Disclaimer: I do not, did not, and will never own Tales of the Abyss. All characters are creations of Namco, ok? No suing.

This feels more like an experiment that anything else. I have never written romance before, and this feels like a good time to give it a shot. Just because it's my first romance story doesn't mean you should go easy on me. I want to know what needs to be fixed.

Chapter 1- Changing for the Better?

"Attention all passengers, we have landed just outside of Sheridan. Make sure you have everything, ok?"

A singing voice rang throughout the Albiore II, alerting the heroes of Auldrant. Well, most of them anyway. Luke hadn't returned from the crumbled remains of Eldrant even after one year. "It's a shame, really" sang an ecstatic young blonde with his one of a kind grin. "I always wanted to take Luke to one of these conventions." Guy rose from his chair and stretched audibly. He was interrupted by a poke to the ribs, much to the amusement of the ladies on the Albiore II.

"Oh, please. You just wanted to take him so you could gush about Fonic technology without looking silly" shot Natalia. "Honestly, I don't understand what all the fuss is about. It's nothing but engines and loud grinding noises."

"Nothing but engines a-... are you crazy?! This is the stuff that's going to revolutionize society as we know it! Fontech is going to make everything about our lives easier! Fontech is proof that humans are the lords of the Earth!" Guy could have gone on for hours, but a 14 year old devil caught his tongue, or more accurately, his waist. Anise giggled while her blonde captive shook with fear. "As cute as it is when you're excited, we can't see anything if we're talking about it here. C'mon already, this stuff is probably worth a lot of cash." "Though her reasoning is a little flawed," Tear retorted, "there is plenty to see that we cannot in this ship. Let's get a move on." In a big team effort Anise, Tear, and Natalia dragged the trembling Guy out of the ship to Sheridan.

Silence at last. Only now did Noelle emerge from her cockpit. It wasn't that she did not like them; it was that she felt that she didn't fit in. She had helped them countless times in their travels, and yet was not really regarded as a friend. Noelle sighed to herself wistfully, wishing that she could be one of the gang. That kind of companionship did not come easily for a pilot; Ginji told her as much. Noelle had heard this many times during the lessons that made her the stellar pilot she is today. So why is it that her solitude still hurts?

Noelle thought back to all of their journeys, both dire and recreational. She had not been invited once. Not one time was she truly included in their adventures. She was only involved until the Albiore II landed. "Why am I thinking about this now?" she asked herself. "It's not that big a deal. I'm sure they'll invite me along in time". She attempted to smile, but the silence that responded to her would not allow it. Her loneliness was more serious than just not having any buddies in the ship.



"Now, now. If you keep talking to yourself, people will think you're crazy". Noelle yelped and fell on her rear before she realized who was antagonizing her. Of all the people to stay behind… "Mr. Curt-tiss!" She stammered while brushing herself off. Jade's presence just wouldn't allow her to regain her composure. That mocking voice, the grin of a child that had just stolen from a baby and enjoyed it, and most of all… those crimson eyes that bore into one's very being, that seemed to see everything. If the others knew one thing about her, it was that Jade Curtiss made Noelle extremely nervous. Who doesn't he make nervous? "W-why are you still here?"

"Fonic technology doesn't interest me. There won't be anything there that I haven't seen done in a better fashion." His trademark grin emerged as he watched Noelle attempt to remain calm. "Besides, we should get better acquainted. A lady should not be left alone when she wishes otherwise, correct?" The blonde pilot's eyes widened. No one was supposed to hear that. She smiled a little while resisting the urge to blush. "You really stayed to keep me company?"

"Not quite. I stayed here because the prospect of new amusement was too much to resist. Me keeping you company is necessary for me to figure out how to tease you later." Jade plopped into one of the nearby chairs and inspected the décor. When he looked back to Noelle, he saw a great deal of disappointment. His demeanor sobered just a bit as he absorbed the pain peeking through her eyes. Jade hadn't seen anyone so sad since Tear gazed upon the fallen Eldrant pining for Luke. Not wanting to be responsible for sadness anywhere near that magnitude, he decided that his teasing could wait a while. "Did you put this decorating plan together yourself?"

What is this? To go so suddenly from ridicule to shooting the breeze seemed like a strange thing to do to Noelle. After some thought, she could not think of any way this could be a mental trap, so she answered. "No, my brother Ginji helped me." She sat in the chair farthest from Jade while still being able to see him. Though unsure of what could happen, Noelle sense that something weird would come of this. She watched Jade watch her… watch him. Was he really waiting for details? "Um… he did a lot of the heavy lifting, but the designs and furniture were all my choices."

"Is that right?" Jade almost cooed the words, sending shivers down the petite pilot's spine. 35 year old men should never coo. "The chairs, the floor, even the bar that was just installed has an antique feel to it. You even passed up steel in favor of this sturdy wood." Jade's crimson eyes surveyed every detail of the furniture, his hands sliding across the arms of the chair he was sitting in. "The reddened marble is a nice touch too. Interesting taste for one so young."

"Hey, 26 isn't that young. Don't think I'm just some kid, alright?!" spat a somewhat miffed Noelle. As soon as she said it, she regretted her choice of words. Everyone knows that the worst way to prove one's maturity is to demand recognition of it. Now she really did feel like a little kid. "Sorry, Mr. Curtiss. That was rude."

"Jade."

The curt response caught her off guard. "W-what?" She wasn't really sure how to react. "Jade?" The man in question chuckled and fiddled with his glasses. "It's my name, Noelle. 'Mr. Curtiss' makes me sound old. What, do people turn into old codgers at 36?" Jade's jest helped to cheer Noelle up just a little. It was only now that Noelle really looked at Jade since first meeting him. At first glance he was the same, but she felt much more comfortable with him now. The eyes of a cold, perpetually analyzing scientist were replaced by eyes that were much more human. Jade's harsh face was softened with warmth, and even… kindness? No, it can't be. This man is a master of manipulation; he is obviously toying with you, Noelle reflected to herself. But then, if that's the case, why is the way she sees him changing so easily, and why does his presence make her loneliness seem like such a distant memory?

"Noelle, wake up. The question isn't that hard, is it? Or were you marveling at how nice I look even as an old codger?" Jade winked- yes, winked- at Noelle, causing her cheeks to be flooded with a deep red usually saved for teens caught kissing in the locker rooms at school. She couldn't tell if she was flattered, frightened, or offended. "Are… are you hitting on me?!" She rose quickly, building up rage to hide her embarrassment. Jade was undaunted as usual. "My, my. You are uptight. I was just teasing, you know." Jade placed his hands in front of him in a somewhat submissive manner as if to say "No harm, no foul". Noelle's flight suit was beginning to feel a bit too snug, a bit too warm. Was it just her imagination, or were his eyes wandering? No… no, no one looks at her in that way. "Whatever. Geez, how did things get so weird just because we were discussing decorating?"

"It's because you're such a stiff from working too much." Jade took her arm and looked right into eyes. There was an almost carnal warmth coming from those eyes, a heat that scared her a little. This wasn't the heat that came from Fonic Artes, from flames or even an engine. Only one's body can describe that warmth. Jade's voice fell to naught but a whisper. "If you're willing, I can loosen you up."

Some lines just needed to not be crossed. Jade had just found Noelle's line. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Blinded with rage, Noelle shoulder-checked the old flirt over the chair and onto the floor. She climbed on top of him and clenched her fists, ready to beat some decency into him. That is, until she realized that the door to the ship had opened and Anise was leaning in the doorway with a look of pure amusement.

"Oooooooh, this is gonna be good."

Whew, that was a workout. Hope I didn't put you all to sleep. Stay sharp, the next chapter will come in time.