A/N: Awesome Facebook in its amazing wisdom and wonders of connecting people...connected me with a virus...that took all of three days to remove and is still a pain in my poor laptop's side. So, last week's chapter...is today's chapter. Maybe I'll be able to crank out another chapter tomorrow to get back on track. I'll also be...so happy when this twilight phase is over.

to Roksu: That'd be hilarious "Would you like to accept these long distance charges?" "No." "...Okay. Would you like to accept these long distance charges?" "I...I just said no. What's wrong with you?" "Nothing. Now, would you like to-" "Aaaaaah!" Heehee, I like the twins for some reason, I thought they needed a little back story.

A Gerald and Robin chapter! They needed some bonding time.

Read, enjoy and review!

Mend

With our side of the deal assured, Sacher agreed to leave as soon as the ship was checked and stocked with enough rations to get us to the next continent, with rough weather taken into consideration.

I make my way down to the training grounds around noon—Ivan's helping Mary with the twins and Venus only knows where Gerald is. The most I can hope for is he hasn't managed to lodge his head in some strange hole.

The training grounds sit on the outskirts of town, tucked away in a secluded alcove positioned between the mountain range and an inlet. Worn wooden dummies line the shore, chunks carved out by the sharp, curved swords Faran's men wield. Wooden practice swords lay forgotten in the shade of the cliff, some of them broken, others still in relatively unused condition.

I face one of the manikins, unsheathing my sword. I spin it once, letting the hilt slide across the back of my gloved hand before catching it again, lunching. There's the hollow sound of wood being struck as the blade nicks the spot between the ribs. The lifeless doll doesn't make much of a sparring partner but it's better than getting rusty.

The Sun shifts lazily overhead, the manikin's shadow stretching inwards towards the cliff face. I stop to catch my breath, sweat collecting on my forehead and soaking my bangs. I push them back, resting my sword in the sand.

"I thought you'd be out here." Gerald grins, his sword resting flat on his shoulder, "Need a sparring partner?"

I smile, taking off my scarf and tossing it onto the arm of the manikin, "If you think you can keep up with me."

"Who do you think taught you everything you know?"

"Certainly not you." He grips the hilt of his sword in both hands, holding the blade level with his head as I take mine up again. His stance is good for leaping attacks, striking down and overpowering someone but he tires quickly, making his attacks easy to dodge. Physically, he's stronger, but that's not all there is to fighting.

By the time the Sun kisses the ocean, we've knocked over two manikins, dug out deep grooves in the sand from our boots. Our tunics are soaked with sweat, rips along my sleeves and one across his breeches. He doubled over, dropping his sword and resting his hands on his knees, coughing as he tried to catch his breath.

Someone begins clapping, joined by another person until the small crowd that had gathered along the path leading back to the village was clapping. I glance over, blinking. Some of Faran's guards are there, looking at us with approval. "You boys should think about sticking behind and staying on to protect Lalivero."

The man next to him nudges him, "They saved the world, you can't expect them to be content staying in a place like Lalivero." Gerald grins, rubbing the back of his head, obviously loving the attention and praise.

"You've protected Lalivero well enough without any assistance from us, you don't need our help now." I glance around at their training area, "It looks like we've made a mess of this place. We practiced without asking first…"

"Lord Faran wouldn't mind…he'd be glad to hear you made good use of our training grounds. It's been neglected since Lady Sheba was taken. After seeing the two of you fighting, I think we need to start training again. Though, I'm not sure any amount of training would make us a match for you two."

I sheathe my sword, "If all of you came at us at once, we'd be hard pressed to defeat you." Without having to rely on our Psynergy.

Gerald's stomach lets out a low, deep grumble, startling some people in the crowd. The guards begin to laugh, "You've been training hard, we'll let you go." The crowd fades back until only two people remain—Ivan and Mary.

Gerald's face lights up and he rushes to her, starting to open his arms for a hug but thinking better of it, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "How long have you been watching?"

She smiles, "Not long…we were seeing what Milieu and Feuille have learned so far when some of the villagers began to head over here. They said something about two men sparring on the shore…and since the two of you were missing…"

Gerald's stomach lets out another grumble as she finishes and he throws his arms up, "Ah, I can't take it anymore, I think my stomach's eating itself! We've got to get some food now! Hurry, Mary!" He ran up the path as fast as he could.

"Gerald, wait…!" Mary sighs, "Don't stay out too long, he's likely to eat all the food at the Inn." She gathers the edge of her dress, hurrying after Gerald.

Ivan laughs softly, watching them until they disappear around the bend. A breeze plays through his hair, tangling some of the delicate strands in his eyelashes. He turns as he pulls them away, smiling at me, a hint of shyness lingering there. I retrieve my scarf from the manikin, walking over to him and draping it across his shoulders, "You've cut your tunic…and you're all sweaty. How long were you two out here?"

"I've been here since noon…it was an hour or so before Gerald came to spar with me."

"We'll have to mend it before we leave."

"I didn't bring anything to mend it with…" I inspect the rip as we start up the hill. It's shallow, not even cutting the shirt underneath but I'm sure I'll find a bruise there in the morning. Maybe more than just one.

"Lady Layana insisted I bring a mending kit with me this time…I'll fix it for you." He pauses, glancing up at me, "You look pleased."

"Ah, do I?" He nods and I lace my hands behind my head, leaning back a little. A seagull lets out a cry as it flies over us, heading out towards the ocean. "I guess it's been a while since I've sparred with Gerald. It was nice having a duel where my life or someone else's wasn't at stake."

"Faran's men were impressed…a little jealous too." He laughs gently, "I think it was mostly because we're traveling again and they don't have that luxury."

"They should be happy they have a home to settle down in…and that they have no idea what dangers pray on Weyard." He catches my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. He whispers my name and I feel a gentle tingle where our hands are connected, releasing the breath I'd been holding. "I'm sorry…I just thought we'd have a break from…risking our lives for the sake of Weyard."

"You don't have to apologize to me…I know how you feel without you having to explain…" He leans against me a little and we fall silent as we step into town. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze and I manage to smile.

-TBC-