TITLE: All My Life
AUTHOR: Melissa
PAIRING: Rory/Jess
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don't own Milo Ventimiglia...boy, if I did... Anyway, they are not mine; neither is the beginning of this story, since I'm stealing the next-to-last scene in 'Haunted Leg' and twisting it to my own benefit. :) LOL Also, the title doesn't belong to me either; it's a Foo Fighter's song. So, basically, all I have is a white SUV, seasons 1-3 of Roswell on tape, all 3 Princess Diaries books in hardback, and this computer. If you sue, all you'll get is the SUV, cause that's all I'm willing to give up!!
RATING: Um...PG-13, I guess
SUMMARY: What if Rory and Jess's argument in 'Haunted Leg' revealed more than they imagined?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey peoples. This is my first story in a script format, so be gentle if I suck at it. I'm still getting into the swing of it, so bear with me. I'm not sure how many parts there are gonna be to this -- maybe one, maybe 50, who knows. I haven't really thought ahead that much. I just got this idea and started writing. As you'll see, I kinda stole Jess and Rory's conversation from 'Haunted Leg' and sorta changed it around -- for the better in my opinion! LOL
Hey guys, sorry I took so long to get this part out. I have a new job and stuff, so I'm kinda lack-luster in the writting department at the moment, but never fear, I will prevail! LoL :) Also, thanks sooooooooo much to Becka, also known as Mahlialily, for Beat-reading this for me! You rock Becka! :) ~*~
*CUT TO GILMORE HOME -- KITCHEN*
(LORELAI and LANE are sitting at the table, going over the letters that were found last night, while RORY is walking around behind them.)
LORELAI: (confused as she fingers all the letters) I just don't get it.
RORY: (making coffee in the background) Maybe you're not meant to.
LORELAI: But why give them back?
LANE: Jess is weird.
RORY: He is not weird (smiling gently to herself and saying softly) It's sweet...
(LORELAI rolls her eyes, and LANE shakes her head.)
RORY: (turning to look at them) You two just don't understand how Jess works.
LORELAI: (muttering) Got that right.
RORY: He didn't even read them.
LORELAI: He didn't? And that's good?
RORY: Very good.
LANE: Severe embarrassment could come from that.
RORY: I don't even remember what I wrote in half of them.
LORELAI: (picks up a letter and starts to read it) "Dear Jess, I want you."
RORY: See, that was bad. It was too forward.
LANE: Or kinda slutty.
LORELAI: Yeah, considering she had a boyfriend at the time. (grabs another letter) "Dear Jess, we can never be."
LANE: Denying what the heart wants. (gets a letter herself) "Jess, I hate you." (looks back up) Bad emotional place?
RORY: I was angry with him.
LORELAI: Clearly. (pauses to read) Oh... "Dear Jess, even though my heart cannot deny my feelings for you, I fear that our relationship would be doomed under such circumstances." (grinning wildly) Aww, my little poet.
RORY: (looking slightly embarrassed) There was a movie marathon on Lifetime.
LANE: Those movies mess with your head.
LORELAI: (throws down the letters in her hands) Ok, after my own inspection, I agree that Jess reading these letters would've been bad. But still (stressing her point) why give them back?
RORY: (primly) I do not feel the need to explain my relationship with Jess to you.
LORELAI: (sitting up more and grinning) Hello...Lane, did my ears fail me, or did you hear that too?
LANE: No, I do believe my ears heard that too.
LORELAI: (wiggling her eyebrows at RORY) Relationship? Give us all the juicy details.
RORY: Mom. (sighs) No details. We're not even a couple yet... I don't think.
LANE: (mostly to herself) Not a couple yet gets caught making out by his uncle. (She realizes she said that out loud when she feels RORY and LORELAI staring at her.) Did I just say that out loud?
LORELAI: (stares at her daughter) Luke caught you and Jess making out?!
RORY: (her face going bright red) Um...
LORELAI: Ohh...what I would have given to have been a fly on that wall! (stands up) Did Luke turn all red and yell and stammer and groan in frustration?!
RORY: I'm not sure what happened after I left.
LANE: I'm sure it would've been priceless.
LORELAI: I knew I should've followed him up those steps! (turns to her daughter) So, since Luke has seen the kissing, you do know you're required to tell us about it, don't you?
RORY: What?
LANE: (catching onto what LORELAI is saying) Yes, it is only fair.
LORELAI: Details, young daughter; we want details.
RORY: (shaking her head and saying with mock anger) I do not kiss and tell.
LORELAI: Is that 'cuz Jess is a sloppy, wet kisser? Too much tongue and slobbering everywhere?
LANE: You make it sound like she's kissing a dog.
LORELAI: (softly) Not far from it.
RORY: I heard that.
LORELAI: Just kidding. But, in all seriousness, Jess could kind of come off as a tight-lipped kisser. It could be like kissing your grandmother.
RORY: Ew! Gross, Mom!
LORELAI: (turns to LANE) Lane, comments?
LANE: Well... (pausing as if considering the question) I don't know... Jess seems like he should know what he's doing.
LORELAI: Hmm... interesting. (looks at RORY and wiggles her eyebrows) Does he?
(Realizing that her mother wasn't going to let it go anytime soon, RORY groans and falls down into one of the chairs at the table.)
*CUT TO LUKE'S*
(LORELAI and RORY walk in, seeing the nearly full diner. Looking around for a table to sit at, they finally wander to the counter, where only one seat is available. Looking at it, they both go for it, but RORY gets to it first.)
LORELAI: No fair!
RORY: You snooze, you lose.
LORELAI: You're actually going to make your dear, old, tired mother stand?
RORY: (pretends to ponder the question) Hmm... yes.
LORELAI: Fine. (She sees JESS coming out of the back and smiles secretively.) Besides, I have something I need to do. (She quickly runs over to the part of the counter where he is, while RORY watches gleefully.) Hey Jess.
JESS: (without looking up at her as he opens the cash register) Lorelai.
LORELAI: How are you today?
JESS: Just peachy, and you?
LORELAI: (with overly fake southern accent) Well, I feel quite fine; thank you so much for asking.
JESS: Uh-huh. (He finally looks up, regarding her sternly.) You're showing a lot of patience and self-control.
LORELAI: (trying to look confused) What are you talking about?
JESS: Just spit it out.
LORELAI: (widens her eyes) I'm offended here, Jess.
JESS: (crosses his arms) I'm sure you are.
LORELAI: I mean, I walked all the way over here to say hello, and I get mocked.
JESS: Come on, you know you want to. (acts like he just got an idea) Do you need me to go get the CD?
LORELAI: (gives up trying and sighs, starting to sulk) It's no fun now that you've ruined it. (She turns and walks sadly back over to her daughter, who is smiling.)
JESS: (calling out to her) Glad to be of service.
LORELAI: (rolling her eyes as she stands beside RORY) Big Meanie...
RORY: (tries to hide her grin) So, what happened?
LORELAI: He's an evil child -- evil, I tell you!
RORY: I've taught him well. (She calmly takes a drink out of the cup sitting in front of her.)
LORELAI: (gasps) You! You warned it! (Seeing something, she gasps again.) Where did you get that coffee?
(RORY just smiles and takes another drink while LORELAI continues to sulk beside her.)
*CUT TO LUKE'S -- ABOUT AN HOUR LATER*
(RORY is still sitting at the counter, but she is alone now, sipping her coffee while reading a book.)
?: Psst...
(RORY looks up briefly but ignores the noise.)
?: Psst...
(Looking around with her eyes but not moving her head, RORY scrunches her eyebrows.)
?: Psst... Rory!
(Finally, Rory looks over her shoulder and sees JESS, who's peeking around the corner of the storage room door. He quickly beckons her over. Closing her book, she looks around, then gets up and walks toward him.)
RORY: (smiling gently) Jess, why are you--
(JESS sighs and quickly reaches out, taking her wrist and pulling her into the room urgently, placing her up against the wall.)
JESS: I'm trying to be spontaneous here; could you maybe help me out a little?
RORY: (raising her eyebrows) Is that so?
JESS: (stepping closer, pinning his body against hers as she leans against the wall) I might have an ulterior motive...
RORY: (looks down at how close he is, then backs up) And that is?
JESS: Again with the talking when there doesn't need to be talking.
RORY: (pretending to pout) I'm not allowed to talk?
JESS: (staring down at her lips, his voice coming out huskily) I kinda had something else in mind for your lips to be doing, other than talking...or pouting...
RORY: (softly) Then maybe you should do something about that.
JESS: (leaning in) Consider it done. (He kisses her gently, reaching up to cup her cheek. RORY sighs slightly and reaches up, running her hands through JESS'S hair. He shifts his body even closer, deepening the kiss, which is quickly turning very passionate.)
LUKE: (suddenly walking into the room and seeing the teens) Oh, jeez! (He spins away as RORY and JESS quickly jump apart.)
JESS: (calmly) Hey, Uncle Luke.
LUKE: (refusing to look at them as he rants and walks out of the room) The storage room; I forgot the storage room! That's it -- I'm making a list!
JESS: You get right on that.
LUKE: (yelling from out in the diner) I heard that!
JESS: (looking back at RORY, whose face is still red) He's been practicing his hiding-and-seeking abilities.
RORY: (smiling some) Obviously.
JESS: Wanna see Luke flip out? (When RORY just looks at him, Jess counts down on his fingers, finally getting down to only one left up.)
LUKE: Jess!!!
JESS: Busy right now! Yell again in about 30 minutes!
(There's a commotion out in the diner, then Luke barges into the room, his face hard. JESS is smirking at him while RORY stands nearby, trying to hide a grin.)
LUKE: (seeing that nothing was going on) That was not funny. (turns to RORY) I thought you'd be above this.
RORY: What can I say, Luke? Jess's evil ways have corrupted me. (She grins.)
LUKE: Again, not funny. (JESS looks over at RORY and wiggles his eyebrows.) I said quit it!
*CUT TO TOWN -- MAIN STREET*
(RORY is walking down the street, reading the back of a book, not really paying attention.)
LANE: (quickly running up) Rory!
RORY: (looking up at her friend) Hey.
LANE: (looking around at everyone, making RORY do the same) We have a slight problem.
RORY: Problem?
LANE: Well, see, here's how it is...
RORY: As much as I love a dramatic pause, this doesn't seem like the time to have one.
LANE: (quickly) There's a rumor going around town that you and Jess were caught having sex in the storage room at Luke's.
RORY: (shocked) Ok...
LANE: There's more.
RORY: (distracted) I don't like the sound of that...
LANE: (gently) I'm pretty sure Dean knows, considering that he broke a pencil in half today when Jess walked past Doose's.
RORY: (suddenly coming to) Dean heard about it? Oh my god!
LANE: But it's not true, so it doesn't matter, right?
RORY: I have to go find Dean.
LANE: What? Why? (starts to follow RORY when she walks off) It's not true, is it?!
RORY: What? (stops walking) Of course not!
LANE: Then why do you need to find Dean?
RORY: (stammers) Be-because I have to explain.
LANE: Explain what?
RORY: He deserves to know that it's not true!
LANE: If Dean knows you at all, then he'll already know that. Maybe Jess is the one you should be talking to.
RORY: (confused and somewhat upset) What does that mean?!
LANE: Rory, calm down. I just don't see why you need to go find Dean. (suddenly thinking something) You haven't asked Jess what you two are yet, have you?
RORY: (rambling as she finally lets it all out) It's all just so confusing! Dean and I just broke up, and I don't want to hurt him because I did really care about him, and I still do but not the way he wants. I care about Jess that way, but I'm not sure how Jess feels because he hasn't said anything yet, and I don't want to just assume anything, and then I have to deal with how Dean will take it all, and I don't want him to hate me, but I can't just deny how I feel about Jess! (stops and takes in a deep breath)
LANE: Feel better now?
RORY: Yes, somewhat. Feels good to get all that off my chest.
LANE: Good because here comes Jess. (RORY turns to look and spots JESS walking down the street. LANE starts to back away.) Try and get an answer this time. Good luck! (She pats RORY on the shoulder then walks off, just as JESS reaches them.)
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hey.
JESS: How ya been?
RORY: (nods) Good, good. You?
JESS: (shrugs) Can't complain.
MISS PATTY: (suddenly walking up behind JESS) Rory, Jess, dears, how are you two doing?
RORY: I'm doing fine, Miss Patty.
MISS PATTY: (looking Jess up and down and saying to RORY) I'm sure you are, sweetie. (JESS gives her a look and rolls his eyes.) Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. (She walks up closer to RORY and whispers.) He's yummy, dear; keep a hold of this one. (Then adds in a louder voice as she walks away) Don't do anything I wouldn't do...which leaves you plenty of room to play.
RORY: (whose face is a bright red) Thank you, Miss Patty. (She looks over at JESS, who's shaking his head.) So...I take it you heard.
JESS: Heard what?
RORY: You haven't heard? (When he just looks at her, she stammers out) There's a rumor that we, um, that we...ya know, in the-the storage room...ya know?
JESS: I know. I heard.
RORY: (wide-eyed) Then why did you say you didn't?
JESS: I just wanted to see if you'd actually say it.
RORY: (looking away) That's mean.
JESS: (sighs and places his hands in his coat pockets) Look, Rory, who cares what this stupid town says or thinks? It's none of their business whether or not we're going at it in the storage room. Let 'em talk.
RORY: (nodding in agreement) You're right. What we do is our business.
JESS: Exactly.
RORY: They can talk all they want about whether or not we're dating. (peeks a look at him quickly) They can guess all they want, but we know the truth.
JESS: Yep.
RORY: 'Cuz only we know...only us...the only two with the answer...I being one and you the other...me and you...
JESS: Is there something you wanna know, Rory? 'Cause I sense there's something more going on here.
RORY: Is there?
JESS: 'Is there' what?
RORY: Is there more going on here? (Realizing that she needs to rephrase that, she stops and takes in a deep breath, making herself look JESS in the eye.) I mean, what's going on between us? Are we dating, or-or are we just friends who like to kiss...a lot?
JESS: (smirking as he steps closer to her, reaching out to cup her chin) Were we ever 'just friends', Rory?
RORY: Maybe not...it's been complicated.
JESS: Then let's un-complicate it. (He leans down and gives her a short and sweet kiss.) I like you. (gives her another kiss) I like kissing you. (yet another kiss) I like the idea of being able to kiss you whenever I want. (kiss)
RORY: (grinning) I like you too. And the kissing isn't bad either.
JESS: That's good -- that always helps in a relationship.
RORY: So we're in a relationship?
JESS: (pretends to ponder) Well, let's see; right now, I'm thinking about kissing you.
RORY: (wrapping her arms around his neck) Is that so?
JESS: Oh yeah, the thought is definitely there. (He wraps his arms around her waist.) But the thought is not just enough; gotta have the action too.
RORY: Actions speak louder than words.
JESS: Now where did you hear that?
RORY: (smiling) This guy told me that once -- I think he was just trying to make out with me.
JESS: (seriously) That was just a bonus. (He leans down and thoroughly kisses her, not paying any mind to all the people walking past them. The two remain like that for some time, the kiss passionately taking them over before JESS pulls back, leaning his forehead against hers.) Let's make it official.
RORY: (looking up at him) How?
JESS: Dinner.
RORY: Dinner?
JESS: With me -- on my next night off.
RORY: I'd love to... (trailing off, remembering something)
JESS: What? What's wrong?
RORY: Oh, nothing. It's just that you have Fridays off from work.
JESS: So?
RORY: I have dinner with my grandparents then.
JESS: Cancel.
RORY: I can't.
JESS: Sure ya can. Tell 'em you're sick.
RORY: I can't do that.
JESS: Come on, Rory -- live a little. Besides, (he smirks at her) I thought my evil ways were corrupting you.
RORY: (thinking for a second before giving in) Ok, fine. But be forewarned -- my mother may not be happy about this.
JESS: When is Lorelai ever happy when it involves me?
RORY: Good point. (She leans up and kisses him passionately before pulling away abruptly.) I gotta go. (She kisses him quickly, one last time, then walks away.)
JESS: (standing there wordlessly for a few seconds) That is so wrong...
RORY: (turning around to grin at him) I'll make it up to you later, promise.
JESS: I'm gonna hold you to that.
(RORY just grins again, then walks off, leaving JESS there to stare at her. He finally turns and crosses the street, going back to the diner. It isn't until he's almost there that DEAN walks around the corner, standing where RORY and JESS had just been.)
AUTHOR: Melissa
PAIRING: Rory/Jess
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don't own Milo Ventimiglia...boy, if I did... Anyway, they are not mine; neither is the beginning of this story, since I'm stealing the next-to-last scene in 'Haunted Leg' and twisting it to my own benefit. :) LOL Also, the title doesn't belong to me either; it's a Foo Fighter's song. So, basically, all I have is a white SUV, seasons 1-3 of Roswell on tape, all 3 Princess Diaries books in hardback, and this computer. If you sue, all you'll get is the SUV, cause that's all I'm willing to give up!!
RATING: Um...PG-13, I guess
SUMMARY: What if Rory and Jess's argument in 'Haunted Leg' revealed more than they imagined?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey peoples. This is my first story in a script format, so be gentle if I suck at it. I'm still getting into the swing of it, so bear with me. I'm not sure how many parts there are gonna be to this -- maybe one, maybe 50, who knows. I haven't really thought ahead that much. I just got this idea and started writing. As you'll see, I kinda stole Jess and Rory's conversation from 'Haunted Leg' and sorta changed it around -- for the better in my opinion! LOL
Hey guys, sorry I took so long to get this part out. I have a new job and stuff, so I'm kinda lack-luster in the writting department at the moment, but never fear, I will prevail! LoL :) Also, thanks sooooooooo much to Becka, also known as Mahlialily, for Beat-reading this for me! You rock Becka! :) ~*~
*CUT TO GILMORE HOME -- KITCHEN*
(LORELAI and LANE are sitting at the table, going over the letters that were found last night, while RORY is walking around behind them.)
LORELAI: (confused as she fingers all the letters) I just don't get it.
RORY: (making coffee in the background) Maybe you're not meant to.
LORELAI: But why give them back?
LANE: Jess is weird.
RORY: He is not weird (smiling gently to herself and saying softly) It's sweet...
(LORELAI rolls her eyes, and LANE shakes her head.)
RORY: (turning to look at them) You two just don't understand how Jess works.
LORELAI: (muttering) Got that right.
RORY: He didn't even read them.
LORELAI: He didn't? And that's good?
RORY: Very good.
LANE: Severe embarrassment could come from that.
RORY: I don't even remember what I wrote in half of them.
LORELAI: (picks up a letter and starts to read it) "Dear Jess, I want you."
RORY: See, that was bad. It was too forward.
LANE: Or kinda slutty.
LORELAI: Yeah, considering she had a boyfriend at the time. (grabs another letter) "Dear Jess, we can never be."
LANE: Denying what the heart wants. (gets a letter herself) "Jess, I hate you." (looks back up) Bad emotional place?
RORY: I was angry with him.
LORELAI: Clearly. (pauses to read) Oh... "Dear Jess, even though my heart cannot deny my feelings for you, I fear that our relationship would be doomed under such circumstances." (grinning wildly) Aww, my little poet.
RORY: (looking slightly embarrassed) There was a movie marathon on Lifetime.
LANE: Those movies mess with your head.
LORELAI: (throws down the letters in her hands) Ok, after my own inspection, I agree that Jess reading these letters would've been bad. But still (stressing her point) why give them back?
RORY: (primly) I do not feel the need to explain my relationship with Jess to you.
LORELAI: (sitting up more and grinning) Hello...Lane, did my ears fail me, or did you hear that too?
LANE: No, I do believe my ears heard that too.
LORELAI: (wiggling her eyebrows at RORY) Relationship? Give us all the juicy details.
RORY: Mom. (sighs) No details. We're not even a couple yet... I don't think.
LANE: (mostly to herself) Not a couple yet gets caught making out by his uncle. (She realizes she said that out loud when she feels RORY and LORELAI staring at her.) Did I just say that out loud?
LORELAI: (stares at her daughter) Luke caught you and Jess making out?!
RORY: (her face going bright red) Um...
LORELAI: Ohh...what I would have given to have been a fly on that wall! (stands up) Did Luke turn all red and yell and stammer and groan in frustration?!
RORY: I'm not sure what happened after I left.
LANE: I'm sure it would've been priceless.
LORELAI: I knew I should've followed him up those steps! (turns to her daughter) So, since Luke has seen the kissing, you do know you're required to tell us about it, don't you?
RORY: What?
LANE: (catching onto what LORELAI is saying) Yes, it is only fair.
LORELAI: Details, young daughter; we want details.
RORY: (shaking her head and saying with mock anger) I do not kiss and tell.
LORELAI: Is that 'cuz Jess is a sloppy, wet kisser? Too much tongue and slobbering everywhere?
LANE: You make it sound like she's kissing a dog.
LORELAI: (softly) Not far from it.
RORY: I heard that.
LORELAI: Just kidding. But, in all seriousness, Jess could kind of come off as a tight-lipped kisser. It could be like kissing your grandmother.
RORY: Ew! Gross, Mom!
LORELAI: (turns to LANE) Lane, comments?
LANE: Well... (pausing as if considering the question) I don't know... Jess seems like he should know what he's doing.
LORELAI: Hmm... interesting. (looks at RORY and wiggles her eyebrows) Does he?
(Realizing that her mother wasn't going to let it go anytime soon, RORY groans and falls down into one of the chairs at the table.)
*CUT TO LUKE'S*
(LORELAI and RORY walk in, seeing the nearly full diner. Looking around for a table to sit at, they finally wander to the counter, where only one seat is available. Looking at it, they both go for it, but RORY gets to it first.)
LORELAI: No fair!
RORY: You snooze, you lose.
LORELAI: You're actually going to make your dear, old, tired mother stand?
RORY: (pretends to ponder the question) Hmm... yes.
LORELAI: Fine. (She sees JESS coming out of the back and smiles secretively.) Besides, I have something I need to do. (She quickly runs over to the part of the counter where he is, while RORY watches gleefully.) Hey Jess.
JESS: (without looking up at her as he opens the cash register) Lorelai.
LORELAI: How are you today?
JESS: Just peachy, and you?
LORELAI: (with overly fake southern accent) Well, I feel quite fine; thank you so much for asking.
JESS: Uh-huh. (He finally looks up, regarding her sternly.) You're showing a lot of patience and self-control.
LORELAI: (trying to look confused) What are you talking about?
JESS: Just spit it out.
LORELAI: (widens her eyes) I'm offended here, Jess.
JESS: (crosses his arms) I'm sure you are.
LORELAI: I mean, I walked all the way over here to say hello, and I get mocked.
JESS: Come on, you know you want to. (acts like he just got an idea) Do you need me to go get the CD?
LORELAI: (gives up trying and sighs, starting to sulk) It's no fun now that you've ruined it. (She turns and walks sadly back over to her daughter, who is smiling.)
JESS: (calling out to her) Glad to be of service.
LORELAI: (rolling her eyes as she stands beside RORY) Big Meanie...
RORY: (tries to hide her grin) So, what happened?
LORELAI: He's an evil child -- evil, I tell you!
RORY: I've taught him well. (She calmly takes a drink out of the cup sitting in front of her.)
LORELAI: (gasps) You! You warned it! (Seeing something, she gasps again.) Where did you get that coffee?
(RORY just smiles and takes another drink while LORELAI continues to sulk beside her.)
*CUT TO LUKE'S -- ABOUT AN HOUR LATER*
(RORY is still sitting at the counter, but she is alone now, sipping her coffee while reading a book.)
?: Psst...
(RORY looks up briefly but ignores the noise.)
?: Psst...
(Looking around with her eyes but not moving her head, RORY scrunches her eyebrows.)
?: Psst... Rory!
(Finally, Rory looks over her shoulder and sees JESS, who's peeking around the corner of the storage room door. He quickly beckons her over. Closing her book, she looks around, then gets up and walks toward him.)
RORY: (smiling gently) Jess, why are you--
(JESS sighs and quickly reaches out, taking her wrist and pulling her into the room urgently, placing her up against the wall.)
JESS: I'm trying to be spontaneous here; could you maybe help me out a little?
RORY: (raising her eyebrows) Is that so?
JESS: (stepping closer, pinning his body against hers as she leans against the wall) I might have an ulterior motive...
RORY: (looks down at how close he is, then backs up) And that is?
JESS: Again with the talking when there doesn't need to be talking.
RORY: (pretending to pout) I'm not allowed to talk?
JESS: (staring down at her lips, his voice coming out huskily) I kinda had something else in mind for your lips to be doing, other than talking...or pouting...
RORY: (softly) Then maybe you should do something about that.
JESS: (leaning in) Consider it done. (He kisses her gently, reaching up to cup her cheek. RORY sighs slightly and reaches up, running her hands through JESS'S hair. He shifts his body even closer, deepening the kiss, which is quickly turning very passionate.)
LUKE: (suddenly walking into the room and seeing the teens) Oh, jeez! (He spins away as RORY and JESS quickly jump apart.)
JESS: (calmly) Hey, Uncle Luke.
LUKE: (refusing to look at them as he rants and walks out of the room) The storage room; I forgot the storage room! That's it -- I'm making a list!
JESS: You get right on that.
LUKE: (yelling from out in the diner) I heard that!
JESS: (looking back at RORY, whose face is still red) He's been practicing his hiding-and-seeking abilities.
RORY: (smiling some) Obviously.
JESS: Wanna see Luke flip out? (When RORY just looks at him, Jess counts down on his fingers, finally getting down to only one left up.)
LUKE: Jess!!!
JESS: Busy right now! Yell again in about 30 minutes!
(There's a commotion out in the diner, then Luke barges into the room, his face hard. JESS is smirking at him while RORY stands nearby, trying to hide a grin.)
LUKE: (seeing that nothing was going on) That was not funny. (turns to RORY) I thought you'd be above this.
RORY: What can I say, Luke? Jess's evil ways have corrupted me. (She grins.)
LUKE: Again, not funny. (JESS looks over at RORY and wiggles his eyebrows.) I said quit it!
*CUT TO TOWN -- MAIN STREET*
(RORY is walking down the street, reading the back of a book, not really paying attention.)
LANE: (quickly running up) Rory!
RORY: (looking up at her friend) Hey.
LANE: (looking around at everyone, making RORY do the same) We have a slight problem.
RORY: Problem?
LANE: Well, see, here's how it is...
RORY: As much as I love a dramatic pause, this doesn't seem like the time to have one.
LANE: (quickly) There's a rumor going around town that you and Jess were caught having sex in the storage room at Luke's.
RORY: (shocked) Ok...
LANE: There's more.
RORY: (distracted) I don't like the sound of that...
LANE: (gently) I'm pretty sure Dean knows, considering that he broke a pencil in half today when Jess walked past Doose's.
RORY: (suddenly coming to) Dean heard about it? Oh my god!
LANE: But it's not true, so it doesn't matter, right?
RORY: I have to go find Dean.
LANE: What? Why? (starts to follow RORY when she walks off) It's not true, is it?!
RORY: What? (stops walking) Of course not!
LANE: Then why do you need to find Dean?
RORY: (stammers) Be-because I have to explain.
LANE: Explain what?
RORY: He deserves to know that it's not true!
LANE: If Dean knows you at all, then he'll already know that. Maybe Jess is the one you should be talking to.
RORY: (confused and somewhat upset) What does that mean?!
LANE: Rory, calm down. I just don't see why you need to go find Dean. (suddenly thinking something) You haven't asked Jess what you two are yet, have you?
RORY: (rambling as she finally lets it all out) It's all just so confusing! Dean and I just broke up, and I don't want to hurt him because I did really care about him, and I still do but not the way he wants. I care about Jess that way, but I'm not sure how Jess feels because he hasn't said anything yet, and I don't want to just assume anything, and then I have to deal with how Dean will take it all, and I don't want him to hate me, but I can't just deny how I feel about Jess! (stops and takes in a deep breath)
LANE: Feel better now?
RORY: Yes, somewhat. Feels good to get all that off my chest.
LANE: Good because here comes Jess. (RORY turns to look and spots JESS walking down the street. LANE starts to back away.) Try and get an answer this time. Good luck! (She pats RORY on the shoulder then walks off, just as JESS reaches them.)
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hey.
JESS: How ya been?
RORY: (nods) Good, good. You?
JESS: (shrugs) Can't complain.
MISS PATTY: (suddenly walking up behind JESS) Rory, Jess, dears, how are you two doing?
RORY: I'm doing fine, Miss Patty.
MISS PATTY: (looking Jess up and down and saying to RORY) I'm sure you are, sweetie. (JESS gives her a look and rolls his eyes.) Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. (She walks up closer to RORY and whispers.) He's yummy, dear; keep a hold of this one. (Then adds in a louder voice as she walks away) Don't do anything I wouldn't do...which leaves you plenty of room to play.
RORY: (whose face is a bright red) Thank you, Miss Patty. (She looks over at JESS, who's shaking his head.) So...I take it you heard.
JESS: Heard what?
RORY: You haven't heard? (When he just looks at her, she stammers out) There's a rumor that we, um, that we...ya know, in the-the storage room...ya know?
JESS: I know. I heard.
RORY: (wide-eyed) Then why did you say you didn't?
JESS: I just wanted to see if you'd actually say it.
RORY: (looking away) That's mean.
JESS: (sighs and places his hands in his coat pockets) Look, Rory, who cares what this stupid town says or thinks? It's none of their business whether or not we're going at it in the storage room. Let 'em talk.
RORY: (nodding in agreement) You're right. What we do is our business.
JESS: Exactly.
RORY: They can talk all they want about whether or not we're dating. (peeks a look at him quickly) They can guess all they want, but we know the truth.
JESS: Yep.
RORY: 'Cuz only we know...only us...the only two with the answer...I being one and you the other...me and you...
JESS: Is there something you wanna know, Rory? 'Cause I sense there's something more going on here.
RORY: Is there?
JESS: 'Is there' what?
RORY: Is there more going on here? (Realizing that she needs to rephrase that, she stops and takes in a deep breath, making herself look JESS in the eye.) I mean, what's going on between us? Are we dating, or-or are we just friends who like to kiss...a lot?
JESS: (smirking as he steps closer to her, reaching out to cup her chin) Were we ever 'just friends', Rory?
RORY: Maybe not...it's been complicated.
JESS: Then let's un-complicate it. (He leans down and gives her a short and sweet kiss.) I like you. (gives her another kiss) I like kissing you. (yet another kiss) I like the idea of being able to kiss you whenever I want. (kiss)
RORY: (grinning) I like you too. And the kissing isn't bad either.
JESS: That's good -- that always helps in a relationship.
RORY: So we're in a relationship?
JESS: (pretends to ponder) Well, let's see; right now, I'm thinking about kissing you.
RORY: (wrapping her arms around his neck) Is that so?
JESS: Oh yeah, the thought is definitely there. (He wraps his arms around her waist.) But the thought is not just enough; gotta have the action too.
RORY: Actions speak louder than words.
JESS: Now where did you hear that?
RORY: (smiling) This guy told me that once -- I think he was just trying to make out with me.
JESS: (seriously) That was just a bonus. (He leans down and thoroughly kisses her, not paying any mind to all the people walking past them. The two remain like that for some time, the kiss passionately taking them over before JESS pulls back, leaning his forehead against hers.) Let's make it official.
RORY: (looking up at him) How?
JESS: Dinner.
RORY: Dinner?
JESS: With me -- on my next night off.
RORY: I'd love to... (trailing off, remembering something)
JESS: What? What's wrong?
RORY: Oh, nothing. It's just that you have Fridays off from work.
JESS: So?
RORY: I have dinner with my grandparents then.
JESS: Cancel.
RORY: I can't.
JESS: Sure ya can. Tell 'em you're sick.
RORY: I can't do that.
JESS: Come on, Rory -- live a little. Besides, (he smirks at her) I thought my evil ways were corrupting you.
RORY: (thinking for a second before giving in) Ok, fine. But be forewarned -- my mother may not be happy about this.
JESS: When is Lorelai ever happy when it involves me?
RORY: Good point. (She leans up and kisses him passionately before pulling away abruptly.) I gotta go. (She kisses him quickly, one last time, then walks away.)
JESS: (standing there wordlessly for a few seconds) That is so wrong...
RORY: (turning around to grin at him) I'll make it up to you later, promise.
JESS: I'm gonna hold you to that.
(RORY just grins again, then walks off, leaving JESS there to stare at her. He finally turns and crosses the street, going back to the diner. It isn't until he's almost there that DEAN walks around the corner, standing where RORY and JESS had just been.)