The Unsaid, Again

[Asa]

"Well, how the fuck was I supposed to know this would happen?" he asked. "I did this thing with Elle before I knew what would happen." He made a slight motion with his hand, dismissing the subject; there was plenty of time later for talking about if someone were more suitable.

"Oh, this 'Prince business'?" he asked, memories of the meeting rushing back. "How the fuck am I supposed to feel when you tell everyone that you think more of some social butterfly than me?" he asked.

Except it wasn't exactly a question; more of an accusation.

I live and die on your words, Ishani.

[Ishani]

Ishani rolls her eyes. "Oh please, Asa. As if you being Prince is just what I wanted? Come on! For one thing, we both helped to put Freddrick where he was and look how that turned out. Then we get involved and the next thing I know you get put in his place! Like I want a huge target on your back? Did you even think of the ramifications of this position before you decided to stand up and fight for it? What the hell am I supposed to do now? How can I be the Sheriff of this city and protect your ass at the same time? I am only one person and now that you are Prince I don't even have a Deputy anymore!"

She stands and walks away from the couch, away from him. She starts to pace around the living room, trying to explain her thought process.

"I thought maybe having more of a socialite in the position might stave people from automatically assuming that just because you're Invictus, you'll be a tyrant like Straiphen was. Besides, Rahyna is good at her job, and she does deserve some kind of recognition for that. Yes, you have been here longer and stuck your neck out a hell of a lot more. But was that for the city? Or for me?"

[Asa]

"Is there a difference?" Asa asked. "You? The city? You are the Sheriff, you are the city. It doesn't matter who rules the city, to you. You've always been the Sheriff first, and Ishani second. I have always accepted that," he finished quietly.

"You know the answer to that question. So now I serve the city, because the city is what's most important to you. At least now, I don't have to stand there, while..." he trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.

"I thought that this way, you... no, I wouldn't have to...," Asa stopped, unable to find the words he was looking for.

"You know that I'll step aside if that's what you want," he finally said.

She worries about me? I get more phone calls for bonfire parties than assignations from her.

[Ishani]

Ishani stops pacing and looks at him. "How am I supposed to know what you're saying if you don't finish a sentence? The city is most important to me? What the hell are you talking about? I did my job because it was the only thing I had. Now I have more to concentrate on then just that and I have been trying to do that."

She sighs and sits back down on the couch, defeated, tired, and suddenly feeling very alone. "I joined the Invictus because I felt you needed a covenent to keep you safe. I accepted the Sheriff position again because it was easier for me to protect you if I had the authority to do so. Being the Sheriff allows me to go where ever I need to armed. It gives me a lot of leeway when it comes to bending the rules. If I can bend those rules, then I can keep you alive a hell of a lot easier. I am not saying you can't defend yourself or that you are weak. I am saying that I am trying to love you in the only way I know how. By being a physical force between you and everything else."

She shakes her head and just stares at the painting, wondering when this all got so complicated. "Kepp your position Asa. To step down now would weaken the city and people would lose faith in you. You have a lot of people who think you can do this job and who believe you really are the best one for it."

She meets his eyes. "Including me. I just wanted to be selfish too."

[Asa]

Asa listened. And listened. And every word was a new surprise on a night full of them. No, he definitely didn't need a souvenir to remember this night.

"I don't know what to say," he said. "Why haven't you ever said any of that before?" he said with a smile. He walked behind the couch and knelt down, resting his forehead against the back of her head, and reached his arms over and around her. Just to be close.

"Then you will be the Sheriff, and I will be the Prince... and we'll be Ishani and Asa when one of us is feeling selfish," he finally said.

[Ishani]

Ishani shakes her head. "Ok, we'll give it a try."

What if it doesn't work? She wonders, not wanting to voice her fears.

She turns on the couch, in his arms and kisses the top of his head.

"Enough talk." She sats softly, lifting his face to hers and bringing her lips down upon his. "I want to end this night the right way."