Disclaimer: The story is mine. The template and medium are not. oi.

Chapter 6: Out of the Pan…

"I've done it," was Lady Hilda's declaration the next morning, once everyone had assembled together in the audience hall. "Or rather I believe I have a solution to restoring Zidane to his normal age."

Relief shone in everyone's eyes and Dagger looked down at the boy in Freya's arms. The dragon knight had offered to take him for a time, and while she said that caring for their friend was the responsibility of all, it was obvious she was enjoying her time with the little boy.

"Hear that?" Dagger asked.

"We shall soon have you tall and sweet-talking once again, little one," Freya told him with a grin.

Big, blue eyes looked back at her and she could not help running her fingers up his tummy, causing him to giggle in delight. Over the past few days, the party had discovered that Little Zidane was quite ticklish and, in fact, very fond of the sensation. Some absently wondered if perhaps he had retained that trait as an adult, though the thought of a grown Zidane collapsed in such giggles was somewhat difficult to picture.

"We have to be careful when administering this counter-spell," Hilda was explaining. "If we simply grow him up, Zidane may lose all of his life's experiences and would not be able to remember anything. Including all of you." She paused, letting that soak in, and then proceeded with her explanation.

"In order to restore his true age and allow him to regain all of his memories, I believe I have been able to dictate an accurate counter-spell though study of the original spell and research available on Old Standard."

Dagger and Eiko came forward to learn what they needed to do in order to put Zidane right while Regent Cid took this opportunity to call breakfast for them all. The baby had already been taken care of in that respect. Vivi and Eiko had great fun feeding him and while he refused to even acknowledge any questions directed at him, Amarant seemed to have silently taken on the job of seeing to Zidane's hygiene, much to everyone's awe.

After an hour or so, the white mages believed themselves to be as ready as they would ever be.

"It is tricky," Eiko commented just a little nervously.

"Yes, but we can do it." Hilda assured her. It had been decided in this case that three mages would be better than two thus the Lady of Linblum would assist with the casting.

"Alright then, Little One," Freya said softly to Zidane as she laid him down where it had been indicated in the middle of the room. She and the others then took several large steps back as Dagger, Eiko, and Hilda each assumed a position forming a triangle around the tiny child. As one, they began the incantation, sound and movement flowing together to activate the delicate magic.

The air grew warm as Little Zidane started to glow. His eyes widened and he squirmed, startled by the strange sensations of the surging energy working on and around his body. There was another brilliant flash blue and silver light as the spell reached its conclusion, temporarily blinding everyone in the room.

Though somewhat disoriented, Freya thought she heard a sound like something tearing. A gasp and then feet running across the carpeted floor followed the noise. Blinking and rubbing her eyes, the dragon knight tried to get her sight back but worried about what she would find when she did. Once she regained her ability to focus, Freya looked anxiously to the center of the room to see the result of the spell. To her surprise, she saw nothing; Little Zidane had vanished altogether.

As the others came to realize this new problem, Freya rushed to where the boy had been laid to see what could be found.

Apparently the Genome had not completely disappeared as she had first thought. Bits and pieces of cloth were scattered in a small circle surrounding the spot where he last was. Interested, Freya held a scrap up for Dagger, who had come forward by now, to see.

"That's from the tunic he was wearing," the young queen with decreasing worry, as what had most likely happened dawned on her.

"Indeed," the dragon knight agreed. "And it would stand to reason that if the spell did not shrink his clothes to accommodate his infant form . . ."

"He would get too big for them this time!" Eiko jumped excitedly, finishing for her.

Freya nodded. No one could help the small grins that appeared on every face at that thought. If that were truly the case, then it was no wonder Zidane had taken the blanket and hidden from them. Some briefly wondered why he had not said anything to them yet before focusing on the task at hand. Glancing around the room, the party began making note of everything their friend could hide behind.

"Zidane?" Dagger said aloud. "We are very sorry about all this. I don't know how much you remember, but we can explain. Just tell us where you are and we'll see about getting you something to cover up with besides that blanket." When silence answered her words, Dagger began to feel the worry creep into her mind once again. A nagging doubt in the back of her thoughts began to wheedle its way to the forefront: What if they had gotten it wrong? Possible again? What if Zidane really could not remember any anything?

Forcing her worry aside, Dagger started looking behind statues and under tables, trying to find her missing friend.

Quina, with her superior sense of smell was the first to have any success in the search. Sniffing and shuffling about the audience hall, the Qu's nose led her to a small statue in one corner of the room. Leaning over to look behind it, she caught a glimpse of the end of a furry golden tail.

"Aha! I find you, Zidane!" Quina happily exclaimed, reaching into the space the grab the appendage. A moment later, the Qu was scrambling backwards in an attempt to escape the angry rush of Genome that lashed out at the sudden gesture before retreating once more into the shadowed hiding place.

Dagger cautiously approached, motioning for Quina to come away and everyone else to stay back. Feral growls and bared teeth greeted her as she poked her head around the statue and the young woman found herself looking at a Zidane that was bigger than before but still not as he should be. The baby blanket he had been previously swaddled in was wrapped loosely around his waist, held there by a clumsy knot, quickly and awkwardly tied. At a glance, it was obvious from the way the little Genome was looking at her that he did not recognize her and likely did not know where he was.

"Zidane," Dagger said softly, kneeling on the floor to look him in the eye. "It's alright, Zidane. You know me. I will not hurt you." She slowly began extending a hand toward the frightened boy, trying to show him that he was in no danger.

For a moment, his only response was to glare. However, by and by he began to search her face, her smell, her voice, and the strange feelings that stirred within him as he watched her. He did not know her; but he did. He had no memory of her, yet his heart seemed to disagree. This lady was . . . safe. Zidane did not know how he knew it, but he did. Tentatively, he reached out a small hand and grasped the proffered fingers.

Dagger smiled and gently led him out from behind the statue so he could see the others and they him. Bereft of his hiding spot, the little boy did his best to hide behind her whilst also trying not to look frightened or vulnerable. From what the surprised party to tell, Zidane appeared to be about three years old, and clearly thought there was still danger to be feared.

"So . . . how did that happen," Vivi asked. Lady Hilda pursed her lips as she thought.

"To be entirely honest, I do not know," she finally replied. "But rest assured, I will figure this out." The lady of Lindblum did not comment on just how intriguing this whole affair was becoming, though the gleam in her eyes betrayed her excitement. Instead she offered a suggestion.

"But we tried Esuna on him before and it didn't work," Eiko pointed out a moment later.

"Perhaps not," said Hilda. "However, as we do not know what exactly the counter spell has done, it would be useful to see what happens when we try to reverse the effect."

Freya nodded, catching the Lady's drift. "You want to find out if his body now recognizes this state as natural or magical," she observed. "If natural, nothing will happen, just as before. If magical, he will return to his infant form."

Whilst everyone else deliberated and discussed the new situation, Dagger had been having quite the time trying to convince Zidane that he was perfectly safe and among friends. If she made any move to touch him, excepting the hand she was already holding, he would flinch away and bare his teeth for a moment.

Dagger closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her frustration. Her becoming irritable would not help the matter in the slightest. Opening her eyes again, she looked at Zidane, trying to find the way to get through to him. His bright blue gaze was wide with fear and confusion, as though he did not quite trust his own instincts.

How could this strange, tail-less creature be familiar to him? How could he know her when he had never seen her before? Why was he naked when he woke up?

As she watched his internal struggle, Dagger scoured her thoughts and memories of Zidane for something she could say or do to assure him. He knew her subconsciously; she needed to bring that out, to bring him back . . .

She brightened. Looking straight into the small boy's eyes, she gave him a gentle smile and began to hum.

At first, Zidane was surprised by the pleasant sounds. As he listened, the notes seemed to connect to something deep inside him. Our song that something said and reached out with powerful emotions to grasp the sweet music, to feel it and hold it close.

Dagger was careful not to show her excitement, continuing to hum softly as she watched the little boy relax. His eyes shone with recognition, and even trust began to seep through. By now, Dagger was well into a second verse of the song and this time could not help a delighted nod as Zidane began to hum with her. Taking a few hesitant steps forward, he reached out his free hand to lightly touch her cheek.

As the two of them finished the song, Dagger opened her arms invitingly. Without another thought, the little boy gave in to himself and happily wrapped his own small arms around her neck, letting himself be held. As the young woman stood up with him now perched on her hip, blanket more securely tucked around him, his tail curled in a familiar motion around her waist, and Zidane contentedly laid his head on her shoulder. In his young mind, he no longer cared that he had no memory of her face. His heart knew her and that was all that mattered.

A/N: Sorry once again, Forgive my flakishness. This chapter is dedicated to my faithful readers, mostly Satsuki Fowl (who got on my case ^_^ thanks!) DemonWeasel and Royal Court Jester, who reminded me that people are still waiting on this and got my fire going.