Author's Notes: Oh my gawd! I hurt! Oh well. I need to go to the gym and work out my muscles but I haven't yet. I will in a second I bet. So this was through last night but I wasn't sure if I wasn't just going to toss it and redo it but then I said well it'll do. This one is giving me a hard time for some reason. I don't know why. Oh well. Anyways, I got this one done last night and I would appreciate some feedback on it. Otherwise well let's not go there. We'll see what happens right?

Chapter 6

Alex strode through the woods towards her parents graves. She paused looking around something wasn't right. She immediately realized. She stepped carefully into the clearing looking around but no one was there. The sunlight shown through the thick trees surrounding her parents markers and shining on the beautiful bouquets of flowers sitting in front of their gravestones. She looked down at the bouquets she herself held. Someone had been to their graves before her. She stared at the bouquets wondering before deciding on what to do.

She set both bouquets down and pressed a kiss to her fingers which she then pressed to the gravestones. She rose to her feet and walked quietly back to the village thinking the whole time. She made her way to the tavern smiling when she saw Serena standing near Jack at the bar and then looking around until she spotted who she had come to see.

Olivia lifted her cup to her lips taking a sip before setting it down and watching as the beautiful blonde healer walked towards her and sat down across from her. She dipped her head a bit in greeting but didn't say a word.

"Thank you." Alex said softly.

"For what?" Olivia asked cocking her head as she studied the beautiful blonde.

"You know for what. They were lovely."

Olivia studied the beauty before nodding, "You're welcome." She murmured.

Alex smiled and nodded rising to her feet. She didn't say another word as she walked out of the tavern knowing she had somewhere she needed to be.

"So why did you put flowers on my parents graves?" Alex asked as she tended to her little herb garden having heard the soldier walk into the clearing.

"The same reason you do to pay my respects."

"You had nothing to do with their deaths."

"But I can still show respect for the dead."

"Yes since they died by the hands of your brothers right?" Alex looked up finally meeting brown eyes.

Olivia paused and then looked down, "They're not my brothers. If that's how they behave, they're no better than the barbarians they're supposed to be protecting this village and others from."

"Yes you're right but I told you the same thing. Now you're just repeating your words back at me. So tell me why you actually did it? Was it to ease your guilt?" Alex asked folding her arms in front of her.

"Not at all. I did it to show respect just like I told you." Olivia sighed. "You were right when you called me a soldier. I am. And I'm sorry for what happened to you and your family. I will write to the Generals and see if there is anything they can do about it."

"Do you not think any of us have already tried that avenue? It doesn't work. Nothing works. The King is more concerned about policing so his so called subjects stay so far under his heel that we cannot even breathe. Yet he claims to be the one that was put on the throne by the Gods to protect us from the barbarians. He's just as bad as they are."

"You seem like you've given this a lot of thought." Olivia remarked studying the beautiful blonde.

Alex sighed looking back at her garden. "Well when you're parents are killed you start to look for any reason to figure out why."

"I wouldn't know." Olivia sighed softly.

"You're parents are still alive aren't they?" Alex asked looking up again.

"I was a child of violence forced on my mother. I wasn't wanted so I was left in the elements to die. My father found me and took me in. He raised me. I think because he was a warrior and never had a wife he didn't quite know what to do with a girl child so he raised me as best he could."

Alex nodded, "I was always my father's little princess. Were you like that with your father?"

"I learned to sword fight as soon as I could walk. My father was so proud of me. I try to do things that I know he would be proud of me for."

"Most children want to perform for their parents. They want to be good children. It's a given." Alex sighed looking down. "I was the same way so I understand but I can also see that it's more with you too."

"It is but my father is a good father. He's a good man and a good soldier. He taught me fairness and justice and how to be a good solider. He did what he thought was right for me."

Alex nodded, "Of course."

"Alex for what it's worth I am sorry about your parents."

"You had nothing to do with it. Even if I wanted to be angry with you I can't be. You weren't the one that allowed it to happen nor did you harm them."

Olivia stared at her for a moment waiting until she was facing her once again. "Alex?" She spoke her name softly. "When can I see you?"

Alex turned to look at her, "You're seeing me right now are you not?"

"Yes but that's not what I mean."

Alex rose to her feet dusting her hands off and lifting her ever present bag. "I won't be another notch in your belt soldier."

"I didn't mean it like that…"

"It won't happen. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go and check on Mrs. Bennett's newborn baby."

"I won't be another notch in your belt soldier." The words echoed in her head that night as she laid down in the small bed. Now more so then ever she was sorely tempted to take Serena up on her offer as her bed partner for the night. But she hadn't and yet again she went to bed wondering about the beautiful blonde healer that was taking a starring role in her dreams more and more. She tucked her hands behind her head and sighed staring up at the ceiling.

She could understand Alex's reluctance to get close to her, she was a soldier the same as those that had hurt her parents. She would never hurt any innocent civilian but she understood that some people in the army got in merely for the intoxicating power that they got from lording it over others. She never did understand the need to have power over someone helpless. Her father had once told her that it was the duty of those with power to protect those without. She followed that line of thought to the letter because her father was such an honorable man himself and she believed as his daughter it was her duty to be like him.

She sighed as she rolled over on her side staring at the wall that was cast in shadows, the only light the fire roaring in the hearth nearby. She wanted Alex that she wouldn't deny to anyone let alone herself. But she knew Alex wasn't going to give her the time of day just yet. Maybe if she could find a way to prove herself to her she stood a chance with her, her father always told her that if she ever wished to court a lady she should do so by proving her worth as a spouse. She should show her that she would protect and honor her in a way she deserved to be. Though she didn't know if she wanted Alex as a spouse like her father had always urged her in reference to a woman but she did understand that unlike some of the girls she'd bedded in the capital Alex wouldn't fall into her bed as easily as they had. She had to win her over if she ever had hope of getting Alex.

Author's Notes: Damn this one was harder to get out than I thought. Oh well. Reviews please?