Title: Of Mice and Men

Author: Rightside

Rating: PG13

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. I've already come to terms with it, so should you.

Summary: Rory is drugged at one of Tristan's parties, and he makes a mistake that ends up costing Rory everything that matters.

Chapter 1: Losing Mary

Tristan watched his partner with curious eyes, attempting to memorize her features before she awoke and realized what had happened between them. She sighed in her sleep and rolled over, making the gold silk sheets travel down her side to reveal her naked torso. Ever since he'd been hit with the alarming truth of what had really occurred last night, he'd made sure not to look at any body part that wasn't meant to be seen. This being so, she wasn't left exposed for too long before Tristan covered her again, leaving a chaste kiss on her shoulder.

Her attendance at his party in itself had been a shock. He'd been standing near the refreshments when she made her grand entrance, dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a plain black top. Elegant, classic, gorgeous... there wasn't a word deserving enough to describe her. He'd watched her mingle, surprising him as she accepted the champaign offered to her by one of his close friends. After an hour of socializing, she hugged him and wished him a 'happy birthday', not knowing that he'd held his breath the entire time. Forever he'd have her scent of coffee and vanilla in his memory.

Alarm bells should have sounded when she'd agreed to dance with him. Her moves went beyond her normal conservative, and then there was the kiss. Oh, he could have melted in that kiss, died from happiness at the knowledge she didn't hate him. The dance could have been a facade. A sort of 'don't turn him down on his birthday' pleasantry. But a kiss? That was further than he'd expected her to go. He looked at her, tasted her, and was convinced that any mortal man would be unworthy to have such a pristine porcelain goddess. So enthralled was he that when he took her to his room he'd been too in the moment to notice her staggering steps and slurred words.

The damage had already been done when he saw the glass of wine she had insisted she bring with her and the unnatural layer of fizz that had floated to the surface. Everything rushed at him at once. Her non-responsive behavior he'd assumed to be shyness. The way she'd fallen asleep directly afterward. The hand which had slapped his back along with a 'your welcome' and 'good luck' before he ascended the stairs. The virgin had been offered on a platter and he hadn't been able to see past his own agenda. Tristan shuddered at the very thought.

So, with as much tenderness as he possessed, he traced her face with the back of his hand. He was unfamiliar with such acts of affection, his average connection with women after sex being the five minutes it took him to dress himself and assure her she was amazing. But this was Lorelai Leigh Gilmore. Rory. His Mary. The one girl he was certain of could make him change his ways. For once in his life, he allowed himself to shed a tear, not for his own sake, but for hers. Everyone would know come Monday morning, and the fragile alliance he'd built with her would break into a thousand irreparable pieces.

When she did wake up, he pretended to be asleep, realizing the last thing she needed was an even more awkward moment. A panic came over her, that much he could tell, and her breathing quickened as she trembled. Every inch of him fought to move, to comfort. It was useless, though, and two minutes later Rory Gilmore crept out of his life, leaving him cold, confused, and afraid of what the week ahead would have in store.

AN: Review if you would like me to continue... but I warn you, I will most likely do so with or without your consent. Haha. You know you love me.