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: "Summer Sucks" by Bleste
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.

Imagine

Previously

Luke: Uh hey, I got something for you.

Jess: Oh?

Luke: Yeah, (hands him a phone card) Don't hesitate to call if you need me, for anything.

Jess: (nods) Thanks Uncle Luke.

(They shift awkwardly before Luke envelopes Jess in a hug. The hug ends as abruptly as it happened.)

Luke: Try not and get yourself killed okay?

Jess: Okay Luke.

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(Jess, Luke and Lorelai are standing on a bus platform. Jess has a bag at his side. Lorelai comes forward, with a package in her hands, and hugs Jess. He hugs her back awkwardly and when they pull apart she hands him the package.)

Lorelai: Sookie made you some brownies to take with you.

Jess: (nods) Tell her I said thanks.

Luke: Take care of yourself, and remember to call me if you have any problems.

Jess: I will, Luke. I better go now, the bus is boarding.

(Jess picks up his bag and climbs on the bus. He walks down the aisle and moves into a seat, opening the window.)

Jess: I'll see you in a week or so.

Lorelai: Bye Jess! Take care.

Luke: Bye.

(The bus begins pulling away. Cut to the bus pulling into the New York City station. "Summer Sucks" by Bleste begins playing as Jess climbs off and walks away. Cut to Jess coming out the door of the station and onto the sidewalk. Without pausing he turns to the right and begins walking, his bag tight against his back. He's jostled as he moves through the crowd. Cut to him stopping in front of a ragged looking apartment building. Song fades, as he walks up the front steps a woman can be heard screaming profanity inside. Jess flinches at the sound of glass shattering, coming from a second floor window, followed by more profanity. He opens to door with a sigh and walks in. As he begins walking up the stairs a man comes running down the stairs. A woman with dark brown hair chases him and pauses at the landing to through a beer bottle at him. Jess, however, is in the way, and the man runs out the door as Jess grabs the bottle. When he does the song screeches to a stop.)

Woman: You son of a bitch! Don't come back here. (she turns her attention to Jess, she's dressed in a tight, short electric blue mini dress with a too big belt. Her hair is frizzy and she looks like something straight out of an 80's music video.) You. What are you doing back here?

Jess: Gee, thanks, Mom. Is that the way to greet your son? With a beer bottle to the head?

Jess' Mom: I thought you said you weren't coming back?

Jess: Calm down, I'm only here for a visit.

Jess' Mom: Well, I hope you don't think you're staying with me!

Jess: No? Fine, I'll go stay with Aaron.

Jess' Mom: I'm busy all week, so I don't think I'll be having any time to visit. So you may as well just get back on your bus.

Jess: Who said I came to visit you, Mother? (she narrows her eyes) Where's Emily?

Jess' Mom: How should I know?

Jess: Well I thought, since you are her mother, you should have some idea. Then again, you never bothered with me, why should Emily be any different? (he tosses the bottle to her) Bye.

(Jess turns and walks back out of the building. He turns left and begins walking. When he stops at the corner he sighs and waits for the light to turn. Cut to Jess walking into a Library, he immediately walks to the children's section and looks around. Camera stops on a little girl with black hair. She looks to be about eleven, and is sitting with her back to Jess reading a book. Jess slips up behind her and slumps on the beanbag next to her. She doesn't look up so he stares at her. After a moment, she still hasn't looked up so he coughs lightly. When she doesn't move he leans towards her a little and opens his mouth slightly.)

Jess: (singing softly) Imagine me and you, and you and me. No matter how they toss the dice. It had to be...

(The little girl finally looks up, startled, and then beams at him with straight white teeth. Her green eyes twinkle.)

Girl: Jess! You're back. (she carefully marks her spot in the book and sets it down before throwing herself on him.)

Jess: (laughing) I told you I would be silly. Remember? I promised I would come visit, and one day I would come and take you away and we would live in a land of pure imagination.

Girl: With the Oompa Loompa's! Don't forget the Oompa Loompa's!

Jess: I could never forget the Oompa Loompa's!

Girl: Is it time? (anxiously) Have you come to take me away?

Jess: (frowns) No, not yet. Why? Is something wrong Emily?

Emily: (obviously lying) No. Nothings wrong. I just want to go with you.

Jess: Okay, well, are you hungry?

Emily: Yes!

Jess: Okay then, let's go get ourselves some pizza.

Emily: Yay!

(They stand up and Jess grabs his bag then takes her hand. She picks up her bag and the book she was reading. Which she stuffs into the bag and they walk out of the library hand in hand.)

Emily: Are you staying at home?

Jess: No, I'm going to be staying at Aaron's.

Emily: (upset) Oh.

Jess: I'm sorry.

Emily: It's okay. I go to Aaron's a lot anyways.

Jess: Really? (she nods and a strange look crosses Jess' face.)