Disclaimer: I wish I owned Chrono Cross, but I don't. This story is inspired by the improvisation of my best friend and I.

Unrequited Love

Her small feet clomped as they hit the wooden floor. She loved making a noise every time she entered. Her cat always seemed to get away from her. She scooped the little furball into her arms and kissed its nose. It gazed at her and licked her face with its rough tongue. Orlha's bar was always busy, but Mel could always get her attention if she shrieked loud enough.

"Orlha! I need milk!" Orlha produced the liquid, smiling at the young girl.

"I have a feeling you drink it more than your cat, Mel."

"A girl's gotta keep her thirst quenched!" the girl responded cheerfully. She waved and left the bar.

"I'll just put that on your growing IOU!" Orlha shouted after her. Mel just laughed in response. She took her cat up to the residential tower and gave it some milk. Satisfied that her pet was fed, she started drawing on her floor. Heavier footsteps than her own drew her attention away from her drawing. She smiled at her older brother Korcha.

"WhatCHA doin'?" he demanded.

"Oh, Korcha, do you have to know everything?" she groaned, annoyed. He peered down at her drawing.

"I thought ma told you not to draw on the floor."

"And I thought she told you not to bug me," she retorted, pushing herself to her feet.

"I'm an older brother; it's my job." She made a face at him. He rocked on his heels. Why does he always have to be so annoying? she thought. "I know something you don't know."

"Big deal," she retorted. Inside, she was seething. She hated it when he teased her like that. He smiled, knowing he had bugged her.

"I know you're curious, so I'll tell: you and I are going to Termina." She put her hands on her hips.
"Termina? What for?"

"Oh, nothing big," Korcha shrugged. "I just want to see the Viper Festival, that's all." Mel's eyes shined knowingly.

"Kid's going to be there, right?" She saw with great satisfaction that her brother's whole body was a bright red color. "Why am I going?"

"I heard that the Dragoon Devas are going to be there." Mel's heard leapt.

"The Dragoon Devas?!"

"Yeah, you know: Karsh, Zoah, Marcy, and Glenn."

"I know who they are," snapped Mel irritably. Glenn's a Deva now? He must be so happy. "It's been a while since I've seen them." She and Marcy had become close friends, but Marcy's duties as a Deva often tied her down. Karsh and Zoah were just two guys; she enjoyed bugging them, but that was about it. As for Glenn…

"Marcy, how can you be a Deva?"

"I'm just strong for my age. I was trained by the other three starting at a young age. That's Karsh, Zoah, and Dario."

"Oh…" Mel kicked her feet through the air. She knew about those three; Marcy loved talking about her time in the manor. She and Marcy were sitting on the edge of the balcony. It was dangerous, but neither one of them were afraid. Both were great swimmers if by chance they managed to fall. Mel enjoyed being at the manor. She almost wished she could live there; but then, who would take care of her cat? Certainly not Korcha! That dufus couldn't take care of a paper bag!

"Marcy? Ah, there you are." Marcy turned to greet the newcomer. Mel continued to gaze out to sea. The voice-- a male's if Mel heard correctly-- sounded older than Korcha's but not as old as Karsh's. "Who is your friend? I don't believe I know her." Mel pulled her legs back and stood up. She turned around and felt her stomach move. She gaped at the newcomer, words failing her for the first time in her memory.

Before her stood a handsome young man that had to have been at least ten years older than her. He had sandy blonde hair that spiked around his serious face; a bandana was tied around his head. On one cheek was a scar in the shape of a cross. He wore a golden chest plate and a scabbard tied around his belt. His eyes were serious as well but also held kindness. Mel didn't know much about him, but she did know that he was making her feel very strange.

"M-my name is Mel," she managed. He took her hand in his.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Sir Glenn." He released her hand, much to her disappointment. Glenn, she repeated. Glenn smiled at the two girls. "Pardon me for interrupting you, ladies."

"Quit being so formal, Glenn," Marcy advised. "We're all friends here."

"I see," replied Glenn sheepishly. Mel thought she saw his cheeks turn slightly red. He cleared his throat. "Marcy, you have to go and clean up a mess in Shadow Forest." Marcy swore under her breath. She smiled apologetically at Mel.

"Deva stuff. I gotta go. Glenn, why don't you entertain her while I'm gone?" Mel grinned in delight. The knight merely nodded. Not much for words, Mel noted. Marcy waved and ran off. Mel approached the knight nervously.

"So, ah, what's it like being a knight?" His eyebrows raised in surprise. "Sorry. I'm used to being blunt." He smiled; she just loved that smile.

"No need to apologize. I'm used to it. Marcy lives here, after all." Mel giggled. At least he's making an effort to be casual, she thought. She felt more like her old self. She adopted her "take-charge" expression, her hands firmly placed on her hips.

"All right then. Entertain me!"

-----

"You seem to come here often, Mel. Do you enjoy the manor that much?"

"Course I do, silly!" Mel replied, smiling up at Glenn. He smiled back at her. Mel did enjoy the manor. She enjoyed spending time with Marcy, but spending time with Glenn was okay with her too. For all he knew, she just came to the manor to hang out with Marcy. It was out of character for her to be so shy but Glenn was a lot more different than any guy she met.

"Mel!" Mel rolled her eyes; it was Korcha. "Where've you been? You're way behind in your chores!" Annoying big brother! she thought. Why does he always have to ruin everything?

"I gotta go," she sighed. Glenn smiled.

"I hope to see you again."

-----

"I take it you're coming along?"

"Course I'm coming!" Mel snapped. Korcha smiled knowingly.

"You're so predictable, Mel."

"I can't wait to see Marcy!" And Glenn! "How long has it been, anyway?"

"I don't know… a month maybe?" Mel's eyes bugged out.

"A whole month? Whoa." Korcha eyed her strangely. "Well, it is a long time!" He shook his head. Mel just grinned at him. He tugged on her arm insistently.

"C'mon, Mel. We've gotta go right now."

"Okay, okay. Quit pushin'." Glenn! Glenn! Glenn! her mind sang happily. There was so much she wanted to say to him. She would actually be able to talk to him… she hoped! Maybe she found it difficult to talk to him because he was so enigmatic? Well, she had been at home for a month now. She only hoped that she wouldn't choke on her words…

-----

The Viper Festival was as exciting as ever. The three original Devas, Radius, Fargo, and Zappa, performed some old tricks to the delight of the crowds. Mel and Korcha watched with the rest until the show was over. Mel was restless; she desperately searched the faces for one she recognized. The three older Devas greeted the two young ones with a cheerful wave.

"Ahoy, Mel!" Fargo called. "Marcy and the other Devas ain't here. They're busy settin' up some games." Mel thanked him and went in search of the Devas. She wasn't sure if her brother was with her, and she really didn't care. Termina had never been so busy as it was during the Festival. The first Deva she spotted was Zoah. Where there was Zoah, the others couldn't be far. That meant Glenn.

The four Dragoon Devas were gathered around a tank of water. Three of the Devas were arguing with Karsh, who had his arms stubbornly crossed. She was fairly certain the Devas were trying to convince him to do something stupid. Mel could see Glenn now, more handsome than ever. Abandoning all reason, she ran to him and hugged his left arm. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. She rubbed a cheek on his arm, her stomach doing somersaults.

"Mel! How nice to see you." Mel gazed up at him.

"Really?"

"Certainly." Mel blushed, grinning broadly. She released her hold on him.

"I'm glad you're here," said Marcy. "You can help us with this dunking booth. Karsh is so stubborn; he won't get up there."

"KARSH IS HYDROPHOBIC, THE SISSY," Zoah boomed. Karsh ignored the insult and continued to glower at the other Devas.

"I'm sure there's a way to get him up there," Marcy grinned. She winked at Mel, whose eyes lighted in understanding. Mel took a deep breath.

"Hey, Miss Riddel!" The male Devas cringed. Even Zoah couldn't match Mel in volume. Riddel appeared, her graceful steps hardly making a sound. Karsh turned red when he spotted her. He was the strongest of the Devas next to Zoah, and yet he could always be broken by Lady Riddel's smile. "Miss Riddel, Karsh is being stubborn." Riddel smiled; she knew what to do.

Riddel glided over to the leader of the Devas. His face grew more red the closer she drew to him. She gazed at him, her beautiful face pleading. She calmly rested her hand on his chest. He looked like he was going to faint. Mel grinned to herself. Riddel certainly knew how to control Karsh. If she had asked him to jump off a cliff, he would've done it.

"Karsh, I would so like you to do this small favor for me. You will do it for me, will you not?" He smiled.

"I will do anything you ask of me." Mel knew exactly what he was thinking of when he said that. Karsh hadn't given up on trying to get Riddel for himself even though the lady didn't care for him like that. Marcy glared at him dangerously.

"Get up there already." Karsh grudgingly got up on the platform. Marcy handed Riddel a ball. "Would you like to go first, Miss Riddel?"

"Thank you, I would," she answered politely. She took aim and threw the ball. It bounced off the target and hit Zoah in the stomach.

"Nice shot!" Mel and Marcy said in unison. Marcy took the next shot and succeeded in getting Karsh wet. The poor hydrophobic got back on the platform as quickly as he could. Marcy grinned at Mel, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

-----

The Dragoons made a lot of money off the dunking booth. Mel noticed that mostly young women paid to get Karsh and Glenn wet (the former having a worse time of it than the latter), while pretty much anybody dunked Marcy. As for Mel herself, she hardly let go of Glenn's arm. Her shyness of a month ago had dissipated. Now she was passing off as lovesick. Had it really been just a month ago that she could hardly say five words to the knight? Time had a strange way of changing things.

Mel visited the Dragoons as often as she could, and every time she saw Glenn she attached herself to his left arm. She was like his shadow. Her day wasn't complete until she saw his smile. She knew she shouldn't be so flirty at her age, but she couldn't help it. There was something about Glenn that attracted her to him. Yes, she was falling in love with him. What else could she expect? Glenn was so friendly to her, so polite, so kind, and so handsome. He was still an introvert, though. Mel wanted to bring him out of his shell but even her constant state of joy couldn't break the wall he set up around himself. So she had to be content with being around him.

-----

Marcy sometimes struggled between hugging Karsh and hitting him. To him she was an annoyance, almost a sister. To her he was the untouchable man that she longed to touch: not in anger but in love. They were so far apart in age that he could've been her father. Yet Marcy's heart fluttered at his presence. They fought constantly and Karsh neglected her terribly. Yet Marcy longed to have his strong arms around her. His heart was still a prisoner of the past, still held hostage by Riddel. The lady of Viper Manor wasn't even aware that she was the owner of Karsh's love. That's what made Marcy really pissed off.

As if her musings had called him, the very man walked by. Marcy smiled and watched him. His long hair moved slowly with his stride. He held his head high and hardly gave her more than a glance as he passed her. She got to her feet and quietly followed him. He led her to Lady Riddel's room. She felt her stomach drop. What would he be doing here? Karsh raised his hand to knock but paused. Marcy could hear Riddel's quiet voice inside. She strained her ears to listen in.

"My dearest Dario… if only you lived in this world as well as Serge's." Karsh slowly backed away from the door. His hands were shaking. Marcy wished there was something she could do for him, but she knew that only he could help himself. Karsh turned briskly and bumped into Marcy. She gasped, blushing scarlet. He glared down at her, his eyes stern.

"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded angrily.

"Just walking," she retorted. "What's it to you?"

"Well, you'd better get out of my way. I'm not in a good mood." He pushed past her and stomped down the hall.

"You're never in a good mood," Marcy sighed to herself. She had had a crush on Karsh for as long as she could remember. It started as admiration, then slowly turned to love. Of course the only other person that knew about this was Mel. And if things didn't start going her way, that was how it was going to stay.

-----

For four months now Mel came to the manor and attached herself to Glenn's arm. Marcy began to suspect something was wrong with the knight. Whenever Mel shrieked his name, he grimaced in obvious pain. Every day more of Glenn's tolerance was lessened as Mel continued to act an extra body part. Marcy was used to all of Mel's quirks, Karsh and Zoah had nerves of steel, but Glenn was another story. He was usually calm and collected, but when he got angry he became a dangerous man that not even Zoah or Karsh would stand up against.

Marcy was shuffling her way to bed when she heard Glenn and Karsh talking. She slowed her pace but didn't stop. She could hear the young knight's voice clearly. From the very tone of his voice, she knew he was worried about something. Karsh sounded distant, as always. Whatever was wrong with Glenn, Marcy knew it was serious. Glenn only went to Karsh on serious matters. Marcy came to Karsh's doorway and stopped, tilting her ear to hear better.

"I think I'm going insane, Karsh."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. Every day Mel trots harder on my nerves. I'm afraid that she'll soon drive me over the edge." Marcy strained her eyes to look in while keeping the rest of her body out of view. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light quickly, allowing her to make out the familiar figures of Karsh and Glenn. The knight had his face in his hands and looked on the verge of a nervous breakdown. If Mel had been there she would've run to him and thrown her arms around him.

"I've been countin' the days, buddy. I'm surprised you lasted this long."

"I suppose this would not be such a big deal if she wasn't around me constantly. What should I do?" Glenn gazed at his surrogate brother helplessly. Marcy knew Karsh well enough to know exactly what he would say before he opened his mouth.

"Just tell her to leave you alone."

"I cannot do that!" said Glenn in horror. "A knight must be courteous to ladies." Karsh snorted rudely.

"Number one: Mel is not a lady. Number two: that rule can be overlooked. I'm tellin' ya, just ask her to give you some space. That wouldn't be considered rude." Glenn bit his lower lip uneasily.

"I suppose you're right. But what should I say? I'm not used to such things."

"Okay, repeat after me: leave."

"Leave," repeated Glenn uneasily.

"Me."

"Me."

"Alone."

"Alone." Marcy tried not to laugh.

"Now say it all together," Karsh ordered. Glenn smiled nervously.

"Leave me alone."

"Again."

"Leave me alone."

"With feeling, dammit!"

"Leave me alone!" Karsh slapped the young knight on the back. Marcy's shoulders shook with mirth.

"Good! Now all you gotta do is say it to her next time you see her." Glenn's smile dropped. He looked pale.

"N-next time I see her?"

"Sure! Now, what are you going to say?"

"L-leave me alone." Karsh sighed, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.

"Good enough."

-----

Marcy was almost looking forward to Mel's arrival. She was sure that Glenn would choke; he just didn't have it in him to be impolite, even if it was for a good reason. Glenn had his eyes closed and was taking deep breaths to calm his nerves. If he was to tell Mel to leave him alone, he had to keep his anger in check. Karsh and Zoah were nearby-- Glenn would have a skeptical audience to his performance.

"GLENN!" Glenn cringed at the sound of his name being shrieked by Mel.

"Her shriek can be heard for miles," he said through gritted teeth. The very girl rushed onto the scene and wrapped her arms protectively around his left arm. Glenn's kind face twisted in annoyance.

"Mel, will you…?"

"What's up, Glenn?" asked Mel, gazing up at him with eyes shining in admiration. He sighed and managed a smile.

"It is nothing." Marcy smiled to herself. I knew he couldn't pull it off, she thought smugly. Karsh grudgingly handed a few Gil to Zoah. The two of them had apparently betted on Glenn.

"Okay!" Mel smiled. "Glenn, let's go for a boat ride!" She tugged on the knight's arm insistently. A fire blazed in his eyes. Marcy noticed this and grew worried. There was only so much a person could take before they snapped and, from the looks of it, Glenn was dangerously close to snapping.

"Yes, let's," he answered wearily.

"Maybe you'd better not," Marcy frowned.

"But I wanna go!" Mel whined. She pouted, which made her look kind of cute. Glenn's eye twitched, his head shaking subtly. Marcy's eyes widened in fear. She had seen Glenn this angry only once before, and the results weren't pretty. The other Devas became aware of the danger as well.

"PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLAY WITH MARCY FOR A WHILE, MEL?" Zoah suggested. Mel only gripped Glenn's arm tighter.

"I wanna go on a boat ride with Glenn!"

"But all the boats are taken," Karsh told her. Mel thought about this for a while. Her eyes lit up.

"Ooh, I know!" she declared. "We'll just sit on the beach. It'll be so much fun!" She beamed up at Glenn, who was starting to shake all over. Her smile dropped. "What's the matter, Glenn?" The three Devas braced themselves for the coming blow. Glenn looked down at the young girl, his blazing eyes boring into her shining ones.

"Mel," he said calmly, "let go of my arm." She blinked in confusion.

"What for?"

"Because I can no longer feel it." His voice was cold and hard and didn't seem to belong to him at all.

"I don't think I understand," Mel frowned.

"Then understand this: I've had it up to here with you! Your voice is offensive to my ears and your very presence has become revolting! You cling onto me day after day like a leech! I'm tired of it!" Marcy stared at Glenn in horror, but he wasn't through yet. "I'm tired of playing nice with you, Mel. My tolerance for you has finally run out. You are an annoyance to everyone that comes in contact with you! I realize you're fond of me but trust me when I say the feeling is far from mutual. Not only are you ten years my junior, but you also get on my nerves worse than anyone else I know. Now, remove yourself so that the blood can actually circulate through my arm." Mel meekly slipped her hands away from his arm. "Now get out of my sight."

The three Devas sat in a dumb stupor, mouths hanging open in shock. Mel slowly backed away from the enraged knight. Her own face held horror and sorrow. She turned and ran out, her feet pounding the dirt. Glenn breathed in and out deeply, his chest moving in sync with the breaths. The other three Devas continued to stare at him. For almost an hour, the only sound that could be heard was Glenn's breathing. The Devas barely moved in that hour; they barely did more than blink. The silence was maddening. Marcy wanted to scream, but she was too shocked to move.

"WELL," Zoah said at last, his booming voice mercilessly shattering the silence. Marcy cringed at the sudden noise. "IT HAD TO BE SAID, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT GLENN WOULD BE THE ONE TO DO IT." This statement was followed by another thick silence. Glenn sighed and put his hands behind his head.

"That felt so good." Marcy finally found her voice. Her eyes now held the glow of anger in their blue orbs.

"You … jerk!" Glenn stared at her in surprise. "How could you do such a thing to her? What would Dario think?" Glenn didn't respond. "She's just a girl that wanted someone to love her. You crushed her and you don't even care! Yes she's young, but you didn't have to yell at her like that! All she ever wanted from you was your friendship! I don't care if she annoyed you. We all got annoyed with her, but that's no reason to say all those things!" Her eyes narrowed as she made her final point. "You are not worthy to be called a Deva."

"Neither are you," replied Glenn darkly. That left Marcy speechless. Glenn shrugged absently, his usual calm back on his face. "As Zoah so lightly put it, it had to be said. I listened to what you said, Marcy, and I take it to heart. But I still do not regret a word I said to her. I would say it again in a moment, and perhaps even add something more." He smiled as a new thought struck him. "Perhaps I will grow fond of her, although it's highly doubtful." His friends only gaped at him, once again struck dumb. A sob could be heard at the gate. Mel's tear-stained face poked out.

"I loved you!" she shrieked. She turned and ran away, her sobs echoing in the air. Marcy glanced over at Glenn, hoping he would feel sorry for what he said. Instead she saw the knight's face in a terrifying mix of anger and glee.

"I hope to never see you again!"

End of part one