A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I love them. They encourage me to write!

(If you want, you can play the song '1000 words piano version' (from FFX-2) during the romantic parts cause that's what I did while writing.

Thanks to Myshu for correcting this story!

Chapter two – Parting is such sweet sorrow

Sunbeams made their way through the window which was half covered with a worn off cloth. An Oglop stirred and jumped from its dusky spot. It hopped down and landed on a pile of bright yellow straw. It settled down comfortingly and cuddled itself. The straw made up for a nice warm spot to rest. Suddenly the straw began to move, causing the Oglop to jump away from it quickly. It landed near a closet and crawled underneath it.

Zidane scratched his blonde hair. He yawned as he placed his feet next to the bed. He grinned and stretched as he remembered the last evening. He had spent it with Ryanne. She worked as a flower girl, near the square where the old lady was selling the infamous pickles. He felt sorry for the girl as he thought about the awful smell. Her flowers made up for it though.

He took his pants from the single chair that stood in the almighty Tantalus Hideout. As he put on his shirt, he could still smell Aengly's perfume. Aengly worked for the transport. Working in the exhaust fumes caused her to increase her dose of perfume for each working day. The scent of roses still covered his shirt from last week.

He could feel a piece of paper inside his jeans. He reached for it to read it, but changed his mind. He fumbled the paper and threw it away carelessly. It was Romy's letter. He knew that relationship would never work.

He stepped outside into the blazing sun. It was a beautiful day. It was a little cold since it was January, but it was wind-still. He started walking towards the transport vehicles.

It was time to get to Alexandria. It was Garnet's birthday. She was eighteen now… They were becoming old, he grinned.

He sat down comfortingly in the bus that went to Lindblum castle. He would meet up with the others there, like last year. And then they would all travel by the Tantalus Airship. A smile appeared on his face. His relationship with Garnet had not decreased since her 17th birthday. He knew he had to keep his distance, but it had been too hard. He couldn't help it. He hadn't been able to prevent her from kissing his cheek, he couldn't escape from her hugs… The smell of blossom and cherries…Of course he was still realistic. They would never be. Garnet didn't know that yet, but he did. He had been searching for the right girl, but to no success. He was a player; he could get any girl he wanted. Ironic really… He could get the daughter from the Hippo family up to the daughter of the duke of Treno, but he couldn't get the one he really wanted. He could have anything but her. This somehow exited him. It was a dirty little secret they shared. They? He didn't know what he meant by 'they.'

As soon as the bus stopped, Eiko came running for him. The eight year old was still pretty much her old self. Still enthusiastic and a little impatient.

"Where the hell 'ave you been?"

"Eiko! Mind your tongue!"

Zidane grinned. Apparently Lady Hilda still hadn't succeeded in turning her into a proper lady. Eiko looked at him curiously.

"I… It was very late last night…"

"That's no excuse!"

Indignant, the little lady turned round and walked back to the group standing before him. He scratched his head and laughed nervously at the narrow faces. Everyone was already there.

Zidane went to greet Lady Hilda and Regent Cid and then he quickly walked to Freya and Fratley. He shook the hand of the famous Dragon Knight.

"Ah Zidane," he said. "Long time no see."

"So how you been?" Zidane asked. Fratley developed the biggest smile on his face. He put his arm around Freya's shoulder. "Never better," the other answered. "Burmecia is coming along just fine and… well…" He looked at Freya who smiled at him lovingly. She looked at Zidane. "We're engaged." Zidane made a small jump in surprise. "Wow! That's great news. Congratulations!" The happy couple nodded at him.

The Airship looked as great as ever. The mermaid on the bow smiled friendly at Zidane as he watched the immense thing. He smiled back at her. If only wood was capable of emotions…He felt happy for Freya and Fratley, but he couldn't help thinking about his own unfortunate situation.

On the airship he was greeted by Blank and Cinna, his two best friends. They had to come to Lindblum all the way via Treno. The boss liked hiding there better than Lindblum, thus leaving all the space and well earned luxury for Zidane. They would perform the play once again. They didn't need practice, they knew it by heart.

They all flew to Alexandria. Amarant, Eiko, Cid, Hilda, Tantalus, Freya and Fratley. Traditionally Zidane would play the lead in 'I want to be your Canary,' together with Ruby. The cowgirl was really having a blast with her own theatre company in Alexandria. She and the non famous star were in a relationship and they made quite the couple. It granted them both fame, and thus popularity. They would meet her in Alexandria.

The trip went as planned. As they docked in Alexandria, all was ready. The lighting, the staging, the sound… All planned very carefully. As the curtain rose for Zidane, he stepped into the light. As he spoke his lines, his eyes immediately focused on the throne. He saw Steiner standing next to Beatrix, and next to Beatrix sat the most wonderful woman he had ever met in his whole life. She looked marvellous. Heck, she always did. His now eighteen year old queen. He had not even a birthday gift prepared for her. His performance was his gift to her. His friendship, his… his love.

After the play they met her in the corridor. She gracefully came walking down the stairs. She really was a queen now. It was sad that she was no longer the young girl Zidane had come to know way back then, two years ago. It was a joy that she was now a grown up young woman with her own responsibilities. She really seemed to have everything under control.

"That was splendid."

She stopped walking and searched the corridor. Her eyes found his, they sent shivers down his spine. Her ever brown eyes always did that to him. How dare they. She smiled faintly at him. Her uncle was the first to congratulate her. She bowed for him and, for the first time, he bowed for her too. She seemed a bit surprised.

"My beautiful niece. May I bow for you to honour you as our queen?"

Garnet blushed and nodded. Cid smiled as he squeezed her hands.

"You have become a fine young woman. I'm sure your father would be proud."

Garnet smiled at these kind words. Lady Hilda congratulated her. Their gifts had already been sent in and were probably located in the store room alongside all the other ones. Zidane tried to step forward but Eiko was quicker. She snatched his spot and hugged her cousin tightly.

"Happy birthday!" She seemed more exited about the whole event than Garnet was. Garnet laughed as she put Eiko down. "Thank you, I hope you are enjoying yourself?"

"Very much!" The girl let her eyes slid past the long tables which were full of plates and dishes. "Oooh! Stew!" Eiko ran as fast as her feet could carry her.

Zidane felt Freya's eyes in his back. He urged himself to step forward and he did.

"Your Majesty," he said and he made a gracious bow with a huge smile on his face. Then he took her hand and kissed it. "I congratulate you with your eighteenth birthday, may your days be happy ones." He spoke in a tone so unnatural for him that it made her laugh. Her laugh was worth to him a 1.000.000 gil. "Thank you," she said, pleasure written all over her face. He bit his lip. "Sorry I haven't got you anything…" She shook her head. "I know it's stupid and-"

"Don't be daft!" She interrupted him. "Having you here beside me is all I want."

That must have caused a painful moment for Cid.

After they had all congratulated her, they went to dine. They toasted, they cheered, they sang. Zidane felt happy, but not complete. There was a hole in his heart that could never be filled. He suspected that Cid had already planned some future husbands for his niece. It wouldn't surprise him at all. Cid was to the point, and very much so if that point happened to be his niece.

After dinner he wanted to go up the tower again to watch the fireworks with her. He wasn't sure if Cid would allow it… Stranger things had happened. He had to do it though. Something told him that it was now or never. When everyone was in the kitchen enjoying their drinks and after dinner chat, he sneaked out. Garnet had just excused herself and he was pretty sure she had gone to refresh. As soon as he was out on the corridor, he ran in the direction of her room. He went up the stairs and froze.

"…What?" He exclaimed. Before him was the girl he had known for ages. Garnet smiled and moved her head from side to side nervously. There was a bit of a blush on her cheeks. His eyes scrolled down her body. Her perfect shape was revealed clearly by the orange suit. She had even recovered her rod from the dust.

"I just… Wanted to remember how it felt."

He looked at her, she looked at him. His eyes, her eyes. Their mind, their body, their soul. It made perfect sense. Without a sound they found themselves in a tight embrace. He stroked her hair. He could smell the blossoms and cherries. How much he wanted to show his love. How much he wanted to kiss her. A kiss filled with love. He wanted to taste her pink lips. He wondered if they tasted like cherries. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft sound.

"Are you crying?"

He could feel her body become a little tense. Feeling like crying himself, he hugged her even more tightly. He wanted to protect her. She shouldn't cry. Whatever it was that made her cry, it would pay. She cleared her throat.

"I'm… scared." She looked up at him. Seeing her wet eyes made his heart bleed. "Can't we just run away… Escape for a while? Just a little while…" She looked down. He gently lifted her chin so that she looked in his eyes. He took her hand. "Let's do it," he said. He eyes grew bigger. "But-" Then she changed her mind. He smiled and she smiled at him. In silence they started running. They ran on without being seen. They ran all the way up the spiral stairway and they stopped once they reached their target.

Breathing heavily to try and catch their breath they grinned at each other. They sat down in an embrace. As they touched the bricks, the first burst of fire works went off in the sky. It sent down a million stars as it exploded. Garnet let out a little shriek at the immense sound of the explosion. She laughed loudly and Zidane followed her example. He held her tightly, frightened as if she were a porcelain doll. Alexandria was so peaceful. Zidane didn't think about the agreement. How could he have been so blind? Blind and stupid? He should have used a soft a long time ago. His love would never die. Thinking about the hurt he could have caused Garnet made him want to throw up. He had already caused her harm by keeping at a distance. If it weren't for the darn agreement he wouldn't have gone from her side. He let his head rest on her soft hair.

"I could stay like this for eternity."

Garnet freed herself from his embrace and looked at him.. He drowned in her eyes. He had to close his to prevent himself from falling. The sudden touch of her lips pressed against his felt so natural that he didn't feel surprised. He embraced her, she moved her hands to the back of his head. Little bursts of energy were pumped through his body. He could taste it. The smell of blossoms and the taste of cherries.

The following morning Zidane awoke in the inn. After refreshing himself a bit he walked to the little boat to take him to Alexandria castle. Garnet had nearly begged him to stay for a couple of days. He had agreed. How could he say no? He felt utterly stupid for leaving the year before. He was not going to make the same mistake twice.

As he reached the other side of the shore he could hear humming… He walked a little closer to the left tower. The humming became louder. Warmth gathered in his chest. The warm feminine voice filled his soul with the sound coming deep from within.

She stopped humming as she noticed him coming up behind her. She kept staring out over Alexandria before turning round to face him, a gentle smile on her face.

"I knew you would find me."

Zidane smiled. She had been humming their song… She only did that when she felt lonely or sad…

"Dagger, why-"

"Shush. Come here."

She took his hand and squeezed it. He followed her gaze. The people of Alexandria were carrying on on their daily basis. Tired from yesterday's celebrations.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yeah."

He glanced at her. There was a smile on her face. She seemed happy. Yet her eyes, although seen from the side, they didn't seem happy. There was a sudden change in them. A change Zidane had never seen before. She now turned her face to him. The sadness was gone.

"Come."

She took him to the peaceful area beyond the harbour. They walked up the stairs to her mother's grave in sheer silence. He didn't know what they sought there, but if Garnet wanted for them to go there, he would follow. He would follow her where he could.

He remained on a respectful distance from the grave as Garnet touched the tombstone and said her prayers. Zidane still didn't fully understand how Garnet could still love her adoptive mother after all she had done. He respected Garnet's feelings more than anything though.

"Zidane…" her voice trembled. Sudden fear took a hold of his heart. She didn't look at him directly but she tilted her head to one side slightly. "Zidane… I am very ill." She managed to suppress a sob. Zidane was nailed to the ground completely. He couldn't respond. Then a sudden heat wave melted his joints and he took one step forward. "What do you mean?" He asked a simple question which yet was complicated. He clenched his fists. Garnet let her head sink down. "Very ill…" It was the only thing she could say. He shook his head and she turned around. Shock hit him as he noticed the tears in her eyes. She forced herself to look him straight in his eyes. With much hardship she gathered courage. She bit her lip to prevent it from trembling, she cleared her throat to prevent it from failing on her. "I… I'm… I'm… dying…" her words were no more than a whisper. The amount of salt and water in her eyes increased. She took a deep breath as she looked up to the sky in pure agony. She hated herself. She hated herself for telling him.

Shock was written all over Zidane's face. It was shock that prevented him from speaking, from moving, from doing anything. A thousand thoughts ran through his head. All on the same time. He prayed that this was a joke. A silly, stupid and cruel joke. His heart yelled at him that it was a joke. Looking at her face took all that away. It was no cruel joke. It was the cruel reality. Someone started talking. After a few seconds it occurred to him that it was in fact he who was talking, he didn't recognise his voice. "How?" His voice sounded weak. Garnet blinked a tear away. "Eidolons." She closed her eyes. "I haven't been feeling well for four months, two weeks and three days now. As my illness lasted Doctor Tot visited me during the second week of my illness. He didn't have a diagnosis. He assumed that I suffered from stress and advised me to rest as often as my status would allow me…" She frowned and paused for a moment. "It didn't help. Uncle Cid and Doctor Tot had become worried and so they invited another doctor. This man had read the book 'The Eidolon and I' in which symptoms of my illness were described. Apparently I suffered from something I had gotten from carrying the Eidolons." Zidane shook his head in disbelief. "I… I am an unique case. It has only once occurred before… That was over a good 250 years ago. That person… He died." She looked at him. Zidane shook his head in fury. "No!" He kept shaking his head. "It can't be! There has to be some kind of antidote!" Garnet shook her head in sadness. "Researchers from all over Gaia have searched for something, anything, but they came up with nothing."

"Then they haven't searched hard enough!" Zidane shouted.

"I will find it for you!" He took her head in his hands and pressed his lips against her pale forehead. "We have gone through so much together. We can take this too. We'll survive... We'll survive…" He started sobbing. As her own tears fell from her eyes she slowly took his hands away from her cheeks and she embraced him. He held her tight and hid his face in her shoulder. He cried. He cried for the first time in twelve years.