A/N: Sorry for the long wait; I didn't have access to a computer for a week and then experienced an intence case of writer's block. Hopefully I can update within a week, but no promises.
Nightmare3: Thank you for saying it was believable. I'm going to try to keep it that way, with Sain still a rogue, just not overly so. Feel free to tell me if you ever think I'm taking him too OOC, and I'll do my best to fix it. I'm glad that was all you could complain about. You're right, I really just wanted to get past the intro and on to the fic. I may go back and revise them someday, but I don't see it happening any time soon. It helped tremendously, and I hope you keep reviewing. Yes, Sain in Ilia will be entertaining, to say the least. I have read both your oneshots. They were good, I just prefer longer fics. But I'll take any Sain fic I can get my hands on.
Maxmagnus20019: I had the same idea, although it may be Sain who gets the mission. Whoever gets it, the other will tag along, and you can be sure they'll meet some old friends along the way. The mission should start two or three chapters after this one.
JSB: Thanks. That was one of the reasons I'm writing this, I think Sain deserves some respect. Don't worry, at least one will show up, probably both. I'll take whatever you can come up with, I thought the same thing on the sister idea, so you must be smart.Look for it next chapter.
Lemurian-Girl: I'll work on it. Hopefully it will get smoother as I get better at writing. About its descriptiveness, I'm terrible with describing things, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I took your advice on Florina's thoughts, that was a great idea. I'm glad you're interested, and the lack of Sain fics, and Sain-Florina fics especially, is the main reason I'm writing this.
Draknal: Don't worry, you didn't sound like a flamer at all. I'm sorry, but I don't write one-shots; they're too short for me. I'm glad you feel the same way about Sain's attitude. I would review if you wrote a Sain story, even if it was a oneshot. If you alreadyhave one, look for my review.
Dairokkan: Be proud, for your review was the main reason I didn't end the snowstorm. If by worse, you mean colder so that they need to share each other'swarmth, it could happen, just not yet.
sam: I agree with everything you said. And you're right, it has been a while.
Bigman1290: Thank you. As you can see, I did continue.
All: Thanks for the reviews, I'll keep updating as long as I am able. Please R&R.
Chapter 2
When Sain woke up, he noticed that his arm was around a beautiful young lady. 'It's been a while since I was in this position.' Sain mused. A chill ran down his spine. "Well I better get the fire going again. "Can't have Florina catching hypothermia; that would just completely ruin the mood." Sain said to himself as he laid the maiden down against her Pegasus, pulling her wing over her to keep her warm. He smiled as she snuggled into the warmth. 'She's so cute and peaceful when she sleeps; she doesn't have that nervous look she's always wearing.' As he blew on the embers to try to get the fire going, he called over, "Hey, Romeo, is it still snowing?" The horse shivered. "I'll take that as a yes. Poor boy; you must be freezing your ass off." Romeo snorted.
"Is that any way to talk in front of a lady?" Florina said, rising from her position.
"Ah. No it certainly is not. Romeo, no more snorting in front of the pretty lady." Sain reprimanded.
Florina laughed. "You know that's not what I meant."
"Oh, okay. Sain, no more course language in front of the pretty lady." Sain said, slapping himself on the wrist.
"I guess I can accept that." Florina said, grinning.
"Well, seeing as we're stuck here for at least a little while longer, we might as well get to know each other." Sain said, sitting down beside her.
"What do you mean? We already know each other; I mean, we were in both Lyn and Eliwood's armies together." Florina replied, confused.
"During which time you wouldn't let me get within ten feet of you." Sain reminded her.
"Oh. Sorry about that. It's just that—"
"Don't worry about it. But if you want to, you can tell me why you are so frightened of men. I mean, we're not that terrible, are we?"
"No that's not it."
"Then why?" Sain prompted.
"Well, I've never had any luck with the men in my life." Florina started.
"I haven't always had the best of luck with women, and that's never stopped me." Sain said.
"Do you want to hear the story or not?" Florina rebuked sternly. When Sain shut up, she continued, "Where was I? Ah yes, the men in my life. Well, my father deserted my family when I was very young, my mother was heartbroken, and that turned into bitterness over time. Sain, were you told bedtime stories when you were a child?" Florina asked.
"Yes, always about a knight in shining armor savine damsels in distress." Sain responded.
"That explains a lot." Florina said under her breath.
"Hmm, you say something?" Sain inquired.
"It's nothing. Well, my bedtime stories were always about horrible men hurting little girls and women. By the time I actually saw a boy, I was too scared to even go near him. I guess I've never had to get rid of that fear since Ilian mercenaries are all women. I know, it's silly, isn't it?" Florina finished.
"No, not at all. The young childhood years are when you are most impressionable. It takes a lot to overcome anything you learned in those years. I'm glad you've started to do that." Sain reasurred.
"You really think so?" Florina said shyly.
"Well, you haven't shrieked or tried to hide from me since the first time you woke up. And you even let me sleep with my arm around you." Sain reminded her.
"And don't expect to go further than that until I get to know you better." Florina said.
"Hey, why do you think I started this conversation? What good is getting to know a beautiful lady if you don't get benefits?" Sain said, smiling.
"That's it, back to the corner with you." Florina said sternly, pointing to the far end of the cave.
"Please, not that; I promise to behave." Sain beseeched.
"Well, okay, but if you break that promise there will be no mercy." Florina said.
"I never break a promise." Sain said proudly.
"Never?" Florina questioned.
"Well, not anymore. My younger self thought some things more important than honor." Sain said, blushing at the memories.
"And now?"
"There is still something more important than honor; I just make sure I only make promises I can keep."
"What's more important than honor to you?" Florina asked, thinking she already knew what it was.
"If I told you, you'd probably send me to the back again." Sain said, grinning.
"Is it women?" Florina asked.
"Nope, although they're high on the list, they're not more important than my honor. Well, not anymore." Sain said, still grinning.
"Hmm. I'm stumped. What is it?" Florina asked.
"I'll tell you when the time is right." Sain said.
"I can live with that. Well, that's enough about me. Tell me, how do you like the life of a mercenary?" Florina asked.
"It's great. I get to meet lots of lovely ladies and don't have to worry about being reprimanded for being with them." Sain said, his grin returning.
"I should have seen that coming. Is that all you think about?" Florina asked, shaking her head
"No, but it's fun to make people think so; it keeps them off their guard. But seriously, most of my jobs have been either to drive bandits away or serve as a bodyguard. It just so happens that a lot of women need escorts when they travel, and who better than a former knight of Caelin who helped to defeat Nergal and the Dragon?" Sain said.
"And the fact that you charge half-price for single women has nothing to do with their decision to choose you?" Florina asked innocently.
"How'd you hear about that?" Sain asked, blushing.
"You're quite famous in the mercenary world."
"Really?" Sain asked, his face brightening.
"That's not really a good thing. You're famous for being a womanizer, although that deal made you one of the best deals for travelers." Florina said, noticing Sain's cringe at the word womanizer.
"Believe it or not, I have an explanation, if you want to listen." Sain said, looking at the ground.
"Go ahead; it's not like I have anything better to do." Florina said, interested.
"Well, it's true that I was a 'womanizer' when I started out." Sain said, cringing again at the W word. "That was the reason I started that special offer. Fortunately for the women I escorted, I didn't try anything. I don't know exactly why, maybe I've matured, or maybe flirting just isn't as fun ifyou're notfighting to save the world at the same time. Take your pick."
"So if you weren't the womanizer you were rumored to be, then why did you continue the offer?" Florina asked.
"Hey, I said I wasn't a womanizer anymore, that doesn't mean I've learned how to say no to a pretty face."
"Well then I guess I'll just have to teach you how, won't I?"
"Do I get a reward if I'm a good student?" Sain asked hopefully.
"Of course." Sain's face brightened. "But I get to choose the reward."
Sain's face fell, then brightened again, "I'm sure I'll enjoy any reward you have to offer, Florina. How could I not when it comes from such a lovely person."
"Are you sure you don't mean lady?" Florina asked with a smile.
"Ah, but there are many lovely ladies, while only a few lovely people." Sain responded sagely.
Florina laughed, "Very well, I can accept that answer."
Romeo interrupted the interchange with a snort. "It seems that it is safe to venture out once more. Well, I guess we can go our separate ways now." Sain said as he slowly turned away.
'Come on girl, you know he wants to be with you. But he might try something, he is a guy. He's Sain. That's even worse. If he was going to try something, don't you think he would have done it while you were stuck in a cave with him. He could have done it while you were unconscious. Hedidn't, you would know. Plus hesaved your life. Maybe he did it for his own twisted purposes. Don't you think he would have shown that by now.(silence). Anyway, you know you want to be with him as well. Go for it.' Florina knew which side had won. "Sain?" Florina said shyly.
"Yes, Florina?" Sain said, quickly turning to faceher with a hopeful look on his face.
"Since we're heading for the same area, you can come with me, if you don't have anything else to d—"
"Splendid idea Florina; You won't regret it." Sain said gladly as he got up and packed his stuff.
"I better not," Florina said with a smile, "or you will."
"Duly noted." Sain said as he led his horse out of the cave.
A/N: I'm glad so many people think like me; The next update should be quicker. Please review. Next Up: Ilia.