Title: I Hope You Dance

Author: Bent137

Rating: R

Improv: gentle - wonder - rain - promise - bruise

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Gilmore Girls, Hilton, Disney, or Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance". I also forgot in the last chapter to mention that I don't own Rachael Lampa's "If You Believe".

Author's Notes: This is a future fic, and mostly a flashback fic. A song triggers memories, some Jess didn't want to remember, and some he needed to. These flashbacks all go in order.

Spoilers: May Reference Characters and Events Not in Season One.

Chapter Two

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Jess sighed and shifted on the bus, he accidentally kicked his bag and swore under his breath. The older man next to him just snorted and went on snoring. He lowered his book and looked out the window for a moment. The trees and scattered houses rushing by were making him dizzy. He gave his head a light shake and tried to look further in the distance. He saw mountains, and a sprawling city. The hillsides looked like a tapestry of golds and reds. There was a slight chill in the air outside but the bus was warm from all the bodies packed in it, though the number had dropped considerably since the departure from New York. It also reeked from when a little girl threw up an hour ago. Jess shifted again trying to get comfortable in the tiny seat, but it was futile. With a sigh of defeat he raised his book again.


And never settle for the path of least resistance

Jess' eyes fluttered open, his forehead was pressed against the cool glass of the window and his mouth was leaving a fog on it. He sat up slowly and looked around. The gentleman next to him was gone; on further scrutiny he saw that the bus was half empty. He looked out the window and saw they were on a highway with trees on both sides. A startled deer looked up at him from the forest as they passed. Moments later the trees gave way to homes, few and far between, but still homes. The bus driver wound his way along the road, making a few turns before Jess found himself in a small town.

"Stars Hollow," the bus driver called out and Jess stood up. This was where his uncle lived. This was where he'd be staying. Peachy.


Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking

Jess was on a bus again, heading to Stars Hollow, again. This time he thought he had a good reason. He wasn't sure, but something in her voice, the way it cracked when she told him he'd never said goodbye. He didn't know. Something was telling him to go back. He was taking a chance on her, taking a risk, taking a chance on love.


Loving might be a mistake but it's worth making

Maybe this was a mistake, Jess thought as he stood silently at the edge of the water. He watched the happenings on the other side, everyone bustling around. Footsteps jerked him out of his concentration and he turned his head. There she was, Rory was walking down the path with a man. He had no idea who it was but as they hugged he assumed it was her father. A shrill tone cut through the air and the man turned away answering his cell. Even from here he could see Rory smile and relax. She turned and that's when she saw him. He panicked and began to step forward, but halfway through he lost his nerve and ended up kind of sidestepping. He watched amazed as Rory hurried over to him.

"What are you doing here?" Rory questioned.

Jess' eyebrows shot up. Shit, he thought. I was wrong, she doesn't want me here. He took a breath, "Hello to you, too."

"Is everything okay?"

Well at least she's worried, he thought. "You look nice." No, he corrected himself in his mind, You look beautiful.

"Thank you," she paused a moment, unsure, "What are you doing here?"

"I moved back." Nothing like the truth.

"What?"

"I moved back."

"But," she stammered, "what," she took a breath, "why?"

'For you,' Jess thought secretly. "Just wanted to."

Everything after that seemed to move in slow motion and years later Jess would still say to anyone who asked, 'I was falling, literally. She'd caught me off guard when she launched herself at me and claimed my lips. Fitting, she'd already claimed my heart.' After a moment his brain caught up with his body and he was kissing her back. They were both gentle with each other. Then, just as quickly, she pulled away. He tried to hold onto her, to them, to the dream of what could be. She slipped between his fingers.

"Oh my god," she murmured, "Oh my god."

He gazed at her in wonder as his heart splintered, she wasn't supposed to freak out. What could he do? What did he do wrong? "Rory?"

"Don't say a word!"

"Okay," Jess said despite her words. It was a mistake, his inner voice said, She made a mistake and now she regrets it. Dammit Mariano why'd you even come back?

"I have to go." The words were hers, but they didn't register with him.

She's running away, he thought helplessly, as he watched her run. A second later when she turned back around, his felt his heart begin to soar.

"Oh, welcome home," she calls out.

Welcome home. He sighed. Welcome home.


Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter

'She kissed me, and left, twice,' Jess thought bitterly. Rory had gone to Washington, without so much as a goodbye. He knew she was avoiding him, leaving him to nurse his bruised heart. But what could he do? The bell on the diner door rang and Jess glanced up from wiping the counter. A girl his age, whom he'd never seen before was entering. She had long blonde hair and green eyes. She walked up to the counter and Jess threw down his rag. "Can I help you?" he asked her.

"Yes, I hope so," she smiled dazzlingly at him. "Could I please get a cup of coffee to go?"

Jess' grin faltered, "Sure." He turned to get it and was interrupted by a squeal. He glanced over his shoulder.

"Doughnuts! Can I get two glazed to go too, please?"

"Yeah, sure," Jess said. He got the coffee and set it in front of her then put two glazed doughnuts in a bag and handed it to her. "Three Seventy-Eight." The girl handed him a five and followed him to the counter. "Are you new in town?" Jess asked out of curiosity as he counted out her change.

"Yeah, my names Amy," she said holding out her hand.

Jess took her hand, "Jess." He gave her the change, "See you around I guess."

She smiled, "Yeah. Later Jess."


When you come close to selling out reconsider

Jess was walking towards the diner from school when he was stopped by a female voice calling his name. He turned and saw Amy jogging towards him. "Hey Amy," he said.

"Hey Jess, boy am I glad to see you!"

Jess eyed her, "Why?"

"Well, I don't really know anyone so I've been so very bored lately."

Jess grinned and nodded, "I can see your point. How would you like to go check out a movie tonight? Maybe I can introduce you to some people."

"Sure," she smiled at him.

"Amy," a man a few storefronts down bellowed, "Come on!"

Amy turned back to Jess, "My dad, I better go. I'll stop by the diner after dinner."

"Okay." He watched her jog back to her dad then turned and began walking again. Lane stepped out from Doose's in front of him and looked at him.

"What was that about?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"You asking the new girl out," Lane stated.

"Her name's Amy," Jess said and began walking, "I don't see why it matters."

Lane followed swinging her bag by her knee, "My best friend is head over heels in love with you, and you're getting involved with another girl when it's blatantly obvious you like her too?"

"Rory feels nothing for me," Jess said, "Or else she wouldn't have run away."

Lane grabbed his arm and spun him around, "Jess this isn't the first time!"

"What?" Jess questioned.

"Her first kiss with Dean, she ran from him. Stealing a box of cornstarch in the process. When she kissed Tristan, this guy she went to school with. She ran from him crying. Do you see a pattern?"

"Yeah, so."

"Look Jess, I know her. She's starting to get disgruntled with Dean, and Tristan was sent away, much like you were sent here. She's falling for you," Lane turned and walked away leaving him to think of that.


Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

Jess sighed and lay back on the grass next to the gazebo. The sun was setting behind him and he could see the first stars of the evening begin to appear. To one side of the sky some thick clouds were gathering, promising rain or a storm. He sighed and wondered if Rory was seeing the same stars. Suddenly a body flopped beside him and he looked over to find Amy.

"I had fun at the movie the other night," she said.

"Yeah me too," Jess said.

They were quiet a moment before Amy said, "Look, that's not why I came out here."

"It isn't?"

"No," she sighed, "My brother is getting married this weekend and I need a date. I wondered if you'd come."

"Sure," Jess said.

"You'll need a tux."

He nodded.


And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Jess sat at a table at the wedding dressed in a tux. He tugged at his collar and leaned back in the seat. He had to get out of here. It wasn't what he expected. He was just a trophy date. They showed up, took pictures and Amy disappeared to have fun with the other women. He sighed and got up slipping towards the men's room. Once inside he took out a cigarette and was about to light it up when a young man with blonde hair walked in. "You can't smoke in here," the young man said.

"Oh?" Jess questioned.

"Yeah, come on. Lets go outside."

Jess followed the young man.

They arrived outside and Jess lit up his cigarette. The blonde pulled out a cigarette of his own and Jess lit it for him.

"So, enjoying the wedding?" the young man asked Jess.

"Not particularly."

"Me either, but I have to be here."

"Why?"

"The groom's my cousin."

"Oh," Jess said. "My date's his sister."

"Amy?"

"Yeah," Jess sighed, "She ditched me after fifteen minutes."

"So like her."

"Let's bail anyways," Jess suggested.

The young man seemed to think it over for all of a second, "Alright, you convinced me." They began heading towards where the cars were parked. "My car or yours?"

"Oh, crap," Jess said, "I came with Amy."

The young man nodded, "Mine. Come on."

Jess followed, "Hey my name's Jess. What's yours?"

"Tristan."

Jess froze.


I hope you dance... I hope you dance

Jess sighed and moved to the sink again gazing in the mirror. It'd been an amazing revelation, and it had changed his life. Changed the way he took on the future. Looking back, he could even say that Tristan saved him.


I hope you dance... I hope you dance