Disclaimer: I still own nothing, not Squaresoft, Final Fantasy, Manchester United or the Elvis Estate. These still belong to some other people, tried to win them back but cards really aren't my game so once again i failed miserably. But I will get them all back I tell you, yes I will.
A/N: Squall will still be very ooc, but why will be explained later. Again this will be a romantic chapter but trust me the action will start very soon. Thanks as always to mieka and thanks to Hannah for keeping me sane. Of course Special thanks to Alex my favourite poetry lady I'd be lost without you really. Ok here we go chapter 6.
Reunions part 2.
Squall walked down the corridor towards Laguna and Ellone's room as he walked he thought about how good it felt to be back amongst his friends. He had missed them all so much and was actually relieved they had missed him too. But as usual most of his thoughts were about her, his angel the one he had missed the most. They had sat in the cafeteria for over two hours all of them just laughing and joking as friends. Squall had not only joined in on this he had actually started most of the joking around.
"So Squall" Zell asked through a mouthful of Hot Dogs.
"What" Squall had answered.
"What's the deal with the jokes man" Zell replied as he finished his mouthful and reached for another Hot Dog.
"Well I just figured it was time to lighten up Zell, I mean you guys were always dissing me" he said as the others started to look towards the two men.
"And besides I'm really funny" he said seriously.
"Oh yeah really funny" Rinoa said sarcastically.
"Now, Now Miss Heartily" Squall said as he moved towards her.
"Oh no! Tickle Torture" she said as she tried to escape his hands.
Zell sat there smiling as did the others, none of them had ever really seen this side to Squall and they all were very happy to. But what he did next stunned them all, none more so than Rinoa.
"You know Rin, I know your other weakness as well" he said smiling as he grabbed her around the waist.
"and what's that Mr. Leonheart" she said smiling back at him, once more lost in his smile.
"Me" he said, as he kissed her on the lips.
They all looked on with shocked expressions, having rarely seen him open in his emotions and certainly never this open. It stunned Zell so much that he spat his Hotdog out of his mouth hitting Quistis right in the face.
"ZELL EHHWW" Selphie shouted as she, Jessica and Irvine burst into laughter.
Quistis wiped the Hotdog from her face and gave Zell a stern look as Squall and Rinoa broke from their kiss.
"I'm sorry Quisty, it was just that you know" Zell stuttered his apology.
"Zell Dincht there is no excuse for spitting a Hotdog at someone" Quistis said angrily.
"I'm sorry it was just seeing them kiss, I mean it was a shock" he said saying what they all were thinking.
"And what's wrong with us kissing" Squall said in a slightly annoyed voice.
"Nothing, nothing at all it was just a shock that's all" Zell said noticing Rinoa looking at him like she agreed with him.
"Jessica how do you put up with him" Squall asked Zell's giggling girlfriend.
"I mean if he spits up food when people kiss, that must make him a really bad boyfriend" he added smiling at her.
"Hey man uncalled for" Zell said in a pretend hurt voice.
"Zell" Squall said.
"What" Zell answered still pretending to be hurt.
"Two words, Tickle torture" Squall said and began moving towards him.
"No way, get off" Zell said as the table once more erupted in laughter.
Rinoa sat there and laughed with her friends, but inside her stomach was doing butterflies. He kissed me, he kissed me in front of everyone and it felt amazing she thought.
After some more laughing and joking around Squall turned to them and said he had to go, he told them he had to see Sis. He also told them he had to see the headmaster but never mentioned Laguna.
"Oh ok" Rinoa said as he got up from the table and started to walk away.
"Rin I'll see you later ok" he said as he walked back to her and kissed her again.
"Um eh yeah" she said as she started to blush, twice, he's kissed me twice she thought as he walked away again.
As he got to the door he turned and looked at them all sitting there.
"Guy's it's really good to be back" he said and then proceeded to walk out the door.
"Really good" Rinoa whispered as she watched him leave and even though they hadn't heard her everyone else agreed.
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Laguna lay on his bed in the room looking at the walls, he had tried to remain patient as he waited for Squall to come see him and Ellone. But as he lay there he couldn't get away from thinking that maybe Squall wasn't coming, maybe he didn't want to see him. Even though he hadn't told Squall he was his father and there was no reason for Squall not wanting to see Ellone and him, he couldn't shake the idea that Squall wasn't going to show, he was letting these thoughts get to him as he heard a knock at the door.
"Hey sis" Ellone heard Squall say as she opened the door.
"SQUALL" she shouted back as she grabbed him in a hug.
"Sis I missed you so much" he said hugging her back.
Laguna walked out of his room to see Squall and Ellone hugging each other in a deeply, as he watched the tears fall from Ellone's face he felt his own eyes misting over. There they were, the two people he cared about more than any in the whole world. His niece who meant so much to him and his son who he had thought was lost.
"Uncle Laguna" Ellone said as she noticed him standing there and broke from the embrace.
"Ell, Squall" were the only words from the man as he looked at her and his son.
Squall walked from Ellone to where Laguna was standing he looked at the man and knew exactly what had to be done.
"Hello dad" he said as he embraced his father, as both Laguna and the watching Ellone began to cry.
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They had stayed in the cafeteria for only a few minutes after Squall had left, each leaving feeling better than when they had arrived. Quistis headed back to her room to prepare her next classes, Zell and Jessica went back to his room to catch up, Rinoa and Selphie and Irvine made other plans.
"Rinny do you want to help with tonight's party" Selphie asked.
"Sure Sefie, what do you want me to do" she answered.
"Oh I'm sure we can find something for you to do, isn't that right Irvy" Selphie said winking at the cowboy.
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Jessica and Zell sat in his room, Zell trying to come to terms with all that had happened.
"Jess I was going to quit" he said to his stunned girlfriend.
"What, quit why would you quit" she asked even though she knew the answer.
"I couldn't go on without him here Jess, I tried too, really I tried, but the thoughts that he was gone and wasn't coming back just kept coming" he answered.
"Zell what about us, what will happen to us if you quit" Jessica asked the question worriedly.
"Jess, I would have asked you to come with me" he said as he moved closer to her.
"You would" she said feeling better already.
" Of course Jess, I really care about you" he said, as he took a hold of her hand.
" I really care about you too Zell" she replied deciding to wait to tell him how she truly felt.
"Jess I'm not going now" Zell said as he kissed her.
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As he walked towards the headmaster's office Squall thought back to what had occurred in Laguna's room. They had talked for over two hours and he now felt drained, even though he had one more person to see before the party..
"How….How did you know" Laguna asked as they stood there.
"It's not important dad" Squall answered.
"I know how much you went through and how much you really cared and that's all I ever really needed" he added as he looked at the older man.
"I'm so sorry son, I should have been there for you" Laguna said as he began to cry.
Squall once again embraced his father and told him it was ok.
"All that matters is now dad not the past" he said to his father.
"Yes" was the only response Laguna said as he looked at his son.
Ellone watched the scene with a smile, she had thought that Squall wouldn't be angry finding out about Laguna but had never hoped for this. To see the two people that meant the most to her in the world finally accepting each other made her happier than ever. But she had a nagging doubt at the back of her mind that she couldn't quite shake, how did Squall know she thought as she watched them. She tried to put this thought out of her mind and enjoy the fact that they were here, they were together and they were finally a family.
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Squall entered the headmaster's outer office to see Xu lost in a pile of paperwork, as he looked at her he smiled.
"Busy huh" he joked to the girl.
"Yeah what do you think" she said sarcastically without looking up from her desk.
"That's really no way to talk to your Commander, now is it" he said jokingly
"Whaaa…..Squall" she exclaimed before immediately saying "I mean sorry sir" as she stood up and saluted.
"Relax Xu, is Cid in his office" he said and smiled at the girl putting her at ease.
"Yes he's really looking forward to see you" she said thinking how unusual it was for him to smile.
"Ok, better not keeping him waiting anymore then" he said as he turned and headed to the headmaster's office.
"Oh and Xu, take a break ok and that's an order" he said as he opened the door.
Xu sat there in complete shock, Squall joking and smiling the world must be coming to an end she thought, as she did what he had asked and went on a break.
"What is it Xu" the headmaster said as his door opened.
"Have I really changed that much" Squall answered the headmaster and entered the room.
"Squall my boy" Cid said as he jumped up from his desk.
"Sir it's good to see you" Squall said as he saluted the headmaster.
"Now, Now, my boy no need for that" Cid said and hugged the startled Commander.
"Sir it's good to be back" Squall said and hugged the man he had always considered his father.
"Yes my boy it's good to have you back" Cid replied as they hugged for a few more minutes.
"Sir we need to talk" Squall said as they both decided they had been hugging long enough and stepped apart.
"Yes indeed my boy" Cid said as he sat down.
"Am I still Commander sir" Squall said as he too sat down.
"Yes of course you are" Cid replied.
"Good" Squall said as he reached into his pocket.
"Sir there are a few ideas I have that I'd like to go over with you, if you don't mind" he asked as he handed the headmaster the document he had written earlier.
"Very good Commander" Cid said and began to read the document.
They sat there for a few minutes while the headmaster continued to read through Squalls ideas, as he finished reading he turned to the Commander and smiled.
"Are you sure about this" he asked him.
"Yes sir it's what needs to be done" Squall answered.
"Very well Commander, I agree with your recommendations" Cid said as Squall stood up and began to leave.
"Thank you sir" Squall said as he reached the door.
"Oh and Commander very good to have you back" Cid said as he watched the man open the door.
"It's good to be back sir" Squall said as he left.
The headmaster sat there and smiled again, he hadn't been expecting a response from the Commander and it pleased him to see Squall had been changed by his experiences. He the suddenly remembered that he hadn't asked the Commander about what had happened and where he had been, oh well he'll tell us when he's ready he thought as he looked at the document again.
"Tonight should be interesting" he said aloud as he read the Commanders ideas again.
"Yes very interesting" he said aloud again.
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Squall entered his room and immediately called out for Rinoa, it had felt like weeks since he had seen her and he wanted to talk to her about tonight's party.
"Rin" he called as he looked around the room.
"Rin you in here" he called again as he saw the note on the table with his name on it. He picked it up and began to read through it.
Squall,
Gone to get changed in Sefie's room,
I'll see you at the party ok,
Rinoa.
Squall read the note and was a little disappointed, he had actually wanted to talk to her before the party as he was already missing her. He decided to have a shower and get ready for the party, he had a lot to do tonight he thought as he began to undress.
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Rinoa sat in Selphie's room waiting for the other girl to finish getting dressed, she was dressed and ready to go and would have much preferred to do this in her and Squall's room, no our room she thought and smiled. Our room that sounds so good she thought to herself as Selphie finally appeared. She was wearing a bright blue silk dress which Rinoa thought looked amazing on her, Rinoa herself was wearing a white satin dress which was longer than Selphie's but actually suited Rinoa much more.
"Wow Rinny, were going to blow their minds" Selphie said as she admired the other girls dress.
"Yeah shall we go" Rinoa said and smiled at her friend.
"You betcha" Selphie said as they left the room.
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Squall stood in the ballroom waiting for Rinoa, the party was already started and she hadn't arrived yet.
"Relax man, they probably want to make a grand entrance" Irvine said as he stood beside him.
"Yeah " Squall said as he finally saw her enter.
"Wow" he said as Irvine looked at him as smiled.
"Yeah wow" Irvine said as he watched Squall head over to the two girls.
"Rin you look amazing" Squall said to her as he reached them.
"You too Selphie" he added as he looked at the other girl.
"Thanks Squall, so do you" Rinoa said as she started to blush.
"Yeah stud" Selphie said as she noticed him blushing now as well.
"Squall do you know where Irvy is" Selphie said deciding they should be alone.
"Yeah Selphie he's here somewhere" Squall said, glad the girl knew he wanted to be alone with Rinoa.
"Ok I'll see you guys later" she answered as she left them.
"Rin wow you look beautiful" Squall said as he turned to her.
"Thanks" she said looking at him.
"Rin we have to talk later ok" Squall said to her.
"Oh" she worriedly answered.
"No Rin in a good way" he said and smiled at her.
"Oh" she said and smiled back at him.
"So you wanna go join the others" he said.
"Whatever" she said smiling.
"Now Miss Heartily remember I know you weakness" he said and moved towards her.
"Oh no tickle torture" she said as they both started laughing.
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They were sitting with their friends and having fun, the party had been going on for an hour and they had all enjoyed themselves. As they sat there Squall kept looking around the room, Laguna and Ellone had arrived and he had talked to them for a while. He still hadn't told anyone that Laguna was his father but he would when he was ready too. As they sat there Squall looked over to the headmaster and gave him a nod.
"Excuse me everybody" Cid said as he stood up on the stage.
"Everybody can I have your attention for a minute" he added as the music died down and people turned to the stage.
"Can you guy's excuse me for a second" Squall said as he got up from his seat.
"Sure" they said as he walked from the table.
The headmaster stood at the stage and watched Squall walk from the table, this is going to be interesting he thought to himself as he prepared to address the party again.
"Thank you everyone" the headmaster said
"Ok now that I have your attention, I have someone who would like to say a few word to you all" he continued noticing now all faces in the room were looking at him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen without further ado I give you the Commander of Garden, Squall Leonheart" Cid said as the room went very quiet.
Squall walked to the stage and noticed everyone was looking at him, he could see the shock in the faces of his father and sis. He could see his friends at the table looking at each other in complete silence, as he looked he could see Rinoa mouth the words "What's going on" to the others. He reached the headmaster and shook his hand before turning to the people in the room.
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"Thank you sir" he said and saluted the headmaster
"I have some words to say to you all that I really should have said along time ago" he began
"Firstly I need to thank you all, as Commander I was forced to make decisions that affected us all, one of these was during the attack by Galbadia garden, during this attack many people fought above and beyond the call of duty and so as Commander I would like to thank you all. You all made me so proud to be your Commander that day and have continued to do so every day since, for that you have my undying gratitude" he said as the room started to erupt in applause.
"However there are some people who I need to thank personally, two in particular who deserve a special mention. So right now I would like to take this time to announce the following promotions, Seeds Nida and Xu could you please come up here" he said as both Nida and Xu looked on in shock. As they had been asked by the Commander however they did walk to the stage.
"Nida for all your help and support and for exceptional performance during the battle between Galbadia garden and Balamb garden I hereby promote you to A rank seed" Squall said and saluted the stunned man.
"Xu for exceptional performance during Norg's attempted takeover of Garden and for exception performance as acting Commander while I was away I hereby promote you to Deputy Commander effective immediately" he said and saluted the equally stunned girl.
The two Seeds saluted the Commander and walked from the stage, as they started to walk away Squall started to applaud and immediately everyone in the room joined in. Turning back to the stage he once again started to speak as the crowd stopper their applause and looked up to him again.
"These final few things I have to say are personal and have nothing to do with being Commander of Garden, these are things again I should have said a long time ago, so if you could bear with me for a few minutes and then we can get back to the party" he said as the room quietened down.
"Firstly I would like to thank Headmaster Cid Kramer and his wife Edea or as she will always be known to me Matron, both of you have done so much for me that words can't really express how much you mean to me, so thank you for everything" he said and walked over to them hugging first one and then the other and also placing a kiss on Edea's cheek.
Rinoa was not alone in her thoughts as everyone of her friends, in fact the whole room was thinking the same thing and she could see quite a few tears being shed especially from Edea. Wow he's changed for the better she thought as she watched the scene in front of her.
"Now onto four people who I owe more than I could ever begin to repay, people who are more to me than colleagues, more than team members,people who I am happy to call my friends." he said as he looked to the table where Rinoa and the others sat.
"Irvine Kinneas thank you for everything, for your support and friendship I am eternally grateful" he said to the cowboy.
"Selphie Timmit for everyday your smile made me feel better, for every time your energy and emotion made me want to succeed I owe you thanks" he said and smiled as the green eyed girl began to cry..
"Zell Dincht for being my best friend, for putting up with my crappy attitude and for always being there I owe you so much" he said as Zell looked at him in surprise.
"Quistis Trepe my instructor, for trying to reach me when no one else would, for trying to make me a better person and for trying it all no matter how many times I pushed you away I thank you" he said as he notice the instructor struggle to contain her tears.
"I owe you all so much, so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart" he said as the room once again burst into applause. He looked at them and smiled once more before turning to look at Rinoa.
"Lastly I would like to thank someone who means more to me than even she knows. Someone who came into my life less than a year ago but who changed everything. Rin I owe you everything" he said and walked over to the table.
"You saved me when even I didn't realise I was lost, you made me believe in life when I thought there was no reason too, you made me into what I am now and what I hope to be and for this and so much more I thank you, you mean everything to me" he said and said and smiled at her.
Rinoa sat there in complete silence, she had heard what he said about the others and had thought that he could surprise her no more, but she had been wrong he could she thought as she smiled back at him.
He looked at her again and walked back to the stage.
"Ok that's it, again I would like to thank you all" he said and once more left the stage, this time to thunderous applause.
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He walked from the stage to the table where his friends sat, they all saw him coming and looked up at him as he arrived.
"Wow Squall that was amazing" Selphie said as he started to blush.
"Yeah totally amazing" Irvine added.
"I never knew you cared about us like that" Zell said.
"Thank you Squall, thank you so much" Quistis said as she finally lost the battle with her tears.
"Squall I….I…" Rinoa said as she too felt the tears flow.
"Guy's I should have said it a long time ago" Squall said.
"There's just one more thing I need to say" he added as they all looked at him.
"Rin would you allow me the honour of a dance" he said as he reached his hand out to her.
"Of course" she said smiling as he led her to the dance floor.
They watched the two people dance and it was as if the whole world seemed to slow down, everyone in the room looked at the couple on the dance floor and everyone could see that this was how it was supposed to be. Most of them had fought out of duty, some had fought out of respect for the Commander while others fought because of friendship. As they looked at the couple though everyone in the room could see that these two had fought for each other, they had fought and won for love.
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The two men stood looking over the waters edge, they had been here before but now it was different. The smaller man turned to the taller one and began to speak.
"It's time" he said.
"Yes I know" the taller man answered.
"Are you ready" the smaller man asked.
"No" the other man answered.
"You know this is right, you know it has to be done" the smaller man said as he began to walk away.
"Yes I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like it" the taller man said as he wiped the tear that fell from his eye and flowed over his scarred face.