Hello, there! My longest chapter yet, I think...And probably one of the best I've written. To me, anyway...

Raine: You sound confident, don't you?

Indeed...Well, anyway--

Raine: Tell me, what did you twist this time?

I didn't twist anything, missy. Now shush and let me get on with the chapter!

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"Take care of yourself, Genis," she said softly.

The boy smiled. "You, too. Don't get kidnapped anymore, okay?"

"I'll try my best, but I can't make any promises." Raine gave a slight smile as well, holding her staff so that the bottom rested on Meltokio's pavement, the tip pointing to the clear sky. Colette, Lloyd, Sheena and Zelos were near them too, to bid all adeu, and on the other side of them stood Regal.

The two were going to continue their journey around Symphonia, Genis was going back to Palmacosta to resume his neglected schooling, Lloyd and Colette were to continue on their "exsphere journey," and Sheena was to stay in Meltokio with Zelos for a while before going back to Mizuho. The events of the previous night had not been forgotten by either traveller, but they had silently and mutually agreed to not put much store by them. After all, it wasn't an option, and they both knew it.

The three teenagers waved at them til they were out of sight, and Regal and Raine turned to the other two adults - if Zelos could be called an adult. "Same goes for us, too. You two be careful; Deryn's still out there somewhere, and chances are she's not going to be happy if you all meet again," said Sheena.

"Deryn is a wanted criminal now," Regal told her. They had informed the King of recent events, and there was an all-out bulletin going around for Deryn Salri. "However, if she does manage to slip by unnoticed, she would, indeed, be dangerous."

"That seems to be something she's good at," Raine piped in, drily. They still hadn't figured out how she had gotten out of the cabin below deck. Of course, she wasn't too keen on remembering that night anyway.

"Just be careful," the Summoner repeated, nodding at them.

"We will," both assured her in unison. Blue eyes met as they glanced at eachother, then looked away as they tried to make it casual. Raine and Regal glared at the other two as they, too, shared glances. But they were sly smirks, suggestive looks.

"Do I hear wedding bells?" Zelos grinned wickedly, and ex-convict and Half-Elven mage took a tiny, unconcious step away from eachother. This, of course, only made Sheena and Zelos' grins wider.

"You're delusional," said Regal flatly.

Taken aback, she stayed silent in this exchange. Raine blinked at the ground, her brow furrowed. That little comment of his..."Delusional." It had hurt.

Did he really find such an idea so rediculous? What was wrong with her? She was his friend, plain and simple, and apparently to him, any more than that was laughable. Now there was a flattering thought for you. She gave an inward sigh, and glared at Zelos again to hide her troubled ponderings.

"I wouldn't be so sure, Mister President," smirked Zelos. "Behave, you two!" Turning, he started back into Meltokio, leaving Raine and Regal alone on the outskirts of the city. There was silence between them for a few minutes, before he motioned that they should get going. She nodded, staying quiet while they walked to a place suitable for taking off.

It was minute or two before Regal realized that she had slowed to a halt a few paces behind. Turning half way, he looked quizically at her. "Raine?" he prodded, turning completely. "Is something wrong?"

She lifted her gaze to meet his, with an expression he'd never seen in her eyes before, an expression he couldn't read. "Delusional?" she said, quietly.

"What--?"

"That's what you said." Her voice had risen a little, to one of...anger? An injured tone, offended. What had he done to her? "To Zelos, just now. Referring to the idea of anything more than friendship between us. Is that really what you think?"

He frowned at her. "I was putting an end to Zelos' irritating accusations." He realized a moment too late that the wording he'd used didn't help things.

"Accusations? Delusions? This just keeps getting better." Raine definately sounded hurt, now. The expression he hadn't recognized at first now registered as the look of one who felt rather insulted. He had wounded her, and he hadn't meant to.

"Raine - that's...not what I meant--"

"No? Then what, exactly, does 'irritating accusations' mean?" It wasn't a glare, exactly, but it definately wasn't a smile. She was certainly not happy with him.

Silence fell again as he stared at her, trying desperately to come up with a way to apologize without making it worse, as he had just a moment ago. His stomach had tightened, and now gave another nauseating jump as her expression softened to a very sad look while she lowered her gaze.

He couldn't let himself feel any more than a sense of close friendship for her, it wouldn't be right. He couldn't do it, lest he turn his back on Alicia and the sins of his past. He just couldn't. Could he? Regal started to extend a hand toward her, but pulled it back quickly.

She was out of bounds, out of his reach - he couldn't let himself care for anyone as he had cared for Alicia. And he needed to tell her that. "Raine, I...There can't be anything more than that."

"Because anyone with the idea of having a romantic relationship with a Half-Elf is 'delusional,'" she said, anger present in her hardening tone.

"No," Regal said, firmly. "It has absolutely nothing to do with your race."

"Then it's just me."

"No!" he growled. The Duke rubbed his forehead, trying to regain composure, to avoid snapping at her again. That little outburst had actually made her flinch, however lightly. Confident that his tone was softer, calmer, he continued. "No, it is not. There is nothing wrong with you, Raine - you are a lovely woman, I assure you. But it has to do with...what I've done."

"Alicia," she murmerred.

Regal almost winced. Whether because of the saddened, almost dreamy voice she used, or the name, he didn't know. "Yes. Alicia. To allow anyone to get that close to me would be fair neither to she, nor Alicia. I can't let go of what I've done, Raine." This time he did move forward, to grip the sides of her arms just below her shoulders. "And I know I cannot love two."

"Regal," said the Mage, looking up at him now with something like a frown. "It was eighteen years ago. You went to prison for sixteen of them, of your own free will. You kept your hands bound until well after the reunification of the two worlds. You've punished yourself thoroughly!"

Not enough, he thought, with a twinge of guilty sadness. He couldn't say anything, however, as Raine continued on with her speech. "You spoke to her, remember? Two years ago. She told you to stop beating yourself up over it - you did what needed to be done. And you went part of the way, didn't you? You took off the shackles, you released yourself from that. Why can't you release yourself from these barriers you've set up?

"Let someone get close to you. Allow yourself to let go, and to love again. I know you've been through horrible tragedies, Regal, and I know it's hard. But isn't there a chance that someone can help you get over it? Wouldn't it be easier with someone beside you?" Her gaze remained unwavering, though she was mildly surprised at what she'd just said. Had he taken it the way it sounded? Did she mean it the way it sounded?

Regal didn't answer right away, his eyes locked with hers. Yes, it probably would be easier. But did he deserve something "easy"? Something in her face told him that she thought he did, that she genuinely wanted him to let up on his constantly punishing himself for something that happened so long ago.

"Is...that an offer?" he asked her after a moment, his voice quiet and gentle.

"...Yes. I suppose it is." Raine's voice had taken on the same tone, the spark in her eyes having softened.

"Raine--"

She silenced him by shaking her head, which sent hair into her face. She ignored it for the moment, deeming this more important. "Don't push me away," she murmerred. "Let me help you."

Regal let go of one of her arms to brush her hair to the side with a soft touch. He was sure she could hear his heart hammer painfully - yet somehow wonderfully - in his chest. "Are you...are you certain about this?"

She caught his hand in hers. "Absolutely."

Another silent moment passed before anything happened, a moment in which both gazes remained unwavering, hands joined, and hearts pounding. Then, with the hand not holding hers, he drew her head closer. As he lowered himself, she pushed herself up on tip-toe accordingly, until their lips met in the first kiss.

The first kiss, of a promising relationship.

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There! It's finally happened! You two make the cutest couple.

Raine: ... -Blushing furiously-

Awww, looky there. I made her blush! It's not exactly hard to do in this fiction, though, is it? Oh! But what about Deryn? Where's she? This fic isn't over yet!