Cloud Age Symphony

Disclaimer: I don't own Last Exile

Chapter 4---

Lavie sighed in frustration. The house- her house- was being run by Tatiana. Claus was always busy and mostly ignored her and Al was watching the baby most of the time. She sketched a few more lines down to complete her latest work. Since she couldn't get privacy in her own home she spent her time in a tree drawing parts and modifications to van ships.

She shut the book and sat it down beside her. She rested against the coolness of the trunk. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in a week, thanks to Claus Jr. and Tatiana. She sat and in a few minutes she was asleep.

Lavie awoke later to her best friend calling her name. It actually scared her when he started shaking her. Startled, Lavie and Claus both fell out of the tree and rolled down the hill. When Lavie opened her eyes later, she noticed Claus was on her. He seemed to have noticed also and both turned red. She was actually glad that they had rolled down here, out of sight due to the hill. She was about to shove Claus off of her when the most surprising thing happened. He kissed her. Lavie laid back down and kissed him back.

"Claus! Lavie! Where did you two go!" Al called out to them breaking the 'moment'. Claus immediately jumped up. He then offered a hand to Lavie. After she was up, he ran up the hill, not bothering to wait for her. The red had totally vanished from her face by the time she got inside. Claus, she noticed, ignored her now more than ever. 'Oh, well, two can play at that game,' she thought bitterly.

Claus and Lavie didn't talk until later. Tatiana left to the store and Al was with the baby visiting someone. Lavie sat on the couch, drawing a few more parts and designing. Claus walked to her, trying not to disturb the fiery red head.

"You know, Lavie, that what happened today didn't mean anything?" he asked her as she just nodded for him to continue. "I've got a baby now and we can't just fall in 'love now. It'd be too complicated." Lavie lowered the book and her pencil.

"I understand perfectly well, Claus. I also know that you'll be moving out soon." She looked at him and continued saying, "Don't give me that look. Al and I will have a great time without you." Lavie glared at his disbelieving face. She stood up and made her way into her room. Claus sighed.

"Damn him!" Lavie screamed throwing a pillow harshly at the door. She wiped a few tears away. She didn't want to cry. Not for him. Sure she did eavesdrop on him and Tatiana about their moving plans. Her and Claus had always been together. From when they were little up till now. Now everything was messed up thanks to Tatiana and her kid. Lavie remembered something. The baby really didn't look much like Claus. She sprung out of bed, thinking of all the things that needed to be done in order to find out if the sweet baby, Ryoko, was really Claus's.

'Blood tests will work, but I'd need both the baby's and Claus's. Well, Claus is easy but Tatiana won't let me get close enough to get the baby's. I know,' she thought running around her bedroom, picking up things that might help. 'This might work!'

Claus sat down on the floor, beating his head on a nearby table. Lavie wasn't really supposed to know yet. He didn't even know if he wanted to go. But Lavie was too thickheaded and determined to do something that she never understood, or listened, to the whole story. He looked at where she once sat and something caught her eye. Lavie's drawing book. She got this when they had came home, wanting to draw parts and use her newly founded mechanic skills in order to help out Claus. He flipped through the book until he spotted her hand writing. He read it slowly and more than once to make sure that it was real.

A/N: I know that it's short and I'm sorry for that. I'm also sorry for not updating. I hadn't a clue about what towrite. You seemy 'Last Exile' knowledge is slowly leaving me. That's why I need your help! Please review and no flames. Just constructive criticism. Love ya!