Maybe I Will Chapter 13
Disclaimer: You know what? As of now, I hope you have read enough chapters of my story to realize that I am not Tamora Pierce. So no more disclaimers!
AN: Once again, I plead with you to Review my story. This will be my last update for a while, but if I get a lot of reviews, I will try to write faster. :-P
BTW, Kora and Erskren left for their bath before the conversation started. Yes, together. Not that it matters…
Italicized: Beka's thoughts
Underlined: Rosto's thoughts
Mixed POV:
"Well. What are we going to do with you two?"
"Huh?" Why was she asking that? Did she see? Oh no, what'll I do if she did?
Please don't tell Beka to leave me. I can't stand that.
"You thought I didn't see that? Gods, Puppy, I thought I taught you better than that!"
Beka grinned sheepishly. "I was a little side-tracked, Goodwin." Goodwin did something odd. It looked like she was trying not to smile, or laugh outright.
"Well, you can't be distracted on duty, Cooper. How're you going to avoid that?"
She's giving me a way out. She's giving me a chance. "I don't think I'll let that happen on duty. I'm pretty sure that we can avoid that sort of behavior. For the most part." Rosto was grinning hugely.
Goodwin is actually letting us try? Yes!
"And I suppose you have combated all other problems?" She's letting it go. Good Gods, she's letting me do this. Wordlessly, they nodded. Then they all grinned.
"Well, then, I suppose I'll let you two handle it. I've no business in this." And she turned to the food, signaling that the discussion was over. Kora and Erskren walked into the clearing. Beka stood.
"I think I'll bathe as well." Rosto stood as well. Grinning like a looby.
"You'll need help. I'll come." Beka rolled her eyes but didn't argue, simply turned and began to walk to the river, with Rosto following. Kora looked at Goodwin.
"Already? I thought they'd take longer." Goodwin simply grinned and went back to cooking.
'He'd just better not waste this. She won't let him try again.'
Beka POV:
I wasn't surprised in the slightest when Rosto decided to come. Really, no matter what had happened recently, he would have offered. The difference was that this time, I would let him. We got to the stream, where I turned to Rosto, raising my brows. He was grinning.
"Well, due to your injury, I think you are unable to undress or bathe yourself. I will assist you, being a kind and good hearted person." I snorted at that. Rosto ignored this, instead reaching for the hem of my shirt. I danced out of his reach, laughing. He lunged quicker than I expected, knocking us both of us to the ground, him on top. He looked down at me boredly as I struggled to get free.
"Now, where were we? Ah yes." He reached for the shirt again, grabbing the hem. Slowly, he pulled it up, exposing my stomach and the breast-band I wore. He poked my midriff.
"No fat here. Didn't they feed you while we were worried sick?" I looked at him oddly.
"I was unconscious, and they were going to kill me." He winced.
"Fair point. Now…" He glanced at me again, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
AN: This will not be graphic! Sadly, the rating isn't changing.
In a swift movement that he obviously wasn't expecting, I flipped him over and into the water. He stood, shaking water out of his hair. He glared at me.
"Now I'll have to take these off!" He pulled me in after him. This started a mini water war. The clothes, except breast-band and loincloths were thrown onto shore to dry. Finally, we both plopped down onto the ground, soaking wet and laughing. Rosto glanced at me.
"Come on. I still have to help wash you." He looked serious, so I stood, wincing. In all the excitement, I had forgotten my injuries. He saw the look. Sighing, he held out his hand, helping me up. He guided me into the water. Gently, he undid my braid, letting my hair, and the spiked strap, loose. He tossed the strap onto shore. Very carefully, mindful of the multiple bruises and cuts there were, he scrubbed every inch of my exposed skin and my hair. I rinsed out the soap, then turned to him, a somber expression mirrored on both of our faces.
"Thank you, Rosto."
"Don't mention it." He grinned. "Seriously, don't. It'll hurt my reputation." I rolled my eyes. Could he ever be serious?
Would you want him any other way?
No.
Goodwin's voice rang over to us.
"Are you two done yet? Food's ready." Rosto grinned. We went to shore and put on our now-dry clothes. Walking into camp, I shook my head. Three weeks ago, I would never have even considered going with Rosto. Now, I'm letting him wash me like a babe. Funny world, huh?
The Gods have an odd sense of humor. Which reminds me…
"Hey, where's Pounce?" We had gotten back to camp. Everyone looked at me oddly.
"He was with you? When you disappeared?" I nodded, reminding myself that only Kora and Erskren had a clue of what Pounce was. Goodwin frowned.
"Haven't seen him since you disappeared. He went crazy when you didn't get home. Disappeared within the hour. He was there?"
"Yeah. Must've found em' before we left town." They nodded. Only I knew that wasn't true. He had followed, like a bloodhound, the moment he knew I wasn't coming home soon.
Mew.
"Pounce!" I recognized that sound. Turning, I found him sitting by the horses, looking slightly miffed and rather smug.
Didn't think I was leaving that easily, did you? I laughed and held out a piece of cheese, his favorite. He grinned his cat-smile and walked over, taking the cheese and sitting in my lap. I stroked him happily. For as strange as the day was, it had been the best day of my life.
AN: Yet to decide whether this will be continued or not. Review and tell me! Remember, if I continue this, the next update won't be for a while. School and all. Anyway, Salut!