Disclaimer: Still don't own Final Fantasy VIII…

Author's Note: I'm glad to see that people are actually liking this. In this chapter, and some of the future chapters, I'll always be switching to other character's POV's, including an anonymous person, who will be revealed in the next few chapters. Like before, I'll write who's point of view belongs to which person. Thanks to everyone that reviewed…Dark Raion, you're on to something there. Read on to find out!

After the Dust Settles

Chapter 3- He's Gone…

Squall's POV…

I rolled over on my side, for what seemed to be the hundredth time that night. Forget it…I'm never going to be able to get any sleep. How can I sleep when all I can think about is Rinoa? That's it! Forget what Cid said about waiting until morning, I'm leaving now. That dream must have meant something, I'm sure of it! I have to get to Dollet before it's too late!

I got out of my bed and ran a hand through my messy brown hair. I hadn't even bothered to change out of my regular clothes last night. I scribbled a quick note and then I grabbed my gun blade and headed out of the Dorm area. Sorry everyone, but I can't take this anymore. Rinoa needs me, and that's all that matters…

Rinoa's POV…

I rolled over and looked at the clock…4:45 am. How could it be morning already? I had actually gotten a pretty good night of sleep. I told myself that I could never fall asleep in my surroundings, I even willed myself not to. Who knew what horrible things could have befallen me during the night? You never know what kind of stunts my…father…will pull.

Suddenly, the dream that I had been having flashed into my mind. It had been about Squall…after Time Compression, when we had shared our first kiss on the balcony. Had that only been yesterday? I longed now for Squall, to have him hold me in his arms and tell me that everything would be fine. He never cared that I was a Sorceress…but what would the future hold? Squall is the leader of SeeD and I am the very symbol of which SeeD's are taught to defeat. What if I can no longer control my powers? Then, will Squall have to…? No! Stop thinking about that Rinoa, it would never happen! Squall loves you and he's going to come and save you.

To get my mind out of my thoughts, I got up, off the bed. I made my way over to the full-length mirror on the wall. Looking at my reflection, I saw that my clothes were wrinkled and my hair was a mess. As if on cue, I found a brush laying on top of the dresser to my left. I picked it up and began to brush my hair. This room seemed oddly familiar…everything about it just seemed to have a familiar ring to it. I dropped the brush abruptly as I heard footsteps coming from outside of my door. I quickly sat down on the bed and tried to act like that's where I had been all morning. I didn't want That Man to know that I was actually interested about this place, where he had brought me. The door opened, but I just sat there.

"Ah, I knew I heard footsteps! Up and about, I see…"

"What do you want? You still haven't told me why I'm here." I glared at him.

"Oh believe me, you will know soon enough…"

"What do you mean by that? If you think that Squall isn't gonna come for me, then you've got another thing coming!"

His eyes blazed in fury. "That pitiful Leonhart?! I knew he was trouble from the first day I met him! You want to know why I brought you here, Rinoa? It was all because of him!"

I stood there in shock. "Because of Squall…?"

"Yes! You were getting too attached to him! He is not good for you Rinoa, why can't you see that?!"

Now my eyes blazed in fury. "How dare you?! You have no right to criticize Squall! Do you know how many times he saved me?! Do you know how he never gave up on me?! Do you know how much he doesn't care that I'm a Sorceress?!"

"Lies, child, lies! He is a SeeD! Do you not know that SeeD's kill Sorceresses?!"

"Squall would never hurt me!"

"You are a fool if you think that way! I won't hear another word from you about that Leonhart boy! You are to forget he ever existed!"

"Our love is too strong! Nothing you do or say can change my feelings towards him! He loves me and I love him!"

"Fool!" He spat at me. "I see that you are going to need some time to see things my way. When you have come to your senses, I will be back…with a surprise…"

"Surprise..?"

"Oh, you bet. Just wait and see. Farewell…for now…" With that, he closed the door, locking me in, yet again.

Quistis's POV…

I woke up to a throbbing head and a sour stomach. Ugh…I sat up slowly, and put a hand to my head. My forehead was burning to the touch. Oh great, just what I need…to get sick at a time like this.

"Quisty, are you still asleep?"

"No, Selphie, come on in." I called.

"Whoa, Quisty, are you okay?! You look awful!"

"Thanks Selphie."

"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that! It's just that you look like you don't feel too good, and that's an understatement!"

"I'll be fine Selphie. It's just a little cold, that's all…" I got up from my sitting position. Bad idea! I made a run for the bathroom.

"Um…Quisty…do you want me to call somebody." I heard Selphie call.

"No…I'll be..fine.." I called weakly.

"No way, Quisty! I'm going to get Dr. Kadowaki! You stay right there and don't move an inch!"

"That's really not…necessary…" I called, but it was too late. Selphie was already gone.

Irvine's POV…

I got up out of bed and stretched. I hadn't really had that much sleep last night. To tell you the truth, I was pretty worried about Rinoa…everybody was. Imagine how Squall must feel. I mean, we're all her friends, but to Squall, she's so much more. I bet he didn't sleep a wink. I decided that I would go check on Squall, I mean, he was probably already up and about, ready to issue orders to the rest of us. I'm sure he would have been out of here last night, if it weren't for Cid's orders.

I approached the door to Squall's dorm and knocked lightly. There was no answer from inside.

"Squall, are you in there?" I called. I tried knocking again, but there was still no answer. It was probably locked, but I decided to give the door knob a try. To my surprise, it opened.

"Squall…?" I searched his room, but he obviously wasn't in there. Hmm…that's funny…Maybe he went to go see that Headmaster? I decided to go check in Cid's office. I left Squall's room, made my way to the elevator, and got inside. He has to be up here, I thought. I mean, where else could he be? As the elevator came to a stop, I got out and made my way towards Cid's office. When I entered, the Headmaster was there, but there was no sign of Squall.

"Hello Irvine. What brings you here so early?" He asked me.

"Well, Sir, I was wondering if you had seen Squall. It looks like he's not up here though…"

"I'm sure he's in his Dorm, Irvine."

No, Sir, I've already checked. Nothing else would be open this time of morning anyway, except for the Training Center. Maybe he's there?"

"No, that's impossible. I had the Garden Faculty close down the Training Center for repairs."

"Well Sir, it seems that he's gone…"

Selphie's POV…

"Dr. Kadowaki, Dr. Kadowaki!" I shouted.

"What is it dear?!"

"It's Quistis! She's really sick!"

"Well, where is she?"

"She's in her dorm. I didn't wanna take her here 'cause she was throwing up like crazy!"

"Allright, I'll go to her dorm and see how she is. Now, you all are planning on going to find Rinoa today, correct?"

"Yup! We're gonna save her!"

"Could you please go get everybody and tell them to meet me in Quistis's dorm? It would also be very helpful if you could get the Headmaster as well."

"Right on! Tee-hee, you can count on me!"

"Thank you, Selphie. Good luck!"

I left the Infirmary and made my way to Zell's room. I knocked lightly on the door. "Zell, you in there?"

"Yeah, hold on a sec, Selphie." A few seconds later, he opened the door. "Hey Selphie, what's up?"

"Quistis is really sick so Dr. Kadowaki wants us all to meet her in Quistis's dorm. I'm supposed to tell everybody. Do you think you could do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you go tell the Headmaster? I'll go tell Irvy and Squall."

"Alright."

"Thanks! See ya, Zell!"

I made my way to Irvy's dorm, next. "Hey, Irvy, are ya in there?" I called out. There was no answer from behind the door. "Irvy?!" I shouted louder. I tried opening the door knob, but it was locked. Maybe Squall knows where he is, I thought to myself. I decided to go get Squall and then head back to Irvy's dorm.

When I reached Squall's dorm, the door was ajar. I peered in. "Squall…?" No answer. I entered his room, but he was no where to be found. A piece of paper on his desk caught my eye, and I reached for it. It read:

Dear Quistis, Zell, Irvine, and Selphie,

I have reason to believe that Rinoa is in Dollet. She is being held someplace called 'Dollet Mansion.' I'm not exactly sure where that is, but I'll manage to find it. I'm sorry for leaving without telling you guys, but please try to understand. Rinoa needs me, and I can't stand not knowing whether she is safe or not. Please tell Headmaster Cid that I am deeply sorry for going against orders. I hope you can all understand.

-Squall

He's gone?! I better show this to Headmaster Cid! I ran out of Squall's dorm and up to the elevator. Come on, why do you have to move so slow?! Finally, I reached my destination. I burst through the door's of the headmaster's office without even knocking.

"Selphie, what's wrong?!"

"Sir, Squall's gone!" I shouted.

"Calm down, Sefie." I turned to see Irvine standing beside me. "I went to his dorm this morning and he wasn't there, so I decided to see the Headmaster. We already know that Squall is gone."

"Yes, but do you know where?" I asked.

"Well, that's we have been trying to figure out." Headmaster Cid replied.

"You don't have to do that! I found this note in Squall's room, on his desk!" I handed headmaster Cid the note.

"So, he went to Dollet, eh?" Just then, the door burst open…it was Zell.

"Headmaster! Wait a sec…Selphie…Irvine…what are you guys doing here?"

"Well Zell, you might as well know. Squall is gone." The Headmaster told him.

"SAY WHAT?!"

"He left this note saying that he went to Dollet…to find Rinoa…"

"What should we do?" Irvine asked the Headmaster.

"Well, first of all, Quistis is really sick and I was supposed to tell you all to meet Dr. Kadowaki in Quistis's room. I guess we can discuss it there." I told him.

"Allright…let's go."

Quistis's POV…

Since Selphie left, I had been feeling better…well, a little better anyway. At least I was out of the bathroom. I watched as the door opened and Dr. Kadowaki entered.

"Quistis, are you alright, dear?" She asked.

"Yes, it's just a little cold, I'll be-" Suddenly, I didn't feel so good, and I ran to the bathroom again.

"Just a little cold, huh? Quistis you have a fever! Looks to me like you have the flu. You're going to have to get some rest for at least a few days."

"No! I'm fine…really! I…have to go with the others…to help Rinoa…"

"You're not going anywhere in that condition, missy!" She scolded.

Then, the door burst open and the Headmaster entered, followed by Irvine, Zell, and Selphie.

"Quistis, are you alright?" He asked me.

"I'm…fine, Sir." I lied.

"Well, you don't look fine to me!" He exclaimed.

"That's what I've been trying to tell her! She thinks she's going to be going on a mission like this!" Dr. Kadowaki told him.

"Oh no, Quistis. You are going to stay here and get your rest." He told me.

"But Sir!" I exclaimed.

"No but's, Quistis. If you go out there like this, you'll put yourself, and everyone else, in danger."

"…Alright." I agreed reluctantly. Then I realized something. "Sir, where's Squall?"

"Squall is…gone…" He replied.

"What do you mean gone? Where did he go?" I asked.

"He left a note, saying that he was going to Dollet, to look for Rinoa."

"Dollet…?"

"Now don't worry about it Quistis. I'm sending Irvine, Selphie, and Zell to Dollet right now. All you need to worry about is taking care of yourself and getting better."

"Yes, Sir." I said.

"Good. Zell, Selphie, Irvine, you are to get on the next boat to Dollet. I wish you all the best of luck. Quistis, you take care of yourself."

"I will, Sir." With that everybody left my room…finally. I felt another wave of nausea approaching, and I quickly ran to the bathroom again…

????????'s POV…

I peered around the corner of the door and saw Quistis keeled over in the bathroom. Hehehe…looks like everything was going according to plan. I walked into the room as silently as possible. She didn't seem to notice me, I guess she was too busy emptying her stomach. Hehe…a little powder in her food goes a long way… I crept up right behind her and put a hand over here mouth and a knife at her throat.

"If you scream, I will kill you. Do you understand?" I told her. She nodded her head.

"Excellent. Looks like we understand each other." And with that, I opened her window and jumped out with her, into the boat that was waiting below…

Author's Note: That chapter really sucked, right? It probably didn't make much sense, but bear with me. Who is this mystery person that has kidnapped Quistis? What does Caraway have in store for Rinoa? You're going to have to read on to find out! Also, don't forget to review!!!!