A/N: Hey Guys. This is my first fic in a while. It is set roughly 3-4 years after the game, so Squall has grown from an insecure teenager to a strong leader of 21 years old. Please R and R. Rated T for now, but it'll probably be bumped to M later for violence, possible sex, swearing, and mild drug use. Juicy stuff right? Don't read this if any of that offends you.

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the storyline.

I Can't Stop Loving You

Chapter 1:

The Beginning

Squall sighed. It had been another long day. His eyes blurred as he stared down at his paperwork. As commander he was required to oversee everything from dispatching SeeD to disciplinary action. It would certainly be another long night. Several papers littered his desk, and he starred at the top one.

Another disorderly conduct case, drug use this time. He sighed. Students were caught under the influence of a controlled substance and violated both curfew and noise regulations. Recommended disciplinary action: monetary fine and an educational class.

Quisitis always helped him out. She knew he was still inexperienced at this sort of thing. He followed her recommendation and issued a 5000 gil fine to all parties involved and ordered that they take a controlled substance awareness class. He sighed again, leaned back in his office chair, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it.

This was a habit he'd picked up from Irvine, although Irvine could hardly be blamed for it. Squall had been stressed at the time, and Irvine had told him that all he needed was a cigarette. Squall had smoked one, and felt surprisingly better. So the addiction had begun. Irvine had turned him onto Marlboro Reds, "Cowboy Killers," as he'd called them. Squall felt bad about smoking, but not for the reasons smokers usually feel bad. He had been hiding this from Rinoa, who detested cigarette smoke, for nearly a year.

"She just doesn't understand." He rationalized aloud. "We've been together for three and a half years, and I should be allowed to make my own decisions, especially about my own health. I just don't want to hurt her, and that's why she must not find out." Even as he said it, he knew it was bullshit. He knew she would be hurt even worse if he kept hiding it. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her. Not yet.

Squall looked at his remaining paperwork and decided to retire for the night. He was sick of working, but he was also sick of thinking.

When he got back to his room, he found Rinoa still awake on her computer.

"What the hell are you still doing up at 4am?" he teased as he made for the shower. He had to take a shower and brush his teeth before he could be near her. The smell of smoke still clung to him.

"I'm playing this game called Second World. It's really fun! Come check it out after your shower. Didja have an ok day at work?" she called to him.

"It was alright," he replied simply as he shut the bathroom door.

Ten minutes later Squall emerged wearing his black jeans and a towel draped over his bare shoulders. His hair was dripping wet, and fell across his face in sharp points. He smelled of the 'phoenix' scented body wash, that she loved, and he smiled at her with his pearly white teeth.

"Hey you," she said as he emerged, rising from the computer chair and walking toward him.

"Hey," he said back, letting her approach him. When she was close enough, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. He was still warm from his shower, but he somehow still felt her warmth spread over him. He really didn't deserve her.

When she finally pulled away, she beckoned him to follow her to the computer. He did, and sat down next to her.

"This is Second World. It's a kind of game that enables people to keep in contact with one another from long distances apart, and you can meet new people too! See my character? I can change just about everything about her, from her skin—" Squall watched as the computerized version of Rinoa's skin got lighter and darker, "to her hair—" he saw the character's hair turn purple, "and even her clothes and accessories!" Rinoa finished, making her character wear a suit of leather. "I've been talking to this one guy, I think you'd like him, I'm not sure what his name is but his online name is 'killerblade,' but I just call him 'Ki' for short…"

Rinoa continued to explain to Squall all the details and finer points of "Second World," and, although he wasn't particularly interested, he listened intently. He loved her voice.

When Rinoa had finally said goodbye to "Ki" she followed him into the bedroom. Squall loved sharing his bed with her. Although their sex had been fantastic, there was something about sleeping, just sleeping, with someone you love. He lay down and she curled up next to him. The curves of her body fit so perfectly against him, it was like they were part of a two piece puzzle. It was so easy to see that they belonged together. Squall was out in seconds once the lights were extinguished.

A/N: well, there's chapter one. I'm not going to post this until it is finished, and I can post it all at once. Maybe it won't be done, but it'll be close. They say that good writers let the story write itself, and this one has written itself epically so far, but I have yet to see an ending I'm happy with. Please, read on.

--N.F.--