A/N: YES! Internet connection at home is now in sight! In 3 weeks I'll be able to make updates without going to a public place!
Aubrey: Kineta's the center of conflict for he next several chapters. Be warned.
Saberin: Well, at least the teams are coming out when Scout's grown and not an infant now...
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.
Kane sat in an armchair in his apartment. His mother and Caitlyn were there fluttering around straightening things up and 'getting him settled'. He could tell Caitlyn was ready to leave and go about her business but she felt obligated to stay with Pauline. He wished he could get rid of them but knew he couldn't on his own. Gabby had promised to come by when she finished work. Surely she'd be able to chase them away.
Master Jonathan had made him down three cups of tea spiked with different medicines before he was allowed to return to his apartment. Every muscle in his body felt sore and he wanted nothing more than to pass out in his own bed until Gabby came but he didn't dare do so until his mother left. He didn't want to give her any more reason to 'care' for him.
Without so much as a knock, his front door opened. Talia came in with Russ cradled in her arm. She looked from Pauline and Caitlyn to Kane. "I heard you were released," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Kane lied. Talia narrowed her eyes and turned to Pauline and Caitlyn.
"You two must have a lot to do. I can keep watch over Kane for a while."
"He's my son," Pauline said evenly. "I can take time to care for him."
"Mother, I'm twenty-seven," Kane retaliated. "I'm fine."
Kane knew his mother hadn't meant to cause any harm declaring that she was, in fact, his mother, but sensed Talia still felt the sting.
"Master Jonathan said you need to sleep and you aren't sleeping," Pauline said.
Kane rubbed his forehead. His head already pounded. Having Pauline on his case wasn't helping. "I'm going to bed now," he promised her. To make it more real he stood up. "I don't need to be hovered over, alright?"
Pauline pursed her lips. "Fine. I'll be back, though."
She spun on her heel and left the apartment. Kane sighed heavily. "Thanks for trying," he told Talia quietly. Talia nodded.
"She doesn't like me much, does she?"
"I think she's just worried. I'm their only son, you know."
Talia nodded again. "I know. Is there something I can do for you?"
Kane quickly scanned his apartment. Really all he needed was to go to bed until Gabby woke him, but he knew Talia still felt she missed out on being his mother. That had become especially clear since their time in Nihon-Ja. Talia felt like she owed him something and he knew how much he hated owing others. Perhaps she was who he got it from.
Unfortunately, he loved a meticulous physician's assistant who had a key to his apartment. Every simple chore he thought of to tell Talia had already been taken care of by Gabby. The only thing he really saw that bothered him was a chair Pauline and Caitlyn had 'straightened'. He wanted it back the way it was, but he knew women well enough to know asking Talia to move it back wouldn't be in his best interests. If Gabby found it when she came back she'd fix it. If not, he'd do it himself after resting.
"I know Gabby will bring some food when she comes but I don't really have anything stocked," Kane finally said. "I have money. Would you mind doing some shopping?"
Usually shopping was something he enjoyed doing with Gabby, but the venture would both give Talia something meaningful to do and get her out of his apartment. The longer he stood the weaker he felt. All he wanted was to collapse into his bed in peace.
"I can do that," Talia agreed as she shifted Russ in her arms. Kane studied his little half-brother. Russ had proven himself to be an agreeable baby, but now his face scrunched up to mean only one thing. He'd start wailing if he didn't get his own nap soon.
"I can keep Russ," Kane offered as he went to retrieve coins from a box on his mantle. "We'll both sleep."
He handed Talia the coins and then took Russ from her arms. Talia surrendered him easily before pocketing his coins. "I'll be back soon," she promised.
Kane took Russ to his bed and settled down with Russ on his chest. "We finally got rid of them, little brother," he whispered to the baby. Russ yawned and grabbed a fistful of his shirt. Kane stroked Russ's back as he stared at the ceiling waiting for his own sleep to come. Every time he held Russ the only thing he could think about was having his own child with Gabby. Their children would be closer to Russ's age than he would be. Talia had been young when she had him and old when she had Russ. He was old enough to be Russ's father himself. Kane sighed and turned to watch Russ's mess of blonde curls rise up and down with every breath. It was only a matter of time before Talia took him to Hibernia with her, where Kineta promised to help her find a better life. He wondered how often he'd get to see them after that happened.
Daniel quietly came up onto Warden. "Hello," he said loudly. The younger guard flinched and had a knife pulled out instantly. Daniel smiled slyly with victory.
"I could have killed you," Warden said sharply as he put the weapon away.
"No you couldn't have," Daniel snorted.
"You're too old for Scout. Why are you going after her?"
Daniel's smile vanished. "I'm older than her but not too old for her. She's more mature than you, anyway. Compared to her you act like a child."
"Do not."
Scout grimaced at the conversation above her. She sat on the steps that led above deck where her two 'escorts' carried on their petty argument. Hopefully they docked soon. She couldn't take any more of this. Her feelings for each of them were hard enough to deal with. Now that she knew her Ranger friend and guard were fighting over her affection things felt a lot more complicated.
Carissa followed Rosalina at a respectful three steps distance until they came to the princess's quarters. Once there, behind the closed door, she came to Rosalina's side. "Are you alright Rose?"
Rosalina, who had maintained composure throughout the entire well-wishing and goodbyes to Lord Duncan, burst into tears. Rosalina was always composed. To keep composure she adopted an airy sense, as though she were vain and no better than the gossiping servants who whispered during work. William had strength and leadership, Ace had brains. Rosalina was naturally gorgeous so it was easy to see where she fit in and the pressure to remain composed in all situations forced her to act ignorant. But she didn't have to pretend in front of Carissa. Their friendship went too deep. Rosalina needed someone who she could be real around that would keep secrets; Carissa wanted to travel and be something other than a Ranger's daughter. They complimented one another flawlessly.
"Half those people didn't even know him. They just wanted to get my parents or William to grant them their whims."
Carissa nodded. "I know."
Rosalina had a limited position in the court. She wasn't the crown heir. Her mother made it so that women had more opportunities than they once had but still Rosalina felt muffled. She didn't have the quick wit needed to make it in courts. She didn't have the weapons talent to be of any use in the Charmed Battalion. No, all she had was naturally beautiful skin, big eyes, flaxen hair, and disciplined poise. She was a figure head, nothing more. Carissa desperately hoped her friend broke this mentality one day but for now it held.
Scout sat at a dining table in the ship's main restaurant with Daniel and Warden. Ever since she overheard them squabbling she found it hard to talk to them. She could get away with being quiet only because each took every opportunity available to one up the other.
"Perhaps we can get everyone together for dinner while you're in Araluen," Daniel suggested.
Scout bit her tongue. She'd thought about getting everyone together herself but Daniel was cutting somewhere Warden couldn't. It was low…sneaky…everything a Ranger was.
"Do you think Princess Elizabet is talking yet?" Warden asked.
Scout bit her tongue harder. Now Warden was doing the same thing.
"Maybe…"
"Let's just be quiet awhile," Scout tried. The boys fell silent.
Later Scout walked along the narrow hallway alone…running straight into Daniel. She felt her face grow red with frustration.
"Scout," he said smoothly. "I didn't…"
"Yes you did! You're a Ranger!"
Scout cut herself off. She couldn't believe her outburst. Daniel's steady eyes held her gaze. "Something upsets you."
Scout swallowed hard.
"You can tell me, Scout. We grew up together."
Scout shook her head.
"Are you hurt?"
"No," Scout managed to choke. "I'm not hurt."
His warm hands gripped her elbows. Scout tried not to tremble as he got closer. "Scout, you can trust me."
"I know."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Scout…"
"Scout?"
Scout and Daniel both turned their attention to Warden. He'd just arrived from above deck. Scout felt herself grow redder.
"What's going on?" Warden demanded. "Scout? Did he hurt you?"
"No, he didn't."
"I'd never hurt her," Daniel added with ice in his voice. "You should know that."
"I'm her guard. I have to protect her."
"And I grew up with her. You're just staff."
"I'm not staff. I'm a guard. Look into it, Ranger. I wouldn't expect you to know anything about rank."
"And I wouldn't expect you to know…well, anything really. Anything at all."
"Well…"
"Stop it!" Scout exclaimed. "Just stop it! I know you both have feelings for me. I have feelings for each of you and this isn't helping one bit!"
They stared at her silently. Scout realized what had just come out of her mouth. Tears threatened to spill out. "Scout…" Daniel began but she threw her hands up and stormed back to her room. She flung herself onto the bed and buried her face in a pillow wishing Kelly or maybe Kineta were there. Into the muffling softness she screamed longer than she ever had before in her life.
Gabby stood patiently outside the door with Elizabet clinging to her skirt. A midwife, the one Gabby once studied under in fact, was examining the Hibernian queen. Gabby stroked the child's hair hoping to give comfort.
"Your mama's going to be fine," she promised Elizabet. "She's got the best care in Araluen."
She felt the silent girl's head shake left to right in disbelief. Gabby squeezed her shoulders as the door opened behind them. Elizabet ran away hastily to join her mother. Gabby took a couple of steps in the general direction before she felt the midwife's hand take her bare arm and guide her into the room. Gabby smiled as she listened to Kineta speak gently to her adopted daughter. She could only imagine how much was being exchanged at the moment between them.
"If you want the child to be born in Hibernia you will have to travel soon," the midwife said. "We can arrange an attendant for you but we've done all we can. It's up to the baby now."
Kineta kissed Elizabet's cheek. "We'll find out when the next ship leaves for Hibernia."
"You'll need to be very careful," the midwife warned her. Gabby felt the woman release her arm and walk out the door. Gabby gripped her cane wondering if she should follow.
"Gabby," Kineta said slowly. "Thank you for all you've done."
"Any decent person would have done the same," Gabby shrugged.
"Would you come with us to Hibernia? I'm told a novice midwife could provide what we need. It's all very basic care. You're able to give basic care, yes?"
"Yes but…I can't go to Hibernia."
She could hear Kineta shift in bed. "Why not?"
Gabby bowed her head. Why not? Well…she'd just been reunited with Kane and he was in recovery. He needed her to look after him. And William gave it away that Kane planned to propose to her…she needed to be there when he worked up the courage so she could say yes. And her family would be a nervous wreck if she traveled overseas. She'd only left the fief a handful of times, never the country. She was blind and didn't know Hibernia's layout at all. She'd always need someone to lead her, making her a burden. Gabby swallowed hard.
"You've got time to think about it," Kineta said after a long pause.
"I need to get going," Gabby said evasively. She tapped her cane back and forth as she walked the familiar route to Kane's apartment. She let herself in and leaned her cane in a corner by the door. After listening carefully and stepping lightly she found Kane sleeping in his room. She sat on the edge of his bed and found his hair. She ran her fingers through it gently until he stirred. "Have a good rest?" she asked.
"Gabby…"
"Don't sit up." Gabby pressed against his shoulders so he wouldn't put forth any more effort. "How are you feeling?"
She felt his hands rest over hers. "I'm glad to see you."
She bent down and kissed him. "Is there food in your kitchen?"
"Talia just dropped off some stuff. I'm not sure what."
Gabby went to the main room and found a loaf a bread and block of cheese without trouble. She brought it back to his bedroom and sat with him on the bed. His hands took the food away from her and she could hear him retrieve a knife from the drawer in his bedside table. "You chose to stay behind in Nihon-Ja," Gabby said calmly.
"They couldn't stay alone. It made the most sense for me to stay back. Besides, I wanted to make sure Russ was alright."
"Are you counting him your brother?"
"Yes."
Gabby grinned. "I'm glad. You'll be a great big brother."
"Even though I'll be married before he talks."
Gabby felt her heart race. "You're sure about that?"
Kane pulled her closer. "Would you marry me, Gabby? I haven't talked to your father but I haven't been able to make it to him…I can't wait any longer to ask. Last time you turned me down…please, Gab, marry me. I couldn't stand being in Nihon-Ja knowing you didn't have a ring."
"William read me your note." Gabby let him pull her closer to him. She kicked off her boots and lay on the bed next to him. She could feel his breath on her face.
"And?"
Gabby smiled widely as tears swelled up. "Yes…yes I'll marry you."
She felt his lips on hers in seconds. She pressed her hands against his chest as he kissed her. "You're beautiful," he gasped before kissing her again.
"We've got to tell our parents," Gabby said once he relaxed back on his pillow. He embraced her tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, curled up comfortably against his side. It was almost as though she could feel his energy draining. He wouldn't be awake much longer.
"Can we start with mine?"
Gabby laughed. "Probably should. We may need a Courier's touch to convince mine that my getting married is a good thing."
Kane tightened his grip on her. "If they don't approve I still want to marry you."
Gabby snuggled closer. "I don't care if they don't approve. I want to marry you too."
Scout sat on a bench on the upper deck with her knees pulled up to her chest. She'd dressed in the simplest clothing she had in her possession and woven her hair into a plain braid. The only thing that showed her rank was the insignia ring she wore on her right hand. Out of habit she kept a dagger in her belt. Thanks to Kineta's intervention when Lady Gwen was packing it was one that was as functional as ceremonial. They were in the harbor and almost to the docks. Part of her felt excitement. Seeing those she'd grown up with was always cause to be happy…but the recent tension between her, Daniel, and Warden hadn't eased. At meals they all sat quietly. She could count the number of times she'd spoken to each of them since the accidental slip on one hand and wanted desperately to be free of it. Hopefully once they reached Araluen Daniel would be called away to Ranger duties and Warden could be evaded.
Scout couldn't believe she'd fallen into this pit of awkward again. She was a crown princess but she didn't feel like one. Crown princesses didn't make such mundane mistakes. She took a deep breath as they got closer and closer. Porters were already shuffling around. They'd see to her things, she knew, but still she wanted to go to her cabin and fetch her personal pack. Her parents taught her to be responsible for herself and her personal pack held the few things she actually cared about along with provisions and an extra traveling dress, just in case she had to make a run for it. Once it was slung over her shoulder she went back up to where Warden and Daniel waited for her. She half-hoped the tension would have eased now that they were at land.
It didn't.
Kane took Gabby's hand and squeezed it. "You ready?" he asked.
It was three days after Lord Duncan's funeral and they couldn't wait any longer. Those that had gone to the Ranger's Gathering had returned. Kane's father had been a close personal friend of the former Araluen king but Halt wasn't one to mope around. Now that Lord Duncan had been buried the retired Ranger was back in his routine of harassing the younger generation and drinking coffee with Crowley. Kane and Gabby planned to tell his parents over lunch about their engagement and then follow with Gabby's parents that night at dinner. It was going to be an interesting day, to say the least.
"Hello Mother," Kane said as he came into his parents' apartment. Pauline turned away from the fire where she'd set to keeping a large pot of stew warm. Its scent made Kane's mouth water.
"Kane," Pauline nodded to him. "Gabby…we weren't expecting you. Did Jonathan let you off early today?"
Gabby had been granted an extended lunch break upon their telling Master Jonathan about the engagement. Kane hadn't been overly pleased with Gabby's mentor being the first to know about it but it got her the time they needed to break the news to his parents. "Yes," Gabby replied. "I was called in early this morning so I got an extended break for lunch."
It wasn't a total lie. Gabby really had been called in early that morning. A patient's fever spiked and the young soldier became delirious. Those who had been on-hand did everything they could but it was Gabby who was best at calming people.
"Hope you aren't too tired. You're welcome to the spare bed if you want a nap."
"I'm fine," Gabby shrugged. Her being called in early or asked to stay late wasn't exactly uncommon.
The door opened again and Halt joined them. Kane wasn't sure how he felt when Liam, Lina, and Caitlyn followed. "We've got some extra guests," Halt announced. Kane squeezed Gabby's hand again. He met Lina's gaze and nodded to her. To this day he hadn't a clue how she related to him. His parents had more or less adopted her but Scout and Caitlyn were closer to him in age. By birth she was Halt's niece but he'd never heard her call him 'uncle'…just 'mother' when she wanted to chastise him. She was also his birthmother Talia's closest childhood friend, almost like a sister. That would make her like his aunt. Aunt…cousin…sister…godmother…it gave him a headache. A long time ago he'd settled on 'the woman who saved him as an infant'.
"Hello Gabby," Caitlyn said. With a glance Kane could see that forced smile Gabby often gave when she was annoyed. Only he could recognize that smile. It fooled even Rangers.
"Caitlyn," she correctly guessed.
"Elizabet is playing with your niece again," Caitlyn went on. "They seem to be good friends."
"Well let's eat before it gets cold," Pauline insisted.
Kane took note of how Liam helped Lina to the table. She didn't need assistance in simple things, just like Gabby didn't need assistance, yet Lina didn't make a fuss. He felt he could understand that aspect of their relationship better than the others. Assisting Lina was Liam showing affection and she accepted it as such. He shared a similar bond with Gabby.
The Leaf family carried conversation well. Any other day he would have enjoyed the surprise visit. Lina was clever and thought on her feet while Liam analyzed every aspect before voicing his opinions. Caitlyn had a streak of rebellion that spiked recently on her quest for independence. She was trying to break away and be her own person. Get away from the Ranger's daughter, the Battalion lady's daughter, and the Hibernian crown princess's sister. She sat quietly eating her stew like the lady her mother raised her as, only Caitlyn Leaf was perhaps the farthest thing from a lady Kane knew. She knew how to pretend to be one and, in reality, that's all that mattered.
"Well we won't keep you all. Caitlyn, would you mind taking these dishes back to the kitchens? I think we missed today's servant," Pauline prompted. Caitlyn, however begrudgingly, moved to collect the dishes.
"Actually we've got something to say," Gabby cut in. Suddenly all eyes were on them. It took every ounce of Kane's strength not to squirm.
"Well?" Halt asked impatiently.
"I asked Gabby to marry me," Kane announced.
Halt shook his head towards Gabby. "Really, Gabby, you could do so much better."
"I've already settled."
Kane frowned but the sting from both his father and fiancée ganging up on him didn't last long. Suddenly everyone was congratulating them. "Have you told your parents yet, Gabby?" Pauline asked.
"No. We were planning on doing that tonight at dinner but if Clara is playing with Elizabet right now may be a better time."
"Why's that?" Caitlyn asked.
"Well…my parents aren't as fond of Kane as Halt and Pauline are of me."
"Want to go and get it over with?" Kane asked. Honestly, he'd be just as happy not telling her parents at all.
Gabby shrugged. "I've got time."
They each grabbed their cloaks. Again, Kane took note of how well Liam and Lina were together. The Ranger and Battalion lady. The Battalion ladies were truly impressive, like a hybrid of Courier and Ranger. It was hard to believe that the person chiefly responsible for their success had spent most of her Araluen career with a lame foot. Kane had vague memories of Lina without crutches but they were so foggy he questioned if they were even real.
"Ready?" Gabby asked.
Kane led her to the hallway and closed the door behind him. "Just so we're even, this proves how much I love you…right?"
"Definitely."
