Disclaimer: I don't own anything relating to or of Final Fantasy.

a/n: Well, this is a pairing that I thought of, and apparently no one else has written about it yet, so SWEET! I'm the first!! When I was playing the game and the gang met Larsa for the first time, I thought that Vaan and him had a connection. So there you have it! This'll be my second story, so make sure to check the first ones out! Happy Readings!

Vaan's POV:

We had only just reached the Skycity of Bhujerba. Such a long flight on the Strahl from Rabanastre, an uncomfortable one too. I was ready for a rest that's for sure, but we had to find Penelo first. And as we kept walking through the skyport four guards came running in huffing and puffing, their metal suits clanking every time one of them even moved an inch.

"Easy." Balthier said to Basch. He nodded, and we sauntered off casually to the side near a wall so we wouldn't be spotted.

"No good! He's not here!" one of the orotund guards said, bounding up beside our hiding spot.

Another one huffed, then said defiantly, "Keep searching!...This way."

We began to walk as inconspicuously as possible as the four idiots trotted down the hall. Balthier spoke again to Basch, "You're a dead man. Don't forget it."

He turned back to us and added, "And no names."

"Of course." Basch said after a momment.

It was a gorgeous day as we left the skyport. Ships were floating by lazily, merchants were calling out to those meandering in the streets. The only bad part was the sun beating down on our heads like a thousand afternoon glares, giving our already tired bodies a run for their money. And as soon as we continued walking across the bridge into town I began to get dizzy. The feeling of airsickness (from the olden days) washed over me like a fierce breeze. I was barely even listening as Balthier began to speak of the mines.

"The Lhusu Mines are just up ahead." he said, looking past the crowds at the far off distance. "Though, I do hear there's not much left there these days."

And then we heard someone ask from behind us, "You're on your way to the mines?"

Everyone turned and saw a boy, not much younger than me, perched on the bridge railing looking out across the skies. I felt something tug slightly in my chest. I had no idea what it was, but I felt like I had to move towards him in some way. It was odd. His black hair waved to me in the breeze like a hand beconing to me. I felt like it wanted me. And when he turned fully to face us as he jumped off, I felt it again.

"Then please, allow me to accompany you." he said, jumping from the railing, and striding towards us. I saw his eyes flash in my direction for a split second as he came to join our little group. "I've an errand to attend to there."

"What manner of errand?" Basch asked, starring at the intruder directly.

The boy smirked and moved in closer towards Balthier and myself saying, "What errand? I might ask the same of you."

We were all silent for a momment until Balthier spoke up, "Right, come on then."

"What?" I asked, surprised that he would agree to this...child so easily.

"Excellent." the kid said, glancing once again in my direction and smiling.

Balthier held his hands on his hips and said, "Do me a favor and stay where I can keep my eye on you. Should be less trouble that way."

"For us both." the kid said, looking woefully over at a crowd of bumbling guards by the entrance into the city.

I looked at his expression and thought that I would lighten the mood by saying, "So what's your name?"

I crossed my arms to make it look like I didn't care, but in truth I was dying to know who this person was. He turned to me and stammered, "Oh, I-"

He looked nervous as he continued starring, but collected himself together enough to say, "I'm Lamont."

Still trying to keep my cool, I said giving him a slight wink, "Don't worry. I don't know what's in that mine Lamont, but you're in good hands."

I smiled as I saw his eyes sparkle slightly, and walked over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder and said stupidly, "Right Basch?"

Balthier and Basch quickly looked at each other in horror as I realized my mistake. My head nearly twisted off as I looked back over to them. Shit. They glarred daggers at me, and I shrugged my shoulders in a way that portrayed as meaning, 'Ooops.' Basch just sighed, and Balthier looked annoyed. But, thankfully Lamont just looked confused. Like he had never heard of Basch before.

After we had made our way through the town and to the entrance of the mines, we were able to take a little breather. I looked all around at the beautiful arches that served as the entrance. But, just as I was starting to apreciate it's beauty I heard Balthier behind me.

"The Lhusu Mines; One of the richest veins in Ivalice."

"Under imperial guard, no doubt." Basch ended on a sour note.

I was surprised when Lamont stepped out in front of Balthier and said, "Actually, no. With but few exceptions, the Imperial Army is not permitted in Bhujerba. Well, shall we procede?"

I noticed as Lamont was walking away, that Balthier and Basch both looked at each other questioningly. I didn't think anything of it then however, and I followed Lamont into the mines. But, once we had descended the stairs, we had to dodge behind pillars. A group of soldiers, a man, and a Lord entered.

The Lord turned to the man and said, "You will forgive me for asking, but you are diverting the purest of the Magicite-"

"I can assure you it reaches Lord Vayne most discretely." the man interrupted.

"Ha. You wear your saddle well." the Lord said not sounding ammused at all.

The man wasn't phased at all, he continued, "Be that as it may, I have no intention of being bridled, your honor."

"Then you prefer the whip? Stubborness will see not only you broken, excellency, but Bhujerba as well." the lord said, continuing up the stairs and past where we were hiding.

Lamont climbed down quickly and watched the group of men leave the temple like structure whistfully. He then said softly, "Halim Ondore IV, the Marquis of Bhujerba."

We all climbed down as well, and joined Lamont as he continued, "The Marquis served as Mediator at the negotiations of Dalmasca's surrender. It would appear that he is somewhat less neutral now."

I turned to face Lamont as I heard the last part of his statement turned to slight disgust.

"They say he's been helping the Resistance." Balthier said non-chalontly.

Lamont turned quickly and said forcefully, "They say many things."

Balthier studied the young boy in front of him and said, "You're certainly well informed. Who did you say you were again?"

This was annoying me, and plus I didn't think Lamont liked talking about who he was. If he had a bad past, then I would know how he felt about letting the whole world know. So, I said quickly, "What difference does it make? We have to find Penelo."

I stepped in between the two of them, and began walking down the dark hall. But, before I got too far Lamont asked casually, "And Penelo is your-"

I turned quickly and said hastily, "She's a friend. She was kidnapped and taken here."

Lamont's eyes grew wide, and I couldn't really tell what he was feeling. It was a mixture of admiration, sadness and surprise. Again I turned, this time running down the hall towards the dim light at the end. And I could still feel his gaze on me, his eyes.

As soon as we got into the next chamber, I nearly had to see my breakfast again. The fetid stench of rancid, old, long dead things filled my nose until I thought I was going to choke to death. The moist ground, and squeching didn't help much. Many of the others' hands flew to cover their faces as I watched them all crowd in next to me. Lamont's face contorted as I looked at him from the corner of my eye, and all he did was cough slightly.

That wasn't the end though. Far from it. Our little group had to battle it's way through seven chambers. Managing to battle and defeat countless bats, skeletons, and undead defenders. It was rather odd when one undead was sneaking up on Lamont from behind. I parried the monster that I was battling and struck it down, I turned as fast as I could, and just as I reached the boy, the monster lifted it's heavy arm into the air. And clutched in it's dead crumbling fingers was a dagger. I again felt that wrenching in my chest, and I seemed to fly forward.

"Lamont!" I cried out as I jumped between him and the knife. Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed, and I heard Lamont gasp behind me as he turned around.

The creature snarled down at me as I held it back, it's breath smelling of decay and rotten flesh. It's face was twisted into a grotesque expression, like a crying newborn, but worse. That's when there came a swooshing sound, and then a crunching snap. The creature stopped its wailing, it's eyes grew wide for a momment, and then it's head slipped off of it's neck. Slapping onto the floor as it's body flopped down along with it. The knife it had clattered onto the stone as well. Basch stood a few feet away with a smirk creasing his lips.

"I hate those things..." he said, letting his sword fall back to his side as he walked away to join Fran and Balthier at the other end of the tunnel.

"Are you alright?" I asked worredly turning swiftly to face Lamont.

His eyes were the same size as the undead thing's had been, and he was still starring at the place it had been only momments before. He looked scarred stiff, and when I put my hands on his shoulder, he didn't even acnowledge me.

"Lamont?" I asked shaking him harder. This time he noticed. He blinked furiously still looking at the space that had been occupied by the creature. Then he managed to shift his eyes in my direction, that woke him up.

"O-oh...my. Please excuse me, I...I just-"

I shook my head and laughed slightly, putting my arm around his shoulders as I led him off in the direction of the others. I said to him still chuckling, "Don't worry. I don't know what it is, but those things scare me too. Don't worry about it."

He glanced up at me as I led him along and he whispered, "Thank you."

I just smiled once more and kept my arm around him. I knew that this would make him feel better. If I had had someone to do this for me when...I was alone, it would have made me feel better.

Soon we found ourselves entering a small storage room. There I managed to find a few tresure chests. And, as the others flitted about my spoils, I noticed a soft blue glow comming from around a corner. I walked cautiously over to it, and Balthier came up behind me suddenly.

He said, "I think this is what we were looking for."

This got the other's attention. They all crowded up behind me as we made our way into the luminescent blue cavern. Lamont pushed past slightly as we entered. And when we got to the middle of the chamber he kneeled down to the ground.

"This is what I came here to see." he said, pulling from his shirt pocket a glowing crystal that looked just like the ones dotting the walls all around us.

Balthier stepped up behind him as he held the gem up to the others. I asked him, "What's that?"

"It's Nethicite. Manufacted Nethicite." he replied, observing the thing in his hand as well.

"Nethicite?" I asked.

"Unlike regular Magicite, Nethicite absorbs magical energy. This is the fruit of research into the manufacture of Nethicite. All at the hands of the Draklor Laboratory." he said, still examening the materials around him.

I glanced at Balthier, just as he was giving Lamont a wierd look. But, Lamont stood up just then and moved towards the nearest wall, saying, "So this is where they're getting the Magicite."

"Errand all attended to then?" Balthier said sauntering up behind Lamont.

This sent a warning signal to my brain. Lamont didn't even notice Balthier comming up behind him, and I didn't even know what he was planning on doing. Lamont said, "Thank you. I'll repay you shortly."

"No, you'll repay us now." Balthier said, still getting closer and closer to the unsuspecting Lamont. "We have too much on our hands to go on holding yours."

This is when he chose to turn around. His eyes had grown wide again, and he was backing up worredly. Balthier continued, "So where did you hear this fairy tale about 'Nethicite'?"

Lamont backed up further still, that is as far as he could, his back bumped against the wall only a few steps back, and Balthier kept interrogating the poor boy, "And where did you get that sample you carry? What do you know about the Draklor Laboratories?"

Lamont turned slightly as if he was going to run, but Balthier's hand shot out and blocked his path. It thumped against the wall as he asked his final question, "Tell me: Who are you?"

I had moved up alongside the two of them, just to make sure that Blalthier didn't do anything too rash. And this was when I chose to speek up as I rushed towards them, "Balthier-"

"You kept us waiting, Balthier!" someone said from behind us.

a/n: Ooooooooo!!!!! Who could it be!!!! Anyone wanna guess? REVIEW!! Happy Readings!