I'd like to thank my beta reader. Happy Jinxmas

To those who felt " weird" about Kat being almost 14 and Garen 16-17 I tried to make it a believable age difference where they would have met and interacted. I think in lore or through seeing other people's fan fics their age difference was about 5-7 years. Garen was already an established commander by the time he and Katarina had met each other. He was I believe mid 20s when she was 18.

One.

It felt like a knife digging into his right hip.

Two.

He cursed under his breath.

Three.

He wasn't going to let the pain win.

Garen was on the third step of a stepstool with a hammer in hand and a nail being held by his teeth as he used his right hand to hold the piece of wood.

"I just need to nail you and I'm done," He spoke to the six inch piece of molding he held in his hand.

He looked at the space where the molding went and focused as hard as he could.

You can do it, you can do it.

He slowly put all his weight on his right leg as he stretched to place the molding where it belong and quickly nail it in place. At least that was his plan, until he felt his full body weight on his right hip. It felt like a dagger was quickly twisted in his leg and hip from the bone to his flesh. He cursed every god and deity he could think of, which wasn't many because with a thud, he came crashing down. He had a quick second of pain until the hammer he had been holding knocked him out cold.

….

She walked up to him, "Hi Gary, remember me?"

He tried to speak but couldn't, but he let out a nervous, "Tina?"

It had been over 10 years and she had turned into a gorgeous woman. Approaching him swinging hips, and put her hand on his chest and she leaned in and gave him a deep sensual kiss sticking her tongue in his mouth. Garen was taken by surprised as she quickly began licking his cheeks face and eyes.

What the hell!

….

Garen shook his head, waking himself up from whatever dream he had only to notice a small shriveled up and wrinkled, big eyed, chubby smelly beast face to face with him. It quickly gave him a wet sneeze point blank to his face.

Garen, sat up and rubbed his head, feeling the lump the hammer had left and saw Jarvan sitting in a chair about 10 feet away watching over him.

"You selfish bastard!" Jarvan walked up to him, grabbing Garen by the forearm and pulling him up forcefully.

"Your mom and sister are worried sick about you. You lock yourself up in this house for weeks on end and the one day I decided to break in I find you knocked out cold. You could be rotting away in here and no one would know."

Jarvan failed to mention how many tears his mother had shed over Garen, or how many concerned tones he had heard from Lux when Garen was mentioned. He didn't want to guilt him any longer.

All Garen, could think of was Jarvan accusing him, "You this! You that!"

But, he did his best not to retaliate and took a deep breath.

He just looked at Jarvan then the dog with a confused look.

"Look, I told your mom and sister I'd come check in on you. While I was at it I promised Lux I'd drop off your new service dog." The dog had decided to make itself at home by laying at Garen's feet as he stood.

"A…pug?"

"Yes, a pug, I'm having people come over later today to finish the detailed work. I refused to tell my godmother (Garen's mom) that her son snapped his neck installing siding,"

Jarvan also decided not to tell Garen that the pug wasn't a service dog to fetch things for Garen or to open doors. He was to help him with his minor warrior's disease(PTSD).

"Since I know you don't like visitors I figured I'd just drop off your new dog. Youcan name him whatever you want." Jarvan spoke while avoiding eye contact with Garen.

Garen stood there looking around the room for his cane which he already planned to rush over and grab as soon as Jarvan left to alleviate the pain.

"One last thing, remember how you wanted me to find you a tenant?" Garen's mind reeled as he never agreed to it.

….

Then he remembered speaking at his mother's house.

"Please, Jarvan, promise me when I'm out of here you'll help me. I have a house and I don't know if I'll ever be able to work again. I don't want to be a burden on my mom or Lux."

He hated the fact that they had to feed him, clean him and change him (his diapers) for a few weeks as he lay in agonizing pain.

Garen took a deep breath thinking of words to say before he spoke them.

"I was, I was under a lot of morphine."

Jarvan shrugged.

"Well, too late. Besides we've been friends for our entire life and you shy away from people and conversation. You hardly ever speak to anyone, even me, it would help if you socialized a little more."

Garen, turned his head and looked at the stairs heading up to the second floor of his house.

"I'll..I'll try" he said with a sigh.

"Good especially since you're new tenant is really hot." He gave him a teasing look.

In reality one of Jarvan's trusted secretaries, Beatrice, happened to favor the company of woman over man so he took her word for it.

"What's… her name?"

"I forgot, you'll just have to wait and see."

In reality Jarvan didn't even know her name. But he was happy to see Garen at least speak even if it was questioning him about his new tenant.

Jarvan, walked to the door and opened it, a few of his bodyguards walked in without speaking and dropped off boxes full of dog food, toys and bowls.

"Thanks," Garen muttered.

He looked down at the pug who's curled tail wagged in excitement.

Garen wanted to argue with Jarvan and tell him he didn't want or need a tenant, but in reality times were tough. He had refused to take disability pay or an early pension as he refused to admit his military career was over. He could use the extra money and although Lux and his mother offered him money he outright refused it and he'd rather starve than ask his estranged father for help.

Jarvan waved good bye and left Garen standing where with a new pug and a lot of dog food.

"Father," Kat, bowed before him, waiting for his acknowledgment before speaking.

"I can't." She handed him the letters he had placed on her bed.

She cried with great joy, less than a month ago after her father had returned. After almost half a decade of waging an undercover war against the corrupt Jericho Swain lead faction. He had helped end the war. When word got out of his sudden appearance, Marcus Du Couteau, the nation was in turmoil. But as words of his exploits he became a war hero, he spoke at the city center re-affirming all the citizens of Noxus that peace was for the best and that they would prosper not with war but with commerce.

It felt like her father didn't even give her a chance to breathe as soon as he returned home he comforted Cassie, sent Talon on some top secret errands and of course started finding suitors. Which has lead them to this confrontation.

"Can't or wont?" He said as he held a goblet of fine brandy cupped in his hand.

"Both….I love you and I've missed you, I'll do anything you ask of me but I refuse to marry (she wanted to marry for love)."

Marcus approached her with a heavy sigh he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You are my eldest, you must carry our families name. It's not a question Kat but an order."

Memories of how he had strong armed her into doing as she was told. She had always been desperate for his approval.

"No." She spoke in a soft tone.

"What, did you say?"

"No….You've been gone five years! I've kept this family together! You don't know how hard it's been. You always think what's best for the family but never what's best for me! All this family does from me is take, take and take…." Tears flowed down her cheeks.

"I can't and I won't." She turned her back on her father and walked away before he could lecture her.

Katarina waited until the dead of night while everyone at home happened to be asleep. She walked quietly assuring that the duffle bag at her back didn't knock anything off of the furniture or rub loudly against the wall. She made her way out the door but not before stopping by her sister's room. She wept as she saw her laying there with her lower (snake like) half coiled around her. Even as monstrous as Cassie saw herself to be, she laid there with one of Katarina's quilts she had given her as a gift and a teddy bear their adopted brother Talon had given her. Katarina finally felt like she could walk away knowing her father was home and could keep an eye on his youngest.

He still treated her like the little girl she was to him and never acted as if she was any different even after her curse, something that made Katarina lessen her resentment towards him. She left a letter at her younger sister's night stand explaining how she will be gone and will write often and to tell Talon and their father not to worry. For Katarina, she finally felt like she could put herself before everyone else in a very long time.

…..

Jarvan waited around the corner from Garen's townhouse. He watched as Garen opened the door and carefully took measured steps, he felt anger as he watched him.

"You stubborn son of a bitch!"

He knew Garen was told to stay off his leg and at least walk with a cane but his friend's stubbornness would be the death of him.

As soon as he saw the carriage driver help him into cabin they drove away. Jarvan gave the group of people behind him a signal. They all rushed over, painters, carpenters and interior designers. Garen refused help with the home he had been building and ever since his accident he had become even more stubborn Jarvan decided to finish the detail work without his friend's knowledge. Better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission was his state of mind. With the new tenant arriving in a few weeks he wanted Garen's home to be welcoming. He knew Garen had an appointment today and would be gone for a few hours. But with all the skill, labor and men that served under Garen, as volunteers it would be plenty of time. He had tried to help in the past and Garen either refused to let them in or pretended not to be home.

…..

Garen laid his palms on the crystal orb softly as he saw her do the same. He watched as she gave him a soft and warm smile. Without opening her mouth her beautiful voice filled his thoughts.

So, tell me Mr. Crownguard any luck with the local women?

She smiled at his blushing.

Sona, you know I get nervous and I'm unable to talk I feel stupid.

She gave him a sympathetic look.

Now, repeat what you said but speak it. Take your time and think of it slowly as you speak no one is rushing you.

Garen pulled his hands away from the orb. So spoken words and inner voice didn't overlap, she had told him how it distracted her and caused confusion. He took a long deep breath and both could feel his nervousness.

"Son…sona, you know I get ge get neee eh vous and I'm unable to talk I feel stupid."

She motioned for him to slow down until he was able to repeat it fluently. She saw him smile, then motioned for him to place her hands on the orb.

That was amazing! Garen! You're doing so much better, why are you able to speak with me and not other people? Let alone other woman?

I feel comfortable with you and after I warm up I stutter a lot less. I hate that I can't speak….sorry.

She gave him a playful scowl.

No insult taken. Remember you aren't stupid, one day you'll meet a woman who will find your stutter endearing.

YEAH, RIGHT!

Remember I can hear what you are thinking, if you say it in your head I can hear it. (a lesson hard learned when he first met her and he caught himself looking at her chest).

Sorry, Sona. Can you help with my nightmares? They are coming back, whatever do you do keeps them away?

She nodded and reached for her Etwahl, her famous mysterious instrument. He watched as she slowly plucked the strings and the sound from it warmed his soul. Sona put the emotion of someone in love into that song and it had quickly become Garen's favorite. She knew it was just a band aid for the loneliness and whatever turmoil he was facing, she watched as a single tear flowed down his face.

At the end of Garen's session he stood up from his sitting position to touch the orb and thanked her. He moved his right leg slowly as if it were a log and she saw him wince and clench his teeth.

Why aren't you taking what the doctors prescribed you? She spoke to him as soon as his hands touched the orb and he would hear her.

Sona….please not this again.

Yes! Again, I care about you, my friend.

He could see the concern in his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

Sona, the medicine makes me feel numb and dull... it puts me out for days at a time. I don't want to rely on Milk of the Poppy (Heroin/Morphine). I've seen it mess people up, I'd rather live with this pain now and not become addicted like many others.

By the time he returned home it was starting to get dark. He was able to ignore the pain as the music Sona had played for him had soothe him and helped him, but he knew it was only a short term remedy. He walked up his front steps feeling the pain but he managed to only wince, he hated leaving his home. It meant being in the public's eye and that meant he couldn't use his cane, he didn't want to be seen cripple. He hated that he considered himself a "stuttering cripple."

Real confidence boost..

He opened his front door and walked into the hallway into a door leading to his house. The top portion was an exact replica of his home, only thing that was shared between the two living spaces was the hallway to his home and the stairs leading up to other living space (a shared entry way).

He became annoyed at first sight as the opened his front door. His new pug which had yet to name had decided his favorite recliner was its new bed. He noticed all the new furniture, his home was freshly painted in warm pastels which anyone would find pleasant but he liked dark hues as it reflected his current state. He was too exhausted to feel ungrateful for Jarvan's intrusion into finishing his projects (finishing the detail work on the house). He grabbed his cane and walked with it towards the kitchen table where he found a still warm potatoes and beef casserole and a note on the table.

As he ate the glanced over it.

Please come by the house more often, you sister's friends and my friend's daughters want to meet you. I'll be hosting a dinner two Sunday from now and it would mean so much to me if you attended.

-Love Mom.

He hated when his mom and sister tried to play matchmakerk but he also knew how much they wanted to see him. He couldn't stand how much they worried and fussed over him making him feel like an adult sized baby. With a sigh he hobbled over to the couch, he laid on his back and began to think over the conversation he had with his therapist (Sona). He heard the sound of paws on his hard wood floor and the dog began to scratch at the couch wanted to be lifted. After a few seconds of Garen ignoring the dog he finally lifted him on to the couch where he laid. He watched as the dog ran up his legs and chest where it laid and sniffed his face and it decided to fall asleep there. It was a strange comfort to have him there cuddling with him, something he would never openly admit to anyone. His leg was sore and the dog's warmth and snoring had lulled him to sleep.

Katarina, couldn't be happier. She had been staying in rented tavern rooms for the last two weeks, until she heard the news. Demacia Institute of Arts will now start holding dance classes even amateurs were allowed (think of it as community college classes), she knew she was about 7 years too old to become a professional dancer but she never gave up on her child hood dream.

For, the last few days she had been staying in Demacian flop houses, she kept her self-hooded to hide her identity. Even though the new peace treaty between the two city states (Demacia and Noxus) had allowed free travel and habilitation. Years of animosity were still hard to overcome.

Every morning like clockwork after her morning jog she would sit outside a coffee shop, enjoying the warmth of the sun. She forgot what it felt like (Noxus tended to be smoggy from heavy industrialization), she would read the paper and look through the classifieds looking for a new apartment place to stay. One caught her eye.

"Looking for tenant, land lord lives on site. He is quite and keeps to himself"

She read, on realizing it met a lot of her criteria. The location was in one of Demacia's nicest neighborhoods. The land lord was described as quiet and hopefully it would mean she would get all the privacy she needed, he was probably some elderly person. Which alibiated the fear of being ogled by some guy trying to woo her.. The price was almost too good not to take which made her suspicious.

But after two drunks fought outside her room the night before making it impossible for her to sleep until she walked out in her scantily clad night gown. She did silence them for a second as their jaws dropped but she made sure the silence was prolonged by slamming their heads against support beams. She just didn't have it in her to do that every night.

She circled the name of the realtor agency, and address it said ask for Beatrice after 5 PM only.

…..

Jarvan strolled into his assistant's office he brought her a cup of coffee and a muffin.

Beatrice raised her eyebrow. Every time he tried to be sweet he was buttering her up for a favor.

"How's my favorite lady doing?"

"What do you want, Jarvan?" after many years of being his personal assistant she was the one of the few who didn't address him as the crown prince. But just and simply Jarvan (much to his delight).

"I'm giving you a week's paid vacation." Jarvan spoke with grin.

"Good, I've been wanting to go and visit…" Before she could finish, Jarvan cut her off.

"Catch is you have to be home by 5 PM every night." Beatrice's eyes narrowed at him anger as he continued talking.

"I need you to help me find a tenant for a friend of mine, this is totally unethical and off the record but I'd appreciate it if the candidate is say…young, gorgeous."

"when you mean a friend you mean yourself? I'm not some sort of mistress finder."

Jarvan, chuckled.

"I don't think Shyvana would appreciate that. Just trust me Beatrice, just choose the type a girl you'd date…let me rephrase that. The type of girl you'd date if you were a guy."

She rolled her eyes at him, "I hate you."

"You know you love me." He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek as he left a folder on her desk with all the tenant agreement and housing information.

Before he exited her office he said quickly. "Oh, and if she's single I'll give you a bonus.

I was watching the kings speech and read a story about a boy and girl who get kidnapped and the boy has a stutter. They find each other late (both thinking each other died when they escaped). Think its called Never let you go. Anyways sort of wanted Garen, to have a stutter to give him more depth not sure how readers will take it. Love or hate it?