Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.

A/N: Another thank you to my beta BlueTrillium for doing a fantastic job. I hope everyone is enjoying this story so far and thank you for the reviews!

Chapter Two

Larsa had continued bantering with Basch unsuccessfully and beamed when he saw Penelo reappear. He eagerly grabbed her arm and locked it with his again, and began leading her on towards the palace with Basch following behind. He began questioning her about what had happened and Penelo just glanced behind her at the masked face. She wished she had a helmet right now.

"Hey Larsa," she finally interrupted. "Has Vaan stopped by to see you?"

She hated bringing the boy up, but knew that this was probably the only subject that would successfully distract Larsa.

"No, I have not." He considered a moment. "Not as close as you used to be anymore, are you?"

She smiled a small smile and he placed his other hand on her shoulder. It was a friendly gesture of consolation. She sighed and mentally growled at having to bring up Vaan as the topic of discussion.

"Personally Penelo, I did not ever think him worthy of you," Larsa said encouragingly. "He never took anything seriously, least of all you."

"Yeah, I know," she agreed in what she hoped was a wistful voice and not the dull tone it sounded like.

"If he were here right now, I would be all too happy to instruct him on how to properly treat a lady," he continued.

"Thanks Larsa," she replied softly and gave him a quick smile.

They walked the rest of the way in a subdued silence. If she did see Vaan again anytime soon, she was going to kick him. If he could act like a child and just never grow up, well he deserved it. She really didn't care where he was or that he didn't visit anyone except Balthier and Fran. She just wished he hadn't taken her along for the ride of his life and then just up and left her when she wanted off. She had given up so much to be by his side and he really didn't seem to care. He took to Filo or Kytes being navigator as easily as he did to her once. She was only a friend after all; just a friend, always a friend. She never could hate him but she would definitely kick him when she saw him again.

They arrived at the palace with no more talk of Vaan, thankfully. Larsa escorted her to the gardens and she removed her arm from his, placed her pack down, sat on a small stone bench that rested under a tree, and began re-braiding her hair. An aide had come from seemingly nowhere and spoke briefly with Larsa.

"I fear I have some minor business to attend to." He frowned. "Gabranth, please keep our guest entertained."

"As you wish, my lord," he replied soberly.

Larsa threw a mirthful wink at Penelo, who had successfully re-braided her hair, and followed the aide out of the garden.

"I'm sorry about earlier," Penelo said, gazing at the ground finding the grass quite fascinating.

"It is not your fault," Basch voice intoned from under the helmet. "I should have listened to you."

"Yeah, well. I promise to clear your good name the next chance I get." She smirked and allowed a small giggle to escape her lips as her eyes fixed on rocks near her feet.

"You needn't worry about my good name," he replied quietly.

She didn't remember hearing him remove his helmet and placing it on the ground, but as she looked up she caught his eyes and not the mask. His blue-grey eyes seemed to smolder as she looked at him. They held her own fast within a trance that made her feel almost like his prey. She felt her heart flutter and could not dismiss the feeling for nerves this time. A smile crept across his face as he continued to gaze at her. He was smiling an almost boyish smile that made his eyes sparkle leaving her breathless in its wake. She wasn't sure if he was making fun of her or if he actually entertained the idea of Lissa's implication. Men were so confusing, and this one doubly so as he was twice her age and then some. She decided to not pursue the topic any further in her mind for fear of more embarrassment and was actually glad to hear Larsa's voice calling out to them both.

"Ah good, you have finally removed your security blanket I see." Larsa grinned.

Basch rolled his eyes and sighed as Penelo was pulled from her musings and laughed.

"Continue and I shall be forced to place it back on my head, my lord," the older man grumbled.

"You really are no fun, Judge Magister." Larsa flashed a bright smile at him then turned to Penelo. "Personally I prefer being able to see when he's making a face at me."

Penelo laughed harder this time at the mental image of Basch sticking his tongue out at anyone. Her hand covered her huge smile as Larsa joined her on the bench in her laughter. Basch had crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow at the two and shook his head. The laughter subdued and Penelo couldn't remember having this much fun with these two ever. Another reason to kick Vaan, she thought to herself.

"Well Penelo," Larsa started, "I think our garden is lovely this year but perhaps you think it is still missing something, like a desert bloom?"

"Um, it looks beautiful Larsa." Penelo smiled at him.

"And what do you think Gabranth? Still missing something?" Larsa questioned.

His innocent question seemed just that, but the tone of his voice spoke volumes and Penelo watched with great confusion as Basch glared at his young emperor. Larsa stared him down accepting the silent challenge and Penelo was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. She cleared her throat gently trying to break the two from their piercing gazes towards each other but it seemed they were now oblivious to her. This made her wonder if Larsa had meant something else by this question and why Basch wouldn't answer.

"I will not play this game, my lord," Basch replied flatly, his eyes burning into the young man's face.

"It is not a game, Judge Magister," Larsa challenged. "I am curious to know the answer. Aren't you Penelo?"

She gaped at him and secretly hated him in this instant for dragging her into their private duel. "Um, ah…" She flustered.

"You need not answer, my lady," Basch assured her, though his tone was daring the young lord to suggest otherwise.

"So help me Gabranth, I will…I will," Larsa spoke with visible agitation.

"Idle threats will not work with me, my lord." The elder man spoke with smoothness of a sword splitting silk.

"I will speak in your stead, if you remain silent much longer." Larsa glared up at him with his chin thrust forward and a playful smirk emerging from his lips, thinking himself the victor.

Basch leaned to retrieve his helm and then turned his back on his lord.

"That is not a threat." Basch spoke the words so softly they would have been missed had she not been holding her breath.

She watched him leave the garden, her heart fluttering all the while. She noticed he stopped as soon as he came to the entrance. He glanced back at her and placed the helmet on his head as he leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. She dared to breathe now that the tension began to ebb.

"I don't want to know." Penelo quickly turned to Larsa shaking her head.

"As you wish," Larsa sighed and smiled gently at her. "Sorry."

"That's okay, I guess," she offered, patting his hand. At least he looked thoroughly embarrassed now.

"He can just be so difficult when it comes to some things," Larsa growled. "I have tried to keep him happy. Both of us have just muddled our way through the last four years and I am finally coming into my own and he, well he…he just seems so unhappy."

Penelo's heart went out to the young emperor who was visibly distraught.

"He has endeared himself to me, a mentor, no, brother to replace all that I had lost, and it pains me to see him so," Larsa offered in hushed tones. "He is all the family I have left, save you."

"Oh, Larsa," she sighed as she hugged the emperor and placed the side of her head to his temple.

"He's always been a difficult one when it comes to sharing his feelings, but he'll come around, you'll see," she offered in her bright reassuring tone.

"Always the optimist, Penelo." He smiled sadly. "I will trust that you are right."

"I am, you'll see," she said knowingly. "And I am quite honored you think of me as family."

"How could anyone not think of you as family?" He pulled away from her and attempted to look confused but ended up grinning instead.

She grinned back and both of them shared a small giggle. Her eyes strayed to the figure leaning against the doorframe and wondered briefly what Larsa meant about saying something for Basch. She looked back to Larsa to find his gaze was in the doorframe as well. He turned back to her and smiled at her, placing his hands atop hers.

"I fear I do have other business to attend to, and I won't keep you from getting back to Rabanastre," he stated with a hint of sadness. "I will see that Gabranth escorts you to the aerodrome."

"It was nice seeing you again, Larsa," she offered with a small smile.

"Yes, but do try to visit sooner next time." He grinned at her and then somberly added. "Both of us always look forward to seeing you."

His eyes again strayed to the Judge's form in the doorway and he excused himself with the briefest of kisses to her cheek. She watched as he spoke briefly with the helmed man who nodded in reply. Larsa had turned and was leaving as she saw him stop briefly, nod, and then watched as the emperor's shoulders seemed to shift as though a weight had been lifted. An apology, Penelo thought to herself, as she watched Larsa's back fade from view and Basch's form striding towards her.