Author's note: Hey all! I'm still here! I've just been very busy for the past week.

Thomas: Yeah, look at all those reviews. They're generous enough to give them to you and you treat them like this.

Shelly: I know, I'm rotten. And Starlight reviewed three times! By the way, her fic, "Take Flight", is great! It picks up after "Dragonflame" and brings a very interesting twist to it all! Tania has a sister!

Thomas: She does? Why haven't I met her?

Shelly: Thomas! I can't believe you would express interest in her when I've gone through all the trouble of getting you and Erin together!

Thomas: I didn't say I was interested in her! Geez!

Shelly: And you've been very bad to Kenji! How dare you when she's worried about her surgery!

Thomas: I said I was sorry!

Shelly: You are sorry. But at least AnimeQueen still thinks a lot of you. Maybe you should go pay her a visit and express your thanks to her. She's one of your loyal fans, you know.

Thomas: I'll think about it.

Shelly: *sighs and kicks Thomas out the door* Okay! Ryan, yes, you are that good. :p Am I that obvious? I guess so. This chapter will answer a lot of your questions I hope. And I'm kind of sleepy while writing this, so I apologize if it's a little vague. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! Enjoy!

The Most Precious Gift by Shelly

CHAPTER ELEVEN


Erin hit the palace doors running, stopping long enough to ask where Rudolph was, and she was directed to his private chambers where she saw Marianne there as well with a worried expression on her face. When her young cousin saw her, she flew into her arms with tears streaming down her face.

"Rudolph, what's wrong?" Erin asked him. "What was so important that you had to call me back here?" Fear shook her voice as she knew very well what was wrong, but was afraid to even think of what it would mean. Judging from the trembling girl in her arms, she knew it had to be nothing else but what she feared.

The Emperor gazed at her with solemn eyes. "Erin, I'm sorry. It's your father," he said quietly.

Her eyes grew round and incredibly wide as her heart leaped within her chest. "No, please don't," she breathed. "Is he--?" Rudolph nodded once and she collapsed into a heap onto the cold floor, her face in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably, Marianne's arms around her offering her little comfort.

Van and Fiona soon arrived to be greeted by the sight before them, both of them silent out of respect after Rudolph told them what had happened. Thomas wasn't far behind, and he stood beside them as he looked upon Erin with saddened eyes, his heart breaking to hear her broken sobs that shook her body. Walking forward, he knelt down beside her and took her gently into his arms to cradle her against him, letting her know he was here for her if she needed him.

She felt strong arms close around her; she could tell by his scent that it was Thomas, and she turned into his embrace to let him hold her until her tears subsided. She couldn't believe her father was dead, although he had been in fragile health for many years since her mother had passed away when she was young. He had taught her everything about being a zoid pilot, and about other things as well for they spent most of their lives together and she loved him very much.

When she had gotten the word that she was joining the Guardian Force, she had thought to refuse as she hadn't wanted to leave him considering the condition he was in as he had gotten somewhat worse. But he urged her to pursue her dreams as he had known of her desire to join them, and she had left with his blessing. Only she had never thought this day would come so quickly.

She allowed herself to be pulled up from the floor and led over to a couch to sit on, and she lay back against him as he rubbed her back with his hands and kissed her forehead from time to time. She held tight to him, never wanting to let him go as he was all she had right now to comfort her, and she drew strength from his embrace, enough to pull herself together and wipe her tears from her eyes.

Thomas saw her red nose and eyes, and never had he seen a more beautiful sight. He reached up to help wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Erin," he whispered. "I know what it's like to lose a parent. Believe me, I do."

She gazed into his eyes for a moment before pulling his lips down to hers for a kiss so sweet it brought new tears to her eyes. He had been here for her when she needed him most, offering his support even after what she had put him through, and never would she find someone else like him.

Marianne and Rudolph watched with wide eyes as the scene unfolded before them, the young girl surpressing a cry of joy as she saw the way they looked at one another. Then she saw them kiss, and she leapt at Rudolph with a shout as she threw her arms around him. "I knew it! I knew they would get together!" she crowed at the top of her lungs.

Erin and Thomas heard her and couldn't help but laugh at seeing her so happy, just as Erin knew she would never be happier with anyone else in her life. It was strange that she would know this so soon after knowing him only a few days, but there was something that drew them both close to one another, something that was strong and promised her happiness. She had always heard of soulmates but never believed in it until now as she looked deep into his green eyes and saw the same thing.

Whether he believed in it was another matter entirely, and she wasn't about to open her mouth and embarrass herself by jumping the gun and admitting her feelings. She had done it too many times in the past and had gotten burned for her to do it again.

Thomas sensed her doubt and wanted more than anything to reassure her of his feelings for her, but he wasn't sure if it was the right time considering the news she had just gotten. He didn't want to put too much on her that might end up pushing her away from him. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked.

She smiled a little and nodded her head. "I'll be fine," she said. "I think I'll get some rest and leave for home in the morning."

"I agree," he replied. "It'll be safer if I take you in the Dibison, too. That is, if it's okay with you. I don't mean to suggest things that you might not like..."

She giggled a little. "It's okay, Thomas. I don't mind."

Then they both rose to their feet as he walked her to her room, kissing her goodnight before retiring to his own bed and getting some rest of his own.



Van watched as they left, and he escorted Fiona out from Rudolph's chambers, suggesting they take a walk together. She agreed, and they went out into the fragrant palace gardens to admire the beauty of the setting sun as she stood in the circle of his arms, her back against his chest.

"I feel bad for Erin," she said. "I'm glad that Thomas is there to help her."

Van sighed deeply. "Yeah, so am I. Who would've thought that those two would've gotten together? And so fast?"

Fiona turned in his arms to look up at him, amusement in her eyes. "Well, you remember when he first saw me he swore he was in love with me?"

"Yeah, do I ever. And he spent most of the remaining times saying how much he loved you. But I am glad that she has taken his mind off of that, although I have to wonder if it isn't just infatuation he's feeling."

"No, I think it's much more than that," she replied. "I think they're in love with each other, but whether they admit it to one another is the question."

He smiled down into her eyes before lowering his lips to hers for a soft kiss. "One thing I do know is that I love you, Fiona," he said. "More than anything."

She looked deep into his dark eyes, her heart overflowing with love for him. "I love you, too, Van. I always have," she whispered.

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Aww, aren't they sweet together? I put that in for Sugar-High Eeyore. Hee-hee!

Thanks for reading! C-ya!