Before you flay me alive, let me say that I'm infinitely sorry about the whole never-posting-a-single-word-for-months-and-leaving-you-with-nothing. I've been in a funk (and a busy one at that) for ages. Plus, I was working on some original stuff, and...I'm sorry to say that fanfiction took a backseat. I don't know if this will open the doors to me posting like a madwoman...but I thought I'd show you I'm alive, and that I really am sorry for being such a failure.

Tammy owns the characters in every drabble, in every chapter.

1. Haven

Beka leaned out of her window, scattering crumbs for her pigeons. Below in the courtyard, she saw Rosto, Aniki, and Kora talking animatedly. She returned Kora and Aniki's cheerful waves, rolling her eyes as Rosto blew her a kiss. Kora beckoned for her to join them, but Beka refused, smiling. The three Scanrans shrugged and returned to their conversation. Beka watched them for a time, enjoying the sight of their ease. It was comforting to know that there was always a place for her among the three friends, a safe haven among the dangers of the city.

2. Silence

Beka gazed at Rosto. Something in her was screaming that this was a bad idea, that rushers couldn't be trusted. But when Rosto leaned towards her, she didn't back away, didn't move to stop him. She didn't even hit him. She just let it happen. Slowly, Rosto pressed their lips together. At the contact, something clicked within Beka. This was different, better, than kissing Dale. She pressed against Rosto, trying to get as close as possible, her arms locking around his neck as his found her waist. Neither of them said anything. The kiss had said it all.

3. Coppers

Tunstall and Goodwin leaned against a building, watching their former Puppy, who was feeding and talking to pigeons outside her window. Usually they frowned upon spying on fellow Dogs, but Beka had been acting oddly lately, and they were determined to find out why. After a few minutes of pointless examining, a figure appeared beside Beka, and the Dogs glimpsed Rosto the Piper's pale hair as he bent and whispered something in Beka's ear. To their surprise, Beka smiled and kissed him in response. Tunstall whistled in astonishment. Goodwin looked up at him calmly.

"You owe me five coppers."

4. Breakfast

Breakfast at the Dove had always been entertaining. But this time, Rosto was being unusually quiet, eyes locked on Beka. Kora and Aniki kept sneaking looks at each other before glancing away quickly, smirking. After about twenty minutes of this, Rosto suddenly swore and stood up. Beka looked at him in surprise as he lifted her, planting his lips smartly over hers. Kora and Aniki roared with laughter as Ersken blinked in confusion. Rosto grinned down at Beka shamelessly as she quirked an eyebrow at him.

"They would have found out eventually," he said, pulling her in for another kiss.

5. Charm

Kora knocked on Beka's door once before letting herself inside. Beka looked up from her desk, where she was scribbling in a journal. Kora smiled at her. Casually, she brandished a package at Beka, who took it, looking perplexed. The mage grinned wickedly as her friend pulled out a necklace, blushing.

"I thought you could use a new one," Kora remarked, nudging Beka teasingly, who stuttered in embarrassment, hurriedly stowing the anti-pregnancy charm back into the box. Kora giggled. Beka sighed in defeat.

"Thanks, Kora," she muttered. Kora winked.

"Don't mention it."

6. Brawl

Rosto kicked the Rat he'd just defeated aside, running towards the other brawling pair. Beka defended herself with only her baton, aiming at her opponent's more tender areas. Rosto jumped on the cove, snarling and brandishing his dagger. With a flash of silver, the Rat was down, belly-cut, knocking Rosto to the ground as he fell. Beka plied the body off of Rosto, dropping to her knees beside him. She threw her arms around his shoulders and buried her face in his chest.

"Stupid looby," Beka scolded weakly, "I was fine on my own." Rosto grinned.

"I love you, too."

7. Safe

Beka stretched under the sheets, watching Rosto as he slept. A small part of her berated herself for giving in to him, even now. She knew she shouldn't have, that by bedding the Rogue she put her entire career at risk. She knew she shouldn't have trusted a rusher after what happened to her ma. But looking at Rosto now, lying peacefully beside her, she knew that he would never be like those men. As if to confirm this, Rosto's lethal arms wrapped themselves around her, shielding her. Smiling, Beka tucked herself more securely into his hold. She was safe.

8. Scars

Rosto held Beka in his arms, tracing a scar on her shoulder, a memento from her time as a Puppy. Beka herself stared at a crescent-shaped mark on his chest from a fight during his first days as Rogue. Both of them knew every scar the other had, and knew every story behind them all. This scar was Beka's least favorite of all, because it was so close to his heart. Beka refused to think about how close the rusher who had caused the wound had come to killing her Piper. It was too horrible a possibility to imagine.

9. Special

Rosto looked down at the exotic doxie fluttering her eyelashes at him, wishing she'd leave him alone. She'd been dropping hints that she would be better company than Beka ever since the Dog had left for her watch, despite Rosto's obvious disinterest.

"A cove like you deserves someone special," the doxie purred, trailing a finger down Rosto's chest. Rosto scowled. This had gone on long enough. He firmly pushed her hand away, taking a step back.

"I've already got someone, thanks," he said, walking away, ignoring the doxie's indignant squeak and wishing fervently that Beka could be at his side.

10. Interruption

The bedroom door burst open with an ear-splitting bang! Beka and Rosto jerked apart, Beka yanking the sheets over her chest, Rosto crashing to the ground with a loud oath. Both of them turned to glare at the doorway, where Aniki watched them, looking thoroughly unapologetic as Pounce ran past her, mewling irately.

"Your cat's been howling at us for hours," Aniki said over Pounce's irritated reprimanding. "You've had all morning for fun. Now take care of that curst animal."

That wasn't so painful, was it? I hope not. I had to really work hard to make sure they didn't such spectacularly.

I've got the rest of the drabbles ready to go. I just have to post them between school (which starts tomorrow) and band (which, as drum major, I'm essentially running alongside my director). Which WILL happen, I promise.

So, so, so, so, so very sorry,
Brighteyes