Chapter 19

When the two women were clean and dressed, Jane and Lynne walked back to their room to drop off their belongings, and then joined Nazgurat and Ahmon in the main hall. The men had already claimed a table and were almost finished their first drink.

"Thought you'd drowned," Ahmon teased, and Jane stuck her tongue out at him.

"Did you see Bo come back yet?" She asked, after ordering a drink from the girl who wandered by.

"No," Nazgurat responded, and he squeezed Lynne's hand. "Don't worry Jane, he'll be back."

"I'm not worried," Jane retorted, and Nazgurat rolled his eyes.

"Sure."

The group chatted lightly while they waited for Bo's return. Jane wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when the door to the Inn opened she saw that it was getting dark outside, so she knew it was at least evening time.

Jane was laughing at something Ahmon had said when the door to the Inn opened again. She saw Bo step inside, the axe still strapped to his back. She frowned but smiled at him when he drew near, noting that he looked tired and stressed.

"Hey," Jane said softly, as Bo eased the axe off his back and rested it against the table.

"He didn't go for it then," Naz cut in, and Bo shook his head.

"No..." Bo sank down into the chair beside Jane, groaning softly. "Ulfric will be displeased."

"What does that mean, then?" Lynne inquired, her brows furrowed together.

"It means there will probably be a fight. Ulfric wants Whiterun, and he's going to take it with or without the Jarl's obedience."

"Shame," Ahmon replied sadly. "We already have bigger problems, there's no need to be fighting amongst ourselves."

"That's the problem," Bo continued, and he looked over at Jane. "I have to go back to Windhelm, but I know I have to answer my summons."

"Well there's no problem," Nazgurat growled, and he leaned forward in his chair. "The Greybeards come first."

"I know, please..."

Bo held up one hand, frowning.

"I already got chewed out by Balgruuf, I don't need it from you too."

"Okay," Naz mumbled, and he relaxed back in his seat.

"I am going to High Hrothgar, I promise. I just don't know what to do about this stupid Stormcloak business."

"I'll go," Ahmon cut in, and everybody turned to him.

"Ahmon?" Bo responded, his tone confused. "What of your family... their farm?"

"Pahh," Ahmon smiled and waved his hand. "I've got three other brothers that help them too. It's about time I did something a little more interesting. I'll take the axe back in your place."

"I... appreciate it, Ahmon. Truly."

The Nord reached over and squeezed Bo's shoulder, and grinned.

"Of course, friend. It would be my pleasure. I've always wanted to meet Ulfric."

"Don't get your hopes up," Jane scoffed quietly, and Bo shot her a look.

"What do you mean?"

"I-I just mean..." Jane struggled to cover herself up, remembering that Bo still didn't know about her encounter with the ginger-haired man. "He's sort of... well..."

"He's a racist bastard," Lynne finished for her, and Jane nodded.

"Yes. He's not terribly nice."

Bo eyed Jane suspiciously, but the topic was quickly changed to their upcoming trek. They would have to waste no time in making preparations so that they could make the long trek to High Hrothgar. The discussion quickly turned to travel, as they all talked it over while waiting for their dinner to arrive.

"You can take the horses, no problem," Ahmon offered, and he was thanked kindly. "They won't get you up that mountain, but they'll get you pretty close."

"We can stable them in Ivarstead," Lynne commented, and Naz nodded. "Then we'll have to walk up the rest of the way. It'll be pretty rough... I've walked partway before."

Lynne left out the part about how she knew that. She didn't want to tell them that she had been hunting a contract to kill, and they frequented Ivarstead and the area.

"It's settled then," Jane continued softly, and she rubbed Bo's arm affectionately.

The Orc still looked stressed, but he gave her a smile.

"Ahmon is going to Windhelm to return the axe for Bo. Lynne, Naz, and I are going to High Hrothgar with you. Then we'll go from there."

"I'm sure they'll give you some answers," Lynne offered to the young Orc, and he nodded.

"I sure hope so."

"One day at a time, Bo," Jane said softly.

"Right. One day," Bo echoed.

They quickly finished their dinner and then everybody retired to their separate rooms for the night. They were to meet up early the next morning and start gathering provisions they would need for their trip.

"Goodnight," Lynne told Jane softly, and she winked at her.

"Goodnight," Jane responded firmly, and she lightly punched Lynne's arm before following Bo into their room.

Bo lit the cluster of candles that were resting in a gold candelabra beside the bed and then he sat down and rubbed his thighs for a moment; his eyes half closed. Jane wandered over to him and Bo looked up at her when she drew closer.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, and Bo let out a sigh.

"Overwhelmed."

Jane reached up and gently cupped Bo's soft, green cheek. The Orc blinked, surprised by her gesture. He sucked in a deep breath and then leaned into her touch. It comforted him more than he could ever describe.

"I know you've got a lot on your shoulders," Jane started, and Bo looked at her with his bright blue eyes. "I want you to know I'm here for you, Bo."

"Thank you, Jane. I would honestly be lost without you."

Lynne's words echoed in her mind, and Jane couldn't shake it anymore. Her eyes flickered down to his full, green lips, and then back up at Bo. He had closed his eyes again, and he gently cradled her hand in his.

Jane hesitated for half a second, and then quickly leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Bo's lips. The Orc's eyes shot open in surprise, and when Jane pulled back he sat completely frozen to the spot. Jane watched for his reaction, waiting, but the longer the silence dragged on the more worried she grew. Her brows furrowed together, and she felt her cheeks growing warm.

"C-come on now Bo," she whispered quietly. "You can say something you know."

The Orc finally let out a long breath, and he gulped for air. He couldn't believe Jane had just kissed him.

"I'm sorry," Jane continued quickly, feeling bad. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just got tired of waiting for you to kiss me first."

"I..." Bo muttered, completely flustered. "I-I'm... not..."

Adrenaline ripped through Bo's body and he quickly reached up and grasped Jane's shoulder, pulling her close. His lips crashed against hers, and she kissed him back with equal enthusiasm. Bo squeezed his eyes shut as he got a good grasp of kissing. He decided it was wonderful, and he wanted nothing more than to feel Jane's soft pink lips as they pressed firmly against his. The sensation of his tusks along the sides of Jane's mouth was fascinating, and she liked it. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair, deepening the kiss, until Bo pulled back with a gasp, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe.

"Okay," Jane whispered breathlessly. "L-lets slow down a little bit."

Bo nodded weakly, and Jane drew away from him. Bo found himself grinning like an idiot, and Jane smiled back at him, her cheeks bright pink, as she sat down on the bed beside him. She gently grasped his hand and squeezed it affectionately. Bo thought he might burst. A thousand thoughts whirled through his head.

"I can hardly... Jane..." Bo started, and then he grinned and laughed. "That was amazing."

Jane was utterly touched by his reaction. The way he was smiling made her grin as well. How he was flustered and anxious over a kiss was enough to seal the deal. She knew she was falling for him.

"I don't want you to feel like I'm just being nice to you because we're all friends. I like you a lot Bo," Jane smiled, and Bo's eyes widened as Jane squeezed his hand. "I want to be with you."

"Jane..."

"You don't have to say anything either if it's too much right now. I'm quite patient."

Jane laughed and she affectionately rubbed the back of his hand.

"I've wanted to kiss you for a very long time but I didn't want to scare you away."

"Y-you couldn't scare me away," Bo responded quietly. "I just...don't... know how to act."

"It's okay, honest. Nobody's born knowing any of this stuff. We learn through experience."

"Are you experienced?"

Jane shrugged, not sure what degree of experience he was talking about.

"Somewhat. I've never really been too serious with anybody before, but I'm not completely clueless."

"Good... because I really have no idea what to do."

"That's alright, really."

Jane leaned in towards Bo, and he followed suit. Jane wrapped her arms around his neck and they kissed again, a little deeper this time. Bo placed his hands on Jane's waist and closed his eyes, reveling in the feeling of her soft lips on his. He was still in shock about it all, but he wanted to be with her. When they broke apart, Jane gently stroked his cheek for a moment, smiling, and then she yawned.

"I could kiss you all night, Bo, but gosh am I tired."

"Me too."

Bo finished taking his armor off while Jane got into bed. When he slipped under the blankets, this time Jane shuffled forward. The Orc stayed on his back, and Jane shifted her body so she was tucked up snug beside him. Bo sucked in a deep breath. He could feel her chest pressed up against him, and it sent his heart racing, but he tried to remain calm and focused on putting his arms around her.

"Is this alright Bo? Or too much for one night?"

"I-It's fine," Bo gasped softly. "It's nice."

"Good," Jane mumbled against his chest, and Bo felt her body relax.

"Jane?"

"Yeah?"

"Goodnight."

He couldn't see her, but Jane was smiling. She gently rubbed his firm chest while he stroked her hair.

"Goodnight Bo."

Nazgurat and Lynne should have been sleeping, as it was late, but the Orc couldn't keep his hands off of her. He lay in bed with the Nord on top of him, and they were kissing each other with great enthusiasm. Naz's hands roamed up and down Lynne's thighs with unhindered freedom, as she had switched out her robe for a pair of light cotton pants and a dark blue tunic. Lynne mumbled something against his lips and rocked her hips slightly, which only fueled Naz's fire. His member strained against the confines of his breeches as desire burned deep in his belly, and it spurred him on. His hands slipped under her shirt and felt at her soft skin, squeezing and rubbing, as they continued to have a heated make-out session.

"W-we should really..." Lynne gasped as she felt his hands dangerously close to her breasts, "r-really get to slee-"

Her words were cut off by Naz slapping her ass hard. She paused and peered down at him for a moment, their chests both heaving from being out of breath. Her cheek tingled where he had slapped her.

"I don't think anybody's ever done that before," she told him.

"They were missing out," Naz grumbled, and he laughed when Lynne growled.

"I want you."

Naz looked into her eyes, and he believed her. But something held him back. A voice in the back of his mind prevented him from continuing.

"I want you too, Lynne..."

"What is it?" Lynne asked, picking up on his tone of voice.

"Nothing," Naz replied hastily. "But you're right. We should sleep."

"Okay..." Lynne placed her hands on Naz's chest and stared down at him with a small frown. "First you slap my ass. Now you want to sleep."

Naz let out a huff and Lynne raised one light blonde brow at him.

"What is it?"

"It's stupid."

"No, it's not. You can tell me anything, you know?"

"I just..." Naz growled, and he threw up his hands before letting them fall lightly on her thighs. He avoided looking at her. "I don't want to fuck anything up."

Lynne slid off of Naz and crossed her legs.

"Sit up," she commanded.

"Yes ma'am."

Nazgurat pulled himself up into a sitting position, and Lynne took both of his hands.

"Why would you fuck things up?"

"I'd rather not say," Nazgurat mumbled, and he stared down at her lap.

"I told you everything."

"I know."

"But you can't tell me what haunts you."

"I can tell you. I just know you'll despise me afterward..."

"Try me."

Nazgurat told her everything. He told the Nord things he'd never told anyone ever. Over fifteen years of harbored guilt poured out from him like a waterfall. Lynne remained motionless the whole time, but she continued to hold his hands. When he was finished, the Orc bowed his head, preparing himself for the worst. But it never came.

"I thought you said I'd hate you afterward."

Nazgurat lifted his head up to peer into Lynne's ice blue eyes, and she was smiling.

"We all make mistakes. I fucked up more times than I can count. If you want to... go more slowly, with us..."

Lynne paused and reached up to cup his cheek. She could see a storm of emotions behind his bright red eyes and she wanted nothing more than to make the Orc feel some sense of peace.

"Then I don't mind. I'm used to throwing myself into things with a great sense of recklessness. It'll be good for me too."

Naz leaned in and they kissed for a few moments before going to sleep. The Orc laid down on his back and Lynne laid down beside him. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in the sweet scent of her freshly washed hair. For the first time in a long time, he felt hopeful about the future.