Alex above ^  hope it's going well so far.

Somehow by the grace of God she didn't break her neck and instead land on her shoulder. She turned into her back sputter up into her elbows as her long hair blinded her.

"Damn it" she hissed trying to gain enough hold to allow her to swipe the frustrating strands out of her face but that just wasn't happening.

"Be still" the deep voice and the strong but gentle hands caused her to cease struggling.

"If we keep meeting like this I think the gods are trying to tell us something. " he mused as his face came into view.

"That I'm a clumsy disgrace?" She queried nervously As she gazed up into his face.

"Not exactly what I was thinking." He smiled arrogantly.

For a long moment she thought about getting up from between his legs and away from his looming upper half with those eyes that saw far too much. She even half way reached for the rim of the tub and yet she leant back for a moment. Taking some much needed breaths.

"I'm sorry I just need a moment."

"Take all the time you need this bath is the best I've ever had" and in the quirky charm the trio had he began going about washing the skin of his arms as if nothing odd was taking place. She found one corner or her mouth lifting at his actions and words.

"Well I've had better baths" she said managing to reach the rim of the tub and sitting up avoiding looking at him as best she could as she gathered her hair and wrung it out.

"You must have very dull baths then. I'm quite pleased a beautiful woman keeps plopping into my lap." His elbow nudged her playfully "mayhap I should return the favor sometime. "

"You know I'm not a beautiful woman or a nymph. And the amount of times you say it isn't going to make me feel better. " she states wryly rising to her knees and standing careful not to trip Over his feet.

"I don't say things for your benefit Maggie it's not the way it's done from sp- where I'm from" he said flatly.

She stepped out grabbing a towel to soak up what she could. And exited the room.

"The brush is on the bed as is the clothes can you manage?" She threw over her shoulder.

She took his silence as a confirmation And walked to her room. To change.

'No that that debacle is finished let's move on'

She groaned pitifully when she noted her white sleep shirt nearly transparent.

"I'm pathetic"
********************************

Stelios noted the red headed wench was gone from the living room as Maggie called it. He sauntered down the corridor noting a small door beneath the stairs cracked open slightly. He ignored for the moment since his hunger was so great. He found an apple and bit into it. As he went to look through the window. He saw a flat wooden floor leading toward a yard of green grass. And to the side a large pool of clear teal water surrounded by stone.

There was another building that had an open door similar to that of the garage as the woman had called it. And inside he saw something that he found himself very much liking.the red haired wench was training it seemed. He noticed her skill in fighting as she pounded and kicked into a large obviously weighted bag.

She moved with a speed and grace that he could appreciate. He felt himself harden as he watched her controlled fury being unleashed on the bag. He didn't even sense dillios beside him until he spoke softly.

"Ah she's very good." Appreciative

"How do you think she would do against another person?" He queried

"Perhaps you can see for yourself one day."

"If the gods are merciful" turning to see his elder butting into an apple.

"Our young friend seems enamored by the young thing"

"She seems to be a good woman. Not a spartan by any means but good nonetheless" he shrugged

"I wonder how long it will be before he manages to catch the little nymph?"

"I'd wager she will hold out longer than you would think. Astinos has never dealt with a woman before Spartan or otherwise. "

"True" he mused plucking an apple and turning to watch the fiery beast of a woman.

"Careful you may find yourself enamored. "

*********************************

Male laughter drew him toward his comrades he paused noting a hidden door cracked just beneath the stairs. He opened it seeing a large bed surrounded by shelves of books and drawings. It looked like a private place to rest and read. A high feminine gasp echoed before Maggie skidded along the floor beneath his arm and solidly slammed his fingers in the door as she closed it.

"Ah!" He granted lowly

"You can't go in there it my private area of the house. " she said her delicate face very serious as strands of drying hair fell out of her messy chignon.

"I understand that now..." He kept his voice neutral as the pain of dislocated fingers reached him. "Put please can I remove my fingers before they end up broken instead of dislocated"

She leaned away from the door grasping his hand carefully. "Oh I'm so sorry" she mumbled as he firmly took his hand away from her.

"We have to go to the hospital" she dashed toward the kitchen grasping a set of metal instruments

"No need" he said as she dashed to the another room exiting with a bag as he firmly grasp his three misplaced fingers and put them where they belonged.

"Wha-" she broke off shoulders slumping in shock and a slight ting of fear.

"As i said no need." He grasp the end of his shirt and ripped a strip binding his fingers firmly and tying it off.

"My life has become some kind of weird science fiction teen drama!" She threw her hands up slinging the keys and bags to the side.

"Idiot men!" He heard as she stomped past his friends and out to the backyard.

"you've already angered her" stelios drawled

"Come and eat pay no mind that is the way of women"

"Bewitching nymphs" he murmured to himself.