[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=a187be]Aziza Tarek[/color], 
[color=686F91]Harry Walsh[/color], 
& 
[color=b8860b]Reginald Keystone[/color][/b][/i][/h1][/center][hr][hr]

	Aziza looked over towards Reginald and sighed slightly. [color=a187be]"Did you really mean it when you said you would be willing to get me out of the country?"[/color] she asked him as she bit her bottom lip nervously. This was a huge change from the night before, something had to have happened. 

        This [i]was[/i] important. [color=b8860b]"Of course, my dear. Certainly. My offer concerning the Brighton estate remains, should you desire it. But whatever has transpired since last evening that would prompt a change of heart?"[/color] This did seem unlike her, especially now with the bit of mystery afoot. She was not one to leave something unfinished. 

	Biting her bottom lip still, her eyes darted over towards Harry. He could see that she was nervous and saying any of this out loud, even to the Lord Major had her scared. [color=686F91]"Sir, when we reached Miss Tarek's home it had been broken into. Nothing seemed to be stolen but I have seen war zones with less damage. That combined with the attack on her at Alf Leyla Salah's yesterday,"[/color] Sgt. Walsh began to say and try to fill in the Lord Major as best he could without sounding crazed but making sure to point out the seriousness of the situation. Aziza however cut him off mid-sentence. 

	[color=a187be]"I think my ex-husband is trying to have me killed Reginald, I can't stay in Cairo,"[/color] she blurted out as she wrapped her arms around herself. She was shaking from saying it outloud. Harry sighed as he stepped over to her and pulled her into his arms, trying to calm her. 

	The Lord Major straightened himself, his face losing much of the softness that it had ordinarily when dealing with friends and not associates. It seems that this was a piece of business that required his attention. [color=b8860b]"I see."[/color] His voice was businesslike and final. He walked back over to his desk and sat down behind it, pulling out a pen and sheaf of paper. He began writing, pausing every couple of seconds to speak. [color=b8860b]"Indeed. Worry not; you are at under the protection of His Royal Majesty's Armed Forces, on what is considered British soil. You may stay here for as long as you wish, as my personal guest."[/color] He looked over his paperwork, blowing lightly to help the ink dry. [color=b8860b]"If you are certain that this is what you wish, I shall attempt to expedite your legal immigration by stamping a work permit, concerning the position we had discussed, but are you certain this is that vile man's doing?"[/color] 

	The dancer nodded slightly as she kept her face buried against Harry's chest. Smoothing her hair down a bit, Sgt. Walsh reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone which had collided with the side of Aziza's head the day before. Reaching over he set it down on the desk in front of the Lord Major. [color=686F91]"This is what struck her while she was on stage yesterday,"[/color] he said as he wrapped his arm back around the woman. It was still stained with the blood it had drawn from her. [color=686F91]"The person who threw it called her Manbudh as he threw it,"[/color] Harry added. It was a word that the Lord Major would be familiar with, a term that literally translated to wreckage but when tossed out at a woman meant she was trash, a home wrecker, a whore, and so much more. It was usually yelled out before a woman was stoned to death because of infidelity. 

	On the stone written in Arabic was Azizas name and some choice words that when translated would read "death is coming." [color=a187be]"I thought it was a threat but just in passing until I saw my home today..."[/color] she said as she looked down at the stone. [color=a187be]"Now I am sure my ex husband is set to finish what he started the day I was driven out of my home and away from my son."[/color]

	Reginald considered the words of both Sergeant Walsh and his good friend Aziza. He nodded soberly, looking at the pair with weary eyes. [color=b8860b]"Some people simply cannot act as gentlemen... I am very sorry for this Aziza, and I promise that I shall keep you as safe as I am able."[/color] He paused for a moment, then tried to speak with some optimism. [color=b8860b]"Madame, you will enjoy Brighton, I am sure of it. Beach resort city, and whatnot. Excellent nightlife, quiet during the off seasons, and superior opportunities for persons wishing entrepreneurial ventures. You just tell me when you wish to leave, and I shall do my best."[/color] 

	[color=a187be]"I don't want to leave. Not without my son..."[/color] Aziza said quietly as she stared blankly at Harrys chest as she rested her forehead against him and sighed. 

	[color=686F91]"You can't help him if you let yourself be killed,"[/color] Harry said and Aziza nodded, knowing what he said was true. Turning her head slightly she looked over at the Lord Major. 

	[color=a187be]"Yesterday, today, as soon as possible,"[/color] she finally said. It was obvious she didn't want to go but with everything going on she had to. These type of men never stopped and she couldn't live the rest of her life in the barracks. Leaving the country was the best she could hope for. 

	[color=686F91]"Lord Major, if it is possible, I wish to go with her. I will escort her and keep her safe,"[/color] Harry chimed without a moments hesitation. Azizas eyes darted up and she let out a nervous smile before burying her head back against his chest and thanking him silently. 

	A deep breath filled the lungs of the Lord Major, followed shortly by a long exhale. This was to be a means of escape for not just Aziza, but for the retired Sergeant as well. The folly of youth, he supposed. It was a very keen-edged thing, the nature of mutual affection, and not one that was guaranteed to remain indefinitely. Still, Reginald did not really know this man, Sergeant Harry Walsh, remotely as well as he knew Miss Aziza Tarek. The same level of trust had not been established. 

	If he wished to join her, Reginald would not pose an objection, but he wanted to ensure that Aziza had the upper hand, legally speaking. Though his words were pointed at the dancer, his knowing tone implied that they were meant for the both of them.  [color=b8860b]"Aziza, the paperwork I hold in my hand has declared you the Steward and primary caretaker of the Keystone Estate in Brighton, East Sussex, England, with a contract to the family lasting not less than twenty years and moderate retirement afterward, if desired. The existing staff is at your disposal, and any decision to modify said personnel or share the responsibilities of the office is, of course, at your pleasure."[/color] Clearing his throat, he concluded with, [color=b8860b]"And I am able to make travel plans for two almost as easily as one."[/color] 

	Azizas eyes widen as the Lord Major spoke. She had no doubt that he would help her but on this level? She didn't know what to say but the look in her eyes, which were now tearing up, spoke volumes. He had always been good to her and  treated her with respect, well minus that one time where he propositioned her, but she never thought he would do so much. Her lips rolled in as she left Harrys arms and made her way around the mans desk. It didn't matter there was still a stench hanging in the air and on the mans clothing. It didn't stop her from wrapping her spindle like arms around the aging Keystone and hugging him as he body shook and she let a tear or two slip from her eyes. [color=a187be]"Thank you,"[/color] was all she could manage to sob out. 

	Swallowing lightly Harry watched Aziza and nodded in gratitude towards the Lord Major. [color=686F91]"I have a passport, a member of his kinds empire, no need to make arrangements for me as well sir. I will handle my travel arrangements, I just did not want to be escorted away from her if you were to assign a protection detail is all,"[/color] he said as he stood there and placed his hands behind his back in a parade rest. 

	[color=b8860b]"Indeed. You are quite welcome, my dear."[/color] Reginald looked piercingly at Harry, though he returned Aziza's hug with the grandfatherly understanding. It occurred to him that, when Aziza left the barracks, it would very likely be the last time he would see her ever again. It made him genuinely sad. [color=b8860b]"Aziza,"[/color] he started quietly, [color=b8860b]"You will be the Estate Mistress of a great house. It is not a title of nobility, but it can carry a prestigious amount of influence, especially in a port city along the Channel. Establish yourself. Invest. Use this new influence to tend to your own affairs as you see fit. You are in a position to take back control of your life - but do keep my house in proper order, hmm?"[/color] 

	Taking on a more steady, soldierly voice, he continued, [color=b8860b]"Sergeant Walsh, so far as I am concerned, the two of you are in this together. When I assign a detail, rest assured you shall not be shuffled off. To wit, when the boundaries of military influence have been crossed and more civil authorities take the reins, it falls to [i]you[/i], sir, to ensure Miss Tarek's safety. Take what you need from this base, the both of you. I shall sign for it. Now for the meantime, I have only one question: do you prefer air travel, or would you fancy a ship?"[/color]