Chapter 10: His Pain

Author's Note: I know I took long. I'm really sorry.

The next day had brought forth rain from the British Skies. Marcus stood in his post under the shade of the Fort's stone columns and in his cloak. He watched as the raindrops fell in large numbers to the cement ground. The fort grounds were deserted. Marcus had time and privacy enough to lose himself in his thoughts, thinking about the short-lived conversation he had with James only yesterday.

It's fine if you love her, James had said. Marcus wondered what he had meant by it. He hadn't meant to hurt the feelings of his colleague.

"Lieutenant."

Marcus jerked back to reality as he spun around to find Andrew Gillette walking briskly toward him. He was wearing his coat and carrying his own bayonet, "It's my post now, lieutenant."

Marcus nodded as he and Andrew formally exchanged shifts. But just when Marcus was to go his way Andrew called him, "Flanely."

"Lieutenant?"

Andrew smiled and turned to face him, "The rain suits your mood well."

Marcus nodded, "So it does."

"You know, James told me."

Marcus looked at Andrew, "Did he now?"

"Everything. You mustn't be ashamed of that infatuation."

"You don't know how it is to feel 'infatuation' for anyone," Marcus smiled. Andrew shrugged, "No, but I do know that you'll feel better when you're honest with yourself," he added, "One of the last things you want to do when you fall for a woman is to lie; lie to yourself."

Marcus's face remained blank. Andrew nodded the end of the conversation and turned around again to face the grounds. Marcus slowly walked away, thinking about what Andrew had just told him.

James stood by a window behind his desk. He never started on his paperwork, and the longer he stared at the heavy rain the more he knew he'd never get his work finished. Rain splattered on the glass of his window and the clear water droplets slid down it outside. James stared at the gray sky. He sighed and looked back at his paper-cluttered desk. At the corner of the desk was a tall vase full of water. It held two blooming red roses. One proved to be growing faster than the other, for some reason. James picked younger rose and held it against the light coming from his window. He shrugged and placed the rose back in the vase. Then, James took the older rose, the healthier rose, the more beautiful rose. It reminded him of Elizabeth, for the rose could not compete with any other flower when it came to beauty. It was just like Elizabeth. No one could compete with Elizabeth when it came to beauty. James wondered how she was doing now. He also wondered if Marcus was doing any better than he was. Or maybe, Marcus was also thinking of Elizabeth as much as James was. He did not know. Nobody did. James just stared at the vase of roses again, his eyes always being caught by the healthier rose.

"It's fine if you love her, but you've caught her eye as well…"

Thanks for reading! Sorry it's hopelessly short…