DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated in any way with the WB network, or A.S-P. I do not own, nor have I created any of the characters. I do not have any links to anything involving Gilmore Girls. I also do not own or have connections to the following things mentioned: Starbucks, Maxwell House, Folgers, Sesame Street, The Grapes of Wrath, Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar, J.D. Salinger, Franny and Zooey, Catcher in the Rye, Dead Poets Society, or A Separate Peace.

SIDE NOTE: This is the sixth "episode" in the series ... make sure you read the earlier "episodes" or it will be difficult to understand this one.

SUMMARY: Life is bustling for the Gilmore girls. With the school year approaching, Lorelai, Rory and even Jess make a trip to the mall, for clothes and supplies which lands Rory in front of the display of homecoming dresses, secretly yearning to go. Christopher is finally beginning to move into the apartment, with the help of Rory, Lorelai and surprisingly Jess. Amidst all this, Lorelai, is for some reason beginning to feel melancholy about Jess and Rory's close relationship. Lorelai plans a secret "Apartment Warming" party for Christopher, and gets the whole town involved. Meanwhile, Jess continues to surprise Rory with his reformed attitude towards her and the people and things important to her, which leaves her prodding him with non-stop questions, that push him over the edge to a confession, just before Lorelai's plans for Christopher are about to come to a screeching halt.

A/N: Please R/R but don't be harsh. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Please give me as much feedback as you can - the more I get (positive or negative) the better I can write, and the more I'll write. I hope you are pleased with this third helping.

LAST EPISODE: Jess and Rory's blossoming relationship was finally revealed to Emily and Richard, when they caught them kissing at the Christmas party, and after an outburst, Emily shockingly calls to apologize and invite Jess and Luke to a proper meeting at her house. Jess gets Richard's approval, but Emily is still very hesitant, especially once Christopher shows and worsens the situation.

This is dedicated to all the crack bunnies on the Lit thread ... I hope you all like it.

"Just Because"


OPEN TO LUKE'S DINER
(It's mid-morning on the Saturday following the last episode. LUKE is tending to the morning rush, JESS is nowhere in sight, but LUKE doesn't look too frazzled. He notices LORELAI and RORY trudging down the street, and smiles, but doesn't notice CHRISTOPHER trailing a few steps behind. The familiar sound of the bell on the door rings, and RORY enters, followed by LORELAI who is talking with her rapidly about something; CHRISTOPHER is behind them obviously having given up on catching up with their fast talking.)
LORELAI: I still say we should go shopping.
RORY: It's pointless.
LORELAI: Have I taught you nothing of importance? Shopping, is never pointless.
RORY: True, but back to school shopping for clothing is pointless.
LORELAI: So what, you'd rather go to school in the buff?
RORY: No, but in case you've forgotten, I wear a uniform to school. You know - button down shirt, plaid skirt, tights - saddle shoes.
LORELAI: Yes, but don't you want clothes to wear after school?
RORY: I have tons of clothes to wear after school. I have your clothes to wear after school if I get tired of mine.
LORELAI: You're assuming I'll let you wear them.
RORY: Hi, you are wearing one of my shirts right now. And you wore one yesterday. You borrow something of mine basically every week. I think you owe me the right to borrow from your closet to my hearts content for the rest of my life.
LORELAI: True. But it's shopping. C'mon, why don't you want to go shopping? You always want to go.
RORY: No reason, I just feel busy lately.
LORELAI: You're always busy, and we still go shopping.
RORY: But I don't want to now.
LORELAI: We're shopaholics. We feast off these things.
RORY: The first step to overcoming a problem is admitting you have one. And the second is definitely not feeding it.
LORELAI: So what about coffee?
RORY: A different kind of obsession.
LORELAI: How so?
RORY: Coffee is cheap.
(LUKE is listening as they sit down.)
LUKE: Free.
LORELAI: What?
LUKE: Free. Coffee, is more often than not free for you.
LORELAI: How do you figure?
LUKE: If I got just a dollar - which is less than the price one extra-large to-go cup of coffee - for every time you came in here, and got coffee, then declared it on the house, I'd be a rich man.
LORELAI: Not true.
LUKE: Come to think of it, I should probably call the IRS, and see if maybe you count as a tax break.
LORELAI: I'm officially ignoring you now.
LUKE: And I'm officially cutting off your coffee supply.
LORELAI: I was kidding. Just kidding. Always kidding. Love the coffee. Never kidding about that.
LUKE: Yea, you remember that.
(CHRISTOPHER takes a seat on the other side of LORELAI. LUKE notices CHRISTOPHER.)
LUKE: Oh. Christopher. You're here.
CHRISTOPHER: Yes, I am, thank you.
LORELAI: Oh, I know - we thought he was a mirage at first, too, Luke. (CHRISTOPHER gives her a sarcastic smile.) But you'll have to get used to it, 'cause he's going to be here more often now.
LUKE: Really?
LORELAI: Well, considering he lives here now. He's starting to move in tomorrow evening.
LUKE: Oh ... I see. So what did you guys want?
RORY: Coffee.
LORELAI: More coffee.
RORY: I want more coffee than her.
LORELAI: My addiction is worse.
LUKE: I'll just bring you your own pot.
LORELAI: A whole pot, all to ourselves?
LUKE: The whole pot.
LORELAI: Can it always be our pot?
LUKE: Sure, it'd save me the trouble of running to whatever table you two are sitting at.
LORELAI (to RORY): Our own coffee pot in the diner - this is so exciting!
RORY: I never thought this day would come.
LORELAI: It's been years in the making. (Clears her throat.) We'd like to thank all the little people out there - Maxwell House, Folgers-
RORY: Starbucks.
LORELAI: Of course, Starbucks, how could we forget Starbucks? And Luke, we'd like to thank Luke.
LUKE: Please don't.
LORELAI: Are we forgetting anyone?
RORY: Jess.
LORELAI: Oh, right, can't forget lover boy. (RORY glares.) Wow. Our own coffee pot. I feel accomplished.
RORY: We have earned our own coffee pot in Luke's diner - who needs Harvard now, baby.
LORELAI: You do, baby. Don't joke. So what do we do now?
RORY: We can get it personalized. (LORELAI's eyes light up.) We'll get one of those little engraved plaques put on it.
LORELAI: What will it say?
RORY: Gilmore?
LORELAI: Too boring. How about ... Lorelai and Rory's pot?
RORY: Has bad connotations.
LORELAI: Exactly, leaves 'em wondering.
RORY: And leaves us on the front page of the Stars Hollow Gazette, with Taylor condemning us for drinking laced coffee.
LORELAI: Ok, ok, so ... bad idea. Wait, I know! We can name it!
RORY: Not a bad idea.
LORELAI: So what will we name it?
RORY: Hmmm ...
LORELAI: Ernie!
RORY: What?
LORELAI: Ernie! We can name it Ernie.
RORY: Why Ernie?
LORELAI: Because - the tool box is Bert.
RORY: Then Ernie it is.
LORELAI: We'll have to decorate it.
RORY: With rhinestones.
LORELAI: And fake pink fur.
RORY: But Ernie is a guy's name.
LORELAI: So it's a cross-dressing coffee pot.
RORY: That can work.
LORELAI: Why didn't we ever think of this idea before?
(LUKE is looking at them, CHRIS looks kind of bewildered.)
LUKE: The better question is why I mentioned it. You know, come to think of it, the idea is taken back.
LORELAI: Oh, no, you cannot take back the coffee pot now. We've adopted it. It's part of our family. It's name is Ernie-
LUKE: You made it a drag queen.
LORELAI: Hey, I didn't make Ernie a drag queen - it was his choice. Please let us keep him!
LUKE: No.
LORELAI: We'll walk him, and feed him, and give him baths.
LUKE: Fine. Keep the coffee pot. Chris, what do you want?
CHRISTOPHER: I'll have tea to start.

-THEME SONG, CREDITS, AND COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN TO LUKE'S DINER
(LORELAI, RORY, and CHRISTOPHER are sitting at the counter, talking, and sipping their drinks. LORELAI turns to RORY.)
LORELAI: So, shopping?
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Why not?
RORY: I just don't want to.
LORELAI: There's a reason you don't want to go.
RORY: No there isn't.
LORELAI: There is too, and I intend to find out exactly what it is.
RORY: Good luck with that, Inspector Gadget.
LORELAI (thinking): Ah ha! I know! I know what it is. (RORY looks at her.) The homecoming displays are supposed to have gone up. The dresses. The dresses are there, and they remind you of homecoming, which you secretly want to go to, but don't have the guts to ask your boyfriend to take you too.
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Yes.
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Yes.
RORY: So what if it is? It doesn't matter. And I just don't want to go, it has nothing to do with me having or not having the guts to ask Jess to take me. This discussion is over.
LORELAI: ... He'd take you.
RORY (to CHRISTOPHER): Did you hear me say this conversation was over? 'Cause I thought I said it was, but maybe I was mistaken.
(CHRISTOPHER shrugs.)
LORELAI: He'd take you. He'd get dressed up like a prince to take his princess to homecoming.
RORY: It doesn't matter if he would, or wouldn't, because I don't want to go.
LORELAI: Liar.
RORY: You're obnoxious.
LORELAI: Liar, liar, pants on fire.
RORY: You're obnoxious, and two years old.
LORELAI: Just vocalizing the blatantly obvious.
RORY: Not really. (RORY is obviously getting frustrated and looks to LUKE who is at the cash register.) Luke?
LUKE: Huh?
RORY: Where's Jess?
LUKE: Sleeping in.
RORY: Sleeping in?
(LORELAI snaps her head in LUKE's direction.)
LORELAI: Sleeping in?
LUKE: You've heard of it.
LORELAI: Yes, but I wasn't sure you had.
LUKE: Well, it's just, the kid's been working really hard in school - brought his grades up, he's being kinda responsible, and he hasn't caused any real trouble, except making Taylor paranoid simply because he lives here, which is actually kind of entertaining ... anyways, I thought he deserved a morning off.
RORY (disappointed.): Oh.
LUKE: You can go up and see him, if you want. He might still be asleep, he might just be reading or something, I don't really know. Go check. I mean, if it's ok with your mom (CHRISTOPHER looks at him) ... and your dad.
LORELAI: Shoo. Get outta here.
(She fans RORY away with her hand. RORY runs up the stairs on tiptoe, and enters the apartment hesitantly and quietly. She walks towards JESS's room, and enters even more quietly. JESS is stretched out on the left side of his bed, his face buried in his pillow. RORY smiles at this, and goes and sits on the left side of the bed, softly. She absentmindedly reaches out and begins to gently run her fingers through JESS's hair. JESS begins to stir and turn over.)
JESS: Hmm ... (looking to RORY) Rory?
RORY: Hey ... sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up.
JESS (smiles): No, no. It's ok ... what's up?
RORY: The Grapes of Wrath.
JESS: Great book. What about it?
RORY: Do you have it?
JESS: Yea.
RORY: Can I borrow it?
JESS: Sure ... but I thought you had The Grapes of Wrath.
RORY: I do.
JESS: So you want to borrow mine because ... ?
RORY: Because you take better notes in the margins - and I have to reread it before school starts, for my AP class.
JESS (pointing): Bottom shelf. Somewhere on the left, I think.
(RORY nods, and gets up to get the book. JESS watches her every step, obviously very happy to see her, despite her waking him up. He stretches his arms a little, and RORY finds the book. You can tell she is feeling a little uncomfortable in the situation, especially when looks to JESS, to see he is topless, which she didn't notice before, since he was curled up in the blankets.)
RORY (blushing): Well, uh ... I'll let you get back to sleep, then. I'll see you later?
JESS (smiling at her meekness): No, it's ok, you can stay. ... Come here.
(JESS pats the spot next to him, and props himself up a little against his pillow. He stretches his left arm out, and raises his eyebrows at RORY. She thinks it over, and despite her wariness, goes over to JESS. She sits down next to JESS who wraps his outstretched arm around her, and brings his other arm around her, as well, hugging her close to him, and pulling her a little downwards. JESS smiles up at RORY who is still sitting taller than him. JESS lays his head on RORY's shoulder, his face buried in the crook of her neck. JESS takes a deep breath, and sighs, and RORY shivers at the feel of his breath on her skin. She kisses his forehead, then proceeds to wrap her right arm around him. She is a little startled at first, because his back is bare, but settles into things almost at once, and rubs his back second naturedly. JESS kisses her neck, and then sighs again, closing his eyes. RORY follows suit, closing her eyes, and sliding down a little more, dozing for a few minutes. The camera cuts to the downstairs where LUKE goes to the stairwell and shouts up.)
LUKE: Jess!
(JESS groans, and pulls RORY into him tighter.)
LUKE: Jess! It's getting kind of hectic down here ... I, uh, kinda need your help ... If you could get down here within the next half an hour or so, that would be really good. (Waits for an answer.) ... Jess? Rory? Someone up there give me an acknowledgement.
JESS (hollering, frustrated because the moment has been interrupted): I'll be down, alright?
LUKE: That's all I ask.
(RORY starts to move to get up, but JESS's grip on her gets a little tighter. JESS opens his eyes and looks to RORY, who smiles at him.)
JESS (softly): And where exactly (kisses her neck) do you think you're going?
RORY: Well ... Luke said that you have to be downstairs in a half an hour, and I just thought you'd want to get ready, you know, take a shower.
JESS (sarcastically): Are you implying that I need a shower?
RORY (blushes, and begins to stutter): No, no ... I just, I always ... have to take a shower to wake up, some people do, I don't know ... I just-
JESS: Calm down ... I'm just messing with you.
RORY: That's not very nice-
(JESS kisses RORY to get her to be quiet, and once they pull away, RORY sighs, out of breath.)
JESS: Did that make up for it?
(RORY nods.)
JESS: Anyways ... Luke said "about a half an hour" ... which gives me a few minutes of leeway.
RORY: Naughty boy.
(JESS raises his eyebrows suggestively.)
RORY (blushes): Jess ... I didn't ... you know I ... oh, gosh, just don't do that.
JESS (smirking): Sorry, sorry. I don't show up late every morning ... and I've been on time almost every morning, anyways, so if I'm a few minutes late, it won't kill him.
RORY: You have been helping him out a lot lately.
JESS: Glad to see my work is noticed.
RORY: You've been doing really well in school today.
JESS: You really are cut out to be a journalist. You know, with that perceptiveness, and everything.
RORY: Any reason?
JESS: For what?
RORY: For ... I don't know, this sudden ... change of attitude.
JESS (face twists a little): No reason.
RORY: No reason?
JESS: Nope. Just because.
RORY (sighs): ... Oh ... I see.
(JESS senses the disappointment from not knowing the exact reason in her voice, and automatically feels bad. He pulls her down a little more, and RORY turns on her side so she is at eye level with him, and he holds her close to his chest, and kisses her forehead.)
RORY (cheering up already): ... This is nice.
JESS (sighs happily): Yes, it is.
(RORY reaches for JESS's face, and runs her fingers over his cheek and to his jawline, and kisses him.)
RORY: Hmmm ... you have to get ready.
JESS: You're no fun.
RORY: I'll be fun later, if you get ready for work.
(RORY kisses his nose.)
JESS: Fine, fine. I'm getting up.
(JESS lets go of RORY hesitantly, and throws his covers off, and slides off the bed, then walks around to RORY who is remained on top of the covers, and takes her hands to help her up. RORY notices JESS is in only his boxers, and blushes once again. JESS leads her by the hand to the door, but slowly.)
RORY (stops and turns to JESS): Uh, Jess, I gotta question for you.
(JESS steps up to her, and puts his arms around her waist as she speaks.)
JESS: Which is?
RORY: ... Well, see my mom wants to go shopping, for school, which is really kind of pointless for me, for clothes anyways, but she really wants to go, you know to a mall in Hartford. And I figured I get my school supplies, and there is a huge Barnes and Noble there, and everything ... and well, I was just wondering if you'd go.
JESS: You want me to go? Isn't that supposed to be like ... you know ... you and your mom's time.
RORY: You don't want to go?
JESS: No, no ... I mean, of course I want to go - there's a Barnes and Noble (RORY gives him a questioning look) ... and you, and everything ... but I don't want to step over the mother-daughter line, so if I'm going to be cutting in on your time-
RORY: For the past seventeen and a half years, my mom and I have had "our time" ... I want to spend time with you.
(JESS smiles broadly at this, and can't hide a goofy grin, and RORY beams, knowing she put it there.)
JESS: Then I'll go.
RORY: Really?
JESS: Sure ... can't be that bad.
RORY: Oh, thank you!
(RORY throws her arms around JESS's neck and hugs him tight. JESS holds her tighter to him, since her feet are dangling a tiny ways off the ground now.)
JESS: Anytime. Well ... don't take that too literally, because I'm not going shopping every day or anything.
(RORY hugs him tighter, then plants a kiss on his cheek and runs out the door and down the stairs. JESS smiles at her happiness, then walks into the bathroom.)

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN TO LUKE'S
(RORY, LORELAI, and CHRISTOPHER are now eating their breakfast down in the diner when JESS comes down the stairs. RORY, LORELAI and CHRISTOPHER are obviously very wrapped up in their conversation, and they don't even notice JESS come down. JESS goes to the coffee pot and gets it off the burner.)
CHRISTOPHER: So, I figure I'll rent something to move all my stuff here - a truck maybe. Just a pick-up truck, or something - I don't have enough stuff that I need an actual moving truck.
RORY: Then we'll help you move it in.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, that's good and everything, but some of the stuff is too heavy for you two to lift. I can barely get it all myself.
LORELAI: So how are you going to get it in the truck and get it here, then?
CHRISTOPHER: A couple guys in the apartment in Boston said they'd give me a hand, so getting it here isn't the problem. Just getting it in the apartment. Now, luckily, I'm on the first floor...
(The conversation drowns out a little, as JESS watches RORY, and smiles. He pours her and LORELAI fresh cups of coffee, and then ruffles RORY's hair with his freehand as he walks to the back of the diner to give refills. RORY turns to see him and smiles, and JESS nods and gives an acknowledging smile. When JESS returns to the counter, CHRISTOPHER turns to him.)
CHRISTOPHER: Jess. Just the person I wanted to see.
LORELAI: Quick, Jess. Run while you have the chance.
CHRISTOPHER: Ignore her. How would you like to make a few extra bucks?
JESS (raises his eyebrows): Depends on how I would get it.
CHRISTOPHER: I'm moving into my apartment, starting tomorrow. Now, I can get the stuff out here, with some help from some guys in Boston, but I need to get it into the apartment here, and some of the boxes are heavy, and Rory and Lor are helping but ... well, these two (nods toward them) clowns aren't going to be much help lifting boxes.
RORY: Hey, we offered.
LORELAI: Yes, and we're taking it back now.
CHRISTOPHER: Which doesn't matter any how, because I can't let them carry this stuff so-
JESS: You want me to help you lift a few boxes and some furniture into your new place?
CHRISTOPHER: Yes. It's going to be a lot of work - I mean, the bed is getting delivered tomorrow, too, so I might need some help with setup as well. I'll pay you - one-hundred bucks for the day.
JESS (looks at a hopeful RORY and smiles): ... I'll help.
CHRISTOPHER: Great, that's great.
JESS: On one condition.
CHRISTOPHER: And that is?
JESS: Don't pay me.
CHRISTOPHER: I think you'll want some compensation after you see the work that needs to be done.
JESS (looks to RORY then back at CHRISTOPHER): It's not necessary.
CHRISTOPHER: ... We'll talk about it tomorrow afternoon, then. You might feel differently.
JESS: My answer will still be the same ... but hey, whatever floats your boat.
(LUKE comes in from the kitchen and hands JESS a few orders, and points to a table.)
LUKE: Over there. And stop dawdling. I didn't let you sleep in so you could be all slow and tired when you finally got up, and I don't pay you to dawdle and be all cutesy with Rory - no offense, Rory.
RORY (smiling): None taken. (Looks to JESS.) You better get to work, kid.
JESS: Yea, I better ... especially if I want him to give me time off to go shopping.
LORELAI (turns): What? Shopping? You said you wouldn't go shopping with me.
RORY: Well, I thought ... that we could bring Jess, you know. He could come in the bookstore and stuff with me, so you wouldn't feel bad when you leave me to browse ... and well ... it'd just be nice. And we'd get to go shopping then.
LORELAI: So you'll go if Jess comes, but you won't just come with me?
(JESS grimaces and CHRISTOPHER gives him a look of sympathy.)
RORY: No, it's just ... well, you know I was going to give into you anyways, and I just thought it be nice to bring him. I mean, school starts soon, and we aren't going to be able to spend as much time together, and I just thought ... Well ... I'd really like him to come. It's nothing against you, Mom. I love spending time with you, and I mean, I'm pretty sure Jess isn't going to be sticking around the entire time we browse clothes, I mean, he'll probably go look in the music store or something ... right Jess? (She looks to him for help. JESS nods.)
LORELAI: Well ... alright then. I guess he can come.
RORY: Thanks, Mom.
(JESS smiles seeing that everything is ok, and takes the orders to the table.)
LORELAI: So I guess you two are a package deal now, huh? Two literary nuts for the price of one? (RORY gives a discerning smile.) Just kidding. So, uh ... shopping then. Like what ... Monday afternoon? (Calls to JESS.) Monday afternoon good for you, kid? (JESS nods.) Monday afternoon ... we'll go shopping. You ... me ... and Jess. (LORELAI is happy for RORY, but looks kind of confused.)

CUT TO THE GILMORE RESIDENCE
(It's Sunday morning. The camera pans through the Gilmore house. LORELAI is still in her bed sleeping, RORY is sitting at the table in the kitchen, reading the paper, and drinking coffee. All of a sudden, a sound of a horn honking can be heard. LORELAI sits up straight in her bed, and RORY gets up and goes to the door. The camera focuses on LORELAI getting on her robe and slippers and trudging down the stairs. RORY is already at the door and opens it to see CHRISTOPHER has pulled up to the house in a red pickup truck, the bed of it filled with boxes. CHRISTOPHER gets out the truck, and slips his keys in his pockets. LORELAI and RORY exit the house and go outside to meet CHRISTOPHER.)
RORY: Hm, a red pickup truck.
LORELAI: I like it, I like it. This definitely has the Volvo beat.
CHRISTOPHER: It's only a rental.
LORELAI: Oh, but I was just coming up with good names for it. I think you should look into one of these for your own, Christopher.
CHRISTOPHER: I don't know, is a truck a good family vehicle?
LORELAI: Sure, I mean, hillbillies swear by them. You know they just pile everyone in the bed and have a (talking with a southern accent) good ol' time.
CHRISTOPHER: Isn't that illegal?
LORELAI: What? Having a good ol' time? It depends what the good ol' time is. (CHRISTOPHER glares.) Oh, driving around the bed? Probably. I wouldn't know, I'm not very up on exactly what is a traffic violations.
RORY: Which explains all the tickets.
LORELAI: Hey, I could've sworn that u-turns were perfectly legal in Connecticut.
RORY: Not when you are about to merge onto the freeway.
LORELAI: Hey, it was the wrong one.
RORY: So you could've gotten off at the first exit.
LORELAI: That's what someone who thinks logically would do. I try to think out of the box.
RORY: 'Cause you're out of your mind.
LORELAI: Ok, new topic, preferably not about my many traffic violations.
RORY: So, when do we start?
CHRISTOPHER: Whenever you guys are ready.
RORY: I'll go get Jess, then.
LORELAI: Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. It's only (looks at her watch) 9 o'clock.
RORY: And your point it is?
LORELAI: That you have already had one cup of coffee this morning. I have had none.
RORY: So get some.
LORELAI: You know, just 'cause you haven't seen your boyfriend in like, twelve hours, doesn't mean you can rush the rest of us so you can see him.
RORY: Very true. I'll go see him anyways. Page me when you guys are ready to start.
(RORY kisses LORELAI and then CHRISTOPHER on the cheek, and walks off towards the center of town.)
LORELAI: After everything I told that girl about drugs being bad, she goes and gets addicted to one.
(They enter the house.)
CHRISTOPHER: And what is that?
LORELAI: Jess ... actually, it's more being in love with Jess that she's addicted to.
CHRISTOPHER: Is this a bad thing?
(LORELAI goes and pours herself a cup of coffee.)
LORELAI: Yes ... well, no. I don't know.
(LORELAI sits down across from CHRISTOPHER at the table.)
LORELAI: I mean ... Jess, has become a really good kid, and while I am still pretty sure that bad side exists in him somewhere, Rory has definitely softened it. And he loves her ... more than anything in this world, he cares about Rory, and I'm pretty sure he would join the circus is it would make her happy.
CHRISTOPHER: So what's bad about it?
LORELAI: Nothing, really. I mean, at least, not for her. It's just ... hard to get used to, you know? I mean, with Dean, it was never like this. They visited each other, he tagged along for movie nights here and there, and you know, he built her the car and everything. But I think Dean loved her more than she ever loved him. With Jess ... it's different. He's ... always around, mainly because she always wants him around. Not like with Dean where ... he'd show up, and she didn't really want him around all the time. She loves to see Jess ... she loves to be with Jess, and suddenly the whole "mother-daughter-best-friend-equation" has become the "mother-daughter-and-daughter's-boyfriend-equation," and I just have some trouble getting used to it.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, you never were very good at math. ... I think Jess is a good kid though. It's taken me awhile to see it, but I think dinner did it for me. He handled himself very well. I see a lot of me in Jess.
LORELAI: That used to worry me.
CHRISTOPHER: I see a lot of you in Jess, too.
LORELAI: That still worries me.
CHRISTOPHER: But ... he really cares about Rory.
LORELAI: ... Yes ... he does.

CUT TO STARS HOLLOW STREETS
(RORY and JESS are walking down the sidewalk. JESS has his hands in his pockets, RORY is walking beside him, smiling. They are obviously wrapped up in a very good conversation.)
JESS: Hmm ... Catcher in the Rye or Franny and Zooey?
RORY: Oh, you can't make me choose between two Salingers.
JESS: Well, it's true. They are both great novels ... but I think I'd have to pick Catcher in the Rye.
RORY: Really?
JESS: Yea ... I can identify more with Holden Caufield.
RORY: Hmm ... makes sense.
JESS: So what is it then ... Franny and Zooey or Catcher in the Rye?
RORY: Well ... (thinking it over) I love Franny and Zooey.
JESS: So Franny and Zooey it is, then?
RORY: But ... I happen to love Holden Caufield's character.
JESS (smiles): Oh, really?
RORY: Yep. I definitely think I have to go for Catcher in the Rye.
(JESS beams at RORY and pulls her towards him. He smoothes down her hair and kisses her head, then slings his arm over her shoulder.)
RORY: A Separate Peace or Dead Poets Society.
JESS: One's a book, and one's a movie.
RORY: How very ingenious of you, Holmes.
JESS: I can't pick between a book and a movie.
RORY: But they both portray very similar ideas.
(The camera fades out.)

CUT TO CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT
(The camera pans around an empty apartment. Suddenly, we hear banging on the door that is coming from the outside and the sound of LORELAI's voice, muffled.)
LORELAI: Why, won't, this, door, open? (Banging on the door between every word.)
RORY: Turn the key right.
LORELAI: It won't turn right.
RORY: Then turn it left.
LORELAI: It won't turn left.
JESS: Just get the damn door open, someone - this box is heavy.
RORY: Let me try.
LORELAI: I can get it.
RORY: You've already proven you can't. Give it to me.
LORELAI: I can't.
RORY: Why not?
LORELAI: It's stuck.
JESS: What do you mean it's stuck?
LORELAI: How many different meanings for "It's stuck," do you know, Jess? ... Is Christopher coming?
JESS: He's coming with another box.
LORELAI (calling): Christopher!
CHRISTOPHER: Coming, coming.
(We hear the sound of a door shut. CHRISTOPHER comes into view, and sets his box down a few feet from JESS. He approaches the door.)
CHRISTOPHER: You know, me giving you a key does you absolutely no good if it's stuck in the door.
LORELAI: I know, it was an accident.
CHRISTOPHER: Was putting it in upside down an accident, too?
LORELAI: Upside down? I did not put it in upside down. (CHRISTOPHER yanks the key out of the lock, showing it to LORELAI.) I put it in upside down. (LORELAI turns to RORY.) Why did you let me put it in upside down?
RORY: I didn't see you put it in here. You raced me here and beat me.
LORELAI: So get quicker.
RORY: Put keys in the lock the right way.
JESS: Just open the door!
LORELAI: A little impatient, aren't we?
JESS: Look, it appears to me that you aren't standing here, holding a box that weighs seventy pounds. In fact, I'm here so you two don't have to-
LORELAI: So Rory doesn't have to.
JESS: Either way, you aren't carrying the box, so just open the door.
LORELAI: Fine. You're no fun. (LORELAI opens the door, then turns to RORY.) Your boyfriend is a party pooper.
RORY: Oh, I know.
(She winks at JESS, and lets him in ahead of her.)

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN TO CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT
(LORELAI and RORY are in CHRISTOPHER's small kitchen unpacking the few dishes he brought with him and attempting to organize things. CHRISTOPHER and JESS are in the next room over, putting together CHRISTOPHER's new bed. RORY and LORELAI can hear them talking, and are listening carefully and giggling.)
CHRISTOPHER: I think that this goes here-
JESS: No, wait - the diagram shows it going here.
LORELAI: Hey, he reads directions. Imagine that.
RORY: Impressive, isn't he?
LORELAI: Yes, unlike Christopher. Never been good at following directions. Like the night that you were conceived ... yea, I said "Shouldn't we read the box-
CHRISTOPHER (calling): I hear that.
JESS (calling): Yea, me too. These are details I don't need to know about my girlfriend.
LORELAI (calling): Aw, but Jess, don't you want to know how she ended up on this planet, all beautiful and smart?
JESS (calling): I had the birds and the bees discussion about the time I turned seven. That's all I need to know, thank you very much.
LORELAI: You're no fun.
(JESS and CHRISTOPHER come into the kitchen. RORY is filling up a glass of water for herself at the sink.)
JESS: That's what I hear. (JESS is approaching RORY who is leaning against the countertop, sipping her water.) Lemme have some of that.
RORY: Oh here, I'll just get you your own glass. You don't want to drink out of a glass I've already drank out of.
JESS: I don't? Because, it doesn't seem much different than if you were to kiss me ... I mean, the spit-swapping and everything-
LORELAI: Ew, gross. You know the whole "no details" thing you didn't want? Yea, I think I just got your point.
JESS: Deal.
RORY (sighs): Jess ...
JESS: What?
RORY: You're unbelievable sometimes, you know that?
JESS: Yep. But I also know that you wouldn't have me any other way.
(RORY laughs a little silently, and diverts her eyes away from him as she tries not to blush. JESS takes the glass from her hands and takes a sip of water, then sets it down on the counter beside RORY. JESS takes RORY's chin in the palm of his hand, and brings her face up to his and kisses her. RORY at first tries to pull away, pretending to be mad, but doesn't succeed, and allows JESS to wrap his arms around her as she loses herself in the kiss, and lets him deepen it. JESS pulls away suddenly.)
JESS: My point exactly.
(RORY slaps him on the arm playfully.)
RORY: Get outta here. Get back to work.
(JESS raises his eyebrows at her and smirks.)
RORY: I'm not kidding, go, before I get mad.
JESS: You can't get angry at me.
RORY: Oh, I can't?
(JESS kisses her again.)
JESS: No ... you can't.
(JESS ruffles her hair and little, and rubs her shoulder, then goes off in the direction of the bedroom.)
LORELAI: You two are gross. Kissing, and hugging and everything.
RORY: He's my boyfriend, what did you expect?
CHRISTOPHER (sarcastically): Yea, Lor, he's her boyfriend, what did you expect?
LORELAI: Go. Help Jess. Do something. I liked you better when you were being protective.
CHRISTOPHER: Hey, I never stopped being protective. I've just got someone an additional person to help me be protective. (He points towards the bedroom.)
LORELAI: You, off my planet.
(CHRISTOPHER laughs a little, and grabs a glass of water, then heads to the bedroom.)
RORY: Mom, you ok?
LORELAI: I'm fine. Well ... it's just Jess.
RORY (warily): What about him?
LORELAI: Nothing, I just ... he loves you, that's all.
RORY: You don't know that.
LORELAI (whispering): It's a pretty good bet. And you love him. That I know.
RORY: So what's wrong with that? You like Jess, remember? I mean, you haven't always liked him, and you haven't ever really come straight up and said he was your best friend or anything, I didn't ever expect you to. But I mean ... you guys have been getting along pretty good.
LORELAI: We are. It's good, I do like Jess. And I'm glad ... that you've found someone.
RORY: Well ... you have someone, Dad.
LORELAI: Yea ... yea, I do.

(She sighs, then RORY opens another box and begins putting pots and pans under the stove. LORELAI kneels down and helps her.)

CUT TO LATER IN CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT
(LORELAI and RORY enter the living area, and fall onto the couch, exhausted. Soon, JESS and CHRISTOPHER enter.)
CHRISTOPHER: What if that isn't where I wanted that couch?
LORELAI: This is where the delivery guys put it, therefore, this is where it belongs.
CHRISTOPHER: I had no idea the delivery guys were the supreme beings of interior décor.
LORELAI: That's because you are way behind on your current events. But, it's lucky for you that this couch just so happens to be right in front of your TV. It's also lucky for you that I called the cable company and someone will be out tomorrow to install digital cable.
CHRISTOPHER: Do I want digital cable?
LORELAI: Oh, yea it's fun. You can just press one button, and it comes up with the entire TV listing for all the channels, and you can scroll through them instead of having to surf the channels.
CHRISTOPHER: It takes all the fun and enjoyment out of channel surfing, then.
LORELAI: It's modern channel surfing.
(While they banter about channel surfing, JESS sees RORY laying on the other side of the couch. Her head is resting on a pillow that is against the left arm of the couch, and her eyes are closed. Her back is right up against the back of the couch, and her knees are bent slightly. JESS smiles at this, and notices there is room for him to sit in front of RORY since she is curled so tightly against the back of the couch. He sits down so his back is towards LORELAI's end of the couch and so he is facing RORY's. He absentmindedly rubs her shoulder with his left hand. RORY opens her eyes, and smiles at him, then sits up and past the spot where her head had been lying. JESS takes the seat, RORY lays her head in his lap, and closes her eyes again. JESS smiles down at her and smoothes her hair down over and over as LORELAI and CHRISTOPHER continue talking.)
CHRISTOPHER: I have to get the truck back to Boston so I don't end up paying extra.
LORELAI: So will you be back tonight then?
CHRISTOPHER (looks out the window, then at his watch): I don't know. I don't think so. It's getting awful late. I figure I'll stay in Boston tonight, then come out tomorrow afternoon to finish emptying these boxes. Then I'll officially be moved in ... I'll spend the night in Stars Hollow tomorrow night.
LORELAI: Wow, what a concept. Sleeping in the place you live? I didn't know you were familiar with that.
CHRISTOPHER: Ha, ha. So, uh, tomorrow then?
LORELAI: Well, tomorrow, after school and work, me, and Sonny and Cher over here are going shopping.
CHRISTOPHER: Ah, yes, the shopping trip.
LORELAI: But after I could swing by.
CHRISTOPHER: I'll look forward to it.
LORELAI: Won't you, though?
(LORELAI kisses CHRISTOPHER. RORY notices.)
RORY: Ok, hey ... thanks, get a room.
LORELAI: If you can, then I can.
RORY: Whatever, whatever.
CHRISTOPHER: So what, do you want me to drive you guys back to your place?
LORELAI: Nah, we'll walk.
RORY: Yea ... the truck isn't very comfortable for riding in. Not enough leg room-
LORELAI: For playing footsie, that is.
(JESS raises his eyebrows suggestively at RORY, RORY slaps him teasingly, once again.)
RORY: Mom, stop already.
LORELAI: I'm just kidding. Anyways, we'll walk. Stop and get some coffee. (They start to get up off the couch, and head towards the door. JESS puts his hand at the small of RORY's back, as she walks ahead of him.) So, I'll see you tomorrow then. (She kisses CHRISTOPHER once more.)
CHRISTOPHER: Yep. Tomorrow. Oh, hey Jess. (He pats him on the back.) Thanks a lot, for helping out. (CHRISTOPHER reaches into his pocket.) Please, let me pay you.
(RORY is out in the hall with LORELAI, now.)
JESS: I can't let you do that.
CHRISTOPHER: Not even seventy-five bucks?
JESS: Nah.
CHRISTOPHER: Fifty?
JESS: It's alright, really.
CHRISTOPHER: Twenty-five. (JESS shakes his head.) Ten bucks. C'mon, ten bucks?
JESS (sighs): Fine. Fine. Ten bucks.
(CHRISTOPHER pulls out his wallet, and pulls out a ten dollar bill, and hands it to him.)
CHRISTOPHER: You know the work you did is worth more than this.
JESS: Maybe so. But money isn't necessary. You know as well as I do ... that I just couldn't say no.
(CHRISTOPHER nods, and pats him on the back again. JESS exits.)

CUT TO STARS HOLLOW STREETS
(RORY, LORELAI and JESS are walking towards LUKE's.)
LORELAI: I'm so sore. My joints are sore, my muscles are sore, my feet hurt. Does this mean I'm getting old?
RORY: No it just means it the first time you've done manual labor in years.
JESS: Ha! Manual labor. I noticed how much help the two of you put into the moving of the furniture, and the putting together of the bed.
LORELAI: I'll have you know that I moved boxes of dishes.
RORY: And I moved an end table.
JESS: So what? You want a cookie?
(RORY smirks and shakes her head. JESS reaches for RORY's hand and squeezes it tightly, and runs his thumb over the top of her hand rhythmically as they walk. RORY beams at him.)
LORELAI: Hey, you do this kind of stuff everyday, kid. It's been a long time since I've done anything like this.
JESS: I know, I know. I'm done being critical for the evening.
LORELAI: Quick, someone, inform the press, alert the media, phone the paparazzi.
JESS: I'm also going to ignore that statement.
LORELAI: I'm just glad that Christopher is finally going to be moved in. No more of this "Staying in Boston tonight, coming in for an hour tomorrow," stuff. He's gonna be here. And no more lifting things.
RORY: Yea. I am too. It's too bad he isn't getting a house. We could throw him a house warming party.
LORELAI: Hey! That gives me an idea.
JESS: Quick, someone, inform the press, alert the media, phone the paparazzi.
LORELAI: That wasn't nearly as funny as when I said it.
JESS: I thought it was.
LORELAI: You just go ahead thinking that. Anyways ... so my idea is ... an apartment warming! We could throw him an apartment warming.
RORY: That is a good idea.
JESS: Depends who you talk to.
LORELAI: We could invite everyone.
RORY: Well, everyone won't fit in that apartment.
LORELAI: Well ... can invite Patti, Babette, Morey, Sookie, Jackson, Michel-
RORY: He won't come.
LORELAI: He'll complain if he's not invited.
RORY: True, on with the list.
LORELAI: Kirk, Luke ... this kid (points to JESS).
JESS: I'm honored.
RORY: What about Grandma and Grandpa?
LORELAI: What about them?
RORY: Should we invite them?
LORELAI: Considering the current situation, I'd say no.
RORY: But maybe it would be a good idea, you know. They'd finally get to see that Dad is really committing to being with us, and in Stars Hollow.
LORELAI: I don't think so, Rory.
RORY: Ok, ok. It was just an idea.
(They arrive in front of LUKE's, and enter. LORELAI sniffs the air, and can smell the coffee the LUKE is brewing. The diner has a few people in it.)
LORELAI: I now know what it must feel like to enter Heaven.
RORY: Amen, sister-friend.
(JESS goes behind the counter.)
JESS: Here, or to-go.
LORELAI: Here.
JESS: Rory?
RORY: Depends ... If I get it to-go, will you walk me home?
JESS: I guess I could suffer through it.
(RORY smirks.)
RORY: To-go, please.
JESS (to LUKE): You hear that. (LUKE grunts.) That means yes.
(LUKE pours the two their coffee, and places it in front of them. RORY takes hers, and JESS leads her out, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close at his side once they are out of the diner.)
LORELAI: Well, this certainly is becoming déjà vu.
LUKE: What do you mean?
LORELAI: I just mean ... that every time we come in here, she ends up ... leaving with Jess ... or staying with Jess. Or never even coming in, because she met up with Jess outside.
LUKE: So?
LORELAI: So ... I'm just pointing out that ... she spends all her time with Jess.
LUKE: Well, they're ... you know, together ... and I guess, in love or something. I guess it's to be expected. Now, I wouldn't really know, because truthfully, it's been awhile ... but it would appear to me that that is the reason for their sudden always togetherness.
LORELAI: Yea ...
LUKE: It's good for him ... and for Rory ... for both of them, really.
LORELAI: Yea ... they're good for each other.
LUKE: They ... kind of need each other, you know.
(LORELAI looks down into her cup of coffee, her face pensive..)
LORELAI: Yea ... they need each other.

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

OPEN TO DEPARTMENT STORE
(It's Monday afternoon, and RORY and LORELAI are browsing the department store in a mall. RORY is searching a rack of jeans, holding up pairs to LORELAI who nods or shakes her head at each pair.
LORELAI: So where is Jess?
RORY: He came in, he saw the clothes, and then he said something about the music store, and he'd meet me back here in twenty minutes.
(LORELAI's attention is suddenly grabbed by a rack of formal dresses, and she walks over to them automatically, and begins looking over them. RORY goes to show her mother another pair of jeans, when she notices the LORELAI has made her way to homecoming dresses. RORY takes a deep breath and at first looks happy, but then gives a pained stare. She goes over to LORELAI and looks at some of the dresses.)
LORELAI: Aren't they gorgeous?
RORY: Yea ... they're ... they're very pretty.
LORELAI: I am totally getting ideas.
RORY: For what?
LORELAI: For the dress I'm going to sew you for homecoming.
RORY: That would be nice, if I was going.
(LORELAI begins to take dresses off the rack. She takes a red dress, a pink dress, and glittery black dress.)
RORY: What are you doing?
LORELAI: Well, it's pointless to go to the changing rooms if you have nothing to try on.
RORY: I'm not trying them on.
LORELAI: Why not?
RORY: Because I'm not going to homecoming.
LORELAI: Ok, so you're not going to homecoming. But dresses are fun to try on anyways.
RORY: If I try them on, will you let this go?
LORELAI (sighs): ... Yes ... but I just want to say that I really think you are letting yourself down by not admitting that you want to go to homecoming - especially when you have a boyfriend, who would take if you wanted to go.
RORY: But I don't. Let's get this over with.
(LORELAI hands RORY the dresses, and RORY walks towards a sign that says "Fitting Rooms" not far from the racks.)

CUT TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT STORE
(JESS is entering the department store, and heading towards the juniors department, where he left LORELAI and RORY. He is swinging a bag from the record store in his hand, as he looks around for them. He looks to both sides of the department, when finally he hears RORY and LORELAI's voices. He follows the voices through the racks of clothes, looking slightly embarrassed. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees RORY. She is wearing a floor-length, glittery black dress, with super thin spaghetti straps and a low back. The straps and the top of the bodice are adorned in small rhinestones, that cover the lining of the back of the dress as well.)
RORY: I feel naked.
LORELAI: Turn around.
(RORY spins around slowly so LORELAI can see her.)
LORELAI: It looks good on you. One more time.
(RORY turns around again, slower this time. JESS gives a small gasp as he runs his eyes over her.)
RORY: It doesn't matter, because I'm not going to homecoming.
(LORELAI hears JESS's gasp through RORY's speaking and turns to see him.)
LORELAI: Ah, Jess. Just the guy I've been looking for. (LORELAI walks over to him, and takes him by the arm, dragging him over to RORY and standing him in front of her.) What do you think?
JESS (playing oblivious): Of what?
LORELAI: The dress.
JESS: The dress ... is very black. (LORELAI glares.) But nice, I never said anything was wrong with black.
LORELAI: What do you think of the dress on Rory?
JESS (takes a deep breath): I think ... Rory looks great in the dress-
LORELAI: See I told you-
JESS: But ... I think you should try something in a blue. A light blue.
RORY: Why blue?
JESS: ... To match your eyes.
LORELAI: Blue, it is then. (She smiles and starts to head off towards the dresses again.)
RORY: No, no. It's alright. I think I better get back in my clothes. That way we can ... uh, we can head over to the bookstore. I don't want to keep Jess waiting.
JESS: Rory, if you want to-
RORY: No. I want to go look at books. I don't want to try on dresses ... I want to go look at books.
(RORY rushes into the changing room, and slams the door behind her. LORELAI and JESS's eyes widen at the same time, and JESS looks to LORELAI, who shrugs her shoulders.)
LORELAI: Not a clue.

CUT TO CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT IN BOSTON
(CHRISTOPHER is checking over a few last things, making sure he hasn't left anything important, when he hears the front door open and shut again.)
CHRISTOPHER (calling out): Sherry? Is that you?
(SHERRY enters the bedroom.)
SHERRY: Yea. ... Hi.
CHRISTOPHER: What are you doing here?
SHERRY: Well, I ... just came to turn in my key ... I thought I'd do one last check, you know ...
CHRISTOPHER: Yea ... that's just what I'm doing. You'll have to excuse me though ... I'm in a real rush - I got off work later than I expected, and I wanted to make it out to Stars Hollow by six o'clock - Lorelai is supposed to swing by to help me finish unpacking.
(CHRISTOPHER gets up to go into another room and look around, and SHERRY stops him.)
SHERRY: Don't go.
CHRISTOPHER: What?
SHERRY: Don't go.
CHRISTOPHER: Sherry, I have to go.
SHERRY: No you don't.
CHRISTOPHER: Yes, I do. As of five o'clock, we no longer own this apartment. But I do own an apartment in Stars Hollow, and I do have to get out there.
SHERRY: No. You don't have to be with her, Christopher.
CHRISTOPHER: Sherry, we've gone over this ... a million times.
SHERRY: Well, here's one-million and one. I need you Christopher, this kid needs you ... stay in Boston, stay with me.
CHRISTOPHER: I'm going to be here for you and our baby when you need it ... but I also have needs. I need to be in Stars Hollow. I need to be with my daughter, and her mother.
SHERRY: You're being unfair.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, life isn't fair, Sherry.
SHERRY: Reconsider.
CHRISTOPHER: I can't.
SHERRY: Please.
CHRISTOPHER: ... I'll see in a couple days, Sherry.
(CHRISTOPHER leans over and gives her a kiss on the cheek. SHERRY smacks him and storms off.)

CUT TO THE BOOKSTORE AT THE MALL
(RORY is browsing shelves, and pulls a copy of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, out. JESS comes up behind her and whispers in her ear.)
JESS: Good book ... you'd like it.
(RORY nods.)
JESS: So ... what's up with this homecoming deal?
RORY: Nothing.
JESS: When is it?
RORY: I don't know ... September 20th or something.
JESS: Hmm. ... Did you want to go?
RORY: No.
JESS: Are you sure?
RORY: Look, I said no, alright? I said no to my mom, and million times, and now I'm saying no to you, so please just take it at face value, ok?
JESS: At face value?
RORY: Yes.
JESS: Are you sure about that?
RORY: ... Yes.
(JESS sits down on a bench near the aisle which RORY was in, and she listens tentatively.)
JESS: Alright then. At face value, it appears to me, that for some reason or another you are saying that you don't want to go to homecoming. But I think you are covering up the fact that you really want to go. I mean, color me crazy, but isn't this the kind of things girls are supposed to want to do? I mean, I don't really know, I've never really stuck around with any girl long enough to know what the big deal is with formal dances, but just by observation is seems that it's something kind of huge and defining. And I know, that you are absolutely nothing like the average, every day, teenage girl. That's why I l- ... like you. I mean, you are mature, you are intelligent, you can hold your own in a conversation - which is something a guy doesn't find in a girl very often. But ... just because you are so different doesn't mean that ... you aren't entitled to wanting some things that girls normally want ... like, for example going to homecoming.
RORY: Why is it a big deal to you anyways? It's not like you want to go with me any how.
JESS: What makes you think that?
RORY: Because ... because it's not your thing. You don't like getting dressed up - I mean, this is different than dinner at my grandparents, I mean, you'd have to wear a suit. And dress shoes. Probably a pair that are really uncomfortable. And I mean, we'd have to dance or something, 'cause that's what you do at dances ... and I'm not really good at dancing. I mean, I can slow dance and all, but fast dancing - wow, I suck. I mean, I just don't have the coordination for it - don't listen to what Miss Patty says, I was never made to be a dancer. And they serve food, which is generally terrible. And Paris will be there, and she of course, has to find some way to make me miserable, and ruin things ... and well, you know how you get along with Paris, too, so there's that. And-
(JESS steps in front of RORY who is pacing in front of JESS as she rambles. JESS puts his hands on either side of her waist.)
JESS: Rory.
RORY: Hmmm?
JESS: Do you want to go?
RORY: But-
JESS: I'm not asking for the reasons why I wouldn't want to go, or why we shouldn't. I'm asking if you want to go.
RORY: Does it make a difference?
JESS: I don't know ... give me your answer, and then I can tell you.
RORY: I ... I want ... I want to ... to go. I want to go to homecoming. But I don't want you to feel like you have to go. I mean, you've been doing so much for me lately. Things you just don't have to do, and sometimes I feel like I'm doing absolutely nothing for you. I mean, you come to my grandparents with me, you help my dad move in - for free-
JESS: Not true - he wouldn't let me leave without ten bucks.
RORY: And you're coming shopping with me, and now I want to go to homecoming, but I don't want to feel guilty, and I don't want to go if you don't want to go. I'd rather spend the night on the couch watching movies with you if you are just going to be miserable.
JESS: Alright ... first of all, I won't make you feel guilty. I couldn't, ever, intentionally make you feel guilty, and I don't think I ever have - I mean, you do a pretty good job of that on you own. (RORY gives a little smile up at JESS.) Second ... it's a dance ... how bad can it be? I mean ... there are a million things about it that I might not like ... but I mean ... you will be there, right? And ... I like you (he holds her closer to him), so even if I hate dress shoes, and suits, and Paris ... I like you enough to make up for all that. (JESS kisses her nose.) So ... if you want to go ... then I'll take you. And I won't complain.
RORY: Really?
JESS (nods): Really.
RORY: You like me that much?
JESS: Hmm mmm.
(JESS his head towards her neck, and gives her several small, soft kisses up to her ear. LORELAI appears in the background.)
LORELAI: Ew, not in the bookstore guys. What have I told you?
RORY: If you're going to make-out in the bookstore, make sure it's in front of the stuff no one actually reads?
LORELAI: Exactly. So are we ready to go.
(RORY waves the copy of The Bell Jar to her mom.)
RORY: I'm ready.
LORELAI: Only one?
RORY: I'm going light today. I've got important things on my mind.
LORELAI: Like?
RORY: Like Homecoming ... light blue was definitely a good suggestion on Jess's part. We'll have to go pick out the fabric soon, I mean, it's the 20th right? That's a month away.
LORELAI: You're going to homecoming?
RORY: I got an offer from a great guy, that I just couldn't refuse.
LORELAI: You wouldn't listen to me when I told you he would take you-
RORY: That's 'cause you're not him.

-COMMERCIAL BREAK-

CUT TO LORELAI'S CAR
(RORY and JESS are in the backseat talking when LORELAI pulls into the Gilmore Residence.)
LORELAI: Uh, so, we're home ... anytime you two wanna finish your debate, come inside, I'll be there.
(LORELAI shuts the door behind her, and watches as JESS and RORY finish talking. The camera cuts to the inside of the Jeep.)
JESS: So ... I have this ten dollars, burning a hole in my pocket. And I'm going to feel guilty spending it as it is, and I was thinking that maybe, if I spent it on the both of us then I wouldn't feel so bad.
RORY: What exactly are you thinking of?
JESS: Renting movies, watching them at Luke's.
RORY: I like the way you think.
(RORY opens the car door and slides out, JESS getting out behind her.)
RORY: Lemme go check in with my mom, you wait out here, it'll only be a second.
(RORY runs inside and goes into the kitchen where LORELAI is making a pot of coffee.)
RORY: Hey, Mom?
LORELAI: Hey, Rory?
RORY: Do you think I could go over to Jess's for a little while ... watch movies?
LORELAI: You could watch movies over here.
RORY: We ... could, but I think ... it'd just be better over at Luke's ... I think we kind of wanted to be-
LORELAI: Alone?
RORY: Well, yea. I mean, it's not like we're going to ... you know, do anything. We just want to watch some movies in peace. And since Luke is running the diner, it's a safe bet we'll have that peace.
LORELAI: You sure like spending time with him, huh?
RORY: Well ... he's my boyfriend, Mom.
LORELAI: Thanks for the newsflash.
RORY: I just want to spend time with him.
LORELAI: All the time. Aren't you getting sick of him yet?
RORY: No, I can't get sick of him.
LORELAI: Well actually you CAN get sick of him. I mean, you CAN, it is physically possible.
RORY: I don't think I will.
LORELAI: What makes you so sure? I mean, you're with him 24/7. How do you know that one day he isn't going to start driving you crazy?
RORY: I've spent 24/7 with you all my life, and you haven't started to drive me crazy yet. Ok, so there were a couple times, but we made it through. And Jess and I have only been together like ... two months. I mean ... we're just starting to spend a lot of time together. I don't think we have to worry.
LORELAI: If you're sure.
RORY: Why are you acting like this?
LORELAI: Why am I acting like what?
RORY: Like you mind me being with Jess so much. I don't get it. I mean, it's been constant for the past few days.
LORELAI: I just worry that you are getting too attached, that's all.
RORY: Too attached? You're the one that says he loves me, and he's so infatuated with being around me.
LORELAI: Well, yes, but I mean, you're seventeen years old. Almost eighteen. And I mean ... I just worry ... that's all.
RORY: Why? I thought we'd been over all this.
LORELAI: We have ... I just ... I don't know. I don't like that you are around him constantly.
RORY: Well, I do. I care about him.
LORELAI: And what, you don't care about me, and spending time with me?
RORY: No, Mom ... I love spending time with you, you know that. It's just ... I want Jess to know that I love him, and that I love spending time with him, too. You know those things ... I'm not sure Jess does. I want him to know how important he is to me.
LORELAI: Fine. Then go.
RORY: Don't be mad at me.
LORELAI: I'm not, just ... just go.
RORY: Why are being like this?
LORELAI: I'm going out. I'm running over to your Dad's place. I'm going to start calling people about the party when I get home. If I'm asleep when you get home, start get coffee ready in the pot for morning. I'll see you later.
(LORELAI kisses her on the cheek and walks out, leaving RORY standing there, wondering what exactly happened.)

CUT TO LUKE'S APARTMENT
(RORY and JESS are sitting together on the couch. RORY is leaning against JESS's left shoulder, and his arm is around her loosely. The movie credits are rolling, and JESS stops it. They sit in silence for a few minutes.)
RORY: Why do you do it?
JESS (smiles): Do what?
RORY: Why do you ... do all this stuff you never would've before? I mean, you do all this stuff for me ... I mean, you braved my grandparents, you help my dad move in, you're doing better in school, you came back from New York - your home, that you loved - for no particular reason, you help out Luke and show up on time for work, you haven't cause much trouble.
JESS (frustrated): Do I have to have a reason?
RORY: No ... I just ... it's not like you, that's all.
(There is silence for a few moments.)
JESS: No ... you're right. It's not like me at all. At least ... it's not like the me I used to be. The me I was when I stepped off the bus in Stars Hollow. Never in my wildest dreams could I ever have expected any of this. But, of course, I didn't expect to wake up one morning to have my mother hovering over me telling me to pack up, I was going to live with my uncle in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. But here I am. And you know, the thing is, I never even really meant to stick around. I meant to hang around, try and fool Luke maybe, or just frustrate him, and then skip town. And then, this woman, that my uncle obviously has a thing for, invites us to dinner at her house for a welcome dinner. Of course, the first thing that plays into my mind is an episode of Andy Griffith, but I figure, hey I might as well go, help the poor guy get some. But then, I get there ... and I walk in, and on the mantle there is a picture, of this beautiful girl, with these bright blue eyes, and this beautiful smile, and beautiful hair ... and well ... everything about her is beautiful. And I figure "Must be a relative, there can't possibly be anyone in this town that beautiful." But lo and behold, I find myself being introduced to her a few minutes later. And the thing is ... she isn't just beautiful, she smart, too. And witty. And perfect. And for the first time, when I walked into her room, and stood in front of her ... the cold feeling I used to have ... started to go away. (RORY sits up Indian style to watch him as he speaks.) I'd never had that feeling before. So I make one of the biggest mistakes I ever possibly could've and decide to bail on the dinner. And not only do I bail, I bail to the back porch, with a beer from her refrigerator. I'm not sure what I was thinking, especially since I think I knew I would get caught. And I did ... by her mother. Who is her best friend. And now I figure, any shot in hell I had with her, is gone. But somehow ... it isn't, and she still wants to talk to me. She actually ... tries to get to know me. And this intrigued me, because see, no one has ever really wanted to get to know me before. But she did. And my hopes got really high until I realized she had a boyfriend, and then ... the only thing in my mind, after watching her with him, was to show her how good things could be, and what she deserved, which was the exact opposite of what she was getting from this guy. So, suddenly I'm showing up at these crazy town shin-digs, and bidding ninety dollars on a basket of stale food, meant for some other guy, just so I can be with her ... and then I'm rereading The Fountainhead a book that I hate, just hoping that she'll call. Hoping maybe I can get her to read Hemingway for me. And I start helping more at the diner, and start getting tutored - so I can be around her. But then I really screwed up, because when I was driving with her, driving her car on the way back from getting ice cream ... I crashed it. I totaled that car - the car that her precious boyfriend made for her, but worse, she fractured her wrist. And then I'm back on a bus to New York ... and I always thought that I'd be happy to get sent back. But I wasn't. I was there ... and all my buddies were there, my friends who I'd missed so much at first. But ... I didn't want to be around them. All I wanted to do is hole up and read. I wanted to hear her voice ... so I called her. And then ... she showed up in New York. She found me in a park I had told her about. It was not like her at all, to skip school, to hop on a bus to New York, and she actually missed her mother's graduation to do it. She said it was because I didn't say good-bye. And at first, I took that response ... but I thought there had to be something more, so I hopped on a bus back to Stars Hollow for only God knows why, promising to myself, and Luke that I'd be better, and I ran off to see her ... and she kissed me. And I fell ... I fell harder, that I've ever fallen before, maybe ... maybe, because I've never fallen before. But I did ... and suddenly all those things that I was never expected to do, those things I swore I would never do - like cleaning up, being responsible ... they all seemed worth it. They are all worth it, Rory ... they're worth it because I love you. Maybe they aren't "like me", but they are things that I want to do ... they are things I love to do, because I love you, and I want you to know that I do love you so badly. I want you to know how much I care, that all those things are worth it, even if you don't love me, too. I'm not Dean. I can never be Dean, but I still have to walk in Dean's footprints, I have to be held up to the image of Dean every day - not by you, but by everyone else. I had to be stuck behind his twelve foot shadow for so long, and now, I'm out of it, but I still stand beside you in the place that Dean used to ... I go to dinner with you at your grandparents, and I sit in the chair that Dean used to, so I might as well act respectable, at least to you, if not to anyone else, because you deserve that. It's something I didn't think Dean did well enough for you, and I always promised myself that if, God willing, I got the chance to be with you, I would do. I'll never be possessive, only protective ... I'll never raise my voice to you, and I'll only be stern when absolutely necessary ... I'm not going to go out of my way to be polite to everyone around me, but I'll open the door for you and walk you home so you don't have to be by yourself. Those are all things that ... well, no, they definitely aren't who I used to be. But ("Takes My Breath Away" by Tuck & Patti begins to play) ... I love you ... and, sometimes, I can't believe it myself, that I have managed to fall in love, because I never pictured myself as the falling type. But I do ... whether or not it seems right for me, or like me or whatever you want to classify it as. (RORY's face is one of surprise.) And apparently, I should never have even started off rambling - which is another thing that "isn't like me" because now, I've freaked you out and-
RORY: Jess!
JESS: What?
RORY: ... I love you, too. And don't ever worry about being Dean ... I broke up with Dean. I distinctly remember it ... and I did it so I could be with you. Because I love you. Okay?
JESS (awestruck): Uh ... yea, ok. Yea.
(RORY smiles at this vulnerability.)
RORY: Hey, lay down. I'm tired.
(RORY sits on the edge of the couch, as JESS complies with her request and lays down. RORY lays on top of him, and wraps her arm around his shoulders as she closes her eyes. She opens her eyes for one quick second to kiss JESS passionately, then pulls away, and returns her head to his chest and begins to doze off. JESS, finally begins to become un-shocked, and gives a half-smile as he watches RORY fall asleep, and wraps his arms around her, then closes his eyes.)

CUT TO CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT
(LORELAI enters CHRISTOPHER's apartment, using her key. CHRISTOPHER is sitting on the couch watching TV, he looks up and notices her.)
CHRISTOPHER: Hey, you.
LORELAI: Hey.
(LORELAI hangs her coat and purse on the hooks near the door, and goes and sits on the couch next to CHRISTOPHER. She cuddles up next to him and wraps her arm around him, and sighs heavily.)
CHRISTOPHER (running his fingers through her hair): How was your day?
LORELAI: Tough.
CHRISTOPHER: What happened?
LORELAI: Oh ... nothing, really I mean ... just stuff with Rory. You know, first she wasn't going to go to homecoming, because she didn't think Jess would take her. But somehow, Jess managed to convince her to go, and he said he'd take her and everything, and she agreed. I guess I just felt slighted, you know, because I was telling her for so long that he'd say yes, but she just didn't take it. But as soon as Jess says he'll take her, and that if she really wants to go, she should go, that becomes more important than what I say.
CHRISTOPHER: Well, he's her boyfriend, Lorelai. They've been together for a couple months now, and Rory's fallen for him. He's fallen for her. You know how they are at that age, you know ... at that period in their life. I mean ... it always sounds better coming from someone who isn't your parent, especially if that person is the person you are interested in. We were like that.
LORELAI: I know, I know. ... I blew up at her too. She has no idea why ... I have no idea why ... I feel bad. I just ... want the day to be over.
CHRISTOPHER (sighs): I know how you feel.
LORELAI (looks up at him): How was your day?
CHRISTOPHER: Eh. Sherry and I got in a fight.
LORELAI: What about?
CHRISTOPHER: About me. About me not being around. About her needing me more than you and Rory do. About how I'm not being fair.
LORELAI: Life isn't fair.
CHRISTOPHER: That's what I said.
LORELAI: But ... I have to say I understand where she is coming from.
CHRISTOPHER (sits upright): What?
LORELAI (pulls away): Well, I mean ... it was just this side of about eighteen years ago that I was Sherry, Chris. I mean, I was younger, but it is probably just as scary for her now.
CHRISTOPHER: I said I'm going to be there for her.
LORELAI: I know you did, and I know you will, but she's emotional right now, and she doesn't know what to think. For all she knows, you could be running away and she'll never see you again.
CHRISTOPHER: I gave her my phone number.
LORELAI: And phones can get disconnected, very easily.
CHRISTOPHER: I told her I'd come visit in a couple days.
LORELAI: But you could ... "Get stuck in traffic," I don't know. I just know ... how she feels.
CHRISTOPHER (stands up): Lorelai, don't you think I can do this? I mean, don't you take any offense to the way she is acting? I mean ... it's about our relationship.
LORELAI (stands up): Of course, I think you can do this. I really do ... I just think you should cut her some slack. She's two months pregnant and freaking out. She's never been in this situation before. And I understand that it's our relationship ... please don't think that that doesn't matter to me ... because it does, Chris. (LORELAI steps in front of him and takes his hands.) I care about you, and us ... and I'm so glad you are here, in Stars Hollow, with us, finally after all this time. But ... I'm just saying, I see Sherry's point of view.
CHRISTOPHER (nods): I know ... and I'm sorry to have gone off on you like that. I just ... I'm still getting used to it all. And I feel torn sometimes ... and I'm just ... tired. I think I need to get some sleep.
LORELAI: It's seven o'clock, Chris.
CHRISTOPHER: I know what time it is ... I'm just tired. I finished most of the unpacking anyways. There's just a few boxes in my closet left.
LORELAI (pouts a little): Well ... I'll see you tomorrow then.
CHRISTOPHER: Yea ... tomorrow.
(LORELAI reaches up to kiss him, cupping his face in her hands.)
CHRISTOPHER: I love you, Lor.
LORELAI: I ... I love you, too, Chris. Never forget it.
(LORELAI exits. Just as she is leaving the phone rings. CHRISTOPHER lets the machine get it, and overhears the message as he walks into the kitchen.)
ANSWERING MACHINE: "Hey ... Chris. It's Sherry ... look, I know, I sound like a broken record ... but I just ... I really wish that you'd reconsider. Just ... come spend the weekend out here, with me and my parents or something ..."
(The message drowns out as we see the grimace on CHRISTOPHER's face. The cellphone attached to his belt buckle begins to ring, and he answers it, hesitantly.)
CHRISTOPHER: Hello? ... Oh, hi, boss. A business trip? Two and a half weeks? Where to? I think I can make it. My flight leaves at 10:00 AM? I'll be there. No, thank you.

CUT TO LORELAI'S CAR
(LORELAI is driving home from CHRISTOPHER's apartment, suddenly her cellphone begins to ring. The camera cuts between SOOKIE at her house, and LORELAI in her car.)
LORELAI: Hey!
SOOKIE: Hey, I got your voicemail. This apartment warming sounds great.
LORELAI: So you and Jackson will be there?
SOOKIE: Of course! Oh, and how about I bring some food.
LORELAI: You read my mind.
SOOKIE: Sweets? Or appetizers?
LORELAI: A little bit of both, maybe? I mean, don't go out of your way-
SOOKIE: Oh no, definitely not out of my way. I'll whip up a few things tomorrow.
LORELAI: Thanks, Sookie.
SOOKIE: Anytime, sweetie! I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!
LORELAI: Bye, hon.
(LORELAI ends the call and goes to close her cellphone, but then decides to make another call.)
LORELAI: Hi, Mom? I know it's late ... but I wanted to ask ...
(Fade out to next scene.)

CUT TO LUKE'S APARTMENT
(RORY is just beginning to awaken from her short nap, as JESS watches her sleep on his chest.)
JESS: Hey, Ror?
RORY: Hmm ...
JESS: I love you.
RORY: I love you, too.