YAAAAARH! I'm struggling so much with this story. But I'll be as committed to getting it published as you are with reading them. I'LL TRY HARD!

Disclaimer: Chrono Crusade and all its characters rightfully belong to Daisuke Moriyama-sama. x3

The Edge of Intimacy (part 24)

"(Darn...why am I hesitating? I've been hiding my feelings for way too long.)"

"What's the matter? You're not yourself." I heard Joshua say.

"Uh - !" I didn't realize I was standing there looking totally spaced out.

"Heidi, is something wrong?" he asked.

I tightly shut my eyes and I was about to speak when Azmaria shouted, "Heidi! Joshua! Above you!"

Before I could react Joshua tackled me aside, in midair I saw a large piece of the building that had come apart. It landed and shattered on impact, scattering clouds of dust everywhere.

I found myself coughing from the dust. I gasped when I realized I was still wrapped in Joshua's arms after he saved me.

"(He saved me! Like the time he came to rescue me from the rain. Like the time he told me to escape so I wouldn't get caught in the impact of Chrono's horns. I'm not only his guardian, he is my own. All this time he was keeping me safe, as I was with him.)"

I started to cry.

"Uh – Heidi?" Joshua was confused, "Why are you..."

"Joshua." I said, "Thank you for helping me, I...I have to tell you something!"

"Now's not the time..."

"Huh?"

"This whole place is falling apart!"

And it was, I looked over Joshua's shoulder and saw a cloud of -

"Legion!" I exclaimed, "The legion are advancing!"

"We must use our power!" Azmaria suggested.

"What? How?" Jasmine asked.

Joshua answered, "Astral Energy. If we can manipulate it with enough effort, we can stop them from dispersing."

"Yes! That's a perfect idea!" I stated, "Oh, but...what about me?"

"We've told you before, haven't we?" said Xiao Xiao, "Just keep us safe."

I nodded, "Mmn...alright! "

*RRRUMBLE* *CRASHHHH*

We all watched as another part of the concrete walls came apart and crashed onto the floor.

"Uh – right!" I lightly shook out of Joshua's grip and walked over to the other Apostles, "Everyone assemble!"

The apostles, including Joshua and Azmaria, gathered around in a circle.

*CRASSHHHH*

I shot a glare at Jasmine and muttered to her, "Perfect timing for 'love confessions', Jasmine."

She smiled nervously, "I wanted it to be dramatic yet thrilling!"

I rolled my eyes and walked onto a platform hanging over everyone else. I shut my eyes and held out my hand holding my arm in place with my other hand, "Whirlwind of the eagle, I do spin!"

*FWASSHHHHHHHHH*

The Apostles summoned their powers and the level of Astral energy went through the roof!

"I dance in thee, heavens tower!" My spell allowed it to circulate throughout the room, the legion had stopped dispersing, and the Astral Energy was even encircling Pandaemonium that was outside. I'd never felt stronger...except for that time when I'd finally pulled off the strongest sorcerer spell while battling Rizel.

*FWASSHHHHH*

I suddenly felt the ground below shift and rumble more than usual.

Joshua ran toward me, "Heidi!"

"What?" I shouted, distracted by the earthquake around us.

"Eden is moving away from Pandaemonium somehow..."

"Uh – so?"

He grabbed my hand, "C'mon, let's get out of here!"

"Waugh!"

He dragged me off the platform and I went stumbling after him.

…

Rosette was on her knees at the edge of the cliff outside. A bright sunset shone on the horizon. Azmaria, Joshua and I came running out to her.

"Rosette!" Joshua called.

"Rosette, where's Chrono?" Azmaria asked.

Rosette wiped her face with her arm. She stood up, still facing the sunset, "He left. S'okay, he made a promise."

"Promise?" I had to ask.

She spread out her arms allowing the wind to blow past her, "He said...he's gonna build me..us...a future. But...I don't want a future..without him."

"Future..." Azmaria walked over to Rosette, put her hand on her arm and rested her face on it. Her head was hung low, and I could hear her sobbing.

Even after all that, I knew something was wrong, "(We..couldn't bring ourselves to tell Chrono...that Rosette merely came back...her lifespan remains unchanged! Who knows...in a year, maybe even tomorrow...she might..)"

Rosette turned around and put her hands on Azmaria's shoulders. I smile of content on her face, "I know...but now matter how long it takes..be it ten or fifty years, I'll be waiting...'Cause he promised to come back for me..I had agreed to it, so..."

Azmaria was in drastic tears by the time Rosette finished, "...That's good enough for me."

Azmaria clung to Rosette and started sobbing heavily.

I had my hand to my mouth in dismay, "(Oh, Chrono…)"

*CHUKKA CHUKKA CHUKKA*

The air force of the Magdalene Order had arrived and was preparing for pickup.

"Come on, let's go home." said Rosette.

She let go of Azmaria, who was still in drastic tears. I went up to the sobbing apostle girl and quickly pulled her into my arms in an attempt to comfort her.

Rosette waved her arms to signal the Order's air force, "There's still much work to be done!"

…

Sporadic was the only suitable word to describe that very day. Rosette, Joshua and I were thrilled to hear the news about the Seventh Bell Orphanage being returned to normal, so I insisted on making my way over there. I even invited my friends Jasmine and Xiao Xiao along to show them what it looked like before it was the creepiest place to be.

"Wow! It's just like it was before!" I exclaimed upon arriving.

Rosette, Joshua and Azmaria had some business to deal with at the Magdalene Order, so I would've come here alone, but I invited my friends instead.

"This place..." said Xiao Xiao. "This was where you grew up?"

"Yes, well before I came to your village." I replied.

"It's beautiful."

I grinned and nodded in agreement, "Mm-hm!"

The orphans and Mrs. Gene were...somewhere, I didn't ask before I came. Too excited I guess. The house was still a wreckage, but it was to be reconstructed soon.

I gasped, "It's still here!" I ran over to the little swing close to the building and noticed how much taller I had gotten. I sighed, "Ah, yes, those were the days."

"What's so significant about this thing?" Jasmine asked.

I pointed to an area close behind the swing, "Well, here's where –"

"Ah – I – uh – think Xiao Xiao is calling me!"

"What?"

"Seeya!"

Still facing the swing, I heard her footsteps fade as she ran off.

"Here's where you bumped my head."

"WAUGH!" I flinched back at the sight of Joshua standing behind me. I spoke and struggled to answer in a firm tone, "Joshua! Didn't you – I mean – aren't you supposed to…?"

"They let me go." He answered.

"What happened with Jasmine back there?"

"I ATE her..."

I shot him a look.

Joshua burst out laughing, "HAHAHAHA...gotcha!"

"Huh..." I stared, unimpressed.

"Hey, do you want to see if it's still there?"

"Eh?"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten..."

"Uh...what?"

He chuckled, "Come on, I'll show you.." He took my hand and led me away.

While walking, I noticed that the warmth coming from his hand felt nothing like the person he was back on Eden before I restored him. It had returned to the way it was four years ago, giving the same feeling that forced my heart to beat a little faster.

"(This is it...I have to tell him...)"

We both eventually reached the crystal clear lake where Rosette, Chrono and Joshua hung out.

Joshua walked to the lake's edge and embraced the scenery, "Isn't it great? Just like it was before."

I stood watching from a distance, feeling uneasy for some reason, "Uh – yes. Yes it is."

Joshua turned his head, "Alright, Heidi. What is it?"

I felt myself blush, "Huh?"

He walked back over to me, "Something's bothering you and I want to know what it is."

I glanced down, "Well, it's..."

"Complicated?"

I smiled at him shyly, "Yeah."

"We only tell eachother everything, don't we?"

I nodded vigorously in an attempt to shake off the redness that was invading my face, but it didn't seem to work.

I sighed, "My feelings are that I'm confused..."

"Your feelings..? Confused..?" He placed his hands on my shoulders, making me look up at him, gazing into his Atlantic Ocean eyes. "That's probably because your feelings are being confused by your mind. Your feelings might be coming through loud and clear, but your brain gets in the way and muddles them up."

I was taken aback by what he said, "So, uh..." But I didn't know what to say next, I was utterly speechless.

"Heidi, I..."

And then he said it.

"I like you..."

I was floored, "Wh-wh-what'd you just say?"

Joshua blushed, quickly let go of me and turned away so his back faced me, "Uh..sorry..how do I make this sound less...um..."

I watched him grab the back of his neck like he was embarrassed or something.

"(Did what just happen...happen?)" I was so surprised I didn't know how to react at that moment. But there he was, standing there acting apologetic for what he just said. On one hand, I was happy to know that he felt the same way, but on the other hand, the straightforwardness of his confession was what sort of creeped me out. At the same time though...

"...I'm relieved."

Joshua turned his head, his red face clearly showing his bashfulness, "Hm?"

I raised my hand to my chest and my other hand grabbed my wrist, "I...feel the same way."

Joshua lowered his hand from behind his neck and faced me, smiling sheepishly, "Then that makes two of us."

I nodded. Without warning Joshua took me into his arms and began to stroke my hair. I nuzzled into his chest and clutched him in return.

…

"Aww... how CUTE!" Jasmine squealed.

Xiao Xiao cleared her throat.

"It's very unlike you to be spying, Xiao Xiao."

"I only want the best for Heidi." Xiao Xiao replied.

"Of course you do. Y'know, I think one day their special bond will get stronger."

"What?"

"You know...mmmarriage?"

"It's too early to be thinking about that kind of thing. Besides, if I ever see Heidi in a wedding dress, I wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Eh?"

XiaoXiao held a hanky to her face.

"It'd be too much..." she sniffed.

"Huh..."

…

"I feel like a stalker." said Azmaria, "Is this really necessary?"

"Shh..." Rosette put her hand on Azmaria's head, pushing it down without noticing, "Keep it down, or they'll hear us."

Azmaria, although feeling uncomfortable beneath Rosette's pressure, was happy to oblige, "Mm-hm..."

…

I lifted my head and glanced at Joshua, who smiled down at me.

Restraining myself no longer mattered. I put my hands around the back of his neck and kissed him eagerly. After a moment of shock, when his lips felt numb, he began kissing me back, pressing his mouth back onto mine. There we were, standing beside the crystal lake, in broad daylight, exchanging the same fragment of affection.

…

Jasmine squealed uncontrollably.

XiaoXiao held her hanky to her eyes, "I'm happy for you, Heidi."

…

Rosette covered Azmaria's eyes and smiled contently.

"Wha...?" said Azmaria upon having her eyes covered.

…

After a while I broke off and rested my head against his shoulder, "I didn't have a pillow this time..."

Joshua chuckled, "Hahaha...lucky for me."

"Hey! Joshua! Heidi!"

Joshua and I spun around at the same time saying, "ROSETTE?"

Rosette came running over with Azmaria trailing behind her.

"When did YOU get here?" I asked, embarrassed.

Xiao Xiao stepped out alongside Jasmine, "Not long before we did."

"GAH! What the-? How did-? HUH?" was all I could manage in a reaction.

"The Order needs you for something." Rosette answered, "We just came here to pick you up."

"R-right..." I said.

While Rosette and Azmaria filled me in, Jasmine walked up to Joshua and faced him casually.

"Hey, hotshot. Now that your Heidi's loverboy, there's something you'll have to keep in mind."

Joshua turned to her, "Me?"

"Yeah, you." She leaned forward and whispered into his ear, "If you do ANYTHING to upset her or make her cry, you'll be hearing from me and XiaoXiao, ya hear? And XiaoXiao comes up with the most painful punishments."

Joshua looked scared, surprised, and weirded-out at the same time.

I noticed the two of them, "Jasmine!"

"Whaaat?"

"Go with Rosette. XiaoXiao, you too. There's something about that village we used to live in."

"Okay." Jasmine went off to follow Rosette and Azmaria.

Xiao Xiao said something to me before she left, "Heidi, you'll make a beautiful bride someday..."

I smiled awkwardly yet warmly at her in return.

She turned away muttering, "I'm going to cry…"

Rosette led them to the car and Azmaria turned back to me and smiled, "I'm so happy for you...both of you."

"Thank you, Azmaria." I replied.

She grinned, before turning to run after Rosette. I turned back to face Joshua who had an incredulous look on his face.

"...Something Jasmine said?" I sighed, "I'm sorry, I hope she didn't offend you."

"What?" he waved his arms in front of him. "No, not at all!"

I put my hand to my mouth and started giggling.

"Wha – hey! Why're you laughing?"

"Nothing, I'm just happy."

Joshua sighed in relief, "Yeah...hahaha..."

"Hehehe..."

We both continued to laugh until Rosette came to get us.

"Lovebirds! I don't have all day!" She had the scariest look of impatience and anger on her face.

"Uh – Joshua! Your wrist!" I said.

"Huh?" he glanced down at his arm.

We both noticed that the cloth around his wrist was gone.

I made a face, "Jasmine...it must've been her..."

Joshua grinned awkwardly in response.

Meanwhile, Rosette couldn't wait another minute, "HEY! C'MON!"

And we both start to run.

Aww...that was the final chapter, but NOT the finale. I tried hard to make Jasmine and XiaoXiao seem like Uo and Hana from Fruits Basket...well, I tried. ^^;
Thanks to absolutely EVERYONE who has been supporting me from the start. Your loyalty is what keeps me going! Thanks to the Fic-alerts, the Fic-reviewers, and Fic-readers.

The Epilogue comes after this, so DON'T FORGET to read it! I'm also going to add an Alternate Ending that isn't found on the original website where I published this from. Look forward to that too!