A/N: Howdy again! I've returned with chapter three! I see I have at least five people that read my fic. Yay! I didn't think that many would like it. Well, here is chapter three!

Disclamier: I do not own ToS, Namco does.

Chapter 3: Out For Lunch

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Presea had finished telling the group her story, and the room was now silent, each person digesting the news they had just heard. Presea took this oppurtunity to study her friends, and see if she could notice any changes in them.

She started with the young Lloyd Irving, who was sitting on her office couch. He seemed to be the same old Lloyd, with the same short, brown hair, and the same optimistic look on life. The only thing that caught Presea's eyes was his clothing, which was a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a long sleeved red button-up shirt thrown over the white one.

Next she moved on to Colette Brunel. The young eighteen year old was sitting next to Lloyd, his hand resting lightly on top of her's. Presea smiled, guessing that the two had finally admitted their feelings towards each other. Colette did look very happy, Presea decided, and very much the same.

Leaving the happy couple on the couch, Presea turned her attention to the healer of the group, Raine Sage. The older woman looked the pretty much the same, though she had traded her tunic in for a brown, three-quater lenghted sleeved shirt with beaded trim, and she no longer seemed as sad as she had been. Since they were now closer in age, Presea vowed that she would get to know Raine better, and she turned her gaze to Genis.

The young half-elf was standing close to his sister, and staring intently at the floor. He looked different; older now that he had entered his teenage years, though he was still short for his age. His clothing was very similiar to his old outfit, only a darker shade of blue, and Presea couldn't help but feel the young boy's disappointment. She knew that he had had a crush on her, and she figured that his ego must feel a bit deflated, seeing as how he now had no shot at her at all.

Leaving the young Genis Sage to himself, Presea moved her gaze to Sheena, only to find that Miss Fujibayashi was looking at the floor as well. She noticed that the young Mizuho native wore the same clohting as before, and had her jet black hair done up in a similiar fashion, but she also noticed the air of confidence that now surrounded Sheena. Presea smiled, glad that Sheena had finally realized her self-worth, and turned her attention to last of her comrades.

Zelos Wilder sat a top her desk, rubbing his chin and obviously deep in thought. If anybody looked the same as before it was Zelos. Still clad in his white pants and pink jacket, he looked no different than before the worlds were reunited . But the one thing that caught Presea's attention was the air about him. He still exuded cockiness, of course, that was something she was sure that he would never rid himself off, but there was also a pride about him, and it wasn't imitation as it had been before. It real, true-blue, self-pride, and Presea once again felt pleased that her friends were all doing well.

The only one missing from the picture was Lloyd's father, Kratos, but the last she had heard he was floaing somewhere a top Derris-Kharlan, and he was doing well and wished the group the same.

"So..." Genis began, breaking the air of silence, "you really are Presea."

"I am," Presea said. "I hope that you aren't to disappointed, Genis. I would still love to be your friend."

"Of course we're friends!" the young half-elf cried, mortified that Presea would think of such a thing. Just because she was old now, didn't change the fact that she was his friend. "Nothing could change that."

"Thank you, Genis." Presea crossed the room and gave the boy a small hug, causing him to blush furiously.

"So, that necklace makes you look twenty-eight bcause of that blue orb?" Colette questioned, making sure she understood correctly.

"Yes," Presea confirmed, nodding her head.

"Okay." It was obvious that Colette still didn't quite understand, but she beamed up at Presea anyways. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you," Presea replied softly. Her hand went to her neck, and she gently brushed the object. "That means a lot to me." And it did. It truely did. She had been nervous at first, wondering how her friends would react to the news, but they all seemed genuinely happy for her, and that made Presea feel as though a huge wieght had been lifted off her shoulders.

"We're all happy for you, Rosebud," Zelos said happily, jumping off her desk and walking towards her. "But I guess I can't call ya Rosebud anymore, huh?"

"Of couse you can," Presea said with a small laugh, accepting the hug Zelos offered her.

"Fascinating," breathed Raine, her eye's glued to the object around Presea's neck.

"Huh?" Zelos turned towards Raine. "What is?"

"Honestly Zelos," Raine sighed. "That necklace. It's fascinating! If I could just get my hands on it, or learn where Regal found it," the mage began, switching to her 'archeologist' mode, "then I could conduct some research and-"

"Uh, Sis, calm down." Genis scooted away from his sister's side.

"Uh-oh. The Professor's in her 'Scary' mode," Lloyd joked, earning a glare from Raine and a giggle from Colette.

Just then, the door to Presea's office flew open and Regal strode into the middle of the room.

"I apologize for taking so long. Paperwork," Regal explained with a wave of his hand.

"It's was no problem. I told everyone about the necklace you gave me."

"Ah. I see."

"What made you think of such a device? I never knew such a thing existed," Raine queried, hammering Regal with questions as soon as she had the chance.

"Well, I knew of Presea's secret, and I reasoned that she was not satisfied with her predicament, so I decided to find a solution to her problem. A way to make her-" Regal stopped abruptly, deciding that he had said enough.

"Yes?" Raine encouraged.

When Regal still said nothing, Zelos stepped in.

"A way to make her happy?" the red-head supplied, a sly grin gracing his features.

"Ah...Yes. I suppose so."

Regal cleard his throat, which was a sign that Presea had come to recognize as discomfort. She decided to change the subject, seeing as how she figured that her face was the color of Zelos' hair. "Uh- Yes, well...How was everyone's trip?"

As Lloyd and Colette excitedly began recollecting their journey, Sheena stood back in the corner, smiling to herself. Poor Presea. She couldn't hide her embarrassment even if she tried. Poor Regal, for that matter. He had looked so discontented at Zelos' comment, that she was surprised that he hadn't turned as red as Presea. Say, where was Zelos, anyway?

Sheena glanced around the room, and spotted the ex-Chosen, playing with a vase.

He picked it up, looked it over, and sat it back down. But, when he sat it down, it tottered and he grabed it before it hit the ground. Zelos looked around the room to see if anyone had seen. He noticed Sheena had, and gave a little shrug and a smile. In response, she rolled her eyes, but to his surprise, smiled back.

"I'm glad your journey was an easy one," Presea said, smiling at her young friends.

"Oh, it was," Colette assured her.

"Regal," Raine began, moving to the older man's side. "Where is it that you found that necklace?" The mage couldn't help herself, she needed to know. It was such an interesting specimen!

"Ah-" Regal faltered, not sure how to reply. He really didn't want Presea to find out, fearing that she would be angry with him. She didn't care for Altessa all that much, after all.

"Oh, who cares!" Genis said, quite loudly. He then realized how loud he had been, and tried to correct himself. "I mean, I'm happy for Presea and all, but we've already covered everything about the necklace. Twice," he added, his voice soft.

To his surprise, Presea laughed. "He's right. We have covered everything about the necklace twice."

Genis laughed nervousy, glad that Presea wasn't upset with him. He truely was happy for her, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't just a little sick of hearing about how Regal had gotten the necklace for her.

"Say, you got any good places to eat around her, Regal? I'm starving!" Zelos rubbed his stomach, emphasizing his point.

"How about the restaurant in the hotel? It's food is delicious, wouldn't you agree, Regal?" Presea suggested, turning to face her employer.

"Of course. The Altamira Overlook is a grand restaurant. Is that all right with all of you?"

"Sounds good to me," Lloyd replied. He stood from the couch and took Colette's hand.

The large group left Presea's office and went down the hall to the elevators. After descending down to ground level, the group stepped of the elevator, and into the lobby.

"Um, Mr. Bryant?" a voice asked from behind the reception counter.

Regal turned around at the mention of his name. "Yes?"

"I don't mean to pry, but, where are you going?"

"Out to lunch, Mindy. Could you hold all my calls until I return?" It was more of a statement than a question really.

"Of course. But, isn't that your assistants job? I usually just direct your calls to her office anyways," Mindy replied, glaring at Presea.

"Yes, it is one of my assistants jobs," he replied, "but she's accompanying me to lunch." He turned and started walking towards the door. "I trust you can handle the job in her place?"

"Oh, yes. Of course," the young woman stammered.

The group walked out of the lobby and into the busy streets of Altamira. They then proceeded to walk towards the Elemental Expressway.

"What was that Mindys' problem," asked Genis. "She was galring at you Presea."

"She...doesn't like me," replied Presea.

"That's obvious," Zelos stated. "I think what the kid here meant to say is: why doesn't she like you?"

"Because she believes Presea's job belongs to her," Regal answered.

"She's been working at the company for seven years, and when the opening for Regals' personal assistant became available, she was certain she would receive it. But, I did instead," Presea added.

"Oh," Genis nodded his head and looked at the ground. He couldn't imagine why anyone would want to work for Regal. Especially Presea. He was a ex-convict after all. Just because he didn't wear his shackels anymore didn't change that fact. And he had servered time for killing her sister, none-the-less! He wondered if Presea had forgotten that tiny fact. However, Regal had been wrongly convicted...

Looking up, the young half-elf noticed that they had reached the Elemantal Expressway. Looked like he was going to have to put his thoughts on hold.

xxxx

Reply to my reviewers...

Icing Flower: I really like your reviews! You always have a lot to say! I'm a Aurikku fan too. That's kinda why I thought about writing this fic. I'm gald you like it!

Fallenharbinger: Hehe. Glad ya like!

Tas: I didn't mean to make Regal seem stupid. I just had to think of some reason to get her into the office. Lol. And I kinda feel sorry for Genis, but I agree with you. Regal's better!

Forest Liger: Nope sorry. No Kratos/Raine. I don't think I'll even have Kratos in this fic. Even though I love him.

Kei-kun: Many more huh? Hope I can keep up with you!

A/N: There you have it! Chapter three. Kinda short, I know. Next one will be longer. Whatcha think? Let me know in a review! I don't care who you are, please review! I'd love to know what you all think. Even if you hate it! I hope ya don't though. Well, I'll return with chapter four soon. Remeber to review!