Standard Disclaimer: KA and the legends are soooo not mine. The craziness of the characters is the only thing I own. Bad Language, Violence and Possible Sexual Scenes Warning. Don't like it, don't read.

Ah, chapter 16… whoa didn't expect to really get this far. I mean I half expected to just give up, but yay me I didn't! And thanks to my reviewers I didn't I kept up with this. My sis, was all "whatever, get it outta your system and get back to your homework." I love her for that. Anyways, the other knights aren't really gonna show up in this chapter or the next I don't think, but when they do, ooh it's gonna be fun! Also suggestions on annoying the hell outta Charity Templeton would be much appreciated, but remember she and Ria have to stay together… it's part of their destiny. Okay enough rambling and onto chapter 16….

The Year Apart- part 3

-Flashback-

My best friend had locked herself in the women's restroom of the swanky country club, her sobs were echoed despite the music, laughter and assorted noise from the outside. It was the Senior Ball, one of the most anticipated nights for a teenager girl… it was a pure and complete disaster. Especially for my best friend since kindergarten, Delu Elaine Tsubata, someone had rigged the Senior Montage with nudie pictures of pornstars with Del's face and a video of her in the locker room shower!

SO here we were in the women's restroom, Del crying her eyes out because truly it was the last straw and me trying to comfort my best friend. Or at least get her out of this horrible smelling restroom. Leaning against the cool metal of the stall, I pleaded with my best friend. After what seemed like hours, I finally managed to talk her through the worst of it and out of the stall at least; at the expense of my dress and heels from standing too long. Poor girl was reduced to even louder sobs against my shoulder.

"Hey, c'mon let's get outta here. I'm pretty sure everyone's left already or there's a really quiet orgy going on out there. Not sure which, but anywhere would be better'n this smelly bathroom dontcha think?" I remarked trying to go for a smile. I was rewarded with a baby of a smirk.
"Ria, your photo was up there too. How can you be so focused on me?" She wiped her nose with another wad of toilet paper; her nose much more raw from the action.
Dabbing the tears from her mascara runny eyes, though her skin was coffee colored, the evidence of tears were still obvious, before smiling reassuringly. "Delu Elaine Tsubata, firstly you are my bff since kindergarten; we've always looked after each other and secondly, the woman whose body my face was pasted on had bigger teats than I would ever have in a million years!"

"You know what your problem is Victoria? You worry too much 'bout others, you forget 'bout yourself. That's not healthy. I'll bet that if you ever killed anyone, you'd be worried if you'd hurt them." She retorted nudging me as we began to walk out of the restroom on shaky legs.

"Ha, very funny Delu; the only person I intend on murdering is the one who set this shit up." I motioned to the projector, the ballroom was empty. I suspected it had been a good few hours since the chaperones cleared everyone out because of the horrible prank.

"Oh? Who do you think it was?" She asked. We shared a look for a moment. "Right, why'd I even bother asking?"

Despite it all, we let ourselves laugh, loud and long into the night.

-End Flashback-

The memory of Senior Ball night brought my mind back to the conversation I overheard between Claudia and Phillipus on the way to Constantinople. It was a night I had turned in early to avoid the sympathetic looks my friends were giving me. I mean yeah I feel like crap, I have done something totally and completely uncharacteristic of me, I realize that I have taken a man's life (albeit a piece of shit of a man) but the constant sidestepping and acting like I'm some wilting endangered flower won't help my current disposition!

Claudia was worried about the affects of Heribero's death on me. Phillipus had this idea that I would eventually bounce back from whatever bothered me, actually he was rather adamant about it. However, the way that I have been feeling I couldn't agree more with the Aphrodite look-alike.

Yet it wasn't anybody's problem but my own and I shouldn't bother my friends with my burdens. It's time for a change, even if my battle will be internal; I won't draw them into it.

"Good Morning my duckies!" I bounded into the dining area for breakfast with a smile on my face, oh the stunned looks on their faces will keep me in stitches for ages! Well, except for Charity, who seemed to be enduring the after affects of a hangover, HA! I know I shouldn't be laughing at her misfortune, but sweet jeezus the Bitch Queen irks me enough sober. It was that morning I made the change, to be a person that I have always been for the sake of those I care for.
We stayed a month in Constantinople, mostly because business was good for Hassan and the other traders. During said month, Brat became my adopted sister Jerica Esperanza Reynaldi y Cortés, although how it was managed I'm not entirely certain because apparently the Benedictus family had a lot of strongholds in the Roman Government.

I spent a lot of time in the market, learning mostly and stretching my legs with Loca. My cat has this odd habit of running off every now and again, but I'm not worried, she always comes back.

Anyway, as for my mental health, the dreams haven't been getting any better; I went to bed, but I did not sleep, sleeping means dreaming and dreams become nightmares of Heriberto's last moments by my claws and teeth. How animalistic does that sound? Very, and it freaks me out that I even did that.

Sure it was in self defense, and any other time I think I would have argued that… if it weren't me. I mean, I am a woman… heh, right I don't believe that one bit; because in that moment when I tore out his throat, I wasn't human. And that scared me.

Loca was there for me at every possible time I need her, like if Charity was being a serious pain in the ass, Loca would trot by and growl. I thank whoever brought her to me (mostly Merlin) tenfold for such a gift. Loca seemed to be the only one whom I could really turn to, almost like she understood me. I think there is more magic in her than I had originally thought, but anyways that's a thought for another day.

My friends saw me as I once was: happy, Charity-hating, sarcastic and self-righteous; it was only when I was alone that I felt the self-loathing and regret that would tear my mind apart. I did everything I could to distract myself, denying that I was only pushing my conscience about Heriberto further and further into the recesses of my mind. Who knows when I would crack from it?

The night before we left Constantinople was Phillipus' birthday; Lord Claudius had a huge bash for the event. A little history lesson (A/N: and this is very true because I had a class based on women in Rome and Greece of Ancient times) despite what the movies and newer literature depict, the only women allowed in such parties were dancers and whores, not wives or "dates" or anything of the like, only "upstanding" men in society would wine and dine while the women would be at home minding the hearth with the occasional daytrip. Stupid, huh?

So while all that bullshit was going on downstairs, we (as in Inara, Claudia, Jerica, Ysuelet and me) were in my chambers doing sleepover kinds of things. Stuff like truth or dare, trying on my clothes, dancing to my music on my side-kick, taking pictures (my doing) and whatnot. Loca lounged at the base of my bed napping without a care in the world. If you're wondering where Charity was during all this, I didn't think it was totally necessary to mention she was downstairs… yeah, enough said.

"Okay, okay, Claudia I dare you to wear my jeans and dance to this song, but inserting Dagonet's name at the proper intervals," I challenged the giddy noblewoman. She stared at me red-faced, as I showed her how to move her hips just right in my other pair of torn fitted jeans. The song was My Boo by Inoj

Dag you should know that
I've got you on my mind
Your secret admire
I've been watching you

(Chorus)
At night I think of you
I want to be your lady baby
If your game is on give me a call Dag
If your lovin's strong gonna give my all to you
(repeat)

Everyday I pray my heart can win
Every night I pray I can call you my Dag(yeah yeah yeah)
I need you
I want you
To have you, hold you, squeeze you
So I'm going out every weekend
Just to see my Dag again

(Chorus)
At night I think of you
I want to be your lady baby
If your game is on give me a call Dag
If your lovin's strong gonna give my all to you
(repeat)

These feeling I have for you
Can go deeper if you can come
Correct with you game Dag (no, no)
No you can't be lame Dag
But if you can please me
Than my love will come easy
I'll do anything you want
Freak me Dag
I'm thinking of you

(Chorus)
At night I think of you
I want to be your lady baby
If your game is on give me a call Dag
If your lovin's strong gonna give my all to you
(repeat)

Dag you got all I need
From what I see
And Dag every night I am constantly thinking of you

(Chorus)
At night I think of you
I want to be your lady baby
If your game is on give me a call Dag
If your lovin's strong gonna give my all to you
(repeat)

(My Boo by Inoj, changed to fit the story)

When Claudia finished the song, the lot of us cheered and laughed so hard as we continued our game. I'm so glad that I have a video camera on this phone, maybe when Clauds and I are bored we can watch it by ourselves. Next was Br- I mean Jerica and she asked what my feelings were for Tristan and Phillipus.

"Oi, that's evil Br- I mean Jerica," I stated in mock reprimand. "I like them both, only differently. I mean, Gaad, they're both incredibly attractive and sensual and fit and chivalrous and …"

"Uh-huh, but which wou'd ya wanna do?" Jerica broke in sending the other girls into peals of laughter at my reaction.

"Please don't say my brother," Claudia begged me as all of us laughed even harder. Before I could answer, Phillipus barged in.

"Hey, private party bucko!" I yelled at him, standing up with all intentions of pushing him out; instead he grasped my arm and pulled me out of my chambers closely followed by the others protesting my being dragged away. "Oi, leave off! I'm not invited to your party and I don't wanna be. Stop it!"

Phillipus had brought me to the grand hall where all the other Romans celebrating his birthday were, we were center stage as the hoighty-toighty-stick-up-their-arses people were.

"Everyone, this is my fiancée, Victoria. We will be married by the end of the year."

"WHAT?" My exclamation was swallowed by loud cheers from the drunkards while Phillipus' lips descended forcefully on mine.

Frightening flashbacks of my wedding to Heriberto had forced me to struggle and fight my friend until he dragged me away from the limelight and onto the balcony.

"Wha's wrong Ria?" he slurred, peering into my face. The stench of Roman wine was poison that caused me to gag.

Pushing him away, I called him several types of bastard in every language I knew, "Get away from me!" I yelled at him with a right hook to his jaw, which although felt very good, is not the best thing to do to a drunk; especially if that drunk happens to believe himself superior and your future fiancé.

Fury was in his eyes, gone was the sweet gentleman I'd met in Britannia, it almost looked like he was gonna hit me, but beating him to the punch (literally) I brought Phillipus to his knees. "OH, did that hurt? Well, while you're down there, I want you to listen and listen well. I didn't leave Britain to get married, I didn't leave to be forced into shit I don't agree to and I sure as hell didn't leave to end up killing people especially not my FRIEND!" I screeched at him drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity.

His fury dissipated to hurt and realization of what he could nearly have done. "Ria… I –." Before he could finish, I marched heavily through the crowd back to my room with a slam of the door. Thank God, I'm leaving tomorrow. That whole little balcony display was too much drama, but what I did say was true. I had left Britannia in hopes of finding where I belonged in this world, this time, and to cure myself of this boredom I felt which didn't include marriage or killing.

The next morning, the golden hues of the sunrise greeted us as we made ready for our trip. Charity was (surprisingly) not hungover from last night's party that went on despite my outburst, Claudia told me this morning that Lord Claudius had been bothering his son to get married and in his drunken state chose me because I looked more homely like a proper wife than Charity. Ugh! As if I didn't have enough problems.
Claudia stood at the gate to see us off and bid us good journey, Lord Benedictus had graciously lent the four of us (Charity, Ysuelet, Jerica and me) strong Roman horses but wasn't there to present them to us himself. Oh well.

"When you've finished seeing the world you'll come back right?" Claudia asked, tears shining in her eyes.

"Promise. Besides, you have to be there when I show Dags your little video." I replied with a grin and tight hug, her shocked gasp made reduced me to giggles. Just as the look on her face as she tried to see if her father or brother was around.

"You said it wasn't recording, you lied?"

"Did not, I told you I was making a 'keepsake'." Poking her side, I answered indignantly. We hugged again as I mounted my horse, a strong black mare 17 hands high with white socks, a white diamond on her forehead and shocking blue eyes; Loca (who seemed to shrink somehow) was in the saddlebags, the lazy little furball.

With a final wave I led my horse (less than gracefully) out the main gate towards the city's gates. I was the last to leave, just as I left the city rapid hoof beats raced towards me causing me to look to the approaching rider… it was Phillipus. And he looked rather disheveled.

"Victoria! Wait!"

"Oh, Phillipus. Good-bye." I led my horse away until he stopped his in front of mine. Sighing I tried to get past him, but his mount kept blocking my way.

"Ria, forgive me. I wasn't thinking straight." Phil apologized and once again I saw the man I knew, but the damage was already done and now I'm going back on my journey. Like I should have done.

"Yeah you were, just with the wrong head," I chuckled and rolled my eyes when he looked at me puzzled. "Sweetheart. You're a man, and men only think straight when they have an erection," I patted his cheek affectionately, "albeit it's usually pointed at the trampiest woman, but that's a story for another day. Take care of yourself, alright?"

"Will you come back?"

"Maybe." I shrugged.

"Why do you leave? To return to Britannia? Tell me do you love him, Tristan?" I stopped and looked at him. What brought this up?

"I leave because I made a choice. I leave because I have promises to keep." I nudged my mount again.

"You didn't answer my question Victoria."

Until I was about ten paces away, I turned the horse to face him, before replying, "Yes."

A/N: Argh! I'm sorry it took so long. I'm blocked on this one, and the two other ones I'm writing. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Thanks much to my reviewers, you guys are absolutely fabulous. One more chapter before Britain again. I'm thinking a letter perhaps? Who knows? See you in Chapter 17.

Also, thanks to Silver Magiccraft for the horse correction. Wow, I guess all the horses I wrote about are tiny.