A/N: Woo. Chapter 2. Things get moving in this chapter -Wink- Nothing too racy though. I also realize that I made a really bad...grammar error in the author's note of the first chapter. XD I'm not sure how to edit something that has already been published, however. Does anyone know?

Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own Final Fantasy XII or any of it's characters.

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It had been one of the coldest recorded nights in the history of Mt. Bur-Omisace's weather. Ashe scowled at the thought, for every day seemed to hit a new degree of lethal subzero temperatures. She was thankful for the new garments they had purchased at the local vendor, for none of them were exactly prepared for the severity of the winter snowstorms. She pulled her coat tighter and buried her cold nose within the warmth of the fur.

After what seemed hours, Fran had managed to lead them into a campsite, not far from where the expected hunt was supposed to dwell. Vaan was smiling widely and Penelo was practically jumping for joy as they spotted a large bonfire in the center of the camp. "Well it's about high time we found some fire. I was beginning to think you had lost your spark my dear Fran." Balthier winked at the Viera woman and took her hand. "Will her majesty and her loyal knight be joining us this evening?" He teased, throwing them a look over his shoulder. Basch placed his gloved hand over Ashe's shoulder, ignoring the sky pirate. "Is all well my lady?" How terribly did she want to sink into his arms and have him hold her all night. She turned to face him and was slightly taken a back by his appearance. His face was pale and the ends of his hair had icicles hanging from the strands. "I will manage, but surely not all is well with you Captain!" Her eyebrows rose in worry as picked the frost from his hair, leaning in close.

She didn't seem to notice how close she really was, and how uncomfortable it made Basch. He watched her silently while she fussed over him, taking in every part of her lovely face. Even he had to admit it was sort of amusing to see Ashe concerned like this. He did not trust his thoughts when it came to the princess however, and mentally kicked himself before allowing any such violating thoughts to enter his mind. "Let's get you to the fire." With that, she grabbed his hand and marched over to the fire as Basch dragged behind. "Majesty I am fine, this is not necessary..." Ashe shot him a death glare and plopped down near the fire, yanking his hand down to her level and forcing him to sit. "Captain," she began haughtily. "Yes my lady?" "Do you think it wise to have my only protector frozen to death?" She only said it because it would be the only way he would listen to her when it came to matters of himself. Basch chuckled quietly and poked a log with a stick into the fire. "Nay, forgive me."

Across the bonfire, Balthier huddled next to Fran and grinned like mad. "What are you possibly smiling about in this weather?" Fran mused, leaning into Balthier. The glint in his mischievous eyes was obvious. "It's just interesting, you see." He pointed to the Knight and the Princess,
who were sharing a blanket and laughing quietly to themselves. "I see..." Fran smirked. "What is going on in that corrupted mind of yours?" She inquired. "Am I the only one that's sick of waiting for these two to get it on already?" Fran pinched his arm and hushed him, suppressing a giggle. "No...you're not the only one. Although I wouldn't quite put it that way."

"Choice words my dear. And no need to worry, I won't meddle too much." Fran shot him a knowing glance, and turned to a villager handing out some sort of hot drink. She nodded to the boy and sipped hers with joy.

"I thank you, sir." Ashe said to the child, gratefully taking the warm tea. He bowed politely and turned to the man beside Ashe. Basch nodded his thanks and gruffly took a long sip. "You were thirsty." Ashe stated, warming her hands against the mug. "Aye." They sat in comfortable silence, watching the flame and becoming lost in their own thoughts. "See? You are looking much better already." Ashe smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes, absent minded. The intimacy of the action was not past Basch, and he stood still as he did earlier. Ashelia frowned. "Come now Basch. I don't bite." 'God dammit...do not think about that!' He cursed himself. This had to be the twentieth time today. He tried not to notice the redness of her full lips, or the way the fire seemed to dance in her soft gray eyes.

What was it about this man that made the princess this way? He was a Knight, she was soon to be his queen. His. Why did that thought please her? It occurred to her that she had always preferred Basch over the other Knights in the Dalmascan army, whether the she wanted to admit it or not she felt inexplicably drawn to him. Here was a Knight who rose in the ranks, from nothing at all only to become one of the most heroic people she had ever known. Not only did he keep his promise to her as was his duty, but he was possibly her only real friend.

As if on cue, Vaan walked over to their area of the fire. "There's only 3 tents." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"So?" Basch looked up at the young man. He didn't see the problem with that.

"So, you two are sharing that tent." The two paled and looked over to where his finger pointed- A small, red tent.

"How about I bunk with-" Basch was cut off by Vaan's waving hand. "No can do. Balthier already told the lady lending the tent that you two would be staying in it together."

Basch narrowed his eyes and searched for Balthier. That man was simply unrelenting. "Surely she wouldn't mind if we just made a switch?" Ashe said in confusion. Vaan sighed. "He's been telling everyone that you are married to each other."

The princess nearly choked on her tea, spitting it ungracefully from her mouth. "He what?!" Her cheeks felt pink from the thought. Basch looked wary but nodded anyway. "So be it then. Goodnight Vaan." Vaan shrugged his shoulders and ran back to his tent. Ashe turned to her Knight in disbelief. "Y-you're..." She found herself stammering and Basch looked over curiously. "Highness, I will sleep on the other side but if it makes you uncomfortable I will sleep somewhere else." Was she blushing?

"No that is not necessary Basch. It's far too bitter out here." She stood up and took his arm, glancing over to see a few older women smiling at the presumed couple. Ashelia couldn't help it, she sort of liked the idea. She snuggled closer into Basch's strong arm as he lead the way and opened the tent for her. Perhaps it was wrong, but he liked the idea too. Once inside, Ashe sat down on the sleeping bag, drawing her knees to her chest. Basch zipped up the tent tight, and removed his coat setting it gently over the princess. "To keep you warm." He looked over to a spot on the other side of the too small tent and frowned. 'I suppose this will do.' Ashe threw his coat back to him and slipped inside the provided sleeping bag, shivering deeply. "You need it more than I." He took it without a word, which wasn't really a surprise since Basch wasn't one for talking. He made his bed and lied down, curling up like a child. Ashe wanted to laugh at his expression but kept it to a smile.

After several minutes of tossing and turning, Ashe opened the sleeping bag and sat up. "I am freezing." she stated. "Have my coat then." "No...Basch come...just..could you just.." She struggled with the words, not wanting to sound awkward but perfectly aware that it came out awkward anyway. "Hold me..." she finished quietly. Basch felt the butterflies in his stomach as he inched over beside her and reluctantly climbed into the sleeping bag. 'The gods hate me.' Tentatively, she reached out her arm and wrapped it around his waist. He wondered if she could hear his heart pounding in his chest. He slowly wrapped his muscular arms around her waist, allowing her to hug tightly against their freezing bodies.

'You're only doing this because it is freezing and she is your princess.' He repeated the mantra and closed his eyes. Ashe sighed happily against him and tried to control the chattering of her teeth. Basch buttoned the sleeping bag fully and pulled her closer, just a little too forcefully until she was settled in his lap firmly. Her gray eyes were wide and beautiful and despite his best efforts he couldn't help but look into them. Without warning, she pressed her lips to his gently. His mouth opened in surprise and her tongue quickly slipped past the barrier of his teeth. Basch didn't care at the moment. His tongue battled hers as she shifted in his lap with growing urgency. Her fingers went about his head and grabbed fistfuls of his wavy blond hair as his hand slid up her leg and pulled her thigh tight against his waist. His mouth was hot and quick and kissed down her jaw to her neck and she moaned in surprise, his stubble tickled her shoulder.

"KNOCK KNOCK!" The sound of a familiar teenage boy filled the tent. They both gasped in surprise but found it hard to remove from the other person inside the tiny sleeping bag. Vaan couldn't hide his grin as he poked his head back outside and cleared his throat. "S-sorry to interrupt...but the hunt is on." Basch and Ashe quickly got out of the sleeping bag and straightened their clothes, readying their weapons in a tensed silence. "Forgive me Captain..." she whispered quietly, looking down at her boots. Basch shook his head and attempted to plaster the usual stoic look back on his face. "There is nothing to forgive." he stated flatly. To Ashe, that had so many connotations. 'So he wanted me to kiss him? Or is he angry?' Before her mind had the chance to go on it's usual analyzing rampage, Basch had opened the tent.

Meanwhile, Vaan was running to catch up with the others. He stopped a few feet short to catch his breath as Penelo and Balthier turned to him. "Yeah, don't worry. They are catching up." Penelo smiled playfully and pulled on Vaan's arm. "Well? What are you standing around for then?" He grinned back, thinking about what it would be like to kiss Penelo that way, how he had seen Lady Ashe and Captain Basch.

'The old man's still got it.' He shook his head and grinned.