Three Years Later . . .
you lay me down
"What's another theme?" He asked his students who all stared blankly back at him. "Anyone?"

A girl in the back with long, brown hair slowly raised her hand.

"Sara, thank you."

"Um, blacks verses whites." She looked up at him thoughtfully. "Racism."

"Yes, very good." He leaned against his desk, pushing up the sleeves of his shirt. "Can you elaborate?"

"Well, Tom Robinson would never had been found guilty had he been white. With the evidence that Atticus gave it was obvious that he did not commit the crime. But given the fact that he was black, the jury found him guilty." Sara pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Precisely." The teacher nodded, "Can anyone else give another source of prejudice in 'To Kill A Mockingbird'?"

But before anyone else could answer the bell rang causing the students to scramble out of their desks and scurry out of the room.

"Don't forget to reread the last two chapters for tomorrow's test!" He called after them. He went behind his desk and began shuffling through papers looking for a copy of tomorrows test. "Mr. Mariano?"

He looked up to see Sara Watson staring back at him. 'What can I do for you Sara?"

"Would you mind recommending me some more books?" She asked him shyly.

He raised his eyebrows, "You already finished the last list I gave to you?"

She nodded her head eagerly, "Oh yes, and they were very good. All of them, that's why I'd like another."

"Okay, just as long as these books aren't getting in the way of studying for other subjects."

Her eyes widened in surprise, "Oh, no! They're not at all. I study before I read."

He smiled, "I believe you." He continued shuffling through the papers, where was that test? "Okay, how does this sound? I'll make up a list of books and give it to you tomorrow."

She grinned and said enthusiastically, "That would be great! Thanks Mr. Mariano!" She left the room practically skipping.

He stared at her retreating form. She reminded him of someone he once knew. So innocent to life. So eager to take on a new challenge, smart, pretty, and full of life.

He didn't know that person anymore.

He sighed as he put his papers together, one of them fell to the floor. He picked it up. The test! He had to redo it so it pertained to the discussion they had today. He made his way to the school's faculty computer room.

Two hours later he was unlocking the door to his apartment. He cursed as he stumbled with the lock, he could hear the phone ringing inside.

Once inside he grabbed the phone. "Yeah?" he said into the receiver breathlessly. He listened, "What is it?...Just tell me!"

He listened intently to the speaker, his face paling.

The phone clattered to the floor.

* * *

Jess felt dizzy, he sat down on a kitchen chair. Was this really happening? He recalled the conversation he just had.

"Jess, there's something I have to tell you." Luke's voice had called through the phone. His usually gruffness had turned to sympathy.

"What is it?" Jess had asked.

"You're not gunna like it."

"Just tell me!" Jess had become impatient.

"Do you remember Ryan? Ryan Foster? Her boyfriend. Well, he's not her boyfriend anymore."

Jess's heart had leapt

"He's her fiancé."

That's when he had dropped the phone.

It was still there; on the floor. Luke had probably hung up now, knowing that he didn't want to speak with anyone.

For the first time in years, Jess put his head in his hands and cried.

* * *

Hours later Jess dialed Luke's number.

"Yeah?" Jess heard Luke's voice once again through the phone.

"Luke."

"Hey Jess, how are you holding up?"

"I'm fine."

"Jess, it's okay to be upset. I mean you two were so . . ."

Jess cut him off before he could finish, "Luke, I'm FINE."

He heard him sigh, "Okay."

"I'm sure Lorelai's happy."

"Well, yeah I guess she is."

"Of course."

Another sigh, "Jess, Ryan's a good man."

"And I wasn't?"

"Let's not do this."

This time the sigh came from him, "You're right. I'm sorry, it's just kind of . . ." Jess searched for the right words.

"A shock?"

"Yeah."

"I just wanted you to find out from me."

"Who else would I have found out from?"

"Her."

"Her?"

"She's coming over to settle everything out."

"Shit." Jess squeezed his eyes shut. He knew exactly what Luke was talking about.

"That's why I called."

"Thanks so much for the warning." He rubbed his temples, he really needed an aspirin.

"Your sure your okay? Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm good." Or a Tylenol, that would work too.

"Okay, just call me if you need anything."

"Alright." Maybe twenty, yeah that sounded good. Twenty Tylenol's would stop the hurt.

"Bye."

"Bye."

As Jess hung up the phone, he knew the Tylenol wouldn't help. They can't repair shattered hearts.

But he'd take some anyway, it couldn't hurt.

* * *

Jess sat down heavily in his desk chair. Another day gone by. It was finally the weekend, thank God for that. He just wanted to go home.

His eyelids began to droop. Or maybe he would just stay here for awhile and rest his eyes. The students were gone, what did it matter. He hadn't gotten any sleep last night.

Wonder why?

A knock at his door made him jump.

"Mr. Mariano? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

Sara was standing shyly in the doorway.

"Hey Sara, you didn't interrupt anything, don't worry." He stood up warily. "What can I do for you?"

She walked slowly into the room, "Um, I was just wondering if you had made that list for me." She bit her lip.

Jess stared at her in confusion for a moment and then it dawned on him. He had forgotten! He balled his fists in rage. He never forgot his students. How could she have this effect on him? "I completely forgot, I'm sorry Sara."

Disappointment flooded into her eyes but she said, "That's okay."

"No, it's not okay. I should have remembered." Jess shook his head angrily. Why couldn't he stop thinking of her? And him? What was he like anyway?

"No, really. It's not a big deal. I'll just ask the librarian to recommend me some." Sara shrugged her shoulders.

Jess raised his eyebrows, "Who, Mrs. Harper? She'll give you some cheesy romance novels." He grabbed a pen and a piece of paper. "I'll write a couple down for you to read this weekend, and then give you a larger list on Monday. Sound okay?"

The grin returned to her face, "Yeah, that'd be great!"

Jess jotted down a couple of titles and handed it to her, "There ya go."

"Thanks Mr. Mariano!" She began to walk out of the room.

An idea crept into Jess's mind, "Hey Sara."

She turned. "Have you ever read 'Oliver Twist'?"

She shook her head, "No."

"It was a favorite of mine in high school, you should read it." He smiled.

She nodded, "Okay. Dickens right?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, thanks again Mr. Mariano!"

"Have a nice weekend Sara." Jess said as he watched her go.

Again Jess slumped heavily in his chair. Now why had he gone and done that?

A memory hurtled into his mind, he tried to push it back.

It didn't work.
*Flashback*

He tapped on her window again. Was she deaf?

He peeked through. She was reading; well that explains it. This time when he banged on her window she looked up.

Rory walked over to the window and opened it. "What are you doing here so late?" She scolded, but she was smiling.

He loved her smile, "To see you, what else?" He asked. But before she could answer his lips had found hers.

Rory broke away breathlessly, "You're still outside."

"Hmmm, good point." He climbed through the window. His arms came around her and once again their lips met in a frenzy. He had never felt anything so soft. Hs lips moved to her neck and then to her collar bone.

They backed up to the bed, Rory climbed onto it.

A fevered cry from Rory ended their tongue entanglement. "Ouch!"

"What is it?" Jess asked..

Rory produced a book from beneath her.

Jess rolled his eyes, "You and your books."

"Actually it's yours." Rory showed it to him, it read 'Oliver Twist'.

"You stole my book?" "I did not!" Rory said indignantly. "I didn't have anything to read so I went over to the diner. You weren't there so Luke just told me to go up and take something. So I did. I just borrowed it without asking."

"I thought you had a copy." "I'm making Lane read it."

"So you take mine, huh?" Jess said.

"Well . . .yeah." Rory licked her lips. "Enough talk." She leaned into him.

This time it was Jess that broke away, "Where's your Mom?" His eyes scanned the room.

Rory giggled nervously, "She's not in here. She has the late shift at the inn tonight."

"Well, in that case . . ." He found her lips once again.
*Present*
Grief washed over Jess, but a smile still played on his lips. He missed those days; when everything was so easy and innocent. Of course, in high school they had never done anything more then make out. She would never allow anything else.

But he didn't want to think of her anymore today.

An hour later Jess finally left the school. Instead of going home, he made his way to the Pennington public library. He lived in a small town close to New York City, only about three hours from Stars Hollow. Not that he ever went anyway, he wasn't exactly welcome there. Luke usually came to visit him.

Jess entered the library and selected a few choice books. Making sure then none would remind him of her. He went to the check out counter, Mrs. Harper was there. She was the kindly, old librarian with large glasses and pure white hair.

"Hey, Mrs. Harper." He laid his books down on the desk.

"Hello dear, how are you?" She asked.

"Just fine." He lied. "And yourself?"

"Oh, I'm doing just wonderful. You just missed one of your students." She began checking out his books.

"Sara Watson?" He asked.

"Why yes! How did you know?" She said wonderingly.

"I just gave her a list of books to get, I figured she'd come straight here." He shrugged.

"Well, I tried to recommend her a few of my own favorites, but she said she was all set. She sure did have a lot of books." Mrs. Harper straightened her glasses.

"She's definitely a reader."

Mrs. Harper handed him his books, "Yes she is. These are due back in two weeks."

"Thanks Mrs. Harper. Have a nice weekend." He made his way out of the library.

"You too dear!" She called to his retreating form.

But Jess didn't think he was going to have a very nice weekend.

Mrs. Harper watched Jess through the library window as he drove off in his car. Such a nice man! How he didn't have a wife yet was beyond her.

Too bad she wasn't a little younger.

Something had been troubling him today. But what was it?

* * *

The next day Jess rolled a shopping cart down an aisle of cereal. He grabbed Froot Loops from the shelf. Luke would think him an utter failure.

He was about to turn into another aisle when a voice calling him from behind made him stop. He groaned inwardly. Why now?

"Jess, honey!" A large woman wearing a flowery dress came bustling down the aisle. "Fancy meeting you here!"

Jess smiled, "This is where I buy my food. You too?"

She blushed, "Oh, Jess! You're such a kidder!"

"Mmm, yeah." Jess watched as Mrs. Hanover went into one of her long greetings, he answered only when he had to. She was a real sweet lady but she was always trying to match him up with someone. Her intentions were good he supposed. But her taste wasn't.

"Katie just loves your class!" She began speaking of her granddaughter that was in Jess's class. "She says it's her favorite!"

"I'm glad. She's a very good student." Jess said truthfully.

"I'm just so proud of her!" She cried. "Well, anyway I'm so glad I caught you!"

Oh no, here it comes!

"Do you know my friend Mrs. Carder?" When Jess nodded she continued, "Well, her daughter is visiting for a few weeks, and she's just a beauty! I thought we could match you two up!"

"I don't know Mrs. Hanover." Jess said. No way was he going on a blind date.

"Oh, come now! It will be great fun!" Mrs. Hanover glowed at the idea of finally getting Jess a woman. He'd been single for much too long now! "We can set it all up for tomorrow night! You're not doing anything tomorrow night are you?"

"Well, no . . ." Jess trailed off. Why shouldn't he go on a date? What was there to lose? She had already found someone else. Why couldn't he? "You know what? I will."

Her eyes widened in surprised, "Oh wonderful!" She was so excited! Finally, she, the matchmaker of the town was getting the bachelor of the town a date! She couldn't wait to spread the word! "I'll call you later with all the information!"

"Okay." Was he really doing this? Oh jeez, he couldn't believe he had actually agreed to go on a date. Much less a blind date. What was this world coming to?

**AN: I hope you like it!! More is coming very soon, review!!!!!