But now that the reconstruction efforts were in full swing, your free time was starting to become fewer and further between. The hustle and bustle of a growing halidom meant more needed to be done by Chrom’s chief advisor, baby or not. Gaius was the one who was most worried about it. 

“You know, just because everyone else is getting busy doesn’t mean you have to be, too, Bubbles.”

You glanced up from your work, which you’d been hunched over since dawn. Your husband came around your desk and pulled your chair back, forcing you away from the paperwork.

A small whine escaped you, though your glare was more jovial than annoyed.

“Gaius, these are important documents I have to review. Miriel was insistent that I get her budget proposal finalized by the end of the day-”

“That would’ve been fine four months ago.” He put his arms on either side of you, gripping the back of the chair. “But you’ve been given strict rules not to overwork yourself until the baby’s born. And even then, Maribelle said you’d have to take it easy for another three months.”

“Gods…that’s such a waste of time!”

“She just wants you to ease back a little.” Gaius reminded you, taking your hands and lowering your arms so that they were wrapped around his waist instead. “Which should’ve happened ages ago, in my opinion.”

He gently rested your head on his chest, smiling fondly at his pouting, pregnant wife.

“It’s still too long.” You sighed, squeezing him close.

“Yes, yes. How ever will you survive without working yourself to death?” 

“Oh, hush.” You rolled your eyes, “How about you let me finish this review, and afterwards we can take a nice, long break together.”

“Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?” His question was earnest, which received a warm smile and a squeeze of his hands.

“I would love it if you could bring me some herbal tea. It helps a lot with the back aches, and I’ve been feeling it for the last couple hours.”

“Sure.” He helped you up, “And would you like a sweet treat with that bitter medicinal swill?”

“That would be wonderful, yes.” You grinned at him, leaning up to kiss him. “Thank you for being so perfect.”

“Why don’t you take a little walk in the meantime? That’ll help with the aching while you wait.” 

You opted for a brisk walk in the courtyard, taking in the mild winter air with an appreciative hum. It was so rare that you took time to relax, these days. You made a mental note to take up Gaius’ offers for mid-day strolls more often.

Fifteen minutes felt like more than enough, though, what with duty calling from atop your desk. You would head back in, figuring Gaius would be ready with tea and sprawled across your chair by then. But when you returned to the office, the space was empty; only a cup of tea and some biscuits had appeared in his place.

“Guess he had something come up,” You shrugged, had a sip and a bite, and continued with your work. You made it through half a proposal when something shifted. A strong, pulsing ache in your skull throbbed to life; far too painful to ignore. 

“Ugh…” You groaned, pressing your hands to your head. A sudden migraine was abnormal. The world became blurred, a pit in your stomach. Illness didn’t happen so suddenly; not like this. 

It was poison.

“Gaius…s-someone…” Your words were too quiet and too slurred to be coherent. You tried to stand frome the desk, but your legs gave out from under you. The cup crashed to the floor in your attempt to catch the desk.

You felt the stone strike against your head, and then…there was nothing.

————————-

Gaius was held up by the lack of tea supplies. For some reason, he couldn’t find the right kettle, or the medicinal herbs, or even the cup you preferred. 

The cabinet he kept everything of yours stored in was compromised; Everything was gone.

Gaius wasn’t immediately concerned until every person he asked if they’d seen your herbs or dishes. To his chagrin, none of them had, save for one…who thought they saw him earlier, making your tea. 

An impostor.

Gaius was sprinting back in seconds. Fear and adrenaline spiked, bursting towards your office. He fought the panic as best he could, but deep down, he knew what was coming.

‘It’s been years…dammit, it’s been this long with nothing-!! Why would they go after her now?!’

Gaius swerved around the corner, clearing the corridors and practically running over anyone who stood in his way by mistake. The door to your quarters was still locked, how he’d left it. Surely you returned from your walk by now. He tore the key from his pocket and thrust it open.

“Robin?! Robin!!” He called after you, but received no response. He rushed inside. His heart dropped to the floor.

Your tea cup was shattered on the floor, cold liquid spilled all over the stone. Your desk was a mess, and your window, behind the chair…it was unlatched. 

His stomach dropped. Numbly, he stumbled to the window, closing trembling fingers around a single  flower on the windowsill; a snapdragon blossom.

The calling card of the thieves’ guild.

“Oh no. Oh gods…oh, oh, Robin-” He tripped over his feet, trying desperately to turn on his heel and break out of the room. He raced down the corridor, demanding the Exalt and Shepherds be summoned immediately. 

Gaius shouting “Robin’s been kidnapped!!”, fomented chaos. He was ripping through the palace, and lighting a fire under every single soldier he could find. 

Soon enough, there was a council room filled to the brim with confused and worried soldiers.

“How did she get kidnapped? It’s not even the dead of night– how did anyone miss that?!” Stahl asked right out the gate. 

Frederick grimaced, unfurling a map of the continent and another with schematics of the castle.

“I am uncertain, which is alarming. It is not as if we leave the palace understaffed in terms of security. And Robin is extremely capable of defending herself.”

“That’s because these aren’t your run-of-the-mill criminals we’re talking about.” Gaius said, showing them the flower. “This is a message. It was left on the sill in Robin’s office.”

“A snapdragon.” Miriel observed simply, “It symbolizes deceit, does it not?”

“It does. It’s a message from the thieves’ guild.”

“What?” Sully stared at him, incredulous. “No way! We took down that band of fools ages ago. Hells, you were there! You helped us out!!”

Gaius nodded, recalling the days during the war when he’d provided the imperative information to take apart one of Ylisse’s biggest challenges; its organized crime ring.

He was part of it, long ago. Though it had served as little more than another avenue for him to bring in cash when he needed it. The ties had been cut long ago in an effort to preserve himself and his own interests. 

He needed to build trust with the Shepherds, and he wasn’t concerned about potential fallout. He didn’t have anything to lose, before.

“They’re using Robin to get to me. They won’t give her back willingly, and I don’t know what they want to trade with me in exchange for her safety.” Gaius’ hands were on the table, scouring the maps in an attempt to avoid the pitying eyes of his friends and allies.

“They want revenge.” Chrom’s hand was on his forehead, the gravity of the situation increased exponentially. “If they were able to slip into the palace that easily, they knew how to navigate it. There must be a route that they took, right?”

“There’s a good chance they entered through the catacombs beneath; it would be most difficult to spot them there.”

“And where do these lead to?”

“There’s a network all throughout Ylistol. If they were able to access the royal catacombs, then they likely found an opening. And the entrances to the catacombs are…here, here and here.”

The group gathered around the map as it was marked at the southern and north-eastern sections of the castle.

“If they took that route…it would toss them pretty far from one of their hideouts. Hells, we could throw wyvern riders out there just to be safe, but it’s too open.”

His finger drifted from the southern point to the second marker, tapping his finger against the parchment.

“If they came out here…there’s a hideout 50 kilometers north from here. It’s in the hills, and it’s hard to find-- harder to get access to. If they‘re back in their foxhole, I’d put money on this one.”

“And if they set up a new hideout? One you didn’t help us find?”

“Then I will spend every waking second hunting them down. I’m not leaving a single stone unturned.” Gaius vowed, his glare furious and filled with purpose. 

“Gaius… I understand your concern. We’re all worried about Robin and Morgan. But you mustn’t do anything rash.” Chrom said firmly, “We can’t risk going rogue and getting injured because you lost control trying to get Robin back.”

“But you’re not gonna stop me from trying to find her. I’m not gonna lose her like this!” Gaius snapped.

“And you won’t. We’re bringing Robin home.” Chrom reassured him, “But I don’t want you to get hurt going on your own. I need you to swear you won’t make a move until we can form a plan together, as a unit.”

“As a unit.” He repeated, voice quiet. He glared at the worried faces around the room, “The amount of time it’ll take to get everyone ready is time we can’t waste. Just let me do this on my own!”

“We’re going to rescue her as a team- and that’s an order. Trust in us, Gaius.”

The thief was not happy. He was angry, and he was afraid. The guild didn’t work slowly, and they didn’t want you unless he came as a result.

There was no time to spare. 

Gaius bit his tongue and nodded, relenting to the Exalt’s command. He watched as the group returned their focus to the map, starting to draw together a strategy. 

They would form a final plan within a few hours, at least, and by then everyone would be ready to go.

But where Gaius was concerned, a few hours was a waste of your time.

————————-

“Lord Chrom!!”

Sully’s voice rang out from the armory, where teh Shepherds had gathered hardly an hour earlier. She rushed to him and Lissa, her face pale and jaw clenched.

“Gaius is gone.” She reported grimly, “And Cordelia reported that we’re missing a Master Seal from the armory!”

“Oh gods.” Chrom pinched the bridge of his nose. “He didn’t.”

“We must go quickly.” Frederick spoke from the side, looking just as grim as Chrom. “If he’s hunting them down we cannot risk letting him do even more harm by acting alone.”

The Shepherds were now racing against time for not only their tactician, but a thief who just jeopardized the entire plan to chase you on his own.

Nobody wanted to think about what could go wrong.

————————-

In spite of his efforts to clear out the thieves’ guild all that time ago, he was sstill able to maintain a number of contacts in Ylisse’s underground. Some of thm gracious enough to give him the information he needed to bring you home. 

Tracking the hideout to the northern-most point of the kingdom was what caused the biggest headache. In a few days’ time, he was able to reach the base and identify the small opening he could use as an entryway.

The Master Seal he swiped allowed him to upgrade his class from that of a mere thief to a full-blooded assassin. HIt was something he could’ve done at any time, but to have to be responsible for all those tricky weapons and poisons seemed like such a drag.

He had never been more glad to have access to them now. The blades hidden up his sleeves worked quickly in the cover of darkness, striking out and dispatching any thief unlucky enough to pass him by. 

He was moving quickly through the dark corridors, the hideout in surprisingly poor shape and clearly still under construction. It was clear they had yet to return to their former strength, which he planned to use to his full advantage.

Veiled in black robes, he navigated swiftly towards their holding cells, in the belly of the fort. It wouldn’t be long before he got where he needed to. If they were going to hold a prisoner anywhere it would be somewhere secure…especially given the high status of their victim.

He climbed up to the ceiling, drawing himself up onto the rafters when he approached the entrance to the prison floor.

 Two men on either side of the door; neither had sensed him yet. Without a sound, he snuck his way up to be just over them. With calculated pressure he pressed on the wooden board, eliciting a whining creak. Just as they looked up, a dart struck each of their foreheads.

They both slumped to the floor. That would buy him at least an hour. Gaius dropped silently and filched the keys, descending deeper into the pit of the hideout.

He barely breached the stairwell when he heard a familiar, dry laugh.

“It’s about time you showed up, boy.”

Gaius froze. Standing at the end of the hall, lined by rusting prison bars and stained blood across the stone--

There was his wife, a knife to your throat, your arms and legs bound.

“Robin-!” His heart was in his throat. “Baby, are you hurt? What did they do to you?”

“She’s all right for now, Gaius. But if you don’t want anything to happen to your wife or your child, then you’ll drop your weapons and get your hands up.”

They knew you were pregnant. Of course they knew. 

Gaius lifted his arms, removing his blades and poisons as instructed. Then his hands were in the air.

“All right. It’s all on the floor- I don’t have anything else. Now let Robin go! You know I’m the one you want- there’s no reason to involve her in this, anymore than you have already!!”

“I’m well aware. You gave us all up for a shot at the good life, didn’t you? You thought you could sell out the people that taught you everything you know, just so you could have a shot at the good life. And look at you, now. Cushy job in the castle…byukdubg  a little family…you didn’t think that was gonna really happen, right?”

“Tell me what you want, and let her go- I’ll do whatever you want, so long as she doesn’t get hurt. Just leave her out of this!”

“I’d be happy to…if you hadn’t made such a poor choice. You got to pay for what you did, boy. So here’s what we’re gonna do.”

Gaius’ arms were suddenly yanked behind him, and a boot connected with his stomach before he could even blink.

“Gaius!!”

Your panicked call was quickly silenced with a press of the blade, drawing blood from your throat. Your captor shoved you forward, forcing you to the ground where your husband was writhing on the stained stone.

“This is what I want. We’re gonna beat the shit out of you, like you deserve. Then we’re gonna take your wife somewhere you’re never gonna see her again. And as soon as that little brat of yours is born…they’re gonna be a real thief; my progeny. That’s your penance, for destroying the world we worked so hard to build. You spilled our blood…so I’m taking yours.”

Gaius reached his hand out, inches from where you struggled against your captor’s hold. This wasn’t happening. This was a nightnare. He couldn’t lose everything.

“N-no…please…” He gasped, fire burning his lungs with every attempt.

Instead, he got another boot to his stomach. Blood sprayed from his mouth. You sobbed.

“Stop it- stop it, damn you!! H-he can’t fight back!”

“No, he can’t. Looks like ol’ Sticky-Fingers has gone soft. Now he gets to watch as we rip his entire reason for living right out of his hands.” The bastard sneered, a sick grin spread wide across his face. “Enjoy this moment, boy. It’s the last time you’ll ever see her face again. Though if you grovel…I might reconsider.”

“Huh…” Gaius’ hand touched the man’s boot, “I d-don’t think so.”

All of a sudden the arrogant laughter mutated into a blood curdling scream.

The hands on your restraints ripped away, the man howling with pain and collapsing as he grasped at his foot. Acting fast, Gaius whipped around and slashed the knees of his assailant with a hidden blade, incapacitating the henchman and silencing him before he could so much as breathe his boss’ name. The blade was buried in his chest, leaving Gaius officially weapon-less; but you were back in his arms, which was a far greater advantage.

Gaius grabbed your wrist, pulling you to his side. He struggled to his feet, pulling you up with him while his words tasted like blood on his tongue. “C’mon, baby-- we gotta go before t-the charm wears off!”

“G-Gaius!” You felt him loosen the bindings, before the rumble came from overhead. The ceiling shook, dirt and debris/ falling onto you both. “Gaius what did you do?”

“Poison tag. One of the many…many advantages of the assassin class. Though…I only have a few of those left.” He managed, “He’ll be fine in an hour or so…but for now, he can suffer for what he did…to you.”

“What’s going on upstairs?” You pulled the ropes off, wrapping a shaking arm around his waist in an attempt to stay steady. “Is that the Shepherds?”

“I’d a-assume so…they probably aren’t happy that I came for you without them.” 

“You did what??” You gasped, nearly stumbling over at the shock of what he just said.

“I’ll admit, it wasn’t the best idea to come alone, but…at least they weren’t far behind. This way-” He helped you up the stairs, quick to turn the corner and swivel away from the incoming danger; the remaining thieves were trying to escape the invading Shepherds, and the last thing either of you needed was to be caught in the panic while injured.

“Y-you got beaten half to death and they didn’t know you came after me? W-what were you thinking?! I-I can’t heal these wounds, what if you bleed out o-or break something trying to get away without help?!”

“I needed…to make sure you…were safe.” He grunted, trying to swallow down the pain reverberating through every bone in his body (a few of them were definitely broken from those kicks…damn bastards). His hand fell to your middle, the smallest swell of a baby bump skimmed by quivering fingers. “I wasn’t gonna w-wait around while you were stuck here. If they hurt you…”

“They didn’t. Ill be sore for a few days, but they didn’t hurt me. Not like that.” You pressed  a kiss to his cheek, hugging him tight. “There’s a room off the corridor, here…let’s try to stop the bleeding while we wait for the others.”

“Don’t worry about it…this won’t be enough to stop me. We can keep going until we’re outta here--  the sooner we get out of this hellhole, the better I’ll feel..”

“Not if you punture a lung trying to walk with those bones…we can wait for help in there.” You murmured, squeezing him close. “Now stop talking so much. You’re gonna exacerbate the bleeding.”

Gaius nodded, relinquishing control to his dear wife. You did have a good point; the sensations he felt were more excruciating than pleasant.

He was able to stay conscious long enough to see Maribelle and Vaike careen into the room half an hour later- and could barely make out the incoherent scolding and shouting from his angry superiors when more Shepherds found out you were safe with him.

Halfway through the helaing session, he fell unconscious, hand gripped tightly in yours. He wouldn’t come to until late, late that night. Gaius found himself in a cot, tucked away in some northern village clinic. 

He attempted to turn on his side and found that everything still hurt, but he was tied up in bandages from head to toe…

But upon completing the regrettable turnover in the bed, he discovered his wife curled up beside him, sleeping soundly with your hands on your baby bump.

Gaius accidentally woke you up by hugging you as tightly as he possibly could, peppering you with a thousand kisses that you couldn’t escape from if you tried.

You were safe. The baby was healthy, and both spouses would be assigned a long, gentle recovery period until you could return to work.