A/N: I've been working on this fic for awhile, and I thought that I would go ahead and post it here. I'm really close to finishing it, so I hope you enjoy the first six chapters, and know that there are a few more to come in the near future!

Disclaimer: I don't own Balthier, Ashe, or any of the FFXII characters. Nor do I own FFXII. It all belongs to Square and I'm not making annnnny money off of this silly little fic. :)

Chapter One
Arrangement

Be my bad boy, be my man
Be my weekend lover
But don't be my friend
-- Cascada, "Bad Boy"

Something was bothering the Princess. A blind fool would have picked up on it. They were walking around the Salikawood, looking for some sodding lazy moogles, but Ashe didn't seem very interested in the task at hand. She kept stealing furtive glances in his direction, chewing on her bottom lip anxiously.

The leading man in him wanted to say she was nervous about being alone with him. It was, after all, the first time that had ever happened. Basch normally didn't let the Princess out of his sight. But the moogles had given them little choice. Basch and Fran had stayed at the gate, to make sure the moogles actually went back there. The overseer had been pretty clear that his employees weren't known for their strong work ethic, and the group had figured that Basch and Fran were the most intimidating.

That had left Vaan, Penelo, Ashe, and Balthier to round up the little bastards. All so they could get to the bleeding Phon Coast.

After several minutes, Ashe let out a long-suffering sigh. "They aren't here, obviously. Why are we still wandering around the same area?" she groused.

"Someone's a little cranky," Balthier said teasingly, earning a petulant glare from the Princess. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Ashe looked at him, trying to gauge whether or not he was teasing her again, or if his offer was genuine. Seeing no hint of amusement in his eyes, she exhaled, trying to stay the butterflies in her stomach.

Was she really going to do this?

"You've been tense since Mt. Bur-Omisace, Princess," Balthier continued, leaning nearer than was necessary to her ear. "Well, before that, really, but it's more noticeable now. Even Vaan has noticed." He quirked his eyebrow at her and she smiled faintly at his attempt to cheer her.

"And I suppose you never get tense, being the leading man, is that right?" Ashe said, rolling her eyes.

"We all get tense, Princess. Some of us just have … ah, different outlets for the tension."

Ashe gaped at him, realization dawning. "Oh, so, you and Fran …" she muttered feebly, feeling a fool for even thinking this ridiculous scheme of hers would work.

Balthier's uproarious laughter caused her to jerk her head up sharply. "Not since we first met, Princess," he said, after he'd stopped laughing. "And I'd daresay it's been well over a month since I've relieved the tension that particular way, since you asked." He winked at her and she took a step back, only to back herself up against a tree. He quickly closed the distance, leaned nonchalantly against the trunk, mere inches from Ashe, feeling quite proud of himself.

Ashe bit her lip to conceal her amusement. "That long, you don't say?" she said, feigning sympathy for the pirate. "How terrible for you." Rolling her eyes again, she tried to push him away, but he trapped her with his arms against the tree. "Balthier," she said warningly.

"How long has it been for you?" he asked her seriously, a strange light in his hazel eyes.

She met his gaze defiantly. "Two years. So forgive me if your paltry little month pales in comparison."

He whistled. "Two years?" he said. "Hell. I see now why you're tense." He cocked a grin, and started to back away from her, but she put her hand on his upper arm to stop him.

"What if …what if we came to some sort of arrangement?" she said, surprised at how strong her voice actually sounded. This was not something that Princesses were supposed to do. But desperate times and all that … the frustration of this journey was taking its toll, and while fighting monsters had its perks, it wasn't the kind of physical outlet she needed.

She'd been thinking a lot about it over the last week or so. Widow or no, vagrant princess or not, at the core of it all, she was a woman. A young woman, a woman with needs.

She couldn't ask Basch … he'd be absolutely horrified at the notion, and besides, she worried she would become emotional about him, were they to get involved. They did have a history, and long ago, she had been quite infatuated with the knight.

And then, of course, there was Vaan … but Vaan was … well, Vaan. Too young, too inexperienced. Too loose-lipped. And he just did nothing for her, sweet as he was.

Balthier was perfect. He was handsome, he obviously knew what to do with a woman, and emotional attachments (save Fran) didn't seem to be his strong suit. Things wouldn't get messy with Balthier. It would be easy … and they would both benefit from it in the end.

Balthier froze, just looked at her. "Arrangement?" he said, trying to remain nonchalant.

"Nobody can work well when they're overwrought," Ashe began slowly. "And I obviously am, as you pointed out. I'm absolutely mad for suggesting this, I know. But I'm … frustrated. There are certain things that no amount of hacking and slashing are going to take care of. Surely you understand?"

He could only nod. Surely she wasn't suggesting …

"So I think that you and I should …" she paused, searching for the best way to finish her thought. "We should feel free to use each other as a means of channeling any pent-up frustrations we might have in the future."

He still said nothing, just looked at her with an absolutely disbelieving expression.

"I've thought this through. It will only benefit us in the end. We will be more relaxed and refreshed," she went on. "There would be rules, of course. I don't want any emotional attachments involved."

She looked at him, wondering why he hadn't spoken yet. He still said nothing, so she continued. "First of all, there is no way the others can know. Not even Fran," she added pointedly. "And Basch would kill you if he knew, so … Also, no names used, it's far too personal. And in that same vein, no kissing on the lips."

Balthier finally found his voice. "You have thought this through."

Ashe nodded. "Yes, I have. So what say you?"

He very nearly laughed, leave it to Her Royal Highness to make a proposition sound like a diplomatic agreement. He pushed back from the tree, turned away from her for a moment, trying to make sense of what had just happened. He ran his hands through his hair quickly and then turned back to her. She had an expectant look on her face, and he had to admit that using her as a … "means to channel his frustrations" … would be no hardship.

"I'd say it's a deal, then," he finally responded. "Do we shake on it?"

Ashe shook her head, smiling a little. "No, I don't believe that's necessary."

"All right," Balthier said. Suddenly he felt quite unsure of what to do now that this "agreement" was in place. "How am I to know when you'll be requiring my special talents, and vice-versa?" he finally asked.

Ashe sighed affectedly. Back to his old tricks, of course. "Please don't trivialize this," she said quietly. "I don't find it humorous."

"Nor do I," he answered. "But I cannot even begin to understand what is going on in your mind -- especially not now -- and I can only assume you won't be wanting this to happen every day."

"That would be a correct assumption," Ashe said glibly, as they started walking again, and she peeked her head into one of the forest bungalows. No moogles to be found. "Perhaps a code or a signal of some sort?"

Balthier narrowed his eyes. "A code word? Truly?"

Ashe exhaled loudly. "Don't you and Fran use codes whilst you are plundering?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.

"That is quite different," Balthier retorted dryly.

"Not so. In both cases, the communication is needed to be kept between two people. If it doesn't work, we can find another way," Ashe said, unfazed by the pirate's sarcasm.

"How many phrases will I have to memorize then?" Balthier asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. Oh, he was rather enjoying himself. "Will there be a phrase for when you wish to be ravished at daybreak, one when you wish to sneak away from the group?"

"Oh," Ashe grumbled irritably. "First of all, there will be no ravishing. We've no need for formalities. It will be a simple thing, very quick, so we aren't caught, do you understand?"

"Perfectly," Balthier responded.

Shaking her head, Ashe stopped in front of the last bungalow in their current section of the forest. "What about notes? Something that wouldn't make sense to anyone reading it. They might think it a mistake or a piece of trash … that would work, wouldn't it?"

"So if I receive a note reading 'There are no moogles in the forest today' … I could take that to mean …" he raised his eyebrows suggestively, and she tried not to laugh.

"You would be correct in that assumption." She nodded. Sighing in frustration at yet another empty bungalow, she threw up her hands. "There are no moogles here today!"

"You don't say?" Balthier said softly, coming closer to her.

"Perhaps … perhaps we should do this now?" she whispered, looking at the empty hut. "Get it over with."

"That was my plan," he said, pulling her over to the bench.

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to be lain back on the rough-hewn bench, the wood digging into her back and the backs of her legs uncomfortably. She kept her eyes tightly shut, and prayed that Balthier wouldn't be a talker. She couldn't have handled his prattle right now. No, she just wanted this done. The first time is the worst, the hardest. After this, it would be all right, it would be better. With shaking hands, she reached down and removed her underwear and dropped them onto the floor.

He watched her, afraid to move or speak, afraid she'd take off running like an Ozmone Hare if he inadvertently frightened her. And truth be told, he didn't want her to run. It would be a lie if he said that he hadn't thought of doing just this with Her Royal Highness numerous times before. She wore that tiny little skirt, and he was a man, after all. He'd just never imagined she'd be the one to suggest it.

When he thought she seemed a bit calmer, he took a deep breath and prepared himself to do what he never thought he'd be allowed to do.

She felt his hands on her hips first, positioning her, lifting her skirt a little higher. Then she felt him slide his fingers over her gently. It was the first time a man had touched her like that in so long, and she gasped involuntarily at the sensation.

He used his fingers deftly, making sure she was ready for him, not wanting to cause any more pain than was necessary, before he unbuttoned his trousers and slid himself into her.

Her eyes flew open and she let out a hissing breath. She'd forgotten how much it would hurt. It was like the first time all over again, and unbidden tears sprang to her eyes. Embarrassed, she reached up and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands.

He held very still inside her until he was sure the worst part was over. He knew she wasn't a virgin, but chances were good that she felt like one right now. He felt her body relax a little, and knew he could go ahead.

He began to thrust slowly within her, picking up speed as her inner walls became more accommodating to him. She did grasp his shoulders with her hands as he thrust, but she barely made any noise after her initial gasp. He supposed that was to be expected … it probably didn't feel good for her right now. He made a mental note to himself to make it up to her the next time. He let himself finish, though it wasn't a very satisfying ending. He knew, though, that she would want it to be over as quickly as possible. This was just the "getting it over with" bit … next time, next time would be better.

Standing up, pulling on her underwear, and straightening her skirt, Ashe wouldn't meet his eyes. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea, after all … she certainly didn't feel any better; in fact, she almost felt worse. And that wasn't even taking into consideration the dull ache between her legs.

Balthier re-buttoned his trousers and blew out a long breath. Not his finest work, that was for certain. "Ashe," he said after a long moment of silence. "First impressions are not all there is to go on. You'll forgive me, for hurting you, I hope. And I think we'll both be needing some time to get used to this arrangement."

He smiled, just a little, but it was enough to put Ashe at ease, and she nodded. "Of course. The first time … is never good."

"We should get back to the group," he said abruptly, sensing her vulnerability and not wanting to take advantage of it. "Hopefully Vaan and Penelo found those blasted moogles."

Ashe nodded and led the way through the forest and back to the gate.

The moogles were all there, as was the rest of the party, with much concern over the long delay of Ashe and Balthier.

Ashe just waved her hand dismissively, saying, "We got lost because someone thought he knew a shortcut." The glaring look she shot Balthier was convincing enough for their comrades, and there were no more questions for the Princess and the pirate, which was lucky, because Ashe knew she couldn't have answered them.

Just as she knew she wouldn't put off the next encounter with Balthier, much as her mind was screaming at her to write the whole thing off. She wasn't ready to give up yet.

xXx

When they reached the Hunter's Camp at the Phon Coast, much later that evening, Vaan and Penelo immediately ran for the water, splashing and squealing like children. It warmed Ashe's heart to see them happy. They were working so hard to help her, it was nice that they could have some time to themselves as well.

Basch and Fran headed for the local merchant, leaving Ashe and Balthier alone yet again. She tripped slightly, and he caught her hand, effectively keeping her from falling on her face.

She quickly retracted her hand, and walked away from him, toward the water's edge. Balthier shook his head in frustration at the temperamental Princess and followed her. "Why the capital?" he asked her.

"The nethicite," Ashe said solemnly. "I must destroy it."

"You sure you don't want it for yourself? Use it's power to restore Dalmasca -- something like that? The best intentions invite the worst kinds of trouble," he said in an almost accusing tone. He wondered why he was bringing this up now, but then he realized -- she was trusting him with something huge, and to repay that, he would be completely honest with her. He owed her that much.

"Lusting for ever greater power, blinded by the nethicite. Is that how you see me?" She didn't know where he was going with this, but it was good that he was telling her now, rather than later.

"That does sound like someone I know," he continued, staring out across the seemingly endless blue ocean. "He was obsessed with nethicite. It was all he cared about. He'd babble nonsense about some 'Eynah', or was it 'Venat'? Everything he did, he did to get closer to the nethicite. He made airships, weapons … he even made me a Judge."

Ashe gasped. "You … you were a Judge?"

Balthier sighed. "Part of a past I'd rather forget. It didn't last long. I ran. I left the Judges, and him. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa. Draklor Laboratory's own Dr. Cid. That's when he lost his heart to nethicite, lost himself. And I suppose that's when I lost my father."

Ashe sighed sadly, and he finally turned around to face her again. "Don't follow in his footsteps. I ran away. I couldn't stand seeing him like that … a slave to the stone. So I ran. Free at last. Funny I went for the Dusk Shard. How could I have known it was nethicite? And then of course, I met you." Ashe walked up to stand next to him at the water's edge. "All that running and I got nowhere. It's time to end this -- to cut my ties to the past."

Ashe smiled forlornly. "It's hard to leave the past behind, I know." She looked at her wedding band for a moment, and then back to the man beside her now.

"The choice is yours to make, Princess, but don't give your heart to a stone," Balthier implored. "You're too strong for that."

"I pray you're right, Balthier," she said. "And thank you, for telling me this."

"Does this change anything for you?" he asked her, looking at her intently.

She shook her head. "No, it doesn't. Does it change things for you, now that I know this?"

"No," he said firmly. "I felt the need to tell you, to show you the same trust you've shown me. So I'd say we're about even now."

She gave him the tiniest hint of a smile. "About," she responded lightly. "Come, let's go see what Basch and Fran have bought us this time."

He followed her back to the Hunters' Camp proper, and he felt strangely lighter, now that he'd told Ashe about Dr. Cid. He only hoped that her newfound knowledge wouldn't prevent her from doing what had to be done on this journey.

He had come to the conclusion when he'd first gotten pulled into this situation that he might have to destroy his own father. He had made his peace with it and he didn't wish for anyone to make him start questioning himself.

The only thing he cared to be questioning right now was when Ashe would request his services again. He hoped she wouldn't wait too long.

There was definitely potential for mind-blowingly good sex with Her Royal Highness, and it would be just the release that he needed to get through this next leg of the trip to Archades. And, if he wasn't mistaken, it would be just the release she needed as well.