Disclaimer – Let's see, I think the only thing I own so far is the term 'runological essence' – besides that, no go. (Unless you count Amanda – yeah she's mine too)

Amanda: Hey! Let me in! ALBY!

B.P.: Sorry kid, you're not in this one.

Amanda: OH PHEWY! –stomps away pouting–

B.P.: Okay Roger, coast is clear.

Roger: -looks like a deer caught in headlights-… -runs out back door-

Chapter 3

Albel didn't respond. He closed his eyes and stood.

Nel looked away from the swordsman. She almost instantly spotted the shirt he had put under her head. She stretched as she stood. Her back felt better. She reached her hand around and felt smooth skin where there should have been scars.

So he healed me. But why would he do something like that? To repay me for healing him? Why DID I heal him? None of this makes sense at all.

He interrupted her thoughts. "I'll be going now." He used his good hand to wipe his face and turned to the exit.

"Um, Albel?"

He stopped but didn't turn. "What?"

She picked up the shirt and moved to his side. He was looking out the room's entrance. She turned her attention from him to the dark cave. "I don't know what's going on here, but don't you think it wise to investigate?"

He looked at her and gave her his trademark cocky smile. "I know exactly what's going on here."

She raised her eyebrow. She had to ask him, but she knew he didn't have any real answers. She knew. That was the scary part to all this. She knew when he was serious, when he wasn't, and when he was lying. It was like some strange force had connected them. She wondered if it worked the same way for him. Could it be that she couldn't hold any secrets from him? This whole situation was starting to scare the hell out of her.

"What then?"

"It's obvious, woman. You are infatuated with me and used your runological witch craft to lure me here."

"WHAT!" She slammed her fist into his chest. "I'd rather be subjected to hearing Lasselle whine all night and Farleen's high pitch – ear splitting – opera impersonations then to have anything with you!"

She took her other hand and slapped his face with his shirt. As her hand rounded to his right side, he seized it. He twisted it around her back, turning her away from him. Before she could react, He seized her other hand and pulled it back. Now both hands were behind her.

For once in her career, she didn't know how to respond. Did he want to fight again? No, she didn't think so. What did he want?

He pulled her back against his body and pressed his cheek to her ear. "Funny thing is…I know when you are lying."

She chuckled. "Lying. You're one to talk. Perhaps you are the one infatuated and instead of just saying so, you imprint your feelings on others."

Albel had to control himself. The woman was intolerable. She really got under his skin in the worst possible way. "You say that Zelpher, but I know I…affect you." He spoke softly in her ear.

Damn him. She was trying to get an impression on if he felt anything for her. If he had denied it, then she would know if he was lying or not. But he had completely refused to respond in any manner to how he feels.

"Quit your yapping, Albel." If she was to get anywhere with him, she needed to fight fire with fire. "And let go. That is, unless, you enjoy holding me too much."

A low growl vibrated in his throat. He let go of her left hand and swung her around. Her back hit the wall beside the cave's entrance. He took hold of her hand again. Raising both arms over her head, he pinned her to the wall.

"So, you are saying that I affect you in no way?" He stepped in, leaving no room between them. He touched his forehead to hers. "In that case, then this will also have no affect on you."

He leaned in and kissed her. His whole body was pressed against her. His kiss started out gentle, but the longer his lips touched hers, the harder he pressed. Before she realized what she was doing, she opened to him. His tongue accepted her invitation.

What am I doing? She thought. She closed her eyes as the kiss became more passionate. What is he doing? She asked herself, but she knew that didn't matter. The real question was why she participated? And why did her stomach flutter?

He pulled away slightly and kissed her cheek. He left a trail of kisses as his mouth journeyed to her ear. "Now, woman, tell me you feel nothing."

"I…I feel…" Come on girl! Think of something. Just don't tell him how you feel. "I feel the same as you."

He paused. He knew beyond doubt she told the truth. The truth. But it didn't help him in any way. Confusion clouded his mind. How did he feel about her?

He let go of her hands, plucking his shirt free in the process. He didn't move off of her right away. He lingered there, contemplating his next move. Depending on his actions, he risked revealing too much information. But to who? He wondered if there were things he just would not admit to himself.

Albel started to grow angry. He backed away and walked to the center of the room. His anger raged, not at her, but at himself. Of all people, he should understand himself! To doubt ones self was…SELF TREASON!

With his back to her, he lowered his head. His claw hung limply at his side. Lost in thought, the fingers on his left hand fumbled at imaginary answers. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice his own claw tearing lightly into his own flesh.

Nel stood transfixed on him. He was scratching his leg. It was bleeding but he didn't stop. What in the name of Apris is this? This whole night seemed like more of a dream then the actual dreams had been.

She took a few steps and stopped, making sure not to get too close to him. "Albel? You're…um…your leg."

Albel stopped and looked down. Red ribbons of blood streamed down his leg.

"You know, maybe it is a good time to leave this place." Nel turned to the door.

Albel mumbled something under his breath. Nel looked back and watched as he put his damaged shirt on.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"Ignorant, irrational, irritating, stubborn, fool!"

"Oh, that's so smart." Her voice was laced with sarcasm. "You think that insults are your only way to communicate. Well, it makes you look more like an uneducated idiot."

He smirked at her. "Oh, I beg to differ. You see 'imbecilic, illogical, pungent, pertinacious, schlemiel' just doesn't quite get the point across."

Her jaw dropped. To think that Albel the Wicked actually had a larger vocabulary was shocking. But he was right, that phrase just didn't sound as…wicked.

She closed her mouth. "Well…I'm leaving." She turned back to the entrance and headed that way.

Just as she neared the doorway, a tremor surged under her. There was a brief flash and the sound of an explosion. Rubble fell from the ceiling. She looked up but it was too late to avoid the debris. She closed her eyes and waited for the first boulder to hit.

Instead of being crushed, she felt something wrap around her waist. She was pulled back and out of harms way at the last second. She looked up. The entrance to the cave was completely blocked.

It looked like she was going to be stuck with him for a while. Her only way out now was the window in the ceiling. There was no way to climb, so she would only be able to use that if she could fly. She had lost the Ring of Disintegration sometime during the fight, so that wasn't much help to her now.

Still feeling the pressure around her torso, she looked down. Albel had wrapped his right arm around her and pulled her from danger. She stood there for a few seconds. She wondered how long he was going to hold on to her.

"Um…Albel? If you're waiting for a thank you then you have my gratitude. You can let go now."

He grunted as he pushed her away. "That's twice I've saved you, Zelpher. You owe me."

She turned to him. Her anger was reborn. "If I knew we were trading favors, then I would sooner be crushed then to owe you anything."

He smiled. "Scared you might like it?"

She grabbed for her dagger before she remembered she didn't have it anymore. She had dropped it when she had hit the wall earlier. Her hands formed fist as she ready herself to attack. As she gathered her aura, her head became dizzy. She had not rested enough to replenish herself completely. Her essence was running too low to use even aura attacks.

She fell and landed on her knees. "Damn you, Nox!" She passed out again.

Albel sighed. She would probably be out for a while. That was fine by him; he had his own problems to deal with.

-

He crept silently away from the now blocked entrance. He smiled wildly as he rounded the corner and headed to the exit.

"What are you doing here?" A female voice called from a side tunnel.

He turned suddenly. "I…oh, it's you."

"Were you responsible for that explosion?" She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a stern look.

He rested his hand on her shoulder. "Nothing to worry about…I'm just taking care of something. Come on, let's go." He let out a nervous laugh.

She knew him too well to let it go. "And what about Nel?"

"She's fine, I promise." Suddenly it didn't seem like a good idea to trap the two fighters together. His plan was almost perfect…only he hadn't expected for her to find out.

She shook her head. "Fine, have it your way. But when she gets out of there, I won't stop her from killing you."

-

Nel pressed her head against Albel's chest. His embrace was gentle and secure. She felt a peace in her. She snuggled her cheek against him. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. She looked up and smiled. His red eyes sent waves of comfort through her.

He leaned in and she welcomed him. They kissed longer and more passionately then before. She put her arms around his neck. Her whole body ached for him. She needed him.

He slid his hand down her back and looped his thumb in her belt. "Remove," he said between kisses. She trembled. Lowering her right hand, she set to the task of removing the belt from her.

As the belt hit the floor, his mouth moved down her neck. He caressed her skin with his lips. Pulses of pleasure seized her. She hands set on the task of exploring his back, pulling him closer.

He removed her scarf with his teeth. Her exposed neck ached for his touch. She let out a moan as his lips found her collar bone. His hand steady massaging her lower back.

He drew his head back and looked into her eyes. "You are now mine."

She nodded. "Yes. All yours...just don't stop, Albel."

-

Nel felt herself treading in the realm between sleep and awareness. So it had been a dream. Another dream of Albel, only without the violence. She shivered.

It was just a dream. Nothing to worry about. She slowly opened her eyes. Doubt overcame her. A dream? If that was only a dream then why was her head in Albel's lap? She looked up at him.

He had rested his back against the wall. Her head was in his lap and his right arm was draped across her midsection. He had his head bent forward and he was asleep.

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And the plot thickens – hahahaha – who is the mystery man behind it all? I know, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while.

YAY FOR FLUFF!

Amanda: Look here, page 45 in his second book. This is dated shortly after all that mega creepy stuff with that deranged Luther jerk.

B.P.: Let me see.

Amanda: And I quote "She said her farewells. My heart ached. I closed my eyes and all I saw was her, against the tree I leaned on, her leg…"

B.P: Whoa! This fic is rated T. This site won't even allow that stuff. –grabs Albel's journal from Amanda- Besides, you're too young for this. –runs to find a quiet place to read – locks door and puts out sign 'DO NOT DISTURB, WILL RETURN IN 2 TO 3 DAYS'-