"It seems that there is a small mislead group out close to where the Fanatics Tower used to be," Leo pointed to a location on the map, "just children of the imperial soldiers, workers and the like, those that survived from way back. Somehow, they believe that everything will go back to the way it used to, and that the attack on Figaro was used to get noticed."

"It worked," Locke replied dryly.

Leo turned to the group looking at the map, "Yes. I'm thinking that I can go in and do some reconnaissance. Apparently, I'm one of the people they were looking for to return. Perhaps convince Douglass of his delusions, and hopefully break up the group peacefully, if not," he held up his hands, "I will have their home base mapped."

"I'm going with you," everyone turned the owner of the soft speaker.

"Terra, I don't think." Edgar started.

"Leo can't go alone," Terra walked over to them.

"Terra, you might just slow me down." Leo started but was cut in mid- sentence by the very sharp tip of a sword sliding at the base of his neck. "Uh.."

"You wanna try that again?" Terra cocked her head, "I may not have magic, but do not doubt my abilities." She slid the sword gently against Leo's skin.

Leo lifted his hands up, "yes, ma'am."

She pressed her lips together. Satisfied that she got her point across, she withdrew the sword and sheathed it. "Setzer get the airship prepared. I suggest that a team go aboard the ship, and land with us about 2 days walk away. That way Leo and I can get in without causing a commotion. We can set up a flare system in case we get in trouble that a lookout should be able to see from aboard the ship in case we have problems. We will meet back with the ship when our mission is accomplished.

"Is that acceptable gentlemen?" She looked back from Leo to Edgar.

Leo rubbed his neck gingerly, "yes ma'am."

Edgar looked at her anxiously, "of course."

"I don't think this requires any special forces, Edgar. But they need to be quick thinkers in case we are in a bind," Terra continued. Satisfied, she surveyed the room and started walking out, "we will meet on the ship in two hours." She stopped at the doorway and turned her head back to the group and raised an eyebrow, "Don't slow me down, Leo."

Leo smiled, "yes ma'am."

* * *

Leo had boarded the ship and looked out to see Terra supervising the last member to come aboard. The king stood next to her talking. He could tell that the king seemed to not like the idea that she was coming. He finally nodded resolutely and reached over to kiss her on the forehead and held her hands a minute too long. Leo frowned, his heart tightened in his chest, and he looked away.



* * *

The ship landed 5 hours ago, and Leo and Terra were well on their way to the encampment. They traveled in silence. Leo wasn't sure what to think or say. He knew that he made her angry to begin with, and he wasn't sure of her relationship with the king. He thought fondly of their reunion. What would have happened if those kids hadn't attacked? He was puzzled, but he tried to keep his thoughts to himself.

"This place is as good as any," Terra said.

"I'm sorry?" Leo stopped short.

"I said this place is as good as any. We might as well stop; it's almost sun down. You think?" she turned to Leo.

"Uh, yeah, yes of course."

"Something wrong?" Terra asked as she put her pack down.

"Hum?" Leo replied distractedly. "Oh, not really, just thinking of what I'm going to say to Douglass."

"Ah," Terra sai0d. She unpacked her bag, "Do you need a campfire?"

"No, that's fine. It's a nice evening, and a three quarter moon tonight. That should be plenty of light," Leo said as he reached for his rations. He really didn't feel like eating.

They sat in silence while working on their rations. "Look, I wanted to apologize for what I said in the castle," Leo broke the silence. "I guess. I guess I was trying to be chivalrous."

Terra grinned slightly, "I should be used to it by now. I guess I kind of overreacted, but I wanted to make my point." She giggled a bit at her own pun.

Leo smiled. It was relaxing to see her calm now. She was so tense at the castle and in the airship, and then the journey here.

"So, who is Douglass?" She took a bite out of her dried meat.

"I knew his father," Leo began. "He was a soldier, not a particularly great one, but a good man nonetheless. His wife died when she was giving birth to Douglass. Douglass was always on the scrawny side. Sometimes the other kids would pick on him, and I felt sorry for him. So, I'd often take him with me on different tasks and assignments, and it also helped his father out quite a bit," he paused slightly, "his father was sent on a mission, that he couldn't handle. It was my fault, I should've known better, but the man really needed the extra money."

"He died?" Terra asked.

Leo nodded. "I had to break it to his son. It was not one of my shining moments as a soldier. I figured it should've been me. Douglass was only 14 at the time. I guess it was a year before the end of the world," Leo chewed on a hard piece of bread. "I basically looked after him personally. He was like my son.

"When we left to Thamasa to talk with the Espers, I promised him that everything will be better when I came back. Well, I never came back." He flexed his fingers. "So many lives."

"So now, he's created an uprising of youths to bring down Figaro?" Terra cocked her head.

"Yeah, I suppose. To take it for the greatness that is Gestahl," Leo replied sardonically.

They chewed quietly for while.

"You seem distracted," Leo started.

"Look who's talking," Terra raised an eyebrow.

"Let's just say I'm distracted by your distraction," he grinned.

Terra swallowed the last bite of food and put the rest away. "I suppose this is as good as time as any." She tugged at the chain around her neck and pulled out the ring. Leo's expression soured instantly at the sight of it. He wasn't almost unaware of the gasp that escaped him.

She looked up at him, her face reddened. "I ." she took a deep breath. "I suppose I should've said something." She stared at the ring. "Edgar asked me to marry him. A year ago, he asked me to marry him."

"Aren't rings usually worn around a finger?" Leo cleared his throat.

Terra sighed, "I was shocked. We flirted around some, even went on a date or two, but I was completely astonished. I couldn't talk. He was called away to some urgent business." Her eyes widened to emphasize "urgent." "So, I never gave him an answer. I was left with this ring, on a lovely moonlit night at Castle Figaro. I didn't know what I felt.

"When he finally spoke to me later on in the evening, I had retired to the library." She dropped the ring and rested her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. "I couldn't answer him. I told him I needed time. I didn't want to say no, but I didn't want to say yes either.

"I was supposed to give him an answer the other night. I went out to think and clear the air when I saw you. I was so happy to see you alive, I had completely forgotten about the engagement."

"What about later on that night, when we danced, when we. we almost."

"Almost kissed?" Terra finished for him.

Leo nodded softly without losing contact with Terra's eyes. Her eyes had changed. They were so shiny and beautiful that night, now they were clouded over with fear, fatigue, and anxiety. He still could get lost in those eyes. He wanted to take away all her fears and anxieties. She was so amazing when she was happy.

"I don't know," she sighed. "I wanted to kiss, I wish." She rubbed the bridge of her nose and bent her neck and looked at the ground.

"Please, tell me."

"I wanted to tell him, 'yes'." Terra finally replied. "I just couldn't. I don't know; I like Edgar. I love Edgar. But I guess I'm being selfish, I'm not his first love. Not that I wasn't the first woman he fell in love with, no it wasn't that. He's dedicated to his kingdom. He loves his people; he loves his duty of being the king. There is a certain amount of freedom lost, but he handles that extraordinarily well. I could never be the most important thing in his life. His kingdom will always come first before me." She smiled, "I suppose that is something I loved about him."

Leo gulped down a knot, "I guess I just distracted you, allowed you to not think about it?"

"No," Terra shook her head. "Please don't think that at all, I ." She searched for the words in the sky. "My heart was at a loss the day you died, or supposedly died."

Leo raised his eyebrows, "what?"

"Leo, you amazed me. I know the empire did some horrible things. But you were wonderful. You always cared for your soldiers, and your men respected you. You always reached to people, even to me, a freak child of magic. I may not remember much from the days of the slave crown, but I remember your smile. I remembered when we talked at the castle, that feeling. I guess what I'm saying in a long round about way is that I love you." Her eyes filled with tears, "I can't."

Leo walked over to Terra and bent down on his knees and lifted her chin, "It's okay."

"No, it's not. I still didn't give Edgar an answer. I feel like I've already betrayed him. He's a good man." Tears started streaking down her face. She chuckled roughly, "but his love belongs to his kingdom."

Leo silently wiped away the tearstains. He was speechless. He wished for a more elegant tongue to be able to say the most perfect thing right at this moment. Unfortunately, he hadn't developed this ability.

"I guess I am complicating matters more," he replied.

"No, no, you made me realize. you helped me realize," she sighed. She stood abruptly and hugged herself tightly. "I feel so foolish crying like an idiot. We have a mission to accomplish, this can wait."

Leo stood slowly and nodded. He fought the urge to take her into his arms. He wanted to forget about the mission and just hold her forever. But then the soldier side of him connected and he turned to his pack, "I guess we should get some rest," he said huskily. He crawled into his sleeping bag, looking forward to another sleepless night.

* * *

Leo was roused from his sleep of the sounds of items being shifted around. He sat up abruptly and looked around. It was barely daybreak, and dew lightly touched the grass and trees around him. He rubbed his eyes and climbed out of his sleeping bag. He glanced over at Terra. She seemed to be back in the business mindset, as opposed to the open emotional woman he talked to the previous night. He tried to think of the right thing to say to her, but nothing was coming to him.

"To make us sound more convincing," Leo started, "we should act like we are. together."

Terra turned toward Leo abruptly. She tilted her head as she considered his words. She then lifted the necklace from around her neck, unfastened the back and let the ring loose onto her hand. She slid it on her finger deftly, "will this work?"

Leo nodded slowly. He felt as if he was adding to her torment. He just hoped he would come out of this without hurting her anymore than she is.

* * *

Two young men dressed in black carrying swords greeted them. It's now or never, Leo thought. He put on his commanding face; he was surprised at how quickly it came back to him. It was similar to the face he used when people asked him about his failing memory.

"Gentlemen," he started.

"Leo? General Leo?" One of the men asked abruptly.

Leo turned to him and nodded slowly.

"You have come!" The other man exclaimed.

"Yes, it would appear as such," Leo continued. Terra wrapped her hand around his arm. "This is my companion."

"Of course, General," the boys head bobbed excitedly. "Come with us, Douglass will be pleased."

* * *

They led them down a path towards a three story brown stucco building. There were hardly any windows, except what appeared to be lookouts on the top level. Leo thought this must be a fort of some sort. He scanned the area and saw several young men like the ones in front of him involved in several training exercises. He saw others lingering around different areas, and several young women were among them.

As they were making their way to the building, several people turned and stared. Leo tried to not look anything less than a seasoned General. Not knowing who you were for the past 5 years tends to make you rusty on things like keeping up appearances. Of course, the hand that held onto his arm was also a distraction. However, she made a decision that this was not the time to think about it, he would do the same. But it was pretty damn hard.

They approached the dull fort, and their escort talked to the boys at the doors. The doors were several feet taller than Leo and opened to be about 8 feet wide. The young boys ran into the fort, and one of the young guards turned to Leo.

"Jerrem will run and tell Douglass the news. Someone will be out here shortly to show you your way in," The young man saluted.

Leo returned the salute, "What is your name?"

"Keith, sir," he responded.

"Very good, Keith.

"I have to return to my post," he replied, trying not to smile.

"Thank you, Keith, you have been of utmost help," Leo bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you, sir." The young men ran back to their posts.

"Did you know him?" Terra asked softly as Leo watched them leave.

"Not specifically, however, I'm pretty sure I knew his father. But I couldn't tell you who he was, it's been awhile."

"Well, he also looked 14 or 15," Terra added.

"General Leo, my lady, please follow me inside," a boy returned to the door.

"Of course, may I ask your name?"

"Drew, sir," he responded quietly.

"Thank you, Drew. Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to a place where you can freshen up. Then later, you can meet up with Master Douglass for dinner," he replied dutifully. He walked down a passage, using a candle for a light. He led them up stairs and shifted around a corner to an area to that was lit by sunlight.

"I guess there are windows over here," Terra thought aloud.

"Yes, my lady," Drew responded. "Douglass doesn't like sunlight in the evening, so the building's east wall has windows, the west wall does not."

"How come?" Terra prodded.

"I don't not know or wonder why these things," Drew replied flatly.

"I see, I'm sorry," Terra responded.

"No need to apologize," the boy stopped and opened a door to a spacious room decorated with rich blue and purple fabrics and rugs with intricate designs. There were couches to sit on, and a bed that was made beautifully with pillows and freshened up with flower petals. "General Leo and my lady there is a fresh change of clothes appropriate for dinner hanging in the bathing area connected to the back of the room. Please feel free to rest here for an hour or so, and we will fetch you when dinner is ready."

"Can we have a tour of the place?" Leo asked.

"I believe Master Douglass will see to that personally. Please stay here, the palace is not in the best shape, and we require time to freshen it up. You arrived rather unexpectedly," The boy responded.

"I see," General Leo said.

"Will you be needing anything else?"

Leo turned to Terra who shook her head and he turned back to the boy, "no, thank you."

"I will be back to fetch you for dinner," the boy shut the door and left Leo and Terra to themselves.

"He was kind of creepy." Terra said softly.

"Kind of?" Leo scoffed, "let's begin with VERY."

"I've got a very bad feeling about this place," Terra sat down in one of the couches. "Although, it's nice to have someplace soft to sit."

Leo chuckled, "I suppose we should get ready." He headed into the dressing room and found the clothes laid out for them. He was astonished at what he saw. "Terra?" he called to her meekly.

"Yeah?"

"It's my old uniform. It's my old dress uniform." He fingered the ribbons and emblems that were awarded him as a decorated general. He was surprised how much good shape it was in. He recalled several times putting on this uniform and making sure it was exceptional to show an example to his men. He honored many a soldier, held many a weeping wife with those sleeves at funerals, and attended many regal events. "I can't."

"Leo, it's a part of the show we have to give," Leo was surprised to see Terra right next to him. "It may not be comfortable, but right now, you are General Leo. You have to act and dress the part if we are going to get through to these kids, understood?"

Leo stiffened and nodded.

"Well, I was offered a royal treatment with the girls of the house to fix up my hair and what not. I figured it's a good chance to get to know this palace, fort, whatever, better," Terra started out the door.

"Terra," Leo called softly.

"Yeah," she turned.

"Be careful," he said.

Terra smiled, "you too, see you later."

* * *

"Leo! How wonderful, and yet shocking it is to see you!" a short muscular man with dark hair pulled back into a braid. He wore black silk pants and a blue doublet, and a large dark cloak hung gracefully about his shoulders. The room was a small library that had chairs set up for leisurely reading and desks for those who were more studious.

"Douglass," Leo smiled as he remembered the boy. "You have grown so much since I've since I've seen you last. Although, I am curious, I've talked to your men, they were almost expecting me to come."

Douglass turned to pour a brown liquid into two china goblets, "well of course we expected you to come, but I wasn't sure of exactly when." He smiled brilliantly and handed Leo the other glass.

"I apologize for coming unannounced, but I truly wasn't sure how to come announced," Leo accepted the goblet and took a sip. It wasn't the tastiest drink in the world, but it was tolerable. He tried to not to show his disappointment with his expression.

"I guess I should also add that I thought that you were in fact, dead," Douglass said flatly.

"Really? Well, your people apparently didn't. I assume that came from you."

"Yes and no," Douglass started. "I told them Gestahl would come back."

"But Gestahl IS dead," Leo replied.

Douglass smirked, "when the empire fell apart, more of the children around the area became lonely and desperate. They didn't know where to go, where to turn to, and you know Castle Figaro had nothing to do with this area."

"Actually, I didn't know," Leo stopped him.

Douglass tilted his head, "at that time we were left alone. We were lost, had no direction, nothing."

"At that time, everyone was having to put things together, you weren't the only ones," Leo leaned against a desk.

Douglass waved his hand in disgust, "the only one the other children looked up to was I. They all remembered how you used to treat me as if I were one of your own."

"Yes, I remember," Leo nodded.

"Quite," Douglass turned to place his empty glass on the tray. He turned to look back at Leo, "anyway, I told them a lie. I told them that we had to get the army back together for Gestahl's return. That we shouldn't idle and fight amongst ourselves, but that we should train ourselves, like our fathers taught us. So, when Gestahl did return, his empire would be ready for him. It worked. That was the first time people cared about more than just their own stomachs."

"I see," Leo responded. "But may I ask why you attacked Figaro?"

"May I ask where you've been for the past five years?" Douglass challenged him. "Did you decide to just disappear in some sort of woods and then expect to be welcomed back here after so long? Perhaps to gain back some lost love with Kefka's magic slave? Don't think I don't know who she is, Leo. I'd figured you wouldn't think me a fool."

"I don't think you a fool, Douglass. In fact, I love you as my own son. I do owe you an explanation over the last five years," he shifted feet and uncrossed his arms. "I had lost my memory, as hard as that is to believe, although, it's a step above being dead I suppose."

"I suppose," Douglass frowned.

"I was left wandering, when I ran into Sern, who trained me to be a bladesmith. I had been doing that for 5 years now. I only remembered Terra's, that is her name by the way, name," he reported.

"I only recalled who I was about a week ago, when the 5 year anniversary of the fall of Kefka was celebrated," he continued. "So, I apologize that I didn't remember you earlier. I really wish I could have taken care of you, and all of the others," he bowed his head, "I'm truly sorry."

Douglass cleared his throat, "well, as it is, I didn't need you then, and I really don't need you now."

Leo's face faltered, "Douglass, please give me a."

"Are you here because of the attack on Figaro?"

"I am here on behalf of the King," Leo replied softly.

"So, you are wasting your allegiance on those pompous asses," Douglass said angrily.

"Why did you attack Castle Figaro?" Leo figured that the gauntlets were thrown; there was no going back now.

Douglass grinned wickedly, "why indeed." He turned to the opening of the library where Terra waltzed in wearing a straight cream colored gown with rose embroidered vines all over the dress. Her hair was piled on top of her head, with green tendrils dancing around her face.

"Lady Terra," Douglass bowed partially, "my you look lovely." His charm oozed out of his pores. "Please join me in the dining room in about 15 minutes." He looked back at Leo and exited the room.

"So, what do you think?" Terra held out her dress for Leo.

Leo couldn't help but smile, "it looks lovely, but not as lovely as the person wearing it."

Terra blushed mildly but cracked a grin.

Leo moved closer to her and pulled her into an embrace. Terra was too shocked to react but pulled next to him. "He's on to us," Leo muttered, trying to act as if he were telling her loving words.

Terra stiffened slightly under his grasp, "how?"

"It's my fault. He called me on it. I wasn't quick enough. Too many years of telling the truth, I suppose."

She relaxed a bit and nuzzled his neck, "then we do what we can in this situation."

The feel of her hair and soft skin caused him to get goose bumps all over. "You shouldn't have come, I've endangered you."

"I've endangered myself," she kissed his neck softly.

Leo inhaled sharply, "stop being so alluring." He teased. "It's hard enough to resist you."

Terra pulled back and held him at arms length. She grinned slightly, and then turned to leave the study, "come on."

Leo followed, as if he could stop himself.