A Not So Secret Admirer

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 29th March 2009

Characters: Eliste, Fog
Description: Eliste discovers Fog has a secret admirer.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 5 of Turn 5
Notes: Riverboat Sungazer

"Who is that?" Eliste asked softly as she followed Fog into the galley. She didn't dare look back for fear of alerting the woman to their conversation regarding her. "She's been following you."

"One of the passengers, her names Silvara, I think. She's been with us a few times visiting her family further up river." he replied, turning to face his wife, "You two have a lot in common, actually."

"We do?" Eliste did sneak a peak behind her and, while the woman was still there, she was not looking in their direction.

"Uh huh." he grinned, an amused look on his face. His eyes followed the direction hers had taken, and he watched as Silvara chatted with Tahna, no doubt asking questions about himself, again.

"What sort of things?" They didn't look anything alike. The woman was taller with dark, straight hair and darker skin that gave her an exotic look. Eliste was smaller, her skin more fair, her hair more red.

A smirk cross his lips for an instant, "Well, you both fancy me, for a start." he whispered quietly in her ear, not wishing anyone else to hear, lest they think he was becoming bigheaded.

"Oh...oh!" Eliste cast another glance at the woman who leaned into Tahna as if to soak in every word. "I didn't realise you had...an admirer."

"Apparently." he said with a diffident shrug. "Neke said she asks about me on each trip, but I'm sure the women will let her know I'm taken, now." he couldn't keep the amusement from his voice again.

"Yes, you are." There was no fear or concern in Eliste's voice for she trusted Fog implicitly. "Has she told _you_ about her feelings or did you find this out from the other women?"

"No, apart from the occasional glance and smile in my direction, she hadn't said a word to me." he chuckled. "And when I have talked to her, she's blushed quite prettily."

"I almost feel sorry for her." Eliste stated as she inched closer to her husband. "Almost."

"Almost?" he asked, his eyebrows arched in question, "Why? Because she fell for me....or? Does she remind you of yourself?" he couldn't keep the smile from his lips, remembering how retiring Eliste was when she first came aboard the Sungazer, though she had a good reason to be retiring from them, though few knew why until later.

"Because she's fallen for you but can't have you." Eliste clarified and leaned her head against Fog's shoulder. "But not quite, because I have you and I like that better than her having you."

"You'll have me for the rest of your life, my sweet. Nothing and no one will ever change that." he said determinedly, his arm tightening around her shoulder. It hadn't passed his notice that just as he bestowed a kiss on Eliste's forehead, Silvara turned to look at him - Tahna following her gaze.

"I have no doubt of that." Fog's love and devotion to her was one of the things she felt the most sure of in her life. And, Eliste thought, she was going to be certain that Fog never doubted her either.

Last updated on the March 29th 2009

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A Not So Secret Admirer