Maybe I Will Chapter 12
Disclaimer: No, I do not own anything in this story recognizable from Beka Cooper: Terrier. If I did, Rosto and Beka would sooo be together already!!
AN: Alright. I felt bad for ranting without having my facts straight, so I got the stats all sorted out a few days ago. DO NOT READ IF ALLERGIC TO LONG AUTHOR'S NOTES OR 6TH GRADE MATH. Good. Now, the first chapter has no reviews because I put up two at once. So it's not listed.
Ch. 2: 0.9 Reviewed
Ch. 3: 1.2 Reviewed
Ch. 4: 1.6 Reviewed
Ch. 5: 3.5 Reviewed
Ch. 6: 2.1 Reviewed
Ch. 7: 2.7 Reviewed
Ch. 8: 3.2 Reviewed
Ch. 9: 6.3 Reviewed
Ch. 10: 3.4 Reviewed
Ch. 11: 12.4 Reviewed
Total: 2 Reviewed
Do you think I have sufficient reason to rant? Leave your answer in a REVIEW!!
Thank you to all of the people who did review. You are the only reason I write this!! Oh, and special thanks to Mrs. Dom Masbolle, cause (s)he is a loyal reviewer that I forgot to mention last time. Now, on to the story!
Ha ha! Not yet! Now, I wasn't grounded, as you all seem to think, my Mom just didn't want me on the computer. It was a household ban. Not yet lifted, but she's not here, so…
Rosto POV:
I'll admit, I was shocked when Goodwin said Beka would ride with me. Pleased, but shocked. I thought she hated my guts. Beka looked pleased as well. Is it because she's riding with me, or because she isn't riding with Goodwin herself?
She just wants to be friends with you. A small voice whispered in my ear as I helped Beka mount, then pulled myself up. I put my arms around her to reach the reins, and rode after the others. Ah, arguing with oneself is a sure sign of madness. And a great way to burn time.
Erskren said it was something to do with her mother. Maybe she does and is abiding with her mothers wishes.
If her mother means more than you, she certainly is not interested.
NO. That means she loves her mother enough to abide by her even after death.
What if it has nothing to do with her mother?
How would I know?
Ask.
Ah, I forgot. Arguing with yourself also helps decide inner struggles. It was a bit nearly nightfall, and we were making good time, so Goodwin had us stop to rest for the night. She abruptly stood.
"I am going to bathe. Can you take care of yourselves that long?" Without waiting for an answer, she walked off. Kora looked at me'n Beka, and pulled Erskren up.
"C'mon, we'll get firewood." They left, with Erskren mumbling something like 'we don't need firewood.' I looked at Beka as she dug into a piece of wood with her dagger, which looked familiar…
"Hey, Beka. A while back Erskren mentioned something about you never going with a rusher. Because of your ma, or sommat. Care to explain?"
Mixed POV: Beka's thoughts. Rosto's thoughts
Beka turned slowly toward Rosto. "Why?"
Why does he want to know?! Oh. He's wondering if there's a reason behind my constant refusals.
Rosto grinned mischievously. "Just curious is all."
Curious if you have feelings for me, and are honoring your mother, or if you just dislike me.
Beka nodded. "My mother was with rushers quite a bit after my father. They had a tendency to knock me around. They tried to get the younger ones, but I blocked them every time. The last one found out she had lung rot. He beat her, then took everything of value, with her bleeding from the mouth and with two black eyes. He left. I Dogged him, and found he was with a gang. Bold Brass, it was, and giving my Lord a lot of trouble. That's why our family lives in his home. But I promised myself then, never a rusher. Besides, I'm a Dog. A Rat wouldn't do me any good at home." She looked down. There were all her reasons for not taking his offers all those times, laid out for him to see.
Maybe he'll leave it be, or maybe he'll argue my logic away. We'll see.
Those are her reasons, huh? Well, I believe I may have a chance. We'll see.
"Do you think I'd hurt you? Or that you couldn't pay back every bruise in full?" Both of them knew that this conversation hadn't been in general, but concerning just them.
"No… You wouldn't hurt me. And I could get back every one…" He nodded. She wanted him to continue. She was giving him a chance.
Yes! She'll give me a chance.
Don't screw this up, Rosto. You only get one.
"Kora and Erskren made it work. She knows all my business, so it's not that much different."
Please let that be what she wanted to hear. I won't get another chance.
"Yes. That is true…" She sighed.
He passed. Well, I did decide to give him a chance. Here we go… Before she could speak, he scooted closer, and looked directly into her icy eyes.
"Please Beka. One chance. I won't mess this up. I won't break your heart." He paused, before adding, "You know, I haven't had a new mot since we came to Corus. And Aniki's with Bold Brian now." He looked at her beseechingly.
She sighed again. "Fine. One chance. That's all you get, Piper. Don-" But whatever she said was lost as Rosto leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Her hands reached up to tangle in his hair as he wrapped her in an embrace, pulling her closer.
SNAP!
They rocketed apart as Goodwin walked back into camp, hair wet from the bath. She looked around, unaware of the events of a few moments ago.
"Where are the other two?" Before they could answer, Kora stumbled into the clearing, arms full of dry brush and twigs. Erskren was behind her, with an armload of logs. They set down their piles, then sat down. Goodwin looked pleased. She turned quickly and barked, "Puppy. Fire. Cooking." Then she began digging in her packs for food. Beka hopped up, and arranged the wood into a teepee, with some dry-brush and twigs in the center. They were on a patch of dirt, with no dry grass to worry about catching. Goodwin tossed her some flint, and soon they had a strong fire. After setting the food on to cook, she sat back. Then she looked at Beka and Rosto.
"Well. What are we going to do with you two?"
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW