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Disclaimer: I own nothing save characters not appearing in King Arthur, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Angel. This story is not meant to insult, impugn the dignity of, or otherwise cause difficulty for the reader. Flames will be used to heat my house, constructive comments will be welcomed and used to improve the story.
Author's Note: Well, we finally moved into our house but were without internet connection for (counting on fingers) four days. My apologies for the dearth of updating. I will now rectify. And since we now have internet back, I'll be publishing again with hopefully the previous frequency. Thank you for your patience. And thank you so much for all of your wonderful reviews. This story would neither be published with the quickness it is nor be the same story without your input. As always, responses to your wonderful comments is at the end of the chapter.
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Anywhere's Better Than Cleveland
Chapter Nine: Teasing
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Bors took a sip of his ale and sighed, savoring the flavor after a long sparring session. The other knights had not yet arrived at the tavern but it was settling into a normal night. His lover was corralling children towards their rooms, using her sweet voice to threaten them into submission.
"Da?"
Bors looked down at his son and grinned. "Gilly. Aren't you to be abed with your brothers and sisters?" He hauled his son onto his knee and ruffled the boy's dark hair.
Gilly nodded but looked puzzled. "Da, what's naked twister?"
Bors frowned. "Where did you hear this?" The naked part he could suss out, but twister?
Gilly motioned towards the rapidly approaching serving girl named Faith. "She was talking with Ma. She wants to play it with Tristan."
Bors nodded sagely and set his son back on the floor, sending the boy scurrying towards his mother with a swipe to the seat of his breeches. "I'll ask her. Now get."
Gilly obligingly hurried towards Vanora, who sent her lover a thankful glance before hurrying the children to the upper level of the tavern.
"Hey, Bors, how's it hanging?"
Bors cocked his head to one side, a perplexed expression directed at Faith. "How is what hanging?"
Faith shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. She constantly had to remind herself that her slang was a little out of place. "Never mind. Can I get you anything?"
Bors shook his head as well. "No need. I have a cup of ale and a full pitcher. By the way, what is naked twister?"
Faith gaped at the man and failed to notice that the pitcher on her tray was sliding towards the edge until it had begun to drop. Cursing, she grabbed the pitcher, silently thanking her slayer speed and agility. Turning her attention to the oldest knight, she sighed as she realized that she'd managed to once again make herself the center of attention. She leaned forward until her mouth was a tiny space from his ear, grinning. "Naked twister is sex, Bors. Though I think you already knew that. What with eleven children and all." Straightening, she sashayed off, hips swaying provocatively.
"You can't have her, Bors. Vanora'd kill you," advised Dagonet as he dropped onto the bench across from Bors. He'd seen the look on Bors's face before. It had been the expression that Bors had when he'd first met his feisty lover. And he didn't think that Vanora would agree to share her lover, nor would Faith agree to the arrangement either.
Bors shook his head, watching as Faith's hips moved under Vanora's old dress. Oh, to be young. "No. But I think she's got a hankering for our scout."
Dagonet arched an eyebrow but said nothing. Taking a gulp of the ale, he turned his blue eyes to watch the serving girl. She seemed to be deep in conversation with Gawain and Galahad, though the scarred knight was too hear the content. Whatever they were talking about, it had Faith laughing. And that sound was heard far too little. Dagonet wished his younger brothers in arms luck with the dark-haired girl.
"You'll come home with me, won't you, Faith?" pleaded Galahad, hauling the serving girl onto his lap.
Faith chuckled and patted his dark beard. "Galahad, I like younger men but I think that you need to find a pretty little thing with a sweet tooth."
Gawain chuckled and hauled Faith into his own arms, leaving Galahad to pout. "Then you need to marry me, don't you, Faith."
Faith laughed again. "Gawain, Gawain, Gawain, I'd hate to have to tame the lion." She tugged good-naturedly on one of his braids before wriggling out of his arms. "Now, what can I get for you boys?"
Galahad grinned. "You on a table?"
Faith shook her head and lightly smacked the top of his head with the tray she was carrying. "To drink?"
Gawain's blue eyes twinkled. This was a fun game. And Faith didn't seem to mind their sometimes lewd teasing. "I could think of a few things to drink," he offered, blatantly running his eyes down her body.
Faith arched a brow but her smile widened. These men would be so much fun in her time. The women of the twenty-first century would eat them alive. "Ale it is for the two of you, then," she announced, heading back towards the bar.
Gawain fell back against his younger friend laughing. "Ah, she's fun."
Galahad rubbed the top of his head. "Aye. Almost like a little sister."
Gawain narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Please tell me that you didn't talk like this to your little sister?" teased the golden knight.
Galahad blushed. "Four brothers, as you well know. No sisters. Near broke my mother's heart."
Gawain nodded and settled onto the bench beside his brother in arms. "Soon we'll be free," he murmured, eyes on the sky visible through the open courtyard facing the tavern.
Galahad sighed. "Aye. Then we can go home."
Gawain nodded, not saying anything. What more was there to say?
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Buffy set her suitcase on the bed and sighed. They'd managed to already go through three of the cities, Giles driving since he didn't trust his latest car to the slayer. Now they were in Chicago, having completed the search on Kansas City, St. Louis and Minneapolis, though not in that order. And in another hotel.
"Yes, Willow, I know that this is not an exact science," agreed Giles, rubbing the spot between his eyes that had ached since they had checked into the hotel. He didn't bother to add that he'd been practicing magic since well before Willow had entered puberty, though the thought crossed his mind. "And we'll keep you updated on our progress."
Buffy lifted out her clothes from the suitcase and stepped to the particleboard dresser provided by the hotel. Laying them in the drawer, she turned to face Giles. "So, how'd their search of the local nuthouses go?"
Giles sighed, laying his glasses on the bedside table. "Nothing. No sudden admissions of patients claiming to be from the past, the future, or another dimension." He rolled his neck, wincing as it popped. "We'll start our search in the morning. Thank you for letting me use your room phone since mine was inoperable," he added, rising from the chair and starting towards the door.
Buffy shut the drawer and met her friend's eyes, their hazel depths visible due to his lack of glasses. "No problem. Oh, and Giles?" She waited until he had stopped and faced her. "Thanks. I know that I'm not the easiest person to do a roadtrip with."
Giles shrugged, hazel eyes twinkling. "You're far easier to travel with than Ethan, Buffy Summers."
Buffy growled and launched a rolled up pair of socks at the older man, Giles quickly slamming the door shut to avoid her missile. His laughter could be heard in the hallway as he headed towards his own room.
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"I want to name them."
Bors turned over to face his lover, who was levered up on one arm. "Why now, Van?"
Vanora sighed. "Because you're about to be freed from service to Rome. And for thirteen years they've not had names. It is time."
Bors frowned. "Love, why change now?" He sat up, wincing as the muscles in his back protested. He was getting too old for the long patrols that were a part of his service to Rome.
Vanora sat up to face him. "Bors, I love you. The children love you. I want all to know they are yours and that you cared enough to name them."
Bors sighed. He wasn't going to win this particular argument. "After I have my papers. Then we'll name them all."
Vanora nodded. It was the best she was going to get.
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TBC...
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To My Wonderful Reviewers:
BleedingTwilight: Yes, naked twister. And she did say that she didn't want to do it anytime soon, not that she wasn't interested in playing naked twister with Tristan. We'll see what happens with Faith's plans for the scout. So glad you like her conversation with Vanora. Don't worry, I'll explain why Vanora's leery of matchmaking the scout soon. And, yes, Gilly needs to learn to no longer eavesdrop on women. And thank you. I don't care if you say it every time, it's wonderful to hear that you're excited to see the next chapter. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And more is coming.
Samantha/Anime Princess: Yup, the women are banding together. And, yes, poor Gilly is learning a lot of new slang. Here's more. And thank you. It's wonderful to hear such enthusiasm for the next chapter.
Anghel Ni Kamatayan: I don't think any of us would mind playing naked twister with Tristan. Thank you. Here's more and more is coming.
foxyloxylegolas: Glad that you like the naked twister. And it's gratifying that I'm not the only one who uses that particular phrase. So glad that you are enjoying and may you stay giddy.
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