They couldn't believe what Gawain was telling them. Challenger and Ned were the only ones capable of speech.

"They've been here the entire time?"

"Yes. I sent some men to get you. However they returned with a tale of your deaths," Gawain turned to a servant, "Bring those three men here."

The servant bowed and hurried to obey the king.

Roxton didn't know what made him turn his head to the door, but he was glad it did. There she was, his lady. She stood frozen in the doorway for a moment with her eyes locked with his before she ran to him. She embraced him and he picked her up in an attempt to get closer. He pulled back to see something he never thought he would see. Marguerite was crying in public.

She grabbed the sides of his face and kissed him, "I love you John Roxton." She said loud enough for everyone to hear.

He started and then wrapped his arms tighter around her, "I love you Marguerite Krux."

Veronica started to cry behind them and buried herself in Ned's shoulder.

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Esme had been pounding on Jia's door for a good minute. She took out her skeleton key and opened the door. Jia was sitting on the bed.

"Didn't ye hear me?"

Jia suddenly looked up, "Esme? What's wrong?"

"They're here."

"They who?"

Esme didn't answer but smiled and started crying. Jia got up.

"Where?"

"The hall."

Jia ran past her and down the stairs. She got to the hall in record time. She stood in the doorway. Mal's eyes locked onto hers.

She couldn't think, she couldn't move.

He was the first to speak, "Jia?"

His voice set the flood gates open. She started sobbing and ran to him. He didn't tense when she put her arms around him, he returned her embrace. He put his hand on the back of her head to comfort her and closed his eyes. Nothing existed beyond them.

Jia softly said, "I thought I had lost you."

Mal smiled slightly, "You will never lose me."

He pulled back and ran the back of his hand down the side of her face. He then kissed her. Reality came back when they heard River screech. He pulled back and they both smiled as he put his forehead against hers. She put her head back on his shoulder and he held her tighter.

Gawain cleared his throat, "A banquet will, of course, be held tonight to celebrate this occasion."

The servant he had sent rushed in, "Sir!"

"Yes?"

"They are all dead."

Gawain turned his full attention to the servant, "What?"

"All three were in the stables sir. They had been stabbed."

Gawain turned towards the others with a disgusted look on his face, "They must of known the identity of the man who set this in motion. I can not think of a reason to make the ladies think you dead."

Malone answered, "Would someone want to keep them here?"

Gawain's face suddenly angered and he yelled for one of his knights, "Bring Ardent here at once!"

Veronica asked, "Who is that?"

Gawain was livid, "Vordred's brother. I should have never let him live."

Those who remembered Gawain's evil grand Viser were not confused. The ones that didn't, didn't speak.

Roxton was still confused. He still held Marguerite in his arms, "Why would he want them here?"

Gawain sighed, "He blamed Marguerite for his brother's death. I can only assume he had some plot to harm her here." He shook his head, "No matter. We shall celebrate and leave him to my knights. Esme will lead you to a room where you can get reacquainted."

Esme came in and curtsied. She then led them all to a small parlor, and with a promise of refreshments, left.

River ran to Jia's arms. Mal surrendered her finally. Veronica went over and hugged Marguerite. Challenger followed suit. They all got their hugs in. At the end, John again took Marguerite's hand. Mal sat next to Jia on one of the couches. Everyone else sat around in a circle. The refreshments were sent in and they were left alone again. Veronica told their side of the story. Marguerite told their's, artfully avoiding mention of Sir Richard. That was up to Jia to tell Mal on her time.

Roxton's hand never strayed from Marguerite's, as if to keep her from leaving again. The time flew by. Before they knew it, Esme reentered and said the ladies should retire to dress for dinner. None but River wanted to leave, but they followed her anyway. A few minutes later she came back.

"Ye can all make yourselves presentable as well."

The men all followed her out to another room with wash bin.

"King said that dinner would be informal considerin the circumstances." She looked them all up and down with a sneer before leaving them alone.

Roxton chuckled, "She hasn't changed much."

Malone looked at him with him eyebrows raised, "Some other things have though I see."

Roxton just smiled.

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The ladies all changed quickly and waited to be taken to dinner. River was spinning in her borrowed gown. Veronica was pulling at hers.

There was a knock on the door. Veronica answered it. Upon seeing the visitor Marguerite gathered up River and Veronica and led them to show them her bedroom.

Sir Richard entered the room but left the door open. "I suppose you will be going back then."

"Richard, I'm sorry."

He left without a word. Jia hung her head.

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Dinner was a very happy occasion, except for the news that Ardent had not been found. Gawain offered an armed escort home, and the travelers accepted.

After dinner they mingled with the knights and the king. Mal had disappeared. Jia slid out a side door to look for him. A hand went over her mouth. She was going to fight before she recognized Mal. She turned and lightly slapped him on the shoulder.

"You scared me."

He smiled, "Then we are even."

He took her hand and led her to a small sitting room off the dining room. He pulled her inside and locked the door. She embraced him and he returned the gesture.

He sighed, "Don't you ever do that again."

She scoffed, "Didn't have a choice."

He shook his head. "Then I will just have to chain you to the tree house, and after that the ship."

She smiled, "I missed you."

He lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss became more passionate before Mal broke it off.

"Stop that now. What will the others think if you came back with your dress all crumpled up? Besides of course me being the luckiest bastard in the 'verse."

Jia laughed, "Do I have to care?"

Mal sighed in mock exasperation, "I'm afraid so."

She snuggled closer into him. "To hell with 'um."

He laughed and kissed her deeply again. They sprang apart as a key turned in the lock. Esme wrenched the door open and glared at Mal.

"There will be no sneakin off. King Gawain requests your presence in the dining room.

Mal sighed, "Fine." He smiled crookedly and grabbed Jia. He pulled her into a deep kiss despite Esme's gasp. He didn't end it until Esme hit him in the shoulder. He let go of Jia and wiggled his eyebrows at Esme. He made his way out the door.

Jia held her hand over her mouth to stem her laughter. Esme's face was beet red.

Jia whispered with a laugh in her voice, "He is such a criminal."

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Mal joined the discussion of Roxton and Gawain as to when they would leave. They decided after thanking Gawain for his hospitality that they would leave tomorrow. After that they were all shown their separate bed chambers.

Jia left hers about midnight. She snuck down the hall to Mal's room. She snuck in. She almost had a heart attack when Mal's voice came out of no where.

"Esme will be very upset with you."

Jia came and sat on the edge of the bed. "I won't stay long."

Mal pretended offence, "I wouldn't bet on that."

Jia narrowed her eyes at him but soon went back to her worried expression. "I need to talk to you."

"That is never a good phrase."

"When I found out you died I... I did something I shouldn't have."

Now she got Mal's attention.

"There was one of Gawain's knights who was very nice to me. I allowed him to court me. He asked me to marry him. I thought that you were dead. I kind of gave up on being happy. I said yes."

Mal was livid, "When's the wedding?"

"I'm not marrying him."

"Sounds like you are."

"I don't love him. I thought I could stop hurting if I just moved on. I knew I could never love him, but he loved me and I thought that would be enough. I was wrong. I could never be happy with anyone else Mal. I love you."

He didn't say anything.

"I don't expect anything by saying that. I just needed you to know that."

"Jia, I ain't exactly..."

"I know, I know. You don't have to do anything. I just wanted to explain why I can't marry Richard."

"Have you told him?"

"Yes."

He held his breath, "Did you sleep with him?"

"No."

He let out the breath fast. "Jia, you are special to me. I just never expected to ... be with anyone. I never wanted to be with anyone for a long period of time."

It was what she expected, but it still hurt.

He sighed, "I guess what I'm saying is... I can't let you go."

She looked up at him in surprise.

"I don't know where this is going to go, but I want you by my side wherever this thing between us does go."

He paused and she started smiling.

"I can't promise..."

She interrupted him, "You don't have to. Whenever you are ready, as long as I get to be with you."

He pulled her into his arms and they sat there for a long time. Mal's thoughts raced. He didn't know how to say what he was thinking. He did love her, but he didn't deserve her. He was a damaged man, a jaded one. All he could think of is that he would do everything he could to make her happy.

Jia stood up, "No one should find me here."

"Why not?"

"Unless you want a shotgun wedding this is not the place to be alone."

Mal grimaced and stood with her. "No thanks. When we get married I'm doing it on my own time."

They both froze as they both realized he had said when not if. Jia didn't say anything. She simply smiled and kissed him on the cheek. She then left him and went back to her own room.

Mal laid back on his bed and tried to summon the panic that came from such situations in the past. He searched for the need to make a cutting comment. It simply was not there. He decided it was confusing, but not unpleasant.

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In the room next to Jia's a different situation played itself out. The early morning brought a half dressed Roxton sneaking out of Marguerite's room. It was perhaps their last night with any privacy. They made the most of it.

In the early morning light John reclined on his bed and smiled. She was his again. His Goddess. She had told everyone they were not only together, but in love. He wouldn't push her to accept his proposal, but he knew she would. She had asked for the ring back after all.

Marguerite laid in her room with a similar smile on her face. The fear wasn't gone, but much less. She had discovered losing him was far worse than anything, but she had also discovered the lengths he would go to just to be with her. She had told him some of her worst secrets tonight, and he hadn't turned from her. In fact he had snuggled closer, comforting her. He understood why she did what she had done. He had seen sides to it she never even considered. He didn't blame her. He loved her. She smiled bigger. Fairy tales should always have a happy ending.