The next few days flew by in a blur for both of them. Combat training for Pavel, and wedding planning for Asonia. The only freedom they had from it all was when they fell asleep.

Each night they'd meet in their special place in the clouds, and they would just talk. They talked about all sorts of things. They caught up for their four years of separation, and became even closer as friends.

It was during one of their cloud meetings, that Pavel realized something. "Oh my gosh..." He whispered, breaking the silence between the two of them.

"What is it?"

"I just realized... If I win this tournament.... Then we'd have to get married."

A look came over her face, and he knew she just realized it too. "I totally forgot about that....." She murmured, her golden eyes looking away.

"I mean, that's not a bad thing.... Right?" He asked, his face suddenly redder than a tomato. Asonia turned to look at him, her own face red, but not from blushing. She was crying.

"Do you remember the day I left?" She sniffled, a tear running down her cheek. "You said you loved me."

"I still love you."

"But the thing is, I don't think I ever said it back."

"You did, but I don't think you knew what you were saying at the time, you were so stressed." Pavel said, taking her hand into his. "But I do, I really love you. I love you so much, it hurts, because I feel like someone as... Well, as perfect as you could never love me back as much."

Another tear slid down Asonia's cheek, and she smiled. "I love you, Pavel Chekov. I love you with all my heart, I have since I woke from that coma, you stayed with me for as long as you could."

Chekov felt his face redden even more. He felt determination begin to build its way inside him. "I'm going to win. I promise you. I will win."

Asonia enveloped him in a hug, her tears falling on his shoulder. Pavel hugged back, putting all his confidence into what he was about to do.

When they broke themselves from the hug, they both stood up. Asonia to try and stop her tears, and Pavel to prepare himself.

When she finally turned back around, Asonia felt her breath catch in her throat. Chekov was down on one knew, looking more nervous than he'd ever looked in his life.

With a shaky breath, he took her hand in his once again. "Asonia, empress of the planet Zindaki. I know, I don't have a ring, and I'm not of royal blood. But I do know one thing for sure. I can't live without you. And so, I ask in the hopes you'll say yes.... Will you marry me?"

The tears Asonia fought to keep back, leaked through her eyes like waterfalls. "Yes!" She sobbed, hugging him once again. "Yes."

"It's settled then." He said, his own eyes watering up. "I'm going to win that tournament, and we're going to get married. No matter what anyone says, you're going to get home, and we'll be happy. Together."

Asonia smiled happily. She finally had something to believe in. She had the love of her life, willing to risk his life for her. To make her happy. It made her heart swell.

But sadly, as all good things, even that dream meeting had to end. Slowly things began to grow translucent, and far away for both of them. And they both woke up in their own beds, millions of miles apart, and wishing 5he other were with them.

~

"As you know, the art of fencing is one of very rigorous training. But since I've only got a day and a half to train you, I'll just show you the basics." Sulu said, handing his Russian friend a foil.

He got in his fighting stance, and had Pavel do the same. For three hours, they practiced, Sulu showing him Klingon and Romulan fighting styles, and how to block them, and fight back.

Chekov was a natural when it came to learning to fight. Especially since he proposed to Asonia.

He now had something more valuable to fight for, and he intended to either win, or die trying.

After taking a short break, Pavel prepared himself for more training. This time from Spock.

The Vulcan taught him many moves to use in self-defense. Moves that Pavel carved into his memory. He couldn't forget any of the skills he was taught. His life, and Asonia's depended on it.

It was a routine. First he'd learn something like weapons fighting, of fencing. Then Spock would teach him self-defense. Then he'd exercise until he improved what he had the day before. After a quick lunch, he'd practice what he learned.

It was an extensive, and exhausting routine. But in the small amount of time he'd been training, he was faster, and stronger than ever.

And he knew, he would win.

~

The last day had passed, and Pavel stood in a small, dark tunnel. Ready to begin the tournament. He could hear the roar of a crowd, thirsty for blood.

And he could feel the rumble of their feet as they stomped them on the ground. It was enough to make him nervous.

The nervousness didn't last long though, and soon, it was replaced with a feeling Pavel had never felt before. It was a mixture of confidence and fear. Determination and terror.

Finally, the gates opened, and out he walked. Right into a nightmare he had to defeat. "For Asonia." He thought, his eyes temporarily blinded by the bright sun.

It was then, that he finally saw his opponents. They were bigger, and probably better trained then him, but that didn't intimate Pavel. Because he had one thing these other men didn't.

He had love.

A/n
Okay, so sorry if this is crappy, I'm half asleep at the moment. But if it's really that bad, then I'll just fix it tomorrow.

hope you enjoyed!

~Clieo