=- Setting the scene: Everyone has just left the RDI except Gavilean and Des who has now decided that in order to sleep she will drink herself into oblivion which is her safest option in her mind to date. -=

Des puts her hat back on her head and waves after Kyndra. ?Take care Darlin'!?

Gavilean puts his glass back, slipping close behind Des, inhaling her fragrance. ?Looks like we're the only ones left here.?

She smiles to him and nods rapidly. ?Yup and to think that earlier this place was so crowded it was hard to get in the door.?

He smiled and leaned on the bar, close to her. ?I like it better this way.?

?Oh you do?? Des grins as she lifts the bottle for another drink.

The Lord of Westridge held out a glass. ?Pour a little in here??

The cowgirl playfully clasped the bottle to her chest and shook her head rapidly. ?No! Mine!?

He grinned and moved in close, his face inches from hers. ?Don't you know it's nice to share.? His tone teasing.

She chuckled softly and continued to hold the bottle tightly to herself as she leaned slightly forward. ?What'll ya give me if I share this here with ya?? An impish grin appearing.

His lips move so close to hers...a breath away - scents, feelings of breath, faint sounds of desire all being shared. He whispered very softly to her, ?I'll give you . . .everything.?

The petite bartender was caught off-guard by the sincerity of that answer and she blinked then immediately filled his glass from the bottle without thinking. Butterflies were winging their way through her stomach as her breath caught in the back of her throat. She sat bolt upright on her bar stool. ?Oh lordy be! You are dangerous!!?

He looked down at his filled glass and realized that he now owes her everything - a debt he'd love to pay a thousand times over...he gave her a faint smile as he tried to recover his senses. ?Dangerous? No...I'm just....? He shrugged. ?Just thirsty.? He winked and holds the glass up, salutes, and takes a drink.

Des tipped the bottle up and took a goodly sized drink as she worked at getting her rioting senses back under control. She was not going to pounce him no matter how badly she wanted to and she really did want to. The old feelings that keep creeping back to the surface weren't helping matters any and neither was the drinking she was doing tonight. ?In that case keep drinking cause I got more bottles back there on that there shelf Luv.? She winked to him.

The retired Warlord saw how much she was drinking and remembered that Kyndra was already concerned about her getting home safely. ?I have an idea, Des. How about you bring that bottle and we'll finish it on your balcony. How does that sound??

?Sure!? She was content as long as she could take the bottle with her. She was so tired of not sleeping well and was convinced that getting drunk was now the way to go until her beloved French Pirate returned.

?Great! Let me hold that for you and I'll make sure it gets home with us safely.? Gav slowly took the bottle from her and put his arm around her waist. ?Let's go, darling. The door is waiting for us.?

Des frowned as he took the bottle from her and watched it until she was certain he wasn?t going to set it down then put an arm around his waist also and headed for the door with him. ?Okay Luv. I'm ready when you are.?

He walked her out the door. ?You know, Des, love....we seem to take turns looking out for each other. That's a good sign...a very good sign.?

The cowgirl strolled out the door with him a smile on her face. ?I don't mind looking out for ya Luv. What do ya think it is a good sign of though??

Gav grinned. ?We'll see....I'm just not sure yet.? He guided Des though the door of the Inn.

Des waved to Guido as she left the Inn with Gav.

The Lord of Westridge was walking Des along the street, going very slowly, holding her close. ?I'm so happy that Kyndra and Tass are now together.?

"Me too! I never thought he would find someone that I liked as much as I like her. I am so happy that I could just do a jig if I hadn't been drinking like I been drinking that is." Slants a grin to him as she walks very close so that he can do the guiding of her steps as she wasn't feeling very steady on her feet. The amount she had drank while sitting down was hitting her now that she was upright and trying to walk.

He half guided her and half held her up. "You know, Des. I'd rather be a friend to you, than a lover to someone else. I don't care if I don't find anyone to love me. I'm happy just being with you to protect until Jean returns."

That didn't make any sense to her and she looked at him in stunned dismay as her free hand came up to rest on his chest to better give herself some balance. "Don't be saying things like that please. I'll find ya someone that will love ya like you deserve to be loved Luv. I just ain't seen no single women yet that would be right for you is all. I'm looking though honest."

He laughed, "Well, don't be looking too hard until Jean is back in town." They had come to her sidewalk and they went inside and up the steps to her apartment. It was beginning to feel so comfortable to him, and he knew that wasn't a good idea. That was dangerous, but he couldn't help himself. He locked the door and led her out onto the balcony and they sat on the swing. He hoped she'd forget about drinking. "It looks like it could soon rain, Des. We're supposed to have a storm coming through."