By Stew Pid
Rating: Should be okay
Disclaimer: I only own the Stew Pid stuff.
A/N: THANKS as always to my readers and reviewers. Another tough one, but I hope it's a good one. Only four more to go.
(Gilmore Residence. Lorelai is in the kitchen while Rory is in her room. Lorelai gets up and walks to Rory's door. She's about to knock, but then stops and returns to her seat in the kitchen. Rory is reading. She puts down her book and walks to the door. She hesitates in front of the door, but then takes the knob and opens. She walks to her mother.)
Rory: Mom, can we talk about this now?
Lorelai: (sighs) I want to be calm when we talk about this. I don't know if I can be right now.
(Rory sighs and turns to go back to her room.)
Lorelai: How long have you been seeing him? (Rory turns back.)
Rory: I haven't been seeing him.
Lorelai: Rory, if this talk is going to work I need you to stop lying to me.
Rory: I'm not lying. I haven't been seeing him. Not like that.
Lorelai: So what did I just see today?
Rory: I asked to see Jess some place private so we could resolve our argument. I wanted to apologize. I explained why I got angry and apologized, told him I was glad he was staying, and I don't even remember when it happened but all of sudden he kissed me. And that's what you walked in on.
Lorelai: Well, I hate to say I told you so…
Rory: But you're going to do it anyway.
Lorelai: I think I've earned the right to. Honey, it's not that I don't trust your judgment, but you have to understand that I'm older, maybe not by as much as the norm but still older, and I've seen much more of life than you have. I know the type of guy Jess is and what he's after. He's after a challenge. He sees this beautiful, smart, wonderful, innocent girl who has everything going for her and because his life is so messed up and he's so bitter, he's just looking to ruin it.
Rory: Mom, that's not him.
Lorelai: I can't believe you're still defending him after what he did to you.
Rory: Mom, I kissed Jess.
Lorelai: You just said he kissed you. So you are lying?
Rory: No. He did kiss me today. But the day of Sookie's wedding I kissed him.
Lorelai: What? So you've been lying to me all this time?
Rory: No. Okay, maybe I was withholding information, but I wasn't lying. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to read anything into it.
Lorelai: Now really Rory why would I read anything into you kissing another guy? You go around all the time kissing other guys and I never question it.
Rory: Mom. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to kiss him, and it didn't mean anything and I told him that. There was just a lot of excitement in the day. Paris had just called to say we were going to win the election. I had just been with dad talking about the two of you getting back together. It was Sookie's wedding and I was with Dean. Then I see Jess and I was glad to see him because he's my friend, and I don't know what came over me. It just happened. But he agreed he wouldn't tell anyone, we talked about it, I apologized and we were just going to stay friends.
Lorelai: And you've been just friends all this time?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: Okay.
Rory: Okay?
Lorelai: Yeah. So what about now? Are you still going to be just friends?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: Do you really think that's possible?
Rory: What do you mean?
Lorelai: It's obvious that neither of you wants to be just friends.
Rory: I want to be just friends.
Lorelai: Rory, come on. You have to admit that you have feelings for Jess. You went all the way to New York to see him, you kissed him, you called him at two in the morning, you sneaked out in the middle of the night to see him. You've fallen for him. Why can't you admit it?
Rory: I don't want to have feelings for him.
Lorelai: Why? You're not with Dean anymore.
Rory: Because of this. Everything with Jess makes us argue. You don't like him. It can't be with him the way it was with Dean in terms of us. And I care more about my relationship with you than any relationship with Jess.
(Lorelai looks at Rory, touched beyond words. She pulls Rory into a hug.)
(Next day. Luke's. Upstairs. Jess is in his room sleeping. Luke busts in.)
Luke: Hey. Get up. Get dressed.
(Jess looks at his clock. It's five thirty.)
Jess: You're crazy. (He falls back on his pillow.)
Luke: Get up. It's the last day of summer vacation. You're not working today.
Jess: (sits up) But I have to get up earlier than I do when I have to work? Just let me work then.
Luke: Well, you can't because I've closed the diner. We're going fishing.
Jess: What?
Luke: That's right. Now get dressed.
Jess: I don't wanna go fishing.
Luke: Well you're going, and you're going to have fun.
Jess: Obviously.
Luke: Look, it'd give us a chance to get away from everything here, talk, relax, meditate. Whatever you want.
Jess: I want to not go, how does that sound?
Luke: You're going. Be downstairs in an hour. I have to do a couple of things before we leave. (Luke heads downstairs. Jess shakes his head, shrugs, and gets up.)
(Later. Lorelai and Rory are going to Luke's.)
Lorelai: So you're going to talk to him.
Rory: Right.
Lorelai: And whatever you decide I will try to support you on.
Rory: Thank you.
Lorelai: But if he does anything to hurt you, Stars Hollow is going to have another funeral and I'm not going to be planning it.
Rory: Not going to happen.
Lorelai: But if it does.
Rory: Okay.
(They arrive at Luke's. They see the sign that reads "Closed for the day.")
Rory: What?
Lorelai: It's a sign.
Rory: Pun noted and ignored.
(Lorelai walks to the door and peeps in through the window.)
Lorelai: Why is it closed? What about my coffee, oh, and my Danish?
Rory: Luke should let us know these things beforehand so that we can make the proper provisions.
Lorelai: I agree. I think we should take it up with Taylor.
Rory: Luke will kill you.
Lorelai: I guess that's another funeral I won't be planning.
(Luke and Jess in the car. Jess has his headphones on. Luke keeps looking over at him.)
Luke: Jess. (Jess doesn't hear.) Jess. (Still doesn't hear.) Jess! (Still doesn't. Luke slaps the left headphone off Jess' ear.)
Jess: Hey! What's your problem?
Luke: Take those things off.
Jess: Why?
Luke: Because it makes it easier for me to pretend we're in the same world.
(Jess rolls his eyes and puts away the headphones.)
Luke: So are you excited about the new school year?
Jess: Sure. Small talk. Why not?
Luke: Hey. If you don't want to talk then we'll just stay quiet 'til we get to the lake.
Jess: No. Talking's fine. Say Uncle Luke, where do you buy your flannel?
Luke: Put your headphones back on. (Jess happily complies.)
(Independence Inn)
Lorelai: (on the phone) Well, do you think we can meet next week and look it over?…That'd be great…That'd be even better…Thanks so much…Buh bye. (to Sookie) I just spoke to some contractors. We're going to have to start talking about how we want the place to look.
Sookie: Great. I'll start thinking about that. I can't believe this is actually happening. I mean, I know we've talked about it for a long time but this isn't just talking. We're actually doing it. We're going to be leaving here, starting our own inn. I'm going to miss this place.
Lorelai: Me too. You have no idea.
Sookie: Oh I know this place has very special memories for you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up now.
Lorelai: No, no. It's okay. Part of moving on is letting go.
Michel: Yes, and while you two are moving on I'm going to be the one they let go. But never mind that, I feel so sorry for you.
Sookie: Oh come on, Michel. You know you'll always have a job at Fran's Inn when Mia sells this place.
Michel: Why thank you. Working in a place where both of you would be my bosses. Excuse me while I go to the bathroom and shoot myself.
Lorelai: Not in my bathroom, mister. Take it outside. I'm going to love this boss thing.
(Rory waits outside Luke's. Lane comes over.)
Lane: Hey, what's going on here?
Rory: Luke's is closed. I tried calling you to change our meeting place but your mom said you had already left. Are you hungry?
Lane: Starved.
Rory: Pizza?
Lane: It's early, but okay. It's the last day of summer vacation. We have to suck the marrow out of life, squeeze every last ounce of juice out of it.
Rory: Where did you get your coffee from?
Lane: I haven't had coffee. I've just got that last day of vacation high. You usually have it, too. What's wrong with you?
Rory: My highs are always at least partially dependent on Luke's coffee.
(Luke pulls up at a lakeside. He and Jess get out the car. Luke loads Jess up with fishing gear.)
Luke: Wait here. I'm gonna rent the boat. (Luke leaves and Jess lets all the fishing gear drop forcefully on the ground.)
(Independence Inn)
Lorelai: (on the phone.) Hey, Mia. It's me, Lorelai. I'm just calling to let you know that Sookie and I got the property for our Inn…Thank you. I appreciate that…We could definitely use your help…Yeah, that was the other reason why I was calling….Okay, so you can start sending them over to check the place out, and I'd love to help in any way possible…Thanks again…Okay. I'll talk to you soon…Bye. (to Sookie.) So it's official. Mia's going to start sending some prospective buyers over. This is really going to happen. (Sookie looks as uncomfortable as Lorelai does.) Hey, what's the matter with you? You're supposed to make up for my momentary lapses from enthusiasm.
Sookie: Well, I was just thinking. We always talked about how if the whole thing failed after two years it would be the best two years of our lives. But now I'm thinking, you know, I'm married now. And what if I'm pregnant in two years, or better yet what if I already have a kid in two years? If this fails, where would I go? We can't come back here, and this isn't just my move, but Jackson's move too. What if we fail and Jackson and I don't have enough money and have to give up our house and end up destitute having to work as migrant farmers, our child bouncing from school to school and never learning how to read?
Lorelai: Sookie, we're not going to fail. You're not going to be migrant farmers and your child will read. Trust me. We're going to do this and we're going to be good at it because we've had a pretty good track record so far. Don't worry.
Sookie: You're right. I'm excited again.
Lorelai: Good. So you and Jackson are already thinking about kids?
Sookie: Well, we haven't really discussed it or anything yet, but I really want one. I want a family already.
Lorelai: Do you think Jackson wants one already?
Sookie: I don't know. And he's so practical, you know.
Lorelai: No, I don't know. He sings to his fruit.
Sookie: But he can also be practical. And with this whole inn thing now, he's probably not going to think it's the time for it.
Lorelai: Well, he may be right.
Sookie: I know. It's crazy to try to have a kid in the middle of a career move.
Lorelai: Or he may be crazy.
Sookie: (singing.) But it just may be a lunatic [I'm] looking for.
Lorelai: He sings to his fruit. I think you have one. Talk to him.
(Luke and Jess on the boat.)
Luke: So what you want to do to bait the hook is…(Jess baits his hook.) You've been fishing before?
Jess: Yep.
Luke: In New York?
Jess: Yep.
Luke: With your father?
Jess: Nope.
Luke: Well, my dad and I used to go out fishing together. I didn't really enjoy it much at first, and I never understood why he used to drag me out here. After a while I was able to tolerate it. I mean, it gave my dad and me some time to ourselves, to talk about things or just sit in the quiet we never got at the hardware store. Then when my father died I used to come out here in his memory, whenever I needed to talk to him or just figure stuff out. That's when I came to really enjoy it, you know.
Jess: So what's the moral of this story? When you die, I'm going to enjoy this?
Luke: Hey, it's not one of Aesop's fables. I'm just trying to talk here. (Jess rolls his eyes and Luke resigns to silence.)
Jess: So have you ever caught anything here?
Luke: (looks at Jess in surprise for a moment, then shakes it off.) Yeah. I've caught some. What about you? Did you ever catch anything?
Jess: Yeah. Not many fish though. (Luke nods his head and smiles. They resign once again to contented silence.)
(Lane and Rory at the video store.)
Lane: Let's get a whole bunch of concert videos and Beatles documentaries.
Rory: Ooo, I love it when they get to the "Yoko years."
Lane: Oh, look at this. The Doors movie. Do you know that Val Kilmer does his own singing?
Rory: Really? He sounds exactly like Jim Morrison.
Lane: I know. I thought they dubbed it, but it turns out, no. Do you want to get it?
Rory: No. That's one of those movies for which four times is enough.
Lane: We have to get this one.
Rory: Pink Floyd in Concert. Sounds good.
Lane: So what happened yesterday?
Rory: What?
Lane: Your mom was looking for you and when she found you she seemed pretty upset and you seemed pretty repentant.
Rory: Long story.
Lane: I'm all ears.
(Outside. Lane and Rory leave the video store.)
Lane: Wow. So what are you going to do now?
Rory: I don't know. I'm going to have to talk to him.
Lane: Was it a good kiss? (Rory says nothing and tries to repress a smile. Lane smiles and they both walk off to watch their videos.)
(Independence Inn.)
Jackson: So I have your eggplant, your artichokes, your cranberries, and your carrots.
Sookie: Thank you, sweetie.
Jackson: So what's that you're making?
Sookie: Ginger rolls. It's new.
Jackson: They look like cinnamon buns, only they smell spicier.
Sookie: They do look like cinnamon buns. Could you put these in the oven?
Jackson: Sure. (he takes the platter and puts it in the oven.)
Sookie: So how do you like that?
Jackson: Well I haven't tasted them but I'm sure they're delicious.
Sookie: (pointing to the oven.) But how does it look to you?
Jackson: Well they're still not cooked yet, but they look good.
Sookie: Do you think it's a good idea?
Jackson: Sure, why not? People love ginger. You know there was a time in my life when I didn't really care for cinnamon but I always liked ginger.
Sookie: So you like the idea?
Jackson: Yeah, I love it.
Sookie: Great! I love you so much! (She hugs Jackson. Jackson hugs her but is puzzled.)
(Luke and Jess. They still sit in quiet when Jess gets a bite. He sits up and wheels in his catch. He pulls up a foot and a quarter long fish. He unhooks it and looks around on the boat.)
Luke: You have to throw it back in.
Jess: Why? I thought I'd take it home, mount it on the wall, start a collection. What's next? Deer hunting?
Luke: Just throw it back. (Jess shrugs and throws it back in.)
Jess: Now I feel so much better after sending a hook up its mouth. (They retreat to silence again.)
Luke: So have you thought about college?
Jess: I'm going. Wasn't that the agreement?
Luke: Yeah, but have you given any thought to which?
Jess: Preferably one with walls.
Luke: Shouldn't you start thinking about where you want to go? I mean, I don't know much about it, but Rory has known she wanted to go to Harvard since grade school.
Jess: Well at least I already know the Ivies are out of my league.
Luke: I just don't get you. You're a bright kid, and had you applied yourself for more than these past couple of months you could have gone wherever you wanted to.
Jess: How does it look out there over the rainbow?
Luke: Look, forget it. (Silence again.)…Anyway, I'm proud of you. You really cleaned up your act these months. Grades were good, you occasionally worked, Taylor hasn't come with any complaints in a while, nothing's been stolen (hesitating)…and Rory and Dean have been apart for a while already and you haven't tried anything. That really says…
Jess: I kissed her.
Luke: What?!
Jess: You heard me.
Luke: When was this?
Jess: Yesterday. The funeral. We were talking and I kissed her.
Luke: Aw geez, Lorelai's going to hear about this now and…
Jess: Oh she knows. She walked in on it.
Luke: What?! This is it. She's going to kill me. No, she's going to kill you first, then kill me. That at least gives me some time.
Jess: (slightly laughing) What are you getting worked up for? It's me she has a problem with.
Luke: But I brought you here so according to her, I'm partly responsible. (Jess shrugs.) Do you care about her?
Jess: What?
Luke: You heard me. Rory is very special to Lorelai, the town, and to me. So if you're going to try anything with her I need to know that it's because you care about her and it's not just for kicks.
Jess: (not looking at Luke) Doesn't matter either way. It's not going to happen. (Luke looks at Jess and softens.)
Luke: So you do care about her. (Jess rolls his eye.) I'll give you some advice someone gave me, that I didn't take. Don't wait too long to tell her. She doesn't know what a kiss like that out of nowhere means. You have to tell her.
Jess: Because I need relationship advice from you. (They resume fishing in silence.)
(Independence Inn. Sookie is crying over the ginger rolls. Jackson comes in with melons and sees her.)
Jackson: What's wrong?
Sookie: The ginger rolls. They're ruined. I must have messed up with the measurements. I was trying to do everything at the same time. But I never mess up on measurements. I must be losing it. Oh my God, I can't do this.
Jackson: What are you talking about? You're the best chef this state has ever seen. Let me try them. (He takes a bite of the ginger rolls.) Hmm. They're delicious.
Sookie: Oh, you're just saying that because I made them.
Jackson: Maybe, but I still like them. And I'll get more ginger so you can make another batch you'll be happy with.
Sookie: You mean make more?
Jackson: Well, there are people to serve. We're going to need a lot more.
Sookie: A lot?
Jackson: What's the matter with you?
Sookie: Nothing. I want a lot too.
Jackson: Good. So why don't you get started? (Sookie pounces on Jackson and kissed him really hard.)
(Lorelai walks in.)
Lorelai: Hey, do I need to get a hose for you two?
Sookie: Jackson and I are going to have a lot of babies! (Jackson looks shocked.)
Jackson: What?!
Lorelai: Not here, right?
Jackson: What are you talking about? Babies?
Sookie: Oops. You really thought we were talking about ginger rolls?
Lorelai: I think you two have a lot of talking to do. Start with the difference between a baby and a ginger roll.
(Lorelai leaves. Jackson looks at Sookie, still shocked. Sookie smiles shyly at him.)
(Later. Gilmore Residence.)
Lane: It holds both ways.
Rory: Not true. Actors who then decide to become singers tend not to have successful singing careers, but singers who become actors have occasionally managed to pull it off.
Lane: Not outside of musicals.
Rory: Yes outside of musicals.
Lane: Name one.
Rory: To start with classics, Dean Martin.
Lane: But he sang in all his movies.
Rory: Fine. Jon Bon Jovi.
Lane: You consider him a good actor?
Rory: True. Whitney Houston.
Lane: She was a singer in The Bodyguard.
Rory: But not in Waiting to Exhale.
Lane: I wouldn't call two movies a successful acting career.
Rory: Cher was in quite a few movies and she had a TV show, and then there's Madonna.
Lane: I'll hold on Cher, but I'll give you Madonna. And one exception only validates the rule.
Rory: You should write that little aphorism down. Jennifer Lopez.
Lane: Ugh, are you going to pull out Britney Spears now?
Rory: I've given a sizable list despite your objections, but you can't name me one actor who has had a sucessful singing career.
Lane: Bruce Willis had a hit in the 80s.
Rory: Darn those one-hit wonders.
Lane: Kevin Bacon came out with two albums.
Rory: That each sold two copies.
Lane: David Cassidy.
Rory: His acting career was based on singing.
Lane: Bing Crosby.
Rory: Ibid.
(Lorelai comes in.)
Lorelai: Lucy, I'm home.
Rory: Hey mom.
Lane: What do you think, actors who become singers are more or less successful than singers who become actors?
Lorelai: Equally unsuccessful.
Lane: Thank you.
Rory: You're talking to the person who draws "other" bubbles in questionnaires. She just doesn't like to pick the conventional options.
Lorelai: That's true.
Lane: But she could have said equally successful.
Rory: She's a cynic.
Lorelai: Am not.
(the phone rings. Rory picks up.)
Rory: Hello.
Paris: (voice suspiciously pleasant) Hello Rory, how are you?
Rory: Okay. And you?
Paris: Not too bad. So, what are you doing?
Rory: Having an intellectually stimulating debate with Lane.
Paris: (voice finally sincere.) Really? What about?
Rory: The success rate of crossovers between singing and acting.
Paris: (voice deflated) How stimulating. Would you like to know what I'm doing?
Rory: I'm not dying of curiosity, but go ahead.
Paris: I'm preparing an address to the class for tomorrow. As the new President and Vice President, don't you think it's wise that we address the class in homeroom? Or do these things not occur to you?
Rory: I can't believe they occur to you. No one wants to hear long speeches during homeroom the first day back at school. The headmaster's address is long enough. If we want people to like us, I say we take it easy on them the first day back.
Paris: The wanting-people-to-like-us-part is over. We're in already. Now we've got work to do and we don't have a lot of time.
Rory: That's right. So you should get back to that speech. I won't keep you any longer. Bye, Paris. (hangs up. Lorelai and Lane look at her sympathetically)
Lane: I guess it's going to be a long day tomorrow?
Rory: It's going to be a long year.
(Later. Lorelai, Rory, and Lane are walking outside.)
Lane: Well. I have to get home now. Thanks for dinner.
Lorelai: Our pleasure.
Rory: Good luck with your first day.
Lane: You too. Bye.
Rory: See you tomorrow. (Lane leaves.)
Lorelai: So are you ready for school tomorrow?
Rory: Definitely. This summer was exhausting. I think the school year will prove more restful and relaxing.
(They see Luke and Jess in front of the diner unpacking the car.)
Lorelai: They're back. Finally. I'm getting my coffee and Danish. (Rory bites her lip and follows her mother.) Luke! Coffee. Danish. Now.
Luke: (dryly) I'm glad you missed me.
Rory: (to Jess) So did you have a nice time fishing?
Jess: (looking at Luke.) I could tolerate it. (Luke smiles and heads into the diner. Lorelai follows him in, giving Rory an uncomfortable but supporting look.)
Rory: Jess, we need to talk.
Jess: Oh that's right. (He puts down the things he was carrying and looks at Rory, waiting.)
Rory: (looks down, hesitating under the pressure, then meets his stare.) Why did you do it?
Jess: I don't know…I was glad to see you. My dad had just bailed on me. It was that Fran's funeral. I was with Luke. I wasn't thinking straight.
Rory: You're mocking me.
Jess: Mildly.
Rory: So you did it to get back at me?
Jess: You could put it that way. So since you're here, you mind helping me bring this stuff in? (Rory takes the cooler while Jess brings the rest of the stuff in.)
(Inside.)
Lorelai: So we've decided that the next time you want to leave and close the diner on us like that, you should leave two cups of coffee and two Danishes at our house. You know how to get in.
(Rory and Jess walk in. Luke and Lorelai look at them, trying to read their faces.)
Luke: Jess, why don't we take this stuff upstairs. (Jess shrugs and follows Luke up.)
Lorelai: So?
Rory: You can breathe easy.
Lorelai: What happened?
Rory: It was nothing. It was just a revenge thing. He thought a funeral setting would be a proper balance to the wedding.
Lorelai: And you bought that?
Rory: He was pretty convincing.
Lorelai: And you're okay with that?
Rory: Of course. Why wouldn't I be?
Lorelai: Fine. So the kissing war is over?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: I will breathe easy then. (She lets out an audible breath.)
(Upstairs.)
Luke: So did you talk to her?
Jess: No. We just stood outside staring at our shoes.
Luke: What did you say?
Jess: It's really none of your business.
Luke: Jess, drop it already.
Jess: I told her it didn't mean anything.
Luke: Why?
Jess: It's what she wanted to hear.
Luke: (sighs) Just don't wait too long, Jess.
Jess: You're probably more wanted downstairs. (Luke nods and leaves.)
(Downstairs.)
Lorelai: Rory hasn't gotten her coffee and Danish yet?
Rory: What is going on with the service here?
Lorelai: I just don't know. (Luke places a coffee and Danish in front of Rory and gives them both a stone look.)
Rory: (mock shyly) Thank you, Luke.
Lorelai: So what was the occasion? Did the diner run out of fish sticks?
Luke: I just figured it was the last day of summer vacation and he hasn't really done much.
Lorelai: And you thought the male-bonding fishing trip would be a good time to talk about the dad thing.
Luke: We didn't really talk about that.
Lorelai: Did you talk at all? I can imagine the two of you, the world's least talkative people, sitting on a boat on a quiet lake. The silence must have been deafening.
Luke: Silence is nice. You should try it sometime.
Rory: He doesn't know about the secret year where you became a hermit and took a vow of silence?
Lorelai: Well now I guess it's not a secret anymore. (Luke looks at them, confused. Jess comes downstairs.)
Jess: I'm out.
Luke: Where are you going?
Jess: I need school supplies and Stars Hollow shuts down in five minutes.
Lorelai: (looks at her watch) He's right.
Rory: (to Jess) Better hurry.
Jess: You need anything?
Rory: No, thanks. I got my supplies last week.
Jess: I'm sorry. I forgot who I was talking to. (leaves.)
Luke: So how is it going with the new Inn?
Lorelai: Well Sookie and I still have to plan some things. I already spoke to some contractors and Mia is sending over possible buyers for the Independence Inn so it's all getting very real now.
(Her cell phone rings.)
Luke: Take it outside.
Lorelai: I might not even take it. Hold on. (on the phone.) Hello.
Paris: Is Rory with you?
Lorelai: (smiles.) She's right here. (hands the phone to Rory still smiling.)
Rory: (on the phone.) Hello.
Paris: Where are you?
Rory: (voice deflates) Paris.
Luke: Take it outside. (Rory nods and leaves.) So isn't that a good thing?
Lorelai: A call from Paris is never a good thing.
Luke: I mean it getting real. Isn't that what you wanted?
Lorelai: It is, but it's also scary. It was a lot easier, a lot less risky playing with ideas. Now everything's going to change.
Luke: You're going to do fine. You know that.
Lorelai: Keep telling me that from time to time. Even Sookie sometimes wanes in confidence now.
(Outside.)
Rory: (on the phone.) Paris, we'll talk about this tomorrow. Good bye. (She hangs up and sees Jess sitting on a bench reading. She looks in the diner. Lorelai and Luke are thoroughly engaged in a conversation. She decides to walk over.)
Rory: I thought you had to get school supplies.
Jess: I did that last week.
Rory: So you're not as apathetic about school as you like to appear.
Jess: I'm, in fact, so apathetic I don't even care that you think I'm not.
Rory: Fine. So what are you reading?
Jess: Anna Karenina.
Rory: Oh, that's one of my favorites.
Jess: One of the several hundred?
Rory: (peeks at the book crammed with marginalia.) I take it this is not the first time you've read it.
Jess: No. This is homework now. It was on the summer reading list. I'm just freshening up on the material.
Rory: Read to me.
Jess: What?
Rory: You heard me.
Jess: Out loud?
Rory: No. In your head and I'll read your mind. Come on, I love this book.
Jess: Then go home and read your own copy.
Rory: Please. I'm going to annoy you until you do. I'll sing happy songs about sunny days and cats.
Jess: (sighs) All right. (reading) '"we have a past…not of love but of sins…are suddenly brought close to a pure innocent creature! It is loathsome, and that is why one can't help feeling oneself unworthy.'"
Rory: Wait. Where are you?
Jess: Levin and Oblonsky are having dinner together.
Rory: Oh that's right. I love this scene. Come on, read it from the beginning.
Jess: I'm not going all the way back there to read again what I just read.
Rory: Then at least read from the top of the page so I can get a feel of where we're at in the scene.
Jess: Fine. (reading again)'"You know' he said, 'it's not love. I have been in love, but this is not the same thing."
Rory: (Interrupting again.) I can't remember. Is this Levin or Oblonsky?
Jess: Levin.
Rory: He's talking about Kitty right?
Jess: Was he in love with another woman?
Rory: (purposely provoking his irritation) But he just said it wasn't love.
Jess: If you interrupt me again I'm not reading to you.
Rory: (mocking childlike timidity and offense.) You're mean.
Jess: (smirks and returns to reading) "It is not my feeling, but a sort of force outside myself that has taken possession of me. I went away, you see, because I made up my mind that it could never be—that such happiness does not exist on earth, do you understand? But I have struggled with myself and realize that there's no living without it. And it must be settled…"
(Jess closes the book and looks at Rory. She looks back at him and as they lock gazes, they move closer to each other. They kiss, a mutually initiated kiss. They pull apart. Jess continues to look at Rory expectantly. Nervously, she snatches the book from Jess and opens it reading from an arbitrary point in the same Levin and Oblonsky scene.)
Rory: (Reading) "However, perhaps, you are right. You may very likely be…But I don't know, I really don't know." (She looks up at Jess who snatches the book back from her and continues where she left off.)
Jess: (reading) '"There, you see,' said Oblonsky, 'you're very much all of a piece. It's both your strong point and your failing. You are all of a piece and you want the whole of life to be consistent too—but it never is. You scorn public service because you want the reality to correspond all the time to the aim—and that's not how it is. You want man's work, too, to have a definite purpose, and love and family life to be indivisible. But that does not happen either. All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life are made up of light and shade."' (A/N: And if I were shooting this scene and were good with those light and shade tricks like in Twelve Angry Men with Henry Fonda, I would have a street light near the bench that stretches light up to Rory, but leaves Jess in the shade.)
(Sookie and Jackson's house.)
Jackson: Do you think we're in any possible condition for kids now? You're starting a new inn. Lorelai needs you. You can't afford to be pregnant now.
Sookie: I know.
Jackson: And not that I'm saying it will, but did you even think about what might happen if it fails?
Sookie: I know.
Jackson: I mean, it's not going to fail. I know it won't, but when you have kids you have to take all possible precautions. Take nothing for granted.
Sookie: I know.
Jackson: And even if you're able to give all your attention to the inn, you have to pay attention to yourself when you're pregnant. Take it easy. Take care of yourself. Otherwise the baby could be born with all sorts of problems. I mean…well, I don't know anything about kids. And that's another problem.
Sookie: I know.
Jackson: There are going to be so many changes already. And to add to that the change of parenthood.
Sookie: I know.
Jackson: I mean, is there any good reason why we should have a kid right now?
Sookie: No.
Jackson: Right.
Sookie: But I still want to.
Jackson: Me too.
Sookie: Really?
Jackson: Well, I didn't know I did. I hadn't really thought about it. I mean, I knew eventually we would have them, but I didn't think now. And then you mentioned it and it scared me because, number one, I thought we were still talking about ginger rolls, and, number two, it's just such a big move and we're already going through a big move. But then I kept thinking about it, having a little Jackson running around the house, someone calling me daddy, and I fell in love with the idea of having a family, with you.
Sookie: Oh Jackson! (She hugs him.) So we're going to try?
Jackson: Sure. Let's make ginger rolls. (They hug again.)
(Rory and Jess on the bench.)
Rory: This isn't going to be easy.
Jess: Huh.
Rory: I mean for you.
Jess: Ah.
Rory: This town can be very protective. And you're not really a favorite here.
Jess: Really? I hadn't noticed.
Rory: And then there's my mom, which is a problem I've never had before.
Jess: Yup.
Rory: And Dean is going to blow when he finds out.
Jess: You still care about what Dean thinks?
Rory: No…I don't know. I still don't want to hurt him.
Jess: Huh. Okay, so we know what the town is going to think, what your mom is going to think, what Frankenstein is going to think. Now, what does Rory Gilmore think?
Rory: (looks down and sighs. Then she looks up and puts her hand in his) I'm thinking I don't want to think right now. (She leans in to kiss him when the cell phone rings. She pecks him on the lips quickly and picks up.)
Rory: Hello.
Sookie: Rory?
Rory: Hi Sookie.
Sookie: Hey, Rory. How are you?
Rory: (looks at Jess) Good. And you?
Sookie: Good, good. Is your mom around?
Rory: Yeah. I'm sorry. I used her cell phone and forgot to give it back to her. I'll get her right now.
Sookie: Thanks.
Rory: (to Jess.) I have to go back to the diner.
Jess: Yeah, me too.
(They walk back together in silence, each content until they reach the diner. Jess goes in, holding the door open for Rory, but she stays at the doorway. Neither Luke nor Lorelai notice Jess enter and go upstairs. Rory calls from the doorway.)
Rory: Mom. You have a phone call. It's Sookie.
Lorelai: (to Luke) Well, I guess I better get going.
Luke: Yeah. Let me know if you need help with the place.
Lorelai: I will thanks.
(She walks to Rory and takes the phone.)
Lorelai: Hey Sookie. What's up?
Sookie: We're going to do it.
Lorelai: That's the spirit. I just got a bout of confidence myself.
Sookie: I'm talking about me and Jackson. We're going to try to get pregnant.
Lorelai: Oh that's great, Sookie. Congratulations. Now we're talking babies, right? Not ginger rolls.
Sookie: (giggles) Yeah. Babies. I'm so happy.
Lorelai: Well I'm happy for you.
Sookie: Thanks. You're going to be the aunt, you know.
Lorelai: Really? Wow. Thanks.
Sookie: And Rory, too.
Lorelai: Well, that's going to be one confused kid but Rory's going to be happy about that.
Sookie: (giggles) Well, I gotta let you go.
Lorelai: Go make those babies.
Sookie: (giggles) Silly.
(Lorelai hangs up.)
Lorelai: Sookie and Jackson are going to try to have a baby and we're going to be the aunts.
Rory: Oh! That's so nice!
Lorelai: I know. You're a lucky one, aren't you? You're going to have a little brother or sister and a little niece or nephew. Oh, and what if one of them has twins?
Rory: (not so excited anymore) Yeah.
Lorelai: Bad time to bring up your father's kid?
Rory: No, it's not that. I have something to tell you.
Lorelai: What is it?
Rory: You won't be able to breathe easy.
The End
