Chapter 15
The Performance
As Rona left the palace she came outside to an entire crowd of people, royals and nobles abound were in attendance. She carefully made her way through the people waiting to be ushered in. When she got through to Candlehearth Hall she found Bishop sitting on the steps, Karnwyr at his side, watching the procession of people coming through.
"There you are!" Bishop called as she raced up to him, "Was starting to think you got cold feet."
She caught her breath and looked at him confused. He raised his brows and said wryly, "You know, about our little deal? I go with you to the pompous jester's concert -"
"And you keep me warm tonight. Yeah I get it," she said rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.
"My, my, aren't we in a mood?" Bishop teased.
She took a deep breath, "I just...had an awful conversation with an uncouth nord."
"Another one huh? Want me to gut him for you Ladyship?"
She diverted her eyes, "That probably wouldn't be a good idea..." He looked at her curiously and she changed the subject, "Come on! We don't want to be late."
Bishop told Karnwyr to stay again but the poor wolf wouldn't listen. Rona ran inside to collect one of their blankets and laid it down outside giving the wolf a place to sleep. He seemed content as they both firmly said, "Stay!"
They left, making their way to the palace. Thankfully Rona didn't see Ulfric anywhere in sight as they were ushered inside with the nobles. They passed through the main hall and entered a long corridor leading down into a large theater room with a wide array of first and second floor seating. Both Bishop and Rona garnered strange looks from all of the nobles, especially when they started digging into the free food set aside on either side of the room. A nobleman even walked up to Bishop at one point thinking he was a servant and ordered him to bring him a glass of Firebrand Wine to which Bishop replied, "You think if I had some fucking Firebrand I'd give it to you?"
The man looked at him astounded that someone so beneath him had just said that to his face and he screeched, "I demand to speak to your superior!"
Bishop told him to go stuff it in his stupid hat and walked away leaving the nobleman fuming and huffing, "Well I never!"
Rona snickered over her piece of snowberry crostata and Bishop came up to her thumbing back, "Can you believe that guy?"
She swallowed her mouthful of pastry, still giggling and said, "He thought you were a servant."
"Yeah I know, I just like messing with these freaks. I mean, just look at them!" he shouted and motioned a hand at them all, drawing the attention of a few royals nearby. Bishop was not afraid to give any of them a piece of his mind either as he started pointing directly at each one and said, "Stupid hat, stupid beard, stupid eyeglass...ugh, just look at that guy, nice moustache buddy and what's with all the tights? I've never seen so many men wearing tights!"
Rona was bent over stifling her belly laughs. Bishop smiled broadly, pleased he amused her so much. He pointed out a very rotund and very drunk nobleman who was flirting with a much older lady, her chest prominently displayed in her low cut dress, "I like him. He gave me a couple of Black Briar Reserves, do you know how much these cost? Hundred gold a piece!" he handed one to Rona, "Oh and he gave me a bottle of Colovian Brandy, I know you're a fan of wine but you've got to try some of this."
Rona smirked at him suspiciously, "You're trying to get me drunk aren't you?"
"What? Nooo... Why would I ever do that?" He grinned back.
She nudged him in the ribs as he threw an arm over her shoulders, pulling her closer. Alec popped up in the crowd and cried, "Lady Rona! Ah there you are Milady!" He came right over to them and stopped abruptly staring up at Bishop with a look of disgust tracing over his face. He slowly turned to Rona and said, "Good evening my muse."
Rona was smiling as she said, "Good evening, I'd like to introduce you to my traveling companion, Bishop."
"A savage? In Windhelm? Are you sane Dragonborn?"
She was stunned by his reply. "Well that was rude."
He blushed lightly, realizing his mistake and said, "I'm sorry to have offended you my lady, I just don't trust you with a...man like that."
"Oh, but she should trust a man in tights?" Bishop growled, "No, you know what? I don't need to defend myself to," he looked Alec up and down and with a sneer said, "this."
Bishop wandered off, calling out to the drunk nobleman, "Hey! Reginald! Any luck with your lady friend?" Rona heard a faint, "Damn right she let you touch 'em!" and a hearty laughter as he disappeared into the crowd.
Alec, who'd also watched Bishop leave, turned back to her looking distressed and she said, "You shouldn't judge before you know him!"
He gave off an air of superiority as he said, "And there is the compassion I have heard so much about. How very considerate of you. But I'm not sure if he should be here."
"I'm sorry you feel that way Alec, but if Bishop isn't welcome then I'll leave with him."
He caved, "For you my muse, I would do anything. I don't suppose there's anything I can say to change your mind?"
She smirked at him and shook her head slowly.
"Very well, if that is what you wish your," he cleared his throat, "friend... may stay. I will arrange to have a seat placed next to yours." He clapped his hands, calling a servant over and instructed her to place another chair beside the Dragonborn's seat.
"Where exactly am I sitting?" Rona asked him.
"I've given you the best seat in the house, right up in front of the stage," he pointed to a single, tall backed chair centered at the end of the aisle. Rona's mouth dropped. She was meant to be seated all alone in front of everyone? Where they could all stare at her back the whole time?
Alec smiled at her, seemingly proud of himself, "Milady, please enjoy yourself. The performance will start soon. Oh and can you believe it? Jarl Ulfric is in attendance as well," he pointed up at one of the theater boxes on the second floor where Ulfric was seated, chatting with his steward and staring right at her, a faint smile perking at his lips when she noticed him. Rona felt her cheeks burning and put a hand to her head, turning her face down so he wouldn't see her blushing.
"Well I've got to finish getting ready! I'll be looking to you for inspiration my muse," Alec kissed her hand and waded through the crowd as several young noblewomen and even a few older ladies scurried after him.
Rona wandered over to the wall nearest Ulfric's theater box so that he couldn't see her from his angle. Bishop found her and said, "Is the tart gone?"
She looked up at him, "Tart?"
"You heard me."
"He's gone, for now," she said.
"Right, I forgot, he's the star of this show. I don't mind sleeping on the floor if you want to back out now Ladyship," Bishop urged her.
She was seriously considering it. Between sitting directly front and center to a bunch of royals and to have the Jarl of Windhelm staring down at the top of her head all night she wanted nothing more than to run away screaming. Still, she wasn't about to show fear or weakness to Ulfric, not after he'd told her she was no Dragonborn.
She smiled at Bishop and said, "No, let's stay."
He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Alright, if you insist. Where do you want to sit?"
She pointed ahead, through the clearing crowd. Bishop looked at the two chairs stationed right in front of the stage.
"No," he gaped.
"Yup," she said and grasped his hand pulling him forward. They awkwardly took their seats and Bishop gave her a side eye glance that said, why are you doing this to me?
The ushers encouraged people to take their seats as the performance began. Alec stepped forward on stage, lute in hand and greeted them all with confidence, "Good evening Windhelm! May I thank you all for venturing out on this cold, wintry night to witness the One, the Great, Alec, the Prince of Song!"
Rona thought he was quite bold to even be there, an Imperial directly under the eye of Ulfric Stormcloak, though she could understand why Ulfric would never see this man as a threat. Bishop was completely right about everything. Alec was most certainly a weak, simpering bard, performing solely for the wiles of women and his own fame.
Rona cringed hard as Alec tried and miserably failed to garner favor with her. He waved a hand out to her, giving her a sultry look and said, "I wish to dedicate tonight's performance to someone very special to me. She is the most inspiring, beautiful woman I have ever met, and I have a song in my heart I must sing for her."
The audience applauded and he pulled his lute to his chest and began to sing surprisingly well. She noticed Bishop leaning forward in his chair, scowling at the ground, doing his best to behave, which she appreciated more than ever now.
Alec's performance went on for nearly an hour, a combination of him singing solo and with other female backup singers. He even put on a grand finale where several people acted out the scene of Ulfric Stormcloak shouting High King Torygg to death while he sang a magnificent rendition of Age of Oppression. The whole thing was quite impressive and even Bishop perked up near the end of it, though he might have just been glad that it was nearly over and eager to leave.
As Alec finished, everyone in the crowd roared with cheers and whistles. He looked out over the crowd and thanked Ulfric, 'the Dragonborn' and everyone else for attending the performance. As Bishop and Rona stood to leave they heard Ulfric shout down from the stands.
"If I might have everyone's attention please!"
The theater goers all stopped and looked up at the Jarl. He said, "I want to personally thank you all for coming," he looked over the crowd and locked eyes with Rona, "and for you Dragonborn Rona, I can't thank you enough for taking such an interest in our fair city. Though I have one request."
She glared at him, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I would be honored if you would let us taste of your voice, as the Greybeards might say. Would you be willing to perform for us, to share one of your songs of power? Unless of course...you're afraid?"
She felt everyone's eyes crawling all over her then. Bishop looked between her and the Jarl before he muttered, "No...did you talk to...you didn't -"
"The honor would be mine," she said loudly and forcefully enough for everyone to hear. She whisked by Alec, who stood by the stage looking more confounded than ever. She took center stage and looked out over the crowd and felt a chill run up her spine and a sense of nausea taking over. She inhaled deeply to combat it and looked away from the crowd, focusing on Bishop. He looked back with a mixture of concern and anger etched into his face. He couldn't even try to hide if he wanted to.
Rona wanted to summon forth something commanding and when she looked at him all she felt were sweet songs of love. No. She needed something truly powerful so she turned her gaze to Ulfric and felt her anger mounting as she looked into his conceited face.
"Well Dragonborn? You can't keep us waiting here forever," Ulfric needled her.
There was a song just for him twisting in her throat, desperately seeking it's escape. She needed no instruments to summon forth the music that poured into the theater. The crowd looked around, confused as to where it was coming from, especially as it grew louder and a choir started chanting loudly all around them.
Rona parted her lips and sang keeping her eyes trained on Ulfric. This song was for him and him alone.
(The song is Deceiver of Fools by Within Temptation)
"He feeds on fear
He feeds on pain
He rules again
With growing hate
He will gain their faith again
A light in the darkness is too small to see
There's always a sparkle of hope
If you just believe
The strings sawed quickly as the music picked up, drums banging and trumpets roaring around the crowd. Rona felt her fury mounting and placed her wrath into the words.
He told the tale so many times
About the dream not meant to be
In the world of the free
He plays with your mind
As faith for the future faded fast
He grows strong with their displeasure
It sets him free
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
He rules with fear
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
He rules again
He feeds on fear
Poisons the truth
To gain their faith
To lead the way
To a world of decay
He rules your heart
He will sell your soul to the grave
Without a hesitation to make
He belongs to the dark
[Chorus]
Please awake
And see the truth
He can only be
If you believe what he tells you
Remember who you are
What you stand for
And there will always be a way
[Chorus]
In my heart there is a place
In my heart there is a trace
Of a small fire burning
A sheltering ray shines through this night
Although it's small, it's bright
But darkness is lurking
He will sell your soul to bitterness and cold
All fear him
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
He rules with fear
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
Shall he rule again?"
As she sang the ghosts of the past drifted in with a dark fog. They joined her on stage, first appearing quite ethereal before solidifying beside her. Dragonborn women of all kinds sang with her and images of the past reflected in the echoes of their thu'um. Glorious battles and raging wars. Rona felt everything, their anguish, their sorrow, their pain. The wars raged in her very soul as she shattered glass with her voice.
And as the music faded so too did the spirits around her. Rona breathed heavily as the fog lifted. Some in the crowd had disappeared, perhaps fleeing in fear, but there were many others who'd wandered in from outside and all of the guard stood by, weapons at the ready, as though she were about to attack them. Bishop had his own dagger in hand, ready to go down with a fight.
However their attention was drawn suddenly to a wispy woman seated at the edge of the stage. She had flowing, fiery red hair and pale, white skin and wore a bright green tunic, over a pair of light brown trousers, fitted tightly to her form. She played a melodic tune on her lute and sang with melancholy in her voice as white flames burned around her body.
(The song is The Dragonborn Comes by Malukah)
"Our Hero, our Hero, claims a warrior's heart
I tell you, I tell you, the Dragonborn comes
With a Voice wielding power of the ancient nords arts
Believe, believe, the Dragonborn comes
It's an end to the evil of all Skyrim's foes
Beware, beware, the Dragonborn comes
For the darkness has passed, and the legend yet grows
You'll know, you'll know, the Dragonborn's come
Dovahkiin, Dovakhiin
Naal ok zin losvahriin
Wahdeinvokulmakfaeraakahstvaal
Ahrk fin norokpaalgraan
Fodnust hon zindrozaan
Dovahkiin, fah hinkogaan mu draal."
When the woman finished she stood up and turned to Rona, revealing her breathtaking beauty. She had bright green eyes, full red lips and long, dark lashes. Rona knew in her heart that this was Eira the White. She'd summoned the woman here with the power of her voice and she was almost real enough to touch. Eira took a step towards Rona and put a hand on her shoulder. And with a warm smile she pressed her lips to Rona's forehead, kissing her and vanishing in a spiral of soft, white flames.
Rona swallowed hard, unsure what to make of what just happened. She looked up at Ulfric whose smile had been wiped completely from his face. He stood up from his seat and Rona prepared herself to shout down his army when, to her astonishment he started to clap loudly. Soon everyone joined in, cheering and clapping for her.
He said loudly, "Thank you Dragonborn, for that bold performance."
When it was over and the people started to leave Bishop came right up to her, furious, "You fucking talked to him? Without me!?"
"I didn't want you to interfere," she admitted.
He put a hand to his head in frustration, "Ladyship...I...I don't even know what to say right now." He grumbled to himself, clearly trying to hold back his anger.
Alec came up to her and said, "Lady Dragonborn...that was..."
Rona apologized, "I'm so sorry Alec, I didn't mean to...do...all...that."
"But it was amazing," he said, actually sounding genuine for the first time. "I'm starting to question just what I'm doing as a bard," he stammered, trying to find the words, "I mean, you...you're song, it painted - literally painted - scenes of history for us," he paused thinking hard, "I think I may return to the Bard's College in Solitude. I too once sang for the sake of reciting great epics for people. Now I just...I really need to think about what I'm doing with my life," he grasped her hand and said, "Thank you milady, you've shown me great things today. I wish you well on your journey, may we meet again someday Dragonborn!"
He kissed her hand and bowed deeply, retreating behind the stage. Bishop had already started to walk away and Rona let him go giving him a chance to cool off. As she approached the exit Ulfric stopped her in the hall, "Dragonborn...Lady Rona. If I might have a word."
She took a breath and turned towards him, "Yes...my Jarl?"
He smirked at her, "I must admit I'm impressed. Your choice of song was quite brave to say the least, proving you're as fearless as you make yourself out to be. I wanted to tell you I was wrong. You are indeed Dragonborn and more - a true daughter of Skyrim, I'm certain of that now. And to be blessed by the presence of Eira, Maiden of Dragon Flame...you are peerless. I look forward to your return when General Tulius fails to meet your expectations or give you the answers you seek. Talos guide you Dragonborn Rona."
He grasped her shoulder, nodded and left with his steward.
Rona had to wade her way through a crowd of noblemen and noblewomen after they stopped her repeatedly to shake her hand, greet her and express their love of her voice. She was short with quite a few of them, feigning fatigue just to get away and find Bishop who'd disappeared. When she finally escaped the palace she found him again on the steps to Candlehearth Hall, petting his sleepy wolf.
She sat down beside him and sighed, "Okay, go ahead. Let me have it."
He glanced over at her and said, "I'm not going to yell at you. You're an adult, you can do whatever you like."
"That's it?" she said leaning over to look up into his face.
He met her gaze and said, "That's it Ladyship."
Trying to cheer him up she leaned back yawning and said, "I'm pretty tired. Ready to lie down?"
He looked over at her with half lidded eyes. Though instead of showing an eagerness to crawl in bed together and make good on their deal he said, "I don't want to share a bed with you if you're just doing it because we agreed to. I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to."
She was speechless.
Bishop stood up, shaking Karnwyr's hair from his hand. Rona got up to match his height.
He crossed his arms, looked down at her and said, "I'm not going to sit here and play your games, Rona. You've seen the way I look at you and what's more I've seen you steal glances at me. I've felt the way you pull against me when we kiss and you...well you've felt me. You can't lie to yourself and neither can I."
"I take it you don't like this game since you keep losing so badly at it?" she replied playfully.
He chuckled, "You are funny. And despite, or perhaps, because of your sharp tongue I find you incredibly irresistible."
She smiled, "I know I am."
He growled, backing her against a wall to the inn, "Mmm...I really do want to see what's under that dress of yours. What sweet, tempting surprises you hold," he pressed a hand to the wall by her head and leaned in, "I want to rip it off of you. Has anyone else wanted to do that to you, sweet lady?"
Her heart fluttered madly in her chest at his words. She hesitated, "Bishop I..."
"Alright enough toying around," he grasped her by the waist and kissed her with incredible eagerness and when he pulled back he took a breath and cried, "I want to claim you as my own! I want you to be mine and mine alone! If I see someone else so much as looks at you wrong!"
Her lower lip trembled as she stared up into his amber eyes which burned with desire. She breathed, "I - I...I can't!" and pulled away from his grasp racing down the steps towards the main gates.
"WHY!? What are you so afraid of Rona?" he shouted at her.
She stopped, tears swimming in her eyes and she turned around and screamed at him, "I'm afraid you'll leave!" She ran out the gates, tears spilling over her cheeks that she didn't want him to see. Rona turned at the path and ran down a slope towards the lake, slipping on the ice and catching herself before she fell in. She sat down in the snow, pulling her knees up to her face and cried, pathetically like a child.
Bishop's boots crunched in the snow behind her and he said, "The only one I see leaving is you." He sat down beside her and groaned, cringing at her, "Oh, Ladyship, not the waterworks, please."
She sniffled, rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands and looked over at him. Words failed her in this moment, there was so much she wanted to say and yet if she did she was terrified he'd leave.
He sighed heavily and gave her a feeble smile, "You really are pitiful sometimes. You can slay dragons and summon ghosts with the power of your voice, but when it comes to me you just crumble?" She stayed silent, holding back everything. "So you're afraid that I'll conquer you and leave, is that it? After all the time we've spent together you think I'd do that to you?"
Her lips parted, trembling still, she let go, unleashing the floodgates of all her fears and worries to the man she put all her trust in, "I can't do this alone Bishop. I'm realizing that more and more now. I talked to so many people today. The nords, the dunmer, the argonians. They all confided in me just because I'm the Dragonborn. I promised to help them, I want to help them. And I thought - no - I honestly believed that I could," she laughed through a sob, letting her legs go and sat upright, "I'm the Dragonborn! I should have some pull, right? People will listen to me. How could I be so stupid!" she hit the ground with a fist.
She stared out at the water as stray tears traced her cheeks. "I went to Ulfric Stormcloak and I pled the plight of the dunmer. I asked him to change things and you know what he did?" She turned and looked straight into Bishop's eyes as he listened closely. "He spat in my face. You were right Bishop. You were right about everything. He just wants to use me. He doesn't care about anyone else."
Bishop sighed, folding his arms together, clearly not knowing what to say or like her not wanting to say the wrong thing.
Rona wiped at the tears clinging to her lashes and said, "I was so sure of myself when we left High Hrothgar. I was confident and ready to take on the world. But now, I just feel naive and helpless to do anything for anyone. You're my voice of reason, you're always right about everything. I'm too trusting, too hopeful, I need you to tell me when I'm being stupid."
He touched her hand, grasping it and moved closer to her, "Don't ever let that light of yours burn out. You're a beacon of hope for a lot of people and sure, I think you're wasting your time with them...but if I ever see you become like me, cynical... distrusting... I'd hate myself for it. Your upbeat optimism, it's one of the best things about you."
She smiled at him, a stray tear drifting from her eye. He cupped her head in his hand and wiped the tear away, drawing closer to her. "You're waiting for love. I know that. I can't say...I feel that yet. It's hard enough for me to trust someone but to love a woman? I don't think I've ever," he hesitated pulling back and crossing his arms, "I like you," he cleared his throat, "A lot... What I'm saying is, I keep wondering if you feel the same about me. I mean sure, it seems like you do, considering how...excited you get sometimes, but...am I just wasting my time here?"
"No," she said quickly, "You're not. I...like you too Bishop. I enjoy being around you. You make me laugh and you make me feel...wanted," she blushed, "I think I'm falling for you - and that scares me."
He gave her a wry smile, "You're falling for me, huh? What's there to be scared of then Ladyship? I won't deny it anymore. I want you, I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone and I've never in my life waited this long for a woman. So I have to ask, do you want me the same way I want you?"
Her face burned brightly, "Yes...I want you. I want to..."
Bishop grasped her, by the waist then, pulling her up with him as he stood and held her body close to his, his face inches from hers. She looked up into his eyes and waited, but it seemed he wanted her to make the first move so she threw her arms around his shoulders, pulling herself up and entwined her lips with his. He met her kiss with deep intensity. They kissed under the moonlight as snow drifted slowly down. She shivered in his arms and he whispered, "Let's get some sleep, hm? You've had a long day."
She nodded and they walked back to the inn together. They passed by a snoozing Karnwyr and Bishop nudged the wolf with his foot. "C'mere boy," he muttered. Karnwyr got up, yawning and stretching and slowly followed them into the busy inn. Some of the nobles from the theater were there, drinking and being all around noisy. Rona pulled her hood around her face, not wanting to be stopped and bothered by them as she followed Bishop to their room.
It was all too easy to sneak the wolf by when the innkeeper was busy serving food and drinks to her bustling customers. Bishop shut the doors behind them locking them. He kicked his boots off and undid his shirt laying it over a chair. He threw an old blanket on the floor for Karnwyr to curl up on and then he fell into the bed face first and rolled over on his side.
Rona wasn't sure what to expect. She really did not want to lose her virginity in that dirty, noisy place so she took her boots and cloak off and left her dress firmly buttoned to her body. Bishop made room for her on the bed and she laid down next to him. Both were on their sides, facing one another. Bishop touched her face and ran his fingers through her hair. He had a soft expression as he looked into her eyes.
She reached out for him, running her fingers over his stubble and tracing the scar on his cheek. Finally she whispered, "I can't...not here. Not in this place."
"I know."
He always knew. It was like he could sense everything about her, reading her mind. He was so wise for someone so young, she knew, most likely due to his haunted past. She wished so much that he would talk to her about it, that he would at least tell her more about himself.
But before she could ask him the burning questions he beat her to the punch. He pushed himself up slightly, his head resting in his hand and said, "Can I ask you something Ladyship?"
"What would you like to know," she smiled.
"How is it that this lovely maiden, who has men literally throwing themselves at her feet, still a virgin? You waiting for marriage?"
"No, not marriage," she confessed, "I don't know. It just never happened."
He raised his brows. "Surely not because men have ignored you."
She rolled her eyes and said derisively, "No...I've had plenty of suitors. I've even kissed before."
He shot her a look, "Kissed like we have?"
She blushed, "Not quite like that."
He shook his head slowly, "I just can't believe you've never had sex."
She looked away and said, "Well I almost did...once."
"Almost, huh? So what happened? What, did your suitor get cold feet?"
She looked solemn. "He did actually."
Bishop's mouth dropped and he sat up. "You're kidding."
She sighed, reaching for a blanket as she felt a chill and pushed herself up on the bed, wrapping herself in it. "He was never really a suitor but we spent a lot of time together in the Guild and I grew fond of him. He was very kind, very...formal and a bit reserved. We fought in plenty of battles together for a long time. I actually trained him in healing and he helped me train my swordsmanship. I thought he cared for me but..."
"He fancied men, didn't he?" Bishop guessed.
Rona laughed and shook her head fiercely, "No! No...nothing like that. He left the Guild to become a paladin. His vows precluded him from enjoying worldly pleasures, which just so happened to include intimacy with women."
Bishop stared at her, his face suddenly harsh and grim.
"You're not upset about that are you?"
He seemed to snap out of it and said, "What? No...of course not." Bishop changed the subject abruptly when he said, "I wish you hadn't sang that song."
"What?" she said confused.
"At the theater. You played right into Ulfric's hand. He wanted to know how powerful you really were," he chided her, "You shouldn't have done it."
She looked down at the bed and said, "I know...it's just I couldn't let him think I was weak. I guess...the dragon in me just took over."
"And nearly got the two of us killed," he frowned.
She grit her teeth and grabbed a pillow, "I know! But I just hate his stupid, smug face! I want to punch it!" she pounded her fist into the pillow several times.
Bishop laughed, "Wow, he really got under your skin didn't he?"
She smirked at him and fell back down on the bed, laying her head on the pillow. "A bit, yeah."
Bishop laid down next to her, wrapping an arm over her back and pulling her close. He yawned and said, "Next time you go see him, I'll punch him in his stupid, smug face for you."
She appreciated the sentiment, kissed him on the cheek and closed her eyes to drift off into a deep sleep.