A/N: Okay, this chapter takes place a few days after the last, and Beka is returning to Corus, finally :D

Chapter Four: Gillyflowers and Baubles

Bloodhound.

The name had spread from Port Caynn to Corus as quickly as news of Pearl's capture had. Rosto could almost grin, thinking of how Beka would react to the nickname. She so hated attention- even if it was due to her. She'd rather break up a tavern fight than get thanked for a job well done. He could just imagine the poor scut who'd dare call her Bloodhound would be sure to feel the kiss from Beka's baton…or her fist, which was just as hard.

Rosto grinned. He should know. He'd once had one of those fists fly at him a few months ago, when he had caught Beka off-guard and stolen yet another kiss from her. The scene had been deftly played out as smoothly as if he had planned it, and for a mot that refused him so adamantly, she never seemed to fight his kisses. It was afterwards that he had learned to be quick on his feet. That time she had swung her fist out at him, narrowly missing his shoulder, but with the force and speed with which it went by him, Rosto knew it would have hurt. He would never admit to her that he liked evading her blows, because then she'd stop and probably content herself with glaring at him. Of course…he kind of liked that too.

He whistled a happy jaunt as he crossed the street to Mistress Trout's lodgings. Today, Beka was coming home to Corus and it put him a good mood. He bowed his head as he passed Mistress Trout sweeping the walkway.

"More gillyflowers, lad?" she asked, seeing the pitchers Rosto carried with the red flowers in them.

"What's a Rogue to do with flowers, Mistress?" Rosto teased. "They can't feed or clothe the people in the Lower City, and nor do these even have thorns."

Mistress Trout gave a tut-tut of her tongue and went back to sweeping as Rosto headed up the stairs.

He had just pulled his lock picks from his breeches pockets when suddenly he halted. Then he looked down at the gillyflowers. He had bought dozens more that morning that were still waiting to be carried from his rooms to Beka's. Suddenly he put his lock picks back in his pocket and picked up the pitchers. Heading back down the stairs, he stopped and gave them to Mistress Trout.

"What's this?" she asked, puzzled.

"As I told you afore, Mistress, what's a Rogue to do with flowers?" With another bow of his head, he strode back across the street to the Dancing Dove.

Mistress Trout looked after him, frowning, the pitchers still in her hands. What had made his mood turn so sour so quickly?

Upon returning to his rooms, Rosto gathered up all the gillyflowers he had bought and tossed them out his window to the alleyway below. Small lads and gixies dove at the red flowers, grabbing them up almost instantly. At least they would appreciate them.

What had he been thinking? He'd been in such a good mood that he'd forgotten for a moment why he'd been so mad a few days back. Beka had a man…and it wasn't him. Would Dale Rowan come back with Beka to Corus? He would be curst sorry if he did. But even if he didn't, Rosto felt put in a funny position. Would Beka think it inappropriate of him to leave gillyflowers in her room? Now that she had a man, was Dale Rowan the only one allowed to give her things? Why did he care? He usually wouldn't think twice about it. Then again, call it a hunch, but Rosto doubted that Beka tried to inflict bodily harm on Rowan when he kissed her. The sarden spintry.

It was over this that Rosto had decided not to leave the gillyflowers. Besides, he was still vexed with her. It served her right. He had been so relieved that she was alive and coming home that all other thought had vanished. But giving a mot gillyflowers certainly didn't send the message that he was still sore, he reminded himself. Which he was. He had kept his distance from her, giving her the space she wanted, waiting for the day when she'd finally realize he was not the pot of animal scummer she thought all rushers were. He hadn't overwhelmed her with flattery or attention, but instead had respected her feelings. He thought by now she'd see that his intentions were true. Surely if she thought he'd only wanted to bed her, he would have given up chase by now. Didn't she realize that?

And after all his futile effort to check his steps around her, what happens? She runs off to Port Caynn, where that bank spintry Dale Rowan charms her into his bed in less than a week!

Rosto felt it was going to be rather difficult not to betray his feelings when he sees her that night at supper. And if Dale Rowan is there…Mithros save him, Rosto had better rid himself of all his weapons, and those of his guests. In fact, if Rowan does show up, Rosto had better tell the cook to not set knives out for supper. The sharp glint of the blade may be too tempting…

The gathering for supper that night was of a modest size. Dogs, cityfolk friends, and those on the other side of the law dined in comfort and good spirits. The crowd was of a large enough size that Beka did not feel she had to be the center of attention at any time after she walked in the room and received her welcoming home. It was also large enough so that it made it easy for one to avoid speaking to another without seeming rude.

Which was exactly what Beka and Rosto seemed to be doing, whether unconsciously or not.

Besides welcoming her home, Rosto had yet to speak to her. He tried his best to converse with those around him, feigning complete calm, and it seemed to work well. But all too often his gaze kept returning to Beka- and, more sickeningly, the shiny baubles draped around her neck and wrist. She hadn't had those when she had left. They were no doubt a gift from that gambler of hers. From a cove who loved coin, it wasn't hard to imagine why shiny, costly jewels would catch his eye. Seeing the opals she wore, Rosto was once again grateful that he had not left the gillyflowers in her room. They seemed so…ordinary, comparatively.

Toying with one of his daggers as he watched her, Rosto was grateful that he, Rowan, had not come…grateful and slightly disappointed at the same time.

Despite being sore and tired, Beka had a nice time at supper. For the first time in days she didn't have to play a part or watch what she said. She could be herself again, no more wondering where she stood with people. She knew exactly where she stood with everyone here.

Well, with all but mayhap one.

But despite Rosto's staring, she still managed to have a good time. She wouldn't let him ruin her night- even though the hard, scrutinizing look on his face was rather unnerving.

She tried to push him out of her mind, though it was difficult. It wasn't that large of a gathering after all. More than a few times her eyes returned to the leanly muscled Rogue, his relaxed body at odds with the look on his face. Almost every time her blue eyes caught his black ones, whether he was looking at her face or, more often, the necklace and bracelet given to her by Dale that she wore. If it was at all possible, she thought the jewelry would burst into flame, he stared so.

It wasn't like she was or ever had been his mot. It wasn't like she had worn them a purpose just to vex him.

But as the night wore on, she started to wish more and more that she hadn't worn them. She knew she had every right to of course, but she would've done anything to stop his staring at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle. She hated being watched. Even more so by Rosto, with his probing black eyes that always looked capable of revealing your deepest secrets. Most of the time Beka had no qualm in looking right back at him, but tonight was different. She looked away quickly every time.

Rosto noticed of course. He finally decided that mayhap he should try and talk to her…

Beka had her body angled just so that she didn't see Rosto move from his place across the room. She was talking with Goodwin and Nyler Jewel when he appeared beside her, as quiet as a cat.

"I don't believe I've congratulated you on becoming desk sergeant, Guardswoman Goodwin. Corus's Rats will know naught what to do with themselves once you're gone off the streets," Rosto told her. "They might begin to miss you and get hobbled apurpose just to say hello."

Goodwin gave that small smile of hers that usually meant trouble to the one that caused it. "Then I'll send them back to you with a quick blow to the head to remind them of why they liked me so."

Rosto grinned. "Mayhap they'll come back for another. No one makes them dance the way you do, Guardswoman. They'll be curst lonely without you around to bang their heads in."

Goodwin actually laughed. "Let them know the feeling's mutual." Then she sighed as she looked across the room. "If you'll excuse me, it looks as if my Tom's about to hire those same Rats for his business. Now there's a man I wish to club on the head…" Rosto bowed as she and Jewel walked off.

When he straightened, he leaned against the wall opposite Beka and turned those black eyes on her for the first time since he had approached.

She was growing uncomfortable, when finally he said, "So. How was Port Caynn?"

Ersken, Kora, and Aniki, seeing Rosto and Beka alone on the other side of the room, exchanged glances. Then Aniki said half-jokingly, "He'd better not ruin this dinner. There are still some spice cakes on the table over there that I plan on eating later."

A/N: She's back! :D And I'll update again soon!