Disclamer: I don't own anything Final Fantasy.

Chapter 1: The ones who walk on broken glass

"Selphie...please don't stop smiling. Please..."

"NOOOO! NO! This isn't happening! Not to us! Please stay with me! You said you'd never leave me!"

"Selphie...I'm tired. It's hard to see you, but I know you aren't smiling. Please...One more time..."

"How can you talk like this? This isn't fair! We just found eachother."

"I love you. I won't leave...I promise."

"NOOOOO!" Waking up from her nightmare, Selphie wiped the sweat from her forehead. Realizing she was back in her SeeD dorm, she laid back down. When is this going to stop?

Getting ready for the day, Selphie tried her best to keep with her old routine. Wake up, get dressed, brush teeth, and smile. Everyday she told herself they needed her to smile. Afterall, she was the happy-go-lucky one of the group. The happy group of six. No five. Sighing, she stepped into the hall full of chatty students.

"Hey Selphie," Quistis smiled at Selphie as the young girl sat behind a desk in front of Quistis.

"Happy to be teaching again? I'm glad Squall verified you," Selphie tried her best to smile but the tired eyes gave her away.

"Dreams again? You should talk to someone about it, you know?"

"No, no I'm fine! I did have a nightmare though. Zell ate all the hotdogs so the world had none. Pretty scary once you think about it."

"Sure Selphie, whatever you say."

After spending time with the instructor, it was time for some training. Selphie stopped in front of Training Center rubbing her arms looking a little nervous. I know he's in there. Wonder how he's doing? He says he's fine but I don't know.

Once inside she saw Zell stretching. "Hey Zell!" Selphie patted his back.

"Hey Sephie! You training too?" Zell asked while tightening his gloves . Punching the air he examined his right arm seriously. "You know, it's strange. My greatest strength ends up being my greatest weakness."

"Zell..." Selphie shifted in her spot and looked towards the ground with a frown. Then shaking her head she smiled up at him, "Zell no matter what, you're always the coolest one! You'll always be the same Zell to me!"

"That's where you're wrong, Selph," rolling up his sleeve he frowned at the sight. His right arm from his shoulder had been replaced with a fake, metal arm. This one was made special for fighting while another replacement was made for everday use. "I'm not the same and I hate it. I know it could be worse but I can't fight anymore. At least, not like I used to. Damn it!"

The fight with Ultimecia was hard enough but once Griever was junctioned they thought it was over. Zell did his best to keep Griever busy. Griever had a hold on him while Zell struggled to let go. Realizing Zell as a threat he took what was the cause of this problem. Now Zell struggled to train his body to fight with a replacement arm. It's really wasn't the same.

Losing his right arm was something hard for Zell. I don't blame him, it really isn't fair. Everyone looked at him diffrently. Zell was angry about being asked if he needed this or if they could do that for him. Never had Zell felt so helpless. He still had trouble controling his new apendage, something he wasn't sure he could do.

"You just have to get used to it. Zell you can do anything! Remember? You told me so." Smiling at her friend again she hugged him then waved good bye. "Time to visit our hero."

"Commander? Tilmitt would like to speak with you."

"Whatever."

Selphie walked inside the plain office. Squall had mostly left it the way it had been when Cid was in charge, but had added a gunblade on display by the desk.

Not taking his eyes off the mounds of paperwork that covered his desk, Squall asked, "What?"

Simple and to the pont. Our hero never changes, does he? "I just wanted to stay busy so I figured I'd see if you needed any help. Just no paperwork, okay?" Selphie bounced happily in one place waiting for a reply.

"I can handle this alone," Squall said, still focusing his eyes downward.

"You never will change will you?" Giggling, she sat in front of the commander's desk.

"Why should I?" Still focused.

"Squall, I really need a mission. Why wont you send me on one?" Selphie said, trying her best not to sound desprate but alas, she was.

"Selphie you aren't ready. Trust me, I know what I'm doing so don't ask again."

"Meanie."

"Whatever."

"Let's get lunch!"

"No."

"Let's see Zell!"

"No."

"When are you going to see Rinoa?"

Finally looking at the girl, Squall sighed. Looking tired and rubbing a tumb and forefinger against the bridge of his nose, he replied, "I can't face her yet. She doesn't need me. I'm useless."

She stood with both her hands in fists by her sides, "Don't say that! I can't stand it! How can the hero say he's usless?"

"Stop saying 'hero'. I can't stand that."

"Matron says she's doing a little better. It's been two months so there's still a ways to go. Matron said..."

"She's not getting any better so drop it."

I know that but I'm the one that has to be hopeful for the rest of you.

"She can't even look at me."

"Maybe she'll be able to adjust to all the power she's been given. Just give it time." Selphie nodded to Squall and soon made her way back to her quiet dorm.

Do you think Rinoa will get through this? She isn't doing too well but you know that. Please watch over her. She needs you.

After the Second Soceress War, everyone seemed to try to get back into what they called normal. Quistis was once again teaching, Zell did his best to train his new arm so he could go back to the field, and Squall spent long hours in his office keeping the Garden in order. Then there's Rinoa. Poor Rinoa.

After Ultimecia was taken down she couldn't pass on fully until her powers were given to another. The only one around was Rinoa. She accepted but it was too much. Too many negative thoughts fighting in her head and she couldn't take it. Her mind tried to stay her own but Ulitmecia's power took on its own mind within Rinoa's, causing her to break down and eventually shut down. Now Rinoa sat in a chair looking at the view of the ocean through a window. Matron and Cid did their best to take care of her but only time could tell if her mind would ever return. Her mind fought so hard against Ulitmecia's but it didn't seem to be enough. She hadn't spoken then, nor was she aware of what was going on around her. Rinoa just stared out her window; although Matron thought she had said Squall's name once.

Then there's you. I can't smile like I used to because of you.

Selphie lay in her bed while tears slowly made their way out of her eyes.

Stupid jerk. Why'd you leave me?

Selphie eventually cried herself to sleep.

Author's note: My first time writing a story. Hope you liked the first chapter. And also thanks to my sister for editing my work. Hopefully chapter two will be written soon. Thanks Gigi for looking over this for me!