A/N – I smiled often while writing this part of the story, so I think you will all enjoy. I would like to dedicate this chapter to my faithful reviewer, Bunannza. Your postings gave me the motivation I often desperately needed to push past the dreaded writer's block and continue to update this story. I appreciate all of my reviewers, but Bunannza's regular postings often reminded me that there were other people who wanted to see this tale through to the end.

Disclaimer – I do not get any letters in my mailbox addressed to the "Chief Executive Officer of Square Enix," so I apparently still do not own Final Fantasy XII or its characters. But, I promise that if that ever changes, you all will be the first to know.


Chapter 9

Balthier silently climbed his way towards the balcony. It was always the thrill of the unknown that sent the blood surging through his veins when sneaking into a mark's hideout. Tonight was no different. Ashelia was his target, albeit in a different way—he looked to capture her heart, as opposed to her coin purse. He had no idea how she was going to react to his request for a private audience. Come to think of it, he hadn't really so much asked her, more so he had assumed that she would want to see him alone. While they danced at the ball, things had seemed to have gotten better between them. But, he knew Ashelia had a tendency to hold a grudge, and a small part of him was convinced there would be a platoon of soldiers waiting for him on the balcony. He could only pray that his heart-felt apology defused enough of her anger towards him.

He hoped that his choice to exit the ball rather abruptly had not startled the Queen, but he unfortunately felt like it was for the best. Her advisors looked like they were about to have a conniption fit while they were dancing, and as much as he loved to cause trouble, there would be another time and place for it. Also, it gave him the opportunity to return to the Strahl to clear his mind and think about what he needed to say to her. Tonight's conversation with Ashelia would forever change their relationship, one way or the other. For better or worse, he knew what his intentions were for this night, and he had to see them through.

He could see the edge of her balcony coming into view, and he realized he was getting close. He felt an odd sensation in his gut, and realized it to be something he had not experienced in years—butterflies. "This woman is going to be the death of me," he thought to himself, "At least I do not hear the shuffling of dozens of boot-covered feet." He reached and pulled himself up over the ledge, and looked around. There he found a sleeping queen, looking rather uncomfortable as she slumbered in her balcony chair.

"Gods, she is wearing the skirt!" he muttered as his eyes traced every inch of the tiny, magenta piece of fabric. He almost did not want to wake her up; she looked so peaceful and serene.

He leaned down to her ear and whispered, "No sleep for you tonight, Princess. It is rude to fall asleep while awaiting company. You should be glad I am a forgiving guest."

Balthier smirked as she startled, jumping a little in the chair. She glanced up at him, and he noticed that she wore an amused grin herself.

"I am sorry, I must have dozed off. Most of my guests know to be punctual when receiving a private audience with royalty."

"I always show up at the opportune moment; whether that's early or late depends on your perspective. Do not worry, my dear. I will keep you awake now that I'm here."

He saw a slight blush appear on her cheeks, and he felt his confidence growing. She clearly wanted him to be here, as much as he wanted to be here. Ashelia might have been the Queen of Dalmasca, but she was still a woman—and he had a way with women.

"What will you do to keep me awake, Balthier?" she smirked as she ran her fingers along the hem of her skirt.

His chest constricted, and his eyes grew wide as he watched her caress her thigh. He might have a way with women, but Ashelia had a way with him.

"That's not playing fair. Using your skirt against me, that is a dirty trick."

"Oh, please. I'm sure your pants just happen to be that tight."

He had changed out of his suit, and he was wearing an outfit very similar to the one he had during their adventures together. The vest was slightly different, but the pants looked very much the same.

"Well, scaling the side of a castle requires apparel that is appropriate for stealth and climbing, but I am pleased to hear that you noticed these pants. I wore them with you in mind."

He started towards her then, and she did not even attempt to mask the sheer hunger in her expression—he could feel her eyes on every part of him. He wanted to revel in this sensation, so he decided to take things nice and slow. "We never did get to finish our dance earlier, as we were rudely interrupted. Can we do so now, Princess?"

He noticed a look of confusion mixed with slight disappointment on her face as she nodded in response. He took her by the hand, and they began to slowly move to a silent tune. He had intentionally assumed the most formal dance position he could, placing one hand on the small of her back and taking her hand in the other. Again, the look of confusion and disappointment had appeared, but this time it had quickly changed to one of mischief. Before he could register what she was doing, she reached down and undid the buckles at the top of her corset, exposing as much cleavage as she could while still being decent. Balthier stared openly and obviously; he could simply not help himself. He heard her murmur coyly, "It's a little warm out here."

He almost ripped that blasted corset right off of her, but he managed to regain his composure. Clearly, somewhere along the way, the coy Princess had turned into an absolute temptress. They were playing a game of cat and mouse, and Balthier was pinned by his tail under her claws. But, two could play at this game, and one good turn deserved another.

"It definitely is," he agreed. He removed his vest, tossing it on the table. He unbuttoned his shirt, and slid it off of his arms, exposing his upper body to the night air. He laughed inwardly, as he noticed that her eyes were bulging out of her head while she stared at his chest with her mouth gaping.

He murmured, "Now that we are both more comfortable on this warm desert evening, let's finish our dance."

Balthier took her hands again, but this time, he pulled her in against him as closely as he could. This was a risky move on his part, for as much as it may tempt her, it was guaranteed to drive him wild. He wrapped his arms around her, placing both hands on the small of her back. The moment she put her hands against his bare chest, he felt goose bumps rise on his flesh. It was too much to bear, and as he looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms, he knew that there was no other place he wanted to be. There was nowhere else left to run.

She turned her gaze up to meet his face and their eyes locked—he almost cried out in surprise realization. Balthier had always been on the hunt, so to speak, seeking out the most wonderful treasures of Ivalice. People would have assumed, and rightly so, that was all that he was looking for. But, there was something else. He had always run from his past and from his father. Meeting Ashelia and helping her on her journey had changed all that. He had gone home, and righted his father's wrongs. He shouldn't have been shocked that when he looked into her eyes that night under the stars, that he saw his future and his freedom. Salvation waited for him with her.

She leaned forward in his arms and he felt her lips gently brush his. Her tender kiss sent him over the edge and Balthier felt the electricity arch through his body, losing any control that he had left. He kissed her passionately, digging his fingers into her hips, possessing her until she could get no closer. He felt her fingers rake against his shoulders, and she intertwined them in his hair. There was no queen and sky pirate here, just a man and a woman tangled in each other's arms.

The cat was not done with her torment, however, and Ashelia wrapped her arms around his neck, and a leg around his waist. He quickly figured out what she wanted, and he was more than happy to oblige, effortlessly lifting her off the ground. She responded by squeezing her legs around his waist, and it felt like absolute heaven.

He broke away from her pouty lips to tease her, "My, my, my…who would have guessed that the ever so proper Queen of Dalmasca knew such naughty moves?"

"You are the only man in all of Ivalice who would run his mouth right now instead of taking me into the bedroom," she grumbled.

He grinned at her remark, "Is there something you want from me, my liege?"

She looked right into his eyes, and he saw that hers were darkened by lust. "I think it's pretty obvious what I want, Pirate."

He growled hungrily, "I've never been one to refuse the plea of a needy Princess."

He carried her into the bedroom, and she kicked the balcony doors closed behind them.