Chapter 51

Jane began to stir just as Bo nearly reached the Winking Skeever Inn. She could feel cold raindrops falling against her face and she groaned softly. Bo glanced down at Jane while he walked, his long legs making big strides towards the Inn.

"We're almost there," he assured Jane quietly.

"Everything hurts," Jane groaned, and she reached up to wrap her arm around his neck.

She sucked in a deep breath, her forehead pressed against Bo's warm skin. He gripped her body more firmly and jogged towards the entrance of the Inn. After a moment of struggling with the heavy metal door, he finally swung it open and then stepped into the busy dining hall.

Lynne and Naz were seated at the bar but neither one of them had any drinks. Lynne sat with her back to the counter and her eyes had been glued towards the front entrance for a couple of hours. The moment she spotted Bo she sprang up from the stool and rushed towards him. Her eyes widened as she realized Jane was covered in a massive amount of blood.

"Oh Gods," Lynne croaked, and her throat constricted tightly. "Bring her upstairs."

"Don't be too alarmed," Bo replied as he quickly picked his way around tables and chairs. "She claims this is not her blood."

"Still," Lynne whispered quietly as she followed close behind.

Bo ran into Ahmon and Nara just as he began ascending the stairs. They pressed their backs against the wall to allow them room and Ahmon grew alarmed when he saw Jane slumped in Bo's arms.

"Is she okay?" Ahmon called out after Lynne.

"I think she'll be fine. I'll find you later."

Bo swiftly entered their room and strode over to the bed. He gently lowered Jane into the soft blanket and she weakly detached her arms from around his neck. His brows furrowed together as he watched Jane's arms flop down and she winced as pain coursed through the wound on her shoulder.

Bo quickly shuffled aside as Lynne drew closer with a red vial clenched in her hands. He walked around to the other side of the bed and sat down, watching as the healer slipped her hand under Jane's head and pressed the vial to her lips. Jane's eyes fluttered open and she eagerly drank the liquid. She sighed as relief washed over her.

"Are you wounded?" Lynne inquired softly.

"U-Uh," Jane whispered, frowning. "Just uh... a cut on my shoulder."

Lynne wandered over to the nearby dresser where a water pitcher and small basin resided. She brought the basin over to the bed and then Bo helped with removing Jane's top armor and tunic. She shivered as Lynne began wiping at her bloody shoulder with a cool wet cloth, and she reached out for Bo's hand.

Bo gently squeezed her hand; resisting the urge to get upset. Seeing Jane injured and in pain filled him with the most intense feelings. He tried to focus on the fact that she had made it out of the Embassy almost completely unscathed but at the moment it was hard for him to see that.

Lynne dipped the cloth back into the water and it began to turn red as she worked on wiping the dried blood from Jane's neck and face. She inspected the girl while she worked but Jane had been right. Other than some light bruising and what appeared to be some magical effect from a lightning spell the only concern was a long gash across her scarred shoulder.

"Did you fight a Mage?"

"Mhm," Jane nodded, and she yawned. "He got me with a lightning bolt."

"That's what I thought. No worries..."

Lynne closed her eyes and cast a powerful healing spell. When she was finished, the cut on Jane's shoulder was completely closed and almost as good as new. There would forever be a scar, but Jane was no stranger to them anymore. When she was finished Lynne helped Jane drink two more vials for good measure and then she placed a small green vial on the night table before she began to clean up. She quickly departed the room to give the couple privacy.

Jane felt something tugging on her leathered pants and she opened her eyes to find Bo removing the rest of her armor. She smiled sleepily as he picked up her leg tugged both of her boots off. When she was completely naked he pulled the blankets over top of her body and laid down beside her on the bed, resting on his side.

"I need a bath," Jane murmured, and she turned her head towards the Orc.

"You can bathe later. You need to rest."

Jane sighed quietly, but she closed her eyes and quickly slipped into a dreamless sleep. Bo remained laying on the bed beside her for a long time, watching her. He smiled when she began to snore. After a while, Bo slowly slid up from the bed and departed the room for a while to go make sure the others knew Jane was alright. He was back before Jane ever opened her eyes.

Jane slept soundly through the night and did not wake until the early hours of the morning. She was partially laying on her side, facing a sleeping Bo. His arm rested lightly on her waist and when he felt her stirring he quickly opened his eyes and peered at Jane in the dark. Jane yawned and reached up to rub the sleep from her eyes. Her muscles still ached fiercely and a small noise escaped her lips as they protested against the movement.

"Are you hurt?"

"Just sore," Jane mumbled.

The Orc shifted his body and leaned across Jane to grab the vial. His face close enough to her that she could reach up and press her lips against his cheek. Bo grinned as he slid back and he quickly kissed her lips for a moment before pulling back.

"Here."

"Thank you," Jane sighed as she sat up in the bed.

She grimaced and then quickly tipped the vial back, swallowing the sweet liquid in one gulp. She sighed as relief washed over her and then she glanced at the window, wondering what time it was.

"Is it... morning?"

"Very early. Probably a couple of hours before sunrise."

Jane was quiet for a moment. Beside her, Bo had firmly clasped her hand and he gently stroked her soft skin. He could feel small callouses on her fingers and he knew that she had worked very hard to get where she was today. His chest swelled with pride when he thought about it, and he smiled at Jane when she looked over at him.

"I feel gross."

"I'm sure somebody could fetch us some hot water," Bo replied lightly, and he released her hand to stand up.

Jane watched Bo as he stretched his arms up for a moment and then wandered towards the door. She waited patiently for him to return with the blankets pulled up to her chin. A servant girl appeared a few minutes later and when there was enough water steaming in the tub Jane tossed the covers back and slowly stood up from the bed.

Bo quickly stepped towards her but Jane waved him off and slowly walked towards the tub.

"I'm fine, Bo. Thank you."

He watched Jane climb over the edge of the tub and she let out a big sigh as she sank down. She slid her body until her chin was touching the surface of the water and her eyes were closed for a moment as she waited. Bo remained where he was, content to give her space until Jane turned to him with a confused expression.

"What are you doing? Get in, silly."

Bo laughed and within a minute his clothes were discarded on the floor and he joined Jane in the bath. Jane smiled and placed her legs on his thighs with her arms resting against the edge of the tub. Bo rubbed her calves underneath the water and for a while, neither one of them spoke. Jane felt herself falling asleep again so she quickly washed the blood and dirt from her body and rinsed off. Then she pulled her legs up and slid forward until she was as close to Bo as possible. The Orc leaned in and they kissed for a long moment.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" He asked, feeling beyond curious. "Or should you wait until we're with the others?"

"I can tell you," Jane replied quietly. "I'm sure you're dying to know."

Bo jokingly flicked water at Jane's chest. She chuckled and splashed him back before her expression grew serious.

"Well... It was quite... difficult, to say the least."

Bo was silent as he listened to Jane recount her tale. His eyes widened more than once but he remained quiet. He clenched his hands into fists underneath the water as Jane talked, her eyes mostly glued to the soapy surface of their bath. She left out no details and told Bo exactly what happened, blow by blow.

When she reached the end and began explaining her ordeal with the Troll Bo finally said something.

"A Troll?" Bo gasped, his expression incredulous.

"Yeah," Jane laughed, although there was no humor in her voice. "It was just a regular troll and it didn't take me very long. It would have gone more smoothly if the prisoner hadn't been so stupid..."

"Wow," Bo replied, and he reached up to cup Jane's cheek. "I didn't realize just how difficult that job was."

Jane could see that Bo was restraining himself. She knew that he was probably upset now that he knew just how dangerous the job had been. But there was nothing to be done about it. She had survived the ordeal, and if she was being honest Jane thought she handled things way better than she was expecting.

She watched as Bo was lost in thought for a moment, her hands resting lightly on his chest. She rubbed his firm pecs with a small smile and the Orc blinked. He sucked in a deep breath and then pulled Jane closer. Water sloshed around the tub and some of it splashed onto the wooden floor but they didn't care. Jane spread her legs so she was straddling the Orc and she could feel his firm member pressed between their bodies.

Their lips crashed together in a heated kiss. Bo wound his hand through her hair, holding her close to him as they embraced. Jane kissed him back, and she smiled when his lips traveled across the curve of her jaw and trailed down. She rested her hands on his broad shoulders and squeezed them affectionately. Her breath hitched when she felt his tusks graze along the slender curve of her neck.

Eventually, Bo pulled back and his hands squeezed her waist as he stared up at Jane.

"I'm so proud of you, Jane."

Jane grinned and she quickly leaned in to nuzzle Bo's cheek.

"It means a lot to me to hear that from you," she whispered.

"I mean it. I'm sorry I was so... resistant. I won't doubt you again."

"It's okay, Bo," Jane murmured softly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "I had some doubts too, but I'm glad I went. I wanted to prove it to you, but also myself."

"You're incredible," Bo growled.

Bo quickly tipped Jane's chin towards him and they enthusiastically embraced. He kissed her quickly and Jane's skin burned hot where his lips touched her. Her heart raced as she felt his hands exploring her beneath the water and she dragged her lips across his jaw. Bo shivered when he felt her teeth graze along the underside of his pointed ear.

"Jane," Bo gasped breathlessly.

"Make love to me," Jane murmured in his ear, and she clenched her arms around his neck.

The Orc swiftly clenched his arms around Jane and she squealed as he hoisted her up and out from the bath. Huge waves of water sloshed around the tub and they left a trail of water towards the bed but it didn't matter. The couple tumbled down onto the bed and Bo wasted no time in entering her. They were both desperate to find release and coupled with a fiery passion.

When they were finished, Bo rolled onto his back, his chest heaving. He wore a satisfied smile on his face and Jane shuffled forward, her cheeks flushed bright red from their activity. She planted a kiss on his sweaty cheek and Bo wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.

"I love you," Bo mumbled sleepily.

"I love you too, Bo."

Jane sighed and closed her eyes. She ran her fingers through Bo's damp hair while her other hand softly rubbed his back. She could feel his body relaxing as he began to fall asleep, and she felt herself slipping as well.

Suddenly the Orc tensed. His eyes shot open and he quickly pulled away. Jane stared up at him with an alarmed expression.

"You didn't tell me if the Thalmor were behind the Dragons returning," Bo blurted.

"Oh..." Jane sighed, and she lightly slapped his chest. "You scared me, Bo."

"Well?"

"I have a couple of dossiers in my pack..." Jane yawned and rubbed his arm. "They're not responsible. They have no idea why the Dragons are returning but they're definitely looking into it as well."

Jane's eyes widened as Bo's expression grew furious. The Orc threw the covers back and wordlessly stood up from the bed. He began reaching for a pair of breeches and Jane scrambled to the edge of the bed, utterly confused.

"Bo!" She called out quietly. "What is wrong?"

"You risked your life, Jane... and for what? To... to entertain Delphine's stupid whims!"

Bo hastily tossed a tunic over his head and Jane quickly stood up and grabbed onto his arm. The Orc snarled and quickly pulled himself from her grasp.

"Bo..."

Jane was taken aback by his anger and she didn't reach out for him again. Bo finished shoving on his boots and he turned to Jane with a scowl on his face.

"I'm sorry Jane but I'm going to see Delphine."

"This early? She's probably sleep-"

"I don't care!"

Jane flinched as Bo's voice rose in volume and she sat back on the bed. She stared down at the floor and tears sprang to her eyes though she tried to blink them back.

I understand his anger but... I'm not used to him exploding like this.

Bo realized how he was behaving. He sucked in a deep breath and knelt down on the floor in front of Jane. She refused to look at him, and she bit her lip as she turned her head away. Bo reached up and attempted to take her hand but she refused him.

"Jane..." Bo sighed, and he bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to speak so rudely to you."

"Just go," Jane mumbled quietly. "I know you're not angry with me."

Bo nodded, and he slowly stood up. He brushed his fingers across her arm and Jane shivered. She snatched his hand finally looked up at him with a frown.

"Don't pull away from me like that again," she chastised firmly.

"I won't. I'm sorry."

Jane tugged on his arm and Bo quickly leaned down and kissed her soft pink lips. When he pulled away, her expression was softer. He kissed her once more and then departed their room to hunt down Delphine. He knew that she wasn't leaving Solitude until after sunrise and so he began searching the inn for the Breton.

When Bo was gone Jane threw on a clean set of clothes and settled down on the bed. Her thoughts were too preoccupied to allow her sleep and so she waited for him to return.