It didn’t take Trace and the Nightingales long to overcome Mercer’s traps and the various Falmer and Dwemer automations that dwelled within Irkngthand. Coming to what seemed to be the deepest area of the Dwarven ruin, the quartet arrived in a wide area that contained a massive statue… and no Mercer to be seen…

 

Brynjolf: This is it, lasses. Remember, we do this for Gallus and for the Guild.

 

Karliah: Yes… for Gallus…!! He's close. I'm certain of it. We must prepare ourselves. Brynjolf, watch the door.

 

Brynjolf: Aye, lass. Nothing's getting by me.

While the two senior members of the Guild were talking amongst themselves, Vex walked towards her fellow Imperial who she could tell was dealing with her own issues..

 

Vex: Listen… Don’t let what Karliah said before get to you. We need… I need you here for this. And I need that crazy vixen that was ready to set me aflame to see her enemies burn! So whatever’s got you in knots, I need you to unravel it, now!

Trace: I’m… I’m just worried about what I may do… Heh, I’m talking like I’m all powerful. Truth is, I’m not protected like the rest of you. I don’t have a Daedric Prince looking out for me. I… Things have just begun to get right with both you and Mjoll. I can’t—

 

Vex: We all do things we don’t want to do. But this isn’t a situation where you can just not want to be here anymore. I… I wish I was my old, cold self, but without you by my side I’m hardly the same person anymore…

Trace: *sigh* The three of you want justice and revenge, but I simply want payback. He… he hurt you Vex!

 

Vex: Yeah…

 

Trace: No you don’t get it! He hurt you, and I was too stupid being locked up in prison to do anything about it! I… If the last time we had met would have been me leaving you at Goldenglow... I… I don’t think…

 

Vex: I know Jalena. You don’t have to say it.

Karliah: Hate to break up your little moment, but I need the two of you to focus. Climb down that ledge and see if you can—

 

Without warning, the ledge in question broke off taking the two Imperials with it…

Brynjolf: Jalena! Vexy! Are you two alright!?

 

Vex: Curse him and his nicknames… Yeah, I’m alright! How about you Trace?

 

After a few second fear set in, and Vex looked around for her compatriot. Thankfully she was able to soon find he and was able to let out a relieved sigh.

 

Vex: H-hey Trace, don’t scare me like that! I almost thought that you were a goner.

Trace: H-heh… Y-yeah, my bad. (By the Gods… I think I twisted an ankle!) Crap… considering you all have Lady Luck on your side, you could pass some of it my way…

Vex: Did you say anything?

 

Tracee: N-no, nothing! (Dammit it! I’m going to have to fake like I’m fine, otherwise Vex might get off her game…) D-don’t… don’t worry about me. We’ve got to find out where Mercer is and tr y to get the drop on him before—

???: Brynjolf and Vex are already aware of this, and I had hoped Trace would have been as well, but Karliah… When will you learn you can't get the drop on me?

Trace and Vex stood and looked at one another before searching for the damnable Breton. Finally it was when Karliah had pointed him out that their eyes went up and rested upon the sight they’d been meaning to see…

…Mercer Frey, former leader of the Thieves Guild, standing smugly above them on that giant statue.

 

Trace: So I guess a sneak attack is out of the question?

 

Vex: By the Divines I do wonder oft times how we ever came to be a thing…

 

Trace: I’ve got one million and one reasons why, but we can talk about that later when the fate of our lives and the future of the Guild isn’t at stake.

 

Vex: Agreed.

Mercer: Now isn’t this something? I expected Nocturnal to eventually send a new Trinity after me to retrieve the key, but I never imagined that someone who’s heart isn’t even fully with the Guild would come running after me. Hey kid, it’s been a while.

Trace: Just tell me one thing Mercer, was any of what you said the truth? You always said to put the Guild before one’s self… Did you truly believe that, or did you enjoy us running around to line your pockets all the while remaining in the condition that we were?

 

Mercer frowned at Trace.

 

Mercer: You were an orphan with exceptional skills, and they were hands with no loyalty. I had to make sure you all had something to believe in, something that you wouldn’t completely turn your back on. The added gold was just a well-deserved bonus.

Trace: And to think I once trusted you…

 

Vex: You son of a bitch!! I was just going to hurt you, but now… Now I’m gonna—

 

Karliah: Don’t do anything hasty you two. Do NOT engage Mercer by yourselves! Wait for me and Bryn to—

The Breton gathered magicka in his hand and aimed directly at the dark elf and her nord companion.

 

Mercer: Oh no no no, you two shall be staying up there for the foreseeable future!

The veteran thief shot Karliah and Brynjolf with the spell bringing them both to their knees.

 

Karliah: Dammit… if I would have known that he had this up his sleeve after all this time…

 

Brynjolf: What’s… what’s happening, lass!?

Mercer: Karliah, I'll deal with you after I rid myself of your irksome companions. In the meantime, perhaps you and Brynjolf should get better acquainted.

 

The sudden sound of steel on steel made Trace look towards where her companions were last seen with fear on her face.

 

Karliah: Fight it, Brynjolf... he's taken control of you!

 

Brynjolf: I'm sorry lass, I... I can't.... I can't stop myself.

 

Karliah: Damn you, Mercer!

 

Trace: Karliah... Bryn...

Fed up with the little waiting game they had going on, Vex decided it was now or never and sprang into action

 

Trace: W-what are you doing!?

 

Vex: What we should have done a long time ago! I’ve had my suspicions about Mercer for years now, but he’s gone too far! Killing Gallus, ruining Karliah’s name, stealing from the Guild, pitting Karliah and Brynjolf against each other, hurting me… I’ll be damned if I let him go unpunished for one second longer!!

Rather than become perturbed by the Imperial that didn’t hide her intentions to take his life, Mercer simply grinned at her and aimed his spell at her.

 

Mercer: You women… why don’t you realize that eating where you shit is never a good idea… You’ve become undone messing around with Trace, Vex. I warned you about this, but it seems like recently you’ve decided not to allow cool heads to prevail.

Vex: Screw you Mercer! I’m gonna—

 

Suddenly Vex was flung backwards at such a speed it caused her to reactively let out a small yelp as she flew through the air. Seeing this, Trace called and reached out for Vex…

…But was ultimately powerless to prevent the Imperial from slamming into the wall and letting out a more pronounced and painful scream that sent chills down Trace’s spine.

Trace’s anger was overcome by her worry for the woman she loved, and so she turned her back on Mercer and tried to assist Vex.

 

Trace: D-don’t worry Vex, I-I’ll get you down somehow. I just need to figure out—

Vex: N-no! Stop! You… *pant* *pant*don’t know if by touching this you’ll be affected by his magic. Just… just focus on Mercer, and don’t let him get you as well…

 

Trace: Vex…

Mercer: Seems like now that she can’t act out, Vex has finally come to her sense and is doling out logical and sound advice. A shame that You never took to any of my scarce advances. You could have had the world, Imperial.

Vex spat at him and sucked her teeth.

 

Vex: You sure like to all high and mighty, what with you perched upon that statue of yours and me unable to move from this wall. Maybe if you ever grew a pair, I might’ve looked your way at least once.

Mercer: Heh, one out of two should suffice.

 

Vex: What’re you talking about now—!! Trace!! Move!!!

 

Trace: What?

 

Turned around just in time to see Mercer lunging at her fully intent on felling her with a single sneak attack…

However, thanks to Vex’s warning, Trace was able to roll out of the way in time and gave herself a bit of breathing room, which gave her time to try and figure out a way out of this mess.

 

Trace: Finally decided to show your true colors? With that kind of sneakiness, don’t you think you’d be far better off as an assassin than a thief? (But seriously how did he get the drop on me? It’s like he simply teleported…)

Mercer: Heh, you’ve always been an arrogant little thing. Ever since you came to the Guild and were swinging around your little dagger like you knew what you were doing, I knew I felt something in you. It’s probably the same thing that Vex felt in you.

 

Trace: Yeah? And what’s that asshole?

Mercer’s eye twitched and he stopped himself from lashing out at the Imperial.

 

Mercer: It’s like you’re a sad little puppy and people can’t help but want to take care of you. Think about it, do I look like the kind of person who would teach someone else how to fight? Have I ever seemed like I’d personally involve myself with the growth of any of my underlings?

 

Trace couldn’t deny that she had always felt like Mercer favored her a bit more than the others, but it never seemed to last long, and usually ended up with her covered in bruises.

 

Mercer: When Brynjolf brought you before me there was something else that I felt… it seemed as if there was a sudden shift in the wind. Even though you were but a whelp, at that moment I knew that everything between us would end with one of us at the end of a blade.

Trace rose to her feet and could feel her the pain in her ankle even more than before, however she didn’t allow herself to give away the fact that she was injured.

 

Trace: You… you asshole… I could probably forgive most of the things you’ve done. Killing Gallus and framing Karliah? I never knew the guy, and the Dunmer’s not too keen on me either. Stealing from the Guild? Annoying, but I’m not even a member so it doesn’t concern me. Manipulating Brynjolf and Karliah into fighting one another? They’re experts at what they do, I’m sure they’ll get through this alright.

Trace: But time and time again, you seem to not only like, but enjoy hurting Vex, the woman that I love! The first time you did so, I was unaware and couldn’t do anything for her. However…

 

Trace drew her weapon and fell into an offensive stance.

 

Trace: You’ve decided to once again inflict harm upon her? WHILE I’M RIGHT HERE!? I can’t… I WON’T allow you to get away with this! Damn if you’re a former Nightingale, damn if you have the Skeleton Key, damn if you have much, much more combat experience than I… I’m not going to allow you to leave here with your life Mercer!!!

Mercer let out a sigh and changed up his stance as well.

 

Mercer: Once again the wheel of fate is turning. Let’s see if a cripple can keep up with the unbridled might of the greatest thief of the Fourth Era!

Their swords clashed, and immediately Trace realized the folly of challenging Mercer on basically one foot. Without any handicaps he was already stronger than her, but now he was not only faster than the Imperial…

 

Trace: (Is he copying me!? But to do so on the fly… That’s impossible!!)

Just as she was questioning the plausibility of that notion, Mercer attacked again and nimbly Trace was able to dodge in time.

Again and again they repeated this dance or Mercer attacks, Trace dodges. The Imperial was never one to be on the defensive, however Mercer wasn’t a man she could afford to make a single mistake against.

 

Mercer: So you’re going to keep buzzing around me like a bee? No, a fly. At least bees put up more of a fight than you are at the moment.

Vex: Don’t let him wind you up! Play your game Trace. Keep going at your own pace and wear him out bit by bit!

 

Trace: (Dammit Vex, I know that… But how am I supposed to actually attack? It’s taking all I’ve got to keep dodging his attacks. If I keep this up…)

 

Mercer: As if a worthless woman like this was going to wear me down. It’s only a matter of time until the end, and she can feel it in her bones. I know she can.

Trace’s anger rose to the surface once again, and against her better judgment she went to attack Mercer. However exactly like before, Mercer matched everything about her stance and attack move by move.

 

Trace: Dammit… Damn you!!!

 

Mercer yawned and rolled his eyes at her comments.

 

Mercer: Really? At least if you’re going to attack me, don’t do it all using the techniques I showed you, much less essentially on one foot. You may not have much respect for me, but you damn well better start respecting my prowess in combat.

While the two were still locked up, Mercer suddenly smiled and his voice took on a lighter tone.

 

Mercer: Listen, I get it. You love Vex, and I hurt her multiple times. You wanting to get vengeance against me is natural, and more pure than any of their reasons for wanting me dead. But let’s not kid ourselves here. I’m stronger than you. I’m faster than you. I’m in your head, and I’ve been three steps ahead of you this entire time. You think that you’ve been dodging my attacks on one leg? I’ve been allowing you to dodge. If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.

Mercer: However out of everyone, you don’t deserve this. Just run away Trace. Live your life in peace with that troublesome Nord, and don’t look back at this. You really think I’m joking? Look up there.

 

Trace followed his eyes and saw Karliah and Brynjolf fighting feverishly against one another, with neither seeming to gain ground on the other.

 

Mercer: Look at them. Two people who are heads and shoulders above the rest in their craft. Two thieves that could be considered the best at what they do, reduced to mere puppets by my hand. And then there’s Vex who can’t even—

Trace: Say another word about her, and injury be damned I’ll make sure you’re dead within seconds! And if you’re so big and bad as to have all of this power, stop talking about it and use it!!

 

Mercer: *sigh* You’re so unreasonable. I should have let that vixen—

She warned him, and like a woman possessed Trace leapt through the air intent on not making herself out to be a liar… especially in front of Vex.

Trace: You’d better hope Nocturnal is going to show you mercy, because I’ve none to spare, you bastard!!!

Mercer: We’ll see about that.

 

Trace didn’t know what he meant by that. It was clear that she had the advantage, and she had planned to continue pressing it when suddenly her lights went out. A single step backwards, a single boot to the face, and her offense was gone in an instant…

Vex: Jalena!! NOOOOO!!!!

 

Mercer: Like a moth to a flame. Looks like you got a bit too close this time and burned yourself.

Mercer: Haaaa…. I tried to warn you, but you didn’t want to listen. I have you a way out, and yet you sprint head first into death’s clutches as if welcoming what is to come.

Vex: Son of a bitch! If you so much as touch her, I swear—

 

Mercer: On and on go the prattling of the weak and defeated. If I wanted to kill her at this very moment, what would you do? What would any of you do? Heck, she wouldn’t even be able to put up her arms if she wanted to in order to defend herself. Face it Nightingales, it’s over.

Vex: You didn’t… Mercer!!! YOU EVIL BASTARD!!! I’ll kill you!! I’ll fucking kill you!!!

 

Mercer: *sigh* You don’t get it, I don’t think you ever will. I’m not a bad guy, I’m definitely not a good guy, but what I am is the guy who holds the Skeleton Key. It's clear by the actions of you all today that you'll never see the Skeleton Key as I do... as an instrument of limitless wealth. Of limitless potential.

Mercer: Now then, it’s been fun, but it’s time to eliminate all would be thorns in my side.

 

No sooner than he finished talking did he kick Trace in the head with such force that she ended up flying through the air…

And landed with a skid just before her nose was submerged in the water…

Trace coughed a few time, much to the relief to Vex and the others. However she was too weak to do anything. Everything from her arms to her legs, her fingers to her head, to her eyelids… all of it felt much too heavy. Not to mention there was a throbbing pain in her ankle that she couldn’t help but want to be rid of, but it slowly engulfed everything until all Trace could let out were soft painful moans, but that was literally the extent of what she could do.

Mercer: Now then, if you all wish to keep painting me up as the “Bad Guy,” rather than see how foolish you all were to blindly trust a man that never showed his full hand to anyone, then I may as well play the part. And I’ll begin it with you, Jalena

Vex: Mercer stop! You’ve already said that she wasn’t involved in this!! You’ve already weakened her with the Skeleton Key’s power right? Then just let her be! Your issues are with Karliah and I. Leave Jalena out of this damn you!!

Mercer looked over his shoulder towards Vex and scowled.

 

Mercer: And why on earth would I do that? I plan to kill you Nightingales and if I leave her alive, that’ll mean that I’ve foolishly let a well-trained assassin whose out for my blood live. I’d have to always sleep with an eye open if it came to that. So no, I won’t be sparing her after all.

Mercer raised his sword and readied himself to do away with Trace.

 

Mercer: Besides… it’s typically customary to do a bit of begging with your pleading. You may not have been put in the position before, but even you ought to know how this is supposed to go.

 

With those words, Vex knew that she’d failed, that she’d condemned Trace to this fate. It was her greed and her greed alone that caused Trace to be here…

 

Vex: (She should have been with at the Guild… no… She should have been happy, with Mjoll. Why did I allow things to become like this… I should have told everyone what Jalena was trying to do. I should have looked out for her feelings more. Was it my jealousy? Did I want to see their relationship end? Have I wanted to see her fail with everyone not me, just so I could deny her in the end? Am I… Am I that selfish?)

 

Vex’s thoughts returned the moment at hand and in order to steel herself for what was to come, she tried her hardest to don the cool attitude that she was notorious for having…

 

Vex: …Why would I ever beg to you if we both know how this is going to end up, you damn coward…

Mercer: Indeed, why would you.

 

And then the sound of Mercer’s blade piercing Trace’s flesh enveloped the room. It enveloped everything, and even made the two Nightingale’s locked in combat acutely aware of the fate that truly awaited them all without any misgivings…

Within the silence, Vex was the first to break it as she screamed in anguish for Trace. Her screams weren’t just of sadness, but of pain, anger, madness. Vex could feel herself being drawn into these emotions, being let on by the allure of Power for the sake of vengeance… and she would have gripped tightly onto that power, if there wasn’t another voice whispering into her ear…

Mercer rose to his feet and flicked the blood off his blade indifferently. He, who all but acted as the father that Trace never had… He, who all but made her into the top class thief she was, rather would have continued to be… It was clear to Vex that this man had no soul, and if she could, she wouldn’t hesitate in ending his life.

 

Mercer: Now with her out of the way I can begin with the others. Since I wish to save Karliah for last, I guess this means that—

???: I release you from your feeble bonds. Now go!

 

Vex didn’t need to be told twice, and with speed and agility unknown to her the Imperial leapt through the air and landed a devastating hit to an unsuspecting Mercer. The Breton ended up skipping once on the water’s surface before stopping himself and regaining his composure.

Mercer: Fuck… Was that Vex? By the Eight, how was she able to—

???: You’re done with him already? So your revenge goes but so far… Laughable.

 

Vex: (I’ll shut you, and Mercer up for good!)

Mercer: Well fine then… Guess it’s time to stop playing around and… huh?

 

Mercer glanced up and saw Vex soaring through the air, and his earlier composure was nowhere to be found.

Wet, waist deep in muddy water, and he was to avoid an aerial assault? If Mercer could get to the Skeleton Key then perhaps he could unlock the limits of himself and dodge in time, but time was not his friend at this moment.

 

???: This is getting rather boring. Could you rather hurry up with this business of death? I know what is within your heart, so I will never blame you for it, mainly because you’re a mortal who’s current interests I can say to have shared at one point. But as I said, make sure to be quick about this whole business.

 

Vex: I know… I know already,

As soon as Vex landed on Mercer, she plunged his head under water and proceeded to choke the life out of him.

She wanted him to suffer in over a thousand ways, but time wasn’t on her side. So instead she would just opt to look into his yes and watch as the light faded from them.

 

Vex: You… You deserve far… FAR worse than what I’m allowing you to have in your final moments. So you better drink it in you bastard, because I feel like Nocturnal’s going to be even more furious with you than I am.

Just as Mercer’s struggles began to wane, Vex took her dagger and ran it across his neck. She retrieved the Skeleton Key and everything that looked to be of value from his corpse, and then sat back and tried to control the wave of emotions that were coming over her…

…However she didn’t even come close to doing so.

 

Vex: I did it damn you!! But that’s not going to bring Trace back!!! Why would you let this happen? I know that she wasn’t a Nightingale, I know she wasn’t with the Guild… But you know that I loved her!!! Why would you allow this to happen!?! Why would you allow that bastard to murder her?! Answer me!!!

 

???: Perhaps you ought to try paying attention to the people around you more, then this may not happen again.

Vex: You think that’s a reasonable answer you damned Daedra!? If you weren’t fucking impossible to kill, I’d—

 

Suddenly Vex heard something that sounded like a soft shout and looked in the direction it was coming from to see Karliah and Brynjolf facing each other but not attacking one another.

 

Karliah: Glad you’re done with your little soliloquy love, but if you do indeed want her to make it out of here alive, I’d suggest you quit flapping your gums, and grab her already. Me and Bryn will give you a hand when you’re ready.

Vex: Wha… what are you talking about? She’s already—

 

Vex looked at Trace and felt her heart almost leap out of her chest. It was faint, and one would miss it if they didn’t have good vision, but Vex could see Trace’s chest rise and fall, and knew she was indeed still alive.

Without hesitation, Vex swooped the Imperial into her arms and couldn’t, no, didn’t stop the flood of tears that were running down her cheeks and she also didn’t stop herself from filling the sanctuary with her sobs.

Brynjolf: I don’t want to sound like I’m unsympathetic to how you’re feeling now, but Vexy, we’ve got to go soon if we’re going to do anything to those wounds of hers.

Vex: I’m coming Bryn!!

 

Vex looked at Trace and could tell by her twitches that she was still trying to get up, still trying to defeat the already passed on Mercer…

Vex: It’s alright Jalena you’ve done enough… You’ve done more than enough. So just rest now…

Vex: (Thank you Nocturnal…)

 

Nocturnal: Anytime mortal. They don’t call me Lady Luck for show. Now go and get her patched up. If she dies after all of this…

 

Vex nodded her head, gave Trace a soft kiss on the lips, and then with the aid of her fellow Nightingales, left the damnable Dwarven ruin and all of its bad history behind…

A few days later in the Cistern, Trace, who was bandaged up from her battle against Mercer Frey in the Irkngthand Sanctuary, lay peacefully in her old bed as the regular on goings of the Guild took place around her…

…That is until she suddenly jolted up from her slumber with a yelp, alerting everyone to her awakening.

 

Thrynn: Heh, seems like sleeping beauty here’s finally woke up.

 

Vipir: Always a downer, ay Thrynn? Anyway, How are you doing Trace? Wow, you look way better than you did when Vex carried your almost dead frame back here. I must say, that healer they got to patch you up was definitely more than worth her price.

 

Trace: Wha… what’re you talking about?

Sapphire: You two idiots, give the poor girl some time to collect herself!

 

Rune: Hpmh, you’d think that someone that was at death’s door would want to know how much they’ve recovered.

 

Trace: I… I don’t understand, what’re you all—

 

Suddenly Trace’s brain finally caught up to what her body had been trying to tell her and she once again let out another scream. This one was a more painful one, and left her with ragged breath.

After a few minutes, Trace was able to calm down and get her breathing under control and the pain seemed to have lessened as well. Once she felt like she was well enough to move around without too much difficulty, the Imperial turned around and began to search for a certain silver haired thief…

…However, she was nowhere to be found…

 

Trace: (Let me try to wrap my head around things. Me and Vex survived? But how? I was all but dead, and Mercer’s magic had Vex pinned against a wall and Bryn and Karliah engaged in mortal combat… So how on Nirn did we…)

 

Suddenly she heard the door to the Cistern open and the clamoring of a rushed pair of feet… A rushed pair of feet that was coming right towards her!

 

Trace: Uh… I don’t know who you are but I—

Trace was unable to finish her sentence as a heavy force hit her in the chest, knocking the air out of here lungs and making her grit in pain. She was about to tell whoever… whatever this was to get off of her, until she caught whiff of a familiar fragrance.

 

Trace: Lavender mixed with nightshade…

Trace: Vex…

 

Trace felt her lover shaking and something wet roll down her shoulder and realized all over again how much the both of them needed each other, that regardless of both of their flaws the love they shared was more real than anyone would possibly give them credit for.

 

Trace: It’s okay Vex, I’m right here. You got me, and I’m not going anywhere—

 

Without warning, Vex placed a hand on both sides of Trace’s face, straightened her body out, and began to forcibly kiss Trace as if her life depended on it.

Deep. Fervent. Heated. Hungry. Hot. Wet. Sloppy. Passionate. Normally Trace would try to remember any intimate moments she had with her lovers, so that she could use them for “material” later. But this one was too powerful for her to put into words, so rather than try, she allowed Vex to lead her to pleasures that she’d never known before… with just a kiss….

After feeling lingering eyes on them for much too long, they pulled away from each other and Vex combed through Trace’s hair, and cupped her face affectionately.

 

Vex: Welcome back to the realm of the living, Jalena. Gods… I know it’s only been a few day, but bless the Divines for your eyes. They’re so gorgeous..

Vex’s hand got a bit too close to Trace’s mouth, and just as she was about to move it away, Trace grabbed her arm, placed two of Vex’s fingers in her mouth, and began to suck on them gently causing the veteran thief to blush.

 

Vex: H-hey! How about we continue that later, this is kinda getting a bit embarrassing…

As soon as Trace let Vex’s finger’s loose from the twin attack of her lips and tongue, Vex immediately hugged Trace again. Trace wanted to complain about how although she loved how much affection she was being shown, at the same time it was hurting her to breath at times… but then Vex began to apologize…

She began to apologize for everything. From the incident with Mercer, to Goldenglow, to Trace’s imprisonment and lengthy sentence, to how she acted when Trace returned, to her overt jealousy towards other women when it came to Trace, to pushing Trace away, to not trusting Trace, to not telling everyone what Trace was trying to do and thus being the reason for her and Mjoll’s breakup, to ignoring Trace’s early affections, to influencing Trace without knowing her to the point that Trace would ultimately join up with the Guild…

 

All the while Vex was apologizing Trace was internalizing it, digesting it, and ultimately came to one conclusion: Vex was apologizing for ever being a part of her life and all of the issues that came about because of it…

When she’d finally finished, and before Trace could get in a word in response Vex straightened her body once more, and embraced Trace once more and began whispering so that the other’s wouldn’t be able to overhear her.

 

Vex: I’m so glad that you’re alright Jelena. With Mercer dead and things settled with Karliah and Nocturnal, it’s only a matter of time before the Guild is back on its feet. And when it is, I want you to be by my side.

Vex: How’s that sound pretty good right? And the best part about it is that if anyone gives you any, and I mean any shit, just let me know and I’ll show them what’s up! Heh, one of the perks of being in a relationship with the Guild Master is that you’re allowed to laze around and no one can give you any shit about it. So… just stay here… with me.

Trace had to say something… anything, but when she thought about everything she could possibly do right now, all the options available to her, it would definitely be easiest to simply stay silent and try to give her love solely the woman sitting in front of her… But a despairing sigh betrayed her true feelings and loosened her lips.

 

Vex could see the despair in her love’s face and cupped Trace’s face lovingly.

 

Vex: What is it, Jalena? Please, don’t feel like you can’t share everything with me. I’ll listen, and I’ll do my best to understand what it is that you’re feeling, no matter what it is.

 

Trace: Vex… you know how much I’d love to simply fall right into your arms and have everything work out like a fairytale…

Vex: Then do it! There’s nothing and no one stopping you from doing so! Just tell me that I’m the only one in your heart, tell me that I’m the only one that you need!

 

Trace: So you want me to lie to you? To tell you all these sweet things that I know we’d both love to be true, but sadly are not.

 

Vex: Then what do you want me to do Trace? I’m trying, I’m really trying to understand all of this, and I’m trying to be patient with you, but why do you have to go back to them? Why that harpy and that idiot Nord?

Trace sat up on the bed and turned away from Vex.

 

Trace: You know exactly why I can’t up and do that. But if that doesn’t satisfy you, I made a promise to Mjoll to visit her once I’ve sorted out all this Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood business.

 

Vex: Damn your promise, and damn the Brotherhood! You just went through hell! I thought I’d almost lost you… what more must you give up for a married woman, and a woman who hates who you truly are?

Trace sighed and looked knowingly at Vex.

 

Trace: I know you don’t hate Mjoll like you once did, and although Astrid can be a bit disagreeable, I’m not doing this for her. I’m doing this for my second family. I’m doing this for Babette, for Nazir… Please Vex, try to understand. There are too many people whose lives are at stake here for me not to go to them now. They need me, just as you needed me.

Vex: So there’s no other way… There’s nothing I can do to change your mind? Nothing I can do to make you stay?

 

Trace: I’m afraid not Vex. And don’t be sad, your smile is literally the cure to all of my woes.

 

Vex: …

Vex sat in silence for quite a while before moaning and facing away from Trace.

 

Vex: AAAAAH!!! Have I ever told you that you’re not charming for shit? Because you still aren’t.

 

Trace: Does this mean—

Vex: It means hurry up and get your ass back here. Whether you’re with the Guild or not, I’m going to need you around for… morality’s sake if nothing else.

 

Trace: (She’s so dishonest.)

 

Trace stood, and braced herself for a wave of pain that originated from her ankle… but it never came to be. Apparently when she was bringing Trace back from certain death, the healer also made sure to heal all of her, and for that Trace was immensely grateful.

 

Trace: Well if that’s all you have to say, then get to your feet, ‘Platinum thief!’

Vex: ‘Platinum Thief?’ The only people who have called me that were guards and adventurers in other Holds. Why in the world would you—

 

Trace: I said stand up! I thought you were smart, but apparently you’re more dense than I gave you credit for.

Trace heard Vex’s growls as she got to her feet and could feel the woman’s glare that was directed to her back.

 

Vex: Listen here Trace, I don’t care if I’ve exposed who I truly am to you or not, I’m not going to simply let you talk down to me or belittle me, like you’re my better!

 

Trace: Heh, silly woman doesn’t know her place. I thought that after all this time it would have sunk in by now.

Vex: That’s it bitch! Turn around and—

 

As if on cue, Trace spun around and stole a kiss from Vex’s lips surprising the Imperial. Trace was trying to remember Vex’s technique from earlier as she wanted her to feel exactly what she had felt before, but nothing was coming to mind other than that feeling of intoxication…

And so… fiercer, more fiery, and more impassioned than she ever had been with anyone before, Trace tried her best to get her feelings across to Vex in this one kiss. She knew that without words it would be impossible to do so… But that damn sure wasn’t about to stop her from trying.

When she finally broke away from Vex, Trace looked on in shock as the normally cool and disinterested Guild Leader, before the majority of her subordinates, had her legs give out on her and fell on her ass as she was breathing as if she wouldn’t survive without one more Trace’s passion for one more second.

Seeing this, Trace was reminded of all the times the three women in her life made her feel exactly the same way, and she treasured the longing… the lust that was written all over Vex’s face.

 

Trace: Now I get it. I now know what those predatory looks after some of our make out sessions truly mean…

Trace: If I would have known how helpless, defenseless, and utterly sexy I appeared to you all after such a passionate kiss… *licks her lips* I would have readily allowed myself to be gobbled up by each of you.

Trace: Now then, keep that as a reminder, Vex. A reminder of my love, my passion, and what happens when you let me unleash it to its fullest. Now I’ve got to go before there’s nothing left of my second family. I’ll try my best to return as soon as possible.

 

Trace turned and still in her daze, Vex’s eyes locked onto her rear end as if she were in an unescapable trance. As Trace rounded her bed, Vex licked her lips and if possible, peered even harder, with even more lust towards Trace’s backside.

 

Vex: Yes ma’am…