A thousand apologies, please don't kill me. I finally got around to typing because it's Thanksgiving Break... As a consolation, I'm going to post a Thanksgiving one-shot, so please look for it. I also am not going to send this to my Beta Reader, because A) you've waited long enough, and B) I've read through it a couple times, and it looks pretty good. However, if there are mistakes... please blame me. Thank You.

Reminiscence is Calling

Chapter 12: Just a Certain Kind of Love

7 pm came about way too quickly, and Zelda found her stomach swimming with butterflies. Why? She had seen Link before… but then there was the fact they had just argued. But then they made up, so everything was okay. So why did she feel so uneasy?

Before she could answer her conflicted thoughts, Zelda heard a knock on the hotel door. Link was here. Gathering what little composure she had left, she answered the door.

"H-hey." She said with a smile. There he was, in a nice suit jacket and dress pants with a green undershirt. She was wearing a blue shimmer gown with silver flats.

"Hi." He answered.

They stood awkwardly for a few seconds; it was like they were starting over from the beginning! Frustrated, Zelda grabbed her purse from the stand next to the door and stepped out into the hallway next to Link.

"Well, shall we get going?" she asked.

Link smiled, nodding, and, linking his arm in hers, led her towards the elevator. He hit the 1st floor button, and they began to descend.

"So did you have any particular bar in mind?" Link asked, standing next to her again.

Zelda thought a moment. "Ruto had mentioned a bar… um I think it was called Kokiri Forest?"

Link smiled knowingly, "I love that place, I go there all the time. It's pretty close too."

Zelda smiled; happy she had made a good choice. It was looking to be a great night…

When they arrived at Kokiri Forest, Zelda instantly knew why Link liked the place. First of all, it was his favorite color, green, and it was in all kinds of shades that seemed to compliment the place perfectly. There was also (obviously enough) a forest theme, with actual trees placed strategically about the bar so that individual sections were created for a perfect sense of privacy. Link probably came here in search of a break from his job or his research.

Link signaled to a waiter, who instantly came over to seat them. They slid into a bamboo booth, across from each other. The waiter smiled and asked if they had any idea what they would like to drink. Zelda skimmed over the drink menu quickly while Link ordered.

"Deku sprout cocktail please, with an extra deku nut. Oh, and can you bring out Chef Gohma's specialty for the night? I believe it was the sweet and sour meatballs?"

The waiter nodded, and turned to Zelda.

"Um, I'll have the Temple Guardian Special. Also with an extra deku nut." She smiled and handed the waiter the drink menu.

After he left, Zelda turned to Link.

"So…" She drawled.

"So… What?" He asked, a devilish glint in his eyes.

"How was your day?"

A dumb look crossed Link's face. He seemed to be thinking, is this girl serious? But then he burst out laughing.

"It was pretty good this morning, and then it turned into a living Dark Realm, but right now? I wouldn't want to be anywhere but here. I'm pretty content right now." He smiled, but this time the smile was different, it was as if Zelda was speaking to Link from 18 years ago.

She chuckled, a blush sprayed across her cheeks. What was happening to her? She felt free, like whatever had been holding her back before had vanished. That whatever had fettered her to the ground was now broken by just those words and that smile.

"Well, I guess I could say the same thing, I'm pretty happy. Probably the happiest I've been in a very long time. Thank you." Zelda said sincerely.

"You're very welcome."

The waiter came with their drinks and placed them in front of them. He then went back to the kitchen and came back soon after with Link's meatballs.

"Cheers, to a friendship regained and now stronger than ever." Link said, raising his drink high in the air. Zelda smirked,

"I would, but it seems I'm too short to reach your arm. Please, take pity on the vertically challenged and lower your arm."

Link laughed again, "Alright fine, then I change my toast. Cheers to friendship, and all the short people in the world."

Zelda laughed and tapped her glass on his and took a sip. A strong, bitter taste entered her system, along with a strong taste of mint and orange. She almost spit the alcohol up, but she held it down. Link laughed, taking a small sip of his drink before placing it down again.

"Forgot to tell you that they make their drinks strong."

"Nah, that wouldn't have been important to know or anything." Zelda said sarcastically.

Link chuckled again.

"Marin made me promise not to get wasted again, but I don't know… I never had a high tolerance of pure vodka." She continued, daring to take another small sip of the concoction. She winced as she gulped it down.

"Do you want to get a different one? One that is more diluted?" Link asked, slightly concerned.

"No, no. I got this. I mean, it's a very good drink. Just a little strong. I just have to take it slow. I am also going to have to steal one of your meatballs." She responded, taking her fork and going in for the sizzling meat.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Link said, blocking her fork.

"What?" Zelda asked.

"First, you have to flatter my vanity. Only then will I be able to part with one of Chef Gohma's special meatballs."

"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered, "what's next? I'm gonna have to kiss you?"

"That would be nice…"

"Oh shut up."

Zelda thought for a moment, then smiled coyly.

"Alright, Sir Link, AKA Mr. Bunny. You are sweet, funny, handsome, dastardly, super smart; respectful… must I go on?"

"Yes, otherwise no balls for you."

"You're a jack ass."

"Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment."

"You better, otherwise I might have to take back everything I just said."

"Oh, we definitely don't want that. So please, continue."

He waved her on, a silly glint in his eye. Zelda shook her head and took another sip of her drink.

"Alright fine, but only because those damn meatballs look tasty."

He just smiled expectantly; he obviously wanted her to say something specific.

"Well… You are a great friend, and we have a lot of fantastic memories. Like the time we hijacked Mr. Gaepora's car because he failed me on a test, but then you lost the guts and jumped out, forcibly dragging me with you. He found it the next day, but we were never caught.

"Or the day the Yearbook Club took that photo… Your father had just gotten promoted, so South Faron was definitely in your sights because you had the scholarships, and your parents could afford the tuition. You were so happy, that after the picture we went to your parents and had a huge party. Your folks were great, so happy.

"Also the time when I formally introduced you to my parents, before my mom got surgery, you actually made my dad laugh. What was the joke? Oh yeah, one of those dumb blonde jokes at my expense. When I thought I had locked myself in my car and called you. Turns out, it's practically impossible to lock yourself in your car. But that doesn't matter, what matters is… You made high school enjoyable, and I thank you."

Zelda wiped a happy tear from her eye, and Link beamed at her.

"Well said, mon amie, well said. I think you deserve this." He handed her a meatball on his fork, and she took it gratefully.

"You know," Zelda continued, "We've led great lives, even if parts of it were separated."

"Yeah…"

"I thought that all I would have left from you is these memories, but you're here now. In front of me, in a bar, laughing like old times! Remind me to give Marin and Midna a hug when I get back to my apartment."

Link chuckled, when his phoned buzzed. He looked at it, and his face lit up.

"Hey, do you want to go see Mars Attacks? It's playing in a half hour, my buddy just texted me."

Zelda grinned, "This is like our second date all over again isn't it?"

He just grinned.

So they went to the movies… and it sucked.

But they already knew that Mars Attacks wasn't going to be that great… It was made at least twenty years ago. So the entire time, Zelda and Link just laughed at it, pretended to be scared, laughed some more, etc. etc.

When they got out of the theater, Zelda found herself hugging Link while he had his arms around her shoulders. It really was like the second date, and Zelda was oddly pleased about that. It was around 9:30, and Girl's Night was likely to be over, and Sheik and Kafei were probably heading back to the hotel room. As if he was reading her mind, Link said,

"I guess it's time to take you home."

She smiled, "Yeah…"

Link hailed a cab, while Zelda put on her coat. The night had gotten chilly all of a sudden, and she couldn't help thinking whether or not Sheik grabbed his jacket. She shrugged the thought off, seeing as how she would see him in a few minutes.

Link helped her into the cab, and got in after her. They chatted amiably for a few minutes until they got to her hotel. Link took her up to her room, and when they got to her door, she turned to him.

"I had a really great time tonight. I'm really glad we made up."

Link smiled, and nodded. They stood there staring into each other's eyes for a few moments, before finally…

They kissed.

It was brief, and awkward. Zelda quickly drew away, as it was still a strange sensation to like Link this much. He understood, and gave a sad half smile.

"Well, I'll, uh, see you tomorrow?" he asked, clearing his throat.

"Yeah." She swiped her room key, and entered her room. She closed it softly behind, and leaned her back against the door. She heard Link chuckle softly before his steps receded down the hallway. She placed her purse on the stand by the door, and walked with a light skip to her room. She heard someone in the kitchen talking, and figuring it was Sheik and Kafei, she exited her room after dispatching her coat and entered the kitchen.

What she was greeted with was something she didn't expect.

Kafei was there, with Anju. He looked shaken up, and she was consoling him. Midna and Marin were at the counter, disconsolate looks on their faces.

"What's up?" Zelda asked, worried.

Everyone looked up surprised, and Anju cried out.

"Oh my goddess, Zelda! We're so sorry!"

"Sorry? For what?"

Kafei cleared his throat, "S-sheik is missing. He ran away from me at the arcade… I… have no idea where he could've gone."

Yep, down to the wire here. It's been a pretty good learning experience writing this story, and I can't wait to finish it. I've decided not to do a sequel, because I don't have a story to write about... Anyway, I hope to heaven that I update once more during my break, or at least send another chapter to my Beta. Please look for my Thanksgiving one-shot (It's not written yet, but I'm going to write it right after this is uploaded :P). Also, someone please tell me of a good Seth X Eirika fiction from FE8.. I just started playing it, and I'm obsessed with the pairing at the moment. Clichè yes, but come on, they're adorable. Anyway... Thanks for Reading!