"Lass? You better be gein' ready for t'night. You know that Jon expects you to be there for the ball." Called George from the living room, which he shared with his wife Alanna.

"Shut it George. I know what's expected of me. Plus Jon practically ordered me to come to this whole affair." Came a terse reply from behind the dressing room's door

Just as Alanna was about to start ranting about Jon's underhanded ways of ruling she stepped out from the dressing room. Glancing up George had to stop and admire his wife. She was gorgeous in a lavender gown.

"Lass…" he began

"George lets go and get this over with. I have a feeling that this will be a very long night" she said cutting George off before he could tell her how beautiful she was tonight. The last thing she needed was to go all soft before she was about to go to a ball!

"It's only going to be long if you make it that way" came the smooth reply from her husband of two years.

As Alanna and George walked up to the entrance of the ball a little boy who appeared to be around the age of two ran to greet his god-parents happily.

"Well hello there, highness." George said as he picked up the small black haired boy and put him on his high shoulders.

"Not a Highness today. I'ma super secret spy that can fly" said the little boy with all the pride of a two and a half year old.

"That you are. That you are. Now my super secret spy of a god-son won't your ma be lookin' for ye'?"

"Roald? Roald! Where in Mithros name are you? Oh crap…" came a very feminine voice from inside the chamber where the ball was being held

With the boy high on his shoulders George strode in saying, "Did someone lose a little prince?"

"Oh thank the gods you found him! Thank you so much George" as George swung the boy down from his shoulders.

"Ah, it was nothing Thayet I just think the lad was tired of all the stress you're putting him through tonight." Said George as his eyes crinkled with mirth

"maybe…" as she drawled sarcastically as she walked off telling her son that 'super secret spies' were not funny and they meant no toys for the rest of the week.

"George we should go find our seats before we are forced to sit with Conservatives again" remarked Alanna to George as he stared off in the direction of all the children filing out of the room in direction of the play room.

"Huh? Oh yes whatever my lady says"

"Don't go all chivalrous on me now George. I need someone with sense to talk to tonight." Joked Alanna

They headed over to an empty round table that had eight seats. As the couple began to sit down Raoul came barreling down towards the pair from what seemed out of nowhere.

"Oh no, you two don't! You will not sit at a 'regular' table as Jon so charmingly calls them while I have to sit up at the head table." Cried Raoul with indignation "Let's go you two it's time to move! Up. Up you get!"

As Raoul forcefully pulled Alanna up to the table he sat her next to the King's seat that was still vacant and he plopped George down right next to her.

"Still not a fancier of balls, Raoul?" taunted George

"You don't have hundreds of mothers after you to marry their daughters now do you? Ever since you married Alanna both of you have been taken care of as far as matchmaking goes" the usually easygoing Raoul replied all-knowingly

"Ah now Raoul you should be embracing court life, balls and parties. After all isn't that why you became a knight?" queried Alanna sarcastically

"Lass, don't start up now. You know Jon only makes you come to these because you are Champion. If you weren't then you wouldn't be forced to make an appearance. But sadly Raoul I still can't reason why he make you come." Replied George fairly

As Raoul, Alanna and George caught up and talked about 'ole' times' a herald came in to announce the king and queen formally to the audience. "Please rise for King Jonathan IV of Conte and his wife and co-ruler Queen Thayet."

As the couple made their way up to the head table they greeted the nobles before them. When they finally reached their seats the king sat down. He nodded his head in inclination, a sign that all the people in attendance could sit in comfort.

"Nice of you to come tonight Alanna. I am very pleased to see you in attendance." said Jon, as he tasted the chicken dish before him. "I was worried that you wouldn't be here. I know that you and George, ah let me correct myself, you like to go 'adventuring' as you like to put it. So may I welcome you back to court in hopes that you'll be staying for a while?"

"Your Majesty, don't play stupid. You know very well that I was ordered to come back to Corus. Who would I be to disregard a royal command?" asked Alanna with such loathing-ness and mock respect

"Lass, give him a break and spare him this one" said George as he settled a hand on her shoulder to remind her she was in public

"Fine, I'm sorry Jon I'm just very tired from the trip and I would like to know why you called be back fro.."

But Alanna was drowned out by the music that was starting up.

"That's my signal to head out." said Jon "My queen?" he asked as he took the queen's offered hand and lead her to the floor to take part in a slow dance being enjoyed by all couples.

"And that's my signal to leave too" Raoul said as he clapped George on the shoulder and kissed Alanna on the cheek. Before they could say goodbye the large knight was almost running out the door

As George chuckled he got up and offered Alanna his hand "Would you care to dance my Lioness?"

Alanna was in a bad mood but accepted. As George led her down to the floor he took a protective hold on her. It was as if he was showing that the Lioness was his and his alone. Almost daring anyone to come and bother them.

They had been there for hours when Alanna had just sat down complaining of how tired her feet were. Not too soon after Thayet sat down next to her old friend while George went off to talk to Sir Myles about finding some new work.

"So how's George?" asked Thayet with mischief in her eyes

"We were enjoying staying at the Swoop. Together. Alone. Without interruptions." Replied Alanna shortly "How're the kids and Jon?"

"We're all doing great. Kally seems to be a little colicky but it's nothing that Jon can't handle in the middle of the night" she replied wickedly

Lighting up Alanna said, "Now that's something I would love to see. Jon waking up, and taking care of a crying child." Just the thought of Jon comforting anyone brought tears to her eyes.

"He's actually quite good with her. Roald is the trouble maker though."

"I noticed." Remarked Alanna dryly, as she reclined back in her chair observing the remaining people still at the ball.

As Alanna and Thayet sat talking George was addressing Sir Myles about the Pirate raids that had started back up along the coast.

"I got half of the town shackin' up with us in the castle but I don't know how much longer we can hold 'em there. We're runnin' out of food because of this blessed famine we've been havin'. It's ridiculous. I don't know what we should do with all of them." Sighed George in disgust. He hated having to inconvenience so many people (commoners) who needed to be outside of the castle walls making a living.

"Just be grateful that you don't have to deal with the delegation of 'neutral' pirates this coming month. I'm sure that's why Jon called you and Alanna back from your time off" replied the shaggy knight

"Yes, he still hadn't gotten around to mentioning why he so urgently called us back from our travels. I liked relaxin' at the Swoop and livin' with the Baz…" George stopped abruptly due to the little hand grabbing at his breeches in order to get his attention.

"Uncle George! Uncle George! Looks I'm a super spy! I got away from the nursery all on my own. Nobody saw me do it at all!" cried the little boy (Roald)

George excused himself to Sir Myles and carried the little prince to where he last remembered leaving his wife. When he finally found Alanna she was sitting with Thayet talking about how Roald was a little too mischievous for his age.

"Excuse me ladies but I have something that I need to return the Thayet." With that he handed the squirming boy over to its rightful owner

"Why thank you George. I appreciate your help." And with that Thayet walked off scolding her son with a promise to tell his father about his behavior.

George watched the two go with longing. He had always wanted a son. A daughter too. Heck he would take whatever he got. If he ever had children. His wife said that she would be happy to be a mother but needed some time to still be a knight.

"George?" Alanna queried calling him out of his daydream "Are you ready to go yet? I'm quite tired and I want to head to bed" she said with a wink.

"You read my mind lass. Let's head back to our rooms"

As they left quickly arm in arm they stopped briefly, very briefly to say goodbye to the king.

"We'll need you at tomorrow's meeting Alanna. It starts after the tenth morning bell."

"I'll be there." She quipped

When they reached their rooms George made to kiss Alanna but she danced out of his reach taunting him.

"I'll be ready in a moment" she told him

After she came back into the room she pushed George up against the wall. He held her close kissing her passionately. He loved her more than anyone or anything in the world. Slowly he started to undo the ties of her gown that she was wearing. While he did the work his hand got caught in something metal at the base of her neck. Figuring it was some kind of new stronger thread he ripped it off. As their clothes fell onto the floor George pushed Alanna onto the bed. As their passion drove them away into pure desire, ecstasy, and love they fell asleep holding each other close.