Author's Note: Not much to say on this one; I don't see Casavir as a romantic rival or as a romantic option, just as a sweet, big brother type for Cari, so, enjoy! Thank you for reviews, they truly mean a lot to me! This has been updated as well, just so I'm more comfortable with it. I had to reformat this one, due to something going wrong with 's new document system, so... sorry to anyone who read it and found that it didn't quite make sense.

Bishop had watched her for three months after she had pinned him to the table. He had watched as she had returned that night, covered in soot and smelling like smoke as the Watch building burned to cinders. He had watched as she brought the crazy gnome bard, Grobnar, back to the Flagon. He had watched as she danced on a table with Neeshka, Qara, and Khelgar, with Grobnar playing the music, after eight tankards of mead. She seemed to be what he desired in a woman: beautiful, yet terrifying; mean and sharp-tongued, able to twist words and talk her way out of anything… and she could throw out language that would make a Docks sailor blush.

He especially loved her talent for innuendo. He wouldn't be able to look at his longbow the same way again.

She had occasionally looked back at him, pretending not to notice him staring, but his eyes on her made her heart race. Bishop took a secret pleasure in noticing how her clothing slowly became tighter and more revealing as the months rolled by, showing off as much of her slender frame as decency would allow, and Cari couldn't avoid noticing he spent a lot of time in the bathhouse.

The chase was wearing on her the longer it continued, and Neeshka giving her trouble at every possible opportunity didn't aid the situation. "Come on, Cari, just sleep with the guy! Stop teasing him, his head's about to explode! Both of them!" or "Cari, if you don't sleep with him, then I will," to which Cari had replied by nearly cutting off Neeshka's horns, or Cari's personal favorite: "I saw him in the bath last night, he's huge! Just do it already!" said as Neeshka gestured wildly, arms flailing as Cari stared at her in shock.

Cari had long given up explaining to Neeshka, the queen of impulse, how the thrill of the hunt made it more intense, more interesting. The assassin stalking the ranger while the ranger hunted the assassin made for some tense nights at the Flagon.

It all changed the night Cari brought back the paladin. Bishop had been content just to sit back and watch her, seduce her from afar, but now he was convinced he had competition. The paladin was tall, muscular too, and handsome with black hair and ice-blue eyes. He was a threat. He seemed to be quite taken with Cari, and Bishop couldn't tell if the feeling was mutual.

Hells, paladin, you look at her like that again, I swear…

Cari had noticed it too. From the night she had brought Casavir back, Bishop had changed. His attitude went from suggestive indifference into an aggressive, alpha-male stance. He was suddenly watching her every move, every laugh, every drunken swagger, every time she talked to Casavir.

By the Hells, Bishop, Casavir's a friend. Grow up.

The only time Bishop let his guard down was the night Grobnar had come to Cari and Neeshka asking for advice on, as he put it, "the human mating ritual." So, Cari scooped him up and set him on the table between the two of them and proceeded to explain it, without embarrassment, and without omitting anything. Casavir had retired unusually early that night, around the time Cari had explained to a wide-eyed Grobnar how dexterity plays a part in some mating "dances." She could feel Bishop's eyes on her the whole time, and was sure he was drinking in her words.

I've got to admit, she thought, I like him looking at me, though if something doesn't happen soon, he may explode, and I'll be bored.

And Neeshka was growing even more persistent, and now Cari had Shandra, the farmer to worry about too.

"Cari, are you actually doing this for fun, or just to torment the poor man?"

"Neeshka, I'm waiting this one out! I'm not giving it up too soon!"

"It's been three bloody months! I'm not sure how much more he can take!"

Cari sighed. "Well, I'll talk to him after we get Shandra back to the Flagon, okay? The least I can do is talk, right?"

Neeshka grinned. "Well, seeing as the guy's been spending a lot of time alone lately, I'm thinking talking'll be the last thing on his mind."

"Well, we'll see."

It was already twilight when Cari, Grobnar, Neeshka and Casavir arrived back at the Flagon, Shandra in tow. Cari was disappointed to discover the common room was empty, except for Duncan and Sal, who had stayed up with food. As they ate, she told them about the githyanki, about how they had broken into the archives, about how they had nearly gotten Shandra kidnapped, and about how they managed to escape.

Duncan laughed particularly hard when she told them how one gith had kept interrupting Grobnar's song, and the poor gnome had gotten so frustrated he'd smashed his lute into the offender's stomach.

As Duncan explained to Grobnar that there was a merchant named Deekin who could help fix his lute, Cari felt Neeshka's tail wrap around her ankle.

"So, where's bow boy?" she whispered.

"I dunno. He has to be around here somewhere, he lives here, doesn't he?" Cari yawned. "Doesn't matter, I'm tired, I'm going to bed. I'll talk to him in the morning, unless he's escaped."

Neeshka giggled. "Hey, I'm a big fan of a meaty breakfast," she said, winking. Cari laughed and slapped her playfully before getting up and giving another hug to Duncan. She sauntered off to her room, giggling to herself as she passed Casavir trying to calm Shandra down with that paladin charm of his.

He's too charming for his own good. Too bad it doesn't work on me. He's like this big, overprotective older brother. I absolutely adore that.

She shook her head as she changed into her silk nightgown and slipped under the covers, images of githyanki floating around in her head.

Why can't I think of something good for once? I'm sick of dreams about githyanki.

As she drifted off to sleep, she smiled as Bishop's intense, wolf-like eyes burned in her mind.

Now that's more like it, she thought, passing into a restless slumber.

ooooo

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Flagon, Bishop was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling, his hands linked behind his head and Karnwyr snoring on the floor beside his bed.

I should have stayed in the common room. It's been over three months. I can tell she's getting restless.

And if I have to spend another night by myself, by the Hells, I'll just take her.

Bishop had refrained from his usual prowling ever since Cari had pinned him to the table. He wanted her, and only her. It consumed him. She would be his greatest conquest.

A conquest who probably wouldn't take kindly to me bedding other women, he thought.

He rolled his eyes as he heard the gnome practicing a new song the next room over, apparently unaware of the way the damaged lute sounded like a dying dire badger.

He sighed and closed his eyes, prepared for another night of tempting dreams and frustration when he heard Duncan yelling.

"Get up, everyone! The Flagon's under attack! We've got githyanki!"

Bishop's eyes snapped open and he jumped out of bed, throwing on a pair of linen trousers and his quiver as Karnwyr scratched at the door, growling.

Hmph, I was looking for a reason to kill someone today, he thought, grabbing his bow and opening the door. He notched an arrow and followed as Karnwyr burst out, lunging for the throat of the nearest gith.