Garnet and Zidane stood side by side, gazing at the grave of Dagger's adoptive mother. It had only been hours since Zidane's return to her and in that time they'd sneaked away from everyone else, desperate to be alone and just take in that fact that they were finally together again.

Dagger sighed, it had been eight months since everything had happened, their adventure had started and ended so suddenly and with so much going on, she hadn't even realised she had fallen in love. Not until she came so close to losing him had she allowed her heart to rule her head, no more considering everything from the point of view of a princess, just her and her heart.

Zidane's tail snaked around her waist and gently pulled her into him, he turned and enveloped her into an embrace, breathing in her scent. It was this moment he had fought for, kept himself alive and struggling with a broken body for, just to hold her and have her return his love.

"How did you escape?" she whispered into his chest.

Zidane pondered this, he had a very long story to tell, battles and excruciating pain, the loss and regain of hope… but he decided to summarise his entire journey with one sentence.

"I had to, I wanted to come home to you… so, I sang your song"

Dagger smiled and looked into his eyes.

"Our song…"

No longer being able to hold back, Zidane bent his head forward and kissed her. Dagger felt like she was melting into him, becoming one with him with just a kiss. It was so soft yet she felt like he was burning into her. Breaking apart slowly they looked at one another. Dagger could feel the words fighting to get out.

'Say it; just tell him… you both know anyway…'

Zidane moved in for another kiss, intending to make this one last a lifetime when he heard a voice behind them.

"Zidane! Your back… I am so gonna beat you!"

"Eiko, whoa! What did I do?" He laughed as she flung herself into his arms, similarly to how Garnet had just hours before, and sure enough she pummelled his chest… though with more enthusiasm then Garnet had.

"Months! What the hell could have taken you months to do before getting home? You better not have met someone else, because if you have I'll-"

"Eiko! It takes a while to recover from a place like the Lifa Tree going mental and exploding on you!" Zidane set her down and scratched his head.

Eiko looked up at him, all anger gone from her eyes and gasped, 'Oh gosh, Dagger why have you got him outside then? He should be resting, how inconsiderate!" She crossed her arms and pouted, the couple couldn't help but laugh at her. Since being adopted by Cid she'd certainly gained a new side to her personality, but deep down she was still the same loud little Eiko.

"It seems you're alive then, thank you for letting us know" came the voice of Freya with mock annoyance.

"Yeah… sorry, heh! I was a little distracted!"

Soon the whole gang where back together and eating in the castle, Zidane had been very upset that he hadn't been back in time for when Vive 'stopped'. But was both glad and shocked when he saw the numerous mini-vivi's modelled on his old friend.

The dining room was full of laughter, even Steiner seemed happy Zidane was back, he leaned across the table and whispered to her, 'If it makes you happy Your Highness…'. Dagger smiled and whispered back, 'Would this have anything to do with a certain General?'. Steiner blushed and looked away, Dagger chuckled to herself and helped herself to ice cream, unaware of the blonde bandit's eyes following her every move.

He loved her smile, the sound of her gentle laughter. These were all thing's that kept him going when anyone else would have given up and died. He wanted her to know that, he was suddenly overcome with an urge to stand, sweep Dagger into his arms and…

The following thoughts made him blush, especially when Quina caught his eye and exclaimed, 'Zidane! You look like tomatoe!'

Thankfully only he, Freya and Dagger heard, he couldn't help but grin when Dagger sent him a dazzling smile. Clearing her throat she insisted it was time everyone left, blaming Zidane's need for some much needed rest.

Amarant grunted and patted Zidane on the back as his form of, 'Good-bye, good to see you again'. Quina disappeared into the kitchens and the many little Vivi's said good-bye in unison and headed off, they were staying in a local inn before travelling home to the black mage village. Eiko sobbed, she didn't want to go, but Freya escorted her out preparing to take her home to Lindblum before returning to Bermecia and Sir Frately. Steiner excused himself and left to find Beatrix, when Zidane gave him a knowing wink he blushed before saluting and hurried out.

This left Zidane and Dagger alone once more.

"Where you planning on returning to Tantalus?" she asked quietly.

Zidane scratched his head, "Well err, I hadn't actually thought of that…"

"Well they're not returning to Lindblum for a while, your welcome to stay here" She blushed and looked away. Zidane smiled and walked to her, they were barely inches apart. He raised his hand pushed the hair from her face, it had grown long again and was falling from her hairclip. Not knowing why he leaned against her, and took it from her hair. Dagger gasped inwardly, there bodies so close she could smell his skin, feel his own hair against her cheek. She smiled as he pulled away, discarding the clip and watching as her hair fell across her shoulder's, she'd never looked so beautiful.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm not the only one who needs a haircut" she nodded at his own long hair. It was still pulled back in a ponytail but it was much longer… she couldn't help but think of the similarities it brought out between himself and Kuja. If he let it down she was sure, in this light, he'd look just like him.

The smile dropped from her face, Zidane frowned as he played with his hair.

"I can call a maid, you could do with a bath too you know!"

"Ah! I travel all this way to be told I smell eh? Well there's love for you!"

The room was filled with an awkward silence at this last statement, Dagger blushed and Zidane cleared his throat, 'I meant er…'

"Your Highness, Master Tribal? Are you in need of assistance?"

Dagger groaned inwardly, Steiner must have sent her. It seemed the young couple were doomed to be continually interrupted.

"Actually Valeria, could you prepare a bath and some fresh clothes for Zidane… the same for me if you don't mind"

"Of course Your highness" Valerie bowed out of the room.

"Wow, Master now huh!" Zidane whistled, 'Looks like I'm moving up in the world!"

"You'll stay?" Dagger said quickly.

"Of course" Zidane looked into her eyes and saw the joy, one thing was on his mind though… "Er that girl, Valeria… she won't be helping in the bath now will she?"

"Why do you want her too?" Dagger's heart plummeted.

"No no… just if anyone was gonna help me-"

Dagger hit him playfully and smiled, "No can do, I'm a queen now. It's not very becoming of me is it?"

Zidane smirked and crossed his arms, "So… if you weren't a queen, your highness.."

Dagger blushed and pushed him out of the door, "The bathroom's that way, I'll see you later"

She pointed to a long corridor and walked away. Zidane scratched his head, something he did a lot he noticed. Sighing, he began another treacherous journey. Finding a bathroom in a place like this!

A/N: well well, what next huh? I read some stuff by other people and couldn't help but try myself… it feels a bit lacking in my opinion? What do you think?

Ps… next chapter should be more exciting… I've got some bad guys making a comeback dun dun duuuuuun!

Also, I don't own any of it ok!

Review please!