Disclaimer: I don't own a thing except me. Or James. And the plot. Who owns the rest? Check what section this is under and you'll know.

This takes place about two months after the last chapter. The others haven't shown up. Yet. They will next chapter. So wait.

I hope you like! This'll become more romancy in this chapter, as the twosome think about each other in a new...light.

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Sandry couldn't sleep. She tried and tried and tried...but alas, no sleep came to her. She decided to see what James was up to.

She left the room and walked across to James's suite. She put her ear to the door and much to her surprise, heard the sweet sound of a flute master-player. She and her teachers were never sure if it was talent or his magic that allowed him to play any instrument perfectly. Sandry personally didn't care. The song that he was currently playing was called Slane, a folksong she had a personal liking for.

She knocked on the door, although reluctant to have the song end. The flute stopped being played, and the door opened to James's surprised face.

Sandry studied him quickly. He had grown in the two months or so he had been in Emelan. Although not quite her height, his five foot and one half inch lessened the difference. He was dressed in a plain blue shirt, with a light cotton pair of breeches.

"Sandry! Why aren't you asleep? It's nearly midnight!" he said, sounding much like her great-uncle.

"Why aren't you asleep, then?" she countered. He struggled to come up with an answer, then grinned sheepishly. He has a nice smile, she thought to herself. Why didn't I notice it before? And why do I suddenly feel warm?

"Come in," he said, opening the door wider. She stepped in, and he motioned for her to take a seat on the bed. She did so as he closed the door over, leaving a tiny sliver of space so they could hear anyone approaching.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he sat next to her. Why is my heart beating so fast all of a sudden? she thought, startled. And why does he look so, so, so, nice all of a sudden? I don't like him that way.

Or do you? asked a nasty little voice in the back of her mind.

Shut up, she told the voice. "I couldn't sleep."

"Obviously."

"So I was wondering, could you talk to me till I fall asleep?"

"But what if I fall asleep?"

"Then I'll leave."

"What if you fall asleep?"

"You'll carry me to my room."

"Fine then."

Sandry smiled at him. He smiled back and asked, "Is it okay if I clean my flute while we talk?"

She nodded. He got the instrument and the polishing kit, then sat down again and began to clean it.

"James, did you leave anyone behind when you left?" Sandry asked suddenly, not exactly sure why she did. His eyes looked sad for a moment, than regained their normal hue.

"No." She could tell he was lying, but suddenly afraid of hurting him, she didn't press for details.

It's nice, being with her, James thought. She doesn't expect anything from you, she's not arrogant or rude, she's got a great smile, and I wonder what it would be like to kiss her? Whoa, wait, where did those thoughts come from? I like her well enough, she's a really good character and all, but I don't like her that way.

His equivalent of Sandry's nasty little voice said, or do you?

Shut up, he told it, completely unaware that just a little time ago she did the same thing.

Sandry noticed he looked lost in thought, and sad. She put her hand on his arm and said quietly, "Is there something wrong?" He flinched at her touch.

"Nothing, nothing," He said hastily. He got up and placed the instrument back in its case, then returned to the bed.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know, what do you want to talk about?" He yawned, then said, "I'm tired."

"Yeah, me too."

Suddenly, without warning, their eyes closed and they fell back, fast asleep.

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The next morning, Sandry did not show up for breakfast. So naturally, the duke was angry. Sandry never did this. He summoned a maid, then told her to go check in Sandry's room to see where she was.

The maid opened the door and could immediately tell Sandry wasn't there. Being the bright little thing she was, she decided to check James's room to see if he knew where she was. He hadn't shown up either.

She opened the door a crack and lo and behold, the two missing teenagers were curled up on the bed. Together. In the same room. Next to each to other. On the bed. She raised an eyebrow, then ran to tell the duke.

"SANDRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The duke's voice boomed through the corridor. The door to James's room flew open, revealing a very startled Sandry and James. They glanced at each other, then the bed, then quickly jumped off in separate directions.

"Sandry, you will change and come see me in the main parlor. James, you will do the same. You will not speak to each other, nor will you make any motion of noticing the other's existence until you are in my company. Also do not go near the kitchens. You missed breakfast, you missed breakfast. I expect you in my presence within the half-hour," the duke said curtly. He turned to leave and Sandry did not move. "Now, Sandry," he said. She scurried out of the room, and he followed.

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James came in seconds after Sandry. "Ah, they are both here. Now let's begin. Do either of you know why I was upset this morning upon discovering you two were in the same room, made worse because you were on the bed?"



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Ooooooooh, cliffhanger. Review. or IM. Please? Thanx.

Sir James of Howell