Author's Note: I know I haven't updated in a long time, but I've been suffering from writer's block. I don't even think this chapter is too great, please tell me if you think otherwise. Hopefully my writer's block will fade soon, and I can finish this story. Here's chapter 10, I hope you guys like it.

Chapter 10

If possible, Celes was even more avoidant of the others in the weeks to come. After that fateful night, she stayed in her room as much as she possibly could, not wanting to meet eye contact with any of the Returners.

Celes even stopped going on missions, staying in her chambers on the airship, contemplating her actions from that night. Every time she thought about it, shame creased her features.

"What have I done…" she covered her face with her thin fingers, covering her classic features. "I opened a horrid can of worms that night, and for what? Some stupid weak moment on my behalf, how pathetic can I be?" she sighed with anguish. "That damn gambler, he must've known when to strike, like a snake in the grass."

A knock rang on her door. She reluctantly called for who ever it was to come in. She looked up horrified.

"Hello Miss Chere," Setzer said cheerfully. He flashed Celes a smile of pearly teeth. Celes muscles tensed.

"Yes Setzer." Her answer was flat and tense, she tried to with hold her anger. She was sure that Setzer had forgotten all about that night, he stood there with such confidence, such poise. It sickened her stomach, and yet calmed it as well. She looked up at the gambler, her eyes slightly soft with warmth.

"Haven't seen you in awhile Miss Chere, I thought I'd come visit you."

"And what if I needn't your company, I prefer being alone."

"Every one needs company Miss Chere, if we were all alone for eternity we'd drown in our sorrows."

"And where do you get such insight, from your last poker game?"

"Yes, I won that little phrase from that moogle, he hasn't any money."

They both chuckled at that joke, it lightened the aura of the room a tad. Celes stood up and walked over to the gambler. Her height was slightly smaller than his, they stood facing each other, their eyes locked on each others faces. Both of them were studying one another's facial features, making sure it wasn't known to the other. Minutes passed before Setzer spoke.

"We're right outside of Jidor, I thought perhaps you would like to come with us into town, soak in the sights. Such a beautiful woman belongs in such an aristocratic atmosphere, it suits you well Maria." His last word was filled with humor, Celes face darkened.

"Don't call me Maria," the blond gritted her teeth, playfully punching Setzer in his fore arm. The young man rubbed where she hit, as if it had been mortally wounded.

"Please General Chere, have mercy on such a lowly man, I sware I will never harm you again!"

"Shut up." A smile graced her face. She felt so calm, so relaxed around him, but she didn't know why. Crimson painted Celes cheeks for a few moments, until she forced it to fade.

"Jidor…that would be nice I suppose, but why are we even here in the first place?"

"We heard that Owzer's home was haunted from a traveling merchant, at least that's what he said. We concluded that perhaps one of the horrors released on this new world is inhabiting his home. It's the least we can do for the old man."

"I see," she pondered for a few seconds. "Alright, I'm anxious for a fight. Who else is going?"

"Terra wanted to go, as did Edgar and Sabin. I don't trust that moogle and Gau on this ship alone, so Cyan agreed to stay and watch over things."

"I could stay here too."

"No, you've been alone long enough. Come now Miss Chere."

Setzer abruptly took Celes arm, delicately dragging her out into the hall of the Falcon. Once they were in the hall, Celes instantly pulled away from his grasp, glaring daggers at him. Setzer turned, astonishment on his face.

"Don't touch me." She spat. "I said it before, don't touch me ever again, is that understood gambler?"

"I…alright Celes." Defeat clearly in his voice, Setzer walked on, Celes following shortly afterward.

The town of Jidor was bustling, which was surprising to the group after the other towns they had seen in this new world. It seemed that Jidor, hadn't changed at all.

Celes ventured into the town on her own, swiftly breaking off from the others. She looked into the window of a small shop, admiring the art in the walls of the building. Sculptures of espers, paintings of maidens, and stained glass windows were intricately placed in the store, to attract the attention of passers by. Celes stood to the side of the window, her eyes fixated on a beautiful sculpture of Shiva.

"Interesting," she muttered. "I wonder how they were able to design it to look exactly like her, perhaps someone ventured into the Cave of Espers and survived. I wonder…"

"You wonder too much Miss Chere."

Celes turned. None other than the wandering gambler, Setzer Gabbiani stood before her. Celes scoffed.

"Do you enjoy stalking women Setzer? You seem to appear behind me any time I don't want you here."

"I'd like to speak with you."

Celes eyebrows rose. His voice was oddly serious for a change. She wondered what this was all about.

"We should go to the pub, out of earshot of the others."

"The other who? Aren't the others in Owzer's home?"

"No, not yet. And by others I mean any one else who cares to eaves drop on our conversation."

"People can eaves drop in a pub."

"Quit being difficult Celes. I've obviously 'arranged' to have the pub cleared out. Let's go."

"Ah, by arranged, you mean you paid off the bar tender." A sly smile crossed both their lips.

"I am still a very rich man Miss Chere, even in this time and world. Apparently, gambling never goes out of style."

"Fine. I'll go with you, I'm interested in what this is all about gambling man."

The duo made their way to the Jidor pub. As expected, it was empty except for the bar tender cleaning his glasses behind the counter.

They sat at a table near a distant wall. It was small and already had a pitcher and two glasses on it, Celes raised her eyebrows in suspicion.

"What is this about Setzer?" her voice was cold, her eyes frigid. Her emotional defenses were ready for a full on assault from the young man. Setzer was taken back from her sudden change in mood.

"Is something wrong?" he poured her a glass of ale. Celes let the glass sit on the table, its contents floating up and down like the ocean.

"Nothing is wrong, not with me. I'm acting as I usually do Setzer, I expect you to do the same."

"We'll see. I haven't seen you since that night."

Celes was astonished. She was expecting him to dance around with childish banter, to antagonize her with the allure of faith and luck, but no such thing had occurred. She awkwardly stared into the contents of her glass, collecting her thoughts on the matter at hand.

"I haven't wanted to be seen since that night." She shot back defensively. She had hoped to get a response she expected from him, but had no luck. It was odd, depending on luck now, Celes realized why she hated it so much; it gives you no control.

Setzer looked troubled.

"Why…why exactly haven't you wanted to be seen Celes."

"What's the matter with you?"

Setzer looked shocked. This woman was a mystery to him, a puzzle to solve. Now anger devoured the young woman's features.

"What do you mean?"

"Your pissing me off. Act like yourself, I can handle that. Serious conversations aren't your forte, its creeping me out." For once, Celes sounded like an average teenager. Her maturity had faded, her composer gone. She was clearly agitated with this man.

"I thought you didn't like easy going people, that they were full with…how do you put it, 'bull shit'? Yes that was the word. So now that I'm not full of shit, you want me to be Celes, I should be asking you the very same question you ask of me."

"I-I…" Celes shrunk back in her seat. Her anger swiftly melted into bashfulness. The blond inhaled and exhailed deeply, trying to compose herself. Setzer reached for her delicate hand, she quickly withdrew before contact was achieved. Celes glared at him with a look that could kill. After a few moments, she pushed her chair out, standing gracefully.

She brushed her sheet of snowy hair behind her back, drawing herself to her full height. She gave Setzer one more glare before speaking.

"That night was a mistake Setzer, you obviously knew how to take advantage of me when I was being foolish. That night was nothing but weakness on my part, and lecherous on yours. As I said before Setzer, I wish to be scarce in your company, lets keep it that way."

Setzer stood as well, obviously angered by the ex-general's words. His fists were balled at his sides.

"How dare you say such a thing to me. I admit I've been a bit promiscuous in my past, but I'm not stupid enough to even try such a thing on such a strong, independent woman like yourself. No, that only works on the weak, and you Celes, are far from weak."

"I was weak at the current point n time, and you obviously took advantage of me. Please stay away from me Setzer, or I will be forced to take offensive action."

"You truly are the ice queen. Tell me General Chere, is this how you won Locke over? Or perhaps you never did win him dear, perhaps he was very gleeful when this new world order sent him hundreds, perhaps thousands of miles away from you. Yes, I imagine dealing with you made him very troubled, so he made sure he wouldn't have to deal with you when this world of ruin commenced."

SLAP.

A loud buzz rang through the room as Celes hand hit Setzer's cheek. A red hand mark had already begun to burn his flesh. He dared not touch it while his assaulter was still present. Celes eyes bore into his, unlike they ever had before. Without another word, the young woman turned her back to him, quickly walking out of the pub door.

Setzer stood for a few moments, stunned at what had just taken place.

"I went too far," he murmured to himself. "Why would I say something as heartless as that, that woman…that woman just pushes you to your limits. Damn. How will I fix this…"

"Nice job man."

Setzer's gaze fell on the bar tender.

"Shut up." He spat. The man snickered.

"Quite a way to treat a lady, tell me do you charm all of the women that way Mr. Gabbiani?"

"I said shut up!"

Setzer frequented this pub, and the bar tender had never seen him this riled. He decided to keep his mouth shut as the wandering gambler left the empty pub.