A/N: Things are way OOC because this was written before the game came out.

Disclaimer: I do not own FFXII, I don't even own this idea. I own nothing.

A Sweet Moment

Balthier looked at Ashe as they pulled into Dalmasca. They had finally returned from hunting down her father's killer and avenging him. The war was finally over too. Having been able to negotiate with the invaders. For the time being any way. They both were standing on deck, looking into the painted sunset. She looked gorgeous leaning against the rail. The gentle wind softly blew pale blonde hair out of her face. Her light blue eyes were glazed over and he could tell that she was thinking about her deceased husband. He lightly put his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him questioningly.

"He would be proud of you and your father can rest easy now," Balthier said quietly. Ashe smiled sadly, he always knew what she was thinking. Was she that easy to read? Probably only to him. She covered his hand with hers.

"I know," she responded. "But it doesn't really help the hurt. And now I'm going to have to face my people, and see if they will accept me as a ruler." She sighed and looked at the railing. Balthier's amber eyes grew tender and he squeezed her arm.

"You won't be completely alone, me and Fran are going to stay in port for a while and Vaan and Penelo said that they would stay with you. Besides once the people realize what really happened they'll blame themselves and be more than happy to have the daughter of their favorite ruler to take his place." She smiled at the fantasy he had painted for her. How she wished that the vision would come true. She had no doubt that her comrades would stay with her, but she doubted the understanding of her people. After all one couldn't travel across the kingdom with out learning a thing or too.

"Yes it can happen," said Balthier, reading her mind again. His finger traveled gently along her jaw line and pulled her face to look at him. "You may be strong, but you need to learn to believe in yourself more."

She gave a small smile then leaned into him. Ashe buried her face in his muscular chest. His arms slowly enveloped her and he comfortingly rubbed her back. He put his face to her hair and inhaled her scent. God, she smelled good, like flowers and fresh air. She was thinking the same of him. He carried the scent of after-shave and spices. They were both content to stand there like that; neither wanting to move. Balthier's hand softly stroked her hair as he pulled her in tighter.

After standing like that for an immeasurable moment they reluctantly pulled away from each other. Ashe turned to head back into her room. As she pulled farther away, Balthier snatched her wrist to pull her back to him. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers. Smiling into the kiss she returned his warmth with her own and let him take it deeper.

When they were done drawing out the moment Bathier pulled her head to his chest and whispered softly into the ear. "I'm here, you don't have to act so strong. I'll always be here with you. Sweet dreams my princess."

With that he kissed her forehead and released her. She kissed him back and headed to her room. "Good night my love." He whispered into the wind and headed to his own room.

Fin

A/N: Like I said earlier, every thing is really OOC because my friend wrote this for me months before the game came out. I am just now posting it because I just now got an account on Fan Fic due to my friend's nagging.

Feel free to review if you want, but this is mainly here so Fan Fiction leaves me alone. Thanx for putting up with this!