Zelgadis' Gambit

Chapter: 12

On the Road Again

I know...I know I've been really bad about updating...but the whole life after college thing is not always that forgiving. If you're still angry then throw something at my head...I'll enjoy the nap.

The two mages of the court were on the road again as they headed towards the border with the nation Rand. As they traveled the same routine continued within the carriage. Rose sat on her side as she watched the countryside go by as her partner sat of on the opposite side of the carriage with his eyes closed. Grey sat in his meditative state as his ears twitched while he listened for anything that might be out in the forest. Rose smirked before saying, "You know you can relax. It is a bit different from normal...and I don't see how you can hear over the marching of our escort."

Rose's statement was true about the situation that the two were traveling with. On the outside the carriage was being escorted by a full platoon of soldiers that were there to insure the mages got to their destination. Back on the inside Grey smirked before saying, "I guess bad habits die hard," before opening his eyes.

Rose smiled as Grey had finally decided to look at her instead of sitting there with his eyes closed. She looked back out the window for a moment before asking, "So do you think this will be a pain?"

Grey looked at Rose before replying, "Hard to say...neither of us has had any experience with the skirmish and we have not met anyone from Rand so it is hard to predict what we are walking into."

Rose sighed as she watched the scenery of the countryside go by. The forest had given away to flowing hills that lead towards another patch of woods in the distance. The destination for the day was a small village on the other side of the woods that they were approaching. Once there the entourage would relax for the night before continuing the march towards the border. As the group continued along Rose turned back towards Grey and asked, "Do you think everything will be okay with us not going after bandits?"

Grey smirked before his head quickly turned and he shouted, "Stop the carriage."

The carriage and the troops came to a grinding halt as the door came open and Grey stepped out with his sword drawn. He turned towards the woods that they were about to enter and called, "I know you're out there...I can smell you."

The troops began to form up as Grey held his arms out to his sides as he walked towards the woods. The enigmatic Grey had gained a reputation for being fearless and used that reputation to full advantage as he could usually scare away attackers. As he continued to move forward with no hint of worry Rose came out of the carriage and shouted, "Grey! Would you just come back here...all you're doing is making yourself a target."

Rose was known as a powerful mage but she was also seen as the only force in the world that could rein in Grey. As she marched towards the forest there was a lot bang from the distance. Rose turned to see a cannonball flying her way. As she was about to summon a shield the form of Grey raced in front of her. "Grey..." was all she could yell as the cannonball hit him dead on.

The cannonball hit and bounced off of Grey's body as he stood to his full height. His eyes locked on to the smoke from the cannon and smirked as he began to move towards the cannon. But, before he could launch at the men there came a shout of, "Fireball," and the cannon crew went up in smoke.

Grey turned to see Rose holding another fireball while saying, "You just got hit with a cannonball...there is no way you are going to damage yourself even more."

As Rose was beginning to let Grey have a piece of her mind, more men began to come out of the woods. Grey turned and smirked before taking off with his demon speed. Rose cursed before launching the fireball into a pack of bandits as the battle was joined by her and the rest of the troops.

The front of the woods were smoldering as the troops worked to make sure the fire did not catch to the whole of the forest. The bandits had been scattered in a defeat and the only proof left were the battle scars. As the group moved back to the carriage Rose had finally caught up with Grey and was letting him have it. "I told you to come back and you wouldn't listen...not only that you get hit with a cannonball and then stress yourself in battle. Do you have a death wish?"

Grey smirked before saying, "It's okay...everything worked out...," before stopping and coughing up blood.

Rose's eyes went wide as she saw the blue blood exit Grey's mouth as he crumpled to the ground. She raced to her downed companion as she began a healing spell. Rose laid her hand on Grey's chest as she let the healing energy wash over him. As the spell continued she rolled him on his side so that any more blood would not go into his lungs. Rose looked at the troops and said, "I'm going ahead to the inn of the village. Be safe and meet me there."

The soldiers nodded as they watched Rose enveloped Grey and herself in a bubble and flew off in the direction of the nearby village.

He felt the pain in his chest as he laid there with his eyes closed. He could not help but think, 'Rose is going to finish the job once I wake up.'

He felt a weight shift on his shoulder and could smell the perfume. He knew it was Rose, she always carried that scent of flowers, but he was not sure if he should open his eyes. After a moment he opened his eyes slowly to be met with a head of red hair on his shoulder. He listened as he heard her breath come in a steady rhythm signaling that she had fallen asleep. He smiled, a genuine one that came only when no one was looking, and moved his right hand to the top of her head. He ran his fingers through her hair while just enjoying the moment. Most people thought he acted so fearless, and wild when in danger, because he was different and did not have to fear most things. While some of that was true the real reason he acted the way he did was because of the red head by his side. He had an need to protect her. A want to make sure that she never came to harm. 'We are strangers that have bonded...and yet I feel like I must be the one to protect you,' Grey thought as the red hair pour out from his fingers.

Grey smirked while he thought on his adventure. He did not know his past, but the longer he was with Rose the less important that seemed to become. He worried less about remembering who he was and more about making sure that Rose was happy and protected. Of course the main thing that seemed to be on Rose's mind was to remember who she was, and to that point Grey was willing to serve whatever role he need. 'If you need a knight, I'm here, if you need a shoulder, I'm here, I will always be here,' Grey thought single-mindedly.

It was about this moment that he heard a yawn as Rose began to move. Grey moved his hand from Roses head as she sat up and yawned. He watched as the young girl as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and then looked down at him. To Grey's surprise Rose smiled and said, "Welcome back," instead of exploding at him for getting hurt.

Grey smirked as he began to sit up but was pushed down by Rose. He looked at her to see the face he was expecting. Rose's gentle look had changed to the all business look. She looked Grey in the eyes before saying, "I'm glad you are okay but you are staying in the bed for a while."

Grey looked at Rose as his eyes became serious and replied, "I feel fine. We do not have time to waste...we have to get to Rand soon," before trying to sit up again.

Again, he was pushed down by Rose and met with a look that said she would do bodily harm to the chimera if he did not listen to her. Grey, feeling uncomfortable being weak, began to sit again. His head soon met the pillow again but this time with a stinging pain and accompanied by the sound of, "Son of a bitch," from Rose.

Grey opened his eyes again to see Rose clutching her hand in pain. Grey put two and two together and realized that Rose had lived up to her threat and had punched him for trying to sit up. He sighed as he sat up slowly and took a hold of Rose's hand while saying, "When will you learn that hitting someone made of stone is bad for your health?"

Rose looked at him before saying, "When you learn to stop taking so many risks," before blushing as Grey took her hand into his own.

Rose watched as Grey cast a healing spell and felt the pain in her hand numb. After a moment the spell ended and her hand felt normal again. Rose looked at Grey before pushing back down into the bed. She smirked before saying, "I told you to stay in bed."

Grey did not argue this time and stayed in the bed. He watched as Rose moved closer and began a healing spell of her own. "Your ribs are still sore I'm sure so let me take care of it," Rose replied as she lowered her hands to Grey.

Grey watched as Roses hands came to his bare chest. He soon closed his eyes as he felt her small fingers begin to slowly run along the contours of his chest. He felt each light touch, each drag of the finger tips as she tired to make sure she healed him completely. Grey pulled his lower lip between his teeth and bit down to keep himself from moaning out at the feelings that Rose's fingers were causing. He could feel his cheeks stain red as he tried to control himself. He felt a hand flatten out on his stomach and press gently as it continued to move. He could not hold on any longer and released his lip with an airy moan.

Rose's face had been stained red for most of the process as she watched Grey almost squirm under her hands. She was truly worried about his health but this healing session gave her something else she had wanted for a while. She could touch Grey's bare chest without having to explain what she was doing. She ran her hands over Grey as her fingers studied every curve, every groove of his chest to her delight. One part of her was curious about his make-up as a chimera, the other part of her was not so pure. She continued to feel up her companion as he continued to bite his lip. She smiled, though the blush never left her, as she was happy that Grey seemed to want her touch as much as she wanted to touch him. As the spell ended Rose left her hands on Grey as she said, "That should be enough."

Grey opened his eyes, pupils quickly focusing on Rose like a wild animal that had just found a meal, and sat up quickly. Before anything could be said Grey wrapped his arm around Rose's shoulders and pulled her close. He moved closer before saying, "Not quite enough."

Rose could not breathe as she was really close to Grey she was about about say something when he captured her lips with his own. Rose's eyes grew wide at the feeling of his slightly rough lips on her own. She accepted his kiss and mirrors his gentle movements as she allowed herself to close her eyes. A few moments later the two pulled away slightly before looking at each other while breathing heavily. Rose looked into Grey's eyes before swallowing and asking, "Do you feel the same way I do?"

Grey nodded before drawing Rose into an embrace. He ran a hand through her hair before whispering into her ear, "Be mine...my beloved."

Rose pulled back a bit before saying, "Of course...I love you Grey."

The two kissed again as Rose joined Grey in the bed. They stayed in each others arms the rest of the night as they enjoyed being with each other.

Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.

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