By Stew Pid
Rating: Should be okay.
Disclaimer: I only own the Stew Pid stuff.
A/N: The Season Finale is here!! I'm writing this before I've written the story so I can't warn you if it's absolutely horrible. There's going to be another A/N at the end of this to explain why chapter 15 was the season finale (there's a method to my madness) since some of you have asked, and to extend my apologies if this was the worst chapter ever (it might be. Endings are always hard.) But as always !!THANKS A GAZILLION!! to my readers and reviewers. It's been a blast.
(Chilton. Rory and Paris are walking down the halls. Paris is carrying a notepad and pen.)
Paris: Go in.
Rory: What?
Paris: Go in.
Rory: That's the boy's bathroom.
Paris: We have to respond to the environmental needs of the opposite sex as well. Just go in, check if there's soap in the soap dispenser, see that everything is clean, that there's enough TP and run out.
Rory: Paris, I cannot and will not go into the boy's bathroom.
Paris: You're a useless vice president. (She grabs a small, puny young man walking down the hall.) You, go in there and tell me if there's enough soap and toilet paper and if everything is clean.
(The young man, once released, runs into the bathroom and quickly runs out.)
Young Man: Everything is good.
Paris: Did you check the soap?
(He shows her the glob of soap on his hand.)
Paris: Very good. Now get to class.
Young Man: Um, classes are over now, but can I go back in and rinse my hand?
Paris: You may, but be quick.
(The young man runs in, runs out, bows to Paris, and runs down the hall.)
Rory: I think they're more afraid of you than Headmaster Charleston.
Paris: It is better to be feared than revered.
Rory: I think all the famous dictators at one point quoted that.
(Luke's. Rory drags herself in and collapses on a chair at a table. Luke immediately brings her coffee.)
Luke: Rough day?
Rory: Has it only been a day? It felt more like a rough week. Please tell me it's Friday.
Luke: Only four more days to go.
Rory: Ack. Has my mom come in yet?
Luke: Not yet.
Rory: And Jess?
Luke: He's upstairs. He's got those headphones on, so could you go up and tell him to get down here.
Rory: (hesitantly.) Uh, sure.
(Upstairs. Rory walks carefully. Jess' room door is open slightly. She knocks, uselessly, before she opens the door. Jess sees her and immediately pulls off his headphones.)
Jess: What are you doing up here?
Rory: Luke asked me to come up here and tell you to get downstairs.
Jess: Okay. You can come in, you know.
Rory: You're supposed to be downstairs.
Jess: I'll be down in a minute. (Rory walks in. Jess sits up on his bed and swings his feet over the side. Rory hesitantly sits down next to him.)
Jess: How was your day?
Rory: Good.
Jess: Really?
Rory: (she remembers) Actually, no. It was very bad. Paris made me walk all around the school noting improvements to be made. She even wanted me to go into the boy's bathroom.
Jess: Whoa.
Rory: I didn't do it, and then she called me "useless."
Jess: Those Chilton people aren't a good influence.
Rory: No they aren't, but then again, I'm not easily influenced.
Jess: You know, that's true.
Rory: So what were you doing besides killing your eardrums?
Jess: Filling out college applications.
Rory: So you've picked the ones you're applying to?
Jess: State schools.
Rory: You're really pushing yourself as little as possible, aren't you?
Jess: Hey, you can't undo three years in one. So I guess you've filled out your Harvard application already.
Rory: Yep.
Jess: You'll come back here with one of those Boston accents. You'll ask for caffee instead of coffee.
Rory: (angrily) Stop that.
Jess: Geez, sorry. What's wrong with you?
Rory: Nothing. I shouldn't be here. I have to go.
Jess: Hold up. I'm coming down too. (He grabs his sneakers and puts them on slowly.)
Rory: Hurry up. I'm not supposed to be here.
Jess: Luke sent you.
Rory: I know. But I shouldn't have come in.
Jess: Then why did you?
Rory: You asked me to.
Jess: Paris asked you to go into the boy's bathroom. You didn't go.
Rory: Are you done, already?
Jess: Yeah.
Rory: Good. (She rushes downstairs. Jess follows slowly.)
(Downstairs. Lorelai walks in just as Rory gets downstairs.)
Rory: (to Luke) He's coming. (Luke nods. Rory walks over and sits at the table with Lorelai.) So how was your day?
Lorelai: Bluh. Yours?
Rory: Same.
Lorelai: Was it Paris again?
Rory: It's always Paris.
Lorelai: Just keep thinking, it's just one more year.
Rory: (voice deflated.) Yeah.
(Jess finally makes it downstairs. He walks over and brings Lorelai coffee.)
Lorelai: Ugh. The ultimate panacea.
Rory: You've been reading the dictionary, have you?
Lorelai: Hey, I strongly encourage reading the dictionary. (Jess smirks at Rory, and she is forced to smile. He leaves their table) Me, however, I haven't read it. I read Bill's essay. He used that word three times.
(Rory gives a commiserating smile. Her pager goes off.)
Rory: Arrgh.
Lorelai: Paris?
Rory: Yeah.
Lorelai: Ignore it.
Rory: I can't. Can I borrow your cell phone?
Lorelai: Only if you disinfect it after. I don't want any flesh-eating Paris bacteria on that.
Rory: Will do.
(Lorelai gives her the phone and Rory leaves the diner. Lorelai walks to the counter.)
Lorelai: (to Luke) Hey.
Luke: Hey.
(Lorelai stays waiting, whistling.)
Luke: Do you want something?
Lorelai: A fudge brownie sundae would be nice.
Luke: Don't you have enough of that stuff with the ice cream man?
Lorelai: Actually, we broke up. He got a job offer in New York.
Luke: Oh…Well at least you two weren't serious.
Lorelai: Well, I don't know about that.
Luke: What?
Lorelai: I was having thoughts.
Luke: What kind of thoughts?
Lorelai: Future thoughts.
Luke: You only knew him for a month.
Lorelai: Hence, future thoughts.
Luke: How could you have future thoughts about a man you only knew for a month?
Lorelai: Uh, gee, I don't know. Maybe because I'm not like you. I didn't live alone most of my life in a one-man apartment and I actually like other people. I mean, I can talk to myself for about twenty minutes but after that it's just not as much fun anymore. I like talking to some other life form, preferably a human being who speaks the same language I do. My best friend in the world is going to be leaving pretty soon, and I don't intend to live the rest of my life alone. I'm a grown woman and last time I checked, I wasn't getting any younger, so when I enter a relationship, yes I am considering the future. I think I have the right to.
Luke: Were you considering the future when you went out with Kirk? Because at least you know him better than the ice cream man.
Lorelai: First of all, I did not go out with Kirk. And secondly, his name is Bill.
Luke: And if you want to consider the future, you should consider it more carefully.
Lorelai: What are you talking about?
Luke: I mean, you knew he was a writer. Writers, journalists, all of them, they're notoriously flaky.
Lorelai: And you would know.
Luke: Yes, as a matter of fact, I would know.
Lorelai: Oh, that's right. I get it. It doesn't work out for you with Rachel so now you're the Grim Reaper of relationships. What is it? Every time you hear two people hooked up you run and put pins in little dolls and cut off Cupid's wings on Valentine's Day cards.
Luke: I couldn't care less about your relationships.
Lorelai: Well for someone who couldn't care less you sure have a lot to say about it.
Luke: I'm not saying anything. Just don't come to me with your sob stories because in case you haven't noticed, my sole purpose on this earth isn't to cheer you up.
Lorelai: Ugh. I want Jess to get my sundae. Right now even he's looking better than you.
(Jess comes over.)
Jess: What are you two bickering about?
Luke: Get her a fudge brownie sundae. To go. (leaves)
(Rory comes in and walks up to where Lorelai is. She hands her back the phone.)
Rory: Lesson to be learned. Choose your friends wisely.
Lorelai: What? Oh, you mean Paris?
Rory: Yeah. Who did you think I meant?
Lorelai: No one. Let's go.
(Rory looks quizzically at Jess. He just shrugs, and Lorelai and Rory leave.)
(Later. Gilmore Residence. Rory is in her room, looking at her Harvard application. The application itself is all filled out. Lorelai walks into her room.)
Lorelai: Hey, what do you want to eat tonight? I was thinking Moo Goo Gai Pan from Al's.
Rory: Sounds good.
Lorelai: Great.
Rory: Wait. Isn't this Buffalo Wings night at Luke's?
Lorelai: Uh, no. That's next Monday.
Rory: No, it's today.
Lorelai: But I don't feel like going out. I'd like the food to come to me.
Rory: Did something happen today at Luke's?
Lorelai: No. I just had a tiring day. My feet hurt.
Rory: Hmm.
Lorelai: And I have a headache.
Rory: Uh huh.
Lorelai: A migraine.
Rory: Right.
Lorelai: And an ear ache.
Rory: Those suck.
Lorelai: Yeah. And my back hurts.
Rory: A pity.
Lorelai: And I think I have a tumor.
Rory: Wow.
Lorelai: Malignant.
Rory: Hmm.
Lorelai: And if I leave this house, I'm pretty sure I'll die.
Rory: And we wouldn't want that happening.
Lorelai: I should hope not.
Rory: So I guess it's Al's.
Lorelai: Great.
Rory: Tonight. But tomorrow, I'm not missing Danish Day.
Lorelai: Right. (leaves.)
(Next day. Lorelai and Rory are walking to Luke's.)
Lorelai: You know what, I have to make a phone call and then I have to go straight to the Inn. Michel's coming in late today. So while I'm on the phone, why don't you get me my coffee and Danish?
Rory: (smirks) Who do you have to call?
Lorelai: Uh…uh…the contractors for the new inn. That's right. I need the estimate before I go to the old Inn so I can tell Sookie.
Rory: I'm so not buying that. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?
Lorelai: Nothing's wrong. I just need to make this phone call. Please.
Rory: All right.
(She goes inside. Lorelai paces in front of the window pretending to talk on the phone. She shakes her hands dramatically as though raving in disbelief at the fake estimate.)
Jess: What's wrong with her?
Rory: She's having an argument with the imaginary contractors.
Jess: Ah.
Rory: So I need two coffees and two Danishes to go.
Jess: As you wish, madam. (Rory looks back at her mom, smiling, and Jess returns with her order.)
Rory: Can I use your phone?
Jess: (smirks, knowing her intention) Of course.
(Rory dials. Lorelai, outside, is startled by the ringing phone. She picks up.)
Lorelai: Hello.
Rory: Hey, mom. How's that estimate?
Lorelai: Ugh. You wouldn't believe these cheats.
Rory: I didn't believe them in the first place. Good bye. (She hangs up, gives Jess a peck on the lips, and goes outside, handing her mother her coffee and Danish.)
Lorelai: Thank you.
Rory: Uh huh. But when I get home you are going to have to tell me what happened. Bye.
Lorelai: Yeah. Bye.
(Independence Inn. Lorelai goes into the kitchen. Sookie is fussing, looking frustrating.)
Lorelai: Hey, Sookie, a lot of people have been asking about those ginger rolls. You think you can make them again today.
Sookie: (curtly) No. I can't make ginger rolls.
Lorelai: Okay. Is this about the ginger rolls or about the babies again, because you really have to get that straightened out? Still no luck?
Sookie: Nothing.
Lorelai: Did you and Jackson get into another argument?
Sookie: No, no. We settled everything and I want to give him time.
Lorelai: Good.
Sookie: But I thought I was a patient person, and really, I'm not. I want a baby already. It's bad enough I have to wait nine months once I'm pregnant but I can't even get pregnant.
Lorelai: Sookie, sweetie, don't rush it. Trust me, once you're pregnant and you have that kid, time flies, and you'll wish for the days when nothing seemed to come soon enough.
Sookie: Yeah, I guess so. Oh, how did it go with Bill?
Lorelai: Oh, he wanted to tell me he got a job offer, writing.
Sookie: Oh, that's great.
Lorelai: Yeah. So he's moving to New York.
Sookie: Oh, that's not so great.
Lorelai: No, it's still great. I'm happy for him.
Sookie: But what about you?
Lorelai: I'm sure I can find another guy to pity.
Sookie: Oh. I'm so sorry.
Lorelai: I'm okay. Really.
Sookie: You don't look okay.
Lorelai: Oh, it's something else.
Sookie: What happened?
Lorelai: It's just these contractors. I can't seem to get a decent estimate out of them.
Sookie: What are they saying?
Lorelai: That's the problem. They're not saying anything. I'll give them a call again.
Sookie: Don't worry. It's going to turn out okay.
Lorelai: Yeah. I know it will.
(Chilton cafeteria. Paris, Madeline, Louise, and Rory are sitting at a table. Paris and Rory are pouring over papers. Madeline and Louise flip carelessly through them.)
Paris: Okay. Here's what I think should be our first course of action. The lockers. In one day I counted twenty three incidents of a locker jam. That means twenty three times loud banging was heard in our halls. That's unprofessional. We need to ask for new doors to be installed. (looks at Madeline and Louise who are nodding their heads but obviously not listening.) And I think we need to change the uniforms to plaid miniskirts and halter tops with collars. (Madeline and Louise nod.)
Rory: What?
Paris: Dumb and Dumber here aren't listening.
Madeline: What happened?
Louise: Look, Paris, you've taken our lunch hours and kept us back here every day since school has started either to talk about the college fair, to go over the suggestions boxes, to prepare the next Franklin, or to compare notes on the bathrooms. We're tired. We have lives, friends, homes.
Paris: Lives. Friends. Homes. What about college? Once you go to college you're leaving all of that behind. So I suggest you worry more about the future that is quickly becoming the present than a present that is quickly becoming the past. (Rory purses her lips and thinks about Paris' words.)
(Luke's. Kirk goes over to Jess who is at the register, with a ham and cheese sandwich.)
Kirk: (to Jess) I need to know what kind of ham this is.
Jess: What?
Kirk: Is it real ham?
Jess: What is real?
Kirk: I mean, natural.
Jess: What is natural?
Kirk: Do you know what ham is?
Jess: Not that ham.
Kirk: I think I'll have eggs instead.
Jess: With sausage?
Kirk: Sure, why not?
(Jess smirks and walks away. A woman walks up to the counter.)
Kirk: (to the woman) Whatever you do, don't get the ham.
(Rory walks in and goes to the counter.)
Kirk: Stay away from the ham.
Rory: I can't. He's my boyfriend.
Jess: (comes over with a platter of egg and sausage.) I heard that. (Rory lifts her head defiantly, smiling. Kirk takes his plate and walks away.)
Rory: So how was your day?
Jess: Won't complain. Not that I can't. I just won't.
Rory: Got it.
Jess: So how 'bout we make this coffee to go and I take my break now?
Rory: I haven't even asked for coffee.
Jess: Like you weren't going to.
Rory: I wasn't.
Jess: So what do you want?
Rory: (smiles) Ham.
(Later. Jess and Rory are walking through the town, watching the preparations being made for the Fall Festival.)
Jess: I have a feeling this is going to be the stupidest event this town has pulled yet.
Rory: No. Fall Festival is a whole lot of fun. There're rides and games. Taylor's market has the biggest sale ever. You'll get to see the pie-eating contest up close…
Jess: Unfortunately.
Rory: There's basket weaving.
Jess: (sarcastically) Now, that sounds like fun.
Rory: It really is. My mom and I don't actually make baskets. Last year I made a wicker William Burroughs and my mom did Howard Cosell.
Jess: Wicker sculptures, a lost art form.
Rory: Indeed. I promise you, if you don't love your first Fall Festival, I won't drag you to the turkey-calling contest next month.
Jess: Okay.
Rory: Wow. I just thought of something. This might be my last Fall Festival until another four years.
Jess: Yeah. (They fall into silence and continue walking)
(Later. Gilmore Residence. Rory walks in.)
Lorelai: Hey, what took you so long?
Rory: Why didn't you go to the diner?
Lorelai: Uh…uh…the house was on fire. I had to run straight here so I could put out the fire and repaint the walls before you got home.
Rory: (looks around.) You did a good job. Looks exactly how it did before the fire.
Lorelai: I try.
Rory: Okay, spit it.
Lorelai: (faking Southern belle voice) Why, what ever do you mean? A lady doesn't spit.
Rory: You and Luke are in a fight.
Lorelai: Really? My manager never told me about that. Get me Mr. King on the phone. (pretends to be holding a phone.) Hello, Don…
Rory: What happened?
Lorelai: Nothing. Luke is just a bitter old man and I'm afraid if I'm around him any longer I'm going to grow wrinkles and curse out loud children.
Rory: What?
Lorelai: It was nothing. Luke was just being Luke and I wasn't in the mood for his "I'm so wise, I have life all figured out and that's why I'm alone and grumpy" attitude.
Rory: You call that an explanation?
Lorelai: It was really nothing. I just think we needed some space.
Rory: Okay. Fine. But I don't want Al's tonight.
Lorelai: Pizza?
Rory: With pepperoni.
Lorelai: Got it.
(Days later. Lorelai and Rory are at the mailbox. Rory is holding an envelope over it, but she hasn't dropped it in yet.)
Lorelai: Oh. This is so exciting.
Rory: More like nerve wracking.
Lorelai: Come on, sweetie. Just drop it in.
Rory: What if my essay isn't good enough?
Lorelai: Your essay is great.
Rory: Do you know how many essays they must read? And how many people wrote really incredible essays?
Lorelai: Your essay is really incredible. Now let it go.
Rory: Maybe I should hold onto it one more night and go over it. Edit it once more. I might have to write the whole thing over again.
Lorelai: Rory, stop and breathe. (She stops and breathes.) Now, do you think you can write a better essay?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Good. Now let it go.
Rory: But what if that's the thing. If this essay is my best and still it's not good enough, maybe I'm not cut out for Harvard.
Lorelai: You know that's not true. Remember when we went to Harvard?
Rory: Of course I remember when we went to Harvard. I don't have amnesia or Alzheimer's or anything.
Lorelai: Okay. Now, think about when you were sitting in that class. You fit right in.
Rory: So you're saying I should let this go.
Lorelai: I've been saying that for a half hour already.
Rory: Okay. I'm going to do it. One…Two…Three. (She quickly drops it in.)
Lorelai: Congratulations! Next stop, letter in the mail. "Dear Rory, Congratulations!"
Rory: Let's not get ahead of ourselves now.
Lorelai: And after that, Rory in Cambridge.
Rory: Okay, that's enough. (She drops another envelope in the mailbox.)
Lorelai: What was that?
Rory: What?
Lorelai: Are you applying to Harvard twice?
Rory: I figured it increase my chances of getting in. No, that was my Yale application.
Lorelai: How could you sully this mailbox that has just received the beloved Harvard application with the dreadful Yale application.
Rory: Yale is far from dreadful.
Lorelai: But it has some dreadful affiliations.
Rory: You really don't give Grandpa enough credit.
Lorelai: It's a mutual thing between us.
(Later. Outside Luke's.)
Rory: So I guess I'm going to have to get coffee for you again.
Lorelai: Yes, and a donut. Sprinkles.
Rory: Okay. (She goes in. Jess is at the counter.)
Rory: Hey.
Jess: (coldly) Hey.
Rory: How ya doing? I haven't seen you much all week.
Jess: I've been busy.
Rory: Yeah. Me too.
Jess: Okay. Two coffees?
Rory: Uh, yeah. And one sprinkled donut.
Jess: Okay. (he pours two cups of coffee and brings the donut.)
Rory: Looking forward to the Fall Festival tomorrow?
Jess: Nope.
Rory: Huh…So I mailed my Harvard application today.
Jess: (voice deflated) Whoopee.
Rory: Hey, what's the matter with you?
Jess: I'm fine. I have to get to school.
Rory: But it's still early for you.
Jess: Yeah well, I'm trying to see if I can get the perfect punctuality award this year.
Rory: Jess.
Jess: Later. (He leaves, giving Lorelai her cup of coffee. Rory hears Lorelai outside.)
Lorelai: What about my donut?
Jess: Rory has it. (walks away. Inside, Luke comes out of the kitchen.)
Luke: Where'd Jess go?
Rory: He went to school. Uh, here you go. (she pays Luke and leaves.)
(Outside.)
Lorelai: Hey, are you trying to steal my donut?
Rory: Huh? Oh, no. Here. I have to go. Bye. (She quickly hands over the donut, hugs Lorelai, and hurries off. Lorelai looks on in puzzlement. Luke comes out of the diner.)
Luke: Lorelai.
Lorelai: Hmm?
Luke: Listen, I'm sorry about the other day. I was a real jerk.
Lorelai: You were.
Luke: Yeah. Well, again, I'm sorry.
Lorelai: It's okay. We've had worse arguments. We always get through it.
Luke: Yeah. So, how are you holding up?
Lorelai: About ice cream man?
Luke: Bill. Yeah.
Lorelai: I'm okay. Do you know what's up with those two, though? (She points to Jess and Rory who are walking opposite distances.)
Luke: No. Something's up?
Lorelai: I don't know. Seems that way. I think we're setting a bad example.
Luke: That would mean Jess actually follows my example. I don't think so.
Lorelai: Guess not. Well, I have to get heading to work.
Luke: Yeah. I have to make all those pies for tomorrow.
Lorelai: Mmm. I can't wait. I'll see you later.
Luke: Yeah. (He walks back in the diner and Lorelai heads off.)
(Independence Inn.)
(The phone rings.)
Lorelai: (on the phone.) Independence Inn. How can I help you?
Emily: Hello, Lorelai.
Lorelai: Mom, hey. How are you?
Emily: Fine, thank you. And you?
Lorelai: Can't complain.
Emily: So when does the new Inn open?
Lorelai: Probably not for a while. There's some work to be done, and I actually haven't even gotten back to the contractors yet for the estimate.
Emily: Lorelai, stop procrastinating. You…
Lorelai: Mom, I'm not procrastinating. Things are just busy. I have a lot to do. I've already scheduled when I'm calling the contractors. This afternoon.
Emily: Well anyway, let me cut to the chase.
Lorelai: Please do.
Emily: I'd like Bill to join us tonight for dinner.
Lorelai: Uh, mom, the thing is, we sort of broke up.
Emily: What?
Lorelai: He's going to New York.
Emily: That's what you said the last time.
Lorelai: I mean for good.
Emily: Quite frankly I don't think there ever was a Bill Wickman.
Lorelai: Mom, there was a Bill Wickman.
Emily: Has anyone besides you ever seen him?
Lorelai: Yes. Everyone in Stars Hollow has seen him.
Emily: So he's just a mystery to me. Were you too ashamed of me to allow him to meet us?
Lorelai: No, mom. It was just an unfortunate string of coincidences.
Emily: I think you just made him up so that you wouldn't have to pick one of the gentlemen I had for you.
Lorelai: You know, I give. You're right. I made him up.
Emily: Lorelai, you're getting older...
Lorelai: You mean my sink isn't really connected to the fountain of youth?
Emily: You need to start getting serious about things. Time isn't always going to be on your side. You need to start preparing for when Rory leaves.
Lorelai: Well I think it's a little too early to start packing her things. She still needs them.
Emily: Fine. Everything is a joke to you. But don't you think I worry about you, what you're going to do when Rory leaves and you're alone?
Lorelai: I promise I won't throw keg parties in the house.
Emily: That's not what I mean, Lorelai. I worry about you being alone and miserable. You could never stand being alone when you were younger.
Lorelai: I'll be fine.
Emily: All right. Well, I'm having some friends over for tea. I better get ready. Good bye, Lorelai.
Lorelai: Bye, mom. (hangs up and remains staring at the phone)
(Later. Rory walks hurriedly into the diner. She walks up to Luke.)
Rory: Is Jess here?
Luke: He was, but then he left. Why?
Rory: Nothing. Uh, can I get a coffee to go?
Luke: Yeah. (Gives her the coffee. She slides the money on the counter.)
Rory: Thanks. (leaves quickly.)
(At the bridge. Jess is sitting, reading.)
Rory: Hey.
Jess: Hey. How was school?
Rory: Uh, okay, I guess…No, it wasn't okay. I kept thinking about this morning and wracking my brains trying to figure out what I did to you to make you angry with me and…
Jess: I'm not angry with you.
Rory: Then what was that this morning?
Jess: What?
Rory: The surly, sarcastic, cold shoulder attitude.
Jess: I'm like that with everyone.
Rory: Well…but not with me.
Jess: I guess I've decided to be a little more consistent. (he looks and sees the hurt in her eyes and sighs.) Look, I'm sorry if I made you think I was angry with you. I'm not. (He returns to his reading.)
Rory: Well, I have dinner with my grandparents tonight so I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the festival.
Jess: Okay. (She hesitates, then gets up and leaves.)
(Later. Gilmore Residence. Lorelai's face and shirt are wet.)
Lorelai: (calls out) Rory, do you need to use the sink in the bathroom?
Rory: (from her room) Yeah.
Lorelai: Well you can't.
Rory: What?
Lorelai: Use the kitchen sink.
Rory: (walks out of her room and shakes her head at Lorelai) I won't even ask. (she goes to the kitchen.)
Lorelai: (calls out) Rory.
Rory: (from kitchen now) Yeah.
Lorelai: Do you have blue shirt I could wear?
(Later.)
Rory: You have to get that sink fixed. There's no way I'm brushing my teeth in the kitchen.
Lorelai: I'll get right on it. (she picks up the phone and dials.)
Luke: Yeah, it's Luke.
Lorelai: Hey. Can I speak to Bert?
Luke: What happened?
Lorelai: Well you see, I was in the bathroom…
Luke: I don't need the details.
Lorelai: I broke the handle off the sink faucet and water was squirting out of it and I couldn't shut it off so I had to turn off the key, but now we can't use the bathroom sink. I'm going to my parents' house for dinner, but I was wondering if you could come over and fix it so that Rory and I don't have to brush our teeth in the kitchen sink. There's no mirror there and I…
Luke: I'm making more pies than I ever want to see in my life right now. I'll send Jess over to fix it and I'll come by later to check how he did.
Lorelai: I want Bert to fix it.
Luke: Good bye now.
Lorelai: Bye. (hangs up. To Rory) Jess is coming over to fix it.
Rory: (sarcastically) Great.
Lorelai: What's up with you two?
Rory: I wish I knew. I'll wait for you in the car.
Lorelai: Okay.
(Later. Lorelai and Rory are walking back home.)
Lorelai: I can't believe she didn't even take your word for it.
Rory: I know. I thought I had an honest face.
Lorelai: I told you we should have brought the essay.
Rory: We'll bring it next week.
Lorelai: No. If we bring it next week she'll just look at it and say, (imitating Emily)"Oh, are you still carrying on about that. I had already forgotten his name."
Rory: I gotta say, that Emily Gilmore impersonation is getting better and better. (smiling) Almost too good.
Lorelai: Don't even joke about that.
(They see Jess sitting on the front steps.)
Lorelai: Bert, you're still here.
Jess: Who?
Lorelai: You spend the evening with the guy and you still don't know his name? (She pets the toolbox.) It's okay, Bert. (to Jess) So is it okay?
Jess: I think so. Luke is going to come around to stamp his seal of approval.
Lorelai: Right. Well, thanks. I'm going inside. (leaves.)
Jess: Hi.
Rory: Hi.
Jess: Can we walk around or something?
Rory: Okay.
(Jess and Rory are walking around Stars Hollow in silence looking at the Fall Festival decorations.)
Rory: Okay. What are we doing? Why did you bring me here?
Jess: I thought you liked it here?
Rory: I do, but…forget it. (She looks around at the decorations.) They really did outdo themselves this year.
Jess: Maybe because it's your last, at least for four years.
Rory: (sighs) Yeah. Maybe. I'm going to miss it here, if I go, that is. I might not get into Harvard.
Jess: I wouldn't worry about that.
Rory: It's so funny how everything you once thought can turn on you like that. I mean, Harvard was always my dream.
Jess: It's not anymore?
Rory: No. It still is. I think it still is. It's just going to be harder than I thought. It's going to be hard to leave. But anyway, you wouldn't understand. You don't feel the same about this town as I do.
Jess: But I understand. It's going to be as hard for you to leave as it is for me to stay…once you're gone.
Rory: (rolls her eyes) No one's forcing you to stay.
Jess: I know.
Rory: So why are you, if it's going to be so hard?
Jess: Remember what I said about not being able to undo three years in one?
Rory: Other states have state schools. New York has state schools.
Jess: That's not what I'm talking about. I was going to say I was wrong. You can.
Rory: What are you talking about?
Jess: (he looks down, desperately avoiding eye contact) It wasn't supposed to turn out this way. I wasn't supposed to be here still, I wasn't supposed to go to college, I wasn't supposed to be like this…I wasn't supposed to love somebody. And then you came along and messed everything up, and now I'm stuck here because I'm afraid if I go I might not see you again. I mean, it's my own fault. I shouldn't have let you do this, but…
Rory: Jess. (she waits for him to look at her.) I love you, too.
(She kisses him and he kisses back, and they kiss strongly and lengthily in the middle of a Stars Hollow street.)
(Gilmore Residence. The doorbell rings. Lorelai opens.)
Lorelai: Hey.
Luke: Hey. Bathroom faucet, you said?
Lorelai: Yeah. (the phone rings. Luke proceeds to the bathroom. Lorelai answers.) Hello.
Sookie: Hi.
Lorelai: Hey, Sookie, how are you?
Sookie: Pregnant!
Lorelai: What?
Sookie: Yep. We're having a baby!
Lorelai: Oh my God, that's great! I'm so happy for you!
Sookie: Thank you so much for everything. Oh, I can't believe I'm going to be a mommie!
Lorelai: Forget about you. I'm going to be an aunt!
Sookie: (giggles) This is going to be so great!
Lorelai: I know. Wow. I'm going to start digging up Rory's things right now. You'll have them by the baby's fifth birthday.
Sookie: (laughs.) Thank you. Oh, I wanted to tell you in person but I was just going to burst if I didn't tell you tonight. What do you say I make you a celebratory breakfast tomorrow?
Lorelai: I'd say I should be making you breakfast, but then that's the end of the party.
Sookie: So I'll see you tomorrow.
Lorelai: Definitely. Congratulations again.
Sookie: Thanks.
(Lorelai hangs up. Luke returns.)
Luke: Looks all right to me.
Lorelai: Sookie's pregnant.
Luke: Oh. Um, great.
Lorelai: Isn't it? Oh, I'm so excited. I get to be the aunt.
Luke: The poor kid.
Lorelai: Hey. That's it, buddy. Out of my house until you learn some manners. See, I'm practicing. (Luke and Lorelai walk outside and stand together on the steps.)
Luke: So how was dinner?
Lorelai: Ugh. I spent the entire night trying to convince my mother that Bill existed.
Luke: Ah. You sure you're okay with the whole thing now?
Lorelai: I guess so. I mean, it's not about Bill in particular so much. It's just that no one sticks, you know what I mean? Sometimes I see myself a seventy-year-old spinster walking to the diner, ordering coffee and telling you, the other Mr. Perpetual Bachelor, about another one that got away.
Luke: That's comforting.
Lorelai: Oh, I know you don't want to hear about this…
Luke: No, I know what you mean.
Lorelai: You do?
Luke: Yeah. I mean, what Rachel said before she left…
Lorelai: Oh, that's right.
Luke: I didn't really tell you exactly what she said.
Lorelai: What do you mean? You told me she said not to wait too long to…
Luke: She told me not to wait too long to tell you how I felt about you. (Lorelai looks shocked and Luke is just as shocked at his own words.) Lorelai, I…I…(She kisses him, then pulls away, even more shocked, to the point of horrified, walks back in the house and slams the door.)
(Later. Rory returns home. Lorelai is looking through the closet. Rory walks over to her.)
Rory: Mom, I'm not so sure if I want to go to Harvard. (Lorelai looks at her stupefied. Rory looks down for a moment and goes to her room.)
The End
A/N: AAH!! This was no good. I tried. I really tried. It seemed good in theory. Season 2 ended with an unexpected kiss, a pregnancy, a decision about going away, and the dawn of a possibly upcoming relationship. Season 3, I figured, could end with an unexpected kiss, a pregnancy, a decision about not going away, and the dawn of an upcoming relationship. The theory, I think was good. I didn't take into account my lack of skill. I thought I could pull it off. I've led you this far only to bring you to this disappointment and now you hate me and I'm sorry.
To explain why it ended at chapter 15 for those of you who asked, it's all due to my devotion to pattern and consistency. My chapters were 7 (lucky number) pages short of the actual episode transcripts of Season 2. So I thought I should make the season 7 episodes shorter than Season 2, in keeping with the pattern. Well, I've spared you seven more episodes to plod through only to end in this disappointment. I'M GOING TO MISS YOU GUYS SO MUCH, though. You've been so GREAT to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Well, this is Stew Pid signing off…(for now, possibly)
