do no harm to my patients."
"And do I get a choice in this at all?"
"Would you like more than one week off? Because I really should be giving you at least two."
"Logan, please don't."
"I'll release you pending a check up with either myself, or an orthopedic surgeon."
"That's smart." Lorelai told him. I guessing you are sending in a referral?"
"Already done!" Logan smiled.
"Thanks for helping mom." Rory said with a roll of her eyes.
"Rory, we are just doing what is in your best interest." Lorelai told her. "You need to heal Honey."
"I'll make your a deal Ace." Logan started. "If you will agree to take it easy for at least the next week, and not fight us on resting, so you can actually heal, I'll make some calls and get approval so you can work from home. And I'll even come help you when I'm not working."
"Is that your final offer?" Rory asked.
"It's either that, or I can write you out for a full 2-4 weeks until your cast comes off, the stitches are removed, and you've been seen and cleared by an orthopedic surgeon."
"Fine. You win." Rory pouted.
"And that's why he's the one who went to medical school." Lorelai said gently patting Rory's leg.
"And I don't suggest you call Paris to complain about me, because you know that she'll jump all over me for not writing you out for a full 4-6 weeks. And then she'll rip into you for wanting to go back so soon before you are fully recovered."
"Sometimes it really just sucks to have people that actually like you." Rory said sulkily.
"Do you want me to call Grandma? Because I could definitely make things harder for your by alerting Emily Gilmore." Lorelai offered.
"Nice!" Logan laughed. "Talk about blackmail!"
"Mom ..." Rory warned.
"Rory, what pharmacy do you want your prescriptions sent to? I can have the hospital pharmacy fill them for you if you'd like?" Logan asked, changing the subject.
"I don't really care. Mom? What do you think is easier?"
"Here is fine. I can pick them up when I go to get the car." Lorelai answered.
"Good plan. I'm going to go finish up your paperwork, and get your prescriptions submitted. I'll be back shortly. Lorelai, thank you so much for dinner."
"It was my pleasure. It was the least I could do after everything you've done for Rory today."
"I appreciate it immensely! I'll be back shortly. Let me know if you need anything." Logan said as he stood up, and left the room, throwing away his dinner trash on his way out.
"So you guys talked?" Rory asked once the door was closed.
"Just a little bit."
"And?"
"You can tell by his face Rory. That kid clearly still has feelings for you."
"It's been 8 years Mom. I'm sure he's moved on."
"Not even close! Look Rory, I love you. I'm your mom, and I know that you've always had strong feelings for Logan. And it's definitely not a secret that I never liked him when you were dating back at Yale. But Rory, things change. People change. I never in a million years expected to hear that Logan completely turned his back, and bailed on his family. He went to medical school, Rory. Logan who has a bachelor's degree in journalism and was supposed to be handed the family newspaper publishing empire, completely gave it all up, and went to medical school. And then he graduated, and works at one of the best, most reputable hospitals in the state! Even you have to admit that he has done very well for himself in the last 8 years."
"It's definitely shocking!" Rory agreed.
"I don't want to be your go between Honey. But Logan loves you. He made a mistake walking away from you at your graduation. He told me the exact same thing that you've told me for the last 8 years. He's been wanting to call you, but then chickened out thinking that maybe you would call him."
"He said that?" Rory asked in a small hope laced voice.
"You didn't hear it from me though, ok? Ever since I got here today, you've both had this stupid love sick puppy look on your face whenever the other isn't looking."
"Oh come on. That's not true!"
"I have the pictures to prove it." Lorelai said, reaching for her phone that was laying on the tablet next to Rory's bed.
"So what do you think I should do?"
"That's for you to decide kiddo. But no matter what decision you make, I fully support you, ok?"
"You do?" Rory asked.
"I might not have liked Logan 8 years ago. But he's grown up, and really impressed me today."
"And he's gotten way more gorgeous!" Rory told her. "I've never been a fan of facial hair, but mom, did you see him?!"
"Uh yeah, I'm human! Those looks are definitely working for him! Every nurse in this hospital has been throwing themselves at his feet."
"How do you know?"
"It's pretty obvious by the way they talk to him, and drool when he's not looking. Even Veronica was doing it."
"Veronica has a kid."
"Yeah, so! I had at kid at one point too. That never stopped me from looking."
"So you're saying that I should give him a chance?"
"Just start slow. See where it takes you. You could try being friends for a while."
"I can't believe that you invited him over tonight. What were you thinking?!"
"Actually, I was thinking that Luke won't be here until tomorrow, and I could use some help getting you home and all set up in bed."
"Mom, my apartment is a disaster. There is laundry piled up needing to be done, my bathrooms haven't been cleaned in a few weeks, there are a bunch of take out containers pulled up in my trash can, and a bunch more in my fridge that need to be thrown away, and the only food in the whole place is coffee and a box of pop tarts."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of all of it. Luke is bringing food tomorrow, and you know he'll do some grocery shopping and fill your fridge up with ready to eat meals. All you will have to do is turn on the microwave. Everything is going to be ok. We'll just get you home tonight, and I'll have Logan sit with you while I get things cleaned up, and get your laundry started."
"The bed isn't even made in the guest room."
"That's ok. I can sleep with you tonight. It's fine. I'll take care of it before Luke gets here tomorrow. And while Luke is cooking I'll have him keep an eye on you so I can run up to your office. I'll need to take them your medical paperwork, and I'm sure you have some stuff there that you want brought home, right?"
"Have I told you that you are the best Mommy in the whole world?" Rory asked.
"Maybe once or twice." Lorelai told her.
"I love you Mom. Thank you for being here."
"Hey, there is no where else in the world that I would rather be. You're my baby. I will always be here when you need me. And don't even try to kick me out because I am not leaving until I am 150% positive that you can take care of yourself again."
"So then movie night tomorrow?"
"You've got yourself a deal kid!"
"I've really missed you Mom."
"I know baby. I've missed you too.
"Knock knock!" a friendly voice said from the door as it slowly owned.
"Wassup home slice!?" Lorelai answered.
"Doctor Huntsberger asked me to bring these to you." Veronica said setting some clothes on the table next to Lorelai. "He said you might be more comfortable in these than in the blood soaked clothes you had on when you got here. Your transfusion is done, so I'm going to pull your IV, and then you can get dressed. Doctor Huntsberger will be in shortly with your discharge instructions."
"Thank you Veronica." Rory smiled. "You've been amazing today!"
"It's my pleasure." Veronica told her as she pulled on some rubber gloves and grabbed the supplies she needed to remove Rory's IV.
Once Rory's IV was removed, and Veronica had left the room, Lorelai helped Rory out of the bed, and assisted her getting dressed. When they were finished, Lorelai got Rory settled once again and began packing up their stuff from the room. She was just finishing up when there was a knock at the door and Logan walked back in.
"You look a lot better Ace."
"Logan, thank you! You didn't have to buy me new clothes though."
"I actually didn't. I thought about it, but I didn't think it would be very appropriate for the entire staff to find out about. These were actually part of a donation for patients like car accident or rape victims who's clothes are either too soiled or have been taken for evidence. We have a donation room full of soft comfortable clothing for any patient who needs it. I just went in there and grabbed things I thought you would like."
"And this?" Rory asked pointing to the zippered hoodie she was wearing with the name Dr. L Huntsberger embroidered on the front.
"That came from my locker. It's a little bit chilly outside."
"You realize that you may never get it back, right?"
"That's fine. You keep it as long as you'd like." Logan told her. "It looks good on you."
"Logan, should I go pull the car around?" Lorelai asked, interrupting the flirting that was happening in front of her.
"Yeah go ahead. Rory's prescriptions should be ready. The pharmacy is thru the waiting room, at the end of the long hallway."
"Thank you Logan. I texted you Rory's address. Just stop by whenever you're done."
"I saw it come through. I just need to finish up some paperwork, then I'll grab a shower and head out."
"Sounds great. Do you mind helping Rory out to the car so I can take all this stuff out?"
"I'm more than happy to. I just need to her to sign some release papers."
"Is there anything special that I need to know?"
"It's all standard. I'll go over it with you when we get Rory settled."
"Alrighty then! Rory, here is your phone. I'm taking your purse with me. I'll text you when I'm ready for you."
"Ok thank you." Rory said taking the phone and sliding it into the hoodie pocket.
"I'll see you outside." Lorelai told them, then grabbed the last of their things and headed out the door.
"I just need a few signatures." Logan said as Rory turned back to face him.
"You really don't have to come over tonight if you don't want to, or have other plans."
"Rory . . . We need to talk . . . But we can't do it here. Too many eyes and ears."
"I know what you mean."
"Let's just get you home and settled tonight, and then when you are feeling up to it, we'll talk, ok?"
"Ok."
"I need you to sign some papers." Logan told her setting the papers in his hand down on the table in front of her, and taking a seat next to her on the bed. "This first one is your consent saying that you were brought in by ambulance with a laceration to the right extremity, and significant blood loss. I just need your signature at the bottom." Rory scribbled her name the best she could using her left hand, then watched as Logan flipped to the next page. "This one says that I gave you two units of A- blood from our emergency bank." Again, Rory scribbled her name at the bottom of the page, and Logan moved on to the next one. "This one says that you received 3 bags of fluids, pain killer, tetanus shot, and imaging via x-ray and MRI . . . Next page . . . This one states that you are aware that you were given morphine in your IV, and that you you are not permitted to operate any vehicle or heavy machinery for the next 72 hours as per New York state law . . . This one says that you are being released to your mother's care, and that she will remain your care giver for the next 24-48 hours while the morphine works its way thru your system . . . Next one states that you received 25 stitches and a waterproof cast. You can shower with it uncovered after 24 hours, but personally, I would keep it covered because it tends to smell better if you do . . . Next is your prescriptions. You have an antibiotic, a steroid and some pain killer. You are to take them as directed, and you will follow up with your doctor within 5 days of your release from this hospital, meaning Tuesday . . . Two more. This one is your acknowledging that I have written you out of work for two weeks, or until you are released by a licensed physician . . . Last one..." Logan said as he flipped to the final page. "This one is just consent to bill the New York Times worker's compensation company, and provide them with your medical records." Logan explained as Rory scribbled her name one last time. "You are all done. You are officially free to go. I will get you copies on your way out."
"Logan ..." Rory started looking up at the man in front of her.
"Yeah ..."
"Thank you." Rory said softly. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"You are welcome Ace. This is what I do. It's my job."
"Logan ..." Rory started again, reaching for his hand. "You've done way more than just your job for me today."
"What did you expect? Did you think I would turn my back on you? Ask someone else, less qualified than I am, to take care of you?"
"No. None of that. I know you better than all that . . . I just want to say thank you . . . It's been a pretty traumatizing day, but you made it a lot more bearable."
"You don't need to thank me Ace. This us what I do. I would do anything for you."
Rory smiled and wrapped her arms around Logan to hug him.
"I'm really glad you were here today."
"Me too." Logan agreed wrapping his own arms around Rory, closing his eyes and breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. After a moment they both heard Rory's phone chime with a text message, and pulled apart.
"Mom is pulling up outside."
"Let's get you home then. I'll be right back with a wheel chair and copies of your paperwork." Logan told her as he stood up and left the room with all of the paperwork that Rory had just signed. "Janice, will you make me 2 copies of these papers please?" Logan asked the first nurse he saw sitting at the admin desk.
"Doctor Huntsberger, do you need me to wheel your patient out?" Another nurse asked.
"No, but thank you. She's an old friend. I'll take her myself. Thank you Janice." Logan said taking the papers back. "Go ahead and put those originals on my desk. It's a worker's comp case, so I have extra paperwork to do."
"Sure thing Doctor Huntsberger."
"is this the wheelchair I asked for?"
"Yes it is."
"Thank you for your help." Logan answered, then turned and headed back to Rory's room. "Your chariot awaits, madam."