Aaaahhh! It took me. For. Ever. To. Get. This chapter. UP! I am so sorry. I haven't been working on it...Hopefully I can get more done here on after.

Raine: -Sigh- And I had hoped you'd forgotten.

How could I forget you? I just have had other stuff to do. Like my Spiral fic I started today.

Raine: Why don't you bother them, then?

Because I love you, too!

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"Raine, wake up," he ordered, shaking her gently. He, himself, had only returned to conciousness a short while ago, and he couldn't remember what had happened to render him un-concious. He remembered Karla, and the three men, and the fight...But no specifics on how it went. Now Regal knelt by her side, trying to rouse her.

She emitted something of a groan, which he thought rather comforting, actually, before her violet-blue eyes fluttered open to look up at him. "...Regal?" she asked, her voice sounding hoarse. He offered his assistance when she sat up, and nodded at her.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," assured Raine. She looked as though she was in minor discomfort, but he knew she wasn't about to admit it to him right out. That was the kind of person she was - independant, and proud.

"Are you certain?" he pressed, just in case.

"Positive." Raine made to stand, but the hem of her gown got caught, and she fell back down with a sour expression. "I hate dresses," she muttered, almost too quietly to hear.

With a smile, Regal stood and helped her safely to her feet. "I have never worn one, personally. However, they look dangerous." Of course, if he had ever worn a dress, they'd have a problem already...Shaking his head to banish the odd thought, he looked around.

They were in a well-lit room, tamely decorated, nicely furnished. He supposed this was Karla's home, where she lived. It seemed to suit her, somehow. "A...cozy place, wouldn't you say?" he asked, somewhat drily.

"Quaint," she agreed, in the same tone. "The question is, why did she bring us here? What happens now?" Technically, that was two questions. But that wasn't important, he mused, as he shook his head again.

"I don't know. But I suppose we'll find out eventually." Regal glanced downward at his own apparel, feeling rather awkward - they were both still in wedding clothes. Not exactly the best thing to wear when one is held captive. Of course, there wasn't really anything particularly good for it, either.

"Good morning," came a voice, in a very sing-song fashion. Karla had just stepped through the door, which he assumed had previously been locked. After all, what captor in their right mind would leave cap-tives in an unlocked room? Particularly when it's in the former's own residence.

"What do you want with us?" demanded Raine, beating Regal to it.

"Tut, tut. You're in no position to be asking any questions, Mrs. Bryant." It was clear Karla enjoyed using that title as a way of mocking Raine, something he found rather insulting.

"On the contrary - we are in the best position for that. We are your captives, are we not? I do believe we have the right to know what we are to be used for. Miss Salri," she added with heavy sarcasm.

Eric started to move toward her, and Regal placed himself between them. "You don't touch her," he warned, watching with satisfaction as Eric scowled, but backed off grudgingly.

"Ooh, tough guy." Karla cocked an eyebrow, turning serious. "Do you intend to protect her to the point of laying your life down for her, Bryant?"

He felt Raine tense behind him, but ignored it, answering with a simple and definate, "Yes."

"Regal," started the Half-Elf, warningly, but Karla cut her off.

"No, no. Don't stop him, M'Lady. He's on a roll! Playing your Knight in Shining Armor. That's what you've really always wanted, isn't it? For someone like you, it's a rare occurance, and should be cherished," she said, matter-of-factly. "After all, who but Mister President over here would gow low enough to--"

"You don't. Want to finish. That sentence." Regal met her gaze with a hard stare of his own, one arm still held out in front of his wife protectively as he stood slightly in front and to the side of her. She lifted a hand and lowered his arm, cocking an eyebrow at him. He gave her a somewhat apologetic glance as Karla smiled slightly.

"Isn't that cute? Lady Dukess doesn't think she needs his protection," chuckled Deryn's sister. "She wants to stand on her own two feet and prove herself to her loving husband."

"I have nothing that needs to be proven to anyone," said Raine in an even, neutral tone. "I accept Regal's actions as evidence of his concern for my well-being, but I do not intend to play the useless woman on the side-lines. That's all."

"Ah, I see." Karla nodded, quite obviously mocking Raine again. "Of course it is. I understand completely." A smile played on her lips again as she clasped her hands behind her back. "Well, my lovely couple. You'd best be prepared - we leave Altamira come nightfall."

Altamira...So they were still in his town, thought Regal, watching the woman exit with her possy, the one that had once been Deryn's own. "You know, it really is uncany," commented Raine beside him.

"What is?"

"The family resemblance. Karla hardly differs at all from Deryn. Just her hair color, and a few more mature aspects of her appearance." She sighed. "Which is not entirely comforting."

"No...it is not," he agreed, glaring at the door.

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Bum Bum Bum. Ah - but they're still in Altamira. There's still a chance, right?

Raine: Knowing you? Never.

I'm hurt...

Raine: Good.

-Glare- Meanie. Stay tuned.