Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted properties herein. All Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time properties belong to Disney, Jerry Bruckheimer, and all other involved parties.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time- Aftermath

Ch3. Jumping the Gun

The revelry lasted late into the night, dancing and performances amused the guests well past the departure of Sharaman to the palace's master guest chambers. Tus and Garsiv entertained themselves with blustering talk of war and manliness while large clay jugs of wine had found themselves in emptied time and time again. A drunken stupor had descended over the celebration. The men had given in to their baser instincts and begun partaking in drunken games to prove their manliness to one another. It was beginning to grate on Tamina's nerves. Her presence at this event had managed to keep Dastan in good behavior. The Prince had not had more than two or three goblets of wine throughout the night, much less than his brothers whose consumption of multiple jugs of wine would most likely result in a very hazy memory of the night's events.

Dastan looked on at his brothers and acquaintances with great amusement. Despite the attendance of his father and the gravity of the situation, the uproar and din of the remaining guests still emulated the camp the Persian army had set up the night before the invasion of Alamut. Tamina lifts her hands to her temples and applies pressure. The noise was getting to her. Emotionally the day had been very taxing. She had feared for the dagger this morning, and in the afternoon it landed right back in her lap. Then Dastan had put her through an emotional rollercoaster with their story, and then kissed her throwing her into a whirlwind of mind-bending thoughts.

Noticing her distress Dastan nudges Tamina with his shoulder causing her to look up at him. "Are you all right," he asks.

With a sigh Tamina answers, "I'm just exhausted. There is no need to be worried. I must pray tonight as well."

"It is well past midnight Tamina, you can pray tomorrow. Let's send our guests on their way," says Dastan before rising to his feet. "Everyone! May I please have your attention!"

The room's boisterous activity halts and all eyes turn to Dastan. "I appreciate your presence here tonight, but it is late and my father has already retired to his chambers. I am afraid that this noise will wake him. I would like to ask that you all leave now and retire for the night."

Slouched drunkenly on some pillows Garsiv howls with laughter. "Who died and made you father Dastan! Have some fun! You've barely had anything to drink! We can go all night if we like," announces Garsiv. Dastan scans the crowd for Tus to aid him in placating their belligerently drunk brother, but he is disappointed to find that Tus has passed out with another jug of wine tucked securely in his arms.

Sensing her fiancé's flagging confidence Tamina is swiftly on her feet. She was frustrated. An all night party was the last thing she needed. Tamina longed to for some quiet tranquility to sort out her thoughts. She needed to pray- the Gods would have an answer.

"I apologize for Prince Garsiv's rude outburst, but what Prince Dastan means to say is that you should all Go Home. NOW!" yells Tamina with her patented death glare. This seems to penetrate the drunken haze that enveloped her guests. This was her home and she would be damned if she allowed this disorderly conduct in a place of this stature. Tamina gestures quickly to the servants littered throughout the room and gestures for them to remove the guests. A few of the guards outside the hall enter at Dastan's behest and aid his brothers in retiring to their guest chambers in the palace.

"Thank you Tamina," says Dastan. He is clearly tired, dark circles are visibly present beneath his eyes. With concern she did not know she possessed she reaches up to lay a soft hand on Dastan's cheek.

"Perhaps I should be asking you if you are all right."

"Do not worry yourself with me. I haven't had a good night's sleep in nearly a month. The events of our adventure did not leave me with much time for sleep."

"Yes, I remember. Sleep was not at the top of our list of things to do. Come let us take a stroll to clear our heads and retire for the night."

Taking his hand, Tamina leads Dastan out of the celebration hall into a narrow torch-lit corridor out onto the palace's inner courtyard balcony. It was a full moon tonight. Pale light shines down into the courtyard illuminating the area in a serene manner. Strolling lazily, Dastan and Tamina quietly enjoy one another's company. Presently the come to the doors of King Sharaman's chambers. Two royal guardsmen stand at attention outside the intricately carved doors. Upon seeing Dastan the two guards visibly straighten. They salute the young prince with a slight bow. Dastan acknowledges them and continues to walk with Tamina when another figure enters the hallway coming towards them.

"Prince Dastan," greets Emad who had just turned the corner after having taken care of the transport details for Nizam. Dastan reaches out and shakes Emad's hand firmly. The older man had been responsible for Dastan's combat training in his youth. In a way Dastan looked up to Emad as a pseudo-uncle, a kind of secondary father figure. He had been an unruly child when Sharaman had first adopted him. Dastan had been afraid and unsure of his sudden change of environment. He had grown up a street rat, scrounging at society's scraps to survive. The sudden luxury had thrown him for a loop, causing him to act out. At the beginning Sharaman tried to make Dastan understand the changes that would be occurring, but it was not until Dastan was given over to Emad's tutelage that the rigid discipline that the man demanded showed Dastan that his life would no longer be the same.

"Emad, it is good to see you old friend. I did not see you at the celebrations, did my father not invite you to come?" greets Dastan with a smile. Emad had been the only one he had not lost in Nizam's treachery. However, he remembered the look on the man's face when his father had died. He never wanted to see that disappointment again.

"I had duties to attend to," replies Emad. "The King has much to do, unrest will surely follow news of Nizam's betrayal."

"Of course Emad, I understand," says Dastan. Pulling Tamina slightly in front of him Dastan introduces the Princess to Emad. "I do not believe you have met her highness, Princess Tamina of Alamut, my fiancé."

"Ah, you must be quite the woman to tame Dastan's wild ways. I admit that I was never truly able to cure him of that. It is wonderful to meet you your highness," says Emad bowing slightly. Tamina smiles at the charming older man. She could see some similarities between him and Dastan. It was obvious that this man had Dastan's respect. "Now, if you would please excuse me, I must attend to preparations for tomorrow's council. Good night."

Dastan nods before continuing down the hall with Tamina. Their trek ends as Tamina stops outside a set of large doors and gently pushes them open. A large airy room is dimly lit by candlelight. Incense burns slowly in the corner.

"This is to be your chamber, Dastan," says Tamina before turning to leave. "I must go pray." As she begins to walk Dastan's hand catches her arm, spinning her to look at him once again.

"Promise me that you will get some rest," whispers Dastan as he draws her close, breathing in her scent. She smelled of incense, jasmine, and spice. She was here. She was here with him, Dastan reassured himself.

Tamina shudders at the heat that seems to bloom through her at their close proximity. He was stirring emotions in her that she didn't know existed. She may have remembered their epic journey, but it did not change who she was. She was the Dagger's guardian and that, as she had been taught, always came first. It was not as if she had never been near men, in fact, courtship was no stranger as well. As a Princess of a relatively wealthy nation, and one of the region's most holy cities she had had many suitors come knocking at the gates of Alamut's palace. Rich men, noblemen, they were all self important and self-serving. They treated her as if she was an asset to be gained. She was a stepping stone to greater power and for those who had heard whispers of it, a point of access to the Dagger of Time. Her people treated her with awed reverence, but Dastan, he…he was different somehow. He was not the same as the repulsive, slimy, pompous windbags that sought her hand. There was something else there. Their relationship had been founded on a mutual dislike for one another, a relationship that had grown in the complete opposite direction. He treated her like she was flesh and blood- not alabaster and incense. He was absolutely infuriating at times to be sure, but to him, she was simply Tamina, a woman that he had shared an experience with, one that no one but they could remember. When he is near, she wants to do things she would have never dreamed of. He made her reckless, carefree. It was all so confusing. She had a duty to fulfill, and yet she is torn between her brash husband-to-be and the duties she had been raised to perform. She needed to pray, the Gods would have the answers. She needed time.

Tamina lets out a soft gasp as she feels Dastan's lips on her neck hovering over her pulse point. Her heartbeat hitches for a moment as she leans further into him. Her eyes close in the comfort of his proximity. Suddenly her eyes snap open and she pushes out of his embrace, breathing labored. He looks to her with concern in his dark eyes.

"I'm sorry, I- I need some time Dastan. It has been a long day. I will see you tomorrow," says Tamina brusquely shifting her armor back into place and stalking off towards the Dagger's tower.

Dastan stands confusedly in the hallway. They had seemed to get along so well before…what had happened? He runs a hand frustratedly through his stringy hair- he needed a bath. It was all right he would be here in the morning. He wasn't letting go, not this time. With a resigned sigh, Dastan turns and walks into his chambers to retire for the night.

Tamina watches cloaked in the shadows as Dastan shuts the door to his chamber and lets out a sigh. Whether it was a sigh of relief or sadness she could not tell. Part of her had wanted to dash right back into his and arms and apologize for the hurt look on his face. The more rational part of her had held her back. She needed to gather her thoughts. It was all happening too fast.

Dastan tossed and turned that night. In his dreams his father burned to death once again, Garsiv was impaled by the spiked Hassansin, Tus' throat was slashed by Nizam. Tamina. She fell into the black abyss and he was helpless to save her. It attacked Dastan's conscience as he slept. Watching her again fall, fear so potent in her eyes finally woke him. With a strangled cry he shoots upright in his bed. Sweat soaked and half-delirious he stumbles to the window. The sky was no longer an inky black. A tinge of blue had begun to bleed into the night sky. Day approached. The smell of incense invades his senses from the corner. It smelled like her. Not entirely, but she smelt of the same incense. Dastan felt a wave of calm wash over him and slowly he stumbles back to bed.

The moon faded into the sky as the sun crept over the horizon. The night had waned to make way for the coming day. Quickly the desert sun rises to its height awakening the people of Alamut. Markets come to life and the people go about their daily business.

Tamina had prayed briefly last night before retiring, but she was once again in front of the altar by daybreak. She prayed for the strength to balance her desires with her duties. Prayer for an answer to her qualms. They did not come easy, but she had some peace. She had always imagined her husband to be some indifferent man, much older than her. Instead she had found someone, someone so different from what she had ever dreamt of. Dastan was kind, strong, humble, and intense. He was not born into this life. As an orphan in the slums he had seen the cruelty of the world, and he had been shown its good by his father. Dastan was a Prince unlike any she had ever known. He knew the way of the world, and did not possess the air of entitlement that many others she had seen. She had been deep in prayer when she heard a faint cry in the night. Intuitively she knew it was Dastan. Something had transpired. Was he all right? Had something happened to him? Her mind was quick to draw the worst scenario conclusions, but she forced herself to focus on her prayers. Morning would come soon enough and she would see him then. She hoped.

It was nearly noon before the beams of sunlight awoke Dastan. With a groan he pushes himself off his bed landing in a tangled heap of limbs and sheets he rises groggily to his feet. Save for the sheets and his undergarments Dastan is shamefully unclothed. With no notice the doors to his chamber burst open and Tus and Garsiv tumble in with Emad at their heels. They laugh at the wide-eyed expression of surprise on Dastan's face, but groan when the noise aggravates their already pounding skulls. Emad stands sternly behind them.

"Dress yourself Prince Dastan. I may have had a hand in raising you, but that does not mean I wish to see you unclothed," chides Emad clearly displeased that he had to rouse yet another prince from sleep. The King Sharaman had prepared for council early this morning. It was now noon and he had only managed to round up two of the princes. Tus and Garsiv had proven difficult to awaken. It seemed that although both had made it back to their chambers, Tus was the only one to stay in his. Garsiv was found slouched behind a stable wall next to his beloved horse Aksh, grooming brush in hand. Gingerly Emad picks another piece of straw out of the hungover prince's head. Noticing that Dastan had made no move to ready himself, Emad once again says, "Dress yourself Prince Dastan. Your father has summoned a war council. You will be in attendance. Hurry up. The King and Princess Tamina await."

At the sound of Tamina's name Dastan is spurred into action. He very nearly dives behind the screen in the room to dress himself without further embarrassment. His brothers snicker at his actions. The thought of their disgruntled father could not get him to move, but at the thought of keeping Tamina waiting he sprung into action. Soon enough the four make their way to A long assembly room with a large round table around which Tamina and King Sharaman are seated. Advisors of both Persia and Alamut speak quickly to the dignitaries. Dastan, Garsiv, and Tus quickly take their seats and prepared scrolls of information are placed in front of each of them. Emad takes his place at the King's right. A place formerly occupied by Nizam. Dastan looks over to Tamina, hoping to catch her gaze, but her eyes remain focused on the scrolls in front of her.

"Ah, now that my sons have finally risen from their sleep we can begin in earnest," says the King, little amusement present in his voice. "The Princess has been kind enough to explain the situation to me, and with the advice of counsel I believe he have a host of things to do."

The advisors quickly take over the meeting describing their plan to quell any possible rebellions from either Nizam or his followers. Nizam's execution was to be scheduled for two weeks from today. It would be private. Sharaman owed his brother that much, he would not suffer the indignity of dying in public. The remaining Hassansins must be hunted down lest they seek revenge for Nizam. Imperial military presence would increase around Alamut and the empire. This period of political instability could not bee allowed to disrupt the chain of command. The advisors are dismissed and only five remain seated.

"The Princess has also told me that a traitor is amongst her advisors. I have dispatched Emad to discover this man. I am told he is a man with henna on his palms; he will be discovered and taken care of shortly."

"Father, if I may, the Hassansins will expect a full-on assault of the Persian Army. It would be better if a smaller force moves to take them. They would not expect it and the element of surprise will be needed for such an undertaking," says Dastan. Tamina finally looks to Dastan with affirmation in her eyes.

"Hmmm, I will take this into consideration son. Now, let us move to the wedding preparations," says Sharaman as he gestures for the wedding planners to enter the hall. Several women and men enter carrying swaths of rich cloth and scrolls of designs for the wedding. It was quite overwhelming for Dastan to look upon so much attention being paid to a ceremony.

Tus looks at Dastan and shakes his head in mirth. After four marriages this barrage of preparation work no longer fazed him. Garsiv who had been married twice no longer batted an eye at such lavishness, but Dastan who had never had any interest of being involved in his brothers' weddings had but one duty, to stand at their side when they said their vows. Tamina on the other hand had been prepared for this, like many other duties her entire life. She knew what she wanted and quickly voiced her opinions to the planners.

Soon enough and rough plan for the wedding had been drafted. It was to be held in Alamut on the steps of the palace so as to be visible to the people of the city. There was no doubt that dignitaries from all over the empire would be in attendance. The entire base floor of the palace was to be used for the reception. It would be a grand wedding. Sharaman would make sure of that. It was a first marriage, the most important one.

"Well that settles it. In a month's time you are to be married," says Sharaman. Turning to the planners he asks, "This can be done yes?"

"Of course my lord, we will begin the preparations now," replies the man in charge of this whole production as he bows and turns to leave the chambers. The hall is quiet save for the bickering of Tus and Garsiv. Dastan had deigned to involve himself in such immaturity. His eyes were on Tamina.

"Now, sons, I believe it is time for you to take your leave. The Princess and I have details of our alliance to iron out. Perhaps it would do you good to train with Emad. He should have succeeded in his mission by now," says Sharaman eyeing his sons with interest. As if on cue, Emad strides into the hall a bandage wrapped around his left shoulder. The king raises an eyebrow to the injury on his guard.

"I have located and sentenced the traitor within the Princess' court," says Emad reporting back to his King. Tamina looks at the interaction with sad eyes. The guardians had never been tainted before. The man's presence would be missed by all. He was of the inner circle aware of the Dagger's power. Others simply knew that it was a gift from the Gods. There was nothing else that could be done. The man was a threat to Dastan and his family, a threat to the Dagger.

"Very good Emad. Now, I need you fulfill one more task for me," says Sharaman. Emad nods in assent before the monarch continues, "Take my sons outside. I would hate to seem them lose their skills with a blade due to complacency. They are in need of a real teacher once again."

"Of course my Lord. Princes if you would please follow me." Emad turns to leave the room and the Princes stand to follow. Dastan gives Tamina a pointed look and she quickly turns to Sharaman.

"King, if I may have a moment with Dastan," requests Tamina.

"Of course. Emad, take Garsiv and Tus with you first. Dastan will follow," shouts the King from across the room. Dastan stays behind just within the chambers. Tamina rises and quickly crosses the room to him.

"About last night…" starts Tamina only to have Dastan's index finger on her lips silencing her.

"It is all right. I should not have pushed you so quickly Princess. Take all the time you need. I will be here waiting for you when you have decided what it is you want."

Tamina frowns at the way he calls her Princess. It is as if it were not a sign of respect, but rather of the distance he was trying to put between them. She was really beginning to detest that word. Well, she was going to have none of that. She did not want her relationship to progress too quickly with Dastan, but that did not mean that she wanted to regress. They merely had to come to an understanding about what her duties would mean to them as they progressed.

"You know, Prince, we are to be married. You may want to get used to using my name. It would be quite odd for us to continue using our titles."

Dastan wanted to groan in frustration. This woman was the most confusing he had ever met. She was warm and inviting one moment and cold and distant the next. "If that is what you wish Tamina," he says hoping to appease her. After her reaction last night he did not want to press his luck. Their eyes lock and similar thoughts run through both their minds. Tamina knew Dastan had not slept well last night they would have to talk about that. Dastan, on the other hand, knew she would not listen to him. She must not have gotten more than two hours of sleep.

"We will talk tonight Dastan. We have much to discuss," says Tamina softly losing the prickly exterior that Dastan was accustomed to. He nodded solemnly. "I will see you tonight then?" asks Tamina with a smile.

"Of course, Tamina. Till then," replies Dastan. Before he can turn to go, Tamina surprises herself and Dastan by standing on her tiptoes placing a chaste kiss on his cheek. He smiles back at her then and takes his leave.

Sharaman watches their interactions with great interest. It seemed that their marriage would be quite the epic to view.

Outside Tus and Garsiv are already garbed for battle. Their blades are drawn a shamshir and a scimitar respectively. Emad favors a longer scimitar like Tus. The two princes glance at one another and proceed to unleash a flurry of blows on their father's retainer. Gracefully Emad ducks and spins beneath their blades. Quickly they are put on the defensive despite Emad's greater age and number disadvantage. Within moments Emad taps both Prince's on the back of their skulls.

"Again!" barks Emad and the dance begins once more. They sweep and slash with great fervor gracefully parrying the blows of their opponents. Dastan presently descends into the dirt packed area of the stables where Emad has begun training. Again he is garbed in his unorthodox armor with his two curved blades strapped to his back. Emad sights him and signals for the brothers to stop. They are out of breath and panting in the harsh sun. Emad has barely broken a sweat despite the wound on his shoulder.

"Now that your brother is here, you will train against yourselves. I will correct your form and you will take turns fighting two-on-one. Understood?" orders Emad. The three nod and Dastan is the first to face off against his other brothers. He looks around the enclosed area. The environment would be to his advantage. He had always been uncannily good at climbing things. With a shout they begin their fight Dastan pushes his brothers back quickly, but the tide turns without warning. Tus and Garsiv, determined nor to be outdone by their little brother use their numbers to their advantage and push Dastan back into a corner. They were drawing nearer and nearer to pinning their brother down. Even with two blades he would not be able to hold out against the two of them. With a smirk Dastan suddenly turns his back to them and performs a bicycle kick off the wall landing on his feet behind his stunned brothers. With ease he taps his brothers in the back with his blades and their shoulders slump in defeat. With an easy laugh Dastan, mocks his brothers for falling prey to his tricks.

High above Tamina watches from the window of her chambers. Dastan was a fine warrior and would make a good leader. She knew it. She was only afraid that he had so quickly broken through her cold shield and acerbic wit to find the woman inside. He was clouding her desire to fulfill her duties, but for once she found that she did not care.

The afternoon continued in much the same manner. The boys remained training outside without respite against their tireless tutor and themselves. As the sun began to dip below the walls of the palace, the Princes and Emad sat on the bales of hay set out before the stables taking a respite from their training. Glasses of water filled their hands as they drank greedily.

"I see your legend never fades Emad," groans Tus as he downs another cup of water. The training had drained him of his strength. Emad had earned his name as a fearsome swordsman in the King's army before he was called to join the royal guard. Many had called him the Persian Hawk as he struck often from above.

"Ah, but I cannot remain young forever. Your father's emissary to the Far East- the boy, Ashlan, has returned, his own legend following in his wake. He returned to Nasaf only a week ago. He has trained and learned for many years in the Orient. He uses blades of great strength in a style the like of which we have never seen in Persia. He has bested me in a duel. Your father was impressed. He has been dispatched to Babylon to oversee the treasures housed there. They call him a tiger, and it may very well be true."

"Ashlan!" exclaims Garsiv, "That boy who was half, something or other? The one whose mother had the strange golden hair?"

"The very one Prince Garsiv. He is a great warrior now, perhaps you shall see him soon."

Their attention is drawn to a servant by the entrance to the stables. She walks towards them stopping a few feet away.

"My Lords, dinner will be served shortly. King Sharaman and Princess Tamina request your presence. Baths have been drawn for you in your respective chambers. Please follow me," she says before leading the dirtied men inside the palace.

After being scrubbed and plucked and cleaned to furthest extent possible, the Princes are released from their baths to be dressed in clean clothing, a luxury they had not had in many days. They walk to a smaller dining room decorated with luscious tapestries. The King is already seated when they enter. He sits at the head of the table an open balcony to his back. The sky is visible, turning orange and purple with the setting of the sun. Tus and Garsiv take seats on one side of the table leaving Dastan to sit by himself on the other. Moments later Tamina enters the room, the very vision of beauty in a crème colored dress with silver thread embroidery. A servant pulls out a chair for her and she gracefully sits next to Dastan. As soon as she is seated servants enter with platters of food, which they tuck into without hesitation. Conversation flows easily between them. Course after course is served, and by the end the diners' appetites are quite sated. The King motions for more wine to be poured. Despite this being Tamina's palace, the King held some power here as well. She was to join his family, and he was the head. As tradition and duty had decreed she would defer to him.

"Now that we are all satisfied," begins Sharaman looking at the people before him, "I must return to Nasaf tomorrow, but I have come to a decision on how to deal with the Hassansin threat. This must be dealt with before your wedding Dastan. The entire royal family will be in attendance, which presents great risk for us. You, Dastan, will ride with Bis and the rest of your men to seek out the Hassansins and defeat them. You leave tomorrow."

"Father, I- I do not wish to seem rude, but would I not be needed here to aid in the wedding preparations?" asks Dastan. He is loath to leave Tamina even for a short time. It was difficult enough for him to be apart from her in the same building, but now he would be a desert away from her. What would he do if something were to happen?

"You will do this my son. Garsiv will stay here in Alamut and aid the Princess with whatever she needs. Tus will return to Nasaf with me. It has been decided."

"But father!" grinds out Dastan before Tamina places a stern hand on his bicep forcing him to drop back into his seat, deflated.

"Dastan will go. I trust he will be back in time for our wedding. The Gods will bless his mission. I will see to it that they do," says Tamina serenely and with confidence. The King, Garsiv, and Tus soon leave the dining room after Tamina's declaration of confidence in Dastan. Agitated, Dastan retreats to the balcony outside to catch the last vestiges of the sun disappearing over the horizon. Stepping tentatively onto the balcony Tamina leans against the balcony next to Dastan.

"Are you so eager to be rid of me, Tamina?" asks Dastan staring off in the distance.

"No, I'm not. I simply know that you are the best man for the job. When you marry me, it will also fall to you to protect that dagger. You know of its power, you know what is at stake here. I can trust you to do what is necessary."

"Again with that accursed Dagger! Is that all that matters to you?"

"No, but it is important that you remember that it comes before all else."

"It does not. I made that mistake before. If it ever comes down to protecting you or that damned Dagger, it will always be you," says Dastan, Tamina opens her mouth to protest, but for the second time that day he stops her with a finger. "I already lost you once trying to protect that thing. I won't let it happen again."

"But what if it does come down to that? You must choose the Dagger. It is paramount that-"

Dastan pulls Tamina into a tight embrace not unlike the one last night. In the amber glow of the fading sunlight, Dastan swears that he has never seen a more beautiful creature. Surprised by his sudden action and again by the nearness they seemed to share, the words cease to flow from Tamina's mouth.

"We will find a way," says Dastan intending to continue, but it is her turn to cut him off.

"You must promise me not to be an emotional fool. If it comes down to it you must protect the Dagger. Promise me Dastan," she says looking up into his eyes. She knows that her eyes show no hesitation. Her life in exchange for the Dagger's safety it has always been that way, and it would continue to be so, if she had her way. However, looking into the Prince's eyes, Tamina could see that he was a serious as she was. This was no game to him. He did not disagree with her to mock her, he meant it when he said he would choose her life over the Dagger. With that a revelation dawns on her. They had succeeded in forming a relationship because their goals had coincided. In that time she hoped would never come to pass again, they both knew they had to protect the Dagger. Tamina because it was her duty and Dastan because the Dagger held the key to clearing his name. How had the line become so blurred?

Dastan rests his forehead on Tamina's much in the way he had back in the courtyard. "You know I can't do that Tamina. I care too much for you to let that knife take your life."

If Tamina were to be honest with herself, she was a bit flattered by his declaration. She knew he had not said that he loved her in voice, but the look in his eyes told otherwise. The way she felt when he held her. The way their bodies fit together. His hands fit perfectly on her hips as he held her close. They were the perfect size to intertwine with hers. This was destiny. The Dagger was her duty, but somewhere inside, even if she did not want to admit it, Dastan was her destiny. He could not be without her, and she, grudgingly, could not be without him.

"I know," she whispers. "I know how much you care for me. I won't ask you to choose then, but I need to know you'll do everything in your power to protect the Dagger. That includes riding to finish off the Hassansins."

"Thank you," Dastan breathes. He is relieved that she has given up on convincing him to choose that stupid dagger over her. "I will go then, if it will put you at ease."

"Be careful Dastan. You owe me a wedding," smirks Tamina. Dastan's response is to pull her closer if that were possible. For the first time Tamina notices that her arms are loosely wrapped around Dastan's neck.

"I wouldn't dream of missing it, but let's put that tongue to better use, yes?" whispers Dastan.

"Yes, let's," responds Tamina before closing her eyes. She can feel Dastan's breath warm on her lips. When they touch it is just as electric as before. She can feel the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Their lips move in tandem. Insistently Dastan's tongue makes its way into her mouth. They duel for supremacy. Tamina had never felt such passion before. The affection Dastan holds for her is palpable, she can feel it. At this moment the dagger is the last thing on her mind, and she has no problem with it, in fact she basks in his attentions. When they finally separate for air, she is out of breath. By the uneven rise and fall of Dastan's chest, he is as well.

"Gods, you're good at that," breathes Dastan. If Tamina is surprised she does not show it. Instead she allows a smug look to settle over her face. She is inexperienced in the realm of intimacy, but if the look on Dastan's face was anything to go by then she must be doing something right.

"Good, then you'll know what you're missing if you don't come home. Now go get those Hassansins," says Tamina before wiggling out of Dastan's arms to lead him back inside.

Dastan grins at the development in their relationship. She had told him to come home. She cared, even if she had an odd way of showing it. He knew he had responsibilities, but hew he would be damned if he didn't fight tooth and nail to return to Tamina.

Life was good. At least it would be for the next few hours. In the morning he would leave to secure his future, he could only hope that it would all go as smoothly as planned.

A/N: Okay! Another chapter done, and it's long. In fact, I think it might be nearly twice the length of the first two. So there's more relationship development here. I know you all wanted that. The action is to come because, come on, when does anything ever go as planned? So, chocoholic12 mentioned the cheesiness of the proposal. Dastan's character doesn't seem to include the qualifications of scholar. He came up with it on the spot under pressure, so I think the line reflected that. Liz wanted more 'feisty' Tamina, but I think I toned it down a bit this chapter. It'll lose its effect if it's used too often, but there's a dose of it at the beginning! Not much Hassansin action this chapter, but they're coming back very soon. The plotline's been put together for the next few chapters so review! And review quickly, and you'll get that chapter sooner! Also, I know there's a lot of you out there that have put this story on alert and/or favorited it and haven't reviewed. If you enjoyed it enough to do that then please review! It will benefit you, I promise. If you give me a substantial suggestion then I can work on making the story more of what you want to read. So with that said, I'm out!

Best,

GATX-105b