Hey! It's the day of my birth! I know it's odd for me to give out presents on such a day, but I'm hoping you'll return the favour. (Hint, hint)
Well, it's the next chapter.
Thanks in advance,
Special thanks to Celestia's Paladin, crazy reader, Bonar, Noel the mermaid, and TrippyToastersAndABagOfChips for reviewing.
Well, I'll not delay,
ONWARDS!

Isaac sighed as he closed Kraden's door behind him. Now he had to go talk to Ivan, a talk he really did not want to have. Surely he could delay it, saying there were more important things to be concerned with right now. Still, he was concerned for his friend and the Laliveran. Ivan was not one to just go and kiss someone, unless it was there birthday, just to say thanks. He might hug them, punch them in the arm, do something Ivan, but this was new. Maybe he liked the girl… for some reason, but they had only known each other a short time.

Sometimes he worried for his young friend. He had been nothing like he was now when they had first met him… he barely spoke when they first met him as it were. He preferred to use his mental abilities over voicing his opinions. He wondered if maybe Garet and he had made Ivan feel more secure in the world. He had thought that he was alone in it after all, to meet other Psynergy-wielders must have made him feel like he wasn't alone. Maybe that was when he started coming into his own as a person.

"Hey, Ivan." He called down the hall as the young Jupiter Adept came into view, who had been previously mumbling to himself, "Sheba asked me to talk to you about your little action."

The boy's ever-present boyish grin fell away, "Okay…"

"What happened?" Isaac asked, wondering why he hadn't earlier, "Why were you crying? What could have happened that led to you kissing her?"

All these circumstances were highly irregular. Not to mention that they were all happening during the current crisis. He really didn't have too much time to deal with this problem, yet something compelled him to solve it. Maybe he just wanted to help in a way he knew he could.

"Umm…"

He was in no mood for delays, "I'll ask Sheba if you won't tell me." Isaac threatened.

"Fine, fine. Mia's having nightmares and stuff… I just… she did nothing to deserve it. I ended up crying over it and Sheba was there for me… it was nice." Ivan explained, fresh tears appearing in his eyes as he remembered Mia's predicament.

"Oh, okay… uh, by nice you mean…?" Isaac urged. Nice had a range of possibilities. Anything could be 'nice' what exactly did Ivan mean this time. Sometimes he wished he could read minds too.

"New." Ivan said quickly, "I've been comforted before, men and women, but something was… different. She just sat there with me, holding me… it was nice."

Ah, so that's what he meant. Well, not the word Isaac would have chosen, but now he knew anyway. Isaac's smirk slowly grew as Ivan spoke, "Nice, huh? You know in Vale we have a different phrase for that. It's called wanting her!"

"Dude, shut up!" Ivan cast a careful glance at the door behind them, Isaac's statement was dangerously loud enough for Sheba to hear, "What's wrong with you?"

Isaac laughed, sometimes things were just too perfect, and Ivan being embarrassed? Nothing could be better, "Oh, come on. Not everyone needs to read minds to know what someone thinks, you like her don't you?"

"How could I?" Ivan had become very defensive, along with a brilliant new red glow on his face, and had moved away from the girls' door, "I've known her two days."

"So? You know how I feel about Jenna. That was almost instantaneous, time has no law with this stuff." Strange how openly he could talk about this with Ivan. Moreover that he could talk about it when anyone could be listening. Though, Felix was out cold so he was safe for now.

"That's different!" Ivan retorted, knowing he was arguing in vain, "You were friends all your lives."

"C'mon, I know this is new to you, but this is over-reacting." Isaac countered smugly, "Look, she wants to know why, I say you tell her."

Ivan shook his head negatively, his face becoming a darker red, "Suicide. No way. I don't even know if I like her."

This was going nowhere, Isaac sighed, "Look, why don't you take time to realise you do, alright? Go down to the docks and clear your head, work's finished on the ship so it'll be all quiet for you."

"Oh, the effort of walking down there." Ivan sighed, trying to be funny and diffuse the awkwardness.

"Either you go through the effort or I drag you in there and force you to tell her." Isaac said, grabbing the boy's shoulder.

The boy jerked his shoulder from him and took off on his walk, "Fine, fine! Gods you're intolerable sometimes. I swear someday I'll…" He trailed off as he disappeared down the hall.

Isaac shook his head as he pushed open the door to the girls' room. Isaac focused he entered, Jenna was still asleep in her bed, resting comfortably beneath the sheets. Mia was still unconscious, the constant pain she felt etched into her features. Sheba was beside her, still whispering to the healer, though she turned when Isaac entered, a small blush forming from her last talk when she just trailed off.

"Hey, Sheba, how's Mia?" Isaac asked, trying to distract her thoughts from Ivan.

Sheba shook her head with a small frown, "No improvement. Still hurt."

"And Jenna?"

"Still sleeping. Seems relaxed, no problems or disturbed mumblings."

At least something was improving. As long as Jenna had calmed down, maybe he could handle this entire situation. Taking a careful seat beside Mia, and looking over his friend with care that spoke volumes more than an average friendship. Two years of knowing each other, of facing weather, and battle, and, essentially, the entire world, forged a bond between the Valean and the Imilian as strong as the one he shared with any of his childhood friends. They were forced into a friendship... but the friendship itself was in no way forced. It was so natural that it bordered on them being related or involved. It was amazing really.

He smiled to the healer who had become one of his closest friends in such a short time, rubbing his hand delicately above the bandaged area of her leg. Turning from his friend, to the young girl who he would most likely be forced into a friendship as well, he rid himself of melancholy thoughts of injury and smirked.

"I had that talk with Ivan." He commented.

Sheba glanced up a little, biting down on her lip. Isaac smirked to himself, choosing not to point out the girl's reaction to that.

"I think he likes you."

Sheba blushed deeply, but said nothing. That thought, of someone liking her as something more, was new. No one had ever felt about her that way, not that she knew anyway, and she had never felt like that for anyone else.

"He refuses to just say that though. It's not usual to see him embarrassed, so I had fun teasing him about it. I told him to go for a walk down to the beach."

Sheba's face coursed with confusion at that, "Why?"

"Well, sometimes he needs a bit to clear his head."Isaac let his smile grow wider as Sheba watched him, "Plus, it's getting kind of late. The sun will be setting soon, he'll be at the beach… romantic, no?"

Sheba's face was instantly a much deeper tone than it had been previously. It was the intended effect, though the aftermath was still a question for Isaac, "Wh-what's the point of that?"Her attempt at innocence was cute.

Isaac smiled, "Well, I can't say for you, but as I understand it women find that kind of thing very romantic… maybe you might surprise him down there."

"Wh-why!?"Sheba gasped, her cheeks burning even hotter.

This attempt at ignorance really was cute in a way, "Might be a good way to catch him off guard, maybe make him say he likes you… maybe you could say you like him? Share a kiss maybe?"

Sheba's heart was in her throat within a microsecond. Sh-share a kiss!? How could she do that? She… she didn't even know how! That brush of lips against her cheek was the closest she had ever come to romantic contact… and… and Ivan was just thanking her, that was all! This idea of Isaac's it… it was just… just ridiculous!

"I-I can't!" She objected, desperately searching for some reason to back up her argument seeing as Isaac was visibly questioning her, "I shouldn't leave Mia again!"She stated, so glad she had found a reason to end Isaac's suggestions. Then, she felt guilt grip her as she had just used Mia's current injury as a way to dodge embarrassment.

"It's okay," Isaac smiled, having expected that, "I can look after her for now, and Kraden's nearly done with his antidote, it'll be fine."

"I shouldn't leave."She mumbled, defeated.

Isaac smirked. Sheba's face was a surprising shade of red over her already very tan face. She was young, and as he heard she had a very sheltered upbringing. These thoughts were probably very new to her. Deciding to be more mature about this approach, he spoke, "It'll be okay, Sheba. You'll be fine."

Isaac would never truly know how much those words helped Sheba. She suddenly became… not confident, but she wasn't ashamed or afraid anymore. There was just something about Isaac, an aura or something, that made things seem easier if he said they would be. She stood up quickly, walking over to Isaac and pulling the Venus Adept into a surprisingly strong hug. Despite Isaac's strength he couldn't quite wrestle his arms away from the crushing grip to return it quite fully, but he did what he could.

Sheba smiled to him a little, "T-thank you." She mumbled, before darting out of the room.

"Well what, might I ask, was all that about?"

Ivan kicked the same stone in front of him for what had to be the fiftieth time now. This walk was doing nothing for him or how he felt. How was a walk supposed to sort out something like this? To do that one is supposed to talk with the party in question, not isolate themselves to think it over. Though, that's what he was doing now, so he may as well do it right.

They may only have known each other for the combined time of about a day, but they had certainly become friends fast. That was nothing, he warmed to everyone pretty easy, so why should Sheba have been a different story?

Sure, Sheba was attractive… cute… some word to that effect. He didn't really know, this wasn't his area of expertise. He could list off her features finding something complimenting, but what did that mean to him? Why should it mean anything to him? He was just some kid, okay a kid who could control the wind and was on a quest to save the world, but still a kid.

Her eyes were definitely beautiful, he knew that much. Their shimmering emerald-green seemed to change with her mood, the few he'd seen anyway. When she was happy, they sparkled and shook a little, it was kind of odd, but definitely attractive. When she was sad, they shrunk away a bit, seeming to reflect more light. When she was afraid, with her eyes wide, the colour dominated so much of them it was hard not to marvel at them.

Her hair was as gold, similar to his but… more feminine. Where his was just a random assortment of unkempt blonde, hers was a controlled and tidy frame for her features. It was a little odd, but it was certainly nice to look at.

She wasn't exactly as feminine in body as Jenna or Mia were. She was still young after all, though he was one to talk. He wasn't exactly the prime examples of manliness that any of the other males of the group had set. Besides, he wasn't as shallow as to just consider physicality.

He didn't know what he was thinking and he kicked the stone again, watching it bounce against the path. All of the things he said about her appearance could be said about Jenna or Mia, the two of them were very attractive as well. The things he was thinking could easily be taken out of context.

She had remembered the first time they met about a year ago, when she was a prisoner in Tolbi. She had remembered what he had said to her. That had been a nice day, but he was only trying to cheer up a sad girl then.

In his younger days, he'd been alone, excluded from everyone else for being weird and a freak. Sheba too had been excluded, though the hurtful insults and taunts that were thrown at him were gilded for her. Where he had been excluded through bullies and name-calling, she had been excluded by being locked away, treasured as a miracle too precious for the outside world.

He sighed, continuing his wonder. Why was he so focused on Sheba? Must have been because Isaac had told him to think about her on this walk. Yeah, this was his fault… he was the one who had said all this nonsense about liking her and had gone to back it up with how he felt about Jenna. Maybe he should stay out of his life and work on his own.

When at last he reached the beach, he sat down still with his thought on the Laliveran. It had done him no good to blame Isaac, it had done no good to try and justify his thoughts about her appearance, nothing he had done had proved of any use.

So, he continued to just sit and think.

The bottle in the scholar's hand ignited a much needed spark of hope in the Adept's chest. He suddenly felt possessed by duty and a sense of direction from just a simple glass bottle, with an admittedly unpleasant looking concoction contained within. Isaac's eyes were bright with optimism. Kraden smiled as he moved in, finally glad to see optimism in the young blonde's eyes. His work was often not recognised, not that he could blame the group seeing as everything just bombarded them in the space of a day when they discovered something new, so it was nice to have such an effect for once.

"Kraden is that…?" Isaac said hopeful, ignoring Kraden's interest for the room.

"It is, my friend, prop her up please."

Isaac nodded and placed his hand, gently, beneath Mia's head and his other behind her back and raised her into a sitting position.

"Excellent, now open her mouth please." The scholar stated as he uncorked the vial. the liquid had looked disgusting as it was, but the smell... it was ungodly in its aroma. It assaulted the room within seconds, Isaac physically struggling not to gag. He was amazed by the fortitude of Kraden's nose, or perhaps its destruction after a lifetime of having to deal with such pungent scents.

He shook his head, doing his best to regain his focus. Gently putting his thumb and index finger around Mia's delicate lips, Isaac opened the healer's mouth, trying not to let unbecoming thoughts enter his mind.

"Brace her and stand back, this won't be a pleasant experience."

Isaac nodded and held her tightly at the waist as Kraden poured the red serum into her mouth. Even in Mia's current state Isaac couldn't help but let a small red hue appear on his cheeks, sometimes in his travels he had imagined Mia and him in this position, though she was conscious. Isaac tilted her head back slightly so as to ensure she drank the serum.

Mia's eyes flew open and she coughed and convulsed violently, leaning over the side of the bed and vomiting. Isaac recoiled quickly, but did not release her, as she had nearly covered him in a paste of... he chose not to think of it.

"Ah, it worked perfectly." Kraden smiled to himself as he made a quick retreat from the side of the bed.

"This is working perfectly?" Isaac asked in disbelief, holding Mia steady and trying to get as far from her as possible at the same time.

"Yes, the vomiting is just the way of clearing toxins from the body." He smiled, "She may not remember some things, but she will be fine if given time to rest. Though, somehow I imagine she won't have long."

Isaac frowned and turned back to Mia, who seemingly, and thankfully, hadn't heard Kraden's words, as she continued to vomit on the floor beside her. Eventually the continuing tide of gunk ebbed and Mia returned to the sitting position Isaac had put her in. She coughed, lifted her hand slightly and tried to regain her focus on it. She then glanced quickly around the room and her eyes fell on Isaac. Isaac quickly retrieved some cloths for her and the new pool upon the floor.

"…Isaac…" She said wearily, a slight smile on her lips.

"Hey, Mia, welcome back…" He smiled, handing her a cloth and crouching down to wipe up the mess.

"Where….ugh…where am I?" She asked groggily, wiping her face.

"You're in your bed, in the inn in Contigo." He answered reassuringly.

"Oh… yeah… What happened to me?"

"You were uh…"

Isaac debated telling her everything in his mind. Felix had been the source of this situation and she had been alone as she tried to save him. To remind her of everything now wouldn't help. He stopped and looked at her thoughtfully as she rubbed her eyes, before realising he had been silent for some time.

"You were hurt in battle and you've been out since then."

He lifted the end of the blanket to show her bandaged leg. She gasped slightly at the sight of the bloody bandage. She winced as she reached toward it to check it. Isaac gently pushed her back down.

"The town healer cured you as best he could but there were some toxins in your blood that he couldn't extract."

Mia began to glow weakly with Psynergy. Isaac placed her hand on her shoulder and the weak, crackling Psynergetic rings dissipated.

"Mia, no need, Kraden's remedy should have got rid of all it, you need to eat something and get some rest."

"Ugh… you're right, I'm so tired…" She whispered and massaged her throat, which felt so dry, "Could you get some food for me, Isaac, please?"

"Of course, Mia, I'll be right back." He smiled at her as she lay back down and rested her head against her pillow.

He stared down at the mess beneath him, shook his head and walked over to Jenna's bed, shaking her lightly to wake her up, "Jenna… Jenna…" He whispered.

She stirred and slowly opened her eyes, "Oh, Isaac, is Felix okay yet?" She asked rubbing her eyes, "And what is that smell?"

Mia went wide-eyed as the mention of Felix caused her memories of what happened on the plains to rush back into her mind, she let out a small breath, hoping it would escape the other two's notice.

"I'm sorry, Jenna, not yet. But, Mia is feeling better, she's awake and talking will you keep her company? That smell" He grimaced gesturing to Mia, "was Mia's recovery."

Jenna turned her head to look at Mia's bed. She saw Mia and smiled slightly, "Ugh. Poor M- Oh, Mia!" She exclaimed as she finally realised Mia was awake.

She got up and walked to Mia's side. Isaac smiled, Jenna's short rest seemed to have relaxed her to a certain degree, and he headed downstairs to get some food for Mia. He heard Jenna try to talk to Mia, but heard no response, that was odd Mia was always sociable and warm toward people, especially good friends. He assumed she was just tired from what she'd been through.

Garet's slumped form at the counter offered a sense of amusement and worry in Isaac. Garet had, since turning eighteen almost a month before their quest, tended to drink worries away. It usually worked for him and resulted in hilarious memories for him, although embarrassing to an incredible level. There was the odd occasion when he drowned not only is worries but his senses in the liqueur and resulted in inconvenient reciprocations for all concerned.

"Hey man," He smiled and patted him on the back, "having fun?"

Garet looked up from his glass, "Oh hey, Isaac, I need to talk to you…" He said solemnly.

"What's wrong?" Isaac was worried now, it wasn't like Garet to get serious and even more unlike him to get serious after he started drinking.

"Sorry about everything, you know? Freaking out back there… It's just… well, I'm worried for Mia."

Isaac nodded, tapping his best friend's shoulder twice and smiling. If anyone knew of how he felt for Mia, it was Isaac. Garet had expressed 'love at first sight' to him just moments after joining up with Mia in Mercury Lighthouse, "I'm sorry too. It's stressful, I know. It's all good. But, hey, I know something that'll cheer you up." Isaac nudged Garet.

"Oh really?" He sighed, entirely doubtful of Isaac's words.

Isaac smiled, pausing dramatically just waiting for that expression change that told one Garet was tired of waiting, "Mia's awake."

"WHAT!?" Garet shouted, spilling his drink, "Ah damn…" His Psynergy quickly evaporated it.

"Yeah, so let's get her some food… and, well, you're not opposed to cleaning, right? Care to help?" Isaac laughed as Garet ran his hand over the spilled liquid.

"Of course!" Garet exclaimed, uncaring for what he had to do. Mia was better!

They ordered a full rack of meat, some soup and two pieces of Contigo's famous corn for Mia. They had also obtained a bucket of water, a mop and some towels. They carefully brought the tray and cleaning supplies upstairs and into the girls' room. Within, Mia was silent, but smiling, and Jenna went deathly silent, blushing slightly, as her two friends entered.

"Hey beautiful." Garet winked, glad to see his friend awake, "We come bearing gifts."

"Hi, Garet." She said weakly, hugging him as he placed the tray of food into her lap, "You didn't worry too much did you?"

"You kiddin'?" Jenna laughed, "'Oh, I hope my darling Mia recovers soon. I cannot bear the thought of her being unwell.'" Jenna mocked, smirking at him, "I'd be careful of him, Mia."

Garet faked insult, tossing his head back and holding his hand up by his head as if indicating stopping. Breaths of false shock escaped continuously. Isaac, choosing not to participate in this knowing if he did it would go on, started wiping up the coloured mess by Mia's bed.

"Isaac?" The healer whispered quietly, escaping notice of the Mars Adepts' insulting each other, "How is Felix?"

Isaac didn't look up, partly to make it seem that he wasn't talking to Mia, partly because he did not want to, "Piers is doing what he can. He's stable."

"Don't lie to me, Isaac." Mia warned, knowledge flashing in her blue eyes, "He was dying out there, even with my strongest Psynergies. Please… just tell me the truth."

Isaac nodded, feeling there was no use hiding it any longer. Now that Mia was better, maybe it wasn't a big deal. It could be handled now, right? Still, Jenna wouldn't take the news well.

"Uh, Jenna… could you take a seat, I have something I need to tell you." Isaac asked, putting the mop he had been using aside.

Jenna stared for a second before the possible implications of that statement came rushing to her. Fear and worry burned into her entire form as she took a shaky seat down on Mia's bedside. The healer's hand found its way into hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

"There's no easy way to say it, so…" Isaac took a deep breath to ready himself, ready to comfort or suffer punishment, or whatever Jenna's reaction may entail, "Felix is dying."

Mia had already known this to be truth, but that didn't stop tears from appearing in her eyes. But, Jenna… she had heard those words even more than the healer. Those words attacked her very heart, striking right back at those memories from when she first lost him.

Isaac hadn't just said that. He hadn't. He couldn't. Her mind was playing cruel tricks again. He couldn't have said it. But then, why was Mia crying, why had Garet turned away from her, why was Isaac looking so sad? He must have said it.

Felix had died before though. People couldn't survive death twice. Once was a miracle in itself… this time it would be too real. And… and she had only had him back for two years. How could that even begin to make up for the time they had lost and the pain and heartache she had suffered? He hadn't even really tried yet.

Jenna shook her head, blinking away tears, not believing any of this. Garet was at her side first, Isaac still stood across from her trying to continue to ease Jenna's worry.

"It'll be okay, Jenna. Now that Mia's better we'll be able to heal him."

Jenna didn't listen, she just shook her head again, "I should be with him… I at least deserve to see him. He's my Brother… my only family…" Her world was changing so fast, if Felix died she'd have no family left, nothing, she would be alone.

Garet glanced at Isaac, who nodded. Taking the signal, Garet helped Jenna up of the bed. She was shaking uncontrollably, the news unsettling all of her body, and was glad for Garet's support as he guided her out of the room and down the hall.

Isaac watched his friends walk away, just wishing he could be there for Jenna when she saw Felix. A scream emanated down the hall, cutting into Isaac's heart as he stayed at Mia's side. Wishing with all his heart that Garet would help her het past it, Isaac wiped his eyes of tears. Mia rubbed her hand over his, smiling up to him gently. Isaac smiled in return, and the two of them let their tears run free.

But Mia, all she could remember were the images of her nightmares and the plain, followed quickly by the damnation he had told he was promised after this quest. Whispering a prayer for Felix and Jenna, the family having suffered so much in their lives, Mia hoped that she could help him in time. Not just to save him, but to save his poor sister too.

"No-no-no-no-NO!"

Jenna had collapsed beside Felix, tears running freely from her eyes. She held Felix's hand tightly in hers and sobbed into the sheets at his side. This just couldn't be happen. Not to Felix. Not Felix. She prayed that this was just a nightmare, prayed that it was not Felix's electricity crackling hand she held in hers. She couldn't lose him again.

The first time she had lost him all of her family died, and Isaac's dad. She said she had gotten past in in the years, but that was such an utter lie that it physically hurt her soul every time she said it. Then Felix came back and reopened the wound… this would only cut deeper.

Mere hours beforehand, she had vented disgust and hatred into Isaac's body because he hadn't let her near him. She couldn't lose him again. Why did it have to be Felix? Why did have to be her only family? Why was the world so desperate to make her alone?

Piers struggled heal Felix, as Jenna's contact with him made it more difficult. He struggled to focus his Psynergy into Felix alone, and as he quickly burned through it, it was so much more difficult. Garet tried to pry Jenna from Felix's side, but she was determined to stay with him.

"Jenna, please you need to get back from him, it's not gonna help…"

"No…no I can't leave him…I can't! Felix? Felix, it's me Jenna! Felix, please Felix, say something!"

Why? Why wouldn't he answer? How far gone was he? Could Piers even help him? That hole in his chest had been there all day! Was Piers even healing him? Why wasn't he any better? Why was electricity still burning paths along his skin? Why couldn't he be okay? Why did he have to be hurt?

Garet had grabbed Jenna's shoulders and tried to pry her away from the bedside, "Jenna, Piers can't help him with you so close to him, please if you want to help Felix you need to get back…"

Jenna sobbed and loosened her grip on Felix's hand. She kissed it and whispered to him as Garet slowly pulled her away and she stood up.

"Come on, Jenna, the quicker Mia gets better the sooner Felix can be healed."

Jenna continued sobbing, tears still streaming down her face, as she stood up to leave.

"Do not worry, Jenna, I won't let Felix die, you have my word." Piers had looked up to smile into Jenna's shining wine-red eyes.

She nodded slightly and walked out. Garet looked to Piers, smiled, nodded, and followed after her. Piers sighed as he thought of his mother, who had passed in his absence from his home. He wouldn't let Jenna feel what he had. Piers smiled sadly and returned to his work.

"Ta'iu sh'e fEl'za'na hi'tile, Felix-kumi. Ta'iu'su aShi'ne am'kan'e ta'iu." (You should be a happy man, Felix. Your sister loves you.)

Sheba frowned as she walked along the path that Ivan had no doubt walked not too long ago. Why was she walking, why had she listened to Isaac? This was stupid! She was following Ivan down to a beach at sunset because he had kissed her on the cheek! Whoop-dee-freakin'-doo!

Oh yes, this was definitely a reason to stalk the poor boy. From the way Isaac had said it, it didn't much sound like Ivan had any intention to see her anytime soon, much less talk about his little gesture of thanks. That's all it had been after all, and she had blown it way out of proportion for no reason other than it being new to her.

She had put all this unnecessary pressure on him for no reason. And dragging Isaac into this was definitely not the wise course of action. She should have just stewed in her own thought and enjoyed the feeling his lips had left on her cheek.

Why had she enjoyed it so much though? Sure it was new… but almost everything since her kidnapping had been new and exciting. This though, this was… it was something, she couldn't quite place it. It was so new that what it might be was new to her. She dared to think that maybe she and Ivan…

No. No… Not now. It was just silly, a little girl's dream… not meant for a Laliveran princess that had fallen from the stars and had to save the world with her friends. Still, she had to bite her lip whenever she thought of that, it was so involuntary that it was natural. She worried for herself, because she was still walking on this path.

Ivan was cute, yes, in a kind of scruffy 'yeah, I'll tidy myself later' way. He was still clearly young, as clear as it was that she was young. His cheeks were still full like a baby's, even after two years of battle he kept his boyish looks. Yeah, she kind of liked him. It was odd… she didn't really know how to say it, but 'kind of like' worked for her for now.

She had glimpsed into his mind once or twice, and he had done the same. He hadn't always been like he was now… matter of fact he was silent, quiet, shy, withdrawn. She still hadn't found what had changed him, nor did she think anyone ever would as it seemed he didn't even know. Maybe it was just the freedom for the first time in his life.

Freedom… there wasn't much on this quest. They were all bound by chains dragging them through dangers and toward an ever growing darkness at the end of the world. This 'freedom' idea was all a farce. They didn't have the freedom they should. They had some, more than they had previously. They weren't free though. No one was ever truly free.

And Sheba continued to wonder as the beach at sunset came into her view.

Isaac's stomach churned at the vile mess that had spewed from Mia's poor form. Most of it didn't even seem humanly possible. The mix of purple, yellow, green and brown hues almost made him produce the same. If there was one thing he regretted it was the lack of knowledge of how to actually clean up something such as this properly. His effort was admittedly half of one, but nonetheless, the gunk and liquids that were strewn across the floor were practically gone. But there was nothing he could do about the rising, putrid smell.

"How was that, Mia?" Isaac asked, wiping the towels on the floor, opening the window wide in the hope of refreshing the air and taking a seat at the edge of her bed.

"It was wonderful, Isaac, thank you." She said brightly, but her eyes glittered with unshed tears.

Isaac lifted the tray from her lap and placed it on the bedside table. She hadn't even eaten half of it, but he wasn't going to press her just yet, "You're welcome. I'll be right back, okay, Mia?" He smiled, moving toward the door. She nodded slightly and turned her face down.

Isaac frowned as he dragged out the cleaning supplies, and towels from the room, he didn't want to leave Mia by herself, not even for a few seconds. He dragged them into a nearby closet where he had been told to leave them by the innkeeper, and rested his forehead against the cool wooden door.

Everything was so messed up, Jenna probably hated him for not telling her about Felix, Mia seemed to be breaking down for no reason and if something wasn't done soon, Felix wouldn't make it. He sighed aloud, knowing that, in this same situation, Felix would probably be handling it much better than he was.

Sometimes he wondered if he was even fit to be a leader. He never had to make life or death decisions really. The majority of his quest had been 'chase down Saturos' and wherever possible 'help anyone who needs it'. There had never been those gut-wrenching moments you hear of in stories where the hero has to make a decision that will change his life and those he loves forever. Those one of split-second choices with horrible repercussions no matter the decision.

Felix dealt with those choices day after day, and it had left him highly jaded. He had already been somewhat of a loner in Vale, gods only knew what Prox had done to him, and now he was so much different. Isaac wanted to believe it had all been that Northern town of scaled demons. Yet, he acknowledged, in the back of his head, that it was true leadership that had done this to Felix.

He shook his head and forced himself to smile as he walked in slowly, before hearing a faint noise from Mia. He was at her side in a second, worried something was wrong. Mia looked up and hiccupped slightly, one or two tears blinked out. He sighed inaudibly and fought internally with his leadership duties and feelings for his friend.

"Isaac." Mia said as he sat beside her, "Was… was Felix always like he is now?"

The Valean sighed a little. Some of the stories he and Garet had told of Felix hadn't been a shining example and they had embellished the truth. Could they be blamed for that? They thought Felix was out to destroy the world, he returned with warriors who had caused the Boulder all those years ago and kidnapped his own sister. The lies just made it easier for them to believe that Felix was evil now… that he was no longer the friend they once laughed with. It would have made it easier to have kill him.

"No." Isaac answered honestly, "Garet and I, we didn't give him a glowing portrait through our stories. He was never one for socialising, he preferred staying quiet, thinking, but that never stopped him from being stupid with us. I… I guess he's a lot like me. Sorry if we, you know, scared you or made you think badly of him. He's a little different nowadays, but I'd blame Prox. I'm sure he's still who he was once… somewhere."

Mia nodded, taking in the words. She figured this may have been the case since her talk with him, but she didn't have closure yet, "Do you remember what he was like after the Venus Beacon?"

Oh, boy, did he. That had been a surprise for everyone. Felix had died once, to see him just jump off the Aerie for Sheba toward what should have been a certain death was a complete shock. Isaac could not say for certain if he would have done the same, even for Garet or Jenna. He told himself, deep in his heart, that he would, that he always would. That didn't stop the question from creeping up though, bringing jealously with it.

"Yeah, that was something, huh? What about it?"

"How was someone like him able to do it?" Mia asked, still so utterly confused. Even if she had talked with him, and Isaac had confessed the truth of the stories, she had seen Felix on the Venus Aerie, and she had heard his stories of curses and damnation. How could someone so dark, with such a polluted and corrupted soul willingly jump to death when he had yet to fulfil his goal? How could he do it?

"Well… he always put others before himself. That was a new extreme, but I guess… maybe he felt guilty for Sheba." Isaac suggested, pressing on when Mia looked even more confused, "I mean, she was kidnapped as well… and she had no tie to anyone in their group, maybe he just wanted some kind of forgiveness for what he'd done or something. You're really asking the wrong guy. I knew who Felix used to be. He's changed now… so, I guess no one will really ever know."

"But… I just don't get it. I talked to him last night… and the things he told me, I just, I just can't understand." Mia tried desperately to make the puzzle pieces fit together, to create a whole personal image of Felix, but she just couldn't.

Isaac had his doubts. Felix wasn't one for conversation, especially not with someone who had, up to a few hours previous, been willing to kill him to stop him, "What did he tell you?" He asked, sure it would be some elaborate story or lie.

"He told me…" She paused, wondering if revealing Felix's secret was right to do, would he forgive her or breaking her trust? "He said, he was cursed because he was lighting the Beacons. That he was fated to die when the Mars Beacon was lit. That he never wanted any of us to get involved, he just wanted to do it and die alone, while everyone else was safe."

"That sounds ridiculous." Isaac stated, keen on voicing his disbelief.

"As ridiculous as a bunch of kids going around the world to bring back Alchemy?" Mia countered.

That was a good point. Isaac didn't argue, he still didn't believe Mia or Felix as it were, but there was no need to aggravate her.

"I don't want him to die. I can't let him die." Mia whispered, more tears coming into the light, "I have to save him, Isaac. I just can't let him face all this alone."

Isaac smiled fully. Good old Mia, she was really just too nice. She wanted to save some man she had thought evil until yesterday, "So… you really want to save him from all that, yeah?" Isaac asked, the question being pure rhetoric.

Mia answered though, "Well, I… y-yeah…" She mumbled, shutting herself up quickly, and hoping Isaac had not heard her.

Isaac had of course heard what she had said but thought it best not to pursue it any further. He didn't see a reason, Mia was already determined to save Felix, he didn't need to know, and by the sounds of it she didn't want him to.

Meanwhile, Mia was on the thoughts of that particular night. True, mysteries had been solved but even more arose and confused her mind. He was so resilient in the face of, what seemed to be, impending doom for him. He was determined to make sure no one else was hurt because of what he did. He was so controlled of everything and still held sanity even though his emotions were most likely trying to explode outward. Perhaps most confusing of all though…

He had opened up to her.

Why? She couldn't help the flushing colour she knew was currently showing. She had liked it. Felix wasn't evil, he was actually nice, and caring, and gentle. It caused a conflict in everything within her. She was sworn to her clan, a paragon and purist, but this feeling that burned in her chest, a warm comfort and relaxation, felt so right and amazing. She noticed her increased heart rate as she dwelled on the subject, tried to change them and failed. She decided, with a small smile, to simply enjoy them. They were good after all. Nothing that made someone feel so comfortable and safe could be wrong… Could it?

"Mia," Isaac said slowly after the, realisably long, silence, "you'll be healed soon enough. I mean you're eating, smiling, and the colour has come back to your face." He laughed slightly causing Mia's cheeks to flare.

"Isaac…" She sighed.

Her friend chuckled lightly, "Sorry…"

He sat with her, comforting her for a while longer. She healed her leg after a while and Isaac helped her walk around the room. Her earlier attempt to see Felix had reopened the wound. She had also eaten the rest of her meal, despite the fact that it was relatively cold at this point. The sky had since turned from a sombre orange and gold hue, to mystical shades of purple and blue. Several stars had appeared and glittered in the sky and, when the clouds allowed it, the moon hung above them briefly bathing the town in a soft glow.

The bottom arc of the sun kissed the rolling waves of the horizon as Sheba stared out from the soft warm sands of the beach. She felt uneasy and very vulnerable as she cast her gaze around looking for a tell-tale sign of the blonde Jupiter Adept. She could feel her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She felt like a fool, searching for a boy who might or might not be on a walk. Why did she even bother, this was ridiculous… he might not even like her. Gods, she was so stupid.

Suddenly a strong gust blew from the west and she was forced to turn away or risk the burning sands tear at her eyes. The next thing she knew the winds stopped instantly and Ivan was standing down by the waves, sheltered a little by rocks.

"Didn't expect to see you here." His soft voice said as she approached him.

She smiled, blushing, as she looked at his boyish smile. Ivan though was wondering why she was here. He made a mental note to scold Isaac for this later. He wasn't even sure if he liked Sheba that way.

"So, uh… why I kissed you then." Ivan started awkwardly.

Sheba waited for the answer, hoping that it wouldn't just turn her into a fool. She realised now that following was just stupid. She'd either be left embarrassed because he didn't like her, or he would just say he did to save her from that.

"Remember the first time we met?" Ivan asked, still staring out at the sea.

"Uh-huh." Sheba nodded, just making sounds, not words. That way he wouldn't get confused. She remembered that meeting very well. It was one of her fondest memories.

"Well… after I thought you died I kept thinking of that. You just kinda stuck with me. Maybe I'm glad you're alive… maybe I was thankful you were there for me when I cried… but maybe, in some way, I came to like you, thinking about you so much."

Sheba took a step closer to him, "Really? But… but you hardly know me."

"True." Ivan nodded, "I've been standing here, trying to figure it out. I've never liked someone in that kind of way before. So, I don't know if I like you that way."

Sheba grabbed him by the arm, spinning him into her mouth and pressing her lips into his. The easiest way of deciding if he liked her or not. She liked him, so it was good for her anyway.

For a moment or two Ivan did nothing but stare at Sheba's closed eyes. Then he responded, kissing her back, tugging her hips and pulling her closer.

Sheba smiled through the kiss at his touch, wondering what exactly it meant.

Eventually they pulled apart. The two smiling through blazing red cheeks. Ivan scratched his head, smiling a small abashed smile. Sheba was doing the very same, trying to avoid his eyes.

"That was… new." Ivan said awkwardly, "Nice though. Very."

Sheba looked up, to see him smiling fully. She didn't need further development, she knew what that smile meant. The only problem was the awkwardness that kiss had created.

And awkward was certainly what it was. It was the most prevalent existence between the two of them at the moment. They looked at each other, seemed to try to say something, chuckled nervously and looked away. And this exchange of stupidly awkward embarrassment continued for several minutes. What were they supposed to do exactly? It's not like there was a guidebook for this sort of thing.

Sheba had no clue, she had heard stories and that was it. Spending fourteen years of life as a trapped, protected 'miracle' in Lalivero tended to prevent social capability. The past year in the company of Felix, Jenna, Piers, and Kraden was the greatest source of real world experience she had ever had. Her fifteenth birthday had been something she never experienced. She had been allowed to partake of alcohol with Felix, Jenna, and even Piers! She had of course gone overboard and paid for it the next morning, but it was entirely worth it. It was the greatest birthday, perhaps day, in her entire life.

Ivan held out his hand and smiled wider. She pursed her lips in thought as she cautiously took it in hers. Ivan twisted his arm and spun her around, quickly leading her into a dance on the sands. She was surprised by his impulsive actions, but nonetheless grateful that they were doing something and something that her mind typically related to the romantic. She laughed as he kept a purposely overly exaggerated serious visage present as they spun and twirled as the sun began disappearing behind the waves.

Sheba felt her heart leap into her throat when he stopped suddenly and their faces rested no more than a few inches from each other. He smiled wider as he stared into the emerald gleam of her eyes, most likely sensing her anticipation. She licked her lips slightly, hoping it would escape his notice, however just as the tip of her tongue rested at the exact centre of her lips he leaned in.

She suddenly tensed up for a moment, but then fell into a state of deep relaxation. Her hands grasped the shoulders of his tunic and then fell to her side as he pulled her around and she leaned back. Ivan's mouth guided hers open, an entirely new sensation. She inhaled the saline air of the sea and the sands through her nose as her tongue gently danced with Ivan's.

It was so much better than earlier, she would always consider this to truly be her first kiss and she couldn't be any happier for it. It was fantastic, she couldn't quite describe it, she would have said it was like eating something very sweet, but that didn't work it was so much different and better. Her arms slowly lifted from their surrendered state of shock and happiness, and snaked around his shoulders to rest on the back of his neck.

""WOOO! You can do it!""

""Forget him! Where's my hand!?""

""You don't have hands!""

""Huh… I want a couch…""

""Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!""

""Sand, sand, sand, sand, I love sand, sand, sand, sand, I love sand.""

""Aww… so cute!""

""Cute!? Bleh! Give me that Jenna chick any day! Me-ow!""

""What can you do with her? Actually, I don't wanna know. And since when are you a cat!?""

""Uh… do you guys mind?"" Ivan questioned the Djinn in his mind, musing that their insanity was probably responsible for his own, ""Kinda trying to have a moment here.""

""Sorry. Get to it."" The nine voices rhymed back, accompanied by some more suggestive remarks and pointless thought.

Ivan slowly pulled away, but Sheba seemed to be stuck to him and pulled up with him. Sheba smiled slightly as she slowly pulled away, as embarrassed as she was for what she had done she didn't care. Ivan returned the smile with a playful tip of the head.

Grabbing her hand and leading her towards the water's edge, Ivan laughed, "C'mon."

The sun had nearly disappeared completely and the waters were shimmering in dazzling arrays of gold and orange tones. The sky was streaked a mirroring shade of orange and red and the stars were almost perceptible through the veil of the day's waning light. The waves gently lapped against the sands as they sat on the sands just out of the reach of the cooling waves.

Sheba took off her shoes and pulled the sand in between her toes as she gently rocked back and forth. Ivan smiled and rested his hand on her back, she was momentarily surprised and then relaxed at his touch as he gently massaged her back.

"Sheba?" Ivan started slowly.

She turned and looked into his purple eyes. She laughed inwardly as she remembered the first time she had seen them. They were different now though.

"Sheba?" Ivan started, a tone of unease present.

She looked up worried… this had been an emotional day as it was. She didn't want to deal with anymore.

"Look… I might like you, or this could just be something I don't understand. I think we should stay friends for now." Ivan said, forcing himself not to look at the girl, "I need time to figure this out, okay? So, I'd prefer if, just for now, we stay as friends. Forget this. I don't want to insult you or hurt your feelings or anything, okay?"

Sheba's heart sank a little, but she nodded, understanding, "That's fine. You take as long as you need, I probably need to too." She didn't want some fake relationship based solely off the passion of this moment after all. She wanted something real.

"I don't want anyone saying anything and putting pressure on us or anything. I just want time."

Sheba just snuggled her head into his shoulder, as a friend, "We're friends till then."

Eventually the excitement and fun of earlier returned as the awkwardness faded and they danced once more as the light faded and the sky slowly became replete with the shining luminosity of the night sky's jewels. Sheba just wondered about Ivan as they danced. It wasn't uncommon for friends to dance, and as Ivan laughed he clearly enjoyed it. This wasn't something romantic to him, it was just fun with a good friend.

Yeah, she was glad to give him time. She didn't mind. She would have loved if everything just worked like some of the stories she had heard, those romantic ones where everything is perfect, even ending with a proposal in a scene much like this one. She could wait though, she had thinking to do.

Ivan had a point. Did they like each other like that? Or, was it just the moment and everything that had led to it that made them think this? If they dove into this now and then everything faded only for them to realise it would be a mistake, the friendship for the rest of the quest would be compromised.

So, for now, friends is all they could be. Great friends dancing on a beach at sunset, the sands and wind twirling about them in a spectrum of illuminated golds.

Well, chapter four done.
What did you think?
Please do drop any thoughts you might have into a review.
And crazy reader, I hope you get an actual profile so I could respond personally...

Well, until next time,
Your friend and writer,
Droory

P.S.
See that little box underneath this?
Yeah, that's the magical slot you drop things into for me to get a present... (hint, hint... again)