Hi, sorry it took so long to update but my beta-reader spotted some problems I had to work out and we are both busy people but here it is at last:

I'm back!

Dunno how you feel about that but I hate exams!!! Especially learning for them which I should actually be doing now. It's the last week of January and on the first week of February they begin! ::sighs::

@ Rainne: How could I? It's my little baby and I'm rather fond of it though I can't serve everybody's taste of course. Which leads me to:

@ lauren (and everybody else who's interested in what I want to say): Whooo, my first flame ever and I got it even twice, WOW! I don't know if you're still reading it (as I assume you've stopped at sixth chapter, wrote your review and left for good) but let me say something on it though, please:
It might be an AKT-Fic but as I said it has many elements of an older (non AKT-related) never-been-written-down story of mine. And the title is "A Girl's Tale" not "Tale of all the Characters in the Film". I was planning very early on to involve the others, too (Maureen didn't meet Pete again for nothing) but it shall deal a lot with Maureen's (torn) feelings and her POV. And as it is a Geoffrey-romance (though rather an unusual one) all I need is Geoffrey. ::smirks:: I thought to just give them both some time for themselves first. (Sorry if I sounded like I-got-a-flame-and-I-want-revenge but it was the first time and I just wanted to explain.)

On we go:

Feel free to review.

Enjoy.

~*~

~Geoffrey had had a bad time. It had all begun with Ryan first entering his house one month ago. At the beginning he had enjoyed his presence. by-and-by Geoffrey had noticed that he seemed to enjoy his presence just a little too much. He knew he was fond of the short chap but he had dreams he certainly did not like. Dreams of Ryan smiling and of sitting very close to him during their time in the study. The last two weeks the occurance of such dreams had increased and made Geoffrey very nervous.

He had noticed his contacts to women had faltered and even got plastered and the dice-booth did not distract him from this kind of thoughts anymore. The night before Elana's birthday he had had a very distressing dream about Ryan caressing a baby and how jealous he, Geoffrey, had been on the mother – Elana. He had been angry that she spent so much time with Ryan so that Geoffrey wasn't needed anymore. He had woken up sweating and very confused. He had fled to his favourite gambling booth then and played like a maniac through the whole night – and it had happened again. He had gambled away his very own clothes.

It had been like a self-punishment for his abnormal wishes. Here he was sitting, dirty and wounded, in a ruinous house, waiting for the night, nobody was looking out for him, nobody was wanting him. That was what he deserved!

But then the wonder had come to pass. Through the gap in the damaged entrance door he could see the most unlikely person passing: Ryan! Geoffrey let out a gasp of disbelief (and somewhat joy to see him). Ryan looked mighty nervous and uncomfortable as he now was peering inside the house. Geoffrey drew back into the shadows of the ruin not wanting the boy to see things he better should not see.

"Master Chaucer, is it you? Um...I'm bringing you clothes."

Geoffrey felt both relieved and ashamed. He felt his face and ears beginning to burn slightly. A habit he had noticed to have befallen him rather often in the last month.

"Why?" he asked with a voice that he hoped would sound confident.

"Um... I thought you could need them. Nothing special, just pants and shirts from the laundry. They're Bob's but with them you can come home at least."

Home. His house he was sharing with people he considered as friends and a boy he didn't know as what to consider. Mentioned boy now held Bob's clothes towards him through the entrance. Making sure Ryan didn't look Geoffrey quickly grabbed them then sneaked back into the protecting darkness. He felt the need to say something.

"Thank you, nice of you." Just then he realised. "But what are you doing outside on the streets?" Glad to have something HE could go on about he spoke on, about having a use of the clothes but not being worth that Ryan went out into danger for that. But Ryan could convince him rather quickly, Pete's men weren't seen for some time now and he needed to see something new. That was right. It had been a shame to have a fourteen-year-old stuck up in the house while spring was going on outside.

„And I couldn't bear the thought of you hiding somewhere waiting for the night like being up to no good." Ryan added. That shut Geoffrey up.

"Um...yes...well, we will speak about...um...that situation when we are at home, all right?" he stammered. Then Geoffrey suddenly got aware he was still holding the garments unused in his hands. He had just started to pull on the trousers as he heard a cold voice outside.

"And who do we have here? Talking with doors are we now? Knew you weren't very touched in the head!"

Geoffrey caught a glimpse of a small running shape quickly followed by a taller one that looked a lot like this Pete guy … oh, no!~

*Maureen ran for her dear life heading for the crowded parts of town. She didn't like them but that was the best chance to get rid of Pete. Tears of despair were welling up and blurred both, her vision and mind. Was she supposed to live a hunted life forever? Why couldn't she at long last find a quiet free place to rest? Her feet automatically found their way, they hadn't forgotten the time before Geoffrey when they had more space to walk on than just the floors in Master Chaucer's house. Maureen had longed to leave it for just a short time but now she wished to be back there with all her heart. Perhaps she should have paid more attention on where her feet were dragging her for suddenly she heard a muffled cry and fell over something tiny but moving.

She mumbled a small "Sorry" and was about to head off again as she felt somebody holding her on her sleeve.

Anxiously she whirled around. In front of her stood – Jaques! He looked at her with wide eyes.

"Don't take the Deep Lane, there's Harry waiting for me – with a club in his hands." while he was speaking he dragged her into another direction – towards Pete who was fighting his way through the smelling and sweating crowd. Now it was Maureen who stopped Jaques.

"No, there's Pete!" she hissed into his ear and pulled him into a third direction – Geoffrey's quarter. There was no hope but perhaps they'd reach Geoffrey's house before Pete could catch them. They were both shorter and more nimble than Pete was and rushed through several legs and market stands. So they got a fine advantage and as soon as they were out of the crowd they took a good run for it. Now Jaques, the experienced ragamuffin, took the leadership again. Some secret lanes and short cuts through ruins they were sure Pete couldn't take with his broad shoulders later they were suddenly in front of Geoffrey's house. Panting they hurried through the garden (past a very surprised James) and took the back door into the house.

Maureen collapsed onto the bench next to the fire place totally out of breath. It was amazing how quickly her body had got used to the quiet and comfortable way of living during the past month Jaques didn't look very exhausted but still anxious. His eyes were wide opened and his face revealed the unpleasant feelings he must have dealt with right now.

"What the heck?" came an annoyed voice from the doorway leading to the inner space of the house. Maureen froze and Jaques seemed to shrink (if that was possible tiny as he was). On the doorstep stood Bob and he didn't look too pleased.

"Where have you been? You know you're not supposed to be outside! And. Who. Is. That?" he added slowly.

Maureen knew Bob expected a reasonable answer but she was still too shocked and surprised about how she had escaped cruel pain and certain death again to talk properly. So she merely panted:

"Outside...clothes...but...Pete Cunings..."

At the mention of Pete Bob quickly nodded. Geoffrey seemed to have confided in him. Without wasting any more time he switched to asking direct questions.

"Is he outside now?"

Bob's quiet manner calmed Maureen a lot and she was able to use her mind and tongue properly again. "We think not."

"Where is Geoff?"

Maureen looked down at her feet and shrugged avoiding Bob's gaze. She had set out to bring Master Chaucer home and all she had caused was worry and trouble.

"I'll go out and look for him. You will stay here – BOTH of you!" therewith he crossed the kitchen and quickly left the house through the back door. Maureen could hear him calling to James to stay in the house with them. She gave out a sigh of relief. As Bob had left the kitchen a wave of sudden fear had washed over her. She knew it was stupid but she was afraid to be alone in the house.

It were only thirty minutes but to Maureen it felt like a lifetime until Bob came back with Geoffrey who looked very stern and concerned though surely also relieved to see Maureen sitting safely on the kitchen bench, Jaques next to her.

Geoffrey turned to him.

"Aren't you the one who was saying he was going to leave the town one month ago?"

Jaques avoided his stare and said nothing.

"Don't you think your sister is worrying about your whereabouts?"

Now Jaques answered.

"How should she know mother sent me?"

Maureen was about to suggesting letters but just in time remembered that Jaques' family probably couldn't read or write (finally she herself hadn't been capable of that just two months ago, too!). She had met Widow Lacoste sometimes: she wasn't even properly capable of the English language itself.

Geoffrey nodded then turned to Maureen who backed away against the wall behind her. He didn't say a word but started striding to and fro being watched anxiously by Maureen. The stern atmosphere in the room seemed to squash her. She didn't dare saying anything and felt very uncomfortable with all the people around her. It was like being the accused in a trial waiting for the sentence. Nobody wanted to harm her was what her mind kept telling her constantly but her beat-skipping heart and trembling hands refused to listen.

Finally Geoffrey seemed to have come to a decision. He came to a halt and, with a determined expression, he turned to face Maureen who had the impression he was occupying the whole room.

"I have made a decision which will probably fit best to the situation. Today has shown us that Ryan can hardly stay in London anymore." Maureen's eyes widened even more. She dearly hoped her ears had tricked her out of nervousness but Geoffrey spoke on making all too clear she had heard absolutely right "If it had not been for Jaques Ryan would probably not be still among us not to mention among the living."

Maureen shivered. Now that Geoffrey had pronounced what she herself had dreaded it all sounded much nearer and more real.

"I know somebody south of the city who will surely take him. I hope he is safer there."

Again Maureen didn't want to believe her ears. Was he really going to send her away? Her lower lip was trembling as she had to fight down the tears which were coming up at the thought of that rejection. It's all to your best! she tried to tell herself. He's just concerned, that's all. But it didn't work. She still felt turned down. Because she caused too much trouble – of course! It was always her fault. Why wasn't she able to get and hold somebody's care and attention for a change?*

~Geoffrey could see the hurt and disbelieving glance in Ryan's eyes. He knew how this had to appear. Ryan had caused trouble so he was sent away. But it certainly was not as easy as this. Geoffrey was really concerned about the now very fragile and vulnerable looking boy. And he had thought much about him the last month – too much, but that did not matter now. He had made his decision and was sure it was right: he wanted to bring Ryan to his friend William Thatcher who could always do with workers. Though it would cost him huge efforts probably.

But it was a solution for most of the problems which were occupying his mind lately as reason told him. Do not be so foolish, Chaucer! He is a boy – and only fourteen years old, for God's sake! Ryan would be out of Cunnings' reach as Geoffrey was sure that this bastard would not leave the town. Cunnings was a man of the city. In the country he would not survive very long. Additionally Ryan, who obviously was a child of the country, would surely feel better in the nature all around the village Will had got as small fiefdom. William was hard working for his income and could need every hand. Also he would look after the hurt soul dwelling inside the tough appearing boy. And very important, too, though he would not have admitted it: Geoffrey could get some distance from Ryan to get a level head again.

However the pure imagination of not seeing Ryan daily anymore caused such a lump in his throat that Geoffrey forced himself to look at Jaques again. He cleared his throat and spoke to the boy who was torn between appearing bold and being respectful. Well aware that his voice was a bit hoarse though, Geoffrey spoke to him.

"You know I cannot force you to leave the city but I assume you know you have been in danger today, too."

Jaques silently nodded then looked away.

"So what are you going to do?"

It seemed to take Jaques all the power he could summon to mumble "Leave I guess."

Geoffrey smiled. "That was the right answer and I congratulate you to this. I think it best to leave as soon as possible. Tomorrow I say. Bob will borrow a horse and bring Jaques to the village of his sister. I will take Troilus and bring Ryan to his new master." And reading Ryan's expression he added "I will tell you about him on our ride tomorrow. It will take us the whole day so we have time enough." Somehow too hastily Geoffrey turned back to Jaques. "Do you have some things you have to gather before you can leave?"

The tiny boy nodded.

"Yes, but they're all in the room of my friend's where I've been living."

"I can send somebody to get your things. Where–" But he was interrupted by Jaques.

"You can't. Boulders knows I was living in Deep Lane. It's observed now."

„Deep Lane?" Ryan was drawing the room's attention to himself by his exclamation now "I didn't know people could actually LIVE there."

"Well, they can." Jaques just shrugged but the look on his face plainly told that one could hardly call it "living" at all.

In the evening Elana arrived back in the house and was literally fuming as she heard the news. Never had she been so angry with Geoffrey, even not that one time when in the attempt to help her he had spilled the fish soup all over the kitchen floor. Nothing he said could calm her. She just did not understand. Once Ryan was away he would have the peace and time to explain so he decided to ignore her at the moment. The day had tired Geoff and he went directly to bed after dinner (he had noticed that his portion was rather meagre but did not say anything being sure Ela would blame it on having an additional eater at the table).

But sleep was fleeing him. Had he really made the right decision?~

~*~

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my reviewers and my nice beta-reader. Just keep on being the lovely persons you are!

By the way: recently I wrote the last two chapters. Dunno if they will stay as they are now, depends on where the next chapters lead to. Just wanted to let you know… *evilgrin*