AN: In all the many times I've watched this episode, I'd assumed it took place over a couple of days. But, in researching for this chapter, I did the math. There must have been at least 13 days from the opening scene to the closing. The dance marathon took place Saturday at 6 am until 6 am on Sunday so since the next scene was a school day, then the "Hi" "Hi" "Hi" scene was likely on a Monday. The next scene after that is Friday night dinner. So we've zipped through an entire week. Then, at that dinner, she is invited to Yale for next week Saturday, so another week zips by, and during that time, we only have one scene between Rory and Jess, the one where they are very awkward with each other but attempt to kiss. I'm going to assume that this scene happened on the second Friday, since it happened after school and therefore had to be a weekday. I submit that they must have basically avoided each other for those two weeks since we don't see any progress made between them.

Now another discovery I made was that Rory must have worn Dean's bracelet for those two weeks, since she must have been wearing it when it broke in the shower. In fact, Rory states that it broke on the Saturday morning, before the trip to Yale, so Rory must have been wearing it during the awkward almost-kiss with Jess. Rory does tug on her sleeves as she enters the apartment, so we'll just say it was hidden..

At first, the realization of their delay kind of upset me, but now I kind of embrace it. It really does make Jess seem like less of a rebound as far as Rory's concerned. And that's as it should be since we all know he's the main course!

3.08a Let the Games Begin

So shell-shocked he was! That's how he'd describe it.
It happened so fast he couldn't imbibe it.
First, one day, between them was peevish bad blood
The next day alignment did sure seem to bud!

Unsettled he was. He hadn't yet seen her
Since late the last night when she'd changed her demeanour.
And Jess's own parting with Shane had come easy.
And, though he was hopeful, he felt rather queasy.

Since now it would seem the two were united,
Jess knew his reaction should thus be delighted.
But Jess was off-kilter to feel how he felt.
With good dose of shyness, this lone wolf was dealt.

A lot more was riding upon this new pairing:
A foundation based much more upon caring
Than ever before! His confidence swayed.
Did he have the stuff which make it work made?

Had Jess often read that, like a machine,
A love needed tuning, a proper routine.
Because it was her, he'd have to watch screws.
For, if he screwed up, he'd have more to lose.

The very next morning the Gilmores appeared
At counter in diner. And then he had neared
And, standing before her and seeing her face,
Immediately, his heart ran a race.

Her blue eyes, on his, were suddenly trained.
For once, they were piercing; no staring refrained!
By obvious interest—indiff'rence not feigned—
His means to be calm were suddenly drained.

And Lorelai too was staring at him
Her eyes and her lips drawn tight and too grim.
And judgement from uncle was also emitted.
Thus all three, against him, unfairly were pitted!

With all of the staring, these three sets of eyes,
Did Jess, a discomfort, feel threefold arise.
His breath was caught short, by frightened lungs yoked
And, had he not forced it, on air, he'd have choked.

And, to his dismay, his tongue was all tied.
He never was speechless, though often he tried
To keep his speech short, in verbiage lacking—
His linguistic skills so often were slacking—

But now, on the spot, since tension was thick
And words of significance posed a real trick,
Exchanged they a chorus filled, fully, with "Hi."
A banter with standards, indeed, not so high.

And, since Jess's tongue had left his speech wanting,
A rampant embarrassment, now, was Jess haunting.
With eyes like a deer's and mouth left agape,
His mind focused on his means for escape.

The painful exchange did start him to sour.
Despite the real fact he had yet an hour
Ere start of his classes, he used this excuse.
For once, he found schooling could be of a use.

The trio then sang their sad song again:
A chorus of "Bye" its sorry refrain,
Until Uncle Luke was completely confused,
In contrast with Lorelai, somewhat amused.

Then headed the girl right out of the door
Ere they could have contact for very much more.
And Jess took that cue and turned his own way
To hide in the hall, and off of display.

The world spun around and whirled in a tizzy!
This light-headed Jess was feeling so dizzy
Could scales of his balance be tipped with a feather!
It seemed to confirm they must be together!