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Ch 18. Taking back Time, Giving Back Innocence

Disclaimer - All Final Fantasy characters and locations are the exclusive property of Square-Enixand do not belong to me. Every thing else is me and my friends.

Alexandria castle, Alexandria

It was an almost unspoken question.

"Where in the hell is Xavier?"

Every one stopped what they had been doing and actually took a look at every one else in the throne room and noticed for the first time that their leader was not any where to be found. Almost as one every one looked at the very dark anti-chamber that they all clearly remembered seeing Xavier run into. After a few tense seconds every one bolted towards the anti-chamber.

The room was very dark, the perfect condition for Xavier to see in. But that didn't stop "Z" from immediately spotting the two unconscious figures lying in the middle of the floor, head to head. Again the group rushed forward. "Z" fell to her knees actually skidding to a stop next to Xavier. "Z" made to grab Xavier and shake him when "Clips" shout stopped her cold.

"Don't touch him!"

"Z" instantly stopped and for the first time noticed that Xavier had two Gun blade minis sticking in his chest. "Z" made to grab the blades and pull them out. "Clips" hand swatted hers away.

"I said don't touch!"

"Z" gave "Clip" a withering death glare. But "Clip" did not back down.

"He is dieing!"

"Fucking duh, they both are actually."

"Z" looked back down at the fox girl and noticed that she too was bleeding, but from a neck injury. She noticed a clear Matiria ball in Xavier's hand that had a spike on it that was the same size as the hole in the girl's neck.

"Can't you heal them?"

"Clip" shooed "Z" away and placed a hand over the wound on the girls' neck. A few seconds later he removed his hand, and the wound was closed with out a trace. How ever she remained unconscious.

"Why ain't she getting up, and why haven't you removed her Gun blades from his chest?" Terrin asked from where he stood towering over every one else.

"Because the neck injury is not what's killing her. And to remove those will need immediate evac, and surgery in a stable sterile environment." "Clip" said still inspecting the two.

Terrin bent to retrieve Xavier. His hand too was smacked by "Clip".

"What part of "Don't touch" is not under-fucking-stood here?"

"What the hell is really going on here that you don't want them touched?" Drake asked getting annoyed.

"They're connected."

Every one looked to where Ava was standing.

"That's right Ava. How did you know that?"

"I can see the connection flowing from him and into her. Why, can't you see it?"

"No, but I can feel it."

Ashlin knelt next to "Clip" and as calmly as he could asked his question.

"Why don't you want them moved?"

"I don't know the limit of the bond. If they are moved too far apart the connection could break."

"And what will happen if the connection breaks?"

"Than they will both die."

"Clip" heaved a deep sigh thinking very carefully about what needed to be done.

"Ava how far do you think they can be separated."

Ava looked at the connection.

"No more than four feet, just to be on the safe side."

"We need to get back to Garden, now." "Clip" said coming to a final conclusion.

Drake immediately brought up the emergency evacuation channel on his P.D.A.

"We need you to send "Raine" to Alexandria castle right away for an emergency evac. Make sure there is a gurney on it large enough for two bodies." Drake barked into the mic.

"Tell them to have my mother meet us in the infirmary; she is the best surgeon I know."

Less than two minutes later there came the sound of rolling thunder from outside. Through the massive double doors leading to the balcony a bunch of emergency response personal came running in with a very large stretcher.

The Depths of Shyri's Subconscious

He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He had been here before, and admitted that it had looked bad till he had found her. But this, this was a nightmare. Looking around he couldn't help but wonder how she had kept it together. Looking again he was forced to wonder if her smiles and happiness had all been just a put on.

"You have come."

Xavier spun to face the voice and found himself looking at the ethereal form of Shyri. He was instantly taken a back; she was covered from ear tip to toes in an oozing oily black substance.

"Why have you come?"

Xavier quickly came to his senses.

"Something is killing you in here; I came here to save you."

"Why?"

"Because I love you, I searched for you from the very second we were separated. I have come too far to just watch you die when there is something I can do."

Xavier watched an oily tear escape her black eyes.

"How can you love this?" She said spreading her arms wide to show him that the blackness was everywhere on her.

Xavier watched as she let her arms fall to her side and hang her head in shame. With out hesitation He walked right up to her and wrapped his arms around her.

She was stunned; shocked even that he had wrapped his arms around her with out the slightest bit of hesitation. On the outside she could put up any kind of defensive façade that she wanted. In here there was no hiding there were no lies. And he didn't care. Still holding her tight Xavier did the one thing he knew he could do, till he found out what was really bothering her.

"I'll be the first one to admit that I do not know as much about you as I thought I did. Especially after being separated for over thirteen years. But that will not stop me from loving and cherishing you, even the dark and shady parts."

He felt her start to tremble in his arms as she slowly wrapped her arms around him as best she could.

"Thank you Xavier. Thank you for always being there and loving me unconditionally no matter what. But I fear even you will not be able to help me this time. There is so much you've missed."

Xavier let her go and stooped over to look her in the face. She was almost taken aback by the conviction clear in his reflective eyes. As gently as he could he placed a hand on her cheek and using just his thumb wiped the black oily substance from her eye. Just as gently he did the same thing to her other eye. When she peered up into his eyes she was greeted with a genuine look of love and concern, as well as the truest most pure smile she had ever seen. It made her swoon to think that after all this time he still cared for, and loved her this much. She threw her self back into his arms and started to cry.

"How? How after all this time can you still look right into my eyes, right down to the depths of my soul, and know just what to say to make me feel so... so... wanted, loved, and needed."

"Because you are, and always have been wanted, loved, and needed."

Xavier held her while she cried her ethereal eyes out. Deep down he couldn't wait to actually hold her close. But first things first. As gently as he could he again separated from her.

"Now why don't you show me exactly where it hurts, and let's see if we can't rid you of this taint."

With a sniff Shyri took one of Xavier's big hands into her delicate little hand.

"Follow me."

With out hesitation Xavier followed.

"Into the depths of hell and back."

Centra, The skies above Balamb Garden

"Raine" broke free of the shift gate and immediately arced towards Garden. "Z" had wasted little time while still in Alexandria and had relieved the pilot of his duties. She didn't trust any one with her friends' life, even if he had just hurt her greatly by finding his girl. He was still not only just her leader, but her best friend and brother. As soon as she got with in radar range her com unit went off in her ear.

"In coming air ship, this is Balamb Garden, please identify your self."

"This is Zella Dincht in the air ship "Raine" requesting immediate, emergency landing coördinates!"

"Please hold course "Raine" while we confirm."

"Z" only held her calm because she knew that there were several anti-airship missiles aimed right at her due to the war-time status. When her com went off again it was Dr. Greene on the mic.

"Zella I want you to listen to me very carefully. Ordelia Creedington could not be gotten here in time. You are there for to divert course to the Creedington Clan Ranch at Winhill. Repeat, you are to divert course to the Creedington Clan Ranch at Winhill."

"Confirm, Diverting course to the Creedington Clan Ranch."

"Z" didn't even wait for a response. She threw all her weight into making a very sharp bank to the left. She didn't even wait to finish the turn before she threw the throttle all the way forward hurling "Raine" in to super sonic speeds. She ignored the immediate bitching and chatter that came from the inter ship coms, and the air spaces she crossed. All at once "Z" found her thoughts going to the day before.

She had been lying in bed feeling terrible. She hadn't exactly lied to Xavier when he had asked her what was wrong with her. But she hadn't told him either. Instead she had cried her self to sleep. To make it even worst she had pretended she was a sleep every time he had come to visit her too. Than "Clip" had returned.

"Hey "Clip", so how did your trip home go."

"Oh same old Creedington shit, just a different pile." He had said taking a seat next to her.

"What did they do to you?"

"They put me through the last trial to see if I had learned enough to be given the family secrets."

"How did that go for you?"

"Well after much debating and a trial, I was granted the spells."

"That's great!"

"My father also gave me the family heir loom."

"Clip" set a very large, very heavy hand gun on "Z's" lap. "Z" picked it up as best she could with her broken hand.

"Wow that is a big ass gun."

"My father told me he was so proud of me, when he gave me that."

"Clip" hadn't been looking at "Z" while he was speaking and there fore almost jumped out of his skin when she rested a hand gently on the side of his face. It had forced him to look right at her. She had the biggest, warmest smile plastered on her lips.

"He should be proud of you "Clip" you've done things that no one else in your clan has done."

"Yeah I suppose."

They sat in silence for a while before he spoke again.

"The elders also had a meeting while I was there."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, they decided that it was time they got involved in the war effort."

"No way!"

"Oh yeah, as a matter of fact three of my clan mates came back with me and are tending to Drake, Ava, and Ashlin."

"Holly shit! Wow I didn't think that things had gotten that bad."

"Clip" stood up at this point.

"So you ready to be healed there "Sport"."

"Oh god I thought you'd never ask. I am so sick of this damn bed."

"I won't lie to you "Z" this is going to hurt a lot. Especially since when I was looking at your X-rays I noticed you had several other quick heals that hadn't been properly attended too."

"Bring on the pain, let's do this."

"Clip" gave her a pat on the shoulder and a quick hug.

"You are the bravest, ballsiest chick I know."

"Don't you know it."

"Want to be put under?"

"Hell no, let's go."

Ultimately she had been put under, only because when "Clip" had released the quick heals they had all gone at once. The sudden, sheer amount of pain that it had caused had taken her breath away, brought a tear to her eye, and elicited a scream that would have put pro opera singers to shame. When she had woken she had been a little stiff, but felt great. It had been a long time since she had felt anywhere near that good. "Clip" had greeted her by telling her that they had to leave immediately to go to Alexandria.

"Z's" thoughts were brought back to the current time by a new voice on the radio.

"Unidentified airship, you need to cut your air speed and identify your self now, or be blown from the sky."

"Z" slowed "Raine" down only a little as she realized that she was coming up on Winhill in a damn hurry.

"This is Zella Dincht SeeD first class of Balamb Garden in the airship "Raine" requesting immediate, emergency landing clearance, and coördinates for the Creedington Clan Ranch!" "Z" barked into her mic.

"Permission granted coördinates are being sent to you as we speak. Welcome to the Creedington Clan Ranch Miss. Dincht. Safe landing."

Some where deep in Shyri's head

Xavier looked around, but did not recognize the log cabin he was standing in. As he turned his head to ask Shyri where they were he suddenly realized she wasn't there. All at once something wrapped around his leg.

Looking down Xavier saw what had to be a five-year old version of Shyri. Instead of holding his hand she was now just holding one of his fingers. Her other arm was wrapped around his leg and she was trying to hide behind his leg. She was still covered in the blackness, but her purple eyes showed absolute terror, and her little body shook as she clutched his leg. Xavier bent over and scooped her up in his arms.

"What is this, what's wrong?"

She just put a finger to her lips and then whispered in his ear.

"You must be quiet, he'll be home soon."

"Who?"

All at once the front door flew open with such force that Xavier thought that it was going to fly off its hinges. What stood in the door way made Xavier want to be throw up. The fattest ugliest man he had ever seen came stumbling through. The man was so slobbering drunk that Xavier thought he was going to catch a contact buzz just from standing there.

"Shyri what is this, what's happening." Xavier whispered into her little wilted ear.

She just buried her little face further into his shoulder and shook her head furiously. Xavier's attention was brought back to the man when he started bellowing.

"Where's my dinner girl!"

The man went about throwing things out of his way in his attempt to find what he was looking for. The man was cussing up a storm as he continued throwing things. Xavier and the man both spotted the five-year old Shyri hiding under the bed at exactly the same time.

With another bellow the man lunged at her. Shyri screamed as she was pulled out from under the bed by her hair kicking and screaming. With out warning the man struck her across the face to get her to shut up. When that didn't work he struck her again. Xavier was honestly amazed she was still conscious much less screaming.

With a heave the man threw her at the table. Xavier watched as the little girl went sailing through the air and caught the edge of the table right under her left eye, leaving the wound that would become a scar. Xavier watched as young Shyri slowly made her way to her feet, her hand pressed to her eye in trying to stop the bleeding. To his horror the man wasn't done. He watched as the man dropped his pants and walked right up behind the disoriented little girl.

Xavier held Shyri's face to his shoulder to shield her from what was to come. Xavier felt like puking as he watched the girl forced face down on to the table and her night-dress get torn from her little body. Shyri's little voice whispering in his ear almost made him jump through the roof.

"Don't cry, it is almost done. Just watch."

Xavier didn't want to watch. He had seen more than enough of this memory. He was more than done with it as he watched a meaty hand plant its self in the middle of the girls back, and the other forcefully pull her tail aside.

"Don't cry."

He couldn't help himself though. As the man forced his way forward and the little girl screamed out in pain, Xavier fell to his knees clutching Shyri to him crying out in horror for her.

"No! Oh dear god no!"

"It is ok Xavier."

"I am so sorry."

"Don't be, this happened long before you promised to protect me."

"He hurt you so badly though."

"And where he hurt me healed, which is more than I can say for where I hurt him."

Xavier watched as the Shyri child he was holding pointed a little finger at the memory of her being violated on a dirty table. A table that had a very sharp knife sticking in it. A knife that found its way into a little girl's hands, and was swung wildly around behind her severing the connection between her abusive guardian and her tender young back side.

Xavier watched as the man fell back clutching the bloody stump of his smaller self and the little girl grabbed a coat and ran out the door into the night. Xavier was whisked into the woods with the girl. She ran and ran and ran some more. When her legs would finally carry her no more she had found her self next to a creak and a cave. Xavier recognized the trees, but not the location. He knew he was in Alexandria some where. Again little Shyri's voice caught him off guard.

"I remembered feeling very alone as I cleaned my self in that creak. But I knew I could never go back to that man. After a few days I decided to head for Treno."

Xavier watched as the little fox girl went limping into the night.

Creedington Clan Ranch, Winhill

Terrin had been asked to go with "Clip" and his mother into the operation room. He stood off on the side not knowing why he had been asked to go in. He felt kind of nervous as he felt every eye in the room scrutinize him every once in a while. Finally "Clip" walked up to him.

"How's it going Terrin?"

"I would be doing better if I knew what was going on here."

"Clip" reached up and pulled his mask down.

"Well the gun blades passed completely through his chest, piercing both lungs. Also in the process the blades broke several ribs."

"So this has what to do with me in here?"

"Right, well, we're all very handy with guns here on the ranch. However none of us know a thing about Gun blades."

"What do you need to know?"

"Actually we need you to disarm them and take them apart."

"Disarm them and take them apart."

"Yes that and break the blades."

"What?"

"You know the blades, and weapon break. In short we really don't want to pull them out and risk damaging his lungs any more than they already are."

"Lead the way."

A short time later Terrin had washed and dried his hands. He followed "Clip" to the operating tables. They had arranged the room so that Xavier and Shyri were head to head about a foot apart from each other. They had placed a mask over her face to help her breath. It was more than likely feeding her an even flow of gas to keep her asleep.

Xavier had hoses in his mouth and nose, more than likely to keep air going into his collapsed lunges, and sticking from his chest were the gun blades. Terrin wrapped his massive hands around the handles of the two guns that had been built specifically for her delicate hands. He thumbed both guns safeties on and pressed the switch that released the magazines.

He than took one gun at a time in both hands and ejected the round in the chamber. Starting with the one in his left lung, Terrin began dismantling the guns. A short while later he was left with two blades and a bunch of parts. Terrin bent in really close so that his entire vision was consumed with the sight of Xavier's naked chest, and the gun blades. Gently he tapped each blade with a finger nail, listening carefully to the ring that was emitted from each blade.

"Are you guys ready for this, because I am assuming that I need to do these in rapid succession?" Terrin said with a deep sigh.

All the Creedington's nodded their heads.

Terrin was acutely glad that he had made these when he was still learning the trade, and that Shyri had apparently had to rely on them a bit in her thirteen year sabbatical. The blades were in very bad shape, how she had managed not to break them already was surprising to Terrin. He reached out and took one blade in each hand.

"Here we go than. Job Ability - Weapon Break."

Terrin felt the warrior magic course down his arms and into his fingers. His years of dedicated training and black smithing told him where to press when that magic got to his fingers, and the blades broke right where he intended them too.

Creedington's rushed in to remove the blade fragments, and Terrin was escorted out of the room.

Some where deep inside Shyri's head.

"What was that back there?" Xavier asked. Taking a moment to gather him self.

"You wanted to see what was hurting me, I am showing you. I guess you are going to feel what I was feeling at the time too. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I wanted to know. Where are we?"

"Treno, I ran here to try to start over."

"Start over, you were what five? You hadn't even yet begun to live."

"I was six, and you are right. I can't even begin to tell you what I was thinking when I ran to Treno other than I was looking for a family to love me. There are a lot of people in Treno."

Xavier watched as the child Shyri went from one set of couples after another asking, begging, and pleading them to take her in. Xavier felt her plight and desperation. He felt tears of his own cheeks as he watched her cry after trying to find some one, any one to love her and take her in.

He watched as times went into fast forward about a week. He watched as day went in to night and back again. He watched the child take shelter under benches, in storm drains, and in cardboard boxes. He watched as she begged for food, and when that didn't work, steal it.

"It took about a month for some one to finally take notice of me. A rich nobleman and his wife decided that their daughter needed a "playmate".

Xavier watched as a family approached her as she was dancing and doing illusions on a street corner.

"At first they treated me very well. They cleaned me up, clothed me, and feed me. All I had to do was play with their daughter."

Xavier watched as the two girls played. He felt all of her joy and happiness in doing so. He watched as time speed up, and then stopped. The child Shyri was once again hiding under a bed. Xavier was once again filled with the dread he had felt in the cabin.

He watched as the little girl cried and tried to cower further under the bed. From behind him the door flew open with such force that he thought it was going to go flying off of its hinges. It was the noble and his daughter. Together they advanced on the bed. In horror he watched as he reached under the bed and dragged her out kicking and screaming. He than proceeded to beat her with a large wooden paddle till she was almost unconscious. When the beating was over he hurled her to the ground and rounded on his daughter who had this look on her face like she was a pure little angel.

"Now did you learn your lesson, Brandy Bell, or do I need to give it to you again?"

The little child thought about it for a minute as she watched the child Shyri try to get back up.

"No father I don't think I have learned my lesson yet."

The noble once again rounded on child Shyri and proceeded to beat her further. This time she did pass out and the memory faded. Xavier hurt all over, and all he could do to keep from crying out him self.

"It just got worst from there."

Xavier looked at Shyri with eyes that pleaded with her to end the stop the hurting. Slowly Xavier collected himself and got to his feet.

"Things went on like this for years." Shyri said as the memories started back, this time passing like a slide show.

"When ever Brandy Bell was naughty, or acted up I got the beatings."

Xavier didn't say anything as he watched the slides of Shyri getting beat over, and over again.

"To add insult to injury every time they threw a party or were invited to a party I had to go with to perform. Their friends loved my illusions, and my dancing. It wasn't long before I was nothing more than a glorified slave."

Xavier watched helplessly as timed continued on at a relentless pace. He felt his heart begin to break.

Creedington Clan Ranch, Winhill

Ashlin watched as a gentle breeze blew through the flower field behind the medical wing of the Creedington Clan Ranch. He inhaled deeply taking in the aromatic scent of the flowers and the metallic scent of the salt water in the ocean not more than a few hundred yards away. He watched as young red-headed children in white swim ware played in the sand and the water, their parents watching them from the safety of the beach.

"When was the last time you knew that kind of peace and joy?"

Ashlin was startled; he had not even heard Justance Creedington approach. He was slightly ashamed especially since neither she nor her retinue of attendants was exactly quiet. Ashlin quickly recovered and bowed deeply to the little old lady.

"Forgive me Elder Justance, I didn't hear you approach."

"That is all right Ashlin; however you have failed to answer the question."

Ashlin thought about it for a second. There were plenty of times that he and Tifa had been happy alone and at peace. But he could not remember the last time he had been in absolute joy or peace. He could not even begin to recall the last time he didn't even hear so much as the whisper of his tormentors. They were always there at the back of his head. There presence was always just under the skin.

"Don't worry your self Ashlin. I already know the answer."

"I suppose you would."

Ashlin clearly remembered waking up yesterday with Elder Justance's hand resting on his forehead. He had felt refreshed, and more importantly his head didn't hurt. She had startled him than too.

"How long have you had the voices?"

She was repeating the question now, again.

"You have had a full day, and plenty of physical activity to ponder my question on."

Ashlin could only assume that Head Elder Justance's healing abilities laid with in the realm of psychiatry. But truth be told, for the last couple of decades he could not recall a time when the voices weren't there.

"A very long time."

Subconsciously Ashlin's left hand went to his right shoulder and started rubbing the brand that resided there. He wasn't aware he had done it till he felt a hand gently place itself over his.

"Come with me Ashlin, we shall break bread together and have some tea."

Ashlin turned from the ocean front and offered his arm to the elderly woman.

"Maybe than you can tell me what is bothering you?" Elder Justance said taking the offered arm.

Ashlin glanced back at the children and ocean one last time, and took a deep breath.

"I think I would like that."

Somewhere deep inside Shyri's mind

He found himself once again running through a wooded area. This time he actually recognized the woods. It was the woods that lead up to Beartree in the Besaid mountain range, it was about mid day.

"The funny thing about shift gates is that you never know where there going to pop up, and you can never remember going through one unless you're consciously doing it."

Xavier looked to his side and saw the ethereal form of Shyri floating along side him. She now looked like she did on the day they met. Had Xavier not been ethereal him self he would have run right in to a tree.

"How the hell are you floating?"

She giggled that innocent giggle she always had as a girl. It made his heart flutter like it always had when he was a boy.

"I am able to float silly because it is my memory, you're just a visitor."

All at once terror flooded Xavier's senses. He looked behind him only to see a lynch mob close on her heals. He immediately recognized the noble from Treno.

"Why's he pissed, did you cut his Wang off too."

"No I just stole some money and ran."

She looked back her self than commented.

"After giving Brandy Bell two black eyes, a bruised cheek, and a fat lip. I was getting tired of the abuse and when she started hitting me too I just couldn't take it any more. I ran and kept running. I just didn't think they would keep chasing me all the way to Centra."

Xavier finally spotted the memory child Shyri running ahead of them. He had no troubles keeping up with her. He could feel her fatigue, but most of all he could feel her terror. He followed her right into town and into the square. He watched as the mob from Treno cornered her and started to harass her. Some one started throwing stones. It didn't take long for the yelling and commotion to draw the attention of the local bullies. They too started hurling stones.

Her screams, and pleads became louder, more desperate, and drew the attention of some one else. Nobody noticed as the people at the back of the crowd started to drop. They were to intent on the noble making his way to the child. She hadn't noticed the people dropping either, all she could see was the nobles angry face growing ever larger in her view. Xavier could feel her terror growing. He watched as the nobles hand raised and then fell striking her across the face so hard she passed out.

"I really don't know what happened to the noble, the next thing I recall is waking up in your room, on your bed none the less."

Xavier looked around as the memory of that first meeting started to play. The room was filled with a warm glow, and a pleasant scent of wood smoke and fresh flowers. A sharp ring of metal filled the air. Suddenly a very young vision of him self filled her view. He was sharpening a knife. Xavier was instantly filled with fear as the view kind of panned out to show the two pre-teens first meeting.

"I was so terrified when I first saw you. You were sitting there sharpening a knife and you looked pissed. But when you looked at me it was with eyes that were intrigued, not eyes that were looking for something. When you spoke to me there was genuine concern in your voice."

Xavier watched as the vision she was describing passed right before his eyes. He could not remember ever being that young and innocent.

"You know that sick feeling you get in your heat when ever you see me now. How it skips several beats as you wait for me to do something. How you desperately watch my lips waiting for them to move. Than your heart begins to pound in your throat and you can hear it in your ear like a bass canon. Than my lips move and my voice comes forth and you heart flutters and than soars."

Xavier nodded his head in thoughtful agreement. He knew exactly what she was talking about, because what she was talking about was happening to him now. "Yes, I do."

"That's how I felt the first time you spoke to me."

Xavier watched as their time in Beartree started to play out like a slide show once again. As her memories of those times were displayed he was over come with so much happiness and boundless joy. He watched as they trained, played, did chores, and grew up. He watched as the both matured and grew closer together. Slowly the happiness and joy were joined by a very strong feeling of wanting love and desire, and a very powerful sense of belonging every time an image of the two of them was on display. Xavier could feel tears streaking down his cheek and he was flooded with a feeling he had felt himself a million times but could not place at the moment.

"That feeling you are experience is the feeling of being home."

Images of them as teenagers started to appear, and stayed longer than any other image. Than images of the night her tail split in two started to go on display. He was instantly filled with pain and fear. Than instantly it was replaced with relief and pride when he had come crashing through the bush looking for attackers that didn't exist. He was than flooded with the most profound feelings of absolute love, desire, and belonging. As they passed out there in the clearing in each others arms, he was filled with the most profound sense of tranquility and peace.

"I knew I loved you, and wanted to be with you the rest of my life, long before that morning when I confessed it to you. Those were the happiest times of my life."

Shyri fed her delicate hand into Xavier's and looked him dead in the eye.

"I never wanted it to end."

Beartree exploded, and he was once again plunged into a world of absolute terror and fear.

Creedington Clan Ranch, Winhill

Ava sat in a chair off to the side in the operating room. She had been instructed to sit there and keep an eye on the connection between Xavier and Shyri. At first she had been amazed at how nice the clan of white mages had been to her. But as she sat there that sterile white room watching six Creedington's operate on Xavier she found her mind drifting. It really didn't take much; she was finding herself surprisingly disturbed by the site of Xavier's open chest. The smell of blood was very heavy in the air, and was easily drowning out the smell of the anti-biotic, and herbs.

Ava's mind drifted back to the other day. She had woken up with one of "Clips" clan mates standing over her. She had watched as the white mage passed her hand over her body, and felt her mana levels start to even themselves out.

"What happened to me?"

The white mage looked at her startled, and Ava noticed that she was just a preteen girl. However standing off to the side was an older woman, also a member of "Clips" clan.

"Pay no attention to Pamie dear. We very rarely get a chance to work our talents on some one who has suffered such a severe case of Mana drain. It is a miracle that you are even alive child."

"I guess I'm lucky like that."

The woman had taken her hand into her gentle hand, and examined her burns.

"You are a very rare child dear. These are the glyphs of a very ancient and arcane magic. Who are your parents dear?"

"I don't know, I was raised by my best friend's parents."

"And your twin?"

She had been very startled by the question, so startled she had stopped breathing.

"How did you know that, not even my friends know that?"

"I can see it in your aura."

The question had bothered her to no end, and even now she was thinking about it. She paid no attention as the woman who had worked on her yesterday walked right up to her. With out a word the woman dropped a small memory card into her hand and smiled at her.

"That aught to help you in your search child."

She than turned and walked away. Ava looked at the memory card for a full minute before she put it into her PDA. Her screen was flooded with a plethora of information and a heart-felt note from the woman wishing her luck. Ava felt a tear run down her cheek and a smile spread across her lips.

Some where deep inside Shyri's mind

Xavier watched as Shyri's life after Beartree played out all around him, as if in fast forward. He watched as she woke one morning in a place she didn't know. Though he was feeling her disorientation at the time, Xavier instantly recognized the great star tree of the Federation of Windurst.

He watched as the then teenage Shyri stumbled her way into town, trying to figure out where she was. He watched as she stumbled around completely lost. He felt her fear as she quickly realized how truly lost she was and how much she didn't fit in. A small amount of relief washed over Him as she realized that the Taru and the Mithras didn't care that she looked different.

"I can not tell you how relieved I was that the majority of Windurstians accepted me out right. I wasn't very surprised when the Elvann and the majority of Humes didn't. As soon as I found out where I was I set out to find a way back to Centra."

Xavier watched as scenes of her travels across Vana'diel. Here her fear returned and was joined with feelings of destitute, longing, and loss. He watched as each place she searched she was turned away and shunned. In some cases she was outright attacked and hunted.

"It was truly a scary time in my life. Eventually I learned that there was a way to get back, but it was through the Vahn Ninjas. I was not ready for the total and absolute hatred that they greeted me with. It was shocking how much they went out of their way to hunt and hurt me. I was forced to learn how to survive under any and all conditions. I learned how to summon. It took a while to learn how to do it, and truthfully all I can really summon is Fenrir. But that is how it was, that is how I survived in Vana'diel. Only one thing really kept me going..."

The images slowed back to a normal pace to show the two of them sharing one of her illusions in one of the many instances that she visited him.

"It pained me that you couldn't look at me while I was visiting you. Truth be told it was completely my fault. Every time you would turn to face me time would slow..."

Time slowed again as the image of himself turned to face the ethereal image of her. He could feel her longing.

"..My pulse would quicken..."

Xavier felt his blood surge through his veins pumping pure adrenalin to all his extremities; he felt his face begin to flush.

"...and as your face would start to come into view so that I could see it, my heart would start to melt and skip a beat or two."

Xavier's heart was hammering in his chest. He could hear it pounding in his ear.

"...my breath would catch..."

Suddenly Xavier found it very hard to breath.

"... and I would lose control of the illusion."

Like glass shattering the image broke. He felt like crying out, like he had so many times when this exact moment had happened to him over the years.

"That's how my life was. Day in and day out. Week after week, month after month. The years dragged on.

I changed.

You changed.

Time was relentless, and one day I found my self in an oasis avoiding the murderous heat of the Desert of the Multi-colored Death. I thought the Vahn nin had gotten tired of me showing them up every time they tried to kill me and had brought in some professionals. I was shocked and surprised by our fight in the cave. Stunned by the lengths that the Vahn nin's had gone to get rid of me. My anger knew no bounds when you claimed to be your self. It was only out done by my horror of finding out it was true."

Xavier felt her anger and then horror at his claim. Than he felt her terror as she tried to revive him.

"I was so afraid that I had killed you, and so relieved when your white mage brought you back. I was terrified when you didn't recognize me."

Xavier went through the full range of what she had just said. Worry, relief, and fear all washed over him in one wave. All this was replaced with determination as Dami'tu and Sephiroth attacked. Determination to never leave his side.

"I fought my hardest; I had never even seen those men before. But you were fighting them, and they were fighting for her. I had never actually seen Xiedie before that day, though she had come to me several times in the past much the same way I came to you.

I know now that we never had a chance against Dami'tu much less Sephiroth. Sin harvest did exactly what it was supposed to do, and Xiedie had me in her control.

For six months she tortured me, trying to get me to willingly join her. The things she told me, the awful lies she spewed, and yet I endured. It was Sephiroth in all his cold intelligence was the one to come up with the final solution."

Shyri collapsed into Xavier's arms and started crying.

"I don't know how long she was in my body. I don't know if I will ever be able to wash myself enough to get her dirtiness, her wickedness, her taint, her total and utter darkness from me. I can't tell you how dirty I felt every time she plunged my arm through another Faiths chest. I felt my soul darken every time she held a Faiths heart in my hand and turned it to crystal, than dust. I can't tell you how much it hurt, and how much I cheered every time you pointed sword at me and threatened her.

I didn't want her to fight you in my body. I didn't want you to fight her in my body. When she stabbed you with my own Gun blades I thought I was going to die. But you knew all along where to find me, you knew how to save me and here you are now.

My hero, here to save me, always."

For a few seconds Xavier said nothing, Shyri started to get concerned. When Xavier's arms tightened around her shoulders she was forced to look up. His eyes were looking right back into hers and were filled with tears.

"I told you this was going to be hard Xavier, I have shown you every thing, and there is nothing left to show."

Xavier took a ragged breath.

"I know you have, and now I must show you something."

Xavier took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. When it was done Xavier placed his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry."

He opened up the flood gates into his own abyss.

Shyri's eyes flew open as she was hurled deep into the depths of Xavier's own subconscious.

Creedington Clan Ranch, Winhill

Drake actually thought about covering his ears from all the noise that was surrounding him. It had all started as soon as the last stitch had been put into Xavier's chest.

"The flow changed!" Ava yelled at the top of her lungs.

"What?" "Clip" asked just as loudly.

Ava had violently grabbed "Clip" by the shirt collar.

"The flow, connecting our friend and leader to his long-lost girlfriend turned around."

"Clip" had looked over at the bodies.

"Turned around?"

"Yes, you fucking moron, he was going into her she is now going into him."

"Now listen here, I just got done sewing up two lungs, two, front and back. I than followed that up by sewing up the matching chest and back wounds. So you'll have to excuse me if I'm not all together there right at the moment. Speaking of which."

"Clip" turned around and waved his hand over Xavier's chest. It immediately began to rise and fall. He than turned to one of his relatives.

"I'd tube him for a few hours just to be safe."

"You're missing the point!"

"What point?"

Drake couldn't take it any more.

"Every one be quiet!"

When he was sure that he had every ones attention he continued.

"Now as calmly and quietly some one please tell me what in the hell is going on. And for the love of what ever God or spirit or what ever it is you worship here please stop the alarms and the flashing red lights."

Almost immediately the lights and the alarms ceased, Drake heaved a very deep and great full sigh. Composing himself for just a second, he found all eyes on him. He was at once both alarmed and threatened. Ninety percent or more of the eyes looking at him were Creedington clan eyes, and these people were so unused to having outsiders of a none White mage variety that he had probably just horribly offended them by telling them what to do. But there bickering was probably not helping his friends at the moment. Drake was feeling awfully small and cornered, and an unfamiliar urge to pounce suddenly started to creep its way into his being.

At that moment though he found some one holding his hand. Looking down Drake was almost startled to see Emmy not only holding his hand but looking up at him with a reassuring smile. Taking another deep breath Drake turned his attention towards the most uppity looking Creedington in the room that would be the one in charge. Drake made to not only bark a command at the person but point at them in a very commanding way, than thought better of it mid-point.

"...Fuck that, "Clip"?"

"Yeah?"

"What's going on? What's wrong with them?"

"Clip" didn't take long to think about it.

"Medically they're fine. Give Xavier a few hours, maybe even a day and he'll at the very least be back on his feet."

He took a small breath here.

"We still don't know what's wrong with her, and now he has apparently joined her in that problem."

Feeling that "Clip" had given him a satisfactory report from his side Drake turned his attention to Ava.

"And you?"

Ava managed to speak to Drake without treating him like a moron or with out being condescending.

"I can't claim to know what Xavier was doing inside of her head, and I would wager a guess that the space case psyche team here can't guess either with out leading you in circles using million gill White mage techno babble. No offense guys."

Drake watched as three or four really spacey Creedington's just shrugged their collective shoulders as if to say "None taken".

"My best guess is that "SOME HOW" in that only Odin knows why kind of way that Xavier does any thing unexplainable, He sent his subconscious into hers to fix what ever the hell was wrong with her head."

"Ok, but just a couple of minutes ago you said the flow reversed."

"It did. She either went into his head or he pulled her into his head."

"Wait, now why would he do that?" "Clip" asked in disbelief.

"Do I look like a shrink to you?" Ava demanded pointing at the spacey group of Creedington's.

"Enough!" Drake said firmly once again bringing the room into total silence.

"Are you certain that there is nothing wrong with them medically?"

"Clip" and a few others nodded their heads.

"And you're positive that there is nothing wrong with them mentally?"

The group of spacey Creedington's nodded their heads and Ava chuckled at the thought of nothing being wrong with Xavier mentally.

"Than we are just going to have to pretend that Xavier knows what the hell he is doing for a change and leave it up to him."

Every one seemed to accept that answer and immediately leapt into action again. He watched as orders were given to prepare a room big enough to accommodate the two of them head to head. Watching the hustle and bustle made Drakes head hurt again. With a hand on his head Drake started looking about for an exit or something, he really just wanted to be outside at the moment. He started to panic; he felt the walls close in around him.

Once again Drake felt his hand get squeezed. He didn't even have to look down; he just let Emmy lead him out of the room and then out of the building. Drake made it about as far as a stand of trees not very far from the building and collapsed to his knees. Drake threw his arms wide and head back. With a grimace on his face Drake silently prayed for the sky to take him. Drake's eyes fell back to the ground.

The sound of porcelain being set on porcelain brought Drakes attention to a small table under a stand of cherry trees.

"Still feeling a little edgy Drake?"

Drake got back up with a little assistance from Emmy, and made his way to where Elder Justance and Ashlin were having tea. As they approached the Elders personal bodyguards moved to put himself between Drake and the elder. Elder Justance swatted the guard.

"Oh will you stop that already, these people are our guess, and especially Mr. Gryphonis and Miss. Leonhart are my personal guess."

Reluctantly the guard moved, and Elder Justance motioned for them to take a seat next to Ashlin.

"Grandchildren can be so bothersome. Would either of you like some tea."

Drake and Emmy sat down and accepted the tea.

"That was quite the episode you just had there Drake, you want to talk about it."

Emmy took her tea and added a little sugar to it and took a gentle sip to test it. Drake on the other hand took the cup and emptied it in one gulp.

"I don't know what happened Elder."

"Justance, you can just call me Justance, Drake, its fine."

"I was standing there helping them sort out the problem and I just panicked, I felt the walls start to close in around me."

Elder Justance poured Drake another cup of tea and settled back into her chair.

"I expected some residual effects. You were pretty far gone when we had gotten there, and I had to work on you myself. So I expected you to at least show some edginess."

Drake took his time with this cup of tea as he sat there and recapped in his head what he had experienced in the last forty-eight hours. After he had been hit with the dark Myst concentrate his head had been filled with an impenetrable fog. His thoughts had been slow, his instincts replaced with a more primal urge. He wanted to be outside, hunting, killing, slaughtering.

He didn't remember throwing his spear through Yuna, he didn't remember being rested to the ground by his team mates. He didn't remember being strapped to the bed. However he did remember Emmy staying by his side day after day. One day he just woke up, his head was clear, his thoughts were relatively his own. Standing over him had been a very tired looking Elder Justance and Emmy.

He had been disoriented, confused by what was going on. Emmy had told him what was happening. He had been shocked and appalled. He didn't have long to hate himself, he was immediately informed that the rest of team X-treme was to go to Alexandria to support the rest of Team X-treme.

He normally had no grudge against Alexandria, but when they had arrived in Alexandria Drake had begun to share Xavier's hatred of these people. He had watched as the citizens all but walked arm in arm with the mobs that Xiedie had infested the town with.

He had enjoyed running the mobs through and had loved running the possessed guards through even more. He could taste the want for combat as they had all stood there. He could almost see the tension in the air. And when "Lil" Jon had thrown his pin-wheel at him yet again, Drake had lost it.

He had been furious, and had willing let his anger take over him as he took down the former SeeD. He had joined the rest of the team in fighting Sephiroth. He had gone after Sephiroth with the same reckless abandon. They all had, their attack had actually driven Sephiroth back.

He had given into those same animalistic instincts. It had been exhilarating, a rush that has only ever been matched by his best jumps. It had been refreshing. But after wards he had felt nothing. Drake became further lost in his thoughts.

"Drake, are you listening." Emmys gentle voice and touch brought him back to the present.

"Hmm, yeah, I'm paying attention."

Elder Justance took a sip from her cup and set it down.

"I'm going to go out on a limb here for a moment Drake. You are one of Xiedies last five children. You do not know your real Mother or Father. You were raised by the Ruby dragons of Wyvern Cliffs. Oh they loved you, and accepted you, but you hardly ever felt you belonged. You only know your parents through stories, and they're treated more as legends than anything else.

The Lady Scarlet loved you as one of her own, and raised you as such. But every day you were trained and retrained, taught not only to fight but to defend, and latter to love, and redirect your anger to the right and just causes. You were taught to suppress your anger and rage. Even up till recently you held back your more aggressive impulses, always preferring to let your cooler head prevail.

How close am I?"

"So close that I'm going to guess that you weren't guessing at all."

"Unnerving, isn't it?" Ashlin added to the conversation.

"How you deal with your past Drake is completely up to you. But you need to settle your differences with your self or they will lead you directly to your death. And from the look of things you have all the help you will ever need already surrounding you."

Drake smiled at Ashlin and embraced Emmy. He felt a lot better already.

"Now if you'll excuse me kids I must rest before young Mr. Lofbrah and his life mate wake up themselves."

With the help of her assistant Elder Justance got up from the table and shuffled off towards the compound.

Farplane

With a sudden flash Xavier found him self standing in the middle of the all too familiar floating island of paradise that was the visitors section of the farplane. A more neutral grounds couldn't be asked for; it might even help the situation a little. Xavier closed his eyes and followed his ears to a cluster of rocks and boulders that were arranged in such a way that they could easily be sat upon. Or hidden behind. Xavier sat on the rocks and listened, heart breaking, as Shyri cried behind them.

"I'm sorry I just hurt you." Xavier said hanging his head.

"Why? Why did you do it?"

"You opened your self up completely and totally to me, exposing your inner most fears, pains, tragedies, secrets and desires. I felt it only fair if not necessary to do the same."

"I never could have guessed or even imagined you would do all those things."

"I needed to so that I could continue to search for you. I never stopped looking."

"You didn't wait for me, as I have waited for you."

"I'm sorry, I was weak, and I was hurt and scared. You have to believe me though never once did I stop thinking of, searching for, or loving you. It was your body I felt, your lips I kissed, your scent I smelled. I was crushed, almost destroyed when it was over and it wasn't you beneath me."

"Did you love her?"

"I don't know."

Shyri was silent for a moment.

"You tortured your self."

"I took training where ever I could get it. I did what ever I could to get you back. And if I had to fight and kill John Onikage to get you back I was going to be ready to do so."

There was silence again. Xavier was feeling like the asshole of the universe at the moment. He had hurt the one person he loved more than anything else in the world.

"So what do we do now?"

Xavier hung his head further, and felt even more like an ass as he thought of how best to answer her.

"I know what is killing you. So all we have to do is go back in side your head and I'll fix it."

Silence.

"And than what? Where do we go from here?"

Xavier heaved a deep sigh and tried his best to steady his voice.

"After that we'll go back to our own bodies and we'll wake up. After that you'll be free to do what ever you wish."

Xavier let the silence hang for a few more seconds and then projected them back to Shyri's subconscious.

The core of Shyri's subconscious

When the flash faded they were both standing in their clearing. Xavier took a slow look around the clearing taking in every thing.

"I haven't been back here in almost thirteen years. I swore that I wouldn't set foot here unless I was with you."

Xavier could feel Shyri watching him. He couldn't claim to know what she was thinking at the moment, and he really didn't want to know either.

"I never stopped loving you, or looking for you. You were the only thing that kept me going. You were the reason I got up in the morning, and fought so damn hard throughout the years. I would give any thing too you, do any thing for you. All you need is ask. Hell I would die for you, have died for you, several times."

Xavier heard her start to cry again. Xavier reached his hand out towards the middle of the lake and made a slow grasping motion. The core of Shyri's subconscious rose out of the water. The little blue ball was still ensnared with strands of both their life forces. With a few hand seals the strands untangled and released the ball. With another grasping motion the ball floated to Xavier's hand. Xavier turned to face Shyri. His one and only, the love of his life. He offered her the ball.

"I am sorry I have hurt you too. I am no better than those guardians, and bullies, and all the others that have abused you. I give you back your life, and I would not blame you if you decided to leave me. Just know this; I have never once stopped loving you, even in death."

Shyri accepted the ball from Xavier. With a bow he faded and disappeared from her subconscious. Shyri fell to her knees at the water's edge crying. She looked down at her cradled hands at the little blue ball and cried again. Gently she placed the ball to her chest right above her heart. She felt it absorb itself into her body. She felt more complete than she had for well over a year, but she was still not whole. Shyri closed her eyes and woke up for the first time in over a year.

Creedington Clan Ranch

Her eyes opened slowly, it had been a long time since she had opened her own eyes. The lights were off and the curtains were drawn, but the dim light still hurt her eyes. Slowly she worked her self to a sitting position. Her body was stiff, and she felt a little stuffy.

Gingerly she got to her feet. She almost fell, she hadn't used her legs for a while and wasn't used to her own weight, but she stayed standing. Looking her self over she found her self covered in censors and a hospital gown. She no longer wondered why she felt stuffy. Carefully she removed the censors and the IV feed. She also quickly disposed of the stuffy hospital gown, and turned off the shrieking monitors.

A groan beside her brought her attention to the sleeping form of Xavier. They had been placed head to head in a very large room. Gingerly and quietly Shyri forced her legs to move her to be beside him. Holding her tails to one side she sat down on the edge of the bed and she carefully examined him. Gently she brushed aside a few strands of stray hair and gazed upon his face. Gently she traced a finger along his cheek examining his scared eyes, his facial tattoos, and his scar.

She just sat there nude on the edge of his bed looking at him, much the same way he had done when he had first found her all those years ago. Her eyes took in the entirety of this hurt, broken, tortured, flawed man who loved her with every fiber of his being. A man who had given up every thing and crossed the fires of hell for her. A man who despite all his faults was perfect in every way shape and form.

Shyri brushed another loose strand of hair from his face, a face that had saw many and unimaginable horrors for her. Carefully she leaned in and gently placed a kiss on his lips. She was almost startled when he started to kiss her back. They stayed like that just drinking each other in. Reluctantly they parted for the sake of breathing. Slowly Xavier opened his eyes to stare into hers.

"I remember your eyes being brown."

"Your eyes are just the way I remember them."

Xavier threw back the covers. With out a second thought Shyri climbed into bed with him laying face to face, looking each other in the eye.

"So does this mean I am forgiven?" Xavier asked brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

"There was never anything to forgive."

"So what now?" Xavier asked draping his arm over her to bring her closer.

"We take it one step at a time."

They embraced each other again. Shyri snuggled her head into Xavier's chest. A short time later her breathing became even and she was sound asleep. Xavier just laid their feeling at peace for the first time in a long time.

Out in the hall

Terrin turned away from the door with a satisfied grin on his face. Terrin dropped to the ground and clasped his hands together in silent vigilance. No one was going to disturb his friends.

Drake nodded at Terrin as he moved up to the other side of the door and leaned up against the door frame crossing his arms, Emmy was right beside him running a sharpening stone down the length of her sword.

Ashlin strode up, and with out breaking stride pulled Kuroaki from his hip sheath and all, spun around and plopped down on to the ground across from the door, laying Kuroaki a crossed his knees.

"Z" plopped down right next to Ashlin and started to play a game on her PDA. Ava sat next to her studying the information she had been given.

"Clip" strode up next to Terrin and sat himself down exhausted Drew sat next to him and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Tech" came rushing down the hall, and came to a crashing halt at Drakes feet. Dami'tu propped "Tech" up against the wall where he remained unconscious. Dami'tu than took up a sentry position to make sure that no one got through.

Elder Justance was walking along the medical hall when she spotted Team X-treme standing watch as an entire team out side of the room their friend and leader was resting in. Elder Justance nodded in approval, and grabbed a hold of her guard.

"How about we go and grab some dinner?" She told the boy with a big grin.

For the rest of the day and night Team X-treme kept a vigil over their friend and leaders room. Xavier and Shyri had finally found each other and slept through the night. For the first time in a long time, every thing was right and peaceful in the world.