Jorik woke early morning. The fire in the pit was blazing, the house sounded empty. With a groan he walked upstairs to find Lydia in her room cleaning, Argis was nowhere to be found. "Where is he?"

"He went to the market," Lydia answer quietly.

"I'm heading to Dragonsreach," Jorik stated. He gave Lydia a final glance and headed out of the house. He stopped short when he stepped outside. Argis was there with a few provisions in his hands. Jorik stepped out of the way, "I'll be back shortly."

Argis watched him go with a curious look, not sure what put Jorik in this mood. He knew something was up, but couldn't put his finger on it. He walked through the door to find Lydia standing by the fire. "Where is Jorik going?"

Lydia fidgeted for a moment and then let out a weary sigh. "He's gone to speak with the Jarl."

"Why?" Argis asked with narrowed eyes.

Lydia didn't answer, she shrugged her shoulders and turned her back. That was one question she couldn't answer. She was pretty sure she knew what was going on, but not for sure. It worried her.

~oooooooooooo~

Jorik sat in a chair across from Balgruuf, they both shared a bottle of mead. "What are your plans now?" Balgruuf asked quietly.

"I am going to that Thalmor party and finding information there. As for my personal life I haven't got a clue," Jorik muttered.

"Do you love your husband?" Balgruuf asked, holding his breath.

"No, I barely know him. I did this all to save his life. Plus I owe him… a lot."

"Isn't this too much of a payment?" Balgruuf asked.

"Probably," Jorik shrugged and downed his mug.

"When do you leave?"

"Right after I leave here. Then I head to this party, after that who knows. When I come back to Whiterun I'll stop in," Jorik promised as he rose to his feet.

"Before, you told me that you were married I had planned… I guess it doesn't matter now."

Jorik stared at Balgruuf intently, he threw all caution to the wind. Not caring what he was about to do was wrong, broke his very vow he made. He jerked Balgruuf's head down to his own, his mouth tasting the Jarl. He felt the shock, but also acceptance as Balgruuf pulled him closer.

"Stay," Balgruuf murmured against his mouth.

"Not this time," Jorik said as he stepped away. Without another word he made his way out of Dragonsreach.

~oooooooooooooooo~

Jorik grinned as another Thalmor fell beneath his blade. So far there was no one alive. He had searched everyone room, every hall and killed all Thalmor he found. No one was safe from his blade. He could feel the dragon souls calling to him, pushing him to conquer and that was exactly what he planned on doing. He would show these elves who was their master, they would bend to him in the end.

When he was finished those that lived they would know who he was.

He walked down the stairs and saw a man chained in a cell. Another sat behind a desk looking over papers. Jorik strode over to the seated man, not carrying that the elf had already called his magic. He scowled and slashed out sharply, his blade meeting flesh but not killing.

The souls wanted blood, they wanted his pain for standing against him. He lunged forward answer their call, his grin widening as his blade sunk home. He heard the gurgle of blood as the elf tried to breath and watched as the body slump to the ground.

He looked towards the man in the cell. "Why are they holding you?" Jorik asked.

"They look for a man. I told them that I think it's a man called Esbern in Riften," the man asked.

Jorik nodded and released the man. "Get out of here. I have more blood to spill."

Jorik watched as the man ran to a trap door. Dovahkiin rushed to where he could hear more voice. His eyes widened when he saw Malibourn with them. He could see his fear and moving quickly killing the one that held him quickly. The other he grabbed the elf's shoulder, turning him and sliding his blade deep in his back. "Search the bodies and pass me the key when you find it." Jorik ordered as he turned towards the trunk that was behind the desk.

"I've got the keys," Malabourn called and ran to where the prisoner waited.

"Good pass it over," Jorik said as he held out his hand. Quickly he unlocked the trap door and dropped down.

Finally this mission was over. He looked down at the frost troll he had just killed and closed his eyes. The souls were really pressing against him. He could barely focus on what the other two were saying. He groaned as the chanting became louder and dropped onto one knee. His hands gripped his head, and waited for the chanting to stop.

Slowly as if coming out of a fog the chanting quietened but didn't stop. He walked out of the cave and debated onto where he should go. He had promised Balgruuf that he would go back to Dragonsreach, but there was more to do on these lands.

~oooooooooooooo~

Balgruuf rose from his seat when Jorik walked in. He wasn't sure what to expect and was surprised when Jorik walked up the stairs without a word. Balgruuf followed quickly wondering what to expect. He followed Jorik to his room, closing the door quietly behind them.

"I shouldn't be here," Jorik muttered, his voice deeper than normal Balgruuf noticed.

"Then why did you show?"

"I promised," Jorik answered in a groan as he sat on the edge of the bed. "And for things I shouldn't want."

Balgruuf watched him for a moment and took a seat on the bed next to him. He hesitantly placed a hand on Jorik's shoulder. He knew what he wanted, but he also knew it was wrong of him to want it.

Their eyes met and the decision was made. Balgruuf made the first move, leaning in and capturing Jorik's mouth in a heated kiss that Jorik returned with equal measure. They knew exactly where this would lead and Jorik accepted the consequences.

~oooooooooooo~

Late into the night Balgruuf woke to a warm body holding him close. He closed his eyes enjoying the feel of Jorik so close, but he knew this relationship would never last. He felt Jorik stir beside him, a sleepy groan leaving him as he rolled onto his back.

"You should go before you husband suspects," Balgruuf said distantly.

"Yeah I should. I'm not sure when I will be back…" Jorik answered, his voice flat, no emotions showed. Balgruuf watched as Jorik rose and dressed, his heart ache because he knew this would never happen again. He knew nothing more could happen.

The door closed firmly behind Jorik, "Good bye my friend, may you find peace one day."