Chapter 6: The Unthinkable
The bed was shaking. His head bounced on the pillow and the coverlet shifted until it lay half off the mattress. Amon jerked upright, not fully awake and yet comprehending that something was wrong. As he looked around, his bedmate thrashed under the sheets and tossed her head from side to side. It took her head hitting his arm before he woke up enough to realize the problem. Amon lurched onto his side, sitting up and placing a hand on Robin's shoulder. "Robin!" His voice was a mix of sleepy anxiety and urgency as he shook her gently, then harder and harder. "Robin! Robin!"
Robin surged forward, throwing herself out of the nightmare. Her hands scrabbled at the coverlet, for she unconsciously felt it sliding off, and her eyes were wide and staring. Suddenly, a high, unearthly keening burst from her throat, startling Amon into full awareness.
His first urge was to clap his hands over his tortured ears, but he fought it and slammed her to the bed. Her head collided with the headboard, but the keening continued, and her eyes rolled back in her head. Slowly, gently, her voice dropped, until it was a whisper, and her body relaxed. She took in a shuddering breath, then another, until her breathing was calmed as well, and put a hand to her forehead. Her eyes were open, and this time they were focused. Clear, not dream-hazed.
Amon's voice drifted through her thoughts to her mind. "Are you all right?" So impersonal, she thought, because I don't really matter. That's what it's like. She looked him in the eye, nodding, then sat up and drew a hand over her brow. Her sleeve was stained wet with sweat, cold, icy sweat, and she closed her eyes at the sudden upsurge of images. Her nightmare still had a grip on her, but Amon's warm hands on her shoulders chased them away.
Robin shivered, gasping faintly, and leaned into his touch, away from the haunting pictures. His hands stilled where they had been rubbing her arms, then were hastily removed, as though the soothing action was inappropriate. She glanced at his profile through slitted eyes, noting the muscle jumping in his jaw and the tautness of his eyelids.
Suddenly those lids lifted, revealing shimmering grey orbs that turned in her direction. "Robin," he murmured hoarsely, his voice cracking, "a storm is coming. I have no port to take you to, and I am no harbor. I--" He swallowed, turning his misty eyes away. "I don't know how to be." Looking back at her, he shifted on the bed, letting the coverlet slide off all the way, and cupped her chin in his hands. The heart-shaped face staring back at him displayed confused green eyes, a trembling chin and a full, vulnerable mouth, and he remembered then, more than ever, that she was only fifteen. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. "I will protect you with everything I have, everything I am, but it may not be enough. Please," his voice was begging, "please forgive me if I let you down."
Lifted gently from its position clutching the bed sheets, her hand cupped the back of his neck as she tilted her head against his. Eyes closed, she murmured, "I never asked you to care for me . . ."
"And I never asked your permission." He leaned back, gazing at her, and said firmly, "You can say nothing that will change my mind. I will protect you, though you didn't ask for my help, but I may fail even in that." He searched her face. "Please. I beg you; do not hold it against me."
Her eyes remained closed. Still for moments, eyelids framed by long lashes shivered over moving eyes. "I could never fault you for not living up to such an impossible promise." A tear fell from beneath the ginger lashes and her voice cracked. "For I could not even begin to do the same for you."
The self-disappointment in the whisper caught Amon's notice. His eyes widened and he tipped her chin up, willing her to open her eyes. "You want to protect me?" At her nod, he muttered, "Look at me."
Her jaw trembled, her brows contracted, and she dipped her head back down. Robin shook her head. "No."
The dark-haired man was taken aback. "Why? Why won't you look at me?"
He had not concealed the hurt in his voice well enough, for Robin lifted her head and opened her eyes. Tears spilled out in torrents, and she could only hold back one sob before the rest racked her body. "Because if I look at you, I'll cry." She collapsed forward, into his waiting arms, and wept. The look of sheer horror and distress in his eyes was the last thing she saw for a long while.
Amon sat awake in bed hours after Robin had cried herself to sleep, and brushed his fingers over the head in his lap. She shifted, nose rubbing against his thigh, and slept on. I had no idea, he thought, that she wanted to protect me. But from what? And . . . why do I matter so much to her? I've done my best to be aloof, even cold, and I know that she's noticed, because I see that I hurt her. But why? Why hasn't it worked?! He sighed. "Why does she care so much when I've been so cold?"
"Because," came the sleepy reply, "saving me from death countless times and still remaining with me despite all the attempts on your life as a result doesn't exactly strike me as cold."
He looked down to see the tired fire witch regarding him from the corner of her eye. She smiled a tiny smile, and then sat up. Running a hand through her tangled hair, she sighed, turning to him. "You're tormented by your past. I'm tormented by my present. You can protect me, and do, but I have no means of saving you because you don't tell me anything." That said, she sat on his lap, burying her face into his shoulder and letting herself relax. "And," came her muffled voice, "don't tell me that just because I'm only fifteen you shouldn't burden me. If I thought myself incapable, you know I wouldn't have offered."
As she lifted her head, he smiled weakly at her. "I want to trust you. And . . . eventually, I think I will, but not right now." She laid her head back down, contented, and fell asleep as he wrapped his arms around her and followed suit.
The sunlight shone again, through the window and into Robin's luminescent eyes. She stared out to the rolling hills of Italy, her latest hideout, and wondered at how odd her life seemed. She doubted that many people could claim to having an international grudge against them, and being hunted across oceans as a result of that.
Green eyes filled with confusion when Robin remembered the events of the previous night, and then waking to find herself alone. Amon had been unusually emotional last night, and had even held her, and fallen asleep with her on his lap, but he had gone before she had awakened, and she wondered first if he had gotten nearly enough sleep, then if he would be or already did feel awkward with her. We've been through so much, since we met, and I've come to trust him like no other. More than I thought I would. More than I should, probably, to be safe, but I've never been able to deny my feelings. At least, not to myself. She groaned. When can we be normal? . . . Together. Normal, together. That would be wonderful.
As she swung her legs over the side of the bed and yawned, stretching, she grabbed her dress and walked into the bathroom to bathe and change. Then she strolled out into the halls, taking care not to stumble over the uneven stone flooring.
Maria sat in the shadows. Despite the sun outside, she was quite capable of finding enough shadowy areas to sit and be sneaky in. She spoke softly into her oh-so-high-tech cellular phone. "Well, do it soon!" Her voice was thick with impatience. "Don't make any mistakes. Make sure they're alone!" A pause. "Yes, I'll take care of the Padre." Another, shorter pause, then, "All right, goodbye." She snapped her phone shut in frustration, glaring at nothing in particular, and then stood hastily and began to trot off. As she rounded a corner, getting further away from her sneaky shadows, she walked straight into Amon.
Flushing, she stepped back and said, "Mi scusi, ah, Amon, I, uh, didn't notice you there." She looked everywhere but at him.
"Obviously." Amon narrowed his eyes at the uncomfortable Sister-in- training. She seemed too edgy to merely have bumped into an imposing person. He shifted to get her attention. "I would like to be very clear with you, Maria. I do not trust you." He gauged her reaction, but all she did was roll her eyes. "I highly doubt that you are a Sister-in-training." His face and voice were cold and unforgiving. Robin trusted her, was his angered thought. "I will find your secret. I will expose you." He gave her one last haughty glare, then turned and continued on his way up to the bedroom.
Maria waited until his back was turned, then sneered. When he was out of earshot, she muttered rebelliously, "Oh, you're so clever, Mr. Amon. So clever, indeed." She chuckled. "I am not a Sister. You've caught me one too many times, but worry not, you shant live to tell the tale, nor shall your witch slut up there." She tossed one last scoff up in their general direction, and then skulked away.
Amon stalked angrily up the stone stairways, turning around a bend to find his charge waiting for him on the top step. She lifted her head quickly when she heard him approach. Giving a pale smile, she said, "You weren't there when I woke up, so I waited, but you never came back. That's why I'm here."
Standing, Robin steadied herself with the banister before brushing herself off. She took a step, looking down the stairs, when a sudden vertigo gripped her, and she stumbled to the side.
Alarmed, Amon took her arm and led her gently down the stairs. But, she shook her head and pushed him away weakly. "I . . . I can manage." She tripped down the last few steps, and then gave way into his waiting arms. She was too weak to push away again. What is wrong with me? I know I am tired, but it shouldn't be this bad! As her agitation increased, her breathing became erratic. I know something near me isn't right, isn't safe, but I need Amon. With that thought, her breath came gentler and she relaxed into his hold. She sighed. Fear isn't worth losing his good favor.
He took her into the garden, settling with her on a bench, and asked her, "What happened last night? Did you have a nightmare?" He saw her brows clench, and his worry grew when she whispered, "Please let me forget her." He nodded, resigned, for who was he to ask when he wouldn't tell her aught of himself?
"Um . . . Amon?" Her voice seemed very small, for some strange reason. He cocked an eyebrow, and she asked, "Can . . . can I rest against you?" She looked like a doe caught in the headlights of a semi truck, and he almost laughed. Almost. "Of course." She smiled and settled closer, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.
Amon watched her, resting there, so near and so vulnerable. He took a breath. "Robin, I do not think that Maria is a Sister. I'm not really sure that the Padre even knew she was coming."
Robin pulled back sharply. Her gaze was fierce. "Why do you think so?"
"She is the oddest person. Every time I see her, she seems wary of me." He shrugged. "Earlier, while you were asleep, I wired a telegram to Nagira's correspondent here in Italy. I wanted him to find out everything he could about the Maria girl."
Maria stood behind them a few yards, crouching behind a large bush. "Nosy, Amon. Very nosy. And risky. You won't find much on me at all, and telegrams can be traced." She grinned maliciously.
Amon glanced over his shoulder, something catching at the corner of his eye, but Robin's voice interrupted his impending brown study. "Amon?" When he turned to look at her, she asked, "Would you mind if I went for a walk? Fresh air would help . . ."
As the cultivated garden fell away into wilder brush and thickets, the twigs underfoot snapped and crackled, and the cool breeze caressed their faces. Maria snuck up the hillside after Robin and Amon, watching those meanders wistfully away from the convent and safety. She thought, Soon shall retribution be served, and the undeserving of life shall die.
Robin, concentrating on her headache, didn't notice the unease with which Amon stepped through the underbrush. A grassy hillside presented itself to them, and as they followed a beaten path down its side, Amon grew all the more distressed.
Robin caught a sudden whiff of sour air, and her headache immediately calmed. "Amon?" She winced inwardly at the urgency in her tone. He seemed to jump, and she noted the tension of his shoulders. "Y-you won't leave me, will you?" She swallowed heavily. "I mean, you're not going anywhere without me, are you?"
He eased, shaking his head. "No, Robin, I'll never abandon you." He glanced around again, then took her hand and murmured, "Please, let's go back. I'm not prepared for an attack here."
Robin started in surprise, but complied as he tugged her back up the hill, over its summit and restlessly back toward the garden.
Robin stopped. "Amon." He turned impatience at the forefront of his features. "What?"
Gulping, she threw herself into him. Her arms encircled him and tightened like a vise. Amon, just understand that I will never let go.
His shock was soon overridden by the oddest urge he'd ever had in his life. He felt impelled to hug her back - so he did. He wrapped her in his embrace, allowing all thought of ambush to escape his mind.
Maria, still following them, gave a nasty little grin. "Oh, Amon," she mimicked in a high, fluty voice, "don't ever leave me! Not even after I've been killed by crusaders and you yourself are dying!" She snickered. "Hah! I never thought I'd enjoy others' suffering like this. Your time is almost up, O Fugitives." Chuckling to herself, she faded into the surrounding forest and flipped open her cell. Her fingers flew over the small buttons as she dialed a well-rehearsed number. Waiting moments for an answer, she muttered, "Maria. We strike soon. Prepare yourselves and don't you dare be late. Yes, the set time." She grinned at the question posed to her. "Oh, all goes well." Her voice turned hard. "I'll take care of that. Just make absolutely, irrefutably sure that the two are alone. Kill anyone you need to, as long as they're not ours." She paused. "No, if you screw up, you have to answer to HQ. Not me. I'll meet you later." She clapped the phone closed, then turned with one last grin and dashed back to the convent in search of Padre Barrow.
Robin would have been willing to stay with him like that forever, never have to worry about Hunters and hunted, but all too soon he pulled back, smoothing her hair, and mumbled, "We should get back. It's not much, but the convent has more protection than out here."
She nodded, wanting urgently to press herself back against him, and feel his strength and power, but he was right. "Yes. You're right." She sighed. "Let's go."
Amon grasped her hand tightly, and then pulled her closer to put an arm around her waist. She laid her head against his shoulder as their steps echoed in sync on the broken stone beneath their feet. Their walk, through the illustrious garden, through the high stone halls, up the many grand staircases and down the narrow corridor to their room, was silent. As Robin opened the door and stepped in, she pulled off her overcoat and dropped it on a chair. It was soon joined by Amon's as he sat next to Robin on the plush blankets.
Robin glanced out the paneless arched window, but she missed the glint of metal in the late sun. In the low brush of the forest that bordered the convent, a small army of invisible killers amassed. One of the commanders muttered into a communicator, "We move as soon as the obstructing targets are dispatched."
Amon leaned against the headboard, watching the tired, strained lines of the young woman's face. Her eyes searched the horizon, as it were, for something to catch her interest, anything to keep her from going insane with waiting. "Robin." She looked at him. "What's wrong? Right now, why do you look so tense?"
She rubbed a hand over her eyes and turned her back on the window. "I'm going stir-crazy. I know something is going to happen; I mean, in my life, something is always happening. But before I left here, whatever happened was far away, and while I was at Raven's Flat I was the one doing it. But now that people are searching for me, and hunting me, and in all likelihood know where we both are, they have the upper hand and I can't stand it! The waiting is going to hamstring my nerves and make me unable to fight well, if at all." That said, she slumped onto Amon, letting him lean on her even as he cuddled her to him.
Her thoughts whirled about in her head, driving her to distraction, but Amon only thought of one thing: her proximity. The very thing that he had once condemned sat on his lap, tired and defenseless. He wondered at all that had happened, to so change his mind. This was one witch that he knew he would never be able to kill, despite his promise at Factory. Watchdog or not, he was undoubtedly loyal to her now, and even as her power thrummed through her agitated veins, he doubted his ability to slay the very thing to which his life was now devoted.
He loved her. That was the only conclusion he came to, no matter how many times he pieced it together or how many different perspectives through which he looked at it. He was in love with a fire witch at least ten years his minor, one who could probably destroy all life on the planet if her emotion was highly enough incited. And he could find no way around it, so he simply turned her on his lap and, tangling a hand in her hair, pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes flew wide at that, and she almost pushed him away, he felt it, but instead gradually relaxed against him, snaking a hand back behind his neck and inching closer. Her head turned to the side, when he pulled back she looked as though she was dreaming. Then her eyes opened and indecently long lashes brushed his brows, such was their propinquity. A sinfully slow smile spread across her mouth, which pulsed faintly at the new sensation. "Amon," murmured she, heatedly, "what . . ?"
He just smiled, pulling her close and resting his head upon hers. Whatever happened, he felt sanguine, now, in this moment, and this he'd treasure for the rest of his life, however long it may be.
A/N'S NOTES: Sorry for the VERY LONG update. Please DON'T flame me because I don't take them well:D! I'll take constructive criticism pretty well: D. I'm having so many problems right now!! This is going to be the last chapter for a while. My Beta-reader who just happens to be my best friend is ground until December and I don't plan on replacing her. We've been sending the chapters threw mail, he he long story! Hey! Check out my new story called 'Our Confessions' I think it sucks! Anyway to the shout outs!
Shout Outs:
Hematite: Yes your right! I was looking at it wrong. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I can be stupid, lol. Glad you love the story and yes how can no one like an Amon/Robin story.
Dark Mistress Meli: Glad you love! I love your name!!
FireHunter: DON'T CRY! Well, not yet anyway! The later chapters will prolly make you cry! NO, ROBIN IS NOT GOING TO DIE, lol. Yes I will keep up the good work.
Lizzie: HAHA! I can't believe you reviewed my story, I thought u said you hated ALL ANIME! Glad you like it, I'll talk to you over the summer!
Robin's-hope: HAHA! Yes I did make him out to sexy didn't I?! Well, he's mine, ALL MINE AHAHAHA, I wish! Yes, Maria is creepy; eh I think my reviewers might hate me after chapter 6, when I get it up!
psy4robin: Yeah I know. I did that for a reason. Yea my spelling sucks lol.
Amon's Angel of Darkness: I'm glad! And no I will not stop reading your fic, I LOVE IT! No you did not waste another review talking, I love when people talk and no you're not stupid, don't say that! I'm glad you love my story; I can say the same about urs so I will...I SO LOVE IT!
Shy one: Oh there will be some fluff in chapter 6! But after that, um I think my readers might come after me! With guns or whatever they think they might need.
Daughters of Eve: THANK YOU! WE BOTH THANK YOU!!!!
SHAWN PROVONCHA: I'm glad you LOVE it!
Sean: Yes, I'm Catholic and I attend church very often! Well, I've already known how to speak Latin and Italian! The other prayer I learned when I was six and in Kindergarten and it says: 'Oh My God I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love thee. I beg pardon for all those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love thee.' I did forget the name of the prayer though, lol! I should remember it too because I'm 17 and I learned it 11 years ago. Stupid me!
Ok well, um I should get my last chapter from my Beta-Reader soon! She's going to go to the library and send it to me from there. So look out for the chapter. Then that will be the last one for a while. But like I said I will not forget this story!
The bed was shaking. His head bounced on the pillow and the coverlet shifted until it lay half off the mattress. Amon jerked upright, not fully awake and yet comprehending that something was wrong. As he looked around, his bedmate thrashed under the sheets and tossed her head from side to side. It took her head hitting his arm before he woke up enough to realize the problem. Amon lurched onto his side, sitting up and placing a hand on Robin's shoulder. "Robin!" His voice was a mix of sleepy anxiety and urgency as he shook her gently, then harder and harder. "Robin! Robin!"
Robin surged forward, throwing herself out of the nightmare. Her hands scrabbled at the coverlet, for she unconsciously felt it sliding off, and her eyes were wide and staring. Suddenly, a high, unearthly keening burst from her throat, startling Amon into full awareness.
His first urge was to clap his hands over his tortured ears, but he fought it and slammed her to the bed. Her head collided with the headboard, but the keening continued, and her eyes rolled back in her head. Slowly, gently, her voice dropped, until it was a whisper, and her body relaxed. She took in a shuddering breath, then another, until her breathing was calmed as well, and put a hand to her forehead. Her eyes were open, and this time they were focused. Clear, not dream-hazed.
Amon's voice drifted through her thoughts to her mind. "Are you all right?" So impersonal, she thought, because I don't really matter. That's what it's like. She looked him in the eye, nodding, then sat up and drew a hand over her brow. Her sleeve was stained wet with sweat, cold, icy sweat, and she closed her eyes at the sudden upsurge of images. Her nightmare still had a grip on her, but Amon's warm hands on her shoulders chased them away.
Robin shivered, gasping faintly, and leaned into his touch, away from the haunting pictures. His hands stilled where they had been rubbing her arms, then were hastily removed, as though the soothing action was inappropriate. She glanced at his profile through slitted eyes, noting the muscle jumping in his jaw and the tautness of his eyelids.
Suddenly those lids lifted, revealing shimmering grey orbs that turned in her direction. "Robin," he murmured hoarsely, his voice cracking, "a storm is coming. I have no port to take you to, and I am no harbor. I--" He swallowed, turning his misty eyes away. "I don't know how to be." Looking back at her, he shifted on the bed, letting the coverlet slide off all the way, and cupped her chin in his hands. The heart-shaped face staring back at him displayed confused green eyes, a trembling chin and a full, vulnerable mouth, and he remembered then, more than ever, that she was only fifteen. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. "I will protect you with everything I have, everything I am, but it may not be enough. Please," his voice was begging, "please forgive me if I let you down."
Lifted gently from its position clutching the bed sheets, her hand cupped the back of his neck as she tilted her head against his. Eyes closed, she murmured, "I never asked you to care for me . . ."
"And I never asked your permission." He leaned back, gazing at her, and said firmly, "You can say nothing that will change my mind. I will protect you, though you didn't ask for my help, but I may fail even in that." He searched her face. "Please. I beg you; do not hold it against me."
Her eyes remained closed. Still for moments, eyelids framed by long lashes shivered over moving eyes. "I could never fault you for not living up to such an impossible promise." A tear fell from beneath the ginger lashes and her voice cracked. "For I could not even begin to do the same for you."
The self-disappointment in the whisper caught Amon's notice. His eyes widened and he tipped her chin up, willing her to open her eyes. "You want to protect me?" At her nod, he muttered, "Look at me."
Her jaw trembled, her brows contracted, and she dipped her head back down. Robin shook her head. "No."
The dark-haired man was taken aback. "Why? Why won't you look at me?"
He had not concealed the hurt in his voice well enough, for Robin lifted her head and opened her eyes. Tears spilled out in torrents, and she could only hold back one sob before the rest racked her body. "Because if I look at you, I'll cry." She collapsed forward, into his waiting arms, and wept. The look of sheer horror and distress in his eyes was the last thing she saw for a long while.
Amon sat awake in bed hours after Robin had cried herself to sleep, and brushed his fingers over the head in his lap. She shifted, nose rubbing against his thigh, and slept on. I had no idea, he thought, that she wanted to protect me. But from what? And . . . why do I matter so much to her? I've done my best to be aloof, even cold, and I know that she's noticed, because I see that I hurt her. But why? Why hasn't it worked?! He sighed. "Why does she care so much when I've been so cold?"
"Because," came the sleepy reply, "saving me from death countless times and still remaining with me despite all the attempts on your life as a result doesn't exactly strike me as cold."
He looked down to see the tired fire witch regarding him from the corner of her eye. She smiled a tiny smile, and then sat up. Running a hand through her tangled hair, she sighed, turning to him. "You're tormented by your past. I'm tormented by my present. You can protect me, and do, but I have no means of saving you because you don't tell me anything." That said, she sat on his lap, burying her face into his shoulder and letting herself relax. "And," came her muffled voice, "don't tell me that just because I'm only fifteen you shouldn't burden me. If I thought myself incapable, you know I wouldn't have offered."
As she lifted her head, he smiled weakly at her. "I want to trust you. And . . . eventually, I think I will, but not right now." She laid her head back down, contented, and fell asleep as he wrapped his arms around her and followed suit.
The sunlight shone again, through the window and into Robin's luminescent eyes. She stared out to the rolling hills of Italy, her latest hideout, and wondered at how odd her life seemed. She doubted that many people could claim to having an international grudge against them, and being hunted across oceans as a result of that.
Green eyes filled with confusion when Robin remembered the events of the previous night, and then waking to find herself alone. Amon had been unusually emotional last night, and had even held her, and fallen asleep with her on his lap, but he had gone before she had awakened, and she wondered first if he had gotten nearly enough sleep, then if he would be or already did feel awkward with her. We've been through so much, since we met, and I've come to trust him like no other. More than I thought I would. More than I should, probably, to be safe, but I've never been able to deny my feelings. At least, not to myself. She groaned. When can we be normal? . . . Together. Normal, together. That would be wonderful.
As she swung her legs over the side of the bed and yawned, stretching, she grabbed her dress and walked into the bathroom to bathe and change. Then she strolled out into the halls, taking care not to stumble over the uneven stone flooring.
Maria sat in the shadows. Despite the sun outside, she was quite capable of finding enough shadowy areas to sit and be sneaky in. She spoke softly into her oh-so-high-tech cellular phone. "Well, do it soon!" Her voice was thick with impatience. "Don't make any mistakes. Make sure they're alone!" A pause. "Yes, I'll take care of the Padre." Another, shorter pause, then, "All right, goodbye." She snapped her phone shut in frustration, glaring at nothing in particular, and then stood hastily and began to trot off. As she rounded a corner, getting further away from her sneaky shadows, she walked straight into Amon.
Flushing, she stepped back and said, "Mi scusi, ah, Amon, I, uh, didn't notice you there." She looked everywhere but at him.
"Obviously." Amon narrowed his eyes at the uncomfortable Sister-in- training. She seemed too edgy to merely have bumped into an imposing person. He shifted to get her attention. "I would like to be very clear with you, Maria. I do not trust you." He gauged her reaction, but all she did was roll her eyes. "I highly doubt that you are a Sister-in-training." His face and voice were cold and unforgiving. Robin trusted her, was his angered thought. "I will find your secret. I will expose you." He gave her one last haughty glare, then turned and continued on his way up to the bedroom.
Maria waited until his back was turned, then sneered. When he was out of earshot, she muttered rebelliously, "Oh, you're so clever, Mr. Amon. So clever, indeed." She chuckled. "I am not a Sister. You've caught me one too many times, but worry not, you shant live to tell the tale, nor shall your witch slut up there." She tossed one last scoff up in their general direction, and then skulked away.
Amon stalked angrily up the stone stairways, turning around a bend to find his charge waiting for him on the top step. She lifted her head quickly when she heard him approach. Giving a pale smile, she said, "You weren't there when I woke up, so I waited, but you never came back. That's why I'm here."
Standing, Robin steadied herself with the banister before brushing herself off. She took a step, looking down the stairs, when a sudden vertigo gripped her, and she stumbled to the side.
Alarmed, Amon took her arm and led her gently down the stairs. But, she shook her head and pushed him away weakly. "I . . . I can manage." She tripped down the last few steps, and then gave way into his waiting arms. She was too weak to push away again. What is wrong with me? I know I am tired, but it shouldn't be this bad! As her agitation increased, her breathing became erratic. I know something near me isn't right, isn't safe, but I need Amon. With that thought, her breath came gentler and she relaxed into his hold. She sighed. Fear isn't worth losing his good favor.
He took her into the garden, settling with her on a bench, and asked her, "What happened last night? Did you have a nightmare?" He saw her brows clench, and his worry grew when she whispered, "Please let me forget her." He nodded, resigned, for who was he to ask when he wouldn't tell her aught of himself?
"Um . . . Amon?" Her voice seemed very small, for some strange reason. He cocked an eyebrow, and she asked, "Can . . . can I rest against you?" She looked like a doe caught in the headlights of a semi truck, and he almost laughed. Almost. "Of course." She smiled and settled closer, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.
Amon watched her, resting there, so near and so vulnerable. He took a breath. "Robin, I do not think that Maria is a Sister. I'm not really sure that the Padre even knew she was coming."
Robin pulled back sharply. Her gaze was fierce. "Why do you think so?"
"She is the oddest person. Every time I see her, she seems wary of me." He shrugged. "Earlier, while you were asleep, I wired a telegram to Nagira's correspondent here in Italy. I wanted him to find out everything he could about the Maria girl."
Maria stood behind them a few yards, crouching behind a large bush. "Nosy, Amon. Very nosy. And risky. You won't find much on me at all, and telegrams can be traced." She grinned maliciously.
Amon glanced over his shoulder, something catching at the corner of his eye, but Robin's voice interrupted his impending brown study. "Amon?" When he turned to look at her, she asked, "Would you mind if I went for a walk? Fresh air would help . . ."
As the cultivated garden fell away into wilder brush and thickets, the twigs underfoot snapped and crackled, and the cool breeze caressed their faces. Maria snuck up the hillside after Robin and Amon, watching those meanders wistfully away from the convent and safety. She thought, Soon shall retribution be served, and the undeserving of life shall die.
Robin, concentrating on her headache, didn't notice the unease with which Amon stepped through the underbrush. A grassy hillside presented itself to them, and as they followed a beaten path down its side, Amon grew all the more distressed.
Robin caught a sudden whiff of sour air, and her headache immediately calmed. "Amon?" She winced inwardly at the urgency in her tone. He seemed to jump, and she noted the tension of his shoulders. "Y-you won't leave me, will you?" She swallowed heavily. "I mean, you're not going anywhere without me, are you?"
He eased, shaking his head. "No, Robin, I'll never abandon you." He glanced around again, then took her hand and murmured, "Please, let's go back. I'm not prepared for an attack here."
Robin started in surprise, but complied as he tugged her back up the hill, over its summit and restlessly back toward the garden.
Robin stopped. "Amon." He turned impatience at the forefront of his features. "What?"
Gulping, she threw herself into him. Her arms encircled him and tightened like a vise. Amon, just understand that I will never let go.
His shock was soon overridden by the oddest urge he'd ever had in his life. He felt impelled to hug her back - so he did. He wrapped her in his embrace, allowing all thought of ambush to escape his mind.
Maria, still following them, gave a nasty little grin. "Oh, Amon," she mimicked in a high, fluty voice, "don't ever leave me! Not even after I've been killed by crusaders and you yourself are dying!" She snickered. "Hah! I never thought I'd enjoy others' suffering like this. Your time is almost up, O Fugitives." Chuckling to herself, she faded into the surrounding forest and flipped open her cell. Her fingers flew over the small buttons as she dialed a well-rehearsed number. Waiting moments for an answer, she muttered, "Maria. We strike soon. Prepare yourselves and don't you dare be late. Yes, the set time." She grinned at the question posed to her. "Oh, all goes well." Her voice turned hard. "I'll take care of that. Just make absolutely, irrefutably sure that the two are alone. Kill anyone you need to, as long as they're not ours." She paused. "No, if you screw up, you have to answer to HQ. Not me. I'll meet you later." She clapped the phone closed, then turned with one last grin and dashed back to the convent in search of Padre Barrow.
Robin would have been willing to stay with him like that forever, never have to worry about Hunters and hunted, but all too soon he pulled back, smoothing her hair, and mumbled, "We should get back. It's not much, but the convent has more protection than out here."
She nodded, wanting urgently to press herself back against him, and feel his strength and power, but he was right. "Yes. You're right." She sighed. "Let's go."
Amon grasped her hand tightly, and then pulled her closer to put an arm around her waist. She laid her head against his shoulder as their steps echoed in sync on the broken stone beneath their feet. Their walk, through the illustrious garden, through the high stone halls, up the many grand staircases and down the narrow corridor to their room, was silent. As Robin opened the door and stepped in, she pulled off her overcoat and dropped it on a chair. It was soon joined by Amon's as he sat next to Robin on the plush blankets.
Robin glanced out the paneless arched window, but she missed the glint of metal in the late sun. In the low brush of the forest that bordered the convent, a small army of invisible killers amassed. One of the commanders muttered into a communicator, "We move as soon as the obstructing targets are dispatched."
Amon leaned against the headboard, watching the tired, strained lines of the young woman's face. Her eyes searched the horizon, as it were, for something to catch her interest, anything to keep her from going insane with waiting. "Robin." She looked at him. "What's wrong? Right now, why do you look so tense?"
She rubbed a hand over her eyes and turned her back on the window. "I'm going stir-crazy. I know something is going to happen; I mean, in my life, something is always happening. But before I left here, whatever happened was far away, and while I was at Raven's Flat I was the one doing it. But now that people are searching for me, and hunting me, and in all likelihood know where we both are, they have the upper hand and I can't stand it! The waiting is going to hamstring my nerves and make me unable to fight well, if at all." That said, she slumped onto Amon, letting him lean on her even as he cuddled her to him.
Her thoughts whirled about in her head, driving her to distraction, but Amon only thought of one thing: her proximity. The very thing that he had once condemned sat on his lap, tired and defenseless. He wondered at all that had happened, to so change his mind. This was one witch that he knew he would never be able to kill, despite his promise at Factory. Watchdog or not, he was undoubtedly loyal to her now, and even as her power thrummed through her agitated veins, he doubted his ability to slay the very thing to which his life was now devoted.
He loved her. That was the only conclusion he came to, no matter how many times he pieced it together or how many different perspectives through which he looked at it. He was in love with a fire witch at least ten years his minor, one who could probably destroy all life on the planet if her emotion was highly enough incited. And he could find no way around it, so he simply turned her on his lap and, tangling a hand in her hair, pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes flew wide at that, and she almost pushed him away, he felt it, but instead gradually relaxed against him, snaking a hand back behind his neck and inching closer. Her head turned to the side, when he pulled back she looked as though she was dreaming. Then her eyes opened and indecently long lashes brushed his brows, such was their propinquity. A sinfully slow smile spread across her mouth, which pulsed faintly at the new sensation. "Amon," murmured she, heatedly, "what . . ?"
He just smiled, pulling her close and resting his head upon hers. Whatever happened, he felt sanguine, now, in this moment, and this he'd treasure for the rest of his life, however long it may be.
A/N'S NOTES: Sorry for the VERY LONG update. Please DON'T flame me because I don't take them well:D! I'll take constructive criticism pretty well: D. I'm having so many problems right now!! This is going to be the last chapter for a while. My Beta-reader who just happens to be my best friend is ground until December and I don't plan on replacing her. We've been sending the chapters threw mail, he he long story! Hey! Check out my new story called 'Our Confessions' I think it sucks! Anyway to the shout outs!
Shout Outs:
Hematite: Yes your right! I was looking at it wrong. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I can be stupid, lol. Glad you love the story and yes how can no one like an Amon/Robin story.
Dark Mistress Meli: Glad you love! I love your name!!
FireHunter: DON'T CRY! Well, not yet anyway! The later chapters will prolly make you cry! NO, ROBIN IS NOT GOING TO DIE, lol. Yes I will keep up the good work.
Lizzie: HAHA! I can't believe you reviewed my story, I thought u said you hated ALL ANIME! Glad you like it, I'll talk to you over the summer!
Robin's-hope: HAHA! Yes I did make him out to sexy didn't I?! Well, he's mine, ALL MINE AHAHAHA, I wish! Yes, Maria is creepy; eh I think my reviewers might hate me after chapter 6, when I get it up!
psy4robin: Yeah I know. I did that for a reason. Yea my spelling sucks lol.
Amon's Angel of Darkness: I'm glad! And no I will not stop reading your fic, I LOVE IT! No you did not waste another review talking, I love when people talk and no you're not stupid, don't say that! I'm glad you love my story; I can say the same about urs so I will...I SO LOVE IT!
Shy one: Oh there will be some fluff in chapter 6! But after that, um I think my readers might come after me! With guns or whatever they think they might need.
Daughters of Eve: THANK YOU! WE BOTH THANK YOU!!!!
SHAWN PROVONCHA: I'm glad you LOVE it!
Sean: Yes, I'm Catholic and I attend church very often! Well, I've already known how to speak Latin and Italian! The other prayer I learned when I was six and in Kindergarten and it says: 'Oh My God I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love thee. I beg pardon for all those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love thee.' I did forget the name of the prayer though, lol! I should remember it too because I'm 17 and I learned it 11 years ago. Stupid me!
Ok well, um I should get my last chapter from my Beta-Reader soon! She's going to go to the library and send it to me from there. So look out for the chapter. Then that will be the last one for a while. But like I said I will not forget this story!