Title: The Mariano Agenda
Author: Bent137
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Characters of Gilmore Girls(as well as anything else associated with it) aren't mine, the title is a spin of the Dark Angel episode "The Berrisford Agenda".
Spoilers: Up to the Season 2 Finale
Music References: All lyrics can be found on MxPx - "Today is in My Way", "Foolish", and "Late Last Night"
Authors Note: I've had this bouncing around for a little while. I finally got the chance to sit and write it out. This is the first time I've done script format. Thanks to Rea for beta reading for me.

The Things That Make Us Tick

Previously

Jess: Uncle Luke?

Luke: (turns) Yeah?

Jess: Can I paint my room?

Luke: Yeah sure, go ahead. You just have to pay for it all.

Jess: (nods) Thanks.

Luke: No problem. (he leaves and Jess goes into his room and looks around then grabs a piece of paper and begins making a list that we can't read.)

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("Today is in My Way" by MxPx begins to play. The camera is focused on the door as Lorelai and Rory come up behind it, open it and enter Luke's. They walk to a nearby booth and sit down. The camera pans across the diner, only a few people are in there, as the camera shows the stairs Luke comes out from behind the curtain carrying a binder. He stops when he sees them sitting there. Rory looks over at him then at her mom. The song fades a little.)

Rory: (getting up) I'll go get our coffee and put our orders in, you want a burger right?

Lorelai: Yeah. With cheese fries.

(Rory walks up to the counter as Luke puts the binder underneath. The song fades more.)

Rory: Hey.

Luke: Hey. Coffee?

Rory: Yeah, two. (Luke begins pouring the coffee) How is he?

Luke: I'm not sure. After you left I went up, and he was asleep. He didn't look so good.

Rory: Oh

Luke: (pushes the coffee across the counter to her) When I was just up there he looked better though. He was quiet. He asked to paint his room. I said yes. So what can I get you guys?

Rory: Mom wants a burger with cheese fries, and I'd like just a burger.

Luke: Will do.

(The song returns full force. Rory walks back to the table and sets down with her mother. They look at each other for a moment then smile sadly. The music fades out. Cut to some time later, the diner is busier. Rory and Lorelai are finishing their food when Jess comes down the stairs. Rory looks up and sees him. He looks at her then looks away quickly, moving to clear a nearby table. Lorelai begins gathering her things.)

Lorelai: We're still on for tonight right?

Rory: (distracted) Huh? (She looks back at her mom) Oh! Yeah of course. Hey. I'm going to pay the bill. I'll meet you at Doose's to stock up?

Lorelai: (getting up) Sure.

("Foolish" by MxPx begins to play. Rory watches Lorelai leave then walks up to the counter where Jess is at the register. The song fades a little.)

Rory: Hey.

Jess: Hello Miss, are you all set?

Rory: Cut the crap, Jess.

Jess: That'll be $11.49.

Rory: (hands him a ten and a five) You can't avoid me forever.

Jess: (handing her the change) I do believe you leave for Washington tomorrow correct?

Rory: Yes, but-

Jess: Have a safe trip Miss. (The song returns full force. he turns and walks away leaving Rory staring after him with a frown. From one side of the diner Luke watches the exchange with a frown as well. Meanwhile, outside, Lorelai watches through the window with narrowed eyes. The song fades out.)

(Cut to Rory and Lorelai cleaning up from a movie night.)

Lorelai: That was fun.

Rory: Yeah.

Lorelai: I sure will miss you while you're gone.

Rory: Yeah.

Lorelai: (suspicious) Maybe I'll just have to move while you're gone.

Rory: Yeah. Wait! What?

Lorelai: Wow, space much?

Rory: Sorry I guess I'm just tired.

Lorelai: Well, we're done here. You get to bed and I'll see you bright and early in the morning.

Rory: (absentmindedly) Yeah. (She walks off to her room.)

Lorelai: (shakes her head) Something's rotten in the house of Gilmore. (she bounds up the stairs.)

(cut to Rory's clock in her room. It reads 12:36. It changes to 12:37 and we hear a sigh. Camera pans to show Rory wide awake in her bed. She turns and looks out the window. Then turns onto her back. Then turns back toward the clock. It now reads 12:41. She sighs deeper and kicks the covers up climbing out of bed. She pulls on a pair of jeans off the floor over her pajama bottoms and pulls a sweatshirt over her head then walks to her window and opens it quietly. She slips out and lands on the soft grass. Cut to her walking across the lawn, now out front. She starts when she sees Luke walking across the grass. "Late Last Night" by MxPx begins to play softly.)

Rory: (whispering) Luke?

Luke: (also whispering) Rory?

Rory: What are you doing here?

Luke: Um, coming to find you. Something's wrong Rory. Something bad. I know you're leaving soon, but you're the only other person who actually cares and I didn't know who else to turn to but something is seriously wrong.

Rory: (murmuring to herself) Jess. (whispering to Luke) What's happened now?

Luke: When we were cleaning up he spaced out then all of a sudden he started cursing and he threw a mug against the wall and went upstairs. When I finished cleaning I went up and he was asleep. I went to sleep but an hour later I was woken up by him talking in his sleep, loud.

Rory: Well what did he say?

Luke: The most I could make out was him saying 'You're going to get yourself killed,' him yelling 'Mary!' and then he screamed out 'No!'

(The music fades, as does the scene.)