This is devilishly short, and for that I am sorry. It's just the epilogue, and more or less, a sneak peak as to what the sequel holds. Hopefully this will give everyone a little taste of what is to come. Remember to add me to your alert list if you want to be notified about the sequel, as this is the last update that will be posted for Diamonds and Rust. The sequel will be titled Diamond Dust, so if you don't have an account or don't want to subscribe to the incessant alert spam, that's the title you want to look for on the main page.

Again, I can't thank everyone enough for sticking with me and this story. It's been an amazing three-year run with you!

Disclaimer: I wish.

Seven years later…

Jess assembled a mental checklist as he grabbed his belongings, toting them into the living room where he could sprawl out on the couch and spread his books across the coffee table. After setting up his work space, he poured coffee into his favorite mug and settled into the worn middle section of his sofa.

Sunday mornings were a favorite of Jess Mariano, for they were when he got all his work done. As a graduate student at Columbia University, there was a lot of work that needed to be done on the weekends. Unfortunately, most of his lesson plans and grading took up the time he needed to write papers. Jess taught high school English and was eternally swamped when it came to his to-do list.

Which was why, in the middle of writing a paper, he was a bit peeved that his phone was ringing. Most people knew not to call Jess when he was scrambling to get things done for Monday morning, which was usually when he handed back assignments. Sighing, he tossed his notepad and laptop aside in favor of the ringing phone.

"Mariano," he answered sharply, hoping it wasn't a student that needed assistance on the project that was due the next morning.

"Jess?"

He nearly dropped the phone. She didn't even need to tell him who she was. Jess knew. Immediately, he hardened. His voice caught in his throat and his breath became shallow. There were a million questions he felt he should ask and an equal number of explanations that she should give. Somehow, none of that mattered at that very moment.

Slowly, he collected himself and hoped that she hadn't hung up. "What? Why are you…?" his voice hitched in his throat as he tried to complete the sentence because he couldn't find the words. There were too many days he had wasted, spent them wishing she would call, contact him in any way, shape, or form.

"I'm outside your door," she admitted softly.

He almost dropped the phone in shock. Everything that he wanted to say escaped his mind as he sat wordlessly on the couch, mouth agape. "Okay," he said simply. Jess let the phone fall to his side as he padded over to the front door of his apartment. Every footstep felt heavier than last until he wondered how long it was taking him to walk across the room. Hesitantly, he reached forward and opened the heavy door. "Rory," he said, shaking his hair with disbelief.

I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you decided to call

And here I sit, hand on the telephone
Hearing the voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Headed straight for a fall

But we both know what memories can bring
They bring Diamonds and Rust
Yes we both know what memories can bring
They bring Diamonds and Rust

Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You were so good with words
And at keeping things vague

Cause I need some of that vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly, yes, I love you dearly
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid