A/N: Hey guys, sorry about being away for so long. Real life has a funny way of getting in the way. But, thankfully, I have had a chance to work on A Mage's Quest in the past few weeks. I hope you enjoy. Though I do enjoy the wonderful reviews most of you leave, I would like to stress that I can always improve. And the only way I can do that is if you criticize! ^.^ As always, I don't own anything at all about Blizz or WoW.

Her face was warm. Sunlight assaulted her eyes through her lids. She groaned, rolling over. Jin'ala was not ready to get up yet. She was exhausted. And why the fel was the room spinning like that? She searched her memories for anything that could explain this strange feeling of being hungover. Almost like she'd had too much to drink. She hadn't, had she? Jinny remembered being completely sapped of energy as they'd rode in last night. She could barely make calculations as she 'd sold the pelts and tried to make change for their customers. After the last pelt was sold, she drug her tried body to the stable to check on Myndee one last time before trudging to the inn only to crawl into bed.

She hadn't done anything to warrant feeling this way. So why did she? Jenny squeezed her eyes shut. She was surprised at the recollection of vibrant fel-green eyes that came to mind. Vibrant eyes, and a shock of white hair with a smile that was menacing yet warm and inviting all at the same time. Gold-flecked eyes burst open. Who is that? A dream? Yes, it had to have been a dream. But, a dream couldn't make her feel like this...would it?

"Mage? You awake?"

She groaned in response. "Stop pounding on the door!" There was a loud rebellious squeak from the hinges, akin to nails on a chalkboard, as they groaned in protest of their use. "Ugh! Must you be so loud?" She threw a pillow over her head and glared at the tall Sin'dorei as he entered the room.

"You're still in bed, Mage?" he tisked with a disapproving shake of the head. "You spend so much time in bed, it's a wonder your muscles don't wither away!"

"Shhhh!" she hissed at him.

Darreek's ears twitched. Something was wrong. He lowered his voice to a soothing tone. "Mage. What's the matter?"

Jinny sighed heavily. "I'm fine." She didn't feel fine, but there was no reason for her to feel this way. She needed to get up and moving. She just wasn't used to traveling like this. They had set a breakneck pace from Andorhol. That must be the reason she felt so awful. The little elf sat up, but decided that had been a bad idea as the room whirled around her. Jinny pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes, willing away the nausea that threatened her constitution.

The red-headed man gave her a stern glare. "You're lying."

"No, I'm not. I'm fine." To prove her point, the mage threw the blankets aside and stood. Instantly, her vision blurred, and her knees turned to mush, refusing to support her weight. She never understood how he did it, but Darreek was immediately at her side, snaking his arm around her waist, supporting her when her legs wouldn't The warrior gently placed her back on the bed.

There was genuine concern in his voice when he spoke. "Mage. I don't think you're able to travel today. Why don't we just wait until you're..."

"No!" she cut in. Jinny felt like she'd been trampled by a heard of stampeding Kodo, but she was determined to make it to Shattrath City. "We lost enough time in the Plaguelands. We...I...cannot afford any more delays." She paused, breathing through her nose to combat the queasiness. The little elf steeled herself and stood again, bracing against one of the posts on the bed.

"Mage, there's something wrong with you." His voice was firm.

Jinny glared at him through half-closed lids. "I am fine. I just need to get dressed and moving."

The warrior's brow knitted together as he tried to put the pieces into place. She was slurring her words.

"What?" she grit.

"Look at me."

"No."

"Look at me."

"I don't...why?"

Darreek was starting to get frustrated. "Will you just look at me?"

"No," Jinny shot back.

"Damn it! I'm not asking anymore," he growled, grasping her chin and forcing her to face him. The mage's eyes finally found his as she scowled at him. The man scrutinized her face, only to drop his hand and huff. Angry footsteps moved away from Jinny as she closed her eyes once more. Darreek looked at her and started to say something but stopped, shaking his head and pacing. His anger seemed to grow with every step.

"Who did you get it from?"

Jinny's head shot up. He wasn't even looking at her. "Who did I get what from?"

It was like he hadn't even heard her. "You know, I would've never pegged you for something like this." He looked at her now. Hurt, disbelief and, of course, anger shadowing his features. "But, I guess I was wrong," he spat at her.

Jinny shook her head, not understanding. "Wha-what are you talking about?"

"Oh, please! You know exactly what I'm talking about!"

The tiny elf clutched her head. She was starting to get a headache. She tried to keep her tone even. "I have no idea what you're talking about." A weary sigh escaped her lips. "Will you please hand me those robes?"

He did, still seething. "Have you even seen what that can do to someone? Do you know what happens to them when they loose control?"

"When who looses control of WHAT?"

Darreek studied her again. The tiny elf seemed even smaller as she sat on the edge of the bed, hands stilled in the middle of buttoning her robes. She hadn't even cared that he'd been standing there. Even considering how angry he was.

"Don't sit there and beat around the bush. You're better than that...well, at least, I used to think so..." he paused, regarding her for a moment, hurt and bitterness making his eyes shimmer. Suddenly, he was a flurry of movement. "You know what? I don't care." He grabbed one of her bags, stuffing her things into it. "Come on. Let's get moving."

"Wait! Just wait, please." Darreek stopped. The look on his face relaying annoyance. "Not two minutes ago, you were insisting that I stay in bed. Now, you're pushing me out the door!" Tears threatened just below the surface. She fought them. She did not want to cry in front of him. That would only been seen as a low-down, dirty attempt to get her own way. She was bent on keeping it together. "I promise you. I have no idea what you are talking about. I only know I woke up like this and I feel so sick, but I have to keep going because I have to get to Shattrath." Jinny couldn't hold them back anymore. Her insides were all messed up and nothing was making any sense. "And now, you're angry with me for some reason that I'm supposed to understand, but I don't; and now that I'm crying, you'll probably be angry with me for that, too. But I honestly don't know why you're angry and I...I'm...just so lost!"

Darreek watched the little mage as she completely broke down, pulling her knees up and burying her face in her hands. He still wasn't sure if she was telling the truth. Though, she did seem genuinely confused. He sighed, trying to calm himself. "Mage. What do you do to...cope with the addiction?"

The woman quieted and stiffened. His questioning her about that put her on edge. She'd always prided herself on the fact that while she did use magic, the thirst didn't control her. She huffed, annoyance flaring. "That's a stupid question," she said, rubbing her hands across her eyes. "You've just spent almost two weeks with me, and you have to ask me how I cope with it?"

"Just tell me," he grit out between his teeth.

Jinny snorted a cynical laugh, "I meditate every morning. But, you already knew that because you've seen me do it for almost two weeks now!" The little elf glared at him. She still felt like shit, but her anger was giving her strength to continue the fight. "Why is this even in question?" she demanded.

He stared, incredulous that she'd even ask such a thing. "Why? Why? Because you're hungover, that's why," he spat out.

"Hungover? I didn't drink at all last night. I..."

"I'm not talking about an alcohol hangover! You've been siphoning magic!"

"What?" Jin'ala couldn't believe what he was saying. "You ...you think I've been taking..." her voice drifted off, not even able to finish the thought.

"You have!" he was becoming extremely angry now and he began to yell. "And don't even think that you can lie to me about it! My...I used to see people like this all the time. I know what it is."

"But I..." her energy dissolved. She slouched, defeated. She hadn't done what he was accusing her of, but there wasn't anything she could say to convince him of that.

Darreek tossed her bag at her feet. "Come on." he said, calmer now, but still decidedly angry. "We've got to get going. I'll be waiting for you with Argonos and Myndee." And with that, he turned on his heel and just about slammed the door behind him.

Jinny covered her face with her hands and sobbed. None of this was making any sense. What was going on? What had happened last night? Why didn't she remember? The little mage curled up and cried. When her tears were spent, she forced herself to get up. Her movements were slow, but she was relieved that the room had finally stopped spinning.

Jin'ala squinted against the sun as she emerged from the inn. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and down to shield her eyes. It seemed to help some. Myndee squawked a happy greeting at the elf. By the light, that bird was loud. The woman fastened her bags to the hawkstrider and carefully mounted up. She was grateful that she wouldn't have to walk. At least Myndee could keep up.

The mage felt better than she had that morning. Still a little shaky, but better. The warrior had been all but dumping water down her throat the entire day and, truthfully, it had made her headache ease and her stomach settle. Beyond that, the warrior hadn't spoke at all. This unnerved her and she didn't know why. Right now, however, she just didn't have the energy to figure it out.

Her eyes followed him as he finished setting up camp. They were in the Arathi Highlands and had found a small alcove of rocks to nestle against for the night. She'd managed to prepare some warm drinks and a light meal. The fire had been tricky. The rain saw to that. It had begun shortly after they'd left, which had suited her just fine. It wasn't quite so bright. It did, however, make for a cold journey through the rest of the rolling foothills in which the tiny village of Tarren Mill had been established.

She offered the warrior a steaming cup as he sat down across from her, which he took. Darreek nodded a quick and silent 'thanks'. An awkward silence hung between the two. It had been like this all day. Jinny had wanted to say something, anything to make things right, but he had withdrawn. His entire attitude had changed to that of a stony, cold professional. He didn't look at her with warm and caring eyes anymore. The little elf sighed quietly. She guessed he wouldn't ever again. She had to do something to change that...but what? A dark cloud of depression settled over her. She felt like crying again. Forcing away all emotion, Jinny tried to focus on the territory they were about to journey through in the coming days.

"We'll be moving into the Alliance territory soon, won't we?" she asked cautiously.

He nodded.

"How long do you think it will take us to make it to the Wetlands?"

He shrugged.

"Are there any little towns or outposts between here and Searing Gorge?"

Again, she only received a silent response: He shook his head 'no'. A sharp, exasperated breath puffed from her lungs. Was he really giving her the silent treatment? She gazed out over the flat grassy land, brooding. Stony Earth elementals performed ancient dances across the plains, walking age-old patrols.

Her chin jutted towards the elementals. "They won't attack us, will they?"

Darreek followed her gaze, then looked back to her, shaking his head 'no'.

She sighed and tried again. "What do you suppose they're protecting?"

The warrior shrugged.

Jin'ala growled. "Look, I know you're angry. I get it. You think I went out and tapped magic, even though I did no such thing! But personally, right now, I couldn't care less about what you 'think' I've done. Right now, all I care about is getting to Shattrath City and ridding myself of you. I don't have time for the childish antics and temper tantrums. So, what I expect from you from here on out is that you act as the professional I was assured you were."

She could see indignation flare in his eyes, making them shine brighter for only a second before fading into a flat stare that chilled her to the bone.

"As you wish, Magister." His stony voice spoke volumes.

Her ears drooped a little. She knew this was what she'd asked for, but it didn't make the feeling of loss any less oppressing. The mage looked at her half-eaten bowl of soup. She didn't really feel much like eating anymore. Silently taking her leave, the little elf stood and moved away a few feet to make up her bed, feeling even smaller, if that was possible.

She lay there long after he'd retired for the night. Thoughts racing through her head. The warrior said he'd seen this before. Had accused her of...tapping mana. Jinny couldn't understand. She'd accidentally discovered the ability to tap mana when she was very young, but her mother had caught her tapping from a mana wyrmling shortly after and thoroughly chastised and punished her. At the end of that month she vowed if she had to muck out one more hawkstrider's stall, she'd scream.

Her mother had also taught her in those thirty days how to meditate to calm the urges. Not once since then had she even given thought to such actions. So why would he impute her of such a horrible thing? Especially when he'd never witnessed her acting on those impulses. It wasn't like there weren't suitable creatures roaming where ever they slept. She'd had plenty of opportunity, though she'd never given in to it.

Sleep finally came to Jin'ala sometime shortly before sunrise. A fitful sleep. Riddled with men with white hair and bright green eyes.