The General's Crusnik

Thanks to KayElena for the review.  Sincerely appreciate it.

***

Cardinal Sforza knocked lightly on Abel's door late that afternoon.  He'd been missing from the AX meeting and her curiosity was nearly killing her as to what happened with the General the night before.  Not that she'd ever show it but it was still there.

"Abel?  Are you awake?"

He snapped awake at the sound of her knock before stumbling over to the door and opening it, his hair in a messy braid and wearing only sleeping pants. "Cat~rina?" he mumbled around a yawn. "What're you ding here?"

"Ah, I'll wait until you've dressed," she said, turning around and practically running back down the hallway.

He frowned faintly at her behavior before shaking his head and going to get ready for the day. When he saw the time, he winced and hurried through his preparations before almost racing to her office.

"Come in," Catarina said upon hearing someone knock.

He slipped inside, closing the door behind him. "My apologies for sleeping so late," he began, making his way over to the chairs before her desk.

"Quite all right.  It just isn't like you to miss an AX meeting."

 He shrugged a shoulder. "I am not use to being out to nearly dawn outside of a mission either."

"But it was a mission of sorts.  May I ask what happened?"

He shrugged a shoulder. "The General has made himself comfortable in his hotel suite and will be waiting for an answer." He let a small smile curl his lips. "Unofficially? We chatted and got caught up a bit. He invited me back at sunset."

"Excellent. I knew I could count on you.  If you would, invite him for a private meeting with me.  I'd like to speak to him and get a feel for the sort of man he is. And unofficially, I'm glad you found your friend again.  Or he found you rather."

He chuckled. "It was unexpected to see him like that." He nodded. "I will pass along your invitation."

"Thank you.  I would appreciate that."

He tilted his head, looking at her. "Is there anything else you wish to know?"

"Unofficially?"

He grinned. "Unofficially."

She paused for a moment, looking at her old friend for a long time.  "Are you happy here, Abel?"

The question caught him by surprise, but he knew he couldn't lie to her. "I find myself very tired and rather lonely," he confessed, choosing his words carefully. "I have enjoyed helping you achieve your dream of peace, but I'm not needed here anymore."

"That's what I was afraid you'd say."

 He sighed. "The General could see I was getting stressed and that my act was starting to fail and he had not seen me since well before we met, Catarina. I think I might have to leave before someone wises up."

She nodded, seeing the logic in his statement but still not wanting to lose her friend and ally. "For what it's worth, I do understand.  I'm just being selfish."

He smiled at her. "I'll still write and do my best to keep in touch."

She reached across the desk and took his hand.  "I know you will.  Did you plan to leave soon?"

 He gently curled his fingers around hers. "Not yet. I don't even know what to *do* honestly. I've been either military or your priest that I'm a bit rusty on what happens outside those constraints."

"You know you're welcome anywhere I have a home, Abel.  At any time."

He smiled. "I know and I thank you for that."

"You saved my life.  It's the least I can do."

"Will you do one thing for me? It's the only thing I will ever ask of you."

"Anything within my power, you know you'll have it."

"It's more for you, actually. Move past me. Let your fantasies of us together remain just that." He shook his head. "I can't be what you need."

"Oh, Abel.  I've known that for years now,” she said with a laugh before turning more serious. “ I'll ask you to move past that beautiful woman in the mausoleum.  Find someone who can treat you as you deserve."

"I can try." He licked his lips, coming to the hardest decision he could ever make. "Which is why I am leaving her here."

Catarina's eyebrows went up a little before she composed herself.  "I'll make sure she's well taken care of, I promise."

He offered a small smile. "It would be hard to move past her if I took her with me, wouldn't it?"

She chuckled a little.  "That is the truth.  It might be a bit difficult to travel with something that size."

"Perhaps just a little bit," he agreed with a smile.

"I'll miss you, my friend."

He gently squeezed her fingers. "I won't be leaving for at least a little while."

 "Good.  Because I expect you to stay as my second at least until this business with your General is finished."

He chuckled and nodded. "I can stay that long."

"Good.  I'll have to make certain the General is comfortable for a long while then," she said, an impish smile lighting her face.  "Now shoo.  Go find your friend. OH, Abel."

He chuckled and started to rise before pausing as she called him again. "Yes, Cat?"

"For the love of Mary, find something to wear that isn't black with crosses on it.”

He laughed. "I'll try."

"That's an order."

That got another laugh and a bow. "Of course, Your Eminence."

"And send me Tres if you see him."

He smiled and nodded again. "By your leave?"

"Get out of my office, brat."

He chuckled and left, motioning Tres in as he ran into the android in the hallway.