Xonelel: the chappie involving a berserked Ashe, a discussion involving weddings and Ashe the human cockatrice, courtesy of Balthier… and could a kiss be involved:3

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Square Enix, sadly. If I did, I would be doing Yuya's bunny dance! BUUNY DANCE!!! BUNNY BUNNY BUNNY!

Ahem… inside joke.

On with the fic!

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Morning came all too soon, and the adventurers were groggily coming to. Balthier awoke to find Ashe absent from his shoulder. He was the last one to rise, and he saw that a small breakfast was already being prepared. It was still dark, due to the perpetual darkness of the ancient city it was hard to tell that it was daytime at all.

Fran confidently walked away from camp to hunt something to eat. She saw a small reptilian creature on the ground some ways away, and aimed a deadly arrow that struck the target. It turned, eyes glowing with fury, and grew to 10 times its size. Roaring, the giant lizard clamped onto Fran's arm as she desperately tried to attempt to cast magick with shaking hands, infusing her body with a potent breathless poison. Her breathing slowed against her will and she fell, weak.

The creature was about to land a final blow when a blast of lightning knocked it over. It was followed by a volley of bullets, as well as some more spells. When it had ceased movement, everyone rushed forward.

"Found her," Penelo said grimly, clutching her rod that was still smoking from the lightning spell. She tried to cast a healing spell, but it wasn't working. Everyone's mana was dangerously low, and she hadn't the knowledge of the counter spell for this particular poison.

"What's wrong with her?" Vaan asked, panicking.

"It's disease." Basch said somberly.

"How do you cure it?" Penelo asked, her voice raising higher, as it did when she was stressed. It was her job, and she couldn't do it and her friend was fading fast.

"You'd need a vaccine… which we have none of. However, this is a remarkably simple type… it could be cured by CPR, since it affects the respiratory system." Basch answered knowledgably, his years in combat coming to good use.

Balthier recognized his meaning as he threw him a significant look. He was her partner, after all. It was his job. Despite how he would regret doing it in front of Ashe, who had just arrived on the scene, being the farthest away.

He knelt down by Fran and lifted up her head, her skin color was bleached an unnatural white, and her head felt clammy.

Then Balthier kissed her. Just giving her air, but in everyone's eyes it seemed no different than a kiss. The color came back, and when he lifted his head she took deep, raspy breaths.

"Thank you… partner."

Ashe watched the scene with an unnatural stoic expression. Then, she saw red. Her hands began to shake, her whole body vibrated, it seemed as if steam had clouded her mind, because in a moment her weapon was out and she had descended upon Fran, attempting to rip her apart. Vaan attempted to restrain her, but wasn't up to her crazed might.

He turned her around so she set off to ravaging the nearby enemies. Penelo looked on, bewildered.

"She's gone berserk!"

Meanwhile, Ashe was desperately trying to gain control of herself. How had this happened? It couldn't possibly be Balthier and Fran… but the thought merely added vigor to the swings of her katana. Then, she felt arms close around her, gentle but firm. Her arms were bunched up against her chest, her sword pointing skywards. The arms stayed, and slowly Ashe regained self control. The red faded from her vision, and her mind was unclouded.

She suddenly realized whose arms and body were tightly wrapped around hers, and she shivered. He had never made her this nervous before. Was it something last night? Why was she acting like this? It's all that stupid sky pirate's fault, she thought. But she could not bring herself to believe her own words.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, princess." Balthier whispered into her ear, making her shudder again.

"A-as I am." She replied. Her voice was shaking.

Sure now that her consciousness was back, Balthier let go of her. Well, that was his plan anyways. He stayed there for a little more than needed, taking in the scent of her hair. Flowery, elegant. Princess like. He couldn't see her face growing progressively more red. Finally his arms fell his sides.

"Ahem… I suppose it's breakfast time now?" He added, casually as if nothing was different, and everyone filed back towards the camp. Fran lagged behind, shaking almost as much as Ashe as a result of the poison.

"Balthier and I are partners." She stated to Ashe, who looked at her quizzically. "Nothing more." Then her long strides led her ahead of the Dalmascan princess, who was left pondering those words.

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At the camp, everyone was groaning about how hungry they were, particularly Vaan.

"Ashe, a word," Balthier asked. "In private."

"Of course," she replied. Her heart did a little jump.

They walked to a more secluded area of camp.

"The kiss was just resuscitation. Trust me, Fran is far too good for me. Just a partner, she's too strong for someone like me." Balthier said quickly. It seemed he had been wanting to say this, and it was exactly what Ashe had wanted to hear. Ashe knew she must confirm something in return.

"Rasler may have been my husband, and we did like each other, but it was arranged. I wasn't really, truly in love with him. Ashe Nabradia had a nice ring to it though." She put an emphasis on 'had.' "Ashe Bunansa sounds much better though…" She noticed the shocked look on Balthier's voice and realized that she had said one of her deepest thoughts aloud, one that she hadn't even acknowledged.

"Oh, of course I just mean to say that the names sound good." She excused lamely. He quirked an eyebrow and placed an arm on her shoulder.

"I think it does too. It's a funny thing, marriage. I always thought it was a cage, where a man could never be free again." Balthier commented. "I still believe that. Though, at my age you have to think about it once in a while." He grinned at Ashe's amused expression, her uncomforted look had melted away. She seemed to be tense, but calm at the same time.

His arm still hadn't left her shoulder.

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The camp was packed and the group had fought their way to the great crystal. The Occuria had given Ashe the treaty blade, and it was back to Balfonheim port to restock and chat with Reddas about their next move.

For now, the Strahl was on a lazy autopilot towards the city, and everyone was lounging in his or her seats.

Ashe was gripping her seat very hard, confronted by several different decisions. First, she had the Treaty Blade and the Sword of kings to decide between. Would she destroy all natural nethicite forever, or cut a piece herself and completely annihilate the Empire? Second, she had decided her feelings for Balthier were definitely there. The only problem was that he was a sky pirate, and liable to take her for one night, then leave her behind. She could never tell his true intentions, one minute he's all business, the next giving her a tender hug to cure her berserked self. What does it all mean? She agonized.

Balthier had sank into his seat, also despairing over things. His father had lured him into a trap, trying to get Ashe to get the sword with which to cut the nethicite. His face burned remembering the mocking way Cid had tried to use Ashe back at Draklor laboratory, and he swore he would protect her this time. And he was sure he could not pursue her romantically, she was the princess. When the adventure was over, she would have to return to her royal duties. He hated the very thought, and tried to divert his mind to other matters.

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Once in Balfonheim everyone split up to finish some tasks. Penelo set to buy supplies and spells, with Vaan "helping" her, and Basch went to inspect some new armor. Fran had been keen on a new bow, so she offered to buy the weapons. That left Ashe and Balthier with some free time.

They sat on the pier overlooking the beautiful sea, the sun was shining and sparkling on the waves and the streets behind them teamed with life.

"Balthier, what is it that you're looking for?" Ashe asked him curiously. He looked at her. "I mean, you must have become a sky pirate to find something."

"Freedom, I suppose." He replied quickly. "The added treasure makes a nice bonus," he added.

"I'm one too, I guess. Remember when I asked you to steal me?"

"Yes. Glad I accepted." Balthier grinned. "That technically means that you're 'mine' you know."

"And that would mean…?"

"I can make you do as I say."

"How may I serve you, oh master?" Ashe asked him dramatically.

"Hmm… pretend that you're a cockatrice and cluck at the passersby." Balthier grinned evilly, but Ashe merely laughed and stood up. "Oh, and make sure to flap too." He flapped his arms crazily.

Ashe walked up to one person and started clucking, strutting around them. She did this to 2, 3 more people, with others watching the hilarious spectacle. She walked back to Balthier with a victorious glint in her eye, and he was laughing close to tears. He stood up.

"One more thing." He asked.

"Anything." Ashe smiled at him.

And without warning, he flew onto her, pressing his lips to hers for the first time, something he had so longed to do but had only ventured in his dreams. She did not protest but could feel him smiling, as she was. Her hands found his soft brown hair and his arms were around her waist, the crowd that had watched Ashe acting silly before was now watching the spectacle.

But they could care less about the audience, their eyes were closed and they were thoroughly wrapped up in one another, even when Vaan and Penelo began aww-ing obnoxiously at them.

For once, their worries were lifted, and neither could care less about the future. The world seemed far away, and it was still distant even when they broke apart.

"Need anything else?"

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Xonelel: hehe this pairing is sooo cute…. The review button is calling, readers!