Exceptio probat regulam de rebus non exceptis

'An exception establishes the rule as to things not accepted'

Chapter 3: Teams, Cigars, and Carrots

Foaly, Root, and I were sitting in the comms booth watching Holly pilot the goblin shuttle. Artemis and Butler had gone along for the ride and were currently looking quite sick. I'd been doing a lot of thinking since I had no other tasks at the moment besides waiting for them to make it to Paris, and something just didn't add up. "There's no way a human could be the mastermind behind all this," I voiced my concerns.

"You'd be surprised how far some humans will go," Root commented sardonically.

"I don't doubt that, but it's not what I meant. There's no way a human would have that much knowledge of the workings down here to organize all this in the first place."

"She's right commander. Goblins aren't intelligent enough to tell a human everything they'd need to know. There's someone down here calling the shots," Foaly added.

"When you put it like that," Root muttered, clearly not happy that a human was right. "I'll have my men keep their eyes open for any leads."

"We make a good team, commander," I smiled.

He turned his head away and only grunted in what could only be interpreted as disbelief. Apparently Foaly didn't like that. He looked at me and winked before saying, "Yeah, commander. You work with her more often."

"Shut it, civilian. When I want your opinion, I'll give it to ya."

"Just a suggestion," Foaly quipped.

"Well I suggest you stop suggesting things!" Root grumbled and pulled out a cigar.

I bit my lip and elbowed Foaly to make sure he was paying attention, and snuck up behind Root. Just as he was going to light his cigar I reached around him and plucked it out of his mouth.

He jumped up and spun to face me. "What do you think you're doing, human!" He demanded angrily.

"These are bad for your health sir, and I sure don't want you to get sick." I smiled at him innocently.

I heard Foaly cracking up behind me. Since Root had no clue how to deal with me he growled at him instead. "Laugh it up, pony. I swear I'll take carrots off the menu."

Foaly pretended to zip his lips, but the smile and twinkle in his eyes stayed right where they were. Root turned on his heel and started towards the door. "Commander, you have to stay and supervise the mission," Foaly commented. Root just mumbled something along the lines of 'stow it, donkey' and kept walking.

As soon as he was out of earshot we laughed our hearts out. "Oh. My. God. That was priceless!" Foaly exclaimed in-between whinnies. "I can't believe he didn't kill you. No one touches his cigars. No one even comments on his cigars unless they want to be put on traffic duty for the rest of their lives."

"I must be pretty special in the eyes of the commander then," I joked.

"One way to find out: Give him a nice smooch," he emphasized that by making a 'mwah' sound.

"I don't care how much he likes me, he'd still shoot me for that!" I laughed.

The trio reached Paris, successfully made contact with the supposed dealer, and took care of him. It all seemed a little too easy to me, but can't argue with the man in charge. Besides, we have our own problems that need to be dealt with, and I'm not sure how much time he has left. In any case the three of us who were left underground were back to twiddling our thumbs and waiting for their return. Foaly got up to grab us some carrots from the cafeteria. He looked over his shoulder at me on his way out and nodded towards the commander. I gave him thumbs up and winked.

"It makes me nervous to see looks like that, especially in regards to me," Root commented, a clear warning which I ignored.

"What? Still don't trust me?" I asked, mock offended.

"I trust you about as far as I could throw you."

"With all those muscles of yours I'd be willing to bet that'd be pretty far."

He flushed slightly, but not as bad as last time. He sighed after a moment. "Knock it off with these games, would you!" He raised his voice a bit, kind of reprimanding me.

"What makes you think that they're games?" He gave me a stern look. "What if they weren't? What would you say then?"

"Doesn't matter what I'd say, that's not the case."

It was my turn to sigh now. "Yes, I like to tease you, commander, but I'm not messing with you. I like to see you flustered. It's a good look for you."

"Whatever the case, human, end it."

"Come now, commander. You can't tell me you don't enjoy the flattery at least." I smirked, back to my more playful mood.

"I actually can say that," he grumbled.

"You'd be lying, though. You're face betrays you." He looked away and grumbled some more, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I laughed at him then. I just couldn't help it. There was something about him that I couldn't quite put my finger on, that made this situation seem a lot more comfortable than it should have been.

He looked at me sharply. "What are you laughing at?"

"Seems like she's laughing at you, commander," Foaly chuckled from his place against the door frame.

"Don't get smart with me," Root hissed from behind gritted teeth.

Foaly trotted into the room and sat without another word at the moment. He must have sensed how irritable of a mood Root was already in. He offered me carrot, and I took it wordlessly. We both smiled and enjoyed the moment.

"Looks like our friends are back," Foaly announced after a while. "Shall we give them a hero's welcome?" He asked standing and leading the way back through the hallways.