Chapter 1: Hate and Love

I do not own any part of World of Warcraft. Blizzard Entertainment does. Enjoy reading and thank you.

She hated it here, almost as much as she hated him. Their lieutenant had assigned them to the darkest, coldest spot in Icecrown, or at least that's what it felt like to her. Damn the Scourge, damn the Lich King, she wanted nothing more than to personally slaughter him. All she wanted was to be out of Icecrown and back home in Elwynn. Trees and grass and, for Light's sake, a bed, were constantly in her mind.

Two days had passed since Lieutenant Kreshen had forced her to partner with the paladin again. When assignments were handed out, she was furious. The elf had approached her side. His short blonde hair, was spiked and shiny. It disgusted her how beautiful his hair looked. His eyes were always gleaming and making her nervous. She always felt like he was looking right through her plate. Today was no different. Smiling and winking, he had found it amusing, that once again, they were stuck with each other.

After the lieutenant had finished with handing out orders she had approached him. Ready to find some way out of it, she put on her kiss ass face. "Sir, is there some reason why I am stuck with that sap again?"

"Lenora, nothing you say will get you out of it. Despite your apparent hatred for him, the two of you make a great team, which is why I chose you two for the assignment." Lieutenant Kreshen, tried to be serious, but it was hard not smile in amusement. The human warrior, looked like a pouting six year old.

"Sir, if I may speak freely."

"Feel free, soldier."

"He is a conceited, smart ass and I don't see why I can't have a different partner this time." Her plan wasn't working.

"Lenora, your assignment will stay as is. You and he will go to the location I have marked on your map and hold post there until further instructions are sent. Now off you go. Oh and just so you know, he may be all the things you say he is, but that doesn't change the fact that he is the best paladin healer we have had in our ranks in a long time." The orc looked at her expectantly. Trying to keep her glare at a low heat setting, she saluted him and stalked off.

Now here they were. The camp they set up was far from secluded. That was the point, in fact. Their job was to keep all incoming scourge from entering the Argent Crusade post. Scourge never slept so that meant one of them would have to sleep while the other kept watch.

It was Lenora's turn to sleep so she headed for her tent and attempted to rest. Finally dozing off, she was awakened by a horrible gurgling sound. Frantically, moving out of the tent she found Linxis in combat with a rather large undead vykrul.

"You fool, why didn't you wake me!?" She intercepted the creature, stunning it for a moment. It smacked her with its crude wooden club, but thinking quick, she changed to a defensive stance. Nearly dead the creature was weak, taking advantage she changed back to her powerful berserker stance and executed the ugly thing.

Linxis stood a few feet behind her, casting holy light on her. Finishing his healing spell, he walked closer to her. Glaring at him, he was surprised she didn't slap him upside his face. "Seriously, why the Hell didn't you wake me up?"

"I could have handled it." He patted his chest plate, reminding her that he wasn't some cloth wearing sissy.

"Ugh I am never going to get any sleep at this rate." She ran her fingers through her long, brown hair.

"Go on, I'll wake you if anything else comes. Paladin's honor."

"Your honor is about as good to me as rogue's promise not to pick your pocket when you aren't looking." Laughing to herself quietly, she returned to the tent.

Watching her go, he ventured back to his spot on the hard rocks. Settling down, he propped his head up using his hands. He wasn't any happier about the assignment, than she was. This shit was boring and it was so dark here. The sunshine was a nonexistent force here in the Lich King's realm.

His mind drifted to the brown eyed warrior. He had no clue why she hated his guts. They had been working together for months now. Both had joined the Argent Crusade around the same time. Lieutenant Kreshen had paired them together repeatedly after success in all their missions. Apparently the lieutenant saw potential for the pair, as to why else he would continue to force them together Linxis didn't know. Maybe to piss Lenora off, that was funny to watch and he enjoyed it thoroughly himself.

A tiny part of him honestly found the human attractive. Her skin was a creamy peach and he was sure it was unbelievably soft, although he had no proof of such a fact. He assumed she would make him pay with his blood if he had even accidentally touched her. Those eyes of here were such a beautiful, dark velvet brown. His thoughts were interrupted by a pair of Scourge headed right for him.

Rushing over to her tent, he jumped inside and shook her. "Lenora, wake up!"

"Ugh, alright move out of my way." She sat up, pushing him backwards. Exiting the tent she cringed at the approaching danger. A skeletal caster followed by a large skeletal warrior were headed in their direction.

Linxis stood next to her, ready to heal if necessary. Switching to his aura, to improve her armor, they nodded at each other. Lenora engaged the caster first. The skeletal mage, tried repeatedly to cast his frostbolts with little success. Breaking his spell casting, she took the mage down without much effort.

The warrior was unfortunately much more powerful than his caster companion had been. It towered over her, at least twice her height. Roaring out her battle shout, she leaped at it. Only stunned momentarily, it began slashing her with its huge sword. Dodging most of its attacks, she was stunned for moment, when one of its attacks hit her in the head. Blood trickled across her forehead. The pain only made her fight harder, hitting the towering monster hard with her sword and her axe.

Linxis kept healing her, deep in concentration. Suddenly, he realized his mana reserve was low. The monster was only half dead, and now he had no way to heal his companion who was still deeply involved in the fight. "Lenora, I'm out of mana!" He called to her, trying to warn her. She turned to give him a confused look. Bad decision, it gave the skeletal monster an advantage. Using its shield, it knocked her out. She slumped to the ground, weapons on the ground.

The blood elf took a deep breath. "Just you and me now you bastard!" He yelled at the creature. Lunging at the thing, he grabbed one of Lenora's weapons. Instinct took over and he remembered his combative ways. He hadn't used them often, not against anything as powerful as this. Somehow he managed to take the creature down. Its bone's made a clattering sound as they hit the ground in a pile. He was stunned that he had actually made it through the fight. Then he remembered, Lenora.

"Lenora." He called out her name, running to her side. Her head was still bleeding profusely and a gash in her side looked swollen. Picking her up, he carried her towards her tent.

Inside he placed her on her bedroll. Propping her head up with a blanket, he examined her head. Thinking quickly he ran to his own tent, grabbing back up bandages he always kept.

Wrapping her head gently, he had brushed her cheek. So soft, as he had imagined. Finishing the bandage, he looked down at her face. Caressing her cheek, she stirred slightly.

"What happened?" Her voice was a dry, quiet whispered.

"Glad you are okay Lenora. When that skeletal bastard knocked you out, I thought that was the end for the both of us." He removed his hand from her cheek quickly. He was also glad she hadn't noticed his hand on her face.

"You killed it?" She asked. Sitting up she gritted her teeth. Holding her side she groaned in pain.

"Mhmm, lay back down silly." He pushed her back down gently.

"Its bad isn't it?" She didn't bother to look down at it, she could feel it.

"Yes, sword slashed through the gaps in your plate. Probably in between your ribs."

"We can't stay here." She pointed out.

"I know, but we also can't leave our post, the lieutenant will kill us both."

"Wait, did you hear that?" An approaching horse was close in the distance.

"Stay in here, in case its dangerous." He squeezed her hand and to his surprise she returned the gesture. Stepping out of the tent, he was glad to see a fellow soldier. "What news?"

"Lieutenant sends orders for you to fallback. Return to the post as soon as possible." The Forsaken warrior said. "Everything all right?" He pointed to the blood on Linxis hands.

"She's badly injured. We will be back within the hour."

The Forsaken nodded and rode back towards the Argent post. Linxis sighed in relief.

Reentering the tent, he found Lenora sitting up. "Didn't I tell you to stay laying down?"

"Yes, but I have no intention of laying around being miserable the whole time we are stuck here."

"Good news, we have orders to fall back to the post." She smiled at him, relief in her face.

"Well guess we should pack up then." She crawled slowly out of the tent, he followed trying his best to keep his eyes off of her backside.

He insisted he pack up most of the camp. She almost protested but didn't. While he packed she removed her plate and began wrapping her wound. Her undershirt was in the way, but she definitely wasn't going to run around topless with him right there

Looking at her struggle, he offered to help. "Do I look like I need help?"

"Yes." He laughed, pointing at her makeshift bandaging. "You don't bandage yourself often do you?"

"Not really, don't usually need to. Unless that is, someone runs of mana." She said it intentionally, knowing it would stir him up. "Besides, why can't you just heal it now. Your mana should be regenerated now."

"My heals can only do so much. They can't seal up a gash like that, at least not permanently. And I am sorry I ran out of mana at such an inopportune time miss Lenora." He gave her a hateful look.

"Don't use that smart ass tone with me Linxis."

"Oh hush, no time to bicker about this. Let me bandage you so we can get out of here, before more Scourge get hungry." Removing the bandage she had attempted to place, he lifted her shirt slightly. Slapping at his hands, she pushed at him.

"What do you think you are doing?" She screeched at him, flames firing in her now angry eyes.

"I am bandaging you so you don't die. Now stand there and shut up." He moved back closer to her, wrapping the bandage around her ribs. Finally, wrapping complete, he tucked the end under the wrap. Accidentally, his hand brushed the skin above her ribs. She froze as his hand as it brushed the underside of her breast.

"Sorry." He mumbled under his breath. He wasn't, but it sounded good.

"Let's just go." She tried to contain herself. That touch had unnerved her, but she didn't want him to see that.

"Do you think you can ride?"

"It's not that far. Let's go." She mounted her horse and rode off ahead of him.

He shook his head and caught up to her. Side by side, they reached the post. The lieutenant sent for them as soon as they arrived. Lenora was irritated that the bastard didn't even get her a chance to settle or even get stitched up.

They stood in front of him, standing at attention, waiting for him to address them. "At ease."

Lenora relaxed, clutching her side in pain. Linxis sent a flash heal her way, it would at least ease the pain.

"I see Lenora is badly wounded, so I will not keep you here long. The two of you have done well. As a reward for your hard work you are both allowed two weeks of leave." He dismissed them with a wave of his hand. Both saluting, they exited the tent.

"Come on, let's get you to a medic." He put his arm around her waist, even though she was walking just fine.

"Again, what makes you think I need your help? Not to mention, considering our leave, we are no longer assigned to each other. So if you will kindly, leave me to my business, I will let you get back to yours."

"At least let me walk you to the infirmary."

She stopped walking. "Alright if you insist, but please get your hand off my waist."

"Sure." He made a mental note how good it felt having the warrior so close to him.

Walking side by side,they stood in the infirmary entrance. Neither one said anything for a moment. Linxis desperately wanted to touch her soft, creamy cheeks again, but he held himself back.

Finally, she broke the awkward silence. "Thank you Linxis."

"Anything for you my lady." He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "Till we meet again." He sauntered off, giving her no time to react to his action.

She watched him go. "He walks like such an asshole, but maybe, just maybe, he isn't so bad." Her inner thoughts annoyed her. She shook her head and walked in the infirmary to get patched up.

It had been three days since he had last seen her. He had been to see her, but each time he had went the troll priest in charge informed him that she had requested no visitors. Today he expected the same result, but was instead was told that she had been released.

Heading back to his own tent, he considered his options. He could either stay at the post and be bored and miserable for the rest of his leave or he could go wherever he wanted. Not that he had any place to go, but he needed some sunshine, so he began packing his things.

About to leave, he heard a familiar voice outside his tent. "Going somewhere?"

He exited the tent. Sure enough it was her. "What's it to you?" He smiled at her, happy to see her.

"Thought maybe you might want some company."

He gave her a confused look. Her words had shocked him, considering that he was sure she hated him. He played along. If she wanted to go with him, why complain? "Well, I don't even know where I am going."

"That's alright, me either." Then she smiled. Not just a smile, a smile directed right at him. Her brown eyes gazed into his green eyes and he decided that she was even more beautiful than he had realized before.

"How are you feeling?" He finished putting his belongings in his pack.

"Still a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle. Had worse done to me."

"Shall we? Oh I mean if you need time to pack, I'll wait." He knew he shouldn't assume she was already good to go.

"No need, all ready. Packed early this morning. Was planning on leaving anyway."

Going to the stable they retrieved their flying mounts. Linxis stroked his dragonhawk's face and was rewarded with a hard peck to his head.

Lenora couldn't help but laugh as the paladin rubbed his now sore head with his head. "Need to take him flying more often."

"As though I have time for that. Your mount never gets sore at you is that it?"

"I didn't say that, but I come to visit her here almost every day." Her drake growled gently and nuzzled her face when she approached her.

"I'll keep that in mind. Tell me how are we going to go somewhere if we don't know where we are going?" They led their mounts out of the stable.

"Somewhere with grass and sunshine. Oh and no fucking scourge ready to eat our brains."

"There are literally hundreds of places we could go that meet those requirements, Lenora."

"How about the beach?" She sat on her drake looking down at the paladin.

"Stranglethorn, perhaps?" He mounted as well, never taking his eyes off of her.

"Sounds good." Her mind was going crazy. What the Hell was she doing going to the beach with him? No matter what her mind said, her heart was in full argue mode. She told her inner self to shut up and flew into the sky. Linxis followed, flying beside but not too close. Her drake's wing span, allowed no room for him to crowd her.

They flew to Dalaran, dismounting as they landed in the square. Deciding to meet in Booty Bay, he bowed to her and walked to the stable to retrieve his land mount, at the Horde portals he ported to Undercity. She retrieved her land mount as well and ported to Stormwind.

He knew he would make it to Booty Bay before her, since she had to take flightpaths from Stormwind. He was glad the zeppelin was faster, he needed a few minutes to think what was happening over. Going into the inn, he bought a bottle of wine. Standing on the port, he looked out towards the sea.

Several islands dotted the ocean expanse. One stood alone, with huge palm tree shading it. What appeared to be a small structure was also present. Looked good to him, unless it was already occupied. Probably not, but they would go investigate when she got there.

"Miss me?" He spun around, his thoughts interrupted by the warrior.

"Umm."

"Don't answer that. Where from here?"

"See it?" He pointed towards the small island in the distance.

"Long swim."

"Didn't think of that. We can stay at the inn instead." He was disappointed, but he realized with her injury she probably didn't want to do something like swimming any distance.

"No way, I'll make it across just fine." Her decision was obviously made, considering she was now undoing her plate and stripping it off. Placing it in her packs, she stood looking at him. He stared at her like he had never seen a warrior without their armor.

The light clothing she wore under her plate was tight against her well toned body. Shaking his head, he began removing his armor as well.

As she jumped off the dock, he knew he liked her very much. She was crazy and yes, a horrible bitch at times, but she was beautiful and spontaneous. He followed her, but could barely keep up, she was a far better swimmer than him.

Reaching the shore of the tiny island, she rested against the sand. Finally reaching the shore as well. He sat up looking at her now soaked through clothes. Turning her, she shielded her eyes against the sun. "Are my clothes bothering you, dear paladin?"

"Not bothering me, sorry to stare, but umm, I can see right through them." He continued to stare, but this time her eyes were his focus. They were flashing and happy.

"You aren't sorry, Linxis." She sat up, her voice was quiet but her smile made it clear she didn't care that he wasn't sorry. She didn't care that the blood elf was staring at her body through her wet clothes.

"Why did you come with me Lenora?" He knew he would probably ruin this lovely interlude, but he had to know.

"Dunno, are you complaining?"

"No, its just that I thought you hated me."

"You know at first I did. The other day when you saved me, something changed for me. When you bandaged me, I felt that butterfly feeling you get in your stomach. I acted like it only made me angry, but truthfully I wanted you keep your hand there. I wanted you to touch me."

"Since we are being honest I have to tell you Lenora, you are beautiful. Something about those brown eyes of yours, makes my heart race. Oh and when I did touch you the other day, I wasn't really sorry." He grinned at her, meeting her gaze. She laughed, falling back down on the sand. Looking at her, he knew he was in deep with the feisty, brown eyed warrior.