.: 4 :. Plots, Plans, and the Queen of Hearts

Edgar could tell Terra was hard-pressed to keep herself under control when the four arrived at Jidoor. A kind of quiet hysteria seemed to radiate from her. It even had Setzer champing at the bit. Edgar tried his best to be stable and controlled for her, going so far as staying as close beside her side without causing comment from Setzer and Locke. He needn't have bothered. The two were so busy arguing on possible places to search that they didn't notice.

"Gentlemen, calm yourselves," Edgar told them in his most authoritative voice. The two men sent him dark glares. "This constant contention is not helping anyone, and it will only serve to make it more difficult for us to work together when the time comes to face this--" Edgar glanced at Terra and repressed the curse. "This 'gentleman', and believe me when I say I use the term loosely."

"They're not here." Terra's sudden statement was so certain that all three of them stared at her in quiet amazement. "He hasn't been here," she said again with narrowed eyes. "Something just doesn't feel right about the place. It's too... I don't know. It's too relaxed. Too normal."

"That doesn't necessarily mean he's--"

Terra sent Locke a glare. "He's not here, Locke. He's not going to come here, either. Slavers aren't welcome in Jidoor. They never have been. Not even the upper class use slaves. Why would he come here when he knows he couldn't make a sale?"

Locke looked around a moment. "Fine. It makes sense. I'm still going to go ask some questions."

"Fine."

Locke took off with a grumble, and Edgar hesitantly decided to follow. "I'll assist Locke. Terra, remain with Setzer until we return." She turned away without a word. Edgar raised an eyebrow before sending Setzer a 'don't leave her for a moment' look. Locke waited by the auctioneer's house entrance once Edgar caught up with him.

"I've never seen her like this before, Edgar," Locke said in an angry voice.

"I know. Neither have I."

"Maybe you were right."

That statement meant a lot coming from Locke Cole. The treasure hunter never conceded to being wrong. Not in all the years Edgar had known him. "Locke, you must attempt to understand her position. Terra blames herself for their abduction. Until she is able to leave the guilt behind her, she will be a bear to work with."

"I kind of guessed that." Locke sighed and ran a hand through his pale hair. "So how are we going to do this? With her snapping our heads off we won't be able to work together without killing each other. Or her, at least." Edgar glanced away. Locke raised an eyebrow. "You've got an idea, don't you?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I don't believe I could do that to her. Not now. She's so lost. So confused. I can't but... but I feel I must."

"What?" Locke insisted. "Do what?"

"Seduce her."

Locke stared at his longtime friend, slack-jawed. Then his eyes flashed with menace. "Edgar--"

"Let me explain," Edgar said, recognizing all too clearly the dangerous spark in his friend's eye.

"Oh you better explain, or you're liable to find a dagger in your gut. Hell, you might find one there even after you explain. So, you better make it good."

Edgar let out a deep breath and dug at the ground with the haft of his spear. "I don't mean seduce in the literal sense of the word, Locke. A distraction. That's what it would be." Right?

"Go on," Locke prodded.

"When I was on deck with Terra on our way here, I noticed the change in her. She was calmer. More controlled. She talked about how and why she felt the way she did. She seemed to be more... more like the Terra we knew before."

"So where does the 'seduce' part come in," Locke prompted suspiciously.

"It's the only way I know to keep her mind from the rage and lust for revenge." Edgar raised his eyes. "I've wooed and pursued ladies my entire life, Locke. I know just what to say to keep her off balance. I'll do nothing more." And he felt as if he were attempting to convince himself of the truth of it.

"Edgar, buddy, I hate to break this to you, but you've never been a very good 'wooer'. Ladies never believed a single word of your sweet-talking choco-crap. What makes you think Terra will? You know she never did in the past."

Edgar leaned against the spear and finally caught Locke's gaze. "I believe Terra feels something for me that she didn't before." Or he hoped she did. Prayed she could. Wished that she might...

"You're going to use that?" Locke made a disgusted sound. "That's low, Edgar, even for you."

Edgar glared. "Why? I shall do whatever it takes if it prevents her from going insane when we find this bastard."

"Sure, but are you going to follow through when this fiasco is over? You said so yourself, Edgar, that you were born to be a bachelor. You've certainly lived up to the standard. One problem: with Terra it's always been different. You've never walked over that line she drew when she first met you. You've never done anything to jeopardize how she looked up to you. Are you going to do that now? Are you really going to be able to walk away when her kids are found? Are you going to say to her face that it was all a plan to keep her 'under control'?" Locke crossed his arms, his steel-gray eyes sparking. "That's a bald-faced lie, and you know it. You want to know what I think? I think you want her so bad that you're willing to risk a future with her just to score a couple easy nights."

Edgar clenched his jaw, sharply straightening. "I thought you knew me better than that, Cole. Terra, first and foremost, is a friend. I would never do anything to hurt her."

"A friend?" Locke's question rang with disbelief. "You'd treat a friend like this, Edgar? You'd screw with a friend's mind? You'd lie to them?"

"For the greater good, yes." Even a possibility of a glimpse at a future he could have with her if she hadn't set the boundary...

Locke clenched his jaw, running a hand through his hair in aggravation before he continued. "This is easily the worst, most unethical idea you've ever had! Trying to encourage a feeling that might not be there just to distract her from what you think she'll do? I knew you were an arrogant old scratch, but this beats everything!"

Edgar glared at him, taking in multiple deep breaths to control his rising anger. "I told you before I doubted whether or not I could go through with this. Remember?"

"But you're still plotting it!"

"What else am I to do, Cole? She needs our help!"

"Hell if I know, but this?" Locke jabbed a finger in Edgar's chest. "Admit it! I'm right. You think this is the only chance you'll have of getting her in the sack! It's nothing but a game. Another conquest, and you know it!"

Edgar pushed his hand away, barely restraining the desire to throw a punch. "Dammit, man, it isn't a game! My greatest fear, even amidst the hope and desire that pushes me forward, is that she would not want me! Do you know what it's like to be haunted with that, Cole? Do you know how it hurts to have her smile at me with patience and understanding and not have the faintest idea I was sincere? Do you have any idea what that is like? Terra Branford believes I'm nothing but a flirt," he raged. "A rake. A rogue and a cad! She truly believes that whenever I say something gallant, I'm simply being a tease. So don't tell me you wouldn't do the desperate to coax a caress and stroke! You who have had Celes since you rescued her from the Empire in South Figaro? You've never known the self-doubt that comes with the knowledge the woman you care for may want nothing to do with you!"

Locke glared at the young king with narrowed eyes. "Tell me, Edgar. Are you willing to marry Terra after this is all over? Are you ready to give up your bachelorhood if this plan of yours works? Will you throw away all your little black books and secret lists of female 'friends' for her? I'm warning you now, if she's truly your friend and you were telling the truth when you said you didn't want to hurt her, you'll marry her when this is finished."

Edgar remained quiet for a long time, glaring at his long-time friend as he fought back his temper and the desperation. Finally, he lowered his eyes. "Cole, you were right before when you said I love her. Now I believe this might be the final chance I have to show her that love. Now this accursed kidnapping might be the only opportunity of showing and telling her how much I care. That I do honestly believe she's the 'light of my heart' and whatever other nonsense I've confessed to upon occasion. Would you be able to ignore the opportunity?" He raised his eyes and met Locke's gaze. "Truthfully, Cole, would you?"

"Whether you pass the opportunity or not isn't the point! Will you follow-through with what you start?"

Edgar sighed deep, lifting his arms in a helpless shrug. "I can only ask you to trust me."

Locke hemmed and hawed, scratching the back of his neck and running a hand through his hair as he gauged Edgar's open expression. Finally, he swore. "I still don't like it, Edgar. She's just a kid."

"Terra?" Edgar asked in shock. "Besides being stunningly beautiful, she's one of the most mature and responsible people in my acquaintance. How else could we have defeated that blasted lunatic Kefka? Her skills have saved our backsides plenty of times, and well you know it!"

"She's still a kid, Edgar, one who hasn't the experience you've had. She doesn't know the best way to manipulate a person around their little finger." Locke jabbed Edgar in the chest with the pommel of his dagger hilt. "So you watch yourself. Carefully."