1Well now, this is my first Star Ocean fan fiction. Its going to be an Albel and Nel romance, so I hope you enjoy! (This story has been revised and edited as of 09/13/08)

D- I do not own the Characters of Star Ocean or any other game related material used in this story.

Chapter one: Your Joking, Right?

This was unbelievable. Everyone knew Nel was loyal to the queen, and would go to the edge of the world and back for her, but this! She sat before her queen, her head hung in contemplation. Nel knew there was no way she could turn down the challenging request. Even if it did require her to work with him. The queens wishes always came before her own. So, she drew in a noticeable deep breath, and gave her queen a knowing look.

"I accept my queen. I will leave for Airygliph at once."

The queen gave an approving nod, turning a worn smile at her skilled spy. It was true, she knew well that Nel still held reservations about Airygliph, even though the war was over. She doubted Nel would enjoy working with her chosen comrade, but in truth, she was the only one she could trust. If Nel only knew the true nature of her mission...

"very well. I have every faith in you."

With that, Nel bowed her head and left the audience chamber in quite a haste. If she had to do this, she wanted it done as quickly as possible. The less time with that horrible man, the better.

Apparently, Airygliph had received a threatening letter, along with Aquious, declaring a pending war from Greeton. Finding it rather hard to believe, Nel has been chosen to represent her country along with that beast from Airygliph to infiltrate Greeton and find out exactly what was going on before things escalated. Greeton has always been an independent country, as to why they would chose to wage war for no apparent cause all seemed a bit odd. Something wasn't right, and it was her job to find out what.

XXXX

"you must be out of your mind old man!" cursed Albel, obviously none to happy about his assigned mission. He stood before his king, ignoring the alarmed looks the guard were giving him. "you cant honestly expect me to work with that Aquarian scum!"

The king waited patiently as Albel dealt with the news. He had expected as much. Albel always did have his own ideas of Aquaria, as well as his appointed partner for the job. But he had no choice. The threat, although unfounded, did raise concern for both countries. Taking this lightly was not a comfort either country could afford after such a war. So these two were chosen to find out what there motives really were. However, Albel was proving rather difficult to convince.

"whatever the job, I can do it alone. I don't need maggots slowing me down." Albel stated coldly, a scowl plastered on his face. Do they honestly think he would lower himself to working with her again? The past had been for very different, unavoidable reasons. However, something in his kings stare told him he had no say in it. Once again reduced to a puppet for his country. The silence that followed only further proved his kings wishes.

"fine" was the only ruff reply the king got as an angered Albel stormed out of the room. A small, tired smile worked its way on the kings features. This would prove to be one interesting ride.

XXXX

It felt strange being in this place once again. Two years ago she would have been taken down on the spot, but now she was being ushered into the royal castle of Airygliph with welcoming arms. To think things have changed so much…

"get the hell away from me you maggots!"

Well, maybe not that much.

Climbing the stairs to the kings throne room, Albel could be herd a mile away complaining about the guards around him. He had bolted out of a room from behind the king, throwing a stunned guard to the floor. Without giving him a second glace, he laid eyes on the women coming into view and his face twisted into a look of disgust. Before he could be stopped, and before Nel knew what was happening, he had pushed past her and ascended the stairs, nearly knocking Nel over as well.

The kings only response was a drawn out sigh of frustration. His features took on a very tired appearance as he forced a small smile to his lips at the site of Nel.

"I'm sorry to greet you like this Ms. Zelpher. Albel is not to keen on his new assignment." he stated apologetically.

Nel simply nodded, her mind telling her she knew all to well how 'upset' Albel could get. 'the man truly is a beast' she thought to her self, before the king cleared his throat to try and relieve the tension that was lingering in the air.

"Now then.Your queen has chosen you, as expected. I put my full support in you as well. I trust her judgment, as I hope you will trust mine" he added the last part, darting his eyes to the stair case. But he gave her no time to reply.

"Atop the castle, there awaits an air dragon that will take you to the boarding city of Peterny. Passage beyond that will have to be by other methods, as an air dragon would be to obvious. You will be supplied with enough gold to get your self through this mission rather comfortably, so you need not worry about that. As for your objectives, I trust your queen as already filled you in?" he finished, in a professional tone.

" Yes your majesty, I know of the missions details." Nel replied, forming the words of 'your majesty' with a bit of trouble. War or no war, her anger still remained. No amount of treaties could bring back her fallen soldiers. But now was not the time to think on such personal matters. If there was one thing Nel had learned, letting your personal feeling get in the way of missions only led to disaster in every way.

"Very well then. I have already taken the liberty of preparing your supplies. You should be ready to leave at your earliest convenience."

With that, Nel simply nodded and left the chamber, ready to get some fresh air. Being in the presence of the king of her former enemy was something she could do without. Stepping into the roof top area, she spotted Albel on the far corner, staring off into nothing. His attitude was still the same from what she could tell, but his appearance had slightly changed. He still bore his brown locks with the blonde tips. He still had his two long strands of hair, wrapped in a fine white cloth. Despite the cold atmosphere of Airygliph, he still wore his lavender mid-drift and slim cloth around his waist. His demeanor had changed though, she silently noted. He stood more rigged then she remembered, if it were at all possible. His muscles looked more strained and contracted. His face had grown harder, although guessing his age would be impossible from anyone who didn't know better. He could pass for a 19 year old boy to a man past 40, depending in which situation you caught him in. Either way she looked at it though, this was Albel the wicked. And nothing would ever change that.

XXXX

He had tired of waiting in the small room for that wench to arrive. He felt useless unless he was doing something worth his time, and waiting on her was last on his list. Finally giving into his minds screaming, he pushed himself up from the elaborate wooden chair and burst through the small door leading into the throne chamber. Sitting around never was his style.

Opening the door, he noted the guard he had carelessly thrown onto stone floor. What a pathetic excuse for a man. It was his own fault for not paying attention, and was about to turn around to say just that. But then he saw her. That Aquarian excuse for a woman. She was the last thing he wanted to see right now, the last thing he ever wanted to see. But he knew that couldn't be helped. Brushing past her, he made his way to the roof where the air dragon taking them to Peterny would be waiting. This was going to one hell of a trip.

Reaching the top, he noticed all the guards had taken it upon themselves to leave before he arrived. This was nothing new however, for who wanted to be in the path of 'Albel the Wicked'? He had to admit to himself, the nick name was a rather catchy one. He liked it in an odd spiteful way. Yet again, it was a little tick he could not seem to rid himself of.

Albel walked over to the corner of the square roof top, placing a foot atop the stone blocks lining the edge. Staring out at the city below him, he thought back to the times while the war had raged on. Back then, he had his status. He had though he knew everything about the way the world worked, reading every piece of documenting sources he could get his good hand on while off duty. Nothing could have prepared himself for Fayt's arrival and what it brought to his own personal hell hole. He was faced with the reality that the world was much larger then anything he could fathom, and this bothered him to no end.

But before his thought could continue, he was interrupted by the Aquarian spy. She was studying him, and he knew it. Her eyes were like fire burning into every inch they covered. Had she really been like this when he fought along side of her? Her hair was still red, although it might have grown a little longer. She still wore the same revealing, ridiculous clothing as before, only now it seemed more symbols were imbedded into her exposed skin. New spells no doubt, learning them for her Queen like the lap dog she was. She looked more confident though, like she had finally accomplished something that had taken years, and now flaunted it openly. Being a man, he could not ignore the curves of her body as well, something he never remembered noticing before and something he never cared to notice again. But she was scum. A maggot from Aquaria, and nothing more.

"well are we going, or would you prefer to stare at me all day?" he snapped, spinning around to face her. She looked shocked at first, over the fact he had caught her staring. hum, some spy. But that quickly faded into a scowl of her own.

"look Nox, I don't like this either, but we have to just grin and bare it, ok?" she shot out quickly, trying to ignore the staring comment.

"bah" was her only reply, as both approached the resting air dragon. It seemed the guards had taken care of all the necessary accommodations. Two small brown sacs were attached to the dragon on either side and it was fixed to ride. All that was left was to board the thing.

Albel jumped onto the winged creature with ease, acting as if it came second nature to him. Nel however had yet to come near it enough to touch it. Noticing her stationary position, he raised one eye brow at the woman's obvious hesitation.

Yes, this was going o be an interesting mission indeed.

XXXX

AN: so there you are. Two chapters combined into one. This is the part where I shamlessly beg for your reviews. Love it or hate it, please let me know?