Team 9

Aeryn ate dinner with them that night just so she could keep an eye on Max. She didn't trust the prince not to find a furnace somewhere and toss little Max inside. Surprisingly the prince was a good cook; she absently wondered where he had learned the skill. He finished eating first and went to set up their bedding. She wondered absently what he was thinking about. She watched him unroll the bedding and spread them out. His hair was quite long she noticed she wondered if it was as soft as it looked. He was laying them out so he was on the outside and his sister was closest to the wall.

Which left Aeryn stuck in the middle between them. She was uncomfortable about the idea to say the least. She wasn't sure she could trust him not to try anything. Max's cage was placed under the desk and a cloth was draped over it. Nuada was smoothing out the bedding when he felt the girl touch his mind. Normally he would protest but he was trying to earn her trust so he allowed the intrusion. He sensed her nervousness despite her wish otherwise.

Though he kept some thoughts to himself he wanted her to feel comfortable near him. "Ladies your beds are ready, I am going to change I'll be right out" he explained. He felt oddly light headed from the healers mind touch. She was stronger than he expected her to be. He undid the fastenings of his shirt. He pulled it off over his head then undid his pants. He slid them off and slid on the sleep pants then he gathered his clothing.

The girl confused him one minute she spouted insults at him the next she was kind and polite. He shook his head to clear it. He walked out of the office room shirtless and barefoot. Nuala had finished cleaning off the dinner dishes. "You go ahead and change first dear," said Nuala. Aeryn had been staring at Nuada until Nuala spoke. Embarrassed by her actions she turned away she hoped he hadn't caught her staring at him. She just never saw a man built that way before.

She was supposed to hate him wasn't she? "Ah I'm not sure how to remove all this stuff" said Aeryn "very well I shall aid you" said Nuala she grabbed her own dressing gown and Aeryn's. Following the girl inside the office room.

Aeryn was already trying unsuccessfully to undue the lacings on her gown as soon as the door was closed. "Here let me aid you," said Nuala she deftly undid the ties and helped her slide it over her head. Aeryn stripped down to her underwear. "Do you like my brother?" said Nuala. Aeryn turned bright red and giggled nervously. Nuala had already stripped sans the underwear and slide effortlessly into her nightgown. "I ah, um" said Aeryn. Nuala chuckled at her. "Why do you ask?' said Aeryn "I saw you watching him" said Nuala "I ah its just that, well he's very physically fit" said Aeryn. Nuala smiled a knowing smile. "Do not be shamed by your feelings they are normal, I know my brother turns heads" said Nuala.

She had noticed the woman was fully nude beneath the gown. She wondered if Nuada was the same beneath his pants then quickly quelled that direction of her thoughts. "Are you planning to sleep with those silly things on?" said Nuala

Aeryn blushed "I suppose it would be more comfortable without them" said Aeryn. Aeryn hesitated she wasn't sure she wanted to invite the princes' ridicule "you are worried my brother will see more than you want him to?" said Nuala."He would only admire the view as you we're just doing" said Nuala.

Aeryn turned crimson and lost the ability to speak. "He would not tease you but if it makes you more comfortable" said Nuala Aeryn nodded essentially she was right. "He will not look I'll ask him to advert his head" said Nuala

"Would he?" said Aeryn "though I fail to see what you are ashamed of, you have a lovely figure" said Nuala Aeryn blushed that was the first time another woman had called her pretty. She thought about it for a moment then she released the clasp on her bra and slid her panties down her legs. The air felt cool on her bare legs and the gossamer gown swished against her ankles. Nuala went first because she knew Aeryn would be too nervous to go first. "Brother would you please advert your eyes?" said Nuala

He nodded and did as she asked. He knew it must be the girl that was nervous so he did so to reassure her. He heard rustling and the sound of her bare feet padding across the floor. She slid under the blankets and said "done" he turned Aeryn was in the bedding with one of the sleeping bags pulled up to her chin. He could see the straps of the night gown though, enough to know she wore nothing beneath it. He smiled at her so she was modest he didn't mind. Nuala climbed over her and slid under the blankets.

Nuada turned out the light and slid in next to Aeryn. She felt the brush of his leg against hers and knew the bedding wasn't separated. He felt the girl stiffen and shift towards his sister. "Goodnight healer" he said softly. She lay there for a while stiffly waiting for him to go to sleep. He turned towards her and watched her try to relax. She was obviously nervous being this close to him. He reached up and touched her hair wondering if it was as soft as it looked, she literally froze. "Breathe healer I will not harm you" he said gently.

She turned towards him, he was smiling at her Laying there watching her try to sleep. "Would you like to talk?" he said gently "no I'm fine" she said nervously. His hand slid down her hair and he caressed her shoulder. "Relax, it's ok" he said gently "can you not, ah do that" said Aeryn. "I am sorry," he said gently. "i make you nervous?" he asked, she nodded yes. "you are safe near me i will do nothing without your consent" he said gently. for some odd reason she believed him.

It took her several hours for her breathing to become regular enough for him to know that she slept beside him. It still didn't stop him from watching her sleep. He finally fell asleep once he was satisfied she was sleeping, she opened her eyes.

She turned and gazed at him while he slept. He looked calm and peaceful so she studied his profile while he slept. Though she would never admit it to his face she thought he was quite handsome. a wicked smirk crossed her lips. she wondered if his other lance was silver. She wondered what he had been like before he turned so cruel and what had caused the change

. She wondered if she reached out and touched that hair of his would he notice? Was it as soft as it looked and would it offend him if she did? She inhaled and caught the whiff of rosemary. She leaned closer, it was his hair.

She had stared at his bare chest and the pants were almost as see through as her gown. His sister said he was once a nice guy. he shifted and yes she peeked. She wondered what had happened to him to change that. She fell asleep watching him and some how ended up nestled in the crook of his arm. Some time later he awoke and shifted.

There was a weight resting on his arm and pressed tightly to his side. He shifted enough to regard his bed companion. The healer was sleeping soundly in his arms, he smiled down at her. She looked so peaceful he didn't have the heart to move her but his arm was losing feeling so he must. She sighed in her sleep and rested her hand on his chest. turning towards him and resting her leg atop of his. he bit his lip and He slid an arm around her waist and shifted her slightly off him. Not that he minded her touch he just needed to be able to move if need be. He had slept on the outside so he was able to defend them if necessary. He started to turn and realized when it tugged that she had her hands wrapped around his hair.

He looked down at her; the blankets had shifted off of her during the night. Revealing her chest and slim waist. He rested one of his hands on her hip and debated recovering her up or just gazing at her all night. She shivered and scooted closer to him. She was cold so he covered her gently, his hand lingering on the blanket for a few minutes. He lay down and tried to return to sleep but found the task impossible.

So he rose, gently disengaged his hair from her grip and headed for the factory floor. He grabbed his lance as he left perhaps a work out would relax his tension. He adjusted his pants other activities certainly would be out of the question. He padded down the stairs and took his place in the center of the huge room. He began with the basics just to warm up. Soon he was all over the place jumping and flipping and slashing at imaginary enemies with his lance. He channeled his frustration into the moves using the exertion to relieve it. His thoughts kept returning to the healer. to the smell of her hair the softness of her skin. it was maddening to the point he wished to scream.

Aeryn woke up she was suddenly colder for some reason she shifted and pulled the blankets up. The prince was absent from the bed. Had he left was this a chance to escape his clutches? She got up slowly Nuala was still sleeping. She padded over to Max's cage he was also out. She looked around the room the prince's clothes were missing. Which meant he had Max's key. She hissed in frustration and stood up. Perhaps she could take the whole cage? She considered it then realized it would make way too much noise.

She headed for the door, perhaps there was a crow bar on the bottom floor that she could use to free Max and then they could flee. She doubted he would hurt Nuala. So she snuck down the stairs. Wishing he had provided a robe and slippers the whole time. She came down the stairs slowly. She heard a ting sound and approached it.

It was Nuada and he seemed to be dancing with his spear. Or perhaps practicing with it. She stood there transfixed by the grace of his movements. She had never seen anyone move like that. It was like watching a ballet or gymnast. She watched with her mouth hanging open in awe. Then he suddenly stopped his spear was at waist level and his back was to her. She stared at his bare skin. It seemed to glow almost like moonbeams. She noted there were scars all over the mans back.

"How long have you been watching me little one?" he said softly. she swallowed suddenly nervous about being caught watching him "only for a few minutes I'm sorry I disturbed you" said Aeryn. she said it fast though as if she expected him to be mad. If he knew her plans he would have been. he turned towards her.

"What do you seek dear lady?" said Nuada. he smiled at her and she crossed her arms over her chest. Suddenly very self conscious that she was standing they're talking to him in an almost non-existent gown in a cold room. "Actually I was looking for the bathroom," she said. he pointed down a hall to a door. "The latch is broken so just pull it to," he said gently. she hurried in the direction indicated. Entering the bathroom and pulling the door shut behind her.

She tried to catch her breath then used the facilities. She checked to see if she was blushing in the old metal mirror. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart then walked back out of the bathroom. He had gone back to his exercises. Once again she caught herself watching him "do you enjoy watching me my lady?" he asked. He seemed amused by her inability to stop watching him. Aeryn turned bright red and started to stammer another apology. She in no way wanted to tell him how amazing he was. She had never been any good at talking to men.

Most of the guys thought she was weird and the girls were downright hostile. He walked towards her. "Say what you want to say lady I shall not be offended" he said "I've never seen anyone move like that you're so graceful" she blurted and immediately regretted it. Sure he would make fun of her for her boldness. He smiled at her "why thank you my lady that is very high praise indeed" said Nuada.

He had moved closer to her, "milady may I ask you something?" he said softly "Sure I don't see why not," said Aeryn "why are you so uncomfortable in your own skin?" he asked. "Why do you wish to know that?" said Aeryn "because it concerns me lady, why would you hide your beauty?" he asked, "I'm not beautiful" Aeryn responded "no my lady your breathtaking and I fail to see why you do not know this" said Nuada. She blinked in surprise she definitely hadn't expected that question or the compliment. "I ah guess its cause I never really fit in anywhere, except the center" said Aeryn "why, why didn't you feel like you fit in?" he asked

Aeryn sighed this line of questioning was disturbing her and retrieving painful memories. "I was always teased that's why I started wearing the contacts and makeup" said Aeryn "I guess I thought if everyone thought I was Goth it would explain away the paleness" said Aeryn "so I was right you were hiding" he said.

She nodded yes. "It was the only thing that worked my mother tried everything" said Aeryn "everything?" he questioned "contacts, tanning parlors, doctors everything" said Aeryn "she was so worried about me, I changed schools so many times I would have to just tell you the states they were in there are so many" said Aeryn. "Humans can be cruel their children more so," said Nuada

"Why move so many times?" said Nuada "the kids were cruel everywhere I went, I had few friends and the teasing never stopped" said Aeryn .he sensed another reason for her mothers frequent moves but refrained from saying so. Nuada swore in mother had been keeping her from knowing her people by staying one step ahead of the Dagda's spies. "I bet you only went places with out forests am I right?" he said softly

"Yeah my mom was terrified of trees," said Aeryn. She said it with an ironic smile that Nuada found quite charming. "Arizona was one of her favorite places," said Aeryn. Aeryn raised an eyebrow and stared at him until he was done swearing for a second time. "Your mother must have been very worried about you?" he said softly .he partially pitied the woman, she was being hunted and only she knew of it. None of her people would have believed her story. "She was and with good reason" said Aeryn

She said that last part so softly that he actually had to lean closer to her to hear it. "Why?" he said softly. "It got so bad when I was in junior high that I actually tried to slit my wrists, except it didn't work," said Aeryn. He rocked back on his heels taken aback by the disturbing news. "You tried to end your life?" he said in shock. She nodded sadly 'several times actually" she said softly

"And yet you aid them and claim them as your own" said Nuada "my mother was one of them and she wasn't so bad" said Aeryn. He would argue that with her but she seemed open enough to talk to him and he didn't want to lose that.

"What happened when you tried healer?" said Nuada "they closed before I withdrew the knife" said Aeryn. She held out her wrists to him. He took her hands in his. The wrists were unmarked. "I don't scar, at least not visibly" said Aeryn. Nuada looked like he wanted to cry or hug her she wasn't sure but it made her uncomfortable "Can I ask you something?' she said.

She wanted to get rid of that pitying look on his face. "Yes of course, you have answered my question it is only fair to answer yours" he said "where did you get so many scars?" said Aeryn. he nodded she had shared painful memories with him; all she asked for was some of his. "The first war with your mother's people left me thus but I am luckier than most I have my life they do not," said Nuada. "Didn't anyone see to them?" said Aeryn "no I would not allow it, my comrades needed the healers more" he said

"Is that where you learned to hate them?" said Aeryn "yes, I believe so, I lost many a friend that day and yes it has made me bitter" he said softly. "So you want to cause them pain for your own?" said Aeryn he nodded "yes my lady I suppose I do" said Nuada. "You have succeeded" she said softly and made as if to walk around him.

He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "I can't even begin to tell you how much I regret hurting you my lady," he said softly. "Regret changes nothing," said Aeryn "perhaps your right but I offer it nonetheless" he said. He held out his lance to her. "Take it lady," said Nuada

Aeryn looked at him funny puzzled by this turn of events. She gingerly took the weapon from his hands and gave him a puzzled look. "What are you doing?" she asked "offering you my life" he said "I don't understand," said Aeryn "I know why you hate me lady, I know I caused your pain and I'm offering you my life in recompense" he said

That floored Aeryn to the core. She looked at the blade in her hand. He went to his knees. "Your serious?" she said softly. If she did it she would be ending this war before it began. But that would entail her taking a life. A life she was beginning to respect, however grudgingly. "Why do you keep doing this to me?" she said softly. "Because I cannot bear for you to be in this pain my lady and if I can change that with my life I shall" he said softly. He looked up at her and met her eyes.

He had lowered himself to his knees to await her actions. He could take the weapon from her hands if need be but part of him needed her trust. Aeryn stared at him while flash backs of Max doing the same thing earlier played through her mind. She regarded the weapon in her hand. It was downright beautiful and very sharp she guessed. "Why? Why are you doing this?" said Aeryn