Summary: Tristan finds himself in Colorado where he finds her. Rory Gilmore – she isn't the same, she is lost and broken. Can he help bring her back and lead her home? [Tristan and Rory]

Disclaimer – I don't own them.

Caution Rated M for subject matter: May trigger memories for some readers. Descriptions are not graphic but deeply emotional. If you have been abused you may not want to read this.

Fallen Angel

Chapter 3 – Saving Mary

Tristan had moved into her house and they fell into an easy routine, they talked, slept and ate together, he never left her side. Slowly she slept better and with the help of Will, Don and Jess, he was beginning to see that spark again. Denver is known for its public sculpture and Tristan got them a book so they could explore them. When the weekend came they explored the local parks, Zoo, and even the infamous Casa Bonita with its cliff divers and elaborate layout. It had been two months and Tristan decided he wanted to bring up a phone call with Lorelai.

"Hey Mar, since I've been here are you feeling any better, safer, not so ashamed?" He asked while she sat between his legs and he brushed her hair. He loved the silkiness of the locks.

"Mmm, she purred, you make me feel so much better, I didn't realize how alone I was until you and the guys came along." She leaned back and enjoyed the intimate gesture.

"Have you thought about calling your mom, just to talk, maybe tell her about the sights, nothing heavy?" He continued the gentle strokes.

"You think that would be OK, you know to not tell her what happened, just talk?" She seemed open to the idea.

"Yeah, I think she just wants to hear your voice you know, she probably misses you like crazy and a postcard now and then is hardly satisfying communication from your Yale Journalism and English major. She might even like to know about me. It will make it easier if you don't have to explain when we visit." He felt her freeze beneath his touch and he put the brush aside to massage her temples.

"You think we should visit?" She had a bit of the old fear in her voice.

"Well, you are moving back with me, we start Yale in a few weeks, so yeah I thought first a couple of phone calls then a short visit, you know just lunch at Luke's nothing as stressful as a festival. We should also call your grandparents. They will know when we arrive before our plane lands, we wouldn't want them hearing through friends." He continued to rub her temples.

She shifted and looked at the boxes, the house had sold as is completely furnished, and they were preparing to move to his off campus apartment in just a few weeks. She hadn't considered she would have to see her family. She knew Tristan's care of her had made her look so much better, Charlie hardly recognized her when they stopped by last weekend to say goodbye. She did her bar dance but Tristan would be the only one taking her home. He was her rock and sometimes she wondered if she was smothering him with her clinginess.

"Tris, are you sure about me moving with you, aren't I going to cramp your style? I mean its college shouldn't you be dating coeds and attending risqué parties." She had risen from the floor and sat sideways by him on the couch.

"Oh no you don't, I have waited for one woman for almost a decade and if you think I am letting you slip away think again. Also don't think I didn't catch you avoiding the discussion of calling your family. Just two short calls, Hi I am moving back, love you miss you, by the way I am living with Tristan Dugrey, you remember him Janlan's grandson. Simple, no back story, give it time then when you are comfortable you can tell them." He held her hands as he assured her. "Besides, I am not your typical student, I am almost 26 a veteran of a foreign war and the only risque business I want is with you. I have seen what you can do with those hips, plenty risque enough for me." He winked.

At that she climbed over to him and settled in his lap kissing him soundly. He kept the kiss going, stroking her back and ruffling her previously perfect locks. The make out session got heated and the couple stood and retired to the bedroom where they could be more comfortable.

Rory decided it would be easiest to start by making one call on Friday night; she had Jess prompt Luke to go to the family dinner. An hour before the call she was having a mild panic attack and Tristan was having difficulty in calming her.

"Tris, what if they push, I can't tell them yet, especially not over the phone, I still don't know how. I just want them to know I am safe and I am coming home. Can't you do it for me? They won't barrage you with questions. Grandma and Grandpa paid for Chilton and Yale and they will want to know why I quit writing, there are just so many things they will want to know. Oh! Then they will want us to start coming to Friday dinners, I can't handle that yet. It's too much pressure. I am not selling the house I am staying right here. I did it before and I can do it again!" She paced the floor in a fit.

He grabbed her shoulders stopping her motion and pulled her into him and kissed her for all he was worth. She had never felt such power. "Damnit Mary, stop! Just stop! I love you, we are returning home and the nice Michaelson family is moving in, end of story! You can do this, we have talked about it. Keep it simple, explain we can attend maybe once a month but we will have to let them know based on our schedules. You signed up for the graduate program, let them know, it'll be an excellent distraction. Make no mistake I am leaving and I am taking you with me! I LOVE YOU!" He pulled her into another bone searing kiss.

She pulled away and looked at him in awe, "I LOVE YOU TOO! I really do, you are the best thing that ever happened to me and you are right it's time to let go and move forward. I need to stop hiding, I didn't do anything wrong." He beamed at her and cradled her in his arms.

She stepped to the phone to make the call. She heard her grandmother squeal, and her mom, Luke and grandpa gathered around the speakerphone in the office per her request. Tristan was right they didn't care why she had left only that she would be home and they would see and hold her once again. Tristan was deeply moved by the love that came through the phone. They were excited about her return to school and her boyfriend Tristan, she had called him her boyfriend, and he got chills. He wrapped his arms around her middle moving behind her and placed gentle kissed on her shoulders and neck. She bade them goodbye and told them she would call again soon. Then after she had disconnected she turned into him and kissed him with all she had.

"Thank you, I can't thank you enough for being here, for loving me, for making me feel almost like me again." She pulled him into her embrace and whispered, "I love you so very much", into his ear and felt him shiver beneath her touch.

In the following days the car would be sold, the boxes picked up for shipping and Tristan had arranged a town car to take them to DIT so they could enjoy the famous blue Mustang and perhaps even get a few photos to remember the town by. He wanted her memories of Denver to be happy; he wanted all of her memories to be happy from now until the day she died. He never wanted to see her so broken ever again. They would say goodbye to the Rocky Mountains and hello to the Rich Man's Shoe, Rory was insistent it be their first official dinner when back on the Yale campus.