Author's note: Only Xenogears could wrangle so many words from me.

I know I promised only three Xeno fics, but I don't consider this separate from Rebuilding. It's like Rain of the Lahan Chapter, only this belongs to the Aveh-Nisan chapter.

Warning: Adult-rated content

Disclaimer: How in the world could I make money from this?

Inspiration: ^^ South Watarai's Bart and Margie Artwork (The Bed Scene)

Please go visit her site to see the nice whole image. I guarantee it's well worth the visit.

First and Last

Written by Yen (November 2000)

Over.

It was finally over.

Margie closed the door slowly and slumped weakly against it.

So tired...

I am so tired...

Her eyes moved to the bed.

Finally, I can sleep.

She pushed herself towards it and stopped as flakes of mud and sprinkles of dust fell from her dirty clothes to the floor. Disgusted, she removed her outer cloak and pulled her hood off. Her nose wrinkled when she saw how filthy it was.

"Yuck," she muttered, dropping it, running her fingers through her hair. Fortunately, the hood had taken most of the damage.

She looked back to the inviting bed and moaned, undecided

Should take a bath first before sleep... But she was so tired.

Unconsciously, her feet began to move to the bed.

Sleep first... can clean up later...

She was poised to throw herself onto the bed when she noticed how the clean grey-white silk sheets contrasted with her dirt matted green inner tunic.

Margie sighed with heavy reluctance and plodded to the clothes dresser several long paces away.

Moments later, she was still rifling through it, looking for her sleep wear. Her face scrunched in increasing irritation when she opened the last drawer to find only her spare red hood and cloak.

I don't believe this! She almost slammed the drawer in closing. She turned to the comp panel with every intention of calling Sister Agnes for her laundry. Margie stumbled halfway, shamefaced instead.

Everyone had been too busy to deal with washing and laundry.

Margie suddenly winced in pain, feeling a crick in her neck. She stretched, extending her arms out and yawning at the same time. She turned slightly and found herself looking at her reflection in the mirror.

... Sweet Sophia. I'm a mess.

It was an understatement. Dirt and mud caked her from boot level up. Even the high collar of her cloak did little to protect her neckline. She stared at her unrecognizable face. There was sizable brown spot of something on her forehead.

Ew!

***

"I'll see you all later, guys."

Bart waved tiredly at Fei and Billy as he stood up from the table. They were the only three left in the dining room. The others had already left for undoubtedly rest.

"Hic- oke, Bar- hic- t! Night!" Fei toasted him with his wine cup, then stared at it with muddled eyes before taking another swig from it. Opposite him, Billy smiled sleepily, nodding his good-byes. He too was not quite himself. His eyes seemed focused on the empty mug in front of him.

"Maison," he suddenly slurred, "More chocolate, please."

Fei laughed at him, "I- hic- can't believ- hic- you- hic- hic- get high on choc-" He wasn't able to finish, suddenly having a hiccoughing fit.

"You shuddup," Billy reprimanded Fei genially, "Better chocolate than alcohol."

Bart shook his head with fond amusement. He almost decided to stay just to witness his two close friends in drunken states, but truly, he was simply so tired.

Plus, he felt itchy.

***

Bart stepped out of the dryer, feeling comfortably warm and dry. It didn't take long for him to comb his hair straight and braided once again. As he tied the ribbon holding his braid, his thoughts turned to Margie, and he wondered if she was asleep now.

As he dressed, he decided he would call her room and check up on her. Though the Citan and Billy assured him Margie was in perfect health, he would rather she had spent the night in the hospital.

His throat tightened abruptly as he remembered her frail form flying through the air from Seth's ether attack.

MARGIE!!!

He had remained frozen as she landed hard on the ground, her head lolling lifelessly on the desert sand. He had thought her dead.

NO!!!

No! Bart clenched his eyes shut, forcing the image away. Margie is fine! She's all right. She's safe.

A while after, he opened his eyes, his jaw was clenched with worry.

I have to make sure she is fine.

He exited the bathroom, heading for the com panel on his desk. His forefinger paused before activating it.

No. She might be sleeping now. I don't want to disturb her. Bart decided instead to go and check on her personally. He was about to leave his room when he realized he was only wearing boxer shorts.

***

...Mhmm... This is heaven.

Margie blinked contentedly, her eyes barely opened to watch the steam rise from the hot water of her bath. It had been a long time since she had taken an old-fashioned bath. She had almost forgotten how good a hot bath in a tub felt.

She had balked upon remembering there was no shower nor dryer in her Bledavik suite like the ones she had in Nisan. She had almost gave up on cleaning up first before going to bed, but the thought of sleeping in the filthy state that she was in proved too unappealing.

I must not fall asleep here though. The last thing she wanted was to do that and wake up feeling like a dried prune.

It was tempting though.

***

Bart was standing in front of Margie's door, feeling stupid. Nearing her room, he had realized that her door would be locked.

Maybe I should knock... He raised his fist, about to do just that, then dropped it. I don't want to disturb her...

Finally, he tried the knob and to his surprise, found it unlocked.

***

Margie...

She smiled upon hearing Bart's voice. He was always in her dreams these days.

Margie... where are you...?

I'm here, Bart. She waved as he turned around. How handsome he looked as always. He was wearing a white suit, so unlike the red ones he preferred. He grinned when he saw her.

Margie...

She suddenly felt shy and looked away. She then realized she was garbed in white and was carrying a bouquet of flowers.

Margie. She looked back and found him standing a scant pace in front of her. He took one of her hands, lifted it to his lips and kissed it.

Will you marry me, Margie?

She had wanted so much to hear him say those words.

Yes, Bart.

He smiled brilliantly and embraced her fiercely. She closed her eyes when he lowered his head to kiss her.

***

"Bart..." He could feel her lips forming his name. Bart released her lips to trail his mouth across her chin down. His tongue tenderly explored the wildly beating pulse in the hollow base of her throat. Her firm breasts were pressed invitingly against his chest.

Margie... He moved his hand and paused, irritated by the constraining weight of his increasing soaked clothes. He had to pick a shirt with long sleeves.

Grumbling silently, he lowered Margie back down gently before releasing her to take off the offending garment. He then wadded it into a ball and tossed it aside casually.

It missed the clothes hamper by a wide margin but knocked down a flower vase.

...

"BART!!!"

***

Margie was pacing in front of him. Bart looked at her with mournful eyes. She had a long thick bath robe on.

She stopped, turned and glared at him.

"How could you?!" At last, she was speaking to him.

He replied glibly, "How could I what?" He found himself staring at her wet locks of hair. His fingers suddenly itched.

Her expression turned murderous. "You know very well what I mean!"

"Please elucidate, Margie." Spending time around Maison and Citan did help improve vocabulary.

At her side, her hands fisted, and Bart decided to behave. Margie did have a mean punch.

"It's not totally my fault," he said slowly, "and I did ask permission before kissing you."

Her face turned blank. "... Huh?"

He elaborated, "I asked if I could make love to you, Margie. You said yes. I didn't know you were sleeping."

Margie blushed fiercely. "You did too know I was sleeping!"

"Nah. I really thought you were just relaxing. Besides, you know it's not a good idea to fall asleep in a bath tub. You might drown, and you always come out all wrinkly like a raisin."

She was staring mutely at him, and he added, "It's really a good thing I woke you up."

After a long silent while, Margie pointed to the door and said, "Get out."

Bart folded his arms and said, "No."

***

Margie felt helpless when Bart started to move towards her. She stumbled back.

"B-bart, what are you thinking?! You can't stay here!"

"Oh yes, I can."

She shied away from him, moving unsteadily against the wall. Suddenly, her knees felt unable to support her.

"Why?!"

He stopped his advancement and smiled so sensuously, Margie felt short of breath.

"You know why, Margie," he murmured meaningfully.

She gasped, "I- I'm not ready for that!"

His eye gleamed. "You are, and so am I." His words made her whimper in panic. "Bart, please. Not now."

He took one step towards her. "Tell me why, Margie. Tell me why we shouldn't do it now, this very second. You know you want me."

Unable to meet his gaze, Margie lowered her eyes and found herself staring at his well-defined upper torso. She traced the lines of sinew and bone, the powerful lean muscles of his shoulders and arms and the flat and ridged plane of his stomach. She trembled, feeling utterly frail.

"In your dreams, you said yes to me, Margie." She closed her eyes and looked away as he came so close to her, she could breath in his scent.

"What was that yes for, Margie?"

***

"It doesn't matter."

Bart looked at her with a raised eyebrow, disbelief in her answer. "... Why wouldn't it matter, Margie?"

Her eyes opened, and she slowly looked back up at him. A faint smile touched her lips. "Because it only applies in that dream."

He felt irritated. "You would rather have a dream me than the real me?"

Her smile widened, and the panic in her eyes abated. "Well, a dream you is a lot more safer than the real you."

"Probably a lot more boring too," he grumbled.

She shrugged minutely. "I suppose." She then tiptoed and kissed him gently on the chin, afterwards saying, "Please, Bart, can we leave this for now?" She lowered her head gently, her bangs sticking wetly against her forehead. "We're both very tired now."

He stirred slightly, tempted to argue with her. He felt fine. Desire was quite a source of energy, but Margie did look weary.

He sighed reluctantly. "All right, Margie. We'll do this another time."

She looked back at him and hugged him gratefully before moving away.

"But let me do something before I go, Margie."

***

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was trying in vain to stay awake as Bart dried and combed her hair. She was seating in her dresser's chair with Bart standing behind her.

So nice and warm... Margie had finally gave in and was leaning against Bart. The mirror in front showed clearly the look of concentration on Bart's face as he dealt with a stubborn tangle. He was certainly serious about it.

Margie smiled when he finally succeeded, and again the brush continued its work through her hair. Bart was taking much longer than it would had taken her with both air brush and comb.

Warm pressurized air blew from the brush's bristles, acting both as dryer and comb. The comb had the same system, but it was just a comb now. It was broken, because Bart had knocked it off the table while hunting for the brush.

Sleepy... Margie fought a yawn, but lost miserably. Bart chuckled as she yawned widely, both her hands failing to conceal her gaping mouth.

"Hmm..." She heard Bart say, and she glanced back and up at him questioningly, stifling another yawn. She frowned at the glazed look in his eyes.

"... Bart, what are you thinking?"

"Oh, uhm... nothing, Margie."

"Liar."

"Okay, it's not nothing, but I think you'll clobber me if I suggest it to you at this point in our relationship."

"..." What could he have possibly been thinking?

____________

Author's Insert

^^ If you think you know what Bart was thinking at that moment, e-mail me.

If your answer is right, I'll send you a short short fic about them.

If your answer is wrong, I'll send you the answer.

____________

Bart grinned boyishly at her. "I'll tell you someday."

"... Okay." And he went back to combing her hair.

***

"All done," Bart said softly as he put away the brush and comb. Margie was dozing. A warm feeling rose in his chest as he looked at her. He then shook his head a bit and took a green ribbon from the dresser. Soon, he had tied a neat bow holding her hair back.

***

Will you marry me?

Her eyes half-closed, Margie wondered when Bart would say those words to her. She glanced up at him surreptitiously. His expression was gentle as he carried her out of the bathroom and towards the bed.

Does it matter...? I know he cares for me.

At the bed's side, he stopped and just stood there, carrying her. Suddenly he lifted her higher and burrowed his face in her hair. Her heart tightened painfully.

Why do I hesitate? I do want him. Why wait?

I do want him.

***

"Bart."

"...mhmm...?"

"... doyoustillwanttodoitnow?"

"... Say what again?"

"Don't make me repeat it, Bart."

"... Are you sure, Margie?"

"Yes, Bart."

"... Maybe we should wait."

"... This is why reverse psychology works."

"Heh. Well, we are both tired, Margie."

"You're so frustrating, Bart!"

"Yeah. I'm frustrated, all right."

"Hmph."

"But I can wait for you to come to me, Margie. We'll do it when you want it, not because you'll feel guilty if you refuse me."

"... Is that what you are thinking, Bart? That I'm doing this so you won't be hurt?"

"Yes, you've always been a person who thinks of others' feelings first. I don't want pity, Margie. I want you to need me as much as I need you."

"But you were so pushy a while ago, Bart."

"Please, Margie, don't say pushy to me at right now. You have no idea how much I want to push right now."

"... Bart, I think you should let me down."

"Don't want to."

"... Why does this seem like deja vu?"

"I have no idea. I can't seem to think right now. I want to be with you so badly, it hurts."

"... thenweshoulddoitnow."

"Are you sure?"

"BART!!!"

To be continued...

Author's note:

Now really. Do I have to continue? ^^ You do know what's going to happen.

Actually the rest is done already, detailed and typed. See what I can do when inspired?

I'll post the remaining in the next update, but if you want to read the "good" parts already, you'll have to e-mail me for them. With criticisms good or bad. Do you like it? Did it will corny at some points? (especially the last dialogue) Inspire and help me to improve.

Nop, the good parts is not the short short fic I mentioned. That's different. That one happened when they were already married.

Another reason why I'm delaying posts is because rebuilding is starting to become like worlds collide.

Remember, if you haven't done so yet. Go visit South Watarai's site.