The Ace of Diamonds

By Mintbaby

Author’s Note: For a long time I dreaded writing a fic with Setzer as the main character because of a spectacular fic out there by the name of ‘Cat’s Paw’.  He had adventure.  He had a prospective romance.  Unfortunately, once a story grabs me, I must follow through.  Hence, the story ‘Ace of Diamonds’ was birthed.

I must warn you, also, that because of my dedication to remaining true to the character, I’ve written situations that I normally would not care to write.  I have attempted to do them as tactfully and tastefully as possible, but they still make me uncomfortable.  (As they did in ‘Rydia: Daughter of Mist’ as well.)  I apologize if you are offended.  That wasn’t my intent.  My intention was to write an intense story that would stay true to the representation of the characters that Square had originally created.

So, without further ado, I present to you ‘The Ace of Diamonds’.  Enjoy.

Part I

1

The chair creaked as Setzer Gabbiani, captain of the Falcon, adjusted his position. He was bored. Never a very desirable position for an adventure-loving gambler such as Setzer, but it happened. And all too often now that the world was back to a somewhat regular state of normal. Setzer smirked as he looked around the pub in Albrook at the girls hawking their wares right alongside the overrated and overpriced drinks that tasted like century-old piss from a black dragon. Yes. A somewhat regular state of normal wasn't very exciting.

Setzer gave a half-shrug and shuffled his deck of cards with one hand as his eyes focused on a love-struck couple in the back part of the pub. The young man had just 'popped the question', to her wild delight, and she'd given him the appropriate response. Setzer chuckled and drew out the Queen of Hearts. He stared down at it with an odd expression, stroking the edge before hiding it back within the deck. He raised his eyes as he absently shuffled it. He observed the hesitantly happy faces that talked amongst themselves. Setzer only knew a couple faces in the crowd, vaguely, but he had a notion none of them recognized him. Setzer's face twisted in a wry smile as he lowered his eyes to his cards. The savior of their planet and I'm forgotten like a spent gambler. And he found himself yearning for the cocky and assured presence of Darryl. Being with her ghost would have been better than being alone.

"Can you believe that?"

Setzer raised his eyes with an accompanying raised eyebrow at the woman that had just sat down across from him. She leaned back in her chair and brought both long legs up onto the table with a clunk, clunk. She wore dark brown leather boots that crested the top of her knees, enhancing the symmetry and grace of those curvaceous limbs. As his eyes made the slow and deliberate journey from legs to torso, he discovered she was every inch a full-grown woman. Her dark blue trousers fit perfectly against her flat abdomen and the curves of her hips and buttocks. Crossed arms over a somewhat thin blouse revealed a generous rounding of breast, and her well-kempt uniform coat of dark blue and crimson with tassels and braid-work of silver actually intensified the rebellious and intriguing air of her beauty. Slightly darkened skin from years in the sun; flashing eyes from years of adventure; long blue-black hair that fell in tumbled waves about glowing cheeks that raved of impetuousness and untamed passion. And not only was she dressed the part of a captain, she exuded the mystery and power of the life she'd led. The life of command.

Setzer smiled pure velvet and kept his eyes ready to meet hers. "Excuse me?"

The mystery woman lifted a hand long enough to send a mocking yet graceful wave toward the love struck duo in the corner. "Love. What could those kids know of love when they haven't lived life on the edge. They haven't stared death in the face and laughed. They haven't lost it all and had to find it again." She wrinkled her nose and finally brought her flashing eyes to meet Setzer's silver ones. Hers were an intriguing shade of aquamarine with black flecks. "All these little nothings gathering to tell stories of how they've had such a hard life and made it through. 'Boo hoo hoo' they'll all cry as they pat each other on the back and say King Edgar'll take away their problems now that Kefka's dead." Much to his surprise and secret delight, she spat a good 6 feet to her right. "Makes me sick to the stomach."

A loud laugh sounded from the other side of the room and drew her eyes yet again. "Then why have you come here?" he asked between card shuffles.

She turned her head to again catch Setzer's eyes. Several locks of bluish-black escaped to the partially unbuttoned neckline of her silken blouse and caressed the valley that raised ever so rhythmically. "Bored as hell," she said.

Setzer's eyes twinkled. "It seems we suffer the same fate." He reluctantly guided his eyes from her face and gestured to the crowds engrossed in their own views of 'adventure'. "Perhaps we've both come in order to assure ourselves that our lives of adventure and risk are worth the effort, rather than becoming attached to a life of rigor and… normalcy."

"Dragon piss," she exclaimed, and Setzer noted the different harmonies of personality and adventure tickling within her voice. "Normalcy," she continued in a sneer. "It's a lie. Something for people like them."

"I agree," Setzer said simply.

Her eyes zeroed in on his face… and then his shoulders and chest beneath his shirt with the top lacing undone (his captain's jacket was carefully hanging on the back of the chair) before drifting ever so slowly down the length of his legs as they rested on the table and back up his frame. Setzer continued to absently shuffle his cards.

"Now why is it I haven't seen you around here sooner?" she asked in a tone of mild interest.

"I've been around," Setzer said while holding her gaze.

"Then why haven't I ever seen you? I'd like to think I'm a popular girl." Her eyes made another adventurous trip of his physique. "And I'd definitely notice you."

"I could say much the same for you," he told her with another inviting smile in her direction.

Perfect white teeth flashed as her smile brightened the aquamarine to the color of the deepest ocean on a summer day. "Tongue as forked as a demon," she said in a tone filled with laughter. She uncrossed her arms and brought her feet down from the table in a fluidity of movement and grace that added to her alluring persona. She struck out a hand. "Marée."

Setzer brought his feet down from the table as well and reached out to press his palm against hers. "Setzer."

Marée sent him a flash of a mischievous smile and slightly changed how she held his hand. Setzer couldn't quite tell what she'd done, but he enjoyed the feel of the intriguing caress.

"I don't see why I told you my name. I probably won't ever see you again, and it's such a drag when you click with a gent that's just going to disappear the next morning."

He nodded with the faint smile still in his eyes as he held her warm grasp. "Too true. I suppose that's what comes from having so many intriguing adventures."

Marée retrieved her hand, deliberately allowing a slight linger. "An adventure's only what we make of it." She crossed her arms with yet another deliberate action and leaned back in her chair to again bring her legs up onto the table. Each movement was sultry and feminine. "This little discussion we're having could be quite the adventure I'm thinking."

Setzer leaned back in his chair, nonchalant, and also lifted his legs to the table. His tough hide boots occasionally caressed against the soles of hers. "I'm beginning to see the same," he told her with a direct look. Setzer's lips were tickled with his continual smile as he shuffled the cards between two hands. He held her unique eyes and attempted to read the unspoken permissions. "How long are you in port?"

She rocked ever so slightly on the back two legs of the chair. "'Til I'm loaded again. Usually takes half a day. If I'm in a good mood, I let the boys have a half day to themselves." Her eyes twinkled as she jerked her head enough to toss a rebellious portion of hair behind her shoulder. The action reminded Setzer of a wild animal on the Veldt. "I can sometimes use one myself," she told him.

Setzer released a soft chuckle and moved his eyes to his cards. He palmed the Ace of Diamonds. "Ah, distractions. Makes life a bit more interesting, doesn't it?"

"Interesting? Hell no. Makes it more damn fun."

Setzer felt the intensity of her gauging look, but didn't raise his eyes.

"So where are you staying?" Marée asked. "Anyplace different you'd recommend to a fellow, finicky sea captain?"

This time Setzer lifted his eyes to meet hers. Interest and invitation fairly glowed. "I generally stay on my ship," he responded easily. "More privacy and less likelihood of being a victim of thievery."

One side of her full, rosy lips tilted in a slight smirk that laughed in her eyes. "I'd love to take a gander at this ship of yours." Another chorus of laughter erupted from the far side of the room, this one poisoned with an empty flutter of brainless twittering, and Marée's eyes darkened with irritation as she changed her gaze toward them. "Blasted Landers. They laugh at anything that tickles their flat existence with a single spark."

"At least now they've cause to laugh," Setzer responded.

Marée scoffed and adjusted her crossed arms. She brought her gaze back to Setzer's face. "Philosophical nonsense."

"No," he countered, "it's a statement of fact." Setzer palmed the Joker and tossed it onto the table. He gestured to it. "Take the wild card from the deck and the odds are more even."

Marée stared at the card in thoughtful silence as she tapped her upper arm with graceful movements. Finally, she reached out and took up the card, staring down at it for another moment before raising her eyes to meet his and caressing her jawline with the edge of the card. "Gods. Can't argue with that, can I?"

"The cards never lie," Setzer responded with a smirk.

She pointed at him with the Joker card. "But they can be persuaded pretty damn easily."

Setzer chuckled. "Upon occasion, but only when what I want is on the other side of the hand I hold."

Marée arched an eyebrow. Then she pulled her legs down from the table and stood with languid grace. "Walk me to my ship, captain?" She tucked the Joker into a section of her blouse beyond his view.

"Bored?" Setzer asked as he held her gaze. He continued to shuffle the cards.

Marée crossed her arms yet again and struck a seductive pose of command and assurance. "No. Just curious," she told him with twinkling eyes.

"Ah." Setzer lowered his gaze to the cards as his hands paused shuffling. He took the top card and flipped it over so that only he could see it. Ace of Diamonds. He slipped it back into the deck and set it on the table as he stood and slipped into his jacket. When he looked up, Marée was busy in yet another perusal of his form. Her head was slightly tilted as she gauged the firmness of his butt with a quirky smile.

"Nice," she told him when her eyes met his.

Setzer slipped the cards into an inner pocket of the jacket with a smirk; his eyes drifted from hers and did his own adventurous examination of her lithe form and its curves and roundness in the appropriate places. When his eyes again met hers, her expression was laughter and… self-assurance. Setzer gestured to the door. When she moved toward, it he noticed that each portion of her body moved with as much sensual fluidity as he'd ever imagined in the workings of a woman. It was a wonder to behold and actually made a quiver of eagerness tickle his sense of adventure as he followed.

Setzer closed the door of the pub behind them and followed her down the stairs to the brick walk below. Then he motioned to the left. "If you'd care for a tour of my ship, I have it anchored just outside of town."

Intrigue brightened her expression. "You have an airship?"

"I do."

"Then I definitely want to get on board."

Setzer guided her the first step with a gentle touch on her elbow. Then he lowered his arm to his side and silently walked beside her. The night breeze was pleasantly cool and continued to tickle his senses with an intriguingly unique aroma. It was a combination of musk and flowers and was such a pleasantly inviting scent that he enjoyed its continual presence. Adventure and femininity combined.

"What do you call her?"

"The Falcon."

"Glorious." Her gaze examined his profile. "How fast she go?"

Setzer smirked. "Fast enough."

"Gods! I'd love a turn at the wheel."

"Something might be arranged." Her persona fairly exuded expectancy and excitement. Setzer found it both exhilarating and entrancing. "Steering an air vessel is much different than a sea vessel, of course."

"Of course. If it'd been just the same I'd have been as mad as hell. I want to wrestle with the beauty before having my way with her."

Setzer chuckled. "At times the winds are still the mistress that controls the man," he warned.

Marée sent him an intense look. "Ooo. Now there's a tantalizing prospect, captain."

And Setzer chuckled again.

They exited the town with long strides, quickly erasing the distance between South Figaro and the Falcon. And then the moonlight struck her metal silhouette like a spotlight, halting Marée's steps forward. She whistled long and low before looking over at Setzer. Setzer kept his appreciative gaze on his ship. Darryl's ship.

"She's a beaut, captain. A damned awesome wonder to see."

"Yes. She is."

Marée's gaze moved again to the ship and she crossed her arms. "Damn, damn, damn, I wish I had a ship like her."

Setzer moved his smiling eyes to her profile and motioned forward. "Shall I give you the tour?"

Marée met his gaze. "Hell yeah."

And the two moved forward. Setzer opened the door for her and ushered her aboard, nodding a greeting to the two men who had that evening's watch. Setzer guided Marée through the room, secured it behind them, and gestured to the large room with the couches and billiard tables. "This is where I generally entertain guests and friends. The entry to the engine room is over there and my private office is over there. The entry to the flight deck is ahead."

"Well I'll be a virgin mermaid." Marée moved her wide-eyed gaze from corner to corner. "It's like I stepped into the center of a damned castle."

Setzer's smirk remained as he ushered her forward to the stairs leading to the flight deck. Marée ascended them with quickness and ease, immediately making her way to the side. She looked down to the grass and town lights below. "Gods!" was all she could voice.

Setzer moved toward her. "The controls are this way," he offered.

Marée straightened from the railing and moved the direction he'd gestured. Her agile movements were overflowing with eagerness. "Please tell me you're going to start her up."

"I believe I can be persuaded."

Marée sent a bright smile over her shoulder before she hurried her step to the wheel and stood to one side, waiting for Setzer to arrive. He stepped up to the wheel and pressed the appropriate controls. The engine roared to life and Marée's eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head.

"Gods, that sounds good." She changed her gaze to her feet. "I can feel the engine clear through my bones." Marée lifted her head then and tilted it back, raising her arms out to each side as she closed her eyes and relished the feel of the wind around her and the vibration of the engine through her body.

Setzer leaned against the wheel as he watched the full and complete experience of his ship. He smirked and felt the attraction within grow. Only Darryl and Terra had fully appreciated the wind and the seduction it brought to the soul of those who loved to fly. In fact, Setzer had become closer to Terra only since that one moment after the defeat of Kefka when she'd let her hair down to allow the complete and utter feel of the wind take her away. He had felt, then, that she'd understood him.

Marée voiced a slight growl in the deepest part of her chest and gave a body-wide shiver. She lowered her arms and slowly brought her head back up. She opened her eyes then and met Setzer's. Marée' lips were tickled with a slight smile as she moved to stand in front of him, moving to also lean against the wheel. She reached out a finger and coiled one of the laces of his shirtfront around her finger.

He stepped back from the wheel without a word and motioned to it. Her eyes flashed with eagerness and she took his place, resting her hands on the wheel as Setzer reached for the throttle. He eased it forward. "Keep your hold steady and firm," he said as he came to stand close behind her. "She'll fight you, believe me. Don't be afraid to fight back."

Marée's lips parted with delight as the Falcon moved forward into the wind. Her breath came in deep puffs, raising her chest in an erotic pace of passion and adventure as the breeze caressed and teased her tresses of blue-black around her flushed cheeks and into the valley and around her delicate throat.

"Oh Gods," she whispered, "this is better than the first time I had sex."

Setzer chuckled and pushed the throttle forward slightly more. The Falcon dove forward and Marée laughed, tossing her hair out of her face. The wind made her thick locks tickle his exposed chest and face. Setzer stepped slightly closer as he took in a slow breath of the wind and the aroma of her perfume. It had been a long time since he'd seen a woman at the wheel of the Falcon. Too long… Then he rested his hands on hers and helped her guide the Falcon over the mountains surrounding Zozo, pushing the throttle the rest of the way forward as he lowered the Falcon over the still water of the ocean, creating a spray of white wetness along behind them. Then Marée was pulling back on the wheel, causing the Falcon to soar upwards toward the stars. He eased the ascent only slightly, weaving the ship from side to side through the low hanging clouds.

Setzer and Marée's commands on the helm of the Falcon moved as one, racing through the sky like a great bird playing with the air angels. But then Marée's control drifted to nothing and she leaned back against Setzer, her head tilted backward and her eyes closed as she reveled in the freedom and power around her. Setzer's chest tightened with her warmth and nearness and he continued to take deeper and deeper breaths of her tantalizing aroma.

Marée turned in the circle of his arms then, lifting her arms and encircling his neck to pull his mouth to hers. Their lips danced and worked together; exploring the other's spirit and passion and intensity. Setzer moved closer, pressing Marée against the wheel. She moaned against his lips and submerged her hands deeper into the thickness of his white hair, caressing and fondling his neck as her mouth begged for more of his touch. The night breeze swirled around them, lifting hair into a tempestuous dance of passion and intermingling scents and sounds as the kiss deepened.

Marée's hands lowered from his neck to pull his shirt from its bindings within his trousers, going beneath and tickling the chest and abdominal muscles into twitches and spasms. Setzer released a collection of quick breaths against her lips and pressed himself closer against her, relishing the feel of her against him as her breath came in quick puffs against his face. He absently reached out with his right hand and pulled back the throttle as he caressed his lips along her jawline to a portion of skin beneath her earlobe. Then his hands were holding her face and neck, submersed deep into her thick tresses as his thumbs caressed her cheeks and his lips again found hers.

The taste of them was exotic and adventurous entwined.

But when Marée's hands began to work at the bindings of his trousers, Setzer pulled slightly back.

"What," she absently queried in a husky whisper. "Don't stop. I want you. Gods… this ship, the wind, this power…" She covered his mouth with hers and loosed one trouser button.

Setzer gathered his mind back from the four corners of passion and smirked. "I'm a distraction that will have to wait, captain," he said against her persuasive mouth.

Marée's lips imperceptibly pulled back from his, still caressing against them as she rubbed her hands along his chest and back. "Come on now, captain. Don't leave a girl hungry," she purred. She kissed his mouth again, stroking his back and chest with gentle fingers that were more than familiar with their form of magic. "Aren't you a little curious?"

A spark flared and Setzer allowed himself a little respite as her lips met his. Her scent wreaked havoc on his senses, making the control a little harder to hold on to than normal, so he indulged in the exploration of her soft skin beneath her silken blouse. She took in a quick breath and nipped at his lower lip. He smiled against them and opened a little wider, inviting her within as his hands caressed the small of her back and cautiously moved lower. She groaned "gods" against his lips and released yet another button of his trousers as she stepped closer.

Setzer lifted his head; his breath feathered the wisps of hair around her face. "That will have to do for now, Marée," he told her. He retrieved his hands slowly, caressing and fondling back, sides, abdomen and the very base of her warm breasts as he went. He placed another kiss on her lips as he retracted his hand fully, and then he stroked her jawline with a single finger and held her bright gaze. "If I'm to be a distraction, I'd prefer not to become a bore the first evening."

Marée caressed his chest with both hands, tickling them with her nails as she smiled up at him. She kissed his lips once, twice, three times before meeting his eyes again. Her hands gripped the front of his trousers, ready to release the next obstacle. "I won't be back for at least 3 months, Setzer," she whispered against his lips. "The wind can be cold and memories are better than wishes."

He smirked and rested his hands on the sensual curves of her hips. He hooked his thumbs on the outside of her trousers as his fingers caressed the skin of her hips beneath before gently moving to the warm skin of her buttocks. "Yes, but as there are but few ports for a sea captain, I believe I have a good chance of another meeting."

Marée tickled his lips with hers as her fingers caressed his lower abdomen. His muscles tensed and he released several quick breaths against her lips; her aquamarine eyes never left his silver ones. "Odds are good, are they?"

"Most definitely."

Marée's eyes heightened their twinkle of permission and desire. "I'm a sore loser, you know. I don't like the word 'no'."

Setzer covered her warm lips with his for another long taste. Her mouth was eager and willing as her fingers tightened their hold on the next button of his trousers. "Consider it a not yet," he said roughly.

Marée's pressed her lips against his again for another exploration, doing her best to coax out what she wanted as her quivering fingers fumbled with his trousers. He took hold of her hands and pulled them away.

She pulled her mouth from his, and her eyes sparked. "I might not be so open to adventure next time we meet, captain." Marée yanked her hands from his grip and straightened her coat and blouse. "Like I said, I don't like the word 'no'."

Setzer continued to smirk as he refastened his trouser buttons. "As I said before, Marée. Consider it a not yet."

"Same damn thing."

"'No' isn't nearly as much fun as 'not yet'," Setzer countered as he turned for the controls and pushed the throttle forward.

He turned the Falcon toward South Figaro. He felt her intense eyes on him and, moments later, she had positioned herself between him and the wheel of the ship, again resting her hands on top of his. Marée leaned against him as she had before, this time entwining her fingers with his as they guided the Falcon.

He caressed the nape of her neck with his lips and breath, and her fingers tightened their hold on his. "Marée, expectation is the greater adventure."

Marée turned her head just enough to meet his lips in a lingering promise of something more before pulling back and holding his gaze with burning aquamarine eyes. "Alright, captain," she said in a sultry whisper, "we'll play it your way."

2

Setzer anchored the airship outside Mobliz and descended to the sounds of squeals and laughter. Ten children appeared from the collection of broken houses at a dead run as Setzer exited the airship. Setzer smirked but didn't change his pace. The children - Cera, Robbie, Peter, Tyrian, Nate, Eddie, Samuel, Tanner, Will, and Alyxis - filed around him in a giggling mass of smiling faces as they grabbed at his hands, legs, and attention. Begging him to play; to carry them on his shoulders; to take them for a ride; to tell them a story, and a myriad of other adventures that could only be imagined in the minds of young children raised by a pure heart. Setzer surrendered to a chuckle as he picked up Cera and Tyrian, blonde and brunette respectively, and proceeded forward to the house where he knew Terra would be dutifully doing the older children's studies. Robbie and Nate fought for the honor of opening the door, leaving the honor up for grabs for Peter as Eddie, Samuel, Tanner, Will, and Alyxis danced around in the space directly behind him.

"Terra," Setzer called between squeals and imploring entreaties to his 'fatherhood'. "Terra, would you be good enough to rescue me?"

The group of giggling children and chuckling adult made their way down the stairs of the main building, reaching the foot of those stairs just as Terra appeared through the doorway in the left section of the building. She smiled and moved forward, gesturing to the children to come away and "leave the poor man some room to breathe". The girls and boys squealed with laughter, giving him hugs and promises before scampering away to games of the imagination. Setzer gave Cera and Tyrian each a kiss on the cheek and then set them on the floor, tousling their hair before sending them on their way with a pat on the behind.

Terra watched the girls disappear up the stairs with a smile. Then she focused those violet eyes on Setzer. "Hello, Setzer. I'm glad you came again."

"Don't tell me you're lonely amidst these children."

Terra's violet eyes lowered to the floor. She picked at a fingernail. "No. I… I just miss the faces of my friends."

And Setzer had begun to notice the loneliness had begun to darken her normally bright eyes on a more continual basis. "I'll do my best to visit more often," he promised.

Her timid smile softened the dark light in her eyes as she raised her gaze to meet his. "Thank you, Setzer. I love it when you and the others stop by."

Setzer gauged her expression for a moment before gesturing for the stairs. "Would you care for a walk?"

"Let me tell the children." She made her way back to the door, opened it enough to tell the studious pupils inside that she'd be back in a little bit and they had permission to play, and then made her way back to Setzer's side. "Alright."

Setzer examined her profile as they began to ascend the stairs. "You seem troubled, Terra. Are you sure everything is alright?"

"I…" She bit her lower lip and sent him a sidelong glance. "I've been having these bad dreams the past couple nights. M-Maybe that's all…?"

"Bad dreams? Such as?"

Terra tucked a stray lock of pale green hair behind a delicate ear and worked on another fingernail. "Sometimes I have dreams that I can fly again. Like I could before Kefka and the Statues were defeated. Sometimes I… I see the faces and bodies of all the people I k-killed when controlled by the Empire." She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Sometimes I see the children being t-taken away by a man in black. I… I don't understand what it c-could mean."

Setzer opened the door to the main part of the house and ushered her past, then tightly closed the door behind them. He placed an arm protectively around her shoulders. "Dreams can't hurt you, Terra, and they rarely come true. Perhaps you've lived the reclusive life here too long? Perhaps you need to consider rejoining the rest of us?"

Terra lifted her eyes to meet his. "But this is my home. And the children's. We've lived here for nearly 3 years. I can't ask them to leave."

Setzer smiled. "They'd live anywhere you do, Terra. You're their new mother. Their new feeling of security and safety." He gave her shoulders another squeeze. "At least give it some thought. I know the others wouldn't hesitate to welcome you."

"Alright. I'll talk to Duane and Katarin and the others." She sent him a sidelong glance as they made their way out into the early afternoon sun. "You seem different somehow, Setzer."

Setzer chuckled and lowered his arm from her shoulders. "In what way?"

"I'm not sure. A little… happier? Less… gloomy?"

"Gloomy?" He met her eyes with a raised eyebrow and an astonished expression. "I'd like to think I'm seldom gloomy. I leave that particular expression for Shadow."

Terra's slight smile actually twinkled in her eyes. "Alright, so gloomy isn't the right word. But you still seem different."

Setzer gave her a twinkle and a smirk. "I'll tell you when you're older."

Terra's eyes darkened. "I'm not a child," she told him in a troubled voice. She looked away. "Really. I'm not."

Setzer noticed that her entire persona changed to an almost inward examination. It was intriguing to see because she didn't even seem to understand why an understanding of that fact was so important. "No, I suppose you aren't. But to me you will always be the naïve Terra of our adventures." He touched her cheek and drew her attention. "There is nothing wrong with being seen as naïve or innocent, Terra. It is an entrancing aspect of your person that we wouldn't want taken away."

She looked away again, not saying the statement or confusing paradox that was still mirrored in her eyes. Instead, she sighed and directed her gaze to the children ahead of the duo. The children were playing a game of tag and were eagerly beckoning for them to join them. Terra glanced back toward Setzer. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to play with them? They love it when you do."

"Only if you promise to bring them aboard the Falcon this evening for dinner."

"You know they'll want to put on a performance."

"You know I love it when they do."

Terra allowed a slight smile and then pulled at the sleeve of his coat to draw him toward the children and their game, volunteering Setzer to be 'It'. The children squealed with glee and then scattered.

t

Setzer swirled the wine in his glass as the children participated in a loud and all-consuming production of the final battle with Kefka. Terra was curled up on the couch to the left of his chair watching the rambunctious collection of 6, 8, and 9 year olds with a smile. Setzer tapped the arm of his chair in a continuous rhythm as he absently watched the production; his mind was elsewhere. Understandably. Surprisingly. With a certain amount of uncontrollable predictability. He had hoped the time with Terra and the children would have filled his apparent craving for continual company. But Setzer knew he had a weak spot for adventure and fun. Marée was both. Intoxicating and consuming in a way he'd missed since Darryl's death.

"Setzer? What's the matter?"

Setzer's frown disappeared as he changed his minutely surprised expression to Terra's face. "Pardon?"

Terra spared a quick glance to the children to make sure they wouldn't hear the 'adult' conversation, noticed they were enthralled with the killing of the Atma Weapon (which, of course, had been defeated before the entry into Kefka's Tower, but what did children care of details?), and then changed her eyes back to Setzer. "I've never seen that look on your face before, Setzer. What's wrong?"

Setzer's smile was reassuring. "Nothing, Terra. I've just embroiled myself in a wee bit of lively adventure that I hadn't expected. Lady Luck took me by surprise."

Terra's eyes showed a surprising glint of reluctance. "Are you sure I can't help? Talking helps, doesn't it?"

Setzer changed his eyes to his glass of wine as it lapped the sides of the blue-tinted glass. Aquamarine blue… He cleared his throat and lifted his eyes to the children's newly begun battle with the first tier of the Statues. "I'm fine, Terra. Adventure is old hat to me, and the unexpected is welcome. You know that."

She sighed with a slight nod, returning her attention to the children, but only partly. Every so often she would send Setzer a stealthy glance and make sure the frown hadn't returned. Setzer set aside the possibilities and decided to let the cards fall the way they would. He had planned a stop at Thamasa by weeks end to pick up some supplies for Locke and Celes' wedding and he'd keep the schedule. If she was there, she was there. If she wasn't, she wasn't. It was all a matter of luck.

"Have you any message for Strago or Relm," he said suddenly. "I'm off to Thamasa in a few days time to gather supplies for Locke and Celes." He met her eyes. "Anything to be transported?"

"Just some drawings and stories the older ones have done for Relm. If you don't mind?"

"Of course not. I'll be sure to get them from you tomorrow before I set off for Figaro."

"Figaro?"

He took a sip of wine as he watched her expression slightly flush. "Yes. Did you have a message for Edgar?"

She flushed a deeper shade of rose and lowered her eyes to her fingers. She picked at them, as usual. "No… Yes. Tell him… Tell him 'thank you' for the flower, but I can't come to the party. I wouldn't want to leave the children alone."

Setzer raised an eyebrow. "Alone? Terra, Duane and Katarin would be happy to watch them while you go and spend some time with your friends."

"I… I know, but… Just tell him 'thank you'."

"Very well, Terra. I'll relay the message, but he'll be disappointed. He hasn't seen you for ages." Setzer watched her reaction to the news with interest. "Shall I tell him you miss him and you wish you could be there?"

"N-No. J-Just tell him--"

"'Thank you'. Yes. I know." Setzer hid a smile behind another sip of wine. And then the final battle with Kefka was on and his attention was distracted between sword fights and aquamarine eyes.

3

"Edgar, old boy," Setzer greeted with a smirk and a firm shake, "it seems wealth and power suit you well. Of course you realize you'll need to share?"

Edgar's smile seemed the same on the outside, but there was something strained about it.

"Setzer, you haven't come to steal away the women have you? The men here will need some distraction from their duty."

Setzer chuckled. "I leave the women to you and your subjects, Edgar. I prefer a more… solitary figure of woman."

Edgar motioned to chairs off to one side of the throne room. "Have a seat."

"Don't mind if I do." He sat and absently retrieved his cards from his pocket. He shuffled them while gauging Edgar's somewhat haggard expression. "Edgar, I'm on my way to Thamasa to pick up some wedding supplies for Locke and Celes. Do you have anything that needs to be added to the manifest?"

"Yes, thank you. The Chancellor will have a list for your approval before the evening is done. I can have it loaded for you if you're persuaded to stay for dinner."

"Thank you, old boy. I'd be delighted." He palmed the Jack of Hearts. The next card was the Ace of the same suit. Setzer raised an eyebrow. "Oh, by the way, Terra sends a 'thank you' for the flower, but she can't leave the children to come to the party. She seemed disappointed."

Edgar leaned back in his chair and kicked his legs out in front of him. "Ah well. I suppose I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's good that you keep asking." Setzer palmed the deuce of hearts. Hmm… "Each time I visit she seems a little more withdrawn and lonely. She misses us and the time we spent together." Setzer changed his eyes to Edgar's hard profile. "Instead of sending flowers and invitations, I believe you should spare her a visit. I know she'd love to see you. She loves to see any and all of us."

Edgar gave a slight nod as he lowered his gaze to his boots. "I'll see about making the time. I've a schedule to keep, but… Yes, I'll make the time."

"Just beware the girl may volunteer you for a bout of 'It' with the children, if they're so inclined."

"Thank you for the warning." Edgar stared at his boots a moment longer before changing his eyes to Setzer. "Is she… Are Terra and the children well? Do they need anything?"

Setzer shuffled the cards and again palmed the Ace of Hearts. "She seems well enough, but as I've said: she's changed."

"The change is understandable," Edgar said. "She's lost her powers. Abilities innate to her spirit." He looked away again. "Of course she would feel disconnected and distant. Withdrawn."

And he seemed to be attempting to persuade himself of that fact. "Yes, you're right, but being removed from the people she'd come to see as her surrogate family could do the same. I believe a visit would make all the difference. It certainly wouldn't do any harm. She seems to enjoy mine, as I've said before."

Edgar gave a couple brief nods before releasing a deep breath and rising to his feet. Setzer did the same. "Come. Let's see about those supplies and our dinner."

"Excellent idea." Setzer fell into step beside him as Edgar left the throne room and made his way down the main hall. He drew the Ace of Diamonds. "I don't suppose you know of any women sea captains?"

Edgar's eyes rose from the floor and studied Setzer's unrevealing profile. "Hmm. Women sea captains?"

Setzer met Edgar's gaze. "You would be hard pressed not to remember her, Edgar. Every inch a woman. Every inch a captain. Blue-black hair. Tall, shapely body. Enchanting aquamarine eyes."

"You're correct. I would remember. Does this mystery woman have a name?"

"Marée."

"Intriguing. That means 'tide'."

"I know." Setzer looked away and slipped the Ace of Diamonds back into the deck. "If you could see what is known of her and let me know before I leave Kohlingen tomorrow evening, I would appreciate it. Oh, and check for a ship by the name of 'Ace of Diamonds'."

"Certainly. Why the interest?"

Setzer raised his eyes from his cards. "A feeling."

Edgar chuckled. "I understand feelings of those sort all too well."

But it was different. Yes, Marée brought about the feeling of intoxicating adventure as Darryl had so long ago, but there was something beyond that. Something that wasn't quite right. Something that tickled his instinct and wouldn't let the intrigue dissipate. Something that needed to be found, discovered, and dealt with. A secret.

Edgar raised an eyebrow when Setzer didn't comment. But before he could question the silence, the Chancellor had accosted his attention and was demanding the signing of reports, the allocation of funds and supplies, and handing over the list of those supplies that needed to go with Setzer to Thamasa. Setzer placed a hand on Edgar's shoulder, made his apologies and regrets, and then left the castle with a pushing at his heels to get to Kohlingen to check in with Locke and Celes. He boarded his ship and eased her toward Kohlingen, anchoring her within view of the small port that rarely received any visitors save those with private boats (a growing hobby for those who could afford it, which wasn't many).

Setzer tried to shake off the press of the importance to something as he strode toward Kohlingen and its pub and crazy alchemist with a growing frown. After he'd made his way through the first portion of the town, he halted at the foot of the bridge that led to the pub. Marée exited. She was the picture of ease and content. She persuaded some locks of hair behind her shoulders with a few shakes of her head moments before her eyes focused on Setzer's face.

Her eyes sparked and her lips were tickled with a smile. She stepped to the left of the entrance to the pub and leaned against the wall as she crossed her arms and brought one foot up to press back against the wall. She adjusted her crossed arms. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the captain."

The shock vanished as the addicting emotion of eagerness brought to mind the memories of their last meeting only a very few weeks before. He stepped toward her position with a smirk and came to stand a few feet in front of her. She didn't adjust her position; she only watched him with those aquamarine eyes that could see past his uniform to his soul. Her scent seemed stronger than he remembered, but was likely due to the fact he'd missed it. Setzer's chest tightened and he crossed his arms as he struck a pose of assurance and content that easily rivaled hers.

He gave a slight nod of greeting. "Marée."

Marée adjusted her fingers on her upper arms as her eyes ever so slightly changed expression. "Setzer."

The wind gently lifted some bluish-black hair, making it dance around her face. The tightening began to expand from his chest to his lungs. "I hope the seas have treated you and your crew well."

"Hell no," she disagreed in that harmony of life he'd come to expect. "Wouldn't have wanted the trip to be boring. Lost one sailor to a storm just yesterday. Damn shame, too. Rorik was a good man."

One lock of hair settled in the corner of her mouth and Setzer surrendered to the urge to brush it away. Her eyes flashed with a slip of desire at the gentle touch and she gripped her upper arms. He placed his arms safely back in a crossed position before speaking. "While I'm glad you've had a bit of the adventure you wanted, I'm sorry you lost a man to have it." Setzer's eyes took in the sparkle of hers; the glow of her face; the steady rise and fall of her chest; the perfect intertwining of strength and femininity… before again capturing her intense expression. "As I'm glad you're safe."

"It'll take more than a fight with the sea to get me off the water," she said in a sultry voice of passion and intensity. "Damn fights are what I live for. They make my blood roar."

The tightness crept to his throat and Setzer stepped one motion closer. Marée tilted her head slightly back to keep the hold on his eyes. "It's good to see you again," he said in a carefully controlled voice. "I had no idea the odds would be this good."

Her smirk twitched with a laugh that finally erupted from her silky throat. Setzer soaked up the force of her persona and took yet another step forward. Her scent made his nostril flare just as she took in a deep breath of him. Her eyelids fluttered slightly before widening and holding his gaze.

"How long?" he asked, and his voice wasn't as controlled this time.

"I was just leaving," she said in a strained voice.

Setzer stepped so close to her that he felt her breath against his face and rested a hand against the building above her right shoulder as his other arm went stealthily around her waist. Marée lowered the leg that had been against the building and pressed herself against him as her arms submerged beneath his jacket to caress his back. She continued to gaze up into his face, but this time with half-closed eyes that begged him to ask.

Setzer lowered his head until his lips teased hers with a promise of a kiss. "Ah. The odds weren't without a little spite, it seems."

Marée's hands pulled the back of his shirt free and submerged themselves beneath his trousers to lightly stroke the warm skin. His arm around her tensed as she touched his lips with a little more insistence, but for only a fraction of a moment. "Seems so," she whispered.

And her breath smelled of passion and desire.

Setzer tightened his arm's hold around her, drawing her warmth closer as he moved his lips across her cheek to her jawline just in front of her ear. "The expectation grows, doesn't it?"

"Like the fires of hell," she whispered huskily. Her hands moved up to his back and stroked his skin with her nails as she pulled her head back from his lips to cover his mouth with hers, pulling as much of the passion and essence of him that she could in a simple kiss.

Setzer pressed her against the building, urging himself closer to her intoxicating persona as his arm left her waist and pressed its palm also against the building for some semblance of control. Her mouth working with his; her warmth fitting so true against him; the rise and fall of her; her hands so right; her scent of the sea… Setzer raised his lips ever so slowly, their touch lingering an eternity before coming apart, and his eyes met hers. Those aquamarine blue rages of promise that had filled his mind with invitations and permissions.

"Not yet," he said in a rough voice.

Marée's hands gripped the back waist of his trousers as she again covered his mouth with hers - coaxing, pleading, demanding-

Setzer pulled away, pushing from the wall of the building and trying to jerk himself free from the warmth that set his skin on fire with the promise of moving bodies and- Marée followed; her hands tightening their hold.

"Marée," he said against her mouth; another kiss, another taste, another demand- He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away. "Marée, not yet."

Marée gripped the lapels of his coat and pulled his mouth on hers again for a crazed kiss of need. Setzer nearly lost himself in the natural magic of her soul…

Then she pulled roughly away, holding his gaze with her flashing eyes of anger and desire. "When, captain? I'm not very patient."

Setzer's smile was understanding as his breathing rasped, melding with the music of her own. He smoothed some of her tresses from her face and then held that intensity of adventure and spirit in his shaking hands. "Soon. We have to wait for the dice to fall."

The light blue of her eyes contained a storm. "If it wasn't for the fact you're such a damned fine figure of a man and taste better than the best meal I've had since I was born, I'd have dropped you after your first 'no'."

Setzer couldn't suppress a chuckle as his hands drifted from her face to her neck and shoulders. He massaged the tightness there with slight, firm strokes of his fingers and thumbs. Then he lowered his head to kiss her forehead and nuzzle his cheek against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she pulled and pressed herself against him. Her lips kissed his neck as his arms encircled her, lifting her from the ground in an effort to draw her essence within him. It was as if she were the epitome of adventure and life.

"It's been a long time since a woman has had this effect on me, Marée," he confessed, much to his surprise. He lowered her again to the ground and pulled back with his hands resting on her hips as he searched out her gaze. "Expectation is better than disappointment and disillusionment. I want as much of you as possible without the too-soon attainment of the latter. Memories of you will be enough then."

Marée seemed to read an entire lifetime into his eyes as she gazed into them with an odd expression, her arms still around his neck as her fingers stroked the softness of the hair at the nape of his neck. Then she feathered her lips across his jaw and kissed him one last time. When she pulled away, her eyes held an intensity he could clearly translate.

"Tongue as forked as a demon," she said in a throaty tone. She withdrew her hands and arms as slowly as possible, her touch lingering across his shoulders, down his arms and back up to travel the torso of his coat and drift off the ends. As she passed him, her right hand took his and clasped it tightly, turning him as she looked and headed toward the exit of town. "'Til we meet again, captain, keep the wind in your face. I love it when your hair blows."

And then she'd released his hand and was disappearing out of town. Setzer took in a deep breath, drawing all that remained of her into the deepest part of himself before turning and entering the café.

t

Setzer heard the knock on his private office door and lowered his arm from where it covered his face. He stared at the door with tired eyes. The knock sounded again with an accompanying "Setzer, it's Edgar". Setzer forced himself to sit up, hanging his legs over the side of the couch as he laced the front of his shirt. He retrieved his jacket from where he'd shrugged out of it the night before (and then promptly tossed it to the floor) and stood, slipping into it with rough movements as he strode to the door. He jerked it open and turned away, not wanting Edgar to see the tell-tale signs of no sleep and torturous thoughts of what couldn't be.

But Setzer knew Edgar could feel it in the air. Who better than a man who suffered the same fate?

"I apologize for the sudden change of the evening's plans yesterday," Edgar began slowly, thoughtfully.

Setzer waved it aside, still not turning to face the man; the friend; the comrade… "Don't trouble yourself. I understand how the dice can change from one roll to the next." He gestured to the couch with an absent glance toward it. "Have a seat."

"No time, I'm afraid. Busy day in preparation of my trip."

Setzer nodded and turned finally to lean against his desk with crossed arms. His hard stare dared Edgar to mention anything about his appearance. "What did you find out?"

"Nothing of great interest," Edgar said after a pause, "just enough to tweak curiosity."

"The ship?"

"A cargo vessel, of a sort. No captain is listed, though. Tweak number one."

"And the captain? Marée?"

"Yes. The captain." Edgar rubbed the back of his neck and took a step further into the room. "At one time she was apparently contracted to work for the Empire."

"Tweak number two," Setzer said in a toneless voice. The Empire? Of course, he had to remember that a great many people had worked for the Empire. They hadn't had any other choice. In order to survive, what would her choices have been? "Anything else?"

Edgar looked up, meeting Setzer's eyes. "The manifests of the Ace of Diamonds and Captain Marée's previous contracts for the Empire aren't listed or known. Anywhere."

Setzer pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze to the floor, staring at his crossed feet as he adjusted his arms. He frowned.

"Now, Setzer," Edgar spoke up suddenly, "while it is definitely a puzzle, there isn't any proof that this newest intrigue of yours is in any way involved with negative dealings. Either now or then. Allow her the chance to disprove your suspicions before making harsh judgments."

Setzer absently shook his head. He raised his eyes to meet Edgar's and the frown disappeared. "Harsh judgments? How can I make harsh judgments when all of us have done something in connection with the Empire that we should be judged for?" Setzer straightened and lowered his arms to his sides with another shake of his head as he turned from the desk. "No. It's too convenient of a find for me to take what you've presented as fact. Yes, it's a tweak to my curiosity, but I won't judge her based on hearsay."

"Here, here," Edgar said with a smile on his face. "Good for you."

Setzer fell back into his chair and kicked his feet up onto his desk as he again met Edgar's eyes. "But the mystery won't be put away. I'll keep at it until this blasted tickle in my craw is taken care of."

"Has you by the throat, does it?"

Setzer retrieved his bladed cards from a reserved drawer of his desk and relished the feel of them in his hand. He hurled one at the bull's-eye across the room without raising his eyes from the others in his hands. It struck dead center. "With a tenacious hold." And those aquamarine eyes wouldn't let him go.

"I'd best be off," Edgar said with a regretful tone. "I should be back within a week, Setzer. If I've discovered anything more of this ship that doesn't have a captain and the captain that doesn't have a ship, I'll let you know."

Setzer absently nodded. "Thank you." He raised his eyes. "Have a safe voyage, and give Terra a 'hello' for me."

Edgar smirked and left the office, closing the door after him. Setzer stared at the bull's-eye on the back of the door with a slowly darkening gaze until his entire face was hard with a glare. He launched five cards simultaneously. They struck.

Dead center.

4

Setzer stood just outside his ship and stared at the little town of Thamasa. He crossed his arms with a slight narrowing of his eyes, and then he closed them when a gust of wind from the coast lifted his hair to dance around his face. 'I love it when your hair blows.' His eyes opened sharply and he lowered his arms to his side as he strode with purposeful steps toward the town's entry. Removing himself from hope and keeping him carefully separated from expectation and eagerness--

He halted his step and clenched his hands into fists. Am I a coward, shrinking in the face of adventure because I'm afraid of the passion? What's to fear in the attraction we have? Nothing! It's a part of life. It's a part of the adventure I live to have. So I'll take it. I'll have it! He released his controls and let the hopes and memories and possibilities overwhelm him with sights, sounds, and the burning touch of her lips and fingers against his skin. He smirked and took in a deep breath of her imagined scent before stepping again toward the town. Expectation was the greater adventure, and he'd have his adventure.

Relm had set up her easel in the cobbled square and was painting a family of squirrels that had set up shop in the tree nearest her. She looked up from her painting and sent him a smile and a wave, which resulted in a splatter of green falling from brush to forehead. She didn't seem to notice and her 12-year-old brightness glowed because of it. As he approached, she wiped off her brush and set it carefully aside, next covering her picture to protect it from the sun and the wind. Then she was hurrying up to him with paint-decorated arms extended as her lips danced with a smile and her eyes twinkled with welcome.

Setzer smirked as he enfolded her in an embrace.

"Hiya, Setzer," she told him in her clear and vivid tone of youth and excitement. When he pulled back, she held his gaze. "Please tell me you brought me something."

Setzer laughed. "Yes, I've brought you something. From Terra and the children, in fact. Some pictures and stories they've done for you. They're on the Falcon."

"Rad!" And she gave an accompanying squeal of gladness. Then her face and eyes were pure business. "You've come for the supplies to the party and the wedding, right?"

Setzer's eyes twinkled, but he feigned seriousness to suit her fancy. "Yes. Edgar also sent along some things for you and Strago, as well as some knickknacks to sell."

She gave a curt nod and headed toward the ship. Setzer dutifully followed behind. "When're you leaving again?"

"Not for a few days. There are quite a few things to unload."

"Days? Really? Rad!" And her mind and eyes filled with the possible adventures she could have onboard his ship, escaping the over-protective hand of her grandfather to do what she pleased and when she pleased to do it.

Setzer chuckled. "Before you've ensconced me and my ship in adventures that no sane person would do, we can't do anything aboard the Falcon until she's unloaded."

"Aw," Relm protested with a sullen glance toward him. "You're no fun."

"I'm all the fun you could possibly need, Relm, just not until the Falcon's unloaded." She stuck out her tongue and wrinkled her nose at him. He just laughed. "None of that."

"I'll do what I please," she retorted.

Setzer chuckled again and reached out to grab the beret from her tousle of blonde curls. "Fine. So will I."

"Hey! Give me back my beret!" She swiped at it, but he switched it to his other hand. "Setz-zer! Give it back!"

"Not until you promise to behave a little better than you did when you were ten. You're 12 now, Relm, and should act like it. Don't you think so?"

"I won't promise anything until you give me back my beret," she snapped hotly. She made another swipe behind his back for the hat, but he lifted it above his head. "Setzer, no fair! You're bigger than me," she whined.

"Now that's not very attractive," he told her with a laugh.

"I don't care. I want my beret!"

"Oh all right," he said with a mock frown as he tossed it at her.

Relm caught it and pulled it firmly onto her head with another tongue sent his direction. Setzer made a movement to grab her tongue from her mouth and she jerked back, tightly pressing her lips together with a wrinkle of her nose at the gambler. Setzer laughed.

"It's a good thing my pictures don't come to life anymore," she told him with a menacing gleam.

"I'm quaking in my very boots."

Relm slapped at his arm with a tell-tale twinkle in her eyes and put her fists on her hips. "You'll get yours, you big meanie."

"I'll be sure to tell you when I do. I wouldn't want you to miss the chance to relish your victory."

Relm tried to hold it back, but the giggle broke through and danced across her face and into the air. She wrapped her arms around his. "I missed you, Setzer."

He tugged at the top of her beret, loosening it against her hair so that it wouldn't look so ridiculous. "Thank you, Relm. I've missed you, too. We should all make a point to visit each other more often, don't you think?"

"We'll be able to see everyone at Celes and Locke's wedding. Right?"

"Yes," he said slowly. "Are you plotting something?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm just looking forward to it, is all. Geez. Don't be such a fuddy-duddy."

Setzer smirked. He'd been accused of much worse. "I'm sorry, Relm. I'll do better next time."

She sniggered. "Yeah right. Marée says that too, but she never does. She always treats me- What's your problem?"

Setzer had halted and turned toward Relm with a shocked expression. "What did you say?"

"I said that you'll just treat-"

"No. What name did you say."

"Name?" Relm screwed up her face in a frown of confusion as she shrugged. "What? You mean Marée? She's just a sea ship captain that comes by every once and awhile. What's the big deal?"

"Has she been here recently? Yesterday? Today? Last week?"

Relm crossed her arms as her frown became annoyance and aggravation. "Geez. She stopped by last week to load up some things. It's not like it's against the law, Setzer. You do it all the time."

Setzer waved her comment aside as he crossed his left arm across his chest and rested the elbow of his right into his left hand as he stroked his chin with his right. "What would she buy in Thamasa that is worth anything?" he mumbled.

"Well that isn't a very nice thing to say. We've got plenty of stuff that's worth money," she protested.

Setzer focused his eyes back on her. "What did she buy? Books?"

Relm made a face as if to say "duh" and then replaced the frown. "They were just books from the Empire. It's not like they were-"

"From the Empire?" Intrigue and curiosity soared to the clouds and didn't return.

"Stop interrupting," Relm protested. "That's not very polite."

Setzer reluctantly smiled down at her as he touched her on the nose. "I'm sorry, Relm." He set the questions and queries aside for a later time alone in his office and motioned to the ship. "Why don't we get you those pictures and stories and then say 'hello' to your grandfather?"

"Ugh," Relm said as she fell into step beside. "Alright, but I'm getting lost from here to the house. Just so you know."

Setzer laughed.

t

The days passed with no sight, sound, or scent of Marée to tempt him. Relm showed him a portrait she'd painted of the female captain and promptly gave it to him as a going away gift when she'd seen how he reacted to the full body painting.

Stupefied wonder at Relm's ability to capture the woman's spirit and passion in eye and body.

Then, while unloading the knickknacks for the Item Shop owner, Relm regaled him with stories of Marée's kindness, her wild sense of humor (which included practical jokes of their design), and her tales of adventures on the sea surviving on nothing but her own wit and ability. The stories of pirates Setzer took to be specifically for Relm's young heart and her appreciation of adventure. But those stories of overlords that held power within their control and abused the tender-hearted, those he believed. Hadn't that been Kefka? And Gestahl before that? And perhaps, like Leo, she'd been trapped into the service of this overlord?

Again, he'd need to see her again to make sense of it all.

So once the Falcon was unloaded and Relm had been appeased with a long turn at the wheel - under Setzer's careful eye - he made an early departure and headed for Doma. While it wasn't a favorite stop for traders, merchants, and vessels of sea and air, it was a necessary one. Due, of course, to the fact Cyan was doggedly determined to build it to its former glory. Because of that, the castle attracted a reasonable amount of attention.

Setzer's included.

While the trip itself was uneventful, Setzer was under the impression he caught sight of a cargo vessel bound for Nikeah. He had filed the information with the others gathered from Relm and pressed on toward Doma instead of diving to take a closer look. Upon arriving, he'd found the castle to be a mass of activity.

Setzer anchored his ship and disembarked, mulling through the crowds with one purpose: to find Cyan. The Doma swordsman wasn't so easily found. While he was in the direct center of the bustle, that fact alone forced Setzer to be patient and wait his turn. After an hour of waiting, Setzer gave up. Instead, he contented himself with catching Cyan's eye and gesturing to his airship beyond. Cyan briefly nodded before having his attention again distracted by the roofer.

Setzer strode away; impatience and something dark bit at his heels.

A ship without a captain. A captain without a ship. A ship without manifests. A captain with a past involving the Empire. Her frequent stops to Thamasa, one being to buy books originally from the Empire libraries. A surprising stop at Kohlingen's small port, which was the only port near where Edgar most frequently kept Figaro Castle moored; making it extremely useful to procure machinery and whatnot. But it was all so… weak. All the information, when kept separate, didn't amount to even a blink of notice. As Edgar had said. Even viewed as a whole Setzer was hard-pressed to make anything out of it. As Relm had said, buying and shipping books wasn't against the law. Neither was procuring machinery from Figaro. But something just wouldn't let him leave it alone. Something kept pushing at him, dogging him forward, irritating his sense of curiosity with questions that wouldn't stay silent.

He had to talk to Marée.

Setzer strode aboard the Falcon with a dark look, slamming doors and pushing chairs out of the way as he went. He slammed into his office and threw himself onto the couch, kicking his boots up onto the arm as he put one arm behind his head and one over his eyes. Marée. What adventure have you wrapped around that quick mind? What poor fool are you using for your own private amusement? Dullness and Boredom were frightening things for a person familiar with adventure and action. The fear of that dullness could often make a thrill-seeker do unwise things. Hadn't he joined up with Edgar and his troupe because of his own boredom? It made him afraid for Marée. Afraid that she'd embroiled herself in an adventure that she wouldn't want to leave because the thrill was constant and addicting.

Setzer lowered his arm from his eyes and looked to his right where Marée's portrait was leaning against the wall. Her aquamarine eyes sparked with laughter and a dare. Her lips were caressed with a rebellious smirk that seemed to declare life held nothing but amusement for her. Her left hand was placed on a rounded hip as her left was straight at her side holding her uniform coat. Hair swirled about shoulders and face and tickled the skin between her breasts as her very stance defied anyone to withstand her sensual charm.

Setzer stood and slowly made his way to the portrait. He stared down at it for a long silent moment before taking it up, holding it tightly between his two hands. The ship Relm had painted in the background was named the Ace of Diamonds.

There was a knock. Setzer raised his eyes to the door as he lowered the portrait back to its original position. "Enter."

Cyan opened the door and closed it behind him. He greeted Setzer with a slight smile and a firm clasp to the hand. "Thy presence warms this heart, Setzer."

"Good to see you, too, old friend." Setzer gestured to the chair opposite his desk as he made his way around to sit at his office chair. He kicked his feet up onto his desk as Cyan lowered himself into the offered chair. "Edgar wanted me to get a list of supplies from you that will help you with your current project."

Cyan nodded. "Yes. I had known to expect such a request."

Setzer smirked at the stoic, stalwart warrior. "I've some things for you from Terra and Relm as well."

Cyan's face softened. "Be so kind as to inform Terra and Relm I am pleased they continue to think of me. I shall do my best to invite them to see the progress I have made thus far."

"Do you think it will be done before Locke and Celes' wedding? I don't think they'll mind relocating the event here."

"While the thought had also occurred to me, I do not believe such is a possibility. There is too much yet needing to be done."

"Too bad." Setzer lowered his eyes to the cards on his desk and he cut them before taking the top card. Jack of Hearts. "Have you noticed anything odd about Edgar lately, Cyan?" Setzer raised his eyes to meet those of Cyan.

"And to what might thee refer?"

Setzer again lowered his eyes to the deck. He tapped on the top of the deck before taking the next card. It was the deuce of Hearts. "About bachelorhood not agreeing with him as well as it did at one time."

Cyan shook his head and crossed his muscular arms. "No. Pressing this matter would be unwise."

"Why?" He drew the next card. To his surprise, it was the ten of Hearts. Ten… Ten… Of course. The children. He smirked and replaced the card.

"They are not yet ready. Hearts must be whole before joining."

Setzer raised his eyes to meet Cyan's. "When did you know?"

Cyan shook his head again. "While I know nothing for certain. I have observed many things, as have thee. The knowing must be their decision."

"Bah," Setzer grumbled as he tossed the cards to the desk. He crossed his arms with a scowl at the toes of his boots. "Arrogance and Naivety seldom find a home together."

"Yet the choice must be theirs."

Setzer looked away as he adjusted his crossed arms and his gaze was drawn by Marée's portrait. His frown lightened. "Cyan, what have you heard of a sea captain by the name of Marée?"

"Marée." Cyan lowered his head in concentration before giving a slow shake. "I have heard naught of this name." He raised his eyes to meet Setzer's. "Why?"

"Curiosity," Setzer said in a dismissive tone. "Curiosity. Don't worry about it."

"I shall inform thee if I do indeed hear the name mentioned."

Setzer gave a nod. "Thank you, Cyan."

Cyan stood. "Dinner shall be served within the hour. I would be honored if thee joined me."

Setzer nodded again. "I'll be there."

And Cyan left the room, again closing the door behind him. Setzer lowered his head for another intense examination of the portrait as his brows drew together in a frown. The scar over his left eye twitched.

5

Setzer held his position over Nikeah, carefully searching the port for the ship he'd seen on his way to Doma. It wasn't in port. Damn. He pushed the throttle forward and the Falcon surged forward, responding to his rough commands without complaint as he guided her toward Jidoor. What other port would offer her the temptation? While the port at Jidoor wasn't busy, it was within a short distance of Zozo; the overlord capital of the world. And who didn't go to Zozo to make a quick gil or two? Setzer pressed his lips together. I should look into buying into a poker game while I'm there.

But poker and gil were the last things on his mind as he guided the Falcon closer to Jidoor. He was still trying to figure out what was pushing him so hard forward. Short of pulling Celes aside to ask her about certain people of the Empire, he was delving into the private and personal history of a woman he was courting for his bed. If she discovered his overzealous interest, he could literally kiss her mouth good bye. So why am I risking our future adventures together? What is so damned important? But he couldn't answer that. He could only plod doggedly on trying to find the answers to questions that didn't make sense.

Setzer dove the Falcon toward the city of Jidoor, pulling up just before the bow would have crashed into the soil. He anchored the ship with dark mutters and strode below deck to retrieve his coat, cards, and dice (out of habit more than anything) before exiting. He narrowed his eyes and did his best to look for a cargo ship by the name of Ace of Diamonds, but the only ships he saw were massive vessels of wind that didn't look much like cargo ships. He scoffed, cursing Luck's hand of spite that day as he strode into town. The first building he entered was the Inn.

"Have any ships docked that have the name Ace of Diamonds?"

The innkeeper looked up at the brusque tone Setzer used and shook his head. "Nope."

"Any captain by the name of Marée?"

Again, he shook his head. "Nope."

Setzer tossed a 100-gil coin at him and left the building, leaving town with a dark expression on his face. Once he was at the wheel, he pushed the throttle to maximum and soared away. Impatience wasn't the only thing biting at his heels. Eagerness was dealing with him so harshly that he could barely see straight. Yes. Expectation was definitely the greater adventure, but he had a feeling - a very strong feeling - that this adventure was about to end. Setzer doubted he could control himself let alone her own need for a completion of the adventure they'd started. If he wanted to talk to her first, he had better make sure they were in a very public place before speaking a word.

Those eyes would be the death of him.

Albrook came into sight and he slowed the Falcon to a reasonably safe speed, his breath catching in his throat and his chest tightening when he saw a cargo vessel in the dock. He couldn't read the name, but at that point in time it didn't really matter to him. It was a cargo vessel. That made the chances of Marée being in Albrook go through the clouds. He anchored the ship and absently tugged on the lapels of his coat as he made his way below decks and through the rooms to the outside. There he paused, debating whether to go straight to the dock or go into town and look for her at the pub. He absently shuffled his cards and then headed toward the dock.

Crates and the scent of rotting fish surrounded him as his boots made a rhythmic clop, clop, clop, clop along the stones. A slight breeze ruffled the hair around his face and he gave an absent toss of his head to clear his vision of the white strands. Then something pulled him to a stop. A scent. A sound. An aggravated voice. Setzer raised an eyebrow and decided to hold his position within the shadows of the stacked crates that towered to his right and left.

"That wasn't in the contract, Lahey," Marée's recognizable spitfire of a voice said. Her tone was dangerously calm. "I pick up your blazing cargo, I ship it where you want it, then I pick up your other trash and ship it back where you want it. There was nothing about–“

"Listen here, Raven," a rough voice clipped in. "If you don't want no trouble with the boss, then you'd best be getting your sweet ass to be doing what we want. You'll take the cargo where we want, when we want it taken, and not be asking no questions about it. See?"

Setzer's jaw went rock hard as he surreptitiously pulled his bladed cards from his inner jacket pocket.

"Lahey, I'll warn you one last time," Marée responded in a tone as cold as ice, "if you don't stand by your contract, this will be the last time you see me or your cargo. I don't have to take the likes of you pushing me around. I've a ship and a damned good reputation. What has your boss got? Hmm? A bunch of wacks who can't see straight because they're so doped up on—“

There was a high-pitched thwack and Setzer stepped forward, three cards in his hand. "Is that anyway to treat a lady?" Setzer asked.

Both the gargantuan Lahey and the tall and shapely Marée turned with a look of surprise as Setzer emerged from the darkness. Setzer's cool silver eyes focused on Lahey as he adjusted the cards in his fingers. Lahey was a monster of a man, easily the size of Umaro but not nearly as 'cute'. Broad shoulders and wide girth of muscle and trouble, Lahey stood a neat head above Marée and Setzer both. His arms were corded muscle and his face was hatred and rage just begging to be released.

"Move along, Frill," Lahey warned as he turned his body fully toward Setzer. He clenched his fists and his knuckles popped. "I've got business with this one that doesn't mean anything to you."

"That's where you're wrong," Setzer said in a calm voice that spoke volumes of impending doom and death if the man hesitated to move away.

Marée put her hands on her hips and laughed. "Well I'll be a virgin mermaid. I've got a couple gents fighting over me. I think I'm going to blush for the first time in my life."

Lahey turned a dangerous face toward her and raised an arm to backhand her. She caught it and punched him full in the face with her other hand. Of course, with his mass and height the punch only loosed a tooth - which he promptly spit out - and drew a little blood from the corner of his mouth. Lahey didn't even take the time to wipe the blood from his lip. He just struck out with a hand and grabbed Marée by the throat. She glared down at him with a look as black as death itself as her hands clutched at his wrist.

"You little sea witch. I oughta kill you for that."

"No, you'd be well advised to let her go," Setzer warned through clenched teeth.

Lahey sent a dark glare over his shoulder. "I'll deal with you in a bit, Frill. Just sit tight." Lahey's eyes focused back on Marée. "You'll get your tight little ass to Zozo, Raven, or you'll find out just how- argh!" Lahey's right hand released its grip on Marée's throat. She stumbled away as Lahey reached his left arm behind his back to pull at the razor edged card that was now protruding from his right shoulder blade. It was just beyond his reach. He growled and turned, pointing at Setzer. "No, you did not just pick a fight with me, Frill."

Setzer's one-sided smirk didn't lighten the dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Should I quake in my boots now, or after you're dead?"

Lahey spat and took two sprawling steps forward. "See how easy you say that once this knife's sticking out of your gut!" Lahey roared as he slipped a blade from a strap on his side.

Thwipp  Thwipp

Two cards flew. One in the knee and one into the hand that had at one time held a knife. The knife clattered to the floor and Lahey halted his progress forward with a growl of pain and a free hand trying to staunch the flow of blood from his hand. Setzer drew three more cards. Their silver blades glinted in the pale moonlight.

Setzer drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. "I will only tell you one more time. Either you leave this dock and never set foot near this lady again, or I'll see how many cards it takes to kill a mountain."

Lahey gauged Setzer in a new light as his eyes went from bladed cards to silver eyes and back again. "I've had five blades stuck in me at one time and lived to tell about it, Frill. What about you? Ever fought a man with your fists and won?"

"Upon occasion. Show me a man and I'll give you an exhibition."

Lahey's eyes flashed hatred. "What was that?"

Setzer stepped up to Lahey until they were nearly toe to toe. "You, sir, lost the classification of ‘man’ the moment you struck this lady."

Lahey's face went rock hard and he struck out. Setzer evaded the punch and countered with a right hook to the nose. The bone gave way and blood flowed. Lahey fell to his knees with a groan of pain.

Setzer grabbed a fistful of hair and jerked Lahey's head roughly back, bringing one of his razor edged cards to the man's throat. "Well, well, well. It appears only one card is needed to fell a mountain."

"Setzer. Let 'im go."

Setzer sliced a slight trail of blood across the man's throat and then pushed him roughly away. "Get out of here."

Lahey struggled to his feet, sent the pair a dangerous gleam of murder and rage, and then lumbered from the dock. Setzer watched him with narrowed eyes. And then he felt Marée's warmth beside him and her scent tickled his senses. He faced her and noticed the bruised cheek that had begun to swell.

He cupped it with his hand and she winced. "Are you all right?"

Marée took hold of his fingers and brought the palm of his hand to her lips as her aquamarine eyes held his silver ones. "I'm fine," she said once she'd lowered his hand. She gestured toward Lahey's retreating figure with a slight twitch of her head. "Nice moves. You that graceful all the time?"

Setzer smiled and drew her into a tight embrace as he took in a deep collection of her scent, her warmth, her curves, and her very essence of life. She encircled her arms around him under his jacket and pulled herself closer. "I don't know. I haven't had a complaint yet."

"I bet you say that to all the girls… Gods you smell good."

"And you seem to be the very scent of the sea and the adventures that wait there," he whispered as he pressed his lips against her hair.

Marée chuckled a harmony of life itself and pushed back. Her eyes twinkled into his. "Aren't we a pretty pair? Crooning and fondling instead of stripping and finding out just what the other is made of."

Setzer smirked. "That doesn't sound very adventurous at all, does it?" He motioned the way he'd come and drew her into a walk, his arm still around her shoulders and one of hers still around his waist. "Marée…"

She sent him a sidelong glance. "Well now there's a surprising sound. The wind take your tongue, captain?"

Setzer chuckled, but the hesitation at his intended confession wouldn't retreat. "Marée, I'm afraid I have a confession. Questions have been asked and answered that will most likely make you very angry."

Marée tucked her hand into the side of his trousers and lightly stroked the skin of his hip as they walked. "It's alright, Setzer. Don't really care about answers or questions or any damn thing like that. I just want…" She spat and gave a shake of her head. "Hell. Never thought I'd say this, but I just want to be here like this. You're a damn good sight for these eyes, Setzer."

And that statement made Setzer see gold. He placed his hand over hers that continued to tickle the skin of his hip and drew it out. The burning in the back of his brain was bad enough without the tantalizing promise of something more. "Marée, what's going on? What adventure have you involved yourself in that's putting your life in danger?"

Marée entwined her fingers with his and hooked her thumb on his trousers. "It's just a little bit of a cargo run."

"And what cargo would that be? There doesn't seem to be a record of your manifests."

"Damned if I know."

Setzer halted and turned to face her. He released her hand and rested both of his on her shoulders as he held her gaze. "You don't know, Marée? You're the captain of a vessel and you don't know its manifest? What have you willingly closed your eyes to?"

Marée lowered her eyes with a shrug and then turned again toward the Falcon. Setzer followed beside her. "Doesn't mean a zombone's ass now, does it? I doubt I'll be doing much of anything with them or their cargo once I take the current trash I've got in my hold to Zozo."

Setzer watched her profile. A frown hardened the lines of her face and she'd gripped her hands behind her back. "Such an end will take your life from your very bones, Marée. I can't bear to see that happen. I know of several people that will have need of a talented captain and a worthy crew and ship." Marée halted, but didn't raise her eyes from the ground. "Say the word and I'll speak with them immediately. I'll prepare introductions and have a contract readied that meets your needs."

Marée slowly raised her eyes to his. The expression there drifted from suspicion to disbelief and something that made Setzer's chest tighten. Suspicion won out in the end. "Why? What'd you get out of the deal? A fatter purse? A guaranteed run in my trousers for as long as the position's mine? Power over my life?"

Warnings and whistles blasted in Setzer's mind. "Your life is your own, Marée. So are your choices. I would never take that away from you. It's that aura of command and power that intoxicates me whenever I think of you." He fought the urge to smooth some of her hair from her face. "I'm freely offering my help, Marée. No demands. No expectations. Anything you give will be your choice."

She slowly crossed her arms as she gauged his expression, tapping her slightly protruding right foot in a steady thump, thump, thump on the paved streets of Albrook. "I don't know quite what to make of you, captain."

Setzer smiled. "What you see is what you get, Marée. Nothing less and nothing more. A gambler. A pilot. A captain."

"A man that looks damn good in the moonlight," she added with a teasing smile and a meaningful twinkle.

"Yes, well, nature has a tendency of doing what she pleases," he said in a laughing tone.

"Gods that's a gorgeous sound," she said as her mouth broke out into a full smile.

Setzer surrendered to this urge and cupped her jaw, lightly stroking her cheek with his thumb. "And you are a gorgeous woman, Marée. Completely intoxicating."

Marée smirked and pulled his hand from her face. "Let's get out of this cursed moonlight before it bewitches us both into Arias and sonnets."

Setzer laughed and guided her to the Falcon, her hand enfolded in his.

t

"Relm painted this?" Marée stared down at the portrait she held in her hands in shock and wonder. "Well I'll be a virgin mermaid," she muttered.

Setzer's smirk danced in his eyes as he reclined in the couch, one arm draped over the back of it. Her tall and commanding presence fit the ship. She breathed an aroma of freshness and life into the Falcon that had been sorely missed.

"I voiced nearly the same sentiment when I discovered Relm knew you, and for a longer time than I have."

Marée chuckled. "Like I've said before, being a captain takes me to all four corners of this damned, twisted planet. Thamasa's got a treasure trove of knickknacks that wealthy knotheads pay through the nose for." She sent an intoxicating twinkle of teasing laughter over her shoulder. "You expect me to give that up, captain?"

Setzer laughed. "Of course not, Marée. Of course not."

Setzer watched as Marée returned the portrait to its temporary place against the wall before slowly sauntering toward the couch as her gaze took in the furnishings and spirit of the room. A smile whispered across her lips and then she sat on the couch close beside Setzer, snuggling into the warmth of him.

He brought his arm down from the back of the couch and drew her closer. "No negative things to say of a man's personal office? Hmm."

Marée tucked her legs up beneath her and then turned even more into him, bringing her arms as much around him as possible. "Mm. Warm. Soft." She yawned. "It's been a damn long day. I think I'll take a nap."

Setzer chuckled and caressed her long tresses of blue-black hair. "I haven't had a chance to ask my questions."

"So ask 'em already. I'll answer as many as I can before falling asleep," she said with another yawn for effect.

"Fair enough." Are you ready for the fist in the face? Setzer cleared his throat and focused his attention on the deck of cards in his right hand that he was absently shuffling. "Your ship. Is it the Ace of Diamonds?"

"Yep." She snuggled closer.

"Has it always been your ship?"

"Damn thing's paid for," she mumbled after another yawn. "Bought it before Kefka and the Empire went boot-tips up."