Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Final Fanatasy Franchise, it is udner the proud ownership of Square Enix.

Author's note: Well, this was a silly little one shot I wrote in between exams. Basically, Fran and Balthier have an active romance, but they can't ever truly get to be together until Ashe goes and finally breaks the stupid bloody stone that she's taking eighty years to get rid of. IT'S A STONE. Please Read and Review. If you so wish, I shall continue it, and there might actually be sex in it. Who knows. In fact is it about one hundred percent likely that will be sex in it if I continue it, because sex scenes are fun to write. Awkward, but fun.

The sun hung low in a watercolour sky, wreathed in streaks of blush, lemon, vermilion... every colour one could dream of. It made even the stoic Fran catch her breath as she gazed at it, standing tall and aloof on the sand dune, outlined in gold, shadow stretching dark behind her. Balthier quirked a half smile as he watched her, eyes trained on her singularly perfect form. She turned, and the soft desert wind fanned her hair out around her, like foam from a waterfall. His breath caught in his throat, as she strode down the sand dune to their small camp, poetry in motion, every step so strong and decisive, yet tread with such beautiful, delicate feet.

"Fran..."he murmured, as she stopped before him, eyeing him with something like amusement.

"Balthier."she replied, straight and to the point, as always.

"Fran..."

"Balthier."

They stood in silence for some time, Fran's eyes inscrutable, crimson, the colour of the sky behind her. Balthier always loved how she looked, but especially at sunset, where everything was gilded golden, and she fitted in snugly with the image, like a sun goddess. He reached out tentatively and took her hand in his, her dark skin perfectly complementing his own pallor, her long white claws perfect, as always, never chipped or broken. She lifted her other hand and stroked his cheek, her eyes soft, almost sad. He pulled her into a warm embrace.

"We can never be together."she whispered to him, and if he didn't know better, he would've suspected Fran was crying.

"No, we can't but we can still pretend."he replied softly. They couldn't be together because they were already sworn to their adventure, to the princess's cause. They couldn't just announce one day that they were more than just partners in the pirating sense.

"Yes, but it will never be the same."she answered sorrowfully, her lips brushing against his neck. He stroked her hair, marvelling at how silky and perfect it was.

"No, but there is no rule that says we have to stay with Ashe and the rest after she has completed her journey. And anyway, the Leading Man cannot be without his beautiful woman by his side."he said, a half smile in his voice. It was an awkward position to hold, Fran being so much taller than him, but they managed. They somehow fit into each other, like they were crafted to be together. For a moment, their lips met, but all to soon it was broken off, when Vaan came striding over the sand dune yelling about how Penelo had been bitten by something and needed Fran's magic. They broke apart their passionate embrace suddenly, and Balthier stood there awkwardly, not sure what was to come next. Fran, as usual, had easily slipped back into her usual demeanor. She was worried. Had Vann seen them? He looked at them.

"You guys alright?"he asked, puzzled.

"Fine, fine!"Balthier was quick to reply. Fran merely smiled, and walked over the sand dune to tend to Penelo.

"You guys really need to stop doing that. I don't think Ashe would approve."stated Vaan, assuming a pompous tone. So he had seen them. He wondered how much of their... antics he had seen. He certainly hoped he hadn't seen the full extent of their passion. He would never be able to look the boy in the eye again. Vaan ran after Fran to see how Penelo was doing, and Balthier stood, still embarrassed, trying to think up excuses, and deciding it was futile. Vaan was old enough to know what was going on.

But for some reason, he had the creeping suspicion Fran knew more about Vaan's involvement than she was letting on.

A/N: By the way, the bit at the end is left up to your imagination, but it is NOT Fran Vaan pairing. It basically means that Fran kind of knew he had seen all thier antics.