The Calm Before the Storm.

By Ja ne, Kat

Okay. Wow people added this to favourites, which just tickles me, because this is my first time trying to do Squaresoft fanfiction. So thank you to those who did and to those who did review (TezrianFlux, who rocks) a great big thank you. Though I have to say that This is one of those games that I Played YEARS ago so I hope that it's as good as the first ones you read and to those of you who like this flash back format the next ones are a little different. I still think they are good, but different. If you guy want to guess whose next and their songs please feel free. I love to hear all the different ideas.

B.T.W I still don't own anything except the plot.

OXOXOX

Bartz was off two nights after Zidane's performance as Tidus had taken his regular watch with Cecil, who had stunned the group with his own performance the evening prior.

The treasure hunter was feeling seriously left out. He wanted . . . more than he cared to admit, to remember his home too. He must have sighed because he suddenly had two pairs of eyes on him as Zidane turned to look at him and Squall's eyes flickered over to make sure he was okay.

"Bartz?" Zidane asked leaning over into his friends view.

"What now?" Squall asked, probably expecting them to be pulling some sort of prank.

"I . . . I want to remember too."

Squall Scowled darkly at him putting his arm back behind his head to cushion it from the rock he was reclining against, as Zidane's face filled with understanding.

"Well then, try picturing your girl. That seemed to work for everyone else." A cheeky smile from the thief as he tried to help Bratz feel better, Bartz let his head hang. He was afraid to tell his friend that he'd tried that already and it hadn't helped. What if no one was missing him? What if he was a treasure hunter because he had no one to miss him?

"I tried that. Came up with nothing."

That seemed to puzzle Zidane, as the younger man paused to consider that problem, tail twitching back and forth. The furry length hitting Squall's hand with every pass, like he was making sure the stoic teen hadn't left them again.

"Well then maybe you're like Terra, and you haven't found your special someone yet?" The genome suggested with a smile.

"No . . . it's not that. Something pulls at me."

"Maybe it's a man."

The voice was cool and calm as it suggested a thought that hadn't occurred to Bartz, till Squall had suggested it, but the words conjured the image of a young, stern and rough looking man. Then it vanished back into the haze that hid their memories.

"Yes? No . . . think I should try?"

Zidane nodded eagerly, always happy for some music to lighten their quest, and Squall just shrugged, a rousing endorsement coming from him. Cloud, Luneth and Terra watched from the other side of the camp fire.

"Do you guys mind if I try?"

Head shakes all around as he sat down and gathered his thoughts, pulling up the picture of that young man. Words falling, unheard from his lips, all his thoughts centered on not losing that picture. That face.

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes.
And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies.

And she only reveals what she wants you to see.
She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me.

He remembered the shock of finding out this young and stern looking young man was one of the Crystals chosen hero's. The other youth just screamed Trouble, and they were supposed to trust him? With their lives? Their families? the World?

She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you.
She can ask for the truth but she'll never believe.

And she'll take what you'll give her as long as it's free.

Yeah, she steals like a thief, but she's always a woman to me.

No, not a thief exactly, they fought over who got the treasure but-

The Pirate King! Terror of the seas and a man scary enough he had a sea monster for a pet, that pulled his ship so that wind was not needed. Self-reliant and stand offish, reminded him a little of Squall really . . . but-

Oooh, she takes care of herself.
She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time.

Oooooh, and she never gives out, and she never gives in,

She just changes her mind.

And she'll promise you more than the Garden of Eden.
And she'll carelessly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding.

But she'll bring out the best and the worst you can be.

Blame it all on yourself, cause she's always a woman to me.

She was stubborn to a fault and as deadly with her magic as she was with her sword. The woman hated to lose, at anything, from finding treasure to cards. She drove him half mad sometimes but- but wait . . . she?

Oooh, she takes care of herself.
She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time.

Oooooh, and she never gives out, and she never gives in,

She just changes her mind.

Yes, a woman, a lost Princess, sister to another chosen. The sister's of Tycoon.

She is frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel.
But she can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool.

And she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree.
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you,

But she's always a woman to me.

She was a Pirate QUEEN hiding under the guise of a man. He remembered that first splash of shock when they had first found out. The creak and sway of the ships in the ship-graveyard seemed suddenly more pronounced in the sudden stillness and quiet. They had searched for him and he remembered only shock as he turned and they saw it was a her for the first time, in only her tunic, breast bands undone from the crash and a blush staining those cheeks just the slightest bit pink. Secret laid bare for all of them to see, but strangely unchanged for all of that.

She was still a ruthless Pirate, still deadly and stubborn, still a treasure stealing pirate with a pet sea monster.

Her secret didn't matter, she had carried her own and fought bravely, and they had all told her so. She was still Feris.

"A Pirate Queen, masquerading as a man."

He turned to look at his friends, Zidane with his face splitting grin, Squall with the corners of his mouth turned up just the slightest bit.

"Feris." He told them simply.

OXOXOX

Okay, I always thought this song worked perfect for him. Please be kind with this one it's one of the ones I had to read the synopsis for the refresh my memory. If I made any major blunders please let me know. There will be Cleon near the end of this, but I have stuff to torture the characters with first. So, you'll all have to wait.

Ahh and the next two are fun and kind of a joined chapter. See you's all then I hope.

Kat

Song: She's Always a Woman to Me.

Artist: Billy Joel