Kyra looked down at him as he slept soundly. Brynjolf had done what he promised. He had kept his hands to himself the entire night. To her surprise she was able to get a good night's sleep. Perhaps it was because the thought of someone next to her was securing, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time.
When he was asleep he wasn't that bad. In fact he was rather, dare she call him, adorable? The thought of his reaction to her calling him that made her chuckle.

" Wake up." She demanded as she yanked the sheets off of him. A growl escaped him and he scowled up at her. She crossed her arms and towered over him.

" You're in my territory now. Wake up or I'll use my magic on you."

" You're awfully feisty in the morning." He sighed as he snuggled back into the pillow.

" Yea well at least I'm not Mercer. You haven't seen the crap he's put me through."

He opened an eye and looked at her. She was right, he didn't. He knew what she was sent to do but that didn't mean what happened. He was often too busy to notice the stage she returned with. He would have to keep a closer eye on it for now on. Mercer was a man of authority and sometimes what he asked for at the time he did was just too overwhelming.

" Speaking of your precious Mercer," She racked a hand through her hair, " I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him."

" You think I don't know that lass?" He spoke as he sat up. Kyra shook her head.
" No, I'm being serious Brynjolf. Something happened at Snow Veil Sanctum."
Brynjolf was cautious now.

" What exactly do you mean lass?"
She sighed and paused. She had to tell him, she couldn't do this alone.

" He's been lying to all of you. He tried to kill me and Karliah saved me and before you say anything hear me out. She told me everything that happened. It wasn't her who killed Gallus, it was Mercer. He framed her Brynjolf. That's why I took so long coming back and why I've been gone so much. I've been sneaking out to meet her." She licked her lips before continuing. " I need your help Brynjolf. I can't do this without you."

He scratched the back of his neck. Either he trusted Mercer, someone who has lead the guild, or Kyra. Someone he had only just met a few months before.

" Let me prove it to you. When we get back let me have the key to the vault. If I show I'm right then will you help me?"

If he didn't know any better he'd say there was a hint of plea in her voice. He fell victim to her bold blue ones and the pleading look they held. What could go wrong if he let her? If Mercer found out that they doubted him he'd hang his head. But that was a chance Brynjolf was willing to take.

" Alright, I will."
She gave him a smile, a true smile. One that lit up every corner of her from her lips to her eyes.

" Then we will set out in the morning. Until then we enjoy what we can while we can."

Well he couldn't argue with that.

Kyra walked around town with a giant sack slung over her shoulder. She glanced around for a little then spotted something. Brynjolf looked in front but found nothing. Then he glanced down.

" Lucia I'm glad to see you're ok."
Brynjolf watched her kneel down to the little girls height and opened the sack.

" I've got a lot of stuff for you. There's plenty of sweet rolls and taffy, meat you can cook so your tiny stomach doesn't growl." Lucia let out a laugh as Kyra gave her a small tickle." Then I got you a new dress and look what I found."
Lucia gasped as she held up a dagger.

" Is this for me?"
Kyra nodded and handed it to her. The little girl went to open her mouth to deny it when Brynjolf stepped forward.
" A beautiful woman is powerful. A beautiful woman who can kill is deadly."

" Just like miss Kyra!"
Kyra blushed at her words.

" Yes, just like miss Kyra." He reassured as his hand settled on Kyra's shoulder.

Kyra felt her ears burn as she turned her head. Normally she threw his flirtations back at him but she just couldn't seem to do it at that moment.

Brynjolf held his breath as he watched her slide the key into the lock. Everyone was angry, anxious, scared all at the same time as they huddled around. How dare she question Mercer. How dare she think that they were all so stupid to be lied to. Yet something deep inside made them want to look past this door.

It creaked open and Kyra blocked the entrance.
" I knew it. He's been lying to you." She stepped aside and allowed everyone to look inside. Vex ran inside and began to curse. They all saw the last thing they wanted to. Nothing.

" Lets not let our anger get the best of us." Brynjolf started. " We need to let ourselves calm down before we do something stupid. Kyra, I need to speak to you alone."

Everyone shuffled out heartbroken and angry. Even though they were alone he still stepped close with his voice low.
" Take me to Karliah."

She nodded and didn't waste a second.

They were silent as he followed behind her. As they made their way he had come to a decision. Mercer had tried to kill Karliah and Kyra, he had lied to the guild and murdered Gallus. He needed to die.

He stopped as Karliah came into view. The tension was clear and Kyra stood right in between it. She knew what Brynjolf was doing. He was waiting for Karliah to show her forgiveness.

" I'm glad you made it safely." She waited then added on, " Both of you."

" What is it you needed to show us?" Kyra asked. Karliah motioned for them to follow and stepped inside the cave.
" This is the head quaters of the Nightingales, carved into the mountain by the first of our kind."

As she showed them through the cave she explained herself. They finally came to a room with stones that had the nightingale symbol on them. Both Kyra and Brynjolf stood next to each other while Karliah retrieved their armor. As it settled in their hands the question was clear in their eyes. Why them of all people? But that was a question was for another time. Right now they had to be focused on Mercer.

When Brynjolf turned around when Kyra was done dressing he felt his heart stop. You would assume seeing her in a beautiful gown would make a man feel this way. No. It was seeing her in this armor. It showed her power, her strength.

As she clipped the cloak around her neck his eyes followed her locks as she pulled them out from underneath. Then they trailed down to her hips as she latched on her sword. What ever relationship they had between them was gone for the time being and replaced by business. But he just couldn't stop himself from admiring her.

As he listened to Karliah call out to Nocturnal his stomach twisted in knots. He couldn't help but glance over at her as the goddess appeared. As they were granted the ability to be Nightingales the light bounced off her face. She closed her her eyes and took a moment to breath in and out. It was happening it was all really happening.

When everything was over with Karlaih caught her by the shoulder.

" Brynjolf has something to you about before we head out. I'll wait for you outside."
Kyra stood and watched her leave then glanced back at him.

" What is it you needed to tell me?" She asked hesitantly.

" Karliah and I had a long discussion while you were changing regarding the leader of the guild. After what is going to happen with Mercer there must be someone to look after it and the only person we trust is you."
Kyra felt her heart stop. " But what about you? What about her? You two would be much better -"
" It needs to be you lass."
She paused and nibbled the inside of her lip. It needed to be her.

" I can't do it alone. I'll need your help."
Brynjolf let a small smirk slip.
" I'll always be here for you."
Kyra looked at him with a trickle of hope in her eyes. As he watched her turn to walk away he the fright of this being the last time he'd see her flashed through his head.

" Hey lass."
She stopped and calmly looked back at him. He couldn't do it. Mainly because when she looked at him he just didn't know how to feel. So he said the next thing in his heart.

" Be careful, please."

When she answered her voice was low and soft. She was thinking the same thing he was. This was it. This could be the last time they see one another. This could be the last few hours of their life.

" You too."

They were simple words but there was so much more meaning behind him that he just couldn't understand.