Inspired by the song 'Second Chance' by Trisha Yearwood. Written because I'm starving for Balthier/Ashe. Be warned, I have not finished the game, but I cheated and watched the ending, so anything in between will not be 100 accurate. Also, I interchange between the Japanese and English version of dialogue for the ending, because it's more Balthier/Ashe, haha.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XII and all its characters belong to Square Enix. I own nothing, though I wish I had one of Balthier's rings.


What do you do when love comes along
And offers your heart a chance to move on
With no guarantees, no safety net
You trust what you feel, you take that first step

"My ring?" She instinctively clasped the rings on her hand. One, hers. The other, Rasler's. "Isn't there anything else?"

"No one's forcing you," He had said simply, holding out his hand expectantly. For a moment, doubt clouded her mind. Why should she give this ring; the only thing she had of Rasler's… to him?

To reclaim the future, you must let go of the past.

His hand, warm, firm, secure. The sum of all her beloved memories was passed into that hand, and as he examined the ring, she felt as if a part of her had been lifted away, taken.

"I'll give it back to you… when I find something more valuable," He had smiled and pocketed the ring. He's not putting it on.

"Like what?" Vaan asked curiously. To which he smiled a secret smile, and gave Ashe a sidelong glance that made her cheeks heat up.

"I'll know it when I find it."

Just close your eyes
Reach for the moment
Before it slips by
Here is your second chance
Take it and fly

His hand, warm, firm, secure. It manifested into physical contact; all that he had been doing all along. Don't be afraid to fall; I'll always be there to pull you up. It was only for a second, but it was an eternity of unspoken words, unspoken feelings.

And then she moved away, his fingers made to linger, but he let his arm fall to his side.

But he never let go.

That afternoon, he showed her a side she had never seen before; a side that made her realize that he did understand what she was going through. They had both gone through a lot of confusion, a lot of pain. He ran from his past, while she was running after her future. Painful as it was, she was somehow grateful that he allowed her to share his story; just as she allowed him to share hers.

The weight of the world, the need to survive
Has made you believe, that you've got no right
Then out of the blue, you meet someone
Who offers a place, warm as the sun

In one hand, the Treaty-Blade weighed heavy. In the other, the Sword of Kings. Both blades felt like the weight of the future of Dalmasca was in her hands.

No… Ivalice.

To use… or destroy.

She heard the leaves crushed underfoot, and she turned around to see Balthier come up to her, Fomalhaut slung over his shoulder. There was an unreadable expression in his eyes as he studied her holding the two blades.

"… I cannot decide," She finally whispered after he had wordlessly taken a seat next to her. "I do not know what to do." She helplessly released both weapons, hating; hating herself for not seeing the path she should take. Will either of them bring hope to Dalmasca? Or will both bring ruin? Whose counsel should she follow, or should she follow any at all?

She stared into the distance, feeling utterly, completely lost. The stars above could not comfort her; she found no solace in solitude.

His hand covered hers and held it. "You'll know what to do when the time comes," He assured her quietly, a hint of a smile on his lips and she stared into his eyes questioningly. "Will I?"

"We wouldn't have followed you this far if we didn't think you were capable of deciding for the best," he smiled, this time clear and warm. Her faltering heart found strength, and she laced her fingers through his, wishing she could always have this pillar to lean on. "I pray you're right, Balthier."

Just close your eyes
Reach for the moment
Before it slips by
Here is your second chance
Take it and fly

"You are only making things harder," Fran observed, and Balthier did not answer. But Fran did not need words to ascertain the truth.

"It's too late to say that now," He spoke up. "I've already given more than I should have."

"And you have taken what you should not," Fran placed a hand on his shoulder. "She still feels the loss of a loved one. Dare you make her go through it once more?"

"Fran, please," Balthier snorted. "You make it sound like I'm going to die or whatnot."

"You are the leading man," Fran pointed out before moving away. "You must do something a leading man does."

Balthier stared after her for a moment, thinking. "Something a leading man does…?"

Just when you think love is a distant dream
Oh, fate give you wings

"Balthier!" She cried into the transmitter, her fear growing by the second. "Balthier, do you know what is it you're doing?!" Outside the screen she could see the Bahamut; the thundercloud-shaped fortress silent and foreboding.

Balthier!

"Princess!" His voice, ever so cheerful, ever confident. "No need to worry. You seem to have forgotten my role in this little story."

Which one? The pirate? The prodigal son? The pillar of strength?

My pillar of strength?

"I'm the leading man," He proclaimed with bemusement. "Do you know what the say about the leading man?"

Tears had gathered in her eyes, threatening to spill. I must not… should not…

"He never… dies."

There was a mighty roar of engines and Ashe threw all pretenses of composure out of the window. "Balthier! Get out of the Bahamut now, please! If you die…" A solitary tear ran down her cheek and the pain in her heart grew so much that she felt she could break. "If you die…"

She could feel his hand slipping away from hers; the comfort and strength ebbing away. No longer was she princess Ashelia B'Nargan Dalmasca, who wanted to free her kingdom – right now she was just Ashe… all she wanted was for him to live!

And the Bahamut crashed with a mighty roar, and Ashe's heart crashed along with it.

Balthier!!!!

Her coronation went smoothly; the perfect day. As she paraded through the streets of Rabanastre, overflowing with cheering citizens, she couldn't help but smile widely. Before, she paraded with Rasler at her side, but today, the parade was hers, and hers alone.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Vaan and Penelo on an archway, waving and cheering along with the others. As Ashe waved to the crowd, she made sure to wave extra long at the pair. But Vaan had other plans. He pointed to the archway that spanned across the main road, where Ashe would pass underneath. Curious, Ashe followed his lead –

And her heart leapt.

Standing on the archway and hidden between wrought iron decorations, as immaculate and dashing as ever, Balthier grinned his trademark smirk. As Ashe approached the arch, he made a slow bow, a homage to her, and warmth flooded her body as she tried to avert her eyes. He had come to see her.

She deliberately changed the hand that had been holding the royal scepter and took off her left-hand glove before passing the hand through her hair, the sunlight glinting off the rings on her fingers. Her ring, and Rasler's. Only, she can no longer think of the ring as just Rasler's any longer.

And Balthier grinned at the discreet gesture, understanding perfectly the unspoken words they could not say. "Come Fran, I believe our roles in this story is over."

And his partner only smiled, being all too knowing of her Hume-child partner. "But a new story has begun."

"Quite right. And this time," Balthier cast a warm smile to the queen below him; "I have a leading lady."

Just close your eyes
Reach for the moment
Before it slips by
Here is your second chance
Take it and fly

Reviews will be much appreciated. Flames are also accepted. Please do!