Disclaimer: I own nothing but the title, 'Barriers of Pain' Saronax Gallisone and Zake among other things.

Chapter One

Several people sat in the gloomy place known as the pocket plane. Some of them, such as the wingless avariel, the large warrior, the gnome, and the pink-haired thief were interacting with each other while the half-elven druid watched in mild amusement. Others such as the female drow, the golden-eyed warrior,and the party's leader, sat alone in separate corners.

Imoen glanced at her brother. "Wow. I haven't seen him this moody since Gorion died."

"Boo thought Saronax was always like this." Minsc said.

Imoen shook her head. "Nah, he's always been pretty cranky but now he's REALLY mad."

"Love can do that." Jan stated. "Remember of my Uncle Gilmore. He fell in love with a giantess-"

A glare from Jaheira silenced him. "Now is not the time for another one of your stories."

Imoen blinked. "I'm actually surprised that one chick could do this to him. I remember a few years back I thought he was gay."

Aerie's eyes widened. "W-What?"

"Well, he always ignored women at Candlekeep and when we were traveling." Imoen declared. "They all thought he was cute until he told them to piss off."

"It's obvious that they love each other, despite their mannerisms. Let's just see how this plays out." said Jaheira.

Saronax scowled. Don't they have anything better to talk about? He could tell that his companions had been speaking about him.

"Ooh! Another shiny object! I love this place!" Zake exclaimed happily.

"Good for you." Saronax growled. He stole another glance at Viconia. The drow was on her knees, silently praying to Shar.

"Whatcha lookin' at? Is Vicky wearing her shiny armor?" the sword asked.

Saronax glared at him, but Zake continued speaking. "Why don't you talk to her instead of looking at her?"

"She can talk to me first."

"But if you talk to her, you'll feel better faster!"

"Oh shut up."

"Meanie."

Saronax looked up to see Viconia approaching. He gave Zake an expression that screamed, 'I told you so.'

Viconia sat down in front of Saronax. She looked into his ice blue eyes and began to speak. "I was foolish and naive, a waela jalil. I should have left when I had the chance."

"What's the problem now, Viconia?" Saronax asked from behind clenched teeth, trying to keep his temper in check.

"I speak of my attempt to leave your presence when I realized our... attraction... bode only ill for the future. I allowed you to convince me to stay when I knew better."

"What are you trying to say?"

"After the incident with Phaere, I spoke to you of my... continued feelings, of my doubt that a future between us was impossible. I said that perhaps we could speak of this again later."

She frowned. "It has been several months, but your quest is never truly over, is it? Your future is constantly in question, and so would ours be. Perhaps it is time for me to leave."

Saronax stood up, livid. "DAMN IT, WOMAN! You always do this! What are you so afraid of? WHAT?"

Viconia also stood up. "I knew it was a mistake to speak of this with you. Perhaps I shall speak again when you stop acting like a child throwing a tantrum!" She stormed off.

Saronax gritted his teeth. "That damn hell-bitch." He muttered. The fighter turned around and saw that the rest of party was staring at him. "WHAT?" He shouted angrily.

"Nothing." They all said quickly and went back to what they were doing before.

XXXXX

Several hours later, everyone had gone to sleep. Everyone but Saronax and Viconia. The fighter sighed. I really hate doing this. He walked over to Viconia and tapped her on the shoulder. "Viconia?"

She glared at him. "What?" she asked, irritation clear in her tone.

Saronax bit back another spout of anger and sat down across from her. "I guess I was being a bit of an ass."

"And?"

"You're very pretty." He grumbled.

"Well, I was actually hoping for an apology but I suppose that will suffice."

"Is it alright if I ask you why you want to leave?"

"I am finding it... increasingly difficult to travel by your side, Saronax, and still remember the reasons that we are not together. I yearn to touch you, even if I should not. This is a weakness within me. A weakness that may get us both killed. So I should leave now, as I said."

Saronax reached out and grabbed her hand. "I'm touching you, and you're touching me. Do you feel any weaker?"

"Saronax-"

"You're strong enough to speak. That's a good sign. You don't seem weak to me."

"Tell me, then, Saronax... what purpose would be served by the two of us re-uniting? I have made all my arguments to you already."

"Because I don't give a damn about your arguments. Plus, if you don't, I'll make sure that Zake never stops talking when he's around you." Saronax winked at her.

"I truly do not understand you at times, do you know that?"

"I know that you love me, and that I love you. Isn't that enough of a reason for us to stay together?"

Viconia sighed. "Then... despite the idiocy of doing so, I... I would wish to be with you again, Saronax. I miss you. I miss being close to you, and feeling your flesh against mine." She smiled, a genuine smile rather than one filled with malice. "Let us throw caution to the wind, then, if that is what you wish. You are no ordinary man, Saronax... and I will bear the consequences if you will. And if you don't, then the consequences will be most dire. I am not some worthless surfacer female that will give herself to you blindly. Never forgett that, Saronax."

Saronax grinned. "Sounds good to me." He grabbed both of her hands and pulled her towards him, pressing a passionate kiss to her lips. She escaped the grip of his hands and pushed him backwards. Saronax fell back with a soft thud. He started to say something but was silenced by Viconia pressing her lips against his. She began to undo the ties of his armor.

"What are you—OH GODS!" shouted a female voice.

They looked up to see Imoen gaping at them.

Saronax winced, realizing that his sister had caught him lying in a VERY compromising position. "Err…Immy-"

"No. I don't want to hear it." She ran shaking white fingers through her pink hair. "This is just…wrong. Sick and wrong. Ew." The thief quickly walked into her tent.

Saronax scowled. "I should go talk to her." He started to sit up but Viconia placed her hands on his chest and wouldn't allow him. "You have a debt to me."

"Later." Saronax promised. He gently pushed Viconia off of him and stood up. She watched as he went into his sister's tent.

"That went well." commented a voice from Saronax's pack, several feet away.

Viconia glared at the pack. "Iloathe you, blade."

"I like your hair. It's prettyful and SHINY."

The drow rolled her eyes. "As soon as your wielder returns, I will have to speak to him about your continued presence."