Disclaimer – I do not own FE, I own a lot of things but unfortunately not FE. No w00t ;;

Have your thoughts ever crossed if Matthew had died while Leila had lived instead?

Well this is my version of what would have happened if so, enjoy!

Prologue –With or Without you

I stood there, my eyes pouring down upon your leanly built body. Your silky skin shining through the lush yet bitter grass as I approached your body, as it lay motionless. Your eyes, always bright and devious, yet loving. I brushed away your fringe to show your closed eyes, however lifeless, still more beautiful than ever. It was calming but painful to see you there without the sight cheery smile to bring my own. I felt the tears, but they would not come. No, he would not want that.

My one and only love. Matthew...

It was so long ago that we first met; still I remember them as clear as day.

The day shone bright, as I strode toward Lord Uther. He greeted me briskly...

"Milady Leila, it is good to see you after so long" the well-respected Lord had said to the young Thief as she came through the great halls of the large castle of Ostia.

"Please, Leila. Lord Uther, it is well to see you too," I added quickly as I nodded in greeting.

"So I see you received my invitation to return back to work for us then?" Lord Uther quickly added.

I sighed and nodded lightly "Indeed, I did..."

A cold silence followed for a few moments as the patient Lord awaited my answer as I twiddled my dagger.

I sighed once more and nodded "We all have to earn some gold somehow, so I guess so..."

"Excellent" Lord Uther added happily "Perhaps you might want to meet your partner?"

"Partner?" I choked

Lord Uther nodded and added significantly "Indeed, his name is Matthew, a skilled spy much like yourself."

At that moment, a young man walked casually toward the pair of us. His boyishly good looks not suiting the demeanor of him at all.

Lord Uther introduced us encouragingly "Leila, meet Matthew. Matthew, meet Leila."

The man stuck his hand out eagerly and shook my own, his cute, calm eyes not wavering from my own as he greeted me.

"Hello, Leila. It's nice to meet you." He cheerfully said to me.

I quickly responded "Yeah, you too."

I blushed slightly as his eyes did not move from my own. He was very good looking.

Lord Uther hurriedly spoke "Well I would love to explain the details of this mission to the pair of you but I have a few errands to run. Everything you need to know is in here" Lord Uther handed me a sealed parchment envelope, nodded and briskly walked away.

I glanced over to the other thief, Matthew and stared at him for a moment as he did the same to me before noticing and speaking with a cheery smile "Your hair, it's very lovely"

My attention soon turned to my hair as I went beet red after noticing how it seemed to be messier than I thought it was. "M-my hair? I apologize...I-I was rather late to get to Ostia castle this mourn," my only excuse seemed effective, or so I thought.

Matthew just smiled and shook his head "Oh, don't apologise. I like it, I really do."

I turned even redder than before, I stuttered a flimsy "t-thank you..." and proceeded on toward outside to settle down and read the mission briefing as Matthew followed eagerly.

Well there is the first chap. Yeah I know it's a little short and Matthew is kind of out of character but that's what you do when you're in love, I guess.

R and R. If not, I poke j00 with a pointy stick! pokes