Disclaimer: I don't not own the Final Fantasy franchise or any of its characters

Bonds

Chapter I: Time

6:15p

Rinoa was running late.

She chuckled to herself as she pulled open the door to her sedan and got in. She sighed heavily, wishing she hadn't forgotten Cid's birthday gift at home before leaving for work that morning. The fifteen minute drive home pointed her in opposite direction of the popular restaurant that was just a short ten minutes away from her current location downtown Deling. Strapping herself in the seat with a click she pulled away from her office cursing her annoying lack of coordination with Father Time.

"I should have just told Squall to get it on his lunch break." She whined to herself.

She huffed blowing up her bangs while pressing the screen of her phone to make a call. She listened for an answer as she drove smoothly through the edge of the city and into the suburbs. Luckily for her, traffic was almost non existent.

"A day with little to no traffic in Deling..what is the world coming to?"

A deep familiar voice drew her back to the phone.

"So?" He questioned.

"Sooo.." She paused before continuing. "I am currently on my way home to get Cid's gift, and I will be there in no time."

"As in your time, 'no time'?" He said while using his free hand to emphasize the remark.

Squall was the definition of a freak show when it came to punctuality, and Rinoa..just wasn't. Depending on the situation, Squall would make it his job to scrutinize her inability to be on time, but over the years he somehow learned to live with it.

"As in fashionably late." She admitted.

"As usual." They chimed in sync, followed by laughter.

Squall sighed with a small smile still tugging at his lips. "I just can't win with you can I?"

"Nope. I win every time."

"Rin you do know this pushes back our plans tonight right? Who knows how long Cid will try and wrap me in this time. We just need to deliver our gift and flee..fast."

Squall loved Cid like a father, but elaborate parties with big crowds and even bigger ass kissing politicians were never his cup of tea. Seven years worth of time couldn't change that. He tolerated this kind of event once.

His wedding day.

On a Friday afternoon in July two years ago Rinoa and Squall took their vows. From the moment he put on his tux, to the moment he laid down that evening as a newlywed next to his wife, Squall genuinely enjoyed every second of it.

Unfortunately his status with Garden had not changed thus his dealings with Cid Kramer never wavered. He detested nearly all politicians with their never ending selfish agendas. Very few gave a rats ass about the people they effected with their radical decisions and even more radical behavior at times. Squall could never understand why Cid would even want to associate with those pigs, maybe just to keep up a façade that was created years ago when Garden needed more than one pillar to keep standing. He didn't know, but he also never asked. It wasn't his job to ask..so he didn't. Squall would have stayed at Cid's party, but sticking around to mingle with some of the most stuck up scum on the planet.. "Never."

"Ugh, and I'm literally starving!" Rinoa whined. She was ready to digest just about anything right now. "Be there by seven o'clock and no later. Promise."

Although she couldn't see, he nodded. "Alright, I love you."

She blushed. "I love you too."

An amber colored blanket covered the evening April skies of Deling. Rinoa could tell it was going to be a fun evening with a few close friends and acquaintances, save for the for the handful Cid dealt with that could utterly make her vomit. Rinoa glanced out of the window into the sky, and took in a fresh breath of air as she stepped out of the car. A light wind picked up, blowing a few locks of hair into her face. She welcomed the feeling, and gently pulled her long wavy hair away from her lips with the tips of her fingers. She stopped at her doorstep fumbling with her keys until she found the right one, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

She was shocked whenever Squall mentioned buying and remodeling such a large home for just the two of them, and even more shocked when he actually went through with it. Rinoa was present for the rituals of home buying, and even though flipping a home was new to her, she was given full reign on the finishes that she wanted inside and out. Prior to its purchase Rinoa pried for months in an effort to pinpoint his reasons for wanting buy a five bedroom home, giving her little to no reason on his true intentions.

No one human on this planet needs that many offices

She remembered thinking to herself while pressing the issue. She had the right to know. Her patience had been wearing thin and the newlyweds were just days away from closing on the home when she'd had enough. Luckily Squall picked up on this, after being angrily cornered by the five-foot-three thoroughly pissed Rinoa Leonhart.

"What are we doing buying a house this big! If you plan on making a weapons room for your gunblades you're completely mistaken! I love the idea of making this our own but don't you think this is a bit of a stretch!?"

"Well-"

"We close on the house tomorrow Squall." She said pointedly.

Releasing a deep sigh, "Rinoa-" He said while rubbing the back of his neck.

"If you don't tell me SOMEthing Squall Leonhart! So Hyne help me-"

Squall gently pressed two fingers against her soft lips, cutting her off. Sometimes Squall wished he had a mute button for his fiery wife, but this did the trick on more than one occasion.

Rinoa stood speechless after listening to Squall express his reasons for wanting to buy the house. Starting a family had crossed Rinoa's mind many times but she never considered the fact that it was something on his. She was surprised to say the least, but she couldn't help but ask him why?

"Why not? Whenever your ready we can do this...start our family."

He had simply wanted a home for them to start the family that she had dreamed of, having the son or a daughter she had been picturing in her mind since the day they got engaged, the family that they had been trying start for the past two years...and still trying.

A part of Rinoa silently gave up hope for a child to come into their lives right away, given that two years had passed since they'd began their efforts. She figured that maybe the less she thought about it, the more likely they would conceive. Each attempt at every different kind of fertility treatment produced a failure, save for surrogacy. That option was totally out of the question in Rinoa's mind, she would carry her own child.

"One day." Rinoa bargained within herself from time to time, in hopes that their 'one day' would come very soon. For now, their five bedroom craftsman was everything she could want and more and would very well please any guest who visited. That is if Squall ever let anyone visit.

Rinoa placed her keys and cell phone on the small round table by front door, before roaming the hallway that led to the guest room. Nude heels clicked on the dark hardwood floors as she walked before crossing onto soft plush carpeting in guest bedroom. The brunette grabbed the small jewelry box resting on the edge of the bed, she played with it tossing the box in the air before letting it fall back into her hands.

Cid, I'm sorry I'm late but you are definitely going to love your gift!

She chirped inwardly. Rinoa and Squall shopped around for weeks trying to decide on a proper gift and together finally decided on a titanium class ring engrossed; 'Family Where Life Begins Love Never Ends.'

Rinoa pocketed the box in her long coat, turning on her heels heading towards kitchen. She was sure her stomach would eat her from the inside out if she didn't eat something soon.

In the kitchen a flashing red light caught the brunettes attention.

Messages, messages, messages

Pressing the flashing button, an automated voice spoke through the machine before playing the unheard voicemails.

Rinoa listened in as she hunted for a snack, opening the fridge she scanned its bare contents. "I really need to buy groceries." She shut the fridge pressing her head against the cool stainless steel as she felt her stomach rumble. "Ugh.." Air escaped her lips to blow bangs from her eyes as she peeked over her shoulder to the island perched in the middle of the kitchen. "Perfect." Rinoa went for the two small clementine resting in a ceramic bowl, satisfied she leaned against the thick wooden countertop as she began to peel them.

Two short messages for Squall played followed by a message from Selphie from earlier that morning. Rinoa's brows furrowed trying to listen to Selphie's message clearly, her voice was crackly and faltered before becoming clear. Rinoa decided to move closer to the machine, pushing away from the island she leaned against counter across from her hitting the replay button on the phone base.

"Rinoa! I hope you can hear me now. I will be back in town tomorrow to go over some of the final details for the Hewitt Wedding. I spoke with our vendors and the bride and have gotten our last minute details under wraps! I'm so stoked about this event!" Rinoa chewed a slice of the clementine and smiled. This wedding was huge for them and had been working on this event for months and the big day was only weeks away. Rinoa had been hesitant at first when Selphie suggested that they start an event planning business together, but it was the best idea she'd ever had. Selphie was always down for a party and Rinoa had been to plenty of them in her young life but she never really knew just how much she enjoyed the planning process until she basically did just that for Selphie's wedding. To this day she didn't know how she pulled it off but here she was doing it professionally with her best friend.

"Regarding the President's inaugural ball, we need to make sure our interns are going to be ready for an event this large, you know this will be our biggest one yet!..."

Rinoa's head snapped up as a muffled thud pulled her attention away from Selphie's voice. She looked around the room swallowing hard before shaking her nerves away.

I'm just hearing things

She turned back to the voice machine realizing her message had ended. "I better get going."

Another, larger thump vibrated the floor above her head, and Rinoa's heart dipped to the pits of her stomach. She wasn't just hearing things this time.

What the hell...

Instinctively, she slipped her heels off of her feet and dropped her coat to the floor, leaving her body open in her form fitting black dress.

Rinoa looked at the clock,

6:37

She wanted know what, or who the hell was in her house.

I don't have time for this, it'd better be a raccoon!

Another rattle resonated through the ceiling, followed by brisk footsteps. That was no raccoon, she trailed the sound to pinpoint where the intruder was in the house.

My bedroom?

Her mind raced trying to come up with any reason as to why anyone would anyone would break into her home.

The safe? There's nothing near important in that thing, but there is the-

Rinoa took in a sharp breath when what sounded like a pair of heavy boots hit the wooden floors in the foyer.

Oh Hyne I made so much noise when I came home! She screamed at herself biting her bottom lip, I better play it safe and get out now

Keys jingled as they were being lifted from the table in the entryway, followed by a loud grunt from the unknown prowler as the keys were thrown to the ground, "Fuck!" He snapped.

Rinoa swiftly crept away from the kitchen, through the living room towards the hallway that led to the basement. She figured it'd be her best route to go without being seen right away. She mentally mapped her escape through the garage. With no weapons or magic junctioned Rinoa wouldn't voluntarily engage with a trespasser unless absolutely necessary. She was no fool.

Rinoa made it to the end of the hallway by the basement door and peaked down the corridor towards the front door. Empty. She furrowed her brows questioning the scene, "They're probably circling around." She thought. The basement door was cracked open, but not enough for her to slip through. She knew this door was squeaky when it opened so she would have to be quick. Rinoa backed into the wall readying herself once she opened the door, keeping her eyes on the front entryway. A sudden sharp whoosh of air blew past Rinoa's face as an open hand slammed against the basement door pushing it shut. Her breath hitched as her brown eyes dilated, and for that moment, time suddenly stopped. Rinoa held her breath while staring the intruder dead in the eye. Her small feet were stuck like they had dried in cement, unable to move due to utter shock. Just move your legs," She whined mentally, "Come-on-Rinoa..MOVE!" Her eyes slammed shut and opened again as her body rushed with adrenaline, after realizing the amount of danger she was in. She used her small stature to her advantage and dove underneath his body, barreling down the hall. Seizing the guest room door knob Rinoa yanked the door open as she ran, blocking the pathway as she kept her pace towards the front door. He would either have to shut it or break it down to get through.

Her eyes frantically scanned the floor for her car keys.

There!

Spotting them near the foot of the stairs, she made a dash for the keys. The makeshift barricade burst off the hinges, wood splitting into pieces, and within just a few strides the intruder was only feet away from her. Rinoa stood straight up, keys in hand readying herself for anything. She searched her memory trying to figure out if she knew the man before her, and nothing came up. He was tall, but no taller than Squall, muscular, with fiery red hair, green eyes. Nothing about him was familiar to her. Who in the hell was this creep?

"Who are you!?" She spat, "And why are you here?!"

"Don't be so angry with me," He smiled ignoring her questions. "Mrs. Leonhart..I didn't plan on running into you so I came when I knew you wouldn't be home.." He stepped closer, but she kept in sync with his steps moving back until she came in contact with the front door. "But of course women are always oh so complicated and screw everything up."

"I'm sure." She said with her best sarcasm. Rinoa's eyes shot towards a clock on the wall.

6:41

"Got somewhere to be doll face?" Rinoa cringed at the disgusting pet name. He was watching her every move but she'd be damned if she didn't try to get out of that house without a fight.

"Apparently you've been studied my schedule so I'm sure you know."

"Studied? No, just well aware."

"You know if I don't show up-"

"I'll be gone long before your knight in shining armor comes galloping home."

Rinoa turned in a whirlwind gripping the door knob as he simultaneously wrapped his hands around her waist. Rinoa clenched the orb tightly, turning her knuckles white before her body was roughly jerked in the opposite direction.

"You Ass! Let me go!"

Undoubtedly pissed off from the unsuccessful attempt of pulling her away from her escape, he shifted his weight and lifted her small frame from the ground encircling her waistline with his arms. The red headed demon yanked her body a second time, ripping her fingers away from the door knob, roughly raising her into the air before slamming her body to the ground with a force that nearly knocked her unconscious.

Rinoa squeezed her eyes shut as she cried out in agonizing pain. She felt as though her chest, notably her ribs, had been split open. She had never in her life experienced a fractured bone but she was sure this was the real deal. She screamed in pain again as she tried to breath normally, but each time she took a breath the pain only worsened.

His shadow covered her body before she felt his knees brush against her the hips, followed by a pair of rough calloused hands that wreathed a tight grip around her slim neck. Rinoa didn't know if it was just reflex or instinct but she swung connecting with his jaw. The blow wasn't tough enough to be proud of but given the circumstances, it was. "Little bitch!" He growled choking her against the floor. Out of desperation she put her hands around his wrists trying to lessen the grip, but was defeated by a lack of oxygen. Rinoa's strength was becoming weak, causing her to shift in and out of consciousness. She tried her best to breath as her chest frantically rose up and down, hoping to catch any bit of air that may escape through his fingers.

Is this it? No it can't be

The red head breathed heavily as he pressed against her neck, watching Rinoa struggle to breath. He could kill her, though he grudgingly decided against it. Choosing to follow through with orders. He continued to lean over her small frame and slightly loosened his grip as he watched her body. She was beautiful, even in distress. Photos did her trues essence no justice. His eyes glazed over as he surveyed her body, burning an image of every inch of her womanly curves in his mind. Rinoa noticed the change, and the look in his eyes was unsettling. Her mini dress was hiked up past her thighs and her breasts peaked out from the top of the dress giving him a eyeful. He slid his thumbs downward, rubbing her skin while still holding her neck with the other eight fingers licking his lips, and Rinoa's eyes widened.

"I was given strict orders not to lay a finger on you, and to touch you is forbidden. I don't think I could pass you up even if I tried." He laughed. "They just give me rules to break them."

He bent down, Rinoa turned her head and shut her eyes as he put his lips to her ear and whispered, "The more I look at you the more I'm getting turned on doll face." Rinoa's eyes ripped open, and the energy she had lost came rushing back. Before she even realized what she had done, her body had moved from underneath his muscular figure as he crouched on the ground holding his twin stones. Her keys were no where in sight and she no longer wanted to waste time looking. She raced down the hall ignoring the new and excruciating pain she felt in her side as she trampled on multiple shards of wood, moving towards her original destination.

Clenching a hand on the right side of her waist where she undoubtedly had a few broken ribs, she bolted down a set of stairs towards the garage. Knowing that her husband was a creature of habit she would have no doubts that the keys to his bike would be exactly where they should be, and without a second a glance Rinoa snatched the keys from the hook on the wall. She was slightly winded, but she pushed on towards the large rectangular door. Flipping the latch in the middle, she shoved the door to the ceiling with the strength she had in her good side, though instantly damning the far reach as she rapidly doubled over in pain. The dusky light outside illuminated the garage as Rinoa painfully shuffled on toward the motor bike. Looking up as she made the motions to mount he bike, Rinoa felt every bit of luck she had fall through the cracks of the floor to the very depths of hell.

7:16

With Irvine's help, Squall was able to leave the party without question. He walked briskly to his car as his phone rang his wife's number for the second time since a little after seven. It was nearing twenty after and he was becoming uneasy. Rinoa would run late sometimes but she always kept in touch. This behavior was unlike her.

Hyne I pray she didn't wreck somewhere

His chest tightened as his heart stressed from worry wondering what was going on with his wife, trying to keep the worst case scenario far from his mind.

Squall had been on the road no more than five minutes before his phone chimed. He easily picked it up with his right hand while keeping the vehicle perfectly aligned on the road. "Rin! Where are yo–"

"Whoa! Sorry, it's me!" Irvine voiced. "No word from her then?"

"No." He breathed, clearly annoyed by the unwanted call.

Definitely not the person I was hoping for

He sighed before continuing, "Thanks again for distracting Cid for me. I know your worried about Rin too but, she's fine I'm sure." He said reassuringly, although at this point the words were meant for himself. "Just keep an eye out for her, just in case she makes it there."

"I will."

"Thanks."

Squall dropped the device from his ear and made the pedal meet the floor.

7:06

The faint smell of copper ran through her nostrils, and it was nauseating. Rinoa slowly blinked her eyes, trying to rid her vision of the cloudiness covering them.

"Hyne where am I?" The outline of the room looked familiar but her mind wouldn't spit out a location. Slowly turning her head away from the ceiling, she gazed through void in front of her and realized where she was. The roll of wrapping paper she used wrap Cids gift with remained in the corner by the door, or what was left of it.

Asshole..could've just closed it

The hallway was dark but she was able to see small splinters of wood on the gray carpet. She noticed the powder blue fitted sheet was stained with blood, definitely her blood she assumed. It dried into the bed emitting the nasty copper like smell that she would rather not inhale, the faintest smell of blood made her sick.

She attempted to mover her arms before realizing her wrists were tightly restrained. Her arms sore and stiff from the way her wrists were tied down to the bed post, but was grateful her legs remained free.

I have to get out of here

Rinoa began to lift her head while bending her knees hoping to get into a sitting position, not realizing the implications of doing so.

Damn it…not so fast!

Her head spun as she dropped it back down onto the plush surface.

"That bastard, he hit me…hard."

She finally spoke, as her mind traced back to the moments she last remembered before everything went totally black...

The red headed man rushed her, knocking over the motorcycle, and for the second time pinned her down to the ground. Rinoa prayed some one would hear her, but her cries fell on deaf ears. She wasn't one to give up, but she could tell her body had other plans, she simply didn't have the stamina to fight the brute strength of the man before her. With one hand he gripped her by the chest and lifted her upper body from the ground, before he took the other and slapped the girl, snapping her head to the side sending blood running out of her temple. The two pieces of jewelry he wore on his fingers dripped with blood from the ripped flesh.

Although she could do nothing more physically, Rinoa knew where she could hurt the bastard…mentally.

"C–coward." She spoke almost inaudibly, turning her face back toward her aggressor.

"What!" He said.

"You beat–down–a–defenseless woman!" She panted, " Your–no–kind of–real man."

"Shut up."

"What's–wrong? Your afraid some one might hear you? See you?" She yelled.

"I said, shut up!"

"Make me! Do you wors–"

Thinking back Rinoa couldn't believe herself, "I literally talked myself into that one." She whispered.

What was I thinking, he could have killed me…

She smirked, almost laughing at the situation.

Have I gone insane! I think this wound knocked my senses further away from me than I thought

Rinoa assumed the wound had to be pretty deep, she felt the air hit the wet blood as she moved her head off the sheets, looking towards the nightstand where a digital clock was placed.

7:10

Squall…please come home

It was then Rinoa finally broke. Her lower lip quivered as silent tears fell from her eyes as she stared at the clock. Squall had more than likely realized she was late, but she didn't how long he would wait before coming home to check on her.

I'm sure he's called me…but my phone, it's in the hallway, and I…

She blamed herself for her current predicament, as the tears spilled endlessly.

This is–ugh I'm just so stupid

A painful sob broke from her chest just as she heard a set of footsteps coming towards the room. She turned her head, setting her eyes on the hallway. She hadn't seen her attacker since she blacked out, and prayed that he wasn't the one nearing the door.

"Crying now are we?" He smirked as he leaned into the door frame crunching on pieces of wood scattered beneath him. Rinoa refused to answer, but noticed a small red velvet bag attached to his hip that she hadn't seen before.

He continued to speak, "You seem like you were waiting for someone. It wasn't me?" He moved away from the door, and she followed him with her eyes, as he walked around to the end of the bed.

"Just leave me alone! Don't you have what you want?!"

Through the slits of pure white blinds, bright orange rays of light from the dusky sun throughout the lands of Deling illuminated parts of the room. A few rays highlighted his face, giving Rinoa the same daring look he had just moments after their first encounter. That unsettling feeling was brought back to life as Rinoa realized the implications of her words. To any normal person it would have meant nothing, but to this demon, it meant a hand delivered invitation.

Before she could even process his actions, the entirety of his body was over hers, pressing his weight along with his hard erection straight between her legs. His lips kissed the lobe of her ear before whispering, "I have taken what I was told to get." Rinoa could barely move under his weight. "But I have yet to take what I want."

"NOO!"

Rinoa screamed, and contorted her body any way she could even though she knew her wrists were still bonded to the bed post. She continued to kick and scream ignoring the excruciating pain from her side and her temple. Huge tears flowed from her eyes as she tried to move away but her efforts were fruitless. Blood began to flow from her left temple again as she tossed her head back and forth, ignoring the dizzy nauseating feeling that it brought on.

Becoming irritated with the raven haired woman, the red head pulled out a pocket knife. Covering the top of her mouth to steady her face with his left hand, pulling the knife to her jawline with the other.

With all the threatening power and venom in his voice he could muster, "I will slit your pretty face from ear to ear if you don't stop this squirmy bullshit!" He let out a deep sigh, and slowly withdrew his hand from her mouth as she calmed. Tenderly touching her pink lips with his fingertips, he softly spoke, "I promise you I'll make you forget all about that dirty Balamb bastard." Moving his fingers from her lips he wiped off her bloody tear stained cheek, pushing back a wet lock of hair that had been stuck to her face.

He withdrew the knife from her jaw and trailed it down the middle of her breasts, past her navel, before guiding it to the side of her left thigh where he swiftly hooked the tip underneath her dress and strategically cut away her panties. Guiding the tip to the other side he repeated the process.

Rinoa held her breath as she felt him drop the knife at her at her side as he reached between her legs removing the fabric, leaving her center open. Nothing in the world could have ever prepared her for something like this. Although she was no virgin, the thought of this man taking something she cherished, something she shared with the one person she loved most…felt like it could kill her. She wished this moment was already over, as she gave up wishing she could stop it from happening.

Rinoa let out a shaky breathe as she began to ready her mind for what this man was goin to do to her. He could steal her sex away, but she refused to let him steal any shreds of dignity she had left. She would not waste anymore precious tears on him, her life was hers, and hers alone, no one could change that.

Deep in thought, she dived into a world of her own making her mind deafen the sounds that would surely break her.

Her favorite dress pushed above her navel.

Dirty hands grabbing her hips.

The heat of his breath on her neck.

An erection that craved her very core.

She didn't know how many minutes passed before he came, but each second felt like an eternity. She didn't dare move as he finished gathering himself, even after he 'generously' removed her wrists from their restraints.

Walking towards the door he leaned against frame stopping to look over his shoulder. "Thank you for your hospitality…doll face…I had fun." He said before disappearing for good, or so Rinoa prayed that he had.

Her broken and bruised figure lay on the bed, unsure of what to do next. "Fun...huh?" She said in a lonely whisper while moving her hands down to where her dress was bunched. She gripped the fabric, remembering how she felt putting on her favorite dress that morning before leaving for work.

Will I remember this every time I wear it? Should I just throw it away?

Rinoa lay in bed thinking about everything that led to this moment. Thinking it was something that she could have avoided, to being something inevitable.

The hoot of an owl carried Rinoa away from her thoughts, she sighed once again looked towards the digital clock that rested on the nightstand.

7:36

She slowly eased her body up, holding onto her head before reaching a sitting position.

How did this happen? Today wasn't supposed to be like this..

She whimpered feeling waves of sorrow come crashing through her. The physical pain she felt in her body would never compare to the pain she felt contorting her heart and soul. She promised herself she would no longer waste tears on that asshole, but she could now easily say that it was only so that she could make it through that hell without losing her mind.

And it worked.

But now faced with the reality of the situation, knowing that she had to tell someone, had to relive this…felt like that bastard had really won.

And what of her husband? He would understand right? Of course he would,

Wouldn't he?

A million thoughts plagued her mind and tore through her very being. Rinoa buried her hands in her face and sobbed. The selfless girl shed tears, not for herself but for Squall. What now? He couldn't possibly want a woman that had been tainted the way she had just been. "Weak". Is what he would think. The negative thoughts continued to trample her being, turning her into a tornado of depression. She didn't want to be in that place but she couldn't stop, so much that she didn't even realize that her knight stood right before her.

Squall paced himself towards her. Making it to the side of the bed leaning gently against it. Her hands still covered her face, and dark locks cascaded around her as she continued to sob. His heart sank as his anger surfaced, "What the fuck happened!?" His question was answered as his peripheral vision caught sight of a pair of torn black underwear barely hanging onto the corner of the bed near the bed post.

"The hell?" Squall's lips moved but nothing came out. The Commander was no dummy, and for as much as he didn't want to think it…he already knew it.

Squall swiftly ran his hands through his hair as his body shook with anger. His pristine white teeth clenched together as his fists balled, drawing blood from his palms. It was clear that someone broke into their home, and that he could deal with…and to a degree even tolerate. But one thing for sure and two things for certain: You don't mess with Squall Leonhart's wife, and you sure as fuck never even think you'll lay a finger on her—and live.

Whoever did this was literally a walking dead man.

The woman abruptly drew in a breath of air when she realized some one was standing in front of her. She slowly lifted her face away from her hands and suddenly wanted to crawl under a rock and disappear. She saw the frown on his face, the lines between furrowed brows, his hands clenched in a fist, his tight jaw line…all the signs showing how pissed he was, could it get any worse?

Squall wanted to turn around this very moment, find the little fuck that violated his wife, and slaughter the bastard. But he knew he couldn't, it wasn't important, because even without words he knew what she was thinking. The heavy tears wouldn't stop flowing from her chocolate orbs, and that alone could kill him. She opened and shut her mouth a few times trying to find the words. Anything to say, to tell him, but nothing would come. She looked away unable to face him any longer. He more or less gathered that his expression wasn't helping the situation…he needed to cool down. Subsequently he relaxed his faced and slightly shook his head

How could she even think…

He kneeled onto the bed, but she didn't move. His hands gently cupped her face turning her towards him, lowering his head so their foreheads would meet. He stared into her eyes for a few moments, before she broke the gaze. He followed the full set of black lashes that touched her rose colored cheeks as she closed her eyes, letting more tears fall from her lids. His heart was in a tangled web of knots but he knew hers was in a far worse state than his. Careful not to touch the partially dried wound on her temple, he delicately guided her forehead towards his lips and kissed the front. Her eyes shot wide open, startled by his actions,

I thought…wasn't he just angry?

"You don't have to say anything." He whispered, as he lightly wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She tensed for a moment before relaxing in his arms thinking, I love this man

She melted into him breathing in his cologne, and for the moment just forgetting everything that just happened to her, and remembering every reason why she was so madly in love with him. The two appendages that had been dead at her sides finally regained movement as she pulled them up and returned the embrace.

"I'm here now." He said softly as he pulled her body in closer to his. Her ribs screamed at her but she didn't care, she was wrapped up inside his arms and she wasn't going pull away anytime soon.

Finally in a state of relief Rinoa let her body get completely lost in his sanctuary. Her sight became dim, and her body became slack, Squall tensed and immediately repositioned himself pulling her body against himself, cradling her head in his arm, as he let the rest of her body rest upon his. He gently moved stray hairs away from her cheek as he searched her barely opened eyes.

"Squall?" She whispered in a raspy voice.

"Yea, I'm here…" he told her as he stroked her cheek.

Without a chance to respond her eyes shut completely. The raven haired woman was entirely spent. Passed out he knew...but still

All of the anxiety he felt as he walked through the garage, seeing his motorcycle on the ground on top of what he assumed were drops of blood, and up the stairs that led to the hallway towards the shards of wood on the ground that drew his eyes towards what was left of the guest room door that hung off the hinges, was nothing compared to the anguish he felt in his heart now. His eyes brimmed with tears, but he did not let them fall. The knights temper warped in a matter of seconds engulfing every feeling he currently had into one ball of fire. He again clenched his teeth and balled his fists, and if volcanic lava could pour from his ears it would. He swiftly albeit gently moved from the bed with Rinoa cradled in his arms and left the room. His body moved with ease through the foyer and up the stairs towards their bedroom where he smoothly laid her body out in the middle of the bed and coated her figure with a blanket.

He noticed their room was in disarray as well but none of that mattered now. Walking out, he passed a small half bath before he entered his office and shut the door. Pure rage encased him and he could no longer control it. His fists stung the wall closest to him pulling out chunks of drywall. But he wasn't done…again, again, and again. He breathed heavily not even caring that his knuckles had been nearly ripped to the bone. Though instead, he decided to kick the wall a knew one, and literally did. Feeling the cool air from the hallway meant his foot had gone through entirely. "FUCK!" He honestly could care less about the small tunnel through the wall, it was her. Rinoa. His Rin…why?

Violated my wife, my home!

His hands and head rested on the wall,

When I find you, you'll wish you never even looked her way

He took in a deep breath, "I promise."

Author's Note: I am so happy to have this finished (this chapter) I have had this story in my word doc for the longest time because I just couldn't quite get my ideas together for it, but being that this is my first FanFic I've decided to take my time. Please, anyone who may take offense with any explicit language and sexual situations (GOOD AND BAD) please DO NOT READ THIS! The rating is there for a reason. If you do anyway, you were warned. As I said before this is my first go at this please leave your comments, while haters,meanies,bullies you can kiss it where the sun don't shine!