Delaney clutched Lancelot's cloak about her. They were sharing, the sky had decided to open up and pour down on them. "You did say we needed to bathe." He reminded her with a grin.

"Guess I need to be careful what I wish for." she muttered as she tried to hide under Lancelot's chin. However the water managed to cascade from his sharp chin right down her temple and down her neck into her shirt. "I feel like a drowned rat."

"The best looking drowned rat I've seen."

Laney turned and looked over her shoulder with a quizical look upon her face, "And how many drowned rats have you seen exactly, Mr. Lance-O-Lot?"

He smiled down at her, "Maybe one or two."

"May I add for the record that rats normally don't drown. In fact, if a building is flooding, follow the rats and you will usually find your escape."

"I'll have to keep that in mind."

"And the only reason you think I'm good looking is because I'm the only female among all you men."

"That's not it." He replied innocently.

"Innocence does not become you, Lancelot."

"Denial doesn't become you." With an added smirk he said, "M'Lady."

"Denial of what? And the only reason you use M'lady is when you're trying to pacify me."

"I've seen the way you look at me."

"Oh really? And how is THAT pray tell? Most of the time I'm rolling my eyes at you."

"I've seen the desirous glances." He answered smugly.

"Oh you do have quite the high regard for yourself don't you? You think that just because I use you for a head rest that I desire you? Please! I'm the one that hit their head yet I think you are the one with the addled brain!" Lancelot merrily chuckled.

"I said glances, never said anything about the fact that you feel comfortable enough to use my body for your bed."

This caused Delaney to blush. The remark itself was innocent enough but the fire it kindled was far from it. She glanced up to his eyes and found the usual mischevious glint however, something much more feral and masculine burned underneath. She trembled with excitement and turned back to face foward, thinking as the rain kept pouring, that at least it cooled her off.

The rain had stopped and so did they. Delaney stood next to a tree and stretched her back and sides. She was stiff, her butt numb and her thighs sore. Ever since Lancelot had indicated she desired him she tried not to lean against him. It was hard not to succumb to the security of his embrace. She paused in her stretch, "Security?" She mumbled. Is that what it was? He was safe? She started chuckling. "Lancelot? Safe?" Those two words did NOT belong in the same sentence together.

"People are going to wonder."

Laney gasped and turned. To find Tristan lounging against the tree. "Would you quit doing that! And people are going to wonder what?"

"If you're right in the head."

"Meaning?"

"Talking to yourself."

"I wasn't talking to myself."

"I heard it."

Laney crossed her arms and glared at the man, "Heard what exactly?"

"Enough." He grinned and walked away. Laney watched him go, blowing the bangs out of her eyes in exasperation.

"Lady Delaney,"

"What!" She asked in irritation, turning to find Arthur behind her. "I'm sorry, what do you need."

"Is everything okay?"

"It's fine, Arthur. I'm wet and sore, and a bit irritable. It's not like you are to blame." She offered a weak smile.

"I was wondering if we could talk a moment."

"Sure, what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. I was making sure you were okay. You seem distant and I was making sure you weren't feeling ill."

"I'm fine Arthur, I am just not used to all of this."

"Will you promise to tell me if something is wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong Arthur."

"Then why are you so guarded?"

"That has nothing to do with you, Arthur, honestly. I-I have some issues to work through that concern my time. So I guess really I shouldn't have them should I?" She half chuckled as she shrugged.

"My wife will very much want to meet you. Maybe you can explain your issues to her."

Laney couldn't help but smile. "I'm not with child, Arthur."

His face flushed as he smiled, "Well when you said---"

"I know. It's something I have to work through. That is about as good of an explaination as I can give. It's not necessarily a 'female' problem. Just issues."

"I'm glad we had this talk." He said very business like as Gawain came up to them. Arthur left and Gawain held out a cloak to Delaney.

"This way you don't have to share with that Oaf."

"I still have to share the horse though."

"Yes, well he has the biggest horse here that can handle the extra weight of another rider. The rest of ours..."

"Thank you Gawain. It's okay, he hasn't been rude or anything."

"If he gets to be just push him off. That will fix him."

"I would if I knew how to ride."

"Once we get back to the wall I'll teach you how."

"No laughing when I fall off?"

"We'll just tie you in!" He sauntered off and remounted, like everyone else. Delaney walked over to Lancelot's horse and found the knight stroking its mane and whispering to it. She had to smile.

"Are you ready?" She asked, securing the cloak around her neck.

"Just waiting on you." He walked over and lifted her up slowly skimming her against his body.

Delaney quickly sucked in a breath. She felt the muscled thighs against her leg and clenched the saddle horn even more tightly between her hands. Once she was mounted she felt him settle behind her. Then and only then did she slowly release the breath she had held.

"Comfortable?" He asked. He had been very mindful of her body against his. He hoped she wasn't offended by his response. He smirked to himself, when was he worried about offending a woman with his blatant advances? But she wasn't a bar wench to tup. There was something about her both strong yet vulnerable. She traded barbs with ease and quick wit, yet she was afraid. He knew it wasn't something to do with him or even the others. She was guarded around all to a degree. He would have to be patient, something that definitly was not one of his strong points.

Delaney shivered as his breath tickled her ear, "As I'll ever be." She clung to the horn, wondering what was wrong with her. Her body was starting to react to Lancelot on a totally different level and she had been normal just a day ago. Was it the flirting? Did her head not hurt all that much so she was more attuned to it? Was he being more flirtatious than before? These thoughts were going through her mind as they rode. They crested a hill then stopped and her breath caught. "oh God it's beautiful!" She exclaimed as she looked down on Hadrian's wall. The vallum and ditch could be seen along with the military road which is where they were going. She kept leaning forward for a better look, Lancelot finally reached out and wrapped his arm around her to pull her back.

"No wonder you fall off of horses!"

"I'm sorry, it's just that. Well, I mean. This is wonderful!" She watched as the horse trapsed along the road. Noting the stones underneath it's hooves. "Oh look at those stones and how precisely they fit. Look at that!" She exclaimed and pointed to perfectly fitted pieces.

"Yes, but I don't think the people forced to labor would feel that way."

"Very good point." She muttered, looking for all the world like a child who just got their cookie taken away.

Lancelot smiled, she was pouting. Though he seriously doubt that she would call it that. "What is your fascination with the wall anyway?"

"I grew up with stories about--" She stopped herself. "Never mind." She muttered as she pulled the borrowed cloak more tightly about her, keeping her eyes on the road ahead.