Chapter 21

Varian rolled to his side to see what had awakened him. A form moving in the blackness that enshrouded his room. It caused him to sit up, but not swiftly enough. He was propped on his elbows when a single feminine finger pressed to his lips.

"Shh." The pressure slipped away.

"Fox?" Varian was able to make out her face. The weight of her body half over his own. "How did you get past the guards?"

She didn't answer with words. Cupping his face in her hands, and dropping her mouth to Varian's. The soft lips moving over his in a teasing motion. It beckoned him to respond. Asking for more in an undeniable way.

Varian moaned deep in his throat. A hand rising to clasp her arm, as his mouth opened to deepen their kiss.

She moved over him. Strong thighs straddling his waist, as Varian fell back down on to the soft mattress. He had no idea what had prompted her change of heart, but he wasn't going to protest. Locking his arms around her. Then rolling her over so that he could stare down at her face, framed by wisps of fine black hair on his stark white pillow. She smiled up at him. White teeth sliding across her lower lip. The look in her eyes speaking of what was to come.

A knock came at the door. Varian scowled. Not the damn door again. Anduin could get away with that, but in the middle of the damn night, he seriously doubted it was his son this time. "Go away."

The sound came again. "I said, Go. Away." Still it didn't stop.

"GO AWAY!" Varain bolted up in his bed. Sun streaming through the window. The knock stopped abruptly. And so did Varian's dream. A groan of a whole different nature followed him as he fell back on his bed. Closing his eyes against the light of dawn.

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Fox came out of bed early. She was not going to wait for a summon from the good King Wyrnn. She had enough of waiting for orders. She had been the dutiful SI-7 agent. That was why she was sitting in Shaw's office when he arrived.

"Fox?" He yawned as he entered the room. "What are you doing here? Did you bring me coffee?"

"No, I did not bring you coffee. What I brought you was one great big request for another assignment. I don't care where, but I am thinking Kalimdor or Northrend." She watched Shaw move across the room, the way a cat watched a mouse just before striking.

"You do not like Northrend. The undead, the cold, an entire list of other things that I am sure to remember when I wake up." Shaw reminded her. He wanted to turn around and head back to his bed. Today was going to be one of those kind of days. Shaw could feel it in his bones.

"What about Outlands. There has to be something happening out there you need done?" Fox crossed her arms over her chest. She would not be swayed. "How are the Goblins in Area 52?"

"What is this about? You hate Goblins. Loathe them, since before I knew you." Shaw turned away and grabbed some files from the large table the doubled as a desk.

"King Wyrnn has requested my friendship and asked me to call him by name." The flatness of the tone left no room for error. Fox was not pleased.

"Congratulations." Shaw never looked up. Opening his files intent on starting his daily reports.

Fox moved across the room. She reached out and took his folders. Closing them and tossing them back to the table. "I am serious Shaw. Fine someone else. Today.

"Can you tell me what is so terrible about being friends with the most powerful man in our sphere?" Shaw sighed looking longingly at his reports. He knew better then to pick them back up with Fox acting so upset.

"Because if I start calling him by his name, he will turn into a person to me, Shaw!" She said it with such emphasis it caught the Leader of the SI-7 by surprise.

"I hate to break this to you Fox, but he is. Sure he has a bloodline and a title, but when it comes down to it, he is just as human as you and I are. Might do you some good to try and remember that next time you see him."

Fox made a choking sound. Did Shaw really expect her to walk right back into the lion's den? There was a long silence as she waited for him to make some move. Say anything that gave her more leverage. When he simply raised one eye brow, she was forced to confess. "He almost kissed me."

"Congratulations?" Shaw slapped his hands off his thighs. Mentally berating himself for not seeing this coming. "I have to admit, that took longer then I expected."

"Longer then you...? Damn you, Shaw!" Fox felt the pieces clicking in place. Like some huge puzzle had been in front of her the entire time, and was just now starting to form a picture. "You used me didn't you?"

"I use everyone, be more specific."

Oh, that stung. After all the years they had work together. The times she had put her life on the line just to get some tiny scrap if information. The people she had removed from this world just because he said it needed done. "How is this working for you; did you intend me as a sexual distraction for King Wyrnn from the start."

Shaw hopped up to sit on his table. "Yes." The look in his eyes daring her to react.

Fox balled her fist before she could even process a thought. The arm lifting to strike him. The urge to do so repeatedly was strong.

"I would hold that temper in check. Remember we have a contractual relationship, Fox." Shaw waved a finger at her in an impish manner.

"It never said anything about prostituting myself out for your damn amusement!" She snarled. The brown eyes narrowed to mere slits.

"You are correct. It doesn't ask that of you, and so far the only thing you have been asked to do is guard and entertain the great King Wyrnn. How you choose to do it is between the both of you. I am not making you do anything." Shaw was a master manipulator when it came to the races of Azeroth. There was more to being a rogue then killing and stealing. If you wanted to be the best you had to be the brightest.

"But you expected us to fall in each other's arms from the start." She watched him close. The expression he gave her clearly said, why else would I have chosen you? Fox deflated in that moment. Why had she not suspected it from the start. Had she not said he needed a noble daughter instead of a rogue, herself? She was such a fool! "I can't believe you."

"Come on Fox, skip the virginal act of purity. It doesn't become you." Shaw leaned forward and stared at her hard. "It's not like you are an innocent girl. Hell, you aren't even a young woman."

Fox scowled back at him. There was acid in her tone as she asked, "What? You are going to punish me for a few games of hide and go peek behind the SI-7 Headquarters in Stormwind?"

Mathias perked up. The brown eyes going large. "Behind the... Was I in my office at the time?"

"Or what about when I played crack the can with a Paladin at the Argent Tournament? You never had any problem with my behavior back then. Perhaps you want to crucify me now for the, what's under your robe games in Dalaran? She started to pace the room waving her arms manically. She was getting more worked up as she spoke. The tone growing louder with each confession.

"Dalaran? Really? I don't think I ever heard about that either."

Fox stopped her pacing and shot back, "No? There was the Dwarf in Ironforge and...

Shaw lurched forward almost falling off his perch at that. "Wait. What? Oh Fox, no."

"Or the Gnome brothers in Kharanos?"

Shaw turned green at that. "To much information, Fox!"

"Really, because I was certain you would want to know about the Orc in the Field of Strife."

Shaw scowled, "Okay. I know your lying now." She had certainly had him going there for a while.

"Of course I'm lying!" Fox ranted at him. "Because, that aspect of my life is none of your damn business! So, do make the effort to stay out of it from here on out."

"Why are you so upset about this, Fox?" Shaw waited, but there was complete silence. "You can always tell Varian no. It's that simple." Still more silence. Shaw felt his jaw dropped as he started making a few mental connections of his own. "You like him, don't you?'

"You think?" Fox spat bitterly. "I don't think there is one woman on your payroll that hasn't made calf eyes at him at some point or another. Why should I be the exception?"

"Oh gods, Fox, what are you thinking? Do you know the ramifications of something like that?" Shaw came off his table shaking his head. Limits had to be set. Somethings were allowable, others were clearly not. Should Fox and the King become anything more then casual lovers it could lead to the SI-7 having some one order her elimination. He should know, several times in the past the Stormwind Nobles had dealt with social climbers in such a way. Powerful people didn't like it when the commoners or riff-raf swam in their pool. And Fox certainly did fit squarely into both of those categories. "Are you an idiot?"

"No! I am not! That is why I am telling you to ship me out to some god awful second rate rat hole!" Fox was almost pleading.

"Yeah, and how am I supposed to do that when King Wyrnn has finally taken a real liking to you? Couldn't you have said something sooner?"

"Say what?" Fox sputtered, "Oh yea, that King Wyrnn is one hell of a prize stud. I mean look at his arms. That back! I wonder if his rear is as hard as those plate pants. You know, I wonder what he has hiding up front for that matter?"

"I'm going to be sick if you don't stop it, Fox." Shaw clasped his hands over his ears.

"That wasn't me. It was a conversation I heard on the Skyfire on the way out to Pandaria from some of the younger recruits." Fox stomped her feet in frustration. It was a childish motion, but she was ready to choke Shaw at this point.

'The younger?" Shaw's disbelief flooded his features, "Fox, I hired those agents just for this mission. They are all practically babies!"

"Don't look at me, I wasn't encouraging them. I was trying to forget everything they were saying before I even heard it. Considering I'm an old maid at this point. As senior agent, this entire deployment was old before it started. I knew you were dropping us on a celibacy cruise before I got on the damn ship!"

"Well, I am sorry to tell you this Fox, but the only way you are going to get out of your special duty is to tell him out right you want reassigned. It's out of my hands."

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The summons came much later in the day then Fox had originally anticipated. She had no idea why the King had waited, but now she stood outside the main counsel room. She could hear him talking to someone else inside. She looked longingly down the hall. How wonderful would it be if King Wyrnn was detained by official business.

The man came out of the room with an armful of papers. Nodding over at her, "Are you Fox?"

"Yes, sir." Her voice barely above a whisper. Maybe she would get lucky and escape the King's notice. He could forget to call her in. That was a possibility, right?

"He is ready to see you now."

Fox nodded and watched the gentleman walk away. Of course, no one else was in the hall. There were guards, but no one waiting to be seen after her. That could only mean Varian was planning on dragging the lecture out. She looked over at one the guards and asked hopefully "Is Prince Anduin still here?"

"No, Miss." The guard looked down with sympathetic eyes. "He flew out this morning."

"The King's mood?" Fox started to wring her hands.

The guard looked at the door and then back to Fox, "He has been even tempered all day."

"FOX! I know you are out there. Get yourself in here right now!" Varian's voice roared into the hall.

"Until just now." The guard jerked to attention.

"Wanna take my place?" Fox asked as she stepped toward the door way.

The guard's answer was a simple, "No."

The door was shut behind her. Fox turned and stared at it. Praying that this was not a sign that things would turn out as poorly as they had the night before. She turned and caught King Wyrnn's eyes on her. "Your Majesty."

"Come in, Fox. I am not going to eat you." Varian sighed and turned away to look over his desk. At least he could see it again. All morning he had worked to catch up on the backlog. Not because he had wanted too. No. He had wanted to call for Fox first thing. But after the way he had awakened, he decided that would not be the best course of action.

Even looking at her standing hesitantly by the door reminded him of the taste of her skin. Not what he should be focusing on when an Alliance warship sat in Bilgewater Outpost half way under the sea.

She walked forward to take her place in the middle of the room. The brown eyes locked on the floor.

Neither of them wanted to draw this out. It was an extremely uncomfortable position for the both of them . Varian having to decide how to handle her actions, and Fox having to comply with his decisions. This was not how friendships were suppose to work. "Why did you do it?" Varian moved closer.

"Exactly which one of my actions am I defending first?" Fox lifted her eyes to his. Wishing instantly she hadn't.

"Choose. We will go through them all eventually."

"Shouldn't you be seated then?" Fox asked, "Seeing as there is so much I have to answer for."

"And where is the fairness in that. There is only one chair and if I take it, that leaves you sitting on my desk. Unless you decide to sit on my lap, as you explain yourself." A faint smile tugged at his lips. Then in a teasing tone he added, "If you choose the lap, I can assure you that I will go easier on you."

Fox could not stop the strangled sounds that escaped her. It was not her most glorious moment. "We can stand if you want too."

Varian laughed and shook his head. Only Fox would go this route. Others in her position would ask for his mercy. Beg prettily for it. But Fox, no. She gives him the most unfeminine sound of disgust he had ever heard. Not that he believed she didn't desire him for a moment. He had seen her shaking before him already. Just last night, watched her turn into his hand eager for his touch. "I'll cut to the chase. I want to forgive you all of it. From the disobedience to the sunken war ship."

"Should I be concerned?"

"All you have to do is promise not to do anything that reckless again." Varian leaned against his desk waiting to see what she said. Knowing instinctively that she wouldn't just agree.

"Of course! And for how long should I refrain from being reckless? Will a week suffice or should I try and string it out for at least two?" Fox slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Care to explain your response?" Varian stood back up. He was not amused. "Because I assure you that I am most serious in this. You knowingly and willfully endangered yourself. How can I just pardon that kind of behavior knowing what the inevitable outcome will be?"

"I'm a member of the SI-7." She argued.

"Your point being?"

"I am really a rogue, your Majesty. My daggers aren't for ceremonial display."

Varian looked to her hips to where the weapons rested. "I realize this. But there has to be a compromise. The fact is, even though you have not accepted my offer of friendship, I still find the idea of you rushing from one life and death situation to the next unsettling. Now I realize that you are incapable of knowing when you have hit your limit." He looked down and shook his head. "Fine. You will spend the rest of my stay here with in the walls of Lion's Landing."

"What?" Fox could almost hear the key being turned in her imaginary shackles. She was being made a prisoner in her own base, by her own King. Freedom evaporating like a morning mist in the hot sun. "Are you intending to ground me like I am some sort of teenager out past curfew?"

"See it anyway you want. Something has to be done."

Fox put her hands before her. The fingers curling to claws at the idea of being curtailed in such a way. The sheer thought of this was claustrophobic. She had never done well with restrictions. It was why her parents did not know her real occupation. It was why she had chosen it to begin with. The freedom to move without restrains was as vital to her as the air she breathed. "I can't take it anymore! Find someone else to watch you. I don't want to do it anymore."

"Are you resigning you position as my guard?" Varian watched her change before him. The stress of his punishment seemed to have crossed some kind of line. But then that was exactly what he had wanted.

"Guard? You mean babysitter, don't you." Fox wanted the words back the moment they left her mouth.

"What did you just say?" Varian roared as realization of what she said struck him.

Fox stepped back. Her hands going to her stomach in pure terror. "I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking."

"Oh no, don't lie like that now. I believe you said exactly what you think. Possibly for the first time." Varian's face was full of livid anger. "Is that what you think of acting as my personal guard?" The blue eyes icy. The word tossed back at her. "Babysitting?"

He was just as stunned, as he was angry. He was Varian Wyrnn, High King and Lion of the Alliance. A Gladiator Champion of Dire Maul. His name was shouted by his heroism and might. His enemies cowered in terror of his power. Only ever daring to attack in large groups, and even still he toppled them all. And now Fox, this diminutive rogue with her tiny daggers dared to claim to be babysitting him. He should have turned her over his knee last night. That at least would have curbed her insolence.

Fox stood silently awaiting his word. He knew she would accept her fate with quite dignity no matter what he commanded at this point. It was clear she was willing to do anything to pacify his rage. Something had to be done. She must never be allowed to get away with insulting him like this. Position demanded it. But how to punish her? What would leave the most lasting impact on someone so utterly stubborn.

He stood unmoving for a long while. Allowing Fox to fret over her fate before saying, "Very well, you can have your reassignment." Varian's voice was barely controlled.

Fox could not believe her ears. Did he just say that he was giving her what she wanted?

"Your punishment not to step outside Lion's Landing stands. After you leave this room, I will send a letter to Shaw relieving you of your duties to me, because I have no desire to allow you in my presence anymore." Varian's anger ruling his words.

Fox didn't dare to say anymore. She bowed and turned to go. Eager to be out of there before he decided to run her through as she deserved.

But Varian locked his hand on her arm. Pulling her back. "I did not dismiss you yet, rogue." Varian growled, "Before you leave, you need to realize I am not a man to be babysat."

The free hand reached out and his fingers tangled tightly in her hair. In an instant finding the kiss they had been denied last night. It became a burning reality. Only this one was not full of gentle grace. Their first kiss was full of a warrior's strength and passion. Varian not holding back the kaleidoscope of emotions she had churned up in him. They were all there. In the way he held her with infinite tenderness; contrasting on the fierce pressure of his lips.

Fox had been caught up in his perfectly laid trap. Her mental walls had not been prepared for the sudden reversal. She was left spinning in a daze of unexpected feelings. The fear that had consumed her melting away as she responded. They dueled for emotional supremacy. Fox felt her hands slide up to cling to his chest armor.

Combat was something they both knew very well. It gave them an open field where they could draw the imaginary borders. Finally finding some space where they were both equals.

The best advantage always went to the one who struck first, Fox knew this rule as she opened her mouth allowing Varian even greater access. Leaning back in an effort to draw him closer.

But in the end, Varian Wyrnn was the one who ended their match. Claiming a hallow victory, when he pushed her away. He looked down still brimming with anger at her previous statement and growled, "Now get out!"

Author Note: Angry Varian is Angry. As for the questions I had yesterday, Fox is 30 if I have done my WoW math correctly. She was 5 when Stormwind fell. Varian is 37. I am very BAD at math and WoW math reminds me of Algerbra. How so? Look at the equations!

Jaine is 30 WotLK = 33M MOP, Arthas +1, Varian =3

Fall of SW Varian 12, Fox 5 (later on this will actually matter)

Anduin 15, Varian 22 at time of birth

Varian would then have married Tiffin at age 18/19 shortly after being crowned...

Solid cannon WoW? Doubt it. But this is where I stand with this story. If it's AU, then so be it! I made an effort... points at BAD math skills again. It's not like Im going to calculate how fast the Tram was going when Golden shoved Fox under it, that is for sure.

The upcoming "scene" that everyone is concerned about... fans self. Raise rating or separate steamy one shot? I had not considered it. I was going to try and use my writing skills to flamboyantly paint an abstract picture of interpretation. I guess I could be more graphic, if such a scene ever does take place. Like a corrupt politician on your TV screen I can neither confirm or deny the legitimacy of any of this, at this time. That is all... I will still take questions. Be prepared for vague answers.

Thanks for taking the time to read the story! I am so happy to have someone to share it with.