Leon stood on the roof of the tavern. It hadn't been difficult to get up here, the hard part had been squeezing through a skylight in the attic area. The Gunblade had caused a problem, but with a lot of moving around, and jostling, he'd made it.

He had decided to come up for just a few minutes, but once he had sat down, he stopped thinking about all the things he and Paine had to do. He had, of course, heard her tell him to wake her up, but he had no intention of doing such a thing, especially after being ordered. He told himself it was because it was her own responsibility to wake herself up, but somewhere, in the places of himself he ignored, he knew it was also because he really did want her to rest.

"Not strong enough for this kind of work," he muttered. But the truth was, a lesser person would have given up long ago.

He continued to sit on the cold, cobbled roof, watching the sunrise, collecting his thoughts when a rock bounced off his head. He leapt up, one hand already at his sword, the other rubbing his now aching skull. The roof of the tavern was apex shaped, and his attacker had apparently managed to toss the stone over the top of the structure, and still managed to hit him, without him being able to see them. He jumped over the railing that separated the two sides of the building, and slid down the incline on the other side. Once he reached the bottom, it was just a fast, eight-foot jump to the ground again. Paine was there, hefting another, sharper stone, her eyes burning embers of amusement. Leon however, was not amused. Paine smiled, not altogether pleasant.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Lance, did I wake you from your beauty sleep?"

At that moment there was no one that Leon wanted to dismember more than the black clad warrior in front of him. He crossed his arms, and clenched his hands so that he wouldn't attempt to strangle her.

"You seem well rested enough," he shot back. She looked away, obviously embarrassed but she recovered quickly.

"Don't complain to me. I told you to get me up after two hours. You chose not to, that makes it your problem."

Leon ground his teeth, though no other emotion showed. But Paine knew she had a small, if bittersweet victory this round. On the other hand, now she'd have to watch her back, because he'd be looking for a rematch.

The Townhouse, apparently, the center of all governmental activities for this small planet, was across the large courtyard from the Tavern. Paine found it oddly symbolic: the two focal points, rising above the squalor. Leon and Paine moved easily across, avoiding eye contact from the locals who still didn't seem to have moved from their places around the fire pit. Eyes, shadowed by hoods followed them, ominous and strange. Paine kept herself on alert. It never really got 'sunny' on this planet, a blanket of cloud continually covered the sky, even the sun was muted. As they walked, Paine asked, not really expecting an answer:

"So what were you doing up there?"

Leon shrugged. "Just thinking."

Paine laughed.

"Oh, dear, I hope you didn't pull something. I know it's probably not something your use to."

He spun on her so fast, she almost tumbled backward. His eyes were a blaze of black light that shot through her skull and scorched the ground on the other side. A wave of panic washed over her as she watched Leon struggle to regain control over his temper. Still, the sides of her mouth twitched up slightly. Score two. With a growl that resembled the lion he wore around his neck, Leon spun on his heel, and stalked off, obviously not caring whether Paine followed or not.

She waited a respectful amount of time then began to slowly follow.

The Townhouse wasn't much larger than the Tavern, but it was better lit, and had fewer people stuffed inside. Inside the first door, a cabinet could be seen, with different artifacts, portraying the world's history. Portraits, weapons, pottery…Something in particular caught Paine's eye, but before she could investigate, a voice boomed from another room:

"Come!"

They entered through an arched doorway, to another open room, though this one contained a long mahogany table. On one end, sitting in a high-backed chair was a very old man. Paine thought she had met some old men, men like Maechen, but truth be told, he was 'ageless'. This man surpassed them all. His flowing beard reached the floor, and almost seemed to be an entity unto itself. His face was a map of wrinkles and lines, his eyes held wisdom that is only gained from long life, and his mouth seemed to be in a perpetual state of half-smile, as if he knew something you didn't. Paine felt the strange need to look away, avoid meeting his eyes, for fear he'd be able to see all her secrets.

Leon was totally at ease however; he strode, confidently, almost defiantly into the room, and stood before the old man. He bowed, from the waist, then straightened. The old man studied both visitors intently, dissecting them like insects. Paine looked around to locate guards, but she couldn't find any. Perhaps they were hidden.

"Your Honor," Leon intoned, his deep voice resonating off the chamber's walls, "I request-"

"You request?" the old Honor wheezed, amused. His voice sounded like crinkling paper, it was so thin. At first Paine was confused by his tone, but his next words made everything infinitely clear.

"What makes you think you have the right to request anything? Why, I should throw you in the town hall prison, just for daring to step foot on this world again. I warned you, last time." He looked at Paine.

"And who are you, who's gotten involved with this ruffian? Pretty girl like you shouldn't mix with trash like him." Paine shifted, uncomfortably. She didn't like being put on the spot, and she didn't like the way the old man looked at her. She opened her mouth to answer, but Leon cut her off.

"She is not your concern. Your Honor, I assure you, landing here was not my intention. My ship was attacked, and I had to make a crash landing. I simply need some spare parts to fix my ship, and fuel, and I'll be out of your hair by nightfall."

The old man snickered, rasping.

"Did that fool of a tavern keeper let you stay there last night?" he demanded, still choking from laughing. Leon stayed silent.

"Ah, I ought to throw him in jail, incompetent imbecile!" Paine couldn't tell if the old man was kidding or serious, but she was becoming more and more uneasy. Leon, too, she could see was getting restless, his eyes kept darting back and forth, and he kept his hands clear, in case he needed to pull the Gunblade from its scabbard at his back. The Patriarch looked between them before asking Paine straight out:

"Did he tell you what he did the last time he was here?"

"Your Honor, we have not been together long, but if I may-"

The Patriarch roared with mirth.

"Oh, this is rich, rich!" He was beginning to grate on both Warrior's nerves. He began to tick off on his fingers:

"First: he robs my treasury, took off with a fortune, he did! Then," another finger, "He kills two of my most loyal guards, but the worst-the worst of them all," his eyes took on a cold glitter. "He kidnaps my beautiful daughter, puts her on his trash heap of a ship and carries her off-world, to be subjected to who knows what kind of atrocities."

Paine looked, sideways out of the corner of her eye at Leon for confirmation or denial. A muscle twitched in his jaw, but other than that, he was unreadable, save for the hardness of his black eyes. The Honor leaned back in his chair, obviously exhausted from his ranting.

"Oh, yes, you have a lot of nerve showing up again. And where, may I ask, is my daughter?" Leon didn't even hesitate.

"Safe from the attentions of a pathetic old man, who pretended to be her protector, when all he wanted to use her for was his own gain." The Patriarch roared, this time not form laughter but from rage.

"Guards!" he called. Paine immediately went into a crouch position, sword at her side. Leon did the reverse, standing just a little bit straighter, though he too, drew his sword. They were immediately beset by a group of guards, at least five. The world splintered into glass shards as Paine defended herself, always keeping an eye on Leon, a strange feeling that he may just make a break for it, and leave her there. The first guard-a thin, sprightly fellow- came at her, expecting her to be an easy target, but she surprised him, by leaping straight into the air, and delivering a powerful round kick, that sent him sprawling. He was followed by a burlier man. Paine changed tactics. She went on the defensive, backing up, blocking blows he rained down on her. His strength was considerable, after the third or fourth time their swords met, Paine could feel her arm tingling. She leapt onto the table, to try and get an advantage with height. He swept his sword at her legs, but she jumped and dodged. She brought her own sword down, but he managed to move to the side, so it caught in his shoulder. He yelped in pain, but didn't seem to be heavily injured. He grabbed her sword with his bare hands and flipped her off the table. She landed unceremoniously on the ground, the wind knocked out of her. She was now bereft of her sword, but with some quick thinking, she grabbed a chair, and landed a hefty blow to the guards midsection, making him double over. She was up in a flash, and grabbing her sword, she bludgeoned the back of his head with the hilt, rendering him unconscious. She looked around, Leon was just finishing up with his last guard, the rest were either unconscious or…well, Paine hoped the amount of blood on the floor didn't indicate the body count. Leon got on the table, and ran down it's length to where the Patriarch sat, now terrified, his eyes wide and wild, face ashen.

With a growl, Leon leaned his Gunblade against the Honor's throat, while with his other hand, he clutched the old man's collar.

"We did it your way. Now we do it mine," he murmured through clenched teeth. "Fuel. Now." His tone allowed for no argument or negotiation and the old man could tell that any wrong move on his part would result in a sudden lack of head. he gulped loudly, wondering if Leon would kill him just for spite.

"Th-The fuel is kept in the building…behind the B-blacksmith's shop."

Leon released him, and the man collapsed into his throne. Leon beckoned to Paine and together they left the weeping aged Honor in his sad throne room.

The Blacksmith's shop was easy to find, and it wasn't long before they had discovered the rather dilapidated building behind it. There was no question as they entered that this was the fuel storage, toxic fumes bombarded their senses, making their eyes water, and their noses burn. The building was dark, with only one window, but Leon seemed to know where he was going. Paine held her peace as he ordered her to gather barrel's, while he looked for some patchwork parts. She found a hand-pushed cart and loaded two barrels on it. When Leon had found what he was looking for-repair kit, putty, Paine didn't even ask what some of the things were, or how they were going to fix the ship. He grabbed another barrel, hefting it onto his shoulder. By now, all the alarms and bells in the town were going off, so they didn't have much choice, or time to strategize. Paine pushed as fast and as hard as she could, though it was hard going in the woods, there were branches and vines on the forest floor, blocking her way. Often she would lose momentum, but she would just shove harder, determined to not lose pace. She could see Leon tiring, from the heavy weight on his shoulder, but he made no indication of stopping. The sound of barking dogs goaded them onward, telling them their pursuers were right on their heels. The sight of the ship was a welcome one, but also a sad reminder that they were no closer to getting off ground.

"Put the fuel into the ship, I'll mend the wing and the engine," Leon commanded. Paine opened her mouth to protest, to say she could help, but he pointed to the cockpit and yelled: "Go!"

She went without question. It took a little while to find the fuel compartment, but eventually she did. She emptied one barrel into the receptacle then kicked the empty container out the door. She heard a yell, and smiled, knowing she'd almost managed to mow down the Captain. She made sure the other two barrels were carefully stored, and secured before walking out to check on Leon. By the time she was back out in the light, he had the engine fixed, and the wing almost done.

"How-how could you do that so…so fast?" she breathed, remembering how long repairs on the Celsius would take. Leon shrugged, non-committal, still busy.

"It's magic," he said simply. Paine rolled her eyes, just as he said, triumphantly:

"Got it! Now, let's go."

They shut the door as their would-be captors arrived, wielding archaic rifles. Leon jumped in the Pilot's chair and began the start-up sequence. He barely glanced at Paine as he asked:

"You did get the fuel in, right?"

"Of course," she replied curtly, the unspoken What do you think I am, completely incompetent? hanging in the air. He quickly ran over the check ups, then revved the engine. At first-nothing. Paine clenched her fists, worried that their work had been for nothing, that they would be captured. He tried again, whispering, "Come on, now, you can do it, come on." Paine remembered when Brother use to talk to the Celsius, and she wondered, What is it with guys and talking to their ships?

On the fourth try, the engine turned over, and the thrusters fired. Leon breathed a sigh of relief then said:

"Prepare to break orbit." By that he meant 'Strap on your seat belt' which Paine did without hesitation.

As they pulled up and away, Paine looked out the window, staring down at the hostile planet which had given few answers but had raised countless questions.