Adjustment

I don't own Chrono Trigger, and make no profits from it.


Sun filtered into her eyes as they slowly fluttered open, catching the light and holding it, making the orbs seem almost iridescent. Pale skin almost glowed in the late morning light, and blue hair gleamed in gentle waves. Time seemed to to slow down in that moment.

Then she looked at him, eyes widening a little, as she woke up further, before a smile graced her perfect lips.

"Magus," she murmured to him, voice small. He was immediately at her side, moving quickly and carefully, so as not to jar her at all. "Where am I?"

Watching her look around, Magus gave a small sigh of relief. She seemed none the worse so far for coming back to life in the rather unorthodox fashion he had comprised. Thinking of how to tell her, he ended up finding the situation humorous. "You are in Lucca's house, and it is early spring in Guardia Kingdom. And it is about 11 in the morning."

Looking at him for a moment, he watched her, tension building up, until she made a small chuckle, hand going to her mouth to cover the reaction, eyes half-closed, blue lashes like grass obscuring a lake. "Guardia?" she asked, slightly puzzled, after she had thought about his overly analytical answer.

"This is several aeons past home," he told her, gently grasping her hand in his. He felt it convulsively squeeze his when she digested the new information.

"This is the future?" she asked him, voice weak.

"Well, technically, it is always the present," he told her, voice prim for the moment, before softening, "But yes, it is the future."

Looking up at him with wide eyes, slightly wondering, she finally sighed, smiling slightly at him before looking lost. "So, who exactly is Lucca?" she asked him, and he remembered that they had never been properly introduced. In fact, she hadn't truly been introduced to any of his companions.

"Lucca is the purple-haired girl who was with Crono," he told her, "She wears the thick glasses."

Schala looked at him, eyes looking into him it seemed. "So that's what her name is," she murmured thoughtfully, "I'm glad they survived."

"They feel the same for you," he told his sister, eyes warm, hand squeezing hers this time. "And they would be glad to know that you've finally woken up."

As he started to get up, her hand didn't let go of his. There was no real pressure, but it was enough to stop him. So he sat back down. "Where's Janus?" she asked him suddenly. "I thought I saw him in the dark, and he held out his hand to me." And her brow crinkled as she tried to remember more.

Magus only froze, unsure of how to tell her.

"But, I know you were there too...and someone else..." she started to mumble, eyes hazing as she tried to remember their trip through time. "...I don't remember letting go of his hand, but you were holding me too..."

"Don't worry about that now," Magus whispered soothingly, looking at her carefully, "I'll go get the others, and once you're feeling more yourself, I can explain everything." He watched her nod, as she was still trying to remember.

He walked out, moving quickly and carefully, telling himself he wasn't running away, that he would let her know when she was more robust. That she needed time to heal before having another shock to the system.

Magus was still telling himself this as he wandered outside to let Lucca know that Schala had awoken.

The sun caught on Lucca's hair as well, the purple gleaming in the light, the glasses becoming bright points, no longer translucent. Almost like fire.

Looking up, Lucca saw him and smiled, waving slightly, wrench in one hand, as she was tuning up her contraption, and making modifications, if he had learned anything about her in his time spent with her.

Walking up, he stopped right in front of her, black shirt loose, hair waving in the mild breeze that counteracted the sun. "Schala's awake," he told her simply, before turning to start walking back inside.

He heard the sudden scrabbling behind him, as Lucca hurried to get up, "Hey! Wait, you jerk!" she hollered after him, and he heard the trail of catastrophe follow her. She ran up, and stopped in front of him. "When did she wake up?"

"Just a few minutes ago," he told her curtly, "I thought you might want to let your friends know." There was added meaning in the word, slightly mocking, which made her flush.

"Well, thanks a lot," and her voice was sarcastic, before she looked up to her house, and smiled again. "I think I'll say 'hi' before heading out." Then she ran to the house, and went inside with a visible bounce to her step.

At least this is simple for someone, he thought to himself reproachfully, as he slowly followed her back inside the house, and back up the stairs.

He heard Lucca's excitement as he meandered up the steps, and she almost collided with him as she burst through her door. To his disgruntlement, he had to catch her as she tried to fall forward, then backward, knowing that if would be frowned upon if she hurt herself by tumbling down some stairs.

"Thanks!" she told him, beaming, as she went back to running, then he heard her steps come back, and her head popped around the corner, "I'm gonna go grab everybody I think."

His face paled a little at that thought, unsure how he felt about all those people all at once, especially crowding around his frail sister. Then looking back to her room, he walked in, almost walking away again, but knowing he had to talk to her again, and try and explain who he was to her.

Walking back in the room, radiating concern for his sister, for his thoughts of her well-being trumped whatever misgivings that he actually had. He ended up smiling at her wanly, as he went back to her bedside, and sitting next to her. She was actually sitting up now, propped up against some pillows. Her face had a bemused expression as she inspected the overlarge shirt that buttoned up, smelling it, and looking surprised.

"Hey, this smells like smoke, almost," she told him, questioningly.

Magus did his own chuckle, lips upturned for once. "That one's easy," he told her, smiling. "Lucca's a fire mage."

Schala didn't disappoint. Her face lit up, the small things making the moment. "Oh, is it because of the transference aspect of magic you spoke of?"

He nodded, feeling proud, then finding it odd to feel that way, like a teacher. "She told me she was bringing everybody," he told her, "So I assume that means she is actually going to bring ev-" and he was cut off, as he heard the characteristic noise the Epoch made in flight, a hum in the bones rather than an actual noise. Pausing, he cocked his head to the side, and smirked, "Everybody."

"I do hope so, I felt bad having them all be treated so poorly," she confessed, eyes sad once more.

"I'll tell you, they almost all use magic, and I think that you should be able to tell which is which," he challenged her teasingly, suddenly at ease with her, as she always had that effect on him. She looked expectant. "There is a light user, a water user, and an ice user, the other two don't actually have magic."

Schala smiled at him, and he smiled back. Then after a while of companionable silence, she asked another question.

"How did you get so young?" she asked him, curious, "I could have sworn you were older than this."

He paused, chest constricting, wondering if explaining would give the game away, then realizing he had to tell her the truth either way, and if she found out on her own, it would save a conversation he had a strangely hard time with.

"Schala...well...," and it was harder than he thought. "You did die," he finally told her. She took it rather calmly. "I traveled through time, and searched for you."

She stayed silent, and he felt himself gathering himself for more of the story. "I altered some magicks, and found out how to go through time in a more intimate way than the others time machine allows, but it is less protected, and I could make a barrier against the current of time. Thing is, it took a lot of energy, so once I found you, I only had the energy to keep you untouched. I went through accelerated aging, both forward and reverse."Finished with his story, he decided to tell her the rest. "The only time I could think to take you to get proper help was this one, so that's how we ended up here." Then he was quiet, looking at his hands, not in their gloves and feeling naked, wanting his cloak to shroud himself in.

"Magus," and she hesitated, as if thinking something over, after having stayed quiet for a very long time. She opened her mouth, shut it, then began again, when they heard the tell-tale engine noise. Magus realized how long they must have been sitting in silence at that point. Looking at her, he proffered his hand, and smiled awkwardly, "Well, do you want to go meet them?" he asked.

There was relief in her face as well, and both of them looked ashamed for a moment at their cowardice. Then Schala smiled back at him, took his hand, and told him, "That would be nice."

Firming their grips on each others hands, he carefully helped her maneuver out of the bed, noticed she was wearing loose pants as well, then helped steer her out of the bedroom, where she had to actually hold on to him, still weak from her recent death experience. As they made it into the living room space, he helped her to sit down, next to him, and her hand tightened on his forearm gratefully, before the door burst open with excited people.

Crono was the one who opened the door. He gave a great big grin, and waved, fingers wiggling inarticulately. He made his way to a chair and dragged it near the couch, sitting in front, where she and Magus would have a good view of his hands. Schala waved back at him, smiling shyly.

Marle was next, and she was so excited, "Schala! I'm so glad you're awake! I told Magus you would wake up, but he wouldn't leave your side!" and she pouted in Magus' direction, sticking her tongue out quickly, before rushing up, to put her hand on Schala's forehead. Schala shivered slightly at the cool touch. Marle's eyes had taken to the color of ice, but her gaze was full of warmth. "You feel about right, you should start getting stronger soon," Marle smiled at her, and took her hand and clasped it. She glowed slightly, and Schala felt energy rush into her, Marle winked before twirling, grabbing another chair, and draping herself across Crono, almost making getting a chair seem silly.

Lucca was next, even though the others had filed in, they seemed to be taking turns. "I found everybody, took a moment, but they were all as excited as me that you were awake, and safe," Lucca told her, adjusting her glasses as she smiled "They couldn't wait to pile in," then she put her hand up, blocking her mouth from view as she whispered loudly, "Rather uncomfortable ride, all them lot stacked on top of each other." She laughed at the indignation in the noises around her, before plopping comfortably next to Schala on her well used couch.

Schala looked mildly faint, and gave Magus another grateful look, as his arm was still around her shoulders, even if he had relinquished her hand so the others could take them.

Much to his distaste, and surprise, as he hadn't really remembered what Glenn looked like, a tall man with long green hair walked up solemnly, and kneeled before his sister, who blushed a little at the formality of the situation. "Well met, my lady," Glenn murmured, his handsome face looking up, meeting her eyes, as he carefully took her hand, and put his lips to it, before giving her hand back, and standing up, cape swishing a little with the motion. "I am glad that you are in good health," he told her, eyes taking in every bit of her, which made Magus want to snarl at the man. The man who pointedly ignored him, making sure not to look his direction. Then Glenn walked to the counter, and leaned against it

Ayla was next, severely impatient, twitching, then leaping at the chance to say hello again. She grabbed Schala up in a great big bear hug, laughing. "Glad you alive!" Ayla laughed, voice the most honest of them all, showing all her feelings, no shame or restraint involved. Something Magus wished he could do. Spinning Schala around a few times, Ayla deposited her back onto the couch carefully, smiling at the breathlessness of Schala, then smiling largely at Magus, as his arm went around Schala protectively once more. The seductively curvy, but heavily muscled woman sat down next to the couch, and lounged, at her ease.

The large figure of Robo clanked closer, metal carapace careful with it's bulk, face plate showing nothing, but the lights in the eyes flickered, showing excitement. "Lady Schala," the metallic voice began warmly, at odds with the appearance, "I am most glad that you are doing well." Both arms were hand attachments, now that there were no more wars to fight for the time being. Those hands carefully took Schala's, and deposited a simple flower, lavender tinging the white. "I hope you continue to exist, the world is brighter for it."

Somehow the simple words of the robot, the artificial being in front of them, were the most touching. The flower seemed the most heartfelt.

Looking at the simple flower, Schala smiled, then looked back up, "Thank you very much."

"There are matured seeds within it, so you can bring new life forth from it," the robot told her, and there was a smile in the tone. "I hope it brings you joy."

"It most certainly does," Schala told it, smiling, eyes soft, cradling the flower in her hands carefully, before sniffing it delicately, to notice it's subtle sweet scent.

Magus noticed Crono signing something to him, and began paying attention.

-So, is it all you hoped it would be?- Crono asked, smiling, hands lazily playing out the gestures, as the others around them seemed muted as they scurried around for snacks and tea.

-That remains to be seen.- Magus signed back with his free hand. -I will have to tell her of Zeal when she asks.-

Crono grimaced slightly, face sympathetic, then smiling once more as he noticed Schala looking at them, eyes going from their hands to their faces, before gesturing for them to continue. Lucca caught Crono's look, and began explaining the hand language to Schala, who was raptly listening almost immediately, just as interested in learning as her wayward brother.

-That'll be tough,- Crono signed, face showing mild chagrin. -You've had all your life to get over it, she will just be finding out.-

-Schala is stronger than she appears,- Magus reassured both himself and Crono. -And she will have friendly faces to turn to, helping her through it all.- Magus couldn't help but feel a little bitter twinge, remembering his rough transition through time, learning that his home, and all that he loved was gone, only to be replaced by cruel beings forging him into a weapon they thought to be able to control. -I will help her through it.-

Crono smiled, then looked back to Marle, who was pouting at him, demanding that he pay attention to her once more. "He's just a grouchy mage," was the snippet that Magus heard, before tuning her out, to watch Schala once more.

Looking at her, he watched her enthusiasm as Lucca had finished explaining the sign language, and was going on to demonstrate the alphabet they had comprised. His sister was radiant as she smiled. Watching as she went on to stop Lucca, and start working on the individual letters immediately, exactly the way he had started to learn. It seemed hunger to learn was a family trait.

Which made him grimace for a moment. It was the desire to learn that could be blamed for the downfall of Zeal. The need to learn about the mysterious source of power deep in the Earth that had ultimately corrupted his arrogant people. He shook his head slightly, arm tightening around his sister momentarily, neutralizing his facial expression.

It didn't work, Schala was looking at him, brow creased gently, eyes worried about him. She didn't have to ask, she knew he wouldn't want to tell her in front of all these people. She could see how he didn't feel open with himself in front of them. Had seen the hostile looks between him and the strong green-haired man, the distaste around the women.

Schala had a sneaking suspicion that it might be safe to ask about it if it were only Crono in the room, maybe even Lucca. So instead, she slowly took his hand in hers, and squeezed it before setting it in her lap, so she could continue her conversation with Lucca.

Magus felt his heart thumping in his chest, twinging almost painfully at her care. He looked in her eyes, and saw her feelings, or at least some of them. He knew she was worried, and he smiled slightly, trying to reassure her. He watched almost in slow motion as she took his hand in hers, held it for a moment, then released it on her lap. It was an emotion he had never been to familiar with for the majority of his life. A tenderness he had suppressed for years in light of his goal of Lavos, a tenderness he had quashed after his failure to save her. A feeling he didn't think he deserved from her, truly.

So caught up in it, he didn't notice the sudden silence that lasted only a moment, the slight smile on Crono's face, or Lucca's surprise, quickly hidden as she shut her mouth, and began to continue going over the sign language with Schala.

Everyone hid their surprise, and continued to catch up with each other. After all, it had been years, and no one wanted to rely on Magus' care for his sister to save them from his temper.

Sandwiches continued to be made, and tea to be brewed.

Magus was conflicted, not sure how to interpret his sister's actions. Was she okay with him being her brother, was she still interested in him as a man? Was she just pretending everything was alright for the moment? He was disgusted with his insecurity. So he contented himself to watch his surroundings. The people wandering about, chatting. Their happy faces, and the occasional glances towards Schala.

He also noted the occasional glance towards him, usually worried. Except for Glenn. He noticed that whenever the man's eyes fell across him, there was open hostility. So even though he knew he shouldn't, he smirked at Glenn whenever he could, enjoying the anger in the man's eyes flash, then look angrily away.

It was the small things that made life worthwhile sometimes.

When tea was brewed, he accepted his, and both his and Schala's sandwiches on a plate.

Time passed quickly, all things considered. Soon it was night time, and Lucca had to take everyone home again. Crono and Marle stayed behind, deciding to keep the siblings company until Lucca returned.

It ended up mostly being Marle cuddling Crono, as the man-child blushed, and subtly shifted her so they could actually talk properly with their company.

Schala was soft-spoken, which was a large contrast to the other princess in the room. Crono was as quiet as usual, flashing his hands at Magus, who idly answered every now and then.

It ended up being a learning experience for Schala, and somewhat for Marle as well. Marle had a hard time concentrating on what she was told, and as a result, she could understand simple gestures, but quickly became lost once there were more complex words, or rather, more to a sentence than common words.

Magus smirked quietly to himself. Crono noticed and asked him.

-So, what are you smiling about to yourself?- he asked Magus, hand gestures lazy, as Schala and Marle both watched, neither able to understand it.

Magus scoffed to himself, but didn't show it. Marle should be able to know this much already. But she didn't. -Just noticing how my sister is progressing much faster than Marle.- was his response.

Crono looked at Magus for a moment, then his eyes squinted jovially, and he chuffed out his quiet laughter. -I guess she is at that. Runs in the family, I take it?- Crono asked, still chuckling to himself.

Magus just nodded, and noticed that Marle was pouting at the exclusive conversation, and Schala was just looking, knowing she couldn't figure it out from the few hours she had memorizing the alphabet, as well as the 'yes' and 'no' gestures. So she just waited patiently for them to get done, so she could keep learning.

Turning to Schala, Magus quirked an eyebrow. "I take it you would like to continue your lessons?" he asked her, surprising Marle, at least, with his playful tone of voice.

"That would be optimal, yes," Schala answered him, mimicking his speech pattern, as she had had years to become accustomed to it.

Crono was laughing again, noticing it as well. Magus only smirked, and nodded his head minutely, before going in full force, running through what Schala had already learned, and tweaking her gestures here and there, determined for perfection in his apt pupil.

Lucca showed back up after a while, looking a little more tipsy than was warranted for tea.

"What happened to you?" Marle exclaimed, eyes wide, taking in Lucca's ruffled appearance.

Smiling, Lucca hiccuped a little, covering her mouth in embarrassment. "Ayla didn't want to send me off without a farewell drink," she cackled, throwing her head back, hands on her hips. "And I am not one to deny such a hospitable offer!"

Crono shook his head, ruffling his hand through his hair, before gesturing. -At least you didn't go as overboard as last time she decided to play host.-

Marle squinted, as Lucca flushed, yelling "I did not go overboard last time! I was a perfect lady!" before huffing, throwing herself on her coach in her indignancy, bouncing Schala a little with the force of her impact.

Marle giggled, suddenly understanding what Crono had said, being able to read into people very well, and also knowing how to speak quite well vocally. Schala understood that Lucca was vocal for the benefit of her and Marle. She was glad to be included, even if she didn't have much to say.

Schala found herself yawning suddenly, and noticed that her eyes were drooping. The excitement had been more tiring than she had initially thought. Everyone else noticed as well...except for Lucca, who had decided to start dozing on the couch, which had been her bed for the last several days while waiting for Schala to wake up.

Magus got up suddenly, and held his hand out to his sister, who gratefully took it, looking apologetically to Crono and Marle.

"I'm sorry, but I seem to be more fatigued than I thought I would be," she apologized, trying to bow to them, one hand resting on Magus' forearm.

Crono just smiled, waving his hands in a way that just screamed 'no problem'.

Marle just looked at the picture the two made, and smiled before saying good night to the two.

Magus carefully steered his sister to the staircase, and helped propel her up it to Lucca's room, which seemed to be where she was to stay for the time being.

Marle looked at Lucca first, and motioned for Crono to help reposition Lucca so that she wouldn't wake up too sore in the morning. After that task was done, she looked back up the staircase, with a bemused expression on her face. "He really does care for her, doesn't he," she asked, not really a question, and with a sideways glance to Crono, she saw his shrug, smiling at her before he stretched. Looking fully at Crono, Marle asked, "So, want to walk me home then?"

Crono smiled, held out his arm, giving her the 'yes' gesture.


Magus helped Schala return to bed, letting her do most of it herself. He didn't want her to feel helpless. He knew he despised that feeling. All the same, he was gentle with her, and kept a careful eye on her.

Once she was back in bed, she sighed, leaning back against the pillows.

"So, everyone seems pretty nice," she said, looking back up at Magus.

"They treat everyone they meet as a friend, if they can," he muttered, looking away. Their utter naivety grated on his nerves.

"That is part of what makes them nice people," Schala said, laughing to herself quietly, as he looked away from her, muttering lightly to himself.

Then the silence became awkward yet again, Magus was sitting on her bedside, but they weren't touching anymore. Their hands were close, tantalizingly so for Magus. All he wanted was to maybe hold her hand in his, or maybe even her in her entirety. But there was a distance between them that the truth had created. He knew she was aware of him. In fact, she might even be thinking back on the times he had held her before, kissed her in a way that was very unbrotherly of him. He didn't regret any of it, he loved her more than anything. Until she asked him anything, he would remain silent. Magus wasn't sure exactly how to broach any of the topics that needed to be covered.

Finally, Schala looked at him, and covered the topic, which while painful, was still easier than the one she would have to confront later.

"So, where is Zeal?" she asked him, eyes trusting him to divulge the truth of the matter.

Looking down for a moment, Magus collected his thoughts, then looked back up at her, still looking down, as she was so much smaller than him. "Lavos destroyed Zeal, even as he destroyed the Ocean Palace."

"Oh," Schala said, quiet, and full of something that could almost be unsurprised. The room was still, and as she looked at her hands, she told him, "I thought that might be the case. After all, Zeal had the best healers."

Magus almost wanted to smile at her quick mind. He also wanted to hold her. He knew she must be feeling pain.

There was an even longer silence, their tiredness forgotten in the place of more important matters.

"So..." she began, before quieting down again. The day seemed to be full of awkward silences between the two of them. "Janus."

Magus twitched. He had not been called that since the day she had cried out for him as he was dragged through the portal. It almost hurt, but he couldn't really say why.

"Why didn't you let me know who you were?" she asked him, voice not bitter, but sad. Almost disappointed.

"There may have been temporal consequences involved," he told her, voice strong, prideful. "Besides, would you have believed me if I told you?"

Schala considered this for a while. "Not at first," she admitted, truthfully. "After you had been with us for a while, though, yes, I would have."

"Besides, I needed to become me, I can only distort the timeline so much," he said, voice darker with the implications.

"If you're here," she said, putting the puzzle pieces together, "Then the gurus should also be scattered as well, right?"

"Yes, they were thrown into different times as well. You could even visit Melchior in this time, if you like," he offered, the information a peace gesture.

She perked up at this information. "Melchior? Really? How about the others?"

"Gaspar is in a place called the End of Time, where he watches over time itself," Magus explained. Then he hesitated, before telling her, "Balthazar died, though, but he lives on through his work."

Schala looked saddened at this news, before asking downcast, "What works?"

"The Epoch, which your new friends use, is the time traversing device Balthazar made before he died." On second thought, he turned things over in his mind. "Actually, since we destroyed Lavos before he could harm the world, Balthazar might be alive in the future, it's hard to say..."

Schala brightened at the news. "I do hope so."

Then everything descended back into the silence that had been so prevalent since she had woken up. So he decided to try and lighten the mood a little, even if only temporarily. "So, have you guessed who was who yet?" he asked her, knowing she would understand.

Looking at him, she mused over the answer, glad for something else to occupy her mind.

"Marle was the ice mage, wasn't she?" Schala asked, going for the easy one first, in order of elimination.

Magus nodded, gesturing for her to keep going.

"Robo wouldn't have magic, would he?" she asked, realizing that Robo was an artificial life form. Magus ignored the gendering of the robot.

"No, he doesn't have magicks," he acceded.

"Neither did Ayla, I couldn't sense any coming from her at all," Schala muttered, and Magus nodded, as she kept thinking it over. Glenn and Crono were a little harder now, as Glenn wasn't the telltale frog he had once been.

Finally, Schala ventured out with her final hypothesis. "Crono seemed rather bright, almost electric the way his hair stands up..." Magus stayed silent, watching without giving anything away, "And Glenn...he seemed so graceful, like water flowing."

Magus ground his teeth a little at her description of the blasted knight. But he nodded his head, letting her know she had guessed rightly. She smiled at her success, flushing a little at his pride in her.

"You know, I'm still your big sister," she scolded, trying to lighten the mood. "Even if you are older than me right now."

Magus froze, not sure how he should react, now that she had made it quite obvious. After a moment, he decided to go with it. "Lets go with age, rather than who was born first," he said smoothly, eyes glinting.

The subject, seeming safer, was further joked about. "Show a little respect here," she chuckled, "I used to tuck you in at night."

Magus smiled at her carefully. "Looks like it's my turn now," and this is where he was treading thin ice. "Did you want a goodnight kiss, too?" he asked her teasingly.

She stuttered a little in her motions, not sure how to respond. As a man, she was attracted to him, but as her brother, she was completely lost. She couldn't really picture this young man as her brother. When she looked, she still the saw the pride and arrogance, the same loneliness. But there was so much more hidden behind his eyes. The man was enigmatic, and hard to resist.

Watching silently, Magus noted the emotions flicking across her face, her eyes full of turmoil. He spoke, seeing she was at an impasse with her inner self. "Schala," and his voice, deep, and full of feeling, gave her the same flush on her cheeks it always did, made her heart race, in a way only Magus could do. Just by saying her name. He took her hand in his, and carefully placed her palm against his cheek, inhaling her scent, relishing in the feel of her hand. "I won't push you on this matter, as much as I can," and he gave her a look that said he couldn't promise much. "I just want you to know that what I felt for you in Zeal, is still true here."

She didn't pull her hand away. She kept looking at him. Schala was still lost. If anything, she was getting deeper in the woods than before.

Suddenly, he leaned forward, and carefully, hand stroking her cheek, he kissed her as tenderly as he ever did, not pushing for her to respond. Her automatic response was to kiss him back, as she had on the multiple occasions he had shown affection at her long gone home.

Pulling back after a moment, Magus stood up, and started to walk towards the door.

"Where are you going?" was the sudden panicked voice behind him. His head snapped back as he halted immediately.

"I thought I would give you some space," he said, hand hovering by the door knob.

"Can you please stay?" she asked, face still blushing lightly, eyes entreating him not to leave her alone in this strange place, this strange time.

"Of course I can stay," he whispered, smiling at her. I will always stay by your side, were his unsaid thoughts, only partially given away by his eyes.

When he was going to sit on the chair, her voice once again stopped him. "Could you sleep with me, please?" she asked of him this time.

Nodding in acquiescence, he removed his boots, and carefully slipped into the bed, and his arms slowly engulfed her, bringing her to him, where she clung. Magus understood what she needed. It was reassurance. Reassurance that she wasn't alone. That she had someone who knew. Who she knew. Who she trusted.

Magus fell asleep holding her like that. They could always figure out what to do later. For now, this is what they needed.


IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!

Next chapters have been pondered. But as a Schala/Magus relationship, should there be graphic content? I haven't done this before, and would like feedback. Please let me know what you think through reviews, pm's, however.

Would you like graphic natured content? Chaste, or just implied. I mean, an adult relationship eventually has sex. You let me know.

If there is a tie, I can just make a scene that can be skipped over. Please let me know! I have been tortured wondering how to do this! This is my first story! ACK!

a/n: Well, sorry for the long wait. I had this planned out, but had a hard time advancing. The next chapters are going to have choices, and if no one gives feedback...I may be lost debating with myself even more. Also, I've been busy watching DBZ. Had a sudden urge to do so. Hope this chapter was enjoyed! I will finish this story, even if it kills me to do so! Even if I have to kill others to do so! Even if-umm, well, you get the idea. :)