Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.
Penelo was tired, dead tired. She fought long and hard and all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and go to sleep. She was also certain that if she wasn't allowed to sleep soon she was going to just silence all of them and cast sleep on herself, fiends be damned. But once again she was being denied sleep because watch arrangements weren't set in stone, yet.
At this point Penelo didn't care who she took watch with, but Balthier refused to take watch with either Vaan or Basch now and Ashe still didn't trust Basch enough to take watch with him. Fran didn't voice it aloud but Penelo had a strong suspicion that if Vaan was placed with her she'd simply put her friend out of his misery or worse.
As the discussion grew louder, Penelo's agitation grew more pronounced. It was time to take matters into her own hands and so help her, this was going to be the last time they would have this discussion.
She looked at the four arguing party members and the one stoically silent and made her choice. Penelo stood up and made her way to stand right in front of Basch and placed her hands on her hips. She sighed in exasperation as now they all shut up and all eyes were on her.
"Sorry Basch." She said without a trace of regret.
Penelo grabbed the leather buckle strap at his neck and pulled him down to her. As his eyes widened in shock and audible gasps were heard from Ashe and Vaan, Penelo wrapped her other arm around his neck drawing his face to hers and placed her lips soundly upon his and kissed him.
Just as he was starting to kiss back, she drew away from him and turned to three very shocked faces.
"Vaan you're with Basch, Ashe with Balthier, and Fran you're with me." Penelo stated slightly out of breath and released the hold she had on Basch's jerkin.
No one said a word as they continued to gape at her. Penelo rolled her eyes and shook her head and huffed.
"Fran we're taking third watch." Penelo said as she looked to the viera who has stood impassive through the whole spectacle.
Fran simply nodded her head and then followed as Penelo walked to the tent and went inside.
Once the two were out of sight more arguments ensued as Vaan and Ashe rounded on Basch demanding to know when this had started and Balthier volunteered Basch and Vaan to take first watch to keep the captain out of trouble as he put it. But Penelo no longer cared for she was finally fast asleep.