Chapter 20

"Are you sure you are alright?" Anduin's tone was skeptical as he stepped back to look from Fox to his father. It was as if he expected Varian to refute her claims.

"Yes, Prince Anduin, I am fine. Simply over did it a bit that's all." She cut in before Varian could speak. She didn't put it past him to make matters sound worse then they actually were. "Please forgive me for worrying you so."

Anduin relaxed a bit at her assurance. "Of course, I will forgive you. How could I not after all you have done for me? Just do not do anything like this again. How can you expect me to behave, when you are setting such a horrible example for me to follow?"

Varian was down shifting from his impromptu seduction of Fox, to the sudden arrival of his son. The very same son he had been trying to bait back to his side for days. With little to no success. Then a single mention that Fox had fainted, and the boy came rushing back? "Anduin? Why are you here?"

"Because Goldenleaf showed up and informed me, and Wrathion, that Fox was unwell." The Prince dismissed his father yet again to address Fox, "Wrathion sends his apologizes. He feared coming into Lion's Landing would convey the wrong impression to several members of the Horde. Although, thankfully, he was correct in his assumption that you would rebound quickly. I had to come back in case you needed my skills as a healer."

"So you know Fox?" Varian broke in. He did not know what to question first. How his son had come to know her so well, when he clearly had not. Or what she had been doing on the Timeless Isle when she was suppose to be asleep in Lion's Landing. He decided to go with what was bothering him most. "When did you happen to befriend my son?"

"Since I was," Anduin paused, in thoughtful reflection. "How old was I when you first came to the castle?"

"Shortly before you were crowned King, Prince Anduin. That is when I was first sent into service to the Royal House of Wyrnn." Fox smiled with the fond memories. The look on the King's face didn't hurt her fine humor. He was completely baffled and it showed.

Varian watched her bloom in Anduin's presence. Suddenly a bit jealous of his son's ability to not only get Fox to use his name, but glow with delight at his every word.

"If I may, your Majesty?" Goldenleaf cut in, as he came forward. "I do have a full accounting of events, if you would like to receive it."

Fox's head snapped up. She glared over at the druid. Blasted Goldenleaf, always so dependable.

"I think, I want to hear this." Varian nodded to Goldenleaf. He crossed his arms over his chest and prepared himself.

Fox felt her hands come together before her. There she went wringing them in nervousness again. She did not fail to notice Varian taking note of the action. When was she ever going to stop this around her chain of command? Nervousness eating at her, she offered, "Seeing as Goldenleaf has this covered, I will head out for the night." Fox started for the door. Hoping, no praying, to the Light that Varian did not halt her progress by word or deed.

Some wishes were only meant to be futile dreams. Varian moved swiftly to stop her. A hand shot out to drop on her shoulder. "This is a matter of your well being, Fox. I think you should stay, and give your own input. Perhaps Goldenleaf will get something wrong."

Fox dropped her shoulder to get out of his grip. To Varian's amusement she slipped behind Anduin. Thereby sealing her fate that she had indeed been up to no good.

Fox pressed her lips together looking at the druid with pleading eyes. Goldenleaf hardly ever got anything wrong. That was the problem! The bad part was she would not be answering just to Shaw about her escapades. King Wyrnn and Anduin were sure to tear into her as well.

"Admiral Taylor stated he greeted Fox between the Flight point and the SI-7 Barracks early yesterday morning. He instructed her to go reinforce Sky Admiral Rogers on the Skyfire at Domination Point." Goldenleaf started his tale. "Sky Admiral Rogers then instructed Fox to destroy goblin machinery and collect dog tags from the Bilgewater Outpost."

Varian moved his attention from Goldenleaf to Fox. Instantly amusement turned to anger as the weight of Golden's words set in. "You went into a combat zone? How could you be that foolish? You were in no condition to fight. What if you had been engaged?"

Fox ducked her head low. Casting a glance, she saw Anduin looking confused "What was wrong with her going into combat yesterday?"

"She had been up the previous day and night working. I left her at Lion's Landing to rest." Varian noticed his son turning accusing eyes on Fox as well, "Anduin? What do you know?"

"I am getting to that!" Goldenleaf broke in again. He did not want them jumping over any of his lengthy and very detail oriented report. He had not forgotten for one moment that if he did a good job, King Wrynn would offer him a position. That was something he could use to convince Malfurion and the Cenarion Circle to retire him from Sheylann's service. "You will skip some key elements of the report if we move straight to Timeless Isle."

"She was on the Isle?" Varian looked over at Goldenleaf. There would be no outward sign that he was becoming enraged aside the electric blue glow filling his eyes.

"Yes, but before that she was at Bilgewater Outpost. As I was saying, once there she did engage in combat, at least three times I have confirmed. The first time she, alone, against four goblins attempting to sink an Alliance vessel."

Fox's face paled to near white. She rocked so hard she thought she would fall. Before almost shouting, "How do you know about that?"

"Because I was told to recount your actions, and I am very thorough. Especially when some one like the High King of the Alliance entrusts me to do a simple intelligence run. Do you want to tell them how the ship sank, or should I?"

"One of the war ships sank?" Varian could not believe that this was the first he was hearing of it.

"More like Fox accidentally blew it out of the water in her attempt to save it. It's a complete loss, just so you know, your Majesty." The rest of the recounting was just as exacting in detail. Goldenleaf had proven to be on par with Shaw in his tenaciousness. He now stood rocking on his feet with pride at his accomplishment.

Anduin had moved to a chair sometime ago. The long legs kicked out before him. A hand settled on his brow shielding his eyes from the room. The harsh curve of his frown was telling enough.

Varian paced the floor. A sure sign he was on the verge of blowing a fuse at any moment. He didn't know what to do first. He could throw Fox in a cell for destruction of Alliance property. That would keep her contained for a while. Although he should praise her for saving lives of innocents. She had certainly done much to promote the heart of the Alliance to the Pandarian of Halfhill. Not to mention watching over his son, at great peril to her own life. Then was an urge to pull her into his arms, and thank the Light she was still alive. The last and most appealing option was to turn her over his knee for making him worry. With Anduin and Goldenleaf in the room, he decided to forgo that option.

"Fox," Anduin dropped his arm. It hung almost to the floor in his slouched position "I can understand why you did everything you did. That being said, there comes a time you have to ask others for help."

Fox blinked at Anduin. Did he realize who he was talking too? As an agent of the SI-7, she had to work alone most of the time. Asking for help was severely frowned upon, and viewed as weakness. Still it was Anduin that was making this seemingly reasonable request. She pondered what her reaction should be. Looking from Goldenleaf, backstabbing traitor that he was, to King Wrynn. The King paused his step noticing her eyes on him. A sharp shake of his head showed she would find no quarter with him. Thankfully this was not delivered in form of a missive. One he would have read with her alone in the counsel room. She shuddered at the idea. There was only one thing to do. Fake repentance, and throw herself on Anduin's mercies. Lowering her head, she forced tears into her eyes. Not much, just enough so that the impression looked as if she was doing her best not to let them fall. "I will keep that in mind, my Prince."

"Please do. Now it's obvious that you have not had enough sleep to recover. You do not need anymore stress upon you today. I am sure my father never meant to hold you up this long?" Anduin looked at Varian for conformation.

Varian was dumb struck. There was Fox openly playing his son for a fool right in front of him. Poor Anduin didn't even suspect! By the light she was cunning like a fox.

"Father? Can we allow her to go rest?" Anduin spoke again, trying to gain his father's attention.

Fox shot him a pleading look as well. So many emotions rolling inside him at once. The urge to dismiss Anduin and Goldenleaf was strong. He certainly was going to have to deal with Fox, but in private. "Yes, she may go. Goldenleaf, since I can actually trust you to do what you are told, take the rogue back to her barracks room." He lifted his hand to wave them away.

Fox pressed her lips tight to kill the smile.

Varian did not miss it. There was a bit to much bounce in her step as she moved for the door. "Fox, I will see you tomorrow. Be prepared for my summons."

That brought her around to stare at him. She didn't like the tone of King Wyrnn's voice, "Should I bring my fishing pole?"

"No Fox." He lifted his gaze to lock on her. The warning in those piercing blue eyes was for her alone. "Most certainly do not bring a fishing pole when I call for you."

"I bid you good night, Your Highness." Goldenleaf bowed then turned and motioned for Fox to exit first. Once in the hall he looked down at Fox and smiled brightly, "I think that went really well!"

"You know I am going to murder you in your sleep, right?" Fox didn't wait for him before striding through the halls. Any faster she would have to break into a run.

Goldenleaf, with his long legs, was unperturbed. "They will get over it. I have been in trouble with Malfurion and Tyrande more then once, heck even both of them as the same time. Give it a few centuries and they always seem to forget, and your all golden again."

"Could you think for a moment?" She growled as they exited the building. Fox turned and headed away from the SI-7 barracks.

Goldenleaf rushed in front of her and put his arms open wide. "Your room is in the other direction."

"I know, but the food is in this one." Fox dipped under his arm. Goldenleaf did not bother to try and stop her as she made her way to the vendor. She made her selections quickly. She had no desire to be caught out and about. Things were already bad enough. Taking her bag of buns and the steaming container of tea, "Thank you sir, the night elf will pay for it."

"Me?" Goldenleaf straightened. "Why me?"

"Because you are the one who pushed me under the Tram!" Fox watched as Goldenleaf wrinkled up his face, but paid the merchant for her food.

"Happy now? Am I forgiven?"

Fox who was taking a sip of her tea almost spewed it back out. The dark eyes narrowing as she looked up at him.

"Oh goodie. That must be a no."

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0

Varian was having his own set of issues. Anduin was back, and however unexpectedly, he was exceedingly grateful to have more time with his rapidly growing son. So much time had already been lost. Varian wasn't entirely sure, but it was possible that his boy had put on another inch.

Anduin was silent as he stood up. Walking over to the table he looked it over. It took him a moment before he realized the placements. He looked to his father with one eyebrow lifting, ever so slightly, "Dad? Why is this table set for two?"

"Fox was joining me. She was suppose to tell me what happened to her yesterday. It seems to me that I am lucky Goldenleaf was the one that gave the report. I doubt, I would know half of what I do now." Varian rubbed his forehead. "Would you care to take her place? I am starving."

"Sure, but there are a few more things I need to ask." Anduin picked up one of the bottles of wine. "Since when did you start drinking wine with dinner?"

"I have been known to treat myself once and while. Your dear father doesn't have to stick with harder spirits all the time." Varian sat down and waited for Anduin to do the same.

"True." Anduin picked up the dainty wine glass, "But this is far from the mugs you use any other time. In fact between the wine, the candles, and the abeyance of the room it's self, I am having some suspicions of my own."

"Anduin. You should drop this topic." Varian squirmed. Damn boy was to smart by half.

"Dad, I am not a child anymore. I can tell the difference between a business dinner and a..." Anduin pulled out his chair and sat down, "Well, for lack of a better term, a date."

It was Varian's turn to slide back in his chair. "Anduin, There is nothing between Fox and myself." It was true enough. Varian felt a bit of depression over come him at exactly how true. Something was going to have to be done to change it.

"Oh." Anduin frowned and set the wine glass down. Looking at it as the light refracted across the room. "That's too bad. Because I really like Fox. You know if you change your mind about her, I have some really fun stories I could share."

"So how did you enjoy your time on the Timeless Isle?" Varian changed the subject.

Anduin's attention was perfectly deviated. "It's an enigma of time itself. The wild life is so exotic and strange."

Varian listened to his son speaking about the unusual island. But without asking, he learned something important. Anduin liked Fox. It was clear Fox adored Anduin. It was more then he could have hoped for and it would certainly make things easier.

Author note: Do any of you really think for one glimmering moment of insanity I am going to let anything go easily? Varian has wised up though, and when has he ever sat back and waited for anything to just happen?