They arrived at the ship and Ashe ran out to greet them, along with Al-Cid and Larsa. They all got onto the ship and returned to Rabanastre. On the ship medics helped to treat and dress all of their wounds and by the time they arrived, everyone was feeling much better.

Ashe instructed them to go wash and change, and meet her in the throne room. Fara gratefully listened to the queen. She was covered in blood and dirt, and wanted nothing more then to get herself clean. After she was done, she walked out back into her room, the same one she had when she had been staying here before. Balthier was sitting on her bed, he looked up when she came out.

She smiled at him and sat next to him.

"So, now that we are no longer on the brink of death, have your feelings for me changed at all?" Balthier said lightly, though Fara could hear a hint of nervousness on his voice.

"Oh yes" she replied seriously, "I honestly did not think I would make it through today. If I had known that there was to be some sort of real commitment, well I wouldn't have started a thing that much I can promise you."

Balthier knew that she was kidding, but he played along anyway.

"Well, I can see when I am no longer wanted" he said, but Fara interrupted him before he could finish. She leaned over and kissed him quickly on the lips. She started to get up to go and meet up with the others in the throne room. He quickly pulled her back down and kissed her much deeper. He leaned over her and guided her back down onto the bed. One hand was lightly massaging her stomach and the other was on the back of her head.

They heard a throat clearing behind them and they jumped apart. Basch was leaning against the doorframe an amused look on his face.

"I had heard something like this was going on, but lucky me I get to see it with my own eyes" Basch said amused.

Fara smiled apologetically at him and he continued "we are waiting for you two down in the throne room."

The three of them walked down to the throne room together. When they got there they saw everyone else waiting for them.

Al-Cid walked up to Fara and linked his arm with hers.

"You look exquisite my darling" he said to her smiling. She was about to pull away when Basch came up and led Al-Cid away. Fara heard Basch say "You do not want to be doing that" quietly to the confused man. She looked at Balthier and saw him staring at Al-Cid with a murderous glint in his eye. She took his hand in hers and smiled at him reassuringly.

Al-Cid returned to his spot to the left of Ashe's throne. Larsa was standing on the other side. They all lined up in front of the rulers and stood waiting.

"You have fought bravely, and because of your service Ivalice is saved" Ashe's voice rang out in the silent chamber.

Larsa spoke next, "Because of this we are forever grateful and in all of your debts."

"If there is anything, any of our empires can do for you, all you must do is say it, and we will grant it" Al-Cid finished. He looked at Fara as he said this and winked. She rolled her eyes at him, but smiled a little to take the sting off.

Ashe smiled at all of them broadly.

"Now that the official work is done, let us relax. You have earned it" Ashe said, stepping of her throne.

They all stayed in Rabanastre for a while. Feasting and sleeping and laughing. Al-Cid and Larsa left first, they had to go back to their own kingdoms. Vaan and Penelo left soon after. They left on their ship to do more "Sky pirating" as Vaan had explained. But they had promised to keep and touch and visit whenever they were able. Basch alternated between staying with Larsa and Ashe, carrying messages between them.

All that left was Fara, Fran and Balthier. Fara did not know what she was going to do now. She had finally figured out the fate that had befallen her parents, and though she was still heartsick sometimes when she thought about it, she was starting to move one. She was ready to explore the world again, she missed the open road before her and she had a lot more life in her before she was ready to settle down.

The only problem with that was Balthier. She knew the only reason that he and Fran had not already taken off on the Strahl was because he was waiting for Fara to decide what she was going to do. She did not want to admit that most of her just wanted to stay with him. She was never one to be dependent on another, but that was exactly how it was with Balthier. She was with him almost all the time, and when she was not she was usually thinking about him. But she was not sure if she was ready for any sort of commitment.

She had finally decided what she was going to do. Balthier was standing out in one of the Gardens. He was cleaning and working on his gun.

"Balthier" Fara called out.

He turned to her and smirked. He met her halfway and kissed her. His hand worked his way around her waist and he left it there.

"Balthier, I'm going to go travel again" Fara said, she did not know how to say it lightly, so she just spat it out. The words tasted vile on her tongue. She still was not sure with her decision, but she knew she would never really be able to decide. She simply had to plunge in headfirst.

Balthier seemed frozen, a fire in his eyes that Fara had never seen before.

"Fara. I let you walk away once, I will not let you do it again" Balthier said, his tone flat.

"Balthier you can not tell me what to do. You are not my father" Fara replied, she wanted to be angry at him, but she just could not. She kept seeing him as he had been, when she had left all those years ago and she just felt sick.

"Come with us instead. Fran and I. You will get your travel in, and I will be able to keep an eye on you" his voice still sounded strange, but their was a hint of hope in it.

"Would Fran be okay with that? I thought it was always just a sky pirate and his partner." Fara questioned. She thought about it, and realized that would be the best of both worlds. No need to settle down yet, but also no need to leave Balthier.

"I do believe Fran has taken a liking to you. It must be your undeniable charm" Balthier replied dryly, stroking one of her cheeks. "As for a sky pirate and his partner, I do believe the Strahl has more then enough room. Besides if we get sick of you we can just dump you at any skyport."

Fara smiled.

"Alright" she replied.

"Yes?" Balthier asked, breaking into a real smile, something he did not often do.

"Yes." Fara repeated.

Balthier lifted her up in his arms and kissed her passionately.

"We will leave at once then. I have grown anxious staying in one place for so long." Balthier said.

Balthier went and got Fran. Fara went and informed Ashe of their plans. Ashe was sad, but knew that it was time for them to go. Fara said goodbye to the Queen, thinking about how strange it was that she was friends with a Queen at all. Balthier and Fran came and also bid Ashe farewell.

They all went to the Strahl and got ready for departure. Somehow, Fara knew that this was just the beginning of a long and exciting adventure. And she would always be content with Balthier at her side. They flew off into the sky together. She knew the sky held many more secrets for them to uncover, and it held all the freedom that she needed.

The End