Thanks for all the reviews, guys. Here's another chapter! :)

Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns the characters. Isn't is nice of her to let me steal them for a bit? o.O

Alanna arrived at the Swoop in the late morning hours. She was eager to find George, and to finally share her secret. It had been a long trip from Corus, and she had been left to her own cautious thoughts for most of it.

Before she could go off in search of her husband, Alanna had to shake off her riding company, which was proving to be quite a task. In her hurried escape from the palace, Myles, awake far earlier than was customary, had discovered her and practically forced her to accept the chaperoning company in exchange for him not waking the queen. Now Alanna was more eager than ever to leave them behind and find George. None of the riders seemed to share the Champion's urgency, though, as they slowly migrated in the direction of the stables, chatting lazily and driving Alanna crazy.

Finally, she managed to hand off her horse and turn to head for her home, but a tall shadow blocked her way. Had Alanna been any other lady, she would have shrieked and jumped at the unexpected guest. As it was, she simply blinked and stared up at the shadowed face, smiling.

"Hello, George," she said, remaining where she was. George cocked an eyebrow.

"Is that all the greeting I get?" he demanded, opening his arms wide. Grinning, Alanna stepped into his hold, and a muffled catcall whistled out from the stable as George kissed her warmly. George chortled at their small audience, then returned his gaze to Alanna. "How goes Corus? Do they miss us terribly?"

Alanna laughed. "They're managing. Come inside with me. We can talk there."

George nodded and led her out of the stables. Some of Alanna's riding company waved their greetings as they passed. Others called out to them, and George always had a cheery response at the ready. Alanna was, for the most part, silent. She had already planned how to tell George that she was expecting, but that didn't stop her nerves from fluttering somewhere in her throat. She knew George could tell something was wrong, but he wouldn't say anything until they were alone together. Instead, he showed his concern by walking briskly by the crowded courtyard, not stopping to chat with the riders, his hazel eyes glancing in Alanna's direction every so often. Turning a corner, George pushed open the door to his personal study. The familiar scent of wood and paper filled Alanna's senses as she walked inside, and she sank happily into one of the nearby chairs.

George sat down across from her, eyes sparkling as he watched her. "I would have met you at the gate, but you're here earlier than I expected. Is something amiss at the palace? Has Jon gotten into any more trouble without us there to keep an eye on him?"

"No more than usual. Thayet's been keeping him in line," Alanna replied. "I left the day after the meeting ended. Thayet wasn't pleased."

"I don't imagine she was," George chuckled, and his wife grinned sheepishly. "Why the hasty exit?"

"I wanted to come home," Alanna said, careful to keep her voice aloof and her face mask-like. George was skilled at detecting lies. "But I did manage to escape to the city before I left."

"And what brought you there?" George asked, mimicking her tone.

Alanna smiled innocently up at him. "Do I need a reason to visit my mother-in-law, laddybuck?"

George's sharp eyes narrowed. His hazel gaze traveled downward, checking for any sign of healed or healing injuries that would require his mother's Gift, Alanna knew. She waited patiently for his inspection to end. Finally, his eyes stopped to stare at Alanna's midsection. His jaw dropped and his stunned gaze flicked back to Alanna's face. They young knight smiled and went to stand before her man, her well-practiced speech quite forgotten in the moment.

"Your ma said he's perfectly healthy," she told him, smoothing a hand over her belly. "No problems that she could see."

George blinked bemusedly at her. "It's true then? We're—you're—"

"Expecting," Alanna finished for him, gripping his hands now. She looked at him anxiously, noting his pale face and trembling hands. "George, are you alright?' His only answer was to look at her, lips parting and closing soundlessly. Alanna was uneasy; she had never seen him like this. "George? If…if you don't want…I mean—"

The rest of her sentence was cut off as George drew her to him, covering her lips with his. Alanna slipped her arms around George's neck before he gently drew away. His face was split in an ecstatic grin as he ran his hand softly over Alanna's stomach.

"So I take it you do want to go through with this?" Alanna remarked, grinning. "You're not going to leave me, or anything?"

George threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Lass, I wouldn't waste the energy. You'd be after me, sword in hand, before I could so much as leave the Swoop."

"Too right I would," she insisted dryly. A thought crossed her mind, and she smirked evilly. "Of course, you might regret your choice later, sweet. I've heard tales of what happens to pretty young maids when they're tired and pregnant. You might wish you had left me then. Remember Thayet when she was pregnant with Roald, and Kally?"

The baron of Pirate's Swoop smiled, nodding his head. "That I do remember. Thank the gods she's no mage." Alanna laughed along with him. "Have you told anyone else, asides from me and my ma?"

"Not yet," Alanna answered. "I was planning on telling Jon, and Thayet, and Myles, the next time I'm in Corus. Actually," she peeked up at George, "I meant to ask you about that. Would you mind coming with me for this trip? I might need the support when Thayet finds I've been hiding this from her."

George chortled lightly. "Of course, lass. We'll set out whenever you like."

"We should leave soon," Alanna thought aloud. "Before I start showing. Thayet—or Myles—might die of shock if I show up in the palace with a pregnant belly."

"As you wish," George responded, tweaking Alanna's nose. "I'll start preparing in the mornin'. Someone'll have to watch the Swoop while I'm gone." He gawked down at Alanna's stomach again. The Lioness chuckled. "Hard to believe there's somthin' growin' in there." His hazel eyes found and held her violet ones. "It's all real now. Not just talk anymore. Are you alright?"

Alanna nodded, smiling in a reassuring way. "I'm a little shocked, is all. It'll take some getting used to, but I'll manage." Goddess willing, she added silently.

Together, George and his baroness sat and planned. Alanna was only slightly surprised to find that George had many things already picked out, like the nursery. She had known for some time how much he wanted young ones about. As he talked, Alanna heard the pure joy in his voice, and felt a new surge of excitement course through her as both of their hands traced her belly through her tunic. She was unquestionably still frightened, but the reassurance that George was fully committed to her and their unborn babe helped relieve some of that fear.

Alanna shifted on George's lap. The arms that held her loosened slightly until she was comfortable again. George glanced down at his Lioness, and let his voice trail away. Alanna looked up at him curiously to see his troubled eyes.

"George?"

His lips twisted upward in a weak smile at the worry in her voice. "I'm fine, lass. I was just thinkin' again. About you."

Alanna waited, a little impatiently, for him to explain. When he didn't, she nudged his shoulder gently. George looked down at her again, apparently drawn out of deep thought.

"Your thoughts, my love?" she prompted, her voice falsely sweet. George smirked.

"Mithros only knows why, but I was worryin' about you," he said. When Alanna opened her mouth to protest his unease, George shook his head for silence, and got it. "I now you can take care of yourself, lass. It's the babe I was thinkin' of."

Alanna stiffened defensively. Her famously short temper was rising. "You don't think I can take care of the young one?"

"Gods, no, Alanna." George sounded surprised that she would even think that. "I have no doubt you will be a fine ma. It's the fightin' and bein' a knight that has me nervous. Can you keep carryin' on like that now?"

"Ah," Alanna mumbled, embarrassed about her gods-cursed hot temper. She relaxed again, settling into George's forgiving arms. "Eleni said the same. I know I can't be pregnant and King's Champion. I'd be mad to try. But I can't give up either." She sighed heavily. "Jon'll have to—to find a substitute Champion for the time being. Unless he decides to drop me all together."

George frowned down at his wife. "Why would he do that?" he asked. "Jon knows that you're the best Champion he could ask for. He'd be a fool to rid himself of you"

Alanna brushed the compliment away. "I don't think Jon's the one who'll be screaming for my dismissal when news gets out. The mule-headed nobles will be. I'm no good to them as Champion if I'm pregnant."

"And they'll close their complainin' mouths the moment they realize you can still wield a sword better 'n any of the, if they know what's good for them," George chuckled, his hazel eyes dancing. "don't you worry, lass. The nobles wouldn't think to cross you once they calm down. And Jon would never replace you for this."

"I suppose you're right," Alanna sighed, resting her head on George's chest. She was unusually tired, even for after a trip to Corus. "We'll have to pick out a name," she murmured. George kissed the top of her head.

"Another time, lass," he replied, "when you can think straight." Alanna didn't answer. When George looked down at her, her purple eyes were closed in sleep. Chuckling, he stood and backed out of the room, cradling her in his arms. She hardly stirred. When he reached their rooms, he placed her on the bed, gently covering her small body in blankets. A peaceful smile lingered about her mouth. George brushed his lips across her hair.

"Goodnight, my lioness."

Hope you guys like this one. :) Alright, so I got a lot of comments about Myles in the last chapter. I edited the chapter, though, and he's awake now, though, so I hope that made him more in character. Let me know if there's anything else (old chapters, this one, or even future ones!) thats OOC, or any other complaints/suggesions. Thanks!

Wrock on (I wonder who knows what "wrock" actually is...),
Brighteyes