A/N: Thanks again to those of you who reviewed. Just to warn you, I'm changing the way the play goes to fit my story.

Chapter 3 - The Tantalus Canary

Finally the big day was here.

Zidane couldn't sleep. He tried rehearsing his lines, but he couldn't concentrate as his thoughts kept drifting to Dagger. Although he had reassured the rest of Tantalus, Zidane wasn't very certain that this was going to work. What if Dagger had already gotten married? Or what if she didn't even care about him? They never did tell each other how they felt. Something in his heart pushed him to go on. He didn't care if he made a fool out of himself. This was the only way he could get to Dagger without creating a fiasco throughout the palace. He wanted to do it. He had to.

*****

"Nervous?" asked Blank.

Since he returned from his quest with Dagger and the others, Zidane and Blank had created a powerful friendship.

Zidane sighed, "Yeah, of course. Wouldn't you be?"

"You bet. This is worse than asking your girlfriend to move in with you or marry you. At least then you can sort of expect what answer you'll get. Man, this is one big risk you're taking," Blank replied.

Forcing himself to laugh, Zidane sarcastically said, "Thanks! You're always there to cheer me up when I really need it."

"Hey! Zidane!"

Cinna came running in, swinging his hammer about carelessly. He stopped just before Zidane and Blank and, panting like a dog, spit out, "She's not married!"

Zidane's stomach gave a funny twist. Keeping his calm incase he was mistaking what Cinna was saying, he swallowed and slowly choked, "Who?"

Cinna rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't play dumb on me. You know who I'm talking about! Your girlfriend! The Princess!"

Before Zidane had time to let these joyous words sink in, the three men could hear Baku's voice from outside. All they could make out from Baku was his announcing of their performance of 'I Want To Be Your Canary.'

Blank hurried over to the side of the stage, Cinna to the other. They were both in the first scene. After a minute or so, they entered onto the stage and began the play. Knowing that in a few minutes it would be his turn to enter, Zidane went to the wing Blank was on.

Temptation, longing, and desire all got the better of Zidane. Without realizing what he was doing, he snuck to the very edge of the wing and peered out into the audience. He could see all of his old friends, except for Vivi and Dagger. It looked like there were a bunch of mini-Vivi's scattered throughout the crowd, who Zidane figured were probably his children. Good for you, Vivi! Zidane thought.

Remembering why he was scanning the audience, Zidane tore his eyes away from the hobbit-looking black mages (A/N: lol…) and continued his search. Then he remembered.

You dumb ass! She won't be in the audience, she's a princess!

He lifted his eyes to the balcony where the royal family was seated.

Zidane's blood ran cold and his heart skipped a beat. His knees began to tremble, almost giving out under him. There she was.

It took every bit of power in Zidane's soul not to jump up to the balcony and take her in his arms at that very moment.

She just sat there, staring at the stage. Dagger's hair had grown again. It was beautiful as it lifted slightly off her body in the soft breeze passing over the theater, exposing her beautiful gown which fit snugly over her torso.

Zidane heard a scream onstage and forced himself to tear his thoughts and gaze from Dagger. His mind buzzing and now his whole body trembling, Zidane put a cloak on and lifted the hood over his head.

Blank had turned toward the side of the stage and began to exit. Now Zidane had to go.

As Blank rushed past Zidane, he muttered, "Don't do anything to Ruby, or I swear I'll kill you!"

Ruby had agreed to play the role of the beautiful maiden the lord falls in love with, something Blank was highly infuriated with, since Zidane was playing the lord and all.

Zidane just nodded. His legs felt like lead, but he managed to walk onto stage.

"Oh, my love!" Ruby cried, running over to him. As she fell into his arms, she quickly whispered, "Don't go screwin' this thing up, now, yuh hear? We're doin' it for yuh, so snap outta it!"

"Don't thou ever leave me again, thy sweet love!" Zidane managed to spit out.

Ruby, getting back into action, dramatically exclaimed, "If only it could be so. Thou knows that my father doth never allow thou to marry me!"

"Nay, thy love, listen to me! If thou truly loves me, then thou will come hither to thy forest and thou shall marry in doth country where thy love shall be permitted."

"When doth thou meet me hither?"

"Yea, thou shall come tomorrow, when doth sun has just set, and thy night is visible to thou eyes."

Several voices could be heard offstage, queuing Zidane to prepare his exit to escape the approaching people.

"Quick, thy love!" Ruby cried, "Pray thee, thou must leave before doth father finds thee."

"Meet me tomorrow. I shall wait for thee."

Zidane quickly turned and walked off stage.

*****

The short play was running very smoothly, drawing in the audiences fullest attention. The final scene was approaching, and Zidane prepared to make his entrance on stage.

He slipped the cloak on and waited for the stage to be cleared for the final scene. If Zidane thought he was nervous before, it was nothing compared to how he felt now. His entire body felt like two tons of granite and he was shaking more violently than he had ever done in the ferocious blizzards of the Ice Cavern. Zidane tried to swallow, but only gulped down a bubble of air, making him choke and lose his voice even more.

The stage curtains reopened. Feeling extremely dizzy and lightheaded, Zidane made his final entrance on the stage.

This was it.

He walked to the center of the stage and gazed up at the two beautiful moons shining above. Then he began his brief monologue:

"Yea, where is thy love? Could she have betrayed me? Nay, ne'er would my love speak false. I must have faith! She shall appear if only I believe! As the sun lends me no ear, I pray instead to the twin moons! I beseech thee, wondrous moonlight, grant me my only wish!"

Zidane hesitated. Perking up his courage, he ripped off his cloak and yelled,

"Bring my beloved Dagger to me!"

Zidane froze. He wasn't sure what to do. Dagger just stared down onto him. Without warning, she turned and ran.

He didn't know what to expect now. His heart hammering heavily in his chest, Zidane peered over the murmuring crowd, waiting to see if Dagger was coming to him, or fleeing through the castle.

In no time at all, there she was, at the back of the audience. Nobody saw her there except Zidane. Still staring at him, Dagger ran through the crowd. She was cut short when she bumped into a man, causing her Royal Pendant to fall from her neck. Zidane knew what the Pendant meant to her.

He started, but quickly retreated as he saw her blow it off as if it were just an ordinary necklace.

Zidane's body felt weak. He didn't realize what little energy a person could possess, yet still continue to be conscious. His heart now in his throat and his stomach squirming, making him feel nauseous, Zidane watched Dagger run up the stairs and onto the stage.

She flew into his arms. Zidane's fears and worries drained out of him as Dagger embraced him.

Zidane returned the embrace, but loosened as Dagger pulled slightly away. A slur of emotions passed through Dagger, showing in her eyes and face. Was she angry? Happy? Sad? She seemed so lost.

In her pathetic attempt to straighten out what she felt, she clenched her fist and softly struck Zidane across the chest. He stroked her hair and tightened his embrace on her.

Dagger, too, squeezed tighter and let her tears flow freely.

Zidane could feel his shirt dampen, but just closed his eyes and joined her with his own tears. He could almost feel the confusion rising inside of Dagger, all the questions she wanted to ask and all the confessions she needed to make. Through her now silent sobs, Dagger was the first to speak by muttering:

"How did you survive…?"

Zidane's heart melted. Hearing her voice again was the most precious thing he had ever experienced. After a moment, he replied, "I didn't have a choice. I had to live. I wanted to come home to you."

"So…"

"I sang your song."

A/N: There it was! They are back together, but there will be more in the next chappy! It will be a lemon, so I will have to raise the ratings once again…sorry. What did you think of my idle attempt toward middle (or old, whatever) English? Lol I made up the part between Ruby and Zidane, but got the other part from the game…My version wasn't supposed to make sense. I was gonna try but I had too much fun writing a bunch of crap…Please R&R!