Chapter 2

By: LadyIsabelle

Disclaimer: All stuff you recognize is not mine. Everything you don't, assume its mine, unless it isn't. *smiles*

Thayet touched her hand to her face and wondered if that had actually happened. Jon could be mean, but he never was violent. She shook her head slightly to clear it. Her face throbbed slightly, near her eye. He had been wearing his signet ring, and that was heavy, and sharp. Thayet looked at her fingers and found they were sticky with blood from beside her left eye. Damn that ring. Damn that goddamn ring. I gave it to him, and how ironic it would be my downfall. She shook her head and got up. She smoothed out her breeches, pulled on a cloak and pulled the hood over her head. She walked out of the room, wiping off the blood as it trickled down her face.

She knocked on the door and Alanna opened it. "Thayet?" she asked surprised.

"Yes. Can I come in?"

"Of course," she said, noting her cloak and the hood pulled up over her friend's face. "What are you, hiding your identity or something?"

"Somewhat," Thayet said reluctantly. She walked into the suite of rooms that Alanna kept in the palace, for when she was in residence.

"Why would you ever do that? Has Jon become to, uh, demanding in your relationship?" Alanna asked slyly. Thayet didn't say anything. Alanna glanced curiously at her, but was unable to see the face beneath the hood. "Why don't I take you cloak?" When Thayet didn't move, she went and pushed back the hood on the cloak. She gasped when she saw the nasty cut and beginnings of a bruise. "Thayet, did this happen when you were with the Riders?"

She shook her head and whispered, "No." Alanna led her to a chair where she sat down.

"Was it, was it," Alanna seemed to have trouble forming the words, "Jon?"

Thayet nodded and looked up at her. "He didn't mean to, I suppose. I was throwing things in his face." She drew in a ragged breath. "I suppose, if I infuriated him enough to hit me, then I did something rather bad."

Alanna frowned. "Now, I'm sure you didn't deserve it. What, exactly did you say to him?" She pushed some hair out of Thayet's face so she could take a closer look at the cut.

"It was nothing. It would bore you, just a squabble. I hate to be rude, but could you heal me so I can go? My son is waiting for me."

She glanced at Thayet and at the blood on her hands and said, "It doesn't look like squabble to me. It looks like a full-blown fight. What were you fighting about? Me?" she asked jokingly. Thayet looked away and didn't say anything. Alanna swallowed hard. "You were fighting about me, weren't you?" At Thayet's almost unnoticeable nod, she continued, "You know I have no designs on your husband, right? I don't love him; I love George, with all my heart. Me and Jon would have made a terrible couple. He just liked me for the sex. That's all."

Thayet smiled a bit. "I know you don't have any designs on my husband, as you so nicely put it. It's my husband who has designs on you."

Alanna blinked, surprised. I thought we ended that years ago. He didn't want to marry me, and I him. I thought he loved Thayet. "Why me? He never wanted to marry me, only you."

"Marry me, yes, love me, no. He really loves you." Thayet stopped, surprised to see a tear running down her cheek, but continued anyways. "He does Alanna. As much as he tries to deny it, he loves you. He calls your name when we"- she cut off, her good manners stopping her.

"He doesn't do that. Besides, he really loves you." Alanna started to heal the cut on Thayet's temple.

"Yes he does. He compares me to you, and every action I do that you wouldn't do, the disgust fills his eyes. Alanna, what am I doing wrong?"

Alanna stopped to consider this. "Maybe, he just thinks he loves me. And when he gets drunk, and I gather that's when he calls my name, because he doesn't get overly grabby with you on the thrones unless he is drunk, I wouldn't count it."

"But its not just when he is drunk. And I don't think so. I think he loves you. He can't even say he loves me anymore. And it hurts Alanna. I thought I had a good marriage, and now it hurts."

Alanna sighed and put a little ointment on Thayet's cheek. "I can't get rid of all the bruises. The cut is quite deep, and there is a little scab. Not noticeable, except the bruises are. You might want to go and sleep a bit." She pointed towards her bed, in the next room. "You can sleep in there."

Thayet nodded her compliance, "Thank you Alanna. And I'm glad I can trust you." She went into the bedroom and closed the door.

Alanna shook her head. It was time to have a nice, long, talk with Jon about his wife. She walked out the door and headed towards the small council room.

A/N Aha! Chapter 2! Go me! Thanks for all the lovely reviews! I have an idea for the rest of the story, it should work. And all those A/J fans out there, I'm very sorry, but I highly doubt, and I'm 99% sure that there won't be any action between them. Sorry! L Anyways, I hope to be posting chapters within a few days. And I'm going to do a very un-me like thing, and do special review shout outs!

Cami of Queenscove – Thanks for the review! Nobody has had Jon as a villain in awhile, and I was mad at him so it was easy. I think it could either way, serious or funny.

White-wolf- I know! It wasn't originally in the plan, but it just seemed right.

DarkDracon0- hehe. We all know the truth about Jon. He just doesn't realize it about himself. And the profanity is fine, I have a sailor's mouth, but I edit it out. Mostly. You should read my other fic, Alanna's Wish, its language is just lovely.

DaniSue- I know, Thayet could have done better. But at the time, it was a good idea. Besides, supposedly, Jon, although not the nicest guy, is very hott. Hehe.

Lynx wings- I used to like Jon. Then he got on my nerves. Thanks for reviewing.

Another A/N If I didn't do thank-yous, you must not have given a name. Give me name, real or made up signed in or not signed in, and I will deliver personal thanks. But if you didn't, thank you thank you thank you for reviewing!