Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own anything in Vision of Escaflowne, or it wouldn't be a fanfiction. Don't sue me :D

synopsis: Several years after Escaflowne ended. Hitomi is a secretary in a large corporation. She has gradually over the years communicated with Van in Fanelia less and less... And suddenly a man has fallen into her lap (or she into his? o.O), and he keeps reminding her of Van. Why did he stop contacting her so very long ago? Was he too busy with his country and ruling... had he married? Van wouldn't do that to her. He would wait.. and maybe find her? But what of Fanelia?

Authors note: The perfect song to listen to, while reading this, is Arcadia.. on repeat :D trust me...I am doing it while I write it ^_^


***

Van jumped out of the computer chair and ran at her. Hitomi moved forward, and maybe it was shock, or maybe it was the orange rolling around her feet, but she felt herself plummeting forward. Strong arms grasped hers, and she looked into familiar brown eyes.

she whispered gently, and in amazement. She put up her hand and touched his the side of his cheek with her fingertips.

Hitomi... it's really you? I.. I... I've been looking everywhere. I had to stop because I ran out of gold to transfer but I still looked everywhere I went. And I... he trailed off and pulled the shocked woman into an embrace. I've missed you so much Hitomi. I couldn't communicate with you here. I tried, but I don't think it worked without the bond of the stones.

Hitomi realized when he said that, that her face was smashed against his shoulder and a gold chain that was round his neck. She could faintly feel the drop-shape of the pendant she once had on her person everywhere she went, through both of their clothes. Hitomi opened her mouth to speak, but could not find words. She had never been prepared for this, and was simply shocked. She knew that she could not stay like this forever and rushed to think of something to say or do.

Hitomi lifted her hands from underneath Van's crushing clasp, and gently squeezed them into his shirt. She closed her eyes and inhaled. He smelled faintly like Gaia...

Van... why didn't you ask me where I lived...before you came?

He let out a breath, which he had been holding the entire time. I tried. It failed to work anymore. I don't know what happened. I had to find you, and it had to be on my own. Fanelia is fine right now. Merle is watching everything, I'm sure of it. He grinned and pulled her in front of him. He smiled at her, not taking his eyes off hers.

Hitomi suddenly felt very young, and innocent. Evan took advantage of that opportunity.

Ahh say Van? I guess you know this chick then? Old flame? Look I'm sorry if I bring up something bad, but I had no idea. I think that... His roommate interrupted him before he could finish.

Evan, you have been a good man the entire time I have been here. I owe you a lot... but right now you need to shut up. Van smiled and turned his head to Evan.

Remember when you found me? When I could not speak a word of Japanese? All you could understand was hitomi', and you could not figure out why I kept saying it. You repeatedly asked me why I was talking about eyes'. I wasn't... I was trying to find this girl right here. If you had realized I was speaking her name, maybe we could have saved one another a lot of time. But I was determined after that to find her on my own. Van grinned at him and turned to the young woman in his arms. But I found her and I still ended up needing your help. he smiled, and slowly leaned down to the blushing Hitomi, and gently kissed her. He laughed and stood straight again.

Evan, I would like to repay you for everything you have done for me. I know this world holds nothing for you. Come back with me, to my own world, and help me arrange a marriage. I will have a Queen by the end of the moon's next cycle, and you will be rewarded with a lordship. Van slyly grinned at Hitomi, and spoke with a certain assuredness in his voice...and in his own tongue. I will not let you go again. I made a mistake back then, but ten years taught me something.

Hitomi regained her composure and yanked herself out of Van's embrace. The look on his face crushed her spirits.

Van, I can't. I have a life, I have family and friends back home. I can't go back...it was such an ordeal before I don't want to repeat it. I'm so very sorry you spent so much time and energy on me, but I can't just uproot and run away to your country and play at being royal. I belong here Van... I wish you would understand that. That's why I never went back... Hitomi looked to the floor, her eyes slightly burning. She was unsure of what to do or say, but the sheer look of horror and pain on Van's face was too much for her to bear.

He expected so much of her, and she could not deal with such a choice. She blinked away the tears that smarted her lids, and bolted for the door.


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I'm on a roll! :D! Wooo! I hope to finish this in the next week or more. I don't have any number of chapters in mind, but I do have a basic idea of how it'll turn out. Keep in mind, I love cliffhangers and torturing people *grins evily* Next chapter already started!!