Season Three: Version B

by columbiachica

Season three in my universe.

10. Blueside

Season 3: Version B

Episode 10: "Blueside"

by columbiachica (kat2005)

Author's Note: Thank you so much to all of my reviewers. Your kind words mean a lot. If you read this, I'd really appreciate a quick review, whether you like it or not.

Dedications: These have gotten ridiculously long. To Kate, Chris, Hadar, Marissa, Elise and emrie.

"Blueside"

Featured Music:

"You and I Both," Jason Mraz

"I Love Rock and Roll," Joan Jett

ANNOUNCER: Previously on Gilmore Girls…

[Cut to RORY and JESS in the Gilmore living room]

JESS: I want you to come to New York with me!

[Silence]

RORY: What?

JESS: My mother has talked Luke into ordering me to New York and I want you to come.

[Cut to LORELAI and RORY]

RORY: [Takes a deep breath] Jess wants me to go to New York with him.

LORELAI: Ah.

RORY: His mom bullied him into going up there and he asked me if I would come next weekend.

LORELAI: Is there an overnight?

RORY: Yes.

LORELAI: No.

[Cut to LORELAI and LUKE]

LUKE: I don't want to deal with Liz either. [Pause] Look, Lorelai, I'll take this in exchange for the flooring.

LORELAI: You'll floor my inn if I let Rory go to New York next weekend?

LUKE: Yes.

LORELAI: Well… [Reluctantly] I guess.

[Cut to RORY and LORELAI]

RORY: You're all jealous of Luke and Lindsay and you're going to break up with Grayer.

LORELAI: That's not true.

RORY: You decided that you're missing out with Luke and that you made a huge mistake. You missed that date on purpose.

LORELAI: Hey!

RORY: Why can't you make up your mind?

LORELAI: Hey, stop right there!

[Cut to LORELAI and LUKE kissing in the inn]

[Cut to GRAYER checking his watch in front of the Gilmore house]

[Cut to LORELAI and LUKE kissing in the inn]

[Cut to GRAYER driving away from the Gilmore house]

[Cut back to LORELAI and LUKE, still kissing in the inn]

[Int. elder Gilmore residence. Friday night. LORELAI and EMILY are sitting in the living room]

EMILY: What do you want to drink?

LORELAI: Water's fine, Mom.

EMILY: Fine.

LORELAI: Where's Dad?

EMILY: He's in Tokyo.

LORELAI: [Mutters] Popular destination these days.

EMILY: What?

LORELAI: Nothing, Mom. Why?

EMILY: He has clients there.

LORELAI: Oh.

EMILY: I hope he doesn't get SARS.

LORELAI: I didn't think it was such a big problem in Japan.

EMILY: SARS is a problem everywhere, Lorelai.

LORELAI: [Opens her mouth to argue but changes her mind] Okay.

EMILY: [Checks her watch] This new maid is dreadful.

LORELAI: [Checks her watch] Yeah, wow, one minute past seven. I combust at three minutes past, so I hope she gets her act together.

EMILY: [Rolls her eyes. Looks around the room, then looks surprised] Where is Rory?

LORELAI: It took you that whole time to notice she's gone?

EMILY: Well, she's so quiet.

LORELAI: I'll be sure to tell her that.

EMILY: Where is she?

LORELAI: Oh, she's…not here.

EMILY: Yes, Lorelai, I gathered that. So where is she?

LORELAI: She's doing…a thing. For school.

EMILY: At seven o'clock on a Friday night?

LORELAI: It's a … play.

EMILY: She's in a school play?

LORELAI: Yeah, yeah. Chilton's doing, um, "Les Miserables" as a play and Rory's the lead.

EMILY: But Rory doesn't sing.

LORELAI: Oh, well, coaching, you know.

EMILY: So it's opening night then.

LORELAI: Yep.

EMILY: So why aren't you there?

LORELAI: I … saw it.

EMILY: When?

LORELAI: When they had a screening-thingie for parents.

EMILY: I didn't realize that people "screened" plays.

LORELAI: Oh, yeah.

EMILY: Why didn't you tell us?

LORELAI: [Clears her throat] About the play?

EMILY: No, Lorelai, about your new shoes. Of course about the play.

LORELAI: Well, we didn't think you guys were fans of "My Fair Lady."

EMILY: Why would that matter?

LORELAI: Because you have to be a fan of the play to want to see it.

EMILY: You said she was doing "Les Miserables."

LORELAI: Oh, well, those two are so similar, you know, and if you aren't a "My Fair Lady" fan, well, you're just not going to like "Les Miserables."

EMILY: [Exasperated] Lorelai, I know that Rory is not in a play.

LORELAI: Yes she is. She's in "My Fair Miserables."

EMILY: [Gets up] Lorelai.

LORELAI: [Gets up and follows] Mom?

EMILY: [Picks the Chilton newsletter off of a table and brandishes it] "This semester, the drama department at Chilton has chosen to study and perform 'Chapter Two,' a bittersweet comedy written by Neil Simon. The two leads for the play will be Becky Masterson and John Heitzman."

LORELAI: [Mutters ] Damn newsletter.

EMILY: Now, would you care to explain where Rory really is?

LORELAI: [Sighs] She's in New York.

EMILY: On Broadway, I assume.

LORELAI: Exactly.

EMILY: What is she doing in New York?

LORELAI: She's on Broadway.

EMILY: Lorelai.

LORELAI: She's taking a little trip, okay?

EMILY: Whom is she staying with?

LORELAI: A friend.

EMILY: Rory has friends in New York?

LORELAI: Rory has friends that formerly lived in New York and still have access to lodging there.

EMILY: Oh. [She turns away and starts walking to the dining room, obviously angry]

LORELAI: Mom?

EMILY: It's that boy!

LORELAI: Now, Mom—

EMILY: You sent her to stay in New York with that—that—hoodlum?

LORELAI: It's a favor to Luke, Mom!

EMILY: Luke.

LORELAI: Luke, the man who's working his butt off at my inn.

EMILY: [Purses her lips. Silence] Let's eat.

[LORELAI sighs and follows her mother into the dining room where they sit in silence, no food at the table]

[Opening credits]

[First commercial break]

[Int. New York. That night. RORY and JESS are climbing off of the bus. They shoulder their bags and start walking]

JESS: So I guess you're an old pro at this now.

RORY: Oh yeah. I mean, I can give the right directions now.

JESS: [Smirks] Right.

RORY: Seriously. I'm getting good at this.

JESS: Maybe you could point me in the direction of the subway then.

RORY: Probably. [She looks around, but there are no telltale signs of a subway] Uh, probably not.

JESS: [Laughs] Come on.

[They walk down the sidewalk in companionable silence for a minute]

RORY: So where's your apartment?

JESS: About thirty blocks east.

RORY: Oh. [Pause] Is your mom expecting us?

JESS: She's the one who forced me up here. [They go into the subway tunnel and RORY clings to JESS, lost] Yeah, an old pro. [Grins]

RORY: Hey, I've only done the subway once.

JESS: Sad but true.

RORY: So your mom's going to be there when we get there?

JESS: Who knows?

RORY: What if she's not?

JESS: I guess we entertain ourselves then.

RORY: You have a key?

JESS: Yeah, I have a key.

RORY: Okay.

JESS: Anything else?

RORY: Nope, that's the checklist.

JESS: Good.

[JESS leads them onto the correct train and he and RORY takes seats]

RORY: I like the subway.

JESS: [Grinning] Oh yeah?

RORY: Yeah. Much better than the bus. I think Stars Hollow should get a subway installed.

JESS: Bring that up with Taylor.

RORY: You just have to get him on the right day.

JESS: Like when hell freezes over.

RORY: [Thinks] Yeah, that'd probably be a good one.

[The train stops and JESS stands up. RORY follows him, confused]

RORY: I thought you said your apartment was thirty blocks away.

JESS: It is.

RORY: That was a short ride.

JESS: We have to switch trains.

RORY: Where's that one going?

JESS: To the wrong place.

RORY: Oh. [They climb on a different train] I think I'll take cabs in the future.

JESS: Lucky you're rich then.

RORY: I'm not rich.

JESS: Please.

RORY: I'm not!

JESS: You and Lorelai may not be, but your grandparents are.

RORY: See? That's not me.

JESS: Well, you're either going to have to be rich or get used to the subway.

RORY: How expensive is a cab?

JESS: How valuable are your limbs?

RORY: They're insured by Lloyds of London.

JESS: Then you might make it a few blocks.

RORY: Maybe I just won't live in New York.

JESS: There's a thought.

RORY: [Looks up at him] Are you?

JESS: Thinking?

RORY: Going to live in New York.

JESS: [Shrugs] Maybe.

RORY: You don't know?

JESS: Nope.

RORY: Oh. [She looks at him from the corner of her eye] You're probably not staying in Stars Hollow after graduation, then.

JESS: [Avoiding the question] Our stop.

[RORY follows him off and, knowing he's avoiding the question, frowns]

[Cut to RORY and JESS in front of an apartment building. It's not elaborate, but not dingy either; just basic middle-class housing. RORY looks a little surprised. They walk inside and get into the elevator]

JESS: What?

RORY: What?

JESS: You look surprised.

RORY: I'm not.

JESS: [Grins] What were you expecting?

RORY: Oh…this.

JESS: You were expecting Requiem for a Dream.

RORY: No.

JESS: Admit it.

RORY: [Uncomfortably] Well, you hate it so much, I just figured…

JESS: It's not the surroundings so much as the other inhabitant.

RORY: [Looks scared] Oh, okay. Good. [Pause] So what floor do you live on?

JESS: Tenth.

RORY: Good suicide possibilities, I guess.

JESS: No really good spiked fences, though.

RORY: I guess you just can't go out in grand Cecelia style.

JESS: A Dumpster just isn't the same.

RORY: Not exactly. [Pause] This conversation got really morbid really fast.

JESS: We're dealing with my mother.

[The doors slide open and JESS and RORY start walking down the hall. They stop in front of J7 and JESS knocks. There's no answer. He knocks again. Still, no answer. RORY looks concerned. JESS digs his key out and lets them in]

JESS: Mom?

[No answer]

RORY: Maybe we should come back later.

JESS: And walk around New York with luggage?

RORY: Well…

JESS: [Laughs] We can't walk around the city like this. Here. [He takes her bag and sets it on the floor]

[RORY looks around the apartment. It's a little cramped and fairly clean. It's obviously seen better days; the carpets are stained and the baseboards are starting to look ratty, but overall, it seems like a nice enough place. JESS walks over to the counter where a note is sitting. He reads it and shakes his head]

RORY: So?

JESS: Figures. She's at work. She says she'll be home late.

RORY: [Surprised] Oh. Um, didn't you say she knew we were coming?

JESS: She knew.

RORY: Oh. Maybe it was an emergency.

JESS: [Chuckles] Lots of emergencies in the paralegal industry.

RORY: Your mom's a paralegal?

JESS: Yeah.

RORY: That's interesting.

JESS: You weren't expecting that either.

RORY: No. The way you and Luke talk about her…

JESS: You don't have to be an alcoholic coke addict to be irritating.

RORY: Right. [She wanders around a little. JESS watches her with interest. RORY lands on the mantelpiece and points to a picture] Is that you?

JESS: Yeah.

RORY: Wow. [She looks closer] How old?

JESS: [Shrugs] I don't know. Seven. Eight.

RORY: Huh.

JESS: [Uncomfortable] So, you wanna do something?

RORY: [Turns to him] Like what?

JESS: Well, no basement concerts.

RORY: Thank God.

JESS: We can find something.

RORY: We're just…going? Without a plan?

JESS: We'll be fine.

RORY: No plan?

JESS: Rory.

RORY: Okay, no plan.

[She picks her purse up off the counter and follows JESS out the door]

[Int. Dragonfly Inn. Friday night, after dinner with EMILY. LORELAI, LUKE, and SOOKIE are standing in the kitchen, looking at the progress. A few countertops have been put in and there are half-finished cabinets all over]

SOOKIE: It looks great.

LORELAI: It does. It's exactly what you wanted.

SOOKIE: This is a dream. My own kitchen.

LORELAI: Clutch your hands to your heart and say it like you mean it.

LUKE: Ron and I can have those cabinets finished by next weekend and then it's just waiting for the stove to come in.

SOOKIE: A new Viking.

LORELAI: And most of my savings.

SOOKIE: Most of mine too.

LUKE: The countertops are coming tomorrow, so we'll try to do those in the morning. [Turns to LORELAI but doesn't make eye contact] I can come in tomorrow morning and then at nine after the diner closes.

LORELAI: [Looking into the distance] That sounds good. I'll be here tomorrow afternoon and I'll see about at night.

LUKE: Sounds good.

[Awkward pause]

LUKE: I'm gonna head back to the diner. Closing time.

LORELAI: Yeah, sure.

[LUKE leaves and LORELAI, forgetting SOOKIE is there, puts her head in her hands and groans]

SOOKIE: So what happened?

LORELAI: Excuse me?

SOOKIE: With you and Luke.

LORELAI: [Defensively] Nothing.

SOOKIE: You two are so weird.

LORELAI: Weird?

SOOKIE: You haven't looked each other in the eye for a week.

LORELAI: That's not true.

SOOKIE: Take that little conversation. Not once did you or Luke look at one another. Something's up.

LORELAI: Nothing's up. Something's down, in fact.

SOOKIE: Lorelai, sweetie, you can tell me.

LORELAI: [Considers] Sookie, it's too embarrassing.

SOOKIE: Embarrassing? Who are you talking to?

LORELAI: Well, I guess that time you flashed the entire inn full of high school kids was pretty bad.

SOOKIE: Exactly. Come on.

LORELAI: [Hesitates and looks around] Luke and I… uh…

SOOKIE: Come on, I'm desperate.

LORELAI: [Mumbles] Wemadeout.

SOOKIE: What? I didn't catch that, honey.

LORELAI: [Takes a deep breath. Whispers] We made out.

SOOKIE: [Gasps] No!

LORELAI: Yes! Yes, okay?

SOOKIE: When? Where? How?

LORELAI: How?

SOOKIE: I don't know! I feel like I should be checking for airborne barnyard animals.

LORELAI: Last Saturday. At the inn.

SOOKIE: Oh my God. You didn't… you know…

LORELAI: No! God, no.

SOOKIE: Just checking. [Silence] This is amazing.

LORELAI: I'll relay that message to Grayer.

SOOKIE: [Winces] Ooh. What are you doing about that?

LORELAI: Nothing.

SOOKIE: Nothing?

LORELAI: This past week has been nothing if not an indicator that this was a one-time deal.

SOOKIE: Don't you think he should know?

LORELAI: No. No. Luke's not breaking up with Lindsay and I have no plans to break up with Grayer so that's it.

SOOKIE: Wow. [She smiles] I won thirty bucks.

LORELAI: What?

SOOKIE: Jackson and I had a bet going.

LORELAI: You bet on me?

SOOKIE: I said you and Luke would kiss before June and Jackson said no way.

LORELAI: You bet on me?

SOOKIE: Sorry, honey, easy money.

LORELAI: Sookie, don't tell anyone.

SOOKIE: [Whines] I wanna win.

LORELAI: I'll pay you thirty bucks not to say anything.

SOOKIE: [Sighs] You don't have to pay me. It's the satisfaction of winning more than anything else.

LORELAI: I hate this. I wish I'd never done it. God, things are so weird now. We can't even touch at all; we can't look at each other; I can't look at Grayer… Sookie, this is so awful.

SOOKIE: [Smiles] I knew it would happen.

LORELAI: Sook, we just kissed. That's it. It'll never go further than that.

SOOKIE: Another idea for another bet.

LORELAI: And hey! No more betting on me.

SOOKIE: I've got the edge, though. I know you. Then again, so does Rory.

LORELAI: Rory's betting on me?

SOOKIE: [Cringes] Shoot.

LORELAI: Oh no. Out with it.

SOOKIE: There might be a pool.

LORELAI: A pool?!

SOOKIE: Just in town.

LORELAI: "Just in town"? You haven't made it to Woodbrigde yet?

SOOKIE: Not yet.

LORELAI: People are betting on me?

SOOKIE: And Luke!

LORELAI: That's unbelievable. My own daughter.

SOOKIE: Well, she does have the inside track.

LORELAI: Rory! I can't believe it. How long has this been going on?

SOOKIE: Well, Rory got in last year. But… I don't know, seven, eight years?

LORELAI: You've been betting on me for seven or eight years?

SOOKIE: [Sheepish] Yeah.

LORELAI: God. I feel like a dog. Or a horse.

SOOKIE: Or a chicken.

[LORELAI glares at her double entendre. SOOKIE just smiles, shrugs, and leaves the kitchen, LORELAI behind her]

[Int. Luke's Diner. Friday night, late. LUKE is cleaning up when someone knocks on the door. He ignores it for a while, but they're persistent. It's LINDSAY]

LUKE: [Opens the door] Sorry.

LINDSAY: That's okay. I know you hate the late-night traffic. I was just coming through on my way back home and…

LUKE: Right, sure. Come on in. You want some coffee?

LINDSAY: Not a coffee drinker.

LUKE: Right, right, sorry. Habit.

LINDSAY: Lorelai.

LUKE: What?

LINDSAY: You're used to asking Lorelai if she wants some coffee.

LUKE: I never ask. There's no point. She always does.

LINDSAY: But you still ask.

LUKE: [Clears his throat] Tea?

LINDSAY: [Smiles at the abrupt topic shift] Sure.

LUKE: So, how was work?

LINDSAY: Well, I'm still on that over-fishing problem in the Northwest.

LUKE: Don't they have their own lawyers out there?

LINDSAY: It takes more lawyers than they have.

LUKE: So, fishing.

LINDSAY: Yep. Over-fishing to be exact.

LUKE: Sounds interesting.

LINDSAY: You know, it is. Some people are just so ignorant. They don't even realize that these animals have rights too. Like the right to have their species remain on the planet.

LUKE: Sure.

LINDSAY: And then there's the dam problem, which everyone is ignoring.

LUKE: I saw something about that on the news.

LINDSAY: [Disregarding his comment] They can't even bother to cite that it's a problem! I mean, these animals are dying because of all the manmade obstacles put in their way for their genetically-programmed migration upstream! No one even takes a second glance at the dead salmon.

LUKE: Here's your tea.

LINDSAY: Right, thanks. Sorry.

LUKE: You've got…passion.

LINDSAY: A little too much sometimes.

LUKE: No, that's… that's good.

LINDSAY: So, how was your day?

LUKE: Oh, fine. Put Jess on the bus to New York. Went to the inn. The usual.

LINDSAY: How's Lorelai?

LUKE: She's…fine.

LINDSAY: You've talked about her a lot less lately.

LUKE: Have I?

LINDSAY: Yeah. I mean, you used to tell so many stories with her in them and now they're all about Taylor.

LUKE: Taylor is equal in annoyance to Lorelai.

LINDSAY: Oh, Luke.

LUKE: What?

LINDSAY: I can't believe I didn't see this.

LUKE: See what?

LINDSAY: This. You and Lorelai.

LUKE: What about Lorelai and me?

LINDSAY: You're in love with her.

LUKE: No. No. Lorelai and I are friends.

LINDSAY: I bet you say that to yourself everyday.

LUKE: Lindsay, really, we're just friends.

LINDSAY: Have you ever dated before?

LUKE: No. As I've said, we're just friends.

LINDSAY: Ah.

LUKE: What was that all about?

LINDSAY: Luke, you and Lorelai are obviously meant to be.

LUKE: Lindsay, no. Lorelai is with Grayer; I'm with you; end of story.

LINDSAY: Neither of you is permanently attached.

LUKE: Why this sudden rant?

LINDSAY: It just occurred to me.

LUKE: Because of the coffee thing?

LINDSAY: Yes and no. Because everything you do, you're so used to including her. When you order a salad, you talk about how you'd have to order vegetable-less soup for Lorelai. Or when it snows, you grumble that Lorelai would be out in it. Or when I come in, you immediately ask me if I want coffee because, secretly, you want Lorelai to be walking in right now and not me.

LUKE: Lindsay, that's not true. None of it.

LINDSAY: It is, though. I can't understand why I didn't see it from the very beginning.

LUKE: Lorelai is a friend. A good friend, an old friend, but just a friend. She and I … we'd never work.

LINDSAY: Why not?

LUKE: She's… Lorelai. I'm me.

LINDSAY: Luke, you're blind or in denial.

LUKE: I'm neither.

LINDSAY: I'd proceed to say "Cleopatra, Queen of D'Nile," but I haven't seen your drag clothes yet, so it seems a bit preemptive.

LUKE: Let's get this straight. You're breaking up with me because you have some crazy idea that I'm in love with Lorelai?

LINDSAY: No. I'm breaking up with you because I can see that you like me, Luke, but you love Lorelai.

LUKE: And you gathered this from the fact that I tell platonic, friendly stories about her?

LINDSAY: Platonic, friendly stories grounded in love.

LUKE: This is nuts.

LINDSAY: No, Luke, you're nuts. You and Lorelai both are. ["You and I Both," by Jason Mraz starts playing. She stands up and walks behind the counter to stand next to LUKE] I'm sorry this didn't work.

LUKE: I… I am too.

[LINDSAY kisses his cheek and smiles sadly]

LINDSAY: Goodnight, Luke Danes.

LUKE: Bye.

[LINDSAY gathers her purse and leaves, just like RACHEL so long ago. LUKE leans against the counter and exhales to the tune of Jason Mraz]

[Second commercial break]

[Int. New York. RORY and JESS are walking down the street, hand-in-hand]

RORY: …and she ended up assigning me to proofread all the articles.

JESS: Huh.

RORY: I mean, so she's got a boyfriend. All of a sudden, I'm the editor without the title.

JESS: That's tough. [He kisses her cheek]

RORY: [Smiles] But at least she's happy. It's so much better than grumpy, scary Paris.

JESS: I can't imagine an ideal Paris.

RORY: I didn't say ideal. I said better.

JESS: Beat-hater.

RORY: We should stone her.

JESS: You know, that's not an entirely bad idea. Can we stone Taylor too?

RORY: Sure.

JESS: I'm shocked at you, Miss Gilmore. What would the society set think?

RORY: Quit with that.

[They turn the corner and JESS stops]

RORY: What?

JESS: Nothing.

RORY: Um, why are we stopped?

JESS: No reason. Let's go.

BOY: [Calling to them] Jess!

RORY: Who's that?

JESS: [Sighs] Old friend.

RORY: Your friends? Why don't we go see them?

JESS: Rory, I don't—

BOY: You hiding or what, Mariano?

JESS: [Mutters] Great. [Calls] Hold it, Chuck.

RORY: [Giggly] You have a friend named Chuck?

JESS: [Impatient] Yes. Look, Rory, these aren't really your kind of people.

RORY: Jess, quit with this rich-girl mantra!

JESS: No, not that. They're just—

GIRL: [Calling to them] Hey, Jess, come on!

JESS: This is it. Last call.

RORY: For what?

JESS: To run.

RORY: I want to meet your friends.

JESS: Fine.

[They make their way over. RORY holds JESS' hand lightly, smiling a bit nervously]

JESS: Hey guys.

GROUP: [Collectively] Hey.

CHUCK: What are you doing back in New York?

JESS: Just…visiting.

CHUCK: Aw, visiting Mommy. How sweet.

GIRL: You bring us a souvenir?

JESS: [Glances to RORY] This is Rory.

RORY: [Sweetly] Hi.

[The people in the group just kind of look at each other, not knowing quite what to make of JESS with this obviously sweet girl]

JESS: Rory, this is Chuck, Cassie, Alden, and Adrienne.

ADRIENNE: A.J.

JESS: A.J., I guess.

RORY: Nice to meet you.

[CHUCK makes eye contact with JESS and shoots him a strange look. JESS looks away]

CHUCK: Hey, Jess, man, come order.

JESS: What?

CHUCK: Food. Come on.

JESS: [To RORY] What do you want?

RORY: I'll have whatever you do.

[JESS and CHUCK walk away. The rest of the group stares at RORY. They are all sitting on a picnic table, but RORY stands awkwardly in front of them, her arms jutting out at weird angles as she tries not to fidget]

CASSIE: So you're from Stars Hollow.

RORY: Yeah.

CASSIE: Piss-ant town.

RORY: It's not that bad.

CASSIE: [Laughs cynically] You've probably never been out of it.

RORY: I have. I'm out of it now.

CASSIE: So, how's the big city?

RORY: It's nice.

[CASSIE, A.J. and ALDEN laugh]

CASSIE: You've obviously never been out of Mayberry.

RORY: Stars Hollow.

CASSIE: Whatever. [She takes out a cigarette and lights it, inhaling and puffing smoke. RORY crinkles her nose] Let me guess, not a smoker.

RORY: No.

[CASSIE offers her pack to A.J. and ALDEN, who both take one and light them. None make the effort to blow away from RORY]

CASSIE: Drink?

RORY: Alcohol?

CASSIE: Duh.

RORY: No.

CASSIE: Drug habits?

RORY: Um, caffeine.

CASSIE: Driving citations?

RORY: No.

CASSIE: [To A.J.] She could be Miss America. [To RORY. Bitterly] You rich?

RORY: No. I'm not rich.

CASSIE: Yeah right. Daddy's a corporate lawyer?

RORY: No.

CASSIE: Doctor? CEO?

RORY: In Stars Hollow?

CASSIE: [To A.J.] I can't believe this.

A.J.: I know.

RORY: What?

CASSIE: [Looks her up and down] Nothing.

[CASSIE, A.J. and ALDEN puff away while RORY stands uncomfortably, waiting for JESS to get back]

[Cut to JESS and CHUCK at the counter, waiting for food]

CHUCK: So what's the deal?

JESS: What deal?

CHUCK: The girl.

JESS: [Shrugs] Nothing.

CHUCK: Come on.

JESS: There's no deal. It's a girl. I'm pretty sure you've seen one before.

CHUCK: In Technicolor detail.

JESS: There you go.

CHUCK: But she's so… [He searches for a word] sweet.

JESS: What's wrong with that?

CHUCK: Nothing. If that's what you want.

JESS: Okay.

[Pause]

CHUCK: So, she put out?

JESS: What?

CHUCK: Come on. There has to be a reason.

JESS: [Disgusted] That's not it.

CHUCK: Then what is it?

JESS: I like her, okay? Something wrong with that?

CHUCK: [Raises his eyebrows] No. Not at all. I just never saw you like this.

JESS: Like what?

CHUCK: Whipped.

JESS: [Rolls his eyes] Whipped?

CHUCK: You take her to New York, you order her food for her, you probably throw your coat over puddles.

JESS: Man, you have no idea what you're talking about.

CHUCK: If you say so.

JESS: And I do.

CHUCK: Fine.

[Cut to RORY standing by JESS' group of friends, looking miserable. She's studying the ground while the idle chatter circulates around her]

CASSIE: And I mean, God, she didn't even use a condom.

A.J.: Isn't she on the Pill?

CASSIE: Not anymore. Can't get the money.

A.J.: Jesus, you think she's knocked up?

CASSIE: Who knows.

ALDEN: She's such a slut.

CASSIE: [Leers] And Alden would know.

ALDEN: That was a mistake, all right?

A.J.: Uh-huh.

ALDEN: Hey, she's hot.

CASSIE: And you're a guy.

ALDEN: Exactly.

A.J.: Didn't Jess sleep with her for a while too?

[RORY'S head jerks up. The other three are oblivious]

CASSIE: Once or twice, probably.

ALDEN: He got bored.

A.J.: Easy to do with her.

CASSIE: I'm bored just talking about her.

A.J.: I heard Mitch is looking.

CASSIE: Mitch?

A.J.: Yeah, Bri left him.

CASSIE: Hmm.

ALDEN: Poor guy. You're such a stalker.

CASSIE: I'm not a stalker.

A.J.: There are a lot of coincidences in this city.

CASSIE: Exactly.

["I Love Rock and Roll," by Joan Jett plays. JESS and CHUCK appear with the food. JESS hands RORY a box containing a burger and sits. RORY, uncertain, wavers for a minute until JESS looks back at her. She sits next to him, on the edge of the picnic table and picks at her burger]

[Int. Al's Pancake World. Late Friday night. LORELAI and GRAYER are seated across from each other, in front of a gigantic banner that reads "Pancakes 'til Midnight"]

GRAYER: You feeling all right?

LORELAI: Fine. Why?

GRAYER: You're picking at your food. Does it taste okay?

LORELAI: It's fine. I guess I'm just not very hungry. You know, dinner with the parental unit.

GRAYER: At least it'll make good leftovers.

LORELAI: Leftovers. Mmm.

GRAYER: There are few things in life better than just popping the Styrofoam in the microwave and voila, a meal.

LORELAI: Exactly. Or there's pizza, which is good even without all the microwave effort.

GRAYER: You know you've sunk down low when you think heating food in the microwave takes effort.

LORELAI: Hey, I'm a busy woman. I don't have time for trivial things.

GRAYER: Like dates?

LORELAI: [Caught off-guard] What?

GRAYER: Trivial things like dates?

LORELAI: Grayer… what?

GRAYER: [Hurt] You don't remember?

LORELAI: Remember what?

GRAYER: Our date… last Saturday…

LORELAI: Oh, Grayer. I'm so sorry. I was fixing the inn and I forgot. I'm so sorry.

GRAYER: No, forget it. It's fine.

LORELAI: I'm horrible.

GRAYER: Well, it is your second one. [Smiles] Three strikes and you're out.

LORELAI: I can't believe my mom set me up with you.

GRAYER: Why?

LORELAI: You're so nice.

GRAYER: Trying to butter me up? 'Cause you're still Maria's stand-in.

LORELAI: [Smiles] Lucky me.

GRAYER: So, how's Luke?

LORELAI: [Guiltily] He's fine.

GRAYER: Good. We need a healthy construction crew.

LORELAI: Absolutely.

GRAYER: How's Rory?

LORELAI: She went to New York with Jess.

GRAYER: You let her?

LORELAI: It's a favor to Luke.

GRAYER: Oh, I see.

LORELAI: Yeah.

GRAYER: She having fun?

LORELAI: I haven't talked to her. She left a message about getting in okay and after that, nada.

GRAYER: I hope she's having a good time.

LORELAI: Not too good a time.

GRAYER: Not that good.

LORELAI: Otherwise I'd have to kill Luke.

GRAYER: And then where would the construction project be?

[Silence ensues after the mention of LUKE]

LORELAI: You know, this is the first time I've had pancakes at Al's.

GRAYER: I won't even ask why it's called Al's Pancake World.

LORELAI: Some think it's a euphemism.

GRAYER: [Pretending to be shocked] No.

LORELAI: Oh yes.

GRAYER: Suddenly, these pancakes aren't looking so tasty.

[Int. New York. RORY and JESS are walking back to his apartment. RORY'S arms are crossed across her chest and she looks mad]

JESS: You mad about something?

RORY: [Coldly] Why would I be?

JESS: That was what I was trying to figure out. I mean, you're the one who wanted to meet my friends. I tried to warn you.

RORY: All you said was that they were "not my kind of people."

JESS: And I was right.

RORY: You could have said something about the smoking or the cussing or the—the vulgarity.

JESS: Look, you wanted to meet my friends. You met them. Happy?

RORY: Ecstatic. What gave me away?

JESS: [Sighs] Look, as usual, I'm sorry, all right? I tried to warn you, though.

RORY: Whatever.

[They reach the apartment building and walk inside, silently getting into the elevator]

JESS: It wasn't that bad.

RORY: Maybe that's because you weren't harassed.

JESS: Oh, jeez, you weren't "harassed."

RORY: No?

JESS: No.

RORY: You and Chuck were gone for a long time.

JESS: [Mildly concerned] What happened?

RORY: [Turns away] Nothing.

JESS: Great. You complain about being "harassed" and then you won't tell me what happened.

RORY: Look, your friends are just rude, that's all, okay?

JESS: Fine, okay.

RORY: I don't deserve to be treated like an idiot just because I live in a small town.

JESS: Anyone you run into in New York is going to tease you about Stars Hollow. Come on, Rory, face it, that town is living proof that small-town America should cease to exist.

RORY: You've been doing fine there.

JESS: Yeah, real fine.

RORY: Wait, so now you hate Stars Hollow again? You're with your friends for an hour and you're back to hating it?

JESS: I never liked it.

RORY: What's wrong with Stars Hollow?

JESS: Rory, jeez.

RORY: "Jeez" what? There is nothing wrong with Stars Hollow.

JESS: Rory, it's the smallest town on the face of the planet. You know there's something wrong with a town when the police officer takes a head count to see if there was a murder.

RORY: Fine, hate it. I don't care.

JESS: Good.

RORY: [Pause] Why would you hate it? You've got Luke there. Luke's really good to you.

JESS: Look, Rory, can we not get into this right now?

RORY: [Sadly, looking at him] You hate it even though I'm there?

JESS: Rory, stop.

[The elevator opens and they step into the hallway. They walk up to his apartment and inside in silence. JESS goes to the back, where LIZ is sound asleep in bed. He rolls his eyes and walks back to RORY, standing in the living room]

JESS: The bed's down the hall, right there. [He points to his room]

RORY: Where are you sleeping?

JESS: In the bed.

RORY: I'll take the couch, thanks.

JESS: Jesus.

RORY: Where's the bathroom?

JESS: Right there. [He points]

RORY: Great.

[She opens her bag and digs out a smaller toiletries bag and her pajamas, then disappears into the bathroom. JESS sits on the couch and sighs, putting his head in his hands. After a minute, he gets up and knocks on the bathroom door]

RORY: What?

JESS: Can I come in?

RORY: Your apartment.

[JESS steps inside. RORY is in her pajamas and is squirting toothpaste on her toothbrush]

JESS: Can we not fight right now?

RORY: [Through the foaming toothpaste] Your choice.

JESS: I said I'm sorry and I am. I forgot that you don't get a lot of exposure, okay?

RORY: [Mumbled through the toothpaste] Fine.

JESS: I didn't bring you here to freak you out or make you mad.

RORY: [Mumbled through the toothpaste] Okay.

JESS: So if you could stop being pissed off, that'd be good.

[RORY spits the toothpaste into the sink and rinses her brush off. JESS hands her a clean plastic cup from a cabinet and RORY rinses her mouth out]

RORY: I might have overreacted a little.

JESS: I'm sensing a pattern here.

RORY: But I still think you should have told me exactly what I was getting into.

JESS: Okay.

[RORY stands up on her toes to kiss him. JESS wraps him arms around her waist, drawing her close and RORY puts her arms around his neck. The kiss soon gets heated and RORY backs away, scared]

RORY: I must seem really silly and naïve to you.

JESS: [Confused] Huh?

RORY: Cassie and A.J., they're…

JESS: …sluts?

RORY: Experienced.

JESS: Oh, no, not another fight.

RORY: [Bites her lip] No. Not another fight.

JESS: Thank God.

[Pause]

RORY: I'm going to bed.

JESS: Right across the hall. I'll be there in a minute.

RORY: Okay.

[They kiss one more time, but RORY breaks away before it can go anywhere. JESS sighs after she leaves and leans his hands on either side of the sink]

[Third commercial break]

[Int. New York. Early Saturday morning. RORY wakes up next to JESS, who is still sleeping. She looks at him for a while, the carefully rolls out of bed, trying not to disturb him. She grabs her cell phone from her bag and tiptoes into the bathroom, where she sits on the closed toilet lid and dials]

RORY: [On phone] Hi, Mrs. Kim, may I please speak to Lane? [Pause] Five minutes is fine, Mrs. Kim, thank you. [Pause]

LANE: [On phone. Cut between RORY and LANE] Hello?

RORY: Lane?

LANE: Oh my God, Rory.

RORY: You're talking on the phone again?

LANE: Isn't it amazing? It's been a month since I've heard other people.

RORY: Really?

LANE: Really. And if being cooped up in the Kim house sounds fun, I dare you to listen to Yanni.

RORY: Yikes.

LANE: News! I need news from the outside, I'm begging you.

RORY: Well… I'm in New York right now.

LANE: With Lorelai?

RORY: Jess.

LANE: [Shocked] Really?

RORY: He's visiting his mom and my mom let me come.

LANE: I can't believe it.

RORY: I know.

LANE: Did you…

RORY: No! No.

LANE: Just asking! Last time I checked, you two were—

RORY: Lane, ew, no.

LANE: Sorry, sorry.

RORY: I met his friends.

LANE: Were they cool?

RORY: It kind of depends on your definition of cool.

LANE: *Nsync or Jason Mraz?

RORY: Neither.

LANE: Bob Dylan or Tom Waits?

RORY: Mmm, still neither.

LANE: Joan Jett or Heart?

RORY: I guess Joan Jett.

LANE: Really?

RORY: They're… interesting. Experienced. They hated me.

LANE: No one can hate you, Rory.

RORY: Paris.

LANE: Even she ended up liking you.

RORY: Well, these people won't. I just felt so stupid, you know?

LANE: About what?

RORY: You know, I think it's a really big deal to ask my mom about the Pill—

LANE: You asked about—about the thing?

RORY: Yeah. And I thought it was some huge step forward and I told Jess about it like no one else had ever done such a thing and I thought, for some reason, that he'd be impressed, but these people, Lane, I mean, I don't think it's anything to mention. Jess is used to people who just talk about this sort of thing in casual conversation, not like it's earth-stopping.

LANE: So what? You're not them.

RORY: What if he wants them?

LANE: He's with you, isn't he?

RORY: What if I'm just a placeholder?

LANE: Rory, come on.

RORY: Yeah, I know. [Pause] So, how's Clyde?

LANE: Well, he's managed to get a few letters through security. I don' t know how he does it so I can't write back, but the band's good. They had to find a different drummer, though.

RORY: I'm so sorry, Lane.

LANE: Yeah. But I don't blame them. Who knows when I'll be out?

RORY: Your mom didn't give the school any sort of idea?

LANE: She told them that I have a "grave medical problem" and to send my work to the house.

RORY: Oh.

LANE: So, basically, never.

RORY: At least you've got the phone.

LANE: Not anymore. My five minutes are up.

RORY: Okay. Bye.

LANE: Bye.

[Both girls hang up. RORY sighs, gets up, and goes back into JESS' room, where he is still sound asleep. She crawls in bed again and shuts her eyes. Moments later, LIZ opens the door. She is a short, thirtysomething woman with dark hair and hazel eyes. She's wearing a pair of jeans that look old and a big wooly sweater]

LIZ: Hey, time to get up.

[JESS groans and rolls closer to RORY, who blushes and sits up. LIZ smiles at her and RORY smiles shyly back]

JESS: What time is it?

LIZ: It's seven!

JESS: It's Saturday.

LIZ: I thought Rory might like to do some sightseeing with us.

JESS: Mom, Rory doesn't want to go sightseeing.

LIZ: [To RORY] Do you want to go sightseeing?

RORY: Um… [She looks uncertainly towards JESS, who is trying to sit up and rub his eyes] Well…

LIZ: Of course you do.

JESS: Oh, great, just decide for her.

LIZ: Just because you're lazy doesn't mean Rory should miss out on New York sights.

JESS: Oh, Jesus, she lives two hours away. She can see it anytime she wants.

LIZ: Maybe she wants to see it now.

JESS: Maybe she doesn't. Have you considered asking her?

LIZ: I did.

JESS: And answered for her.

LIZ: Rory, honey, do you want to go sightseeing?

RORY: [Her eyes dart back and forth between JESS and LIZ. JESS is looking at her intensely now. It's like choosing between the people, not the options] I don't care. I'll do whatever you guys agree on.

LIZ: Oh, honey, we're never going to agree on anything. You might as well decide.

RORY: [Hedging the question] I should get dressed.

[She takes her bag and practically runs out of the room]

JESS: Nice job.

LIZ: And you helped a lot. [She walks over and throws the covers off of him]

JESS: Christ. [He gets up and looks around for his pants]

LIZ: Don't you want to show Rory a good time?

JESS: Not everyone's idea of a good time is looking at cheesy tourist crap.

LIZ: [While making JESS' bed] I don't think the Statue of Liberty qualifies as "cheesy tourist crap."

JESS: More or less.

LIZ: Just because you want to sleep in doesn't mean that other people want to.

JESS: Thanks for the lesson.

LIZ: Don't you even care, Jess? This is your girlfriend. Don't you want her to have a good time in New York?

JESS: Of course I do.

LIZ: Well, perhaps you should think of someone but yourself for once in your life.

JESS: That's rich, coming from you.

LIZ: [Stops making the bed and straightens up] Excuse me?

JESS: You ran out on Luke and your dad. Everybody knows you don't "work late"; you go out drinking and whor—

LIZ: Stop right there! No one gave you the right to give me a moral lesson.

JESS: At least I don't get drunk every night and lie about it.

LIZ: You're full of bullshit.

JESS: And the real Liz shows herself.

LIZ: I work hard, Jess! I work hard to keep us in this apartment and to buy you clothes and send you to school and—

JESS: Not anymore! Luke does all that now. You don't have to live here anymore. You can live wherever the hell you want.

LIZ: I worked overtime, I worked weekends, I worked whenever I could so that you could sit around this apartment and—

JESS: And my job meant nothing? I didn't ask you for anything.

LIZ: Except maybe a home, you think?

JESS: Didn't matter, though, you shipped me off anyway.

LIZ: You were causing trouble!

JESS: That's such bull. I got a ticket for vandalizing once. You were just sick of me.

LIZ: [Explosively] Yeah, that's right, Jess! You're such a smart-ass. I was sick of working to support you.

JESS: So you just thought you'd let Luke do it.

LIZ: Luke—

JESS: It's not my fault I was born! Maybe you should have thought ahead before sleeping with the first random guy you ran into in New York.

LIZ: Shut up.

JESS: I didn't ask to be born. But I'm here now and I'm your problem.

LIZ: Not anymore.

JESS: [Grabs his coat] Got that right.

LIZ: Where are you going?

JESS: Out!

[He leaves the room. A moment later, there's a slam. LIZ sits on the bed and sighs. RORY walks uncertainly across the hall and knocks lightly on the door]

LIZ: Come in.

RORY: Hi.

LIZ: Hi. [She pats the bed] You can sit if you want.

RORY: [Sits] Thanks.

LIZ: I'm sorry about this scene.

RORY: That's okay.

LIZ: [Takes a deep breath and smiles] So you're Rory.

RORY: Yes. [She extends her hand] It's nice to meet you.

LIZ: [Looks surprised and shakes RORY'S hand] Same here.

RORY: [Awkwardly] This is a nice apartment.

LIZ: It's okay. [Pause] How do you deal with him?

RORY: Jess?

LIZ: Yeah.

RORY: He's nice to me.

LIZ: That'd be a first.

RORY: He doesn't… yell.

LIZ: [Chortles] You're a lucky girl. No really, tell me. You're a sweetie. How did it happen?

RORY: Jess and I… share the same interests. He reads a lot.

LIZ: Tell me about it.

RORY: Well, I read too and we talk. About books. And music.

LIZ: [Awed] He talks to you.

RORY: About books and music.

LIZ: What about me?

RORY: [Looks down] He doesn't mention New York a lot.

LIZ: I see.

RORY: At all.

LIZ: I'm not surprised.

RORY: [Relaxing. It's easier to talk to LIZ than to LORELAI about JESS] He doesn't talk about himself a lot. He clams up.

LIZ: I know. That's just what he does.

RORY: I've never seen him like this.

LIZ: It's a special mode he goes into when he's around me.

RORY: Look, if this is going badly, I can just take the bus home.

LIZ: It's okay. Jess has a habit of running out. Just like his dad.

RORY: [Pause] Yeah, he does.

LIZ: [Sighs] Maybe with you here, he'll actually come back, though.

RORY: Oh.

[Silence]

LIZ: So, I haven't heard much about you.

RORY: What do you want to know?

LIZ: [Thinks] Well, I don't know. I've never met one of Jess' girlfriends before.

RORY: Oh.

LIZ: Do you like Stars Hollow?

RORY: Yeah. But it's the only place I've ever lived.

LIZ: I couldn't wait to get out of there.

RORY: I don't want to leave.

LIZ: [Smiles] You might be my polar opposite.

RORY: It's my mom, mostly.

LIZ: You like her?

RORY: [Honestly] She's my best friend.

LIZ: Wow.

RORY: She's amazing.

LIZ: I've never heard a kid say that about their mom before.

RORY: They didn't have Lorelai as a mother.

LIZ: Lorelai.

RORY: I'm named after her.

LIZ: [Smiles. Pause] Do you like school?

RORY: Yeah.

LIZ: Jess hates it.

RORY: I know. I go to Chilton, though, not Stars Hollow.

LIZ: A private school?

RORY: Yeah. It's in Hartford.

LIZ: So you're smart.

RORY: [Uncomfortable] Well…

LIZ: [Laughs] That's okay, you don't have to answer that. [Pause] I just don't know why someone like you would be with… Jess.

RORY: [Pause] I can't explain it.

LIZ: Fair enough. How about some breakfast?

RORY: Oh, well… sure. Sure.

[She and LIZ get up and leave JESS' bedroom]

[Int. New York apartment. Late afternoon. RORY is on the couch watching TV when JESS comes in]

JESS: [Hanging his coat up] Hey.

RORY: [Shuts the TV off] Hey.

JESS: What were you watching?

RORY: [Stands up] Why did you do that?

JESS: Hang my coat up?

RORY: Don't play stupid.

JESS: Rory, I hate this apartment, I hate my mother—

RORY: So your excuse is to just leave? Just storm out? Don't even try to patch things up?

JESS: Oh, God.

RORY: What? What's so bad about that idea?

JESS: You talked with Liz.

RORY: So?

JESS: She gave you the speech about me being like Jimmy, running out all the time.

RORY: Who's Jimmy?

JESS: My dad.

RORY: Oh.

JESS: Well, that's what happened, isn't it?

RORY: No.

JESS: Right.

RORY: No, Jess, that's not what happened. What happened is that you ran out and left me here.

JESS: [Sincerely] Sorry.

RORY: You could have just told your mother that we could go sightseeing later.

JESS: I didn't want to sightsee at all and trust me, neither do you.

RORY: That's not the point. The point is that sometimes you just have to appease people.

JESS: Rory, this isn't about you. Just stay out of it.

RORY: I'm not allowed to care?

JESS: You're not allowed to get in the middle of it. This is between Liz and me.

RORY: I'm trying to help.

JESS: Well, Rory, just stop trying for once.

RORY: So you like things the way they are?

JESS: Look, it's not going to matter. I'll live in Stars Hollow until I graduate and then I'll be on my own.

RORY: She's your mother, Jess.

JESS: [Yelling] And what a great mother! You have no idea, Rory. You live in your little storybook world and you think that everything can be solved if people just sit and talk it out, have a little coffee, but that's stupid and naïve and the world doesn't work like that. Just stay out of it, okay?!

[Silence]

RORY: [Teary] Ouch.

JESS: [Sighs] Look, I'm just saying, you don't know what you're talking about. You talked to my mom for what, an hour? She was on her best behavior. You have no idea.

RORY: So what, now I'm stupid too?

JESS: No, Rory. No.

RORY: Look, your mom is not entirely without a point.

JESS: Is that so.

RORY: You do tend to walk out a lot.

JESS: What?

RORY: At that first dinner in Stars Hollow, you just ditched it. You totaled my car and ran. [Sighs] I'm sick of waiting when you'll leave again.

JESS: Likewise.

RORY: Pardon me?

JESS: Likewise.

RORY: What does that mean?

JESS: It means I keep wondering the same thing.

RORY: That's crap. I'm more involved in this relationship than you are.

JESS: No you're not. You're just waiting for something better so you can cheat on me and go off to Yale with some pretty rich boy on your arm.

RORY: You're just waiting for me to sleep with you! Once you get that, there's nothing left, now is there?

JESS: Oh, that's—

RORY: True? I get it now, Jess. You think I'm some dumb hick. You keep comparing me to these girls you knew in New York, Cassie and A.J. and probably plenty more and that's stupid, because I'm not them. I don't just sleep with people because I feel like it. You'll probably just get bored with me. Sounds like you're known for it.

[Before JESS can answer, RORY grabs her coat and marches out of the apartment]

[Fourth commercial break]

[Int. Dragonfly Inn. Saturday night. LUKE and LORELAI are shoving cabinets around the kitchen, silently. Finally, LORELAI breaks the quiet

LORELAI: So, how's Lindsay?

LUKE: Fine, I guess.

LORELAI: You guess? Shouldn't you be keeping tabs on this sort of thing?

LUKE: She broke up with me.

LORELAI: Oh, Luke. I'm so sorry. What happened?

LUKE: It's a long story.

LORELAI: [Straightens and gestures around the room] We haven't got much but time.

LUKE: She… there was someone else.

LORELAI: Oh, sorry. That's a bad feeling, Luke.

LUKE: Yeah.

LORELAI: You doing okay?

LUKE: Fine. So, you hear from Rory?

LORELAI: Well… no. She called me when they got in and said she'd try to call again later.

LUKE: Well, that's something.

LORELAI: Yeah, I guess.

LUKE: Thanks for letting her go. I'm sure Jess… and Liz appreciate it.

LORELAI: Yeah, well, I loan Rory out for occasions like this. I'm going to start charging.

LUKE: So you're going to start an escort service.

LORELAI: [Grins and leers] Dirty connotation and all.

[The two realize that they've gotten closer as they talk and are now standing a very short distance apart. LORELAI'S grin fades as she and LUKE look at each other. LORELAI slowly brings her hand up to rest of LUKE'S cheek. He bends slightly and kisses her]

LORELAI: We shouldn't be doing this.

LUKE: No.

[They kiss again. LORELAI wraps her arms around LUKE'S neck and he draws her close by the waist. The kiss gets kicked up to NC-17 and LORELAI and LUKE stumble around the kitchen, kissing madly. LORELAI'S hand slips down to LUKE'S butt and she grins into the kiss]

LUKE: Good?

LORELAI: Very good.

[The kissing resumes. LUKE backs LORELAI against the wall and grabs her hands, pinning them to the wall. They press tightly together and LORELAI moans

LORELAI: Luke…

LUKE: We need to stop.

LORELAI: Immediately.

[LORELAI leans in and kisses him again, taking her hands out from his and starting to unbutton his flannel shirt. LUKE yanks her close by the hips and they start moving again as LORELAI throws LUKE'S flannel off, revealing a plain white T-shirt]

LORELAI: So that's what you wear under these things.

LUKE: What did you expect?

LORELAI: Mmm, lingerie.

LUKE: Sorry to disappoint.

LORELAI: [Serious] Never.

[They kiss again, but it's slower, a little more affectionate than passionate. LUKE turns so that LORELAI faces the counter, lifts her, and puts her on it as they continue to kiss. LORELAI reaches for the hem of LUKE'S shirt and is about to pull it off when there's a cry of surprise. The two fly apart and LUKE whisks his flannel off the floor]

LORELAI: Grayer! What—what are you doing here?

GRAYER: [Drawing his hand away from his eyes] I, uh, I was just dropping the muffins off.

LORELAI: Muffins?

GRAYER: I got muffins for the crew for tomorrow. [He holds out a gigantic bakery box]

LORELAI: I—oh. Oh. Thank you. [She grabs it and sets it on the counter where she was previously sitting] Let's… talk.

GRAYER: Good idea.

[GRAYER walks out. LORELAI follows him, looking over her shoulder at LUKE, who looks back at her, holding his flannel shirt in his hands]

[Cut to LORELAI and GRAYER outside]

LORELAI: Grayer, I—

GRAYER: Look, Lorelai, I think I know what you're going to say. You're sorry?

LORELAI: I am.

GRAYER: I know.

LORELAI: I never meant to hurt you. I never thought that things would end up like this between Luke and me.

GRAYER: You know, I did. I'm the stupid one. I should have known that you and Luke would get together.

LORELAI: We're not "together."

GRAYER: I got a somewhat different impression.

LORELAI: Grayer, I honestly didn't mean for this to happen.

GRAYER: I know, Lorelai. [Pause] When did it occur to you?

LORELAI: What?

GRAYER: That Luke was more than a friend? [LORELAI is silent] I knew it. It was a long time ago.

LORELAI: I—

GRAYER: Don't apologize. I just wish you'd been brave enough to just tell me. We would have avoided a lot of hurt.

LORELAI: I wish I had.

GRAYER: So… enjoy those muffins.

LORELAI: Thanks.

GRAYER: And I'm keeping my promise. I'm still here for Rory, even if we're not "us."

LORELAI: Grayer, you…

GRAYER: She has my number. Bye, Lorelai.

LORELAI: Goodbye, Grayer.

[GRAYER climbs into his car and drives away. LORELAI stands out in the cold and watches him. LUKE comes out after a minute and stands next to LORELAI. They look at each other uncertainly]

[Int. New York apartment. JESS is sitting on the couch, staring into space when LIZ comes home]

LIZ: Hey.

JESS: Hey.

LIZ: Where's Rory?

JESS: She left.

LIZ: She went home?

JESS: I don't think so. A walk, maybe.

LIZ: You don't know where she is?

JESS: We had a fight thanks to you and she left.

LIZ: It's not my fault you two had a fight.

JESS: You gave her the Jimmy spiel.

LIZ: I didn't give her a spiel.

JESS: Yeah, sure.

LIZ: Stop blaming your problems on other people, Jess. You had a fight with her and pissed her off and she left.

JESS: And I'm the one that runs?

LIZ: Jess, Jesus. It's obvious that this girl really likes you. She's nice and smart and pretty and what do you do? You treat her like total crap.

JESS: Why the hell does everyone say that?! I do not treat Rory like crap.

LIZ: Right, because most girlfriends run out of an apartment into an unfamiliar city because their boyfriend's being too nice.

JESS: I'm so glad you're here.

LIZ: Likewise.

JESS: I'm gonna go find her.

LIZ: What a novel idea.

[JESS glares at his mother and gets up off the couch, grabs his coat, and leaves]

[Cut to New York street. JESS is walking a few blocks away from his apartment, hoping to find RORY. He goes toward where his friends were last night and catches a glimpse of a brunette sitting off the to side. He peers at her and decides that's RORY. Reluctantly, he walks toward her]

[As he gets closer, JESS can hear the buzz of conversation. He hears laughing from the shadows and the clink of glass bottles, most likely containing beer. In the dark, RORY is hard to distinguish, but he can see her at the edge, waving smoke away. JESS steps closer, trying to hear]

CHUCK: …with him.

RORY: Um…

CHUCK: Because, between you and me, I'm better.

RORY: Right. I'll keep that in mind.

CHUCK: You do that. Just come up here anytime, I'll show you a thing or two Jess can't.

RORY: Got it.

CHUCK: [Takes a swig of beer] Jess'll get bored anyway.

RORY: [Stiffens] Oh?

CHUCK: Bored easily, man. Sleeps with a girl a couple times and moves on.

RORY: I see.

CHUCK: Just ask Cassie.

RORY: Another time.

[JESS, fed up, emerges from the shadows and stands in front of RORY and CHUCK]

JESS: Ready to go back?

RORY: [Trying to be nonchalant] Sure.

JESS: Okay.

CHUCK: Hey, Jess.

JESS: [Coldly[ Chuck.

CHUCK: I was just giving Rory here a couple of pointers.

JESS: Yeah, I heard.

CHUCK: Helpful, don't you agree?

JESS: Helpful as sand in a desert.

[CHUCK takes the pot offered to him by A.J. and inhales deeply]

JESS: Later.

[He takes RORY'S arm and steers her away. As soon as they're out of sight, RORY jerks her arm back and folds both across her chest]

JESS: What the hell were you doing with them?

RORY: They're the only other people I know in New York. [Coldly] And I was just looking for my next prospect.

JESS: Ah, jeez.

RORY: Hey, your words.

JESS: Rory, I'm sorry about that, okay?

RORY: Whatever.

JESS: You okay?

RORY: [Stiffly] I'm fine.

JESS: None of what he said is true. He's high and drunk.

RORY: That's when the truth comes out.

JESS: No, that's when people get stupid and start exaggerating.

RORY: Cassie and A.J. said the same thing.

JESS: What same thing?

RORY: That you sleep with a girl a couple of times and get bored.

JESS: Jesus Christ.

RORY: I knew it. You'll sleep with me and get bored and see another Nina and just up and split.

JESS: That's not true, okay? You're… different.

RORY: Sure.

JESS: [Takes RORY'S arm to make her stop walking and face him] You are.

RORY: Right, Jess.

JESS: What do you want from me?

RORY: I want to trust you.

JESS: That's more your problem than mine.

RORY: I just keep waiting for Nina Number Two to come walking along. You'd forget about me in four seconds flat.

JESS: Rory, can we just forget that the whole fight in the apartment happened? This weekend is hard for me, okay? That's why I asked you to come along in the first place. You told me that you wanted me to open up and I am.

RORY: This is you opening?

JESS: That's exactly what this is.

RORY: You didn't mean it?

JESS: The stuff in the apartment?

RORY: Yeah.

JESS: No, Rory. I was upset.

RORY: You must think I'm so stupid.

JESS: No. Naïve, yes. Stupid, never, [Pause] I'm not comparing you.

RORY: [Pause] Okay.

JESS: I don't want Cassie or A.J.

RORY: Sure?

JESS: Yep.

RORY: Okay. [They start walking again. RORY sighs] I can't wait to get home.

JESS: [Pause] Home. Yeah.

[The camera follows RORY and JESS from behind as they walk down the street until they are very small in the distance]

[Cut to LUKE and LORELAI on the lawn of the Dragonfly Inn. They are staring awkwardly at each other. LORELAI sits on the tailgate of LUKE'S pickup and he sits next to her. After a minute, LORELAI leans into him and he puts his arm around her]

[End of episode]