Second update for today. I have high hopes for this story, so I hope it lives up to both mine and your expectations. Reviewing earns updates, and feel free to check out my other stories if you are enjoying this one. Love to you all my freaky little darlings!

The Edge of Forever

Chapter 2: The Way We Change

Vaan had barely been able to sleep the night before, and he tried to tell himself that it was because the luxury of the palace made him uneasy, but deep inside he knew it was because Balthier was sleeping right down the hall. Either way, he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep, and he stood there yawning and fidgeting as Ashe gave them the last details of their journey.

Balthier, on the other hand, looked well rested and alert. Vaan wondered if there was something different about him, something that had changed since that day he'd stayed aboard the Bahamut and saved them all. He couldn't believe it had been a year and a half since he'd seen him, all that time wasted. He wasn't sure if it had been harder for him thinking that he was dead, or if knowing he was alive and still not being able to see him had been worse. It didn't matter, he supposed, Balthier was here now. That was what mattered.

"The Strahl is fueled and ready to go, we can leave immediately if you'd like," said Balthier.

That snapped Vaan out of his thoughts, "Hang on a minute, who says we're taking the Strahl? I have a ship too you know."

Balthier looked at him with raised eyebrows, "The Strahl is bigger and faster than that hunk of shit you've been flying around in Vaan. Can you imagine the five of us crammed in it?"

"Six," said Ashe, "I'm coming with you."

Balthier looked surprised, but didn't say anything.

"Are you sure that's wise princess?" asked Basch, who even with his short trimmed hair looked more like his old self again now that he had traded his brothers armor for his old red shirt and tan pants, "If this mission is so dangerous perhaps it would be better if you stayed here."

He regretted his choice of words immediately.

"It seems you have forgotten that I handled my fair share of danger a year and a half ago," she argued.

"Forgive me your highness," he said, "I did not mean to offend."

Ashe let it go at that, "If no one has any objections I'd like to get going."

No one had any objections.

Vaan felt a little strange being aboard the Strahl again. It looked pretty much the same, though there were a few little differences. He walked down the old familiar hallway, which was dotted with five bedrooms and a bathroom. He stopped in front of the door to the room he and Penelo had shared a year and a half ago, and was surprised to find two deep grooves in the door that almost looked as if they had been caused by bullets. He had thought of Balthier a million times in the past year and a half, but he had never really thought about the fact that the pirate and his partner might have been in some sort of trouble.

He was startled from his thoughts Penelo, who had walked up beside him without his knowing, "There are signs of violence all over the ship," she said, "It looks like some kind of battle was fought in here."

"A lot can happen in a year and a half," Balthier's voice sounded a little sad, and Vaan wondered how long he'd been standing behind them, "I thought you might want to bunk in my room," he said to Vaan, changing the subject, "I hate to make a young woman share a room." He smiled at Penelo, who smiled back, blushing at the thought of Balthier thinking of her as a woman.

Vaan's heart skipped a beat, "Uh, you want me to bunk in…in your room?"

Balthier shrugged, "It's bigger than this one, there's plenty of room for two. I just thought Penelo could use her own room."

"Uh, yeah, ok,"

Balthier motioned for him to follow him, as if Vaan didn't remember exactly where the pirate's bedroom was. Of course, he had never seen the inside of either Balthier or Fran's rooms. They had both been very particular about their privacy before. He held his breath as Balthier unlocked the door to his room, a warm nervous feeling exploding in his stomach. The room was nothing like Vaan would have imagined. He had always imagined Balthier's bedroom being somewhat bare, like the other rooms aboard the Strahl were, with guns and armor hanging on the walls. Maybe a pile or two of treasure in the floor as well, but it was nothing like that. There were books everywhere, even at the foot of the lavish bed which was covered in scarlet colored sheets, which seemed to be made of silk. There were also an assortment of plants here and there, and a large, richly colored rug that covered the floor.

"It's nice," he said finally, afraid to touch anything for fear of messing something up, "I expected it to be a little less…homey."

Balthier chuckled, "You forget Vaan, unlike yourself, Fran and I don't dock our ship and go home. This is our home."

"You sure you want me in here?"

Balthier smiled, "Just don't let anyone else in here. I like my privacy."

"I can bunk with Basch if you'd rather," said Vaan, he didn't want Balthier to feel stuck with him.

Balthier's smile faded, "Would you rather bunk with Basch?"

"No, I just don't want you to feel stuck with me. I know you got tired of me clinging to you…back then."

"You're mad at me, for not letting you know Fran and I weren't dead," said Balthier. It wasn't a question.

Vaan shrugged, "Well, yeah. I mean we all had to sit through your funeral. You…you've no idea what that was like."

"I'm sorry. Maybe one day I can explain."

"But you can't now?" asked Vaan, annoyed.

Balthier shook his head, "I wish I could. I want you to understand, I did what I had to do. It was nothing personal."

"I'm sure everybody knows that," said Vaan, turning his back to him.

"Vaan," the way Balthier said his name made him turn to face him again, "I want you to understand."

"Then tell me what happened. You just let me think you were dead, for a year! I thought I…nevermind."

"What?" asked Balthier.

"I just thought I meant more to you than that," said Vaan quietly.

Balthier sighed, and his face took on an expression Vaan couldn't read. He looked as if he were going to say something, but then changed his mind, "We'd best get to the others. We have a lot to discuss."

Vaan wasn't sure, but he thought Balthier looked sad. He didn't have time to think about it though; they had a lot to do.

To Be Continued…

Hope you're enjoying, this one will be slow paced, but I promise it will be packed full of action, don't get impatient. Review please, so I know someone is reading!