Warning: Rated mature for sexual situations, violence and language. Spoilers. Takes place approximately four years after the end of F.F. 8 video game. Some OOC

Storyline: What makes Squall Leonhart seem to be the emotionless person that he is? Will he finally find love? A.P.V.

Pairings: Squall Leonhart and O.C.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Final Fantasy 8. But the name Lionsbane is mine as well as the O.C.'s

Flames will be used to line my chicabo cage. Praise will be put in my scrapbook along with my other mementos

CHAPTER 1

Squall Leonhart was one of those rare men who was incredibly gorgeous and didn't know it. He stood 5'11" having had a growth spurt when he was 19 and shot up 3" almost overnight. He had silky dark rich coffee bean brown hair that had auburn highlights if the light hit it just right. It was soft, thick and hung in casual disarray on his head. Pale sapphire blue eyes that could occasionally sparkle with merriment but they were usually as cold as chipped ice. He had outrageously long eyelashes that would tangle together. His lower lip was slightly fuller then his upper one giving him a sexy pouty look, his chin barely sloped down and was slightly rounded. His nose was perfectly shaped and aristocratic. He still had baby smooth skin, that would have made an angel weep with envy and there was no hint of a whisker ever coming in, at twenty-one he still looked like he was sixteen and probably would until he was well into his thirties. The only thing marring an otherwise classically perfect face was the scar that ran from his right eyebrow, over the bridge of his nose and slightly down his left cheek. His shoulders were just a little broader and his legs were longer and more muscular due partially to the growth spurt but also to the martial arts training and some weight lifting that he was now doing. Thanks to that he was even more ripped then he had been when he had faced Ultimecia almost four and a half years ago.

He wasn't an idiot, he knew that people called him, the Ice Knight or Leonheartless behind his back and he knew why. He had mastered the art of being cold, arrogant, cynical and aloof. Wanting that reputation to keep people from getting to close. He had few people whom he considered friends and that suited him fine, the fewer people to hurt him. He had been hurt too much in his life, and he'd be damned and in the seven hells before he let it happen again. He knew that it gave him a callous outlook on life. He had an ice-cold temper, but there were times that it exploded and started to boil over, now was one of them. He had been on a much-needed vacation, he hadn't taken a break in the past four years and he needed one. He had gone to Winhill to finally visit his mother's grave and to pay his last respects to her. He was three days into his two-week vacation, when he received the message that Rinoa really needed to see him. He had briefly stopped back at Garden and dropped off his luggage and his Gunblade case. After seeing Rinoa, he was planning on going back to Garden and grabbing a couple of hours of sleep and disappearing again, this time leaving his freaking cell phone behind.

Squall walked through the door of Jinx's Hotel and Fine Dining. He was dressed in his usual tight black leather pants, black biker boots, white tank top, and fur collared black leather bomber jacket, his Gunblade Lionsbane rode low on his hip attached to the red leather straps that encircled his waist and hips. Up until he and his friends had faced Ultimecia he had always called it Revolver. But afterwards he decided that it needed a name, after all in all those stories he had read as a child, Knights and Heroes always named their weapon. And now he was both, Rinoa's Knight and the Hero of the whole freaking world. His thoughts turned black when he saw who was at the corner table, it wasn't Rinoa. It was Laguna Loire, his "father". The word alone annoyed him.

"Damn you Zell, damn you and that schmuck Kinneas to the deepest parts in hell. When I get back to Garden I'm going to kill you Zell. I'm going to kill you and Irvine. Yes, I'm going to kill you and it's going to hurt. A lot!" He thought darkly. Fighting the impulse to turn and walk out he proceeded over to the table. "President Loire." He stated his voice, which was usually a rich baritone, had gone even deeper and darker with anger.

Laguna turned at the sound of Squall's voice, and smiled "Ah Squall, I see that you made it. Please sit and join me." He offered one of the chairs facing him.

Letting out an exasperated breath Squall reluctantly took the proffered chair, sat down and scowled at the man who was his father, "You're little more than a sperm donor," he thought darkly. He signaled the waitress over and ordered a double shot of Jackie Walker Black and Gold with club soda as a chaser. Holding up a leather-clad hand to signal that he really wasn't ready to hear why he had been brought there under false pretenses. Not until he had a shot or two of good Scotch in his stomach. The drink arrived and he downed it without a second thought and signaled that the waitress should bring him another. When the second drink arrived he took a small sip and rigidly said, "Alright Laguna, it's obvious that you arranged this little get together." He looked down at his wrist and checked his watch, "Whatever it is make it quick I have another appointment that I have to get to."

The smile didn't leave Laguna's face even as he stared into the pale blue eyes of the angry young man sitting across from him. "Now listen Squall, I've asked to see you on several occasions, but each time I get a vehement "NO!" So…I had to resort to this subterfuge in order to see you. Don't be to mad at your friends son I told them it was a matter of life and death." Laguna offered never losing his smile, his green eyes twinkling merrily.

"Do Not Call Me That!" Squall growled through clenched teeth.

"Call you what." Laguna ask innocently.

"Cut the bullshit Laguna. You know dammed good and well what I'm talking about. Don't you ever refer to me as your son! I should have told you this four years ago when you reentered my life. To me, you are nothing more then a sperm donor, just some horny solider who blew into town and knocked my mother up, then left her alone to die." Squall sneered contemptuously.

"That's not true." Laguna offered.

"Then what's the truth? That you stayed? No wait! I remember you went and looked for Ellone." He held up his hand once more when Laguna went to interrupt him, "I don't begrudge you that, because you did find her and you sent her back to be with our mother and for that I am grateful. But what I despise you for, was you never came back. You stayed in Esthar and shirked your responsibilities. I've heard it all before Laguna. How you loved her. If you loved her so fucking much why didn't you come back for her?" He demanded bitterly. "And when you found out that she died after giving you a son why didn't you come and find me? Ellone told me how all my mother wanted to do was show you your son. Two years Laguna, she waited for you to come back for two goddamned years. She grieved herself to death, you son of a bitch. You left Ellone and I to be raised in that fucking orphanage. When I was five Ellone was taken away and I watched as the other kids got adopted, but not me, never me. I was the little boy that nobody loved or wanted. Nobody wanted me Laguna, at least not until I turned 10, and went to Garden and even then nobody really wanted me. So don't act like you ever gave a shit about my mother or me, because you did not come back for us! Obviously those people in Esthar meant more to you then your wife, stepdaughter and your son. Don't try being my father now Laguna. I don't need one. I made it the first 21 years of my life without a father and I can damn well make it the rest of my life without one too." Squall said caustically and rose to leave.

"Sit your ass back down in that chair young man or I will knock you back into it." Laguna's usually cheery voice was cold and hard. His merry green eyes had gone almost black in his anger.

He wasn't afraid of Laguna Loire but that didn't mean that his two sidekicks Ward and Kiros weren't lurking in the shadows. Kiros was an impressive swordsman, fighting with dual Katals. He had enough confidence that he knew he could take him. Ward on the other hand could bench-press a freight train and not break a sweat. He relied on brute strength and that big freaking harpoon he carried around with him. He also knew that he could take on Ward as well, granted he would be hurting in the morning. But fighting both of them as well as Laguna? Somebody would wind up seriously hurt or seriously dead and there was a good chance that it just might be him. And as good henchmen go where there was one there was usually the other. Raising an amused eyebrow at the threat Squall shrugged his shoulders and sat back down. His curiosity was outweighing his contempt for the man.

"You will sit there and you will listen to me. I had no idea that she was pregnant? She and I had argued before I left to find Ellone, I don't even remember what it was about it was so long ago. Did you know that I sent for her to come and be with me in Esthar? That I wrote her several letters? When she didn't come or respond to my letters, I thought that she was still angry with me. I was angry and my feelings were hurt and in my arrogance I thought, "Fine I'll show you. If you think I'm going to come crawling back for you, then you are wrong." I admit it was childish and I know that there was no excuse for my not going back sooner, but I felt that the people in Esthar really needed me. I know that it took over two years for me to do it but I went back, to try and get her to come with me. When I arrived in Winhill Renée the mayor's wife told me that she had died in childbirth and our child was so misshapen that it had been impossible to tell if it was male or female. I almost died that day. I loved her Squall, and if I had had any notion at all that they had lied about you I would have rearranged the stars themselves to get you back." Laguna looked across the table at his son, "I don't know if you believe me or not but what I tell you is the truth. She was my heart and soul Squall, and I will love her until the day I die and if Hyne is as merciful as some say he is I will be reunited with her." Tears glistened in his green eyes as he continued to watch his son.

Laguna's word had chiseled past the anger and contempt and lodged into his brain, Squall leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin on the steeple he had formed with his hands. Sighing he said, "I honestly don't know what to believe. I have also been to Winhill and was told by the Hillside's the exact opposite of what you just told me. They told me that you didn't care enough to send for her, Ellone and I. They said that they had told you about me and would have kept me there and raised me as their own or sent me to you. But you said that you wanted all traces of "that Leonhart bastard gone." That you had tests done while you were in Esthar and that you were sterile so there was no way possible that you were my father. They said that you told them that if you ever came back and found that I was there, that you would bring in not only the soldiers of Esthar, but Galbadian forces too. Then burn their stinking village to the ground and fertilize the ground with their flesh and blood."

Laguna had just taken a swallow of wine, and instantly started choking on it, when he finally caught his breath he gasped out, "What? That's a bunch of filthy lies. You're living proof that I can father children. Come on now so..." he stopped himself before he finished the word son, "Squall, if I would have known about you I would have sent for you, I would have raised you and loved you. As for the rest, you share part of my memories thanks to Ellone. Do you honestly think that I could have done that? I was a bumbling idiot and a moron." He winced when he said the last part. "I know I was a good leader and my men respected me, but I was never really cut out to be a solider. I got drafted to fight in a war that I didn't believe in and I usually caused more harm then good. If it hadn't been for Ward and Kiros saving my ass on several occasions I would have either died or I would still be in prison because of some of my major fuck-ups."

Squall did remember those times when he had gone back and lived through things as Laguna. He gave that rare half smile and said, "I wouldn't say that you were a bumbling idiot."

"But your not denying the moron part are you? Squall all I want is a chance. If you don't want me to call you son I won't, but could you at least give me a chance to prove that I'm not as reprehensibly nauseating as you think I am."

Sighing again, Squall answered, "I suppose I do owe you a chance, but at this time I can't refer to you as my father. I apologize, but I don't know if I ever will be able to. Could you please try and understand that?" Laguna was about to respond to his question, but was stopped when a Squall held up a glove-clad hand.

Unbeknown to them an elegantly beautiful woman was observing them. He had caught her attention as soon as he walked through the door. There was something about that arrogant strut and handsome profile that reminded her of someone she had met close to seven years ago, but it couldn't be him, because he was dead. But just the way he held himself reminded her so much of…No! She wouldn't say his name nor would she think it, she had shed too many tears for him five and half years ago. Yet she was intrigued. Maybe, just maybe this man could erase the sadness from her heart, if she could arrange a meeting. The waitress came over to take their order, "Hi ya Avalena do you want the usual tonight."

"Well what do you think Tristen," she asked the small child who was with her a smile on her lips and her voice was a husky brogue, "shall we have pizza and root beer again?"

"Sounds great mama." He replied with an equally brilliant smile and just a mild hint of the same brogue in his voice.

While they waited for their dinner and drinks to arrive, she listened to how her son's day at day camp had gone, every now and then casting a casual glance over to the corner table, where it was certainly obvious that the two men were having a rather heated debate.

The waitress came back with their drinks, "Thank you Tyrell, that man who's sitting over there, do you know who he is?" She pointed towards the table where Squall and Laguna were sitting.

Tyrell looked over and answered, "Oh that's Laguna Loire President of Esthar and Squall Leonhart, Lionhearted or something like that, he's a Commander at Balamb Garden." She replied, then added, "I think he's an absolute hunk" and walked away casting dreamy glances over at the table where the two men where sitting.

"Tristen I want you to stay here." Avalena told her son and pushed away from the table. She was dressed in a pair of black leather pants that were almost identical to the ones that Squall was wearing, except hers were tucked into calf high high-heeled black leather boots. She had shed the black leather trench coat when she had taken her seat. She was wearing a blood red T-shirt that molded perfectly to her breasts and waist. Around her neck was a unique heart shaped amber pendant. On her left wrist was a black leather sheath that had a throwing dagger in it, the blade at her wrist was perfectly balanced and had been made for her. There was also a folding dagger tucked into the top of each boot, which completed her arsenal. After all a girl couldn't be too careful.

"Lyingheart is more like it." She seethed silently as she walked across the room towards the table where Squall and Laguna where sitting, the heels on her black leather boots clicking with each step.

Like Squall who didn't know that he was handsome Avalena DeMarco didn't realize how beautiful she was, oh she knew she was pretty enough. But in a society where the media and fashion magazines said that beautiful was being tall, skinny to the point of anorexic, and blonde. Being petite, having a very nice figure with breasts that were just over a handful a waist that wasn't to thin, rounded hips, and of course long curly black hair, she just wasn't the norm of what beautiful was and she knew it.

Squall heard the clicking of heels, held up his hand to indicate that he didn't want Laguna to answer yet. He turned slightly at the sound and saw her approaching. Liking what he saw he turned his chair and leaned back, balancing it on two legs, and laced his fingers behind his head, so he could appreciate the view better. God and Goddess she was hot! She had a sensational figure and long flowing black curly hair that from where he sat looked like it reached her ass. Goddamn, she was just the way he liked them he had a discerning eye where the female form was considered and hers was a perfect 36-26-36. She was petite no taller then 5'2" without the benefit of high heels, but her legs were long enough that they could wrap quite nicely about his waist, while he drove into her again and again! Where the hell had that thought come from? True, he really cared about Rinoa and a part of him had fallen in love with her, but he couldn't get close to her, he didn't know why, he just couldn't. Yes they had kissed, kissed a lot. He never took it further then kissing and some heavy petting, and he had certainly never had thoughts about her like "that." He would never admit it to anyone but he was 21 and still a virgin. He knew that all his and Rinoa's friends expected them to get married have babies and live happily ever after. He had never thought about what making love with Rinoa would be like. But this woman that was walking towards him, he didn't give a good flying fuck if it caused a scandal or not, he wanted to rip off their clothes lay her on the table, make love with her and never stop. Shaking his head to try and chase away that thought, he thought about Rinoa, and much to his chagrin he couldn't even recall her face.

There was just something about petite women with long black curly hair that drove him wild. She was gorgeous. Her face was so soft with angles in the right places. Her eyes were slightly tilted up at the corners giving her an exotic cat like look her eyelashes were just as outrageously long as his where, she had a slim nose and a full lush red mouth and her chin was as perfect as the rest of her face. "If she has golden amber eyes, she'll be perfect" he thought. When she got to their table she actually stopped and he caught the scent of her perfume and the scent that was distinctly woman, it was exotic and sensual just like she was. Yet there was something hauntingly familiar about it and about her. She was leaning forward, and yes she did have the golden amber eyes of a lioness, she was close enough now that all he would have to do was lean forward just a little and he could kiss those luscious red lips. His mouth was partially open and he actually started to lean in and press his lips against hers and thrust his tongue in her mouth coaxing a response from her. This was not like him at-all he had strict code of ethics about public displays of affection. Then she spoke her voice like the rest of her was a distant dream to him, a gentle whisper on the wind, and a memory that he could not recall no matter how hard he tried. Her breath when it hit his face was winter fresh. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you. What did you say?" He asked, not only had her big beautiful bedroom eyes distracted him and her husky brogue, but just that subtle glance of her cleavage when she had leaned in.

"I asked if your name is Squall Leonhart?" She whispered.

"Yes, I'm Squall Leonhart." He replied a smile of appreciation forming on his mouth and curiosity tugging an eyebrow upwards. He fought the urge to loop his arm around her waist and pull her on his lap and nuzzle her neck with his nose, shaking his head he asked with the same smile, "And who are you are sweetheart?" What in hell was wrong with him? Why was he acting like a horny teenager with his first hard-on, and not the Commander of Balamb Garden?

The next action happened lightning fast, so there was no way that he could have prevented it. She backhanded him smoothly out of his chair, the force of the blow knocking him ass over elbows and landing him flat on his butt. "You lying scurvy rat bastard," she snarled. Her next movement was throwing the knife that she had drawn from her wrist sheath and its blade landing snugly against his leather clad balls. The hilt stuck up from between his legs like an obscene ornamental phallic symbol. "I have two left, one to finish the job of castrating you and one for you lying black heart." She quickly drew the next knife from her boot, and snapped it open. Squall had leapt agilely to his feet when she had said the word "castrating" drew his Gunblade and easily knocked the next knife aside.

"God damn it woman what is your damage?" He barked as he cautiously approached her. He knew she had said she had two more knives, but Hyne only knew what else she could be carrying on her. If word of this ever got back to Balamb Garden, he was never going to live it down, being brought low by a glimpse of breasts, a waist that was not to slim, the sway of perfectly rounded hips, a lusciously kissable mouth, and beautiful golden amber eyes. "Don't forget that accent. That rich intoxicating accent." He reminded himself.

"What is my damage?" She repeated caustically, and quickly drew her last knife, and snapped it open, "My damage is the fact that I went to see you at your "precious fucking Garden", and I was told that you were dead." Her anger was so great she blindly lunged forward and aimed for his heart. Squall's hand came down automatically grabbed her wrist and easily disarmed her. Taking the knife he snapped it shut and shoved it into his jacket pocket.

The scuffle had taken them over next to the bar; not taking his eyes from her Squall placed Lionsbane back on his hip, grabbed a handful of her T-shirt and plopped her down on the bar. He didn't want to hurt her, but he wanted answers. He shook her hard, then let out a yip of pain as he felt a sharp stab in his ass. Not releasing his hold on her, he swung his head around with a growl, a snarl forming on his mouth, with fist doubled up to backhand whoever had just hamstrung him. But when he looked down into a pair of blazing sapphire eyes that brought him up short and stopped his hand in mid action. The boy didn't even flinch, but held the fork out in front of him as proudly as a knight would hold a sword, "You leave my mother alone." He ordered.

"Tristen please my little lion go sit back down." She said, the little boy obeyed her, albeit reluctantly

He swung his head back around and looked at her, and let go of the fistful of fabric he was still holding. "Who are you?" He demanded. How did he know her? He knew that he knew her; he would stake his honor on it. Placing the heel of his hand between his eyes he tried rubbing away the headache that he felt coming on. Damn it why couldn't he remember her. And damn the fact that the junction of Guardian Forces caused some memory loss. Because god what a memory she would be, if he could only recall it. He knew that he wanted her, wanted her so badly it hurt. Not just for now, but for always. To hell with the consequences and to hell with his code of ethics! She could very well strike him dead on the floor or slap him hard enough to make his teeth rattle, but it would be worth it, just for one quick taste of her lips. Without a second thought he stepped forward and forced his hips between her legs. Fisting one hand into her hair he put the other arm around her waist, drawing her closer to his body, he brought his mouth down on hers in a bruising kiss forcing hers open to accept his tongue.

Wave after wave of desire and memories slammed into him as he stroked the inside of her mouth with his tongue. Memories of how he had met her, the first time he had kissed her, and her body under his the first time he had made love with her. All those stolen weekends and the vacations they had spent together. Why hadn't he remembered all this before? He remembered that and more. He had always had just brief glimpses of the past but now it all came flooding back. The physical and mental abuse that had happened to him at the orphanage, the isolation, loneliness, and being friendless his first five years at Garden, but the sweet loving memories that he had of Avalena DeMarco overshadowed everything else. Shuddering with emotions he broke the kiss, then reached up and gently stroked her face with his leather clad fingers. "Ah, Avalena, I never knew until this moment how much I missed you and how very much I love you." The fortress of ice that he had built around his heart and his emotions melted away and once again he was the hot-blooded young man he had been over five years ago.

Fighting the vortex of passion that was washing over her, she tried to push him away. "Get your lying hands off me you son of a bitch," Avalena hissed and tried once more to push him away.

But Squall had her and wasn't about to let her go. Instead he brought his mouth towards hers again, his hand in her hair prevented her from turning away. This time he softly brushed her lips with his and whispered, "Could you possible tell me why you are so pissed at me sweetheart?" His last memory of her was of their last night together over five years before. How he had left her, just as he had promised he would. But here she was again, for some reason the gods had smiled on them and decided that they needed to be together. He had been hard for her before he had even kissed her but had grown even harder with the memories of their times together, how she tasted on his lips and tongue, how her mouth felt on his cock, and all those places they made love with each other. There was that and so much more, it has always been so much more with her then just lovemaking, and it always would be.

A combination of pent up anger and passion caused her to shudder. Her chest rose and fell from her exertions, and figuring that perhaps he did deserve an answer she spat out silently, "Because everything you told me was a lie. You told me that if I ever needed to contact you, for any reason at-all I could go to Balamb Garden and ask for you. I wanted nothing for myself Squall. But I thought that you would be interested in knowing that I was pregnant… pregnant with your baby Squall. Your son! I thought that maybe you would want to be part of his life, since you had told me that you were raised in an orphanage and that you never had a family." She pointed behind him to the little boy that had sit back down at the table. "I was told you were dead Squall. Dead, and yet here you are alive or, looking pretty goddamned good for a corpse. And you wonder why I'm pissed at you?"

Squall released his hold on her and turned to look at the table where the little boy was sitting. Sapphire blue eyes meet sapphire blue eyes again, one set angry the other confused. He knew that when this boy was older he would be the mirror image of him, his father, sans the scar on his forehead. Turning back quickly to face her he panted out "My son?" Not waiting for a reply he hit his knees and let out an agonized moan, "My Son! God! What is happening to me? Why wasn't I told? Why couldn't I remember you?" He yanked the glove off his left hand and threw it to the floor. On his palm was a faded scar. "The morning I left you, I swore and made a blood oath that I would never forget you my Avalena. No matter what, I would not forget you or stop loving you. You were my heart and soul. You were my life and my love!" Bringing his hands up he grabbed handfuls of his hair rocked back and forth on his knees and groaned, "I am insane! That has got to be it. Somehow all the shit that has happened to me in the past four and half years has driven me stark raving lunatic insane." Gnashing his teeth with frustration, he looked back again, at the little boy with the shaggy dark rich brown hair and those gorgeous sapphire blue eyes, "I have a son!" He turned his head back to her; she had slid off the bar and was standing over him. Putting his arms around her hips he buried his face in her soft leather clad belly, "Who told you I was dead?" He looked up at her, his beautiful blue eyes so full of hurt and confusion. "Who?" He whispered and pulled away from her.

Hearing the impassioned plea, and the anguish in what he said and seeing the pain and confusion in his eyes, caused the anger and contempt she had felt for him to flee. "No matter what I still love him," she thought. Reaching down she drew his head back to her stomach and gently stroked his hair. "I know that we had said that we wouldn't see each other again, but you did tell me in your letter that if I ever needed anything that I could contact you at Balamb Garden. So I went there and was led to the Headmasters office. I told him of the fact that I was pregnant with your child and that I thought you would like to know. He informed me of your unfortunate demise and said that although your loss was a tragedy, it was fortunate that part of you was left behind. And that when the child was old enough that it would be more then welcome at Balamb Garden. I thanked him for his time and his offer then left his office and went home and mourned you Squall. I cried until I didn't think I would ever be able to shed another tear, then I cried some more."

Reaching down she took his chin in her hand and tilted his face up to hers, "I sold my house here and I moved to Dollet. I couldn't stay here Squall every place I looked reminded me of you and the times we had spent together. It damn near destroyed me when I heard that you were dead. You were so full of life and so young, too young to be dead. Do you know how much I loved you? How very, very much I still love you?"

The tears were falling from her eyes and hitting his face, like warm raindrops, reaching up he gently pulled her down to face him. Cradling her head against his shoulder he rocked her back and forth, making gentle soothing sounds. Feeling another set of arms on top his he looked over her shoulder and found her son, No! He was "their son" holding her as well.

Tristen really didn't understand what was going on. He had really tried to stay at the table like his mother had told him. But, he kept hearing words about someone being dead and about him, all he knew for sure was that his mama was crying and he didn't want to see her do it anymore. "Please, mama, please don't cry anymore." He said and held her tighter.

Squall reached out his left hand he caught one of her tears and brought it up to his lips, tasting the saltiness of it. He whispered softly against her face, so only she would hear, "I don't know if you will believe me or not, but up until I kissed you I couldn't remember you. When I saw you approaching my table I thought there was something hauntingly familiar about you, something that struck my fancy. Thanks to you I have a weakness for petite women with long black curly hair and an hourglass figure. Sweet Hyne, if I would have remembered you and known about our son I would have moved heaven and hell and remade time itself to get back to you. You say you loved me and that you still love me, I never stopped loving you and I still love you! Even though I didn't remember you, there was a part of me that could never really give my heart to another, never really love another as completely as I loved you and still love you. Please my Avalena, please don't cry anymore." He gently brushed her lips with his, feeling her tremble against him.

She pulled away; "People just don't forget Squall, not unless they have suffered severe head trauma and got amnesia. Is that what happened Squall? Did you have amnesia?" Her voice was catching in her throat due to the fact she had been crying, and continued, "Then having everything turn out just peachy because of a kiss. That only happens in children's stories and I for one am a little too old to believe in fairy tales. I don't know what to believe Squall, I'm not even sure what I know anymore." She shook her head and continued to cry. "I love you Squall. I love you."

Tristen was a little confused by what was happening. First of all his mama was really mad at this man, then she seemed kind of happy to see him, and now she was crying. Reaching out he tugged on Squall's arm, "Please mister please don't make my mama cry anymore." Tristen pleaded.

Avalena pushed away from Squall, turned and pulled her son into her arms. "Shh, my little lion. I'm fine." She offered with a weak smile.

"Is this man bad mama? Is that why you're still crying?" Tristen asked her.

"No my son, he is not a bad man." Avalena said, and thought, "Well yes he is a "bad man" but not in the way you mean," and laughed and truly smiled at him, "Are you a bad man Squall?"

"No, I'm not a bad man." Squall answered, laughed a little himself, his thoughts echoing hers, and smiled at his son.

"Then why was my mama mad at you? Why was she crying?" Tristen questioned.

Before either could reply, a voice interrupted, "Um… excuse me Miss… Uh what is your name?" Laguna had left the table and walked over to where the three of them were huddled on the floor. He had to fight not to burst out laughing when she had backhanded Squall's arrogant ass out of his chair. He had flinched when that dagger had landed against his son's crouch. He had actually started laughing when that little boy had coolly stabbed Squall in the ass with that fork. He had heard part of what was happening, how she had gone to Garden and had been told that Squall was dead, and he was curious as to why this had happened. It was obvious to him that she had been lied to. The question was why?

"Laguna Loire, might I have the pleasure to introduce you to Avalena DeMarco. Avalena, this is Laguna Loire, my..." he paused the word still strange upon his tongue, "father." Squall offered.

"Ah yes, Miss DeMarco, from what I overheard it seems that you were lied to." Laguna offered with a friendly smile.

"I know that now, but why would the headmaster do that." Avalena asked, still cradling Tristen against her side. "And why couldn't Squall remember me?"

"I wish I knew, that way I could erase all the questions and pain from your beautiful eyes." Laguna replied with a winsome smile. "About Squall not remembering there is a viable answer, maybe he was hypnotized into forgetting you. Tell me something Squall, if you had remembered her and you found out she was going to have your baby would you have stayed at Balamb Garden or would you have left to be with her and your child? They invested a lot of time and money into your training." Laguna paused, wondering how to say the next without sounding like a complete asshole, "I'm not saying this to hurt you, but why you? Yes, you are a spectacular fighter, you're highly intelligent, and have amazing leadership qualities. But, so do some of the other students there, true they're not as talented as you are." To lighten what he had just said Laguna offered jokingly, "Oh, yes I forgot that your looks are above average too. Granted you'll never be as good-looking as I am though.

"Hypnosis? Then explain to me how and why do I suddenly remember everything about her and the times we spent together. All the things we did together, both in and out of bed. How she took a shy, awkward introverted boy and helped him become a self-confident, hot-blooded, passionate young man. I could tell you in minute detail about the first time, and the last time we made love with each other. Everything, even the color of her panties."

The last part caused Avalena to blush just a little, "Squall!" she admonished.

He didn't stop there, but turned to her and continued, "Sweetheart, I can tell you of that stupid vow I made to you on our first night together. How you made me promise never to fall in love with you. Being young, horny and stupid, I didn't think it would be a problem. And if I did perchance fall for you, I would have to leave you. "Not a problem, since I didn't believe in love." I had thought. I remember how I told you on our last night together, how very much I loved you. I remember how you told me you loved me too, and how we made love one last time. Then I held you while you cried yourself to sleep. I left our bed before you woke, and wrote you that letter. I couldn't stand to see you cry again. I had given you my word, my Avalena, and other then my heart that's all I could give you. I would be a man of honor. A man you would be proud of. I remember going to that hill where you taught me how much fun it was to dance naked and make love in the rain, and there on that hilltop, I made another vow to you. I swore I would never, ever forget you and how I would love you, even after the world turned to dust. I was devastated; my heart was a wasteland of broken dreams. For about three months after that everywhere I looked I saw you, the whisper of the wind was your laughter; vivid sunrises reminded me of how exotic and beautiful you were. Every time it rained I had to fight the urge to strip off my clothes and go out and dance in it. The only thing that kept me from saying to hell with my word, and go running back to you was that I was afraid that you would think less of me"

Squall shook his head to help clear away the last of the cobwebs that had clung to his memories, his eyes clouded over just a little, "There are other things too. Things that happened at the orphanage, that I couldn't remember but do now, but that's another story for another day. I remember that I was sitting in class, and was paged to go to Dr. Kadowaki's office, and then everything is so hazy after that. But, I do know that even though I still had confidence and was arrogant, I also become introverted, cynical, and cold. I went from being able to laugh and smile, to hardly doing it anymore. How Laguna, how come I remember everything now?" he asked, looking at the older man his eyes were filled with confusion.

"I know very little about hypnosis, but what I do know is that there is usually a certain trigger that can cancel out the hypnotic suggestion. It could be something as complex as certain words having to be said in such a way or something as simple as a," Laguna stopped, he was recalling everything that had transpired between them. Squall hadn't seem to remember her, until…

"As simple as what?" Squalls voice interrupted his musings.

Laguna smiled and laughed, "A kiss."

Avalena looked up at Laguna, "A kiss?" Then laughed a little, "A kiss." She repeated and turned back to Squall, "It looks like I was wrong, my Lionheart, fairytales can actually come true."

"Then why wasn't it broken before? I have kissed other girls." Squall said.

"I don't know perhaps it had to be the kiss of your true love." Laguna offered.

Avalena smiled, but a look of confusion crossed her face and danced through her eyes, "But why would someone want you to forget me?"

Squall drew Avalena and Tristen into his arms "I don't know my love. But why don't we find out…?" He asked smiling, "together. Because sweetheart, now that I've found you and I remember you, I never want to let you go. Either one of you, I could sit here and hold you both forever, and that would be paradise for me. Do you forgive me? His voice was husky.

What he said was a sound idea, about finding out why the Headmaster had lied to her and why Squall been hypnotized into forgetting her. Why had they done it? There were too many questions, that they both needed answers for. But the most important one was the one he had asked her just a heartbeat before. Avalena didn't try to pull away from him, didn't want to pull away from him ever again. In fact she wanted to get closer, so she snuggled in tighter, bringing their son along with her. "There's nothing to forgive you for Squall. You weren't at fault I know that now. And about you not letting me go? That's good because, I'm not going to let you go either my Lionheart. Not this time. Not ever again!" She whispered along his neck.

"Um excuse me folks, but do you think maybe you could move your little party off the floor." The manager had walked over and asked.

"Do you want to move Avalena?" Squall asked her and held her a little tighter.

"No my love, but I suppose we should." Avalena answered.

"Ah hell, that means I'm going to have to let you go and I haven't even come close to holding you long enough." Squall said with a grin. He reluctantly unwound his arms from around her stood and helped her and their son to their feet, and drew them into his arms again, "What's his name?" He asked softly.

Pulling back just a little she lifted Tristen up in her arms, "Squall, I would like for you to meet Tristen Christopher. Tristen, my little love, I want you to meet someone. Someone who is very special, this is Squall Leonhart, your father."

Tristen looked at both of them first with elation then confusion filled his eyes, "But mama you said that my father was dead. If my daddy is dead how can he be my daddy?"

"Tristen, I've taught you the difference between the truth and lying right." At his affirmative nod she continued, "When I went to see your daddy, while you were still inside my tummy, I was told that he had died."

"Somebody lied to you mama? Why? Was he a bad man?"

Letting out a deep breath Squall debated with himself. There was a part of him that wasn't sure if he still owed the Headmaster and Garden any loyalty, but deciding that his honor should at least extend that far until he had answers to the questions that they both had. He replied, "I don't know that he's necessarily a bad man, I think that he thought, what he was doing was for the best."

Tristen had turned to look at his father while he spoke, then reaching out a finger he traced the scar that was slashed across his father's forehead, "Did it hurt?"

Smiling Squall answered, "When it first happened yes it did hurt. But now," He shook his head in the negative, "doesn't hurt at all."

Tristen unexpectedly, reached out his arms and wrapped them around Squall's neck pulling himself from his mother's arms into his fathers. He snuggled in closer, "I'm glad it doesn't hurt you daddy," and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "and I'm also glad that I have a daddy now."

The gesture both surprised and pleased Squall and he held his son closer and kissed him on the top of his head. "And I'm glad I have a son."

"I suppose it would be rather silly of me if I asked if you would like to join us at our table." Laguna offered with a warm but tight smile and indicated the table where he and Squall had been sitting. He didn't remind Squall of his "other appointment" knowing that even if he had one and the fate of the world hung in the balance on if he attended or not, the world would be damned. He saw that the only thing that mattered to his son was the woman he held against his side and the little boy that was nestled against his shoulder. The conversation that was happening between Squall, his son, and Tristen, his grandson, was killing him. That sweet little boy had accepted the fact that Squall was his daddy, with only a moment's hesitation. Deep in the secret part of his heart Laguna Loire realized that he would have sold his soul to hear the words. "I'm glad I have a daddy." Because he was certainly glad that he had a son. "You may forbid me from calling you my son out loud Squall, but you can't forbid me not to do it in my mind." Laguna thought sadly.

Avalena let go of Squall long enough to go and retrieve her purse, her trench coat and her other two knives. The four of them crossed the room and sit down at the table. Squall and Avalena sat on one side of the table getting reacquainted with each other. Laguna and Tristen sat on the other where Laguna entertained Tristen with idle chitchat and stories of killing big, bad monsters. Stopping every now and then so either of them could ask Squall or Avalena a question. Avalena reordered the pizza that she had ordered earlier for she and Tristen since the original one had grown cold. "I'd like a salad as well with ranch, and double the side of ranch sauce," then looking at Laguna, "unless you want pizza too?"

"Sounds good, go ahead and make it a large." Laguna told the waitress. "I'll take a salad too with 1000 Island."

Squall and Avalena answered the questions that were asked of them automatically. The sexual tension that was building between the two of them was thick enough to walk on and soon would be thick enough to see. Squall leaned in closer to her and whispered in her ear, "Do you know how very much I want you?" The kiss had not only opened his memories of her, but all the other things she had helped him with and taught him. Yes, the ice melted around his heart and once more his blood was pulsing hot and wild.

"As much as I want you." Avalena whispered back.

"Would you like for me to get us a suite?" He inquired rubbing his cheek along her jaw line.

"There's no need, after we have dinner, we can go back to my house." She answered.

"I thought you said you sold your house here."

"I had one built, that better suited my taste."

"Good," he husked against her ear; "All I can think about right now is tearing our clothes off, laying you down on a bed and filling you with my flesh, over and over and over again."

His breath was hot against her skin. Just his words alone had caused her stomach to hit her feet, but when his tongue came out and gently licked across her ear, it climbed slowly back up and quivered in the pit of her belly.

His whispered again, "Are you as wet for me as I am hard for you?" He took her hand and discreetly placed it on his lap, where she found him hard and throbbing.

Avalena closed her eyes and let out a small moan. Without removing her hand from his rock hard leather encased erection, she turned just slightly in her chair and did a little teasing of her own, leaning further in she breathed gently along his neck, jaw line and finally in his ear. Putting her mouth against his ear she husked out, "If you don't behave yourself, scandal or not I'll pull you under this table, and give you the ride of a lifetime. Or I could just drop down to my knee's tear open your fly, take you in my mouth…" She let the words hang in mid sentence, and finished with, "…and suck you dry!"

Squall had picked up a fork and was twirling it around in his fingers, trying unsuccessfully to ignore what she was saying and doing to him. "Control Leonhart!" He ordered himself silently, but when she bit him on the ear lobe, the wave of passion hit him so hard he snapped the metal fork in half.

The snap brought the attention of Laguna and Tristen. "You alright there Squall?" Laguna asked trying unsuccessfully to keep the leer off his face. He had been less then half-paying attention to them, more interested in what his grandson was saying. But he had caught their subtle movements out of the corner of his eye.

"Muscle spasm, if you must know." Squall growled through gritted teeth. He put his napkin on his lap slipped his hand under it and was trying to rearrange himself, without drawing too much notice to the fact that was what he was doing. God, he was so hard, swollen and throbbing with his need for her he was surprised he hadn't snapped the buttons open on the fly of his leather pants.

Avalena put her hands in front of her, laced her fingers together, and extended her arms just enough to pop her knuckles. Just as the waitress approached with the pizza, "Oh look dinner." She said sweetly, unable to keep the smirk off her face. "I for one am famished."

Tristen knew that there was something happening between his mother and the man who was suddenly his father, he just didn't understand what it was. He thought they were just being silly.

When the waitress came back to clear the plates and pizza pan away and also to check if anybody wanted dessert, she was greeted with Laguna and Tristen wanting ice cream. She turned to Squall and Avalena to see what they wanted.

"Nothing for me Tyrell." Avalena replied to the inquiry.

"How about for you Commander?" She asked Squall, leaning in and brushing her chest against his arm. Ignoring the black look that she received not only from him but also Avalena.

"Nothing, thank you anyway." He answered, slightly offended by the waitress's forwardness, and moved closer to Avalena, "Time for a little revenge." He thought evilly, he turned and placed his lips against her ear again, his voice dark with lust, he whispered, "Besides, the dessert I have in mind is not on the menu. The sweet I have in mind I want to linger on my lips and tongue. I just love the taste of sweet, sweet cream." He licked her ear suggestively, blew his hot breath against it and finished with, "And, you have got the sweetest cream I've ever tasted."

She turned to face him; her chest was heaving with her own pent up frustration. She didn't know what she was going to say, because every intelligent thought she had went on vacation as she saw that his eyes were half closed in that lazy, sexy way that had always driven her crazy. She melted when he raised his eyelids and eyebrows just a little. But when he oh so slowly ran the tip of that wicked little tongue over his top lip and partially closed his eyes again, she felt the explosion of the orgasm as it washed over her in wave after lusciously, sinful wave of desire.

"Still going to pull me under the table and give me the fucking of a lifetime?" Squall husked out, folding his hands behind his head he tilted back in his chair a self-satisfied smirk playing on his mouth.

"Damn you for the devil you are Squall Leonhart." She moaned softly.

Laguna, who had been slightly amused at first, knew damn good and well what was going on between the two of them, and enough was enough. There was a time and a place for everything, but in a restaurant and in front of their son, especially in front of their son wasn't it. "They're just being silly." He replied, as he kicked Squall in the shin. The kick gained Squall's attention; he turned and glared across the table at Laguna, "Aren't you Squall? Aren't you and Avalena being silly?" He tilted his head just a little towards Tristen.

Squall smiled, "Yes, I guess we are being a little silly," and winked at his son. "Sometimes adults can be, but we also know how to behave." The next he directed at Avalena, "Don't we?" He finished and casually slung his arm over the back of her chair.

After Tristen and Laguna had finished their ice cream and Squall had paid the check, they rose to leave. As they walked towards the door a new group of people was walking in, Squall groaned softly, "Oh Hyne why them?"

Zell, and a very inebriated Irvine, Quistis and Selphie had walked through the door and saw Squall and Laguna getting ready to leave. "Yo, Squall, Laguna, fancy meeting you here." Zell offered in greeting. He failed to notice that two men he had just hailed were in the company of the woman and a little boy.

"Yeah, fancy that." Squall answered sarcastically.

"Ah come on, Squall, everything worked out now didn't it. You and Laguna are all buddy, buddy now right." Irvine slurred. He saw Avalena, and sidled over to her, putting his arm around her he said, "Why hello darlin'. What is your name? You are a vision of loveliness, I am Irvine Kinneas, but you can call me daddy."

"Take your hands off me you prancing ninny." Avalena snapped removed his arm and spun gracefully away from him to Squall's other side. While this minor drama was unfolding, they failed to notice Seifer, Raijin, and Fujin, walk in.

Irvine considering himself somewhat of a lady's man and irresistible to the female sex, thought she was playing hard to get. After all weren't women always telling him he was the best thing they had seen? He strutted over to her, "Now darlin', don't be that way. Why don't you and I go find a nice quiet corner and "get to know each other better"?" He leered lasciviously, grabbed her again and succeeded in planting a rather sloppy, drunken kiss on her mouth.

Avalena pushed him away, wiped her mouth off, slapped him soundly across the face and snarled, "Piss up a rope, you twit."

Irvine thought, "Oh, yeah this one definitely wanted him, after all what other choice was there? There was Zell if you liked that skate punk look, Laguna, but he was so old that he probably couldn't get it up or even keep it up for a hot-blooded woman like her. That left him or Squall. Granted Squall would be some serious competition if he weren't so hideously disfigured. So that left him, and he loved it when they played hard to get." He decided to try one more time, and went to grab her again. But yelped in pain, swinging around he slapped the small boy who had just stabbed him in the thigh with a knife, "You little bastard," he snapped rubbing his inner thigh and coming away with blood smeared on his fingertips.

Tristen had wanted to help his mama again. After all hadn't mama always said he was her knight and her little lion? He removed the knife from his jean pocket and snapped it open. It had fallen out of his daddy's jacket pocket earlier, he had picked it up with every intention of returning it to his mama because he knew it was hers, but so many things had happened, like finding out he actually had a daddy. Dashing forward he stabbed the "prancing ninny" in the thigh, the words, "Leave my mama alone!" Never left his lips, when that man had hit him.

The force of the blow sent Tristen flying across the room where he struck his head on the corner of a planter and fell to the floor in a sobbing heap.