Spoilers: Contains major spoilers for the game! Do not read unless you finished the ending.

Disclaimer:

Legend: Well now, if I owned Tales of Abyss, then I wouldn't need to write any of this fanfiction, now would I? -Jade Shrug -

Jade: Hey, don't mimic my action, I copyrighted that!

Legend: Wait really? Since when? -Incredulous look-

Jade: Oh never, I was just bluffing~!

Legend: ...

A/N: This is my first Fanfiction so I do apologize for my lack of insightfulness! There might be slight errors too..do excuse that hehe.

Oh and just a heads up in advance, I do quite often switch off the point of views from Luke to Tear very commonly to show what they are thinking- and since I didn't think you guys would want to see a bunch of changing titles with Luke's POV or Tear's POV, I just had them think different thoughts accordingly. Sorry in advance~ But anyway on with the storyy!

...

After Tear's Medical Examination of the Passage Rings

Why her.

Anybody but her.

He might've been able to accept the fact were it anybody else. But not her.

Anybody but Tear.

"Please wait here while we examine her." Dr. Shu said.

"Sorry to be a burden." Tear regretted solemnly. She fidgeted, avoiding eye contact with the rest of the group.

"Don't worry about it Tear. We're all worried about you." Luke resolved. Guy and Natalia both nodded their heads in agreement.

"Take your time," Guy added. "Your health is our priority at the moment."

Tear flashed a bittersweet smile. With a small mutter of thanks, she and Dr. Shu stepped inside, and the door closed behind them.

"I suppose we'll have to wait for a bit. I'm going to go outside." Guy curtly said.

"Where are you going to go Guy?" Natalia questioned.

"Oh, nothing, just going to go look at some fontech machines," Guy replied. "Nothing I can do right now." Honestly now. How could he still be like this when Tear was in this kind of condition?

Anise piped up. "Oh I want to go meet the governor. He has so much moneyyy~." Luke couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did they really treat Tear like this?

"Yes, and I need to go talk to the laboratory researchers about their discoveries thus far. It could give us a fair bit of information." Jade stated promptly. I was never really one to believe Jade would wait around…but still. Tear…

"Well I'll be off. I must be sending a letter to Father giving updates." Natalia said.

He couldn't believe all of them. Did they…did they really not care what happened to Tear?

"Do none of you guys care? At all?" Luke asked, sounding slightly irritated.

Anise turned back. "What do you mean?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean?! You guys are all just going to… leave Tear?" Luke replied, raising his voice higher than he originally planned to.

Guy walked back to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Look Luke. We're all just as worried as you are. But as it stands, there's not much we can do. All we can do is trust in Tear..right Luke?"

" But...you guys.. just..-"

"Why, I don't see what the problem is. If Luke wants to stand outside the door waiting for Tear, why stop him? Ah love can go so far~." Jade cut in playfully.

"T-That's not w-what I meant!" Luke stammered, his cheek turning a small tint of crimson. "I'm going out for a walk." And with that, Luke hurried out of the building, Mieu following him on his short stubby legs.

"Luke seems to care a lot about Tear." Guy observed.

"Right, more than all of us...Perhaps he's just frustrated?" The blond girl pondered.

Guy just shook his head.

"He genuinely cares about Tear, but can't do a thing, which is why hes getting so worked up. Or at least, thats what I think anyway."

"He certainly looked flustered by the way he walked out." Jade shrugged.

"Colonel! You made him mad!" Natalia gasped.

"Ah I'm terribly hurt. All this remorse and regret is almost too much on my mind!" Jade sarcastically grinned.

"You sure don't know when it isn't the time for your sarcasm, do you…" Guy sighed.

" Only the best, Sir Guy!" Jade bowed. Everybody sighed but said nothing to the Malkuth soldier.

Outside, Luke sat on a grassy hill and stared out into the distant clouds. He couldn't do anything..but think about Tear. Why did seeing her pain him so much? She was on his mind more and more, but he couldn't figure out why.

"Perhaps this is what you call love?" Luke spoke softly and aimlessly, as he stared up at the horizon.

Absentmindedly, he watched as one cloud floated over and blocked out the sun, shadowing Belkend and the knoll he sat on. The wind ruffled his hair, and his bangs flew with the tempest winds.

Ah how calm this is…just sitting here…Can't do that much with so much that's happened recently..And what of Tear? Nothing could happen...right? Luke thought to himself.

"M-Master?" Mieu said timidly. "Are you thinking of Tear?" Luke was snapped back to reality by the blue cheagle.

"W-What?! N-No!" Luke denied. "Well..maybe a little but.." He was caught off guard by the animal, not remembering he was still here.

"Mieu…You should go see her! She's probably done by now. And she probably wants to see you too!" Mieu exclaimed excitedly.

"W-What? N-No she doesn't! I think she just wants some peace and quiet right now." Luke replied. Still… he admitted he did want to see her, so he stood up and started walking back toward Belkend.

Back in town, the redhead met up with all his friends. After going back to the laboratory, the doctor told them that the examination would finish late at night, and that they could see her then.

"Boooo! I wanna see Tear!" the puppeteer pouted.

"Now Anise, theres nothing we can do." Natalia warned. "I guess we'll just have to wait until tomorrow."

Luke didn't hear any of the arguing. He was distant, thinking about Tear and her condition. Was she alright? Did something happen to her body? Surely she won't die right?

"Luke..Luke!" The Malkuth nobleman's finger snapped in front of his face as he came back to the present.

"S-Sorry..I drifted off didn't I?" Luke replied, rather abashed.

"You sure did..Having rather pleasant thoughts about Tear again?" Jade smirked, giving off a little shoulder shrug.

Luke, taken aback with a slight blush on his face, replied, " W-What? N-No! I was just thinking if Tear was okay, thats all.."

Anise, clearly not convinced, taunted, "Lukeeee, its not polite to think about people like that ya know~."

The Kimlascan princess just laughed. "Now guys, stop teasing Luke. He's probably telling the truth."

"Yeah Jade! Don't think of nasty thoughts like that!" the redhead pointed.

"Why, I wouldn't dream of it!" The Malkuth soldier replied in his sarcastic tone. Everybody laughed.

As time passed by, and dusk turned to the eve of the crescent, everyone grew weary and decided to head back to the inn. Luke however, still had something to do.

"You guys go on first. I'm still not going back yet." the redhead stated.

"Why? What're you going to do? Go visit a particular seventh fonist?" Anise teased.

Luke blushed until his face was as red as his hair.

"S-So what? Anyways its getting late, you guys should leave. You too Mieu."

"Mieuuuuu- But I want to see Tear too!" Mieu argued. Luke took Mieu from his shoulders and set him down on the ground.

"I'm sorry Mieu. Maybe next time. But this is important for me." Luke smiled softly. Mieu, not understanding, but realizing more resistance was futile, decided to go with the others.

Luke turned back and headed to the laboratory once more. As he walked, there were barely any others around him, and the fon machines were all turned down at night. It almost seemed...not normal. But he wasn't one to complain. He liked it, after all.

As he ascended the steps to the laboratory, he couldn't help but think of Tear. Why was Tear always on his mind now? I mean.. I do think shes cute but..I never really had any feelings for her..or at least. I don't think I did.. is it possible that I just..fell in love without realizing? Luke thought to himself. Before he knew what he was doing, he was already in front of the doctors office. He knocked twice, and the door opened slightly ajar. Dr. Shu could be seen behind it.

"Ah Luke! Great timing! Tear has just finished her examination." He opened the door all the way, letting him in.

"Doctor, How...how is Tear? Is she alright?" Luke asked anxiously, as he sat on the chair, the doctor sitting on the chair opposite him.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news." Dr. Shu said grimly.

Oh no. Oh no...What is he going to tell me? Please, don't tell me thats its something serious, or worse, she might die..Luke panicked. Even still, he managed to keep his body under control, and calmed down.

"W-What is it?" Luke asked, slightly not wanting to know.

"It appears her seventh fonons inside her body have been contaminated with miasma," the doctor started. "As of right now, she's absorbed over 100 times what a normal seventh fonist would absorb in a lifetime. If she continues...I cannot guarantee that she will survive."

This hurt Luke. He wanted the doctor to just say, ' Just Kidding, shes fine!' or, 'Nothings wrong with her!', but no such luck. All he could do is sit there and take in the wallowing pain.

" I'm sorry...if you would like to see her, she is just beyond this hall. You're welcome to stay as long as you want to." And with that, he walked out through the door he came from.

Luke was still thinking about what could've gone wrong, how he could've prevented this from happening, before he returned and thought about visiting Tear. When he got to the door, he knocked twice and entered.

"T-Tear?" Luke asked unsurely. He stepped inside to his new surrounding, the silence hung before him. He looked around the room before spotting her brown hazel hair, reflected off the moonlight on the bed, sound asleep.

Oh, it appears shes asleep..Perhaps I'll come back another time. Luke thought hazily.

As he gazed on the scene, however, he couldn't help but say a few words.

"I'm..I'm sorry Tear. I wish I could've helped you." Luke spoke softly. After a few more moments of silence, he broke down the rain and said, "Sweet dreams Tear." With that, he turned around and was about to walk out the door, where a voice spoke out to him.

"L-Luke?" The melodist questioned. Luke turned around immediately.

"T-Tear? You're awake?" Luke asked, surprised.

"Yes, I was awoken just now by your movements."

"Oh, sorry about that.." Luke drifted.

Tear giggled a little. "Its alright. Luke." Then her tone turned a little harsher and her sapphire eye gazed into his emerald ones. Did you...hear about my condition?

Luke looked bitter, but couldn't think of any way to reply, so all that was spoken was, "...Yeah." He looked away from her.

They sat there in moments of silence, just needing time to reflect. Finally, Luke broke the silence, with his voice a little defeated, but still trying to hold firm, "I'm sorry Tear. I really wish I could tell you to stop but..."

"Its alright Luke. I understand." The seventh fonist quietly replied. She gazed out her window, looking at the night sky.

"No its not!" Luke shouted. Tear, surprised by his sudden outburst, turned back to look at Luke.

" Its not okay Tear! How can you act so calm and like nothings happening?" Luke broke. "Stop trying to act tough! It hurts all of us, especially me.."

Tear was shocked at his words. He was..hurt by her? Its not like she was pushing him away on purpose, but..did Luke honestly care? Tear, not sure of her feelings herself, couldn't bear herself to accept the facts..accept the fact that she was falling in love with Luke.

"Luke...I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much it hurt you guys...how much it hurt you. Its not that I want to, it's just.." Tear stopped.

Luke sat down next to her on the bed and put his hand on top of his. Tear gasped softly at the gesture, but didn't pull away. Instead, she gazed her blue orbs upon Luke's green ones.

"Are... you worried about me?"

"Of course I am Tear! You know how much I thought about and worried about you today?" Luke exclaimed.

"R-Really?" Tear asked, blushing a little.

Luke, realizing what he had just said, blushed tremendously, and tried to amend his words. "I-I mean, that w-well, w-we need you a-as a fighter you k-know? Your h-healing is useful, and-"

Tear couldn't help but laugh. Luke could be such a klutz at times.

Lukes voice, turning back to a little more serious, inquired, "Tear, if you would just tell me how you really felt, if you're scared or something, then say so. Its not weird if you're afraid or anything, but if you would just tell me how you really feel then I..I would feel alot better."

Tear sighed and looked out the window again. " Well, I'm not faking it. I know that I have to keep on doing what I'm doing, because thats the only thing thats right. I can't just-"

"Tear please! Don't act like everything's normal!" Luke exclaimed.

Tear turned her head back to face the redhead. "Luke..." Tear said softly.

"I'm sorry Tear its just... I can't bear to see you like this." Luke said solemnly.

Tear, desperately trying to get her emotions under control, started trembling. She wanted to tell Luke everything, tell him that things were going to be okay, and that he didn't have to worry about her, but it was too much. She cared about him too much to make void and empty promises that she most likely couldn't keep. She wanted to cry. She wanted to cry so much. But she told herself that crying won't change anything. So, she wondered, why was there moisture forming on her eyes?

"I'm sorry Luke, but could you please leave me alone?" Tear said bitterly.

"No, I'm staying right here." Luke said firmly.

" Luke! Please! I..I don't want you to see me like this!"

Suddenly Luke tightened her into an embrace. Tear gasped and looked up into his brilliant green eyes.

"L-Luke?" Tear questioned.

"I'm not leaving you in the time you need me most. Especially not you." Luke responded softly in her ear.

And with that, Tear, couldn't hold on any longer. She hugged him back, buried her head in Luke's chest, and started crying. Luke simply said nothing, and let her cry.

After a while, Tear's shallow deep breaths turned into soft gentle ones. Luke pulled her out of the embrace, and saw that she had fallen asleep. Despite the situation, he couldn't help but smile. To believe that she could've fallen asleep in my arms...Luke thought. She must've been pretty tired, considering what's happened though. Luke put her into bed, and stood over her for a minute.

She looks so peaceful, so serene, Luke smiled. During the day, her defenses are always up, not letting anyone wash her over with their emotions. But at night, its as if shes a completely different person, looking like a lost and helpless little girl.

Luke, not wanting to leave her side, finds a nearby chair to sit in. After all thats happened, he fell asleep pretty quickly too.

...

The next morning, Tear was the first one to wake up. Her blue eyes slowly adjusted to the difference of brightness, and looked around her surroundings. The first thing that she saw was Luke, sleeping peacefully in a chair across from her. She smiled, and was grateful for having a friend like Luke, keeping vigil over her when she was her most vulnerable.

Its no wonder that...that I'm falling in love with him. Tear thought. She surprised herself. She now seemed sure of herself, sure that the boy before him could be the only boy that could get her reaction simply by saying his name aloud, the only one who she succumbs to when he gives her a smile.

Tear blushed, slightly embarrassed by having these thoughts about him. What was it about him? She could hold herself in a fight, resolve to kill her own dear brother even, but when it came to this boy, just by simply being him, she felt all her walls she so well placed crumble and fall, letting him crawl his way into her heart before she knew it.

Tear shook the thoughts away from her head. Instead, she focused on the Luke right in front of him. He looks so cute when he was sleeping...Tear thought. She couldn't resist but to walk up to him and kiss his forehead.

Thanks Lorelei he didn't wake up at that moment. Tear thought to herself. Her thoughts fell short however, when Luke aroused at this point.

The first thing Luke saw when he woke up was Tear's smiling face.

"Morning." Tear's face lit up when she saw that Luke awoke.

"Wh-Whoa!" Luke suddenly sat up, unaware of how long Tear had been standing, watching him sleep peacefully.

Tear couldn't help but giggle at his uneasiness. She helped him stand up, and then pulled him into a hug. Luke, caught off guard, asked, "Tear?"

Tear rested her head on Luke's shoulder, and put her arms around his back, pulling him in tighter.

"Thank you, Luke."

"What for?"

"For being yourself, and for being there for me."

At this, Luke didn't say anything, but simply smiled, and absentmindedly played with Tear's hazel hair behind her back. Tear closed her eyes and smiled, clearly content.

I've never been so close to someone before..There's just something special about Luke. Tear finalized.

Luke truthfully wanted to hold her in his embrace for as long as he could, but those dreams were short stopped when the rest of the party barged into Tears room, and Anise and Natalia's jaw dropped, Guy not looking surprised, instead probably thinking 'Wow you go Luke!', and Jade..simply shoulder shrugging and just say "Ah, young love~."

Tear and Luke jumped, and quickly returned to normal, their cheeks blushing full crimson. One could say Luke's face would match his hair color.

"I-Its not what y-you think i-it is..." Luke started.

"Y-Yeah, y-you're getting the w-wrong idea h-here.." Tear stuttered.

Guy, obviously unimpressed, remarked, "Oh yeah? Well then why are you guys still holding hands?"

Luke and Tear just blinked, not knowing what Guy was talking about. They both looked down at their hands, and sure enough, Luke's left and Tear's right hand were interlaced with each other. In the midst of the meeting, they subconsciously held hands, which really, spoke louder than their words. They quickly let go, and both of them were blushing their honest worst by then.

"I-It was an accident! H-honest!" Luke tried.

"W-we don't have t-that kind of relationship!" Tear exclaimed.

Anise and Natalia started harassing Luke, Natalia shouting how Luke could betray her when they were already engaged, Anise shouting "My Money Luke!" Guy simply watching, and Jade just muttering to himself about adolescence.

In the wake of all the occurrences however, Luke and Tear's eyes met each other, green meeting blue, and they both knew that they shared a meaning.

Perhaps, things will turn out good after all.

Perhaps, things won't be so bad.

Perhaps...everything would be okay in the end.

...

A/N: Well thats the first chapter! If you couldn't tell, the main focus on this chapter was Tear's coldness, and how her trying to act tough affected Luke the most. It shows her over coming that and getting out of her withdrawed shell, letting herself open to Luke more. Yep, for every chapter that I make, there'll be a specific theme or niche that I'm trying to show! So stay tuned! More chapters to come soon! Hope you enjoyed~