Heat
By Belle
Pairing: R/J
Rating: PG
Summary: After a particularly bad fight between Rory and Jess, something occurs at the diner and Jess is thought to be dead. When he later turns up he has amnesia... who will help him get his memory back?

[ Luke's ]

Rory: Hi Luke.

Luke: Hey Rory. Hey Jess, how are you feeling?

Jess: I'm okay, uncle Luke.

Luke: Good, I'm glad. I figured I'd give you the day off.

Jess: Off of what?

Rory: You work at the diner.

Jess: Wowie.

Luke: (mutters) Well, I see he didn't forget his sarcastic ways.

Rory: Okay, let's see. I'll have French toast. What do you want?

Jess: What do I usually eat?

Rory: Cheese and bacon omelette with orange juice.

Jess: Sounds good.

Rory: Okay. Luke, bring us our regulars!

Luke: You got it.

Jess: So you're taking me on a tour of the town today?

Rory: Seems to be the plan.

Jess: Do you really think that it will bring my memory back?

Rory: Yes. I will do everything I can.

Jess: You must really love me.

Rory: (startled) What?

Jess: You must really love me.

Rory: You think I love you?

Jess: It's pretty obvious. I just hope that I'll remember that when my memory comes back.

Rory gapes at him, speechless.

[ outside of Doose's ]

Rory: I'm just going to warn you now. The owner of this store thinks you're a punk.

Jess: Why?

Rory: You stole some money from him, which you later returned. Oh and you drew a chalk outline of a dead body in front of the store.

Jess: Why the hell did I do that?

Rory: Beats me.

Jess: I sound like an idiot who is posing as a rebel.

Rory: You're not... you're spontaneous and intelligent and...

Jess: You love me?

Rory: You can stop that.

Jess: (taunts) Rory loves me, Rory loves me!

Rory: Or maybe it's Jess that loves Rory.

Jess: (smirks) Maybe it is.

[ bookstore ]

Jess: Hmm, The Fountainhead. Sounds like a real winner.

Rory: Yeah, it's not one of your favorites.

Jess: But let me guess, it is one of yours?

Rory: Yeah, did you remember that?

Jess: Nah, it just sounds chick-y.

Rory: Hey, maybe if you read some of your books with notes in the margins, it'll help your memory trip a little!

Jess: Can't hurt to try.

(Lane rushes in)

Lane: Rory! I heard about the diner and how Jess is dead! (Looks at Jess) Oh, I guess not.

Jess: Sorry to burst your bubble.

Rory: It took that long for the gossip to get to you? What, is Miss Patty on vacation?

Lane: Nah, I'm just grounded.

Rory: What did you do this time?

Lane: My mom found a picture of Eminem glued to my Latin notebook.

Rory: I told you to cover it with a picture of Jesus!

Lane: I know. I should probably sneak back in the house, I just thought you might need consoling.

Jess: I think your mother is the one who needs consoling.

Lane: Okay, well I'll see you guys later!

(Lane exits)

Rory: You know what, I just thought of somewhere special for us to go. There's lots of memories there.

Jess: Where?

Rory: (smiles) You'll see.