A/N: Hello world! This is my very first fic on . I'm deeply sorry if there are any horrible spelling errors and I will go back and fix them. This was intending to be a fluffy little one-shot, but I decided to lengthen it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII or any of it's characters including Basch, Ashe, Fran, Balthier, Penelo, or Vaan.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A gust of hot air brushed against her face as she turned her head towards the sky. It was the dry season in the Giza Plains, and with hopeful sigh, Ashe noted that the weather did look a bit overcast-y.

The villagers noticed as well, and they had warned the others to keep shelter, the rain -although it was welcomed was not very forgiving. The delaying news didn't seem to faze the others however. Fran and Balthier were already charming their way into getting some decent shelter, and Penelo and Vaan seemed to have made quite good friends with the village children. Ashe could already here an excited young boy drag the two into his small hut. She frowned upon this scene, because both couples had a way with people, something Ashe envied. She was a princess after all. Someone that people respected out of force, not because they admired her spirit. Even under her alias she wasn't able to connect to many and this had frustrated her a great deal.

A sudden crash of thunder literally shook her from her thoughts and she jumped.

"Ashe." Came the deep and smooth voice of the tall man standing behind her. She whirled her head around and gazed over him, admittedly glad he was there.

Basch. How many times had she wanted to talk with him during this journey when she could not? There was always an interruption, ever the pressing matter that deterred her reunion with Captain Basch Fon Rosenburg. Their first meeting since his departure had not gone well, but at the time it was expected. She thought him a traitor to Dalmasca, a murderer to her father, and a coward of a man. As time had grown on, and as she had been spending her days with him, she realized that she was gravely mistaken about the loyalty of Basch. He was always on her side,
and even when she lost faith in him, he remained by her side. And now that she finally had the strength to admit all of this...now she needed to tell him.

Ashe had been still long enough to make Basch wonder what was going on in her mind. She was clearly staring at him, and thinking about something- whatever that something may be, he was not so sure he wanted to know. "Lady Ashe," He corrected, in a louder tone. She blinked and stood up quickly, dusting her red skirt off. "Oh, yes. Sorry, Basch." Together they stood before each other rather awkwardly and Basch shifted his gaze toward the darkening sky. "I have found a small cave a few stretches from that bridge southwest, I know it is not much but from what the villagers say it seems to be the only option."

A small cave? How is it that the others received huts all within reasonable distance but her royal majesty had to suffice for a hollow rock? Well, in all reality it wasn't that big of a deal. She nodded her head and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "What about you?" She inquired, scanning around the area. He snorted slightly, catching her attention. "I'm going with you of course."

She raised an eyebrow, considering how strictly abiding to formalities Basch had been all this time, it surprised her to hear him say that he would be sharing quarters with her. "I cannot have you out there alone, your majesty. The rain should subside within the hour, but it is my duty." So that's what he meant. She smiled a little. "Very well Captain. Lead the way."

He did. He strode only a few steps ahead, while she followed. As they walked noticed a small gash on his upper left arm. It was lousily bandaged and easily bleeding down his muscular arm. She found her self wanting to reach out and trail her fingers across it but quickly snapped out of such a thought. There was no denying she was attracted to him. He was tall, well built and strong, and incredibly handsome. Even in his ruggedness and his wild hair, the scar on his eye, the quiet gaze his pale eyes reflected...he was like a god. Perhaps that was a reason she couldn't stay truly angry with him lately. Yes, that must be it.

They arrived at the cave and crouched down inside, and sat on the cool earth. Basch was fumbling with something, and then placed a small lantern in the center of the cave. He laid down a small quilt and motioned for Ashe to sit on it. "Thank you..." She trailed quietly, hugging her knees to her chest. "Is there anything you need, Majesty?" he sat down beside her. "I need you to stop doing me favors. I'm not a princess anymore." She smiled, playfully. "You'll always be my princess." he replied, and as soon as he said it he cringed. 'That sounded strange. 'Now she thinks you're damned fool.'

Ashe's gray eyes widened upon hearing the words and she looked away quietly. The awkward silence that filled the air was enough to make him wish he was anywhere in the entire world besides Princess Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca. He started again. "Ashe, I-" "No. Basch, there is something I have been wanting to get off my chest for some time now and I just want you to know that..." she paused, searching his face, her heart clenching over the scar on his eye. He had endured that for Dalmasca. For her. She sighed and looked down at her hands, which were shaking in her anxiety. "I am so sorry Basch."

She suddenly felt her hand intertwined with his as he squeezed it gently, causing her to look up. Instead of telling her it was his fault, or reprimanding her for apologizing to him, he smiled warm and genuine. "I have forgiven Dalmasca a long time ago and with that I have forgiven you. You know I have." She only nodded and hesitantly brought her hand to his face, tracing along his scar and all her guilty thoughts flooding into her mind. He grabbed her hand and tugged it away from his face, now keeping both of her soft hands firm in his grip. Basch knelt to the ground before her, his face now unreadable. "Do you trust me?"

What? Of course she trusted him. She only hated him at first because it was easy. Easy to place blame for a such a heinous crime, easy for closure. In her heart she knew he was innocent all along, now she knew it more than ever and she couldn't help but hate herself more for accusing this man. "Yes. I trust you." she said it clearly, as a affirmation for them both.

Basch nodded seriously as he stood up and released her hands. Now the former knight was towering over her. "I believe we can move on now." Coicidentally, the rain stopped.