This is a Star Ocean The Last Hope fan-fiction. It has nothing to do with the game, and I'm trying to keep them in character, but it's hard sometimes.

Special thanks to Ciissi for the idea that sparked this story.

Bad Dreams?

Faize followed Lymle towards the table. There were cookies, freshly baked, and piled as high as he could see, which actually wasn't far, considering his height. Looking around, he grabbed one and hid under the table to eat it.

"I saw that." said Reimi. She peeked under the table. "It's alright, Faize, you can eat some."

He crawled out from under the table, only to hide back underneath as Cerberus came bounding over. It didn't last long, and fairly soon he was hanging by his pants from the hellhound's mouth.

Lymle grinned. "See, Faize. He's a good doggy."

"Might I remind you which of us is hanging from his mouth?!" Faize whined. "Put me . . !" His pants ripped, and Faize fell to the floor.

Edge looked over at Crowe. "Am I seeing things?" he asked.

Faize got up rather quickly, putting his hands behind him in an effort to hide the pink underwear.

"Depends on what you're seeing?" Crowe returned. He was trying to give Faize a chance to run away.

Faize took the opportunity and ran to the stairs. But he was going to have to use his hands to climb. He did so rather hurriedly, but the conversation behind him was still loud enough to hear.

"is Faize wearing pink underwear?" Edge asked.

"I didn't see anything." Crowe replied, trying to divert the conversation.

"I saw it, too." Reimi said. "He's wearing Lymle's underwear, isn't he?"

"The other ones were too big, kay?" said Lymle. "I'm the only one his size."

Faize felt like he was going to die. He retreated to his room and quickly changed his pants. Then, not wanting to face the humiliation that was sure to be showered upon him, he hid under his blanket on his bed.

Reimi looked around. "Where did he go?" she asked.

"Huh?" Edge looked around. "Hey, Arumat. Have you seen where Faize went?"

"Nope." was the reply as he grabbed a handful of cookies.

Lymle looked at Cerberus. "Go find him, kay?" she said. "Find Faize, and bring him here."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Lym?" asked Edge. He watched the hellhound bound up the stairs towards the rooms.

"But Faize needs to know were not mad, kay." Lymle said. "And Cerberus is a good doggy. Faize needs to know that."

The hellhound returned with a blanket in his mouth. He put it down and accepted his cookie from Lymle.

"Faize?" asked Reimi.

The blanket only bundled tighter around the embarrassed creature.

"Faize, come on. You can't hide under there forever." said Edge.

There was no sound from the blanket.

Crowe sighed and scooped the blanket, and its occupant, up into his arms. They, obviously, had no idea what it was like being caught in girl's clothing. Making sure he had Faize right-side-up, he placed a hand on the boy's back. "It's alright, Faize."

The blanket shifted, signalling that Faize didn't think so.

Crowe sighed. "It's not as bad as you think." he continued, sitting down on the couch in the lounge.

"Yes it is." Faize whimpered back.

"Would you prefer how I first saw Edge and Reimi?" Crowe asked. This piqued the interest of several people.

Faize finally peeked out, just lifting the edge of the blanket so he could look at Crowe. "How was that?"

"In a dress." Crowe said.

"You never wore a dress." said Edge.

"Oh, really?" Crowe countered. "You remember back when you were about seven? The girl with the red hair that you danced with on Halloween?"

Edge's face paled. He'd given that girl a kiss, too.

Reimi gasped. "That was you?" she asked.

Crowe nodded. "The outfit wasn't my choice. I'd have preferred a suit, not my cousin's frilly pink dress. But, my mother wanted to pretend for one night that she'd gotten the daughter she wanted, so I was stuck in the dress and heels, done up in makeup, and forced to dance with Edge."

"Is that why you slugged me when we actually met face to face?" Edge asked.

"Yeah." said Crowe. He looked at the face of the boy in his arms. "It's alright, Faize."

"But . . ."

Arumat knew where this was going. On Eldar, for a man to wear woman's clothes was a sign of his sexuality. A rather taboo sexuality that often saw them cast out of society. "Faize."

There was a whimper from the blanket.

"On the souls of my fallen brethren, I swear I won't say anything to Gaigan, or anyone else, about this."

The others looked at Arumat. Obviously they were out of the loop on this one.

Faize finally peeked his head out of the blanket. "Promise?" he said.

Arumat nodded. "I'll take this to my grave." he replied.

Faize's ridged body relaxed. "Thanks." he whispered.

He sat up, sweat dripping from his body. Once again, the nightmare of his fallen brethren as they died had come to him. His breath was ragged, and he tried to fall asleep again. This time, the dream was different, but none the less frightening.

He was his full adult height, and was practicing with his scythe. Enemies fell before his every swing, and he laughed.

And then, it was Edge in front of him. He tried to stop, but the energy blades cut right through the captain, slashing him in half, shoulder to hip. There was a gasp behind him. As he turned, the blades went right through Myuria, left to right, through the chest. A shout and he turned again. Mericle and Serah, together, went down. A cry for help, and the scythe passed through Lymle. A gasp, and Baccus was slashed through. A scream of fear, and the scythe buried its way through Faize's shoulder. Someone yelled to run, and he turned. His scythe found its way into Crowe's back, and blood flew. The red-haired captain struggled to breathe, but all that came up was blood. And then, he too was dead. All that remained was Reimi; beautiful, pregnant Reimi. She was pleading with him to stop the madness, but his body didn't seem to be acting according to his will. The scythe moved.

Again, Arumat sat up in his bed, gasping. Sweat plastered his hair to his body, and it was cold. He was scared. Quietly, he climbed out of his bed. Something in his brain told him the others were alright, but he had to go make sure for himself. The first stop was the bed across from him, which belonged to Faize.

It was empty, the blankets a mess. Panic gripped Arumat, and he headed out of the room. He peered into the one across from his room, which belonged to Mericle and Serah. They seemed fine, even though Mericle was on the floor again.

Checking the next two rooms showed that Lymle and Myuria were fine, and Baccus and Crowe were sleeping well.

The last room, which belonged to Edge and Reimi. He'd found no sign of Faize, and was hoping the smaller Eldarian would be here. He was right.

Faize had apparently suffered a nightmare as well, and was curled tightly against Edge, asleep again. Both men seemed fine, so Arumat stole over to Reimi's bed.

"Can't sleep?" came a soft whisper. Reimi was looking at him.

"I . . . are you alright?" Arumat asked. He felt foolish.

"I'm fine. The baby's active." she smiled.

Arumat seemed relieved. Cautiously, he climbed up on the bed and put his hand on Reimi's enlarged belly.

"Having bad dreams?" Reimi asked.

Arumat nodded before realizing he'd answered her question. He looked at her. "You mind . . . can I stay here?"

Reimi smiled. "Sure. Edge seems occupied, anyway."

Arumat snuggled down beside her. It was a little awkward with the large tummy, but he managed. Slowly, he fell asleep. Thankfully, there were no more nightmares.