Sorry it took so long, but my free time to write has been cut down alot. My parents are being ridiculous and forcing me to read the book assigned for english next year because there's ONLY a month left til school...psh. so I'm getting up early to write before they wake up, which will give me a solid three hours of free time. But the story must go on, right?

Enjoy chapter four, and remember, not reviewing makes baby Jesus cry XD. We don't want that, do we?

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except the plot of this fic. Of course. .l

On with it, then?

.Balthier's POV..

Night fell upon the port that never sleeps. Balthier looked out to see with Fran asleep against his shoulder. He didn't want to wake her, but he didn't particularly want to be swept away by the Balfonheim tides. Slowly, carefully, he moved his right arm around Fran's back and the other under her knees and took his time standing up. Leaving the shore, he stepped back on to the cobblestone paths of the outer port, making his way slowly back towards the aerodrome. The town square was brimming with activity and shouts, with pirates singing a drinking song not far off, folk music playing in the Whitecap through the open door, and Aimee dancing a jig happily on a table, the hem of her dress flowing around her knees and her shoes creating a beat on the table that Balthier recognized from Archades, mixed with a lively Balfonheim touch. He did miss her a bit, as he had much more history with her than he wanted to let on to Fran. Aimee had been a close friend back in Archades, when he had no one else to turn to. Underneath the extreme peppiness, there was once a quiet girl who understood and shared his pain. He and Aimee had escaped Archades together, arriving at Balfonheim, which changed both of them significantly. While Balthier was happy with his new life and freedom, Aimee was content in Balfonheim, and it was clear how happy she was here. Balthier smiled to himself as Aimee laughed gleefully as a young pirate stepped onto the table to join her in her dance, and left the lighted town square back to the Aerodrome.

As he made his way back to the Strahl, his thoughts returned to the viera asleep in his arms. Opening the door, he stepped into the airship and laid Fran down on the bed and sitting on the edge of it, hands folded, elbows on his knees, eyes on her. He sighed, wishing she could stay, but knowing she would most likely leave tomorrow. He thoroughly enjoyed her company, having been alone since he and Aimee went separate ways. Of course, there were the occasional visits to Aimee at the whitecap and the women who refused to unhand him as Archadians did their gold, but no one provided him with the sense of companionship like Fran.

As he gazed at his leading lady's closed eyes, he thanked the gods for at least giving him the chance to know another woman who wasn't in his bed because of shallow desire.

.-.

Short, I know, but don't worry, another chapter is coming very quickly. I just wanted to give a little insight into Balthier's thoughts...the next chapter will be Fran, and it probably will be Fran for the rest of the fic unless I need a Balthier chapter again XD.
[(-Hopes no one will kill her for the short chapter...-)

Oh, and by the way, I will be writing a prequel to this fic based on Balthier and Aimee. Should be fun. XD.

Check back soon for chapter five :)