DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated in any way with the WB network, or A.S-P. I do not own, nor have I created any of the characters. I do not have any links to anything involving Gilmore Girls. I also do not own or have connections to the following things mentioned: the song "Merry Little Christmas," the movie "Glitter", Ebert and Roeper, The Fountainhead, Martha Stewart, Franny & Zooey, Where's Waldo?, Spic-and-Span, America's Most Wanted, The Fall, A Farewell To Arms, Lord of the Rings, Tweety Bird, Ebenezer Scrooge, Volvo, Jeep, The Telltale Heart, or anything else I missed.

SIDE NOTE: This is the fourth "episode" in the series ... make sure you read the earlier "episodes" or it will be difficult to understand this one.

SUMMARY: It's mid-late July in Stars Hollow, and the town is getting ready for the annual Christmas in July celebration. The celebration entails all things festive, including a Christmas parade, a fireworks display, and a town-wide Secret Santa. The festivities are all things perfect for Rory and Lorelai, but Lorelai finds herself spending attending most of the events alone, as Christopher is in Boston packing to move, and when he is in town he receives frantic calls from Sherry that send him rushing back. For the Secret Santa gift exchange, Rory draws the most inappropriate name she could possibly draw - and that person in turn draws hers. All these things leave the girls wondering ... will it really be a "merry little Christmas" in July?

A/N: Please R/R but don't be harsh. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Please give me as much feedback as you can - the more I get (positive or negative) the better I can write, and the more I'll write. I hope you are pleased with this third helping.

LAST EPISODE: Rory and Jess rose to the challenge of the town citizens trying to put a wedge in their relationship, and Christopher's detest of the relationship. Christopher signs on a lease for an apartment, and Rory has turned down Paris's offer for a trip to Washington once again. This takes place three weeks after the last episode.

"Merry Little Christmas in July"

--EPISODE BEGINS-

OPEN to INDEPENDENCE INN
(It's a mid-Friday afternoon. The INN is bustling, and the camera pans around. MICHEL is on the phone talking hurriedly and looking annoyed. A few people are waiting at the desk in line, and are pushing MICHEL around. The camera pans to LORELAI in the lobby, standing on a chair and hanging glittery paper snowflakes from the ceiling, then the camera pans to the kitchen where SOOKIE is moving around in the kitchen, giving orders, and then returning to her station where she is decorating freshly baked Christmas cookies that are cut in the shapes of stars, stockings, and trees and of larger proportion than a normal cookie. SOOKIE looks pleased with the batch which she has just finished, and carefully removes them from the cookie sheet, and onto a tray, then selects a star cookie and hurries out of the kitchen. She rushes up to LORELAI, and taps her on side. LORELAI startles but catches herself and looks in SOOKIE's direction.)
LORELAI: Holy, cookie, Batman.
SOOKIE: What do you think?
(LORELAI steps down from the stool, and breaks a piece off of the cookie. She puts it in her mouth and savors it.)
LORELAI: Hmmm ...
SOOKIE: So?
LORELAI: Sookie, you have outdone yourself. These are excellent, the best Christmas cookies I've ever had during July.
SOOKIE: Better than last year?
LORELAI: Oh, definitely better than last year.
SOOKIE: I thought bigger would be better!
LORELAI: I agree.
(RORY enters the INN in her summer Chilton uniform, backpack on. She comes up to LORELAI and SOOKIE.)
RORY: Oh! Christmas cookies! (RORY excitedly breaks a piece off the cookie and eats it.)
SOOKIE: What's the verdict?
RORY: It's all about the frosting, baby.
SOOKIE: I'll take that as a thumbs up.
RORY: Two thumbs-
LORELAI: And two big toes!
SOOKIE: Is that a good thing?
RORY: Oh yea.
LORELAI: It's Ebert and Roeper's new phrase.
SOOKIE (giggling): All right then. So I should go make some more for the week then? I just made a test batch.
LORELAI: Well, I don't know.
RORY: Maybe, Mom and I should test the rest of the test batch.
LORELAI: You know, just to make sure you didn't make any mistakes. Make sure they don't include any contaminated ingredients.
RORY: We'll put ourselves on the line.
LORELAI: Risk it for the good of the common people.
RORY: We have stomachs made of steel.
SOOKIE: You two! I'll tell ya what - I'll make you a batch to bring to Richard and Emily's tonight.
LORELAI: Or to eat for condolence after we go to Richard and Emily's.
SOOKIE: Whatever works for you!
LORELAI: Thank you, Sookie.
RORY: Yea, we love you!
LORELAI: You're a star.
RORY: You shine.
LORELAI: You sparkle.
RORY: You shimmer.
LORELAI: But we would never say you 'Glitter', 'cause we love you too much to insult you like that.
SOOKIE (smiling): I better get back to work.
(SOOKIE turns to the kitchen, and LORELAI turns to RORY smoothing her hair and then slinging her arm around her neck.)
LORELAI: So how was life in the slammer today?
RORY: As long as they are feeding us more than bread and water I don't complain.
LORELAI: That good, huh?
RORY: Well, the actual school part isn't so bad without Paris there to nag me.
LORELAI: Naturally.
RORY: But, unfortunately, she does not let me forget she exists.
LORELAI: What? You mean the fifteen messages on our answering machine, and the additional five calls yesterday were too much?
RORY: She called the school - and had them pull me out of class to come talk to her on the phone.
LORELAI: You're kidding.
RORY: Not once, but twice.
LORELAI: She never stops, does she?
RORY (sighs): No. But, I'm done for the week. And as far as I know she doesn't have the Inn number, so I figured I'd hide out here.
LORELAI: Cool. We'll stow you away in a janitorial closet, and slip you food and notes under the door. It'll be just like we've taken you hostage.
RORY: Is there even a janitorial closet?
LORELAI: We have maids. I assume they keep their cleaning supplies somewhere.
RORY: Then it wouldn't be a janitorial closet.
LORELAI: Fine ... the maidial closet.
RORY: Not a word.
LORELAI: Ok, so since the whole keeping you on the down-low idea is out, you wanna help set up?
RORY: Sure, what should I do?
LORELAI: Well, we could use a few more paper snowflakes.
RORY: Remembering of course, that I don't have an ounce of creativity in these fingertips.
LORELAI: Ah yes. Why did you have to turn out to be a thinker and not a feeler? What happened to my good artistic genes.
RORY: What good artistic genes? You draw stick people and animals.
LORELAI: I prefer to think of them as models of the skeletons of prehistoric creatures.
RORY: Whatever makes you feel better.
LORELAI: So we'll find you something else to do.
RORY: Which will be ... ?
LORELAI: Make snow!
RORY: What do I look like? A cloud?
LORELAI: No, no, no. We have boxes of this fluffy, cotton, snow-like stuff. It's sparkly, and pretty. You can put it around the inn. Make it look wintery, flaunt your interior design expertise, pretend to be Martha Stewart.
RORY: I think I can handle that.
LORELAI: Good. (She walks over to the wall by the desk and grabs a large cardboard box, and hands it to RORY.) Here's your snow.
(RORY slips her backpack off on and puts it behind the desk, then returns to her mother and takes the box out of her arms. The two smile at each other, and RORY looks around a little.)
RORY: You've done a good job so far.
LORELAI: Thanks.
RORY: I love this time of year.
LORELAI: Me too.
(RORY walks towards a hallways, and LORELAI looks around walking in a circle but keeping her position in the room. She smiles, as the camera fades out.)

--THEME SONG AND COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN to the ELDER GILMORE RESIDENCE
(It's later that evening. RORY, LORELAI, RICHARD, and EMILY are all sitting at the dining table eating. RICHARD and RORY are discussing RORY's school work, and when things go silent RICHARD turns to LORELAI.)
RICHARD: So, Lorelai ... how are things at that little Inn you work at?
LORELAI: The little inn that I manage is just fine, dad. It's actually a very busy season for us.
RICHARD: Really? July? Does Stars Hollow have many tourists?
LORELAI: They come and go - a lot of people stay there if they are going into Hartford. But, see, we have this celebration every year ... actually Stars Hollow holds the celebration. It's a, uh, Christmas in July type thing.
RICHARD: Christmas in July?
LORELAI: Yea, it's fun. The whole town gets involved, some people come even come in especially for it. The town is all decked out for Christmas, and everyone working in the town wears Santa hats, and there's a band that plays Christmas carols from the gazebo. Then, on the last night, which is next Saturday, the Inn's hosting a giant Christmas dinner for the first year, and we have a Secret Santa exchange.
RICHARD: Secret Santa?
LORELAI: Yea! It's great. Everyone in town puts their name in a hat - if they want to - and then they draw a name out of that hat and get that person a gift to give them at the party.
RICHARD: What if they draw someone's name they don't know?
LORELAI: Impossible. Everyone knows everyone.
RICHARD: Ah, I see. What if they get something they don't like?
LORELAI: They return it. Same as any holiday.
RICHARD: Very ... uh, interesting.
LORELAI: You and mom should come to the dinner on Saturday, you know, if you're available.
RICHARD: Hm. Would we have to participate in the ... Santa Secret?
LORELAI: It's Secret Santa, and no, it's optional.
RICHARD: Then we'll consider it, hm, Emily?
EMILY: Hm.
LORELAI: That's good, 'cause see, here's the thing ...
EMILY: There's a catch, Richard. Never say yes, there's always a catch.
LORELAI: Hold on there. See, with the festival being this week, there's a lot going on ... and with the inn being a huge part of the festival this year, I'm going to be needed at the inn, at all hours. Including the night before the dinner ... which just so happens to be next Friday night. So, Saturday night could kind of be our dinner. Except with everyone from Stars Hollow.
EMILY: What a very convenient coincidence for you, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Oh, hey, I didn't schedule this. It was all Taylor. But the bottom line is, my job needs me to help organize.
EMILY: Your job needs you to help participate in a juvenile party?
LORELAI: It's not a juvenile party. This is huge for Stars Hollow, and the first year that the Inn gets to hold the dinner. I'd like to have this event in the back of everyone's mind when I open my own Inn, and they need a place to hold the dinner.
EMILY: You want them to remember that you were the one that hosted the hoopla, for a few dozen drunken-off-egg-nog-idiots wearing Santa hats?
LORELAI: Hey, we do not spike the egg nog! (RORY glares at her as if to say "Since when", and LORELAI just gives her a tight smile back.) So, mom, any reason you're so combative tonight?
EMILY: Just a little tired.
LORELAI: That was your excuse last week.
EMILY: Excuse me?
LORELAI: Last week when I asked you why you were so being so brutal, you said you were tired.
EMILY: I don't know what you're talking about.
LORELAI (sets her fork down hard on her plate): For the past three weeks, you have been seemingly annoyed with me as soon as I stepped foot in this house. And until this week, there has been a lame, albeit different reason for the behavior, except for this week.
EMILY (abruptly): Where's Christopher?
LORELAI: I, uh ... Christopher is in Boston.
EMILY: With ... Shana?
LORELAI: It's Sherry mom, and he's there but not for her ... he's packing.
EMILY: Packing?
LORELAI: Christopher is moving to Stars Hollow, remember? He signed on an apartment two weeks ago. He told you he was planning on moving here.
EMILY: I'm sorry, I can't seem to keep all these things straight. You know - who he's dating, who he's living with, who he's having his next child with.
LORELAI: Mom. Christopher and I are just giving this a shot. He's trying to make everything right, and I know ... that it may seem a little on the deranged side to you. And believe me, I thought so too, at first ... but it seems to be working. Please ... let it go.
EMILY (sighs): Will Christopher be at this ... Christmas in July dinner?
LORELAI: I'm not sure. It depends how the moving is coming, I suppose. He's really not sure yet.
EMILY: We might be able to make it, for a little while.
(LORELAI half-smiles at her mother, who just raises her eyebrows back. RORY looks at her mom, and widens her eyes, and LORELAI gives a little shrug. The silence over the dinner resumes as LORELAI and RORY dig back into their food. Suddenly, LORELAI's cellphone goes off.)
LORELAI: Uh ... excuse me.
(EMILY gives her a disapproving look, but RICHARD nods, and LORELAI walks through the dining room, to the parlor, and out onto the patio.)
LORELAI: Hello?
(The camera pans back in and out of LORELAI on the patio, and JESS on the phone at the diner, leaning against the counter.)
JESS: Hey.
LORELAI (hushed and surprised): Jess?
JESS: No, the Easter Bunny.
LORELAI: Didn't you get the memo? It's Christmas in July. Easter's not 'til October.
JESS: Well, excuse me.
LORELAI: How did you get this number?
JESS: Luke has it on his "Phone numbers list".
LORELAI: Luke has a "Phone numbers list".
JESS: Yep.
LORELAI: And my cellphone number is on it?
JESS: No, it's not. I'm just fooling with you, I'm really a phone number psychic.
LORELAI: The Secret Life of Jess Mariano ... Someone will write a book about you someday. It'll be like those "Where's Waldo?" books except creepier.
JESS: Is Rory there?
LORELAI: Well not right HERE ... but she's in the vicinity.
JESS: A vicinity where you could put on the line?
LORELAI: Maybe. But you are aware that we are at my parents house for our weekly, dreaded-but-mandatory dinner, right?
JESS: Of course.
LORELAI: You do realize that if my mother realized that you, the "little punk" who broke her precious, angel-granddaughter's wrist was calling, for her, she'd make sure you were put on America's Most Wanted?
JESS: She called me a "little punk."
LORELAI: Are you kidding? Emily Gilmore has never said the word "punk." I can't even picture her saying the word "punk" ... now, I've never really tried so wait ... no, I can't even begin to generate a picture of her saying the word "punk." No, my mother's terms for you are a little more intense. "Punk" seemed kind of nice, actually.
JESS: I see.
LORELAI: So, you want me to try and get her?
JESS: All I ask.
LORELAI: If I get killed by the contemptuous stare of Emily Gilmore, you will be charged with second degree murder, you realize this?
JESS: Wouldn't be the first time.
LORELAI: Excuse me?
JESS: Kidding, kidding.
LORELAI: Hang on.
(LORELAI makes her way back into the diner, and stands at the entrance way.)
LORELAI: Uh, Rory. There's a ... uh, a phone call for you.
RORY (looking confused): Who?
LORELAI: Uh ... Paris ...
(LORELAI winks profusely at her.)
EMILY: Lorelai is there something wrong with your eye?
LORELAI: Uh, yea ... eyelash. Really, big eyelash. Covered in mascara.
EMILY: Well for goodness sakes, go to the washroom and take care of it.
LORELAI: I would do that but ... as you see, my hand is occupied by this cellphone.
RORY: Grandma, Grandpa ... may I be excused?
EMILY: Of course, but please hurry back.
(RORY gets up and retrieves the phone from her mother, who excuses herself to the bathroom. RORY heads to the patio.)
RORY: Uh ... Paris?
JESS (in a girlish voice): Oh, Rory, won't you please come to Washington? Pretty, pretty please?
RORY (hushed): Jess! Why are you calling now?
JESS: Aren't I allowed to call my girlfriend?
RORY: Yes ... just not when I'm not at my grandparents. If they found out who I was really on the phone with-
JESS: I know.
RORY: So ... ?
JESS: When do you think you'll get home?
RORY: What time is it now?
JESS: Eight.
RORY: I'm guessing nine-thirty.
JESS: Hm.
RORY: What?
JESS: Would you be interested in going for a walk when you get back?
RORY (smiling): Yea ... sure. I'd love to.
JESS: You're smiling.
RORY: Well, yea.
JESS: You're glad I called.
RORY: Of course I am.
JESS: So see, it's not so bad that I called you during your precious dinner with the grandparents.
RORY: Well ...
JESS: It relieved the pressure for a few minutes.
RORY: Yes, it did.
JESS: So when are you going to tell them about ... you know, us?
RORY: Jess ...
JESS: I know, I know. And it's not that it's really a big deal to me ... but I mean, you do realize that eventually they are going to find out, whether or not you tell them.
RORY: I don't know that I can hold out much longer. They are already wondering. They haven't heard me talking about Dean lately ... so I think they are starting to catch on ... but ... with my dad and mom right now ... I just don't think it'd be very ... smart of me to put this on the table ... and it's not that I don't want them to know, because I'm not scared, and I'm proud that I'm with you Jess, I just don't want it to get inflicted on my mom. It's hard enough for her right now.
JESS: I understand.
RORY: You do?
JESS: Mm hm.
RORY: You're not mad?
JESS: I'll only be mad if you stand me up tonight.
RORY: But I won't do that.
JESS: Therefore I won't be mad. Meet me at the bridge.
RORY: We always meet there don't we?
JESS (sarcastically): Is that ok with you, Ms. Gilmore?
RORY: Oh, yea. (Smiling.) I like it there. I like that we meet there. It's a nice spot, that bridge. Very ... wooden. And ... you know ... it's kind of ... our spot.
JESS: Yea. It is.
RORY: So I'll see you around nine-thirty.
JESS: At our spot.
RORY: Yea ... our spot. See you.
JESS: Later.
(RORY closes her mom's cellphone, and comes back into the kitchen. She hands her mom the cellphone, and takes her seat once more, continuing to finish the dinner.)
EMILY: So?
LORELAI: So ... what?
EMILY (looking to RORY): What did she want?
RORY: Who?
EMILY: Paris.
RORY: Oh ... uh ...
LORELAI (interjecting): Mom. What went on during Rory's phone conversation is really her business.
EMILY: Of course. But she is in Washington, after all and that's long distance. And it was quite a lengthy conversation. It must've been very important.
LORELAI: Mom-
RORY: Oh it was. She just wanted to ask me some my opinion on ... our ... our platform.
EMILY: Were they helpful for her?
RORY: I ... I think so. She said thank you.
EMILY: Very well. So Rory, how is that nice boyfriend of yours, Dean?
LORELAI: So, what's for desert?

CUT to the GILMORE JEEP
(LORELAI is driving silently, and RORY is sitting silently.)
LORELAI: I swear, I don't see how I am related to her.
RORY: It's not that bad.
LORELAI: Do I act like that?
RORY: No!
LORELAI: If I ever do, smack me. Hard. Commit me.
RORY: Mom ...
LORELAI: I can't believe the way she acts around you and me. I can't believe the balls she has to dog your dad and I's relationship, after she spent seventeen years wishing we were together. And where does she get the guts to ask who you talked to?
RORY: Who knows.
LORELAI: You covered things smoothly, with that Paris platform thing.
RORY: Well, Paris DID call about that today.
LORELAI: That and everything else.
(The car slows as they enter STARS HOLLOW. They are approaching the center of town, when RORY pipes up.)
RORY: Could you let me off here?
LORELAI: Huh?
RORY: Well ... I told Jess I'd meet him at the bridge when I got home.
LORELAI: Oh.
RORY: Is ... that ok? I mean, it didn't think it'd be a problem.
LORELAI: Oh, no, no. It's fine. I'm getting kind of tired anyways. You go have a good time. Tell Jess him better have been kidding.
RORY: Huh?
LORELAI: He'll get it. (She brakes the car and puts it in park.)
RORY: Thanks, Mom. Hey, maybe Dad will be home for the night.
LORELAI (half-smiling): Yea. Maybe. (RORY begins to shut the car door behind her.) Come in past curfew, and sneak through the window.
RORY: Do I have to?
LORELAI: I insist.
RORY: Well then, I'll try.
LORELAI: That's my daughter.
RORY: I aim to please.
LORELAI: Your boyfriend's waiting, girlie. Go see him.
RORY (smiling): I love you, Mom.
LORELAI: Love you too, babe. Now go babble about something literary that I wouldn't understand.
(RORY runs off in the distance, and LORELAI continues driving. She arrives to the darkened house, with only the porch light on, and no sight of the Volvo. LORELAI sighs, and pouts, but exits the car, and enters the house. She approaches the answering machine, whose light is blinking.)
ANSWERING MACHINE: "You have one new message, sent today at 8:45 PM."
(LORELAI hits a button.)
ANSWERING MACHINE: "Hi, Lor, it's me. Uh, it doesn't look like I'll be getting out there tonight. Sherry's been complaining of some stomach pain. We're at the hospital, she's getting checked out. I'll call you when we know what's going on. Love you, night."
(LORELAI sighs, and then topples on the couch and snuggles into the pillows, dozing off, heels on and all.)

CUT to FOOTBRIDGE
(RORY has arrived at the bridge and is looking around her, but can't seem to see JESS, when she hears a voice by her ear.)
JESS: Nine-thirty-one.
RORY (shivers at the sound of his voice so close to her ear): Oh, one minute. Big deal. (She turns to face him and look him in his eyes, and challenge his authority.) What are you gonna do about it?
JESS: This.
(JESS wraps his arm around RORY's waist, and reaches for one of her hands with the other as he leans in and gives RORY a passionate kiss which she eagerly returns, then he pulls away a little and gives her tiny little soft kisses, and RORY shivers again.)
JESS: Cold?
RORY: Uh ... yea, sure.
(JESS slides his dark blue zip up jacket off his shoulders, and helps RORY slip into it.)
RORY: What a gentleman.
JESS: Hey, can it, or next time I'll let you be cold. (Smiling sarcastically at her.)
RORY: You wouldn't.
JESS: Who says?
RORY: Me.
JESS: And why wouldn't I?
RORY: You care too much. (RORY kisses him once more.)
JESS: I surrender. So ... stay here, or walk?
RORY: Let's walk. I want to see what's going on in town.
JESS: A bunch of nonsense, that's what.
(The two of them make their way to the center of town, when RORY notices the shops beginning to flip on Christmas lights, and the gazebo set for the band to begin playing Christmas music the following day. RORY stops in her tracks, and JESS goes a few steps then looks at her, as her jaw drops, smiling, and her eyes widen.)
JESS: See, I told you. It's disgusting.
RORY: It's beautiful.
JESS: Matter of opinion.
RORY: Well, thank you for your two cents worth, Ebenezer.
JESS: It's one thing to celebrate the actual holiday, at the actual time ... but a whole celebration to celebrate something five months away.
RORY: So we're impatient. And we find any excuse to have a good time.
JESS: Bah humbug.
RORY: Oh, c'mon, there's good things.
JESS: Like?
RORY: Well, for one, Taylor will be in a good mood, so he'll probably stop waiting for you to commit a felon.
JESS: What else?
RORY: Hmmm ... well there's the Christmas party at the Inn on Saturday night? (JESS grimaces.) It's going to be fun! We'll do the Secret Santa (JESS pretends to gag) ... Babette and Patty will get bombed, which will be funny ... (JESS makes a half-disgusted/half-scared look) ... There will be mistletoe ... (JESS looks at RORY and smiles boldly, and RORY blushes.)
JESS: I might have to arrange to get the night off Saturday. (JESS, unexpectedly, reaches for RORY's hand, and holds it pulling her in to walk closer to him - shoulder-to-shoulder.) So ... what's on the reading agenda this week.
RORY: The Fall. Have you read it?
JESS: Hmmm ... no. Who's it by?
RORY: Albert Camus.
JESS: Might have to give it a whirl.
RORY: You should. I like it so far. How's school?
JESS: Pretty good. B+ on the Geometry test.
RORY (kisses him on the cheek and his jaw drops a little): Good job! Homework for the weekend?
JESS: Of course.
RORY: You want me to come over tomorrow morning?
JESS (looks at her smirking): I think I can handle getting it done by myself.
RORY: I didn't ask if you needed help. I asked if you wanted me to come over.
JESS (smiles broadly): ... Sure, I guess. (Pretending not to be so happy.)
RORY: Oh ... my mom told me to tell you that you better have been kidding.
JESS: When?
RORY: Earlier. On the phone, I think
JESS: Oh ...
RORY: What was it about?
JESS: Have I ever asked you about your phone calls?
RORY: No.
JESS: Then just trust me.
RORY: Okay ... (sighs) Was it about me?
JESS: Rory ...
RORY: Well, you were talking to my mom, and one major thing you have in common - in fact one of the only things you have in common with her - is me. So was it about me? That's all I want to know.
(JESS, pretending to be frustrated, puffs out his chest.)
RORY: I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm done.
(JESS looks at her, realizing he's gotten her.)
JESS: It wasn't about you, Rory. I really had you going there for a second didn't I?
RORY: Going on what?
JESS: Thinking that I was angry.
RORY: ... Uh ... no! I knew you were kidding.
JESS: Liar.
RORY: No way.
JESS: You don't have a poker face, Gilmore.
RORY: And you're such an expert?
JESS: Remember who you're talking about.
(RORY shakes her head as the two walk off in the distance.)

--COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN to GILMORE PORCH
(It's later in the evening. JESS and RORY are sitting on the bench on the porch together. JESS is leaned against the left side of the cushioned wicker bench, with his right arm around RORY's left, who has fallen asleep with her head against his chest as he reads RORY's copy of The Fall, by Albert Camus. RORY's right arm is extended around JESS's stomach, hugging him as she sleeps.)

CUT to GILMORE LIVING ROOM
(The phone in ringing and LORELAI who has fallen asleep in her dinner clothes starts awake, and looks at a clock which flashes 10:20. She reaches for the cordless phone which is on the coffee table and answers. The camera pans between LORELAI at her house, and CHRISTOPHER in SHERRY's apartment in Boston.)
LORELAI: Huh ... (yawn) ... Hello?
CHRISTOPHER: Lor?
LORELAI: I think that's me.
CHRISTOPHER: Did I wake you?
LORELAI: Kind of.
CHRISTOPHER: Isn't it kind of early for you?
LORELAI: Dinner was a enough to take it out of anyone tonight.
CHRISTOPHER: Emily was in her element I take it?
LORELAI: More than. So ... how's Sherry?
CHRISTOPHER: Just a little indigestion.
LORELAI (nodding off): Hmmm ...
CHRISTOPHER: So, I've got most of my stuff packed. I rented a pickup truck, I figure I'll start hauling stuff over to the apartment tomorrow after work.
LORELAI: Hmmm. Very good ... What about Saturday?
CHRISTOPHER: What about it?
LORELAI: The Christmas in July dinner ... at the Inn ... big thing ... lots of people dressed in shorts and Santa hats.
CHRISTOPHER: Is it that time of year already?
LORELAI: You bet. The holiday season is in full swing here. So you gonna come join in the festivities.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, it's a heck of a week for me ... but I'm definitely going to try. At least for the dinner.
LORELAI: Do you want me to sign you up for Secret Santa?
CHRISTOPHER: Better not. I don't want to sign up for something I might not be able to make it for.
LORELAI (sleepily): You should tattoo that phrase on your forehead ... be your personal motto, remind you every time you look in the mirror.
CHRISTOPHER: What'd you say?
LORELAI: Uh ... nothing ...
CHRISTOPHER: I could've sworn I heard you say something.
LORELAI: I was just uh ... talking to myself ... looking for my slippers.
CHRISTOPHER: Oh ... well, I'm going to let you go Lor. I'm tired, and I've got a long day tomorrow. I'll stop by if I make it into town.
LORELAI: All right. You drive careful tomorrow.
CHRISTOPHER: I will Lor. Love you.
LORELAI: Yea ... (click) ... Love you, too.
(LORELAI ends the call, and gets up from her seat, and goes and checks in RORY's room to find she's not there. LORELAI takes a deep breath, and proceeds to look outside, where she sees RORY sleeping against JESS as he reads. He takes a deep breath and kisses RORY on the side of her forehead.)
LORELAI: If these walls could talk your bad-boy image would be seriously soiled.
(JESS starts a little, and turns to see LORELAI.)
JESS (flustered): Lorelai, I-
LORELAI: Calm down, Jess. My daughter is fully clothed, sleeping next to her fully clothed boyfriend, on a wicker bench, outside ... you're ok. In fact, you may have just earned some major brownie points. This is just way too cute. Mind if I get a camera?
JESS: Yes.
LORELAI: Aww, come on! I'm not going to print it up in Stars Hollow Gazette. Just for the scrapbook, you know. Plus, Christmas in July IS this week, and if I got the prints developed, you could frame it and give it to her.
JESS: I'm not doing that Secret Santa thing.
LORELAI: It doesn't have to be Secret Santa - it can just be ... to her, from you ... a nice thing, you know.
JESS (sighs and obviously thinks about it as her continues reading): Go get it.
(LORELAI rushes in and grabs a camera then heads back outside.)
JESS: Well aren't we Speedy Gonzales, tonight.
LORELAI: We must act very quickly, and very sneakily. She's a light sleeper.
(LORELAI snaps the picture, and as the flash goes off, RORY begins to stir, and LORELAI darts inside.)
LORELAI: See ya, kid.
JESS: Oh sure, leave me here to take the blame.
RORY: Hmmm ... Jess?
JESS: In the flesh.
RORY: Where are we?
JESS: Your porch ... on the bench.
RORY: I fell asleep.
JESS: Nothing gets past you.
RORY (playfully slaps him): You like it so far? (She motions to the book.)
JESS: Yea. Mind if I borrow it?
RORY: I haven't even finished it yet.
JESS: I'll finish it by tomorrow morning.
RORY: Speed-reader.
JESS: Snail.
RORY: I resent that.
JESS: So can I borrow it?
RORY: Of course.
JESS: Good and can I-
RORY: Yes, you can leave notes in the margins.
JESS: You know me too well.
(JESS smiles at her, and she scoots up closer to him, as his arm slides from her shoulder, down to her waist, and she rests her head on his shoulder. She takes a deep breath.)
JESS: Tired?
RORY: Hmmm ... yea.
JESS: You wanna get to bed?
RORY: I don't WANT to. But I probably should. I'm going to help at the Inn tomorrow afternoon, so I need some sleep. And I seem to remember having an important visit to make tomorrow morning.
(JESS grins at her, and RORY smiles back, as they lean in and kiss. They barely pull away before JESS begins talking.)
JESS: Hmm ... Goodnight, Rory.
(JESS gets up and RORY follows suit.)
RORY: Goodnight, Jess.
(JESS goes down the porch, slipping The Fall in his pocket, as RORY watches him go, then enters the house. RORY comes into the living room where her mother is channel surfing, and LORELAI looks up at her and smirks.)
RORY: What?
LORELAI: Sweet jacket.
(RORY looks down at her jacket and gasps.)
RORY: It's Jess's.
LORELAI: Thank you, Sherlock, 'cause I couldn't have figured that one out on my own.
RORY: Hm, I'll give it back to him tomorrow ... I don't feel like chasing him down tonight.
LORELAI: So you can sleep with it next to your pillow and feel like you have a piece of him with you.
RORY: Have you cracked?
LORELAI: You bet. It makes living much more fun.
RORY: Funny, funny. Have you heard from Dad?
LORELAI: Yea. He called. He and Sherry had to go to the hospital. She was having stomach pains.
RORY (looks worried): Is she ok?
LORELAI: Indigestion.
RORY (lets out a breath): Oh, ok. ... You ok?
LORELAI: Yea ... I just ... am having a hard time getting used to your dad and I. Since he's trying to get everything in order, you know, he's not around a lot. It's hard to say to anyone I have a boyfriend, 'cause I rarely see him.
RORY: But you will.
LORELAI: I know.
RORY: Well, I'm going to bed. I'm beat, and tomorrow is a busy day.
LORELAI: All right ... (leaning up to hug and kiss RORY) Good night, sweetie. I love you.
RORY: Love you, too.
(RORY turns to leave, smiling.)
LORELAI: Hey!
RORY: What?
LORELAI: You're glowing ...
RORY: What?
LORELAI: You're glowing. You look really happy. I haven't seen you like this ... in a long time. It's good to see.
RORY: Oh ... thanks.
LORELAI: Anytime.
(As RORY leaves, LORELAI's face is pensive and almost jealous of her daughter and what she has with JESS.)

CUT to STARS HOLLOW STREETS
(It's Saturday morning. RORY and LORELAI are walking towards LUKE's, side by side. They are both wearing Santa hats, each with their name on them on the white part, and have candy canes in their mouths. RORY is wearing JESS's jacket. From the gazebo, KIRK is heard singing "Jingle Bells" with the accompanying band. LORELAI and RORY both giggle at this but keep on walking, obviously in very good moods. They enter LUKE's, and we notice RORY is carrying a Santa hat. RORY goes behind the counter where JESS's back is turned. JESS raises one eyebrow as he hears her behind him.)
JESS: I'm sorry miss, but no one is allowed behind the counter. You'll have to wait behind it like everyone else.
(RORY wraps her free arm around his middle, and kisses the back of his neck. Then rests her face against the back of his head.)
JESS: Although ... special privileges could be arranged for certain people.
RORY: Stay turned around ... and close your eyes. I have something for you.
JESS: Rory, what are you doing?
(RORY slips the Santa hat on JESS'S head, and he turns around and looks at her cynically as LUKE looks over at him.)
JESS: Is there a Santa hat on my head?
LORELAI: Uh ... no, it's a figment of your imagination ... and everyone else's, too.
LUKE: Never listen to a Gilmore if she tells you to close your eyes, 'cause she has something for you. I learned the hard way.
LORELAI: Aww, c'mon. The Tweety Bird stick-on tattoo looked very cute on your cheek.
LUKE: I beg to differ.
LORELAI: Too bad your opinion on that doesn't really matter.
RORY (pouts to JESS): You don't like it?
JESS (sarcastically) : It's not my color.
RORY: So then you won't wear it?
JESS: Have you lost it?
RORY: Maybe.
JESS (looking her over): Nice jacket.
RORY: I borrowed it from this guy I know. Not the greatest fashion sense though - won't even wear a Santa Hat.
JESS: Ha, ha. (JESS pulls it off it his head, and offers it to her.)
RORY: What if I put your name on it in glittery puff paint?
JESS: Oh, well that changes things.
RORY: Really?
JESS: Yes. Then I DEFINITELY won't wear it.
RORY (exasperated): Hm! No fun.
JESS: You forget that I'm coming to dinner on Saturday.
RORY: Will you wear the hat then?
(JESS gives her a look to say "Are you kidding?")
RORY: I thought I might as well give it a shot.
JESS: I admire your persistence.
(RORY smiles as LUKE places a cup of coffee down for each girl. LORELAI leans over to RORY who is still behind the counter and whispers to her, blocking her mouth with her hand so JESS and LUKE can't see.)
LORELAI: Don't worry. We'll deck the place out in icicle lights tonight.
RORY (grinning): Fun!
JESS: What's fun?
RORY: Uh ...
LORELAI: Soccer. Soccer is a really fun sport. You know, how they play with that ball and they dribble it, and try and get a touchdown.
JESS: You have no idea how soccer is played, do you?
LORELAI: Well, that's what's fun about it. We're making a new version.
JESS: Oh really?
LORELAI: Really.
JESS: What are you two plotting?
RORY: Who, us?
JESS: No, the two devious coffee addicts behind you.
LORELAI: How dare you suggest that your precious girlfriend, and I do such a thing?
RORY: Can't you see our halos?
JESS: Yes, and you might want to invest in a little polish. They seem to be tarnished. And I doubt this spic-and-span little town carries rust remover, so Lorelai you're SOL.
LORELAI: Hey, remember the whole, if walls could talk thing? Remember, I was there too.
JESS: I'm done. I'm going to go start my homework.
(JESS looks at RORY and cocks his head a little, and RORY gets up.)
RORY: I'll come by the Inn in like ... an hour and a half, ok?
LORELAI: Oh ... yea.
(LORELAI looks disappointed, but RORY is already off up the stairs with JESS.)

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

CUT to the GAZEBO
(It's late Monday afternoon. TAYLOR is presiding over the top of the step with what appears to be a glass fishbowl, filled with slips of paper. There is a line to the stairs, and TAYLOR is eagerly checking off names on a clipboard. LORELAI and RORY approaching the head of line, JESS standing around next to them, his hands shoved in his pockets, looking semi-annoyed. The camera pans to the outside of LUKE's where he is pulling down icicle lights and appearing to be frustrated.)
JESS: So, which one of you decided to put the icicle lights on the diner?
RORY: I have no idea what you're talking about.
JESS: Oh, really? Lorelai?
LORELAI: I plead the fifth.
(JESS looks to RORY.)
RORY: I'm with her.
JESS: He hates them.
RORY: Good. Then we- I mean, whoever did it has accomplished what they set out for.
LORELAI: Good cover.
(JESS sighs heavily as the line moves a little.)
JESS: How long does it take to draw a name out of a hat?
RORY: It's going pretty fast, actually.
JESS: You're kidding, right?
LORELAI: Well this year, people registered in advance, that way Taylor was responsible for making sure names went into the hat.
RORY: Last year, we all had to fill out the little slips of paper, put them in the hat, then draw.
LORELAI: It took forever. Plus Taylor had to keep checking each one to make sure they were legible, and that people actually put down their real name. It was a real waste of time.
RORY: You shouldn't talk!
LORELAI: Because?
RORY: Does Scarlet O'Hara ring a bell to you?
LORELAI: I don't know what you're talking about.
RORY: Martha Washington.
LORELAI: Never heard of her.
RORY: Pamela Anderson?
LORELAI: Oh, c'mon, you have to admit the look on Taylor's face was priceless, Chelsea Clinton.
RORY: At least I only tried once.
JESS: Too bad I wasn't around for it last year, then.
LORELAI: Who would you be?
RORY: Edgar Allen Poe!
JESS: Oh give me a break.
LORELAI: Isn't that the guy that wrote the Telltale Heart?
RORY: Yes.
LORELAI: He's scary, rebellious. Professional in the field of darkness. Perfect for you, Jess.
JESS: I was thinking more along the lines of Ernest Hemingway.
LORELAI: Blah.
RORY: What she said.
JESS: Let me know when I should start in criticizing on The Fountainhead.
RORY: Half-past never.
JESS: You don't criticize my great literature, and I won't criticize yours.
(The line has moved but RORY, LORELAI and JESS have not and are now the head of the line. TAYLOR looks frustrated.)
TAYLOR: Lorelai, Rory ... (glaring at JESS) you're holding up the line. Please come make your pick.
(LORELAI steps up and takes her pick, RORY following and looking at the slip of paper. The camera zooms in on what says "DEAN". RORY's eyes widen, and she shoves the piece of paper in her pocket. LORELAI taps her on the shoulder.)
LORELAI: Who'd you get?
RORY: It's a secret.
LORELAI: You always tell me.
RORY: Hence the name Secret Santa.
LORELAI: Rory, please.
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Pretty please with super-caffinated coffee on top?
RORY: No.
LORELAI (gasps): Did you draw me?
TAYLOR: Ladies ... (glares at JESS again) you are holding up the line. Please move along.
(They begin walking towards the GILMORE RESIDENCE.)
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Just tell me.
JESS: I gotta admit, she's even got me curious now.
RORY: Well, get uncurious.
LORELAI: Please?
RORY: No.
LORELAI: A first name?
RORY: That wouldn't leave much to be discovered.
LORELAI: The first letter of a first name?
RORY: I drew ... (stumbling over her words) Fran, alright, I drew Fran. You know the little lady from the bakery, great cake?
LORELAI: Now was that so hard?
RORY: It's not a secret anymore. It's not a Secret Santa anymore if it's not a secret.
LORELAI: Relax, it's not like I'm going to go put a banner up on the gazebo that says "Rory's Secret Santa is Fran."
RORY: Good to know.
LORELAI: I'm opting for the sky-writer instead.
RORY: You (pointing) are not funny.
LORELAI: Hey, just kidding.
RORY: Well, how about you stop kidding.
LORELAI: Are you ok?
RORY: I'm fine, why wouldn't I be fine?
(JESS is watching this, his hands in his pocket, with a twisted face. He's never been in this scenario and can't figure out what to do.)
LORELAI: Maybe because you've snapped like a twig just run over by an oil tanker.
RORY: Sarcasm isn't getting you anywhere.
LORELAI: I didn't know I needed to get anywhere. Are you sure there's nothing you need to tell me?
RORY: What? Don't you believe that I drew Fran? Don't you? It's not my fault I never draw people who I'd actually know what to get, is it? So sue me-
(JESS very gingerly, puts his hands on RORY's shoulders, and gets a semi-tight grip on her, then begins to pull her towards him, a little away from LORELAI, and smiles at her and LORELAI shrugs her shoulders.)
JESS: Uh, Rory ... lets go get coffee ...
RORY: No, I'm not done yet.
JESS: Yes, you are. Bye Lorelai.
LORELAI (waving): Bye. (She mouths "Thank you" to JESS once RORY's head has turned.)
RORY: She makes me so mad sometimes. Always egging me on. Never takes a second seriously. Can't stop interrogating.
JESS: Easy there, Killer.
RORY: What?
JESS: It's never bothered you before.
(They enter the diner, and begin to walk upstairs.)
RORY: Well it does now.
JESS: Any particular reason why?
RORY: No.
JESS: Any particular reason why?
(They are in the apartment and heading to JESS's portion of the apartment.)
RORY: You already asked that.
JESS: I know.
RORY: So what is the point in asking again?
(RORY throws herself on his bed, lying flat on her back and folding her knees up a little and looking at the ceiling. JESS lays down beside her, propped on his side looking at her.)
JESS: To get you to fess up.
RORY: So what, now you're accusing me of lying?
JESS: No ... it's just ... would you really get that upset over drawing Fran? You can tell me, you know, and I won't hold it against you, I won't tell Lorelai if you don't want me to, and I cost a lot less than a therapist to spill your problems to.
RORY: What's your going rate?
JESS: I'm free. (RORY sighs.) C'mon. (RORY looks away.) You're gonna play that way? Maybe this will change your mind ...
(JESS puts his hand on RORY's stomach and begins to tickle her until she is giggling, and curled up in his arms as he tickles her. She puts her hands on his chest.)
RORY: No fair, no fair!
JESS: All's fair in love and war.
(JESS continues to tickle her and reaches into her pocket, and grabs out the slip of paper.)
RORY: Oh, now that is really not fair.
(RORY grabs for the piece of paper as JESS opens it and reads. His face falls a little.)
RORY: I'm sorry ...
JESS: What for?
RORY: For picking his name.
JESS: It's not your fault. You didn't rig it or anything. Although I wouldn't put it past Taylor ... or anyone else in this town for that matter.
RORY: I drew my ex-boyfriend's name for Secret Santa. Aren't you upset?
JESS: Well I'm not exactly throwing a party, Rory, and I can honestly say I really wish you had drawn Fran. But it doesn't mean anything. It's one of this town's many silly rituals. It doesn't change my opinion of you, or that fact that you are my girlfriend. I don't like you any less ... and I understand why you didn't want to say anything right in front of Lorelai, in the middle of town.
RORY: You should be mad ...
JESS: What?
RORY: You should be upset, and mad ... and jealous. And you should ... follow over my shoulder when I have to go get something ...
JESS: Rory, I think you are mistaking me for Dean.
RORY: You aren't jealous?
JESS: No. Why should I be?
(RORY's eyes widen.)
JESS: Rory, I didn't mean it that way, don't make it out to be more than it is.
RORY: I'm not worth being jealous for ... I see how it is.
(RORY gets up and starts to the door.)
JESS: Rory! Wait.
(RORY has already left, and leaves going down the stairs casually, so no one suspects, but runs home as soon as she is out the door, and JESS has jogged down the stairs two by two just in time to see her. LUKE looks at him.)
LUKE: What's going on?
JESS: Hell if I know. Whenever you think you are doing something right, you suddenly find out that you are very-
LUKE: ... Wrong?
JESS: Yes.
(JESS walks sullenly back up the stairs. LUKE shakes his head, but smirks at JESS and how taken by RORY he is.)

CUT to GILMORE RESIDENCE
(LORELAI is on the phone with CHRISTOPHER, but we only hear her talking.)
LORELAI: You're not coming in tonight? Oh. The hospital again? Well yea, of course call me when you know. Rory will want to know. (RORY storms in, and heads to her room, and LORELAI moves the receiver a little to call to her.) Hey, babe. (RORY mumbles something unheard.) That good huh? (LORELAI continues talking on the phone.) Oh yea, she just walked in. No, talking to her is probably not a good thing. She seems kind of pissed. I have no idea, she seemed edgy today. No, I don't think it has to do with Jess. Might've gotten taken out on him though, that's my gut feeling. Yea, I'll let you go. Call later. Bye, Chris. (LORELAI hangs up the phone just as there is a knock at the door. She cocks her head and goes to answer it. JESS stands there.)
LORELAI: Hey.
JESS: Hey. She here?
LORELAI: I don't know, let me find out.
(She steps away from the door and yells to RORY.)
LORELAI: Hey Rory are you home?
RORY (calls from her room): No!
(JESS raises his eyebrows.)
LORELAI: What happened?
JESS: I don't know.
LORELAI: You wanna come in for a little while? She might loosen up in a little bit.
(JESS nods and goes into the kitchen and sits down.)
LORELAI: So, did you get out of her who she really drew?
JESS: Yep.
LORELAI: Oh! Who?
JESS: Can't tell. Promised.
LORELAI: Well, at least you're loyal. Wanna see something cool?
(JESS shrugs, and LORELAI is already off. She goes to the counter and gets a large envelope and brings it to the table, then hands it to JESS.)
LORELAI: Take a look.
(JESS looks at her strangely and furrows his brow as he opens the envelopes and carefully slides out a picture that is 8 x 10. The picture is of he and RORY on the porch a few nights earlier, with RORY asleep and JESS reading.)
LORELAI: Turned out great, huh? (JESS nods, kind of amazed, and smiles.) I got it blown up when I saw the original print. Now, if you want to give it to her, in a frame or something for Christmas in July, you can. It's all yours ... otherwise, I might hang on it for brownie points when I need it.
JESS: No, I want to give it to her. I just gotta get her to talk to me. For some damn reason she WANTS me to be mad at her, and I can't figure why. Isn't she supposed to like it when I play the understanding boyfriend card?
LORELAI: Hmmm ... I have a plan. (JESS cocks his head.)
JESS (studies LORELAI's face): If it involves a Santa hat of any kind, I'm out. (LORELAI gives a little grin.) Oh, no.
LORELAI: How much do you miss her talking to you?
JESS (sighs heavily): Ok, shoot.

CUT to STARS HOLLOW STREETS
(It's FRIDAY afternoon in STARS HOLLOW, making it "Christmas in July Eve". LANE and RORY are walking from the KIM'S ANTIQUES shop, towards the GAZEBO.)
LANE: And he wasn't mad?
RORY: No, not at all. It was weird.
LANE: It was weird? Rory have you cracked?
RORY: What do you mean?
LANE: Rory, girls would kill to have a boyfriend who didn't get jealous over little things like this. I mean, you drew your ex-boyfriend's name for Secret Santa, and most guys would be fuming. But Jess ... he isn't mad. Most girls would be ecstatic - just a few months ago, you would've been ecstatic for Dean to be that way, remember? But Jess doesn't care.
RORY: Exactly! He doesn't care.
LANE: He does CARE Rory, I mean, he cares about you, obviously. He just isn't getting all worked up over something like this. He knows it doesn't have any bearing on how you feel about him
RORY: How does he know, though?
LANE: Rory, don't play that game. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that you mean everything to each other. For God sakes, you picked HIM over Dean ... it was the shocker of the century for this town. And you know, he probably is a little jealous deep down, Rory ... but I don't think he wants to be like Dean was to you ... being overbearing and possessive. That's how Dean lost you. (RORY is silent.) So, uh, Luke's for coffee is probably out of the question.
RORY: No, we can go.
LANE: Are you just gonna ignore him?
RORY: Maybe.
LANE: You shouldn't even be mad at him.
RORY: Whatever you say.
(They enter LUKE's and sit down at a table. JESS comes over to the table to take their order. He places his hands on the edge of the table and leans down.)
JESS: What can I get you?
LANE: I'll take a coffee ... Rory?
(RORY just smiles at LANE and nods.)
LANE: She'll take a coffee, too.
JESS: Is she still not talking to me?
LANE: Apparently.
JESS: Alright then, two coffees. (JESS bends down to RORY's level and puts his arm around her shoulder, and kisses her cheek, then whispers something to her, his mouth barely leaving her cheek.) You're not going to be able to make me mad at you on this one, Ror. (RORY bows her head down and JESS removes his arm from her shoulder, and smoothes her hair as he stands up.) Two coffees, then. (RORY blushes as he smiles at her, and stares a little.)
LANE: You two make me sick. (RORY shakes her head and smiles over at JESS as her pours her coffee.) Are you ok now, or something?
RORY: I don't know. He's ok.
LANE: Are you ok?
RORY: It's hard to be mad at him. I'm still just ... confused, you know ... it's hard to go from Dean, who was always jealous about everything ... to Jess ... who isn't.
LANE: I guess so. So what did you do about ... you know, the Secret Santa.
RORY: Got him the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.
LANE: Good choice.
RORY: Easy, not too personal, but I know he'll like it.
LANE: You going to give it to him ... you know, yourself?
RORY: I was planning on it.
LANE: That's going to be kind of weird, isn't it?
RORY: It's weird enough already. The only way it could get more weird is if he drew my name.
LANE: And what'd you get-
(JESS interrupts, putting the coffees down on the table and looking at RORY.)
JESS: Still want me to be mad at you?
(RORY looks up at him and gives a half smile but doesn't say anything. JESS smiles and shakes his head as he walks off.)
LANE (whispering): What'd you get him?
RORY: A book.
LANE: Surprise, surprise.
RORY: First edition of A Farewell to Arms ... my grandpa found it awhile back ... asked if I wanted it. So I told him I did ... didn't tell him what for, though.
LANE: Do you know if he got you anything?
RORY: Didn't ask. But he and my mom have been up to something. They spent the other night in the kitchen talking. I have the sneaking suspicion that something is being planned behind my back. Although, planning something with my mother seems completely ... not Jess.
LANE: Jess has been doing a lot of things lately that have been completely "not Jess," in the towns definition.
RORY: What do you mean?
LANE: He's doing well in summer school, which he joined voluntarily, he hasn't caused much trouble - except for falling for the town princess - and his kleptomaniac attitude seems to have disappeared.
RORY: So he's shaped up.
LANE: He had the chance to go back to New York - his home - and he came back here, to Stars Hollow which is two-bit compared to New York, and nothing like the way he used to live there.
RORY: I'm sorry, I still don't see your point.
LANE: He has changed himself for you. He has ... made himself someone worthy of being loved by you. Now, of course, he still has the bad ass attitude for almost everyone else ... but when it comes to you, Rory ... you're different. He'll do anything to see you happy.
(RORY blushes, then looks over at JESS giving PATTY trouble about something, but still ringing up her order. She stares at him a little while, until he catches her eye, and raises an eyebrow, smiling.)
JESS: Can I help you, Ms. Gilmore.
RORY: No thanks. (She continues watching him.) I'm fine. (He smiles at her, and continues with his work.)

CUT to GILMORE LIVING ROOM
(The phone is ringing, and RORY who is sitting on the couch reading Franny and Zooey, automatically grabs for it at her side and answers. The camera cuts between LORELAI at the INN and RORY at her home.)
RORY: Hello?
LORELAI: Hey, it's me.
RORY: Who's me?
LORELAI: You're a funny one. So it looks like I'm going to be home pretty late.
RORY: How late is pretty late?
LORELAI: Past midnight late. Things just aren't coming along quite right, and since this thing starts at four tomorrow, about all we'll have time for is cooking, and making sure we have enough seats. Oh, and helping the DJ set up.
RORY: Who's the DJ?
LORELAI: We got Lane for as long as her mom will let her stick around. After that, I figure we can let the little band play a bit of Christmas music, and keep Kirk away from the mic.
RORY: Good plan.
LORELAI: I thought so. So what are you going to do tonight?
RORY: Well, I'm almost done reading, and I think I'm just going to go lay down. I'm tired, it was a long day at school.
LORELAI: Yes, well not all people voluntarily take summer school. It's only like ... 8:30 ... you sure you wanna lay down already? (LORELAI is gritting her teeth, and looking frustrated.)
RORY: I might only take a nap - I'll get up when you come home or something.
LORELAI: Listen ... I gotta go ... uh, make a call ... see if ... uh, your grandparents have decided to come ... I'll call you if I'm going to be later than one. Bye!
(LORELAI hangs up quickly and begins dialing again, the camera cutting to RORY who looks surprised, but hangs up. LORELAI puts the phone back up to her ear as the camera cuts back in.)
JESS: Luke's.
LORELAI: Jess?
JESS: I think that's me, but you know I've lost my "Hello my name is ..." sticker, so I guess I can't check.
LORELAI: Jess, it's Lorelai.
JESS: 'Cause I couldn't have guessed.
LORELAI: Rory is going to sleep.
JESS: What are you talking about?
LORELAI: She says she's going to go to sleep, since she has the house by herself 'cause she's tired.
JESS: So ... ?
LORELAI: So, doesn't this kind of mess up our plan?
JESS: Your plan, and no, actually this kind of works out.
LORELAI: How do you figure? Don't even think of bailing, Jess.
JESS: I'm not ... but this way I can kind of ... you know set up a little in piece, and not have her over my shoulder wondering what I'm doing.
LORELAI: Hm. Not a bad idea.
JESS: I'm a genius.
LORELAI: I wouldn't go that far, James Dean. You're not exactly Einstein.
JESS: Things are going to work fine. I'm going to make them work fine. Do you think that I would let them turn out any other way?
LORELAI: No, probably not. ... You really care about her, don't you?
JESS: Well, she is my girlfriend, Lorelai.
LORELAI: No, I mean ... you really care about her ... not just the ... simple kind of "If you break a bone I'd feel bad" care ... but more in that ... really special care about way ... you know, the kind that is synonymous with three little words that tend to fall in a sentence together ... starts with an "I" ... there's an L an O a V and an E in the middle ... and a you falls at the end?
JESS: I have to go get ready, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Oh, dodging the question, very smooth.
JESS: Well, Rory does call me Dodger.
LORELAI: Well ... you can't hide it forever ... Dodger.
JESS: Hey, only Rory has the rights to that one.
LORELAI: Ok, ok. Go get ready. I'll probably be home around midnight, so if you plan on sneaking out the window and sliding down a drain pipe when I get home, tell Luke that it will be about twelve thirty when you get home. And the key's in the turtle, if she locked the door.
JESS: Bye, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Bye. Take care of her.
JESS: I will ... and uh ... Lorelai ... yea ... I do ...
(JESS hangs up, and LORELAI smiles faintly, as though she is unsure how she feels about this situation.)

CUT to GILMORE HOUSE
(RORY is asleep stretched out on the couch, with Franny and Zooey opened over her chest. She begins to stir, and sits up on her elbows, and gets a confused look on her face. Her eyes travel from side to side, and she sniffs the air, because something is being cooked. She picks up her book, and slips a bookmark in it, then places it on the end table. She removes her blanket and stands up and stretches then walks to the kitchen. She sees JESS standing at the stove cooking something unseen.)
RORY: What are you doing?
JESS (starts a little): Never startle someone working over an open flame.
RORY: What are you doing, Jess?
JESS: Cooking.
RORY: 'Cause I couldn't see that.
JESS: Well ... if my memory serves me correctly ... by some, strange town standard, tonight is Christmas Eve ... right?
RORY: Well, yes.
JESS: And you know, I figured your mom is busy at the Inn ... and no one should be alone on Christmas Eve.
RORY: And you came to keep me company?
JESS: And make you dinner.
RORY: And what are we having for dinner?
JESS: It's a surprise.
(RORY approaches. JESS snaps his finger and points at her.)
JESS: You keep your distance.
RORY: What?
JESS: I've heard rumors about you cooking that even scare me.
RORY: You could teach me.
JESS: Catch me on a night when I feel like burning your house down.
RORY: Hm.
(RORY goes and sits down at the table, which she realizes has been cleared.)
RORY: Jess ... where did all ... our stuff go?
JESS: The clutter?
RORY: Our stuff.
JESS: The clutter is in a box in the living room.
RORY: Oh ... Why?
JESS: Don't worry, every last piece of unneeded paper is there ... and we couldn't very well eat at a messy table.
RORY: Eating at a table. That's a new idea.
JESS: Yea, well, I'm adventurous like that.
(RORY smiles at him, and just watches him as he cooks, comfortable with the silence. JESS looks to her and smiles.)
JESS: You like to do that, huh?
RORY (breaks her stare): Huh? Do what?
JESS: Watch me cook. Or wait tables. Or is it just watch me?
RORY (blushing): Well ... yea, kinda ... I guess. (JESS flips something with a spatula and RORY's eyes light up.) What did you just flip? (JESS is silent and pretends not to have heard her.) Jess, was that a pancake? (JESS doesn't answer.) You're making me pancakes! Oh, Jess ... that's so sweet.
JESS: Hey, hey! What have I told you about the "s" word?
RORY: Sorry ...
JESS: No you're not.
RORY: You're right, I'm not. Because it is incredibly sweet of you. And in the process of making me very happy, you are also, in a way, willingly participating in a town event.
JESS: I don't think of it that way.
RORY: I do.
(JESS shakes his head and RORY just smiles at him and watches him cook.)

CUT to INDEPENDENCE INN
(The INN is bustling with workers, and LORELAI helps as she calls out things for people to do, and points.)
LORELAI: Michel, what time is it?
MICHEL: Too late.
LORELAI: Agreed, but nevertheless what is the actual time.
MICHEL: I do not have a watch.
LORELAI: You are at the desk. There is a computer on the desk. The computer has a clock.
MICHEL: The screensaver is up.
LORELAI: So hit a key, any key, Michel, and you will be able to see the screen.
MICHEL (sighs as those he is very frustrated): Eight twenty-two.
LORELAI: Now, was that so difficult?
MICHEL: Yes.
(LORELAI shakes her head and starts walking around the lobby with a clipboard checking things off as she inspects everything. Soon we hear the door to the INN open and CHRISTOPHER enters and comes up behind LORELAI kissing her on the cheek.)
CHRISTOPHER: Merry Christmas.
LORELAI (turns and smiles): Hey you! You made it! (She hugs him tightly.)
CHRISTOPHER: Well, not exactly.
LORELAI: What do you mean by ... "not exactly"?
CHRISTOHPER: Actually, I just had to come drop a few boxes off at the apartment, and I wanted to drop by to-
LORELAI: Let me know you can't make it tomorrow.
CHRISTOPHER: It's better than just a call, right? Or just not coming?
LORELAI: Oh, yea, definitely. So ... why can't you come?
CHRISTOPHER: Well, Sherry has decided not to stay in the apartment. She's moving in with her parents - they have a house in Boston, and room for her and the baby for awhile. She asked if I'd, you know, help her pack up.
LORELAI: And you're going to.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, I couldn't exactly say no, Lorelai. She's pregnant with my kid. I'd never forgive myself if she fell down a flight of stairs carrying a box.
LORELAI: No I suppose not.
(LORELAI continues her rounds as CHRISTOPHER follows.)
CHRISTOPHER: Lor, don't be mad at me.
LORELAI: I'm not mad, Chris. I'm just frustrated.
CHRISTOPHER: With me.
LORELAI: No, Chris, I'm not really sure who I'm frustrated with. It's just ... this is taking a lot of getting used to, and I'm hoping it's going to get easier than this sometime soon.
CHRISTOPHER: Eventually.
LORELAI: And of course, it doesn't help that I've spent the past three Fridays defending you to my mother, saying that this was going to work. But she doesn't believe me, because you haven't been to a dinner, and you know Emily.
CHRISTOPHER: Yes, I do. And I'm sorry about that ... about all of this stuff, and I'm sorry you have to go through it, 'cause I know it's gotta be hard on you.
LORELAI: Well it sure ain't a piece of cake. Speaking of which, you are going to miss some really great deserts tomorrow night.
CHRISTOPHER: I know ... and I'm sorry, Lorelai.
LORELAI: No, Chris. It's ok. I'm not mad at you, just adjusting. ... So how'd you know I was here? Normally we'd be at my parents house.
CHRISTOPHER: I was actually going to go to dinner with you guys tonight, since I had a window. And I called Emily to see if she had room for one more.
LORELAI: You did not call my mother.
CHRISTOPHER: Actually, I did.
LORELAI: And you are still living to tell about it?
CHRISTOPHER: Looks like it? (Looks down.) Yep, I'm alive.
LORELAI: What'd she say?
CHRISTOPHER: That dinner wasn't happening tonight because you were busy at the Inn.
LORELAI: Did she say anything else?
CHRISTOPHER: Nope. She was very ...
LORELAI: Blunt. Cold.
CHRISTOPHER: All good words to describe her mood.
LORELAI: That's my mother, for you.
CHRISTOPHER: Yea. Well ... I better get going.
LORELAI: Yea ... if you wanna make it home at a decent hour.
CHRISTOPHER: If I get a little time tomorrow night, I'll try to drop by.
LORELAI: Don't get my hopes up, Chris.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, then I'll definitely call you.
LORELAI: A call is good.
CHRISTOPHER: Then ... I'll see you soon ...
(CHRISTOPHER kisses her on the cheek, and heads towards the door as LORELAI runs and stops him quickly.)
CHRISTOPHER: What?
(LORELAI looks up and points.)
LORELAI: We're standing under the mistletoe.
(CHRISTOPHER smiles and leans in to give LORELAI a kiss which she returns, as she puts her free hand on his cheek.)
CHRISTOPHER: Bye, Lor.
(CHRISTOPHER exits. LORELAI's face is once again pensive.)
LORELAI: Bye, Christopher.

CUT to GILMORE LIVING ROOM
(RORY is sitting on the couch watching TV. Plates clinking and water running can be heard from the background. RORY gets up and goes into the kitchen to see JESS washing dishes.)
RORY: Won't you please let me help you?
JESS: No.
RORY: I can wash dishes. I do it a lot, actually. I'm the only one in this house who does.
JESS: No.
RORY: Please let me help you. It'll go so much faster then.
JESS: No.
RORY: Please.
JESS: Will you stop whining?
RORY: Only if I can help you.
JESS (sighs): I'll rinse them, you load them in the dishwasher?
RORY (approaches the counter): I'm satisfied.
(RORY opens the dishwasher, and starts putting away the dishes JESS has already rinsed.)
JESS: I've never seen anyone want to do the dishes before.
RORY: I've never seen anyone refuse help in getting them done before.
JESS: This night is for you. You're not supposed to do the dishes.
RORY: It's for ... both of us. So, I'm helping.
JESS: Who decided it was for us?
RORY: Me.
JESS: Here you, pretending you're an authority figure again.
RORY: We need it to be for us.
JESS: Because?
RORY: Because ... because I'm sorry, Jess.
JESS: Keep going.
RORY (half-smiles): I'm sorry that I ... wanted you to be jealous. Because I don't actually think I did ... I just ... have never, ever known anything else ... except you know ... Dean being jealous over me. So that's ... all I know how to react to. I always got mad at Dean for being jealous, and I was all ready to be mad at you for being jealous. Even though you weren't ... and that's not fair to you, and I know that. I mean, you're not Dean. You're Jess. I like you for that specific reason, actually. (JESS smiles and looks at her, putting the dishes down and shutting off the water. He puts one hand on the counter and leans against it as he watches her.) But I was so ready to be mad ... that I just couldn't control it, and I lost it. And I'm really, really sorry ... because you're the last person I want to lose it with. I mean, at least if I do something silly like that with my mom, she knows where I'm coming from and why I'm doing it... but you're ... unaware of some of the things I will do, I think. And ... you know, most girls would kill to have a boyfriend who wasn't jealous, I mean, I was one of those girls ... and I'm so happy to have a boyfriend who isn't. I just ... wasn't expecting it. And then, even when I'm being a complete and total idiot to you were still ... good to me. And then you come over, and you make me pancakes for dinner, and ... you're so ... sweet, to me, and I know you hate that word, but you are, and I-
(JESS moves up to her as he begins to talk.)
JESS: Rory, it's ok.
RORY: No, Jess, it's not ... I was awful to you ... and I'm sorry. And I'll never-
JESS: Rory, be quiet.
(JESS quickly moves in to kiss her before she can say another word. He puts both his hands on her hips and pulls her into him, then wraps one arm around her waist, while running the other through her hair. He turns then so he's leaning against the counter, and she's leaning into him. She puts her arms around his neck, and gives him one last kiss as they pull away. RORY leans her head into him, resting it under his chin.)
RORY: I'm sorry.
JESS: I know.
RORY: You aren't mad at me?
JESS: No.
RORY (sighs and leans more of her weight into him): Good.
JESS: You know ... it being Christmas Eve and all, there might be a present involved, assuming these dishes get done.
(RORY pulls back so she can look him in the eyes.)
RORY: A present?
JESS (smiles at her little-girl-like attitude): I don't know for sure. Something might appear miraculously if the dishes were done.
(RORY quickly gets to work, and JESS chuckles a little at her, and she gives him a playful punch in the shoulder.)

CUT to GILMORE LIVING ROOM
(JESS is sitting on the couch with a wrapped present in his hand and even has the Santa hat on, waiting for RORY who emerges from her room with a present, too.)
JESS: Rory, you didn't have to.
RORY: Sure I did ... plus I had this planned awhile ago. Open mine first.
JESS: I love how you think you get to call the shots around here.
RORY: I don't think, I know. Now open it.
(RORY hands JESS the present which is wrapped in shiny red paper. JESS carefully unwraps the present and upon unfolding the paper, finds the first edition of copy of A Farewell to Arms.)
JESS: Wow. How did you-
RORY: My grandpa. He has a ton of books stored up in that house. He asked me if I wanted it. And of course I didn't ... but ... I knew someone who did ...
JESS: When?
RORY: After I came to see you in New York. I was planning on sending it to you.
JESS: Wow. Th-thanks ... I ... no ones ever known to ... you know, get me anything like this before.
RORY: Well, I'm good like that.
(JESS hands her a perfectly wrapped present with gold ribbon around it.)
RORY: Is this what you have been learning to do in summer school? Wrap perfect presents?
JESS: Just something I know how to do.
RORY: You're going to put one of Santa's elves out of job one day.
JESS: Well, I do have the hat.
(RORY unwraps the present carefully to find the picture of her and JESS from a few nights before in a frame.)
JESS: I know it's not like (pointing to the book) this ... but I thought you'd like it ...
(RORY's jaw drops, and her eyes are glittering as she scans the picture over.)
RORY: This was the other night. But how ... ?
JESS: I had a little help.
RORY: From ... ?
JESS: Your mom.
(RORY's jaw drops a little further. She gets up unexpectedly and walks toward her room. JESS is confused, but gets up and follows.)
JESS: Rory, where are you going? I'm sorry I had to have your mom help, but I mean, I couldn't have very well-
(He enters RORY's room, and notices her clearing a place on her nightstand. She stands the frame up so it's sitting right next to her bed. JESS watches her carefully.)
RORY: I love it. It's perfect.
JESS: Really?
(RORY approaches him, and kisses him on the cheek, taking his hand in hers.)
RORY: Yes, really.
(RORY leads him out into the living room again, where he sits on the couch.)
RORY: Movie sound good to you?
JESS: Does it have to be Christmas oriented? (RORY glares.) Why did I even ask? (RORY jokingly holds up "It's a Wonderful Life.") Oh, please, no. I've never done anything to deserve that. (RORY giggles and sets it down, then pulls out "Home Alone." JESS sighs.) That'll work, if it has to. (RORY plops the movie in and fast-forwards through the previews, and then hits play as she walks backward toward JESS, who, before she can sit beside him, pulls her into his lap, and sits her down.)
RORY: Well, hello to you, too.
JESS: Hello.
(JESS gives her a kiss on the side of her neck as he tightens his hold of her, as she moves to sit next to him.)
RORY: You are going to be awfully uncomfortable if I on your lap for the whole movie.
JESS: I'm fine.
RORY: You are now. But I have a very sharp tailbone.
JESS: I'll let you know if I want you to move, ok?
(RORY sighs and wraps her arm around JESS's shoulder as he leans into the back cushions of the couch, bringing RORY towards him. She leans in close to him so that they are cheek to cheek as they watch the movie.)
RORY (whispering): I can't believe you're wearing that hat.
JESS: I can't believe I do a lot of the things I do, lately.
RORY (looks a little taken a back): Is that a bad thing?
JESS (looks into her eyes): No. It's all worth it.
(JESS turns back to the movie, but RORY leans in and kisses his cheek, very softly and very slowly, her lips lingering on his skin. JESS turns to her and kisses her on her lips as the camera fades out.)

CUT to the inside of the JEEP
(LORELAI is driving home from the INN. She looks kind of sullen as she pulls in the driveway of the GILMORE RESIDENCE. The lights in the house are all on, and the light from the TV flashes through windows. LORELAI looks at the car clock before she turns it off and notices it's only 11:45, which was earlier than she planned to be home. She gets out of the car and shuts the door, then opens the back door and pulls out a tray of sweets, obviously made by SOOKIE, and then slinging her purse over her shoulder. She barely makes it into the house, and walks into the now clean kitchen, and sets the tray on the clean table, and looks around for the clutter. She goes into the living room where she finds RORY still sitting on JESS's lap, kissing him as he holds her tightly around the waist. LORELAI notices the Santa hat and giggles.)
LORELAI (singing): I saw Rory kissing Santa Claus ... on top of my living room couch tonight."
(RORY and JESS start and RORY immediately starts to move, but JESS holds her in her place tightly, and brushes a piece of hair out of her face.)
RORY: Uh, mom ... you're home early.
JESS: Hello, Lorelai.
(LORELAI nods in JESS's direction, and JESS smiles once LORELAI looks to RORY, knowing that they now have some sort of understanding.)
RORY: Mom, I'm really sorry we were just-
LORELAI: Calm down, I was just passing through and couldn't help myself. But ... there is an intermission in this little game of tonsil hockey, I'm just wondering where all my table decorations went.
JESS: The clutter?
LORELAI: No, the decorations.
JESS: The hundreds of pieces of random papers, including a copy of the newspaper with a headline that said "Nixon Resigns From Office"?
LORELAI: You exaggerate. And it was not that bad! Plus they make it kind of homey, you know. Makes the kitchen looked lived in.
JESS: Makes it look like you're a hermit.
LORELAI: Organized chaos.
JESS: In a box, over there. (JESS points toward the side of the stairs.)
LORELAI: Ah, thank you. Ok, intermission's over.
(LORELAI leaves, her face pensive, as she watches RORY take JESS's face in her hands. RORY leans her forehead against JESS's and they talk like that for a few minutes. LORELAI leaves, moping.)
LORELAI (to herself): Well, at least one of us will be having a merry little Christmas.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN to GILMORE LIVING ROOM
(It's early morning. RORY is sitting and waiting for LORELAI so they can go work setup at the INN.)
RORY (calls to LORELAI): Are you almost ready?
LORELAI: I'm coming, I'm coming. (She runs down the stairs.) How do I look?
RORY: Great.
LORELAI: Really? You wouldn't lead your poor mother on, would you?
RORY: You look fine, I promise. Now lets go.
(They begin to head out the door, side by side. Once in the car, LORELAI turns to RORY.)
LORELAI: So is everything ... you know, ok with you and Jess?
RORY: They're great, actually. Thanks.
LORELAI: Oh taking the picture was nothing.
RORY: Not just the picture ... but you know, for making him feel like ... it's ok to be with me. Or ok with you anyways. I think that actually means something to him.
LORELAI: Well, I aim to please.
RORY: You do a good job at it.
LORELAI: So, you gonna tell me before we get there who you really drew?
RORY: Mom ...
LORELAI: I can guess.
RORY: Whatever you want to do.
LORELAI: You drew ... Dean.
RORY: How did you know? Did Jess tell you?
LORELAI: No, no, no. Calm down. I just ... kind of put the pieces together. You wouldn't have gotten so flustered about it otherwise.
RORY: I guess so ... (there is silence for a few minutes) He was great about it. He was nothing like Dean would have been.
LORELAI: 'Cause he's not Dean.
RORY: I realized that.
LORELAI: He really cares about you, Ror.
RORY (sighs): I really care about him.
(LORELAI looks kind of sad, as she keeps driving, but RORY is glowing as the camera cuts out.)

OPEN to THE OUTSIDE OF THE INN
(It's early evening as RORY and LORELAI enter the INN, both dressed in semi-formal apparel. LORELAI is wearing a black spaghetti strap a-line dress, and RORY is wearing a sparkly red tank top and black flare pants. RORY is holding DEAN's present in her hands.)
RORY: I'm so glad we got to change.
LORELAI: Me too, I felt so dirty in the other clothes. Like the dirt from the clothes was going to eat away at my skin.
RORY: Well we'd been working outside in them all day, what did you expect. To not get dirty?
LORELAI: Something like that, yes.
(They enter the INN, and notice that MICHEL is beginning to check in guests and give table assignments. LORELAI and RORY continue outside.)
RORY: Wow.
LORELAI: We did good. All that dirt ... completely worth it.
(EMILY and RICHARD are approaching from behind.)
EMILY: Lorelai, Rory, this place looks lovely.
LORELAI (mumbling to RORY): Or not.
(They turn around and RORY immediately goes and greets her grandparents with hugs.)
LORELAI: Mom. Dad. I didn't know you were coming.
EMILY: Well, we had to see what it was that kept you from our dinner last night.
RICHARD: Lorelai, things seem to be running very efficiently, I'm impressed.
EMILY: Yes, and the decorations look lovely - who did them?
LORELAI: Uh, I did.
EMILY: You did?
LORELAI: Yep. And Rory helped me. Michel pretended to help. And of course, there were people who cleaned. But ... yes, we did most of the set up.
EMILY: Well ... it looks very nice.
LORELAI: Thank you, Mom.
RORY (notices DEAN enter the INN): Uh ... I'm going to go get this (holds up the package), over with.
LORELAI: Oh what? No. It's not Secret Santa time.
RORY: Please, just let me get it over with and enjoy the rest of the evening.
LORELAI (sighs): Go ahead. Don't you abandon me the rest of the night.
RORY: I won't. But ... um, after I go take care of this ... I have to take care of the other thing I talked to you about ... you know the thing down by the pond?
LORELAI: Oh, yes. Operation Wink Wink Nod Nod.
RORY: You know you've lost it, right?
LORELAI: What, I thought it was a secret?
RORY: Well it is.
LORELAI: Then I'm keeping it for you.
RORY: By completely letting on that there is a secret.
LORELAI: Hey, the quicker you go, the quicker this is done with and the quicker you get to do the things you want to.
RORY: I'll be back.
(RORY kisses her mother on the cheek and heads inside the INN. EMILY and RICHARD stand confused.)
EMILY: What is going on, Lorelai?
LORELAI: Nothing mom, Rory just wanted to go take care of her Secret Santa at the beginning of the party, then she planned something for Je-her friend, at the pond.
EMILY: Oh. I see.
LORELAI: So, uh, would you like a tour? Last time you were here you didn't really get to see things.
EMILY: That would be lovely.
LORELAI: Great. (LORELAI pops in the door.) Michel! Come here!
MICHEL: I am taking care of the things you assigned me.
LORELAI: I'll do them. You take my parents on a tour of the Inn.
MICHEL: Excuse me?
LORELAI: Take them on a tour. Of the whole Inn.
MICHEL: The inside?
LORELAI: Yep.
MICHEL: And the outside?
LORELAI: Yep.
MICHEL: Even down on the footpaths, where there is dirt?
LORELAI: Ok, I did say the whole inn, right, Michel?
MICHEL: You are cruel.
LORELAI: And loving it.
(LORELAI drags MICHEL by the arm to her parents.)
LORELAI: Uh, mom, dad, you remember Michel?
EMILY: Oh, yes. Michel, what a pleasure.
(EMILY shakes his hand, which he takes hesitantly, then RICHARD reaches to shake his hand.)
LORELAI: Good, now that we remember each other, Michel will be taking you on a tour. I need to help with things inside, but Michel knows this place very well, and you will be in good hands.
EMILY: We can wait for you.
LORELAI: You'll be waiting all night, I insist, go with Michel. I'll see you at dinner!
(LORELAI quickly enters the INN before there can be a protest.)

CUT to LOBBY OF TH E INN
(RORY approaches DEAN whose back is turned, talking to CLARA. She taps him on the shoulder. DEAN turns and looks at his feet.)
DEAN: Uh, Rory ...
RORY: Uh, hi, Dean. How are you?
DEAN: Good, good. You?
RORY: I'm ok.
DEAN: That's good. Did you, uh, need something?
RORY: No I ... uh ... well, this ... is for you. (She holds out the CD.) I drew your name for Secret Santa, so uh, here's your present, I've fulfilled my end of the Secret Santa bargain, and now, you can get back to whatever, you were doing. B-bye, Dean. Bye, Clara.
(RORY turns, but DEAN stops her.)
DEAN: Rory.
(RORY turns to him. He reaches in his pocket and hands her a small box about the size of an index card.)
RORY: What's this?
DEAN: I drew your name.
RORY (softly): The only way things could get anymore awkward ... I jinxed myself. (She reaches for the box.)
DEAN: What did you say?
RORY: Oh, uh ... Nothing, Dean. Thank you.
(RORY turns to go again.)
DEAN: Open it here.
(RORY sighs but turns and opens it. She sees JESS entering out of the corner of her eye, and she watches pensively. She opens the box to find a necklace similar to the bracelet RORY had once worn on a daily basis inside.)
RORY: Oh boy.
DEAN: Do you like it?
RORY: It's uh ... wow, Dean.
DEAN: It matches the bracelet.
RORY: I realize that. Well, uh ... thanks, again, Dean. Have a good time tonight.
(RORY turns to leave once more.)
DEAN: Aren't you going to put it on?
RORY: Dean ... I can't.
DEAN: Why? I made it for you.
RORY: Because ... I have a boyfriend, Dean.
DEAN (sighs): What, he won't let you?
RORY: No ... I won't let myself.
DEAN: Why?
RORY: Because ... I don't want to, Dean. It was really sweet of you, and trust me, I'm going to put this away, with my bracelet, in the Dean box, that's in my closet somewhere ... but ... this ... you and I ... this is the past ... I'm with Jess now. I like being with Jess ... I like being with Jess a lot ... and ... I don't know, wearing this necklace just seems wrong to me. It doesn't seem to fit. I'm really sorry, Dean.
(RORY turns walks toward the counter before DEAN can say anything. She approaches LORELAI.)
RORY: Hang on to this for me. (Hands her the box.)
LORELAI: What is it? (She takes it and opens it.) This looks suspiciously like another piece of jewelry you own which was made by a certain, floppy-haired, Doose's market employee.
RORY: That might be because it is.
LORELAI: What?
RORY: He drew my name, too.
LORELAI: Wow ... if that isn't ironic, I don't know what is.
RORY: Yea ... anyways, keep it up here. It's going in the Dean box when we get home. But I have no place for it.
LORELAI: Alright. Hey, I think someone's waiting for you. (LORELAI nods toward JESS who is leaning against a wall, watching RORY and smiling. RORY looks toward him, then to LORELAI.) Go ahead. I'll be fine.
(RORY goes over to JESS and leans in and gives him a kiss.)
RORY: You came.
JESS: I said I would.
RORY: Yes you did ... I just thought maybe you'd been holidayed out, after last night.
JESS: I think I'm starting to like holidays.
(JESS leaned in and kissed RORY again.)
RORY: Hey, save some for the mistletoe.
JESS: Where is it?
RORY: Come walk with me.
(RORY reaches her hand out to JESS and they begin to walk out.)
JESS: Where are we going?
RORY: You'll see.
(LORELAI watches her daughter go her face falling distracted until the phone rings. LORELAI answers. The camera cuts between LORELAI at the INN and CHRISTOPHER in his apartment in Boston.)
LORELAI: Independence Inn, this is Lorelai.
CHRISTOPHER: Hey you.
LORELAI (taking a deep breath and smiling): Hello.
CHRISTOPHER: How are you?
LORELAI: Lonely.
CHRISTOPHER: It doesn't sound like you could be lonely. I can hear people over the phone.
LORELAI: No ... it's just everyone here ... seems to have someone.
CHRISTOPHER: You have me.
LORELAI: Not with me.
CHRISTOHPER: You have Rory.
LORELAI: Out with Jess.
(LUKE enters the INN hesitantly looking around and waving hello to a few people. LORELAI notices him and smiles.)
CHRISTOPHER: Ah ... I'm sorry Lorelai.
LORELAI: No, don't be. You know what, it's ok. But I really have to go. Things are hectic, and I'm manning the desk while Michel gives my parents a tour.
CHRISTOPHER: You sent him out with your parents?
LORELAI: He and my mother get along quite well, actually.
CHRISTOPHER: Never saw it.
(LUKE approaches the counter slowly.)
LORELAI: Hey, I'm going to let you go, ok?
CHRISTOPHER: You trying to get rid of me?
LORELAI: No, I told you I'm busy. I'm a big wig here, remember.
CHRISTOPHER: I'm just kidding with you. I love you, Lor ...
LORELAI: Yea ... love you, too. Bye.
(She hangs up before hearing CHRISTOPHER's reply, and waves to LUKE who is approaching as the camera cuts out.)

CUT to POND
(The camera takes view of RORY and JESS who are walking towards it at a distance, then takes the view of RORY and JESS towards the pond from behind.)
JESS: A few stray Christmas lights seem to have ended up out here. Wonder how that happened.
(JESS looks at RORY incredulously. They arrive on the bank of the pond, in the area where they first kissed.)
RORY: Do you know where we are?
JESS: Yes.
RORY: Where?
JESS: The pond.
RORY: Funny, funny.
JESS: This (he moves to RORY who is still a few feet away) is where you kissed me the first time. And that (he looks up at a branch above them) is possibly one of the largest bunches of mistletoe I've ever seen.
RORY: You're quick.
JESS: Yes I am. So, are you going to kiss me?
RORY: What?
JESS: Well ... this is the place we first kissed ... and you did kiss me the first time. So I thought that you might want to do the honors.
(RORY smiles moving up to him, and looking him in the eyes.)
RORY: I guess that could be arranged.
(RORY takes another step towards him.)
JESS: But I have one request.
RORY: And that is?
JESS: Will you at least let me get my arms around you this time?
RORY: We might be able to arrange that.
(RORY grabs JESS around his middle, almost recreating the moment at SOOKIE's wedding that was a month before. At this point "Merry Little Christmas" begins playing in the background. This time JESS gets a chance to move his hand from RORY's face, to her waist, and hugs her close to him.)

CUT to the inside of the INN
(LORELAI is talking to LUKE, and her eyes are lit up, and she's smiling more than has been seen in days. LORELAI is leaning with her back against the counter, and LUKE is standing at a small distance from her talking with his hands.)
LORELAI: So, where's the hat?
LUKE: What?
LORELAI: Your hat. The one you always where on your head, backwards.
LUKE: At home.
LORELAI: You left it? (LORELAI gasps seeming shocked.)
LUKE: Yea, so?
LORELAI: So it's like ... your other half. I'm surprised I recognized you without it ... and what if you hurt it's feelings? It's been attached to you for days, weeks, months ... it might not know what to do without you.
LUKE: You're off your rocker.
LORELAI: But great for entertainment value.
(LORELAI beams and LUKE shakes his head smiling.)

CUT to FOOTPATH
(MICHEL is leading EMILY and RICHARD down the lighted footpath and giving them a tour. They are approaching the pond.)
MICHEL: This is the pond. Occasionally, for certain festivities, people have swans brought in. Exactly why, is beyond me.
(EMILY and RICHARD nod as they keep walking. EMILY looks out and notices RORY and JESS standing under the tree, embraced, and still kissing. EMILY gasps, and grabs RICHARD's arm and points. RICHARD's eyes widen, and the two stand frozen, as MICHEL keeps walking and talking. MICHEL turns and looks at them, and then notices RORY and JESS down by the river.)
MICHEL: This could get horrifying.
(The camera fades out.)

END OF THE EPISODE