A Very Special Thank You

Writers: Chelle, Ames
Date Posted: 10th February 2011

Characters: Lisadi, Sarban
Description: Lisadi comes to say thank you in a very special way.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 12 of Turn 5
Notes: Follows: "What Happened to Me" and "Help! Please Help!"

The children were both finally off. They both had plans with other families at the hold and would be spending the night there. It was a bit of a welcome relief. Even with her illness behind her, Lisadi felt as though she had not fully recovered her strength as she had dove right back into her work and the care of Trewlin and Dareera.

As she sat, she knew there was one thing she really needed to do. Rising, she set her cup on the counter and left her quarters in search of Sarban. She stopped at his office, only to find that he was already gone for the day. Standing outside the door, she bit her bottom lip as she contemplated her next actions. She knew where his personal quarters were, yet would he be offended if she arrived uninvited?

She was only going to thank him for all he did. She wouldn't stay but a few moments to let him know just how much she appreciated how much he had helped her. Somehow, almost without thinking, her feet found their way to his personal rooms. **Maybe this is a bad idea,** she told herself as she stared at the closed door. She owed him thanks. How could this be a bad idea? With her resolve firmly in place, she raised her hand to knock.

The Steward was actually sitting inside sorting through his things. With Turns' End looming, he had to clean out the old to get ready for the new turn. If there was anything that couldn't be repaired or reused, it would sadly go to the rubbish heap. The drudges would thank him when they came to clean his quarters, he was sure.

Lisadi heard movement inside and lowered her hand to knock on the door. A simple thank you, that's all she planned to do. Lisadi waited for him to answer her knock.

"Aye, who's there?" came the usual reply. Not many people came to see him at his personal quarters so Sarban was more than a little curious as he stood up and brushed his hands on his shorts legs.

"Lisadi!" she answered him through the door.

That made him even more curious. Walking forward, he opened the door and looked out to see her. "Well hello. Nice to see you up and walking around."

"Hello," she smiled. "I hope you don't mind that I stopped by. I wanted to thank you for all your help." Lisadi held out a small package. "It's not much. I sewed your initials onto a few handkerchiefs for you as a way of saying thank you."

He took it, surprised and pleased. "Well thanks. You didn't have to do that. So you're feeling better then?" He moved aside, indicating for her to enter.

"I am, thank you." She moved into his quarters at his sign. Lisadi couldn't help but glance around, noting his things around the room. It appeared he was cleaning or organizing or something of the sort.

She turned around to face him again. "I don't know if I'd be standing here now if it hadn't been for you." She looked into his eyes. "I made a careless mistake in not getting the cut looked at and it nearly." She paused, swallowed and looked away for a moment, hardly able to contemplate how close things had gotten. She took a step closer to him. "Trewlin and I are both grateful for the time you spent with him. I understand he wasn't always easy to handle."

"Well he's had a lot to deal with in the last turn or so so it's understandable. He'll turn out all right, though, I know. He just needs someone to keep him on the right heading." Sarban didn't notice the use of the nautical term since they tended to slip in every now and again. Not thinking, he put his hands on her shoulders. "You're right. It was careless." His tone wasn't one of condemnation, but of worry.

Lisadi blinked at the hint of emotion she felt behind her eyes. The sound of concern she heard in his voice was nearly her undoing. No one had cared about her in such a way in such a long time. Without thinking, Lisadi moved a step closer, leaned forward and her lips brushed his in a gentle kiss of gratitude and a hint of something more.

Sarban was only a man and it had been _too_ long. Add to that the fact that he had been around this particular woman quite often in the past months and he knew he enjoyed spending time with her. The Steward couldn't help himself. He took the unspoken invitation and returned the kiss, though his wasn't as chaste as hers had been.

Lisadi gasped, opening her mouth wider, which allowed him easier access, but she didn't pull away. His kiss was exhilarating. When the kiss finally broke, she leaned her head into his chest drawing deep, steadying breaths. He hadn't been disgusted by her actions or pulled away. She raised her eyes to his face, wondering what he was thinking now.

For a while, he didn't say anything. He just looked at her, smelling her hair. "Thank you for that."

Lisadi allowed herself to be held just a moment longer. It had been far too long since she'd felt the strong arms of a man surrounding her. "You're welcome," she replied with a smile and the barest hint of a blush. **Why are you blushing, you silly ninny? You're a grown woman, not some young girl with a crush,** Her thoughts didn't stop the rosy tint just barely noticeable under her skin.

She cleared her throat. "I, um, maybe I should, hmm..." Lisadi was fumbling a bit. Then, looking back at Sarban, she smiled, leaned up on her tiptoes, and kissed his lips quickly before turning and heading towards the door. "I have to get the children. Perhaps you'd like to join us for evening meal tonight?" she asked as she turned back with a bit of an impish grin on her face. She hoped he would say yes.

"I'll see you then," he said simply, watching her. That smile kept him rooted to the spot. **What is she doing to me?**

Last updated on the January 9th 2012

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A Very Special Thank You