Title: It All Starts With A Kiss
Chapter 19: Graduation
Okay, this is weird. I think this story might actually have an ending!!! Weird, I know. This is my third GG fic, and the first one where I know there's gonna be an ending and I know what's gonna happen. Anyway, this is the second-to-last chapter, and it's kinda bittersweet. Hopefully everything will be explained.
~~~~
December 24, 2006
Rory stepped off the bus in Stars Hollow, deeply enthralled in her latest book. She navigated her way through the town until she arrived at her mother's house. She didn't even look up as she walked up the porch steps at home. She stood outside the door for a few minutes, finishing the last chapter, but before she could open the door, it swung open of its own accord, and three two-year-olds ran out. One attached herself to Rory's left leg, and Rory finally looked up.
"Hey, Diane."
"Dinosaurs!" the child proclaimed, pointing to her brother and Sookie's son Mike, who was five months younger than the twins. The boys were snarling and holding their hands out like they were claws.
"Ooh, yucky dinosaurs. Hey, you wanna go inside and find something to do?"
Diane nodded at her big sister, and the girls entered the house, the little girl still clinging to Rory.
"Hello?" Rory called as she closed the door behind her.
"Hey!" Lorelai popped out of the woodwork.
"Oh, don't do that!"
"Ugh, sorry your majesty." Lorelai curtsied, holding her hand to her head as if to keep her crown from falling. "Coffee?"
"Always." Rory followed her mother into the kitchen, scooping Diane off her leg as she walked. "Hey, Sookie. Wow, you're getting big."
"Ooh, never say that to a pregnant woman," Lorelai warned.
"Oh, that's okay sweetie. I've got three more weeks."
"Didn't Mike, like, just turn two?"
"Yeah. I mean, I know their birthdays are gonna be close to each other and Christmas, but we'll figure something out."
"I'm sure you will. Oh, this is coffe made by you, isn't it Mom?" Rory asked after she'd taken a sip.
"And what makes you say that?"
"Oh, just a hunch."
"Yes, it is coffee made by me; Luke was deathly afraid I'd offer the kids some, so he wouldn't make any this morning."
"And how many cups of coffee have you had, Diane?"
Diane held up two fingers.
"Ah, I thought so," Rory looked at her mother. There was a snarl and a cry from the yard.
"Oh, great, Dinosaur Sam's sacrificing Dinosaur Mike again," Lorelai sighed, and she and Sookie got up from the table and headed outside. Rory looked at Diane.
"Have Mommy and Aunt Sookie been watching Jurassic Park again?"
Diane nodded.
"Hey, you're being awfully quiet today. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Wanna read?"
"Sure. Oh, I know what we can read!" Rory started digging through her bag and then pulled out a thin child's book. "Do you know what that's a picture of?" Rory asked as she pulled Diane onto her lap and pointed at the cover. "No? That's a horse, and he wants to bark. Do you want to read it?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay, here we go. 'Once upon a time there was this horse. He was a very happy horse, because he had a lot of friends. But one day he was talking to his friends, and he didn't know what they were saying!' Oh, no! Why do you think that is?"
"His friends say 'Arf! Arf!'" Diane said, sticking her tongue out and holding her hands like they were paws.
"Yeah. You know, your impression is almost as good as Mommy's. Anyway, 'The horse wanted to learn to bark, so he could talk like his friends. He went around all day to all the dogs, and asked them to help him learn how to bark. They all barked at him, so he tried to make the same sounds they did. "Neiarf! Neiarf!" he said, but it didn't work very well.'"
"Sad."
"Yeah, sad. 'Then one day, the horse met a dog who wanted to learn how to neigh!' Ooh, maybe they'll help each other out!"
"Yeah!"
"Yay! ' The dog and the horse worked together all day, every day, for a long time, almost a whole month! And then one day, the horse opened his mouth and said, "ARF!" and the dog opened his mouth and said, "NEIGH!" and they said that every day for the rest of their lives, and their lives were long, so they lived--' How did they live, Diane?"
"Happily ever after!"
"Yay!"
"Yay!"
"Ooh, what are we yay-ing about?" Sookie asked, walking into the kitchen, Mike falling asleep on her shoulder.
"Oh, the horse learned to bark."
"Well, that's always good." Sookie faltered. "Uh, I'm gonna take little Mikey here home. He's plumb-tired!"
"Oh, are you coming over later for movie night? I've got something I want to run by you."
"Sure, I'll be here on time. Eight?"
"Eh, more like six."
"Okay. Bye. Say goodbye to Rory and Diane, Mikey."
Mike lifted his head and rearranged himself on Sookie's shoulder.
"At least he moved. He's kinda like his daddy, really really slow once he's tired."
"Ah. Well, goodbye, Sookie."
"Bye-bye, Kooky!" Diane waved. Sookie laughed as she headed out the door. Lorelai came down the stairs seconds after the door closed.
"Oh, Mom, did you say bye to Sookie?"
"Yeah, right before I put Sam in time-out. Ugh, he's been worse and worse lately."
"Well, he's two."
"Yeah, but she's two," Lorelai pointed to Diane, "and when you were two you weren't this bad."
"We're girls."
"Ah, yes, that's it. So, how are you doing?"
"I'm good. Can't wait for the movie night tonight."
"Oh, I've been meaning to ask you about that. Did you invite Paris?"
"Yeah."
"You invited the robot herself? Why?"
"Cause she's a good friend, no matter how un-human-like she is, and I have to ask all of you a big question."
"Life-changing?"
"Almost."
"Huh. I hope Lane gets here soon to bring some music into this quiet house."
"Oh, it's so quiet with the kid yelling upstairs."
"Pshaw, that's normal."
"Pshaw?"
"Yeah, doesn't it make me sound British?"
"No."
"Hey, at least I'm not talking about snogging."
"That's a blessing."
"I know....So, been snogging with your boyfriend lately?"
~~~
Later that night, Jackson was taking care of Mike, Luke was taking care of Sam and Diane, and all of the girl's significant others were amusing themselves far, far away from the girl's movie night. Lane and Paris were discussing the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith and their effect on society while Lorelai was reading "The Horse That Wanted To Bark," which one of Rory's classmates had written and then gotten published for a project. Sookie was getting food, and Rory was pacing in the entryway, wringing her hands. Sookie entered from the kitchen, and Rory almost pushed her to the couch, and then she stood in front of the group. They were all staring at her expectantly, and so she pulled a letter from her pocket. She carefully unfolded it, and then started to read.
"Dear Ms. Gilmore, I have just recieved your resume, letter, and video. I must say, for a college student who isn't graduating until May, your resume is very impressive. The letter shows exactly what kind of initiative you have, and the video is very indicative of how comfortable you are in front of the camera. The story you 'reported' was very interesting; reporting from the chaos of the bedroom of twin two-year-olds, very creative! In other words, Ms. Gilmore, I do believe that you are just the kind of person CNN is looking for. We have an entry-level reporting position waiting for you her in Atlanta after you graduate, and I look forward to meeting and working with you." Rory stopped and looked at the women facing her. They were all staring, their mouths open in surprise.
"You got a job at CNN, and I'm struggling to get a job as a reporter at the Washington Post?" Paris asked incredulously.
Rory nodded, and then sank to the floor. Her face was a mask of indecision.
"Babe, that's wonderful!"
"Yeah, sweetie, that sounds like a great job."
"It is," Rory agreed with Sookie softly.
"Well, then, what's the problem?" Lorelai asked.
"She doesn't want to leave Jess," Lane spoke up.
"What? You're gonna turn down this fabulous job offer for Jess?" Lorelai asked.
"I'll take it!" Paris yelled.
"If you didn't want to move to Atlanta, why did you apply?" Sookie asked.
"Well, I mean..." Rory sighed. "I applied to see if I could get it, and I got it, and now I just keep thinking about actually moving away."
"Sweets, it's Jess."
"Yes, Mom, I know it's Jess. I've been thinking over the past five years, and all the stupid things I've done for him, and I realize how much I love him."
"Like what?" Lane asked.
"I defended him after my broken arm, I missed Mom's graduation to see him in New York, I kissed him at Sookie's wedding, I got jealous of him and Shane, I broke up with Dean--granted, Dean broke up with me, but only because he saw how much I loved Jess. I told Mom we were going out, I turned down Harvard to be closer to home, I skipped out on Yale and moved away from Mom to live with him in New York, I read Hemingway, I introduced him to Grandma, Grandpa, and even Dad. And then of course, there's all the things he did for me: he buckled down, graduated near the top of his class, and went to college; he quit smoking; he bid on that damn basket years ago; he went to that stupid dance; he helped make that snowwoman that one year; he was incredibly supportive when it looked like I might be pregnant...he does basically whatever I tell him to."
"You love him and he loves you. Now all you have to do is figure out if you can last a move to Atlanta, and if you can't, maybe you're not as meant to be as you could've been." Lorelai said softly. The other girls nodded in agreement.
"You can always get a cat," Paris said, trying to be helpful. Rory laughed.
~~~~
December 26, 2006
"Jess? You home?" Rory asked, entering their apartment. He emerged from the back. Rory's heart did the now familiar flip-flop it always performed when she saw him. He grinned and hugged her.
"It feels like months since the last time I saw you."
"It's only been two days."
"I've got something to tell you," Jess started seriously as he set her down.
"That face is too serious."
"It's a big deal."
"Okay, what's this big deal?"
"I got a job, a real job, for after college."
"Oh, my god, where?"
"The Times."
"You got a job at the New York Times?"
"Yeah!"
"That's wonderful!" Rory hugged Jess again. "Actually, I got a job, too."
"The Times or the Post?"
"Uh, neither. Jess...maybe we should sit down."
"No, I'd rather know now."
"Uh, I got an entry-level reporting job at CNN. No on-air time, but lots of research."
"And that would be at CNN...here?"
"Atlanta."
"Atlanta. Huh."
"It starts right after graduation."
Jess headed to a couch and sat down.
"Are you mad?"
"No, not mad. I mean, you got a job at CNN, you want to be Christine Amanpour. If I was mad at that, I'd be a bastard, wouldn't I?"
"We could still maintain a long-distance relationship."
"Those never last, Rory. One of us would cheat on the other, and then we'd just be guilty."
"So we jsut break up?"
"Yeah, I guess we do. But not now." Jess turned to Rory and smiled. "I'm glad you're home."
"Me, too." She tried to smile as they hugged, but the thoughts in her head wouldn't shut up.
~~~~
Since Joe was going to come after graduation and reclaim his apartment, Jess started looking for a place to live, a one-bedroom in New York. Rory searched on the Internet for somewhere to live in Atlanta. The last few months of college sped by, and before they knew it, they were all packed up and ready to move. Most of Rory's stuff was in Atlanta, and Jess' stuff was in his new apartment, but they each had one suitcase with clothes for graduation and the move. The last day of school ended as quickly as the first day had started, and Jess and Rory walked home, sad and happy, alone and together, holding hands. Luke, Lorelai, Sam, and Diane met them downstairs, cheering about the last day of school. Days later was the graduation ceremony, and afterwards Sam and Diane were picked up by Richard and Emily and Luke and Lorelai treated Jess and Rory to dinner and a show. The show was "Funny Girl," starring some unknown who was gonna be big soon. During "I'm the Greatest Star," Jess reached for Rory's hand. She turned to him and smiled. He smiled back, and neither one let go until they headed until their seperate rooms for the night. Rory woke up early and slipped into bed with Jess. He woke up and turned to find her there.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"It's nice to wake up next to you."
Rory smiled a sad smile.
"Hey. You better be happier tomorrow when you head for your first day as a CNN reporter."
"I'll try."
"Don't cry." Jess pulled her towards him, his eyes as full of tears as hers. "We'll see each other again."
"Okay," Rory nodded and wiped the tears from her face. Jess pushed her away just far enough to kiss her, and then he sent her back to bed, hoping she didn't notice his tears. She did.
Rory officially woke up at eight, and said goodbye to Luke and Lorelai at eight-thirty, insisting that she go to the airport herself. Jess stayed in bed as she walked out of the apartment. She then walked to the Port Authority bus station, heading for the subway.
"Uh, excuse me," a tourist called out to her as she was walking by.
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me where..44th is?"
"Uh, sure, it's...that way." Rory pointed. The man nodded and walked off, and Rory smiled, remembering the first time she'd been asked directions. She'd cut school and visited Jess during the short period he spent in New York between time in Stars Hollow, and a touriist had asked her for 44th, and she'd pointed him the wrong way. Jess had gone to find him after she found her bus. Rory felt tears come to her eyes, and shook them away as she headed for the subway to go to the airport.
Chapter 19: Graduation
Okay, this is weird. I think this story might actually have an ending!!! Weird, I know. This is my third GG fic, and the first one where I know there's gonna be an ending and I know what's gonna happen. Anyway, this is the second-to-last chapter, and it's kinda bittersweet. Hopefully everything will be explained.
~~~~
Rory stepped off the bus in Stars Hollow, deeply enthralled in her latest book. She navigated her way through the town until she arrived at her mother's house. She didn't even look up as she walked up the porch steps at home. She stood outside the door for a few minutes, finishing the last chapter, but before she could open the door, it swung open of its own accord, and three two-year-olds ran out. One attached herself to Rory's left leg, and Rory finally looked up.
"Hey, Diane."
"Dinosaurs!" the child proclaimed, pointing to her brother and Sookie's son Mike, who was five months younger than the twins. The boys were snarling and holding their hands out like they were claws.
"Ooh, yucky dinosaurs. Hey, you wanna go inside and find something to do?"
Diane nodded at her big sister, and the girls entered the house, the little girl still clinging to Rory.
"Hello?" Rory called as she closed the door behind her.
"Hey!" Lorelai popped out of the woodwork.
"Oh, don't do that!"
"Ugh, sorry your majesty." Lorelai curtsied, holding her hand to her head as if to keep her crown from falling. "Coffee?"
"Always." Rory followed her mother into the kitchen, scooping Diane off her leg as she walked. "Hey, Sookie. Wow, you're getting big."
"Ooh, never say that to a pregnant woman," Lorelai warned.
"Oh, that's okay sweetie. I've got three more weeks."
"Didn't Mike, like, just turn two?"
"Yeah. I mean, I know their birthdays are gonna be close to each other and Christmas, but we'll figure something out."
"I'm sure you will. Oh, this is coffe made by you, isn't it Mom?" Rory asked after she'd taken a sip.
"And what makes you say that?"
"Oh, just a hunch."
"Yes, it is coffee made by me; Luke was deathly afraid I'd offer the kids some, so he wouldn't make any this morning."
"And how many cups of coffee have you had, Diane?"
Diane held up two fingers.
"Ah, I thought so," Rory looked at her mother. There was a snarl and a cry from the yard.
"Oh, great, Dinosaur Sam's sacrificing Dinosaur Mike again," Lorelai sighed, and she and Sookie got up from the table and headed outside. Rory looked at Diane.
"Have Mommy and Aunt Sookie been watching Jurassic Park again?"
Diane nodded.
"Hey, you're being awfully quiet today. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Wanna read?"
"Sure. Oh, I know what we can read!" Rory started digging through her bag and then pulled out a thin child's book. "Do you know what that's a picture of?" Rory asked as she pulled Diane onto her lap and pointed at the cover. "No? That's a horse, and he wants to bark. Do you want to read it?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay, here we go. 'Once upon a time there was this horse. He was a very happy horse, because he had a lot of friends. But one day he was talking to his friends, and he didn't know what they were saying!' Oh, no! Why do you think that is?"
"His friends say 'Arf! Arf!'" Diane said, sticking her tongue out and holding her hands like they were paws.
"Yeah. You know, your impression is almost as good as Mommy's. Anyway, 'The horse wanted to learn to bark, so he could talk like his friends. He went around all day to all the dogs, and asked them to help him learn how to bark. They all barked at him, so he tried to make the same sounds they did. "Neiarf! Neiarf!" he said, but it didn't work very well.'"
"Sad."
"Yeah, sad. 'Then one day, the horse met a dog who wanted to learn how to neigh!' Ooh, maybe they'll help each other out!"
"Yeah!"
"Yay! ' The dog and the horse worked together all day, every day, for a long time, almost a whole month! And then one day, the horse opened his mouth and said, "ARF!" and the dog opened his mouth and said, "NEIGH!" and they said that every day for the rest of their lives, and their lives were long, so they lived--' How did they live, Diane?"
"Happily ever after!"
"Yay!"
"Yay!"
"Ooh, what are we yay-ing about?" Sookie asked, walking into the kitchen, Mike falling asleep on her shoulder.
"Oh, the horse learned to bark."
"Well, that's always good." Sookie faltered. "Uh, I'm gonna take little Mikey here home. He's plumb-tired!"
"Oh, are you coming over later for movie night? I've got something I want to run by you."
"Sure, I'll be here on time. Eight?"
"Eh, more like six."
"Okay. Bye. Say goodbye to Rory and Diane, Mikey."
Mike lifted his head and rearranged himself on Sookie's shoulder.
"At least he moved. He's kinda like his daddy, really really slow once he's tired."
"Ah. Well, goodbye, Sookie."
"Bye-bye, Kooky!" Diane waved. Sookie laughed as she headed out the door. Lorelai came down the stairs seconds after the door closed.
"Oh, Mom, did you say bye to Sookie?"
"Yeah, right before I put Sam in time-out. Ugh, he's been worse and worse lately."
"Well, he's two."
"Yeah, but she's two," Lorelai pointed to Diane, "and when you were two you weren't this bad."
"We're girls."
"Ah, yes, that's it. So, how are you doing?"
"I'm good. Can't wait for the movie night tonight."
"Oh, I've been meaning to ask you about that. Did you invite Paris?"
"Yeah."
"You invited the robot herself? Why?"
"Cause she's a good friend, no matter how un-human-like she is, and I have to ask all of you a big question."
"Life-changing?"
"Almost."
"Huh. I hope Lane gets here soon to bring some music into this quiet house."
"Oh, it's so quiet with the kid yelling upstairs."
"Pshaw, that's normal."
"Pshaw?"
"Yeah, doesn't it make me sound British?"
"No."
"Hey, at least I'm not talking about snogging."
"That's a blessing."
"I know....So, been snogging with your boyfriend lately?"
~~~
Later that night, Jackson was taking care of Mike, Luke was taking care of Sam and Diane, and all of the girl's significant others were amusing themselves far, far away from the girl's movie night. Lane and Paris were discussing the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith and their effect on society while Lorelai was reading "The Horse That Wanted To Bark," which one of Rory's classmates had written and then gotten published for a project. Sookie was getting food, and Rory was pacing in the entryway, wringing her hands. Sookie entered from the kitchen, and Rory almost pushed her to the couch, and then she stood in front of the group. They were all staring at her expectantly, and so she pulled a letter from her pocket. She carefully unfolded it, and then started to read.
"Dear Ms. Gilmore, I have just recieved your resume, letter, and video. I must say, for a college student who isn't graduating until May, your resume is very impressive. The letter shows exactly what kind of initiative you have, and the video is very indicative of how comfortable you are in front of the camera. The story you 'reported' was very interesting; reporting from the chaos of the bedroom of twin two-year-olds, very creative! In other words, Ms. Gilmore, I do believe that you are just the kind of person CNN is looking for. We have an entry-level reporting position waiting for you her in Atlanta after you graduate, and I look forward to meeting and working with you." Rory stopped and looked at the women facing her. They were all staring, their mouths open in surprise.
"You got a job at CNN, and I'm struggling to get a job as a reporter at the Washington Post?" Paris asked incredulously.
Rory nodded, and then sank to the floor. Her face was a mask of indecision.
"Babe, that's wonderful!"
"Yeah, sweetie, that sounds like a great job."
"It is," Rory agreed with Sookie softly.
"Well, then, what's the problem?" Lorelai asked.
"She doesn't want to leave Jess," Lane spoke up.
"What? You're gonna turn down this fabulous job offer for Jess?" Lorelai asked.
"I'll take it!" Paris yelled.
"If you didn't want to move to Atlanta, why did you apply?" Sookie asked.
"Well, I mean..." Rory sighed. "I applied to see if I could get it, and I got it, and now I just keep thinking about actually moving away."
"Sweets, it's Jess."
"Yes, Mom, I know it's Jess. I've been thinking over the past five years, and all the stupid things I've done for him, and I realize how much I love him."
"Like what?" Lane asked.
"I defended him after my broken arm, I missed Mom's graduation to see him in New York, I kissed him at Sookie's wedding, I got jealous of him and Shane, I broke up with Dean--granted, Dean broke up with me, but only because he saw how much I loved Jess. I told Mom we were going out, I turned down Harvard to be closer to home, I skipped out on Yale and moved away from Mom to live with him in New York, I read Hemingway, I introduced him to Grandma, Grandpa, and even Dad. And then of course, there's all the things he did for me: he buckled down, graduated near the top of his class, and went to college; he quit smoking; he bid on that damn basket years ago; he went to that stupid dance; he helped make that snowwoman that one year; he was incredibly supportive when it looked like I might be pregnant...he does basically whatever I tell him to."
"You love him and he loves you. Now all you have to do is figure out if you can last a move to Atlanta, and if you can't, maybe you're not as meant to be as you could've been." Lorelai said softly. The other girls nodded in agreement.
"You can always get a cat," Paris said, trying to be helpful. Rory laughed.
~~~~
"Jess? You home?" Rory asked, entering their apartment. He emerged from the back. Rory's heart did the now familiar flip-flop it always performed when she saw him. He grinned and hugged her.
"It feels like months since the last time I saw you."
"It's only been two days."
"I've got something to tell you," Jess started seriously as he set her down.
"That face is too serious."
"It's a big deal."
"Okay, what's this big deal?"
"I got a job, a real job, for after college."
"Oh, my god, where?"
"The Times."
"You got a job at the New York Times?"
"Yeah!"
"That's wonderful!" Rory hugged Jess again. "Actually, I got a job, too."
"The Times or the Post?"
"Uh, neither. Jess...maybe we should sit down."
"No, I'd rather know now."
"Uh, I got an entry-level reporting job at CNN. No on-air time, but lots of research."
"And that would be at CNN...here?"
"Atlanta."
"Atlanta. Huh."
"It starts right after graduation."
Jess headed to a couch and sat down.
"Are you mad?"
"No, not mad. I mean, you got a job at CNN, you want to be Christine Amanpour. If I was mad at that, I'd be a bastard, wouldn't I?"
"We could still maintain a long-distance relationship."
"Those never last, Rory. One of us would cheat on the other, and then we'd just be guilty."
"So we jsut break up?"
"Yeah, I guess we do. But not now." Jess turned to Rory and smiled. "I'm glad you're home."
"Me, too." She tried to smile as they hugged, but the thoughts in her head wouldn't shut up.
~~~~
Since Joe was going to come after graduation and reclaim his apartment, Jess started looking for a place to live, a one-bedroom in New York. Rory searched on the Internet for somewhere to live in Atlanta. The last few months of college sped by, and before they knew it, they were all packed up and ready to move. Most of Rory's stuff was in Atlanta, and Jess' stuff was in his new apartment, but they each had one suitcase with clothes for graduation and the move. The last day of school ended as quickly as the first day had started, and Jess and Rory walked home, sad and happy, alone and together, holding hands. Luke, Lorelai, Sam, and Diane met them downstairs, cheering about the last day of school. Days later was the graduation ceremony, and afterwards Sam and Diane were picked up by Richard and Emily and Luke and Lorelai treated Jess and Rory to dinner and a show. The show was "Funny Girl," starring some unknown who was gonna be big soon. During "I'm the Greatest Star," Jess reached for Rory's hand. She turned to him and smiled. He smiled back, and neither one let go until they headed until their seperate rooms for the night. Rory woke up early and slipped into bed with Jess. He woke up and turned to find her there.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"It's nice to wake up next to you."
Rory smiled a sad smile.
"Hey. You better be happier tomorrow when you head for your first day as a CNN reporter."
"I'll try."
"Don't cry." Jess pulled her towards him, his eyes as full of tears as hers. "We'll see each other again."
"Okay," Rory nodded and wiped the tears from her face. Jess pushed her away just far enough to kiss her, and then he sent her back to bed, hoping she didn't notice his tears. She did.
Rory officially woke up at eight, and said goodbye to Luke and Lorelai at eight-thirty, insisting that she go to the airport herself. Jess stayed in bed as she walked out of the apartment. She then walked to the Port Authority bus station, heading for the subway.
"Uh, excuse me," a tourist called out to her as she was walking by.
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me where..44th is?"
"Uh, sure, it's...that way." Rory pointed. The man nodded and walked off, and Rory smiled, remembering the first time she'd been asked directions. She'd cut school and visited Jess during the short period he spent in New York between time in Stars Hollow, and a touriist had asked her for 44th, and she'd pointed him the wrong way. Jess had gone to find him after she found her bus. Rory felt tears come to her eyes, and shook them away as she headed for the subway to go to the airport.