A/N: Really everyone, thank you SO much for all your generous reviews! *hugs Lynn Utsukushii* Now I'm terrified that the next two parts won't live up to the first one! Not a whole lot happens in part two, and it's the shortest. It takes a closer look at Chris' feelings for Nash, and it sets up the next part. As for Nash's marital status, I'm well aware of his 'missus' but. There's no actual proof that he *is* married, he only claims to be. I'm not saying he isn't but it is sort of a grey area since no one really knows for sure either way. Regardless, I can't help it. I love this pairing. ^_^

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Part Two

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Miraculously, Nash remained silent for the almost the entire duration of the ride to Iksay. As the trip was a couple hours long by horse, the extended silence left her to her thoughts.

Why did she agree to this? Why is it that Nash always somehow managed to get his way? He made her so angry! She hated everything about him.

She hated his sarcasm and mockery. She hated how he always knew things before she did, how he always managed to stay ahead of every situation. It infuriated her how she was so predictable and simple to him, when he was so complex and mysterious to her. Sometimes he seemed to know more about her than she knew about herself. She hated how he made flirtatious advances towards her despite her status as a knight as his *supposed* status as a married man, and how he made flirting with her some kind of a game. She couldn't stand the way he would gaze at her with his pale green eyes, boring into her as though he could see every thought in her head. She hated the way it made her feel when he looked at her; like a simple, lost little girl.

He was always one step ahead of her, no matter what the circumstances.

And yet, though it all, she found that she was drawn to him somehow. His confidence and assertive attitude was reassuring. His skills and wisdom caused her to look up to him, and more than she cared to admit. He was incredibly observant and quick-witted. She grew to like his searching, yet surprisingly gentle gazes. She began to notice how soft his blonde hair looked when it fell to the side in front of his eye, and how incredibly well built he was for a man in his late thirties. Through all his mockery and foolish flirtation, she found a strange sort of comfort in him. Deep down, she knew this was the reason she continued to confide in him, that this was the real reason she hated him; she loved him.

Chris experienced a small spasm of shock and horror when she realized where her thoughts were going. What was she thinking? Such nonsense!

She began to reason with herself desperately. She was tired, and her thoughts were not sensible right now. But it wasn't anything to worry about. People think silly things when they've overexerted themselves, right?

"Are you alright?" Nash asked, jerking her from her thoughts.

"What?"

"You look a little shaken about something." Those uncannily sharp observation skills he had were putting her at a disadvantage.

"I'm just tired." She replied hastily.

Nash gave her a sidelong glance from his horse and chuckled a little, but wisely remained silent when Chris glared at him.

She managed to keep her thoughts in check for the remainder of the trip.

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As Nash had predicted, it was around midnight when they arrived in Iksay. Chris was very tired, but now that she was here she knew that they were one step closer to overcoming this whole weapon mess. They left their horses in the stable by the inn, and proceeded into the building, hoping that someone would be at the front desk at this late hour.

A middle-aged woman was slumped over the front desk, apparently having worked late and fallen asleep.

Nash stepped forward, but Chris intervened. "Let me handle this." She stated, leaving no room for objections. Nash shrugged and gestured for her to address the slumbering woman.

"Excuse me?" She called softly, and the woman snorted awake, startled.

"Who- Wha-? Oh. Oh! I'm terribly sorry! Methinks I must have dozed off. What time is it?" The innkeeper asked, a little groggily.

"It's really quite late, and we're sorry for intruding at this time of night but if you have any rooms to accommodate us, we would be very grateful." Chris replied, with a slight bow of her head.

"Ay, of course! Yeh must be tired, having travelled to this village in the middle of nowhere! Now let me see, I'm not sure if I've got any rooms left, we're not a very big inn, see? Ah yes! I have one room left for yehs."

Chris visibly stiffened. "Erm. Just one?"

"Ay, how very lucky you two are. We don't have many visitors here, but with so many people coming to help repair the village after the raid a while back, the rooms have almost always been full." She trailed off a bit when she caught Chris' expression, which was nothing short of traumatized. "Eh. Is something the matter?" Obviously the woman had mistaken the two as a couple and was baffled Chris' hesitation.

"Eh. Well." Chris stammered.

"Accommodating us both in one room? Intolerable!" Nash mocked, just loud enough for Chris to hear him.

She shot a death glare over her shoulder at him. How dare he mock her! If she refused the room now, he'd complain and torment her about her female squeamishness for the rest of her days.

"We'll take it!" She snapped, dumping the required potch on the counter and snatching the key from the innkeeper, who looked utterly bewildered. "Let's go!" She practically shouted at Nash.

"One moment." Nash moved over in front of Chris to get the innkeepers attention. "I know it is late to be asking this, but would you or anyone in this village know something about this?" He held out the old book to the page containing the information on the Golden Hammer.

The innkeeper dragged her astonished stare away from Chris and onto the book presented to her. "Ohhh, that? Ay, it's an antique. Said to have magical powers. It used to be an heirloom of the village blacksmith, but he was unable to wield it; was too powerful for him, he said. He sold it to the rarity shop just next door. It's up for sale, but for a pretty potch."

Nash glanced over at Chris, who had temporarily forgotten her rage in light of this new information. Nash raised a brow, and smiled, and Chris, despite herself, smiled back slightly.

"Well then, we'll just have to pay that shop a little visit tomorrow, won't we love?" He pocketed the book and grinned as Chris' face clouded over again at the thought of being referred to as his wife, and she turned to leave, anger returning.

Nash leaned apologetically over the counter to the innkeeper just as Chris started marching up the stairs, knowing full well she could hear. "You'll have to excuse the missus, she's a little overbearing sometimes, and a bit *eager* for bed, if you know what I mean." Nash winked at the stunned innkeeper.

Chris nearly exploded with rage.

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A/N: Okay, so nothing too significant happened, I know. But it's setting things up for the last part. Part three should be up soon. Once again, reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for continuing to read this! ^_^