"Dinner?" She widened her eyes. She hadn't been asked out on an actual date since high school. "As in a date?" She asked him and then quickly stood up. "Um...I'll have to get changed, and take a shower, and get ready..." she stopped and stared at him for a moment, realizing what she had just said came out as word vomit. She sat back down on the bed, looking slightly embarrassed. "Sorry about that. Um...yes I would like to go out with you...tonight. Yes." She exhaled slowly and placed her hand on his knee then gave him a soft smile.<br/><br/>After a moment she stood back up again. "Well I have a lot to do to get ready so um...you should go and...get ready yourself. Yeah." She led him back out into her front room and opened the door. "Pick me up? Here? Say...six o'clock?" She asked him as she leaned on the open door. A smile attempting to creep through.<br/><br/>-------------------------------------------------------------------------<br/><br/>Vanessa awoke the next morning to find herself in her own bed. She was naked except for the places where her wounds had been bandaged. She sat up slowly and drew in a sharp breath, it hurt, everything hurt. She sat there for a moment before she looked around, upon doing so she noticed that she had a cup of warm tea at her bed side table. She reached for it slowly and then took a gentle sip. At that moment her chamber door opened and in came one of the maids. "Oh, you are awake. It is good to see you sitting up as well Captain."<br/><br/>"What time is it?" Vanessa asked. The maid looked stunned at the question.<br/><br/>"That hardly matters miss, you need rest, do not worry about the time."<br/><br/>"What time is it?" She asked again, this time a bit more stern.<br/><br/>"If you really must know it is nine o'clock, you've been unconscious for 17 hours, Captain."<br/><br/>"Shit." Vanessa cursed and stood up. "The funeral proceedings are at what time?"<br/><br/>The maid came over and pressed on Vanessa's shoulders. "Captain, you are not well enough, you must stay in bed. You have been excused from the services, please you must stay in bed."<br/><br/>Vanessa shrugged off the maid. "I will not stay in bed! I must pay my respects to that woman. I, her most loyal companion and most trusted soldier. I will lead the procession as is my duty! Fetch me my clothes." The maid looked scared and wide eyed, just staring at Vanessa. "Now!" And with that the maid scurried off down the hall.<br/><br/>She returned moments later with silken undergarments and leather chaps for her legs and arms. "I presume you will be wearing your armor in the procession so I brought these. I'll have a gown awaiting you for after the procession."<br/><br/>"Thank you." Vanessa said as she took the clothes and began to change. Within a few minutes a servant entered the room with her freshly polished armor and Vanessa slipped that on too and left the room, walking stiffly as she went.