Algra's gaze shifted from Gregory to Janette. The look she gave the girl might have routed a platoon of hardened warriors. It seemed that Janette just didn't give a damn, and she stood her ground without so much as flinching.

After a tense stare down it was Algra who finally Lowered her eyes and made a strangled little noise of frustration before moving to grab her clothes and turn from them back towards the camp.

Gregory stared up at Janette, momentarily awed by the sheer volume of pure moxy he'd just witnessed.

"Wow. I did not see that coming." He Looked over to Algra again just before she vanished into the tree Line.

Janette let out a long, slow breath and turned around to face him. Her hands came to rest on the Luscious curves of her hips and her eyes scanned him once out of concern and then again because he looked particularly yummy laid on the grass with his trunks hanging off his right boot. He saw her lick her lips as she took a moment to enjoy the view before she focused back on his face.

“Algra wouldn't hurt me. I'm not a warrior. She's not a bully."

“Yeah, she beats me up a lot but never takes my Lunch money." Gregory pulled himself back up to his feet and stepped back into his trunks before pulling them up his Legs

“So that was . . . intense, with you and Algra" Janette said as they started the walk back to the camp.

“I needed to make Algra weak at the knees. It kind of had to be.” Gregory reached out to push an overhanging branch out of their way.

"I thought she might kill you for a minute.” jell it'd be your fault if she did."

"Hey!"

“It was your idea."

“You think she'll be ok?"

“She's worried about what comes next." He turned to look ahead of them where the camp could be seen between the foliage. His expression grew sombre. Algra wasn't the only one troubled at the thought of him returning to the proving grounds.

“Everyone is." Janette watched him closely, unsure of her footing on the subject.

"I'm that popular?" "You stood up for Valise. You're bringing Emmet's family here. Bolut admires you. Algra and yours truly are both truly yours, and I'm pretty sure Talina would walk over hot coals if you asked her to. Though I'm not exactly sure why.”

Gregory took a few steps in silence as he thought about all the people he'd met in the strange new world in such a short time. It probably that meant he wasn't the stalwart introvert he was back on Earth anymore. He turned to Janette as they left the forest and made their way through some open grass toward the noise and bustle of the encampment .

“You know, for such a supposedly beloved guy, I sure do get punched a lot."

Those wise words of reflection brought a sudden Laugh from Janette's throat that formed her mouth into a stunning smile. She slipped her arm into his, feeling muscle that had strengthened considerably over the past months.

“We wouldn't want you going soft, now would we?"

“That doesn't often happen with you around, Jan.”

“Did you just make a wang joke?"

“Maybe."

*O* OK kk

They arrived back at the camp and took some dinner by the fire. Algra had stormed past everyone to take her leave in their tent. No one decided to pester her. An angry orc might literally take someone's head off. Instead Gregory and Janette had settled down to the usual helping of meaty broth on offer from the cooking pot. It was a pleasant surprise as he got fresh, tender pork with chopped carrots and onions. He'd gotten used to chicken and beef, but it certainly made a nice change of pace.