A/N: Remember to vote for who should interrupt their kiss! The other characters who are voted in will eventually get their own chance, but the winner gets the honor of being the first to do so! Hee hee. Currently, the votes go as such:

Yuan: 1

Genis and Yuan: 3 (since Healing Wind couldn't make up his/her mind, I decided to use both of them..)

Colette: 2

For ArissaMay, PLEASE only choose one character, or specifically say that you want it to be Genis AND Zelos.

Lloyd sat on the bunk of his bed, dejectedly stirring a lumpy bowl of stew with coarse, black bread. His swords stripped from him, all he had were empty scabbards. It wasn't as though they had taken his father's swords, just his wooden training ones, but still. A swordsman without swords was like a... like a fisherman without fish.

Hungry.

"At least they're feeding me," he muttered, dipping a finger in the stew and dabbing it against the tip of his tongue. He made a face and put the bowl aside, munching on the bread instead. "...This sucks." Wiping the crumbs off of his lap, he flopped down onto the hard mattress, staring at the ceiling and wondering if he should use his sorcerer's ring somehow when he heard a rap at the cell door.

"Lloyd, you must wake up."

Lloyd shot up and rushed to the door. "Regal!" he said, grinning. "You came to bust me out?"

"Not quite," Regal said, waiting for a guard to open the door. "I paid the fine for you."

"...You didn't need to do that, but I'll overlook it for now," Lloyd said. He banged on the door. "Just let me out! It's dark in here."

"One moment, Lloyd," Regal said, coming into view. There was a jangling of keys and Lloyd bounced on the balls of his feet, eagerly waiting for it to open. When it did, the first thing he saw was a small, pink-haired stranger walking up to him. Lloyd's eyes widened to the size of saucers at the sight of the pretty girl who seemed to know him so well.

"Presea?" he asked, incredulous.

"Hello again, Lloyd," Presea said. "Sheena bought them..." she looked down at her cutesy outfit and tried not to make a face. Regal said little girls didn't look nice when they made odd faces.

Lloyd beamed, bending down and hugging her. "You look really cute, Presea! Sheena has good taste in clothes."

Regal allowed himself a smile. It was true- Regal had always known what would look best on himself, but for young girls he was hopelessly lost. "I bought your swords back as well," he said, leading him out of the dark confines of the dungeon. "I'd suggest you don't provoke total strangers any more, but I should know better than to try and sway the mind of Lloyd Irving." After making their way past the guards, Regal and Lloyd made their way up the Meltokio castle stairs, very careful to leave obvious mud tracks in the royal red carpet. Lloyd wasn't about to tried carefully after he was wrongfully arrested by some pig.

Another guard was waiting outside, Lloyd's swords in hand. Lloyd held them lovingly for a moment before sheathing them, looking extremely pleased with himself. "And here," Regal added, handing Lloyd a slip of paper. "Keep it with you when you're in Meltokio. It's a permit saying you can have your weapons with you outside."

"Ha! Take that mister short bald and ugly!" Lloyd said, stuffing the papers in his pocket. "The next time he bothers me with this crap about no swords allowed, I'll show him..." He shook his head, muttering dark things before looking up at Regal. "Thanks, buddy," he said, "But you could have at least said something when this all started! Aren't you a Duke? Couldn't you have told him off?"

Regal had an answer ready, as usual. "Laws are all signed by the King. If he was following a law set down by the King, and I defied him, I would be in turn defying the King himself." He smiled wryly. "See how it works? In any case, Colette is waiting for you at Zelos's house." He turned, one hand protectively on Presea's back, leading her down the streets with Lloyd following behind. Since the noble's district was so close to the Castle, they arrived in short time, but Presea and Regal stopped at the door.

"And I am afraid this is where we must part," he said, gravely. Even Presea looked down in the mouth.

"Awww! Why?" Lloyd said, widening his chocolate brown eyes to an absurd size.

Regal was prepared for this tactic. "Because I'm the President of a very important company. I can't act like Zelos and leave everything to someone else. I have responsibilities."

Lloyd sighed. "I guess you're right..." he said. He brightened almost at once though. "I'll come visit you soon, though! I won't get so busy that it takes a big coincidence for us all to meet each other like this!" Grinning, he slapped Regal on the back. "And next time I won't be so out of shape you can just walk all over me."

Regal smiled.

"Good bye, Lloyd. Please take care of yourself."

"You too, Presea. Bye!" He watched them walk away, waving until they were out of site. Then his arm flopped to his side. "...Phooey," he muttered. "They're gone. Man..." sighing heavily, he strolled into the house, where Colette was probably waiting for him

"Hey guys, I'm-" he started, but stopped dead as he found Zelos and Sheena on the floor, Sheena on top of Zelos in what looked like a very erotic pose.

(A/N: And now, to a few minutes before this...)

"Lloyd got arrested," Colette and Sheena said at the same time, as soon as they opened the doors of the mansion to find Zelos lying in wait for the swordsman. Raine followed a few steps behind, her bag in one hand and a book in the other. She mutely walked past the red headed Ex- Chosen and sat down on a nearby chair, dropping the bag to the floor, and began to read.

Zelos spared her an amused glance before turning to the other two girls. "Again?" he asked.

"Again," they both agreed. Sheena continued: "Regal went to get him and we decided to come back here, since it was getting dark."

"Pfft," was Zelos's opinion on the matter. "Was he arrested for carrying swords? I should have warned him about that..." He sat back down, carelessly throwing an arm around the oblivious Professor and resting his head on her shoulder. "Anyway, I just wanted to give you all a gift."

"I'm not marrying you no matter what you give me," Sheena warned him.

"...Damn." Zelos said, snapping his fingers. "But this is just for my overreaction earlier. You all can check them out now, if you want. It has to do with your Rheiards."

"I think I'll just go to my room..." Colette said, trudging past Zelos and following a maid that popped out of nowhere to escort her through the mansion.

Sheena and Zelos watched her go, waiting until she was out of ear shot to say, "Whoa."

"She must be really upset about Lloyd," Zelos said.

"I know!" Sheena shook her head in amazement. "I don't ever remember her being like this about anything. You think there's more to it than just Lloyd?"

"Beats me," Zelos shrugged, turning his head to nuzzle the Professor's neck. There was a blur of orange and a resounding smack, and Zelos was on the floor, clutching the top of his head. Raine's temple throbbed for a moment before she, too, walked off.

"I'll retire as well," she said, flipping open the book to try and find the page she was reading. Sheena smirked at the Ex-Chosen, who made a face at her.

"She doesn't seem too heartbroken," Zelos said, crawling back up into the sofa and planting his face in the cushion. "Ugh. Sheena?" His hand groped about on a nearby table until he found a bell. Ringing it, a maid soon appeared with a bag of ice. He gratefully smushed it against his head. "Sheena..."

"What?"

"I need a hug."

"...No."

"Oh, fine."

"Why don't you just use First Aid on yourself?"

"I was hoping you'd hug me instead," he shifted so that he was peering at her from under fiery reed strands of hair. Overly large blue eyes shimmered miserably, but to no avail. Sheena crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. "Gah! You're not fun anymore." He tossed the ice bag to the side and put a hand to his head. "First Aid," he said. After a moment he sat up, smiling brightly at Sheena. "Hey, that does help a little."

Sheena shook her head. "You're hopeless."

"Hmmm," he said. "But not so hopeless as you."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

Wordlessly, Zelos drew a folded piece of paper out of nowhere. Sheena raised an eyebrow. Unfolding it, he began to read: "'Shining, golden hair,'" he said loudly, and comprehension dawned on Sheena's face. "The angel of Salvation-"

"I'm going to kill you!" Sheena squeaked, horrified. She ran up to Zelos, trying to snatch the paper away, but he leapt over the side of the couch, laughing insanely and reading still from the haiku in his hand.

"The angel of- ahahah!" He ran around a table, Sheena cursing and chasing him. "Salvation!" He stopped, slamming his hands down on the table to face Sheena, who was on the opposite side. She darted to the left, and he quickly ran to the right. She made a few feints before diving headfirst across the table.

"Whoop!" He dodged the ninja and ran off, reading the last line, "'When will you be mine?' Ah ahahhahahaha! Hurf!" The wind was knocked out of him as Sheena bowled straight into the Ex-Chosen, grasping for the paper. Sheena pressed him up against the wall, her fingers stretching to reach the haiku. "Nuh uh!" He said, childishly holding it far above her head. "You've got to reach for it, baby."

"I am not going to play your games, Zelos!" She growled, kicking his feet out from under him. He fell like a lead weight, and Sheena quickly pounced on top of him. He grabbed one of her arms with his free hand, trying to keep her from moving.

"I'll give it to you if you marry me," he said. "Please, Sheena. It only has to be for a year or so. Then she'll get tired of me."

"Why me?" Sheena finally asked. She stopped struggling and looked down at Zelos, asking what had been on her mind for a while. "Why not one of your hunnies? I'm sure any of them would do it in a heartbeat. I just can't shake the feeling that you're doing this just to have some excuse, like, 'Now you have to kiss me in public, Sheena. After all, we need to keep up the illusion of being married!'"

"That's not why I-"

"Don't tell me it hasn't crossed your mind." She sat up, wrenching her arm free from Zelos's grasp.

Zelos's shoulder's slumped. "You're always so harsh, Sheena. Are you going back on your promise?"

"What promise?"

"Two years ago. Duh." was all he said, but he could tell she remembered from the far away look in her eyes, and how she let her guard down for once.

"Zelos... it's me. Can I come in?"

"Well if it isn't my volu- ...Sheena? Are you OK?"

"I... I need to talk to someone."

"Shouldn't you be asleep? What's up? Don't look so down in the mouth, hunny! Come on inside, I promise I won't pull anything."

"I... did forget," Sheena admitted, trying to snap back to reality. "I guess I thought you were only teasing me."

"Who, me? Nahh."

"I'm in love with Colette," Sheena said. She stood at the window, looking at the snowflakes flutter to the floor and meld with the snowy ground. Zelos was sitting cross-legged on the bed, watching her. He was unusually serious, pouring a glass of ice-cold water for her. He had a bottle of Flanoir potion, but he was planning to share that with Lloyd. "Or I was. I was walking outside when I saw her and Lloyd..." she sighed, frustrated.

"So why are you telling me?" he asked, wondering if maybe he should break out that bottle after all. He did, dumping the water back into the pitcher and pouring out the potion. "I don't know anything about love. Well, except love for myself, but you know how that is."

Sheena shook her head before resting it against the glass. "I don't know. We used to be friends. I guess I thought we still were."

"What!" he said, walking up to her and handing her a cup. "Of course we are. I never stopped. You were the one who got all man-hating lesbian on me."

"I don't hate men. I can't. Not after meeting Lloyd. I can't hate him, even if Colette loves him- or especially because she does. But I don't hate men..."

"You sure don't love 'em." Zelos chuckled. "I remember when you made that visit to Imperial Research Academy. I was well on the path to being Valedictorian when I caught you in the broom closet with.. oh, what was her name?"

"Stop teasing me," she said quietly, lowering her head until her messy black bangs covered her eyes.

"What? I'm stating the truth. You stopped being nice to me after we grew up, and I started liking girls- And you started liking them too."

Shaking her head, she roughly slammed the untouched glass of potion on the desk. "Never mind. I should have known better than to come here- you're probably just hoping one day I'll be bi like you and join in your sick games."

He caught her as she tried to shove her way past him to the door, startling her by wrapping his arms about her shoulders and waist in a close embrace. She tensed, expecting his hands to start roaming along her backside, but eventually he could feel the muscles start to relax. Sheena reached up and fiercly hugged him around the waist, her hands clutching at the soft pink fabric as she tried her best not to act like a girl and start sniffling. She turned her face away, resting her cheek against his chest so he couldn't see her, how close she was to the breaking point after all that had happened sofar andknowing that this night in Flanoir could be their last.

He'd promised not to try anything and, well, he was doing his best. "There," he said, sliding one hand up to cup the back of her neck. "Hugs work, don't they?"

Hesitantly, she nodded against his chest, not daring to speak.

"I promise I won't try anything with you if you promise not to hate men," he said. "A permanent truce. How does that sound?"

Sheena shrugged, but was gentle when she pushed him away. And when she left, she seemed reluctant to go, or so it seemed to Zelos. Looking back, he thought he should have invited her to spend the night, but she probably would have taken it the wrong way.

Sheena stood on the other side of the door, wanting to go back inside, but too shy to do so. She was left feeling cold and lonely that night as she returned to her room, remembering the warmth of Zelos so close to her only making it worse. She didn't want any man to make her feel that way, especially Zelos. Looking back, she still wondered if maybe she was bisexual for suddenly wanting him, or merely so lonely should would have taken anyone if they had offered it.

The next morning, she was waiting for him when he walked out of his room. "I promise," was all she said before speeding off, her face red at even admitting last night had happened.

Zelos reached up and touched her shoulder, making her jump. "So?" He asked. "When you never came to visit me when the journey was over, I figured you'd forgotten about it."

"Hey, I was busy renovating Mizuho, I'll have you know." She tried to glare at him, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She glanced away. "I thought you had forgotten."

"Nope. I still think hugs make everything better."

She laughed, despite herself. Then she bent down and gave him an awkward hug, quickly letting go of him. "Just give me the stupid poem. I wrote that ages and ages ago, and you know it. I'm totally cool with Colette and Lloyd now."

"I don't know..." he said slowly.

"It's pretty lame when it's not in the Mizuho language," she said. "I guess I was thinking I was going to give it to her eventually."

"I'll give it to you if you marry me."

"That again? Just ask one of your hunnies, Zelos."

"Gah! Them! They're just as bad as little Miss Epiphany. At least with you, we could both go on seeing whomever we wanted and not get upset about it. Come on, Sheena!" he took on a pleading voice. "There's no strings attached. You don't even have to live with me. Though it would be nice if you visited me..."

"No means no, Zelos. You might not think there'll be strings, but there will be. Marriage is a big deal in most parts of the world you know."

"We'll be divorced within the year," he said, decisively. "I can arrange it. And come on! If you're going be a lesbian, this is your only chance to see what it feels like to walk down the aisle." He gave her a sad smile. "Not everyone is as open-minded as me. You won't be able to be officially together with Raine."

Whatever sense he might have made until then shattered. "I told you," she said, grabbing his shirt collar and lifting him up, "I don't like Raine! And she's not gay."

"Of course she is," Zelos said, confused. "Goddess, don't you know?"

Sheena's heart stopped for a moment. "Know what?"

"The Professor is bisexual..." he said slowly, a smile beginning to spread across his face as surely as a frown did Sheena's.

"You're joking!" she said, clapping both hands to her mouth.

And that's when Lloyd walked in.