After Midnight

Chapter 6

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 was breathing heavily, tossing and turning, screaming out his name, hoping he was okay. It took a while for me to realize someone was shaking my arms and calling my name.

"…Penelo? Penelo...it's alright...I'm alright."

I stopped thrashing and screaming and looked at who was talking.

"Balthier...Balthier...I...you're okay!" Was I all I could say, still in shock from my nightmare.

He released his firm grip on my forearms and looked at me in the eye.

"Vaan!! Vaan...he tried to, h-he killed---" I continued hysterically, but I stopped when he lifted a finger to my lips to stop me.

"It's alright. Vaan's alright. Everyone's fine...Penelo, you just had a nightmare."

I looked down at the ground and noticed that most of my body was covered in a thin layer of sand. In other words, I was a mess. My cheeks were flushed from the heat and my hair was falling out of their usual braids.

I finally realized that all of my comrades were crowded around Balthier and I with concerned looks on their faces.

I vaguely noticed Fran bending down in front of me. She put a hand on my forehead and said, "I believe she has a fever. Perhaps she is ill...it would seem that is the cause of her hysterics."

"Perhaps Penelo should clean herself off in the water...it may help return her senses." Balthier suggested.

Basch stepped in, "It is likely that would wake her up."

"But I'm awake!! Stop acting like I'm insane." I protested weakly.

"That is not what I meant," Basch continued, "It will help clear up your thoughts."

Even Vaan was there (I jumped at his voice, remembering what had happened in the dream).

"Penelo...you okay?" He questioned.

I pointed a finger at him, "You killed him!"

"What?" He asked, "Who did I kill? I wouldn't kill someone!"

"Bal--" I whispered quietly, but suddenly, Balthier walked over and scooped me up, slinging me over his shoulder. I gaped. That had been completely unexpected.

"I'll bring you down to the ocean, Penelo. Maybe you shouldn't tell Vaan about it just yet..." he whispered, so no one else (especially Vaan) wouldn't hear.

I paused before replying. I'm pretty sure Balthier just wanted to know the dream first. After all, it was about him.

I pouted the entire way there. "Balthier. Put me down. I'm not a sack of potatoes."

"Oh?" He said teasingly, "Would you rather I'd let Vaan bring you?"

I groaned.

"Alright...here we are. I'll be waiting for you when you're done cleaning up." He set me down. I watched in wonder as he bent forward to swipe a strand of my mussed hair behind my ear and walked away, his light footsteps silent in the sand.

I watched until he was out of sight over one of the banks of sand. I cupped some of the ocean's water in my hand and splashed it over my face. It felt very good, and I was happy to feel that my thoughts were finally starting to clear.

Maybe the dream was symbolizing something? I sure hoped not. Was Vaan lying to me last night? Maybe he's actually jealous.

I washed away that thought with a splash of water and stepped out of the ocean. I walked up to mound of sand and looked around for Balthier. I spotted him over with the rest of my allies crowded around the campfire. It looked like they were talking. I was about to say something when I heard my name, so I kept quiet. I snuck behind the rock and listened.

"I think she's going crazy." Vaan said loudly.

"I think it would be best if we brought her to a doctor, just in case. She may be ill. There are good doctors on Mt. Bur-Omisace." I heard Fran say.

"I do not think she's going to appreciate being brought to a doctor," Basch stated.

"Yes." Ashe continued, "Perhaps it would be a good idea to tell her that we are going there to buy something...or maybe to go on a hunt."

"She's going to think we think she's insane...wait, do we?" Vaan said obnoxiously.

Balthier stepped in, "Hmm...I didn't think you were the type to resort to trickery. Nonetheless, I like it...Anyways, she should be done by now, so I'll go see if she is finished."

He walked off straight in the direction that I was hiding. I gasped and walked off, trying to make it look like I just got here.

He noticed I was there and asked me if I was feeling better. I said yes.

"Penelo...we'll be heading over to Mt. Bur-Omisace tomorrow. It'd be best to get some rest."

"Really?" I pretended I hadn't heard the conversation. If they wanted to lie, then so be it.

"Why?" I asked innocently.

"Come," He said, "We'll talk about it tomorrow." He slung his arm around my shoulders again, distracting me once again from what I had been previously thinking.

"O-okay." I stuttered sadly. I don't know what was wrong with them. I wasn't crazy, I was just sick. And stressed. So much had happened in the past week. Even my best friend, Vaan, thought I was insane. And Balthier! I sighed again and allowed myself to be led over to the sleeping area.

"Goodnight, Penelo." Balthier whispered as he lay me down and lightly kissed my forehead.

All I could do was sigh and blush...again. I seemed to be doing a lot lately. But it wasn't my fault he was so charming.

X-X-X-X

I was awakened by the sound of Fran's voice, "We'll be landing in Mt. Bur-Omisace shortly."

I opened my eyes and tried to sit up only to be met with a raging headache. I groaned and held a hand to my head. Oh. Great. They'd be taking me to the 'asylum' soon. I rolled my eyes.

"How are you doing, my dear?" Balthier asked from my side. How did he get there? He must have been watching me sleep...

"Oh? I'm fine...I just have a headache, that's all."

I watched in silence as Balthier motioned for me to move over. I did and the bed shifted slightly with the extra weight.

"Are you sure that you'll be okay?" He asked again.

He leaned in and gently brushed his hand against my face.

"Balthier...don't let them take me." I protested weakly.

"Wh-" He started but was interrupted by Fran walking in. She stared for a while and then said, "Penelo, you should get ready now."

"Oh...okay." was all I could manage.

"Balthier...I need your help for landing." She continued.

He nodded and Fran left. I pulled on his sleeve to keep him from standing.

"Yes, Penelo?" he asked.

"Balthier...I don't want to--"

The Strahl suddenly lunged downward and started shaking. The fall's momentum sent me flying forward into the wall by the doorway. I gasped as my head hit the doorframe.

I turned myself over and noticed that Balthier was on the ground, injured. Something must have stabbed him through his gut because there was something protruding from his stomach. Blood stained his blouse and I thought I heard him say, "Something's...wrong with the ship."

A wave of panic washed over me. I tried to run over to him but the ship lunged again, sending me flying near the window. Pieces of glass shattered all around me. I felt them stab into my back and arms and the last thing I felt was the cool air on my face and the sensation of falling in the pit of my stomach.

X-X-X-X

n/a: Sorry for the late chapter…lots of projects.

Thanks again to Riley MaximumRiley for the help. I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. (Riley kept trying to get me to write this really gory morbid stuff...with intestines. x.X )