Howdy guys. Long time no see. I apologize for taking so long to get this chapter out to you guys. I got hit by a bunch of late minute summer homework which took up all my time and then school started and I had absolutely no time or energy to write. I did have the time today to write on what was my second day of school, so things may or may not come faster. You guys are just gonna hang with me. It's my senior year and I have a lot of challenging classes that are really demanding of me, so I'm not sure how much free time I'll truly have to write for fun. Hell I already have an essay assigned. But enough about me. I did something different for this chapter mainly because I was short on story for the chapter. I did a bit of a flashback thing and I might do it more often. We'll see. Anyway read and Enjoy!

Chapter 17

"Gregor," said a quiet voice, right next to his ear. Gregor perked his head up at his name and looked Luxa right in the eyes. They were alone in her hospital room. Well, kind of. Thomas slept on Luxa's bed, curled up next to her side and near Gregor's arm. Gregor's head was resting on the bed.

His day had been filled with more things than he could have imagined. In the days since Perdita had asked for his help, she had him working harder than he ever had before. She had him running messages, training soldiers, checking on the walls reinforcement and defense, making sure weapons were being made. Her Generals were too busy training their soldiers to assist her with errands, and that only left her Gregor. He was faster than Mareth and had a knack for getting information. That morning she had sent him off to check on almost everything possible.

"She wants me to check the wall, the smith's, and the construction all at the same time," Gregor muttered to himself as he trudged through the empty halls. His fists were clenched at his side because of how much stuff he had to do. And Perdita wanted it all done immediately just so she could have him do more stuff. It kept him so busy that he rarely saw anyone beyond her and Mareth. He was really regretting agreeing to help her with all the work simply because he was getting all the work.

The flier he had been assigned was sitting waiting for him in the high hall. He was big and gray. Almost as big as Ares. They only spoke to each other when Gregor needed to tell him where to go. The bat was gruff and not at all jovial. The only words he spoke to Gregor were when he had told him his name. "I am called Ptolomus," the bat had said and that was all.

"Take me down to smiths," Gregor grunted. The bat let Gregor climb on and then shot off the stone floor and with ease drifted down over the city. He flirted around the taller buildings and soared towards the sound of banging hammers without even flapping his wings. The smith's had set up a massive forge to be able to produce all the metal they would need for the ballistae they were building. It was open on all sides and allowed for many men to work on it at once. It gave off a powerful glow and the ringing of hammers could be heard for many hours straight.

"Wait here. I have more to do after this," spoke Gregor to the bat with no hint of emotion. The bat flew a few feet off the ground and Gregor leaped off his back. He was glad to be out of Ptolomus' silent and somewhat gloomy company. There were several smiths and their apprentices working, beating metal, cooling it in water, pumping the bellows. The person Perdita had put in charge of the operation was Ivan. He was the best smith in all of Regalia and had figured out how to make each part of the ballista. The small man stood off to the side watching each hammer strike the metal, shaping it into the pieces of the ballista. There were several pieces in a cart to his left.

Gregor made his presence known so as to not startle Ivan who was very intently watching. He spun around at Gregor's footsteps and a smile crossed his face.

"It is good to see a different face. Yours breaks up the monotony of what I have to see down here. What brings you to our operation this day?"

"Perdita wanted me to check your progress and how everything is going. Same as my last five or six trips," Gregor replied quickly. Ivan had seen him several times over the last few days and Gregor never had new stuff to ask. Perdita always just wanted Gregor to check progress.

"Ah yes. Everything is going well. We have made enough parts to build many of these machines. We are running low on fuel for the forge, however. Perdita will have to send us more if she wants us to continue." Gregor nodded several times and looked back at the forge. A large piece of glowing red metal emerged from the hot coals and instantly a hammer was pounding it into shape. It bent and molded to the form as it cooled. A burst of steam arose from the water trough next to the anvil and then the metal was back into the forge. The man hefting the metal was covered in sweat and dust and soot. His arms bulged with muscle and he wore a leather apron. It was a sight that could be seen all around the massive work space.

"Keep up the work, Ivan. I'll have Perdita send some fuel to you and the workers." Gregor turned to walk back to Ptolomus when Ivan called to him.

"The sword, Overlander."

"Huh?" Gregor responded to the odd outburst. What sword was Ivan speaking of?

"The sword I am currently holding for you in my shop. I have a man that wishes to purchase it. I did not mean for him to see it, but I was cleaning it when he walked into the shop. I am afraid I can only hold for a week more, otherwise I will sell it to the gentleman."

"O-okay," Gregor stammered out. In all the hustle and bustle that was going on he had forgotten about the sword. "How much is it again?"

"It shall cost you 50 pounds even. I am not one for complicated payment," Ivan said with a chuckle. "Do you have the amount?"

"I have not counted my money in some time. I might be close, only one or two more payments."

"We shall see. Come to me at the end of the week and we shall talk. Now go and finish your errands. I know you are a busy man and have much to do." Ivan turned his attention back to the forge as if he had forgotten Gregor was standing mere feet away. Gregor was, however, stunned. He hadn't mentioned anything about more things he had to do. How could he have known that?

Shaking his head Gregor turned and walked a few paces away, before whistling and leaping into the air. Ptolomus darted underneath him and Gregor landed square on the bats back. For never having met the bat until a few days before, he was able to work rather well with him even though he despised his unnatural silence and gloominess.

"Take me to the construction site, Ptolomus." The bat swooped away towards the wall. In the matter of a few seconds, the gray bat drifted down on the seen below. An army of workers were assembling the ballistae in an open area not even a hundred feet from the wall. Pieces were being slid and locked into place with bolts and intricate design plans. Supervisors watched over each group as the machine was being assembled. Gregor hopped off the bat and strolled over to one of the supervisors.

"I need a report on the progress," Gregor said startling the man. Or umm woman. She turned around, her short hair barely moving. She looked at him and a nasty look crossed her face. A few quick steps brought her right up to Gregor. She was several inches shorter than him, but Gregor felt like he was looking up at her. Her face seemed to show power and control that even he didn't have. Involuntarily he took a step back.

"Why should I have to report to you, Overlander?" She spat at him.

"Because Perdita sent me to check on the progress of the work here. I am just following orders."

"I will not answer to an Overlander, no matter how important you may be. I have work to do to make sure that these… weapons… are finished on time." The woman turned and started to walk away, but stopped at the indignant grunt Gregor let out.

"Those weapons are called Ballista. I designed them and thus I have the right to know how the progress is going. Now get back here and tell me how things are going before I get you sent to clean up after the animals or something." Gregor hadn't allowed his voice to show his anger. He had stayed completely calm and that made his threat that much more powerful.

The woman's eyes flashed at Gregor's outburst. She looked at her group of workers and her eyes grew even wider.

"THAT PIECE DOES NOT GO THERE! YOU FOOL, IT GOES HIGHER! FIX IT, NOW!" she screamed at the top of her lungs startling half the workers and causing several of them to lose a grip on what they were holding.

"Actually, he was putting it in the right place. You do not know what you are doing," Gregor said to the woman who only looked at him dumbstruck, before turning to the man who had just been yelled at. "Come here for a moment, sir." The man placed the metal arm he was holding on the ground and jogged over to Gregor.

"Do you know how to assemble this?"

"Yes, I do, Overlander."

"Good. You shall oversee this group now." He turned his attention back to the woman. "Go take his place."

"You do not tell me what to do. I was placed in charge of this group and I will stay there. I am being paid for this work."

"As am I" the man Gregor had called over said. "You were just being paid slightly more. Now I shall and you shall not. Go get to work. NOW!" The shout sent the woman scurrying away. The man's voice had boomed out and had caused even Gregor to jump. A small laugh left Gregor's mouth. "That felt good," the man said.

"What is your name?" Gregor asked through his laughing.

"I am called Geoff."

"Geoff, can you tell me the progress we have had here?"

"We have built eight ballistae and are currently building four more. There are parts for two more already here and we have been told that more are coming, Overlander"

"Thank you, Geoff. And please call me Gregor."

"Gregor. I shall remember that. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"Not today, Geoff. I just have one more thing I must do for the day. Get back to supervising your group. I want these things built right." Geoff nodded to Gregor and returned to his group, issuing quick orders and correcting small placement issues. As Gregor returned to Ptolomus, a loud shout filled the cavern again and a smile broached his face. It felt good to lower the power hungry.

The bat scooped Gregor up and drifted with him over to the top of the wall. Gregor dismounted for the third time. The wall was being defensed and the work was well along. Large blocks of rock littered the outside of the wall and large metal spikes lined the base of the wall. That was just a few of the obstacles they were preparing for the stingers. There was even more stuff that Gregor didn't know about.

On top of the wall sat all the ballista that had already been built. They were spread far enough apart that there would be no trouble for the teams to work them, and there was ample space for the rest of them. Bins of three foot long bolts sat next to the best weapons Regalia had at their disposal. He ran his hand along the metal and tested the mechanisms. The cranks drew back the string well enough, but it took him more time than he would have liked. Two men would be able to do it much faster. He took one of the bolts from the bin and notched it in place. A spot on the wall stood out and he slowly and carefully aimed for it. His hand hit the lever and with a snap and a crack the bolt shot off. A second later sparks illuminated the wall, a terrible screech was followed by a metallic clang and he knew the bolt had hit the ground. A nearby scout flew off on his flier to retrieve the bolt for Gregor.

All in all the ballista worked like magic. It was fluid and had plenty of power. The bolt had shot off with plenty of force and would easily be able to pierce almost anything in the Underland. A pat on the back was all he gave himself as he returned to his flier again. "Time to get back to the palace," Gregor muttered to himself and climbed onto Ptolomus to return and report to Perdita.

He had reported to Perdita and had hoped she was done with him for the day. That was the wrong hope. She had sent him off to check on training with Mareth and he had wasted countless hours working with soldiers to show them the best way to kill stingers and informing them on how to weaken them and how to not get killed. The same thing they had been told numerous times and had practiced. Yet, they weren't always the best at remembering. They were just in awe that they had Gregor teaching them. It had worn him out more than he had thought.

And now he found himself with Luxa with no energy to really do anything. All he wanted to do each day was sit with her all day, but that was impossible for him. He rarely had the time to come visit her at all except at night when they were both tired. And today was one of those days.

"Gregor," Luxa repeated, placing her hand gently on the back of his head. She ran her hand through his hair and lifted his head to look at her. "Are you alright?"

"Wha… yea. Yea, I'm alright Luxa. Just been busier than I think I ever have been before. I'd rather go on a quest than work my tail off for Perdita."

"You are helping more than you know Gregor. And we all appreciate it. You have taken a large role in this and for that I thank you." Luxa leaned over and kissed the top of Gregor's head, before resuming running her hand through his hair and stroking the top of his head with her thumb.

"I know. I just would rather spend my time with you. Make sure that you are alright." A small laugh escaped from Luxa's mouth and then she erupted into loud laughter.

"What?" Gregor said, his eyebrows pinched down staring at Luxa. He wasn't trying to be funny.

"It is that you wish to make sure I am alright when twenty doctors do that already. I do not want you to make sure I am alright, Gregor."

Gregor's head shot away from her hand and off the bed. "Sorry that I just want to make sure that you're taken care of. I won't do that anymore if that makes you happy, Luxa. I don't know why I should come here then."

"Oh, calm down Gregor. I want you here to be with me and keep me company and not to make sure that I am alright. There are many others who do that and fawn over me. I do not need one more. Lay your head back down."

Gregor slowly laid his head back down next to Luxa, his eyes never leaving her face. As soon as his head made contact with the mattress, Luxa slapped the side of his head.

"What was that for?" he said his voice raising.

"That is for thinking I do not want you here. I would have no one else here with me and you know that."

"Whatever," Gregor said and raised his head again. He climbed out of the chair and sat on the edge of the bed next to Luxa. She scooted over a bit to let him have some extra room. He rested his head against her pillow and kissed her on the cheek. His hands moved Thomas into his lap and the three of them lay there in silence for a bit.

Gregor felt his eyes drooping shut when Luxa's hand snaked into his own. He entwined his fingers in hers and they lay there. His weariness seemed to slowly ease away the longer he held onto her hand. Luxa squeezed his hand and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Did you ever… umm date other girls in the overland?" Gregor had felt her trying to remember the word he had used all those years ago. The question seemed odd to hear coming from her mouth. She never really felt worried about her personal life and only worried about her kingdom. However, Gregor had heard the worry in her voice.

"I did. But I never felt anything. I was lonely and thought that their company would help me. It never did. I always thought about you instead and wondered what you were doing, how you looked, if you were in danger, or if you were even still alive. I never got comfortable with any of them. Why do ask anyway?"

"I was just curious. You never…did anything with them?"

"No. Never. Not at all," Gregor blurted out before calming down. "I could never do anything like that. I kissed one of them and they wanted to, but I left her alone at her front door. I couldn't do it and never would have."

"You did not want to have children?" Luxa asked, her questions slowly getting more and more personal. Gregor was more and more surprised by what she was asking. She never pried into his life without reason, but what was her reason?

"I want children, but I wasn't ready nor did I want to have them with her. We were both too young and it would have gone terribly. But that's beyond the point. Lux, why are you asking me these things?"

"I will tell you in a moment. I have but one more question for you. Would you want to have a child with me?"

"Of course, Luxa," Gregor sputtered out. "If there was any woman in the world that I would want to be the mother of my child it would be you. You are the best woman I have ever met. You are sweet and kind and also tough and deliberate when the time calls for it. I have seen you with Thomas who is already pretty close to a child of our own. When does he not leave your room? You would be a great mother and I would only be able to love you more if you were the mother of my child."

Luxa's face was stained with tears. Her face was red and her throat was tight. Gregor looked at her with a questioning look. What had he said that made her cry like that? She was taking in deep, shuddering breaths, sobbing harder than he had ever seen anyone cry before. He wrapped her in his arm and held her close to his shoulder. He couldn't do much more because of her injury.

"Lux, what's wrong?" Gregor whispered into her ear.

"I… am… sorry," Luxa said between breaths. Her tears were making Gregor's shirt soaked, but he didn't care. He pulled her closer and just held her. "The doctor's… told me… that… I… couldn't…" Luxa didn't finish. A wave of sobs overtook her and she pressed her head back into his shoulder. Gregor rubbed her upper back and whispered words into her ear to try to calm her down. Her sobs started to slow a bit and she hiccupped. Her breathing was still very unsteady.

"The doctor's told me… that I couldn't bear children, Gregor. I will never be a mother." And then her eyes filled with more tears and she sobbed harder than before.

Gregor's stomach had dropped at the words. He hadn't expected that at all. He regained himself and wrapped both his arms around Luxa, resting her head under his chin. He rocked her there the two of them sitting there full of dread. He couldn't imagine how hard this was on her.

Gregor didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The way he was holding her and how he was acting told Luxa that he understood and that he cared. That he was there for her. Her sobs slowly died away, leaving her puffy eyed and with the hiccups.

"You still love me, Gregor?" she asked.

"Of course, I do, Lux. There is nothing that could make me not love you. You are my everything. You are what I live for."

"I had to make sure. I thought you may not want to be with me because of it. It is common for a man to leave his wife because she does not bring him a child."

"Everything will be okay, Luxa. I'm not leaving you any time soon." The two sat in silence for a long time. Luxa never took her head off of Gregor's shoulder. They were more comfortable than they had ever been with each other. There is always that one thing that brings a couple closer together and they had found it. This was a hard time for Luxa and Gregor would be there for her no matter what happened. That was his job now. He would be there for her and protect her to his last ounce of strength if it was the last thing he did.

The time passed and neither of them spoke. Thomas hadn't woken up, but he had rolled over several time and tossed in his sleep, but he was the only one that moved. It was peaceful. Kind of.

Luxa suddenly perked up and nudged Gregor's side. He looked at her and only got pushed harder. Reluctantly he picked up Thomas and laid him on the bed next to Luxa and slid off. Standing there he felt kinda weird for some reason.

"You need to go Gregor. You are not supposed to be here this late. If the doctors see you they will not be happy and may not let you come see me anymore."

"Okay, Lux." Gregor leaned over and kissed her on her forehead. She smiled at him and pointed to the sleeping toddler. Gregor scooped him up in his arms and kissed Luxa once more before leaving through the door. The halls were basically empty except for him and the little boy. Gregor had nowhere to take him, so he figured he would just sleep with him like he used to do with Boots.

He pushed through the curtain to his room and laid the toddler on his bed. He pulled his shirt off and splashed some water on his face. It had been one hell of a long day and it was time for him to get some sleep. Well-deserved sleep.

"Hi." The little voice had enough power to fill Gregor with a bit of dread. He turned towards Thomas who was sitting up on the bed. "Hi."

Gregor knew he was in for a long night.

I think I did a good job at stunning the hell out of people with this one. No one even came close to this little plot twist. I feel really evil right now. Muahahahahahahaha. Drop me a review and tell me what you think.

Question: What do you think of Luxa and Gregor's relationship now? What do you think of it for the future?