((A/N This chapter has more romance and mature themes, warnings for swearing and sexual situations.))

Ch. 7

It was far too cold outside to venture out, deciding on more comfortable surroundings they'd opted on remaining indoors. Clearing the furniture from the den Clint had made a wide space for them to practice their combat session in. Khaleesi stood a few feet away from him wearing dark brown suede pants and one of his long sleeved shirts, the extra length tied into a knot at her hip to pick up the slack.

Doing her best to mirror his posture, she followed his lead, circling. Hands held up in front of his face in a protective boxer's stance, Clint did his very best not to show amusement at her question.

"Why must I wear this infernal sticky tape?" She asked complaining softly.

He reached out, pausing their lesson to adjust the tape on her hands.

"I told you Khali, I don't want you cutting up your knuckles. Now when I count to three I want you to do like I showed yea and make a fist, punch the palm of my hand." Demonstrating his meaning, Clint lightly punched the palm of his hand.

"One...Whoa wait, here bring up your left arm, protect yourself while you use the other to punch. Don't leave yourself open for attack."

Giving her the gentle instruction, Clint began the countdown again.

"One...Two...Three!"

Licking her lips in concentration, Khaleesi took a deep breath clearing her mind as she made the first attempt. Jabbing weakly at his open palm connecting with her target tentatively at best, even that slight hit stung her small hand, but the look of approval from her teacher made all of it seem trivial in comparison.

Clint smiled broadly.

"Yeah, okay good. Now again harder, you won't hurt me."

When she made to punch his hand again he surprised her by moving the target away and her punch went wide at the loss of contact, causing the young woman to stumble forward. Clint couldn't but chuckle and helped her regain her posture.

"Sorry, sorry, had to keep it interesting. Again!"

Half an hour later Khaleesi was breathing hard, lungs burning with the effort, the muscles in her shoulders and forearms aching. Wiping sweat from her brow, fatigue evident in her slowing movements.

"May we stop please?" She requested breathlessly.

Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Clint shook his head, continuing to circle her.

"Your opponent isn't going to care if you're tired, Khaleesi. Their going to count on it, use it to their advantage if you let them."

He knew damn well they should stop, that she was exhausted, that he was taking things to far. She needed to understand that what had happened that day with Hendricks was a fluke, a perfect storm of possibilities that allowed her to survive, nothing more than blind luck. Making a motion as if to strike an upper cut, he gave her no choice but to try an duck out of range, knowing all the while it would be a futile attempt. Always one step ahead of her, he swept his leg underneath and she dropped to the ground landing on her butt with a loud 'oomph' Her forearm immediately raising to deflect the inevitable blow.

Towering over her, Clint chest heaved with labored breathing.

"Get up, come on!"

When she only stared up at him eyes wide, the Archer's pointing his finger accusingly down at her.

"You want another man to try and beat you to death?! Because I sure as hell don't." He said his voice low and tight.

Khaleesi only stare up at him in shock, eyes suddenly brimming with tears.

Taken aback, Clint realized he'd screwed up, royally. What the hell had come over him? Rubbing his chin brashly he made to help her up off the floor but Khaleesi immediately shoved at his hands, a sob catching in her throat. Running a hand through his hair now he cursed loudly, taking a step back. Disgusted with himself he watched helplessly as she crawled to her knees, stumbling out of the den as she ran.

Kicking the chair nearest to him he watched the defenseless furniture as it splintered across the room.

His scream of frustration echoing.

"God..Damnit!"

He made to kick the chair again and thought better of it and turned to run after her. He didn't have to search far, he found her standing in the large bath room adjoining her bedroom, a huge deep stone soaking tub in it's center, the water running it poured from the stone ceiling filling the basin. Khaleesi was struggling to pull the long sleeved shirt up over her head, giving a short aggravated cry when it caught on her elbow.

Without hesitation Clint reached out grabbing her flaying arms, further managing to startled the poor girl.

"Khaleesi, listen I'm sorry, damn it would you listen to me!?" He exclaimed shouting.

She wrenched away from his, tears staining her cheeks, and Clint felt the once iron clad resolve he'd established crumbling away to nothing, the disturbingly sensual sight of her biting her lower lip, the heated glare of her violet eyes were burning him alive. Willing some semblance of order, he desperately tried to apologize.

"I was outta line alright, I'm sorry I just…I just need you understand."

His second attempt to touch her shoulders was rewarded by Khaleesi jerking away from him, her temper flaring hot.

"Understand, understand what! That I am hopelessly out matched? That I couldn't begin to protect myself from..."

Slapping at his hands, her voice rose in volume.

"...From a man I've known my whole life who would happily murder me for crimes I didn't commit!"

Lips quivering she couldn't will herself to break his gaze as she continued her ranting.

"Or...Or, the maddening way you make me feel when you touch me, I feel possessed, as if I cannot breathe...and all the while you refuse to acknowledge it. Is it that you blame me as well for his misdeeds...what he did to you?"

Having heard enough, he reached out towards her, and pulling her fiercely into his breathing was her only reply, as she tried to compose herself. Hands clutching at his waist without realizing, and prying them away he silently lifted her arms above her head while he pulled the thin material up and over her head, a small gasp escaping her lips as he revealed her breasts, nipples hardening in the cool air.

"My reasons don't have a fucking thing to do with that monster...and every bit to do with the insane...consuming way you make me feel because If I don't, there's nothing standing in between me and what I want."

Dropping the shirt on the floor Clint wiped the tears from beneath her eyes his thumb. Those calloused hands, the feeling of his touch making her close her eyes as his other hand dipped down between them fingertips ghosting over the waistline of her pants.

"What I know we both want...you just don't know how to ask yet."

His voice was low and filled with raspy need, it made her stomach tighten with desire, heart beating wildly.

Tugging at the lace of her pants loosening the ties, his hand slid neatly inside to cup her most intimate parts, watching that soft sweet mouth gasp in shock he felt himself coming undone. A few fleeting seconds, his warm expert touch pulling her apart at the seams, whimpering she arched her back, pushing herself against the palm of his hand.

"Tell me to stop Khaleesi...and I will, but if you don't tell me right this second, I won't stop."

Lavender eyes gazing up at him through thick lashes she whispered the words that came easily and with confidence. Her reply the salvation he'd waited an eternity for.

"Stay."