A/N: I apologize for the late update; college has been sorta hectic lately. You could also blame Nightmare3 (not really). This chapter is a tad short, but there is good news. I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico. But seriously, the next chapter will be up as soon as I get some reviews; it's already finished.

Everyone: Please go check out "The Transdementional Adventures of Mark" by Kilroywuzheere. It's a really good, really funny SainFlorina.

Now, without further ado, reviewer responses!

JSB: Lyn is coming soon, and I'm sure it's gonna be fun (for me, not Sain)

Lemurian-Girl: This chapter's short. Please don't hurt me:hides:

CharChar Wu: Glad you like it; you wouldn't believe how much I've enjoyed your recent updates...even if you did kill Sain :scowls: Please write a happier one soon.

Dairokkan: :grins:

Lurker Person: Yeah, nt quite so quickly this time; but next time, for sure.

z-animatr: Hehe, Florina's 'braver' side (although your description is probably more accurate): if you can think of something it could be insinuating, that's probably what she means.

Maxmagnus20019: Thank you.

Nightmare3: Hmm...I think I'll blame you for my late update. HAHAHA, you've been SCAPEGOATED! Well, you'll see soon enough. You better get that muse resurrected, cause Trina and I are eagerly awaiting your SainFlorina.

TweekinTinkaToy: Action...it's gonna be a while. Not this chapter, and not the next. Hopefully there'll be some in the one after that. Shame on both of us for our update rates. :hangs head: More new Sain fics have come out over the past few months than our combined updates. So sad...that's college for ya.

Black Lord 500: Thanks for the compliments. By the way, we've taken down the petition for the meantime; it doesn't seem like they're enforcing it at all.

Sir-Yukina: Plbbt.

syntxerror: Yeah, she is. I might eventually redo the beginning to improve the pace.

Zeek72: I haven't read your fic yet, but I'll try to check it out as soon as I beat FE:SS.

General Subwoffer: Thank you for the compliments; I love your fic! About reviewer responses, we've actually taken down the petition; it doesn't seem like they're enforcing it, although I didn't even see the rule at all. I think it was implied from a rule, and people went all crazy about it. In other words, you can respond without worries, unless you're just paranoid like that.

Writer Awakened: I hope you read the rest, since I would like to hear your take on the other chapters. Yes, Florina is too aggressive; I've tried to work on that, although I still have problems with it. It's just hard for me to think like that. But I do think she'd send Sain to the other end of the cave. Well, maybe not 'send', but stutter and manage to ask. The only other option would be to kick him out completely (she's not that mean) or move away herself (no matter how scared she is, I can't see her doing that; the other side is really low). I hope my dialogue has improved as the fic progressed. As for descriptions, that's my major weakness. If I ever redo this fic, I'll make sure to work on that.

Well, time for the long-awaited ninth chapter. Please review.

Chapter 9: A New Mission

The waiter walked in on the couple. Seeing their position, the waiter shook his head, 'I am definitely going to petition for a clause in my contract for overtime pay whenever this happens.' "Eh-hem." He got the attention of the couple.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we didn't see you enter." Florina said nervously, moving behind Sain.

"Well, at least it was an improvement over the last time you came in, eh?" Sain quipped, squeezing Florina's hand to reassure her.

The man just shook his head; only Sain would think of something like that. "I'm sorry to interrupt your…activities, but Florina has been given a mission, and should report to the village elder immediately." Once the couple had changed back into their normal attire, the man lead them to the entrance, "Thank you for choosing Mountain High; if you decide to return, remember: the do not disturb signs are located to the right of the changing rooms." The man said.

Florina blushed, but Sain just took her hand, "Duly noted." He replied.

As the couple exited the restaurant, Sain turned to Florina, "Lead the way, my lady."

"Of course, my savior." Florina smiled. As the couple walked toward the center of the village, they noticed some strange happenstances. One old lady took off her glasses and polished them to make sure she was seeing correctly. Money changed hands as those who bet closest on how long it would take Florina to get a boyfriend received their earnings. However, the thing that was best remembered was the embarrassment of the local mental hospital, which had been taking charge of everyone who had claimed Florina had initiated a kiss with the infamous womanizing mercenary Sain. The administrators still haven't lived that one down.

"Well, here we are." Florina said as the pair stopped in front of a building.

"No sense in waiting around; let's find out what this mission's about." Sain said, walking inside with Florina. 'I wonder if he's always this straightforward..."

"Thank you for coming." The attendant greeted, "The elder will see you now; please go though the first door on the right."

"Hmm? Who is this man with you, Florina?" The elder greeted them.

"Ah, this is—" Florina started. 'Someone I can't get rid of. My future lover.'

"It is a pleasure to meet you, madam." Sain addressed the elder, bringing her hand to his lips.

"I suppose that would make you the notorious Sain then?" The elder replied, shaking her head. "Florina, you really do need to tell me how you two got together sometime. However, now is not that time. We have just received reports of a treacherous lord in the area of Pherae. Your mission is to remove him from power and free the villages in the area from his tyranny. This says that a small team, preferably two or three, would be best." The elder told them, reading the information sheet.

'A team of two? That could give you the chance for some quality time with a certain mercenary. I accept this mission. No way! You need to make sure to bring another woman, just in case he tries something. You're not gonna try to convince her to leave him behind? I might be irrational, but I'm not stupid. I know she won't leave him here; anyways, who knows what trouble he could get into while she's gone? Besides, he's actually a superior mercenary. We'd be hard-pressed to find a better person to help us complete the mission.'

"I'll let you pick your team." The elder's voice interrupted Florina's thoughts.

"Hmm? Oh, ok." Florina said nervously, glancing at Sain.

The elder smiled knowingly, "Sain, could I talk to Miss Florina for a minute, alone?" She asked.

"Of course. I'll be waiting right outside, my lady. If you need anything, just yell."

"Do I really have to worry about anything happening to me while I'm in the elder's office?" Florina smiled.

"You never know, she could suddenly go psycho and decide to attack you." Sain said solemnly. Seeing her skeptical look, he defended himself, "Hey, stranger things have happened." He said, unable to contain his grin any longer, "Although I can't name any off the top of my head."

"Sain." The elder interrupted their conversation.

"Yes ma'am, I was just leaving." Sain said, bowing low as he backed out of the room.

"Are you sure about him?" The elder questioned sincerely.

"Yes ma'am. He may be a bit of a rogue at times, but he's actually a great guy." Florina said. 'That's what you think. I'm sure he's a great man too.'

"You're not sick, are you?" The elder asked, putting a hand on Florina's forehead.

"I'll let you get to know him next time we're back in the village." Florina said, "Then you'll see." 'You better know him by that time.'

"Ok, I'll hold you to that." The elder said, motioning for her to leave. "Oh, Florina?"

"Yes, elder?" Florina replied, looking back.

"Good luck." She said with a smile. 'I would like some luck with Sain.'

Florina blushed, "Thank you."

"I suppose my fears were unfounded?" Sain asked her.

"Fears?" Florina looked him quizzically.

"About the elder going berserk and killing everyone in the village." Sain reminded her.

"The entire village? I thought she was just going to attack me." Florina replied.

"Well, she would've attacked you first, but that was only going to whet her appetite for violence. That's when she moved onto the rest of the village." Sain explained.

"Ah," Florina nodded, "that makes sense."

"Really?" Sain looked at her skeptically.

"No," Florina smiled, "But it was a good attempt."

"So, what did she have to say?" Sain asked, curious.

"She said she'll sentence you to the stocks if you try anything on this mission."

"Sheesh, what's with village elders and wanting to put me in stocks? I swear, every village…" Sain's voice drifted off, "Well, at least Pherae is warm; I'd hate to be kept outside during Ilia's winter."

"Now just what did you do to make someone want to put you in the stocks?" Florina asked, her interest piqued. 'Ropes are more portable, but I suppose stocks would work also.'

"Well, all I'm gonna say is that she sure didn't look fifteen."

"Sain, what am I going to do with you?" Florina shook her head.

"Love me forever and ever?" Sain replied hopefully.

'Who cares about forever? I just want to love him now.' "And why would I do that?" Florina pushed.

"Because of the little voice in your head telling you too." Sain said solemnly.

'Wow, he's good.' Florina started for a moment, 'Did I say something to them out loud?' She worried.

Sain's laughter dispelled her fears, "But seriously, I still don't know. I'm just enjoying it while it lasts."

Florina's face fell, "While it lasts? You mean, all those things you said…Lyn was right about you!" She exclaimed, turning to run off with tears in her eyes. I don't want to say I told you so, but…' She felt a strong hand halt her escape.

Sain grabbed her shoulder, swinging her around and pressing his lips to hers.

Florina slapped him, "Get away from me!" 'I told you so.'

Sain released her, hurt clearly showing in his eyes, "You're just like all the rest. This is exactly what I was talking about. It never lasts…" Sain's said slowly before reverting to his normal self, "Well, I'm off to woo the beauteous lasses that I'm blessed to walk amongst. Farewell, fair Florina, I enjoyed every moment of your exquisite company." Sain said, walking past Florina toward the stables to retrieve his mount.

'If he leaves, I leave. Really? I wish; then I wouldn't have to share him with you two.' "Wait." Florina gently put a hand on his shoulder

Sain shrugged her hand off, "Oh, how I wish that were possible, but the other ladies might attack you for hoarding me for yourself."

"I-I'm sorry." Florina's voice stopped him cold. "Please…I want to know what you were talking about."

"Do you really want to know?" Sain asked gravely.

Florina swallowed, and then nodded. 'I want to know him.'

"Fine, I'll tell you, but I don't think you're going to like it." Sain warned.

A/N: What was Sain talking about? And what the heck is Florina's mission? Find out next chapter (or the chapter after that). More reviews equals quicker update.

Everyone: Please go check out "The Transdementional Adventures of Mark" by Kilroywuzheere. It's a really good, really funny SainFlorina.