UPDATES: Please visit my bio page for updates on this story.

DISCLAMER: I do not claim to own these characters. No one can sue me; this is all fictional. Which means, it didn't happen in the game or in the manga, which means that this story isn't necessarily what Sony or Konami copywrited; which means that if you think the characters that are copywirted by those companies are out-of-character, then you must give me a message and tell me so I can change that. It also means that they might not ever be in this situation, so if you don't like Thomas and Cecile pairing, then, I'm sorry. That, and the plot are what this story is about.

BLURB:

This is really only a Thomas story; I actually don't like forcing coincidences on jamming all of the characters together; especially in a short fiction. Although, there are so many other good characters…I'm reconsidering the cameos.

The point of this paragraph was to tell you how much I liked the Thomas chapters; and why. It seems to me that the Thomas chapters are the most character driven of any of the others. Hugo and Chris are fine characters; but they don't have a very strong reason for being the heroes except that things just happened to them. I like them fine, but it seems like the video gamers made them with their character's destinies in mind, not their personality. The reason Chris does any of it seems vague, which she isn't very passionate about except in certain scenes; otherwise she is very placid and business-like, which is all right for the most part, but a three-dimensional character has more emotions, more often than Lucia telling her how to have a good sex life. And with Hugo, the only thing that keeps him going is the death of his friend; which was very preventable. He was made to look cool; strong, clothes that a young girl would find attractive; a tan, blue eyes, and of course, the bleached and dyed beach hair. Blah.

With Thomas and Cecile, and of his staff; each has those odd quirks, and the hobbies they enjoy, to which they are all eccentric about. Their characters; I mean, their personalities, are what pushes the story forward. Thomas himself is very hobbity; quiet and reserved, but he can be pushy and determined if he wants to be. Not a whiner or a warrior; he does everything with honesty, and shy with new situations, although he's not as naïve or stupid as first encounter may seem.

This story is intended for 13 years or older. (Teen)

Everyone who is registered on must be legally 13 (although, you don't have to be 13 just to read them). I've noticed how people don't rate their stories very fair; mostly by making them Mature ratings, with nary even a kiss.

This story has no sex, nor any vulgar language. I personally think if you are at least 11 you will be able to read this, but it's about romance and a little more.

STORY:

Oh, Stop Me!

There was nothing she could do at that point, accept answer the call of fate.

"You've been ogling him for some time now. I've noticed, you know." Juan said nonchalantly.

"Nu-uh! And besides, I don't want to embarrass him!" Cecile protested.

"The guy he's with wont even notice." Juan cocked his head and smirked. "You're not afraid are you? You're not a baby are you?" He was starting to get irritated. This was taking longer than he thought.

"I am not a baby!" She stamped her foot.

"So, then, prove it." Juan lifted his eyebrows. "Show me you can be a daredevil. Look, I'll go hide to watch to make sure you actually do it…If you're not too chicken."

"Fine!" she yelled, as she stomped her foot.

Juan yawned as he walked away. "I'll be waiting…" He didn't really care all too much who ogled who around here, unless someone was ogling him. Nor did he have much to do during his in-between naps, and he had no scheduled bu-jitsu lessons this late in the evening. He snuck into the house through the back and hid behind a corner and spied on Cecil's victims.

Standing tall and dressed frumpily, a snobbish man with a stuffy voice, from the council of Zexen, who had come to Budehuc concerned about Thomas's father's welfare, will, and wealth. "Seemingly…" He started, with airs of snide confidence. "…as your Lord father has no living relatives other than you, to inherit his fortune. The estate he owned could be yours, despite his grace to disown you. You must realize though, that since he had no intention of giving it away like charity, that the council of internal revenue, to pay off capital dept, would seize all of his possessions and assets, including his estate to resell at a very high market value."

"That's very kind of you to offer, but I would really just like to respect my father's last testament." Thomas said modestly.

"There are many in the world who would take advantage of such honesty. You aught to realize what an opportunity it is for you and the people of this castle, if you claimed inheritance through birth rite." The councilman said adamantly.

Thomas thought for a moment, and, thinking of his castle, perpetually in need of repairs and never paying it off, even from fair shop-owning fees. "I understand. It would be best for the upkeep and paychecks."

"I knew you'd eventually see things my way. You also realize that this would be a lot of hard work on my part, of course. Since he didn't actually mention any son in his will, we'd have to work it out with the council…" The councilman raised his eyebrows slyly as he prepared his bargaining speeches. "Of all of your fathers' wealth, even a small percentage of his bank account would suffice to rebuild the walls of your castle, supply the staff with heavy pockets, and so much more. And just think, if you sold your fathers house after you inherit it, you'd retire early."

"I suppose, I'll think of that after the inheritance goes through." Thomas knew that the councilman was after far more than his fair share of profits, but just as he said, even a small amount of free money is better than being in debt. "Are you wanting me to sign something?"

"Oh yes of course!" The councilman said eagerly. "I've already made out the contract! You just need to sign on the dotted line here." The man whipped out a piece of parchment and flattened it out on the desk. He licked his lips, like a bureaucratic vampire impatient for the blood of millionaire virgin. Thomas felt an uneasiness slowly wind down his spine as he picked up the pen.

"Yes, you just sign right there." The councilman loomed over Thomas's back.

They both jumped as the doors slammed open and a shriek ripped through the halls. "Thomaaaaaaaas!"

Thomas stood up straight, recognizing the voice, and being ashamed for Cecile's lack of discipline around important officials; but he was also relieved for buying him some thinking time. Cecile glanced warily at the old man, but then ran desperately for Thomas. He could see she was worried, although the reason she would give was different than he expected. "Cecile, can't you see I'm very busy right at this moment?" He turned to face the old man, not having thought of anything worthwhile. "I'm sorry about that, I…"

Cecile grabbed Thomas head and tore his gaze away to look directly into her own eyes; their faces almost touching. "Thomas! There's a huge black shadowy bug that ate me!" She stopped, realized her error, and continued, giving Thomas a quick slap on his behind as she said, "I mean! Was going to eat me! But I ran away! But now I need help killing it!"

Thomas looked pleadingly at the councilman, saying only, "If you'll excuse me sir…"

"Oh of course... In fact, I wouldn't mind coming along to see what the hubbub is all about. (And if I'm lucky, to see how a savage outlander fights, or kisses monsters.)"

The three of them jogged out to the gate, and of course, nothing was there at all. Cecile hoped the darkness of the evening hid her blushing face as she told them how since there was no one else to eat it must have decided she wasn't worth it and walked away.

"That was interesting." The councilman said with a grimace. "But if you'll both excuse me, it's been a long day and an even longer night. Master Thomas, we will conclude our conversation in the morning, despite how dreadfully late it will make me for my meeting." He turned his back on them and walked off with a huff towards the inn.

Thomas watched him leave, but turned his full attention onto Cecile. His gold eyes searched for an answer in hers. Cecile stammered. "I'm sorry Master Thomas! Juan put me up to it! He started to call me a scared baby and I didn't…!"

"Cecie!" Thomas started. He walked over to her.

She bowed to him "I'm so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking!" Without her armor, she felt quite naked; regardless of how her frumpy black sweater and skirt covered any trace of womanly visage.

"Cecile! It's ok, listen to me!" Thomas put his hand on her shoulder, lifting her up to meet his eyes. She stopped and looked at him.

He was so much more handsome now that he had had a few years on him. And she remembered his eyes when they first met; they were golden, yes, but they were sad. After the war, they had shone with a new mission in life. She would melt in his eyes if she let herself. That's why she had slapped his bottom earlier. Juan was right. The years had grown her up, and she had realized new potentials in herself and those around her. What was she thinking? She didn't have to give herself a reason; she already knew it. Juan just gave her an excuse to do what she'd wanted to do.

She tore herself away from his eyes to stare at the ground.

"Um, Cecile…" He lifted her chin up until her stubborn eyes were forced to see him, and then he let go of her face. He smiled genuinely. "If you would, please come visit me in my office tonight whenever you are ready." He raised his eyebrows waiting for a positive response. She nodded daintily. "Alright…" he whispered.

Thomas left her there, waiting for something to happen. And she stood there, until the last words he had said to her rang true. She looked up at the castle and ran toward it.