I bet you all thought I had abandoned this fic…but guess what…I haven't, YAY! So yes, I am finally updating after…however long its been.

Disclaimer: don't own Chrono Trigger…never will….

Crono was sitting with his head cradled in his hands while Janus continued on his rampage. The truth of the matter was he simply did not know anymore what was going on. It had seemed so simple at first…now…everything was quickly becoming complicated. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into Marle's worried face.

"Crono? Are you okay?" she sat down beside him, slipping an arm around his waist.

"I-I don't know anymore…Lucca would know…" he rubbed his face.

Marle said nothing for a moment. "Do you…do you wish that she had come instead?" She hung her head. He could have used Lucca at the moment and she knew it.

"No!" Crono was vehement. He had not meant it that way, he needed Marle. She was the only reason that he had not completely broke under Janus's angry tirade.

"And furthermore…you dragged me all the way here…just to tell me…THAT YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE SHE IS!" his vampire features were contorted into a snarl.

In one swift movement Crono was on his feet. "I'll be back soon," he muttered and headed for the door.

"GET BACK HERE!"

"Crono, do you want me to come with you?" Marle asked, darting towards his side.

"Crono you'd better get back here right now!" Janus snapped.

"No Marle, stay," to everyone's surprise he turned to Robo, "Come on, I need to talk to you."

Marle and Janus stared at the closing door. She sat down heavily, completely confused…and somewhat apprehensive. She was alone…with a very angry Janus.

"Erm…do you…umm…maybe you should sit down?" she tried. His glance reminded her exactly of an icicle about to bore straight through her. "Never mind then." She felt her eyes start to sting and she willed herself not to cry in front of Janus. It was odd that Crono had left without telling her where he was going, and the fact that he had dismissed her hurt.

"What's the matter princess? Hurt that your love left you?" he smiled wickedly.

"No…"

"Yes you are, admit it. You can't stand being alone without him can you? What's to say that he's coming back? He and the robot could have taken off on their own."

Despite the complete improbability of this statement it still struck a nerve and she felt herself getting ready to explode. All this time he had done nothing but mercilessly tease her she was rather irked by it. She took in a deep breath and managed to keep her composure. "I highly doubt that."

"I would not doubt it so much if I were you. If I were him I would have dropped your useless sniveling self on some forsaken island long ago."

She was quivering with indignity and rage; it was all she could do to keep from snapping. It was childish she knew, but she hated him. Actually hated him. "Be quiet," she growled rather un-princess like.

"Sorry darling, I had forgotten how sensitive you were," he was once more sneering at her.

It was time to turn the tables. "You know Janus, you aren't exactly that pleasant either…mister pasty faced creepy stalkerish person. I'd love nothing more than to leave you in the middle of a desert!"

"At least I don't result to childish insults! Honestly, pasty faced…nothing better?"

She knew what she was about to say would shatter any hope of civility between them. "Well at least my mother wasn't a crazy psychopath!"

Janus stood towering in front of her, "HOW DARE YOU!" he reached out to hit her but she ducked.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, and truly she was. "I knew that I should never have said it but…"

He sank down once more, "Like you could ever understand what hardship is like. You with your perfect life and little Crono to protect you."

"You think you're the only one who has suffered?" he voice was barely audible now. "I watched the person I love die…die! He died to save another woman…your sister…I had to watch him die…" her face was white and her hands trembled as she said this. She could still see it…see him…dying…she had loved him so much…then he was gone…just like that he was gone…she had thought she would never see him again…never feel that smile of his again…never see his eyes as he gazed at her…

Marle jumped when she felt a hand over hers. She looked up completely amazed to see that Janus was now sitting next to her. All trace of malice gone from his features. "I know…" he was silent for a moment, "I saw…I saw how you looked at him…I could see the look on your face when it happened…and when we revived him…I remember…"

"I really am sorry Janus…for what I said…and…and I know that I don't know exactly how you feel…and I won't pretend to…but at least know that I've felt what it's like to lose someone I love."

He was looking at her with a curious expression. "I…this is awkward is it not? No fighting…actually being civil to one another?"

Laughter escaped her before she could stop it. "It is, but I kind of like it better. No threats of being thrown through a window."

"Hmm…actually…it could be rather fun," he was smirking at her again.

"Janus, if you even try to I promise you that I will—" she shrieked as he lunged at her and grabbed her around the waste, lifting her in the air.

"Now, now princess, do calm down. I am sure it will not hurt too excruciatingly."

"JANUS PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!" she kicked at him but it failed to connect with anything but air.

He was halfway to the window when he dropped her, "Lucky you, it seems that you managed to slip from my grasp," he was smiling.

She was staring up at him completely at a loss. There was no explanation for it…none. Had he actually been…joking?

"Here, the floor does not seem to become you princess," he held out a hand and she took it.

The both flopped down on a bed and stared at the ceiling. She realized that he was lying a bit close but did not think anything of it. It was Janus after all. While he did not seem to hate her anymore she had a feeling that he still had a strong dislike for her.

Moonlight was drifting softly through the window and Marle sat up. It seemed that they had both fallen asleep. She turned her head to find Janus still asleep and no one else in the room. It appeared that Crono and Robo had not returned. She felt slightly worried, it was very unlike Crono to do anything like this. He would at least of told her what was going on. Drawing up her knees into her chest she sighed. Her eyes were begging to be shut but she rolled off the bed and over to the window. Everything seemed quiet outside. Moonlight and lamplight reflected off of chrome robots patrolling the street and she felt a chill down her spine. It was so eerie and different. It scared her in a way that this was what their future. These metal objects instead of real breathing people to protect them.

She waited for a moment by the window, waited and watched. More than anything she wanted Crono. She wanted to feel his arms around her and bury her head in his chest. Then she would know that everything was all right. He always made things alright.

Sighing she returned to the bed and flopped down once more, her eyes willingly closed. Sleep came easily to her and she did not hear the door open a few hours before the sun rose once more.

Hmm…what exactly is happening between Marle and Janus? Even I don't know. Please please review! I wuv you all…even though your probably mad because it took me so long to update, I apologize and hopefully it won't take that long again. If you don't like my story you can tell me…but please tell me nicely and if possible allow any criticism to be constructive. Sorry this chapter was so short!