Author's Note: As of last chapter, I realized that when I combined earlier chapters it kind of messed things up for reviews. For the next few chapters, if you try to review it may say you've already reviewed that chapter. If it won't let you review here, you can always PM me instead. I also forgot to mention from the last chapter that Zayne is the main pawn of Blood Angels Captain and Athena is my best friend's pawn – thanks to both of them for requesting their pawns to be used/letting me use them. Zayne for sure will be back in the future. ALSO, I've been having line break issues yet again, so I had to just write "line break". So dumb. Well, on to the feels!

After Ceileigh released Zayne and Athena, she and Leandor returned to their room. Now that they were out of the field she couldn't stop thinking about the night before. His arms had felt so safe and being against him felt so good that she longed for him even more now. She felt somewhat awkward about the whole thing, but since Leandor wasn't acting any differently it was easier to act like nothing had changed. She washed her face at the sink in the bathroom, stacked her armor by the foot of her bed and laid back on top of the covers. She was too awake for an actual nap but they didn't have anything to do until Madeleine came by, so she closed her eyes and tried to relax till then.

While she attempted to doze, Leandor checked over his weapons and armor, making small repairs and polishing it all to a shine. After that he sat on the edge of his bed, looking around for something else to do. Ceileigh heard him sigh and shift some books around on the shelf by the fireplace, then the slight creak of his bed as he returned to it with his selection. He sighed again and she heard the continual rustling of pages. She finally cracked an eye and looked over at him. He was on his back as well, holding a book up in front of him, scanning each page briefly before flipping to the next.

"Are you looking for something in particular?" she asked. "Wait, is that a book about spells and potions?"

"Yes," he frowned.

"Looking to hone your healing skills, are you?" she joked. "Did you trade your sword for a staff when I wasn't looking?"

"'Tis the only one I have yet to read," he replied, his frown deepening. "Of course it only contains intonations and recipes I will never use." He flipped through a few more pages and shifted his shoulders in an irritated manner. "Unfortunately, I have no other tasks for the foreseeable future."

She rolled toward him and pointed triumphantly. "So you're bored! Remember when you said you would never be bored with me? I believe you said…'it is an honor to serve you, whatever we are doing'," she teased, mimicking him in an exaggeratedly grave voice.

He put the book down on his stomach and looked at her with a glint of humor in his eyes. "I suppose I am. It is new, and uncomfortable. It makes me feel…impatient. Even when we are not in the field, we usually have things to do here. Also, I do not sound like that."

"Ha! That's exactly what you sound like!"

"I do not!" He lifted his book again. "My voice is far deeper."

Ceileigh laughed and stretched, then turned onto her stomach with one arm dangling off the bed. She watched Leandor for a moment and couldn't help smiling at how cute he looked as he tried to concentrate on the book. He suddenly turned toward her with the same look he'd been giving her lately, like he wondered what was going on in her head.

"What is it, master? Do you need something?" he asked, his icy eyes searching her deeper blue ones.

"Uh – no, I – I was just thinking that," she thought quickly for something reasonable to say, "maybe you should start learning different skills so you have hobbies to take up your free time. Can you think of anything that might interest you?" I can't believe he caught me staring AGAIN! He makes me forget myself too easily…

He put the book down again and thought for a minute. "Carving, perhaps."

"Carving?" she questioned, trying to picture his big hands whittling delicate figures out of wood. But then she thought of him tying the knots that held parts of his armor together or setting snares. He IS good with his fingers, she thought, holding back a snicker as her mind raced with images of them touching her face, trailing over her skin, digging into her hips as he – okay, enough! Her cheeks burned and she rolled onto her back again, staring at the ceiling.

"Yes, it recently occurred to me what skill goes into it," he said simply.

"Indeed," Ceileigh replied. "So…what about your travels? Have you done anything interesting with other Arisens lately?"

"Remember when I told you many other Arisens do not treat their pawns well? I have since met one that becomes quite sad if her pawns die. When the battle ends, she even stops and says a prayer for them. There is another who runs from almost every enemy. He seems more interested in exploring the countryside than in growing stronger."

"Really? How odd." Ceileigh laughed and shook her head, picturing his adventures. She became comfortable again as they lay there discussing places he'd explored further north, weapons and armor he'd seen on other Arisen and pawns, and the best ways to fight certain enemies. The conversation eventually turned to human enemies like Salvation, Mercedes and possibly Mason. They hadn't laid eyes on the Hearthstone captain for some time, and Ceileigh hoped she had forgotten all about her. They hadn't seen Mason in a long time either, but she had a feeling he was lurking just out of sight.

"Have you learned anything in other realms that might help us defeat Grigori?" she asked after a while.

"Unfortunately, no. The Arisens I have met are mostly doing the same things we are. The main difference is that I have taken enough damage to return to the Rift on two occasions."

"You have? What happened?" asked Ceileigh, sitting up in concern.

"The first time a few harpies dropped me onto a pile of boulders. The other time I was kicked into a tree trunk by a cyclops," he admitted shamefully.

"Is something wrong? Such mistakes are so unlike you," Ceileigh said, wondering what could be affecting him. "I haven't noticed a difference when we're out together."

Leandor sat up as well. "I have been pondering that. I realized I often feel distracted while in other realms now. I believe it is because I am eager to return here. I suppose I think of this world as home now. You and my ultimate purpose are here, so here is where I want to be."

He misses me! Ceileigh thought giddily for a moment, then reminded herself his words might be all about duty. But he said 'you AND my purpose'...she thought hopefully, and crossed to sit by him. "For my part, I'm glad all of you doesn't go away, so I always have you with me. And I'm sorry about your 'deaths', they must have been awful." She looped her right arm through his left and rested her head on his shoulder.

"The pain did not last long before I faded away," he said stoically, but his face turned grim with the memories.

"See, I told you this thing can't really save you," she said, sitting up straight and toying with the protection amulet she'd given him. "Yet you continue to wear it."

He twisted his arm a little and looked down at it. "I always will," he said, repeating his earlier words. Ceileigh smiled again and they raised their eyes to each other at the same time. Just inches from his face, she found herself unable to look away. She willed herself to let go of him and stand up to no avail. She only managed to move her eyes but that only made it worse because now she was focused on his lips, the lips she always thought about kissing, and they were right there…

A loud knock at the door broke the moment and Ceileigh jumped off the bed like she was spring loaded. "That must be Madeleine!" she exclaimed, hating how high-pitched and breathless she sounded. She quickly opened the door and her exuberant friend burst in with several bags and pieces of clothing hanging from both arms. Before she could even say hello, the busty blonde woman started giving orders.

"Alright Miss Arisen, out of those dusty work clothes and into the bath. Hurry up, we have a lot of work to do before you are ready for the party," she said, somehow sounding commanding and utterly cheery at the same time.

"Party?" Ceileigh echoed questioningly.

"At Arsmith's. Everyone is expecting to see you there at nine o'clock!"

"And you think it will take two hours to get me ready?" Ceileigh said in disbelief as she removed her spiked boots and walked to the bathroom. Madeleine threw her a look that said she knew so as Ceileigh closed the door.

Fine, maybe it will, Ceileigh thought wryly, eyeing the clothes she'd just thrown into a pile on the floor. A plain blue-gray shirt and sturdy brown pants, both covered in dust, mud and blood splatter. Was I just laying on my bed in those? I'm so used to being covered in grime that I don't even notice anymore! She shook her head as she filled the bath and unwound her hair. She had always been a tomboy but she'd sunk to new depths lately. No wonder she never saw desire in Leandor's eyes. Madeleine was right - what hope did she have of attracting any man looking like this?

She sank into the water and continued to frown until she was clean and into her thin black robe. She didn't have time for lounging around and she never took long to get ready in the mornings, so she hardly ever wore it. The things she spent the most time on were making sure her armor was properly in place and her weapons were in working order. She looked at herself in the vanity mirror and her face went from disappointed to determined. No use being upset, only she could change things for the better.

She quickly twisted her hair up into two high buns and poked her head out the door. Madeleine scooped up some of the items she'd brought and joined her, closing the bathroom door behind them. "I knew Leandor would be outraged if I tried to take you out alone," the merchant joked, "but I didn't want him to see your outfit ahead of time. So I brought a few choices to you."

She hung three dresses on the hooks across the door. The first one was too boring and the second was too frilly for Ceileigh's taste, but she liked the last one. She couldn't tell one fabric from another for the most part, but it was made of something smooth and royal blue. It was just off-the-shoulder and the front twisted together over the chest. The fitted bodice closed with a line of small, fabric-covered buttons up the back. The skirt, which was snug but not skin tight, fell to the knee. She held it up to herself in front of the vanity mirror and smiled, feeling excited. Although it was no grand ball gown, she'd still never worn anything so fancy in her life.

"It matches your eyes perfectly, too," said Madeleine happily, opening one of her many bags. "Here, you can wear these with it." She pulled out a pair of ankle boots with a chunky heel and a small bow on the outer sides.

"And you must wear a corset," Madeleine continued, pulling a white one from one of her many bags. Ceileigh knew it would be somewhat uncomfortable but it would really enhance the dress and her body. "You never show off your assets and it is time you started. This is your present from me, by the way."

"I couldn't agree more, and thank you," Ceileigh said with a scheming smile. She couldn't wait to see Leandor's reaction to her outfit. If he has one. She was comfortable in front of her friend so she took off her robe, pulled on a pair of smallclothes and held the corset in place while Madeleine laced it up for her.

"I think I almost kissed Leandor," she suddenly blurted out.

"What?!" Madeleine gasped, accidentally pulling one of the laces too tightly. "You waited till just now to tell me?! This is first-thing-in-the-door news, my friend!"

"You didn't give me a chance!" Ceileigh exclaimed, and so did Madeleine, knowing she was right. "But yes, I was holding his arm and I was right there in his face, and I think I might have kissed him if you hadn't arrived when you did." She watched her breasts bulge over the top of the corset with each breath and hoped she'd even be able to eat that night. "He held me on his lap the other night when I was upset, and now I'm practically desperate for him. I don't know how he feels, I mean he's acting normal, but I can't stop thinking about it. It's fairly pathetic, really," she laughed.

She took down her hair and pulled it forward over one shoulder, then stepped into the dress and Madeleine started on the long row of buttons up the back. "Oooh, what a development! So will you finally tell him how you feel tonight?" her friend asked with a huge grin. "It might go well - men do not usually sit women in their laps just for moral support!" she laughed.

Ceileigh sighed. "True, but I don't know if he knows that!" She sat in front of the vanity and let her shoulders slump for a minute. "We'll see. On top of everything else, I've never been in a real relationship before and I have no idea what I'm doing. So even if he does like me, I'll most likely make a mess of it."

"Wait," said Madeleine, separating Ceileigh's thick hair into sections so she could start working on it. "Surely you do not mean you have never had a beau or…been with a man?"

"No, I've had sex! I'm sad to say my first time was just that – only sex," she said with an embarrassed grimace. "It was with a boy on my very first fishing crew, named Kol. We were way too young and it meant nothing, we were just curious. A few years later there was Arne, but we were more 'friends with benefits' than anything. I have found other men amiable or attractive since then but I was never moved to do anything about them. My friend Valmiro always wanted to court me but I never saw him that way." Now I may be in love, Ceileigh thought anxiously.

"I suppose you should strive to be yourself and not overthink the situation. Let things progress naturally and see what happens," said her friend. Ceileigh shrugged noncommittally and tried to relax her nervous stomach.

"So who will be there tonight?" she asked, trying to distract herself as Madeleine styled her hair.

"I invited Aleena and Jenner of course, Remy, Stanley, Aerick, and a batch of other soldiers and people you know from around the city," the woman replied. After Ceileigh's hair was done they moved on to makeup, and after much friendly arguing about what colors to use, they were finally done. Madeleine told her she'd see her soon, and left her standing in front of the vanity to marvel over the finished product. I didn't even know I could look like this, she thought incredulously.

Ceileigh took a breath and stepped out of the bathroom to see Leandor holding a white semi-formal shirt and looking at some other clothes that were laying on his bed. "Well, what do you think?" she asked with a nervous smile.

Leandor glanced over, then straightened up and just stared. His mouth twitched once but he remained silent, an unreadable expression in his eyes as he took her in. He finally swallowed and gestured weakly in her general direction. "I had no idea your hair was so long."

Ceileigh had kept it simple, parting it in the middle. A few strands from either side were twisted to meet in the back with small pins, but otherwise it was styled in loose curls that fell all the way to her elbows. Her eye shadow was a blend of peach and light purple with black lining and lashes, her lipstick was a rich beige color, and she had just a hint of blush on her cheeks.

She fidgeted with her hair, then flipped it over her shoulder. "Oh. Yes, I suppose this is the first time you've seen it down," she said, wishing he'd paid her a compliment instead. She gestured at her face self-consciously. "I wouldn't have done my eyes this way but Madeleine insisted they were 'the right colors for a fair blonde'," she said, rolling her eyes.

Leandor frowned slightly and scratched the back of his neck in what seemed like an agitated gesture. "The dress appears…impractical. It offers no protection and has nowhere to attach a weapon. However, you look well."

Ceileigh laughed a bit at his never-ending businesslike attitude, but was pleased that he'd complemented her after all. "Thank you. I'm glad because honestly I feel quite odd. What are those?" she asked, pointing to the clothes he'd been looking at.

"Madeleine brought them," said her pawn with disdain, dropping the shirt on the bed. "She suggested I wear 'special' clothes as well but I thought it best to remain in armor. Now that I see how vulnerable and…exposed you will be, 'tis even more important that I am adequately equipped to protect you."

Ceileigh blushed, knowing the dress showed a fair amount of cleavage. "Thank you, although I'm sure no one will try anything with so many people around."

Ceileigh started down the stairs and Leandor followed, still trying to sort out what had just happened. He'd barely stopped himself from blurting out that her hair was beautiful. Between her armor and loose pajamas, he'd never noticed just how slim her waist was or how many curves she had. She looked so…feminine. Her breasts had always been obvious but they hadn't been so prominent before, and those heels pushed her toned rear up and out more than normal. He realized his heart was speeding up and he scowled, fixing his gaze firmly over her shoulder until they got to the first floor and could walk side by side. As they crossed to the alehouse Leandor suddenly realized that human men would be affected the same way he was, if not more so, and felt his stomach sink.

(line break)

Ceileigh was swept away by Madeleine and Jenner as soon as they entered Arsmith's. She shot an apologetic look back at Leandor, who leaned against the low wall just inside the door and followed her progress around the room with his eyes. The room was almost entirely made up of royal soldiers, but he noticed a good number from the Enlistment Corps too. Leandor could already see men from both groups whispering to each other and eyeing his Arisen. He already did not approve of the looks they sometimes gave her, and he could see tonight would be even worse. Of course she was smiling and greeting everyone and didn't seem to notice – she never did. He folded his arms and looked out the door. On top of everything else, he couldn't believe Madeleine had put Ceileigh in danger by inviting Mercedes men! It might incite the vicious captain to come after her again. Looking back toward his Arisen, he saw her glance at them nervously, probably with the same thought.

"What's bothering you?" said a voice at his side, and he turned to see Aleena there with a small package in her hands and Camellia the apothecary beside her.

"Nothing," he lied, his eyelids dropping with irritation. Camellia and Aleena shared a disbelieving glance.

"Really? You're grinding your teeth and standing all alone," said the red-haired mage, watching him with amused but kind eyes.

He gave a sullen grunt and stilled his jaw. He hadn't even realized he was doing it. "I am only making sure the perimeter is secure and watching the room," he said, which was true, thought it was far from the only thing on his mind.

Aleena shrugged, not prying any further. "As you say. You should join the party later, I'm sure she would want you to have a good time," she said with a friendly smile, then she and Camellia went to a table in the back corner and laid Aleena's package on a pile of others. Leandor realized they must be birthday gifts.

After talking to various friends, acquaintances and contacts for a while, Ceileigh and Madeleine joined a table full of Mercedes' men. Ceileigh had already finished a handful of drinks guests had bought for her, and now her Enlistment Corps friends were challenging her.

"I bet you two silvers you cannot handle this shot of Hearthstone whiskey," said a black-haired man named Chene in his country's funny accent.

"Oh really?" Madeleine exclaimed before Ceileigh could reply. "This woman here can hold her liquor. Blaize, tell him," she ordered, snapping her fingers at a tall redhead in the group.

Blaize smiled and shrugged. "'Tis true…but I think you should show them yourself for proof," he told Ceileigh with a wink.

Several of the men began arguing back and forth good-naturedly about whether she could do it, with Madeleine interjecting comments that only spurred them on. Despite his sour mood, Leandor couldn't help smirking as Ceileigh quietly picked up the shot glass and downed the whiskey without any of them noticing. She glanced around the table with an amused look, then caught Leandor's eye and grinned at his expression. He was struck again by how her hair and makeup enhanced her natural features and almost made her seem to glow.

Just as Ceileigh motioned him over, one soldier noticed the shot was gone and the whole group erupted in shouts and laughter, elbowing Ceileigh or slapping her on the back. Leandor frowned a little at all the noise and seemingly pointless jabbering, but of course he pushed off the wall and headed over anyway. None of the soldiers really noticed him or made room, forcing him to sit four people down from Ceileigh, and his mood went right back to where it had been when he arrived. A barmaid leaned down and put her hand on his arm, asking if he wanted some ale. He asked for water instead and leaned away from her touch, only to bump against the man next to him. How do humans stand so much constant contact? he thought in exasperation. Pawns are content to merely exist together and see to their duties.

Remy pushed his way between Ceileigh and the Enlistment Corps soldier beside her, sitting and hugging her with one arm before dropping yet another drink in front of her. Leandor unconsciously starting grinding his teeth again. Aleena's words echoed in his head though, and he tried to soften his face to neutral, if not happy, for his master's sake. He knew she would be concerned if she thought he was bothered, and he figured his discomfort with human custom was no reason to ruin her mood. His eyes wandered around the room, assessing the threat level of everything as usual.

"What are you drinking, pawn?" asked a soldier named Matheo from down and across the table, trying to engage him.

"Water," Leandor replied shortly with a cursory glance at the man.

"Water?!" several of the men parroted in surprise.

"This is a celebration!" said Matheo, pouring Leandor a cup of ale from the table's pitcher. "Here, have a real drink!" Even his master was looking at him expectantly, wanting to see if he would do it.

"No," he said, sliding his own cup closer to himself as if protecting it. "Thank you," he added as an afterthought, glancing at Ceileigh.

"No alcohol at a party?" asked a soldier named Xandre.

"He never drinks alcohol," said Ceileigh, to stop their insistence.

"What? Why?" asked Remy loudly in a disbelieving tone. Most of the group laughed and made their own comments.

"'Tis fun!"

"He needs to loosen up!"

"Can pawns even get drunk?"

Despite the unusual amount of unwanted interaction coming at him, Leandor stated calmly, "I have never attempted to become inebriated. I must remain alert at all-"

"Show us, pawn," a soldier named Thibaut cut him off, an eager gleam in his eye. He pushed his own cup toward Leandor. "Drink this, and let us see what happens."

"Don't be an ass, he's not here to amuse you!" Ceileigh told Thibaut indignantly. The men ignored him after that, turning to other conversation and jokes. Leandor felt dismayed, feeling like he'd caused her trouble.

When Ceileigh was distracted by Caxton wishing her a happy birthday, Leandor escaped the table and made a slow circuit around the room, his right hand fidgeting with the hilt of his sword as he watched everyone around him. He felt more separated from his master than he ever had, like he was a total outsider in this room full of her own kind who were linked by an occasion and bond he didn't understand. Though she called him friend and he cared for her greatly, he felt he could never fill the same kind of space a human could in her life. He saw her get up and start talking to people again, and noticed a slight unsteadiness that meant she had drank more than he considered wise.

Ceileigh eventually made her way to him, her eyes bright with happiness. "Come walk with me while I greet more of our guests," she invited him.

Leandor smiled for the first time in an hour. "They are your guests, not mine."

"We come as a set, would you not agree? Therefore I defend my right to call them our guests," she winked.

"Ceileigh, come dance!" called Devyn the barber.

"Oh, I haven't danced since leaving home!" Ceileigh told Leandor excitedly, but hesitated since she'd just asked him to walk with her.

"Go, you should enjoy the night," he told her. He leaned against the wall next to the serving counter and watched her execute several dances in a row. Some followed patterns with several different partners, and some were fast, simple jigs. He would have preferred her birthday to be spent with just the two of them in their room as his had been, but he would put up with just about anything to see his master pleased. When the dancing broke up, Madeleine and Ceileigh huddled together for a while, talking secretively. Leandor spoke briefly with Madeleine and Jenner later in the evening, but mostly kept to himself.

Around one o'clock in the morning the party began to dissolve when Arsmith starting ousting people from his establishment. Ceileigh was quite drunk by that point, so Madeleine told her to go and she would bring her presents by the next day. Ceileigh gratefully took her offer, bid the remaining partygoers goodnight, and headed home.

(line break)

Leandor guided her across Fountain Square with a hand on her waist, pulling her straight as she stumbled to the side. She giggled and listed the other way, bumping against him hard. Her eyes were unfocused and her footsteps were large and unsteady. He was not pleased that her debilitation was so obvious to anyone who cared to attack.

They made it into the inn without further incident, but Ceileigh's wobbly walking didn't work so well on the stairs. She tripped on the third step, her fingertips brushing the next stair before she righted herself with another giggle. "Woah!" she exclaimed as if she were having the time of her life. Leandor immediately caught her around the waist again and she grabbed his other hand to steady herself.

"Master, will you be okay?" he asked with concern. He'd never seen her like this before and he didn't know whether to be amused or worried.

She turned to grin at him in what felt like slow motion, then threw her arms around him and slumped against his chest. "I'll be fine….jus' haven't been this drunk in a long time…," she slurred. She closed her eyes and gave a little jerk when she felt the staircase tip. She forced her eyes back open and rolled them up to Leandor's face with her cheek still pressed to his armor. "You don't have to call me that, y'know."

"What do you mean?" he asked, then started them moving again, which was difficult considering Ceileigh had a death grip on the back hem of his shirt and the right arm hole of his cuirass to remain upright. He had to step forward with his right leg, then swing his left leg and all of her up the next stair each time he took a step. She didn't reply or speak again until they made it to their door.

Leandor leaned back a little, holding Ceileigh up with his left side and arm while he fished their room key from his belt pouch. Her left hand raised slowly and landed on the side of his mouth and chin with a soft smack. "I like your beard," she mumbled. Leandor pulled her hand back down and shook his head bemusedly as he opened the door and pulled her inside.

"Madeleine told me," she continued, pronouncing each word carefully," you asked her…'bout my age at the party. Y'know, when you asked me… I mean, I asked you…how old you thought I was?"

"Yes," Leandor said, concentrating on getting her over to her bed to sit down. "She informed me it is rude to discuss a woman's age. I did not understand why. Besides, I never asked how old you were. You were the one who brought it up."

"Yeah," she said, plopping down on the bed and steadying herself with one hand. "I don't care 'bout that. I jus' didn't want you to think I was…y'know, too old fer you."

"Okay," Leandor said with a slight shrug, wondering too old for what?

"Oh! And she's seeing someone. Someone serious, not jus' flirting. Someone with money, she said. Wouldn't say who. Isn't that nice?"

"Money?"

Ceileigh laughed and fell back on the bed. "No, a relationship. I mean, I'm happy for her. That she found someone. It's nice. It would be nice, don't you think?"

"If it makes her happy, that is good," said Leandor as he bent to take off her boots. "Perhaps she will use up her many words on this person with money from now on." They both chuckled and then she stared silently at the ceiling as both of her boots came off, not feeling awkward at all in her drunken state. The same could not be said of Leandor, who couldn't help but notice the way her breasts jutted up and her hair fanned out beneath her now that she was laying down. Ceileigh thought she could feel the alcohol's effects starting to recede, so she held out her hand. Leandor lifted her to a sitting position, then she pulled herself to her feet too.

"I have to change," she explained, grabbing her pajamas and tottering toward the bathroom. Once inside, she tried to undo her buttons but couldn't quite reach the top one, especially in her inebriated condition. After turning in several circles she dissolved into laughter again and sat down hard on the bath bench, dizzy. She heard a soft knock on the door.

"Are you alright?" came Leandor's voice from the other side. She heaved herself off the bench and opened the door.

"Yes, but I need help. I can't reach my buttons," she said, turning around and pointing back at them.

Leandor felt slightly hesitant for some reason, but he started undoing them anyway. Inappropriate sprang to mind, but he didn't know why it should. The more buttons he undid, the more uncomfortable he felt. He just wished he could stop undoing them already.

"Is that enough?" he asked when he was halfway down her back with a good bit of her corset exposed.

"Oh, yes. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Ceileigh laughed, reaching back and blushing when she realized how much of her dress was open. "Sorry," she said again, glancing away. A second passed, then she simply closed the door in his face, blew out a breath and continued changing.

Leandor's forehead crinkled in confusion and discomfort. He scratched the back of his neck for a second, then set about removing his armor. He had just pulled his pajamas out of a box near the head of his bed that served as a dresser when Ceileigh emerged from the bathroom. She seemed steadier on her feet, though her face still bore a dreamy expression. Her embarrassment from a moment ago appeared to be forgotten. She walked straight to Leandor with a big smile and threw her arms around him again.

"Thank you for helping," she said. "What would I do without you?" She sighed and snuggled her face into his chest.

Leandor was surprised at her ongoing behavior but he chuckled, tossing his sleep clothes onto his bed behind her and putting his hands lightly on her back. "Most likely you would have somehow fallen up the stairs, or dislocated your shoulder trying to get your dress off," he joked. Ceileigh laughed and started humming one of the songs she'd danced to earlier.

"Did you have fun tonight?" she asked after a minute, muffled by his shirt.

"I...enjoyed watching you have a good time," he said diplomatically.

"But you didn't?"

"I admit I felt…far from you. I could not help but see just how different we are. Though I am most comfortable in this world, you fit in while I merely struggle to understand it."

"'M'sorry," she mumbled, holding him tighter. "I do wish you could have joined in the festivities more. S'posed to be fun. I want you t'be happy."

Leandor shrugged with slight discomfort at the thought of social activities, then joked, "Perhaps I should have learned to dance beforehand." That certainly would have resulted in many less men looking down her dress. He took a surprise step back when Ceileigh made a noise he could only describe as a squeal. She popped upright and pushed him away to arm's length.

"Leandor, that's a great idea! I could teach you!" she said excitedly.

Despite his uncertain look, Ceileigh grabbed his hands. "This one goes here," she said, slapping it onto her shoulder, then shook her head as if to clear it. "No wait, that's for the girl. Okay, your hand goes here," she corrected herself, moving it to her left hip. "The other one, you hold my hand with. My other hand goes on your shoulder."

She swayed a bit, then began to move. "This foot forward, then this one, then like this, then a spin – agh!" she cut off with a yelp as she tipped over and Leandor yanked her upright again, pulling her fully against him. He felt a brief, unidentifiable thrill when they came together, but it was gone in a flash.

"Perhaps another time," he said, laughing outright. "I intended to give you your present when we returned here, but now I think it best to wait till morning. You are too debilitated."

"No!" she said with a disappointed look. "I want it now! I thought you forgot. I was sad," she said with a fake pout. "But now I'm excited!" she grinned, then laughed at herself.

"As you say, master," Leandor acquiesced, guiding her over to the fireplace. "Please hold on to the mantle while I get it." He turned and opened one of the lower cabinets to the left of it. First he presented her with a small round bouquet of close-cut cape flowers, which made her blush because it was the kind of gift one would get from a beau. She hoped her flush was hidden as she smelled them, deeply drawing in the scent that reminded her of seaside cliffs.

"I love them, thank you," she said, beaming.

"There is one more," said Leandor, bringing out a medium sized, painted carving of a boat with three tiny wooden people in it. It sat on a stand and hung between two poles. "When you push one end, a weight makes the boat swing. I thought it might connect you to home while you are far from it."

Ceileigh was so touched she wasn't even embarrassed when she felt tears welling in her eyes. "It's perfect," she said, her voice wavering. "And you thought of this all on your own?"

"I noticed the boat in Madeleine's shop a short time ago. It was what made me consider carving. I wrote to her in secret, asking her to set it aside for today. When she replied, she suggested flowers as well, but I picked what kind."

"How did you get these past me?" Ceileigh laughed.

"Madeleine hid them in her bags when she came over earlier, and when you were in the bathroom we put them in this cabinet," he said with a smile.

Ceileigh placed it carefully on the mantle and set the boat in motion. The red, blue and gold boat bobbed back and forth as if it were on the water and she found it very comforting. "I love it," she said softly, and the tears threatened to spill over but she somehow held them in. I love YOU! she had the sudden urge to cry out like a fool, but somehow held that in as well.

"Thank you," she said, hugging him tight, and he hugged her back. "Thank you so much. These are the best presents I could have gotten." She sighed and rubbed his back. "You always make me happy."

Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, she rose slowly to her tiptoes, sliding against him, loving how warm and solid and manly he felt. Her blood pounded deafeningly with all the feelings and desire she'd been holding back, topped with a slice of fear over her own alcohol-induced boldness and his possible reaction. She nuzzled his neck, breathing in his scent as she continued upward, so lost in the moment that she didn't notice him tensing up. A modicum of reason grabbed her brain at the last minute and instead of going for his mouth she planted a chaster but lingering kiss on his cheek.

When she pulled away she realized the full implication of what she'd done. Leandor stood still as stone while his expression turned from shock to…fear? Those were closely followed by distress and what seemed like anger. She felt her own face going slack with dread at what he might be thinking. He didn't look happy at all. All drunken haziness and ease melted away in an instant, abandoning her to stark reality.

"That was – why would you – I…cannot," he stepped back, moved her aside by her upper arms, retrieved his sleep clothes from his bed and retreated quickly to the bathroom.

Ceileigh just stood there for a moment, numb. As what just happened sank in, she felt as if a giant hand crumpled her like a piece of paper. Why did I do that? What have I done?! She slowly sat on her bed with wide eyes. What the fuck is wrong with me? That's not how I wanted to reveal my feelings at all! She sucked in a breath, trying unsuccessfully this time to hold back her tears. Fuck! she all but screamed in her head. Maker curse me, I can't sit here and bawl like a baby all night with him right across the room. She gulped back the sobs that wanted to burst out and had dry eyes by the time Leandor returned. He looked like he didn't even want to walk in her direction and it made her feel horrible.

"Leandor, I'm so, so sorry. Please let me explain," she said miserably. He stopped halfway to his bed and locked his eyes on her feet. He won't even look at me! He must be utterly disgusted! Any hopes she had entertained in the past shattered right then and there. "Sometimes when humans get drunk, they do crazy things that they wouldn't normally do because they aren't thinking straight. It doesn't mean anything, too much alcohol just makes us stupid. I didn't mean to offend you or make you angry, or however it is that you feel, and I shouldn't have ever…done that to begin with. Forgive me." She was too mortified to say out loud that she had kissed him.

"Please – do not apologize, master," he said stiffly. "'Tis done. I bear you no ill will and we need not speak of it further."

"Agreed," she said quickly. "Goodnight then." Without waiting for a reply, she laid down facing the wall and pulled her covers up to her chin like always. She heard the bed creak a few moments later as Leandor laid down without another word. At least I have my answer, Ceileigh thought as fresh, silent tears coursed down her face and soaked into her pillow. 'Tis very clear he doesn't want me at all.

Author's Note 2: For you action lovers, it will pick back up in the next chapter. Crazy and dangerous things are afoot! Also, I posted another one-shot called "Caught in the Rain" if anyone wants to check that out.