https://youtu.be/bOjCjXfG9yg

Drew stirred first to the sound of someone singing. Then the welcoming smell of food being cooked reached his nostrils, pushing the remnants of sleep from his body. He squinted his eyes and looked around the room. Where the hell am I? He wondered. The plain white walls, wooden window frame with a burnt out candle on the sill were unfamiliar. It took a good few minutes for him to remember the portal and register he and Sarah were now in World of Warcraft – for real!

He swung his legs over the cot and pushed himself up. A little wobbly on his feet, to begin with, he steadied himself by grabbing hold of a sideboard next to the cot. A few deep breaths and he felt ... only slightly nauseous. His body felt clammy, uncomfortable. He pulled off the jacket and T-shirt he still wore and threw them down on the cot. Slowly he started towards where the irresistible pull of hot food beckoned.

The hallway opened into a generously sized room that seemed to serve as both a dining and living area. It was basic, with stone walls, wooden door, two windows. He looked out one of them and marvelled at the sprawling landscape with its lush foliage and high trees which were embracing the start of autumn. Subtle golds, ambers, reds and browns mingled in with the rich and varied greens.

A heat source came from his right and his attention was drawn to the fireplace. A big slate hearth with a sprawling stone surround and heavy wooden mantle housed the yellow and orange flames of a fire not long since stoked. Fresh logs were blistering and crackling as the flames licked them hungrily.

Two heavy-set armchairs with colourful throws were positioned in front of the fire, a footstool in close proximity to one. By the looks of it, someone had slept in the chair, a pillow and extra blanket still lay crumpled on its seat.

The clatter of crockery and pots came from further to his right and round the corner from the chimney breast. He craned his neck round to the source of the sounds. A smile slowly crept on his stubbled face.

Sarah, her back to him as she busied herself preparing breakfast, was wearing her earbuds plugged into her phone. The tinny sound of music could just be heard over the sizzling of ham, sausages and eggs cooking on the stove. He watched as her hips swayed and her feet tapped back and forth. She was bobbing her head in time to the beat and singing along to T-Rex Get It On.

He leaned against the corner of the stone wall and watched, arms crossed over his chest and with a soft smile playing on his lips. This was the happiest he had seen her in weeks. It was good to see, in fact, it was a relief. And, he had to admit, her swaying there in nothing other than a long shirt which reached halfway down her thighs, was also rather ... pleasing.

The song ended and she turned around with a pan full of delicious looking scrambled eggs. The pan nearly landed on the floor when she caught sight of him standing bare-chested, arms folded and watching her with a sly smile. She stumbled and he quickly sprang into action catching her arm, saving the breakfast from landing on the floor.

"Sorry," he gasped. "Didn't mean to startle you."

Momentarily stunned at the sight of him half-naked, she couldn't help but notice he looked after himself well. His body was toned without being over-muscled. Recovering from the surprise, Sarah laughed lightly. "I just didn't hear you getting up." She pulled her earbuds out and they dangled around her neck.

He carried the eggs over to the table where she had already set out two plates, cutlery, bread and butter, while she followed with a plate of sausages and ham. He made to sit down but she grabbed his arm and pulled him up, leading him back through to the pantry.

"I forget something?" he asked.

"You've got some cuts needing tending," she said. One of the bags she had brought contained some first aid items, antiseptic wipes, cotton wool, plasters, ointment and headache pills.

"God, you came prepared!" He was impressed.

She smiled as she dabbed his cuts and grazes. "Not really, just a few basics. Just as well considering your face."

He flinched as she dabbed his split lip. "Is it that bad?" he said, eyes wide.

"Don't worry, your dashing good looks are still intact. Just a few bruises mainly."

He liked that, dashing good looks eh? He could not suppress a grin.

"Behave," she smirked. "Okay, you're done. Now go eat before it gets cold."

They focused on eating, both were considerably hungry not having had anything substantial since before they stepped through the portal.

He kept glancing at her from under his hair. He still found it hard to believe where they were, and really expected to wake up and find it was all a dream. But their journey from Darkmoon Faire to Stormwind seemed real enough, as did their visit to the Golden Keg. Not that he could remember much about that particular bit. "So where are we now, and how did we get here?"

Sarah tore some bread and mopped up the meat juices on her plate. "Picture the gates of the city," she took a bite of the bread. Drew nodded. "Well," she continued between chewing, "The little cottage nestled between the hills off to the right of the gates. You know the one?"

She could see he was searching his memory banks. "Oh yeah ... I think so anyway."

"That's where we are then. And I know, it smacks a bit of the TARDIS, it's bigger inside here than in the game. That, you will find, is par for the course here."

He smiled at the upbeat tone in her voice. It was good to have his old Sarah back. He listened as she told him about how Erik slung him over his shoulder when he'd passed out and brought them here.

Drew grimaced. "Sorry. I nearly blew your cover."

"Nearly? You did, you muppet! That's how Erik found out who I was! I didn't get the chance to break it to him gently. Anyway, he brought us here. He uses it as a hunting lodge when he's in the area."

"Where is he now? Why is he not eating with us?"

"He's gone to see a friend of mine, trying to arrange a meeting. He said he will eat in town. He's also going to get some clothes that will fit you."

Drew sat back, sated, resting an elbow on the back of the chair while pushing away his empty plate with his other hand. "So did I miss anyone else I might have known last night?"

A pause. She lowered her eyes, stood up quickly and collected their empty plates. "No," she lied. "No one of any importance anyway." She moved away to the pantry and started cleaning up.

He noticed the subtle shift in her mood and wondered what he was missing. He gathered the rest of the dishes from the table and took them over to where she was furiously scrubbing their plates in a tin bucket. He put a hand on her shoulder, and he felt her quiver beneath his touch. "Sarah? Everything okay?"

"Fine," she replied. A forced smile stretched her mouth as she looked up at him. "There is a bowl and pitcher in your room, go freshen up, I will finish things here."

"You sure?" He was studying her closely.

She nodded then looked away and carried on with washing the dishes.

Pouring the water into the bowl and splashing his face, he contemplated what had changed her mood. He had become quite adept at reading her, such was the closeness of their friendship. A friendship which he had often hoped would progress further but seemed to stay stuck in limbo.

Perhaps she never took him seriously, or maybe that was how he conveyed it, and she saw it as nothing but harmless teasing. He'd always liked her, from day one of meeting. Once her marriage failed to the workaholic Pete, he had a little glimmer of hope, but it was soon snuffed out when she kept herself hidden indoors, refusing to socialise with him or any of her friends. His hopes soon flared again once he introduced her to Warcraft. She embraced the game, and they would occasionally go to each other's homes, laptops at the ready to do battle. The nights always ended up with them going home though. He had learned to accept that, although deep within, he hoped that one night...

The sounds of someone coming into the cottage announced the return of Erik. The bedroom door opened and a red-haired dwarf stood with a bundle of clothes in his hands. "Here," he said gruffly, looking up at Drew. "Put these on, we have guests arriving."

Drew accepted the clothes with gratitude before the dwarf abruptly turned and closed the door behind him.

Sure hope these fit, Drew thought considering the dreadful possibility that the dwarf had forgotten he was buying for someone over two foot taller.

Dressed, he stepped into the living area once more. Sarah was now also dressed and waiting for him. With her stood two individuals with blue skin, horns, tails and cloven feet. Astonished, he clapped a hand over his mouth. A frown from Sarah made him drop his hand immediately. Wow! soundlessly formed on his lips.

Sarah came forward and taking his arm led him up to the Draenei. "This," she said, "is my friend Lukha, and this..." she turned slightly, "...is her husband Taril, who I have only met for the first time today also. And this is Erik, our saviour from last night." She fondly indicated the hunter dwarf. "Everyone, this is Drew, my friend and faithful puppy."

Drew smirked as he faced her and whispered, "I do wish you would stop referring to me like that."

He glanced back at the others. Lukha stood about six foot two possibly three, but Taril was huge. He stood a good full foot taller than Drew, making him around seven foot. Then there was Erik. Coming in at around four ten, he was still an imposing figure. "It is an immense pleasure to meet you. I want to thank you all for looking after Sarah last time."

His words took Sarah a little by surprise, but she was touched by his enthusiastic welcome to her friends.

Lukha nodded and smiled. "It was our pleasure, Drew. She is a great friend."

"How cool is that! You even sound the same as in the game!"

Sarah tugged at his arm as a reprimand, but they laughed and assured her no offence was taken.

"And this is Caeniir," Lukha announced, presenting her son, wrapped in swaddling, gurgling quietly. Sarah was first over to look at the tiny draenei. Caeniir instantly started crying.

"Oh dear!" Sarah said, trying to mask her disappointment with a laugh at the babe's reaction. Drew came up behind her. The baby instantly quietened.

"May I?" he asked holding out his arms.

"Of course," Lukha handed over the small bundle and Drew cradled him, rocking gently. Caeniir gurgled and chortled, a little hand reaching out from the soft blanket to touch Drew's face.

"This is so cool!" he beamed. "A baby draenei. Adorable!"

Sarah was amazed. She had no idea he was so good with children. The scene was a very endearing one.

Lukha smiled. "You are a natural, Drew," she said.

They spent most of the morning in each other's company, where Drew was brought up to speed on what had all happened on Sarah's last visit.

Sarah appreciated that Eric must have advised Lukha it would be best to try to steer clear from mentioning Khadgar too much. Her draenei friend was extremely diplomatic. The Archmage was mentioned only if absolutely necessary to their story. There was no avoiding his teleportation of King Varian thanks to the warning received from Sarah. Also, his appearance in court with the Illidari was discussed but most of the conversation revolved around the demon hunters.

Drew listened avidly, often glancing at his friend in astonishment. He was swelling with pride, his little introvert Sarah was responsible for saving the King of Stormwind. She did say she would change the storyline of the Broken Shore if she could ever reach Azeroth. Well, it appeared she had indeed achieved it.

After a while, Lukha suggested she and Sarah walk a little. Drew was perfectly happy to stay looking after Caeniir and listen to the infamous hunting trips Erik and Taril had been on.

When they were a good distance from the cottage, Lukha linked arms with her friend. "It is so good to see you again, Sarah."

"You too, Lukha. I missed you all."

A moment passed. Lukha squeezed her friend's arm. "Have you seen him?"

Sarah knew to whom she referred. She felt a sting in her heart. "Yes, last night as a matter of fact. I thought Erik might have said."

"He only hinted, really. I think perhaps he thought it best we speak about it."

Sarah caught her breath sharply. She had known the subject would be raised, yet still, she was unprepared for it. "Not much to speak about really, Lukha. He did not know it was me, I kept my hood up."

"Why?"

They stopped walking and Sarah faced the draenei. "He cast me out Lukha, sent me away. If he'd loved me as I thought, he would not have done that."

"You have it all wrong, my friend. He did it for two reasons. First and foremost, because he loved you so much. But, he knew the Legion would try and invade your home. With that rift open, it could happen at any time."

She tried so hard to keep control as the draenei spoke softly, sincerely. "He could have just closed the rift, Lukha. He didn't have to send me away."

"But then, he thought you may resent him for keeping you from your home, your friends and family. He knew of no other way to your world. He could not bear to have you resent him, to grow to hate him..."

"Why on Azeroth would he think my staying here would have made me hate him? I thought we were in love!" I know I was. Still am, she admitted to herself. Having such feelings for someone who had not wanted her, was proving so hard to deal with.

The draenei took Sarah's hands, holding them gently. Sarah tensed. There was an air about the gesture which smote of something she was not going to like hearing.

Lukha took a deep breath before continuing. "That was the second reason, Sarah. Jaina Proudmore had stepped down as Leader of the Kirin Tor, shortly after the allies reached the Broken Shore. That left the position open. It had been a unanimous decision that Khadgar take up the mantle."

Not quite understanding the implication, Sarah's brow furrowed. Lukha continued. "In that post, certain requirements must be met. It meant he had to renew his vows. They include the state of celibacy, Sarah. He would not be able to be with you as you wanted."

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