The Warden was growing more concerned with her safety by the day. When Beth returned to her apartment one evening to find that it had been broken into, Bertram decided to take a more direct hand in her protection and had her move into his apartment. Eric wasn�t pleased with the change, but saw the reasoning behind it and had to agree that Sebohn was probably as safe there as she was at the White House, and far safer than she had been previously.
That evening, the president and his staff were going to a reception, where the president was giving a speech. Silverwebb was concerned enough that he asked Emily to sit in the bedroom with Beth while she changed into her gown.
He paced the sitting room nervously while the two women worked behind closed doors. Michael�s voice in his head sounded worried. What�s wrong? he asked.
Nothing, Bertram snapped irritably. I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I know he was in her rooms and I expect him to do more, that�s all.
Don�t let your worries distract you, Sweeny warned.
Bertram sighed and sank into one of the large, plush chairs. �I know,� he mumbled aloud. I�d rather nothing happened, but I know something�s coming and not when to expect it.
Try to relax, Michael advised. You won�t do anyone any good if you�re wound tighter than a bowstring.
The Warden nodded and closed his eyes to take a few calming breaths. He opened them again at the sound of the bedroom opening. Beth and Emily stepped out into sitting room and Bertram couldn�t help but smile.
Despite his worries over the risk involved in attending the event, Beth looked both cheerful and calm. Her hair was pulled up into a complicated coif and the gown she wore was both simple and elegant.
�Hello,� he said quietly, finding himself calming somewhat by just having Beth in his line of sight. No matter how foolish he knew it was, he couldn�t help but feel that nothing could happen to her as long as he was watching over her.
�Hello Bertram,� Beth replied, smiling warmly. She stepped over and took his hand just as he was getting to his feet.
He smiled slightly and kissed her fingers, enjoying the, by now, familiar tingle that danced across his lips. Turning to Emily, he said, �Make sure the car is here before we go down.�
�Yes, sir,� the woman replied, disappearing out the door.
Beth frowned thoughtfully. �You�re worried about tonight,� she guessed.
He nodded and shrugged helplessly. �The path from the vehicles to the building is so� open,� he complained. �I wish they�d put up a canopy of some kind, or that it wasn�t such a walk.� He shook his head irritably. �It just seems like inviting something bad to happen.�
Beth nodded sympathetically. �They decided it would reduce the visibility the press had of the president too much,� she explained.
He shook his head and started for the hallway. �It�s the total visibility that�s worrying me,� he groused. �But I can�t fix it now, so I�ll just have to make sure everyone is on their toes tonight.� He sighed and then smiled fondly at the woman on his arm. �You look beautiful, by the way,� he said quietly.
Beth smiled brightly. �Thank you,� she replied. �We�re ready?�
�The car just pulled up,� he stated, nodding. He touched a finger to his head and added, �Emily let me know.�
�That is a handy talent,� Beth quipped, chuckling softly. Bertram couldn�t help but chuckle as well and nodded in agreement.
**
The evening flowed smoothly and the president�s speech was well received. Afterwards, dinner was served and dancing followed. Bertram was careful to allow Beth to dance with other men, so long as he knew who they were and that they meant her no harm.
Several hours later, when the party finally was coming to a close, Bertram stepped up to Beth�s right, so that she would be on the inside of the walk to the vehicles. Jesse stepped up to her left and began chatting with her amicably.
As they reached the halfway point, Bertram frowned and glanced around nervously. Michael, by now used to following Bertram�s instincts, called, �What?�
�Trouble,� came the muttered reply. The Warden�s eyes widened in surprise as his keen vision caught a glint of light from across the street. He slid his glasses down and peered over them. In the window of the building across from the reception center, he could clearly see a man kneeling with a large gun on his shoulder. �Down!� he shouted verbally, while warning the other wardens of the gunman�s presence.
He shoved Beth back and away from him, causing her to stumble into Jesse and sending both people to the ground. Then he moved to position himself protectively in front of them. He never heard the shot, but he did feel a searing pain in his shoulder. Gasping, he pulled out his own firearm and took aim.
He fired just as the gunman fired another shot. He saw the man fall back a second later and glanced around to see if his ward was still all right. �Beth?� he called.
�We�re fine,� came the immediate reply.
He recognized the voice as belonging to Levine and nodded slightly. He glanced quickly towards Eric and said, �I got him, but I don�t know if he�s down or just injured.�
�People are already moving to check it out,� the older man said, coming to his side. He checked him over quickly and frowned. �You�re hurt,� he said softly.
�You too,� Bertram responded, pointing to Eric�s hand.
Eric shook his head in frustration. �I�m fine,� he argued. �You aren�t. You�re already getting pale and your covered in blood.� He turned quickly to Michael and said, �Get Levine and Sebohn into the vehicle with Darkforest. I�ll get Silverwebb to a clinic.�
�Yes, sir,� Michael replied, hurrying to follow his orders. He pushed the pair into a waiting vehicle, ignoring Beth�s protests.
Eric nodded and turned back to Bertram. �Just lay back,� he advised. �An ambulance will be here momentarily.�
�Yes, sir,� Bertram answered weakly. He shook his head and pulled his glasses all the way off. Just as he was opening his mouth to complain, Eric pressed a hand against the wound in his shoulder and his voice cut off with a squeak.
�Sorry,� Eric mumbled. �How do you feel? Can you breath alright?�
Bertram nodded and then shook his head as he realized that the air seemed really thin. He knew the problem immediately and whispered, �Shynonian.�
�I know,� Eric replied, smoothing his hair with a free hand. �Just try to relax then and you should be fine. The ambulance will be here soon.�
Bertram smiled weakly. �Repeating yourself,� he teased in a breathy voice. He sighed deeply and whispered, �My eyes are fuzzy.�
�That�s probably the blood loss,� Eric mumbled, pressing harder against the wound. A moment later a paramedic took his place and a second one began taking the injured man�s vital signs. Bertram felt something cover his face and started to struggle, but stopped when he noticed that it seemed easier to breath. After a few seconds, his eyes drifted shut as he fell into a deep sleep.
**
�How is he?� Beth asked worriedly as she stepped into the waiting room of the hospital.
Emily, who had stayed at the scene smiled. �He�s better than you�d probably think,� she answered gently. �He passed out at the scene and scared the paramedics, but he�s been quite stable. He lost a lot of blood and that�s where most of the concern is.�
�Why would him passing out scare the paramedics?� Jody queried. �I�d think they�d be used to gunshot victims losing consciousness.�
�They are,� Eric said, fussing with his bandaged hand. �What they aren�t used to is Shynonians losing consciousness. Their vital signs drop dramatically when they pass out. The paramedics thought they�d lost him until one realized what he was.�
�They thought he was dead?� Jesse asked incredulously.
Emily shrugged and Michael smiled. �I remember finding Bertram asleep one time,� he said. �You can�t see him breathing and can�t feel a heartbeat.� He broke off and shook his head. �I ran and found Eric, half-panicked, and told him what happened. He came in and tickled Bertram�s feet. Of course, he twitched and Eric says, �He�s not dead Sweeny, he just seems that way when he�s asleep�.�
�I can see how that would scare the paramedics,� Jody agreed, settling in a chair beside his Watch Warden. He turned to Eric and asked, �So, did you catch them?�
Eric nodded. �We caught the gunman and we�ll be able to find out who his associates are,� he reported. �The threat against you and Miss Sebohn will be safely put to rest when they�ve all been rounded up.�
�Can�t happen too soon for me,� Beth sighed. She flopped into a chair beside Jesse and asked, �When can I see Bertram?�
�When his mother comes out,� Emily answered. �She�s in there now, with his older sister.�
Beth nodded and then looked up at the doorway when she heard the tap of lady�s shoes on the tiles. Standing just inside the room was a dignified-looking woman, who could only be Bertram�s mother.
�You must be Beth,� she said smiling gently. �I�m Catherine Silverwebb.�
�Bertram�s mother,� Beth said, standing and taking her hands. �He talks about you all the time, it�s clear to see how he cares for you and his sisters.�
Catherine smiled. �I could say the same for you, my dear,� she answered. �Last time I spoke to Bertram he spoke almost entirely about you and you were the first thing on his mind when he woke up.�
�He�s awake!� Beth sighed, joyful tears coming to her eyes.
�Go on in, dear,� an elderly gentleman said, waving her towards the room Bertram was resting in. Turning to Eric, the man added, �Piper and Sarah said they�d be here in the morning and Charity refuses to leave his side, although he might convince her to.�
�I doubt it,� Catherine argued. �She can be very protective of him at times.�
**
Beth peered into the dimly lit room and smiled. Bertram was propped up on a couple pillows with an oxygen mask over his face, but otherwise he seemed all right. There was a young lady sitting beside the bed whispering to him in a language Beth didn�t recognize.
She hesitated and then called, �Bertram?�
He turned to face her and smiled weakly. �You�re alright,� he sighed. His voice was muffled by the mask, but it was clear he was relieved to see her.
�Thanks to you,� she added, stepping closer and settling on the bed beside him. �Michael said that you told the president when you first got the assignment that you�d throw yourself in front of a bullet for me,� she whispered.
Bertram�s eyes widened and he blushed slightly. �Watch Wardens do what they have to do to protect their wards,� he whispered.
�Hopefully, you won�t ever have to do it again.� Beth replied. She hugged him gently and smoothed his hair with one hand. Sitting back, she caressed his cheeks and said, �I was so frightened for you!�
�I�m sorry,� Bertram murmured, settling back against the pillows.
Charity smiled and said, �You should be,� she argued. �Why didn�t you use your magic to protect you and your ward?�
�Charity, there�s ��
�Don�t be thick,� the woman interrupted. �You know as well as I do that there�s magic in this world and you need to stop being so afraid to use yours.�
�Bertram�s a mage?� Beth asked in surprise.
�A Bard,� Charity answered. �That�s why father sent him to the Cygman Bardic Academy. He was hoping that Bertram would learn how to use his skills.�
Beth smiled slightly, finally realizing why they felt a soft tingle whenever they touched. Clearly, their auras were complements to each other�s and they could feel that through their skin. Sitting back, she smoothed the covers down and whispered, �You should get some sleep. I�ll be here when you wake up.�
�Me too,� Charity added. When Bertram shook his head, she touched his arm. �Don�t argue with your older sister, just go to sleep.�
�Charity, you�re only eleven minutes older than me,� Bertram argued. He rolled his eyes and then sighed softly. A few minutes later, he was completely asleep and disturbingly still.
�You�re twins?� Beth asked, when Charity nodded, Beth smiled and settled down into a nearby chair. She was glad that Bertram was going to be all right and was becoming rather excited at the idea of finally meeting the family he�d told her so much about.
**
Bertram stayed in the hospital for only a few days, but was told to rest at home for a couple more days before he tried to return to work. He hated being laid up and knowing that a mandatory counseling session was waiting for him when he returned to duty wasn�t helping him feel any better about the whole affair.
The day he was scheduled to return to work, Eric arrived on his doorstep with a letter in his hands. �This arrived for you,� he said quietly, as he handed the envelope to the Warden.
Bertram frowned at the envelope for a moment; then opened it to read the contents. He reread the missive and then looked up at Eric unhappily. �Do I have to?� he whined, thrusting the letter into his superior�s hands.
Eric looked it over and then nodded, looking grave for a moment. �According the agreement we have with Shynia, by joining the Wardens, you are also a member of their� organization. You have to follow their orders the same way you would mine.�
Bertram sighed and nodded. �I�ll� tell Beth and then pack when I get home, then,� he said sullenly.
�If it makes it any easier, the threat against her is over now,� Eric stated gently.
Bertram snorted. �I know,� he whispered. �So do they, that�s why they sent this, but that doesn�t help much when Beth�s the reason I�m so unhappy with this news.�
Eric left a short while later and Bertram sighed deeply before following him out. His first stop when he arrived at the West Wing was Beth�s office. For the first time in several months, she was sitting in her office completely alone.
Bertram knock hesitantly and stepping inside when she looked up from her legal pad to grin brightly at him. �Hello, Bertram!� she exclaimed. �What brings you here? I thought Eric would be giving you a new assignment and I wouldn't get to see you until tonight.�
Sighing deeply, the warden settled down in the chair across from her. �That�s why I�m here, Beth,� he said quietly. �I � I�ve been�� he tried. Finally, he shook his head and handed the letter over, shaking his head. �I have to go and you� have to stay.�
Beth read over the letter and then frowned. Looking up, she asked, �Isn�t their anything you can protest this to?�
Silverwebb shook his head. �Orders are orders and I�m bound by duty to follow them,� he answered, closing his eyes sadly. Looking up, he added, �I�ll always love you, Beth! When � when I can, I�ll came back, I promise!�
�Oh Bertram!� Beth exclaimed, pulling him into a rough embrace. �I nearly lost you once, I don�t want to lose you again.�
�You won�t,� Bertram vowed. �I�ll � I�ll talk to the Intelligence director. I can�t find my brother if I�m on Shynia, he�ll understand that. I want to be with you, he�ll understand that too.�
Beth nodded and pulled back, rubbing her eyes sadly. She adjusted her glasses and asked, �When do you leave?�
�Tonight,� Bertram answered sadly.
Beth scowled and stomped into Jody�s office, a few moments later, she returned. �I�m taking the day off and we�re spending it together,� she stated resolutely. �If we�re going to be separated for God only knows how long, we�ll make the most of the time we have left together!�
�Beth, I �� Bertram started, he broke off when he noticed the determined set to her face. Smiling wanly, he nodded. �Yes, ma�am,� he said finally.
**
True her word, Beth made their last day together before Bertram�s trip a special one. They spent the entire day seeing all the popular tourist attractions and stopped at a small caf� for lunch. After lunch, they returned briefly to the West Wing for a small party that the other members of the president�s staff had put together for Bertram.
Bertram thanked everyone and then turned to gaze sadly at Beth. �I have to pack,� he said quietly.
�Then I�ll help you,� she said softly. She waved at the guys and followed Bertram outside. The two walked side by side down the familiar sidewalk that led to their shared apartment.
�I don�t want to go,� the Warden mumbled sadly. Turning to her, he said, �I don�t want to be separated from you, or Mother or my sisters.�
Beth smiled. �You know my address,� she replied. �Write to me and I�ll write back. The time will pass quickly and the Director will let you come home eventually.�
He nodded and led the way up the steps to their apartment. Once he�d packed a couple bags, he set them by the door and pulled Beth into a crushing embrace. �I love you,� he murmured into her hair.
�I love you too,� she replied without hesitation. A few moments later, the pair was kissing passionately and the embracing arms had changed into questing hands. Although both of them were tempted to, neither person pushed the encounter further than that. After a while, they stilled and Beth laid her head against Bertram�s bare chest.
Later, Bertram wouldn�t be able to say how long they stayed there, curled together on the floor. He only knew that a gentle knock on the door told him that the Shynian agent who would be escorting him for his trip came and he forced himself to a seated position.
�Coming,� he called, grabbing his discarded shirt. While he buttoned it and tucked it back in properly, Beth hurried to straighten her tangled gown. He smiled wanly and grabbed his vest to throw it around his shoulders. Beth grabbed his tie from the corner and thrust it into his hands.
�Wait a moment,� she said quietly; then she disappeared into her bedroom. When she returned a moment later, she was carrying the doll that had been his first gift to her. �I want to you to take this,� she said. �So you won�t forget me!�
He smiled fondly and kissed her, taking the doll in one hand and her hands in the other. �I�ll never forget you,� he swore. He tucked the doll into one of his bags and then turned to the door. �I love you,� he said, as he opened the door.
�And I you,� Beth replied, as the waiting agent looked at Bertram. His soft blond hair was combed neatly so that it framed his face and his soft hazel eyes reminded Beth of Bertram�s own. He was dressed completely in black, but seemed to be cheerful in spite of that.
The man smiled. �Agent Silverwebb,� he said. �I�m Chris Larabee. I was sent to see you safely to Shynia?�
�I know,� Bertram said softly. He grabbed his bags and, after one last smile at Beth, he stepped out into the hall.
Larabee nodded politely to Beth and then closed the door. Once he�d caught up to Bertram, he asked, �Who was the lady?�
�The love of my life,� Bertram answered, tears coming to his eyes.
Chris blinked and set a hand gently on the younger man�s shoulder. �Don�t worry. You�ll see her again, someday.�
Silverwebb nodded and forced a smile, then followed Larabee out to the waiting vehicle. He glanced up at the window as they pulled away and smiled slightly at the woman waving to the departing vehicle. Silently, he sent, I�ll always love you, Elizabeth Sebohn! He didn�t hear a reply, but he knew she�d heard the small message. Comforted somewhat, he leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. It was a long trip to Shynia and he might as well get some sleep before his new job began.
End�