Filling In The Blanks

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 9 or any of its characters.

Chapter 39: A Dangerous Façade

"I hear they're doing a special performance tonight… Those tickets are going to be so hard to try and pick pocket off of someone."

"It's going to be amazing! I bought mine a week ago!"

"That Marcus is suuure something – I hope his role is just as good, with the changes I hear they're making."

"I wonder why that fellow playing Zeke isn't performing…" (okay, in the actual game, they use their names as characters – obviously I can't do that here, lol, but you can probably guess who's character is who's)

"He's such a wonderful actor, I couldn't tell you for sure…"

Zidane walked down the street, his cloak hood up, covering his face from being seen. They were going to spread the rumor that he was ill… Perhaps even more of a reason for Kuja to strike him down. Almost grinning, he was happy a lot of people were going to leave the city for the play. So all of the hype had worked – and actually performing there before hand, had worked to their advantage as well.

He pushed open the doors to their hotel, and slowly made his way up the stairs. He didn't feel like he had to be in a huge rush… After all – that night's mission could be the last night he ever spent living… Shuttering, he stopped and glanced up the long staircase leading to their two rooms.

Shaking his head, he continued. He shouldn't have been thinking about things like that… Not when the whole mission relied on his performance.

He wanted to talk to Dagger. His heart ached – there was nothing he wanted more in the world at that moment in time…

He pictured her chocolate eyes, and the way she had kissed him in front of everyone before he had departed on his mission. Closing his eyes as he tromped up the stairs, he wondered what she was doing right now… Actually, he worried about the well being of everyone…

He missed Vivi's questions, and catching Dagger's eyes, Beatrix's wise words, and Freya's competitive behavior... Hell – he even missed Steiner's glares, and he was hoping everyone was doing okay…

He wondered what those two newcomers were like, and if they were fitting in at all… He was curious to see their camp set up – Tantalus had been gone for almost a month – if not more (he lost track of the time a lot in Terra), and he yearned to see everyone dearly.

"Zidane…"

The voice broke through his reverie, and he watched on to see Blank exiting the room.

"Hey…" The blonde tried to muster a smile, but thinking that this could be his last private conversation with Blank really stressed him out.

"What's wrong?"

The blonde only shot him a look. Blank also tried his hand at a convincing smile, and though it was better than Zidane's, still really failed.

"If something happens –" Zidane started, but was cut off.

"Don't!" Blank looked away, and the blonde could have almost laughed at the dramatic moment both of them were unintentionally creating.

"Take care of Dagger, okay?" Zidane mustered a real smile then, and put a hand on his shoulder, "Everything is going to work out okay… You guys have worked too God damn hard in this war for Kuja to win…" He winked in encouragement, "So we aren't going to let him win…"

He thought for sure Blank mistook his we for him believing that he was going to live… But after Blank's bored, and unconvinced face, the blonde thought otherwise. "Otherwise," He added with a true grin, "We'll just have to improvise…"

This time, his comment caused the shorter thief to smile, "Yeah well… That is what we're best at…"

The blonde high fived him as they made their way into the rooms. Ruby was already getting ready, and Mikoto was watching as the guys tried to get their replacements into the best looking costumes.

"Ruby," Blank fussed, "There's no point in you getting ready – you aren't even performing…"

"Ya'll gotta look good while fightin' evil! Who knows who could be watchin'!" She tried to reason, but Blank only gave her a hollow stare. She huffed and went back to fixing her hair, mumbling that he just wouldn't understand.

Baku threw himself against the adjoining door, and burst into the room. Mikoto glanced over, raising an eyebrow, "Was that really necessary?"

"Added effect…" He huffed; she didn't say anything more. "Zidane…" He grinned, "Come with me!"

The blonde glanced at his best friend in confusion, and after a shrug, he followed his leader. They went into the other room, where Marcus laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and Cinna was fumbling with some paper.

"So, I know we haven't had a lot of access to things like this… Even in Dali, we were scrambling for it…" He thrust some paper into his hand, "Not to be all dramatic… But since we're all clear in the open that something might happen…" His voice dropped down, "We got you some parchment and ink, just incase you'd like to write a few words…"

"Way to depress him," Marcus mumbled, seemingly being in an especially sour mood.

"No, no…" Zidane nodded, taking over the parchment, "Thank you…"

He sat down, and though for the last few weeks, he built up many things to say to people, he now didn't know what exactly to write. Finally putting the writing utensil to the paper, he worked out his sloppy, yet formal hand writing into words and appointed parts of the letter to people.

It seemed to take him forever to write it, and when he was finally done, and folded it all up, he glanced out the window to see the sun had disappeared. It was over the building now, which meant they would have to start planning for their mission now.

He puffed out a breath, and turned to see only Marcus remaining in the room, now rolled over and reading the newspaper about nothing really that interesting. Terra was a small homeland, but far in technology, much like Lindblum was…

The fact that he was using a city as powerful as Lindblum in past tense fueled him forward. He knew what he had to do, and nothing, not even death, would stop him…

?

"Hey… What's wrong?" Steiner's voice broke through her silent thoughts in a matter of moments, and she glanced around, dazed at first, and not sure where he was.

When she finally spotted him, she stiffened and shook her head, "Nothing's wrong…" She shrugged, "I can just feel it… something is going to be happening soon."

The knight glanced around, as though he could spot it if her words were true, "I don't feel anything…"

"It came with the instincts… My knights were always better trained, and better prepared than yours…" A smart remark was about to leak from his mouth, but he snapped his jaw and set it firm.

"You're probably right…"

"Come now, Steiner… I didn't say it to be rude…" She sighed, and turned to face him, the vulnerability showing on her face, "I'm afraid."

"Of what?" Immediately, concern rose in his voice as she sat hastily next to her.

"We could not even take on the dungeon peons of Alexandria… What makes us think we can take on Kuja? What made Tantalus think they could?"

"Beatrix…" He spoke without a wavering tone – something she admired about him thoroughly. "Zidane probably isn't coming back."

"What?" She gasped, blinking and covering her mouth with her hands.

He shrugged, "It was to be expected, right? I think everyone – especially someone such as Cid – as thought about the advantages, disadvantages, and not to mention, the risks of using Tantalus as bait…" He shook his head, "He knew that if the plan worked out right, Kuja would be heading for them… They're skilled, but if Cid wanted to fight Kuja then and there, and have everyone survive – he would have sent more people…"

"If I would have known, I wouldn't have let them go!" She said hastily, "And Dagger –" She began to tack on, but Steiner wrapped her in a ginger hug.

"I don't know what will happen for sure…" He assured her (kind of?), and let on a rare Steiner-grin, "Besides, even though I hate the kid, he always has a way of surprising us…"

She let out one, lone laugh, before turning to the horizon, "I still feel it coming… Something isn't going to go like we've expected…" She shuttered as that triggered a thought, "Steiner?"

"Huh?"

"Keep Bronson away from Dagger, like you once tried to do with Zidane?" With that she stood up, her statement in the form of a question, and meandered away, hoping to be helpful in rebuilding some sort of shelter.

He wondered exactly what she meant by that, and decided he would have to keep a special eye out on this new threat… After all – when they came out of this war, Dagger would presumably be queen… And that would mean he would have the guard over Beatrix… He grinned.

Though they were now more allied than ever, possibly even diving into something serious like a relationship (probably not until the war was over, if it ever did end), it still felt good to finally have that right over her…

Shaking his head, he too stood to try and make himself useful. But now, his eyes were as wide as ever… trying to spot anything suspicious going on at camp…

?

"Do you believe the rest of the resistance is with then?" He asked her, hunger in his voice.

She shrugged and shook her head, "From the rumors that are spreading, I couldn't be sure… All we know, is that he's there…"

"I'll need to bring an army," he answered slowly. Glancing back at the woman, he realized she was the one he confided in now more than ever… She had been an excellent pick. "How would you like to take charge while I am away?"

"Take charge…?" She parroted, tilting her head in confusion. Her emerald eyes shone with confidence, but there was still that spike of hesitation.

"Perhaps in finding where the resistance has gone…" He nodded slowly, "We had a few of them in our clutches just outside Conde Petie… They couldn't have gone too far…"

"What would I do, if I found said members?"

"Order an attack of course…" She bit her lip as more hesitation took over her. He smirked evilly and walked towards her, his long silver hair swooshing on his back, "But perhaps you are yet too young… Why corrupt the innocence of a mere child?" He questioned with a puckered look, "I will have someone else lead the attack, but you could still lead the resistance…"

Relief fluttered over her features as she nodded, "I would be honored…"

He turned back around, his hands gripping the railing, feeling the gentle velvet of the plants outlining the room, "Excellent…" He nodded slowly.

She turned, ready to walk out of the room. He listened to her footsteps for a few moments, before he turned towards her, "When you leave…" That stopped her, "Call for Avalanch, would you?"

She nodded, "Yes, Lord Kuja…"

She walked out again, wondering if she was making a mistake. One glance out the window, and her blood began to boil. Why would he take part in a world of destruction, when he had loved Alexandria just as much as her?

?

The clouds rolled lazily through the sky, blocking the sun for a few moments. During these moments, a cool breeze brushed up and flew against her cheek. The cold stung her cheeks, but she closed her eyes, knowing it would be gone in a few moments.

Everything was shrouded in a constant shadow without the sun, but just as she suspected, its rays began to peek out from behind the billowing cloud.

At first, the golden light only touched a few places, seeming more like lights than the sun. The longer she watched, the more things began to brighten, as though a star had fallen to earth.

She smiled when the whole world was back in pure light, but glanced down at the suede grass tickling her skin. Though the world was serene right now, what was happening in Terra?

"Dagger…" His voice was low and caring, and she knew that even if Zidane didn't come back, he'd be here…

She turned away though, wishing to be alone. Already once, Steiner had tried to approach her, and she provoked his leave.

"Dagger…" He tried again, as he sat next to her. She curled her legs closer to her chest, and rested her chin on her knees.

"Hello, Bronson…" She nodded slowly, not sure whether she should talk to him or not. Their last conversation ended with a slight anger bubbling inside of her. How dare anyone who not know how pure hearted and kind Zidane could be, judge him?

"What are you doing up here, all alone?" He questioned, leaning back and glancing over the landscape.

"Being alone," she answered simply, but didn't offer up a light smile. She kept looking on to the horizon, as though waiting for something to happen.

"Waiting for that ship?" He questioned, and for the first time, she glanced at him in slight shock. He nodded, "I asked around, for exactly what might be bothering you… The high ups don't enjoy telling me once, and Steiner threatened to break my face," He laughed lightly, cautiously, "But the grunts… They told me about Tantalus… What a feat their doing right now."

"They're all very brave… Some of my best friends are over there… And some of them might not come back…"

"I know that feeling, you know?" He sighed and looked at her, his blonde hair wavering over his forehead, in the typical cut for a knight.

"Have you felt it ever since you were young? Have you been stuck in this war, thrust into leadership you never wanted, just because of your title?" She gripped the grass, breaking it from its perch, "I don't want to be here anymore… I want everyone to be happy – to stop fighting… I just want peace…"

"Peace cannot be achieved without fighting…"

"That's an awful way to think…"

After her last statement, their conversation went quiet. Every thought she had lead back to Zidane, and how he would tell her he wished there could be peace too… He would tell her of his time in Alexandria, and though he didn't like the mages, and Kuja quite frankly creeped him out, he was happy with his friends… Waking up to a world of destruction, deceit, and fighting was hard. He had done such a good job though…

"I…" He started, not sure if she was too angry for him to continue, but he tried anyways, "I wanted to apologize for my earlier assumptions…"

"What?" Her tone came off harsh, but she stared at him in awe and confusion.

"I should not have spoken of this brave hero, Zidane, like he was a vermin spy… Vivi has been with him longer than any, and many this Tantalus has spoken higher about him to other people, than I could have ever imagined. It was a silly thing to say…"

A breath she didn't know she was holding escaped her then, and a smile slowly grew on her lips. It seemed contagious, as she spotted a grin on Bronson's handsome face as well. "Thank you, for saying that…" She looked away, a little sheepishly, "You don't know how much that bothered me…"

He laughed, "I know I'm grateful I wasn't taken as a spy… at least not to my face… A safety precaution of course…"

She laughed, but offered up no answer. Talking to him had lightened her mood, and yet there was still something bubbling inside the back of her mind that unsettled her… Something was going to happen, but she didn't know what…

She just hoped everyone in the Tantalus was safe.

?

Zidane breathed out, watching the sun move onto the brink of the horizon. Its rays shot out, and reflected off of the many crystals and buildings, and he was grateful this might be the last thing he ever saw peacefully.

He wondered if Kuja would really try to kill him. He figured that all of the dreamers were so tight under his grasp, that if one was let out – he would definitely have to be terminated…

"Hey…" He turned to meet Blank's face, a scowl etched onto it as he crossed his arms. Zidane smirked at the carelessness of his nature, but knew the façade he was holding up.

"Hey…" Zidane nodded, turning all the way around, and mocking the pose of his best friend.

"You ready to rumble?"

"Have been for a while," He winked and moved forward, as they slowly descended down the stairs.

"Yeah?" Blank poked, his tone light, but gruff, "Then why did I have to walk all the way upstairs to come and get you?"

"Taking a breather I guess," Zidane shrugged, though the grin was never swiped off of his face.

Blank shook his head, "You seem pretty nonchalant for someone who could die."

"It's for a greater cause… You seem pretty nonchalant for someone who's about to see his best friend die?" It was more a joke than anything, but it sobered Blank's playful mood.

"Because you aren't going to die, and I wholeheartedly believe that… Marcus had to have thought of something…" He was quiet for a moment, "He's smarter than everyone, except maybe Cinna, even if he doesn't act it."

They snickered quietly for a moment, and turning around the last piece of staircase, they saw the rest of their team there. "What about me?" Cinna hastily asked, only receiving goofy grins from his two teammates.

Zidane stayed up on the stairs, watching everyone communicate with each other. Blank was loyally waiting for him, Ruby was off in the corner, trying to pretend she didn't care, when clearly there were tears in her eyes. Being the only girl to tag along with the Tantalus, she was probably the bravest he knew… For no one else felt the same dire emotion that she did, when faced with possibly losing a comrade.

Baku waited patiently by the door, knowing this would be the hardest walk Zidane would ever have to take. He held all data received here, the names of people who wished to join, maps, Zidane's letter, ticket sales, and everything else, with him securely, and the blonde knew he would never let anyone get a hold of it.

Marcus was chewing some unknown substance, leaned up against the wall, arms crossed, with one foot planted solidly against the building barrier.

Cinna was just as ridiculous as ever, giving both him and Blank a hard stare. It wasn't over the current situation, but rather trying to see just what they had been laughing about after speaking his name.

Zenero was probably, in Zidane's eyes, the bravest of them all right now. After that vicious battle in Dali, and losing his twin brother, he knew that the remaining twin must have been hurting. He was still willing to jump into the fight and do the best he possibly could, even though he knew what he knew…

"Everybody…" the word slipped before he could stop himself, and now his whole team – his best friends were staring at him. He could only muster a small smile, and sigh, "Thank you…"

They all smiled back, and Ruby came and gave him a hug. He knew it wasn't going to be an emotional thing, as they all marched at that building…

The city was quiet, everyone already off to await the beginning of the performance. And now, Zidane watched as everyone he needed to support him in his time of need fled for cover, ready to come out whenever the blonde needed it.

And now the Genome stood in the middle of the street, staring, and waiting… This was a dangerous façade they were playing…

And Zidane didn't know if they were going to win…

A/N:

I know it's been a long time, and I thank anyone who has stayed with me. Writers block for this story hit me, and I didn't know when I could pull myself back out… But I think that turned out okay?

I really hope you're enjoying the story, and now it's picking up… which I cannot wait for! :) I'm really glad I still have some followers and loyal readers… This is my longest story I have, and probably every will write, with the most intricate plot I've ever tried to attempt…

So I thank everyone bearing with me! And I hope I'm providing some level of enjoyment!

-zesty-