Key:

Aikh ata margish? - How are you feeling? (Female to male) Ahyef- tired (male)

Ahna - 'please' 'I beg of you!' Slikha - sorry/excuse me (male/female)

Ain Bahaya - it's nothing/no problem

000

His hand was still raised; it was frozen in midair as he watched Shulamit flung to the floor from the force of it. He had not meant to do that – he had never hit a woman before and he had thought he never would. The apology stuck in his throat, all he could do was watch her sit up, her hands resting on her quickly blooming cheek and over her mouth to stop the bleeding. Shulamit suppressed the whimper forming in the back of her throat, that had hurt and she was a little confused. Why was he behaving like this? The medicine…he had been fine until he had swallowed it – had she not done it properly? Malik watched her stand unsteadily, she seemed to pause for a second before muttering something into her hand, the muffled noise was foreign to his ears and he made no move to go after her as she pulled the table from the door and wobbled outside – had he truly hit her that hard? What was he going to do now? What was she going to do was the more important question! He grasped his arm again, still convinced that it hurt and panic spread through him as he looked at the putrid skin again – this could kill him… he fell back onto the bedroll and stared up at the cracked ceiling. His coffee eyes slid shut and he wondered if fortune could throw anything else horrible his way!

00

When he next opened his eyes he was confused at how bright it was, he had remembered the house being dim as dusk had been approaching and he had felt very sick. He heard the sound of wood being dragged across stone, Shulamit's voice was grumbling unhappily as she shifted the table against the wall, Malik wondered if he had had some sort of bad dream – his arm was fine and he had not struck the woman. She picked up something from the top of the table and went to the little hidden alcove to store it, Malik had found she kept a few things in there, a few trinkets, his belongings and her money, she did not have a lot of money and he couldn't help but let out a groan as something clicked into place. A healer cost money, a doctor even more so, medicine was expensive, bandages and salves were not free and buying food for two must have been stretching her purse considerably, "Oh, you are awake?" She replaced the false stone and turned to smile at him, "Good morning," her right cheek was bruised, it was a little swollen and her bottom lip sported a healing cut; the Assassin stared at the damage – how was she still smiling at him? He had done that to her! She noticed him looking; she let her long hair slip forward to hide the mark and tried to distract him, "Aikh ata margish?"

"H-how can…" He reached up and pushed some of the stray strands behind her ear, "You came back," his thumb brushed over the bruised skin only to retreat abruptly when she flinched at the contact and looked away filled with shame. He had not meant to hurt her, he moved without thinking – without even realising he had done anything until she was on the floor and bleeding. Yet here she was! Smiling and asking how he felt! As if he had done nothing at all! It made him angry, he was angry at himself and at her; she should have hated him or at least be mad at him! But no, here she was!

"It hurts but only when I touch it." Shulamit sighed as he looked away; this man was such a pain! "Of course I am here! I live here…now how do you feel? Heavy? Cold, hot, hungry? Do you have a headache?" she reached over to feel his temperature.

"Annoyed!" he snapped and pushed her hand away, "I am not a child – do not treat me as such and do not sweep what I did to you under the rug! Do not pretend it did not happen!" He struggled briefly to sit up, Shulamit would have helped but she was feeling a little spiteful for him speaking so harshly to her, the dark eyed man did feel heavy and his temples throbbed mildly. He wanted to leave, he needed to find the others and go back to Masyaf, or a bureau – somewhere he could heal without fear of hurting this woman, the doctors that treated the Brotherhood were always prepared for a violent reaction…the medicines would not cost her. "I can not pay you back until I return to my brothers, you can not afford to keep me and I can not promise that I will not hurt you again!" he could see she wanted to argue, that she was angry at his tone and so he took a breath, " …Shulamit…I owe you a lot and once I am able I will pay you back."

"I do not expect you to reimburse me for this simple kindness and especially because I nearly poisoned you last night!" The Assassin was taken aback by that last part, "I put too much medicine in your drink, the healer said it would have caused you to react violently, it would have made you confused…made you panic. When I returned with the healer you were unconscious – you have been unresponsive all night and he thought I had put you in a coma!" The young woman refused to look at him after the admission but she didn't retreat either, "It was my entire fault and I want to make it right! So just lay there and get better!" She had left last night to get him a healer? He had thought she had run away from him for certain; yet here she was, once again at his side with a damp cloth ready. Malik did as she asked, if only because he was rapidly beginning to feel dizzy, the cloth rested over his forehead and she continued talking to him as she plaited her hair expertly. Shulamit didn't speak the entire time, she watched him though, watched as he was in obvious pain but holding it in for her sake, "Because of my foolish mistake I can not give you anything to help your pain today, once it wears off you are going to have a really bad fever; I can practically feel the heat coming off you now. I just wanted to know how you were feeling now so I could help you…I know you are not a child but you are not well…I want to help you!"

He said nothing and she closed her eyes in defeat, her fingers tying off the plait and then falling to her lap limply. "…I am sorry." His voice was almost too quiet for her to catch and when she opened her eyes to look at him, he turned to stare up at the ceiling. Malik very rarely apologised, the words stuck in his throat like spiky fruit and he hoped he sounded sincere – because he really was sorry. "That is for everything." For strangling her, for hurting her hand, for mocking her, for her having to use her own money, for her free time wasted on him, for being harsh to her and especially for hitting her. "I am not used to this situation. The last time I was this ill was after losing my arm and it has been years since I last had to be confined to a bed…I am not a good patient. No matter how good the nurse."

She gave a small giggle, "I am not a good healer but I am trying."

"Very trying." Her jaw dropped at the light insult and she would have hit him if he hadn't been so fragile, instead they shared a smile and he carried on, "Ahyef," he mumbled, now that they had somewhat made up he wanted to sleep and hopefully wake up without the aches.

"Sorry, it is once again because I used too much medicine but sleep will help you fight the infection." Speaking of which, "Your arm has been re-stitched, the doct – uh, healer stayed late into the night until he was satisfied that the wound was clear and he said it should heal fine! So do not worry." She made him drink a cup of water before she allowed him to close his eyes and drift into a light sleep. Shulamit made sure to turn the cloth over on his head before going to the table and beginning to make more fishing net, she was desperately in need of money and this was how she made her income, the healer had not been cheap but the wound had frightened her in its appearance – Malik had needed proper treatment…she had done what she had to! Despite being an Assassin, Shulamit found it very difficult to truly fear him, her father used to tell her about the men in white robes, they only killed evil men, they punished slavers, murderers, tyrants and anyone else who would attack innocent people. As far as she was concerned she was an innocent person and that meant Malik was not allowed to hurt her intentionally! She forgave him for last night's events as he had not been in full control of himself, he had not meant to hurt her and she was certain of it!

"Shula?" Nina's voice drifted in as the younger woman came into the house, she had brought some leftovers from breakfast in her home and put the food down in front of her friend, "I meant to bring you some food last ni - ! Your face!" Nina was shocked when she saw the cut lip and bruised cheek that had not been there before, "What has happened?" She dropped her voice and sent a wary glance off to the sleeping man, "He did that? First your neck and now this! Shula, you can not let this man stay here! You have done so much for this complete stranger, you do not have to let him stay here and hit you – come with me, we will fetch my brothers and they will – "

"No, no…Nina, ahna, Nina!" Grabbing her friend's arm Shulamit made the younger sit down again, she had to make her listen, "It was not his fault – listen to me!" Nina shut her mouth and swallowed the comment she had been planning to use, "I used too much medicine in his drink, he was not in control of himself when this happened, it was my fault! I nearly killed him! Please, do not get your brothers, do not tell your father…" she did not want the man to suffer because of her stupidity; Malik needed her! "Abba never turned anyone away from this house when they were in need – I am not going to dishonour him by doing it to a good man who needs help!"

The younger woman growled under her breath angrily at her best friend's …it was beyond kindness, she didn't know what to call it, "You go far over the call of duty, Shula. I know your grandparents cared for sailors, I know your parents did the same and look what happened – your mother and brother died from disease when you were young and your father drowned at sea! Maybe it is a sign to stop taking care of strays!"

"The sea decided not to steal his life and gave him to me, is it not strange that on the anniversary of my Abba's death a man gets caught on my oar? Maybe it is a test? My family have been caring for people caught in the waves for generations, as you said, Malik was given to be to nurse back to health and I will do everything I can to fulfil that duty…now, can I please have that food because I am starving!" she looked longingly at the bowl.

"I suppose the insane need to eat," Nina pushed the food over and watched with concern as Shulamit attacked it like a starved animal. The older woman should think of herself more often! "So you really think your father's spirit sent that man to you? Why would he do that? To carry on the family tradition?"

"Ugh! Do you not listen to the stories the old men tell!" This was like teaching Nina to knit all over again! "If a person drowns at sea, his spirit is trapped in the waves until they save another soul from the same fate! Malik gets better, my Abba goes to paradise and I get – "

"Punched in the face." Nina said flatly.

Malik had been mostly aware since the door had opened and the woman from yesterday announced her arrival. He listened to their conversation with concern – he doubted right now he could defend himself against anyone if Nina retrieved anyone. His biggest worry was hearing the younger woman chide Shulamit for skipping meals to make sure he had everything he needed and then the story about sea spirits made him want to throw the woman into the sea with a large rock tied to her. Was she really so naïve to believe such an old story? She was going to so much trouble just to free her drowned father's spirit – it was nearly as insane as some of the religious nuts he had encountered all his life! Still it cleared a few things up, her family had taken care of people for many years and she had her own ulterior motive – no matter how foolish it was. "You are always too kind to people, Shula!" he heard the younger say, "Try being selfish sometimes…make that guy marry you! He is handsome…maybe if he got rid of the facial hair it would be better."

"Drop it with the marriage talk! He is too old for me! …I like his facial hair." Too old? If he had had the strength to do so he would have given them both a piece of his mind and just what did Nina have against his facial hair? "And besides, a husband is not going to make my life any fuller…" He listened for a while as the two argued over the subject, somehow they got on to the subject of monthly cramps and which dresses gave the best shape, he thought it best to try ignore them at that point and try to fall into a deeper sleep – some things he just did not want to hear about.

00

Shulamit had fallen asleep on the floor beside Malik, her netting forgotten at the table, she had not slept at all because of worry that she had put him in a coma the night before and she had sat dutifully beside him when his temperature rose so high she thought the damp cloths she had placed on his body would burst into flames. During the brief moment in the early afternoon, when he was not struggling in his sleep she had let her eyes drift shut and before she knew it was laid on her side fast asleep. Malik had opened his eyes blearily to her face close to his and jolted at the unexpected surprise. She did not stir as he stared, her long eyelashes were resting heavily on the tops of her cheeks and her lips were slightly parted as she took slow even breaths; he had reached over and tucked the annoying charcoal coloured strands of hair behind her ear and was content to watch her take her much needed rest.

This became the pattern for the rest of the day, Malik fell asleep, she woke up and tried to cool his fever – Shulamit fell asleep, he woke up and watched her until he fell asleep and they began the cycle again. At one point he woke up and she was not there, she was no where at all in the house. He got up carefully, his vision blacking in and out as he got used to the idea of being on his feet again; his legs were dead and the wound on his thigh protested as his muscles tensed and moved with his effort to walk. He wondered if this was how it felt to be an old man, creaking bones, aching muscles and shuffling feet. He nearly passed the front door when he stopped and looked at the lock that was supposed to be broken – it was, but it was so simple to fix! All he needed was something small and thin…like the knife on the counter – that would do nicely. Malik picked it up and went to work with the lock and the stuck bolt, there was a piece of metal jammed inside the metal contraption, possibly she had tried to fix it and ended up making it worse, it wasn't easy with only one hand – especially as it was not a steady as he liked – still he managed to wriggle it out and get the stubborn thing to work.

A thump and a string of curses suddenly surprised the assassin and he moved from the door as it rattled against him, what a terrible mouth Shulamit had, he pulled the bolt back and unlocked it to let her in, "You…fixed my door?" She walked in and shut it, playing with the newly fixed mechanism, fascinated with turning it over and over, "This is wonderful – but you should be in bed!" Rolling his eyes, Malik took the basket she had in her hand and walked to the counter, it was full of the string she used to make the fishing nets and a few pieces of fruit, "Sorry I left for so long, I had to get more supplies and that means listening to old men talk about me like I am stupid and deaf," kicking off her sandals and pulling down her headdress, Shulamit played with the lock once more – it hadn't worked for nearly a year! "This will stop Nina from just waltzing in! I can not wait for her to walk into i – ouch!" Malik's head shot around at the undignified squeal he nearly keeled over at the movement but steadied himself; Shulamit leaned against the wall and held her foot while she examined her sole, "Splinter, at least I will stop stepping on these now that I will not be using the table as a block…ow…" picking at the sliver of wood proved a failure and she limped over to the table so she could sit.

After a long moment of watching her try to remove it, Malik knelt down and swatted her hands away, "Let me see…hmm, you appear to have a table leg in your foot." Shulamit laughed at his comment only to be interrupted at the sharp pain of the splinter being pulled out, "Done." His thumb gently rubbed over sore skin, "I notice you tip toe everywhere, this will hurt if you do not walk flat."

"I have been stepping on splinters for months, it will be fine and yes, I do tip toe…if I do not…I make a lot of noise, I am very heavy footed and not all that graceful." She grew a little uncomfortable with his warm hands massaging the injured part of her foot.

"You are very warm, Haadoni Malik, I would like you to rest." She pulled her foot away and tucked it behind her other, away from his grip, "I will make you something to eat and then you should sleep more."

"I feel fine," Malik stood up and looked down at her, "Stop calling me that."

"Then start calling me Shula!" His look of exasperation was cute, even if it meant he would not be doing as she asked, "And you are not fine," her index finger landed on Malik's forehead and it easily slid down to the tip of his nose, "You are practically sparkling with sweat." He had to take a step back so she could get up from the table and when she did, she forgot to unlink her feet and tripped – the Dai caught her against his chest, his broken ribs protesting unhappily, and wrapped his arm around her waist to steady the clumsy woman. "…Slikha."

"Ain Bahaya." Shulamit blushed slightly in humiliation and because they were so close that when Malik spoke she could feel his breath against her ear. There was that uncomfortable feeling again in the pit of her stomach, even though she was balanced and didn't need his assistance he kept his arm around her middle and he wasn't sure why he was having difficulty letting the woman go or why having her hand, palm down, splayed over his chest felt so strange – it had to be because he was ill, this was probably his body rebelling again and making him stupid. He would not be much of a man if he was able to ignore a pretty woman pressed up against him, he smirked at her blush, "You novice. How do you fall over your own feet?"

Shulamit pouted, it wasn't her fault, well it was but that was beside the point! She was surprised by how bad the Assassin's temperature was now that she was touching him, he was burning up, she could feel the heat at every point their bodies met, "Malik, y-you should really be resting." He nodded his head in agreement but neither of them made to move, "How are you not on fire?" The question was mumbled mostly to herself and her hand slid up over his bandages, up over his slick and near boiling skin, over his shoulder and stopped to rest behind his neck. He thought it was an odd thing for her to do, usually she just felt his head and told him to hurry up and get better, he should step back now, he should do as she asked and lay down. Her eyes rose to meet his and he couldn't help but watch with fascination as the dark specks in her eyes seemed to swallow the sweet chocolate brown – her eyes were very pretty and he felt compelled to look closer. Swallowing thickly, Shulamit's blush deepened as the man's face seemed to draw nearer, she could almost feel his lips on hers – a little closer and they would be – Thump!

They ripped away from each other at the sound of the rattling door, " – son of a…Shula! Let me in! Open the damn door…I have food!" Nina's whining was muffled through the wood but it had destroyed their moment of…of what? What was that just now? Malik retreated towards his sick bed and Shulamit composed herself before opening the door, "You got it fixed! Are you alright? You look flushed…oi! Why are you giving me the glare of death?" As usual she pushed her way in and dumped what was in her hands on the counter, checked to see what Malik was doing – which seemed to be settling down to rest – she never came at the right time to interrogate him! She noticed he had a tinge of pink on his cheeks and would have assumed it was because he was sick but looking back at Shulamit caused her mind to click into several scenarios. A slow grin slipped into place and brightness lit up her brown eyes, "Oh," she said. "Oh, this is so much fun!"

"No…really, it is not – just be quiet." Shulamit groaned and wished she could hide under the table; Nina was going to have a party with this! "Be quiet or die."

000

Ta Da!