Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of FFIX but all the peeps who aren't familiar to you are mine. If I see the names I use in anything they will not find your body….I promise….j/k that's just if the character acts the same. But if you ask my permission to put my character in it might be okay.. But ask first!!!

---- Chapter VI: Love Renewed--------------------

~Three months later~

Zidane watched the city of Lindblum slip by through the large window of the air cab. Looks better than ever, he thought, seeing the parts of the city that had been totaled by Brahne's army. Damn, that was a while ago, The genome thought, come to think of it, I think that was the first time Dagger touched me of her own free will. The thought of the Queen brought a smile to the thief's lips as well as a pang of yearning in his heart.

God I've been away from her for three hours and I already miss her, how the hell am I gonna make it till tomorrow? Zidane shook his head trying to clear his thoughts of her but to no avail. Since Zidane had returned three months earlier he had stayed with Dagger at the castle. The royal treatment he got was a pain in the butt but as long as he was close to Dagger he didn't care. They had spent almost every waking moment together, and he hadn't wanted to leave but Baku was mad about something and had insisted that Zidane come to Lindblum.

"Theater District!" the driver called, shaking Zidane from his thoughts, the nineteen-year-old stood and walked out of the cab.

"Great to be back," Zidane said, taking in a deep breath of air then gagged.

"Damn, I forgot how bad the air is here," he said, walking out of the station and heading in the direction of his old home. As he caught sight of the large clock that boasted the Tantalus homestead he smiled. Cleans up pretty nice, he thought walking into the doorway.

"Zidane that you?" came Baku's rough voice from the back of the headquarters. Zidane gulped down the urge to hi-tail back to Alexandria and stepped forward.

"Yeah boss, it's me I'm here whaddya want to talk to me about?" he said, trying to keep composure. Baku had always freaked Zidane out a little ever since he had beat him all those years ago…

"Few things but they can wait till dinner. I'm starving, been waiting for ya so we could eat. The others are already at the tavern," the large man said pushing Zidane out the door. When they walked past the air cab station Zidane was confused.

"Isn't the tavern in the Industrial District?" The genome asked.

"Not anymore they moved here two months ago," Baku said, walking towards a brightly lit building.

"I see," Zidane said stepping into the bar after Baku. The tailed one was expecting a massive difference in the bar but it looked like the old one save a bit cleaner. The leader of Tantalus led Zidane over to a table were Marcus, Blank, Cinna, Ruby, and the three Nero brothers sat.

"Hey Zidane!" Blank said, jumping from his chair. Zidane stared at the man and sat down.

"I'm not talking to you," he said, picking up the menu.

"Aww, c'mon you can't still be mad at me for locking you in the bunks," Blank whined, sitting back down.

"Why can't I?" Zidane asked, looking at the spiky-haired nut.

"I dunno, but… ya just can't!" Blank said, seeming upset that one of his best friends was mad at him. Zidane shook his head and grinned.

"Okay then, I won't hate you anymore," The genome grinned.

"Good, oh by the way how is Dagger?" Blank asked. Zidane smiled at the mention of Dagger's name.

"She's good, she says hi, she would've come with me but she's the Queen and all, not much time for glee trips," Zidane said, leaning against the table.

"Zidane," came Baku's voice from behind were he had been. The large man sat down and looked around at all the others, they all grew silent. Uh-oh, Zidane thought. He's gonna kill me or worse, Zidane gulped and answered as steady as he could.

"Y-yes?" he faltered slightly and looked at the troupe leader.

"Here this is why I called you here," he said withdrawing a black box from his front pocket. He tossed it to Zidane and the genome realized what it was.

"What's this?" he asked, trying to verify.

"Zidane don't be dumb I raised you up smarter than that," the leader huffed. Zidane looked sheepishly down at the box and cracked it open. Inside was a gold ring adorned with a garnet in the center.

"I'm touched Boss, but your not my type," He said shutting the case.

"Zidane you damn well know what that ring is for and you sure as hell better use it," Baku said, seeming pissed. Oh goodie! How are ya gonna explain this one Zidane? The thief thought staring at the waiting faces of his old friends. Might as well tell the truth.

"I can't except this," Zidane said, placing the box on the table.

"Like hell you can't! Dammit Zidane!" Baku yelled at the genome.

"I can't marry Dagger, I'm not cut out to be a king," Zidane sadly replied, looking down at the box.

"ZIDANE!!!" the leader screamed, Zidane looked up in alarm the rest of the bar falling silent. Great now the rest of the bar gets to listen in on my pitiful ness.

"You love the woman, right?!" Baku asked.

"Yeah…" Zidane replied.

"Then where's the problem? She obviously loves you because if she didn't she wouldn't have traveled to the Iifa tree once a month to look for traces of you!" Zidane was taken aback by this.

"Did she really?" he whispered.

"Damn straight! She loves you so why are you questioning that? Damn boy, you think she'll say, no you're a thief, how can I marry a thief, who happens to be the one guy who saved the whole damn world?! I don't think so Zidane, you two deserve each other. She's not too good for you, she's a perfect fit." after Baku finished his sermon he sat back down. Zidane slowly picked up the box and slipped it into his pocket.

"I think I made my point," Baku grinned.

"Yep," Zidane said, feeling a lot better about his relationship with Dagger, and the problem that had been daunting him for so long.

"Good you gonna ask her as soon as you get back?" Baku asked digging into the food that had been brought while Baku's raving.

"Nope," Zidane casually replied, lifting a spoonful of soup to his lips.

"What?! Don't make me preach again," the leader said, glaring at the genome.

"I'm not gonna ask right away gotta wait for the right moment," Zidane calmly replied, Baku just shook his head and laughed. After they finished eating they went back to the hideout. Zidane wanted to leave early since it took time to get to Alexandria and he wanted to be back before lunch so he crashed in his old bed. Still the way I left it, he thought before drifting off to sleep.

*************************

As Zidane stepped of the gargan Luren one of the guards that operated the gargan greeted him.

"Sir would you like me to inform Her Majesty that you have returned?" She said, saluting Zidane.

"Naw, I'll tell her myself, where is she?" Zidane had stopped bothering to tell the guards not to salute him or call him 'sir,' the Queen's beau was to be regalized no matter how many times he objected.

"She is in the courtyard, Sir," she said.

"Thanks," Zidane muttered, walking up the stairs.

When Zidane got to the courtyard he took in the scene. Dagger was sitting on one of the marble benches reading, Zidane saw Beatrix and Steiner walking out one of the other gates in the large yard, they were looking very love stricken, like me, he thought. Damn I'm whipped, he goofed to himself. Then he noticed one last person in the courtyard, the new chocobo hand, Zidane frowned. He stepped forward letting the hand know that he was there. Looking alarmed the hand walked away.

Zidane didn't trust that guy for a few reasons. The one that stood out most in his mind was that the hand was rumored to be somewhat of a ladies man amongst the younger maids, which Zidane didn't care about. The thing that got to him was the other rumor that the guy had his sites set on Dagger, my Dagger, Zidane thought. The other reason Zidane didn't like the guy was because Choco didn't. Zidane's trusted chocobo absolutely refused the touch of the hand. Usually Choco was loveable to the hands but he did not like that one.

Zidane shook his head and walked silently towards Dagger. When he was close enough he kissed her on the cheek.

"Ahh!" she cried in surprise, falling off the bench. She looked up at him in shock her brown eyes wide, she realized that it was him and she smiled.

"Zidane, your back!" She said excitedly, standing up and brushing herself off.

"Yep, miss me?" Zidane asked as Dagger threw her arms around his neck.

"But of course," she smiled, hugging him tightly. Zidane welcomed the embrace and returned it the same, his warm feelings for her bubbling over, I love you, Dagger, he thought. He couldn't speak that sentiment aloud; not yet, he still was waiting for the right time. Dagger pulled away from him and smiled looking into his eyes.

"What is it?" she asked, concern crossing her beautiful face.

"What is what?" Zidane asked, smiling.

"You seem distracted, that's all," Dagger said, her eyes searching his face. Zidane smiled again and took the Queen's hands gently.

"Not really I was just thinking about how much I missed you," he lied, sitting down on the marble bench. Dagger smiled and sat beside him.

"I'm sure," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. Man she knows I'm lying, Zidane thought. He bit his lip nervously and tried not to care. He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her gently.

"So…" he said changing the subject.

"What happened while I was gone?" he asked.

"Nothing much you were only gone a day," Dagger said, sighing deeply.

"I had a meeting with the woman in charge of education today I have to meet with her again day after tomorrow," she sighed again.

"Normally I am all for the education thing it's just that woman, she makes me depressed, she always is talking about money, and how we should charge the children's parents, and blah blah blah, it seems like she doesn't even want to be a teacher," she sighed again and sat up.

"Well if she depresses you that much come to me after the meeting I'll cheer ya right up," Zidane said, grinning at the Queen. She smiled at him and gently cuffed him on the shoulder.

"Thank you," she said, smiling her bright cheery smile that Zidane had always loved.

"That's my girl," he smiled.

*******************************

The stupid captain and the soiled general walked from the courtyard leaving the Queen alone. Now's my chance, Sebastian thought beginning to walk towards the woman sitting across the yard. The chocobo hand had only crossed a few feet when the monkey-tailed man stepped from the shadows, dammit, the hand thought harshly turning away towards the place whence he had came.

Curse that Zidane, Sebastian thought harshly. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time. The hand turned and looked back at the Queen and her lover, who were expressing how much they had missed each other. Pathetic human sentiment, he thought, scowling.

"Sebastian!" came the light voice of Cathleena, one of the younger maids barely sixteen. He turned to the always-cheerful face of the girl as he put on a false smile.

"Cathleena! Just the girl I wanted to see!" he smiled, in a sense he manipulated well warmth.

"Really? You wanted to se me?" the girl asked her green eyes widening. This is going to be too easy, Sebastian thought.

"Of course! I need you to uh help me with something in the back room," he smiled, winking at the girl walking towards the stable.

"Ohh, okay," she said, following suit. Sebastian walked quickly to the stable and to the back room. Once the girl was inside he shut the door locking it.

"Now we can be alone," he said pushing the girl against the wall.

"Sebastian!" the girl cried, but not scared. She should be scared, Sebastian thought wickedly allowing his primal urges to take over…

**************************

"I already told you Ms. Longheart, many of the people cannot afford to pay for their children to go to school that's why we cannot charge for them to be sent to your school," Garnet stated as she sat in her throne trying not to get irritated.

"Yes well if they can't pay they should be home schooled," Ms. Longheart argued. Garnet was very frustrated after an hour of this. I am ending this meeting now, Garnet thought.

"Yes well I will take this into careful consideration," Garnet sighed, standing from her throne.

"I will let you know as soon as I have decided. Beatrix will show you out," Garnet said, walking from the throne chamber. I hope Zidane is in his room, she thought, heading towards the sleeping chambers. Once she got to the double doors that boasted Zidane's quarters she knocked gently on the door.

"It's open, unless you're a maid; if you are go away! I don't want my sheets changed, I like them this way!" Came Zidane's muffled reply to the knock. Garnet giggled as she opened the doors.

"Room service!" she laughed, walking in and closing the doors behind her. Zidane was sitting on the windowsill, when he saw her he smiled.

"Just the lady I wanted to see!" He grinned, standing from the sill.

"And why is that?" Garnet asked, walking towards the handsome genome.

"Can't I just want to see your lovely face?" Zidane said innocently, gazing at her with his deep blue eyes.

"Yes but you said it like you wanted something," she smiled, looking down the two stories into the courtyard that you could see clearly from Zidane's window.

"Okay you caught me," Zidane said, acting ashamed.

"So what do you want?" Garnet asked, looking at the genome.

"Do ya want me to make a list?" Zidane asked.

"I mean right now," Garnet said, exasperated.

"Still need a list," The genome joked.

"Zidane!" Garnet said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Ok, okay, you and me dinner, tonight, alone, no Beatrix, no Steiner, just you and me," Zidane said, looking into Garnet's eyes. She thought for a moment.

"Alright," she said smiling.

"Great!" Zidane said, clearly excited. Garnet turned and walked to the doors and opened them.

"See you then," she smiled walking from the room. I wonder what he has planned? Garnet thought, heading towards the library, seeing the courtyard through Zidane's window had given her the urge to read. As she entered the library the scholars that always filled the room greeted her.

"Rupert, may I have the book I was reading a few days ago?" She asked one of the men.

"Of course Your Majesty I have it right here," the elderly man smiled, handing Garnet the book. The Queen took it and smiled.

"Thank you Rupert, I will bring it back before I go to dinner." She said walking towards the door.

"No hurry Your Majesty," The old man called after Garnet as she left the room. Garnet walked towards the door that opened to the courtyard. She opened the book and started looking for the page she had been reading. Which page was it? She thought flipping the pages of the book. She walked through the gate still looking down at the book.

"Ah, here it is page two thirty-seve-!" she was cut off by a long, snaking tentacle wrapping around her neck. She dropped the book grabbing at the tentacle as it lifted her into the air. She couldn't breathe; she pulled at the green, slimy apparatus wrapped about her neck trying to scream. She kicked her legs wildly; but the only thing she achieved was kicking one of her shoes off. To her luck she hit whatever had grabbed her and she felt the tentacle loosen around her neck and a different one wrap around her waist. She took this chance to scream.

"ZIDAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

****************************

~A few minutes earlier~

After Dagger left Zidane pulled the small box from his pocket. Tonight, he thought. Tonight I'll ask Dagger to marry me. The Terran smiled, opening the box and pulling out the ring. I hope it fits, if it doesn't I'll have to get Blank to resize it. Zidane smiled and placed the glittering gold ring back into the case. He suddenly heard lots of yelling from outside his door. Frowning the genome snapped the case shut and grabbed Ultima Weapon from the side of his bed. Just as he stood a familiar form came bursting through the door.

"Freya!!" Zidane cried, as the normally docile Dragon Knight looked at him. Her nostrils flared at the sight of him and she raised Kain's Lance holding it as if she planned to kill him. Zidane stood his eyes wide afraid that the slightest move would sign his demise.

"Zidane you little twit!" the knight yelled.

"What'd I do?" Zidane asked, dumbfounded at what had angered the Burmecian so.

"Don't you act all innocent with me Zidane Tribal! I am very angry with you!" Freya yelled. Zidane had never seen Freya this pissed off and he had no clue why.

"I got that," Zidane said, trying to stay calm.

"Do you know why I'm angry with you?!" The knight asked. Zidane shook his head.

"No," he said, watching Freya carefully.

"It's been three damn months and I have yet to hear of wedding plans," the Dragon knight said lowering her lance.

"When are you going to ask Dagger to marry you?" the knight asked. Zidane looked at the Burmecian and grinned, he held up the little box.

"Perfect timing, tonight," he said. Freya looked at the box and smiled. She opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by a scream.

"ZIDAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"That's Dagger!!" Zidane yelled running to his window. Without thinking he jumped out the window he flipped twice and landed on his feet, Freya was right behind him.

"Holy crap!" Zidane said staring at the creature that held Dagger hostage.

It had long tentacles dripping with slime, had to have been at least a story high, it looked almost human save the green skin, tentacles, and outrageous height. As it turned to look at Zidane and Freya Zidane reconised it, barley. Sebastian, Zidane hissed. I knew that guy was no good.

"Your Majesty we heard you scream and- Oh my God!!" came Beatrix's voice as she and Steiner came to a stop by Zidane and Freya.

"What the-" Beatrix said.

"No time he's got Dagger!" Zidane yelled racing at the Sebastian. He jumped and hit the tentacles that held Dagger captive lopping them off. Zidane slashed at Sebastian's head and then jumped back.

"Dagger cast protect on yourself!" Zidane yelled as the others began to attack. Freya jumped high and came down and hit Sebastian with Kain's lance and she jumped to Zidane's side Beatrix and Steiner both rushed forward and hit Sebastian with devastating attacks. Then they ran back to where Zidane watched Dagger cast her spell, a large green bubble forming a shield around the delicate queen. At least she'll be safe, he thought looking at the handiwork of the four fighters.

Thick purple blood was oozing from the points that Sebastian had been hit. Hah serves the bastard right, Zidane thought harshly. First those rumors of him wanting Dagger and then him trying to eat her?! One more hit and this guy's toast he isn't very strong. Zidane raised Ultima Weapon getting ready to deliver the final blow when Sebastian started to laugh.

"That's the best you've got?!" The former hand said in a bone chilling voice.

"If that's it you should just surrender the virgin queen to me I will eat her and become the most powerful being on this pathetic planet!!" Zidane's mouth dropped as he watched the blood around the wound's harden and become part of Sebastian's skin.

"You cannot destroy me with mere weapons!" He laughed, whipping one of his long tentacles against the group sending them all into the back wall. Zidane slumped against the wall he could feel blood seeping through his hair from the impact. His thoughts weren't clear, Dagger… gotta save… can't die. Zidane couldn't think he had to help Dagger but he couldn't move. Dagger… I'm… sorry…, he thought drifting into unconsciousness.

"Zidane… get up you have to save Dagger." Zidane opened his eyes.

"…Vivi?" Zidane whispered. Zidane listened for the voice again.

"Yeah, It's me," came the voice again.

"You've gotta get up Zidane you can do it! I believe in you just like I always have," Zidane nodded and got shakily to his feet the darkness around him beginning to clear.

"Stay with me buddy I can't do this without you," Zidane whispered, looking at Sebastian seeing he had broken Dagger's shield and was attempting to eat her once again.

"…Don't worry I'm not going anywhere," Vivi whispered as Zidane felt over come with anger. He felt a power surge he hadn't felt since the final battle with Neuron. Trance, Zidane thought as he was encased in energy. He ran forward and cut the tentacle once again, he landed gracefully on the other side of the twisted figure once known as Sebastian. The genome looked at the monster with pure hate, he focused on the strongest dyne skill he knew.

"Your going down, Sebastian," Zidane hissed, raising Ultima Weapon above his head.

"GRAND LEATHAL!!!" Zidane screamed facing his palm against Sebastian, energy beams shooting from his hand. Sebastian began to bubble his distorted face was awash with realization and fear.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!!" cried the creature as he expanded, blowing apart. Purple flew in all directions. Zidane was knocked off his feet as the slime hit him with incredible force. As the smoke cleared Zidane felt the charge leaving his body.

"Good job Zidane you saved her, I think this is the perfect time to ask her don't wait." Vivi said. Zidane smiled as he ran to Dagger, thanks buddy, he thought.

"Dagger you okay?" Zidane asked crouching down in front of Dagger. She wiped purple ooze from her eyes and looked up at him.

"Thank you for saving me," she said, touching his cheek. Zidane smiled and pulled the ring from his pocket.

"Yeah, hey Dagger since we're both alive and all…" he said, sliding the ring on her finger and looking into her shocked eyes.

"Wanna get hitched, for real this time?" He smiled. Dagger looked at him and began to cry she smiled ant him.

"Yes," she whispered. Zidane smiled and leaned forward he pressed his lips against hers and she received his kiss leaning into it and wrapping her arms around his neck. This is were I belong, he thought, gently moving away from her lips.

"I love you," he said, Dagger smiled at him her eyes overflowing with tears.

"I love you too," she whispered back. Zidane smiled again and closed his lips around hers again feeling his heart well with happiness.

**************************

"Yes!!!" the little mage bounced excitedly up and down. Kuja smiled and looked at the mage.

"Vivi calm down, you don't want to fall through the cloud," Kuja laughed, looking down seeing the Dragon Knight, General, and Captain getting up from were they had fallen.

"That's just a rumor Kuja, I don't think you can actually fall through," Vivi said looking back down.

"Well you aren't going to be the one to find out are you?" Kuja asked the mage.

"Nooo," the mage said looking at his hands. Kuja smiled at that, I remember when Zidane was as innocent as this one, he thought remembering when Zidane had been a clueless little tyke. He's certainly changed since the time when I left him on this planet to die, Kuja shuddered at the thought of how cruel he had been. He's grown up well considering his circumstances.

"Hey Kuja do you think that it was ok that I communicated with Zidane?" Vivi asked, shaking Kuja from his thoughts. Kuja smiled at the little mage.

"I think it was necessary Garnet would have been swallowed by that creature if you hadn't," He said, watching Steiner and Beatrix congratulate Garnet and Zidane.

"Yeah and now they're gonna be married!" Vivi said excitedly.

"Yes, we'll go to of course and we'll have the best seats in the house." Kuja said smiling again, realizing that ever since he had died he'd been doing that a lot, smiling.

"Yea!" Vivi said, grinning or at least as far as Kuja could tell, black mages didn't have many facial features, but this one was incredibly expressive.

"Maybe we should invite the elephant la.. err I mean Brahne to come with us," Kuja said, standing and walking towards Vivi's home.

"Maybe," the mage said trailing behind.

-------------------------------

Author's note: yeah okay this is one of my long chaps. I can't remember what chap # this is but I am currently working on chap IX it's not done yet and I might have an optional lemon chap in a different thread but maybe not it won't be here cuz this is my main story and I don't want to change the rating.