Disclaimer: Well… I loathe disclaimers… anyway, I've done 'em so many times, you probably know what I'm going to say. So, why bother?

A/N: I know that you people all probably want to kill me right now… but what can I say? This bloody chapter was hard to write. And I'd like to thank Nappykeety, right after I read your e-mail, I started writing. True, it took a long time to get out, but your e-mail really helped. Oh, warning! I'm taking the PG-13 rating to the limit now with foul words and sexual hints. There will be no actual sex, (not yet anyway.) just hints.

"Garnet, darling, I've been trying to find a spare second to talk to you and-"

"You're doing a really good job, but I must be off! We'll do lunch!" she replied, sprinting past him before Duke Bonneville would realize that he'd been given the brush off.

Dagger lifted the many skirts of her pale yellow dress with trumpet sleeves so she could scurry on without hindrance. She was so busy, so many things to do, to arrange, to organize. There was the play, which would be tomorrow, and it would be the first time in months that all of Zidane's old friends and the gang would be together. Don't think about that, she chided herself, it made her overly emotional. Besides that, there was the building of the orphanage and a… rather new activity to keep her busy.

She checked the clock on the wall, 11.55 p.m., she was right on time. Bursting into her room, she dove under her bed and snatched up her Staff. She gazed at it fearfully, checking to make sure that it was still in shape. Taking Zidane's dagger that had been left with her ever since she had used it to cut her hair, she slipped past the watch unseen and ran to the Gardens where she had first created the Staff. She ran her fingers along its length like she so often did and bit her lip, it was already starting to get bulgy and a bit out of shape… She had to hurry.

She knelt at the exact center of the circle where she had sat when she first created it. Holding up the dagger, she cut her hand until the wound was deep enough to allow blood to escape. Ignoring the sting, she let the life giving liquid fall steadily onto her Staff. By eerie light of the faint stars, it glowed steadily before fading. The blood that had been on it absorbed. Using her good hand, she buried the butt firmly into the rich, black earth.

Now, she grimaced. It had come to a part she hated. Focusing on the throbbing of her hand, she bit her lip, forcing tears to come out. In order for her weapon to remain the way it was, she had to perform that ritual every night for several months. First by giving bits of herself, the essence of her life (symbolized by blood.), and then bits of her soul. So powerful and complex a combination of weapons had to be maintained that way.

She had promised herself in Garland's cave that she wouldn't cry, but she figured that it really wouldn't matter since she was forcing herself to do so. Even so, she hated the warm salty liquid that ran down her face, reminding her how weak she had been. She let the tears drip on to the Staff for a few minutes, before opening her eyes to see that the tears too, had disappeared. Taking in a deep breath, she began to chant in a low, rather husky voice.

"Weapon wrought of spirit,

Weapon wrought of soul,

Weapon wrought of pain,

Wilt thou now take thou toll.

Tears bestowed upon thee,

All that is thy agony,

Blood of thy life,

Brought by happy knife.

Spell of thy voice,

Chant from thy lips,

Take hold with iron grip.

To meld and shape,

To destroy and break.

This be done day and night,

By twin moons' waning light,

At black of dawn and bright of dark,

Wilt I now leave thy mark.

Magic and summoner,

Two of kind,

So stay thou shall

As mistress bid,

Faults no more,

Flaws but rid.

Child of thy blood,

Child of thy soul,

I gave thou life,

I made thou whole,

I let thou survive,

Shall thou now serve,

All thy urge, wilt thou purge.

Follow thee to death,

Follow thee to glory,

Follow thee to theft,

Thou shall be the pen that writes thy story.

Thou shall be the club I shall wield,

Thou shall be thy mighty shield,

Thou shall be the voice of legends told,

Now let ye power unfold!"

(A/N: I'm cursing this as I write it. I wrote a better one, but I think I left it at my tuition center. I'd rather die than ask that old goat for it back. Sorry if it sucks.)

Again, images flashed before her eyes, an old man, a middle aged woman, a wrinkled, ancient lady… they were murmuring steadily until it was a thrum in her ears. When her voice that was radiating with an unseen power died, she saw bits of pollen, dust and dew swirling into her Staff, as though it was all being sucked up into a tornado like spiral, the fragments of nature were glinting fairy-like in the night.

Finally, it was done. She felt slightly exhausted, as she always did, but with a great sense of satisfaction. When her weapon was permanently like that, it would let her know. Sneaking back into the castle, she smeared healing ointment onto her cut before flopping down onto her bed, her mind barely registering the fact that the next day, everyone alive who mattered to her would be there.

……

"Queen Garnet! I'm afraid that I must discuss with you about the angle of the band-"

"-would you highness be absolutely certain of the song-"

"Honey, baby, shall we go for a stroll?"

"Is you Majesty sure about-"

"Alright, questions about the play will be handled by I, Adalbert Steiner," said the captain, coming forward grandly. "You are not to bother the Queen," he continued, twitching his head to show her that then was a good time to make a break for it. She grinned inwardly, thinking that maybe Steiner wasn't as blur as he made out to be. She walked away as calmly as possible while Steiner blocked the crowd from trying to follow her. She noticed that he was also rather conveniently pinning Bonneville against the wall. Yep… he wasn't as blur as he seemed.

Another two hours before the play, noted Dagger. She had at first considered going to greet Tantalus, but couldn't bear the thought, at last deciding that it would be easier to wait until Freya and the rest arrived. She trudged up to her room, Yay, she thought sarcastically, time to get dressed. After sinking herself into a bathtub, she opened her closet and stared at row after row of magnificent gowns and finally picked out the one that she had worn after her mother died. The one… that when she had let the see her… Zidane had stared at her with such tender eyes.

Oh, shut it, she told herself, mentally hitting her head. Before, she would have needed Beatrix's help to squeeze herself into the corset and dress, but having decided that she didn't want to be hysterically questioned about the faint, white scars over her body, she learnt how to do it herself. Slowly, (and rather painfully.), she pulled on her frock and matching gloves, then put on her white gold tiara and stared at herself in the mirror. She blinked a few times before taking a blue clip and pulling back the ends of her hair like she'd done in the old days.

The entire process of looking presentable to her people had taken about an hour and a half. Enough time for her to go sit on her throne and smile at her subjects. Besides, she mused as she walked out, it would take time for her to creep by-

"Sweetheart, I've been looking for you all day."

Dagger gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to kill herself, or preferably –him-. "So has everyone else," she said pointedly, looking politely but coldly at his handsome face. "And don't call me that."

"Now, now dear," he said, giving a smile that would have melted another girl's heart, but made her feel like throwing up. "Let's not be coy. What say we go watch the riff-raff's play together, hmm? We can sit as King and Queen on the balcony."

She so wanted to kill him.

She wanted to do it so very, very badly.

"I'm afraid that the unfortunate seating arrangements prevent us from doing what would be a delightful experience," she said, trying to inject some sincerity into her voice, her smile making her look like she was having cramps. "Had we known that you were actually going to stay this long, we would, of course have tried to arrange a more convenient seat." Like somewhere in the Forgotten Continent, she added mentally.

"Nevertheless, I insist upon accompanying my future bride there lest one of those grubby little performers harm you," he said, taking her arm.

"I am not you future bride," she said evenly, feeling a migraine coming. "And those people happen to be my friends."

Being dragged along by him, she tried to think of a formal and diplomatic way to pry herself loose. Catching sight of Beatrix, she sent her a look so pathetic, that it would've warmed a heart of stone.

"Your Majesty," she called out, quenching a sympathetic smile. "I'm afraid that I must discuss a private and very urgent matter with you about the… play."

"Of course, General," she replied, a little too happy. "You don't mind, do you Duke Bonneville? Of course you don't," she sprinted towards her before he could stop her.

"What's the matter, Beatrix?" she asked in a mock serious tone as they walked towards their seats.

"I was wondering, my Queen," she said, struggling to keep her face straight. "Of the important matter concerning your preference of the colours of the beads that are to be hung on the draping of your seat. Would you rather have light gold, or deep gold?"

"This is an important matter," replied Dagger in the same tone, ignoring the fact that no one could even see such miniscule decorations, "Of course light gold."

"A wise decision, your Majesty," said Beatrix with a grin, "shall we now proceed towards the play?"

"We shall."

……

She remembered it so well, she thought vaguely as she watched Tantalus perform. It seemed pretty much the same as before, except that this time, she was in the audience and not playing Cornelia. She continued to stare, Ruby made a pretty good Cornelia, she decided, and the weirdo in the cloak was a great Marcus. In fact, he reminded her of… Stop, she commanded mentally, no point in thinking about it now. When she had Zidane and Vivi back, she could wallow in it all she wanted.

"As the sun lends me no ear-"

The emotional voice broke through Dagger's thoughts; she shook herself and forced herself to listen. That guy was actually pretty good at making it realistic, she decided. It was almost as if he'd really lost someone he loved dearly, there was so much feeling in it…

"… I plead to the twin moons," said the speaker's melodious and powerful voice. "Bring my beloved Dagger to me!" And with a dramatic gesture, he whipped off his heavy cloak to reveal the same blonde hair that shone in the sun, the same aquamarine eyes that sparkled with joy and hope, and the eternal smile that spoke of unbelievable happiness.

Dagger's heart literally stopped beating for a few seconds. She put her hands on the balcony ledge, gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turned white under her gloves, convincing herself that it wasn't a hallucination. As if following instructions, she turned and ran, cursing Garland a million times over for replacing the weights on her. She wanted to fly towards him as quickly as possible. Sprinting to the door that led outside, she saw Beatrix and Steiner blocking her exit. Giving them both a glare that would've made even the bravest warrior cower, they smiled meekly and pushed the door open.

She shot them a grateful smile before dashing towards the crowd. Pushing her way past people and mumbling hurried apologies; she earned herself many curious looks. She stumbled slightly and to her dismay, the Silver Pendant flew from her neck, the clasp choosing the perfect time to become undone. Her hand flew up to her bare throat as the jewel skidded on the ground, the crowd parted silently to give it way.

Her large brown eyes widened as she took in the situation. From the way the pendant was pointing, the way she had come… her past. There, she saw the grand spire of Alexandria, glistening and mocking her, reminding her of the consequences that she might have to face if she went to such a commoner. But in the opposite direction was the man she loved, her fate written on water, happiness… and most likely… her future. Choose, the pendant seemed to hiss. Take your path where what awaits you is carved upon stone, or the other where nothing is guaranteed and risks seize you at every turn.

"Garnet sweetie, what are you doing?" came a distinctly whiny voice.

Instantly, she unfroze, throwing off her crown, she ran and flung herself into Zidane's arms. He seemed startled by her eager embrace, but pleased at the same time. Almost blinded by joy, she drew herself close to him, allowing herself to feel the luxury of being in his arms, something that she had dreamed off umpteenth times. On instinct, she began hitting him with her fist; unaware of how strong she was, too caught up in her current emotion (which was anger) to think.

"You took so long to come back," she wailed, still hitting him in a harried mix of ecstasy and bitterness, not noting the look of pain and surprise on his face.

"I'm sorry," he whispered back. "I'm so sorry," he hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go, letting himself drown in the bliss that came after so much torture.

Her shoulders shook with emotion and she stopped pummeling him, sinking into his embrace. They stayed like that until the roar that was the cheer of the crowd brought them back from the land of delight that they had been in. Drawing away slightly, Zidane stared at her with eyes so full of tenderness, he stroked her hair in what was surely, the softest caress that his thief hands had ever made.

"How did you come back?" she asked quietly, looking into his tender eyes.

"I sang our song," he answered. "Every time I thought that I wasn't going to make it… I sang our song."

They looked at the crowd; everyone was clapping and yelling in approval. Dagger saw the entire gang hollering, jumping up and down and expressing their delight. The only face she saw that was dark with fury was the one that she had grown to hate in the past week.

Was that supposed to matter? Nah.

She buried her face into his broad shoulder again. She didn't care. She chose him, and she'd choose him again and again and again. At last, she was really, truly happy.

A tabby cat watched the entire scene with an expression that could only be described as disapproving.

……

"…And then I had to dig my way out of the Iifa Tree," continued Zidane, telling his story to the breathless table of listeners. "It took days, after all, I had no tools, and I was badly hurt. If it wasn't for the water that I'd managed to salvage, I probably wouldn't have survived."

"Didn't you ever just want to give up?" asked Regent Cid. "To let the pain stop?"

"I… Actually, I did want to a few times," admitted Zidane. "But whenever I thought about it, I would hear this beautiful voice," he glanced at Dagger significantly, who blushed. "And I'd remember how badly I wanted to get back together with Dag- I mean… umm… you guys."

"And we really believe that, Zidane," said Freya, the sarcasm dripping from her voice to pool at her feet. "Don't we, Dagger?" she said slyly, raising her eyebrows.

Everyone laughed except for Zidane and Dagger, who just flushed. In order to change the subject, Zidane quickly cast around for a topic and said, "Erm… where's Vivi? I've seen all his kids but I haven't seen him."

The entire table fell silent, looking at Dagger cautiously, lest she burst into hysterical tears. Dagger froze, not sure how she felt. She still had that familiar ache in her heart whenever Vivi was mentioned, but now, her shriveled up soul was ballooning with hope. Zidane was already back, so her work was half-done… just one more step… one more…

She snapped out of her trance, realizing that she'd been staring blankly at the turkey. Everyone was looking at her in concern, except for Zidane, who just looked confused.

"Why don't we go outside, Zidane?" she suggested softly. "I can explain it to you there."

Zidane's eyes opened in shock as her words and actions registered in his mind. "Y-you don't mean to say-" he stuttered.

Dagger stood up silently and took his hand in hers, leading him out the door. They walked in silence towards the docks and sat on the steps. She closed her eyes; it was just like the night Vivi died. The moons were full, water peaceful and sparkling, allowing their reflection to shimmer in ethereal-like grace. As a cooling breeze played with her hair, she opened her eyes and looked at Zidane sadly. He was staring at her, his blue green orbs bright with fear of what she was about to tell him.

"Vivi- … Vivi…" she broke off, trying to control her emotions. I won't cry, she thought fiercely, I promised myself that I wouldn't. "Y-you weren't there…" she just said, all she could manage without allowing a traitorous quiver to enter her voice.

"When?" he asked in a hoarse whisper.

"About two months ago…" she replied, staring at the calm water. "But… it seems like forever… and only yesterday," she shook her head. "I'm not making sense."

"Fuck," he said viciously, wiping his eyes with his arm. "H-how did it happen?"

"We j-just woke up one morning, a-and all we found was his hat and a note, saying that he was sorry," she said, grief etched over her face. "H-his kids just appeared that day in his room… they were crowded around his h-hat… saying that he was their father."

"I-I've got something in my eye," he muttered, rubbing his eye furiously. "Did he give any sign that he was about to St-Stop?"

"He seemed a little tired," she said sadly, "like he'd lost this kind of glow… But I guess that I didn't really notice 'cause I was still… you know…" she looked at him. "Even so," she continued, letting out a sad laugh, "he was so comforting about you… being… dead…"

He drew his legs up to his chest and gripped his hair. "Crap," he snarled. "Maybe… maybe if I'd been a bit faster… maybe if I hadn't fallen into a coma at Black Mage Village…"

"Don't blame yourself," she said sharply. "He would've hated it, he did so much for us before he left," she paused with a haunted look in her chocolate eyes. "He helped me get along with life… In fact, if it weren't for him, I'd probably be dead by now…"

Zidane stared at her in horror, her words registering in his mind. He moved closer to her and embraced her tightly. She sighed, inhaling his familiar scent. "I guess I owe him more than I could ever imagine," he whispered, "and I can't even thank him now."

She pulled back slightly to look at him, his expression was full of sorrow, pain but mostly… she almost didn't dare to think it… love. Instinctively, like she'd been planning it for a long time, she cupped his face with her gloved hands and pressed her lips to his softly. She could feel him stiffen in surprise before hugging her possessively, leaning into her, kissing her back. She granted his tongue access by opening her mouth, sparks exploding beneath her eyelids at the wonderful feeling of it all, herself caught up in a whirlwind of emotion.

He needed reassurance, and she was willing to give it, their tongues battling in a dance of passion. She felt her back pressed against the ground, dimly realizing that somehow he had gotten on top of her, with one hand around her waist and the other tangled in her long hair. She had both hands playing with his silky blonde locks. He started to move from her mouth, tasting her skin. She squeaked as he sucked at a sensitive spot on her neck. She kissed his nose lightly, her hands roaming, her legs between his when suddenly-

"Garnet, honey? Are you there, my sweet?"

Dagger gasped and broke away from Zidane, who was looking very disgruntled. Scrambling to her feet and nearly tripping because of her three-inch high heels, she tried to stand up. Zidane was making a hurried effort to straighten his rumpled clothes. Duke Bonneville came with a torch, shining the bright light onto the very flushed couple. Dagger blushed under his scrutinizing gaze, very aware of how the both of them looked. Her hair was mussed and her lips bruised, she noticed that the back of her dress was unzipped (it seemed that Zidane had been busier than she thought.) and a reddish purple love bite was forming at the base of her neck. Zidane was looking worse, if possible.

"Garnet?" he squawked. "What are you doing?"

"Who's he?" hissed Zidane.

"Duke Bonneville," she said, trying to grasp at her last rags of dignity. "What are you doing here?"

"I believe the question is, what are you doing here with this riff-raff?"

Garnet glared at him angrily. "This is Zidane Tribal. The man who saved Gaia," she said pointedly. "The one I told you about." She hoped that he was getting the silent message she was mentally transferring, I love this man so get your freaking self back to your little mansion in Treno. I need to get back to business.

"Ah," he said, giving Zidane a look that most people used for a particularly disgusting slug. "You are Zidane."

"Yeah," he replied, glaring at him. "I am, now who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"

"I," he said grandly, drawing himself up, "Am Duke Thomas d' Bonneville, son of Rufus Matthew d' Bonneville, High Duke of Treno."

"Never heard of you," said Zidane flippantly, taking Garnet by the hand protectively.

He looked very insulted.

"I am here," he continued stiffly, "to ensure that nothing was happening to my future bride."

Zidane snapped back in shock and stared at Dagger, gripping her hand so tightly that it started to hurt. She glared at him with the fury of a thousand suns.

"I – am – not – your – future – bride," she growled dangerously. "To me, you are not different from the 50 other suitors, okay? I've told you I don't like you, I certainly don't love you and I'm sure that I never will!"

"You're in denial, sweetie," he cooed, moving forward to stroke her. "You know that you like me-"

He broke off when he saw Zidane's dangerous expression as he moved in front of Dagger.

"Listen here you little twerp," he threatened. "If you don't get the fuck out of here, I'll-"

"Zidane, I don't need protection," snapped Dagger, feeling offended. She hadn't endured countless of hours of training just to be treated like a little girl. She looked pleadingly at him to keep him quiet. "Duke Bonneville," she said imperiously, "I formally request you, as Queen of Alexandria and as your hostess for you to return to you quarters."

He looked at her resentfully, but proper etiquette demanded that he obey, that, and Zidane's weapons were glinting wickedly. "Just remember, my love, being with this sort of ragamuffin will bring you no good." With that, he turned heel and left, his nose in the air.

Dagger waited till he was gone before explaining the whole situation to a seething Zidane. "… So you see, if I force him to leave, his father will withdraw his contribution to the orphanages, and all that work would've been for nothing!"

"You're really stuck, aren't you?" he asked in frustration.

Dagger nodded.

"This sucks."

"Yep."

"So…," he drawled. "What was that I heard about suitors?"

"Oh… umm… well…" she stuttered. "You know, there were a few here and there…"

"A few?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, she thought she detected a hint of jealousy in his voice. "What happened to over 50?"

"Well… erm… a few is 50," she mumbled, staring at a pebble near her foot. Quickly, she sat down, hoping to stop further questions and to shut him up. "But Steiner got rid of them."

That didn't work.

He sat down with her and gave her his trademark lopsided smile that had made many girls' heart melt, including hers. "So… we're alone again…" he said suggestively. "Shall we proceed?"

Dagger reddened and slapped him lightly on the arm. "Shut it Mr. Happy Hands," she said, pointedly zipping up the back of her undone dress before kissing him quickly on the cheek. She pointed to the obvious hickey she had, "I've already got enough to explain."

Zidane laughed and put his arm around her, drawing her close. She sighed happily before laying her head on his broad shoulder. They remained in that position, arms around each others' waists and staring out at the lake.

About half an hour later, Zidane asked hesitantly. "Dagger? What happened between us? What are we now?"

She didn't reply.

Zidane looked down at her, and then realized that she'd fallen asleep. "Damn," he swore under his breath, before smiling to himself, his heart light. She'd made all the torture that he had been through to come back worth it. Gently, he picked her up and cradled her (It was a good thing the weights could only be felt by the one carrying them.), bringing her to her room. Carefully, he lay her on her bed, pulled the covers over her slim form and brushed a few strands of her hair away.

"G' night, Dagger," he whispered, stroking her head lovingly.

When she heard the door close softly, she opened her eyes and hugged herself happily; feeling like the giggly teenager that she had thought was forever lost to her. But his question echoed in her head, haunting her.

……

"Mmm… I mean stop, Zidane, stop! Lord that feels good… no, that's not what I meant, stop!"

She sighed as Zidane reluctantly halted nuzzling her. It wasn't that she didn't love what he was doing, but they were at the breakfast table for Alexander's sake! Beatrix cleared her throat awkwardly while Steiner just snarled. Zidane grinned at the boyishly.

"Your Highness," said Beatrix, patting Steiner on the arm to calm him. "Most of the affairs in the kingdom are going smoothly but one. I believe it would be wise to turn you attention to it as soon as possible."

"Huh?" said Dagger, feeling distracted, most likely due to the fact that Zidane had taken one of her hands and was rubbing it softly under the table.

"Bonneville!" said Beatrix. "That little brat went to his room last week in a storm of rage and broke almost everything in it! My Queen," she continued, taking deep breaths, "I was hoping that when he saw Zidane, he would understand and leave, but it has just made him more determined! This can't go on, he sent one of the maids into hysterics yesterday!"

"He's a stuck up pompous pig," announced Eiko, "But on the lighter note, Dad gave me his newest invention! The first ever video camera-y thing that runs on mist! It can record what people do, like just now, when Zidane was feeling up Dagger."

"Eiko!" yelled the both of them indignantly.

"You want to see? AAIIIEEEEE!" she had held up a fairly large, boxy machine before quickly hiding it when Dagger lunged at her.

Dagger sat back in her chair after successfully erasing the video Eiko had made, the latter had decided to run while her new toy was still in one piece.

"I don't know what to do," admitted Dagger. "I'll go and try to talk to him later to make him realize that he has less than no chance with me."

"Good," said Zidane firmly. "And I'm coming."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"No, I'm not and that's final!" said Zidane grumpily. Then, what he had just said dawned upon him. "Damn," he grumbled, "you tricked me."

"Zidane, I'm not a baby," said Dagger firmly. "You don't need to walk me through every step of my life."

"But- but what if he tries something on you?" he spluttered. "And you won't be able to defend yourself and-"

"I can too defend myself," she protested. "Besides, I don't want you to hold my hand in every little thing I do."

"But I like holding your hand," said Zidane slyly, making her flush. "And you're not going there alone-"

She sighed in exasperation. "There are two ways this is going to end. One, you'll win after we argue ourselves hoarse, and as you come with me to talk to him, you'll end up beating him to a pulp. Thus, I will be exceedingly annoyed at you and won't speak to you. Or two, you give up right now and we can take time to ourselves in the gardens before I go talk to him."

"What kind of time?" asked Zidane, raising his eyebrows. Beatrix rolled her eyes and dragged and open-mouthed Steiner away.

"You'll see," she replied, feeling a rush of pleasure that he found her so attractive.

"Fine, you win," he said grudgingly. "Now about that time you promised me…"

Dagger grinned before quickly checking to make sure the room was empty and kissed him firmly on the lips.

……

Dagger slowly applied some gloss to her lips in hopes of hiding the swelling. She stared at herself in the mirror and adjusted her scarf. She didn't particularly like scarves, but it hid the love bites that Zidane had made around her neck and shoulders. The long flared sleeves of her white dress hid any bruises that could have been on her arms due to any… eagerness that afternoon. She slipped on a pair of sandals and brushed imaginary lint off the hem of her ankle length skirt. Sighing, she began to look for him.

When he wasn't found in the guest room, outside nor the dining room, Dagger gritted her teeth in frustration, it was almost as if he deliberately wanted to annoy her by not being found. She certainly wouldn't have put it past him. Finally, as she walked down one of the numerous hallways, she saw a maid who told her that she had seen him heading in the general direction of the old libraries. Hastily, she ran off and opened the thick wooden door slowly.

He was standing inside, running his fingers over the spines of the old books, an expression of great distaste on his face.

"Duke Bonneville," said Dagger, quelling the urge to tell him to get his dirty fingers off her beloved books.

"Darling, finally here to see me, are you?" he asked, turning around with his usual arrogant smirk in place.

"Yes, and don't call me that," she said, blenching her fists. "I wish to discuss a matter of great importance with you."

"If it's about begging for my forgiveness for even being close to that peasant, you may have to follow a few requests of mine to earn it," he said haughtily, a hungry look in his eyes.

"No," she snapped, "I haven't come to do that. Far from it. I want you to leave."

This remark startled him, but in a blink of an eye, he was composed again. "Baby, you know that you want me. Every woman wants me. So let down your silly little defenses and false loyalties, and just do what I know you've been longing to do since you first met me."

You mean kill you? She thought wryly. "I'm afraid that you have a false impression of what I want and what I don't, Duke. As you can see, Zidane is back. I do not believe that there is any reason as to why you should prolong you visit."

"I don't believe this!" snarled Bonneville, for the first time, letting his dignified front drop. "I have never been denied before! You don't know what you're doing!"

"There's a first time for everything," she replied coolly. "And I do know what I'm doing. I'm saving us both the embarrassment of a further confrontation."

"No!" he growled, stepping forward and pushing her against the wall roughly. She stiffened, wondering whether she should fight back. She heard a gasp, unsure whether it had escaped from her own lips. "I can't believe it! I won't believe it!"

"Believe it, Bonneville," she said icily. "Now release me. This is hardly how the son of the High Duke of Treno should act."

"No," he said again, a strange glint in his eyes, "I've been waiting too long! I won't let you slip away!"

Before she could comprehend what was happening, he had forced his lips upon hers, his body pressing hers tightly so she couldn't move, one hand holding her arm to ensure she didn't escape and the other already roaming over her body.

For a few seconds, Dagger was too stunned by his actions to move. Sure, he was an idiot, but for him to act this way was unthinkable! She was brought back to the present by the feeling of him viciously unzipping her gown and his other hand fingering her breast. Immediately, she struggled, for the first time bleakly realizing how strong he was. She had never suspected he would have learnt any art of attack or self-defense. Damn, she had just broken the second golden rule in Garland's book.

Always expect the unexpected.

Rule number one?

Never show mercy.

Desperately, she tried to scream, only succeeding in making muffled shrieks as his mouth was still over hers. His hands were pulling against the fabric of her dress violently, ripping the delicate seams and material, revealing her bra. She sought to lift her knee, preferably to kick him where it hurt (ahem.), but whether coincidentally or intentionally, his 160 pounds was pinning her thighs, rendering her legs above the knee immobile. He was literally ripping the dress off her.

But as for her calves, feet and ankles however…

Garland's battle tactics came into her mind. Freeing her ankle, she hooked it around his and tugged, causing him to fall, but his hands were still fastened around her, pulling her along with him. Quickly, before he could roll on top of her, she stood up and backed away to get a better view of the situation. He came to his feet, and advanced on her, obviously intending to get what he had come for.

She leapt and twirled herself, stretching her legs so that they connected with his shoulder and neck. He stumbled, surprised by her. At once, she flipped over into the air to avoid him, lunging out a leg to hit him firmly on the back, successfully making him fall on his front and skid towards the wall. Quickly, she somersaulted so she wouldn't so she wouldn't land on her head. Again, he struggled to his feet; she dropped down to slide towards him, intending to trip him again, the slippery floor adequate for her purpose. Surprisingly, he sidestepped in time. She leapt up, wondering how to deal with him.

Abruptly, the door burst open, Zidane rushed in, his aquamarine eyes frantic and blazing with fury. Shocked, he took in the scene before him, and with a murderous growl, leapt towards Bonneville to begin an all-out brawl.

Steiner and Beatrix came in seconds later, both looking at Dagger with an expression similar to Zidane's. For the first time, she looked down at herself and realized what Bonneville had done. Her gown was completely unzipped, the square cut neckline torn along one side to the waist, one of the flared sleeves gone with it, fully exposing one side of her body and a large part of her undergarments. Another side of her skirt was ripped from the bodice, hanging loose and showing her underwear, upper thigh and hip.

Averting his eyes in embarrassment, Steiner had gone to join Zidane, whether to help him pummel their victim, or to separate the two fighters, Dagger couldn't tell. Beatrix ran towards her and blocked her from the view of the males. Minutes passed before the confusion stopped. Steiner, after getting a few good punches, had managed to stop Zidane from killing Bonneville. He up righted the latter none too gently while Zidane stood back, seething, a bruise forming on his right cheek, but this was minor compared to the damage his opponent had suffered.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" he roared.

"I was claiming what was rightfully mine," he said, calm for a man with a broken nose, black eyes and bleeding lip.

"You were freaking sexually assaulting me, you pervert!" screamed Dagger, pushing Beatrix aside. "You molested me! Tried to rape me!" She then noticed Zidane gaping at her, staring at her body openly. Flushing furiously, she crossed her arms over her chest.

"It's only rape if you didn't want it," he answered, smug as Zidane's mouth fell open in disbelief. "And you wanted it."

"You stinking bastard!" she shouted, advancing on him angrily. "You t-touched – fondled me-" she choked, seeming humiliated at being violated and beside herself with rage at the same time, crossing her arms around herself even tighter. "You fucking tried to rape me you slime bag-"

"Language, Garnet," he interrupted smoothly. "I'm still your guest, and my father's still donating."

Garnet stopped for a few moments before looking at him coldly. "Normally," she said in a voice of suppressed anger, "One, even a noble, who forces himself upon a member of the royal family will either be thrown into the dungeon for life or be hanged. You may be an exception. I will allow you to return to Treno in disgrace and permanent banishment from my kingdom in order to maintain a good relationship with you father."

There was a flicker of fear in his eyes as the sentences were mentioned, but a second later it faded. "You have no proof." He said simply.

"What?" they asked at the same time.

"You have nothing more than your word," he continued with a smirk. "You have no impartial and unbiased witnesses, therefore you have no proof. For all one knows, this could merely be a clever way to get rid of me."

Dagger felt like killing him.

He'd gotten her, again.

Zidane slammed his fist against the bookcase in frustration, making it shake and wobble. Suddenly, a little figure tumbled out of one of the shelves.

"AAIIEEE!" she screeched.

"Eiko?" gasped Dagger.

"You piece of scum!" she shrieked at a staring Bonneville. "I happen to be the daughter of Regent Cid. I'm from Lindblum and am an impar- impar… Whatever observer! I saw everything!"

"You're just a child," he said calmly. "And everyone knows that you are good friends with the queen and the peasant. Your word hardly counts for anything."

"Oh yeah?" she said triumphantly. "Then how 'bout this?"

She held up the video recorder and flicked on the switch.

"No," hissed the tiny image of Bonneville, pushing Dagger against the wall…

She paused it and smirked.

Bonneville struggled towards her but was held back by Steiner.

"You've got a choice, Bonneville," said Dagger. "Either you follow our terms and leave with your life, or be sentenced."

He stood like a statue and turned white beneath the blood on his face before storming out of the room. All of them breathed a sigh of relief. Beatrix and Steiner ran to get Dagger a robe.

Zidane stepped forward to embrace her, and she melted into his arms. With his still tightly wrapped around her, she said into his ear. "You were following me."

"Huh?"

"You followed me when I went to talk to him."

He drew back, allowing her to see the anger, worry and concern reflected in his eyes. "It's a bloody good thing I did!" he said. "If I hadn't come in time, who knows what he could've done to you! I mean, look at you right now!" he flushed deeply.

Dagger folded her arms across her chest again. "I was taking care of myself just fine!"

"And you did such a good job just now!"

"He caught me by surprise, that's all! Eiko, wasn't I doing a-" she broke off in horror to what had just occurred to her.

Eiko was viewing the tape she had recorded on the tiny screen, frowning in confusion. Her eyes widened at one part and stared at Dagger in shock.

She had seen her fight.

A/N: Thank god! I'm finally done. This was sooo freaking long! Hah, 6986 words! Sorry for leaving you lot at a cliffhanger… but I really didn't know what to write. Bad news… I've only thought out my story until there, I'm not sure how it's going to go on until I get this great fat burst of inspiration or something. I know that you guys wanna kill me, but have mercy! I'm horrendously busy and I need to get ready for a presentation at the end of the month! Wish me luck! (I'll need it.) Anyway, on to review replies.

Oh, btw, I know that my ancient language with all the 'thee' and 'thou' are wrong, but do me a favor and ignore it.