Chapter Twenty: Coming and Going

Alex listened carefully as Lucius explained his present position, expressing his anger at Voldemort for dragging his family's name through the mud and landing him in prison all for some ridiculous belief in a prophecy.

"The prophetic arts are nebulous, at best," he said. "Most who practice them are blatant charlatans, and the true seers, if there are any left, are so full of metaphor and amorphous concepts that their art is all but useless to anyone with a serious mind."

He took a sip from a glass of red wine and placed it on the tiled edge of the sunken bath beside Alex's orange juice. Alex nestled into his shoulder, reveling in the steamy water that seemed to cradle them both as he wrapped his arms around her again.

"It has come to my attention that my master does not have a serious mind."

"Mmm hmm..." Alex murmured. Thoroughly satisfied and more comfortable than she'd ever dreamed of being in the embrace of her enemy, she was quickly drifting off.

He looked down at her with a somber expression "Alexandria, are you listening to me?"

"Mmm hmm... ," she repeated.

"This is rather important," he chastised.

Alex gave an irritated sigh and sat up to retrieve her drink.

"Perhaps you should have ordered a pot of coffee," Lucius joked.

She opened her mouth to remind him that he had no room to talk, falling asleep on top of her Monday night, then clamped her teeth together.

"What?" he asked, curiosity lighting his eyes.

"I'm afraid you've destroyed me, Lucius," she said with a yawn punctuating the statement. "I've never been so wretchedly happy in my entire life."

Her companion laughed softly. "I suppose I should be flattered."

"I'm not saying it to flatter you. I just don't want you to hex me for not paying attention." She sighed contentedly, snuggling close again, her arms around his waist.

"Unfortunately, I can't hex you," he reminded her. "For once, I'm the one who is in danger. You've killed four of my companions and I have no assurances that you won't do the same to me, yet here I sit...naked and helpless before my enemy." He smiled charmingly, fathomless eyes glimmering in the candlelight.

Alex sat up straight and placed a dripping hand on his cheek. "It's five, Lucius, and the fact that you survived dinner should indicate that I've granted you a certain amount of amnesty for tonight."

"I'm honored," he teased, then added with narrowed eyes, "I take it, then, that Brookstone's demise was your doing?"

"Well, I was in the area. I figured I'd get some work done," she answered flippantly, assuming that Brookstone was the bastard Rose had poisoned yesterday. "Friend of yours?" she added.

"He was new to our circle and fiercely loyal to me. A good man, believe it or not."

Alex forced herself to bury the contempt she felt for his words, but her jaw tightened involuntarily. She remembered vividly the feeling of helplessness as her feet were pinned down, her only weapon, a broken bottle, wrenched from her hands and her wrist twisted until she screamed, certain that it would turn no more. Then, there was a nauseating snap and a fire shot up her arm as this "good man" snarled in her ear all the sick things he had planned for her when the others had finished.

He deserved to die, much more slowly and painfully than he had. His death was vastly more merciful than the one he would have offered her.

"Alexandria?" Lucius called, cupping her chin gently in one hand. "Are you alright?"

She pulled away from his hand, and mentally shook herself. "I'm fine. It's just that I have the overwhelming urge to apologize to you, but I don't regret taking that man's life in the slightest."

"I understand. This can't be easy for you. You were right in the beginning. You should never have been involved in our war." He laughed darkly. "And, I imagine that the Dark Lord is regretting he ever heard of Alexandria Borgin."

Alex smiled up at him, enjoying the look of pride in his eyes more than she cared to admit to herself. "And, what about you?" she asked.

"What about me?" Lucius countered.

"Do you regret meeting me?"

He considered this for a moment, pursing his lips as he thought. Alex couldn't restrain herself. She kissed him, enjoying the smell of soap and the taste of wine. When she pulled away, he laughed.

"Not when you do that," he answered, pulling her back to him.

After a few moments, he framed her face with his hands and gently pulled her away from his kiss, his expression much darker than it had been.

"Alexandria, listen to me. It's time to stop this." Her eyes widened as she backed away. "You've made your point, and you've done so with more skill and courage than I could have imagined. But, it's over. You can't win like this."

"This is isn't a game, Lucius," she said sharply. "I'm not trying to win anything, and what point have I made exactly? That I can kill a few underlings?"

"What kind of homework did you do, Alexandria? You killed two of the Dark Lord's most loyal followers that night. Bellatrix was feared by everyone who ever knew her, even him, and Dolohov was a madman. The world's better off without him, but you're killing innocent people, now."

"They're Death Eaters, Lucius. They're far from innocent, and they are going to die."

A muscular arm was extended in her direction showing a familiar mark. "I am a Death Eater, Alexandria. So is Severus. You know us both. You know our stories, who we are, why we joined him and why we remain. We are slaves." He extended his fingers, reaching out to her as he spoke, voice rising with passion. "Help me to end this. Help me destroy him. He is your enemy. I am not." His hand remained, spanning the distance between them, his eyes pleading with her to listen to reason. "I trusted you with my life tonight. Can you not try to trust me?"

Slowly, she took his hand, fingers intertwining with his, amber eyes never retreating from gray. "I'll do what I promised, Lucius. I'll consider your words. That's all I can give you right now."

He released a breath and closed the distance between them. "There's something else you should know," he added softly, hoping to break this as gently as possible. "The Dark Lord has released the Death Eaters to take your life on sight...regardless of the consequences."

Alex knew this, of course, but she had never before realized the implications. There could be no more mistakes. If she was caught, if they harmed her, she would be killing him as well.

"Will you not release me?" It was a request, but it sounded much more like an order coming from Lucius Malfoy's authoritative mouth.

Alex opened her mouth to respond, but realizing she had no response to give, she closed it again.

"You don't trust me?" he asked rhetorically.

"I don't know." She bowed her head, wishing she could have claimed otherwise. Somehow, she felt that it would be staining something sacred if she lied to him right now, having shared something so precious. "I want to trust you, but I'm going to need some time." She kissed him delicately, barely brushing his lips. "Come back to bed, Lucius. I don't want to talk, anymore," she whispered, her eyes full of promise.

He nodded once, smiling softly, and followed.

Twice more they made love, the room filled with cries of passion, moans of desire, and whispered promises of pleasure, and when they drifted off at last, it was in a haze of exhausted bliss.

Several hours later, Lucius awoke in an empty bed and sighed in disappointment. He scanned the room for Alexandria, knowing in his heart that she was gone. Sitting up, he ran a hand through white-blonde hair which fell into place at his touch.

That was what he was accustomed to, being obeyed without question. Alexandria remained a dangerously rebellious enigma, and now he had to trust that she would abandon this bloodbath and focus on a more reasonable course of action, namely his. He turned his head as the first light of dawn streamed through the window and a flash of white caught his eye. It was a piece of hotel stationary with Alex's distinctive narrow script.

Dearest Lucius,

Thank you.

This was, without a doubt, the most beautiful night of my life. How I wish I had known you in better times! Somehow, you have made me feel whole again, as though I am no longer fragmented between myself and this vengeful monster that has been born within me. I cannot tell you that I have decided to trust you, nor can I promise that no more of your associates will die, but I can assure you that no harm will come to you by my hand.

I will consider your proposal for an alliance carefully and will contact you when I have an answer.

With great respect,

Alexandria

Rose apparated back to Malfoy Manor, practically running when her feet made contact with the ground. She dashed through the gate, over the lawn and through the front door at top speed. As soon as the door was closed softly behind her, she resumed her flight up the stairs and across the manor to the servant's wing. Stashing the dress, the shoes, the torque, removing the transfiguration from the bracelet and checking her uniform in the mirror in under a minute, she finally took a quick breath. She allowed herself three full cycles, inhaling and exhaling deeply, before dashing off again to check on Draco.

He was curled like a baby under the blankets, still sleeping off the potion she'd slipped into his drink right before Lucius left. Only one last thing to be done to wrap up that loose end. With a brief flash of regret across her face, she pointed her wand at his head and spoke a memory-altering charm. When he awoke, he would remember that he had played wizard's chess with the maid, had won spectacularly, then spent the rest of the evening curled up with a book of poisons.

Now, there was breakfast to look after. Lucius would likely be starving. She certainly was. In half an hour, she had muffins, fresh fruit, and steaming pot of tea on a silver tray, and was headed for Malfoy's bedroom right on time. It was vital that she not break routine in the slightest.

Good thing, too, she thought for just as she stepped onto the foyer balcony, the sitting room door swung open to reveal Lucius Malfoy, her enemy, her employer...her lover. Sweet Merlin, she could still taste him. The mixed feelings that overwhelmed her nearly caused her to drop the tray. Deep breath, she coached herself. Maintain the poise. Cover the hesitation.

She continued walking, tray in hand with a welcoming smile on her face. "Well, good morning, sir. Are you just getting..." she noticed something that made her giggle. "Oh," she said simply.

"What?" he asked with an exhausted sigh.

"You know what's bad about silk? Lipstick absolutely refuses to come out," she said as casually as possible. "I'm afraid that shirt is ruined. Breakfast in bed," she added brightly, "or have you had enough of being horizontal?"

"That will do, Rose," he reprimanded sharply. "I will take my breakfast in the garden."

She nodded respectfully. "Yes, my Lord. No offense intended. I'm very happy for you," she insisted, following him with the breakfast tray.

He wheeled on her with such speed that she nearly drew her wand. It would've been too late, though, as his was already leveled at her chest. Her heart fluttered wildly as he spoke, then began to calm as the weight of the tray lifted from her. It was a levitating charm, nothing more. "I really cannot abide your incessant chatter this morning, Rose. I will take the tray." He stopped. Took a breath with closed eyes, reigning in his temper. "Just...leave me alone."

Rose watched in open-mouthed shock as he retreated down the hallway. Shouldn't he be feeling great, right now? Perhaps he was hung over, but he hadn't had much to drink...not for him, anyway. The cold slap of rejection was keenly felt as she'd spent the last several hours lying naked in his arms. Her senses were practically screaming for warmth and protection.

Maybe he's feeling the same way, she thought remorsefully. She shook her head as she headed for the kitchen to fix Draco's breakfast. There was no way to know for sure. The man was a mystery.

Lucius spent the rest of the day in solitude, refusing to speak, even to his son. Rose, when she wasn't otherwise occupied, entertained Draco who was particularly despondent, and the hands of the clock moved at a fraction of their usual speed.

Dinner was a morose affair, Lucius listening and responding half-heartedly to Draco's tale of his chess victory. Draco becoming less enthusiastic with each sentence until at last he stopped talking altogether, and the table lapsed into a miserable silence.

Rose retrieved her bottle of sleeping-potion-laced wine at this point and refilled Lucius' glass. The Lord of the manor needed eight hours of uninterrupted sleep as badly as Draco needed a night out on the town, and the one would greatly aid the other. She smiled grimly as his eyes began to sag and he rose wordlessly, no doubt headed for his room.

Two hours later, Rose knocked lightly on Draco's door.

"Come in," he called softly.

"Hi," she greeted, large box in her arms and barely containing her excitement.

If he even noticed her black sheath dress and stacked Mary-Jane's, he didn't mention it, just stared at the wall with his arms crossed.

"What are you so happy about?" he snapped.

"I'm happy because I know something that you don't," she grinned maniacally.

"What is that?"

"I know that Mab's Cauldron is featuring the Weird Sisters tonight, and I know that your father is out like a light." She bit her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows suggestively. "What do you say we hit the Alley?"

He stood up, eyes lighting just like his father's did. "Are you serious?" he breathed.

"As a killing curse," she assured him. "There's only one problem."

"What's that?"

"Your clothes," she answered with no apology.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" he retorted.

"You look like a spoiled aristocrat," she said flatly.

Draco laughed quietly. "I am a spoiled aristocrat."

She joined him in his mirth. "Touché," she admitted. "But if you show up in the middle of the night on Knockturn Alley looking like that, someone will beat the shit out of you just for existing, then I'll have to explain to your father why you're in St. Mungo's."

"Ah," he nodded sagely. "Then, you'd end up there, yourself. I see the problem."

"Draco," she answered seriously. "If anything happened to you while you were in my care, he'd kill me. It's that simple."

Draco's face clouded. "He is extremely violent when he's angry. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Oh, we're going out," Rose assured him, "you're just going to have to wear..." she lifted the lid off of the box "...these!"

"Whoa!" he exclaimed, remembering to keep his voice down. With the sleeping-draught in his system, nothing would wake his father, but she wasn't about to confess to Draco that she'd used such a precaution.

Draco lifted the clothes from the package with a look of sheer glee, eyeing the supple black leather with a trained eye. "These are fantastic!" His face darkened as he looked up at his smiling benefactor, and he added in a dejected tone. "I can't accept them, though. They must have cost you a fortune!"

"Draco, if you spend one wonderful evening out...partying, flirting, and dancing your noble little ass off, they'll be worth every knut," she told him seriously. "Besides, do you know how much your father pays me?"

Draco smiled again, and this time it stuck.

"Well, go change, damn it!" she pushed him playfully toward the bathroom.

"Alright, alright!" he stumbled forward, box in hand.

When he came out, she nearly whistled. Gone was the prissy little rich boy, here was a rough young wizard who looked ready for a party in a loose-fitting black brocade shirt, broken-in black leather pants, and a pair of boots to top off the ensemble.

"Draco," she said, rumpling his hair and charming it to stay that way, "I am really putting my ass on the line here, and if you don't have fun tonight, I'll never forgive you."

Mary: I'm glad that you think this is good. Anxious for Lucius to find out about Rose? What is this? A conspiracy? Are you guys trying to get her killed?!!? The man has too much pride to allow someone to toy with him like that.

Intel Ewok: I'm glad that you like the Lucius lines in Ch.17. I get a kick out of reading your favorites, but I understand that you're busy. Poor thing! Hope life eases up for you soon! Chapter 19: What is with you and SS reading these at work? What kind of jobs do you guys have and where can I get an application? Oh, well. I'm glad that you enjoyed the fruition of all that tension between the two. It was so much fun to write!

Slytherin Sagittarius: Too much for you at work, huh? Sorry about that, but it was such a relief to finally get that scene out of my head and onto the screen. Whew! You're an artist, are you? Visual, musical, performance...? Shed a little light for inquiring minds.

Zariva: You read fanfic in class? Shame on you! Bad reader! No donut! Seriously, I'm very curious about something you've just written, here. How does this feel strange? Is the scene too strong? Too sudden? Too subtle? I'm open to suggestions on improving my writing. As to who gets the girl in the end, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I haven't even told my cat. He sat beside the computer and begged for a hint (Isn't that what "meow" means?), but I wouldn't budge. The ending is a surprise, darn it! I will say this. I changed the secondary character focus from Sev to Draco because there's so much more of Draco in this one. Well, there's about to be, anyway.

Fleur K: Witty dialog, huh? Thanks! I'll file that away in the "sweet compliment" box in my brain. Hope the proposal and reaction doesn't disappoint! And, thanks for the fuzzies. I need them right now.

Lady Jenilyn: Your compliments take my breath away. I'm glad it was good for you, baby (wiggles eyebrows). What? You've never had the 'brilliant colors erupting' kind of orgasm? You've been going about it all wrong. I'm glad you're happy, but please don't die. I'm getting kind of attached to you. As for Lucius and Rose, things will never go smoothly between them. They just can't, and that's kind of fun to write. Your last chapter was fabulous, but I'm sending you pity rays because it's so hard to come back from a chapter you had a hard time writing. The one I'm working on presently (chapter 22) is becoming a nightmare, particularly now that I'm back at work! Hope things smooth over for both of us!

Annie: Ooohhh... I gave you shivers! Yeah!!! That makes me so happy! Stand back! I may have to break out into the happy dance! I'm sorry, but I can't reveal my true identity. It's top secret because it's so mind-numbingly stupid that you would lose all respect for me. I just can't have that. Speaking of work, I've gone back to the grindstone now, so my updates may slow just a bit, but I'll bust my butt to keep you guys interested.

Arabella Minerva: I feel for Sev, as well. It's okay. He's a very tragic character. You want Severus done right? Check out "Rougarre" by Rycca Wolfbane. Her Severus rocks, especially in her last chapter! I'm happy that you enjoy the play between Draco, Lucius and Rose. It's so fun to write, and it's about to get even more so. Alex, an ass-kisser? Oh, hell no! She's far too independent for that!

Silverfey: I said I'm sorry! Now I have guilt! I promise that this isn't the end of Sev! Scout's Honor! Okay. I was never a scout of any kind, but that's hardly the point. Here's a bit of trivia to cheer you up: I put the "badge of courage" in there mainly to spite someone who said in a review of Not For Sale that it was dirty and trashy for a woman to keep a scar. I took great offense to her close-minded viewpoint because I voluntarily retained a scar from a wreck that almost killed me when I was sixteen. It's on my thigh, to be precise. It was my way of blowing a literary raspberry at her rudeness.