Chapter 4

When Lex opened his eyes the following morning a small smile spread across his lips. He didn't know why he was so eager to get up, or if he did Lex refused to admit it was because of a certain green-eyed Elf. In an instant he was out of bed and he hastily began getting ready, excited to begin the day. He had spoken with one of the swords masters who oversaw training for the Imperial guards and Brie had been accepted despite the yearly cut-off a few months ago. She wouldn't receive the same rigorous training schedule if she had joined properly, but would instead go through a shorter, brief overview of different techniques including sparring and endurance building with one on one guidance.

Lex was excited to deliver the news and so he quickly put on his armour. It was a task he had grown used to over the last eight years and he could probably put everything on in his sleep.

When he was presentable, the esteemed Captain of the Watch swiftly made his way down to the dining hall and took a seat at one of the tables. He waited for Brie to arrive and wondered how she was going to react.

Time dragged on. Lex was beginning to grow worried when the door finally opened and Brie's tired face appeared. She spotted Lex sitting at a table nearby and began walking over to him. He could tell that she looked exhausted and he wondered if her hip had given her any trouble sleeping.

"Is something wrong?"

Brie shook her head and plopped down on the chair across from him. She had put her armour on before leaving the apartment.

"No," she yawned quietly. "I'm used to being a night owl so I had a hard time falling asleep last night."

"Makes sense. Are you hungry?"

"A little bit," Brie responded sleepily, and she rubbed her eyes.

Lex nodded and stood up.

"Porridge?"

"Please."

Brie lightly patted her cheeks while Lex was gone, trying to wake herself up. What she hadn't told the Captain was that she took a detour on the way home last night and had partaken in a little midnight heist. However, somebody must have been tipped off about it, for when Brie showed up there was another thief already halfway done the job. Their encounter had come to a surprise to both of them and she had returned home both item-less and pissed off. Brie had stewed angrily in bed for most of the night, cursing herself for being so lazy.

I've been more focused on my supposed to be fake job than actually doing what I'm most interested in.

So, Brie was determined not to mess things up again. She intended to make good use of her days off, which were coming up fast. In two days it would be the Fredas and she would have her free days to do as she pleased.

Brie's thoughts were interrupted when Lex returned from the kitchen with two bowls of porridge. He placed one of the bowls in front of the Elf and took a seat. He began tucking into the second bowl and Brie sighed softly before dragging the bowl closer to herself and she took a small bite. The temperature was good and they were both silent as they ate.

Lex finished first, and he paused to take a deep drink of water. Brie eyed him suspiciously as he wiped his mouth with the back of his gloved hand. It looked like he had something to say.

"So," Lex started.

"Yes?"

"I've got some good news."

"Oh, Captain. Do tell."

Lex ignored the teasing tone of Brie's voice but his skin betrayed his true reaction. She could see a light blush creeping up his neck as he spoke and she grinned, enjoying how easy it was to get him flustered.

"I've arranged for you to have private training sessions with one of the best Swords Masters in Cyrodiil."

"Training," Brie frowned, she her shoulders sagged. "I forgot about that."

"It'll be good for you," Lex persisted, smiling. "It's valuable to at least know the basics to fighting. I know our job isn't exactly high-risk but you never know what might happen."

"I suppose..."

"I want you to be equipped with the proper skills so you can handle anything that might be thrown at us."

"Oh alright, alright."

Brie held her hands up in surrender. Lex gave her a smug grin and then snatched up both of their empty bowls and returned them to the kitchen.

Once again, the pair made their daily trek through the city. Brie half expected something exciting to happen again, but nothing did. They slowly made their rounds through the gardens of the Green Emperor way, passed close by to the Arcane University and stopped at mid-day for lunch.

When ten o'clock finally rolled around it was beginning to rain. Brie stood underneath a small awning near the Marie Elena, struggling to see in the darkness. She shivered as the cool air brushed against her exposed skin.

"Looks like we're done for the night."

"Yeah?"

"Yep," Lex nodded, and he patted her shoulder. "Go home and get warm. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight sir."

"Goodnight Brie."

Lex watched Brie leave. Her small form quickly walked down the stairs and began jogging towards the gates leading back into the city. He wondered briefly where the Elf lived, and then shook his head. He didn't need to know.

It suddenly struck Lex that he wouldn't mind having a drink, and so he made his way back into the Bloated Float Inn and took a seat at the bar.

"Back again?" Ormil greeted warmly.

"Yeah. I'd just like an ale, please."

"Sure thing," The Elf responded, grinning.

Lex thanked Ormil as he slid a cold bottle of ale towards him and tossed a couple coin on the counter.

"Not with that pretty Elf tonight?"

Lex nearly choked on his drink, and he hastily placed it back down on the counter and coughed.

"E-excuse me?"

"That Elf," Ormil continued slyly. "She's always following you around. You've been quite the topic of interest among the common folk, Lex. You're not the type to take on a partner."

"I didn't realize people knew me so well," Lex responded, frowning. "I guess it's true. I've worked alone for a long time."

"She seems like a nice girl."

"She is," Lex shrugged, and he took another sip.

"And beautiful."

Ormil grinned, watching Lex's reaction. He loved to tease the serious Captain of the Watch whenever he got the chance. The longer Lex struggled to come up with a response the more amusing it became.

"You can say she's beautiful, Captain," Ormil laughed. "It's not a crime."

"I know she's beautiful, I'm not blind."

A deep blush crept up Lex's neck and he suddenly didn't want to be there anymore. He quickly knocked back the rest of his drink and left the Inn, ignoring Ormil's protests as he firmly shut the door behind him.

Lex slowly made his way back to the watch tower. He was tired and annoyed that Ormil's words had affected him so much. He couldn't help but think about Brie, and he wondered if keeping her as a partner might be too dangerous. He tried to keep his distance from the thief but he felt like she was ensnaring her.

We're work partners, nothing more.

Lex returned to his room. He reached out and grasped the handle to his door when he froze. Something wasn't right. He always double checked his door was locked before leaving for the day but when he slowly pushed open the door, his body tensed, Lex knew somebody had trespassed.

He quickly glanced around, but there was nobody in sight. Lex sighed and strode inside. He wasn't sure what they'd be after but after a quick sweep of his room he found that the taxes he had recovered from the Waterfront District earlier in the week was missing, along with all the records.

Lex let out a frustrated growl and slammed his fists down on his desk.

How did they know where to find it?

His thoughts whirled. He knew the guild was behind it but nothing was adding up. He had kept the records in his personal room but how was anybody to know that? The more he thought about it, the more Lex came to suspect Brie.

Brie. All this time I've been distracted by her pretty smile and pleasant company. Perhaps that's what she wanted this entire time.

Lex went to bed that night, confused and frustrated. He didn't know what to believe but he intended to confront the Elf as soon as he saw her the next morning.

One way or another, I'll find out who was behind this.

There was a loud knock at the door. Brie groaned and rolled onto her side, having been dead asleep just moments before.

"Who the fuck is that?" She said to no one and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

The knocking persisted and finally Brie threw herself down the stairs and walked over to the door. She wrenched it open.

"What the hell-"

Brie's eyes widened as Lex swiftly brushed past her and wordlessly entered her apartment. He briefly glanced around before turning back towards the stunned Elf. Her hair was a wild mass around her head and she hastily tugged at her nightgown, which was nothing more than an oversized tunic. A deep blush crept up on her cheeks.

"Captain?" She asked shyly, avoiding his gaze. "Is something wrong?"

"I don't know, Brie," Lex responded sternly. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Brie frowned, utterly confused. She was still half asleep and embarrassed that her Captain was inside her apartment when it was in such a state. Her place was messy, and had she known Lex was dropping by she would have cleaned up a bit.

"Uh," Brie shrugged. "I don't know..."

Lex stood with his arms crossed and he stared down at Brie with an expectant look. She peered up at him with her soft green orbs and he had to resist the urge to speak more softly to her. Now was not the time.

A long moment of awkward silence passed. Finally, Brie let out a deep breath.

"This would go a lot faster if you'd just tell me what happened, Captain. Did I do something wrong?"

"Somebody broke into my room last night."

"Really?"

The surprise that rang in her voice didn't fool Lex. He took a step closer and Brie felt a tinge of nervousness in her stomach. She could tell that he was genuinely angry and it didn't make her feel good at all.

"Yes, really. You wouldn't happen to be the thief who stole all the tax records and gold... would you?"

"Are you serious?" Brie blurted, and she laughed.

Lex's expression did not change and Brie felt her anger bubbling as she realized that he was accusing her of stealing from his private quarters.

"You think... I did it?"

"I don't know, that's why I'm asking you."

"If you're only asking me because I'm a thief, then that's just messed up, Captain."

Brie's voice rose up an octave and she clenched her hands into fists.

"Is it really so messed up?" Lex argued. "I think what's more messed up is that I ever agreed to working with you in the first place."

Brie was stunned. She hadn't expected Lex to have such a cruel side to him. A part of her felt she should have known that he could be so cold. He was a man dead set on capturing the Grey Fox, and Brie had the inkling suspicion he'd do whatever it took to catch him.

"I don't even know what the fuck you're referring to, these tax records."

"I taxed the Waterfront District last week-"

"You taxed the Waterfront District?"

Brie's eyed widened and she stared up at Lex with an incredulous expression.

"The poorest district in the entire city and you taxed them for... what?"

"To warn the Grey Fox," Lex mumbled angrily, and he frowned. "They're helping to keep him a secret, I know it."

"Oh my goodness," Brie sighed, and she pinched the bridge of her nose. "You don't even have proof that that's true."

"This isn't about me, this is about you. Did you or did you not break into my room last night?"

"I didn't!" Brie shouted back, now thoroughly pissed off.

"You've got things completely wrong," Brie continued angrily, and she walked away from him.

Lex watched as she stalked over to a nearby reading chair and snatched the pair of pants that were resting on the backrest. She began to shove her feet through the legs and he hastily turned around, still feeling annoyed.

"I don't' like that I have to say this," he called out loudly. "But I have no choice."

Brie ignored Lex and began putting her armour on with a scowl written across her usually smiling features.

"I should have made myself clear from the beginning. If our agreement goes south, for whatever reason... I'll be forced to arrest you for your crimes."

Brie paused. She stood with her back to Lex and for a long time she did not respond. When the Elf finally spun around there was hurt in her eyes, but her jaw was firmly set.

"I think that was a highly unnecessary threat," she responded thickly. "You may not believe me that I have no intentions of double crossing you. But that's fine. I understand, Captain."

She sneered the word Captain. Before Lex could say anything more Brie snatched up the sword resting on the nearby table and plucked an apple from the fruit bowl. She quickly brushed past him and left her apartment.

Brie was almost completely silent for the entire day. The tension between the two was highly uncomfortable for the both of them, but neither one was willing to budge. It wasn't until their shift was almost over that Lex began to feel bad about how he had handled the situation. He was her superior and he shouldn't have found out where she lived and harassed the Elf in her own home. Lex was able to admit he had let his anger get the best of him.

Lex tried to rectify things, but Brie wasn't interested. She stood a few paces away from him, her arms crossed, and stared out at the dark water of Lake Rumare with a somber expression.

When she left, Lex watched her go, feeling remorseful. He slowly walked back to the Water Tower and spent the rest of the night in his room, trying to rest. He did not sleep very soundly, for his mind was filled with too many thoughts. He woke up the next morning feeling tired and ashamed. He quickly got dressed and left his room determined to seek out Brie and apologize properly.