Disclaimer: I don't own Tamora Pierce's characters.

Not Taking Anymore

Chapter 29

"Kyle, you okay now?" Jen asked softly.

"Yeah," Kyle sighed tiredly. "Jen, you have to promise me you won't go after Serpenia."

"Kyle…" Jen turned away from him and sighed. "You know I can't do that, Redfern."

"Jen…"

"Kyle, I won't run from her, and I won't hide. Besides I think I may have a few tricks still up my sleeve," Jen smiled sadly at her friend. "I have to go right now, but know I won't leave you, because we are forever linked to each other. I heard you screaming in pain… I knew when you fell for her… I know you're not happy with my decision, Kyle, but I think a god has their hand on us. You know what Alanna would say, 'Once a god gets their hands on you, you're theirs.' I have an idea who has me, but I think his brother has you. I think I need to talk to George, I'll see you after supper, okay?"

"Okay, but before you go, tell me who has their hand on me?" Kyle begged her.

"It's either Daine's father or Mithros," Jen smiled sadly at him.

"Who has their hand on you?" Kyle growled irritably.

"Think about what I've been learning over the last few days, then you might have your answer," Jen gently brushed a hair away from his face before she turned and left the room.

"Which god?" Thom frowned as he walked up behind her.

"I need to speak to George," Jen whispered softly.

"Which one?" Thom demanded.

"Please Thom, I need to speak with your father."

Jen ignored his comment and tried to walk past him, but he pushed her up against the wall and hissed in her ear, "TELL ME WHO!"

"Thom, please…" Jen shivered in slight fear as he glared angrily into her eyes.

"Thom, release her," a voice behind Thom announced their presence.

"She says she's the plaything of a god!" Thom hissed. "Don't tell me you aren't the least bit concerned, Tobeis!"

Jen looked around Thom's head and saw Tobe. She was white with nervousness, but Tobe continued to stare at Thom, "It is none of our concern, Thom. It is her business if she wishes to tell us or not. Now, let her go."

"Fine, but the two of you stay out of my way!" the young mage growled and stormed off in a huff.

"Tobe…" Jen shook as she crumpled to the ground.

"Jen, I understand that you do not wish to tell anyone who the god you serve is, but I wish you felt you could trust me enough to tell me," Tobe sighed and began to walk away.

"Wait! Tobe!" Jen shakily got to her knees, before she crumpled back into a heap next to the wall, "Tobe, I want to tell you! I'm just not sure if my guess is right! That's why I need to talk to George!"

Tobe had turned at the sound of her collapsing a second time and stared deeply into her eyes as if he was searching for something. Jen tentatively reached out her mind to feel his grasp her tightly, "Jen…" Tobe was speechless at the trust that she had shown him. "I'll take you to see Mr. Cooper, you're too drained to make it on your own," Tobe sighed and hugged her to him.

"Tobe, I haven't been able to do that to anyone else in Tortall, besides Kyle… and never was it to the extent that just happened!" Jen shivered in his grasp, and buried her head in his neck.

Tobe tensed nervously as an odd tingling ran up and down his spine, "Jen, did you feel that?"

"Uh huh," Jen mumbled into his neck. "Been feeling it since I met you."

"…" Tobe swallowed, still tensed, but he began to walk towards where he thought George Cooper would be.

A knocking on the door to the Baron and Baroness' room called the old Thief King to open the door. He was surprised to find Tobe and Jen, "What are you two doing here?"

"Jen wished to see you, but your son attacked her in the halls," Tobe's eye twitched a bit in irritation towards the Thief King's son. Tobe tried to place Jen on a chair, but she stopped him.

"Tobe, I want you to stay and listen to our conversation," Jen whispered into Tobe's ear.

"Why would one of my boys do that to Jen?"

"I think a god has their hand on me," Jen pulled her face away from Tobe's as he sat down on their chair he'd previously tried to set her down on. He then situated Jen on his lap.

"…" George looked startled.

"I think you might be able to tell me if my guess is right," Jen sighed. "I think the Trickster has laid his hands on me."

George's eyes turned to the size of coffers and he paled in shock, "Why do you think he has laid his hands on you?"

Tobe seemed surprised, but he wrapped his arms around Jen in a gesture of trust and protection. Jen leaned back into Tobe's embrace, "Think of how Kyle and the rest of my motley group came here. Rogue magic stolen from Numair, then there was the fact that you decided to teach me the art of thievery, not just lock picking, as I had requested. There are a few other things, but I just can't think of them at the moment. And I think Mithros has his hands on Kyle," Jen frowned. "Maybe the Chaos goddess has Beatrice and perhaps Bianca, and Weiryn may have a hold on Jeri…" Jen tucked her head back in Tobe's neck, causing him to blush.

"So, you think the Trickster has you, Daine's father may have Jeri, Chaos has Beatrice and Bianca, and Mithros has Kyle?" George blinked and frowned as he thought about it. "Maybe you're right, but you'll have to wait until he reveals himself to ya," George sighed.

"Worried about your daughter?"

"Yes."

"The crows will let no harm come to her," Jen smiled knowingly at the Thief King.

"You mean that boy she's in love with?" George chuckled. "He's a bit odd."

"He's a good one, and he'll die before he let's anything bad happen to her. He loves her," Jen smiled as George stared at her in shock. "I suppose I should tell you that Nawat is one of my favorite book characters, just like Ally is," Jen sighed contentedly as she took in the smell of horses from Tobe's skin and clothes.

Tobe was blushing a brilliant shade of red as he felt her breathing tickle his throat, making a pleasant shock rush through his body, "Jen…"

"I'll discuss this with Alanna," George sighed tiredly.

"Okay," Jen yawned tiredly.

"You'd best take that lass and get her off to bed," George smiled knowingly at the two of them.

Tobe nodded and quickly readjusted Jen in his arms. He nearly ran out of the Cooper's room, his face tomato red. He might have told Jen off, but found that she was fast asleep in his arms.


sYaOrAnRoXmiSOX: Sorry it made you sad, but you are right, people do die. Hope this chapter was okay!
Lady-kitty: Here's a bit more of a romantic chapter for you! Definetly shows that Jen likes Tobe, and acts on it unconsciously when tired. Lol!
Rubber Duck: Yep, I know I screwed up with Dom's title, but earlier in the chapters I think I stated my mistake, but hey, Dom's moved up a step in the world! Captain is a rank or so higher than Sergeant, I think. I kinda understand where you're going with the little sibling is taller than you... My sis is getting there too, but she'll always be my little sis. You'll have to excuse me, but I really don't get why everyone is so keen on piercing themselves everywhere. Did you know that a long time ago having piercings meant that you were a slave? Okay, I'll stop before I get on a tangent. I have each ear pierced once, and that's all that is happening. I hope you are well and do not think me closed minded, or a hypocrite (the second of which I probably am). I hope that it all went well and that you've had no problems since. Please, mellon, do not be upset with me.
Seraphina2: Yup! Baird's bet explaination is confusing, but then again, so is life! Glad you liked the contrast, too bad this chapter isn't, but oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Mango Sam: Your first post will not be as bad as you think, mellon! (Mellon means "friend" in elvish.) You really need to stop putting yourself down! You should know the saying "I'm my own worst critic." So what if your first post isn't the best, you will continue to get better the more you write. Believe me, half of my stories that I started with had so many problems and I was so nervous about putting them up, but I worked up enough courage and I did it. You can do it too! Look at where I am now? I have over 100 reviews! Truthfully, I never expected so many to come rolling in. This has been my most sucessful story ever. Not all stories are hits, and not all are flops, you just do your best and try to figure out what the people want, and see if it fits into your perameters, if not who cares about them. Write like you want to, and don't let anyone stand in the way of your creativity! I read as much if not more than I write, and many of my ideas are original, but something in another writer's tale will hit me differently than anyone else and it sets me off and going. Kinda like your review! Lol! In short, don't be so hard on yourself, my mellon!