YOUR REVIEWS MAKE ME HAPPY ^_____^ i'm so glad there hasn't been any flames yet... lol thanks for the constructive criticism and reviews!!

summary: Artemis Niels is a part-time topographer, gel maker, and merchant, with some medical talents just for kicks. Dressing as a male comes naturally. but she never thought she'd be dragged on a quest to save the world. 'Tales of the Abyss is not my property'

Page 6: bad karma

Labyrnith - omg haha thanks for the review!! reading it made me so happy haha :) that pairing seems very possible.. haha
Yuleen75 - :D thanks!! ah ah, i won't say what the pairing is!! D: lol but thanks, I forget my adjectives sometimes…. ….. poo. Haha anyway thanks again!
Yamilian - thanks :3 i didn't want her to be exposed just yet, I didn't want it to happen too fast haha but hey, just guess who finds out first~~~ lol i kind of feel sorry for Jade but at the same time I don't haha
Aion 13 - thanks I'm going to need a lot x__x they're this week!! wednesday to friday… haha i hope i do well…i'll try to keep this story going =D

Artemis woke with a faint tingling still going through her system. She could feel her pulse where the more dominant seals placed on her skin. She winced, her eyes stung. They were still sensitive.

She stopped and looked around. From the room's appearance, she deducted that she was in someone's home rather than an inn. A bowl of water was placed on the table by the bed and a clean rag beside it.

As more of her feeling returned to her capability, she felt the slight perspiration on her forehead and the slightly damp rag that had fallen onto the pillow beneath her.
She sat up slowly. Her vest was gone. She was in only a white nightgown. Someone had taken the time to bandage her hands. Her eyes lowered. It didn't matter to bandage anything. Every physical wound was only superficial. The fonon instability within her would remove any sort of defecation to its physicality. Sometimes she wondered if she could even die.

"Uh, y-you're awake Niles!"

A man was standing in the doorway. He stood awkwardly with one hand behind his head. A red tint covered his cheeks.

"You know me?"

"I recognized the emblem on your bag," he said quickly, "Our family has some of your work."

"Ah…" Artemis looked down at her hands. It seemed she'd never escape the world. She'd left too much evidence of her own existence.

"But um.. Niles…"

Artemis looked the young man who quickly flushed and turned away.

"Ah, I, uh," he scratched his head, "I always thought you were a man."

Artemis scratched the back of her neck. So the man saw who she was and immediately tried to help her. In that case, he must have been the one to undress her, or at least tried to, and found out she was indeed female.

"I'm not."

"Y-yes," his face darkened, "I noticed."

Silence followed.

"Thanks."

"Oh, it was n-nothing!! I was just walking by, a-and you can stay as long as you like! I'll make lunch soon!"

Artemis shook her head and began to get out of bed.

"You shouldn't get up so soon!" he exclaimed and reached out to her.

"No," Artemis pushed his hand away, "I need to leave right away."

He stared at her confused.

"Why?"

Artemis didn't answer.

"Niles?"

"I have to go the Castle," she quickly lied.

She cursed. These lies had been slipping out more frequently.

The man immediately began to smile.

"Oh? Well, besides my shift at one of the aircars, I do end up at the castle a lot! I'll take you there right away!"

Oh Lorelei…

Artemis was quickly beginning to resent herself. The young man, whose name she learned was Manuel, had brought her to the castle right away. She barely had time to wash and dress, much less eat anything.

"Wait here," he motioned for Artemis to stay, "I'll be right back."

Before Artemis could reply, the guard ran off, leaving her arm to hang in the air. With a sigh she lowered her arm and sat down. She could try to sneak out and run out, but she'd probably be caught and questioned for being suspicious. Not only that but she was hungry…

What a mess she was in. If only she had never met that group… She groaned and held her head in her hands.

"My my, and what do we have here?"

Artemis felt a shiver run down her neck. Great. One of the people she wanted least to see.

She lowered her hands slowly and looked up at the red-eyed fonist. He looked back at her with an unreadable expression. An expression that just seemed to hide an impending doom behind its lines.

"Artemis, I do believe you left quite the bit of trouble in my hands."

If Artemis believed in karma, she'd definitely agree that she had it bad.

"…Jade."

He bent down to her level with a smile, "Now why don't we get something to eat and speak to his majesty together?"

"…Do we have to? I mean, I'm not hungry-"

Just then Artemis' stomach growled out in protest. Her face flushed.

"Not hungry now are you?"

Jade had to smirk. He wouldn't admit that he was feeling incredibly satisfied to see Artemis suffering in front of him. After all, the man had left him with quite the mess to deal with. Especially from Anise…

"Not hungry now are you?" he mocked.

The green-haired man shot one look at Jade before jumping up to run. He made the distance of maybe three meters before Jade ran after him and reached out to stop him from escaping. The two men stumbled down.

Much to Jade's misfortune Artemis landed on top of him. He was about to ask the man to get off of him when he noticed something was wrong. He looked at Artemis. His eyes wandered down to where Artemis' chest was lying on him.

Something was very wrong.

He grabbed Artemis by his arms and pushed her up.

"Artemis," Jade said while holding Artemis' rather limp limbs.

"Yes, Jade."

"You're a woman."

"Yes, Jade."

Jade opened his mouth to say something but a soldier ran down the hallway, interrupting him.

"MISS NILES!!"

The guard stopped mid-shout when he saw Jade.

"C-colonel Curtiss!"

"It's Manuel…" "What is it?"

"I- I was just coming t-to get N-Niles."

The Colonel was about to ask why but Artemis beat him to it.

"Oh? What for?"

Having made eye contact with Artemis seemed to make the guard relax somewhat.

"You've been asked to attend the meeting tonight."

"Meeting? What meeting?" Jade asked.

"It's j-just been announced, sir," Manuel said.

"An emergency assembly, his majesty requests your presence as well," he said and quickly added, "sir."

Jade glanced at Artemis and saw … her in thought.

He sighed. Artemis looked at him and spoke.

"Looks like dinner will have to wait."

"Yes, it does seem that way."

"…It may be out of my place to say this, but Colonel… May I request you release Niles?"

Jade and Artemis looked at their positions. Artemis was practically sitting on Jade and Jade was holding her in place by his arms. They looked at each other and Jade let go of

Artemis' arms. Then, subtly, Artemis stood up and brushed her legs off and began to walk.

Meanwhile Jade was left to his own thoughts as he stood up at his own pace.

She must have worn bandages or something of the sort, because Jade already should have realized her feminine attributes. It wasn't like the woman had ever been bothered with being called a man. She even slept in the same room as the men and gave no complaint.

"Please, take your time," Artemis drawled.

Jade smirked, "Oh don't mind me Artemis, I'm just an old man."

Either way, Artemis was a woman. What an interesting twist. He'd keep that fun little fact to himself.

"Malkuth is unable to rescue its own citizens because of the miasma," Ion spoke as seriously as he could. He was beginning to get impatient. From the start of the meeting, he had been anxious. Jade had brought Artemis in with him to the meeting.

Where had Artemis gone? Why did he leave? What danger was he trying to avoid?

"Therefore, your Majesty, I request your aid to Akzeriuth."

Ingobert was silent for a moment before speaking, "Sounds reasonable enough."

"Let us form our treaty with Malkuth then."

Ion let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you, King Ingobert."

The king smiled, "And just how could I deny the Fon Master Ion? You must have had a difficult time, please rest."

"Thank you," Ion bowed his head respectfully.

He turned to call out to Artemis who was standing up with Jade, but the King spoke up again.

"Ah, Niles!"

Artemis bowed where he was standing, "King Ingobert."

"How long has it been since I first met you?" he asked while beckoning Artemis over.

"Five years, sir."

Ion frowned. He wouldn't have the chance to speak with Artemis.

"He does seem to know a lot of people, doesn't he?"

Ion jumped from the sudden intrusion of his thoughts. He turned and faced the colonel.

"Jade."

"Five years, sir," Artemis said.

She almost didn't believe her own words. How long had she been fooling herself?

"Ah, so long," the king looked at Alpine who bowed and left the room. Jade and Ion followed after.

Ingobert sighed and put a hand on Artemis' head.

"Well haven't you grown," he said.

"Yes, sir," Artemis said.

"How is your father?"

"He passed away four years ago."

The king was slightly taken aback.

"I hadn't heard any news of this."

"No one did sir," Artemis said, "Father didn't want the fuss."

"Of course, of course…" the king trailed off.

"He was a good man," he said more to himself than to Artemis.

"One of the best smiths I ever knew."

Ingobert turned his attention back to Artemis, "Why don't you settle down here? I can easily arrange things for you."

"Please don't mind me," Artemis said humbly with a bow. She could never settle down. It would mean attachments, and that was too risky with her Peacock Eyes situation.

"You won't settle down here then?"

The king said somewhat disappointed.

Artemis shook her head, "Thank you for the offer though, Majesty."

"I see… I'll leave you to rest then Artemis."

"Thank you."

Artemis bowed and made her way to leave when the king spoke out again.

"Ah, Artemis. I heard the rumor that you were working on a new project?"

Artemis turned around.

"Only a rumor, sir," she said, "I only work on topography nowadays."

"Is that so…"

"Yes sir."

"Then would you mind tending to my request?"

Artemis waited for him to continue.

"My nephew, Luke, I plan to send him as Kimlasca-Lncaldear's goodwill ambassador."

Luke Fabre? The redhead from earlier was the king's nephew?? Well.. He was definitely part of the nobility…

"If I could ask you to go with him and document the treaty…"

"Of course, your majesty."

As soon as the doors closed behind Artemis she let out a groan and fell to the ground. What did she just get herself into now. And she had just attempted to get away from these people. Fate must have been laughing at her.

Apparently fate wasn't the only one finding her angst humorous.

"As entertaining as this may be, I'd suggest we grab something to eat."

"Jade…"

"Maim?"

"Can I just die here slowly?" Artemis groaned.

Hands roughly dragged her to her feet, but immediately slackened.

"Of course not Artemis, you're meal will grow cold."

She sighed and Jade smirked at her.

"If you keep sighing you'll grow old."

"Like you're one to talk."

"True."

Artemis stared at him before sighing again.

"I'm too tired to go eat," she said truthfully, "I don't think I can walk anywhere right now."

Artemis was too tired to go anywhere at that point. Having gone through her Peacock Eyes attack earlier she was drained and not eating made it worse. She'd probably have fallen over if Jade wasn't holding her arms.

As if the man knew that fact he let go of Artemis' arms.

"Jade!"

Jade held Artemis easily in his arms. Almost too easily. Artemis didn't like it one bit.

"Put me down," she demanded.

"You're too light for your height."

"I don't care!" she exclaimed, "Put me down before someone sees!"

"Ah, but you see Artemis," Jade started, "I don't care."

And so Artemis had to be content with hanging out on Jade's shoulder. She gave up struggling long ago. She was too weak to put up much of a struggle, much to her disappointment. She felt her eyes drooping. Maybe she should have listened to that Manuel fellow and slept some more. At least she would have avoided all this trouble.

She couldn't have been that tired though… Her breaths were getting deeper.

Had Jade always smelt so nice?

Once Jade felt Artemis relax completely he stopped walking and held her in his arms rather than on his shoulder. The greenhaired woman was completely asleep.

Sleeping perfume was very handy, he surmised.

He kept walking till he reached the room he was given to stay in. He opened it by twisting one of his arms to grab the door handle and then closed it the same way. Jade walked over to the bed and put Artemis under the covers. Thankfully there hadn't been too many people to see them. Only a few guards, who probably would forget within the week.

He had to admit that he was also a bit tired. But not so much as to fall asleep from such a weak dosage of the sleeping perfume, though it might have had some effect on him. He rubbed his eyes from under his glasses. He'd just wash up and get some rest. The king wanted to see them all in the morning anyway.

Jade woke up feeling a weight on his chest. It wasn't an uncomfortable feeling, no, rather it was comforting and warm. He felt something lie across his arm. Warmth. Something he didn't wake to.

His eyes shot open, he was about to summon his spear when he found it was just Artemis sleeping on him.

…What?

Artemis was lying across his chest. One of her arms were folded on his own with the hand on his shoulder. Her other arm was just lying limp beside her.

She must have sought his warmth in her sleep.

"Artemis," he said softly.

She didn't move. He flicked her nose and watched her frown in her sleep. He laughed to himself. Artemis slept so deeply when she was tired.

Knock! Knock!

"Colonel Curtis, I've come to wake you."

Jade was at a loss as what to do. Order the maid away or humiliate Artemis some more? His options were cut short as the door opened.

"Colonel Cur-? Oh, I'm sorry," the maid flushed in the face, "breakfast has been prepared for you, I-I'll bring another set. Please excuse me."

Jade looked down. Now who was the one humiliated? Jade's shirt was wide open because he had been too lazy to button it up before going to bed. Not only that, but bruises were apparent where Jade had gripped Artemis' wrists the night prior.

"Artemis," he said louder and more firmer.

Artemis woke up with a start. She saw where she was and immediately rolled off. The blanket enveloped her completely.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

Jade had to smirk, so Artemis could get embarrassed at such things.

"Oh, I'm not in the least bit concerned," Artemis pulled the sheets down to look at him, "but I think the maid may think differently."

Artemis groaned and rolled over again… off the bed.

She landed with a thud and didn't get up. Instead she just groaned and lied there.

"What have I done to you?"

"You've left me quite the bit of trouble you know."

Buahahahaha

I 3 Jade

but i still 3 Artemis :3 i originally planned this pairing to be GuyxOCxSync but zomg i'm having too much fun with Jade haha

i even wrote this when i should be studying!!!-

OMG I NEED TO BE STUDYING!!! ANFJKHSBDFLAKHFB D R&R PLEASE!!