Kendris: Thanks for the comments! I'm glad you find my Jaheira dialogue to be realistic; I have been making a deliberate effort in that direction. This chapter was particularly challenging in that regard since she's in a situation that doesn't happen in the game. As for 'my' Anomen, I forgot to mention in my reply to Domi that some of CN Anomen's response lines are in fact a lot more light-hearted that LG Anomen's. They seem rather forced, and I agree that the CN Anomen in the game is essentially an unhappy guy, but at the least the game writers felt he had the potential to be light-hearted. Thanks so much for the suggestion about giving some background on Anomen's change--look for it in an upcoming chapter. Lastly, Imoen and Minsc are Just Good Friends in this story.

Please note: this chapter includes sexual situations, so anyone who is offended by such things should probably skip it. I don't think Anomen haters will like it much, either. ;-)

Chapter 2

Jaheira was in her room, still awake, still dressed, and pacing in agitation, trying to make sense out of the night's events. Intellectually, she knew there was nothing wrong with feeling desire for another man, but it felt wrong. And Anomen, of all people! She didn't even like the man very much, and had certainly had never thought of him that way before. And why now, of all times, when she was feeling Khalid's loss so keenly? She told herself that it must have been pure happenstance that she had reacted to Anomen as she did; after all, it had been a long time since any man had held her in that way.

There was a knock on the door, followed by a voice. "Jaheira, it's Anomen, I know it's late, but could I please speak to you?"

Oh Gods, I do not need this! Hoping to get rid of him quickly, Jaheira replied, "Anomen, I am getting ready for bed. We can talk in the morning."

"Please, Jaheira, it will take just a few moments. I fear I will not rest easily tonight unless I speak to you."

Concerned that it might attract unwanted attention if she left Anomen waiting in the hall, she reluctantly let him in.

"Thank you, milady. I promise I will not take too much of your time. How is your ankle, by the way? Perhaps I should examine it again to ensure it is completely healed."

"I'm sure it's fine, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt." All things considered, Jaheira felt that her ankle was a relatively safe topic of conversation, so she sat on the end of the bed and presented her ankle for inspection. She soon regretted her decision, for with pain gone, there was nothing to distract her from the feel of Anomen's hands touching her as he manipulated the joint and ran his hands along her calf checking for further injury.

He looked up at her and smiled. "As good as new, as I had hoped."

Jaheira was now certain that she needed to get Anomen out of her room as quickly as possible. "Thank you. I am glad you were able to ease your mind on that point. Now, since it's getting late…"

Anomen looked slightly embarrassed, but was clearly determined not to give up so easily. "Actually Jaheira, though I was happy for a chance to inspect your injury again, that is not the reason I wanted to talk to you tonight."

"Ever since you left the party, I have been pondering why you should have left in such a hurry, but I confess that I am no closer to an answer than I was at the start. It seemed that you were enjoying yourself, and I was certainly enjoying dancing with you. Did I do something to offend you? If so, I wish you would tell me what it was so I can make amends."

Jaheira considered denying that anything had upset her, but knew he would almost certainly not believe her; the change in her behavior was too sudden to be spontaneous. She decided a little bit of the truth would do no harm. "No Anomen, you did nothing to offend me. You were a perfect gentleman."

A look passed over Anomen's face, but it was gone too quickly for her to identify. "I doubt I have ever been a 'perfect' gentlemen, but thank you, my lady, that sets my mind at ease. But if it was not my actions, did another offend you? These elves do not seem the type to try to take advantage of a lady, but if any have behaved inappropriately, I will do what I can to ensure that it doesn't happen again."

"Anomen, no one has offended me." Exasperated by his persistence, she added testily. "Why do you care so much, anyway?"

"A fair question, I suppose." Anomen answered. "Although our relationship was rather, umm…rocky, at the beginning, lately I get the impression that you don't feel that I am quite as worthless and unreliable as you once did." He gave Jaheira a wry smile, and she reddened in response. "Given this hopeful sign, I thought there was a chance we could become friends. With the life we lead, I have not had the opportunity to make many friends, but I would be honored to number you among them. I noticed that you seemed very melancholy at the party and I was pleased when the dancing seemed to lighten your mood. That is why I why was so taken aback when you left so suddenly."

Surprised by his candor, she felt an unexpected pang of sympathy for him. He deserved some sort of explanation for her actions. She sat down on the bed heavily and wrapped her arms around her knees. "Anomen, it wasn't you, it wasn't anyone else, it was me. It…it has been exactly six months since Khalid died, and his loss still weighs heavily on me, it some ways more so now that our quest is complete. I still miss him." To her dismay, the rigid control she had exerted over her emotions for most of the evening finally gave way and she began crying.

"My lady, I am sorry; thoughtless lout that I am, I never considered that your grief for your husband might be troubling you. I know only too well how some losses are hard to set aside." He sat down next to her on the bed and gently put his arm around her shoulders.

Her reaction was immediate. She got up from the bed and away from his touch as if scalded, tears still streaming down her face. "Anomen, I did not give you leave to touch me, pray do not do so again!" She said, her voice shaking with emotion.

Anomen's face flushed. "By the gods, Jaheira, what is the matter? I only meant to comfort you in your grief!" He got up and faced her, anger and concern warring in his eyes. "Surely you don't think I was trying to take advantage of you!"

Jaheira felt the situation spinning out of control; she found his continuing concern for her far more disconcerting than his anger. Damn him! Why doesn't he get angry enough to leave me alone! In truth, she longed to take the comfort he offered—and more—but feared she would be betraying Khalid if she did. "I know you didn't mean anything by it…" She began, and then her words faltered. She knew that any attempt at further explanation would just confuse the situation.

"What is it then, Jaheira?" Anomen asked plaintively. He reached to touch her, then stopped himself and dropped his hand in frustration.

Jaheira's anger drained away at the sight of his distress. It was obvious that he sincerely wanted to help, but was at a loss to understand why she was so upset or what he could do to assist her. Then, finally, the clamorous voices of fear, guilt, and need that had been at war within her since Anomen entered her room fell silent, and she knew what she wanted.

Jaheira reached out and touched his arm in a conciliatory gesture. "I sorry, Anomen, there was no reason for me to act like that, I know you were just trying to help. You must think me mad, behaving as I have been, but this has been a very…difficult night for me." To her embarrassment, she began to cry again.

Anomen gave her a wry smile. "I don't pretend to understand all of what troubles you, Jaheira, but I should be the last person to criticize you for behaving irrationally in your grief." Still a little wary after her previous outburst, Anomen cautiously put his arms around her. When she did not protest, he pulled her close. "Please don't cry, my lady."

Jaheira felt herself relaxing in the circle of his arms. She also felt, as she knew she would, desire rising within her, much stronger this time than when they were dancing earlier. Khalid is gone and I need this tonight; surely he would not begrudge me this. What is so wrong with wanting to feel this way again for just one night? Anomen, thankful that she had stopped crying, pulled away slightly, worry still obvious in his blue eyes.

"My lady…" he began.

Nothing, surely. She reached up put her arms around his neck, twining her fingers in his thick hair. "Anomen…' She murmured softly, pulling him down toward her until their lips met. It was not the chaste kiss of friendship, but rather the kind of kiss a woman gives a man she desires. Though startled by this unexpected development, after a moment's hesitation Anomen responded in kind, kissing her deeply as he drew her tightly against his chest. Jaheira's heart quickened, both thrilled and a little frightened by the strength of his response.

When Anomen released her a few moments later, he laughed shakily. "Jaheira, if this is a test of my virtue and self-control, I confess I will fail most miserably. You cannot kiss me like that and expect me to restrain myself."

She laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, her need intensifying as she felt his body move against hers. "So you desire me, then?"

"I may have sought only friendship, my lady, but I am not blind to the fact that you are a beautiful and very desirable woman. Of course I desire you," he said hoarsely." Anomen bent near her face, and when she turned to him eagerly, he kissed her again, his hands caressing her back and neck.

Jaheira broke away a few moments later, and embraced him again with a soft sigh of desire. "Anomen…" she began. Despite her earlier resolve, Jaheira felt a little shy about stating her wishes openly, and fought to keep her nervousness out of her voice. "Stay with me tonight."

His body stilled under her hands, and he gently tipped her chin up so he could see her face. "You want me to stay with you? Lie with you?"

She found herself breathing rapidly as she met his dark eyes. She saw no rejection in his gaze, only desire and a little uncertainty. "Yes, Anomen, I do"

"By the gods, you are full of surprises tonight, Jaheira!" He ran his hand through his hair, in what was obviously a nervous gesture. "I do not wish to seem ungrateful, believe me, I am not." Anomen said earnestly. "If you truly wish me to lie with you tonight, I am most willing to do so. But I must ask, why me? And why tonight?"

Jaheira looked away, not sure she could maintain her composure. "When we danced tonight, when you were holding me, I felt something. For the first time since Khalid died, I felt the desire of a woman for a man and it scared me. That was why I ran away."

"Then when you came here, I realized that tonight I need this; I need someone to hold me, and touch me, and help me feel whole again. I need you tonight, if you're willing."

"For tonight." Anomen stated. It was not a question.

"I'm sorry, but I will not, I…I cannot offer you more. Not now. Please try to understand."

"I do understand, my lady. I am willing to accept what you're offering." He kissed her hand and smiled.

"But I hope you can understand why I find your invitation very surprising, to say the least. I am reminded of that old tale where the fair maid allows the evil wizard to seduce her, giving her an opportunity to plunge a knife in his ribs during an, ah, intimate moment, releasing her family from the wizard's curse."

Jaheira chuckled. "No knives, I promise."

"I shall examine you most carefully, to be sure." He said, his eyes alight. He pulled her close and murmured in her ear "Shall I begin now?"

"Yes." She whispered, before losing herself in the warm promise of his eyes and the feel of his lips on her skin. After a time, he took her hand, led her to the bed, and gently pulled her down next to him. When he held her and kissed her, Jaheira returned the kisses in full measure.

She slid her hands up under his tunic, marveling at the feel of the taut muscles of his chest. Anomen took a moment to pull the tunic over his head before taking her in his arms again. Though she felt she should not, she found herself comparing Anomen's body to Khalid's. Like most elves, Khalid's body had been lean, elegant, and almost hairless. In contrast, Anomen had broad shoulders, with heavily muscled chest and arms and a mat of dark hair on his chest. She murmured, "So big…and the hair!" not realizing she had spoken aloud until she saw the amused look on Anomen's face. She reddened.

He laughed. "Ah, my lady, I fear there is little I can do about either at present. My size is beyond my control, but if I had known I would be keeping company with such a discriminating lady tonight, I suppose I could have done something about the hair." His expression darkened with uncertainty. "I hope you don't find me too unappealing, Jaheira."

"Don't be ridiculous, Anomen, there's nothing wrong with the way you look!" She answered. "It's just…different from what I'm accustomed to. It's very appealing, in it's own way." Rather to her own surprise, she realized that she was telling the truth. His powerful body had an elegance all its own, one that she found very desirable.

"Good, because I find you very appealing in all ways." He kissed her again, slowly and deliberately, and caressing her skin until she was almost breathless with desire. He reached for the ties of her bodice. "I believe it is time to do something about your clothes, my lady."

Later, they joined and moved as one in shared passion, and Jaheira called his name as she clung to him. It was his name on her lips when she finally found the release that she had sought.
Jaheira lay in Anomen's arms and considered the puzzle that was Anomen Delryn, Priest of Helm and former squire of the Order of the Most Radiant Heart. She had always thought of him as a simple man, simple and arrogant, and had vehemently disagreed with Danira's decision to let him stay in the party after he was expelled from the Order. Although she had ultimately chosen Kelsey, Dani had confided to her that she found Anomen attractive, which at the time Jaheira had dismissed as youthful romanticism. Now she was beginning to see why Dani had insisted there was more to him than met the eye.

For all his brashness, Anomen was a gentle and unselfish lover, and his at times brittle humor did not entirely conceal some surprising vulnerabilities. But what had impressed her most this night was how earnestly he had tried to comfort her when she needed it, with no other motive than a wish to help a friend.

She was startled out of her thoughts by Anomen's voice. "Jaheira, was I mistaken, or did you call my name earlier when we were…intimate?"

"Why should that be so surprising? Do you think I was so lost to reason that I did not know what man I was with? I couldn't possibly mistake you for Khalid. You are too different."

"'Different' again? I must confess I am getting increasingly curious about exactly what these 'differences' are, but I know better than to ask." He brushed a lock of hair off her face and kissed her softly. "I will take solace in the fact that you will remember the man who gave you pleasure this night." His voice was light, but there was a look in his eyes that suggested that this was far more important to him than he would admit.

"I will remember." Jaheira replied, knowing that she spoke the truth.

"Good. Then let's see if we can make more memories tonight." He pulled her close, exploring her body anew with lips and hands, till her passion matched his.

Some time later, Anomen sat up, stretching to take the kinks out of his back. Jaheira watched him, admiring the play of muscles under his skin as he stretched. "Hmm, I have decided that I do like your body." Jaheira said, running her hand lightly over his back.

"Thank you, my lady, it serves me well." He leaned over and kissed her, drawing his fingers up her stomach and making her shiver. "And I hope I have shown adequate appreciation for yours; for there is much to admire."

She laughed and batted his hand away. "Oh, I feel adequately 'appreciated', have no fear. I suspect if I were any more 'appreciated', I'd be unable to walk come morning!"

He joined her laughter and they lay together for a few moments longer. Finally, he sat up again and began to gather his clothes. "Jaheira, it's getting very late, and we both need some sleep before tomorrow. Do you wish me to return to my room or stay here until morning? I would be glad to stay, but I know you may not be ready for such intimacy."

Once again, he had surprised her. Making love to Khalid had always been wonderful, but she felt that the most intensely intimate time they shared was falling asleep in each other's arms afterward, and waking to see the joy in the other's face. Anomen seemed to understand instinctively that the physical intimacy they had shared that night did not necessarily mean she was prepared for the emotional intimacy of the morning.

"I…I don't know, Anomen. I can promise there will be no knife in the ribs, but I cannot guarantee there won't be other…regrets, if you stay."

"I understand. One thing I have learned is that a man should not overstay his welcome in these situations." He dressed quickly and then sat down on the bed next to her. "Jaheira, please be assured that what happened between us this night will remain between us. I may be a failed knight, but am I not the kind of man who brags to others about his lovers."

Jaheira was strangely angered that he felt she would need reassurance on that point. "Do you think I would lie with a man I held in such low regard? I know you will not tell anyone."

He looked away, his expression unreadable. "I did not know you held me in any regard." He turned back, and smiled. "But thank you for your trust." He kissed her briefly and was gone.

She lay back on the bed and pulled the bedclothes over her. As she lay trying to sleep, she questioned the wisdom of the decisions she had made that night, both in asking him to stay and in letting him go. Sleep did not come easily.