It was a Wednesday, at 1:00 in the afternoon. The weather that day was fairly typical, for England. The sky was cloudy, and though it wasn't cold, there was still a slight chill in the air.

Ali loved it.

It wasn't at all what he was used to. It was the farthest thing from what he was used to. Well, maybe not the absolute farthest. That would be rain. Maybe, if he was lucky, he would get to see some of that before they returned to Arabia.

He couldn't think of that now, though. He had to concentrate. This was the first year that he personally would be presenting at the Peace Talks. Out of all the politicians they had, he was their best, and he had been chosen to represent them at the conference this year, a matter for which he was extremely proud. Then again, he'd had the most practice, had studied the longest….had the best teacher.

…..Aurens….

His heart still ached when he thought of the man. It had been three years since they had last spoken, since that night they had parted in Damascus, and there hadn't been a day when Ali hadn't thought of him, hadn't missed him with every fiber of his being. He had tried to let go, but he just couldn't, and it was frustrating beyond belief, and more painful than he could say. Just as terrible was knowing that Aurens might be here at the conference today.

Ali knew that Aurens wasn't involved in the military any longer, but he still worked in the Foreign Office. Feisal saw him now and then, and spoke to him extremely frequently. Ali could always tell when the two had spoken. Feisal always had that Look, an expression of almost….pity. As though he knew exactly how Ali felt about Aurens. For all Ali knew, he did. It wouldn't be surprising. Feisal always seemed to know everything.

He couldn't make up his mind whether he wanted to bump into Aurens or not. His nerves had been on edge since before they had even reached England.

Ali smoothed his hair for what had to be the fifteenth time in the past ten minutes, and caught Auda smirking at him. "What," he demanded.

"He'll be here."

"Who," the word came unbidden, even though Ali knew very well who Auda meant.

"You know who." Clearly Ali wasn't fooling anyone. Auda always had seen right through him when Aurens was concerned. "El Aurens."

"How do you know?" Too late, Ali realized that he had just confirmed that he was thinking about Aurens, and the color rose in his cheeks.

"Feisal told me."

At that, Ali's heart skipped a beat. If anyone would know, it would be Feisal. For a moment, he felt miffed that Feisal would tell Auda and not him, but it was easy to figure out why. If he himself was unsure whether or not he wanted to see Aurens, Feisal wouldn't want to risk Ali running off. He was the best politician they had. Certainly Feisal wouldn't want to be left alone with Auda, who had never been good at diplomacy.

But then….

…..Aurens….

The image swam in his mind. That golden-blonde head, hair a tousled mess. The piercing blue eyes that always seemed to see right through him. The devil-may-care smile. His heart was racing.

Yes, he wanted to see Aurens. He just didn't know how he would survive the meeting. It had been too long.

He realized Auda was still regarding him, and that the knowing smirk had grown. He scowled. "Shut up." The man simply laughed. Ali had no time to reply, for the conference was beginning. Still scowling, he followed the crowd into the main room. Feisal regarded him with an arched brow, but Ali barely noticed, for there he was.

Aurens.

He looked exactly the same as when Ali had last seen him, other than the clothes. He was in European clothing, a traditional black suit which, while he looked very nice (Ali had never seen him in anything other than British military garb or Arab robes), Ali couldn't help but think he looked somehow….awkward. Uncomfortable. As if he would rather be wearing something else. Though maybe that was just wishful thinking. The discomfort might also have been due to his newfound fame.

The reports that had been released about Aurens had received much more attention than any of them had ever expected. Certainly not Aurens himself. For all his grandstanding in front of his men, he was not one to seek attention that was not given freely. Ali had overheard Feisal speaking with Auda about how the newspapers had plastered Aurens' name and face all over them, making him out to be….well…..nothing he wasn't. A hero. Aurens was a hero. But by spreading his name and photos everywhere, these stories ruined any chance Aurens had at ever achieving a normal life. Everyone knew him now. His legend would never die. Ali knew that Aurens would hate that. All he had wanted when he left Arabia was to return home to a life of peace and quiet. He looked at Aurens now, standing there is his dark suit, and yes, he was certain that the man was unhappy with the life he had been leading.

Then Auda's elbow connected knowingly with Ali's ribs, jarringly hard. "Ow!" The yelp of surprised pain managed to cut through the noise in the already loud conference chamber, and the Harith found a room full of eyes staring at him. Never one to back down from attention, he stared down every person….until he came face to face with a pair of very familiar blue eyes. Aurens was looking right at him, amusement plainly written on his face. Ali wanted to be irritated but he couldn't, not with that smile curving across those lips he loved so much. He glowered at Aurens, the expression he knew the man would recognize immediately after all their time spent together, the look which threatened reprisal for this indignity. Aurens clearly got the message, for he let out a very undignified snort of laughter, which quickly found him now the object of scrutiny.

A wave of happiness washed over Ali. Everything he had hoped for, had felt deep down within him, was true. His Aurens was still in there.

The meeting should have been insufferable, but Ali found it all fascinating (truly, there was a reason he had gone into politics). When it was his turn to speak, he couldn't help but be aware of Aurens' eyes on him the entire time, a fact which made the color rise in his face. Still, he somehow managed to make it through without faltering, a matter for which he was extremely proud.

Feisal was proud of him as well, which felt even better, as it did when other delegates came up to him after the meeting to shake his hand. He had presented their people in a good light. Nothing could feel better than that.

"Hello, Sherif Ali."

…..maybe one thing.

Turning, Ali came face to face with Aurens. The man was smiling, pure happiness on his face, and a sense of shyness that Ali had never seen there. Aurens was never shy. Ali didn't know it was even possible. "Hello, Colonel Aurens."

Aurens' smile faltered at that. It was like a stab to the heart. Ali rushed on. "Or is El Aurens still alright?"

The beautiful smile had returned. "For you? Just Aurens is perfect."

Joy flooded Ali, warm and beautiful. "Aurens, then."

"Colonel Lawrence?" It was a reporter. "Would you mind taking a photograph?" He was gesturing to where Feisal was standing with Auda, who was still giving Ali that knowing smile. Somehow, Ali couldn't find it in himself to care anymore.

Aurens looked to Ali with a smile. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all." They headed to join the others. Aurens and Feisal greeted each other warmly, as old friends accustomed to speaking often. Auda, on the other hand, was much more boisterous.

"Hello, Aurens!" He pulled the man into an embrace and, laughing, Aurens returned it. "You are to take a picture with Feisal and Ali?"

"I am."

"Here." Auda undid his headscarf. "We must have you look the part."

"Auda, that's really not necessary," Aurens protested, but the photographer was clearly keen on the idea.

"No, put it on! That'll be great!"

"Here, Ali, why don't you help him?" There was a glint in Auda's eye. Ali half glared at him, but he truly had no objections to helping Aurens, so he took the keffiyeh. Then, he hesitated, looking to Aurens.

"Do you mind?"

Smiling, Aurens shook his head. "Please." And he ducked his head down so Ali could put it in place, gently brushing back a stray lock of golden hair as he did so.

"….there," Ali whispered, looking into those deep blue eyes. "Perfect." He knew, even if Aurens didn't, that he was speaking of more than just the scarf.

"Thank you." Aurens' voice was equally soft; he showed no inclination to break Ali's gaze. Both were startled when the photographer spoke up, shattering the silence.

"Okay, we all set? Let's all get in place."

Auda, who refused to get his picture taken, scurried out of the way. The rest of them positioned themselves for a photo. Feisal was naturally in the front, Majid to his left, and Ali…..Ali had Aurens by his side. Right where he was supposed to be.

The camera flashed and Ali risked a glance, only to find Aurens already looking his way, a smile gracing that beautiful mouth. A blush rose to his cheeks and he ducked his head, but he couldn't help looking back almost immediately. The affection in Aurens' eyes was doing funny things to his heart. It made him want to risk it all. So he did.

"You…..are you busy today, Aurens?"

"Yes." The answer felt like a blow to the chest, but Aurens wasn't finished yet. "I'm spending my day with you."

For a moment, Ali was too relieved, too happy, to react. Then, he smacked Aurens' shoulder.

"Ow!"

"You are cruel, Aurens."

Aurens laughed. "I'm sorry."

Ali tried to glower but it was no use, not when Aurens was looking at him with that goofy grin on his face, that headscarf bringing Ali back to their days in the desert, back when they were happy….when they were together.

"Ahem."

Auda's cough broke the moment. He was grinning at them both. "May I have my keffiyeh back, Aurens?"

"Oh! Of course, Auda." Aurens offered the borrowed scarf. "Thank you very much for loaning it."

"You're welcome." Auda glanced back and forth between the two men. "Maybe we will see you tonight at dinner?" Another knowing gleam came into his eye. "And then again, maybe not." With that, he turned and left. Aurens looked to Ali with puzzlement.

"Whatever did he mean by that?"

Cheeks burning, Ali shook his head. "I have no idea."

Aurens shrugged. "Oh well. Shall we?"

Ali had no idea what Aurens had in mind, but he would have followed him anywhere. In a way, he always had. "Where are we going?"

"Don't know." Aurens paused at the foot of the front steps. "Where do you want to go?"

"I…." Ali bit his lip. He didn't know if it would sound too forward. But then, they had always been completely honest with one another. "I would like to see your home." He knew that Aurens had built himself a small cottage. Though Ali never asked Feisal for news of Aurens (it would hurt too much), Auda kept up with all of it and would drop tidbits of information here and there. He knew that Ali secretly wanted to know, despite his feigned indifference. Ali clung to every bit of news, holding it to his heart like precious jewels.

Aurens looked pleasantly surprised. "Alright." Taking Ali's hand, he gave him a gentle tug. "This way." Ali thrilled at the slight contact, following Aurens over to…..a motorcycle. Immediately, he shied away.

"No."

It looked as though Aurens had been expecting this. Possibly even why he had taken Ali's hand, to discourage him from backing away. He knew that the Harith didn't even like bicycles; how he expected to convince him onto a motorcycle was beyond Ali's comprehension. "Ali, they're perfectly safe."

"Like hell they are."

Brows shot up at the expression; Aurens burst out laughing. "That's a new one." Ali was too upset to be amused by Aurens' surprise.

"I picked up many things during my recent studies."

"Apparently so." But he could see that Ali wasn't going to back down. Sighing, he stepped forward and gently took Ali's face in his hands. "Ali, you have to trust me."

"I do trust you." Ali gestured to the bike. "I do not trust THAT."

Aurens stifled a smile. "Ali." Reluctantly, dark eyes met blue. The gaze held for several minutes while Aurens silently implored Ali to trust him, believe in him. Finally, Ali heaved a sigh.

"Fine, Aurens. You win."

The Englishman brightened. "Really?"

"Really." Ali looked down at the bike, shaking his head. "I am going to regret this."

"You won't. Now, tuck up your robes." Ali looked at Aurens like he was crazy. Aurens gestured. "You don't want them to get caught on anything. Sit down and then tuck them up beneath you."

Ali did as he was told, sighing again. "The things I do for you."

Aurens laughed. "I appreciate all of them." He waited as Ali got positioned, looking to make sure that everything was in order and safe. Once satisfied, he climbed onto the bike in front of Ali. "Arms around my waist." Ali obeyed without hesitating, unaware that the action sent as big a thrill through Aurens as it did through him. "Now hold on tight." He gunned the bike to life and they were off, down the road to Aurens' house and…..what? Ali didn't know what the night held in store for them, but whatever it was, he was with Aurens. Nothing could upset him now.

~tbc~