Title: Price for a heart

Author: Zierra

Disclaimer: Don't own Final Fantasy, don't own Santa

Clause, I don't even own a car, damn it!

Story: Christmas time means mourning time for Zell. Can Tionna help him overcome

the Christmas blues?

CHAPTER 1

I'll always look back, 'coz I walked away

This memory will last, for eternity

And all of our tears, will be lost in the rain

When I find my way back, to your arms again

But until that day, you, know you are

The Queen of my Heart

( Westlife - Queen of my Heart)

All the things that you associate with Christmas made Zell sick. He didn't hate the tradition, before the accident, it had been his favourite. But now, a year after, almost on the date, everything slightly festive, made Zell want to go into hiding. The only reason that he hadn't done that already was Tionna, his best friend. She had made him, no forced him, to continue living, and restored some, but not enough, of his broken heart and torn soul.

It had been two days before Christmas, they had planned the trip for almost six months and they were both excited to go. Allie, his girlfriend, had told him a hilarious joke while they were driving to their destination. He had laughed so hard, he hadn't seen the other car, so they collided, spinning over the road and into a ditch. Zell never lost consciousness, but he now wished he had, but Allie had. She cracked her skull against the dashboard and there was absolutely nothing he could do for her. She had died in his arms, never waking up.

The funeral had been set two days after Christmas, but Zell hadn't attended. He hadn't dared, thinking that Allies parents would blame him for the accident, just like he blamed himself. He hadn't told the police, not anyone, the real reason for the crash. He had blamed it on sun in his eyes, and since the other driver couldn't confirm or deny the reason, it hadn't seemed important. Zell was disgusted by himself and the guilt followed him around like a shadow. He felt like the most unworthy person to live.

One who didn't share Zells accusations against himself was Tionna. She didn't know all the facts about the accident, just that they had hit another car and Allie had died. She understood that Zell blamed himself, but he had never expressed some kind of blame towards the other driver. She guessed something else was behind Zells mood, but she wasn't about to ask him about it, risking having him pulling away. One thing she did know; Zell was a wreck, and it was time to do something about it. Soon.

She had it all planned. A Christmas party and everyone she had met from Garden was invited along with some of her own friends. Zell didn't know yet, but she had decided for him that he was going to help her with all the arrangements and, if everything went as planned, be one of the guests.

She had know Zell for three years. They lived close to each other and their parents had become friends first, frequently inviting the other family over for dinner and in the process, inevitably, pairing Zell and Tionna together.

Tionna had a younger sister, but had always wanted a brother, older or younger didn't matter, and Zell had eventually taken that place.

He had tried to convince her to become a SeeD, but she had said no, but she had let him train her in martial art. She was quite good now, and they usually trained together. She could live with the cuts and bruises he unintentionally inflicted upon her.

She had known Allie too, even attended her funeral. Allies mother had told her that she wanted to talk to Zell. She had no idea about what, but she hadn't come around to tell him yet, fearing a breakdown.

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Hope you like this!! It's not YAOI, it's, I think, the only straight story I've written, with Zell as a leading man (as he should be!!) Anyway, it was inspired by a situation in my personal life, although, that didn't end like this one does…. If you wanna know how it ends, you have to flatter me, because, I won't post the following chapters unless someone says it good!!! Allright!!! I will do it anyway, but I still want some feedback, so please, write something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tionna is my very own character, and if someone has a character with the same name, I hope we can share her, because I just love that name!!

If you don't like it, fine, you have extremely bad taste, nothing I can do about that, and if you wish to tell me that, go ahead, but don't expect any comments, coz I completely ignore anything remotely "flammable". Creative critics are a different kind, though, those I will read, and try to adapt to!

Hope you read the following chapters!!!!!!

// Zierra