CHAPTER TEN

Ashe awoke to the sound of heartbeat.

A smile spread across her face as she gained more consciousness, as she became more aware of her surroundings and the memories of the past few hours came flooding back to her. Keeping her eyes firmly closed, she snuggled her head down into Balthier's chest, inhaling the smell of his skin. The smoky aroma of gunpowder seemed to be imbedded into him. There was something oddly comforting about it.

Cracking open her eyes, she was relieved to see it wasn't yet dawn. They never got around to closing the shutters last night and the whole room had been bathed in moonlight, illuminating their bodies and adding the sensuality of the evening. Ashe could see now from the open window that, even though the sky had started to lighten, it would still be another hour or so before the day started. 'We still have some time.' She thought.

Tilting her head, Ashe looked up at her man (the term of endearment made her grin broadly). He was so handsome and so calm when he was asleep. With his face relaxed she could make out the small creases at the sides of his mouth. Permanent laughter lines from where the charismatic Sky Pirate constantly had some form of smile on his face. She was about to reach up and touch them when something stopped her.

Balthier sighed and shifted slightly in his sleep and then, much to Ashe's delight, he quietly started humming in his sleep. Ashe's eyes widened at this new development, and had to bite her hand to stay her giggles. She had never heard him hum in his sleep before, not once in any of the times she had tented with him. Talk, yes - Balthier had become well-known for his nightly murmurings - but humming was something new entirely. She beamed at him and made a mental note to ask Fran about it later.

She lay there, hand on her chin and just watched him. Her heart swelled with love for him. For far too long she had felt incomplete but now, being here with Balthier, she felt finished. She was so happy at this moment. She hoped it would never end.

Then it suddenly hit her and she drew a sharp breath. Tomorrow had become today. In barely anytime at all they would be on their way to Dalmasca. To The Bahamut and to Vayne Solidor.

To finish this.

Panic flew over Ashe and she had to move. She caught sight of a water jug over by the window, a drink would help calm her. She looked around for something to cover her nakedness. She had a nightgown in her bag but that was still by the door where she had abandoned it last night, unopened. Thankfully, Balthier's shirt was by her side of the bed and she slipped it on, smirking to herself at how she had only gotten a few of the top buttons undone before eagerness took over and it had been pulled over his head.

It was too big for her, yet it felt like the perfect fit.

The feeling of Ashe leaving his side disturbed Balthier enough to coax him into consciousness. He frowned, and pouted ever so slightly, immediately missing the Princess's presence. 'And I was having the nicest dream too.' He grumbled to himself. Not that he could remember it now he had come to. 'Always the way. Still, couldn't be any better than the reality.' And he grinned as he arched out into a stretch, letting out a soft moan of satisfaction at the move.

Reluctantly, he opened his eyes just enough to see. He was still half asleep and was more than happy to return to full slumber just as soon as Ashe was back in his arms.

He turned just enough so he could see her. She was over by the window facing away from him. He could hear her fingernails tapping against a glass where her mind was evidentially wandering. He was happy to simply watch her, his eyes still heavy, a sleepy smile on his lips. Happy to be able to call this radiant young woman his. Then he registered what she was wearing and he rubbed his eyes, his mouth quirked with amusement.

"Honestly, Princess, it is not enough that you steal both my ship and my heart but you must also steal my clothes as well?" She has spun round to face him as soon as she heard his voice. "You're almost as good a pirate as me."

"What can I say? I learn from the master." She retorted and they gazed lovingly at each other for a moment.

"Hi." She smiled softly.

"Hi." He echoed back. "Come back to bed."

Ashe topped up her glass and brought it over to him and he sat up and took it with a word of thanks as she perched on the bed.

"You know, this is somewhat fetching on you, Ashe." He said, playing with the collar and the buttons. "I think this may be a new fantasy you've uncovered." He wiggled his eyebrows and Ashe shook her head at him.

"You might not get it back." She said, lifting the material to her face. "It smells of you." She smiled. Balthier always did like a challenge.

"Oh, I'm sure I can think of some way to get it off you." He grinned deviously. Ashe threw him a grin of her own but as Balthier took another sip of water, she returned her gaze to the window, adopting a wistful expression. Balthier couldn't miss this change and grew concerned.

"Is everything alright, Ashe? You look pre-occupied." Ashe flicked him a sad smile.

"I suppose, maybe a little." She admitted. "It all suddenly feels so real." She stared at nothing in particular and Balthier reached out and stroked her arm comfortingly.

Ashe wanted to confide something to him but it would leave her so exposed. She looked into his bright, brown eyes and they reminded her of two things: his own vulnerability the previous night and his trust in her to share it - and the fact that she loved him. If she could bring herself to tell her feelings to anyone, it would be him.

"Balthier, I'm scared." She whispered. Balthier set the glass down and took her hand.

"Ashe, it's okay to be scared. We're taking on the Empire, it's not going to be easy. But Vayne has sorely underestimated us and that it where we have the advantage." There was a glint in his eye as he smirked at her. "Princess, when he comes face to face with you he's not going to know what hit him."

Ashe gripped his hand. His words had been of some comfort but there was so much more to her fears.

"It's not just the battle, though that it is obviously my most pressing concern." She paused to try to focus. "It's what happens next. If we win… If we are successful in defeating Vayne I can reclaim the throne in the name of Dalmasca and restore our freedom. I would be Queen, ruler of Dalmasca. How will the people react to me? I've been thought dead for two years. How will I know what I'm doing? What is best for them?" Her eyes started to become a little wild and her breathing came quicker as panic set in.

"I've been working towards this for so long, even before my father's death, but theory and practice are two different things. Maybe I was just deluding myself. Maybe-" Balthier had taken hold of both her arms by now to try to calm her.

"Princess! Princess, breathe! It's alright." She looked at him and took several deep breaths. She nodded at him to reassure him she was fine and he returned it in acknowledgement.

"Better?" Ashe nodded again. He offered her the water and she gratefully took it. "Good." Balthier sighed.

"Ashe, of course the idea of being Queen and ruling a country is a nerve-racking one but it just means you have respect the position. I'd be more worried if it didn't make you nervous, but believe me when I tell you, you have no need to doubt yourself. Ever since I met you your first priority has been your kingdom and what's best for it. Every action, every decision, all for the benefit of your country." He looked her straight in the eye. "You are going to be the best ruler Dalmasca has ever known. Better than the Dynast-King himself."

Ashe studied her man, her mouth quirked upwards.

"When did you become so wise all of a sudden?" She asked, allowing the smile into her voice. Balthier grinned.

"I live with Fran, remember? Don't ever tell her I said this but I do actually listen to her. The woman talks sense." Ashe laughed to herself but she still wasn't settled.

"I just don't know how I'm going to do this all by myself." She admitted.

"Well you won't be by yourself." Balthier said, offhandedly. Ashe let her uncertainty at his words show as he took another sip of water.

"Do you remember what I said after Giruvegan? Obviously, we can't govern for you but we're all here for you, you aren't alone in this. Basch will never leave your side. Well, unless Fran whisks him away to some secret love warren of hers, then you're never getting him back! Vaan and Penelo maybe young but they're smart, well Pen is, and they're loyal and they know Rabanastre. They're going to be your most valuable assets. And then of course there's Fran and myself. We're not going anywhere." Ashe caught his eyes at that and heard his message. I'm not going anywhere. "You won't be alone, Ashe."

Ashe chewed her lip. That was another reason she felt so troubled. She would be Queen, Balthier was a Sky Pirate - free to fly and pillage and do whatever he cared to. She didn't want to be an anchor. Could this actually work?

Ashe was nearly shaking as she asked her next question.

"Balthier, are we fools?" Balthier appeared undisturbed by the question.

"Yes. Absolutely." He replied, resolutely. He then laughed at Ashe's horror-struck expression. "Oh, you mean for an actual reason?" He joked. Ashe tried to join in with his humour but couldn't bring herself to do so.

"I'm serious." She said quietly, unable to look at him. "Balthier, I'm afraid. I haven't felt this way about anyone for so long. I don't want to loose you but there are so many things standing in our way." She felt the sting of tears but refused to let them spill over. Balthier said nothing but when he did speak his voice was hostile.

"Such as?" Ashe gulped. He was upset with her and she could hear it.

"Well, I have duties to Dalmasca and my people. They come first and I just don't know if they will accept an Achadian born Sky Pirate as my beau. And then there my ministers and councillors, they will take umbrage at this. You still have bounty on your head…" She faltered as she finally looked at him. Balthier's jaw was clenched in irritation. Was she trying to give this up? Give him up? Before they'd even had a chance? He was not going to let that happen.

"Is that all?" He asked coolly. He saw that Ashe looked close to tears and he let his aggravation go. "Ashe, there are ways to get around the bounty." He said. "As for your citizens, I think you assume too much. You'll be amazed how understanding people can be, especially when you respect them and tell them the truth."

"I would always do that anyway." Ashe cut in. Balthier brushed her hair away from her eyes.

"I know." He said gently. "And they will love you for it. And as for these so-called ministers of yours; you haven't even appointed anyone yet so if any of them have a problem with us then to hell with them!" She finally relented and smiled a little. But there was still one issue though.

"What of the sky?" She asked, nervously. "It's what you live for, who you are and I would not wish to tie you down. I could never do that to you, but I must be in one place. The Strahl, Fran, piracy, treasure… That is your life and you love it. How could I ever equal that?"

Balthier had heard enough. He reach over and grasped her shoulders, turning her to face him.

"It's true, I love the sky." He said. "I live for The Strahl, and for Fran, and the freedom of the life but there is more than one way to achieve that and we'll figure something out. Ashe, you ask how you can equal that? It's a wonder it can equal you!" He moved his hand and cupped the back of her head.

"I am not giving you up, Ashe, not without one hell of a fight. If you think that I'm going to let you go, now that I've finally found you, then you are sorely mistaken. You speak of treasure? Well, I am Balthier Bunansa, Sky Pirate extraordinaire and you, Ashelia B'Nargin, are the greatest treasure I have ever found! Without question."

Ashe blinked at him, struck-dumb by his speech. When she found herself, she took his face in her hands and kissed him with such fervour it caused her to see stars. Nobody had ever spoken about her with such passion - not even Rasler. It was almost too much to bear.

Balthier's arms wrapped around her, pulling her up to him. His kiss became greedy as she sat on his waist, kicking the sheet away with her feet to expose him. He broke the kiss and pulled his shirt off over her head and she caught sight of his grin before he kissed her again.

"Told you." He said, and Ashe couldn't fight her own grin against his mouth as they came together once more.

After all, they still had some time.