The painkillers are his new best friends. Screw Finn and Colin.

With the headaches subsiding, his body getting used to strict bed rest, and the multiple medications the doctors are administering through his IV, Logan is feeling much better.

Of course, having Rory by his side is his number one reason to be in a good mood despite everything.

However, at the moment, she is being the cause of his moodiness more than anything.

"Can you get me the M ?"

"Nope," she answers nonchalantly, without looking away from her laptop screen.

Logan has been starving in his bed for the past two hours, pleading with her to let him eat something else than hospital food. The disgusting hospital food.

And since the nurses refuse to feed him junk food and his two best friends are being threatened by Rory if they do so, he is at her mercy.

She's been sitting there for two hours already, her focus split in half between reviewing Bill's work on the 'Daily News' and denying every single one of Logan's petitions.

"Ace…"

Please, have mercy on me. If I have to endure one more potato omelet, I am going to jump out this very window.

"Yes, babe?" She's using her condescending tone. She's not even pretending to consider anything I ask her at this point.

"Skittles?"

"No."

"A muffin?"

"No."

"Hot dog?"

"An even bigger no."

"A pizza?"

"I can do this all day, Logan."

He curses under his breath and gives up.

"I'm starving," he declares, frustrated.

"I know you are. You should've eaten your lunch today, but you didn't." Rory looks up to meet his eyes. "Now, either eat a healthy cereal bar or wait until dinner to see what they'll make."

Disgusted at the thought of another vegetable soup, he relents. "Fine."

Beaming, she gets up and approaches his bedside.

"That's my boy," she gives him a sweet little peck on the lips and turns around to leave. "I'll be right back."

He watches her walk towards the door and smiles widely at the view.

She's at the top of my to-do list as soon as I get out of here. Next thing she knows, she will be the one who has a problem walking.

His thoughts come to an immediate halt when he spots his father entering the room.

"Dad," he acknowledges, baffled.

"Look at you," Mitchum shakes his head and gestures to his body. His voice is low and quiet when he speaks again. "What the hell did you do, Logan?"

I am definitely not in the mood for this crap. He came all the way just to shake his head and give me a freaking PowerPoint presentation of how much of a disappointment I am? Why am I not surprised?

God, Rory better hurry up. I need her to keep me from throwing the monitor at his head.

"If you're here, I'm pretty sure they've filled you in on the details already." He grumbles.

"No, no, no," Mitchum gets closer and points at him threateningly. "You don't get to be a patronizing, pompous frat boy today."

He wants to get under my skin. All I have to do is take a deep breath and put on my special "Mitchum noise-canceling mindset". I won't let him get to me.

"Okay, Dad." Logan tries to keep a mild tone, guessing the less he fights him, the sooner he'll leave.

But it only makes it worse.

"Okay, Dad?" Mitchum repeats incredulously. "That's all you have to say? Okay, Dad?"

"Well-"

"Fucking look at you, Logan!"

"I know!"

"Do you?" His father is losing his temper just as fast as Logan is losing his. "Do you have any idea of the hellish day I had?"

"Of course this is about you," Logan chuckles without humor. "His son almost died and is currently lying on a hospital bed. But wait, everybody! Mitchum Huntzberger had a bad day."

"Yes, son, what a selfish son of a bitch I am. Right?" Mitchum snorts. "What about Finn and Colin? They must be some self-centered assholes as well. And your sister? How narcissistic can someone be?"

What the hell is happening right now? He doesn't make any sense; he would never insult Honor. My friends? Sure. But never my sister.

"What are you-"

"Should I get started on Rory?"

Oh, no. You're crossing the line, Father. The line.

"Careful." Against his body's protest, he sits up abruptly and looks him squarely in the eye, challenging him to follow through with his speech.

But his father ignores his attempt to intimidate him.

"She must be the most self-absorbed, inconsiderate girl I've ever met. Wrapped up in herself. The human personification of the word selfishness."

"Watch it!"

"I should watch it… uh. I thought you just implied that I was being a self-centered bastard when I mentioned how little you cared about the day I had."

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"Do you think I was the only one who had a fucking horrible day?!" Mitchum's voice carried through the closed door to the hallway.

Getting a grip on his temper, he continues, angrily walking towards Logan's bedside.

"If you could have only seen the desperation in your friends' faces when they brought your unconscious and bleeding body to the nearest clinic… If you could have only heard the distraught in your sister's voice when she called your mom, in the middle of her honeymoon, to tell her that her little brother had an accident…" with every word his father speaks, Logan's guilt and remorse grow simultaneously.

And then he hits him with the one sentence that hurts the most.

"And if you could have only watched how your girlfriend panicked and ran around the entire hospital while you were in the ICU, trying to get someone to tell her anything about your state." Mitchum shakes his head. "If you knew what everyone around you has been going through because of you, you wouldn't dare to imply that your bed rest condition is the worst thing happening here."

That's the moment Logan notices how hard his dad is fighting the tears that threaten to fall down his face. It's the moment he notices the hurt in his eyes, and how overwhelming it is to look at them.

"Because, let me tell you, son… I think having your daughter-in-law call you and tell you that your son has barely survived a cliff fall and is now lying in a hospital bed in severe condition qualifies as a hellish day." Mitchum's voice breaks at the end, causing Logan to feel like the shittiest person alive.

He looks down, avoiding his father's eyes.

He is right. Damn it, he is right.

Finn, Colin, Honor, and Rory. They are putting on a smile and treating me as if I hadn't jumped off a cliff drunk a couple of days ago. I don't deserve it.

I didn't even stop to think about what my dad must have felt when he found out.

Wait! Did he just say his daughter-in-law called him? Because, as starters, I thought Rory was on the worst of terms with my dad. But what's even weirder is the fact he would refer to her as his daughter-in-law. I mean, he must be talking about her, right? Who else could it be?

"You're right," he tries to convey in his words how genuinely remorseful he feels. "I'm sorry, dad."

"Yeah, sure you are," Mitchum sneers, the disbelief clear in his voice.

Damn it. I'm trying here.

"I am. I was showing off, I wasn't in my right mind. I was upset," anticipating his father's protests, he quickly emends. "That is not an excuse, I know. The pain was just too much for me to handle and-"

"And you jumped off a cliff?" Mitchum cuts him off, pure astonishment and hurt in his face. "Please, tell me this is not what I think you're saying. Because if it is, you are in an even bigger problem."

What?

Oh, crap!

"No! God, no! I wasn't trying to kill myself. It's just… Rory and I- Well, we were kind of… We were going through something. She was rightfully upset with me, but because she wouldn't even talk to me, I began to get upset with her."

His father relaxes a little and waits for him to continue.

"When the guys and I were arranging the trip, she mentioned how little she liked the whole thing. How unprepared we were, how dangerous it was."

"So you risked your life to despise her?" The incredulity in Mitchum's voice makes him feel even dumber as he nods sheepishly.

God, I hope he doesn't take this out on Rory. It wasn't her fault. I did this. It's not fair for him to hate her.

Shit, I should've thought this through. Voicing my feelings in front of my dad has never gone well. That is exactly why I never do it.

"As if that girl hasn't been through enough. She puts up with too much of your crap."

Well… that's a surprising turn of events.

"And she's still here, making sure you don't jump out the window or something," his father chuckles humorlessly. "Whichever redeeming virtue she sees in you, I'm yet to know. But whatever it is, apparently it is worth sticking around for."

"I am as clueless as you are," Logan quietly admits.

A few moments pass, both staring intensely at each other in deafening silence.

Suddenly, Logan musters enough courage to ask.

"What did you mean when you said your daughter-in-law called you?"

This time, the laugh that leaves Mitchum's mouth is genuine. "It's a casual term."

"You never refer to Josh as your 'son-in-law', and he's married to Honor."

"Because I never talk about Josh."

"Dad…" Logan smiles a little, eager to know.

Giving in with a puff, his father sits down on the chair next to his bed. "Your sister called your mother to tell her about your accident. At that moment, we only knew what Colin had told Honor: that you were hurt during one of your little stunts with your moronic friends."

Taking a deep breath, Mitchum rests his elbows on his knees, looking straight at the floor.

"When Honor called to insist that I come see you, I refused. Under no circumstances would I come over here to coddle you after I told you countless times to grow up and stop doing this kind of crap. I figured they'd run a few tests and then send you home with a cast."

He is trying really hard not to show it, but Logan can see the guilt in his father's posture. The way he just stares at the ground and doesn't look up.

"And then Rory called," Mitchum chuckles, now fixing his eyes on his son's with an amused expression. "Hell if that wasn't the most Emily Gilmore call I've ever received."

This ought to be really good.

"What did she say?"

"Apart from telling me what a 'narcissistic ass' I was being?" She… what?!

Logan's incredulity is visible, so his dad just nods vehemently and carries on. "She told me you were in serious condition," he turns serious, "That you had multiple life-threatening injuries, lying in a hospital bed. So I better get my ass over here and see my son."

Okay, that does sound like Emily Gilmore.

My girl is fierce. Damn.

"So, on my way here, after the initial irritation wore off, I couldn't help but think about how odd it is to have this petite, audacious girl defending my son. Even when you don't deserve it. It made me think of how unusual it is that you have a girlfriend who cares if your dad comes to see you in the hospital, not how many millions you have in the bank."

"She's always been like that. This isn't news to you," Logan mentions, confused. "She has never shown any interest in our money, nor in our social status."

"I know that."

"So…"

"You are growing up, Logan. At your own pace, which is painfully slow if you want my opinion. But you are. And in spite of all the reasons that girl has to leave you - in spite of all the reasons our family gave her to - she chooses to stay." Mitchum clears his throat and stands up, fixing his tie. "I am glad to know you have someone who not only doesn't give two cents about your money, but is also willing to put up with you and your crap. Now, I'm not telling you to get married. Please, don't. First learn how to pay your own taxes and medical insurance. But… I do advise you to get yourself together in order to stop giving her a daily reason to dump your ass. Because she is a girl I'd like to call 'daughter-in-law' someday… And looking at you right now, I have a feeling you would like that, too."

"Yes." Wait, what did I just say? Do I? Who am I kidding? Of fucking-course I do!

A little surprised by his son's firm and sure statement, Mitchum just smiles to himself and nods. He heads over to Logan's bedside and squeezes his shoulder as a goodbye.

"Then get your shit together, son. A girl like that can only have so much patience."

And without waiting for a response, he leaves.

I have to get better. In every way I can.

He's right. I can't keep doing this crap. I have so much to lose. I can't risk it.

His mind races with all the ways he will make it up to her. And it all comes to an abrupt stop as soon as she enters the room, grinning when she sees him.

Maybe we are going to be just fine.

"Hey," she approaches him.

"So, my dad just left."

But she has to know this already. How long can someone take to get a cereal bar from the vending machine across the hall? She was giving us space. God, I love her.

"I saw."

"I still can't believe it. He actually visited. He was only moderately hostile, slightly condescending, and no more self-centered than usual."

He leaves the "my father referred to you as his daughter-in-law" part out. Just for the sake of avoiding giving her a heart attack.

"Well, it's good that he came. Good for him." She fidgets in her place. "Are you feeling any better?"

"I am." Because I have you here. "Of course, it could have something to do with the twenty-seven medications they have me jacked up on."

"I checked with the doctor. It's mostly cough syrup and baby aspirin."

Her joking demeanor fades as she looks at his swollen face, his scars, the multiple cables they put on him.

"What's wrong? I'm feeling better." Rory shakes her head. "What?"

"I'm sorry."

No. Please, God, no. Don't let her give up on me just yet. What's the point of getting out of this hospital if she is breaking up with me?

"About what?" Logan tries to keep his cool and hide the unnerving fear he's feeling.

"About letting you go on this trip." Oh, thank God. "I should have stopped you. I was just so busy being mad at you. I didn't think I was trying to punish you, but I was trying to punish you."

What on Earth did I do to ever deserve this woman? Did I sacrifice a Pope in a past life or something?

"No, Rory." He shakes his head.

"I should have stopped you."

"Hey, you couldn't have stopped me. A team of psychiatrists with tranquilizer guns couldn't have stopped me. I was going no matter what. It's my fault. Do not feel guilty about this." I can't bear the thought of being the constant reason you hurt.

"I just sent you out that door. I didn't even care. I was so cold. I just, I could have lost you."

The last sentence feels like a knife cutting straight into his gut.

He thinks about what his reaction would be if the roles were reversed. How terrified he would be if he didn't know whether she was dead or alive. How unbearably painful is the thought of losing her.

His chest hurts with the weight of what he has made her endure.

"You didn't lose me."

"But I could have, though."

"Look I'm the one screwing things up with us here, not you. I'm sorry you're in the hospital right now. I'm sorry about all of this. I don't know what's going on with me, but I'll get better, okay?" For you. For us. "Things will calm down. I just need you to bear with me, okay?" I promise you, Ace, I won't let you down again. I can fix this, if you give me one more chance. Even though by now you should have ran out of chances to give me.

She doesn't answer right away, causing Logan to fear the worst again.

"Okay?" he pushes.

"Okay," she quietly replies, getting closer and taking his hand.

She lets out a sigh, lovingly brushing a few strands of his blonde hair and causing Logan to melt in her hands, like every time she caresses him tenderly.

"I missed you so much," Rory whispers under her breath, almost inaudible.

"We've been apart way longer. Like when I went to Europe that summer, remember? We were apart for weeks," he chuckles, lost in her touch. "Now it's only been a couple of days."

"No, it hasn't".

It takes him a minute to grasp the actual meaning of her words, but when he does, his smile fades.

Lately, they have been apart even living together.

His three weeks in Europe were a walk in the park compared to the hurt he's felt waking up every morning and realizing she'd left earlier just so she wouldn't have to see kiss him 'good morning' and have breakfast together.

"You're right," his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. Listen, about the bridesmaids-"

"No." Rory's voice turns cold for a second.

"Sweetie, we have to talk about it." Even if it's the last thing I want to do right now.

"I know," she says, more calm but growing anxious.

"The reason everything went to hell is because we hid it under the carpet, pretending it would go away if we ignored it."

"I know, Logan, I just-" Rory shakes her head and holds his hand a little tighter. "Not right now. I need a second to not think about it, okay? I know we have to talk about a lot of things, but I just rather do it when we get home, when I'm completely sure you're okay. Right now all I need is to focus on the fact that you're safe, you're here… I just need a break from the nasty emotions, okay?"

Well, if I think about it, this gives me more time to prepare for that dreadful conversation. I know we have to have it, but it wouldn't hurt to be ready for the multiple different directions it could take, right?

"Okay, anything you need."

As he says it, Logan realizes it's true. He would do anything, give her anything she wanted.

He's head over heels for this girl.

"Anything?" She grins, widening her eyes and batting her eyelashes at him.

"Yes, anything. You know you don't need to work 'em baby blues, Gilmore," he laughs.

She knows damn well she can get me to do anything when she looks at me with those big blue eyes.

"Can I lie with you?" she asks quietly. "Or would it hurt?"

"It hurts way more to be away from you," Logan smiles sweetly at her, moving as much as he can to leave a space for her to fit.

He holds his arms up in invitation and, very carefully, she lies down with her head in between his shoulder and neck, letting him embrace her.

She doesn't go to Finn and Colin's tonight.

After all, it's the first night in ages they fall asleep cuddling each other.