Author's Note: A quick one shot written for Valentine's Day. There isn't many of this certain pairing, but it's got to be my favourite. I'd recorded this episode where this happened, but it got deleted.

Tears from the Heart

It all happened so quickly.

The idiot, she thought savagely, attempting not to cry. One blow and all his life points had been wiped away by the man she once loved. He fell merciless to the ground with a spilt second. A pang of guilt struck in her cold heart.

But at that precise moment, the coldness vanished. Her heart was filled with warmth, but also a terrible loneliness. He would become a prisoner, just like Alistair.

The young blonde woman held her head low. The other man, still reeling from his victory, gazed upon the brown haired man before him. He was breathing heavily. Any second now, his soul would be sucked out, and his body, an empty shell would be left.

His eyes fluttered open and managed to get to his knees.

"No, Valon!" she screamed, tears streaming from her face. "Don't go!"

His eyes met hers. His were always so full of life, with that hint of danger; reckless, yet caring. Yet today, they were specked with hints of fear.

"Don't worry, Mai," he uttered softly, struggling to breathe. "Wheeler won fair and square. And I can see now, that he cares about you, maybe even more than I do."

Joey looked on at the young man, astounded. He really did love Mai. He wanted to get rid of all the obstacles in Mai's way of a happy life. He bowed his head in respect. This man had been changed, just as he was about to pay the ultimate price for his love.

"Good bye, Mai, don't forget me…" His cheery Australian voice cracked and died.

The neon green light of the Oricalcose centred on him, and trapped him in an eternal circle of evil. With his final breath, he let out a petrified scream, which made the hairs on the backs of Joey's and Mai's necks stand up on end. With his final sight, his eyes rested upon Mai.

She was so beautiful. Always afraid of letting someone close to her, Mai Valentine kept her heart closed, even for Joey, or Valon. Her piercing violet eyes never displayed any emotion, except anger.

I'm sorry, Mai. I tried…

His soul was sucked from his young body, and taken high into the sky. His remains fell lifelessly to the floor, stationary.

Mai ran to him, and pulled him close. Tears from the heart fell onto his ghost white face. She cradled his helpless body in her arms. She put his face close to his.

"Oh, Valon," she muttered softly, "come back, please, don't leave me…"

"He's not coming back, Mai," came Joey's voice from no-where, "he's lost his soul."

She began to shake uncontrollably.

"He can't be gone!" she sobbed, holding him tighter. "He saved my life!"

"I'm sorry, Mai," the voice said again.

Valon watched from above him. He was being pulled away from the only girl he's ever loved. He saw her cradling his body on the ground. He reached out, but he was only dragged further away.

A sudden feeling in his stomach told him this was not the end. Valon knew they'd be reunited again in the future. Whether she'd be with Wheeler, or waiting for him, like he'd always waited for her.

Valon knew the ones who loved others would always meet each other again…

…always…

Dedicated to someone I've loved and lost. Because I was shy, I can't send him a Valentine today.