"Valeshipping"

This... ended up really long... ; I hope you can enjoy it! Finally wrote some IsaacxJenna for y'all, with some little hints of Steamshipping, Imilshipping (of course), and Flameshipping. :3 Reviews are welcome!

We had always been together, you know? I think... I got left behind, somewhere along the way.

Jenna sighed and sat down heavily, drumming her fingers impatiently on the wooden counter. Her sharp eyes were narrowed as she glared at the faded paintings on the walls of her room, the dusty shelves devoid of all personal objects. It had been many moons since she'd been in her house in Vale, and she had been looking forward to returning there. Of course, when the Golden Sun had risen in the sky... Vale sank into the ground. They had to rebuild everything from scratch... It looked like her room, but she had lost all the old souvenirs she'd collected. What a disappointment.

It was always the four of us, inseparable. My brother Felix... And our best friends, Isaac and Garet. Four adepts, four kids, learning to harness our power just so we could hide from Kraden and mess around on the mountainside. Felix was really competitive back then, cocky even, and the boys kept doing stupider pranks to out-do each other.

Jenna smiled at the memories. She was an adult now, they all were - she didn't need the sentimental trinkets she had collected in her childhood to remember her friends. Not the pebbles that they used to skip over the river; not the first leaf of fall that Felix had plucked for her when she was five and he was six; not the bird feather that Garet had given her when they were eight and she pretended not to like; not even the pressed wildflowers Isaac had left on her desk for her thirteenth birthday. She could remember the past. It was just... She wondered if they could remember, too...

The Mars adept let her chin fall into her hands, a glum look on her pretty face. Why did boys always have to act so tough? It made things so much harder for the people that cared about them! It had broken her heart, the night of the flood - when her beloved brother was swept away in the raging water, her parents vanishing with him. She had spent the night sobbing into Dora's skirts, being comforted by the new widow. And yet, when Isaac and Garet came crawling back the next morning, muddy and bruised by the Proxian attack, they refused to shed a single tear. They jutted their lower lips, and grumbled about being men, picking up the slack, being strong. Jenna was a passionate woman - she always wore her heart on her sleeve, or so the saying goes. But that was the day she decided to hide her feelings. Was it maturity? No... Even though most adults do the same, it's not something inevitable. It was just...

Losing her family like that was a huge blow, and if Isaac and Garet would not open up to her, she could not open up to them.

So she grew tough, fiery even, letting her temper best her more often than not. Anything was better than tears... right? Garet liked the change - he was the sort who liked to be bossed around, and he loved goading her just to see her reaction. She would bicker with him - why not, it was fun - but still, he was a friend and nothing more. She had thought the same of Isaac, up until then. She wondered what it must be like, to fall in love with someone, but they were all like brothers to her. Isaac, though... Isaac had changed. He and Felix had been close. It made Garet jealous, but it was true. So losing his friend like that made the Venus adept grow quieter, a little less cocky, a little more serious. He unknowingly became their leader. And when she glanced into his cool blue eyes on that fateful morning, as they followed obediently in Kraden's footsteps up Mount Aleph, she saw responsibility replace mischief, and calmness replace the wild turbulence of youth he and Garet and Felix had shared together. Isaac... was really growing up. And that was when Jenna realized she had fallen in love with him.

It was the same day, of course, that fate intervened - deep within the Sol Sanctum, the Elemental Stones, the lava, the Wise One... Everything unfolded so quickly, and it turned their lives upside down. Felix was alive, and he had joined the very group that had torn their families apart. Her confusion only increased as she and old Kraden were whisked away, her brother holding her protectively close, only daring to whisper the words, "Mom and Dad are alive." They were safe, so long as they followed the wishes of Saturos and Menardi. It had all happened so fast.

For the first time in so long, she had wanted to cry. She was huddled by their campfire, surrounded by enemies and mysteries, and longing for the two friends she had been forced to abandon. Felix was watching her with hooded eyes, the firelight playing on his handsome face. It had surprised her, she recalled, that he looked so much older than her now - what was he thinking at that moment? Did he, too, remark that she had grown up? After all, she used to be a bit of a crybaby...

That time in her life was a blur. Meeting Alex, kidnapping and befriending Sheba, learning the truth about Prox... Felix had grown cold and silent, or at least when he was around the Proxians who had trained him. He could not risk showing weakness, or he endangered everyone dear to him. Jenna understood that almost immediately, but it still hurt her to have no one she could trust. That was when Sheba became her friend, her first female friend ever. It was strange to her, to be able to joke about the boys, talk about how she felt, admit to her crush, all the things she never dared to back in Vale. Garet's sister Kay and Isaac's mother Dora were the only women in her life other than her own mother, and they didn't talk that often. Jenna and Sheba became inseparable, because the short Laliveran hadn't had friends at all. And then Sheba shyly confessed that Felix meant more to her than just a companion... Jenna was floored.

She was genuinely happy for the both of them, but seeing the small glances of comfort they offered each other when Saturos wasn't looking made her feel so empty inside... So jealous. They both knew how each other felt, even if they had never admitted it aloud. They just knew. And they got to be together every day, wake up every morning and see each other, look into each others' eyes... Jenna felt herself withdrawing again, letting her temper shield her. It was too painful otherwise. She had hardly caught a glimpse of Isaac or Garet since she had left their side, and she knew all about the Mercury adept with them, the beautiful Mia. Alex had been sure to describe her in full detail, no doubt to torment her further. Jenna had thrown it in his face when she casually mentioned how Garet was a sucker for a pretty face, and was surely courting her at this very moment. Wiping the smug look off of Alex's face was priceless. But really, it hurt both of them to say it - could it be true? Had Garet forgotten her so soon, and moved on to another girl? And what if... If it was Isaac, and not Garet, that this Mia had fallen for? After all... They thought Jenna was a traitor.

Jenna stood up and stretched, her long reddish hair falling in a ripple from her shoulders. She needed to step outside - this musty room was only reminding her of unpleasant memories. After all, things got better from then on, right? After the scare of Felix and Sheba falling from the lighthouse, they were reunited and able to travel freely... Without the oppressive fear, their journey was much less lonely. Felix became friendly, Sheba let out her mischievous side, and Kraden refused to be quiet. They gained a new companion, the amiable Piers, and sailed the seas of Weyard. They kept hearing news of Isaac and company, every place they travelled, and Jenna could not deny the way her heart leapt to her throat every time his name was mentioned. It finally got so bad that Sheba called her on it in Madra, embarrassing her in front of her brother... But he didn't act all that surprised, and perhaps he knew all along. Perhaps Sheba had told him. Jenna shook her head, smiling ruefully. Maybe it was just that obvious.

When they met the girl from Xian, Feizhi, Jenna couldn't hide a bit of resentment, even if this romantic rival could not speak more than broken English and was hardly a threat... When Karst appeared, and vowed to slay the ones who murdered her sister, Jenna was mere inches from attacking the Proxian right there... She couldn't help herself. The more time that went by, the more she found herself yearning to find Isaac again. Felix and Sheba grew closer and closer, and Piers grew to enjoy debating with Kraden, leaving Jenna to her daydreams. Had Alex been there, she could have questioned him all about that Mia girl, and found out what she was up against. But of course, Alex drifted from one destination to another, and never stayed long enough to grow attached to his pawns. At least he was predictable.

And at long last came the finale... Their groups met, in dire straits atop the Jupiter Lighthouse. They would have fought, but instead retreated to meet on the neutral soil of Contego. Had it not been for Sheba's teasing nudge, Jenna would not have had the courage to enter the building and face them again, her beloved companions. Her hands were trembling, her mouth was dry, her heart was hammering wildly in her chest. Would they hate her? Would she be driven away? Had... they forgotten her?

But their meeting was not nearly as dramatic as she expected. Isaac and Garet were glad to see her safe and sound along with Felix. With a pat on the back and an easy smile, she was forgiven and welcomed. And yet... That hurt more than anything so far. She had been left behind, and she knew it. They had travelled without her - well, what choice did they have? But they had remained close, and she was an outsider now. She was no longer the one to keep them in line, to keep the boys from doing anything too dangerous. She could see that Mia held that position now, and did a good job. Mia was nicer than her, too. Alex had called her an angel, but Jenna never believed the drivel he spewed daily. But perhaps it was true - the beautiful Mercury adept seemed so pure and sweet that Jenna even felt a pang of guilt for being jealous of her. And jealous she was.

And that basically led up to the present, Jenna realized sadly. Their journey had been almost over at that point, and while they fought side-by-side, Jenna had barely tried speaking to Isaac or Garet at all. She was afraid of what she'd find if she did. It was a big ship; it was easy to avoid people she didn't want to deal with. The last step of their quest had been awful - she lost her parents all over again; that had been crushing. In that moment, lying on the cold stone floor beside Felix and Isaac, her eyes finally overflowing with tears - in that moment, she had felt an inkling of the closeness she once had with them. She felt a chance to open up again, in the grief they were sharing. And then the Wise One had given them back, revived the parents that they had, once Isaac had stood and proclaimed so powerfully, so resignedly, "I knew what I was doing the moment I lifted my sword." Jenna was overjoyed to have her family, but seeing Isaac more mature than ever... She really hadn't changed at all. She was still the same crybaby, everyone's kid sister, wasn't she? And he... was a man. If this Mia would have him... then bless them both.

Jenna sat on the riverbank, dangling her bare feet into the cool water. It was summer, a warm day with comfortable breezes and a pleasant feel. The Mars adept had been lost in thought all day, just trying to figure out where to go from here. What was she going to do with her life? She had never thought about the future, not past lighting the lighthouses. She couldn't remember what she had wanted to grow up to be before that. Felix was on a trip with Sheba right now - he had made it clear that his future belonged to her, and it made Jenna so excited to think of a wedding between the two. She wasn't jealous anymore - she had lost her love due to her own ineptitude.

No need to take it out on others. No need... to be so strong anymore. Might as well cry if feel like it... I'm not trying to impress anyone anymore. Jenna watched as her reflection in the running water blurred, the broken-hearted tears spilling onto her cheeks.

"Wh-what's wrong?" came a worried voice behind her. Jenna started, scrubbing her face quickly to hide the evidence - come on, you're an adult now, grow up - and turned to see who had approached her. It was Mia. The concerned Mercury adept was of course the last person Jenna wanted to see, but she wasn't going to show that. She had to be respectful, if this girl meant so much to her boys... Not that she could call them that, anymore.

When Jenna mulishly refused to answer, Mia gave a wry smile and sat down on the riverbank beside her. Jenna raised an eyebrow, noting that the ground was very muddy, and Mia was wearing a very white dress. But, apparently she didn't care. That scored her a point.

"Your name is Jenna, right? We never got to speak much on the ship, but I'm visiting in Vale for the season, so I thought maybe we could spend some time together... You know, girl time," Mia added with a nervous giggle. Jenna settled her chin on her knees, glaring stubbornly at the water in front of her. Sheba was her only girl friend; she didn't need another.

Mia swallowed, and continued softly. She had a sweet voice, something Jenna found herself automatically annoyed by. "I... I'm sorry if... we got off on the wrong foot, or you're not in the mood to talk. I've just heard so much about you from Isaac and Garet... I feel like I know you already, but I realize that you know nothing of me. I must seem very forward to you. I apologize..."

Jenna looked up despite herself. Mia sounded sincere. Had she been manipulative, trying to act like a goody-two-shoes to kiss up and curry favor, Jenna would have knocked her into the river. But it seemed like this Mia honestly was a gentle person... dammit.

"Isaac and Garet talked about me?" Jenna asked off-handedly, trying not to sound overly interested. Mia sighed in relief when she heard the Mars adept break the silence.

"Yes, yes, all the time! They loved to boast about their wild companion, Jenna! They always told me how you were better than any of the boys in town, when it came to challenges! You sounded like such a tomboy, I was surprised to see you were so pretty... I mean, not in an offensive way! You really are pretty, I didn't mean to say that you weren't, but I didn't know you - I - I'm sorry..."

The flustered healer dropped her blushing face into her gloved hands, and Jenna couldn't resist a laugh. She was polite to a fault, and it was amusing to watch! Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, to talk to her a little... Sheba wouldn't be back in Vale until fall, Felix said, because they were staying in Lalivero with Faran. And Jenna could use someone to talk to.

"I just... needed someone to talk to," Mia murmured, not noticing Jenna's startled glance. She couldn't read minds, right? The Mars adept circled her arms around her legs, hugging her knees to her chest as she listened to Mia. What problems could the perfect girl possibly have?

"I... I don't mean to dump my issues onto you when you're upset, but I wanted your advice! You're so strong and brave, and you can jump into situations and do the right thing... I've always wanted to be like that," Mia stammered, looking away. Jenna's jaw dropped.

"I'm not any of those things! Who told you that, Garet!? I'm a coward, I run away all the time! Look, it would be so much easier to be a nice girl like you..."

Jenna couldn't believe the words had come from her mouth, but from Mia's wide eyes, it had really happened. Jenna felt the start of another tear forming in her eye, and she quickly blinked and turned away. "It would be easier... since he likes that better..."

Mia inhaled sharply. "Oh no, is that why you were crying? I'm so sorry, can I help in any way? Is it someone I know? You don't have to tell me, Jenna, if you aren't comfortable. I, I, I can try to help, if there's anything I can do -" She got all flustered again, wringing her hands and acting motherly. She tried to wrap her arms around Jenna in a hug, but panicked and stopped halfway, thinking that Jenna might be too upset to let her, and ended up in an awkward hesitant embrace. Jenna chuckled halfheartedly - the healer's heart was in the right place, but there wasn't anything she could do.

"Mia... It's just... I've been chasing after someone for all of my life. And now that I can finally see him again, I keep hiding - I can't help it. What's wrong with me? If he doesn't like me after all this time, I should find out and move on, right? But... I can't. I can't get over him, not ever, so... I'm afraid to make a move. I'm afraid to hurt his friend, if I do make a move. I'm afraid to get hurt myself, if I open up. I'm completely stuck..." Jenna bowed her head, fighting with the tears again. Mia bit her lip, sympathy shining from her bright blue eyes. She fidgeted for a moment, then nervously began speaking.

"It's worse to do nothing, though... Jenna... I... I guess I could say, 'I know how you feel'. I... chased after someone, too. He was a person I grew up with, so we had all kinds of memories together. But one day, he left. He never said goodbye, never gave me a reason. I've never felt that low in my entire life... I grew to hate him, for making me feel that way." She stared at her gloved hands, a sad look on her delicate face. Jenna watched the Mercury adept curiously, her own misery held at bay for the time being. Mia caught her watching and smiled lopsidedly.

"Oh, don't worry, Jenna. I couldn't hate him for long. In the end, it was because I loved him that I felt so betrayed. If I didn't care about him, why would I have bothered to follow him? I... don't know how to get over him. Because I could never tell him how I felt. It... would be so much better if I could have. But instead I hid behind false feelings of anger, and I lost him forever... If only I had acted sooner. I'll always regret that..."

Jenna stared at Mia. She couldn't hate this girl, not after the confession she had made. And really, who was she jealous at to begin with? Was it really Mia, for being lucky enough to travel with Isaac and Garet instead of her? Was it really the boys, for going places and leaving her behind? Or was it herself... For being a little too strong, and not being able to admit how she really felt? She watched Mia smile sadly, and fold her hands on her lap. Jenna found herself wondering who Mia was talking about. And when she remembered who had spoken so fondly of the angel from Imil around the campfire, Jenna sprang to her muddy feet.

"I'm not gonna lose Isaac," she said with a confident grin. "Thanks, Mia! I - let's spend some time together later! Right now I gotta act!" And with that, she scrabbled up the embankment, muddy skirt flapping in the wind.

Mia gaped after her, wondering how her mood could swing so abruptly from depressed to motivated. But then the Mercury adept smiled softly, and stood. "Sorry, Garet, you were right... She did love Isaac," she whispered aloud, watching her reflection in the smooth river's surface.

Jenna dashed up the dirt path to Dora's house, which was still under construction. Isaac and Kyle had insisted on helping build everyone else's houses first, since Isaac felt responsible for the damages. So noble, Jenna thought with a wry grin. Hope he hasn't gotten too full of himself. She spotted him up on the roof, a bobbing head of golden hair beside a spiky red one. Oh, Garet, of course you'd be here too...

The tomboy hopped up the ladder onto the thatched roof, her bare feet crunching in the fresh straw. The boys glanced up at her, surprised to see Jenna after so long. "Hey, get off the roof! We're thatching here!" Garet blustered, waving his hands rudely. She pursed her lips at him and sat down with a bump, crossing her muddy legs impudently. Garet took a threatening step towards her - and the unfinished roof gave way beneath him, tumbling him into the attic below. Isaac laughed aloud, setting his roofing tools aside. Jenna snorted as she heard Garet picking himself up and grumbling about taking the stairs.

"Jenna, it's so good to see you again," Isaac said calmly, holding her gaze with his steady blue eyes. She felt her heart flutter in her chest, and had to resist the urge to jump in the hole after Garet. Don't run away, don't run away, don't run away...

"Y-yeah," she muttered, glancing down at how dirty she'd gotten at the river. Just like a kid. Ah, this was hopeless! Someone as mature as Isaac wouldn't see her as an equal, would he? He didn't seem the sort to dwell on the past, like she did. "It's... been a while."

"It has. It's been too long," Isaac replied quickly, watching the clouds above them. On the ground, they could hear the voices of Garet and Kyle, bickering about repairing Dora's roof. It was pleasant to be up high, though, with the summer breezes ruffling their hair. Jenna felt her cheeks grow warm at his voice, so much deeper than she remembered. She had felt so confident when Mia talked to her, but now she had no idea what to do!

"Do you... remember when we were kids?" she began hesitantly, rewarded by Isaac's smile.

"How could I forget? We ran wild all over this place! It's a wonder Kraden had the patience to deal with us day by day. You were worst of all, if I recall," Isaac added with a teasing glint in his eye. Jenna stiffened indignantly, shooting him a glare.

"That's not what I was talking about, you jerk," she grumbled, crossing her arms. The Venus adept watched her curiously, absent-mindedly adjusting the yellow scarf he wore around his neck.

"I'm talking about our dreams - what we wanted to be when we grew up! You two always talked about being warriors and heroes, and now you are... Isn't that funny? Cuz it doesn't really feel all that different, even though we're adults now..."

Isaac smiled, laying back on the straw beside her. He shut his eyes, feeling the sun's warmth on his face. "That's true, I hadn't remembered that. Felix wanted to be a carpenter," he added with a snort of derision. "Looks like Garet's getting that job."

Jenna grinned, resting her chin on her knees. "Yeah... Felix just wants to be with Sheba now. They're so happy together. I'm pretty sure he's given up his carpenter idea. Their future is together..."

"And what about you?"

Jenna paused, glancing down at Isaac's peaceful form. He looked like he was asleep, with that contented look on his reclining face. She resisted the curious impulse to brush his bangs from his face. His eyes fluttered open when she didn't answer, and she quickly looked away, not wanting to get caught staring.

"I, I haven't really thought about -"

"When you were little, you said you wanted to grow up and be with us forever. But if you let Sheba take Felix away, it's just me and Garet..."

Jenna giggled. "I could never stay with Garet for the rest of my life! We'd kill each other!"

"...So then it's just me and you."

Jenna flinched - how had she fallen into this trap? She was trying so hard not to steer the conversation in that direction - what to do, what to do! Make a joke, deny it? Surely he was just kidding around, ack, what would Mia do in this situation? Wait, she would get just as flustered, for sure! And why think of Mia now? Not helping, not helping!! She... couldn't confess, could she? That would ruin their friendship for sure! Garet would hate her if she chose Isaac over him, and Isaac would reject her for leaving him behind –

"Jenna... Is that what you want? To spend your life with me?"

Isaac sat up, regarding her with those cool, calm blue eyes. Her face was beet red, and she was wringing her hands just like Mia had earlier, trying desperately to make the words come to her mouth. She always had something to say, right? Quick, think of a comeback!

"I, I, Isaac!! I d-didn't mean, err, it's not, it's not, l-like..."

"It's 'not like' what? What are you trying to say?" he repeated curiously, tilting his head slightly to one side. Jenna batted her head with her fists, frustrated beyond words at her inability to get the point across. Now he thought she didn't like him at all! Which was worse? She had to tell him, now, or she might ruin it forever! Garet might come back any minute, and then she'd completely lose her nerve - how do you say it, though, something you've hidden for so many years...?

Isaac smiled. "Calm down, Jenna, don't worry about it. I was only joking." He leaned back against his elbows, watching the clouds scud across the blue summer sky. Jenna stared at him for a moment, jaw dropped in shock. Only... joking? Wait - did she just miss her chance? Oh, no, she'd never be able to bring it up now! How could - how could he -

"You jerk, I was trying to say yes!!"

Jenna jumped to her feet, scrubbing at her eyes with her arm as she dashed towards the ladder. Why did she always let her feelings lead her? Now she was going to cry, and look weak in front of the only two guys she still cared about - She just had to escape, and then she never had to see them again -

"Jenna, my future is with you."

The Mars adept froze, the rungs of the ladder gripped tightly in her hands. He was standing behind her - he couldn't see the tears frozen on her cheeks, could he? The wind rustled the straw thatching on the roof, teasing the fiery hair in her ponytail, tugging at the yellow scarf around his neck.

"I... always hoped you would see that on your own, Jenna. I was afraid I would never see you again, after the Sol Sanctum. And... maybe I was a little nervous in Contego... I acted like nothing had happened, even though I was so relieved to see you safe... I figured that you liked Garet better, because he's more open about how he feels. He never made it any secret that he liked you... so I gave up. I'll never make that mistake again."

The tears were flowing in earnest now, tracing rivulets down Jenna's cheeks. Her hands were shaking - she still couldn't turn and face him, now because he was saying the things she thought she would only hear in her dreams. All these years... He felt the same? He didn't prefer Mia...? ...Why? All I've got to offer is a short temper and a mean streak. Can this really be...?

"So even if time has turned you against me, I'll keep trying... I want to spend my life with you, Jenna. I don't need to be a hero any longer."

Weakly, Jenna turned and stepped back onto the unfinished roof. She dared not look Isaac in the eye, but her heart was pounding so loudly she swore he could hear it, too.

"You... really mean that...?" she whispered incredulously, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. "No more battles...? You'll... stay with me, instead...?"

Isaac stepped briskly forward, avoiding the hole that Garet had plunged through, and swept Jenna into his arms. He held her close, simply holding her, as she trembled like a leaf. Her voice was muffled against his chest, but she did not fight the embrace.

"I don't want to run away anymore, Isaac..."

"...You don't have to. Just stay by my side. And we'll always be together..."

Jenna giggled, letting her hands stray upward to play with the golden scarf. Isaac let her slip free from his embrace, unknotting the scarf and fastening it around her neck.

"Even though it looks better on me," he said with a smile, shielding his face from her indignant flurry of punches.

"Don't get so cocky! And don't be rude to a lady, either!"

"Pfft, what lady goes clambering all over rooftops, covered in mud like some squirrel?"

"What gentleman calls a lady a squirrel?! I'll choke you with your own scarf!"

"Very lady-like, I assure you. Hey, watch out for the -"

"Uwaaaaaaa!! Oww... Why didn't you warn me about the hole...? Jerk!"

"You're so cute when you're mad, Jenna."

"Why aren't you helping me up?!"