And…we're…back. Hope your enjoying because I'm enjoying writing this one. Let me know! Oh…and I know the first few chapters of this fic are smashed together, but right now I really don't have time to go back and separate it out.

Who Are You? And Who Am I?

Chapter 9

When Basch opened his eyes he couldn't see anything in the darkness. He lay there on his back for some time, letting his eyes adjust. He wasn't tired and he was beginning to get a little restless as he lay there in his room aboard the Strahl. He flipped over onto his stomach and buried his head into his pillow, willing himself to go back to sleep. Minutes ticked by, and finally he gave up and left his room with no particular destination in mind. His room was across the hall from the larger room that Balthier and Vaan shared, and he saw as he passed their open door that Balthier was not in his usual spot beside Vaan.

Glad that someone else was awake, he made his way to the cockpit. As he'd expected, a faint light shone out from under the door to the cockpit, and he knocked gently before entering. Balthier was sitting in the pilot's chair, one foot propped up on the Strahl's control panel, and his head resting in one hand. His usual vest was nowhere to be seen, his white shirt was wrinkled and unbuttoned, and Basch could see the vast number of white scars that covered his chest and stomach. It surprised him to see the usually perfectly dressed Balthier so disheveled, but since he hadn't bothered to throw on a shirt at all when he'd left his room he didn't comment on the pirate's appearance.

"You're up late," he said as he slid into the co-pilot's chair, "Can't sleep?"

Balthier looked over at him for the first time since he'd entered, "Just a few problems I need to take care of."

"Anything that concerns the rest of us?"

"Well," said Balthier, letting his head lean back as far as he could, "I have a splitting headache which I can't seem to get rid of for anything. I'm headed straight for a city I don't want to go to, to see a man I wish I never had to see again as long as I live, and oh…we're being followed."

"What?" Basch was now sitting straight up, starring at Balthier in shock, "We're being followed? By who? Why didn't you wake us?"

Balthier sighed, "Yes, we're being followed. We have been since yesterday. It's one of my father's airships, though I doubt he'd find this matter important enough to be on it himself. And I didn't wake you because I didn't think it mattered."

Basch didn't attempt to hide his surprise at the pirate's words, "You…didn't think it mattered?"

"No."

"Why exactly is he following us?"

"It's really a long story," muttered Balthier as he began fiddling with random controls in an attempt to keep from making eye contact with Basch.

"I've got all night," said Basch coolly, crossing his arms.

Balthier looked at him a moment before speaking, "Fine. If you must know my father has made it very much his business since I left his house to keep tabs on me. When you have as much money and social pull as he does it isn't hard either. He always knows exactly what I'm up to, but until now it didn't matter."

"But why does he want you? I mean, after all these years why does he still insist on keeping up with what you do?"

"He doesn't want me," said Balthier, his voice taking on a somber tone, "He wants Vaan."

Basch was taken aback, "Vaan? What in all Ivalice would Dr. Cid want with Vaan?"

"He wants to kill him."

"Balthier I think you've lost your mind," said Basch, "I mean it just doesn't make any sense."

"Listen Captain, I don't really want to have to go into detail but trust me, Cid already knows about Vaan, he always knows what's going on in my life. And he'll kill him if he gets the chance, that's why we have to get to him first."

Basch shook his head, "I think you're under too much stress Balthier. You need rest, these headaches you've been having worry me. Land the ship and get some sleep."

"We need to keep going."

"Land the ship, Balthier, we are NOT being followed."

Balthier shook his head.

"Fine," said Basch, "At least let Fran take over for a while. Please, Balthier. You need some rest."

Balthier regarded him warily, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let Fran take over for just a little while, my head does feel like it's about to explode."

"I'll wake her for you," Basch offered, and Balthier nodded and left the cockpit.

Basch waited until he heard the click of the pirate's bedroom door shut and then got up and peered out into the hall.

"Poor man," he muttered, "He's losing it. I knew that head injury would come back to haunt him."

After one more look around he landed the ship, went back to his room, and fell fast asleep.

It was Balthier's screams that awoke him the following morning…

To Be Continued…

Hope you are enjoying, I promise the next chapter will be full of action. Review if you're enjoying!