Author's Note: Hope this doesn't get too wordy for anyone or too dark.
3.5: Don't Provoke The Lady in the ShadowsGunner stared at the computer screen, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. He sighed. One would think that having your wife be the head of an intelligence network would give one a leg up when said husband joined up. But noooo... his wife hadn't been too excited at all when he had mentioned that he'd like to continue doing what he had in Windenburg, but for Newcrest, of course. After all, he owed King Darian for introducing him to Triss and Newcrest was his home now. Truth be told, it was more a home than Windenburg had ever been.
He was good at what he did and this sitting on a computer and crunching numbers certainly wasn't what he had in mind. But she had been adament that he had to work his way up. He was beginning to believe it was her way of trying to keep him out of the fire. Perhaps it had been a mistake to tell her about the fire... Well, it was what it was.
He stood up to stretch. Sitting so long wasn't something he was used to. He had no idea how his wife did it, sifting through all that data, hoping for a strong bite. She spent hours every day combing through files, through reports. He heard the door open softly. Speak of the devil; "I don't know how you do this, Triss. My eyes feel like they are bleedin' outta my skull!"
Her chuckle belied the roll of her eyes. "Intelligence is not all daring chases out in the field, you know. People like me need to take the data we get from those out in the thick of it and then look at the big picture, the details, all of it, or we may miss something important."
"I know, I know, but-" Gunner huffed out a breath. "I'm used to being out there. There's no time to think, there's just reacting."
Beatrice brought her hand up to his cheek, her expression somber.
"I realize that. I just-" She paused long enough to swallow past the lump in her throat. "You've already done so much and- you said it yourself, you almost didn't make it. I am well aware I can't keep you out of the field forever, but can you blame me for wanting to keep you safe as long as I can?"
He pursed his lips. "I thought I was supposed to keep you safe."
It brought out the desired response: her eyes narrowed and she fisted her hands on her hips. "Do you want your eyes to actually start bleeding? I promise you, I can keep you at this level till we're both old and gray."
Gunner bit his lip, but he couldn't repress the bark of laughter. "You fight dirty." The admiration in his voice matched that in his eyes. "I like that about you."
Her head held high, Beatrice walked to the study door and looked back. "Just remember that. Now, why don't you take a break, hm?"
He nodded. "Think I will." He followed her out. When she stopped in front of her, he blinked. "Triss?"
Before he knew it, she'd wrapped her arm around his waist and had pushed him backward! The searing kiss had as much of a lesson in it as it did passion.
When she righted him what seemed to be an hour later, she had a satisfied smirk on her face. "I have no problem with you wanting to protect me because I'm your wife; I do have a problem with you wanting to protect me because I'm a woman. I may not have had as much field experience, but let me assure you I am not helpless."
"Yes ma'am!" He clicked his heels together and even managed a crisp salute. She rolled her eyes at him. He winked at her. "I'm going to hop in the shower real fast." She waved him away, eliciting a chuckle.
When he emerged, he found his wife in the kitchen, along with Mira, the cat who adopted them. Well, she adopted Beatrice first, but she'd taken to him as well. In fact, she mewed up at him. Obliging, he leaned down to give her a good scratch under her chin which she loved.
"Don't you dare give her another treat," Beatrice warned. "She's had some already. Don't let her tell you otherwise."
Gunner looked down at the cat. "Mom's so strict, isn't she?"
Mira mewed in agreement. It earned them both a withering glare. Gunner laughed. "Well, instead of a food treat, why don't we play with this?" He produced a little penlight from his pocket and Mira's eyes sharpened. She crouched, her butt and tail up in the air, ready to pounce as the little light flashed in front of her.
Beatrice watched the two of them for a moment, smiling softly as she prepared dinner. She frowned. The weather had been a little strange lately. Cloud cover was becoming a problem for the first time that she could remember. Oh, she had read of places such as Hidden Springs or Sunset Valley and the variations with weather they had. But here, the weather had been the same for centuries, perhaps longer. So far, she had been able to find little information on it. Of course, clouds were not unheard of, but her instincts told her that this wasn't normal. Only time would tell. As it was, there were other pressing concerns.
After dinner, Gunner and Beatrice retired to their chambers. Beatrice kissed her husband's cheek and went to the bathroom. She shut the door and let out a breath. If her calculations were correct, she was about to tell her husband some terrific news. At least, she hoped so. She didn't believe her calculations were incorrect, so why were her hands shaking as she looked at the test? When she beheld the two lines on the test, her breath caught. It was positive! Matriarch save them, she was pregnant!
She leapt up and ran out to their bedroom, the door closing quickly behind her. "Gunner, I'm pregnant! We're having a baby! There's a baby in there!"
He looked at her for a moment, not quite understanding the words.
He blinked. "Oh, is that all?"
Her face fell and she swept past him, biting her bottom lip hard. But he grabbed her wrist before she could move past and he took her hands in his. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have teased you like that." His gaze bore into hers as he brought her hands to his lips. "I-I truly don't have the words to tell you how happy I am."
"T-truly?"
"Yes. I promise. I'm sorry. I froze and then I felt I had to say something. I shouldn't have been so flippant." He let out a little breath. "Truth be told, I'm- ecstatic, but also afraid."
She frowned. "Afraid? Why?"
"What if I'm a lousy father? Didn't exactly have a great example of one."
She pursed her lips. "Neither did I. The truth is, Gunner, neither of us had great examples of what married life should be, nor what a parent should be. But we're making do right now. In fact, I'd say we're doing better than making do, aren't we?"
"Yes, yes of course we are. You are absolutely right." He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. "Forgive me?"
"Nothing to forgive." He kissed her cheek.
She smiled at him. "We're going to be parents."
"Matriarch save us," he murmured, though he wore a grin as well.
*****
"Rough night, my heart?" Gunner sat down at the kitchen table next to his wife, a bowl in front of him.
She looked at him with a grimace. "Unfortunately. Our little one refuses to sleep when I do."
He put his hand over hers. "Want me to get you a little something to eat?"
She shook her head. "No, not at the moment. Still a bit nauseous yet. Once it calms down, I'll grab a little something. Thank you."
"I may be a fool a good chunk of the time, but even I know how to look after my pregnant wife."
She rolled her eyes, as he had intended. "You're ridiculous." A companionable silence descended, then she sat bolt upright. "Oh! Oh, where is my mind at? We got a letter. More than a letter in fact, from your sister."
"Dianna?" Gunner frowned. "Is she ok?"
Beatrice gave his hand a squeeze. "She's fine. In fact, it seems to be an invitation." At his blank look, she continued, "To her wedding."
"W-wedding? Married? Dianna?"
"There, there. Yes. She's a young woman now."
"No. Nope. Refuse to believe it."
Beatrice laughed. "Oh dear. What are you going to do if we have a daughter?"
His expression was oddly dark as he answered, "Lock her in a tower?"
"You know that never works out."
He sighed. "I suppose not. My little sister is getting married..."
"That she is. Luckily, the wedding is before the baby is due, so we'll be able to go." She held up a hand. "Don't even start. We're going. If for no other reason than it's important to your sister for her to see you. I told you. I can handle myself and I can certainly handle your father."
Since he could hardly argue with that (he wasn't foolish enough to argue with a pregnant woman, not least of which was his wife who already had a way of bringing his concerns into a much different light), he just nodded darkly. It would be good to see his brother and sister again, at least. And he was anxious to meet his sister's betrothed.
*****
Though the clouds had gone quite dark, it didn't detract from Dianna's beauty. In fact, she looked absolutely beautiful, radiant even up there with her betrothed, Shayne. Beatrice had learned that he was the younger brother of Lady Alisha Fenton of San Myshuno, an important noble family there. The two of them looked good, though Gunner would eat his tongue before he'd admit it to anyone else. Still, she looked happy. The way she looked at him, as if they were the only two people in the world, was a good sign.
After the vows were spoken, Gunner stole his sister for a moment and picked her up in a bear hug. "Who said you could grow up?" he growled at her.
"I don't recall asking you." Her smirk was belied by the sparkle in her eyes.
"Ugh, direct hit." He mimed pulling an arrow out of his chest, then laughed. "You look happy, little sister. Are you?"
"Yes, I really am. You know how it can be. But Shayne's a treasure. He makes me laugh."
Gunner knew how important laughter was in their house since it was such a rare commodity. "What about-"
"He's satisfied with the match. He'll never understand what love really is. He thinks it's a weakness, but we both know differently." She put a hand on his arm and give him a poke. "So how are you doing there, daddy? Have you started going crazy yet?"
"Some would say I hit crazy a long time ago." With Dianna, he could be honest. "I'm scared stupid, Di. Triss keeps telling me we'll be fine. But I can't stop the fears from coming. What if I'm- like him?"
"Never. Gunner, you could never be like him. You're a good man. You'll make a great father. I promise you. I'm the smart one of us, so just remember that." She kissed his cheek. "Oh, have to go talk to some of the other guests. I'll be back."
Gunner scoffed at her, then grinned. "Go on then. You look beautiful, Di. He's a lucky man. He really is."
"Yes he is," she agreed with a wink before she set off.
Gunner looked around for his wife. He didn't see her immediately. He hoped she had finally sat down. He didn't like her on her feet too much since her back had been bothering her.
"Boy."
Gunner stiffened. Deliberately, he barely turned. "Father."
"Follow me." The imperious tone made the hackles on the back of his neck rise, but Gunner did as his father said, if for no other reason to see what he wanted. The two ended up in a guest room, away from the others milling around. Ezekiel didn't waste any time. "Did you think me a fool? I know what you did, boy."
Gunner kept his face carefully blank, even a bit bored. "Your point?"
"How do you think you're playing with? You may not be afraid for yourself. But what of that pretty wife of yours? It would be- unfortunate should she meet with an accident, wouldn't it?"
Gunner's vision flashed a searing red and he would have leapt at his father, except the door opened wide and Beatrice strode in. How she managed to appear graceful while beginning to waddle, Gunner had no clue. But she managed it. "Gunner." Her voice was soft, though there was a warning in her eyes as she faced his father. The courage in her dried all the spit in his mouth. "Lord Villareal." She kept her tone low, but where she had been all tenderness with him, now, there was the unmistakable hint of authority. "I hope my ears deceived me. I thought I heard you threatening a citizen of Newcrest. I truly hope that isn't the case. I would hate to inform my King. He would be left with no choice but to petition your King for your arrest."
All in that room knew exactly how that would go; King Kellen knew exactly what Ezekiel had been up to. He'd be only too happy to grant that request. Ezekiel stared at his daughter-in-law, seeing her for the first time.
"Do you think you've won?"
"I know I have." There was no bravado whatsoever, just pure fact. "Listen carefully. I have taken steps to see that my family is protected. Should anything happen, I promise you, all that power that you covet, that you care about will be stripped from you in every way possible. If you wish to test me, I invite you to try. But think about this. I carry your grandchild within me, a child that shares your blood. Should you continue to threaten my husband, your own son, I will see to it that you never see that grandchild and that they will know exactly what you are. Am I clear?"
"This isn't over."
"Oh but it is." They all turned. Dianna stood there, her hands fisted at her side. "Listen well. I am the heir, your heir, despite you wishing it was different. And now our family is connected with the Fentons. If you should pursue any kind of retribution against Gunner or Beatrice, I promise you, I will use any influence I have with both our King as well as the Fentons to see you ruined."
"You would drag your own name through the mud?"
"To protect my brother? Yes. I might regret it, because of mother. But heed my words when I say that seeing you shamed and humiliated would warm my heart."
He looked at each of them. He growled something under his breath and then stalked out, pushing past Dianna. She sighed softly. "Di-" She shook her head at her brother. "I meant every word of it. He won't harm you for being a better person and he certainly won't threaten you or your wife."
Beatrice hugged her tightly, or as tightly as her pregnant belly would allow. "Thank you. Will you be alright here?"
"Yes. Shayne is well aware of our family history. He's well connected. Father knows it. With your own promise to him, I doubt he would dare to think of reprisal. Despite what he thinks, he is older and doesn't have the power and clout he once had. Still, be careful. At least for a little while yet. Keep each other close."
Gunner wrapped his arm around his wife's waist. "We certainly will." On the way out, he kissed his sister on the cheek. "Thank you."
"Don't you dare thank me. Just take care of yourself and your wife. Ok?"
"I will. You take care too."
He shook Shayne's hand on the way out and even refrained from the glib threat on the tip of his tongue. That might have been because he could feel his wife's elbow jabbing into his side.
When they returned home, Beatrice was in a lot of pain so Gunner had her go take a shower while he changed. They hadn't spoken too much on the ride back to Newcrest; each had been alone with their own thoughts. Once his wife was in the shower, Gunner went to their study and booted up the computer. There was a predatory look in his eye. He couldn't get his father's threat out of his mind. It had haunted him, preyed on his mind throughout the ride. He knew what his father was capable and despite both Triss and Di's assurances, he wasn't going to take chances with his family. He was going to protect them.
*****
Beatrice eased into the room. She was in her dressing gown and felt much better after her shower. But worry wouldn't stop nagging at her, niggling at the back of her mind. When she saw what was on the computer screen, her eyes widened. "Gunner!"
He spun around in the chair, then stood up. "Triss..."
"You can't be contemplating this! He's your father!"
"And he threatened your life! And the life of our child!" Gunner hissed. "You don't know what he's capable of! I grew up every day with him reminding me that "accidents" could happen every time I did something he didn't agree with."
Beatrice swallowed, then she firmed her lip and took two more steps into the room toward him. "Come here." He frowned. "I said, come here." He complied. There was uncertainty in his eyes and what was more, fear. He was so good at keeping it hidden, so it must have scared him more than she had realized. "Gunner. Give me your hands." He did as she bid.
She placed them on her belly. "Feel that. Feel our little one in there."
He wouldn't look at her at first. When he did, there were tears in his eyes. "Triss- I-I just can't stand the thought something could happen to you. Or to our child."
"I know, Gunner. I know. But this isn't the way. You're better than that. Your father must make his peace with the Matriarch in his own way. It's not for you to decide when that happens." She put her hands over his on her belly. "Besides. I don't have an extensive network for show, Gunner. I promise you, if there is any movement in that corner, I'll know long before anything can be enacted. You had faith in me before."
"Th-that was when it was my life. Not yours."
She laughed. "Oh, you are such a man!"
He opened his mouth, then closed it. He straightened up, looking down at the floor. "I-I have no excuse, Triss. None other than the fact that the man dries all the spit in my mouth. I can deal with the thought of my own life in danger. It- it was normal, growing up. But I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
"Gunner, look at me now." He brought his head up, though it was a reluctant gesture. She put a hand to his cheek. "Nothing will happen to me, or to the baby."
He swallowed once more. "Ok. Ok. Can you ever forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive. I know how scary it is. You aren't the only one that grew up afraid. You went out there, defied your father and for that, I applaud you. You are a better man than he ever thought of being. He'll never know your true strength. While you were out, risking your life, I was finding ways to protect myself. The man you met, the messenger? He's only one of many, many agents that I have out there. Most are loyal to me in some way. I will use whatever is at my disposal to protect my family, Gunner. Believe that."
"I do. I do." He pulled her close into a tight, but gentle hug.
She stepped back and took his hand. "Let's go to bed. Tomorrow is a new day." He smiled at her and nodded. The two went upstairs hand in hand, both feeling lighter than they had before. Neither would drop their guard, but their trust in the other would get them through. That and they wouldn't have much time for worry soon enough.
