After returning from the Akbadain ruins, there wasn't much for Elaine to do. Descole was busy doing whatever it was he was doing. Probably looking at and studying some maps of the area around the ruins like he said he would. If he wasn't, then Elaine could only guess what he was doing. Either way, Elaine was guessing he was going to mostly be spending time in the library or his office so Elaine decided to just rest in the parlour and enjoy the heat from the fireplace. She didn't bring or book or bother reaching for the ones in the room. Just being here alone with her thoughts and the flames' cackles were enough for tonight.

The teacup in her hand was empty except for a dark brown puddle of tea at the very bottom, and it was long gone cold since Elaine stopped drinking. She had drank enough. At least for now. Now all she had to do was just...

Actually, Elaine had no idea what to do. Her mind was completely blank in that department. She would probably just spend the night looking at the flames until she fell asleep in the armchair or actually got up to go to bed.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Elaine glanced to the archway where the footsteps came from before looking back to the fire.

"I didn't consider that you would be here."

"I wasn't too sure if you would be 'ogging the library or your office so I decided to just stay 'ere." Elaine responded as Descole stepped in. "Aren't you still working?"

"I've narrowed the notes down enough for me to stop for the night." Descole replied in a slightly stiff tone. "I was going to play a little piano actually."

"Then go ahead. Nothing to stop you."

Descole didn't respond. He stood in his spot before finally going towards his piano and sat down at it. He tested the tonality, pressing a few random keys at first.

"… Any requests?" Elaine looked at Descole though he wasn't looking back. At least not directly.

"Surprise me?"

Descole gave a twitch of a smirk before he flipped through the manuscript in front of him until he picked a page and began playing. Elaine wasn't sure what the name of the piece was, but it was light and airy. It was sweet sounding and was something one could easily fall asleep to if it was late or at least feel a bit drowsy.

"It's lovely." Elaine murmured lightly.

"Of course it is. It sounds even lovelier because I'm playing it."

"Arrogant much?"

"Simply taking pride in my skills, Ms. Hawthorne."

"There's taking pride and there's being arrogant." Elaine retorted.

"And I'm simply taking pride." Descole replied back.

"Then what will you be taking next? Superbia?"

"Same thing, different word."

Elaine repressed a snort. It felt like she should have looked back to the fire but she kept her eyes on Descole. Everything was calm, at ease. Even Descole seemed to be slowly relaxing as he continued playing on.

"So, 'ow long 'ave you been playing piano for?" Descole seemed a bit surprised when Elaine asked that question, but he didn't stop playing.

"I think I had my first lesson when I was about ten. It simply appealed to me than any other instrument."

"What about archaeology and science? Any inspirations for them?"

"My… parents, were an inspiration in regards to archaeology. Science, in school." Elaine noticed the brief hesitation in the beginning.

"Are they still around?"

"… My mother died some years ago and… and I'm estranged from my father." Descole didn't bother to hide the scowl on his face. While it didn't seem like he was lying as such, he was likely holding some things back. Maybe even twisting a thing or two. But in regards to his parents, Elaine wasn't going to look too far into that direction. Well, at least for now.

There was another question on the tip of her tongue. She wasn't sure about asking though since her curiosity in relation to… It just seemed that trying to find out never met with anything and if it did, it wasn't pleasant.

"… You're still curious about Lucy, aren't you?" Descole playing had slowed to all but a complete stop.

"Oui." There was no point lying since it was the honest truth. "And Johanna too." Elaine then quickly added when Descole ceased playing and looked towards her sharply, "y-you mentioned 'er when you were… 'intoxicated', a while ago." Elaine wouldn't dare mention overhearing a conversation back at Stransbury. Descole gave a low sigh.

"Why? Why is it that you seem to want to know anything about myself?"

"I'm not too sure really." Elaine admitted, a little sheepishly. "I just… It's a bit 'ard to imagine you before, 'Jean Descole'."

"You seem so sure that's not my real name."

"It's a 'unch."

"Hmp. Undeniably an impressive one at that," Descole admitted. "But I still don't think it's just plain curiosity why you want to know."

"Maybe," Elaine shifted in her seat a little awkwardly. "Maybe I'm still wondering about that, um… kisss." Descole clenched one hand shut. Elaine was beginning to second guess her question but was surprised when Descole spoke.

"Fine then." Descole stepped away from the piano and went into the nearby armchair across from Elaine and sat down in it. He didn't look towards Elaine and stared directly into the fire.

"I met Lucy around my first year of college," Descole began, his voice sounding a little distant. "She was studying sociology, and we bumped into each other when she was accidently heading towards my class because of a hiccup with the printed timetables on the noticeboard. She wasn't too familiar with the area and I offered to show her around after class.

"She was… wonderful. Exquisite really. Unique. She just… Made me plain happy." Descole had a light smile on his face, remembering days long gone. "I only finally asked her out in December. I noted the small lake near the campus was frozen and strong enough to hold weight so I took her ice –skating. I thought it would be nice and maybe even a little romantic since it was dark outside and she did have an interest in figure skating. It also helped that it was snowing lightly I suppose."

"And you were together since?"

"We were." Descole gave a slightly blissful sigh. "Everything just felt perfect. Like it was right. We seldom had arguments and her family…" Descole paused. "… They, tolerated me. At least."

"It was just about two years after graduation that I proposed to her over dinner and she accepted. We got married the following summer then." Descole paused, and for a moment, Elaine wondered if he was in a light daze. "She looked so beautiful that day." He murmured. He pressed his lips together briefly before he continued.

"We got married, got ourselves a nice, comfortable home with space."

"Where was Raymond by this time?"

"He was already there. Around the time I started college." Descole explained quickly. "It was about five or six months until she got pregnant with Johanna. We were both excited and picking out names for either gender, bought necessities, toys, and clothes." Descole began to frown towards the fire.

"Then… Then labour came. We were at the hospital. I was holding her hand. She was tired, but looked so happy when she heard Johanna's cries. But…" He took a deep, calming breath. "She lost a lot of blood. Too much blood. There was nothing the doctors could do, I could do. All I could do was just hold her hand while I held onto Johanna in the other. I promised her Johanna would be safe. I promised her…"

Descole held his head down, taking a couple more deep breaths. Uncertain what exactly to say or do, Elaine just waited with patience for Descole to continue.

"I had a falling out with Lucy's family afterwards." Descole began again. "Her parents didn't think I would be able to raise Johanna on my own, even with Raymond's help, so they 'offered' to take Johanna off my hands and let me have some visitation rights. It ended up having to go through the courts."

"They actually did that?!"

"I know. It was totally absurd." Descole muttered. "I was fully capable of raising Johanna on my own with Raymond's help. Thankfully I won. After that, I never talked to them again."

"What 'appened after that?"

"It was peaceful enough. Johanna was growing up well and happy and that's all that mattered then." Descole then brought a hand to his face. "Then, she was stolen from me by those mutts. A little more than three years ago."

"… You mean, those people we saw at the Akbadain ruins?"

"Indeed." Descole muttered. "There was a, 'disagreement', between myself and them. They asked me to join, I declined. So while Johanna and I were home, they broke in and offered me another chance. I declined, and... And they stole her from me. I tried to get her but they shot me, making me in no condition to do much but bleed on the floor in pain.

"I passed out from blood lose and later woke up in hospital with Raymond at my side."

"Then about a year later, Misthallery." Elaine guessed.

"That would be about it, yes."

"'Ow old was she?"

"She was six then," Descole murmured. "She would be eight now."

"And you 'aven't 'ad a chance to find 'er?"

"You think I haven't tried?!" Descole snapped, but quickly calmed. "I have tried, but I have yet to find where their headquarters is exactly."

There was silence then. Elaine was the first to speak.

"I'm-."

"Don't! Don't, apologize, or anything. I refuse pity."

"I wasn't pitying you." Elaine insisted. Descole just huffed. "But, you still 'aven't explained the kiss." Descole tightened his lips for a moment.

"I… don't know how to explain. I just… I hate to admit it, but currently, I'm somewhat… perplexed as to what I actually feel towards you."

"Oh?" Elaine sat up a little straighter. Descole sighed and stood up, and made his way towards Elaine. Once in front of her, he put one hand on her cheek and had her look up towards him while he looked back down. Elaine tried to ignore the flush coming over her cheeks.

"You are quite… interesting. To be honest, I grew a little fond of you. More and more. And after Ambrosia, I actually felt betrayed." Elaine winced a little but didn't say anything as Descole went on. "But yet, I couldn't bring myself to hate you, or anything else. And knowing that you tried to save me made me appreciative towards you. That kiss… It was a spur of the moment action. I wasn't thinking logically and did the first thing I could to make you quit your rant."

"But then you thought of Lucy…"

"It felt like a betrayal towards her."

"And now?"

"… I don't know for certain. I can't tell if I want to accept this willingly or if I want to forget about it all." Descole told Elaine as he shuck his head. "I still have those feelings of… affection, towards you. But I'm not sure with myself if I can even…" Descole sighed and pulled Elaine up to embrace her. Elaine was shocked. She didn't react right away as she tried to process her thoughts. Just as it seemed Descole was going to pull away, Elaine quickly wrapped her arms around Descole to return the embrace.

"You're still my captive you know." Descole murmured. "And I still expect translation work to be done."

"And I'll still be a stubborn woman who doesn't agree with your methods." Elaine replied back. "But, what 'appens now?"

"Now?" Descole seemed to think it over before he sat down on the armchair, pulling Elaine onto his lap and resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Just rest. We both need rest."

So I noticed that a note I made in a previous chapter was missing some words so I'll repeat it here. When I chose the name's Lucy and Johanna for Descole's wife and child, I was thinking of the 2007 movie and stage musical 'Sweeney Tood'. I thought they fit and sounded nice.

Also, thanks to everyone for all the reviews so far. I love 'em and I love you! XD