One Thing - Chapter 17
Disclaimer: I'm too poor to own anything. Except this computer. And my Sweedish Fish.
A/N: This takes place only a few hours after the last chapter. It picks up right after the boys get off watch.
As Tristan and Lancelot walked into the bath house, both men got quite an eyeful.
Teagan was there, lounging in the water, her eyes half closed. She opened them as both men came in. "Hello, boys." She could see the shock in Tristan's face and the mirth on Lancelot's. She gave both men the most wicked smile she could muster.
"Teagan, I'm sorry." Muttered Tristan as he turned away.
Lancelot tore his gaze from a smiling Teagan and poked his friend in the arm. Hard. "No, man. You cannot be turning your back. It's not often you get to see a beautiful Sarmation woman. Especially one in all her glory." He looked back to Teagan and waggled his eyebrows, causing Teagan to laugh. 'Tris is a dead man. Let's hope she's willing to play.'
Teagan gave Lancelot a nod, reading his mind. "Tristan?" She asked sweetly. "Could you please hand me that towel?"
Tristan stole a glance at Teagan, then at the towel. Picking up the towel, he had every intention of giving it to her. But his feet just would not move. Looking back at Teagan, their eyes locked.
Lancelot saw the trouble he was having, and being a good friend, gave Tristan a push. "Go on, help her."
"You do it."
Lancelot shook his head, chuckling. "No, she asked you."
Teagan was about to feel sorry for the poor man, then she spied Lancelot quietly sneaking out. She waited until he was gone before she spoke. "Please Tristan, this water is getting cold."
Tristan started to move forward, but stopped dead. He was immobilized by the sight in front of him.
Teagan had stood, water dripping down her naked body. Her heavy red hair dripped water in rivers between her breasts. Tristan couldn't help but look at the path of the dragon tattoo she had. It took nearly the entire left side of her upper body. It started at her neck, winding itself down the front of her chest, through the valley her breasts made. The wings of the dragon were feathers. Like the wings of some great bird, starting at her heart. They curled over her left breast and over her shoulder. The tail of the dragon wrapped under that one breast to her back and curved around on her back to disappear on the curve of her rear.
Now Teagan did feel sorry for him and gently took the towel from him. Wrapping herself in the heavy fabric, she gave him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tease you." She brought her hand to his cheek, only to have him jump back. "You do not need to fear me. But remember what I said about paybacks." She whispered as she left.
0o0o0o
All the knights were gathered in the tavern getting heavily drunk. They were being sent on a mission at daybreak and were trying to drink and womanize as much as they could. The Sarmatian knights sat at their usual table, drunk and rowdy as could be. Lancelot had his face buried in the neck of a blonde. Galahad was in a similar situation, this time with some brunette. Gawain was just piss drunk, giggling over something. Tristan, more sour and sullen than usual was sitting at the end of the table, poking his dagger into a date, repeatedly. Bors and Dagonet were just nearby watching it all. Though Bors was giving Vanora a hard time.
Teagan was taking it all in, serving the men drinks and laughing with him. Every once in a while she would spy Tristan looking at her and felt guilty when he looked away. She couldn't quite tell what she saw in his eyes, though it wasn't anger nor hurt feelings. Smiling to herself, she kept busy, keeping these men plied full of ale.
Lancelot caught her eye. "Hey Teagan, bring us some more. Our cups are empty." He gave Tristan a pointed look. "And some laps are empty." Tristan didn't even acknowledge him. He kept poking at the poor fruit.
Laughing, Teagan brought over a full pitcher of ale and filled their cups, taking the empty seat next to Gawain. He smiled as she leaned into him. "Boy, I'm tired." Bringing her closer to him, he dropped a kiss on top of her head.
"Want another bath?"
She chuckled. "No, Lancelot. I've already had one, you know that." Her eyes twinkled at him. She knew what he was about. And she felt bad for Tristan. The poor man was going to hear about this the entire trip.
Lancelot nuzzled the blonde some more. "And what a sight it was too."
Gawain chuckled. He had heard most of this story already. His side were still hurting. "Heard someone here got an eyeful."
"Who did?" This from a very drunk Galahad. Who was having trouble balancing the brunette on his lap.
Glancing at Tristan, Gawain laughed harder as the other man shifted uncomfortably on the bench.
Lancelot sent his wench on her way and took a long drink of his ale. "Let's just say that's a mighty fine tattoo Teagan has there."
All eyes whipped to her, then back to a very smug Lancelot. Teagan just shook her head, looking innocent. She was beginning to wonder why she put up with them all.
Gawain laughed some more, Galahad looked at her neck. "So, you seen it?"
Lancelot shook his head. "No, but Tristan has." Everyone looked up to see the dour knight get up from the table to leave. The look on his face, homicidal. "Just think, Tristan, it'll give you something to think about while we are away." Lancelot yelled as his friend stalked out of the tavern.
This brought more laughter, several rude comments and general good ribbing. Teagan thought it was a shame that the man they were ribbing, had left. It was done in good fun.
Thinking about Tristan, Teagan got back to work.
0o0o0o
It was very early morning when Teagan finally left the tavern. As her room was on the second floor of the barracks, she took some time to stand at the balcony looking over the fort. It wasn't that cold, the fog had started to move in, think and heavy. The quiet of the early morning was interrupted by the screech of a hawk. Tristan's bird circled in and landed on the balcony. It regarded her for a moment or two, then hopped over to her. Making a noise, the hawk dropped the dead mouse next to her hand. She regarded Teagan again, then flew off into the fog.
Teagan chuckled, shaking her head. She was about to drop the offering over the balcony when she heard a noise near her. Looking over, she saw Tristan. Walking over to him, she held out the mouse. He took it and laughed, flinging the thing over the side of the balcony. Teagan was shocked. Tristan actually laughed. A deep, masculine laugh.
Teagan couldn't help but laugh along, though quieter. "Tristan, if that bird of yours doesn't stop doing that, I'm going to run you through."
Tristan was next to her so quick, that she hadn't really seen him move. He brought his hand to tangle in her hair. His eyes catching hers, he brought his lips down to meet hers. "You do that every time I look at you."
He kissed her deeply, gently. Not the way Teagan thought. Not of this knight. He tongue gently asking entrance, which Teagan granted. The kiss was soft, holding promise.
Breaking apart, Tristan gave Teagan a small smile and walked away.
