EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER
RORY and JESS are sitting on the bridge. JESS still holds the ice pack on his eye.
RORY: This sure brings back memories.
JESS: We had our first date here.
RORY: No we didn't…we had our first date…where did we have our first date?
JESS: I'm telling you, we had it here. Then we went for pizza, and then to the bookstore. But it started here.
RORY: That was not our first date, I was still going out with Dean!
JESS: So we had our first date when you were going out with Dean.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK- A TISKET, A TASKET
CUT TO RORY AND JESS WALKING TOWARDS THE BRIDGE
JESS: Where do you wanna eat?
RORY: Don't care.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: Where are you going?
JESS: Thought you didn't care.
RORY: I'm not jumping in the lake.
JESS: No underwater dining, got it.
RORY: Now what?
JESS: Now we sit.
RORY: Here?
JESS: Yup.
RORY: On the bridge, that's where we're gonna eat?
JESS: Yup.
RORY: Okay.
JESS: Yeah, I like this place.
RORY: Wow. A place in Stars Hollow you actually like. I'm stunned.
JESS: It's got some good memories. You see right over there?
RORY: Yup.
JESS: That's where Luke pushed me in.
RORY: Huh.
JESS: Yeah.
RORY: It's nice.
JESS: It is.
RORY: So why'd you do it?
JESS: Do what?
RORY: Outbid Dean like that.
JESS: I don't know. I guess it started as a joke just to bug him, but then he just got so mad, you know? And he is so tall, and I just was looking at him and he's standing there all tall and mad and I just. . .I don't know. It was. . .it was really funny.
RORY: It wasn't funny.
JESS: Well, if it makes you feel any better, I didn't intend to do it. Does that make you feel any better?
RORY: I just don't wanna be in a fight with Dean.
JESS: I'm sorry about that. You wanna push me in the lake? It's cathartic, I hear.
RORY: Hm, maybe in a little.
JESS: Whatever. So why don't we open this thing?
RORY: Go ahead.
Jess opens the picnic basket
JESS: Wow. Not one thing in here that I would remotely consider eating.
RORY: Well, I didn't make it for you. I made it for Dean.
JESS: And Dean would've eaten this? holds up a container
RORY: Yes, he would have.
Jess tastes a forkful of the food and makes a face
JESS: Dean is an idiot.
RORY: Dean never would've fallen for that.
JESS: Ah, ha ha.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER:
RORY: Wow.
JESS: What?
RORY: It's been a long time.
JESS: It has. Doesn't feel like it though.
RORY turns to face him.
RORY: No, it doesn't…So how's life with your father?
JESS shrugs.
JESS: It's a roof over my head. How's your mother?
RORY: (shaking her head) I don't know…whatever Luke told you about-
JESS: Forget about what Luke told me. I'm asking you.
RORY: Well, everything about my mom and I not speaking is true. She got really mad when I stopped going to Yale, and she hates the fact that I'm living with my grandparents, and I haven't been nice to her either, I changed my phone number and didn't give her the new one.
JESS: She still run that inn?
RORY: Yeah, as far as I know everything's good with that. You've been to the inn, right?
JESS: Yeah, a long time ago. When I first moved here.
RORY: Ah, the Bracebridge Dinner.
JESS: Yeah, it's not every day you see men in tights and funny clothes serving you food. How could I forget that?
CUT TO: FLASHBACK: THE BRACEBRIDGE DINNER
CUT TO EXT. INDEPENDENCE INN
RORY is getting in a sleigh.
DRIVER: That it miss?
RORY: I guess I'm alone.
The sleigh starts going. Jess jumps into the seat next to Rory
RORY: What are you doing?
JESS: Well, I heard it was two to a sleigh - no more, no less. You were breaking the rules.
RORY: You could've hurt yourself.
JESS: I live on the edge. I can jump out if you want.
RORY: Doesn't matter to me.
JESS: Are you mad at me or something?
RORY: What do you think?
JESS: I can't read your mind.
RORY: You got into a fight with Dean.
JESS: Dean?
RORY: My boyfriend.
JESS: Ah. He's still your boyfriend?
RORY: Okay, you can jump out now.
JESS: I wasn't fighting him. I was fighting someone else. He jumped in on his own.
RORY: He was trying to help you.
JESS: Oh, he should go into government service if he's so interested in helping people. But me, he can stop worrying about.
RORY: Why were you fighting in the first place?
JESS: 'Cause Chuck Presby's a jerk.
RORY: You were fighting Chuck Presby?
JESS: Yeah.
RORY: Oh, he is a jerk.
JESS: This whole town is weird and full of jerks.
RORY: Then why are you still here?
JESS: What do you mean?
RORY: I mean, school's out and you don't like it here, so why don't you just go home?
JESS: My mom didn't want me to.
RORY: I don't believe that.
JESS: That's your right, I guess.
RORY: Did Luke say she didn't want you to?
JESS: Luke told me it was his idea that I should stay. It wasn't his idea. That's good.
RORY: What?
JESS: Your snowman. Snowwoman, actually.
RORY: You know which one is ours?
JESS: It definitely has the most personality. Kind of looks like Bjork.
RORY: That's what we were going for.
JESS: Yeah?
RORY: But everyone thinks the one on the end is gonna be the winner.
JESS: Really? It's so overdone.
RORY: I agree.
JESS: You should win.
RORY: No argument.
JESS: Hey, what do you and Dean talk about?
RORY: What?
JESS: I mean, does he know Bjork?
RORY: I've played him some stuff.
JESS: Hm. So you got a teacher-student thing going?
RORY: Stop.
JESS: No, really, I'm curious. What do you guys talk about?
RORY: Everything.
JESS: Like?
RORY: Just everything, tons of stuff, whatever.
JESS: It's just in the brief non-pugilistic time I've spent with him in class, he just doesn't seem like your kind of guy.
RORY: Well, he is my kind of guy. He's exactly my kind of guy.
JESS: Okay. I guess I don't know him that well.
RORY: You don't. (She looks at him and smiles) You don't!
Lorelai and Rory ride home in a horse-drawn sleigh.
LORELAI: This is the only way to ride.
RORY: I wholeheartedly agree.
Lorelai sees that the elaborate overdone snowman has been smashed
LORELAI: Whoa, what happened there?
RORY: I have no idea.
LORELAI: Bad news for ringer guy. But guess who wins by default?
RORY: I guess that would be us.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER
RORY: So wait. Was it you that-
JESS: Yes.
RORY: I always wondered.
JESS: You deserved to win.
RORY: Yeah, we did.
There is a moment of silence. RORY looks up to face JESS.
RORY (CON'T): I think I really hated you until then.
JESS: Oh really?
RORY: Yeah.
JESS: I think you liked me from the day you met me.
RORY: I barely remember the day I met you.
JESS: Please. You think about it all the time.
RORY: (laughs) Whatever you say, Dodger.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK- NICK & NORA, SID & NANCY
CUT TO KITCHEN OF LORELAI'S HOUSE
LORELAI: Sookie, Jackson, I want you to meet Luke's nephew. This is Jess.
SOOKIE: Do you eat cheese?
JESS: What?
JACKSON: Oh my God, this is the greatest lemon I have ever grown. I mean, this is a great lemon. Sookie, you gotta try this lemon. Isn't it a great lemon?
SOOKIE: That is a great lemon.
JACKSON: Try it, it's a Meyer.
LORELAI: Jackson grows fruit and then scares people with it. Rory, they're here.
RORY: Coming. sees Jess Hey.
JESS: Hey. walks into Rory's room RORY: I'm Rory.
JESS: Yeah, I figured.
RORY: Nice to meet you.
JESS: looking at bookshelf Wow, aren't we hooked on phonics.
RORY: Oh, I read a lot. Do you read?
JESS: Not much. takes a book off the shelf
RORY: I could loan you that if you want. It's great.
JESS: No thanks. puts it down
RORY: Well, if you change your mind…
LORELAI: from the doorway Okay, we really need to get Jackson away from the lemons now, so we're moving the feast in the living room. walks away
RORY: Be right there.
JESS: So do these open? looking at windows
RORY: Oh yeah, you just have to unlatch them and then push.
JESS: Great. Shall we?
RORY: Shall we what?
JESS: Bail.
RORY: No. JESS: Why?
RORY: Because it's Tuesday night in Stars Hollow. There's nowhere to bail to. The 24-hour mini-mart just closed twenty minutes ago.
JESS: So we'll walk around or sit on a bench and stare at our shoes.
RORY: Look, Sookie just made a ton of really great food, and I'm starving and though it may not seem like it right at this moment, it's gonna be fun. Trust me.
JESS: I don't even know you.
RORY: Well, don't I look trustworthy?
JESS: Maybe.
RORY: Okay, good. Let's eat. walks into kitchen You want a soda?
JESS: Oh, I'll get it.
RORY: Okay.
Rory gets a soda and walks into the living room. Jess walks to the fridge, takes out a beer, and goes out the back door.
CUT TO LATER IN THE EPISODE
Jess is walking down the street and sees Rory come out of a store. He walks over to her.
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hey yourself.
JESS: What are you doing out here?
RORY: I needed something for school. What about you?
JESS: Oh yeah, same thing.
RORY: Uh huh. So, that was quite a disappearing act you pulled the other night.
JESS: Potlucks and Tupperware parties aren't really my thing.
RORY: Too cool for school, huh?
JESS: Yes, that is me.
RORY: What are you doing?
JESS: Oh this? Nothing. makes a coin disappear Just another little disappearing act.
RORY: Little tip?
JESS: Yeah?
RORY: If you ever want to speak to me again, don't pull that out of my ear.
JESS: So I assume the nose is off limits too?
RORY: Any place you wouldn't naturally find a coin, let's leave it that way.
JESS: So what are you doing now?
RORY: I have some homework to finish.
JESS: Okay, then I'll leave you this last little trick.
hands her a book
RORY: You bought a copy? I told you I'd lend you mine.
JESS: It is yours.
RORY: You stole my book.
JESS: Nope, borrowed it.
RORY: Okay, that's not called a trick, that's called a felony.
JESS: I just wanted to put some notes in the margins for you.
RORY: What? looks through the book You've read this before.
JESS: About forty times.
RORY: I thought you said you didn't read much.
JESS: (with a sly smile) Well, what is much? Goodnight Rory.
RORY: Goodnight Dodger.
JESS: Dodger?
RORY: Figure it out.
JESS starts to walk away and turns back.
JESS: (yelling) Oliver Twist!
RORY smiles. They both walk away.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER
JESS: How could you not remember that?
RORY: Maybe after you left I tried to forget.
JESS: Point taken. So, when DID you start liking me?
RORY: What?
JESS: I mean, if you didn't like me yet right after you met me, then when did you start liking me?
RORY: Oh…well…I always liked you, you were always nice to me.
JESS: But when did you start really liking me, like wanting to kiss me and everything?
RORY: Hey, how's that eye doing?
JESS: Was it when you came to see me in New York?
RORY: Before that.
JESS: When I bought your basket?
RORY: (thinks) After that.
JESS looks puzzled.
RORY (CON'T): That night my mom was out of town and you brought me all that food because you knew we didn't have any in our house.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK: THERE'S THE RUB
CUT TO INT. LORELAI'S HOUSE
Rory, Paris, and Jess are eating at the kitchen table
PARIS: A tragic waste of paper.
JESS: I can't believe you just said that.
PARIS: Well, it's true, the Beat's writing was completely self-indulgent. I have one word for Jack Kerouac - edit.
JESS: It was not self-indulgent. The Beats believed in shocking people, stirring things up.
PARIS: They believed in drugs, booze, and petty crime.
RORY: Well, then you can say that they exposed you to a world you wouldn't have otherwise known. Isn't that what great writing's all about?
PARIS: That was not great writing. That was the National Enquirer of the fifties.
JESS: You're cracked.
PARIS: Typical guy response. Worship Kerouac and Bukowski, God forbid you'd pick up anything by Jane Austen.
JESS: Hey, I've read Jane Austen.
PARIS: You have?
JESS: Yeah, and I think she would've liked Bukowski.
PARIS: What are you doing?
JESS: Salt and pepper dip. Only way to eat a fry.
PARIS: Really?
RORY: It's fast food gospel.
PARIS: Mm. That's good. That's really, really good.
(phone rings)
JESS: You like hot sauce?
PARIS: I don't know. Should I?
JESS: I think it's wise.
RORY: answers phone. Hello?
DEAN: Hey.
RORY: Oh, hey. Where are you?
DEAN: On my way to see you - if that's okay?
RORY: Oh, well -
DEAN: I know you wanna be alone, so I'll only stay a minute. I just wanna say hi.
RORY: We just said hi.
DEAN: Well, I wanna say hi a little closer.
RORY: But, I'm a mess, really. It's not pretty. You won't recognize me.
DEAN: Well, then put a name tag on 'cause I miss you.
RORY: I miss you too, but -
DEAN: But what?
RORY: But. . .Paris is here.
DEAN: Why?
RORY: She freaked out about a grade and she wanted to go over some notes, and you know Paris - she will not be denied.
DEAN: Okay, then I'm not really ruining your alone night, someone else did that.
RORY: Yes, but -
DEAN: I'll see you in a sec. hangs up
JESS: I can't get into poetry. It's kind of like, geez, just say it already, we're dying here.
RORY: Wow, you know, I just noticed the time, and it's getting really late.
JESS: It's seven o'clock.
RORY: I know, but Paris and I still have a lot more studying to do. Jess, please thank Luke for me. It was really nice of him.
JESS: Who was on the phone?
RORY: No one.
JESS: No one wouldn't happen to be heading over here now, would he?
RORY: Jess.
PARIS: What's going on?
RORY: Nothing.
JESS: Dean's on his way over and Rory doesn't want him to find me here.
PARIS: Why?
JESS: Yeah, why?
RORY: You know why.
JESS: We're just eating dinner.
RORY: Jess, I'm asking you as a friend, just please leave now.
JESS: You really want me to go?
RORY: I really wanna avoid a fight with Dean.
JESS: Okay, I'm going.
RORY: Thank you.
JESS: Ow!
RORY: What?
JESS: Ooh! I just twisted my ankle. I better go lie down.
RORY: Jess!
JESS: God, you're no fun when you're tense. Are you sure you want me to go? 'Cause maybe this whole thing can be solved between me and Dean if we just sat down and had a little heart to heart. He can tell me his issues, I'll tell him mine.
RORY: Jess!
JESS: I promise I'll speak slowly.
RORY: Bye! pushes him out the front door
JESS: Okay, well, give him my best, would ya? sees Dean in the front yard Actually, I guess I could do that myself.
RORY: Dean, Jess just came by to bring me some food.
JESS: From Luke's.
RORY: He wanted to make sure I ate.
JESS: Luke did.
RORY: Right, Luke did.
JESS: Personally, I could care less if she eats.
RORY: Yeah, true, he could care less.
JESS: I see you brought a little something, too. Is that ice cream? That's so nice. A tiny little ice cream package just big enough for two. Hey, are you guys gonna feed each other 'cause that's just so darn cute. Oops. You're doing that towering over me thing. Huh. I tell you, you've really got that down. It helps that you're twelve feet tall, but this Frankenstein scowl really adds to the whole - .
RORY: Jess.
JESS: Okay, I'm going. Look, man, I really was just dropping off some food, so don't get all West Side Story on me, okay? (JESS leaves.)
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER
JESS: (laughing) Dean was SO mad.
RORY: Yeah, he was. How's your eye doing?
JESS: It's doing.
He turns to face RORY and lifts the ice pack off his eye. It's red and swollen. RORY pulls back.
RORY: (gasps) Ooh…that doesn't look too good.
JESS: It didn't feel too good.
RORY: I'm sorry.
JESS: It barely hurts now though.
RORY: That's because you've had ice on it. It's probably numb.
JESS: Now would be a great time to get my eyebrow pierced.
RORY: It's gonna hurt in the morning.
JESS: Don't remind me.
RORY: What are you gonna tell Luke?
JESS: About what?
RORY: Your eye.
JESS: I'm not gonna see him before I go.
RORY: But-
JESS: He's staying at your mother's house tonight.
RORY: Oh.
JESS: I'm leaving in the morning.
RORY: But didn't you come here to visit Luke?
JESS: I visited with him earlier. We already talked about everything we needed to talk about.
RORY: So why are you still here?
JESS: Figured I'd close up the diner for Luke, give him a hand.
RORY: (skeptical) Uh-huh.
JESS: Told him to take your mom out to dinner.
RORY: That was thoughtful.
JESS: And the next train to California doesn't leave until tomorrow morning.
RORY: It all makes sense now. So you're staying at Luke's tonight?
JESS: Yep. Home sweet home.
RORY: At least there's a lot of food.
JESS: Hey, you wanna get some ice cream?
RORY: Right now?
JESS: I was thinking next week, but right now's good.
RORY: No way. Last time I got ice cream with you, you wrecked my car.
JESS: That was the last time we got ice cream?
RORY: I doubt it, but when you said ice cream, that's what I thought of.
JESS: It was a pretty good night until we crashed.
RORY: Yeah, it was.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK: TEACH ME TONIGHT
CUT TO INSIDE RORY'S CAR
Jess and Rory are each eating ice cream cones
JESS: Admit it, it's always better in a cone.
RORY: It's always better in a cone.
JESS: Putting ice cream in a dish, eating it with a spoon?
RORY: What is wrong with people?
JESS: Hold the wheel.
RORY: What? JESS: I'm dripping here, hold the wheel.
RORY: I can't hold the wheel, you're driving. The person who's driving has to hold the wheel. That's the first thing they teach you in driver's ed.
JESS: Huh, I gotta take that class one of those days. Take the wheel.
RORY: Jess.
JESS: I'm letting go.
RORY: Stop! Take it back. Okay, you are taking this wheel back and when you do, I'm going to kill you. I'm just letting you know that.
JESS: I appreciate the warning.
RORY: Jess!
JESS: Okay, I got it. Geez, you look pale. Are you okay?
RORY: Death, and it's going to be painful.
JESS: You're not gonna kill me. Think how dull your life would be without me.
RORY: Serious question?
JESS: Okay.
RORY: You know you're smarter than most everybody at your school. It takes you like five minutes to finish a book. You read everything, you remember everything, you could ace those classes easily. Why don't you? You don't need a tutor. It's crazy that they're talking about leaving you back.
JESS: Whatever.
RORY: You can do anything you wanted, you can be anything you wanted.
JESS: Rory.
RORY: I. . .is it like a cool thing?
JESS: I could care less about being cool.
RORY: Well, inform me, please.
JESS: I'm never going to college, why waste the time in high school?
RORY: And why aren't you going to college?
JESS: Please.
RORY: What? Please what - why is it so crazy?
JESS: Ask my mother, she could give you a couple reasons. Oh, and I'm sure Principal Mertin can chime in with a few good ones. In fact, ask your mother. She doesn't know me all that well but I'm sure she could improvise a few things.
RORY: Do not give me that whole 'I'm so misunderstood, Kurt Cobain-y' thing. You are way stronger than that and I don't even wanna hear it. You have to go to college.
JESS: No, you have to go to college.
RORY: But don't you have any plans?
JESS: Yes, I plan to get out of Stars Hollow.
RORY: And go where?
JESS: Wherever.
RORY: And do what?
JESS: Whatever.
RORY: Wherever, whatever.
JESS: I'll live where I live, I'll work when I need money, and I'll see where I end up.
RORY: You could do more.
JESS: Oh, here come the pompoms.
RORY: No, no pompoms, just me saying you could do more.
JESS: So, Courtney, what about you?
RORY: What about me?
JESS: What are your big ambitions?
RORY: Harvard.
JESS: And after Harvard?
RORY: I'm gonna be a journalist.
JESS: Paula Zahn?
RORY: Christiane Amapour.
JESS: You're gonna be an overseas correspondent.
RORY: Yes, I am.
JESS: You're gonna crawl around in trenches and stand on top of buildings and have bombs going off in the background and some wars raging all around you?
RORY: What, you don't think I can do it?
JESS: No, I do. Just sounds a little too - .
RORY: A little what?
JESS: Just sounds a little too rough for you.
RORY: Well, it's not a little too rough for me. I hope it's not a little too rough for me, I've been talking about this forever. I mean, I don't even know what I would do if - .
JESS: Hey, I didn't mean to freak you out. I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll do it. You will, I promise. I'll help you practice, okay? Tomorrow, you'll stand in the middle of the street and I will drive straight at you screaming in a foreign language.
RORY: Well, you're gonna have to learn a foreign language first.
JESS: Well, it's lucky I've got me a tutor, isn't it?
RORY smiles. JESS and RORY stare at each other flirtatiously.
JESS: Okay, so I guess we should be getting back. I did promise to study if you went on this ice cream run with me.
RORY: Yes, you did.
JESS: Okay, so I just go straight and we'll be back at Luke's.
RORY: Good sense of direction.
JESS: Of course, I could turn right and then we'd just be driving around in circles for awhile.
RORY: Turn right.
JESS: As you wish.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER
RORY: My car was totaled.
JESS looks down and doesn't say anything.
RORY (CON'T) What's wrong?
JESS: (looking up) (in a serious tone) You don't know how scary that was for me. I mean, what if something had happened to you and it'd have been my fault? I would NEVER have forgiven myself.
RORY: I'm sorry I brought it up.
JESS: I had nightmares about that night for weeks.
RORY: Really?
JESS: Yeah.
RORY: I had no idea it was that traumatizing for you. But hey, look at the bright side- if we didn't get into the car accident, then you wouldn't have gone back to New York, and I wouldn't have come to see you. That was fun.
JESS: (down) Yeah, and because of me you missed your mom's graduation.
RORY: Well, yeah, but, if I never came to New York, you wouldn't have moved back-
JESS: Then we wouldn't have kissed at Sookie's Wedding.
RORY: Nope.
JESS: That was a good kiss.
RORY: No arguments there.
RORY looks down. JESS leans towards her and speaks quietly.
JESS: What would you do if I kissed you right now?
RORY shakes her head.
RORY: I don't know.
JESS: Would you hit me again?
RORY giggles.
RORY: No.
JESS: Then I'll take my chances.
JESS gently lifts RORY'S head up to meet his and kisses her. She hesitates, then wraps her arms around him and kisses back.
CUT TO- FLASHBACK- I CAN'T GET STARTED
CUT TO- SOOKIE'S WEDDING - EXT. HILL- DAY
Rory sees Jess and walks over to him
RORY: What are you doing here?
JESS: Hello to you, too.
RORY: Is everything okay?
JESS: You look nice.
RORY: Thank you. What are you doing here?
JESS: I moved back.
RORY: What?
JESS: I moved back.
RORY: But - what - why?
JESS: Just wanted to.
Rory kisses him.
RORY: Oh my God! Oh my God!
JESS: Rory.
RORY: Don't say a word!
JESS: Okay.
RORY: I have to go. runs away Oh, welcome home!
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE- MOMENTS LATER
RORY and JESS are kissing. RORY pulls away.
RORY: Oh my God.
JESS: Rory!
RORY: Oh my God! (getting up) I have to go.
JESS: (discouraged) I've heard this before.
RORY: I have a boyfriend!
JESS: I've heard this before.
RORY: This has been wonderful. Really, it has. But…I love my boyfriend.
JESS: (to himself) Face it, Jess. You're never going to have a chance with her.
RORY: Jess I'm sorry!
JESS: (angry) You never gave me a chance!
RORY: What?
JESS: It was always Dean! Dean Dean Dean! You never gave me the time of day!
RORY: Jess…
JESS: You never gave me a chance, Rory. You always compared me to Dean. Every day it was Dean-this, Dean-that. (yelling) No matter what I did, you never gave me a chance. I could jump off a cliff for you-I could DIE for you, and you STILL wouldn't give me a chance!
RORY: (on the verge of tears) Jess, stop, you're saying horrible things!
JESS: I gave up everything for you Rory! I moved back to a town I hated for you! I hate this town, I was suffocating here! I went to a school I hated for you, I worked at a job I hated for you, and all I got was the comfort of knowing you'll always love DEAN.
RORY: (hysterical) Jess, that's not true, Dean and I aren't even friends anymore.
JESS: As opposed to the great friendship you and I have.
RORY: What did you expect? You leave and you pop out of nowhere a year later and tell me you love me, then you leave again then you pop up again a few months later to try to get me to run away with you, then you leave again, now over a year later here you are yet again, and you won't even tell me why you're here-
JESS grabs RORY and kisses her. She pushes him away.
RORY (CON'T): Jess, no.
JESS: Why not?
RORY: Because we can't do this, I don't wanna do this, I'm not ready for this.
JESS: Ready for what?
RORY: Cheating on my boyfriend.
JESS: But you cheated on Dean.
RORY: That was different.
JESS: How was that different?
RORY: I love my boyfriend.
JESS: You loved Dean.
RORY: I thought I did, but I was so young.
JESS: You loved him more than you loved me.
RORY: I think I loved you, I did love you at a time, but a lot has happened since then.
JESS: Like what?
RORY: Like, I have a boyfriend.
JESS: You had a boyfriend back then!
RORY: This is different!
JESS: We're going in circles!
RORY: I should go.
JESS: Rory, don't go!
RORY looks at JESS.
RORY: It's over, Jess.
JESS: Don't say that!
RORY is leaving. JESS chases after her.
JESS (CON'T): Where are you going?
RORY: I'm going home.
JESS: No, you're not, you live in Hartford.
RORY: I'm going to Lane's.
JESS: I'll follow you there.
RORY: I'll call the police.
JESS: You wouldn't dare.
RORY: You'll get arrested.
RORY looks at JESS who is still following her.
RORY (CON'T): This is illegal.
JESS: At least it's not as bad as stealing a yacht!
RORY: What do you want from me?
JESS: I wanna kiss you.
RORY: Why?
JESS: Because I love you.
RORY: Don't say that!
JESS: But it's true!
RORY: No, it's not.
JESS: Yes, it is.
RORY: If you love me then leave me alone!
JESS is silent for a moment.
JESS: Is that really what you want?
RORY: Yes!
JESS: You really don't love me?
RORY: I may have loved you at one time, but that was a long time ago and I don't anymore.
There is a moment of silence.
JESS: Then I'll leave you alone.
JESS leaves. RORY stands there waiting. She watches him leave.
CUT TO:
INT. LANE'S HOUSE- MOMENTS LATER
LANE is sitting on the couch watching TV. The DOORBELL rings. She jerks her head, gets up and answers the door. RORY is standing in the doorway.
LANE: Hey.
RORY: Hey.
LANE: Come in.
RORY: I can't.
LANE: What?
RORY: I mean, I can, but just for a minute.
RORY enters. LANE closes the door.
LANE: What's going on? I thought you were sleeping over. What happened with Jess?
RORY: Nothing happened with Jess, I just…
RORY starts to get teary-eyed.
LANE: What's wrong?
RORY: I was so mean to him.
LANE puts her arm around RORY.
LANE: To who? Jess? What did you say? Rory what happened?
RORY is trying to maintain composure and stop herself from crying.
RORY: I don't know…we were talking and he said some mean things that he probably didn't mean but he had every right to say…
LANE: And?
RORY: …and I hit him…
LANE: You hit him!
RORY: Yes, I hit him, I was just so mad, but, then I realized, it's all my fault.
LANE: What is?
RORY: His leaving. All my fault. I drove him away.
LANE: What?
RORY: Yep.
LANE: You did not.
RORY: Yes, I did.
LANE: Is that what he said?
RORY: No…well, yes, but he's right.
LANE: No, he's not right, Rory. He's just playing head games. He feels guilty for what he did and he's trying to put the blame on you.
RORY: Maybe you're right…I'm so confused.
LANE: What don't I make you some tea? Tea will make you feel better.
The girls walk into the kitchen. LANE starts making tea.
RORY: He told me he loved me.
LANE: (sympathetically) I know.
RORY: No, I mean, tonight, he said it again.
LANE: Oh. Wow.
RORY: Yeah.
LANE: What did you say?
RORY: That I didn't love him back and to leave me alone.
LANE: Ouch.
RORY: Yeah. Ouch.
LANE: That was kind of harsh.
RORY: Yeah, it was.
LANE: Wait, did you say you hit him?
RORY: Yeah, pretty hard too. He'll probably have a black eye.
LANE: And was this before or after he told you he loved you?
RORY: Before.
LANE: Oh.
RORY: It's awful, I know.
LANE: No, no it's not. He was awful to you in the past. He deserved it.
RORY: We kissed, did I mention that?
LANE'S eyes go wide.
LANE: No, you forgot to mention that part. I need details, I'm so lost.
RORY: I dunno if I'm up for details tonight. I'm kinda lost myself.
LANE: Well, how was it?
RORY: How was what?
LANE: The kiss, was it good?
RORY: (shaking her head) I don't know.
LANE: Are you gonna tell Logan?
RORY: I don't know… I'm gonna go see him.
RORY starts walking away. LANE follows.
LANE: Logan?
RORY: Jess.
LANE: Now?
RORY: Yes.
RORY stops and spins around.
RORY (CON'T): I'm sorry…I know this was supposed to be our weekend together.
LANE: No, it's okay. You do what you have to do.
RORY starts gathering her bags.
RORY: I'm sorry.
LANE: Wait, where are you going?
RORY: To Luke's.
LANE: No, I mean, with your bags?
RORY: Oh…well, it's getting pretty late, and we'll probably talk until the wee hours of the morning and I'll fall asleep on Luke's couch.
LANE: Sounds logical. Just be careful.
RORY heads for the door, bags in hand.
LANE (CON'T): Have fun. Call me if you need anything.
RORY: I will. Thanks.
They hug. RORY leaves.