The Gift

I settled into a room in Aaron's old house and started teaching the children, and even a few adults. As time passed, life became routine and comfortable. Two months in the village and I had a nice little baby bump. That meant that I had less than six months to find Miles before I was due. And I knew I couldn't travel much toward the end. So I had to find him quickly. I spent every spare minute daydreaming about our new life together. And then one day it hit me. What if Miles didn't want to be, couldn't be, a dad? After all, he couldn't even bring himself to propose to me after three blissful years. Was he really father material? I had to stop thinking about this. I had a new, albeit temporary, life to live here. It would do me no good to let these worries intrude.

One cool autumn day, a messenger arrived in town. I was ecstatic. I'd hidden the pieces of gold I'd stolen from the militia along with a carefully crafted message to Miles in the hope that a messenger would stop by one day. The messenger system wasn't fool-proof but it was the best chance I had under the circumstances. I ran to retrieve the letter and gold for payment. Quickly I read through the cryptic note one last time.

Dearest M,

I pray you are well and that your mission is successful and you are on your way home to me as I write this. My situation has changed and it is beyond urgent that you find me. Your family's home is lovely.

Hope to see you soon,

Yours

I paid the messenger and slipped him the note along with Miles's name and where he might be, to the best of my knowledge. I was assured my letter was in good hands.

Not many days later, my comfortable life was shattered when the militia rolled into town. Not again, I sighed. I was in the middle of a lesson with the younger children and I pushed them into the garage and pulled the door down behind me.

I walked out to meet them and Captain White hopped down from his horse. He eyed my sword and I stared at him petulantly. "Bravo, you found me. I don't suppose you're here to apologize?" I ventured. At this he laughed heartily. "You're to come with us. And if you even touch that blade of yours my men will wipe out this village" he replied. I sighed heavily, knowing I couldn't let that happen. Not even Miles would risk that. Or so I'd like to think. By this time the villagers had warily poked their heads out of their homes to watch the drama unfold.

"Alright" I agreed. "I'm not going for my sword, I'm just going to slip the belt off." "Like I'm going to fall for that" he snorted as he darted forward and removed the belt himself. He threw the blade to the ground and grabbed me by the upper arm, dragging me toward that blasted wagon again. "You're more dangerous than you look, Lily" he said with a hint of admiration in his voice. "I'm not taking any chances with you this time." With that his men pulled me into the wagon and cuffed me to the metal support railing. Damn, and me without my lock picks…I groaned.

As we rode out of the village I raised my free hand in a sad goodbye to all of my new friends who had so kindly taken me in. "Lily?" Captain White asked as he leaned back from the front seat of the wagon. "Did Miles teach you how to pick cuffs in case you got caught?" he asked. Feeling snarky I replied, "No, I had plenty of practice all those times he cuffed me to the bed." I smirked; he blushed. Ah…it felt good to be me again. The role of mild mannered school marm had been a hard charade to play.

After regaining his composure, Captain White continued, "You know, your escape was pretty clever. But you've been a nightmare to track down. I do have to thank you for Scott though." Seeing the look of confusion on my face he added, "that fucker was a handful. As are you, but he wasn't clever or useful like you are. I'd say I owe you one for getting rid of him, but you escaped and I had a hell of a time trying to find you, so we'll call it even." I rolled my eyes and gave him an evil smirk. He sighed. "No wonder Miles loves you: you're him with tits."