After Midnight

Chapter 5

by Rena-Chan44

Story Name: After Midnight

Author: Rena-Chan44

Summary: From the moment I met him, I had always tried to tell myself it was just a petty little crush. Boy, was I ever wrong. Penelo x Balthier

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XII, or any of its characters. Square Enix, does. So please don't sue. Only the plot of this story is mine.

X-X-X-X

I broke away from Balthier and looked over his shoulder to see Vaan standing at the door, open-mouthed, the gas container long forgotten on the ground.

Balthier, who had just noticed that I wasn't kissing him anymore, turned around and say that Vaan was there. Even he looked surprised.

Vaan looked even more hurt. He just turned away and left without a word.

"Vaan!" I yelled, trying to run after him, but Balthier just held me back and said, "Penelo...he needs time."

"B-but...Balthier...he's my best friend! I don't want that to change!!"

"But, it already has...Penelo; I don't think he wishes to speak with you right now...it will only result in more fighting."

I nodded my head, "Okay...but...why did you..."

"Kiss you?" He finished for me.

I blushed and looked down, "Well...yes."

"Hmm..." He began bringing his face closer to mine again, his sweet breath on my face as he spoke, "Maybe you're not the only one with a crush." He smiled.

It was about then when my knees gave out and I dropped to the floor. He grabbed my arms to steady me and chuckled, "Penelo...are you alright?"

"O-oh...I'm fine...just...shocked is all." I managed to say, blushing for what seemed like the millionth time.

"Thanks." I said, for he had caught me when I fell.

His signature grin graced his features, "Anything for you, my dear."

I was extremely surprised I didn't pass out right there.

"Perhaps we should get back to everyone else...they will be wondering where we were off to. And unless you wish to inform them of what just happened..." I heard him say.

"No!" I said a little too quickly, "I...I mean I'd rather not."

"…As I thought." He continued. "Come, then."

I followed him out of the cabin silently and looked around outside. I noticed that everyone was giving me looks again. What had happened?

And then it hit me. Had Vaan told them what he had just seen? I shot a glance his way. He looked angry and a little smug, but his eyes showed sadness.

"Guess what I just saw..." Vaan started with an edge in his tone. He grimaced.

I gulped. He was going to tell them.

Fran interrupted once again by entering the room. "Where have you two been?" She asked, "Does someone have the gas for the airship…Vaan?"

Vaan stopped smirking and said, "I dropped it when I walked in on---"

He was interrupted by Balthier who said, "It is right here, Fran."

She walked over and took it out of his hands. "Alright, everyone to the front of the ship."

Everyone cleared out of the room. As I was about to walk through the door, Balthier and I being the last to exit, I felt someone grab my hand. I turned again.

He grinned and said, "Penelo...I believe we should finish what we started...do you agree?"

My eyes widened at the question. He didn't wait for an answer and pushed me against the door, this time.

"Balthier...we should get to the others." I whispered. I'm sure I didn't sound very convincing.

"In a second," He kissed me again, more gently this time. I grabbed his shoulders when suddenly, the door behind me opened, sending us crashing to the floor.

I tried to move, but he was weighing me down. I guess he didn't care that everyone was probably looking at us right now, because he kept kissing me regardless.

I pushed at his chest and broke the kiss. I looked up and Vaan was right above me, looking at us as if we were to most disgusting thing he had ever seen. I guess he was the one who had opened the door.

Balthier eventually got off of me and stood up, brushing himself off, letting me finally get up.

I just stared at him. How could he act so casual?

I couldn't even bring myself to look at everyone else. What would they think of me?

"So," Balthier continued casually, "Are we leaving or what?"

I gaped and I heard Vaan say, "What?!"

Looks like I wasn't the only one wondering why he was acting like it was natural to fall through a door while you're kissing someone.

"Balthier," Fran stated in her monotone, "I thought you weren't going to tell her yet?"

He shrugged.

Ashe crossed her arms and added, "Well...it looks as if he was doing a little more than telling her, but who am I to judge."

"It's not the first time something like this has happened!" Vaan blurted out.

I smacked my forehead with the palm of my hand and sighed. I shot a nervous glance over at Balthier; but he didn't seem very affected by any of this...he just rolled his eyes and walked away, sitting in the pilot's seat and saying, "Everyone ready?"

Vaan looked like he had smacked in the face but he took a seat anyways. My allies joined him, and soon we were off, everyone sitting in a deathly awkward silence.

I heard a few whispers behind me...no doubt they were talking about Balthier and I. When they were finally aloud to take off their seatbelts, I watched in silence as Basch and Ashe left the room with Vaan. He clearly didn't want to be around me anymore. I just wanted to talk to him and explain everything, but I was afraid he would get even angrier at me.

It had seemed like so long ago that Vaan and I were still talking to each other like best friends even though it was only a day or two. Why did this have to happen, and since when did Vaan even like me? Since when would he kiss me? Maybe he was just trying to keep me away from Balthier...but he just seemed so hurt.

I cringed as I felt a sharp pain sky rocket through my head. Great, a headache was the last thing I needed right now.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the pain.

X-X-X-X

I was awoken by the familiar swish of the door in the Strahl. I kept my eyes closed, so tired that I would have rather not wake up.

I heard Balthier's voice and the sound of his quick steps, "I'll carry her out..."

"No." Someone cut in, "I need to talk to her. I'll take her."

My heart beat faster...Vaan? I forced myself to look asleep.

He picked me up and I felt myself being carried into the heat of the Phon Coast. I had almost forgotten how hot it was around here.

I was set on the ground, the grains of sand sticking to my arms and legs.

He shook me awake. "Penelo...I want to talk to you. Please wake up."

I opened my eyes slowly and sat up. "Vaan?"

"I know I've been really stupid but can we just talk?"

"...Okay."

There was a pause, and I couldn't take the silence, so I broke it.

"Vaan, I just want us to be friends again."

He ran his hand through the sand and said, "I know...but why Balthier? I mean of all people...?"

"What do you mean?"

"I...just, I sort of looked up to him and stuff, you know, 'cause he's a sky pirate. He had everything I ever wanted and now he has you. I guess I was just jealous."

"Vaan...you don't need to be jealous. I'll always be your friend!"

"I know that...but I just wanted more. I was sort of a big jerk, huh?"

"It's okay, Vaan...I understand. But...I've moved on."

"And I have to live with that. If it's what makes you happy, as your best friend, I should be able to support you. But it didn't. And that's wrong."

I smiled and threw my arms around him. "Vaan!! I'm so glad we don't hate each other anymore..."

"You're my best friend, Penelo."

I noticed that the sun was setting and saw everyone getting their stuff out of the airship. I got up.

"I suppose I should go help." I said, watching Balthier walk out down the ramp and into the sand with Fran, Ashe and Basch not too far behind, arms laden with packages.

I looked back at Vaan again. "Thanks...Vaan."

X-X-X-X

I followed Balthier up one of the hills overlooking the ocean.

"Come here, Penelo." He said vaguely.

I looked up and ran over to him, "What is it?"

He sat on the cliff, his legs hanging over edge and said, "Look at the sky from here."

I walked over carefully, but didn't sit down, "Balthier...won't you fall over the edge?"

He laughed and smiled, "Of course not. You will not fall either, if that's what you are worried about."

I sat down beside him with caution, and looked at the sky. It was sunset.

"Oh...it's beautiful." I told him.

I heard an intruding voice behind us, "Well...so is this!!"

It all happened in slow motion after that. I watched in shock, unable to do anything as Balthier was pushed over the edge of the cliff. I yelled his name and reached for him, but it was too late.

I turned around and saw Vaan standing above me, a sadistic grin spattered across his face.

"Now...Penelo," he said cruelly, "Isn't that so much better? Now we can be together!"

I watched in horror as he laughed maniacally. "No!! I want Balthier back! Balthier!!"

It was about then when my eyes shot open and woke in a cold sweat.

X-X-X-X

a/n: I know, I know. One more cliffhanger and everyone will kill me. Penelo was dreaming, in case anyone didn't notice the last line. DDD:

Thanks to all the sweet and wonderful reviewers and thanks to Riley and Sarah again. You guys rock. :D