Song: "For You" by The Calling

Characters: Beka/Rosto from Tamora Pierce's "Terrier"

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I am a vision

I am justice

Never thought that I could love

Really. When did Dogs fall in love? They didn't. Dogs had partners, on the job and off, but not love. It was just one of those things. They knew that IF they fell in love, IF they loved anyone, that person was always at risk. Someone would kidnap a lover just to get back at the Dog who put them in the cages. Dog's didn't fall in love, unless it was with another Dog. And Beka was just the kindof mot who didn't "fall" into anything. Stumble into it, plan for it, but not fall. Nope. She had no intentions of falling in love.

Living in shadows

Fading existence

It was never good enough

But she had watched several Dogs in her age group in love. It was odd at first, but the more Dogs that fell in love the more Beka felt like the odd-pup out. Like the runt of the litter. People found her scary. Her world was one of the darkest, filled with murderers, spies, thieves, and a host of other really bad types. She spent every night wondering if she would come home alive. Would she wish that type of worry on anyone?

Within the darkness

You are the light that shines the way

But you're trapped in violence

I can be the man who saves the day

And then there was Rosto. Always Rosto. Who flirted with her, some would say outrageously flirted with her. Who didn't worry about her at night, and who promised his men would never hurt her. Beka didn't believe him, but when she went out on Watch, she was the only Dog who never got lip from a Rat. It was almost an honor in the court of the Rogue to be caught by the Terrier. And Rosto was never mad at her for arresting his folk. He'd laugh and his smile would light up the room, breaking through the darkness of her world.

I'm there for you

No matter what

I'm there for you

Never giving up

I'm there for you

For You

He always seemed to be there for her. When she'd had a rough night, he was at the door to the Dove, waiting with a drink and a late night snack. When she was sick of the pigeons and the dustspinners, he'd snap her out of it and take her for a walk, so she wouldn't have to worry. When she was angry and anxious, he'd pipe a tune just for her, so she'd calm down. And best of all, he never asked anything of her. Beka had asked why he did half the things he did, but Rosto just admitted it was because he wanted to, and for no other reason.

Someone's changed me

Something's saved me

And this is who I am

Beka had been in the Doxie's Skirt, a bar known for its brawls and she and her Dogs were outnumbered. Just as they became surrounded, a voice called out and every single brawler stopped dead in his tracks. "If you want to keep your skins in tact, you won't kill those Dogs." The voice was cool and low. Someone started to protest, "I'll not have them killing Dogs in my sight! I'll end up in the Cages! Back off of them, now!" and with that the brawlers went back to their beers. When they cleared, Beka saw Rosto, Aniki, and Phelan at an upturned table. Rosto looked smug.

Although I was blinded

My heart let me find out

That truth makes a better man

When she had thanked him at breakfast, he had adamantly denied having done it for any reason other than his own skin, and she'd accepted that. That was the Rosto she knew. Smart. Later, Aniki pulled her aside and told her that Rosto had heard that there was three Dogs being trounced in the Doxies Skirt and had high-tailed it there quickly, so he could have a reason to stop them. "But why stop them in the first place?" asked Beka, confused as to why Aniki was telling her this.

"For You." Replied Aniki shortly, as she walked out of Beka's room. Beka was left standing there, confused as ever. Why on earth would Rosto do something like that, for her?

I didn't notice

That you were right in front of me

Our masks of silence

We'll put away so we can see

She'd found him playing his pipe on his throne, but it was day, and there was no one else in the Dove. She had been planning on visiting the Dust-spinners, but had changed her mind when she saw him just sitting there. "Rosto?" she asked, coming up to the throne. He permitted her to sit across from him. "Aniki says that when you heard we was in trouble at the Doxies Skirt, you purposely went there." He looks annoyed at first, but nods that, that was exactly what he did. "Why? Aniki says you done it for me, but why?"

"Because I promised, Beka. No one hurts a Dog and especially not you." He'd said quietly, putting the pipe down softly on the table. She'd eyed him polishing it before. When she still looked confused, he added. "I don't want ye dead lass. Not before I've had my debt paid, and my chance to add you to my string." Beka had looked cross for a moment, but eventually sighed in relief. Just the Rosto-like response she was expecting. So why was she hoping for me.

Within the darkness

You are the light that shines a way

In this blind justice

I can be that man who saves the day

She'd been sitting with her pigeons on afternoon, it was early fall and the sun was warm though the air was cool and brisk. The pigeons had gathered and stuck around, long after she'd run out of bread and corn to give them. Someone loped through them and sat down next to her at the fountain. She'd seen the flash of white-blonde hair and just waited for Rosto to explain himself. He threw some corn-meal and seeds into the mass of pigeons and when the croo-ing of the birds was almost unbearably loud, he sat down. Still not saying anything, he sat there, feeding birds, until his bag was empty. "I ain't supposed to be telling you this," he murmured quietly, setting the bag down on the fountains lip. He gave a piercing whistle, mimicking the cry of a hawk, and the pigeons took flight. "Firebird Street. In the red barn. Tonight. " He'd said quietly over the flapping of wings. Beka had been confused, but told her Dogs about it. They decided they'd lope on over, see what little tidbit the Piper was offering the Terrier.

I'm there for you

No matter what

I'm there for you

Never giving up

Gixies. Lots and lots of gixies. For Sale. And not as common slaves. Bedroom toys. All of them Lower City, Cesspool children, and gixies, all of them. Not one was older than 12, to Beka's keen eye. With a quick look, Beka had run for more Dogs, and before the hour was done, every single slaver was in the Cage-cart, and every single lecher had gotten a good walloping from the Dogs, and from the very gixies they was about to buy. Goodwin swore mightily and hounded them all the way to the Kennel. Tunstall pulled Beka aside. "The Piper would have gotten a big chunk of that sale. But he told you about it." He didn't need to say more. Beka knew that Tunstall would keep his mouth shut, and that she would have to speak with Rosto. Thank him.

Cause you know it's true

You were there for me

And I'm there for you

Rosto was seated at his throne when she'd returned. She hadn't asked, she just walked right onto his throne. She held out a small doll. One of the gixies had been holding onto it while the men were eyeing her. She had cried herself to sleep in Beka's arms. When her mother had finally come for her, she'd given Beka the doll with a squeak. She placed the doll in Rosto's hands, "Her thanks," she'd said as he took the doll, confused. She leaned into his face, looking directly into his deep brown eyes. "And mine," she whispered. Rosto smirked and gave a small nod. With that, she stepped down off the platform and strolled up to her room. Rosto stood up and put the doll on the mantel of the fireplace.

For you

For you

For you

He'd stopped by her room after everyone had left from the Dove. Since he lived downstairs, she knew he had come up to talk to her for a reason. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her as she unbraided her hair, laying her spike trap down, next to her baton and cords. Beka was meticulous about the organization of them, and everything was perfectly in line. "Why did you tell me about the slave sale, if you would've made money on it?" She'd asked him, as his eyes followed her every move, when she moved to stand in front of him.

He bent his head forward and touched his mouth to hers. His lips were as soft as breath, cool as rain, and had the effect of wiping her mind entirely and blissfully blank. When he'd pulled back, his eyes smoldered. "For you." He whispered, "Only for you."