Disclaimer: Reaver is only mine ion my dreams... ;)

"No," Lisbet said firmly and she stamped on the ground to emphasize her point. The charismatic tyrant tried to hide the smile at the young woman's determination and outright refusal. She was such an interesting change to all the other females (not to mention males) who were normally in his presence. The ones who constantly begged for his touch, or pestered to be in his bed.

"Yes," Reaver said, just as firmly.

The stubborn young woman angrily blew her fringe upwards, as her cheeks reddened ever-so-slightly from her anger.

"Reaver, there is no way on this earth that I'm going near that glowing blue orb. Didn't your mother ever tell you not to touch things like that?"

Reaver was losing his patient with the stubborn young woman, even though she reminded himself of his more boisterous days, when he was the pirate King.

"She did, actually. But then I had quite an eventful run-in with a Hero, and then a blind sorceress and both of them fervently told me how safe these little orbs are. So here I am, naturally," he said with utmost sincerity.

Lisbet stared at him.

"I never know when you're joking and when you're being serious," she mumbled, shaking her head.

Reaver chuckled softly and his right hand gently traced his tiny black heart-shaped tattoo.

"Neither do I, mon amour, neither do I."

He suddenly clapped his hands together with a devilish smile. "And so, now we use the cullis gate to quicken our journey to Samarkand. Are you ready, Lady Rebel?" He held out one gloved hand to her, green eyes watching her expectantly.

Swallowing away the lump in her throat, she clasped his hand tight in hers.

Reaver was, regrettably, pleasantly surprised at how nice her hand felt in his. It was something he'd never done before, holding hands, except with her. The feeling was so alien to him it made his cheeks subtly flush a dear shade of primrose.

But then he cursed himself and the magic was broken. He refused to let her creep back into his thoughts. That was one skeleton he was not prepared to let out of the closet.

Looking down at Lisbet, Reaver was dismayed at how much she looked like her. She had the same feline-shaped eyes and Cupid 's bow mouth.

Not that that would change his feelings for her. He was looking for a feisty bed partner, nothing more. Yeah, he kept telling himself that.

"Reaver? Are you alright, or are you stunned by my bedazzling beauty?"

Her voice shook him from his inner turmoil and a coy smile returned to his lips.

"Take your clothes off, my dear, and then I shall be stunned at your bedazzling beauty."

Lisbet furrowed her brow and pouted in the way she always did when she was irritated.

"You are infuriating!" she cried, throwing both hands, including the one holding Reaver's, into the air in exasperation.

Reaver rested his cheek softly against hers, bending down to her level, much to her annoyance. He closed his eyes for a moment and let her sweet scent permeate his senses. She smelled like her, too…

But he shook his head to banish those thoughts.

"Why thank you, sweet thing. You are quite the charmer, you see," he purred.

Lisbet gently pushed Reaver aside but her hand found his again and she squeezed it with a friendly but tad reluctant smile. Reaver stared down at their entwined hands and noted the peculiar warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was oddly pleasant. He didn't like it.

He frowned to himself and taped his cane thoughtfully.

"What's the matter, Reaver? You have such an unflattering expression for such a youthful, carefree face," Lisbet said, her expression seeming to be one of worry. Reaver was very curious as to why she seemed to care so much, when she'd been so cold before. Maybe she was warming up to him. It was a nice thought. Pity it was highly unlikely.

"Ah-nothing, my dear. All fine and dandy, I assure you." He cleared his throat. "Now, are you ready to use the cullis gate, hmm?"

Lisbet rolled her grey/blue eyes.

"I was ready the last time you asked, my dear," she explained.

"Ooh, so fiery! I like it! Come come, then, my little song-bird, take my arm and follow me to Samarkand," Reaver smirked, offering her his arm. She walked smartly past hi and laughed to herself as he attempted to mask his shock.

Lisbet tugged her weighty suitcase towards the glittering blue orb, cheeks growing a delightful shade of pink as she gasped. The way she panted made Reaver imagine what she'd sound like in his bed, crying out…

He watched her, amused, leaning on his cane, as she desperately pulled and yanked her suitcase and he had to admire the girl for her determination.

"What on earth have you got in there?" he asked, tapping his toes with a coy grin. Lisbet glared at him. Ah, so it was back to icy remarks and cold glares, Reaver thought, Oh well, it only made the pursuit more interesting.

"Shoes," came her reply.

"Shoes? Did you say shoes?"

"Yes."

"In Avo's name, why do you need so many shoes?"

Lisbet flipped back her dark hair with her hands and blew air out of the side of her mouth.

"It's always a fashion parade, Reaver, you should know that. Or maybe not, because you're a man and you don't care a whit for fashion," Lisbet taunted, knowing all-too-well that the man was as fashion conscious as they came.

Reaver gasped and feigned mock-horror, clasping his heart with one gloved hand.

"My lady! You offend me!" He lowered his hand and clicked his heels together for good measure. "In all honesty, however, you are most certainly incorrect. Why do you think they sell clothes designed by myself? Because people want to look like their fashion icon of course! And as for the shoes…I have a secret wardrobe entirely dedicated to shoes, where I pick my favourites that day to grace my feet." He nodes smugly.

With that little revelation over, Lisbet raised her eyebrows and tried to smother her giggles. The Pirate King…had a secret shoe fetish? Reaver really was a weird man.

"Well that was slightly more Reaver than I bargained for, but hey, the moment's over and now we can go to Samarkand," Lisbet said aloud but she was talking to herself as Reaver was muttering to himself about the splendid-ness of Samarkandian leather.

She waved her hand an inch in front of his face but he grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. She drew back her hands, eyes narrowed.

"You're of course right, darling. Here, I'll take your suitcase. No, no! No fussing, Lady Rebel, I am the strong man here after all." At that, Lisbet rolled her eyes again and this caused the libertine to chuckle. "Hold onto my arm, my dear, unless you want to be left in limbo."

Lisbet made a grab for his arm and as soon as she came into contact, she was enveloped in a dazzling blue light and hurled forward. She landed on a pile of what she assumed were clothes and lay there for a moment, too nauseous and stunned to move.

"As much as I like you nestled between my legs, I prefer to kiss a girl before consummating our relationship. Oh, who am I kidding? You can stay there for as long as you like, my dear!"

Lisbet scrambled up off Reaver, blushing furiously. She looked around at the oddly exotic landscape and winced at the merciless heat. She wafted her face.

"Are we in Samarkand?"

Reaver by this point has picked himself up dusted himself down and was adjusting his top hat. He looked at her drolly.

"Yes darling. I suggest you strip off your heavy dress so you can stand the heat. I know, I'll help you!" He exclaimed, nimble fingers outstretched and eager.

It was going to be a long journey.

Oh god, Reaver is soooo OC-ish! I'll try to stop that next time. Please R and R! x

Toodles!