Chameleon, open, detect life, and strength are the spell on jades ring… I messed up on this a few chapter back.

Chapter 6

Karistan wouldn't tell me what he needed the ring for, but I could put two and two together; it was related to the guild and that was enough to make me worry.

I decided to go pick ingredients again, nothing helped more than mindless picking to help sort out your problems…or ignore them. When I got back to the water front it was full of talk, but mostly from the guards.

"Yeah! STOLEN right from his room!" One guard said.

"What happe-" Karistan grabbed my arm and walked us away from the chatty guards. Karistan had the biggest smile on his face, which could only mean one thing. Trouble.

"Here." He said shoving the ring into my hands. I clutched it in my hands.

"What did you do!" I whispered wanting to know what he stole; after all I was now an accomplice. His smile was contagious and I had figured he had stolen from a nobles house.

"Stole the water front taxes." I fell silent as the smile worked its way into a frown.

"You WHAT!" I hissed! "From Lex." I lowered my voice to a whisper.

"With my ring are you insane!"

"Come on Jade you couldn't possibly think its right to let him tax the water front! The people here can barely eat on the budget they have." Karistan tried to reason with me.

"Who cares about the taxes you stole from Lex! He's my friend, even if he is obsessed with the Grey Fox, he's only trying to do what's right!"

Karistan looked at me his eyes narrowing in. "You love that guard don't you!"

"Don't try to deny it." He said as I went to speak. He then got this look on his face as he was trying to convince me of something.

"Jade you have to know he will never feel the same way, he's only been keeping you around cuz he pity's you."

"You don't know that!"

"OH YEAH! Then why where YOU and Myvryna Arano exempt from the taxes?"

"He may have paid for me, but I gave him the gold in return! I whispered as a guard passed by.

"No Jade you and Myvryna were exempted because he pity's you both! You think you're the only woman Lex talks to from the water front?"

I fell silent I had thought I was…

Karistan sighed and grabbed my shoulders and squeezing them in just enough so that there was an annoying pressure. "Forget about Lex Jade. Look at me." I met his eyes with hesitation. Why did he have to say those things to me and, why did it seem like he was moving closer…

Lex's P.O.V.

I made my way to the water front blood boiling, someone stole the taxes right from under my nose. While I was in the room too! I wasn't sure if it was an invisibility potion or a chameleon affect, but they had done it and the only signal was the latch on the door slowly lowering. I had thought it was odd and when my gaze fell onto my desk, the money and the papers were gone.

By then it was too late to search for a culprit.

I could hear the guards talking about the incident as I passed by… "Get back to work." I barked at them. They both scrambled and continued their rounds.

"Forget about Lex Jade! Look at me."

I turned towards the voices and saw that Red Guard holding on to Jade, leaning in to kiss her! With everything that had happened today I had, had enough. I only saw red.

"Lex! STOP STOP! You're going to kill him!

"Captain! That's enough!" I guard pulled me off of the now bleeding Red Guard filth.

"You EVER lay you hands on her again and I'll cut your throat!"

The guards pulled me into one of the guard towers on the water front.

"What's going on?" Officer Friendly asked. "Lex you never give me any trouble."

"He beat up a water front civilian, tried to kiss the girl he's been sweet on." One of the guards explained.

I looked down in shame as Officer Friendly raised an eye at me.

"Okay men back to patrol."

The other two guards left as Officer Friendly led the way to his office.

"So you hit a civilian? Eh! Let me finish, and you hit him over a girl? Not the Grey Fox?"

"Yes Sir."

"I normally would let you get away with this since you are a fine captain and you've never given me any real trouble…" I smile hopeful and thankful he was letting me off.

"Oh Thank you officer friendly! I don't know what came over me-"

"I said normally, Lex." My face dropped while his smile grew.

"I'm gonna suspend you for 2 days, talk to that girl tell her how you feel, think of it as a day off, eh! Don't protest! Just relax the Grey fox isn't going anywhere, but that girl might."

I was left speechless Officer friendly…was always too nice but in a cruel way; what in Talo's name was I going to do for two whole days? I though as I left the guard tower.

"Lex"

Jades P.O.V

I decided to wait for Lex to come out of the guard house, after Armand took Karistan to get heal up, Lex had given him a black eye, broken nose and some bruised ribs.

I knew Karistan was trying to kiss me and I would have pushed him away if given the chance. I straighten up when Lex finally came out, he looked really stressed.

"Lex" he turned to me grabbing my hand and leading us off the water front.

"Wait! Lex, where are we going?"

"Just come with me, okay." He asked over his shoulder, with a soft smile on his face.

I didn't talk for the rest of the walk and griped his hand a little more. That was the first time Lex really smile at me… I couldn't find words even if I wanted to.

"Here have some more, are you sure you don't want any sweet rolls?" Lex asked as he poured more wine into my glass.

"I'm sure, thank you." Lex hadn't let go of my hand even till now as we sat at the inn.

"Lex are you okay? Did you get suspended?" I asked. Lex took another swing from his cup… he on the other hand was drinking mead… Nord mead, I knew how expensive it was but also how strong.

"Yezz…but itz fine I'll just relaxzz." He said pushing out the word in distaste.

"I'm sorry, I know you were trying to look out for me; but it's not worth your job!"

"You're w….it."(worth it) Lex slurred he picked up his mug only to find it empty.

"What was that I didn't hear you?"

"Nothin..Letz gooo." Once again Lex grabbed my hand and leads us out of the inn stumbling out into the street. I grabbed onto his shirt trying to steady him.

"Woh! Be careful." I grabbed his arm and paced it across my shoulders to help steady him.

"Shit."

"What."

"Forgot my kez to the barrackz." Lex said removing his hand from his pocket.

"Oh, well do you want to go back to the inn? Spend the nigh there?"

"Spent all of my money." Lex let out a laugh, "My day keepz getting better and better."

"Okay then let's get to the water front and I'll lone you 10 gold to stay at the inn there."

When we finally reached the beach section to the water front, Lex and I stumbled towards my shack, he was starting to get sleepy and very heavy his armor was also digging into my sides.

"You know," He said speaking up for the first time since we reached the water front.

"This is your entire fault!" My heart sank as we came to a stop, Lex pulled away from me turning to look me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry-"

"And you don't even know why! I'll tell you why! It waz because of what you did right herezzz." He slurred on, pointing at the sand.

"What I did right here? What did I do?" I was confused when had Lex and I been on the beach?

"What did you do?" he whispered, he was smiling again. "She wantz to know what she DID!" He yelled at the sky." Giving a little amused laugh at the end of his statement.

"I'll show you what you DID!" Lex moved forward so fast; I for the first time, for the first time, I was afraid of him and his drunk behavior. He grabbed my head with both hands looking into my eyes; he leaned his head down and captured my lips pressing his firmly against mine.

Eyes closed, breathing stopped, I could feel my heart pounding as he continued with desperate kisses, running his hands through my hair.

Had I kissed Lex before? Was that what he was trying to tell me?

Lex ended up breaking the kiss; I opened my eyes to see him looking down at me.

"Jade..." his voice sounded shaky and his face grew pale.

"You don't have to freak out Lex I… I don't mind." I could feel myself blushing at the statement I had just made.

" Jade I'm going to be sic- *throws up*"

"Ugh! Eww Okay, Okay it's okay let get you inside."

"I'm sorry." Lex mumbled trying to wipe the vomit from my shirt.

"No don't touch it! It's fine!"

I opened the door to my house and pushed Lex inside and closed the door behind me setting the lock in place. I found Lex lying on my bed passed out.

"Lex…Lex come on armor off or you'll regret it in the morning." He moaned as he sat up letting me help him remove his armor.

I blushed when he removed his greaves and was only left with his undergarments'.

Lex then fell back against the bed causing it to creek. I hope it doesn't collapse under his weight. My bed was… fragile, weak, and the wood was splitting here and there.

I let few minutes pass by until I was sure Lex was in asleep, before pulling my shirt covered in vomit off and tossed it into the laundry basket. I set up the bath tub before removing my pants and underwear, and placing my towel on a nearby chair before stepping into the tub.

I glanced behind me as I leaned back against the tub, making sure Lex was still asleep.

I grabbed the rubber duck and squeezed it trying to relax…

After scrubbing off the vomit smell, I climbed out of the tub and threw my towel on heading for my dresser.

I stopped mid walk… Lex was pale, lips blue… not breathing!

"Lex! Lex Hieronymus Lex! Wake up damit!" I shook him a little and discovered a little vomit at the side of his mouth. I laid him onto his side and opened his mouth and digging my fingers down his throat, making him gag. I slapped him on the back a few times as he took in a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" "Can you hear me are you okay?" I asked his eyes darkened as he met my gaze slowly lowering down before stopping. I could see the blush on his face as he tried to look away.

I squealed and crouched to the floor quickly picking up my towel wrapping myself in it once again. It must have fallen off while I was saving Lex.

The room was silent and I could feel a blush settling over my entire body.

"Damn." Lex whispered, his voice sounded horse and deeper than usual, the acid from his throw up must have burn his throat pretty good.

I could hear Lex turn on the bed.

"You can change now I won't look." He said, I noted that he no longer had a slur and seemed to be collecting himself.

I quickly got dress keeping both eyes on him.

"Okay." I went and retrieved a container of water from the cub bored poring it into a cup.

"Here drink this." I Gave Lex the up and watched as he sat up and downed the glass.

"Thank you." Lex said handing back the cup. I placed it on the side table.

"Lex."

"Yeah."

"You're a pervert when your drunk…You. Are. A. Closet. Pervert." I didn't really know what to say or if I had offended him with my statement. He just always seemed like the no public display of affection type of guy…not that I minded either way.

"You kissed me, and then proceed to vomit on me, give me a heart attack by choking on your vomit…and then you saw."

"I saw nothing." He denied. The blush creeping up his neck said otherwise.

I gave him a look.

"Okay I saw everything! And I don't regret anything that happened tonight! Plus you kissed me first.

I gasped, "No I did not!" I said crossing my arms.

"Yes you did weeks ago after that night at the inn when you were drunk, you kissed my freckles and then my lips."

"Oh God I thought that was a dream!" I wined covering my face. Lex pulled my hands away.

"That night, I decided you were mine! I don't want anyone else to have you. Jade I like you… a lot.

Damn I though as he pulled me in for kiss… he better not be playing with me.

Nothing happened last night. Lex fell asleep right after our kiss. I on the other hand pulled out a bed roll that I normally used for my travels and fell asleep by the fire. I woke up before Lex, and started on breakfast. This mostly consisted of bread, cheese, fruit, and warm water.

Lex was still asleep so I decided to go out and stop by to the Bloated Float Inn and by a hangover potion for Lex and maybe also some sandwiches too. I reached for my bag and grabbed my coin purse. I counted how many gold coins I had left…1,200. "Damn." I whispered to myself I had spent a little more than 1000 in 2 months.

I grabbed enough for one sandwich and left… hopefully Lex wouldn't need that hang over potion that much.

When I got back Lex was still asleep I set his breakfast on a plate and went to wake him only to find him staring at me. Sexy blue eyes staring at me.

"Where did you go?"

"To get breakfast I figured you'd need it after last night…"

Lex got up and put on his greaves leaving him shirt less.

Blood rushed to my face once again as he sat down at the table; the chair groaned under his weight, hopefully it wouldn't break.

I pushed the sandwich towards him and dug into the fruit on the table.

"Where's your sandwich?"

"I..I ate it on the way back…couldn't wait."

Lex raised in eyebrow and slowly continued to eat.

"Soo.. will you allow me to?" Lex asked taking my hand into his own. I smiled and giggled at his sign of affection.

"You don't have to ask to hold my hand."

Lex let out a laugh and squeezed my hand a little more it made my heart race.

"I mean will you allow me to court you?"

"Oh! I… yes." I said smiling at Lex he smiled back and continued to eat his breakfast.

"Hey Jade do you mind if I borrowed… Well I guess I was naïve to think they would throw one of their own in jail." Karistan said closing the door.

"Ever heard of knocking?" Lex hissed at him… "Jade you how can you forget to lock your door! The city isn't safe least of the entire waterfront!" Lex scolded me.

"I'm sorry… um Lex I'm uhh going t-to talk to Karistan for a minute I'll be right back."

Once Karistan and I left the house I walked closer to the beach and water and away from my house.

"What afraid of Lex hearing?" Karistan asked with a dirty smirk.

I sighed looking up at the clouds placing my hands on my hips… I looked at Karistan's bruised face and suddenly wanted to hit him too.

"Stop treating me like I'm a part of your guild!" I whispered to him, "I have done nothing wrong, OKAY! And no you can't borrow the ring! You said it was a onetime thing!"

"You are a part of the guild, guilty by association! Lex would be furious if he were to find out."

"Don't you dare say anything to him! And don't you even think about using the ring against me. Leave me alone Karistan… you don't know the true meaning of friendship!" I yelled at him, I could see remorse fill his brown eyes as I turned to walk away.

"Jade, I'm sorry I don't know what got into me." I kept walking.

"Jade. Jade. JADE! DON'T WALK AWAY FROM ME ANNA!" That was the last I heard before I closed the door.

"Are you alright?" Lex asked, "What did he want."

"Nothing Lex he's just being a jerk. I'm fine. Anyways it's your 'day off' today what would you like to do?" Lex paused to think… "I'm not sure…I've still got some paper work to do and I really must get my keys from the guard tower."

"Yes you should." I said with a laugh.

"How about dinner later?" Lex asked stepping closer.

"Dinner would be nice, but let's just stick to water tonight I think you should leave the mead to the nords."

Lex grinned and grabbed both sides of my face then kissed my forehead before turning to leave. I smiled at the closed door before looking around the room…I guess today would be an early cleaning day. I picked up the laundry basket with my Lex vomit shirt on top. Yum… this would be fun.

I had finally finished washing my clothes and I found my thoughts were filled with Lex… I wanted everything to work out well, but being attached to the thieves' guild even in the smallest ways would cause A LOT of problems between Lex and I. Well to be more blunt; like a mace to the head he would hate my guts. I shivered at the thought of Lex treating me as he did a few months ago…like any other citizen.

I place the now clean but wet clothes into the basket and walked behind my shack to place the garments on the cloth line to dry. There was also my money situation to think about… I had carelessly been spending my money on dinners with Lex and Itius and it was draining the hard-earned money right out of my pockets! I would have to go back on the expeditions back to back at this rate.

I guess tomorrows as good a day as any.

Dinner with Lex was uneventful- in a good way we both managed to stay away from drinking and Lex had also paid for my dinner, the walk home was silent and peaceful and we held hand all the way to my house.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Lex asked. I paused and told him about my trip.

"Which ruin are you going to?"

"I don't know the name, but it's not too far away. I'll be fine." I lied…well he would never let me go if he knew.

Lex sighed and pulled me in for a hug I followed his embrace.

"I'll see you in a week's time, it will fly by you'll see. And don't forget to relax tomorrow try staying in bed all day for once, it gives you time to relax and think."

I quickly brushed my lips against Lex's uttering a goodnight before entering my house and waving good bye.

So what do you think about this chapter?

Sorry for the long weight… school is finally over for now and I passed my finals! YES! And I made this chapter pretty long well idk it's long to me 10 pages in word on an 11 font but I hope you guys like it. I've decided to make the story longer than originally planned… cuz I got another idea so this story will eventually drift away from romance slightly but not too much so don't worry!

Also what do you guy think about Lex's possessive behavior? I figured since he's so dedicated to the grey fox he would be the same way towards other things in life. Lol

And if you know who 'Officer friendly' is you are the coolest person ever! LOL