Chapter 10:

Lex stood by the door, wondering what had possessed him to agree to this. He scanned the streets, waiting for Mandila to emerge from the darkness, her lithe form easily navigating through the night that he'd found she frequented. Yes, he had done his homework, and he knew that she went out almost every single night, but for what, he didn't know. He might suspect her, but he couldn't prove anything, and sometimes he wondered if there was anything to prove. After all, she didn't seem like a hardened criminal—not like Armand—and she showed him affection that wouldn't suit a thief. He had to consider that perhaps she knew things, but at the same time, perhaps she wasn't one of his enemies. The way that she had spoken this afternoon very clearly told him that she was afraid of something or someone, even though she had tried to play her words off like they were nothing.

Who would threaten 'his elf'? He always put a sarcastic spin on that phrase, and he couldn't help but wonder whether Mandila knew that the waterfront guards secretly referred to her as that. Would she be pleased or annoyed?

It doesn't matter. It was a silly title that people used to jokingly taunt him, and he told himself not to use it, but then again, if she was 'his elf', couldn't he use that? He thought of her smiling eyes and how they always seemed to look into rather than at him, and knew that he might be onto a plan. Mandila could be his eyes and ears among the waterfront populace—if she wasn't a thief, that was, and he was determined to find that out tonight. If she was innocent, she could be his ace in the hole, and the thought excited him as leads tended to do, but hopeful as he was, and infatuated as she might be, she had already staunchly rebuffed pressure from him. She wasn't interested in being useful; she was interest in...his lips? Lex found his frown deepening, and his problems growing. This was why he had wanted to meet her in his office, for there would be other guards—guards to ensure that Mandila followed the rules of proper conduct.

Lex wanted to sigh but refused to allow himself the small gesture. He couldn't let personal considerations cloud his judgement or get under his skin. He was here now, and he would get her to talk. He had never left an interrogation without results, and this would be no exception to his stunning record. Mandila's interest in him would make the situation easier if nothing else, for perhaps she'd be a bit more forthcoming because of her feelings. Then again, he didn't like the idea of simply using her affection, especially since it seemed such a low method—something that an immoral officer would use to his advantage, maybe even going too far and damaging a woman's reputation. He'd seen it before, but never under his watch. He kept his men in line, for their authority was only as legitimate as their conduct, and he refused to be a hypocrite like his predecessor.

"You're still waiting?" a voice asked, and Lex glanced toward the doorway behind him. A female Argonian stood there, hands set on her hips and a reproving expression on her face. "I don't suppose that you'll tell me what this is about either."

"It's official business," Lex told her. "I'll only need the room for an hour or so."

"Always so focused," the Argonian smiled. "Hieronymus, you haven't changed, and shame on you for not visiting us in years. You have no business being so serious, child. You're too young to be so cynical."

"I thank you for the concern, ma'am, but it's realism, not cynicism. What I am is too old to see this city as harmless or idealistic. Crime is rampant, and someone has to keep the order."

"And yet that sounds idealistic to me," the woman kindly countered. "You'll never lock them all away, you know, and sometimes I fear that you fail to take people's circumstances into account. Not everyone who does wrong is immoral—sometimes just desperate." The expression on Lex's face clearly said that he didn't particularly care if criminals were desperate or not.

"They make their choices knowing the consequences," he coldly stated. "And the law can't make allowances for bleeding hearts." The Argonian sighed and gently shook her head.

"I leave the law to you," she decided. "Goodnight. Please notify someone before you leave so that the door can be locked." Lex agreed and listened to the woman leave, her tail quietly brushing the floor when she retreated inside. As her footsteps faded, another sound drew him toward the open streets, where a thin figure was approaching him. He didn't need to see the face to know that it was Mandila, for her easy gait gave her away, but he couldn't help but notice how she kept glancing behind her. Finally, he thought. It was time to begin, but what shadows were chasing the Bosmer as he ushered her inside?

**********

"This is cozy," Mandila observed as she glanced around the room. She was seated on a cushioned bench in a small room, a table between her and Lex, who sat opposite on another bench. A lantern hung overhead, offering dim lighting, and several candles dotted the table, giving adequate light to make the room feel less intimidating. Mandila folded her hands in her lap and sat up straight, hating how Lex almost seemed to loom over her, for he was taller, and he was sitting forward, eager to begin—much more eager than she was. Her plans of trying to turn this encounter into an enjoyable one began dissolving as she caught the distinct sound of jingling bracers when Lex shifted his weight. She needed to be extremely prudent, and that meant keeping the reins on her tongue, which would not be easy.

"I'm sure that you remember why we're meeting," Lex said, his voice breaking the otherwise utter silence of the room. The building was so quiet that they might as well have been meeting in a tomb. "Did you have any difficulties in getting here?"

"No," Mandila hurriedly assured. "It's rather late, so hardly anyone was out."

"But you always are," Lex noted, resting his elbows on the table and folding his arms across the wood. He was in uniform this evening, but Mandila had hoped that he'd be dressed casually. He was probably trying to drill the importance of the situation into her head.

"I find night time very peaceful," Mandila explained. And it's great for work. "No one's around to bother me."

"No one's around to hear you scream if you're in trouble either," Lex added. "After your 'accident', I had expected you to be more careful about going out late. You were fortunate that I was in your vicinity, but considering how badly your wound was infected, I've come to the conclusion that you're rather reckless." Mandila sighed with a small smile.

"Armand tells me the same thing." Lex stiffened, and Mandila realized her mistake, knowing that the captain hated Armand for making a fool of him. It did not help her case to mention the older thief, who Lex knew was a member of the Thieves' Guild. "But if it makes you feel better," she quickly continued, "I'll come straight here or to the temple the next time that I'm injured. It isn't as bad as I'd thought it'd be." Lex stared at her with curiosity, and Mandila realized that this was the first time that he'd shown interest in her words when they had nothing to do with his job.

"You were afraid of going to the temple?" he questioned.

"I don't like magic," Mandila huffed. "It makes me uncomfortable."

"But you're not afraid to jump into the harbor and get arrested for it?" Lex actually seemed amused, and Mandila couldn't help but smile in reply.

"That was different," she asserted. "I knew that you wouldn't hurt me. But mages? I've never met one, but I've heard horrible rumors about what they can do to people." There she went again with revealing how much she trusted him, and she felt rather uncomfortable knowing that he probably thought she was being silly about magic. Well, but there was nothing she could do about it, because she was scared of magic, even if hardly anyone knew about her reservations.

"Have you lived on the waterfront your entire life?" Lex asked, and Mandila knew that he was searching for a way to smoothly uncover useful information. Oh, he was being very casual about it, and that was what ultimately gave him away. Perhaps he thought that he'd milk more from her if she was relaxed and conversational, but while she did want to talk, she wasn't necessarily comfortable.

"I grew up there," Mandila told him, and she almost felt like they were having a normal exchange, but the hardened and calculating edge to Lex's words ruined the illusion. Where had the amusement from a moment ago vanished to? The workaholic in him was taking over, and what a shame that was.

"You had a brother," Lex stated, expecting her to take the topic and run. Mandila sadly leaned back against the bench and nodded. "You have my apologies for upsetting you the other day, cit—Mandila," Lex interjected when she didn't answer. "I did not mean to agitate you in your sick state, and I am sorry that the law failed you and your family." He meant it—she could tell by the way that the lines on his face seemed to deepen in the candlelight, but he was still handsome. She didn't think that anything could diminish his appearance.

"It's alright," Mandila assured him. "It happened years ago. It was hard at first, but I've had a long time to get over the murder. I was very...unwell the day that I attacked you, and I'm not sure what I said and did, but I suppose that I should apologize too. But I haven't changed my opinion. Those people have nothing to spare for taxes. What you did was cruel, sir, and the waterfront won't forget it."

"We've already spoken about this, and you won't change my opinion either," Lex asserted.

"I didn't think that I would, but it's your mistake."

"My mistake?" and Lex's eyebrows rose, challenging her to support her statement.

"Yes," she answered with completely confidence. "You won't catch your fox without the waterfront's help, and now they hate you—as if they didn't already. What exactly are you planning to do? Beat the fox's location out of them?" Lex was now openly annoyed, but also hooked to her every word, his blue eyes taking on the glint of a wolf that smells blood, but this time Mandila knew that she had the upper hand.

"So you do know something about the Grey Fox," Lex ground out.

"You already knew that because of my stupid mistake the other night," Mandila grumbled, blushing as she remembered several other daring risks that she had taken that night. This man was digging into her mind for harmful information, yet she felt compelled to tell him her thoughts—to let him know why he was failing in his mission, because he was after all, a good man, and she believed that he could do well by the waterfront if he understand his faults. Gods, but when had she decided to do that?--right now, she realized as she was drawn into the single-mindedness of his presence. If he had been there so many years ago, her brother might still be alive...she might have died if he hadn't been looking out for her...he was a good man, and she did trust him.

"You keep procrastinating every time we touch on this subject," Lex noted. "Why are you so hesitant, Mandila? You came here knowing what I want, but you're still trying to avoid it."

Gods, he suspected her, but hadn't he always?

"I never wanted to be interrogated, sir," she reiterated. "I'm not part of your self-appointed mission, and I already told you why I came. Talking here is much better than prison, I think."

"You might be annoying, but you're not stupid," Lex stated, causing Mandila to blink in surprise. "You know that I can't arrest you without cause, and without evidence, you're a free woman. Either you want to talk but are frightened to, or you have some ulterior motive for coming here." His face hardened and slammed into hers, forcing her to look at him even though she'd rather stare at the tabletop. His eyes were so blue... "I better not find out that there was another break in tomorrow morning." Mandila blanched, but she liked to think that she remained somewhat neutral in her appearance. Gods, who was she kidding? Her emotions were always broadcasted through her actions.

"I'm not here with an ulterior motive; I promise," Mandila swore. "But your battles are your own. I want nothing to do with them. I just wanted to tell you something that you I think you need to hear."

"Out with it then, Mandila," he ordered, the scent of blood growing stronger. And here's where she decided to lighten the air and have a little fun with her favorite captain.

"I'll tell you, but only if you tell me why the healers here know you." Lex looked ready to yell at her, but her honest and adoring expression was making his jaw snap shut. He wanted to know what it was about him that fascinated this elf, for he sure as hell didn't understand this fixation. "It's only fair since you're asking me difficult questions," Mandila reasoned. "This isn't even a very personal question that I'm asking."

"I'm not here to talk about my private life," Lex harshly told her. "This isn't a friendly evening out, citizen." She glared, but he pointedly ignored her. "And what does it matter if you know or not?"

"It doesn't matter," Mandila shrugged. "But I want to know, and since you can't take me to jail, I think that you should be a little more open about telling me." With a devilish grin, she drilled her point home, and although Lex hated to admit it, he was rather at her mercy, because intimidation never seemed to work well on this elf. She was seemingly immune to normal threats, which was always a source of frustration.

"My father was a guard," Lex said, forcing himself to relax. After all, what did it matter if this Bosmer knew about what his father had done? It didn't, and he was willing to sacrifice his pride to catch the Grey Fox. Sacrifice his pride...Lex inwardly snorted at his own words, but this would hurt his pride, because for some unknown, damnable reason, he did not want this elf to know that he came from corrupt roots. With those doe-like eyes eagerly honed in on his every word, he wondered how such a shameful family history would affect Mandila's affections. But you don't care about her affections, he reminded himself. Who cared if she was the only person that acted like he was worthwhile despite his obsession?—he didn't.

"He performed his duties well," Lex continued, Mandila riveted. "But he had his problems, and when the captain of the guard began to investigate his activities, he took to drinking. Sometimes he injured himself when drunk, and I brought him here to sober up. Satisfied?" Mandila wanted more, but she didn't want to press since the topic was obviously touchy.

"My turn?" Mandila teased, and Lex narrowed his eyes in warning. "Okay," she grinned before leaning forward and adopting a more serious expression. "You could catch the Grey Fox, but you won't."

"Because of the waterfront people?" Lex commented with disbelief.

"It's not as simple as you think!" Mandila said, beginning to get animated, and while Lex was taken aback by her sudden outburst, he remained silent as she continued. "You want to do this your way, but what you don't realize, captain, is that the waterfront people have the ability to make or break your case. They could give you the Grey Fox, even if they don't know who he is." Now Lex was the one riveted, but Mandila didn't even notice during her speech.

"How can they give him to me if they don't know who he is?" the captain questioned.

"The Grey Fox exists to protect the waterfront. He gives a code to thieving that makes it honorable. He is their hero, so what is he if they don't support him? He's just another thief, and then no one has any reason to protect him. They love him and hate you, and it's as simple as that, so you can't buy these people to betray him." Mandila closed her eyes and leaned backward, knowing that she had crossed a line, but somehow feeling that she hadn't sacrificed her principles or friends. "If you were good to the waterfront and made them trust you, then the Grey Fox would lose, but they don't trust you, because officials have never been kind to them. You aren't kind to them, sir."

…

Lex looked at Mandila, and she looked at him, wondering if her words had any effect.

"Why do you trust me?" he finally asked her. "You are from the waterfront, and therefore you have no reason to speak to me as far as your people are concerned. And you obviously aren't going to help me catch the Grey Fox either, so why bother with me at all?" He was beginning to understand that this Bosmer would not help him for the very reasons that she had expressed, but that didn't explain her actions. It only made her more confusing, and now she was looking embarrassed as she lowered her gaze.

"You could be the captain that helps us," she confessed. "At least I think so. You're not like the others." Lex sighed and mimicked her movements by leaning back against the bench with a subtle weariness that made him wonder if there was any truth to the elf's words. He was doing a good job. He always did his job well, so how could being a good guard include making special allowances for the waterfront? It made no sense, and so he didn't agree with his elf, because he couldn't. He understood what she had said, but there were other ways to catch a thief rather than sacrificing the fairness of the law. Then a dark thought hit him, and one that had been plaguing him for some time.

"Are you trying to get me to stop chasing the Grey Fox?" he asked with a low undertone. "You spend a lot of time trying to get my attention, Mandila." Now she looked unexpectedly cross with him, and she briskly stood up from the bench, hands on her hips.

"I've already told you that I like your company," she claimed. "Why is that so damned difficult to believe? Haven't you figured out that I want to be around you?" Apparently not, for he was staring at her like she'd grown horns on her forehead. "Never mind," she muttered under her breath. "The other guards are right: you're hopeless."

"What was that?" Lex demanded, but Mandila brushed the topic aside, for she knew very well that he had heard her comment.

"It's late," she diverted. "I'd like to go home now, captain. It was...nice to talk to you again." Lex stood and accompanied her to the door, knowing that he had made some progress tonight but was likely at a roadblock. That, plus the elf's strange words kept him silent. "You don't have to be so official all the time," Mandila stated, again throwing a random comment in his direction.

"You always try to insist that I be informal with you, but that would be inappropriate," Lex reasoned, eyes scanning over the back of her long, flowing hair. It looked soft. "I'm on duty."

"What if you weren't?"

"Do you always need to ask a million questions?" Mandila grinned and nodded with a wink. "I will escort you home," he continued. "It's not safe to walk the streets alone at this hour." But I'm not going home.

"I'll be fine," she promised him. "But it's nice to know that you care. You're not as tough as you look, captain." He made a contrary sound, and Mandila giggled while she turned to face him. "You're very attractive, sir, but you need to smile more." His face softened in a manner that she could definitely grow accustomed to, and he offered her a small bow of his head.

"Goodnight, Mandila."

"Goodnight, Captain." She began walking away, but one of Lex's hands gently grabbed her left arm.

"Mandila," he began, and she loved how her name sounded on his lips. "If I had been assigned to the waterfront when your brother was murdered, the culprits would not have gotten away." Mandila stared at the pavement before lifting her eyes with the most alluringly assured twinkle that Lex had ever seen.

"I know," she replied.

"Do you know who murdered your brother?" She shook her head, and her body leaned a little closer to his, her arm melting into his touch with an ease that even Lex noticed. "I'm truly sorry that we disappointed you," he offered. She slid her hand into his for the briefest of moments and gave his fingers a squeeze.

"You really are a good man, Captain Lex," she said so softly that it was almost a whisper. "And I really do like you." This time, Lex knew it, and most of his suspicions began to fade. With a last squeeze, she released him and left for her home—the waterfront where Lex was despised, but not by her, never by her. Goodnight, Mandila.