Hi, everyone! I've kind of been posting on the fly all week, so I haven't really had time to again say thanks to everyone who is reading. I'll be going out of town for the next week, so I'm going to try to put up two posts today. However, that means I won't be posting while I'm away. I promise you a double post when I return as well. So, thanks again for reading, please review. 3 Linny27

Two Worlds

Chapter Five

"I'm telling you, D, she's different," Jack said as he stared at the cloth masterpiece draped over his shoulders. The fabric was light and airy which was perfect for the night's warmer than warm weather. It was a crème colored material with, what he could swear were, gold patterns sewn in. It looked very expensive and would keep his character well intact. A Stable Master would never be able to afford anything like it on his salary.

'You have no idea,' D mused to himself as he leaned against the doorway of his and Donna's bedroom. He and his wife shared a secretive glance. He would certainly be surprised how different Lady Sue really was. She'd nearly given it away this afternoon, but as usual, she recovered quickly and made it look like nothing was amiss. "I'm still not sure if this is a good idea. What if you get discovered? What if Leland recognizes you?" What if Sue finds love with him tonight? Marriage to a commoner would be the one thing her father would object to and probably send him to the guillotine.

"It's a masked ball, sweetheart," Donna said as she hemmed the sleeves of the shirt as Jackson stood as motionless as possible above her, though he was brimming with anticipation. "We've taken every precaution."

"And I still don't believe you agreed to this." He rubbed gently at his temples as the beginning of another headache came about. This plan had the stench of "bad idea" all over it, especially now since the Princess would be doing the choosing instead.

"Jack's always been like a son to us. I couldn't say no," she said with a pin clenched between her lips. "And neither should you. After all, an exception was made for the both of us, wasn't it?" She winked at her husband and playfully wrinkled her nose. Of course, she would bring that up.

"Well, that's different." Neither of them hadn't been raised to be royalty.

"How is it different?" she countered as she removed the final pin from her lips and pinned the last part of the sleeve together. She motioned for Jack to turn to the other side so she could work on the other sleeve. There wasn't much work needed to be done. Luckily he was about the same size as its previous wearer.

Unable to come up with a decent response, D looked to Jack for assistance. Fingering the silky fabric with his free hand, Jack asked, "Donna, where did you get this fabric?" It was the only thing he could think of and if it took the heat off D, then it was probably the best.

Mumbling something under her breath, Donna continued to work on the other sleeve. Jack and D shared a puzzled look. They'd each heard something, but neither could be sure that what they'd heard was actually what they'd heard.

Smirking, D crossed his arms over his chest, his shoulders shaking in silent laughter. "What was that?" She mumbled something again, this time just a little bit louder. "I'm sorry; I still didn't catch that, sweetheart."

Groaning loudly as her hands fell into her lap, Donna glared at her husband. He'd definitely been able to hear her that time. When he just innocently shrugged his shoulders, she rolled her eyes and gave in. "I said," she began with a huff, "it was one of His Majesty's night shirts. One, mind you, that he doesn't wear anymore," she added when she saw the look of protest in her husband's eyes.

"You stole it from the King?" Jack asked, shocked that Donna would even consider doing anything of the sort, but unable to keep his laughter at bay. His shoulders shook with laughter, but it came to a quick halt when she "accidentally" stuck him in the arm with a pin.

"Serves you right," she admonished. "Besides, he's got so many I didn't think he would miss this one. And except for the sleeves, which I can fix in a flash, it fits perfectly." She smiled at her handy work as she propped herself up on her knees to straighten the collar. "Now, hurry up and get washed up so I can finish." Jack nodded as he carefully removed the silk shirt, handing it to her before leaving to room to find the nearest water closet.

Sinking back down unto the floor, Donna glanced over at her husband who'd taken his place upon the corner of their bed. His gaze was set upon her as she clutched the shirt to her bosom and it was making her a bit uneasy. "You're angry with me?" she asked. After all, lesser servants had been thrown in the stocks for even lesser crimes. He was a part of the royal guard and would be forced to punish the perpetrator, even if she'd been his wife.

Shaking his head, he managed a slight smile. "No. And although, I might not approve of this, you're doing something very noble." The smile slowly began to widen. "I never thought you to be a woman who'd enjoy fighting the power." His eyebrow twitched in a seductive manner.

Her smile matched his as she shuffled over to him, warmth flooding from her cheeks throughout the rest of her body. "Then, I'm afraid you don't know me as well as you thought you did, Dimitrius Gans." Her tone was husky and her eyes narrowed as she batted her eyelashes in his direction. After being together for so many years and bringing two children into this world, her love and desire for this man had yet to be extinguished. She hoped it never would be.

His lips gently hovered above hers, a mere breath away as he studied her dark beauty. "That maybe so, but I'm still definitely willing to learn," he whispered before brushing his lips lightly across hers, sending both of them into the sweet abyss they'd become so familiar with.