I really need to edit this chapter for grammar, but content wise, the story is finished. I just wrote this between unpacking and getting ready for work, so I realize that some words might be misspelled, etc. Please forgive me. I'll post a finely combed chapter when I can, but I am still looking for a new internet company for the new house, so I won't be able to update for a few days after tonight. So to prevent an EXTRA long wait, here it is in a rougher format. Enjoy, and please review. Love to you all!

Chapter 19:

"I can't believe it."

"What?" Lex asked, glancing at the guard beside him. "And don't lean against the wall. Stand straight." The guard did as told while chuckling, pointing down the harbor toward a ship that had just docked. The crew was rushing to roll barrels down a wide gangplank, and there, waiting on the harbor walkway, was Mandila, shirt sleeves rolled up, and hair pulled back into a low ponytail. She accepted the barrels from the crew and helped roll them toward a storage house as the guards looked on, Lex in particular struck by the scene.

"I'll be damned, the loafer got a job," the guard beside him continued to laugh. "Perhaps it's your good influence, sir." Lex inwardly winced, and glared at the man, clearly telling him to shut his trap. Ever since a few of them had seen Mandila leave his room that one day, they'd been teasing him, but sharp looks were usually enough to silence them, and only a few bolder ones now persisted. This offender to his right was one of them, but the man was delighted about Lex having had a visitor since he'd made a bag of gold off of it. From what he'd heard, the man had collected bets from almost ten different guards. By the Nine, he'd been driving them harm in retribution for that.

"It's good to see some of the people here doing honest work," Lex indifferently stated, causing the guard to snort in amusement.

"Really, sir. I don't know why you two aren't friendly anymore. She used to spend every possible moment with you, and now the two of you barely talk." Lex eyed Mandila as she strained under a heavy load, causing a male Nord to laugh at her, the man's billowing guffaws loud enough to draw everyone's attention. Unfortunately for him, Mandila spun and pushed him into the harbor and returned to her work.

"She's a tough one," Lex's companion laughed. "If you don't want her..." Lex's lips pressed tightly together, his annoyance rising.

"Shouldn't you be returning to patrol?" he asked, rather than commenting on the man's insinuation. The guard shrugged, and Lex raised his brows, causing the man to quickly stand at attention. "That's better. Go see if the shipments from yesterday came up correctly. I don't want anymore complaints from that captain."

"Yes, sir," the guard smartly replied before marching off, but Lex saw through his professional act, for the man clearly slowed to talk to Mandila, and to his great annoyance, Mandila appeared to be smiling. He continued to watch the scene, aware that his men had been making passes at her since he'd had her in his chambers, for some were under the impression that she was an easy woman to saddle. After all, they knew that he hadn't charmed or made her promises, and perhaps he'd even paid her, which he'd quickly ridiculed his men for suggesting. Still, he couldn't stop them, for it was all too clear that he had no claim to the elf since that the two hardly interacted anymore.

Gods, but sometimes he couldn't stand seeing her walk about, giving him a brief greeting, and then moving about her business. Their separation had already lasted a month, but it was easier now, for he'd grown back into his isolation, and he didn't need her to defend his attacks on the Grey Fox, but he did miss her smile, which no longer belonged to him. He watched how she had slowly molded back into waterfront life, and how she almost seemed like her old self, but not quite. She wasn't exactly the same, and he wondered who else noticed.

She would joke and laugh with people, but the smile wasn't as genuine as before, and never as wide. Even with Methredhel, she seemed more reserved, for she hadn't caused a single ruckus since returning, and the elf downright avoided Armand. Sometimes, when Lex met her eyes, brown irises glistened with sadness before melting into a dull shine. The energy was weaker, as was she, with her no longer carefree bounciness, and it almost bothered him to see that, but she was a criminal waiting to be hunted, and so she ought to be uneasy. After all, she was constantly watched, and she was a thief, of which he was certain because of her late night disappearances; however, perhaps this new job signaled a change, and maybe...

Lex wanted to be friendlier with her, even to touch her lips, but every time she paused and looked like she wanted to talk, he strode away before she had the chance. He wouldn't allow himself to get any closer to a woman that he might need to arrest and interrogate at any moment, so it was better to distance himself, although he could watch. He could always watch, and that's exactly what he did, so it was with no small surprise that he noted her first day of work and how by the end, she was accosted by Armand and led back to his house.

Lex forced himself to walk away, irritated with his desire to follow the two. He'd been convinced that Mandila would never change, and so he'd made himself stop caring, or so he believed, but moments like this made him question his ability to control himself. With this new job...maybe. He counted the days as they went by, noting that Mandila became less and less exuberant as her work continued. He wondered how long it would last, and decided that at his age, he should perhaps stop waiting for someone who he'd known from the beginning belonged elsewhere. Still, seeing her walk off with Armand ignited something in him that he had to tie down else it affect his work.

It's none of your business, Lex. A thief isn't your business unless you've got a lead.

**************

Mandila hated having a regular job, and each day ground her further into the dirt, making her reconsider her decision, and of course, Armand and Methredhel were there to lure her back to the guild. Technically, she'd never left, but she'd stopped doing jobs, and it was no secret that she'd been working as a dock hand. If anything, people merely shook their heads and talked about a waste of talent, and Mandila didn't disagree with them as she worked to the bone for a pittance. It was horrible and time-consuming, and spending her life on a task that she loathed was not her idea of living.

"I have something that you might be interested in," Armand suggested, creeping up behind her as she sat near the water, picking strands of grass free as she thought about her life.

"I said no," she told him for the umpteenth time. When would he stop baiting her?

"Stop acting indignant. You're not happy." No, she wasn't, but she wouldn't outright agree with him—not when he would so smugly use that to his advantage. "You haven't been happy for a long time."

"I've no reason to be happy," Mandila told him.

"You never needed one before," Armand scoffed. "You're pining away."

"I am not pining!" Mandila burst. "Leave Lex out of this. Maybe I just want to feel secure for once. I'm sick of living with an ax over my head." She refused to look at him as she skimmed a small stone across the top of the water.

"Exactly," Armand pointed out. "Lex would be that ax." Mandila sighed and rested her chin on a knee. "Is that the only reason that you've been slowly leaving us?" he pressed. "What do you get out of leaving the guild? Don't tell me that you'll get him, because we both know that it's a lie." Mandila cringed, for she'd been thinking the same thing as of late. She and Lex had returned to how they'd been months ago, when he'd barely acknowledged her, and she'd only stolen peeks at him. The night that they'd spent together felt like a dream, and the more she thought about the incident, the more she realized that both of them had been strung out on emotion and acting impulsive because of the difficulties facing them. That's what he'd meant when he'd mentioned taking advantage of her.

"There's always a chance," Mandila softly whispered.

"No, there's not," Armand said, equally soft. "He's of a different class, different background, and lives in a world with different expectations. You'd never fit in as an officer's wife, and when did he say that he'd marry you?" Never. Mandila smiled and stared at the darkening sky. She'd forgotten how late she got off of work.

"We're not getting married," she admitted.

"Then why won't you let him go?" Maybe I'm starting to.

"I just want to be friends again," she confessed. "Because that's all that I can hope for."

"You're wasting your life and body away on a man who will never accept you for who you are. Think about that before you refuse anymore jobs." And gods, but Mandila wanted to accept a job, for a strictly regulated life and job was beginning to drive her crazy. Lex was worth it, but was completely changing herself for a man who might have only been hers for one night wise?

"I'd like to be alone, Armand," she said, serious tone only reminding her of how much she'd sunken as she tried to regain Lex's attention. She heard the thief's footsteps leave, and she could tell that he'd spoken to Methredhel when the older Bosmer failed to materialize that night. She sat on the grass for a long time, plucking away and wishing that she'd never seen Lex. No, that was a lie, but what would happen when he found someone else? She saw the prolonged stares that he sent her, and how he sometimes took a step toward her before turning around as if he'd never seen her, so she knew that he thought of her, but sooner or later, he'd lose touch with the collision of chance events that had made them connect in the first place.

"Time's a damn killer," Mandila complained. "Fetching reality." Too bad she couldn't have stayed in their tenderest of moments for eternity. That had been heaven, and she really needed to start watching her mouth, because those sailors were a terrible influence.

**********

Mandila sat on the harbor wall and swung her feet over the water, tossing a few bread crumbs to several ducks as she did so. The sun beat down upon her head, making her think about going for a swim before she remembered where the last swim had led. No, no fun for her, and she'd been struggling to feed herself lately too, but that would end with today's decision. Armand had given her a job, and she hadn't refused, for they could interact without biting each other's head off these days, and some of her bitterness had faded. She certainly couldn't hold a grudge against her sister, and the guild members had been so repentant since her prison visit that she could overlook most of them in general. They'd had nothing personal against her—that was Armand, and if she lost them when Lex had also distanced himself, she'd be left to wallow in loneliness.

"I see that you're not working today." Mandila nearly jumped when she realized that Lex was standing beside her—not looking at her, but out over the harbor, and after a slight tensing, she resumed feeding the ducks, heart fluttering. It seemed that she'd never get rid of her emotions for the man, for even if she'd been clinging to them, she felt as if cool treatment should have deterred her somewhat, but no.

"I quit," she stated, and Lex showed no response. "It wasn't worth the effort."

"You're saying that making an honest living isn't worth the effort?" he mockingly questioned, but Mandila didn't even care, for she was overjoyed that they were talking.

"I'm only interested in an honest living for one reason, sir," she quietly replied. For a second, she was sure that a flash of guilt crossed his face, but then he was again as stoic as ever.

"That's why you took the job?" he asked.

"Yes." But he hadn't shown any change with her decision, and she didn't need to say it, because he already knew that a lack of encouragement had made her lose interest.

"So what are you doing now?" he asked.

"I don't know, but I won't make you chase me, sir. I promise." Her eyes glazed over, and she rolled bread crumbs about her fingers, Lex watching from the corner of his vision. "I do miss you, Captain Lex, and if I go, I won't forget you." He breathed deeply and rested hands against the harbor wall.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I haven't decided. I don't even know if I am going, but I don't want to stay here. This...is much harder than I expected—not keeping my nose clean, but...other things. Armand, being a suspect, you..." Lex straightened and tried to appear solid and callous as she spoke, but his persistence in talking to her told her everything that she needed to hear. Unfortunately, a fond longing wasn't enough without action, and she'd been considering making an exit from the waterfront since his absence had taken its toll on her.

"Is Armand giving you problems?" Lex asked. "Because the guard is at your service."

"If you want to help me, sir," Mandila sighed. "It's not Armand that I need taken care of." She opened her palm and let the remaining bread crumbs roll from her grasp, the little white chunks launching from her fingertips as she held her breath and waited for Lex's response.

"Speak more plainly, citizen, or I can't be of assistance," Lex requested, although his authoritative tone was replaced by something much meeker.

"Captain, I tried," Mandila said, voice slightly quivering. "I tried, but you don't seem to care. Is it because I'm not of the right background? Because I'm poor and would never fit into your lifestyle? I wish that I could be like you and just stop caring so much." She looked up, and found herself facing a visage that carried every line of stress that she could imagine, and his eyes—usually shining with fervor and purpose—were without their light as she almost reached for him.

"Mandila," Lex began, and it was the first that she'd heard her name from his lips since that night. "You know that I..."

"Sir!" a shout interrupted. "We've got a situation over here." Lex lurched in that direction with only a brief glance backward at Mandila.

"There's no reason to leave," he tried to assure. "Stay where you can be protected." So he doesn't only watch me to make sure that I'm not breaking the law, she inwardly smiled. Could she actually leave this place, and him? It was cruel to toss her hope if his feelings weren't strong enough to back it up, but perhaps she would check. Yes, she'd look for evidence more closely now, and so she waited for the next day, keeping the guild satisfied as she carefully skirted any official attention. It was a fairly easy task since Armand was unnaturally preoccupied with something that he refused to talk about, and even Methredhel seemed to be in on it. Whatever it was, Mandila was glad it kept jobs scarce and their pressure scarcer. Now, she just needed the right moment to strike...

************

Mandila stood in the shadows of a doorway as she watched the city's entrance to the waterfront. Crouching in her hidden location, she had a clear view of Lex when he entered the city, torch casting his features into sharp relief as he moved down the street. Each step brought him closer, and Mandila began to feel jittery, for she could imagine this going very wrong. What if he jerked out of her grasp and dropped the torch on her head in the process? She tried not to think about as he drew even with her, and then continued onward.

"Captain?" she called, and the reaction was instantaneous. He spun and reached for his sword, but the action quickly halted when he realized who stood before him. Mandila moved into the torchlight, standing no more than two feet from him, and peered upward into his face. "Is there trouble, ma'am?"

"Did you mean what you said?" Mandila quickly asked.

"Yes," he affirmed. "If Armand so much as touches you, I could..."

"Not that," Mandila interrupted, correcting him. "Did you mean that you want me to stay?"

"I never said that," Lex frowned, and he didn't move when Mandila stepped closer.

"But that's what I heard," she whispered, and her close proximity made both of their bodies want attention. "Captain..." She leaned up and kissed him, feeling his lips open to meet hers as his stronger force pressed into her. Gods, but this is what she wanted—to be held and loved by him, and his desire to have her was still there. He did care, and he did want more than what they currently had. She smiled as he pulled away from her, one hand reaching out to hold her shoulder so that she could get no closer.

"You shouldn't be out so late," he told her, words barely audible in the evening air. "Go home, Mandila. This isn't the time or place." She lifted a hand and gave his arm a small squeeze before she turned and sprinted into the dark, happier than she'd been in a long time. She felt like singing at the top of her lungs, and then running into the guard tower and telling everyone that the captain still liked her, and that she loved him. Of course, poor Lex would die of mortification, but that would be a sight to see too.

"Yes, yes, yes!" she nearly screeched, and while she believed herself to be alone, a lone figure shadowed her in the darkness, having watched the entire scene. He moved quickly, keeping pace with her and as she bounced down the pathway to the waterfront, the way deserted at this late hour. Only the elf and her stalker occupied it, but there would be a few people loitering on the harbor, and that would not do at all, for the stalker needed a private audience. With silent stealth, and overcame Mandila and stepped into her line of sight, his black cloak concealing every inch of his body, and giving the elf reason to pause.

"Hello?" she called, testing his intentions as she stood her ground and moved her hand toward her belt where a small dagger was hidden. The cloaked figure merely raised hands to show that he was weaponless, and surprised her with a small laugh.

"So it's true," he mused, voice unfamiliar to Mandila. "A thief has fallen for Captain Lex, the bane of the guild's existence."

"Who are you?" Mandila defensively asked, and the figure threw back the cowl of his cloak, revealing a gray mask that even in the night struck Mandila with awe. "It's you," she gasped.

"Yes, and I've been watching you for some time," came the enigmatic reply. "I mean no harm, young Bosmer, but Armand showed considerable concern for your activities, and rumors of your love affair have reached ears throughout the guild." Mandila slightly bowed her head in respect as she viewed the master of her guild, wondering what his intentions were, for he did not sound angry or even annoyed with her. Instead, he sounded rather kind and considerate, very well spoken, like a gentleman.

"What do you want from me, sir?" she ventured.

"Armand seems to think that you need a lecture." Damn. "But, I on the other hand, have other ideas. You've fallen for our enemy, but you are right when you defend him as a good man, because he is. And he's very skilled and protective—strict in his duties to the point of needing a swift kick to the backside. Yes, he's a nuisance, but a very decent man in general, and for those qualities, I have found a perfect task to occupy him."

"You're not going to do anything to him, are you?" Mandila burst, daring to glare at her superior.

"No, nothing bad like that," the Grey Fox assured. "I merely wish to keep him out of our hair, and in doing so, I will also help the person whom I love." What? "No need to look so surprised. Why do you think that I am not angry with you? Love is a funny thing, and people have been telling my wife for ages that she should not be with me. She's never listened, thank the gods, and love would be weak indeed if you turned your back on our beloved captain just because someone like Armand told you to."

"So you…approve?" Mandila asked, stunned, and her confounded expression made the mysterious man before her chuckle.

"No. I think that Lex is far too serious for someone like you, but maybe you could help him...enlighten him to her shortcomings." Was he mocking her? Mandila couldn't tell as the figure came closer, arms folded behind his back as he strolled. "You are good for him. He just doesn't know it, but there is the matter of the guild. I can't have a thief who struggles between two loyalties. Twisted allegiances can destroy relationships, as I am finally learning…" His voice trailed off, sounding distant and wistful for a moment before returning to business. "So I must insist that you resign from your post, Bosmer. It's not punishment, but I think that what you need is not with us."

"But I've already tried life without the guild," Mandila sighed. "It's just not the same."

"You have to make a decision, but perhaps a change of scenery would help."

"What do you mean?" she questioned. "I was thinking of leaving, but Lex is here, and…"

"Oh, he won't be for long," the Grey Fox laughed. "Go to Anvil." Was he crazy? Mandila looked at the man like he might be, but he only cocked his head to the side and nodded for emphasis. "You'll find what you want in Anvil. Your love is taking a one-way trip." And with that, the Fox vanished into the night, moving with such speed and expertise that Mandila had a difficult time tracing his movements, and before long, she was again alone.

"Anvil," she mused, solemn before breaking out into a grin. The future was looking bright.

**************

He knew who was responsible for this, but he was powerless to prevent his transfer, and so Captain Lex sat in his new office, looking over his new orders. Admittedly, he was being paid handsomely, and the position was of equal authority to what he'd previously possessed, but Anvil wasn't the waterfront, and there was no Grey Fox. Damn, but the bastard had successfully removed him from the equation, and who would stop the Thieves' Guild now? No one. The Imperial city would likely be ransacked by the fetching criminals, and he wouldn't be there to stop it.

"How's the new job, sir?" one of his new subordinates asked. Lex looked up from the paper in his hands and tried not to glare. He really wasn't in the mood to deal with any of these men right now, especially since they reminded him of what he'd lost. Gods, but had he even seen something remotely dangerous since arriving here two days ago? There was nothing worth his talent, and the idea that the countess needed protected was laughable, but these were his orders, and he would respect them. Perhaps once he did some digging, he find trails of crime that needed stamped out. By the nine, he needed something engaging to occupy himself.

"I'm still settling in," Lex told the guard, returning to his paperwork so that the man knew not to bother him, and it worked. Alone, Lex leaned back and sighed, wondering how he'd finally been bested by thieves. Of course, he hadn't given up, for he would make inquires and see if he couldn't return to his old post, but if his attempts failed, he would make the best of his situation. That he'd been firm about, and perhaps it was pleasant to see such an orderly town for once. It would give him time to forget things that he'd found impossible to ignore while on the waterfront.

"Damned elf," he sighed. Where had she gone? She'd disappeared almost two weeks ago, and he hadn't seen her again. She hadn't even said goodbye, but he hadn't been particularly worthy of one. Surely she understood his dilemma? Yes, he was certain that she had, and after that kiss, he'd thought that perhaps she knew he still thought of her in ways that he shouldn't. Had that been her goodbye?

Stop thinking about her!

Lex roughly stood and marched outside for some fresh air. He needed to accustom himself with the area and learn its nooks and crannies for future exploitation during cases. There was plenty to keep him busy, so there was no excuse to dwell on a woman who'd he likely never see again. But still…Lex noted a guard hurrying over to him, and tried not to roll his eyes. What was it this time? Perhaps a cat had gotten stuck in a chimney. He'd already dealt with one of those.

"There's a problem sir," the guard bellowed. "This woman won't let us search her bags, and we're certain that they're not hers. She's too poor to own so much stuff."

"Lead the way," Lex ordered, relived to have work. So he followed the younger guard, his mind wandering back toward the capitol as he observed the much more open and less busy Anvil. It wasn't anything like the city from where he hailed, for the streets were less organized, and the houses detached with fewer beggars hiding between them. He couldn't help but make comparisons, and doing so brought his mind back to Mandila. If she returned to the city and couldn't find him, would she notice his absence? Surely her affections could not survive indefinite time and space, and the thought bothered him even though he fought such a reaction.

I would have liked to kiss her just once more.

"Too late now," he breathed.

"Excuse me, sir?"

"Nothing. Keep going." The guard told him that they were almost there, but Lex wasn't listening. If he'd shown Mandila the care that he'd felt but concealed, maybe she would have kept the job. Given time, she'd have lost her suspect status, and then they could have been together, the idea of which had grown to appeal to him. Yes, he regretted neglecting her after this sexual encounter, but he'd been off-balance, and she hadn't left the guild. Then, when she did, he'd held back, unsure of whether or not her feelings for him remained.

Then she kissed you, and she left.

Obviously she no longer wanted anything to do with him—right when he'd begun to see how much he wanted her in his life. Every day that she'd walked by him without a taunt or laugh, he'd felt it. There was no one comparable on the waterfront, and certainly no one in Anvil.

"There she is, sir," the guard announced, and Lex's voice caught in his throat.

"There you are!" a very happy Bosmer beamed. "I was hoping you'd come, captain." Lex stood rooted in place, his eyes sweeping over Mandila as she shot him a toothy grin that he hadn't seen in what felt like years.

"Mandila," he breathed, not really believing his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" So they were back to their usual banter, and it felt so natural.

"I've been transferred." Mandila didn't look surprised in the least. Did she know…?

"Citizen," he began, eyeing the two huge bags that Mandila carried in either hand.

"Sir," she returned.

"What's in the bags?"

"Oh, these?" Yes, those, elf. Mandila lifted them with an innocent expression, holding them out toward him. "Since I've renounced my old ways, I needed one last hurrah."

"You mean that you left them?" Lex asked, wanting to hear an affirmative response. If she'd left the guild, and she since she was here, where no one knew her to be guilty, it would be permissible to…to what? Lex didn't dare answer that question as he took the bags from Mandila, curious despite his foreboding.

"I left," she promised him. "But I picked those up for you before I did." Lex opened the bags and found himself looking at his old armor, perfectly polished, and carried here from the Imperial city for him. So she did know.

"So now you belong to no one elf," he mused.

"Oh, I've belonged to someone for a very long time," Mandila countered leaning forward to whisper in his ear. "And I've really been missing him." Lex looked into her brown eyes and wanted nothing more than to kiss her. Maybe later that night, he would.

"Are you saying that you still want this?" he questioned, unsure, and she nodded. "How long are you staying here?"

"As long as I'm wanted. So what do you say, captain?" He moved his head toward, and she closed her eyes in anticipation of a kiss that never came. He swiveled his head at the last moment and brought his mouth to her ear, a smile tickling the corners of his mouth.

"I say that you'd better prepare to pay for taking this armor," he intoned, causing Mandila to giggle.

"You'll have to catch me first then," she replied.

"I plan to, elf." He stood back and shouldered the armor, planning to send it back to the city as soon as possible since it was no longer his. "Behave yourself, Mandila. I have other duties to see to today."

"Okay," she agreed. "I'll be in your room when you're done." Lex nearly choked when the other guards present looked to him in question. He'd nearly forgotten that they were there.

"Back to work—all of you!" he ordered, watching as Mandila strolled away, a happy tune on her lips. She was back, and she was still his. The thought almost made him smile as he walked away, annoyed that he had to deal with this armor but touched all the same. Maybe staying in Anvil wouldn't be so terrible after all.

**************

"Oh, don't they make a fine couple?" the countess asked, having watched the scene from her bedroom window. "I do believe that the captain and that girl have some history. I've never seen him looking so warm before, have you dear?" The count grunted from where he sat near the door, feet propped up on a table.

"She'll give him a run for his money," he replied, a smile creeping up his face. "Let's hope that he doesn't let her go this time. Lex can be a fetching idiot."

"Language!" the countess chided. "Dear, I don't know what you have against the captain, and what do you mean, 'this time'?"

"It's a long story, my dear. Suffice it to say that those two couldn't stay away from each other if they wanted to. I'm quite pleased with how everything's turned out, actually. Good for them." The countess smiled and planted a kiss on the tip of her husband's nose.

"Love is an odd thing, isn't it, dear?" she teased.

"Very odd indeed," he agreed. "But wonderful all the same. Sometimes it just takes time for both sides to realize how much they mean to one another. One of my own and a watch captain—who'd have thought it?"