Standard Disclaimer. I do not own FFX or the characters in it. They are owned by Square-Enix. I do own this story, and my original characters. The songs "Anticipation" and Coming "Around Again" were written and performed by Carly Simon, and "Slow Hand" was written by Michael Clark and John Bettis, and performed by The Pointer Sisters and I don't own them, either.

Auron had already stood his watch for the night, now it was Kimahri's turn. Thankfully, the desert sands showed intruders long before they arrived. He thought back to the episode under the lake ice, where Rikku had chided him for his remarks to Yuna. The little Al Bhed had been correct. It had not been necessary for him to take his frustrations out on his summoner. Was he any better because he was the only one listening to his regrets? Only his weren't regrets...merely memories…

…Zanarkand…Five years ago…

Mercy had to say no when Auron asked her to dinner that night. "How about tomorrow night?"
"Why not tonight?"

"I have to meet Daf to decide on a play list. It's tradition." They were in the shower by this time. She was trying to get cleaned up while he was doing his best to be…distracting. She barely made it out of the apartment in time to meet her brother, while Auron went back to his place to change. He had invited her to come to his dojo the evening after next to work out. He really wanted to see what she could do with those swords of hers. In return, she had made him promise to give her a good workout to make up for the one she had skipped that afternoon. As he looked around his austere apartment, he had a clear picture of exactly how he wanted the workout to end. He grinned at himself in the mirror in anticipation as he shaved.

As she hurried to meet Dafydd she had an idea. Can Auron take me with him, back to Spira, when the time comes? I'll just have to ask him. Meanwhile, five years seemed a long way off.

They were planning to open with 'Anticipation' but she almost changed her mind when she saw the crowd. Not only was the place packed, but also Servo, the little weasel, was at a wall table, six rows back. He was a scout/booking agent/manager for a noble house that owned several clubs around town that actually signed acts. Lords and Ladies, we're being scouted! Maybe I shouldn't after all… No. If I can't hit that note tonight I never will…

When she and Daf got their cue to go onstage, she walked by Auron's table, put her arm around his shoulders for a moment and kissed him lightly, for luck. He hugged her briefly, one-armed, in response. She climbed the stairs to the makeshift platform. Dafydd began the opening bars for 'Anticipation'; in spite of Mercy's reservations, it was a good opening number. The audience could think it was at least in part about the performance. And, as she looked over at Auron, he could see that some of it was meant for him, alone.

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet, I don't know nature's way
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.

And as she sang, her voice soared, and she pulled the high note out of the stars. Auron found himself praying to whoever might be listening, "Please let her reach the Farplane. Please."

They did two more, one soft, one where she could strut on stage, for fun, then 'Coming Around Again', which fit her voice, and her mood:

And I believe in love
But what else can I do
I'm so in love with you

The crowd kept applauding, louder and louder, after each number. That had been the fourth. They were supposed to do five, but the manager caught their eyes after this one and held up six fingers. She and Daf looked at each other and nodded. They did six, closing with Seven Wonders. This is getting to be a tradition, Dafydd thought to himself, but it's worth it to see her glowing again. The crowd didn't want to let them go. After the usual "Good night," the packed house got to its feet and started shouting, "Encore, encore!" Mercy and Dafydd found themselves trapped in the glare of the houselights, surprised, delighted, and more than a little stunned. They didn't have a seventh song specially programmed into the machine that provided their instrumentation, just leftovers from the last few nights. They weren't sure what to do.

Auron just wanted to get her out of there. Mercy was positively glowing, and he wanted her all to himself, preferably as soon as possible. If he could just think of one of the songs from the night before, she could sing it and they could go. He only remembered the title of one song besides 'Seven Wonders', since music as mass entertainment was virtually unknown on Spira. He used his cupped hands to make his voice carry over the crowd noise and called to her, "Do Slow Hand." He realized his mistake as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Her grin was the wickedest thing he'd ever seen that wasn't actually evil. She turned to Dafydd and he nodded, certain that the instrumentation was still in from the night before.

Where last night the song had been a question, tonight it was an affirmation. Anyone in the audience with eyes knew that the man who had requested the song was the one Mercy was singing about. As his face flamed, Auron discovered he could still blush. Then, as he watched her prowl across the stage, listened to the beat of the music, heard her sing the suggestive lyrics just for him, all his blood rushed south. He found himself shifting restlessly in his seat, unable to find any way of adjusting himself with the entire audience avidly watching him try to devour her with his gaze.

Mercy sang, she teased, she tormented, she tortured. All for one man; for that glazed, hot-eyed look of desire on Auron's face. She purred the certainty of the night before into the last verse:

'Cos I got a man with a slow hand
I got a lover with an easy touch time
Not come and go in a heated rush
I've found somebody who will understand
I've found a lover with a slow hand

As she started to sing the fade-out, she crooked her finger at Auron, motioning him to come up towards the stage. He started to shake his head, not wanting to be any more on display than he already was. Or display any more of himself than he already was. But the need to get her off the stage as quickly as possible overrode all other considerations. He stood, and walked up to the edge of the platform.

I got a lover with a slow hand
And I get all excited with his easy touch
I've found somebody who will spend the night
Not come and go in a heated rush
I've found somebody who will understand
I've found a lover with a slow hand

As she sang the last, soft note, Mercy leaned over Auron with a seductive smile on her face and slid her arms around his neck. He couldn't help himself; he took her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss as he hauled her off the stage, letting her wrap her arms and legs around him while he carried her from the room, the crowd applauding wildly, as though it were part of the act. He took her into the Green Room, which was thankfully empty; since the other performers had gone into the club to see the show they had just given on the stage, which meant they would all miss the one in here. Auron set Mercy on the edge of one of the tables. They finally came up for air, and both tried for some self-control. At least enough to manage to walk back to her place, where they could forget about it for the rest of the night. But he was still standing between her open thighs, and her legs were around his hips, her arms still around his neck. Even fully clothed, they were driving each other very close to the edge.

She looked up. "Hey, Auron. Why did you do that? I mean, I was just teasing. I hoped you might carry me out, but I didn't really think you would. But, wow!" Her voice was breathy, and she knew she was talking too fast.

His cheeks stained dark red. "I wanted to get you out of there, before someone decided to call for another song." He paused, his breath still choppy. "And after that…performance, I wanted everyone to know you are mine," he whispered hoarsely.

She tilted his glasses up to the top of his head, then placed her hands on either side of his face, locking his gaze with hers. "And you are mine," she whispered back, just before she kissed him again.

Back on the stage, Dafydd had blinked several times in astonishment, but he recovered himself, bowed, and exited the stage amidst thunderous applause. The booking agent, Servo, had followed quickly after him into the Green Room. The agent had a business proposition to discuss with Mercy and her brother, and did not care what he had to interrupt in order to discuss it. Even though Auron's back was to the door when they entered the room, Dafydd was perfectly well aware exactly what had been going on. As Mercy jumped off the tabletop to talk business with Servo, Dafydd stared Auron down across the room. "Don't you dare hurt her," was written clearly on Dafydd's face. Auron nodded, grateful that he did not have to reply in words, as he moved to stand behind Mercy.

The business didn't take long, at least for the preliminaries. The lawyers would be looking things over Firstday morning, but it looked like Mercy and Dafydd would finally be getting paid to perform, Thirdnight and Fifthnight. Now that the negotiations were over, and the little weasel was gone, Mercy leaned against Auron, boneless in relief. "Let's go home," she said to him. Auron smiled gently down at her in reply. Dafydd noticed that she was referring to her apartment as though it was home to both of them. Maybe it is, Daf thought. If so, somebody sure works fast.

On the way 'home' Auron was struck by an inspiration. "Come with me tomorrow."
"Where?"
"I usually spend Lastday afternoons with Tidus. Come with me, meet the boy," he implored.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay." What have I gotten myself into now? Inwardly, she was scared half out of her wits. Tomorrow could be a disaster.
Then she noticed the bag he was carrying. "Auron, what's in the pack?"
"Clean clothing", he replied, careful not to be too specific. He knew it was presumptuous, but he wanted to stay as long as she would let him, and this would be simpler.
"Oh." She paused. "Good idea," she finally said with a grin. He grinned back in answer. And relief.

She was so happy; she practically danced at his side all the way home. Her dream, the dream she had almost forgotten, had finally come true. She kept shaking her head in disbelief, and smiling.
"I still can't believe it. Headlining mid-sennight at a small club, and opening two nights later at a bigger place. Auron, you can't know what this means to me." She bubbled with happiness, as they rode in the elevator to her apartment.
"I know it makes you happy," he replied, as he hugged her against his side.
"Yes, but not as happy as you do." She smiled up at him, joy lighting her eyes.

The elevator doors opened, and they traveled the few feet of corridor to her door. Her mind suddenly veered into a new path. Why is this happening now? After twenty years?
Inside her apartment, Mercy pulled off her jacket, and watched as Auron unbuckled his wide belt, hung his coat on the rack beside hers, and stuffed his glasses into one of the pockets. I've been watching him since the day he walked into that coffeehouse, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of the view. She noticed that he hadn't bothered to wear the bracer as he usually did. When I'm onstage, I keep turning back to look at him. I sing to him. That's what's different. That's why it's now.
"It's you," she said aloud, as she slid her arms around his waist.
He cocked an eyebrow. "Who were you expecting?" he asked, tightening his hold on her.

"That's not what I meant," she replied, in a light, teasing tone. "I was wondering why Servo showed up tonight. Why the contract thing came up tonight. Why the manager at the club last night said our act was getting 'hot' and he wanted us to do the full set. That's never happened to us before. And tonight, the encore..."
A dull flush crept over Auron's face. "About that song..."
"I sang for you." She brushed her fingertips against his lips.
"I know. The entire audience knew." His face still burned at the memory. So did the rest of him. His hand fell to caress her bottom, to pull her hips in close, reminding her of what they had started earlier, back on that table in the Green Room of the club.

But Mercy looked up at him with such a mixture of desire, love and wonder on her face, that he waited to hear the rest of what she had to say. "Auron, I sing for you. I always sing for you. And that has made all the difference." She pulled his head down for a long, deep kiss, trying to make him lose track of the significance of what she had just said, but he had already heard it in her voice.
With his next breath, he answered, "I love you, too."
Then he swung her up into his arms, and started carrying her to bed. In mock seriousness, she admonished him, "This time, you'd better remember to take your boots off first." He started to chuckle, and then, threw back his head and laughed.

His armor was another matter. By the time he had finished watching Mercy strip off those shoes of hers…it's something about the way she looks at me while she does it…he was so far gone that his hands were shaking as he unclipped his armor. Regular clothes would be simpler, Auron thought as he fumbled with the clasps, and a lot faster, he concluded, as he pulled it over his head, and dropped it on the floor. Then Mercy tackled him, and he fell onto the bed with her on top of him, their laughter and kisses jumbled together until they were both breathless. They continued their loving exploration of each other far into the night.

Much later, Mercy dreamed she was caught in a terrible storm. The storm seized her and tore her apart. She didn't know whether she was drowning, being eaten, torn limb from limb by terrible winds, or worse. She shot up, screaming. Auron was awake instantly. "Love, it was a nightmare, you're awake now, hush, hush." He cuddled her in his arms; trying to get her to lie back down, so he could cover her with the blankets, warm her with his body. She was ice cold, shivering with shock, fear. Finally, she stopped shaking long enough that she could talk without her teeth chattering, but by then she was weeping, tears falling like rain.

"You can't take me with you, can you?" she sobbed, her arms locked around his waist.
"How did you know?" He held her close, as tightly as he could.
"That was the nightmare. You tried. Why didn't it work?"
His own face was wet, tears spilling down his cheeks. He had to make several attempts before he could speak. "I've thought about it. Hell, I've tried to convince myself over and over that it would work. But it's too risky." He rubbed his cheek against the top of her head.

Her face was buried in his shoulder. "Riskier than staying here? How? Auron, you'll be gone. Or don't you want to take me with you?" She tried to shake her head, but he was holding her too tightly. "Wait, this is crazy. We've only known each other a sennight. It's not fair for me to ask you that. How can you possibly know the answer?"

He shifted her around, tilted her tear-streaked face to meet his own. "But my lady, I already do know the answer. I love you. I want to take you with me, for whatever time I will have left. And then I will wait for you on the Farplane until your time comes. Or for eternity, if necessary."
"Auron, I love you too, but you're being cryptic again. What is this risk you're talking about?"

He cradled her close, pressing her head against his chest. "By the time Jecht returns for us, he will have been Sin for ten years. I do not know how much of the man I knew will be left inside the monster. Jecht always was a strong willed bastard, but that is all I can count on. His plan was to come for the boy, five years from now, because he believes Tidus can break the cycle. If his plan fails, he is certain his son hates him enough to kill him. He will bring the boy through unharmed. Jecht thinks he needs me to keep the boy alive long enough to do the job, so I will make it through in one piece."

Auron fell silent for a moment, gathering the courage to finish. She listened to the steady beat of his heart as he told her what he feared most. "But Sin's basic nature is that of a slayer. I would say a mindless beast, but I think it will be worse than that. Jecht was already in torment five years ago. Soon Braska's Calm will end, if it has not already done so. Jecht will be…ashamed of what the beast he has become will make him do. He may commit even more atrocities in order to ensure that Tidus or I will kill him, even if we fail to destroy Yu Yevon. I fear that, if I attempt to take you with us, Jecht will deliberately destroy you, solely for the purpose of torturing me. And you won't be able to reach the Farplane from that kind of sudden, violent death." Mercy could hear the tearing agony in his voice.

"But Auron, there are no summoners here. How can I reach this Farplane of yours?" She was desperate with the need to understand.
His voice was a quiet, sad whisper. "You would have to accept your death before it came. Then your soul would be able to reach the Farplane, even without a summoner to send you."
"I just wish there was another way," she murmured. Lords and Ladies, blind acceptance was never exactly my best thing.
"So do I, my lady, so do I," he whispered back.

In the corner of the room, something blue shimmered for a moment, and was gone.

It took a long time for Mercy to fall back to sleep that night, but eventually, she slipped into an uneasy, but dreamless, sleep. Auron held her close through the night, awake until after the moon set. He finally let himself doze a little, but he was afraid to fall too deeply into slumber, in case she woke again. In the long, dark hours, he found himself repeating, over and over, "Please let her reach the Farplane."

…Spira…Bikanel

Mercy was right, Auron thought bitterly. Those were 'the good old days'.
Kimahri glanced at the sleeping campsite, saw the dark warrior shake his head in anger, or regret. Auron troubled by more than loss of Yuna, the Ronso thought. Kimahri wants to help, but he does not know what this trouble is. Must find Yuna first. Then maybe Kimahri can help brother warrior. The Ronso continued to watch for what remained of the night.

End Chapter Eleven