Author's Notes: I'm very glad others found great amusement with the "hand holding" innuendo. Needless to say I was very proud of myself after so many people laughed at it. And so I say Go for it. Use it as your own with your friends, I don't care. Not like I'm ever going to find out anyway lol. I even added a bit not originally planned in one of the scenes for you guys. Hope you find it.

And for Nemeus' "?!", yes Colette probably could see they were close, but to suggest she knew what was going on would be attributing her with cognitive faculties; thus, heresy.

On another note: Twilight Scribe is an author here on this website, and my Beta (a damn good one too)...not a book. In case there was some identity confusion.

Disclaimer: I don't own Namco, or Tales of Symphonia, or any rights to it, or any of its characters, or anyone that made, acted, or thought of the characters, or even know anyone that's done one of the above.

Without further delay, please. The final chapter of Lover's Day awaits!

Chapter 7: Their Love

Genis concentrated and threw his arms up in a great thrust (more for dramatic effect than practical use – it did look rather impressive) as heatless pale blue flames arced around his body before rocketing into the sky and condensing into a small ball for a split second and expanding outwards instantly the next, the thunderous boom matched in noise only by the applause and cheers of the crowd standing nearby on the grounds just outside the city gates, cleared of tents and the sort for this purpose every year.

He grinned at Presea, who was lighting a number of canisters in rows along the ground nearby, under the supervision of the man who owned them. He had agreed to let the two children help in his annual fireworks display so long as they didn't blow anything (or anyone) up.

She smiled back, not even flinching as several tops blew off a few feet from her and shot high into the air where they exploded – admittedly in a slightly less spectacular fashion than Genis', but then again her method didn't involve mana which took a toll after extended use.

"Alright lass. Now that we've sent out the invitations we'll wait for a few more folk to come. Then we'll put on the real show!" The man grinned at the two kids, who beamed back.

Genis looked around the area, hoping to see someone he knew. His search was rewarded when he saw Lloyd and Sheena, followed closely by Colette dragging something on the ground behind her, arrive panting behind the gathered mass of people already there.

"Hey! Lloyd!" Genis waved frantically to his childhood friend to grab his attention. Lloyd found him with ease, considering it was he, Presea, and a man alone in the clearing, and signaled to Sheena to move to where he was.

"What's up Genis? Was that you earlier? That was amazing!" Lloyd, while several years older, could always make Genis feel as though he were speaking to a fellow kid with all his boyish excitement.

"Yeah, tell us you're gonna be in the show! I want to see more of that stuff." Sheena looked at the young mage with excitement too.

"Of course I'm gonna be in it, that's why I'm here! Presea too." He pointed to Presea a short distance away, who waved to her companions, readying the next batch of fireworks.

Colette caught up with them and hugged her half-elf friend. A loud groaning made them all turn around to see Zelos picking himself off the ground, making a vain attempt at dusting the dirt from his white pants and pink vest.

"Oh – I'm so sorry Zelos! I just didn't want to lose Lloyd and Sheena…" Colette immediately tried getting the extra dirt off too. "But I wondered why it got harder to pull you along after about half way…"

"Don't… Don't worry 'bout it…" Zelos muttered, looking slightly dazed. He shook his head, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need new clothes now…" he looked sadly at his white pants, now smeared and ragged after their adventure involving a half-mile of unclean city pavement.

Genis chuckled and looked back to his fireworks manager. The man nodded and Genis turned back to his friends. "Well we'll be starting in a bit; did you guys wanna take a spot somewhere over there?" He pointed to an area aside of the crowds. "It's better from back there than it is right under them. Plus…it can get kinda loud." He stuck a finger in his ear and winced to emphasize.

"Yeah okay, we'll see you later then alright bud?" Lloyd put a hand on his shoulder and then moved back with the others to the area Genis had recommended.

Sheena found a spot on the ground for them to sit, in front of Colette and Zelos, who was leaning back on his arms that propped him up and yawning, clearly used to the type of show they were about to see. She patted the grass next to her as Lloyd approached and he took a seat beside her smiling.

"What is it?" she asked him, noticing an odd look in his eye as he smiled at her.

"Nothing…" he continued to smile with that look.

She playfully pushed him over. "Tell me!" she laughed.

But Lloyd just sat back up and smiled, "Nope."

Sheena began wrestling with him and put him in a headlock. "Lloyd Irving, you tell me what you're thinking right now!" She mocked a commanding tone.

But he slipped his head out and held her arms so they could no longer be used as weapons. "Maybe later." He laughed as he saw the annoyance in her face at her captivity and she stuck her tongue out at him. While she may have had better endurance training throughout her life, when it came to pure strength Lloyd was second only to Regal…or maybe third because of Colette.

Oh this has got to stop. Zelos coughed loudly, "Hey Sheena, can I talk to you for a little bit?"

Everyone turned to look at him. Zelos met their gazes, "What? I can't even talk to people now?"

"What about?" Sheena asked slowly. She was reluctant to spend any time away from Lloyd today.

"Just a talk, that's all. I don't get the time of day from you anymore either?" He feigned a hurt face.

"Yeah, I guess that's okay… We can talk." Sheena looked back to Lloyd, who let her arms go. She sighed, missing his touch already. She leaned in and whispered in a pretend-dangerous tone "We'll finish this later."

Lloyd gulped and watched her as she stood. But she only winked at him before walking to Zelos and the two of them disappeared behind the nearby tents of the festival still carrying on.

Colette waited for them to be gone completely before moving closer to Lloyd. He looked at her, "Something wrong, Colette?"

But she only smiled sweetly. "No, I was just thinking how… Good, you and Sheena look together."

Lloyd blushed, "R-really? You think so?" This gave him hope. Maybe Sheena might feel the same way back? He recalled their moment in the street before Colette came. He sighed; without Sheena here with him it felt like moving away from a warm fire he had been next to all day, leaving him with an unpleasant chill.

Colette sensed his thoughts, "I know she feels the same way about you too, Lloyd." I could see it from the past hour or two alone, yet you've been with her all day and haven't seen anything? Oh Lloyd…

"I…I hope you're right, Colette…" Lloyd looked at the ground between his feet. What would he do if she didn't return his feelings? It would destroy him utterly.

"Lloyd, don't mope like that! You've spent the entire day with her and the only time she left you was because she was asked to. If she wasn't enjoying herself with you she would have left earlier!" Colette exclaimed, rallying Lloyd's morale.

"…She needs you Lloyd. Even you can see that…" She spoke quieter now. Colette felt the tiniest of stings in her heart as she let go. It was hard, even after the elderly woman's advice, but she managed to let go of her childhood crush and move on.

He thought for a moment… Maybe she's right. He stood, "I should go see her…"

Colette shook her head and pulled him back down. "Let her work things out with Zelos. You two will have plenty of time together later to talk." She said, smiling at him.

"Yeah…okay. Thanks, Colette." He pulled on some grass as he waited for Sheena to return. He often forgot how motivational Colette's words could be.

"You and Lloyd really spent the day together? That's impressive. I don't think I could handle that much Lloyd." Zelos smiled sideways at his female companion, making a conscious effort to keep his eyes on her face again.

"Yeah. Well I'd take him over you any day of the week." Sheena half-grinned back at him. He wasn't…all that bad a person to talk to when he wasn't eyeing her like a kid looking at candy.

Zelos decided it was time for some probing. "What is it, exactly, about him? What makes him so different from anyone else? Like me, what makes him so different from me?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but decided it was a legit question. "I…don't know. It's like…I can trust him with anything, and he'll accept me for me, and… Hey no, I'm not talking about this to you!" She blushed slightly and turned away from him.

He laughed, "Am I really so bad?"

"From time to time, yeah you can be." She was reminded of when they first knew each other, and everything he said to her wasn't a come-on or hopeful advance. Then again that had really just been an act in the end...

"Hey I'm trying to get better at it… Figure if anyone deserves a change in the great and powerful Zelos after all this time, it's you." He smiled genuinely at her, but she didn't return this one.

"So what's up Zelos? Why couldn't we talk near the others?" Sheena asked, cutting to the chase. Zelos had obviously needed to talk to her about something the others couldn't hear and they had gotten plenty of distance away from their friends. They were now in a T-shaped "alley" between three large blue tents.

He stopped after a few feet past her. This has to be just right…I've honed this to a fine art, all for this moment… Not turning around, he asked her "How do you feel about me, Sheena?"

For the second time in the past twenty-four hours Sheena was taken by surprise by Zelos. "W-what do you mean? You're a valuable member of the group in fighting…" she thought for a moment, "You use your connections to help us out of tight situations and… You're a pervert."

He smiled faintly at her last words. "It's always nice to know how the group feels about me…but how do you feel about me?"

"Mostly just the last one." She said truthfully, "You're a pervert and an idiot who would do or say anything to get between a woman's legs." Sheena's tone turned harsh as she spoke the truth.

Zelos smiled wider at this. "Well some of that may be true, my dear. But I'm afraid I can't say that about the last bit. Y'see…" he turned around, and strained to keep his face charming, mature, and serious all at the same time, "I've recently found myself…in love."

He waited for a reaction, only to be rewarded with a raised eyebrow. Clearly she was unimpressed. "You? In love?"

Zelos sighed heavily, trying to draw pity. "Yes, but I don't think the woman I love feels the same way back…"

She waited for him to continue. She had been around Zelos long enough to know anything she said now could be used later against her.

He looked into her eyes, and with a very earnest expression stated: "It's you, Sheena. I'm in love with you."

This actually did get a reaction out of her. He had made insincere claims and outright lies to sway her judgment before, but this was entirely new. He can't be serious. Even for him that's pretty bold to… Why does it even matter? I have Llo–

He didn't wait for her to say anything. He had done this enough times to know when the exact moment was to take full advantage of a woman's confusion, indecision, and sympathy. A split second later and those impenetrable walls would be up and well fortified, and he'd be on the opposite side from the woman he was to share a bed with. He closed the short distance between them and put his arms around her shoulders.

"Z-Zelos! Wha-?" she faltered. What the hell is he–?

A second later her question was answered as he brought his face to hers and enveloped her in a kiss.

Her mind was in a state of shock. He kept the pressure on her lips constant, but his hands began making their way down her body. They had reached about an inch past where they initially landed before her mind finally caught up to what was happening.

Yes! I've done it! Admittedly I would have preferred we had done this by some bed so we could move straight from here, but– Zelos' thoughts were punctured as a knee was thrown swiftly into the upper gap between his legs.

He would have groaned from pain but the instant he opened his mouth to make a sound the knee was thrust again, harder this time due to the greater distance between them, the tip of the bone driving deep into his groin, and he sank to the ground. Maybe my timing was off…Oh Martel the agony…

Sheena was so beyond fury, she couldn't have spoken if she wanted to. Her first kiss was supposed to be with Lloyd. Lloyd! Not this flirtatious man-whore whose sole meaning in life was to attempt impregnating every female species on the planet.

"Sheena…baby…" he tried talking, but the hurt was incredible. He settled instead for reverting to past messages, in a vain grasp at making a comeback, "I lov-"

"DON'T! Don't you even dare say those words Zelos Wilder!" Sheena screamed at the man on the floor. "Love is sacred, and you couldn't even begin see what it really means. It isn't just some word you can throw around daily. You don't deserve to be able to say it; all you see when you hear it is another way of having sex with some naïve girl. You're incapable of having anything as beautiful and blessed as love. I can't...I can't even believe...not even you..."

He tried speaking, but could only watch from where he lay on his side as she stormed out of the alley. He turned over what she had said in his mind and shook his head.

Yeah…it was definitely the timing…

Lloyd poked at some grass that was too tough to pull up. He hadn't put a whole lot of effort into it, so he decided to let this one slide.

Wonder when the fireworks will be starting…Whenever Genis says "a bit" he means "a long time"…

He was about to stand and go see what was taking the mage so long (he couldn't see him since the crowd had accumulated and spread out to cover his view of the fire-working-base), when he felt a weight on his shoulders, keeping him from rising.

Recognizing the warmth of the body pressed against his back and of the face next to his (not to mention the sleeves of the arms wrapped under his neck), he bent forward to give her a better surface to lie on. "Hey you."

He felt the cheeks touching his pull into a smile. "Hey you," she tightened her hug around his neck, "Miss me?"

"Terribly." He smiled too, and held the arms around him. "But you're here now, so I'm okay."

Sheena giggled and nuzzled his neck affectionately.

Colette watched on and smiled widely to herself. But she felt as though her being there was adding an element to the mood that wasn't really needed. Deciding she should go see where Zelos had gone off to, she quietly picked herself up, brushed herself off, and walked away to the festival while the two lovers enjoyed their moment together.

Sheena made her way to Lloyd's front and sat down, facing the direction the fireworks were supposed to be coming from, and he put his arms around her midriff. As she leaned back against him with her eyes closed, Lloyd suddenly felt the impatience from earlier disappear entirely. He didn't care if it took a whole year for Genis to finish preparing the show, he was content just sitting here, holding Sheena like this. He smiled as he brought his head down to rest sideways on top of hers and felt one of her hands come up to stroke the side of his face.

Naturally at this point in time the fireworks decided it was time to begin the show. Sheena sat up and moved back a bit so she could still be close to Lloyd. She looked around at him and saw him tear his eyes from a bright orange sparkler to look at her, smiling with childlike amazement. She laughed and rested the back of her head on his shoulder so she could watch too.

They somehow become more beautiful when you're watching them with someone you love…

Colette hadn't been searching very long before she found the other Chosen, still lying pitifully on the ground in the middle of the tent-alley, clothing still torn and smeared with dirt. For some reason his state didn't worry her and she calmly walked over to where he lay to sit down beside him. She didn't say anything, instead only looked on down the alley from where she came.

"I…don't get it." Zelos said simply. "I don't even understand how this world works anymore…"

Colette didn't say anything, she only turned to look at him. His eyes settled on hers, but she could tell he wasn't really seeing with them.

"I thought…maybe…" he shook his head slowly and focused his eyes, "I'm sorry Colette… I've been doing things wrongly for a while now, and using you to help look for Sheena on its own was about the twentieth thing today." He averted his eyes, knowing what he'd find if he looked into hers.

"I mean that's probably one of the last things I should be apologizing to you for… But that's the only one I can think of right now…sorry for that too…" he glanced back to reassure himself he'd see that familiar look of hurt, disappointment, and judgment.

He was stunned when he found none of those things. Colette just looked back at him silently, eyes as pure blue as the sky, no ill intent behind them whatsoever.

Zelos looked away again, feeling disgusted with himself for even thinking Colette as "just another girl." He didn't deserve to even know someone like her.

She stood then and he expected her to leave. When he didn't hear footsteps, he looked up to see her extending a hand down to him. She smiled at him, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He took her hand slowly and she helped him to his feet. Leaning on her, the immense pain between his legs still making walking normally impossible for any male, he established his footing to start the walk back to his home.

"Come on Zelos… Let's get you back to your home." She put an arm around his back to support him and they made began making slow progress to the city.

Colette…I don't deserve to have ever met you…

Raine stood on the edge of the castle balcony overlooking most of the city. She was captivated by the fireworks, feeling they were a phenomenon she had never seen before, yet not something completely foreign. She wondered briefly if perhaps she had seen them as a very young child, before the forced move to Sylvarant.

She held her breath as she saw another great ball of some blue flame-electrical hybrid float into the air and detonate in a dazzling array of sparks and flares. She recognized the mana output from her brother and figured she would scold him later for getting too near dangerous explosives.

"Another glass of wine, milady?" a deep voice behind her made her turn and smile at Regal, holding the bottle he had left to retrieve from the king's party inside.

"In a moment. Come, watch these with me." She slipped an arm around his as he took a place next to her and watch the show from the best seats in the kingdom.

"The fireworks? Yes, they're my favorite part of this entire day." Regal's faced pulled into a lopsided smile, "Though it appears this year's display boasts some new innovations… Is that mana?"

"Indeed it is. I believe that's Genis, actually." She caught him eyeing her warily, "No, I'm sure he's fine. I won't go running off to go find him."

He nodded and moved closer to her. "How fortunate. I would hate to have to spend this otherwise wonderful time by myself."

They truly are magnificent from here…with you.

Genis grinned at Presea after his final mana-work before the finale. He was just about spent, having used almost everything he had on the previous creations.

She yawned as if to mock him and smiled. She bent down to light another canister and stepped back. That was the extent of a toll her job took out of her.

"Very good girl, now hold off on the last few. We want to save the best for last!" the man shouted so Presea could hear him over the combined noise of both the firework and the crowds nearby and afar.

She nodded and walked over to Genis. "Are you okay Genis? You look ill…"

He chuckled, "Yeah, just…need a breather." He sat down, "What about you, you holding up okay?"

"I'm okay Genis…I just have to use this lighter…and my job is done for me. It's actually very dull. I envy your ability to make your creations first hand." She clicked her tiny lighter to show him how easy it was.

He blushed, then remembered they were supposed to be finishing up the show. "P-Presea! We need to do the finale!"

She nodded quickly, no surprise registering in her green eyes and scurried back to her final row of canisters.

Lloyd and Sheena watched as the finale began, awestruck at the impossible multitude of colors they were seeing.

Colors they never even knew existed were illuminating the sky; some colors they didn't even know could, like dark purples, were somehow filling the air above and the ground below with a majestic light.

They no sooner had a chance to let out a breath they'd been holding in after the last one than it was caught again as the next fantastic blast of multicolored glow detonated. It was a sight never before seen in either world, and those bearing witness knew they exceeded their "fortune" quota for some considerable time after. The final work of the night was a combination of the largest firework, and a special spell Genis had undoubtedly saved for this last bit.

What seemed to be water spiraled around the firework as it shot into the air, followed closely by bright green electricity. When the firework detonated in a fiery red eruption, the water was blown into a fine mist. Millions of droplets caught the outburst of lightning as it forked the sky upwards, causing them to flash brightly with its green energy as they drifted away into the night.

The cheers were tumultuous as the crowds began to dissipate. It was fairly late now, and most couples at this point wanted nothing more than rest after their long day of merriment.

Sheena tightened her hold on the arms around her stomach, and leaned her head back to look at their owner. "Well should we turn in then? Unless you wanted to get something to eat again…" she grinned, knowing Lloyd always had an open stomach if it had been longer than thirty minutes since his last meal.

"Nah, I'm okay." He suppressed a yawn; "We can go back to the room now, if you want…"

She put her head back, pushing her ponytail into Lloyd's neck and shook her head side to side, tickling him.

He laughed and breathed in the scent of her hair. Martel she smells nice…But just as he was about to take another breath she stood and turned, stooping down to collect his hands in hers and lift him up. But she over estimated his weight, and wasn't ready for him to start getting up on his own.

The result was for him to get up faster than either of them expected and almost knock her over. But his enhanced reflexes caught her before she fell backwards, arms shooting around her waist and back to keep her upright with him, close to his body.

She regained her footing and was just about to let out a laugh and step back on her own feet when she caught his eyes, viewing her with concern, relief, and…something else. Seeing she had her balance again, he slowly let his arms fall to his sides, the slightest shade of disappointment flashing across his face.

But she remained where she was, still pressed close to him. She felt the moment again, and knew this was the time. She had to tell him now…Sheena slowly brought a hand up to his chest…

Lloyd was held in a trance by her wide eyes, unaware of the fear in her mind or just how tight the hand clutching his shirt was.

Come on! This is it. All the times he held you today, the times we've been this close, of course he feels the same way about you! Just look at him, he isn't pulling away, or saying "no", or…or giving any signs he even…

Lloyd's thoughts were racing, wrestling one another for control and he felt the force from earlier beginning to govern his actions. But he ignored it. He knew what to do on his own.

I…I wish I weren't so clumsy with my words…I want to tell her how I feel about her, I really do…but I know I'm just going to say something that will completely kill this. But she deserves to know somehow! I guess…I'll just have to show her…and pray to Martel she…loves me too…

He brought his arms up and encircled her, giving her that sense of safety she knew she would never find anywhere else in this world or the next. Only with him…only with Lloyd…

The passion inside Lloyd's heart was burning, providing a limitless supply of that feeling, that ache, he had grown so accustomed to in only the past day. He wished nothing more than to hold onto to Sheena like this until time itself stopped, taking in her aroma, feeling her so close to him he could feel her heart working just as hard as his…

Sheena could feel a powerful essence radiating from Lloyd. Were she an inch further away, she was sure she wouldn't have felt anything. She felt it and she knew it was for her. It would only ever be for her. All doubts that lingered in her mind were evaporated as she took in that wonderful aura he exuded. Yes…this is it…

Lloyd looked down into Sheena's half lidded eyes and felt her other hand find its familiar spot just behind his neck. He slipped one arm down to hold her across her waist again, and began bringing his own head down to meet hers.

She tilted her head up and closed her eyes. This is what I've…Who I've needed for so long…I hope I can make you happy Lloyd…because you're the only man for me...

Lloyd lowered his head, closing that short meddlesome distance between their faces. Before they met, he took in her face, lips slightly parted, eyes closed, face lax…but anticipating. She's so beautiful…I just hope I can make her as happy as she makes me with our time together…

Sheena felt the warmth of contact on her lips, and her breath caught in her lungs. It was…amazing. The simple touch of Lloyd to her was a pleasurable sensation no human could have ever imagined. She tightened her grasp on his chest and pulled him further into an even deeper kiss.

Lloyd's mind was buzzing. He thought he might pass out from the hazy cloud that was his mind. His only thoughts were how unbelievable it was to be kissing Sheena. He didn't think it was possible to feel so strongly about anything…yet here it was. She tightened her grip on him and pulled him closer to her. He tilted his head sideways to better explore the depth of this kiss.

Sheena had been wrong. What Zelos had done to her earlier had not been her first kiss. This was her first kiss. And it was beyond anything she could have imagined. She was startled at first when his warm tongue entered her mouth, but she soon used her own to push it back. What she considered earlier as pleasure no human could imagine failed to even compare to what she was enjoying now.

But Lloyd pulled back, much to Sheena's dissatisfaction. He had his eyes closed, and looked as though he needed to tell her something.

Please Martel he can't say something to wreck this…not right after that…

"Sheena…" he opened his eyes, and for the first time since she met him, looked like he had difficulty expressing himself. She waited for him to speak, breath held.

"I…I think I'm in love with you…Sheena." He looked on with hope, as though their kiss had never happened.

Inside her, fireworks the likes of which would have made the crowds outright boo and jeer at Genis' were exploding. He had said exactly what she wanted to hear. "Then you might be in trouble, Lloyd…" she closed the distance he had just made between them and put her face into his neck. "...Because I love you too."

Lloyd's heart felt like a volcano erupting. The painful throb of the reoccurring ache had disappeared, leaving only a bliss he would have otherwise been certain he could only be dreamt about.

He pulled back, his happiness shining through his eyes, and met Sheena's equally joyous expression.

She laughed then, and began pulling him along again back to the city.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­Sheena and Lloyd walked hand in hand through the city gates. They had both heard their share of "Look at those two…" yet were no longer blushing from it. As they passed the main stairs up to the castle Lloyd thought he saw Colette and Zelos making very slow progress up several flights ahead of them. But he didn't want to interrupt whatever they were doing, and he certainly didn't want to leave Sheena's side, so he continued with her to the hotel they were staying.

The streets were all but empty now. Lloyd guessed many of the tents outside the city could double as sleeping areas because there was no way the city could hold that many people. He and Sheena were one of about three or four pairs visible in the street as they pushed through the front doors to the inn.

Lloyd flashed his room key as he passed the clerk, showing they did indeed belong there, and walked with Sheena up the stairs to their room. He let her in first, and closed the door (locking it this time). Turning around, he saw Sheena facing him by the foot of the bed, a look of mischief in her dark brown eyes, clear even the darkness of the room.

His eyebrows frowned and his face smiled at her as he took a few steps closer. "Something wrong, Sheena?"

But she only shook her head and smiled, making the "come here" motion with her finger.

Obeying, not sure what he was going to find, he slowly edged closer to her, undoing his sword belts and setting them aside.

"Kiss me…" she commanded as he got within "holding" range.

Smiling, he carried out his orders. Taking her within his arms, he pulled her into a passionate kiss that made her whole body shake. It was difficult for her to remain standing, her knees seemed to have given out when Lloyd started holding her. Ensuring he had a firm hold around her, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, still putting as much sensuality as she could into their open mouth kiss.

Lloyd felt another new feeling inside him now, different from the ache, but stemming from the same source: His passion for Sheena. Sheena, the woman he had fallen so deeply in love with, he neither had the means or the desire to pick himself back up. Tongue still grappling with hers, he turned, still carrying her, and slowly let them fall onto the bed. His hands, now free from holding her, began exploring. First to her rounded hips, then slowly up her body…

Sheena lay on her back, arms around Lloyd's neck, refusing to let him leave this kiss. It was too good to stop. A light moan escaped her throat as his hands made their way to her chest and began gently, yet firmly massaging. She broke the kiss, needing air, and lay breathing heavily as he moved down to softly kiss her neck, hands still caressing her form delicately.

Lloyd felt hands placed on his shoulders and looked up in time to see Sheena roll them over so he was now on his back. She sat up, slipped his overall straps off, and began undoing the many buttons to his shirt. She was pleased to find over half were there merely for decorative purposes, and it came off quickly. Leaning in, she raked his chest with her fingers, relishing the sense of hard, tensing muscle again. His hands settled on the back of her hips and pulled her closer to his body as she rained kisses on his chest and neck, laying out on him to better do so. She felt his hands move up to her back and begin fumbling with the pink bow tied around her waist. She herself started pulling the black skintight pants from her lower body.

She sat back in the upright position and he rose to meet her, kissing her as he slid the kimono off her shoulders and tossed it aside while she wrapped her legs, now devoid of all clothing save her undergarments, around his waistline again. His hands made their way across her smooth thighs, silently enjoying her soft, supple skin; along the sides of her underwear, feeling the thin silky cloth; to her waist, where they met her light gray bodice she always wore under her kimono; up to her slim shoulders, now laid bare without her top to cover them.

He began pushing her back and she complied, pulling him with her, one hand gripping his intensely. She bent her knee and brought a slender leg to rest against his side as he kissed her face, then her neck, and moved his way down…

Sheena gasped and dug her nails into his back. Any and all forms of "pleasure" the world had offered her before now was a cheap imitation to what Lloyd could readily give her. She needed him badly now, and she could see the same longing in his eyes as he settled his body over hers.

Her hands rested on the rim of his pants only for a second before working to removing them.

Lloyd was the first to awaken. He looked down and saw Sheena's head resting on his chest, one hand around his neck, the rest of her hidden under the blankets wrapped around both of them. The rays from the sun shone through her black hair, giving it an almost dark purple coloration.

He brought a hand out from under the blankets they were sharing and stroked her face, pulling the bangs out of her eyes. How did I get so lucky?

Feeling his touch, she awoke too. She looked at him sleepily, then smiled. "Lloyd…"

He smiled too, and brought his forehead down to hers, bumping them gently. "Sheena… Did you sleep well?"

"I always sleep well when it's with you, Lloyd…" she kissed him lightly on the lips, but held it for some time.

When they parted, she decided they should get it straight between them before coming out to the group with this news. "Lloyd…what do you think we should tell the others?" she saw the confusion in his face, "About…us?"

He still looked confused. It didn't occur to him something like this needed to be hidden. "I thought we would just tell them…how it is." he said slowly.

She grinned. She liked that plan: sticking to the truth. It was one Lloyd was best at. "And what if Raine talks about 'how we can't let something like this come between reunifying the two worlds' or something along those lines?"

Lloyd shook his head. "I don't think it will come between anything… If nothing else, it will give us – you, and me – something even greater to fight for. Another reason we can't fail."

She grinned wider. Lloyd always knew how to put the optimistic view into other people's minds. "I love you, Lloyd Irving…" she held onto him with both arms and moved up to kiss him again.

This one lasted longer, and was filled with the passion the two would always feel for each other until the worlds themselves stopped turning. Lloyd gently rolled over with her on the bed, still sharing that tender kiss. When they broke he leaned his face to the side of her head and whispered in her ear "And you'll always be my only lover, Sheena Fujibayashi…"

He nuzzled her lovingly right under her chin as she giggled and played with the hair on the back of his head.

…Hm, all mine…

I really do hope you all enjoyed. Given this single chapter has been in the off/on works for over two weeks, and sitting in my Documents for another week pending "appropriate-ness" (and then another week after that because I like to tease).

A great Thank You going out to those who spent some time in their review. Not to separate those who did and didn't, but I feel those who did should get some recognition for their time: KaylaBirde, arlo bean, Ruzerto, and Ezequielhl. Your words reminded me of why I was writing. For you guys!

And another, separate Thanks to anyone who has reviewed at all. While I appreciate constructive criticisms as well (as opposed to "just hearing how great I am", to use TS's words), you guys top the many who read and leave no comment at all, and your words of encouragement were always much appreciated. Any writer who writes and says they don't care about praise is lying, and you should punch them in the face the next time you see them.

One last Thank You to Twilight Scribe again, for Beta-ing this chapter as well. You guys have no idea how…bad the story sounds without TS previewing it. Kinda wish I had sought that help for earlier chapters, but then at the same time am pretty scared of what I'll find in what I thought was a good word or complete sentence (makes ya feel pretty dumb, to see the before and after, hehe). But I did get that help in the last two chapters, and I hope you all see the improvement.

Also, as this is the end of Lover's Day, please tell me what you thought of it! Feedback from fellow writers (or people who just read a lot) is important to me. It tells me what I can be doing better, what was/n't funny, what words could better fit in places, all sorts of things. I'm not saying you need to go through line by line analyzing it all, but if a spot jumps out at you, let me know! It all helps me in the future when writing new stories for you all to read. And I can't write better if I don't know I'm doing something wrong.

See you all next story. I need to take five...

Celsius009