*Why do I stall on studying for ecology? Why do I always stall? Well anyway! Here's the next chapter, kinda short because it was getting insanely repetitive and it was making me angry. I just wanted to let you guys know, for those of you that are reading this and grumbling, that I'm writing an Umi/Ascot fic as soon as I get the chance. Probably spring break, after I finish this and Always With Me. Also, I'm starting a sequel of The Ocean's Rose for any of you who have read it. That's all for now! Hope you enjoy and Read and Review!*

Chapter 19: Mr. Zebra

Ascot smiled warmly at the change in Umi that morning. Everyone noticed it at breakfast, everyone noticed the way she was somehow renewed. She suddenly was full of exuberance and life, ready for anything. She joked and laughed, and he thought that Hikaru and Fuu were lightened in heart at her joy and smiled. He hoped that they would all be healthy soon, but he couldn't help but have a heavy heart at just what it was that caused this sudden happiness.

Hello Mr. Zebra

After breakfast she grabbed his hand and took him into the gardens to pick fruit. He was surprised at this because she hadn't wanted to be alone with anyone since she had gotten back; she mostly wanted to be alone with herself.

Can I have your sweater?

She breathed in the sweet morning air and smiled, "So what's up Ascot?" she asked cheerily, and he just stared, dumbstruck. She blushed and guessed what he was thinking, "Gomen nasai, I seem weird to you don't I?"

"You seem…happy," he sighed and felt a weight lift from his heart. He wanted her to be happy, after all. All he had ever wanted was for that weight to be lifted from her heart, to see her her old self again. Now it seemed she had finally done that. However it happened didn't matter, though he was curious, all that mattered was that she was back.

'Cause it's cold cold cold

"I am happy," she nodded and laughed. "I feel as if I could fly."

"That's good Umi, I'm glad that you were able to come back to us. Maybe now Hikaru and Fuu will too, then we'll all be one big family again."

"I hope so too," she said softly, and he felt badly that he had brought up the sensitive subject.

In my hole hole hole

They laughed and talked through the gardens, helping Ascot and his friends pick fruit that would be needed for the wedding. They didn't talk about the purpose of their chore, only enjoyed the time spent together. Ascot imagined he was in a dream and was sure that he didn't want to wake. Suddenly, he realized that he didn't need to be her lover because being her friend was enough for him. Being close to her and laughing and talking with her, that's all he ever wanted. He was just a little side tracked in missing her and had forgotten the truth of what he thought.

Ratatouille Strychnine

Sometimes she's a friend of mine

"Ascot," Umi called over to him, and he walked up to her.

"Hm…?"

"I want to thank you," she smiled warmly.

"For what?" he asked curiously, wondering why she would need to thank him, if this day wasn't thanks enough, if this second wasn't good enough for a thousand years of questions.

"For everything, for being the best friend I could ever hope for. For understanding and caring and never stopping caring no matter what I did to myself or to others. I wanted to tell you that one of the only things that got me through those long days on earth was the thought of coming home to Cephiro to know that you had been waiting. To know that you still cared; to know that someone still cared," she looked down. "And I want to say I'm sorry."

With a gigantic whirlpool

"Sorry?" now he was thoroughly confused.

"That it didn't go the way you wanted it to," she said softly, and he was blown away.

"What?" he demanded. "It went exactly the way I wanted it to! I couldn't wish for anything more than this!"

She smiled gently and thanked him. Quickly, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace, "You're a real gentleman Ascot, and someday you're going to make someone really happy."

That will blow your mind

He hugged her back, then let go, smiling softly at her, blushing fiercely, "Thanks Umi."

"No, thank you."

Hello Mr. Zebra

When they went inside laughing and talking everyone knew that Umi and her feelings were set right. Everyone let out a deep sigh, one Knight down, two to go, unfortunately they wouldn't be as easy.

§§§~~~

Ascot smiled at lunch and knew that he had everything straightened out finally. He didn't love Umi, as a friend, but not as what he used to think. He was able to smile his first real smile in years. That alone was able to make everyone feel much better, happier, lighter.

Ran into some confusion with a Mrs. Crocodile

Ascot found Umi basking in the sun outside the palace, looking at the forest, and sat beside her.

"Hey," she smiled and turned back to the view.

"Hey," he smiled back and looked to where she was looking, the sea.

Furry mussels marching on

"So is it because of Clef?" he asked, and she laughed and nodded. "I can't believe you've never known."

"What?" she asked and looked at him.

"Clef has always had a thing for you," Ascot joked, and Umi punched him.

"Why does everyone know this, but no one ever bothered to tell me?" she whined, and he laughed.

"We didn't want to spoil the surprise," he jested, and she glared and stuck out her tongue.

She thinks she's Kaiser Wilhelm

Or a civilized syllabub

"Never thought he'd be the one to say something though; you're both pretty stubborn," he admitted, and she blushed.

"Actually, he wasn't the one to say anything; he did very little saying in the matter as a matter of fact," she grinned at the thought, and he laughed.

To blow your mind

Figure it out

"Well you don't have to worry about anything now then," Ascot looked into her dazzling sapphire eyes. "Because he would go to the ends of the earth for you."

She blushed and thanked him, "I know that; there's a lot of him in you."

He smiled and thanked her then.

"Now all I have to worry about is the happiness of the other two," she pouted slightly. "Somehow I think it's all going to come right in the end though, maybe it's the mood, but I think it's something more…"

She's a goodtime fella

She's got a little fund to fight for Moneypenny's rights

"I believe that," he seconded, and she laughed.

"There's no way that good was gifted to me and not to them. They deserve it just as much as anyone, and I believe that their time is swiftly coming."

He smiled at her confidence and that feeling of contentment swept over him. He had thought he would never be content without having her in his arms, but now that it was happening he was happier than ever.

Figure it out

She's a goodtime fella

"Come on, let's go inside," Umi offered, and he nodded and followed her in. They walked down the hall happily when Clef met them; his eyes were somewhat distressed.

"What's wrong?" Umi asked, and he shook his head.

"Ferio wants to see you three straight away," he said quietly, and Umi nodded and followed him, talking in hushed voices with him.

"We'll be fine, nothing we can't handle," he heard her say confidently, while clenching her fists. Her old spirit had returned.

Too bad the burial was premature she said

He smiled and watched them happily.

And smiled…