Jecht's Interlude
Origonally Published 5.15.2005

A/N: would you believe that there was never an origonal author's note to go with this? that surprised me, since it was never supposed to evlove into the series that it became. origonally this was just a little songfic, inspired by Richard Marx's "Silent Scream." Obviously, it changed a great deal from the origonal concept. i still have the second section of this sitting around somewhere, and i may turn it into a second "Jecht's Interlude."

When we were planning for Braska's pilgrimage, I never imagined that it would end the way it did. Sure I was expecting some grand adventure, that would end in my friends saving the world and me going home to my wife and kid, but I never thought that Braska would die.

Or that I would become the most evil thing on the face of Spira.

When they pulled me out of that cell in Bevelle that day, I was a pretty big ass. But Braska kept his cool—and Auron's. Those two were really something. Braska all serene and determined, Auron all fire and pride. Three things in there that I lacked—that the drink had taken from me. Nothing short of the end of the world could have stopped those two. Made me feel small just looking at them.

So, I was an ass, and Braska was a gentleman.

But Zanarkand…How could I have not gone with them? Even when I didn't have any real skills to offer them, and Auron obviously didn't like me. Hell, I hadn't even known what a Summoner was.

But I'd have done damn near anything to get out of that cell and back home.

Some of their determination ran off into me after I met Yuna. Seeing her with Braska reminded me of what I should have had with Tidus and screwed up. That little girl adored her daddy—I would have done anything to make sure he came back home to her. She was like this beaming ray of light for all three of us.

After I found out that Braska was gonna die no matter what, it didn't matter so much. Being a Guardian wasn't just about defending Braska anymore. It was about making sure kids like Tidus and Yuna would be able to sleep safely at night, and that guys like Auron would have someplace to go after they laid down their swords.

I'd have done anything. I didn't know I was gonna.

Dream Zanarkand