Disclaimer: I don't own anything, expect the plot.

Summary:  When on his travels Briar is given a choice, turn back to his thieving ways or loose the only one he has ever truly loved. When he turns down the offer he will do anything in his power to protect those whom he loves.

The Threat of a Love

Ch. 2

Briar arose the next morning to the sound of light chatter, coming form the kitchen. He shoved his blanket's aside, climbed out of bed, got dress and headed towards the kitchen. As he passed Sandry's room, he noted that she was still asleep. He entered the kitchen and saw Tris struggling to carry six bowls to the table, and Daja stirring a large pot on the stove.  

"'Mornin" He said, walking over to help Tris with the bowls. Briar and Tris had just finished setting the table when Frostpine walked in, pulling Rosethorn behind him.

Shooting smile to the group in the kitchen, he said "Look who I found having a very, heated, conversation with Crane."  Rosethorn jerked her arm from Frostpine's grip.

"It not my fault, he's a half wit" she said, almost incoherently, before storming off to her room. Just then Lark exited her room, yawning sleepily.

"Thanks for brining her home" she said to Frostpine "Care to join us for breakfast"

"I'd love to" Said Frostpine, smiling his appreciation. Lark looked around as everyone took their seats. She noticed that Sandry was not with them.

"Will someone go wake Sandry" she asked Tris, Daja or Briar exasperated. Briar jumped up from his seat at the table

"I'll go!" He left the kitchen and entered Sandry's room. She was sleeping soundly; the blankets wrapped tightly around her body and pulled right up to her chin, to protect her from the nighttime cold.

Briar walked the distance from the door to Sandry's bed in two large steps and took a seat on the edge of the bed. Gently nudging Sandry he whispered softly "Sandry, come on it's time to get up." When Sandry didn't so much as move, Briar nudged her a little harder, "Come on Sandry." Once again Sandry didn't move. Briar sat up straight and stopped shaking Sandry, he sat there for a moment watching Sandry sleep, then he leaned his body over her sleeping form, grasping her shoulders he shook her a little harder. This time, Sandry sat up with a gasp of shock- her face inches from Briars. They sat there staring at each other for a moment.

"Um…….. Hi" Briar said softly, his eyes never leaving Sandry's. They stared at each other for a moment then Sandry finally spoke

"Hi" she said; her voice just above a whisper. Once again, an awkward silence fell over them, but still neither moved.

"I was sent to come and wake you up, breakfast is served" Briar said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Thank-you" Sandry said. Yet still neither of them moved. Their eyes lock Briar slowly leaned forward. 

"What's taking you so long? Come on people are hungry" came Tris's voice from the kitchen. Briar stood up abruptly.

"I think we should go……. and… um… eat… right… eat" Briar managed to stammer. Sandry climbed out of bed.

"Yes, I believe we should" she said, her voice changing- as it did when she was implying her rank on someone. With a final glance at her Briar exited her room. Deep in thought Briar leaned on the wall outside Sandry's room. What just happened? He stood there, thinking for a moment. It was nothing. He assured himself. With that out of the way, he went back to the kitchen.   

Sandry soon joined the gathering in the kitchen; she took her seat to the right of Daja and accorss from Briar and Tris. Once she sat down she smiled and said

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting." Tris reached across the table to snatch the jar of honey from in front of Sandry. Smiling scornfully she muttered "Not a problem". They ate most of the meal in silence, until Sandry brought up the topic of their travels. Tris talk freely of their run in with pirates and of the education she earned on the journey, but Daja and Briar seemed very hesitant to talk about their escapades. Curious Sandry pressed Daja for information.

"Oh come on Daja, something interesting had to have happened!!" Sandry said, begging Daja for details. "Yeah, come on Daja what happened" Briar added grinning mischievously, knowing she was hiding something.

Daja looked from Sandry to Briar then back again. "I'm telling you" she said "Nothing appealing happened, I met a bunch of other smith mages and made nails" she added glaring at Frostpine, who was covering his mouth to hide a smile.

"What?" snapped Daja when she noticed Frostpines smile. Managing to straighten his face, he turned to Sandry and said, "Obviously Mistress Daja believes you won't find the blossoming relationship between her and my apprentice Kirel interesting."

Daja, suddenly very interested with the leftovers on her plate, turned a sinister shade of red. Luckily, for Daja's sake, the darkness of her skin contrasted with the red- making it less obvious..

"Ooh! Daja that's wonderful!!" Sandry cried, throwing her arm around her friends shoulder. "Yes! Indeed it is, it's simply divine!" Briar said, mocking Sandry's eagerness.

Sandry lightly punched Briar on the arm, "Stop that" she said, trying- with out succeeding- to keep a straight face. Briar looked from Sandry to his arm then back to Sandry; glancing at his arm once more he lifted his head and situated his eyes on Sandrys. With out looking away or even so much as blinking, Briar said "You didn't"

Finally, able to get her smile under-control Sandry said "And what if I did?" Briar said nothing, but kept his eyes carefully fixed on Sandry's. With out adverting her gaze Sandry said

"If you all would please excuse me." She got up and exited the kitchen. Briar looked at all the faces of the group, then once again back at his arm. "She didn't!" he said aloud to no one in particular "Excuse me". Briar stood up and followed Sandry out of the kitchen. Those still occupying the kitchen heard a shriek of laughter and Briar say

"Oh come-on Duchess, it aint' gonna hurt!" Lark caught Rosethorn's eye from across he table, they both smiled, sharing the same knowledge.

"Oi! Boy, stop courting the young lady and get back here. We've chores to do!" Tris quickly choked back a laugh, but Daja had no such luck, she laughed aloud and quickly covered her mouth. Rosethorn smile at Daja and shrugged.

Just then Briar appeared in the door way to the kitchen, looking rather flushed he said "I'll have you know, I don't "court" people!" Rosethorn rolled her eyes, shaking her head at Lark. "Let's go chores everyone!" Sandry walked into the kitchen as red as Briar had been. She smiled to everyone then quickly got to her chores.

~*~

So…. What do you think? To fluffy? Anyways, please read and review!! Thanks!

Hells Angel