Disclaimer: It's sad but true that I don't own GG.

"Yeah he's off his food, hasn't surfaced all day" Rory said into the phone. Louie was on the other end chattering about the party that night.

"Hmm…pity. You're still coming though?"

"I don't know…" Rory began.

"Oh come on! You have to! You've gotta get to know the crowd! These are the people you're gonna party with at grad, better start catching up"

"Okay"

"Great, come over to my place, we'll go from there".

Lorelai dropped Rory off at Louise's place that evening in a singlet and a pair of jeans with a light jacket. Louise greeted her at the door with:

"What the hell are you wearing?"

"What?" Rory asked dumbly. Louise pulled her inside.

"Oh you have so much to learn about Chilton parties!" An hour later an uncertain Rory was clad in a very short pair of black short, high-heeled bronze sandals, which laced up her calves, a barely there white singlet and a bronze crochet shrug.

"You look amazing" Louise assured her. Rory raised an eyebrow but it was too late, they were leaving. Louise only lived down the block from Mads so they walked. It was nine o'clock and there were already a heap of people. Some random greeted them at the door. Louise shrugged,

"If I don't even know them, they're not worth knowing" She assured Rory and they made their way inside. She was pleasantly surprised; it wasn't too debaucherous, at least, not yet. A few couples were making out but definitely not X-ratedly. There was beer and vodka in the kitchen and Louise helped herself to two of the latter mixed with fruit juice. She offered one to Rory who took it uncertainly.

"I don't really drink," She said, inspecting the plastic cup and sniffing it.

"Good," Louise said, linking arms with her. "You can be my cheap date" Rory laughed and took a sip, she couldn't even taste the vodka but she drank it slowly anyway.

"Look!" Roy cringed at the voice but couldn't help turning. "It's Mary, Mary quite contrary!" Summer shrieked.

"Although in that get-up…Tristan, your first impression may have been deceiving!" Tristan was two beats behind her.

"Contrary indeed" He echoed, looking Roy up and down in a way that made her want to slap him, but Liz had that under control. She lifted one tiny hand to his chin and pulled him down to her level, which was actually quite funny to watch.

"At least you know she doesn't have to kneel down!" Louise whispered and it took Rory a while to figure out what she meant before her eyes widened and she blushed.

"Eyes on me and me only buddy" Liz was whispered to him loudly, before she smiled sweetly and kissed him chastely on he lips. He grinned against her lips and Rory found herself watching them helplessly again.
"What's wrong Mary? Want some of the action?" Summer hissed in her ear. "Too bad, you'll never be good enough for us"

"Oh fuck off Summer you're mother was a stripper and a your father's a tax cheat" Came Paris' authoritative voice. Summer actually looked a little frightened as she scuttled off and Rory burst out laughing.

"Was that true?" She asked Paris who shrugged.

"As true as anything you hear on the Hartford grape vine is"

"Which means 100 spot on" Madeline concluded, finally appearing at her own party.

"What do you guys think of Liz?" Rory asked distractedly.

"Love her" Said Louise as she took a shot being handed to her by some guy.

"She's a sweet heart," Madeline added before being swept off. Rory turned to Paris who shrugged again.

"I know you're expecting me o be the one who secretly hates her. But despite the school Princess' detestable taste in…friends, she's a really nice person" Rory nodded, a little surprised, maybe she was wrong.

Louise had disappeared to dance with one of the guys from their year…Derek? Drake? Duke? Rory couldn't remember. She watched them grind against each other on the living room carpet, which had become the dance floor. She was sipping a fruit juice she'd made sure to pour for herself in the kitchen. She didn't trust these Chilton kids and their drink mixing was. Paris was harassing one of the girls who had recently joined the Franklin but was yet to write a story and Rory giggled. Madeline and Johnny, one of the guys, appeared at her side.

"Are you drinking tonight Ror?" Mads asked and Rory shook head.

"No…well, just fruit juice" She said, brandishing the cup. Madeline smiled knowingly.

"Sure…fruit juice" Rory just smiled sedately at her.

"Mary" His hot breath tickled her neck and she turned, deliberately stomping on his foot. He yelped.

"Oh I'm sorry Trissy did I hurt your widdle footsy?"

"I'll live" He replied grimly. "That is," He added with a smirk, "If you'll dance with me"

"Oh go dance with your girlfriend"

"That old thing?" He said loudly enough for Liz to hear who pretended to be put out.

"Love ya honey!" He called, blowing a theatrical kiss and she rolled her eyes, as did Rory.

"Come on Mary…dance with me…dance with me" He leant in to her ear and whispered.

"Dance with me?"

"Oh fine but I fully intend to stand on that floor immobile" He brightened and grabbed her hand pulling her into the middle of the other kids, pulling her close.

"Now that wouldn't be dancing would it?" She shrugged.

"Are you okay?" He asked her. She nodded, she was fine. They sort of moved around each other for an entire song, she didn't mind the dancing, just the dancing with him. Eventually he got the hint and moved off with the guys. It was fascinating, the way he led them. He really was the King of Chilton. She danced by herself but was soon joined by a drunken Louise and Madeline. The three girls moved close together in some semblance of a routine before Rory almost lost her footing on the floor and hobbled to the corner.

"Are you okay?" Paris was asking her brusquely when she became aware again of her surroundings. She was still in the corner of the room, sort of propped against the wall. She nodded and leaned her head back.

"Are you drunk?" Paris asked suspiciously and Rory shook her head violently.

"No I only had one vodka" She slurred and Paris cocked her head on the side.

"Gilmore-Hayden! How much have you had to drink?"

"One fucking vodka okay master?" Rory yelled before attempting the dignified stumble/stalk out of the room.

Across the crowded parlour Liz nudged Tristan but he'd already seen it. He followed Rory into the kitchen.

"Mary…you okay?" She glowered at him as he helped herself to another fruit juice.

"I'm fine dickhead" He raised his eyebrows.

"I thought so," He countered, "Cause you look it" He backed away and watched her walk out, following her quietly. She stumbled her way through the crowd and out onto the porch, giggling to herself, he followed her outside, the air was crisp.

"Aren't you cold?" He asked. She shook her head but was rubbing her arms she stood there.

"Mary…Rory…I think someone's bee spiking your drink with alcohol" She looked pensive for a while.

"Maybe…I do feel a little…" She touched her stomach gingerly as though afraid it would bite her hand, "…sick" He rolled his eyes.

"Great…listen I'm going to take you home"

"Hmmm" Rory was staring at the sky as she wandered down the steps, Tristan was just in time to catch her as she fell over her own feet.

"Oopsy daisy" He laughed as he caught her cavalier-style. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he carried her to his car, somehow juggling her and his keys he opened the passenger door and slid her onto the seat.

"Light as a feather" he muttered as he closed the door and went in search of Liz. He found her in he kitchen with Summer and Bronwyn. He touched her wrist and whispered in her ear.

"Hon, can we head? Rory's basically passed out in the car" Liz nodded discretely.

"Go say good bye to the guys and tell her friends what happened, I'll look after her" Liz said quietly back. He nodded, smiled and kissed her forehead. She turned to the girls.

"Tris and I are heading off" She told them with a wink they'd understand, otherwise they'd want to know what was going on. The girls nodded and smiled and Liz made her way outside. She stood at the passenger side looking down at Rory in the car. She felt sorry for the new girl, except, not really, because she knew this Rory Gilmore-Hayden could handle herself with Summer. She sighed, Summer was a bitch but they'd known each other for so long…she was one of those people where when you got to know her you could genuinely say she was a nice person deep down. Liz opened the car door and crouched down near Rory, shaking her gently.

"Honey? Honey? Wake up" Rory opened one eye and surveyed Liz before touching her stomach pathetically.

"I feel sick" She said and Liz laughed softly, helping her out of the car.

"You'd better get out of the MG then, Tris'd kill you" Rory nodded and let Liz lead her to the garden. Liz held her hair back as Rory threw up and patted her gently on the back.

"These kids are dicks" Liz explained "I mean, they're okay but they think it's funny to spike a nice girl's drink" Rory nodded and heaved again.

"Feel better?" She nodded gently and Liz pulled some tissues from her purse, giving them to Rory to wipe her mouth. Tristan came out as they were standing up. He sighed and led Rory back to the car, helping her into the passenger seat while Liz climbed into the back seat.

As they drove away Rory turned to Tristan.

"You know you're not such an asshole" She slurred and he and Liz laughed. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm glad you finally came around Mary" She smiled dreamily and looked back at Liz.

"And you're not a bitch" Liz laugh again.

"Thank you"

"No I'm serious" Rory protested, "I thought you were but you're lovely" She took Liz's hand.

"Thank you for tonight" Liz just smiled.

Rory was passed out cold by the time they got to her house. Tristan had called Jay's cell to get directions after telling Paris what had happened. Louise and Madeline…well they weren't reliable by that stage. Jay had panicked and was standing on the porch when Tristan pulled up.

"What the fuck happened man?" He asked in q loud whisper, hoping his parent's wouldn't wake up.

"It's just the party man, you know, stupid guys think it's funny to spike a girl's drink"

"I'm sorry Jay," Liz put in, "We didn't notice until she was already gone. She threw up but passed out on the way home. She should be okay when she wakes up, they're not absolute bastards. It would've only been vodka" Jay nodded.

"Thanks for bringing her home"

"Don't mention it" Tristan grunted as he lifted Rory's dead weight out of the passenger seat. Jay tried to take her but Tristan shook his head.

"She's okay, where's her room?" Jay led the way with Liz following them. Tristan lay Rory down on her King sized bed and started talking low voices with Jay while Liz covered her with a cotton blanket.

"Liz?" Rory murmured.

"Mmm?"

"Thank you, you really are lovely. It's easy to see why Tristan loves you" Liz smiled and smoothed down Rory's head.

"Sleep well, I'll see you at school"

AN: Okay, those are the set-up chapters out of the way. The real drama begins in the next chapter. Stay tuned for it really soon and in the meant-time R&R!