Hey guys, I've had this written for a while but only just decided to post it. Normally I tend to just read fanfics, but it was ridiculously hard to find Jariadne stories so I thought I'd have a go at writing one myself. It's only my second fanfic so please review, tell me what you think and whether or not I should continue.

This is set during "The rules of Engagement" and at this point Jason is in the house on his own after hearing the news of Ariadne's betrothal to Heptarian...

Explanations

The incessant knocking didn't stop like he hoped it would. If anything it just grew louder and harder to ignore.

It was clear she wasn't going to leave until she had seen him. And she was a princess: she was no doubt used to getting her way.

Dragging himself off his bed, Jason trudged to the door and opened it with a loud creak.

"Please, just let me explain."

"There is nothing to explain. You are a Princess and he has wealth and a high status. You are perfectly matched."

"Jason listen—"

"I have nothing more to say to you. It's late... your fiancé will be waiting for you." He scoffed.

Her face fell instantly. The hope in her eyes drained completely to leave nothing but despair and devastation.

The cold and resenful wall Jason had built up around him crumbled to the ground as soon as he saw the pained look on her face, and it almost killed him to think that he had caused it. He couldn't be angry at her. She was a sweet, innocent girl who had been thrust into an impossible situation. It wasn't her fault and she wasn't to be blamed. But he couldn't diminish the niggling thoughts in the back of his mind...

You're just a lowly commoner who can barely afford enough food to survive. Why would she want you? How could you possibly provide for her?

She deserves better than you. She deserves someone who can protect her and care for her. Someone like Heptarian. Did you really think you stood a chance against him?

Besides, this betrothal must have been planned by Minos and Pacify years in advance. That's what happened in this time period-isn't it? Wealthy families organised their children's husbands before they even reached the age of 10. She must have known this was going to happen years before he came to Atlantis. Yet she never once mentioned it, never said anything when the engagement became official.

She didn't trust you enough to tell you.

She liked stringing you along.

She never loved you...

Jason gazed deep into her hazelnut eyes and whispered in a defeated voice, "Why didn't you tell me? I thought we were friends. I thought you cared about me. But obviously not because you couldn't even be bothered to tell me yourself."

And without waiting for a response Jason shut the door in her face. She was better off without him anyway; and sometimes if you love someone this deeply, you have to do the hardest thing and let them go.

Bitter tears stung his eyes as he turned away from the door. Turning his back on the only woman he had ever loved. The beautiful girl he loved so passionately and purely, the Princess who had captured his heart and made him feel like he belonged in this strange, new world.

He belonged with her.

"I didn't know."

He froze suddenly at the sound of her soft voice, whispered from behind the closed door. Jason stayed silent, his heart wrenching at the despair in her words, the evident pain in her voice.

"I only found out moments before the announcement. I wanted to tell you myself... I tried to find you. You weren't here... you... you weren't in the temple. I couldn't... I looked everywhere... I..."

Her voice quivered as she stuttered, trying to force out the words she desperately wanted him to hear. As soon as her voice broke down completely Jason couldn't bear it any longer. He hated hearing her sound so weak and fragile when she was usually so reserved and strong.

Jason grabbed the door handle and flung it open.

There she stood, her hands fidgeting restlessly in front of her stomach, unshed tears glistening in her eyes, hair in disarray, shivering in the cold night air in just her thin, blue dress.

"I'm sorry." She said in a croaky voice, as a tear rolled down her tanned cheek.

Jason's cold demeanour faded instantly at the sight of her. He opened his arms wide and she rushed straight into them, seeking comfort in his warm, muscular embrace. His arms wrapped around her protectively as she laid her head against his chest, listening to the rhythmical beating of his heart.

"You have no need to apologise. It is me who is sorry. I should have realised." He said, kissing her hair in between sentences. "I just hated the idea of you marrying someone else. I can't bear to lose you."

It was then that Ariadne's slender form started to shake against his body. It wasn't until she spoke that he realised that she was crying.

"I can't do it Jason. I can't marry him. I cannot become his wife—"

"You won't have to. I'll find a way to stop this, I promise." He said with certainty, gently stroking her thick, dark curls.

"Thank-you Jason." She managed to say in a somewhat shaky breath. "I just can't stand the thought of belonging to him. He's vile and corrupt and he kills innocent men without a seconds thought. I can't marry him. I can't! I can't! I can't!" Ariadne broke out into fresh, uncontrollable sobs.

She grabbed the front of Jason's tunic in her fists, her head now resting on his shoulder and soaking the material with the tears that flooded down her face. Her small body shook uncontrollably with each deep, raspy breath she took.

Jason tightened his arm around her back protectively whilst the hand that was stroking her hair gently pressed her head even closer to his shoulder.

"Shhhh, shhhh, please don't cry." He soothed. "I won't let any harm come to you. I give you my word. I'm not going to let anyone take you away from me."

Ariadne's rapid breathing slowed slightly at the implication of his words.

"You are strong Ariadne. I know it doesn't feel like it at the moment, but you are the strongest, bravest woman I know and you can fight this. And I will be at your side the whole way." It was true: every word. Until now, he would not have believed that there was a scared, vulnerable girl hidden behind the stoic exterior. She usually kept her emotions so carefully guarded; and in a way it warmed his heart to know that he was probably the only person that she felt she did not need to conceal them from.

"Do you really believe that?" Ariadne choked out in a muffled voice- her face still pressed into Jason's shoulder.

Jason moved back from her slightly so that he could look into her eyes. They were red and puffy and it was evident that she had been bottling all her emotions up for a while now, needing a long cry to release all her grief. Yet amongst the sadness and worry pooling in her eyes, there was something else there. Something that glistened and reached out into his soul.

Hope.

Staring back into her eyes he answered her sincerely.

"Yes I do. I love you."

Thank-you so much for taking the time to read this. I have some ideas about adding another chapter or two so let me know if you think I should. Reviews are greatly appreciated.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!