This chapter’s suddenly slightly longer. Guess why! (hint: fluffy fluff)
Also, I’m at the half-way point! Cool! Gonna write another chapter tonight, why not!
Chapter 6: When It Comes to You
If we can’t get along, we oughta be apart
And I’m wondering where’d you get that cold, cold heart
Set me free, sign my release
I’m tired of being the villain of the piece
You been giving me a bad time
Tell me what’d I do
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when it comes to you
Sayin’ things that you didn’t have to
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when it comes to you
You only get one life, this I know
I wanna get my licks in now before I go
The fire of love is dead and cold
I gotta satisfy the hunger in my soul
You been giving me a bad time
Tell me what’d I do
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when I come to you
Sayin’ things that you didn’t have to
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when it comes to you
If we can’t get along, we oughta be apart
And I’m wondering where’d you get that cold, cold heart
Set me free, sign my release
I’m tired of being the villain of the piece
You been giving me a bad time
Tell me what’d I do
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when I come to you
Sayin’ things that you didn’t have to
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when it comes to you
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when it comes to you
How come I always get a hard time
Honey when I come to you
She pulled up the little green car on the side of the Highever street and blew out a sigh, resting her head on the steering wheel, pushing her hat up slightly. “This is ridiculous.”
“And yet, here you are,” Arainai said lightly. “Come on, my dear detective, we’re not getting any more vulnerable sitting here.”
“Fine, fine.” She opened the car door and stepped out, tugging her hat back down firmly.
They’d managed to ‘acquire’ alternate transport on a back street in a bad part of Denerim, ditching the battered silver car, and made it unpursued to the highway. There was only one place she could think of where they wouldn’t be found immediately, so she drove through the night to get to Highever.
And now they were here and she wanted nothing more than to turn around and head straight back to Denerim, assassins be damned. She knocked on the door instead.
After a few moment, she heard shuffling noises from inside. “Be right there,” a male voice called, and her shoulders tensed. Arainai glanced at her but said nothing.
The door opened and she was face to face with Rory Gilmore in his bathrobe, a mug of coffee in his hand. His eyes opened in surprise, then frowned in as he took in the fact that she was not alone. “Come to gloat about your new boyfriend, have you?”
“It’s not like that, Rory. It’s strictly business.”
“What, business with a gigolo? Get out.”
“Wait! Please!” She jammed a foot in the door before he could close it. “Rory, I- I need your help. We’re in danger. He’s a witness in a case.”
“In a manner of speaking,” Arainai muttered with amusement.
Rory eyed Arainai with extreme distaste. “Uh-huh. What kind of danger?”
The more dramatic, the more convincing. “The Crows. It’s to do with the Theirin murder.” When he simply stared at her, she added: “Besides, I would never come to gloat.”
He wrinkled his nose, but acquiesced. “I suppose not. That’s not your style. Fine, come in and we’ll talk. I can’t make any promises.”
“Thank you for hearing us out,” Elizabeth said, and followed Rory into his living room.
“So you’re the ex-boyfriend,” Arainai said cheerfully, making more Elizabeth and Rory glare at him. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. You let a good one get away.”
“Arainai, shut up.” Elizabeth could tell Rory hadn’t had enough coffee – or booze – for this. Her ex just grunted and remained standing. “Rory, this is Zevran Arainai. Arainai, this is Roland Gilmore.”
“So what do you want from me?” Rory said. “And why exactly should I help you, after the way you treated me? After you walked out five years ago without a word since?”
She would remain calm. This was strictly professional. And besides, it wasn’t like Rory didn’t share the blame. “Only to lie low for a few days. We’ll move on soon, but right now Denerim is too hot for both of us. Him, for defecting, and me, for helping him. But they won’t even know we’re here; you should be in no danger.” Going to her parents or brother would have been predictable. Finding Leliana in Jader would have been predictable. But there wouldn’t be any obvious trail with Rory. The only thing that bothered her was that it was in Highever, which was still a little predictable. “If you don’t help us, that’s fine… but I don’t know where we’ll go next. And have you heard the radio? We were just chased through downtown Denerim yesterday morning. With bullets.”
“They mentioned that, yeah. Didn’t pay much attention since it didn’t involve sports.” Rory frowned harder. “So if you don’t stay here, there’s a large probability the Crows will find you and kill you.”
“Well, we might be able to get away again,” Arainai said. “But it would be nice to not have to until we have a proper plan, eh, Liz?”
“I told you not to call me Liz,” Elizabeth snapped.
Rory stared at her in distrust. “And that’s all you want from me.”
“Yes.”
“Nothing to do with the fact that your… witness looks like a fashion model.”
“Nothing at all.”
“Well, maybe just a little bit,” Arainai said, and she almost punched him.
Rory saw her fist clench and snorted. “You got yourself a handful there, Lady. Fine. You can have the spare room. I won’t tell anyone you’re here. But you can’t stay here indefinitely.”
“I won’t impose on you longer than necessary,” Elizabeth said, a little stiffly. The old endearment bothered her, twinged her heart a little – but at least she had what she needed.
She hoped she could figure out a course of action in the next couple days. Before the Crows figured out where they were and descended on them.
When Rory had gone to work, and she and Arainai were left alone, she lit up a cigarette and smoked it viciously to try to steady herself. “What was that ego contest all about?”
“Your ex is far too serious and far too easy to rile up,” Arainai said, smirking from where he leaned against the wall with his hands in his trouser pockets. “As a matter of fact, so are you. Something you share in common? Something that drove you apart?”
“That topic is off-limits, Arainai. Now – what do we have to go on? Is this Taliesin person relevant?”
His grin widened, revealing even white teeth. “I won’t ask you about your ex-boyfriends if you don’t ask me about mine.”
Oh. That explained a few things. His flirtation was all an act.
He saw her relax and snickered; the laugh lines around his eyes contracted, distorting his tattoos. “No, it’s not an act. I’m bi, Liz dear. And you attract me as much as Taliesin ever did. Especially when you use that beautiful blue unimpressed look on me. Yes, that one.”
Flustered and irritated, she directed her gaze away from him. “Can you stop wasting time, please? And stop calling me Liz.”
“We have nothing but time, now. For a little while. But to answer your question, I don’t believe Taliesin Emery is relevant to our future, no. Relevant to my past, and why I came to be at your side, and he is undoubtedly A) sent to kill me to fulfill the delicious rules of irony, and B) utterly loyal to the Crows, but he will know no more about who sent me to kill Theirin than I do.”
That was more than she could have asked for. “Understood. So then – who will know? Your handler?”
“No – I killed him before I ran. Also no – contracts always have at least three layers between client and executor. For everyone’s safety. It’s almost as if they anticipated this sort of situation.” He winked. “I know you’d love to investigate the Crows and lay every one of their wicked deeds to light, but for this case, it’ll be far easier going from the other side.”
Her eyes opened wide. “You really did cut ties to your past, didn’t you? No wonder they’ve been trying so hard to kill you.”
He shrugged. “Yes, well, they would have killed me before I got to you otherwise.”
“Ah. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. C’est la vie.”
“So you speak Orlesian as well,” she commented.
“Je parle de nombreuses langues,” he answered, with a slight bow. “Qunlat is a beast, however.”
“I wouldn’t be able to tell,” she said, and was annoyed with herself for changing the conversation yet again. “So – Taliesin Emery is not a lead, and your former handler is not a lead… Ah!”
“You have an idea?” he asked, tilting his head curiously.
She stepped into the living room briefly and returned with the morning newspaper. “The stock exchange. It seems to have an uncanny way of knowing the truth even of things seemingly unrelated to business.” And this wasn’t exactly unrelated to business.
“Or of jumping at shadows,” he said, but came to stand behind her as she flipped through to the appropriate section.
She tried not to pay any attention, but it was difficult, when he was leaning so casually on the back of her chair – and those strong, wiry arms had caught her and held her and saved her from cracking her skull on concrete – and his breath was soft and gentle almost in her ear. “Well, the Korcari Company’s gone up five points. Kinloch Corp. is holding steady… The Brecilian Co-operative, likewise… Oh, wow, Theirin Inc. suddenly fell ten points overnight.” She frowned and flipped back to the business articles. Perhaps she should have started there. “Does it say why…? Let’s see… rumours of power struggles behind the scenes? Loghain Mac Tyr and daughter Anora Theirin née Mac Tyr reportedly arguing heatedly…? Rendon Howe silent on company developments. Intriguing, and definitely suspicious. Still… this could simply be the fallout of Cailan’s death, and not because one or all of them was the instigator… And why did Korcari go up? No news on that at all. So… we need to check into the personal records of the movers and shakers of Theirin Inc. and Korcari Company.”
“Brilliant,” said a breathy, dry voice in her ear, and she turned to see Arainai’s tanned face about an inch from hers. Her heart jumped, but she didn’t move away.
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. You shouldn’t doubt yourself so. Do you think I would think to check the business section?”
“I need to be realistic,” she said, hardly aware that she was speaking in a whisper. “Especially now, when any mistake I make could result in more death – particularly ours.”
He seemed undeterred. “I have to confess, I would really like to kiss you now.”
Her mind went blank. It was so sudden! They’d only met two days ago! Also getting involved with witnesses – and/or murderers – was an incredibly bad idea! Her mouth wouldn’t respond to her mind’s signals to say no, however. Wynne would have a field day.
Her heart was fit to jump out of her chest as he leaned in slowly, giving her time to move away if she wanted to. She didn’t know what she wanted. But on some level, she wanted to kiss him too, even if it was a terrible, terrible idea. So she let him.
His lips met hers, gentle and sweet, and her eyes drifted closed. He had the scent of cigarette smoke and sweat, more strongly now, but he still smelled faintly of cypress and lavender, which smelled… lonely. He had no one in the world right now but her. And he’d saved her life, trusted her all this way… His only wish was to be free.
Her eyes flew open and she drew back. “It’s not a good idea.”
“As you wish,” he said softly, gently, and she felt her heart slipping at the sincere look in his amber eyes.
Dinner had been awkward; Rory was still glaring at Arainai, and Arainai was still making smart-ass remarks in return. Afterwards, she herded Arainai back into the room they’d been given. No reason to bother Rory more than necessary.
Although it seemed Rory didn’t mind speaking with her, at least. “Elizabeth, can you leave your witness unobserved for a moment?”
“No, I’ll get up to all kinds of nefarious things while she’s not got her eye on me,” Arainai said.
Rory rolled his eyes, but she stepped towards him. “Yes, I can. What would you like to talk about?”
He waited until they were in the kitchen, where he poured them both a beer. “I really missed you. Why didn’t you get in contact sooner?”
Rather than only show up when she needed help, and seem like a heartless selfish person? “Breaking up hurt, Rory. And I was angry. I missed you, but I needed the time to myself. And then I was busy, and then it was awkward.”
“I still talk to your parents sometimes. They still like me.”
“That’s nice.”
“And you’re still a police officer.”
“Detective.”
“Whatever. Do you get shot at regularly? It’s way too dangerous.”
“I’m good at being a detective. I like it. It isn’t usually this exciting.” You could have called me, if you missed me so much. If you were so worried about my career choice. “Also, don’t forget that’s one of the reasons we broke up.” Her voice came out sharper than she intended, and she flinched.
Rory’s eyes slid sideways. “I wouldn’t forget that,” he said, and his voice was cold. “Just like I wasn’t going to forget your jealousy whenever I so much as glanced at another woman.”
She sighed. “I’ve grown up a little since then. If we were to get involved again, I would be a better person now. But… I don’t want to get involved again, Rory.”
“Yes, because you have your gigolo witness.”
“Now who’s jealous?” she demanded.
“I’m just trying – just saying…” He stopped and tried again. “You only asked for my help in sheltering you, not my advice on your love life… but I care enough still that I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Understood, but it’s not helping. No, I don’t want to get involved with anyone. Not Arainai, not you, not my partner on the force.”
“Is he cute?”
“I guess so. In a big puppy-dog kind of way. It doesn’t matter. I’m not getting attached, and I’m going to keep doing my job. Even if it gets me killed eventually.”
“Sooner, rather than later, it looks like,” he muttered, finishing his beer. “I did want to see how you felt, if you still felt anything… but I guess it’s a bad idea.” He offered a pained, lopsided smile. “Which makes me sad, because you’re hotter than ever, even in those unflattering work clothes.”
She snorted and allowed a small smile. “Thanks, Rory. It seems you’re doing well for yourself as well. I do wish you well. And maybe after this we’ll keep in touch better.”
“I’d like that.”
Later, she was getting ready for another night of sleeping in her clothes when she heard the phone ring and Rory answered it. She perked up, then scolded herself for being paranoid. It wasn’t as if Rory couldn’t get phone calls in his daily life.
But Rory knocked on her door a moment later. “It’s for you.”
She shared an alarmed look with Arainai. “Who is it?”
“It’s a policeman. Alistair Theirin?”
“Alistair?” She opened the door. “My partner? How did he know we were here?”
“I called your boss,” Rory said reluctantly. “Earlier, before we had our little talk. I thought he ought to know where you were. I guess he passed it on.” And Alistair, once he had a little information, had probably done some digging of his own to get Rory’s number.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Arainai said, for once very serious. “The Crows definitely have sources in Drakon HQ. Wire-taps, agents… We’ll have to move on tomorrow.”
Rory looked shamefaced. “Sorry. I thought…”
She picked up the phone receiver lying on the table. “Alistair?”
“Elizabeth, you all right?”
“I’m fine, Alistair. Are you all right?”
“Yes, nothing happened today except cleaning up the mess you left yesterday. I was so worried, there were dead people and crashed cars and hysterical civilians everywhere, and you were gone, and your apartment got trashed…”
“I did get away,” she assured him. “But it’s not a good idea to be calling. I’m safe for now, and I’ll let you know how I’m doing when I can, but we’re trying to get away from the Crows and continue the investigation right now and I might not be in touch for a while. Tell Duncan, too.”
“Okay. How’s your arm?”
“Still hurts like hell, but I didn’t have to use it much today.”
“Oh, and your witness has a scary aim with a pistol. All the bodies we recovered were headshots. And you were in a speeding car. Keenan saw you, you were going like fifty over the speed limit?”
“Makes sense,” she said. “You be careful, okay? I don’t want them coming after you, too.”
“Okay. Stay safe, as much as you can.”
“I’ll try. Good night, Alistair.