A/N: OK I KNOW it was freakingly long … I know but truly after that dreadful season finale and that scene between Bash and Kenna I just lost the idea of this story and I think generally the Bash charm just left me. But good news is that I think I'm back with this plot I just needed some modifications, time and a reason to write Mary and Bash again.
So thank you all who read and review because this chapter is mostly because people read and left me reviews to go on!
As always all mistakes are mine and I apologize for them sincerely!
Disclaimer: I own nothing (no Bash, no castle, no crown) I'm doing this for fun!
A week later Sally was on her way to Paris with Bash. That left Mary some time to think about everything that happened between them. To be honest, there wasn't a night she didn't think about their encounter. The imagines of his face and the taste of his kisses were hunting her every night. That situation wasn't helping her problems with Francis. They didn't even talk any more not to mention spending nights together. Mary was sure it was only matter of time when she would hear about Francis mistress but she just couldn't think about that. She had so many other problems on her mind that she just couldn't focus on her husband. A day after Bash had left she received news from Scotland that her mother was very ill and there were dark clouds gathering over her crown at home. She spent countless hours explaining Francis that she needed to go home but he just couldn't understand it or he just didn't care. Rumors about her not being pregnant yet were spreading so fast that they stopped being rumors any more. Her friends tried to prevent her from hearing them but she had some befriended servants who told her everything what happened in the castle. It was something Mary had learned from Catherine - you needed to have friends, not to call them spies, among servants either way you didn't know much what was happening in the castle.
But the worst was that she couldn't tell anyone about what happened between her and Bash. She stopped trusting her friends about her situation. Lola was out of the question and to be honest a serious threat to Mary if Francis ever find out about her situation. Greer lately started to behave even more reckless and weird than usual and Mary was simply afraid that she would just tell someone little too much. And Kenna, Kenna had something that Mary started to envy her the minute Bash had kissed her in that barn the week before. Kenna had Bash, Kenna had every right to had him and Mary didn't know she was capable of being jealous. But if that burning feeling inside her stomach whenever she saw Bash talking to Kenna was jealously Mary knew that she had it bad.
Torn between the need to go home to Scotland to her mother and the new feelings that started to wake inside her every time she thought about Bash Mary didn't know what to do. She was lying awake in her chamber in the middle of the night thinking about her situation. She had no idea what was happening with her during this week but she started to suspect that she simply missed Bash. And she wasn't allowed to miss him. God she wasn't allowed even thinking about him the way she was thinking most of the time lately. Although she was going back to this blissful afternoon they share every time she was closing her eyes at night.
What was more she had problems with sleep because every time she managed to fall asleep dreams about them together were hunting her waking her up and leaving her flushed and longing for him. And Mary had no clue what she should do with those new discovered feelings toward her husband's brother. Most of the time she was scared of the intensity of those feelings. She needed him, she wanted to see him, and she yearned to hear his voice saying her name. She didn't remember feeling the same about Francis. She couldn't say that she didn't feel something for Francis, she did. Feelings for Francis were safe, familiar and she grew up with the thoughts of being his wife. But she didn't imagine that she could feel something so strong for another man. Bash intoxicated her, made her do amazing things, he challenged her and she still remembered those few weeks when Bash was to be legitimized. She remembered the feelings that she was his queen not only would be his wife. She sometimes thought how it would be to be his wife. She was pretty sure she would be on her way to Scotland now with her husband by her side and not fighting to defend her royal place from France. She didn't remember the exact day when she regretted the decision she had made then and there but now the doubts and regrets didn't left her side. What was more depressing was the fact that Francis didn't even notice that she was sad and distance all the time.
Bash was angry, wet and cold. The way home was taking too much time for his liking and the weather was not his friend. After leaving Sally at her aunt in Paris he set off home trying hard to be at the castle as soon as possible. He couldn't tell why he was on such a hurry but something inside was pulling him back home like an invisible rope. And he was trying to travel fast. But the constant stormy weather that was not leaving France for the last week was making his trip extremely hard. There were bridges that were taken by the rivers so he needed to go round for the next available. Not to mention the constant rain and mud everywhere. But he was coming home and he was feeling more and more anxious. God he missed her. He missed her sight, her voice and her warm presence. He couldn't stop thinking about her. Mary. Bash knew he got it bad ever since he had laid eyes on her the moment she arrived into the castle but he was amazed and frightened of the intensity of his feeling toward one girl. And now after everything that had happened between them it was even harder to stop having hope. His hope was like a living creature inside him. No matter how often he told himself that there was no chance for them some small spark of hope was bursting inside him giving the hope creature reason to go on. Bash sometimes thought that he was going mental. This week when he was away was both anguish and a rest for him. He was glad that he didn't have to control himself on every step but he was missing her so much that sometimes it was like a physical pain for him.
So when he saw the walls of the castle looming between the trees on his way back even the downpour rain, that was his friend ever since the morning, couldn't stop him. There was warm and dry there and there was Mary.
When he finally crossed the threshold of the castle his dark feelings had returned to him making his wet and cold clothes even more uncomfortable. 'What am I doing here, what am I hoping for? That she would come running down into my arms?' He was thinking darkly when no one was greeting him at the door. He took off his wet coat and left his weapon in the hands of the nearest servant who was surprised to see him. After all it was way after dark and the weather wasn't kind for travelers.
"To my chambers. "Bash asked politely pointing his weapon and his sack. "I need some hot bath and food, outside is just dreadful." The servant nodded and Bash wanted to say something more but he just forgot what he wanted.
There she was, standing in the dark corridor her dark wavy hair cascading down her back looking at him frozen in spot. Bash was staring at the woman he was trying not to think for the entire week. She didn't look happy, there was something wrong he could see it in her eyes. She looked worried and exhausted at the same time, but still she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The memories of her kisses came crashing down at him and he was beginning to lose control. 'I don't care' he was thinking 'I will come and kiss her right here and there or either way I will explode.'
Mary was having similar thoughts, she was fighting the urge to just run straight into his arms. She wished she could do it without thinking. But there were so many people here at this castle none of them would understand her.
Bash stared at Mary for a quite some time, they both didn't move as waiting for the others reaction. Suddenly, as on command, they started walking fast toward each other. And as Bash was almost sure she would sprint into his arms and he was one step to her some voices spoke at the nearest passage. Catherine entered the corridor from one of the corners surrounded by her usual guard and her servants. Thanks God she was so engrossed in explaining something to the guard that she didn't notice what was happening in front of her eyes. Bash came in a halt just before Mary and she hastily pulled her outstretched hands behind her back. Bash lowered his eyes just in time to see Catherine seizing the moment. "Your Grace." Said Bash not looking at any of the women. He was so happy that it was dark in the corridor because he was almost sure his eyes were both exited and frightened at the same time.
"You back." Said Catherine without real interest not even looking at him but looking at Mary. "And you, Your Grace, shouldn't you be in your chambers, it's late."
For a second Mary was at loss of words or at least Bash was thinking that way. Just as he was racking his brain to come up with an excuse for her Mary rose at her full height and answered. "I was going to but someone forgot to set fire in my chambers and there was no servant at my door. "She said in cold voice. "And as a matter of fact no guard." She looked straight at Catharine and the commander of the royal guard who was standing behind the queen. "I was just going back." Mary finished. Catherin made a sound close to a snort and went past them without as much as a word. Bash and Mary didn't even dare to look at each other. When finally the footsteps of the Queen and her entourage were no longer to be heard Bash looked at Mary.
"Your Grace." He said looking into her eyes. God she was beautiful and she looked even more innocent in her nightgown. He was again struck by her beauty and all the feelings that he was bound to bury deep inside him resurfaced again.
"I'm so glad you are back." She said in soft whisper. Bash looked at her as looking for some answer in her and Mary was so angry at herself that she couldn't give them to him. She wished she could tell that she missed him. That every day since that memorable afternoon in the storm she missed him more and more. But the words just stuck inside her and she was unable to say them.
They looked at each other for so long neither wanted to lose the connection. But suddenly there was another voice heard at the corridor and Marry was brought back to reality. "I better go before…" She didn't end the sentence but she was almost sure Bash knew what she was thinking of 'Before someone else come here, before we do something stupid'. Bash nodded his head. 'Yes." He said in a low voice. But just before she walked away he reached and grabbed her hand. It was like a jolt of fire came through his body, her hand was so small in his and it was so warm and soft. "What's wrong?" he asked her. "I know there is something wrong." He said to her and for a second he was sure she would throw herself into his arms and cry. But she composed herself and answered. "There is nothing wrong… "
"Mary." He warned her squeezing her hand. "You are not a good liar."
"Bash." She started her voice shaking "I can't." She wrenched her hand form his grip. "I'm glad that you are back but there is nothing you can do." She turned her back and almost run from him.
'What was he thinking? That something would change?' He shook his head, he needed sleep and the next day he would find a way to be away from this castle. There was nothing that was keeping him here.
The next day came dull and wet as the entry week. Bash woke up in a really bad mood the actions form the previous night flashing before his eyes. Kenna, his wife he reminded himself for the hundred time, was glad he was back and was trying to even be polite with him but he was just angry and frustrated. He couldn't stop thinking about the woman he really wanted to great him home. So he went to bed leaving his wife in a state of justified anger of his behavior.
Leaving his chamber next morning he was determined to find the king or anyone else who would give him a reason to go form this damned castle for a long time. Walking truly without a concept and place to be he somehow landed himself in front of Francis chambers. He could hear some voices inside and just as he was crossing the entrance the door just burst open and very angry looking Francis came almost running through them. "Francis you cannot run away from this conversation." Came Mary's voice and after that her small form was also came running outside the chambers. Bash couldn't do anything to vanish from sight. He was caught in the middle of their row and he wished so badly that he could be transparent at that moment.
"For the last time Mary." Said Francis in a very angry voice "You can't leave to Scotland now. It is too dangerous and the situation here on the court isn't helping." Mary stopped abruptly upon seeing Bash at the corridor but apparently the reason of the fight was too important for her. "Francis, she is dying there and there is literally no one in charge there after her death. Do you really want to rule Scotland someday? Because apparently if I don't go there as soon as possible there will be no Scotland anymore!" She yelled.
"You are overreacting, we are in touch with your uncle at the English border there is nothing going on…" Francis tried to explain something and Bash was trying very hard to disappear into the wall. He wished he wouldn't be there so badly. "Yes Francis, that's the key word here - yet." Mary finished angrily sensing another lost case.
"Bash," yelled Francis" tell her it is not a good idea to go to Scotland maybe she would listen to you." Francis finally spotted Bash standing awkwardly between them and asked for help.
"Me, why me? "Asked Bash stupidly earning a really nasty look from Mary. "I don't even know what is going on and clearly there is nothing I can do." Bash remembered Mary's words from last night. Mary looked at him in disbelieve. Francis looked one last time at his wife. "And of discussion Mary, you know my answer." Mary didn't say a word. She just went past them in an angry silence. Both Francis and Bash were staring at her back thinking. After some time Francis looked at his half-brother and asked. "Remember when I ask you about being a husband and being a king?"
"Yes." Bash answered looking into Francis. "Well now you can congratulate me I'm a very good king but a lousy husband." Stated Francis in a dark tone.
"I don't know it is a reason to congratulate you, brother." Replied Bash.
"I know Bash and I need to do something about that." Francis said sincerely and Bash could really heard in his voice that this whole situation taking a toll on him.
"Yes, "Bash started slowly thinking how to help his brother but most of it how to help Mary. "The easiest solution is to just let her go to Scotland." He finished not really convinced.
"I know, "said Francis frustrated and continued"but I just can't leave the castle now, not with our father in that state."
"I understand." said Bash remembering that only recently he was the victim of the King's madness.
"And I can't just let her go without someone I can trust." Continued Francis starting to walk slowly clearly considering something in his mind.
"I understand that too." Answered Bash walking by Francis side not really paying enough attention to where this conversation was leading because as soon as Francis finished his last sentence he stopped and looked at his half-brother almost smiling. "Good, because you are going with her." Said Francis smiling to Bash as all his problems were erased then and there.
"What?" Bash almost yelled. "What!"
"It is the best solution, you will take care of her and I would be sure there is someone who would save her even from her own people. " Francis said in a happy voice. "I will go and tell Mary she can go." And he almost sprinted away.
"What just happened?" asked Bash the stone wall which was staring down mockingly at him.
A/N: What do you think? Please leave a review it is really important to me! Also all the ideas, suggestions and discussions are really welcome!
-Ann
