A/N: Seventh chapter is up! I just though I'd mention that this is a T-rated story. I think maybe it should be bumped up to an M, but I'm not entirely sure. Let me know!

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy IX is the property of Squaresoft.

Chapter seven

"I bet it's that scoundrel!" Steiner murmured and banged his jug of beer back down on the table. The contents gushed over the sides, moistening his hands with its sweet, sticky liquid.

He didn't drink. Not usually. But on a boat surrounded by drunken sailors and a wife who endeavored to drink them all under the table, he thought it best to pretend. If only to salvage some dignity. He remembered a particular occasion when the aforementioned scoundrel had seen it fit to make declare his abstinence to an entire ships crew, making him the butt of jokes for the remainder of the trip. He felt no inkling to repeat the incident.

Nevertheless Steiner showed no restraint in regards to spilling, as he sat in the mess-hall taking dinner with his wife. Given that they were not only captain and general, but that Beatrice also was Alexandria's current regent, they could have eaten in their luxurious, grand cabin. But they both felt more comfortable in the mess-hall with their crew. Unless of course there were a drinking competition going on.

Beatrice looked up from her own jug, arching an eyebrow in question.

"And what scoundrel are you referring to this time?"

"That monkey-boy Zidane! Knew it from the first moment I saw that pretty face of his. Knew he would mean trouble."

She snickered before taking another hearty gulp from the jug.

"He saved her life many enough times, if that is what you are referring to. And he has been visiting the castle these ten years."

"What?"

This time the spilt beer emanated from his mouth that had fallen open in surprise.

"Wipe your chin, Steiner. And yes. He has."

"Well then that proves it. It must have been him."

She sighed, lifting her arm to gently wipe away the drops he had missed.

"On the contrary. He seemed quite contented visiting whenever he saw fit. It was her that was always unhappy."

She let her hand fall away, a frown clouding her features.

"I think she has been contemplating this for some time, Steiner. I knew her to be unhappy, I knew she was yearning to travel, see the world once more. But I can never imagine she would actually go through with it. She is far too responsible."

"You speak as though you wished her to leave."

"My only wish is for the happiness of both Garnet and the people of Alexandria."

"But you don't think that that is necessarily the same thing?"

A loud, ringing noise disrupted her answer. He counted the number of rings before the bell settled down.

"Five."

"Then we must be there."

***

The Black Mage Village was one of natures little miracles. On a continent of scorching sun and endless deserts, there were this little haven of lush, green trees and mossy riverbanks. The rich canopies cast a shadow-play on the ground, moving from one side to the other as the sun moved across the sky.

Garnet scrutinized the leaf-patterns that danced over her body were she lay on the forest floor, moving hither and thither in the light breeze. It was captivating, so much so that she momentarily forgot were she was. But never for a second did she stop appreciating it.

The ground was soft and yielding underneath her. The damp moss seeped into her clothing, mud spattering her white blouse. A rich, fresh cent emanated from the ground underneath her, enveloping her senses. Her eyes shifted from the shadows up to the towering pine trees high above her. So far up they swayed dangerously. Her treacherous eyes made it appear as though they would crumple and come crashing down on her at any moment. Above the swaying trees were the sky. The desert sky of forgotten continent, with a blue so deep and a sun so penetrating. It reached her, glaring down through the leaves and branches, warming her were she lay.

"Dag."

A soft voice called her from down the path. Eiko, who had been taking a stroll to the churchyard, walking absentmindedly, peeking at the growth of the forest and the birds in the trees, now stopped and hovered on the trail.

"There you are."

Garnet sat up, moving to the stone steps as Eiko strolled over. She was all elegance and beauty in her blue gown. How pretty she had grown, and how very unlike old self. But that was just in appearance. She bumped down next to her on the stone steps in the forthright manner she'd always behaved. No dresses or castles or duties could divert Eiko from being her self.

"Mind if I sit?"

"By all means."

They sat in silence for a while, both perched on the steps of the churchyard. If it could be called such a thing. There were no headstones marking the people who lay buried there, no numbers telling what mage lay were. Nothing like her mothers towering mausoleum.
The steps led up to a little hill were they buried their dead. But that was the only mage-made thing. From there on nature had been allowed to take its course, and what was created from mist would once more transform into mist. She could think no better place for them.

"So, you came…"

"I did."

"When are leaving?"

Eiko looked uncomfortable asking, shuffling her feet making tiny mountains with her shoe tip then crushing them under the sole. Her eyes were fixed on the endeavor, not meeting Garnets.

"I'm not."

With that her head shot up. Confused eyes met hers.

"What? You're staying here?"

"Well, not here, precisely. I will be returning to Madain Sari."

"…I don't understand…"

Garnet picked up a little pebble, turning it between her fingers.

"I will not return to Alexandria."

"Dagger!"

She rose. It impressed Garnet how elegant she looked, while at the same time almost shaking with anger. But why was she so upset?

"I realize you feel…guilty… about Vivi. But you can't just leave."

She was about to answer, shake her head and laugh, tell her that that was not what was going on. But she felt guilty about Vivi. She did wish she had appreciated her powers when she had them. Still, that was not her reason for staying.

"No," she gave her head a little shake. "That's not the reason."

"Then what?"

Eiko sank down again, perching herself at a lower step, her face leveled with Garnet's knee. It was as she had used to sit before, when listening to Zidane's stories. And just like then, her face was intent attention.

"I had a conversation with doctor Tot."

"Oh, really?"

"He made me realize… that I have more pressing duties… and also that I didn't belong…"

Her voice trailed away into silence. Soon only the mesmerizing sounds of the forest enveloped them. Owls hooting, trees swishing as the wind gushed through their branches. Garnet was the first to break the spell.

"I can't explain it now. I wish I could, but there is someone who deserves to know first. All I can say is that I had to leave. You were right. I am only an orphan-girl from a lost city. I never belonged on that throne. I had to leave…"

"What?"

Zidane. He had been walking to meet them, his steps muffled by the softness of the ground. Therefore they had not been alerted to his presence. He had frozen on the path with an expression as thought he'd been struck by Ramuth himself. His eyes were wide, mouth slightly open. He looked almost comical.

"I think I'm gonna go…"

Eiko rushed past him in a flurry of blue linen and purple locks. Garnet followed her flight with her eyes, waiting for him to speak.

"You're…. you're staying?"

She had thought their reunion would be different. Of all the times she had imagined it, he'd always been happy. Nothing like this confused creature that stood before her. She rose, a little uncomfortable with the lack of lace and skirts her outfit presented, and walked slowly towards him. He looked at her all the while with a guarded expression.

"I thought you knew."

"How could I? You never told me."

He seemed almost angry now. She only shrugged.

"I thought you… well, no matter. Yes, you are correct. I am not going back to Alexandria."

He stepped closer. They were chest to chest now.

"You're not going back?"

Blue eyes, wide and bemused. They stared at her, intently, as if memorizing her features.

"Why?"

That was the question, wasn't it? Why indeed? She supposed she could jump into the whole story; the conversation with Tot, the failing abilities. All that had led to her realization that rule of Alexandria was not what she wanted.

But she didn't. He had a rather short attention span, and in any case that was not the way she wanted to do it. This was her only chance and it would have to be done right.

"Only because I wanted to come with you."

A tide rose; crashing waives of feelings crossed his face. It rippled and flowed, at last slowly settling on realization. He held out his hands. Thieves' hands; the dark skin tattered and scared. Lively hands. They bore testimony of were he'd been. Treasures he'd stolen, the people he'd saved. And now he offered her them without hesitance, just as she took them.

He guided her back down on the ground, lying next to her. Still clasping her hand, his thumb stroked calming circles on the back of it. They didn't speak, but simply lay there betwixt the grass and moss and fallen leaves. The world spun slightly, as if the treetops danced about them. Her mind was inattentive, floating without a body tying her down. Like the leaves falling about them. Then he lifted her hand to his lips, brushing them lightly, and suddenly she was grounded again. Centered on the feel of soft skin against softer lips. They travelled from her hand to her wrist but the journey was cut short by her blouse.

He propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at her. His features were relaxed now, the corners of his mouth quirked slightly upwards. He looked happy, contented. She realized she'd not seen him like that in years. Together with the disheveled hair filled with leaves and twigs, he looked years younger. She lifted a hand to pry out a leaf. Zidane caught it and began his ministrations there in stead.

The kisses travelled. Throat, neck, jaw, cheek, ear, nose, mouth. Light and teasing. Her breath caught, urging him on.

As a royal she'd been brought up to a certain standard. Thought her travels with Zidane years ago had somewhat lessened her criterias, she'd always held firm to the opinion that bedroom activities should be kept in the bedroom. A decade as queen had done little to lessen her standards. Therefore she was a little hesitant at first. But with the light breeze playing with his hair, the leaf's shade pattern on his arms, arms that gathered her close, she decided to let go.

Long, languid kisses in the grass. Tickling twigs and moist lips. He was so warm, kissing her the way a drowning man sought air. Slowly she dissolved under his attention, becoming particles that floated about. Gathering into his ruffled, dirty hair, his open mouth, his thigh arms.

When he broke the kiss to sit up, she was flushed and panting. A little sight of discontent escaped her as the particles that were her mind floated together. They made her aware of the roots digging into her back, the penetrating rays partially blinding her. But also Zidane, leaning over her. A wonderful flush tainted his cheeks as he began undoing the clasps of his west. In expert movements he had removed the garment and the singlet underneath. Scared and battered hands then moved to her clothing, that he whispered there were entirely too much of. She only nodded and helped him pull of the jumpsuit, leaving her only in the thin blouse.

Knowing full well how unladylike it was, she tugged it off, throwing it to the ground on top of the growing bundle of clothes. It made it all the more exiting, and apparently he thought so to. Deciding that enough was enough, he pushed her down again, resuming their kiss.

Had someone ever told her how a kiss could make one forget all ones problems, she would have snorted. But making love in the grass, the sun playing over her skin, the warm and fresh cent of the forest around them, was enough to make them both forget. She was no longer an abdicated queen, he no longer a heartbroken thief. They were sixteen again, in the middle of a life-altering journey, seeking each others comfort.
It was love, she realized. It was all gentle, delicate cents, soft ground and pleasing sounds. Enveloped in the green and protective darkness. Love. He loved her still. He'd never stopped and never would.

Both naked now, they lay spread out on the ground. Without shyness or fear. If someone would decide to pay the churchyard a visit they would be most surprised. It did not even occur to them that this was holy ground, and might be thought of as disrespectful. Vivi, at least, would never have perceived it as such.

His fingers left a too hot trail as they travelled down her body, learning every curve and dip as if he did not already know them by heart. Loving and urgent. And hot, so hot. Her mind was anchored in his motions, keeping it from floating away. Such light-headedness, such strange fluttering in her stomach. It felt almost like swooning. But she didn't. She was done with that.

He made appreciative little noises in the back of his throat when she kissed him back. Letting her hands travel up his broad back, exploring every scar, every vertebrae of his spine, the little dip between his shoulder blades. His body was warm, so warm on hers.

She whispered his name, but he didn't want her to speak and silenced her down with a kiss. His hands travelled up her thighs, stroking inside her most sensitive skin, eliciting gasp after gasp. When he plunged inside her he was too far gone to be careful. She hitched her legs around his waist, driving him further in. As he began the rhythmic movements, the warmth that had been growing became all-consuming. Soon they were nothing but a bundle of heat. So inelegant, so uncomfortable on the uneven foundation, and so very contented.

When she came, he tumbled over the edge with her. At that moment he forgot all about silence, and gasped her name again and again. He slumped down, resting on her, almost crushing her into the ground. The roots digged more insistently into her spine, but she didn't mind. After a while he rolled off of her and they both lay panting in the grass. When their breathing stilled and the world came back to them, he sat up and began to dress. Swooping down he gave her a light, chaste peck on the forehead. Giving his belt on last tug, then he walked away.

***

"I've been thinking…"

Zidane turned from were he'd been standing, facing the window of the inn. It was dark, too dark to see his face. Still, she could detect from his voice that this was a serious conversation. She sighed, wishing they could have one night, just one, were they did not need to think or plan. But just as she reveled in her newfound irresponsibility, he had suddenly grown cautious.

"You said you came 'cause you wanted to come with me… I know that's not true, 'cause you had the chance to come with all these years. But I thought it didn't matter… I made myself believe it didn't matter why you came. You're here, after all. With me. But I think… I know now…Yes-"

He stepped closer in affect, driven by the emotions she could detect in his voice.

"I need to know why you really came."

She sat up, gathering the sheets closer around her to protect her from the chilly night breeze that came seeping through the window. She felt around on the nightstand, locating the matches and lit the candle. It did a poor job of illuminating the room, but at least he was more then just a shadow now. She motioned for him to sit with her, and so he did. Crossing the room, he sat down, fighting his own impatience for her answer.

"I have my reasons," she began hesitantly, not quite knowing how to best make him understand. "I had reasons for staying as well as leaving. But you must first understand…It must be difficult for you to conceive this idea, you who have been raised to no belief other than your own integrity, to understand my choices. You live after your own code of moral, and for you to grasp the concept of duty and what it holds for me…" she trailed of into silence. He didn't speak or urge her on, but let her collect herself and start afresh.

"In my family, growing up, the mere idea of turning away from responsibility, to not take the bad with the good, was something that simply didn't occur.

"When I first came here, I learned that my horn, as you might recall, had been cut. I was taught, no, I was forced to deny my ancestry and to uphold the pride of the Alexandrian throne. These ideas, thought I have questioned them, has become a part of me. Of my decision-making, of my actions. For you it is; chose what you want, do as you want. You listen to your heart and act thereafter. And I love you for it."

She held his gaze, wanting to smile, ease the mood. But when her mouth turned upwards, it was forced and without the warmth she endeavored to convey.

"But for me it's another matter entirely. You must understand this in order to understand why I could not choose you."

He stared at the floor, scrutinizing the floorboards, refusing to meet his gaze. But as he had been patient with her, she would be with him. So she gathered the sheets closer and waited.

"You're not choosing me… So you came here because of something else. Or rather, staying for something else." He looked up, calm but sad. "Can I ask what?"

"I have spoken with Tot, and decided to help rebuild the summoner tribe. I have taken my eidolons for granted all these years. It's time I began giving back."

"I see…"

She grabbed his hand, turning it over in her lap.

"Zidane, please understand. I love you dearly. And you were right, Alexandria was no place for me. But I don't have it in me to simply…be. I need a purpose."

"I realize that you have obligations… and I would never expect you to abandon them. Not for me…"

"But don't you see? I am free now. I mean, I will have a home in Madain Sari, I will have work that needs to be done."

She though of her fading powers and the city that was no more than a ruin. "Much work," she amended. "But I will be free to travel with you when you wish it… And I think it is for the best. You will keep your drifting existence, not tied down to duties. And I will once more have a worthwhile goal. Yet we will be together all the while."

"You're right. It is for the best. It's perfect…"

He stilled wished that she had left because of him, that she stayed because of him. She knew, for she wished it also.