Chapter 13:

Apparently the commander had followed through with his promise, for there was Lex without his armor. Mandila studied the captain's khaki trousers and green tunic, noting that his sword was still present, and that his eyes were alert as ever. Even without the armor, he embodied a captain of the watch as he marched toward the harbor's stone walls and propped his hands against them, his gaze fixed on The Bloated Float as several men angrily argued with one another at its entrance. Technically he couldn't interfere, but he was definitely watching how other guards handled the situation, which Mandila had expected. Workaholics didn't change with their clothing, but she still muddled over the illogical idea of spending a free day in a place where one was unwanted. Well, not unwanted by everyone, she mentally corrected, and it was time to move in before Lex unconsciously lost himself in work.

"Look who isn't on duty," she cheerfully noted, announcing herself as she strode forward to stand beside her favorite guard. She had to be quick about this or either Methredhel or Armand would notice who she was engaging, which would only mean more problems for her.

"Good morning, Mandila," Lex greeted. "I see that even on my day off, you've found me." He didn't sound as angry as before, but there was an edge of fatigue to his voice that tipped Mandila off to his stressed mind. The theft continued to weigh heavily on him, and she still regretted that as she smiled at him, trying to overcome the coldness with which he had treated her yesterday.

"I've never heard of you taking a day off," she told him. "What's the occasion? It must be pretty important if you're not in armor."

"It's nothing important," Lex corrected with disinterest. "Is it so hard to believe that I might enjoy relaxing for a day?"

"Yes," Mandila chirped, fully aware that his pride would never allow him to admit that his superior and some stranger had gotten the better of him. She wondered if he suspected her at all, for she had no idea what the commander had told his captain. "So what are you going to do?" she pressed, curious as to how Lex would answer.

"I'm doing my best not to think of arresting anyone," Lex replied with all seriousness.

"That's all?" Mandila pouted. "No plans? No date? Nothing?"

"No, but the point of having a day off is to do nothing, is it not?" He obviously had no idea or was mocking her, and she was willing to bet that it was a mixture of the two. "You seem to forever be doing nothing, so it might surprise you, but I am inexperienced at stagnation." Mandila giggled and leaned closer to his ear, his eyes roaming toward her, and his eyebrows raising at the mischievous mask on her face.

"Tell me," she whispered. "How hard is to not say anything to those two over there?" She pointed, and he turned to see that two pirates were preparing to duel right in the middle of the street. He nearly growled in annoyance, and one hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, but Mandila quickly diverted his attention with another whisper. "Too bad you're not in uniform, captain."

"I might not be in uniform, Mandila," he countered. "But I can make up for it tomorrow, so I'd watch my mouth if I were you." She merely shrugged her shoulders and stepped away from him.

"You don't scare me," she dismissed, and the look that Lex shot her screamed 'liar', but both tactfully avoided mentioning how skittish she'd been when he was raging over the tax theft. He didn't broach the subject in order to spare himself angry indignation, and she wanted to save herself embarrassment. "There is something that you could do to be helpful," Mandila suggested.

"Oh? And how can an off-duty captain be of assistance to you?" Lex questioned, and now she knew for certain that he was mocking her.

"It's not me that you'd be helping, but yourself." The bait was laid, and Lex was clearly interested, but also wary. He was always wary when she dropped suggestive hints, like at the bar, where he'd learned that her interest in him was not merely to irritate.

"Explain yourself," he ordered.

"I will, but only after a late breakfast. Let's just say that what I'm going to show you could aid in your investigation."

"You love to annoy me, don't you?" Lex asked, but without bite.

"Only because you're so easy," Mandila laughed. "One moment. I'll be back." She ran home and retrieved a basket loaded with a few items that she'd stolen from a peddler the previous night, and then she returned to Lex. Swinging the basket with a giddy smile that would have made her look like a child if not for her defined figure, she motioned for Lex to follow her. "This way," she said, setting a brisk pace that quickly took them from the waterfront and the guild's immediate eyes.

"Where are we going?" Lex asked, easily keeping pace with her.

"For brunch," Mandila told him as if he were being dense. "I think that the Arboretum would be a lovely spot. I don't get to go there very often."

"Mandila," and she stopped because Lex had gently grabbed her elbow and pulled her to a halt. His face was neutral as she stared up into his blue eyes. "Is this a social occasion, or is there more to it than that? We could have eaten on the waterfront." Mandila froze, and he released her as she struggled for a response. "You're still worried about someone," he noted with a frown. "I can't help if I don't know what frightens you."

"You're always trying to do your job," Mandila sadly smiled. "It's nothing, sir. I already told you how much you're loved on the waterfront, and I don't want hard feelings between me and my friends. They don't like when I talk to you, and...and I promise that this isn't only social. I knew that I needed to dangle some sort of meat in front of you, or I'd never get you to lunch. I'll make this worth your while or my mother was a slaughterfish."

"So you admit to being sneaky," Lex mused.

"Of course. You deserve a day off," Mandila grinned. "And why would you spend it somewhere like the waterfront where people don't like you? It won't kill you to have lunch with me, sir, and I'd really like it if you came along willingly. Otherwise, you'll never know what I want to show you."

"Manipulative wench," Lex muttered under his breath as they continued on their way.

"I heard that!" Mandila glared.

"But I'm not on duty," Lex calmly replied, and it took a moment for Mandila to realize that he was jokingly taunting her. As always, she was amazed but pleased when his sense of humor surfaced, and so she smiled to herself as they neared the gardens, Lex wearing the most subtle of amused expressions as she bounded toward the shade of a large statue. She plopped the basket on the ground and sprawled her body across the shady grass, feeling free and happy for the first time since the theft since there were no guild members in sight, meaning that it was safe to be as affectionate and open with the captain as she pleased.

"What would you like?" she asked as he sat beside her, his legs stretching out over the grass, and for such a simple move, it struck her as odd. The action made her pause while pulling bread from the basket, and she stared at him, blinking several times with a dazed expression.

"Yes?" he asked, folding his legs beneath him.

"Nothing," she suddenly smiled while shaking her head. "Sitting on the ground just makes you look so..."

"I sleep like a normal person too," Lex sarcastically offered, but he was obviously amused with her observations.

"It's not that," she argued, not wanting to appear silly. "Seeing you so informal is simply a bit weird, if you know what I mean. I hope that the food's okay." She handed him cheese and bread, followed by a dish of berries and some fried fish caught fresh that morning.

"It's fine," Lex offered, lapsing into silence as they ate. Mandila took off her boots and ran her feet across the grass while she happily munched away, her brown hair loosely falling around her face, and the tips if her pointed ears peeking out from the silky mass. Lex decided that she was a pretty woman, which he had noticed before, but somehow her simple delight over having lunch with him made her physical appeal more pronounced. Her brown eyes shone brightly in the light as she tilted her head toward him and offered more bread, her dainty fingers grazing his as he accepted. He knew that she wanted this lunch because she liked him, meaning that whatever she planned to show him was simply a means to get him here, but he did not see why she should be so eager for his company. He was not the most conversational person, and given what she'd shared with him, this was not an ideal situation for her.

"I looked into the report on your brother's murder," he told her, and Mandila adopted a blank face to deal with the topic. "I'm sorry to say that I didn't find anything revealing. The case is very cold."

"It's alright," she sighed. "I stopped waiting for justice years ago. I might not have any blood family left, but I have friends who are like family. The waterfront is a good home, and I can't cry forever." She laid down on the grass, her shirt pulling tight across her chest as she stretched, which did not go unnoticed by Lex despite his stern exterior.

"Your mother and father are no longer living?" he asked her.

"My mother died from some disease, and I only ever met my father once. He's not interested in me, and I can't blame him. Besides, even if he came back, he's from another world. I belong on the waterfront, and he...it's strange, but I imagine him in a nice house with a wife and kids younger than me. That's just a thought though, since I'm sure that he was married when he visited my mother. What about you? Are you close to your family?"

"No," Lex answered. "My parents are dead, and my siblings have married and moved to other areas." He spoke as if there was nothing else to say on the matter, but Mandila could not fathom living life without some sort of family, and so she pressed for more information.

"But I guess that the guards are kind of like a big family, right?" The thieves certainly were.

"At times," came the curt reply, telling Mandila that she was nearing one of Lex's impenetrable walls. When the man didn't want to discuss something, there was no way to convince him to talk, and so they again lapsed into silence, Lex leaning against the statue behind him with hooded eyes. It was the most relaxed that Mandila had ever seen him, and a strong urge to kiss him seized her as he rolled his neck to work out several kinks. She wondered if he was gentle or dominant when he kissed a woman back—not that she'd ever know, but she could imagine.

"Aren't most men married by the age of thirty?" she randomly commented. Lex didn't both opening his eyes any wider as she verbally prodded him, and she hated not being able to tell where he was looking.

"Aren't most women married by the age of twenty-four?"

"How do you know my age?" Mandila asked, surprised. What else did he know?

"I have my sources," was his steady and smug reply, and then more silence descended, but neither were particularly bothered by it. Mandila was on her back, face turned so that blades of grass grazed her cheeks as she watched the captain, and Lex looked like he might take a nap, but she knew that he would never do such an un-Lex-like thing. She, however, was lethargic and full, which sorely tempted her eyelids to close as she listened to the rustle of leaves around her, and her content and peaceful appearance was apparent to her companion, who found it most becoming.

"So what would you like to show me?" Lex asked, uncomfortable with the way that his eyes were drawn to Mandila's exposed neckline. He wasn't entirely sure why he was even sitting here with her, but he admitted that it was better than whittling away long hours on the waterfront when he was powerless to act against wrongdoers. It would likely give him a headache, and leave it to those people to take advantage of his off-duty status. No, he was better off here, with her, even as she coyly smiled and spread her arms out across the lawn. It had been a long time since he'd simply relaxed, and indulging in something so minor as breathing in a garden with a woman who sought his presence was refreshing. Yesterday had been far less interesting with his elf avoiding him...

"Watch this," Mandila told him, standing. "Pick a person. Anyone will do." Lex, curious, nodded toward a young, male Imperial.

"That one."

"Alright," Mandila agreed. "Stay here and watch." She strode across the street toward a beggar who was slumped against a pillar, the dirty woman's head downcast as she scuffed her toe in the ground. Lex observed with interest how Mandila greeted the woman, who initially jumped, but quickly began smiling as Mandila spoke with her. He could not discern exact words, but he understood the body language easily enough, and laughter rang out as the two chatted. Then Mandila offered the woman some bread, which the beggar eagerly accepted before leaning closer and speaking in hushed tones with his Bosmer. Mandila nodded, and several minutes later, she was back with him, depositing herself on the ground beside his legs with a beaming face.

"The man's name is Pennus Mallius, and he lives in the Temple District. He leaves home around mid-morning, always locks the door, walks a short way, and then returns to check the lock. He's a bit paranoid in that respect, but he's generally nice. Sometimes he stops in the gardens for a walk, but it's because he meets a young woman named Phyllis, who happens to be his lover. They kiss behind the statue of Akatosh, and her father doesn't know about it, so they have to hide." Lex looked at Mandila and then the beggar, who was happily enjoying her meal.

"Did you gather all of that from the beggar?" he thoughtfully questioned.

"Yes," Mandila assured him, moving to lean against the same statue as him, their shoulders nearly touching. "The poor are the eyes and ears of this city. Where do you get your information? Official records and interrogations? There's more to learn from the streets, and all it takes is some friendly conversation and a small bribe. Sometimes a bribe isn't even needed if you're good enough, but that woman would never tell you what she told me. If you're in armor and try to order them around, forget it. They don't trust guards anymore than the waterfront people do, but if you're in casual clothing..." She tapped his sleeve for emphasis. "Then you might have a chance."

"I see," Lex digested. "It seems that no one trusts the city's protectors." He was staring off into the foliage, and Mandila shifted her weight to put the lightest pressure on his shoulder.

"That's not true," she assured him, and he swiveled his head to look at her.

"What exactly do you expect from me, Mandila?" he cautiously asked. "You've shown me this for a reason. Are you doing this because you want me to catch the Grey Fox or not?" That was a very good question, and not one that she was unprepared to answer. Of course she didn't want the guild to be harmed, but she did want something from him, and if he could only live up to his promise...

"I didn't do this with a larger agenda in mind, to be honest," she confessed. "But I do want you to see that my argument makes more sense then your defense. Everything you want to know is out there, if you'd only be a little less harsh." Lex was about to speak when she began rummaging in the picnic basket for something. "And," she happily teased, "I got you something."

"For some reason, that does not comfort me," Lex muttered, which only made Mandila's smile broaden.

"Here!" She handed him a small scroll. "I wanted to give you something meaningful." Lex didn't bother asking why as he unrolled the parchment and scanned its contents, his eyes widening as he realized what he was looking at.

"This is a map," he stated, glancing at her with hard eyes. "What exactly is the 'X' for?"

"Several months ago, a man stole gold from a merchant, and you never caught him."

"I remember the case," Lex allowed, watching how her eyes were fixed on her shoes, as if she were nervous. "He's still a wanted man."

"He's dead," Mandila stated. "I'm sure that you noticed the announcement since your office has access to death records...well, I saw him going down the coast with a shovel once. That map shows where he went." She had planned on using the money for herself, but this seemed like a better idea, for it was the only thing that she could afford to give Lex that would mean anything to the man. She had been nervous at first, for this would be treachery since the dead man had been a guild member, but dead was dead, and Mandila had no loyalty to a corpse. Besides, this was worth it, and she couldn't feel otherwise as Lex regarded her with appreciation and even sharper interest than usual.

"You could have used this money for yourself," Lex acknowledged. "But you didn't, and your honesty won't go unnoticed, I assure you. The merchant was offering a reward for information, and I'll make sure that you get it." She smiled and looked up at him, getting lost in his blue eyes once more, and wanting nothing more than to kiss him until he forgot the Grey Fox and even his own name. It was a nice dream.

"Happy birthday, sir," she told him, and his face tensed in surprise before relaxing into an almost content warmth.

"Thank you, Mandila." His elf had done well—better than most of his guards in getting this information. "I could ask how you know," he continued. "But you apparently have very good sources."

"So was lunch worth it?" she teased, and he was disturbed by how close she leaned in toward his face when she rose to knees. "I thought about getting you wine or something, but that seems so common."

"This was better," he admitted with a small smile. He was staring right into her face as she paused before him, a blush rising in her cheeks.

"There is something else that I'd give you, if you would allow it," she softly breathed with an unspoken promise, her eyes on his lips again. Lex knew exactly what that meant, and realized what a fool he'd been for not noticing her attraction to him in the first place. That blush, the way she leaned closer, reached toward him, even went out of her way to get him the best present that he'd ever received...don't encourage her, hismind warned. He was aware that she was extremely pretty when she wasn't annoying or defying him, but the thought was waging a war with his other realization: hiring Mandila would be brilliant, but could he handle being around her for extended periods given her interest in him?--not that he disliked the interest, because he was finding that the more he was exposed to it, the less he wanted to be rid of his elf, but there was the issue of professionalism, and he didn't want romance. He wanted...damn, but she wasn't moving, and those brown eyes were staring right into him.

She could help him with his fight for justice, but could he protect her? Suddenly he worried about what would happen if he failed her. She didn't even seem to think that he could fail. He was always confident and proactive, so why was the question of her safety giving him second thoughts? Oh, she would be such a perfect partner for getting at the guild, but he'd never had a partner with hips like that, or one that wanted his lips. Why wasn't she moving? He had to have her work for him! She was the missing key to his victory against the waterfront.

"Mandila," Lex began, knowing that he needed to get her invitation away from his lips before he did something that he'd later regret. "Would you be interested in working for me?" Never had he seen her snap back to reality so quickly.

"I don't think so," she hurriedly told him, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "And I should probably be going. I have other things that need done today." Lex arched his eyebrows in disbelief.

"You have other things to do besides hassle me?" Mandila hesitated, and he studied her, his mind preoccupied with deciding how to approach this situation now that she'd brushed his offer aside. Was she still scared? Her quick and unsure response made him think so, and with a pang of earnest concern, he wished that he could make her feel safe. Falling short in his ability to protect a citizen, and one that he held a soft spot for at that, was intolerable in his estimation.

"Captain Lex," she began, "Is that an invitation to stay longer?"

Was it?

"I merely find it hard to believe that you'd prefer some everyday task to annoying me," he clarified. "And you still haven't told me where you get your money." Then an idea hit him. "Life would be easier if you accepted my offer. I would paid you well, Mandila."

"Captain..." Mandila stood and scooped up her basket. "It would never work."

"You have to make things work. It hardly ever just happens on its own." Mandila fidgeted with the basket, clearly uncomfortable with what he was asking of her, but he wouldn't relent when he wanted something. "Please think about it," he requested. "The offer will always stand." He could give her a better life, and he knew that she knew it, but the real problem was whether or not she'd think the monetary and professional gains outweighed the personal difficulties that it would cause. "We could be discreet."

"I'm not a tool, sir," she frowned.

"I wasn't suggesting that." Mandila drew in her breath and took a step back, causing Lex to stand so that his more dominating presence kept her from suddenly leaving. "It is only something to consider," he kindly told her.

"I...can't," and she looked in pain, which confused Lex greatly. Her eyes were closed, her hands gripped tightly about the basket, and her lips fixed in a tense line. "Please, sir," she almost begged. "I'll think about it, but please don't ever ask me again. Talking about such things...I'm not looking for a job." She again swallowed, and Lex, his expression softening, stepped forward and brushed hair away from her face, although the intensity of his gaze never faltered.

"I promise to never mention my offer in a way that someone will overhear," he told her, intuitively realizing what part of her problem was, even if he could only guess at the other reasons. "And never on the waterfront."

"Thank you," Mandila relaxed, and he wished that she would completely trust him. "Are you going to dig up the money now?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Tomorrow, when I'm on duty," he told her. "But I have a side project that I need to work on, so this is where I'll leave you." She nodded, and Lex noticed how her eyes were almost shyly considering him from her lower vantage point. Only then did he realize how close he was to her, and he took a step back to give both of them some space. "If you ever want to talk about more delicate issues, get my attention and walk out of the waterfront. I'll follow."

"Okay," she agreed, suddenly blushing, and he wondered what had caused the reaction this time. "Goodbye, captain. It was nice to spend time with you."

"Until tomorrow," he replied, watching her stroll off. He was tempted to talk to her longer, make her more comfortable with him, and hence with his offer, but just because he was off duty today didn't mean that nothing needed prepared for tomorrow. The mole was helping him lay a trap, and according to what the woman heard, it would be fairly easy to accomplish. He'd already contacted the Indarys family, and they were willing to play along with his plan. Now he needed to work out the details and wait, and in the meantime, he would see if he couldn't gain more of Mandila's confidence, and for a mixture of reasons that he was unwilling to fully process. He wouldn't handle her roughly or push her too forcefully, and he wasn't sure that he had to, for even in these last few days, he felt her barriers against his influence crumbling as she drew closer and closer to him. Of course, influence went both ways, but he liked to think that he was above persuasion.

When exactly had this started to happen? They had just shared lunch, and it had been anything but the torture that he would have once expected. It felt like yesterday that he'd been chasing her around the harbor for stripping in public, and there had been no intention of spending more time with her on his part. He'd only wanted to teach her a lesson, but now...it was best to focus on the upcoming attack on the Thieves' Guild.