Disclaimer: See previous chapters…

A/N: I'm sorry everyone!  But keep in mind that it's only going to get sadder from here on out.  If you think Steiner dying was bad, then you will absolutely hate me after this one!  (Please don't!  I'm just a poor girl that has no life!  ^_^)  My beta reader has taken to calling me a 'horrible person' so just a warning! 

Mikoto, Aya yahiko, Tobu Ishi, and Leanna: Thanks for adding us to your favorites!  ^_^ We hope you continue to read and review and support us! 

Chapter 9: Sorrows Both New and Old

The halls of Alexandria castle were quiet.  It had been that way for three weeks.  Ever since Steiner had fallen. 

                Beatrix continued to mourn, but her allegiance to Garnet remained as strong as ever, if not stronger.  However, when she wasn't serving as general, she tended to shut herself in her room.  No one seemed to see much of her besides a few of the soldiers, and Zak.

                But she wasn't the only one that was having a hard time adapting to life without Steiner.  Everyone, it seemed, was having trouble moving on.

                Especially Zidane.

                Despite Dagger's constant reassurance, he felt very responsible for Steiner's death. 

                Also, more than anything else, Dagger was becoming worried about Zidane's condition.  Still, she didn't dare bring it up around him.  If he knows what is going on, he will tell me when the time comes, she would tell herself continuously. 

                However, the story remained the same.  Nothing could hide the fact that even after a month of being upset, Zidane still looked seventeen, even though he was supposed to twenty-five. 

                Everyone around him was aging, slowly but surely.  If he noticed, he pretended not to.

                Up until the incident, he acted completely normal.  Always smiling, telling jokes, and laughing.  Laughing.  How long had it been since that sound could be heard in the now eerily silent halls?  It seemed like forever, because the source of everyone's entertainment was now very solemn and grim.

                Thoughts swam through Zidane's head as he lay face down on his bed.  How many people would he have to see die before it was his turn?  Don't be sad Daddy.  It wasn't your fault.  Amy's voice filled his head.

                Ever since the accident, they were able to talk telepathically.  Although it was weird at first, it became almost comforting.  I know Amy.  But, it isn't that easy, he countered.  Amy, still being a toddler, just didn't understand.  It was clear she tried to, and that she wanted to, but she just wasn't old enough.

                She thought for a moment before saying anything. Well, don't be sad, k?  It's lonely without you!  This caused Zidane to think.

                This is hard on everyone, not just me.  I need to be there for them.  They shouldn't have to see me like this!  With that, he got up from his bed and headed down the stairs, hoping to talk with someone. 

                He found Dagger sitting in the throne room, her chin was resting in her right palm, and her other hand was lying on her lap.  For minutes he watched her sit there and stare into space.  Eventually, he walked in, "What are you up to?" he asked taking the throne next to her.

                "Thinking," she replied simply. 

                "I've had enough of that to last a life time." This got a smile from her.  "Didn't think you could act so serious so long."

                Letting out a sigh, she asked, "Well, have you seen Beatrix lately?" Zidane's face went pale.  This was the last the thing he wanted to talk about!  "Don't look that way!" she said noticing his sudden mood change.

                "I-I'm sorry."

                "Don't be.  I'll tell you what.  What do you say we get Amy a babysitter and go visit Beatrix?  You know, maybe it'll be good for you both…"

                Zidane pondered this for a while, "Alright.  I'll call Eiko and see if she and Vivi could watcher her for awhile." Dagger noticed him get up, and watched him leave.

*     *     *

"I'm here!" came Eiko's shrill voice.  Beside her stood Vivi looking uncomfortable and jumpier than ever. 

                "Eiko!  Vivi!" Amy squealed running down the stairs.

                "Hey!  How's my favorite princess in the whole world?"

                "I'm good!  What's up Vivi?" Vivi had been staring off into space, but Amy's voice brought him back to reality.

                "Uh, I-I'm f-fine." He stuttered.

                "Hey guys!  Glad you could come!" Zidane called from the top of the staircase.

                Somewhere from behind him, Dagger yelled, "Tuck in your shirt!" Rolling his eyes, he obeyed.  After he finished he slid down the banister to the bottom. 

"Zidane!  You shouldn't do that!" Dagger came scurrying down the stairs after him, holding her long skirt up so she wouldn't trip in the process. 

"Sorry we have to leave so soon." Zidane said while fixing his tie.  "But you know where everything is.  Emergency numbers are by the phone, Pull-Ups are in the bathroom cabinet…you know the deal." Eiko nodded.

"Don't worry!  It's all under control.  Go have a good time!" she said shooing them off.

"Be good Amy!" Dagger called after her before leaving.

After they left, Eiko clapped her hands together in excitement and turned to look at Amy.  "So, whatcha wanna do?"

"I wanna pway dolls!"

"Sounds good to me!" Smiling widely, Amy led Eiko and Vivi into her room.

"I want to be queen!" she said grabbing the doll Santa had brought her.  "You can be da pwincess," she handed Eiko a doll, "and Vivi can be general."

"Uh, actually." Vivi said giving Amy back her doll, "I don't really feel good right now."

"Then go in the other room, I'm sure Amethyst doesn't wanna catch it, and I know I don't want to." Vivi nodded and left the room.  "I hope he's alright." Eiko said watching him.

*     *     *

Over at Beatrix's house, things were quiet.  Of course, Beatrix was glad to have visitors, but she didn't seem to talk too much. 

Zak was there too, only he was much calmer than normal.  He passed through the living room once, and didn't give anyone so much as a hello.  It was almost spooky.

"He hasn't spoken since…" Beatrix trailed off.  But Zidane didn't need her to finish to know what she meant.

"I'm sure he'll get over it eventually.  I went though it once." Dagger said comfortingly. 

All Beatrix could manage was a nod.  "I'm sorry Your Majesties, I've been so rude.  Would you like anything?"

"No we're fine." Zidane said.  We need to talk about something!  This is getting awkward.  But, just as he was getting ready to change the subject, Amy started talking to him.

Daddy!  Hurry!  Come home!

What's wrong Amy?

Beatrix gasped.  What is he doing?  It looked so weird.  His eyes had rolled back and it looked like he was concentrating very hard.

"What's going on?" she asked Dagger.

"He must be talking to Amy." Dagger said calmly.  To her it was no big deal; she'd seen it several times before.

It's Vivi!  Hurry!  Something's wong with him!  Zidane's eye's popped back open, causing Beatrix to gasp again.

"Beatrix, can I use your phone?" he asked.

Still al little freaked out, Beatrix nodded and pointed to a phone sitting on a table.

Eagerly, he picked it up and dialed the castle's number.  Eiko answered sounding frantic and extremely worried.  "Hello?"

"Eiko?  What's going on?"

"It's Vivi!  He just…stopped!"

"What?!"

Eiko started to son on the other end of the phone.

"E-Eiko.  Are you sure?  Are you sure he didn't faint?"

"He isn't breathing, he has no pulse.  What do I do?"

"Okay, calm down." More sobbing could be heard.  Daddy!  I'm scared!  Amy's voice interrupted.  "Eiko, we're on our way back!" Zidane hung up the phone and turned to see Beatrix and Dagger looking at him strangely. 

"What's wrong?" Dagger asked.  Her eyes were wide with fear.

"It's Vivi…" Dagger's jaw dropped, "he stopped."

"No…" she whimpered.  Zidane grabbed Dagger to his chest and hugged her.

"Sorry Beatrix, but we have to go.  Maybe some other time." Beatrix nodded in understanding.  Zidane, still holding onto Dagger, lead her outside.

Since Beatrix didn't live far from the castle, they had walked to her house.  But because of the predicament they were in, the two ended up sprinting back.

Finally they reached the castle.  Zidane threw open the big wooden door, and what he saw shocked him.  At the foot of the stairs lay Vivi.  Eiko sat nearby, crying.

"Where's Amy?" Zidane asked.

"I'm here." The toddler answered.  She had been sitting in the fetal position on one of the stairs.

"Amy, I want you to go wait in your room." Dagger said.

"But, I don't wanna!" she looked to her dad, hoping he would side with her.

"Amy do what Mommy says." He said bending down next to Eiko.  Pouting slightly, Amy obeyed. 

"What happened?" he asked once she left.

Eiko looked up, her face was tearstained and had mascara ran in lines down her red cheeks.  "I-I'm not sure." She replied between sobs.

Feeling pity for her, Dagger knelt down beside her and hugged her.  "Shh…" she consoled, "you can tell us when your ready."

When Dagger looked back up at Zidane, he noticed she was crying as well.  But he hardly got a glimpse before she looked back down.

Several minutes passed, Dagger still held Eiko trying to get her to calm down.  Finally, Eiko drew a ragged breath and began.  "Amy and I were playing dolls." She started.  Zidane sat on the floor by her to listen.

"Vivi was too, but he said he didn't feel good.  He left and we heard a crash." Dagger hugged her tighter as a new flood of tears streamed down her face.  Now, her sobbing was almost uncontrollable.  "A-And we r-ran to s-see if he was o-okay." It was clear she was struggling for words.  "He had s-stopped and fell down the s-stairs."

That was the last thing she was able to say.   Words seemed to stop forming in her head, and all she could do was cry.

Dagger helped her stand and led her into the dining room where she could sit down comfortably.  "Eiko, you're in no condition to drive back.  I will call Cid and tell him you are staying here for the night." Zidane said.

All she could manage was a weak nod.  Sighing, Zidane turned to Dagger who was weeping softly.  But, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't get himself to cry.

He hated seeing his wife like this!  Just as much as he hated to seeing Eiko like it too. 

But, the fact of the matter was, seeing the recent deaths got Zidane thinking a lot.  Only, he tried not to, afraid that Amy might listen in.

"Zidane…" Dagger said grabbing his hand.  "Come with me," still hand in hand, she led him out.  Once they were out of Eiko's earshot, she hugged him and said under her breath, "What's on your mind?"

"Dagger," he looked down at his feet uncomfortably.  "Tell me the truth," she held her breath, she knew what was coming.  "Do you think something's wrong with me?"

Uncertain of how to answer, she stared at the floor, trying hard not to make eye contact.  "Well?" he asked getting impatient.

Solemnly, she looked at him, tears forming again in her eyes.  "I don't know." She finally replied.  "Zidane, I'm scared." Once again, she sobbed into his chest.

"Me too." He confessed.  "Me too…"

~ ~

:::Dodges several flying objects aimed at her head::: Sorry everyone!  You might not like me right now, but you just have to trust me, it's for the benefit of the story.  And like stated in the previous chapter, he's gong to end up dying anyway!  Anyways, this chapter is DONE!  "And there was much rejoicing throughout the land." Yay!  So review!  Flames and feedback are appreciated!  Any tips or 'constructive criticism' that could make this story better!  Thanks!  Oh!

And by the way, if you are downright depressed and need a laugh we have another fanfiction you can check out!  If you've played Final Fantasy 8 (and even if you haven't) we have a fic for it called Trading Spaces.  That ought to cheer you up!  ^_^ Please, don't hate us!