Munich, Germany, day...
Our nine travelers are on an open decked tour bus. The tour guide, a handsome young blond man, is talking to the tourists in English as they are all from English speaking countries. Jake can hardly contain his excitement.
He said "Wow! I can't believe I'm actually in the land of my ancestors. This is so neat-o."
Helen said "Glad you like it, Jake."
Quinn and Jim are watching her parents. Quinn looks a little embarrassed.
She said "I can't believe how my dad's acting. He's like a little kid in a candy store."
Jim said "I hope I don't get that excited when we're in Italy. Still, it's funny how we visit the land of your ancestors before going to the land of mine."
Quinn smiles and her voice takes on a playful tone.
"God, Jim, you can be such a geek sometimes."
Jim's equally playful in his response.
"So, I'm a geek, am I?"
Quinn said "Yeah, a cute one that I'm head over heels in love with."
Jim said "And you're a smart fashionista that I'm head over heels in love with."
They laugh and kiss. Trent and Lindy see this and smile while holding hands.
Lindy said "That's really sweet."
Trent said "Yeah, I guess Quinn and her guy are kinda cute when they get like that."
"Not as cute as you."
They kiss. Joey and Sandi see this. Joey looks awkward while Sandi looks jealous.
Joey thought This trip was a bad idea.
Sandi, meanwhile, thought Quinn and Jim are totally in love and Lindy seems happy with Trent. Why do I have to be the one whose relationship is crashing and burning?
In front, the tour guide gives a presentation on the microphone.
"So, as jou can zee, Munich has a rich und long cultural history. Zome uf it's most famous rezidentz hef included Albert Einstein und Thomas Mann. Any qvestions so far?"
Daria raises her hand.
"I noticed that the timeline in your brochure doesn't mention any events between 1920 and 1949. Care to enlighten us?"
The tour guide looks flustered.
"Um...Vell...Jou zee...Zat is...Next qvestion?"
Jane raises her hand.
"When you named famous Munich residents you forgot to mention one by the name of Adolf Hitler."
Everyone gasps in shock. Quinn sinks in her seat out of embarrassment.
Daria said "It's also noteworthy that Hitler tried to stage a coup in Munich in 1922. Also, I believe Einstein and Mann were both forced to leave Germany in order to escape Nazi persecution."
The tour guide nervously said "Vell, let's not take zis all out uf contexzt."
Jane said "You forgot to mention the holocaust and how the general population was complicit in it."
The tour guide is now visibly angry. Daria sports her Mona Lisa smile. The tour guide snaps and gets right in Jane and Daria's faces.
"I VILL HEAR NO MORE INZINUATIONS ABOUT ZE GERMAN PEOPLE, NOTHINK HAPPENED!"
Daria deadpanned "Well I certainly buy your convincing explanation, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary."
The guide screamed "VAT IS VRONG MIT YOU VOMEN!? YOU COME TO OUR COUNTRY UND INZULT US!?"
Jane snarked "Well, when you put it like that..."
"ENUFF! DO NOT OPEN OLD VOUNDS BY REMINDING US UF ZE MOST ZHAMEFUL CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY!"
The guide, to everyone's horror, starts doing the "Heil Hitler" salute.
"DER GROSS REICH VON DEUTSCHLAND VILST LUFT EINE MER! ZIEG HEIL!"
Jane, Daria and everyone else are now very uncomfortable. Jane spots an opportunity to relieve the tension.
"Look, a beer hall! I've always wanted to visit one of those!"
The tour guide snaps out of it and resumes his talking.
"Ach, ja! Munich is vorld famous for it's many beer halls und beer gardens."
Daria and Jane look relieved and more than a little freaked.
Jane said "Maybe we should cut out being ugly Americans just for the fun of it."
Daria said "I was just thinking the same thing. I could do without being lynched in a foreign country myself."
A park in Munich, the next day...
The whole group are having lunch in an outdoor cafe called a biergarten, where they serve food and local brews. Munich is famous for them. They are eating while everyone but Lindy drinks Lowenbrau. Lindy has a Fanta instead. Jake takes a huge gulp of his beer.
Jake said "Ah, real German beer. I can totally feel the Morgendorffer heritage in me. This is so neat-o."
Jim takes a sip of his beer.
He said "Hey, when it comes to beer, nobody does it better than the Germans."
Trent takes a sip of his beer.
"This is pretty good. Lindy, you gotta try this."
Lindy is understandably apprehensive given her history of alcoholism.
"Trent, I can't. I'm a recovering alcoholic."
Trent said "One or two won't hurt."
Lindy is both hesitant and conflicted.
I want to. Everyone else is enjoying beer, why shouldn't I join in? I feel like everyone is having fun but me. But, do I dare? What if I can't handle it? What if one drink is enough to get me hooked again? I've been sober for six years now. Do I wanna derail that?
Trent notices Lindy's hesitation. He takes her hand in his own.
"It's okay, Lindy. We're on vacation. Just take my word for it if I decide you've had enough. I know you don't want to go back."
Lindy is visibly moved.
I'm surrounded by people who I can count on to look out for me and I'm on vacation. Screw it!
Just then, the waitress approaches.
"Can I get jou anyzing elze?"
"Yes, one draft Lowenbrau."
Upon hearing this Quinn starts to worry.
A hotel in central Munich, evening...
Daria is in her and Jane's hotel room reading a book when there's a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The door opens and Quinn enters.
"What's on your mind, Quinn?"
Quinn sits down next to Daria.
"I just wanted to catch up."
She notices that Jane isn't there.
"Where's Jane?"
Daria said "She wanted to take an evening run."
Quinn was always impressed by Jane's love of running. As a passion Jane's running was second only to her art.
Quinn, visibly impressed, said "She still does that?"
Daria nodded.
Quinn asked "So, how have you been?"
Daria sighed. It was a question she'd been dreading this whole trip.
She said "Struggling to find a decent job. I thought a PhD would open doors."
Concerned, Quinn said "And it hasn't?"
Daria explained "Quite the opposite, actually. I thought my education and achievements would lead me to a high paying job. As it turns out my charming personality has left me with few references. In fact, no one wants to hire someone with my skill set for fear that they'll have to pay what I'm actually worth. My lack of crushing student loan debt is another deal breaker because it means I can leave any company I work for on a whim. They say that they want employees, but what they really want is indentured servants."
Quinn looks sympathetic.
"Daria, I'm sorry. Maybe I could set you up with one of my clients. Do the sisterly thing and help you out."
Daria bristles at Quinn's offer and assumes a hostile demeanor.
"Like you ever did that before."
Quinn is visibly hurt by the insinuation.
"Daria, I thought we'd put all of that behind us."
Daria, realizing she's reacted in a way that opened some old wounds, calms down and softens her tone.
She said "I'm sorry, Quinn. I shouldn't take my frustration out on you like that. The fact is that it's myself that I'm mad at. You've actually turned out nice and...well...I'm glad you're my sister. When I found myself alone in college you and Jane both went the extra mile to help me out of my shell. I'll never forget that."
Remembering the bad old days Quinn has a feeling of both guilt and understanding. She still feels guilty about the whole "cousin" thing and is starting to realize that guilt will probably always be there. In fact, she now blames herself for many of Daria's issues.
Quinn said "I know I was a bratty pain in the ass growing up. I understand why you feel a little resentful."
Daria said "I'm not resentful. I've done things growing up that I regret too." She now looks very sad. "I just wish I didn't feel so helpless."
Sympathetic, Quinn said "I may not have helped you when we were kids, but I wanna help you now."
With a sigh, Daria said "I know, and you have. You took Jane and I in when we came to New York. You returned to Lawndale because Dad needed you. The truth is that you're actually a better person than I am."
Quinn stares in Daria in disbelief. This the last thing she'd ever expected to hear from her sister.
"You can't be serious!"
Daria actually smiles as she says "I am. I saw how worried you were when Lindy had two beers at lunch, and I know you once staged an intervention out of genuine concern for her well being. You stick by Jim through good times and bad. You always try to help Sandi when she's in a jam and you feel genuine guilt over your treatment of me when we were kids. It really says a lot about you as a human being. I wish I could be as compassionate toward others as you are."
Quinn smiles and wipes a joyful tear from her cheek.
"Thanks, Daria."
With that the two sisters hug. After a hug that seems to linger they resume their conversation.
Daria asked "Speaking of Lindy, what do you think about what's going on with her and Trent?"
Quinn said "Well, I was worried when Lindy ordered a beer. She cut herself off after two, though, so I just need to keep an eye on her. I'm more concerned about how you're reacting to her hooking up with Trent. I know you had a crush on him in high school."
Daria said "Quinn, I've been over that for years now. I like him as a friend, but that's all. If he's happy with Lindy that's all I care about. Who he sees is really none of my business."
Now, Quinn looks guilty.
"Daria, there's something you need to know, about Trent."
Daria listens intently.
Quinn asked "Remember when you and Jane took that trip to Washington, DC? Right after I broke up with Trevor?"
Daria nods.
Quinn explained "Well, I couldn't go because I couldn't get off work and Trent couldn't go because of a job interview. We were hanging out one evening and got to talking over drinks. He was bummed by his failed music career, I was bummed about my first serious relationship ending. He let it slip that he thought I was hot, I let it slip that he was cute if I ignored the tattoos. One thing led to another and...well...I slept with Trent."
Daria shows no reaction.
Quinn, bracing herself for a vicious attack, said "It was just a one time thing. I regret that it happened, but it still happened. I didn't tell you before now because I was afraid you'd get mad at me for it."
Smiling warmly, Daria said "I'm not mad. I don't care who Trent sleeps with and I know that you used protection."
"And you don't think less of me?"
Daria reminded her "Quinn, I lost my virginity in a drunken hookup with my ex. Remember?"
Quinn looks relieved.
Daria asked "Does Jim know?"
"He does. He took it well."
"Not surprising, since it happened before you met him."
At this point, a sweaty and exhausted Jane enters. She sees what's going on and smirks.
"Sibling bonding, I see."
Quinn asked "Care to join us?"
Jane said "Sure. Just let me take a shower first."
Quinn and Daria both smile.
The hallway of the hotel, a short time later...
Music: "There's Something Going On" by Freida ft. Phil Collins
Sandi is walking the halls when she runs into Helen.
"Hello, Sandi."
"Hi, Mrs. Morgendorffer."
"Please, call me Helen. Have you seen my husband?"
Sandi's eyes go wide.
"He disappeared too!? I was looking for Joey."
Helen said "If I see him I'll let him know you're looking for him."
Sandi said "I'll do the same if I see your husband, Helen."
Helen's about to continue looking for Jake when...
"Um, Helen?"
Helen turns around.
"Yes, Sandi?"
Sandi asked "How do you and your husband do it? Keep things going, I mean?"
Helen explained "It's not easy, but love never is. Jake and I are always trying to find common ground, but we never stop working at it. That's the key, I guess, both of us being unwilling to give up. Why?"
Sandi looks sad.
She explained "Joey and I aren't doing so well. We haven't been doing well in quite a while, in fact. I've been trying to keep things going but he refuses to lift one finger. That's why I agreed to this trip. I'd hoped that a change of scenery would get us back on track. Instead, we seem to be drifting apart even faster than we were before. I'm beginning to think he doesn't care anymore."
Helen looks sympathetic.
"Have you considered the possibility that you two may have run your course?"
Sandi said "I have, and it scares me. My first steady relationship was a summer fling between junior and senior year. It was with a guy from Oakwood. It was nice, but it was just a physical fling that fizzled out by the end of the summer. I wasn't all that bummed when it ended after only two months. My next steady relationship was with a girl I met at college, that was when I'd discovered that I'm bisexual. I was in love with her, but she was cheating on me. I was devastated when I found out. Now, Joey comes back into my life and we fall for each other almost right away. At first, I felt like I'd found the one. I was happy for the first time in a long time. Now, we're drifting apart and I'm afraid to break up with him because I don't want to be alone."
Helen looks very sympathetic. She knows what all Sandi's been through in the six years since high school: discovering that she's bi, having her heart broken, being disowned by her family for something she can't help, living in a homeless shelter, becoming a stripper because it was the only way to make any decent money, and now she's on the verge of having her heart broken again.
You poor thing, you've suffered so much already. Helen thought as she said "I understand. The truth is that you won't be alone if you decide to end things. You still have you're friends. You can always come to me. Quinn would never desert you."
Sandi said "I know. She's the only family I have. She once told me that since my real family wants nothing to do with me she and Stacy would be my family."
Helen is touched both by Sandi's sincerity and the fact that Quinn would reach out to someone in need like that.
"If Quinn considers you family, then so do I. Family isn't just blood, it's people who actually give a damn about you."
Sandi is visibly moved.
Helen said "My point is that you don't have to be alone."
Tears of joy fill Sandi's eyes. She immediately hugs Helen.
"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."
They release each other. At this point Lindy approaches.
She asked "Have either of you seen Trent?"
Helen said "Trent's gone too!? We were looking for Jake and Joey."
Helen sees the door to Daria's room a crack open.
"Maybe Daria knows something?"
She opens the door and is treated to the sight of Quinn, Daria, and Jane laughing.
Helen said "Excuse me."
The other girls look up.
"Daria, Quinn, have either of you seen your father?"
Lindy added "We're also wondering if you've seen Joey or Trent."
Quinn's eyes go wide.
She said "They're gone too!? Jim took off a little while back. When I asked where he was going he said it was a surprise and I'd find out in Italy."
Jane is now suspicious.
"I smell a conspiracy afoot."
Meanwhile, at a beer hall across the street from the hotel...
The place has long tables in rows from the entrance up to a stage in front. The walls are murals depicting scenes from German myth and folklore. Off to the sides are food buffets and beer is being served on tap. At one of the tables we find Jake and Trent seated across from Jim and Joey. They are all drinking beer and looking at an open pamphlet. Jake, Trent and Jim look animated while Joey looks apprehensive.
Joey said "You guys are crazy!"
Trent said "Actually, this idea's pretty cool. Lindy'll really appreciate it."
Jim added "They all will."
Joey remains adamant.
"I'll have no part of it."
Jake said "But it's perfect. When we're in Italy we can wow the women in our lives with a romantic gesture."
"I still think it's a bad idea. I'm going back to the hotel."
As Joey gets up and is prepared to leave Jim grabs him by the arm.
"You don't want in, that's fine. Just don't spoil the surprise."
Joey reassured Jim with "I won't. I just don't wanna make a romantic gesture when I'm not really feeling it any more. You guys wanna make fools of yourselves, go right on ahead."
With that, Joey leaves. The other three guys turn their attention to the pamphlet Jake is showing them.
Trent said "This is one of the coolest ideas you've had, Jake."
Jim added "I know, this is gonna be off the chain." And it's the perfect set up. I can propose to Quinn right after.
Back at the hotel...
Daria, Jane, Quinn, Helen, Sandi and Lindy were engaging in small talk and laughter.
Lindy said "So you were stuck on a farris wheel listening to one of Stacy's crying fits?"
Jane said "Yep. Most annoying carnival ride ever."
Daria added "At least we were spared the riot in the auditorium."
Helen said "I knew Stacy could be emotionally fragile, but I didn't think she was that fragile."
Sandi looks guilty.
"A lot of that was my doing. I was such a control freak that I used emotional abuse to keep her in line. I can't believe what a bitch I was back then."
Quinn puts her hand on Sandi's shoulder in a reassuring manner.
She explained "We were all a little messed up with our priorities back then. I was so image conscious that I wouldn't admit Daria was my sister because I was afraid everyone would hate me if they knew. My point is that we all did things we shouldn't have back then, even Stacy."
Sandi looks relieved while everyone else looks interested. Quinn notices.
She went on "You didn't hear it from me, but Stacy really wanted Brett to like her. He used that to talk her into having sex with him. She was upset not only because he dumped her after that but she was also afraid it would get out that she did it with him and she'd be labeled a slut."
Sandi added "Quinn and I had to call in a lot of favors to keep that from happening."
Jane shrugged.
"Her crying fit makes more sense now."
Daria added "Not only did he reject her but she was sure she'd get a bad reputation for it. I can see Quinn wanting to protect Stacy from that but I'm surprised that you did as well, Sandi."
Sandi explained "I was preserving the integrity of the Fashion Club. If Stacy got a reputation it would've affected our standing as a group. I was determined not to let that happen."
Just then, there's a knock on the door.
Jane said "Come in."
The door opens and Joey enters. Sandi is not happy to see him.
"Where were you?"
Joey said "I was at the beer hall across the street from here. The other guys are still there."
Lindy eyes him with suspicion.
"What were you up to?"
Joey, true to his word, said "I promised not to spoil the surprise. You'll find out in Italy."
Sandi takes a deep breath. She walks right up to Joey.
"Joey, we need to talk. In private."
With that, they leave.
Jane said "You think she'll try to beat it out of him?"
Quinn shakes her head.
"No, she would've done that here. I think this has to do with their relationship."
Daria asked "What do you suppose the guys are up to?"
Helen said "If it's one of your father's ideas it's either going to be really sweet or really embarrassing."
Quinn and Lindy now look nervous.
Sandi and Joey's room...
Music: "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne
Sandi and Joey are seated across from each other at the table.
Joey asked "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Sandi said "Our relationship. You see, we've been going downhill for a while now. We were so lovey-dovey in the beginning. We were having fun when we were together. We looked forward to spending time together and couldn't keep our hands off each other. For the past few months, however, all we ever seem to do is fight. We almost never have a conversation that doesn't turn into an argument. We aren't opening up as much as we used to and our sex life has become non existent. I'd hoped this trip would bring the spark back but it hasn't. In fact, we seem to be drifting apart at a faster pace than before."
Joey said "I can't say I disagree. Once the newness of the relationship wore off we both started to lose interest. I was hoping to hold off on this until we got home but...I think we should break up."
Sandi feels both shock and relief.
"That's the first time in months that we actually agreed on something."
Joey said "Don't get me wrong, Sandi, I still like you as a friend. It's just that that's all I like you as. I knew that when your talking enthusiastically about Tom didn't make me as jealous as I thought it would."
Sandi looks taken aback. She folds her arms and glares menacingly at Joey.
"Excuse me! This isn't about Tom, it's about you and me."
"Yes, but you're interested in him. I can tell."
Sandi said "I'm just happy that he'll keep it a secret that I'm a stripper."
Joey said "It's more than that. When you talk about him you have the same look in your eyes that you gave me when we started going out. When I mention you at work he seems more interested than normal. Although he probably doesn't realize he crushing on you. We guys are kinda slow to admit that stuff."
"It doesn't mean I want to date him."
"Well, I think you should."
Sandi gasps. She'd not been expecting this.
Joey explained "Look, we're broken up now. Who you go out with is none of my business. I admit it's gonna be a little awkward seeing my boss date my now ex-girlfriend but I can deal. After a year of working at Grace, Sloan and Paige I've gotten to know Tom really well, and I've known you since middle school. I actually think you two would click well with each other."
Sandi looks thoughtful.
"You mean to tell me that not only are you okay with us breaking up but you think I should date Tom."
Joey said "Yes. What we had was nice, but it's over. The sooner we move on the better."
Sandi said "While I wholly agree that we should break up I'm not going to jump straight into a relationship with someone else, especially your boss."
Her now ex-boyfriend said "I get that it would look like he stole you from me but this isn't high school. I won't have to endure teasing or any peer pressure to kick his ass. Look, the simple fact is that I know you both well enough to know that you and Tom makes a hell of a lot more sense than you and me."
Now, Sandi looks very thoughtful.
Munich hotel, the next day...
Quinn, Jim, Daria, Jane, Helen, Jake, Trent and Lindy are in the lobby with their luggage packed. Joey is noticeably absent. Quinn is on her cell phone.
She said "So, you'll do it?...Thanks, Mr. Sullivan."
With that she hangs up.
"Great news, everyone. I got Mr. Sullivan to transfer us to the inn in Morgendorf for the rest of the week."
Jake can hardly contain his excitement. He jumps for joy.
"YAHOO! Village of my ancestors, here I come! I can't wait to show you the Morgendorffer heritage!"
Helen, Quinn and Daria are visibly embarrassed while the rest are mildly amused. It's at this point that Quinn notices that they are shy a person. She turns to Sandi.
"Where's Joey?"
Sandi sighs and looks sad.
"Joey and I broke up last night."
Sympathetic, Quinn said "Oh, Sandi, I'm so sorry."
Sandi said "Don't be. It was long overdue. We finally had no choice but to accept that we've drifted too far apart to go back."
Quinn said "I'm still sorry." She now looks a little awkward. "So...um...where is he now?"
Sandi said "At the airport, waiting for the first available flight home. We agreed that it would be too weird for him to stay on for the rest of the trip."
Quinn is visibly concerned for Sandi.
She asked "Are you okay?"
Sandi sighed and said "I'm sad that it's over, but breaking up was still the right thing to do."
Concerned, Quinn asked "Are you sure you don't wanna go home too?"
"Yes. It'll be easier to deal if I stay with my friends..." with a smile Sandi corrected herself, "...I mean my family."
Quinn is nearly moved to tears by Sandi's admission that she now sees the Morgendorffers as her family instead of the Griffins.
Authors Note
Sorry this took so long. Life keeps getting in the way.