AN: I felt like an Eva/MollyxAikka moment. Not sure where this one will go, might remain a one shot might not.

Summary: Years later two rivals and friends meet. They have change but clearly their feelings haven't.

Flame

Eva stared out into the rich orange sunset of the Nourasian sky. It was a long space trip here but it was really worth it, or so she thought.

This place was a lot different then earth. For one it was larger then the small blue pearl of a plane, two the trees were a strange blue-green color and the earth had an odd reddish tone. It was all strangely Alien to her.

No pun intended.

She took a deep breath and turned to face her bedroom for the next year. It was deiced by the Earth Federation that she be the ambassador to Nourasia. Why her? Eva asked herself this when they forced it on her and pretty much kicked her into the awaiting space craft. "That was simple" they had said. "you knew the prince during the race and now he is king."

Like that was suppose to mean anything. That was ten years ago, he has to be married, kids, and he was king now. An old flame like her would mean nothing, just another one of the women kissing his feet and the ground he walked on. Plus she didn't want to be here with him, doing work togehter for the next year, and most of all she didn't want to see his wife.

After all she still had a bit of fire left in her flame.

Taking a deep breath she scanned it. It was very nice. A four post bed with expensive looking sheets, a large closet, beautifully carved vanity, soft fur rugs placed in convenient places and most of all a huge bath tub with little fish like creatures as the fountains. It was a room for a princess.

In other worlds something that shouldn't have been for her. Maybe there was a mix up and they gave her the wrong room. So her bags remained packed waiting for them to come and take her to some plain looking room with no great view of the city and an uncomfortable bed.

Three days past and no such thing.

It was starting to make her nervous. In three days she has been shuffled around meeting to meeting. Three days of boring old men telling her what to say and not say. Three days of long lectures of Nourasian culture and conduct. Three long days and no Aikka.

Tomorrow she would see the city finally. It was something she looked forward to; after all it was better then lectures. Taking a deep breath Eva tore her self away from her balcony like window and walked towards the door.

'Young women should never be without an escort.'

"Screw that." Opening her door Eva broke protocol number 64.

--

Somewhere between the second left to the right and the right, right, left Eva found some open ground on top of something. She had no idea what room lay below her feet but she didn't care. Here she could see all the little lights of the homes below and beyond the castle grounds. The warm yellow glow from each window was a beautiful sight. They would look like stars if she could only get higher.

Stretching out her arms Eva let the westward wind assault her. She could still feel the warmth of the breeze. The wind beat away the chill for the moment. It was like someone warping their arms around you. Warm and inviting.

Yet she knew it would chill once night fully took over. The warm breeze would turn cold and bitter. Like all great loves, Eva added mentally. There was no true happy ending, just bitter ones. She should know experience told that much. Ten years and four different love stories for one Eva Wei. Two were racers which didn't work out for fan girl and boy reasons. One was with a friend, which was better left as a friend. As for the last one… it was well messy to say the least.

It wasn't like she had the problems in the relationship. One of them said she had trouble committing, the same one said it was the abandonment issues due to her father… what else did he say? Oh yes, that she couldn't hold down a long term relationship to save her life. That was so not true.

It was just no one met up to her standards. The two racers were selfish and snobs and treated her like a weakling girl. That wouldn't do for Eva Wei winner of the Avatar's prize. That wouldn't have done at all. Next was her gun man Jordan. She just went through a messy break up and he was there. A shoulder to cry on to really pin it to anything. It just turned out to be more by the end of the night. Oh they tried afterwards but it wasn't meant to be. Plus there was this cute girl that would be prefect for him.

And as for the last Romance….

She rather not talk about that or even think about it.

Her mind lost in the past she didn't feel the extra person on the roof top. Nor did she sense him approach her and lean down towards her ear.

"Pretending you have wings Miss Eva?"

Hot breath danced along her chilled skin making the hair standup on end. Turning slowly she faced the once prince now king.

"Aikka…"

"I am surprised you recognize me." He teased slightly a small smile on his thin lips. "What are you doing up here alone?"

"I…I…."

"No Matter." Taking her arm he wound it around his and began to walk. "Always one to break the rules aren't we Miss Eva?"

All she could do was stare and gape her mouth a little at him.

"I had them send for you, dinner you know? But they said you weren't in your room." Sharp and clear blue eyes shifted their way towards her. "it was good that I found you first."

"W-why?" 25 and still nervous, geez she really grew up lots.

"Because here in the royal home, everything depends on protocol and rules. You will be living here for a year, thus there are things you must follow. Offending someone here is not like offending someone on your own world Miss Eva." He paused slightly and lessen his sharp tone some. 'We may be a peaceful race but we are also strict. Here social manners means everything. It will get you what you want or it will bar you from it."

"I… see." Oh yeah that was what that Irukia was talking about. She should have really listened to that lecture.

"Good, tonight you will meet most of my court. " He eyed her clothing for a moment. "Did my servants not take you shopping?"

"I think… that was tomorrow."

"I see….well then this proves to be a problem. Do you have any dresses within your clothing from earth?"

Dresses? What were those? Eva tried to make a thoughtful like pose with one hand. She didn't want to tell him the last time she wore a dress willingly was at age five. After that it was all boy clothes and rebel like behavior. Rules meant nothing and she was there to break them setting records for the future generations to break.

"no?"

Aikka let out a groan for a moment then stopped in his fast pace walk. "Then you will borrow my sisters you two look the same size I think…" The king turned sharply taking Eva with him down another long hallway.

How the hell did he know where to go? This place was like a never ending maze. Eve tried to mark anything that stood out, so if she did get lost it was possible to find a way back. Distracted with that task she didn't notice Aikka opening a door and taking them both inside. Quickly the prince let go of her arm and went to search through his sister's clothing. Finding something he deemed correct he gently handed it to a confused Eva.

"What?" She muttered softly.

"Go change."

"Now?"

"yes now."

Eying him she entered the bathing room to change. It was beautiful white and gold two piece. It was almost like the Arabic style you would see in the old movies. Maybe a little belly dancer like in the design. She guessed the trim was made out of their rare stones and gems and the gold-sliver like material was their version of gold. Toying with her air she tried to look finish the transformation.

It helped that she left the earring studs and goggles at home. Her hair was still the same however. Sneaking a peek in the mirror Eva smiled softly at herself. It was strange to see herself in such fancy clothing or girly clothing at that. After the race she and her father did patch things up but he made it his new life's mission to transform her more into a young woman. Needless to say it didn't really work.

A year after the great race Eva became an official star racer pilot. Her manager was none other then Rick Thunderbolt. It was a great combo. There wasn't a race she didn't win and there wasn't an rival she couldn't beat. That lasted for four years until the new president indirectly forced her into a position for the Earth Federation.

Five year since the race Eva was doing desk work and talking with the leaders of other worlds. Eva went to all the balls, had dinners with the royal and the insanely rich, and became a real lady among the sociable. Yet it didn't kill the love of racing, the rush, the power, and the feel of the win. It just became a hobby.

A hobby….

Confident in her looks Eva stepped out to see a smiling King. Arm extended towards her, Eva gently wrapped her arm around it and then they were off. Walking down the long hallway and through a few doorways they soon reached the destination . This was the doorway into a new world, and that's when she saw a bit of hesitation in the young king.

"What?"

"Nothing." Giving her one last smile the two entered.

Flashy and bright. Those would be the two words Eva could put to the dinning room. The table was low and you sat on cushions instead of chairs. Bright while and gold colored sheets of some kind of fabric lined the large open windows and the wall. Gold and sliver flashed from the lights making her squint. Everyone appeared overly dressed for just one dinner.

It was just like when she was on earth.

'I wanted to get away from this… maybe I will take my dinners in my room…'

Aikka gently lead her to the seat on his right. Eva had enough sense to let him sit first before seating herself. After a few opening statements later and the king took his first bite of the meal, the other began to eat. It was awkward to say the least. They talked in hushed tones and kept eyeing her. After ten minutes it became annoying.

There was this one noble, Eva guessed, and she didn't like the look in his eyes at all. 'you won't get what you want by screaming and yelling Eva…calm…… calm….calm…'

"So Lady Eva…." His voice even sounded sleazy. "How do you like our lovely home?"

She took a deep breath before replying. "Its lovely, and your culture is simply amazing. I truly look forward to my stay here." Then Eva flashed her award winning smile.

"I am glad to hear that Lady Eva. What do you say to allowing me to escort you to town tomorrow morning?" Damn! She mentally cursed him. It would be rude to say no because she didn't want him to escort her. There wasn't enough time to make up a lie and she couldn't reject him.

In other words she was stuck.

"I have already made plans with Lady Eva tomorrow." Her head snapped towards the king. There was something in his eyes, something she had never seen before. Just a quickly as he came the lord left her alone. The women among the court began to whisper to each other about things Eva couldn't hear. Not like she wanted to anyways.

At last the dinner came to an end.

Aikka was her escort again and lead her away from the royal court. They talked about politics on the long and slow walk back to her room. What this treaty would mean, how they would help each other, and what the other would get in the long run. She was to get to know the people for a year and then return to earth. That was the deal. As for Nourasians they have already sent one of their representatives. At the end of the year the two world would meet and decide on a course of action.

She hoped it worked out fine.

For the last few minutes of the walk the talking stopped. They just enjoyed the soft quiet that hung in the air. There was something comfortable about it, like words would only ruin it. So they just didn't talk. Yawning softly into her shoulder Eva wondered if they could always be like this. A couple just walking down a long hallway not needing words and enjoying just the feel of the other.

With all her other lovers there was something missing. Was this it? This feeling of nothing? No it wasn't nothing… it was defiantly something. Whatever it was she lacked it with the others.

"Tried princess?" Blue eye shifted down towards her.

"Not at all!" Eva gave him the strong girl muscle arm and flexed it a little. "I think I ate too much."

"You hardly ate at all."

"you were watching me?"

"No, I just simply noticed you pushing your food around and when the plates were remove you barely put anything in your mouth." Aikka came to a stop. "you are far too skinny as it is." In other words yes.

This was a first, Eva just let her mouth hang open a little. "I was thinking."

"About?" The king removed his arm from hers so he could cross it over the chest.

"Like…..Like….I don't know stuff!"

A thin eyebrow lifted itself.

"Fine. I was busy being homesick."

"Homesick? You miss…?"

Caught in some sort of trap Eva just looked towards the side. "I.. I left things on pretty bad terms with people I care about."

"A lover?"

Oh he just had to be blunt! "yeah…something like that…We got in a fight while I was packing. He said if I left he won't be here this time." Running a hand through her hair Eva took a step back then stomped her foot. "I mean! He knows I have to go on long trips like this! The president thinks that I am the only one he can trust with inter-world relations. Really thought! He leaves me with no social time, no life of my own! Then lays this crap on me sayings its for the good of earth GUH!" This time she kicked the wall.

"I want to ring that guys neck! I know its wrong but really! I didn't ASK to work for him. His dumb men in black showed up saying that he had to see me. Then I was forced into this job! And my boyfriend well couldn't understand that, well he does but he still drives me up the walls and I think the same on his side. We just weren't…I guess meant for each other. I care for him… and I love him…but not like I should." Breath ragged Eva sheepishly looked at Aikka. That little rant had been waiting to slip out at anytime. She was just glad it was with him.

His face was thoughtful as if chewing on the information he was given. "I see… so you do not want to be here?"

"no… that's not it. I truly do love it here. It's just him. OH you most likely don't understand your girlfriend must love that sort of thing. You know the soon to-be-queen thing if you are that serious about her." Eva waved her hand back and forth trying to cover up her own problems.

"There is no other in my life at this moment." Something in his voice made Eva's hair stand up on end. Of course, it was in the good way might she add.

"Oh." Smiling now Eva took a few steps forward. "guess we are in the same boat then."

The two continued on their way towards her room. Once there, softly spoken goodbyes were exchanged and the soft click of the door sounded the end to a wonderful day. Now the next 361 Eva wasn't so sure about.