A/N I love this scene in LR where Jonathan gives George the pardon and makes him a baron, so I decided to explore it a little further and add a little fluffiness. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: All dialogue in the first section is lifted straight from the book. It is Tammy's, not mine. Please don't sue me.

Jonathan sat down nervously in Myles's study. Really, he was quite proud of himself. He thought this was perhaps one of the cleverest ideas he'd ever come up with. Now he just had to convince George to accept it.

Alanna swept in wearing, to Jonathan's surprise and delight, a dress. She looked lovely, but more than that, she looked noble.

That was better than he could have hoped for.

They bantered for a bit until she asked Jonathan why he had made the trip.

"I'm here for a talk with George - who is late. I thought your presence might soothe things," and add a little extra incentive Jonathan thought.

"You aren't angry with George are you?" Alanna asked.

"Quite the opposite," Jonathan replied.

Just then George strode in, and Jonathan watched as Alanna poured him a drink and checked him for wounds. They were so easy together and cared so much for each other. A small part of Jonathan was jealous, but more than that, he felt pride as he watched. How many times had the two of them saved his life? More than he cared to count. He owed them more than he could give them, but maybe today would be a good start.

When they were settled, he opened the manuscript case he had brought and passed the first of its contents to George.

George read for a moment before slamming it down. "A royal pardon. What d'you take me for, Majesty? You've had fun with the lowborn, and now you'll throw me a bauble as a reward? I want no charity, Jonathan!"

Jonathan had been expecting this reaction. He knew his friend well. He calmly recounted all the thief had done for him and what his friendship had meant to him, concluding with, "this is to prevent the day when I have to sign a writ for your execution."

"You needn't go so far. I've lost my taste for the rouge. I'll leave Tortall, settle elsewhere." George growled back.

Alanna started forward, and the prince grabbed her arm, grateful for the chance to call attention to her. Jonathan met George's eyes. He explained his reasoning further and brought up the position he had in mind for his friend.

"What's t'other writ then?" George asked.

Jonathan got to what he hoped was the best part, "A grant of nobility and the title of Baron. The deeds to the lands and incomes traditionally belonging to the Lord of Pirate's Swoop." Quietly, he waited for George to realize the other implication of such a promotion.

After Jonathan left with two writs bearing George's signature, the thief - or was he still a thief now that he had been pardoned? This was going to be an interesting transition - excused himself to go clean up.

He splashed water on his face as he thought through what exactly Jonathan had just convinced him to agree to. He was going to be a noble and the king's spymaster. Those two things were life-changing and would give him much to puzzle over, but for now, all he could think about was what this meant for him and a certain purple-eyed woman downstairs.

George had once told Alanna that she wouldn't really care about her nobility and what was proper and what wasn't when it came down to it, and he still believed that. But he couldn't help but know that for her, marrying a commoner, and the king of thieves to be precise, would not be without complications.

The scandal of Alanna's sex had mostly blown over, but it still didn't sit well with many at court. If Jonathan's champion married a commoner and a wanted criminal, the scandal might never end. The broader court may never accept George to their ranks, and any children they may have would be set up for a rough life under the judgemental eyes of the court. Jonathan and their friends would do what they could, but even his power had limits.

George wanted Alanna more than he had ever wanted anything, but he didn't want to make her life harder. Those two rolls of parchment and Jonathan's seal solved that problem completely.

And then there was the Prince himself. George had been terrified that Alanna would go right back into Jonathan's arms as soon as she saw that Jonathan's rebellious phase had ended. And what kind of friend would he be if he tried to get in the way? But the Prince knew the full extent of what he was offering with those writs. George had seen it in his eyes.

As George changed into fresh clothes, he began to allow himself to envision a different future: one where he and Alanna worked on the same side of the law. He could join Alanna and Jon at court events without needing a disguise. He and Alanna could travel together openly, and he could take her home to a castle, their castle, instead of an estate brimming with thieves half loyal and half waiting for a chance to slit his throat and take his throne. His imagination went so far as to starting a family with her and spending a cozy mid-winter with a few children running around...

He began to grin broadly and even whistle without realizing it.

As soon as he felt presentable, he sought out Alanna.

"You're in a good mood," she observed when he found her. "I rather expected you to be a little overwhelmed after that conversation...my lord," she added with a wink.

"Oh I am that, lass, but it's a beautiful day, and I don't want to waste it. Go for a walk with me?" He asked, taking her arm and heading toward the door without waiting for a response. "Besides, I have a favor to ask you."

It was actually rather overcast and chilly, but she went with him anyway. "Anything," she replied with a smile - his mood was infectious.

"I need you to teach me how to be a pompous noble like you and Jon."

Alanna made an indignant noise then laughed and shoved him playfully.

As they walked and talked, he looked down at her and couldn't keep the wide grin off his face. He was going to make that future a reality. He had never been more determined to do anything in his life.

Alanna walked along, happy just to be in George's company. Jonathan hadn't consulted her about his plans, but she thoroughly approved. Spymaster, how perfect! And though she knew George had been protecting Jon even when it wasn't his duty, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders knowing George was going to be in charge of uncovering plots and keeping the king safe full-time.

But a small part of her remained discontent as she spent the afternoon strolling through the city with George. He was so attentive but purely friendly. She had hoped he would renew his courtship when they were reunited, but he seemed to have lost interest in anything more than friendship. She felt a brief moment of self-pity. Jon had moved on and so, it seemed, had George.

Well, a girl can't have everything right?