Author's Note: My biggest Final Fantasy XII fear: BalthierxFran. I am not exactly a fan of the coupling, but I do admit that there was chemistry between them. If they had a romantic relationship in the game (which I believe is highly plausible), I'd imagine it would be something like this:

( M A S Q U E R A D E )

Chapter Three: The Submission

The Day Before Vayne Presents Himself as Consul of Dalmasca

Six Months Before his Defeat

She grinned wickedly down at him. Her tangled mess of silver hair fell over her shoulder, dusting against his face. A low sigh escaped his parched lips, and he felt the gentle tingling sensation that covered every inch of his flesh begin to subside. He stared up at her, his eyes lazily half-closed, enjoying the sense of peace and relaxation that his orgasm had given him. His hands slipped from her hips and collapsed restfully at his sides, and he allowed his eyes to flutter completely shut. Suddenly, he felt exhausted and wanted nothing but to sleep.

His vixen poked him hard in the chest with one of her long fingers, forcing him to return to the world of the living. He opened his eyes slowly, peering up at her curiously. She had lost her grin and now peered at him expectantly. With a low chuckle, Balthier placed his hands underneath his head, ignoring his partner's sharp glance.

"What is wrong, dear Fran?" he questioned, raising a golden eyebrow. He couldn't help but smirk into her pretty face.

"Do not play cute," she scolded him, leaning forward slightly and pressing both of her palms against his bare chest. "You promised to say 'yes'."

He feigned innocence, wrinkling his brow as if deep in thought. "Why, I haven't the slightest clue to what you speak."

With a narrow of her deep crimson eyes, she dug her claw-like fingers into his chest. Balthier instinctively squirmed beneath her. He tried to gently bat her hands away, but that only made her latch on harder.

"Alright, alright!" he cried out, wincing as she withdrew her sharp nails. He sat up onto his elbows, his clever grin never ceasing. "We'll back to Rabanastre. Is that what you want?"

Fran nodded, appearing to relax. "The Consul will be announced. It will be the perfect time to steal into the treasure room inside the castle, for the Imperial guards will be surrounding the commotion of the citizens."

The idea of looting the richest castle around delighted Balthier, even more so that it had his partner that suggested it. Without warning, he snapped his arms up and slapped his right hand behind her neck. He pulled her down towards him, forcing her to create contact between her lips and his. She rewarded his obedience with only a quick kiss, then pushed him down and slid off of him. He released a quiet grunt of protest, already missing the intense sensation she created when she held him tightly between her thighs.

She didn't hesitate to begin to pull on her metal outfit. He watched her silently, admiring her exquisite Vieran beauty: her soft, brown skin, her tight muscles, her highly arched eyebrows. Balthier was fascinated with every inch of her, and his craving for her went beyond friendship and love. What he felt for her was indescribable.

But Fran, Balthier knew, understood just how astonishing she was. She was completely capable of taking care of herself, and informed Balthier of such when they had first met. She was no prissy damsel in distress and therefore never allowed herself to show any sign of weakness. She was emotionally as strong as steel and never let anything bother her.

Fran was stunning and she knew it, and often used it to her advantage. She was a believer of love but not romance. To her, there was no monogamy between two people; just simply lust and satisfaction and trust. When Balthier had first proclaimed his infatuation for her nearly four years ago, she smiled but made it clear that they could never have a true romantic relationship. She just wasn't that kind of woman.

And Balthier loved that about her. She didn't need love in order to be complete. She could have sex with him and have it mean everything but nothing at the same time, and this made Balthier yearn for her that much more.

Even now, as he watched his pristine warrior dress, he could feel himself get dizzy from desire once again. Yet Fran had accomplished her goal: satisfy her partner and get to travel to Rabanastre. She had done such things before, and would certainly do it again. She was not above using her body to get what she wanted, for she still respected herself and knew he respected her.

She watched him from the corner of her eyes as she wiggled into her leather thong. "You best hurry. We leave as soon as you dress."

He climbed lethargically to his feet and obeyed her wish, and found that his leather pants fit much more snuggly after an aggressive romp with his sky partner. He smiled at this, and went to make a witty, sarcastic remark to Fran but found that she had already headed to the cockpit of the Strahl. He knew what that meant; Fran was back to being all business. He was okay with that, though. He was okay with anything.

As Balthier piloted their ship towards the sky, Fran quickly went over the plan. They were to wait until the new Consul was lead to his banquet dinner. At this point, nearly every guard would be insuring his safety against the vile and angry citizens of Dalmasca. Security by the treasure room would be severally lax, and therefore they could slip in undetected fairly easily.

If they were spotted, well, that wouldn't be a problem. Fran was a master of weapons, after all.

"So," Balthier said as he leveled out the airship and flew them towards Dalmascan lands. "We are doing the whole get-in-get-out deal? Pillage what we will and sneak out unnoticed? Hmph, a tad bland, don't you agree?"

From her position in the co-pilot's seat, she glanced his way. "What, would you have us save Rabanastre from the Empire while we are at it?"

He shrugged, his lips curving upwards into yet another smirk. "Just a thought."

Before them lay Dalmasca. And with it, a whole slew of problems.

Author's Note: Everyone thinks its Balthier with Fran as the sidekick, but I think it's the opposite. I think Fran lets Balthier pretend he's in charge, but we all know who wears the pants in the relationship. ;) I apologize if some of you dislike how I made Fran here. I just totally believe she is so strong and adapted to her mind, body, and soul that nothing bad fazes her. Besides, if she and Balthier WERE a romantic pairing, how would she put up with Balthier's CONSTANT flirting with say, Penelo and Ashe?