Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Author's Note: Okay here it is! Sorry that it has taken so long! I hope this doesnt disapoint!
Never Let Me Go: Chapter 3
Isabela left the Hanged man and wandered through Low Town looking through the various booths and talking to a few people. She couldn't believe that she had just left Merrill like that, but she couldn't stand talking about monogamy. It always made her uncomfortable. Though she was sure that Amara was worried about it, she didn't have the best reputation after all. She shook the thoughts from her head as she arrived at her destination, it wouldn't do good to dwell on such matters at the moment.
The Viscount's keep wasn't very busy today. Mostly guards and noblemen stood around talking to one another about various matters that didn't in the least bit concern the pirate. She ignored the low whistles and cat calls that she received as she made her way down to the barracks; she hoped that her quarry would be there.
"No that isn't enough! We need more men and a longer patrol of the Wounded Coast if we are to catch these bandits. I will not have another shipment of supplies be stolen; I will not be made out to be some kind of fool." Aveline said slamming her fist on her desk.
The Templar stepped back; he had never seen the Guard Captain so angry before. But there was little he could do about it; Knight Commander Meredith wasn't so courteous when it came to the basic guards of the city.
"I am sorry Captain, but I can't go against my orders. I will put in a word and perhaps that may be enough to convince her to add a Templar or two to your nightly patrols of the Wounded Coast." The Templar said.
"Well if that is the best that you can do, I guess I will take it then. Thank you." Aveline said extending her hand.
He took it and left the office leaving Aveline alone with her thoughts. Isabela arrived at the Barracks just as the Templar was making his way out of Aveline's office, he nodded to her and she nodded back. Isabela knocked once and Aveline beckoned her unknown visitor inside.
"Hello Aveline." Isabela said walking into the room.
Aveline turned around to meet the amber eyes of the Pirate queen. Aveline was about to tell her that she didn't have time to listen to any sexual banter from her today, until she saw a look in those deep eyes that she hadn't ever expected to see.
"Is everything alright? Did something happen?" Aveline asked concerned.
"I…I need to ask you something." Isabela replied shuffling her feed uncomfortably.
Aveline surveyed her friend curiously, Isabela was acting strange. She was usually confident and flirtatious, but today, she was depressed and anguished.
"Okay, have a seat." Aveline said sitting down on the front of her desk.
Isabela sat in one of the chairs and looked at the guard captain.
"How did you know…that your husband was the one?" Isabela asked awkwardly.
Aveline was taken aback by the sudden inquiry.
"This would have anything to do with Amara would it?" Aveline asked crossing her arms over her armor clad chest.
"Well yes, it would." Isabela replied.
"Thing are getting serious?" Aveline asked.
She was truly curious about the nature of their relationship, but was never comfortable enough to ask about it. Isabela silence was enough conformation for Aveline.
"I just knew. He made me feel like I meant something and that just because I could hold a sword, that didn't mean that, I didn't have a soft side." Aveline said.
Isabela was fighting to suppress her tears; Aveline was the last person she wanted to see her cry.
"Is that how Amara makes you feel?" Aveline asked.
"She makes me feel like I am home." Isabela said her voice thick with emotion.
Aveline looked at Isabela with knowing eyes, and sighed softly. She knew exactly how the other woman was feeling. Her late husband had made her feel the same way.
"When Wesley and I met, it was intense. We shared the same passion, and we were attracted to one another. I had never been with any other men before…so I didn't know how I was supposed to feel, but with him, it just felt natural." Aveline said.
She had never talked in depth with anyone about her relationship with Wesley. It was still painful to deal with his loss, but she knew that there was no way to save him. But somehow she found talking to the Riviani comforting.
"That's how she makes me feel…It confuses me. I have…I was married once, but it didn't work out so well…I have never been good with long term relationships." Isabela said.
"It takes practice and a drive to make someone other than yourself happy. I know…that is difficult for you, since you have had to look out for number one for a very long time. Amara is someone who wants to share her life with you…she already knows your past, what you are capable of." Aveline explained.
Isabela said nothing she just sat there in silence with tears streaming down her face.
"You're afraid of being hurt the way that you were hurt…" Aveline said as the obvious crashed over her.
"I…I was cheated on…and used in the most horrific ways, but I still loved him. But then he ran off with someone else. Threw me aside like I was nothing…so I took all the dignity I had left and I took off. Been on my own ever since." Isabela explained.
She wasn't sure why she was telling Aveline all of this, they had never really seen eye to eye on much of anything, but she figured that honesty was the best policy, after all; Aveline had been honest with her.
"My best advice would be…don't be scared, I mean we take risks all the time. I know that taking a risk with your heart is a little more difficult, but if you go through life fearing the worst, then the worst will happen. Go to Amara…make love to her, and tell her that you want to stay…that you want to go home and stay." Aveline said coming to kneel at Isabela's knees.
"You know Ginger, if I didn't know any better I'd say that you were trying to seduce me." Isabela said smiling.
Aveline returned the smile; this was the Isabela that she knew. Trust her to turn something serious, into something filled with sexual innuendoes.
"Take that charm of yours and get out of my office." Aveline said getting to her feet.
Isabela followed and walked towards the door.
"Thank you." Isabela said.
"Don't mention it…And I mean don't mention it." Aveline said smiling.
Isabela turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. Isabela knew that Aveline was right; she needed to stop being afraid and start taking action. So with the fire lit under her, she walked in the direction of Amara's estate.