A/N: So now that I got the somewhat boring first chapter out of the way I can finally get on with the more touchy feely stuff. As always, thank you to everyone who reads my story! (: I really appreciate it, and I welcome all critique, both good and bad!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Xillia, it belongs to Namco Bandai.

This chapter will take place in the Dimensional Breach, and does not include Alvin's trip over there, as I didn't really feel the need to write a chapter about that.

Leia finally woke up from her deep sleep. She opened her eyes, and to her surprise saw four men watching over her. 'So that really wasn't some sort of nightmare…I really was captured by those men in white.' She thought to herself as she slowly sat up and looked around. She immediately recognized where she was, but seeing that she could not escape, decided it would be best to just stay where she was. She could hear the men muttering to themselves, when one of them walked over to her.

"Get up." He ordered, and slowly Leia stood on her feet.

'Ugh how long has it been since I've eaten? I feel so weak!' She thought to herself. Still, she did her best to come across as the opposite, and stood tall next to the guard.

Suddenly, he pulled out a gun and held it to her head "No sudden movements or you die where you stand." He said sternly.

She froze. It was as if the touch of the gun brought back all her memories in Hamil, and she had never felt more helpless in her life.

Leia softly muttered, "W-why are you doing this? I don't even know what I did to you; I don't even know who you are!"

Her only response was a smack to the back of her head by the man's gun. Hopelessness flooded Leia, as she realized her only option was to wait for the others to come and rescue her. 'If only I were stronger I would've never been caught in the first place! I should have never left Elize's side! I should've ran faster, I should've fought harder…' Leia felt tears welling up as all her doubts began to taunt her. She could not help feeling that her best was never good enough, and that maybe she would decide not to accompany Jude and Milla after all. She heaved a heavy sigh, 'Listen to yourself Leia, still debating on whether or not to accompany them when you don't even know if you'll survive to see them again…' The feelings of disappointment began to tear Leia apart, it seemed like she always let Jude down. 'He's probably better off without me, they all are. Maybe me being captured was for the best?'


Hours passed by and still it seemed like there was no sign of a rescue. Leia could notice that even her kidnappers were becoming impatient, and she knew that if they didn't get whatever it was they were waiting for, that they'd kill her. Leia had no idea what was going on, but she knew one thing: she was most definitely some sort of bargaining chip. That's why they didn't try to fight her when she was first captured; it's why they watched over her as they waited for whoever it was they were waiting for. Yet somehow she knew they would not hesitate to kill her. Just as the sun was beginning to set, Leia heard all the guards take out their weapons.

The leader of the group shouted, "Ah! Finally that rat shows up! Men, to arms! We've no idea what to expect from the infamous Alfred Vint Svent."

Leia gasped then whispered to herself, "Of all people Alvin is the one to save me..? Oh, fate sure has a sense of humor!"

The leader heard Leia spoke, and approached her saying, "So you are acquainted with Alfred? Perfect, it seems all the trouble of capturing your sorry ass is going to pay off after all."

Alvin had finally made his way over, giving the group of men his signature wave and smile combination. He then said "I don't believe we've been properly introduced, the name's Alfred Vint Svent. I assume you're the one who sent me the letter?"

The leader glared at Alvin, looking him up and down. "You do not look like royalty, mister Svent." The man said bitterly and then proceeded to say, "However that does not matter. Shall we discuss business?"

Alvin chuckled to himself before saying, "Hey now, if you wanted to take me out on a date, you didn't need to bring the girl into this. I'm not one to turn down a business proposition."

Leia's heart sank. She could not believe what she was hearing. What she expected to be a rescue was quickly turning into another one of Alvin's betrayals. She slowly fell to her knees when she was quickly hit with the gun again.

"I said don't move you brat!" the man who was holding her hostage yelled. Leia glanced over to Alvin, hoping he would see what she was putting up with and feel guilty.

However to her disappointment, Alvin simply smiled and said, "I thought you said you wanted to discuss business, sir. So get to the point, I made a long trip to come over and personally meet you."

Leia began to cry softly as she listened to the two men discuss "business". It seemed as though the leader of the mysterious group of men worked for House Terra and was trying to end spyrite research. To make things worse, it seemed as if Alvin was actually considering it.

After several minutes of discussion, Alvin said, "So, if I help you end spyrite research, what's in it for me?"

"Why, the girl's well-being of course." The leader replied and snapped his fingers.

Leia could feel the gun pressed to her head once again, and hoping Alvin would save her somehow, instead he said, "Come on now that's no prize. I was hoping I'd be getting, you know what most people get from these sorts of propositions, gald?"

The leader smiled saying, "Well, you do know that we'll be taking this girl's life then, don't you?"

Alvin smiled and nodded his head. 'He SMILED, that lying bastard, he's smiling at the thought of my death!' Leia thought to herself as she looked over at Alvin. It seemed as though he was staring off in the distance at something but she wasn't sure what.

The men began to yell at Alvin when he suddenly said, "Shh! Don't you hear that? I think there are some monsters approaching from that way!"

He pointed to his right, and all four of the men turned their heads in that direction. Taking advantage of the small window of opportunity he had, Alvin quickly shot and killed the man who held Leia at gunpoint.

"Here I thought you might need this!" Alvin shouted as he tossed a small metal pole, that with a push of a button, expanded to a full length staff towards Leia.

Leia caught the staff, but stood glued to the same spot. 'Two feet over and that could have been my head…' Leia thought, but she was quickly interrupted by one of the men approaching her.

In the distance she could hear the leader already engaged in battle with Alvin, and he shouted, "Don't let them get away! Kill them!"

A short battle ensued as Leia successfully fended off her attacker. Stopping for a moment to catch her breath, she didn't notice that the third man was off in the distance, loading his gun to shoot her. Alvin had killed the leader of the men, when he noticed what Leia did not.

Desperately he shouted, "Leia! Look out behind you!"

Acting solely on instinct, Alvin ran as fast as he could to her location. 'I can't let this happen to her again; I can't let everything I've worked for be for nothing!' Leia quickly turned around and saw what Alvin referring was to. The gunshot roared through the air, and knowing she didn't have time to run away Leia ducked down and covered her head with her arms, hoping it was enough to dodge the bullet. A few moments passed by and Leia remained unharmed. She slowly opened her eyes to see Alvin falling to his knees before her.

"Alvin! You took the bullet, w-why!?" Desperately she began to cast a healing art on Alvin when she heard in the distance, "Huh? A Rieze Maxian!? This can't be! I have to report this!"

Leia was focusing on healing Alvin rather than pursuing to man however Alvin quickly got up and chased after him.

"Alvin stop, you're hurt! The battle's over already give it up!"

Without a response Alvin shot and killed the man. He fell to his knees again and Leia rushed to his side. Without a word she helped him remove his coat and shirt to locate to wound and tend to it more effectively. She shyly blushed as her eyes traced his body. She wasn't used to this kind of situation and she seemed to be enjoying it. 'Ugh! Get it together Leia!' she thought and quickly took Alvin's scarf and began to dress his wound with it to stop the bleeding.

"It's…it's in the same place as mine." She whispered to Alvin, but his response was a typical Alvin response, "Aw come on not my scarf! That's my trademark you know!"

Leia rolled her eyes and ignored his pleas as she tightly wrapped it around his wound. Then she began to chant a healing art but she noticed it wasn't working. She thought to herself, 'Not now! Why can't I do anything right! Alvin does something righteous for once and I can't even save him!'

Tears welled up once again and Alvin, sensing this, said softly to her, "Hey it's not your fault you know. There's hardly any spirits to aid you in this world, so naturally your artes will be less effective. I promise Leia, I feel fine."

He smiled a genuine smile at her before saying, "Now help me get dressed will ya? If you don't mind assisting me, we can walk back to Helioborg Fortress and hope that maybe with their almighty spyrites, they can fix me up."

Leia could not help but remain silent. She did as he asked, but part of her felt so confused over everything that just occurred that she couldn't bring herself to say anything.


Alvin had his arm opposite of his wound over Leia's neck, with her arms around his waist supporting him, as they began their journey back. Even though only minutes had passed by, it felt like hours to the both of them. The silence between them was suffocating. They both had so much on their minds, yet with the current circumstance, decided not to share them.

Leia was the first to break the silence, "You know Alvin…if that bullet was two feet over…"

Alvin interrupted her saying, "Were you seriously worried? As if I ever miss!"

Leia felt anger take over her body as she whispered, "So you actually meant to shoot me back at Hamil?"

Leia's words pierced through Alvin's heart as he shakily replied, "I…Leia no…I promise I didn't mean to…I-it was an accident I…"

What was once anger controlling Leia quickly turned into sadness. It was the first time Leia had witnessed Alvin being at a loss for words, but she knew she couldn't take her words back.

"I-I'm sorry Alvin, I shouldn't have said that."

Alvin shook his head and sighed. "No, you have every right to be upset with me. I guess I should've known it would take more than playing hero to regain your friendship."

The silence returned and it was Alvin who broke it this time saying, "Leia, can we keep talking?"

"Huh? Why?" Leia was surprised at Alvin's sudden request.

A few seconds later Alvin replied with his alluring voice, "Because talking to pretty girls always keeps me from feeling tired."

Leia blushed, 'Pretty? Does he really mean that? But, why is he worried about feeling tired…? Then it hit her. Alvin was trying his best to keep Leia from worrying, but he was actually afraid he was dying.

Feeling ashamed Leia nicely asked, "Well, what do you want to talk about little buddy?"To her own surprise she smiled genuinely, and Alvin noticed this.

'Little buddy…' he thought to himself, 'It's been so long since I've heard that nickname from her.' Alvin felt his heart beat a little faster and despite his pain, he felt truly happy.

And so they talked, about everything imaginable. From their favorite colors, favorite foods and favorite hobbies, to their past memories both good and bad. Their conversations never felt forced, if anything it felt natural for the both of them to talk so much.

"My stomach has never hurt this much from laughing before!" Leia chirped happily.

'It's so great to have her actually talking to me, let alone smiling and laughing. I should play hero more often.' Alvin smiled to himself before saying to Leia, "Well, you know being funny is part of my charm."

"I haven't laughed this much since before Jude left for Fennmont!" Leia shouted.

"Just what do you see in that kid anyways?" Alvin questioned seriously.

"Well, we go way back ya know? He's just so caring and sincere. But it doesn't matter anyways, because even I can see he's way in love with Milla."

Leia's smile slowly turned into a frown, and Alvin said, "You know Leia, Jude may have gotten a head start to winning your heart, but I promise you someone else will beat him to the finish line."

Leia felt the heat rush to her cheeks as she giggled and said, "Wow, that's surprisingly poetic of you!"

"How come it's taken you this long to notice how charming I am?" Alvin replied followed by a wink.

'Did he seriously just wink at me? Ugh, the nerve, he's over here dying and he still has the strength to flirt with me!?' Still, Leia couldn't help but blush, and she tried to quickly change the subject.

"Well, we've talked about my love story, now let's hear yours!"

Her question was quickly followed by a feeling of stupidity.

"I-I mean never mind Alvin, I shouldn't have even asked…I mean Presa passed away and here I am picking at your old wounds…I'm sorry." She looked away from Alvin and it shocked her to hear him laugh.

"No, it's okay Leia. I've come to terms with all that. Well, it's kind of a long story, so I'll just sum it up for you okay? Even though I betrayed her, I did really care about her. Hell, I even loved her at one point. But even if she were alive we never would have worked out; because our whole relationship was forged on lies. It's something I've learned from, and also something I've came to terms with."

"You've really grown up, haven't you Alvin?" Leia said softly.

He smiled and said, "Well it's all thanks to you guys! I think that's why, in the end, after all my past mistakes, I decided to stick it out with you guys. I was never really able to change like I had wanted to until you all made me wake up and smell reality."

Leia wasn't sure why, but she stopped walking.

Alvin, confused, said, "Hey what's the matter? We're almost there now."

Leia said nothing but squeezed him tightly. She felt that all she could do for him was to support him.

"You've been through a lot…ya know? A-and, I'm not really good at much, but if there's one thing I'm good at, it's being there for people."

She buried her face in his chest and blushed. Even she was unsure why she was acting this way, it was just something she felt Alvin needed. Alvin took his arm that was once wrapped around Leia's neck and held her with it. Leia opened her eyes to see that Alvin had his fist clenched. 'He must be in so much pain; I'm surprised he hasn't passed out yet.' Leia thought then looked to his face. Although he was smiling at her, she could see how pale he had become.

She slowly let go of him and said, "Alright, little buddy, sorry to hold us up! Let's go!"


They continued walking until they noticed a group of familiar people.

"Hey everyone! It's Leia and the big fat liar!" Teepo yelled as he and Elize ran over to the two of them.

Jude, Rowen, and Milla quickly followed, and without saying anything, Jude and Rowen began to support Alvin's weight for Leia.

"Ah young miss, I am most pleased to see you unharmed." Rowen said with a smile as he and Jude began to carry Alvin the rest of the way.

"Well now, I see you all didn't trust me after all." Alvin said with a smirk on his face.

Elize ran over and hugged Leia, while Milla said to everyone, "Let us take Alvin to the fortress immediately, then afterwards, Leia can tell us what has happened."

Everyone nodded in agreement as they hurried to Helioborg fortress. On the way there Jude asked, "Hey Leia, your old wounds aren't acting up are they? I mean, you look like you're ready to pass out…"

Leia rolled her eyes and said happily, "Jude! Get over that already! I'm totally fine!"

"Okay good, but we need to talk when you get back okay?"

After Jude said this Leia became uneasy. She couldn't help feeling he was going to scold her once they took care of Alvin.

They were right in front of the fortress now, when Balan greeted them, saying, "My, my, did little Alfred hurt himself while saving the day?"

"Can it Balan, just patch me up okay?" Alvin muttered as he was trying to hold back the pain.

"But of course dear cousin, I have just the spyrite to fix you up until we can transfer you to a hospital."


The rest of the group waited as Balan took care of Alvin. Leia explained the situation to everyone, and Milla was the first to speak, "Ah, so Alvin killed them all? That is good news; the last thing we need is for the whole world of Elympios to be after us after discovering who we truly are."

Everyone nodded and there was a short silence until Jude turned to Leia.

"Leia, do you have any idea how careless you were?! You put yourself, Alvin, and Elize in danger! You never should have left Elize alone!" He shouted and Leia looked down with tears in her eyes.

'Why can't you ever be happy to see me?' she thought before saying, "I'm so sorry Jude, I know I messed up! I always mess things up you should know that by now!"

Rowen placed a hand on Jude's shoulder before saying, "Now, now, there's no need for this conversation to take place. Miss Leia and Miss Elize are safe, and I am certain Alvin will pull through."

Jude apologized to Leia but she simply nodded in acknowledgement as she went over to lay down by Elize. All those hours of holding Alvin up were finally catching up to her and she felt exhausted, not to mention she was still starving.

"Hey Leia?" Elize questioned sleepily. "Is Alvin going to be alright?"

Leia gave a sheepish smile replying, "Of course! Everyone knows big fat liars don't go down that easily!"

Elize laughed and laid her head on Leia's lap, and eventually fell asleep. Everyone all sat in silence until Balan arrived with word of Alvin's condition.

"Great news everyone, Alvin's condition is stable, so we're going transfer him to the hospital in Trigleph. You can all rest for now; we'll be leaving in the morning." Balan happily announced.

'Good, he's safe. I'm relieved.' Leia thought to herself and smiled. She felt that Alvin had truly changed after their conflict in Hamil. She began to reminisce on their short journey together, and for some reason, that moment when she was hugging Alvin replayed in her mind over and over again.' He was wearing a genuine smile for once, and despite his pain he was concerned about me being worried. 'A feeling of happiness consumed her body as she smiled, closed her eyes and fell asleep.

A/N: I didn't want to make it too fluffy, because at this point they are still overcoming their unresolved issues. This was a long chapter so thanks to everyone who stuck it out until the end (: I'll update as soon as I can!