Disclaimer: I do not own anything from FFIX.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Formidable

Garnet was gently shaken awake by Kuja, as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Go back to sleep, I just wanted to let you know I'm going. I have to leave before anyone finds us together," he said in a hushed voice. The regent, his wife, Eiko, Dr. Tot, and all those present at the meetings in Lindblum were the only ones who knew just how far Garnet's relationship with Kuja had gone. The rumor was spread around that Garnet had never actually been married to a prince from another continent, and that she was free to marry someone who would make a worthy King.

"I don't care… let them see…" Garnet replied, still half asleep. Kuja smirked.

"Soon enough we won't have to hide it," he said, lightly brushing her hair back. The people had never really seen Kuja before. He would be brought out and introduced as a prince that was a suitor for the Queen's hand. They would finally be able to get married.

It was then that he left her and went to an unused guest room.

"Garnet!" Eiko burst through the Queen's door and jumped on her bed. "Time to wake up!" The Queen groaned and rolled over in attempts to ignore the younger summoner. The girl was quite persistent and bounced on the bed until Garnet finally sat up.

"What time is it?" Garnet asked.

"Uh… it's almost ten," Eiko replied. "That scary looking lady with the sword was going to get you, but I told her I would. Cid said it would be bad if you two were found together in the same room, alone. Such stupid rules, but whatever..." Garnet blushed slightly.

"They are kind of stupid, but no one else can know about us or…"

"...the baby…" Eiko finished for her. Garnet tensed at the thought. The sheet was draped around her, but she was completely naked underneath. She looked around to see that Kuja must have picked up her dress and other belongings and put them away. Letting out a relieved sigh, she turned her attention back to Eiko.

"I need to get dressed; will you send Beatrix to help me?" Garnet smiled at the younger girl.

"Yea, I'll get the scary sword lady. I'll be right back!" With that said, she flew out the door leaving Garnet to stand up and get herself dressed to the extent that she was able to. Within minutes Eiko was back and Beatrix helped lace up Garnet's corset and the back of her dress. Together, the three girls left for breakfast where everyone else was waiting. With the construction underway, there wasn't a lot for the new Queen to deal with. Other kingdoms were still detained with their own reconstructions.

Beatrix and the other guards where dismissed before the Regent started to lead a discussion on what to do about Garland and Zidane. Cid had insisted on staying with Garnet for a few days, at least until they had devised some sort of plan.

It seemed to go on for hours, and yet no one really knew what to do. Cid resolved to send someone to go and talk with Tantalus. They would be trying to figure something out about Zidane as well; maybe they could come up with some ideas.

Everyone was mentally exhausted by the time the meeting was finally called to a close. Garnet had to restrain herself from following after Kuja. She had to keep up appearances around everyone here. It wasn't like at Cid's regency where they all assumed she and Kuja were married. She knew he would come for her later, but it would be unwise for them to be together in the eyes of others just yet.

Cid was quick to inform the guards of the castle that Kuja was a visiting prince, but that the Queen was taking her time before thinking of courting anyone. It was believable enough and easily bought.

Garnet entered her room and shut the door behind her. She wanted nothing more than for this all to be over with. There was a light knock on the door. Garnet hurried over and opened it with an expectant smile. She was quickly disappointed to see Beatrix standing there, and I did not go unnoticed by the other woman how the Queen's face fell.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, of course not I was just…"

"…expecting someone else," Beatrix finished. Garnet averted her gaze.

"Yes, Eiko was going to come and visit me," the queen lied smoothly.

"I see," The general replied, clearly not believing her. "You've seemed so distraught. I know you've been through a lot." Garnet was taken by surprise; she had never had a real conversation with Beatrix before. "Your mother confided a lot in me. I hope that you feel you can do the same." Tears burned in the queen's eyes. She wanted so badly to confide in someone who was outside of the situation, but if she did so she would drag the general into the chaos that she so desperately wanted to escape from. She couldn't do that to her. The queen put on a serene smile.

"I'll be alright. It's good to know I have someone to turn to in all of this. I won't hesitate to rely on you." Garnet wouldn't be able to rely on Beatrix just yet. She had to keep her at distance for now. Beatrix nodded and excused herself, coming again when it was time for dinner.

Garnet was dressed for bed, her elegant gown put away. She sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. She should get to sleep, who knew what could happen tomorrow. She blew out her candle and laid back. A few minutes passed, and she knew it would be impossible to sleep with out Kuja at her side. She tossed and turned for awhile, wishing that he would come to her, and was almost afraid that he wouldn't come. She was not disappointed when she heard her door open and close with the lock clicking in place. A familiar, comfortable form crawled into the bed behind her. She turned in his embrace and wrapped her arms around him.

"I was afraid you weren't going to come," Garnet whispered. She felt his hand run lightly through her hair, his lips placing a kiss at her temple, and heard a seductive chuckle escape his lips. Foolish girl… she has no idea…My plans for ultimate ruling and destruction were tossed aside… all for her…Even after she had saved me, I could have easily picked up where I had left off… he mused.

"I kept myself away as long as I could," he replied quietly. "Did you really think I'd make you spend your nights alone?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't…" She replied. Sleep came easily now. She'd hate to know what it was like to be with out him now. She couldn't even fathom it. "I love you…" she murmured before falling asleep.

"…and I you," he replied, his lips against her hair.

"I've been struck with a genius idea," Garland drawled.

"That would be?" Zidane looked over to Garland blankly.

"A way to solve all our problems, oh this is genius…" The older man paced back and forth, marveling at his own brilliance. "The Queen will need to marry; it's in the people's best interest if she does." He chuckled. "We will let them think that you and Kuja are the Queen's suitors. If she refuses to have you, we threaten to spill her love affair to the people. We'll play fair for awhile, but I know just the person to make Kuja disappear in a tragic accident, leaving you the only other option." His brow furrowed. "Yes… yes this is the long way around, but it will be far more fun for us this way. The people have never seen me before, and we can make you look presentable. Those who knew you will never recognize you from afar."

"So you expect me to marry her so you can use her powers, and the people would be none the wiser. What of the regent?"

"He won't want his niece's reputation put to ruin. We could get the stones from him with that little bit of black mail. Oh, poor little Queen, you've been so very careless, you've given us just what we need to make this foolproof."

"What if she doesn't care?"

"Fool… Kuja can be tried for taking their Queen's virtue. They believe that through the generations, God has chosen her family to rule over them. If they found that this sacred law was broken, Kuja would be killed and she would be shamed beyond all recognition." Garland was almost laughing at this point.

"How will you prove it?" Zidane asked.

"You leave that to me. For now we have to move, there is someone I need to find that can't be reached by airship… The one who will ensure Kuja disappears from this planet…"

Author's Note:

I had honestly planned to draw this story to a close with this chapter, but I had an idea. So, I'm going with it. Ugh, I'm trying not to fall into another slump. Thank you to those who reviewed my returning chapter. It meant a lot to me that you're still sticking with me, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting so long. So, who's this person/thing Garland is going to get? Hmmm? I know it was a bit jumpy from section to section, I hope it wasn't too confusing. Please let me know what you think?