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Disclaimer: Star Ocean 3 is owned by Tri-Ace… You know… I never understood why we have to put these if this is FAnfiction dot net.

A/N: Ah, yes, it feels somewhat empty without Albel… Nevertheless, everyone will survive! Heh, I feel slightly proud of myself XD. I've been improving in my writing a lot… Like, with grammar and everything. I try to make my stories as interesting with grammar as possible, and I hope you guys will notice it! Since I can't speak anymore, (I sound like an idiot since I mess up so much) typing is all I really have. Er… I forgot what else I was going to type… Well, I'm still not sure what to do with Nel, Albel, or Clair (if any of you remember earlier chapters), but I've been very intrigued by the friendship between Nel and Clair. I also want to have more to do with Albel, but he has too many problems to solve. I'm lost! I'm about as lost as Albel on the streets of Arkives. Well, I had best continue this chapter. No idea how long it's going to be or who's leaving next… I guess Roger though since Surferio is right there.

That, and it wouldn't seem right for me to have an A/N without apologizing for the lateness. I've been so lazy, and drawing so much… and I didn't have it in me to write anything, really. However, you guys are my fans, and you love my story (and I hope you're still reading this), so I don't want to disappoint you guys. So, for the 100 th time this story, I'm really, really, sorry! I don't mean to suck lemons!

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Chapter 21: Farewell Does not Mean Forever

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The remaining party members approached the quaint, little town of Surferio. Roger became more and more nervous upon returning home to his family. The clear waters rushed calmly beneath them as the mermaids swam about. Maria took in a breath of fresh air and relinquished it with ease. "I always loved the fresh air on Elicoor," she declared, gaining a few nods of agreements from the other members. Roger remained stationary, though. Strides led his only movements.

Sophia noticed his change of behavior. "Roger? What's the matter? You're unusually quiet," she asked him in concern. Roger changed the direction of his eyes to face her but kept his head in the same position, creating a pouty appearance.

"I'm just… nervous. I haven't been home in a while, and, even though I've been gone before, I just get nervous…" Roger shook his head and thought—I'm just not making any sense, am I? Nel set her hand on Roger's shoulder and smiled.

"I know how you feel. I am always gone from both Arias and Aquios, but I still get slightly nervous each time. It's nice seeing the ones you love. It's nothing strange," she consoled. Roger sighed.

"Yeah… I guess you're right…"

Fayt grinned, turning his head to the side. "Aww, come on, now! Cheer up! You don't want to walk in there all gloomy and stuff!" he exclaimed, a scary amount of cheerfulness escaping from his voice when he said 'gloomy'. "Your parents want to see you happy, right?" Roger rubbed the back of his head.

With the quick turn of a lip, he smiled and energetically stated, "You're absolutely right!" He ran ahead of the rest. Everyone could now read the eagerness of the little Menodix as he rushed to greet his loving parents. With smiles flowing from their lips, they all ran after him.

"Mama! Papa! I'm home!" The excited ball-of-fluff exclaimed. An older looking Menodix emerged from a nearby room, her face immediately lightening up as she spotted her son.

"Roger!" She held out her arms as Roger ran and jumped into them.

"Mama!" he shouted in joy. While digging his head into the arms of his mother, he spotted his father off to the side. In another excited leap, he left the hug and lunged at the taller Menodix. "Papa!"

"Roger, we're so glad to have you home, again," his mother kindly told him. Roger wiped an unnoticeable tear away from his brown eyes as he nodded vigorously.

"And am I ever glad to be home!" The rest of the party entered the house and stopped to grin at Roger. Roger, putting his parents to the side for moment, strolled up to his friends. "Thanks, guys." Fayt leaned down so that he was level with Roger and placed his hand atop of the child's head.

"No problem." He paused when he saw the Menodix slightly sadden. "Aww, this isn't our last goodbye. Maybe we'll get to go on another adventure, together!"

"I'm… I'm sorry for leaving y'all so soon. I'm being a big baby by wanting to go home."

"Huh, is that what's bothering you? Nonsense!" Cliff assured him. Fayt nodded in agreement.

"A real man knows when he has to return home! He knows when the ones he loves miss him, and when he misses the ones he loves," he explained, making up anything for Roger to believe.

Looking at the floorboards, and then looking back up, Roger said, "You're right huh?"

"Exactly! So, don't think you're running away or anything. You're just taking a break to do what's right." Removing his hand from the humanoids head, Fayt stood back up to his original height and grinned. "Well, we hope to see you soon. I'll make sure to visit you."

"And give me more 'real man' lessons?"

"Why not?" replied Fayt.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Thanks, again, Fayt! You're a great pal! Bye now!" Roger waved at everybody, everybody waving back, and then turned back towards his parents once they all said their farewells. "I'll stay here for a while with you guys!"

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"Well, now," Maria began, turning her gaze towards Nel. "Shall we lead you to Arias?"

"I should probably stop by and report to her Majesty, first. I didn't expect to be gone from my regular duties for so long," the Crimson Blade explained in a monotone voice. Maria slightly frowned. She knew, from a very early experience, that Clair always missed Nel whenever the redhead was gone. And, the sooner Nel saw her again, the better they would both feel.

"…" the female bluenette did not speak. She contemplated on what to do: convince Nel to see Clair before heading out to Aquios, or just let her choose her own decisions. Fayt noticed Maria's frustration and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. She jumped slightly, but quickly gained her normal countenance. "Y-yes?"

Fayt's eyebrows furrowed together before asking, "Is something the matter, Maria?"

The gunwoman vigorously shook her head. "No, nothing at all! Let's get going! Eheh…" she quickly walked ahead of the rest.

Nel looked up at the remaining party members. "Did I… say something wrong?" Sophia shrugged, and Cliff just held his fist to his mouth in a gesture of thinking. Fayt ran to catch up with Maria.

"Maria…" his voice called out to her. Maria paused mid-step, unable to avoid Fayt. She sighed heavily and nervously turned around. "You can tell me, can't you?"

"Well…" she fiddled with her fingers, a very common sign for hesitation, "you remember-," she stopped, glancing behind Fayt to conclude that no one was listening in on them. "…that time when you were injured and we had to stay at the Arias inn? Do you remember what Clair said about Nel? She constantly misses her and wishes she could see her more…" Fayt closed and nodded his head, understanding Maria perfectly.

"And since Nel's been gone for a while, you wanted her to see Clair first before reporting to the Queen?"

"Yeah."

"But you don't want to interfere with what Nel wants to do…"

"Exactly!" Maria exclaimed. She began to wonder if Fayt's powers allowed him to read minds. Fayt turned to look at the party, who were chatting about some matter, then gazed back at Maria. "Should I just… leave her alone?" Fayt crossed his arms as he tried to think of a good notion. He also wanted Nel to return home to Clair. The two had not seen each other in quite a bit. Truthfully… they rarely ever had a chance to see each other. How did that affect Nel? She was trained not to show too many emotions, but… she obviously felt sad somewhere in her heart. Right?

Fayt had decided. He turned on his heel and walked over to Nel. "Nel," he began. Nel blinked in confusion at the seriousness in his voice. "Er, um, I mean…" he coughed, clearing out his voice. "I didn't mean to sound too serious!" He laughed weakly and rubbed the back of his head. Maria brought her hand to her temple as she rubbed it in aggravation.

Fayt can be such an idiot… But, that's why I love him, she thought while blushing slightly. Fayt attempted to confront Nel again, sounding less constipated that time. "Um, Nel… should you not return to Clair, first? I bet she misses you terribly," he finally managed to ask. Nel shifted slightly and looked away. Fayt cocked his head to the side. "Eh, is… something wrong?" Nel looked up at everyone again and shook her head.

"No, there's nothing wrong…" Maria walked up to Nel. Now, it was her turn.

"You shouldn't make Clair wait. You and I both know how much it hurts her," she informed Nel, hoping to get a better reaction than what Fayt received.

"But, that's… well…"

"Why are you delaying, Nel?" Maria questioned, but speaking a bit more gently than she had before. Nel shook her head.

"I just…" she paused. She found her reasons for delaying could be seen as silly to other people. Should she tell them? Would they laugh or say that it was silly of her to think that? But… they were her friends. Surely, they would understand. "Whenever I go back… She's so happy to see me. And, yet, I can see how hurt she is… was from my absence. I hate having to return, and then say, 'Sorry, but I have to leave again.' She gives me a really sad look, but I can only walk away…" Nel brought her hand to her forehead and shook her head. "I-I'm sorry, I-,"

"Don't be sorry," Fayt assured her. "But, you know that when you're gone longer, it hurts her even more? And she cherishes any moment to see you come home, even if it's just for two seconds. Because she knows that, you are okay and that she'll get to see you again soon. You want her to feel comforted when you're away, right?" Maria nodded in agreement. Cliff and Sophia decided it was best for them to avoid replying to anything, since that conversation did not seem to involve them.

Nel sighed and looked at the floor. Maria continued Fayt's advice. "He is absolutely right. Clair would cherish any moment with you, even if you had to depart shortly after. You miss her as much as she misses you."

The last sentence finally struck Nel. She missed Clair to a point where she would just hold her and never let go. She knew that would never happen since they both had duties to attend to, but she wanted at least to glance at her kind smile every now and then. The warrior brought her hands up to her eyes and covered them, attempting to stop the stinging tears forming around her eyes. "Y-you guys are right… I don't know why I try to avoid her if it only hurts both of us…" She released a small, weak chuckle. "I'm nothing but a fool…"

Fayt and Maria exchanged worried glances. Nel relinquished another tormented sigh and looked up at the two embodiments. "Well… shall we head to Arias?" Everyone's faces lit up at the announcement of Nel's decision.

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A/N: This is by far my shortest chapter ever, but I need to stop and plan out the rest. That, and I need to know if you guys mind/don't mind ClairxNel, because I'm just really drawn to typing that, but I'm more for my fans then what I want to put, so, just let me know, okay guys?

That, and if you have any ideas for what you want me to do with Albel, let me know. Oh… one more thing (gosh, I really don't know my story, do I?), also give me ideas on the whole LieberxSophia thing I have going on, and how I should make them a bit closer since I just introduced that idea to myself. As I said before, I'm about as lost as anybody in the Mosel Dunes.

Sorry for such a long wait and such a short chapter, but I'm back into typing this story, and a next chapter should soon be around the corner! As soon as I get your reviews, of course…