Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.

Rated: T just in case…

Author's Notes: People either love or hate this paring…I like it so let's have some fun with it shall we…I hope everyone enjoys this so please leave a review! It would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Fate is not a cat toy

The pillar of light lifted slowly into the air pulsed and was gone. Van dropped his head and scratched the back of his neck and let out a sigh.

He turned to walk back down the path and whispered to himself "…that was the stupid…After all we went through I still never told her how I felt. Note to self don't let that sort of thing happen again. I guess it's better this way" he told himself. "This is not her world and her family and life are on the mystic moon."

So why did he still fell this pain in his chest, this feeling that part of him was gone.

"This is going to be much harder than I thought…" he membled to himself.

He would have a queen, a companion and a family just not any time soon it seemed. He steadied himself and made his way back to his people his friends …Merle saw him walking slowly down the path and dropped to all fours and made a beeline toward him. As she got within range she leapt toward him…

"Lord Van, Lord Van, Lord Van…."

The both hit the ground with a thud…with Merle wrapped around his neck.

"Merle let go you're choking me…" he wheezed as he pried the neko's arms from around his neck.

"Sorry" she said as they got to their feet. "I get a little too excited sometimes" she continued as she dropped her gaze to her feet.

He placed his hand on her head and ruffled her pink hair.

"I guess I could forgive you just this once" he teased. "Come on lets go get something to eat."

As the days past Merle was dying to know why Hitomi had left and if she would return soon. It took her almost a week to get the courage to ask him. They were sitting on the roof late one evening when she could not stand it anymore and had to ask.

"Do you think Hitomi will come back?" she asked not sure she wanted to know the answer.

He clutched the pendant, shook his head and sighed…

"No" was his only response he then got up and went back inside.

Merle sat there in silence for a moment thinking, scheming, plotting…then she mentally smacked herself and whispered "BAD MERLE, the body is not even cold yet give it time…" She leaned back and looked up at the stars "I will make sure you find the perfect companion and are happy no matter what…" She closed her eyes and allowed herself a little time to hope I wish it could be me….she thought.

The next several years passed without too much trouble…There were a few spoiled little tarts that she had to chase away but Van had never given them a second glance anyway. She knew that there would be more trouble around the corner. Vans 19th birthday was coming up and the council was anxious for him to find a queen. He seemed to have no real interest in that as his days were consumed with rebuilding Fanelia and royal duties. His nights were spent training and talking with her or their friends from the destiny war when they visited.

They had always been close but lately there was an odd tension between them. Whenever they were too close or brushed past each other, it made them feel a little out of sorts. They both felt it but neither spoke about it. She never dared hope it was something more but she still wonders if he thinks about it at all.

As she sat and watched him train one evening she admired how kind the years had been to him. He had changed a great deal in nearly four years. He was no longer the lean fifteen year old boy he was much taller and thicker. He was Allen's height and more heavily built very much like his father. She watched him with such intensity that she had started to unconsciously drool…until she caught herself hoping he had not noticed. She had changed as well no longer the gangly little neko she had become a striking young woman. Her hair was still the same short pink mess it had always been. She had adopted a much longer version or her trademark dress with slits up either side to about mid thigh. It allowed her freedom of movement and hid for the most part the woman she had become. She had to wonder if he would ever see her as anything more than a childhood playmate…Her thoughts were interrupted with a sweaty face just inches away from hers. She could feel his breath on her ear as he asked…

"You in there or have you learned to sleep with your eyes open?"

Her other ear was twitching as her eyes glassed over…too close…too close…she was frozen, unable to move.

Then he kneeled and placed his hand on her cheek and continued to speak softly..."Are you ok?"

Dear god his touch was electric…it sent chills up her spine…Ok, ok, ok get a hold of yourself Merle she thought.

She unconsciously leaned into his touch and smiled "Yea just dandy, why". Oh that was real subtle she thought.

"Well I have been talking to you for a few moments and you weren't responding and I was getting worried. You sure you're ok"

"Sorry just lost in thought is all" she responded noting that he had not withdrawn his hand…

"Care to share" he asked as he suddenly realized how close they were and that he was stroking her cheek with his thumb. "Um sorry" he mumbled as he stood and turned away "I don't mean to errr pry…"

What was he doing this was Merle…he was lucky she didn't scratch his eyes out…He rubbed his shoulder and thought; this was starting to get strange…but why?

Trying to lift the tension in the air Merle changed the subject.

"So are you really ready for the ball it's only a few days away" she asked? "All those princesses vying for the handsome king's attention" she said as thought of it made her sick to her stomach.

"No it's something I am not looking forward to at all. I hate to be pawed at, well except by you maybe" he joked. Why did I just say that …what is wrong with me he thought?

Hmmmmm…'Pawed at' …You have no idea she thought to herself…you have no idea…

"Well you have met them all before and none of them interest you?" She asked and cringed a little.

"They are all very nice and polite but they just lack something …they don't seem real. I don't think I would be unhappy if I courted one of them but I don't think I would be truly happy either. They all kind of seem the same, nothing unique. Does that make sense" he asked and turned to face her?

He almost caught her jumping in a personal victory dance but she passed it off as stretch.

He walked over straddling the bench to sit beside her "Merle what am I going to do"?

Well I can make you list, she thought to herself with a mischievous smile. She noticed he was working his shoulder around it range of motion and wincing slightly.

"Overdid it again I see" she stated as she eyed his shirtless form.

"Yea it seems so maybe a hot bath will work the kinks out" he replied.

OK I'll get the candles and …she blushed at her line of thought…but continued to let her mind wander down that path for just a moment more.

"Here let me see what I can do" she said as she slid in behind him on the bench.

She placed her hands on his shoulders the heat of his skin making her a little she began to work the knots and tension from his muscles.

A small sound escaped his throat as he whispered "wow that feels great" After several moments he leaned back into her arms "Merle what would I ever do without you"

She could not speak…her mind screamed say something tell him how you feel…All she could do was to wrap her arms around his chest and place her cheek on his shoulder. She didn't realize she was rubbing her cheek lightly across his shoulder until…

"That kind of tickles" he whispered to her…

Embarrassed she tried to pull away but he grabbed her hands and pulled her tight against him.

"I was also going to say they it feels nice as well" he stated…

This made her blush even harder…good thing no one could tell she thought as she sighed…

Her breath across his back and neck was… wait, wait this is Merle come on Van get a hold of yourself…She is you best and oldest fiend…she is also quite beautiful and those long legs are…he shuttered, come on Van get it together show some control he thought.

The closeness was taking its toll on both of them. Their minds were in a constant back and forth of logic vs what they were feeling in the moment. They both stood with the intention of walking away and escaping this confusing moment. In an attempt to retreat Van turned to leave as Merle stepped forward. As they bumped into each other Merles breath was now ragged as they were way too close for her to be able to handle…Van could feel her breath on his chest and combined with her practically being in his arms was almost more than he could take…

What is going on with me Van thought, Merle is my friend I can't think of her like this…can I? Something just draws me to her…I wonder if she feels it to?

I have got to get out of here before I say or do something stupid…Merle thought.

Before she could move Van placed his hand on her arm. She wanted to look up, to meet his gaze but she lacked the courage. Van found the courage for her as he lifted her chin so her gaze met his…He leaned in slowly closing the small space between them as his lips brushed hers. He felt her shudder as their lips met a second time….

"You majesty are you in here?" a voice called... "Some of the councilors are looking for you…King Van"

A young redheaded servant came in to the training hall and was about to walk into a very interesting scene. As he turned to look Merle wiggled out his grasp and sped away on all fours…

He cursed under his breath "Damn it Margret you have really bad timing…"

He looked back to the open window Merle had escaped through and shook his head.

"Great, now what the hell am I supposed to do…"