A/N: Yeah, graduation ceremonies? 'Pomp and Circumstance' over and over and over again? Speeches made by people who never knew me but claim to have something profound to say about my life? Not my thing. But I figure it's probably Rory and Lorelai's, so this is what it is. I gloss over quite a lot in The End, I know, but I figure, why not leave something to reader's imaginations?
Oh, and don't yell at me too much for having to wait for the third chapter of The End. I'm still debating which way it should go. Bear with me, it will be out soon, like within the next two weeks, at the latest, I promise!
And for some reason, I got the idea that Jess was a year ahead in school than Rory. I know that's not right, but it works for this fic, so ignore that inaccuracy and move on…please? Begging you? Anyway, Read and Review and sigh indulgently at long, long author's notes.
Standard disclaimers apply.
**********
A Big Day for All
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore," the somber voice intoned. Lorelai beamed as she watched her daughter accomplish something she herself never had: graduating from high school. She took an entire roll of pictures watching her daughter walk gracefully to the podium and back to her seat.
"Camera," she hissed to Luke, who sat beside her.
"Save it for after the ceremony," he murmured to her, passing her the other camera. They were acting like early musket men: one shot while the other reloaded, then they took the newly re-loaded gun (or in this case camera) and shot again. Jess had a surprising hobby of photography and he aimed the lens at Rory, letting out a low whistle. She looked up, and beamed at all three of them. Then she schooled her face to a sober expression, and marched to her seat.
"I can't believe they confiscated my air horns," Lorelai pouted, sitting back in her seat after she couldn't see Rory.
"This is Chilton," Luke reminded her. "Nothing undignified is allowed."
"Nothing fun, either," Lorelai grumbled.
"Well, that goes without saying," Jess muttered, looking up and taking a picture of the sun glinting off one of the stodgy towers of Chilton. The backdrop of a cloudless blue sky was a perfect contrast to the dark gray stone.
A cheer rose from the class seated in front of the audience, and a flood of hats flew into the air. Jess took a picture of that, too. He really liked photography, and intended to develop film in his own darkroom someday. He would have plenty of free time for it, too, pretty soon.
Everyone greeted Rory as she made her way out of the throng of graduates. Sookie, Jackson, Mia, Miss Patty, Babette, Morey, Luke, Lorelai, Jess, Lane, Christopher, Sherry, Emily and Richard all surrounded her, all but the last two chattering happily. When Rory was finished being passed from person to person and hugged, Emily and Richard stepped forward. "We're so proud of you," Emily said, and for the first time that Rory could recall, initiated a hug between them. Richard followed suit.
"You're coming to the party, right?" Rory asked, smiling brightly at her grandparents.
"Oh," Emily said. She looked at Lorelai, who also had an expectant look on her face. "Yes, of course we are. We wouldn't miss that."
Finally, Rory came to Jess, and before she could say anything, he'd swept her off her feet in a fierce embrace and kiss. Richard and Emily averted their faces, but were smiling. The rest of the circle broke into applause. "Just returning the gesture," Jess murmured to her, and she smiled, remembering how she'd run at him and embraced him on his graduation day.
"I remember," she murmured back.
Paris came up then, and smiled at them. "Hey," she said by way of greeting.
"Hey," Rory said, and feeling so happy she could burst, she hugged Paris. Paris looked shocked, and awkwardly patted Rory's back. "Great speech," she told her. "Really moving."
"Oh, please," Paris said, back to her usual self. "No one was listening. They were fidgeting and talking to their neighbor about what party they were going to."
"Hey," Rory said. "Speaking of which, want to come to ours? We're setting up with the gazebo as the food center."
"Uh," Paris said, looking around. "Yeah, thanks." She looked very sad for a moment. Jess approached her as everyone began to trickle to the cars. He could sympathize.
"Hey," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "They didn't show, huh?"
Paris glared at him. "No. Shock, really. They couldn't take the time off to see their own kid graduate. They must have something really important going on, like a facial, or another tryst with the interior decorator." Paris looked after Rory, and all the people surrounding her. "How does she do it?"
Jess shook his head. "I don't know. She sucked me in; she even sucked you in. She's just one of the charmed people."
Paris surreptitiously wiped her eyes. "I just thought that for once they'd show up, you know?"
Jess did know, although he'd been shocked to no end when his mother had shown up at his graduation. She'd announced that she was going to be moving away from New York, and in fact she was going to be moving west. So far west, actually, that she was going to Seattle. She'd gotten a job there, and she was looking forward to it. Jess had seen her smile for the first time in a long time, and she looked utterly carefree. He could only hug her and tell her to keep in touch. Then she'd presented him with a graduation present.
"This was, um, your father's," she'd said, handing him an older 35mm camera. "I think you deserve to have something valuable of his." He hadn't been able to speak, had just looked down at the camera for a long time.
"Thanks," he'd finally said.
But he was shaken back to the present when Paris said, "Well, enough of this. I'm going to go change. I guess I'll see you at the party?"
"Yeah," he said, and hurried to catch up with everyone.
**********
The food was a big hit, provided, of course, by Sookie. But the big hit for Rory was the decadent chocolate-covered-coffee-bean mortar-board-and-tassel cake Sookie made. "I made one for your mother on her graduation day," Sookie said, "I can make one for you, too." This tassel had Chilton's school colors, but other than that it was exactly the same cake.
Rory took a bite and moaned in pleasure. "This is like heaven in a mug to the nth power!" she said rapturously. "I must have more!" And she dug in.
The party went on for hours. So many townspeople came to wish Rory congratulations that Jess' head began to hurt. Rory smiled graciously at every one of them, thanked them, and told them to eat and enjoy the party.
Finally it came time for her to open her presents. There were a lot of clothes, books, music (mostly from Lane), and jewelry. Finally, when the table was bare, Luke stepped forward, as did Jess.
"We both chipped in to get you this," Luke said gruffly. "Lorelai, this is for you, too, since I didn't get you anything for your graduation. You both get to open it at the same time." He handed each of them an envelope.
Rory and Lorelai exchanged looks while everyone watching murmured in curious excitement. The Gilmore girls tore into the envelopes, and then simultaneously gasped and looked up at their boyfriends in wonder.
"What did you get them?" Miss Patty demanded, hating to not know something.
"They're…they're open-ended tickets out of Paris," Lorelai said, choking on the words. "The flight goes out next week."
Luke shuffled his feet a little and felt compelled to explain: "We figured that Paris--the city--was kind of central to all of Europe. You could work out in a spiral, or whatever you wanted and probably still get right back to Paris for the flight back."
"Oh, Luke," Lorelai said, fighting tears and launching herself into his arms. "You are the most wonderful man in the world."
Rory just watched Jess approach her, stupefied. "But…how…why…?"
"Don't you like to know that some boyfriends listen when you talk?" he asked, then nearly jumped in surprise when Rory hopped into his lap and began kissing him fervently.
"I don't get it," Paris murmured, looking down at her plate.
Lane—also susceptible towards misty eyes—answered her. "Rory and Lorelai have been talking about a backpacking trip through Europe after Rory finished high school for years. They've always thought it was just a dream. Now Luke and Jess are making it happen."
"Oh," Paris said, and sighed. She felt terribly depressed.
"What's wrong?" Lane asked, taking her eyes off the now separated couples.
"Wrong? Nothing. Nothing at all," Paris said quickly. "Nothing is wrong with my life. It's not an empty void. I have parents that are wonderful and even bothered to show up to my graduation. I have a wonderful boyfriend that would fulfill a life-long dream of mine. I live someplace where everyone I ever met loves me and comes to my graduation party to celebrate with me. Excuse me."
She got up and ran away, anywhere to get away from the charmed girl.
Lane watched her go with amazement. "Yikes," she muttered under her breath. Then she noticed a shiny new BMW drive off in the same direction, and furrowed her brow. *Who in Stars Hollow owns a Beemer?* she asked herself.
**********
Paris stumbled onto the bridge, fighting tears. She was always fighting tears. Her parents' divorce, their utter lack of interest in her except disapproval, the nonexistence of her friends or social life, all were constantly conspiring to make tears well up. She sat down, heedless that her new designer dress would get dirty.
She heard footsteps on the bridge, and looked up. Then her jaw went slack. "What the hell are you doing here?" she blurted without thinking about it. Then she almost blushed. Tristan sat down next to her on the bridge.
"Want to talk about it?" he asked.
"Not with you," she snapped back. She moved away from him, burning with shame that she was glad to see him. He was a jerk; always had been, always would be. Hadn't he proved that the night he left for military school, leaving them in the lurch like that? And hadn't he proved it so many other ways? By flirting with her to get to Rory, who had never cared anyway? By flaunting all his girlfriends in her face, when it was painfully obvious that Paris liked him?
"Fine," he said, and half turned to her. "Then we can just make out for a while."
"Die a slow and painful death, Tristan," Paris snapped. She looked at him, and for a second she thought she saw hurt flash across his features.
"At the rate I'm going, yeah, it's looking pretty likely."
"What are you doing here?" she said again.
"I tried to get to Chilton in time for the graduation ceremony," he said, without answering her question. "When I asked, Madeline and Louise made eyes at me and told me that you'd come to Rory's graduation party."
"So you came here to try and flirt with her and piss her off some more?" Paris snorted indelicately. "I wouldn't try it. She's not going with Dean anymore. She's got a new boyfriend and this one could wipe the floor with you, no contest, any day."
"Thanks for your high opinion of my fighting skills," Tristan said sarcastically.
"Your welcome," Paris said, sarcastic right back.
There was a long pause, and they sat there in silence but for the music drifting to them from the square. "You know, Paris," Tristan began, his voice halting. "I've known you for, you know, ever." Paris didn't comment; she just looked down into the shallow water. "And I guess I never noticed you. Before. But, this weird thing happened to me at military school. I expected to think about Rory all the time. I mean, that's what I did at home, why wouldn't I do it away?" Again there was no response from Paris. "But for some reason, your intensity is what I thought of most. Your incredible focus on what you're doing. Your admittedly amusing frustration when no one else is concentrating enough for your liking."
"Tristan," Paris said wearily. "Is there a point to this? I already know I take life too seriously. I need to lighten up, get a hobby; besides scaring people."
"No, no! That's not it at all. I like that. I like your drive, your ambition. You focus on the future, and what you need to get to that future. It was like something that had always been there, you know? And then suddenly, it wasn't, and I couldn't forget about it. So, with that in mind, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to…I don't know, grab some dinner or something?"
Paris stood, and brushed off her dress. "You know what Tristan? You can jump in this water for all I care. Oh, my god! How can you be such a colossal simpleton? Why did I never notice before that you're a complete jerk? Do you know how many excuses I made to myself for that?" Her eyes stayed locked on his as he stood and faced her. "'He's not really like that,' I'd think. 'He just does it to fit in.' Or, 'He just does it to attract girls.' Or, 'He just does it so his parents will pay attention to him.' Believe me, it's crossed my mind to act like a delinquent, too. But you know what? You didn't do it for attention. You didn't do it for the girls. You didn't even do it for acceptance. You did it because that's who you are, and that's not going to change. You're just an asshole!"
"Yeah," he said. "I am. And you're an obsessive-compulsive freak. What's your point?"
"That even now you're driving me insane! No, wait, it must be too late! The only way I could possibly still be attracted to you, knowing what a jerk you are, and how much you deserve to just get shoved face-down into this pond is that you've already driven me insane!"
Tristan began to grin. "You're attracted to me?"
"Like you didn't know that anyway," Paris grumbled, blushing and looking down. "I mean, you threw it in my face enough times."
"Paris," Tristan sighed. "What do you think the chances are of an asshole and an obsessive-compulsive freak getting through dinner without killing each other?"
She looked up at him. *I'm so going to regret this someday,* she thought. Then she sighed. "Slim to nil. But I suppose we can try. When?"
"How about tonight? My car is here, and you could stay for the rest of the party, if you want."
"Uh," Paris said, for once at a loss for words. "Okay." She stalked past him. "But if you're doing this just to prove that any girl will go out with you I'll kill you."
"Okay," Tristan sighed. He followed her back towards the party.
**********
"Paris!" Rory said, waving to her. "I wondered where you went. Who's that?" Then her eyes widened. "Wow, Tristan. I…didn't recognize you with that…haircut."
"It's not that different," he said wanly. "I had it in the traditional buzz cut for a while, but my hair grows really quickly."
"Huh," Rory said. "So…what are you doing here?"
"Realizing something," he said, and smiled at Paris, who looked at the ground.
"Huh!" Rory said again, this time sounding amazed. "How…interesting."
"What's interesting?" Jess said, coming up from behind her. She turned her head and smiled at him, putting her hand over his at her waist.
"Tristan decided to come join the party," Rory explained, gesturing at the blonde.
"Tristan, huh?" Jess said, and reached out a hand. "I've heard a lot about you," he added.
"I've heard some about you, too," Tristan said. He almost looked amused. "But not your name."
"Oh," Rory said. "Sorry. Tristan, this is Jess Mariano."
"A pleasure," Tristan said.
"Come on and join the party." Rory gestured behind them and turned to go. Tristan and Paris silently followed her. "Remind me not to introduce him to Miss Patty and Babette," Rory murmured to Jess. "I think mom just broke out the alcohol."
"Got it," Jess said. "He can hide with me in the bushes." Rory laughed lightly.
Christopher met them as they neared the party. Sherry clung to his arm, cradling their son Jonathan. "Hey, hon," he said, and kissed Rory's forehead. "It's gonna be some trip, huh?" He smiled, happy that their dream would be realized. Lorelai had talked about doing it herself after her graduation, but everyone knew how that turned out.
"Yeah. It's going to be so great. We're going to see all the great places of Europe." Rory beamed at her father and went to peck her little brother on the cheek. "And we're going to take so many pictures," she said. "We're going to bore everyone with a slide show when we get back."
Christopher smiled, and then handed her an envelope. "I thought I'd contribute a little to the travel fund," he said quietly, glancing around suspiciously. "Don't tell your mother."
"Got it," she said, taking the envelope. "Although that's going to be a little difficult since she'll be there, too. But, Dad, you didn't have to—"
"No," he agreed. "I wanted to." Then he kissed her again and turned to leave. "Jonathan is getting a little tired, so I think we'll be headed out now. Have a great time."
"Bye Sherry, bye Jonathan. Bye dad." Rory waved them to their car.
Just then Richard came over. "Rory," he said. "Congratulations. I'm so proud of you. And, here," he added, also removing an envelope from his lapel pocket. "This is to take care of some of your expenses."
"But, Grandpa," Rory protested. "You already helped with Fez."
"Well, yes, but this is going to go towards something fun."
"Fez will be fun," Rory vowed. "Thank you, Grandpa," she added, throwing her arms around him in an exuberant hug.
"Paris," Richard said, smiling at the girl behind his granddaughter. "Wonderful speech. I thought the quote from Howl was particularly apt."
"Thank you, Mr. Gilmore," Paris said, smiling. "I have to wonder, though, how many people got it, both in the class and in the audience."
"Not a great number, I'm sad to say," Richard said, making Paris laugh. "Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you on being Valedictorian."
"Well, thank you, Mr. Gilmore."
"Please," he said, holding up a hand. "We're all adults here. Call me Richard."
"Thank you, Richard. I had some pretty stiff competition," she added, smiling slightly at Rory.
"Nah," Rory said modestly.
"Well, enjoy the party, you four," Richard said. "I think your grandmother and I are ready to leave."
"Oh. If she doesn't find me give her this," Rory said, and hugged her grandfather again. "Tell her thank you for coming, and I expect you two at mom's and my slideshow when we get back."
"I will pass along the message." Richard smiled at everyone and then left.
"I don't think he remembered me," Tristan said, feigning hurt.
"I told you he was drunk," Rory reminded him.
The four made their way back to the party and were soon swallowed up by the happy crowd.
**********
Lorelai and Rory sat on the porch swing, their heads resting against each other. "Wow," Lorelai said, staring at the ticket in her hand. "We're really going to Europe."
"Thanks to Jess and Luke," Rory said. She hooked her arm through her mother's. "Just think, in two weeks, we could be witnessing the sunset over the Eiffel Tower."
"Or looking out the windows of the Louver," Lorelai said, deliberately pronouncing it wrong.
Rory chose to ignore it. "Or we could be taking a tour around the Roman ruins."
"Ooh! Skinny dipping in a Grecian oasis."
"I think oases are only in deserts," Rory said.
"Oh, look who knows so much, Miss High-School-Graduate."
Luke and Jess were busy cleaning up the inside of the house, which had been the more intimate meeting place after the larger party had wound down. "Why aren't they helping us again?" Jess asked, throwing a handful of multi-colored plastic cups into a bag.
"It's their party, and they'll help only when hell freezes over," Luke said.
"Or cry, if they want to," Jess said dryly.
They worked for a few more minutes, the hum of Lorelai and Rory's voices coming through the wall. "So, they're going to be gone for a long time."
"Yeah," Jess said, frowning slightly. "But they're going to be having so much fun, and writing us so often, we won't even know they're gone." *Yeah, right,* he scoffed to himself. *I'll notice all the time. But I'll live.*
"I guess we're going to be pretty busy," Luke said. "Summer rush, tourists coming in droves."
"Yeah," Jess said again.
Just then Rory stepped into the room, and closed the door behind her. "I don't have much time. I said I'd get my atlas so we can start planning a route around Europe." She lowered her voice to a hiss. "Luke, what happened to the ring?"
"It's burning a hole in my pocket constantly," Luke said. "But your trip comes first, and then the ring after you get back."
"But I worked so hard to help you pick out that ring. We went to store after store after store. I had to learn the difference between princess cut and square cut."
"And you loved every minute of it," Jess interrupted her. She stuck her tongue out at him.
"All through the party I was expecting you to drop to your knee and ask her to marry you. But nooo. Did it happen? I think not!"
"Rory," Jess said. "Chill. It'll happen. You can't doubt that."
"No," she said. "But I wanted to see it. Now he's probably going to do it when they're all alone and being all romantic and lovey-dovey."
"I promise I won't," Luke pledged. "Now go get the atlas or your mother's going to be suspicious and think we're planning stuff behind her back."
"And even though we are," Rory said, moving towards her room. "It wouldn't be good for her to think it. I know."
After she was safely outside again, Jess turned to Luke, and smiled a very weak silly smile. "We're so gone over them, aren't we?"
"Yeah," Luke sighed resignedly. "I guess we are."
**********
A/N2: Okay. Here's the deal. Anyone who wants to, please, please, please E-mail me with stories of Europe or great places you've heard about that I can use when they get back. I've never been off the continent, and only really have any desire to see Ireland, and I don't think they'll be going there. England, maybe. But any anecdotes, destinations, what-have-yous that people can tell me about continental Europe would be greatly appreciated, and you will be thanked profusely when that chapter comes up, whether I use it or not. Thank you for bearing with my ranting.
And no stoning me for putting Paris and Tristan together (at least for now). He's coming back to the show, and I wanted my fic to at least reflect cannon just a little bit…. I have to wonder, though, how Jess is going to react to Tristan. Hehehe…Luke, Jess, and Tristan (hey, even I can admit he's cute even though I hate his character!)…