A/N: Yes, I'm back! FFXII is my new obsession, Bal x Ashe is my new OTP. Now that that is cleared up ...

I've been so busy and so AWOL lately, and I apologize sincerely to everyone who has been waiting/hoping that I might update some of my other stories. At this point in time, I just don't see that happening. I do hope that you'll enjoy this offering however. It's actually already finished, it's just a matter of me getting it posted! lol

Disclaimer: I own nothing, I'm making nooo money off of this whatsoever. Square Enix created the characters, places, etc. I just like to play with them! XD

Part One
Into the Fire

Sitting in the Sandsea Tavern in Rabanastre, his thoughts were miles away. He held the silver band in the palm of his hand, almost as though he was testing its weight. In a way, he supposed that he was. Testing the weight of responsibility that he had chosen to shoulder.

He wanted to say that he didn't know why he had agreed to this foolhardy scheme. But, with a sardonic smile, he knew that he must admit the truth of the matter, but only to himself. Of course he knew why he'd agreed to it.

It would tarnish his reputation if word were to get around that a pair of sad, ice-blue eyes had become his downfall. Of all the girls in all the lands, none of them had managed to appeal to that deeper part of him. Until her.

True, he could have said no. Walked away, gone back to doing what he did best -- pirating. But what kind of leading man would that make him?

Funny, that. He'd never imagined in all his wildest fantasies that his leading lady would turn out to be a somewhat surly, entirely-too-serious Princess.

Fran sat across from Balthier, studying her partner with keen observance. Something was troubling him, and that in turn, troubled her. She'd known Balthier for many years, and only a few things caused him to look the way he looked now. One of those things was his father, but she knew that wasn't likely the cause of his disquietude. No, she sensed something much different about him now. She reached across the table and touched his hand in reassurance.

He jumped ever so slightly, and the viera frowned. Balthier was known for his keen awareness. Nothing took him by surprise. "Balthier," she began cautiously. She wasn't afraid of him, no, on the contrary, but she still knew when to tread lightly. His hazel eyes snapped in her direction. "You are troubled this night," she continued. "Do you wish to talk about it?"

He looked at her, saw his best friend, his confidante, his soulmate -- and he couldn't tell her. Mainly because he couldn't even tell himself. "Fran, it's nothing," he said offhandedly.

Fran nodded, and hoped her eyes did not show the hurt she felt. Balthier had never lied to her before. The she noticed it. The silver band that he was holding in his hand, unconsciously rubbing with his thumb as though it were a worry stone.

The ring -- Lord Rasler's ring. The ring that he had taken from -- the ring that he'd taken from Ashe that very afternoon.

Lady Ashe. Princess Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca, if you wished to be formal about it. The steel-willed, cool-eyed heiress to the Dalmascan throne. Fran had seen the familiar flicker of interest in Balthier's eyes upon first seeing the Lady -- but Balthier got that look for nearly every pretty female (and occasionally some un-pretty ones) that he came in contact with. That was nothing new. It would have concerned Fran more if the interest hadn't been there. It was no secret that Balthier loved women -- and they certainly loved him in return.

No, there was nothing amiss that Fran could discern ... but she still felt ill-at-ease about the situation.

"Why did you agree to this quest?" she asked him after a long pause. "You must know where it's likely to lead us."

"I know," Balthier said quietly, taking a long drink of his ale.

"Will you tell them, before?" the viera inquired.

He knew she spoke of his father. The Empire's own "mad scientist". "Why bother, Fran? It won't likely change things, now will it?"

She smiled wanly. "No, I suppose not."

"Well, see? No need getting everyone worked into a lather over something of little consequence."

"There you are!" Penelo's voice cried out from behind him. She approached their table, Vaan in tow. "Basch sent us to find you."

"Afraid we'd run off, was he?" Balthier said, winking at the young blonde girl.

"Actually, I think he was," Penelo replied, cheeks flushing at the dashing sky pirate's attention.

Vaan grabbed a seat and began munching on the pretzels that were in the middle of the table. "Well, actually, it was Ashe who was worried about that."

Penelo whirled on him as Balthier's head snapped up. "Vaan, she told you not to say anything!" Penelo said through gritted teeth.

"Whoops," Vaan said, obviously embarrassed.

"What's this about Ashe?" Fran asked, looking back at Balthier.

"Oh, well, she just thought ... anyone insensitive enough to take her husband's ring might be insensitive enough to run off with no warning," Penelo mumbled quickly, not meeting the pirate's eyes. She winced when she heard Balthier's sharp intake of breath. "But you have to understand! She's very upset tonight! I mean, Vossler turned on her -- he was the person she trusted most. And now she's traveling with a bunch of strangers, and on top of all that, you took Rasler's ring ... it's been a long day for the princess."

Balthier's eyes closed as he felt the the guilt creep over him. It wasn't an emotion he was accustomed to, and it didn't feel good.

"She didn't mean it, Balthier," Vaan said simply. "She's just tired tonight."

"I'll be back, Fran," Balthier said, standing up. "I have an apology to make."

Fran nodded once, and watched him go, completely baffled. Balthier didn't apologize for anything. It simply wasn't in his nature. So, why ...?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To say that Ashe was in a foul temperament was a gross understatement. She stomped around the tiny room the group had rented at Rabanastre's seediest inn, exhaling noisily and with much contempt.

"Highness, you need rest," Basch implored. "We have much traveling to do tomorrow."

"Don't tell me to rest. I'm not tired!" Ashe retorted hotly. Sighing, she flopped down to the floor in a most ungracious manner. "I apologize. It isn't you I should be angry with. You did not betray me today."

"Apology accepted," Basch said wryly, an amused twinkle in his dark blue eyes. Ashe felt the corners of her mouth quirking upward despite herself.

"Basch?" she asked after a few moments.

"Yes, Highness?"

"Do you think that he left?" Her voice sounded forlorn, child-like. She hated that, but for some reason unbeknownst to her, it couldn't be helped.

"Who?" Basch asked, puzzled.

"Balthier," Ashe sighed softly, not meeting her guardian's eyes.

Basch was silent for a long moment. "No, Highness. I don't believe that he did. Pirate he may be, but I think we can trust him. I think you should trust him," he told her.

Ashe nodded. "I suppose you are right." She paused, looked around. "I am tired. Would you mind giving me a moment?"

"Of course." Basch stood and exited the room with a quick bow.

As soon as she was alone, Ashe sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off her boots. She unfastened her shin- and wrist-guards, and then slid out of her traveling clothes. She went to her small knapsack and pulled out a simple, ankle-length cotton nightgown in a soft shade of pink, and slid it over her head. She knew that this may well be the last time for a long time she'd be afforded such simple luxuries as wearing a nightgown or sleeping in an actual bed.

She tied her hair up and began pulling the blankets down when she heard the door creak open. "Don't you knock, Basch? Suppose I was still naked?"

"Well, that would be very interesting indeed, Princess."

Oh, gods. Not Basch. Ashe's pulse quickened at the voice and her fists tightened around the bedclothes. Luckily her back was to him, so he couldn't see the fear/humiliation/excitement on her face. Especially not the excitement. She herself was horrified at the notion that he sparked any kind of interest at all from her.

"What are you doing in here?" she demanded in her coolly regal tone.

"Enjoying the view," Balthier said smugly. He laughed heartily when she spun around, ice-blue eyes shooting daggers. "Ah, that got your attention."

She glared at his teasing expression. "This is very improper. You're aware of that, aren't you?"

"Princess, we all have to share this room. In fact, I'd garner a wager that you'll be sharing that bed of yours by the time all is said and done, and probably a dozen others along the course of this journey. I'd say it isn't really a matter of propriety as it is necessity," Balthier said breezily, sitting on the corner of the bed.

"Well, there may be truth in that," Ashe said slowly, uncertainly.

"Good." Baltheir nodded. "I came to apologize to you. I'm not in the habit of apologizing, but I felt that I owed you one."

"I'm listening," Ashe said, tilting her chin up in a slightly haughty fashion that made Balthier want to laugh.

"I'm sorry for taking Lord Rasler's ring today," he said simply.

Ashe looked at him, really looked at him. "You -- are?"

"Don't mistake me, Princess. I'm not sorry I took the ring. I'm just sorry I took it today after what you went through with Vossler," Balthier explained.

"Oh, I see. So the fact that you took the only thing left to me of my husband --"

"Your late husband," Balthier interjected.

"Excuse me?" Ashe said sharply.

"You called him your husband. I simply corrected you," Balthier replied matter-of-factly.

"Just because he died does not make him less of a husband to me," Ashe hissed.

"Is that so?" Balthier asked. "So he's able to do all the things for you that a husband should? He's able to protect you, provide for you -- make love to you?" Without realizing it, Balthier had stood up and was now standing mere inches from the Princess.

"I don't need anyone to protect or provide for me!" Ashe cried, flustered for reasons she couldn't fathom.

"And the rest?" Balthier asked, softer now. His fingers had found a loose tendril of Ashe's hair and were stroking it absently. "How long has it been, Princess?"

Ashe shoved him back with such force that he nearly lost his footing. "Not long enough," she spat at him contemptuously. "If I live to be a hundred it won't be long enough."

"Fair enough," Balthier said, turning to go. He got to the door and paused. "I'm not going anywhere," he said. "Whether you believe me or not, I'm going to help you get your crown back.

"Oh. And I took Rasler's ring because you looked terribly sad whenever you'd look at it. I want to help you with that, as well. Perhaps someday you'll permit me."

Ashe bit her bottom lip and blinked back tears that she was unaccustomed to. "Don't hold your breath," she told him coolly.

He nodded. He'd expected no less from her. "Goodnight, Princess."

The door clicked shut behind him, and she heard voices on the other side. Concern for her, Balthier telling everyone to give her a moment or two.

She fell onto the bed with a long, heavy sigh. Her body felt as though it were coiled up around itself, and her hands were shaking inexplicably.

She had loved Rasler with every fiber of her being -- would always love him as such. They'd grown up together, and had been ecstatic when they'd learned of their betrothal. She knew that they would have ruled a happy and peaceful Dalmasca.

But there was no more hope of that. Even if she managed to regain her crown and restore her lost kingdom, she would be ruling alone -- at least, until a suitable match could be made. But she couldn't imagine that anyone would ever compare to the husband she'd lost. She'd had so little time to be happy with him ...

And now ... now there was Balthier. Gods help her, she didn't know what to feel about him. He was maddeningly charming, undeniably handsome -- but was he trustworthy? And did that even matter? The truth of the matter was, he stirred feelings in her that hadn't been stirred since Rasler. And just admitting that to herself felt like betrayal.

She had spent two years in hiding, two years trying to get her life pieced back together. Two years she'd thought of naught but Dalmasca. She hadn't let herself feel, because if she did, she'd remember Rasler, and she'd wish she were dead. It wasn't until a chance meeting in the Garamsythe Waterway that any flicker of emotion had come her way, unbidden though it was.

On the Leviathan, when they had come to rescue her, his was the first face she saw -- but so much happened that she'd had no chance to think about what it all meant. She'd never dreamed that she would be traveling with this motley group of people -- never dreamed that anyone would care about her plight as she did.

He was a sky pirate. Treasure was of utmost importance to him. But he seemed to want her, as well. Or perhaps she was mistaking nothing but a bit of trifling for something more.

And then there were her own feelings to consider. Just allowing herself to feel anything for anyone felt like the worst kind of treachery. But try as she might, and she had tried mightily, they wouldn't go away. It had taken everything she had to push Balthier away earlier. She knew in her heart that if she let him kiss her -- all would be lost.

And she wouldn't lose all to a dastardly sky pirate. She couldn't. She prayed to the gods for the strength of will that she would need to resist the irresistible.

The door clicked open and Ashe pulled the blankets up to her chin. "You okay now, Ashe?" Penelo asked.

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you," Ashe replied, her eyes following Balthier covertly. She watched as everyone spread out blankets and bedrolls on the floor of the tiny room. It had been decided before that the Princess would get the bed, since it was likely to be the last they'd see for a while.

Basch slept near the door, ever the loyal guardian. Penelo and Vaan lay very near to one another. Near enough to make Ashe wonder. Fran took a spot near the bed, and that's when Ashe realized with horror that the floor was completely full. She doubted there was enough room for a moogle down there, let alone --

Balthier sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his boots, whistling all the while.

Ashe groaned. "This is ridiculous!" she hissed. "What are you doing?" Her eyes widened as he removed his leather vest and linen shirt.

He lay down beside her and yawned. "It would appear that I'm going to sleep."

"No, no, no." Ashe shook her head firmly. "This is unacceptable."

Balthier tossed her a quick grin. "Better be quiet. Everyone else is asleep."

"Get out of my bed," she demanded.

"Where would you have me sleep, Princess?" he asked dryly.

"Well, switch with somebody!" she whispered vehemently.

"Go to sleep, Princess." He snuffed out the bedside candle, throwing the room into darkness.

Ashe lie there, keenly aware of the body beside hers.

How long has it been, Princess? she heard his voice echoing in her head as she tried to fall asleep.

Too long ...