Promise Fulfilled

Disclaimer: HA HA HA! Your kidding right? Yeah yeah, I own nothing...

Authors Notes: Ok this fic is the result of an inspiriation, and the only reason I wrote or posted it is cuz my friend made me :P I'm an anti NJO'er so I haven't read any of them except the first one. Anyway I've gleaned enough information from my various sources to know that Jaina brushed Zekk off, and a whole bunch of other stuff that burns me up. So this short little one poster is my defiance against it! Viva Jaina/Zekk! Masses Arise! We will not be denide! Ahem, anyway this AU, you probably will get the gist of it. Oh yes and the memory sequence supposedly takes place after Zekk's return from the darkside... So without further ado, behold the horror of my fluff...

"I'm sorry." she said.

"I know." he replied.

"Can you ever forgive me?" she asked, her voice almost to quite to hear.

His first response, was to say no. She'd hurt him, cut him in his vulnerability. A memory danced at the back of his mind, a memory of something important. He bought time, asking the first question that came to mind.

"Why did you do it?"

She shrugged, a familiar gesture.

"It seemed easier that way."

"How can you think it would be easier."

"I made a mistake. I was afraid to lose anything else so I built armor. I put up walls between myself and those I loved the most. I thought, if I didn't care it wouldn't hurt so much."

"Did it help?"

"No. It hurt worse."

"So why now? Why are you coming back to me now?"

He was suspicious of her motives. His pride wounded by her now regretted rejection. He would not be her rebound.

"I realized, that I would rather risk being hurt. Risk losing the people I love, than not be able to love them at all. Because even if I wasn't there, even if I pretended I didn't care. I still lost them."

"Can you forgive me?" she asked again.

Before he could answer the memory returned, the positions were revearsed.

He looked at her tears in his eyes.

"How can you forgive me after what I've done?"

"Do I have to have a reason?" she countered.

"Yes." he replied.

She smiled.

"All right then. You screwed up. Big time. But I'm going to forgive you, because I know someday I'm going to screw up to."

He shot her a skeptical look.

"Ok maybe not quite like this. But the point is, I know that I'll want you to forgive me. So, this way you owe me one."

The teasing words were softened more, by the crooked grin she shot him, and he couldn't help but laugh.

Back from his reverie, he saw her sad face. Still waiting for his reply. And so he gave it.

He kissed her, with all the love and passion that had to long been denied.

She was shocked at first, but soon returned his embrace, pouring all the love she held for him into that all important kiss.

As they broke apart for breath, he leaned his forehead against hers and panting, said

"There. Now were even."

She looked at him, her expression puzzled. Then slowly it dawned on her what he meant, and she laughed.

The hardened warrior was gone, and she was the girl he loved once again.

Her eyes sparkled as his hand caressed her cheek. He had lost her once, and he did not want to lose her again.

"Marry me?" he asked.

She was stunned, and could only stare at him in surprise for a moment. Then as she realized he meant it she grinned. The crooked grin he loved so much.

"Yes!" she replied.

He gripped her waist, swinging her around. Both of them buoyed by the joy. The joy of the innocent promise of love fulfilled at last.