Inamorata

Chapter Twelve - Ava and Robin

Chapter 12. Author's note - a long chapter to make up for my lack of posting. Enjoy, and please vote and comment!

"I'm sorry, did I mishear you?" asked Nightingale. She was sitting up in her bed, tangled in her sheets. Based on the clock on the wall, she could see it was mid-morning, which was likely the reason that David stood before her, dressing in the clothes he'd been wearing the previous night.

He did not smile. "No, you did not, Nightingale," he said. "Shall I take that as a yes?"

"But..." she began, eyes wide, mouth open. "That's..."

"Technically illegal, I know. But considering the very large amount I paid Bobby, I doubt it should be a problem," he said, and now some warmth lit up his eyes. "Will you do it for me, then?"

"But-" she began, raging joy and raging nervousness at loggerheads with one another in her mind.

However, David cut her off with an authoritative wave of his hand. "Pull yourself together, Gale, and give me an answer."

Nightingale, despite everything else, was sidetracked by his use of the nickname. So she smiled slyly and said: "You called me 'Gale'. How very affectionate of you, Detective."

David shot her a withering look. "Give me an answer," he repeated, crossing his arms.

"Yes, of course," she said, grinning broadly. "What else would I say?"

 David, on the other hand, simply looked satisfied, and nodded. "Bobby already knows that you're going with me, so meet me in the Club wearing something a little less revealing than your normal attire."

"I only have one dress," she admitted.

"That's of little consequence. I have clothes for you," he said. He glanced at his watch and frowned. "We'll be late unless you hurry."

Nightingale nodded and jumped out of bed fully naked. Though she, naked in front of men she barely knew so much of the time, was comfortable with her nudity, she saw David shy away, averting his eyes.

"Protecting my modesty again?" she asked. But this time, unlike the first time she'd said it to him, her voice was appreciative.

"Yes," he replied.

With a small smile, she put on her robe. Seeing that she was at least fairly decent, David picked up her identity anklet from where it had sat the entire night and, kneeling next to her on the rug, clipped it around her leg.

"Make sure to bring your key with you, as I'll take that off the moment we're on board the hovercraft," he said. "We can't have something like that which will surely give away that you're an Inamorata."

Nightingale nodded, her sadness at having the nasty device once again about her ankle overpowered by her joy at her imminent, if only temporary, freedom. Standing, David made a move towards the door, but Nightingale caught him by the hand.

"I don't know how I can thank you enough," she said softly. "You've rescued my from clients, brought me a book, showed me how to remove my anklet, you're trying to save me and all my sisters, and now this. How could I ever repay you?"

David didn't smile. "You don't need to. It's my job."

"But it's so much more than that," she whispered. And so, leaning up, she placed a light kiss on David's cheek. "Thank you."

For the first time, Nightingale could see shock in his face. His eyes widened and he raised his hand to his face, as if trying to hold Nightingale's kiss to his skin. But then, with a tiny shake of his head, his countenance became icy once again and he nodded curtly.