Second Chances
By Chomper318

Author's Note: Tales of Symphonia belongs to Namco. I'll String Along With You belongs to Diana Krall. This ficcy belongs to me. I hope readers will like it, it's my first TOS fic. I've been suffering from writer's block lately. To help unblock things, I decided to tweak the previous chapters a bit so it's more reader-friendly. Hopefully, the next chapter will be up soon.

I'll String Along With You

You may not be an angel
Cause angels are so few
But until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

I'm looking for an angel
To sing my love song to
And until the day that one comes along
I'll sing my song to you

For every little fault that you have
See I've got three or four
The human little faults you do have
Just make me love you more

You may not be an angel
But still I'm sure you'll do
So until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

--Diana Krall

Chapter Eight

Kat allowed Lloyd to lead her to his dad's house. She wanted to think about the scene that just passed between Kratos and her. There was something about this area. She was sure of it. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she was sure that somehow, what just happened in the forest happened before—somehow. But what? Speaking of what, Kat couldn't help but wondered if she was Anna. But how could this be? And why couldn't she remembered anything if she was? Kat's attention was turned back to Lloyd when he stopped and pointed to the house. Apparently, Tabby and Stray were already inside. She wondered how long she had stood there in the forest paralyzed by distant memories or dreams.

Kat's thoughts were occupied by many questions when she caught sight of the wooden house and was immediately charmed by its simplicity. She crossed the small wooden bridge and stood. She took in all the small details. Different types of flowers and plants surrounded the two-story house. A small stream ran in front of it, and there was a shed to the left and a grave to the right. Kat stared at the grave.

Lloyd took a few steps ahead of her and walked to the grave of his mother. He looked at Kat nervously. He gestured rather pointlessly at the tombstone.

"This is my mom. I mean, this is the grave. Do you really think you might be related to her? It'll be nice to have an aunt or cousin or something...." He said nervously.

Kat walked up to the grave. She felt nothing. If she was indeed Anna, surely she should feel something when she walked over her own grave. But no. Nothing. She heard the quiet footsteps of Kratos and felt his presence behind her.

"Lloyd. Why don't you go in and speak to Dirk. Make sure Tabby and Stray are comfortable. I want to speak with...Kat for a moment."

If the boy was suspicious about anything, he didn't show it. He cheerfully said, "Okay," and headed inside the lovely house.

Kat turned towards Kratos, waiting for him to speak. He didn't disappoint her.

"Anna. No, don't interrupt me," he said when Kat was going to correct him on her name. He continued, "You're Anna. I know it. And I think you suspect it. If nothing else, at some level, you know you're Anna." He waited for Kat to dispute him, but she couldn't. Just a few minutes ago, she had the same thoughts. When she remained quiet, he nodded. It was as though he knew that she knew that she was Anna. He continued, "I don't know how. But you're here...and without your memories." He looked at Anna's grave site before speaking. "Somehow, you're back." He took Kat's hands in his and stared straight into her eyes. "I promise you, I will find out the truth. I promise."

Kat nodded. What more could she do? She looked down at her hands, which was covered by his. Yes, she thought. We'll find out the truth. But what if the truth isn't what they expect? What if in the end, she isn't Anna?

She was disturbed by her line of thought when she felt Kratos tugging at her hands. He was smiling at her—really smiling. Some of the darkness that were in his eyes seemed to have lifted away. "Come on. Let's go inside."

They walked silently together, still holding hands. They knocked on the door and walked in. What greeted them was a sight to behold.

In the living room/dinning room/kitchen/customization shop sat Tabby, Stray, Lloyd, and a dwarf named Dirk. They all sat in a circle with a dining table between them. There, on the table were a several bottles of Katz "Potion."

"Oh no!" Kat cried. Just then, Lloyd took a swig from a bottle.

Hic. He hiccupped after the swig and passed the bottle to his dwarven dad.

"This is really good stuff. Hic. No wonder Regal kept them all to himself" Lloyd noticed his other dad in the room. "Hi Dad Kratos," he said, slurring slightly. "Tabby and Hic Stray were showing off the famous Katz potion." He looked around the room before repeating, "It's very good."

Kratos took a step forward but Kat beat him to it.

"Lloyd Irving. What on earth are you doing drinking that stuff?" before Lloyd could respond, Kat turned her fury to the two Katz. "Tabby...Stray! How could you? You know better than to offer this stuff to humans!"

Tabby took a sip from her glass. The twinkle in her eyes told Kat that she had a few too many already. How could they drink this much in such a short time?

"It's okay..." she said slowly and very carefully. "They're cool...for humans..." she turned to Dirk, "Well, he's a dwarf." She tossed her hands up in the air, which in effect meant splashing what was left in her glass on the wall behind her. "It's all good. It really is Kat! We're all good people here." And then she giggled.

Stray didn't say anything. He just kept drinking. Stray was serious, perhaps to a fault. There wasn't much he indulged in...except for Katz Potion. He was behind language—beyond the worldly form of communication. He was in Cloud Katzy Nine.

Dirk offered Kat and Kratos a glass of potion. "It's okay. We're just having a good time." He too was drunk.

Kat looked at Dirk in disbelief. Kratos, who was silent behind her, started to laugh. Kat whipped around and stared at him. Then back at the sight before her. She too laughed. She sat down on the chair and took a sip. Kratos followed suit. There wasn't much to remember about that night except that they had a good time with good people.

They all awoke the next morning with a terrible headache. Kratos had to go around giving "First Aid" to everybody—everybody except Dirk and Stray. Poor Lloyd had the worst of it. Kat was going to give the young man a firm lecture but held her tongue. He was in enough punishment without her help. When everyone's stomach finally settled down, it was on to business.

"So," the dwarf said, "This Katz here could be related to Anna. I admit, I've never seen Anna before, but it's a possibility."

Lloyd nodded in agreement. "We will go to Iselia. Raine should know what to do."

Tabby and Stray nodded. Kat was feeling uncomfortable. What if Raine couldn't help? Then what?

As though he was reading her mind, he reached out and held her hands. "Don't worry. If Raine can't help, we'll figure out something."

Kat smiled a bit. She was reassured by Kratos. But just in case....

"Well, no good sitting here waiting," said Dirk. "You should go and find Raine."

They waved goodbye to Dirk and left for Iselia.

The walk through the forest was much better than the last. In the sunlight, the forest was beautiful and lush. Kat wasn't afraid at all. Maybe it was just her....They arrived at the town of Iselia quickly. Lloyd greeted the guards in front of the town, and they greeted him in kind. They turned left and headed towards a house with a small pond in front. Smoke was streaming out from the chimney, indicating that someone was home.

Lloyd ran up the steps and knocked on the door.

"Genis! Raine! Open up."

The door swung open and a half-elf boy with white hair and blue eyes greeted them.

"Lloyd! I thought you're out at sea." He went and shook his best friend's hand. "Whatcha doing here?"

"To visit you of course. Also," he gestured towards the group, "We need Raine's help. This Katz," he pointed to Kat, "lost her memory. We're hoping Raine can help."

The boy named Genis nodded, "Well, Raine's inside. Come on in."

Everybody trooped in.

When they were all inside the cabin, Kat looked around the room. There were books everywhere. In a corner stood a half-elf with the same white hair and blue eyes as Genis. She was holding a book in her hand.

"Genis," she started but stopped when then she saw Lloyd and Kratos. "Lloyd, Kratos! What a nice surprise. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be out at sea?"

Kratos nodded, "We were...until we met into this woman." He smiled at Kat before looking back at Raine. "She lost her memory, and we hope you'll be able to help her."

Raine walked over to Kat. Just then, a young woman with long blonde hair ran in and slipped. She got up and dusted herself off.

"Lloyd! I heard you're back!" She ran up and hugged the young man. "It's sooo good to see you."

Lloyd smiled and Kat knew instantly that this person was very special to him. Lloyd held the young lady's hand and introduced her to the Katz. Kat smiled at the one called Colette.

"Well," said Raine. "Memory is a tricky thing. I don't know if I would be able to help." She addressed Kat, "What's the last thing you remember?"

Kat shook her head, "Nothing."

Raine frowned. "Nothing at all? Well, were there any wounds on you when you came too? Perhaps bumps on her head or something?"

Kat shook her head again. It was Tabby who spoke, "No. There were no wounds or anything." She turned to Kat, "It was I who found you, and I made sure you weren't hurt or bleeding. There wasn't a mark on you at all. Well, except for the birthmark...."

Kratos looked at Tabby sharply. "What birthmark?"

Tabby looked at Kratos and then at Kat, puzzled. "Well, Kat has this weird little birthmark thing. It looks like a teardrop or something."

Kratos turned to Kat, and his eyes were shining brightly, "What's this about a birthmark?"

Kat shrugged. "It's just a birthmark. No big deal."

"Show me."

Everybody in the room looked at Kratos, surprised by his persistent tone.

"Umm..." Kat stuttered, "I can't. It's kinda...."

Tabby interjected, "It's located in an awkward spot. You won't be seeing it."

Kratos continued to focus on Kat. "It's on your left side isn't it? Just below the hip—near your leg."

Kat and Tabby stared at Kratos in shock. Tabby said, "How do you know?"

Kratos began to pace. "Anna, Anna had the exact same birthmark. It looks like a falling teardrop but the drop doesn't fall straight down. Instead, it's off to the left side."

Kat was astounded. "That's right, that's my birthmark. But how did you know Anna had..." she commented.

Kratos smiled at Kat, "She's the mother of my son. I know."

Kat blushed.

Raine, the ever logical one, said, "So...this woman here. Kratos, you think she's Anna."

Lloyd looked at his dad, "Wait...what? Dad, I thought she's just an aunt or something. How could she be mom? Mom is...."

"I know. But it's the only thing that makes sense. What are the odds of someone with the same birthmark? Who looked exactly like Anna?" He directed his next comment at Kat, "You believe you're her too. Why?"

Kat sat down on the nearest pile of books. Raine was going to say something but Genis stopped her.

Kat sighed and after a pause, "I don't know. There are dreams...and feelings. But nothing concrete." She looked at Kratos, then Lloyd. "I just don't remember anything."

Tabby walked over to Kat and placed a paw on her. She addressed the group, "How could this be?" She turned to Kratos, "You said it yourself. Anna. Is. Dead. I saw the grave. How...."

"That's what we're to find out." Kratos walked towards Kat, "Anna,"

But Kat interrupted him, "No." Everything seemed to be spiraling out of control...she could at least control what people called her. "My name is Kat. Until we know for sure...until I know for sure. My name is Kat."

Kratos looked at Kat. Kat could not bring herself to look back at him. Finally, he nodded and said, "Fine. If that's what you want to be called." He began again, "Kat, was there anything on you that would indicate where you were or what you've done? Your dress? Anything?"

Kat looked at Tabby again and shrugged. "I was wearing just an ordinary plain dress. Nothing special...and as far as any jewelry or such...."

"She didn't have anything," said Tabby.

All were silent, all trying to figure out what they could do to unravel this mystery.

Raine broke the silence and said quietly, "Well, I doubt my healing powers will be of use but I can try."

She walked over towards the opposite side wall where her staff laid against a table. She took it and walked to Kat. She tried several healing spells but nothing worked.

"I didn't think so," she said apologetically.

All Kat could do was smiled apologetically back at her, "Sorry I couldn't be healed."

Genis walked up to his sister and said, "It's okay sis. You're tried."

"Yeah," said Lloyd quietly. He was holding on to Colette's hand through out Raine's healing administration. He looked at Kat, then at Kratos with a weary expression. "What should we do now?"

Kratos took the lead. "We should probably head back to Dirk's. We can figure it out there."

Everyone nodded. They were their goodbyes and were about to head back to Dirk's when Lloyd called out.

"I'm going to stay here a bit. I want to be with Colette and Genis. Dad?"

Kratos looked at the boy. He wasn't sure how Lloyd would handle knowing the fact that he thought Kat was his mother. He didn't want to push him so he nodded. He walked over to his son and placed a hand on his shoulders. "We'll be at Dirk's."

Lloyd nodded. The group waved goodbye and headed towards the exit. Kat lingered a bit. Unsure of how he felt about her, she was afraid of his rejection. But he smiled gently at Kat and told her he'll be back soon. Feeling lighter, she walked towards the exit, where Kratos was waiting for her. And for the first time, she felt that she was on her way to truth.