A/N: Well. It took me a little while... oh, who am I kidding? I had this done about a half hour after I posted the third one. I just have to keep you guys on your toes. Thanks for all the reviews, I'm awfully excited about you guys.

Jusmine: Rosto will be doing something... I'm not telling you just what.

Bevin Brighteyes: I appreciate the help. I was kind of satisfied with the certain thickheadedness of Beka.

xxTunstall Chickxx: I am pretty sure that she didn't end up with anyone in the end of Terrior. And Phelan was with Verene before she died, then he quit the Dogs and started being a rusher.

BrokenFaerie16: There will definitely be more fluff, but I don't know when. XD

His feet were hitting the cobblestone's in front of him. He had talked to a few of the people in the Court. The man that had attacked the dogs had been released from the cages. Apparently, he had a patron who paid his way out, even reimbursing the Dog's for the price of the healers. In Rosto's eyes, that was not good enough. The man had to pay thoroughly for what he had done to Beka.

He barely noticed where he was going as he thought of what he could do, but he finally stopped at a town square, empty but for a fountain and Kora. He trudged his way there and sat next to her. They were both silent for a few long minutes when Kora looked at him, her eyes unapologetic.

"I'm sorry I sent you off like that, but you needed to do something besides hover over Beka like she was some helpless child. She's a Puppy, Rosto, and a damn good one. She can handle herself." By the time she finished, her wash was soaking wet in her basket, and her voice was about as soft as a spidren's teeth. The apology was for how she had done it, not for what she had done.

Rosto looked at her with a sneer. Slowly, it fell and he just looked tired. "I know." He said. His elbows were on his knees and his head was in his hands. He didn't know what else to say. How was he supposed to do anything useful when the only thing he could think about was Beka and that man. All that went through his head was what if she hadn't made it? What if she needed him? What if she woke up and was alone? What if she tried to run off and got hurt? He had to protect her, whether she wanted it or not. He wanted to tear the man apart with his bare hands. He had almost taken precious Beka from him.

Kora looked at him, her eyes soft. "I know you want to protect her. But you know you can't. If you do it, she'll do nothing but resent you. She'd rather chew off her arm than be dependent on someone. Especially a rusher." She laid her hand on his arm until he looked at her. He knew she was right, it was plain in his eyes. "And if she resented you, there is definitely no way she would fall for your charm and white hair." She smiled mischievously as she dried her hands.

Rosto didn't even have the energy to tell her it was blonde, not white. Instead, he concentrated on what was important in that last sentence. "What is it about being with a rusher that is so terrible to her?" He knew he'd have to prove it to her, somehow, that he wasn't like other rushers.

Maybe one had hurt her? Been with another gixie while with her? He didn't understand how someone could have her and want another, too.

Kora sighed and sat back down next to him. She looked him in the eyes as she related what she had found out. "Her mother had lung rot when she was younger. A man from some gang took an interest in her. When he found out she had lung rot, he beat her up pretty bad and took everything of value from those kids. Her and her four siblings had to deal with it all. Beka went to everyone she could after she tracked down that man, trying to get him brought to justice. Finally, my Lord Provost heard her and followed through. She was right, he was jailed, and the Lord brought her and her family to live with him. Her mother died later, in a nice home with people who cared for her. But Beka never forgave that man. She won't allow that to happen to her." Kora finished looking down at her clasped hands.

Rosto looked at her, his eyes wide and unbelieving. "She thinks all rushers are like that?" He couldn't believe that. Beka was a smart woman, she should realize that not everyone fit the bill. By that logic, if one bad rusher made them all bad, wouldn't one crooked Dog make them all crooked?

Deciding that this was a problem for when Beka was well, he picked up Kora's basket and began walking home. He was going back to that boarding house, whether Kora liked it or not. He was the Rogue, he didn't take orders.

And he had to make sure Beka was alright.