Sorry Elphaba. Sorry Drizzt. As far as Jarlaxle is concerned right now, it's just him and Zak.

He was emotional, much to his own surprise as well. It didn't happen often, he could count on one hand when he felt his heart rise into his throat like this. And most of those times had been due to Drizzt.

This, however, was different. He reached out, gently resting a hand on Zak's shoulder, peering at him with the one uncovered eye in slowly fading disbelief, and growing awe.

And hope.

"... Just Zaknafein... Is more than fine with me, my friend."