You're on a mission, alone, searching for priceless gems and you come across another person looking for the same thing.

You don't trust him. But then, you both end up in a dangerous position and are forced to work together.

......................

You hate doing this. Why do you continue to look for something that you might never find?

You trudge along, feeling disconnected from life. How long has it been since he'd been with you?

You can't even remember anymore. Some days it feels like an eternity ago and other days, it feels like it was only yesterday.

You start to cry, just a little. You end up fogging up your damn helmet and have to return to your ship to remove your helmet and blow your nose before heading back out.

This is madness. It has to be. What else could continue to drive you to keep searching for something that you might never find?

You catch sight of a small den, and slip inside. It's dark in here and you're forced to use your special light. You switch it on and start searching around to see if maybe there might be something if value in here.

Your gaze immediately catches sight of something shiny gleaming in a corner of the den. You hurry over and shine your light up closer and immediately gasp.

There's several gems here! But you'll still have to extract them, one by one. You sigh, knowing this could take a while.

You set the light aside and get your tool kit open, setting out everything you'll need. You decide that you really don't need a lot. You'll only take a few.

Just as you're about to begin cutting open the first, fleshy plant, you hear what sounds like somebody.... whistling? You frown and immediately extinguish your light, no wanting to draw any unwanted attention yourself.

The people that are often searching for these gems aren't always the most trustworthy or friendly. You really aren't in the mood to deal with some asshole, who might try and steal what gems you've discovered.

The whistling finally fades away and you breathe a sigh of relief, turning your light back on and turning your attention back to removing the gems.

Just as you're finishing up, you hear the sharp snap of a twig and whip around, heart pounding

A man is standing there, a gun in his hands, and he's grinning at you, like he just wants to gobble you up.

"Well, well, well! What have we here?"

Shit.

.........................

You quickly put your gems away in the special container, refusing to speak with the man. He watches you with a keen interest and it makes you feel like a spot under a microscope.

"Aren't you going to say something, birdie?"

You think of several things you could say to this asshole. But why waste your breath? He'd only fire back.

You turn to face him and that stupid, little grin is still in his face. You carefully slip your own weapon into your trembling hands.

You shouldn't be here. You could be somewhere safe, away from this nonsense. The man, unfortunately, is blocking the way out and that doesn't make you happy.

"If you want out, give me your gems. If you give me the gems, I swear not to harm you in any way."

"Is this how you get your damn gems?" You growl. "By waylaying and threatening innocent people?"

The man laughs and it gives you chills down your spine. You silently curse him and your other. Why did he have to go and get himself killed anyways?

"Hell yeah! It's sure a hell of a lot easier than having to waste valuable time digging out those damn gems!"

Fantastic, you think. Perfect. Fabulous. You're tempted to just hand the gems over and trudge back to the ship and just go home.

You don't belong here, doing this sort of crap. It doesn't suit you. Not even a little bit.

But then you think, why should I have to give in to some asshole who decided that it was okay to just come along and steal what you took?

You glare at him, wishing you had the balls to just shoot the guy and be done with this crap.

"If you want my gems, just go ahead and kill me now. I'm not giving them up."

You think the man might just go ahead and do as you told him to. But instead, he lowers his weapon and walks closer to you.

"You're a feisty one, eh?"

"I suppose you could say that."

"Maybe you'd like to help me? I think we'd make a good team."

Uh, come again? You think that maybe this guy isn't playing with a full deck. He's certainly acting like he's not playing with a full deck.

First, he threatens to kill you and now, he's proposing to work together? Hard pass.

"Tempting offer, pal. But hard pass."

"You know, it's not safe for someone like you to be out here alone. You'd do better to take my offer."

"Yeah, because partnering up with you is a much safer bet!" You should just shoot this asshole. Before he gets frisky.

"Either kill me or let me pass! I'm not working with you, no way, no how."

The man sighs loudly and steps aside, allowing you to pass. You quickly slide pass him and walk out.

He comes out as well and you worry he'll... follow you. Except.. he's suddenly not such a threat.

Because now, there's three men, big ones, standing there, ready to... attack.

This just isn't your day.

..................

"Hand over the gems, sweetheart! And we won't kill you!" Oh, for the love of Pete! What is in the water on this damn planet?

The man steps closer to you and you're kind of glad he's here, although you trust him about as far as you can throw him.

"Gentlemen, must you harass my partner?" The man gestures towards the den.

"There's still plenty of gems to be extracted from in there. So if you'd be so kind to allow us to retreat to our ship, we'll get out of your way."

The men eye you both warily. But luckily, they decide to do as the man suggests and you start to run, heading in the direction of the your ship.

Suddenly, several shots ring out and you stop, twirling around. The man is lying on the ground, injured.

You groan. He's calling out for you, to come and help him. That's about the last thing you want to do.

But he didn't hurt you when he could have. And he did step in to assist you when he didn't have to.

You hurry back to him, struggling to get him upright and slowly make your way back to the ship, getting the man inside.

He collapses in a heap on the floor and you set your container down the floor, along with your tools and rush to get him a field kit.

You pull your helmet off and set it down, as you kneel down next to him, helping get his helmet off.

You open up the field kit and rummage around for medical supplies. You suddenly feel his hand on your arm.

You look at him. Even though he's in pain, he smiles at you and you find yourself smiling back.

"I'm Erza."

"Y/N." You attend to his wounds and he keeps thanking you for the help. You finish and set the field kit away and start to peel off your suit.

"If you don't mind my asking, why are you out here alone?"

"My... partner was... killed. A few months ago. With his dying breath, he made me swear to continue on. For his legacy."

"That wasn't a fair thing to ask of you."

"No."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks."

Then.... there's a loud banging on the ship. Fabulous. This shit isn't over.

....................

"Oh, for crying out loud!" You were afraid before. Now you're getting pissed off at these assholes.

What is wrong with people these days anyways? Can't people just be concerned with their own business and leave everyone else alone?

"Do you have any explosives?" Erza asks suddenly. You look at him and nod.

"Where?"

You rush to get them out and take them over to Erza, who starts to wrap them up.

"What are you thinking?" You ask.

"Can your ship take a little bit of a beating?" Erza asks.

"Yeah."

"Perfect. Toss a couple of these babies out and it'll get rid of those assholes."

You suddenly throw your arms around Erza. He's surprised, to stay the least.

"If this works, I'll do anything you want me to." Erza grins.

"We can at least be friends." You smile.

"Yeah."

................

You toss out two explosives and it scares the shit out those idiots trying to rob you of your gems.

They hightail it out of there. All except one. That Erza ends up having to kill, because the idiot climbs inside the ship.

Then, you have to push the body out of the ship, Ezra prepares for take off.

You join him. He turns to you, gently taking one of your hands and pulling you close.

"I really wanna kiss you." You do him one better. You lean in and...kiss..him.

He smiles and you gently stroke his mustache. Erza chuckles.

"What do you say, we're partners now?" You still don't trust him. But it's better than being alone.

"Yeah." You say. "Partners."

Erza kisses you again and you move to cling to his hand.

"I this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." You laugh.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Erza just laughs, too. At least he can't fool you again.