Chapter 12 - Burning Of The Flame

"Do we trust her?"

That was the question that was hanging over the threesome's heads. Were they to put blind faith in someone who had done nothing to help or hinder them, or to dismiss someone who seemed to know a lot about what was going on?

"Everything she said could well have been a lie for all we know. What proof has she got to back up what she's said?" asked Marle.

"What proof is there that she's lied to us? We need all the help we can get in this," replied Lucca.

"Well, I just don't trust her. I don't care what she says, she just seems so... so dodgy. And what about the little girl? The way she reacted to her? Even if she wasn't one of the people who committed that atrocity in Arris Dome, she may be working with them..." shot back Marle.

"Look, it's a simple matter of whether we trust her or not. According to her there were others who helped us. How did we trust them? We must have taken them in on trust, so why not trust her?" said Crono, speaking up for the first time since they got back to 1000AD. He was still holding the little girl close to his chest.

"Well I see no problem with that Crono, she seemed pretty genuine to me. What about you Marle?"

"I still don't like her. There's something odd about her and I don't like it," answered Marle.

"Look, it's two-to-one here so we trust Destiny whether you like it or not Marle. It's already decided," finished Crono, settling the matter once and for all.

"Fine! If that's the way you want it!" Marle screamed at Crono and stormed off.

"Dammit! Here Lucca, take the girl. I'll meet you back at my house," he said as he passed the small girl over before running after Marle.

"Heh, left holding the baby." Lucca shook her head as she set off.

Crono found Marle sitting on a big rock, swinging her legs back and forth as she muttered to herself.

"What the hell is your problem?" stormed Crono.

"Doesn't my opinion count for anything? I'm just as much a part of this as you are, yet you just totally ignored me!"

"Calm down Marle. It's just I honestly feel we can trust her and she's got information that would be highly valuable to us. We can't just turn her down on the off-chance."

"But there's something wrong about her... I've got a bad feeling about taking her into our group. It's like... like... like she's gonna tear us apart. You and Lucca are the only friends I've ever had! You treat me like a normal person instead of some object of worship."

"I dunno about that," said Crono, a cheeky smile on his face and an eyebrow raised. "I could think of worse things to worship!"

Blushing, Marle looked away, trying not to show the grin on her face.

When she turned back to look at him, he took her hands. Staring into her eyes he spoke, "Me and Lucca have no intention of abandoning you, we like you too much. Who else could get us in this big a mess?"

Marle couldn't stop herself from giggling. Leaning forward, she gave Crono a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're a sweetie, you know that?"

Flashing a quick grin at her, Crono continued, "Seriously though, we're not abandoning you. I have my doubts about her as well but we need her help. Without her, how are we to know what we must do? Besides, she led us to Spekkio didn't she? Without that, we wouldn't have got our magic abilities," he said, raising his hand, a small bolt of lightning dancing in his hand.

"Yeah, but where else would we have gone? We would have got there when we went through the gate anyway."

"Ok, that's a fair point but still, why shouldn't we trust her? We have no reason not to as of yet."

"I... guess you're right. Just don't expect me to like her OK?" Giving him a quick hug, she stood up. "Thanks for the sweet words, they meant a lot to me."

"No probs, I'd do the same for Lucca any day."

Still close to him, she stared straight into his eyes. Not sure what she was doing, she leant forward again and kissed Crono on the lips. A little shocked, Crono kissed her back, his hands on her waist, hers around his neck, the heat of the passion consuming them. Breaking off from him. Marle stepped back. "I... uh... That may have not been a good idea..."

Silence was the only response as Crono stared at his feet. Finally he spoke up, "Uhh, let's get back to my house, Lucca will be waiting there."

With a nod, Marle and Crono made their way to the small wooden house, an uneasy silence between them.

"Where have you two been? I've been waiting for twenty minutes!" scolded Lucca.

"Sorry, that was my fault. I needed a bit of a pep talk and Crono was happy to give me one."

"I bet he was," replied Lucca, arching an eyebrow but keeping her face straight.

Marle blushed for the second time that day. "You know what I meant Lucca, don't try to twist it."

"Who, me? As if I'd do anything like that!" replied Lucca, a lascivious grin covering her entire face.

Taking the girl back from Lucca's arms, Crono walked through the door. "Mum? Where are ya?"

Bustling in from a doorway at the back, Crono's mother was a sight. Covered in paint, she had obviously taken up Destiny's advice. "Oh, oh my! Crono!" Rushing over, she gave her son a big hug. "Don't scare me like that! I was so worried about you!" She let him go when a strange sound came from between the two of them. Stepping back, she was shocked when she saw the little girl clutching onto Crono. "Wh... where did she come from? What have you done now Crono?"

Unsure of what to say, Crono was relieved when Lucca stepped forward, taking Crono's mother to the side. "We found her in Guardia Forest, all alone. Her family is dead. They had been... murdered and she was afraid. She ran away and had been living in the forest for a few weeks now. She's got no home and we were kinda wondering whether she could stay here with you and Crono."

"I can hardly throw her out now, could I? Of course she can stay here. God knows what your father is going to say about this when he gets back Crono, but he's going to have to put up with it!" Walking over, she took the reluctant young girl out of Crono's arms. "What's her name?"

"We... don't know. She's been a bit hesitant in talking to anyone, but she's taken a real shine to Crono. Actually, we can't stay long, there's uh... some business we have to attend to and it's kinda urgent."

"Oh, just hurry along but try and be back for tea! No need to worry about being arrested again, the King has issued a pardon for you Crono. It seems it was all the princess's fault..."

Blushing yet again, Marle tried to make herself look small behind Crono.

As the three left, Crono's mother set the little girl down. "Now what's your name then darling? Still not talking? That's no problem... you can tell me later, but first, lets get you out of those dirty clothes and into a nice warm bath, OK?"

At the girl's mystified expression, Crono's mother shook her head and picked her up, carrying the little girl to the bathroom. She smiled as she felt the small arms clasp around her neck in a hug... "We need to get your lovely green hair all clean sweetie."