Sappho's Commando

TWENTY-TWO (ISELEN POV)

"Whatever they say or do, just ignore them, okay?"

"Don't worry, Ruby, if they say something rude, I won't take it personally."

"Oh, believe me, it'll be personal," the pretty woman rolls her eyes, upset. "Against me, not against you. You'll me the means by which they'll throw their darts at me."

I watch the doctor quietly while she drives down the rural road, focused on dodging bumps, mud puddles and lost sheep in the fog. The sun light barely manages to sneak between the clouds and everything looks grey, wet and cold around us. Ruby apologized for the terrible weather the moment we left Edinburgh and swore that the landscape is prettier when the sun shines. I had to tell her that I was born in the north of Spain and our weather is very similar to the Scottish one, it rains frequently and we have nothing to do with Madrid's famous blue sky or the gorgeous beaches with warm golden sand around ROTA naval base. I'm used to live like a lungfish.

It's pretty obvious that her anxiety is skyrocketing as we get closer to her home. Her family must be terrible if they're capable of bringing this woman close to a nervous breakdown without even introducing them to me. On the contrary, I've seen her pretty relaxed while binding up a sailor's wounds and the enemy's bullets were flying around us. I guess that a serious conversation about our relationship is totally ruled out till Ruby comes to her senses again, I can't tell the doctor that I think I'm falling in love with her in this unpleasant and tense atmosphere. Damn it...

A ray of sunshine makes its way through the grey clouds and turns the rain drops into diamonds sparkling on the tree tops and the endless green fields. The brown fluffy cows and their sheep friends ignore us while Ruby slows down and turns right. A dog barks in the distance... I blink, surprised, leaning forward to take a closer look through the windshield.

"Is that your home?" I ask in shock, pointing at the other end of the narrow road. The doctor nods quietly, frowning. "You're kidding me. Is that a medieval tower?"

"No, of course not, it's from the 19th century: Gothic revival style. One of my great-great-great grandfathers built it because the old Scottish baronial style house was falling apart."

"I'm freaking out..."

"I told you that my great grandfather was a count, what were you expecting?" Ruby asks annoyed while we cross the old iron gate and she drives towards the gravel forecourt in front of the brick and stone building. There's a big garden around, with clipped hedges that look like giant balls, ancient trees, close-cropped lawn and several stone fountains covered with moss.

"You told me you had money, baby, not that you were living in a small castle." Ruby rolls her eyes and stops the car. "It's okay, doctor, not big deal. It's different to what I'm used to, picturesque and very Scottish, but I'm sure that I'll enjoy the experience."

"You don't know what you're talking about, believe me. You'll want to run away after meeting my family..." My hostess sighs, turning off the engine. "Here comes my stiff-necked butler. It's showtime..."

"Do you have a butler?" I ask laughing amused, watching the man wearing a dark uniform opening an umbrella before moving closer, walking slowly. "I'm sorry, I'm not making fun of you, milady. It's just that... everything is so Downtown Abbey like."

"I'm not a lady," Ruby grumbles angrily, leaning her hand on the door handle to open it but she stops when she feels my fingers touching her shoulder.

"Yes, you are, my lady. I'll protect you, love, I'll fight those dragons for you." The beautiful woman stares at me quietly, her forest fairy eyes look grey instead of green under the dim light, but equally gorgeous. "I'll have your six, major, always."