20. EXT. KIM'S ANTIQUES — DAY
Lorelai stands in front of the gate, dressed for Lane's wedding and self-consciously trying to avoid the gazes of a group of Korean men who are staring at her and whispering amongst themselves. Jess approaches. He's wearing a plain white dress shirt underneath his black dinner jacket.
LORELAI
Jess!
Lorelai looks way too happy to see him and grabs his arm as soon as he's close enough.
JESS
Lorelai?
LORELAI
Don't leave me.
JESS
Aren't we supposed to be going inside for this wedding thing?
LORELAI
I'm not allowed.
Jess raises an eyebrow.
JESS
Did you offend Mrs Kim? Take the Lord's name in vain?
LORELAI
No, I came without a date, so I'm probably a hooker.
Jess smirks.
JESS
Of course. And you thought you might pick someone up, standing here on the street? Coz' if that's what you want, looks to me like there's a group of guys over there that would be interested.
He raises his arm, gesturing to the Koreans. Lorelai slaps his hand back down and turns her back on the men.
LORELAI
Jess! They're the people I'm avoiding. Mrs Kim said if I came to the wedding without a date, then her friends would think I was a...prostitute. And don't smirk. It's not funny!
JESS
Oh, but I think it is a bit funny!
LORELAI
I bribed Michel into coming with me, but he's stood me up for Celine Dion, so now I'm waiting for Christopher...
Christopher approaches as if on cue. Lorelai looks relieved and grabs hold of him as she turns to Jess.
LORELAI
Who is here! Hurray! I have a date.
JESS (dryly)
I'm happy for you. (he nods his head toward the group of men) I'll tell the guys to try Miss Patty instead.
CHRISTOPHER
What's going on?
LORELAI
Oh, Jess was trying to sell me into prostitution, but we talked about it and decided it's not for me. Unless I was a Gigi type prostitute. You know, groomed my whole life to serve Louis Jordan...
CHRISTOPHER
Jess? You're Jess?
Lorelai gasps.
LORELAI
Oh, that's right, I forgot. You guys have never met. Well — Jess, this is Chris, Rory's dad. Chris this is Jess, Rory's...
CHRISTOPHER
Ex? Weren't you the guy that —
LORELAI (firmly)
Chris, this is Jess, Rory's friend.
She shoots Christopher a warning look and he shuts his mouth. Jess just stands awkwardly, hands shoved in the pocket of his trousers.
JESS
Hey.
There's a beat.
CHRISTOPHER
Hi.
Jess looks uncertainly at Lorelai.
JESS
So, I should go find Rory. She's probably waiting for me...
Lorelai nods at him quickly.
LORELAI
Yes. Go. And hey Jess?
Jess has started to walk away, but looks back at Lorelai who smiles at him.
LORELAI
Thanks for not pimping me out.
Jess just nods and walks into Kim's Antiques. As soon as he's gone, Christopher rounds on Lorelai.
CHRISTOPHER
Okay, Lor, what is going on?
Lorelai grabs Christopher's arm and tries to pull him down the road a little, away from the ears of the people milling in front of Mrs Kim's.
LORELAI
That's Jess.
CHRISTOPHER
The guy that broke Rory's arm and then broke her heart?
Lorelai just stares at the floor.
CHRISTOPHER
I'm gonna kill that punk. Why is he here?
LORELAI
Chris, no. You don't need to kill him. He's here because Rory asked him to come. They're sort of...dating, I think.
CHRISTOPHER
What? Are you kidding me? After what he did last time? Wait! Is he...Oh my God. Is he the reason she broke up with Logan?
Lorelai looks tired of the conversation and rolls her eyes.
LORELAI
No. Logan, is the reason she broke up with Logan.
CHRISTOPHER
But, I thought they were so great together. I liked Logan.
The people milling on the lawn start to move inside. Lorelai starts to follow, slowly.
LORELAI
Chris, honey, you didn't know Logan. He wasn't good for
Rory.
CHRISTOPHER
Oh, but this Jess guy is? He broke her arm Lorelai! He took off for God knows where and didn't tell her! And don't look at me like that. This is stuff you've told me. You were the president of the Death To Jess Club.
They're at the steps now. Lorelai pauses, grabbing hold of Christopher's arm.
LOERLAI
Jess is better. He's growing up. He's making up for his mistakes. Everone needs a second chance.
CHRISTOPHER
Yeah, sure but a fourth or fifth chance?
Lorelai is getting annoyed now, but tries to cover it.
LORELAI (pretending to joke)
Hey! At least he didn't get her pregnant at sixteen and take off.
Christopher looks hurt. He knows that was a pointed comment. Lorelai keeps smiling, trying to play happy.
LORELAI
Now come on. Let's play nice.
She hooks her arm through Christopher's and leads him into the building.
21. EXT. STAR'S HOLLOW TOWN CENTRE — NIGHT
The Wedding party is rocking and people are dancing. Rory and Jess are standing to the side, watching Hep Alien play.
JESS
Crazy wedding.
RORY
It wouldn't be a Lane Kim event if it wasn't. She looks happy though. So does Zach.
JESS
Yeah. I never would have picked the two of them together.
RORY
There's no explaining attraction I guess.
She looks up at him, smiling slightly. He looks back, trying to fight his own smile.
JESS
Oh, funny thing happened earlier.
RORY
Oh yeah?
JESS
Your Mom thanked me. Something to do with Korean weddings and prostitution...
Rory chuckles.
RORY
Wow. She thanked you? To your face?
Jess smirks, his gaze fixed on the band.
JESS
Yep. So I was thinking, you know, I'd just add it to your account.
RORY
That debts getting pretty big now, huh?
He looks at her sideways, not turning his head from the band.
JESS
Let's just say, you owe me a lot of hugs.
Rory nods her head slowly.
RORY
Or...
Jess looks directly at her. She's still facing the band, but now it's her looking sideways at him.
RORY
After the wedding tonight, I could maybe make a...larger payment?
Jess tries to play it cool.
JESS
A larger payment? You mean...
RORY
If that's appropriate?
Jess turns back to the band, smiling now. He slips his arm around Rory's waist.
JESS
Yeah. I think it'd qualify.
Rory smiles.
22. EXT. STAR'S HOLLOW TOWN CENTRE — NIGHT
Lorelai and Christopher are sitting at a table, watching the revelries. There's an uncomfortableness between them.
LORELAI
Thanks for coming Chris.
CHRISTOPHER
Lor. I'm sorry, about earlier.
LORELAI
No, I'm sorry. I know you just wanted to look out for Rory. What I said was...it was unfair.
CHRISTOPHER
Not entirely untrue though.
LORELAI
But you're fixing things. You've been really great lately.
CHRISTOPHER
I'm trying.
LORELAI
Look, I don't know all the details of the Jess situation, but I just know I really, really didn't like Logan. He was bad news. The moment he showed up, Rory started acting like someone else. Casual dating, drinking, dropping out of Yale...everything that went wrong for her in the past year involved him. You know we didn't talk to each other for months?
Christopher is surprised.
CHRISTOPHER
I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped.
LORELAI
You weren't really my favourite person at the time. I mean, I didn't hate you as much as Stalin and Taller Stalin, but I didn't like you much either.
CHRISTOPHER
Have I told you how sorry I am?
Lorelai smiles at him and squeezes his hand.
LORELAI
It's okay. We're good now. And I am now officially telling you, that Jess is a good guy. I think. So far he has been anyway.
Christopher smiles back and nods.
CHRISTOPHER
Okay, so until further notice, I will be on Team Jess.
Lorelai gapes at him and swats him with her hand.
LORELAI
Oh, Chris! Dirty! He's dating your daughter!
23. INT. LUKE'S APARTMENT — Night
Jess enters, with Rory close behind. She only just manages to pull the door closed behind her before Jess pulls her on to the couch with him and starts to kiss her. This goes on for a bit before Rory pulls away.
RORY
How is it, it's been three years since we were last up here doing this, but it feel like nothings changed?
Jess smirks, leaning back against the arm of the couch and pulling Rory on top of him, hands on her waist.
JESS
Well Uncle Luke has never been one for decorating. I tried once. I wanted to paint the walls pink and hang taffeta curtains but he just wouldn't go for it.
Rory slaps him playfully before leaning down to kiss him.
RORY
Thank goodness for that.
Jess smirks as his hands start to run up and down Rory's thighs, steadily pushing her dress higher.
JESS
Really? You wouldn't like pink walls?
Rory watches his hands for a moment, before starting to unbutton his shirt.
RORY
Pink walls are fine, but taffeta curtains would be ridiculous.
He chuckles for a moment, his eyes fixed on her face as she finishes the last buttons on his shirt.
JESS
Hey, Rory?
RORY
Jess?
He stops her hands, forcing her to look up at him. He just stares at her for a second, as he fights to get the words out.
JESS
I never stopped loving you.
There's a pause as Rory stares back at him, a small smile playing on her lips before she dives forward and kisses him passionately.
24. INT. GILMORE HOUSE — LOUNGE — NIGHT
Lorelai is sitting on her couch, feet resting on the coffee table. Paul Anka lies next to her, his head in her lap.
LORELAI
What if it's Rory next? Okay, maybe not. Her and Jess are new. Kind of. Does it count if they were together before? Oh God I hope not. My daughter can not get married before me. That breaks every law in the universe.
Paul Anka rolls his head to look at her.
LORELAI
Okay, maybe not, but it still doesn't make it right. I was supposed to be getting married. June third. It would have been perfect. You would have been the best man. Or the flower dog? Ring bearer? I don't know, but you would have been something. Ooh, I know, you would have been the entertainment. You could have sung our song. What is our song?
Paul Anka sits up suddenly and barks. Lorelai screws her nose up.
LORELAI
Really? No, I don't think that would work. Maybe it's for the best. Who wants to get married in June anyway? It'll probably be way too hot. There'd be flies in the food. People would get sunburnt. Rory does not do well in the sun. The carousel would have caused fights. Kirk's mom probably wouldn't let him on it, so he'd cry and Taylor would complain about it being a safety hazard. No. It's a good job I think. That wedding would have been a disaster.
Paul Anka settles back down on her knee, whining softly. She rubs his head and leans back sadly, closing her eyes.
LORELAI
Yeah. I know.
Suddenly the phone rings, making her jump. She gets up to grab the handset from a pot plant by the TV.
LORELAI
Who's calling now? Oh God, tell me Rory didn't get arrested again! (to phone) Hello?
25. INT. BEDROOM — NIGHT
Luke walks towards the bed in a darkened hotel room and settles down as he talks on the phone.
LUKE
Hey. Sorry to call so late. We had some bus problems today. Everything's behind schedule.
26. INT. GILMORE HOUSE — LOUNGE — NIGHT
We cut between these scenes.
Lorelai yawns.
LORELAI
Oh hi Luke. It's okay. Good timing actually. I was just about to head to bed, so as long as you aren't calling because you got arrested, I'm all good.
Luke chuckles.
LUKE
Not sure about the reasoning behind that, but it's late, so I'm just going to say that no, I haven't been arrested. How was the wedding?
Lorelai heads back to the couch, curling up next to Paul Anka.
LORELAI
It was great. Really, really great. Lane's dress was a success. It's a shame you missed it.
Luke looks guilty.
LUKE
In my defence, it was a very short notice wedding.
LORELAI
Yeah, I know. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. But hey, short notice worked for her. I mean people had, what? Six months notice for ours and look how well that worked out.
Luke looks hurt.
LORELAI
Oh, wow. I just did it again didn't I? I'd say blame the alcohol but I didn't get any more after Kirk fired the Yummy Bartenders.
Luke just sits. There's an awkward silence.
LORELAI
So Rory and Jess are dating. Again. Don't know if you knew. I don't think they're getting married though. Not this month anyway. And not in June...That carousel was really pretty Luke.
Luke shakes his head now, smiling slowly.
LUKE
Lorelai?
LORELAI
Mmm?
LUKE
Do you have any plans for June third?
27. INT. LUKE'S APARTMENT — Night
Rory and Jess lie in Jess's bed. Rory's face rests on his chest as he plays with her hair.
RORY
We're pretty good at that.
Jess smirks.
JESS
Well I know I am.
Rory lifts her head to glare at him.
RORY
Hey!
Jess pulls her closer to him and kisses her.
JESS
You were amazing.
Rory looks pleased as she settles back down.
RORY
I was, wasn't I?
A phone beeps.
JESS
Is that yours?
Rory sits up.
RORY
Sounds like it.
She climbs off the bed, pulling the sheet with her and goes to get her phone from her purse. She checks it and looks surprised.
RORY
Wow, four missed calls. I didn't hear them.
Jess's mouth curls up in half a smile.
JESS
That doesn't surprise me.
RORY
Jess!
JESS (mimicking her)
Rory!
RORY
Shut up, I have to check my messages.
She stands with her phone at her ear. Jess watches as the expression on her face changes. She looks upset.
JESS
Rory?
She closes her phone and looks around awkwardly.
JESS
Rory what is it? Who was it?
RORY
That was Colin; one of Logan's friends. The line was bad but I think something happened on their trip. He said they're airlifting Logan to a hospital in New York.
Jess looks awkward. So does Rory.
JESS
Oh.
RORY
Yeah. Oh.
She uncertainly starts to gather her clothes.
RORY
I guess...I should go. Why did they call me? We broke up. But he's still...he could be really hurt.
Jess just watches her, his face blank. She awkwardly tries to get dressed while keeping the sheet around her. Jess suddenly leans over and grabs his pants. He pulls them on quickly and picks up a shirt, heading for the door.
JESS
I'll give you some privacy.
Rory watches him leave, silently, but as the door closes she starts to cry.