Part 8: The Departure

"What are you doing up so early?" Lorelai groaned. She had been woken up early for the second time in a row by the movements her daughter was making around the room.

"You do know there are about four other rooms you could be sleeping in, that way you don't get woken up by me, right?" Rory asked tying the halter top around her neck and taking off the necklace Finn had given her. If Finn had asked her to wear a bathing suit, it was because he expected her to get in the water. She wasn't going to take the chance of getting his ring lost out at sea.

"But your bed is so comfy."

"Then stop complaining about the times I'm waking up," Rory laughed straightening the her bathing suit top from under her white halter. She had on her bathing suit shorts underneath her denim skirt. She parted her hair in the middle and put them in two braids while slipping on her flip flops.

"Wow, aren't you looking preppy," Lorelai teased sitting up in the bed.

"Shut up," Rory glared as she tied the last braid off with a black band. She put the necklace Finn had given her in her jewelry box and closed it.

"So what do you think your boyfriend has planned for today?" Lorelai asked with a smile as Rory put a towel in her beach bag.

"I have no idea. He said last night they he didn't really want to spend my last day sharing me with people, but I sort of want it to be all of us. Even Logan."

"I thought Logan was sort of included in the 'us'."

"That's right, you don't know," Rory said looking through her suitcase at the pile of books she had brought.

"What don't I know?" Lorelai asked.

"Logan doesn't like me," Rory said offhandedly as she looked at the back of a book and read the summary.

"Why?" Lorelai asked surprised at the comment. Who couldn't like her daughter? Rory was probably the sweetest girl anyone could ever meet. Someone not liking her was just blasphemy.

"Not sure," Rory told her as she stood up, apparently deciding the book was worth her time as she put it in the bag.

"He just doesn't like you?"

"Pretty much."

"And this doesn't bug you? Your boyfriend's best friend not liking you for no apparent reason?"

Rory shrugged. "I've had to deal with it for three months, I've gotten used to Logan being an ass. And I have a feeling he doesn't like me and Finn together. But…" Rory shrugged, "I don't really need his approval. Colin, Tristan and Steph have accepted me in Finn's life."

"And Finn sure as hell isn't letting you go anytime soon," Lorelai pointed out.

"Right, so what Logan thinks of me doesn't really matter. But he's Finn's friend and I don't want to push him out of his own circle."

"That's good of you, kid."

"Yeah," Rory shrugged. She looked at the clock. It was already ten. Finn was probably all ready out front. "I've got to go, I'm taking my cell."

"If I need you, look for a flare."

"Will do. I'll pack when I get back."

"Have fun, sweets."

"Bye mom." She kissed her mom's cheek as she grabbed her bag and ran down the stairs.

"Finn's outside waiting for you," Emily said.

Rory nodded her thanks. "I'll be back later."

"Have fun."

"Bye grandma," Rory smiled as she walked out of the house to find Finn leaning against the car with a smile.

"You look nice," Finn said.

"Thank you." She took in his board shorts and button down shirt that was unbuttoned to the middle of his chest. "So do you."

"Thanks, love." He opened the door and let her in before running over to the driver's side and getting in himself.

"So what are we doing?" Rory asked as he drove out of the Gilmore driveway and she put her bag in the back.

"I was thinking we could go see an early movie while Steph, Tristan and Colin got things set up for lunch."

Rory frowned. "What about Logan?"

She noticed Finn's hesitation before answering. "He's.."

"Got a date?" Rory filled in.

"A few actually," Finn told her. "But Tristan and Colin are getting the barbeque out and Steph is out buying everything we need. I think there are even presents."

"No!" Rory said excitedly.

"Just don't tell them I told you."

"Oh, now I'm excited. Did you get me something?"

"I might have gotten you something, you'll just have to find out later, now won't you?"

"Or you can tell me now," Rory pointed out.

"Or you can wait."

"Okay, we're getting too cute," Rory told him scrunching up her nose.

Finn laughed. "We are, aren't we?" He parked in front of the movie theater and got out of the car and went over to open her door. He took her hand as she got out and led her in. They got their tickets and she went to go get the seats, as he got the popcorn, candy and drinks.

He found her sitting in the middle of the theater, looking at the trivia facts passing through the screen, probably answering them in her head. He sat next to her and arranged the food to sit between them before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and letting her head fall on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head as the lights dimmed and the movie started.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Steph, cut it out!" Rory laughed as she put her hand in front of the camera that Steph had been clicking since they had gotten back from the movies around noon.

"Come on, Rory!" Steph said putting the camera to her side. Rory relaxed and leaned back against Finn. "You're leaving tomorrow and you and Finn have no pictures together."

"And that's all fine and dandy," Rory said as Finn wrapped his arms around her waist, "But you're wasting one whole camera on me and Finn being in one position."

"Dirty!" Tristan yelled causing Rory to roll her eyes as she felt Finn chuckle underneath her.

"Well, it would be more if you and Finn got up and did something. Ever since you got back you've been sitting here and haven't moved."

"'Cause we're comfortable," Finn told her. "Now leave us alone and help your own boyfriend with the food."

Steph clicked one more picture before stalking off to the barbeque.

"She's annoying," Rory told him, tilting her head back to look at him.

"Imagine a whole entire year with her and Tristan."

"Oh... crap," Rory groaned.

"Maybe you'll get lucky and share a dorm room with her."

"Bite your tongue!"

"I don't know, love. Stephanie and Tristan are both from very important families, they can pull the strings if they want to."

Rory snuggled further into her embrace with Finn and closed her eyes, letting his warmth engulf her.

"You know, I don' think it would be that bad. It's sort of comforting to know that I already know people on campus."

"One year, love," he whispered, "It's only one year."

"Not that long when you think about it," Rory whispered.

"I'll call," he whispered into her ear, swaying them back and forth lightly. "I'll write, hell, I'll send you gifts."

"You don't have to do that, Finn."

"But I want to," he told her. "Plus we still have two weeks together," he said running his hands up and down her sides lightly. "I'll meet your town, you'll meet my dad."

"Two weeks."

He kissed her neck. "This is going to work," he told her confidently.

"I know."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Steph watched as Rory and Finn held each other as they were sitting in the sand. Rory's eyes were closed and Finn was whispering something in her ear as he stroked her hands that were tightly clasped together. She frowned and hit her boyfriend's arm.

"Ow!" Tristan groaned rubbing his arm and glaring at his girlfriend. "What the hell?"

"Why don't we have any more moments like that?" She asked pointing to Finn and Rory.

"You see, this is why we never hang out with other couples," Tristan told her pointing with the spatula he had been using to flip the steaks, at her. "You start getting those ideas in your head. Ruins relationships."

Steph glared at him before holding up the camera and taking a picture, causing the flash to hit his eyes. He groaned and closed his eyes waiting for his eyesight to focus. He heard Colin laughing behind him and the grilling of steaks.

"What's going on?" He heard a voice behind him. Tristan frowned and opened his eyes, Logan coming into focus, a blonde at his arm. Typical Huntz.

"Steph wants to know why Tristan doesn't have more Joanie and Chachi moments with her."

"Joanie and who?" The blonde asked, smacking her lips together. Tristan looked her up and down and smirked. The girl was chewing on gum, rather loudly, and couldn't have looked older than sixteen. Where the hell did Logan get these girls? Did he just hang out at the school yards and wait for cheerleading practice to end before picking one out and taking her out?

"Guys, this is Lori," Logan said. "Lori, these are my friends Colin and Tristan. And Tristan's girlfriend Stephanie."

"What about us, mate?" Finn asked with a smile with Rory trailing behind him, looking at the ocean before smiling over at them.

"Right, and my friend Finn and his girlfriend Rory."

"Nice to meet you," Rory told Lori. "It's nice to know you guys were able to make it."

"Make it to what?" Lori asked, her mouth opening and closing. Rory could almost see the fading pink gum go up and down in her mouth.

"I'm just going to go sit with Steph," Rory told them, squeezing Finns hand before going over to the picnic table and sitting across from Steph. They both eyed the blonde before looking at each other.

"I say sixteen," Steph said.

"Really?" Rory asked glancing over at her. "I was going middle schooler."

"Nah, Logan doesn't delve deeper than high school."

"Must be an improvement then," Rory said. Steph looked at her serious face before letting out a laugh. The guys turned to looked at them. Rory was trying to quiet Steph down while Steph was trying to smother her laughter with her hand.

Finn shook his head with a smile and turned back to Logan's date who was staring at Tristan like he was covered in chocolate.

"Lori," Finn said getting her attention, "Do you mind leaving me and my mates alone for a bit?"

Lori looked at Logan as if confused.

"Go sit with Rory and Steph, Lori." Logan told her.

She shrugged. "Okay."

"Wow," Colin said as the blonde was out of earshot and sitting next to Steph. "Even the simplest of sentences confuse her."

"Where did you pick this one up?" Tristan asked, casting one last look.

"Please tell me she's at least legal," Finn said putting his hand to his forehead. He didn't know what was going on with Logan. Lately it seemed as if he was getting them younger and younger, stupider and stupider, he was also getting rid of them quicker. He was taking the 'fuck 'em and leave 'em' thing a bit too literally.

"I was having lunch and she was the waitress, and she's twenty one."

"Are you serious?" Colin asked in shock as he looked over at Lori again. "She looks like she's a freshman. In high school."

Finn looked at her again and smirked as he saw Rory lay her head on the table in frustration. "Looks like Steph and Rory are having trouble communicating with the newest member."

"Well, of course," Tristan said. "They don't speak Stupidese."

"It's not a language known to most," Colin added.

"It's a dead language, you know," Finn said looking at Logan. "It's like Latin. You learn it, but it's completely useless in the long run."

"What the hell is your, guys, problem!" Logan asked raising his voice a bit. "It seems like all of you can have the girl you want, but the minute I bring one, everyone attacks her."

"Logan," Finn said, "Tristan and I have girlfriends. Smart and beautiful girls that can form complete sentences. You have bedmates. There's a difference."

"Yeah, Logan," Colin said getting Logan to turn towards him, "We used to make fun of all the girls we all slept with. But you're just getting ridiculous with them, at least we had standards."

"You know," Logan said, ignoring Colin, "I would look closely at your girlfriend, Finn."

"What are you talking about?" Finn asked crossing his arms across his chest.

"Where's the pretty necklace you gave her?" Logan just shook his head. "Someone flip the meat before it burns."

"Shit," Tristan said turning back around and flipping the now burning meat. Finn frowned as he looked over at Rory who was talking to Steph. Logan was now sitting next to Lori. He noticed that she was in fact missing the necklace.

"There's got to be a reason, man," Colin said. "Don't start doubting your relationship just because she isn't wearing the necklace."

"Yeah," Tristan piped in. "When I asked Steph to be my girlfriend, I gave her my Letterman jacket. She rarely wears that, but I know she's still my girl."

"A jacket and a necklace are different though," Finn pointed out.

"Don't let Logan get to you," Colin said. "He's been acting like an ass ever since he found out you liked Rory."

"He's trying to get you to doubt your feelings," Tristan said. "But if it makes you feel better, I can get Rory to fess up about the necklace when we eat."

"It would," Finn told him. "I just think that if I asked..."

"It'd seem possessive?" Colin supplied.

"Just a tad," Finn agreed.

"Leave it to me," Tristan said. "Go sit down and send Steph over."

Finn nodded and went to the table sitting next to Rory. They watched as Steph nodded and smiled and walked over to Colin and Tristan.

"You're still a jackass," she told Tristan.

"You love me," Tristan smirked as he put some finished steaks onto a plate.

"What do you want? Finn gave me the look. He told me you wanted to talk to me, but his eyes said 'Help me, for the love of god, help me!'," Steph said leaning against the wood railing.

"We need you to do Finn a favor," Tristan said.

"I don't think Rory would appreciate me making a move on her boyfriend. And I would think you should have had better sense than that."

"You even look at another guy-" Tristan warned.

"We need you to ask Rory why she isn't wearing her necklace," Colin said before the couple got into another lover's spat that would result in them getting horizontal right on the back porch.

Steph frowned. "She's not?"

Tristan shook his head. "Guess who noticed?"

"Logan," Steph stated looking over at the four people at the table.

"Yep," Colin said putting some hot dogs on the plate as well.

"I'll ask," Steph smiled. "Now, is the food almost done?"

Half an hour later Tristan, Steph and Colin were putting the food in the middle of the table. Steph and Tristan sat next to each other across from Rory and Finn while Colin sat at Rory's other side.

"Dig in, guys," Tristan said as he passed out the plates. Everyone grabbed some food while Lori hung back, frowning at it.

"Feel free to grab something," Rory told her as she put chips onto her plate.

"I don't eat things like this," Lori told her pushing the plate of meat away from her.

"What?" Steph asked. "Like meat?"

"No, like fat," Lori told her.

Colin snorted. Rory jabbed him with her elbow sending him a dirty look.

"We know Rory lives on the stuff," Logan muttered,

"Logan, quit it," Tristan said. "It's her last day, at least pretend like you like her."

"It's true," Rory laughed having heard Logan's comment. "My mother and I can't live without junk food. And I think," Rory said groaning when she swallowed her steak, "These are the worst steaks I've ever eaten in my entire life," she laughed.

"Take it back," Tristan protested. "I'm the master at cooking meat on the grill."

Steph coughed as she pushed her food away. "Sweetie, I think you should stick to your strengths. Which are clearly in bed."

"Ugh! I didn't need to hear that!" Colin protested while the rest of the group laughed.

After figuring out that Tristan's steaks were a dud and Colin was a master at cooking hot dogs, they sat eating and talking about random things. Though Rory noticed Logan's distance, it didn't surprise her.

"Rory?" Steph asked. Rory looked up at the blonde and smiled.

"Yeah?"

"I asked where your necklace is," Steph said. Rory frowned. She noticed the whole table was quiet, waiting for her answer.

"Oh," she said, her hand reaching up to her neck. She had forgotten that she wasn't wearing Finn's ring today. "I left it in my jewelry box today," she told them. "Finn said to wear my bathing suit and I didn't want to chance losing it in the water," she said slowly. She felt as if everyone let out a sigh of relief when she said it. "Why?"

"No reason," Steph said with a laugh and a wave of her hand.

She turned to Finn who kissed her temple. She was about to ask what was going on when her cell phone rang. Getting it out of her pocket she looked at the caller ID and frowned.

"Who is it, love?" Finn asked.

"Stars Hollow phone booth, on Peach," she answered.

"You have the number of a phone booth in your town?" Colin asked.

"Lane," she whispered answering. "Lane? Oh my... No!" She got up from the table and left to talk in private. Finn watched her go down to the beach before turning to Logan.

"Why don't you like her?" He asked.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Colin rolled her eyes. "Come off it, Logan, ever since you found out that Finn might have had a thing for her, you took an instant dislike to Rory."

"That's not true," Logan protested.

"You seemed to like her when we first met her," Finn told him. "But then I asked her to take that walk on the beach and you pulled away. Why?"

"Look, I like Rory just fine," Logan said.

"No, you don't," Steph said. "Or you wouldn't have said anything about the necklace. No one noticed until you opened your big fat mouth."

"Hey," Logan said. "It goes to show just how much Finn cares about her."

"I care about her just fine, Logan," Finn said lowering his voice. "Just because I didn't notice her not wearing it, doesn't mean I don't care. Whether you like it or not, Rory is in my life. She's not going anywhere, so you better get used to it."

"I'm going home tomorrow morning," Rory said climbing up the porch again. "I swear, the minute I get home we wallow... It doesn't matter that you're sad, I'll be sad with you." She sat back next to Finn and gave a smile. "All right... It'll be fine, Lane. As cliché as it might sound, there are other fish in the sea... Bye." Rory hung up and stuffed the phone in her pocket.

"Everything all right?" Colin asked.

"You jinxed Lane's relationship," Rory accused looking at him.

"What?" Colin asked confused.

"They lasted three months before breaking up."

"Who?" Steph asked.

"Dave and Lane. They broke up today before his going to California."

"I jinxed it?" Colin asked. "How did I jinx it?"

"Remember that conversation you had about three months ago with her? The one when you told her they were going to break up? She blames you."

"She does not!" Finn laughed.

Rory nodded at her boyfriend. "She said that it was all phone stealer's fault."

"I told you I don't work well under pressure, especially if someone's screaming at me."

"Goes to show why so many girls complain about his performance in bed," Steph whispered causing Colin to glare at her and the rest of them to laugh.

Logan got up for the table. "I'm getting a beer, anyone else want one?"

The table chorused a 'yes' except for Rory.

"Rory?" Logan asked

Rory shook her head. "I'm good for now."

"You sure?" Logan asked.

"Yeah, my mom would probably be proud if I accepted the offer, but I still have a grandmother that can smell alcohol on a minor's breath, even if it is one beer."

"All right," Logan said as he walked to the kitchen.

They spent the rest of the night talking, and eating, teasing each other, mostly Colin till he turned red and confused Lori until Logan had left with her.

"All right!" Steph announced. "It's time for presents."

Rory smiled. "You guys didn't have to get me anything."

"Are you kidding, I meant for me," Steph said sticking her tongue out at Rory.

"Steph, there are better uses for your tongue and sticking them out at Rory isn't one of them," Tristan leered causing Steph to glare at him.

"Yeah, and there are better uses for your mouth and talking isn't one of them," Steph shot back before getting up and grabbing presents from the house. Rory laughed at Tristan's dumbstruck look as he watched her leave.

"I'm going to miss that," Colin muttered.

"You still have three weeks," Rory reminded him.

"No," Tristan shook his head. "Me and Steph leave Monday."

"Really?" Rory asked.

"Yep," Steph said putting three boxes on the table. "We have to get all our stuff for Yale."

"You too, huh?" Rory asked.

"Yep, now open your presents," Steph ordered handing her one of the boxes. "This one is from Tristan."

Rory eyed the blonde before opening it. She opened the lid to the box and smiled.

"Romeo and Juliet?" She asked with a laugh.

"That," he told her pointing at the book, "Was the copy I had in high school."

"So you're done pining for me, huh?"

"Long time ago," he said wrapping an arm around Steph and kissing her.

"This is a very sad day for me," she said, wiping away a fake tear, closing the box and smiling at him. "Thanks, Tris."

"You're welcome."

"Now mine!" Steph said handing her another box.

Rory unwrapped it from the colorful paper and opened the lid, looking up at Steph. "I told you not to get it!"

"Must have slipped my mind," Steph shrugged, but had a mischievous smile on her face.

"What is it, love?" Finn asked.

"It's a dress that I liked, but it cost too much. I didn't want to spend my grandparents' money on something that I might only wear twice."

"Yeah, well, I bought it for you so it'll give you incentive to wear it at least three times."

"Thank you ," Rory smiled closing the lid and putting it on top of Tristan's box.

"Okay," Colin said grabbing his and handing it to her. "You're hard to shop for, so I got Steph's help."

"Must have been hard to ask," Rory teased knowing that Colin didn't ask Steph for anything if it could be avoided.

"Very, so I hope you like it."

Rory pulled on the string that was keeping the paper together and smiled when she saw what was in there.

"Oh…" She bit her lip and hugged him. "Thank you."

Finn took the present from her hand and smiled. "Pride and Prejudice, first edition," he murmured.

"Steph told me you liked that book," Colin said, a faint tint of red appearing on his cheeks.

"Colin?" Finn asked, his voice full of mirth as he looked over at his friend. "Are you blushing?"

"No!"

"Rory, you made Colin blush!" Tristan laughed.

Rory laughed and ignored their comments. "Steph was right, it is my favorite book, thank you."

"You're welcome."

She turned to Finn who raised an eyebrow. "Me being your boyfriend isn't enough?" He asked teasingly.

"Let me think about that… No."

"I'll give you yours later."

"Ohhhh," Steph said. "It's so good he has to give it to her in private."

"That has dirty written all over it," Rory laughed.

By that time the sun started to go down. They were all sitting in the sand, watching it dip under the water. Steph had gotten three cameras full of pictures with promises of having them developed by the time they entered Yale.

"Do you want to go back?" Finn whispered in her ear.

"I don't want to," she responded, "But I have to. I haven't finished packing yet, and with everything Steph made me buy, I don't know how I'm going to fit everything in my suitcase."

Finn laughed as he stood up and offered his hand. She took it and let him help her up. "I'm going to walk Rory home."

"We'll see you in the morning, Ror," Colin promised.

"Bye," she said waving as Finn led her down the beach.

"I'll drop off your presents in the morning," Finn told her, "Before you leave."

"I'll leave room in the car."

"We're planning on leaving this coming Friday," he said tilting her chin up so she would look at him. "I can go to Stars Hollow for a while."

"Really?"

"If you come to my father's party with me that night."

Rory bit her lip and hugged him. "Yes!"

"Good." He opened the gate and let her pass and closed it behind her. "I'll see you in the morning?"

"Definitely," she said.

He leaned in and kissed her, placing his hand on her cheek to keep her in place. Her hand went to his shoulder to keep steady. She pulled back and smiled at him.

"In the morning."

"Oh," he said sticking his hand in his pocket. He got out a small jewelry box and handed it to her. "Open that with your mum," he smirked as he backed away, gave her a wink and left. She was left staring at his retreating back before turning herself and walking into the house.

"Hello Rory."

Rory turned and smiled at her grandfather who was sitting on the couch, reading. "Hi grandpa."

"Did you have a good night?"

"Very. Is mom upstairs?"

"Yes, she is."

"Thanks, I'm going to go up there. Pack and stuff."

"All right. There is some leftover dessert if you want some."

"Thanks, grandpa," Rory shouted behind her shoulder as she ran up the stairs. She opened her bedroom door to see her mother sitting on her suitcase that was on the bed, trying to zip it up.

"Well, don't just stand there and stare, help me," Lorelai ordered, causing Rory to get up on the bed and sit down on the suitcase to help. "You're leaving Martha's Vineyard with more than you came with."

"Lots of cute clothes though." Rory said.

"And that is the important thing," Lorelai said as she finished zipping the bag with a huff. "All right, I left out an outfit for you to wear tomorrow on the trip back, jeans and a shirt, with your denim jacket and Converse."

"Perfect."

"Also, I packed all your other stuff, but I left out the necklace Finn gave you. I thought you'd want to wear it."

"I do," Rory smiled going to the nightstand and touching the necklace.

"What's that in your hand, babe?"

Rory looked down and saw the box that Finn had given her. "My good bye present from Finn. He said to open it with you."

Lorelai heaved the suitcase onto the ground before getting on the bed, sitting cross legged and patting the spot across from her. "Well, don't keep mommy waiting. Let's see what the Aussie got you."

Rory smiled before getting back on the bed and opening it. A piece of paper fluttered out of the wrapping and she grabbed it and smiled.

"What's it say? What's it say?" Lorelai asked excitedly, jumping up and down.

"It says, 'One for you, one for your mom'," Rory read, confusion etching her voice.

"Oh, interesting. Now open the pretty box," Lorelai guided.

Rory smiled as she opened it. "Oh..."

"What? What?"

"They're earrings," Rory said turning the box.

"Come to mama!" Lorelai said taking the box.

"They're our birthstones," Rory said looking at them as well. One pair of earrings were opals and the other pair were diamonds.

"Oh, you better keep this one. If this is just a good bye present, I want to see what he gets you after not seeing each other for a year."

Rory laughed as she looked at the earrings. Finn had really outdone himself. It was obvious that her earrings were custom-made and Lorelai's were antique ones. Not that Rory was complaining.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Rory tossed her mom's suitcase into the back of the jeep, slamming the door closed.

"I could have breakables in there," Lorelai pointed out.

"I looked," Rory defended. "I made sure I wouldn't break anything."

"If my Bugs Bunny toothbrush is broken…" Lorelai warned, trailing off when she noticed five people coming up their walk. "You've got ten minutes, babe, then we hit the road."

Rory frowned, then turned around to see her friends and Logan walking up the driveway. She heard the door to the jeep close and the radio blast.

"Hey," Steph said. "You couldn't leave without your presents," she said, Tristan handing her a bag of the things they had gotten her.

"Thanks, guys," Rory said taking the bag. She opened the back door, greeted by the sounds of David Bowie and her mother's singing. She placed it in an open spot and closed the door again to drown out her mother's voice. "I'm glad you all came."

"How could we not say bye to you, Mar?" Tristan smirked.

"You have got to stop calling me that!" Rory begged exasperated.

"Have you said good bye to your grandparents yet?" Colin asked.

"Yep, they went out to something, we said good bye before they left."

'Then we'll say our goodbyes," Steph said hugging her. "I will see you in a few weeks."

"Definitely," Rory said as Steph pulled back. Tristan walked over and looked at her.

"So?" He asked. "Are we friends? Do we hug or shake?" He asked with a smirk, remembering when they had first met on the beach again.

"We're friends, Tristan," Rory laughed as she hugged him.

"Good," Tristan said hugging her back and kissing her cheek. "See you in a few."

"Of course," she smiled pulling back.

"We're going to get going," Steph said as Tristan took her hand.

"See you guys," Rory waved as they walked away.

"Yeah," Logan said looking back towards the gate.

"Don't worry about it, Logan," Rory said. "You can go."

"Right, well... Have a safe trip," he said awkwardly as he backed up.

"Thanks." She watched as he left, then turned to Colin and Finn.

"Finn told me about the trip to Stars Hollow on Friday," Colin said.

"Really?" Rory asked.

"And I was wondering if it wouldn't be too much trouble if I could tag along?"

"That'd be great, Colin," Rory said hugging him.

"I'll see you in a week, Rory."

"Bye Colin." She watched as he left as well, leaving her with her boyfriend. She felt him take her hand in his and smile, pulling her closer and wrapping an arm around her waist.

"I'm going to miss you, you know that?" Finn asked as he nuzzled her neck with his nose.

"It's only a week, Finn," she laughed. "What's going to happen when you leave for a year?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," he said looking at her and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, the opals glinting in the sunlight. "I'm glad you liked the earrings."

"Mom liked hers too."

"Good." He leaned down and kissed her. "Call me the minute you get home."

"I love that you're so overprotective."

He shrugged. "It'll wear off in a day or two," he teased.

"You know, for this being your first time, you're good at that boyfriend thing."

"Really?"

Rory nodded. "Yes." She got on her tip toes and kissed him.

"Two minutes!" Lorelai yelled closing her door again.

"I should go, mom wants to get on the road. I also promised Lane a wallowing session."

"Friday," he whispered against her lips.

"I'll wait with bated breath," she said leaning into his lips and kissing him fully.

"All right, go or I won't let you leave."

"I'll call when I get home," she promised kissing him one last time.

"I'll be waiting," Finn said. He watched her get in the car and then it drive slowly down the driveway until it turned the corner leaving him alone. She was right, if it was so hard to leave her for a week, what would happen come time when he left for a year?

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"You okay, kid?" Lorelai asked as they hit the freeway.

"You know, it's weird," Rory said turning in her seat and turning down the music to talk to her mom. "I met Finn three months ago, dated him for a month and now he's been my boyfriend for three days. And I feel like crap because I'm not with him."

"Sweets, you felt that with Dean and Jess," Lorelai reminded.

"Actually..." Rory worried her lip and smiled slightly. "I didn't. It was never like that with Dean, or Jess. Because I knew that I'd see them eventually. Dean always made it a priority to spend time with me. And Jess... well, we saw each other when he wasn't at work and I wasn't at school. But with Finn..."

"It's your first long distance relationship," Lorelai supplied

Rory nodded. "I like him, a lot. But it's scary that I've never felt this with anyone, that we're fitting in as much time we can before he leaves for a year."

"There's always the phone, babe, letters, e-mail."

"I know that," Rory said. "But not seeing him for a year..."

Lorelai glanced at her daughter quickly before looking back on the road. "Rory, you guys will make it work. I mean, you're eighteen. As much as I hate to say, but if it doesn't work, it's not the end of the world."

"I guess," Rory said turning back around and facing the road.

"I didn't mean to scare you, babe."

"I know."

"You and Finn, you're good for each other. It'll work."

"I hope so," she whispered, her hand going up to her neck to play with the ring.

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