Edit: Since I only had the first part up when I got someone to beta the story I had them read over it and uploaded the version that we decided on afterward.

Author's Note: This is a rewrite of Once More with Feeling. Since I changed the name, and reworked a few things in it, and plan on working more on it, I decided to just start fresh.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters listed in this story. The world and characters are found in Final Fantasy VIII and are © to Square Enix.

"Flights of Fantasy"

1: Recoveries

Ocean waves crashed against the rocky cliffs by the run down light house while wind blew the salty air through the nearby Balamb Garden. Headmaster Cid had announced that they would stay for a week before making the return trip home. This decision brought on in part by Dr. Kadowaki's insistence, so she could run tests on those who were involved in the recent battle to save the world. Cid needed this time to be able to negotiate with the workers at Fisherman's Horizon to help put the Garden back into place. He had also been visited by Selphie Tilmett multiple times in regards to Trabia Garden's dire state. At her request she was given charge to create a relief team that would go to Trabia and work with them until they could get back on their feet.

Cid's wife, former Sorceress Edea, spent most of her time around the old orphanage with a sketch book working on designs to rebuild her beloved home. She didn't spend much time at the Garden due to the fact that most of the inhabitants were still extremely wary of her, but she could be seen every morning and evening sharing meals with Cid. A speculation going around the Garden was that the Headmaster purposely ate with her in the cafeteria, instead of in private, to try to alleviate any residual animosity towards her. Only time will tell whether his intentions will work.

As for the Light House Gang, the name that Selphiecoined for the group, they went through all sorts of tests, both physical and mental to determine that they were fit to return to duty. While most of them had sustained injuries that prevented them from returning back to training or being sent out on missions right away, only one of them was confined to the infirmary.

Squall Leonhart lay back on the bed, staring out the infirmary's window at the vast ocean beyond. No one visited him, but that was of his own doing, he had requested for no one to be allowed to visit. He wasn't up for just anyone stopping by to give him their thanks; he did not want to be praised for just doing his job. However, there was one who visited throughout each day, Rinoa Heartilly. Squall didn't hesitate in giving permission for her to see him, they didn't talk much, she just sat with him for a while until Dr. Kadowaki would usher her away to do more check ups and tests. Squall had a few fractured ribs, some internal bleeding, a concussion, and a fractured right wrist keeping him bedridden after everyone else was released. The young commander was almost glad of the injuries, he was allowed time almost completely alone.

On the last day before they were scheduled to head out, Rinoa once again sat by her Knight's bedside. It wasn't even noon yet, but the other students and SeeD could be heard out in the halls getting ready for lunch. Squall sighed and closed his eyes trying to block out the sounds of the hyper people outside.

Setting down the book she'd been attempting to read, Rinoa gazed over at the young man. She'd brought the book everyday for the past few days since Squall didn't seem much like talking, but she'd only managed to get a few pages of it read. Her mind was too cluttered to immerse herself in a fairytale. She put the book softy on the night table next to her chair and the bed, and stood up. Tucking her leg up under her, she sat down on the bed next to him. She bit her lip, "Squall?" He didn't respond. She reached out her hand to touch his, but hesitated before actually taking it in hers. In a whisper, more to herself than anything, "I wish I knew how to use my powers. If I did then you wouldn't still be in here." Not knowing if he was even still awake she caressed the bandages on his hand and laid down next to him.

Squall's mind was racing as she cuddled into him. To her surprise he started stroking her hair with his good hand, and lightly kissed the top of her head. Trying to clear his overwhelming thoughts, Squall inhaled deeply the sweet scent of flowers that clung to Rinoa's hair. His body relaxed and he was able to start drifting off to sleep, but the doctor came in ruining any thoughts of such a thing.

"Okay you two, Rinoa I need to do another check up," she smiled, happy to see that someone was finally able to get close to the young loner.

Sitting up slowly, "Alright. I'll come back later tonight, if that's okay with you Squall." She turned and gave him a questioning look. Their eyes met, causing her heart to speed up, she saw worry, and to her, what looked like love. "No, that can't be, he just cares about me that's all," she thought to herself. "He cares about all of his friends."

He couldn't figure out why she was looking at him like he was some kind of puzzle. "Whatever..." he replied. Rinoa rolled her eyes, stood up and walked out of the infirmary. The doctor started checking his vitals and poking around at his ribs, he winced but tried not to let on that anything still hurt.

"Your internal injuries are healing up nicely. Your concussion is no longer a worry. I think you should be well enough to get out of here in the morning," she said absentmindedly while she checked the bruises on his ribs. "Though I must warn you, you are far from being ready to be back in the field, let alone training. It'll still be a few weeks before you'll be up to that."

"Yah, okay," though he wasn't looking forward to facing everyone anytime soon.

Rinoa's mind was in a daze for the walk back to her room. "First he shows affection and kisses my head, and then I think I see love in his eyes. C'mon girl you've got to get a grip on things. He's been through a lot, who knows what he's thinking." She let out a small giggle, "No one does. Wonder if he even knows." A group of laughing students went silent as she passed by them. She sped up a little to get to the safety of the dorms faster. Squall wasn't the only one that didn't really want to face the masses. "I'm 'Sorceress Rinoa', the one who let out Adel. I'd prefer not to dwell much on what people probably think of me right now."

She pushed open the door to the room that Headmaster Cid had graciously loaned out to her and quickly closed it behind her. Grabbing a blanket off the bed and wrapping it around her, she sat on the desk in front of the window. From there she had a perfect view of the light house and the orphanage that Squall and the others grew up in. That's when she saw them. The Light House Gang minus two, all walking out to the beach just beyond the old building. With a heavy sigh, a tear cut its way down her cheek. "I don't belong here. The only friends I have are their own little group, one that I'll never be a part of. We still don't know where Seifer is, and Squall went back to saying only one word sentences, even to me. The world doesn't want me. I don't fit in here. What happens now?" She pulled up her knees and buried her face in the blanket, crying softly. "I've never felt so alone."

Squall also saw the rest of the Light House Gang exiting the Garden. "Probably out to say 'goodbye' to the old orphanage. Why bother? It's just an old building." But then a small voice in the back of his head reminded him, "It's also the place that I promised…" He shook his head free of the memory. "She's already broken down most of my defenses. I let myself start to fall for her, and I almost lost her. It's better to be alone, than to let people in, caring for them, and have them leave. It hurts too much." That same voice crept back in, "But I've already let her in. She's already in my head, in my heart. I can't stop thinking about her." He closed his eyes, "Where do we go from here? Cid has already expressed to me that he wants me to stay on as Commander. I don't think I want that much responsibility; I haven't even been SeeD for long at all. There are more qualified people, such as Xu." He groaned in frustration.

Dr. Kadowaki leaned her head in the doorway, "Squall? Is there something wrong?"

"No, Doctor. I'm just thinking," he tried to manage a smile, but it ended up looking more like a grimace. The older woman chuckled to herself and retreated back to her office.