id:2868736

-Bounces up- Howdy, y'all!

Raine: Oh, boy...-Facepalm- She's gotten even stranger. Which probably means this chapter will be worse than the others.

Don't make me hit you!

Raine: With what? I'm an imaginary character you've harnassed to assist you in these introductions and endings, when in fact I really do not exist in the real, mortal world - and I assure you, if I did, I would not be stooping to your level. Which, I might add, is on the negative side of the numberline.

...Huh?

Raine: My point, exactly.

Whatever...Here we go!

By the way: the circumstances of this scene/chapter come pretty much directly from an episode of Star Trek: Voyager ("Resolutions"), which happens to be one of my favorite shows ev-ar. So... Thank you, Paramount, for this setup and idea and execution of this chapter! I don't own the rights of originality here.


Regal leaned back against the wall of the Inn room, staring at the wooden floor boards in thought. Raine was out, taking a walk with Colette and Genis, somewhat against her will. She had protested feebly when the idea arose, but Genis Sage's infamous pout had broken her. Raine.

What was it that made him feel so...jumpy around her? It wasn't because he was frightened of her - it was an entirely different sensation from fear. He found his thoughts straying toward her at strange times, found himself remembering what it was like to find out that she was alive and well. Relief, joy, and something else. What was happening? Where was Alicia during all this?

He looked up as the door opened, permitting a tired looking Raine to pass through before she closed it with a soft click again. "Did you enjoy your walk?" he asked her, trying to push away his thoughts.

She gave a weary, half-hearted smile. "I suppose so. Most of the time was spent listening to Colette go on and on about her journey with Lloyd. Every so often, Genis or I would get a few words in, she'd smile, and then continue on." She closed her eyes, sitting in a chair with a very drained air about her, her hand up on her shoulder hear her neck.

"Are you alright?" asked Regal, straightening to approach her.

"I'm fine," she mumbled. "It just took more out of me than I thought it would." She started to rub her shoulder as he reached her side. Shoving his feelings aside, he reached around to lay a hand to her forehead.

"Your fever is returning. You shouldn't push yourself - Raine, are you hurt?" She was still rubbing her shoulder up near her neck, her lips pursed.

"No, I'm just," she winced, "stiff. That's all."

"May I help?" he asked, moving behind her. Her eyes opened slowly, the usually sparked violet-blue now somewhat dulled with fatigue.

"What?" she asked, frowning.

"You helped me. I want to return the favor." A small smile played on his lips. "I'm not going to hurt you," Regal added, quoting her from when she'd healed his back. "Don't worry."

Slowly, she lowered her hand and sat up straighter. Nodding, though she was facing away, he softly laid his hands on her shoulders, to massage them. Though strong, he could be quite gentle. As soon as his hands had made contact, he felt the familiar fluttering feeling in his stomach, and chided himself for it. That was a childish response, just like at the ball, where people had stopped to watch their dance.

The dance. The storm. He'd been close to her in both circumstances, and memories came flooding back. Thoughts he had forgotten, and another wave of school-boy jitters came back to him as he continued his therapy. She was, apparently, enjoying it, for her eyes had sliped closed and the ghost of a contented smile was displayed on her fair features.

The awkward tension seemed to hit them both at once. Her eyes opened, his constant kneading slowed to a halt, and blood rushed to both faces. Raine stood rather quickly as Regal stepped backward, and nearly caused herself to topple over. Somehow keeping both balance and dignity, she took a baby step away from him and attempted to look passive.

He cleared his throat quietly, looking slightly to the side. "Is it...any better?" he asked, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Y-yes. Thank you, Regal." Her face was still flushed, and there was really nothing she could do about it. It did help that he wasn't looking directly at her, however.

Sheena's and Zelos' reactions to what they had witnessed played back in both adults' minds, and Regal shoved it away with the other fleeting thoughts. They were friends, nothing more, and nothing less. Alicia was his one and only love - wasn't she?

It wasn't anything more than a nice gesture, she thought, firmly. He had only wanted to relieve her - which, of course, had worked beautifully. Her shoulders were thanking him from the very essence of the bone. But why did she feel like this? Why was her face so darn red, and his as well? Wait, his? Yes, Regal's face had flushed with color, too.

But that could have meant anything. For all she knew, it was a reaction to her own face, caused by his guessing her thoughts. If that was right...She willed the coloring not to darken as this came to mind.

"Raine," he said after a moment, trying to meet her gaze steadily.

She looked up without speaking, her hands fidgeting behind her back in the most little-girlish way imaginable. She hated herself for this show of such heavy...feminism, but she couldn't suppress it.

"I believe you should get some rest. If your fever is, indeed, about to set in again, it is best not to strain yourself." It mildly surprised, and yet pleased him, that he was able to get through this sentence without faltering.

"...Perhaps you're right," she agreed, having cleared her throat to strengthen her voice. As he nodded, and turned to leave her to sleep in peace - something she doubted she could do now, after all that had just happened - she spoke again. "Regal..."

He turned halfway back to her, his hand extended toward the door. "Yes?"

Raine blinked, feeling another awkward silence coming on. She wasn't exactly sure what she had wanted to say to him after getting his attention, but she knew she had to say something. So, she went with the classic. "Thank you, again." It was rather simple, but all she could think of.

He quirked a slight smile that looked somewhat forced, and dipped his head. "Think nothing of it. Good night, Raine."

"Good night," she mumbled as the door closed behind him.


Raine: I was right. It is worse.

I thought it was rather cute...

Raine: You would.

...Pfffft. Stay tuned.