GILMORE DAYS
Title: Attack of the Moms
Author: mocha-queen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. All of it belongs to those whose names appear on screen.
Spoilers: General season 2 and parts of season 3. I just took a few things because I accidentally incorporated them later. Takes place in season 3
Summary: Rory and Jess date, Lorelai tries to accept them as a couple, Jess's mom calls creating trouble between everyone.
------
FANCY RESTAURANT
[JESS and RORY are sitting at a table for two in a dimly lit Italian restaurant. Plates of spaghetti are in front of them.]
RORY: Our first date.
JESS: [smirking] Didn't notice.
RORY: [rolls her eyes] Eat.
JESS: What does your mom think?
RORY: Since when did it matter to you what anyone thought?
JESS: It doesn't. Just you and your mom are a 'package deal' as you say. She already hates me, I was just asking.
RORY: She's actually fine with it.
JESS: [gives her a questioning look] Sure.
RORY: [worried] She said she was.
JESS: Hey, don't worry about it. If she really doesn't want you hanging around me, I'm sure I'd be hanging from my neck in the town square at the moment.
RORY: True. [pause] But thanks to you, I'm not sure she's completely happy, anymore.
JESS: Well, did you expect her to be?
RORY: Actually, no. Not yet, at least. Give her some time to adjust to us.
JESS: Until then I'll feel the wrath of Lorelai, huh?
RORY: [grinning] Just you wait till the rest of the town finds out.
[JESS bangs his head, softly, on the table a few times. RORY watches amused.]
GILMORE DRIVEWAY
[JESS and RORY are standing on the porch.]
RORY: I had a nice time tonight.
JESS: Did you not expect to?
RORY: [flustered] No! No, I was just saying-
JESS: [smirking] Calm down.
RORY: [sighing in relief] Yeah. Sure.
JESS: [nods] Goodnight.
RORY: Goodnight.
[JESS gives RORY a quick kiss on the lips before walking away. RORY smiles and enters the house in a dreamy state. LORELAI is sitting on the sofa going over some papers. RORY sits on the chair across from LORELAI.]
LORELAI: Have a good night?
RORY: [smiling] I did.
LORELAI: [frustrated, flips through papers] Good.
RORY: Mom, are you okay with me and Jess?
LORELAI: [looking at the papers] Yes. I already told you. I'm fine with it.
RORY: You don't seem fine.
[LORELAI slams the papers on the table and stands up. LORELAI snaps.]
LORELAI: I'm fine! Okay? I said I was fine, and that means I'm fine. You and Jess want to date? Go ahead, be my guest!
[LORELAI storms up the stairs, RORY slowly goes to her room and collapses on the bed. She picks up the cordless phone and dials. JESS answers.]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hi. Mom's not as okay as I thought.
JESS: [mocking] Really?
RORY: I thought she really might have been okay. But I asked, and she freaked out at me.
JESS: You said so yourself. Give her some time.
RORY: [grumpy] How much? Because I don't want to not be with you because of my mother.
JESS: [sighs] Rory, I don't know.
RORY: Sorry, I must be really annoying. I'll go now.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: [hurt] You really want me to go?
JESS: If you go, I was hoping you'd go to Luke's.
RORY: [smiling] I better go, then.
JESS: You'd better. [joking] It's almost my bedtime.
RORY: I'll tuck you in.
JESS: Or you could come to bed with me.
RORY: [rolls eyes] Bye.
JESS: See ya.
[RORY hangs up the phone, grabs a coat and yells up the stairs.]
RORY: MOM! I'm going out!
[LORELAI comes down to talk to RORY.]
LORELAI: Where?
RORY: Luke's.
LORELAI: [worried] To see Jess?
RORY: Jess works at Luke's, Jess lives at Luke's. There's a good chance I'll bump into Jess.
LORELAI: I change my mind, I'm not okay with you and Jess. I'm trying, but I'm not.
RORY: No kidding.
LORELAI: I really am trying.
RORY: [annoyed] Not very hard.
LORELAI: Really hard. Believe me. I trust you Rory, but I don't trust him. [pause] I'm trying.
RORY: If you were trying that hard, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now.
[RORY is angry, and storms out the door with out a good bye.]
LUKE'S DINER
[RORY storms through the door at LUKE'S. LUKE and JESS are the only ones there.]
LUKE: You okay?
[RORY sits at a table, JESS joins her.]
RORY: No.
[LUKE leaves, seeing that JESS can handle this.]
JESS: What's up?
RORY: Mom is freaking out again.
JESS: We just went over this.
RORY: I know. Time. She says she trusts me, but she obviously doesn't.
JESS: I take a little getting used to.
RORY: Yeah, but she just won't accept us.
JESS: I did steal a beer from the fridge during our first encounter. I think I made a lasting first impression.
RORY: Yes, bad idea, by the way. But she's usually so cool.
JESS: She may be the 'cool mom' but she's still a mom and since you're close, she worries.
RORY: Did your mom worry?
JESS: [bitterly] Yeah. She worried that I would hold her drunken life back.
RORY: Sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up. I just.. You never talk about your family, and here I am whining about my Mom all the time.
JESS: [upset] I don't talk about my family because I don't want to. We're not like you. We don't do the whole family thing. My dad left when I was 10, and my alcoholic mom sent me to the middle of nowhere.
RORY: Again, sorry. We don't have to talk about this.
JESS: Good.
RORY: [smiling] Hemingway sucks.
JESS: [letting out a small smile] He does not. Ayn Rand's a nut.
[RORY pretends to take offence and hits him lightly on the arm. JESS pretends to be hurt and 'fights' back. This ends up in RORY and JESS kissing. MISS PATTY looks through the window and sees RORY and JESS kissing and runs off to tell the rest of the town. KIRK is walking down the street.]
MISS PATTY: Kirk! Rory and Jess are a couple!
KIRK: Do you want me to print this in the newspaper or is this a word of mouth thing?
MISS PATTY: Go, tell everyone you see.
KRIK: How long do you imagine it will take for the whole town to know?
MISS PATTY: Give it a half hour, darling. Now scoot.
KIRK: Yes, ma'am!
GILMORE DRIVEWAY
[LORELAI is getting in the jeep to go to work. BABETTE runs out of her house to talk to LORELAI.]
BABETTE: Did ya hear? Rory and Jess were making out in the diner.
LORELAI: [not at all surprised] Really?
BABETTE: Miss Patty saw them through the window.
LORELAI: [tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, trying to remain calm] Interesting.
BABETTE: Watch out for him, Lorelai. Boys like him are nothing but trouble.
LORELAI: I'll keep that in mind.
BABETTE: What do you think about the two together?
LORELAI: I don't know, Babette. I want to be happy for Rory but I just really don't like Jess. He kinda reminds me of me at that age, ya know? And I don't want Rory hanging around a 17 year old me.
BABETTE: I understand completely, honey.
LORELAI: Hon, I really gotta go to work.
BABETTE: Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I just thought you might want to know.
LORELAI: Of course, thanks.
BABETTE: Bye!
LORELAI: Bye!
[LORELAI hits her head on the steering wheel a few times before driving off.]
INDEPENDENCE INN
MICHEL: [annoyed] You are late.
LORELAI: [clearly not sorry] Sorry, I'll try to be early next time.
MICHEL: Being on time would be nice.
LORELAI: Again, I'm sorry. Babette caught me on the way out.
MICHEL: I don't care for your petty excuses. You were late. You should try being here on time.
LORELAI: Okay, Michel. Let's remember that I'm *your* boss. Okay?
MICHEL: Unfortunately.
LORELAI: Go, be productive.
[MICHEL walks off and LORELAI goes to the kitchen to find SOOKIE. SOOKIE is running around ordering people to help her finish today's meal. SOOKIE sees that something is wrong with LORELAI and pours her a cup of coffee.]
SOOKIE: What's up, hon?
LORELAI: They found out about Rory and Jess.
SOOKIE: Ooh, that sucks. How?
LORELAI: Miss Patty saw them kissing in the diner.
SOOKIE: It'll be all over town with in the hour.
LORELAI: Exactly.
SOOKIE: It'll be fine, honey. Jess is good for Rory, you'll see.
LORELAI: Since when did you start the Jess fan club?
SOOKIE: I didn't. I've seen them together, Jess is different around her.
LORELAI: I think you've had a little too much to drink.
SOOKIE: Did you not see them during the play?
LORELAI: It was hard to miss.
SOOKIE: He likes her. A lot.
LORELAI: Why? Why like Rory when he could have anyone else?
SOOKIE: Why not? She's the only one in the town to seems to understand him. Even after they got in that car accident, she was never mad at him.
LORELAI: She should have been. He broke her. Her car.
SOOKIE: She likes him, too. A lot.
LORELAI: Again, why?
SOOKIE: Lorelai, you have to face that they like each other, and nothing that you or anyone else can say will change that.
LORELAI: I hate when you're right.
SOOKIE: I know.
LUKE'S
[Phone rings. LUKE answers it. The diner is deserted.]
LUKE: Hello.
LIZ: Luke.
LUKE: Liz.
LIZ: How's Jess?
LUKE: He's Jess. [pause] He's doing fine.
LIZ: Good.
LUKE: Yeah.
LIZ: You've done a good job with him.
LUKE: Thanks.
LIZ: I want him back.
LUKE: No you don't.
LIZ: I do. I've been getting better. I miss him.
LUKE: I'm not sure, Liz. He's doing real good here. He's got a girlfriend and all.
LIZ: He got him a girl?
LUKE: She's good for him.
LIZ: Don't let him screw her up.
LUKE: The town won't let him screw her up.
LIZ: Good. [pause] I still want him back.
LUKE: No. Bye Liz.
LIZ: I wanna talk to Jess.
LUKE: I doubt he wants to talk to you.
LIZ: Let me talk to him.
LUKE: [sigh] He's out.
LIZ: Have him call me back.
LUKE: I can't guarantee anything.
LIZ: Try.
LUKE: Always.
LIZ: Bye, Luke.
LUKE: Yeah.
[LUKE hangs up the phone.]
LUKE: Caesar!
CAESAR: Yeah?
LUKE: Watch the Diner. I'm going up stairs for a sec.
CAESAR: Yeah.
[LUKE goes upstairs. JESS is sitting on his bed reading and blasting his headphones. LUKE pounds on the wall to get his attention. JESS looks up and turns off the music and puts the book down.]
JESS: [annoyed] You got a reason for interrupting me?
LUKE: Nah, this is what I do for fun. What do you think?
JESS: I wouldn't put it past you, nothing else to do in this damn town.
LUKE: Whatever.
[LUKE sits on a chair in the corner.]
LUKE: Liz called.
JESS: Okay.
LUKE: She wants you back.
JESS: Fine.
LUKE: Fine? Fine what?
JESS: Fine, she wants me back. Doesn't mean I gotta go. She's the one who sent me here, anyway.
LUKE: Yeah.
JESS: I could go, though. If you want me out.
LUKE: I told her I wanted you to stay.
JESS: [surprised] Really?
LUKE: Yeah, you've grown on me. And since you've been back from New York. You've cleaned up your act. [pause] Besides, you'd miss Rory, Rory'd miss you. Then you got that vicious cycle thing going.
JESS: That's a bitch.
LUKE: You wanna stay?
JESS: Don't wanna go.
LUKE: Good enough. [pause] Liz wants you to call her back.
JESS: Okay.
LUKE: You should call her.. tell her you're not going.
JESS: She'll figure it out when I'm not in New York.
LUKE: She misses you.
JESS: She's the one who sent me here, she doesn't get to be the one to miss me.
LUKE: She's trying.
JESS: [angry] I was trying. God, do you think I asked to be sent here? She didn't give me a choice. I was trying to stay alive back in New York, she didn't give a damn about me then, now all of a sudden, she wants me back? No. That's not how it works.
LUKE: Give her a chance.
JESS: You give her a chance. Just wait till she lets you down.
[LUKE gets up and leaves. He stops at the door way.]
LUKE: You stayin'?
JESS: I'm stayin'.
[LUKE exits the room, JESS puts his music back on and holds up his book. He's clearly not reading.]
LATER
[LUKE is back in the Diner. RORY walks in.]
RORY: Hey, Luke.
LUKE: Hi, Rory.
RORY: Is-
LUKE: Go. He's upstairs.
RORY: Thanks!
[RORY goes to the stairs, LUKE stops her just before she goes up.]
LUKE: Rory?
RORY: Yeah?
LUKE: Liz called, we talked, now he's in a bad mood. Just be careful, okay? Don't let him be an ass to you.
RORY: Thanks.
[RORY goes upstairs and finds JESS in his room reading.]
RORY: Hey.
JESS: Hey.
[JESS sits up and motions for RORY to sit next to him.]
RORY: So.
JESS: So..
RORY: Anything interesting happen in the last few hours?
JESS: Luke told you?
RORY: Not much. Said you were in a bad mood.
JESS: I'm fine.
RORY: Didn't say you weren't.
JESS: Good.
[Silence.]
RORY: So. Your mom?
JESS: [warning] Don't.
RORY: You have to talk, Jess.
JESS: No, you have to talk. In New York, you're better off keeping your mouth closed.
RORY: You're not in New York anymore.
JESS: I could be.
RORY: You're not.
JESS: Liz wants me back.
RORY: Now?
JESS: Nah, in 10 years.
RORY: Sorry. You going?
JESS: [shakes his head] No.
RORY: Good. Do you want to?
JESS: I thought we went over the fact that I'm not going to talk about this.
RORY: We did. I ignored it.
JESS: Don't ignore it, Rory. I don't want to talk.
RORY: You obviously need to.
JESS: So, what if I do? I'm not going to talk to you about it.
RORY: Why- Why not?
JESS: Because you shouldn't have to hear it. My past is my past. And my issues with my mother are my problems, not yours. I don't want to suck you into the shit that I've done.
RORY: It doesn't matter. You can still talk to me.
JESS: No, Rory, I can't.
RORY: Fine, maybe I didn't know you as well as I thought I did. I thought that maybe you'd trust me enough to tell me. I don't know.. something. I guess not.
[RORY turns on her heel and runs out of the diner.]
JESS: RORY!
[RORY runs into the gazebo. DEAN is walking past and sees RORY crying. He walks over and sits awkwardly beside her to try and comfort her.]
DEAN: What's wrong?
RORY: Nothing. [pause] Just Jess, he-
DEAN: [annoyed] I told you not to come crying to me when he hurt you.
RORY: [defensive] I didn't come crying to you. And he didn't hurt me... He's just not talking to me.
DEAN: [unsure] Okay. As long as he didn't hurt you.
RORY: He didn't. He wouldn't.
DEAN: If that's what you want to think.
RORY: It's not what I want to think, it's what's true. You just want to think he's bad.
DEAN: It's not like he's proved otherwise.
RORY: [raising her voice] Who says he hasn't tried and you're too closed minded to give him a second chance?
DEAN: Maybe he doesn't deserve one.
RORY: [offended] What?
DEAN: He got you in a car accident. He broke your wrist.
RORY: Tiny fracture. And I let him drive, I gave him the keys, I told him to keep driving.
DEAN: He comes back here and acts like it never happened.
RORY: We had our closure.
DEAN: What?
RORY: I didn't go to my Mom's graduation because I was stuck on a bus from New York after visiting Jess. We talked. We hung out on the streets of New York City.
DEAN: You went to New York?
RORY: [sad] I missed my Mom's graduation.
DEAN: [remembering] That was on a weekday. You skipped school to go see Jess?
RORY: I did.
DEAN: That isn't like you at all.
RORY: Why does matter to you, now, anyway?
DEAN: Rory, I still care about you, maybe still be in love with you. I don't want to see Jess hurt you.
RORY: He won't.
DEAN: And there you go again, defending him.
RORY: [annoyed] No one else is.
DEAN: There's a reason for that.
RORY: There's a reason for me defending him.
DEAN: Fine.
RORY: Fine?
DEAN: Yes, fine. Do whatever you want, but don't come crying to me when he hurts you.
RORY: We've been over this, don't worry.
DEAN: I haven't, I won't.
RORY: Good.
DEAN: Good.
[Silence]
RORY: I wanted to be friends.
DEAN: So did I, but as long as you're with Jess, I'm not sure I can handle that.
RORY: Understood.
DEAN: I have to go.
RORY: Go.
DEAN: You sure you're okay?
RORY: Yeah. Jess and I had a little fight over something that seems really stupid now.
DEAN: Good. Go, make up with him.
RORY: I will. [pause] Thank you.
DEAN: Sure.
[DEAN walks away and RORY walks back into LUKE'S. LUKE sees RORY'S tear stained face and is immediately worried.]
LUKE: Okay.. Which one of those punks hurt you?
RORY: Neither, really. Jess didn't want to talk, I got mad. Dean was just out there.
LUKE: So, you're okay?
RORY: Yeah. [pause] I want to talk to Jess.
LUKE: He went out. Didn't say where, not like he ever does.
RORY: [determined] I'll find him.
[LUKE nods as RORY leaves.]
BRIDGE
[JESS is sitting on the bridge and RORY sits beside him. She holds his hand.]
RORY: I'm sorry.
JESS: Don't be. I shouldn't have gotten angry.
RORY: I don't understand you, and I shouldn't pretend to. You have this whole other life, which is apparently not pleasant. And if you don't want to share it with me, that's your decision and I have no right trying to tell you otherwise.
JESS: I still shouldn't have gotten so angry.
RORY: Don't worry about it.
JESS: It's just.. Liz gets me so mad sometimes.
RORY: It's okay. You don't have to talk.
JESS: I know. [pause] She just.. she ships me here for no real reason. And now, she wants me back. I don't know she wants from me.
RORY: You thinking about going back?
JESS: [faces her] No. Never. I just.. I'm kinda curious why she wants me back. Luke says she's trying to get back on track.
RORY: Maybe she is.
JESS: I can't even count the number of times she's said that she's trying to get it together. Every time she says it, she just digs her self a deeper grave.
RORY: So, she isn't the perfect mother.
JESS: [scoffs] Not even close.
RORY: Just talk to her.. call her. See what she wants. Why she wants you back. Maybe this time it'll be different.
[Silence.]
JESS: I'm sorry.
RORY: Don't be.
JESS: I should have said it earlier.
RORY: It's okay.
JESS: It's the whole New York street thing.
RORY: I won't even pretend to understand.
JESS: New York is different.
RORY: From Stars Hollow, no kidding.
JESS: The people aren't friendly. I didn't have my family watching my back.
RORY: You really don't have to.
JESS: Me and my friends were on our own. We had to get what we needed ourselves. Our parents weren't the most reliable people. We grew up way too fast. 'I'm sorry' is just a regret thing. We didn't have time to regret, what's done is done. No amount of apologizing would change that. You just gotta move on.
RORY: Then move on.
JESS: It's not that easy.
RORY: No, but I can help. Jess, I'm gonna be here for you. All that crap from New York is your past. You said it, what's done is done.
JESS: It sticks with you, Rory, and I don't expect you to understand that.
RORY: I'm gonna try. I want to be there for you and I'm going to help you through anything, no matter what you say.
JESS: [smiling] Thanks.
[RORY pulls him into a hug, then rests her head on his shoulder, JESS'S arm is draped across her shoulders.]
RORY: This is our first fight as a couple.
JESS: I think it's our first real fight ever.
RORY: We've fought.
JESS: Not like this. Usually it's fun.
RORY: This wasn't fun.
JESS: No.
RORY: Tears were involved.
JESS: Tears?
RORY: Yeah.
JESS: I'm really sorry.
RORY: Stop.
JESS: Okay. [pause] First real fight.
RORY: We should commemorate the occasion.
JESS: Commemorative coins?
RORY: Nah, t-shirts?
JESS: Coffee mugs?
RORY: Coffee... Ooh! Make up coffee! Now there's an idea. Every time we get in a fight, you give me make up coffee.
JESS: And how would this make up coffee be any different than normal coffee?
RORY: It'll be in the special commemorative coffee mug.
JESS: You'll be wearing the commemorative t-shirt, and I'll have the commemorative coins stuffed in my pocket.
RORY: [smug] We're good.
JESS: [smiling] We are.
[They kiss.]
GILMORE HOUSE
[RORY walks in the front door.]
RORY: Mom, I'm home.
[LORELAI comes down the stairs and they both sit on the couch.]
LORELAI: Hey, hon.
RORY: How was your day?
LORELAI: Insightful.
RORY: Really?
LORELAI: Really, really. Yours?
RORY: [sigh] Crazy.
LORELAI: Uh oh. What happened?
RORY: Jess's mom called.
LORELAI: Ug, not good.
RORY: No. [pause] She wants him to move back.
LORELAI: And.
RORY: He's not.
LORELAI: And.
RORY: We got in a fight.
LORELAI: First fight as couple?
RORY: First real fight between us, ever.
LORELAI: You should mark it down.
RORY: We already have commemorative mugs, t-shirts, and coins, with special make up coffee.
LORELAI: [fascinated] You get make up coffee?
RORY: It's fun being the diner boy's girl.
LORELAI: [gasp] I need me a diner man!
RORY: Hey, there's a perfectly good one in Stars Hollow.
LORELAI: [rolls her eyes] Not going there.
RORY: [giving in] Fine.
[Silence.]
LORELAI: So, you and Jess are good now?
RORY: [smiling] We are.
LORELAI: [hopeful] Are we good now?
RORY: [sceptical] I don't know. Are we?
LORELAI: I'm okay with you and Jess.
RORY: [raises an eyebrow] You suck at lying.
LORELAI: Fine, I'm not totally okay. But I'm getting there, I really am. I had this good talk with Sookie, and I really am getting there.
RORY: [hopeful] Really?
LORELAI: Yes. I soo want to be happy for you because you being happy makes me happy.
RORY: [nods] It does.
LORELAI: I live vicariously through my daughter's love life.
RORY: Sad.
LORELAI: Very.
RORY: Extremely.
LORELAI: I really want to be okay with this.
RORY: I know.
LORELAI: [sigh] He made a bad first impression.
RORY: He knows.
LORELAI: He can't be all bad if you like him.
RORY: He's not bad.
LORELAI: Do I have to-No. Never mind. I'm not going to be my mother.
RORY: Good.
[Pause.]
LORELAI: He's gotta try too.
RORY: He will, I promise.
LORELAI: He better, or else I get permission to hate him, again.
RORY: Permission granted if he does something stupid.
[Pause.]
LORELAI: Are we good?
RORY: Yeah, we're good.
LORELAI: No more fighting over Jess?
RORY: Never.
LORELAI: Good.
RORY: But remember, I was never the one who started it.
LORELAI: Okay, what have I told you about stopping while you're ahead?
RORY: To stop while you're ahead.
LORELAI: I taught you well. New subject?
RORY: Definitely.
LORELAI: [smirking] Is he a good kisser?
RORY: Mom!
LORELAI: Seriously. All the bad boys are good kissers. [dreaming] Christopher was.
RORY: Ew! Mom, too much information.
LORELAI: Not for me. I want to know all the juicy details.
RORY: [disgusted] You're my mother.
LORELAI: And your mother is demanding to know if Jess is a good kisser.
RORY: That's mature. Playing the 'mom card' to find out if your daughter's boyfriend is a good kisser.
LORELAI: Is he?
RORY: [blushes] The best.
LUKE AND JESS'S APARTMENT
[JESS and LUKE are at the table eating.]
LUKE: Call Liz.
JESS: No.
LUKE: Fine.
[Silence.]
LUKE: Let's talk.
JESS: I don't want to.
LUKE: Not about Liz. About Rory.
JESS: [annoyed] My personal life is none of your business.
LUKE: [loudly] Your personal life is my business. Normally, I just don't care, but you're with Rory now.
JESS: [shrugs] It's still none of your business.
LUKE: [calm] Jess, you don't get it. I've watched her grow up, and I feel that. since I've helped her out, I should watch her back.
JESS: Fine.
LUKE: Don't hurt her.
JESS: I won't.
LUKE: She was crying, for god sake.
JESS: [shrug] It's fixed.
LUKE: You don't get it. You can't just 'fix' a relationship.
JESS: We talked. We're fine.
LUKE: Seriously? She's not at home crying to Lorelai about how you hurt her?
JESS: You could call and check, but I'm thinking no.
LUKE: So, you two are okay now?
JESS: Yeah.
LUKE: Good. Back to not hurting Rory.
JESS: What?
LUKE: [uncomfortable] Don't... you know.
JESS: [mock stupidity] No. I don't.
LUKE: [more uncomfortable] Don't. do stuff.
JESS: Luke.
LUKE: [really uncomfortable] Don't force Rory into something she's not ready for..
JESS: [having fun] Like?
LUKE: Jess, you know what I'm talking about.
JESS: No, I really don't.
LUKE: [embarrassed] Sex. There, ya happy? I said it. Don't force Rory into sex. Hell, don't have sex with her at all.
JESS: We're not.
LUKE: But you might.
JESS: Not now.
LUKE: But later?
JESS: Do you really want to know?
LUKE: No. Just.. when ya do. use. protection.
JESS: I'm not an idiot.
LUKE: I didn't say you were.
JESS: I'm not one for going around and getting girls knocked up.
LUKE: Good to know.
JESS: I don't want a kid.
LUKE: Good.
[They finish eating in silence.]
LUKE'S
[LORELAI enters and sits down at the bar and drops her head on the table.]
LUKE: Bad day.
LORELAI: Long day. Glad it's over.
LUKE: Yeah.
LORELAI: So.
LUKE: Want anything to eat?
LORELAI: Coffee.
LUKE: I said eat.
LORELAI: [hopeful] I could eat the beans!
[LUKE pours a cup and puts it in front of LORELAI.]
LUKE: Now that's just disgusting.
[LORELAI just shrugs and drinks the coffee.]
LUKE: You okay?
LORELAI: [nods] What do you think of the whole Rory, Jess thing?
LUKE: I think it's good.
LORELAI: Really?
LUKE: Yeah, she's good for him.
LORELAI: What about her. Is he good for her?
LUKE: We'll see.
LORELAI: [sigh] Not the answer I was looking for.
LUKE: Yeah, well.
LORELAI: I wish I could watch them all the time, you know? Make sure he doesn't try anything.
LUKE: Isn't that illegal?
LORELAI: Even when it's your offspring?
LUKE: Stalking, usually illegal. [pause] Look, don't worry about it. When they're here, I'm here. When they're at your place, you're there. And when they're anywhere else they have the rest of Stars Hollow to watch them.
LORELAI: 'Cept when they use the kid code.
LUKE: [curious] Kid code?
LORELAI: Yeah. They say something like 'hey, gonna get a book,' but it really means 'I'm gonna meet him at some secret place.'
LUKE: They don't do that.
LORELAI: You never did that?
LUKE: You did?
LORELAI: Did it all the time.
[JESS walks down the stairs.]
JESS: I'm gonna go pick up a book.
[JESS leaves.]
LUKE: Oh my god! He just used the kid code!
[LORELAI shrugs and gives him an amused look.]
LATER-LUKE'S APARTMENT
[The phone rings, JESS answers.]
JESS: What?
LIZ: Jess.
JESS: I don't want to talk.
LIZ: Then listen.
JESS: I don't want to hear what you have to say to me.
LIZ: I want you back.
JESS: So I've heard.
LIZ: I hear you're doing really good over there.
JESS: Yup.
LIZ: I hear you got a girlfriend.
JESS: Yup.
LIZ: Don't screw her up.
JESS: This is the kind of encouraging words from my mother that wants me to move back with her?
LIZ: Sorry.
JESS: Whatever.
LIZ: Just... be careful.
JESS: Luke took care of that talk.
LIZ: Good.
JESS: Want anything else?
LIZ: I've been trying to sober up and everything.
JESS: [sarcastically] Congratulations.
LIZ: I really want you back.
JESS: I'm fine where I am.
LIZ: Are you?
JESS: Yeah. You sent me here in the first place. I'm assuming that you at least hoped that I'd adjust a little, but even that may be a stretch. I dealt and I'm fine where I am.
LIZ: Are you happy?
JESS: More so then when I was with you.
LIZ: Jess, cut the crap. Are you happy?
JESS: Yes.
LIZ: Fine. [pause] You sure you want to stay?
JESS: Yeah, I am.
LIZ: And Luke's okay with that. You're not in his space or anything?
JESS: He said he told you he wanted me to stay.
LIZ: He did, I was just checking.
JESS: He's cool.
LIZ: I'm in some programs. to help me stay sober and off the drugs.. even got those nicotine patch things going.
JESS: Good.
LIZ: Maybe once I'm better, I could come visit?
JESS: Maybe..
[Pause.]
LIZ: I'm glad you're happy.
JESS: Good.
LIZ: I'll talk to you later?
JESS: Whatever.
LIZ: I miss you.
JESS: That's nice.
LIZ: Bye.
[JESS hangs up, grabs a coat and leaves.]
GILMORE HOME
[GILMORES are sitting on the couch watching TV. LORELAI has the remote and is flicking through the channels.]
LORELAI: There's nothing on.
RORY: You say that all the time, yet you still watch TV.
LORELAI: But this time, there isn't even anything worth my interest.
RORY: Then turn it off.
LORELAI: I can't.
RORY: [sighing] Movie night?
LORELAI: [enthusiastic] You bet!
RORY: Let's go.
[GILMORES get off the couch, take their jackets and run out the door to the Jeep.]
STREETS OF STARS HOLLOW
LORELAI: We got the candy, we got the movies.
RORY: Willy Wonka-
LORELAI: Best movie ever made.
RORY: The Fast and the Furious-
LORELAI: Totally hot guys.
RORY: And.Drive Me Crazy-
LORELAI: Only to mock Melissa Joan Heart-Hey! I thought we got Never Been Kissed!
RORY: No, we saved that till next time.
LORELAI: We did?
RORY: Yeah. Remember? Vin Deisel and Paul Walker were this weeks hotties, Michael Vartan was for next week.
LORELAI: Oh yeah.
RORY: [sigh] You have no idea.
LORELAI: [shrug] None what so ever.
RORY: Coffee deprived?
LORELAI: Yes, I only had 7 cups today.
RORY: Only 7?
LORELAI: Sad, I know.
RORY: You could do better.
LORELAI: Oooh! I forgot, I have to get some stuff from Doose's.
RORY: Okay.
LORELAI: Meet you in the car?
RORY: Yup.
[RORY heads to the car. LORELAI heads to Doose's and bumps into Jess on the way in.]
JESS: Sorry.
LORELAI: My fault, lack of coffee.
JESS: Bad.
LORELAI: Yup.
[Silence.]
LORELAI: So.. how's Rory?
JESS: You were just with her.
LORELAI: Right. And to answer my own question, she's fine.
JESS: Good.
LORELAI: I'm trying to like you.
JESS: Me too.
LORELAI: I know you like her.. But if you ever hurt her, I will kick your ass so bad-
JESS: I know. I've been warned, numerous times. even by people I haven't met.
LORELAI: Well, that's Stars Hollow for you.
JESS: Yeah.
LORELAI: Hey, you know what'd be fun?
JESS: Vandalizing the school? Chalk outlines? Robbery?
LORELAI: If you came to movie night.
JESS: I don't know.
LORELAI: [coaxing] Rory would like it.
JESS: Really?
LORELAI: Sure! Why not?
JESS: Okay.
LORELAI: Good.
JESS: When?
LORELAI: Come by around seven?
JESS: Okay.
[JESS starts to walk away. LORELAI stops him.]
LORELAI: Hey, Jess!
JESS: Yeah?
LORELAI: Could you bring some-
JESS: Coffee?
LORELAI: Yeah. And some-
JESS: Food?
LORELAI: Fries and stuff. Yeah. And some more-
JESS: Coffee?
LORELAI: [smiling] You're good at this game.
JESS: [smirking] Maybe you're predictable.
LORELAI: [defensive] Do you know me at all? I am anything but predicable.
JESS: [still smirking] Saw that answer coming.
LORELAI: Hmph!
[LORELAI walks off.]
GILMORE CAR
[LORELAI and RORY are sitting in the car.]
LORELAI: [pleading] Please don't hate me.
RORY: [sigh] What did you do now?
LORELAI: I invited Jess to movie night.
RORY: [thinking] Okay.
LORELAI: Don't be mad, I meant it as a.. a peace offering. Uhh.. okay?
RORY: Yeah.
LORELAI: [confused] But with Dean, you made this whole big deal about it.
RORY: Jess isn't Dean.
LORELAI: I know.
RORY: It's different with Jess. I'm not so worried. This isn't our first date. And it's not like we haven't watched movies together before.
LORELAI: [shrug] Okay.
RORY: [sceptical] A peace offering?
LORELAI: Yeah. See, I'm trying.
RORY: I'm glad.
LORELAI: Seriously trying.
RORY: I know.
LORELAI: I really want to like him.
RORY: For me?
LORELAI: For you. The things I do for my child.
RORY: The things I let my mother do.
LOREALI: Damn straight.
RORY: When's he coming over?
LORELAI: Seven.
RORY: [frantic] Go! It's six and we have to clean the house!
LORELAI: He's seen it.
RORY: [loudly] GO!
LORELAI: I thought you weren't worried.
RORY: Maybe just a little. GO!
[LORELAI and RORY zoom off in the car.]
GILMORE HOME
[Doorbell rings.]
LORELAI: Rory! He's here!
RORY: Hold on a sec.
[RORY is frantically trying to create sitting space in the living room.]
LORELAI: [impatient] Hurry up, he doesn't care what the house looks like.
RORY: But there's nowhere to sit.
JESS: [from outside] I don't care if there's nowhere to sit, I'm having a hard time holding the food and coffee here.
RORY: You can hear us?
JESS: You're not in a sound proof box.
RORY: Right. Mom, let him in.
LORELAI: Rory, he's your guy, you go.
RORY: Fine, you have to clean.
LORELAI: Go!
[LORELAI sits on the couch. Not cleaning. RORY answers the door. JESS is standing there with a box and a tray.]
RORY: Hey.
[RORY gives JESS a quick kiss.]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Welcome.
JESS: Been here before. [pause] Mind if I drop off the food before it falls?
RORY: Yeah. Don't go spilling the coffee.
JESS: [nods] It's suicidal.
LORELAI: [yelling] You bet!
[JESS rolls his eyes and goes to the kitchen.]
LATER
[RORY is in JESS'S arms on the floor. LORELAI is lying on the couch.]
RORY: [whispering] I think she's asleep.
JESS: I should go before she gets up, then.
RORY: Why?
JESS: It's one in the morning. I don't think she wants to wake up with me here.
RORY: [sad] It's late, what if you get stolen?
JESS: I can take care of myself. Besides, this is Stars Hollow.
[Pause.]
RORY: Stay?
JESS: You know I can't.
[JESS gets up and takes RORY'S hand and leads her to the porch.]
JESS: I can't stay over, Rory.
RORY: I know. [pause] But I still want you to.
JESS: My body parts will by lying all over the house by morning if I stay.
RORY: I'd like to keep you intact.
JESS: I'm trying to stay on your Mom's good side. [pause] For you.
RORY: Thank you.
JESS: I should go.
RORY: Okay.
[JESS pulls her into a hard kiss. He slowly pulls away and they look into each other's eyes before JESS walks off.]
[END]
Title: Attack of the Moms
Author: mocha-queen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. All of it belongs to those whose names appear on screen.
Spoilers: General season 2 and parts of season 3. I just took a few things because I accidentally incorporated them later. Takes place in season 3
Summary: Rory and Jess date, Lorelai tries to accept them as a couple, Jess's mom calls creating trouble between everyone.
------
FANCY RESTAURANT
[JESS and RORY are sitting at a table for two in a dimly lit Italian restaurant. Plates of spaghetti are in front of them.]
RORY: Our first date.
JESS: [smirking] Didn't notice.
RORY: [rolls her eyes] Eat.
JESS: What does your mom think?
RORY: Since when did it matter to you what anyone thought?
JESS: It doesn't. Just you and your mom are a 'package deal' as you say. She already hates me, I was just asking.
RORY: She's actually fine with it.
JESS: [gives her a questioning look] Sure.
RORY: [worried] She said she was.
JESS: Hey, don't worry about it. If she really doesn't want you hanging around me, I'm sure I'd be hanging from my neck in the town square at the moment.
RORY: True. [pause] But thanks to you, I'm not sure she's completely happy, anymore.
JESS: Well, did you expect her to be?
RORY: Actually, no. Not yet, at least. Give her some time to adjust to us.
JESS: Until then I'll feel the wrath of Lorelai, huh?
RORY: [grinning] Just you wait till the rest of the town finds out.
[JESS bangs his head, softly, on the table a few times. RORY watches amused.]
GILMORE DRIVEWAY
[JESS and RORY are standing on the porch.]
RORY: I had a nice time tonight.
JESS: Did you not expect to?
RORY: [flustered] No! No, I was just saying-
JESS: [smirking] Calm down.
RORY: [sighing in relief] Yeah. Sure.
JESS: [nods] Goodnight.
RORY: Goodnight.
[JESS gives RORY a quick kiss on the lips before walking away. RORY smiles and enters the house in a dreamy state. LORELAI is sitting on the sofa going over some papers. RORY sits on the chair across from LORELAI.]
LORELAI: Have a good night?
RORY: [smiling] I did.
LORELAI: [frustrated, flips through papers] Good.
RORY: Mom, are you okay with me and Jess?
LORELAI: [looking at the papers] Yes. I already told you. I'm fine with it.
RORY: You don't seem fine.
[LORELAI slams the papers on the table and stands up. LORELAI snaps.]
LORELAI: I'm fine! Okay? I said I was fine, and that means I'm fine. You and Jess want to date? Go ahead, be my guest!
[LORELAI storms up the stairs, RORY slowly goes to her room and collapses on the bed. She picks up the cordless phone and dials. JESS answers.]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hi. Mom's not as okay as I thought.
JESS: [mocking] Really?
RORY: I thought she really might have been okay. But I asked, and she freaked out at me.
JESS: You said so yourself. Give her some time.
RORY: [grumpy] How much? Because I don't want to not be with you because of my mother.
JESS: [sighs] Rory, I don't know.
RORY: Sorry, I must be really annoying. I'll go now.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: [hurt] You really want me to go?
JESS: If you go, I was hoping you'd go to Luke's.
RORY: [smiling] I better go, then.
JESS: You'd better. [joking] It's almost my bedtime.
RORY: I'll tuck you in.
JESS: Or you could come to bed with me.
RORY: [rolls eyes] Bye.
JESS: See ya.
[RORY hangs up the phone, grabs a coat and yells up the stairs.]
RORY: MOM! I'm going out!
[LORELAI comes down to talk to RORY.]
LORELAI: Where?
RORY: Luke's.
LORELAI: [worried] To see Jess?
RORY: Jess works at Luke's, Jess lives at Luke's. There's a good chance I'll bump into Jess.
LORELAI: I change my mind, I'm not okay with you and Jess. I'm trying, but I'm not.
RORY: No kidding.
LORELAI: I really am trying.
RORY: [annoyed] Not very hard.
LORELAI: Really hard. Believe me. I trust you Rory, but I don't trust him. [pause] I'm trying.
RORY: If you were trying that hard, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now.
[RORY is angry, and storms out the door with out a good bye.]
LUKE'S DINER
[RORY storms through the door at LUKE'S. LUKE and JESS are the only ones there.]
LUKE: You okay?
[RORY sits at a table, JESS joins her.]
RORY: No.
[LUKE leaves, seeing that JESS can handle this.]
JESS: What's up?
RORY: Mom is freaking out again.
JESS: We just went over this.
RORY: I know. Time. She says she trusts me, but she obviously doesn't.
JESS: I take a little getting used to.
RORY: Yeah, but she just won't accept us.
JESS: I did steal a beer from the fridge during our first encounter. I think I made a lasting first impression.
RORY: Yes, bad idea, by the way. But she's usually so cool.
JESS: She may be the 'cool mom' but she's still a mom and since you're close, she worries.
RORY: Did your mom worry?
JESS: [bitterly] Yeah. She worried that I would hold her drunken life back.
RORY: Sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up. I just.. You never talk about your family, and here I am whining about my Mom all the time.
JESS: [upset] I don't talk about my family because I don't want to. We're not like you. We don't do the whole family thing. My dad left when I was 10, and my alcoholic mom sent me to the middle of nowhere.
RORY: Again, sorry. We don't have to talk about this.
JESS: Good.
RORY: [smiling] Hemingway sucks.
JESS: [letting out a small smile] He does not. Ayn Rand's a nut.
[RORY pretends to take offence and hits him lightly on the arm. JESS pretends to be hurt and 'fights' back. This ends up in RORY and JESS kissing. MISS PATTY looks through the window and sees RORY and JESS kissing and runs off to tell the rest of the town. KIRK is walking down the street.]
MISS PATTY: Kirk! Rory and Jess are a couple!
KIRK: Do you want me to print this in the newspaper or is this a word of mouth thing?
MISS PATTY: Go, tell everyone you see.
KRIK: How long do you imagine it will take for the whole town to know?
MISS PATTY: Give it a half hour, darling. Now scoot.
KIRK: Yes, ma'am!
GILMORE DRIVEWAY
[LORELAI is getting in the jeep to go to work. BABETTE runs out of her house to talk to LORELAI.]
BABETTE: Did ya hear? Rory and Jess were making out in the diner.
LORELAI: [not at all surprised] Really?
BABETTE: Miss Patty saw them through the window.
LORELAI: [tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, trying to remain calm] Interesting.
BABETTE: Watch out for him, Lorelai. Boys like him are nothing but trouble.
LORELAI: I'll keep that in mind.
BABETTE: What do you think about the two together?
LORELAI: I don't know, Babette. I want to be happy for Rory but I just really don't like Jess. He kinda reminds me of me at that age, ya know? And I don't want Rory hanging around a 17 year old me.
BABETTE: I understand completely, honey.
LORELAI: Hon, I really gotta go to work.
BABETTE: Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I just thought you might want to know.
LORELAI: Of course, thanks.
BABETTE: Bye!
LORELAI: Bye!
[LORELAI hits her head on the steering wheel a few times before driving off.]
INDEPENDENCE INN
MICHEL: [annoyed] You are late.
LORELAI: [clearly not sorry] Sorry, I'll try to be early next time.
MICHEL: Being on time would be nice.
LORELAI: Again, I'm sorry. Babette caught me on the way out.
MICHEL: I don't care for your petty excuses. You were late. You should try being here on time.
LORELAI: Okay, Michel. Let's remember that I'm *your* boss. Okay?
MICHEL: Unfortunately.
LORELAI: Go, be productive.
[MICHEL walks off and LORELAI goes to the kitchen to find SOOKIE. SOOKIE is running around ordering people to help her finish today's meal. SOOKIE sees that something is wrong with LORELAI and pours her a cup of coffee.]
SOOKIE: What's up, hon?
LORELAI: They found out about Rory and Jess.
SOOKIE: Ooh, that sucks. How?
LORELAI: Miss Patty saw them kissing in the diner.
SOOKIE: It'll be all over town with in the hour.
LORELAI: Exactly.
SOOKIE: It'll be fine, honey. Jess is good for Rory, you'll see.
LORELAI: Since when did you start the Jess fan club?
SOOKIE: I didn't. I've seen them together, Jess is different around her.
LORELAI: I think you've had a little too much to drink.
SOOKIE: Did you not see them during the play?
LORELAI: It was hard to miss.
SOOKIE: He likes her. A lot.
LORELAI: Why? Why like Rory when he could have anyone else?
SOOKIE: Why not? She's the only one in the town to seems to understand him. Even after they got in that car accident, she was never mad at him.
LORELAI: She should have been. He broke her. Her car.
SOOKIE: She likes him, too. A lot.
LORELAI: Again, why?
SOOKIE: Lorelai, you have to face that they like each other, and nothing that you or anyone else can say will change that.
LORELAI: I hate when you're right.
SOOKIE: I know.
LUKE'S
[Phone rings. LUKE answers it. The diner is deserted.]
LUKE: Hello.
LIZ: Luke.
LUKE: Liz.
LIZ: How's Jess?
LUKE: He's Jess. [pause] He's doing fine.
LIZ: Good.
LUKE: Yeah.
LIZ: You've done a good job with him.
LUKE: Thanks.
LIZ: I want him back.
LUKE: No you don't.
LIZ: I do. I've been getting better. I miss him.
LUKE: I'm not sure, Liz. He's doing real good here. He's got a girlfriend and all.
LIZ: He got him a girl?
LUKE: She's good for him.
LIZ: Don't let him screw her up.
LUKE: The town won't let him screw her up.
LIZ: Good. [pause] I still want him back.
LUKE: No. Bye Liz.
LIZ: I wanna talk to Jess.
LUKE: I doubt he wants to talk to you.
LIZ: Let me talk to him.
LUKE: [sigh] He's out.
LIZ: Have him call me back.
LUKE: I can't guarantee anything.
LIZ: Try.
LUKE: Always.
LIZ: Bye, Luke.
LUKE: Yeah.
[LUKE hangs up the phone.]
LUKE: Caesar!
CAESAR: Yeah?
LUKE: Watch the Diner. I'm going up stairs for a sec.
CAESAR: Yeah.
[LUKE goes upstairs. JESS is sitting on his bed reading and blasting his headphones. LUKE pounds on the wall to get his attention. JESS looks up and turns off the music and puts the book down.]
JESS: [annoyed] You got a reason for interrupting me?
LUKE: Nah, this is what I do for fun. What do you think?
JESS: I wouldn't put it past you, nothing else to do in this damn town.
LUKE: Whatever.
[LUKE sits on a chair in the corner.]
LUKE: Liz called.
JESS: Okay.
LUKE: She wants you back.
JESS: Fine.
LUKE: Fine? Fine what?
JESS: Fine, she wants me back. Doesn't mean I gotta go. She's the one who sent me here, anyway.
LUKE: Yeah.
JESS: I could go, though. If you want me out.
LUKE: I told her I wanted you to stay.
JESS: [surprised] Really?
LUKE: Yeah, you've grown on me. And since you've been back from New York. You've cleaned up your act. [pause] Besides, you'd miss Rory, Rory'd miss you. Then you got that vicious cycle thing going.
JESS: That's a bitch.
LUKE: You wanna stay?
JESS: Don't wanna go.
LUKE: Good enough. [pause] Liz wants you to call her back.
JESS: Okay.
LUKE: You should call her.. tell her you're not going.
JESS: She'll figure it out when I'm not in New York.
LUKE: She misses you.
JESS: She's the one who sent me here, she doesn't get to be the one to miss me.
LUKE: She's trying.
JESS: [angry] I was trying. God, do you think I asked to be sent here? She didn't give me a choice. I was trying to stay alive back in New York, she didn't give a damn about me then, now all of a sudden, she wants me back? No. That's not how it works.
LUKE: Give her a chance.
JESS: You give her a chance. Just wait till she lets you down.
[LUKE gets up and leaves. He stops at the door way.]
LUKE: You stayin'?
JESS: I'm stayin'.
[LUKE exits the room, JESS puts his music back on and holds up his book. He's clearly not reading.]
LATER
[LUKE is back in the Diner. RORY walks in.]
RORY: Hey, Luke.
LUKE: Hi, Rory.
RORY: Is-
LUKE: Go. He's upstairs.
RORY: Thanks!
[RORY goes to the stairs, LUKE stops her just before she goes up.]
LUKE: Rory?
RORY: Yeah?
LUKE: Liz called, we talked, now he's in a bad mood. Just be careful, okay? Don't let him be an ass to you.
RORY: Thanks.
[RORY goes upstairs and finds JESS in his room reading.]
RORY: Hey.
JESS: Hey.
[JESS sits up and motions for RORY to sit next to him.]
RORY: So.
JESS: So..
RORY: Anything interesting happen in the last few hours?
JESS: Luke told you?
RORY: Not much. Said you were in a bad mood.
JESS: I'm fine.
RORY: Didn't say you weren't.
JESS: Good.
[Silence.]
RORY: So. Your mom?
JESS: [warning] Don't.
RORY: You have to talk, Jess.
JESS: No, you have to talk. In New York, you're better off keeping your mouth closed.
RORY: You're not in New York anymore.
JESS: I could be.
RORY: You're not.
JESS: Liz wants me back.
RORY: Now?
JESS: Nah, in 10 years.
RORY: Sorry. You going?
JESS: [shakes his head] No.
RORY: Good. Do you want to?
JESS: I thought we went over the fact that I'm not going to talk about this.
RORY: We did. I ignored it.
JESS: Don't ignore it, Rory. I don't want to talk.
RORY: You obviously need to.
JESS: So, what if I do? I'm not going to talk to you about it.
RORY: Why- Why not?
JESS: Because you shouldn't have to hear it. My past is my past. And my issues with my mother are my problems, not yours. I don't want to suck you into the shit that I've done.
RORY: It doesn't matter. You can still talk to me.
JESS: No, Rory, I can't.
RORY: Fine, maybe I didn't know you as well as I thought I did. I thought that maybe you'd trust me enough to tell me. I don't know.. something. I guess not.
[RORY turns on her heel and runs out of the diner.]
JESS: RORY!
[RORY runs into the gazebo. DEAN is walking past and sees RORY crying. He walks over and sits awkwardly beside her to try and comfort her.]
DEAN: What's wrong?
RORY: Nothing. [pause] Just Jess, he-
DEAN: [annoyed] I told you not to come crying to me when he hurt you.
RORY: [defensive] I didn't come crying to you. And he didn't hurt me... He's just not talking to me.
DEAN: [unsure] Okay. As long as he didn't hurt you.
RORY: He didn't. He wouldn't.
DEAN: If that's what you want to think.
RORY: It's not what I want to think, it's what's true. You just want to think he's bad.
DEAN: It's not like he's proved otherwise.
RORY: [raising her voice] Who says he hasn't tried and you're too closed minded to give him a second chance?
DEAN: Maybe he doesn't deserve one.
RORY: [offended] What?
DEAN: He got you in a car accident. He broke your wrist.
RORY: Tiny fracture. And I let him drive, I gave him the keys, I told him to keep driving.
DEAN: He comes back here and acts like it never happened.
RORY: We had our closure.
DEAN: What?
RORY: I didn't go to my Mom's graduation because I was stuck on a bus from New York after visiting Jess. We talked. We hung out on the streets of New York City.
DEAN: You went to New York?
RORY: [sad] I missed my Mom's graduation.
DEAN: [remembering] That was on a weekday. You skipped school to go see Jess?
RORY: I did.
DEAN: That isn't like you at all.
RORY: Why does matter to you, now, anyway?
DEAN: Rory, I still care about you, maybe still be in love with you. I don't want to see Jess hurt you.
RORY: He won't.
DEAN: And there you go again, defending him.
RORY: [annoyed] No one else is.
DEAN: There's a reason for that.
RORY: There's a reason for me defending him.
DEAN: Fine.
RORY: Fine?
DEAN: Yes, fine. Do whatever you want, but don't come crying to me when he hurts you.
RORY: We've been over this, don't worry.
DEAN: I haven't, I won't.
RORY: Good.
DEAN: Good.
[Silence]
RORY: I wanted to be friends.
DEAN: So did I, but as long as you're with Jess, I'm not sure I can handle that.
RORY: Understood.
DEAN: I have to go.
RORY: Go.
DEAN: You sure you're okay?
RORY: Yeah. Jess and I had a little fight over something that seems really stupid now.
DEAN: Good. Go, make up with him.
RORY: I will. [pause] Thank you.
DEAN: Sure.
[DEAN walks away and RORY walks back into LUKE'S. LUKE sees RORY'S tear stained face and is immediately worried.]
LUKE: Okay.. Which one of those punks hurt you?
RORY: Neither, really. Jess didn't want to talk, I got mad. Dean was just out there.
LUKE: So, you're okay?
RORY: Yeah. [pause] I want to talk to Jess.
LUKE: He went out. Didn't say where, not like he ever does.
RORY: [determined] I'll find him.
[LUKE nods as RORY leaves.]
BRIDGE
[JESS is sitting on the bridge and RORY sits beside him. She holds his hand.]
RORY: I'm sorry.
JESS: Don't be. I shouldn't have gotten angry.
RORY: I don't understand you, and I shouldn't pretend to. You have this whole other life, which is apparently not pleasant. And if you don't want to share it with me, that's your decision and I have no right trying to tell you otherwise.
JESS: I still shouldn't have gotten so angry.
RORY: Don't worry about it.
JESS: It's just.. Liz gets me so mad sometimes.
RORY: It's okay. You don't have to talk.
JESS: I know. [pause] She just.. she ships me here for no real reason. And now, she wants me back. I don't know she wants from me.
RORY: You thinking about going back?
JESS: [faces her] No. Never. I just.. I'm kinda curious why she wants me back. Luke says she's trying to get back on track.
RORY: Maybe she is.
JESS: I can't even count the number of times she's said that she's trying to get it together. Every time she says it, she just digs her self a deeper grave.
RORY: So, she isn't the perfect mother.
JESS: [scoffs] Not even close.
RORY: Just talk to her.. call her. See what she wants. Why she wants you back. Maybe this time it'll be different.
[Silence.]
JESS: I'm sorry.
RORY: Don't be.
JESS: I should have said it earlier.
RORY: It's okay.
JESS: It's the whole New York street thing.
RORY: I won't even pretend to understand.
JESS: New York is different.
RORY: From Stars Hollow, no kidding.
JESS: The people aren't friendly. I didn't have my family watching my back.
RORY: You really don't have to.
JESS: Me and my friends were on our own. We had to get what we needed ourselves. Our parents weren't the most reliable people. We grew up way too fast. 'I'm sorry' is just a regret thing. We didn't have time to regret, what's done is done. No amount of apologizing would change that. You just gotta move on.
RORY: Then move on.
JESS: It's not that easy.
RORY: No, but I can help. Jess, I'm gonna be here for you. All that crap from New York is your past. You said it, what's done is done.
JESS: It sticks with you, Rory, and I don't expect you to understand that.
RORY: I'm gonna try. I want to be there for you and I'm going to help you through anything, no matter what you say.
JESS: [smiling] Thanks.
[RORY pulls him into a hug, then rests her head on his shoulder, JESS'S arm is draped across her shoulders.]
RORY: This is our first fight as a couple.
JESS: I think it's our first real fight ever.
RORY: We've fought.
JESS: Not like this. Usually it's fun.
RORY: This wasn't fun.
JESS: No.
RORY: Tears were involved.
JESS: Tears?
RORY: Yeah.
JESS: I'm really sorry.
RORY: Stop.
JESS: Okay. [pause] First real fight.
RORY: We should commemorate the occasion.
JESS: Commemorative coins?
RORY: Nah, t-shirts?
JESS: Coffee mugs?
RORY: Coffee... Ooh! Make up coffee! Now there's an idea. Every time we get in a fight, you give me make up coffee.
JESS: And how would this make up coffee be any different than normal coffee?
RORY: It'll be in the special commemorative coffee mug.
JESS: You'll be wearing the commemorative t-shirt, and I'll have the commemorative coins stuffed in my pocket.
RORY: [smug] We're good.
JESS: [smiling] We are.
[They kiss.]
GILMORE HOUSE
[RORY walks in the front door.]
RORY: Mom, I'm home.
[LORELAI comes down the stairs and they both sit on the couch.]
LORELAI: Hey, hon.
RORY: How was your day?
LORELAI: Insightful.
RORY: Really?
LORELAI: Really, really. Yours?
RORY: [sigh] Crazy.
LORELAI: Uh oh. What happened?
RORY: Jess's mom called.
LORELAI: Ug, not good.
RORY: No. [pause] She wants him to move back.
LORELAI: And.
RORY: He's not.
LORELAI: And.
RORY: We got in a fight.
LORELAI: First fight as couple?
RORY: First real fight between us, ever.
LORELAI: You should mark it down.
RORY: We already have commemorative mugs, t-shirts, and coins, with special make up coffee.
LORELAI: [fascinated] You get make up coffee?
RORY: It's fun being the diner boy's girl.
LORELAI: [gasp] I need me a diner man!
RORY: Hey, there's a perfectly good one in Stars Hollow.
LORELAI: [rolls her eyes] Not going there.
RORY: [giving in] Fine.
[Silence.]
LORELAI: So, you and Jess are good now?
RORY: [smiling] We are.
LORELAI: [hopeful] Are we good now?
RORY: [sceptical] I don't know. Are we?
LORELAI: I'm okay with you and Jess.
RORY: [raises an eyebrow] You suck at lying.
LORELAI: Fine, I'm not totally okay. But I'm getting there, I really am. I had this good talk with Sookie, and I really am getting there.
RORY: [hopeful] Really?
LORELAI: Yes. I soo want to be happy for you because you being happy makes me happy.
RORY: [nods] It does.
LORELAI: I live vicariously through my daughter's love life.
RORY: Sad.
LORELAI: Very.
RORY: Extremely.
LORELAI: I really want to be okay with this.
RORY: I know.
LORELAI: [sigh] He made a bad first impression.
RORY: He knows.
LORELAI: He can't be all bad if you like him.
RORY: He's not bad.
LORELAI: Do I have to-No. Never mind. I'm not going to be my mother.
RORY: Good.
[Pause.]
LORELAI: He's gotta try too.
RORY: He will, I promise.
LORELAI: He better, or else I get permission to hate him, again.
RORY: Permission granted if he does something stupid.
[Pause.]
LORELAI: Are we good?
RORY: Yeah, we're good.
LORELAI: No more fighting over Jess?
RORY: Never.
LORELAI: Good.
RORY: But remember, I was never the one who started it.
LORELAI: Okay, what have I told you about stopping while you're ahead?
RORY: To stop while you're ahead.
LORELAI: I taught you well. New subject?
RORY: Definitely.
LORELAI: [smirking] Is he a good kisser?
RORY: Mom!
LORELAI: Seriously. All the bad boys are good kissers. [dreaming] Christopher was.
RORY: Ew! Mom, too much information.
LORELAI: Not for me. I want to know all the juicy details.
RORY: [disgusted] You're my mother.
LORELAI: And your mother is demanding to know if Jess is a good kisser.
RORY: That's mature. Playing the 'mom card' to find out if your daughter's boyfriend is a good kisser.
LORELAI: Is he?
RORY: [blushes] The best.
LUKE AND JESS'S APARTMENT
[JESS and LUKE are at the table eating.]
LUKE: Call Liz.
JESS: No.
LUKE: Fine.
[Silence.]
LUKE: Let's talk.
JESS: I don't want to.
LUKE: Not about Liz. About Rory.
JESS: [annoyed] My personal life is none of your business.
LUKE: [loudly] Your personal life is my business. Normally, I just don't care, but you're with Rory now.
JESS: [shrugs] It's still none of your business.
LUKE: [calm] Jess, you don't get it. I've watched her grow up, and I feel that. since I've helped her out, I should watch her back.
JESS: Fine.
LUKE: Don't hurt her.
JESS: I won't.
LUKE: She was crying, for god sake.
JESS: [shrug] It's fixed.
LUKE: You don't get it. You can't just 'fix' a relationship.
JESS: We talked. We're fine.
LUKE: Seriously? She's not at home crying to Lorelai about how you hurt her?
JESS: You could call and check, but I'm thinking no.
LUKE: So, you two are okay now?
JESS: Yeah.
LUKE: Good. Back to not hurting Rory.
JESS: What?
LUKE: [uncomfortable] Don't... you know.
JESS: [mock stupidity] No. I don't.
LUKE: [more uncomfortable] Don't. do stuff.
JESS: Luke.
LUKE: [really uncomfortable] Don't force Rory into something she's not ready for..
JESS: [having fun] Like?
LUKE: Jess, you know what I'm talking about.
JESS: No, I really don't.
LUKE: [embarrassed] Sex. There, ya happy? I said it. Don't force Rory into sex. Hell, don't have sex with her at all.
JESS: We're not.
LUKE: But you might.
JESS: Not now.
LUKE: But later?
JESS: Do you really want to know?
LUKE: No. Just.. when ya do. use. protection.
JESS: I'm not an idiot.
LUKE: I didn't say you were.
JESS: I'm not one for going around and getting girls knocked up.
LUKE: Good to know.
JESS: I don't want a kid.
LUKE: Good.
[They finish eating in silence.]
LUKE'S
[LORELAI enters and sits down at the bar and drops her head on the table.]
LUKE: Bad day.
LORELAI: Long day. Glad it's over.
LUKE: Yeah.
LORELAI: So.
LUKE: Want anything to eat?
LORELAI: Coffee.
LUKE: I said eat.
LORELAI: [hopeful] I could eat the beans!
[LUKE pours a cup and puts it in front of LORELAI.]
LUKE: Now that's just disgusting.
[LORELAI just shrugs and drinks the coffee.]
LUKE: You okay?
LORELAI: [nods] What do you think of the whole Rory, Jess thing?
LUKE: I think it's good.
LORELAI: Really?
LUKE: Yeah, she's good for him.
LORELAI: What about her. Is he good for her?
LUKE: We'll see.
LORELAI: [sigh] Not the answer I was looking for.
LUKE: Yeah, well.
LORELAI: I wish I could watch them all the time, you know? Make sure he doesn't try anything.
LUKE: Isn't that illegal?
LORELAI: Even when it's your offspring?
LUKE: Stalking, usually illegal. [pause] Look, don't worry about it. When they're here, I'm here. When they're at your place, you're there. And when they're anywhere else they have the rest of Stars Hollow to watch them.
LORELAI: 'Cept when they use the kid code.
LUKE: [curious] Kid code?
LORELAI: Yeah. They say something like 'hey, gonna get a book,' but it really means 'I'm gonna meet him at some secret place.'
LUKE: They don't do that.
LORELAI: You never did that?
LUKE: You did?
LORELAI: Did it all the time.
[JESS walks down the stairs.]
JESS: I'm gonna go pick up a book.
[JESS leaves.]
LUKE: Oh my god! He just used the kid code!
[LORELAI shrugs and gives him an amused look.]
LATER-LUKE'S APARTMENT
[The phone rings, JESS answers.]
JESS: What?
LIZ: Jess.
JESS: I don't want to talk.
LIZ: Then listen.
JESS: I don't want to hear what you have to say to me.
LIZ: I want you back.
JESS: So I've heard.
LIZ: I hear you're doing really good over there.
JESS: Yup.
LIZ: I hear you got a girlfriend.
JESS: Yup.
LIZ: Don't screw her up.
JESS: This is the kind of encouraging words from my mother that wants me to move back with her?
LIZ: Sorry.
JESS: Whatever.
LIZ: Just... be careful.
JESS: Luke took care of that talk.
LIZ: Good.
JESS: Want anything else?
LIZ: I've been trying to sober up and everything.
JESS: [sarcastically] Congratulations.
LIZ: I really want you back.
JESS: I'm fine where I am.
LIZ: Are you?
JESS: Yeah. You sent me here in the first place. I'm assuming that you at least hoped that I'd adjust a little, but even that may be a stretch. I dealt and I'm fine where I am.
LIZ: Are you happy?
JESS: More so then when I was with you.
LIZ: Jess, cut the crap. Are you happy?
JESS: Yes.
LIZ: Fine. [pause] You sure you want to stay?
JESS: Yeah, I am.
LIZ: And Luke's okay with that. You're not in his space or anything?
JESS: He said he told you he wanted me to stay.
LIZ: He did, I was just checking.
JESS: He's cool.
LIZ: I'm in some programs. to help me stay sober and off the drugs.. even got those nicotine patch things going.
JESS: Good.
LIZ: Maybe once I'm better, I could come visit?
JESS: Maybe..
[Pause.]
LIZ: I'm glad you're happy.
JESS: Good.
LIZ: I'll talk to you later?
JESS: Whatever.
LIZ: I miss you.
JESS: That's nice.
LIZ: Bye.
[JESS hangs up, grabs a coat and leaves.]
GILMORE HOME
[GILMORES are sitting on the couch watching TV. LORELAI has the remote and is flicking through the channels.]
LORELAI: There's nothing on.
RORY: You say that all the time, yet you still watch TV.
LORELAI: But this time, there isn't even anything worth my interest.
RORY: Then turn it off.
LORELAI: I can't.
RORY: [sighing] Movie night?
LORELAI: [enthusiastic] You bet!
RORY: Let's go.
[GILMORES get off the couch, take their jackets and run out the door to the Jeep.]
STREETS OF STARS HOLLOW
LORELAI: We got the candy, we got the movies.
RORY: Willy Wonka-
LORELAI: Best movie ever made.
RORY: The Fast and the Furious-
LORELAI: Totally hot guys.
RORY: And.Drive Me Crazy-
LORELAI: Only to mock Melissa Joan Heart-Hey! I thought we got Never Been Kissed!
RORY: No, we saved that till next time.
LORELAI: We did?
RORY: Yeah. Remember? Vin Deisel and Paul Walker were this weeks hotties, Michael Vartan was for next week.
LORELAI: Oh yeah.
RORY: [sigh] You have no idea.
LORELAI: [shrug] None what so ever.
RORY: Coffee deprived?
LORELAI: Yes, I only had 7 cups today.
RORY: Only 7?
LORELAI: Sad, I know.
RORY: You could do better.
LORELAI: Oooh! I forgot, I have to get some stuff from Doose's.
RORY: Okay.
LORELAI: Meet you in the car?
RORY: Yup.
[RORY heads to the car. LORELAI heads to Doose's and bumps into Jess on the way in.]
JESS: Sorry.
LORELAI: My fault, lack of coffee.
JESS: Bad.
LORELAI: Yup.
[Silence.]
LORELAI: So.. how's Rory?
JESS: You were just with her.
LORELAI: Right. And to answer my own question, she's fine.
JESS: Good.
LORELAI: I'm trying to like you.
JESS: Me too.
LORELAI: I know you like her.. But if you ever hurt her, I will kick your ass so bad-
JESS: I know. I've been warned, numerous times. even by people I haven't met.
LORELAI: Well, that's Stars Hollow for you.
JESS: Yeah.
LORELAI: Hey, you know what'd be fun?
JESS: Vandalizing the school? Chalk outlines? Robbery?
LORELAI: If you came to movie night.
JESS: I don't know.
LORELAI: [coaxing] Rory would like it.
JESS: Really?
LORELAI: Sure! Why not?
JESS: Okay.
LORELAI: Good.
JESS: When?
LORELAI: Come by around seven?
JESS: Okay.
[JESS starts to walk away. LORELAI stops him.]
LORELAI: Hey, Jess!
JESS: Yeah?
LORELAI: Could you bring some-
JESS: Coffee?
LORELAI: Yeah. And some-
JESS: Food?
LORELAI: Fries and stuff. Yeah. And some more-
JESS: Coffee?
LORELAI: [smiling] You're good at this game.
JESS: [smirking] Maybe you're predictable.
LORELAI: [defensive] Do you know me at all? I am anything but predicable.
JESS: [still smirking] Saw that answer coming.
LORELAI: Hmph!
[LORELAI walks off.]
GILMORE CAR
[LORELAI and RORY are sitting in the car.]
LORELAI: [pleading] Please don't hate me.
RORY: [sigh] What did you do now?
LORELAI: I invited Jess to movie night.
RORY: [thinking] Okay.
LORELAI: Don't be mad, I meant it as a.. a peace offering. Uhh.. okay?
RORY: Yeah.
LORELAI: [confused] But with Dean, you made this whole big deal about it.
RORY: Jess isn't Dean.
LORELAI: I know.
RORY: It's different with Jess. I'm not so worried. This isn't our first date. And it's not like we haven't watched movies together before.
LORELAI: [shrug] Okay.
RORY: [sceptical] A peace offering?
LORELAI: Yeah. See, I'm trying.
RORY: I'm glad.
LORELAI: Seriously trying.
RORY: I know.
LORELAI: I really want to like him.
RORY: For me?
LORELAI: For you. The things I do for my child.
RORY: The things I let my mother do.
LOREALI: Damn straight.
RORY: When's he coming over?
LORELAI: Seven.
RORY: [frantic] Go! It's six and we have to clean the house!
LORELAI: He's seen it.
RORY: [loudly] GO!
LORELAI: I thought you weren't worried.
RORY: Maybe just a little. GO!
[LORELAI and RORY zoom off in the car.]
GILMORE HOME
[Doorbell rings.]
LORELAI: Rory! He's here!
RORY: Hold on a sec.
[RORY is frantically trying to create sitting space in the living room.]
LORELAI: [impatient] Hurry up, he doesn't care what the house looks like.
RORY: But there's nowhere to sit.
JESS: [from outside] I don't care if there's nowhere to sit, I'm having a hard time holding the food and coffee here.
RORY: You can hear us?
JESS: You're not in a sound proof box.
RORY: Right. Mom, let him in.
LORELAI: Rory, he's your guy, you go.
RORY: Fine, you have to clean.
LORELAI: Go!
[LORELAI sits on the couch. Not cleaning. RORY answers the door. JESS is standing there with a box and a tray.]
RORY: Hey.
[RORY gives JESS a quick kiss.]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Welcome.
JESS: Been here before. [pause] Mind if I drop off the food before it falls?
RORY: Yeah. Don't go spilling the coffee.
JESS: [nods] It's suicidal.
LORELAI: [yelling] You bet!
[JESS rolls his eyes and goes to the kitchen.]
LATER
[RORY is in JESS'S arms on the floor. LORELAI is lying on the couch.]
RORY: [whispering] I think she's asleep.
JESS: I should go before she gets up, then.
RORY: Why?
JESS: It's one in the morning. I don't think she wants to wake up with me here.
RORY: [sad] It's late, what if you get stolen?
JESS: I can take care of myself. Besides, this is Stars Hollow.
[Pause.]
RORY: Stay?
JESS: You know I can't.
[JESS gets up and takes RORY'S hand and leads her to the porch.]
JESS: I can't stay over, Rory.
RORY: I know. [pause] But I still want you to.
JESS: My body parts will by lying all over the house by morning if I stay.
RORY: I'd like to keep you intact.
JESS: I'm trying to stay on your Mom's good side. [pause] For you.
RORY: Thank you.
JESS: I should go.
RORY: Okay.
[JESS pulls her into a hard kiss. He slowly pulls away and they look into each other's eyes before JESS walks off.]
[END]