From what I can tell from the reviews, Caitlyn/Crowley romance is accepted and approved. ^_^ Which I'm happy about, 'cause that's what I had in mind. ^_^ Anyhoo, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice

Crowley strolled around the castle, aiming for nothing, doing nothing. It was a nice change from his usual busy life, but he wasn't at ease with all the people so close around him. Years of living the dangerous life that Rangers led had made him always on edge, no matter what his cheery demeanor might make people think.

He glanced around unobtrusively, looking for a less crowded place. There wasn't one. The cobblestone streets were completely packed. Then a grin lit up his face. The streets were packed, but there were always other options.

Ten minutes later, he sat on top of the roof of the castle, out of view of the oppressive crowds. He heaved a sigh of relief, at least until he heard something behind him. He nocked an arrow and spun to face whoever it was, arrow pointed at them.

Caitlyn smirked and raised her hands in a submissive gesture. "I surrender," she said sarcastically.

Crowley lowered his bow and gave her an apologetic grin. "Sorry about that."

She shrugged, coming and sitting next to him. "It's fine. You probably don't like people sneaking up on you. With your job, I'd guess that you have a lot of enemies."

Crowley gave a short laugh, one that was more rueful than humorous. "We're Rangers. It's an occupational hazard."

"I suppose you could call it that," Caitlyn said, smiling.

They sat in silence for a moment. Caitlyn glanced over at Crowley and saw that he was looking at her. "What?" she asked.

He blinked, like he hadn't even noticed he was staring. Then he grinned. "Sorry. I just can't get used to the fact that grim old Halt has a sister. It was strange enough to figure out that his brother was a king."

"His twin brother, no less."

Crowley's eyes widened. "Twin brother? I think that Halt may have skipped out on that little detail. He seems fond of doing that. I mean, when I met him for the first time, he'd said that he'd run away from Hibernia because someone wanted him dead." He shook his head. "Though it's true that he's never been averse to twisting the truth."

Caitlyn didn't respond that time.

"So, why did you leave Hibernia?" Crowley asked her.

She shrugged. "Ferris was being an idiot."

Crowley raised an eyebrow. "You left your home country and your son because your brother was being and idiot?"

Caitlyn sighed. "You know how stubborn and bull-headed Halt can be at times, and how infuriating he gets when he's like that?" Crowley nodded, remembering when Halt left to rescue Will from Skandia and what he did to be able to go. "Well, Halt is still a good man. Ferris isn't. Ask anyone in Clonmel about his rule, aside from those last few days. At the end, Halt actually boosted his reputation by impersonating him."

"Halt's the kind of person who would do something like that, isn't he?" Crowley joked.

Caitlyn nodded. "Definitely."

"What I don't understand is why Halt has such contempt for authority and chivalry when he was raised as a prince." The word still sounded strange in Crowley's mouth—his long time friend, royalty?

Caitlyn snorted. "Halt's almost always been like that. He just never really agreed with our parents in practically anything at all. It just wasn't the way he was. And then when—" she stopped suddenly.

Crowley looked at her curiously. "'And then when' what?"

Caitlyn shook her head. She'd been about to tell Crowley why Halt had left Hibernia, but she figured that her brother would get more mad than she was willing to deal with if she did. "It's a long story," she told Crowley.

He laughed. "I'm going to be here all week."

Caitlyn gave an exaggerated sigh. "There's a lot you don't understand about women. One of them is, when she says 'it's a long story', either she's going to tell you without any prompting or she's not going to tell you at all."

"Well, you're not exactly like most women I've met," he said.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder and fluttered her eyelashes jokingly. "Why not? Am I prettier?"

Crowley just blinked, not sure what to say—this conversation was going in directions he hadn't predicted. "That's not what I meant," he tried.

Caitlyn pretended to pout. "Oh, so I'm uglier?"

Crowley acted as though he were stung. "No! Not that… In fact, it's quite the opposite," he added in a quieter tone.

Caitlyn blinked and stared at him. He looked surprised that he'd said it himself. They looked at each other for a moment, then glanced away, both blushing. They were both glad that Halt wasn't here and listening—Crowley was certain that he'd never live it down and Caitlyn was sure that he'd go into protective older brother mode. Neither thought was desirable.

Abruptly, Caitlyn stood, brushing off her skirts. "I'll be off, then, Crowley," she said, not meeting the Ranger's eyes. "It's been nice talking to you."

Crowley smiled, but it was somewhat nervous and weak. "Pleasure speaking to you as well," he said.

She walked away then climbed down from the roof, leaving Crowley sitting alone. He closed his eyes and berated himself for saying what he did. She was his old friend's sister. He'd met her yesterday. He couldn't possibly feel for her. Besides, Halt would likely murder him if he did.

Then why was he still thinking of the way the sun reflected off her hair, and the way she smiled? Why did he feel this way?

Now on the ground, Caitlyn sighed and leaned against a stone wall in a mostly empty courtyard. She felt her cheeks burn again as she remembered Crowley's comment. He thought she was pretty. But then, so had many men she'd known briefly during her travels. But Crowley actually seemed sincere. Maybe she was just sugarcoating it, but she couldn't help herself. There was something stirring in her heart.

She knew that, despite her best intentions, despite the awkwardness of today's meeting, she would find a way to seek him out again tomorrow.

It was the end of the week now. Crowley's vacation was over and Caitlyn, Halt and Will were about to leave on their mission. The escort would be here at Redmont with Horace and Cassandra, ready to depart for Hibernia shortly, and Crowley would be heading back to Araluen Fief.

Crowley stood in the forest, watching a river wash past, thinking of how it related to him at the moment. His vacation had been wonderful, but like each twig and leaf in the river, it was over before he felt it had begun.

He felt a presence as someone walked up beside him. He stiffened momentarily, then relaxed as he saw who it was out of the corner of his eye.

"Hello, Caitlyn."

Caitlyn nodded and smiled. "I was wondering where I'd find you."

They'd seen each other every day for the past week. They'd given themselves different reasons for it, but they knew why—each of them felt it. They just didn't know if the other did. So they kept themselves quiet.

Crowley gave a heavy sigh. "Looks like the week is over."

"Thank you for the news flash, Crowley," she smirked.

He gave her a joking glare. "I was simply stating the facts."

Caitlyn didn't look like she had heard. She had a faraway look in her eyes and was staring at nothing in particular.

"Are you glad you're going to see your son again?" Crowley asked gently.

Caitlyn smiled and nodded, her eyes lighting up. "I haven't seen him in years."

Then a question occurred to Crowley that he hadn't thought of before. "What happened to your husband?"

Caitlyn glanced at him. "He died when Sean was about three. That was over twenty years ago."

Crowley nodded, feeling a bit of not completely unexpected relief that he wasn't feeling anything completely impossible. "Will you be staying in Hibernia?" he asked.

Caitlyn tried to measure his tone. Did he want her to stay there or come back? She shrugged. "I don't think my wandering days are over. I probably won't be staying in Hibernia." She saw him relax a bit, almost unconsciously, and felt a glow of pleasure. "I probably won't settle down either, though. I'm not patient at all. I felt like I was going to die when I had to wait a week and a half for Halt."

"Are you sure that wasn't the dagger?" he grinned. Caitlyn had told him the entire story of coming to Redmont.

Caitlyn grinned and shook her head. She glanced up at the sun, checking the time, and grimaced. "I need to go now."

Crowley sighed. "Alright. If you ever come back, make sure you drop by Araluen Fief. I'd be happy to see you."

Caitlyn smiled. "I'll be sure to." Crowley was staring at the river, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Almost without thinking, Caitlyn leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Crowley jerked his head up at her touch, staring at her. Dark eyes met blue (1) and she felt mortification heat her cheeks. But then she noticed that his gaze wasn't horrified, more just filled with wonder. She gave him a small smile and turned and ran to where the group would be waiting for her to leave.

Crowley reached out a hand as if to stop her, but she didn't see. He brought his hand to his cheek where she had kissed him, and watched in mystification as her slim form darted in and out of the trees.

"She'll come back," he whispered to himself, more of an assurance than anything else. There would be another day.

(1) Are Crowley's eyes blue? I think they are. Blond and blue eyed, tell me if I'm wrong please.

If you didn't like that chapter because you don't like fluff, sucks for you. I'm not apologizing. Don't like, don't read.

On a different note, aww, I liked writing this. I hoped you fluff-lovers thought it was cute, because that's what I was aiming for. Caitlyn and Crowley are pretty similar, if you think about it: sarcastic, funny, not afraid to needle Halt.

I hid a movie quote in here, altered by one word. Whoever can find it gets a shout out next chapter. ^_^ Have fun with that!

Review! I live on reviews! You don't want me to starve, do you? ^?^

-Rydd Rider