Spoilers warning: This story will contain some Main Quest, Companion Quest and Thieves Guild quest spoilers. Will deviate from the game story. Some game dialog is reused.

Other warnings: The story will contain bad language, violence and eventually sexual situations. Rated M for a reason. Also, I am a rank amateur when it comes to story writing, this is just for fun!

Mercer Frey glared from behind his desk and sneered, "Well, well, back so soon ladies? And what's this I hear? You couldn't fucking manage to burn down three beehives without getting your asses kicked. I expected another failure from Lily, but I'm surprised at you Vex. Who was it that said you were our best infiltrator? Oh wait, it was you!"

Vex turned beet red and clenched her fists at Mercer's words. Nearly half of the Thieves Guild members were in the Cistern tonight watching these two get chewed out.

"Mercer, don't blame Vex on this one," Lily explained. "I was seen by a guard when we were in the Goldenglow Estate. He turned the corner right into me. It was bad luck plain and simple…"

Vex opened her mouth as though she were about to protest. Lily gave her a firm look to silence her. They were both caught by the guard, but Lily reasoned that she could suffer the stigma of a job gone wrong better than Vex could. Lily already had a reputation for bad jobs. No need for both of them to suffer Mercer's wrath.

"Bad luck seems to follow you wherever you go Lily," Mercer interrupted. "It's a shame the rest of us have to pay the price, like poor Lokir."

Lily's temper flared at the mention of her dead friend. Her plan to remain calm under the Guild Master's scrutiny fled. "Luck had nothing to do with that!" Lily protested. " Lokir decided to make a run for it while the Imperial soldiers had their bows out. The alternative was getting our heads chopped off. Can you blame him?"

Mercer gave her a cold look. "I don't blame Lokir at all, I blame you. It was obviously your incompetence that got you into that mess."

Lily couldn't respond. She would not drag Lokir's name under the cart now that the poor sod was dead. Lokir was a horse thief before he joined the Thieves Guild of Riften. While on their way to a burglary job in the South, they stumbled upon a Stormcloak encampment. Lokir could not resist liberating one of their horses. It was bad luck that the Imperials made their ambush upon the Stormcloaks just as Lokir and Lily were making their escape. The Imperials took them into custody along with everyone else.

"I see you have nothing else to say for yourself Lily?"

"I'm ready to pay whatever penalty the Guild sees fit for my failure," Lily replied in defeat.

"I see. Very well, as of this moment you are removed from the Guild," Mercer replied.

"What? You can't do that!" Vex yelled.

Mercer shot a warning glare at Vex. Lily placed a shaking hand on her friend's shoulder to calm her. Lily was terrified of Mercer's pronouncement. The Thieves Guild had been her home and family since the day she was turned out of Honorhall Orphanage at age 15. Several years later, it was impossible for her to imagine any other life.

"Mercer, please. I can still be of value to the Guild. Surely there is some way we can work out a deal?"

Mercer took his time to answer her, toying with a glass paperweight on his desk. He enjoyed seeing the mousy little Breton woman squirm. Finally he said, "It goes against my better judgment, but I will give you another chance."

Lily sighed in relief.

"Here's the deal. We received a contract from a patron who wants Wuuthrad, the fabled axe of Ysgramor. The axe is housed at Jorrvaskr, headquarters of the Companions in Whiterun. Bring the axe to me and I will reinstate you to the guild."

"So, I steal this axe from the Companions and you promise to reinstate me? Seems reasonable enough." Lily shrugged.

"What's the catch?" Vex asked, her amber eyes narrowing on the Guild Master.

Mercer placed a hand over his heart and said, "My dear Vex, your suspicion wounds me. Lily just needs to complete the contract without botching the job or getting herself killed by the Companions. Personally, my bets are on the Companions."

Vex and Lily left the Cistern and stopped at the Ragged Flagon where they were greeted by Brynjolf.

"Ladies, You look like you could use a drink," He said, placing a bottle Blackbriar mead into each of their hands.

"Have we told you how much we love you?" Lily asked, taking a swig of the mead. "My thanks Bryn. Mercer just kicked me out of the Guild."

"What! I can't believe this! I'll speak with him lass. I'll convince him to work something out."

"Thanks, but there's no need. Mercer gave me a job." Brynjolf listened as Lily told him about her mission to steal Wuuthrad.

"I don't like the sound of this," Brynjolf said with concern.

"Maybe he's just hoping I get myself killed. You heard him Vex, his bets are on the Companions kicking my ass."

"Just be careful Lily," Vex warned. "I don't like it, but taking this axe job may be the best thing. You'll be out of Mercer's sight for a while and he'll have time to cool off. Lay low for a while and let us work on him. We'll get you back in."

"I'm actually looking forward to this. Travel, fresh air, no grumpy Guildmaster to look over my shoulder. And Vex, don't sass him too much while I'm gone. He'll give you all the shit jobs, trust me."

"Well, someone's got to do them while you're away lass," Brynjolf grinned.