***Sorry for the long wait, everyone! I just got a new job and it's suddenly very hard to find the time and energy to write. This is not the first version of chapter 14 I wrote, but I decided I didn't really like the first one. So, without further ado, here's chapter 14. Enjoy!***

The next morning I awoke with a smile already on my face. Zidane and I were together again – in some form. Moreover, he was making some progress in regaining his memories. In that moment, I had nothing but faith that things would be alright.

Presently, the bunk overhead creaked with movement. Eiko's feet dangled over the edge briefly before the girl let herself drop to the floor. I continued to lay still, watching as she pulled on her shoes and coat. It wasn't until she had reached the door that I stirred.

"Where are you sneaking off to?" I asked, feigning suspicion.

Eiko froze and turned slowly toward me with a sly grin. "Nowhere."

I sat up and stretched. "What time is it?"

"The sun's up," Eiko shrugged. Then she sighed, realizing I wasn't going to back down. "I just wanted to talk to Zidane," she admitted.

I lifted an eyebrow at this. "Eiko, you can see Zidane any time. Why are you sneaking out?"

She dragged her toe in a circle across the floor for a moment, then looked up at me. "It's private!" she shouted suddenly.

I flinched at her outburst, then shook my head. "Alright, Eiko. That's all you had to say."

"Thanks, Sara!" she squeaked, whirling toward the door.

"But Eiko!"

Skidding to a stop, she turned to me again, her face crinkled with fear.

"Just don't do anything rash," I warned. The little girl nodded, her smile returning, and skipped past the heavy curtain on her way out of the inn.

I fell back into the pillow, my eyes lingering after Eiko for a few moments. Then, deciding I wasn't going to be able to fall back to sleep, I threw off the covers and swung my feet over the edge of the bed. The wooden floor was cold, but I was too distracted to really take notice of this fact. An unexpected smile spread across my face as I thought again of Zidane. I wondered if he was awake, if he was thinking of me, too.

Presently, I tapped my fingers on the frame of the bed, realizing I would have to wait until Eiko's "private" meeting with Zidane was over before I could see him. I dressed quickly and stepped out of the inn, into the brilliant misty morning. The air was to fresh and crisp here, I noticed once again. Wouldn't it be nice if I could stay here?

I shook my head, banishing the dream before it was fully formed. I had to keep my priorities in order. Zidane's newly rediscovered affection did not necessarily mean I would be leaving Alexandria for good. There was still a chance I could win in court – and I had to try. Everybody had such high hopes for me. They were trying so hard to make this work for me, and because they honestly felt it was right for me to rule. I wouldn't throw all that away for selfish reasons.

Not having anything else to do, I started walking toward the far edge of the village, where the other genomes who'd undergone the life-extension procedure were living. Since Zidane had made some progress, I wanted to know how they were doing.

Not surprisingly, I found Mikoto heading toward the hut from the opposite direction. I stopped and waited until she approached me, her tone somewhat pleasant. "Zidane isn't here," she said without greeting me.

I nodded. "I know. I was just wondering how the others were doing."

Mikoto looked sidelong at the hut, then sighed. "One of them has reported dreaming of past incidents. The rest are the same as before. No change."

I let my face fall in honest disappointment. "I'm sorry to hear that," I said quietly. "I'm sure you've heard that Zidane has been making progress."

Mikoto's face became suddenly smug. "Yes, I had heard that. But I wonder how much of it is real."

I started. "What do you mean?" I demanded, a hard edge in my voice. "Zidane described a moment from our past perfectly to me just yesterday."

Nodding, Mikoto's face remained stern. "Did he remember that, or did you tell him about it, making him form a false memory?"

I opened my mouth, then hesitated. Had I told Zidane about the night Eiko and I had summoned Alexander? "No," I decided aloud. "I never told him about that incident."

Mikoto shrugged nonchalantly. "Perhaps not. I only hope you're not clinging to blind faith."

"You don't want him to remember," I thought aloud.

Mikoto's eyes widened. "I beg your pardon?"

"You want him to be stuck here. With you. Isn't that right?" I hardly knew where these thoughts were coming from, but something told me I was on the right track.

"Don't be absurd, Queen Garnet. I would never wish harm on any of the genomes."

"But you wouldn't mind if Zidane forgot all about the rest of us and was content to stay here in this village forever, would you?"

Mikoto's eyes narrowed on me. "Zidane's place is with his own people. If he wishes to leave, I will not stop him… But I think you're being selfish in pushing all this on him. Don't you realize you're putting ideas into his head?"

I started to protest – then wondered if she was right. Was I pushing him too hard? And was my intention totally selfish? I never got a chance to defend myself, for Mikoto pushed past me with a shake of her head and disappeared into the hut. I stood just outside it for a long moment, considering her words, and hating them. I had to see Zidane, I decided – Eiko's little chat would have to wait.

As I neared Zidane's hut, however, Eiko was just leaving. Vivi had been sitting on the steps waiting for her, and the little mage waved enthusiastically at me. "Hi, Dagger!" he said, rising to his feet.

Eiko stomped her foot behind him. "What about me?" she demanded, thrusting her hands against her hips.

"Oh. Hi, Eiko."

"That's better. Now let's go see Bobbie Corwin!"

Vivi straightened his steeple hat and shrugged before chasing Eiko toward the stable.

I stood in silence for a moment, staring at the door, trying to picture Zidane behind it. Before I mustered the courage to enter, however, the door was pulled open and Zidane's face lit up in a wide smile.

"Hi," he said warmly. "I was hoping you'd come by."

"Hello, Zidane," I offered, trying to manage my voice. I must have failed, because Zidane's face suddenly reflected the worry he surely saw on mine. "May I speak with you?"

"Sure, Dagger. Come on in." He stepped aside, letting me enter, then closed the door gently shut behind us. "What's up?" he asked cautiously, watching me pace.

"Zidane," I began slowly. "Do you think… I'm putting ideas in your head?"

He shot me a confused glance. "What?"

I tried to reword. "Does it feel like I'm pushing you too hard?"

"What makes you ask that now?"

"Please, just be honest with me."

"Well, no. You've been very patient. As for putting ideas in my head… I don't know what you mean." He regarded me curiously. "What's all this about?" he asked then.

"It's… something Mikoto said. She thinks I'm giving you false memories, that I'm just pushing to get what I want."

"Hold it, hold it," Zidane said, placing a hand on each of my shoulders. He waited until I looked up at him to continue. "Mikoto said all that?" He almost looked angry. I nodded slowly, and he sighed. "I'll have to have a talk with her."

"No," I said, letting my head drop. "Please don't say anything."

"She has no right to accuse you like that," Zidane insisted.

"Please, Zidane. It will only cause more trouble. She hates me enough as it is. She…" I stopped myself from spilling further accusation, but Zidane always knew when I was hiding something.

"She what?" he pressed.

"She doesn't want you to leave the village," I murmured. "She thinks you belong here with the other genomes."

Zidane's gaze grew distant for a moment. "I don't know about that," he whispered. "Even before you told me everything, I didn't really believe that. I kept feeling like there was somewhere else I was supposed to be, other people who were missing from my life here. Now I know that's all true. This will never be my home."

"Do you really believe that?" I asked, a little amazed at his intuition.

He nodded. "Even moreso now." He smiled that sheepish little smile at me and I felt a flutter in my stomach. Then he lifted a hand to smooth back my hair, and planted a soft kiss on my forehead before pulling me into his arms. I closed my eyes tightly as my head rested against his chest. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to be the Zidane you know. I had a dream about you last night. When I woke up, I knew what I had to do."

"What's that?" I dared ask.

"I have to be with you," he whispered. "No matter where you go in this world, I want to be beside you."

"Zidane… Are you sure you're ready to leave the village?"

He sighed gently. "No. But I want to give it a try. I can't explain these feelings I have. When I think of you, I feel so… happy. There's something between us even amnesia can't kill. So, if you'll allow it, I'd like to return to Alexandria when you go."

I nodded slowly as he pulled away to read my face. "Of course you can go with me," I said, smiling. "Only…"

"What is it?" he asked, touching my cheek.

"I can't help but feel like something terrible is going to come of this, Zidane. I woke up feeling so wonderful, and now… What if Mikoto's right? What if your feelings for me are only imagined?"

Zidane pondered this for a moment. "They're real," he said shortly. "I know it."

"Zidane…"

He smiled. "Dagger."

I laughed quietly and he, once again, pulled me into a warm embrace. I closed my eyes, completely content, as he held me. Even Mikoto's harsh words couldn't hurt me now.

After a moment of utter bliss, something dawned on me. "By the way," I mumbled into his chest. "What did Eiko and you talk about?"

Zidane laughed at some private joke. "She made me promise not to tell," he replied. "But if you ask me again, I'll probably fold. It's not easy saying no to you."

"Then I won't ask," I conceded. "As long as you promise me it was nothing bad."

"No," he said. "Nothing bad at all. I promise."