Chapter 7: Unprecedented

When we arrived back at the houseboat, Tidus and I sat next to each other on the sofa, anxious of what may come of our meeting, while Auron stood calmly by the window, his curious gaze trained on us through those low-sitting spectacles.

"Well...?"

Sensing his impatience, I took that as a sign to start explaining things. But I wasn't exactly sure where to begin. "I realize this must seem very…strange to you—to find me here in Zanarkand."

"I'm no stranger to oddities, I can assure you. But I am curious as to how it's even possible."

"She travelled through some kinda time machine," Tidus broke in, earning a stern look from me in the process, which resulted in him stumbling over his words. "And I—I, uh… She'll fill you in on the rest." He then slumped back against the cushions, looking like a little boy who'd just been scolded by one of his parents.

"It was an accident," I went on to explain. "An Al-Bhed friend of ours invented the device. And when he showcased it to us…well, it malfunctioned and came to life on its own. My younger cousin attempted to destroy it. And we thought she had. But we were wrong. There was just enough life left in it to…misfire. And I ended up being transported here as a result."

"I see. But that doesn't explain how you ended up in this Zanarkand."

"I know… I don't understand it either."

"Wait…" Tidus frowned, catching our blunder. "There's a Zanarkand in Spira?"

Pulse quickening, I shifted nervously in my seat, gaze bouncing between the two of them. I didn't want Tidus learning the truth about his Zanarkand. It could lead to him realizing his rather…unique origins.

"Spira's Zanarkand is not the same as this one," Auron began to explain. "It's—"

"A different world," I interjected, tossing my former guardian a look of warning, unsure what he was about to reveal. "Tidus knows about Sin and how it will attack here in a few weeks, sending him to Spira."

"Does he know who Sin is?"

"Who!?" Tidus blinked in surprise. "I thought Sin was some kinda monster?"

"It is," I confirmed with a nod, throwing Auron a nervous glance. "Well, a summon, actually—created by a powerful summoner named; Yu Yevon."

"So, he's the one behind this whole Sin thing?"

"Yes."

"Ohhh…I get it." His eyes slightly widened in a sense of realization. "So, in order to defeat Sin for good, we had to squash this Yevon dude, right?"

"Mhm…"

"Why didn't someone just do that before?"

"It's…complicated."

"And I sense this conversation will be more of the same if we continue like this," Auron interrupted, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance.

"Because of me, right?" Tidus groused.

Resting an affectionate hand on his lap, I gave the man I loved a tight smile and attempted to reason with him. "There are some things you can't learn about, just yet."

"Why not?"

"It's better this way. You have to trust me, please."

"Yuna," Auron calmly interjected, drawing my attention, "this conversation would be better served if we continue it in private."

"Why—because you know what's best for me!?" Tidus barked, folding his arms.

"Hmph… She does, apparently," he observed with a tinge of amusement. "Yuna is special to you, is she not?"

"Well, yeah…" That seemed to pacify the man I loved, face softening as he contemplated Auron's question. "We're engaged in the future. And…I love her."

"Then you should take heed to her warning."

Poking the inside of his lower lip with his tongue, Tidus issued a humorless chuckle, clearly perturbed by how his love for me had been used against him. "Fine," he relented, standing from his seat on the sofa. "I'll go take a shower while you guys talk." After shooting me a resigned look that made me feel a pang of guilt, he slunk out of the room and down the stairs to the lower level.

The disappointment in his eyes wasn't lost to me though. One thing I knew about Tidus was how he hated secrets. It was sort of funny when I thought about it, considering how he'd kept such a huge one from me and everyone else near the end of my pilgrimage. So, I suppose he just didn't like having secrets kept from him in particular.

"Come," Auron commanded, drifting over to the stairs that led to the door. "We'll continue this conversation outside. I'm sure you know how much that boy likes to eavesdrop."

And there was no arguing that matter. Standing from the sofa, I followed my former guardian out the door and outside onto the deck of the houseboat.

The cool, evening air felt chiller than before. And I wasn't sure if the temperature had actually dropped, or if it was just my nerves. I didn't know what to expect from this man I highly respected. But I really hoped he could aid us in some way.

"Now that we're alone, I have a few questions I need answered."

I hugged my arms, finding the chill of the ocean breeze to be slightly uncomfortable, much like my situation. "Um…okay."

"So, he doesn't know that Sin is Jecht or that he's…"

"A dream?" I guessed.

Auron remained silent, eyes fastened on me, awaiting an answer to the question he refused to finish.

"No, he doesn't know either of those things." My brow dipped low at the thought. "So then, you knew he was a dream?"

"I learned of it not long after I arrived in Zanarkand," he admitted. "The fayth revealed both his and his father's origins to me then. I was stunned to learn Jecht's Zanarkand was a dream of the fayth. And because of my rather…unique situation, I could travel to this place and watch over him until the time arrived…when he'd be transported to Spira."

By unique situation, I assumed he meant how he was an unsent. "I'm aware of what happened to you—that you're an unsent. But Tidus doesn't. He…doesn't even know what an unsent is yet. So, you can speak candidly with me while he's not around."

"I assume you learned of it sometime during your pilgrimage?"

"It was at the very end."

"I see…"

One thing had me curious though. "Do you suppose Sir Jecht knew he was a dream?"

"I'm not certain. I wasn't made aware of the fayth's dream until I arrived here. Braska and I thought Jecht's stories of Zanarkand were the result of his mind being marinated in alcohol for many years. That is, until he became sober. And then we had to wonder if his Zanarkand was indeed a different world."

"They're no longer dreams," I revealed, prompting him to lift an intrigued brow. "The fayth confirmed it to us in the future. Both Tidus and his father had managed to obtain a separate consciousness on their own as well as separate souls."

"I see… Did the fayth happen to mention how they'd accomplished such an extraordinary achievement?"

I slowly swept my head. "They're not sure. They believe it may have had something to do with pulling them out of the dream into Spira. But I've noticed something while being here. Tidus is not like everyone else. He's…broken from the fayth's hive-mind. I believe he might be in the process of becoming real, if not already, which is why I don't want him learning the truth about this place."

"I understand your concern. And I'm happy for him. But what of Jecht? He's still Sin. His fate is sealed, is it not?"

"Yes, but…he won't cease to exist. And he'll have you and my father to keep him company in the Farplane."

Auron issued a rare chuckle that only lasted a brief moment. "What a reunion that will be." He then grew deadly serious once again. "Tidus is under the impression we vanquished Sin. Is that true?"

"Yes," I confirmed with a nod.

"And you're…still alive?"

"Once we learned the truth about the final summoning, we abandoned it and defeated Lady Yunalesca with you leading the charge. The fayth told us that Yu Yevon was the key to defeating Sin forever. So, we set out to destroy Sin without the final summoning and we succeeded. Then, we went on to defeat Yu Yevon as well. And because of that Sin will never be reborn. Spira has an Eternal Calm."

"That is…comforting to hear."

"Tidus disappeared right after though."

"So the dream vanished. But you said he wasn't one any longer."

"He… He ended up in another realm. Someplace called Palamecia for…two years. The fayth said it was because his soul had still been in its infancy and confused when his ties to his father were severed."

"I see. You two fell in love on your pilgrimage then?"

"Yes. And losing him right after was…difficult."

"But you two were reunited?"

"It's a long story, but yes. After two years and another journey of mine, we were."

"And now you're engaged to be married?"

While I understood why Auron was curious about everything, I really needed to move our conversation along as to why I'd wanted to meet with him in the first place.

"Yes, and I'm… I'm pregnant with his child," I confessed with some hesitancy. "I need to get back home. And Tidus needs to forget meeting me here. This wasn't supposed to happen—it could change everything. Everything we fought for. I made a huge mistake and I… I need your help. I need you to speak with the fayth and appeal to them on my behalf. Maybe they can wipe Tidus' memories of us ever meeting here."

Shifting his stance, Auron stood, staring out at the calm waters of the ocean, displaying a rare sense of concern. "What makes you think they'll listen to me?"

"If they want the rest they've been longing for they will."

"I'm not a summoner, Yuna. I cannot call on them the same way. Have you tried since arriving here?"

"No… I haven't."

"Why not?"

"I, um… I'm not sure how that would work. During this time in Spira, I'm still an apprentice. And haven't managed to gain a pact with a fayth as of yet. Would they even answer my call?"

"You make a valid point. Still, you should try. I cannot guarantee an audience with one of them."

"But…you'll try, won't you?"

"They've only sought me out on a few rare occasions to give instructions. But to answer your question—yes, I'll try to call on them."

Feeling an immense sense of relief, I exhaled heavily and offered him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

His attention then shifted back to me—that serious gaze, peering through those low-sitting spectacles in a way that'd often made me shiver. "Don't thank me yet. Even if I do manage to meet with one of them that doesn't mean all your problems will be solved."

"I understand. But I'm sure they'll do everything they can, especially when Spira's future depends on it."

"Suppose they are able to aid in all of this. And they somehow manage to erase Tidus' memories of you two meeting here. What happens if you cannot return home by the time Sin attacks?"

This was not something I wanted to think about. But I knew it was a distinct possibility. "Do you think the fayth would be able to help with that as well?"

"I doubt it," he answered, bluntly. "Plucking Tidus and Jecht out of their dream into Spira is not the same as sending someone through time."

"But they travelled to another realm and brought Tidus back to Spira," I argued. "They may be able to do something similar with me."

He quietly pondered what I'd mentioned then gave a firm nod. "I'll bring it to their attention if we meet. But I cannot make any promises."

"I understand."

"Are you…aware of what will happen if they cannot send you back?"

And my stomach dropped at the thought. "Yes, I am."

"And are you prepared to face that fate?"

No one is ever really prepared for death. Even on my pilgrimage, I had a difficult time coming to terms with what laid beyond the ruins of Zanarkand. My guardians never realized it though. I'd made sure to keep those fears locked inside. But I think Tidus knew. He had to have seen it in my eyes that night at the spring.

"I'm…as prepared as I was on my pilgrimage, I suppose."

"Your pilgrimage was a choice," he indicated, posture growing even more rigid than before. "This isn't the same."

No, it certainly wasn't. "If I go to Spira with you and Tidus, there's a good chance I'll cease to exist."

"Not much of a choice then, is it? Your life ends no matter what you choose. That's not a choice."

"It's better to have lived and died than to never exist at all. A physical death is still better than losing your soul."

Auron stared at me for a long moment, the corner of his eyes crinkling from what might have been a smile hidden beneath the deep collar of his coat. "Braska would be proud of the woman you've grown into. And he wouldn't want you to endure such a fate. So, I'll do everything in my power to see that it doesn't come to that."

Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I blinked back tears and released a trembling breath. Auron's promise and what he'd said about my father had a profound impact on me. It was rare for him to display any kind of sentiment. And I was grateful to see that side of him at the time.

"But as you know, I cannot guarantee the fayth will be able to help. I…wish I could."

"No, it's okay. I… I understand. Thank you."

"Is Tidus aware of what you're planning—to have his memories erased of you?"

"Yes, but…he doesn't know how it'll happen, or anything about the fayth."

"And he agreed to it?"

"Yes."

"Does he know what will happen if you cannot return home in time?"

"Yes."

"Hmph… I doubt he'd accept such an outcome."

And he wasn't wrong. "He's determined to find a way to save my life."

"I expected as much. That boy has had little joy in his short life. Jecht wouldn't want him to suffer."

"I… I don't want that either."

"Then let's hope the fayth can provide you with yet another miracle."

There was nothing I wanted more.

"There is…another matter though."

Tilting my head to the side, I waited for my former guardian to reveal whatever I'd, apparently, overlooked.

"I now have these memories of meeting you here as well—and know of future events."

In my rush to acquire Auron's assistance, I'd failed to consider the consequences once more. "Do…you suppose the fayth could erase your memories as well?"

"I'm not sure how they would accomplish that. I'm not a dream. But what I know may be of little consequence. I'd still set out to do what I planned. And I wouldn't interfere with fate along the way.

"Much of the information you provided happens after our journey when I'm in the Farplane. And what little I know before then will happen near the end. By then I assume the wheels of fate would already be in motion, setting us on the rightful path to the future you described."

That sounded an awful lot like what Tidus had initially wanted to do. But Tidus was nothing like Auron. And the circumstances surrounding him would be very different as opposed to the legendary guardian.

"I must go, for now. I'll return by sometime next week, hopefully with some answers for you. My best advice—try calling on the fayth as well during that time. It would be better served if more than one person attempted to contact them."

I was actually a little nervous about trying that. If I was successful, what would I say? How could I face them after what I'd done? I'd let them down.

"Don't waste precious time on regrets. Focus on what needs to be done."

Was I really that transparent?

"And Yuna…" Both his tone and demeanor had acquired a much gentler note. "If I were you, I'd cherish the time you two have together here. There are no guarantees with any of this. Make the most of what you have now, even if it seems out of place."

Now, that I hadn't expected to hear. And it'd left me not only speechless but feeling quite deflated.

Auron then calmly turned and walked away—that famous red coat swaying to his every step as he headed toward an unlit section of the marina and disappeared into the haunting shadows.

Standing alone on the deck of that houseboat, still hugging my arms, I felt like any hope I had of returning home had disappeared along with him. He was right. The fayth couldn't send anyone through time. If they could, they would've sent someone to stop the Machina War from ever happening. I was hoping for a miracle. But since I was in their dream, maybe it would be different somehow.

There was always another option though—one I'd initially dismissed because of the risks involved. And it was selfish. Would it be though? I wondered. In the end, it would save Tidus a world of pain. And he'd proven on my pilgrimage how well he could keep a secret.

No, I silently chided myself, giving my head a shake. I couldn't possibly entertain the idea.

Suddenly, the door to the houseboat creaked open, beckoning me from my grim thoughts. Tidus stood in the doorway in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt he'd changed into, scanning the deck for his surrogate father, who he'd just missed.

"Where's Auron?"

"He…left."

"Seriously!?" His expression soured. "That grouch didn't even say good-bye."

"He was…in a hurry, I suppose."

"You okay?" Brow creased with worry, Tidus made his way over to me and gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. "What'd he say? Will he help us?"

"He'll…do what he can. But he can't make any promises."

"Yeah, sounds like him," he muttered, bitterly. "Did he say when he'll be back?"

"Next week sometime. He…hopes to have some news for us by then."

"Well, that's a good thing, right? It's not like he flat-out refused. So, he's gotta believe there's a way to fix all this."

"I suppose…"

"Then why do you look so down?"

The fear of not being transported home in time was beginning to consume my every thought. I wasn't ready to die, not this time. I had too much to live for. Tidus and I were going to have a family. And I wanted that so very much.

"Yuna…?"

"I'm sorry. I'm just…a little overwhelmed."

"You're also freezing," he indicated, rubbing some warmth into my shoulders. "C'mon, let's getcha inside."

Wrapping an arm around me, Tidus led me inside the houseboat, down the steps and over to the sofa where he helped to ease me onto the cushions, before taking a seat next to me.

"Didya want me to make you a hot chocolate or something?"

"I'm fine, really."

"No, you're not. So, why dontcha just tell me what's bothering you?"

There's no chance he'd let this go, I knew better. And I was in no mood to argue either. "I'm…afraid."

He looked at me for a long moment, eyes full of concern before gleaming with a determination I knew far-too-well. "I meant what I said the other night. I won't let you die here, Yuna. And if that means you gotta tell me everything—even the stuff you think I shouldn't know—I wantcha to." Cupping my face in his hands, he offered up a loving smile and assured me in a firm tone, "You can trust me. I won't mess things up. I love you too much. I want a life with you. And I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Tears sprang to my eyes, and I blinked them back in an effort to hold myself together. His offer was almost too good to refuse. But I knew it was too much of a risk.

"Tidus…" I gently slid his hands off my face and released a troubled sigh. "Too much could go wrong. I just can't—"

"I don't care," he interjected with an ardent shake of his head. "If Auron can't find a way to getcha home then I don't want my memories messed with. And I wantcha to tell me everything. I'll do whatever you say, keep all you tell me inside, and stop you from going anywhere near that stupid contraption when the time comes."

"You don't understand. You knowing everything will still alter things," I refuted. "Your thought process will change. And that alone is enough to change our future."

"Then just tell me what I need to know. Leave certain things out if you think it'll make matters worse."

"How would I know what to leave out? This isn't exactly something that's been tested before."

"What's the alternative—you dying here, carrying my kid while I search for you in the future until I die, alone and miserable?"

I wasn't expecting that response. And considering how it was most likely to occur if I couldn't be transported home in time, I didn't have much to offer in defense.

"Promise me, if Auron can't find a way to getcha back, we'll look at this option."

At this point, refusing would only frustrate him more. But I didn't want to make a promise I couldn't keep. "We'll discuss this further if—and only if—there's no other way."

Seeming satisfied with my answer, Tidus issued a tiny smile then rested a loving hand on my knee. "Okay. Then let's not talk about this anymore tonight. You hungry at all?"

"No, I ate something earlier before I left to watch you play. But don't let that stop you. That salad you picked at during lunch has probably left you starving by now."

"Nah… I grabbed a burger and some fries on the way to the stadium," he confessed, lips kinked to the side in guilt. "Last time I tried to play a game on an empty stomach, I ended up almost passing out in the sphere pool. Can't throw a game if I'm benched early on, or being tended to by a doctor."

"I suppose being around me didn't help your appetite either."

He sat for a long moment, eyes downcast, mulling over my words. "No one likes to think about losing the one they love."

And I could certainly resonate with what he must've been feeling.

"But we're not gonna think about that right now." Gaze lifting to meet mine, those sweet lips of his stretched into a vibrant smile. "We're gonna focus on happier stuff."

Since I couldn't try calling on the fayth with Tidus around, finding other things to occupy my mind would be 'time better served' as Auron would say.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I kinda wanna know something." There was a tinge of playfulness in his tone, which left me both curious and a little nervous of what he was about to ask.

"Like what?"

"What changed?"

"What do you mean?"

"C'mon Yuna…" Tidus tossed me a doubtful look as to suggest I was feigning ignorance when I really had no idea what he was referring to. "Y'know, what happened between us in the limo."

"Oh…" My stomach was suddenly aflutter. Those were dangerous waters we were heading into. And navigating through them was going to be nothing short of a challenge if my plan was to resist his advances. Then there was the nagging question floating around inside my head at that moment—did I even want to anymore?

"Yuna…?"

"Hmm…?"

"What made you kiss me?"

Those sweet, curious eyes and that cute, boyish smile had me melting faster than a cube of ice in Ifrit's hands. "I, um… I didn't want to deny you the opportunity to experience real love when…when you were the one to show me what love was really like during my pilgrimage."

From the way his smile retreated and his brow furrowed, I sensed my answer was not quite what he had in mind. "So, you did it out of guilt and pity?"

"What—no!" This was already off to a bad start. And I had to turn it around quickly, since I'd never meant to give him that impression. "It's not that at all."

"Well, then tell me what I'm supposed to take from that?"

There had to be a way to make him understand. "I'm in love with you. Can't you see that? The man I'm engaged to in the future is you. And you're still him. I've only been resisting because I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to cause you any more pain. But when I saw that look in your eyes, I realized I was hurting you more by denying you my love. And I couldn't take it anymore. I… I couldn't resist anymore. I needed you just as much as you needed me."

An element of surprise flitted across his face followed by an endearing smile. "So, you wanted to."

"Yes, I… I wanted to." Releasing an anguished sigh, I went for his hand and intertwined our fingers, unsure how to feel about all of this. "But I'm not sure if we should act on those…impulses."

"Because you're afraid of me getting hurt?"

"Yes."

"Why dontcha lemme worry about that, okay? I'm a big boy. I can deal."

"Tidus…"

"Or are you afraid of something else?"

I tilted my head to the side and peered into his loving eyes, curious of what he'd meant. "Like what?"

"That giving into your desires would mean you're giving up on ever returning home."

This man already knew me far-too-well. And it was difficult to dispute his claim—mainly because he was right.

"One way or another, we're gonna find a way to getcha home, okay?" He then gave my hand a supportive squeeze. "I promise."

Those words were full of hope. And yet, they felt hollow all the same. In order for Tidus to accomplish such a goal, his memories would need to be intact and he'd have to be aware of what the future held. It would be a selfish act that could alter Spira's future. By how much though? I really had to wonder.

If it was just my life at stake, maybe I wouldn't be so hesitant. But this innocent life growing inside me…they deserved a chance. And Tidus…he'd be devastated. He'd never have closure. He'd live out the remainder of his life, searching for me in a type of torment I couldn't possibly inflict on the one person I loved more than life itself. Maybe… Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to dismiss Tidus' alternative solution after all.

"Yuna…?"

"Sorry. I… I was just thinking about everything."

"Mmm… Maybe you should give that a rest for the night," he suggested with a weak smile.

"Yes, perhaps you're right." Heaving a tired sigh, I went to stand and the room began to spin, resulting in me flopping back down onto the sofa.

"Whoa—you okay!?"

"Dizzy." I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a small grunt, slightly queasy from the unpleasant sensation.

"C'mon, let's getcha to bed." Scooping me up into his arms, I looped mine around his neck, allowing the man I loved the chivalrous gesture of carrying me to bed when I normally would protest. The last thing I needed was to collapse in my condition.

It came as no surprise which room he chose to enter though. Tidus had made it clear how he didn't want me sleeping in the other one anymore. And I sensed once we'd established sharing his bed, the inevitable would happen.

"You really should take me to the other room."

"Not gonna happen." Carefully laying me onto the silky bedding, Tidus switched on the table-lamp and fixed me a stern look. "I can't watch over you there."

"I'll be fine," I insisted. "You don't need to watch over me."

His brow creased in mild offense. "You really think I'm gonna try something in the condition you're in?"

"No, I know you wouldn't, but…" What Tidus didn't seem to understand was the temptation would be present for the both of us at some point—not just him.

"You worry too much. It's not good for you or the baby, y'know?"

It's true, I did worry too much. Now that I thought of it, I'd always been that way. And it'd driven Tidus rather crazy over time.

"I suppose you're right."

"Maybe we should call Doctor Gale."

"No, I'm fine, really. It's just the stress of everything that's happened tonight, catching up with me."

"You're sure you don't want me to give her a call?"

I gave him a long look, making the obvious known. "Now you're worrying too much."

"Yeah… Guess you're right." His eyes then skimmed over my frame before meeting mine in question. "Didya get anything to sleep in when we went shopping last week?"

"Oh, um… Yes. There are a couple of nightdresses in the bottom drawer over in the other room."

"Okay, I'll go getcha one."

Unfortunately, the store he'd taken me to hadn't had much to offer in regards to sleepwear. There'd been a small lingerie section filled with sexy garments I hadn't dared to purchase at the time. But since I had to find something comfortable to sleep in, I managed to find a few satin nighties that were modest compared to the revealing, lacy outfits they'd been promoting. Even still, those nightdresses were something Tidus would salivate over back in Spira. And that had me a little concerned.

"Here…" Tidus returned at that moment and handed me the white, satin nightie he'd chosen for me to sleep in. "I'll, uh… I'll turn around while you change. Do you need help getting up before I do?"

"No, I'm fine," I insisted, already in the process of moving into an upright position.

Keeping his promise, Tidus turned his back to me while I stripped out of my gunner outfit and quickly slipped the nightdress on, setting the module onto the nightstand in hopes it would work sometime in the near future.

"Okay, I'm decent."

He then made his way over to the other side of the bed, not once glancing over at me—out of consideration, I supposed—and stripped down to his boxer-shorts before climbing under the covers.

Figuring I should join him before he caught me staring, I turned off the lamp and slid under the sheets, settling onto my back as he cozied up next to me, draping an arm over my waist, much like he would've done back in Spira.

"You comfortable?"

"Mhm…"

His warm breath tickled my ear and sent a delightful shiver down my body, reminding me just how close we were nestled together.

"Still feeling dizzy?"

"No, I'm… I'm feeling a little better, actually."

"Good. Get some rest."

I laid there for a few minutes, watching the ceiling fan spin rapidly above and listening to Tidus' calm, even breaths, hoping the soothing combination would eventually lull me to sleep.

Clearing my head of all negative thought—or any thought, really—my eyelids grew heavy and I'd finally drifted into a deep slumber.

I woke sometime later to what sounded like a series of sad whimpers between heavy, troubled breaths. Having rolled onto my side in my sleep, my back was turned to Tidus, but I recognized those sounds—he was having a nightmare.

Switching on the table-lamp, I rolled over and found my beloved laying on his back, brows knit in distress as he continued to whimper from whatever had been tormenting him in his dream.

"Yu… Yuna," he breathed.

Clearly he was still lost in his nightmare. Lost—calling out to me as he'd done a few times back in Spira since his return.

"Shh…" I cooed, gently stroking the side of his face. "It's okay. I'm right here."

"Come… Come back. Don't…leave me…"

My heart sank. It was I who expected to be plagued by nightmares before falling asleep earlier, not him. Then again, I knew this man like no one else. And he may put on a brave façade and seem hopeful, but that was only because he buried his fears into a dark pit inside of himself, allowing them to fester, until they manifested into demons that threatened to swallow him whole.

Unfortunately, one of those demons had been unleashed and had begun to torture him with the idea of us being apart—the same way I had been not long after he'd returned to Spira. And it made me ill inside.

"Tidus, wake up," I whispered, carefully tracing the outline of his jaw. "You're having a bad dream."

"Yuna…" My name left his lips in such an anguished whimper it tore at my heart.

"Tidus," I called louder this time, pressing my hand firmly against his cheek, "wake up!"

With a gasp, his eyes snapped open, seeming both alarmed and confused, then quickly eased into a sense of relief when they settled upon me.

"Yuna…"

"You were having a nightmare."

He released a long breath, eyes slipping shut as he raked a hand down his worn face. "Sorry," he sleepily mumbled. "What time is it?"

"Almost one o'clock," I reported, having glanced at the clock on the nightstand earlier.

"Ah man… I feel kinda embarrassed."

"Why? You and I are hardly strangers to having bad dreams. I've…actually had a few night terrors you'd helped me through."

"Really?" he asked a little surprised, moving to sit propped up against the plush headboard.

Adjusting myself into a similar position, I glanced over at him and pursed my lips to the side, reluctant to mention as to why, afraid it would only lead to more negativity. "My pilgrimage wasn't exactly a pleasure cruise, you know."

"Yeah…guess not. Can't say I'm looking forward to experiencing all that."

"It wasn't all bad though. We had plenty of laughs along the way. And then there was… that time at the spring." My lips curved into a thoughtful smile, recalling that magical night.

"What happened there?" he inquired, arching a brow of intrigue.

"It was where you kissed me for the first time."

"That memorable, huh?"

"Mm… Well, it was also my first real kiss that mattered."

A teasing grin formed on his lips. "All those other ones paled in comparison, did they?"

"There…was only one other time before then. And…it was forced upon me."

His brow dipped low at my response. "Please tell me you weren't raped or something along those—"

"Oh, no—goodness no! Nothing like that." I vehemently shook my head, preparing to clarify things. "I was…forced to marry in order to protect you and the rest of my guardians. It was my fault, really. I… I'd taken it upon myself to devise a plan to…take out one of our enemies. But it'd gone horribly wrong."

"You were married before?"

"In name only. It was never consummated and I don't even want to think about it. As I'd mentioned—it was a horrible plan of mine that'd backfired."

"What happened to the guy?"

"We…took care of him."

"Something tells me I enjoyed whatever that involved way too much."

"Yes, I suppose you did."

"So, wait… You're saying I was your first kiss?"

He seemed rather stunned as though he didn't believe me. "Mhm… You were—you are the only one I've ever been with. I never even had romantic feelings for anyone until I met you."

"Seriously? Wow…" he breathed, taken aback by my confession. "I never would've guessed…"

"Spira's customs are very different from here. Well, they were until we changed things by bringing the Eternal Calm. We exposed Yevon and his teaching for the lies they were. And so, it'd helped usher in a new age for Spira—one without such repressed views…for the most part anyway."

"I had a hard time fitting in there, didn't I?"

"At first," I admitted. "But you adapted well."

A cute smile returned to his face. "Well, I got a feeling you had a lot to do with that."

"I suppose."

"So…" Scooting closer, his smile widened into a playful grin. "What was it like—our first time together?"

I hitched a breath, worried where this conversation would lead, yet dared to answer his question anyway. "It was…wonderful."

"Y'know, I always wondered…" pausing to moisten his lips, he searched my eyes, seeming rather curious, "what it would be like to be with someone I really loved—someone I had a deep connection to. I can only imagine how amazing it must feel to make love to you. And I bet it doesn't even come close to the real thing."

My pulse was pounding so hard, I could feel it in my ears. And the blush I felt creeping over my cheeks was not something I could hide at that moment. Those gorgeous eyes were drawing me in like a siren to a lost sailor at sea, pulling me into the depths of an ocean-blue expanse that had me drowning in desire. Deeper and deeper, I fell—breathless, submerged in all that was the man I loved to where I could no longer deny him or myself what we both wanted…and needed.

"Yuna…?"

Throat suddenly dry, I swallowed hard and skimmed my hand down his toned chest, stopping just above his navel. "Do you… Do you want me to show you?"

His eyes slightly widened, clearly surprised by my offer. "I, uh… Well, I... Um…"

Finding his nervous reaction nothing short of adorable, I released a soft giggle and bit down on my lower lip.

"Oh man…" He winced, lowering his gaze. "I sound like a bumbling idiot. How embarrassing…"

"I find it cute."

His expression lifted some. "You do?"

"Mhmm…" I purred, now tracing my fingers over the taut muscles on his chest. "I was the one who was nervous our first time together."

"Mmm… Guess I hid it well then."

"You're the one who came into this relationship with all the experience."

"What—all those flings?" A slight frown marred his sweet face, lifting a moment later with the corners of his lips in a faint smile. "That's not experience with love. Didn't I tell you that?"

"You did."

"Well then?"

"It was still…a little daunting," I embarrassingly admitted. "And I was also…jealous."

"You got no reason to be. But here I am jealous of myself so…" He lifted his uncertain gaze to me once more, lips parting to ask in a quiet tone, "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

There was my way out. But I was already committed, deciding to take Auron's advice from earlier. "Mhm…" I affirmed with a sure nod.

"And it's not because you're giving up, right? Because if it is, then I—"

"It's not," I assured, gently pressing my hand against his cheek. It's not like I was lying. I wasn't giving up hope. I just didn't want to have any regrets. I wanted to be with him. I needed him, now more than ever.

"I love you so much, Yuna. I really do, but…" Taking my hand in his, Tidus slid it off his cheek and down to his chest where he steadied it against him. "I don't want this to happen out of desperation."

Words echoed from the past—or the future in this case. Tidus had expressed to me once before how he wouldn't have acted on his desires even if I'd asked him to that night at Macalania. He hadn't wanted our first time to be out of desperation in those woods. So, I wasn't very surprised by him expressing that now.

But I was desperate. I desperately wanted to forget all of what was happening—all the peril we faced in our current situation, if only for a couple blissful hours. And I desperately wanted the intimacy I'd been missing with him since arriving there. But above all else, I was desperate to give him a taste of the love we shared in case the fayth were unable to aid us in any way and our future imploded. He deserved to know how much I loved him. And he deserved to know what it felt like.

"Nothing in life is certain. I want to cherish the time we have together. You had once told me that."

"I did?"

"Mhm… There was a time where I was afraid...I'd lose you. And you'd mentioned how we should cherish our time together and not worry about what may or may not happen. That's all I want to do, right now. I want us to cherish each other. And express our love in an intimate way."

"I just don't want this to feel final, Yuna. I want it to be a new beginning of sorts for us, not an end."

"No matter what happens, our love will never end. It's for always."

"Promise?" Those brilliant blue depths were so full of hope, anticipation, and love, leaving me absolutely breathless under the intensity of their gaze.

"I promise."

His arms slid around my waist, and I leaned in, smothering his lips in a long, sensual kiss that he returned almost too delicate to my liking. I needed that firestorm of passion to erupt between us, where I could barely remember my own name from the intensity of it all, like it had in the limo, and on so many other occasions, now only memories burned into my mind.

And finally it happened. Those moist lips massaged mine—hungry, needy, and desperate for more than they'd initially been seeking.

We slid down to the pillows, our kiss only briefly interrupted by us kicking the covers off along the way.

Somehow I'd ended up on Tidus, flush against all that delightful muscle and sinew. Those strong hands roamed over the satin material of my nightie, discovering every curve of my body, stopping at my backside to give it a gentle squeeze that sent my blood rushing through my veins.

I moaned into his mouth, gliding my tongue past his lips to tangle with his in long luscious strokes, resulting in him stiffening against my thigh.

This was more of what I had in mind. A slow, sensual encounter would've certainly felt more final for me. And Tidus hadn't wanted that for either of us. So, I intended to keep things as steamy as possible without compromising the intense love we shared.

Those hands groping my backside suddenly slid down and underneath the hem of my nighty, bunching it up as they made their way over the lacy obstacle separating him from the skin hidden beneath. His fingers flicked at the band on my hip as though he were contemplating whether to slip them under. And I really wanted him to.

But he'd abandoned the endeavor in favor of tugging the satin material up my torso in an effort to be free of the larger barrier between us.

My lips left his to aid him in his task, pulling the nightie over my head and tossing it aside.

Our current position mustn't have been to Tidus' liking from how he'd quickly sat upright, adjusting me firmly onto his lap as he scooted back up against the headboard.

With his lips now busy lavishing the flesh on my neck, he wound his arms around me and pulled me tight against his chest. I released a breathy moan, burying my hands into his disheveled hair.

This insatiable desire of his to have me so close, mirrored how I'd felt a few times during our leisurely trip across Spira. I'd been so afraid of losing him again that I'd held onto him so tightly when we'd made love to the point I'd left bruises at times. And judging from how Tidus was keeping a firm grip on me while worshipping my neck, he must've been experiencing those same fears at that moment.

A muffled, 'I love you' suddenly came at the delicate flesh just below my ear. 'I love you' once more at the nape of my neck. And 'I love you' one final time at the hollow of my throat. His endearing chant served as a potent aphrodisiac, sending tingling ripples right down to my center.

Underneath, I could feel the bulge in his boxers, straining against the lace covering my rear. And I couldn't resist grinding my hips against him, earning a rather loud groan that had me melting at my core.

Those soft lips began their decent, down to my collarbone in a fiery blaze. And I leaned back, eager for them to reach their goal. To my surprise, he paused just above my breasts to gaze upon them in a lustful desire then peered into my eyes with one of the most adoring looks I'd ever seen.

"You're so beautiful," he breathed, eyes glossed over with emotion. "I can hardly believe you're mine."

"I'm yours—now and always."

The endearment on his face almost had me in tears as well, that is, until his mouth latched onto one of my breasts and all coherent thought flitted out of my mind.

That sensitive bud, held captive in the warmth of his mouth, received a thorough treatment from his lips and tongue, while he gave the other a slight pinch then rolled it between his thumb and forefinger. I unleashed a pleasurable gasp and was rewarded with a gentle squeeze to the fleshy mound he'd been teasing in his hand.

"Mmm… Teedus…"

The sound of my moans had only fueled his desire. Switching over to my other breast, he feasted upon it with a carnal hunger, spurring me to grind my hips even harder against his throbbing arousal and earning me a muffled groan in return.

Suddenly, his mouth broke away, seeking out my lips in a fiery kiss that had us sliding down to the pillows once more.

Already this seemed so different from all the other times I'd made love to Tidus. Maybe it was because of our unique situation. I knew his body well, what he liked, and how to drive him crazy with just my touch. This younger version of the man I loved had yet to discover me in such a way. But he was learning very quickly. So, I suppose that added to the excitement of it all.

My hand then wandered down between us and gripped the solid muscle poking out the slit of his boxers. The sexy groan he released into my mouth had me pulsing at my center, wanting more.

But before I could act on those impulses, Tidus rolled me beneath him and took control, his lips leaving a heated trail down my chest and over my tummy, shooting titillating sparks throughout my body.

This state of play wasn't something new for me. Once I'd grown accustom to the physical aspect of our relationship, Tidus and I had often wrestled for dominance during our love making in a type of fun, erotic game. And I'd let him win most times because I loved how that triumph made him perform. I suppose it had something to do with his competitive side. But I never had room to complain. Submitting to him was always worth the reward, which is why I'd done so, so many times.

Fingers hooking into the sides of my panties, Tidus carefully slid the lacy material off my hips and down my legs, soaking every inch of me up in those gorgeous blue eyes with a stalled breath.

"Man, do I ever love you," he whispered, lifting one of my legs to his mouth to pepper with soft, affectionate pecks.

His gesture was so sweet and earnest, turning sensual awfully quick when he glided his tongue over my calf and dragged it all the way up to the inside of my thigh where he left a series of hungry kisses that had me tingling all over.

"Omigosh… Mmm…"

I could feel his smile against my flesh, growing wider with every sexy sound I made.

Positioning himself onto his stomach, he slid his arms underneath my thighs to grip my hips then dipped his head, leaving an intimate kiss at the center of my desire.

His name fell from my lips in a breathy moan. That talented tongue was just as meticulous as I remembered, gliding over every bump and crevice, discovering me for the first time. This man had a habit of reducing me into a quivering mess from his mouth alone. But when he added his fingers into the mix, dipping them inside me like he'd done, just now, there'd be no stopping the eruption that would shortly follow.

Finally enclosing his lips around those sensitive nerves, he hummed in delight as he gave them a long, gentle suck.

I released a strangled cry. The vibration from his lips penetrated deep into my core and almost had me sailing over the edge.

Bunching the sheets in my fists, I shut my eyes and reveled in all the blissful sensations threatening to have me come undone. This man was just as incredible as any other time we'd made love in the past—future, or however you'd put it. I could barely think straight anymore with all he'd been doing.

There were moments his motions were so slow and languid as though he were taking his time tasting me. And other times where he was more aggressive, pushing his face further into me and sucking punishingly hard. It was all a delicious agony, leaving me squirming and whimpering his name.

Those fingers finally found that spot Tidus had often exploited back in Spira. And I gave another pleasurable gasp, indicating to the younger version of the man I loved that he'd discovered my weakness.

His lips suddenly broke away to gasp for air then stretched into a triumphant grin. "I take it that feels really good, huh?"

"Mmm…" I purred through labored breaths. "So… So good."

"I love you, Yuna," he breathed, pressing a tender kiss to the inside of my thigh. "So much." He then resumed feasting upon me until I felt as though I were about to burst.

With his fingers stimulating that special spot, deep inside, it would only be a matter of time when I'd bubble over. And from the way that pleasurable pressure was peaking at that moment, I was even closer to a release than I'd thought.

I hooked my ankles around his shoulders and began to quiver. Each powerful wave rolled through me with such intensity that I could barely hear the strangled cry spilling from my lips.

All sounds had seemed to vanish. And all I could do was feel—his tongue, his fingers, and the growing dampness of the sheets underneath my backside. This man had reduced me into an oozing mess. And it was so…wonderful.

An affectionate chuckle bubbled out of him as he resurfaced, wiping the glistening liquid off his mouth. "That was hot."

"Mmm…" I hummed, unable to do much else as I lay there still recovering from the aftershocks. It was quite remarkable, really. How Tidus had been able to master my body on the first try, twice now. It was almost as though we were made for each other. And I suppose we were.

Crawling up next to me, he settled onto his side and captured my lips in a sweet, tender kiss, lasting several blissful moments before he finally drew back, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too." A deep blush suddenly lit up his tanned cheeks, leaving me a little surprised at the sight. "This is kinda embarrassing for me to admit but… I was kinda nervous and…well, still kinda am."

And that blew me away. Tidus had never been nervous about anything like this from what I could recall. Even our first time together, he'd seemed so…confident.

"But…why?"

"I, uh… I guess I'm worried about… Well, you're used to me knowing you a certain way and…I just don't wanna disappoint you."

Just when I thought I couldn't be any more baffled, Tidus had found a way to leave me completely and utterly stunned. This man was worried about me comparing him to his future self. It even sounded strange when I thought about it. And I suppose it made sense, considering everything. But I never would've thought Tidus would be nervous of his performance in bed. Then again, he'd never had to worry about me comparing him to anyone else before.

"Sorry, I'm just a little surprised is all."

His expression suddenly dropped. "I've killed the mood, haven't I?"

"No, no, not at all." Gosh, this was strange. "You were wonderful. I… I thought you would've known just by… Well, um…how I…"

Tidus gave a nervous laugh and shook his head. "Yeah, no—I get it. But I'm not talking about just the physical side of things. I dunno if I'm making any sense here. I just—I just never made love to someone before. There's a difference, y'know? At least there is to me."

Adjusting myself onto my side, I peered into his uncertain eyes and ran my thumb along his bottom lip. Maybe a steamy encounter wasn't the right approach after all. The man I loved was at a crossroads in his life—one I'd put him in. And he felt so disconnected from everyone around him, except for me. He needed more than what I'd been providing. He needed to feel safe and loved.

"Our love is very real. You have nothing to worry about. I love you, Tidus. And maybe…" I paused to moisten my lips, inching them closer to his, "well, maybe I need to show you what I mean."

Our lips met in a gentle embrace, slowly intensifying with each meaningful glide.

By no means had I become an expert in men. But living with Tidus all those months back in Spria, I'd learned a few things—at least about him. How he'd felt it was expected of him to hide his emotions and appear confident around others. Of course his father calling him a cry-baby in the past hadn't helped matters.

But I didn't want him to feel that way with me. I wanted him to know it was perfectly normal to seek affection and be emotional when he needed to be. There was no need to mask his feelings, not where I was concerned. I loved him for who he was. And I wanted this younger version of him to know that as well.

My hand ghosted over the muscles on his chest, sliding down past his toned abs to the band of his boxers.

Shivering in delight, he smiled into the kiss and tangled a hand into my hair, confirming what I'd suspected.

Tidus didn't want a night filled with lust. And I knew that. But I'd been so consumed by wanting to forget everything plaguing me that I hadn't realized how selfish I was being. He wasn't looking to forget anything. He wanted what he'd never experienced before—love on an intimate level. And it's not like we weren't doing that before. It just wasn't translating in the way that he needed right now.

Careful not to interrupt our sensual kiss, I gently tugged on the cotton material until he lifted his hips and aided me in my task to remove them.

All barriers between us were now gone, allowing me to straddle his hips and join us for the first time in this world of dreams.

"Mmm... Yuna…" Those dreamy, half-lidded eyes peered up at me, almost reverently, hands firmly gripping my hips. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." Bracing his powerful shoulders, I slowly rocked my hips against him, marveling at how good he felt inside, and judging from the blissful look on his face, how good I was making him feel.

A week ago, I would've never thought I'd succumb to my desires so easily. Then again, I thought I'd be home by now. Home… Home was becoming a lost concept to me. The longer I stayed in Zanarkand—Dream Zanarkand—the more Spira became a bit of a blur. And it frightened me. The only thing keeping me sane and grounded through all of this was the man lying beneath me, hands clenching and unclenching my hips while I rocked in longer strokes.

"Ah Yuna… You feel so good." Leaning forward, Tidus adjusted our position, pulling me further onto his lap as he sat up and held me tight.

Between the slide of our skin and his lips on my neck, I felt like I was about to unravel. His hips were thrusting in tune with mine, filling me so deeply and so completely, it brought tears to my eyes. This man was incredible. And the love we shared was like no other.

His lips left my neck, and he gazed into my eyes, catching the emotion gleaming in them, triggering his to gloss over as well.

"Always," he breathed. "Stay with me…always."

Those tears I'd been fighting finally spilled over. I didn't think it was possible to have my heart soar and break at the same time. But his words had managed to make it possible. On my pilgrimage, I'd asked Tidus to stay with me until the end. It was he who promised always. Now, he was asking that of me—to stay with him always. And I wasn't sure how I'd be able to keep such a promise in my situation. But somehow, I'd find a way.

"Yes, always."

Our lips met between soft sighs of pleasure, eventually melting into a smouldering heap. He felt absolutely wonderful. And I wanted this sensual dance of ours to last forever. I wanted to live in that moment, right before the crest, secure in his arms while our bodies rocked in a searing passion.

Feeling lightheaded, I broke the kiss and leaned back, gulping the air into my starving lungs just as the delightful tremors began.

"Omigosh… Mmm…"

The room had become warm—so very warm. And I was sweltering under it all. But those strong hands sliding down my back were so soothing and wonderful that I didn't mind. Our love had erupted into a blazing inferno, practically setting the sheets on fire.

"Yuna… Omigah… Yuna…" My name never sounded so good than when it left his lips just then, hoarse and thick with pleasure. "Mmm… Ah…"

His husky groans were growing in frequency. And from the way he squeezed his eyes shut, I knew he was close.

Leaning forward, I smothered his lips in a sloppy kiss, our hips now bucking with raw need. That weightless feeling had begun to settle over me—the kind I'd have just before a powerful release.

Suddenly, an intense tremor pulsed at my center, sending shockwaves throughout.

"Ah! Teedus!" Throwing my arms around his neck, I eliminated any space between us and erupted into a hot mess, drenching his hips and pelvis as our love reached its pinnacle.

"Omigah… Yu… Yuna..." His hands clamped onto my hips and pulled me into his aggressive thrusts, one greedy yank at a time. "Ah… Ahh… Arghh…"

That primal groan got lost somewhere against my neck, hips bucking hard against me before slowing to a stop.

We stayed like that for a few moments—wrapped in each other's arms, slick with sweat, breath heavy from our efforts.

Once our breathing had calmed, I drew back and caught the tears welling up in his eyes.

"I never thought that love… That love could feel…" he paused and swallowed his emotions, "I love you so much, Yuna. I can't imagine life without you."

My breath stalled. And the words I'd wanted to say were caught somewhere in the back of my throat, struggling to break free. I wanted to assure him, he wouldn't have to—that I'd always be with him. And I had earlier in the midst of passion. But what if something went wrong? I couldn't make that promise as much as I'd wanted to. But I would try—for him, for us.

"I love you, Tidus. I'll always love you."

"C'mere…" With a hand at the back of my neck, he pulled me down for a tender kiss as we sank into the softness of the pillows.

We laid there for several moments, our lips engaged in a loving exchange before parting with a contented sigh.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, y'know." His gaze then shifted down to my tummy where he laid a gentle hand and grinned. "Well, except for this little miracle."

A miracle he had no memory of making at that period in time. And that's when it hit me—what I may have actually done.

"May I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything you want," he answered with a brilliant smile.

"Okay, um… When you think of us making love in the past—or in this case, the future—does it bother you at all?"

Seeming rather confused by my question, he furrowed his brow. "Uh…not sure what you're asking me here?"

Apparently he needed better clarification on the matter. "This baby for instance—the night it was conceived—you have no memory of it because it was with you in the future. When you think about us being together that night, does it bother you?"

"Well, uh…" Tidus inhaled deeply, eyes lost in thought. "I dunno… A little, I guess."

My stomach plummeted. It was just as I'd suspected. Even though it'd still been with him, he was jealous. Which meant, his future self may view what I'd done here as betrayal.

"Yuna, where're you going with all this?"

"Maybe… Maybe we shouldn't have done what we did."

"What!?" His frown deepened for a moment then slowly lifted in realization. "Ohh…I get it. You're thinking you cheated on me by doing this, right?"

"Haven't I? You all but confirmed it with your answer."

"C'mon Yuna, it's not the same thing."

"How so?"

"Look, it's kinda silly when I think about it now. I'm still me, right? And the person you're with in the future is me too, so… We're the same person. Kinda hard to be mad at myself for making love to you."

"But you were jealous of yourself, were you not?"

Raking a hand through his damp, flaxen wisps, he released a troubled breath then met my gaze once more. "Yeah, I was. But that's only because I don't remember it. So, it kinda feels like it was with someone else. I… I don't think this counts as cheating or being unfaithful in any way. I'll have these memories in the future."

"Will you?" I challenged. "We don't know that. And if the—if your memories are wiped, you certainly won't."

Tidus' eyes lingered on me, confidence shaken and seeming lost. "Do you regret what we did?"

"I… I don't know." Dropping my gaze, I drew in a deep breath and decided to be honest with him and myself. "No," I answered, firmly. "No, I don't regret it. And… And you're right—you're still him. It's just—this is so…"

"Bizarre?" he offered.

"Mm…" Peering into his eyes, I gave him an apologetic smile and snuggled against his chest. "I'm sorry. I could never regret making love to you."

"Nah, it's okay. I get why you'd be worried." He then kissed the top of my head and went to pull the covers over us, draping an arm over my waist. "You really love me that much, huh?"

"More than you could ever imagine."

"If it's anywhere close to how much I love you, then I think I got a good idea."

With a soft giggle, I turned to switch off the lamp then returned to the warmth of his arms, earning a blissful sigh.

"Mmm…Think I'm gonna sleep like a log for the rest of the night."

And I hoped I could do the same. "I love you, Tidus."

"Love you—" A loud yawn snuck up on him, and it was apparently contagious, resulting in me doing the same. "Love you too. Let's get some sleep."

For the first time since I arrived there, I felt content, safe, and peaceful. But I knew it wouldn't last. I had a monumental task ahead. Not only did I need to ensure all major future events wouldn't change, but I also had to find a way to do so without dying or ceasing to exist. I owed it to Tidus, to this child growing inside me, and to myself.

Glancing over at the module laying atop the nightstand, I began to mull over a few things. Going down without a fight—that wasn't me, not anymore. It hadn't been for a long time now. Maybe I just needed to do what Tidus had done during my pilgrimage and think of something…unprecedented.

Harnessing Farplane energy was certainly unprecedented. And Shinra had found a way to use it to manipulate time and space. Being in the fayth's dream was a little different though. They were summoning this place and everyone living there. And yet, here I was, living there as well, very real and not a dream. It was almost as if my physical presence was some kind of hack into their consciousness.

The thought swam around inside my head, leaving me quite disturbed. What happened to me that day at Djose—had it really been just a bizarre accident? It certainly seemed to be. But where I ended up didn't sit right with me at all. It felt…deliberate somehow. And the consequences could be disastrous.

'Only if it's in the wrong hands. Think of what we can accomplish if—'

What had Shinra been looking to accomplish with such an invention? Surely he knew the dangers of time travel and paradoxes. But he'd been intent on using it anyway.

And the question remained—why?

As much as I'd wanted to believe otherwise, I was beginning to suspect the Al-Bhed wiz-kid we'd known for some time may not be as innocent as we'd all thought.