A/N: Glad y'all are still enjoying this story because I'm really enjoying it too! :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 12

Jess thought he was doing pretty well with the whole amnesia thing. He had adjusted to not being able to remember everything and relearnt most things he really needed to know. He was getting along well with Luke and Lorelai, and he and Rory couldn't be happier, at least when he got to see her. It was tough with her being at Yale a not small part of the time, and still strange that Jess had no memory of their time together before, but he was handling it. Most of the time, he was pretty happy with the life he had now, regardless of what it may have been in the past. Unfortunately, there always had to be a fly in the ointment.

"Hey, man," said Jess as he watched the cashier ring up his purchases at the market.

"Hey," replied the guy who seemed to have done nothing but glare at Jess ever since he could remember.

It was only now that he read his name tag that everything clicked into place and he realised why there was an issue between them. This was Dean, Rory's ex. The guy that Jess had supposedly stolen her away from. Well, that would explain the dark and glowery looks.

"So, you hate me," he said then. "For reasons that I can't remember, but I'm guessing it has to do with Rory dating me after she dated you."

"Something like that," said Dean, somehow managing to ring up goods aggressively. "The before and after were a little less cut-and-dry than they should've been."

"Huh," said Jess, nodding his head. "Well, if it helps at all, I'm sorry."

Dean's eyes went comically wide at that remark and Jess wasn't entirely shocked by that reaction. After all, he had fast become aware that he wasn't always the nicest person, not the type to offer assistance to most people and definitely not to apologise. He couldn't explain why he had been that way, he simply didn't remember his reasons for that kind of attitude, so it seemed easier just to draw a line under it and embrace the person he felt he was now. Clearly, Dean was struggling with that concept.

"You're sorry?" he echoed, holding the box of cookies in his hand without actually ringing it up. "Is this a joke?"

"Nope." Jess shook his head. "Look, I don't remember what happened. All I know is, Rory dated you and then she dated me, and like you said, there was maybe some confusion in the middle. The fact is, I don't control what Rory does, that's all on her, but if I screwed up, if I had some part in you always aiming this Frankenstein glare at me, then I'm sorry, okay? I could use not having all the tension every time I need to come into this place to buy milk. Stress doesn't help with my memory loss, in fact, the doctor tells me it'll only prolong the agony."

Dean looked confused yet and Jess started to wonder if that was actually his default setting. Maybe this was part of the reason why Rory actually broke up with her ex - he just wasn't all that bright. It didn't matter. What Jess had said was true, he really didn't want to feel bad or awkward every time he wanted to buy something from the store, and he saw no reason why he and Dean shouldn't bury the hatchet after all this time, even if they had had issues between them before.

"Okay," he said eventually. "I guess it's all water under the bridge anyway. You're with Rory and you're making an effort to be a better person, and I'm with Lindsay."

"Happily married from what I hear," said Jess, smiling genuinely.

"Yeah, we are," Dean agreed, ringing up the rest of the purchases. "That's $10.50 altogether," he said at last.

Jess handed over eleven bucks, then flipped the change Dean gave him into the charity cup by the register. He was still smiling as he left the store, unaware of the incredulous look on Dean's face and the way he shook his head in disbelief. Honestly, Jess couldn't care less if Rory's ex believed his apology or the ways in which he had supposedly changed. While it was nice enough to be liked by people, Jess didn't need it. He had Rory, Luke, Lorelai, and even Lane in his corner. Anybody else was a bonus, he really wasn't that bothered either way.

When his phone started to ring, Jess switched the bag of groceries to his other hand and reached in his pocket for his cell. He smiled when he realised it was Rory calling. Despite being spitting distance from the diner, he had half-expected Luke to be checking up on him or something.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself," she greeted him cheerfully. "What are you doing?"

"Just been to Doose's, walking back to the diner. Nothing exciting. You?"

"Just got out of a lecture, thought I'd call and see how you were. I know it sounds crazy because it's only two days since I saw you last, but it already feels like too long."

"Oh, yeah?" Jess smiled, unable to help it. "Well, I gotta admit, I like it better when you're here."

"I like that you like it better when I'm there," she told him, giggling some. "Is that too corny? I feel like it's too corny."

"It's not," he promised her. "So, I guess you're not coming home again until after Friday Night Dinner?"

"Maybe not even then." Rory sighed. "I have so much studying to do, I was thinking I should probably stay here this weekend. As much as I love you, you are a very big distraction."

"I'm gonna take that as a compliment."

"You really should, but hey, I could probably come visit tomorrow night. Mom said there's a town meeting and I haven't been to one in forever, plus the next morning, my class has been cancelled because my professor has to go out of town for some family thing, so we could spend a little time together too."

"Anything that gets you back to Stars Hollow is fine with me," said Jess as he reached the diner door. "So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow night?"

"Yes, you will. Think you can find something to pass the time until then?"

"I think me and Ernest are going to be spending a lot of time together."

"I'm almost jealous of the guy, but hey, at least immersing yourself in the books you always loved should help with getting your memories back," Rory told him. "I'll see you soon."

"Yes, you will."

They ended their call and Jess walked into the diner, unaware than anyone even noticed he took a call until his uncle called him on it.

"So, I'm guessing that was Rory on the phone?" said Luke, grinning too much.

"She's coming home for a visit tomorrow night, partly to see me, I guess, but she also said something about a town meeting she wants to go to?"

"Geez, I forgot about that. I guess I should go, at least that way I'll know what crack-pot scheme Taylor is cooking up this week. Makes it easier to avoid if I know what it is."

"So, anybody can go to these things?" Jess checked, hovering by the curtain with the groceries still.

"Sure," his uncle agreed. "Why, you wanna come too?"

"Maybe."

"Okay, well, maybe it'll be good for you, help you remember something. I mean, you went to a few meetings before when you lived here, and it's probably better for you to be amongst a lot of familiar people."

"Yeah." Jess nodded, forcing a further smile before he headed on up the stairs.

A sigh escaped as he reached the apartment and let himself inside. People liked to talk to him a lot about getting his memory back still. Jess supposed that was what he wanted too, but as long as everybody else kept pushing the idea of him 'getting back to normal' the harder it was for him to adjust to life without his memories.

There was a chance that this was it, forever. That Jess Mariano had changed and become the person he was now, never to return to what he used to be. Jess was okay with that, he kind of had to be, and since he didn't remember the potential jerk that he once was, it made sense to want to stay as he was now. Strange then that everybody else seemed so desperate to have the old him back, even Rory.

It was just about the only thing left about the amnesia that bugged him, the fact that everyone else was waiting for the 'illness' to end. It wasn't like that, the doctor had said as much.

Going over to the mirror, Jess stared into the glass. He wanted to adjust to being this person, but nobody else really wanted to let him. Strange since most people were quick enough to point out that they liked him better as he was now. What bothered Jess was Rory's feelings for who he was now versus who he had been. He wished he could be sure about what they had together but it didn't come easy somehow. He knew he loved her and he wanted to believe that she felt the same and would no matter what, and yet.

"This is ridiculous!" he said to himself, turning away from his reflection.

At least he knew he looked the same, no matter what he couldn't remember. All that proved was that Rory liked the way he looked, but Jess knew it was more than that. They talked about everything, books and movies and music. She said that she loved him and he said it back, because it was true. Jess knew he was being stupid if he believed anything else.


"And this one time, me and Rory were a little late arriving at the meeting, and Taylor called us on it. He was all, 'You're late again,' and I said, 'Yes, I hope I'm not pregnant.' It was pretty funny."

"Mom, I think you've told enough town meeting stories now," said Rory, even though she couldn't help but laugh at each and every one. "I think forcing memories into Jess' head is actually causing him pain." she said, seemingly more concerned than anything else as she looked at him then.

"I'm okay," he promised. "It's just still kind of weird when people tell you a bunch of times you were there for something and you don't remember any of it."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jess," Lorelai apologised. "I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine," he assured her. "Honestly, it's not your fault. You're just trying to help."

"Trying but failing," she noted, nodding her head. "You two talk. I'll step back."

She literally did so, walking the rest of the way to Miss Patty's beside Luke, a pace behind the kids.

"I'm an idiot," she said softly.

"No, you're not," Luke promised her. "It's only been a few weeks. Jess is still adjusting to everything. It's gotta be kind of a big deal, not knowing anything you used to know."

"Yeah, I know," said Lorelai, nodding her head, "but he's doing so well, and look at him and Rory. They're like love's young dream. It's kinda beautiful."

"Yeah, it kinda is," Luke agreed, before making a face, "and if you tell them or anybody else I said that, there will be consequences."

"Consequences?"

"No coffee for a month."

Lorelai gasped, faking at being completely scandalised, before realising maybe Luke wasn't kidding.

"My lips are beyond sealed."

"Good."

They got to Miss Patty's studio and headed inside. Luke pointed to a row towards the back, filing in with Lorelai beside him. Rory followed her and Jess sat down on the aisle. It was strange for the others to see so many friends and neighbours wave and say hello to Jess, a vast difference from the old days when he was practically the town pariah.

"I can't see any seats together," said a voice just as everyone else seemed to have settled into their places.

Jess and Rory both turned to see Lindsay stood in the aisle, her hand clasped in her husband's own. Dean looked around a little, until Jess spoke up.

"Second row," he said, pointing across the way.

"Thanks," said Dean, nodding his head.

"No problem," Jess assured him with half a smile, before turning back to Rory and finding her eyes were wider than wide. "What?"

"Nothing," she said definitely, shaking her head. "Nothing at all," she assured him with a smile.

"The meeting will come to order!" called Taylor, gaining most people's attention but not all. "Order, people! Order!" he tried again, banging his gavel for good measure.

Jess sat back and observed as the townsfolk were mostly lectured by Taylor and occasionally allowed to discuss a few things. Everything from twinkle lights to crosswalks were on the agenda, via charity functions and neighbour disputes. As a keen observer of people, Jess couldn't say it wasn't entertaining. Of course, Rory and Lorelai's colour commentary and funny jokes didn't hurt either.

"You having fun?" Rory whispered to him at one point.

"Sure," he agreed, finding her a smile. "That's what we come to these things for, right?"

"Well, I do, but you never really cared for them before. It's nice that you see the funny side now," she told him, grinning wide.

"Glad there's something about the new me you like better than before," Jess muttered to himself, only because he already noted Lorelai was talking to Rory again and she wouldn't hear him.

He had to snap out of this mood and he knew it, but it wasn't easy to do. Maybe the old Jess didn't care about anything, at least that's what some people, like Taylor, implied. Now he was different. Now he was someone that people actually liked, that he liked himself. He only wished he could be as confident that Rory genuinely loved him this way as much as she had before.

To Be Continued...