Alexandra let her arrow fly before Vilkas jumped out behind her and stroke the bandit down with a swipe of his sword. They both stood as the last man fell, catching their breath. Alexandra finally let her guard fall partially as she lowered her bow.

" We have to keep going. There's bound to be more ahead. " When he didn't follow behind her she looked back at him. " Vilkas what's wrong?"

Her voice brought him back to reality.

" It's nothing. Just deep in thought."

She eyed him with worry.

" Try to hold of on thinking about it until we get out of here. I promise we can talk about it when we are safe."
" There's no need to talk." He answered bluntly as he stepped in front of her, taking guard. Alexandra drew another arrow and nocked it back before following in his steps. Now wasn't the time to push him. She'd have to push her worries back, it wasn't worth jeopardizing their lives.

Vilkas turned the corner of the cave when his foot caught on a wire. Alexandra saw the rock come swinging down as soon as it snapped. She cried out for him, jumping to push him down.

The rock swung, just barely missing his head as she shoved him to the ground, colliding with the wall behind him.

" What are you doing!" She growled. " Get your head out of your ass you damn wolf and pay attention!"

He glared up at her.
" As if you have any room to talk." He snipped back.

Footsteps echoed as more Bandits came charging down the hall. Alexandra gave a huff as she shot down the first man before loading her bow and aiming for the next. Vilkas could do nothing besides lay still and watch in amazement. With ease she loaded one bow right after another, taking them all down with one shot.

When there was no more left she took a deep breath, her shoulders burning. Vilkas could feel the adrenaline as it coursed through her pounding heart. How overwhelming it was.

He started to push himself up onto his arms when she shoved the bow into his chest, stopping him from going any farther.

" I suggest you start explaining now that you've sent the entire cave of bandits after us. You're lucky I was able to kill them all."

He scoffed. " It's not going to happen."
He tried to get up again, only this time she shoved him onto his back. She smirked as she pinned his hands above his head. Vilkas scowled.

" Let me up."
" No."
" Alexandra." His voice was thick with warning.

" Yes Vilkas?" Her voice was sweet, like she was greeting her husband back home after along trip.

" You're really getting on my nerves right now."

She shrugged.
" I could say the same to you. We can do this all day-"
He ripped a hand free from her grip and covered her mouth. She frowned, her tongue running along his palm. Vilka's face contorted with disgust as he pulled his hand away, managing to squirm out from underneath her.

" I'll give you until tonight to tell me." She started as she stood up and searched the bandits until she found what she was looking for.

" And if not?"

Alexandra shot him a glare. One that would make any man cower. Not because of the anger but because of the devilish look that sparkled across his eyes, daring him not to tell her.

" You don't want to know."
Suddenly Vilkas found himself second guessing coming along with her.

Vilkas gave a huff as he slammed his tankard onto the table. She had to visit the guild she said. It would be fast she said. Bullshit. Absolute bullshit.

" So what did you do?"

He glanced up and saw a mage standing there. He had seen him in the Bee and Barb before, normally looking for someone to hire. Vilkas had never made the effort to talk to him and he certainly wasn't going to do it now.

" Nothing." He stated bluntly. The mage let out an obnoxious laugh.

" Somehow I find that hard to believe. You must have really screwed up for her to not be back by now."

" And I suppose you're best friends?" He snapped. The mage cocked an eyebrow.
" Not best friends, but I was the one who looked after her on her trips before you came along. The name's Marcurio."

There was no way of getting out of this one.
" Vilkas." He responded as he shook his hand.
" Aye, I've heard of you. Mind if I take a seat?"

" I don't see anyone else bothering to sit there."

Marcurio smirked and sat down, ordering an ale.

" I don't think I've seen Alexandra as angry as I did when I saw her this evening."
" I'm well aware of that." Vilkas gritted his teeth.

" Hey, don't give me the attitude just because you're jealous."
" I'm not jealous."
" You're a terrible liar as well." Marcurio hid his smile behind his tankard as he took it from the waitress. " I'll tell you one thing that will calm you down before you destroy all of Riften. She's not in love with Brynjolf."
" Like I'd care."
" Oh but you do. For a moment I thought she was in love with him too, and perhaps at one time she was, but last time I talked to her she had someone else in mind."
Vilkas looked up at him. " And why would you care?"

" You're not the only one who has eyes for her you know."

Vilkas swallowed his words, forcing himself to stay quiet. If he was just going to try to irritate him then why did he even bother to sit down?

" I had an argument with her." Vilkas finally admitted. " I wouldn't tell her what was wrong."

" She is quite a worry bug over people. So just what was on your mind?"
Honestly why was he even confiding into him?

" Back at home Aela brought to our attention that we always forget that they are girls. That they would like to have a time to be pampered or even have time to themselves. It really struck a chord with me."

" So you want to pamper her?"

Vilkas wanted to disagree but he just couldn't bring himself to.
" I suppose." He admitted quietly.

" If I was like plenty of other men I'd take your idea and run with it. But I'm not." Was he really talking himself up? " Alexandra likes the very simple stuff but sometimes going bigger is better. I'm sure you will think of something. But right now I suggest you take what time you have with her and make amends." Marcurio motioned towards the door. Alexandra stepped into the Bee and Barb, looking around. Vilkas felt himself go numb as her eyes locked onto his.
" Good luck my friend." Marcurio whispered to him as he stood up. " May you play your cards right."