Well, indeed it has been a while. I know I have been gone for a long time, I had to deal with finals and studying for those took up most of my time. NOW here is the next chapter of my Alan and Tate fic. I know everyone wants the Sain and Farina fic to get up… and I'll get that up soon enough. Anyways, one more thing: WARNING: I made one new character, don't kill me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem or anything associated with it

Tate woke up, she looked around the tent. Alan was still fast asleep next to her and the snow was still falling. Tate checked on the horses and looked up at the sky, the blizzard didn't seem like it would last much longer. She sat back down in the tent and stared down at Alan for a moment. He was such a nice guy, thought Tate. She was very happy he had come with.. Alan was a very nice friend to have.

Tate thought about it for a moment, he was really beginning to grow on her. Not just in the typical friend way, Tate found that she was beginning to care about him quite a bit.

Alan woke up shortly after, the two didn't speak much when they woke, apart from standard good mornings. It was not long before the snow storm ended and they were able to continue. They rode side by side, Tate had no use for flying since she didn't want to leave Alan behind. Tate glanced over at him several times during the ride, she couldn't help but think about how kind Alan was to her the night before. Alan glanced over at Tate as well, there was something about that obsessive and controlling pegasus knight that he enjoyed. He briefly considered the prospect of becoming more than friends but quickly tossed it out of his head. She liked Klein, there was no reason to pressure her into anything else.

The two soon arrived at a large snow covered valley in the mountains. There they saw a small tent with a fire burning outside of it, there was a pegasus there as well. Next to the pegasus were four or so dragons without riders. They heard a shouting from inside the tent. The dragon riders emerged, led by a man in purple armor. With them was Thany, her hands tied behind her. Tate looked to her and saw a fear in Thany's eyes that she had never seen before. They dragged her towards their dragons and Tate began to move forward, Alan put a hand on her and pulled her back.

"Stop Alan! Let me go!" whispered Tate fiercely. "I have to get my sister!"

She struggled forward but Alan held her back further.

"Stop it! We can't win this fight Tate!"

"I have to try..." she tried struggle free of his grip.

Alan pointed to the man in purple armor,

"Look who's being rash now! Do you know who wears that armor Tate?! Answer me!"

Alan spoke firmly now, the cavalier part of him had taken control of the situation.

"G-General Murdock..." her voice was shaking now. Tate stopped struggling against Alan and shrunk her shoulders in defeat.

"I-I suppose we should go back then.. We can't fight Murdock..."

Tate was struggling to hold back tears, a few dripped onto her armor. She watched as the dragon knights took her sister away, they put Thany on the dragon with Murdock and flew off.

Alan spoke soothingly to Tate now.

"No... We aren't giving up, where are they flying Tate?"

Tate looked to the sky, her eyes were red.

"There is a city not far in that direction, that must be how they got here so quickly... That must be where they are taking Thany.."

Suddenly she brightened up a little,

"We might find her there!"

"Exactly! So we better get a move on! There's no telling how long we have before..."

Tate shook at the thought of what might happen to Thany at the hands of Bern, chances are she would be executed for working with Roy's army. The two rode off towards the city and took Thany's pegasus with them. They reached it by nightfall, just as it was getting cold and snow was falling into the streets. Alan and Tate saddled their three horses at a nearby stable, they gave the stable master a depressing story about how the third member in their mercenary gang was killed in a blizzard and they were stabling her pegasus until they could sell it. The man seemed to buy it, so Tate and Alan quickly paid their way and ran through the streets to find a tavern or inn to stay. It didn't take them long, they ducked into the doorway and entered a dimly lit tavern that smelled of Ilian rum and other kinds of alcohol. A small fire burned in the corner and Alan went up to do the talking.

Tate sat down and looked around, in the corner there was one more lady, she was tall and slender with fierce teal hair. A spear leaned up against her and she wore the armor of a typical pegasus knight. Tate cursed and diverted her eyes, Tate knew that lady, she was Tate's own childhood rival Irelia. (this isn't an actual character in the game mind you) Alan sat down next to Tate, he saw the fear painted plain on her face.

"What's wrong?"

Head still looking towards the table, Tate spoke slowly.

"I know that woman... And she knows me.."

Alan cursed and looked up to Tate. He glanced over at the woman who promptly noticed them and stood up. She walked towards them.

"So Tate! It's been two years and you FINALLY come back with a date now eh?" she gestured to Alan. Alan examined her with steady eyes, she had clearly had a bit to drink, but not enough to make her drunk. Irelia ordered a round of Ilian rum for the three of them; Tate nodded to the woman's comments.

"Yeah, I met him in a squad heading to Bern. Ever since then we've been... Dating..." Tate was clearly shaken, to think she was normally anti-social... Now this was a whole new level.

"Yeah she's right, we met in the capital and sparks just flew."

The woman nodded and the rum arrived, 3 mugs. Alan looked down at his, it couldn't be that much different from Lycian ale right? He took a swig and nearly gagged, god it was strong. He glanced over to Tate, hers was already half gone. He shrugged and began to drink, Tate looked over to him. She cursed the gods, Alan was going to give them away wasn't he? He didn't know anything about Ilia. when he finished it Alan swayed a little. Tate knew it from the beginning; the only people that can hold their Ilian rum were people from Ilia. Alan didn't look like he would survive another mug.

"Another round barten-"

"Actually no! No thank you! Me and my friend here are fine, we just want to head upstairs and get some sleep." Tate cut in.

Irelia frowned,

"Why such a rush to get out of here Tate?". She glanced to Alan and her and a look of understanding crossed her face.

"Oh I see how it is, you two want to "Get some sleep," as in he's going to be getting inside that skirt eh?"

Tate's face had never been so flaming red in her life. This had to be the most embarrassing thing that had happened to her. The only thing more embarrassing was what she was forced to say in response.

"... Yep that's the plan.. Now if you will just excuse us..." Irelia let them by up the stairs.

Once in their room Tate shut the door and locked it. She breathed a sigh of relief and Alan sat down on the bed, holding his head.

"How the hell do you guys drink that stuff.. I couldn't survive a single mug, you two must have had at least three each.."

Tate chuckled at her friend; normally men could drink more than women, not to mention Tate was much smaller than him.

"You get used to it. Ilian rum is well known for how strong it is. I'm just glad I got us out before she ordered anymore. "

Alan laughed at his own failure to keep their persona together,

"Lucky us she was already buzzed, I'm pretty sure any other person would have realized I can't drink like you guys. Nice cover up for why we are here by the way, very well thought out."

Tate blushed a little, then grinned,

"Is that sarcasm Alan?"

Alan shrugged,

"A little, it was smart though, we would have been screwed if you hadn't thought fast. I'm sorry, I don't appear to be of much use here.."

Tate shook her head, not willing to allow Alan to degrade his part in getting them this far,

"No way! You are the only reason we made it this far! If it wasn't for you I would be wallowing away in a jail cell with Thany right now! This is a much better alternative, though still not very good."

Alan smiled,

"Thanks Tate! I'm glad I was of use."

Tate sat on the bedside with him, her arm slowly made its way around his hip,

"I'm glad you are here Alan... I think you might be the nicest guy ive ever met.. Thanks for getting me this far."

Alan smiled,

"I think I am the only guy you've ever met Tate," she glared at him and he laughed, "I'm kidding! I'm just glad I could help you out with finding your sister! I'm sure we will find her tomorrow."

"Ah ever the optimist Alan."

She smiled and gave him a friendly hug. But for her, it seemed more than friendly. Tate held him close... She relied on him... She didn't want to let him go..

Alan was suprised, his body stiffened up, such a gesture was unexpected. Slowly though, Alan put his arms around her, and eventually he softened up and pulled her against himself. Neither of them wanted to stop it, until finally they broke off at the same time. Both had their eyes averted.

"I-I'm sorry Alan, I appear to have gotten caught up in the moment..."

"It's,... It's fine Tate.. I must say it was rather.. Enjoyable.."

Tate's eyes widened at the response, she hadn't expected this. Was Alan... Was Alan falling for her? Her mind buzzed, finally she said something.

"Have you... Do you.., do you have somebody...?"

Alan shook his head, almost in sorrow,

"No, there is nobody in my life but me.. God, I can't even remember the last time I was held like that.. What about you?"

Tate shook her head,

"No... I can't either. I thought i would have Klein but.. But now im not so sure.." Alan put a hand on Tate's shoulder and she stiffened at the contact, her emotions were clearly confused.

"It's alright, just take your time Tate."

She nodded and walked over to her bed stiffly, she layed down.

"Yeah... I guess I'll think on things... Goodnight Alan..."

"Goodnight Tate."

Both of them went to sleep now, both of their minds were abuzz with the potential of a partner... Emotions were running high; neither knew what to think they both had mutual feelings.

My note:

Well, this is another one of those ones I have to keep short so I will be quick. I will try to get more up over the course of this week, but knowing me I wouldn't count on it xP. I'll see what I can do. Other than that, I'm sorry I added in another character, hahaha, I felt like I needed to. That's it, comment, review, etc.