Hahahaha - Okay, Edited...the joy of brothers! Mine was very distracting when I was trying to proof read, so I corrected the errors. Once again, I owe BlueTrillium. Thanks bunches :)

Disclaimer: Do I have to put one in every chapter? It's not like I suddenly won the lottery or something and bought the rights! Oh well, I don't own it.

Darkladyxion959: I know I updated fast – this story got interesting and I am thus compelled to continue (especially now that I have two couples). I know how it ends, but most of the in-between stuff is made up as I go. I also suffer from insomnia, so I'm usually up when no one else around here is.

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Chapter 7

Albel watched as Cliff gently lowered Mirage to the ground. The two embraced each other. Instead of the usual goofy grin, which is what Albel had expected to see, Cliff's smile was sincere and warming.

"Bah." He turned away from the blonde pair and walked to his bag.

Why Mirage would want someone like him was a mystery to Albel. Albel had no feelings for Mirage, but he did have respect for her. The way she carried herself was one of her good qualities. She was also the type that didn't speak often. In Albel's mind, there was a lot to be said about a person who only spoke when deemed necessary and never babbled uselessly.

He also knew that in a fight, Mirage could beat Cliff without breaking a sweat. At least when he had fought Nel, the fight was intense and not one sided.

He scanned the room and found the red head retrieving her dagger. As she bent to grab the item, he noticed the blood smears on the wall over her. A needle of pain shot through him. He had caused the pattern on the wall when he had knocked her into it.

The pain dissolved when he remembered the blow she had dealt at that time. She was truly a force to recon with…his force to recon with. Turning so no one could see, he smiled.

"Well," Cliff piped up. "Looks like we'll have to find another way out." He was looking over Mirages shoulder.

"Agreed," Nel responded, putting her dagger in its sheath. "When I first got here, I had the Ring of Disintegration. I…I lost it sometime ago. Maybe it's here somewhere."

"That's a start. Maybe we can find it." Mirage smiled at Cliff before breaking their embrace.

In a silent agreement, the four began to scan the room for the lost ring.

During the search, Cliff found it hard to stray too far from Mirage. He had a mind full of questions.

"Hey, Mirage?"

"Yes, Cliff?"

"Well, how long ago did you…err…fall for me?"

She smiled and met his eyes with hers. "It's hard to say, really. I know it was definitely sometime before the start of Quark."

Cliff chuckled. "You mean that long ago. Why didn't ya say something?"

Mirage blushed. She didn't blush too often and Cliff had a hard time recalling the last time he had seen her do such.

"I was waiting for you to make the first move."

Cliff slapped his head. "I must be an idiot. I mean, this whole time and I figured you would just laugh at me."

He was suddenly overcome with guilt. He didn't recall exactly when his feelings for her started, but he knew it was well before the start of Quark. The two had practically grown up together. She was so close to his family that his father treated her like the daughter he never had.

All that time…he would joke around, trying to get a hint, but she never made it clear. Either that or he never saw it. She never seemed jealous when he looked or commented on another 'hot chick'. He had done so intentionally, hoping for a response. Maybe she just felt like he did…He thought it was better to have her in his life one way or the other, even if that meant nothing more.

But now a whole new door was open to him. He might come across, to those who didn't know him, as the type to never settle down. But in truth he was just waiting. It was like a dream. His wait was over.

He put his hand on her cheek. Her skin was warm and she blushed brighter. He couldn't imagine a time she looked more beautiful then she did at that moment. He leaned forward, still hesitating slightly. Everything was moving along faster then he ever thought possible. He still feared rejection.

Only one way to find out, he thought.

He didn't have to lean in any further. While he had hesitated, she took it upon herself to finish what he started. She knew he still had doubts and fears. She wanted to ease his mind. She wanted to let him know it was…that they were both in this together. She kissed him.

Nel walked across the room, making sure to give the two blondes their space. She stopped at Albel's side. He was rummaging through his bag.

He stopped briefly and looked at her. Then he continued his search, finally pulling out a small bag. He opened the bag and allowed her to look inside. The bag was filled with small pieces of sugar coated bread.

He held it up, offering her some. She took a piece and ate it. "Albel, where did you get that from? That's the best sugar bread I've ever had."

"You really like it?" He kept his voice at a whisper. He didn't like the feeling that his words would be heard by others. Especially since he found it hard to talk harshly to her. Maybe when they got out of this place, Nel would agree to fight him again. He had to admit that fighting her had excited him.

She pulled another piece and ate it. "No, Albel, I'm just saying that to be nice." She took a third before she stopped.

He smiled. "It's my mother's recipe."

Nel nodded. "Who fixed it?" She almost laughed when the mental picture of Albel in an apron entered her head.

"Humph. Who do you think?" He ate a piece himself. "It is, after all, my mother's recipe. It's also the only thing you'll ever catch me cooking."

Her eyes grew wide. No, he wasn't joking. He had actually fixed the bread himself.

Before she could respond, Cliff piped up. "Way to go Albel! You just might make a good homemaker yet." He chuckled.

Albel scowled at him. Cliff backed up and smiled. "C'mon, you know I'm just teasing! It's a J-O-K-E."

Albel didn't appreciate his joke. By all means, Albel just couldn't stand him period. The blonde really treaded on his last nerve.

"Ok, guys. Enough's enough," Mirage broke in.

"Yeah, let's just get back to finding a way out."

Albel looked at Nel and nodded, but refused to speak.

Both the ladies looked at Cliff and frowned.

Cliff shook his head. "Hey, I was just trying to be friendly."

Mirage couldn't help but to love him for that. He was so innocent sometimes. She found it very cute. "Maybe the two of you just shouldn't talk. Now, let's get back to the search."

"Oh man!" Cliff mumbled to himself. "And I was really looking forward to trying some of that bread." He walked away from Albel and scanned the floor.

The search had not been long resumed before Nel broke the silence. "I found it."

All eyes met her. She was standing by the cave-in. In her hand was the ring, its band nearly broken in half.

"Humph." Albel was the first to approach her. He hadn't gone that far from her to search. "Think it will work?"

Nel frowned at the broken ring as she turned it over in her hand. The glowstone set in the ring was still in one piece. She hoped that to be a good sign.

Mirage stood beside her. "Can you give it a try, Nel?"

Nel nodded and turned to the blocked exit. "Stand back." The three followed her warning. She pressed her thumb to the back of the glowstone to imitate wearing the ring since there was no way to put it on. She focused on the rock pile in front of her.

A sigh of relief left everyone behind her – everyone but Albel who watched silently – as the rocks disintegrated. The way out was finally cleared.

Albel was the first to move. He swept past the blondes, retrieved his bag, and headed to the exit. Nel followed closely behind. Cliff and Mirage looked at each other. They didn't have to speak to agree to follow at a distance. Neither of the blondes had a problem with giving the other couple some room.

Albel didn't walk fast. He paced himself so that Nel was never out of hearing range. "Now you are free of me."

Nel chuckled. "No. I can never be free of you…not now."

He glanced back at her. "So, you are mine now." He gave her an evil grin. His words were more of a demand then a question.

She smiled back. "You'll have to beat me first."

"Ah, a competition. Good. I'll take you. Name the time, the place, and the stakes."

She smirked. "Tomorrow, in the field between Arias and Kirlsa." He had slowed his pace and she now walked beside him. "The stakes…let's see…the winner will decide on the date for the wedding."

He stopped dead in his tracks, unable to speak. Had she just said wedding?

She laughed. "Either that, or the winner can name the first born. Which ever comes first." She kept walking, laughing hysterically. He was so much more fun to joke with then she ever imagined. The only thing was; she wasn't joking.

Cliff and Mirage followed, hand in hand. Though both had heard the conversation, neither responded as they watched Albel turn to follow Nel. For now, both were just happy to be together.

Cliff gently squeezed her hand. She squeezed back. They had long ago learned to talk to each other without words. Now, they could expand their unspoken vocabulary.

Nel rounded the corner to the exit and stopped when she heard voices. She motioned for Albel to keep low and follow her example. She waved to the Klausians behind them to do the same.

Kneeling behind the boulder, the four could easily hear and identify the voices. Nel crouched at the front of the rock, followed by Albel, then Mirage, and finally Cliff.

"Spill it. Really, father, why did you use that potion in the first place? What obligation is it you have to Nel?" That was definitely the voice of Clair.

The next voice was unmistakably Adray's. "I fought side by side with her father, remember. You and Nel are good friends because the families were close. After her father's death…well…someone had to look out for her like a father would. I'm simply doing for her what you won't allow me to do for you."

She hit him again. "What if no one wants your help in their love lives? Ever think of that?"

He chuckled. "I'm an expert match maker. Who wouldn't want my help?"

Nel stood and stepped around the corner. "I don't!" Anger flashed in her eyes.

Adray was taken by surprise and jumped. "Hehehe…Nel, what are you doing here?" He tried to fringe ignorance.

"What did you do, old man," Albel spoke harshly as he stood behind Nel.

Adray glanced from one to the other continuously, searching for an excuse. "Hey, look, everyone's okay. No harm done."

"No harm?" Cliff stepped out from behind the couple. "I fell through the roof, and was stuck in a room with this psycho." He waved his thumb at Albel.

Albel ignored Cliff, keeping his eyes locked on Adray.

"Huh? Where'd you come from? Last time I looked in that room, only Nel and Albel were there." Adray's mouth grew dry.

"Looked? You mean you were there…wait…you caused that cave-in!" Nel raised her voice.

Albel growled. "You fool! You nearly crushed her!"

Mirage emerged beside Cliff. "Clair? Did you something about a potion?"

Clair nodded. "He used a potion in the farewell toast. Seems more then just Nel and Albel were affected, I see."

Mirage nodded.

Albel continued to growl at Adray.

Cliff shook his head. He couldn't help but thinking – Man, why didn't I think of that?

Nel was growing angrier. She was in control of her life and didn't appreciate anyone overstepping her boundaries. "When I get my hands on you, you will pay!"

Adray backed up slowly as Nel approached him. He turned and ran. Nel ran after him.

Albel let out a small chuckle. "I wouldn't miss this even if the king demanded so himself." At that, he took off to follow the angry red head. He would enjoy watching her fight.

Cliff scratched his head and smiled. "Looks like things may never get back to normal."

Clair looked at the two. "Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize," Mirage said.

Cliff was about to add his thoughts in when a voice from behind distracted him. He turned to see Fayt walking the dirt path. His head was down. He hadn't noticed the three watching him.

"Man, I'm late." Fayt was mumbling to himself. "Why didn't I look at the calendar earlier? The full moon was last night!"

Fayt looked up when he was nearly to the entrance of the cave. He immediately spotted Cliff. "What…"

Cliff cut him off. "Just go down the tunnel to the left, and then take the third fork to the right. After that, keep straight and you're there."

Fayt gave him a look of complete confusion. He shook his head and followed Cliff's directions without another word.

"Oh my," Clair gasped. "Him too?"

Cliff looked at the two ladies. "Maybe we should stick around and see who follows him."

When it came to affairs of love, Cliff was a very curious creature.

Mirage grabbed him by the arm and started to lead him toward Arias. "Let's just let him be."

She smiled. He followed.

Clair followed the Klausians back to the village.

As dusk started to settle over the land, a distant cry for help could be heard. Maybe, just maybe, Adray had finally learned his lesson.

End

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Yes, that's right…Adray was behind the whole thing. I didn't mean to lead to the possibility of it being Cliff – I was looking through the game script for his lines while trying to keep him a mystery.

And who was Fayt there to see? Well, I never really was into a Fayt x anyone, but if I had to choose…well, let's just say that as far as I see from the other fics, my choice isn't the most popular. So kill me for liking the one character a lot like to bash :P

I hope that was a good ending.