I'm Better With You Rewrite, a gilmore girls fanfic

Summary: Rogan through and through. This fanfic is a fix for some of Rogan's mistakes in the series. They will have twists of other explanations. This will be a series of five fics starting with the opening of Dragonfly and the twist of how Rory and Logan met! Everything before Rory's Yale graduation will be flashback.

I'M Better with You

Chapter 1: Sometimes Tense Moments of Waiting

October 28, 2009 Boston, MA

Rory and Logan had worked things out two months after their fight, with a lot of encouragement from Honor. Rory had joined the campaign at the end of May 2007 to work for Hugo. Rory knew that some people, especially Lorelai, assumed that she had broken up with Logan. Rory and Logan were good together, despite her mother's attempts to interfere in their relationship. Rory and Chris grew closer as father and daughter during the first two years after Yale. After graduation, Rory decided that her mother's opinion no longer mattered to her. Rory and Logan both learned the importance of compromise in a relationship and how it works for the better. A little over three months had passed since Rory's visit to Palo Alto. It was a Tuesday, and she had two weeks left on her contract with the press corps. Rory hadn't talked to anyone but Logan about her plans to leave the Press Corps when her contract was up. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she knew she didn't want to continue in her current position.

Ten months ago, Rory had confronted Lorelai about using Finn to come between her and Logan. The distance between Rory and Lorelai had grown since the confrontation. Lorelai's efforts failed, Rory and Logan only grew closer, while Finn's friendship with Logan suffered. Rory would only see Lorelai at the rare dinner she came to alone at Emily & Richard's. Her last visit made Logan and Rory aware of the changes they needed to make in their lives is about eight to nine months. Rory and her co-worker Paul had met on the campaign trail 10 weeks ago. She was open to a friendship with Paul, but nothing more. As time passed, Paul's feelings for Rory grew beyond friendship, while Rory's confidence in her relationship with Logan grew.

Fourteen months into the campaign, Paul began to ask Rory out on a date. Rory was not interested in dating and would turn him down. However, he would not take no for an answer and continued to ask her out. Paul didn't know that Rory had a boyfriend or a serious relationship, although Rory never took the promise ring off her left ring finger. Working for the press corps had brought Rory to this particular bus and this particular moment. Logan had encouraged her to take the job for a year, then they could decide what they wanted to do. Faith, who is 36, had met Rory six weeks earlier when she had joined the press corps, replacing someone who had taken a writing job that kept them in one place without all the traveling.

Faith sat in the seat across from her while Paul sat next to her. It was 10 in the morning. Rory was answering Logan's latest email, or trying to. She had no real quiet place to write or Skype, which was what she really wanted to do. She was ready to focus on her future with Logan.

Paul had looked up when he felt the bus swerve and saw the semi on the wrong side of the road. It was coming right at them. Before he could say anything, the collision happened. The crash, which seemed to happen in a matter of seconds, was loud and drew the attention of those on the bus who were otherwise busy. Rory was writing an e-mail to Logan, oblivious to what was happening on the road in front of them. Suddenly she felt the bus swerve as the wheels screeched. The movement of the bus caused Rory to drop her laptop. As she reached to grab it, the force of the bus' movement caused her head and shoulder to slam into the window and the metal frame surrounding the window. The impact knocked Rory unconscious. When the bus stops, Paul leans over and checks on her. He notices that she has a cut on her head, but she is breathing. He looks up and looks around. The bus is in chaos. Faith looked around the bus, wondering what had happened. She had been working on her computer, making a list of questions she hoped to have answered at the press conference that was to be held in Boston.

While Paul went to check on Rory, Faith noticed Rory's computer on the floor of the bus, still turned on and undamaged. She picked it up and noticed that the e-mail Rory was writing was still open. Faith's attention was drawn back to the name on the email, that name caught Faith's eye when she saw it.

Rory was a private person and never talked about herself. She noticed that she rejected Paul's advances and often wondered why. Now, after reading the email, she realized that Rory was involved with him. She noticed the ring on Rory's left finger, but whenever Faith asked her about it. Rory changed the subject. Rory's relationship with Logan was now a private matter, she no longer trusted people. Finn was usually one of those people, but his recent behavior caused both Logan and Rory to no longer trust him. Colin and Steph, on the other hand, who she had emailed before sending the one to Logan, were still on very good terms with the couple.

Faith leaned forward and yelled, "Rory wake up, can you hear me?"

"That never really works," a male journalist said as he tried to shake Rory awake by her shoulder, which Faith didn't think was a good idea due to possible head or other injuries Rory might have sustained in the accident. When Faith's attention was finally drawn away from the laptop, she noticed the chaos around her. The bus driver had ordered everyone to stay in their seats. The police were on their way and she could hear the wail of ambulance sirens.

Three paramedics boarded the bus and began asking questions. They began to check each of them, attending to those who were injured, like Rory. One of the paramedics went over to give the state troopers a hand with the truck driver. Some members of the press corps had a clear view of the state police talking to the driver of the semi, and Paul noticed that the truck driver was given a field sobriety test. Paul's focus was still on what was happening on the road. Faith got the attention of the first paramedic on the bus. He quickly assessed Rory and called for help to move her gently. The paramedics moved Rory into the ambulance relatively quickly. Faith was not told anything, except that Rory had to be taken to a private hospital in Cambridge. Faith didn't want Rory to go there alone. She had grown fond of the young journalist and insisted on accompanying her to the hospital. Fortunately, the two paramedics were women and understood her need to accompany the young women. As soon as the sirens went off, the paramedic in the back with Rory started asking Faith tons of questions. It was the paramedic's quick assessment that Rory must have a concussion. What degree of concussion she couldn't determine, that would have to be done at the hospital.

What was her name?" asked the paramedic, Greta.

"Rory Hayden," Faith replied.

"Can you tell me what she was doing just before the accident?" asked Greta.

"She was sending an e-mail," Faith said.

"Do you know where she hit her head?" asked Greta.

"Not exactly, but she was in the inside seat by the window," Faith said.

"Are you Ms. Hayden's health care proxy or do you know who to contact?" asked Greta. "No, I can't, but wouldn't that information be on her phone or laptop?" said Faith.

Greta asked a few more questions during the 20-minute drive to CHA Cambridge Hospital, and once there, things began to move quickly. The paramedics alerted the nursing staff that Rory's medical power of attorney needed to be checked. Faith was told to wait in the ER waiting room and paced until the ER doctor was finished and allowed someone to sit with Rory. The medical staff gave her no information about Rory's condition.

Palo Alto, California - The House with the Avocado Tree

Logan was in his home office getting ready to go to work at Wisdom Media, a technology company dedicated to changing the future of online and print news. Logan's company was built to help print newspapers or companies like the Huntzberger Publishing Group conglomerate. Logan had tried to make those changes from within HPG, but it wasn't a direction Mitchum wanted the company to go, so he made sure his son failed. When Logan was offered the job at Wisdom, he was asked to sign on as an owner. Logan had the business knowledge, Nathan had the legal knowledge, and the last partner, Seth, had the technical knowledge needed to build a company. Seth and Nathan were Yale graduates who grew up in California. They were also members of the life and death brigade. Logan knew Seth from his Yale days, but not Nathan. Logan's business expertise was invaluable to Seth and Nathan. Logan knew how print newspapers worked and how their company could help them.

It was just after 7 a.m. in Palo Alto. He saw CHA Cambridge Hospital on his caller ID. He picked up the phone, not sure why they were calling him. Before he could even say hello, he heard, "Hello, I'm Nurse Slade from CHA Cambridge Hospital, have you been listening for a Rory Hayden as a medical proxy? Is this Logan Huntzberger I'm talking to?"

"It is," Logan said. "What hospital are you calling from again?

"CHA Cambridge Hospital, we are about 20 minutes northeast of Boston. Due to HIPAA laws I can't tell you much over the phone," said Nurse Slade. "There was an accident with the bus that Ms. Hayden was on in Boston."

"I'm in California but I will get a flight out of ASP if the staff needs a medical decision before then they can call my cell phone, the number should be on file," Logan said. He didn't know what else to say. Logan knew he had to see her, they'd taken things a little slower after the fight the night of her graduation. They had exchanged promise rings, exchanged promises that they knew they could keep and that each of them meant. In the end, it had been a path that was right for them individually and as a couple.

It took Logan almost thirty minutes to get a flight out of San Jose International Airport. He'd checked flights out of San Francisco and Oakland airports first to see if there were any private flights that could be chartered from there. San Jose didn't have that option, but they did have a flight leaving 55 minutes after he booked it. The drive from his apartment to the airport was 22 minutes. He considered calling Honor or the boys, but decided he needed more information before sending them all off to Massachusetts. Rory was in a private hospital, which would have been his choice if the location had b His flight took 5 hours and 28 minutes from the time the plane left the gate to the time it landed at the gate at Boston International Airport. Logan was hospitalized waiting for his luggage to come off the plane. He rented a car, didn't think about a hotel or where to stay, and drove straight to CHA Cambridge Hospital. Traffic was light, so Logan made the drive in about 20 minutes. After parking, he found his way to the nurses' station in the emergency room. By the time Logan reached the hospital, it was just before 4:00 in the afternoon.

"Excuse me," Faith said. "Is there any news about Rory Hayden?"

"Have a seat, Miss Owens," said a second nurse at the desk. "I'm sorry, but I can only release that information to Ms. Hayden's health care proxy. We are not allowed to give you that information." Before Faith could turn around, she heard the conversation starting next to her.

"Hello, excuse me," Logan said as politely as possible to the nurse who ignored him. "I'm Logan Huntzberger. I got a call that Rory Hayden was brought in here. I'm her health care proxy."

After Logan presented his license for verification. Nurse Fredericks. said, "She was brought in as a victim of a bus accident, her injuries are not yet determined, what we do know is that she has a mild to moderate concussion and is currently unconscious. This accident has us backed up. Dr. Teals wants to do an MRI to confirm a moderate concussion since Ms. Hayden is still unconscious. They can't determine much else until she wakes up. It's been noted that she has cuts and bruises, but I'll let Dr. Teals explain why they have no concerns about any other injuries."

"When can I see Rory? Has there been any news about the baby?" asked Logan.

""Like I said, she's not awake, but since Dr. Teals is waiting for Dr. Amelia Edenbaugh, an OB-GYN," Nurse Fredericks said. "She's in room 3487 down the hall two doors to the right and it's the eighth door on the left. Dr. Teals notes that she thinks the baby is stable. She wants the OB to confirm."

"Thank you, and when you see Dr. Teals, please ask the doctor to meet me in Rory's room," Logan said, "If you can give me the paperwork, I'll get it filled out in Rory's room."

"I will inform Dr. Teals of your request to speak with her," said Nurse Fredericks. "She has asked to speak to the person in charge of Ms. Hayden's medical power of attorney." She handed Logan all the forms that needed to be filled out. Logan turned and headed for Rory's hospital room. He wanted to be there when she woke up.

"Excuse me, I just heard you were asking for information about Rory, do you know her?" Faith asked Logan. She was sure that the hospital wouldn't give the blonde any more information than they were giving her.

"Yes, and who are you?

"Faith Owens, I am a friend of Rory's. We met when we both started working for the Press Corp. I am a journalist and I was on the bus with Rory."

"It was nice to meet you, but I have to go see Rory, so please excuse me," Logan turned and went down to Rory's room.

The walk to Rory's hospital room seemed long because of the hospital staff coming through with patients in wheelchairs or on stretchers, but in fact it took about 3 minutes from the nurses' station. Faith finally followed Logan back to room 3487. She was in a private room in the ER section of the hospital, but was officially registered as a patient. Logan didn't take much notice until they reached Rory's room.

"You're not going in there," Faith said.

"Excuse me, Faith, is it? I just came from across the country, I need to see the woman I love. Friend of Rory's or not, it's none of your business."

"Why are you here, other than the fact that you went to Yale, Rory said nothing about you. What is it between you and Rory?" said Faith.

"You may know Rory, but you don't know anything about us, our relationship. No one said that everything was always perfect between Ace and me. It is Rory who should answer your questions. We've worked through our problems, we always have. Since I'm her medical proxy, the decision of whether or not to enter her room is not yours to make." Logan turned to go into the room. Faith was worried about Rory and the baby, but it brought up more questions than Logan's arrival alone would have.

Though Logan didn't say it, he knew that Rory not talking to Faith about him meant that she didn't trust her yet. Rory might see Faith as a friend, but that didn't mean she trusted easily or didn't need more time to trust others. Rory trusting Logan at the beginning was rare for her, and the reason was something Honor had yet to tell them why.

It was almost 5 p.m., about an hour after Logan's arrival, before he had a chance to talk to Dr. Renee Teals. Rory was still unconscious when Dr. Amelia Edenbaugh arrived. Logan told the doctor how far along Rory was in her pregnancy. Logan didn't leave Rory's side unless the hospital staff asked him to. Logan would call Honor while Rory was being examined by Dr. Edenbaugh, the obstetrician. The OB wanted to call Logan back for the ultrasound, but she wanted to examine Rory first. While Rory was far enough along for an abdominal ultrasound, she wanted to be extra sure she made the right call before proceeding with the ultrasound.

"Hello, this is Logan Huntzberger," he answered his phone as he found a quiet place to take the call.

"Hey baby brother, where are you?" said Honor. "Colin and Finn took a flight all the way to Cali to see you. When they couldn't find you, they called me."

"I'm in Boston, Rory was on a bus with the press corps. There was an accident, she has a moderate concussion and is still unconscious," Logan said. "A doctor is with her now."

"Where is Lorelai in all of this?" asked Honor. "I know you are Rory's medical proxy. Lorelai can't overrule you on medical decisions."

"Rory's not talking to Lorelai at all," Logan said. "That has to do with why things are so tense between Finn and me. All I can say right now is that Lorelai was involved in what happened. It is a much longer story for another time.

Logan was standing outside Rory's emergency room, "Mr. Huntzberger," Dr. Edenbaugh said. "You can come back into the room now. I'm ready to do the ultrasound."

"Honor, I have to go," Logan said. "If Finn calls, tell him I'll talk to him when I'm ready. He'll know what he's gotten himself into. Please tell Colin, Robert and Rory's best friend Lane what's going on."

Sure thing, little brother," Honor said. "Call me if you need anything. I mean that."

"Thank you, Honor," Logan said. With that he hung up and went back to the hospital room.

"Mr. Huntzberger," Dr. Edenbaugh said. "While Ms. Hayden is four months along, we want to make sure we haven't missed anything of concern from the bus accident, so I'm going to do a transvaginal ultrasound this evening. There's nothing that has me overly concerned from the physical exam, this is just a precaution. "

"I understand," Logan said. He walked around to stand at the head of Rory's bed.

Dr. Edenbaugh, continue with the internal ultrasound, which took 35 minutes due to the fact that she was through. The OB pointed to the screen a few times during the procedure so Logan could see his and Rory's little bundle of joy. He wished Rory was awake to see it. He knew it might be a few days before she woke up. He also knew that some kind of anemia was a possibility. Dr. Teals advised that talking to Rory was the best thing he could do right now.

"Mr. Huntzberger, the pregnancy looks healthy and right on track," Dr. Edenbaugh said. "While I will probably recommend 8 to 10 weeks of bed rest due to possible stress from the accident. There are no current medical concerns with her pregnancy at this time. I will be back in 48 hours to check on Rory and the baby. Rory will be transferred to the maternity ward as soon as a room is available. Dr. Teals will check on her with the concussion protocols there. Her recovery will be closely monitored. Have me paged if necessary."

Thank you, Dr. Edenbaugh," Logan said.

Faith had made her way back to Rory's room while the obstetrician was with her. Faith had no idea what was going on, but the nurse kept her out of the room for an hour. Although the doctor left after 35 minutes, Logan was busy reading work emails on his phone. He didn't notice Faith enter the hospital room and stare at him. The change to talk to Rory would come when Rory woke up. Faith felt that she should be there when Rory woke up.

Logan leaned over and kissed Rory's forehead again before talking to her. He shared moments of their relationship that Dr. Teals said could help with amnesia.

"I'm right here, Ace, and I can't be anywhere else until you get out of the hospital," Logan said. "You come first, we come first, nothing else."

Faith stood there, waiting to say something to Rory, who was still unconscious, but hoping she could hear her. Faith wanted Rory to wake up for no other reason than to kick Logan out. Because that was what Faith thought would happen just because Rory never talked about him. Faith didn't know what a private person Rory was or about her problems with trust because of her own mother Lorelai. To her it felt like a blink of an eye that this blonde was here. She didn't see what was obvious right in front of her eyes, the fact that Logan's presence and the promise ring made a little more sense. Logan was quietly telling Rory the story of their first meeting.

July 2004 Martha's Vineyard

Rory didn't stay for the opening of Lorelai's Inn. They fought again, this time about what hadn't happened with Dean. Time allowed Rory to find out that what she shared with Dean was not love. She had gone through a lot to come to that conclusion. Rory walked down the beach, lost in thought about the fight. Her Hayden's grandparents had returned to Hartford for a few days because of court business. Her grandmother Francine had decided to follow them. Rory had the Hayden summer house to herself until her father, Gigi, Grandpa Strobe, and Grandma Francine arrived Friday night around dinner time. She almost ran into someone coming from the other direction. Rory was unaware of those around her because she was lost in thinking about how deep the hurt between her and her mother was growing. Lorelai Victoria Gilmore not only felt she could judge things she didn't know anything about, but also didn't want to admit her mistakes that affected Rory. Rory didn't see or hear anyone coming from the opposite direction until it was too late.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Rory said. "I was lost in thought and wasn't aware of others around me."

"No problem," Logan said. "I'm Logan Huntzberger." He reached out to shake Rory's hand. "I'm a good listener if you want to talk to someone neutral about whatever's on your mind."

"Leigh Gilmore Hayden, well, and Lorelai in there with the middle name too, but I go by Rory," Rory said. "I might take you up on that offer, it was nice to meet you, Logan. But could we just go now?"

"Sure, I've never seen you up here in the summer," Logan said. "Where do you live?"

"My grandparents are Justice Strobe and Francine Hayden. I'm staying with them for the summer," Rory said. "I'm from Stars Hollow, Connecticut, but my grandparents live in Hartford. This is the first time I'm coming with them," she said, trying to get around the Lorelai issue and the fact that she had two homes since she was Eight-year-old.

"So you're Chris Hayden's daughter?" Logan said a little surprised. "How about we play a game of twenty questions to get to know each other better?"

"While first born," Rory said. "There's my half-sister Gigi, who is 17 years younger than me. Okay, I'm in." Rory thought for a moment before answering Logan.

Logan was glad that he had come home before Finn and Colin had left on the Morgan's yacht and were on their way to Fiji for the summer. "When's your birthday?" asked Logan. "Since you already gave me yours, my full name is Logan Elias Huntzberger."

"October 8th 1984 is my birthday and before you get there my parents had me at 16, some people in Hartford still consider that a scandal," Rory explained. "When is your birthday?"

"February 23, 1982," Logan said. "Also, you already answered that, I have a sibling, an older sister, Honor." Logan had noticed that Rory had not mentioned any siblings other than Gigi.

"Where do you go to school?" asked Rory.

"While I took last year off and traveled for pleasure. I needed a break from the pressure my father puts on me. However, I'm returning to Yale this fall as a junior, 7 credits short of junior status," Logan explained.

"What about you?"

"I'm going to Yale as a sophomore," Rory said. "I'm on the staff of the Yale Daily News, and I'm majoring in journalism. I was supposed to do an internship this summer, but things came up that prevented me from doing it."

"Where did you grow up?" asked Logan after thinking for a minute.

"It's a long story, some of which I don't want to get into right now. At least not the why, but I've lived in the joint custody of my Hayden grandparents and my mom since I was six years old. My mom lives in the small town 30 minutes outside of Hartford called Stars Hollow," Rory said. "The why is a very long story, and I'm not sure I have the whole story. After I turned 17, I chose to keep the custody arrangement and spend the time I got with my paternal grandparents and even my dad."

"While I was born in Hartford, I grew up mostly in a number of different boarding schools until I was 13, some in the U.S. and some in Europe," Logan said. "I graduated from Andover Academy in Massachusetts, where I spent my senior year."

"I graduated from Chilton Academy in Hartford for all four years of high school, although my mother wanted me to go to public school," Rory explained.

The twenty questions continued for the next 40 minutes as they walked along the beach. The two became fast friends. While Rory didn't bring up Lorelai's problems that afternoon before the summer ended, she did accept Logan's offer to listen. Trust wasn't something that came easy to Rory, whether it was the 20 questions or something else Rory was never sure she had the answer to. The truth lay in something neither of them remembered, the truth in her easy trust in Logan lay in the fact that Hayden had first introduced Rory to Logan when they were children.

Logan when she was four and Logan when he was six. Both were young, and the twists and turns of life would have them meeting again the summer after Rory's sixth birthday. That was when Logan started in a Connecticut boarding school that by 13 because school all over the U.S. and Europe. The rest of the summer came and went. Rory got to spend more time with Logan, walks on the beach and honest conversations as trust built. She also got to spend some time with her paternal grandparents, her father and Gigi. As the school year began, things became more difficult as Sherry's summer absences became more permanent.

October 30, 2009 [Present]

Logan has been talking to Rory for the last two plus days. During that time, Rory remained unconscious. Logan didn't leave the hospital and slept in the plastic chair next to Rory's bed. Not knowing the situation with the amnesia due to her concussion, Logan didn't call the Gilmores, Lorelai, the Haydens, Chris or even Lane. He didn't want to overwhelm Rory if that became the problem. Faith in Logan's mind was a nuisance to her. She came to visit several times a day.

Logan was busy answering a work email when he heard the voice he had wanted to hear since his arrival. It was 5 pm that evening. Faith, he was sure, would make what had been her typical evening visit.

Rory looked around in confusion. She had no idea where she was, she looked around until her eyes landed on Logan. She recognized him. "Logan, what's going on? Where am I, what happened?" asked Rory. "I feel like there are things I should know, but I don't. The last thing I remember is confronting Lorelai ten months ago. But I don't know what about."

"You scared me to death, Ace," Logan said. "I love you. I am going to have Dr. Teals paged to examine you now that you are awake. Then I can give you some answers."

"Please don't go," Rory begged Logan. She couldn't explain why he was the only thing that made her feel safe. She knew who he was, she remembered the fight with Lorelai, just not the context. But other than moments with Logan, she remembered nothing of the past eight months.

Logan sat on the left side of Rory's hospital bed. Rory was struggling to sit up from the lying position she'd been in. Logan remembered waking up in the hospital after the accident in Costa Rica. Rory obviously didn't want Logan to leave her alone. He wanted to have Dr. Teals paged to examine Rory now that she was awake. He believed that the obstetrician would come back to check on Rory either tonight or tomorrow morning.

"Ace," Logan said. "I'm not going anywhere except to let your doctors know that you are awake. You've been unconscious for two days. But I am not going anywhere. I love you. "

"Okay, come right back, but leave a message with a nurse, please," Rory begged.

"Of course, baby," Logan said. He leaned over and kissed Rory on the forehead. Logan left the hospital room. He'd asked the hospital staff to limit Faith's visits until her doctors could determine if Rory had any form of amnesia from the head injury in the accident.

Las Vegas, Nevada October 30, 2009 2:00 PM

Finn came along, not liking the way things were between him and Logan. He still had no idea how he'd done anything wrong. When Colin saw that Logan was not home, he led Finn back to the airport. The trip to Vegas was going to happen with or without Logan.

"You know you did something wrong," Colin said. "I shouldn't have to tell you." He was annoyed that Finn was acting like the innocent victim. Colin didn't blame Logan for the way he cut off contact. True, Logan and Finn were his best friends, but he didn't blame Logan for his reaction to what Finn had allowed Lorelai to convince him to do.

"How did I do anything wrong?" demanded Finn. "Lorelai said Rory deserved time to build a career. Free of any relationship at all, to find herself free of anyone tying her down."

"Lorelai played you, she wanted to make sure that Rory and Logan never got back together," Colin said. "That makes them smarter than you. Smarter than Lorelai, who's been keeping things quiet for the last two years."

"Lorelai only wanted what was best for Rory, she said it was only for a minimum of two years," Finn argued. "You really are delusional, Finn," Colin said. "Lorelai was trying to force Rory to be someone she's not."

Robert flew in sometime that afternoon. Colin got up since they were in the restaurant attached to the hotel. He just couldn't be around Finn right now. Colin turned and walked back to his hotel room.

Cambridge, CHA Cambridge Hospital

Logan reached the nurse's station on the floor after promising Rory he wouldn't be long. He waited until the nurse got off the phone and he could read her name tag.

"Excuse me, Nurse Anderson," Logan said. "Rory Hayden is awake. It was requested that Dr. Edenbaugh, OB, and Dr. Teals, who works in Nero and the ER, be paged immediately."

"How long ago?" asked Nurse Anderson. "Less than five minutes. I had to hold Rory down because she didn't know where she was, but at least she knew who I was. I'm not sure if there are people she won't recognize. Dr. Teal's told me that some form of amnesia is a possibility."

"I'll page them both right away," Nurse Anderson said. "I would suggest that you go back and sit with Ms. Hayden. I got a call from a Faith Owens who wants to barge in for a visit. Not knowing about the amnesia, I would make sure you stay with her.

Logan went back to room 728 where Rory had been moved to the maternity ward. Because of her early pregnancy and the accident, they thought it was the best place for her, even with the head injury. It was determined early on that Rory wouldn't need nerve surgery. The nurses paged both Dr. Edenbaugh, the obstetrician, and Dr. Teals, who was treating and monitoring Rory's concussion. Logan walked back to Rory and she immediately clung to him.

"You're okay, Ace," Logan said. "Our baby is fine. Dr. Edenbaugh is on her way. She wanted to do a second ultrasound when you woke up. She thinks there is a possibility of being able to tell the sex of the baby at four months and about 15 weeks, which is where you were at the first ultrasound."

"I remember the baby," Rory said. "But there are things I don't... my memory of the last eight months is spotty. Did you call my dad?"

"Your doctor didn't want to stress you out," Logan said. "So I thought it would be better if we had more answers before Chris was called. I wanted to have more to tell him when you were unconscious, so there wasn't much to tell."

Rory and Logan's conversation stopped when Dr. Teals entered the hospital room. The gynecologist was in the middle of a delivery. Dr. Teals did a quick examination to determine the current state of the concussion she had received. She wanted to get that over with before she started asking questions to see if there was any form of amnesia, which was the most common type of trauma.

"Okay Rory, I'm Dr. Teals, I've been treating your concussion since you came in," Dr. Teals said. "I'm going to need you to answer a few questions."

"What is today's date?" asked Dr. Teals.

"July 5, 2009," but he did not sound quite sure.

"Who is sitting to your left?"

"My boyfriend, Logan Huntzberger," Rory replied.

"Can you tell me who that is at the door?" asked Dr. Teals.

"I don't know her," Rory said more quietly, reaching for Logan's hand.

"Your parents' names?" asked Dr. Teals.

"Lorelai Gilmore, we don't speak and haven't for some time. But I don't remember the fight, just that we're fighting. My dad is Chris Hayden and he lives here with my half sister Gigi," Rory replied.

""Okay, Rory, I feel comfortable diagnosing you with Systematic Amnesia. This can explain the gaps in your memory. However, there is no reason to believe that this is permanent. It all seemed to be related to the accident. So be patient and give it time. The memories should come back, so don't force them. Can you tell me anything about the bus crash?"

"Totally blank," Rory said. "I don't even know where I am or why I was here. Logan lives in Palo Alto."

"We're in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at CHA Cambridge Hospital," Dr. Teals said. "I will try to have you discharged either tomorrow or the next day. But I want to talk to Dr. Edenbaugh first. I want to make the right decision for you and your unborn child."

"Is there anything else we need to know?" asked Logan.

"Your concussion symptoms are beginning to resolve, and as I said with the systematic amnesia," Dr. Teals said. "It will take time, so be patient. I'll be back to check on you before you're officially discharged, Rory. Until then, I leave you in the capable hands of the obstetrician, Dr. Edenbaugh. Edenbaugh."

"Thank you," said Rory.

"You're very welcome," Dr. Teals said. "Dr. Teals left the room and Logan moved so that he was sitting next to Rory on the hospital bed. He had about 50 texts from Honor looking for more information on how Rory was doing. There were about 10 from Finn begging Logan to talk to him. There were also several voicemails and texts from his father, Mitchum, who had been unable to locate him at work.

"Logan, my dad," Rory said, "we should call him. "I understand why you haven't called him yet. But I'm awake, we talked to Dr. Teals, and we know what's going on now."

"I can make the call, but it would require me to get up and walk out into the hallway," Logan said. "I can't promise that the woman in the door earlier, Faith Owens, as she introduced herself to me, has left."

"Please make the call and hurry back," Rory said. "I don't remember her, but I realize that doesn't mean I didn't know her before the accident."

"I won't be long, Ror," Logan said. He got up and walked out into the hallway just outside the hospital room. Logan scrolled down and hit the number Rory had given him to contact Chris. Logan just hoped that he answered because Logan hadn't thought to grab Rory's phone. It rang three times before it was answered.

"Hello," Chris said. "May I ask who is calling?"

"Mr. Hayden, Chris," Logan said. "This is Logan Huntzberger, Rory asked me to call you. She had an accident here in Boston. I got the call and flew in from California to be with her. I was her contact is at CHA Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rory had a concussion and has been unconscious for the last 2 days. It's been hectic, her doctor limited her visit until they could determine if the head injury caused any form of amnesia. She was diagnosed with systematic amnesia, so everyone in her life has complete memories. Especially the memories closer in time to the accident. Even her memories of the last eight months are spotty; she remembers some in part, some completely, and some not at all. She doesn't remember people she met within the last year. She is fine. She wants to see you."

She remembered long ago. Dr. Teals doesn't think it's permanent, but that we have to be patient until it does.

"Thanks for calling, Logan. Are you sure my little girl is all right? Does Lorelai know?" Chris realized that not calling for two days wasn't going to solve anything.

"Actually, Lorelai doesn't know," Logan said, "Rory doesn't want her to know either, they're not on speaking terms right now. Rory doesn't want Lorelai to come in and take over. When she was living with Emily and Richard, Rory changed her paperwork so that I'm Rory's medical power of attorney and she took your last name. She no longer goes by Gilmore, she goes by Rory Hayden"

"But," Chris started.

"It's a long story that Rory wants to tell you in person," Logan said.

"What she can remember of it, anyway."

"How are you and Rory doing? I know you made it through the failed proposal," Chris asked him.

"Yes, we have, we have worked through most of the issues, we have talked through things and exchanged promise rings and made some important promises to each other, you and I are the only people who know about the accident right now. "

"I'll be there soon, say 6:15," Chris said.

"That's great Chris, she will be happy to see you. She is in room 728."

"And Logan, thank you for being there for my little girl. I'm glad you're both there together."

When the conversation ended, Logan turned and went back to the hospital room. But before he did, he sent a quick text to Honor so she knew he was okay.

In honor: Things have been a little crazy around here. Rory finally woke up around 5 p.m. today. I had to call her father.

She has been diagnosed with systematic amnesia, but she will be discharged either tomorrow or the next day. I will call you when she is.- Logan

Logan rushed back to the hospital room... when he heard, "Please leave, I don't remember you," Rory was talking to Faith and looked at her confused. As soon as Logan reached Rory's side, she buried her head in his shoulder. She only felt safe around him, she knew him, she remembered most of .Rory had no idea who this person was or why she wanted to talk to her. Faith finally left, upset because she felt that Rory was ignoring her. Once Logan had calmed Rory down and they were alone again, Logan pulled the blue velvet ring box out of his briefcase.

"Ace, I know I did this over 2 years ago, but I'm going to try this again," Logan said. He got down on one knee in front of her, "You are my whole world. The love of my life and the most important person in my life. You make me a better person, someone I'm proud to be, Ace. We bring out the best in each other. So one last time, Leigh Lorelai Hayden, my Ace, will you marry me?"

Rory looked down at the ring. The ring was the original one Logan had proposed with two years ago. He put the platinum ring on a platinum chain. Along with the promise ring that was already on it. Logan had bought the chain in Palo Alto about a month before. Given Rory's job as a journalist back then, he didn't want to make their engagement public until they were ready. The ring was a platinum Luxe Willow Ring with 1⁄3 ct. Tw. The beautiful ring features delicate vines adorned with sparkling round diamonds and a marquise diamond buds that reach for the center marquise sapphire gem. It was the perfect combination of natural elegance and stunning sparkle.

"Yes, Logan Elias Huntzberger," Rory said. "I will marry you."

Logan put the chain around Rory's neck like a necklace. on her finger when she was released from the hospital. He felt strongly that they were ready to take the next step in their relationship. Logan would let her plan a wedding, elopement, or whatever she wanted. They had worked things out to get their relationship back on track, and that was the focus of their engagement.

"I can't believe you kept this ring, Logan," Rory said. "I'm glad you did. You made the right choice. You picked it with both me and society in mind. The perfect blend of the two."

"I knew it should be yours. I didn't want to give it back because of our missteps," Logan said. "Missteps we needed to know we were right for each other. I am just glad to be done with them. We are here together, rebuilding it all around our commitment and our desire to spend the rest of our lives together."

"Rory," Logan said. "I love you and I love our baby. I know it was a surprise, and maybe it shouldn't have been, since we didn't think much about using protection. But I..."

"You don't regret it," Rory said. "I don't either. "While they didn't know the sex of the baby, Rory had started calling it him. For a while she felt it was a boy. She liked the idea of having a son first.

"Do you really think the little one will be a boy?" "Mother's intuition," Rory said.

Las Vegas, Nevada Bellagio Hotel Room 3445 Penthouse Level

Colin was still angry after trying to reason with Finn. But that wasn't the only reason Colin was upset; he'd just gotten off the phone with his latest purchase. Part of the reason Colin wanted to go on this trip with Logan was because he was in a committed and trusting relationship. Colin wanted that, but he felt like Steph was still playing mind games with him. She agreed to the latest setup her mother wanted her to have with a blind date.

To Steph: Leave me alone for a few days. You have no regard for other people's feelings right now. You have no regard for the fact that not all things are created equal. -Colin

He closed the text screen for Steph and opened the one with Logan. Colin considered ignoring Steph's texts altogether, but he wanted her to know he was pissed. He needed to talk to someone about how he had made the jump. Even if he put his anger at Finn aside for the moment, Finn was still not ready to commit to anyone or anything.

To Logan: Huntz man where are you? I need to blow off some steam. Get back to me. Been trying to reach you for a few days now - McCrae

Hoping to hear from Logan, Colin's mind drifted back to the moment he had begun to suspect something. Lorelai had heard about Rory's plan to spend at least the fall semester abroad in London. Everyone but Lorelai thought it was a good idea, even Mitchum.

May 9, 2003 Yale Football Stadium

Colin was looking for Logan and Rory to go out and celebrate. It was no surprise to Colin that his father didn't bother to show up. Colin had known for a while that Andrew McCrea wouldn't bother to show up for anything other than Colin's graduation from law school. In his search for Logan and Rory, who took off as soon as Honor was done taking pictures of her brother at his graduation. He crossed the path of Lorelai, who had her hands on her hips. He stopped and eavesdropped since the conversation was so public.

"I need your help, Finn," Lorelai pleaded. "Rory can't do this after a semester away from Yale. Any time she spends on board will only delay her graduation and upset the plan that has been in place for years. Logan needs this time to grow, and Rory needs to refocus on her education. They need to do this relationship long distance."

"I'm not making any promises," Finn said. "I can try to talk and reason with both of them. But if either of them is set in their decision, there is no changing it. But we don't know that their minds are made up. If Rory hasn't filed the paperwork, there would be room to reason. But we don't have any facts, so I can't make any promises other than to talk to them and see where things stand."

"I guess it's better than nothing," she said. "Rory and I need to work on our relationship. We can't do that if she's on board. I'm her mother, it's my right to protect her from the world that she's a double heir, she didn't have to grow up with that knowledge on her shoulders."

"I grew up with it," Finn said. "So I can't argue with your choice. But you weren't the one who was lied to. I screwed up ten ways to Sunday because I want to force life into such a small space of time before that destiny kicks in. I heard from rumors that you had the worst experience in the Hartford Society. So I understand your decision."

"Well, I appreciate that, but I need Rory to understand," Lorelai said.

"If you give her time, I think she will forgive you," Finn said. "That's just Rory, but asking her to understand is asking too much of her."

October30th,2009 3:15PMLasVegas

Colin wished he'd been able to put it all together on the day of his graduation. Rory could have made her stand against Lorelai sooner. Rory could have used her senior year to find herself instead of fighting against Lorelai, forcing her into a certain plan and a certain image that was Lorelai's and Lorelai's alone of who Rory should be.

October 30, 2009CHACambridgeHospital Cambridge,Massachusetts6:15PM

Chris arrived at the exact time he told Logan he would, just as he was about to enter Rory's hospital room, 728, when Dr. Edenbaug approached. Chris looked up to see that Dr. Edenbaug was about to enter the same room as he was, and she stopped to speak to him.

"I assume you are Ms. Hayden's father," Dr. Edenbaugh said. "If you could just give me 15 to 20 minutes, I need to check on her. Then you're welcome to see her. I'm Dr. Edenbaugh, one of your daughter's doctors." She didn't want to give away the fact that she was an obstetrician; she didn't know how many people Rory had told at 15 weeks.

"That's fine with me," Chris said. "I'll wait out here. He sat down in the waiting area and checked his emails on his phone."