Disclaimer: I don't own any of this stuff.

Fran awoke lying on her stomach up in a hotel bedroom; they had been supplied for all the guests, courtesy of her majesty.

She tried to remember how she'd ended up here. It came back to her.

Balthier had insisted that they ordered Madhu to toast the happy couple, drink after drink they downed by way of a friendly competition until Balthier suggested that they go upstairs and change so that they could go swimming in the fountain. Now usually Fran would have calmed him down but today she had decided to go along oh too happily with his idea. But alas it appeared that they were both too drunk to actually go through with it and had instead passed out on his bed, an occurrence that Fran was only too accustomed to after 5 years worth of drinking with Balthier.

She sat up and began to untangle the flowers that had been decorating her hair, placing them one by one into the glass of water on the bed side table. Fran eased of her high heeled shoes and rubbed her sore feet.

"Tis your fault, insisting we dance the night away." She said glancing over her shoulder to her still unconscious partner, he did not reply.

The Veira got to her feet and undid the zip on the back of her bridesmaid dress and allowed it to fall to the floor, leaving her in her lingerie. She saw nothing wrong with this as she often wore little else. Sitting down on the edge of the bed she turned her attention back to Balthier, tickling his feet as she took of his shoed, she laughed softly as he squirmed slightly.

"Now your jacket, it will be ruined if you sleep in it." She lifted him up and held him in her arms as she took his jacket from him; she removed his tie and laid him down again.

Walking over to the door to hang up his coat she felt a piece of paper fall from his pocket.

She picked it up and identified it as the speech he had given earlier. She unfolded the paper and got back on the bed. The moonlight streamed through the window and gave her light by which to read.

"The first time I met Vaan, I admit to not being too fond of the fellow. Firstly he tried to take the treasure I intended to take and secondly he just would not stop staring at my lovely partner. I thought to myself 'how does this poor excuse for a boy get by?' The answer to that question came when we met Penelo. If anyone can keep Vaan in line its Penelo. You would be lost without her Vaan, so remember this well; seek the treasures this world has hidden if you must but do not forget that you have the greatest you will ever find in a partner that completes your soul."

"Quite the romantic aren't you? Really, underneath all the jokes and flirting." She folded up the speech and placed it beside the glass on the table.

"I wonder if I complete you? I am certain that you complete me and yet I do not tell you this." Fran ran her long finger over his sideburns and through his cropped hair.

"For your time is short, would it be greedy for me to take it all?"

He breathed softly and wrapped his arms around her small waist, she felt him nuzzle his head against her neck.

"But then again, you are so very beautiful. I do not know what to do, but for now it matters not." Fran yawned and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck.

"Goodnight, one who loves me and yet tortures me still." Perhaps she would drink less in future, so she could avoid such thoughts and so she wouldn't give so easily into sleep.

Balthier awoke to find himself wrapped in Fran's arms, she was still sleeping soundly.

The sunlight streamed through the window and hurt his eyes, keeping them shut he reached for his glass of water. He took a sip and spat it out, splashing Fran slightly.

She sat up and glared at him.

"That's disgusting! vile Hume!" she complained and then chuckled slightly as she noticed the problem.

He raised an eyebrow at her and then glanced at the flowers in his cup.

"I suppose you are responsible for this?"

"I did not want them to die." The Veira explained as she stretched her arms up.

"Well I would be annoyed but your little outfit is offering sufficient distraction." He spoke in a soft growl as he crawled over her.

She rolled her dark eyes, "Must you start on me so early in the morning."

"It's a full time job Fran." He elucidated as he placed a kiss on her neck.

Knock, knock.

"Oh dear looks like you have been interrupted." Fran teased.

Balthier groaned, got off of her and went to open the door.

"Good morning." Said Ashe as she strode in.

"Oh feel free to come in." Balthier said under his breath.

"Your majesty." Fran gave a slight bow as she rummaged in Balthier's bag in the hope of finding some of her clothes.

"Am I interrupting something?" The Queen asked.

"Yes."

"No."

Fran flung a pillow at him.

To which he shot her an unimpressed glare.

"I went to look for you in your room Fran. But you weren't there, so I assumed you were here."

Fran gave the queen a cool look; neither girl had either been particularly fond of the other.

Balthier decided it was time to pick a side; he joined Fran and placed an arm around her shoulders. Using his free one to locate her clothes. He put them on the bed for her.

"There that should clearly show my alliance." He thought to himself.

"How can we help you Ashe?" Balthier broke the cold silence.

"Oh I do not require your services, I just wished to bid you farewell…properly. I am sure you recall that our last parting was one that left the team wondering if you were dead or alive." She replied as she fiddled with her ring.

"Back to Rabanastre?" Fran asked as she glanced around the room looking for something

"No, actually I am to take leave to Arcades with Lord Larsa and Captain Basch."

"That will be nice then, all friends together and that." Balthier added as he passed Fran a hair brush.

"We will be working on peace policies, it shan't be a holiday. But still I look forward to it all the same. Al Cid will also be joining us."

Fran noticed Balthier tense slightly, this annoyed her greatly, and she snatched the brush from him and began to brush her hair.

"Be careful around Al Cid." The pirate warned.

"I assure you I can handle myself."

"If you are so concerned why don't you go with her." Added Fran, her voice sounding as near to snappy as it could.

Balthier turned to face her, "It's not that I am concerned for the Queen, I just can't stand any man that treats women in the way that Al Cid does. Did you see him use his assistant as a sunglasses holder?" He shook his head in disgust.

Fran softened.

"What will you be doing now?" asked Ashe eager to change the subject.

"Business as usual," Fran answered.

"Yes I expect that B'gamnan has been tearing his hair out, if he had any mind, wondering where we've been."

"Of course, we don't want to keep your psychopathic stalker waiting now do we?" Joked Fran who had decided to let the Al Cid business slide this time.

Ashe gave a smile and bid them farewell.

"I don't envy her, could you imagine a life with so much responsibility." Balthier said as he slumped back onto the bed after the Queen had left.

Fran remained silent; before she had left Eruyt she had been second in line to become leader. The thought made her shudder and gave her a rush of gratitude to Jote who took the position; she had done enough now, broken enough laws of the wood to ensure that she would never be leader.

"Fortunately you and I are free of such tiresome tasks." She said eventually, joining him in lazing on the bed again.

"Yo ho yo ho, it's a pirate's life for me." she mused.

"Couldn't agree with you more my dearest friend." He said with a grin.

A/N: please Rand R XX