This story is based on an idea that corglacier and I were tossing around. It is the idea that both Bishop and my CE assassin Carianna could actually earn redemption and become better people.

I owe stickchick a ton for helping me with this; I couldn't have done it without her. It's totally alternate universe, and outside the OC, but it's just meant to be a good, emotional read. So, don't take it too seriously, alright?

I also saw about three different spellings for Redfallow's Watch. I just chose one that seemed to work.

"You shouldn't be here, lad. You've done a great wrong here," a husky female voice said angrily.

I turned around to face the source. A very large, very voluptuous woman stood nearby; her fiery red hair clashed spectacularly with her orange dress. Her eyes were cold as she looked at Bishop.

I stepped forward. "This man is here to repent for his sins, ma'am, and I want you to give him that chance."

The large woman laughed. "My, my Bishop, you've got a real interesting one here. Sadly, that doesn't bring the dear girl back, now does it?"

Bishop sighed. "Madame Simone, I am deeply and truly sorry for my actions. I know I can't bring her back, I just want to know if there's anything I can do…"

The matron laughed. "I know what you can do." She eyed Bishop hungrily, her eyes hesitating below his belt. "Spend the night in my bed, and you've got a deal."

I blanched as Bishop choked. "Forgive me…err…Madame Simone, is it? I'm afraid that is out of the question," I said quietly. "There must be another way."

Madame Simone raised one heavily plucked eyebrow at me. "Ah, jealousy, is it? Don't be jealous, pet. I'll take good care of him."

I glared at her. "The Morninglord frowns upon actions like that; I'll not have you messing up his chances for redemption because you haven't gotten any in a while."

Bishop nodded. "Damn straight. I'm sorry, Madame, but I refuse. I would gladly do any other work around here, but that is out of the question."

The matron rolled her eyes. "Such a pity; I always thought you'd be good in bed. Too bad you won't have the chance to do it again." She reached for a dagger on her belt, almost lazily.

I unsheathed my katana before she even had a chance to blink. "Madame Simone, I really do not wish to resort to violence, but I will. Now, what can Bishop do to repent?"

"He really wants to repent, does he?" she said harshly. "Fine then. Go…just…here," she said, tossing me a key. "This opens the lock on the barn behind here. Go feed my horse, and we're even."

Bishop stared at her. "Are you sure? I killed one of your employees, Madame Simone." The matron laughed. "Bishop, my dear boy, I would have killed her in a week if you hadn't done it yourself. So, in all honesty, you did me a favor. Now, go feed my horse, will you?"

"Thank you, Madame Simone, we are most grateful," I said quickly, pushing Bishop out the door before he had a chance to say something more.

"Can you believe her?" Bishop yelled once we'd reached the barn. "Can you believe that woman? I mean, I killed one of her employees, and first she wants me to sleep with her, now we're feeding her horse!"

I nodded, throwing a bale of hay in front of a large, black stallion. "I know, Bishop; she appears to be an odd woman."

The ranger started pacing. "Cari, I'm sick of this. I'm sick of people only seeing me as a sex object! I'm not here for some random woman's pleasure!"

I straightened up and raised an eyebrow. "You know that a year ago, you wouldn't be saying that? You'd be jumping at the chance to get into some woman's bed; you certainly didn't seem to mind it."

He frowned. "Yes, I know, but that's how I feel now…I know I was…promiscuous, but I'm not anymore, and I'm sick of being ogled!"

I sighed, then pointed at my body. "Welcome to the guild. I'm Cari, member since I hit puberty."

Bishop tried to suppress a grin, but failed. He sighed. "I know you understand, and now I know how the women I ogled felt…I just, don't like it, anymore."

I smiled at him. "That's a good sign, you know." He frowned again. "How?"

"Because," I said, walking to him and wrapping my arms around his waist, "it means you're changing. You're seeing your flaws and correcting them, and that's good."

Bishop looked down at me; thinking. "You're right…does this mean I'm starting to see more flaws in the world?"

I nodded. "Yep, and it's a good thing."

Bishop rolled his eyes. "As long as I don't have to become a paladin, I'm okay." I laughed and pushed him away; he growled playfully as he jumped towards me. He grabbed me around the waist and we both fell in the hay. He snuggled up against my neck as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I sighed as I felt his heartbeat against me. I looked up at him and smiled. "You're not ready yet, are you?"

He shook his head. "Cari, I want our first time as changed people to be special. Not in a barn…with Madame Simone's horse watching us." I laughed as he stood up, pulling me with him. "Besides," he said quietly, kissing me on the cheek, "I still have a few more stops to make."

We returned to the brothel and returned the matron's key. She made one more pass at Bishop, I ushered the ranger back outside before he could open his mouth again. I shook my head at the look of indignation on his face; he shrugged; taking my hand in his as we plunged onward.

A little over two weeks later, Bishop and I spied the town of Port Llast. We'd decided to pay Malin a visit before continuing to Redfallow's Watch, the first of Bishop's last three stops. The three of us sat in the little Inn, sharing stories and laughing; after Malin overcame her desire to plunge her dagger into Bishop's chest, that is.

The half-elf looked at Bishop. "You've changed, you really have. I hope this woman continues to have a positive effect on you." Bishop smiled; he slid his hand in mine as he stared at her. "Malin, I'm truly sorry for how I treated you when we were together, you never deserved that. I hope someday you can forgive me, and you can find a wonderful man who will make you happy."

Malin smiled. "I will, Bishop. Someday, I will, but not now. I'm just glad you've found someone who can make you happy; you've needed it for far too long.

I nodded. "Thank you, Malin. I appreciate that; we need to keep moving though. We have a long journey ahead of us." The half-elf rose and nodded; Bishop and I followed suit and set off to Redfallow's Watch.